Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
Episode 19: NFL Offseason Review ! + TAA to Madrid
10 Plays2 months ago
NFL Offseason Frenzy
- Thoughts on Biggest Moves: Commanders, Geno, DK, Darnold, Davante
- Bengals splash the cash: Too top heavy ?
TAA to Madrid
FA Cup Knockout Round Thoughts
Game Of The Week: Manchester Derby
Recommended
Transcript
Return and Greetings
00:00:10
Chino Onwuka
Hello and welcome to another episode of The Love of the Game. It's your boy Chino. This is episode 19. Glad to be here with y'all. I know we took a little break, but you know you know you know how it is in that intro.
00:00:26
Chino Onwuka
We took the time to to get some other things you know on to-do lists, get them done, but we are really glad to be back here with you guys to discuss some important topics. I'm here with my boys, Chukwu, say what's up to the fam?
00:00:39
Chuku
What's up up, guys? You know, it's been a little hiatus here, but, you know, we're just trying to get back to the, know, to stick with things. And, you know, I'm glad to be back with my boys. It's going to be, I feel like it's going to be a great episode. And I think we got another banger for y'all today. So, where is it ready to go
00:00:58
Chino Onwuka
Less hope, less hope. Emeka, how are you? It was good.
00:01:02
Emeka
Hey, you know, it's national break, man. We we athletes, too. We got we got a rare rest to recuperate. We'll be back on another episode for Love of the Game, man. Happy to yap with y'all again.
00:01:12
Emeka
Episode 19, I think. Episode 19. Almost episode 20.
00:01:16
Chino Onwuka
Episode 19.
00:01:16
Emeka
We're werere doing it.
00:01:18
Chino Onwuka
Yes, yes, yes. And, you know, I'd be'd be a miss to not bring this up. We are recording on no Sunday night, March 30th. So I just want to take this opportunity and say happy Mother's Day. It's Mother's Day on the other side of the hemisphere. So happy Mother's Day to all the mothers. We appreciate all that you do.
00:01:39
Emeka
and Ed Mubarak to my my Muslim brothers out there. Hope you you know you eat you eat some food right now.
00:01:41
Chino Onwuka
True, true, true.
00:01:44
Emeka
Ramadan's over.
00:01:45
Chino Onwuka
True, true, true, true. Okay.
NFL Offseason Overview
00:01:48
Chino Onwuka
So, we made a promise last episode. We wanted to talk some NFL offseason, free agency moves, trades, signings.
00:01:59
Chino Onwuka
But, you know, we got so wrapped up in the discussion that we had that we did not have a chance to get to it. But we are men of our words. And today, we are going to start with talking about the NFL offseason.
00:02:13
Chino Onwuka
You know, sometimes they say that NFL is a 365-day event.
00:02:19
Chino Onwuka
league where there's something happening every single period. So, you know, was really, well, in terms of the free agents, it wasn't really the most exciting crop of free agents where we're seeing more and more often that, know, a lot of the bigger ticket guys that are supposed to be free agents, they get either tagged or, you know, are able to to work out some extensions just before free agency opens. But there were a couple of big moves that,
00:02:47
Chino Onwuka
You know, not just free agency signings, but trades as well that occurred. So we're going to we're going to frame it like this. You know, going to each give each of you the opportunity to talk about what you feel was the biggest move of the offseason.
00:03:03
Chino Onwuka
Later on, I can even give you the opportunity to talk about anything your teams did in particular. So on and meca I'll start with you to you. You know, what what were the biggest moves?
00:03:17
Chino Onwuka
trends that you youve yeah you've seen in the off season so far?
00:03:21
Emeka
I mean, it's funny because a lot happened, but not much happened at the same time. And I think my thing I've noticed more and more now is teams are looking to build through the draft more than free agency.
00:03:36
Emeka
In the past, I used to feel like teams would just blow all their cap space in the first couple of days of free agency and and everything explodes and then, you know, the Like you had like the dream team Eagles back in the day for all you are older people out there.
00:03:51
Emeka
Like that's not happening that much anymore. Teams don't really spend like that. I guess so my biggest surprise has been the QB shuffle.
00:04:02
Emeka
Even though it wasn't as much as I expected. It's still a lot. Like we have Russell Wilson going from Pittsburgh to New York. We have Geno going to the Raiders. We have Darnold going to the Seahawks.
00:04:16
Emeka
I'm sure there's someone else I'm missing, but just the, you know, all those, those QBs and the Aaron Rodgers getting cut.
00:04:21
Chino Onwuka
Justin Fields, the Jets, I don't know that's, you know.
00:04:23
Emeka
Yeah. Field to the Jets, you know, and Aaron Rodgers does not sign yet. Like it's, it's, so it's a weird, I guess my my biggest takeaway is how much quarterback talent is in the league right now, where guys like Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers are are a scraping bottom of the barrel jobs. Like, say what you want about Aaron Rodgers. I know people have their opinions on him.
00:04:47
Emeka
He wasn't that bad last year. He really wasn't. And and I feel like in previous years, he would be, he would have been getting like, you know, offers or even a guy like Jameis. Jameis,
00:04:58
Emeka
played pretty decently last year and was winning some games, and yet he's suddenly for a backup job. It just shows how many good quarterbacks are in the league right now. There's just not that many openings. And, you know, when we talk about the draft, there's only two guys, maybe even one, who are guaranteed to go into first round. Like, it's there's not that many openings anymore now for quarterbacks. It's hard out here.
00:05:21
Emeka
And, hey, if you have one, hold on tight because it's it's a scary market out there, to say the least.
Team Strategies and Trades
00:05:28
Chino Onwuka
That is a really interesting point of view because, you know you know, I touched on it and you touched on it. You know, teams aren't splashing as much in free agency. They're trying to build through the draft. I think it's because teams are trying to build through the draft and hold on to their own players.
00:05:46
Chino Onwuka
Those players that used to be there that you could splash the cash out aren't there anymore. Like, who who was the biggest free agent this year? It was was Godwin, you know,
00:05:58
Chino Onwuka
think he just turned 30 coming up in ACL. It was Sam Darnold and the the defensive tackle that that you guys signed. Those are the biggest free agents. Like, that's not a that's not a sexy class.
00:06:13
Chino Onwuka
Guys who could have been free agents either re-signed or or got tagged. So I think that's part of it. And, you know, just to you your thoughts about quarterback – Yeah, it's really interesting because I'd say there aren't too many great quarterbacks.
00:06:31
Chino Onwuka
I think that's the view a lot of people have, but there is a certain level of competency at quarterback right now in the NFL that teams are, are, are willing to, you know, say, you know what, we're willing to stand pat with what we have until we can make a big move.
00:06:47
Emeka
Thank you.
00:06:48
Chino Onwuka
I do still think there there are a lot of teams that have questions at quarterback. Raiders were one team that had a question, but they've got that sorted now with Geno Smith coming in.
00:07:01
Chino Onwuka
But I still think the Jets have a question at quarterback. The Giants have a question at quarterback. The Browns have a question at quarterback. The Titans have a question at quarterback. So that's four teams right there that have questions at quarterback that aren't resolved yet. So I think really it really just speaks more to the the quarterbacks that are available both in free agency or for trade and in the drafts and maybe teams are just just keeping their powder dry you know
00:07:33
Emeka
I mean, you say the Giants have questions, the quarterback. They got two two big names on the roster. I hope they have an answer for one of those two because...
00:07:39
Chuku
about to say, man, didn't Russell Wilson go to the Giants? Am I tripping?
00:07:43
Emeka
Yeah, and Jameis.
00:07:43
Chino Onwuka
No, no, no. Like, they've they've got names. they've got players there. But would you say that the Giants are are set at quarterback in in any way?
00:07:54
Chuku
I mean, Russell Wilson definitely better than whatever they've got going on the last couple of years, but last seasons, but I mean, I know you're all right.
00:08:01
Chino Onwuka
Okay. If you you can feel like Russell Wilson is a needle mover in 2025, like, that's – I don't think so.
00:08:02
Chuku
It's a fair question.
00:08:06
Chuku
nah, nah. Yeah, don't understand.
00:08:09
Emeka
Hey, hey, he was moving to needle for this Pittsburgh last year a little bit.
00:08:10
Chino Onwuka
got a They've got a body there.
00:08:15
Emeka
A little bit. Not too much, but a little bit. That's not to respect Russell Wilson right now.
00:08:19
Chino Onwuka
No, no um I don't know if what I'm saying is coming up. they don't have a They don't have their future at quarterback yet.
00:08:27
Emeka
Agreed. They have next year a quarterback.
00:08:29
Chino Onwuka
They've got a body there. They've got two bodies. they They're not saying, okay, this is, okay, question. Do they know who their starter for next year is at quarterback? I don't think so.
00:08:38
Emeka
Russell Wilson, yes.
00:08:40
Chuku
Russell Wilson.
00:08:40
Chino Onwuka
not Not for this upcoming season. I mean the one after that.
00:08:42
Emeka
Oh.
00:08:44
Chuku
Oh, what?
00:08:44
Emeka
20.
00:08:45
Chuku
I don't know. I mean, I don't know about the following season, but...
00:08:47
Chino Onwuka
That's my point.
00:08:48
Emeka
Probably not.
00:08:48
Chino Onwuka
Like,
00:08:49
Emeka
No, I
00:08:49
Chino Onwuka
To me, what if you're if you're secure at quarterback means you know who, not just this season, but you know whose your quarterback is going to be next season. I don't think the Giants know that.
00:09:01
Emeka
no i would agree. I also don't think they know who their coach and GM is going to be next season, but we'll get there when we get there.
00:09:09
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
00:09:10
Chino Onwuka
Okay. Chuku, how about you? What what are your prevailing thoughts?
00:09:15
Chuku
Man, I just think, I think for me, the team that showed like they're ready to take that next step and I was really happy, I mean, even though they're one of my division rivals, but I really liked what the commanders did, man.
00:09:16
Chino Onwuka
What stood out to you?
00:09:31
Chuku
I think the additions of Debo Samuel is underrated next to was Debo and Larry Mitenso. at I mean, I know he's older, but to secure the defensive line for, you know, a guy who has shown he has the ability to be one of the best QBs in the league, if not already close to being a top five QB in the league, you know, in Jaden Daniels, I think giving him what a weapon like debos divorce sorry Debo Samuels, you know, who can play, as we know, the back...
00:10:10
Chuku
can play the backfield, know, can be a huge weapon when it comes to yak yards. You know, I just think that additional weapon plus the addition to the offensive line in Laramie Tomso, who's been there you know a journeyman up to this point. But, I mean, one can say he's been a very, very good journeyman, you know, wherever he's been. He's always been one of the best or better, you know, offensive linemen in the league for his position. i just think, like,
00:10:40
Chuku
those are some underrated moves by the commanders and they definitely were one of my, I hate to put it this way, but yeah, they were definitely one of my, you know, winners of the off season with those, with those moves. Cause I definitely think to add those guys to what they already have going on already in their, in their offense, like,
00:11:00
Chuku
it's just going to be just more issues for teams next year. And I think it's going to really help Jaden Daniels take that next step in his development. And like those were definitely, you know, that was definitely one of of the moves, I would say, of the offseason.
00:11:17
Chuku
And then I think another, if I just put one more move as well, I mean, I definitely think, I know i know some people may not view this as much of an upgrade as I view it personally, but I definitely think Devontae Adams to the to the Rams. I mean, like, yeah, Cooper Cup has been amazing.
00:11:35
Chuku
He's had a nice run has been one of the best wide receivers for sure at the Rams, especially with Stafford.
00:11:47
Chuku
But I just think player for player, Like, me personally, i just know, my opinion, i know who I rather have player for player, and that's Devontae Adams. And i just, I think it'll be interesting to see Levante paired next again to an offensive-minded coach in Sean McVay with a QB, even though QB in Stafford getting closer to his 40s, otherwise he'd be like 37 right now, something along those lines.
00:12:19
Chuku
I just think pairing him up, if Stafford can stay healthy, I just, it's very interesting to see, you know, a guy like Devontae Adams and see what he has left, you know, especially on the on the team playing next to Pukunikour, who we already know is one of the top emerging wide receivers in the league. I mean, I think, you know, that can really help know, widen this game and, and I'm very interested to see what the Rams have going on next season. It may not be long stint by any means, but I just think for the next year, at least year or two, at least for sure next season, I think Adams could definitely be, you know, one to watch as one of the, the, I guess,
00:13:02
Chuku
in my opinion, potentially a needle mover for that Rams offense. So I think it would be, brand no setbacks or injuries, I definitely think that could be one of the major moves for sure.
00:13:13
Chuku
But those would be the two two teams or two moves. I guess it's really three moves, but I put i put the Laramie Tunsil and Debo Samuels as one for the commanders. But those would be the two two teams I liked what they did in the offseason.
00:13:31
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, you know, just just talking on on the on the points you touched on, you know, Washington are are doing, you know, what you're supposed to do. They say the biggest advantage in the NFL is having a a good rookie quarterback.
00:13:46
Chino Onwuka
a good quarterback, young quarterback on the rookie scale contract. You know, they made a run last year and now it's time to push all your chips in and take advantage of that. and And that's what they're trying to do with the addition of Debo Samwell.
00:14:01
Chino Onwuka
You know, the question is how much left does he have in the tank? Has has of the 49ers really used him up? But I think, you know, he has the opportunity to to find himself again in in Washington. And then, you know, they're also looking for a comeback here from You know, Laramie Tunso was one of the best left tackles in the league, but was a disaster last year.
00:14:21
Chino Onwuka
think really the whole Houston offensive line was a disaster last year. So, you know, they're sort of buying a little bit low on him. And if he can come back to being the player that he was, then that that's a big, big W for that. So Washington's doing, you know, exactly what they're supposed to do.
00:14:39
Chino Onwuka
on, you know, Devontae Adams. Yeah, I think that might be one of the underrated moves, you know, of the offseason. I'm really interested to see, you know, last couple of years from him haven't been great, you know, either through injury or or bad quarterback play, you know, he was able to escape from from the Raiders. He went to the Jets and I wasn't moved when he was on the Jets.
00:15:05
Chino Onwuka
Like they did their whole thing on him showing up on Pat McAfee. Oh, this, he was very, very average. So, you know, does he still, he he's he's up there. He's one of the best wide receivers ever, definitely of this generation.
00:15:23
Chino Onwuka
He also needs a bounce back here. So, you know, the seems the theme is, know, a lot of players in in new scenery, If they can come back and bounce back to be the players that they were, then yes, they can be big made needle woovers. For me, I guess so the biggest thing is sort of all the domino effects that came about from from the decisions that the Seahawks made.
00:15:49
Chino Onwuka
Seahawks made the decision to to trade Geno Smith to the Raiders. So,
Seahawks' Overhaul and Impact
00:15:54
Chino Onwuka
you know, one of the biggest questions was, you know, what are the Raiders going to do at quarterback? You know, you have... You have Geno Smith there. So they now have their quarterback reunites with Pete Carroll.
00:16:06
Chino Onwuka
So there's that. Then all of a sudden they decide to trade DK Metcalf. So it's like, okay, what are the Seahawks doing? But then Metcalf gets traded to the Steelers. And okay, so now you have both Metcalf and you have Pickens on the other side.
00:16:29
Chino Onwuka
So you have two wide receivers. Oh, yeah, there's a fifth team I did mention that have questions at quarterback. Okay, who's throwing the ball to them? They lost both Wilson and Fields.
00:16:42
Chino Onwuka
But then there's also talk that, okay, now that they've got Pickens, they've signed him to this huge contract. I mean, Metcalf. They got Metcalf signed him to this big contract.
00:16:54
Chino Onwuka
There's rumblings that they might be looking to trade Pickens, so... Yeah, really interesting. I'm not sure what the Seahawks plan was, you know, a little bit of a rebuild, but then they go and sign Sam Darnold to, not a huge contract, but, you know, $40 million a year.
00:17:11
Chino Onwuka
And they're hoping that he can continue the form that he showed in in Minnesota. So yeah, just what the Seahawks were doing and the domino effects from the decisions they've made and the the direction they've chosen to go just led to a lot of interesting moves both away and and to them. And it'll be interesting to see how all those things shake out.
00:17:35
Emeka
Like, on so you on the Seahawks point you made, it was I've been thinking about because have a few Seahawks fans in my life, and I've talking to them, and, like, I know at the end of the season, if I told them you were going to lose Geno, Lockett, and DK, they wouldn't have believed it. Like, how many how often do teams give up the quarterback and number one and number two receiver in the same offseason?
00:17:57
Emeka
And not, like, scrub off the receiver. Like, these are... All talented Pro Bowl level players. So I'm really, really curious how that pans out and in Seattle because you never see teams make moves like that. And, you know, hey, they got Cup in.
00:18:12
Emeka
JSN's going to take a leap. They got Big Darnold, the biggest quarterback, signing of the offseason. So, yeah, I'm really intrigued how the Seahawks do it. Like, they were a decent team last year. am I forgot they were, but I know they were almost in the playoffs. They they lost out the last game of the season. They were over 500.
00:18:31
Emeka
Really rare you see a team keep the the head coach, keep the general manager, but then, yeah, cut the quarterback and one and two receivers. So, clearly – They felt they hit you know the end of the road there and let everything go.
00:18:45
Emeka
And also your second point I want to comment on because, man, you nailed that on the on the interesting situation. The Steelers, if they keep that wide receiver room, Mike Tomlin, I feel like he has a fetish. He has a fetish for difficult receivers.
00:19:01
Emeka
He just can't help himself. If you are a receiver, you got some athletic capabilities, but you got a little bit of a knucklehead in you, come to the Steelers. And look, not to disrespect DK and act like he's some crazy diva because he's not like compared to the Antonio Browns and even the Pickens of the world.
00:19:19
Emeka
But he's not an easy guy. Like he has his moments. he he needs to give He needs to be fed. He needs his targets. He needs all that stuff. So, Man, Pickens and and DK on the same team, that might be explosive.
00:19:32
Emeka
That might be really explosive. And if they get who I think they're going to get to QB, you know what I'm saying?
00:19:36
Chino Onwuka
It's explosive in multiple ways, potentially.
00:19:39
Chuku
I'm crying. Fair enough.
00:19:41
Emeka
And if they get who I think they're going to get to be QB, it's going to be really explosive. Like, that's interesting.
00:19:45
Chuku
Wait, who are you thinking? are you thinking they're getting
00:19:47
Emeka
Aaron Rodgers, I think the the, you know, where else is he going to go? And there's been a lot of noise about it. And they're going to be
00:19:53
Chino Onwuka
like Like, honestly, and I was but thinking, maybe I've forgotten, like, who do they have at QB now?
00:19:54
Chuku
a QB? What? You still believe in Rodgers?
00:19:59
Emeka
Mason Rudolph is their starting quarterback right now on the depth chart.
00:20:00
Chino Onwuka
Mason Rudolph, right? Yeah, so...
00:20:03
Emeka
So they got to sign someone.
00:20:04
Chuku
That's horrible. got to get somebody, bro. Yeah.
00:20:06
Emeka
And right now it's literally Aaron Rodgers or Kirk Cousins. Those are your only two free agent quarterbacks. so
00:20:11
Chino Onwuka
Is Matt Jones still out there?
00:20:11
Chuku
but Do you want to a draft pick? What's going on?
00:20:16
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, they have a draft pick, but do you do you see Tomlin?
00:20:17
Emeka
not
00:20:20
Emeka
Hey, you know,
00:20:22
Chino Onwuka
Tomlin, they're trying to win, right? there's Unless they trade into the top five, right? i think it's still draft like They could draft the quarterback, sure. Do I see that quarter of whoever quarterback they draft starting for them this season? No.
00:20:35
Chino Onwuka
No.
00:20:37
Chuku
Interesting. Hey, man, I think, see, I'm very interested interested to see where Sanders goes. And, I mean, look, I'm one of those – if I see – if Sanders goes to Pittsburgh, I mean, I'm just saying – because, look, all bets are off.
Draft Predictions
00:20:52
Chuku
At this point with Sanders, I don't know if he's going to be a, you know, an early, like, top 10 pick, like everyone's saying. But I still think he's going to be a first-round pick. So, I'm just saying, if you're the –
00:21:01
Chino Onwuka
Okay, yeah, sure.
00:21:02
Chuku
if you're the
00:21:02
Chino Onwuka
If it's Sanders, if they draft Sanders, then yeah, that's a different conversation. You're right.
00:21:06
Chuku
OK, OK, OK.
00:21:06
Chino Onwuka
But I'm assuming that, yeah.
00:21:07
Chuku
That's what I'm saying. That's what I'm saying. Go ahead. Go ahead.
00:21:11
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, fair enough.
00:21:12
Chuku
Well, what are you assuming? So you're assuming they won't be like...
00:21:14
Chino Onwuka
I was going to say, I actually hadn't contemplated the Steelers getting Sanders, but yeah.
00:21:15
Chuku
I
00:21:21
Chuku
so
00:21:21
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
00:21:22
Chuku
i mean, at this point in time, like you know what I'm saying?
00:21:22
Chino Onwuka
They need
00:21:26
Chuku
I see Sanders slip into like a late first round pick, you know I'm saying, at this point in time.
00:21:26
Chino Onwuka
would
00:21:29
Chuku
So, I mean, if but if you're the Steelers right now, right, you've not signed any QB just yet, you still got Rudolph on there. I mean, I'm just saying if a guy like Sanders slips and falls to you, hey, I'm just saying, man, you could worse.
00:21:43
Chuku
You could do worse.
00:21:43
Chino Onwuka
Which, honestly, I think would be a good situation for Sanders, honestly.
00:21:44
Chuku
Yeah.
00:21:47
Chino Onwuka
but one But then it's like, okay, with the wide receivers we just mentioned, Sanders' game does not fit with their games at all.
00:21:48
Chuku
yeah
00:21:56
Chuku
Fair, fair.
00:21:56
Emeka
Would Deion agree as well? I don't know. i don't think Also, I don't think Tomlin would do like Deion hanging around. So, I don't know. Something I have to change about that.
00:22:06
Chuku
Man, these are professionals, bro. oh we do What are we doing here, man?
00:22:08
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, I think the Deion stuff is overplayed.
00:22:10
Chuku
i think that's overplayed for sure, man.
00:22:11
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, yeah.
00:22:12
Chuku
Come on, man.
00:22:12
Emeka
I thought so too until he starts talking.
00:22:13
Chino Onwuka
Like, it if if Sanders goes to Pittsburgh with Tomlin there, I think he'd love that as a dad. Like, all right, my son's in safe hands.
00:22:22
Chuku
Yeah, exactly.
00:22:22
Chino Onwuka
Only thing they might complain about is the weather, but apart from that, I think they'd be they they'd be ecstatic with that.
00:22:22
Chuku
Yeah.
00:22:27
Emeka
All right.
00:22:29
Chino Onwuka
They just don't want to go to dysfunctional season, I think.
00:22:29
Emeka
We'll see where he ends up.
00:22:33
Emeka
I don't know. If I'm Mike Tomlin, I'm not, I'm not.
00:22:34
Chino Onwuka
Okay.
00:22:35
Emeka
Mike Tomlin needs a playoff win badly. He needs some W's. I don't know if I put in my faith that Mason Rudolph on the rookie QB. I need a vet.
00:22:46
Chino Onwuka
And yet, and like you said, it's either interview or or bus.
00:22:47
Chuku
Aaron Rodgers?
00:22:49
Emeka
Hey, Kirk Cousins, man.
00:22:50
Chuku
Bro...
00:22:51
Emeka
don't know.
00:22:52
Chuku
Bro, we've just seen Kirk Cousins in Atlanta, bro. Holy. like
00:22:56
Emeka
He needs something.
00:22:57
Chuku
Nah, bro.
00:22:57
Emeka
That's what I'm saying.
00:22:58
Chuku
I ain't sure Kirk.
00:22:58
Emeka
He needs...
00:23:00
Chuku
See, I'm not lucky. See, me personally, i have the options of Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers, and Shadour Sanders. My thing is, wait why are we picking between the two?
00:23:08
Chino Onwuka
I'm going to Sanders.
00:23:09
Chuku
first of all first of all First of all, the answer is definitely for me, is Sanders.
00:23:09
Chino Onwuka
I'm going Sanders.
00:23:13
Chuku
But I'm saying, why are we even like, why is that going to try?
00:23:13
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
00:23:17
Chuku
Why don't you get both? you Last year you got you had Justin Fields and you had Russell Wilson. My thing is, why can't you draft if Sanders falls in that situation?
00:23:29
Emeka
That's a big F
00:23:29
Chuku
Why not draft him? And of course, well, I mean, it's a big if, but i mean, what what so does we can we, can someone confirm where Pittsburgh would be? Like, it's not like Pittsburgh is like the 29th or something. Like, wouldn't it be like a,
00:23:43
Chuku
That's very plausible, man.
00:23:45
Chuku
Bro, have you looked at the draft board? Like, if the Giants don't draft Sanders, which, again, doesn't look like they're going to draft. They're not going to draft, considering they just wanted to go out to Russell Wilson.
00:23:45
Emeka
oh
00:23:56
Chuku
And, like, I'm looking at draft board, man. A lot of the teams that, quote-unquote, we're looking at, you know, I think we have to talk about this in our private group chats. Like, all the teams we thought could be needing a QB,
00:24:09
Chuku
Went and got a QB. I'm like, you know what saying? Look at the Raiders. The Las Vegas Raiders. Went and got Geno Smith. You know, the Vikings. Who was in the Vikings again?
00:24:20
Emeka
They haven't got anybody.
00:24:20
Chuku
That's true. If anybody.
00:24:22
Emeka
They have Jay-Z and McCartney.
00:24:22
Chino Onwuka
No, they got JJ McCarthy, the the first round pick from last year.
00:24:25
Emeka
Yeah, but not anyone this year.
00:24:26
Chuku
guess they got that first shot from last year. Okay, fair.
00:24:27
Chino Onwuka
there's So they're so edgy.
00:24:29
Chuku
Fair. So, I mean, doubt I doubt that they use a first-round pick again this year to go get a QB.
00:24:34
Chino Onwuka
No, definitely not.
00:24:35
Chuku
the You know, the Giants, like you said, just got Russell Wilson. The Jets, I mean, the Jets just went and got Justin Fields. I mean, I think, I don't think they're going to be using another draft a draft.
00:24:46
Chuku
Hey, you laugh, but Justin Fields...
00:24:47
Chino Onwuka
No, Jets are good.
00:24:48
Emeka
I don't think it feels the stuff me for kicking Sanders.
00:24:49
Chino Onwuka
The teams that are potentials are still the Browns, still the Giants. Like, yeah, they've signed those two, but, you know, again, there's no future there. Those are one-year stopgaps unless, you know, because the thing is here, you know, Emeka made a point about, you know, I don't think that coach or GM are there last year.
00:25:12
Chino Onwuka
Next year, the only thing that could buy them time is a rookie quarterback.
Bengals' Roster Challenges
00:25:17
Emeka
Yeah.
00:25:18
Chino Onwuka
The only thing that can grab them time is a rookie quarterback.
00:25:18
Emeka
And also...
00:25:21
Chino Onwuka
So you can still get Russell. can still have Winston and still draft Sanders and have him bake under them and just try to be solid. So I still think, you know, Browns are low possibility, but possibility.
00:25:36
Chino Onwuka
You know, think the Giants are perhaps a low possibility, but possibility as well. You still have the Raiders that could possibly get get him as a succession plan. That's probably a low possibility.
00:25:48
Chino Onwuka
And then the Steelers are just praying on their knees, praying that he drops to them.
00:25:55
Chuku
I mean, look like I said, look i look at that list. who who who's Who's in Seattle? Darnold? Is that right?
00:26:01
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, darn all. Yeah.
00:26:02
Chuku
Yeah.
00:26:02
Chino Onwuka
So they're they're not drafting someone.
00:26:03
Chuku
So, I mean, look, because if it's not if he's not the Browns and if it's not the Giants, boy, oh boy, i don't know.
00:26:14
Chuku
Even the Jets, i don't know I don't know about that one.
00:26:14
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, you're right.
00:26:17
Chuku
But, yeah, boy, oh boy.
00:26:18
Chino Onwuka
No, no, no. Jets aren't signing. Jets are going to wait.
00:26:20
Chuku
That's I'm saying. just so i goingnna so Unless some team trades up, and what happens to... Well, I don't i don't see i't see you know Pittsburgh trading up, but unless some other team comes up trades up, I'm just saying it's a very, very strong possibility, man, that we can see that happen.
00:26:35
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
00:26:36
Chuku
But you know we'll see we'll we see when we get there. We'll see when we get there.
00:26:39
Chino Onwuka
Fair point. Fair point. Okay. So now we're going to move on to the other big, you know, there were some, there's big news in terms of players that moved and there was big news in terms of players that didn't move. You know there were a couple of players that, you know, made big trade requests and ended up staying two to the top defensive end in the NFL.
00:27:01
Chino Onwuka
Miles Garrett, you know, he came out saying, yep, I'm here about my legacy. I want to win. Well, my brother, you are here about your money and you got them big fat checks to make you stay in that wonderful situation in Cleveland. So he stayed put.
00:27:18
Chino Onwuka
Max Crosby as well. He said the same thing. You know, he got signed. And when he got signed, I said, h maybe he heard about some of the moves that they were making. And I was right. A couple of days later, they traded for Gino. So he stayed put.
00:27:31
Chino Onwuka
and Two other players that stayed put, it's probably maybe the biggest moves of the offseason were the Bengals re-signing Jamar Chase and Tee Higgins.
00:27:43
Chino Onwuka
You know what, maybe they cost themselves some money by not doing it as early as possible, but... Hey, to the surprise of a lot of people, they actually did. You know, Chase is now the highest paid wide receiver in the NFL. And Higgins got a lot less than than we thought. So he definitely took one for the team.
00:28:02
Chino Onwuka
You know, they they both have the same agent. So, you know, they were both talking, trying to make the numbers work. So now you have a situation of, you know, Joe Burrow. Jamar Chase, T. Higgins, one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL for the last couple of years, but taking over, I don't know if you guys have the number, a very significant portion of the cap. So what are you guys' thoughts on the signings? Do you think this is good roster construction?
00:28:31
Chino Onwuka
Can the Bengals make this work? you know What does this mean?
00:28:35
Emeka
Hey, don't disrespect Chase's
00:28:35
Chuku
I'm just going to come out and say, oh so real quickly, I'm going to make my point and I'm out. Bengals are never going to win this football moving forward. That's my my take on this.
00:28:47
Chuku
Any team that is structured based off of QB and two wide receivers, two top wide receivers, one of them being the highest paid,
00:29:01
Chuku
I'm sorry, but that's not going to win you Super Bowl. I'm sorry, because and there's still so much work that the Bengals needed needed to do.
00:29:14
Chuku
This is the same Bengals team that we saw last year. lose, I can't remember the exact stat, but lost pretty much the most games you can lose, haven't put up over 30 points in the in that same game.
00:29:28
Chuku
Like, the problem has never been their offense. That's the thing. It's never been offense. The issue has been their defense can't stop nobody.
00:29:39
Chuku
And the fact is, all you just did was just sign on two two guys who, there are two amazing wide receivers, i feel know Jamar Chase easily top three, if not top two, Bryce Deaver in the game right now.
00:29:55
Chuku
Tee Higgins somewhere in the top 20 or top 25 receivers in the game right now. But... What's that going to do for you at the end of the day if at the end of the day your defense, you put up points and your defense can't stop nobody? and and And all that's going to do is put a lot more pressure on the offense to have to score every single time they have the ball.
00:30:16
Chuku
I'm not seeing them make any decent. Maybe if, you know, maybe y'all y'll can educate me or put me on if if I miss something. But as I checked, I didn't see them make any a huge signings or you know improvements on the defensive side of the game.
00:30:28
Chuku
So all this shows or does for me his is nice that they kept their two parents together. Great. going to see some exciting football in terms of points being put up. But at the end of the day, any hopes of the Bengals and Super Bowl is out of the picture in my books unless something changes drastically and somehow they manage to improve heavily on the draft and they get players that, you know,
00:30:51
Chuku
can be the difference maker in that place. But other than that, as presently constructed, I just don't see how this team challenges for Super Bowl. That's my take.
00:31:03
Emeka
I mean, hey, look, I just want to say don't disrespect Chase's agent. He's not the highest paid receiver. He's the highest paid non-QB in the league. Hey, that's impressive. I gotta to give my boys some props for that.
00:31:15
Emeka
I agree with Chico's point, even though like I laugh when people say so-and-so would never win a Super Bowl. It's really hard to win a Super Bowl. It's really hard.
00:31:25
Emeka
Aaron Rodgers is a top five QB of all time. He's won one Super Bowl. So, yeah, it's not more more often than not. Most teams would never win a Super Bowl in the league. So, yeah, I agree that the Bengals probably won as well.
00:31:37
Emeka
And that's just life. It's hard to do it, especially the era we live in when Frogman takes up all the rings, yada, yada, yada. I am stunned that the Bengals decided to re-sign Higgins.
00:31:49
Emeka
You got to re-sign Chase. Chase had maybe the greatest contract the year I can remember a guy having, maybe since Joe Flacco. Triple crown in a contract year, get your money.
00:32:01
Emeka
T. Higgins, and I love T. Higgins, and this is probably me being biased because I was trying to manifest T. Higgins to the Patriots all season, is great. He's also always hurt.
00:32:12
Emeka
And they have, I'm going to butcher his name, remember how to pronounce it, the Hawaiian receiver. Look, he's not T. Higgins, but he's all right. Chase Brown, he's all right.
00:32:25
Emeka
More importantly, you have Joe Burrow. What is the point of paying Joe Burrow $55 million if I can't have my wide receiver to leave and replace him?
00:32:35
Emeka
You know, the Chiefs paid Pat Mahomes all the money. Guess what? Tyreek Hill had to dip. The Bills paid Josh Allen on his money. Guess what? Stephon Diggs had to dip. That's just how it goes. We gave you Chase.
00:32:47
Emeka
you We can't give you Higgins as well. If I was the Bengals GM, I would literally sit down Burrow in my office and I'd tell him, Either you take a $10 million dollars pay cut or Higgins goes. Like, it can't be both.
00:32:58
Emeka
And I haven't had Chase in the office, too. Chase, either you take a $5 million pay cut, borrow, you got the $5 million. Between the two of you, drop $10 million, we'll bring back Higgins. Otherwise, we're not. Because they're going to let go of Trey Hendrickson.
00:33:11
Emeka
And that just makes no sense to me. How you'd pick T. Higgins over Trey Hendrickson. we You need to stop people. Like, literally last year, you're giving up 35 every game.
00:33:23
Emeka
And you're going to get worse on that end? It just doesn't make sense to me. It doesn't. And the only reason this happens, even though they're not going to say it, I've watched enough sports to know how it goes.
00:33:35
Emeka
The most important man in Cincinnati is Joe Burrow. And it's very clear Joe Burrow said, bring back all my weapons next year. I don't want to hear it. Pay them off. All right, Joe. Bet.
00:33:46
Emeka
Repay all your weapons now. I never want to hear Joe Burrow complain about his defense or his offensive line ever again. This is the bed you've made. You want to throw 5,700 yards and 57 touchdowns and just score 40 points every game.
00:34:02
Emeka
Bet. You're going to have numbers. You're going to be great. I never want to hear you come on the podium after a 45-41 loss and be like, man, if only we got some stops. You want some stops?
00:34:13
Emeka
Get Higgins out of there and pay your number one pass rusher who led the league in sacks. How'd you pay that guy some money as well? But no, you want to keep everyone happy and la-la-la on the offense and pay everybody Fantastic. Have fun scoring 55 points a game and losing 1655.
00:34:29
Emeka
And overall, the Bengals subject. This is a Chukwu level hot take, but I would think about this for years. If I was the Bengals owner, i In this offseason, I go to Zach Taylor and I tell him, if we lose week one next year, you're getting fired.
00:34:44
Emeka
The Bengals always start every season slow. And they fight and fight and fight to make up for it. That can't happen again. I'm paying too much money to everybody here. Zach Taylor, Joe, borrow you guys, but Zach Taylor because you're the easiest to replace.
00:34:58
Emeka
If we lose week one next year, you're fired. We got to start at least 1-0 and go from there because the Bengals, it hurts me. now I love Joe Shiesty. I love Joe Burrow. I love Che. i I can't be going to the playoffs and not having Joe Burrow make the playoffs.
00:35:12
Emeka
I know he's in the toughest division and all that. There's seven Cs make the playoffs now. I can't have Joe Burrow not i make the playoffs. So I want them to be better. This is not how you become better, man.
00:35:23
Emeka
This is not how it works. So if this is the way you want to build a roster, it's the better you're going to make. It's not a shock to when I tell you that I truly believe Zach Taylor is last year. He's getting fired. They're not going to win.
00:35:35
Emeka
And we've paid everybody. It's a lot easier to get rid of the head coach than it is to get rid of guys who have $200 million dollars guaranteed. So, hey, it sucks for Zach. I'm sure if I asked him his truth serum, who would you rather have next year, Hendrickson or Higgins? I know for a fact he'd say Hendrickson, but that's the game we play. And I hope Joe Burrow is happy with what his next couple of years is going pan out to be.
00:35:57
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, what this does is this puts a lot of pressure on the Bengals to draft well. When you're allocating this many resources to three players all on one side of the ball, you have to hit the draft every year. You have to hit on all your evaluations.
00:36:16
Chino Onwuka
You have to hit on your development and keep that. that stack rolling and rolling because yeah, you have to you have to build on on cheap contracts. And it's really interesting to Emeka, you noted sort of the contrast between what they're doing and what other teams of top contracts are doing and how they're building out their team. So yeah, it's gonna be really interesting to see.
00:36:37
Chino Onwuka
The word I'm hearing, yeah i think, you know, Joe Burrow already said he's he's he's willing to restructure his contract and he might have already. So I think they have room to sign Trey Hendrickson. I think they're trying to keep him there.
00:36:51
Chino Onwuka
I actually think they will be able to keep him there. But yeah, it's still not enough. I know they got rid of... the DC, Will Amarillo. So let's see if bringing in so many new can, can do something else with that defense. But yeah, I think it's going to be really, really difficult for them because the the key thing, you know, I'm going to, you talked about they them mean to start off. Well, you know, a lot of their problems with starting off well has been, you know, contract holdouts, which sort of affects, you know, how quickly they can get up to speed.
00:37:26
Chino Onwuka
at the beginning of the season, as well as injuries. Two of the guys that you're paying this amount, you know, have had issues with injuries, either their fault or not.
00:37:38
Chino Onwuka
And so, you know, that that is a risk they're taking. So, yeah, it'll be interesting to see how this plays out. I feel like they'll always have a bit of a ceiling due to this, you know.
00:37:50
Chino Onwuka
especially in the division that they're in, they're always going to be at a deficit on the line and and on defense. So, guys, we we kept our promise. We we we did we did touch on on NFL offseason moves. We've got the draft coming up really soon, so we'll definitely have a lot of contact content in regards to that. So let us know if you have any questions or any other things you want us to to talk on.
00:38:16
Chino Onwuka
Please, please drop us a message as well. Before we move on NFL, is there anything else you guys wanted to touch on in terms of NFL stuff?
Eagles and 49ers Offseason Moves
00:38:27
Chuku
I mean, just quickly, my Eagles getting Zach Bond resending by a star linebacker. I'm loving know love that addition.
00:38:39
Chuku
And I just think you know the the fact that I'm surprised Eagles haven't really lost too much. i mean, we did lose the Darius Slay.
00:38:50
Chuku
that That will hurt a little bit. I mean, but for the most part, I think... retaining a lot of our hitters.
00:38:56
Emeka
right What you mean? You lost defensive line guys. Including to my Patriots, baby.
00:39:00
Chuku
What?
00:39:03
Emeka
Yeah, Josh Swett and Milton Williams.
00:39:03
Chuku
We lost guys to retirement.
00:39:04
Emeka
Those are big names.
00:39:06
Chuku
Please, please, please, please. Look, Joshua is nice.
00:39:08
Emeka
Okay.
00:39:09
Chuku
I like him. He was good. Yeah, great, cool. But we still got our young boys. you know what I'm saying? Jordan Davis. We still got, I forget his name, but the guy that had issues in the draft.
00:39:23
Chuku
What's his name? I think he should not please help me out here. But the defensive lineman that nobody wanted to draft, but we fell to the Eagles two years ago.
00:39:34
Chino Onwuka
Yeah. you don't You don't remember your own boy?
00:39:38
Chuku
Hey, man, I forget. i just the name's escaping me right now. but
00:39:42
Chino Onwuka
is is we all know who you're talking about. I just want to – Zach Bond is an amazing player, a great player. don't think – this is going to sound so demoral.
00:39:57
Chino Onwuka
We're not going to spend time talking about about you know that level of linebacker. here with the limited amount of time we have.
00:40:03
Chuku
I'm just, it was a quick.
00:40:03
Chino Onwuka
He's honestly good player. If we didn't have a lot, I think everyone should know Zach Vaughn, amazing, amazing signing last year. you know That's what the Eagles do. They found a bargain and he played well and they rewarded him for it. but okay if If that's all you wanted to bring up, I i think we can move on.
00:40:21
Emeka
I just wanted to say, my Eagles fan brother doesn't even know Jalen Carter's name.
00:40:22
Chuku
All right, man. All right, man.
00:40:25
Emeka
But a a that's what I was saying.
00:40:26
Chuku
There we go, Jalen Card. Oh, man. Jesus. Oh, yeah.
00:40:31
Emeka
Level of fandom we have here. But real quick, my little quick thing is I've never seen a team lose talent like the 49ers have lost talent this offseason.
00:40:32
Chino Onwuka
I like,
00:40:33
Chuku
Hate her, man. Anyways, move on.
00:40:43
Emeka
Ultimately, Quarterbacks, man, it's great. I could you i think it was Juno who said that the greatest resource in the NFL is to have a good QB in the rookie deal. The 49ers shows you how OP that is and when that Cinderella period ends, how brutal it is.
00:40:59
Emeka
Half their team essentially his guard has has to leave because one Brock Purdy is going from making $1 million to probably $50 million.
00:41:03
Chuku
you.
00:41:07
Emeka
dollars And you got to pay the – the sacrifice has to be made for the cap space for that. So it just goes to show you, like, my patrons are are going through it now with Drake May. Like, when you got a rookie QB and he has it on a rookie deal – Take advantage of because when they start making $40 million, $50 million, all of a sudden, know all those guys you have on the on the offensive and defensive lines, the linebackers who aren't that sexy, they start getting cut.
00:41:31
Emeka
And that's when your team starts feeling it.
00:41:34
Chuku
You ain't lying, brother.
00:41:35
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, it'll be interesting to see, you know, how they're going have to pivot in terms of, you know, their mindset and their mentality when it comes to to the draft and free agents going forward as they try to manage that cap.
00:41:48
Chino Onwuka
I think one good news for a lot of teams is the cap is going up substantially. So I think that actually helps give teams some leeways. Okay, so speaking of moves, you know, it was and and on on the on the footy side of things, soccer for for my people in in North America,
00:42:04
Chino Onwuka
It was
Trent Alexander-Arnold's Transfer
00:42:04
Chino Onwuka
the international break, which the last decade, I would say is kind of a downgrade time in in the world of of football. But honestly, ain't going to lie. A lot of the games this international break were pretty interesting.
00:42:21
Chino Onwuka
but no You not you yeah had Nations Leagues, knockout games. World Cup qualifying, the Gold Cup. But I think, you know, speaking of moves, I think the biggest news that did come out is, you know, I think it's it's it's not really been a secret, but, you know, Trent Arnold-Alexander, it pretty nailed on that he's moving on to Real Madrid. So, you know, what are what are your, you know, we'll start with Chukwu as the the resident madrista here. You know, what do we think of that move?
00:42:56
Chino Onwuka
What do we think of, you know, the timing of of what's going on? What do we think of the fact that, you know, your homegrown talent is is leaving on a free?
00:43:12
Chino Onwuka
Does this, you know, you i feel i feel for Liverpool fans somehow because something always happens, you know, even when they win the league, it's always something. When they won it the last time, you know,
00:43:24
Chino Onwuka
A lot of fans say it didn't feel the same because it was a COVID year. you didn't have the celebrations, everything. And then i've had a lot of Liverpool fans say they decided to win the league, but you know the TAA leaving the way he has has put a bit of a downer on that.
00:43:41
Chino Onwuka
And then there's still still the the ambiguity of what's going happen with Salah and with Van Dijk. So we'll start with you, Chukwu.
00:43:53
Chuku
Yeah, man. Oh, hello Madrid, man. Hello Madrid. It's just crazy. i It's so funny because i have like a Liverpool fan in my life where like,
00:44:07
Chuku
You know, this this topic of nor Trent's leave into Madrid came up, and he was trying to sell me on the whole, oh, it's not a big deal. you know, we got Connor Bradley, and I was just like...
00:44:22
Chuku
the copium was at an all-time high because I'm just telling you right now, like, see, all these issues that people bring up with Trent, making him seem like, oh, yeah, he's this, you know, offensive talent, but but on the defensive end, he gets smoked, he's this is the liability, he's this and that and the other.
00:44:46
Chuku
I'm just laughing because, bro Trent on this Madrid madrid team, please him playing... I feel like just... A lot of people talk about Trent being an offensive talent. I just think people just underrate... I don't think it's enough.
00:45:05
Chuku
like They don't put enough emphasis on how generationally talented this brother is. like I just think some of these passes like he makes... And the thing is...
00:45:17
Chuku
He's going to be in a team, obviously if and when this all goes through, he's going to be on a team that has like the has the players that can basically like you know, emphasize his talent even more in the sense of, like, some of these passes that he's going be making to guys like Vinny, Mbappe, Rodrigo, Jude.
00:45:42
Chuku
Like, it's it's going to be monumental, man. I'm just... It's just not fair. In my opinion, it's just not fair. And the fact is, look, Cabajal has been a very, very, very, you know...
00:45:57
Chuku
serviceable and, you know, very consistent fullback, even though he's been hurt his last few, you know, done some unfortunate injuries of late. But, like, right back has been one...
00:46:08
Chino Onwuka
Did you say serviceable or are you just talking about the last couple of years?
00:46:11
Chuku
I'm saying... I'm talking about the last couple of years.
00:46:14
Chino Onwuka
Cause that's, that's, I mean, I was like, that's, that's, this that's disrespect.
00:46:16
Chuku
I'm talking about the last couple of years. Cabo Howe's been in the team for, year like, a while, bro. Like, I mean, look, I'm just saying...
00:46:22
Emeka
Ballador, fourth place finish.
00:46:23
Chuku
Hey...
00:46:24
Emeka
Danny Cavajal last year. Just throwing it out there.
00:46:26
Chuku
Listen, listen, he has had an amazing run, bro. Like, there's no doubt about it, bro. Like, let's not, let's not harp on the words of being serviced. So what's wrong with being serviced?
00:46:37
Chino Onwuka
but No, no, no, no, no.
00:46:38
Chuku
He's done a good job. He's done a good job.
00:46:39
Chino Onwuka
I'm just saying like that's your legend. So yeah, he might be bit washed out.
00:46:42
Chuku
Hey, of course, bro. Hey.
00:46:46
Chino Onwuka
The first sentence, the prefix with Carvajal as a madrista to be served. So I was just surprised. I'm just saying let's give a little bit more respect what was saying.
00:46:52
Chuku
a Look, he has been amazing, bro. Cavajal has been amazing.
00:46:55
Chino Onwuka
There we go. That's better. That's better.
00:46:57
Chuku
I'm just saying he's getting up there now in age. He's picking up unfortunate injuries at a time when we need...
00:47:05
Chino Onwuka
he's He's done.
00:47:07
Chuku
Huh? What do you mean, Stan?
00:47:08
Chino Onwuka
He's done.
00:47:09
Chuku
What you mean?
00:47:10
Chino Onwuka
like the last Between the injury he'd just come back from and the last one, like i like he's cooked.
00:47:17
Chuku
Hey, that's your opinion. You know what I'm saying? I get it. Listen, there's no, like, obviously, you know, all I'm saying is he's been very, very, you know, amazing servant for the club.
00:47:30
Chuku
He's won mad trophies. He's done it all a Madrid. But it's time. you know what I'm saying? His time has been, you know, approaching.
00:47:41
Chuku
And i think to be able to, you know, go from a guy like Kavahal to a guy like Trent, like that transition is just it' just something that's like, it's just, I mean, it's it's almost like a breath of fresh air in the sense of like knowing that that position is going to be well taken care of would debt with the addition and signing of a guy like Trent.
00:48:09
Chuku
And, you know, I just think he is what this current position group or crop of Madrid forwards and players, attacking players need in terms of unlocking a different side or different dimension within their game. And I just think the addition of Trent is is going to definitely take, i mean, as of right now, I don't see, you know, Madrid have an issue scoring goals, but,
00:48:39
Chuku
I just think it's just going to take up things up a notch in terms of unlocking new ways, different ways to score goals. And i just think, yeah, it's going to be yeah and amazing site amazing, amazing, amazing addition.
00:48:56
Chuku
One that, you know, We'll definitely improve the team, no doubt. And, you know, I think coming to a situation like in Spain, like, yes, we we understand Trent's not going to be an a amazing defender.
00:49:09
Chuku
We get it. But in this Madrid team, the position of a right back, we've gotten away with not having the most offensive-minded, you know, fullbacks, you know, especially at the right back position.
00:49:21
Chuku
Like, we've gotten away with that in terms of Madrid. for a while, you know, in terms of Vasquez playing the role, Valverde playing the role, and such. So Trent is no different. And again, this idea that he's a complete slouch on defense is just, I think, is a little bit overboard.
00:49:41
Chuku
He does a good enough job that he can play the role good enough. And I just think, yeah, he overall, if it does go through, which, again, by all signs, it's looking the case that that's what's going to happen this summer, definitely think going to be a big haul in terms of Madrid's side of things. and And that's just going to be to the benefit of the Madrid attackers. So that's my two cents on that.
00:50:06
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, I think like this is just, you know, Real Madrid, this is the type of greed they they spoke about in the Bible. Like it's just so much talent. Like, you know, Chucky talked about people worry about his defense.
00:50:21
Chino Onwuka
Like what this guy brings to a team from right back is generational.
00:50:22
Chuku
you
00:50:27
Chino Onwuka
It's something we've never seen before. And it's one of those things where, you know, you... You allow for his deficiencies in defense because there are deficiencies in defense because what he's the all the other things that he's bringing overshadow that.
00:50:44
Chino Onwuka
Especially when you look at this Real Madrid team and some of the things that they've lost the last couple of years. They've lost Cruz, you know, Modric is getting up in age. A lot of that creation from midfield that they lost, you cannot get that from Trent at right back. So I think this is a really brilliant move.
00:51:01
Chino Onwuka
You know, just touching on the Liverpool side of things. I think, you know, lot of those people who are like, oh, why is he leaving? Like, look, if you if you're not a... Even if you're Barcelona fan, any team, just know that Real Madrid can come and take your player anytime, any day, whenever it is that they want. That's just the unfortunate reality of it.
00:51:25
Chino Onwuka
As fans, as an Arsenal fan, you know that they're coming to get Saliba when they decide they want to. If Saka continues to be that guy, he's somebody that they could look at as well. It's going to suck, but you understand that it's Madrid and you move on and hope that your team can replace it.
00:51:41
Chino Onwuka
What sucks for Liverpool is that he's leaving on a free. And that hurts on on, apart from the emotional ties that they have to the player. And, you know, he talked about wanting to stay there forever and the way it's played out in the media has sucked.
00:51:58
Chino Onwuka
So they're missing out on a transfer fee. And all the benefits that come with PSR when you have an academy player being sold for any money, not to talk of the type of price that he would command.
00:52:13
Chuku
Yeah.
00:52:13
Chino Onwuka
So that part doub doubly sucks for for for Liverpool. Emeka, did you have any any thoughts?
00:52:22
Emeka
How greedy. How greedy. I hate Euro Madrid. I hate Euro Madrid. But neither here nor there. You do what you got to do. You get people on free. Trent is amazing. I love Trent.
00:52:35
Emeka
I'm curious how Madrid fans, what their famously high standards, are going to react when... Trent houses, you know, usual lapses. But like Chinon said, the playmaking and everything, like he's just so good.
00:52:48
Emeka
He makes more than makes up for any, any laps or whatever you want to say, whatever the Madrid, the Liverpool part has fascinated me. And I'm going to go to a little bit of a rant here. I get it.
00:53:00
Emeka
It sucks to lose players, whatever. It's like, I'm not Arsenal fans. I saw, I grew up on re going to Barcelona and five guys going to bars. Love of all, but, This Trent transfer has just shows no matter what a player does, fans are always going to hate.
00:53:13
Chuku
Thank you.
00:53:17
Emeka
They just don't want you to move. That's why I i know i hate siding with players over teams sometimes, but I usually always do for this reason. I compare him, and people I'm not the first guy to make this comparison, but Jack Grealish left Aston Villa. He could have gone on a free, but he signed a contract extension.
00:53:36
Emeka
He got Villa 100 million pounds, and the fans still hate him. For all this, how could you dare leave us, blah, blah, blah. Trent, you know, ran his contract down, didn't make a fuss, didn't kick up a thing, still plays week in, week out, goes out there, does his best, starting on a team that's going to walk the league.
00:53:57
Emeka
leaving His contract expired. i like what do you want me to do? My contract expired. I'm a free agent. I'm just leaving for my career. He's still getting hate. It just this goes to show when you're a good, no matter you can't leave and people like you. It's just how it goes. So if you're a player, leave.
00:54:13
Emeka
And, you know, Liverpool fans are saying, oh, if you love the club, he'd sign a contract and give us a transfer fee. But think about it. People hate when they make this comparison. But it's a fact.
00:54:24
Emeka
It is a job. Think about your job. Would you want to turn down money that could be paid to you and have your company get the money? No. Why Liverpool a signing bonus when I can get a signing on fee?
00:54:38
Emeka
I'm going to get like 50 million as a signing on fee. That sucks for them. Like talk about PSR. You're talking about that stuff. That's not my business. That's you guys' in business.
00:54:48
Chino Onwuka
I agree with a lot of your points, but I think to some extent football is a bit different in that there's emotions tied to it.
00:54:55
Emeka
I agree. It is.
00:54:57
Chino Onwuka
Like, you know, the company that I work for, I've not been supporting them living and dying with every move they make since I was the age of five, right?
00:55:09
Chino Onwuka
Look, if it was me and I played for, I had the pleasure of playing for my boyhood club that is from where I grew up that I love.
00:55:20
Chino Onwuka
I would want to, yeah, I'm still going to make good money. not like I'm going to be poor. If I'm in that situation, I would try to get the club some money. Honestly, I don't blame Trent for doing what he did. Like he's a different person, but for me, my team, I, I know I'm leaving. I know how much is going to hurt the fans. I'm trying to do what's best for myself.
00:55:43
Chuku
Thank you.
00:55:44
Chino Onwuka
But I'm going to try to do something for you to make sure you get some money. That's just me. I respect everybody's decision, but I get if it was me, that's something I would want to do if I'm able to do it.
00:55:54
Emeka
For all we know, Trent pitched that and Liverpool said no release clause. And then he said, well, screw you guys then. I'm already setting the deal. We don't know what goes on in the back room.
00:56:03
Chino Onwuka
Okay. Fair.
00:56:05
Emeka
And i listen, I get what you're saying. Football, football I'll never argue football. it Football is different. Football means something. But on the flip side, you play for your boyhood team. You have won literally everything you can for that boyhood team.
00:56:19
Emeka
You won the Prem with them, every cup, the Champions League. I feel like when you're leaving at that point, that's what I'm saying. Trent is showing you no matter what a player does to leave a club always get hate.
00:56:30
Emeka
This is a situation of like, you know, Fabregas when he left before when times are hard and everything. He's actually leaving when times are great. We're going to win the league. and We won everything.
00:56:42
Emeka
And yet I'm still getting hate because that's just how it goes. And it just goes to show you can't keep everyone happy. If you want to leave, you can leave. Because if Trent blew his ACL out and Carter Bradley kicked on, they cut him in a heartbeat. In fact, they cut Klein.
00:56:57
Emeka
People don't remember Klein anymore. Yeah, he was a running back and right back at the start of Klopp's career. No one cares about him anymore because Trent popped up and now he took his life and spot and everyone moves on.
00:57:07
Emeka
That's just how the game goes. And I...
00:57:09
Chino Onwuka
He took his life, bro. Is there something don't know about?
00:57:11
Emeka
Hey, man.
00:57:12
Chuku
Thank
00:57:13
Chino Onwuka
good
00:57:13
Emeka
When's the last time you see Kline? You know, another light-skinned running right back pops up. my guy mike People don't realize Kline used to be raided. He used to be raided. And then now he's an afterthought because that that's how the game goes.
00:57:25
Emeka
That's just how the game goes. And I feel for Liverpool fans to a certain point. But how they're saying how this impacts the the trophy and all that stuff, look get out of my face. Because I remember when Trent, you know, gets a brave fart and gets cooked in the back post, man's going be slandering him.
00:57:42
Emeka
In fact, last year when Carter Bradley popped up, I heard a few people, a few text messages I have on my phone saying we don't even need Trent. We have Carter Bradley. Who even needs Trent?
00:57:52
Emeka
So, like...
00:57:52
Chino Onwuka
june True, true, true.
00:57:53
Emeka
yeah that's how the game goes, man. I just wish it wasn't Real Madrid. That's all I can say. I just wish it wasn't. God damn Madrid, man. How too greedy. It's too greedy.
00:58:04
Emeka
The last comment, though, I find it amusing that... For a couple years there, Liverpool was, especially online, acting like it was a foregone conclusion that Jude Bellingham would go to Liverpool.
00:58:17
Emeka
And one of the big things they'd always say was, bro, him and Trent are boys, man. Like, why would he not come back to Liverpool, man? His boys are Trent. Look how the game happens.
00:58:25
Chuku
The irony.
00:58:27
Emeka
Look how the game changes, man.
00:58:29
Chuku
The irony. Yes, sir.
00:58:31
Emeka
You know? Life is a funny thing.
00:58:32
Chino Onwuka
And the other side, because I wanted to mention that the other side to that was with the whole Zubomendi saga, how they were saying, oh, man, you need to, this whole talk about your boyhood club and wanting to stay there and be loyal, screw all that, leave to the bigger club, there's no loyalty in the game, it is what it is.
00:58:50
Chino Onwuka
And, like, it's been funny, if you've been on social media, seeing people screenshot all the tweets Liverpool fans were doing about Zubomendi when that whole saga was happening.
00:59:01
Chino Onwuka
And then posting that as as a quote to the things they were now saying about Trent has just been hilarious.
00:59:07
Emeka
And that's exactly my point. it's is it's I get it Football means a lot. I get all of that. But it doesn't, people take it a step too far.
00:59:19
Emeka
Trent has done everything a human being can do for their club. He's won every trophy. He was a key part of it. A brother can change jobs. At the end of the day, it is what it is. A brother can change a job.
00:59:33
Emeka
Yes, it means more, all that, but it's still a job. And we're all arguing and getting mad because a guy who has not left, and and this is a point in LeBron's interview with Pat McAfee.
00:59:44
Emeka
You haven't watched it. I highly recommend it.
00:59:45
Chuku
Thank you.
00:59:45
Emeka
LeBron brought it up, and it it stuck with me because Trent's through the same thing. Trent has probably never lived outside Liverpool in his entire life. He's 25 years, 26 years old now. He has never been awesome he's never lived outside Liverpool before.
00:59:58
Emeka
Why not try something new? How many of us have lived in the same city for all our lives? Very few of us. I know we all all of us haven't. There's probably a part of him that's been like, all I've ever known is this this city.
01:00:10
Emeka
All I've ever seen is this city. I've done everything I need to do here. Let me see what life is like in Madrid. Let me see what life is like somewhere, anywhere else. And, all you know, the biggest club is after me. Let me try something. It's my career. It's my life and the end of the day.
01:00:24
Emeka
A brother can change jobs, man.
01:00:25
Emeka
I feel for Liverpool fans. Guess what? and Enjoy the league. You'll be all right. There's a part of me, though. There's part of me that really wishes the league was still in a tight race.
01:00:37
Emeka
If we were, like, one point behind Liverpool and this news came out and Trent played, how how would the crowd react? I would be so curious to see it. But now, because the league the lead is so far and Trent is injured, they're probably not going to play him until, like, I think,
01:00:53
Emeka
If they can get away with it, they won't play him until the league is actually mathematically secured. I know we're trying to sneak him in there for a one-stop appearance or something just to get the crowd But i if it was a tight situation, I'd be so curious to see if the online reaction matches the reaction of the of the crowd because it's hot for Trent right now.
01:01:13
Emeka
That's all I'm going to Hey, man, Trent, don't go to no disco clubs. Don't answer your doors for the Liverpool gangsters, man. Talk to Stevie G about them. The Liverpool gangsters don't play until he signs the contract. i you know I wouldn't be answering doorbells and and taking phone calls people and and in my near future if I was him.
01:01:32
Chino Onwuka
Okay, just just because of time, I think we have seven minutes left before for us to wrap up. Yeah, it'll be interesting to see what happens with Trent, but we're just going to move on to some other football topics.
FA Cup and Premier League Insights
01:01:44
Chino Onwuka
We did have the, know, some people might be wondering why there was no Prem over the weekend. That's because there's this new thing where FA Cup wants to have three three weekends up all to themselves, and this was one of those weekends, so that's why you saw...
01:02:00
Chino Onwuka
It's not because of the international break per se. It's because this is one of the designated weekends where in England, it was just going to be about the FA Cup, at least in relation to the Prem. There was still a championship game. So we did have the f FA Cup quarterfinals, which was really interesting to a lot of people because a lot of a lot of fresh faces in a deeper end of tournaments that we hadn't seen before.
01:02:23
Chino Onwuka
So you did have, you had Man City versus Bournemouth, Palace versus Fulham. Villa versus Preston Northland.
01:02:33
Emeka
press the
01:02:35
Chino Onwuka
So anyway, quarterfinals happened, and now we're seeing semifinals of Palace versus Villa, Ports versus City. Any thoughts on the FA Cup quarterfinals and on the semifinals as well?
01:02:49
Chuku
I mean, I know people are going to say, mean, look, it's Preston, it's Preston. You know, i get it. But, man, all I'm just going to say is, bro, I'm just happy to see Rashford.
01:03:00
Chuku
like, enjoying, looking like he's enjoying football again. And, i mean, I look at Villa, Eastman, watch Villa. I'm just like, damn, man, this is a team that you see what some additions in January can do for a club.
01:03:18
Chuku
And it's just like with the addition of Rashford and Asensio, man, like, Asivella are fun team to watch, man. I got to give give them credit. They're a fun team to watch.
01:03:30
Chuku
and she's Interested to see what they do in the next round, obviously, with better competition. But so far, man, they're having one hell of a campaign, man. You can't tell me otherwise. They're still fighting for no top top six places in the league.
01:03:47
Chuku
Still the don't du in the Champions League. you know, fighting the FA Cup could make a possible violence final appearance if they can win the next round.
01:03:58
Chuku
Like, you got to give it to them, man. You know, they're having a good year. They're having a good year. And these additions they made in January are making a difference, man. they're making a difference. So I just want to give a quick shout-out to them.
01:04:11
Chuku
And, yeah, Aston Villa. Very, very, very fun attacking team to watch. That's for sure.
01:04:19
Chino Onwuka
You know what's interesting to me? Anytime Aston Villa does anything, like they win two games in a row, it's like, Emery, Arsenal, Arteta, all of that.
01:04:33
Chino Onwuka
Why don't we hear the same talk with Nuno, what he's doing at Wolves and how they let him go?
01:04:39
Chuku
Wolves or you mean the forest?
01:04:40
Chino Onwuka
Sorry, with Forrest, yeah. So he was at Wolves before.
01:04:43
Chuku
Oh, yeah.
01:04:44
Chino Onwuka
And it just shows you how how much there is of an agenda because...
01:04:44
Chuku
Yeah.
01:04:48
Chino Onwuka
The smallest thing Emery does legitimately, instead of just focusing on what Emery's done, it always has point back to Arteta and Arsenal. But look at what Nuno is doing with Forrest.
01:05:00
Chino Onwuka
you know They're doing better than Aston Villa in the league. they're They're into the semis of the FA Cup. And I don't see just those same articles or just those those same clickbait things on on on Twitter.
01:05:11
Chuku
Okay, I was about to say, i was did I miss something? Because I hope, I swear I didn't bring up a touch of Arsenal into this.
01:05:16
Chino Onwuka
No, no, no.
01:05:17
Chuku
But, I know, yes, you're speaking in general.
01:05:17
Chino Onwuka
But like usually, yeah, usually that's what happens, right?
01:05:18
Chuku
you speaking in general. yeah I know what you're saying.
01:05:20
Chino Onwuka
It's just, I was just thinking about it, you know, I don't see the same thing big with Bruno and Tottenham. So yeah, that's just interesting. Emeka, oh, ahead,
01:05:28
Chuku
Well, I mean, oh yeah, go ahead. All I'm going say is, I mean, look, Forrest, I mean, they're having a good, no doubt, they're good year, having good season. It's just, I guess, with Villa, it's like,
01:05:41
Chuku
They're doing everything that Forrest are doing in terms of having a good campaign. And obviously Forrest is having a better campaign in the league. But the fact is Forrest have less competitions than what Villa doing. Villa also have Champions League to go with it. And you know I think that's part of it. And as well as also Emery also coming from his time in Arsenal. There's always going to be that link with him in Arsenal. And the way that he flopped at Arsenal.
01:06:07
Chuku
you know People were already making the assumption or making the quick you know yeah assumption that he was going to be a complete failure in England. And you know here he is with a different club.
01:06:18
Chuku
I think that's part of it.
01:06:18
Chino Onwuka
But that's, okay, but that's not, and this is not what i want to spend, but that's not the way that they frame it when they talk about Emery and Arsenal is, we know that he flopped at Arsenal.
01:06:30
Chino Onwuka
The way they talk about it, they just say, oh, look at what Emery is doing and saying he's doing a better job than what Arteta is doing. Or they frame it as, and that's the piece that like, let him, let give him his flowers to what he's doing at Villa, but then why are you bringing, like, oh, yeah,
01:06:39
Chuku
Yeah.
01:06:48
Chino Onwuka
When they beat Bayern, it's like, wow, look at what Emery has done compared to Arteta. And it's like, what are we doing here? Like, this guy choked hard two seasons.
01:07:00
Chino Onwuka
First season, he choked hard. Second season, he had us in 13th. So what are we doing here anyway? Everybody know that when I see Emery, and I think of Arsenal, is on set with him. So let's not even go there. Emeka, FA Cup, thoughts?
01:07:19
Emeka
Man, I swear to you, I got beef with Emry. Every time he comes up, I've always got a...
01:07:23
Chuku
I swear, bro, you can see. You totally can see.
01:07:25
Chino Onwuka
Watford, we gave up 30 shots against Watford.
01:07:29
Emeka
Yes, and that's I will never forget that game too.
01:07:29
Chino Onwuka
I will never forget that game. Ever in my life.
01:07:33
Emeka
And and that's why, not to, we're going to get sidetracked, but hey, we're Arsenal fans, you can't help it.
01:07:33
Chino Onwuka
Ever. Ever.
01:07:38
Emeka
That's why whenever Arteta stuff comes up, with even though this is podcast, but on chat and everything, I always back our tetra because I say, listen, yes, finishing second isn't great, but I remember it wasn't that long ago when I was watching Watford give us 30 when was celebrating equalizing with Watford.
01:07:54
Emeka
But neither here nor there. my f FA Cup weekend, i'll never i only watched two games, not going lie, the City game and the Brighton game. Anyone but City. Keep it short and sweet.
01:08:04
Emeka
Anyone but City. It's crazy that in this season, Season from hell that Man City have had. Thanks to some lucky draws, they're even still the FA Cup semifinals. It's just, life sometimes, man. Life sometimes. it was been it's nice to It's nice to to get blessed. And they got blessed with the draws. Now they're in the semifinals.
01:08:26
Emeka
I literally hope any team of Man City wins the FA Cup. That's all I can say. any any Anyone Man City, please win the FA Cup.
01:08:31
Chino Onwuka
Same. and And you just know that you know it'd be nice to see another team win a cup. you know You look at what's happened at Newcastle, them winning their first trophy in seven years.
01:08:44
Chino Onwuka
They had their parade. And you're seeing what's with celebration police? What's with people not allowing other people to be happy? Because you're now seeing all these things with why are they doing all of this for...
01:08:56
Chino Onwuka
a Carabao Cup. And it's like, do you guys really understand what football is about anymore? Like, I feel like you guys aren't even real football fans. You're just here here at the troll. So it would be, even though I know that those same trolls are going to be like, oh, this team had a better season than Arsenal, blah, blah, blah, whatever.
01:09:12
Chino Onwuka
Those guys, it'd be lovely to see another team and another group of fans, you know, have something to celebrate because... you know, that's what we're all in football for to cheer our teams. And, you know, not a lot of teams get the chance to win a trophy. And it'd be wonderful to see, you know, if it's not Arsenal, let it be somebody new. So, yeah, that is my take.
Manchester Derby Predictions
01:09:35
Chino Onwuka
Okay. Then we're going to wrap things up with game of the weekend. And it's none other than the Manchester Derby. Man City versus Manchester United.
01:09:50
Chino Onwuka
On the weekend, I think... who's Who's at home for this one?
01:09:55
Emeka
Man you.
01:09:57
Chino Onwuka
Man Utd is at home. What do we think, boys? I'm just going to give my prediction. i think it's going to be a Man City win. Although... And this was a little bit more Ten Hag.
01:10:11
Chino Onwuka
you know United had sort of found the the system for for playing decently against City, especially in the Cups.
01:10:17
Emeka
Beat them last time under my guy, Amorim.
01:10:19
Chino Onwuka
yeah
01:10:21
Chino Onwuka
but but you know I can't in good conscience I can't in good conscience bet against Manny you never know which Manny is going to show up how long you know he'll be fit you know Marmouche is really you know Chuka talked about you know what a midseason signing can do he's he's been really playing well for them so
01:10:25
Chuku
It's a different conversation, bro. It's a different...
01:10:47
Chino Onwuka
And I think for some reason, United is worse at home than they are away. They're just cursed at home. So yeah, I think City are going to win. Might not be a a lashing like we've seen in previous years, but I think City win and win comfortably, honestly.
01:11:02
Chuku
Yeah, I'm with you. Like, I don't, like, I just, I mean, last time they met, you know, there was different, different to you know, players available for United. And, I mean, with none of those players available, you know, mainly, call them Black Messi.
01:11:21
Chuku
But, yeah, I mean, I just don't see how – don't see how you United to got anything for Man City this time around. And, know, with players like Mahmoud coming in and making a difference like like he has been this so far since his arrival, I just think – Yeah, Man City is going to have too much for United, and it's going to be a comfortable victory.
01:11:45
Chuku
as I'm thinking probably 3-1, 3-0, something along those lines. But either way, I think it's definitely going to be more than a one-goal win.
01:11:57
Chuku
That's just my takeaway from it.
01:12:01
Emeka
Hey, man, I don't know. Me and y'all are watching this i watch different Man City's because the Man City I'm watching are not great. You know, they won today. if anyone saw that match, the first half, they should have... I mean, to be fair, they should up more because Holland was missing, but they were looking awful, and then Bournemouth just forgot to play football second half. But regardless...
01:12:21
Emeka
I'm going to 2-2. 2-2. Bruno Fernandes penalty and some some BS. said a I don't know. A couple BS for Man City as well. Sloppy game.
01:12:31
Emeka
Both teams are struggling this year. Obviously, United more than City. But I can't. i For some reason, every time i watch Man City, they look awful.
01:12:42
Emeka
So I can't in good conscience pick them. And just want to point out. I'm on fire my predictions. i think I was only one who picked Newcastle to the Carlin Cup. And also I picked us to win Arsenal to beat Chelsea.
01:12:56
Emeka
So anybody who's gambling out there, listen to your boy, man. I'm telling I'm on fire right now. Man U, Manchester City. but We'll see what happens.
01:13:05
Chino Onwuka
Okay, and there you have it.
01:13:05
Chuku
No, no. i
01:13:07
Chino Onwuka
Those are the predictions. So let us see what happens when we meet again next week. It's going to be a lot of Premier League over the next couple of days.
01:13:17
Chino Onwuka
You do have midweek games and then the weekend. So let's see how that shapes up. But thanks, boys. That was another good discussion. And we will see you all next week for another episode of The Love of the Games.