Ken Whisenhunt & Wade Phillips Step Down, Week 4 Preview & More | UFL Podcast #101 - The UFL Podcast

Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
The coaching roller coaster continues as we lead into this
new episode of the UFL Podcast with a backup quarterback
and partner on the opposite side with James Larson. James
is on deck with me today. It's UFL Podcast Episode
one oh one and it starts right now one till

(00:41):
Welcome back everybody to the UFL Podcast. I am Zach
kyleman In as always, hosting for this one. You may notice,
you know, it's been a minute since we've had this
buddy on the opposite side. He's on ATU all the time.
He's our insider extraordinary on PFN. But James Larson sitting
and with me today for episode one on one to
kick off the second of the century mark episodes of

(01:02):
this long running journey of the UFL Podcast. James, Look,
it's good to have you on. I'm gonna I'm gonna
jump in with a few things here, uh and let
you get your thoughts real quick off this are you?
Are you? You? You chilled out that we were recording
this the day after some crazy stuff dropping that we're
all gonna we're gonna talk about now. But have you

(01:24):
caught up? Have you gotten a chance to breathe my friend.
I mean that's something right.

Speaker 2 (01:29):
Now, Not really. I mean, it's just there's always stuff
going on. I mean, yeah, I had a bunch of
do yesterday, but now I'm looking like, oh, I gotta
get a bunch of previews out. I've gotta get through
some things, and I'm traveling a bunch this weekend, so
I got to sort out those plans. It's it's a whirlwind.
But you know, I feel like it's kind of interesting
that rapticides to not join after I've seen finally won.
It took them one, like, I know, one hundred thousand

(01:50):
days to finally get a win, and they did, and
he's nowhere to be found. So I don't know if
maybe maybe he was a sacrifice that needed to be
made in order for Houston to actually finally get a win.
Who knows. I'll do some some recon on that one.
But it's we'll see what happens with RAF. I hope
he's okay.

Speaker 1 (02:07):
The mental preparation I was having for this episode so
I could hear all of the ten and oh or
ten and O away we go type of stuff, I
was ready to counterback aggressively with breaking Ref's law and
how much I gave up in the pickums, which I'll
discuss later with my pickums, because I'm my As you remember,
my friend Jet Branson had to say that. You know,

(02:29):
I was okay giving all these things up, and trust me,
Jet influenced me. That's why I shaved the mustache. He
convinced me to do that too, so you know, but
we won't see him for a long time anyhow, though, Yeah,
kind of kind of was expecting that, but that's okay,
Life happens. It's been a while since you and I
have had an episode, though, so glad to have you

(02:50):
on once again for this, and honestly, what a more
fitting episode to have. And it's kind of been all
season with this, just discussion on flipping and changing and
who's what and where on the sidelines right now, and
it's like we don't get a break at the moment,
and we're going to jump into all that today. Before
we do that, though, the usual livelies of course, before

(03:13):
we jump in. If you're listening to this show right
now podcasts, or if you're watching us right now, what
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Click on that click. The bell builds them around only
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me to mention, you don't miss ATU as well Monday's

(03:33):
at six pm Eastern Time, where him and I and
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(03:55):
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(04:17):
and support our shows on social at UFL podcast and
at around the UFL on your favorite platform. Just look
them up. You'll find it there as needed. All right, James,
now we can get into this. Let's fully dive in.
I know that I have a rundown here. We can
pick and choose what we need. But we had two
massive head coaching items drop. I'll start with the one

(04:42):
that seems like I'm kind of shocked that we're back
to square one on this one, and it's Ken wizen Hunt.
It's the thing I thought we had some clarity with
the leave of absence. It's it was like a willy
won't he when we talked about it last time, breaking
that he's coming back, and now it sounds full out
this is it, Like I I've I have given the salute,

(05:04):
I'm in the car, I'm driving down the road. I'm
not coming back to to uh Western Tennessee anytime soon.

Speaker 2 (05:11):
Yeah, I mean, I think it definitely caught some of
us by surprise. But you look at the last couple
of games. I think what concerns me a bit about
the situation with Ken Wizenhunt is the fact that he
kind of launched his body language on the sidelines and
just kind of some of the interactions that he had
with other coaches. It felt like he was a little
bit unsure of what he was doing at times he needed,
you know, some help. Like there was times where I noticed,

(05:33):
like Jim Turner, who obviously stepped up his interim head coach.
He's doing that again. Jim had a kind of, you know,
just kind of I guess, guide Ken through certain play
calls and things like that, which is which I thought
was just a little bit strange. I hope Ken's doing okay.
I'm not entirely sure what is all going on with
him beyond the scenes, but it feels like there's obviously
something personal and he just needs to step away from
football for the time being. And it leaves Memphis in

(05:54):
a bit of a rough spot once again where they're
I went through, you know, it was one thing where
you know, you're heading into a season and you had
this change happen, and you're like, Okay, we might lose
the first couple of games because of all this chaos,
but hopefully we can get our feedback under ourselves and
get a training rolling. Right now, you're three weeks into
the season, you're zero three, and you have to go
through this process all over again, and it's like, I mean,

(06:16):
you got to think that kind of affects them Arale
a bit of the organization as a whole.

Speaker 1 (06:20):
Well, I mean, look, one thing you can at least
give that helps as much as it's chaos. Is thank
god Jim Turner got one game under his belt as
a head coach, and is I think maybe from what
we're seeing with the senses, maybe that was kind of
the writing on the wall is all right, maybe I
need to be ready to step back in again. So
that does help a little bit. But is turmoil over

(06:43):
there right now? I would have to admit, you know,
it doesn't seem like that's a very I think, calming
coaching environment right now. Luckily, I mean they did bring
in as we'll talk a little bit more if we
on this with no Alma Zone coming in and he's
already been in of course, but more of a senior
role here at the offensive coordinating duties. But that being said,

(07:04):
like this might be a little more stability knowing that
you don't have to kind of walk on eightshells perhaps
on what Ken Wizenhut's status is. It's not ideal whatsoever,
you know. I mean, we've had a lot of that
talk of coaching movement this year, I think way more
than some people want Memphis in particular, though, I mean

(07:25):
that's that's just it. You wanted a team that was
already one of the lower end teams last year, got
that first round pick, was looking for stability. Seemed like
they were going to get it. Ken Wishom was that
big grab not only for the team but for the league.
And now it's like now you're all of a sudden,
it seems like you're back to square one once again.
And not to mention, this is coming off a brutal

(07:47):
loss to Houston in your home stadium as well, you know,
a very winnable game that was definitely grabbed out of
the jaws of victory going into the second half. Not
much else going in a positive direct right now.

Speaker 2 (08:02):
No, you're absolutely right, And you know it's a shame
because when Ken wizon Hunt joined this team and as
they really you know, redid this roster with GM Jim Monos,
who I think did a pretty solid job this offseason
of bringing in new talent, and you know, the whole
thing was like, look, the culture of Memphis last year
wasn't great. They went to in eight. You know, this
was like their redemption to where they want to get
back on track. We saw the coaches that they brought in.

(08:23):
I mean, the defensive staff is outstanding. You had Ken
Wizden Hunt up there, you had Jim Turner. You've got
guys that have that are really incredible coaches at their
individual levels. And to have Ken, you know, come back
and go and come back and go and come back
and go, it just it's not good for the culture.
And I think that's kind of what we're seeing is
just some dis I guess, dysfunction beyond not just behind

(08:45):
the scenes, but also on the field. I mean, that
second half collapse was pretty rough. That's like you said,
that's the game that Memphis easily could have won. I
think moving forward, you know, now it begs the question
of how do you right the ship. I think that
at least are in a bit of a better spot.
Where in Week one, you know, you TJ Vernieri making
the play calls and Jin Turner was assisting on that.
Now you've got Noel Mazone, who I think, you know,

(09:07):
it's one of those situations where I really like TJ.
And I think he's definitely someone who deserves an opportunity
to be a play caller, but in this situation where
it is very unique and you have the opportunity to
have someone like Noel doing it. Look Mazone was calling
the plays for the New Orleans Breakers back in twenty
twenty two, and we saw the success that he had
with that team. Even though Kyle Sloter was dealing with
injuries the whole season, they had to go to the

(09:28):
backup quarterback a couple of times. They still won six games,
still put up a fight against Birmingham in that playoff game.
That was a team that had a lot of success.
So I like the addition of Mazone, and like you said,
he was already on the staff, which again, look the
least got to be a bit more clear to some
of these things, because like, the only way we know
that Noel was on the team prior was that he
was on the flip card a couple of times.

Speaker 1 (09:47):
One thing. And thank god the league has been posting
those clip flip cards since last last year, because like
those used to be just exclusive the emails he couldn't.
You'd be lucky if you'd got them.

Speaker 2 (09:57):
So yeah, no, it's mart.

Speaker 1 (09:58):
Moved by them, because thank god you noticed that exactly.

Speaker 2 (10:02):
But look, I think you know at least where they're at,
like you said, at least Jim already has a game
under his belt and now funny enough, he gets to
go do it against your Panthers again. So we'll see
how that goes this time around Friday night. But you know, Noel,
he's he's a help. I don't think he's gonna help
them turn things around entirely, but he's at least going
to provide a bit of stability in you know, on

(10:24):
the coaching staff and with those quarterbacks, and it's being
a stability that team does not have any stability at
quarterback because they're still going back and forth between e J.
Perry and Troy Williams. They can't really pick one. Perry
arguably lost in the game last week, but they're sticking
with him as a starter. So we'll see, we'll see
how that plays out.

Speaker 1 (10:39):
Yeah, I mean that's but too bad is getting a
lot more bad at e J. Perry right now, and
you don't need to be seeing that a little too
radic for the time being, which is fair. We've seen
this from him. But you know, maybe they're going to
have to experiment a little bit. Obviously, when you start
getting into into ohen whatever territory, you know, at some
point a change will come. If you don't have any success.

(11:00):
Maybe with going down two games to Michigan. You know,
in what is more, I guess weaker conference in the
usfl L Conference. Maybe that will be what forces it,
or if they gonna win this week, things will kind
of get lopsided. Because again, this is Michigan. They've been
playing down to opponents, as you and I both know
all year. Who knows what will happen down in Detroit

(11:22):
on Friday night for they're actually laving it by the
way Fox Football Extravaganza this weekend. So because it's three games,
just had to point that out. But yeah, look they
got they at least have Jim Turner stabilizing it. You know,
I like Mazzoni coming back, and I honestly for the
sake of and we have two coaches coming from the scene,

(11:42):
for the sake of everybody coming away from the IFA
and coming back to at least a little more much
more better footing. I'll even argue here, I think that's
the wise move. You know, I miss that he went
on and went and I know he was trying to
take a chance over there. They were trying to start
a Portland team at one point where he was going
to be the head coach, and I know that didn't

(12:04):
work out. I'm glad he's here. You know, that's the
guy I was like, Yeah, I hate that we lost
that talent drain to a league that I will as
we all have talked behind the scenes in the PFN
discord link in the description. By the way, you know,
UFL seems like the place to go right there for
someone like yim.

Speaker 2 (12:23):
Absolutely and to think of it too. I mean, if
the football gods didn't get in the way, he would
have been the Pittsburgh Mallers offensive coordinator in twenty twenty four,
which would have been really fun to see. I mean
that's a team that was, you know, trying to turn
things around. Obviously phenomenal defense, offense wasn't great. I think
Noel would have been such a key addition to their
staff there and would have would have changed the team
around even more. But now he's in Memphis, and funny enough,

(12:45):
he's with some of the same guys. You know, Troy
Williams is a quarterback here in Memphis, the same way
he would have been in Pittsburgh. So you know, there's
definitely you know, it's funny how these spring football storylines
tend to work out, and you look at you look
at certain details here and you're like, well, like you
know what this this is really cool, Like it all
comes back full circle. So that's kind of like one
of those situations here with Noel and Troy and the staff.

Speaker 1 (13:06):
You find your way back. So eventually you find your
way back. I guess you know. My final thing with
the Wizard Hunt thing is, you know, I imagine if I'm
a fan right now, if I'm in the yacht club,
you know, what is the situation where you have can
We talked about Ken with the original it seemed like
a health related thing. It almost feels like it was

(13:28):
better off he just sat out and just moved on
because now because I know it's kind of circling back
on this subject, but like while we're talking just thinking,
it almost feels like we've been just better to just
cut loose after week one.

Speaker 2 (13:43):
No I completely agree, Like I think that where this
gets tricky is where you had him come back and
you had him coach, and we saw these last couple
of weeks where just I don't know, just felt like
there was kind of a disconnect between him and the
team and just in general, where like, yeah, you would
have been better off especially especially since it feels like
even though he came back, he still knew probably that

(14:04):
he was gonna be heading out before the season was over.
So it really you know, I wonder you know part
of it too. Who knows what was going on legally
behind the scenes, right, you know, with contracts and things
like that, you know, point what can you do, what
can't you do? I'm sure that was something a process
that need to be sorted out between Ken and Russ
Brandon and Daryl Johnson and the rest of those executives.
So who knows exactly how it all went down behind

(14:26):
the scenes. But yeah, I mean, looking at how it's
played out so far, you would be better off with
Jim Turner just being the head coach the last couple
of weeks in all honesty.

Speaker 1 (14:35):
Yeah, well, structure, Yeah, you're not wrong. Structure. Contract is
definitely something I would have been asking at that point.
I don't know what off the cuff. I'm not sure
we will know what he was going or grabbing for that,
but you know, for how much they hyped up and
wanted him, as we've talked in the past, you know,
that had to have been something that was definitely now
bringing the light. That had to be something that to discuss,

(14:57):
like how do we exit this without feeling like we're
gonna lose a large chunk of what we discussed off
a very short period of time. You know, circumstances be
damned of course, being the case, you know, I'm not
gonna just say it's like, well I'm out. No, we talked.
It's a hell thing okay at the beginning, So just
something to think about. But I hope I'm with you.

(15:17):
I hope Ken's fine. I hope things were work out.
It sucks it didn't quite go as plan because I
like the name. Brand recognition is what I loved. But
it's a shame that it got to this point. I'll
save this discussion point I want to get into after
we talk about the other elephant in the room. You know,
and I think this one maybe James I almos let

(15:39):
you lead into this. I mean, when you're seeing Wade
Phillips in the press box two or three weeks, like
those are some red flags for us, you know, just
being like, wait a minute, what's going on here? You know,
that's not something you want to see. Like head coaches
don't sit in the press box. That's not something that
happens in any level of football unless there's like a
special medical type of thing. You know, maybe someone messed

(16:02):
up their leg or arm or like something like that,
you know, or maybe they have to be up there.
And that's kind of what we got. The vibe was
a medical medical type of item. In sure enough, that
seems to be the case right now.

Speaker 2 (16:13):
Yeah, And for Wade, you know, week one, he was
up in the press box, Week two he was back
down the sidelines. But this past week, you know, he's
dealing with sickness again and he wasn't even in the
press box. He was just in the locker room the
entire time. So it's not like he was still at
least trying to do something from the press box. He
wasn't involved at all. So Peyton Party was the interim
head coach this past week. You know, a very interesting
scenario for him. But you know, now San Antonio's they've

(16:36):
already had changes. Aj Smith left, Peyton Party gets promoted
from wide receivers coach to offensive coordinator and now he's
interim head coach.

Speaker 1 (16:44):
It's kind of crazy cos you.

Speaker 2 (16:46):
Know, like it's all played out for him so quickly.
You know, you think huh, Like, you know, if AJ
Smith was still there, where would he be at and
this whole thing. But you know, from the sounds of it, it
seems like Peyton Party was kind of the guy that
san Antonio was leaning more towards anyway, especially with the
direction the organization's been wanting to go in, being more
run heavy, you know, kind of focusing more on that
style of offense rather than you know, there's spread him

(17:07):
and shredam that we saw from A. J. Smith the
last couple of years. So you know, it's one of
those things where san Antoni had a choice choice to make.
And now Wade Phillips, you know, hopefully he heals up,
Hopefully he's okay, and hopefully he can return, but there's
no timetable for when he might be back. And from
the sounds of it, you know, he's just sick right now,
so at least it shouldn't be anything that's super super serious.
But you know, he just need to step away and

(17:29):
try to heal and recover and promise will have the
weather this storm.

Speaker 1 (17:32):
Yeah, I mean, this is a prime time for I
think we're talking about younger talent like him to step
up and see what he can do. You know, obviously
owing three start again. Another one of those teams down
there that needs to kind of find its rhythm sooner
rather than later, and the one that's in the most
competitive of the two conferences and already in the hole.

(17:53):
But yeah, I mean the circumstances stink, you know, way
way Wade of course is going to have to find
a way to recover here. But you know, I kind
of think this opens the door to something we've talked
about in a tou a lot. And you know, when
do we see that change of the guard? You know,
and I don't want to say this is that, but

(18:16):
I mean Wades Wades in the late seventies at this point,
you know, he can't coach forever? Is the thing? The league?
We talk about these opportunities for coaches all the time,
and you know, Peyton is one of those guys that's
been sitting in the wings. We're just talking about this
discussion a week after AJ leaves because we've talked about
AJ Smith being in the wings for a few years

(18:38):
now on different scenarios. Is this the moment? I mean,
we've were half the league moved on and veteran coaches
switching out for guys that we just need to fill
into space right now.

Speaker 2 (18:50):
You know, I feel like this is hopefully going to
be a wake up call for the executives in this
league because I mean, I've been pushing this for such
a long time. I know you have talked about it
as well, and so many others where it's like some man,
these younger coaches like they're so hungry for this opportunity
and like they they want to help push this UFL
product forward. Where look like I love the guys like
Ken wizen Hunt and Bob Stoops and Wade Phillips, but

(19:11):
these guys are in here because of their big names.
You know, It's not like they're doing a ton of stuff.
It's not like they're super proactive pushing the league forward.
They're just here to coach.

Speaker 1 (19:18):
You know.

Speaker 2 (19:19):
It's kind of an easy gig for them to get
to come in for a few months. They do their coaching,
they do their thing, they do some press conferences, and
then they leave and that's it and they don't really
do much else for the several months of the UFLS
and around where you have some of these younger guys
who were like so hungry to not just make their
team better, but they want to make the league better,
and they would be out and about, they'll be doing stuff,
they'll be engaging with fans, Like I really do think

(19:39):
that the UFL. Look, the NFL has benefited so much
from some of these younger head coaches. I mean, look
at Sean McVay and what he's done in Los Angeles,
and look what Kevin O'Connell's been doing in Minnesota. And
there's there's plenty of guys Mike McDaniels down in Miami.
Like these guys, they're bringing new innovations to the NFL
and we're seeing how that's really paid off and how
not just that, but some of these younger coach just

(20:00):
can really connect with the players, you know, in a
different way that some of the older guys that have
been around for a while just camp. You know, it's
just different scenes. So I'd love to see them give
guys like AJ Smith and Jaron Horton and look, Peyton
Party is a guy that is deserving of a shot,
and I think he handled handled everything pretty damn well
this past week given the circumstances. And we'll see if
they can build. They'll have a really tough challenge this

(20:21):
weekend against DC, But I'm excited to see how Peyton
handles all of that.

Speaker 1 (20:25):
Oh Neil, for his sake, I gotta give him props
because I mean, look, you you handled a week before
what seemed like and I know, on the surface, with
the way it's handled, we talked, there's public relations set
up on how you handle it, and there's obviously what
is talked about in the locker rooms or behind the
scenes or on social media. And I mean, I'll be
honest with you, Like to me, he handled I felt

(20:47):
was kind of a volatile split in a way, you know.
Pr wise, it definitely was amicable, But I would not
say that was amicable based on you taught, what we
had talked online and what we were discussing and what
we've seen discussed. So you know, the fact you handle that,
you know, and now you're put in this position. You know, yes,

(21:07):
it's life comes at your fast. But I mean, you know,
I feel like he surprisingly is up to the task
right now, which is you know, I think that speaks
to the to the man and to the man in
charge and what he's been sitting and waiting for right now.
You know, we we haven't talked about him as much
because A. J. Smith has kind of been that you
know that guy again, Like it's kind of surprising we

(21:29):
aren't talking about him right now. But you know, Peyton
seems like his you know, his stocks rose incredibly because
it seems like he's held his own really well.

Speaker 2 (21:38):
No, I completely agree. I mean week three, they there's
things that they need to clean up, but that was
the most complete that we've seen San Antonio look so
far this season, they're kind of embracing the new run
heavy offense that Wade Phillips and Peyton really wanted to implement.
And look, I'm excited and I think, you know, to
your point, there's so many guys that have already proven
themselves in this league, right you know, we talked about

(21:59):
AJ That's a guy that's had a winning record. He's
brought two teams of the playoffs with his schemes. He
was also a part of the five and out Roughnecks
back in twenty twenty. Look the guys like Colin Bauer
in Michigan who have taken over as a young defensive coordinator.
Michigan had one of the top defenses last year. So far,
the shaven up to have one of the best units
again this season. Look, we talked about Jaron Horton plenty.
That's a guy who doesn't need any introduction. I'm sure

(22:19):
all of our listeners are very familiar with what he
can do. But as this league looks to grow, I
think it was important to have some of the bigger
names like Wade Phillips and Bob Stoops, et cetera, et cetera.
They got the league going to give him some credibility.
But those guys are not the future of the league.
The younger coaches that are coming up to the ranks.
Those guys are the future of the UFL, and they,
I guess the executive team just start to realize that

(22:42):
pushing some of these guys forward a little bit sooner
than later will be beneficial to the league. And I
think we're seeing that right now with Peyton, and.

Speaker 1 (22:49):
I think this might be the time the change. That's
why bringing up this is the perfect episode if we're talking,
you know, we can talk chaos of this all the time.
It's been three of the four weeks this season that's
been coaching chaos for the most part and trying to
keep up with it. So you know that's been like
the bread and butter talk of our shows this year
on this in particular for this this version of the show,

(23:11):
and then we've done it on ATU. But I think
we can talk, you know, moving forward. You know, he
keeps in credit, you got to with some face. He
keeps talking next year and talking about what's ahead. Well, okay,
well you know those are three those are right now, two,
which I would argue going to be three by the
end of the year. I maybe Wade returns at the

(23:31):
end of the year, but I feel like I'm gonna
put speculations on this might be the sign that he
does not come back next year. But that is my
thoughts and opinions, not anyone in the league zone.

Speaker 2 (23:43):
So I mean though I had kind of heard rumblings
that he wasn't gonna make it through this full season regardless,
just because he was dealing with a lot of the
stuff during camp. He was missing practices, he wasn't around it,
he wasn't as involved. So this isn't too surprising to me,
and I wouldn't be shocked if Peyton is the guy
the rest of the way, and if Wade comes back,
we definitely won't see him the same role. You know,

(24:04):
he'll just kind of be there to help guy, to
help do his thing. But I still I would see
Peyton I still at least being like an assistant to
the head coach type of situation where he's still he's
the main guy running it and Way's just there to
you know, help oversee it. But we'll see how it
plays out. I mean, it's spring football. You never can't
really predict how anything is gonna go.

Speaker 1 (24:22):
You know, you know what name I've been in here
and a lot thrown around again just and honestly I
get why because we've talked about the name a lot
and you know, someone that people want to see come back. He's,
you know, mister Anthony Blevins once again coming up. It's
been showing up on a few of our our favorite
friend friends and cohorts discord or discords and tweets as well.

(24:44):
And I mean, I understand credit he's on my Bears
in Chicago special Teams assistant and whatnot. But it's not impossible.
But this is the time, like I said, if we're
if this is feels like again, it feels like there
possibly could be a change of guard type of thing.
Maybe the execs get the hint hard to say. It's
it's gonna come down to how do you how do

(25:05):
you want to do this? You know this is the
time to do it is next year. It feels like
I don't know.

Speaker 2 (25:12):
We'll see as there is the next year. I think
bunce a time.

Speaker 1 (25:17):
Yeah, keyword, keyword of course with that, still leaning on that,
but you know, we'll be honest with ourselves a little
bit too, that's fair. Speaking of which, let's talk about
some football while while we're at it, so you know,
and talk about some transactions with that is what I'm
going to go into, uh kind of all over the place.
And you know we talked before we got on the show.
There's honestly we can go in his depth as you

(25:40):
want about this. I'm good game for it. But I
will mention some key I R designations and of course signings.
I'm gonna go right into the ir ones right here.
After last week, Ty Scott goes on I R after
a fantastic week in a crucial high energy match against
the Battle Hawks. Uh damn shames because we've been waiting

(26:01):
for this guy since last year to finally be used
in the right capacity and also take his reign as
that number one receiving role. He goes down. I'll chock
on a few more of these just to kind of
start the combo here. Rolling Stallions lose Jaren Jones, credit
they do bringing Harper back, so they do have some
some depth back of course from that loss. And then

(26:22):
the other one I had marked down for right off
the gate, Taco Charleston comes back. He's now renegade instead
of a Birmingham Stallion.

Speaker 2 (26:30):
Yeah, I guess the big ir one is ty Scott.
I mean, I remember you and I talked about him
last year when DC was kind of underutilizing him midway
through the season. We were like, what the heck? But
they finally came around their senses and really let him
take over as wide receiver. Won and they did some
great things. And that that's a huge loss for DC
because this is a team that I mean, look, they're
three and oh, but they're still finding their identity. Their

(26:50):
offense has been very inconsistent. We've seen Jordan tiam Wuho
kind of hit or miss from throw to throw essentially,
So to lose a guy like ty Scott, who you've
already had a lot of chemistry with over the last
couple of seasons. That's tough because you're working with a
lot of newer guys that have only been there through
training camping through these first few weeks. Ty Scott Chris
Rowland are really the two main guys that returned in
that wide receiver corps. So now you lose tie. You

(27:12):
only have Rowland, who's a returney from last season, and
Bradley Moore at tight end. Everybody else is new and
someone that you're still you know, you're still figuring out
how they run routes or what they do in certain situations,
or how they attack corners in this way or that way.
So yeah, ty Scott's brutal. The big pickup for Arlington is, Look,
this defensive Lion's already played really good football. They've got
one of the better pass rushes in the UFL. They've

(27:34):
been making quarterbacks lives difficult all year long. And now
you add Taco Charlton, Like, now you've got Chris odom,
will Clark, Willie Taylor already on that team making a
big impact, and now you bring in a guy like
Taco who look, was he a starter for the Stallions
last year? No, but he still had like fourteen or
fifteen tackles, five tackles for loss, six sacks. I'm sure
you remember the sack very well of j Perry in

(27:56):
week two, and he kind of sealed the deal in
that one. So former first round pick makes his way
to Arlington. He's got plenty of potential and as his
you know, as he gets kind of adjusted and comfortable
in the system. You got him on one end and
you got Chris Oda on the other end, and those
are two vets that are gonna get after it. And
I'd be scared if I was opposing off of the
lines in the UFL.

Speaker 1 (28:17):
No. Look, I do love the pickup for Arlington, and
we'll talk later, you know. I I know we talk
on a tou about Arlington and we're still kind of
on the fence with him. I'm bullsh and it's moves
like that that help with me. You know. Can that
often show up like they did week one against Antonio?
Got to find out, because that's that's really what's hanging

(28:37):
on the balance for them to really, I think make
that leap if they want to make that case for
that number two or potentially challenge for the conference in
the XFL right now, but doesn't help to add guys
like this for what is a revamp defense. I really
love the pick because it not only even if you
don't like you're talking, even if he doesn't like start
off the gate man do. I love depth in the

(28:59):
interior line and that is a fantastic depth pickup if minimum,
So you know, he's perfect. He's been perfect fit for
this type, for this scene of football. I love it
if you use him in the way I think they're
going to use them, and is a situational pass rusher.
That's what I'm assuming Scoot Stoops is gonna do, and
I think, yeah, I think a bunch of our Renegades

(29:21):
buddies will be freaking ecstatic to see him used in
that capacity.

Speaker 2 (29:26):
No, I agree, And speaking of edge rushers, I like
to pick up for San Antonio, they brought in Nelson Caesar.
That's a guy, younger player out of Houston, had a
really good career as a Cougar. He spent time with
the DC defenders in training camp. Was let go. DC's
got so much depth that edge rusher. I mean, we've
seen them after the quarterback every single week, so you
know it's tough to make that roster. So Nelson's now

(29:46):
got a chance with San Antonio the defense that went
from being the best in the league last year statistically
to one of the worst, and they need some help.
So we'll see if we'll read in that Union can
kind of turn it around. It's got another tough challenge,
like we said, DC coming up, but I like to
pick up of Nelson Sezier. They've also running backs. You know,
they added Aiden Robbins, so now they have four running
backs on the roster. From what a Peyton party said

(30:08):
yesterday in the media call, it sounds like some of
their running backs are still you know, they're still dealing
with some tweaks and they might not be fully available.
So that's why at the moment we'll see the Bramas
keeping four running backs on the roster.

Speaker 1 (30:19):
I mean, shoot, if they're going to be leaning even
more into that run first past second offense and getting
away from air raid, you gotta have some sort of
health there, you know, and obviously that offense runs a
lot more. We've even more so this year. We see
through Anthony McFarland having success on the ground. You know,
so any any bit of you know, time you can
get away from him if you're gonna do buy committee

(30:41):
and you know healthy committee. Mind you, I'm with you there.
I'll tell you what though. Any pickup like having Caesar
picked up the Bramas just needs something. I'm I am.
I know you and I have kind of inted at
this in shows. I'm still beyond baffled how poor this
front seven is out there for a Wade Phillips unit

(31:02):
in San Antonio. It's mind boggling how bad it's been
through three weeks getting blown off the ball. And I
know things change on a diamond spring football. You and
I have seen this, but it amazes me because this
is that's not that's not the Wade Phillips way last
two seasons. That's how they build their teams is in
the trenches. It doesn't feel right to watch them give

(31:25):
up gashes in the run defense like they do.

Speaker 2 (31:29):
No, I completely agree, and it's been strange. And look,
I think the big thing is sometimes if it works,
why blow it up? And we saw the Brahma as
their defensive line, a lot of new pieces, especially at
edge rusher. Garrett Nelson's the only edge rusher returning. You
didn't have Delante Scott comeback. You didn't have y Ray
come back, you didn't have tim Ward come back. And

(31:50):
those are all three guys that were key pieces to
that unit a year ago. And now we're seeing some turnover.
Right They released Rashan Berry already, and that's a guy
that was coming in. It's one of the bigger prospect
for them this offseason. He didn't really do much at all.
They already cut him and replace him with Nelson Caesar. Defensively,
you know, the linebackers have stayed relatively consistent, where you
have Jordan Williams and Tavante Beck and leading the way.

(32:11):
But in the secondary, you know, Greedy Williams comes in,
he kind of underperforms and then he gets hurt and
you cut him. You've got guys that are trying to get,
you know, adjusted into the system, like Chris Steele, who
had a pretty good game against Michigan this past week.
He made some plays, had a couple of PBUs. I'd
like what he was able to do. But again it's
like that there there was so much chemistry and camaraderie,
especially down the stretch of that season. You look at

(32:32):
the two game stretch against Saint Louis where they held
that team to what twelve points in back to back
games or something along those lines. I mean, they were
just shutting them down. So it's like, did you really
have to go out and change things up so much?
I mean, I feel like you could have made a
few tweaks but tried to bring back more pieces they didn't,
And yeah, it's just it's been tough for these guys
to get on the same page so far.

Speaker 1 (32:54):
But yeah, I still can't believe it. I know that
we have seen that earned teams of course in the past,
and you know, it's funny like I'll I try and
stay away see and I know I'm a Panthers fan.
I try and talk everyone. But you know, that was
the worry I had about my team this year was
you know, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Then

(33:15):
credit been playing down to opponents. We've talked about this
last week hel san Antonio. It feels like that was
kind of what happened there. And that being said though,
that's the flip side of the coin where that talent
at least has that has it where last year's systems
were still working for the most parts getting you wins
you know, they just need to put things together to

(33:37):
get to that next step if you actually want to
give me a championship team. Here, it's the opposite side
where we've seen it in the past, where you know,
how do I put this? I think maybe Arlington last year,
the twenty twenty four versus Arlington kind of comes to
mind where it's like, you know, on paper, yeah, you know,
this team won an XFL championship. You know, it did
bring some pieces, but brought a lot of pieces from

(33:58):
the XFL over just didn't execute right.

Speaker 2 (34:03):
And the funny thing is that, at least in Arlington's case,
last year, they still looked more competent and they were
right there in those games and just didn't execute latent games,
whereas it's just been so strange to see this promised
team that hasn't been able to execute really at all
early on, and at least this week they looked better,
but there's still so much things to clean up. You know,
they jumped out to a nine to nothing lead. They

(34:23):
settled for three field goals. You know, if you get
at least a touchdown, there can get two touchdowns. You're
looking at you know, a seventeen eighteen point deficit from Michigan.
I don't know if the Panthers come back on that one,
but you know, because the defense was able to hold up.
And just some there's just some like boneheaded plays and
mistakes where like that first drive where they settled for
a field goal was fourth and one, they're inside the
Panthers fifteen. You have a false start and it's fourth

(34:44):
and sixth, and then you settle for a field goal.
They were about to go for it, you know, and
you convert there, you score a touchdown, and it's a
completely different ball game. So those sorts of things that
Sinangionia needs to clean up. And they were so good
at that last year. They were one of the cleanest
teams in the league. I felt like across the board.
So we'll a peyton party in this unit can try
to put it back together. But yeah, so far has
been incredibly disappointed. I think all of us are a

(35:06):
little still a little bit shell shocked at how incompetent
this team has looked on paper or I mean on
the field.

Speaker 1 (35:15):
Quit you know what, I've been one I want to
isolate and have a one on one with you on this,
but I haven't had the right time until now, So
I'll start here. You know, last week, yes, I you
guys know it's a bit, but the jet brands that
think I brought up and it's like, you know, I've
been one and I listened to you guys talk about
this the competition this year and waiting to see who

(35:41):
is the ultimate team or who is the one ones
that do legitimately look the best is I don't. I
can't wrap my brain around because I'm used to seeing
that by now. I'm wondering if, like how many weeks
were we gonna wait? I feel like I feel like
we're gonna be like well into the second half of
the season, and maybe we still don't even feel confident

(36:01):
going into the playoffs this year about any of these
teams and what they can even do, like for runs.
It's strange, you know, because like even I'll admit, like, yes,
DC is the best, I'm gonna put that hands down again.
You know. I know I come off as a sour
push might talk about the defenders in a lot of regard,

(36:22):
but I mean, damn man, it still doesn't feel like
we don't have that definitive world beater in this league
right now.

Speaker 2 (36:30):
I couldn't agree with you more. I think that's been
the most frustrating thing is that it's really tough to
like try to get power rankings together and try to
figure out and make predictions of who's gonna do well here,
he's gonna do well there because Birmingham they don't look
the same. Arlington they're two and one, they have a
lot of holes. Saint Louis they got exposed this week.
Manny Wilkins, when he's under pressure and doesn't have the

(36:50):
support of a ground game, makes really bad decisions. That's
what we saw a year ago and we're seeing again
this year. DC they're three and oh they're rolling. Jordan
Tiamus still yet to complete fifty percent of his passes.
So what's gonna happen when they start playing defenses that
really start to key in on that? And you know
DC's also kind of their defense has been so damn
good that you know, they held Birmingham to eleven points,

(37:13):
held Memphis to twelve points, and now they just held
uh Saint Louis again to what fifteen points? So what's
gonna happen when one of these offenses can get going
against DC? And then Jordan tiam is gonna actually have
to perform, and I don't know. It's just there's so
much confusion across the board. In Michigan's a team that's
an anomaly too, because you'd think with Bryce Perkins in

(37:34):
there that they should be rolling and you know, driving
down the field often, but there's playing as eyes where
they just they have mistakes or Bryce Perkins just makes
a bad read, or your head coach decides to play
two quarterbacks instead of just sticking with one, and you
know it just it, We'll see. It's really odd how
through three weeks, I still don't have any confidence on

(37:54):
who's gonna be in the championship game or even the
playoffs for that matter, in some of these teams, Like
I feel like at this point, you conference feels like
it's gonna be Michigan in Birmingham again, just because Memphis
their disaster with just behind the scenes, Houston has shown
a bit of promise, but I they're not gonna get
over the hump against some of these better teams. And
don't worry, I'm not drinking the kool Aider.

Speaker 1 (38:13):
No, no, no, I'm not. That was not what I
was hitting up for. Although I'm glad he brought that up,
but no, I will give credit. I kind of want
to see what Nolan Anderson does now that he gets
gets the keys of the car, you know, and I
this is where I know, I would love to hear
the ref on this, and I will get that it
will happen. But I actually am fascinating to see what

(38:34):
happens now that he's gonna get the keys of the car, because,
like he if you want me to say, they look
kind of competent, they actually looked a little bit competent
with him behind center, I have to I have to
put that staple on that stamp on that. So now
I'm intrigued a little bit.

Speaker 2 (38:52):
I completely agree. I've always said that no One was
the guy that should have started for that team. He
brings a different spark and energy and is he a
perfect quarterback? But he looks more confident out there than
Anthony Brown. I think he's, you know, with his familiarity
with the offenses. He was already in it for a
season a year ago. I think that helps him out
a lot. And I think now we're seeing Houston kind
of play into no One's strengths where they want him

(39:13):
to get out of the pocket. They want him to run,
they want him to scramble, they want him to to
kind of just make things up on the fly, like
he did. You know that touchdown passed to Emmanuel Butler
in the back of the end zone. Yeah, that was
pretty impressive. We're just a couple of the plays that
he used his legs to extend those drives and you know,
convert on third downs. Like that's something that ces Johnson.
You know, he's talking about this week in the media

(39:33):
presser like he loves that, like he wants to see
more of that. And I think we will see more
of that. And I think we'll see Eric Price kind
of calling plays for no One to be utilized in
that way.

Speaker 1 (39:45):
I love it. I love it. You know, it seems
like and seems like we always have there's really always
one good mobile quarterback that can kind of do it all.
Manny Wilkins. I still hope can be that too. By
the way, I just you can't throw four picks. And
that's something that drives me nuts, is like I watch
we watched them, Yes, two lower quality opponents, one being Houston,

(40:06):
But like, m I know that that I know that
there is a good passing competent quarterback in there if
you just settle down a little bit, you know, And Nolan,
I'm kind of, like I said, that's why I'm kind
of intrigued because I'm hoping to see, like, yeah, I'm
not maybe we're not going to get an Alex Magoo
performance or an Adrian Martinez again, but like I look

(40:26):
for those guys because that makes this league even more
fun to see those mobile dudes that just kind of
you know, get out and about and they're able to
kind of just sling it because they got nothing to lose,
and are you know, they're asked to do it, you know, again,
these lines, there's there's some decent line performances right now.
Birmingham all admit's been playing some pretty good good stuff
DC as well for the most part, in fantastic with

(40:46):
Jordan Tamo. But I love the mobile guys that, you know,
even if they they got to have a little bit
more kind of I think, uh almost like an urgency
to get moving and kind of like create, and I
haven't seen that fully yet many Wilkins in the closest,
but Henderson gives me hope. I want to see what
he can do now. That he's like, you're you're the man,

(41:07):
because he gives me that vibe every time when I've
watched him get some reps. Now last week, same deal.

Speaker 2 (41:14):
No, I'm with you completely. This is why we love
spring football is it gives some of these mobile quarterbacks
a bit of a chance to shine. And we see,
you know, unless you're Luis Perez, you really can't make
it in spring football. If you're not mobile, offensive line
play just is not high quality enough. So yeah, let's see.
You know, look, Manny Wilkins. I like what he brings
to the table. I did a full breakdown. If you

(41:36):
guys want to go to pp newstron dot com kind
I should check and yeah, che check out that article.
When he's under pressure, his decision making goes from a
ten down to like a two like is it's rough,
and we got to see how he bounces back. You know,
last year I thought what was interesting is you know,
he had that game against Arlington where he threw three
interceptions in the second half and they lost that game

(41:56):
and then he didn't get to see the field the
rest of the year because Aj McCarron came back. Now,
this is once again as similar situation where he had
a really bad performance. But instead, you know he's coming
back as a starter. Anthony back is still confident in him.
Let's see what he can do against an Arlington defense
that they get after the quarterback too, and you know
they're going to be bringing heat the same way that
DC was. Let's see how he bounce this back.

Speaker 1 (42:18):
Right. Look, there's for that sake of that discussion, there's
no pressure that I can tell right now. Yes, people
do know Max Dugan, but it seems like that would
be you know, one week, okay, sure, you know this
week where you have it again, it is a two
and one opponent. We're now talking about seating potentially early
on crucial first matchup against the Renegades in your own conference.

(42:41):
You know, if you have something happened like that again
against what I think is a very as we've just talked,
a really revamped defensive front with Arlington that seems way
more competent than years past, than even years past. You know,
that's where I think the conversation really comes into play.
One one off week, Okay, sure I can back off.

(43:03):
You know, best team in the league, definitive now whatever,
two weeks, well, that's that'll be the question right there.
You know, close loss, sure or whatever, but if he
looks bad in a close loss or is we talk
possibly on reason again part two where we have to go, Okay,
you made some erratic plays, then we got to talk

(43:24):
about it.

Speaker 2 (43:26):
You know, I'm with you on that.

Speaker 1 (43:28):
Yeah, and we gotta talk about it. So, speaking of that,
I think it's about time to discuss some picks. My friend.
What do you say? What do you say?

Speaker 2 (43:37):
I'm so down. I think this is a perfect segway.
Let's yeah, we've already discussed some of these teams. Let's
let's get into it.

Speaker 1 (43:42):
Why not, I'll tell you right right away. You know,
uh kind of tale of a tale of a tale
of two halves or two sides of the coin, if
you want for our picks last week, I know you
did pretty pretty darn well up there. I was a
trained rade.

Speaker 2 (43:57):
No, I think I was two and two.

Speaker 1 (43:58):
I mean, i'll take I was one and three, so
I'm definitely still the train wreck, so i'll take that.
I know no one was beaten. Ducky, that was the thing.
Had the three and one one week, make sure everybody
knew about it. It's all right, But yeah, looking for
a rebound myself. Maybe we're both looking for a rebound.
That's okay. So yeah, football extravagans on Fox this week

(44:20):
got all three game or got all three days of
the weekend Easter weekend, mind you, So you know, once
again keeping that traditionallive in the spring of playing on
the Easter weekend as well. And uh yeah, I think
if I'm looking at the slit right now, you know,
I think most people are looking at that early Saturday
game if of all we're talking because again we just

(44:42):
referenced it. It's an early ish, it's a first half
earlish season matchup that could have implications down the line
for the more competitive of the two conferences with the
Renegades hosting the battle Hawks. So I mean, that is
that one you're looking at? Do you have? I mean
we just talked about Nolan Henderson. Maybe that's a good
test against the Stallions defense, see what he's got.

Speaker 2 (45:03):
Yeah, I think that Saint Louis and Arrington should should
be the most competitive of the I mean they should
hopefully will all be competitive.

Speaker 1 (45:10):
But now, yes, that's another discussion we could talk. But
like still, you know, it's a unique slate because like
it's one of those on paper, I'm not expecting much
outside of that that twelve thirty matchup with Saint Louis
going to Arlington, but.

Speaker 2 (45:25):
Yeah, right, because that's the one that feels like it's
a little bit more fifty to fifty. Whereas like Michigan
seems to have the edge over Memphis. Look, given the circumstances,
Michigan's at home Memphis once again, dealing with their coach leaving.
Michigan already beat Memphis once this season, they've been the
better team. Michigan's definitely the favorite. Then you've got Sat.
Louis and Arlington where that could kind of go either way,

(45:45):
which teams can decide to show up. Right, they're both
two and one, They've both had some really good games
this year. They've both had some games where they haven't
looked good. I mean, Arlington probably deserved to win that
game against Birmingham, but look, they got in their own
way where they didn't capitalize on scoring opportunities and then
it set them up for that kind of ridiculous call
at the end of the game and it just didn't
go their way. Saint Louis rough one against DC, but
they were still in that game too, like they had

(46:06):
chances down the stretch. You know, Manny Wilkins, if he
doesn't throw that interception, that's an eighteen eighteen ball game
in the fourth quarter that could go either direction. And
not to mention DC's final touchdown, that ball got tipped
and was in the air and somehow landed in a
DC defender's hands.

Speaker 1 (46:21):
You know.

Speaker 2 (46:21):
So like a couple of things that just didn't go
their way despite all the mistakes from Wilkins. So defensively,
I think will be the thing to watch in Saint
Louis and Arlington, which defense gets off to a faster start,
which defense can actually get pressure on the quarterback right
as Manny Wilkins can be able to kind of elude
Arlington's pass rush and get out there is Louis perezk
Canna get the ball of his hands quickly. We've seen

(46:42):
Travis Feenie and Peter Tama Pennuh, they've been playing phenomenal
football this year on the edge. And Austin Faylu up
in the middle. I mean, he's been tremendous as a
run stopper. So defense is going to be the key
to this one of which one gets off to a
faster start. Like you said, Birmingham Houston, I think it'll
be competitive. Birmingham is the favorite with that defense. Their
defense has been very, very good. Nolan Henderson, as you know,

(47:04):
he's had kind of mixed success against Birmingham with the
last couple over the last year. I mean, he played
pretty good in that Week eight game last year was
thirty five. Twenty eight was the final score that Houston
had a chance. But I think Houston's offensive line, in
my personal opinion, it's not strong enough to hold up
against the D line that is the Birmingham Stallions that's
been playing lights out football the last couple of weeks.

(47:27):
And then finally of DC and San Antonio and hopefully
it's close. But three and oh, I went three to
d C's at home. How much can you really expect
from that one.

Speaker 1 (47:36):
That's a tough task. I mean, that's the thing, you know,
and luckily part luckily party. This isn't like you know,
again we talked just out of the unique situation last week.
He allowed you to kind of get somewhat used to
that sideline, you know, head head role that you're doing now.
Tough to go on the road again though, and have
to go to arguably as much as eleven thousand fans

(47:57):
in Ford Field. Was awesome to have on that environment
with DC and all Audi Field being as loud as
is with the acoustics, it's not a comfortable place to
play and call a game. So that's the thing. And
you also have a three to zero team gonna get
the even more rowdier crowd than usual because it's a
good DC team, So it just adds on to the

(48:20):
entire atmosphere. We'll jump back up to Friday here. Who
you got for your pick? Showboats Panthers. Turner gets back
under us on the sideline as head coach Mazzoni now
calling plays, so a little again different oc e J.
Perry under center though and now or Yeah, I say
that it was weird because I'm saying as the Panthers. Yeah,

(48:42):
a return game for e J. Perry by the.

Speaker 2 (48:44):
Way, it's a fun storyline. Look, I really think Troy
should have been the starter after what we saw at
both these quarterbacks last week and Michigan. To me, they
should be in command in this game. Right. We've already
talked about it. They're a surging team. Their offense has
been putting it together. We can week out Jayden shurtan
start and to pop off as a running back that
can make plays for them. Their defense, I mean, look,

(49:04):
they weren't perfect this past week, but Colin Barrow's unit's
been playing well and despite losing Britlan Speaks, they were
still getting pressure on Kellen Mount. Look, Kenny Wilkes deserves
a shout out. That's a guy that's been playing some
phenomenal football. He's winning his pass rushes at a tremendous rate.
I can't remember the exact number from PFF, but it's
like a ridiculous number. Like he is far and above
the top pass rusher right now when it comes to

(49:24):
winning his one on ones. So if you got him
going up against some Memphis oppensive one that's seen some
shakeups and has n't been perfect, and now he just
go up against his former quarterback and EJ Perry, I mean,
this is these are some fun story lines. I don't like.
I don't like that EJ is getting another start after
how he lost the game for them last week.

Speaker 1 (49:44):
Yeah, and understandable. You know, we talked about how it
was already kind of fringe fifty to fifty as it was,
and then you I don't like pinning all the time
players being the sole reason, but look, you're you're up
early in that game by a score. You seem to
be humming along against Houston. Two crucial picks that essentially

(50:06):
flipped the entire script, you know, and Troy Smith has
then come in and helped save the day. Kind of
feels like that was the perfect time to pull the
trigger on that flip. And your own three by the way.

Speaker 2 (50:18):
No, I agree. I think Troy that's a guy that
has had success. It's strange because you've gotten the one
hand e J. Perry, who was formerly a Michigan Panthers' quarterback,
so like, you know, maybe he does know the defense
and he can kind of pick it apart, but that
didn't happen week one. And you've got Troy Williams, who,
like we talked about, you know, has looked a little
bit more confident over the last couple of weeks when

(50:38):
he's been utilized in two. He's beat this Michigan team
plenty of times before, he beat them three times in
twenty twenty three with Pittsburgh, and now he's gonna be
working with no Almo's own at Oc who they were
already playing on working together. I don't know. I Michigan
to me, they have a lot less dysfunction behind the scenes,
and I think that's why you know they're at home.
They're a better team.

Speaker 1 (50:57):
I'm picking Michigan, yeah, and I gotta go with bit
Michigan as well. I'll be honest though, It's probably gonna
be a close game, just like last time. Honestly, it
just seems like this is a panther squad that can't
get out of its way, so expect some sort of
Shenanigans that are gonna keep it close. Jaren Horton's defense
still is playing pretty reasonable through three weeks too, which
is expected, so it's not gonna be any cake walk.

(51:19):
I will go with that, but I will expect the
show Bots offense to find a way to not be efficient. Michigan.
I think with now having it, the Perkins is in control.
There's no funny business or whatever the hell it is
with trying to decide or give time. Maybe that changes
because it feels like, you know, this year, Mike Nolan's

(51:40):
playing more of the development developmental card, give people time
type of thing, which is okay, this is part of
the league's mission. I understand, but as a fan and
as fans say, play to win the game, do the
Al Davis thing, and Perkins is your guy, so maybe
that makes it a little more definitive. That'll be the
ultimate test. We said this in week one when we
debated on ATU, I thought, with Perkins in the whole game,

(52:04):
this Get that Get contest against Memphis is a cakewalk.
We'll find out if that's the case this time, because
they really have no other choice unless they want to
start Lombardi right off the bat or go with their
newly signed quarterback, which they won't. I personally just we
know Alan Bowman, so it's good. This will be it,
you know, but I think it'll be a close game
because they'll play down to their level. So Michigan with

(52:27):
you as well. I'll take it this one though, the
next one, and again going down the list. The twelve
thirty PM game. We talked just a bunch about it,
just a moment ago Battlehawk's Renegades. It's going to Arlington,
so different crowd. Renigans don't have to go in and
play against a thirty thousand seat home venue or anything.
But you know, seems like there's a little bit more

(52:49):
energy this year there than last year. I think over
in Arlington for these contests, your quick thoughts, I mean,
I'll be honest with you. I know that our pick
him already has been kind of put out there, but
I think this is I think we I think I
wanted to put him say that Arlington should not be

(53:09):
taken for granted. You know this is this is a
team that can keep up with the big dogs.

Speaker 2 (53:16):
I agree. I think Saint Louis is a slight favorite,
even though they're on the road. I do think that
Manny Wilkins will bounce back in a way. I think
the ground game will get going again. Saint Louis had
some things to figure out this week where you know,
you saw Abdul Beach him out with injuries, so those
are some factors to take in consideration. Hopefully a keen
Butler can mainly get healthy and get back out on
the field. I mean they've been missing him the last

(53:36):
few weeks because of that injury to his hamstring. My
biggest issue with Arlington right now is Les Perez has
not looked great under pressure. He's not getting the ball
out of his hands as quickly as we're used to.
It's just the offense just hasn't really been flowing the
last couple weeks. I mean they've had two really rough
outings against Houston and then Birmingham and Saint Louis's defense.

(53:58):
To look at the pff gread, they're at the top
at pretty much every defensive category. Donnie Abraham's had this
unit playing at a high level. Their cornerbacks are flying
around making plays. They're guys that can all, you know,
get to the football, great turnovers, the pass archers, we
already talked about them. This is incredibly close. It should
be a down to the wire match, but I think
Saint Louis takes it.

Speaker 1 (54:18):
You know, and I really wanted to take Saint Louis here.
I was very close, but I kept thinking to myself
part of it was I was spied from last week's
change of the guard of going Damn, a false start
took a potential win away where I almost looked like
a genius for picking Arlington last week. But you know,

(54:39):
as is football, he got to finish and play through
all four quarters and the time, I'm not going to
fault it on just a false start taking away an
interception that being said, I did see the vision here.
You know, Arlington's defense is no joke. And what I
did watch against with Saint Louis playing DC, can Arlington

(55:00):
implicate taking away the run game again and then go
all right, Manny, we see you, you know you are mobile.
Can we contain you? And will you make the plays?
You know? And I think that's what's gonna be the
test And I think what that's what's gonna be the
film that's gonna be used and the strategy used against
Saint Louis until they adjust, if they try to adjust,

(55:20):
is all right? What if we just sell out on
the run and the r and trying to fight off
the RPO runs and we just forced Manny to be
a passer, Which, again, this isn't just me saying this,
that was also what was brought up as a strategy
by DC players as let's make Manny a passer. So
I'm wondering if that's gonna be the case. I'm gonna

(55:40):
bank that Bob does that, and I'm gonna say they
get a close win. Uh, this will not be a
four pick interception game for Manny Wilkins though, But I
do think Arlington gets a win here and makes things
very interesting for the top three in the conference because
you know, I think, really, if Saint Louis gets a
win against Arlington, and I think we're gonna start getting

(56:01):
that vibe. Okay, it's a DC Saint Louis set up Arlington,
maybe he'll get squirrely and keep up. But I'm betting
the Renegades get the win here and we're gonna see
some kind of splits and uh, make it that more
down the wire at the end of the year. But
it's gonna come down to how much can they slow
down the run game and replicate the DC defensive game
plan because if they can't, well, I think then personally

(56:25):
you see Saint Louis walk away with the win. But
that to me is the game plan and also something
here and a sidetrack on this. James, I didn't get
talked about this because again, oh admit, I played a
bit last week on this past Monday, But can can
I find an offense that can adjust their game plan
mid game for once in my life? Because I swear
to God, I watch every week and it feels like,

(56:47):
unless you switch a quarterback out, I'm watching teams they
want to live and die by what they know best.
And last I checked, some of the best teams in
any level of football are great at adapting on the fly,
and I have not seen that enough from coaches in
this league. I want to start watching them actually say hey,
maybe we should get away from things that aren't working.

(57:08):
And I've not seen that enough yet. It's kind of
been annoying to me in a lott of regard, especially
on the offensive side of the ball.

Speaker 2 (57:15):
No, I mean, and that's kind of how we see
it in spring football sometimes, where these coaches kind of
stick to their guns a bit too much.

Speaker 1 (57:22):
Well it's a tunnel vision. I see a lot of
tunnel vision with this stuff, and I'm like, Okay, well,
clearly it's not working, so you gotta change. You know,
good coaches change their game plan if the defense has
your number. I'm waiting for that.

Speaker 2 (57:34):
I'm with you.

Speaker 1 (57:36):
You know. The Saint Louis kind of did that with
me last week. But I digress, you know, it just
had to get that off my chest at some point.
That was going to is one of these at least,
But I digress. Anyway, Splitsville on the first of the
of the Saturday matchups, Saturday's primetime game, though, Stallion's roughnecks,
so I think it'll be closer, Like we just talked,

(57:58):
it's gonna be closer, I think than most people expect
by the name recognition. What is the game plan on
Houston stealing a win here?

Speaker 2 (58:09):
The way Houston wins is if mac Corral's playing the
same way that he did last week, and I don't
expect him to. You know, last week, Birmingham's downfall was
that mac Corral just kind of just trying to just
kind of play his own style of football a little
bit too much, where he was just forcing throws and
you know, it felt like he wasn't necessarily playing according
to the game plan exactly that skip Holes had in
mind for them offensively, you know, just some throws that

(58:31):
he made, some decisions that he made. I think we'll
see him clean those up this week. And that's why
I like Birmingham's odds in this one. But if Corral's
getting off to a shaky start and Houston can get pressure,
which their defensive line has been getting better week in
and week out, it does give It does open the
door for Houston to do with their opportunistic defensive backs
or at two interceptions last week and some tbus and

(58:51):
made some plays. That's how they win this game. But
I just I don't see the Stallions being as in
depth as they were offensively in week.

Speaker 1 (59:01):
And I think that's what my barrier is is I
can't see a consistently bad product again from a skip
holez led team. Honestly, I'm I'm kind of watching Matt
crow this week and putting him on the radar of
is this going to be one of those skip like
switch out mid game type of games where you do
see who maybe a case cook has jump in, you know,

(59:23):
because I think, you know, again, that's one of the
beauties we saw at the beginning of the year was
you picked up three veteran quarterbacks that have all had
some relative success either in Birmingham or elsewhere. You know,
Magoob being out on ir of course wasn't. You can't
expect injury whatsoever, you know, that is what it is
tough first outing. However, Matt Crowe has not been much better,

(59:46):
and I think that I think he's to me, has
to have some sort of a short leash with a
Houston game like this, where you have an opponent you
want to just get by them and worry about locking
down your conference. With tougher matchups ahead, I'm kind of wondering,
you know, maybe we do see Case Cookus somehow, some
way make it onto the field on Saturday night.

Speaker 2 (01:00:09):
I would not be shocked. And I mean if he
does to be interesting, because Cookus, the last time he
played the Renegades, he excuse me, the last time he
was on the field against the rough Nights. It wasn't
an entirely pretty scene for him either in that week
one game. So we'll see, but I wouldn't be Look,
Case Cookis, he's had his ups and downs, but he
has a championship caliber quarterback. We've seen it before. So

(01:00:30):
if Birmingham has to go that way to get pulled,
he'll figure it out.

Speaker 1 (01:00:33):
Here's the other thing, Well, we see you know last
week Marcus Simms didn't really get you know, wasn't even
touching the field. So I mean that's another one I'm
looking at. You know, we got Henderson. How much I
want to see Sims sitting the field is something I'm
watching for too. If when that happens, you know, they
picked up a guy you want explosive weapon. You got

(01:00:53):
the quarterback that I think they feel now gives you
the best chance to have an offense that can find
a way to generate at a level that is explosive
or least efficient enough. It feels like you have those pieces. Now.
Can you put Marcus in there with a chance of
letting say Justin Hall breathe and aj Butler breathe and

(01:01:14):
company like that? And I want to watch what that
offense looks like with him on the field. I imagine
he hits the field this week. Last week, I understood,
you know, this week though, I would think injury being
we can finally see him get some reps with the
rough next Jersey.

Speaker 2 (01:01:29):
On hopefully, I mean that that would be the plan.
And the rough Banks will have Kirk Merritt back this
week as well, will help him out in the run game.
I thought they're running back did pretty well this last week,
Lorenzo Lingard and it's a quantity, right They ran hard.
So you have those guys out there and you got
bringing back Kirk Merritt, and I think this offense is
definitely capable. Just ken their offensive line produced against such

(01:01:51):
a tough and stout d line that Birmingham.

Speaker 1 (01:01:54):
Has any bit hold up. Please for the sake I'll
throw again, I'll throw the of a bone here for
the sake of him. Can you get a little bit
extra to hold out? That'd be nice. I'm going Stallions,
though I believe you were also going Birmingham from what
I can tell. Close game though, So a close game
on Saturday night. Good primetime matchup, I think. Finally San

(01:02:17):
Antonio heading to d C. Similar questions. Well, we just talked,
but I mean, I feel like this one's really gonna
be how much are you energized with your with Peyton
parties kind of I would say stepping in and kind
of what did you get from last week's I would say,
close game? You know, it felt like again they seem

(01:02:38):
to have found some sort of rhythm. You know, defense
seemed to have been at least a little bit better
than in recent weeks. Can you find some sort of
offense and way to stifle this DC defenders d which
That's the thing I'm worried about is I don't know,
I don't know if they can find a way to
slow down that pass rush. I mean, it is it is,

(01:02:58):
It is despicably good out there.

Speaker 2 (01:03:02):
Yeah, I mean, it's it's gonna be tough, and the
offensive line has had some good moments some bad moments.
You know, they lost starting center Alex Molett. They lost
starting right guard Coloveo to the Jets, so those are
some big holes to fill. I think the run game,
you know, you just feed Anthony mcfarhr on the ball,
let him wear down the defense, get him in open space,
and then it allows for guys like John Corgan and

(01:03:22):
John Lovett to kind of fill in and batter of
defense and love It's has success against and McFarland both
have had success against DC's defense last year, so I
think it's an opportunity for these guys to get their
feet wet again. The problem is, you know, can you
actually get consistent throwing from Kellen maud Right, he's been
show hit or miss, and you know, if he's under

(01:03:43):
duress like we've seen some of these quarterbacks have been
with DC's pass rush, it's trouble. I think DC is
the clear favor in this one. Right, it's just too
much going on behind the scenes for the Brahmas. It's
if we see an upset, it be great. I think
it'd be cool storyline for the league. But it's just
you know, look, let's be honest, the odds are heavily
in DC's favor.

Speaker 1 (01:04:03):
Yeah. God, it has hurt me this year watching John
Trey Kirklin and at least Mac getting so underutilized the
way they are, and part of it's just the inefficiency.
I know they changed it up, but like doesn't feel right.
These are star guys that I just feel like have
not been able to really let loose like they should.

(01:04:23):
You know, hopefully, I hopefully I see a little bit
of that spark again, because like week one, that really
was telling to me when I like Kirklin especially, it
looked like he was almost defeated in a way with
how that offense was operating.

Speaker 2 (01:04:39):
Yeah, I mean, you look at I don't know, I
think the problem is that you really tried to take
You have such a good system with what A. J.
Smith was doing, and now you're completely changing up with
a lot of the same pieces. So you know, it's
one of those things where these guys have to adjust.
John Trey Kirklin, you know, Marcus d and saying, who's

(01:05:00):
not really utilized anymore? Justin Smith's not utilized much. Jacob
Harris has been a bright spot for them, offensively. Yes, yes,
I'm I'm still I'm not putting all I'm not putting
my cards in quite yet on this offense. I still
got to see more out of them. And going up
against the DC team where you look like you said,
the pass rush is great, let's talk about their their DB's.

(01:05:22):
They've been flying around. Bryce Thompson, the former Brahma, has
been incredible, DeAndre Thomas, the former Roughnecks of the Trade
Force has been great, DeAndre Baker looking like on all
UFL prospect again. And they were flying around everywhere against
Manny Wilkins in that passing attack of Saint Louis last week.
So I don't know, It's just it's hard for me
to look at all those odds in this game and

(01:05:42):
be like san Antonio, Yeah, they're right in it, like, no,
they're they're not.

Speaker 1 (01:05:47):
Not. I I again, I've been a sour push on
DC all three weeks. This is the most sure I've
been on on them this year. Is definitely feels like
they're going to be, you know, set up to walk
away and be four and oh so I'll lock that
one in. If I had to pick a lock of
the week, it would be this one. But you never know.
I the later we get into the year, the more

(01:06:10):
exciting things get. It feels like where we have more
opportunities for kind of upsets or these crazy games. Maybe
earliest year, maybe an earliest year, kind of fun one
to end the week. But I don't know. It feels
like Easter Sunday might be a bit of a slumber
if you know what I mean.

Speaker 2 (01:06:28):
Early Yeah.

Speaker 1 (01:06:30):
Maybe, well I'm not not yet. Watch a little bit.
You know, the ratings gods will thank you. That's all
I can put it a little fun with that. Oh man,
speaking of final speaking of which year, James, I do
anything for Easter? What are your Easter plans? Man?

Speaker 2 (01:06:46):
My Easter plans are travel out to DC and catch
this game.

Speaker 1 (01:06:49):
So well, okay, I did kind of fall into that
trap you mentioned that earlier, but that's okay, It's okay.
Minor to uh explore the unders of the desert.

Speaker 2 (01:07:01):
Hey, exactly. Sounds like a good plan. Yes, you know,
might end up being more enjoyable and watching this game.
We'll see, who knows, you.

Speaker 1 (01:07:09):
Know, maybe I'll maybe I'll This would be the second
week in roy I fall asleep at the rest of them.
You ain't living until you do a road trip where
you gotta pass out for two hours and wonder where
the hell you are. Good times, good times anyway, guys,
thank you for tuning in. James. I appreciate you for

(01:07:32):
playing back up here, backup, quarterback on this one. What's
of course, I gotta end this with asking what's coming
down the pipeline on any of your more editorial forms
of writing you've been doing. I mean, you you crank
out so much stuff as always, but I mean I've
been I've been fascinated with more of the story driven in,
like more deeper stuff you've been doing as of late

(01:07:53):
this year that you know, I've seen that even more
so than I've seen in recent years from you.

Speaker 2 (01:07:58):
Yeah, I mean, I'm looking. It's PF newsroom, man. We're
just trying to get out as much high quality content
as possible, and I really enjoy doing some of those
more in depth editorials. I think it's you know, it's
up to the league needs and there's so many fun
storylines and so many things that we would just want
to track and stay on top of. So it's it's
been fun to dive in, you know, Like Alan Bowen piece,
I just put out, you know, is really unique situation
behind the scenes for what you know, the UFL is

(01:08:20):
providing him with and the fact that he's still going
to be, you know, heading to the NFL Draft after
he gets released next week. So it's just things like
that that make spring football so unique. And I just
love telling those stories.

Speaker 1 (01:08:30):
Yeah, and that's pretty cool. I mean we've we've talked
in the past. You don't see many of those, honestly,
trying to think off top of head, Kenny Robinson's only
when that comes to mind right away. It is like
a guy that you know, we're talking draft and play
in the same season, So kind of cool stuff. You know,
he used to gets a stop gap, maybe get some
tape on and connections on film if needed if he

(01:08:51):
comes back, But definitely check that out pfnewsroom dot com
for all the latest and again any of James's great
write ups. You know, again, we talk a lot about
you being ors what we consider the best in breaking
the news and being that Adam schefter of this spot,
but you do a lot of great writing, So got
to reiterate that to people. You know, if anything, go

(01:09:11):
to the site check out stuff he's putting down that
are these in depth and any updates he puts, Because
it's amazing how much this guy's work ethic is. I
can't stress that enough when I get a chance, So
keep up as always, man, I am impressed with you,
the individual, Zach.

Speaker 2 (01:09:27):
I appreciate the kuying words. Still always back at you.

Speaker 1 (01:09:30):
All right, folks, Follow us as usual at UFL podcast
or at Around the UFL Round the UFL Monday six
o'clock Eastern time and catch me and the big Man
here on the opposite side of me for our panel
discussion for the week that was in the UFL and
whatever exciting interviews we have in store that might be
brewing behind the scenes. Got to save that for you

(01:09:51):
guys later on this weekend. Also, by the way, again,
check us out and subscribe if you like the show. Hey,
look you ain't see nothing yet. We got tons more
coming the way. Click the subscribe button, click the bell
builds them around only for you, but for us too,
And you know, hit that subscribe button on your audio
platform as well. We do have plenty of of course

(01:10:12):
the podcasting audience to appreciate you that listen in, but
be free to check out the video podcast as well.
If you want to see reactions and things that maybe
we've referenced, but you don't get to see unless you
get that little visual help, if you will with these shows. Yeah,
until next time. He's James Larsen. I'm Zach Kyleman. We'll
catch you for episode one O two and for week

(01:10:35):
five this week, and IT'SU this Monday. Have a go on, everybody.
See you later.

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Ken Whisenhunt & Wade Phillips Step Down, Week 4 Preview & More | UFL Podcast #101

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.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}Ken Whisenhunt & Wade Phillips Step Down, Week 4 Preview & More | UFL Podcast #101