QB Shuffle, Week 5 Previews & Picks | UFL Podcast #102 - The UFL Podcast

Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
The UFL season is midway through, as the quarterback carousel
is a swingin' wide left and right. We've also got
previews and picks this week, and a special announcement on
summer stock. This is episode one of two of the
UFL podcast and it.

Speaker 2 (00:14):
Starts right now, long till.

Speaker 1 (00:41):
Welcome back to everybody to the UFL Podcast. I'm Zach
Coleman hosting in the chair this week, and man, we're
already halfway through the season right now.

Speaker 2 (00:50):
It's nuts.

Speaker 1 (00:51):
Time flies when you're having fun, and I'm having a
great time with my co host on the opposite side,
who is back from his week sabbatical. It is is
the ref on the opposite side, as I usually suspect,
good to.

Speaker 2 (01:05):
See you, my friend.

Speaker 1 (01:06):
How you've been man, enjoy the enjoy the time back
back in a way I know it was uh for
for reasons, uh obviously uh getting uh hitting your your
dearest back home from a long trip.

Speaker 2 (01:18):
So definitely understand. Oh yeah, no, things are good. Well,
it's funny we traded you. I took last week off,
you took Monday off, and here we are back back,
re reconverging for the show. For episode one O two
one O two. And it's a shame I wasn't here
last week because I'm telling you I did watch the episode.
If I was there, they're rough necks, would have one.

(01:40):
You guys, you guys sent them off on our journey
that I mean, I don't even want to talk about
that game anymore. But we got a big game ahead
of us this week. We're going to talk about that.
We got the quarterback shuffle like no other going on.
I said this on a tu week four was not
a good week to be a quarterback in the UF
I'll tell you that much. It was not a good

(02:02):
week to be a quarterback in the ufl uh. But
we also have some big news Zaki Boys, summer stock
news and that one. We've been talking about it. It
feels like it's coming together quickly. I've had this idea
in my head. We've done I mean one, two, three
summer stocks, one two, three, four springstocks. Everyone's been a

(02:23):
little bit different, everyone's been a little bit unique. But
you know me, actually both of us, we're always trying
to do something. Okay, what's the next level? How can
we take this to the like to another step? And
you know what, it's not just going to be any
summer Stock. This is summer Stock the road to the

(02:44):
UFL Championship, Zachi Boy, Because you and I we're packing
up our bags, we're getting in a Hurtz rental car
and we're driving I don't know how many miles, but
it's I think it at least twelve hundred miles maybe
more long distance and back, and we're gonna record that
bad boy, And who knows what we might stumble across

(03:06):
along the journey and who and who. Maybe we'll bump
into some people along the way, but we're gonna here's
the plan. This is advantageous, folks. So, Zachi Boy, we're
starting our journey Thursday the twelfth, we're wrapping it up
Friday the thirteenth, and we're hoping to release that video

(03:29):
at the latest the morning of the fourteenth, the morning
of the championship, which gives you a whole day to
watch our journey driving across the country to get to
the championship. And again, who knows what we're gonna see
and talk about along the way, This one's gonna be
a fun one, Zach. And then even on the way back,

(03:51):
we'll probably record some stuff. Who knows that'll be maybe
something completely different, who knows, uh, But this is gonna
be fun, Zach and we were just looking at the damn.
I started throwing some stuff on a map. We got
some ideas in place, and I mean, if it comes together,
I think this is gonna be more fun than any
summer stock we could put together. And that's not to mention.

(04:11):
Now you know what that allows us to do Zachi
Boy tailgate on Saturday. Just tailgate, just chill, just have
a beer, have a dog, and we want you guys
to join us for that. We're not gonna maybe we'll
put some clips online, but we're not gonna be doing
a whole live event for that. But we are putting
an over the top effort. And this isn't just gonna

(04:33):
be us dropping some clips together, folks. I got a vision.
It's gonna be good. The answer is always yes. The
answer is always yes. And the vision board is lighting
up with ideas already plenty that I think we can
do with this.

Speaker 1 (04:51):
And the route in particular that we are taking is
what I think is the most fascinating part. You know,
I'm going where you're at. So we're heading down to
heading up to h town then convening at the ref
base camp as we do, and uh yeah, Dallas, of
course we've done in the past. But beyond that, we're

(05:13):
hitting Root sixty six people. We we take a little
bit of a detour, and I've been on Root sixty
six in the past. I'm trying to remember you've been
on parts at least, especially this stretch with up Missouri
and now in Oklahoma. So you know, it's gonna be
a unique twist on getting out to Saint Louis. But

(05:34):
I love that the I love what we're gonna do
with this ambition for the project, and honestly, this is
something we're challenging ourselves here. You know, we both have
we both can do edits, we both can do videography,
we both can get audio quality and such, and we're
really wanting to commit to giving you something that is
a little different than years past, especially with Summerstock I think,

(05:55):
being kind of more of.

Speaker 2 (05:56):
Our experimental show anymore. So you know, we're.

Speaker 1 (05:59):
Stoked kind of provide this, can't wait to give you that,
give you that footage because there's some great stops we
have planned that I that we don't want to spoil yet,
but uh, yeah, it's it's gonna be thrilling. One thing
I can promise though, we're making up for the BUCkies
trip with this trip.

Speaker 2 (06:16):
So yes, that is the main thing I can at
least give away. We didn't do it.

Speaker 1 (06:20):
We were able to hit the BUCkies because we had
to stop away step away from going to Arlington last time.

Speaker 2 (06:25):
This time, though, we're good and we might have a
twist on that too. Well, and Zach, you don't even
know this. There's at least three BUCkies on the way,
and so well, now there's a reality where we might
stop at all three of those BUCkies, and you know what,
I might judge them. I don't know, because I remember,
remember the last time we went to the first one,
I said, I think there's a bigger one, and then

(06:46):
we went to the second one, and I can't remember
if the second one was bigger, the second one was smaller.
Then there's a third one that we have I've not
even been to. So we're gonna I don't know, I
might have I'm gonna be fat after this trip, Zach,
because I I already know, like I gotta get the
BUCkies melt at one of these. I gotta get some
brisket at another jerky. You can't stop at BUCkies without

(07:08):
the jerky or the Bucky Nuggets or the Beaver Nuggets.

Speaker 1 (07:11):
Rather, anytime I go on a trip for one of
these live shows or shows or meetups with you, I
know I have to get a cleanse or a diet
after every week because it's we always.

Speaker 2 (07:24):
Do this where we just are like, yeah, man, it's vacation.
It's vacation. We're just gonna do whatever we want, food, drink,
you name. But it's always a good time.

Speaker 1 (07:35):
So you'll get to kind of catch a little bit
of what the extra, you know, kind of like how
we did with Springstock when we're riding in the goat
cart or whatever. Like now you're gonna get a whole
essentially log documentary style of us getting to the championship.
And I can't wait to do it. And we might
have some extra too afterwards. We'll see how it goes.
But you guys will get to enjoy some pretty cool stuff.

Speaker 2 (07:55):
I think, Yeah, no, I'm I'm looking forward to this.
This is gonna be super fun. It's gonna be something
a little bit different, but I think everyone here is
gonna enjoy it and Honestly, I think there's people that
aren't even spring fans of spring football that can find
some enjoyment out of this. Which is probably the biggest
shame out of it is those people may never see it.

(08:16):
But I still want to do it, and I think
it's gonna be I think this is gonna be a blast.
So I hope you guys all support to spread the words.
Spread the words Springs Summer summer Stock for not spring
Stock summer Stock. For the road to the UFL Championship,
the road.

Speaker 1 (08:33):
The road begins technically technically hasn't fully but the prep
begins now. Stay tuned for everybody. All right, let's dive in.
Gotta got a few things going on, a bit heavy,
a QB heavy episode this week. Yeah, if if you wanted,
if you wanted the carousel, you're getting on the carousel. Yeah,
I got it. We've got a ticket for you. Time

(08:56):
to join the ride. As we have plenty going on
with the injuries, changes and swaps, you name it. We
get a bit of mix of everything here and yeah,
kind of all over the place. Some familiar faces and
maybe some new faces may may not fully have expected
with certain items, and we'll just dive into the list

(09:17):
here and get things kicked off. We'll go with the
guys down in the town we're going to be heading
to for the championship, and Saint Louis is a you know,
familiar face for you in multiple ways and also those
of these Battleogs fans. Brandon Silvers re signed this week
now understandably Manny Wilkins out for the season. Devastating knee
injury against the Renegades just really early. Damn shame too,

(09:40):
given that early season production looking exciting for him. But
Silver's least stabilizes some things. Makes it interesting for what's
gonna happen with this current room given you know Brandon's
been here, but but mister greig Kowski is not the
OC anymore so, not the same offense coming in. Max

(10:02):
Dugan looked eh against the Renegades. You know, credit was
in relief.

Speaker 2 (10:08):
What does he look like with a week in practice?
Kind of some quick thoughts.

Speaker 1 (10:14):
There's there's a few more here, but really I think
right off the gate, looking down the list, this is
really the one I think that, like I'm a little
most I'm most intrigued by because it doesn't seem as
finite compared to the other three or the other three
on this list of the.

Speaker 2 (10:30):
Four we have to talk today. Wait, say, are you're
talking about the last one on the list? Here for
a memo, just say.

Speaker 1 (10:37):
What do you think Silver's are Dog or Dugan? Because
that's what I'm talking Oh, Silvers all the way, Silver's
all the way.

Speaker 2 (10:42):
And here's the thing. Look, I'm telling you, like you
they were in a bad spot last week when Manny
Wilkins went out Max. I don't know if he was
making the cut, if he was doing what I think
everybody was hoping that he might do. I think he
gets the start. Honestly, I think you let him, give
him the opportunity. But Brandon Silvers is a great guy

(11:02):
to have behind the scenes as a backup ready to go,
and quite frankly, I think we're going to see him
out there playing, maybe in this game, even if not
in this one, We're going to see him throughout this season. Look,
I think people give him a I don't know what
it is with Brandon Silvers. People have this. I always
see people talk about him online like he's not one

(11:23):
of the good Spring football quarterbacks. But I will remind
you he started four and oh with the Roughnecks in
twenty twenty three. That's not that's not an easy task.
When you look back at the Spring League, I'm pretty
sure he had three touchdowns in one quarter. If it
wasn't one quarter, it was a half. But either way,
it's still impressive. Right, And this is this is splitting
duty in the Spring league exact. Do you remember that

(11:44):
they every team was splitting duty and Brandon Silvers was
getting like three hundred yards a game, splitting duties in
with with with with another. I can't even remember who
he is splitting the duty with. So I last week
when I saw Manny Wilkins go out, I said, oh,
this bad news for Saint Louis in the BattleHawks, especially

(12:07):
if you're hoping that the BattleHawks make the championship so
you can sell tickets to that championship game. Because Zach,
I think we'll all agree here, if the BattleHawks are
in that game, that championship is gonna be packed. I
won't say sold out, but it's gonna be packed. It's
gonna be it's gonna have a lot more people in

(12:28):
it than was that last year's championship, easily. Right. So
when I saw Manny Wilkins go, I said, oh, this
is bad, bad news. When I saw Brandon Silvers get signed,
I said, you know what, that's probably the guy that
makes the most sense to pick up. You know, you mentioned, Yeah,
they have a different offensive coordinator, but it's still similar system.

(12:50):
Anthony Beck is still there, a lot of the same
staff is still there, a lot of the players are
still there, to where I think it's an easy He's
gonna be able to come in and easily come right
into right back into the rotation more than anybody else
could have that maybe is available, right, Yeah, So I
think this is gonna have a positive effect on him.

(13:11):
And honestly, I think this gives Brandon Silvers an opportunity
to maybe clear his name isn't the right word, but
I do think he doesn't get the respect that he deserves.
I would have gladly taken him on the rough Necks.
Now we're going to talk about the Roughnecks a little
bit later, because sure, you know, you never like to

(13:32):
see an injury, but you know, the circumstances actually seem
to give us a little bit of some results here.
I don't want to get ahead of the game here
a little bit, but no, I think Brandon Silvers. I
think if he doesn't get the start this weekend, he's
going to be getting the start soon.

Speaker 1 (13:50):
I think that the way I view this is I'm
I'm gonna be in the I'm in the camp and
kind of rationale that because it's coming in kind of
on a short week. You'll see Dougan play and the
fact that they did draft him and picked him or
sign him and picked.

Speaker 2 (14:08):
Him up and wanted him badly. You know, I'll give
it that.

Speaker 1 (14:11):
And again, it's not Gradkowski being the OC, so it's
a little harder to just kind of justify, Hey, it's
a different it's a bit different system you're running this year,
but it's a short leash because I think right now,
you know, Saint Louis is knowing that they're in one
in a very tough conference right now. I think San Antonio,
a lot of us are looking at them going after

(14:33):
last week with DC going interesting, that's a you know,
that looking a little bit more like they have a
spark now and on more identity, you know, on that
offensive side, and you know it's gonna keep being more
competitive clearly as we've gone on and once again as
it shows just like last year, the XBO Conference continues
to be the more competitive conference of the two, and

(14:53):
you just can't wait around, you know, especially with DC
and now Arlington this year showing up and king the
part of a top team in this league right now.

Speaker 2 (15:03):
You know, credit big time matchup this week coming up,
and you don't want to lose ground. And one of
those teams will be at the end of the week
three and two, so you want to be right behind
them at three and two as well. You know, if
Dugan is another game where you know he plays an
entire four quarters or most of the game and he's
looking shaky like he was in Arlington and he had
had extra prep, we got to talk because I think

(15:26):
Silvers is definitely waiting in the wings. And I'll be
honest with you, I don't mind Brandon Silvers. Honestly.

Speaker 1 (15:31):
He's a gun slinger type. You know, he does take
a little bit more risk, but you know, when he
is confident in his throws, a lot of times it
pays off. And especially when he knows and plays within
the system that he's playing. That was one thing he
did great under A. J. Smith is that he played
the system that they were wanting to play.

Speaker 2 (15:50):
And he fit really well.

Speaker 1 (15:51):
You know, took a lot of chances with those throws
as a decent deep throw when he is able to
execute it, and you know, I think that that can
open up at least the past game. And maybe it
wouldn't be say like an AJ McCarran, but I feel
like he's a good comp as like someone that that's
what that offense could look like again, is maybe more
like what mccaren used to have because you're not gonna
expect scrambles with Brandon. You're definitely gonna expect more of

(16:13):
a pure passer out of him. So that's what you get.

Speaker 2 (16:17):
We'll see. I think it's a short leash.

Speaker 1 (16:19):
I think Max definitely is gonna be starting this week
in my eyes, but I'm definitely if anything goes wrong,
I think you see branding get put in right away,
veteran presence right there, no doubt about it, because.

Speaker 2 (16:33):
Yeah they don't.

Speaker 1 (16:33):
I mean that's the thing with Wilkins down now, I mean,
that's your options. You still got time to wait around anymore.

Speaker 2 (16:38):
Yeah yeah, And like we're saying, after this weekend, it's
the halfway point, Zach, Like we're halfway there. How crazy
is that like it always happens every year where it
feels like it feel it takes forever to get to
the seasons. The season gets here, and all of a
sudden you're like, oh my god, it's halfway point. Oh
my god, it's the playoffs. Oh my guys, that oh

(17:00):
my god, it's the off season. And here we are
almost at the halfway point. And you know what, I'm
glad to see that the BattleHawks are moving quickly, making
decisions quickly, and honestly, I think this is this is
probably the best decision they could have made to fill
that spot. There's again, I don't want to reiterate all

(17:20):
the points I made before, but just coming right back
into the system I think is a huge plus for
that team. Like you said, if if Max is not
playing up the standard this week, they could probably throw
him out there at halftime. He they might not win
the game, but you know what, get some get some
time under his feet, because next week he's going to
get that start and then you know, probably hit the

(17:41):
hit the ground running.

Speaker 1 (17:42):
Yeah yeah again Max shows out then yeah, no question,
we keep this going. Yeah, that's that's your that's your
security blanket, right there is.

Speaker 2 (17:52):
If things do not turn out. Well, well, Brandon's right
there and you can go and put him in and
probably another week down he's fine, and at least get
in there and you know, take some shots. You know
who we didn't put on this list, Zachie boys, your
Panthers quarterback. Who you guys playing this week? You know
what we're talking about.

Speaker 1 (18:11):
Realized that last because I'm dreading that conversation again.

Speaker 2 (18:14):
I am. I am so tired that we have to
discuss the fact that a two time.

Speaker 1 (18:22):
M VP of the Week of this year has to
apparently be in a QB battle. I'm gonna wait until
I for my for my pseudo rant or raving. You know,
I'm so tired. I'm so tired of Mike. Why do
you do this to me?

Speaker 2 (18:42):
Man? Why are you doing this? Pal? I'm gonna give
you a moment. Just stop.

Speaker 1 (18:50):
I need to stop for a second. I'll wait last one.
I'll put a hang on. Let me put in the notes. Yes,
Panthers Q to B.

Speaker 2 (19:01):
Because that's all that's because that's all the time I've
got for it. I'll die with that. I'm fine with that.

Speaker 1 (19:08):
There, Well, that's what that's the last bullet point for
the QB shuffle section. Meanwhile, I'm gonna go back to
one that I think, uh, you know, I I think
we were wondering how this would play out.

Speaker 2 (19:21):
And you know, it's funny. We talked at the.

Speaker 1 (19:23):
Beginning of the year, wouldn't it be hilarious if case
Cook is you know, the guy who's coming in as
this surprising arguably third string QB could be starting any
of these teams. Really this season, we didn't think he'd
be coming back and playing. Uh happens to start for Birmingham.
Like the whole it just comes full circle. Like you, uh,

(19:43):
you either live either die the hero or live long
enough to become the villain type of thing. And sure enough, yesterday,
as we're talking for the show, Skip Boltz goes on
local radio and says, oh yeah, case of starting this week,
we're giving mac Ra time to recover from injury.

Speaker 2 (20:04):
What a time to be alive. Well, I'll say this,
there are so many people on social media that said
case Cook is QB one, and look what happened. They
were right, They got proven right, sign them up? And
you know what time we talked about this on a
tou Jase even talked about it a little bit, but
I was at the game only for the first half,

(20:25):
so the second half I had to leave was my
wife's birthday. I say, I just had stuff to do, right,
So anyway, I'm watching the game, though, Case Matt Krow
comes out. Case is in there. First first play of
the game for Case Cook is he hands it off
and then he runs as the blocker. You know, Skip

(20:47):
Holtz is out there like, what are you doing? Why
are you doing this to me? Why would you do that?
Case is a mad man. That's the one thing he
will teach you quick and you know what that and
I think you pointed this out. Boy, what was Case's
biggest issue always? And it wasn't even his issue. He
didn't have an O line. He didn't have an O line. Man,

(21:08):
now he's gotten no line and he's like, you know what,
screw it, yolo, And he's doing all the Case Cook
is stuff still and I can't fault him for that.
I love it. Let him cook. It is crazy to
think that, all right, Case Cook is the guy that
almost stopped the Stallions, guy, the person that got the

(21:28):
closest to stopping the Stallions from winning a championship. And
again that goes back many years at this point. Oh yeah,
now might be responsible for the Stallions getting their fourth championship. Well, people,
we stole people in our discord link of the description.
By the way, they still feel like if he doesn't
get knocked out with the broke with the broken bone,

(21:50):
that he does get that win in Canton, Ohio in
twenty two. I might be of that group. I might be.
We were at that games act. I mean, the.

Speaker 1 (21:59):
Momentum still one of my favorite football games I've ever
been to, by the way, like it felt like truly
a championship atmosphere.

Speaker 2 (22:07):
You just had to be there.

Speaker 1 (22:09):
I'm sorry. He's a different vibe there in twenty two. Honestly,
both those games, like even with it not being close
in twenty three, I don't know, Canon was a different vibe.

Speaker 2 (22:18):
It was a really good championship site.

Speaker 1 (22:20):
But there here or there, you know that that memory
like he was special and he was special twenty two
twenty three wasn't too shabby. It's just that I felt
like they just didn't address problems, like it's weird. He's
exactly what we're talking Every year he's been in this
and you know, I know last year there were complaints
about him holding on the ball a little more and

(22:41):
more at times, more so than in recent seasons.

Speaker 2 (22:44):
But line doesn't hold up. He just gets banged up
all the time. It's just the thing.

Speaker 1 (22:50):
Now you're gonna see if he's really if he's really
gonna what does he do with much more time this time?

Speaker 2 (23:00):
Then I'll tell you this.

Speaker 1 (23:01):
Berria's offensive line guy schooled a decent amount week one,
but ever since they've been steady, just straight steady since
Week one. Well, and here's the thing too, is I
feel like Skip Holtz is the kind of coach that's
going to be able to find all the great things
about case Cookus and help him use those on the

(23:21):
field and help him minimize the mistakes.

Speaker 2 (23:25):
Skip. I don't know if you feel the same way, Zach.
We've met Skip off the field and we've seen Skip
on the field, and they are the same person, but
to different degrees of seriousness. And when you're on the field,
Skip is one thousand percent business. Any mistake, He's gonna

(23:46):
tell you. Anything that you do good, he'll probably let
you know. But if you're making a mistake or if
you're not doing something the way that he wants it
to be done, We've seen it time and time again
where he's talking to those quarterbacks coming off the Hey, look,
I know you had to get rid of the ball,
but instead of taking the sack and putting our guys
in a position to where now they have a short

(24:07):
punt right, like he coaches me, He's gonna coach him.
And the great thing about Case is he's a veteran
in this spring game and he's been in those big
games like we just spoke about, So I think he's
also going to be able to take that take the
criticism of the right word, but take the coaching from

(24:29):
Skip and actually put it on the field. What we
might see here is everyone's biggest fear is that the
Stallions become stronger off of an injury, which is almost
what happened last year. Remember they had like fourteen injuries
at one point, and they were still rocking and rolling.
I mean, never count out Skip and the Stallions just and.

Speaker 1 (24:51):
Sure enough, here we are and they're three to one,
tied for top record right now, ty breaker going to
DC of course with that win. But I mean they've
slowly but surely even getting better every week. You know,
you can talk about opponent or not if you want,
but like you know, even if we want to talk
like the potential, what happens after this game.

Speaker 2 (25:09):
Let's say Case Cooks is a good game.

Speaker 1 (25:10):
I mean, you know, Matt Kraal before getting knocked out,
two touchdowns, one hundred and ninety five yards, decent completion percentage.
You know, yes, did have a pick, which I mean
again that's been a flaw of his as he seems
to give away one every game, or so honestly every
game right now is the ratio at minimum. But you
know Case is no is no stranger to who one

(25:31):
or two here here or there. Fascinating discussion, you know,
and this is where we play like a hypothetical. You know,
say Case comes out and I mean they're this week
they're playing the show Notes, which credit you know, cool game,
by the way, for a matchup of the past, you know,
last season's team having of course, case cook is now

(25:53):
playing his previous one different coaching staff. But you know,
even if it's a show bo say say he comes
out and slings it. I mean, what do you what
do you do? Like corral gets another week off to
heal up. It doesn't seem like it's a severe injury.
For I rs like Alex Magoo. Yeah, but I mean,
what what what are you doing there? Like, I mean

(26:14):
if Kate, if Case looks fantastic, like he just blows out,
blows you out of the water. He looks like what
we saw with the Stars. I mean you just riding
the hot hand, like you just ride with that with
with with the chef.

Speaker 2 (26:26):
Right, I think, well, we'll see. Well, I think it
depends on this weekend. I think I think we'll see
a lot. Now this is the weekend. It's an interesting
one for what you mentioned. You know, he's playing against
his former team. They're also playing a team that's owing four.
So we'll we'll see. We'll see because I could see
skip maybe we go back to uh the rotating q

(26:47):
B after this. We'll see. We'll certainly could. He's not
been scared of it in the past. But this is
why we watch this game. Every week is a little
bit different. Every week there's a little bit of a
surprise that.

Speaker 1 (27:01):
The chef is back in the kitchen. People get ready
for this, get ready for this fro. You'll get the
Friday night action too with that, so you know that
storyline is gonna get put front and center that he's
playing his former team, and that he's going to be
playing on the team he lost the.

Speaker 2 (27:17):
Champion a championship game too. It's gonna be talked about.

Speaker 1 (27:20):
I know Joel Klatz gearing up for that right now
as he's doing production meetings. You have to imagine he's
doing that coming into tomorrow. So yeah, I'm ready to
watch that Friday night game. That'll be that'll be a blast.
Moving speaking of well games, I'm excited to watch just
because uh, you know, quite frankly, and I'm gonna I'm
gonna toot my own horn here on this next one.

(27:42):
We started the season and I know it was an
ATU this past week. I actually wish I was for
this point. You know, we started the season, Jalen mccleinnon
gets picked up, and you know, I remember a lot
of conversation about mcclennon cinnon.

Speaker 2 (27:56):
He doesn't excite me. Mcconning is not that great. And
it's like, guys, did we forget.

Speaker 1 (28:03):
About the XFL Vipers version of Jalen mcquinnon all of
a sudden, like it's only been a little bit, And
remember Jordan Towamuo was the guy last year. Jale mccuinnon
came in in relief duty in a very awkward situation.

Speaker 2 (28:17):
Again in DC, A lot of people seem to have forgotten.
And I'm I might reiterate this on Monday and if
it happens again, but like to point out this performance
from last week because I didn't get a chance to
say it. A lot of people seem to have forgotten.

Speaker 1 (28:31):
Jaale mc cuinton was a pretty damn good quarterback in
Las Vegas, and I'm amazed that it took another coming
out and saying look at me now for people.

Speaker 2 (28:42):
To realize, oh, you know, he actually ain't too bad.
It's like, yes, he's actually a pretty decent passer.

Speaker 1 (28:46):
It's just you know, cards didn't stack in his favor
during the course of the game, and you know he
had to throw up a desperate interception to kind of
try and catch up.

Speaker 2 (28:54):
That's how it is.

Speaker 1 (28:55):
But for the most part, he's the reason they were
staying within a point up until really.

Speaker 2 (29:00):
Late in the fourth quarter. Yeah, you know, I don't
think anybody thought that the Roughnecks were gonna stay competitive
with the with the Stallions, and I mean I thought
that we're gonna win. But anyway, uh, you know, James
McKenna coming out, it was gonna be a case too.

Speaker 1 (29:18):
Yeah, I thought that he was gonna lead to an
upset victory, and quite frankly, even though he didn't. I'm
looking at this and I'm going look, I like Nolan
Henderson's running ability. But I got to ask, I'll let
you describe this because I know you're gonna give me
a great hype on this.

Speaker 2 (29:33):
How did we get the QB order reversed?

Speaker 1 (29:38):
In terms of what I am looking now as worse
the best it is, it's quite shocking, as.

Speaker 2 (29:43):
I'll explain it Zachi Boyce. So CJ. Johnson works in
mysterious ways, and to question his techniques would be to
commit possibly the ultimate sin. And so when I look
at what CJ does, I look at it like, okay, one,
what is Let me ask you this, what's a higher number?

(30:05):
One or three? Now that's subjective. Some people can say, well,
one is lower than three, so that's a smaller number.
Other people would say, well, number one's the best because
it's number one. Now, I think, CJ. This is some
right and left brain, big brain things going on here.
The capacity neurons are firing off right now, this is

(30:28):
all part of the plan. Zachi boy. We still got
six games left this season. That's six games that we're
gonna win, plus the playoffs, plus the championship, and now
the master plan's coming all together. Now the QB order
is in the right order. Now we're here and nobody
knows what the game plan for. If you notice defense

(30:49):
on point, everybody, you gotta at least give it Houston.
That defense is getting pretty good. We have your guy,
Marcus Simms. Now we got a guy to get the ball.
We actually have a couple of good guys, a couple
good receivers. Now we got Jalen in there rocking the
ball down the field. It all starts now, it all

(31:10):
starts now this week. And we'll talk about this week
because I have thought, I mean, I'll be honest with
you with McClendon, you know, coming out and playing what
I am, what I was assuming. Here's the thing.

Speaker 1 (31:24):
I watched as much XFL as I could that year
with our USFL stuff we were doing. And that was
one thing I did remember was like he came onto
the scene and like he was, he looked good. Like
That's why I've been like such a in his corner.
Guy is I believe he's got a game and it's
exactly what I saw against Birmingham. I I do believe, Like,

(31:45):
what's gonna be great is this this matchup this week
we'll get to talk about like Sunday to conclude, to
conclude everything that's a fun game on paper now like
Peyton Party and company revitalizing that Brahmase squad going home
with a Houston Roughnecks that now I think have found
arguably their best quarterback for the job. I mean, and

(32:09):
it's not the same Brahmas defense. I mean, we might
be in for a really fun game with some epic
do or die proportions of kind of keeping up with
your your standings.

Speaker 2 (32:20):
And it's the Brahma's first home game of the season
at week five. I know we're we waited a little
bit there, you know, another Texas matchup always good too.

Speaker 1 (32:31):
But okay, yeah, I mean that that's a fun one.
I'm gonna have fun talk without Jalen McClendon. I'm like
I said, I'm gonna pat myself on the back there.
I always believe in the guy. I'm amazed that I
had to wait and show again that you know, hey,
he's not a bad quarterback.

Speaker 2 (32:48):
Guys, I don't know why we keep forgetting this. I
almost a'm laughing at at this point, but I'll leave
it at that. I don't know. Maybe maybe I'll bring
up on a tu again, or maybe I'll shut up.
If he doesn't play well this week, we'll see. It's
thought it impossible. I put it all out there. So
we have, we got we got another one. We probably
should have talked about this in a different order, but anyway,
So we're circling back to the Showboats. So we talked

(33:11):
about case cook is getting to start for Birmingham after
playing for the show Boats last year. Showboats they've owned
for Zach need I say more, right, And so clearly
they're out there looking for what changes can we make
so we don't take a goose egg on the season. Yeah,

(33:31):
and we're getting our boy Dresser went out there. We're
getting them out there. I think people, uh, people were
I was excited might not be the right word, but
I think curious about this pick from earlier in the season. Right,
it's a new name.

Speaker 1 (33:48):
This is the absolute most left field announcement of the
week because he just got picked up recently, and I
understand that neither quarterback for Memphis is I think blown up.
I think you can argue that. I know I can
hear someone screaming in the background.

Speaker 2 (34:06):
That is like what Troy playing more? But no, I
think that.

Speaker 1 (34:11):
I think they're just wanting to try anything because they're
owing four right now.

Speaker 2 (34:15):
Yep, that's the deal. And you know what, if it
gets them a win, sign them up. I ain't even
mad at and what a win it would be. Because
you're playing the Stallions this week, right, so, like, okay,
if you can only get one win on the season,
I'm I'm a fan of the Lions, so I have
many years of this type of rationale. If you're gonna

(34:36):
have few wins on the season, who would you rather
win against? The poopy team or the champions? I'd rather
beat the champions, right, you know, like no offense to me.
But if they beat the Roughnecks, what fun is that?
You know what I mean? Like, you just beat another
bad team, right, Like, but if you beat the Stallions,

(35:00):
then you can go home with something to put your
hat on. You say, yep, you know what, we might
not go to the playoffs, but we beat not just
the champions, not just the back to back champions, but
the back to back to back champions. And you know what,
I know, I'm gonna get a bunch of people that
are mad at me about this. I wish Dresser win
luck in that challenge. Stallion's fans are throwing stuff at

(35:25):
their screen right now. Raugh shut up, that's true. I mean,
come on, I look, I'm I'm gonna be honest with you.
I don't know what to expect. I did have to
double doubt or double check.

Speaker 1 (35:40):
And I did this earlier when Dresser win when he
got signed on uh to the Showboats back in March third.
But just to kind of recap to you guys where
his background is for football. So he did five years
at University of Tennessee Martin. The Skyhawks had a few
injuries at the time. Finished his finish his final and

(36:02):
sixth year in twenty twenty two. Pretty decent numbers here,
just under three thousand yards passing seven to four record
with the team, sixty one percent completion, eighteen touchdowns, eleven interceptions,
so not a bad cap off and did get some
looks with professional teams he was. He got a couple
of coffee with the Los Angeles Rams also same year
in twenty three with the Edmonton Elks. So went undrafted,

(36:24):
then went back to LA and kind of took a
bit of time off last year, and now he's on
Memphis' radar. Now he's in Memphis, and now he's all
of a sudden thrust it into his starting spot.

Speaker 2 (36:38):
This one.

Speaker 1 (36:39):
I feel like we are definitely in some speculation on
this because it's so I feel so blindsided in this
one because I wasn't expecting them to go straight to
the third option yet because of yeah, two vets, but
neither have really stepped up and you just haven't really
committed to one as well.

Speaker 2 (37:00):
EJ's gotten more time.

Speaker 1 (37:02):
But my speculation zone is this with Noel Mazoni or
mazone taking over as OC even more as the days
have gone by, we know he was doing QB coaching duties.
Now he is officially thrust it in as of last
week and was announced this week. By the way, I
wonder if this is just him going you know what,

(37:23):
I don't like either one of you. I'm trying the
guy this kid. I like this kid. I saw the
film on this kid. I'm gonna take a shot on
this kid now that it's his offense, you know, and
he's gotten a full week. He's gotten a full true week,
no chaos with coaching switches or anything like that, you know,
or kind of working with TJ on what actually the

(37:43):
game plan was or what they were trying to debate.

Speaker 2 (37:45):
It's his offense. Now, Yeah, I feel like this is
a Noel move, you know what, I wouldn't be surprised.
I wouldn't be shocked to learn that. So, you know,
it'll be it'll be interesting to see if the chain
makes an impact. But even to the point again, when
you're rolling four on a ten week season, they're not

(38:08):
eliminated from the playoffs yet, Zach, it's kind of getting there.
And so if you're gonna be if you really you
know what, though, if you really want to have a
shot to make the playoffs, this is what you have
to be doing. People. People have been angry or for less,
for coaches not making adjustments or not getting rid of
the coaches in some instances that I won't mention, uh,

(38:32):
but I mean, we'll see, we'll see. And the Stallions,
you know, we were talking with Jase on Monday. You know,
he made a good point. The Stallions have never been
that team to blow out the other team other than
you know, they had that show boats forty two to two, right, Yeah,
but the Stallions have never really been that team. They
they there's they're usually winning by like one possession. It's

(38:54):
a close game, but you know that does open them
up for a loss, right so we could see the
shot of all shakers. This could be the trappiest of
all traps this week. We'll see again. We'll get to
the picks and all that later because I don't know
if I'll go that far yet before we get to
the picks though, Zach boy man Man, we kind of

(39:15):
teed this up a little bit earlier quarterbacks, so I
don't know if this belongs in the quarterback shuffle at
mine as well, though we're already talking about it. If
you had to put five dollars on the line right now,
who do you think is going to be throwing the
ball from Michigan to start the game this weekend.

Speaker 1 (39:36):
I can't believe I have to think about this too.
That is crazy idiotic. I have I have about had it.
I about had it so much to the point where
I'm just, I mean, I don't know what to say.
I tossed it to this because I'm not really sure
what to do in a situation where I'm I know,

(39:58):
there's mine games with these pressers. Sometimes I know you're
trying to, you know, find ways to stay ahead of
the curb or you want to you know, throw off
the other side. You eventually got to release a depth chart,
you know. Credit Mike Nolan hasn't stuck to a depth
chart this year where he's already flipped it.

Speaker 2 (40:15):
He's played a QB two at QB one.

Speaker 1 (40:18):
Big brain Nolan, like some sort of mad scientist that
doesn't care about the better. I know there's been a
few people that have cared about the betting with that,
and I get it, but like, how can you and
all honesty go on a coach's call or a press
call after what you saw last week? Again, Yes, Memphis,
we talk, you know, and I'm not saying that in

(40:40):
the sense of like talking down to the court to
the mister Horton himself's defense, but the man played really well.
I mean, you have the obvious starter in Bryce and
Bryce Perkins to go on and even say any sort
of questioning that you are not going to commit to

(41:00):
a quarterback after what you've seen.

Speaker 2 (41:03):
The man's two Player of the Week awards. What more
do you need? Like, I I agree. This is where
we go back to, like, Okay, is he doing this
for film? Is this like a film thing? Is this
like a.

Speaker 1 (41:17):
Is this like he's trying to you know? Is he
gonna psyche people out? And then the depth chart will
b Perkins because it should be Perkins.

Speaker 2 (41:23):
Like I don't know anymore, I don't know. I'm genuinely confused.
I'm gonna set this aside. That's all I can say,
because I'll keep I'll go in circles after.

Speaker 1 (41:34):
This because I'm done. I'm done waiting on this man
to commit. This is like if we took last year's
Birmingham debate on quarterback and put it into what I
would consider in a sane asylum and let it just
sit there for a few weeks and listen to like
all the crazy talk from people inside the soft, padded cells.

(41:55):
That's exactly what this is. Because there's in any sane
prof national football setting, we're not having this conversation. We
know who's starting. You just commit to who's been the
good guy? Why do you do this to us, Mike?
Why do you why do you want me to go
and have a mental breakdown at my house in Arizona. Sorry,

(42:18):
my apartment. I'm over selling it.

Speaker 2 (42:20):
Forget me. I have no mortgage. Like, this is what
you do to me. You're breaking You're breaking me, man.
So this, this explains so much to me and I
I was talking about this on Monday for a tou.
I said, you know this, this these power rankings make
no sense. I got these guys that are Michigan Panthers fans,
and you guys are putting them at like three and

(42:42):
four and you're in the top of the league. I
don't understand it. And then you know, hearing that, okay,
it's starting, it's starting to make a little bit more sense.
Now beyond that, I think I think I think Bryce
Perkins gets to start this week. But if he doesn't,
I do want to know what does Ettling have on

(43:04):
that coaching staff? What pictures something, what bad news, what thing?
I don't know what it is, but it's there and
not and you know what, we're under selling him. He's
not even that bad of a quarterback. But when you
have a guy that went out there and gets, you know,
Player of the Week twice out of four weeks, fifty.

(43:24):
You know, maybe maybe that's your guy. I don't know.

Speaker 1 (43:28):
Danley is Danny Eley going up to Mike, to Mike
and Marcel Belfe going, you know, I'm a top union rep.

Speaker 2 (43:35):
Well yeah, he just doing that, like, oh, well shows him.
That shows him who is the guy that got cut?
So I feel so bad the guy that got cut
from the show boat. He's just shown him that news clip.
He's like, just remember what could happen if I get
cut Nolan, And it just floats away in his face.

(44:00):
Lounks into the shadows, slammers Doctor pepp Aro on the
ground by his feet, and walks away. He cleaned this up, Mike.
Mike walks out of the parking out of the parking
bay off Woodward Avenue, and from the corner it comes
Danny and says, remember your assignment, and he slunks back
underneath the street light and disappears.

Speaker 1 (44:23):
Mike's like, God, I hate when that guy does that
and walks home. But he knows the assignment.

Speaker 2 (44:30):
This is what clearly he does. Clearly he does. There's something.

Speaker 1 (44:34):
There has to be something at this point, like I
said last year, at least like skip Holt's new wind
to finally switch. There was a moment when Adrian Martinez
took away from took over and looked better than Matt Corral,
like that was obvious. The moment for Perkins has been
last week, like the times. Now, there's no reason for

(44:55):
this splick ub anymore. You know, the experiment's over and
he can be the veteran on the sideline ready to
take over if he needs to. He'd be a great
backup as my colleague, as our colleague, Jake Ball says,
one of the arguably the best backup QB right now
in the league outside of maybe the Cooks Matt Corral debate.

Speaker 2 (45:14):
Right now, you know, that's it, That's that's the whole game.
Like I'm done. I'm done, I can't go anymore. We
need to move on already through the hat. The hat's
not coming back on this episode. It's done. So first
game up, we'll just go right into it. First game

(45:35):
up Friday Night. You know it's the Friday Night Classic,
eight pm Eastern. We got the show Boats traveling to
Birmingham to take on the back to back to back
champions And for everything that I said just earlier, I'm
gonna keep it short and sweet, Stallions win. I don't.
I hate to say it. I hate to be that guy.

(45:55):
I know. I feel bad that because Ducky, you know,
we put our weekly picks in. Ducky's got the show Boats.
He's the only one of all of us that's got
the Showboats. Nope, I don't think it. I don't think
it's gonna happen. I don't. I think it could happen.
We'll have to see how Dresser win plays, because maybe
it could happen under him. I just don't think it's

(46:16):
gonna be the Stallions that it happens too. I think
at this point their best bet is when they play
the Roughnecks again later in the season. They might get
a sneaky win over the Renegades. They could get a
sneaky win over the battle Hawks, depending on how Brandon
Silvers or Dugan pans out. I don't think it's gonna

(46:36):
be the Stallions, but if they do, I do hope
it is in. I hope it's the revenge game for
forty two to two and Dresser win balls out and
just like throws up a game like nobody's ever seen,
at least from the Showboats. Right, That's what Okay, if
you're gonna do it, do it with some do it
with some style, put some mustard on it maybe. But yeah,

(46:58):
I don't. I don't. I don't think the showboats are
doing it this week. I don't think this is the
week they're getting that win. Prove me wrong, though I
want to be wrong. I want to give you an
argument my issues. I just don't know with dress or win.
That's that's my deal. You know, I can kind of
go back to the ut.

Speaker 1 (47:17):
Martin days a little bit, and I mean again, teams
obviously see the talent as he's been seen, but like
he really hasn't gotten a rep in a pro scene
like this yet, So kind of hard for me to
gauge anything right now. Clearly the staff is he either
sees something or was trying to get an audible to
just kind of change it up to find something else. Which,

(47:39):
if I want to talk about this at large, it's
Memphis offense needs to just have some sort of identity
and I think consistency. You know, Yes, turnovers have been
a problem. You know, I'm really both quarterbacks about Lean
more so in EJ. Perry have been erratic and kind
of just how things have played out. But I mean,
gotta find some consistency on what you want to run

(48:02):
as your offense, you know, And I think that's what
they need to find. You know, I don't think I
don't think things have been dreadful per se and like protection,
I think it's just execution. So whatever they need to
do to get that in the right path I think
is best because I mean, they do have receiving talents
that they've been hitting up. Obviously, Adams has been lighting
it up when he's been getting targets. He's been one

(48:23):
of the best receivers this year. It's just he's been
stuck on on that side of the ball where it's
you know, you get a drive here or there and
that's about it. I Mean, they went got shut out
last week against Michigan. It was kind of embarrassing, to
be honest with you.

Speaker 2 (48:37):
So yeah, now I will say this one thing I
realized that does of anything make this is the only
thing that would maybe weigh me over to the other
side to pick the showboats. His name is Dresser win
and not Dresser lose. Well, but I'm still picking this
down there for that, I'm still picking this tallis We'll

(49:00):
see maybe i'll I mean, because you know the social posts, right, well,
we'll see how good the social teams are. If the
Showboats win and they put out a social post that says, well,
his name isn't dresser lose or something to that effect.
Good job, you're teeing it up for him. And I'm
hoping that someone was already three steps ahead of you.
If not, they bet maybe someone's listening and they'll take

(49:22):
it because it's it's sitting in the name. If not,
we're stealing it. Right.

Speaker 1 (49:27):
It's just like how I assume if they if the
Stallions win this week, which I also believe they will,
that they better make an edit where it's case Cook
is dressed as a chef. I mean, it's it's literally
setting up right there.

Speaker 2 (49:40):
You know.

Speaker 1 (49:40):
It's just like the Russell Wilson ones from you know,
back when he was one of the top QB's in
the NFL, where you know, let Russ cook, Hey, let
the chef stay in the kitchen, you know cook us.
I mean, it's right there in the name. We've talked
about this in the past, so you know, I'm going Stallions.
I'm kind of curious to see how good Case Cooks
looks again best offensive line had really damn good receiving

(50:02):
core that he's gonna be working with, just like back
in previous days with the Stars back in the USFL days,
could be a deadly combination and I think it would
be a really good game for a tune up for
him and possibly would be then, like we said one
that then sparks, what do you.

Speaker 2 (50:18):
Do after this week?

Speaker 1 (50:19):
You know, especially if things go the way we assume,
you know, how good does case look? That's where we
get into conversation for week six and beyond. So time
will tell. Moving on Saturday, got one lone game, second
primetime game of the week, and I'm glad to get
we're seeing more prime times as of late two, you know,
better time slots and whatnot. Should get more viewers on

(50:40):
the weekends and all that. Panthers heading to Battles intriguing matchup,
mainly for the fact that a Michigan heading to Saint
Louis so this year a flip. You know, one off
game last year was that miracle that we sat at
the BUCkies as I'm praying that a high school kicker
at the time was going to a sixty four yarder

(51:01):
and you know, the legend then lives on after that.
This time around, Panthers go to a hostile environment of
probably thirty thousand on a Saturday, plus difference being though
battle ocks maybe an identity crisis to possibly figure out
because Ticky Manny Wilkins away and you're playing a Panther's team.

Speaker 2 (51:20):
The Tons have been pretty good against the run. It's
gonna be a test, you know.

Speaker 1 (51:24):
And then of course we have that of course question
mark of how serious is Mike Nolan about making a
decision at quarterback. I mean, that's what we're talking about
right now. That depth chart, which we'll release tomorrow after
we're done recording, that'll really be telling. We can't really
talk about that because it's not gonna be out until
after the show drops.

Speaker 2 (51:44):
So that's the only right sucks yep, yep. I waffled
on this one, Zach. I was going back and forth
because this one's a tough one to me, and you
know what, I'll be honest, in the back of my head,
it is exactly what we've been talking about. Who is
Mike Nolan going to put that out there? Quarterback? If
you put out Ettling, I mean, that just gives the

(52:04):
battle Hawks an opportunity to get in the game whoever's
at quarterback alternatively, two time MVP of the Week, I'd
say Panthers because I think Nolan's gonna do what he
should do. I'm picking Panthers here. I think the battle
Hawks are gonna have to go through their identity crisis.

(52:27):
This will give them a chance to let Max do
can come out, maybe Silvers come out, get his feet wet,
where they can potentially rebound next week. That's how I'm
feeling about this. I think the Panthers get the win,
keeping the USFL Division tight up top because if both
the Stallions and the Panthers win, where you know, both

(52:49):
at what they would be at four and one, and
then potentially okay, so that we mean the Showboats lose
and then we'll get to the Roughnecks. But if they lose,
I mean it's almost to the point where there's your
there's your playoff matchup. I would you know, you know
how they do it on election night where the news
companies are scared to call it. Yeah, I'm close, sec,

(53:09):
I'm close to calling the USFL Division playoff matchups, regardless
if it's sealed or not. I'm pretty damn close to
calling it's maybe by next week it'll be called. Maybe
not so much on the XFL side, Yeah, it's kind
of it's kind of getting to that point where like
we're close to the same thing as last.

Speaker 1 (53:30):
Year now, like where we're talking with the USFL again,
might just be locked up by not even like two
weeks out. You know, if if the bottom two teams
can't get off the map this week, I mean, it's
getting there, So that's not crazy to discuss.

Speaker 2 (53:46):
It's a shame.

Speaker 1 (53:47):
I mean, I think I agree with our colleagues. It's
a shame that you know, we may be seeing and
staring down the barrel of that again. You know, me
more be talking about seating and hopefully potentially that both
home venues can be available. You know, there's been talks about, uh,
specifically one on the XFL side. Possibly DC might not

(54:07):
be depending on certain availability. We still look into that,
by the way, So not just gonna say that right out,
but you know, someone some people have brought to our
attention that schedules look a little interesting for that week
of a playoff game if the defenders were to uh
have a potential home game, because then the question is
where or what time would you be able to play.

Speaker 2 (54:29):
This, So we'll hold off.

Speaker 1 (54:31):
That's just a speculative thing right now. But my point being,
you know, this might be a seating game, but for Michigan.
I think my worries will get more calm down if
I see that depth chart and it does say e J.
Perry and that or sorry J. Perry, cheese, stop it,
stop it, stop it, Bryce Perkins. I keep going back

(54:53):
to EJ. The show boats are like.

Speaker 2 (54:54):
Sure, yeah, put EJ. Perry out there for the half fun.
My brains, my brain's reverting, reverting back from the from
see what Mike's doing to me. Yeah, he's reversing my IQ.
He's reversing my IQ on this whole subject.

Speaker 1 (55:09):
Bryce Perkins better be on C on the QB one
chart this week, and he better be the one starting
under center when the game starts, because if they do
split QB again, I think it's anyone's ballgame, because it's
it's a silly concept for what this team's designed. Bryce
clearly has the best grasp. You've given him the most

(55:29):
time to now, injury be damned or not. Let the
kid play. So if he plays, I got Panthers because
I don't fully trust Max Dugan right now, and.

Speaker 2 (55:40):
Maybe things change, but I mean Michigan. Michigan I think
is gonna, you know, Mike Nolan's defense and in company.
I think they're going to sit down and they're going
to definitely, I think confuse Dougan because the thing is,
unlike Wilkins. Dugan can run, but he ain't. No Manny
Wilkins was running this. This whole offense is design was
designed on being an RPO run heavy with past concept,

(56:05):
and Michigan's done pretty decent job in the run game
this year, and I think it's just gonna come down
to can Max settle in and find his targets or not.
I'm buying that he doesn't, and I'm going to buy
that Michigan does. Maybe maybe it makes it a little
closer than it should be, but I think they walk
away with a win in Saint Louis this weekend. Yeah yeah,

(56:26):
So all right, Well we're we're both locked up so
far on both of our picks. Let's see, because I
don't know this one might differ. I can't. I didn't
I didn't look at your picks and the pick sheet
to know but.

Speaker 1 (56:36):
Now the next this one did was a pretty good
split this week across the PFN pick'ems, so I don't
remember yours either, so we'll see.

Speaker 2 (56:46):
Yeah, I'll actually, well, this is maybe the biggest game
of the week, just for if anything, kind of what
you're talking about playoffs, right, Like, we have two of
the team's top teams in the XFL Division playing each other,
potential the two teams that we'll see in the playoffs.
This game, funny enough, could decide who gets home field advantage.

(57:07):
Maybe we'll see the situation be damned well, we'll see,
but you know, all things go well, this game could
be potentially the game that decides that home field advantage
because you know, beyond the conference you have now the
head to head matchup to where if you end that
season with a tie record, but you won the home
you won the you know, maybe the conference records tied,

(57:29):
everything's tied, but you won that battle against them, you're
getting the home field advantage. Right. The Defenders are coming
after off their first loss last week, lost that I
don't think a lot of people anticipated, especially because it
was Lebroma's first win. The Renegades. I know you're sold
on the Renegade z Act. You are so sold on
the Renegades. And here's why I'm not every week that

(57:51):
they win. To me, there's a there's there's an a
reason beyond that they were a great team, not that
they weren't a great team, but there's also a reason
beyond that that I look at for the reason they
won last week, Manny Wilkins going out the Roughnecks. They
played the Roughnecks, the Bramas, they played the right They

(58:11):
played the Brahmas and the Roughnecks when they were the
Bramas and the Roughnecks like really really early season poopy teams.
And so I look at that and I'm like, Okay,
I don't know. Same Defenders. Though they got shocked last week,
I don't. I don't think they were ready for that,
especially for the Brahmas. But you know what that's called, Zach,
a trap game, and you know what people do from

(58:35):
trap games. They rebound.

Speaker 1 (58:37):
And I.

Speaker 2 (58:40):
Think if the world is real and reality is what
it is, then the Defenders win this game. I think
that they are of these two teams, the more real,
put together team. I'm ready to be proven wrong. I'm
ready for the King of Spring to go out there
and prove me wrong things I'm looking for. If they

(59:02):
can stop the defenders defense, great, If they can hold
it and stop the Defender's offense for the Renegades to
prove to me that they're the team that everyone seemingly
thinks they are. I think they need a double digit
win over the Defenders this week. If they win by
a couple points, I'm still not sold and I don't
even think they win. I'm saying, Defenders, what say you,

(59:25):
Zachi boy? Yeah, you know you're right. I am sold
on Arlington, which is why I have them winning this week.
By the way, so.

Speaker 1 (59:31):
I definitely on the other side, and I picked them
last week to beat Saint Louis. You know, yes, injury
or not be damned. I like what Arlington does on
the defensive side.

Speaker 2 (59:41):
Now.

Speaker 1 (59:42):
I think we can definitely have a discussion on Yes,
for the weapons and the talent that Arlington possesses, they
seem to not finish drives right now. I think that's fixable.
It's getting out of their own way, is the thing.
But they are in clutch this year, and and I'm
gonna hold it like you know, I know that it's

(01:00:05):
you take it's a grain assault to talk about a loss,
but I mean, hey, when you're only lost this year
is one point on a rule that now has been
changed in the rule book, by the way as of
that week, where you know, taking having to automatically take
the false start to negate what would have been a
game ending interception. You know, we can be talking easily

(01:00:27):
about a four and zero team right here. I do
acknowledge the inefficiencies with Arlington's offense. I do think that
is something that I'm going to be keeping an eye on.
What I will say though, is much like I've been
talking and I, as many of you know if you.

Speaker 2 (01:00:43):
Watch ATU, I still don't buy d C.

Speaker 1 (01:00:47):
I I I saw last week what I think many
what I had been pointing out in several weeks past.
There are very beatable ways to beat the defenders, and
I think s san Antonio to me sploited it again.
Number one, don't let the pass rush be involved. Arlington,
I am very confident has a quarterback in Louise Perez

(01:01:10):
that is not going to wait around and will get
the ball out to avoid the pass rush. So that's
my number one argument right there. This week, I don't
see Louise sticking around and trying to play hero ball.
He's a smart quarterback that takes what the defense gives him,
and I think that they're going to be able to
do that just fine. On the other side of the
things as well, I think that Lebramas showed you can

(01:01:32):
run against DC last week. They have Kalon Bolidge. They've
had a pretty decent job with.

Speaker 2 (01:01:37):
Kayalen Bollidge and the dayDay Hunter getting runs.

Speaker 1 (01:01:40):
And they've got some creative options with jet sweeps and
receiver runs as well. I think that offense is up
to the task to take on that DC defense with
some creative packages.

Speaker 2 (01:01:50):
So I think they got the right QB and the
right weapons.

Speaker 1 (01:01:53):
On the defensive side of the ball, this is where
the difference is renegades this year.

Speaker 2 (01:01:57):
That really has impressed me. That defense is legit.

Speaker 1 (01:02:00):
That is a Bob Steube sled defense that he's been
wanting to build up. And remember, Bob Steops is a
defensive guy. This is his bread and butter. That's a
legitimate defense. And while I will acknowledge that Jordan Tamu
had his best game of the week last week, it's
best one of the year.

Speaker 2 (01:02:17):
I don't see it again, and you know why.

Speaker 1 (01:02:19):
Jordan Tamu is the most inconsistent successful quarterback in this league.
I know that sounds weird to say, but very often
more than not, erratic passing, erratic completion percentages.

Speaker 2 (01:02:34):
And you know what he usually does.

Speaker 1 (01:02:36):
He throws a pick every week. He didn't throw on
last week. But you once in a while do get
a good Jordan Tamu game. It happens, you get like
two max three a year where he like lights up
the charts and he looks like this god almighty most
of the time, though.

Speaker 2 (01:02:52):
You don't know what you're gonna get every snap.

Speaker 1 (01:02:54):
And that's what I'm betting, because again, we've been hyping
this team up. And if there's one thing to dry
me crazy, like we've talked and how I've mentioned last
year with san Antonio, if I see a team with
flaws and they are just to me, I think teams
are not exploiting those flaws. I don't buy stock in
what I see as a flawed production.

Speaker 2 (01:03:15):
So I'm going with Arrington. Now. If they win this week,
you know, I think the Renegades personally, the way they
lose too many penalties, I think that's what will happened.

Speaker 1 (01:03:23):
They they'll penalize themselves. They'll put themselves in what could
have been a loss against the bad Hawks last week,
where I thought they should have put them away quite frankly.
But to me, I think the Renegades walk away and
I think the exploits that the Brahmas finally picked up
the teams for some reason we're picking up.

Speaker 2 (01:03:40):
I think they take advantage.

Speaker 1 (01:03:41):
I think they win, and I think we're going to
have a big conversation on a TU Monday about Hey,
why is no why didn't we why were we ignoring?

Speaker 2 (01:03:51):
I don't know. Maybe think I'm seeing on a high worse.
I'm betting on myself a lot this week because I've
been I've been betting that this is not legit team,
and I've been been You've been singing the Renegades praises.
So this this is, this is, this is a good
this is. I'm glad you're you're staying consistent next week
and I'm ready to go. I'm ready to go. I

(01:04:11):
am Yeah. You know who else is ready to go?
Those Houston flipping rough necks, they are so ready to go.
They are ready to beat down those stinky, stupid, ugly
San Antonio. Bramas ugly might be strong. That's talking about stinky.
Stinky is not strong. It's true because I'm telling you
revitalized Bramas. You know what, they might be getting their

(01:04:34):
first home game, which that does worry me a little
bit as a as a Rough Necks fan, like, ah, great,
just as the rough Necks are picking up steam, they're
gonna have to go against the Bramas, who are first
home game. Those fans are probably ready to see their team,
especially because they're coming off of a win. So I
do anticipate that we'll see a decent crowd in San Antonio.

(01:04:54):
And what however many people are there, they're gonna be loud,
right yeah, oh yeah, But I don't know, man. I
think one we went, we went toe to toe with
the champions last week, and we held our own. And
I think Jayalen McClendon, he had a little bit, he
had some time under his belt last week, gets to

(01:05:14):
start this week. I think he continues that on how
much of what we saw with the Brahmas last week
was them figuring out the secret sauce to the defenders
and them just finally getting a win, finally letting it
happen where this week we could see the old Bramas Again.
We've seen this in the spring football, where bad teams

(01:05:35):
have great games and then they go back to being
bad teams. Not this year, but show boats under Twerkin
Haley Man, that's a great example bad teams having good games. Well,
you know, I loved is Kellen Mond looked the most
comfortable he's been all season, and I think we had
been waiting on that.

Speaker 1 (01:05:53):
You know, I know there is talk about you know,
a J. Smith and if he was if he could
operate his system, or like what were the changes in
and you know, like I think what was nice is
you like saw not you weren't like seeing a fight
on what like on what you wanted to be offensively,
you know, it looks like Kellen just kind of went
out and slung it with no stress on them, like

(01:06:14):
it's whatever. You know, they're already down and already are
fighting to claw back up in the standings, you might
as well go out swinging and doing what you need
to do. And you know, I think that's what they
played with just not reckless abandoned, but just you know,
a little loose, little fun and I think that's what
we need to keep seeing from Kellen because that that
Kellen Mond is a fun.

Speaker 2 (01:06:36):
Quarterback to watch.

Speaker 1 (01:06:38):
So I'm hoping with the home advantage, you know, that
helps open things up for what could be a very again, well,
I feel it could be a very exciting matchup for
to cap off the week.

Speaker 2 (01:06:50):
Oh, I think I think this is going to be
a fun game, you know, all things considered, it does
make me wonder, you know, just to kind of even
straight away from the preview and more from last week,
of how much of that win was even based off
of the coaching changes was there? Like we saw aj
leave and then we saw Wade Phillips leave, and we
saw some even comments from some of the other players online,

(01:07:12):
like it almost makes me feel like there was something
going on behind the scenes that may have been hindering
their play on the field as well. Uh And so
if they get a back to back win this week,
that might tip me closer to that direction. I'm still
rooting for my brahmas baby or oh my god, oh no,
did I my god, he's still to my rough necks.

(01:07:37):
Holy smokes, put me down, take me behind the barn.
My god, I need to wash my mouth out with soap. No,
I'm still pulling for my rough necks. This week. I
think we get the win. Then we go next week
against the Showboats and I'm hoping to look, for the
love of God, we can get that win, and then
we're very much in playoff contention, especially if we can

(01:07:59):
get what are these stinky USFL teams to lose a
game besides the Showboats and ourselves. Because I'll tell you this, dude,
if the Panthers and the Stallions lose this week and
we win this week and win next week, I mean, man,
where it's it's not set, but there's an there's still
a chance. They're saying, there's still a chance.

Speaker 1 (01:08:20):
For the sake of competition, that's what you want. I mean,
I think that's what you know, if we're talking about
like fun conversation, not me me as a fan, I
obviously wouldn't want that, but you know, I think for
the sake of you know, tension, playoffs, more drama, you know,
if you want to talk hypothetical for like reasons to

(01:08:40):
watch for ratings reasons, you know we're talking that far
deep and there you have it, you know, but that's
the thing. Got to get a win here, you know,
and I think that this one is going to be
set such a desperate game for both of these because
you know, while the Roughnecks are not last, the gas
is getting wider in the USFL Conference to where this

(01:09:04):
is a make or break to keep up. You know
for the Brahmase, you know they got off the mat,
they got a massive upset victory, the biggest upset victory
this season. You know, under their underneath them, they need
this bad. You know, if they they they I think
it's they could be smelling blood in the water right
now to possibly be one just a step or two

(01:09:27):
back from getting a second spot that they need. You know,
it's gonna still need some work. But credit whoever loses
that Defender's Renegades game. You know, if say they beat
your Roughnecks this week, you know that's only two games back,
and then you consider, say defend the Defenders lose like
I think they'll lose. You know, to me, you're basically

(01:09:48):
at that point or you're basically at that point, you know,
potentially less because tie breakers do give you an advantage
where you do.

Speaker 2 (01:09:56):
Get bumped up.

Speaker 1 (01:09:57):
So you know that's an instant one right there in
your back pocket that later in the season, it's gonna
come down to you controlling your destiny at home against
the team you took one away from in their home,
in their home turf. So yeah, big game ahead, I
mean implications for any chance to stay in the playoff
race for these two, you know.

Speaker 2 (01:10:18):
Yeah, we're getting to the interesting part of the season again.
This is we're getting up to the halfway point, and
basically after this we're really gonna start analyzing these playoff chances.
Like I said, it might the US the USFL Division
might be a lock. We'll see. This weekend's gonna tell
us a lot in regards to that. The XFL Division,
it's going to be a close. And even then we

(01:10:39):
have crazy enough Week four stakes on the line with
the defenders and the renegades here, because one that's going
to determine a lot of things that could determine home
field advantage for the playoffs coming up. Big week ahead,
Big season ahead, and then the road to the uf
the UFL Championship with summerstock for soon. Man, I'm looking

(01:11:02):
forward to it so soon. It's gonna be fun. I
I I road trip.

Speaker 1 (01:11:10):
I've talked to you enough on on here. I love
the American road trip. I love going out and exploring
the country a bit more. I mean again, I haven't
really I've always wanted to do a documentary like this.
It's just haven't found the opportunity truly yet. And I
think now, I think it's a good test, like how
realistic can we do some and what else can we

(01:11:31):
spawn off this?

Speaker 2 (01:11:32):
Or you and I have spawn off this. I mean,
like we said at the beginning, this is gonna be
one of our biggest challenges doing any creative work. So, yeah,
we've never done anything like this before that I don't
know about you. I have not, but not like that.
I mean I've done things, but not like this exactly.
But what I'm really exciting. So we have a plan,
we have ideas on paper, we have stops on paper.

(01:11:54):
But you know, we're gonna run into Like I know,
there's gonna be things that we're not anticipating a lot
the way. That is gonna be amazing to have on
video and include good and bad, good and bad. But
I did get roadside assistance with that rental car. That
is something I do not want to Yeah, please God, no, Yeah,
I don't need that. Nope, Nope, nope, nope. But oh man,

(01:12:16):
that's gonna be fun to record, it's gonna be fun
to publish, and we can't wait to hear your feedback.
And until then, we have a whole half a season
ahead of us at playoffs, ahead of us at US
ahead of us. So these are great reasons that you
should subscribe. Click the bell, It builds morel It'll lets
you know when we're live, It'll let you know when
we drop new episodes like this one. It'll let you
know when Summerstock for the Road to the UFL Championship

(01:12:39):
goes live. And like I said, at latest the morning
of the championship game. But Zackie boy, I'm hoping we
can get it out. Like it might be late, but
I'm hoping we can get out the night before the championships.
Even if it's at like ten o'clock. Hey, it's there.
You watch it. Hey, you want to binge on some
footage beforehand? Great, there it is. If you wake up,

(01:13:00):
it's like Saturday morning cartoons. You grab your cereal, get
your blanky oh, let's watch refer and Zach drive across
the country. That'll be you watching us doing silly things.
And I can't wait. Yeah, it's gonna be good. It's
gonna be good. Any other final thoughts here, Zachi boy,
nothing on the on the week that is ahead. But

(01:13:21):
the only thing I will say is have some fun
with the draft tonight. Oh yeah, draft. That's right. You know,
I always forget. I was telling you this before the
show too. I with all the UFL stuff that we do,
I barely keep up with the the NFL in the
off season anymore. The season comes, I'm like, great. I

(01:13:42):
saw the Lions do have that Hall of Fame game
this year against the Chargers, so that's awesome. I would
actually love to go out to Tom Benson. It would
give me another reason to go out there at least
see another game out there. Probably not gonna happen, but
I would love to do it. But yeah, I mean,
I don't know. I just the one thing I do
know is our gravy train of rams picks are over.

(01:14:04):
You do have a couple other picks in the later rounds. Well,
we don't even really have a high round pick this year.
But we're a decent team, and with decent teams, you
don't necessarily need a high round draft pick. Because we
don't need a quarterback, don't need a running back, you
don't need a receiver. And these are the guys that
you can get later in the first round, early in
the any really first second round. Those are like that's

(01:14:25):
your bread and butter, right, So what I just want
to see the Lions build on what they have and
not become a worst team next year. Now you, you
guys are screwed no matter what, Zach, because I cursed
your team for forty years that you're not gonna win
a championship. So it really doesn't matter who you're gonna pick,
they're gonna be a bust. I feel you only get

(01:14:45):
control of one law. That's not what my law says. Oh,
what's what's the easy extensions? Now, Well says no. In
the In the Bye Law notes of rest law, actually
section C Item I, it states it can you know

(01:15:10):
it can morph, it could do. Curses on NFL teams
are also included. You better hope I'm not driving when
we get close to the Saint Louis because you know
it's right across the border from Saint Louis, Illinois. I
was gonna say East Saint Louis. Well, I don't know
what city I mean, I'm not driving Illinois. That is

(01:15:31):
East St. Louis, Illinois. That's a real, real place. So
you better hope I'm not driving because I might accidentally
go too far and I might accidentally stop the car,
and I might accidentally curse your damn team on the
soil that it plays in, and then we'll head back
over to Saint how In that the only I have

(01:15:52):
so many questions on how you could pull this off, because,
as you definitely well know, Chicago is my favorite and is,
in my greatest opinion, the greatest city on God's green earth. Well,
if I.

Speaker 1 (01:16:08):
Hate to break, if you surprisingly drive me to Chicago
and I don't know.

Speaker 2 (01:16:14):
Oh, I'm not driving to Chicago. I'm just driving to Illinois.
That's close enough for me. But Chicago's in Illinois, right,
I'm not stupid. Right, Other Illinois like a whole nother planet.
But it's in the same state. That's all that matters.
It's like the people in South Illinois have to pay
the same taxes as they do in Chicago, so they
got to pay the same curses too.

Speaker 3 (01:16:36):
Oh man, maybe we'll do it by the world's largest
You're a bunch of Kansas City fans looking at you,
be like, what, they're gonna join me.

Speaker 2 (01:16:46):
We're gonna I'm gonna use that to my advantage. What
are you talking about. I'm gonna tell people along the
way and be like, hey, we're going to the UFL Championship,
but if you want to drive a couple of miles further,
we're gonna go. Curse you know, Chicago Bears.

Speaker 1 (01:17:00):
And I take that back as soon as you were
to say we're gonna do something in Chicago, and it's
any part of the state that's that's not a bunch
of cock, like, oh, the city that dictates so.

Speaker 2 (01:17:13):
Much law around here. Yeah, you know what, screw it,
Let's let's have some fun with them. I'll join. You're
gonna zacky boy, You're gonna because you're gonna get there.
I'm gonna be in like a voodoo soup.

Speaker 1 (01:17:26):
I will And that is when I disassociate and disappear
into the gas station.

Speaker 2 (01:17:32):
Voodoo dolls with you know whatever, what's your mascot's name, whatever,
Stab Stap stap stamp, stab, I'm gonna get one.

Speaker 1 (01:17:41):
UFO podcast has not con bone violence of any kind,
disregarding the motion with knife.

Speaker 2 (01:17:49):
That wasn't a knife. It was a pin. It's a
voodoo doll. I did stab it with it. He stab
stab with it. Probably didn't feel good anyway, So you
better hope. You better hope I'm not driving when we
get there. Otherwise bad things are gonna happen to your
team for forty years. If it's already happening already, I'm
just reaffirming the curse. We watch you closer now on

(01:18:11):
or off camera. By the way, just no, once you
see the skulls and the smoking cauldron, you better like
do something with the wheel and like turn that car
around because it's about to get started. Oh Jesus Christ,
people gonna call the police if I do something like
that though, sitting outside the world's ugust rocking chair with

(01:18:32):
a cauldron and like a head waving over talking in
tongues say Chicago Bears every now and then we'll be
like got a camera course in my face, like slightly
looking behind with a cop light. So I was like, so, guys,
Rev's arrested. I didn't think I'd have to go and
post bail tonight, but the cops here what I'm up
to the I don't know. East St. Louis I'm sure

(01:18:58):
I won't say nothing anyway. Anyway, anyway, big big, big
week season add big think. Yeah, I've said too much.
I've said too much. All right, take us out of here, Zach,
you boys, I think that is the perfect time to leave.

(01:19:18):
Oh yeah.

Speaker 1 (01:19:19):
Please follow us on social ad UFL podcast, follow us
out around the UFL at at around the Around the UFL,
Around the UFL Monday, six pm Eastern Live on our
UFL podcast page, and keep on checking back Thursdays for
weekly shows right now during the season for the UFL
podcast as well. I'm Zach Common, He's the ref. We'll

(01:19:43):
catch you on Monday and next Thursday here on the show.
Enjoy week five or halfway through the year, another half
coming down the line.

Speaker 2 (01:19:51):
Stay tuned.

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QB Shuffle, Week 5 Previews & Picks | UFL Podcast #102

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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;}QB Shuffle, Week 5 Previews & Picks | UFL Podcast #102