Sean O'Connell Show - Full POD 8-8-25

OC talks Utah football and Camp Kyle with Bill Riley & Sammy Mora, NFL preseason with Omar Ruiz, Airing of Grievances, Rushing TD's over/under, Start/Bench/Cut + more

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:07):
He's the Sean O'Connell Show, brought to you by Big
Willies on Utah's number one sports talk and home of
the ESPN seven hundred and ninety two to one alf M,
a proud part of Utah's ESPN Radio Network.

Speaker 2 (00:24):
That'd be Fridday, everybody, Welcome to the Shat O'Connell Show.

Speaker 3 (00:32):
Happen to have you with us, That's always the case.

Speaker 4 (00:34):
Tune in on YouTube, check out our Big Willi's neon
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(00:56):
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(01:17):
sent you to seventeen seventeen South Maine. All right, we've
been having a lot of fun on the show. With
these over under numbers, and it's Friday. So I decided
we're going to do a start bench cut. Because Bill Riley,
the voice of the YOUT two, joins us in half
an hour. He likes a little start bench cut. He
enjoys weighing in on the start bench cut. This one

(01:40):
is maybe the most difficult one that we've put together
Utah football safeties in the Power five Power four era.
There are a lot of guys who deserve their shine
that played that position tag safety pride. We talk about

(02:02):
Utah being, you know, a running back factory in some regard,
defensive line, defensive end, pass rush factory in some regard.
That one was also incredibly difficult. We haven't gotten the
pre Power five year of pass rushers in yet. D
line obviously a really, really tough one. We haven't done

(02:23):
the Power five era of interior d lineman yet.

Speaker 3 (02:25):
I don't think but safeties.

Speaker 4 (02:31):
I mean, you talk about the gold standard of Utah
football positionally in this last decade plus, and the names
you're spoiled for choice, it probably comes down to really
a list of like six or seven guys. I'm I
might be better served to do a free safety and
strong safety start bench cut. Yeah, but instead we're gonna

(02:54):
make it hard for everybody, and we're gonna upset a
lot of people. And we're going start bench cut Utah
football safeties in the Power four Power five era.

Speaker 3 (03:04):
And we did.

Speaker 4 (03:05):
We we talked about this right before the show together.
Oh see, we named we like you said, we named
at least six guys. There's probably seven or eight guys
you could put. You can make an argument for Yeah,
their top three safety uh, since they since Utah joined
the PAC twelve. I mean, the numbers, the numbers are
good for a lot of guys. I do think that,

(03:29):
you know, postseason decoration respect from the rest of the
conference does matter at least a little bit in elevating
above the other really good players at the position. So
certainly all American status if that's the case. I don't
know if for the three we got, I don't know

(03:49):
how many of them were all Americans, but certainly all
conference honorees. Uh, there there were all Americans, no consensus
all Americans, Okay, there were there were all American nods.

Speaker 3 (04:01):
Okay, you know, and that's.

Speaker 4 (04:03):
So like meaning meaning of the five or whatever, they
the five main ones that give the all American Honor honors,
there was they at least got one.

Speaker 3 (04:13):
You got one, okay, or two.

Speaker 4 (04:15):
You have to get four of the five right to
be consus and five to bemous okay. And unfortunately, for
some players, a lot of that is related to if
people knew your name before the season started, you know,
because there just aren't a ton of people, especially when
you're playing West Coast football. There weren't a ton of

(04:38):
people that were like staying up late to do the
research and figure out, hey, does this.

Speaker 3 (04:43):
Guy deserve my respect?

Speaker 4 (04:45):
Does this guy deserve for me to talk about him
as one of the elite players one of the one
hundred and fifty players on a watch list doesn't count
as people knowing who you are. By the way, we
got we got some more junk mail tea watch list,
we got go. We got another watch list appearance for
a Utah football player. So that's exciting. But you know,

(05:07):
we had a hard time making the list for corners.
You have a hard time making the list for defensive linemen. Safeties.
I think has been the most challenging list because there
are guys that have sort of the external respect and
decoration and accolade and then there are guys that if
you were watching Utah football, you paid attention and saw, like, WHOA,

(05:33):
this individual was really special for the University of Utah,
And statistically maybe they they made even a bigger difference,
or as big a difference as some of the guys
that got the big time accolades, the first team All
Conference at least, or honorable mention, All American or things
like that accolades.

Speaker 3 (05:54):
So man, it's hard.

Speaker 4 (05:57):
It's hard to even send this tweet out with a
limited list, but I'm gonna do it. Start bench cut
Utah football safeties during the Power four Power five era
eight seven seven three five three zero seven hundred at
realo C Sports cole Bishop Marcus Williams, Julian Blackman. That's

(06:21):
who we settled on. Honorable mention, don't add us. Okay,
that's who we settled on. Don't add us. Chase Hansen,
Actually do add us, Like that's the point. Marquise Blair
honorable mentioned, Brian Bleckin honorable mentioned Chase Hansen before we
moved to linebacker honorable mentioned. At least they Vaki on

(06:42):
the list. Eric Rowe we talked about as a guy before.
Was it before he was a corner. Yes, he he
had one year as a corner, three years of safety.
His best year as was as a corner, but he
was really good safety for the first of utah of
the now. If we were if we were taking into
consideration NFL careers, it's he and Marcus Williams that would

(07:05):
be the top two, right like, if we're talking about
in the NFL. Julian's been good too. He's been having
a hell of an NFL career so far. Yeah, I'm sad.
I'm sad that he's not on He's not in my
colts anymore. But it was fun having him on the cold.
But I mean, Marcus Williams has been phenomenal.

Speaker 3 (07:22):
Yeah, so.

Speaker 4 (07:25):
Cold Bishop Marcus Williams, Julian Blackman, start bench cut. If
you want to throw in one of the other names
because you like that guy better, we enjoy that as well.
Eight seventy seven three five three zero seven hundred and
do we have a are we just for just for
THEVAK fans to get to get really in on this
it can we Are we going to have a best

(07:49):
two way player who also played safety.

Speaker 3 (07:51):
No, in the.

Speaker 4 (07:52):
Power We're not doing that because it's okay it's like,
basically is the only guy.

Speaker 3 (07:58):
If people are gonna be like this, teams count as
two way.

Speaker 4 (08:01):
By the way, I do like to give you some
context on these players. And because he just brought up
on Vakioni Vaki. In twenty twenty three, that was his
final year. Twenty twenty three, he was a first team
All Conference player. Cole Bishop was a second team All
Conference player. Sivaki was the first team All Conference guy.

Speaker 5 (08:20):
There.

Speaker 4 (08:20):
Uh he had fifty one tackles, nine tackles for loss,
two sacks, one interception. The year before that, Ony had
forty one tackles, four tackles for loss, no interception. Is
he he's still a Cions right and a forced fumble?

Speaker 3 (08:38):
I don't know if he's still on the Lions. I haven't.

Speaker 4 (08:41):
Yeah, I also look that up because he didn't. He
didn't get it that much play on it obviously a
really good team. And it might factor in for you.
I don't know if it does, but it might factor
in for you that while he was having a great
year defensively, he was also playing offense, maybe sporadically.

Speaker 3 (08:58):
Maybe the best offensive player on the team.

Speaker 4 (09:02):
So and look, the NFL decided we like him better
as an offensive player than a defensive player, which is
something also also something that they that it seems to
be the case with Travis Hunter with like I anyway, Sorry,
we don't need to get too far afield with that,
but that surprises me that they don't want to play

(09:23):
Travis more as a primary corner and then sprinkle in
some offense.

Speaker 3 (09:27):
Seems like the other way around.

Speaker 4 (09:28):
Julian Blackman, former first team All Conference player, one hundred
and fifty eight career tackles, nine tackles for loss, one
and a half sacks, nine interceptions, twenty total passes defended,
a couple of force fumbles as well. Cole Bishop one
hundred ninety eight tackles in three years, twenty two tackles

(09:49):
for loss, seven and a half sacks, three interceptions, one
force fumble, twelve total passes defended. Because I threw him
in as an honorable mention, I love me some Mark
Keith Blair one hundred and seven tackles, five tackles for loss,
two interceptions, four passes defended, one force fumble, and just

(10:12):
like a trail of a trail of bodies that just
got hit really really hard, devis station in his wake
also also, I don't know if you can find the
targeting penalties for him too, Like he racked up those
targeting penalties too, because he was just such a hard hitter.

Speaker 3 (10:30):
So fun to watch. One hundred and eighty.

Speaker 4 (10:32):
Nine tackles for Marcus Williams, four tackles for loss. He
did not have any sacks, but he did have eleven interceptions,
four force fumbles. Those numbers are really good, I mean
they're awesome. Eleven picks eleven career picks for a safety
is quite a bit. You expect that number or around

(10:53):
that number, four corners because they're they're right on the
player being thrown at safeties. Man, that's impressive. You know
who had not so sneaky, but so Brian Bleckin. If
we're being a purist here, okay, you have to take
out his twenty ten season, a freshman season, which was

(11:19):
stellar bleck and Mountain West year though it's a Mountain
West year. You also have to take out twenty eleven,
where he was primarily a linebacker. Okay, right, And but
just in the Pac twelve. Let's talk about Brian Bleckin
as a player, just in the Pac twelve conference, regardless

(11:41):
whether a linebacker or safety right thirteen tackles for loss. Wow,
two sacks, five interceptions and five force fumbles. Wow, that's
a really good stat line. I mean, that's getting a

(12:03):
little bit of everything from him. You can Cold Bishop,
by the way, twenty two tackles for loss for his
safety he was always seven and a half sacks, three interceptions.
I'm actually surprised he only had one force fumble, but
he did have four fumble recoveries.

Speaker 3 (12:21):
This this was a tough one for me.

Speaker 4 (12:23):
Eight seven seven three five three zero seven hundred at
real oc sports. Now you could say, you could say
Blecken's numbers, you could. You could listen to them and
be like, well, Blecken's you know, as far as overall
he's in. He he got. He got one of every
defensive stat at least the couple of every defense stat.

(12:46):
You might you might say, well, he has better numbers
as Cold Bishop. But Cold Bishop did all of those
as a safety, some of those for blackenword linebackers. He
did all those in the PAC twelve conference, and he
did it in three years. And Blecken's total numbers or
a four year total.

Speaker 3 (13:02):
One of those in Mountain West and one of those
is a long look.

Speaker 4 (13:05):
He was an awesome, awesome player, I mean, and it
was really more than one season. He was playing linebackers,
so this is just one plus I guess so. But
but yeah, Black was a great player, and Cole Bishop
gets the nod.

Speaker 5 (13:20):
For me.

Speaker 4 (13:21):
Marquise Blair was phenomenal. But when you're talking about these safeties,
the bar is so so high that being a two
year player is probably not quite enough, and that I
think is also what keeps Sioni Vaki out of it.
Although that one stellar season you know, deserves at least
honorable mentioned status. Nine tackles for loss, two sacks, and

(13:45):
one interception in a single season where you also gave
your team what five touchdowns? It was on the offense.
I think he was four hundred and fifty to five
hundred yards of offense to much and five touchdowns while
also being an elite defensive player is a hell of

(14:07):
a thing, which is why another reason why you think
you list those defensive numbers you list as a safety,
how he and Cole Bishop were able to wreak havoc
in the backfield as safeties and you wonder, you wonder
why the NFL didn't see him as more of it
hasn't seen him as more of the defensive player. By

(14:28):
the way, did confirm he is still on the Lions roster. Okay, cool,
you just didn't get much time last year as a rookie.
Hopefully he gets more time this year because it was
so so fun to watch him at Utah, especially on
the offensive side. I'm curious to see how it translates
the NFL. So start bench cut eight seven seven three
five three zero seven hundred and sixty six four to one,

(14:50):
says start Baby Magic bench Julian Blackman cut Cole Bishop,
how dare you, sir?

Speaker 3 (14:57):
Cutting twenty two tackles loss? We don't want it? What
have you done?

Speaker 4 (15:03):
Eight seven seven three five three zero seven hundred. Keep
your reactions coming in on the start bench cut now.
I also set some over under numbers for today that
I really wanted to jump in on. So I'm asking
a lot of our listeners reaction wise eight seven seven
three five three zero seven hundred at real OC sports.

(15:23):
I'm gonna hammer you with that over and over because
I set these numbers. We're gonna focus on the defense
next week, the defensive numbers that I think Utah hopefully
can hit well. I think are gonna be kind of
in the in the ballpark of what's necessary for this
to be a good team is and that's been the
goal for all of these over unders that we've set.

(15:45):
But I also put a poll question up based on
the research done for the over unders here, who will
score more rushing touchdowns for Utah football this year? This
is a poll on Twitter at reloc sports. Go vote
Will it be Devin Dampier your quarterback or will it

(16:06):
be the entire running back room combined?

Speaker 3 (16:09):
That's a good pole.

Speaker 4 (16:11):
And the reason I asked that question is because if
you go back to New Mexico offensively last year, guess
who wins? Devn Right, Devin scored nineteen rushing touchdowns. The
rest of the team scored eighteen rushing touchdowns, which, by
the way, still one hell of a total thirty seven

(16:31):
rushing touchdowns, second in the Mount West Conference, seventh nationally,
tied for seventh nationally. That was a very productive offense overall,
and a very productive rushing offense for the University of
New Mexico, with Devin Dampierre being of course the biggest
contributing factor there because he was not only piling on

(16:52):
the yardage, but he gave you nineteen rushing touchdowns. The
over under I set for Utah football rushing touchdowns in
the twenty twenty five season is twenty five and a
half rushing touchdowns for the team. Because it's twenty twenty five, right,
that's not why. It's the ten year average for Utah's
rushing offense. And James, do you know how many rushing

(17:14):
touchdowns Utah scored last year? It was less? We did
we did this exercise. It was less than Devin Dan
Pierce by himself at New Raxico. I remember that, correct?
Did it get in the double digits to get it?

Speaker 3 (17:27):
Was it ten? It was seven? Seven?

Speaker 5 (17:30):
Yeah?

Speaker 4 (17:30):
I do you know where that ranked in the Big
twelve Conference? It was its dead last. I'm gonna say
like that, I'm so sorry for the team who got
worse than that. If that was the case, what a
strange because if you would have asked, without looking at
the data, if you walk up to the average Utah
fan on the street and you say, I know you
don't want to talk about the twenty twenty four offense.

Speaker 3 (17:52):
But let's talk about it. What was the strength of
the offense?

Speaker 4 (17:56):
If there was one what And everyone'd be like, oh, well,
it was at least a run game was served. Was
the best player on offense? Ye, Like, at least they
were like decent running the ball. And then you would say,
did you know that they scored twenty passing touchdowns and
seven rushing touchdowns? They were dead last in the conference
of rushing touchdowns And people would be like what, And

(18:17):
did you know that that the twenty passing touchdowns is
good for like fourth all time in the Kyle Whittingham
you're a single season passing touchdowns? Did you know that?
It's it's not quite fourth, but it's like it's in
the it's.

Speaker 3 (18:31):
Somewhere near that. It's like somewhere near fifth fourth. It's
the top it's the top half.

Speaker 4 (18:35):
Of his of his seasons basically wild which is crazy.
But I mean, you're looking at a team now that
you can't even judge off of last year. If you're
Utah's rushing, Like, if Utah scores single digit rushing touchdowns
this year, I don't have a show anymore. I'm gonna

(18:55):
I'm not gonna know what to do. No one everyone
is gonna jumped all the way off the Utah bandwagon,
and people are just beking like they're they're gonna be
burning their interlocking US and drum and feather apparel and
block us if any if you go back far enough,
if anyone's if you're still on the block, you're still

(19:16):
a loyalist to that terrible era of branding for us.
But here's the thing. It can't happen again. It's not
going to happen again. So even as I present it
as a nightmare possibility, it's not. I wasn't willing to
set a number that was anywhere near what you had
last year, So twenty five and a half rush.

Speaker 3 (19:38):
Last year should be a total aberration.

Speaker 4 (19:40):
Yeah, and James, you're not going to be surprised. Can
you guess where twenty five and a half would put
Utah in last year's Big twelve rankings when it comes
to rushing touchdowns. Let's see, there's sixteen teams in the
Big twelve, divided by two eighth, it would actually be seventh.
Oh okay, but tied for seventh, So that's wild. So
I'm curious. Let's say, because we landed on we both

(20:04):
went under for passing touchdowns the other day, and we
landed on maybe twenty to twenty two this year, and
we said you're going to veild it. Hopefully you're definitely
gonna be able to make up a lot for that
with rushing touchdowns this year. Is that that's something we're
counting on and obviously we're talking about that today and
then we hope to be able to make up for

(20:25):
that touchdown the lack of touchdowns from passing. You know,
their areas with defensive scores and maybe a special team
score or two. Right, So I'm curious, have you looked
at combined rushing and passing touchdown numbers from twenty twenty
four and where and who's who is the best in conference?
Who's in the middle, who's at the end. So, yes,

(20:47):
Houston was the worst. They had twenty total offensive touchdowns
last year and somehow they somehow you tell lost to them. Anyway,
Arizona was fifteenth with thirty total touchdowns. For those keeping
score on. And this is total touchdowns, so not just
passing and rushing, it's all of it, right? Or is

(21:08):
this is this also special teams and defensive touchdowns?

Speaker 3 (21:12):
It's hold on.

Speaker 4 (21:13):
I think it's gotta be because because Utah would only
be twenty seven with passing and rushing.

Speaker 3 (21:18):
Hang on, hang on, this has gotta be it's gotta be.

Speaker 4 (21:23):
Yeah, total touchdowns, not just offensive touchdowns. But make me,
let me make sure that I've got my numbers right.
Might maybe maybe you need a little more time to
break it down to just those specific offensive touchdowns.

Speaker 3 (21:36):
Okay, yeah, okay.

Speaker 4 (21:37):
So Utah had seven rushing touchdowns in twenty twenty four,
all right, they had twenty passing touchdowns in twenty twenty four.
That's what we decided on. Yeah, so twenty so that
gives them twenty seven offensive touchdowns. Yeah, okay, so yeah,

(21:57):
all right, this is slightly misleading with the way that
they construct us because when you say scoring offense, yeah,
and you go into scoring offense, you're thinking offensive touchdowns.
So Utah had thirty two total touchdowns last year. They
had twenty seven offensive touchdowns thirty two. So you put
in the defensive touchdowns, put you know, the lander Barton

(22:19):
and rumbling for a pick six, that kind of stuff,
you get to thirty two touchdowns for the University of Utah.
So look, maybe that can be an over under for
next week. How many non offensive touchdowns do we think
Utah can score? This year because last year was five

(22:39):
the top touchdown scoring team in the conference, you will
not be surprised is the eventual conference champion.

Speaker 3 (22:47):
That's kind of how it works.

Speaker 4 (22:48):
Yeah, of course you can pile up some numbers in
the don conference and still be near the top. Anyway,
Arizona State had sixty one total touchdowns and Texas Tech
had sixty, Baylor had fifty eight, TCU had fifty six,
Colorado had fifty six, and correct me if I'm wrong.
Iowa State was the conference runner up last year. They

(23:11):
were sixth in total touchdowns. Wow, they didn't They had
a few, maybe two or three really high scoring games.
I'm not looking at their last year's results, so anyone going,
how do you not see that they had this many?
But they had a handful of or a few at
least of high scoring games, games in the high thirties,

(23:34):
in the forties, But they were they were not. I mean,
Becked was awesome, but they were not always a prolific
offense every game last year. So that doesn't surprise me
a ton despite their really good season, it wasn't always
like just running up to score on offense. So going

(23:56):
back to I think the direction we were headed here.
If you take the over on the number we set
for rushing touchdowns, and you take the under on passing touchdowns,
which a lot of people did, including us, which we
said at twenty three and a half. Right, So you
think there'll be twenty three or fewer passing touchdowns, you

(24:17):
kind of have to take the over then on rushing
touchdowns if you expect Utah to be any good. Because
BYU had forty eight total touchdowns last year and they
had a really good season. They had the same number
of touchdowns as UCF who did not have a great season. Yeah,
so again, the numbers are what they are. They don't

(24:38):
fully inform because you can score seven touchdowns in a
non conference blowout game and then zero in a conference
game and rely only on field goals, which unfortunately Utah
had to do a couple times last year, and the
outcomes don't just rely on touchdowns themselves. But if you
want to be above middle of the pack in this

(25:00):
ultimate standings, nobody cares about. Nobody really cares about statistical
analysis where you fit.

Speaker 3 (25:08):
What they care about.

Speaker 4 (25:08):
What we all care about is at the end of
the year, Utah is not in the middle of the pack.
In the conference wins losses results, you're what's your win
loss record the most important stat So if you want
to be like in the Hunt at the end of
the year, you got you probably need to score with
BYU being a little bit of an outlier here, everyone

(25:30):
else that was in that conversation scored more than fifty
five touchdowns. Yeah, so you need to hit the over
on one of these numbers.

Speaker 3 (25:40):
You got to hit the over.

Speaker 4 (25:41):
Well, you think it's probably on rushing twenty five and
a half For me feels very conservative because you take
the numbers from from the New Mexico offense last year.
Devin himself had nineteen rushing touchdowns. They scored thirty seven
rushing touchdowns last year just in the run game at

(26:02):
New Mexico, so they got they got like forty nine
to fifty offensive touchdowns. Then that's yeah. I would say.
The reason I asked that is I think it helps
inform your decision today on like you said, on rushing touchdowns.
If you think this Utah offense is going to be

(26:23):
really good and it's gonna translate to a at least
contending for a Big twelve championship, then you think then
you think that they're gonna go over and rushing touchdowns,
because especially if you said if you also chose under
and passing touchdowns like like we did. So if you say,

(26:43):
I think I land on twenty two passing touchdowns, if
you asked me to predict a specific number, twenty two
passing touchdowns from Devin Dampier this year, so twenty five.
If you go under rushing touchdowns and you say they're
gonna get to twenty four or twenty five, that's forty six,

(27:03):
forty seven touchdowns, which leaves you probably out of the
group that contended for the contended for the conference championship
last year, and a lot of people think will contend
this year. So I think I think they got to
get to at least thirty rushing touchdowns for you to

(27:24):
feel really good that, hey, this offense is is as
as much better as you as you wanted them to
be compared to last year. It's it gets scary when
you really start to add up the numbers, because it's
reasonable to think, all, right, twenty six, twenty seven, twenty
eight rushing touchdowns fairly conservative.

Speaker 3 (27:45):
Let's say thirty.

Speaker 4 (27:46):
Let's say thirty, okay, thirty, Well, if you have thirty
rushing touchdowns and twenty passing touchdowns, which is like, I mean,
that's a big improvement for Devin specifically from last year.
You're at fifty total touchdowns and that may you need
your defense and your special teams to give you half
a dozen or more. I mean, Arizona State scored sixty

(28:06):
one touchdowns last year. We're just talking about being in
the conversation for the conference championship, not actually getting there.
Good text coming in from twenty two to eighty nine.
Start Bishop bench Blackman, cut Williams. You're cutting Marcus Williams.
This is ridiculous. I've typed it out three different times
and this is the third different version that happened to
me when we did the pass rushers. I understand the

(28:29):
guy we shouldn't forget because of his contribution was Tevin Carter,
but still probably outside the top seven, right.

Speaker 3 (28:35):
Tevin Carter was awesome.

Speaker 4 (28:36):
There's a lot of awesome players that don't even get
mentioned when you're talking about the all time greats to
play in this era. Another text that said they think Bishop,
they're starting Bishop cutting Williams as well. Same start Bench
cut as the other Texter. They think Bishop was the
closest thing to Weddle that they've ever seen since Weddle
left Utah. And they also think black Backman would have

(29:00):
gotten a lot more shine in credit if he wasn't
in the same secondary as Jalen Johnson, which I think
is totally fair. Second, I think that's fair. I also, man,
what do you think about that? About what he said
comparing him to Weddle. I think, I mean he was
a little bit more of a of a box presence
than Weddle. Well, there are different players, weren't they. Weddell
had better ball skills. I think was more versatile because

(29:23):
you could line him up at corner and you did.
He was a freshman All American as a corner, you
know what I mean. I think Weddle is more a
complete player, and Bishop is a guy like Weddle. You
could never actually have Weddle play a whole game as
a linebacker.

Speaker 3 (29:39):
You couldn't. He just wasn't physical enough.

Speaker 4 (29:41):
He's a physical enough player in college, but he wasn't
physical enough to be a linebacker. You could have played
Cole Bishop every game as a linebacker and he would
have been just fine. He was a thumper man and
the same is probably true of Marque's player. But we digress,
and we got to get to a break because the
Voice of the Youths, Bill Riley, is joining us next.
Wait to hear what he says about the start bench

(30:01):
cut and some of these over under totals. On ESPN
seven hundred and ninety two one FM, you.

Speaker 1 (30:17):
Tune to The Shan O'Connell Show from the Murdoch Chevrolet
Studio of ESPN seven hundred and ninety two to one AFM.

Speaker 2 (30:35):
Sean O'Connell Show continues on a Friday, and we welcome
in the voice of the Utes, Bill Riley, who twenty
two days from now will be calling actual game action
at the Rose Bowl when UTA opens their season at
a night game against UCLA, a UCLA team for those
paying attention, who is picked to finish in the.

Speaker 4 (30:57):
Very bottom of the Big although we know what those
expectations mean not much.

Speaker 3 (31:04):
Bill Riley, Welcome to the Sean O'Connell Show.

Speaker 5 (31:06):
How are you, hello, Sean O'Connell. I'm great.

Speaker 4 (31:10):
Um, you want to do start bench cut right off
the top, so I can give you some time to
think about it.

Speaker 5 (31:16):
Whatever you would like to do, I'm here for you.
I broadcast at your pleasure.

Speaker 4 (31:21):
I like that start bench cut. You toss safeties in
the Power for Pac twelve Big twelve era. Okay, Marcus Williams,
Julian Blackman, Cole Bishop, start bench king.

Speaker 3 (31:39):
No.

Speaker 5 (31:39):
Marquise Blair.

Speaker 4 (31:40):
Marquis Blair gets an honorable mention because he was a
two year starter. Basically, Sioni Vaki kind of the same thing,
gets an honorable mentioned even though he was a first
team All Conference player, because he was he's more of
a two year guy. Blackhan gets an honorable mention because
he had three years in the conference and obviously he
played Love and Back are also remarkable and productive and

(32:03):
incredible players.

Speaker 3 (32:04):
At this position.

Speaker 4 (32:05):
So even making the list was a start bench cut
exercise in its own right. But we have settled on
Marcus Williams, Julian Blackman, Cole Bishop.

Speaker 5 (32:16):
This is solely on their Utah career. Correct. Correct, Not
what they go on to do professionally.

Speaker 4 (32:23):
Correct, just what they were at Utah. And I can
give you some numbers if you'd like.

Speaker 5 (32:28):
Oh, I've got the numbers in my head.

Speaker 3 (32:30):
Okay, I called.

Speaker 5 (32:32):
All these guys. I know what they did. Are we
doing this now or are we going to come back
to it.

Speaker 3 (32:37):
We could come back to it. That's just fine.

Speaker 5 (32:39):
I will I'm good whatever you want to do if
you have already.

Speaker 4 (32:46):
Okay, if you have it already, Because like when we
did the pass rushers, I was all over the place.
It took me an hour to decide what I was
actually going to go with. And we've had several people
weighing in saying I had to type out my answer
like ten times before I really settled on my three.

Speaker 3 (33:01):
So if you've got it, now give it to me.

Speaker 5 (33:03):
Now. I'm I'm going to base this on their you
know you're you're basing this on their individual efforts. These
are individuals, not how the team per se did. So
with that being said, I am starting Marcus Williams. I
think people have forgotten because the Marcus Williams teams were

(33:24):
those teams that were just on the cusp. They weren't
quite getting over the top in the Pac twelve. They
were good, but they weren't great yet. But the defenses
were very good. And Marcus Williams was an All Pack
twelve player, first team All Pac twelve one. You had
the second team All Pack twelve another year. Neither Bishop

(33:46):
or Blackman made first team All Pac twelve. Uh, and
Marcus Williams, if I'm not mistaken, with double digits in interceptions.
He made a lot of really big plays. In fact,
he came up with an unbelievable interception maybe the Cow game. Anyway,
Marcus Williams was spectacular on teams that were good but

(34:07):
not great. Blackman and Bishop both played on better teams,
but Marcus Williams played on some really good defenses. He
had Jared Norris and Johnny, he had Hunter Demock, he
had Nate Orchard, maybe not Nate. Anyway, they were really
good teams. I think so Marcus will I.

Speaker 3 (34:27):
Don't mean interrupt you.

Speaker 4 (34:28):
I think that he was on I think he was
the only the second guy to make uh to make
first team All Conference for the University of Utah defensively
because uh, you know, oh, no, he was the third
you had.

Speaker 3 (34:43):
You had Start.

Speaker 5 (34:44):
I think Starlow to La and I think Nate Orchard
were also first team All Pack twelve.

Speaker 4 (34:51):
But chronologically, Marcus, I think only the third. Yeah, I
think it was Shelby first in the first year, and
then oh it was and then uh and then Star
and then anyway, but yeah, your your points are all
very well made.

Speaker 3 (35:04):
He was.

Speaker 4 (35:05):
He did not rely on the team around him to
boost what he was reputationally or production wise. He was
a guy that everyone thought incredibly highly of because he
was a great player period and point blank.

Speaker 5 (35:19):
That Now the next two or top I'm going to
bench Julian Blackman. Uh, Julian was. He was very versative.
He played outside and he played I think he played
his better football when he moved to safety. But he
also he was kind of a poor man Derek wool
In that he played some corn early in his career.

(35:42):
His better ball was to say he was a ballhawk,
and he also came up with some plays in YU games,
picked off his cousin, took one back for a pick six.
Julian Blackman will be my bench, and I love Cole Bishop,
but I'm gonna cut him. A very versatile player, could
play back, could play up around the ball. It was

(36:06):
a big time tackler. Didn't make as many big plays
as the other two guys did, but was around the
line of scrimmage. Would be blitzed from time to time.
So he was also part of that great chase down
play on Jackson Smith and Jigba in the in the
in the in the Rose Bowl where I believe he

(36:28):
he fell on the fumble I think in the end
zone after somebody knocked that ball out, so I think
it was Clark Phillips knocked it out. Anyway, cutting Cole Bishop,
much to my dismay, tough tough decisions, but starting Marcus Williams,
benching Julian Blackman and cutting Cole Bishop.

Speaker 4 (36:48):
That's if you go by the postseason decoration, that that
is probably the right call because as you mentioned, Marcus
Williams was a multiple time first team All Conference guy.
He was an then Julian Blackman made it the one
year and Cole Bishop was the second team guy. Sioni
Vaki was actually a first team All Conference player what

(37:10):
was at twenty twenty three?

Speaker 5 (37:11):
So yeah, this I think had he come back. I
think had he come back, he would have had a
really big impact last year, but he didn't have quite
the longevity those other guys did.

Speaker 4 (37:24):
A tough one, but Bill Riley does it with a
plumb Have.

Speaker 5 (37:29):
You done yours yet? I don't know have you done
your start bench cut? Or are you saving yours for later?

Speaker 4 (37:33):
I'm saving mine for later, but I will give a
spoiler alert, it doesn't really deviate from what you just
said for the reasons that you just said. Even though
Cole Bishop is like more my kind of a guy,
you know what I mean, like twenty two tackles for loss,
stick your nose in there. But the other two guys
were just, I mean, so good and at the job
that they were asked to do. Hard to find anyone

(37:56):
who did it better. The honorable mention list is long
and decorated as well, but those three are the ones
who get the start bench cut. Here on the Sean
O'Connell Show, on to more relevant and salient things for
this upcoming twenty twenty five season. I know you've been
out of practice, You've been out seeing parts of practice
that obviously we don't get to, and you know, it's

(38:17):
it's nice to talk to players, and it's nice to
talk to coaches and hear the optimism and hear the
excitement over what this offense is. So we'll start there.
What are you seeing and hearing about this offense that
gives people reason to think that this year is a
reversal from what you saw last season?

Speaker 5 (38:36):
Well, I think it's a lot of the carryover, but
more dialed in from what they did in the spring, Sean,
I just when I've been out to watch it, when
I've talked to coaches afterwards, they're really pleased with where
the install is, with the efficiency. I mean, clearly your
seven practice is in. You're in the dog days, so

(38:57):
you're not perfect by any means, but you know, I
think they're beginning to see some guys make some plays.
I know Kyle Whittingham has mentioned to Bias Merriweather he's
had good practices. You know, Dadrin Zipperer, who's also had
some good practices. You're beginning to see some, you know, everybody.
The big concern was, oh, you know who the wide receiver.

(39:18):
I don't think they've got their top six or seven
locked in quite yet. And you know, if you don't
need to yet, you're still only seven practices in and
you've got a scrimmage coming up this weekend, so I
think you'd like to see it in somewhat of a
live situation. But I think they're just really happy with
the way things are coming along. And you know, you

(39:39):
know away Sean Parker is getting a lot of love,
as is rightfully so. But guys like the Currie Rodgers
and Daniel Bray and some others are having good fall
camps as well. And Kyle even said to me the
other day a position that you know, I don't think
we're thinking is going to be nearly the emphasis that
it was in the Andy Ludwig scheme. Well, I'm not
so sure about that, you know. He told me the

(40:00):
other day after practice. Freshman named JJ Buchanan out of
Las Vegas has had, you know, a couple of good
practices and beginning to flash just a little bit too.
So I think it's I think they're just pleased that
things things have continued to progress. I don't I don't
think you'd say setbacks or it's gone backwards. I think

(40:20):
it's just continued to push forward.

Speaker 4 (40:22):
JJ Buchanan, we're like keeping itally on how many times
he's mentioned we're up to we're up to four now,
And it's it's not because people are asking, hey, how's
JJ Buchanan doing and forcing anyone like other players are
saying it. Tao Johnson mentioned him after practice yesterday. As
you talked about, the coaches have been like, hey, this dude,
this young guy's making some plays and you need that

(40:45):
for a team that has a lot of things to
figure out offensively from a year ago, and you're replacing
everybody offensively anyway, So I don't care how old they are.
But this JJ Buchanan guy might be a someone we
need to look closer at.

Speaker 5 (41:00):
He's only a freshman, six foot four, he's two ten,
two hundred and fifteen pounds. He was four star kid
out of Las Vegas's Cornatto High School. But again, you
know we've we've said this before. Kyle Whittingham just doesn't
say guys to say guys. Usually when Kyle mentioned somebody,
it's because they've caught his eye or they've had more

(41:20):
than one good practice. And then when you hear teammates
start to talk about him too, that that means it's
you know, that means there might be a little something there. Again,
seven practices in and it's been practice, not game situations.
But that's all you have to judge it by. And
you know, these guys might be flashing a little bit.

Speaker 4 (41:41):
Who's going to score more rushing touchdowns for this offense,
Devin Dampier or the entire running back room combined.

Speaker 5 (41:51):
It's a good question. I mean, Devin had nineteen last
year at New Mexico.

Speaker 3 (41:57):
And the rest of the team had eighteen. So yes,
that's why it wasn't.

Speaker 5 (42:01):
I mean, that's running for I mean, if you get
that type of productive if if we're talking about thirty
seven rushing touchdowns for Utah football this year, I think
Kyle Whittingham would take that. I would be surprised if
he had nineteen again, just simply because of the surrounding cast.
I'm not sure that his surrounding cast at New Mexico, though,

(42:21):
he did have some good a couple of good skilled guys,
a couple of good receivers, including Ryan Davis is here now.
And you know Rogers was the backup last year. He
had five rushing touchdowns last which I just have to
go back, but five rushing touchdowns might have led Utah
last year. I don't know how many McKay Bernard had,
but I know Utah didn't rush for a ton of
touchdowns a year ago. Anyway, Between Parker, Rogers, Green Bray,

(42:46):
you know who knows. You throw a couple of other
guys in there. In a short yardage situation, I would
say the running backs will out gain. Is it the
running backs or just everybody else? With rushing touchdowns.

Speaker 4 (42:58):
I'm saying the running backs all running backroom. Yeah there's
always your fly SUITEP options and things like that, but
your rushing attack consists of the running back room and
the quarterback run game for the most part.

Speaker 3 (43:10):
The other stuff is fluff.

Speaker 5 (43:13):
I think it'll be close, but I'll give a slight
edge to the running backs between Parker, Rogers, Green Bray.
I wouldn't be surprised that all if Dan Pierre has
double digit touchdown runs again this year, just because he's
so dynamic. But I think if I had to guess now,
I would say his rushing touchdowns come down just a

(43:33):
little bit and his passing touchdowns go up quite a bit.

Speaker 4 (43:38):
I looked McKay Bernard had four rushing touchdowns last year
to lead the Utes, which well.

Speaker 5 (43:43):
That's that's what I'm saying. Mccarrie Rodgers was the number
two running back at New Mexico a year ago, if
I'm not mistaken, and he had five and a receiving touchdown.
So I think, and you know, we've talked about this.
With the offensive line, Utah's got with Lowu Togii, camp
Lokafisi Fano, and they've got some good backups too. I

(44:05):
just I think that, you know, in good running backs,
good running quarterback, I think the run game will be
an emphasis. That's not to say that you're not going
to see him throw, because they are, they gonna throw
the football, but I just, yeah, I think you're going
to see running backs and quarterback getting into the end
zone this year.

Speaker 4 (44:23):
Bill Riiley Voyce and I used my guests here on
the Sean O'Connell Show for a couple more minutes. Kyle Whittingham,
you know, we always, you know, we kind of grumble
about how he plays everything so close to the vest
and he's so secretive. But he told us unsolicited at
Big twelve media days that we're going to see Smith
Noden and Lander Barton on offense, and again during camp

(44:44):
he said, Wow, Smith Nodens having great days on offense.
Lander Barton is doing some really interesting things on offense.
And I'm just I'm kind of like, Okay, why are
we talking about this. Let it be a secret. When
are you're talking about something like that? But uh, what
are your thoughts? And I guess maybe to some degree,
what have you seen on how much usage should we expect?

(45:06):
Is this going to be like you used Weddell on
both sides of the ball. You had Ben Moa come
over and take direct snaps and do some crazy stuff
back in the day, and you've seen it with lots
of different guys in the Utah uniform. But then there's
also like the Travis Hunter influence where it's like, hey,
you know what, maybe these guys can actually play one
hundred snaps a game, but it's not going to kill them.

Speaker 3 (45:26):
Like where are we meeting in the middle here?

Speaker 5 (45:30):
I think we're going to be much closer to Eric
Weddell and Ben Moa than we are Travis Hunter. That's
that's just that's my again, that's just my educated guess.
I think that you use these guys because you know
they've got nice I mean, they've got nice weapons, they're
they're beginning to develop. But again, we as we learned

(45:52):
with the with the with the you know, Sioni Vaki,
When you've got guys that can help you on that
side of the ball, you use those guys. And I
think they really feel like in situations that both Lander
Barton and Smith Notton can help them out. But I
would be very surprised if you're seeing those guys, you know,

(46:13):
thirty forty forty five snaps a game on offense. Both
of those guys, I mean, you can make the argument
they're the best two defensive players along with maybe Tao
Johnson on the defensive side of the ball, and they're
much more important to the defense than they are the
offense in my opinion. So I think you'll see those
guys utilized. And I've been out there at practice. I
mean I'm not revealing anything there. I mean, Kyle said

(46:35):
it himself. Those guys have been part of it. But
to the extent that they will be against UCLA and
cal Poly and Wyoming and Texas Tech, I think that
remains to be seen. But I would, like I said,
if I was hedging one way or another, I think
it would be more Eric weddele ben Moa Sioni Vaki

(46:55):
than Travis Hunter.

Speaker 4 (46:57):
How how delicate a balance are we talking about about
with the young defensive line, especially in tierror defensive line
right now, Not only do you have to develop those
guys in camp, but you got to give them at
least a few really good reps against one of the
best offensive lines in the country. What we think is
going to be one of the best offensive lines in
the country, and you're probably not winning a lot of

(47:18):
those when you're Dallas Fauklaki. I hope you are, but
you're probably not. And there is I don't know, there's
something there when you've got to get some wins in
camp in order to develop as a good player. So
what kind of balance are the youths having to strike
to develop these young guys.

Speaker 5 (47:35):
Well, they're having to get reps. But you know that,
I mean Luther and Lou Powell and Morgan Scalley and
Kyle Whittingham like to roll a lot of guys through there.
I actually it's going to probably be at today or tomorrow.
I did a walk and talk yesterday for Utah Athletics
with Jaren Cump, and Jaren obviously is seeing these guys.
I said, you know, how do those guys look up?
Freddie goes they're young, but they are talented, and he said,

(47:58):
they're given us. They're given us good reps and good looks.
So if the offensive lineman and arguably maybe the leader
of that offensive line. I know everybody talks about Spencer
and Caleb Blomu, but yeah, Jerry Tumb's been in the
program for six years. He's played and started at every
position on the offensive line, and as you saw this morning,
he was named to the Remington Watch List. So if

(48:21):
he's telling me they're getting good reps head to head
with these defensive linemen, that bodes well. The other thing
about it, too, though, Sean is especially the interior guys.
Dallas Fokalah he's a sophomore, Carson Kafusi's a freshman, Joe
Nolaea is a red shirt sophomore. They've got other guys
are rotating through there too. The only guy that's really

(48:41):
a veteran veteran is a leaky Bamahi. So I think
that they're giving these guys lots of looks and lots
of reps just simply because they need them. They just
don't have them in there under their belt right now.
And if you can do it against one of the
best offensive lines in college football and practice, I think
that only helps you.

Speaker 4 (49:00):
Back to Smith's node, we know he's going to get
some offensive reps. We know he's an excellent nickel and
slot corner. Kyle Whittingham said at practice, I think of
two days ago, now that he's also playing a lot
outside right now while they figure out what they've got
opposite Scooby Davis. Is he going to be a guy
that they settled in at one defensive position or are

(49:21):
we going to see his movement a lot, maybe matching
up with what another team's strength are and stuff. Because
I think he is that level of player. How are
they going to use Smith on the defensive side of
the ball?

Speaker 5 (49:33):
Again, I think it goes back to what you were
just saying, who emerges which one do they get separation?
There's really three guys. You get Scooby Davis and Smith.
You know that what those guys are. But the other
three guys they're rotating really hard right now at Rock Caldwell,
Blake Cotton, Don Saunders, and there's some other guys too.
They're working in there. You've got to figure out to

(49:54):
do those guys separate? Who does that for you? If
not sure, could you play Smith outside? Yeah? Could you
do a situation? But I don't think they want to.
I mean, I think they love his versatility in the
slot because you can blitz him. He can match up
with a back, he can match up with a tight end,
he can match up with a wide receiver in the slot.

(50:14):
As well. So will they play him outside and there
might be situations. Would they prefer to play him in
the slot? I think so, just because he's so good
in there, and I've compared to him. I don't know
if I've done it with you as a Chiefs fan.
Trent McDuffie plays that slot. He was an all pro.
I'm not saying Smith's noted and as Trent McDuffie yet,
but he's got the same skill set. And I remember

(50:36):
when McDuffie was at Washington he played mostly outside, but
you see him inside a little bit too. Now he
plays mostly in the slot but can play outside. So
I think they like Smith's versatility. But in a perfect world,
I think you love one of those transfer corners Caldwell Cotton,
Saunders Heart one of those guys to step up and
then you could utilize Smith in the slot.

Speaker 4 (51:00):
But the over under on sacks allowed for this team
at nine and a half. As you are well aware,
Devin was only sacks four times at New Mexico last year.
This offensive line should be a lot better, but so
should the pass rushes that he goes up against. If
I give you a nine and a half over under
on sacks allowed. How do you think it plays out
in twenty twenty five for the youths.

Speaker 5 (51:21):
I think that's probably a good number. You said it,
and I'd probably just go slightly over, maybe ten, maybe eleven,
because that was such an anomaly last year. I mean,
he was running for his life most of the times
last year, and he became more of a running back
on the outside. I think you're going to see him
sit a little bit more in the pocket this year,

(51:42):
but there's going to be an occasional sack. There's going
to be, you know, him trying to buy time and
make some plays down the field. But I'd say you're
probably in the ballpark. I'll say just slightly over and
go ten.

Speaker 4 (51:54):
How's that only five teams in the country last year
gave up ten or fewer sacks on the year in
New Mexico obviously one of them, and you're Kansas Jayhawks
randomly the other.

Speaker 5 (52:05):
So it does they actually surprisingly had good I think
they put a couple of alignment in the NFL. Now,
maybe he's only sacked four or five or six times. Again,
maybe that's him in conjunction with a great offensive line.
But I think if you're playing the odds you'd say,
just slightly over.

Speaker 4 (52:21):
Our last thing before I let you go. When do
you fully dial in on your Chiefs? The preseason is
a formality at this point, it seems like for them.

Speaker 5 (52:32):
Yeah, I don't fully dial in till they play the
Chargers in Brazil on what is it, Friday, the fifth
of September. Now, I'll watch a little bit because there's
you know, like see how some of the rookies perform
in some of the preseason games. The only thing I
care about though, is number fifteen upright and healthy? Does
he not hurt himself on the one and a half

(52:52):
series that he gets against the Cardinals and whomever? Else?
I want to watch Josh Simmons at at left tackle,
the former BYU Cougar Kingsley, Sue Mattea who's moved into
right guard. He's he's big, big preseason for him, and
then maybe some of the past rushers, oh in Utah States,
Jalen Royals. With the impending suspension of Rashi Rice, I

(53:17):
think Jalen Royle is probably gonna get a little run
early in the year, so I want to keep an
eye on him too.

Speaker 4 (53:23):
Bill always appreciate catching up with you twenty two days away.
I know that you're probably even more excited than most
of us are.

Speaker 3 (53:30):
Can't wait. Thanks for your time.

Speaker 5 (53:33):
Thanks Sean Tucking, sh.

Speaker 4 (53:34):
Bill Riley, Voice of the Utes. We got a double
break here. We'll come back with the little NFL talk.
Omar Ruiz from the NFL Network is going to swing
by on the Sean O'Connell Show. It's ESPN seven hundred
ninety two one FM, proud part of Utah's ESPN Radio Networks.

(53:57):
He gets eye on you Ton o'connle show on ESPN
seven two on FM. We welcome Omar Ruiz from the
NFL Network, will check in on the league.

Speaker 3 (54:09):
Omar, how are you hey?

Speaker 6 (54:11):
Goo ahead. I'm just taking some time at the beach,
little beach volleyball action to get my weekend started. It's
gonna quite the grind on the inside training camp tour
and excited to get these preseason games underway.

Speaker 4 (54:24):
Wow, I mean, that's a great way to get a
little interlude, little beach time, little beach volleyball. I like
to hear that everyone listening in their Salt Lake City
cars right now is probably jealous of.

Speaker 5 (54:35):
What you got going on.

Speaker 7 (54:37):
Oh, let's talk about let's start with the ugly stuff
that unfortunately just the reality of training camp and you're
the reality of the violent game of football.

Speaker 4 (54:48):
A couple injuries already, they're going to have some serious
implications for teams. We saw Anthony Richardson's pink keyp pointing
the wrong way?

Speaker 5 (54:57):
Is it?

Speaker 3 (54:58):
I saw this location?

Speaker 4 (54:59):
I saw, Hey, how long is Anthony Richardson's pinky going
to affect the Colts?

Speaker 5 (55:04):
Well?

Speaker 6 (55:04):
I think for the for the time being, it could
be a long term ramification. Not so much that you know,
it'll be a detriment to the season, but I think
it's certainly when he was climbing an uphill battle anyway
against Daniel Jones for that starting job for him to
miss you know, significant amount of time in camp, But
I know, I don't think it'll it'll linger into the

(55:24):
season that long, but it may cost him the opportunity
to win the job. And ultimately, you know, Daniel Jones
learning the system, and all reports out of India is
that you know, Shane Sychin is comfortable with Jones and
and and everything there. Obviously, Richardson has the most upside
of maybe anybody in that draft class, and and amongst
you know, all the young quarterbacks out there, but still

(55:46):
he hasn't shown it. This is another detriment to his
young career and uh, potentially another another long term effect
to what we all hope would be a budding career
that just hasn't come to fruition yet.

Speaker 4 (56:01):
Probably, I mean not probably, definitely a much more serious
injury to a player that just became the highest paid
at his position in the NFL. It's like it's almost
like the two things. They're not related, but you can't
separate one from the other. Rashawn Slater the teller tendon tear.
He's out for the year. How devastating is this for

(56:24):
the Chargers.

Speaker 6 (56:24):
Or can the handle I think they can handle it
because this is a team that is built through the
trenches offensive and defensive line. You know, Jim Harbaugh and
Greg Roman and Joe Hortiz, you know, the connection to
the Baltimore and the big, physical offensive and defensive line plays.
I think they probably have the personnel to withstand. But

(56:46):
that's not to understate what kind of a talent Rashawn
Slater is. But they did draft Joe Ault last year.

Speaker 5 (56:53):
He's their right tackle.

Speaker 6 (56:55):
Rashaun Slater missed a lot of time because of the
contract situation that you referenced in the spring. In mini camp,
he showed up and was a good sport, but he
spent a lot of time on the side kind of
you know, protecting himself ironically from injury. And in that
and in that time, Joe All got a lot of
reps at left tackle. And when when you're a tackle

(57:16):
that's drafted uh in the top five, top ten, like
Joe Alt was, then I think there is an expectation
that at some point in your career you're going to
be left tackle. Now, when you pay what they did
for a Shawn Slater, you don't anticipate All making that move,
But this might be his time now. And I think
if you can get somebody competent at right tackle, you
know that they may be able to withstand ultimately for

(57:37):
what they want to do. For all the talent they
have on that Chargers roster, and you know the way
Jim Harbaugh's you know, can coach and maximize talent on
the roster. So I think it is devastating on the
personal front for Rashaun Slater. Good guy, great talent, but
I think ultimately the Chargers can probably handle that injury
over the long term.

Speaker 4 (57:56):
Which which training camp is most intriguing for you right now?
I mean, I know you're covering a lot, and you're
bouncing around, and some you get to be closer and
more hands on than others. But which training camp do
you think is the most interesting in this NFL preseason?

Speaker 6 (58:13):
I think what it was in the whole offseason is
what's going to happen with that Pittsburgh experiment with Aaron
Rodgers and what kind of version of player we'll get.
Will we get the guy who you know, kind of
looked very shaky and well passed his prime for the
Jets last year at best a very good quarterback, but
certainly not the elite talent that he's been. And then

(58:33):
you pair that with with, you know, the Mike Tomlin
defense that always keeps them with those winning records and
on the fringe of the playoffs every year. But if
they can get kind of one last hurrah from Aaron
Rodgers to go with that defense, and maybe they are
a legit contender for once. And I think what people
in Pittsburgh, the patience that has grown thin with their
lack of postseason experience or getting deep in the playoffs.

(58:57):
This is the longest stretch since they first want to
playoff game in nineteen seventy two or whatever it was,
you know, in their first Super Bowl run. This is
the longest stretch that they've gone between playoff wins, which
for that franchise, that that organization is you know, like
forever by those standards. So to me, that's still the
most fascinating training camp and kind of what happens with

(59:19):
with the Aaron Rodgers experiment pairing with Mike Tomlin.

Speaker 4 (59:22):
What does your gut tell you about you know, what
Aaron Rodgers has left in the tank. It's been a
soap opera and a circus around him these last three seasons,
and not a lot of results on the field, although
you can't blame him for an injury, But what does
your gut tell you about the impact he can have
at this age?

Speaker 6 (59:40):
The gut tells me he's going to be good. He's
gonna be good, He's gonna play good football. They're going
to rely on the defense and they'll let him make
plays in the fourth quarter and try to win games.
And I think I think he will. Now ultimately, can
he surpass Josh Allen Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and.

Speaker 5 (59:57):
All those horses in the in the af SEE.

Speaker 6 (01:00:00):
You know, obviously it would take a tremendous effort by
the defense to how to pult them above those guys,
because certainly I don't think Aaron Rodgers will is going
to win a shootout with Josh Allen. But if they
can get that defense with TJ. Watt, Cam Hayward all
those guys to play at an elite level, then Aaron
Rodgers doesn't have to be a Hall of Fame self,
but if he can be the best version of what

(01:00:21):
he is at forty one, I think they will be,
you know, legit contenders in the ASC nords.

Speaker 4 (01:00:25):
You just mentioned Cam Hayward, which got my mind thinking
there are some holdouts and some hold ins happening at
NFL training camps with really really intriguing players. You got,
you know, the Micah Parsons situation and McLaurin and Hendrickson.
I don't think they've kind of deal done for him yet.
Which one of those is the most impactful and you
think it comes to the most interesting end, Ah.

Speaker 6 (01:00:49):
They all in their own right are extremely interesting to
me because you have Parsons, I think is the difference
between the Cowboys having any hope at a great season.
I think when you look at the Cowboys over the
last you know, ten fifteen years, or at least in
this era post you know, triplets and Super Bowl eras

(01:01:09):
from the nineties, whenever you don't expect them to do
anything good, they end up having a pretty good season.
So I don't think anybody expects them to do anything,
but certainly they won't do anything if if Michael Parsons
is there.

Speaker 5 (01:01:19):
So that's that's you.

Speaker 6 (01:01:20):
Know, intriguing in its own right. And then for the
way the Commanders turn it around so quickly with Jade
and Daniels and and dan Quinn and that new era
in Washington to have you know, the sort of most
reliable weapon for your young quarterback to you know, potentially
derail that and all the good vibes that they got
last year, that's that's interesting. And then Hendrickson for all

(01:01:42):
the you know, headlines that the Cincinnati defense caused last
year and in a negative way. You know, he led
the league in sacks, and certainly a foundation that you're
looking to turn around on that side of the ball
has to start with him, and if Joe Burrow in
that offense as the less, you're fining as they are
going to have any hope for improvement going into the

(01:02:03):
twenty five season, you need Trey Hendrison. So they're all
fascinating to me, and just you know, they all have
different leverage points, they all had different levels of subbering
thiss with ownership, and they're all going to be fascinating
to watch here in the next four weeks the regular
season begins.

Speaker 3 (01:02:18):
I try to have.

Speaker 4 (01:02:18):
An appreciation for the nuance in things like this, but
also when you're getting this close to a season and
you've got a guy at a premier position, and in
this case, we're talking about multiple individuals in multiple premier
positions that has a history of production, has stayed relatively
healthy for the most part, and wants to be part

(01:02:40):
of your organization. Yeah, you got to pay him, but
like you look around the league and other teams are
able to pay and to succeed. What am I missing
with these resistance points? If you're an owner and you
don't want to pay Micah Parsons, there are thirty one
other owners who will pay him. And I think the
same is true of Hendrickson, although probably, uh, you know,

(01:03:02):
slightly different equation because of age and things like that.
But but what am I missing with these resistance points
from the team perspective, from the ownership perspective on proven
guys with big time production at positions you have to
have in order to win games.

Speaker 6 (01:03:18):
Yeah, well I don't either, especially for some of like
Michael Parsons, where you know, he seems like a talent
that you just give him, you know, half a million
dollars more per year than what TJ. Watt just got
and call it a day. Right, So what's Jerry Jones
dragging this out? So the short answer is, I don't know.
The long answer is, you know, I think it has
to do with language of the contract and guaranteed money

(01:03:38):
and and guaranteed money versus injury and and those sort
of things that that teams can haggle over. That seems
to be the case in Cincinnati with that language. But
but it always feel like these these deals are inevitable,
like they're gonna happen.

Speaker 5 (01:03:54):
So why why number.

Speaker 6 (01:03:55):
One cause all this bad juju for your organizationation when
at the end of the day, Michael Parsons is going
to be on the field for the Dallas Cowboys. Jerry
Jones knows that, Michael Parsons know that, but you're not
getting him reps in training camp. We see kind of
what happened with Rashaun Slater, We saw it with Dak
Prescott last year. You just see it so much Brandon

(01:04:17):
Ayuk last year, with these guys that you know, they
don't get much action in the preseason and training camp
and then boom, they get hurt right out the gate.
And so that causes me concern. Why put your organization
through all that strife when when you know it seems
like there is a template in place for the deal
to get done. It is a fascinating question and it

(01:04:38):
and it sort of leads to, I guess the conspiracy
theory that Jerry Jones just does this so his organization
could be front and center with the Michael Parsons organization
and just like it was last year with Ceedee Lamb
and Dak Prescott. Certainly keeps him in the headlines, certainly
keeps uh whether you know, I'm talking to you in Utah,
or I'm talking to stay in Seattle, Washington, or I'm

(01:05:01):
talking to a station and in Charlotte North Carolina. We're
talking about Micah Parsons all over.

Speaker 5 (01:05:05):
The country, and maybe that's why Jerry Jones wants.

Speaker 4 (01:05:08):
I guess no such thing as bad publicity. Omar Rowiz
from the NFL Network is my guest here on the
Sean O'Connell Show. Are my beloved San Francisco forty nine
ers do for a comeback this year? Are you a
believer that they have propped the Super Bowl window open
for maybe at least another season?

Speaker 5 (01:05:25):
Yeah?

Speaker 6 (01:05:25):
I think I think it just goes on Christian McCaffrey's health.
I think I think last year all the holes that
came to the forefront were exposed because Christian McCaffrey was hurt.
I think he does so much for that team, so
much for that offense, that you know he.

Speaker 5 (01:05:41):
Can cover a lot of holes.

Speaker 6 (01:05:42):
And I think if he's healthy, they'll have a great,
dynamic year. Rock Pritty will once again look like an MVP.
If he's not, I think they'll struggle because then then
you're asking that young defense, even though Robert Sala have
all the faith in the world in him, You're asking
a young defense that would have to mature quickly, would
have to be relied upon maybe earlier than they expect.
So I think if McCaffrey's healthy, then you can count

(01:06:04):
the forty nine ers as one of those playoff teams
in the NFC. If not, I think they'll struggle again.

Speaker 3 (01:06:09):
Do you have a team a breakout team this year?

Speaker 4 (01:06:12):
Do you have a squad that you're like, you know
what it's overdue or the personnel moves that they made
in twenty twenty five. I believe that this team is
going to be part of the discussion for you know,
maybe a conference championship at least.

Speaker 6 (01:06:28):
Maybe not so deep in the playoffs.

Speaker 5 (01:06:29):
But I like the Cardinals.

Speaker 6 (01:06:31):
It's year three with Jonathan Gannon and the Monte Austin
Ford era year seven for Kyler Murray. You know, if
Marvin Harrison Junior can make that leap in his second year,
I think they have the horses on defense now. I
think Gannon, with a bunch of no names, was able
to get them from one of the worst in football
in twenty three to middle of the road last year.
And then I think now that they have guys like

(01:06:53):
Josh Sweat and Kalais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson and.

Speaker 5 (01:06:56):
Still got Buddha Baker back there.

Speaker 6 (01:06:57):
I think that defense can really come together and be
a top ten D and I think that takes pressure
off Kyler Murray. He doesn't have to or at least
he doesn't have to feel like he has to win
games by himself. And finally that that unit can come together.
So I think that would be sort of my dark
horse to contender and now conference championship caliber. I'm not
so sure, but if I was to talk about the

(01:07:18):
level of depth in the playoffs for a team, I
think it would be the Rams after what they showed
for the against the Eagles last year, the only one,
you know, team that kind of went toe to toe
with them in the second half of the year, and
as long as Stafford's health is in checked, and I
think that defense is going to become elite. All those
young first and second year pass rushers that we've been
talking about last couple of years are now going to

(01:07:39):
start hitting their prime and be even you know, hungary
or thirst year and be even better in twenty five.
So I think that's an elite team that could probably
go deep that we're not talking about right now.

Speaker 3 (01:07:49):
Are you a buyer or seller under Detroit Lions.

Speaker 5 (01:07:53):
At this point?

Speaker 6 (01:07:54):
I'm a seller because these early injuries on defense is
kind of replicating the twenty four season, and you don't
have Aaron Glenn and you don't have Ben Johnson. I
think that's a lot too. It's a lot to look past.
It kind of reminds me of the twenty three Eagles
when they lost Shane Stiken, they lost Jonathan Gannon, and

(01:08:14):
they jumped out the gate ten and one, but then
they collapsed down the stretch and bowed out in the
first round against I think it was Tampa that year,
and and so I think you know, I think you
know similarly, I'd be a seller on that team.

Speaker 4 (01:08:29):
What about the Raiders? Pete Carroll is always fun. I
saw you spend a lot of time down there already.
It's a tough division obviously, because I think the Chargers
are gonna be good. I think every team in that
division has a chance to be good, including the Raiders.
Even if they improve, the record might not that much.
What do you expect from Las Vegas?

Speaker 6 (01:08:51):
Yeah, a similar assessment in that I think they'll be
much better.

Speaker 5 (01:08:54):
There'll be much.

Speaker 6 (01:08:55):
More a serious team than they've been in years past,
at least in recent history. But ultimately I don't know
how much they've closed the gap on anybody. I think
Denver and and the Chargers have gotten better. I don't
know in Kansas City, even if they're taking a step back,
you know, they're taking a step back from a you know,
Super Bowl three years in a row. So I don't
know where where the Raiders close that gap. They're they're

(01:09:17):
and you're also kind of on a hope and a prayer.
There was so many veterans that they've brought in to
kind of hope that they get one last push from them,
Like you know, guys like a Jamal Adams or a
Philip or Set or you know, some of these guys
who you know are getting up there in years or
well past their primes. You're kind of hoping they get
one last shot in the arm. And so you're kind

(01:09:38):
of asking a lot in that department. But I think
people have the team ready to play. They'll kind of
have to win ugly if they're going to win. But
when you have, you know, the quarterback play like you
do in that division, and I think you know is
capable of kind of matching that play and kind of
playing at a high level. But it just seems like,
there's too many questions at this point for the Raiders

(01:09:59):
in a division that.

Speaker 5 (01:10:00):
Is so tough.

Speaker 4 (01:10:01):
As you bounce around and you see different training camps
and you see different coaching styles and methodologies.

Speaker 3 (01:10:09):
Is the NFL a copycat league? Still? Is everyone kind
of doing it the same way?

Speaker 4 (01:10:14):
Or are there outliers that you've seen personally maybe where
like oh wow, they practice in a lot more physical
nature than everyone else does, or the opposite. These guys
are in helmets all the time, but it seems like
it's working for them.

Speaker 3 (01:10:27):
Like how is it when you compare.

Speaker 4 (01:10:30):
Camp versus camp practice versus practice, Well, it's a mix
of both.

Speaker 6 (01:10:36):
I think you have, you know, copycat league certainly where
everybody wasn't playing their starters in preseason and then and
then the offense looks like crap the first months of
the year. And so now people are playing their starters
a little more in the preseason than they used to
a few years ago. But then you have a camp
like Andy Reid who's tried and true, they're gonna be physical,
they're gonna hit in camp, They're going to play their
starters in preseason, and any Reid doesn't care what the

(01:10:58):
trends are that's he's going to do it. So it
just kind of depends on what camp you go to,
but very much, you know, you you see you see
the trends across the league and then and then you
go to some old school places.

Speaker 5 (01:11:09):
Where it is what it is and uh, and.

Speaker 6 (01:11:12):
They're gonna get after it. They're going to have, you know,
spirited practices kind of regardless what you know, maybe the
data or or you know, the new waves might be.
But but but that's what makes the NFL interesting because
it is no you know, one way to do it.
You know, Sean McVay obviously different than Bill Belichick's different
than Jim Harbaugh and uh and they're but they're all

(01:11:34):
kind of fascinating to watch and different have have different
styles of success.

Speaker 3 (01:11:39):
We talk a lot.

Speaker 4 (01:11:39):
More college football here in Salt Lake City than we
do NFL football for probably obvious reasons because you know,
we don't have an NFL team. But one of the
things that I bring up every year, and it drives
me nuts every single year, the access that fans have
and the media has to NFL practices where ostensibly it's
harder to win, it's a higher level. Everyone is great

(01:12:03):
concepts are more complicated, secrets should be better kept, et cetera.

Speaker 3 (01:12:08):
You can watch basically whatever you want.

Speaker 4 (01:12:10):
Of an NFL camp, and college coaches have it locked
down so you don't get to see anything. How has
the NFL come to that decision and been like, you
know what, there's going to be spying.

Speaker 3 (01:12:21):
Sometimes it'll work, sometimes it won't.

Speaker 4 (01:12:23):
We're just going to have everything be accessible, and in
college it's the opposite. I don't know if that's really
relevant to the NFL version of the question, but I
guess why does the NFL decide that they're willing to
let people watch their practices.

Speaker 6 (01:12:38):
Yeah, that's a good question. I think the fan interest
number one. I think at that part of training camp,
the implementation of the plays and is pretty vanilla, you know,
for the first couple of weeks that the fans have
access to because you know, we're getting to that point
now we're in the preseason games where they'll shut off
the access to the fans and they'll start putting in

(01:12:59):
more game plan type of things. And then obviously during
the regular season there is no access to anything, and
you know, it is sort of tight like that. So
I think I think kind of once they're working on fundamentals,
they're working on basic game plans or you know, basic
tenants of the playbook, that's when they're open. And then
as they get curtail it into you know, strategy and

(01:13:22):
more specifics and deeper in the playbook, that's when they
shut it down. So I think I think the NFL
camps know, okay, when the fans are here, you know,
we're just going to work on you know, the basics
of special teams and fundamentals. And and because that's when
they they they they're evaluating at that point, you know,
And so they kind of want to evaluate the players
on the vanilla. And because I think a lot of

(01:13:43):
the times they have confidence that players will eventually learn
the playbook and and but but who can just execute
at a high level period when you're not asking them
is to do much, you know, in other words, evaluating
the physicals once they get the pads on for the
first time, and then and then again, you know, once
it gets kind of more serious, that's when they shut
it off.

Speaker 4 (01:14:03):
Well, as you know, college football now is professional football,
especially for guys who are NFL level players. In these
last several years, your college experience is a paid experience,
you have endorsement deals, you're probably driving a really nice car,
you probably have a really nice I mean a lot
of these guys now are entering the NFL Draft already

(01:14:23):
as millionaires, some of them multi millionaires. How, if at all,
has that changed the NFL rookie experience, NFL camp experience,
and how is the NFL adjusted to it if they've
had to.

Speaker 6 (01:14:37):
Yeah, I'm not sure that hasn't been a topic of conversation.
I know coaches have mentioned it. You know that, oh,
you know, so and so has got you know, money,
so to speak. But I mean they make pretty good
point in the NFL anyway, you know what I mean,
Like so they just have more of it coming into it.
But I don't think it's you know, you still got

(01:14:57):
to earn your teeth in the NFL, and if you're
not going to enough, you're not going to play. If
you're not good enough, you're not going to make a team.
Doesn't matter how much money you made in college. So
I don't think it really has too much of effect
on anything practical in the NFL, you know what I mean?

Speaker 3 (01:15:10):
Yeah, No, it makes sense.

Speaker 4 (01:15:11):
I also, you know, I ask because I wonder if guys,
you know, like I imagine there's you'd be drinking through a
fire hose five ten years ago. Not only are you
having to learn an NFL playbook and you're playing at
a higher level of competition, but you've got money for
the first time, You've got you know, people in your
life that are asking you for help and things like that.

(01:15:33):
And now that's that's already happened. So maybe the adjustment,
if anything, would be easier because you've already been a
pro for three or four years. But I don't know,
if I'll ask, I'll ask some NFL coaches about it.

Speaker 3 (01:15:44):
If I get a chance.

Speaker 6 (01:15:46):
Yeah, yeah, it's an interesting interesting point the yeah, how
it was ten years ago versus now, you know, maybe
yeah more polish or yeah, money is not as big
a thing to worry about than maybe it used to be.
But yeah, it doesn't seem to you know, it's it's

(01:16:06):
sort of business as usual, you know, in the NFL world,
if that makes sense.

Speaker 4 (01:16:13):
Well, that is one thing I really appreciate about every
level of football is that even though business and you know,
NFL contracts have gotten much bigger, and you know, we
talk as fans, we have more access to the business
side of things than we've ever had, more knowledge about
guaranteed money and things like that, and in college it
changed things very very drastically, and we wring our hands

(01:16:35):
about it, and we've worried about it for so long,
and maybe not as much at the NFL level, But
then you get to playing football and it's like, ah,
you know what, all this business discussion gets to go
away because they're just playing football. That guy makes fifty million,
that guy makes the league minimum. They're playing football and
that's what we actually like to watch. I love that
when we get to this time of year, that's what

(01:16:57):
the discussion turns to exactly.

Speaker 6 (01:17:00):
Yeah, that's you know, that's the thing people always tell,
you know, I talk about because you know, obviously I
cover a year round. I say, in the off season,
I work the business of football.

Speaker 5 (01:17:10):
That's work.

Speaker 6 (01:17:12):
When we get to the season and we're talking just
ball on the field, then I'm just having fun all
day because you know, I'd be doing that as a
fan if I didn't.

Speaker 5 (01:17:19):
Have this job.

Speaker 6 (01:17:20):
So we're getting past that point where the work of
the off season is done. Now we're about to have
a whole lot of fun.

Speaker 3 (01:17:27):
Well, keep living the dream. Omar.

Speaker 4 (01:17:29):
Appreciate your time with us on the show today and
we'll chat again soon.

Speaker 6 (01:17:33):
All right, buddy, have a great, great rest of the
camp season, and yeah, we'll talk soon.

Speaker 4 (01:17:38):
A's telmar Rowiz NFL Network, NFL Insider. He's been at Cowboys,
Camp Raiders, Camp Chiefs, Niners.

Speaker 3 (01:17:45):
He's been all over the place.

Speaker 4 (01:17:47):
Does a great job for the NFL Network, and appreciate
him jumping on the show. Reminder that Live Night Events
presents the twenty twenty five Granary Live Concert Series, powered
by Nightingale College and Murdoc Hyundai, Utah's number one dealer,
outdoor concerts in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City's
Granary District. Five More details at ESPN seven hundred sports

(01:18:08):
dot com. We've got some Camp Kyle sound for you.
Tao Johnson spoke with the media yesterday after practice. It's short,
but it's great you were You were there with me.
I thought that was the best. We only had the
two players in the scrums. I thought he was the
best of the two. We also we also talked to
John o'hall. Good stuff from him too, But I really
enjoyed tale. I'm telling Johnny that you said that, I

(01:18:32):
don't tell him he's he could that guy. I don't
need that guy. I don't need on his bats. Yeah,
look at that guy. He's a thumper these days he is.
They put some weight on him.

Speaker 5 (01:18:40):
He is.

Speaker 4 (01:18:41):
But Tao man, he's he's such a good SoundBite, really
good interview that. I mean, if somehow he decides to
come back another year, that might be that might need
to be our or nil conversation. I'm not sure it
will be though. Yeah, Tale's great. H I don't think
we're gonna have that opportunity. If he has the year,
I think he's gonna have. I mean, he's one of
those guys. He was making appearances, not as many as

(01:19:04):
Spencer Fanno owned company, but like remember the ESPN Top
five at the position type list or whatever, tail got
a little bit of love and anyway, we've got Taylor
Johnson sound as part of our Big twelve at noon
coverage brought to you by mountain Land Supply Mountland Supply
dot Com.

Speaker 3 (01:19:19):
Go visit them today.

Speaker 4 (01:19:22):
Talo Johnson sound in three minutes on the Sean O'Connell
Show ESPN seven hundred and ninety two one FM.

Speaker 1 (01:19:34):
This it's by Sean O'Connell show, you were home up
the best side of your uths. Let's get back to
OC from the MURDERC Chevrolet studio of the ESPN seven
hundred at ninety two one FM.

Speaker 4 (01:19:49):
I just saw this on my television here in the
Broadway studios of ESPN seven hundred and ninety tw one FM.
Utah versus Nevada in the Little League World Series at
three o'clock eastern. Excuse me, three o'clock Mountain, five o'clock
Eastern today, championship game for the region I think so
Literal League Baseball Regionals Utah versus our hated rivals Nevada.

Speaker 3 (01:20:10):
So I watched.

Speaker 4 (01:20:11):
This will be the second time they've played in this
year's regionals. It's a double elimination. I don't know who won,
but it was, but like it was a wild start
to the game. Eight runs for Utah and they're from Alpine,
by the way, shout out to Alpine. Eight runs from
from from Utah in the first inning, and then they're good.

(01:20:33):
Then they go up eleven to three after two innings,
and then the Vegas team, I think they're actually from Henderson.
The Henderson team gets it to within eleven ten, And
that's anyway. I fell asleep, I didn't wasn't able to finish.

Speaker 3 (01:20:46):
That's the end of the story. That's Samson's story.

Speaker 4 (01:20:48):
I don't know who won, but it was a wild,
like crazy start, like twenty one runs through like three innings,
and it's really it's been notoriously hard to find these
scores on line. By the way, Nevada defeated Utah in
the Mountain Region championship game with the Little League World
Series with a score of ten to zero.

Speaker 3 (01:21:10):
No, that's last. That must be last.

Speaker 4 (01:21:12):
That's not right, dude, not this Alpine team. They don't
get blanked ten nothing. Ten were unruled. We've got the
official airing of grievances coming up in just under one hour.

Speaker 3 (01:21:25):
Yeah, website stuff.

Speaker 4 (01:21:28):
AI overview Google spoiler alert again, you're gonna get called
out anyway anyway. Yeah, so I it doesn't matter who
won because it's elimination game or maybe championship game today,
so it whoever lost gets a second chance. But yeah,
it's a it's a Alpine team versus a Henderson team,

(01:21:52):
heated rivals. Interesting. One more thing on this interesting thing.
It's it's been the Santa Clara Little League down in
Saint George, which I played on. Not this All Star team,
but I played in the Santa Clara Little League. That's
been the ones that make it to the regionals. This year,
Alpine upset the apple Cart that way. So shout out
to Alpine for making it this far. Representing Utah. Yeah,

(01:22:15):
you warm weather kids have have an advantage in baseball.
It's true because you could play all year long. Yeah,
in Alpine. You could only play like one month of
the year. In Alpine. It's like golf. Like the schools
down there do really well in golf versus the schools
up here compared to the schools up here too, because
you can play golf a lot like year round down there. Okay,

(01:22:36):
here's this is an update from two days ago, James, Okay,
I think this is You might have found it IFVA
came back with a seven run inning, my gosh and
won twenty two to twelve Cow. So it was eleven
to three Utah and then the twenty one to twelve
was the final score. I'm kind of glad I didn't
see the ending of the game. I saw the most
exciting parts that'd really get you. Yeah, So this is

(01:23:00):
a rematch for Utah. Let's go out Pine, come on,
get revenge. Do we have a hated rival state? Like
is Idaho is like Utah?

Speaker 1 (01:23:09):
Light?

Speaker 4 (01:23:11):
Colorado is like everyone thinks cool Utah, but we're actually cooler.
So I think Colorado for you, it's Colorado. We've established that, right.

Speaker 3 (01:23:19):
I think Colorado is the state we're just like, ah.

Speaker 4 (01:23:21):
Boom you like Arizona has a I feel like Arizona
and Nevada at different times have have a claim to
that too.

Speaker 3 (01:23:29):
It's one of those three. It's definitely not Idaho.

Speaker 4 (01:23:31):
Or Wyoming, like they wish that it was that way,
but we honestly don't care. We're gonna do We're gonna
do a poll next week which which state do we
hate most? And those who are answering, we want to
know if you had a little league rivalry and that's
informing your answer.

Speaker 3 (01:23:49):
We want to know if you had a high school rivalry.

Speaker 4 (01:23:51):
Maybe maybe you played interstate games every year against a team,
Like we want to know what's informing your answer. We
probably have no reason to hate, like it's probably completely
unfounded other than you just don't like the your perception
of the external perception.

Speaker 3 (01:24:07):
Yeah, it's probably the case.

Speaker 4 (01:24:09):
See, I have a for those that hate that may
or may not hate Nevada, I have a I have
a love for Nevada because that's where my grandma Lives's
where my mom grew up in Mesquite. A lot of
my family lived at one point in in Vegas. A
couple of them still live there. So I I have
a love for southern Nevada, Clark County. But I don't know.

(01:24:33):
Maybe I know, I have nothing to say about northern Nevada.
Never been north of never really been farther farther north
of Mesquite. Can I tell you something you're not missing
a whole lot? Yeah, I mean Tahoe's up there. I'd
love to go. I'd love to go to Tahoe one
time was very, very very beautiful. I think I can
skip Reno. Reno is not great, Elko is. You're like,

(01:24:58):
why is there even a city here? I I legitimately
have no idea why this even exists anyway, we promise you.
Tao Johnson sounds so we're going to give it to you.
Enough rivalry talk, enough talking about Little League World Series rivalries.
Oh yeah, forty eight to seventy two, says California. Utahns
hate California. Yeah, that's true, except for all the amount

(01:25:19):
the amount of Dodgers fans that are out there, like
what's up with you guys?

Speaker 3 (01:25:23):
Well and Padres.

Speaker 4 (01:25:24):
I actually like plenty of things that are There's so
many of it. Oh, I hate, I hate the California teams,
except for I like these awesome teams from California.

Speaker 3 (01:25:34):
I mean, San Diego is not anyway.

Speaker 4 (01:25:37):
In any case, Tao Johnson from practice yesterday, just a
couple of minutes.

Speaker 3 (01:25:42):
But take a listen.

Speaker 8 (01:25:44):
Okay, what's so different about this year post last year? Well, one,
we got a healthy quarterback right now, a great one to.

Speaker 9 (01:25:52):
A competitor at the home. You know, he's doing a
great job coming in the offense and.

Speaker 8 (01:25:56):
Practices so competitive this year, you know, as back and forth.

Speaker 9 (01:26:00):
It's good.

Speaker 8 (01:26:00):
It's a happy, sad feeling, you know, losing some battles,
but you know it's good.

Speaker 9 (01:26:04):
To see that there. You know their squad too.

Speaker 10 (01:26:06):
How much more comfortable do you feel at that.

Speaker 9 (01:26:09):
Safety spot hole in the year two? It's crazy.

Speaker 8 (01:26:12):
I feel a crazy level up and just you know,
the speed of the game and just being able to
recognize pre sap thing and moving around the field a
lot more.

Speaker 9 (01:26:20):
Fast and more confidence.

Speaker 11 (01:26:22):
How's how's your chemistry developing with you know, rabbit of it?

Speaker 8 (01:26:27):
Yeah, I mean, like seriously, this whole defense, especially you
know it's starting one. We're all so tight, you know,
we all are best friends. We've been best friends the
past three years. Everybody's pretty much been hearing, so we're
all so tight. And Rabs my dogs, literally, that's my dog.
We spend so much time on and off the field
together just trying to get better, you know, trying to
be the best safety to a flanation.

Speaker 12 (01:26:46):
How have you seen Robin grow as hands fers his
second year in this.

Speaker 8 (01:26:49):
Program, He's grow you know, he comes in, he's got
you know, the complete skill set you guard, you can
he e tactlely do everything. You know, just like all
of us, you know, kind of just developing as a
you know, smart football player and creating great habits.

Speaker 9 (01:27:01):
And you know that's what you've done. You're just been
growing every day as a football player and getting better
and better.

Speaker 8 (01:27:06):
Feel well, season, Yet the gloams on league, man, I
feel like it feels critical, especially for you know myself.

Speaker 9 (01:27:15):
You know a lot of older guys on the team
two back to back seasons like that. That's not who we.

Speaker 8 (01:27:19):
Are, that's not what we want to start. You taugh football,
you know, in that trender direction. So we're gonna get
this thing turned around and we'll take you know, we'll
take the bursion, we'll take.

Speaker 9 (01:27:27):
All the prest us.

Speaker 4 (01:27:29):
Make sure that you don't like to lose to the offense.

Speaker 11 (01:27:31):
But what what are you seeing from them that's giving
you hope for your your team can be good this year?

Speaker 8 (01:27:36):
Man creativity, you know, it's just so we're we're a
sound defense.

Speaker 9 (01:27:40):
We practiced a lot.

Speaker 8 (01:27:41):
We play man to a lot of stuff. We've seen
a lot of good looks and even that they trip
us up sometimes. You know, they're really creative. They give
us different looks. And they got athletes, a good quarterback
at the helm. They got probably the best athlete touching
the ball to play.

Speaker 9 (01:27:52):
So you know it's good.

Speaker 12 (01:27:53):
Preierce with your thoughts are about Nate Toleman as you
know he had to comes with you guys in the spring.

Speaker 10 (01:27:57):
But how is he maybe be grown and you guys
do that's my little brother.

Speaker 9 (01:28:00):
He's gonna be legit. You know. You talk about the
next safetyes that come.

Speaker 8 (01:28:04):
Out of Utah that's been able to do everything, play
around the box and in the post guard, in receiver
tight end.

Speaker 9 (01:28:10):
That's a you know, he's already showing glimpses right now.
He's gonna be very legit.

Speaker 10 (01:28:14):
Sure you mentioned to him.

Speaker 8 (01:28:16):
Man, talk us a little about Bennie as well, because
it looks like you guys.

Speaker 9 (01:28:20):
Are doing it. You're trying to get him ups on
the builders guard. It's a safety or whatever.

Speaker 8 (01:28:23):
Yeah, Benny is literal just what it looks like to
come to Utah and this fella. You know, he came
here he didn't really know how to backpeller anything, and
now he's he's a starter, he's a one.

Speaker 9 (01:28:33):
He's smooth, he's athletic, he's smart. We watched him every day.
Bennie is an addict. You know, he's addicted to getting
better every day.

Speaker 8 (01:28:40):
He's working with Scaley with one of us, asking one
of us to watch films.

Speaker 9 (01:28:43):
So you know, I have all the trusted conference.

Speaker 5 (01:28:47):
Who's the art of fantic guard right now?

Speaker 8 (01:28:49):
The hardest got to guard right now?

Speaker 9 (01:28:53):
That's you know, they're all good.

Speaker 8 (01:28:57):
I'm gonna get my shout out to a little JJ Buchannan,
a little freshman.

Speaker 9 (01:29:00):
He's gonna make some plays on me.

Speaker 3 (01:29:03):
That Tao Johnson, he's gonna get him back.

Speaker 4 (01:29:09):
I asked him, hey, artist got a guard and he
said the freshman JJ Buchanan. That is one of the
four shout outs that we have tallied. Bill gave us
the latest one. What an hour ago, a little over
an hour ago. Check out the podcast if you missed
that interview, your Tao do it. And then I think

(01:29:30):
we heard wit do it. And then there was one
other player on the offensive side. It might have been
Creed Wittemore. Anyway, they we got. He's getting a lot
of shout outs here. It's one of those things where
it's like, doesn't mean he's gonna be a huge part
of the offense. What it does mean is that he's
a name to jot down as one that hey, one

(01:29:51):
of the newcomers. Look for him to get some playing
time this year at the very least. And by the way,
he was a I mean he was a big get in.
He's a four star recruit. He's one of those guys that, like,
you didn't talk about a whole ton, but he's an
important player in the pipeline for the University of Utah,
speaking of Nevada Vegas guy is the accelerator, is the

(01:30:14):
production accelerated. And when we see him actually being a
part of this offense as a true freshman who knows.

Speaker 3 (01:30:20):
Yeah, and for.

Speaker 4 (01:30:22):
Those that are like who haven't heard much about him,
this is a this is a tight end maybe a
flex slot receiver guy, because he's very He's six foot four,
right over two hundred pounds. He's not quite beefy enough
to be a traditional tight end right now. He's like
they haven't listed at two ten. He's probably closer to

(01:30:42):
like two fifteen right now. But you know, yeah, so
maybe he's his frame is big. He'll end up being
two thirty plus, Yeah, he'll be, but right now he's not.
So I think they're gonna I think they're gonna use
him as like a little baby version of a bran Keithy,
which which is an unfair comparison to make for a freshman.
And may you know, maybe this year you don't see

(01:31:05):
him in many blocking situations yet because he is he's
a little smaller than you want to tight end to be.
But you will see him in some out there running
some routes, probably based on the amount of guys of
shouting him out. I would I would expect him to
get some time this year, if not make an impact
as a freshman. You know what's a better part, a

(01:31:26):
more important part of that that SoundBite is they he
was asked about Jackson Benny, who's being asked to play
safety slash corner this year. And he's a guy that
you heard Tail Johnson say he's an addict. He's addicted
to getting better. That is music to every coach's ears.

(01:31:50):
That is every Utah football fan should be rejoicing over
the idea that you've got a guy on the team
in Jackson Benny. And if you've got one, you probably
got ten that are doing the extra work even in
fall camp. And fall camp isn't as grueling or time
consuming as it used to be, but it still is
not exactly a cakewalk. And for a guy to be like,

(01:32:13):
you know what, I'm gonna do extra I'm gonna find
extra time, I'm going to do extra film study. I'm
going to go ask Morgan Scalley for extra work, that
is really really encouraging for a guy that I mean
the front side the first part of that sound bit,

(01:32:33):
it he was like, you know, He's a classic case
in Utah football development. When he got here, didn't even
really know how to backpedal. You don't love here, and
that was amazing. If you're Jackson Betty, like what are
you talking about, dude, I could backpedal. The sids are like,
hold on, we don't need, we don't need, we don't
need people thinking he can't backpedal.

Speaker 3 (01:32:52):
We can now at least.

Speaker 4 (01:32:53):
But he was making some plays in spring football and
the recognition that, like, hey, the work that you've put
in is now potentially going to pay off. He's mostly
a special teams guy last year, but he made some
good plays on special teams. That's the natural progression. So
I love hearing that about Jackson Benny. Tayo also said

(01:33:16):
that Rabbit Evans is developing quite nicely. I think he's
going to be a really good player for this Utah
football team. But that was one thing that really jumped
out that Jackson Benny is starting to get talked about
a little bit, starting to his coaches and his teammates
are recognizing the work that he's putting in, the improvements
that he's putting in, and something to glean.

Speaker 3 (01:33:38):
When we don't get to watch.

Speaker 4 (01:33:40):
You do have to trust your sources, so to speak,
and he had some he had some really good moments
in the spring. I did not, I did not catch
much of the Spring game. OCSU have to tell me
if he stood out very much in the Spring game,
but he certainly did in one of this, in one
of the scrimmages that US media were allowed to to

(01:34:00):
view at Rice Cycle Stadium.

Speaker 3 (01:34:02):
I did. I did go to that game.

Speaker 4 (01:34:04):
So he, I mean, Jackson Benny was a guy who
really stood out at least in that one. And he
was a guy that was talked about a lot in
the spring. It's it's encouraging to hear that he's can
that his peers anyway are saying that he's he's doing
still doing really well. Now that we're in Camp Kyle,
Fall Camp, all right, gotta take a break. Plenty left

(01:34:26):
to talk about. Also, Sammy Moore is going to swing
by at one o'clock to talk about Camp Kyle. And
you know, not all of us talk to the same people,
not all of us have the same the same sources whatever.
So very curious to see what Samy's been able to
glean from the limited access we get to Fall Camp.

(01:34:49):
So far that's coming up in about twelve minutes. Our
Camp Kyle sponsors are SNS Roofing, Jerry Synder, Cadillac America,
First Atit, Union, Mountland Power Equipment, Your Toyota deal Utah
Toyota Dealer, Steel Vault, Keeto's Brewing, Culligan Water, Game Day,
Men's Health, Outlaw Distillery, Big Willies of Course, bud Weiser,

(01:35:12):
Big o' Tires, Baskin Robbins, and the Advocates.

Speaker 3 (01:35:17):
It's the Sean O'Connell.

Speaker 4 (01:35:18):
Show on ESPN seven hundred ninety two one FM.

Speaker 3 (01:35:21):
That's me and Connor.

Speaker 1 (01:35:25):
You were listening to the Sean O'Connell show, your source
for the best youth football company. Here's oc from the
Murdoch Hyundai Studio of ESPN seven hundred at ninety two
to one a half.

Speaker 13 (01:35:36):
Am, Oh little baseball, five minutes of baseball here for
you on the Sean O'Connell show.

Speaker 4 (01:35:50):
So so people know about this. Paul Skeens guy right,
he's burst onto the scene. I think we By the way,
I forgot to remind you again and I just remembered myself.
We do have to do a PGA toy leader board update.
But we can do it after a little baseball time. Okay,
I got time to do both. I'll be quick here. Yeah,
Paul Skins, it's over, bud. Okay, your run at glory?

(01:36:14):
You stink now pirates ace. Paul Skins, who is also
a social media star because he's a former LSU pitcher,
is significant other. His girlfriend happens to be like the
gold standard of nil Libby Dunn, who is a former
LSU gymnast and obviously has become a big time celebrity

(01:36:37):
on social media sports fan. Some sports fans might be
shocked to hear she is way more famous than he is. Objectively,
if you you among sports fans, Paul Skeens probably is.
But I mean she's an athlete herself, allegedly.

Speaker 3 (01:36:54):
Not allegedly. She's a Division one gymnast.

Speaker 4 (01:36:57):
She barely competed for ls you, James, I don't know,
uh she anyway, we'll set that aside. She she's the
Taylor Swift in this In this by James's logic, if
you're a backup player at b YU or Utah, you're
not really a football player. I mean, what don't they have,

(01:37:19):
like don't they have like ten gymnasts that compete each meet, though, Like,
and she she doesn't even get on the floor.

Speaker 3 (01:37:25):
I did not expect this to take a turn.

Speaker 4 (01:37:28):
She's she's she's much more of a model than an athlete.

Speaker 3 (01:37:32):
But now she's not an athlete at all.

Speaker 4 (01:37:35):
She's in any case, So a lot of people look
at the Skens guy and he's an ace pitcher, and
they're just like, Wow, you got it. You got a
really good life going on. Nope, because for the first
time in his career, he gave up more than six
hits in a game. The glory, it's done, it's over.
Oh done, seven seven hits he gave up against career

(01:37:57):
high hits.

Speaker 3 (01:37:57):
Yeah, he was terrible as Oh.

Speaker 4 (01:37:59):
Except guess what, they still didn't score a run against him.
So even in his worst night, he pitched a shutout. Obviously,
his teammates helped him out getting some runs across the plate. Yeah,
which is a rare thing for him too these days.
The Pirates offense doesn't necessarily help the guy out, hence

(01:38:21):
his losing record. Forty six starts to begin his career,
and he had never had more than six. He never
given up more than six hits. His era is under two. Yeah,
the guy can play ERA under two, but losing record
because the offense doesn't help, doesn't help him ount a
ton except for last night.

Speaker 3 (01:38:40):
They picked him up. Good for them.

Speaker 4 (01:38:44):
Man, look at that losing record and he gives up
seven hits. What a terrible pitcher. Yeah, sorry, Bud, the
runs over. He is the lowest ERA in the major,
is the second lowest, second, second best athlete in the couple.
He's probably the best athlete of the couple, but they
are both not after last night. Oh see yeah, now, uh,

(01:39:08):
you know what, they probably broke up, but he just
hasn't made a public leads.

Speaker 3 (01:39:12):
This probably got him dumped. Oh seven hits. You gave
up seven hits. It's over. My boyfriend doesn't give up
seven hits.

Speaker 4 (01:39:20):
I see it was zero runs. I gave up zero runs.
Doesn't matter earned run average that I care about. It's
earned hit average anyway.

Speaker 5 (01:39:32):
Uh.

Speaker 4 (01:39:32):
Just crazy that, you know. Sometimes you see these streaks
being built up and then even when they're broken, it
kind of doesn't matter any Paul Skins gave up seven hits.

Speaker 3 (01:39:41):
Sorry, Bud, You're not as impressive as you used to be.

Speaker 4 (01:39:44):
Time now for PGA Tour leaderboard update from the FedEx
Satan Jude Championship. That's the first leg of the FedEx
Cup playoffs. For those keeping score, this update brought to
you by you went to golf. Do not miss out
on the Bushnell Tour V six shift laser range finder.
Now it's seventy dollars off and the Tour V six
now is fifty dollars off. You went to golf, So

(01:40:07):
if you want the V six shift seventy dollars off,
the V six fifty dollars off rangefinders from Bushnell. At
you went to golf, Tommy Fleetwood is your leader.

Speaker 3 (01:40:20):
Oh see.

Speaker 4 (01:40:20):
At the Saint Jude Championship, thirteen under, a Sha Batia
and Colin moriy Kawa are tied for second at nine under.
Justin Rose is among the group that's tied for fourth
at eight under, just five shots off the lead.

Speaker 5 (01:40:39):
There.

Speaker 4 (01:40:40):
Scotty Scheffler, number one player in the player in the
world's in the next group, tied for seventh at seven under,
and then rounding out the top tener guys like Ben Griffin,
Ludwig Oberg jj spawn at six under tied for ninth.
Check out our guy Tony finow here tied for twenty

(01:41:03):
fourth respectable at three under for the tournament. He's two
under for the day though he's got one more hole
to go or yeah, one more hole to go, so
he's definitely in that range to move on to the
next rent or to make the weekend and then if
he keeps it up this weekend, move on to the
next leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs. That's your PGA

(01:41:25):
Tour leaderboard update, brought to you by U Into Golf.
All right, we'll take a quick one here. We'll come
back with Sammy Mora from Ute Zone. What has she
found out up at Utah football practices? Who is she
talked to that we haven't we'll find we'll delve into
the secrets of Sammy Mora's ute coverage next on The

(01:41:45):
Sean O'Connell Show, ESPN seven hundred and ninety one, proud
part of Utah's ESPN Radio Network.

Speaker 1 (01:41:57):
You tune Sean O'Connell Show for the Murdoc Chevrolet Studio
A PSPN seven hundred and ninety two one a half MS.

Speaker 2 (01:42:11):
Welcome our number three on a Friday at the Shot
O'Connell Show, we do.

Speaker 4 (01:42:14):
Our airing of grievances in twenty eight minutes. Get them
ready text them to us at eight seven seven three
five three zero seven hundred, tweet at me with your
grievances at real OC sports for now. You know, we'll
give Sammy an opportunity to air any grievance that she has.
At the end of the conversation, Sammy mooreut Zone joins
US Utah Football and Athletics insider Sammy, Welcome.

Speaker 3 (01:42:38):
How are you.

Speaker 12 (01:42:39):
I'm doing great today, OC.

Speaker 3 (01:42:41):
How are you doing awesome? It's not.

Speaker 4 (01:42:44):
When I came in this morning, it wasn't quite as
hot as normal, so I hope it's still that way
when I leave.

Speaker 3 (01:42:48):
The office today.

Speaker 4 (01:42:50):
But you know, we've seen you up at fall camp
and some of us are getting the same sound bites.
And then of course there's other conversations happening.

Speaker 3 (01:43:00):
Uh.

Speaker 4 (01:43:01):
What has been I guess maybe the most significant or
even surprising thing that you've heard, because we don't get
to see a lot but that you've heard at fall
camp so far.

Speaker 12 (01:43:12):
I think for me, the biggest thing has just been
how many athletes, coaches, whoever have brought up freshman JJ Buchanan.
I think that's probably one of the biggest things that
stood out to me so far. JJ was one of
the highest was was the highest rated recruit in Utah's
class for twenty twenty five. And you know, with that

(01:43:34):
six four two eight's that's a big frame, and he's
very very sound technically, is a pass catcher. And so
I think, you know, hearing you know, comments from KO
yesterday and comments from many, many, many different players on
both sides of the ball as JJ as someone who's
being like stepping out and like showing out so early

(01:43:54):
in camp, I think that has been a big uh.
I want to say, I don't know, Benefits probably not
the right word, but it's been a big surprise. I
want to say, Actually, it's how I'll rephrase. I think
that's the biggest thing that stood out so far.

Speaker 4 (01:44:09):
I think that JJ is one of these guys that
by the time his career at Utah football is done,
we'll have maybe talked about him playing like three or
four different positions, because at two hundred and eight pounds,
he's not going to be a traditional tight end, right
But I think that, you know, if they keep him
on the offensive side of the ball, he'll be a

(01:44:29):
bit of a hybrid, a bit of a Brand Keithy
type where maybe he throws a couple passes, grabs a
couple of runs. He also could play on the defensive
side of the ball. He was like, you know, you
cover recruiting more than I do, so you're very well
aware of what he was able to do on that
side of the ball also. But it's encouraging to hear
that he's already making progress. I just I'm getting overly

(01:44:50):
excited now about what his whole career looks like.

Speaker 12 (01:44:54):
Yeah, I mean, on the like he played offense, defense,
like basically everywhere. He was a kick returner, even like
he had last season, I had sixty sacks, three TfL's,
two sacks of FuMB recovery, two PBUs and then he
had over a thousand receiving yards and eleven touchdowns on

(01:45:14):
top of it. So you know, that's like, those are
some The fact that he was able to get that
many stats on both sides of the ball, you know,
I think that's encouraging. I know that there was a
lot of questions about where he would start out first
when he joined this program. You know, we had heard
it would be wide receiver. We had heard tight end,
we had heard somewhere on the defense. You know, it

(01:45:35):
could have been a safety, it could have been a linebacker.
Just kind of depends. But you know, Freddie Whittingham seems
to have won the battle as to where JJ's gonna play.
But you know he's it's his film. If you haven't
gone and watched his high school film, I encourage people too,
it is. I've watched a lot of film, and his
is one of the more fun film high school film

(01:45:56):
rules you can see, just explosive. He Freddie Whittingham said
he can jump out of a gym, which you know
that's for someone of his size. That's really exciting to
think about. He still has like that elite speed. I
think someone said he's running a four to four or
in that area. So JJ is one of those guys

(01:46:17):
that I think is going to have an impact on
this team this year. I don't know where it's going
to be, but you know, hearing his name come up
so much so early in camp I think is a
great sign, especially since he wasn't here in spring. He
stayed in high school and he played with his well
he played his final high school basketball season, so you know,

(01:46:37):
for him to not be here this entire time, but
he's still getting the coach's attention is massive.

Speaker 4 (01:46:42):
Sammy, I'm curious how you are setting your expectations for
offensive numbers. We'll start with the offense, we'll get to defense.
But because you're bringing in a whole new offense, you've
got a coordinator and a quarterback who know each other
very very well. And I think because of that, you
can kind of extres apolate what you saw at New
Mexico from those two guys and apply some of those

(01:47:04):
numbers to what we can expect at Utah. But also
it's not direct apples to apples, better defenses, better athletes
on the opposing defenses, also presumably better talent around Devin
Dan Pierre and at the disposal of Jason Beck. So
when you're looking at you know how to set numbers
or how to set expectations. How much are you looking

(01:47:26):
at what they did in New Mexico versus the personnel
that they have at Utah versus what we've seen from
Utah offenses in the past, and knowing that Kyle Whittingham
does have some level of influence just from a whole
team perspective, how do you put it together?

Speaker 12 (01:47:42):
I think it's it's really interesting, Like I mean, you know,
Devon had the twenty seven hundred passing yards and eleven
hundred rushing yards last year. I don't think he's going
to have eleven hundred rushing yards last this season. And
I think the reason for that is a lot of
Devin's runs last year were scrammed. That offensive line in
New Mexico was not that great, and so you know,

(01:48:05):
getting I think there's gonna be You're gonna see a
dip in that. I think he's still gonna get his
on his scrambles and stuff like that, and there's gonna
be some design quarterback runs. But don't be shocked if
Devin Dampier doesn't have less than a thousand he has
less than a thousand yards rushing this season, just because
this offensive line is if it's as advertised, that means

(01:48:26):
he's hopefully not going to be flushed out of the pocket,
is as fast, which is gonna lead to less of
those scrambles. Whereas the passing side of it, that's anyone's guess.
That is Edione's guest, because like Kaithon Beck said during
his media availability right before camp started that when he
started in New Mexico, he thought they were gonna be
they were gonna have five to seven wide receivers who

(01:48:47):
are going to be big time producers for them. But
then as the season went on, you know, they started
being very inconsistent and the running backs that they had
started producing a lot more, and so the offense kind
of shifted into this more run first style offense. And
he said he had I think he said three wide
receivers and one tight end is what he finished. He

(01:49:08):
had that in the past game. So I think it's
going to be one of those things that you know,
it could develop like what we see week one, two
and three could be completely different than what you see
in the back half of the season. It just kind
of depends on what personnel are performing and in Beck's
circle of trust, because he's talked at lengths about the

(01:49:29):
circle of trust and putting the guys out there that
he can trust, but also at the same time he
wants to put the eleven best players out on the field.
So week one, that could be, you know, very run heavy,
but then by week nine that could be, you know,
the wide receivers are popping off, so you're seeing more
of a pass game. So this is it's so hard
because we haven't seen this offense. And because there is

(01:49:51):
a lot more weapons for Devin to choose from this year,
I say, I think personally than he had at New
Mexico and New Mexico he had probably, you know, three receivers,
a tight end that was had some good moments, and
then he had a couple of running backs. But there's
a lot more. You know, there's more in the tight
end room here at Utah. There's more in the wide
receiver room here at Utah. You can even make an
argument now there's more at the running back room here

(01:50:13):
at Utah. So it's gonna be really interesting to see.
And like, I just think it's gonna be it's gonna
be ever evolving. I think is a way that you
can look at it as you get through this season.

Speaker 4 (01:50:25):
All of us are very optimistic about what the offensive
line that Utah is going to look like this year.
We've we've talked at nauseum about the tackles. Jaren Cump
got the news that he's on the Rimington Award watch
list for the preseason. As you're aware, he has started
at least one game at every position on this offensive line.
And now you've got the most senior guy, the most

(01:50:45):
experienced guy playing center, where of course he's gonna help
set protections, he's gonna help re defenses, he's going to be,
you know, quarterbacking at least that small portion those that
five man unit along the offensive line. And look, we
could talk about the tackles too if you want to.
But this interior offensive line and Jaron Cump specifically, how

(01:51:06):
big an asset do you think that group is for
this Utah football offense given everything else that's new.

Speaker 12 (01:51:13):
Well, I think that, like from top to bottom, stability
on the offensive line is going to do nothing but
benefit I think this offense. Like, yeah, they all five
of them have had to learn this new offense as well,
but at least it's all five of them are learning
the offense at the same time. But you're also not
worried about plugging in a new guy at center or

(01:51:34):
a new guy at left tackle or whatever, or pick
whichever position you fancy. It's there's that that chemistry that's
already established with all five of them, and I think
that's that's going to pay dividends in and of itself
because they all know how to work with each other
and they've spent all this time since Devin gone on campus,

(01:51:54):
working on getting chemistry with Devin as well. So I
think that from top to bottom, the offensive line is
is going to be really important for this team, and
it all starts with them. I think we've seen that
last year. Everyone said that, like, you know, Utah's offensive
line wasn't that great, But you know if you tried
blocking two to three extra bodies in the box, because

(01:52:15):
the opposing defense knows all you are capable of is
running the ball. So I think that I personally, I
have the least concerns with the offensive line from top
to bottom. The interior guys, I think, by far are
probably one of the more unsung groups on this offensive line.
You know, Caleb and Spencer are getting their praise rightfully,
so but to know what, Tokii is one of PFF's

(01:52:38):
highest graded bards coming into this season. You know, Jaren
has had some very good moments, but you know, Jim
Harding said he needs him to work on, you know,
being more confident with what he's saying and how he's
calling out the coverages and stuff like that. And so
that's going to be a big thing for Jaron this year.
And then you added Michael Mokafizi, who didn't practice at
all in spring and is now, you know, trying to

(01:52:59):
get back up to speed with this offense and this
offensive line. So I think, But but Mochel has had
some really good moments. I think. I think go back
to his freshman year and there were a couple of
you know, massive blocks he had in key moments for
this Hutah team. And I think that you know, the
injury hurt him last year. He was he was playing
really well until he got hurt and then the wheels

(01:53:21):
just fell off very quickly. But yeah, this offensive line,
this is the one thing that doesn't keep me up
at night is the Utah offensive line.

Speaker 4 (01:53:30):
You did mention something when we were talking about that
offensive line about you know, well, if you have to
try to block a loaded box because your up passing
offense can't scare a defense, it creates a problem. That's
the question. Every year it seems with Utah like what's
the throw game going to look like? And you came
into spring ball, started getting some optimism because of reports

(01:53:52):
out of spring ball that you know, Zach Williams was
suddenly making a name for himself, and then he gone
and so now it's like, oh, all right, who is
it in fall camp that's.

Speaker 3 (01:54:01):
Going to emerge?

Speaker 4 (01:54:03):
And everything we've been told sounds like positive stuff. But
how much do we buy and how much do we
sell in the idea that Utah is actually going to
have a productive passing game given that that is not
Devin dan Pierre's strength, and that the personnel in the
wide receiver room specifically, even if they do have some
good tight end options and some hybrid player style options,

(01:54:26):
you know, there's nobody that jumps off the piece of paper,
at least not yet. Where do you stand on the
passing attack and the weapons in it specifically?

Speaker 12 (01:54:35):
See, I actually think there is someone that pops off
the paper for me in terms of wide receiver production,
and that's going to be Tobias Meriweather. You know, he
was a high, highly rated guy coming out of high school,
ended up at Notre Dame, he was there for two years,
and then he ended up at Cal last year, and
injuries have just really derailed his time, his career, his

(01:54:56):
college career. But I think Tobias is a big do six'.
FIVE i think he's nearly two hundred, pounds very very,
Dynamic he's a very dynamic wide. Receiver, again another one
of those films that if you have the chance to go,
watch go watch it Is Tobias. Merriweather AND i think
THAT i think he has the opportunity and the possibility to,

(01:55:18):
be you, know that THAT x factor in the wide receiver.
Game i've heard good things about him so far from
from people who you, know get to see. Things And
i've also heard good things About creed wittymore. Like creed
is also another one of those guys sec transfer, fast very,
fast like he can turn on the jets and get it.

(01:55:39):
Going i've heard good things about him this. Fall SO
i THINK i think that there will be a passing.
GAME i do think it'll be if you look at
like a like a like a, split it'll be either
fifty to fifty or it'll be sixty forty in terms,
of you, know sixty percent running forty percent. Passing but,
again it depends on Whoever utah's, playing because you, know
there might be those teams that are still, like oh,

(01:56:00):
Well utah is only going to run the ball because
Of Devin dampier and his, ability Plus Waightshon parker And
Nakari rodgers And Bryce. Duke so they're gonna you, know
maybe staff those, boxes which is going to lead to
smaller open coverages down the, field which you, Know devin
throw a couple bombs and then you, know humble some
of these. Defenses SO i THINK i Am i'm a
little more optimistic about The utah passing game than others.

(01:56:22):
Are but, yeah that's WHERE i, THINK i think there
are some playmakers in this in this wide receiver.

Speaker 4 (01:56:27):
Room Sammy moore From You tone is our guest here
on The sean O'Connell show talking About utah fall camp
and the information we've been able to glean from it so.

Speaker 3 (01:56:37):
FAR i do appreciate that.

Speaker 4 (01:56:38):
Optimism, uh the lack of returning production scares me all the,
time but you, know that's there's plenty of instances even
In utah football history where a guy that didn't have
a great you, know first two years or great first
year as a breakout. Year it's just that's something that

(01:56:59):
you're gonna need in this passing game for The university
Of utah in order to balance out the. Offense, now
let's talk about the defensive side of the. BALL i
don't have any special new novel questions that you haven't
already been asked. Before but, like this is a defense
where the linebacking course seems like it's pretty.

Speaker 3 (01:57:17):
Solid we like the.

Speaker 4 (01:57:19):
Safeties they've got to figure out one side of the cornerbacks.

Speaker 3 (01:57:23):
Room but where do you stand on?

Speaker 4 (01:57:26):
That it sounds like It's Scooby davis and we Know
Smith nodan's pretty established as the slot or, nickel although
he might have to play on the edge as. Well
there's a rotation going on right, now And Kyle whitningham
specifically mentioned everyone's playing at a high, level but no
one's really separated. Themselves he said mentioned also the possibility

(01:57:47):
of being a cornerback room by, committee which is. Wild
what do you think happens in that defensive?

Speaker 12 (01:57:53):
Backfield, WELL i think the cornerbacked by committee, room LIKE
i think was. Extent you taught played that last, year you,
know so you Had scooby and you Had Cam calhoun
that kind of rotated in and. Out so there it has.
Happened was it effective at times last? Year, no but
it has. Happened BUT i think you, Know i've been

(01:58:15):
really bullish On Blake cotton ever since spring THE Uc davis.
TRANSFER i think you, know from a skill set and
just from you. Know, again this is based on like
conversations that you we've had with coaches at media availabilities
and just like the little the little bits we got
to watch during the. SPRING i Think blake has what

(01:58:36):
it takes to finally pull himself away from the, other
from the rest of the. Room he Just Shreeve shaw
described him as a, sponge AND i think, that you,
know for someone who was a, transfer getting him to
be a sponge as quickly as he, is like as
they needed him to. Be actually that's. GOOD i think
that that proves that you, know he wants to, work

(01:58:56):
he wants to get out on the. Field he only
has one year left of, play and so getting him
could be able to get into the field as soon as,
POSSIBLE i think that'll that'll. Bide, Well i'll say all
of us at you don't BECAUSE i Know Dan sorens
and our publishers also been bullish On. Cotton BUT i
Think cotton is the one THAT i think will be
the day one.

Speaker 4 (01:59:14):
Starter the defensive tackle position at The university Of utah
has been like it's a death taxes And utah dtackles
AND i really love Ilik I. VAMAHI i think that
people are not talking about him enough what we saw
From Dallas vacalahi as a true freshman last. Year if

(01:59:35):
the team had been, better we would have Given nick
credit for how special it was to be eighteen years
old and, getting you, know competing with dudes that are
twenty two to twenty three that you, know at one
of the most physically demanding. Positions but you, know there
is a question mark around the interior defensive line because
of THE i guess the relative lack of experience compared

(01:59:58):
to what we see so many other years at The
university Of. Utah who do you think are gonna be
the the the primary rotating.

Speaker 12 (02:00:06):
Tackles SO i think the four That utah is probably
gonna go with is gonna Be aliki Vi, Mahi Dallas,
Zakalai jonah Leah, aa and then true Freshman Carson. KAFUSI
i just Think carson is Just he's insanely. Good he's six,'
five making him one of the biggest guys on this

(02:00:28):
defensive line if you factor in the defensive ends and, you,
know enrolled early graduated, high school early Came, to UTAH
and i think that he has the skill set and
the talent to make. That rotation, you know it's, about
consistency especially with these. Young guys, you know you've got
like four or five of them that are all vying.
FOR spots i Don't think utah is gonna go more than,

(02:00:50):
six deep but, you know if, THEY do i wouldn't
be shocked. To see, you know maybe, you know Uh
Pup Pu, seppa luna The four Star from hawaii get
up in. That Mix mike tat he only got awarded
a scholarship, after spring could see him in. The mix
there's a lot, of youth and there's a lot. Of
inexperience but, LIKE again i think it's like death Taxes

(02:01:10):
in utah's defensive. TACKLE room i think that they even
if they, are young they always they always seem to
rise to. The OCCASION and i, think that, you know
like You, mentioned dallas like he was only a few
months removed from returning home from a mission and then
he's starting football games and playing at a, high level,
you know like four or five months after he. Got
HOME and i, think that you know that you're starting

(02:01:32):
to see that trend of kids that are gonna these
true freshmen that you know are are going to be
able to fight their way, into rotations especially at a
position like defensive Tackle. For UTAH so i get the
CONCERNS and i get the hesitation around the defensive, tackle
room but at the, same time like there are plenty
of high level guys in. That room it is just
about getting them to be consistent with. With youth that

(02:01:54):
is the biggest THING that i think these coaches need to.
Worry about none of them. Were underweight all of them
came in at a, good weight so there's not that
added Layer, of, okay well they're not going to be
able to play until they get up. To WAIT so
i think it's just consistency and then, letting them, you
know the cream will rise to. THE top i think
that's how the best way to put it With these
with these freshman defensive tackles.

Speaker 4 (02:02:14):
In, the past we have seen when there's an embarrassment,
of riches there's a there's a certain amount of talent
on a one in one defensive, Position room like it'll
sometimes dictate defensive packages that they'll put on the field
when they're particularly deep with pass rush or with defensive
tackles that they might throw. Something crazy, you know a five,

(02:02:36):
man front six man front is not outside of, the
question at least in. Certain situations the, LINEBACKER room i,
feel like, you know base Defense for utah in a
lot of these games because of modern, college football you're
running a four to two, five effectively and You've Got
john Uhall and Lamanni de Mooney And lander barton and

(02:02:56):
then a bunch of really talented young guys as well
that probably deserve to be on. The field do We
See morgan scalley do? Anything crazy uh in order to
get the best players on the field regardless.

Speaker 12 (02:03:07):
OF position, i mean you might see some three. Backer
packages you saw it a couple of times, Last season so,
it's again it's just gonna be a. SITUATIONAL thing I.
Think morgan we all Know that morgan loves like exotic,
blitz's stunts like things that you wouldn't expect to come
from certain. Personnel GROUPS so i wouldn't, be shocked, you

(02:03:29):
know to do have a, three backer have a three
backer personnel out there at. Some point, you know if
it's a run, heavy team maybe go. That route, you
know even if you see someone go twelve or. THIRTEEN
personnel I mean, John oh hall talked about how he
if he gets the line Up against lander Across From
lander barton, during practice, He said landering gonna catch nothing,
on ME like i. DON'T like i think that that

(02:03:49):
shows how Confident in jhono is in himself as a,
coverage man especially against. Tight end so that's an added bonus.
With that lander's been has had good moments coverage. As
well so it's not like with these backers they're one.
Trick ponies like they all are good, at, many many many.
Different things and so, YOU know i say never say

(02:04:11):
never With The morgan scaley defense because, you know that
man comes up with some of the most intriguing personnel
Packages that i've, ever seen and nine times out of
ten they're pretty damed. So successful what game.

Speaker 3 (02:04:24):
On, excuse me what game on the schedule scares?

Speaker 12 (02:04:27):
You Most, oh god that's the very that's a. LOADED
one i think there's the THREE that, i have, you
know come back to, or, actually yeah all those the
ONES that i continuously come back TO Is Uh, Texas Tech,
arizona State In. Kansas STATE and i have said this

(02:04:49):
for the last. SIX months i originally in my, SCHEDULE
prediction i have those three being Losses, for UTAH and
i think that, you know, On Paper texas tech looks
like an insanely. Talented team the thing is is are
they going to be able to mesh with the number
of transfer players that they have in in such a
short period. Of time that's my Thing. With Tech With, arizona, state,

(02:05:13):
it's yeah they have so many key pieces from last
year's team, coming Back but skataboo also was such a
massive part of, that team so they brought in that
the transfer running Back from army whose name slips, me
currently they brought. Him in is he going to be
able to Fill that skataboo role Or with skataboo just
like this insanely unique player that they're that they don't

(02:05:35):
have someone. To replace And In, kansas state it's just
one of those teams it's just been. Consistently GOOD so,
i don't, you know getting them, at home it depends
on how the. Season's Going if utah's firing on, ALL
cylinders i think that all three of those games are
very Winnable, For utah but those have been the THREE
that i have consistently came, back to, and yeah they
all are home games, This year but YOU know i
think that Those are you get three of those the

(02:05:56):
toughest teams in the conference at home, this season.

Speaker 4 (02:06:01):
That's gonna it's gonna. BE interesting, I mean i don't
disagree with. Your logic those are all very. Tough games
it's great to have them. At home if they all
end up, being losses even if the rest, are wins
it's gonna it's gonna feel worse than it actually Is for,
utah football because if you lose half of your, home
games people are could, be like oh what happened to us?

Speaker 3 (02:06:18):
This year even if those are.

Speaker 12 (02:06:19):
The, best, yeah yeah it's Gonna BE And i I've
been i've, been told why are You predicting utah to
just lose? At HOME and, I, said i Honest, to
god just was looking at. The schedule i've wasn't even
taking into consideration at the time home versus THE way
i was looking at ROSTERS and i was looking at,
you know personnel packages and stuff. Like that AND so
i looking back on, it now it doesn't seem kind

(02:06:40):
of stupid for me To have utah losing all three.
Home games but, you know that's just that's just how.
This schedule the schedule fell. THIS year i think it's
just that You get utah was one of the toughest
schedules In the big twe In the big twelve ACCORDING To,
cbs sports so you know they Didn't do utahanni favors.

Speaker 8 (02:06:55):
This, YEAR.

Speaker 4 (02:06:57):
Sammy i appreciate your time and all your hard work,
over It. You'd zone we'll see you. Again soon, Thank You.
Sammy Mora.

Speaker 3 (02:07:05):
You zone, OH wait i should ask her if she
had any grievances she wanted.

Speaker 4 (02:07:09):
To air that's grievance against me for Not allowing samy to. Air,
Grievance Sorry sammy a free to call. BACK in i
will say she agreed with me on the alleged athlete
Status Of. Olivia Dunn, Olivia dun then you're. Both wrong
it's messed Up Both sammy Mora And james. Peterson Think

(02:07:30):
james peterson think that if you're a scholarship athlete. Doesn't
matter you have to be an everyday starter or you're
not even. An athlete and that's not just for like.
High school i'm talking about you have to Be a
Power five division one starter to have real. Athlete status,
SEE wow, I did i did admit off Air and
i'm leaning into the shtick a little bit more on,

(02:07:52):
here HERE but i will SAY that i did admit
off air it was lean, into it lean into it
and just just ride. With, it okay it was a
little harsh just to say she's not to suggest she's
not really she wasn't really. An athlete but her college
career was not, that, Impressive correct i'll just say that

(02:08:12):
Compared To, simone biles compared to every almost everyone in division,
College career so that. Doesn't, care, well yeah so hers
was better.

Speaker 3 (02:08:23):
Than someone she actually had a better she had one more.

Speaker 4 (02:08:26):
National, championship counterpoint she had a better college gymnastics career
than one of the all, time greats perhaps the all,
Time Great.

Speaker 3 (02:08:34):
Simoon, Biles, so james what do?

Speaker 9 (02:08:37):
You?

Speaker 6 (02:08:37):
Say?

Speaker 3 (02:08:37):
Now uh?

Speaker 4 (02:08:39):
SO did i, don't, know however many Thousands of division,
one gymnasts because as, you mentioned did not did not compete.
IN college I always i always. Do that i'm used
to saying play or what or game. And gymnastics you
got to you gotta change the terminology a. Little bit
you don't, play gymnastics you compete. In it and it's

(02:09:00):
not a it's it's, a meet not. A game it's an.
Event whatever, all right we gotta take a break or
else we won't have time to air grievances eight seven
seven three five three zero seven hundred AT Real. Oc
sports air your, grievances now heading to your. Weekend unburdened
It's the sean O'Connell SHOW On u tells Number One
SPORTS talk espn seven.

Speaker 3 (02:09:20):
Hundred and ninety TWO. One Fm sing us assom you.

Speaker 4 (02:09:25):
Have a piano mass sing us assal To.

Speaker 1 (02:09:30):
The Sean O'Connell show from The Murder hundi STUDIO of
espn seven hundred and ninety two TO.

Speaker 5 (02:09:36):
One Fm, al right the Tradition of festivus begins with
the airing.

Speaker 3 (02:09:41):
OF grievances i got.

Speaker 5 (02:09:43):
A lot of problems with.

Speaker 9 (02:09:44):
Your people now you're gonna hear. About, It.

Speaker 4 (02:09:53):
Now john at, the fust that's right time to air
your grievances eight seven seven three five three zero Seven
hundred tech and we will, read them tweet at ME At,
ReOC SPORTS and i will shout them out HERE on
espn seven hundred and ninety two TO. One fm james
has a grievance. OR two i have a grievance. Or
two you have, plenty agrievances bring them to us now

(02:10:16):
and unburden yourselves before.

Speaker 3 (02:10:17):
The, weekend james you want, to, go.

Speaker 4 (02:10:20):
YEAH sure i will, also SAY since i am not
doing double duty this week hosting, AND producing, i uh
we're opening up the phone, Lines too conke, last week
call us if you if you, want to if you
want people to hear, your, grievance here you deliver your
a grievance eight seven seven three five three zero. Seven,
hundred Otherwise like oc said at ReOC Sports, on twitter

(02:10:44):
same number eight seven seven three five three zero seven
hundred if you want to, text.

Speaker 3 (02:10:48):
Us yeah i'll.

Speaker 4 (02:10:49):
Start, out So the cults are MY favorite, nfl TEAM
and i am just it has been way too long
since had a quarterback that's, worth anything. Uh HUH and
i Recognize that i'm Super Spoiled peyton Manning Than andrew
luck before he decided to retire early and get injured

(02:11:10):
a bunch. Before That but I'm Just i'm i'm already
Tired Of. Anthony richardson i'm tired Of The anthony. Richardson
Experience now i'm open To the i'm open to the Possibility,
of hey once he, gets healthy doesn't sound like you're
open and he and he learns to play the position
a little. Bit more AT the, nfl level he can

(02:11:32):
end up being a really. Good player but Right now
i'm tired. Of it, Oh see i'm Tired. Of uh
when he, does play he's not. Very good and when
he and and then he inevitably. Gets injured AND now i,
GOTTA now i gotta be Excited About. Daniel jones are you?
Kidding me i'm tired. Of it get me a give

(02:11:53):
me a competent Quarterback, in, Indianapolis please like?

Speaker 3 (02:11:56):
Does it does it really take? THAT much i guess.
IT does i have to just. Located pinky, oh, See sorry.
I'm Done.

Speaker 4 (02:12:07):
So james has grievances against people who are non starters
in college athletics and people who get injured in. Violent sports,
all right well it's a, Bold. Strategy cotton we both
let's see how it. Works, out well AND all i
also mentioned and are not very good when they. Are
healthy how about seventy? Five sixteen this, is uh this.

(02:12:27):
Is incredible, This week i'm going to follow up ON
agreements i aired a while Ago about. Tesla, drivers well
GUESS what i Bought? A Tesla, oh MAN since i
hearned a grievance about the pretentiousness and Incompetence of. TESLA
drivers i will make it my life's work to Be
humble tesla driver of. The people if you have to
See a tesla on the road that follows all, traffic

(02:12:49):
laws that is.

Speaker 3 (02:12:50):
Probably, me also please don't vandalize.

Speaker 9 (02:12:53):
My.

Speaker 3 (02:12:53):
CAR thanks i can't believe this full circle moment or
one to. Eighty moment what all this?

Speaker 4 (02:12:59):
Is incredible went from complaining About all tesla drivers just
blanket statement if you Have, A tesla i have a grievance,
against you to now being part Of the tesla. Driver
club if you can't, beat them, JOIN them i suppose seventy.
Five sixteen that is a great moment in airing of.

(02:13:20):
Grievance's History That, Sarah todd it's we're way. Up there,
Oh yeah i'm gonna save. THAT one i TOLD you
i figured out how to save some of. These texts
i'm going to add this to my saved. Page, here yeah.
So good, that one, and uh.

Speaker 3 (02:13:39):
That one and then.

Speaker 4 (02:13:40):
We have to mention the guy who said it's not
it's Not your blinker's not a light to use to
celebrate the fact that you just cut. Me off, also
great uh forty, six Eleven. SAYS grievance i fly off and,
for work and it feels like every single flight starts
with the.

Speaker 3 (02:13:57):
Same announcement this is completely.

Speaker 4 (02:13:58):
Full flight we need to passengers to check their bags
because there's not enough.

Speaker 3 (02:14:02):
Overhead, storage really.

Speaker 4 (02:14:04):
In twenty, twenty five no one wants to check their,
carry on especially, With connections so naturally passengers sprint down
the aisland stash their bags in the first overhead bin
they see several rows ahead of, their seat leaving the
rest of us playing an in flight game of find.

Speaker 3 (02:14:17):
THE bin i will, Echo.

Speaker 4 (02:14:21):
THIS grievance i will add to it in fact that
oftentimes this is very much a preference thing for your
gate agent and your.

Speaker 3 (02:14:29):
Flight, attendants okay.

Speaker 4 (02:14:32):
There's plenty of flights where they're, just, like hey we're
running out of bin space, in there please check.

Speaker 3 (02:14:38):
Your, bags, hey everybody this is a.

Speaker 4 (02:14:42):
Full flight we're gonna need people to check. Their bags
and then you get on the plane and there's like
thirty seven spaces for bags and you're.

Speaker 3 (02:14:50):
Just like why DID you i checked, My BAG so
i won't.

Speaker 4 (02:14:54):
Do it ever now there's no way you will have
to kick me off the flight before you get me
to check my carry.

Speaker 3 (02:15:00):
On bag what if?

Speaker 4 (02:15:01):
They do what if we there's that classic cartoon moment
where what if this happens in real life where you're
all sitting in the same area and everyone everyone moves
out of the way and you're the only one in. The,
middle yeah that looks like he's volunteer and checks. His
back you're still not gonna check. Your back i'm not, doing,
It man i'm not. Doing it and you, Know, what
also don't be the discourteous passenger, who's, like well it

(02:15:26):
doesn't matter that this isn't, My seat i'm gonna throw
my bag up there unless you're like one of the
last ones on. The plane if you know that you're
the final ten people on, the plane just find. A.
Spot okay but they've done a pretty good job of
engineering these airplanes. These days, all right there's a lot of.
BIT space i travel all, the time as most of,

(02:15:48):
you know FOR. The pfl i'd never check a. BAG
ever i have a great garment bag that, you know
the suit folds. Into properly it's the size of a
regular like rollerboard, carry on AND then i have, My.
Backpack james on, larger planes you can put the bag

(02:16:11):
in and you can put the backpack on top, of
it so you're taking one spot in. The bin all
of you should plan and. Pack, accordingly okay you're welcome for.
That idea, your purse your, duffel bag your backpack should
fit on top of your roller board in the bin
on like a, you know a normal. Size play, So

(02:16:33):
okay i'm going with forty six to. Eleven here don't
mess up the travel experience we're gonna. Get to uh
it Was it cole's grievance that That That brown BEAR
and i accidentally skipped?

Speaker 3 (02:16:47):
Last, week yeah you could. READ it i have a
Problem with.

Speaker 4 (02:16:51):
Home and Homes And home Home, and homes not with
actual not with the. ACTUAL games i think they're pretty.
Freaking awesome my problem is with. The name why aren't
They called away in? A ways i think that sounds. Way,
better honestly it's just a. Complete miss OH and Byu,
and george that's he always he's always got to mention those.

Speaker 3 (02:17:10):
Two things.

Speaker 4 (02:17:11):
H huh obviously can't wait till, summer's over just JUST
so i can stop seeing them because and he, hates
SCHOOL which i think is probably evidence to the fact
that he tunes in. Every, day yeah in the middle
of A school oh guess what we knew you hated
school because you listen to the whole show while you're
supposed to be.

Speaker 3 (02:17:30):
In school.

Speaker 4 (02:17:30):
Dog, allegedly anyway we. Love you we love the fact that.
You listen you're not learning anything, school wise, so uh
you better bank on a career in sports talk radio. Moving,
forward hey that's why. He's listening I'M sure i like
this is what. He's doing, All right uh twenty eight.
OH one, i, hate HATE. Hate byu and how they
think winning the last two games mean they are. BIG

(02:17:52):
brother i think they forgot that like the last. Ten
years worst part is that Live In utah county. Go
youts can't wait to watch them cry. This year, all right,
all right go to old fashioned rivalry tweet love that, rivalry grievance.
Love that, uh well we welcome all rivalry grievance even
if and if there's a if THERE'S a, byu fan
we know that we've got a HANDFUL of byu listeners.

(02:18:13):
As well there's a guy who calls himself THE resident
byu fan who texts in a lot shout out to
him if you've Got to if you've got a rivalry
tweet from, the direction we might we might, ignore it
but maybe we'll read it if you want to text that.

Speaker 3 (02:18:27):
In grievance with school getting ready to.

Speaker 4 (02:18:29):
Start again there's no reason in this universe or any
other that students go back Prior To labor day and
are still in School After. Memorial day got a couple
of days they get off and tack them on to
the beginning. And end you're welcome for the incredibly simple
solution to a ridiculously fool. Hearty problem i'm, telling you
summer used to be longer when we. Were kids school break,

(02:18:53):
was longer and you got. Snow DAYS so i don't
know what's going on theblic education system. To schedule it's.
ALL wild i just. Don't know forty nine NINE says
i hate snake. Oil salesman so that's. A grievance i've
never bought. Snake oil have you Bought snake are you

(02:19:14):
talking about literal snake? Oil salesman like somebody coming around
in a in an old, schooner wagon, just, like hey
let me sell you the. Snake oil he goes your,
fever consumption unwanted pimples like even, a nice nice night
even makes for a nice shoe polish.

Speaker 3 (02:19:35):
Forty nine, or not give me. Some content let's get a,
WHAT again a let's get a story behind why you
hate snake all? Do you what do you consider to
be the snake oil that you're? Mad?

Speaker 4 (02:19:46):
About here and unfortunately you can admit that you got
duped by Something because i've, been duped been taken advantage
of guy's. Been duped maybe he just. Got duped maybe
that's why they wanted to. Text that, ALL right i
have to air a grievance with something SPECIFIC that i
saw in the In The Little League. World series i'm

(02:20:07):
not gonna air agreements With The Little League world. Series,
itself whatever. It's fine. It's fun if you, like it you.
Like it if you like me and you're like you
could take it or, leave it that's. ALSO fine i
do air agreements with this specific thing. We, saw okay
this was during a show earlier in. The week, i'm
Watching and i've been eagerly waiting to air. This, grievance

(02:20:27):
okay we as a human species have become excessively reliant, on,
Technology right we're probably all addicted to our phones on,
some level some of us worse. Than others it's a
point of shame and misfortune.

Speaker 3 (02:20:46):
FOR many i Watched In Little League world SERIES play i.

Speaker 4 (02:20:51):
Think this Was on, tuesday MAYBE and i noticed that
the catcher who's on screened. Very, frequently obviously the catcher
kept instead of looking to the dugout or looking to
like a, base coach the catcher kept looking at his.

Speaker 3 (02:21:10):
Own wrist he had a smart, watch on.

Speaker 4 (02:21:19):
And the coach was holding his phone in the dugout
and was texting to the catcher's. Smart watch the pitch he,
wanted called you might be out, there thinking oh, my gosh,
that's great. It's ingenious it eliminates the possibility that someone
is stealing. Their, signs well that just doubles. My grievance

(02:21:43):
if you're In The Little League world series and you're,
stealing signs grievance.

Speaker 3 (02:21:47):
Against you it's still a. LITTLE league i know it's.

Speaker 4 (02:21:49):
High level, little league but don't take it so seriously
that you're cheating In The Little League. World series and
the grievance primarily focuses on the, fact that like, you
are you're sixty feet away from the kid and you're
texting to.

Speaker 3 (02:22:04):
His watch.

Speaker 4 (02:22:08):
They don't they don't have pitch Calm In. Little league
so seeta do something you like a, coded language or
like everyone's been doing for the one hundred and eighty
year history. Of baseball just make some cool little the hats,
the indicator, right, nose, chin ear other, ear beer.

Speaker 3 (02:22:28):
He shoulders knees and oh that wasn't. The indicator just teach, The, kid.

Speaker 4 (02:22:35):
Hey look at your baseball knowledge coming out talking indicators On,
SIGNED tommy.

Speaker 3 (02:22:40):
I played i played catcher until freshman year of. High
school it's a.

Speaker 4 (02:22:46):
Great position that kid specifically is not going to know
how to live. Without technology WHAT do i, do here coach,
Hold on i'll text it to your.

Speaker 3 (02:22:55):
Smart watch.

Speaker 4 (02:22:57):
Stop it one One thing i'll say is.

Speaker 3 (02:23:02):
Is that are there no rules? Against that For and?

Speaker 4 (02:23:05):
Little, league like not, high level this, high level this
High Level little league like they have lots of lots.

Speaker 3 (02:23:12):
OF rules i think that there would be a rule.
AGAINST them i bet it's one of those things that is.

Speaker 4 (02:23:17):
So absurd they haven't had to create a rule against it,
until now and they probably will now and nobody else is.

Speaker 3 (02:23:23):
Doing it it was just that one team From, Like.

Speaker 4 (02:23:27):
Parkersburg new york or wherever, it was and now the
now people, are, just, oh crap we gotta make. A
rule we got to make a rule, against THAT because i,
don't know. Seems silly.

Speaker 3 (02:23:41):
Stop it you are making you like. That kid this
kid is doing what kids are supposed to. Be doing,
he's outside he's. Playing baseball he's away.

Speaker 4 (02:23:50):
From technology he doesn't Need The apple, watch on and, you're,
like no put.

Speaker 3 (02:23:54):
IT on i want to text you all. Game long.

Speaker 4 (02:23:58):
At least at least It's An, apple watch and. He's
not he doesn't actually pull out his smartphone to. Check
it that, even more just like reaches into, his glove
pulls out.

Speaker 9 (02:24:08):
The.

Speaker 4 (02:24:08):
Phone, up yep, sorry coach sorry coach, Fastball, ANYWAY uh
i HAVE a i have another.

Speaker 3 (02:24:14):
A grievance i had someone text. Me this.

Speaker 4 (02:24:19):
Uh they didn't text the, text line they actually texted
ME my a grievance is that the self checkout machines
and grocery stores are. Too, sensitive, like no there is
not an unexpected item in the bagging. ERA area i
just breathed the wrong way and now it is yelling. At,
ME yeah i get annoyed at the self, checkout too,
LIKE you i set the bag in the place you

(02:24:41):
wanted me to, set it and then you're you're stopping.
My PROGRESS here i have to wait for the attendant
to put to scan. Their card, not? Good okay follow
up from forty nine. To nine we know what we
know what snake oil. Salesman means he sent a text

(02:25:02):
explaining what A snake we know what the we know,
the expressions we know the expression we're, just, saying like,
in general give us why is this?

Speaker 3 (02:25:11):
Bothering? You like?

Speaker 4 (02:25:12):
Get SPECIFIC somebody i don't know sold you gutters and
didn't give you what they were.

Speaker 3 (02:25:19):
Supposed TO also.

Speaker 4 (02:25:24):
U then one of the the most recent grievances is
a grievance against me complaining About the colts when they
happened to be eighteen miles Out, of indianapolis Outside of
indianapolis and on their way to pick up their Kid
from Camp. Go utes, all, right cool you're in you're
In indian you also know That the colts SUCK like, I,

(02:25:46):
HAD like i don't know why you're complaining about me
complaining About the colts having a bad quarterback and really
wanting them to.

Speaker 3 (02:25:53):
Change that, come on, all right keep.

Speaker 4 (02:25:56):
Your grievances coming in at, realoc sports and of course
say seven seven three five three zero. Seven hundred we'll
wrap up the. Show, NEXT oh i should read. This,
one actually should we wait to read this One when spence?

Speaker 3 (02:26:12):
IS here i was gonna. Leave that should we leave?
IT out i was.

Speaker 4 (02:26:16):
NOT gonna, i mean sometimes when you see grievance against so,
and so it is it's a personal thing that we
absolutely would would not say because We're not we're not
about getting. Personal here but this one is kind of
funny about how he is a little snobbish with.

Speaker 3 (02:26:32):
His music takes. All takes.

Speaker 4 (02:26:36):
Maybe we should maybe we should tell him that someone
has a.

Speaker 3 (02:26:39):
Grievances music are?

Speaker 4 (02:26:40):
We gonna are we gonna spend the next ten minutes
as like some sort of grievance Intervention with spence.

Speaker 3 (02:26:45):
CHECK us i don't know that seems like A bad
maybe we. Should not maybe we.

Speaker 4 (02:26:49):
Should not we'll, just, say uh you're the person who
texts that in your a grievance.

Speaker 3 (02:26:54):
Is acknowledged how?

Speaker 4 (02:26:55):
About, that Well, and spence we'll pull up the text
line and read these as soon as he. Gets here
The Shatt o'condle SHOW on espn seven hundred and ninety
TWO one fm two.

Speaker 1 (02:27:12):
Two To the Shan O'Connell show From The Murdoch chevrolet
STUDIO of despn seven hundred at ninety two one A.

Speaker 9 (02:27:19):
F M.

Speaker 4 (02:27:22):
All time loves coming To The Union events Center on.
October sixteenth we've got two tickets for you if you
can answer this question eight seven seven three five to
three zero Seven hundred utah football and how many rushing
touchdowns in twenty twenty four as? A team do you
want to get spicy and tell us where that ranked

(02:27:42):
In the Big twelve Bonus Points james peterson bonus points
eight seven seven three five three zero. Seven hundred, All
right spence checkets and the driver coming, Up. NEXT spence
i love this because you just read this text sixteen to.

Speaker 3 (02:27:57):
Twenty four.

Speaker 4 (02:28:00):
Then followed up just now, and said Please have spence
react TO what. I said i'd love to hear. His
response so the agreements, Is This, Spence check it's why
do you feel the need to put down everyone's music
taste that is not the same. AS yours i don't like,
grapper country and you don't see me crapping all over
people who.

Speaker 3 (02:28:15):
Like it you could not like them that's.

Speaker 4 (02:28:17):
Your opinion but if a person does not, like them
does that mean you have that doesn't mean you have
a poor.

Speaker 3 (02:28:22):
Music choice it's a difference. In opinion.

Speaker 11 (02:28:26):
Have you ever seen The Movie Wedding Singer Adam Sandler? Wedding,
singer YEAH and i QUOTE because i have the microphone
and you will listen to every DAMN word i have.

Speaker 5 (02:28:37):
To say.

Speaker 11 (02:28:39):
And that's and that's all. It is this this gentleman Must.
Be olympum Well he, i'm, Okay fair i've read the.
For agreements, my assumption EVEN though, i shouldn't is that
He's A limp. Biscuit fan and this week we had
an interesting conversation about the Fact that i'm now twenty
years in this business and we give away a lot

(02:29:02):
of things on the station and on, the show and,
Historically speaking i've given away a lot.

Speaker 10 (02:29:08):
Of things on my show here in. Other stations.

Speaker 11 (02:29:12):
And for the first time in the history of my,
radio career we Had alymp biscuit ticket giveaway and the
texter answered the question correctly and porter reached out, to,
say congratulations you have Won The limp, biscuit tickets and
the dude, text back, No thanks i'm good we gave
them away and he texted back, and said you can.

(02:29:32):
Keep them so the ONLY thing i can come, Up,
with sean is, this gentleman, This texter i'm sure as a.

Speaker 10 (02:29:38):
Lovely fella i'm not knocking on, him personally don't.

Speaker 11 (02:29:40):
Know him he has to Be A limp, biscuit fan
because that's the band that YOU and i discussed this
WEEK that, I said i'm just how can you really
be a Fan Of limp biscuit is? The question, and
again the tickets we gave away for lymp.

Speaker 10 (02:29:55):
Bisk were like. Last Year fred durst has got to be.

Speaker 11 (02:29:57):
Like sixty it's one thing that we're talking about Prime,
fred durst but Old. Fred durst i'm not sure that
you can really be. Into that so my guess is
this gentleman Likes lymp biscuit and he was UPSET that
i was Knocking On limp biscuit.

Speaker 4 (02:30:09):
Two albums on the number one On The billboard music
charts in nineteen ninety nine and.

Speaker 3 (02:30:16):
Two thousand so you're. Wrong Here pal.

Speaker 11 (02:30:19):
Popular does not. Equal, good Okay see creed. See, Nickelbacks, no,
sean don't. You can't don't Hate. On creed, come, on
man we all's hot.

Speaker 10 (02:30:30):
Whole home it was actually. Pretty good see Under heard.

Speaker 3 (02:30:35):
Eddie likes to. Get higher this.

Speaker 11 (02:30:38):
Is True eddie vedder ruined music for a lot of
people for a while because suddenly everyone tried to Sing Like.
Eddie vedder scott stat being one, of them and SPEAKING
of i mean it.

Speaker 3 (02:30:49):
Does not see you hating On pearl.

Speaker 11 (02:30:51):
Jam too, no, no no No Love, pearl Jam Love,
Eddie vedder but don't be. A knockoff, be authentic. Be
original and by, The way scott's staff seems like a.
Total ass if we're in, Aust okay so it's not
just if.

Speaker 3 (02:31:02):
You like home to.

Speaker 10 (02:31:05):
That's like terrifying the accurate.

Speaker 3 (02:31:09):
Ware all not a. Whole home.

Speaker 11 (02:31:11):
You know just write a song sing, like that you'll
make a million. Bucks, man yeah so proofs in. The
pudding But, SO texter i APOLOGIZE if i.

Speaker 4 (02:31:20):
May response is He A limp? Biscuit fan, he Says
Not alymp. Biscuit fan just don't. Like that just don't
like that bashing on stuff. Like that doesn't like bashing.
On that to hear you and other or others bashing,
on stuff. It's Fine and spence has a show he
can bash on whatever. He, wants OKAY before i let
you have the microphone and then we all have to

(02:31:42):
listen to every damn word.

Speaker 3 (02:31:43):
You say.

Speaker 4 (02:31:46):
Over under twenty five and a half rushing Touchdowns for
utah offense.

Speaker 3 (02:31:51):
This year smash.

Speaker 10 (02:31:52):
The, over okay smash.

Speaker 3 (02:31:54):
The over do you know how many of the had?

Speaker 10 (02:31:55):
Last year i'm gonna guess twenty. Two seven, come on
we had seven.

Speaker 4 (02:32:00):
Rushing touchdowns they had more rushing touchdowns in the FIVE
game covid season than they had.

Speaker 3 (02:32:06):
Last year oh, my gosh last In the Big. Twelve conference.

Speaker 11 (02:32:10):
That's STUNNING obviously i would not have guessed IT because
i guess tripled. That, amount yeah isn't? THAT insane i
think they're running a lot. THIS year i think we're
going to rely on the. RUN game I think devon's
gonna run a Lot way shan's gonna run.

Speaker 10 (02:32:22):
A lot the other backs you're gonna run a Lot
of i'll give me the over.

Speaker 4 (02:32:25):
On That new mexico had thirty seven, rushing TOUCHDOWNS and i.

Speaker 10 (02:32:28):
Don't know if you.

Speaker 11 (02:32:29):
Know this the offensive Coordinator, for utah the offensive Coordinator
For new mexico.

Speaker 3 (02:32:33):
Last year who will score more?

Speaker 4 (02:32:34):
Rushing touchdowns Devin dan pierre or the entire running back.

Speaker 3 (02:32:38):
Room combined.

Speaker 4 (02:32:40):
Good question i'm Gonna. Say devon he had Nineteen For
new mexico. Last year the rest of the team. Had
eighteen I'll.

Speaker 11 (02:32:49):
SAY devin I think devin's gonna have a big year on,
the Ground and i'm holding out hope that he can
figure out something a little bit better through.

Speaker 10 (02:32:56):
The air i'll smash.

Speaker 11 (02:32:57):
The over i'm pretty confident this is going to be
a team that controls the line, of scrimmage that runs
the football lot.

Speaker 4 (02:33:02):
This year seventy eight percent of the votes say the
running back room combined Will Outpace devan dampier in rushing touchdowns.
This year twenty two point four percent say that It'll
be Devin and spence is in that. Twenty, two everybody
have a. Great weekend thanks for listening all week To
the Sean. O'Connell show stay tuned for. The drive we'll
do it Again on MONDAY on espn seven hundred and

(02:33:23):
ninety TWO, one fm proud Part OF Utah's Espn.

Speaker 3 (02:33:26):
Radio network