In The Zone: Wolves Treading Water, Week 9 Preview!

The FAN's Dave Sinykin and Trent Tucker are back talking some Wolves hoops and plenty of NFL as the Vikings head to Detroit to play the Motor City Kitties.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (01:14):
It's eight o one on a Saturday morning. That means
you are in the zone on the fan.

Speaker 2 (01:19):
Great to be with you.

Speaker 1 (01:20):
I am Dave Sinekon, joined virtually by my partner, the
professor of Hooplag. You may know him as Double T
Trent Tucker, who last weekend was in lovely Chicago for
a son's hockey tournament. This weekend finds himself and even

(01:41):
lovelier Fargo, North Dakota, and he joins us via the
Connectical Water Systems hotline for at least the first hour
of the program. Good morning Tea, Good morning David. How
I'm good. How are things in Fargo this morning?

Speaker 3 (01:56):
Uh? You know, Chiley, no rain and no snow, so
that's good.

Speaker 2 (02:03):
That is a good thing.

Speaker 1 (02:04):
Everyone wants to know how things went in Chicago for
Young James hockey team. How things go in the Windy
City for you guys.

Speaker 3 (02:12):
Things went very well. You know, they were able to
win all three games and so they had a very
successful weekend. And I up to a good start yesterday
as well.

Speaker 1 (02:21):
And you're in Figo for the weekend and hopefully we'll
see you next week.

Speaker 2 (02:26):
I miss your face. It's been a couple of weeks.

Speaker 3 (02:28):
I see, I should be there next week.

Speaker 2 (02:30):
All right, Very good, very good.

Speaker 1 (02:32):
You're good for at least this first hour, I believe,
which is great, as we will catch up on all
things NBA, in particular. Much has happened to our favorite
basketball team since we last spoke, most notably, of course,
the injury to Anthony Edwards. It has kept him out
of this homestand this three game homestand where the Wolves
went one and two and now head to the road

(02:53):
for three where he will also unlikely be playing. Maybe
by next Friday, when the Wolves are back against Utah
for the NBA Cup game, maybe he's back. But they
are trying to navigate without him double tea, and it's
not going well. There's no there's no shame in losing
at home to Denver when you don't have your best player,

(03:14):
especially a team that has been dying to try to
beat you for a while now. And but there is
a lot to say about a Lakers game where they
didn't have two of the five best players in the
world perhaps and a number of other players, and the
Wolves put up a clunker. So I don't know how
much if any of you saw of the Laker game
but where are you with the state of what the

(03:35):
Wolves are doing five games in at two and three
right now?

Speaker 3 (03:39):
Well, you know there's no need to panic, but you
know you do have some small concerns.

Speaker 2 (03:44):
I have some large concerns, But go ahead.

Speaker 3 (03:46):
Okay, yes, large, yeah, some smallness, as I think I
would say, my biggest concern is always the health of
your best player. And anytime you talk about hamstring injuries,
we know how those things can linger throughout the year
and you and you're just hoping, you know that you
know he gets the ample time. You know it's to
heal up so that he can be healthy and ready

(04:07):
to go for the rest of the season. But you know,
I can say I will go from small to a
medium sized concerned is that overall defense, the intensity that
they helped his team get to where they got to
a year ago in the defensive end so far to
start this season is not there.

Speaker 1 (04:25):
No, it's not. It's got to start with Rudy Gobert. Obviously,
he is the the kingpin when it comes to the defense.
He just hasn't looked his usual self at all so
far of the season. And it's concerning because we know
the Wolves are in kind of a quandary because when
he's on the court, they've been one of the better
defensive teams. When he's off the court, but they're also
one of the worst offensive teams, and it flips. When

(04:47):
he's off the court, the defense falls off the map,
and he's not been great when he's out there on
either end.

Speaker 2 (04:53):
I'm a little.

Speaker 1 (04:53):
Concerned about the slow start for Rudy, and you know,
when you lose and kind of unexpectedly, it sort of
changes everybody's job and everybody's mindset. And I don't know
if Rudy hasn't wrapped himself around what more this team
needs from him. When when AD's not out there and Clark,
I mean that's two you know, primary perimeter defenders are out,

(05:15):
he must feel like he's back with the Jazz.

Speaker 2 (05:17):
You know, there's nobody defend around him.

Speaker 1 (05:19):
Because the defense right now without those two guards has
been terrible, and Rudy's not not stepping up in their
absence and in sort of controlling things. I'm I don't
know if it's five games in, obviously, and we'll get
everybody back soon and we'll see how things look. But
you'd like to think the defense can rise up when
when things are you know, not happening offensively, when you're

(05:42):
leading scorers out and the defense against the Lakers was abysmal,
you made something called Jake la Rabia look like a
viral sensation ten for eleven from the floor, Austin Reeves,
the Lakers need to sign him quickly because he's he looked.

Speaker 2 (06:00):
Like a superstar against the Wolves.

Speaker 1 (06:01):
They were getting whatever looks they wanted against the Wolves defense.
And when the Lakers are coming at you without Lebron
and Luca and Marcus Smart was out and gave Vincent,
I mean half their roster was out, yet they found
no resistance at target center.

Speaker 2 (06:14):
That that's a big concern.

Speaker 3 (06:17):
That's a major concern, as you talked about, because you know,
defense stars are in the perimeter, and you know and
your preimative players have to maintain and control penetration and
if they and if they can't keep the ball out
of the middle of the floor, well then you put
your big man and in tough situations now where they

(06:37):
have to step up into space and they find themselves
in foul trucks because they are standing in no mass land.
On that final play that Austin Reeves got off. I mean,
I'm going back to basic fundamentals here. I'm looking at
all the sports and baseball heres can't but anymore. Players can't,

(06:58):
but anymore, they don't have to sacrifight though. If you
need to move a runner from first to second and
the top of the ninth in and you're asking the
guy to run, he can't do that the more because
they're not teaching the basic fundamentals of the game. On
the pick and roll situation, Okay, you know there are
six seconds left in the game, and I see this

(07:19):
time and time again. The guy splits the double team
is because the two defenders don't come together. Rudy Gobert
jumps out. J McDaniel gets hung up on the screen.
And it wasn't because Austin Reeves made a great, great
play to spit the double team. The approach on defense

(07:40):
was so poor. Any good guard will to split that defense.
Rudy Gobert was out of position. Ja McGann never got
over the screen. That's just a lack of fundamentals and teaching.
When you're trapping the pick and roll, the two defenders
have to come shoulder the shoulder and almost form an
al so that the guy cannot split the two defenders

(08:03):
because the day forced him to go why what they
were supposed to do. The game is over because he
doesn't have enough time to get the shut off. The
only play he could make was by splitting the two defenders.
Is because those two guys approach that defensive situation and
the worst way that you can imagine two defenders coming

(08:24):
together trying to trap the pick and roll. It was
just it's just the lack of teaching on how to
defend the pick and roll. I don't know if it's
on the players or the coaches, but they need to
spend some time in practice working on these small tactical
things that's going to help their overall defense and clutch moments,

(08:45):
because if they don't, you're going to see these types
of results at the end of games throughout the season.

Speaker 1 (08:50):
I mean, that seems like an elementary defensive principle, right,
I mean, that's not something that.

Speaker 2 (08:55):
That course bad.

Speaker 3 (08:57):
It's sad for me as to be an ex basketball
player from high school to college to the NBA and
to see these guys continue to make the same mistake
over and over and over again when it comes to
defending the pick and roll. There was no reason for
really go better jump out either they haven't taught him

(09:20):
over the years that he's been playing in the league.
And if and if that is true, that's sad. Yep,
that's sad because you're supposed to know at that stage
you cannot allow him to split because that's the only
play that he could make. He split the double team
is because your approach to the pick and roll defense

(09:41):
was so poor it allowed any good guard in this
league to make that play.

Speaker 1 (09:47):
And what's a shame was though it took away what
was sort of a thrilling final six minutes. You know,
the Wolves were completely outplayed for forty two and then
midway through the fourth quarter, I felt like Mike Conley
kind of ignited things with just that extra intensive defensive effort.
He's sort of unlocked everybody and suddenly they're defending harder,
they're rebounding better, the shots start falling, and that fifteen

(10:11):
or so point lead gets wiped out and the Wolves
actually took that one point lead in the closing seconds
and as you say, failed on the final defensive play
on a night where Austin Reeves is the only guy
that you really worried about offensively. It's a damning loss,
isn't it off the Denver loss at home. I understand

(10:32):
you're down two key guys, but you can't lose to
a Lakers team missing Luca and Lebron on your home court.
I don't care who you're missing. It was to me
a complete failure. And now you had had a couple
of days to think about it as they head on
the road tonight to play the Charlotte Hornets. They'll play
Brooklyn Monday at the Knicks Wednesday, so a three game

(10:53):
trip out east, and as we said, it doesn't feel
like we'll have aunt this week. It's sort of been
open ended. Could it be two weeks, could be a
little less. But as you say, with a hamstring, man,
you got to get that thing right. It's a long season.
You can shuffle around a bit early, but you don't
want and to be dealing with this long term because
obviously that can derail your season in a heartbeat, right.

Speaker 3 (11:16):
Oh, no doubt about it. You know, you always want
to make sure that your best player is healthy and
ready to go in and like you don't want to
have him have these nagging injuries throughout the year. But
it's these small, little fundamental things that it's lacking in
the game today that is causing good teams like the

(11:37):
Wolves sometime to break down in critical moments. And what
happened on that last play with Austin Reeves Dave is unacceptable.
That's then elementary thing. I mean, we were taught when
you're going to trap, to pick and roll, are you
going to trap anyone in any situation? The two of

(11:58):
these fenders have to come together shoulder to show there
because if you jump too high, that opens up that's
opened up the middle where a guy has the ability
to split because you're out of position. So you almost
have to form an al to make sure there's no crease.
Either want to trap him hard or the goals that

(12:20):
force him to go wine. And if they force him
to go wine with six seconds ago, he has no
chance to get the shot off. But because the approach
on defense was so poor, it allowed a good player
like Austin Reeves to get down in the middle and
make the game winning shot at the end. Coaches and

(12:41):
coaching staff they have to look at that on Sam
and they have to be the ones to correct that situation.
The players are not going to correct it. Now it
comes down to when when there's a lack of fundamental
and smaller details and tactical things are breaking down, that's
on the coaching staff. Yeah, it makes you wonder at Yeah,

(13:01):
I mean you had a time out, you know, setting
up that play to set your defense and say, all right,
you know what they're gonna do here, put the ball
in Austin Reeves hands. We have to make sure he
doesn't beat us. And yeah, you just wonder if it
was just the players melting. I can't believe the coaches
didn't have They're prepared for what the Lakers might do.
It's not like they had a bunch of sharpshooters you
had to worry about on the outside. It was Reeves

(13:23):
or nothing really, And yeah, it was a complete failure
in that last play. There's there are a lot of
failures for this team early when we come back, double
t slow starts for guys like Nas and TJ.

Speaker 1 (13:34):
Shannon have us scratching our heads. We'll continue to look
at the early season, abysmal results so far for this
Timberwolves team, and lots of NBA to discuss. As we
are a couple of weeks in and just a couple
unbeaten teams. One is a big surprise. We'll continue to
check NBA when we return in the zone. I'm the fan.

(14:15):
We're back eight nineteen on a Saturday morning here in
the Zone. Trent Tucker, Dave Sinekon Brett Blake Moore hanging
out till ten o'clock as usual when we will have
things off to Fantasy Football weekly. The boys will get
your lineup set between ten and noon Today. Gophers pregame
at twelve thirty Today, Gophers hosting Michigan State at two
thirty at the Bank, hoping to wipe away memories of

(14:38):
what happened in Iowa City a year ago, I mean
a week ago. And then of course we'll have wild
hockey tonight six o'clock. They'll drop the puck pregame at
five forty five. Wild Vancouver Wolves will be available on
the iHeart app if you care to listen to that
early start in Charlotte double t R Gophers. We talked
about it last week, like many a You're like, really,

(15:00):
I was an eight nine point favorite against the Gophers
coming off the big win over Nebraska. That seems rather disrespectful.
The Vegas guys knew what they were doing. That was
that was stunning what happened in Iowa City last week.

Speaker 3 (15:15):
Yes, you know, I have I have a good friend
by the name of Pat Fish who was a huge
Gopher fan, right, and I was wondering why I hadn't
heard from him, and in a couple of days and
then when I, you know, clipped over to check the
scores on ESPN, and I saw why I hadn't heard
from him. Yeah, yeah, that was that was you know,

(15:38):
I didn't see that coming into Iowa City a week ago,
that they would go down there and get deep like
they did.

Speaker 2 (15:44):
No, I don't think anybody did.

Speaker 1 (15:46):
And I don't think anybody expected Drake Lindsay to struggle
as he did. I was always a good defensive team.
But three picks, including the pick six, he just he
just had one of those clunker days and the Gophers
couldn't run the ball. The thing got away from him early.
And I frankly wasn't paying too much attention because Indiana
was having their fun with UCLA at the same time.

(16:06):
So that's where my attention was focused last week. But man,
a chance today against the Michigan State team that's winless
in the Big Ten. They've got a little fight to them.
I saw them, you know, play Indiana a couple weeks ago.
They had an early lead in Bloomington. So you know,
Joe Rossi, the former Gopher DC is running the show
on defense in East Lansing. They've struggled defensively. They're allowing

(16:27):
thirty two points a game. That's the worst in the
Big Ten. But he'll have his guys ready to play
his former team. And you know, both of these teams
desperately need a w no more than the Gophers, who
of course have to head to Oregon next week. That's
not going to be likely very pretty. So this is
the kind of team PJ. Fleck coach teams tend to
always beat. But they got to take care of business.

(16:49):
Two thirty today at Huntington Banks Stadium, Gophers looking to
go four and two for the Big Ten schedules so
far again, you'll hear that right here on the Home
First Yuma at two thirty on the fan Wild Follows
and Wolves on the iHeart app Double t. We're five
games in most of those without Anthony Edwards.

Speaker 2 (17:11):
It's just so surreal that.

Speaker 1 (17:13):
This is an organization that's been so fortunate with his health.

Speaker 2 (17:16):
You just don't expect to lose Ant.

Speaker 1 (17:17):
He plays eighty games a year, it seems, year in,
year out, so we've been a bit spoiled. Fortunately, it
doesn't sound like this is going to be a major thing.
It's a minor hamstring strain, and hopefully we'll get through
this week with a few road games against Eastern Conference
teams that you know they're not going to scare you necessarily. Now,
the Knicks are tough, but you know Charlotte and Brooklyn.

(17:40):
If you're looking for teams to play without Ant, I
guess I'm saying that's maybe where you start. But in
light of what we saw most recently, we take nothing
for granted. This team's going to have to play a
whole lot better, and they're going to need a lot
more production from the guys off the bench.

Speaker 2 (17:54):
I think the.

Speaker 1 (17:54):
Starts from Nas Reed and TJ. Shannon have been alarming
a little bit. I think both of those guys have
looked basically terrible, Really surprised at how much Nas has struggled. Now,
part of that Nas is dealt with a personal tragedy.
You know, he's lost his sister to senseless violence. I
don't know if it's me that's gonna mess with me

(18:17):
for a while. So I'm certainly gonna keep that in
mind as we watch Nas on the core right now,
but certainly does not look like the same Nas.

Speaker 2 (18:26):
Read.

Speaker 1 (18:26):
He doesn't look comfortable. He never really look comfortable defensively,
he doesn't look comfortable offensively. Maybe still trying to figure
out where he fits in this group, although you know
it's pretty much the same group as a year ago
minus Naw.

Speaker 2 (18:38):
I don't know how much you've noticed, but NAS struggles. TJ.

Speaker 1 (18:42):
Shannon has not grabbed the baton and run with it
just yet. He feels like he's still trying to figure
things out. And those are two players this team absolutely
counts on anyway, and even more so when you're down
two rotation guys.

Speaker 3 (18:57):
Well, you talked about TJ. San You know his role
has changed dramatically when you had Nikill Alexander walkin, when
he came in off the bench talking about TJ. Shannon,
he was in there just for a special moment, maybe
to see if he could provide a spark offensively, and
we saw him do that a year ago, specially at
playoff turn. But now with Nikill Alexander Walker going and

(19:20):
the things that he brought to the table was so valuable.
He wasn't just a guy who came in out the
bench and provide the offense. He played the defense. At times,
he had to play the point opposition where you know,
he had to make the right pass at the right time.
So now that TJ. Shannon, you know, uh situation has expanded,

(19:41):
it's going to be interesting to see now that can
he expanded expand this game a little bit more to
be more productive in the role now that there are
going to ask him to play.

Speaker 2 (19:53):
Yeah, and so far not so good.

Speaker 1 (19:55):
He just doesn't feel like he's out there playing that
certainly what we look late last season in the playoffs
where he came in off the bench and inserted himself
and just brought instant energy and fight.

Speaker 2 (20:06):
And you know, we haven't seen that yet.

Speaker 1 (20:08):
And again I'm not going to go crazy five games in,
but there's such an opportunity for him to step into
that role and you know, and then and go.

Speaker 3 (20:16):
Ahead, yeah, you're right, Yeah, And what I mean by
that when his his role now has expanded, the game
for him has changed. You know, we saw a guy
come in and provide just an instant offense for the team,
but now they're asking for more. He's gonna have to
play better defense. He's going to have to get critical
rebounds here and there. He's going to have to be

(20:38):
more productive and understand where his shots are coming from
withinside to offense. He's going to have to be more
than just a one dimensional player. And it's going to
be interesting, like I said, to see if he can
step in and accept that role to help this team
mop and forward.

Speaker 1 (20:55):
The one win the Wolves got on the homestand was
the Indiana game at the beginning of the week, again
aim where they did their best to give it away
that they were able to escape a Pacers team that
was missing again you know, half of its rotation guys.
A Pacers team whose next win will be its first
this season. They are off to a winless start. I

(21:16):
think they're zero to five to start the year. Obi
Toppen now has lost for three months. It's starting to
feel like a lost season for the Pacers. Yet they
did their darnedness to come in here and steal a win.
And you know, they were pressuring this team and daring
the ball handlers to succeed, and it pretty much worked
for most of the night. That's going to be an

(21:36):
ongoing problem and something we've talked about all off season.
The point guard play the ball handling duties. If teams
are going to pressure this team, how are they going
to get through it. You're asking Dante DiVincenzo to handle
the ball, that's not necessarily what he does best. Mike Conley,
we understand, you know, the minutes restriction have to be
in play. They've gone with Bones over rob a good

(21:58):
chunk of time. Although Dillingham had a nice run against
the Lakers. I thought had a really nice shift his
first time through. But this is going to be something
that we have to watch all season. And again understand
Aunt Jalen are not out there right now. But if
teams decide to test the ball handling prowess of this team,
they're gonna have to figure things out because there will

(22:20):
be a uh, you know, film on what the Pacers
tried to do and almost succeeded doing against this Wolve's team,
pressuring the ball. Forcing these guys to show they can
handle it, I'm not sure they can, to be honest.

Speaker 3 (22:33):
Where we starting game won against the trail Blass Yes,
and they were very they were very FORCNATE, you know,
to be close enough, you know, to win that game
coming out in stress because you know, Anthony Attlas made
some big time plays to close out the deal for
the Wolves, you know, but Porton allowed them to hang
around and you and you saw in Game one the struggles,

(22:53):
you know that the Wolves had trying to get the
ball from the back court to the front court just
because you don't have that court to the point guard
to deal with that type of pressure.

Speaker 1 (23:03):
I'm also interested to see Dante Evincenzo get more into
the offense right now. He only got seven shots up
against the Lakers. That just feels almost criminal when you're
missing Anthony Edwards and you're looking for offense. And we'll
talk about the guys that have been carrying to the
team offensively, you know, Randall McDaniels in particular. But you know,
we've seen stretches where Dante looks like the Dante we

(23:24):
remember from past incarnations on other teams. I just feel
like there has to be more of an effort to
get the ball in his hands.

Speaker 2 (23:30):
He's a good shooter.

Speaker 1 (23:32):
Seven shots against the Lakers team where you're missing key
guys and they were missing some key defenders as well.
It just feels like it's criminal that he doesn't get
more involved in the offense.

Speaker 3 (23:44):
Well, you know, with Anthony Edward was not being there,
and and you're looking for someone to step up in
order to provide, you know, a more offense, You're going
to have to make some adjustments within side of your offense.
You're gonna have to change something. You have to change
some of your approach, you know, when you lose a
key player or you know you can't, you can't come
to the table, you know, with the with the same

(24:04):
game plan. And I would like to see them take
him off the ball and run him off more screens.
As you mentioned, he's a very good shooter, and you
want your shooter to be in a situation where he
can get some looks and more attempts at the basket
because that's the only way he's going to be able
to help you. I know that, you know there's times

(24:25):
where he may have to bring the ball up the floor.
But with Anthony Edwards not being there, I think it's
time now for you know, Chris Bench and his coaching staff,
you know, to make from some minor adjustments on what
they do offensively to get Dante more involved so he
can help this team going forward.

Speaker 1 (24:42):
Yeah, I mean they're relying obviously very heavily on Julius
Randall right now. And then he's been terrific offensively. You know,
he's always going to be kind of a work in
progress on defense, but man, he's he's doing his part offensively,
you know, not just shooting, but you know, finding guys
in that playmaker role when he's asked to do it.
And and you know, McDaniels has stepped up to and
that's something you know, we had to hope to see

(25:03):
this season, was him to take another step offensively and
not just be a catch and shoot guy. And we
saw obviously him start to unlock that late last season
and especially in the playoffs. But you know, defensively, Chris
Finch kind of called McDaniels out the other day a
little bit, you know that he's got to lock in
more and and you know, McDaniel's reaction wasn't great, like,

(25:25):
I guess I'm not doing my job. I guess I
got to work hard or whatever it might be. He
didn't seem really on board with the critique, but he
hasn't looked like that lockdown defender that that we're accustomed to,
and maybe it is because he's taking on more of
an offensive role and knows that he has to be
more active offensively.

Speaker 2 (25:43):
But we need a two way Jane McDaniels.

Speaker 1 (25:45):
We want the offense, but if he's not that lockdown
perimeter defender, especially when these other two guys are out
who do a nice job on that end, well then
everything kind of falls apart. So I'd like to see
McDaniels take this opportunity and show us that, you know,
he can stay on the court and stay out of
foul trouble and and be that intimidating force defensively without

(26:06):
getting the whistle. I think he's afraid of the whistle
right now after a couple of early games where he
got three or four early and had to sit. I
think he's playing a little tentatively, and I just think
that's that's not going to serve him well.

Speaker 3 (26:18):
Well, I mean, now that he's asked to do more
offensively with with Anthony apt was not not being there,
he's going to have to be a little bit more
patient with this defense and understand that you know, he
can't pick up you know, cheap files, and you wanted
to be aggressive, but also you want him to be
to be smart, you know, David, I'm gonna take you back,

(26:38):
you know, into the early eighties when I was playing
for the New York Knicks, and what I mentioned by
the coach, a coach and the coaching stuff had to
make some adjustments to the game plan, you know. But
Mark King was out, was at number one option, and
every time down the floor, I'm gonna say seventy five
eighty percent, he'd be. Brown always ran one play called

(26:58):
power right or power left, and that was to get
involved with our King. So most of the other guys
who kind of shot around and watched him just play.
So when he got hurt and went down in my
rookie year, everybody said, now the Knicks are going to
fall apart. They're done after forty games. We were fourteen
and twenty six, and where are we going to go? Well,

(27:18):
we're not going to make any trades for Kareem Abdul Jabbar,
We're not going to make any trade from Mois Malona
doctor Jay. So there's no way that this team can win.
But Hrry Brown made some adjustments to his game plan.
You know, he got more guys involved all of a sudden.
Now he ran, you know, more plays for me to
come off screen set by Truck Roberson and Bill Conrad.

(27:40):
Now I was implemented more into the offensive scheme over
the next forty two games that we went thirty and
twelve in a tough Eastern Conference. And I think now
that Anthony Ewas is not there, you know, to me,
Chris Fins need to make a few subtle changes on
how he's going to implement Dante more into the offense
so he can help his team. That's what coaching is

(28:02):
all about.

Speaker 1 (28:03):
Yeah, I imagine it's obviously a huge challenge when you
lose your best player unexpectedly and now all the things
you planned on to get the season rolling are out
the window, and then you have to completely change what
you're looking to do. It happens, guys could hurt. The
fan has learned, and it's not the first guy to
go down. Fortunately it doesn't appear to be long term,
but you would just like to see this team that's

(28:26):
been around together for a while. We talked about continuity,
how basically everybody's back that you losing the guy for
half a dozen games is not going to just completely
destroy you.

Speaker 2 (28:34):
And so far this the returns have not been good.

Speaker 1 (28:37):
I'm really curious to see how they respond tonight in
Charlotte against a team that right now has the same
record as them two and three, they're fourth in offensive rating,
and against a Wolves defense that has looked a shell
of its former self. That's a big challenge. And I
think LaMelo Ball is playing. He's been I think called questionable.

(28:58):
Obviously that's a big thing. He doesn't play. Jalen Clark
also listed as questionable. But you know, you go on
the road and play a Charlotte team. That team has
given the Wolves fits, especially when Terry Rozier was on it.
We don't know what he was up to when he
was on it, but he always seemed to.

Speaker 2 (29:15):
Yeah, I think we did.

Speaker 1 (29:16):
I think he was betting his overs when he played
the Wolves because he always did well. But a challenge
tonight to see if this team can write to ship
a little bit. With Charlotte and Brooklyn a couple of
the have nots in their sights. Let's break here double
T next segment, let's look around the league. Some of
the surprise storylines early, both good and bad. Some surprising

(29:38):
teams at the top and at the bottom of the standings.
Through a couple of weeks, we'll weigh in on what
we've seen. A couple of weeks into the NBA season,
when we come back in the zone. How we're back

(30:08):
eight forty two on a Saturday morning, You're in the zone.
Trent Tucker, Dave Sinnecon, and the newly minted twenty nine
year old Brett lake Moore. Happy birthday, young man.

Speaker 4 (30:16):
Thank you.

Speaker 1 (30:17):
Nice to see you working hard on this big day.
I know you're going to celebrate by going to watch
your favorite hockey team. I'll ask you n double T.
I ask this all the time. I feel like state
of emergency in your head about your favorite hockey team
after this very slow start. How are you feeling about
your squad?

Speaker 5 (30:36):
For me on Panics, it is officially it's officially panic.
Oh yeah, yeah, I mean in this league it's just
hard to come back. It's easy to maintain because you
can play terribly and still get a point, but to
make ground and come from behind in the standings, it's
just hard. So if you dig yourself a hole, it's
hard to come back from and they just look disjointed.

(30:59):
Disinrat did and unorganized right now, it's not very good.

Speaker 3 (31:05):
I'm on the same page, you know. I have nothing
to add to that.

Speaker 1 (31:08):
Yeah, I'm sorry for you guys. You know the Wolves
are kind of feeling the same way, although I don't
feel quite like if you fall into a hole you
can't climb out. I'm not at that point yet, but
I understand where you're going. And good luck at the
Grand Casina. Areno Tonight's the Canucks in town, Wild Hockey
on the fan at six o'clock double tr last segment

(31:30):
with you today as you are in Fargo watching your
son getting set for a hockey tournament, and I know
that's going to be a blast. Hopefully he enjoys the
same success he had in Chicago last weekend. I want
to just go around the league quickly with some of
the things that have caught my eye and get your
thoughts on some of the newsworthy nuggets in the NBA.

(31:51):
Through a couple of weeks, there are just a couple
of unbeaten teams, one in each conference. The San Antonio Spurs,
for the first time in franchise history, a little surprising,
are off to a five and oh start this is
one of those teams that you know, you figure it, okay,
I mean maybe in a year or two. This is
a team that might climb up. They've got a generational talent.

(32:13):
They've got some really nice young guard pieces. You know,
Dearon Fox's the All Star, but Stefan Castle, reigning Rookie
of the Year, Dylan Harper, the number two pick in
the draft. You know, this is the team we're going
to keep an eye on down the road. Maybe not
so down the road.

Speaker 2 (32:28):
Double t.

Speaker 1 (32:28):
They beat a very good and hot Miami Heat team
one seventeen to one oh one by destroying them in
the fourth quarter. The other night, Weman Yama's line twenty
six points, eighteen rebounds, six assists, and five blocks. He
has become the second player since nineteen seventy five to
average thirty points, fourteen rebounds, and four blocks through his

(32:53):
first five games. The player he joins on that list
Bob McAdoo back in nineteen seventy five. I think the
Buffalo Braves maybe was his squad back then.

Speaker 3 (33:03):
Yeah, yeah, that team, right.

Speaker 1 (33:05):
Castle put up a nice line twenty one points, six rebounds,
eight assists, four steals. This is a team that we
have to take very seriously because they've got a player
double t who I think we all agreed heading into
the year, we could agree that, you know, in the
next few years, we might be calling him the best
player in basketball.

Speaker 2 (33:24):
We may have to believe move up the timeline.

Speaker 1 (33:26):
He might be grabbing that that mantle a little quicker
than we thought. He is remarkable, and this is a
team I think that's got stay in power. They've got
you know, Vissel is a nice shooter, They've got a
lot of nice pieces. They may not be a finished
product yet, but for a team that's been living in
the lottery, and obviously Wenby got hurt last year and
and missed a good chunk of the year, we didn't

(33:47):
know what they were. Uh, they are announcing themselves very
loudly early this season.

Speaker 3 (33:53):
Well, I mean, you're talking about a generation or talent.
And with his size and then Billy almost nights he's unguardable,
he's unguardable. And now he's he's understanding how devastating he
can be on the defensive end as well. And it's
the progid to see the Spurs get off to a

(34:15):
five you o start, We all we all knew at
some point in time. This would be a good basketball
team if you stayed healthy. But you know it's it's
the fans of San Antonio right now are ecstatic, you know,
to see that, Hey, once again, we may have a
player that can put us in a situation, you know,
to to win a championship. And with the way those

(34:35):
young players are starting to jail and to play together,
you never know that a Fox might be available before
at trade deadline. Just let's see if the Wolves can
get into that conversation.

Speaker 1 (34:45):
If he is available, right, I'd be all for that.
A big deal in Fox guy. And to be fair,
I think three of the five Spurs victories are against
teams that aren't very good. So you know, as you
look at things early, it's a lot of times the
product of the skeed and you can't read too much
into it. But what's undeniable is the talent that Wen
Benyama shows and it's not you know, anything we've ever

(35:08):
seen from a person seven foot five. I mean we've
we've seen very few seven foot five players in the NBA,
and those that have been that tall, you think of
minut Bowl comes to mind immediately. You know, a lot
of times, they're one trick ponies. You know, they're out
there to block shots and finish, you know, on pick
and roll with some slam dunks. We've never seen a
guy that can put the ball between his legs, who

(35:28):
can shoot threes effortlessly, can guard out to thirty feet
with a wingspan of twenty four feet. I mean, this
guy is a unicorn. And you know we'll get a
chance to watch him more and more. But he's the
one player double t that you know, maybe I don't
see a Spurs game, but if I'm watching Sports Center
and they're going to roll Spurs highlights, I'm locked in.

Speaker 2 (35:50):
I can't wait to see.

Speaker 1 (35:51):
I know I'm going to see something that I can't
see from any other player, and the story is just
being written. We hope the blood cloud issues. All that
stuff's a thing past. It's it's exciting as a basketball
fan to see something we haven't seen before. And then
I think that's what Wemby presents in the package that
he brings to the court. And I don't know, I
wish you were in the Eastern Conference, that's for sure,

(36:13):
but I can't take my eyes off him when when
there are Spurs highlights on if the Spurs are playing
on a game a national TV, I locked in. I
can't not watch this kid play.

Speaker 3 (36:25):
I mean, he brings a you know, a unique set
of talent you know to the table and all the
things you have you have talked about. No, we haven't
seen a player like this because we just don't see
seven for five guys you know, playing this way. For
he is very very unique. I believe he could be
even more devastating. If he even played closer to the basket,

(36:46):
he could put up even huge numbers because now he
delivered the freak goal line as well. I know he
has the ability to play on the perimeter. But if
if he really wanted to really dominate this game on
the inside with him his side and his ability and
his height, I mean, I think Dave, he could be
even more devastating to the league and for the Spurs.

(37:08):
And to put all those other player perima players now
in better positions to be more effective. But like you mentioned,
you know, we just don't see seven foot five guys
playing like this, especially at this level.

Speaker 1 (37:20):
Yeah, I think that is the direction they will go.
With all that talent in the back court. He doesn't
need to bring the ball up. He doesn't need to
play thirty feet from the hoops, so I could see
that being a way they transition as they move along.
In his Shane from Taka texasd Aaron Fox hasn't even
played yet. He's banged up. So they're doing this without
their all star point guard. It's going to be very
interesting to watch what the Spurs can do as they,

(37:43):
like everybody else in the West, chases the Oklahoma City Thunder,
who are off to a six and oh start there
without Jalen Williams. He's still a couple of weeks away
from returning from a wrist injury. The beat goes on
and okay, see, no hangover. They look just as potent,
as strong as deep. They're young lottery pick from a
year ago toepitch is out. He's dealing with testicular cancer.

(38:05):
Uh so we obviously all wish him well and hope
he licks that and gets back on the court. But uh,
no hangover for okay, see, they are off to a
scintillating start without their second best player. We're all looking
up at the Thunder again, aren't we double team?

Speaker 3 (38:21):
Yeah? I mean, you know they're the best player you
know is still doing the things that you need your
best player to do, but defensively, defensively and critical moments,
they're able to get the stops from From a team standpoint,
you know, they understand where they's supposed to be and
what they're supposed to be. Talked about the roles struggle

(38:42):
in the defensive end, and it's not going to take
just one individual, you know, to turn things around defensively,
it has to be from a collection of players, and collectively,
the Wolves right now are not in sync defensively. That's
why we're saying, you know, the breakdowns here and there
of Oklahoma City, those guys are well connected.

Speaker 1 (39:03):
Indeed, NBA Cup play began last night. Those are those
Friday and Tuesday games through the first couple months of
the season. The Wolves will play their first one next
Friday night against Utah. Last night, the Chicago Bulls knocked
off the New York Knicks by ten points. The Bulls
are the one unbeaten team double t in the Eastern Conference.
They are five and oh, just the third time ever

(39:25):
they've gotten off to a five and oh start, first
time since the Jordan days in the early nineties. Before
you joined that squad, Josh Giddy thirty two, ten and nine.
You look at that roster high right, Yeah, you look
at that roster and you go, you know, yeah, that's
a typical Bulls roster. But they have found something. Your guy,
Billy Donovan has unlocked something. I don't know what kind

(39:48):
of stay in power. Buzzelles is a nice young player,
but they don't have a ton of talent. But they're
just knocking teams off left and right. Big surprise to
see Chicago after this start.

Speaker 3 (40:00):
Well, you know you you Tray Zach Levine, who was
a very talented individual one on one type player. And
sometimes when when you reshape your roster, all of a sudden,
now more guys get into a team structure better and
the ball is moving. Uh, you got player movement, You
got ball movement. Some more guys now are involved offensively

(40:22):
and you're not just standing around watching watching one guy
go one on one. And when you get that constant
motion offensively, you put more pressure in the defense and
now you can break down the defense a little bit easier,
and you can find more gaps for driving lanes and
more space for open jump shots. So Billy Donovan has
has figured something out so far through the first five

(40:45):
games in the regular season to put his team in
a situation where things are going well.

Speaker 1 (40:51):
The game of the night was the Boston Philly game
last night. Boston escapes one on nine, one on eight.

Speaker 2 (40:57):
Uh.

Speaker 1 (40:58):
They were up huge on Philly, who's stormback and lost
by a point in a couple shots at the end
of the game to win the game. That was the
Sixers first loss of the season. They're the other surprising
team in the East, becoming a team now dominated by
its backcourt. You know, long Joel Embiid has been the
identity of the Sixers. We've seen Tyrese Maxi kind of

(41:19):
blossom into an All Star before our eyes.

Speaker 2 (41:22):
And then they have this rookie vj.

Speaker 1 (41:24):
Edgecomb, the number three pick out of Baylor, who's averaging
twenty a game to start the year. There's life in Philly,
double ta. And yes, it's going to go as long
as Embiid's out there. But they are showing that they've
got a nice young backcourt that you know, could be
full of All stars. And yes it's a shell of
the Celtics team and all that. And they fell by

(41:44):
a point, but sounds like Philly after all these years
of trying to stay competitive and be a force in
the East. They may now have a roster that can
keep them competitive in a wide open Eastern Conference. Another
surprising team of Philly getting on to a four and
ah start before dropping a one point game to Boston
last night.

Speaker 3 (42:05):
Well, we all know how important, you know, backcourt play is,
and you know your favorite time of the year is
March madness. And when we see good point guard play,
it can carry a team a long way, you know
during tournament time. But for the seventy six is even
with the good point with the good back court play,
Joey ellenbid is the guy that's going to have to

(42:25):
stay healthy for them if they are able to be
reached the promised Land. And it's a team that has talent,
has a lot of talent, has a very good coaching staff,
but the main guy is Joe Allen and if he's
not healthy, especially come playoff time, it's going to be
hard for the seventy sixers to take that next step.
And but good, but good backcourt play is it's critical.

(42:48):
We all know that you need guys who can get
the ball up the court and run the offense and
put guys in positions where they need to be to execute.
You know, for the Philadelphia seventy sixes, the guy in
the middle can't stay healthy, it's going to be hard
for them to get to where they're trying to.

Speaker 1 (43:05):
Get to, agreed, But maybe they can manage his minutes
a bit now that they have enough of a supporting
cast where they're not relying on him as much as
they used to. Maybe they can keep those knees on
the bench a little bit more than you know and
move things along just quickly.

Speaker 2 (43:18):
On Boston, who are you know?

Speaker 1 (43:20):
Obviously without Jason Tatum and traded away a number of
their key players, it's sort of a transition year for them.
They have Jaylen Brown and Derek White, but beyond that
a bunch of spare parts, including Josh MiNet.

Speaker 2 (43:33):
Have you seen this.

Speaker 1 (43:33):
He's starting for the Celtics now and playing pretty well.
I mean, I think he's averaging like ten points, six
or seven rebounds. He had fifteen the other night against Cleveland,
So he's getting an opportunity in Boston as a starter.

Speaker 2 (43:47):
Luca.

Speaker 1 (43:48):
Last night, Luca Garza comes off the bench, played fifteen minutes,
nine rebounds, five assists, so a couple of somewhat fanned. Well,
gars is certainly a fan favorite. I think mine not
was to a number of folks. You know, my son
Jackson always loved Josh. Why not you know, nice to
see them get an opportunity, and for a franchise like Boston, uh,

(44:08):
and a team with with that kind of track record.
It's just I just find it interesting to see these
two guys kind of spread their wings for an organization that's,
you know, been one of the top ones in the
league for so long.

Speaker 3 (44:20):
Well, you know, you and I talked about, you know,
coaches and coaches and the staff making adjustments. You know,
no Jason Tatums all of a sudden, now Boston can't
play the way they played a year ago. So when
you bring in new pieces, you're going to have to
make some adjustments on what you do, you know, within
within your system and is to me, it's always great
to see coaches make those adjustments and make those changes.

(44:42):
That's what make great coaches because now you have to
put a system together that's just the personnel. And so far,
so good for the Boston Celtis. And I think going
forward without Anthony yet was you know, the Wolves gonna
have to make some of those adjustments as well for sure.

Speaker 2 (44:59):
But be where I let you go.

Speaker 1 (45:00):
Text comes in from a five oh seven text der
good morning, David Trent. Back to Wemby. How does Wemby
compare with Ralph Sampson? If Samson would have stayed healthy,
he was a force. Do you see any I mean,
I don't know that Sampson was the ball handler Wemby was,
but do you see any comparisons between those two.

Speaker 3 (45:17):
Well, you know, back in the day, Ralph Sampson would
have dominated the game because you know, we play inside out.
If he was stay healthy, he could have put up
huge numbers. But in terms of the ability to step
away and play at twenty seven and twenty eight feet,
we have never seen a seven foot five got played
that way. So I think the difference between those two

(45:41):
is is that Limby can step out and play more
of a perimeter game than Ralph Sampson could. You know.
But you know his nickname was Stick. If Stick could
have stayed healthy for a large portion of his career,
he could have put us in huge numbers as.

Speaker 2 (45:54):
Well, for sure.

Speaker 1 (45:55):
Yeah, he was one of those guys that looked different
than anybody we had seen before. Because he was so
physically talented at that size. You know that we just
hadn't seen that kind of player you mentioned March Madness.
Your Golden Gophers tip off their season Monday against Gardner Web.
Next Saturday, we'll do a little deeper dive into Gopher
men's basketball as the season kicks into gear. We've turned

(46:15):
the calendar to November. It's time to start thinking college
hoop new era with Nico Medved excited to see what
his stable of transfers can do in his first year.
We'll chat about that next week. As we say goodbye,
Double Ta, have fun and Fargo. Good luck to your son,
save travels home. We'll see you next WEEKND, my.

Speaker 3 (46:32):
Friend, all right, thanks double T.

Speaker 2 (46:35):
Trent Tucker joining from Fargo.

Speaker 1 (46:38):
We'll turn the page into hour number two and turn
our attention to the National Football League for the nine
o'clock hours that we've Bret Blake Boor into the conversation.

Speaker 2 (46:47):
We will dive into the NFL when we come back.
Our number two in the.

Speaker 6 (46:50):
Zone shows fucking shot.

Speaker 7 (47:28):
Step out tonight. I know I'll be looking to do
no longer to catch my eye and.

Speaker 1 (47:34):
Then all right back with you. Our number two in
the zone. Uh double te gone. This hour got the
Brett Lake Moore joining me for our number two as
we'll dive into the National Football League and week nine.
Uh this hour, but first, UH got a touch on
last night's World Series game? Did you happen to watch

(47:55):
Game six last night?

Speaker 5 (47:56):
I saw the conclusion live. I will watch all of it,
but I watched the conclusion. I watched a good chunk
of it, and yes, was watching live. It's it just
struck me. Imagine being a Blue Jays fan in the
stadium for this game, because you're down three to one
ninth inning. You know you have a chance to win
the World Series on your home field right now, in

(48:16):
the bottom of the ninth and you know they put
runners on second and third with nobody out. It's just
the absolute dream situation, right the tying runs are in
scoring position, maybe you get them. They're showing Joe Carter's
walk off home run thirty years ago, the last, I
think last World Series winning walk off was in Toronto,
Joe Carter ninety three.

Speaker 1 (48:37):
Could it happen again? I mean George Springer's coming up, so,
I mean it was just all there and the Dodgers
make a pitch and change right. Runners on second and third.
They bring in Tyler glasnow one of their stud pitchers.
Starter comes in first pitch, gets a guy to pop
up to first base, first pitch, So now that's an out,
all right, get a little scary runners on second and third.

Speaker 2 (48:59):
One out. Now I can't remember who the batter was
off the top.

Speaker 4 (49:04):
Of the nine hole.

Speaker 2 (49:06):
It was the nine hole.

Speaker 1 (49:07):
George Springer on deck, waiting on deck to be the
hero with the runners on second and third if this
guy for some reason can't do anything. And by the way,
let's backtrack for a second, because the Blue Jays got
unlucky on the double by Barger, because you know, he
hits one that gets lodged in the like it gets
wedged in the bottom of the fence. So it's like

(49:29):
the center fielder raises his hands and like it's a
dead ball.

Speaker 2 (49:33):
The balls stuck.

Speaker 1 (49:34):
Well, whether it's stuck or not, it didn't bounce off,
so clearly the runner from first would have scored on that.
And maybe it's a double, maybe it's a triple. But
at the very least, it's now three to two and
a runner is either at second and third. But because
dead ball runner has to go back to third. Say
all right, second and third, Now there's one out, glasnow's in.

(49:54):
And then the second pitch, the batter hits what looked
like a sinking bass hit to left center field. Like
it it looks like, yeah, you look like, all right,
that may not score him both because it's not deep enough,
but that that's gonna be a base hit. But kei
ky Hernandez gets a great jump, makes the catch and
notices that Barger on second.

Speaker 2 (50:18):
Is a little too far off the bag. He didn't.

Speaker 1 (50:20):
I mean, it's a tough spot because it looks like
it's a base hit. They're they're totally hammering the base
runner today, and I understand it, but it was a
tough spot. Hernandez makes the perfect play. I mean he
makes the catch and then off his wrong foot, fires
the ball into second base, and I think it's a
Rojas who was covering a second who was playing in

(50:41):
his first World Series game for the Dodgers, had to
catch it off the bounce.

Speaker 2 (50:46):
It was a tough catch, but he beats Barger to
the bag. Double play, ball game over. Just like that.

Speaker 1 (50:51):
Three pitches, you have runners on second and third, nobody out,
and three pitches later around the games it.

Speaker 5 (51:00):
I just want to say, I'd like to formally apologize
to any Blue Jays fans listening, because in my head,
right before that pitch, I said, well, the good news
that they take out the double play because there's no
one on first.

Speaker 2 (51:11):
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. That's funny.

Speaker 1 (51:13):
Yeah, at least Springer is gonna get a chance to
come up, you know, and be the hero. And the
unimaginable happens, the odd double play where they get the
guy doubled off second base to end the game.

Speaker 2 (51:25):
Just the suddenness, that's what struck me.

Speaker 1 (51:27):
It's like they're waiting for the pitching change with runners
on second and third, nobody out thinking it's all writt
in front of us, and literally two minutes later it's over.
Three pitches later, it's over, and we're onto game seven tonight,
where it sounds like you're gonna get a dream matchup
of sho He Otani versus Max Scherzer in a Game seven,

(51:48):
they're kind of forced to start Otani because you obviously
want them in the lineup, and if you have them
in relief, it kind of messes everything up. If you
decide to put him in suddenly in the fifth or sixth.

Speaker 5 (51:58):
Has it always been this way? Or am I just
is it always been? Was it two three to two
in the World Series two games in Toronto?

Speaker 2 (52:06):
I think it has been for quite some time.

Speaker 5 (52:08):
I for whatever reason, I had it in my head
because hockey is two to one, one one, and I
think basketball is as well. Yeah, that's the superior. Like
I was thinking, here we go back to LA for
Game seven. Not so fast, my friend, it's back. I
don't know, it feels I feel like that's the proper
way to do it. I like to too one.

Speaker 1 (52:27):
I've always preferred two to one, one one. I feel
like game five is always such a huge game, and
the fact that the team without home field or home
court advantage gets the home game in game five doesn't
seem right. It feels like the team with the better
record should get Game five.

Speaker 2 (52:40):
I'm with you. I never liked two three to two.

Speaker 1 (52:41):
I think with baseball for whatever reason, because they travel
like in series, like usually you go to a place
and play three or four games, that it's more of
a hassle to go one to one one. But in
this day and age, when you're chartering planes, it just
travels so much easier. It feels like we could get
away with two two one one one.

Speaker 5 (53:01):
And the MLB flies plenty of planes, so don't give
me emissions, correct, you know, putting plenty in there.

Speaker 1 (53:07):
Another thing that bugs me is you know they're they're
walking Otani a lot, you know, intentionally walking him in
that crazy eighteen inning game, I think he was intentionally
walked four times in that game. And last night they
intentionally walked him in the third inning. They had a
runner on second I think with one out, and they
walked Otani just to not deal with him. I kind
of feel like if you're intentionally walking a guy before

(53:30):
the ninth inning, there should be more of a penalty
than just put him on first. To either put him
on second or I don't know what you could do,
but it just feels like it's a cop out, like, yeah,
we don't want to face him in the third inning,
we'll just we'll put him on I like the fact
that you don't to pitch anymore, you don't have to
throw the four.

Speaker 4 (53:45):
That was always a formality completely.

Speaker 2 (53:47):
I agree.

Speaker 1 (53:47):
Yeah, I remember it was Johnny Bench or somebody wants
during an intentional walk stuck his bat out and hit
a home run and said, screw that, I'm swinging. It
just feels cheap to me that you can intentionally walk
guys that early in a game. But obviously Otani now
with a chance starting game seven, we'll see if they

(54:08):
pitched to him.

Speaker 2 (54:08):
That'll be interesting.

Speaker 5 (54:09):
Well, you can't argue with the results because they're in
a game seven and no one else, I mean not
your brew crew, nobody could touch them, and you're finally
just saying we are's not going to let them hurt
us at all if we can help it. You can't
argue with that because they've had more success than anyone
in this playoffs again, no.

Speaker 1 (54:26):
Doubt, no doubt, and sures are at what forty one
years of age, not the Max Schurzer of five or
ten years ago. But you know who else would you
rather have out there than a guy that's crafty. Right
when you're forty one and you're pitching, you've got to
be crafty, otherwise you wouldn't still be out there. But
you get a game seven tonight, I unfortunately won't see it.
We made plans to go see the Springsteen movie tonight,

(54:48):
which I'm very excited to see, hadn't really thought about
a game. Seven might be home in time for the end,
but little disappointed that I made those plans, purchased my
tickets already, But I am excited to see the Springsteen
movie Deliver Me from Nowhere with Jeremy Allen White. That's
been on my to do list, would have gone opening

(55:09):
weekend when I was out of town. You will celebrate
your birthday in Saint Paul, hopefully with a wild victory
tonight for your favorite squad that as we talked about earlier,
it's not pretty early and it doesn't look like a
lot of optimism, like, Okay, well, yeah, they they'll turn
things around. There's just a couple of things to knit

(55:29):
and pick here and there.

Speaker 5 (55:30):
I mean, there's just no help on the horizon except
for the players have to play better, because I my
gut tells me there's going to be no trade. They're
definitely not getting rid of the coach, John Hines. He's
a Bill Garren handpicked guy. There's no way he's getting
rid of him. So there's nothing left to do except
the players that are on the team need to play better.

Speaker 4 (55:52):
I don't know.

Speaker 5 (55:52):
I mean, against the Penguins, there was not a single
player besides Gus who I thought it a good game,
not one. Everyone was turned over the puck, everyone was sloppy.
Defensive zone was bad, bad goals, giving up Brodine, not
boxing out a guy Hartman checking someone into Gustle sooner
that couldn't make a save, just stupid, stupid hockey and

(56:13):
they just faded. The third period was terrible, so a
win would go a long way tonight.

Speaker 2 (56:18):
How's the young kid? Buoy him?

Speaker 1 (56:19):
Looking so far?

Speaker 4 (56:20):
I like him.

Speaker 5 (56:21):
I think it's crap that he got taken off the
first power play, because the power play has dropped dramatically
since they took him off.

Speaker 4 (56:28):
It.

Speaker 5 (56:29):
It just, yeah, there's gonna be defensive things, and you
know his plus minus doesn't look great at the moment.
But I think when you have that much potential and
everyone is in unison saying this kid is going to
be a superstar, I'd rather see him take his lumps
up here and reap the rewards of his offensive capabilities,
which he has a lot.

Speaker 1 (56:49):
Well, good luck to your boys. I enjoy the game,
enjoy the birthday celebration. Is Mom coming with you tonight?

Speaker 4 (56:54):
Oh yeah, that's all the Mom and the gal going.

Speaker 1 (56:56):
With fantast fantastic texter six' five to. One guy reminds
me that the intentional walk On otani and the third
was to force a force out at third. BASE i understand,
that to put runners on first and second and puts
the double play in play and all that. Stuff how
often do you see a player getting intentionally walked in
the third. Inning that's my. Point it's what Makes otani.

(57:17):
Special is he's that. SCARY i get. It it's JUST
i don't, know go after. Him pitch to the. Guy
it's the third, inning it's the eighth or. Ninth different.

Speaker 2 (57:25):
STORY i don't.

Speaker 1 (57:26):
Know JUST i feel, like if it were up to,
me IF i wrote the, rules there would be no
intentional walks before the eighth inning of a baseball.

Speaker 2 (57:34):
Game pitch to the, guys he's on the. Roster pitch to.

Speaker 5 (57:37):
Them it just but but the ball guys would, go,
well that's what makes baseball.

Speaker 4 (57:42):
Greats it's a it's a thinking man's.

Speaker 1 (57:43):
Game we can take a mat out of somebody's hands
whatever we. Want they put him on. Base i'm just
not a. FAN i gotta, say all, right this will be.
FUN a couple of packer guys talking about the return
OF jj. McCarthy just what you want to? Hear what
do we gotta? SAY a, big big moment for The vikings,
ORGANIZATION a big game for The. Vikings obviously a tough

(58:03):
one In detroit, tomorrow but our look AT jj for
the first time in. Weeks he's, Back he's the, starter
will dive into the. Matchup perhaps the greeting gold will
come up in our conversation as. Well The National Football
league is on our mind when we return in the.

Speaker 7 (58:18):
Zone have you ever said that paid your? Round all?

Speaker 1 (59:00):
Right back with? You nine to twenty one on A saturday,
Morning you're in the? Zone sinnecon And Blake. Moore this
Hour Fantasy Football weekly follows us at the top of the,
Hour gophers football at two, Thirty Wild hockey at, six
and The wolves available via The iHeart. App they are In.
CHARLOTTE i think it's a five o'clock start our, Time
wolves And hornets. Tonight vikings return to action tomorrow noon

(59:22):
kickoff At Ford. Field obviously always one of the tougher
games on the, schedule a game In, detroit A lions
team that's beating The vikings five straight times and are
heavily favorite to make it. Six as we await the
return OF jj, McCarthy who is back in the. Saddle Carson,
wentz obviously done for the, season will need surgery on

(59:44):
all the things that are afflicting his non throwing.

Speaker 2 (59:47):
ARM i don't know his throwing. Arm he was a.

Speaker 1 (59:50):
Warrior there's been a lot of controversy about the decision
to keep him out. THERE i ALWAYS i side on
he talked to the. Player if he thinks he can,
play you play. Him and the game was out of,
reach it would have made sense to Put Bros moore.
In i'm surprised they, didn't BUT i didn't go apoplectic
that they this poor, Guy they're they're killing.

Speaker 2 (01:00:11):
HIM i, mean it's a grown.

Speaker 1 (01:00:12):
Man if he says he can't, play he's gonna SIT i,
know sometimes you have to protect players from, themselves that,
cliche BUT i didn't go quite as crazy as everybody else.
DID i feel Like Carson wentz has been around a long.
Time if he knows he cannot function to help his,
team he's going to sit. DOWN i don't think he
felt that he was at that. Point give him a
lot of credit for battling in a really tough. Situation,

(01:00:35):
uh stepping in for this team when when they needed
something and now it's up TO jj. Again not an
easy spot FOR jj, McCarthy Mister Blake moore to to
face A Detroit lions. Team they'll get a Hungry ravens
team AT Us Bank stadium next, week but, No detroit's
defense has been very. Good they don't know if they'll

(01:00:56):
Have Kirby joseph their. Safety the hard hitting sometimes crosses
the line safety he's, questionable but otherwise The lion's defense
has been very. Good Aiden hutchinson just got. Paid not
the easiest opponent to work your way back. TO i
don't know what expectations are. Tomorrow CERTAINLY i think it's
gonna be a long shot for The vikings to win this.

(01:01:17):
Game the question is CAN jj work a functional? Offense
can he can he look like the guy we saw
for the fourth quarter In Chicago week. One obviously he's
gonna have some, Rust he's going to have some. Butterflies
it's a tough. Spot i'm very curious to see what
he's got.

Speaker 5 (01:01:34):
Tomorrow, yeah, hopefully for the sake of Every vikings player's,
Knees Kirby joseph is not on the field to just
famously dives helmet first at people's.

Speaker 4 (01:01:41):
KNEES i think T. J hawkinson knows better than. Anyone
guy's done it just so many. Times he's very dirty
player in my. Opinion, yep you have to he has
to at least be.

Speaker 5 (01:01:53):
Functional BUT i would even go as far to say IF,
jj if they just get crushed and the old line is,
bad and when we saw last week it just felt
like a title wave every time they'd run a little
stunt on the center The, Chargers Carson wentz is flying
backwards before it can even look. Downfield if that happens
again WHERE jj can't even get a, throwoff then how

(01:02:14):
much can you blame?

Speaker 2 (01:02:15):
Him?

Speaker 5 (01:02:15):
REALLY i still think you have to get back to
me after The packer Game week eighteen and then tell
me what you, got BECAUSE i don't think if you
look at the stretch of Schedule, Lions, Ravens, bears who
we already struggled with three out of four, Quarters, Packers, Seahawks,
COMMANDERS i mean there is no letup in this schedule
for The. Vikes so if he looks, BAD i don't

(01:02:37):
know if you can really throw him out and just go,
well didn't. Work it's just it's a very weird and
delicate situation because there's so many different factors and, variables
and it's it's not as easy just to, say well
he stinks and get rid of. Him so But i'm
very curious to see if he's runs a functional and

(01:02:57):
capable and a professional offense On.

Speaker 1 (01:02:59):
Sunday, yeah much of that will be decided by the offensive,
line and it sounds like there's optimism that the two
tackles will, Play darisaw and. O'Neill you, know the question
With darrisai is how long will he? Play is he
able to last and not just a couple series with that?
Knee you, know If dearrisaw drops out, again you almost
have to start, thinking all, right we have to just

(01:03:21):
keep him on the sidelines and get that knee. Right
this he's probably the second, most second or third most
important player on this team if you Consider jefferson AND
jj maybe one. Two he's he's right. There he's got
to be out, there and then O'Neill is going to
Draw hutchinson. Tomorrow the newly Minted, WELL i think he's
got the highest average per year now or, no the

(01:03:42):
most guaranteed dollars outside of. QUARTERBACKS i think he Passed
parsons for guaranteed, dollars but not for annual. Salary so
he's out, there you, know facing A brian O'Neil who's
not going to be one hundred, percent and you want
O'Neill out there because the alternatives not. Great but good, Luck,
brian you, know welcome. Back here's ninety seven on the other,

(01:04:04):
side a reek havoc on. You and as you, said
the interior was a disaster last, game And i'm not
sure how you fix that right. Now so it's just
it doesn't set up really well for. McCarthy what you
need is the ability to run the football, early and
you cannot abandon the. Run you cannot become one. Dimensional
ENFORCED jj to try to deal with the pass rush

(01:04:27):
and then looking for his. Receivers so you, Know Mason,
jones if they're both one hundred percent, healthy they need
to be leaned. On even if the game script is
getting away and you're down a couple, scores you can't
just chase. IT i think you have to keep running
the ball and keep that defense, honest because if they're
just pinning their ears back and going after number, nine
he'll had no chance tomorrow one hundred.

Speaker 5 (01:04:47):
Percent and The, chargers they were just running these simple
stunts all game, long right in front of the center
where a dtackle would sprint across the center basically and
they'd criss cross and the other dtackle would come, around
be free And jade run wild on.

Speaker 4 (01:05:02):
Wins it's just that type of.

Speaker 5 (01:05:05):
LITTLE o line stuff just has to be cleaned up
because if it's, Not jay's going to have no time to,
throw and then we've seen what happened and as limited,
starts if he doesn't have any time and he's starting
to rush and his internal clock is sped, up it's
not good for The.

Speaker 1 (01:05:19):
Vikes it's going back To, michigan right where he had his,
success so he'll Have i'm sure Some michigan fans in
the house just to add a little bit extra to the.
Pressure and obviously when the schedules come out for all
of our favorite, teams we look at little things about
the quirks of the schedule and working against The vikes
this week is just the timing of getting to play
The lions when they're off of their by and they've

(01:05:40):
had two weeks to heal, up game, plan get ready
for this. One even next week here Comes baltimore off
a mini buy after Playing thursday. Night you're facing a
team with extra. REST i, mean it happens to. Everybody
Green bayal face it next week when they welcome The
eagles in For Monday night. Football The eagles have their
bye this, week So green baig it's An eagles team
that's refreshed and. Off, thereby some teams have better luck

(01:06:04):
with that than others the way the schedule of. Falls
AS i, recall The lions were really fortunate this year
with how that all. Fell they didn't get teams ont
on extra. Time their clock worked out pretty well in
their Favorite for The, vikings getting The lions And ravens
back to back with extra rest not. IDEAL i know
The vikings had a bit extra rest this. Week The
lions had a full two weeks. Off that's an advantage for.

(01:06:27):
Them and you know they are you, KNOW i think
pretty universally considered the favorite in THE, nfc despite the
fact that they are looking up to one team in.
Particular you take away, that you, Know chiefs, loss that's
no harm in losing to The Kansas City chiefs they
look like they have found their.

Speaker 2 (01:06:44):
Groove and.

Speaker 1 (01:06:47):
With those two new, coordinators everybody, wondered, like all, right
is it going to look the, Same and it didn't
look the same the first few. Weeks it's starting to
look more and more like The lions have looked and
THAT'S i supposed to be expected for The vikings. Defense
you gotta do something With Jamir. GIBBS i, mean he's
just a game. Wrecker and, yes they've got really nice
options in the passing game, obviously and the fact that

(01:07:09):
there's been a lot of talk About Jamison williams not
getting targets makes me think they're gonna look to take
some deep shots With Jamison williams. Tomorrow so you, know
does but Tell us.

Speaker 2 (01:07:18):
Play he's.

Speaker 1 (01:07:19):
Questionable that's a, big, important questionable player that we have
to keep our eye. On same With Andrew Van, ginkell
who might be. Back it sounds, like you know there's
a good chance he'll. Play he practiced this.

Speaker 2 (01:07:30):
Week he is.

Speaker 1 (01:07:30):
Questionable but you, know, obviously if you don't HAVE, avg
if you don't have the Tell, US i guess this.
TEAM i mean you're you're in a world of hurt
with all your starters against this, offense BUT i Think
Ben ginkle makes a big difference for this. Team you've
got to put pressure On Jared. Goff grenard's been. Fantastic
he can't be a one man. Show Dallas turner has

(01:07:52):
been a. DISASTER i don't know what you do with.
Him but If Ben ginkle's, BACK i Want grenard and
Vn ginkle out. THERE i don't need to see as
Much Dallas. Turner IF i were A viking, fan that's
a concern for the trade assets you gave up to
move up and Get Dallas. Turner what he's putting on
tape in year two is a big. CONCERN i really

(01:08:13):
thought he would take this opportunity all right now without
those guys being healthy one hundred percent going to get some.
Snaps i'm going to show what he's.

Speaker 7 (01:08:20):
Got you.

Speaker 1 (01:08:21):
Know he made the boneheaded play On herbert where he
launched himself at his, helmet got the. Penalty he's just
not been. Effective so you've got to Get Van ginkle
back to do any chance to Beat. Detroit it's to
Put goff on his back foot and force him into some.
Mistakes AND i just Think Van ginkle's huge for that.

Speaker 5 (01:08:39):
Current odds to win The Super. Bowl chiefs, Won lions,
Two packers, Three AND i was looking AT Nfl power
rankings that the rankings they put out, themselves they had
The lions number one over the seven to One colts
despite the fact that they lost To Green bay earlier
in the. Season it's a, really really good. Team and
as far As dallas and, goes do you feel, like

(01:09:01):
not to make everything about the pack do you feel
like he's almost having his quay walker, moments because if
you're acall quay and especially his rookie, year but even
after that just made THESE i, mean pushing a trainer
and taunting and getting into. Scuffles it just felt, like
when is this guy ever gonna? Learn and, eventually and
thankfully he. Has he actually drew one against The steelers

(01:09:23):
by baiting essentially rage BAITING Dk metcap and.

Speaker 1 (01:09:27):
That responding again, flag which is a quay. Walker you,
know that's that's a.

Speaker 5 (01:09:31):
Specialty SO i feel it's not like the end of the,
world because we've seen it on our. Ends players get over.
That BUT i feel like that's kind of the phase
That Dallas turner is in right now where he's just
he's got to mature and get over.

Speaker 1 (01:09:42):
That, YEAH i think you're probably. RIGHT i just think
he was drafted a lot higher Than. Quay quay was
the bottom of the first, round And turner WAS i
think one of the top pass rushers drafted last. Year
there were huge expectations for, him and so, yes sometimes
it takes a little longer for some. Players he's not
a guy you throw in the trash. Heat BUT i
just think it's been disappoint with the opportunity he had

(01:10:02):
with the injuries to get out there that he hasn't
been ready to show that he can take that step
and be that guy for that, defense which is going
to be challenged for whatever. Reason The lions seem to
Handle Brian flora's. Defense they have no issue moving the
ball up and down the. Field, so as you said,
earlier looking at the schedule coming, up AND i See

(01:10:22):
i've heard some biking fans, SAY i see two more
wins on the. SCHEDULE i, mean it could get really.
UGLY i don't know THAT i would go that. Far
there's still a lot of talent on this, team but
it does revolve around whether McCarthy is ready to take
hold and show that he can be the, guy and
you said it well. Earlier you can't make any grand

(01:10:42):
pronouncements on McCarthy after, tomorrow and, FRANKLY i don't think
you can after this season, Even BUT i feel like
that's kind of the way things. Go like if it
gets really ugly for this team and they're a five
or six win operation AND jj doesn't look quite, ready
a lot of teams move, on a lot of teams
look for PLAN, b and it just doesn't seem right

(01:11:02):
to a lot of, fans especially he moved up to get.
Him maybe it was just a, spot but you identified.
Him and, yes Maybe Drake may was the apple of
your eye if you believe some of the reports that
The vikes tried to move up to Draft Drake may
and watching him for a year and a, half you
can understand why he looks lights. Out everybody's got a different,
timeline and maybe JJ's takes, longer maybe it never. Comes

(01:11:24):
but for, me regardless of how things go through these
last ten games or, SO i feel like the rope
has to be. Longer you can't cut bait if you're
not happy with the results unless you just believe you
whift like he just does not have it and obviously
he's got ten games to prove that he.

Speaker 5 (01:11:42):
Does, yeah it's just a weird flux that they're in right,
now because how many times we heard will the roster
is ready TO i think that's where a lot of
the frustration comes. From is they have so many, weapons
and they HAVE jj And addison and good running backs
And Aaron jones who we, love And. Hockinson there's so
many what we can win right. Now but then when
you go through the process of a rookie, quarterback that's

(01:12:04):
that's part of the. Process that's what you, do is
you take your lumps if you're not gonna sit them
for you, know a couple of. YEARS i mean they
sat him once kind of involuntarily because of an. Injury
but if you're just going through the exercise right, now
and let's not pa on the bit BECAUSE i think
he predicted The packers to win six games this year
on his show nine TO. E i remember At. Lions,

(01:12:24):
realistically probably an l at home to The ravens With
lamar most likely probably AN L i would.

Speaker 2 (01:12:30):
Think.

Speaker 4 (01:12:31):
SO i think they beat The bears at, Home.

Speaker 2 (01:12:33):
YEAH i think they have a chance at that for, sure.

Speaker 5 (01:12:35):
Lose To Green bay And Green bay probably lose To
Seattle commanders at home that they can win.

Speaker 4 (01:12:43):
In. Dallas that's. Winnable hot. Take, yeah it's.

Speaker 1 (01:12:46):
Winnable but you know you got to keep up with
them scoring, wise they're going to score points on.

Speaker 5 (01:12:50):
You that's. True at The, giants that's. Winnable the no
scataboo as. Well and then you Get lions In Green
bay it's probably L so it's not all two in
left on the schedule like they can salvage.

Speaker 2 (01:13:02):
Something but they get four more wins and they're seven and.
TEN i, mean.

Speaker 1 (01:13:05):
That's not what you. Expected, again you talk about the rookie.
Quarterback the whole idea is this gives you the money
to bring in veterans Like Jonathan allen And Javon hargrove
and these guys that have been solid players elsewhere that
you can throw in. There, now pay them the money
and build a roster because you're not paying your. Quarterback

(01:13:25):
this is your. Opportunity caveat is your quarterback's got to
be good and your quarterback has to hold up his
end of the. Bargain and now it's up to McCarthy
to prove whether he can do. That and again not just.
Tomorrow you, Know baltimore comes in next. Week that defense
is not lights. OUT i mean they've gotten healthier on
the back. End their secondary has been really banged. Up
they're getting guys. Back they certainly look Good thursday. Night

(01:13:48):
the problem Is baltimore is so, Desperate like they start
one and five and they know that they can't afford
a lot of more losses. Though they're in a really
bad division as it turns, out but they're gonna come
in knowing they got a stack wins. TOGETHER i think
next week is winnable for The.

Speaker 2 (01:14:03):
Purple.

Speaker 1 (01:14:03):
Again well let's see out what happens. Tomorrow but, yeah
it's it'd be tough to slow Down. Lamar he looks pretty.

Speaker 5 (01:14:10):
Good JayR alexander healthy scratch On. Thursday, Yeah packers they
just have a sixth sense of when a guy's, done
they get rid of. Him and it's cutthroat and it's you,
know rude and people it leaves people. Upset it just, works,
man they know what they're.

Speaker 1 (01:14:28):
Doing the last Time Ja year played for The, ravens
he got. Torched the entire game just got absolutely run
on and they haven't played him. Since, well pause for
a final. TIME i feel like we need to at
least address Last sunday night's game In pittsburgh where.

Speaker 2 (01:14:41):
The pack came back to Beat.

Speaker 1 (01:14:42):
Pittsburgh also want to look at the big game Tomorrow,
Buffalo Kansas city as we put a rap on end
the zone right after these.

Speaker 2 (01:15:16):
All, right final.

Speaker 1 (01:15:17):
Segment in the zone for this First saturday In. November
Dave Sinecon Brett Blake moore in for our final segment
before we make way For Fantasy Football weekly.

Speaker 2 (01:15:25):
Again gophers. Football it's football weather for.

Speaker 1 (01:15:28):
Sure today In Dickey, town The gophers welcome in The
Michigan State, spartans winless in The Big.

Speaker 2 (01:15:34):
Ten they got some fight to, them though they won't
make it too.

Speaker 1 (01:15:37):
Easy gophers three and a half point favorites to put
last week behind them and get a big win and
necessary win With oregon looming on the road next. Week
you'll hear that game right here on the fan of two.
Thirty pre game at twelve. Thirty Vikings football tomorrow on
the fan at. Noon pre Game VIKINGS Nfl sunday begins at.
Ten bumper to bumper for an Hour Sunday sermons nine to.

(01:16:01):
Ten i'll get the football conversation started as always On sunday.
Mornings Packer preview seven am on The fan or whenever
you wake, up available on The iHeart, app and if
you want to hear our reaction to The packer, Game
Blake moore AND i Do Packer review podcast Every, monday
also available on The iHeart. App just Search Packer preview

(01:16:22):
and you will find our, podcast always posted by mid
morning the morning After packer. Games we have fun sponsor
that it is available for sponsor if you'd like, To
you're more than. Welcome i'm not sure you've got the
necessary liquidity if you will to make that. Work we're

(01:16:42):
not asking for the moon and, stars But i'm glad
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Speaker 2 (01:16:55):
Review we'd love to do. It tell me.

Speaker 1 (01:16:57):
More, yes it's, available so if you're interested by all.
Means we were rather giddy as we talked about The
sunday night game on Our Monday Packer review. Podcast didn't
look pretty at. Halftime packers go in down sixteen to.
Seven they've missed a couple of field. Goals they've Held
pittsburgh to some field goals themselves to stay in. It
but kind of felt like the game we both were worried.

(01:17:18):
ABOUT i picked A steelers. WIN i think you might
have as. Well we were not confident that facing A
steelers team often embarrassing loss extra time to get ready
For rogers big game against The. PACK i just DIDN'T
i didn't feel, it AND i certainly didn't feel that.
Halftime but, man what a second half for Green, bay
in Particular Jordan, love who was absolutely. Spectacular and when

(01:17:40):
the dust, settles it was just the third time In
packer's history that they scored thirty five or more, points
four hundred and fifty or more, yards no, turnovers and
no sacks. Allowed the only other two times that happened
were against The vikings in twenty twenty and twenty twenty,
two both in The Matt lafleur. Era and you KNOW

(01:18:01):
i wrote about it At zone coverage dot. Com you
can always read my stuff about The pack There zone
coverage Dot com on the head cheese. Page number of.
Writers talented writers cover The pack day in and day.
OUT i cover them as. Well my headline On monday
was torch. PASSED i felt like that was the moment
where the torch had officially been passed To Jordan, love

(01:18:23):
who dealt with all the questions all week about facing
his mentor on the, road and he was so good
and The packers turned that game around so completely that
we got the highly unusual silent count happening For rogers
in his own stadium In. Pittsburgh we've heard gopac goo
chance they're playing In arizona Or Los. Angeles you, know

(01:18:45):
teams without rabid fan.

Speaker 2 (01:18:46):
Bases.

Speaker 1 (01:18:47):
Miami, yes you go Into pittsburgh with that fan, base
you don't expect to hear go pat goo chance on
your OWN, tv like through THE. Tv, now, yes it's
a primetime, game a lot of fans sell their tickets in.
Primetime does open up the door for visiting. Fans but
just surreal to me That Aaron rodgers had to hear
go pac go while trying to conduct his own. Offense

(01:19:10):
that was a, moment And Jordan love was it was.
Spectacular in the second you got away with a couple
throws right The Tucker craft third down pass where he
kind of he was getting hit as he threw it
and launched. It up, there maybe craft a little push
off gently to get. Opened BUT i feel, like you,
KNOW i Think love's done enough to me to prove
that he's a worthy. SUCCESSOR i feel like officially knocking

(01:19:32):
Down Aaron rodgers In, Pittsburgh torch.

Speaker 4 (01:19:35):
Passed, yeah one hundred.

Speaker 5 (01:19:36):
PERCENT i said on The packer review pod available for
sponsorship that it's hard to have a breakout or you,
know a statement, here he is game in your third
year as a. STARTER i felt like that is as
close as you can get to just a, STATEMENT i
am officially, Here i'm officially the.

Speaker 4 (01:19:54):
Guy i'm him.

Speaker 5 (01:19:56):
Game than, that it was, stunning how just, precision the,
surgical just things you could describe the second half. With
it was unbelievable performance AND i just could not have
had more fun watch in that second. Half just seemed
like everything was going and the defense, too especially because
the REASON i was so down on the team going

(01:20:18):
into the game WAS i just didn't think the defense
could off the. Field they couldn't against the past three
weeks before, that it felt like possessions were at a
premium And Jordan love and. Co had to be perfect
for The packers to. Win, now it's just they're playing
with house money because the defense that they play like
that up to their potential where everyone's getting involved in
swarming the ball like they did and on third downs

(01:20:38):
two they were so. GOOD i can't say enough good
things about This packer team as it stands right, now
subject to change.

Speaker 1 (01:20:44):
Tomorrow, Yeah Rashaun gary on track for eighteen, sacks so
price Having Micah parsons across the line. There saw this
tweet this morning during a. Break only THREE nfl quarterbacks
have had seventy plus passing touchdowns and twenty five or
fewer picks in their first forty. Starts just three the,
List Patrick, Mahomes Lamar, Jackson Jordan. LOVE i will leave it.

(01:21:06):
There that's pretty good company to be. In that, said
little concern about trap game tomorrow with The panthers coming.
IN i know it's The, panthers but you're off a
big primetime win Against. Pittsburgh you got The eagles coming
in Next monday. Night got a natural to let down
against The panthers who just got smoked forty to. Nine
but they had won three straight before that, game and
they didn't Have Bryce young last. Week Andy dalton was.

(01:21:28):
Terrible Bryce young is, back they can run the ball
with ric. O'Donell it's gonna be, windy. CHILLY i can
see them mucking this. THING i don't Expect green made
a struggle per, se but twelve and a half point
spread seems ludicrous to. ME i feel like it's a
ten point, game maybe like a twenty four to fourteen
kind of. GAME i do these three upset picks every,

(01:21:49):
week as you, know my underdog picks On zone coverage dot.
Com The panthers are one of my three. Picks it's
hard to. Find, frankly it's hard to find three good
dogs this. Week last, week underdogs only hit two games
out of. Thirteen favorites went eleven and two against the.
Spread last, week it's hard to find. Underdogs i'm rolling
with The steelers again against The, colts only catching three

(01:22:10):
and a, half BUT i just don't see them dropping
three in a. ROW i think they're gonna rise. UP
i also Think atlanta has a chance to scare The
New england With pennix. Back So i've got The, Steelers
falcons And panthers as my. Three so slight worry about a,
little you, know not getting up for The. Panthers we've
seen that sleepy noon. Performance they're going to be in
their ugly. Throwbacks it's not gonna look like. PREVIOUS a

(01:22:33):
slight bit of concern that they're ready for. This and
if they already and they put their foot down and
go up two scores, early THEN i feel like they
are ready to be looked at as legit.

Speaker 2 (01:22:41):
Contenders. Right.

Speaker 5 (01:22:42):
Yeah when you're cooking up a trap, game the ingredients
are you're playing, well you're going into it playing, well
the next week's opponent are really good or someone that
you've had circled on your, calendar and the team you're
playing this week is not very good and is not
considered to be a threat moving. Forward all of those
things are in. Play and it's a noon. Game you

(01:23:03):
could even throw that in if you, wanted for a
little extra. Spice it just it has all the. Ingredients
it has all the signs of a trap. Game but
we're fresh out of bad. Losses we're all out after
The browns, game so there's no. Room you, know they
just can't. Lose if they want to be considered a
Super bowl contender and just a, professional solid, team they

(01:23:24):
have to, win and win.

Speaker 1 (01:23:25):
Convincingly last time they Played carolina was two years Ago
love's first year as a, starter when The pack got
off to a slow, start started, stuck and wins. Late
they go To carolina like week fifteen or sixteen and
escape with a last second field goal thirty three thirty
against a team they were favored to beat.

Speaker 2 (01:23:40):
By a lot more than.

Speaker 1 (01:23:41):
That that's in the back of my head That carolina
is not going to be a new coaching, staff new,
quarterback all, that but it's not an organization that's going
to come in and lay.

Speaker 2 (01:23:49):
Down so small.

Speaker 1 (01:23:51):
Concern BUT i want to See Green bay back up
what they Did sunday and beat a team they're supposed to.
Beat they've sort of played down to their competition throughout
the season so. Far the game of the day tomorrow
Is mahomes. V, allen number, nine this one In. BUFFALO
i think you all know the. Deal allen's one four
straight in the regular. Season mahomes is one four straight

(01:24:11):
in the. Playoffs Kansas city a small favorite against A
buffalo team that came off the bye last week and
as we just, said Destroyed. Carolina James cook ran wild
on what was a pretty Good panthers run defense heading
into last, week they Get Kansas city at home as home.
UNDERDOGS i think most would, think all, right this is

(01:24:32):
A buffalo. Spot you, know this is Where buffalo plays.
Well it's regular season and doesn't have all the drama
and the pressure of a playoff. Game this is Where
buffalo spreads its. WINGS i Got Kansas city going into
beating them tomorrow.

Speaker 2 (01:24:47):
Myself.

Speaker 5 (01:24:47):
Wow, yeah like you, Said alan four and one Versus
pad in the regular, season zero to four in the
playoffs With James, cook did you know he's first in
the lead in yards per carry and yards per.

Speaker 4 (01:24:57):
Game the guy is just a.

Speaker 5 (01:24:59):
Menace And chiefs defense, like, yeah they're, good but you
can run on them if you so.

Speaker 4 (01:25:04):
CHOOSE i. Don't it's a toss up for.

Speaker 5 (01:25:06):
ME i would probably Go, bills just BECAUSE i like
the regular Season Josh allen at his own. Place but
The chiefs are kind of trending upwards much faster than
The bills.

Speaker 3 (01:25:14):
Are.

Speaker 1 (01:25:14):
Yeah bill's defense has been a. Problem they lost one
of their best players last, week and At oliver he'll
miss this. GAME i think that's a big loss for that.
DEFENSE i JUST i don't love The. CHIEFS i just
like the way they're playing right now and The bills
outside of last week had not looked very. Good it
should be a great. One it's the game of the
day at three twenty. Five following The vikings And packers

(01:25:35):
get to watch two of the greats going head to
head at three twenty. Five gophers football on the fan,
Today Wild hockey on the fan, Tonight vikings football. Tomorrow
enjoy your first weekend In. November have a, happy happy,
birthday Mister. Blake thank, You good luck to your wild.
Tonight you need. It double t back in the house
Next saturday for in the. Zone have a great. Week
let's see if The wolves can get some wins on the.

Speaker 2 (01:25:57):
Road how have a good.

Speaker 1 (01:25:59):
Week