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Hot Takes with Cool Guys - WE ARE BACK - We talk NFL, Las Vegas Raiders, and Dodger Baseball
19 Plays4 months ago
The COOL Guys are back talking NONSENSE! We dive into Super Bowl Results, Las Vegas Raiders Future, and the upcoming LA Dodgers quest to a back-to back-to back championship!
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Transcript
Introduction and Catching Up
00:00:01
Albert Nava
Hello and welcome to another episode of Hot Takes with Cool Guys. It's been so long, that intro. Can you redo it
00:00:14
Albert Nava
It's been a year and a half. Yeah. Hello. Welcome back, Father. How have you been? Long break.
00:00:26
Albert Nava
Luke.
00:00:28
Albert Nava
Luke. I think... ah I want to say the last time we recorded, I don't think the Dodgers were. No, somebody has transpired in the last year and a half.
00:00:40
Albert Nava
Did you have your son? No. For the safety of you. This is this was the first. We're not using names of said son. Of child. Yes, child. No, this is the first podcast. This is the first. date Wow. for the child So maybe maybe everybody listening to this will get some insight as to why it took so long to get back to It's two and a half years then.
00:01:01
Albert Nava
think the last one was 2020. was on may for No, and a half. I don't know. so So many things have happened. i don't know how many Super Bowl champions we had. We just had a Super Bowl. Yes,
Super Bowl 60 Highlights and Betting Anecdotes
00:01:10
Albert Nava
the LA Dodgers won their second back-to-back World Series.
00:01:16
Albert Nava
um And you know what? I hope that sparks some more baseball talk into this conversation. I know the primary sport is football.
00:01:26
Albert Nava
Speaking of football. Big news. Before we get into anything, though, today is March... Sorry, March. Wow. February 12, 2026. February 12, two days before Valentine's. Two days before Valentine's.
00:01:42
Albert Nava
Four days removed from Super Bowl 60. Yes. Who we had Seattle versus the Patriots. Yes. Seattle Seahawks versus the New England england Patriots. Yes.
00:01:53
Albert Nava
Had we previewed that game, I was going to tell you on this podcast that I had a feeling in full transparency that the Patriots were going to make it close, if not win.
00:02:06
Albert Nava
Obviously I was wrong. And the whole time leading up to it, you had the opposite take. Yes. I had a feeling, or I felt stronger about Seattle taking this year's Super Bowl. I couldn't predict how it played out. Five field goals, two touchdowns, the one defensive touchdown, one passing touchdown. Um,
00:02:27
Albert Nava
but True story, though. Sorry. I'll let you finish that point. But it made sense to me, given the caliber of defense that Seattle had and just how well their offense was flowing through the year. Big kudos to Clint Kubiak.
00:02:44
Albert Nava
Oh, that's a nice segue. But hold on. Let me get to this point related the Super Bowl and who what we thought. My heart apparently was going for the Patriots because their quarterback little side note just happens to lead me to a, that is very true. Fourth or fifth fantasy title.
00:03:02
Albert Nava
Fifth fantasy title. And that'll be a, I guess a segment on the show at some point where we're going to integrate our fantasy football league that we, that has been established. I think we're on year 20 or 21. Oh my God. Yeah.
00:03:17
Albert Nava
Yes. And I'm only like 35. Just kidding. But anyways, Drake made, that's probably what where I was leaning towards in the underdog angle. But true story.
00:03:27
Albert Nava
i have a friend who was inmb vegas weak in the weekend the Super Bowl. He got a text. He tells me, hey, man, I need a long odds, long, a good odds bet, meaning something that's going to be low investment, high, high reward or high risk, high reward.
00:03:50
Albert Nava
And the one option I gave him was an alternate line, Seahawks minus 13.5. The original line was minus 4.5.
00:04:02
Albert Nava
Everywhere I was hearing is like, you know what? This game is going to be a blowout. It's going to be a boring blowout. Didn't believe it, but that's what I gave him. Did he place it?
00:04:15
Albert Nava
He didn't place it? He didn't place it, no. He wanted to bet on something stupid like, Will there be a streaker? is it gonna What's the gender? um Silly stuff like that, which aren't really high odds in my opinion in some cases. But anyways, that wasn that was the advice. So anybody listening, if you guys want a really good bet for the Super Bowl, regardless who I'm rooting for apparently, you know, just shoot me a text. 13 and a half, huh? Yep, 13 and a half. Oh, I cleared that easy. You could have done 16. 17, yeah. Or 15, yeah. I'm and in some context, minus 13 and a half, I believe, was plus 350.
00:04:53
Albert Nava
So you put 100 down, you win 350. You triple and a half your money. And that's a pretty solid bet when you look at the actual teams. But anyways, yes, back to a certain coach. Yes. Who was on the sidelines for the Seattle champion, world champion Seahawks. Yes, and...
Sam Darnold and NFL Quarterbacks Analysis
00:05:15
Albert Nava
Basically, i guess in a lot of people's opinions, kind of changed our perspective on Sam Darnold as a starting quarterback in the NFL. um Look, context. Sam Darnold drafted, I believe, 2018. He was in a very good draft class. He was drafted third to the New York Jets.
00:05:35
Albert Nava
um Just some quarterbacks in that class include Baker Mayfield, number one overall pick. Josh Allen, Josh Rosen, and Lamar Jackson. All taken in the first round. Yes. um Baker Mayfield, who was successful in Cleveland, won a playoff game, um was then either traded or released, signed with the Panthers, signed with the Rams. Actually, Mayfield and Darnold were on the Panthers at the same time. Exactly.
00:06:02
Albert Nava
And now is in Tampa Bay, which kind of resurrected his career doing well. And then we have Josh Rosen with the Cardinals. Real quick, Baker Mayfield, I... We'll forever hate him because he's the guy that the Rams picked off the street. They played the Raiders on a Thursday night game and somehow we lost. But go ahead. I digress.
00:06:21
Albert Nava
And then we have Josh Rosen. Unfortunately, it didn't work out. Yes. No longer in the NFL. But from Josh Rosen, I see that story about Donald. I'm trying out somewhere. Exactly.
00:06:33
Albert Nava
Coming back. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills. um Lots of playoff wins. no play that No Super Bowl appearances. MVP.
00:06:45
Albert Nava
Speaking of odds, if you had bet me who would win a Super Bowl first, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, or Sam Darnold, there is no way in hell I would gone Darnold.
00:06:58
Albert Nava
Shows you what I know. And lastly, we have Lamar Jackson. a Two-time MVP. A lot of... I wouldn't say a lot of playoff wins, actually. I feel like He hasn't had very much success in um the playoffs.
00:07:13
Albert Nava
um And funny enough, both Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson's coach this year were fired. That's true. And Sam Darnold actually had a very good year with Minnesota.
00:07:25
Albert Nava
Probably a year Had a very disappointing last two games, right? And I guess for whatever reason, that left a bad taste in Coach O'Connell's mouth. Or GM. Yeah. whatever Yeah, well, no, it turns out it was, well, I don't know. Something I recently heard is, i don't know if our audience, our audience of five, don't what it is, yourself knows that Aaron Rodgers really wanted to play for the Minnesota Vikings before he ultimately went with the Steelers.
00:07:54
Albert Nava
And in conversations with the head coach, the coach essentially told him, we want you but we want you to back up McCarthy. So of course Rogers is like, not only no, but like F no, in case your son's listening to the podcast.
00:08:13
Albert Nava
So yeah, that's how that went. Minnesota's not looking very smart right now because yes, they let Donald go. Seattle's looking like a genius. And who did they trade away or give away or like walk away? Gino Smith. Gino Smith. And DK Mega.
00:08:30
Albert Nava
And the And yeah, somehow that one, depending on how you look at DK Metcalf didn't really fulfill in Pittsburgh and did some really stupid things. But again, thought it was next year.
00:08:44
Albert Nava
That's a whole other conversation have. We need to go through all the new coaches and see who actually ranks number one. But back to the task back to the idea at hand. Back to our train of thought.
00:08:56
Albert Nava
Again, offensive coordinator, Clint Kubiak, had a great year in Seattle, in his first year in Seattle with Sam Darnold.
Clint Kubiak's Coaching Career
00:09:02
Albert Nava
Yes, offensive offensive coordinator extraordinaire. Son of Gary Kubiak. Yes, Denver Broncos Super Bowl champion, who actually, ironically, when he won the championship,
00:09:13
Albert Nava
for Denver was in that same stadium 10 years ago. yes It was the Denver Broncos versus the Carolina Panthers. The Carolina Panthers and ironically a 13-year-old Drake May was also at that game. Very funny.
00:09:28
Albert Nava
So Clint Kubiak now named the Las Vegas Raiders head coach. Very happy about that. Thank God. Last head coach hired too.
00:09:39
Albert Nava
Yes, exactly. So, ten so yes, 10 head coaching positions this year and this year's coaching cycle. um I want to say the average every year is about six, four to six every year. um We had coaching changes in New York, both Buffalo and the New york Giants.
00:10:00
Albert Nava
We had coaching changes in Tennessee. the Baltimore Ravens, the Arizona Cardinals, the Las Vegas Raiders, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Miami Dolphins.
00:10:15
Albert Nava
Am I missing anyone? No, damn, my we're prepped. was about to pop out the old flip phone and check. So all nine were secured heading into Pro Bowl week. Is that correct?
00:10:30
Albert Nava
And so, yeah, i rule it whatever that is. Right. a And so me, myself, I would tell my dad, I'm kind of scared if if Seattle wins and he's like, oh, what if I just stay one more year? Or if they lose, what if he's like, oh, stay warm right here.
00:10:47
Albert Nava
And so, oh, actually, I'm sorry. Yeah, the week of Pro Bowl week, it was the Cardinals and the Raiders. Correct. And they both got interviews with them. Yes. Kubiak interviewed both. Both teams interviewed Kubiak that weekend. That's Saturday.
00:11:02
Albert Nava
And so rumors did come out that there was agreement. There was ah understanding that Clint Kubiak would be accepting the law as fake his job. Us lawyers call that a verbal agreement. Verbal agreement, exactly. And so what we took as official is the Arizona Cardinals hiring Matt LaFleur.
00:11:19
Albert Nava
That was basically almost acknowledgement around the league that... Matt LeFleur. Michael Thor. Matt LeFleur coaches Packers. That would have been huge news. That would have been huge.
00:11:30
Albert Nava
What a difference that name makes. And so... i want I mean, almost immediately after the Super Bowl, NFL Network reporter Stacey – I don't know her last name. I'm sorry. Dale? Yeah, there we go. Stacey Dale was able to, I want to say, squeeze out the information from Clint Kubiak.
00:11:51
Albert Nava
Her questions leading up to the ultimate, um I guess, realization, she was like, oh, you're i mean you're not going to give me anything, huh? He was like, well, you guys know i'm going to Las Vegas. And so basically breaking news night of Super Bowl. um And I want to say almost like 24 hours. I want to say like 18 hours later, it was official. They had signed him.
00:12:11
Albert Nava
He flew into Las Vegas. And it was widely reported. Everybody assumed it going to happen. But there was always that 1% doubt. Let's call it the Josh McDaniel doubt. Exactly. ah We all know what a loser head coach that guy is.
00:12:25
Albert Nava
And now I have lost hope from him as an offensive coordinator because that went into my thinking of the Patriots when the Super Bowl. ah Josh McDaniels, watch. Anyways, yeah. Crazy, crazy series of events.
00:12:37
Albert Nava
i I want to go back to the season of the year NFL 2023. Let's say 2024. I'm sorry. Raiders-Vikings preseason game. raiders vikings preseaing game The Vikings had just drafted jj J.J. McCarthy. They had Sam Darnold backing him up.
00:12:58
Albert Nava
um And that gave me Torres Meniscus out for the season. McCarthy. yes Yes. Against the Raiders. Yes. And I believe this started the domino effect. Wow. That's interesting. Of the Raiders were getting, ironically, Gino Smith from the Seahawks.
00:13:15
Albert Nava
well ultimately Ultimately getting the number one pick, firing coach Pete Carroll, you know and getting Clint Kubiak because Sam Darnold also went to Seattle, had a great year. I would love to say that Tom Brady, TB12, walked into Mark Davis' office and said, hey, look, this is what we're going to do.
00:13:34
Albert Nava
I know this guy. He's 70 years old, 77 years old. People are going to think that we're crazy. Everybody's to think, oh, they're bringing in an adult to control the clubhouse, build the culture. I think this whole time, everybody knew.
00:13:50
Albert Nava
and I can say this now after the fact. Maybe we were tanking the whole time. I don't know. It worked out. Worked out beautifully. The only little bittersweet thing that's possibly not working out is Max Crosby not being happy with not being able to play that last game. Yes. I don't know what that's going to turn into. As of right now,
00:14:10
Albert Nava
It's very unknown, but when you consider the defensive coach that they're but they're going to interview and apparently might have an inside track, is their defensive line coach currently, who's very close to Max.
00:14:25
Albert Nava
So obviously people are theorizing, oh, if they hire them him, it's just their way of trying to keep Max. But I don't think anybody should get it twisted. If the Raiders get what the Cowboys got from Micah Parsons, I think my i think Max is gone.
00:14:41
Albert Nava
If they get that deal. But there's no sure thing. Right. But I would like to keep Max. I would love to keep Max. He's the heart of the defense.
00:14:52
Albert Nava
he i mean, I just think he bleeds black and black and silver. um And then the... There's little quarterback that we may draft. Yes. Now that we have the number one. Another national a national championship also took place on We Were Gone, guys. yeah Indiana.
00:15:07
Albert Nava
A basketball school. 16-0, those Hoosiers. 16-0. Craig Signetti? Craig Signetti? Kirk. Kirk Signetti. Those are his brothers.
00:15:18
Albert Nava
um They will soon be also coaches, too, and we'll get confused with that when they get hired. to Yes. Indiana Hoosiers took down the Miami Hurricanes. The U. In the national championship. And... Oh, it's secret. Raider fans. Our future quarterback.
00:15:36
Albert Nava
A Hispanic male. Yes, a Hispanic... Cuban. Yes. ferdando mendo Fernando He's looking to be... in Everybody's seen the videos. Yes. He's... ah All glory to God.
00:15:48
Albert Nava
Oh. A man of faith, which ironically was our coach, Clint Kubiak. During his press conference, they mentioned... That Clint Kubiak, I'm not sure where he was at this point. He's been coaching and they coat in the in the NFL. He gave all of his team Bibles. Oh, yeah get the last yeah celsius yes,
00:16:12
Albert Nava
Looking forward to that. Looking forward to that those two working together. We don't know if he called – maybe the Bibles he's referring to are the playbooks. And that just happens to be what the cover was, and it was actually the playbook. But anyways, you never know.
00:16:26
Albert Nava
So very happy. Clint Kubiak, we have a bright future ahead of us. Clint Kubiak, I believe, does have a very hard task ahead of him. Again, navigating first-time coach, the number one pick.
00:16:41
Albert Nava
90 million in cap space. And essentially your star player could and could or could not be on the team starting in August, September. So they asked Kubiak about who in the press conference, yes they actually broached the subject of the number one pick.
00:16:56
Albert Nava
He gave the appropriate response. Still looking at tape. We're in a really good spot to draft number one, but I have not, essentially I've not looked at the players closely enough to make a decision.
00:17:06
Albert Nava
ah
NFL Draft Strategies and Trade Limits
00:17:07
Albert Nava
mr His boss, was also interviewed that day and they asked him the same exact question. His poker face was not the same, but he said, obviously we might target somebody on the offensive side.
00:17:19
Albert Nava
So that would only be one.
00:17:22
Albert Nava
i was trying to think one of another random quarterback's name to throw everybody off. Ty Simpson. Or who's the kid from Miami? Oh, k beck carar back. Yeah, but no, it's for now that it's going to be for none. Oh, and just today, don't know if you saw this Mel Kiper, the,
00:17:38
Albert Nava
If your most famous NFL draft analyst let out said, the Jets are on the clock. We know who the Raiders are. Yeah. Kuyper has spoken. Who, funny enough, had ah had a great moment last year Shador Sanders.
00:17:53
Albert Nava
Basically is assuring he'd be a first-round pick. Yeah. Oh, God. We could have a whole podcast about Shador Sanders. So, yeah I think Clint Kubiak... I think he has to say that, right? Oh, yeah. He has to say like, oh, we have to look at all the tape, you know, like we got to see everyone. He just wants to do due diligence. You know, I would say it's kind of reckless to, I guess, put it out there and then take it back. God forbid anything happens, right? starts to hire a staff. Exactly. He literally does have to evaluate and evaluate the rest of the players. If you find somebody that just happens to be – or he doesn't know if there's a deal that's going to be presented to the Raiders. If it's a Jets offer –
00:18:35
Albert Nava
I don't know, five number ones for the next five years. Or, you know I'm saying? um Speaking of, I guess, going five years, i guess you said five first round picks, not necessarily five years. Did you see that some NFL teams are going to... um I didn't know this. So NFL teams can only trade out three years in advance?
00:18:56
Albert Nava
Picks? That's interesting. And so so I think it's only one team. One team's going to present at the league meeting to have um, to push back that trade availability up to five years from draft picks. So cap that five.
00:19:08
Albert Nava
Yeah. That's just pretty crazy. That makes sense. Cause yeah, I mean, yeah. Why, why mortgage your entire, yeah. But I mean, I'm sure it's a competitive balance parity thing. Um,
00:19:23
Albert Nava
i'm and sure I'm very – I hope it's Fernando. Yes. I have some differing opinions from, again, our fantasy league that will be making an appearance on this podcast at some point, and I can ask them about that personally.
00:19:38
Albert Nava
We'll mention any names now, Alfonso. But I'm sold. I know it's a weak quarterback class. But there he is.
00:19:50
Albert Nava
Tom Brady, Mark Davis, Spitek went to go see the national championship game in person. Yes. They even conducted some coaching interviews over there. Oh, yeah. Mike McDaniel. Offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles. Yeah, we can go through the list. Oh, yeah. it's They said it at the press conference. They had 22 interviews. Oh, yeah. That's crazy. 15 candidates. Which is great. yeah love that. I love the due diligence. Yeah. um as As my dad said, the team...
00:20:17
Albert Nava
Working with the hiring a new coach, obviously Mark Davis, majority order, Tom Brady, minority order, and John Spitek. um At this press conference that took place on Tuesday, February 9th.
00:20:31
Albert Nava
Sorry, February 10th. They asked Mark who would... i don't know if if if the question was exactly who would Clint Kupiak be reporting to, but Mark Davis happened to mention that Clint Kupiak will be reporting to Tom Brady and John Spitek.
00:20:47
Albert Nava
Oh, Tom Brady's in there too? Yeah. That's interesting. so Tom Brady's going to have his now. He's a whole lot on the open about his fingerprints on this yep on this organization, which I think is cool. I think last year there was like a, well, how much and this and that. Everything. Even his name was on the on the release when they fired Carol, which I thought was very interesting.
00:21:11
Albert Nava
And I just, I feel like I failed. Maybe Tom Brady let it come to him. You know, him starting his broadcasting career. he guess he wanted to feel it out. And i'm I'm kind of glad he's not too much hands on, I guess. Maybe behind closed doors is better than like right in front of the camera.
00:21:31
Albert Nava
I'd rather him be like, I guess, instead of like showy, I guess, like maybe like making it obvious that he's very involved. i like that he's it's all closed doors and that John Spitek and Klee Kubiak are I guess trusting in Tom Brady and just on the biggest future. And I'm excited because I know Tom Brady is a competitor. Funny enough, Tom Brady is going to be competing in the 2020 flag football Olympics. Oh my God. Like straight up competing? I believe so, yeah. i think even quarterback.
00:22:04
Albert Nava
That's insane. I saw a back and forth with him and I forget which Paul. Logan Paul, yeah. Yeah, that was really funny. um But anyways, I don't want to get sidetracked. So I think the fact that his name is out there is that active.
00:22:19
Albert Nava
I think that's how much he believes in the progress of the organization. Otherwise, i don't think he'd put his name on it because then something doesn't go wrong. Going right, he can always say, hey, it was in my call. Yeah.
00:22:32
Albert Nava
And click exit one of the draws to the Raiders was being able to collaborate with Tom Brady, is pretty cool. Pretty cool aspect the reader franchise to have. Having arguably the greatest quarterback of all time in your organization and people, I guess, come into the organization just to work with him.
00:22:49
Albert Nava
That's the greatest quarterback of all time who might not make the first ballot hall of fame. FYI, just preparing everybody for that conversation. Very true. Bill Belichick famously recently was... And but and his boss. Yes, Robert Kraft were snubbed from the first ballot hall of fame. um But Drew Brees, welcome to hall of fame.
00:23:11
Albert Nava
um If you remember everybody, I'm gonna be pretty hot. I'll help you. Larry Fitzgerald. Oh, dang it. That's what I was going to say next. Damn it. Take away the one you knew. Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald. ah I'm going to film in the one you probably didn't know. Roger Craig, famous San Francisco 49er. Oh, yeah, I know.
00:23:30
Albert Nava
Who just turned, i believe, 65. He's been waiting. Oh, Adam Vinatieri? The first kicker? The first don't know it's the first kicker, but God, do I not like Adam Vinatieri because...
00:23:43
Albert Nava
He was the one that ended the Raiders season back in, I believe, it was the Tuck rule game. Oh, what? Or 99? No, i had him and I think it was 99. Because 0-1 was the... 0-1 was the Baltimore Raven.
00:23:56
Albert Nava
Okay. So, 0-1? Yeah. On that note, I want to test my my Las Vegas superfan over here based on what's going on with the organization and what we have to look forward to. But Samuel, can you...
00:24:12
Albert Nava
Tell me when the – it's two questions. Can you tell me the last year and Super Bowl number that the Raiders won? 18. Super Bowl 18. That's the number. That's the number. Good job.
00:24:23
Albert Nava
And what was the – The year. What year did it take place? 1970 – no? Close.
00:24:37
Albert Nava
and you know the team that they played and beat a The bonus points if you tell me the MVP. I know you've recently heard his name because you watched the press conference.
00:24:48
Albert Nava
Plunkett? Not Plunkett, no. He was the quarterback. Marcus Allen. Marcus Allen was the MVP. He was also at the press conference with the with the announcement. Okay, second question. When's the last time the Raiders won a postseason game?
00:25:02
Albert Nava
Postseason was 01. 01 year? Or 02? Well, the Super Bowl year. Which is, because I think they won in 02 now, the Buccaneers. Yeah. So 01. 01. Oh, no, 02, 02. It was 02. Do you know the team? 24 years ago.
00:25:17
Albert Nava
ah Yes, I do. Yes, I do. Yes, I do. Okay. Five seconds. People are waiting. They're driving. They're about to park their car because they want to know whether or not you're going to get this answer correct. Hold on, Thieves. Just wait.
00:25:30
Albert Nava
Put your badge on. I don't know. Take your out of a deep breath. Tennessee Titans. Oh, yes. So stupid. Okay. Yeah. so yeah But you did good. yeah considering What I'm trying to say is it's been a long time. which Super Bowl 60 was our last one on Sunday. it' superway i mean I was the only one of these two people that was born during that. oh my god I was alive. Actually, no. The Super Bowl.
00:25:50
Albert Nava
You were around... Yeah. You were a little kid. i mean Speaking of the Marcus Allen... And some of the Raiders greats at this press conference. I'm not sure whose idea this was, but they had a bunch of past Raiders, some Hall of Famers. They had Ridge Gannon, quarterback. las vegas Sorry, hope Oakland Raiders. Yes. They had Charles charles Woodson, quarterback, number 24, who won a Super Bowl with the Packers. Yes. They had Mark Salen.
00:26:27
Albert Nava
They had Holly Long. Fox guy. They had ah i Jeff Plunkett? Plunkett? Why am I... Jim Plunkett. Jim Plunkett. Yes. Two... He has two rings. One more.
00:26:41
Albert Nava
They had one more person there. I just can't remember. I don't remember. He was in a... He was in a Rossi, right? It in Tim Brown? No. Oh, you know what? But... I'm curious why Tim Brown wasn't there. think it was Lester Hayes.
00:26:52
Albert Nava
Oh, there you go. Yeah. Okay. I'm really surprised Tim Brown wasn't there. That's crazy. Okay. And so... We're very excited. So again, 90 million in cap space. We have the number one overall pick.
00:27:05
Albert Nava
So other than um the quarterback position, Dad, what do you feel or want? Okay. i comebi So you, I guess just to get your opinion, you, you want us to draft offensive linemen or to buy offensive linemen?
00:27:20
Albert Nava
Both. It's got to be a combination. It's got to be a combination. No, anyone's got to be a combination of three things. Develop the guys that we can still keep that are on the team now. gets Get some in the draft and then free agency. we need to really – that needs to be an area of focus. And then the next thing is a we need and a number one wide receiver. Okay. have Obviously, I think that's going to be a free agent. Okay.
00:27:41
Albert Nava
And possibly a late round, you know, some some diamond in the rough. Okay. And then we need to obviously address some holes in the defense. I agree. Hopefully we won't have a large hole. i
00:27:56
Albert Nava
I concur with a lot of love that of that breakdown. um We do have... We can't disagree with you. We did have... i I'm not too sure right now in this moment or draft, this is the time to look for a number one receiver.
00:28:13
Albert Nava
um In the draft? Right. or Yeah, that's why. Oh, not even free agency? Because... Alex Pierce is supposedly rumored. I don't know if he's even considered a number one.
00:28:24
Albert Nava
Or Rashid J. That's why I feel like those two... i mean, other than George Pickens. Is he a free agent? Yeah. Oh, I heard about a trade proposal. Just show quick. Pickens for... Oh, for Mark Crosby. Yeah. um I just... Another team on my fantasy championship. Another player, sorry.
00:28:41
Albert Nava
I feel that Trey Tucker, Jack Betch, and DeAndre Thornton, those last two being... We just drafted them last year. Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer. When you say Trey Tucker, I was like, dude, these are Dodgers, bro. Why are we even talking about that guy?
00:28:57
Albert Nava
Trey Tucker, not Chris Tucker. My bad. Oh, okay. I thought I said wrong. No, no. You did it right. Yeah. um So, i feel like I feel like who's available next year, I'm not too sure. But I feel like...
00:29:10
Albert Nava
Um, I mean, I'm, I'm excited. I hope that the Raiders next year could be vying for a playoff spot. Um, you know, it's not out of the realm of impossibility. Right.
00:29:22
Albert Nava
Um, Zach Prescott, right. Izzy Gelliot, uh, most recent, uh, CJ Stroud. Um, Oh, rookie quarterback. i go back mrslas Yeah. So I, I mean, I don't, I don't think that's an area of focus. We have a great running back. We have a great tight end.
00:29:38
Albert Nava
Um, will have a great quarterback. Again, focus on the offensive line, focus on getting Fernando Mendoza comfortable in the NFL and not necessarily depending on number one.
00:29:49
Albert Nava
um I feel like he has a great security blanket in Brock Bowers. um Again, to look for maybe someone in the draft. I mean, and even next year looking for Jeremiah Love, I'm sorry, Jeremiah Smith, wide receiver from Ohio
Raiders' Draft Picks and Team Strengthening
00:30:02
Albert Nava
State. Yeah.
00:30:04
Albert Nava
But I don't know. I chose John Spitek. I chose that he's going to do best for the organization. um And I feel like we've got to look at the Raiders not as a win now, but a rebuild.
00:30:15
Albert Nava
No, we're going to win now. Just kidding. good But it's going to be a... So I'm going to give you... Sorry, back on the wide receiver. And I'm looking at these and I'm like, what?
00:30:26
Albert Nava
What? Mike Evans. i Great, but too old. Christian Kirk. I wouldn't mind. Christian Kirk is 29 years of age. yeah and he actually had a really good postseason. Right. I wouldn't mind because Christian Kirk is very reliable.
00:30:42
Albert Nava
Devo Samuel. No. Tutu Atwell. Dami Brown. Marquis Hollywood Brown. Juwan Jennings is interesting. Raheem Shady. I didn't know he had a win year only a one year. yeah Or he got traded, right? Yeah, he got traded from the Saints. Good old DeAndre Hopkins. and This was circa early 2010, maybe.
00:31:02
Albert Nava
Greg Dorch. Showed some promise. Keenan Allen. No. Tim Patrick. Oh, good old Zay Jones. Former Raider. Oh, love Zay Jones. Oh, Hunter Renfro. Former Raider. That's 30.
00:31:14
Albert Nava
Wanda. I wouldn't mind Wanda. Wanda's pretty cool, but na not not worth the money right now. He's 25. What if we get him on the cheap? Okay, anyways. On the cheap, yes. But there's Alex Pierce. He's 25 as well.
00:31:27
Albert Nava
So, yeah, it's it's, I mean. It's Slim Pickens for number one. We could always bring back Tyler Lockett. Oh, gosh. but Look at next year's for agents for wide receiver. Oh, good job. Okay, please. And I wouldn't mind.
00:31:40
Albert Nava
I wouldn't. I wouldn't. Right there. Yes, thank you. It's a pulling up that data right now. Next year we're looking.
00:31:52
Albert Nava
when receive a so we're looking at Tyreek Hill. He's just turned 33. Michael Pittman. That might be a trade.
00:32:03
Albert Nava
Yeah. Tyreek Hill is a trade candidate for the Miami Dolphins. Michael Pittman Jr. Devontae Adams. No, he's not going to come back. Here's Godwin. Darnell Mooney. Christian Watson. Gets heard a lot. Curtis Samuel. There are some better names on this list. Jake London. There you go. Chris Olave. Okay, another one. Oh, look. I'll take JSN. Oh, my gosh.
00:32:23
Albert Nava
But he's on a club option. know they're going to pick that one. Yeah. oh ah Jordan Anderson is a trade target this year, I've heard. I'm looking to move him from the Minnesota Vikings. so we We have some people that go off next year. It's a better list for next year. yeah But I don't think we have a number one receiver on the roster. We do. No, we don't.
00:32:47
Albert Nava
um i mean i mean he he We do. His name is Brock Bowers, but he's not a wide receiver. Brock Bowers is unbelievable. um He's also on my fantasy team, guys. threw it out there um So very excited.
00:33:02
Albert Nava
In about a week and a half, February 23rd, the draft combine starts. NFL draft combine. Fernando Mendoza did mention he will not be throwing at the combine. He is throwing at his... Pro day. Pro day. That is scheduled on. Do you know when? April 1st. April Fool's Day. So weird. So...
00:33:20
Albert Nava
Very excited. All glory to God. Some key dates to look out for. so again, NFL traffic combine is February 23rd. It starts on Monday. um Next is the tagging deadline. Tagging deadline, I believe, starts on February 13th. Franchise tagging. Not the tagging we like to do out in the walls of Ipaso. Next, we have the free agency, which starts, I believe, March 9th. Interesting. Okay.
00:33:47
Albert Nava
um And then we have the NFL draft, uh, April 23rd, uh, April 24th, sorry, April 23rd to April 25th. Um, do you know where it's going to be this year?
00:33:58
Albert Nava
and val that you have to Let me know. It's going to be informed Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh. And so, um, it's a great football town after NFL drafts, we have the schedule release, which is around mid may.
00:34:13
Albert Nava
Um, last year I believe it was May 16th, May fifteenth But, funny enough, we've been having a some international games announced for next year, including the new york New Orleans Saints going to Paris to play game. We have the Dallas Cowboys going to Rio de Janeiro.
00:34:31
Albert Nava
And we have the San Francisco 49ers versus the Los Angeles Rams. That is most disappointing. In Australia. A key divisional game is being played internationally.
00:34:44
Albert Nava
International games... are for the Jacksonville Jaguars versus the Tennessee Titans. this is yeah This is... and Oh, and then the according enders are going to play Mexico next year. i just Against... Who? Possibly the Raiders. That's a good rivalry. The du Raiders or the Cowboys? i just everybody I don't know who's losing the home game in their Rams-Niners game.
00:35:10
Albert Nava
But you got to be kidding me, man. People that laid out some good money for those season tickets and they're going to it. I think it's just wrong. Don't get me wrong. Australia seems like a great place. I like kangaroos. I like koala bears.
00:35:24
Albert Nava
I've always wanted to go to Australia. like um I had kids instead. It's the same thing. It's good trade-off. So i don't I don't like it. I know what Goodell's doing. And something also popped in my head today.
00:35:38
Albert Nava
Um... And i got to credit Stephen A. Smith for this game. The main reason or possibly one of the the main reason why the halftime show was what it was is to give an international feel to the game and more, obviously, more attention to the nationals.
00:36:01
Albert Nava
you know It's got nothing to do with politics. got nothing to do with ice. ice it's gotten it's anything to do with you know whatever. Wokeness.
00:36:11
Albert Nava
It was literally promotion for internet. And it's going to work. Because everything the NFL does works. I just don't like it. I like my games on U.S. soil.
00:36:24
Albert Nava
And at regular times where I can set my lineup. Oh, that's true. we did have a We did have an instance this year. It was the Pittsburgh Steelers, I believe, against the Minnesota Vikings. And my dad had Jalen Warren running back number 30. All set to go on Saturday night. Was listed and healthy. um And then I want to say maybe an hour before the game, which is 7.30 –
00:36:53
Albert Nava
local time Local time here in El Paso, Texas, Texas texas mountain. We're in Texas. They ruled them out. And so my dad woke up possibly around eight or nine, not knowing and missed out the big fat zero on that lineup. um So i I feel like that hasn't happened in a while, unfortunately. I think my dad i ended up winning, so it wasn't that big of a deal, thank God. don't remember, but I wanted more points. But I personally, I don't mind. but Selfishly, selfishly. I don't mind international games just because my son loves to wake up at 6 in the morning. Who's don't? On the weekends.
00:37:33
Albert Nava
So I'm awake already, I might as well have something on the TV. Yeah. So again, that's number one reason. Number one reason. Number two is the first week in NFL. I have a game on Thursday. i have a game on Friday. i have college football on Saturday and then a game on Sunday and then a game on Monday. So selfishly, i don't mind it.
00:37:54
Albert Nava
I do agree that it does take away. um I want to say it takes away the importance of the game. because whether whoever wins or loses, everyone considers this a weird game. For example, let's say the Seahawks were playing against, let's say the Raiders. um I mean, a lot of people, i mean, if the Raiders had beaten the Seahawks in an international game, a lot of people are like, well, it's because they had to travel, um their bodies are tired. And just the whole like thought process on international games
00:38:33
Albert Nava
It doesn't really depend on the outcome. It depends like, okay, like, oh, like we, I guess we count, we we counted out, right? Like the game didn't count. Like if it was played here on US soil versus played international, lot of times it gets, it gets, how do you say that? It gets.
00:38:51
Albert Nava
There's too many variables. There's a lot of, those games are always weird. Right. Exactly. The outcome is like always what? Like really the giants beat a two, ah two and six giants beat the,
00:39:02
Albert Nava
Six of one Eagles, really? Exactly. It's kind of – it's like a – it's an upset waiting to happen. and It does happen a lot. older Any given Sunday overseas.
00:39:13
Albert Nava
And then i know I felt like a lot of times there's a lot of touchdowns in those games. That too. You know how many overs I've lost internationally to? Jeez Louise. It's a lot – not even turnovers. Turnover on downs, lot of puns, but a lot of points. and So that that's the downside. that It's the international air. Yeah.
00:39:32
Albert Nava
You can't pass in it. Just kidding. But again, like my dad said, it's it's trending in that direction. Roger goodai roger Goodell mentioned he'd want 17 games played international.
00:39:44
Albert Nava
I think right now at nine. We're going to be at 17. And then my dad's worst fear. this no it's going to happen. There is going to be one time, or no, it's going to be on the rotation.
00:39:58
Albert Nava
There
International Super Bowl Possibility
00:39:59
Albert Nava
will be a Super Bowl internationally. That's the day that I'll become that man to get off my lawn guy and say, are you freaking kidding anyways but yeah they're they're they're that's what we're all leading up to there's going to be a super bowl somewhere in kenya or uh south america or greenland yeah somewhere where it's like i mean don't get me wrong i know apologies to our international listeners But I don't think i don't think we're going to piss you guys off because you guys don't really listen to this show. It's like having a Premier League game over here yeah for no reason. I wouldn't even be like, what are guys doing? It would sell. Yeah, it would definitely sell. It would it would be great. yeah The World Cup coming here is great.
00:40:45
Albert Nava
but Starting in June, exactly. practice That's just, I don't know. I guess that's the NFL, in a way, wants to mimic European soccer in that way.
00:40:56
Albert Nava
Because that basically travels very well no matter where they play. So that's what they want. That's their next target and nothing's going to
00:41:07
Albert Nava
stop them. Next subject, Dad. Just in our last few minutes here, talking about Dodger baseball. Spring training is right around the corner. Dodger baseball. We have the world baseball classic.
00:41:20
Albert Nava
Which I could really care two cents about. But I do, I mean, go USA, right? But I do have an emotional vested interest in the team from Japan. Although I'm very happy that both Shohei Otani and Sasaki are not pitching.
00:41:36
Albert Nava
True. Otani supposedly on his own accord. And Sasaki was told by the Dodgers, no. No, mijo, you're not going to pitch. What about Yamamoto? Yamamoto is going to pitch, and I don't think I would have the balls to tell that man not to pitch because that guy can do whatever he wants. If you ask me. He's our savior. He is our savior. Bottom the ninth. Yeah.
00:41:58
Albert Nava
Like Otani, don't even pick up a ball name anymore, bro. Let Yamamoto take over our Asian pitching responsibilities, him and Sasaki, because, yeah, that guy's a beast.
00:42:09
Albert Nava
We had some Dodger news today. The Dodgers are able to bring back Kiki Hernandez on a one-year deal. $4.5 million. Very happy. Max Muncy. Max Muncy. Extend him into the 2028 season. Funky Muncy. One-year extension, $10 million.
00:42:25
Albert Nava
Deals. Peanuts. That's nothing. Those are team-friendly deals. Yes. so um I wonder why. Exciting. um Dodgers are going for a three-peat. Last time it happened and was about 27 years ago. Yankees. The Yankees. We're also the last team to repeat.
00:42:45
Albert Nava
Yes, exactly. And that same repeat was a three-peat. So now Yankee fans are holding on to the idea of, oh, yeah, you guys are going to three-peat. And if I were to share something right now, we're very we're about a month away from opening day.
00:42:58
Albert Nava
I don't think they're going to do it.
00:43:01
Albert Nava
I just think there's too much. Even with the additional Kyle Tucker? Even with Mr. Duggan. King, didn't even know his nickname was King Tuck. look When I look at it looks like King which is a different conversation altogether. But I just think it's hard. I think, I mean, i they're going to be there. They'll make the postseason.
00:43:21
Albert Nava
I just think too many variables in baseball. It's hard to even win one. Almost down near impossible to win two. Which? Nowadays, three. I don't know. i mean, everybody's going to give them their best shot. Who's going to get injured? They've built the perfect team.
00:43:37
Albert Nava
But I hope they prove me wrong. i I just feel like there's too much talent on this team. um And not selfish talent. We have Freddie Freeman, who's voted best first baseman in baseball for like the fifth year in a row.
Dodgers' Strategy and Shohei Otani
00:43:55
Albert Nava
We have Mookie Betts.
00:43:57
Albert Nava
Again, Max Muncy. We have Will Smith. We have Trey Tucker, new addition. Yamamoto. Miguel Rivas. I didn't see that. You said Trey Tucker. i just j Oh, Kyle Tucker.
00:44:10
Albert Nava
Oh my he's a wide receiver for the Raiders too. I believe with Shohei Otani being the best baseball player could be ever, arguably, I think in these last two postseasons, I believe this last postseason was his best, let's say World Series.
00:44:32
Albert Nava
His first World Series against the Yankees, He didn't do very well. No. He got hurt too. And the second time around, i excuse he he did he did better again. um Didn't have a lot of opportunity. Got walked a lot.
00:44:45
Albert Nava
His pitching wasn't really good. I wonder if he broke... ti the He got walked so so many times in one game. Yes, his pitching. His first year pitching, pitching wasn't that well.
00:44:58
Albert Nava
So, to me, I feel like Shea Otani has a lot to prove, I guess to himself. Yeah. I would say with any athlete, Kobe Bryant, for instance, and game seven, 2008, Lakers, Celtics, Kobe did not have a great game. Kobe, terrible game, terrible game. And me feeling that Shokutani has the same killer instinct, I feel like he just wants to get better. And um I think he wants to play better. And so I think he's chasing three-peat.
00:45:30
Albert Nava
And I think him and Yamamoto leading the way I think it's i think's going to happen. I think, again, like you said, they built a perfect team. The Dodgers left us to to kind of start slow.
00:45:44
Albert Nava
um get her Get a run, get a rhythm in, and then maybe like mid-July, they just lose 16 in a row. So um as long as the Dodgers follow that pattern, i feel like we're going to be okay. The goal is to peak in September. Exactly. um Long season, lot of games. one six um but All the Dodgers have to do is get in. That's all they have to do is get in the playoffs.
00:46:05
Albert Nava
And yeah the talent, the experience, we'll take it from there. Shohei Otani, two years in a row. Two years I guess also Yomamoto.
00:46:16
Albert Nava
They have playoff experience and they have World Series experience, experience especially with that Game 7. Probably one of the best Game 7s. Oh my god. We could literally do an entire podcast of an entire World Series. Game 7 was better than the Super Bowl, I believe.
00:46:32
Albert Nava
The Super Bowl? Yeah. yeah yeah Game 7 was, i mean... and daily There was a right ah ah list of the top 10 championship games in the last since No.
00:46:44
Albert Nava
don't know if it was 2000 in the last 10 years. Number one is the Patriots-Falcons game. What you could argue argue it would be the Warriors. The Warriors are in that on that list too. yeah But two is the World Series game seven.
00:46:59
Albert Nava
against the But that game that you're referencing is also on the list. So I believe. I think at the the day, it's... You have your best players and it's going to happen. Dave Roberts. Big win.
00:47:13
Albert Nava
And... Speaking of, I guess bringing up right now, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, both of them have announced their retirements. I believe Mookie Men said four years. What's that? To the end of his contract.
00:47:27
Albert Nava
And Freddie Freeman said three years, no? I didn't know about Freddie. Yeah, Freddie Freeman. So here's my really quick, i want to make this quick because want to wrap this up. Here are my concerns.
00:47:37
Albert Nava
There's something to be said for the hunger to win a championship. I don't care who you are. After you've done it twice, and don't know if that hunger is the same. Two, I think this team, albeit perfect, is getting older.
00:47:53
Albert Nava
Mookie's getting older. Freddie Freeman's getting older. Watani's going to 32. Not that he's getting older, but it's not going same guy. Yamamoto, honestly, any pitcher other than him, and I hate to, there's no wood here to knock on, but as much as he pitched and in that world series or whatever, he could get hurt pictures. And then it happens all the time. But anyways, I hope they win.
00:48:21
Albert Nava
Obviously I'll still be rooting for it. Cause it's, cause dear Yankee fans, fuck the Yankees. And, uh, this is probably the last season because there will be a lockout in that 2027. So keep that in mind. So enjoy it.
00:48:35
Albert Nava
Why last season expand? Uh, there will be a strike. No, some people are even talking about the entire season being gone. Although a World Series has not been called off due to a strike, I think since like the early 1900s.
00:48:50
Albert Nava
But this is shaping up to be a very possible long lockout because the players are not going to let the owners instill a salary cap. I think that's what the crock ah crutch of the entire dispute is going be. Would this trickle down to the AAA, AA teams?
00:49:12
Albert Nava
I believe it does. Oof. Yeah. And that's going be part of the negotiation, too, because I know the AAA or the farm clubs are looking to get more money as well because they really don't get paid that well.
00:49:24
Albert Nava
Wow. Yeah, it's crazy. So this is – As people love to say now, coin the last dance. The last dance. And then people can really truly say that supposedly the Dodgers ruined baseball, but um did they play a role? Yes, but so did the cheap ass owners of the teams that do not want to spend.
00:49:46
Albert Nava
Because in a perfect world, yeah, let's get a salary cap going, but let's also get a salary floor. And I guarantee you, I'll say this right now, on February 12, 2026, if there is a salary cap in 2027 or 2028, the LA Dodgers will still find a way to be competitive and win the World Series. I agree.
00:50:06
Albert Nava
So, and then, i don't know what people will say then. Yeah. den Wow, it's great to be back. Great to be back. lot of sports talk. I was looking forward to this, and this is actually better than I expected, and it started a little bumpy. We didn't know how to record. We didn't know what to do. We didn't know anything. intro was off.
00:50:25
Albert Nava
We didn't have a script. we usually have notes. We didn't talk over each other as much. This is good. We just slid like ah we were riding a bike. Yeah. But, yeah, until next time. Until next time. Thank you for listening.
00:50:41
Albert Nava
Bye. Bye.