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Goal Line: NFC South Preview
74 Plays6 days ago
The boys are back to officially kick off year 3 of the Goal Line. They discuss the release of EA Sports College Football '26, preview the NFC South, and answer your listener mail!
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Transcript
Season 3 Launch: NFL Division Series
00:00:16
Speaker
What is up, goal line listeners? We are officially back for, I guess we'll call this the preseason premiere of season three of the goal line, man. We're going to be covering one division each of the next eight weeks leading up to week one of the NFL season.
00:00:31
Speaker
It's going to be fun. We're excited. Hope you guys are too. Jordan, what's going on, man? And we got a nine weeks until opening Sunday. Like it it is upon us. There's a game this month.
00:00:42
Speaker
I know it's preseason, but there's still a game. And yeah, we're we're getting into it, man. i'm I'm ready to get this going again. It feels like we're kind of out of practice because we haven't done this in what, three months. Last year, we kind of spaced it out. We kind of kept it like the drip going all offseason, but I think it suffered because like half of the teams, we did the preview like really kind of before the draft and like the thick of free agency. So you know we we kind of identified that as a lesson learned. So we're going with a more compressed offseason schedule this year. So you know i think we got you i think we hit you guys up kind of right around peak free agency.
00:01:14
Speaker
Then we did an episode after the draft, and now it's time.
Division-by-Division Breakdown: 2025 NFL Season
00:01:17
Speaker
to start really taking a look at what we think this 2025 season is going to look like. So the next eight weeks, we're going to pick a division each week, cover all four teams, along with any other big major news stories. Obviously, we're still kind of in the dead time for NFL news right now. So not a lot of so big stuff to cover. We're going to kind of get right into it this week. but But yeah, that's the format. So let us know what you guys think.
00:01:38
Speaker
It's going to be a lot of fun. um You got any other housekeeping notes, Jordan, before we start getting into it? No, man, that's really it.
00:01:48
Speaker
Wait, what's that sound? It's back. Y'all thought this song was gone? wish it was gone.
College Football 26 Release & Game Comparisons
00:01:58
Speaker
We are going to kick it off with a college football segment, College Football 26, released this morning at noon. We know Jordan's got a big week planned in Texas for the wrestling fans listening. He's going to be heading all-in, which means yeah the week prior to that, it's going be jam-packed full. So I think he's waiting until ah the dust settles a little bit and he gets back in town to get it. I got it today. i can tell you guys right now, if you guys liked the game last year, definitely get this one, man. if you're not super duper hardcore you could probably get by with still playing last year because i know if you're if you're like me you play dynasty most of the real players are are gone out of the game after the first couple seasons um but the game's a ton of fun man uh they did a lot of really cool presentation um
00:02:38
Speaker
Presentation additions. I know I got, you know, me and me and Jordan's mutual friend, James, one of my buddies from the Navy, me and him, we got a pretty longstanding football video game rivalry going.
00:02:49
Speaker
We've been doing almost all Madden the last four months, and we played NCAA today right after it came out. And just immediately, you just notice how much more alive the game and the stadium and everything is. And it's just, to me, it's a whole different level of immersion from playing Madden as fun as Madden is.
00:03:04
Speaker
ah Jordan, what have you thought so far um seeing in the like like the previews and the content that's been out there so far for for College Football 26? I mean, after last year's game, I had no doubt that these ah all are going to be good from here on out. I mean, we say it about Madden every year. like It doesn't change a lot, but it's because it doesn't have to. like The game is just so good. I don't know how much more touch-ups you can do. I mean, everybody already already looks so real as is. so it just Yeah. It's just going to enhance the graphics every year.
00:03:35
Speaker
and there'll be some minor tweaks, obviously, with college football because obviously the playoff format changed a little bit this year. But, um yeah, i'm I'm very excited to play it. It's just I i do not have the time this week, unfortunately.
00:03:47
Speaker
You mentioned the players looking more real than ever. i couldn't help it. I'm a masochist in a lot of ways, especially when it comes to sports. I had to take a peek over on UCLA's roster and pull up Nico with the the UCLA blue and gold. And, man, just pain, dude, seeing the big Polynesian decked out with those UCLA colors instead of that volunteer orange.
00:04:07
Speaker
Yeah, I can't imagine. That was real easy for you to watch. Yeah. And not to mention, so the first game, I said, our buddy James, he's a hardcore Canes fan. So the first game we played was Tennessee and Miami and the Vols' new starting quarterback, Joey Aguilar from Appalachia State. Bro, I had like three wide open receivers and he just sailed it right over their heads, man. i was like, oh God, this is a sign of things to come for the season. It's going to be a rough one, man. Yeah, I'm interested to see what they do this season.
00:04:34
Speaker
I seriously feel like if Nico would have came back, that team would have been top five starting the season. But I mean, we can't deny the talent of Nico, so losing him is going to be brutal losing him. Yeah, and the yeah like you said, if he just had his normal progression, they would have been really, like like you said, top contender there in the SEC because the defense is nasty, man. The defense is still going to be great really good.
00:04:57
Speaker
They picked up some good playmakers in the transfer portal, the scope positions in offense. but enough about college. you know We will cover college throughout the season, but we're really here.
NFC South Analysis: Saints' Struggles and Future
00:05:05
Speaker
This is primarily an NFL show, and we're going to get right into it with a division near and dear to Jordan's heart, the NFC South. and We're going to start with, ah yeah i'm ah I don't know, it's probably between these guys and the Bucs, man. who Who is your number one most hated team out of the Saints and the not Not even close. I know the Saints are the traditional Falcons rivalry, but just me talking to you, man, maybe it's just because the Bucs have been a little bit more successful over the last five years.
00:05:29
Speaker
I feel like the Bucs are the ones that really get your temperature going, man, when we start talking football. No, it doesn't matter. The Saints will always be my number one hated football team forever. Like, that will never change. Just that is a straight-up rivalry. No matter how bad the teams are, it's still a rivalry. so Always a little bit extra on on that game, no matter what, man.
00:05:48
Speaker
So we'll start off. So the way we're going to do this, we'll do a quick kind of postmortem on the team's 2024 season before we take a look at what they did this offseason. What we think kind of their outlook and the ceiling for them in 2025 is. And then we're going to close out the episode with each of us predicting ah the finish for the NFC South. man So we'll start off with the Saints. So they went 5-12 last season. Obviously a big disappointment. That's after they had a surprisingly competitive 2023 where they were 9-8. So a big drop off there.
00:06:17
Speaker
Their defense was you know decent to mediocre. They were 18th overall on defense, 24th in offense though, man. So 24th overall on offense, not good at all. um And not to mention that they lost their starting quarterback. Whatever you think of them, they were counting on Derek Carr to to really be the man for them for, you know I'd say, and you know last year and the the years the you know the next few years. so But he gets hurt.
00:06:39
Speaker
Obviously now he's out of the league. Jordan was last year a success for the Saints. I say capital n o N-O, no. Oh, absolutely not. I mean, this team bringing back Dennis Allen last year, I thought was a immediate sign of they had no idea where they were going.
00:06:55
Speaker
um Yeah, I agree with you. I think they had planned on having Derek Carr for at least the next few seasons. Be honest with you, him retiring is probably the best case scenario for the Saints, considering how big that cap hit was.
00:07:08
Speaker
Like, yeah, that that was best case scenario for the Saints. And they the Saints should be absolutely throwing him like a retirement party week one. One of the few ah kind of good calls from the from the Josh McDaniels head coaching era is that he was quick to pull the plug on Derek Carr in Vegas. I know he got some heat for that at the time, but i think he was right in just saying, like, you know what, this this guy is just not the guy at all. Let's cut bait.
00:07:32
Speaker
um Take a look at the offseason. So, obviously, the biggest thing is they got the offensive coordinator from the Eagles, Kellen Moore. ah Part of that, he was offensive coordinator for the Cowboys. And then, you know – i Most football fans probably best remember him.
00:07:44
Speaker
He was the QB for for Boise State back in 2009, 2010, 2011, where they were really competitive at the at the national scale. It was those years after they had that big Fiesta Bowl win against Oklahoma. Kellen Moore was the guy for them.
00:07:59
Speaker
um But speaking of QB play, man, the QB situation is complete uncertainty. They got Tyler Schuh, Spencer, and Spencer Rattler kind of competing it out. And I don't think either one of those are, you know, anybody you're getting excited about.
00:08:14
Speaker
No. i i I don't know how much of Tyler you watched at ah Louisville or watched his highlights. That dude is bad. i don't even know how he got drafted, to be completely honest with you. I mean, he was viral during the draft that when he got drafted before Shadur, showing some of just the absolute horrible plays, physical and like just the mental decisions he would make on the field for Louisville.
00:08:36
Speaker
Yeah, he's not good. i did I do not understand what they were thinking. I mean, maybe they just are full-on tanking, but... Not a good start. To me, Rattler's a pro. I think he's like a good backup QB, dude. You know what i mean? I think he's, you know, from what we saw last year, i'm not gonna say like he straight up doesn't belong on an NFL field, but I don't think he's somebody you feel really good about as your your starter for a whole season. He's a spot starter NFL backup. Yeah, I would agree.
00:09:03
Speaker
Some additional moves. They added really talented safety, Justin Reed from the Chiefs, and they picked up Brandon Cooks for whatever that's worth. You know i mean? Brandon Cooks always tends to be decently productive wherever he's at, but the fact that he's bounced around, you know, i feel like he's like the Ryan Fitzpatrick of wide receivers. I feel like he's played for half the teams in the league, and the fact that nobody ever sees fit to keep him around for longer than a year or two is kind of a little bit of a red flag.
00:09:25
Speaker
Um, they lost again, previously mentioned Derek Carl. They lost more Sean Lattimore traded to the, the commanders and then Montez Valdez scantling is headed on down the road as well. So, um,
00:09:37
Speaker
I don't know, a little bit of a wash, man. It's something I'm kind of thinking. Obviously, they're never to come out say this publicly. haven't really seen much rumbling on this. I wonder if the conversations internally is, dude, let's just tank out this season and try to get Arch Manning. You know, his dad, his grandpa, Archie, legendary Saints quarterback. He's a guy that, you know, if you looked at his numbers on Pro Football Reference, it might not seem that crazy. But go back and, you know, just YouTube up. Search some, like, Archie Manning highlight rules. Dude could play, man. He was, like, a really good quarterback on some absolutely horrible Saints teams.
00:10:07
Speaker
back in the seventies. So it'd be a kind of a nice story. You know, that's where the Mannings are all from there in Louisiana. So it'd be a cool story. What what do you think, man? Do you think they're in straight, you know, just push all the, you know, basically a fold on 2025 and see what they can do to try to solidify that number one spot to get Arch Manning next year?
00:10:23
Speaker
two things i don't think arch comes out after this year i think he plays two years at texas uh other thing i don't think arch wants to go there that team is is bad like got i mean eli got his way out of going to the chargers and i i seriously don't think arch wants to play there like that team is going to be really bad for like what are they building around chris alave who has what three concussions already i mean And Alvin Kamara, he's still great. He's passed his expiration date too, though. You know what i mean? Kind of same similar vote as Derrick Henry. i don't think anybody can hold it against Alvin Kamara if he just, you know, all of a sudden falls off a cliff production-wise, man.
00:11:04
Speaker
um They have the worst roster in the NFL, and it's not close either. i don't even think, outside of the guys you just mentioned, I don't even know what they have on this team that's even worth keeping at this point.
00:11:16
Speaker
I mean, I know Demario Davis is back, but little long in the tooth at this point. Cameron Jordan, same thing. i guess they still got the Honey Badger, but, dude, that's not a good, that is a really bad roster, man.
00:11:30
Speaker
Yeah, it's rough, man. I'm kind of with you, dude. I feel like, you know, if again, we we've been hyping up Ars Manning a lot of, you know, basically since this show started. um If he goes out and does what everybody thinks he's going to do at Texas this year, like he's probably he's going to come out with like more leverage than any college player just about ever. Right. Like I feel like if him, I feel like he goes to the Saints.
00:11:51
Speaker
If it's like a full takeover deal, you know, we know his family is not scared to use their leverage, right? They did the same thing with Eli 20 freaking years ago when he was supposed to go to the Chargers and got drafted by the Giants instead. um You know, I see i see them going there if like they can put their own like head coach, GM in place, et cetera, et cetera.
00:12:08
Speaker
I'm with you, man. I think they're going to try to get him somewhere that's, you know, that... is either already set up for success or has historically been successful, you know, because even though the Giants were really shitty when Eli went there, um they were still historically like one of the, you know, one of the old guard powerhouses of the NFL.
00:12:25
Speaker
Yeah. And the Giants have committed to spending money to win. Not that the Saints haven't. I just... Dude, the Saints kicking the can down the road for so long when they had Breeze. They kept the Drew Breeze. Yeah, the Drew Breeze era in that core that team, they kept that going probably two years too long, man, and it's just got them so hamstrung right now. Yeah, it's just, I mean, they kicked it down the road so long that it's still giving them problems at this point. and i mean, shit, we're, what, six years removed from Breeze? Five years removed from Breeze? and
00:12:55
Speaker
Yeah, 2020 was the last year. It's not good. i mean, I don't know what they do. So overall outlook for 2025 for this team, you know, we mentioned they went 5-12 last year. They're worse. Honestly, dude, I'll be surprised if they match that, man. I think they're going to be – I think this Saints team is in the mix to be the worst team in the NFL this season. I think their over-under is 4.5, and I would feel comfortable betting the under on them.
00:13:19
Speaker
Yeah, i would count the under, dude. like Without looking at their schedule, I have a hard time seeing them win five games. Okay. Well, it's funny you mention that because they do have the second easiest schedule this season, so – Yeah, but who knows what that's going to mean? You know what I mean? Just based off last year's record, I'm just going to put it out there but but If you told me if you told me who who do who's another team, throw somebody out there that we think is going to be in the mix for worst record this year, man.
00:13:45
Speaker
the i Dude, I think the Saints are just overwhelmingly the worst team. like i don't even Let's say the Jets, right? Jets are kind of similar situation in the AFC, man. We don't know what they're going to be. If the Saints and Jets played 17 times, I'm not sure the Saints win five of you know?
00:14:01
Speaker
Tennessee is probably the second closest team to them, I would say. i know that sucks for you, but I i think they're going to be bad too. I think i think they have a – so I agree. I think their starting point is bad. I think they got a high variability with what Cam Ward does, man. And I can tell you, the local media, dude, it has been – you know me. I was anti-Cam Ward. They've won me over, dude. Like the Cam Ward hype machine is working overdrive oh right now. I mean – If he comes out and is the truth, man, like I could totally see them being in the mix for, you know, going seven, you know, not probably not being a real contender, but at least not, you know, being worst team in the league.
00:14:35
Speaker
No, possibly. I think, but I agree there. I think then the Jets and the Saints are probably right there with the the crappiest roster situation du right now. It's got to be up there to like, yeah, they have some playmakers on that team. But I mean, that's not going to be a great team either. I wouldn't think.
00:14:50
Speaker
I don't know, dude. is the jack You got Jackson Dart, Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston. d i feel like I feel like the Giants might be interesting, dude. I think they're going to be interesting bad. i don't think they're going to be like sad bad this year. You know what mean? That's true.
00:15:02
Speaker
um All right. So we're we're both saying these are going to be right there in the the the toilet bowl this year. I think this is by far the worst team in the NFL. right, let's go to
Panthers' 2024 Season Review
00:15:12
Speaker
the Panthers. So the Carolina Panthers, 5-12, which doesn't sound great, but that was coming off a 2-15 season the year before.
00:15:19
Speaker
These guys were 23rd on offense, 32nd in defense, man. So the worst defense. And just let you know how bad their defense was, like i said, they're 23rd in offense, which isn't great, but you know there's nine teams that were worst on offense than them.
00:15:31
Speaker
They still had the worst point differential in the NFL last year, man. So, you know, buy strictly by, you know, how many points they scored, how many points they gave up, they were the worst team in the league last year despite, you know, finding a way to win five games.
00:15:44
Speaker
That being said, I'm to something crazy. Dude, I think last year was a little bit of a success, man. It started off really, really bad. um We saw Bryce Young get benched for a couple games before coming back. But the if you watch the games, dude, they were playing some pretty dang good football down the stretch. They almost beat the Eagles, man. They gave the Eagles everything they could handle.
00:16:02
Speaker
They beat the Falcons in a must-win game for the Falcons end of the season. And just, again, watching the games, Bryce Young looked like a functional NFL player, which for, you know, all of 2023 and the first two games of last season, it did not seem to be the case.
00:16:17
Speaker
Yeah. I mean, it's hard to say that winning five games in the NFL is a success, but – Yeah, after benching Bryce and him bouncing back the way he did at the end of the season – I'm still not going to say it was a success. Winning five games, I will never consider a success. yeah But, I mean, they definitely made some strides toward the end of the season, and they were playing tough football against a lot of decent teams. So, yeah, I mean, they were definitely better last year.
00:16:43
Speaker
i think you could feel confident I think you feel a lot more confident in Bryce Young going forward, which to me that was kind of like – I didn't think that the ceiling was that high for them to begin with last year. So that's kind of where I'm coming from, saying it was a success. This is the reason I'll say it was a failure – They traded up for Bryce Young two years ago and gave up the number one pick last year. That's true that's a pretty big failure for a season. if you take Yeah, 100% agreed, man. very Very great point, dude. If you look at everything they invested beyond just the regular value of a number one overall draft pick, yeah, but if if you're giving up all that, you want a guy who is, you know, C.J. Stroud, man, just undeniable, the dude.
00:17:20
Speaker
And Bryce Young's definitely not that Go little bit behind the numbers, though. So last year, he ended up with 15 touchdowns, to nine interceptions. That was coming off a 2023 season where he had 11 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions.
00:17:31
Speaker
The big thing, though, man, he had 12 lost fumbles in 2023 compared to only five last year. So he just did a much better job protecting the ball, was a little bit more of a playmaker. Just, like he you know, he looked like a guy that was a Heisman Trophy winner.
00:17:44
Speaker
in Alabama towards the the end of last season. So I'm not convinced it happens. We've we've seen, you know, there's been plenty of NFL players that put together a good month, you know, freaking Taysom Hill got, you know, a $60 million dollars contract off having a couple of decent games in a row. So you got to prove it, man.
00:17:59
Speaker
ah But I do think there's at least, there was at least some glimmers of hope last season, which dude, for a while there, it was looking like he was going to be in the mix with Jamarcus Russell was like worst number one draft pick of all time. Yeah. Yeah.
00:18:11
Speaker
He definitely showed some ah promise after last season, but we'll see how it still out yeah i mean we'll see how it pans out. So so to set some of their offseason, they lost a long time linebacker Shaq Thompson, cut bait on Jadavian Clowney. He's another guy who's bounced around the league just a ton at this point.
00:18:32
Speaker
They did lock down their star cornerback, J.C. Horn. Actually made him the highest cornerback in ah NFL history, man. Highest paid cornerback in NFL history. I saw that. I was a little bit surprised. he's He's a good player, man, but I think that's more just a product of the current times, man. then yeah I think we've seen a few better quarterbacks come through mix than J.C. Horn. According to PFF, he's the 25th best corner in the NFL.
00:18:54
Speaker
He ranks 23rd in PFF's advanced coverage grade and 23rd in standard PFF coverage grade. So that is not good. So you think that's just an overpay? I mean, dude has a name. He makes some highlights and stuff. I see se his name out there, which we know and with DBs, that can be very misleading, man. You know, Diggs for the Cowboys. He's, you know, interception machine.
00:19:14
Speaker
Yeah. That's because teams test him. You know what i mean? Yeah, teams test, they throw him out a lot. So sometimes you can you can benefit from an inaccurate pass here there if if they're targeting you all night long. Well, here you go. I'm just going to give you some stats. He had 1,034 snaps last year.
00:19:31
Speaker
He had one interception and he had nine pass breakups all season. Yeah. So how you if you're the Panthers GM, how do you justify going to your owner and saying, yep, hey, hey boss, we're handing this guy a four-year deal, 25 mil per year is the average on this. Think something like 40 mil guaranteed. It's going be the biggest contract of quarterbacks ever got in NFL history. I just don't think they had a choice is the problem.
00:19:53
Speaker
I think they had to pay him because they can't lose him. you somebody half decent, we got to lock him down. I mean, dude, the Falcons had to do the same thing with AJ Terrell. Like, I've never thought, like, oh, man, AJ Terrell's, like, a top five, top ten corner.
00:20:06
Speaker
But they had to pay him. They didn't have a choice. Yeah, facts. Sometimes you just got – and sometimes it's easier to – you know what you got in-house, right? You've seen the guys work. So, you know, for all we know, the dude could be a great – um Could be an absolute great, ah you know, locker room guy also that helps out, it helps out your culture and stuff.
00:20:28
Speaker
um Let's go to some. So they did get some pretty interesting draft picks. They got two playmakers out of the offense. We're getting Trevor Etienne, brother of Travis Etienne for the Jaguars. And then they got Ted McMillan, who this dude, he was a really good wide receiver at Arizona, but then just really kind of set the set the scene the pre-draft scene on fire with some of his measurables, man. So they got some good weapons bringing in for Bryce Young. I think this team could be spunky.
00:20:52
Speaker
Overall outlook, I see them maybe slightly improved from last year, dude. I'm thinking like in like the seven-win range, dude. Maybe if they get some lucky bounces, maybe they get to eight or nine, but... I still kind of see these guys be at a mid-grade team. and maybe i'm i'm thinking maybe they're out of the basement this season, though.
00:21:10
Speaker
Well, I would hope so because I think they would have to win less than four games to be in the basement. um They have the fifth easiest schedule next season. Obviously, that's subject to change based on how their teams play. But I think they will be slightly better. I'm with you. I could see seven, eight wins. I just...
00:21:29
Speaker
Dude, I still think their defense is going to be really bad. like Yeah, the defense is where what sunk them last year, man. the defense was mediocre, they could have been in the mix that NFC South. I don't see them making a push for a playoff spot. I don't see them being in the mix as we hit the last three, four weeks of the season. Yeah, Panthers fans are way too excited. Like, I like the guys they drafted. I like Trevor Etienne, and I like Ted McMillian.
00:21:50
Speaker
But – ah Does that really like throw them over the top? Like they were a 23rd ranked offense last year. i mean, what do those two get them to? Like maybe the top half of the league, top 16. I mean, is their defense going to be improved enough to even that be a difference? I just i don't know. I just I think they're just like a mid team.
00:22:10
Speaker
i mean, that's the best way to describe them. Yeah, same. I think they're gonna be a tougher out, right? Like if your team's playing them, like it ain't going to be like, oh, sweet, we got the Panthers this week. I think you definitely got to strap it up when it's time to go against them. But yeah, I don't see them being a playoff team this year.
00:22:24
Speaker
Yeah, agreed. All right, let's go to the team near and dear to Jordan's
Falcons' Season Recap & Future Moves
00:22:29
Speaker
heart. I know going to like this one, the Atlanta Falcons, man. So they go 8-9 after going 7-10 the season prior. It feels like they've just been locked in at this this level.
00:22:39
Speaker
um They were 14th in ah offense, which I i thought the offense have been a little bit higher. They were kind of some feast or famine, right? I feel like when the offense was clicking, they could they could be pretty dang explosive, but they had some dry spells too. Ended up 14th offense.
00:22:51
Speaker
been the story for the Falcons for du the last 20 years, 23rd on defense, man. It seems like the defense is always good enough to not get completely just boat race. But i don't know to me, man. I feel like if i if you asked me to like sum up the last 20 years of the Falcons football, dude, offense is always pretty decent.
00:23:07
Speaker
The defense can almost never get that one last stop that you need to, to win the game, man. not going lie. ah Before you sent this, i would have assumed the Falcons had like the 28th to 30th best defense in the NFL.
00:23:19
Speaker
They could not get to the quarterback again last year. I mean, that's yeah been another thing that's just been a reoccurring theme since they lost John Abraham. The offense being 14th doesn't surprise me just because you got remember, they had that four-game stretch where Cousins was just absolutely miserable. They refused to swap him out.
00:23:39
Speaker
I mean, do they lost... three games that they should have won in the middle of the season. and And I think if they had anybody else at quarterback, they win those games. It's just. Yeah, he killed them a few of those weeks, man. You I'm give Kirk the benefit the doubt and just think that the Achilles just was never all the way back to 100%. And maybe that caused him just kind of fade towards the middle the year because he looked awesome. You week one was rough, but he had a stress there where he was playing some of the best quarterback play in the NFL, man. Think about like that night they retired Matt Ryan's jersey and he freaking breaks Matty Ice's yardage record.
00:24:10
Speaker
Um, that chiefs game. Yeah. The chiefs game where they gave, I mean, dude, literally the last two teams playing last year, the chiefs and Eagles, they beat the Eagles on the road in prime time and they gave the chiefs everything they can handle, man. I mean, if you have a different set of refs, the Falcons might beat the chiefs too. So this, was this was a team that obviously did, they had, you know, a low floor, some games, but this team had a very high ceiling last year, man. They could play with just about anybody.
00:24:35
Speaker
Um, the The Commanders, you know, a team that they ended up getting blown out, but they gave the, you know, they were hanging with the Eagles tough for a quarter and a half that NMT championship game. they They took the Commanders to overtime, man, on Sunday night football in an absolutely gigantic game. So, yeah, this, obviously the inconsistency is absolutely maddening if you're a Falcons fan.
00:24:54
Speaker
um But this team, I think they were much better than their eight and nine record shows. Overall, was last year's success? I got to say now, man, strictly because the Kirk Cousins experiment, um,
00:25:04
Speaker
Turned out to, i don't know if full-blown disaster, but it's definitely a failure at best, man, that now you gave this guy all this money and he didn't even make it through an entire season. Now he's kind of hanging around your rosters. It's just kind of awkward energy on there.
00:25:18
Speaker
um And I think last year, too, looking at the schedule, man, I think it was playoffs or bust for the Falcons. So I am going to say 2024 was ah was a failure for atl Oh, it was 100% of failure. I just, I can't consider anything other than last season of failure.
00:25:32
Speaker
the The bright spot was that Mooney and Drake London really did show out in that offense. And Dijon is obviously one of the top three running backs in the NFL. So they got that going for them. I mean, that's And Pinnock's looked great, man. When Pinnock came in, he looked great. You know, if you look at the... Dude, so one thing you're going to hear over and over with us this year, man, we watched the games, dude. There's a lot.
00:25:54
Speaker
You guys would be shocked how many ah pro football opponents out there don't even watch the games. They check the box scores and check the analytics, dude. Now, we're we're into the analytics also. But, dude, if you watch the games, man, Pinnock's was... He was probably the best player on the field for the Falcons, seat and I mean, was right there with Bijan, dude. Like, he was making...
00:26:11
Speaker
Big time throws, man. like not and He wasn't throwing to like wide open people you know across the middle that the offense just freed up. He's hitting like the deep outs, the deep digs. like The dude was just straight up killing it those last couple of weeks, man. So you know that is the one good thing. it It was weird giving that big money to Kirk Cousins and turn around and drafting a quarterback. But you know you never want to pass up an opportunity if you think a guy could be a franchise guy. And that's what pennants look like those last couple games.
00:26:35
Speaker
Yeah, I'm encouraged by Penix. It's just the fact that they paid Cousins all that money and then had to start Penix. I think that's why they waited so long because they really did not want to play him yet.
00:26:46
Speaker
um But yeah, he he looked good the games he came in. So I'm still excited for him and just to see what he does. But yeah, last season was definitely not good.
00:26:57
Speaker
The good thing about it is, man, he you know he had he really played two games, man. like the last two I think that first game he started, it seemed like the training wheels were still on big time. They weren't doing too much. That game against the Commanders and that last game against the Panthers, they really kind of took the you know took the governor off and let him run wild.
00:27:14
Speaker
But that means defense coordinator's only got two games of film on him, dude. So I think he's still going to be a big unknown when teams are game planning this year. i expect As long as he can stay healthy, which he did have some injury concerns in college, As long as he can stay healthy, I'm expecting a big year out of Michael Pinnock's this season.
00:27:29
Speaker
Yeah, I agree. I think he should be really good with the guys that they have. But again, I don't ever get my hopes too high with this team just because you know how it usually ends. so um yeah But yeah, um I mean, I have high hopes for what they could do this year. It's just a matter of if they execute it. and So the big offseason moves for them were really along the defensive front.
00:27:50
Speaker
um You know, hopefully for Jordan's sake, it was one step back, two steps forward. We'll start off, man, with a big salute to Grady Jarrett. Dude was a big part of that defense that helped power or helped complement that high powered offense of the Falcons in 2016 that took them damn near to a championship.
00:28:07
Speaker
How did you feel seeing Grady Jarrett walk out the door of him? I didn't love it, um but to be honest, he hadn't been himself in quite some time. I mean, he started battling some injuries down there.
00:28:18
Speaker
i mean, he's ah that's a long career for a big man like him, dude. Those big bull defensive tackles like that, man, they usually don't hang around this long. I mean, dude, that Super Bowl run was nine years ago at this point. Yeah, I mean, he's been around since 2015, so yeah he was a second-team All-Pro in 2019.
00:28:34
Speaker
He was still good in 2020, but the the fall-off has definitely started. it sucks watching him leave because I did want him to retire a Falcon. But, I mean, dude, at this point, I don't know...
00:28:48
Speaker
Do think he's a Ring of Honor member, dude? Yes. I feel like he's maybe – you think so? Yes, he gets – I think that Super Bowl run probably solidifies him in there, man. I mean, dude, his his peak from 2018 – well, 2018 and 19 specifically, it was phenomenal. I know we're obviously going to bring up the Super Bowl game, but those those three years, the the Super Bowl year until 2019 was pretty damn good. I mean, he was he was one of the best defensive linemen in football.
00:29:15
Speaker
But, I mean, like, dude, at this point, what what were they paying him for? I mean, he paid played 17 games last year. he had two and a half sacks, nine tackles for losses, 53 total tackles. Like, I just i don't know what you're you're paying that much money for. I can't believe the Bears gave him as much money as they did. and I was going to say, man, for what it's worth, dude, the Bears snapped him up and gave him a pretty significant deal. Something like three years, $40 million, man. So maybe they got ah you know maybe they they have some sort of a slightly different role that they got planned for him. Well, he's not going to be by himself either. That was half the problem. is
00:29:49
Speaker
Grady Jarrett was the only guy on that line that could do anything for about the last five years. So, I mean, maybe him just playing like rotational snaps will help. Yeah. Dude, bringing him in, I know if I'm a quarterback, man, or if I'm the you know center if i'm somewhere in the middle of that offensive line center with the offensive guards, dude, I am not excited at all to see a fresh Grady Jarrett coming in on a third and eight, man.
00:30:13
Speaker
Yeah, yeah. If he's not playing every down, it'll help a lot. If he plays every down, I do not have high hopes for that at all, working out for the Bears.
00:30:23
Speaker
All we got the other big things they had in the draft, we drafted Jalen Walker, and then they traded back from the first round to take James Pierce Jr., which he had a little bit of attitude concerns at Tennessee, but the sky's limit for him, dude. I'll tell you straight up, dude, James Pierce Jr., he can lead the NFL in sacks. That's the type of physical talent we're talking about.
00:30:40
Speaker
Dude's a straight-up Ferrari out there on the field. um you know Raheem Morris is a player's coach. If he can get that guy fired up, get him pointed in the right direction, he is going to wreak havoc in the NFC South for years to come. i don't I did not think there was any chance that they would have gotten Jalen Walker.
00:30:54
Speaker
and Not to mention they got Jalen Walker and James Pierce Jr. Because everything I read going into the draft is they they were high on James Pierce Jr. as being their 15th pick.
00:31:04
Speaker
And then they ended up getting Jalen Walker and James Pierce. Yeah. They had to do something, man. Everybody always like, oh, they gave up a first-round pick next year in a draft that's really loaded. like Yeah, but dude, if if they make the playoffs and these two guys are both good, like they're not even going to give a shit about that pick next year. i mean Dude, it's been a decade since the Falcons have had a pass rush, man. yeah like like do you You have to swing for it.
00:31:28
Speaker
yeah You can take a chance or you can keep accepting the status quo. If the Falcons end up being pure dog shit and they win two games, like obviously, yeah, then that trade is absolutely awful, but... i don't I don't think that's going to happen. I mean, even like my biggest, like, ah Falcons being down or Jordan, i don't see a scenario where they win two games.
00:31:48
Speaker
Yeah, I definitely – they're not going to be in that kind of mix, man. um Big question, dude. We got the kind of the one thing kind of still looming over the season as we head into it. We got this guy. You like that?
00:32:02
Speaker
You like that? Yes. Kirk Cousins still hanging around on the roster. Is he an Atlanta Falcon when the season kicks off? Where is he going to go? no Nobody else needs a quarterback right now. Like, yeah, you could say the Saints, but I mean, unless they're paying, unless the Saints are taking that whole contract, I don't think the Falcons are going to trade him to a team in their division, especially not the Saints to help them. Like,
00:32:24
Speaker
And he's he's in that same situation, that just the way the debt, the way the contract's set up, it would um be more painful to the Falcons to release him that if they can't trade him, right? Yeah, just keep him for this year. i mean, Kirk Cousins is going to have to accept that, hey, starting quarterback is probably not where you're at at this point in your career.
00:32:43
Speaker
Help Michael Penix develop, and then maybe next year you can try it again. i just... I think he ends up on the roster opening day. I just – I don't know how you would trade him at this point.
00:32:56
Speaker
He'd be an awesome backup, man. He would be an awesome backup to have, dude. He's a full year removed from the Achilles injury. um um Like I said, man, I still – I saw enough last year, dude, that I'm blaming it more.
00:33:07
Speaker
i don't think he just straight up forgot how to play the game of football, man. I'm thinking there was something physical going on that was causing him to struggle as much as he did the second half of last season. i mean, he's not young. Yeah, he's not young either. Yeah, I think we get we've gotten spoiled by growing up in the era of ah LeBron and Tom Brady where we see these guys keep beating Father Time. But those two guys are the big exceptions, man. Almost everybody else, you know, Father Time, he's not undefeated anymore. But, you know, those are the only two L's he's got is Brady and and LeBron.
00:33:35
Speaker
um So, yeah, that could very well be it. Jordan, what's your overall outlook for 2025 Atlanta Falcons? I just don't have a good read on this team at all.
00:33:46
Speaker
I think they can win based on their schedule. I think they can win anywhere from eight to 11 games. I'll settle that on. They win nine games just because I'm always going to be pessimistic about the Falcons chances to actually do something.
00:33:59
Speaker
um i could I mean, they could win this division. It's just everything needs to fall right. Pennix needs to develop this year, and I don't know, man. They can score enough points. It's just in the end, you talked about it the beginning. it was the first thing you said.
00:34:15
Speaker
Can their defense get a stop when they need it most? And that's always the big mystery. So hopefully James Pierce and Jalen Walker are the truth because they need both of them to be really good. I think I'm actually a little bit higher on them than you. I definitely think they're going to be in the mix to win this division. I'll save my final pick for when we do the we pick how the the standings are going to end. But i think they need I don't necessarily think they need everything to break right. I think they need to get a couple you know a couple balances go their way, man. because I think this is going to be a team that's just – straight up blowing, blowing the opposition off the field. um They're going to be in some close ones, you know, in those one score games, a play here, play there ends up making the difference. But I do think that there's enough talent they've accumulated. I think the front office has done a really good job the last couple of years in the draft. They've had more hits than misses.
00:35:01
Speaker
And I think that's all going to come out. I mean, they, they should have won the division last year, dude. Like the bucks were really, we're going to talk about the bucks next man. they The bucks were one of the most one-sided teams in the NFL last year, man.
00:35:13
Speaker
um And, you know, the Falcons just handled their business against it. day They had just some absolutely horrific losses last year that kept them out of playoffs, man. But I do think there's a very good chance that 2025, we end this seven-year drought, we see Atlanta back in the postseason.
00:35:28
Speaker
Okay. All right,
Buccaneers' Resilience and Future Outlook
00:35:30
Speaker
let's move on. Last but not least, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This is a team ten and seven coming off a 9-8 season the year before. This was up and down, man. There were times where we felt like last year it was time to write the Bucs off, but you know they never went away.
00:35:43
Speaker
And in the year, they were force to be reckoned with, man. These guys had the number four offense in the NFL, dude. Number four in offense, man. And they were number 17th in defense. Again, to to just paint a picture of how powerful that offense was, even with the 17th ranked defense, these guys were sixth overall in point differential.
00:36:01
Speaker
um Baker Mayfield had an absolutely monstrous season, dude. 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns. He was second in touchdown passes, only to Lamar Jackson. um I don't think Baker is a guy that, you you know, he's not in my top five. I want in a high leverage situation, like got to have a play to win it.
00:36:20
Speaker
But the production he's able to put together up and down the field, man, is just undeniable. Dude, dude is going to move the ball at this point. Um, But yeah, man, so I think last year was a success. You know, they took the they took the Commanders that to the limit there. and that for It sucks losing the home playoff game, but the Commanders obviously were a very, very strong team.
00:36:38
Speaker
And, you know, they took them to the last play of the game and took a Commanders field goal as as the clock expired to ah to bounce Tampa Bay out. So I'm still calling 2024 a success for Tampa Bay. Yeah, I would agree. I mean, the all the injuries they had and everything, and they just they kept it rolling. and Yeah, definitely a success. I would agree with that.
00:36:56
Speaker
So they do have some very big shoes to fill. Duval. Liam Cohen, the offensive coordinator, which i think when he did the press conference with Jacksonville, I didn't even realize i was their offensive coordinator. He just did not strike me as a football coach. I thought that they hired a new GM from the Bucs, man. But no, this guy apparently is the – the offensive mastermind, the genius behind this Bucs attack that is, ah you know, they're going for four straight freaking ah NFC. set No, they've won four straight. They're one for their fifth straight NFC South championship this season coming up, man. they've
00:37:29
Speaker
and And the season right before that, when they didn't win the division, you know, all they did was go and win the Super Bowl. so The Bucs have been on a hell of a run in the 2020s between the the the Tom Brady and Baker Mayfield dynasty. They go back when it QB there.
00:37:43
Speaker
Some additional offseason notes. They did bring back Chris Godwin, which, you know, he's coming off a dislocated ankle. Such a good player, man. I don't know if it was necessarily the 100% smartest thing to do from an on-the-field standpoint, but I do think moves like this get you a lot of equity with the vets around the league, man. You know, players talk. I think players pay a lot of attention to how vets are treated by different teams, and I think it was a good move to go ahead and bring him back on kind of a mid-level contract because he's been such a good player for them. Mid-level?
00:38:13
Speaker
This motherfucker's making $22 million a season. He got three years. I thought I saw it. I thought it was three years, 45. Three years, $66 Jeez, dude. He got $44 million guaranteed.
00:38:26
Speaker
That's little bit of a reach. I'll definitely say that. You can't say that's not a reach, especially coming off a dislocated ankle. But, you know, I still think there's some value in bringing him back. I agree with you. But then they drafted a wide receiver in the first round. Like, ah this team just makes weird moves.
00:38:43
Speaker
I mean, they literally drafted the receiver out of Ohio State in the first round, Obuka. Like, you just gave Godwin all that money. Jalen Williams was really good last year.
00:38:54
Speaker
i the draft for this team was so weird to me. Like, get what they're trying to do because Mike Evans is – I mean, he's getting up there, and so is Chris Godwin. Like, I just don't know how you pay. Yeah, I just looked because I was thinking maybe it was one of those deals that looks really good for, like, the tweet when you post it out, but there's actually not much to it. But, no, it's $40 million guaranteed, dude. Yeah, he got $44 million guaranteed. Yeah, they backed up the Brinks truck, but – don't know. Maybe they know that these you know he's going to bounce back 100%. I'm skeptical, man, because he's he's he's got a decent little history injury history at this point. They also brought back Levante David for, I think it's his 14th year coming back. So ah yeah I think they're definitely trying to run it back, man. i don't think the Bucs are trying to straight up change the game up.
00:39:37
Speaker
The only big addition they have they brought in Hassan Reddick. I think he's most well known from the Eagles. Kind of had a little one-year offshoot there with the Jets. um They brought Hassan Redick in though.
00:39:48
Speaker
So but it seems like the bucks are content to try to just run back what they've been doing and hope it's enough to get through an NFC South that I still think is probably one of the weaker divisions in the NFL. Oh yeah.
00:39:59
Speaker
By far. I get what they're trying to do. It's just, They're going to get old really fast, man. like This team's going to get old really fast. like i just I don't feel like they're doing enough at major positions right now to shore up the the future of this team. But, I mean, it's worked the last couple years, so who knows? Maybe it'll just keep working forever. i just i Paying Godwin that much money and then drafting a receiver in the first round is just absolutely wild to me.
00:40:29
Speaker
My outlook on them is about the the same as it you know what they had last year, man. I do think i think Baker's just got a ceiling. I don't think Baker's ever going to have a season as good as we did last year. I like Baker, so i you know I'll be clapping and be I'll be happy to say i was wrong if he goes out and straight up just balls out this year. But I think 2024 was peak Baker.
00:40:51
Speaker
And again, i don't see a lot of dramatic improvement. The teams get everybody on there. All the key players are a year older. um I think they're going right around the same. you know Nine wins, ten wins, eight wins, something in that mix. And I think it's going to come down to them in Atlanta.
00:41:04
Speaker
And I think those Falcons-Bucks games are going to be absolutely monumental this season. Yeah, I agree. I think they're going to be right around the same record. Ten, eleven wins. I just... Dude, I don't – if he does it, yeah i mean, i'll I'll admit I was wrong.
00:41:19
Speaker
I just don't see any way Baker replicates 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns, and a 70% completion percentage. I mean, dude, that's like a top 12, top 15 NFL season ever for quarterbacks, dude. Because Lamar Jackson did something better is the reason they didn't get more pub last year. Yeah, that's what I mean. Like, dude, I just – I don't – I mean – he He's not that guy. Yeah, I mean, in 2023, 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns. Like, I mean, how the hell was the improvement that what much?
00:41:48
Speaker
Maybe Liam Cohen really is just an offensive genius, and he just unlocked the keys to the Ferrari. But I just, I do not, I do not see a way that he can replicate that. i It's just, there's no way.
00:42:03
Speaker
So what's your overall outlook for them this year, man? Yeah, they're going to go win 10 or 11 games, like I said. They're right in the same mix. I don't think they're a contender at all. I think best case scenario, they're like, maybe they can win a home playoff game if they catch an easy draw first round. I don't think they're a true contender to come out of the Well, the biggest problem right now for whoever wins this division is whoever loses the NFC East is probably you're going to get in the first game, and that's not good. Yeah, yeah.
00:42:28
Speaker
The Commanders and Eagles are going to be really, really good now for a while, and you're going to get the loser of that division, and they're going to be pissed. Yeah, it's not It's not going to be a fun night at the office. No, it's not good.
00:42:40
Speaker
All right, ah let's put our chips the middle of the table, man. Give me start with fourth and move up to first place. What did the NFC South Standings look like end of the season? um Saints, Panthers, Bucks, Falcons.
00:42:56
Speaker
I agree. I'm right there with you, man. I think I do think it's going to be I think there's going to end up being a cut hairs difference, man, between the Bucks and Falcons by the end of the year. So that's why I said I think those two games between them are going to be huge.
00:43:08
Speaker
But I think end of the day, man, I think the Falcons have had such bad luck for so long. and I think the Bucks have been so fortunate for the last couple years. They've had a lot of breaks go their way. that I think finally the football gods kind of right the wrongs little bit. Maybe the Falcons win one that they shouldn't have and the Bucs lose one that they shouldn't have. That's enough to give the Falcons their first division championship since 2016. I agree. All right, let's hit our listener mail.
00:43:37
Speaker
I think we just got one and I'm not even sure that it's really, truly football. We have all three. Really? Okay. We got some additionals in there. right. We'll start off with Phil Dunnett. He says, how are the American teams doing in the FIFA World Club Cup? You know, a tournament where if you win, you're actually world champions.
00:43:51
Speaker
I didn't even know until this moment. I didn't know the FIFA World Club Cup was a thing. so Jordan, you're going to have to take this one. I don't watch this at all. So this is going to be a problem for both of us. I mean, I know it exists, but I don't watch it. And yeah, I don't think the American teams are doing very well, which is kind of expected considering who's in it.
Potential Breakout: Chicago Bears & 49ers' Decline
00:44:11
Speaker
So yeah, no, they're not doing well.
00:44:14
Speaker
So Zach Hertzler, it's a good question, Zach, but you're really kind taking the ah piss out of what we're doing the next eight weeks. He says, what team do you think will be better this year than last year? And what team do you think will be worse this year than last year?
00:44:26
Speaker
um Who's who's it your number one team that you think is poised for a breakout, Jordan? And I'll i'll do the team I think is poised to to really just take a shit. Um...
00:44:39
Speaker
I mean, dude, if the Bears cannot have a breakout season with the roster they have, I don't think they're ever going to do it. So I'm going to do the cop-out answer and say them. i just, it has to happen sooner or later, right? I mean, they got Ben Johnson now. Like, if it does not happen now, I don't think it's ever going happen.
00:44:58
Speaker
I'll go with the Niners for a team that's just going to fall off a cliff. Obviously, they ran out of steam last year off that awesome run that they've been on the last few years. I think they really bottom out. um You know, the Niners are one of those teams that even though they haven't had the Super Bowl rings, they've kind of just always been lucky and fortunate to get things turned around quickly. So it wouldn't surprise me at all to see them just absolutely crap out in and end up with, you know, the freaking third, fourth pick in the draft and kind of use next year as a reloading year and get right back on top. I believe enough in the front office and the infrastructure there that they'll they'll bounce back quickly, but I'm expecting a bad year for the for the Niners. Yeah.
00:45:35
Speaker
And then last question, Eric Giazzi says, how do you think the Colts would do this year with the passing of Jim Irsay? And any thoughts on Anthony Richardson versus Daniel Jones, the starting QB? You know, Jim Irsay was definitely a character, man. He was always kind of interesting, good for a good soundbite. I don't know how beloved he was in the locker room. You know, he had a pretty some pretty public disputes with players over the years.
00:45:55
Speaker
So I don't know if he's like, i don't know if, you know, obviously it's sad that he passed away, right? Dude was just a mainstay on the NFL scene the last 40 years almost. But I don't know if he's necessarily one that the teams, you know, rallying around win one win one for the Gipper style.
00:46:09
Speaker
Yeah, I would agree with that. And hit the second part of his question. I'm telling you right now that if Daniel Jones wins a starting job, this team is going to be miserable because that's going to say – think he wins it, bro. I think Daniel Jones wins it, dude. Anthony Richardson's worse, man. Dude, that's going to be one of the worst picks in the last five years if Anthony Richardson loses a starting job to Daniel Jones because you know what you're getting with Daniel Jones already. Like, he had that one season where they rode Saquon, and he has not done a thing since then. So, yeah.
00:46:39
Speaker
If Daniel Jones is your starting quarterback in the year 2025 over your first round top five pick that just was picked two years ago, I'd say the future your team is in bleak circumstances at that point.
00:46:51
Speaker
Yeah, 100% agree. You know, the Colts, they really should have been right in that mix with the the Titans and and the Saints and the Jets we were naming. But I feel like they got some sort of it's like written in NFL bylaws that like the Colts are going to win at least six or seven games every single year, no matter what.
00:47:07
Speaker
and Well, and also their backup quarterback is going to somehow play like hero ball in like seven games and they're going to win six of them. Yeah. Like, I just, I don't get it. and The Colts are never, they're never bottoming out, dude. They're at where they're, they're just going to be the most boring, mediocre team possible. That's, that's worst case scenario for the Colts, no matter what. Problem is they need to bottom out at this point. I know. Sometimes you're better. I feel like that's the worst place to be, dude. Like the in-between area where you're not a contender, you're not in the playoffs, but you're also not getting the super high draft picks where like,
00:47:36
Speaker
you know, you you're able to get one of those guys who straight up like single handedly changes the fortunes of your team. Like, uh, like the, like the commanders did last year. Like, yeah, I think, um, that it's just not the spot you want to be, but it's where the Colts have been seemingly forever. Yeah.
00:47:52
Speaker
All right, Jordan, his was some closing thoughts, man. We'll get out of here for our first episode of season three of the goal line. Yeah. This can be an easy one. Just, uh, have a good week and, uh, we'll talk to you guys again next week. Yeah.
00:48:03
Speaker
Yeah. Hello.
00:48:17
Speaker
I keep it smoky, keep it lit.
00:48:42
Speaker
keeping