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World Cup Quarter-Finals Preview + NFL Offseason Buzz
20 Plays9 days ago
Episode 84 of Who's Got The Ball? sees James joined by Kevin Coleman from Backpage Football to preview all the World Cup quarter-finals. They pick their winners, break down the key storylines, and give their predictions for the final and overall champion.
Cynan Anywl from the ‘Di’r Helmed yn Ffitio? Podcast then joins for some NFL off-season talk. They cover the Myles Garrett trade, Jeffrey Simmons’ huge contract, and the QB battles at the Falcons and Vikings, plus Cynan’s thoughts on the Saints’ season outlook. Another episode full of World Cup debate, NFL news and strong opinions.
Kevin's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kvnclmn/ Back Page Football: https://backpagefootball.com/ Cynan's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cynananwyl/ 'Di’r Helmed yn Ffitio? Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/helmed.pod/
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🇮🇪 Irish-based, talking global sports every week
(0:00) Intro
(1:36) Kevin Coleman Joins the Show
(2:35) France vs Morocco
(9:03) Spain v Belgium
(17:13) England vs Norway
(22:54) Argentina vs Switzerland
(30:38) Our Finals Picks & Winners
(32:51) Catching Up with Cynan
(36:14) Myles Garrett Trade Repercussions
(45:41) Jeffrey Simmons’ Huge Contract
(52:22) Falcons & Vikings QB Battles
(1:04:24) Saints Season Outlook
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Transcript
Introduction and Preview
00:00:09
Speaker
Alright lads, welcome back to another episode of Who's Got The Ball. Shane's still over in the US so there's just me, James, for the intro this week. But we'll jump straight into what we're going to be chatting this
Special Guests Announcement
00:00:21
Speaker
week. We've got two special guests joining us.
00:00:23
Speaker
First of all, we've got Kevin Coleman, sports writer, Backpage Football. He's joining us to chat all things quarterfinals in the World Cup. We've built up to this. It's cutting time now in the tournament. There was some stodgy games along the way, some great games, but now we're down to brass tacks. We've got the best eight teams left in the tournament. Well, based on how far they got, maybe not in everyone's opinion, but we gave our kind of preview for each and every one of these games and how we thought they were going to shake out as well as
00:00:54
Speaker
our finals picks and who we think are going to win out the entire tournament then conan joining us once again and special guest friend of the show you'll know him by now he's been on here multiple times links to both of the lads social medias are down in the description but conan joins to talk nfl offseason we haven't talked for a bit about nfl because we've had the nba in the playoffs and we've had the draft and then we had some free agency so a lot of world cup and nba lately but not so much nfl so we got conan on deck to talk through the miles garr trade jeffrey simmons extension some quarterback battles and how his saints are gonna fare next season so let's jump straight into the action
World Cup Quarterfinals Analysis
00:01:36
Speaker
All right, lads. So we have a special guest for our World Cup quarterfinal preview episode, Kevin Coleman. and Sports writer, back page, football specifically. But we've got we've got a lot over on Kevin's plate. And if you want to go give a look at on social media, I have to the link down below. But Kevin, thanks for joining us. Appreciate appreciate you giving us the time.
00:01:57
Speaker
No hassle. Sweating away here on this Wednesday evening. ah First night off in a while, so should be outside, I suppose, enjoying it while we have it. But no, happy to be here. Thanks for inviting me on. No, no hassle. No hassle. It's great to have you. Yeah, first day without football.
00:02:15
Speaker
since i can't even even remember the day it started the day it feels like so long it feels so long ago yeah we've had so many games with the bloated format but obviously it's cutting time now we're down to the last eight teams some familiar faces in there and but we're going to look at this chronologically start on thursday we've got France versus Morocco at 9pm. It's the repeat of the semi-final in Qatar, so there's an interesting wrinkle there. But I think main storylines probably are that
00:02:47
Speaker
The way the story has developed around this World Cup, France are like the team to beat. Maybe the Paraguay game set that back a little bit, but that was ah less of a game now than and more of a kind of a wrestling match at times. And then Sybarri being out for Morocco quite likely is a big hit. But what did you make of these two sides coming into this one?
00:03:08
Speaker
I suppose, like you said, France have kind of built themselves up as ah as the big favourite. I think coming into the tournaments, they were probably everyone's and top one, if not top two at the very at the very least. um I think what's kind of surprised me most about him has been the performances of Mbappe. I mean, obviously he's he has two World Cups under his belt where he's been he's been pretty terrific. But I think coming off that season with Madrid, where I think the kind of public impression of him has kind of soured a little bit.
00:03:41
Speaker
I mean, he totally turned it on, which is ah incredible. and you know His performances, his goals, clearly his relationship with Deschamps is fantastic. you know and They seem to really kind gel together, which is unusual.
00:03:56
Speaker
you see some big superstars and in in certain other teams, they don't necessarily vibe with the with the manager. but and He's obviously working. He's putting in a shift. he's He's popping up in defensive positions as well, which is ah kind of unlike him.
00:04:11
Speaker
But I think overall, France have been have been terrific. And I don't know about you, I i thought the Paraguay game was probably my favourite game of the tournament. just because of it had that South American kind of shithousery.
00:04:24
Speaker
yeah I just love it. I mean, a little bit more of that. I think you know teams are are becoming so good and so well-drilled that it's a nice reminder of kind of years past where you know the dark arts and Paraguay, unfortunately, didn't get over the line, but excellent performance, I thought.
00:04:43
Speaker
um And it had hit all those kind of great hallmarks of big team versus small team.
Quarterfinals Team Focus
00:04:48
Speaker
And I think ultimately it'll probably be good for France because it shows that they can they can fight. you know they can they you know They can trade punches with those sorts of teams. um And I reckon, I suspect Morocco will probably be taking a few leaves out of Paraguay's book when it comes to this one.
00:05:07
Speaker
Yeah, I would imagine so. I think i think Morocco, while they can play football, they... I don't know. if They like to get stodgy in big games, I think is the best way to put it That's how they got through as far as they did in the last World Cup, but they've changed now. Obviously, they've they've got more established players, dipping into some of the French and talent as well with Buadi. I think...
00:05:33
Speaker
Last time around, i think Unai was kind of the guy that everyone was looking at as he's going to get a big move after after that World Cup. It never really came about for him. He has moved around a little bit. He's with Jorona now, but I think he looks superb, especially next to Buadi. The two of them in midfield look great. So I'm quite interested in that battle particularly because...
00:05:56
Speaker
Rabiot and Pone, well, they have been good. It doesn't have that same bite to it that you would expect from a French midfield. Especially if you looked back at the last World Cup, you would have thought okay, four years' time, Choumeny and Camavinga are going to have that nailed down. But yeah I think that's an interesting and part of it. and I think...
00:06:14
Speaker
When we get into this game, i expect France to try and exert a lot of control, but Morocco to be comfortable with that because France, they have such good flair players in Alisse, Mbappe, Dembele, but if you don't give them the time and space, then...
00:06:31
Speaker
it's It's quite difficult for them to get going. So although I do see France winning, I think Morocco could really give them a good run. and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw maybe like a 1-0 to France or an extra time victory because I think Morocco will definitely try and wear them down.
00:06:49
Speaker
Yeah, agreed. I mean, Morocco were a little bit of weird one. I didn't think they were particularly good against Canada. and I thought the scoring probably flattered them a little bit. I know they had two late goals, which kind of put a bit of a cherry on top. But yeah, the thing with Morocco, I mean, you know,
00:07:07
Speaker
They're no longer a surprise or they're no longer shock story, really. I think they're seven or eight ranked in the world. This is their second World Cup in a row getting this far. And like you said, they got to the semifinals last time out. They won't fear France by any means.
00:07:27
Speaker
you know Several of their players are playing the top leagues. They've come from the French system in many cases. like What will probably kill them is the quality. Like you mentioned, or he say um who was quiet enough the last day against Paraguay. Probably his quietest game yet, which is credited to Paraguay, I suppose. But Morocco a very, very good side. I don't think it's a huge surprise that they've got this far or and or that they were the best of the African team, certainly.
00:07:54
Speaker
But it should be good game. I'm looking forward to it simply because i'm like they won't fear France. They've faced them last time out several times over the
Semifinals and Finals Predictions
00:08:03
Speaker
years. and should be They should be well prepared for them at the very least.
00:08:08
Speaker
So yeah, I'd be very surprised if France ran away with it by any means. you know, unless Olysee Mbappé et al kind of, you know, explode, and which they're capable of doing.
00:08:22
Speaker
But it should be a kind of a tight, close affair, I'd imagine, similar enough to the Paraguay game, maybe with less of the dark arts. Yeah, yeah, I think so. I agree with that. i i i'm i have the i have training tomorrow night at half eight, so should be done around 10. So I think I'll get the second half. And i' the I'm not too annoyed at that because I do think the first half could be where we see a lot of the stodginess. And so I think it might open up a bit in the second. But yeah, I think if I to settle on a winner, I'm going to go with France in this one. and If you have to go for one, you're on the same page. Yeah, yeah yeah I think they need...
00:08:58
Speaker
they need to get into that semi-final at least with this kind of a lineup that they've got so that brings us nicely into friday evening then staying versus belgium at 8 00 pm i'm surprised to see belgium this far into the tournament uh like i thought against senegal they were awful for the first 83 84 minutes and then Just madness from Senegal, complete madness, and completely shut down and it seemed like a few things went Belgium's way but Senegal are to blame really for their own downfall I do you think. And then Spain on the other hand, game that could went either way with Portugal but they took advantage for that one moment that Portugal kind of switched off for a second and and that's enough when you're when you have the kind of players that they do and Marino, of course, popping up with another big goal for them. So this one is interesting to European teams. What do you make of this one? I think I'm not looking forward to this one as much as as some of
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00:09:56
Speaker
the others. and I think it could be a little bit of a boring affair. Yeah, I think.
00:10:02
Speaker
Yeah, it is shaping up to be maybe a 1-0 either side, the way Spain are going at the moment. and Like you said, i i'm I'm very negative on Belgium. I think this golden generation that's coming past without anything to show for it, I think coming into the tournament,
00:10:22
Speaker
you know Like you said, I was so shocked to see them this far. um I remember either posting on um on maybe Twitter or or in in one of the WhatsApp groups, you know, at 85 minutes, just how good Senegal had been and, you know, slandering Belgium. And next thing it's, ah it turned it around so so quickly.
00:10:43
Speaker
Credit to them for that. But think Senegal were probably, you know, just so sickened coming out of that with the win within their grasp. I think it's a weird one. I may have done like a bit of a 180 on Belgium after the US game because like they obviously have a great squad. They have some fantastic players. They're mainly being a little bit unusual in how they're setting them up. Jeremy Dockwood didn't start. De Bruyne didn't start last day.
00:11:17
Speaker
But this whole fuel to the fire with um with the Florian Balogun thing and... I've never been a bigger Belgium supporter as I was. that or not and no i didn't I didn't stay up to watch it in fairness, but I was delighted to to wake up the next morning and see the scoreline.
00:11:34
Speaker
and So I just wonder, will that give them a little bit of an edge where you know they've kind of been wronged slightly and you know they're... they're I'd probably, you know, you'd probably classify them as a bit of a soft team.
00:11:48
Speaker
Now that they've come through this, where it was like the whole of the American power system and Donald Trump was was down on top of them and got the yeah the suspension overturned.
00:12:00
Speaker
I just wonder, will that kind of fire them up a little bit? It'll be interesting to see if they can kind of maintain that into this game. Now, in fairness, I didn't see the US game, but I saw Lukaku doing the Donald Trump dance and a few other things. So they're up for it, certainly. and So it'll be interesting to see if they can kind of maintain a bit
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00:12:18
Speaker
of that kind of fire in their belly for this one.
00:12:21
Speaker
Yeah, i I didn't stay up for that either, but the next morning, what I've been doing is getting on the VPN and getting the ITV highlights with no spoilers, which is kind of good. like They're about nine minutes. so I saw it was 1-1 there for a couple of minutes or however shook out. Then I was like, all right, this is going to be a game. But Belgium just looked like dominant. I didn't see really any chances for the US. Yeah.
00:12:47
Speaker
I, last week we we spoke about the Belgium and and Senegal game and kind of how that ended up going. And I had said that they were the worst team I'd ever seen to pull off a comeback like that. And now granted they still did it, but I said that and we clipped it, obviously, you know that's a good line to start off. And of course it's plenty of hateful Belgium fans have come out now and even some like saving the video to come back and respond after the US one. So yeah,
00:13:15
Speaker
I'm hoping on their downfall at this point, but i yeah, i did I do have to say I was happy they beat the US. When I was looking back at Spain's last competition, you know, in the Oros when they won it, it was the same, kind of a similar storyline. Like, against Germany, they ground out a 2-1 win in extra time.
00:13:35
Speaker
And then the same against France, they ground out that kind of win and France were probably the better team from what I can remember. And then we got into the final and they played their best football against England in the second half of that game. and So I think they could be a team that, look, they didn't start off too fast, but...
00:13:53
Speaker
When teams win these tournaments, they generally don't start off too fast. They did lose their first group game the year they won it in 2010, I think. And now they're on that kind of run where they haven't been overly good, but they could just come out of this one. i think it's maybe 1-0 or to Spain. And then next up against France is where you kind of have to really show what you can do and then going on into the final. Now, I do think France would probably beat them, but I think they have another level in them if they get to that point. I just think we haven't seen it yet.
00:14:24
Speaker
Yeah, Spain, i can't remember which game it was. it might have been the the Austria game in in the last 32, where I was really impressed with them. and And all these kind stats started popping around. that I think it was their first game in many tournaments where they scored more than one goal in a knockout game.
00:14:43
Speaker
And they grind through it. They don't kind of blow teams away. You know, you'd argue they're not hugely impressive, but I think ultimately they're such a great tournament team and they'll just do the kind of bare minimum to to get through those fixtures and then kind of turn it on when when when you need it. And I think, like you said, it what they did against Portugal, again, not a very good game, but, and you know, they were solid. They kept Portugal kind at bay and then they struck, you know,
00:15:12
Speaker
with the quality that they have coming off the bench. But even the the the move for the goal was just fantastic. like To be able to do that in in and that heat in the last couple of minutes kind of you know shows just how good they are. and Because I don't think, like for example, I don't think that Yemal has been particularly good.
00:15:34
Speaker
I know he's kind of carrying an injury going into it. But the thing with Spain is like, Moreno, Ori Azabel, you know, these guys that are kind of on the periphery, you know, of people's attentions, I guess, you know, they're they're not playing for huge clubs. Moreno's kind of a a squad player at Arsenal and just how effective they are.
00:15:57
Speaker
And the likes Cucurea as well, I think he's having a fantastic tournament. Like he's, He's one of those where you kind of look at him at Chelsea and he's a little bit, you know, the hair is flying on all over the place and you wonder like, you know, how effective this is this guy truly?
00:16:11
Speaker
And then you see him in the Spain system where he gets on so much ball and, know, how effective he is down the left-hand side. And I thought hes he was fantastic now for over the course of the tournament.
00:16:23
Speaker
Which, yeah, I mean, like I said, Belgium, you know, they've come through that USA game, but I do suspect that, you know, Spain will have more than enough quality, severness, all the kind of usual hallmarks of a tournament team to kind of keep Belgium at bay. I'd be surprised.
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00:16:43
Speaker
I'd be surprised.
00:16:44
Speaker
Maybe extra time if Belgium are sticky enough. And who knows, Lukaku could pop up with something special. But I just think you compare the two teams and how good Spain are and the quality they have to come off the bench that, again, you know it's hard to look pass the favours on that side.
00:17:02
Speaker
Yeah, yeah. No, I agree with you there 100%. I think Spain, they have more to do in this tournament. I don't think they're going to end at this point. heading into Saturday then, I think this one has the potential to be the best game of this round. Norway versus England.
00:17:22
Speaker
Depending on the results. But I think, I do think that it has the potential to be a really exciting game if you are kind of all the neutral, I guess. Norway, look, they've kind of lit the world on fire almost in a quiet way. They haven't, you know, they haven't gone out and battered teams, but a lot of people are really interested in the new and probably because of the Holland aspect especially in the US they're like obsessed with strong fast athletes that can you know they did I saw a clip where they had Holland's top and speed in the World Cup compared to like running backs in the NFL and stuff and all the Americans love that but I think
00:18:04
Speaker
England to play against against Norway is quite an interesting matchup to European teams. I think Bellingham has been a star to show for England, so I think Berg and Berga there in midfield for Norway might have a job to do because he does go forward quite a lot. So are they going to track with him? Are they going to hold position?
00:18:23
Speaker
um And then, of course, you have Harry Kane. So... It's an interesting game. England obviously have the better team. You would think that they should win this one. But look, I think Norway have proved more than enough that they could be spoilers here in this one.
00:18:39
Speaker
Yeah, it's no, I'm definitely looking forward to this one. yeah Like you said, with any England game, they're our closest
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00:18:49
Speaker
neighbor slash rival. and you kind of you know You're so familiar with their squad that it's ah impossible not to tune in whether you want them to do well or not.
00:18:59
Speaker
Yeah, it's a weird one. Like with England, and they obviously had Congo and that was a bit of a stodgy one. And then Mexico was was crazy. and And they got over both lines in the end.
00:19:12
Speaker
And they're kind of building up that little bit of momentum now. And I think with Norway is they're going to be a lot more familiar with Norway. Like all of these players will have played against Haaland.
00:19:23
Speaker
And they'll be familiar with Odegaard. and you know a lot of are teammates with those guys. So you do wonder, will that make him more comfortable and and kind of you know ease through the game and you know a little bit more comfortably than they had against against the prior two games?
00:19:40
Speaker
Maybe. But then on the other hand, Haaland is Haaland. And basic sand i mean, he's insane. And like I didn't think Norway beating Brazil was was a particular shock. and I think I predicted Norway to win going into it.
00:19:58
Speaker
And, you know, as long as you have him on the field, you have a chance, ultimately. and i don't know if you saw the kind of the digital graphic that the BBC have where the game is turned into like AI. Oh, yes. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:20:14
Speaker
And it's from Gabriel's point of view. And he kind of looks at Haaland. And next thing the ball comes in, it's just Haaland pushing across the screen. He's so good.
00:20:26
Speaker
and So, yeah, I'm probably lean in England just because I, you know, they'll they'll be familiar with Haaland, they'll they't know how to set up. I don't think Norway will particularly scare them. And I think looking across at so many familiar faces, they'll probably put them a little bit more comfortable than than they had been in in the last few games. And all look at the huge build up to the Mexico, the altitude, the journalists going off in their 5Ks, it kind of created a bit of a cocoon where, and you know,
00:20:59
Speaker
ah the whole argument was was pushing against England and he kind of came over that so I'm definitely leaning England and but you know you can't you just you can't rule out the handling factor and it is he's obviously not alone but he's he's probably the best striker in the world his best number nine and he doesn't need too many chances by the looks of us to to to get to to get a goal yeah Yeah, I agree with you. I think ah I would lean slightly towards England in this one, winning it, because I think they have more quality and because I think Norway actually do try to play a little bit and that will suit this England team. They don't work as well against kind of stodgier teams that are just parking the bus. We saw that against Congo, it took them a long, long time.
00:21:44
Speaker
to break them down and they got very frustrated and that one i think it works um both ways the familiarity because if you see holland yeah he could possibly line up against gay and stones as the center back partnership and you know that's some some two players he's been up against in training for well gay for the guts of six months but stones for the guts of his whole man city career So that's an interesting one, how they will fare. you know I think Haaland is quite a funny guy when he's on the pitch, so I'm sure he'll have a few jokes with the lads no matter what way it goes. But it's nice to see him, I think, away from City with all the financial doping and...
00:22:25
Speaker
the charges and the dominance in the premier league it's hard to it's hard to get on city's side unless you're a fan of them whereas now seeing him for norway it's it's actually quite nice to kind of support him and see look you'd like to see this guy doing well but yeah i think we're in fairly interesting matchup final point i have on it is the england right back situation and uh against noosa he looks very very good on that left side for for norway so let's see how that one shapes up too um Last game then, Sunday into the into the wee hours of Saturday night at 2am on Sunday. Argentina versus Switzerland. Argentina have...
00:23:06
Speaker
ah They've ridden their luck in this competition like no other, no different than 2022. I think in terms of how lucky they've been in some certain stances, whether you want to say it's corruption or not, I think that'll leave that for the Conspiracy Theory podcast. But look, they got here. They've got the best player in the world. So we do love to watch them on this stage. It's similar to how they were in the last World Cup, as they said, like not really beating the Aussies, beat Netherlands on penalties, beat France on penalties in the final.
00:23:35
Speaker
And then you have Switzerland. Great, great story, but i it's almost like, how did they get here? So I don't know, austria Argentina will be very, you know, look looking from the outside, you would think to'd be very happy with this draw, but they've made hard work of it along the way so far.
00:23:53
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, more disrespect to Switzerland, but if they beat Argentina at this stage, i think it's a bit of a crime to ah to football. After through everything we've been through, after the the Cape Verde, an extra time, and then obviously the Egypt come back, if Switzerland turned around and knocked them out, you know, what are we doing here?
00:24:13
Speaker
I know. Yeah, I mean, they're crazy. like I don't know, is is is it this Messi factor? Is it is this some sort of kind of muscle memory that they have where you know they always have a chance?
00:24:26
Speaker
and He was fairly anonymous for the first 60, 70 minutes against Egypt. he looked He looked very tired in that game, to be honest. Yeah.
00:24:37
Speaker
Yeah, like I think it was an in it was indoors or or it was a supposedly an air-conditioned game and he you know the sweat was pouring off him. And he is, what, 38
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00:24:48
Speaker
or 39, so um he's he's doing a lot better than most people at that age.
00:24:53
Speaker
But yeah, I mean, they're so good. and Their games are absolutely box office. I think the Cave World game is going to go down as one of the great World Cup games, and long after this one is done for ah for various reasons. And then the Egypt one is probably not far after. um But yeah, my feeling is like,
00:25:15
Speaker
They surely beat Switzerland. I think Switzerland, Columbia, it's one of the first, it's definitely the first knockout game where I just turned it off in extra time. And I watched the penalties on my phone in bed because, you know, it was a tough watch.
00:25:32
Speaker
So yeah, my position right now is, they're well organized, they're hard to break down, obviously. and They don't have you know anyone particularly stand out.
00:25:47
Speaker
Jacques is obviously leading the the show and defensively, they seem quite solid. But you know if we wake up Sunday morning and they're in the semi-finals for Argentina.
00:25:59
Speaker
And the English have gotten them. it's Yeah, well, that makes it even worse. That makes it even worse. I think I said that. Go ahead. If we're robbed of um if we're robbed of an Argentine-England semifinal, I'd take Norway, Argentina, obviously. and Again, no one is referring to Switzerland, but they're not one of those teams that you kind of sit in and look forward to Ireland.
00:26:28
Speaker
No, not at all. I only watched the penalties. I had training yesterday and it was in the evening, so I got to see the full Argentina game. I was delighted with that. And then was at the training and came came out. It was about 85 minutes in. my sal nell nell I said, right, i'll I'll flick on this if it goes to penalties. I'm not watching this extra time. And and yeah, they won. Kanji missed the penalty. He also missed the penalty in the penalty shootout. They lost England in the Euros last time around.
00:26:59
Speaker
So I don't know why he's still taking them. like that's that' That's a few penalty shootouts now where the centre half has been yes very early in the top five, which is which is unusual.
00:27:11
Speaker
And like I guess, you know, the big leader at center half wants to kind of and you stand up and lead by example. But at the end of the day, surely there are some attacking players that can can put a few penalties away first before yeah before you have to rely on them.
00:27:29
Speaker
Yeah, 100%. I think if they manage to get to another penalty shootout with Argentina, we see him stepping up, you'll know there's something wrong there. I think when they played Algeria, you looked they looked quite good in that game. And when they had some handy games in the group, you know the likes of Mbolo, Ndoy, Vargas, they were kind of feeding off these lesser teams. Manzambi, I think, probably does translate across multiple levels. He looks very, very good. I was just about to say, and like he was he was missing against Columbia, obviously.
00:28:02
Speaker
So if he's back for this one, you know at least that's kind of some attacking outlet that'll maybe be bit of an X factor for him. Yeah, and we saw Argentina can be got out on the counter against Egypt.
00:28:15
Speaker
So look, and I don't know. I think Argentina have made such hard work of everything. They've played 120 minutes twice. i I can't see that this is where it ends for them. But I do think they will make more hard work of it. I'm going to i'm gonna go on a full-on score prediction here and I'm going to go that they win 2-1 an extra time after after a nervy 1-1 in the 90. I don't know. I think it's just destined for that. And then you get to England and you know if it's England-Argentina, you just know it's going 120 as well. like These Argentinians have been made work for their summer here with all these extra times. But obviously I think you're in agreement. You think Argentina probably have the edge here.
00:28:57
Speaker
They definitely have the edge. Yeah, there wass there's a lot of and minutes in those legs, I suppose. A lot of hard ones as well you know towards the end of that Egypt game.
00:29:09
Speaker
So yeah, the Messi factor, you know will he would he look a little bit more human? I haven't had to rely on him. and And Switzerland will be well organized, they'll be well structured. What just think, ultimately there resist there's a fairly big gulf in quality between between what Argentina can offer.
00:29:28
Speaker
um and what Switzerland can but yeah I'd be a surprised if if Argentina kind of win comfortably I think it will be close one again maybe 1-0 2-1 sort of a scoreline I think ultimately they'll just they'll be delighted to get through on 90 minutes again yeah and just kind of avoid that kind of Either the extra time scare against Capiford or the late comeback against Egypt. just kind of They'll be happy with with ah with something a little bit more comfortable. think Scalari as well. He's looked starting to look a little bit stressed. and
00:30:01
Speaker
the The camera often cuts him on the sideline. yeah He just looks on the the brink of tears every time. yeah He could probably do it ah a bit of a reprieve for this one maybe. Yeah, I think i think he he did actually start crying after the Messi hat-trick in the first game. And then against Egypt last night, he was distraught looking when the third goal went in, if he fit as if he was he was prepared for extra time. And then that went in and he was like, I can't take this. relief But yeah, I think yeah they could definitely do without another extra time after getting one against Cape Verde and obviously grueling game against Egypt in 90. Yeah.
00:30:38
Speaker
Before we let you go, give us your give us your winner. Who do you think is going to come out on top when we get to the nineteenth of July? um It's a tough one. I think if you if you take into consideration that the four favourites will go through, and you're probably looking at France and Spain or England and Argentina,
00:31:00
Speaker
and think Spain-England final. i For some reason, I fancy Spain over France. I don't know you know where that's coming from. i just From the games I've seen, you know the the French attacking factor is is is fantastic. what Spain are just so sticky and they're so, you know, that tournament muscle memory that they're carrying forward from from the Euros.
00:31:25
Speaker
So, yeah, I'll go Spain-England final and I'll go Spain once again to to get the better of our old neighbours over there. and So you're going for the old Euro replay of the final. I'm leaning the other way. I think we could get a replay of last year last World Cup, France-Argentina.
00:31:49
Speaker
Look, but when I think about England and and the way Argentina have played, I would not be in the slightest shocked if it's France, England. And I think we might have a better game there because I think Argentina could run out of steam if we get to the stage where it's them against against France. But again, I don't think I can take the even the chance that England could win it. I i don't want to have that as something that i'm I'm looking forward to watching because I just won't be able to enjoy the game. Just hoping them that France can move on top. But yeah, I'm going France to win it out. and i think I think for for a good semi and final, I
Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser
00:32:22
Speaker
think it has to be France. I think Spain will kind of drag it down a little bit. um So yeah, I think France-England would be, France-Argentina would be hell of a final. Like absolute box office stuff.
00:32:34
Speaker
Yeah, yeah, 100%. Well, look, appreciate you coming on. Let's see how how close we were with our predictions. um And we'll try and make some more fans angry with a few clips, I think, off the back of this one. But I appreciate you joining, Kevin.
00:32:48
Speaker
Thanks, man. We'll chat to again soon. Thanks, James. Okay, so some NFL talk. First time in in in a long number of weeks, we got back on the NFL and we've got Cunnan here.
00:32:59
Speaker
Of course, he had to make a return. He's been literally begging me, constantly texting me like, please, can I come back on? Please. ah That's crazy. Airing out personal messages crazy.
00:33:12
Speaker
I'll just post them up on the screen. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. How are you? How are you? Thank you for coming back on. As usual, it's a pleasure. I'm good. Thank you very much. I'm good.
00:33:25
Speaker
i was just telling you before we did this, I'm not enjoying the the weather. It's too warm for me. But apart from that, no, I'm good. There's no no coach here at the moment. So all I'm doing is I'm i'm playing football at the moment.
00:33:38
Speaker
I'm having to go to Lancashire to play. So that's been fun. But apart from that, i'm I'm good. I cannot complain. How have you been, James? I am good. I'm good as well. I've been playing, back playing soccer for the first time in a long time.
00:33:52
Speaker
Oh, awesome. man Yeah, it's been tough though in the heat. The first few sessions back have been roasting. I've been absolutely sweating out. But yeah, it's nice to be back, be back doing it.
00:34:03
Speaker
I was doing a lot of running. Like I did the London Marathon as listeners and all that. But that was like just so boring. They're running. And I was like, nah, I need to go back playing sport because i like the gym is fine, but then you need something else too. So yeah, it's been good. Is it far from you to travel to play in Lancashire?
00:34:24
Speaker
Yes. Yeah. Really? How long? I think it's about three hours. What? Yeah. ah Three hours there just to get there. yeah Is that the closest team? No, no, it's not. But it's like just for this year, ah that's a whole just for this year, I'm going to stick to this team. But yeah, it's three hours like for the home game.
00:34:49
Speaker
And then we're talking, well, what was it? last game I played, it was in Gateshead, which was in Newcastle. Now, if you look at a map or look at where Anglesey is compared to Newcastle, it's a fair way away.
00:35:03
Speaker
So i had to get up at like, I think it was 4 a.m. m just to get there on time. yeah that's dedication man and for a training as well yeah or stupidity like yeah well no one you will know what way we want to lean there that one
00:35:24
Speaker
It's okay. Right. No, i very per I don't think I would ever go more than like an hour for a team. That was craziness. but three not Three hours. And then three hours back. Yeah, exactly. That's the thing I always forget. I'm like, oh, yes, I'm coming home. Oh, I'm still home.
00:35:43
Speaker
He's just rerunning old episodes of the Who's Got the Ball podcast all the way home. Oh, wow. b you know we me ah you know me too well well let's jump into let's jump into the the talk the actual meat of this conversation we haven't really talked NFL because we had the and NBA finals and we had the World Cup so that's what we've been focusing on on this podcast the last month or so we didn't really talk much NFL since the draft but there was a massive trade that went down that we didn't get to speak about and that is the l la rams acquiring jared jared there we go miles gareth they did have jar they did have jared and so the trade was essentially they gave up jared verse to the browns 22 27 first
00:36:38
Speaker
2028 second rounder and a 2029 third round pick which has like a weird stipulation that if they trade garrett back to the afc north then that becomes a first rounder which is yeah it's funny but uh essentially a first second a third and verse which is a crazy return for the browns i was like Look, if they're cash in, they're going cash in. Obviously, Andrew Berry with his usual so that he spouted after that.
00:37:06
Speaker
We have taken the stance that our goal was for Myles Garrett to be a one-helmet player for his entire career. And then Rams approached him Long story short, he said, do we hold on to a truly generational player who's become the identity of our team? Or do we make the difficult decision that we think is best for the organization over the long run? Look,
00:37:26
Speaker
We knew. we knew you wanted to trade and Nobody wanted to give up what you wanted. And now they finally did. stopped. Now he's on the runs. What did you make of this whole thing? I genuinely couldn't believe it.
00:37:41
Speaker
Like I saw... What was it last year, year before when, when they were kind of dispute, when Miles Garrett and the Browns were kind of dispute about, know, a new contract that this is, people like, oh, he's going to leave.
00:37:55
Speaker
And then he stayed. And the people like, oh my God, they stay for the money. Like he's wasted his career. So I thought that was that. I generally thought that, well, that is it. Like he's made his feelings clear. He's going to stay at one team.
00:38:08
Speaker
So when the news came out, was like, no, surely not. Adam Schefter must be ah having a giggle. There's absolutely no way this has happened. But I don't know.
00:38:18
Speaker
i I don't know. I feel like, I don't know. There's a part of me that thinks like, the Browns could have maybe got more because I look at the the Colts trade with the Jets for Source Gardner and I feel like the Colts got fleeced out of that one and it's a much... I know he, you know, sources, know, some people argue top five in his position and maybe, I'd say maybe top ten or whatever, but...
00:38:49
Speaker
It's still not the caliber of player that Myles Garrett is. And I feel like the Rams have had a better better better go with it with that with that trade. And I genuinely, genuinely see Aaron Donald coming back just for one more ride.
00:39:06
Speaker
And we might see the greatest defensive line of all time with Myles Garrett, Aaron Donald, Braden Fisk, and Byron Young. Like that is a crazy defensive line.
00:39:19
Speaker
koby turner So yeah, ah yes, yes. So I think... i it's all I mean, we've seen this with the Rams before. It's all or nothing again.
00:39:30
Speaker
they did They did this when they went for Von Miller. when you when they Well, when they won the Super Bowl, they went all in. So this is all or nothing, I guess. yeah Yeah, I think they obviously don't care about picks when they have like a good quarterback. They just don't value them. The F10 picks thing that they have.
00:39:49
Speaker
Yeah, was just about to say, there's a funny quote. There's a quote about it. But I do think when I first saw it, I was like, I think maybe the Browns could have got more draft capital. But then when you kind of think about the fact that they got Jared Verst in return, like, what is he worth? Is he worth two first rounders or a first and a second?
00:40:11
Speaker
So yeah when you kind of throw that in, then maybe it makes a little more sense. And I think... like I know the Browns don't have anything to talk about a quarterback, but in terms of their defense right now, like the youth they have at such a high level, Inverse, Blesinger, Mason Graham, Alex Wright looked good last season. They just drafted McNeil Warren, which I thought was a steal.
00:40:36
Speaker
And then they signed Quincy Williams, who can still do stuff at this level. He's not as young as the others, but he's still good. um and then they've got two first rounders in the next draft which is a stacked draft class and they can flip that maybe to to get the quarterback they want if they want to go higher or if they're higher already they get their qb and then they get somebody else so i think the browns look good going into the future and i think this might save andrew berry's job because it was looking quite on the edge, although they always seem to stick by him no matter what, even after that Deshaun Watson trade.
00:41:11
Speaker
I feel like it's so weird that the Browns, like, obviously every year they pick quite high and every year they don't go very far. But they draft well.
00:41:22
Speaker
I've got to give it to them. I feel like almost every year i look at the draft I'm like, you know, oh the Browns had a good one. Now, i I guess it doesn't really matter how early you draft when you have Deshaun Watson at the helm. i was like, well, you could get you can have all this talent and come in.
00:41:39
Speaker
Or even when Miles Garrett is there, you can have all this talent. But if you don't have and and you know a proper quarterback or a proper leader to drive this team to at least the playoffs again, then what...
00:41:55
Speaker
What's it really for? it's it's It's literally the ethos for both both teams completely different in regards to trades. Like we say, the Rams don't care about the trades, you know, the F them picks, whatever.
00:42:10
Speaker
Like we never see them draft, you know, draft quite often anyway. Then you go to the Browns, they're always drafting well. And, you know, I don't know if that's something for the rest of the teams to look at where it's like,
00:42:26
Speaker
should we actually be investing this much into drafting well? Is it actually, is the turnover there for us? id I don't know. See, my job isn't a draft analyst, so I'm, I'm, I'm, what do I know? But it's just interesting. It's just interesting to see both these teams doing this trade and they have the complete opposite perspective on drafting as well.
00:42:48
Speaker
Yeah. I think it doesn't matter on like the age and like level of your quarterback, the decisions that teams make because, I think you see teams like the Eagles as well. They make smart decisions, but they also draft well. And I would say that the Rams, when they do draft, like the fact that they did draft guard verse and they they drafted brayden fisk and they developed these players and that shows kind of that they do know how to draft they just may not value it as highly as the other others which is interesting um right now you mentioned the way that their their defensive line looks i don't know like 23 sacks for garrett last season was the nfl record obviously byron young had 12 kobe turner seven
00:43:32
Speaker
fisk had three um puna fort had two like and then if you add iron donald back into this it could be like an all-time um defensive line and we could see like a team sack record i'd honestly know it's i think the rams have to be favorites for the super bowl if um if you if you get back um iron donald You'd think, and but then it's always always in the case of the Rams. I feel like, oh maybe i'm I'm on my own thinking this, but it's always the the secondary that is their weakest point when you're looking at, you know, when they are teed up to be the favorites. You look across the board, yeah, Matthew Stafford is quite good.
00:44:16
Speaker
you know, Puka Nakua, whatever his head is doing, Devontae Adams, Kyron Williams isn't bad at running back. The offensive line is all right. And then you're like, oh my God, defensive line, linebackers are quite good. And then there's the secondary. And like, I i don't recognize any of these guys. And they, I feel like there's constantly like,
00:44:39
Speaker
meme videos of the second of the ram secondary so that was the issue last year they were too small and they were getting devoured but then they went and used the first rounder and traded for trent mcduffie and then they signed jalen watson as well who's great so they've got two like spags developed corners there so i think they did well on that front obviously it's it's a different system and Watson had injuries last season. So we might, we might not see him as much, but I think they've at least tried to, um, sort that issue out too, with the draft capital that they, that they had from that Falcons trade last year.
00:45:18
Speaker
Hmm. So interesting one. I think, yeah, I think we'll see how it shakes out. I think the brand has set them up themselves up well for next season. I think if they play Watson or Sanders, it doesn't matter. Neither them are going to do a good job. They'll get a high pick and they now have an extra pick too. So look, I think that they did what they needed us to do and they got off a massive contract. And then you swing over to the Titans and they're like, hold on, we need to sign someone to a huge contract because everything we've been doing is good.
00:45:49
Speaker
Our defensive tackle, Jeffrey Simmons, three-year, $105.8 million contract extension, $100 million guaranteed, and it's an average salary of $35.2 million annually, which is makes him the highest paid defensive tackle in NFL history. and Last year, 11 sacks, 17 TFLs, 67 combined tackles.
00:46:11
Speaker
I don't know if he's worth that amount of money, here although he is great. They have so many needs. Can they afford to spend this much money on one person? Yeah, yeah i I agree with you on that one.
00:46:24
Speaker
Unless it's Robert Sala back at the helm the Titans now. Whether Robert Sala is like, for my system, this is the guy. like i need him. like He's brought he brought back Jermaine Johnson from the Jets with him as well.
00:46:42
Speaker
So I feel like he in his mind, he has like, okay, I need these specific players. So whether he's had input already, like that much input on this big of a decision, and he's like, no, I need him.
00:46:56
Speaker
And obviously, Jeffrey Simmers is seeing all this money being splashed around everywhere else. But I agree with you in the sense of 35.2 million a year is...
00:47:08
Speaker
Crazy. Like average is crazy. Yeah. No. Yeah. Average is crazy.
00:47:15
Speaker
How old is he? Let me tell you who old is. I don't know. I think he's in his he' in his late 20s. I'm not 100% sure. Let me check. 1997 July. So, yeah, he's like 28. He's going to 29 at the end of this month.
00:47:34
Speaker
So, yeah. But look, at DT, you could probably afford to be that age, and it's okay. but yeah la well, like we see with Calais Campbell. Yeah. one-year contracts constantly until the end of time. Yeah. I reckon it generally would about 45, 46 by the time ends. Yeah. By the time he gives up.
00:47:54
Speaker
oh I look at the rest of the team, though, for the rest of the defense specifically, and I think that there's definitely an influence of Salah and also Brian Dable coming in as a coordinator on this team in who they signed because...
00:48:11
Speaker
Obviously, you look at Wanda Robinson went there, but you've also got the sign Bellinger, tight end from the Giants, and then Cordell Flott, who had a decent season, but like they paid him a lot.
00:48:23
Speaker
um And then the rest their their defense, like they've got John Franklin Myers. okay They drafted Keldrick Falk. We both spoke about what we thought about that. Anthony Hill Jr. was a great pickup because he's got that middle linebacker, that kind of possible...
00:48:39
Speaker
Wagner type on his team or Warner type, someone who kind of can run the scheme for him. um And obviously he had that with Fred Warner and when he was with, with the Niners as a defensive coordinator. So I think he values that highly. But then when I look outside of that,
00:48:57
Speaker
Yeah, Jermaine Johnson. And then who else? and There's no one else standing out to me here on this defense. And then that was where they were so bad last year. So how much better are they going to be? I know Salah's great coach, but if the personnel isn't much better, then I don't know how much better they can actually get. Hasn't LeGerris Sneed gone back there as well?
00:49:16
Speaker
No, he... Did he not re-sign with the Chiefs after being released by the Titans? Oh, I felt like he just... Oh, no, you're right. Yeah, yeah, you're right. I remember he was a yo-yo. Yeah, yeah, yeah. The Titans signed him and he did nothing and he was so good for the Chiefs and now he's gone back there. After they just got rid McDuffie and Watson, so they just let him fall back into their hands. That's foul.
00:49:40
Speaker
That's foul. But I think... yeah The Titans, are yeah, I don't know whether it's these players that coming in to kind of take your advantage of knowing, like, oh, these guys, they have the draft capital. Yeah, they have the the cap space. They have the the money to spend.
00:50:00
Speaker
So we're going to fleece them. And because, you know, later on in the year, there's not the the slim pickings for who you can pick up, really. Yeah. So I feel like they're taking them for a ride a little bit, but it's also like, well, the Titans can't really do anything else. um i I am excited by the thought of Cam Ward and Carnell Tate with Brian Dayball coordinating them as well. I think that'll be seriously a good.
00:50:28
Speaker
The offensive line, yeah, is concerning, but I feel like Ward now has
00:50:37
Speaker
a a a receiver he can rely on, a reliable receiver. um Because I was all in on Calvin Ridley. I was all in. Every single fantasy team I had, Calvin Ridley was there.
00:50:53
Speaker
What a mistake that was. He sucks. So, like, you watch him in games, and it's like in the breadbasket. No, it's on floor. Yeah, he just drops it. Yeah, no, he just dropped it So, yeah, I feel like Connell Tate will...
00:51:08
Speaker
actually catch a ball. you That's the start. The sky's the limit. To be fair, Wondale Robinson, the contract is crazy. Four years, 70 million. Ridiculous, by the way.
00:51:21
Speaker
But he's very reliable in the slot and he will get you yards. So I think yeah that's something they didn't have. Worth 70 million. Great. Yeah, of course. Great. That's crazy. Just catching the ball can get you 70 million. Yeah, well, for the Titans. Jalen Hyatt when you need him,
00:51:38
Speaker
Oh, still on the Giants, somehow. We have like 70 receivers right now. We signed Odell on the same day we signed Juju Smith-Schuster and signed somebody else.
00:51:51
Speaker
And then we've got Darnell Mooney, we've got Slayton, we've got Neighbours, we just drafted Malachi Fields, we still got Hyatt, we still got... but like it's just We still have Hodgins. What is this team? like It's just ridiculous.
00:52:09
Speaker
And then all these guys... And then we're guaranteed going to cut the wrong people when it gets there. Well, we've got Harbaugh now, so let me let me change. Let me have some faith. But, look, another thing we wanted to touch on is there's not really many interesting QB battles, but there is some funny ones. and The Falcons... There are some funny ones. The Falcons have to choose between Tua and Michael Pennix.
00:52:33
Speaker
So... Do you want to... I just can't. like To his best season was in 2022. Played 13 games, 272 yards per game, 25 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Last season then, for for comparison, he played a similar amount of games, just 14, 190 yards per game, touchdowns, interceptions.
00:52:57
Speaker
And then you've got Michael Penix Jr. Only had five games in his first season because he wasn't the starter. and But then last season, is in nine games, 220 yards per game, nine touchdowns, three interceptions. Still better than Tua, only marginally, but then obviously perpetually injured.
00:53:14
Speaker
And Tua has his concussion issues. All I'd say is Trevor Simeon better be ready to suit up as a third choice at 35 years of age. Is that where he is? my God. I have to look at the depth chart to find that out.
00:53:27
Speaker
ah Travis Simeon, God bless. when what When was the year that he was with us when we were going through QB hell? It was him, it was Ian Book, and was it i think Jameis had been injured to start. Yo, tangent, I thought Ian Book was going to be next Drew Brees. He had the same scar.
00:53:44
Speaker
he was He was from Notre Dame. I know he wasn't like Purdue, but he just had the aura of the next Drew Brees. And then he had this first game and he was trash. Anyway, um yeah is Yeah, it's the lesser of two eight evils, isn't it? Which ones do you pick? But Silver Lining, both left-handed, so trainings and practices now, it's going to be a little easier for everyone else to kind of adjust to it when it's just Michael Penix being the odd one out with being left-handed and at the time not starting.
00:54:24
Speaker
I could just imagine receivers from going going from Kirk being like, yeah, sound. And then Michael Panix just has to have like five reps. It's like, oh, now I look bad. Now there's two of them throwing left-handed. so No, everyone looks bad. It's great. yeah Yeah, it's great. now No one can be singled out now.
00:54:43
Speaker
by I feel like... ooey Okay, so just the Falcons O-line are tremendously better than the Dolphins one. So you would imagine Tua might be a little bit safer. Even though i really don't understand why the two is still playing. Um, I, it's quite concerning that he's still playing, but you know, that's all he needs. He just needs more time in the pocket.
00:55:12
Speaker
Like we've seen when he has time to process and read what's going on, he can sling it. Yeah. So that's all he needs. But then, you know, it's the NFL. You can't have everything that you want and people are gonna expose him.
00:55:28
Speaker
So, Yeah, no idea when you got two left-handed, injury-prone quarterbacks as your QB battle, really. I mean, yeah ideal for me as a Saints fan, but as a Falcons fan, yeah, it's not cool. Stefanski, at least, is a positive for them. I think they'll see it as someone who could probably sort out that those issues, although it's big for him. But I think he could do some decent work with two as long as he's protected.
00:55:51
Speaker
I reckon B. John Robinson's going to eat this year. Stefanski at the helm. That's going And we might finally see the the best Kyle Pitts here because obviously Stefanski uses a lot of tight ends.
00:56:06
Speaker
Yeah. That's what he did at the Browns. Njoku was one of their top guys down the years. And then Harold Fannin was their number one receiver last year. So yeah, maybe Pitts can finally shake off a bit of... but like Towards the end, of but back into last year, he was actually pretty good. Yeah, he was. He keeps it up.
00:56:23
Speaker
Got his new contract. Yeah, he did. He got his money. He got paid. Can't remember how much he got paid. I think he got paid too much. yeah Whatever it was, he got paid too much. Yeah, a little bit. A little bit.
00:56:35
Speaker
Another one then, right? I think we're both thinking that Tua's probably the the likely winner of that battle. Yeah. Second up then, Kyler Murray versus JJ McCarthy at Minnesota. Look...
00:56:47
Speaker
Best year for Kyler then, if we're doing this, is 2021, if we're looking at through the air. Played 14 games, 270 yards per game, 24 touchdowns, 10 interceptions. He only had five Russian touchdowns, but he had 13 fumbles, which is horrendous. The year before he had 11 and 9.
00:57:06
Speaker
But then last year, just played five games, 190 yards per game, six touchdowns, three interceptions, one rushing and one fumble. So a big drop off. Obviously, he didn't play the same amount of games, but he has been regressing every year.
00:57:20
Speaker
And then JJ McCarthy did not play in his rookie season last year. Nine. Nine played in 10 games. He had 163.2 yards per game.
00:57:34
Speaker
11 touchdowns, 12 interceptions. so Oh my God. Four rushing touchdowns and six fumbles. Yeah, he's just shit. So it's going to be Kyler. He stinks. He stinks so much, honestly. He stinks so much. Why did they draft him? like He did not do anything for Michigan. He just let them run the ball. He didn't do anything.
00:57:57
Speaker
Well, James, he's a national championship winner. He's a national championship winning QB. Of course he's going to get picked. Don't get started. Don't get me started on it. ah No, that is...
00:58:09
Speaker
I personally, i don't know if you're going disagree me this one. I don't see much of a QB battle here. no Contrary to popular beef and how great nine is, but I think I see this as a potential, obviously, my maybe not to the same extent as Sam Donald with the Seahawks, but I do have high hopes for Kyle Murray on the Vikings. I feel like...
00:58:37
Speaker
He's now getting a i mean, a that a well, the best receiver, some might say, in the league with Justin Jefferson. He's got O'Connell, yeah, Kevin O'Connell as is as is the QB whisperer as well in his ear.
00:58:53
Speaker
I feel like the things are looking good. I know that he had, well, I feel like the best years they had a of but that Arizona were with D hop when he was there.
00:59:07
Speaker
So he needs, he just needs that tried and proven vet wide receiver. Yeah. I know were all hoping that Marvin Harrison was going to be that. Marvin Harrison Jr. was going to be that.
00:59:19
Speaker
But so far, has not lived up to his not not only name, but as like is his is quality as well. His potential even. so Yeah, I see Kyler doing good things.
00:59:36
Speaker
I mean, you could clip this when he stinks up the gaff, but I see him seen doing good things. And I think, I know, mean, the division is against him. I mean, he's gone from burning kitchen scenario of division another one.
00:59:50
Speaker
burning burning kitchen scenario of a division to another one You know how they say he straight from the pan into the fire, of the fire wherever the the metaphor is? He's gone from the fire to an equally hot fire.
01:00:03
Speaker
In terms of divisions, it's just flip-flop. So it's going to be hard on him again, but he's got a better better um supporting cast.
01:00:15
Speaker
He's got a much better defense. I don't think he's out of defense like this ever. So... It'll be interesting to see him try and manage a game rather than having to catch up.
01:00:28
Speaker
Yeah, I think I agree with the fact that O'Connell is going to make a big difference for him. I actually see them... being good this season i think that's going to be like my my hot take or my like hill to die on for this season i see them getting back into the playoffs with him and i see the bears and not making the playoffs because i think too many things went their way no injuries everything went perfectly and they just got the madden cover it's going to be a curse once again of course so i'm going with the vikings to outdo the bears as my kind of hot take but i do think kyler will be good and and what o'connell did with darnold i know it's not the same type of player but he was even less fancied when he went there than murray was through his career and he didn't have any rushing ability whereas you have that now and And you mentioned Jefferson. There's also Addison on the other side too. Yeah, of course. yeah so i I really like the the chances that this Vikings team make a big turnaround. And last season, what they still won like nine games. Yeah, that's nuts.
01:01:35
Speaker
With a complete mismatch. Random quarterbacks starting every week. You wouldn't know who would be starting. This is a good pub quiz answer. I forget what it was. the The game on Christmas when they beat the Lions, was like 9-3.
01:01:50
Speaker
Who do they have a quarterback? Oh, Max Brosmer. Yes. Yes. Like, what? What? What are we doing? Yeah. But I think, I mean, when we compare Sam Donald and Kyler Murray, like you said, no one really gave him the the the the the hope, or no one really had much hope in him.
01:02:11
Speaker
Sam Donald now, going into it, and it was like, whatever. But maybe, well, it's obvious that that humility that um Sam Donald had he's not you is know, he just head down, worked, did what the team needed, obviously worked.
01:02:30
Speaker
Now, Kyle Murray, i mean, I don't know the blog. Sorry, Kyler, if you're listening, do apologize. ah But I don't think he has the same type of mindset going into this. You might be thinking,
01:02:44
Speaker
Listen, I'm a Heisman winner. i'm i'm I was this great quarterback for the first couple years of years in my career in the NFL with the Cardinals. like I know I am better.
01:02:56
Speaker
Now, whether that confidence and that kind of ego carries over well or not is yet to be seen. yeah So i think I think that will be...
01:03:07
Speaker
a big big one going into it that he might be thinking oh i'm i'm gonna i'm gonna get a sam donald yeah redemption but not put that much of the work in you're just gonna kind of expect it again sorry kyla if you're listening uh yeah look and apparently he said that he was like oh i was a vikings fan growing up not one picture not one picture of an vikings jersey like come on on the yeah i love that i I love it when football players do that. like i swear it was like Bernard Bernard who went to Everton. He was like, yeah, always loved Everton. No, you didn't. No, you did not. There's absolutely no way in the the streets of Brazil that you were thinking, oh, I wonder what David Moyes' Everton is doing right now. I can't wait to watch them. I love Leighton Baines. That's what he grew up Yeah, yeah. ah yeah you when people do that but not that one bit of photographic proof like he said he went to games and stuff as well like come on no yeah i don't know i think when you have to earn money though like he has to play well to earn his next contract so maybe that will drive him on more than anything else and maybe the vikings then move on from him like they did with darnold but let's see how goes um i have one thing that i want to ask you before we wrap here oh no We're sitting at the Saints, right? We're sitting looking at them. Oh, no.
01:04:32
Speaker
And their over-under is 7.5 wins, okay? Really? Yes. Where did you get that from? Pretty high. That's the line right now. That is crazy. So it's a tough enough start. Did you say that was quite high? Sorry, not to glance. Did you say that was quite high? Well, last year it was two and a half. Like, how is it going to jump five in one year?
01:04:54
Speaker
Listen, people, people realize that the title is shock is the real deal, baby. That's what it is. Title is shock. The shock bus is locked into town. That's what it is. Hey, listen. That's one game below 500 if you get that over. Like... Come on, you have to play.
01:05:12
Speaker
The start of the season is tough. You've got the Lions away and the Ravens. But then there's a nice little run here. Vegas, Atlanta, Minnesota at home. a Really tough on heading to the Meadowlands to face the Giants. Obviously, that's a write-off for you.
01:05:27
Speaker
then all right okay right okay your schedule is is is mixed i think you could probably get close to that but i don't know what you obviously you're gonna say that you're gonna you're gonna bang it over but how many wins are you gonna get get there to see them I think you fail to realize, James, that the Tyler Shuck is the second coming of of Drew Brees, and this is going to be the first undefeated team to win the Super Bowl.
01:05:57
Speaker
right I'm not. We'll leave it there. No, no, no, no, no. no no ah I do think they're going to do well. Now, this is the first time I've ever been optimistic since Mr. Breeze has left us. He's not dead, but in my eyes, he might as well be. his But this is the first time I've been optimistic.
01:06:15
Speaker
Now, whether that's going to be even more egg on my face, we'll see you later on. But we we got this guy. we got Jordan Tyson rocking up now with the team. Chris Alave, if he just looks after his head, okay then we're kind of solid. I think defensively, think defensively we're looking good.
01:06:35
Speaker
Paid Chase Young super mile money. But apart from that, ah think a looker right I think I think maybe nine wins. I've got nine wins, and i think we scrape by into the playoffs.
01:06:51
Speaker
I think because everyone else in the division will have a lackluster wins as well. Okay. all zero your what what was it What was it last year? It was like almost everyone had like seven or eight wins. Yeah, it was like three, eight, nines, and then you were at seven and ten.
01:07:07
Speaker
Yeah, yeah, no, the ten yeah. um So I like i generally, i see something similar to that. I know loads of people love the Panthers and like, yeah, the Panthers going to be the greatest thing ever, but... I don't think they're going be the greatest thing ever, but I do think they're going win the division.
01:07:24
Speaker
ah No, you as well. Yeah, I think they're winning it. But to be fair, Falcons, we talked about the situation not looking good. The Bucks looks like they're imploding over there yeah some reason. Yeah, no idea what's going on there. So yeah, i think you're in good shape for a challenger there with the with the Panthers. I don't know, seven and a half...
01:07:45
Speaker
Last year you had seven. I think eight, nine is doable in this division. But we'll have to see more from Shook. Okay? We need to see more.
01:07:57
Speaker
ah We only saw a few games. Yes, sir. So you let him know. You let him know we need to see more. I will. I think he's coming to one of the Lancashire games, so I'll let him know. Okay. How long for him? and the depression Yeah.
01:08:09
Speaker
maybe Maybe a little bit longer. We're going to s stop complaining. But... Listen, Kellen Moore, we've seen... we saw it it started to click towards the end of the season when Tyler Shook was really thrown into it. And he played like you played with some super tough teams in those games too. Super tough.
01:08:31
Speaker
We did. It was quite sad. It was quite sad. But things were ticking, okay? And he was robbed of the Offensive Rookie of the Year. Oh, come on.
01:08:43
Speaker
Yeah, exactly. See, I knew you'd agree with me. So he's robbed of that. It's just that it was. think ke I a full season of Kellen Moore and Tyler Shuck goodness.
01:08:55
Speaker
Who doesn't want to see that? And, oh my God, completely forgot. yeah trevvi etn or Trevor Trevor H&M with us. H&M.
01:09:05
Speaker
The new name. Yeah, sorry. Forgot you were his agent. do apologize. Trevor H. I've got a mirror with me. It's okay. It's okay, Trevor. It's okay. He said it right. what why is he why is he why you Why is he down there? why are you patting him on the head down there?
01:09:21
Speaker
That's foul. Anywho, whatever you want to do with Trevor, we got Trevor, Trevor, Achan. We got Alan Kamara is still the go in my life. Oh, forget it. yeah im then And then, then great Kendra Miller. Okay. So I think cross the board on the, on the offense. i it up yeah wait We are sick. you want Johnson? Do you want to keep going with running backs? Yeah. Devin Hill is sick as well.
01:09:52
Speaker
Yeah. i sneak eight Honestly, maybe best running back room in the NFL. Okay, it was nice to have you.
01:10:03
Speaker
but i guess I can't believe it was Zach Wilson. knows all oh Oh yeah, we do. That's crazy. I forgot about that. Okay. Let's see. Nine wins. You say sneaking into the playoffs. Let's see how close you are. You're not overdoing it to be fair. You're, you're being realistic. And so let's, let's see how it goes, but appreciate you jumping on once again. And we won't leave it as long next time. If you just keep texting me and stop begging me to come on every two days. All right. Okay. Trevor, Trevor, Trevor.
01:10:35
Speaker
That's his brother. Actually. Third boat here.
01:10:42
Speaker
Yeah, he's gone now. He's gone now. We can. Yeah, sorry. You can what? You can what? Get back to talking real football. Oh, okay. High five, guys. Oh, my God. That might be the saddest thing I've ever seen in my life.
01:10:56
Speaker
High five, guys. Hopefully my hands made error from the camera. This has got out the window now. I'm sweating. Yeah, I need to open the window. Yeah, you may be sweating now. Okay. Okay.
01:11:07
Speaker
that okay let'sla this thank you Wrap this up. this up. And there goes Conan. So that's another episode wrapped. Hope you enjoyed it. Two more guests. Shane will return next week and for a World Cup final preview. We've got a special guest lined up for that one as well, already locked in. So I'm very much looking forward to it. We will chat to you again next week. As usual, please like, subscribe, share, all that good stuff. Leave a comment. If you have any opinions, good or bad, just let us know.
01:11:37
Speaker
We'd love to get a review from you on Spotify as well. If you can give us five stars, that would go a very long way. But yeah, we'll wrap it there and we will chat to you again next week. Bing bong.