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Goal Line: We Begin Our Pre-Season
6 Plays5 months ago
With football season upon us, the boys are back to weekly recordings. They discuss the entire spectrum of football from 6U flag football to College Football 25 and of course the NFL! Plus, they preview the Browns, Lions, and Texans!
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Transcript
Football Season Excitement
00:00:14
Speaker
What is up, goal line listeners? It is August, which means we are officially one month away from NFL football being back. Couple weeks away from college football, you know, I'm coaching the little, the six year old flag football team. Football season is in full effect. We are so excited and we're jacked to bring you guys the latest episode of the goal line. Jordan, what's
Preseason Highlights and Hall of Fame Moments
00:00:34
Speaker
going on, man?
00:00:34
Speaker
Yeah, man, we had football last week. We actually had a preseason game. So it was nice to scratch that football itch a little bit. I mean, preseason is not really fulfilling you very much, but at least it was something to watch. And yeah, man, it's a joy to have football back. So yeah, just like you, I'm excited.
00:00:52
Speaker
Yeah, I got the Hall of Fame game, got to see the folks go in to get their actual Hall of Fame induction.
Celebrating Devin Hester's Legacy
00:00:57
Speaker
Shout out to Steve Mongo, McMichael. That was really heartbreaking scene in a lot of ways, seeing just how bad a shape he is from Lou Gehrig's disease. But it was touching just seeing how many guys from that legendary 85 Bears team came out to pay respects to Mongo. That was a really good Hall of Fame class too, man. That's an all-timer of a Hall of Fame class.
00:01:19
Speaker
I was really glad Devin Hester got in, man. It seemed like it was going to be iffy if he was going to get over the hump or not, because he has such a unique career. But at the end of the day, I think there's a couple of guys you can make an argument for, but it's pretty damn clear to me that Devin Hester is the greatest return guy ever. The way he struck fear into special teams, coordinator's hearts for three or four seasons there in the mid 2000s was just unlike anything we'd ever seen from somebody in that spot.
00:01:47
Speaker
Bro, he got them to change kickoff rules just because of him. They changed kickoff rules to hurt him, not help him. He's the greatest return man of all time and getting to see him break that return record in a Falcons uniform. It was awesome to see.
00:02:04
Speaker
Yeah, man, he was still good late into his career, man. That season with the Falcons, he was good on offense, had some really nice
Podcast Schedule Shift
00:02:10
Speaker
returns. And that season, the Falcons went to the Super Bowl. Remember, he was playing for the Seahawks. He had a couple of nasty kick returns against the Falcons in that divisional playoff game. Yeah, man, he's the epitome of just lightning in a bottle on return game. So yeah, that was an awesome class. I love Andre Johnson. I love Dwight Farini. That was a really good class, man.
00:02:35
Speaker
Do have a programming note. Want to let you guys know that we are going to be going to a weekly schedule now. It's time to start rounding into, you know, in season form, pre-seasons here. So no more biweekly. We're going to be bringing you guys the goal line. We'll be recording every Monday night.
Content Challenges and Listener Gratitude
00:02:50
Speaker
And so by Tuesday morning, this show will be out.
00:02:53
Speaker
Yeah, we're ready to go and we'll go back to the Monday nights and we'll be watching Monday night football while we're recording. So yeah, I'm really excited, man. Getting through the off-season is rough when you're doing a football podcast. I mean, lining one of these up when there's not much to talk about is really hard. So getting grinded into the football season again is really good for both of us because
00:03:18
Speaker
Yeah, offseason is rough, so we appreciate you guys for sticking with us because yeah, it's it's tough talking offseason football.
6U Arlington Tigers Update
00:03:25
Speaker
For sure. Got to give a quick update on my 6U, Arlington Tigers. You guys know Brett's team last season. They were a scrappy little bunch, but didn't have the most success on the field. This year, we're loaded, man. We already got other parents complaining about how solid the team looks, that we loaded it up with older kids. But we're ready to go, man. We got our first scrimmage Wednesday night. So I'll definitely give you guys an update on Monday, how we're doing.
NCAA Football 25 Game Review
00:03:49
Speaker
You ready to talk some pro football though, Jordan? Let's do it.
00:03:59
Speaker
All right, I think the first thing we need to talk about is we need to give the listeners an update on our NCAA football 25 experience and how it's been. Because when we recorded last time, we had only had it for just under a week. So I think we should give everybody an update on what our experience is now that it's been out three weeks and just kind of tell everybody what our thoughts are in the game.
00:04:24
Speaker
So I still love the game, man. It's an extremely fun game of football that it plays, just talking about the actual gameplay. Really, really fun and enjoyable. It's got me to finally put away NCAA 2004 on my PS2 after over 20 honorable years of service. I would say
00:04:46
Speaker
if it would be perfect if they got the AI tweaked a little bit. I don't necessarily think it needs to be easier or more difficult. It just needs to be properly scaled to the opponent. I started a dynasty with the Tennessee volunteers, and it's just all over the place, man. I lost at home to Texas El Paso, as shocking as that sounds. And then I turned around the next week and beat number five Ole Miss on the road handily. I didn't just sneak by them. I beat the shit out of them.
00:05:13
Speaker
So I think if I had a complaint, it's just that they really need to get the AI tuned. It just seems very, very random. Same thing if you notice in your dynasty, like the simulated results are very random too. I don't think there's going to be any Alabama Crimson Tide style dynasties in people's dynasty modes on the game. Because there just seems to be tons of upsets every single week. So I think that's probably my only critique, man. And I'm sure they'll get it tuned in as we get patches and stuff.
00:05:40
Speaker
But I think just that the AI difficulty level is a little all over the place.
00:05:45
Speaker
Yeah. Um, some of my biggest gripes right out of the gate where is how hard it was to play defense. I feel like they've updated a little bit and it's gotten a little bit better. Uh, my one major critique is that, well, two, there's two plays that just are absolutely unstoppable. If you face someone that runs them, halfback pass is the most overpowered play I've ever seen in my life. Cause it works every single time.
00:06:10
Speaker
Like, someone can literally just run at every play and it works every single time. There's nothing you can do. Like, I mean, the guy that's the circle route is literally wide open every single play. And it's just, I hate that play. And then my other complaint... And if you use your and try to cut rim, it creates too much of a running gap for the running back. So you're just, you're fucked either way on that play, man.
00:06:33
Speaker
Uh, my other complaint is anybody who has like the juke move, uh, ability, the spin move and the juke move are so overpowered. Like you can't even tackle the guy. Like somebody on Ohio state has it. I don't remember. It's one of the receivers, uh, jukekins, right? Something like that. Yeah. Literally that dude, if he catches the ball, he's scoring a touchdown because I cannot tackle him. Like I have four guys in front of him and he just spins out of everything.
00:06:59
Speaker
Forget the name of the website. There's a website right now that you can do basically you can play for money, right? they basically booked the games for you and you can play for money and you know, it's Basically, it basically facilitates gambling on these games against people and they banned Ohio State from games because he's so overpowered So you can't even use Ohio State if you're playing for for money on online right now So it's definitely he's pretty intense man. Do the other money play man is the
00:07:28
Speaker
That jet sweep touch pass, you know what you want to talk about where the receiver goes in motion. Yeah. And you take the snap, dude. I feel like I almost feel like I'm cheesing when I use that against a computer or use it against people online, because I run it with squirrel white with Tennessee. And dude, I feel like if it's a bad play, I'm getting like 15, 16 yards, man. But I'm usually busting 40 plus anytime I run that, man. That's that one definitely feels like it needs to be nerfed a little bit as well.
00:07:51
Speaker
Yeah. So I'm in my second season with Nebraska and I recruited a really high ranked running back and he's my second string because Dowdle so good on that game. Um, and he has like 98 speed in it. When I run that play, like it literally is a touchdown every time I run it. It's not even fair to use it. Yeah. It's, uh,
00:08:11
Speaker
It's like I said, but I'm still overall two thumbs up, especially for our first effort, man. It's been a smash success. Just got some stuff to tweak. Hopefully they give us some really good patches this year and don't just wait and fix all this shit for college football. Twenty six. No, I think that we're going to get some updates because there's been quite a few updates already. So I think they'll fix it. And even if they don't like I'm still getting twenty six next year because I guarantee it's better next year than it is this year. So.
00:08:36
Speaker
Yeah, it's it's still a resounding thumbs up for me. Like it's been so much fun to play. That's one thing, you know, people complain about the ultimate team modes and how much effort that, you know, EA Sports puts into them. And, you know, that's how they make a lot of money at these games with all the microtransactions and stuff. But for the hardcore gamers, that at least means that EA will support the game throughout the year because back in the day,
00:09:01
Speaker
you get maybe three or four patches during the actual NFL season or college football season. And then you wouldn't get anything from until the next summer when the new games come out. But they'll be tweaking it throughout the year because they want to make sure that that player base stays up all until the next game releases.
Quarterback Contracts Analysis
00:09:17
Speaker
Yeah.
00:09:17
Speaker
Um, that's it for college football. Um, we got some news, but we're not, we're going to just dive into this a little bit here. Um, obviously the biggest story, the last couple of weeks is the quarterback's getting paid. So we'll start with two. Uh, he got four years, $212 million. Good God, dude. Like
00:09:39
Speaker
What the fuck are we doing, man? Like this is getting ridiculous at this point. $212 million for Tua is insane. I got it. I don't know, man. It's getting to the point where like these contracts are just going to cripple teams. Like we have to figure something out where there's like a cap on how much you can pay a quarterback. Cause giving to a $53 million a year just seems asinine to me. Cost of doing business, man. It's just so far out of whack, man. It's uh,
00:10:07
Speaker
If your average quarterback is a really good time to be in the NFL.
00:10:11
Speaker
And then not to be outdone, two days later, Jordan Love signs a four year, $220 million contract, making him the highest paid quarterback in the NFL. This dude played one season and is now the highest paid quarterback in the NFL. He bought out though, dude. He did. I got a lot of faith in him, but yeah, this would be an all time grab the bag and run if he does turn out to be a one year wonder, but he looks like every bit of the real deal.
00:10:39
Speaker
Oh, yeah. And the other thing is, you know, they've had him they've had him there for a few years. So I think they got a pretty good idea what they have, you know. Yep. So going on per year basis, this is what we're looking at right now. Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence and Joe Burrow are all making $55 million a year.
00:10:55
Speaker
Tua is making 53.1, Jared Goff is making 53, Herbert is making 52.5 million, Lamar is making 52 million, and Jalen Hurst is making 51 million. Did you notice that the best quarterback in the NFL is not even in the top eight quarterbacks paid anymore?
00:11:16
Speaker
He's got the same deal as Tom Brady did just freaking be a bargain man. I don't know. I'm interested to see how that goes, man. If he, if he pushes to take everything he can on the table or if he kind of, I mean, cause it's not like he's going hungry, right? I don't think we're going to see him in the, at the, at the soup kitchen at any point in the next, uh, you know, the next life, couple of lifetimes, but yeah, he's probably the most underpaid player in all of sports at this point. Yeah.
Justin Herbert's Injury Concern
00:11:40
Speaker
Um, kind of piggybacking off that Justin Herbert is already hurt. Um,
00:11:46
Speaker
Six and they said what I read today or a couple days ago was six weeks is what they were guessing so They there's a possibility. He doesn't miss any games, but there's a possibility He misses two or three weeks like dude What a disaster start for the Chargers already in the gym hardwire like your franchise player is already hurt And you have zero receivers to help him so not a good start for the gym hardwire Do we know who the the backup is?
00:12:16
Speaker
Yeah, it's I mean, is it do they have a guy or is it just chase? They got chase Daniel on the roster right now Do we know if he's back up or is he third string? No, they have someone else. Hold on a second Goddamn it the kids from Omaha like I should know his Eastern stick. Yep. That's who it is
00:12:34
Speaker
Oh, I was going to say, you know, Herbert, you got to watch out the harbor. Jim Harbaugh has no equity with that guy, man. So, I mean, he may want to put his own. You know, he benched Alex Smith after Alex Smith had been the starter for the the 49ers for five or six years for Kaepernick. So Chase Daniel is not on that roster. It's Easton stick and Max Dugan are the second and third string quarterbacks.
00:12:56
Speaker
Why the hell did Google show me chase Daniels on the, uh, I just looked at the roster on Yahoo and it did not have him listed. I thought chase Daniel retired like two years ago. Maybe they signed him as an updated. No, yeah, it says he's former. He was there in 2021, 2021, 2022. Another guy who probably nobody ever made more money for doing less than chase Daniel.
Player Contracts and Trade Rumors
00:13:20
Speaker
Absolutely insane, but good for him get on him if you can get that's a good gig if you can get it The other I mean dude, this is just the time of year where there's not gonna be a whole lot to talk about We got a couple more weeks for cut started happening DJ Moore got paid four years 110 million dollars This dude has had a guaranteed contract every year of his career. That is insane. I
00:13:45
Speaker
Like he's a good football player, but he is really good. He's made the most on some really shitty offenses, dude. He still found a way to stand out and get his numbers. Yeah, that's just insane though to think about. One other thing is today I heard IU getting traded has really picked up steam. It sounds like it could happen tomorrow or as early as Wednesday.
00:14:07
Speaker
Not looking good for Seth's prediction of Brandon. I equal be on the 49ers this year. Cause it does not sound like he's doing any team activities or anything either. And they are miles apart on a contract. So it all the update is that there's multiple teams they're talking to you trying to get something done this week. Yes. I think it's going to be the Steelers from what I've read.
00:14:28
Speaker
man, dude, this is going to be a bag fumble by the Niners. I think like, dude, they're losing their best receiver. I think I you is the biggest part of that offense. And without him, I just, I mean, they're still going to be really good, but that, this is a bad decision by the Niners.
00:14:45
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, I'd still probably put CMC as the most important, but I think as far as receivers go, yeah, he's definitely the biggest receiving threat. You know, George Kittle, George Kittle is great, but I don't think he's striking as much fear in the teams as Brandon Ayuk has. They're saying Steelers, commanders, Browns, and Patriots are the four most likely landing spots. Yeah, I mean, dude. Three of those have the worst wide receiving cores in the NFL with the commanders, the Patriots, and the Steelers. So all of those make perfect sense.
00:15:13
Speaker
What the hell are the Browns in the market for a receiver for? Didn't they just trade for somebody in the off season? Am I just like missing that? Didn't they trade for a number two receiver? Let's see.
00:15:29
Speaker
They got, they picked up, uh, I mean, oh yeah, they got Jerry Judy from the Broncos. That's okay. So I was like, dude, I know they got two pretty good receivers and then Elijah Moore is a good three. So I don't, yeah, I mean, yeah, Brandon Ayuk is better than Jerry Judy, obviously, but yeah, just, I mean, it's the Browns. We're still talking about it. We can't be, we can't get hypnotized by their actual successful season last year, dude. They're, they're famous for making absolutely puzzling personnel decisions. The Browns, first round draft picks for Ayuk. Yeah, sure. Let's do it. Why not?
00:15:58
Speaker
The Browns is the Browns, as they all say. That's really it for news, honestly, man.
Team Previews: Texans, Browns, Lions
00:16:04
Speaker
I dug deep for some news, but there wasn't much. I mean, we kind of went over everything that happened, the Hall of Fame game, the Hall of Fame ceremony, all that stuff. So yeah, man, I think we can kind of just move into the team previews. All right, let's hit it.
00:16:31
Speaker
All right. We are down to, let me check here. I want to say 12 team previews left to go. Uh, yeah, we have 12 teams left to go. We're knocking out three tonight days. So we get three people for y'all. We got Texans, Browns, lions, Jordan, who you want to start with, man? Uh, let's just start with the Texans.
00:16:49
Speaker
All right, so probably they're, I'd say they're probably the all hype team going into the 2024 season. Like as far as just most excitement going into it, man, they had an absolutely outstanding season last year, getting brand new jerseys, had some exciting off season pickups. So yeah, I can't imagine there's any fan base that's more ready for this season get kicked off than the Texans. Let's, let's run through the measurable. So they were 10 and seven.
00:17:14
Speaker
seven and three and one score games. All right. That's the, that's, that's the first cause for alarm, man. Uh, there were 12th in point differential. So point differential, bear it out that they were kind of where they were, you know, fringe contender, uh, 16th DVOA off in office, 14th in defense. They won the AFC South with that big win.
00:17:32
Speaker
over the Colts in their last game of the regular season, won the playoff game against the Browns, actually kicked the shit out of the Browns in that playoff game. And then they got beat pretty handily against the Ravens in the divisional round. So D'Amico Ryans was first year head coach, outstanding job. Obviously CJ crushed it at quarterback man. And then they added Stefan Diggs, Joe Mixon, and Danielle Hunter on the defense for this off season.
00:18:00
Speaker
A lot of things to be excited about. I'm thinking we may see them regress a little bit this year after all that. Where are you at with the Texans this year, Jordan? Dude, I just think CJ is going to get better is the crazy thing. There were some games last year where he definitely looked like a rookie. I still think their offense has room for improvement. You've got to remember, man, they had a ton of injuries last year on offense, too. Yeah. I mean, they were missing Nico at one point. Tank Dell went out for the season. Dude, if they were looking awesome, dude. Bro.
00:18:30
Speaker
If they have a full season of Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and Stefan Diggs, I think the sky's the limit for that team, honestly. With CJ at quarterback and getting Joe Mixon, Joe Mixon's definitely got some miles on the tires. But dude, he's still got something left. And in that offense, I feel like he should be really good. I honestly think this team should be better than last year.
00:18:52
Speaker
I am not at all bullish on this team. Like I know the sophomore slump is a thing, but dude, with the offense they got surrounding him, D'Amico Reins is a really good coach, obviously. And I think their defense is going to be better with getting to Neil Hunter and all those young guys getting more reps and stuff as they go. So yeah, I don't think they're going to get worse. I think they're honestly going to get better.
00:19:15
Speaker
I'm predicting they stay right about where they were, man. I think they, yeah, maybe 11 games top seed. I just think they're going to have a target on their back. They're not going to sneak up on anybody. Defense coordinators got a whole off season to tape. Like I feel like, uh, Stroud could actually, I feel like he could improve and still not be as successful as he was last season. If that makes, if that makes sense, man. Um, and I'm skeptical on these, these, these off season pickups too. Like
00:19:40
Speaker
They seem like the bills are ready to pack Stefan Diggs bags for him, man. And same thing, I didn't seem like the Bengals really shouldn't need tears about Joe Mixon walking out the door. So I don't know how much those guys are really bringing to the table at this point.
00:19:54
Speaker
AFC South is going to be scrappy. Once again, you know, the Jags are going to have a little bit of a bounce back. The Colts were right there at the end of the season fighting for a divisional championship with a backup quarterback. And the Titans made a lot of offseason additions too. So I think they're going to get beat up a little bit more in the AFC South. And I still think it's going to be kind of around the same point, dude. I think they're going to be, you know, a win and end game.
00:20:15
Speaker
to make it in the playoffs. And I do think they'll get it, man. I think they'll scrap and I think they'll either catch a wild card or win the division, but I don't see them going much further than last year. I think they're going to end up, when it's all said and done, I think they're going to end up basically in the same spot they were at the end of last season. And obviously that's going to be a little bit of a disappointment for the fan base.
00:20:36
Speaker
So I think everything you just said is completely valid and completely accurate about everything about Stefan Diggs and Joe Mixon. Here is the thing that I think is interesting about this team. I just mentioned that Tank Del went out for the season. Dude, they don't need Stefan Diggs to be old Stefan Diggs, be the number one receiver. They need Stefan Diggs to be a compliment to those two guys. And I think that's the reason I'm optimistic about this offense because
00:21:03
Speaker
Like Stefan Diggs, the old Stefan Diggs is gone. Like, we're not getting the 140 catches in 1,800 yard seasons. Like, that Stefan Diggs is long gone. That's not going to happen anymore. I feel like I don't think he's the third option, but he's damn close to the third option on this team. I mean, dude, when you got guys like Nico Collins and Tank Dell and their speed and the youth they have, like, I just, I don't know, man, I think this team wins 12 games. Like, two games better than last year.
00:21:35
Speaker
Um, but I do think, I do think that they end up losing in the same spot they lost last year though. I think they lose in, um, the divisional round. I do not think that they make the conference championship game. I just think the Ravens and chiefs are Ravens chiefs, bangles. I think those teams are just better than them at this point. And they have more experienced rosters and.
00:21:58
Speaker
That's what it's going to come down to is can CJ perform when the cards are stacked against him? And we just haven't seen it yet, man. I mean, you're right. They got boat race by the Ravens last year in the playoffs. So it's going to be interesting to see how they rebound. Do you think Stefan Diggs knows that he's probably the number three receiver in this attack?
00:22:22
Speaker
No, I'm, I'm sure he'll throw a history fit halfway through the season and probably end up getting traded again by next season. Cause it's just kind of become his MO at this point. Like he was bitching at the end of last season with the bills and he bitched his way out of my or Minnesota. Sorry. It's just.
00:22:38
Speaker
I don't know, man. I mean, at some point in your career, you just got to realize who you are at this point. And he's not the same guy he was. Like, I mean, I think it's pretty obvious at this point. But we'll see. I mean, maybe we're both wrong. And maybe he doesn't have been the number one option. I don't know. I just don't see it. I think Nico Collins and Tank Deller just those guys are both really good and established in that team. And yeah, but I think their offense is interesting.
00:23:03
Speaker
He'll be in a Titans jersey within the next two years. That's my pick. They're the halfway house for wayward veterans, man. They're like, oh, you got like one year left on your career? Yeah, we'll take you.
00:23:18
Speaker
All right, let's go to the Browns. They were 11 and six last year, six and two and one score games, but they're a little bit of an outlier, man. You know, they had such a funky season going through multiple quarterbacks. They were 28th in offense, second in defense, dude. They went that fifth worst offense in the league, second best defense in the league. And their defense was so good that even with the 28th ranked offense, they ended up ninth in point differential, man. So they were a top 10 team.
00:23:44
Speaker
as far as scoring margin goes. Again, lost in that wildcard game to the Texans. It was in Houston. That one got ugly. That was one they kind of, they hung with the Texans first half and then second half it was like the Brown said, all right, we're happy to be here. We're happy we made it this far. And they let the Texans just run all over them. I think it was a hell of an accomplishment for them even getting in the playoffs, man, which is an amazing job from head coach Kevin Stefanski.
00:24:12
Speaker
But yeah, I think the big story this season is going to be what do we get from Deshaun Watson, man? Like, you know, he looked really bad that first year with the Browns. I think he looked moderately improved, but still nowhere close to like Texans Deshaun Watson. I mean, it's been about four years now since we've seen the Deshaun Watson that, you know, people thought was going to be a franchise quarterback in this league. What do you think we get out of him this year?
00:24:36
Speaker
Dude, isn't it even been longer than that? I feel like we're like five or six years removed from like good Deshaun Watson at this, and maybe two, yeah, probably around 2020, because I guess he sat out 21. 2020, man. Yeah, because he sat out 21. Yeah. I don't know, man. Four years is a long time to not be the same player you wore. I just, I don't know, man. That's a lifetime in the NFL, dude. Four years is a freaking lifetime.
00:25:02
Speaker
I'm serious, man. This whole thing, granted, Deshaun Watson had to sit out the 2021 season between his issues off the field and the show with the Texans. He had to sit out, whatever. But I really hope these guys start learning. Dude, a year off the field in the NFL is absolutely horrible for your career, and it is doing you no favors. Play out your contract.
00:25:25
Speaker
Like, if you sit out a year, it's basically your career suicide at this point. I mean, we have so many examples of it. Like, it killed Leveon Bell's career. He was still a prime running back, and then he sat out a year, and when he came back, he looked like a shell of his old self. So, I don't know, man. I still don't get the warm and fuzzies when I think of, like, Deshaun Watson coming back to form of the Texans, Deshaun Watson.
00:25:48
Speaker
I think he can probably be 75% of that, which really should all the brown, all the brown should need is 75% of him. Um, cause they're like, you just said their defense is going to be nails. Um, but that is their biggest question mark though. Like, dude, what are they going to get from Watson? Like that that's by far their biggest question mark.
00:26:09
Speaker
If he's 75% of peak Houston Texans to Sean Watson, they're a straight up Super Bowl container, man. That's how much talent is on that team. The defense is obviously loaded. The offense has got a ton of really good players also, man. If Nick Chubb comes back anywhere close to where he was, assume it's probably closer to the middle of the season before he's back.
00:26:29
Speaker
But yeah, it's just huge question mark. So the 2020 season to Sean Watson through 33 touchdown passes against seven interceptions in the three years since then he's played 12 games and he's drawn 14 touchdown passes against nine interceptions. So yeah, it's hard to be optimistic and I feel like.
00:26:48
Speaker
They talk about making life even harder for your guy. They brought in Jamis Winston to be his backup. Say what you want about him on the field, his on field success. He's one of the most beloved players in the NFL by fans and by his teammates. You got the most unlikable dude in the NFL with one of the most likable. Jamis can still play when you throw him out there.
00:27:12
Speaker
I don't know. I feel like the QB position, I just think it's going to end up being another mess this year. Like it's been the last two seasons for Cleveland.
00:27:19
Speaker
Yeah. Um, one note about Nick Chubb is they had just reported yesterday. Maybe I think that he is going to be activated in camp here pretty soon. They don't know if that necessarily means he's going to play the first game, but everything is moving towards Chubb will not be sitting out very many games. So, I mean, that's good for them. They need him, dude, like their offense runs through him and that's what it should be. But yeah, cause they're definitely going to need him as soon as possible.
00:27:49
Speaker
Yeah, I was doing a little bit of preliminary research for a fancy football draft a couple days ago. And I think a lot of those folks were thinking week five, week six will be when he makes his debut this season. So that'd be great if he's back in week one, even if he's just, you know, maybe not, not carrying the full load. Yeah. A hundred percent. Overall, I think
00:28:09
Speaker
This situation is going to devolve as much as I hate to say it, because I know Cleveland for those little successes they've had, they do have one of the most passionate fan bases out there. I know a ton of really diehard Browns fans, so you'd love to see them finally go all the way one year. But I think this situation at the quarterback gets worse before it gets better. I think this is going to be the last season we have to Sean Watson in Cleveland. And I think
00:28:32
Speaker
I think it's going to be similar to last year. I think the defense is still going to be gangbusters, but the offense is just going to struggle. And I don't think they're going to get as lucky in those one score games and get those couple of games where the defense straight up took over and just basically willed them to victory. I see them going something like seven and 10, eight, nine, and falling short this year.
00:28:51
Speaker
The other problem is man, that division is so good. Like assuming burrow comes back and he's burrow and, uh, the Ravens are who we think they're going to be. And, um, the Steelers are even halfway decent and get halfway decent quarterback play. Like that's a brutal division. I don't think they're as bad as you think. I think I could see them going like 10 and seven. Um,
00:29:16
Speaker
I still think they'll be in a hunt for a playoff spot at the end of the season, just because like we said, their defense and they have so much talent on this team. Um, but I mean, dude, and it is the Browns. I mean, I wouldn't be completely shocked if they ended up going five and 12, like it wouldn't be the biggest shock in the world, but I think their defense is going to keep them in games. And like I said, we'll see if he comes back to form or even 75% of himself. And
00:29:41
Speaker
If he does, they're going to have a chance at the end of the season. So I think 10 and seven is a safe, safe bet for the Browns.
00:29:48
Speaker
And you're saying in the playoffs or out of the playoffs? I think they get a wild card. And what you think about one and done? Dude, the AFC is so good this year. It's going to be some really good teams miss the playoffs in the AFC this year. Yeah, I think it's going to be interesting. I think, yeah, same result as last year, probably losing the wild card around. But again, if they make the playoffs, dude, the Browns in the playoffs is just a sight to be seen at this point.
00:30:15
Speaker
Yeah, for sure. Yeah, like I said, I wouldn't be shocked. But I feel like that's kind of the ceiling for them is getting that one and done. And I just think I think it's going to get ugly at the QB position. Does does James Winston start more than two games for them? I mean, I'll say, yeah, just because John Watson hasn't showed he can stay healthy in the last two years. So I'm going to say, yeah, he does. All right, let's go to.
00:30:42
Speaker
Last a team that for all intents and purposes should have been playing in the Super Bowl man the Detroit Lions 12 and 5 Red hot last year caught the league by storm. We're probably I think they were probably everybody's second favorite team last year, right? Yeah it
00:30:58
Speaker
This team was just so likable and enjoyable to watch man and Dan Campbell being the coach just it just sets it off. Yeah, Dan Campbell you had the Jared Goff redemption story a lot a lot of a lot of like, you know, lovable characters up and down that team. It just seemed like everybody, you know,
00:31:13
Speaker
They had, they had basically a hundred percent approval rating. I don't know anybody that was, you know, like fuck the lions when they were going on their run. One surprisingly entertaining playoff game against the Bucks in the divisional round at home. And then dude, they had the Niners on the mat, dude, like refs counting to eight, nine. And then they let them up and they let them up. Dan Campbell, you know,
00:31:35
Speaker
He did what he done all season, so in a lot of ways, you can't really criticize him, right? He went with what brought him there, but it just flamed out. He had basically three straight where he did the Dan Campbell thing and it just did not work out and basically coached them out of playing in the Super Bowl.
00:31:52
Speaker
Yeah. Um, I did not love how they finished last year. Just the end of that Niners game. Like, like you just said, they had them dead to rights. You can't also forget the, the Rams game they won in wildcard weekend. Cause that game was one of the more enjoyable games of the entire playoffs, the 24 23 game. Um, yeah, like good fight, man. They were just, this team was just so good.
00:32:18
Speaker
The problem is, is I feel like the NFC is definitely better this year. I feel like there, I don't, I don't think there's a ton of top tier teams, but I think like the middle tier of teams, I think got a little bit better. And I think that's going to be a problem for them. Like green Bay is a hundred percent better than they were last year. They started off that season so bad and love did not look good the first eight or so weeks. And then he just turned it on. They're going to be a problem. We'll see what the bears do. They're going to, they're going to cause some problems for people.
00:32:48
Speaker
Um, 49ers are still going to be really good. The Eagles are going to be good. Cowboys are going to be good. So they're not going to catch anybody by surprise this year. So I could see them. I think this is probably the second most hype team in the NFL right now, to be completely honest. I think it's them in the Texans, which is kind of fitting. We get both of them this week because I do feel like this is the two most hype teams right now. I could see them.
00:33:13
Speaker
I still think they're going to be really good. I don't think they're going to be like number one seed good. They were on the verge of the number one seed last year if it wasn't for that Cowboys game when Dan Campbell. Another one where he self-destructed. Dude, and he didn't. He did it three straight plays. I know. That's still one of the most frustrating things. He's got that streak to him, dude. You wonder if he's...
00:33:36
Speaker
Because he's, I mean, it's the thing that makes him great, right? The thing that makes him great is also kind of like his greatest flaw. Because he is so headstrong. He's got such a belief in his players. And I think they feed off that. You know what I mean? I think that gives them confidence to go out there and just go balls out every single play. Because that's, you know, your coach has that kind of confidence in you. But dude, sometimes you just got to lay up, man. You know what I mean? Like, sometimes you can't always go for the dunk and the pain over three people, man. Sometimes you got to pull up for a safe 12 footer, dude, off the glass.
00:34:04
Speaker
But that's clearly not his style. So I don't know I mentioned it It'll be fun early in the season to see if if we see him tone down some of the aggressiveness on some of those You know those margin plays where you know in the NFL close games that those handful of plays like that are what decides it Their offense is the one thing that kind of concerns me like they were so high up last year in offense and
00:34:26
Speaker
Dude, do you really think Jared Goff can do this again? Like, dude, he just played so perfect last year, man. It's got some Cinderella vibes. I just, I just, I don't know if he can play that good. The thing for them though, is they do have the best offensive line in football. So he's gonna be well protected. They're gonna run the ball really well. They got two head monster at running back. They got a great tight end. You got Amun rot like to this team is loaded, man. They are really good. They're gonna get a full year Jameson Williams like
00:34:56
Speaker
I think they win 11 games. I think they win one less than last year, just because I think the NFC North is better now. And I do feel like them playing a first place schedule is going to be a bit of a challenge for them. Because I got to remember, man, last year they were playing like a third place schedule. And that's completely different than playing a first place schedule and getting everybody to finish first in their division. Like, you're going to play everybody good this year.
00:35:21
Speaker
I don't know, man. I think they win one less game. Dan Campbell is just such a great coach. And like you said, the players feed off of him. So I'm not going to doubt them in any game. Like I'm through doubting the Detroit lions. Like we did it at the beginning of last year when everybody was kind of hyping them up a bit and we're expecting big things. So I'm not going to doubt Dan Campbell that he can do incredible things with this team, but I just think they win one less game.
00:35:47
Speaker
They will quickly read through the measurable since we don't everybody else I get we got straight into the meat potatoes on this one They were 12 and five five and three and one score games They were 13th in defense and they had the number five offense. So yeah, you're right. It's gonna be very tough to replicate that They were eighth overall in point differential. So just a really strong team
00:36:05
Speaker
from top to bottom. And yeah, big, big Cinderella vibes on Jared goth. You're kind of waiting for the clock to strike midnight on him and go back to some of what we saw those last couple of years that made the Rams feel so confident in training him for, for Matt Stafford, bro. I seriously think if they win that 49ers game, I don't think there was a team hotter than them. The NFL, I think they give a cheat, the chiefs to run for their money in that super bowl. If they made it there.
00:36:28
Speaker
Like they beat the chiefs week one. I mean, they, they beat the chiefs at KC. So yeah, we know they, they had their number, man. I mean, that team was on just an absolute tear at the end of last season. So that felt like the Cinderella run for them to win the super bowl, honestly, to me. And I just, I don't know how you replicate that two years in a row.
00:36:48
Speaker
I'm with you, man. I think they're going to be right around 11 games, you know, could could go 12 could go 10. They're definitely they're legit. We're not going to see them like fall off big time this year. I think it's going to come down to, you know, those two games against the Packers are going to be huge, man. I think them and the Packers are going to be neck and neck for the NFC North. And if the Lions grab the one or two seed, I think it's totally realistic. They can make it back to the Super Bowl.
00:37:10
Speaker
I do think they probably end up falling short though, man. I'm thinking they're right around the divisional round, man. I think they make it down to the final eight. If you had to pin me down to an exact outcome, I think they get knocked out the divisional round this season. Because I think the Packers are going to be so strong and end up winning that division and having home field.
00:37:26
Speaker
the Packers are going to be tough to beat. Dude, I think the, the Eagles fall off at the end of last season. I think that completely woke that team back up, man. They, everything I've read from training camp is they are like ready to roll now. Um, and then you have the Niners are going to be really tough, man. Like I said, dude, the top four teams, the NFC this year are going to be really good. And I think the middle of the pack is going to be good too. So I don't think we're getting the NFC we got last year because
00:37:54
Speaker
Yeah, the bottom of the NFC last year was so bad. Yeah, and from a talent standpoint, man, the Eagles still probably have the best 53-man roster in the NFL, right? Just straight up the most
Listener Questions: Kickoff Rules and Defensive Cornerstones
00:38:06
Speaker
loaded squad. I'd say it's the Eagles. Yeah, you're right. They're going to be tough to deal with, man. Dude, I think Hallie Roseman might be the best GM in the NFL. He knows when to get rid of guys, and he knows how to pick. The dude just drafts best available every year, dude. The team they end up with after the draft every year
00:38:23
Speaker
You just like look at their 53 man roster and it's like how the fuck do they end up with this team every year? And it seems like their free agent like they got a really good like pro scouting department too because it seems like their free agency moves always hit man I get it's it's hard to find a lot of like just straight-up bonehead moves the Eagles have made over the years And do they got a couple listener mail questions?
00:38:49
Speaker
Oh yeah, I forgot about them even getting Saquon dude. Yeah, so you took throwing him in on the already loaded offense like yeah, they're gonna be nasty man Got a couple listener questions. We'll get to so first off we have from I can find it here We got from Brian Vermeer asking for our opinion on the new kickoff rules He says he says it's different, but I'm not saying it's bad. I
00:39:11
Speaker
No, I like it. This is one thing that they took from the XFL. I know you don't watch it, but, um, this is one thing they took from the XFL. And I think this kickoff rule is it's way better, honestly, cause you're just not, they're going to, this is going to cause more kickoff returns. Cause you get penalized for basically kicking into the end zone this year. Like if it, if it bounces outside the end zone or before the end zone, then bounces into the end zone, the receiving team gets it at like the 30, I think.
00:39:39
Speaker
So there's going to be a lot more kickoff returns this year. And dude, kickoff returns are like one of the most exciting plays in the NFL. So adding more kick returns is a good thing.
00:39:50
Speaker
Yeah, I agree, man. I think it's safer. We're going to get more returns. I think it'll be interesting the first couple of weeks because there's going to be some teams that have absolutely screwed this up. And there's going to be some teams that have straight up like galaxy brain this thing out and got a strategy that's going to be untouchable for at least the first couple of weeks, man. So I'm interested to see those week one kick off. I guess they'll get most of this stuff hashed out in the preseason. But there's some teams that are cooking up some special formations
00:40:18
Speaker
and plays and stuff that they're going to wait until the actual regular season goes to, uh, to reveal. Hey, the other thing I really like about this kickoff role too is, and I found this out yesterday, like in windy games where you always had to have someone hold the ball. Like with this kickoff role, you can have 12 men on the kickoff team with the punter holding the ball for the kicker to kick it off. And then the punter just runs off the field after he kicks it. So I do like that.
00:40:43
Speaker
Dude, when you had, when you're one guy down, one guy's on his knee when you do a kickoff, I mean, if there's an actual kickoff return, it's really hard for him to get back into the play. Yeah. Yeah, sure. Uh, all right. Last question. Rob Virginia says it's been a lot of discussion lately since both guys are retired.
Closing Thoughts and Future Episodes
00:41:02
Speaker
Who would you start a defense around JJ Watt or Aaron Donald?
00:41:08
Speaker
Oh, it's not even close. It's Aaron Donald 100%. Like JJ Watt was incredible. Absolutely incredible. His four year run when he won defensive player of the year was incredible. Dude, Aaron Donald was on another level of freak like the dude
00:41:24
Speaker
He was the fastest dude on the defense a lot of times. And he is a defensive lineman. He just, he destroyed teams game plans, man. And the other thing is he never got hurt, dude. He, this dude was playing every game. And I think that's kind of what kills JJ Watt a little bit for me is dude, the injuries caught up to him a lot. And he was off the field more than he was at the end. Um, Aaron Donald retired on top, man. That dude.
00:41:50
Speaker
Yeah, they're both a little bit of a they're both a little bit of hybrid defensive linemen where they move all around but Aaron Donald played on the interior much more often and Getting that interior pressure on the QB is so much more disruptive than the edge rushers, right? That if you can get pressure up the middle that that really kind of neutralizes just about any passing attack out there So I think I'd go forward more than that. You're right on the injury stuff I kind of like just him being it where he's actually lining up on the field for me at though. It's just
00:42:18
Speaker
I mean, but both guys, that means that both guys would be incredible cornerstones for any defense. A hundred percent. Both guys were incredible and both hall of famers. So. All right. That's a wrap for goal line. We will be back next Monday. So, you know, keep the questions flowing. Let us know is that no, everybody's getting excited for the season to kick off. Jordan hit us with some closing thoughts and we'll get out of here.
00:42:40
Speaker
Yeah, less than a month till we kick off. Um, we got the, the chick full or sorry, the, the goal line, uh, fantasy league is full. Unfortunately we, we decided not to up it. Um, we're just going to stick with the 12 we were at. So fortunately it is full, but again, guys, thanks for the support and we'll talk to you guys next week.
00:43:19
Speaker
I gotta got a side in my rifle My mama's new boyfriend rebinds bottles Ricky down the road, he resoles red wings Hell, I got a guy for every damn thing
00:43:38
Speaker
what I'm looking for, because I'm looking for someone to put their ties back in the dry. And if they don't, then I just might lose what's left of my never-loving mind. I'm damn near down to my last doubt. I'm pretty good at breaking down a heart, but picking up the pieces is the hard part.
00:44:07
Speaker
She's searching for someone who's gonna build it back But I ain't got a guy for that Ain't got a guy for that Ain't got a guy for that Ain't got a guy for that