May 9, 2025 • 18 mins
ESPN’s Mina Kimes joins Dave Softy Mahler and Dick Fain to talk about the situation with Bill Belichick and his girlfriend, the Browns’ quarterback room, the NFC West and Seahawks roster post-draft, Aaron Rodgers, George Pickens, and the red-hot Mariners.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Coming to you live from the Elliot Avenue studios of
Sports Radio ninety three point three KJR FM. This is
our weekly visit with ESPN's Mina Kimes, brought to you
by Bridge Physical Therapy and Wellness. Just find ninety and
Mercer Island. Bridge is your independent go to clinic for
quality care for the whole family. Taylor to you and
(00:20):
your goals cult today at two six four o two
six three three nine to schedule an appointment and to
let Bridge Physical Therapy be your bridge to wellness. Now
with Mina Chimes, here's SOFTI and Dick.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
All right, we are back inside Cheney Stadium in Tacoma
getting ready for the Rainiers coming up at seven o
five tonight. But are our final visits of the year
at least of the draft season. If you will with
our friend Media Times of ESPN courtesy Bridge Physical Therapy
and Wellness. Find them on Mercer Island, Women owned Women
formed Bridge Physical Therapy and Wellness on Mercer Island. Big
(00:56):
thanks to them for all their help getting this thing
together and let's face it, meeting Mina Kim's gigantic financial demands,
having our people meet with her people and making this
thing happen, Mina, how are you?
Speaker 3 (01:07):
I'm good, especially now that I'm rolling in that dough
you're talking about.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Yeah, oh hey, look you know what, I know, things
are more expensive these days. So whatever we can do
to help out the cause we're a fan of. But
why don't we just start kind of where we ended
a week ago? You know, I feel like we're kind
of in a tabloid section talking about this Belichick girlfriend things. Well,
I asked you a week ago, like why we should
care about it. We talked about if you're a Carolina fan,
(01:31):
you know you might be concerned. Then there was the
report that came out this morning that she's been banned
from like all the facilities. North Carolina comes back and says, no,
that's not the case. And my reaction as well, why
would Belichick be there if his girlfriend can't hang around
with him when he's coaching the team or going to work.
So this is kind of turning into kind of a
a you know, you know what show out there? Is
(01:52):
it not?
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Yeah? I mean it's hard to characterize it as anything
but disastrous. If you're certainly, if you're a Carolina football
fan and you want, you know, you make this big
hire's greatest coach in health, NFL history or you know
football history, and you're hoping that's gonna alert you know, prospects, recruits,
and all anyone can talk about is whether or not
(02:15):
his girlfriend is controlling the narrative or running, you know,
heavily involved in the program. I would say that that
definitely classifies as a train wreck.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
Well, and there's also, you know, a theory out there
that your your friend and your cohorted ESPN Populatory's report
was correct, and that North Carolina then received a call
from Bill Belichick or an angry Bill Belichick at the
door of the eighties office saying, no, she is going
to be here or else, I'm not going to be
Here's what's your thought on that theory?
Speaker 3 (02:48):
It sounds pretty plausible, wouldn't you guys say? Yeah, I
think it's like an outside observer, what seems almost hundred
percent likely to be true, maybe one hundred percent, But
it is that there's boring factions, right, because when you
have conflicting reports, it's usually what that means. And I
(03:09):
have no doubt because it's what I would imagine was happening,
even if there wasn't any reporting that there are people
there in the program, probably people with a lot of
power who are very unhappy with how things are going.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
No, I no doubt many times is with us on
the radio show. So do do we look into anything
Dylan Gabriel taking the first team reps with the Browns?
I guess that their at their camp this weekend. Should
we look into that to kind of show us anything
hardcore about what their plans are for quarterback or is
that just kind of happenstance?
Speaker 3 (03:41):
You think, well, I think it reflects where what is indisputable,
which is that the Browns liked Dylan Gabriel more than
they liked Shit or Sanders. That's not my interpret That
is literally how the drafts shook out, and the way
they talk about him, it's very obvious that they see
him as a good fit for their offense. So I think, what,
(04:02):
you know what, the fact that they're saying for seeing
reps that is just merely reflecting what we already know
they think about him. I do believe it. It's a
legitimate quarterback competition. You know, if he was thinking in
the first round, that would be crazy. But I would say,
now you know he's got a position. This is no competition.
Third versus fifth, versus Pickett versus Flacco. That's the quarterback competition.
(04:25):
So I think you know at this point it's anyone's game,
but he certainly has a leg up.
Speaker 4 (04:29):
Final conversation from with Mina Kyines from Bridge Physical Therapy
and welling this bringing you Mina on a weekly basis
the last six weeks. We appreciate their help and bringing
Mina and Mina. You mentioned in one of your posts
this week that you thought the flour that was raised
by the Arizona Cardinals was maybe greater than any team
in the NFL. Do you think that the Cardinals are
(04:51):
a legitimate contender now in this division up towards the top,
or you are they still the fourth best team in
this division?
Speaker 3 (04:58):
Well, at first, I want to say i'd said that
right after Danny Kelly, who is on my podcast, picked
the Seahawks as a team who potentially raised their ceiling
the most, so that choice was already taken. I actually
felt I will say I think both the Seahawks and
the Cardinals had really good drafts and also drafts with
very high ceilings. So and to that end, to actually
(05:19):
answer your question, I would not put the Cardinals over
the Seahawks. No, I do think they're pretty close. I
think the entire division is really dang close at this point.
I think the Rams are still at the top after
winning last year and going all in again with Stafford
and DeVonta Adams and whatnot. But I certainly don't think
there's a big gap between them and the other three.
It might be the most tight knit division in the NFL,
(05:42):
to be honest.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Right, then, why does Vegas and I think you and
I also talked about this last week too, why does
Vegas have them at seven and a half wins on
the over under? I mean, do they just think that
poorly of Sam Darnold versus Geno Smith down in the
desert down there, because that number you and I talked
about it just seems low.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Yeah, I think it probably reflects a couple of things.
I think we talked about this a little bit. There's
not an appreciation for how much the defense improved in
the second half last season. Defense, by the way, that
ends up finishing top ten in DVOA last year, and
that was a massive jump from where they finished the
year before, when, as you guys remember, they were just
awful frankly, so to that end, the Mike McDonald hire
(06:23):
is already a massive success and they've added some really
good players. So I don't think Vegas is appreciating that.
And I do think there is some justified skepticism about
whether the offense will improve, you know, not just Darnold,
but DK Metcalf walking out the door. I don't think
Cooper cup is seen as you know, a big upgrade
at this point in his career. So I don't I don't.
I don't disagree with their there. I'm obviously speculating here,
(06:46):
but skepticism of the offense. I just think people are
under appreciating the defense.
Speaker 4 (06:51):
Staying in the division. Mean, what is the timeline for
a brock party contract and what is the number going
to be?
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Do you think, well, you know, to be a homer,
hopefully it starts as six, right, Yeah, I don't think so.
I think it probably like close ish to to a
tongue of I Lois, which I believe was like low fifties,
maybe a little bit above that with the passage of time,
That's what I guess. Uh, And I think I don't
(07:19):
think there's any doubt it's gonna get done, just the
way the Niners have moved, you know, letting go of
highly paid players suggests to me that they fully intend
on paying Rock Pretty well.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
You mentioned something there that I don't know really how
much we've talked about, and that's what to expect from
Cooper Cup. I mean, you're down there right in La.
I mean you got a bird's eye seed on what
he's been doing with the Rams. And he's obviously thirty
two years old, he's coming off some injuries. He's been
fine when he's performed, when he's been available, he's been great.
But the problem is he's missed a ton of I
think he's missed seventeen games whatever a full year in
the past three So what are your expectations for Cooper
(07:53):
Cup and how much do you think he has left
in the tank?
Speaker 3 (07:56):
Yeah, you know, I think there's it. Look, he is
not who he was at the peak of his career,
if you saw that with the Rams, and of course
that comes with age. But I think for Seattle, there's
no expectations that he's going to be a target monster
in this offense, which is very much built around jays N.
I think there's hope that he can come in and
(08:16):
block and work the middle of the field and do
some of the dirty work that he's done at various
points in his career. Also provide some veteran leadership in
the locker room. But you know, I think that you
got to keep your expectations sensible just because of the
stage of his career.
Speaker 4 (08:29):
I gotta go back and talk about what you mentioned
about the offense this year versus last year for the Seahawks,
and do you think that because of the new style,
that the offense probably will score less points per game
than it did last year. But it'll also be a
little less fun and gun, and it'll help the defense
out by keeping the defense off the field more. So,
(08:50):
all in all, they'll be a better football team because
of that.
Speaker 3 (08:54):
I think a lot of it is going to come
down to whether or not they're better at running the football,
and it wouldn't be hard based on how bad they
were last year. But as you guys know, you know,
just the blocking has not been good enough, and they've
made investments, starting with of course their first round draft pick,
adding that grayzabele but and a Lucas's health is going
to be a massive factor. Scheme helps, but only to
(09:17):
a degree. You saw that with clintleb X offense last
year when they suffered injuries on the offensive line. You've
got to have better offensive line play. And that, to me,
more than anything more than Donald or Cup or Metcalf
leaving is going to go towards what you're asking about,
which is can the offense be more efficient? Q were
three and out stay on the field as opposed to
score a lot points.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
So is this many times again with us courtesy a
bridge physical therapy and wellness on Mercer Island. Is this
receiver room right now weaker on paper? You think that
it was a year ago with with with with Jackson
DK and Lockett DK and Pittsburgh. Lockett signed down with
the Titans. You bring an MBS, you're bringing Cooper Cup.
You draft a couple of wide receivers, and Tory Horton
and Ricky White. You know who knows what those guys
(09:58):
will be about. Obviously long shots to do much as
far as production. But is this receiver room weaker today
than it was a year ago?
Speaker 3 (10:06):
It's hard to not say it's weaker, right. I do
really like Tory Horton though in particular, and he's like,
you try not to get too excited about late round
draft picks or put too much stock in them coming
in and producing immediately. But he was a pick who
I thought had a really high ceiling, and if he
had got injured, I think would have got a lot higher.
But you know, he is a rookie coming up of injury,
(10:29):
and he was taking late in the draft. So yeah,
you gotta say it's probably weaker.
Speaker 4 (10:33):
I mean, we're so used to as Seahawk fans having
like superstars on the defensive side of the ball, and
I guess maybe Witherspoon is gonna get there at some point,
But other than that, there's just really not But is
there any concern Is there any real area of weakness
on the defensive side of the ball in your opinion?
Speaker 3 (10:51):
It's a good question, you know, I think that there's
no areas of glaring weakness. No, I think there's some
marry is with question marks. You know, maybe second linebacker
comes to mind, second corner if Witherspoon plays mostly in
the slot. But no, there's no big holes. And I
would argue by the way that Leo Williams should be
(11:13):
seen as a star. Actually I gave him an All
Pro vote a second team All Pro I think. I mean,
he was outstanding last year and I felt like that
really flew under the radar nationally.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
Yeah, mena times again. So, now that the George Pickens
deal is done to the Cowboys, how long until we
read about Aaron Rodgers becoming a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Speaker 3 (11:34):
Oh Man, hopefully soon, so that I can stop doing
Aaron Rodgers. Well, no, then we're gonna have to do
new Aaron Rodgers segments.
Speaker 4 (11:43):
Day as long as he's.
Speaker 3 (11:47):
I've lived that life, you guys now for a few years.
You know, it's very The thing is with Pittsburgh, it's
like the idea that they would have approached the off
season the way they have this is respect to the
quarterback position and not thought Aaron Rodgers. If he doesn't
end up coming, I think it'll go down as one
of the more disastrous and bizarre offseasons ever. So I
(12:09):
gotta think he is. But do you want a quarterback
who's taking this long? I mean, I guess he doesn't
want to come to camp or whatever, But I don't know.
They're a team. By the way, I thought she'd have
been trying to trade for Gino Smith. I think that
was a huge miss on their part.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
Huh, Well, what is he? What's Rogers waiting for? Is
he just don't don't want He doesn't want to take
part in camp. He's like, Hey, the less work I
can do, the better I'll be there in July. Do
the Steelers not? Are they not certain they want him yet?
What is holding this thing up from happening?
Speaker 3 (12:37):
If I understood the inner workings of his mind, guys,
I would have to do a lot fewer segments of
wondering why. Yeah, I mean, I guess you know he did.
He's at this point in his career probably not super
interested in being part of the entire offseason program. But
how auspicious is that if you're a.
Speaker 4 (12:55):
Steelers fans very very and he wants superstars like Mina
comes on TV talking about it every single day. Maybe
wants to turn on the TV and see Mina and
the rest of them in ESPN talking mentioning his name.
So he's always in the news cycle.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
That's you know, I think a lot of people might
just kind of think you're kidding Meana. Do you think
there's something to that that he loves the attention?
Speaker 3 (13:17):
Well, he is a national TV spot during the regular season,
So I don't really think it requires that much of
a leap to say he likes being on TV.
Speaker 4 (13:25):
Right, right, No, there's no question Safia alluded to George
Pickens a couple of minutes ago. I read a report
today that the league is quote laughing at the Cowboys
for trading for George Pickens. Are you one that would
laugh at the Cowboys as well? Or did you like
the move?
Speaker 3 (13:40):
No? I like the move. I don't know who is laughing,
but I disagree. Look, he's he's inconsistent, He's a lot similar.
He's kind of like DK and that I would say
dk' is probably a better on the field or a
little bit less of a wild card. But it's not
like he's out there committing crimes. He just hassistant effort
(14:00):
and sometimes there's like little you know, his he fits
on the field or whatever. But the talent is unreal,
and I think for Dallas, a team that should be
all in on winning, it made a ton of sense,
especially after they weren't able to grab a receiver in
the draft.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
Yeah, hey, Mien, I know we want to get a
couple of Mariners. Topics thrown at you before you before
you take off here. But I'll tell you that we had.
Matt Enz was on the radio show yesterday. He's the
current head coach at Fresno State and he was Gray
Zabel's coach for four years in Fargo. And I asked
him yesterday, you know, fill in the blank, Gray's Abel
will have a great long NFL career if he does
(14:33):
what And he just said, if he stays healthy, period,
and the story, I mean, he's he's he's that much
of a believer in this guy that if he stays healthy,
the left guard spot in Seattle, the turnstile has come
to an end.
Speaker 4 (14:46):
Do you do you.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
Believe that I'm inclined to think it's likely, you know,
just a high floor prospect. We talked about last week
how Fox other picks were kind of like high variants,
could be really really great or couldn't work out at all.
Crazy Abel was a safe pick. But then he also,
(15:06):
I think has a high ceiling. So yeah, I mean
I think he's right. Obviously we're talking about a guy
who played multiple positions as well, really good scheme fit
for this offense, So health is it. And then you know,
I think just kind of going from smaller school. That
can be a little bit of adjustment, but I'm excited
and confident about him.
Speaker 4 (15:24):
Well, men, and we got baseball in the brain. It's
a beautiful seventy degree day here. We're at Cheney Stadium
in Tacoma before the Rainiers game, and let's talk about
the Seattle Mariners. Los marin Arros are in the first place.
What has Surprise Slash impressed you the most with this
first month of baseball? Oh?
Speaker 3 (15:44):
Man, Well, not the hitting. I totally thought it would
be awesome and as good as obviously the hitting guys.
Come on, who thought this was going to be a
team led by the offense. It's unbelievable and I just
can't say I saw any of it coming and doing it.
I mean, Julio is starting to heat up a bit,
but to do it this far without really him leading
(16:04):
the way, it's just magical. It's it's it's been such
a fun season.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
Are you buying what you're seeing from hore Polanco? Because
their big cell job on him was that, hey, he
had abum knee a year ago, he wasn't even close
to being the same. And if we can get him
for seven point five on a one year deal, that
might be a bargain. And so far it looks like,
what are you're buying what you're seeing from this kid,
that hey, he may not hit three eighty the whole year,
but he's going to be a pretty significant contributor for
(16:29):
six months.
Speaker 3 (16:30):
Yeah, I am. I think it's gonna come down to
Earth's a kinda bit somewhat, but nevertheless, I do think, yeah,
it's obvious that the injury impact him, and seeing what
he looks like with full health, you know, and when
you look at a lot of the underlying metrics, guys,
the Mariners aren't getting lucky. It's not even like they
have high you know, batting average on balls and play
(16:53):
or whatnot. Like they're hitch. They're just playing with such discipline.
They're not striking out, they're swinging at good pitches, they're
getting walked. I don't know, it's just I keep it's
the Mariners fan in me. I keep looking for reasons
for regression and doubt, but it's really not there.
Speaker 4 (17:08):
Well, yeah, we talked about that yesterday. It just seems like,
I mean, yeah, there's a couple guys playing out of
their minds. Polanco, you know, cal Rawley's probably not going
to hit fifty five bombs on the season. But other
than that, you're right, it's just the it's the approach,
it's how they're playing the game. It's their belief. Like
those intangibles seem like they're more sustainable than if just
three or four guys were playing out of their minds
(17:29):
for a month and a half.
Speaker 3 (17:30):
Right, they keep winning games that they're supposed to lose too.
I mean again, this is where how many times have
if I've missed a game, I'm looking at the box score,
I got game cast up, and they're down by a
couple of runs going to date. I'm like, all right,
this one's probably over. I've watched this team now, you know,
my whole life. And then you check again. It's it's like,
holy smokes, the comebacks and you know, we seem that
against division rivals in recent weeks, and it's hard not
(17:52):
to believe there's a little bit of coaching and culture
factoring into that, which is really cool.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
Yeah, hey, real quick, before you go, how much even
paying attention to the NBA playoffs center you rooting as
hard against OKC as we are.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
I love it. I love it because of the comebacks
and the craziness this year. I'm a pretty neutral fan.
I'm not super It's okay. She's tough for me because
I obviously hate what they did, but the players like
it's not their fault. I like the current players. I
don't know. I'm not rooting for them. They're not like
my picker, my favorite though.
Speaker 2 (18:24):
Meana, you gotta learn to be a little pettier by
the way about stuff, all right, trust me, Life is
so much more enjoyable when you have pettiness in your hearts.
She's too nice for that, exactly. All right, you're the best.
Thanks again for doing this and we'll.
Speaker 3 (18:35):
Talk down bye, guys.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
All right, mina times with us. We're gett a break.
But Harry Ford, though, is gonna join us. We'll talk
to the future Catcher, future DH future first basement left fielder. Well,
ask Kim what he thinks his future looks like. It's
with the rain Ears now he'll join us. Coming up
on ninety three three KJRFM.
Coming to you live from the Elliot Avenue studios of
Sports Radio ninety three point three KJR FM. This is
our weekly visit with ESPN's Mina Kimes, brought to you
by Bridge Physical Therapy and Wellness. Just find ninety and
Mercer Island. Bridge is your independent go to clinic for
quality care for the whole family. Taylor to you and
(00:20):
your goals cult today at two six four o two
six three three nine to schedule an appointment and to
let Bridge Physical Therapy be your bridge to wellness. Now
with Mina Chimes, here's SOFTI and Dick.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
All right, we are back inside Cheney Stadium in Tacoma
getting ready for the Rainiers coming up at seven o
five tonight. But are our final visits of the year
at least of the draft season. If you will with
our friend Media Times of ESPN courtesy Bridge Physical Therapy
and Wellness. Find them on Mercer Island, Women owned Women
formed Bridge Physical Therapy and Wellness on Mercer Island. Big
(00:56):
thanks to them for all their help getting this thing
together and let's face it, meeting Mina Kim's gigantic financial demands,
having our people meet with her people and making this
thing happen, Mina, how are you?
Speaker 3 (01:07):
I'm good, especially now that I'm rolling in that dough
you're talking about.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Yeah, oh hey, look you know what, I know, things
are more expensive these days. So whatever we can do
to help out the cause we're a fan of. But
why don't we just start kind of where we ended
a week ago? You know, I feel like we're kind
of in a tabloid section talking about this Belichick girlfriend things. Well,
I asked you a week ago, like why we should
care about it. We talked about if you're a Carolina fan,
(01:31):
you know you might be concerned. Then there was the
report that came out this morning that she's been banned
from like all the facilities. North Carolina comes back and says, no,
that's not the case. And my reaction as well, why
would Belichick be there if his girlfriend can't hang around
with him when he's coaching the team or going to work.
So this is kind of turning into kind of a
a you know, you know what show out there? Is
(01:52):
it not?
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Yeah? I mean it's hard to characterize it as anything
but disastrous. If you're certainly, if you're a Carolina football
fan and you want, you know, you make this big
hire's greatest coach in health, NFL history or you know
football history, and you're hoping that's gonna alert you know, prospects, recruits,
and all anyone can talk about is whether or not
(02:15):
his girlfriend is controlling the narrative or running, you know,
heavily involved in the program. I would say that that
definitely classifies as a train wreck.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
Well, and there's also, you know, a theory out there
that your your friend and your cohorted ESPN Populatory's report
was correct, and that North Carolina then received a call
from Bill Belichick or an angry Bill Belichick at the
door of the eighties office saying, no, she is going
to be here or else, I'm not going to be
Here's what's your thought on that theory?
Speaker 3 (02:48):
It sounds pretty plausible, wouldn't you guys say? Yeah, I
think it's like an outside observer, what seems almost hundred
percent likely to be true, maybe one hundred percent, But
it is that there's boring factions, right, because when you
have conflicting reports, it's usually what that means. And I
(03:09):
have no doubt because it's what I would imagine was happening,
even if there wasn't any reporting that there are people
there in the program, probably people with a lot of
power who are very unhappy with how things are going.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
No, I no doubt many times is with us on
the radio show. So do do we look into anything
Dylan Gabriel taking the first team reps with the Browns?
I guess that their at their camp this weekend. Should
we look into that to kind of show us anything
hardcore about what their plans are for quarterback or is
that just kind of happenstance?
Speaker 3 (03:41):
You think, well, I think it reflects where what is indisputable,
which is that the Browns liked Dylan Gabriel more than
they liked Shit or Sanders. That's not my interpret That
is literally how the drafts shook out, and the way
they talk about him, it's very obvious that they see
him as a good fit for their offense. So I think, what,
(04:02):
you know what, the fact that they're saying for seeing
reps that is just merely reflecting what we already know
they think about him. I do believe it. It's a
legitimate quarterback competition. You know, if he was thinking in
the first round, that would be crazy. But I would say,
now you know he's got a position. This is no competition.
Third versus fifth, versus Pickett versus Flacco. That's the quarterback competition.
(04:25):
So I think you know at this point it's anyone's game,
but he certainly has a leg up.
Speaker 4 (04:29):
Final conversation from with Mina Kyines from Bridge Physical Therapy
and welling this bringing you Mina on a weekly basis
the last six weeks. We appreciate their help and bringing
Mina and Mina. You mentioned in one of your posts
this week that you thought the flour that was raised
by the Arizona Cardinals was maybe greater than any team
in the NFL. Do you think that the Cardinals are
(04:51):
a legitimate contender now in this division up towards the top,
or you are they still the fourth best team in
this division?
Speaker 3 (04:58):
Well, at first, I want to say i'd said that
right after Danny Kelly, who is on my podcast, picked
the Seahawks as a team who potentially raised their ceiling
the most, so that choice was already taken. I actually
felt I will say I think both the Seahawks and
the Cardinals had really good drafts and also drafts with
very high ceilings. So and to that end, to actually
(05:19):
answer your question, I would not put the Cardinals over
the Seahawks. No, I do think they're pretty close. I
think the entire division is really dang close at this point.
I think the Rams are still at the top after
winning last year and going all in again with Stafford
and DeVonta Adams and whatnot. But I certainly don't think
there's a big gap between them and the other three.
It might be the most tight knit division in the NFL,
(05:42):
to be honest.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Right, then, why does Vegas and I think you and
I also talked about this last week too, why does
Vegas have them at seven and a half wins on
the over under? I mean, do they just think that
poorly of Sam Darnold versus Geno Smith down in the
desert down there, because that number you and I talked
about it just seems low.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Yeah, I think it probably reflects a couple of things.
I think we talked about this a little bit. There's
not an appreciation for how much the defense improved in
the second half last season. Defense, by the way, that
ends up finishing top ten in DVOA last year, and
that was a massive jump from where they finished the
year before, when, as you guys remember, they were just
awful frankly, so to that end, the Mike McDonald hire
(06:23):
is already a massive success and they've added some really
good players. So I don't think Vegas is appreciating that.
And I do think there is some justified skepticism about
whether the offense will improve, you know, not just Darnold,
but DK Metcalf walking out the door. I don't think
Cooper cup is seen as you know, a big upgrade
at this point in his career. So I don't I don't.
I don't disagree with their there. I'm obviously speculating here,
(06:46):
but skepticism of the offense. I just think people are
under appreciating the defense.
Speaker 4 (06:51):
Staying in the division. Mean, what is the timeline for
a brock party contract and what is the number going
to be?
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Do you think, well, you know, to be a homer,
hopefully it starts as six, right, Yeah, I don't think so.
I think it probably like close ish to to a
tongue of I Lois, which I believe was like low fifties,
maybe a little bit above that with the passage of time,
That's what I guess. Uh, And I think I don't
(07:19):
think there's any doubt it's gonna get done, just the
way the Niners have moved, you know, letting go of
highly paid players suggests to me that they fully intend
on paying Rock Pretty well.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
You mentioned something there that I don't know really how
much we've talked about, and that's what to expect from
Cooper Cup. I mean, you're down there right in La.
I mean you got a bird's eye seed on what
he's been doing with the Rams. And he's obviously thirty
two years old, he's coming off some injuries. He's been
fine when he's performed, when he's been available, he's been great.
But the problem is he's missed a ton of I
think he's missed seventeen games whatever a full year in
the past three So what are your expectations for Cooper
(07:53):
Cup and how much do you think he has left
in the tank?
Speaker 3 (07:56):
Yeah, you know, I think there's it. Look, he is
not who he was at the peak of his career,
if you saw that with the Rams, and of course
that comes with age. But I think for Seattle, there's
no expectations that he's going to be a target monster
in this offense, which is very much built around jays N.
I think there's hope that he can come in and
(08:16):
block and work the middle of the field and do
some of the dirty work that he's done at various
points in his career. Also provide some veteran leadership in
the locker room. But you know, I think that you
got to keep your expectations sensible just because of the
stage of his career.
Speaker 4 (08:29):
I gotta go back and talk about what you mentioned
about the offense this year versus last year for the Seahawks,
and do you think that because of the new style,
that the offense probably will score less points per game
than it did last year. But it'll also be a
little less fun and gun, and it'll help the defense
out by keeping the defense off the field more. So,
(08:50):
all in all, they'll be a better football team because
of that.
Speaker 3 (08:54):
I think a lot of it is going to come
down to whether or not they're better at running the football,
and it wouldn't be hard based on how bad they
were last year. But as you guys know, you know,
just the blocking has not been good enough, and they've
made investments, starting with of course their first round draft pick,
adding that grayzabele but and a Lucas's health is going
to be a massive factor. Scheme helps, but only to
(09:17):
a degree. You saw that with clintleb X offense last
year when they suffered injuries on the offensive line. You've
got to have better offensive line play. And that, to me,
more than anything more than Donald or Cup or Metcalf
leaving is going to go towards what you're asking about,
which is can the offense be more efficient? Q were
three and out stay on the field as opposed to
score a lot points.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
So is this many times again with us courtesy a
bridge physical therapy and wellness on Mercer Island. Is this
receiver room right now weaker on paper? You think that
it was a year ago with with with with Jackson
DK and Lockett DK and Pittsburgh. Lockett signed down with
the Titans. You bring an MBS, you're bringing Cooper Cup.
You draft a couple of wide receivers, and Tory Horton
and Ricky White. You know who knows what those guys
(09:58):
will be about. Obviously long shots to do much as
far as production. But is this receiver room weaker today
than it was a year ago?
Speaker 3 (10:06):
It's hard to not say it's weaker, right. I do
really like Tory Horton though in particular, and he's like,
you try not to get too excited about late round
draft picks or put too much stock in them coming
in and producing immediately. But he was a pick who
I thought had a really high ceiling, and if he
had got injured, I think would have got a lot higher.
But you know, he is a rookie coming up of injury,
(10:29):
and he was taking late in the draft. So yeah,
you gotta say it's probably weaker.
Speaker 4 (10:33):
I mean, we're so used to as Seahawk fans having
like superstars on the defensive side of the ball, and
I guess maybe Witherspoon is gonna get there at some point,
But other than that, there's just really not But is
there any concern Is there any real area of weakness
on the defensive side of the ball in your opinion?
Speaker 3 (10:51):
It's a good question, you know, I think that there's
no areas of glaring weakness. No, I think there's some
marry is with question marks. You know, maybe second linebacker
comes to mind, second corner if Witherspoon plays mostly in
the slot. But no, there's no big holes. And I
would argue by the way that Leo Williams should be
(11:13):
seen as a star. Actually I gave him an All
Pro vote a second team All Pro I think. I mean,
he was outstanding last year and I felt like that
really flew under the radar nationally.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
Yeah, mena times again. So, now that the George Pickens
deal is done to the Cowboys, how long until we
read about Aaron Rodgers becoming a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Speaker 3 (11:34):
Oh Man, hopefully soon, so that I can stop doing
Aaron Rodgers. Well, no, then we're gonna have to do
new Aaron Rodgers segments.
Speaker 4 (11:43):
Day as long as he's.
Speaker 3 (11:47):
I've lived that life, you guys now for a few years.
You know, it's very The thing is with Pittsburgh, it's
like the idea that they would have approached the off
season the way they have this is respect to the
quarterback position and not thought Aaron Rodgers. If he doesn't
end up coming, I think it'll go down as one
of the more disastrous and bizarre offseasons ever. So I
(12:09):
gotta think he is. But do you want a quarterback
who's taking this long? I mean, I guess he doesn't
want to come to camp or whatever, But I don't know.
They're a team. By the way, I thought she'd have
been trying to trade for Gino Smith. I think that
was a huge miss on their part.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
Huh, Well, what is he? What's Rogers waiting for? Is
he just don't don't want He doesn't want to take
part in camp. He's like, Hey, the less work I
can do, the better I'll be there in July. Do
the Steelers not? Are they not certain they want him yet?
What is holding this thing up from happening?
Speaker 3 (12:37):
If I understood the inner workings of his mind, guys,
I would have to do a lot fewer segments of
wondering why. Yeah, I mean, I guess you know he did.
He's at this point in his career probably not super
interested in being part of the entire offseason program. But
how auspicious is that if you're a.
Speaker 4 (12:55):
Steelers fans very very and he wants superstars like Mina
comes on TV talking about it every single day. Maybe
wants to turn on the TV and see Mina and
the rest of them in ESPN talking mentioning his name.
So he's always in the news cycle.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
That's you know, I think a lot of people might
just kind of think you're kidding Meana. Do you think
there's something to that that he loves the attention?
Speaker 3 (13:17):
Well, he is a national TV spot during the regular season,
So I don't really think it requires that much of
a leap to say he likes being on TV.
Speaker 4 (13:25):
Right, right, No, there's no question Safia alluded to George
Pickens a couple of minutes ago. I read a report
today that the league is quote laughing at the Cowboys
for trading for George Pickens. Are you one that would
laugh at the Cowboys as well? Or did you like
the move?
Speaker 3 (13:40):
No? I like the move. I don't know who is laughing,
but I disagree. Look, he's he's inconsistent, He's a lot similar.
He's kind of like DK and that I would say
dk' is probably a better on the field or a
little bit less of a wild card. But it's not
like he's out there committing crimes. He just hassistant effort
(14:00):
and sometimes there's like little you know, his he fits
on the field or whatever. But the talent is unreal,
and I think for Dallas, a team that should be
all in on winning, it made a ton of sense,
especially after they weren't able to grab a receiver in
the draft.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
Yeah, hey, Mien, I know we want to get a
couple of Mariners. Topics thrown at you before you before
you take off here. But I'll tell you that we had.
Matt Enz was on the radio show yesterday. He's the
current head coach at Fresno State and he was Gray
Zabel's coach for four years in Fargo. And I asked
him yesterday, you know, fill in the blank, Gray's Abel
will have a great long NFL career if he does
(14:33):
what And he just said, if he stays healthy, period,
and the story, I mean, he's he's he's that much
of a believer in this guy that if he stays healthy,
the left guard spot in Seattle, the turnstile has come
to an end.
Speaker 4 (14:46):
Do you do you.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
Believe that I'm inclined to think it's likely, you know,
just a high floor prospect. We talked about last week
how Fox other picks were kind of like high variants,
could be really really great or couldn't work out at all.
Crazy Abel was a safe pick. But then he also,
(15:06):
I think has a high ceiling. So yeah, I mean
I think he's right. Obviously we're talking about a guy
who played multiple positions as well, really good scheme fit
for this offense, So health is it. And then you know,
I think just kind of going from smaller school. That
can be a little bit of adjustment, but I'm excited
and confident about him.
Speaker 4 (15:24):
Well, men, and we got baseball in the brain. It's
a beautiful seventy degree day here. We're at Cheney Stadium
in Tacoma before the Rainiers game, and let's talk about
the Seattle Mariners. Los marin Arros are in the first place.
What has Surprise Slash impressed you the most with this
first month of baseball? Oh?
Speaker 3 (15:44):
Man, Well, not the hitting. I totally thought it would
be awesome and as good as obviously the hitting guys.
Come on, who thought this was going to be a
team led by the offense. It's unbelievable and I just
can't say I saw any of it coming and doing it.
I mean, Julio is starting to heat up a bit,
but to do it this far without really him leading
(16:04):
the way, it's just magical. It's it's it's been such
a fun season.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
Are you buying what you're seeing from hore Polanco? Because
their big cell job on him was that, hey, he
had abum knee a year ago, he wasn't even close
to being the same. And if we can get him
for seven point five on a one year deal, that
might be a bargain. And so far it looks like,
what are you're buying what you're seeing from this kid,
that hey, he may not hit three eighty the whole year,
but he's going to be a pretty significant contributor for
(16:29):
six months.
Speaker 3 (16:30):
Yeah, I am. I think it's gonna come down to
Earth's a kinda bit somewhat, but nevertheless, I do think, yeah,
it's obvious that the injury impact him, and seeing what
he looks like with full health, you know, and when
you look at a lot of the underlying metrics, guys,
the Mariners aren't getting lucky. It's not even like they
have high you know, batting average on balls and play
(16:53):
or whatnot. Like they're hitch. They're just playing with such discipline.
They're not striking out, they're swinging at good pitches, they're
getting walked. I don't know, it's just I keep it's
the Mariners fan in me. I keep looking for reasons
for regression and doubt, but it's really not there.
Speaker 4 (17:08):
Well, yeah, we talked about that yesterday. It just seems like,
I mean, yeah, there's a couple guys playing out of
their minds. Polanco, you know, cal Rawley's probably not going
to hit fifty five bombs on the season. But other
than that, you're right, it's just the it's the approach,
it's how they're playing the game. It's their belief. Like
those intangibles seem like they're more sustainable than if just
three or four guys were playing out of their minds
(17:29):
for a month and a half.
Speaker 3 (17:30):
Right, they keep winning games that they're supposed to lose too.
I mean again, this is where how many times have
if I've missed a game, I'm looking at the box score,
I got game cast up, and they're down by a
couple of runs going to date. I'm like, all right,
this one's probably over. I've watched this team now, you know,
my whole life. And then you check again. It's it's like,
holy smokes, the comebacks and you know, we seem that
against division rivals in recent weeks, and it's hard not
(17:52):
to believe there's a little bit of coaching and culture
factoring into that, which is really cool.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
Yeah, hey, real quick, before you go, how much even
paying attention to the NBA playoffs center you rooting as
hard against OKC as we are.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
I love it. I love it because of the comebacks
and the craziness this year. I'm a pretty neutral fan.
I'm not super It's okay. She's tough for me because
I obviously hate what they did, but the players like
it's not their fault. I like the current players. I
don't know. I'm not rooting for them. They're not like
my picker, my favorite though.
Speaker 2 (18:24):
Meana, you gotta learn to be a little pettier by
the way about stuff, all right, trust me, Life is
so much more enjoyable when you have pettiness in your hearts.
She's too nice for that, exactly. All right, you're the best.
Thanks again for doing this and we'll.
Speaker 3 (18:35):
Talk down bye, guys.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
All right, mina times with us. We're gett a break.
But Harry Ford, though, is gonna join us. We'll talk
to the future Catcher, future DH future first basement left fielder. Well,
ask Kim what he thinks his future looks like. It's
with the rain Ears now he'll join us. Coming up
on ninety three three KJRFM.
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