December 23, 2025 • 34 mins
Dylan Hernandez joins us to talk about his new professional venture. Could the Chargers be one of the favorites to come out of the AFC? Whats wrong with the LA Kings?
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
All right, we continue on Fred Rogan, Rodney Pete five
seventy LA Sports, our final show of the year as
we all get ready for the holidays, and let's bring
on someone who in twenty twenty six will start anew
It is our good friend Dylan Hernandez at the Times.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
And Dylan, thank you for.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
Coming on, Thank you for having me on.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
You know, hopefully we will leave this year with goodwill
toward all and you and Rodney will not start fighting.
I'm just hoping that doesn't happen.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
I mean, we've been well, you know again, like the
local kids have been doing pretty well lately, so there
hasn't been too much for us to go back and forth.
It feels like it's almost been too peaceful my last
time here.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
Yeah, right, Dylan, we got to stir it up a
little bit, just to get a juice.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
You know, somebody, Yeah, we got we We need somebody
to choke so that I can jump down their throat.
You know, he can come out of defensive, but we could.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
H well, hey, Dylan, so listen, man, tell us about
the new situation, the new gig, everything going on with that. Congratulations,
by the way, you've been a friend of ours, friend
of our show, friend of each and one of us
Fread and myself. We we always love having you on
and hopefully that doesn't change with your change.
Speaker 4 (01:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
So, you know, The New York Post starting basically a
you know, LA based edition. It's going to be called
the California Post. It's going to be kind of like
a tabloid type thing, and uh, you know, I am
going to go over there. It's kind of like a
columnist type thing. I think most focus is going to
(01:42):
be more on baseball. I think, you know, I think
they really want to kind of dominate the Dodgers stuff.
And so actually the Times Beat writer, my longtime colleague,
Jack Harris, will also be making the move, and uh, yeah,
you know, so I think, you know, at some point,
I think the plan is to launch this thing early
next here. You know what, I'm just kind of really
(02:02):
looking forward to it right now. I think, you know, obviously,
there's been a lot of changes in the news industry,
and you know, I think in this the Post, I've
kind of found a place that feels like they're really
kind of going for it right you know again, and
I think when Jack and I were talking to them
early you know, I stressed to them that it was
important to me that, you know, if I were to
(02:23):
make this move, that that Jack was part of it.
I think Jack, you know, from my understanding, kind of
expressed similar things, and you know, the fact that they
could kind of make that happen and went to the
efforts that they did, you know, tells me that again
that they're serious about this, right, because I mean, over
the years, you know, there've been various you know, startups
type things kind of coming into town, and you know, frankly,
(02:44):
if it was just about like money, I would have
left a long time ago. But this is kind of
the first time that I think I feel against somebody
is really kind of coming into the market, not just
to you know, kind of tread water for a while maybe,
but to really kind of go for it, you know.
And I think think, you know, in the coming weeks,
will you know, just kind of from you know, hearing
(03:04):
some of the names of the people that we're talking
to about some other potential positions, you know, I think
we have a chance to put together like a really
strong staff here. And again I think that you know,
that is kind of the emblematic of the commitment of
this place. To really kind of make an impact in
LA and in the sports scene here. So you know,
for me, that's obviously really exciting.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
You know, if I have any ability to write it
all I can't even spell, I would certainly want to
work there.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
For people that don't know, and you can see this online,
the California Post is basically the New York Post. Just
look at the ny Post dot com online and you
see exactly what it is. It's biting, it's it's interesting,
it's thought provoking, and it does very well, very very well,
(03:53):
not only in New York but around the country. It's controversial,
it's controversial. It's something our market doesn't have. And I
thought it was great when I heard that the folks
that run the New York Post, and that's news Court
and who was at Fox, Rupert Murdoch, we're coming to
southern California. I thought this is going to be good
(04:13):
because the New York Post sports page. I got to
tell you something. If you're on the East Coast, that's
probably the go to every morning when you log on.
You always read the Post? What sure you do? You
read the Times too? Don't get me wrong, Rodney, but
I always read the New York Post right off the bat,
and now it's coming here because I like it, because
(04:36):
it's different, it's controversial. I like it. I like the
way they put it together. Dylan is going to kind
of be the same thing here, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (04:45):
Yeah. I think that that's that's the goal, right, is
to kind of recreate that type of energy, you know,
aggressive kind of reporting. I mean I think, you know, yes,
there is kind of like an edge of your tone there,
but it's also you know, you kind of look at
the backbone of the New York Post. It's just great reporting.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Too, right.
Speaker 3 (05:03):
You know, they recently kind of had that great story
about the New York Mets, right and kind of the
discord in the problems like in their clubhouse, right, and
that how Soto and Lindora, for example, weren't on the
same page, you know, and that was kind of like
something that you kind of heard about like a lot,
just kind of like in Baseball Circle. They were the
ones that were actually kind of able to nail it
down to a degree where they could write a story
(05:24):
about this, right. And I think that those are the
kind of things, right, I mean, you know, honestly, like right,
and I've been on beats before too, where you know,
things are kind of bubbling under the surface and you
kind of have a decision to make. Okay, am I
just going to kind of let this go kind of thing,
right because I'm not sure I can get the story
or am I going to really kind of go for it?
And yeah, you know that story about the Mets, I
think is kind of the right. It's kind of driving
(05:47):
the narrative of that team, and right, kind of going
forward in this offseason, the decisions that they make now
you kind of have the context of why things are
happening over there, and I think that that again, right,
it's gonna the basis of this is still going to
be kind of good, hard nosed reporting, hopefully kind of aggressive,
and you know, look, it's a different market, you know,
and I think that they're going to probably be some
(06:09):
things that we're going to have to learn along the way.
But yeah, as much as possible, I think, you know,
you kind of want to recreate that type of energy
just because it's just like you said, it just makes
it more interesting.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
I think I think in your pre reign, do whatever
you want, say whatever you want.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
That's what they told me, So you know, I very
much hope. So you know, obviously, uh, you know, uh,
you know, a couple of times that kind of ventured
into politics over the last year. Uh, you know, generally
my stance is probably a little bit different than right
most Murdock publications. So you know, I was told, hey,
we're not going to tell you to do anything, and
we won't stop you from writing anything. So so yeah,
(06:46):
you know, I'm kind of hopeful about that.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
Yeah, hopeful that's the that's the case. But let's be honest,
Come on, the New York Post. It's about the headlines.
And I know that you guys don't write the headline.
Did somebody else write in those headlines that pop up
in the Post that get the headlines on all the
different news outlets and things like that? But if but
if you're talking about the Post, the New York Post,
(07:10):
in a way it's been it is, you know, they
they've gone for the controversial stories or the personal stories,
the things like, you know, somebody could go four for four,
two home runs, but yet uh he was seeing out,
you know, hanging out after midnight. And that's the headline
of the story in the Post, especially page six in
(07:31):
the Post, which has been, you know, obviously infamous. Is
that the way that they want this to be, because
I'm I'm shocked that it hasn't happened before, especially in Hollywood.
But is that the way the way you've got envisioned
what this California post, especially in LA is going to be,
is like you're gonna go get the shock and awe
(07:51):
and and go get the gotcha kind of stories.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
That's a very complicated question. I don't think, you know,
I don't you know, Like, look, I think.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
You know.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
Honestly, I really do feel like they kind of got
me to do what I've been doing this whole time, right,
I mean, look, you guys know this. If there's an
ounce of kind of negativity in the situation, I'm going
to find that one out. And I'm pretty I'm pretty
good even right the teams in first place, they're up
by ten games, I'll find that one thing. Hey, do
we know about this? Are we sure about this? Are
you sure they're gonna win the World Series when the
(08:25):
bullpens is bad?
Speaker 4 (08:26):
Right?
Speaker 3 (08:26):
I'm that guy. So I don't think I'm gonna have
to change all too much, to be honest, you know,
as far as kind of the other departments go you know,
the page six stuff. I mean, yeah, like I think,
you know, if they're coming in here and I don't
you know, I don't know this for the fact, I
haven't talked to anybody really outside of sports, but my
expectation is that they're gonna want page six to compete
with like TMZ right, and again, I think that just
(08:50):
the types of people that I've heard they're going after,
you know, in you know, various parts of the newsroom.
I think the intention is is like they want to matter.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
You know.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
Again, so many times I think, you know, you have
different entities kind of coming in to try to kind
of start up and write. They kind of end up
a lot of times with maybe their second or third
choice hires, which are fine, right, but like if you
you know, I think the impression that I'm getting right
now is they do want to kind of get people
that are going to move the needle, you know, and
hopefully they're they're able to do that because like you said,
(09:21):
like you guys said, right, I do think that the
market could use a bit of that joke.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
When do you get started there?
Speaker 3 (09:29):
Pretty early? Actually Deck Monday, I think the twenty ninth
I think it's technically my first day. Yeah, so you know,
I gave my two weeks about a week and a
half ago, you know, And I do want to thank
obviously the time. You know, I was there for eighteen years,
and I can't I can't say enough, but just about
especially when you know, the time when I joined the staff,
(09:50):
I think I was twenty six, twenty seven, about to
turn twenty seven, you know, and there were the guys, right,
you know, Bill Plaski, TJ. Seimer's, you know, Chris du Frain,
David Ward and Bill Shake and all these guys that like,
you know, kind of were able to take It was
a great environment to be in as a young reporter,
you know, and I really feel like I learned like
a lot from those guys. I'm really thankful that I
(10:11):
was able to join that paper when I did, you know,
just because it was a really really kind of stimulating
and educational experience. And you know, so from that part,
you know, there's a bit of sadness, right, I'm not
gonna lie, Right, I grew up in LA that was
the paper that I grew up, you know, dreaming of
working for. And you know, honestly, if you had asked
me in college, I would have if you had told me, hey,
you could be the boxing writer at the La Times
(10:33):
or the soccer writer of l at the La Times.
I would have totally taken that. And obviously, you know,
they gave me some jobs that were a bit higher profile,
so you know, I really got to live the dream
there and uh, you know, but now it's kind of
you know, I'm kind of looking forward to the next thing.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
Now.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
Uh, Okay, so you start Monday, but they're not publishing Monday,
So what are you gonna do?
Speaker 3 (10:53):
Yeah, I think you know, we're gonna think Jack and
I we've already kind of started talking about maybe you know,
starting to kind of gather stuff for the launch eventually,
you know, work on some stories that you know, hopefully
you know, won't age before before the launch, and I
think we'll probably be on top of things. Again, I
don't know the specific plan right in terms of like
I know that again, there's a general timeline for where
(11:15):
they want to start putting out the print product. Right,
this thing is going to publish seven days a week
from what I understand, I'm not sure exactly what the
web thing. You know, how quickly they want to start
producing content for that. But we'll be you know, we'll
definitely you know again start working on stuff and uh,
you know, hopefully you guys will see it pretty soon.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
But will you guys, will you guys you know, work
together on on all the different sports in LA or
I mean, Jack, obviously baseball has been his wheelhouse and
you've you've you've been multiple things obviously, So how how
will that work.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
Bring out the rest of the staff. So I think
Jack and I right now we're the Dodgers team, right
and so that's going to be kind of our focus.
I think again, right the Dodgers there the biggest uh
team in the market right now, that is the most
you know, I mean, you know, even at the LA
Times if you kind of look at the metrics, it's
by far what people read. So I think that was
kind of the first priority. And right now we're kind
(12:12):
of in the process of filling out the rest of
the staff and uh yeah, you know, hopefully again by
the time that we launch, uh you know, based on
this again, some of the names that I'm hearing, I'm
very kind of optimistic that we'll be able to put
together like a really strong staff here that's going to cover,
you know, all the big teams in the market.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
Are you gonna write columns too or just Dodgers?
Speaker 3 (12:31):
Yeah, I think there's gonna be like Dodger columns, right. So,
I think, you know, if you kind of are familiar
with the New York Post, you know, Joel Sherman is
kind of their national baseball guy, you know, kind of
he's the basically like the Yankees and Mets columnists, right Like,
occasionally he'll kind of go off of, you know, thing
to write about other Dodgers things. Now, you know, when
I did sign on, they did kind of tell me
(12:52):
that I had the freedom to, you know, if I
wanted to write on other subjects and stuff. But I
do kind of feel that, you know, again, if we're
kind of launching and trying to estabish ourselves as the presence,
the first thing that we need to do as a
publication is to kind of establish that a you know what,
if you're interested in the Dodgers, you want to read
about the Dodgers, that the California Post is a place
to go. So I think that, you know, at least,
(13:12):
you know, talking to Jack, That's kind of our goal
right now is to kind of establish that where the
place to go to if you want to read about
the Dodgers.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
Dylan, congratulations, this is huge. I actually, to be honest,
I texted Dylan last night. I heard it, but I went,
oh my god, this is gigantic for you to be
able to write for the Post Jack joining you over there,
you know what, You've worked so hard and you've grown
as a writer before everybody's eyes in southern California. Congratulations
(13:39):
to you. This is a huge deal. We're really proud
of you.
Speaker 3 (13:43):
No, thank you so much. And you know, to be
able to talk about this, you know, on the show
like yours is, you know. I mean not to make
you feel a little Fred, but you know you're you're
on TV when I was a kid, you know, So
this is like it's been really this whole thing has
kind of been like a dream come true. And I'm
really just kind of humbled to have this opportunity. So
thank you so much for having me on. Guys, I
really appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
Oh it's our pleasure. And you did make me feel old,
So thank you for that, Dylan, And not make you
feel he is old.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
Dylan, I don't know, you know, don't suercoat it. He is.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
I'm not too young myself now, man. I mean I
came up behind me and was touching the bald spot
that started to grow in the back of my head.
Speaker 4 (14:23):
Though.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
Yeah, no, I know, I am too. I am too.
But Fred is old. Don't get don't no denying that.
Speaker 1 (14:36):
All right, Dylan, Happy holidays. We'll look forward to the
new endeavor.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
Thank you so much. Same to you guys.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
You know, so excited for him, Rodney, so excited that
he gets this opportunity because that's gonna be good.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
I'm telling you. Those guys and Jack Harris with him. Yeah,
I hope, So, I hope. So there's there's a you know,
there's a tit's there's a feeling of tabloid ish, yeah
to the New York Post, and there's a lot of
folks that that that rebel against it from a player standpoint.
So hopefully he gets the same access in here and
(15:15):
Jack get the same access that they did when they
were with the Times, because it's it's it's different, it's different,
it is different. So we'll see.
Speaker 1 (15:24):
All right, Hey, we got the Rams with the Super
Bowl favorites. Is there another team in this city? That
could win the Super Bowl.
Speaker 4 (15:32):
Hello Rogan and Robnie listener. Did you know AM five
seventy LA Sports has a wide range of LA sports podcasts,
shows like Petros in Money. We are streaming Matt Dodger
Talk with David Vasse, the Dodger Podcast of Record, Clipper
Talk with Adam Moss, follow us all and many more.
Just go to AM five seventy LA Sports on the
(15:53):
iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 1 (16:03):
Bred Rogan, Rodney peint A five seventy LA Sports Next Hour,
Vinnie Bonds and Or joins the program. Then we'll get
into the NFL games coming up this weekend. Getting pretty
dark here, Rodney, here comes the rain.
Speaker 2 (16:26):
Yes, here comes to rain. It's starting to come down,
Like you said, it's gonna come down for three straight days.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
Right, Yeah, glad, I got the roof fixed. I'll tell
you that. Because when it rain, it's supposed to rain hard.
It's not supposed to be drizzling, you know, sprinkles. It's
supposed to come down pretty good. So happy holidays. You
know though, there's something, there's something romantic if it's not
ninety five degrees in sunny, you know what I mean?
(16:53):
You want this kind of field don't you.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
I think so. I think so. You know, we live
in la and so you know we mostly get the
sun all the time. But yeah, you kind of when
you think about Christmas and you think about what's going on,
you you kind of want some grace. Guys. I mean,
we're not going to get snow, but you know, you
(17:17):
kind of want to feel that you are cozied up
inside and you can turn on the fireplace and.
Speaker 1 (17:22):
Cozy up with family. See here's the thing. If I could,
if I could, I guess I could do anything. But
I like Big Bear. You've been to Big Bear, Yes
I have. I'd like Big Bear. I think it's really charming.
And you can ski there, and you know I when
I ski, basically I sit in the lodge and support people.
(17:43):
That's me on the strips. Okay, you don't want me
up there because it's kind of like a sunset cruise.
What takes somebody three minutes to do takes me forty
five minutes, and I've fallen six times. So I just
like to be in the lodge supporting everybody that goes
up on the slopes.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
That's how I look at him.
Speaker 1 (17:58):
Okay, Okay, here's my problem and I would go up
there more because I really think it's pretty It's that
road that rode up the mountain.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
Yeah, that road.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
You know, if it's snowing, you have to put chains
on if you're not really accustomed to driving in that. Yeah,
that's not good. That's not good. And I just don't
like that. See that's why I think it should snow
at this level, which makes no sense because you couldn't
ski down Ventura Boulevard if it snowed, go tobogganing. I
(18:31):
mean you couldn't do that.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
Yeah, Like if they had a lift going up Mulholland
right up the top of the hill and mull and
then had to go down towards the valley and go
down towards LA and you know there was an area
where you could do that, that would be great, and
it snowed, I would know, you know, that'd be pretty
cool if they could do that. Of course they can't,
So that was a wasted conversation. All right, be honest
(18:59):
with you.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
Let's talk about the other team in town that has
an opportunity now suddenly secretly to go to the super Bowl.
The Chargers. You know who the Chargers are. I was
thinking about this this morning. The Chargers are the AFC
version of the forty nine Ers. They've had good years.
They've really kind of flown under the radar even here,
(19:22):
to be quite frank. I mean you have Denver in
the Chargers Division. The Chargers just keep mosying along doing
their thing. You know, if they went out they could
win the West? Would that be nuts? And you don't
know what's going to happen with New England. Hell, they
(19:42):
cant have the best record in the AFC. It's not impossible.
Isn't that crazy?
Speaker 2 (19:48):
Yeah, they've kind of flown. Yeah, you're right, they've flown
under the radar and had their issues early in the season, entries,
and you would think that they, you know, would not
be where they are. But you know, they just beat
Dallas soundly, beat Dallas and put themselves in a position
to go and, like you said, win the division but
(20:11):
also be the top seed in the AFC. I mean,
if they if they continue what they're doing, which they
feel like they've got a lot of momentum. They're playing
with so much confidence right now that they got to
be and if people don't take them seriously, Chargers can
go deep in these playoffs. Fret.
Speaker 1 (20:31):
No, I was just looking at this going wow. The
Rams two weeks ago were their choice to win the
Super Bowl. Two weeks ago, we were talking about the fact, Hey,
this looks really good for the Rams because I'll have
home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Then they stumble against Seattle.
You blink, and all of a sudden, not only are
(20:52):
the Rams not the favorite to win the Super Bowl,
they're currently now seated sixth in one week. Yeah, and
that changes everything. And if you're seated six guess what,
I'm guessing you're not going to have home field advantage.
Speaker 2 (21:08):
That's just my guess. You think so yeah, I think that's.
Speaker 1 (21:12):
I think that's gonna and I think that's going to
be a problem for the Yeah. I just I like
them much better at SOFI than anywhere else.
Speaker 2 (21:22):
No, No, I do too. I do too. But the
Rams have proven that they can go on the road
and win. So they didn't do it when they needed
to do it in Seattle, but they've proven that they
can go on the road and be successful. So as
much as I thought that they would have an advantage
by playing that Sofi, and I still do if they
(21:44):
can if that turns out to be the case. But
I I I'm not ruling them out if they have
to go on the road and play. No, I'm not.
Speaker 1 (21:54):
No, no, no, no, I'm not ruling them out either,
don't mistake no. I still think they've got a great shot.
But in a week they went from good they'll have
home field advantage all the way through to now who
knows what will happen. They have to go on the road.
As we sit here right now, Kevin, you can weigh
in on this if you want. Who's got the better
chance to win in the playoffs? The Rams are the Chargers. Kevin,
(22:15):
you want to go first Rams for me? Okay, and
you know, given a lot of thought, just don't you know, Oh,
I already have Okay.
Speaker 5 (22:25):
Chargers bad offensive line. Herbert's running for his live defense
is playing extremely well, but that's the both.
Speaker 2 (22:29):
Of his Yeah, lost his other tackle the other day, so.
Speaker 5 (22:32):
His top three offensive tackles, Ryan, you're all out. So
the backup swing tackle is also out. So that's just
a lot to overcome. In the postseason, we're playing against
quality teams and the Rams haven't had really significant injuries,
so yeah, they've had a setback here.
Speaker 2 (22:44):
And there.
Speaker 5 (22:45):
But it's an easy one for me. I would say
the Rams have a better chance than the Chargers do.
Speaker 2 (22:49):
Rodney, what do you think? Yeah, I agree with that.
I think the Rams. I think the Rams are first
of all, I think they're they're battle tested. I think
last year showed that they can go anywhere and play.
I'm sure it was a set back losing to the
Seahawks and not getting you know, that number one seed
or that home field advantage, But it's still possible, don't
they The Seahawks still got to go to Carolina and play,
(23:12):
and then they got to play with the forty nine
ers at the end, right right, So it's not over
for the Rams to secure that position. I just think
that they are first of all, I think they're the
better team. And I if I had to pick the
quarterback on either one of those, I'm picking Matthew Stafford.
(23:36):
So yeah, Yeah, as much as we love Justin Herbert,
Matthew Stafford, I'm trusting him and going with him in
a close ballgame. So yeah, I'm going with the Rams.
Speaker 1 (23:46):
Yeah, I think you Mentionedal Wilson would say the Rams.
I'll tell you though, I think we can all agree
on this. The Chargers can be sneaky here, I wouldn't,
honest to god.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
Now is the Chargers last couple of games who they played.
Speaker 1 (24:00):
Well, Chargers have Houston and Denver Houston and then they
got Denver. Where they got Denver.
Speaker 5 (24:08):
The game is in Denver.
Speaker 2 (24:10):
In Denver, So the game is this one right against Houston,
and that'll be a big test because Houston's got the
best defense left of all the teams in the AFC,
they got the best defense, and so that'll be interesting
going to Denver. They beat Houston, going to Denver could
be Could it be for the AFC West? Oh? Yeah,
(24:33):
because they're one game back and they beat Denver and Denver.
Does that put the Chargers and say they say they
beat Houston and then they go that last game in
Denver where Denver's but twelve and three right now Chargers
e eleven and four. They're only one game back. If
the Chargers beat Denver and Denver, does that make the Chargers?
(24:56):
Does that catapult them into the the lead in the
AFC West and win the West? Yeah? They win the
West game. Yeah, they win the West.
Speaker 6 (25:05):
That's huge for them, huge, huge, Yeah, that would be
again to your point, flying under the radar when they've.
Speaker 2 (25:16):
Got a chance to win the West in the last
game of the season Week eighteen, and Denver. I'll tell
you what we and Jacksonville showed that you can be
Denver in Denver. Yeah, I'll tell you this. If in
fact that were the case right now, you can book it.
That'll be the Sunday night game. If it comes down
to that game to determine who wins the West, that'll
(25:36):
be the Sunday night game. Should be, No, it will
be because I don't think anything else will be up
for grabs like that. No, could be exciting both teams
in the playoff. That'd be pretty cool this year.
Speaker 1 (25:55):
Okay, we've got to talk about a problem here, got
to talk about a problem when we come back.
Speaker 4 (26:01):
Make AM five to seventy LA Sports a preset before
you plug in your phone. Presets in the iHeartRadio app
now available with Apple CarPlay and Android autom just another
easy way to listen to LA's best sports talk.
Speaker 2 (26:16):
Let's go, come on, let's go, Rodney, Pete, fred Rogan,
AM five seven e LA Sports and our final broadcasts
before the new year, bringing it to you. Let's go, Freddy,
all right, shout out to the Ducks. Haven't mentioned them.
Speaker 1 (26:36):
They are having a hell of a season down in Anaheim.
They have put it together, a young team that has
struggled in the past. Way to go to the Sam
Wellies and on the Ducks, everybody on the squad, the
fans down at the Honda Center. Ducks are having a
very good year and people are very excited about the Ducks.
Speaker 2 (26:53):
Kevin, you know that right.
Speaker 5 (26:55):
Oh, extremely I do.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
Let's go Ducks.
Speaker 5 (26:59):
That's a fun to watch.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
They are party.
Speaker 5 (27:01):
Surprising by the way, I would say too.
Speaker 1 (27:03):
Well, they have Joel Quinnville's the coach now is a
great coach. Yeah, but he's got to work in at mustache.
Speaker 2 (27:08):
What's wrong with it?
Speaker 1 (27:09):
I'm just saying it's person I know, but it's too much. Now,
maybe trim it a little bit.
Speaker 5 (27:14):
No, you gotta own it. It was like Anthony Davis and
his unibrow.
Speaker 2 (27:16):
Yeah, but he kind of looks kind of sinister a
little bit. No, Yeah, that's.
Speaker 5 (27:20):
Part of the charm.
Speaker 2 (27:21):
Okay, Well, it wasn't charming.
Speaker 5 (27:22):
It was Chicago. He was evil mastermind with Chicago. Now
that he's here, it's part of his charm.
Speaker 1 (27:27):
It's just sinister. Yeah, all right, So that's for the
duck's way to go. But now let's talk about the
other problem the Kings. They looked awful last night against Columbus.
They could not have looked worse. They were out shot,
they were out played, They took too many stupid penalties.
You know, they brought Ken holland and as a general
manager because every time they go to the playoffs. So
he lose to Edmonton in the first round. People were
(27:49):
sick of it. So you need to do something. And
let me tell you what. What they're doing is laying
an egg right now. If the playoffs were to start, yes,
they'd be a wild card barely. They have no cohesiveness.
Their powered play is terrible. They went on with them
Fred well, and that's what I'm trying to figure out.
I think that's what people that follow the Kings are
(28:09):
trying to figure as well. What's going on. First, they
had this insane plan for a good portion of the
season on the power play. They just put five guys
out there like five forwards and watch this. Well we
watched and it was nothing. Stop doing that, go back
to playing defenseman and forwards on the powered play. Put
guys at the point that can shoot. Having Adrian and
(28:31):
Kempe playing the point didn't work, and they did it
for a good period of time. It doesn't work.
Speaker 2 (28:38):
Stop.
Speaker 1 (28:40):
The other thing is Quentin Byfield, the guy with all
the talent in the world and probably could be the
most exciting player on the roster. It really hasn't shown
up this year. He just has it. He is way underperforming,
and the danger with that is once you trade him,
you know he'll go be a superstar because he has
that much about But this is the year he's supposed
(29:02):
to come around and put it together and he hasn't.
The goalie Darcy Kamper got hurt, so now you have
to wait that out and then it brings this up.
And honestly, I hope it doesn't happen because we had
him on the show.
Speaker 2 (29:18):
I like him.
Speaker 1 (29:19):
Coach Jim Hiller, now this is the first year he
is working with the new general manager, Ken Holland, and
Holland new Hiller could have made a move before the
season started shows now too. I hope he doesn't make
a move now. I think Jim Hiller is a very
good coach, but if the malaise continues, something will happen.
(29:40):
They did trade Philip to know he ended up in Montreal.
I think he came from Montreal originally, he went back
to Montreal, and he didn't want to be here anymore.
To be honest with you, he was telling him a
terrible year and seemed to be out of sorts. Nice
guy he's been on the show, really a nice guy.
But he wasn't happy. So they traded him away for
(30:02):
draft picks. So here's the deal, pretty cut and dried,
pretty simple. Are they going to find somebody that can score?
That's it. They need scoring and they don't have a
lot of it. And you're not gonna win if you
don't score. And the way they're playing, I mean, they
(30:24):
play again tonight against Seattle, and Seattle's much improved this year.
They play again tonight against Seattle. It's the eye test.
It's watching them. You can see they're just not firing
on all cylinders. I'm not saying it's time to it's no,
it's not time to panic. No, no, no, there's a
lot of time. But they really need to figure out
(30:47):
a way to fix this because this could become either
a very good season or a very long season. And
I think they're getting to the crossroads, Rodney, I just
do and you'll be able to tell already.
Speaker 2 (31:00):
Yeah. Yeah, they can't. They can't continue like this. They
just can't.
Speaker 1 (31:06):
I mean last night was really bad. If you watched it,
you know, I'm telling you the truth. That was awful.
It just seems sluggish and out of sorts and just
all over the place taking stupid penalties. And they can't
do that because they don't have anybody that can score.
(31:27):
I mean, this is Andre Copeitar's final year. He can't
lead them in scoring. I'm telling you, he just can't.
He's not capable, and you want to send him off
right after what he has meant to the franchise into
the city. And if you're a hockey fan, you know
exactly what I'm talking about. And I mean, this guy's
(31:47):
out there huffing and puffing because they just don't have
any offense. It's hard to explain. I don't know if
I've done a good job of it, Kevin, but it's
just like they're just just out of swords, just missing something,
just like they they're not firing on all cylinder.
Speaker 5 (32:09):
Well, it's also like to throwing a bunch of darts
and trying to see what sticks, which is really really
a solid way to try to build a winning culture.
By the way, too, sol didn't work less. Like I mentioned,
let's throw a bunch of forwards out there and see
what happens. Well, you're seeing what's happening. They seem a
little bit redderless.
Speaker 2 (32:23):
Yeah, you know the thing is about they were hitting
on all cylinders last year for a period of time. Yeah,
and then all of a sudden this year they're not.
I mean, that's just obviously nature of sports, but you
want to try to put your finger on it.
Speaker 1 (32:37):
At least it didn't help them last night because they
gave up power play goals after taking those stupid penalties.
But it has been so bad this year. As I've
watched the games, I've said to people, oh my god,
you mean we're a man down, we're on the penalty kill.
Our offense will be better. I think they're better offensively
when they're playing with only four guys.
Speaker 2 (32:58):
That's how bad it is this year.
Speaker 1 (33:00):
I'm telling you, when we take it. When the week
when the Kings take a penalty, I'm like, good, we
got a shot to score. Now they're better with four
than they are with five. And that makes zero sense.
So as we get into Christmas here and get going,
I think if the Kings don't I'd say by the
end of January, if this doesn't change, and I think
(33:22):
they're gonna make some changes. And my concern again is
that the guy who's going to get it as Hiller,
and I don't think he should. I just don't think
he should. I hope they can figure out a way
to do something. Ken Howland, pull the trigger, get somebody
in here that can score. Maybe use that second round
pick you acquired, package it with somebody and send it
off and get somebody in here that can score. Because
(33:43):
I don't think Jimmy, I don't think Jim Hiller is
the villain here. When we return, as we begin our
three Vinnie Bonds signor our NFL expert, our friend will
be joining the program.
All right, we continue on Fred Rogan, Rodney Pete five
seventy LA Sports, our final show of the year as
we all get ready for the holidays, and let's bring
on someone who in twenty twenty six will start anew
It is our good friend Dylan Hernandez at the Times.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
And Dylan, thank you for.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
Coming on, Thank you for having me on.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
You know, hopefully we will leave this year with goodwill
toward all and you and Rodney will not start fighting.
I'm just hoping that doesn't happen.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
I mean, we've been well, you know again, like the
local kids have been doing pretty well lately, so there
hasn't been too much for us to go back and forth.
It feels like it's almost been too peaceful my last
time here.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
Yeah, right, Dylan, we got to stir it up a
little bit, just to get a juice.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
You know, somebody, Yeah, we got we We need somebody
to choke so that I can jump down their throat.
You know, he can come out of defensive, but we could.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
H well, hey, Dylan, so listen, man, tell us about
the new situation, the new gig, everything going on with that. Congratulations,
by the way, you've been a friend of ours, friend
of our show, friend of each and one of us
Fread and myself. We we always love having you on
and hopefully that doesn't change with your change.
Speaker 4 (01:21):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
So, you know, The New York Post starting basically a
you know, LA based edition. It's going to be called
the California Post. It's going to be kind of like
a tabloid type thing, and uh, you know, I am
going to go over there. It's kind of like a
columnist type thing. I think most focus is going to
(01:42):
be more on baseball. I think, you know, I think
they really want to kind of dominate the Dodgers stuff.
And so actually the Times Beat writer, my longtime colleague,
Jack Harris, will also be making the move, and uh, yeah,
you know, so I think, you know, at some point,
I think the plan is to launch this thing early
next here. You know what, I'm just kind of really
(02:02):
looking forward to it right now. I think, you know, obviously,
there's been a lot of changes in the news industry,
and you know, I think in this the Post, I've
kind of found a place that feels like they're really
kind of going for it right you know again, and
I think when Jack and I were talking to them
early you know, I stressed to them that it was
important to me that, you know, if I were to
(02:23):
make this move, that that Jack was part of it.
I think Jack, you know, from my understanding, kind of
expressed similar things, and you know, the fact that they
could kind of make that happen and went to the
efforts that they did, you know, tells me that again
that they're serious about this, right, because I mean, over
the years, you know, there've been various you know, startups
type things kind of coming into town, and you know, frankly,
(02:44):
if it was just about like money, I would have
left a long time ago. But this is kind of
the first time that I think I feel against somebody
is really kind of coming into the market, not just
to you know, kind of tread water for a while maybe,
but to really kind of go for it, you know.
And I think think, you know, in the coming weeks,
will you know, just kind of from you know, hearing
(03:04):
some of the names of the people that we're talking
to about some other potential positions, you know, I think
we have a chance to put together like a really
strong staff here. And again I think that you know,
that is kind of the emblematic of the commitment of
this place. To really kind of make an impact in
LA and in the sports scene here. So you know,
for me, that's obviously really exciting.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
You know, if I have any ability to write it
all I can't even spell, I would certainly want to
work there.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
For people that don't know, and you can see this online,
the California Post is basically the New York Post. Just
look at the ny Post dot com online and you
see exactly what it is. It's biting, it's it's interesting,
it's thought provoking, and it does very well, very very well,
(03:53):
not only in New York but around the country. It's controversial,
it's controversial. It's something our market doesn't have. And I
thought it was great when I heard that the folks
that run the New York Post, and that's news Court
and who was at Fox, Rupert Murdoch, we're coming to
southern California. I thought this is going to be good
(04:13):
because the New York Post sports page. I got to
tell you something. If you're on the East Coast, that's
probably the go to every morning when you log on.
You always read the Post? What sure you do? You
read the Times too? Don't get me wrong, Rodney, but
I always read the New York Post right off the bat,
and now it's coming here because I like it, because
(04:36):
it's different, it's controversial. I like it. I like the
way they put it together. Dylan is going to kind
of be the same thing here, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (04:45):
Yeah. I think that that's that's the goal, right, is
to kind of recreate that type of energy, you know,
aggressive kind of reporting. I mean I think, you know, yes,
there is kind of like an edge of your tone there,
but it's also you know, you kind of look at
the backbone of the New York Post. It's just great reporting.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Too, right.
Speaker 3 (05:03):
You know, they recently kind of had that great story
about the New York Mets, right and kind of the
discord in the problems like in their clubhouse, right, and
that how Soto and Lindora, for example, weren't on the
same page, you know, and that was kind of like
something that you kind of heard about like a lot,
just kind of like in Baseball Circle. They were the
ones that were actually kind of able to nail it
down to a degree where they could write a story
(05:24):
about this, right. And I think that those are the
kind of things, right, I mean, you know, honestly, like right,
and I've been on beats before too, where you know,
things are kind of bubbling under the surface and you
kind of have a decision to make. Okay, am I
just going to kind of let this go kind of thing,
right because I'm not sure I can get the story
or am I going to really kind of go for it?
And yeah, you know that story about the Mets, I
think is kind of the right. It's kind of driving
(05:47):
the narrative of that team, and right, kind of going
forward in this offseason, the decisions that they make now
you kind of have the context of why things are
happening over there, and I think that that again, right,
it's gonna the basis of this is still going to
be kind of good, hard nosed reporting, hopefully kind of aggressive,
and you know, look, it's a different market, you know,
and I think that they're going to probably be some
(06:09):
things that we're going to have to learn along the way.
But yeah, as much as possible, I think, you know,
you kind of want to recreate that type of energy
just because it's just like you said, it just makes
it more interesting.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
I think I think in your pre reign, do whatever
you want, say whatever you want.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
That's what they told me, So you know, I very
much hope. So you know, obviously, uh, you know, uh,
you know, a couple of times that kind of ventured
into politics over the last year. Uh, you know, generally
my stance is probably a little bit different than right
most Murdock publications. So you know, I was told, hey,
we're not going to tell you to do anything, and
we won't stop you from writing anything. So so yeah,
(06:46):
you know, I'm kind of hopeful about that.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
Yeah, hopeful that's the that's the case. But let's be honest,
Come on, the New York Post. It's about the headlines.
And I know that you guys don't write the headline.
Did somebody else write in those headlines that pop up
in the Post that get the headlines on all the
different news outlets and things like that? But if but
if you're talking about the Post, the New York Post,
(07:10):
in a way it's been it is, you know, they
they've gone for the controversial stories or the personal stories,
the things like, you know, somebody could go four for four,
two home runs, but yet uh he was seeing out,
you know, hanging out after midnight. And that's the headline
of the story in the Post, especially page six in
(07:31):
the Post, which has been, you know, obviously infamous. Is
that the way that they want this to be, because
I'm I'm shocked that it hasn't happened before, especially in Hollywood.
But is that the way the way you've got envisioned
what this California post, especially in LA is going to be,
is like you're gonna go get the shock and awe
(07:51):
and and go get the gotcha kind of stories.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
That's a very complicated question. I don't think, you know,
I don't you know, Like, look, I think.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
You know.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
Honestly, I really do feel like they kind of got
me to do what I've been doing this whole time, right,
I mean, look, you guys know this. If there's an
ounce of kind of negativity in the situation, I'm going
to find that one out. And I'm pretty I'm pretty
good even right the teams in first place, they're up
by ten games, I'll find that one thing. Hey, do
we know about this? Are we sure about this? Are
you sure they're gonna win the World Series when the
(08:25):
bullpens is bad?
Speaker 4 (08:26):
Right?
Speaker 3 (08:26):
I'm that guy. So I don't think I'm gonna have
to change all too much, to be honest, you know,
as far as kind of the other departments go you know,
the page six stuff. I mean, yeah, like I think,
you know, if they're coming in here and I don't
you know, I don't know this for the fact, I
haven't talked to anybody really outside of sports, but my
expectation is that they're gonna want page six to compete
with like TMZ right, and again, I think that just
(08:50):
the types of people that I've heard they're going after,
you know, in you know, various parts of the newsroom.
I think the intention is is like they want to matter.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
You know.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
Again, so many times I think, you know, you have
different entities kind of coming in to try to kind
of start up and write. They kind of end up
a lot of times with maybe their second or third
choice hires, which are fine, right, but like if you
you know, I think the impression that I'm getting right
now is they do want to kind of get people
that are going to move the needle, you know, and
hopefully they're they're able to do that because like you said,
(09:21):
like you guys said, right, I do think that the
market could use a bit of that joke.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
When do you get started there?
Speaker 3 (09:29):
Pretty early? Actually Deck Monday, I think the twenty ninth
I think it's technically my first day. Yeah, so you know,
I gave my two weeks about a week and a
half ago, you know, And I do want to thank
obviously the time. You know, I was there for eighteen years,
and I can't I can't say enough, but just about
especially when you know, the time when I joined the staff,
(09:50):
I think I was twenty six, twenty seven, about to
turn twenty seven, you know, and there were the guys, right,
you know, Bill Plaski, TJ. Seimer's, you know, Chris du Frain,
David Ward and Bill Shake and all these guys that like,
you know, kind of were able to take It was
a great environment to be in as a young reporter,
you know, and I really feel like I learned like
a lot from those guys. I'm really thankful that I
(10:11):
was able to join that paper when I did, you know,
just because it was a really really kind of stimulating
and educational experience. And you know, so from that part,
you know, there's a bit of sadness, right, I'm not
gonna lie, Right, I grew up in LA that was
the paper that I grew up, you know, dreaming of
working for. And you know, honestly, if you had asked
me in college, I would have if you had told me, hey,
you could be the boxing writer at the La Times
(10:33):
or the soccer writer of l at the La Times.
I would have totally taken that. And obviously, you know,
they gave me some jobs that were a bit higher profile,
so you know, I really got to live the dream
there and uh, you know, but now it's kind of
you know, I'm kind of looking forward to the next thing.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
Now.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
Uh, Okay, so you start Monday, but they're not publishing Monday,
So what are you gonna do?
Speaker 3 (10:53):
Yeah, I think you know, we're gonna think Jack and
I we've already kind of started talking about maybe you know,
starting to kind of gather stuff for the launch eventually,
you know, work on some stories that you know, hopefully
you know, won't age before before the launch, and I
think we'll probably be on top of things. Again, I
don't know the specific plan right in terms of like
I know that again, there's a general timeline for where
(11:15):
they want to start putting out the print product. Right,
this thing is going to publish seven days a week
from what I understand, I'm not sure exactly what the
web thing. You know, how quickly they want to start
producing content for that. But we'll be you know, we'll
definitely you know again start working on stuff and uh,
you know, hopefully you guys will see it pretty soon.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
But will you guys, will you guys you know, work
together on on all the different sports in LA or
I mean, Jack, obviously baseball has been his wheelhouse and
you've you've you've been multiple things obviously, So how how
will that work.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
Bring out the rest of the staff. So I think
Jack and I right now we're the Dodgers team, right
and so that's going to be kind of our focus.
I think again, right the Dodgers there the biggest uh
team in the market right now, that is the most
you know, I mean, you know, even at the LA
Times if you kind of look at the metrics, it's
by far what people read. So I think that was
kind of the first priority. And right now we're kind
(12:12):
of in the process of filling out the rest of
the staff and uh yeah, you know, hopefully again by
the time that we launch, uh you know, based on
this again, some of the names that I'm hearing, I'm
very kind of optimistic that we'll be able to put
together like a really strong staff here that's going to cover,
you know, all the big teams in the market.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
Are you gonna write columns too or just Dodgers?
Speaker 3 (12:31):
Yeah, I think there's gonna be like Dodger columns, right. So,
I think, you know, if you kind of are familiar
with the New York Post, you know, Joel Sherman is
kind of their national baseball guy, you know, kind of
he's the basically like the Yankees and Mets columnists, right Like,
occasionally he'll kind of go off of, you know, thing
to write about other Dodgers things. Now, you know, when
I did sign on, they did kind of tell me
(12:52):
that I had the freedom to, you know, if I
wanted to write on other subjects and stuff. But I
do kind of feel that, you know, again, if we're
kind of launching and trying to estabish ourselves as the presence,
the first thing that we need to do as a
publication is to kind of establish that a you know what,
if you're interested in the Dodgers, you want to read
about the Dodgers, that the California Post is a place
to go. So I think that, you know, at least,
(13:12):
you know, talking to Jack, That's kind of our goal
right now is to kind of establish that where the
place to go to if you want to read about
the Dodgers.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
Dylan, congratulations, this is huge. I actually, to be honest,
I texted Dylan last night. I heard it, but I went,
oh my god, this is gigantic for you to be
able to write for the Post Jack joining you over there,
you know what, You've worked so hard and you've grown
as a writer before everybody's eyes in southern California. Congratulations
(13:39):
to you. This is a huge deal. We're really proud
of you.
Speaker 3 (13:43):
No, thank you so much. And you know, to be
able to talk about this, you know, on the show
like yours is, you know. I mean not to make
you feel a little Fred, but you know you're you're
on TV when I was a kid, you know, So
this is like it's been really this whole thing has
kind of been like a dream come true. And I'm
really just kind of humbled to have this opportunity. So
thank you so much for having me on. Guys, I
really appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
Oh it's our pleasure. And you did make me feel old,
So thank you for that, Dylan, And not make you
feel he is old.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
Dylan, I don't know, you know, don't suercoat it. He is.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
I'm not too young myself now, man. I mean I
came up behind me and was touching the bald spot
that started to grow in the back of my head.
Speaker 4 (14:23):
Though.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
Yeah, no, I know, I am too. I am too.
But Fred is old. Don't get don't no denying that.
Speaker 1 (14:36):
All right, Dylan, Happy holidays. We'll look forward to the
new endeavor.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
Thank you so much. Same to you guys.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
You know, so excited for him, Rodney, so excited that
he gets this opportunity because that's gonna be good.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
I'm telling you. Those guys and Jack Harris with him. Yeah,
I hope, So, I hope. So there's there's a you know,
there's a tit's there's a feeling of tabloid ish, yeah
to the New York Post, and there's a lot of
folks that that that rebel against it from a player standpoint.
So hopefully he gets the same access in here and
(15:15):
Jack get the same access that they did when they
were with the Times, because it's it's it's different, it's different,
it is different. So we'll see.
Speaker 1 (15:24):
All right, Hey, we got the Rams with the Super
Bowl favorites. Is there another team in this city? That
could win the Super Bowl.
Speaker 4 (15:32):
Hello Rogan and Robnie listener. Did you know AM five
seventy LA Sports has a wide range of LA sports podcasts,
shows like Petros in Money. We are streaming Matt Dodger
Talk with David Vasse, the Dodger Podcast of Record, Clipper
Talk with Adam Moss, follow us all and many more.
Just go to AM five seventy LA Sports on the
(15:53):
iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 1 (16:03):
Bred Rogan, Rodney peint A five seventy LA Sports Next Hour,
Vinnie Bonds and Or joins the program. Then we'll get
into the NFL games coming up this weekend. Getting pretty
dark here, Rodney, here comes the rain.
Speaker 2 (16:26):
Yes, here comes to rain. It's starting to come down,
Like you said, it's gonna come down for three straight days.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
Right, Yeah, glad, I got the roof fixed. I'll tell
you that. Because when it rain, it's supposed to rain hard.
It's not supposed to be drizzling, you know, sprinkles. It's
supposed to come down pretty good. So happy holidays. You
know though, there's something, there's something romantic if it's not
ninety five degrees in sunny, you know what I mean?
(16:53):
You want this kind of field don't you.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
I think so. I think so. You know, we live
in la and so you know we mostly get the
sun all the time. But yeah, you kind of when
you think about Christmas and you think about what's going on,
you you kind of want some grace. Guys. I mean,
we're not going to get snow, but you know, you
(17:17):
kind of want to feel that you are cozied up
inside and you can turn on the fireplace and.
Speaker 1 (17:22):
Cozy up with family. See here's the thing. If I could,
if I could, I guess I could do anything. But
I like Big Bear. You've been to Big Bear, Yes
I have. I'd like Big Bear. I think it's really charming.
And you can ski there, and you know I when
I ski, basically I sit in the lodge and support people.
(17:43):
That's me on the strips. Okay, you don't want me
up there because it's kind of like a sunset cruise.
What takes somebody three minutes to do takes me forty
five minutes, and I've fallen six times. So I just
like to be in the lodge supporting everybody that goes
up on the slopes.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
That's how I look at him.
Speaker 1 (17:58):
Okay, Okay, here's my problem and I would go up
there more because I really think it's pretty It's that
road that rode up the mountain.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
Yeah, that road.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
You know, if it's snowing, you have to put chains
on if you're not really accustomed to driving in that. Yeah,
that's not good. That's not good. And I just don't
like that. See that's why I think it should snow
at this level, which makes no sense because you couldn't
ski down Ventura Boulevard if it snowed, go tobogganing. I
(18:31):
mean you couldn't do that.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
Yeah, Like if they had a lift going up Mulholland
right up the top of the hill and mull and
then had to go down towards the valley and go
down towards LA and you know there was an area
where you could do that, that would be great, and
it snowed, I would know, you know, that'd be pretty
cool if they could do that. Of course they can't,
So that was a wasted conversation. All right, be honest
(18:59):
with you.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
Let's talk about the other team in town that has
an opportunity now suddenly secretly to go to the super Bowl.
The Chargers. You know who the Chargers are. I was
thinking about this this morning. The Chargers are the AFC
version of the forty nine Ers. They've had good years.
They've really kind of flown under the radar even here,
(19:22):
to be quite frank. I mean you have Denver in
the Chargers Division. The Chargers just keep mosying along doing
their thing. You know, if they went out they could
win the West? Would that be nuts? And you don't
know what's going to happen with New England. Hell, they
(19:42):
cant have the best record in the AFC. It's not impossible.
Isn't that crazy?
Speaker 2 (19:48):
Yeah, they've kind of flown. Yeah, you're right, they've flown
under the radar and had their issues early in the season, entries,
and you would think that they, you know, would not
be where they are. But you know, they just beat
Dallas soundly, beat Dallas and put themselves in a position
to go and, like you said, win the division but
(20:11):
also be the top seed in the AFC. I mean,
if they if they continue what they're doing, which they
feel like they've got a lot of momentum. They're playing
with so much confidence right now that they got to
be and if people don't take them seriously, Chargers can
go deep in these playoffs. Fret.
Speaker 1 (20:31):
No, I was just looking at this going wow. The
Rams two weeks ago were their choice to win the
Super Bowl. Two weeks ago, we were talking about the fact, Hey,
this looks really good for the Rams because I'll have
home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Then they stumble against Seattle.
You blink, and all of a sudden, not only are
(20:52):
the Rams not the favorite to win the Super Bowl,
they're currently now seated sixth in one week. Yeah, and
that changes everything. And if you're seated six guess what,
I'm guessing you're not going to have home field advantage.
Speaker 2 (21:08):
That's just my guess. You think so yeah, I think that's.
Speaker 1 (21:12):
I think that's gonna and I think that's going to
be a problem for the Yeah. I just I like
them much better at SOFI than anywhere else.
Speaker 2 (21:22):
No, No, I do too. I do too. But the
Rams have proven that they can go on the road
and win. So they didn't do it when they needed
to do it in Seattle, but they've proven that they
can go on the road and be successful. So as
much as I thought that they would have an advantage
by playing that Sofi, and I still do if they
(21:44):
can if that turns out to be the case. But
I I I'm not ruling them out if they have
to go on the road and play. No, I'm not.
Speaker 1 (21:54):
No, no, no, no, I'm not ruling them out either,
don't mistake no. I still think they've got a great shot.
But in a week they went from good they'll have
home field advantage all the way through to now who
knows what will happen. They have to go on the road.
As we sit here right now, Kevin, you can weigh
in on this if you want. Who's got the better
chance to win in the playoffs? The Rams are the Chargers. Kevin,
(22:15):
you want to go first Rams for me? Okay, and
you know, given a lot of thought, just don't you know, Oh,
I already have Okay.
Speaker 5 (22:25):
Chargers bad offensive line. Herbert's running for his live defense
is playing extremely well, but that's the both.
Speaker 2 (22:29):
Of his Yeah, lost his other tackle the other day, so.
Speaker 5 (22:32):
His top three offensive tackles, Ryan, you're all out. So
the backup swing tackle is also out. So that's just
a lot to overcome. In the postseason, we're playing against
quality teams and the Rams haven't had really significant injuries,
so yeah, they've had a setback here.
Speaker 2 (22:44):
And there.
Speaker 5 (22:45):
But it's an easy one for me. I would say
the Rams have a better chance than the Chargers do.
Speaker 2 (22:49):
Rodney, what do you think? Yeah, I agree with that.
I think the Rams. I think the Rams are first
of all, I think they're they're battle tested. I think
last year showed that they can go anywhere and play.
I'm sure it was a set back losing to the
Seahawks and not getting you know, that number one seed
or that home field advantage, But it's still possible, don't
they The Seahawks still got to go to Carolina and play,
(23:12):
and then they got to play with the forty nine
ers at the end, right right, So it's not over
for the Rams to secure that position. I just think
that they are first of all, I think they're the
better team. And I if I had to pick the
quarterback on either one of those, I'm picking Matthew Stafford.
(23:36):
So yeah, Yeah, as much as we love Justin Herbert,
Matthew Stafford, I'm trusting him and going with him in
a close ballgame. So yeah, I'm going with the Rams.
Speaker 1 (23:46):
Yeah, I think you Mentionedal Wilson would say the Rams.
I'll tell you though, I think we can all agree
on this. The Chargers can be sneaky here, I wouldn't,
honest to god.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
Now is the Chargers last couple of games who they played.
Speaker 1 (24:00):
Well, Chargers have Houston and Denver Houston and then they
got Denver. Where they got Denver.
Speaker 5 (24:08):
The game is in Denver.
Speaker 2 (24:10):
In Denver, So the game is this one right against Houston,
and that'll be a big test because Houston's got the
best defense left of all the teams in the AFC,
they got the best defense, and so that'll be interesting
going to Denver. They beat Houston, going to Denver could
be Could it be for the AFC West? Oh? Yeah,
(24:33):
because they're one game back and they beat Denver and Denver.
Does that put the Chargers and say they say they
beat Houston and then they go that last game in
Denver where Denver's but twelve and three right now Chargers
e eleven and four. They're only one game back. If
the Chargers beat Denver and Denver, does that make the Chargers?
(24:56):
Does that catapult them into the the lead in the
AFC West and win the West? Yeah? They win the
West game. Yeah, they win the West.
Speaker 6 (25:05):
That's huge for them, huge, huge, Yeah, that would be
again to your point, flying under the radar when they've.
Speaker 2 (25:16):
Got a chance to win the West in the last
game of the season Week eighteen, and Denver. I'll tell
you what we and Jacksonville showed that you can be
Denver in Denver. Yeah, I'll tell you this. If in
fact that were the case right now, you can book it.
That'll be the Sunday night game. If it comes down
to that game to determine who wins the West, that'll
(25:36):
be the Sunday night game. Should be, No, it will
be because I don't think anything else will be up
for grabs like that. No, could be exciting both teams
in the playoff. That'd be pretty cool this year.
Speaker 1 (25:55):
Okay, we've got to talk about a problem here, got
to talk about a problem when we come back.
Speaker 4 (26:01):
Make AM five to seventy LA Sports a preset before
you plug in your phone. Presets in the iHeartRadio app
now available with Apple CarPlay and Android autom just another
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Speaker 2 (26:16):
Let's go, come on, let's go, Rodney, Pete, fred Rogan,
AM five seven e LA Sports and our final broadcasts
before the new year, bringing it to you. Let's go, Freddy,
all right, shout out to the Ducks. Haven't mentioned them.
Speaker 1 (26:36):
They are having a hell of a season down in Anaheim.
They have put it together, a young team that has
struggled in the past. Way to go to the Sam
Wellies and on the Ducks, everybody on the squad, the
fans down at the Honda Center. Ducks are having a
very good year and people are very excited about the Ducks.
Speaker 2 (26:53):
Kevin, you know that right.
Speaker 5 (26:55):
Oh, extremely I do.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
Let's go Ducks.
Speaker 5 (26:59):
That's a fun to watch.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
They are party.
Speaker 5 (27:01):
Surprising by the way, I would say too.
Speaker 1 (27:03):
Well, they have Joel Quinnville's the coach now is a
great coach. Yeah, but he's got to work in at mustache.
Speaker 2 (27:08):
What's wrong with it?
Speaker 1 (27:09):
I'm just saying it's person I know, but it's too much. Now,
maybe trim it a little bit.
Speaker 5 (27:14):
No, you gotta own it. It was like Anthony Davis and
his unibrow.
Speaker 2 (27:16):
Yeah, but he kind of looks kind of sinister a
little bit. No, Yeah, that's.
Speaker 5 (27:20):
Part of the charm.
Speaker 2 (27:21):
Okay, Well, it wasn't charming.
Speaker 5 (27:22):
It was Chicago. He was evil mastermind with Chicago. Now
that he's here, it's part of his charm.
Speaker 1 (27:27):
It's just sinister. Yeah, all right, So that's for the
duck's way to go. But now let's talk about the
other problem the Kings. They looked awful last night against Columbus.
They could not have looked worse. They were out shot,
they were out played, They took too many stupid penalties.
You know, they brought Ken holland and as a general
manager because every time they go to the playoffs. So
he lose to Edmonton in the first round. People were
(27:49):
sick of it. So you need to do something. And
let me tell you what. What they're doing is laying
an egg right now. If the playoffs were to start, yes,
they'd be a wild card barely. They have no cohesiveness.
Their powered play is terrible. They went on with them
Fred well, and that's what I'm trying to figure out.
I think that's what people that follow the Kings are
(28:09):
trying to figure as well. What's going on. First, they
had this insane plan for a good portion of the
season on the power play. They just put five guys
out there like five forwards and watch this. Well we
watched and it was nothing. Stop doing that, go back
to playing defenseman and forwards on the powered play. Put
guys at the point that can shoot. Having Adrian and
(28:31):
Kempe playing the point didn't work, and they did it
for a good period of time. It doesn't work.
Speaker 2 (28:38):
Stop.
Speaker 1 (28:40):
The other thing is Quentin Byfield, the guy with all
the talent in the world and probably could be the
most exciting player on the roster. It really hasn't shown
up this year. He just has it. He is way underperforming,
and the danger with that is once you trade him,
you know he'll go be a superstar because he has
that much about But this is the year he's supposed
(29:02):
to come around and put it together and he hasn't.
The goalie Darcy Kamper got hurt, so now you have
to wait that out and then it brings this up.
And honestly, I hope it doesn't happen because we had
him on the show.
Speaker 2 (29:18):
I like him.
Speaker 1 (29:19):
Coach Jim Hiller, now this is the first year he
is working with the new general manager, Ken Holland, and
Holland new Hiller could have made a move before the
season started shows now too. I hope he doesn't make
a move now. I think Jim Hiller is a very
good coach, but if the malaise continues, something will happen.
(29:40):
They did trade Philip to know he ended up in Montreal.
I think he came from Montreal originally, he went back
to Montreal, and he didn't want to be here anymore.
To be honest with you, he was telling him a
terrible year and seemed to be out of sorts. Nice
guy he's been on the show, really a nice guy.
But he wasn't happy. So they traded him away for
(30:02):
draft picks. So here's the deal, pretty cut and dried,
pretty simple. Are they going to find somebody that can score?
That's it. They need scoring and they don't have a
lot of it. And you're not gonna win if you
don't score. And the way they're playing, I mean, they
(30:24):
play again tonight against Seattle, and Seattle's much improved this year.
They play again tonight against Seattle. It's the eye test.
It's watching them. You can see they're just not firing
on all cylinders. I'm not saying it's time to it's no,
it's not time to panic. No, no, no, there's a
lot of time. But they really need to figure out
(30:47):
a way to fix this because this could become either
a very good season or a very long season. And
I think they're getting to the crossroads, Rodney, I just
do and you'll be able to tell already.
Speaker 2 (31:00):
Yeah. Yeah, they can't. They can't continue like this. They
just can't.
Speaker 1 (31:06):
I mean last night was really bad. If you watched it,
you know, I'm telling you the truth. That was awful.
It just seems sluggish and out of sorts and just
all over the place taking stupid penalties. And they can't
do that because they don't have anybody that can score.
(31:27):
I mean, this is Andre Copeitar's final year. He can't
lead them in scoring. I'm telling you, he just can't.
He's not capable, and you want to send him off
right after what he has meant to the franchise into
the city. And if you're a hockey fan, you know
exactly what I'm talking about. And I mean, this guy's
(31:47):
out there huffing and puffing because they just don't have
any offense. It's hard to explain. I don't know if
I've done a good job of it, Kevin, but it's
just like they're just just out of swords, just missing something,
just like they they're not firing on all cylinder.
Speaker 5 (32:09):
Well, it's also like to throwing a bunch of darts
and trying to see what sticks, which is really really
a solid way to try to build a winning culture.
By the way, too, sol didn't work less. Like I mentioned,
let's throw a bunch of forwards out there and see
what happens. Well, you're seeing what's happening. They seem a
little bit redderless.
Speaker 2 (32:23):
Yeah, you know the thing is about they were hitting
on all cylinders last year for a period of time. Yeah,
and then all of a sudden this year they're not.
I mean, that's just obviously nature of sports, but you
want to try to put your finger on it.
Speaker 1 (32:37):
At least it didn't help them last night because they
gave up power play goals after taking those stupid penalties.
But it has been so bad this year. As I've
watched the games, I've said to people, oh my god,
you mean we're a man down, we're on the penalty kill.
Our offense will be better. I think they're better offensively
when they're playing with only four guys.
Speaker 2 (32:58):
That's how bad it is this year.
Speaker 1 (33:00):
I'm telling you, when we take it. When the week
when the Kings take a penalty, I'm like, good, we
got a shot to score. Now they're better with four
than they are with five. And that makes zero sense.
So as we get into Christmas here and get going,
I think if the Kings don't I'd say by the
end of January, if this doesn't change, and I think
(33:22):
they're gonna make some changes. And my concern again is
that the guy who's going to get it as Hiller,
and I don't think he should. I just don't think
he should. I hope they can figure out a way
to do something. Ken Howland, pull the trigger, get somebody
in here that can score. Maybe use that second round
pick you acquired, package it with somebody and send it
off and get somebody in here that can score. Because
(33:43):
I don't think Jimmy, I don't think Jim Hiller is
the villain here. When we return, as we begin our
three Vinnie Bonds signor our NFL expert, our friend will
be joining the program.
Roggin And Rodney News
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