Draft Day Insights: Unveiling the NFL's Next Top Players and Unsung Heroes

Unlock the secrets of the NFL Draft's future stars with our all-star football panel, including Coach Hal Mumme, Bob Gavalier, Tim Weaver, Jose Jefferson, and Mister Askew! We've just wrapped a thrilling session where we tackled the biggest winners and losers post-draft, debated quarterback prospects like Bryce Young and CJ Stroud, and gave some well-deserved attention to the unsung heroes of the gridiron—the offensive linemen. If you're all about the details that forecast the success (or flop) of an NFL career, this is one discussion you can't afford to miss.

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes for NFL prospects like Tim Couch? Hal's got you covered with riveting anecdotes, while Bob breaks down strategic team movements that could reshape the Bears and Cardinals' future. Tim Weaver doesn't hold back on his praise for the Steelers' draft picks and, as a WVU fan myself, I'll tell you why Zach Frazier is the steal you need to watch. From the potential synergy between Marvin Harrison Jr. and Kyler Murray to the pressing need for a robust offensive line—evident in the Jets and Lions—we dissect every play, every decision that's setting up these athletes for a shot at glory.

Wrap up your day with our ride home rant that covers the importance of a robust offensive line for teams looking to make a mark in the NFL. Coach Weaver and Jose Jefferson join me in shedding light on how the less glamorous draft picks often become the foundation of long-term success. Still think the offensive line isn't where the real action is? Our passionate throwdown might just change your mind. So, grab your headphones—whether you're a seasoned fan or a draft-day rookie, this is a conversation that promises insights you simply won't find anywhere else.

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 2:18

Welcome everybody to another episode of the Ride Home Rants podcast. This is, as always, your host, mike Bono. I have a great and very special roundtable with a panel of guests, but, first and foremost, we did just land a new sponsor that I want to get out here, and it is from our good friend and former guest of the show, matt Lando-Landowski, in Sweet Hand Sports. Elevate your game with Sweet Hand Sports. Our sports gloves are designed for champions, providing ultimate grip and durability. Achieve greatness with every match. Choose Sweet Hand Sports for the winning edge. Grip your victory at SweetHandSportscom. Tell them Mike Bono sent you and you won't be disappointed. We just got word from them that the own Pittsburgh kid, neil Walker, actually used these gloves, so please go and check them out, sweethandssportscom. That being said, we have our NFL Draft recap show and I have a panel of guests here that are going to break down the draft, the winners, the losers and everything in between. So I will let them go ahead and introduce themselves, and we're going to start with Bob.

Speaker 2: 3:35

Yep Bob Gavaliere here from Youngstown Ohio and I do high school football on 1390 AM in Youngstown All right, you've heard him on.

Speaker 1: 3:46

I think he's become pretty much a staple here on the roundtables.

Speaker 3: 3:49

But, mr yes, sir, mr Asker from Cincinnati, ohio, defensive coordinator at Minnesota North College in Vermillion in Italy, minnesota.

Speaker 1: 4:02

All right, You've heard him on here before. Formerly of the XFL Brahma's Jose.

Speaker 4: 4:10

Jose Jefferson. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, I'm the executive director of the college Gridiron. Showcase that we just completed our 10th year. Thanks for having me on.

Speaker 1: 4:20

Not a problem, Glad to have you back. One of the staples at Bethany College when I was there as the head coach. He's now at Brown University, Tim.

Speaker 5: 4:31

Thanks, mike. Excuse me, tim Weaver, I'm the defensive coordinator at Brown University. As Mike said, I was the head coach and athletic director at Bethany. I also coached your newest sponsor, lando he was our long snapper Absolutely.

Speaker 1: 4:45

Lando was an animal when I was there. I remember him breaking a face mask while he was there and announcing that game. But rounding out our panel of guests is legendary head coach Hal.

Speaker 6: 4:59

Yeah, hal, my man Head coach several places, currently living in Texas. I and happy to take part.

Speaker 1: 5:07

Nah. I'm happy to have you back here, coach, but we're going to get this draft show started and get everything broken down and Hal this question. This first question is actually just for you. You actually coached former NFL no 1 overall draft pick in Tim Couch to the Cleveland Browns as a college coach. What was it like during the pre-draft process with all the NFL teams?

Speaker 6: 5:35

It was pretty hectic. I mean, tim had a really nice pro day and he came out as a junior, so he wasn't allowed to go to the combine. That's a thing that happens. His pro day was a pretty anticipated event. Um, they, they asked him to do a lot of uh, nonsensical stuff which he made look easy and uh, you know, like they had the, they had him stand on the right hash mark and and throw a-yard comeback off of a double move to the left sideline.

Speaker 6: 6:07

One of the scouts standing there goes. Well, that's enough for me. That's all I need to see. I go. Really, if I go to your place and look at all your cut-ups, how many times will I see that route on film? He looked at me. He goes okay, point taken. I mean, they were just asking, they just want to see how he can throw. So it was kind of interesting to watch, but kind of hectic also around the office.

Speaker 1: 6:31

I'm sure all these NFL teams got probably buzzing around for him and everything like that and all up in your business. But for this year's draft, which was kind of a rare run, bob, let's go to you. Which team won this year's draft in your opinion?

Speaker 2: 6:50

There's a lot of teams I think did well. Obviously, I think the Bears did well with their two picks in the first round.

Speaker 2: 6:57

I also like with the Cardinals, the Cardinals kind of loaded up getting, I think, the best player in the draft with Harrison. I think he's going to help with Murray and them getting some other guys along the way. I think they did really well too. So I like two of those guys, I think. The Bears, you know, of course, getting Caleb we'll see how he does, but getting a Doomsday later on kind of helped them solidify. You know the one-two punch there for them.

Speaker 1: 7:19

Absolutely.

Speaker 5: 7:27

Coach. Much there for them. Absolutely, coach tim weaver, what do you think? Who's your winners and losers, or winners? I agree a little bit about the bears. I think the steelers had a really nice draft. You know the uh when you add it in with their off season and then to take the three offensive linemen, which was a big position of need for them, uh, you know people are knocking the bears a little bit for not getting the other, the other edge, rusher um on cheap contract with, with sweat. They're paying him a bunch of money. So but I do think they had a really good draft. The punters are sneaky Good pick. You know those guys. If you can get the right one they last their shelf life for really long. So I think the bears and Steelers draft a lot.

Speaker 1: 7:56

Absolutely. I particularly like the Steelers draft myself, mainly because I am a WVU fan. And taking Zach Frazier, who I think is going to be a sleeper at center they got him probably on the cheap in the second round. I think Could have been a first rounder in my opinion, but I am a little biased with being a West Virginia fan. But, hal, what about you? Who's your winners in this year's draft?

Speaker 6: 8:23

I like the Chiefs. I think they made some good choices. They got the fastest guy in the draft for Mahomes to throw to. I think they've needed somebody to kind of replace that role that Tyreek Hill played for them, and I think they found that their top three picks were all on offense. So I think they're set to make another run.

Speaker 1: 8:46

Absolutely Mister. What about you?

Speaker 3: 8:49

You know, I think I'm going to go with Pittsburgh Steelers, you know, with them getting the offense alignment and them also adding who they add to during the offseason with the quarterback situation. I think they did real well in upgrading their, you know, the quarterback and the O-line, so it'll be interesting to see what they do. But also, I believe Minnesota might have had a good upgrade as well in the quarterback situation. But you know, we'll just have to see, you know, when time comes. But Pittsburgh and Minnesota, I think.

Speaker 1: 9:24

Okay, jose, what about you?

Speaker 4: 9:27

I'm not a big fan, but I thought Denver did pretty well. I mean especially trading for Zach Wilson to pick up Bo Nix. I mean I just think he's a better quarterback personally, but to solidify that quarterback room and then what they put around them, I mean Sean Payton's creating the team. That's why I thought it was a win for them, because I mean he fell into a team that wasn't his and took a lot of crap for what went on and and I'm the the low hanging fruit for the bad draft is Atlanta. I don't get that. I mean I just didn't get the pick and and they really didn't surround Kirk Cousins with anybody else and didn't do anything for the rest of the draft outside of the big pick with Penix. That really didn't make a lot of sense. But that's me.

Speaker 1: 10:13

Yeah, I agree with you on that, and it actually leads us right into what I had next here for us. We'll stay with you, jose, with this one, with the multiple quarterbacks that were taken in the first round, most are going to end up playing right away on bad teams. Do you believe this is the right thing to do with teams, or should they be backups this year and played later? Players like Jordan Love, patrick Mahomes, carson Palmer, chad Pennington are quarterbacks who were drafted in the first round and had very good careers as they learned as the backup. So what do you think about this year's quarterbacks, starting right away, jose?

Speaker 4: 10:52

But when they do those things, you have to remember those situations they've been in. I mean, mahomes was behind Alex Smith and Jordan Love was behind A-Rod. They had great situations to go learn these kids coming in right away. I guess it depends on who the coordinator is. I think Kyle can probably attest to that. I think environment matters. Look at Bryce Young compared to CJ Stroud. Cj Stroud caught it coming. He wasn't this, he wasn't that. And he goes to Houston, he lights it up and Bryce Young's Heisman Trophy winner number one pick, and you know, his environment just wasn't very good. But these, these kids nowadays, I think they're a lot smarter. I think the access is a lot better to watch film. Virtual reality is something that I know LSU uses quite a bit, but I think they're probably more prepared. But I'm to the school of sit and learn, so you can play great for a long time as opposed to struggle and try to pick it up on the run. But that's just me.

Speaker 1: 12:00

Yeah, I get it, I think, with leading in with the Atlanta foul, because I think Pennix is going to sit behind Cousins for a couple of years. You know you give a guy four years, $180 million. You know I don't think you're sitting him for a rookie, just don't foresee that happening. But, mister, what about you with the quarterbacks?

Speaker 3: 12:22

You know what man you with the quarterbacks. You know what man with the with the quarterback situation. You know we'll start at atlanta. You know which, uh, which is a very interesting choice, with who they picked up? I think you know one. I think they was looking for an insurance policy with with um kurt cousin, and then I guess they was looking long term and picking somebody in the draft and they got Michael Penance Jr. Because when you look at what Kirk Cousins did throughout his NFL career, I mean he has, I think, what one playoff win, maybe, I think, if memory serves me correctly. So they're really looking to upgrade and they're really looking for a long-term solution.

Speaker 3: 13:02

Other than that, who has Atlanta Falcons had a quarterback? You know they had a Riddler, but you know that didn't pan out or whatnot. So I think they're looking really to solidify that quarterback situation. You know there in Atlanta and you know hopefully they got who they want. But you know, sitting there in Atlanta and you know hopefully they got their guy. You know who they want, but you know, but again, you know paying somebody. You know he's a current cousin, what, 35 years old. He got a four-year deal, 180 million and 100 million is guaranteed, I don't know. So you know he's going to be what? 39, 40 years old if he lived out that contract. And I doubt if he you know what I'm saying lived out that contract. So I think they was looking to really get somebody. You know from the draft.

Speaker 1: 13:52

Yeah, for sure, Hal. What about you?

Speaker 6: 13:55

I'm kind of intrigued by Drake May and the pick the Patriots had. I think that's interesting and I also like the Bo Nix pick at Denver. I think both those organizations helped themselves. Two guys that are probably not quite as talked about as the top guys, but I think they'll have a chance to learn and make an impact in a year or two. Okay.

Speaker 1: 14:24

Coach Weave, what about you?

Speaker 5: 14:26

I'll kind of keep my comments towards the top of the draft. I liked Caleb Williams. I thought Jaden Daniels was the best player in the draft. After getting to watch him and I know everybody thought he was skinny and then he weighed 210 pounds at the combine. If they were paying me to do it, which nobody has offered to do I would have taken Daniel first. I just think he's going to be awesome. Caleb might be too, but I saw him. The one thing I always go back to the year I was out of coaching was Sam Darnall and Josh Rosen's senior year in college and I watched those two guys and all year they're going one and two in the draft and I watched them and I said I would not touch either of those two guys anywhere near the top of the draft and you know I don't for whatever reason. I was right that year and I just kind of felt I think both these kids are going to be good, but I just thought Jaden Daniels was better.

Speaker 1: 15:20

Yeah, I honestly, honestly, with that pick, I really thought there was going to be a shock in this draft and that the Bears were going to take Daniels, you know, number one. And then there was going to be a scramble you know what's wrong with Caleb Williams and he was going to fall in the draft, kind of like Aaron Rodgers did. Everyone thought he was going to be a top pick and he fell to the Packers but didn't happen to be a top pick and he fell to the Packers but didn't happen. Caleb Williams, you know, number one overall pick.

Speaker 2: 15:49

But Bob, what about you? You know I agree with what Jose said about the environment that they're going into. And you look at, you know, from last year, with Bryce Young going into Carolina who was just a terrible football team, and then you got Stroud with a great team in Houston who really built around him. And so you look at the two top guys. You know, I think you know the bears weren't that bad last year, they were seven and 10, but they got the topic because they got Carolina's pick. So I think if you look at Williams, he would go into a little bit of better a situation, I think.

Speaker 2: 16:16

Then at Washington, daniels, he's he's going to play his heart out, I'm sure, but I'm sure Williams has got a lot of guys around him. So that's something to look at. And then you've got New England, who's really bad? So Drake May. If he does start right away, I think he's going to struggle early on and stuff, and it's going to take him a while, especially being in that AFC East. It's a very talented East where they'll probably end up in last place again.

Speaker 1: 16:38

I got you Sticking with. I got you sticking with the quarterback theme. Here, though, Somebody that wasn't really talked about up until about a week before the draft JJ McCarthy.

Speaker 2: 16:53

What do you think his ceiling in the NFL is? Bob, he's a guy that I watched a couple times him play where they kind of had a good team around him. Once again, the product, the environment, where Michigan was just so loaded and stacked. But the only concern with me is I watched him against Penn State, where they didn't throw the ball in the second half of the one game. So that concerns me a little bit. When you got a guy like that and all you do is run the ball, keep it on the ground against a Penn State defense. So we'll see.

Speaker 2: 17:19

But he did come out, he played well in the bowl games and so that's the concern is, I think that's what helped him. So, and once again, he's going to somewhere where the vikings have a lot of guys around them uh, receivers so I think that's a good spot for him. Or, if you looked at, maybe he would have went at third at the new england, or maybe to someone else he might not have been as well as he's going to be against the Vikings, I think my personal opinion.

Speaker 1: 17:45

I've watched, I watched him play a good bit last year, uh, and I think he's going to surprise people like Stroup did last year, like nobody was giving him a chance, including me. I still don't. Uh, ohio State just doesn't seem to produce nfl level quarterbacks in my opinion, and there's there's facts to back that up. But I think mccarthy looked good from when I when I watched and what games I got to watch. I even watched that penn state game where they ran the ball the entire second half. But I think he's going to surprise a lot of people. But, coach Weaver, what about you? What's McCarthy's ceiling as an NFL player to you?

Speaker 5: 18:26

That's a hard one, you know. I really, really hesitate to say what guy's ceiling is. He's really talented, you know. I know they ran the ball great. They were awesome on defense, but when they needed him to make throws he did it. I just think in the next level he's going to need to do that a lot more often than he did at Michigan. So I think he's probably the hardest one to predict what his ceiling is. Physically I don't know if he has one. He's really talented. He can throw the hell out of it. He's big, he's strong, he's obviously a really good leader. So you would say it would be high. But I just wonder what's going to happen when the team he's playing for can't run it for six yards of carry and he needs to throw it on every second and third down. How's he going to handle all the different looks he'll see? It's a really interesting question. I'm intrigued by him.

Speaker 1: 19:19

Yeah.

Speaker 5: 19:19

Hal what about you.

Speaker 6: 19:22

On JJ.

Speaker 1: 19:22

Yeah, JJ.

Speaker 6: 19:25

Jerry's out. I think I watched him play several times the last couple of years and he's just surrounded by so much talent at Michigan. It's hard to really say how he's going to do, Because they didn't really ever put him in positions where he had to make a lot of back-to-back-to-back throws, and so we'll see. I don't know. I don't really. I guess I don't have an opinion yet.

Speaker 1: 19:52

Okay, mister, being up in Minnesota right now, what do you think about old JJ McCarthy?

Speaker 3: 19:58

Well, I'll tell you what it's going to be interesting, you know, to see if he can be consistent and stay consistent, like Weaver was saying. You know, because in the next level you got to be able to do that all the time. And when you are a surrender with so much talent as he was, especially from the run game at Michigan you know when you get to the next level, you know you might not have that same type of run game they might call on you, especially on those third downs. Are you going to be able to move the chain? That's going to be something to see with them. How consistent Can he be throughout his career?

Speaker 3: 20:40

You know how are we going to go in there. You know starting being the number one guy and you know that's going to add more pressure to him already. And how well is he going to be able to pick it up? You know what I'm saying Pick up the defense, the defense and stunts. You know what I'm saying the change in coverage pre and post. You know. So all that stuff is going to play a role. But it's going to play a role. But you know we're going to have to see, you don't know, in that first preseason game. I'll tell you that right now, the first two weeks you'll see. You know what I'm saying. What he might be that year, be this year.

Speaker 1: 21:10

Okay.

Speaker 4: 21:14

Jose round us out here. I think he's going to be a victim of his quarterback room, you know, I mean he's going to lean on the head coach quite a bit. There's nobody there to push him, quite honestly. Um, I like him. I mean I thought he was athletic as all get out, but if you watch some of his throws, he's it's, it's typical and, like I said I refer to coach mummy on this all those quarterbacks, probably with the exception of Jaden Daniels and and Caleb Williams, are about a tick slow and if you watch some of those throws, his throws in college are great throws, but in the NFL they're picks and that's just what I see from him. But I mean, once again, environment, who's in his quarterback room? And Kevin O'Connell is obviously a smart coach, but there's nobody there to push him.

Speaker 4: 22:01

So, like I said, I think his talent will win him games. But, as everybody said the same thing Michigan not running the ball in the second half Great talent when you can hand the ball off in their line, but just basically a road-grading crew. I think all of us could probably run behind that line and be successful, you know. So I mean to get to the NFL where everybody's fast, everybody's getting paid and he'll. They'll hold serve, but I don't think there'll be a dynamic team. I don't see a Brock Purdy situation coming out of this as much as just a guy who's going to hold serve and do. He'll be like Jordan love his first season, hold serve and do some great things and then do some things. You'll be like what was that? You know so, but that's my take on him Good player though.

Speaker 1: 22:54

Yeah, I mean, we'll see and like, like Mr Said, that first preseason game is going to be very interesting. But, jose, if you could pick any of the first-round picks from this year's draft to be on your team, who would you have picked? Oh wow, now I'm putting you on the spot. I ask the tough questions here on this show.

Speaker 4: 23:15

It's a tough question to ask me first too, honestly. You know there's a lot of great players. I mean I'm very impartial. To Bo Nix, I truly like him. I mean the guy's got 60-plus games as a starter, went through the downs, all the great ones struggle, all the great ones struggle. And he was horrible at Auburn. I mean just being plain, just horrible. And then go to Oregon, to where they got about 2,000 plays in for every damn game and for him to be able to master that offense and and compete. He's just athletic enough and I, I like what Denver is doing is going to do with him and, um, get some good guys around him and let him be who he is. But I I think he's a good guy.

Speaker 4: 23:59

To you know, obviously the easy ones are Caleb Williams and Jaden Daniels. I mean I don't want to be typical and do guy. To you know, obviously the easy ones are Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels. I mean I don't want to be typical and do what the bears, you know, and and the, you know, washington did, but I thought Bo Nix could be that type of guy. I mean he really he really could to go in two different programs and have two different careers Cause let's be real with Bo Nix be a 12 or a top 10 pick, you know, or top 12 pick out of Auburn no, he wouldn't have been and he turned it around and I think that's probably a testament to his character and and his hard work that he put in.

Speaker 1: 24:32

Okay, mr, let's go to you.

Speaker 3: 24:37

I tell you what you know, that's, that's a. That's a good question because you know, you know that's a good question because you know, watching the draft and watching the guys who were available this year and watching them play, I just don't, you know, I might actually try to get me more draft pick. You know I might have went, you know I might have traded, I probably would. You know what? I would have went, I might have traded, I would have, I would have traded and I would have tried to give me maybe 3-2, 3-2, because everybody was the same to me. Nobody really stand out, everybody played about the same. You'll see. You'll see, you'll see. Just watch the season, watch all 32 guys who got picked, who got drafted, and you'll see they all look the same to me.

Speaker 3: 25:34

I would've got more picks. There you go. I would've got more picks. I would've traded out a number one and I would've been like, hey, I need three, this number, here's a one, let me. I would have traded out a number one and I would have been hey, I need three, I need three, here's a one, let me get three. Twos. It's not my way to get a two, but I thank you. There, you go.

Speaker 1: 25:54

Man, I did not expect that from anyone to say they're going to go for more picks with this question. But, hal, I know you were having some connection issues there. I'm going to repeat the question we're about to die here, I think. Um, well, I'll try to get you into this question here, but it was out of everyone that was picked in the first round this year who would have been your draft pick for your team oh, okay, that's a good one.

Speaker 6: 26:19

Um, I'm probably would have gone with uh. Who was the first. The first receiver picked marvin, marvin, yeah, bar, yeah, his name's gone away, escaped me, but the uh, that's who I would have gone with okay, okay, coach weave, what about you?

Speaker 5: 26:43

of position. If I didn't need a quarterback and you just tell me which player is going to be a starter and a good to great NFL player for seven to ten years, I'd take Joel O'Lyman at Notre Dame. I just think he's the most can't-miss guy in that top ten. You're always, you know, you're 50-50 on the quarterbacks. Skill guy is pretty easy to predict, but those old linemen that look like him and play like him, they're, they're almost can't miss absolutely bob.

Speaker 1: 27:11

What about you?

Speaker 2: 27:14

um, I liked harrison. I think you know watching him. You take harrison off ohio state last year. They probably lose like five, six games. So I think, um, he's a polished guy. I think he comes from a good bloodline with his dad and stuff like that. So I think he's going to know what to do as a pro pro and I think he's going to once again a good environment. I think they got Hopkins there to help him out. I think. A good guy to study under and I think you know you watched him at Ohio State. I mean, there's a lot of times he wanted the ball, he didn't ask for it and they couldn't get him the football sometimes. But I I just think he's the best player in the draft and I think you know, once again, if, if it wasn't, like you know, the quarterbacks have to go first and second I think he would have probably been the number one pick.

Speaker 1: 27:57

I think yeah, I'm I'm torn with this question because I loved what I saw from Bo Nix, like Jose was saying he, I think, is going to be a solid quarterback for the Denver Broncos. But Marvin Harrison Jr, I don't know how you pass up that type of talent. I would be using all 10 minutes and it would come down to the last second for me to turn the ticket and to finally make the pick, because I'd be debating between those two and whether I needed a quarterback or not. I mean, bo Nix was still one of those guys to me that just kind of he stands out and I think he's going to have a great career with Peyton in Denver. But uh, which one of these teams need their draft picks to contribute right away this year to be successful?

Speaker 2: 28:51

Um, I think it's just the bears. I think Kayla Williams has to be. I mean, they got rid of Justin Fields, so they know he's the. William Williams is the guy. Um, he's surrounded with a lot of guys. Their defense wasn't that bad last year, so I think they need him to be the guy that they've drafted number one, I think, I think, for them to be successful this year. I think the Bears and Caleb Williams and Dunzey too. I think they drafted him pretty high, so I think both those guys need to go play well this year and be on the field right away.

Speaker 1: 29:22

Okay, Coach Weave. What about you? Which team needs their draft picks to contribute right away?

Speaker 5: 29:28

Well, unfortunately it's the Panthers, and I don't know that they can't. They're the worst team. You'd hope they'd get an infusion of guys to come in there. They would be my group that really had the worst day in the draft. They didn't figure out a way to move up and then the wideout they took, with a couple other guys left on the board that I thought were better. I think they need an infusion of good players and I don't know that they were able to do it, so they need it. I just don't think it's going to happen.

Speaker 1: 29:55

Okay, mister, what about you?

Speaker 3: 29:59

I would say Chicago Bears. They need that quarterback from USC to really come in and to be what they think he can be after getting rid of Justin Fields. So that's going to be interesting. I would say Chicago Bears most definitely okay, hal.

Speaker 1: 30:15

what about you? Still with us there, hal? You're muted there, hal, all right. Well, we wait for Hal to get with his technical issues. Jose, what about you?

Speaker 4: 30:44

I'm going to go a little bit off script here and I'm going to say the Jets. You know they had a mulligan, obviously, with Aaron Rodgers' year. I thought their draft was solid. I mean, you know they picked up some key players, but I think those guys aren't going to have the honeymoon period that they anticipate because of aaron rogers. You know, I mean everybody. But he played four, four snaps, you know, and then the season went to hell in a handbasket and so now he's healthy. They made all these trades and now they apparently picked all these guys who can contribute. So, yes, they going to have to contribute right away, because it's not like they're not a year away from being a year away. You know as much as just. They look great on paper. Let's be real. Last year they looked great on paper and then they fell to pieces when he did. So now, if he's healthy, everybody's got to produce, and especially those draft picks need to produce for him as well.

Speaker 1: 31:37

Okay, I think we officially have lost Hal there, but we'll move right along here. Jose, what do you think about the draft being in Detroit?

Speaker 4: 31:52

I like that. I mean, you know, to watch all that. I think it's tough in the later rounds, you know, I mean you can see the crowd dissipate after the third day, but I think it's great when, when NFL cities can you know, show their spirit, and seven hundred and seventy five thousand people, that's amazing, you know. I mean it was that was more fun to watch about, as fun to watch as watching the picks, but that's a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From going from Radio Music City Hall in New York to outside in Detroit Damn, near what Detroit I don't think is 750,000 people, is it? I don't think so. That's amazing.

Speaker 1: 32:36

All right, mister, mister, what about you?

Speaker 3: 32:38

hey, I tell you what that was nice to see, but I got one for you. I would love to see the draft at an HBC school, though, you know, let's step up to Annie, let's see it at Gramblin State, huh, elizabeth City State, southern. Come on, nfl, let's go to the HBC school man, let's go back to college. Or Elizabeth City State, bethune-cookman, southern. Come on, nfl, let's go to the HBC school man, let's go back to college. You know it's the NFL draft. You're picking college players, let's go. But Detroit was nice. They were good to see, good for the city. All right, coach Weave, what?

Speaker 1: 33:10

about you.

Speaker 5: 33:12

I thought it was cool in Detroit. The thing about Detroit nobody that doesn't live in that part of the country realizes that the whole division fan base can drive there pretty easily. When you do it in Vegas, everybody has to travel. You can do it anywhere out west and the travel's legit. The Bears fans, the Vikings fans, the Lions fans, everybody can get there pretty easy. I thought it was really cool.

Speaker 6: 33:32

Packers fans that was great, and they obviously showed up.

Speaker 5: 33:35

They got caught a break with the weather. You know it's super iffy in April and on the Great Lakes you can get anything from 75 degrees to a six inch snowstorm. So they got a break in that way. But it was awesome and everybody showed up.

Speaker 6: 33:49

They did a great job. I thought Absolutely.

Speaker 2: 33:55

Bob, what about you? I thought it was great. I agree with Coach Weave there that the weather helped out a lot. I mean it was beautiful. I remember I feel so bad Cleveland had it. At the one time Cleveland had it there was two things against them they had the COVID restrictions and then also they had the weather. I mean I was up there and it was 30 degrees and snowing that first night so it was like it wasn't very conducive to being outside. So I think the weather helped out. But and I agree with coach, we even coming from cleveland and stuff like that, it's not that far, it's like four hour drive to go up there to see them play. So, uh, it's kind of like centralized to pretty good fan bases, you know, with the lions, the packers, the Browns and stuff like that. So I think that helped out too. But I like that they're moving around to different cities and showcasing each city and kind of showing off the cities and good to see Detroit come out.

Speaker 1: 34:50

Absolutely. But one thing, since we know we're talking about it being up there and everyone's talking about Caleb Williams to the Bears. But did the Bears do the right thing by trading Justin Fields and drafting Caleb Williams, or should they have kept Fields and traded their first pick, like Mr was saying, to get some more picks and players? Remember they only had four draft picks this year and all, and they had two of them in the first round. So what do you think, bob?

Speaker 2: 35:18

And I draft picks this year and all, and they had two of them in the first round. So what do you think? Bob and I was on the fence with this one because, uh, you know fields. I think I saw him play a couple times last year and he didn't do too bad, and so I would have been the, maybe the, the guy that would have kept him and then drafted harrison and got him a weapon to throw to. So, uh, I think that was, but I think you probably would have had everybody's heads. The fan base wouldn't have been too happy with keeping Fields and getting, but Caleb was the concessus best quarterback and so I think you didn't want to have him any competition, so you had to kind of get rid of Fields.

Speaker 1: 35:52

I got you Coach Weave. What about you?

Speaker 5: 35:55

I grew up a Bears fan so I'm brutal for them always, but that was a brutal decision to have to make. The one thing I would say I don't know what they did. We won't know if they did the right thing for three years, but whatever they did, they had to take Caleb Williams after not saying immediately that they weren't going to. You know what the Giants did with Daniel Jones, kind of stringing along who the Giants were going to take. It doesn't do anybody any favors. If they were going to keep Fields they should have told him hey, we're going to keep you. We're either going to trade the pick or draft the best receiver in the draft. Whatever. Once it became a month of dragging their feet, you knew they had to make that choice, Mr.

Speaker 6: 36:33

They had to make that.

Speaker 3: 36:34

Mr, what about you?

Speaker 3: 36:35

Yeah, I'm going to have to say you know, you know, I wish they would have kept Justin Phil. I mean I would, I would have kept him. You know, the one thing that he needed was just more, you know, talent, more weapons around him. You know, you got Marvin Harris Jr there. You know he, marvin Harris Jr there, you know he would have been great for him. You know it would have been good to see, you know, an Ohio State connection like that. But I would have most definitely, you know, said I mean you drafted him first anyway, you know, because you believed in, you, liked what you saw.

Speaker 4: 37:10

I mean, you got to do that.

Speaker 3: 37:13

So the three years or whatever years he was there, I mean you know what talent did he have around? I mean he came in into a fire, you know. So whenever you know we talk about the environment, like Coach said earlier, you know you're talking about the environment and your surrounding. When you're bringing in a quarterback, young like that, and he's thrown to the fire and you don't have weapons around him, I mean you know you got to help him out. Absolutely, jose. What?

Speaker 4: 37:41

about you.

Speaker 4: 37:43

I thought he was doomed from the jump because out of the big three quarterback head coach GM, he was there the longest you know he was there. And then they hired Ibraflus. And then they hired Ryan Poles. And I'm sorry, when you're the guy I mean, if we put our GM hat on, you're going to make the choice that's going to keep your job and I'm not quite sure he didn't pick him. And I think Ibraflus is next, if he can't do anything here, because Ryan Poles is going to set himself up to be there a while.

Speaker 4: 38:13

And I, like Justin Fields, I thought he was dynamic, I mean I just didn't think to me he's a perfect example of of looking at what Jaden Daniels was going to do. He's going to be dynamic, but he's probably not going to have that many people around him to help him out, you know. But, um, I I think that was the best thing for him to go. I I hated that they did it because I mean, just like Coach Weaver, I'm a I'm a Bears fan, you know, environmental Bears fan, my, my family's there. But but I just thought, business wise, he was the, he was the one that had the longest tenure and with the least results, so he was going to be the first one to go. You know, unfortunately, and now anything that happens from here moving forward, that's on brian poles and ibraflues right now.

Speaker 3: 38:59

So you're right about that. Yeah, I'm sorry and you're right about that. And that's the whole thing. You know, with these gms and um and different owners and player personnel whatnot everybody want to draft their guy to say this is the guy that I had, this is my guy that did this, and you know, and at the end of the day, say this is the guy that I had, this is my guy that did this, and you know, and at the end of the day, okay, this is your guy and, like you know, you're going to be the one to go. But you know who's best for our team and who's long term. And you know, I think Justin could have been the best for them long term, but we'll see with Caleb. Just hopefully he ain't painting his fingernails, I'm sorry.

Speaker 1: 39:50

But I will say this that the Steelers fans are already starting to troll the Bears and saying that Caleb Williams will be a Steeler when his rookie contract is up, because they had Mitchell Drab drabiski, who was drafted by the bears. Now they got justin fields, like, well, we need a quarterback. Let's just let the bears just do whatever they want to do with them and then we'll just pick them up when we're struggling too. So I'm just saying, if that happens, I might lose my mind, if he ends up in pittsburgh for sure being Caleb. I'm torn with this. Like everyone was saying, a decision had to be made and it's not a decision anyone would want to make. I was as shocked as most to hear that Justin Fields was traded and it automatically solidified that Caleb Williams is a bear. That's just how it is, with me Switching gears a little bit here, jose, with you. We talked about it a little bit, but how do you think Marvin Harrison Jr will be as a pro.

Speaker 4: 40:51

He's going to be uncoverable for a while. It's just going to be a matter of if they're going to protect Kyler Murray, to get him the ball. That's it. I mean, I think Kyler Murray is dynamic in himself, which hopefully Harrison will save him his career, not because he's a bad player, because he won't have to run as much. He's going to have a guy that's going to be open and then he got Nuke on the other side. You got to double somebody, so one of those guys is going to be open. So I think and I agree, I mean, I think he's a low hanging fruit to say he's the best player in the draft. That's a given, you know what I mean. And and for him to go there with that.

Speaker 4: 41:25

If they I don't know what their run game is going to be like, cause they seem like it was running back by committee and I think they I think they got the guy from Miami, if I am correct, one of their running backs. I'm missing that. But if they can get a running game, look out, they're going to be pretty good. But Harrison, yeah, like Bob was saying, watching games with him, they could have easily lost If he was injured. They could easily lost five, six games easily, but he simply took over games and it was uncoverable. Try to zone him, try to double him, try to bracket him Didn't work. And let's be real, the quarterback was average at his best and he still did his thing. And now he's going to a guy that's pretty dynamic in terms of his legs or getting the ball out. I'm saying I'll call it now Rookie of the Year. He'll be Rookie of the Year.

Speaker 1: 42:29

I'll say it here You've heard it here first on a ride home rant from Jose Jefferson, rookie of the Year, marvin Harrison Jr. Mister, what about you? How's Marvin Harrison going to shape up in the NFL?

Speaker 3: 42:41

I think he's going to be a dynamic player. You know, coming from a high state, but not only that having a father who he had growing up in Washington and knowing and understanding the science and art to playing football and reading coverages and whatnot, he's going to be really, really good. For a long time he stayed healthy what he do on that football field. He's going to put up some amazing numbers if the quarterback is able to stay healthy and get him the ball consistently. So I believe he's going to do well. He's going to break records. He's playing healthy. He's going to break records easy.

Speaker 1: 43:22

Okay, Coach Weave. What about you?

Speaker 5: 43:25

Yeah, I think he'll be really good. It's interesting what I was talking about getting him with Kyler Murray. Kyler's a tremendously talented person, actually James Conner, who I got to coach against when I was a defensive coordinator at Delaware. He was with Pitt Less than fun day in my career trying to figure out ways to get my guys to tackle him, put everybody in the box and Tyler Boyd was the wide out and that was a problem too.

Speaker 4: 43:55

Harrison's he's like those guys, he's just one of those elite guys.

Speaker 5: 43:59

It's really hard to predict that he's going to be a good NFL player. He's so much bigger than his dad. I don't think I've ever noticed that until this year.

Speaker 1: 44:11

He's a lot bigger than his dad.

Speaker 5: 44:13

He's got all the same. Like Mr mr said, his bloodlines are great. He grew up in a locker room and we have that talent. They certainly don't know what to expect. They can flame out like some of these guys do when you're gonna know how to handle this mature kid and I'll be shocked if he's not really really really good in the conversation.

Speaker 1: 44:36

Bob, what about you?

Speaker 2: 44:40

I said it before, I thought once again he was the best player in the draft coming in. I think, like I said, if the Bears would have filled without a good year, I think they might have traded down and picked fields, I think. But I just think he's going to be a dynamic guy. Like I said, watching him at Ohio State with a bad quarterback and still getting open and get the ball to him, I think you know, let's say, a Kyler Morris, he, as long as he's healthy, that offensive line I think they'll they'll be really broad and I just think, I think he'll stand out. I think he'll be the best player. You, the rookie of the year, is probably going to be up there with probably Caleb Williams. They'll be fighting for it one and two, I think.

Speaker 1: 45:18

Okay, and lastly, here the last thing I want to talk about is everybody's favorite team to hate on, and that's the Jets. Should they have drafted skilled players over the offensive line? I mean, aaron Rodgers is desperate for a top-notch guy. Do you agree with the Jets taking the O-line, or should they have drafted differently, bob?

Speaker 2: 45:43

No, I think they need the offensive line. I think they have the weapons there. They have a Garrett Wilson there. They just signed some of the offseason. I can't think of who they signed in the offseason but I think the biggest thing last year was their offensive line was so bad last year and I think it is evident early on and why he got hurt kind of Rogers. He was running for his life on a couple of plays already early on in that game. So I think they needed to build that offensive lineup. That was the problem the last couple of years and if they get that going I think Rodgers will have a good year. They do have a lot of weapons. They have a good running back and a couple good receivers. I think they'll be all right. I think they needed two tackles on both sides to protect Rodgers. I think they would do good to get one of the better tackles in the draft. All right, coach.

Speaker 5: 46:33

Weaver. What about you? Yeah, I agree with Bob completely, completely. Everybody forgets that the uh, the white out was the rookie of the year two years ago. Man, that kid's awesome, um, you know. So he's that. He's still there. He's going to be really good. Garrett wilson uh, and you build your football team, you build your baseball team, they say, from the middle out, middle infield. You catch your football teams building front to back. Uh, you know, if you don't have an offensive line, you just look at the older Carr brother, all those guys that have come into these disastrous situations, and they get sacked a thousand times. It took Aaron Rodgers one series to get sacked for a season ender. So protect those guys. They're not sexy picks, I get it, but I think when you're around football you know that you sleep way better as a coordinator or a head coach. When your lines are good. They can cover up a lot of ills. You can be worse at quarterback. You can be worse everywhere if you can block and if your D-line is disruptive.

Speaker 1: 47:28

Okay, I agree with you on that. All right, mister, what about you?

Speaker 3: 47:32

Yeah, I think whenever you can get a bit ugly, as we say, a big, nice offensive lineman to help protect, run blocking, pass, blocking, your stock kind of go up and so you can never go wrong with getting a good, solid offensive line at any point. So I'm with that, you need the lineman to run protect, to pass protect. Don't got to do so much up front. So I'm with that, you got to be strong up front.

Speaker 1: 48:07

Okay, jose, what about you?

Speaker 4: 48:10

I said it earlier that I thought their draft picks are going to have to produce, and no, I thought they did the right thing. I mean, when you think about that question, I keep thinking about the Lions. You know that stretch where they drafted like receiver number five, receiver number four. I mean, and look at those guys I mean none of them outside of Megatron and look, he even left because he's like I'm getting beat up and I just don't think it's. I think it's a sexy pick, you know. You know, like Coach Weaver was saying, you know it's a sexy pick to get that guy that goes wow. But you kind of want to, you know, protect the guy that you just spent, you know, a gajillion dollars on to lead your franchise, you know. So, no, I just think those guys are going to have to step in and play.

Speaker 4: 48:52

And you know, you know, like Coach Weaver said, I mean you can get away with a lot of stuff if you've got a great line. You know, I mean the no, no, no, yes, plays come from having a great line and so-so players. And you know, the Jets are stacked though I mean in the specialty positions, they don't need any. There's not enough ball for the guys they have now, you know, and that's including Rodgers. You think he wants to hand the damn thing off every time. No, he wants to throw it every time and he's got a great back to be able to tote the pill. But they don't have a good line. So no, I think their line pick was solid and they'll be good on paper again. So we'll see.

Speaker 1: 49:27

We'll see if they can stay healthy. And, as if I needed to say this that of course, when Fendi and I were coming up with the outline for this, being a jets fan, he had to have a jets question in the the draft show, as everybody knows how big of a jets fan johnny is. But yeah, I mean, I'm a fan of the o-line picks. Um, people like again, like everyone says, yeah, it's not a sexy pick, but the line started doing it with. Dc Started working on the line, getting the line getting protection for his quarterbacks. Look what they're doing now. Now they're a team that people were talking about for different reasons and I think the Jets might be there, like Jose kept saying. They're good on paper, but we'll see what happens when the season gets started.

Speaker 1: 50:18

That is actually going to do it for this week's episode of the Ride Home Rants podcast and our NFL Draft Preview show. I want to thank my panel of guests I know we lost Hal, but he was here for a little bit Technical issues Jose Jefferson, mr Askew, bob Gavaliere and Coach Tim Weaver for joining the show. As always, if you enjoyed the show, be a friend, tell a friend. If you didn't tell them anyways, they might like it just because you didn't. That's going to do it for me and I will see y'all next week.