Get ready to tackle the high-stakes game of NFL free agency with a playbook full of insider insights! Alongside Kansas City Chiefs aficionado Jimmy, we dissect the moves—or lack thereof—from the Dallas Cowboys and debate their strategy of banking on draft picks versus the Chiefs' more aggressive tactics. Feel the tension as we weigh in on the Cowboys' conservative plays, contrasted with the Chiefs securing Hollywood Brown and keeping Chris Jones in the lineup. Our banter doesn't pull any punches when it comes to critiquing each team's off-season maneuvers.
Switching gears, we're diving helmet-first into the league's wider playing field, where the Atlanta Falcons are shaking things up with a surprising grab for Kirk Cousins and more. We're handing out our own free agency grades like candy on Halloween, assessing the potential knock-on effects these signings could have on the gridiron. From the Jacksonville Jaguars' reinforced roster to the Miami Dolphins' defensive muscle-ups, each team's strategy is scrutinized through our expert lens, predicting how these power moves might rewrite the upcoming season's script.
Wrapping up with a hard-hitting analysis, we reflect on the off-season's biggest winners and losers, where the Dallas Cowboys' talent drain and the Washington Commanders' aggressive recruitment raise eyebrows and blood pressures. We lay it all on the line, discussing the roster reshuffles, blockbuster deals, and those curveballs that keep the league endlessly unpredictable. So strap in and join us for an episode that's as charged as a fourth-quarter comeback because we're breaking down the NFL free agency like it's fourth and goal at the Super Bowl.
Get ready to tackle the high-stakes game of NFL free agency with a playbook full of insider insights! Alongside Kansas City Chiefs aficionado Jimmy, we dissect the moves—or lack thereof—from the Dallas Cowboys and debate their strategy of banking on draft picks versus the Chiefs' more aggressive tactics. Feel the tension as we weigh in on the Cowboys' conservative plays, contrasted with the Chiefs securing Hollywood Brown and keeping Chris Jones in the lineup. Our banter doesn't pull any punches when it comes to critiquing each team's off-season maneuvers.
Switching gears, we're diving helmet-first into the league's wider playing field, where the Atlanta Falcons are shaking things up with a surprising grab for Kirk Cousins and more. We're handing out our own free agency grades like candy on Halloween, assessing the potential knock-on effects these signings could have on the gridiron. From the Jacksonville Jaguars' reinforced roster to the Miami Dolphins' defensive muscle-ups, each team's strategy is scrutinized through our expert lens, predicting how these power moves might rewrite the upcoming season's script.
Wrapping up with a hard-hitting analysis, we reflect on the off-season's biggest winners and losers, where the Dallas Cowboys' talent drain and the Washington Commanders' aggressive recruitment raise eyebrows and blood pressures. We lay it all on the line, discussing the roster reshuffles, blockbuster deals, and those curveballs that keep the league endlessly unpredictable. So strap in and join us for an episode that's as charged as a fourth-quarter comeback because we're breaking down the NFL free agency like it's fourth and goal at the Super Bowl.
Welcome back to Lacey's lineup. It has been an eventful week with all these free agency signs and moves. I am not happy since the Cowboys were non-existent, but I will give my opinion on all that and all the major moves. Kickoff to Lacey's lineup starts right now. Welcome to the show. I have a returning guest. I'm excited to have Jimmy Kansas City Chiefs fan back on the show with me. Welcome to the show.
Speaker 2:Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1:Yeah, of course. Well, how's your week been going? Seeing everyone sign everywhere, but our teams.
Speaker 2:I probably feel a lot like you do and that if it wasn't for this morning, waking up to the news that I woke up to, I'd be in the same boat as you frustrated, wondering when are we going to make a move, when is it our turn?
Speaker 1:But I really have no sympathy for you because you're back-to-back Super Bowl champions. So, yeah, we might be in the same boat, but we also lost everybody. You guys really didn't lose anybody. I haven't seen anybody really leave.
Speaker 2:I mean Willie Gay, he is leaving, but other than that we've been able to retake. Obviously the big deal was getting Chris Jones signed and then obviously Trinkwill and Bush and Penel, and then he did sign that tied in from the Bengals, herb Smith Jr.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you got in the defensive back. You got Dionne Bush, I believe, too right.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:But Hollywood Brown is big. I mean shout out to my OU. I think he is kind of like an undercover wide receiver that hasn't been given a shot, and Patrick Mahomes is really going to utilize him, I believe, especially the deep ball.
Speaker 2:Cheer is a huge downfield threat. I mean, that's yeah, I'm excited about it. Obviously, I would have liked somebody like him, or Keenan Allen, if you can get him on the cheap like that. But no, welcome Hollywood Brown to Cheeks Nation.
Speaker 1:Yeah, where we win Super Bowls, right? Is that what it's called?
Speaker 2:Is that how you welcome?
Speaker 1:people in, I mean let's be, honest, you just need Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelsey and you're fine. On the other hand, I might get to utilize my beep today, because when I talk about the Dallas Cowboys, this tends to really come to mind. I mean, we have a long snapper. We re-signed our long snapper.
Speaker 2:JS.
Speaker 1:Jordan Lewis re-signing. I don't mind him, but it makes me nervous that Gilmore is leaving. Do you feel that same way?
Speaker 2:I do and I think you know part of the reason and I don't understand the logic. Obviously I'm not a football general manager, but I do watch a lot of the game and Deron Bland has always been an inside guy. That's where he's the most comfortable. Yeah, and although he did, I mean he did set an NFL record on the outside. But why you wouldn't find a scenario where you can have Gilmore on one side and digs on the other and put Deron exactly where he's comfortable, in the middle?
Speaker 1:Well, and that was the plan last year, right, obviously unforeseen circumstances with digs tearing his ACL, we didn't get to see that. So let's see it this year Like, let's keep him. I mean he wants to stay, they all want it to stay. Yeah, I mean Pollard leaving, you know all the. You know Dan Quinn leaving and being able. I mean it's like he knew that we were strapped for a cash and he was able to pick these players off. I mean taking three of our strong like the oddest was a huge shock to me. Armstrong, dante, fowler I mean he has that money because Washington traded everything away last year and freed up a lot of their caps face, but I just, oh, we just lost every. We have so many holes and for some reason the Jones family thinks that we can get it all in the draft.
Speaker 2:Oh my gosh, and that's, I mean, that's the biggest flaw in their logic is, you know, you got you got a guy who I'm not a huge Cowboys fan but I do follow him just because I live here in Dallas, and you got a guy like Tyron Smith, who's been he's been a warrior for you guys and you know he's played through injury and I mean he even went as far as saying I'll leave the door open.
Speaker 1:But you know, the Jones family, he wants to retire with the Cowboys? Yes, and so he's even and every even. Pollard was like I'll take less money, you know, and to keep him in because they didn't utilize him the right way. I mean, he's a good player, he just he can't run every single snap. He just can't and we weren't able to utilize that, and so it, I mean Titans will utilize it. Watch, pollard will have a breakout year.
Speaker 2:For sure. Well, I think that the way that Pollard was utilized when, when he played with Zeke, was perfect. Yeah, he was a change of change, of change of pace back and just dominated there, and I think ownership looked into that too much and thought, well, we don't need Zeke, we got Pollard. Well, it's how you use it, but it's not the same guy, I mean Zeke was our physical, you know.
Speaker 1:Third and one, pollard was that explosive runner that could go get you long stretches, because you know he could go on the round the outside and sending Pollard through the middle, which just was never going to happen, and we just wasted his talent by trying to make him something he wasn't. Yep, I agree, but it just drives me crazy Like I have to get off social media because I get excited when they're like you know Derek Henry.
Speaker 1:He bought a house in Dallas like they're close to closing the deal and then it comes out after he signs with the Ravens and it's like I waited and the Cowboys never contacted me, like so. There was never even conversation. I know that's the social media trying to make something that isn't, but some of us want to believe that and I don't think it's fair that they toy with our emotions.
Speaker 2:I hear you Cowboys fan.
Speaker 1:I know, see, I can use this again. That's how I feel. That's really how I feel, I mean, but now they're trying to link us to Dalvin Cook, ajt Dylan, at this point, let's just go to the draft and get our running back.
Speaker 2:I mean, there's good running backs in the lead or, you know, coming out. And if you look at right now the way that the NFL pay structures are working, the you know, other than special teams players may not think the running backs are some of the lowest paid players now because they are so disposable.
Speaker 1:Well, they are disposable and they have the biggest workload. I mean they put their life on the line more than anybody else. Like I, feel like they should be paid. But seeing like Aaron Jones leaving, I know I'm jumping ahead because we're going to break all this down. But I mean, how do you not go out and get that player that literally embarrassed you in the postseason? And he always killed it.
Speaker 2:He always killed it. I mean, he even killed.
Speaker 1:I know they could talk about oh, our run game was bad, but he did the same thing to the 49ers. I'm sorry you can't say that about the 49ers run game. He just is a veteran. He knows how to win and he has that winning mentality. Go get him.
Speaker 2:Yeah, the Vikings. I mean that's definitely for them, that's exciting. Yeah, didn't they get? They got him cheap. I mean, consider it, it's a what I mean a lot of them do one year's right.
Speaker 1:Like I'm surprised he went to the Vikings, though I don't see him meshing with that group.
Speaker 2:Maybe Well, now cousins is gone.
Speaker 1:Cousins is gone and that's going to be something that we talk about. But, like I said, I could talk about the Cowboys all day long, but there's nothing to talk about. They did absolutely nothing. They got nobody but a long snapper. But maybe that's good, because we're going to need him when we go three and out a lot this season, so maybe that was the right move.
Speaker 2:It's like you and I talked before about the Cowboys always want to be quote, to quote Stephen Jones efficient. Then we knew, you know we talked about what efficient means.
Speaker 1:Right, yeah, Cheap, they just want to be cheap, yeah, but don't get on social media once again and say we're all in, we're all in, like what is all in.
Speaker 2:Well, it all in. You know, when you, when you think of it from the poker perspective, which I think was what Jerry was referencing you push all the chips in the middle. It's a high risk for high reward. And what are the Cowboys risking? Signed a long snapper.
Speaker 1:That's what I'm saying. And when's the last time you don't do any free agencies? And when the Super Bowl it just doesn't happen? You have to make those moves and you need, and now we have so many holes to fill and we're just going to run it with rookies. I don't understand it.
Speaker 2:But I have to move on because I'm starting to get tears on my microphone.
Speaker 1:So so I don't get choked up and we can move on. Let's talk about some teams that were effective in this free agent, because there's a lot. I mean, I feel like we could talk for hours on. Every time I would open up, there was something new. I mean, this was a very eventful week Like crazy. I know me and you were texting back and forth like oh my gosh, oh my gosh.
Speaker 1:Not our team not our team, just our division. You know whatever, but let's start with the Falcons. I mean huge move, quarterback Kirk Cousins coming back from injury 180 million three-year deal, like as a veteran, kind of in the last part. I'm not hating on Kirk Cousins, but his agent is really good.
Speaker 2:Oh, he's got an amazing agent. I mean, if you look at all of his contracts and so many of them are guaranteed, it's so much guaranteed money.
Speaker 1:Right, I mean, I can't hate, I'm not saying Kirk Cousins is a bad move to the Falcons, but would you have paid and put a three-year deal on him coming back from injury too?
Speaker 2:You know, not after an injury of that nature for a quarterback of that age, not that he's, you know, over the hill, but that's a tough injury to come back from 100%. And for them to get a three-year deal worth that much money, they must know something we don't.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean that's crazy. I mean he's definitely going to help. I mean the quarterback was the missing piece. But I don't know, I don't know, I don't know if I would have done like more of a one-year deal, just to see. I mean, now you're locked in to that amount of money. You know, I'm not sure the guarantee, but I'm sure it's a high guarantee and now you got to roll with them.
Speaker 2:You know, and I think you know everyone would argue. But you know, kirk, he's top 10, top 20, top 15 quarterback in the league. You know he hits unrestricted free agency. That's, I don't know. I guess that's what they get paid.
Speaker 1:But that was really their biggest move. I know they got the wide receiver Darnell Mooney 39 million two-year. I mean he's good, he's going to help. I mean they have B-Gen Robinson, they have Pitts right, kyle Pitts. I mean they have weapons. I mean Falcons did improve for sure.
Speaker 2:But yeah, I think they got Rondell.
Speaker 1:Moore too, didn't they? Didn't they just get?
Speaker 2:Rondell Moore as well. I think that just happened. Yeah, it just happened.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think that was penciled in. But overall, if you had to grade the Falcons locking in Kirk Cousins, two wide receivers, what would you grade? A, b, c, d or F?
Speaker 2:I think you got to look at it as an A. I mean, they upgraded the quarterback position, they upgraded the wide receiver position and you know I don't know. I don't see anything wrong with it?
Speaker 1:I'm going B for the main fact that. Think about all the quarterbacks coming out in this draft. They're going to have a high draft pick. They could have gotten. I mean, there's so many quarterbacks, so many quarterbacks. I just I don't like the year, the three year. I think you sign them for a year. You still draft a rookie, kind of have them learn from Kirk Cousins. I think locking into the three year makes me drop him down to a B. Okay, I can see that. I just can't give an A. You're coming off of injury, we don't. I mean Kirk Cousins and he doesn't win in the postseason.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:I mean, maybe I'm just partial to that because I know how that feels, but you don't have a quarter and you had Justin Jefferson as your guy.
Speaker 2:Well, I know that you know. We talked about this earlier this week. I think the Bengals were really, you know, trying to get Jefferson.
Speaker 1:That's not fair, like that should be completely nicks, because they all went to LSU.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:They already have that chemistry.
Speaker 2:The Falcons. You know, the Falcons are wanting him and the Bengals are like no, we want him. And you know, basically Minnesota was like okay, we'll trade in for Burrow, yeah, so could you imagine, though?
Speaker 1:can you imagine Burrow in that huddle just being like all right, you go on this side, you go along on this side. I'm just going to throw it up and you guys are going to make me look incredible. That's not fair.
Speaker 2:One of you guys, one of you guys, catch it please.
Speaker 1:There's no way that that deal gets done. No way, but he did turn down that money, so I don't think he's looking to stay. I mean, it's Sam Darnold there right now, right, didn't he? The one that trade it? I mean, I don't blame him.
Speaker 1:I mean he wants to win that quarterbacks not going to get him the win, so no, all right. Well, moving on to the Ravens, they didn't do too much, except for this tugs at my heart a little bit but they did get running back Derek Henry, two year 16 million from the Titans. I mean now, when you look it is cheap. And when you look at it now you have Lamar Jackson and Derek Henry. Either one of them can run. Like how do you stop that?
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, you got to stop them both. I mean that's the best backfield tandem in the league by far.
Speaker 1:I mean that was definitely an upgrade, I mean if that's the only player right now that they got. I mean, that's an A you get an A for me.
Speaker 2:But in their defense and I'm not a, I'm not a Ravens apologist they did. They did have some those key re signings we talked about. They secured, you know, nussin Aguilore, madibuque and Malik Harrison. They re signed all those guys they gave. They paid Madibuque, they rolled out the truck four years, 98 million. I mean they locked up a lot of money there.
Speaker 1:They did lock up, and I mean all they did was add a running back because they let go. I mean Gus Edwards, left right.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:So he's gone and then their other running back. I think he's still an injury, right. I don't even know he got a late injuries. I don't even think he'll be back for half this season because it was a jail.
Speaker 2:I think they were that close, though, if you look at, I mean, if it weren't for the Chiefs, I mean the Ravens might have been in the Super Bowl, and so I like how you just plugged you like that.
Speaker 1:I did the one with the Chiefs. The shameless flow of my Chiefs, that was crazy.
Speaker 2:They might feel like they're securing those three defensive players, locking them down. Maybe they're that one player away, that difference maker at running back.
Speaker 1:That's crazy. Yeah Well, let's talk about the Bears. This is crazy. Are they rolling out the red carpet ready for Caleb Williams to come?
Speaker 1:I mean, they are trying to make it very enticing for him at the moment Not lying. But DeAndre Swift, which is a great running back. I mean three year 24 million, crazy From the Eagles. Kevin Beard I like him. I think he's underrated. I think they got a still on him. He's going to definitely make them better. On the defense, jonathan Owens, I don't really see a lot. I think he's hyped up because of Simone Biles, right, I mean, I didn't really know him until Simone. No offense, jonathan, I'm sure you do well, but to me he was not non-factor. He probably won't hurt or help. I don't see a big thing there, except for them trying to be the next Taylor Swift.
Speaker 2:Well, and I think that contract that he signed reflects that. I mean you got two years for 4.7 million. Yeah, I mean that's just kind of like hey, you want to come play with us?
Speaker 1:Yeah, I know, simone Biles was like I don't have to take a connecting flight, but the big one that just came out, keenan Allen, for a fourth round pick.
Speaker 2:What the?
Speaker 1:what Like what.
Speaker 2:I know.
Speaker 1:I can't even fathom that. Like we could have done that right, sure, I mean we can give away picks. We might not have money, but we can give away picks. But oh my god, I was shocked by that. I really did not think, because they let chargers, let Mike Williams go, which I thought OK, I still like him, I'm still trying to rally him to come to the Cowboys. But there was no way that Keenan Allen was leaving the chargers. I just I did not see that coming at all, especially for so cheap. But that was a huge. I mean that's like a Christian McCaffrey move, right, like getting him from nothing.
Speaker 2:It's so cheap.
Speaker 1:I mean, are the Bears coming back?
Speaker 2:Are they?
Speaker 1:getting stronger.
Speaker 2:And not to mention they've got the one in nine, pick One and nine. So you get a quarterback and a huge let's talk about the elephant in the room.
Speaker 1:Justin Bills.
Speaker 2:I mean when you and I talked earlier. I think we're looking at one of those scenarios a draft day trade.
Speaker 1:I really think so too. There's no way they keep him and draft Caleb Williams, and there's no way they don't draft Caleb Williams right.
Speaker 1:You got to take him. I mean, I still think Caleb Williams is a little overrated. That's just my opinion on it. I think there's better like Drake May and stuff. I think they are, they can do more in my eyes. I think there's been a lot of hype on Caleb Williams. I think he comes with some and, just being honest, I think he comes with some baggage. I think his dad's very vocal. They're wanting like a piece of like the franchise that they're not going to get. I just think there's a lot going on there and I'm like you could still get talent with Drake May or somebody else Jason or Jalen Daniels but they're going to take them.
Speaker 2:Yeah, unless they shock the world and they take Drake May with a burst of rocket.
Speaker 1:And they could do that Because and at the end of the day, though, isn't Caleb Williams like it's the same quarterback as Justin Bills? I mean, they're the same height, the same kind of capabilities. They just are a lot of the same quarterback type. So you're going to trade. Is it just to keep the rookie contract and not have to pay? Justin Bills, Is that what's happening?
Speaker 2:Well, they're not going to pay him. Either way, I think they're ready to move on.
Speaker 1:Yeah, but I was shocked that he's still there.
Speaker 2:I mean with all the quarterback moves. Yeah, they're not loading up with all this, for you know and they're quietly, you know we talked about those couple of minutes they're quietly strengthening the defense too.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, there was a lot. I mean, like I said, and it's constant. I mean we're still me and you were. We were supposed to record last night. If you don't know, in Texas it's springtime and we had tornadoes rolling through. But even when we woke up today, we had to add four or five more people. That have been added to the thing and it's just going to keep coming, not for the Cowboys, but nothing from the Cowboys. I knew you were going to say that.
Speaker 2:I mean you too.
Speaker 1:But, Bears, I mean we're A plus, right, I mean it has to be an A plus, especially with the Keenan Allen fourth round pick deal.
Speaker 2:Oh, 100%. That changed their grade overnight. They might have gone from a you know B, b plus to an A plus with Keenan Allen, because that's just a brilliant move A fourth round pick for that guy.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean we're going back. Are we going back to the Ditka days Doubles?
Speaker 2:double.
Speaker 1:Bears no, but Bears are really. They're showing they want to be there. I mean they were on the Cust last year, right, I mean they were showing improvement. Now they just made themselves very marketable.
Speaker 2:Yep, I mean, and you know, obviously, adding a guy like that tied in, they got Everett. Oh yeah, They've already got Colt, they got Colt-Comet. So I mean that's.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:They're going to be scary.
Speaker 1:They are going to be scary. Maybe they turn Justin Fields into a running back.
Speaker 2:Wide receiver.
Speaker 1:We'll take them as running back. Come to the Cowboys We'll take you as running back.
Speaker 2:Cowboys need one now.
Speaker 1:All right. So we're giving them an A Good job. Bears Bingles not a lot. I mean, obviously, that Justin Jefferson thing that we've already touched on. Their biggest thing was a cheap deal, but still a great player. They're running back Zach Moss two years, eight million from Indy. I think Zach Moss is underrated. I actually had him as one free agent that I wouldn't have minded coming to Dallas. I think he's a good player.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and they got him really cheap, I mean really cheap, I mean four million a year. But what did Jerry say? He didn't feel comfortable with him.
Speaker 1:Well, we only had two million and caps please, so it was a little expensive for us. But that's what kills me about the Cowboys. Sorry, you keep going back, but we could have restructured, like digs and other people that we don't even have to get their approval. Like we could have extended and restructured and freed up money for us to be a player in the free agency. So them not doing it and saying they didn't have the money is a bold face lie. Er, I get mad. See, beep, I beat you to it again. I knew it was coming. I'm trying not to hate on them, but they make it really hard right now. I mean, we have to be players, especially when our division just blew up with all kinds of craziness, but oh, yeah, I can't wait till we go through the laundry list of things the commanders did and the Eagles did.
Speaker 2:I'm just waiting.
Speaker 1:Oh, I bet you are Congratulations, but bingles, I mean if they get Justin Jefferson, I feel like we can't grade them yet right Like Zach Moss. Really it's not bad. It improved them, I think they're going to. It's going to help the run game they already have. Chase Burrow hopefully will stay healthy this year. I mean that was the reason they were non-existent last year, because they would have beat the Chiefs with Burrow, would have would have, could have, should have.
Speaker 2:But they, they, you know, and I think they're you know you talk about somebody wanting to go all in on a player. I mean they're, they're strengthening that defense, knowing that you know they're not too far away on the offensive side of Joe Burrow stays healthy. You had a guy like Moss in the backfield and then you know they franchise tag T Higgins.
Speaker 1:So yeah, but he's asking still for a trade.
Speaker 2:Well, yeah, and I think that I don't think anybody wants him.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and Boyd, I think, is a free agent too, but he hasn't gone anywhere, which is crazy, because I think they're both great players. But if they're trying to get rid of him to make room for Justin Jefferson, then I guess I can't blame them there.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's, but there's no way that happens.
Speaker 1:There's no way.
Speaker 2:No, I think, like we said, I said earlier, the only fair trade for Jefferson is Burrow and then yeah.
Speaker 1:Then he can stuck with. That's crazy, but so not a lot. I feel like we can't grade them. They improved, we'll see. I guess they're going to go through the draft and see where they get, because I haven't seen any more moves and Zach Moss was early in the week and then nothing afterwards.
Speaker 2:So Bengals have actually been pretty quiet. I think they're trying to still work a deal there for Jefferson.
Speaker 1:No, it's not happening, I quit. Okay, it happens. Yeah, I mean it's in, it's on your side.
Speaker 2:It's a C yeah.
Speaker 1:So well, I'm just saying I just hate for you know, you, you guys, not to have a chance. But that's still crazy. I mean that's like highway robbery, but I guess if it happens, it happens All right. Packers, josh Jacobs.
Speaker 2:Dude I got. He's one of my favorite running backs in the league, is he? Well, now that he's done with the Raiders, he is. I hated him with the Raiders, but.
Speaker 1:Well, the Raiders have been a hot mess, right Like we don't even know what's going on with the Raiders anymore. But Josh Jacobs definitely was their only like with him. I'm actually shocked we haven't heard anything from Devonte Adams. Right, he has to be wanting out. He's been wanting to get out, but now he doesn't have them. I mean, who? What quarterback?
Speaker 2:went there.
Speaker 1:See, it was irrelevant that I didn't even mark it down. Well they uh Menchu, menchu went there yeah.
Speaker 2:Gardner, menchu the savior.
Speaker 1:The stash. The stash is going to Raider but then they also got Xavier and McKinney. I mean, that helps their defense a lot and they paid him.
Speaker 2:They paid him. Yeah, we got paid what. Well him, and then they re-signed their, their two cornerbacks, Nixon and Ballantyne. Yeah, so I mean they're, they're just, they're just, they're just, they're just, they're short of the defense. But yeah, letting, letting Aaron Jones go, and then I think I think Josh Jacobs is an is an upgrade at that position.
Speaker 1:So I mean he definitely it's. It's either a wash or the same. They didn't hurt by making that trade.
Speaker 2:No.
Speaker 1:But I also. They paid him four years 48 million. I mean that's a long for him cause he's had some injuries. I mean he's not the healthiest.
Speaker 2:And I mean that's the the biggest number we've seen this year in running back for agency.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I think Aaron Jones would have stayed for less. I mean he saw he took a one year deal for not very much. I mean they could have at least got him one more. Or I just don't understand how you another great agent, right, maybe I need to start interviewing some agents, find out what their secrets are. But I mean I get a guy who's you know, kind of past his prime not saying he's not good, but he's on the older side of football and you sign him four years for 48 million.
Speaker 2:Maybe he has the same agent as Kirk Cousins.
Speaker 1:Maybe I don't know, and that's where my grade comes in. It's a great pickup. I just don't like the years, so I can't give him a lot of money.
Speaker 2:We're running back.
Speaker 1:I can't give him a lot of money to long.
Speaker 2:you know I don't give him an A. I get on my on my notes. I have him having to be Be. Yeah, I think the job, like you said, the Josh Jacobs, aaron Jones, at worst it's a wash.
Speaker 1:Yeah, but the only thing is, I think you lose, because you signed him for four years.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I don't know. It'd be interesting to see the structure of some of these contracts too.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean they are getting rid of AJ Dillon, which I mean I'm just saying he wasn't bad, but he would have been a good. I think he's still a good RB too. I mean, he would have complimented Josh Jacobs for sure if he would have kept him on, and maybe they still do. He hasn't moved.
Speaker 2:But yeah, if he doesn't leave he's going to have to come back on the cheap.
Speaker 1:So yeah, I mean, well, maybe if he goes below two we might have a chance.
Speaker 2:Hey Cowboys.
Speaker 1:Hey, pick him up. I wouldn't mind Dalvin Cook, though. See, I'm trying not to believe the social media, but I wanted him last year before he went to the Ravens or the Jets. Well, he went to Bose.
Speaker 2:Now he's got more miles on him.
Speaker 1:I mean but still he's a physical. We need a physical running back.
Speaker 2:You had one. His name was Ezekiel Elliott. Yeah, and I'm sure we are about to re-sign him.
Speaker 1:He's coming back home Welcome home.
Speaker 2:I told you we were going all in.
Speaker 1:Yeah, right, so we're giving B to the Packers. We both agree on that just because of the length of the contracts, right? I like the Josh Jacobs move. It's not bad, but all right. Texans Joe Mixon.
Speaker 2:That man and they have been busy in the off season.
Speaker 1:Very, very busy. I mean, first they did, they re-signed a lot too right.
Speaker 2:Yeah, they've re-signed their kicker. Fair baron re-signed Dalton Schultz, that cornerback, boyd Murray, desmond King II, khalil Davis re-signed all those guys, oh and the Y receiver Noah Brown. And then they get Joe Mixon in a trade.
Speaker 1:Is it weird that they signed two linebackers to big deals in the free agency though?
Speaker 2:They're both wonderful players.
Speaker 1:I know, but to the same position, though. I mean to give two huge contracts, and that's Daniel Hunter two years, 49 million and the Z sales shit. I can't even say his name. Is she here?
Speaker 2:would you say she's?
Speaker 1:here Three years, 34 million.
Speaker 2:Well, and I think Daniel Hunter, he plays a little more edge.
Speaker 1:He's outside the backer.
Speaker 2:So yeah, I mean, it's kind of like comparing Micah Parsons to Lane Vanderesh. They're two totally different players and I think it's a good signing, because they didn't re-sign any linebackers.
Speaker 1:That's true. I think Joe Mixon is going to help them a lot.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:I mean he's going to be, and plus you still have CJ Stroud who can run as well. So now you have two weapons like kind of not as good as the Lamar Henry duo. It's not as scary back there, but it's still. You have to defend one or the other right so they can run. A lot of option plays with that.
Speaker 2:Well, in addition to that, Daniel Hunter signing, they signed to Nico Autry. I think they gave him two years, 20, and I mean, put him on the other side of Will Anderson Jr and that kid's a stud.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's true. I mean Texans are forced to be reckoned with. I mean it's like they tasted the postseason, kind of like the Packers coming in and they want more and now they're all in. I think that term needs to be readdressed on some teams, but you could see that they're like okay, we got here. This is where our weaknesses were. This is why we didn't get past this team. This is what we need to go after and that's what they did. I mean, it's not hard, guys, right Like, you know your weaknesses, you know where you got to get better, get better there.
Speaker 2:Or just wait till the draft.
Speaker 1:I'm going to start bleeping you out, yep.
Speaker 2:All right.
Speaker 1:So, moving to the Jags Jaguars, they lost a lot. They definitely lost, but they gained. I mean, another underrated and I'm kind of happy he kind of got out of the shadows of Stefan Diggs because Gabe Davis, I mean he became Josh Allen's favorite target for a lot of the season Big game Gabe right.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so without. Because Stefan Diggs, he was on my fantasy football and there was a lot of weeks he wasn't. Now I'm sure he was bringing all the double coverage. But Jags picking up wide receiver Gabe Davis three years, 39 million, I mean that's a huge move.
Speaker 2:Well, and it gives, just gives sunshine. Another one of those targets you know.
Speaker 1:I call him Fabio, oh, but. I see sunshine from remember the Titans.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:That's sunshine.
Speaker 2:My wife started calling him that. Now it's just stuck.
Speaker 1:That's so funny. Yeah, I think my brother calls him Tressame or something because he does those commercials.
Speaker 2:But Gabe Davis great great pickup.
Speaker 1:And then they got safety. I mean they, they helped their defense. They got Darnell Savage and Ronald Darby those are huge, huge pickups for them, For sure and got them for I mean Darnell Savage a little overpaid, do you agree with that? Three years, 21.7. The Ronald Darby, two years for 8.5, I think is a steal.
Speaker 2:Well, the Darnell Savage is definitely an upgrade over Ray Sean Jenkins. So I mean, yeah, I mean I, I they were really busy, but I think I'd rather take and this is not a jab at you, I'd rather take what the Cowboys did than than what the Jags have done, which is just sitting wait, because I mean I don't know how much of an upgrade there really is, you know, with with Gabe Davis. I guess we'll see.
Speaker 1:I think Gabe Davis is going to be good. I think he's. I think he's going to be really. I mean, who were their? They lost Ridley, right, we'll get to that. So who did they have?
Speaker 2:That's really it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so they needed, and I think Gabe Davis can. Now he, if he gets double teamed, he doesn't have the height, or I mean he's athletic but he doesn't. He's not going to be able to go after those 50-50 balls, as well, as you know, other ones.
Speaker 2:So they're double teamed. He's a number two receiver.
Speaker 1:Yeah, but he's good. I mean he, he will help them. But I still think they need to draft a wide receiver one.
Speaker 2:Yes, but just at the sake of being a devil's advocate here. I love Trevor Lawrence. I mean, I even have a nickname for him, but he's no Josh Allen, and so Josh Allen makes those receivers better. I really believe that, and so Well, he can extend, plays right. Like on his feet and, and he's a monster.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and if not, he can just run. Now Trevor Lawrence tries to do that, but do you even remember last year when he rolled his ankle Cause his guy stepped on him? Yes, so they got to clean that up a little bit. But Jags, I'm giving, I don't, I think I'm going my first C.
Speaker 2:I got that's funny. That's exactly what.
Speaker 1:I, is that what you had?
Speaker 2:I have a C yeah.
Speaker 1:I mean it's just average. I mean they got a wide receiver one, but they lost their wet, like if he, if Gabe Davis was added with Ridley. Now you're talking better, right Cause they compliment each other, but you can't make Gabe Davis your number one and not have anybody else you got a little bit.
Speaker 2:They've got to get somebody in the draft now.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I mean free agency is a guarantee, right, like you're guaranteed to get this player. The draft is a gamble. It's always a gamble, so you're like, oh, we'll do this and we'll get this guy in the draft. Well, it doesn't always work that way, right?
Speaker 2:Exactly. That's why I think free agency is better. Well, and you have a known commodity in in free agency, right? Right, You've seen the guy perform against other NFL athletes. You're not guessing as to their performance, you know. Hey, this guy can play against some of the best corners in the league and do fine.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it'll be interesting. The draft is still that it's a dice roll.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it is. And then you have people switching last minute. You know you think, oh, the Eagles are behind me and we need the same guy. But they'll, you know, we don't know what they're doing. They'll trade up to get them right before you. It's just a gamble all the time. There is no rules, I feel like.
Speaker 2:Oh, and the bigger the secret, the bigger the reward.
Speaker 1:Yeah, all right, not a lot to do with the Raiders, they're touched on it, they got, they got the stash Menchu is going, but I mean the big name which I was like why is he going there? But then I saw his contract and I was like, okay, Christian Wilkins 110 million reasons 110 for Christian Wilkins. Like is is he worth that? I know he's good, but is he worth that?
Speaker 2:Well, once, once the Chris Jones deal got done, I think that kind of set the table right. Yeah, I mean, you know, technically I guess Aaron Donald started it and then we saw what he did today.
Speaker 1:So yeah, that's like I'm done. I can retire early.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I did my job.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:So now you know, you've got Christian Wilkins on one side and Max Crosby on the other. Holy cow.
Speaker 1:They've already painted his face on all the entrances of the Raiders. Yeah yeah, we're going to work this money off. No I mean great player. I just was shocked by that number Four years, 110 million. I mean leave it Miami for Vegas. I mean he's got some gambling money now.
Speaker 2:Yeah he's got a lot of it.
Speaker 1:And then Garner Minchu, though like there's no way they're rolling with him as a quarterback.
Speaker 2:Are they? No, I'm telling you, Las Vegas is where quarterbacks go to die.
Speaker 1:They really a lot of things go there to die.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you go on the desert, but.
Speaker 1:Devonte Adams cannot be like yes, let's roll with Minchu right.
Speaker 2:No, the Minchu mania is. It's not a thing, but that is not going to happen. I think that is a no connel. Is that the kid who played most of the year this year because of injury?
Speaker 1:Yeah, well, Garoppolo, and now he's got released. But remember he was even banned for the first couple of games.
Speaker 2:Yeah, the other, jimmy G.
Speaker 1:Other Jimmy G, not to be confused by you. Right, exactly, but I'm, I mean, I'm like flirting C minus to D, I don't even know if it's average. You're paying Christian Wilkins and you cannot make Minchu your quarterback and they paid him two year 25 mil.
Speaker 2:That's just stupid.
Speaker 1:So I mean, could we give out our first D? Is that where we're going with this?
Speaker 2:I've got a C minus certain down. But if you want to go as far as a D, the problem is, if you give the Raiders a D, you have to get the Cowboys an F.
Speaker 1:Okay, c minus it is. I don't like to give out Fs, right yeah?
Speaker 2:everybody, but I mean it's just bad.
Speaker 1:You got you overpaid, a backup quarterback. And then I mean, aren't you? If I'm the Raiders, I'm trying to make Devante Adams happy, and right now they're not at all.
Speaker 2:Oh no.
Speaker 1:So I don't understand what's going on there.
Speaker 2:Like we talked about earlier, how the bears are getting ready for the heir apparent to come in this franchise quarterback. The Raiders are not getting ready for anything.
Speaker 1:No, no, they are not. They just hosted the Super Bowl. I guess they're good for a couple of years.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean, I guess, if you get to host it with your division rival, that's a.
Speaker 1:I mean that should make you happy to win. Last team you have to win.
Speaker 2:The home locker room was painted chiefs colors, you know.
Speaker 1:God, that's so crazy. All right, chargers, Not a lot happening here, losing a lot. Only thing they got guest bus headed to chargers Cheap, Cheap, for very, very cheap and he's good. I mean I still think he's an RB2, but they'll find another running back, right. I mean they're losing Austin Eckler, which I don't mind. Austin Eckler kind of was on. I mean he's heard a lot. I mean, like you said, they're expendable, right. Like I just feel like we've seen the best of Austin Eckler. I hope so, since he's going to the commander, but I've just. I mean, he was somebody that you always picked in your fantasy and now he's just kind of been mediocre. He'll have his one crazy game, but that's really on the first and goal, like on the one yard line where he can just punch it in, but we don't see a lot of what he used to do anymore. Gus Edwards is fresh. He's an explosive player, but he's a lot like Tony Pollard. You can't give him every ball and expect to be successful, right.
Speaker 2:Yeah, no, he can't handle that workload. I don't think.
Speaker 1:Yeah. So they got him, but for cheap. I mean he's a great running back, he's experienced, he does good things, he is effective. You just you can't make him your RB one. And then they got tight end Will Disley, three-year 14 million cheap again. Not a huge fan of him, I just think he's kind of middle of the pack. Tight end he's not a difference maker for me.
Speaker 2:Not at all. I mean there's 20 of him in the draft this year, so yeah, I mean I don't.
Speaker 1:There's just a lot better tight ends out there. I mean he's not going to be anybody that I mean Jake Ferguson 10 times better than him. Do you agree with that?
Speaker 2:A million times better.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:He's a cowboy.
Speaker 1:So to me that wasn't a big trade. So I'm giving C minus again because I don't know what they're going to do with Gus. If he's an RB two, I'm okay with that move. And then the tight end. But they didn't do much and they got it cheap. I don't think they overpaid anything.
Speaker 2:So Well then, they released Mike Williams, I mean.
Speaker 1:Keenan Allen. Keenan Allen.
Speaker 2:Like they're going backwards. Just those two players Okay, we look at those just as equity.
Speaker 1:Like who do they?
Speaker 2:have left Mike Williams and Keenan Will Disley.
Speaker 1:And you have an amazing quarter. Like Herbert is good, Justin Herbert is good.
Speaker 2:Like he is very very good.
Speaker 1:I mean, I think he's an elite quarterback and should be placed with, like the Patrick Mahomes, the Joe Burroughs, like I think he is that talented but they don't give him any weapons to help him. So Chargers are losing. On who they lost, they didn't. If I'm just grading on what they gained, I'll give a C. But yes, and I feel like a lot of people are going to sell their jerseys this week from the Chargers and they were all excited because you know, harbol is coming in there. I think everyone got excited and now they're like what the heck is going on, but I could see Keenan Allen not meshing with Harbol. Yeah, do you agree with that statement?
Speaker 2:I do Harbol. Well, it's going to be an adjustment again, you know, because Harbol has been in college now for so long. Coming back to the pros, where you know and I know the NIL deal has changed the dynamics of college football a little bit, but they're still, at the end of the day, they're still student athletes and you know young kids and so it's going to be different when you know going with a bunch of grownups and you know using the same stick, if you will. Yeah, I agree it would be interesting to see.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so we're leaving them C, c minus.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:Miami not a lot. They picked up a lot of defensive players and they obviously got Jordan Poyer and they took my OU guy from Dallas, which makes me really sad Neville Gallimore on a one-year 1.7. Like that is under our two.
Speaker 2:It's under two, you could afford him.
Speaker 1:Like he was the only one, like he was good last year and Like the tears are the tears are streaming down my face again. I loved him. He was my OU guy. I just I saw him in a lot of the mix. He was he caused a lot, like he was the guy that was stopping the run.
Speaker 2:Very disruptive.
Speaker 1:yes, and Miami gets them for 1.7?.
Speaker 2:That alone pushes them up to a, b.
Speaker 1:Sorry, this button is just like on repeat, you know. So not a lot there, though they got their offense Miami, I mean, they didn't need much on offense, they loaded their defense. So I mean, we'll see what Mike Daniels or Ryan Dan, whatever his name is is going to do.
Speaker 2:We forgot to put this on here, but they did sign Johnny Smith tied in. Got him cheap, two years, 10 million. So oh, wow.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I didn't miss that one.
Speaker 1:They keep coming in. I'm like this is the one time I had to write everything down, because I'm like there is so much here and I'm like now confused on where people came from. But overall, I mean Miami, they didn't need a lot. They need a defensive help and that's where they went in the free agency. So they are on the right side of the ball on what they need help with and they got it for cheap. So I'm giving, I'm giving a B, yes, I'm giving a B. All right, vikings I mean Aaron Jones is the biggest for me, right? One year, seven million, seven million for this guy.
Speaker 2:It's more than two.
Speaker 1:But he, I mean Aaron, I love Aaron Jones, I mean he's going to be a fact. But Sam Darnold, one year 10 million, yeah, this is like another Raiders thing, like he is not going to be your quarterback and that's why Justin Jefferson is not signing a contract, Right.
Speaker 2:I don't blame him though, do you?
Speaker 1:No, I don't, but that's what I'm saying. This is where coaches like, hey, I need to keep Justin Jefferson happy, I bring in Aaron Jones, that's a plus. But then Sam Darnold, I mean, why not go after? I mean I would even take Justin Fields here. I think he would fit in good here.
Speaker 2:Well, maybe that's something we're going to see.
Speaker 1:Maybe, but they did get Green Nerd. I can never say his name. Four years, 76 million, which I still think the contract length is crazy. And then Van Ginkle he's not bad either, he's just good, yeah, from Miami. Two years 20 million. I like the two year, the four years crazy. But that's agents again. All right, making sure they're guys are taken care of.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and the only ones that should get four year deals are the younger quarterbacks.
Speaker 1:But Vikings need a lot of help and they didn't go the right way in taking a quarterback. And Sam Darnold, I mean he's a backup. Unfortunately, that's what he is.
Speaker 2:That's what he will continue to be, so you bring in.
Speaker 1:Aaron Jones, you got to get the job done and I think Viking, I mean, I really don't think Justin Jefferson plays If he doesn't get traded. I think he's not going to be happy.
Speaker 2:You think he'll just sit out?
Speaker 1:Yeah, he'll sit in the stands with Chris Jones, I guess.
Speaker 2:Oh my gosh. Well that worked out for him. He got a Super Bowl and got paid.
Speaker 1:I know, but they did pay him what he would want. He's just refusing. He wants to win. I don't think it's about the money for him.
Speaker 2:All right well the one thing we talked about. You know, I feel like there are three we'll call them elite quarterbacks in this draft and then we've got kind of the next three with the kid from Michigan, jj McCarthy, bo Nix, formerly of Auburn now.
Speaker 1:Jalen Daniels.
Speaker 2:Yeah, but you've got the three Caleb Williams, jalen Daniels and Drake May. But then you've got the next three and if you look, the Vikings are they're picking at 11.
Speaker 1:Oh, so they'll get one of them.
Speaker 2:Chicago doesn't need a quarterback because they're going to take them with the first pig.
Speaker 1:And they won't.
Speaker 2:Yeah on the O for pick on the Chargers. Have Herbert, they don't need anybody. Falcons just went all in on her cousins. So there's a better than good chance that the Vikings can pick up one of those next three quarterbacks. You know whether it's Bo Nix, or you know Michael Pennix Jr or JJ McCarthy.
Speaker 1:So that's true.
Speaker 2:It'll be interesting. Yeah Well, you just got to look. When you start looking at what they've done and the moves they've made, I mean you try to put yourself inside the head of that GM and go okay, what's he thinking? The only logical answer there is okay, they're thinking they're going to get one of those next three in the draft.
Speaker 1:So Right, I guess I mean. You look at that, sam Darnold is not the answer, I mean, and I still think they overpaid him. If they are considering him for a backup quarterback, so yeah, because I think those type of players they'll go anywhere, right, as long as they get a deal. So, I think you could have got them for cheaper. Okay, let's get to NFC.
Speaker 2:Oh boy.
Speaker 1:Eagles are winning this by far right.
Speaker 2:Oh my gosh yes.
Speaker 1:Let's just start naming it off. Linebacker Bryce Hough. Three year, 51 million. I mean Jett's best defender, craziness Saquon Barkley.
Speaker 2:I knew that made you cry.
Speaker 1:It really, really really did. I mean, I don't necessarily mind if they don't come to Dallas, I just need them to leave the division. And now he's going to the Eagles, where you have. And then they add Devonte Parker, wide receiver from New England for cheap, Chauncey Gardner Johnson, that hurt my heart for three years, you got a max deal.
Speaker 1:Matt Hennessey one year and then linebacker Zach Bonn. I mean they just they cleaned. How do they have this much money when you have AJ Brown and Jalen Hertz and Devonte Smith? Like where does it come from?
Speaker 2:Well, part of it. Remember Fletcher Cox and Jason Kelsey retired.
Speaker 1:That's true.
Speaker 2:That's true, so I bet that freed up some cap space for him.
Speaker 1:I know, Do you hear Jason Kelsey? He's like I kind of want to come back.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's too late.
Speaker 1:We can't afford you anymore.
Speaker 2:They, dallas, need the center.
Speaker 1:I'm not even I'll let you grade. I can't grade you can grade this one. I mean I can't, I just can't. I can't even give any nod to the angle.
Speaker 2:I mean, it's what they've done in the off season is an A.
Speaker 1:OK, well, I just agree to disagree. I know it's crazy and I mean we haven't even got to the commanders, so ugh. But only thing to talk about with the Steelers is Russell Wilson. One year, 1.2 million. I mean, who doesn't take him? I mean Denver is paying for you to have their quarterback.
Speaker 2:Yes, you're taking one for the team.
Speaker 1:Yeah right. And then they got the Queen. They got Patrick Queen 3 year, 41 million. That's kind of a crazy deal but I do like him. I mean he's a good linebacker but that was a good agent. Move on that contract.
Speaker 2:But look at, I mean the Steelers. They released Mitchell Bischy, released Punter, who cares, orca Four, mason Cole, keanu Neal and Patrick Peterson, oh, and Anne Allen, robinson II. So they released all those players and then they brought in Russ.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean I'm not impressed at Russ, but how do you not take that guy? I mean, he was only going to go somewhere where he's going to be a starter, right.
Speaker 2:I mean, that's just his meant.
Speaker 1:For 1.2,. I mean Denver. That was the craziest deal I've ever seen to have that much dead cap on a guy that you even benched right. I mean that contract. I mean we talk about agents. That one, definitely one agent of the year when they made that deal with Russell Wilson.
Speaker 2:He probably has the same agent as Kirk Cousins.
Speaker 1:But as Denver I don't know what some there must have been a fallout with him and Sean Payton, right? I mean, when you have that much debt, you've got to roll with them.
Speaker 1:I mean we're about to pay DAC, we're going to have to roll with them, but I mean you would rather. I mean that's why there has to be bad blood. You would rather leave. But I think, if I remember correctly, the saying was that Sean Payton said that you're either going to restructure your contract or you're going to be benched. Did you hear that?
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:And obviously he didn't, and obviously he was benched. Anyway yeah, so Steelers are they winning? What are you?
Speaker 2:grading. I think it's average. I think you know, if it weren't for the deal I mean getting Russell and the Chief like that one for 1.2, I still think you can't fault them. I mean, they did release a lot of veterans, so I still think they're rebuilding for sure. Yeah, you grade them at a, c.
Speaker 1:Yeah, because who are their wide receivers right now? Anybody?
Speaker 2:Well, they got rid of Deontay Johnson. Ok, did you just get an NFLcom alert?
Speaker 1:No. I'm being professional and keeping an on-do-not-disturbed.
Speaker 2:Because I'm thinking stuff's coming through while we're talking.
Speaker 1:That's true, that's true.
Speaker 2:What came through. Yeah, I mean I'm not looking at it. Oh, Because I'm being professional. We could talk about it after the talk.
Speaker 1:Ok, yeah, I mean they released a lot of people. They're in a rebuild. I guess it'll see how they are in the draft. I mean they didn't do much this year. They didn't add anybody. Russell Wilson, he's not going to make you Like. He's not a Patrick Mahomes that can win by himself. He has to have weapons. They don't have any right now. So unless they get some, I'm giving it a C. You're sticking with a C.
Speaker 1:I mean you can't not take Russell Wilson. You don't have a quarterback and you got him for pennies on the dime. So I don't mind that, patrick Queen, he's going to help you, but your defense was actually your strongest point, so I think that you should have went more offense on the free agency. But that was just me. Titans Tony Pollard.
Speaker 2:Yes, I'm not crying.
Speaker 1:You're crying. I did like Polly. I mean I had chance for him. You know Polly. Polly went a cracker Three years 20. I mean I'm glad he got paid. I think he's going to do good there. I just think we didn't utilize him right. But great move by the Titans. I mean that was a thing that they needed. They obviously were losing Derek Kennery. Now it's one of those things, though he's not going to be a Derek Kennery for you.
Speaker 2:Well, as long as they realize that you know, he yeah.
Speaker 1:Maybe they will, we just didn't figure it out. Calvin Ridley, though, that's the blockbuster for me 40 is 92 million.
Speaker 2:Huge, huge, that's good money.
Speaker 1:But Mason Rudolph has your quarterback.
Speaker 2:Another one on the cheap, though 2.8?.
Speaker 1:It is 2.8. But still, you don't have a quarterback right now.
Speaker 2:I mean they're not going to roll with Tana.
Speaker 1:Hill right no so.
Speaker 2:His ship has sailed there.
Speaker 1:That's what I'm saying. I mean, where are they in the draft pick? Do you know?
Speaker 2:Titans draft 7.
Speaker 1:Oh, so they'll get a quarterback.
Speaker 2:Yep.
Speaker 1:And then they got Cushion Berry. I like that guy, his center A Woozy, he was a cowboy. He's kind of been bounced around. I don't know if that's an upgrade there.
Speaker 2:Now, because they upgrade on the offensive side of the ball, we'll leave it at that, because they did sign Cushion Berry. I think he's an upgraded center and the guy's a stud.
Speaker 1:I do. I like Cushion Berry. I like his name too. I think they stayed static on the defensive side though they did, but they needed some help with the defense, you don't think?
Speaker 2:Yes, 100%, but I don't know that a Woozy is that guy?
Speaker 1:No, he's not. I wasn't a fan of him there. He's very foul prone. He has a lot of hold calls. He gets beat a lot with a deep ball. He tries to, and that's why I think he's bounced around and they paid him, so good for him.
Speaker 2:Yeah, welcome to the team Get your money dude.
Speaker 1:So Tony Pollard and Ridley makes me put them in. Cushion Berry gives a B.
Speaker 1:Yes solid B, solid B. All right, this is one also that I'm just going to read off. Who they got. This is the commanders, and then I will let you grade them, because it just it hurts my heart too much because they got majority of my Cowboys along with my defensive coordinator, doran's Armstrong, tyler Beaudis, which is insane to me that we let him go. Bobby Wagner, before I move on from this, does this just show you that Dan Quinn has been wanting this guy for a long time and he didn't have that control in Dallas? I mean, I've been hearing about Bobby Wagner coming to Dallas since Quinn got there. How does he?
Speaker 2:leave.
Speaker 1:Dallas and he goes to the commanders.
Speaker 2:And then all of a sudden, oh.
Speaker 1:Is that believing that the Cowboys don't give their coaches control?
Speaker 2:Yes, well, they don't. They don't have control.
Speaker 1:I mean, bobby Wagner would have been huge for the Cowboys last year, austin Eckler, marcus Marriota, but he's going to be a backup and I mean they're going to get. They're really high up, aren't they? Third, Second. Second yeah, they're really high up, dante Fowler Jr. And then they got the kicker from Jags, which I mean he's literally hit or miss, right. I mean he's not a stud kicker, but I mean they're cheap and they needed a kicker, so they signed. But go ahead, grade them, put me out of my misery.
Speaker 2:Just the hard part, and where I feel for you, though, is you've got Armstrong, beaudish and Dante Fowler three Cowboys Going to your rivals in the division.
Speaker 1:Yeah, with my defensive coordinator.
Speaker 2:Yes, exactly, but they made some strong moves with Bobby Wagner, with Austin Eckler. Marriotus, they're paying him back in money, so who cares?
Speaker 1:But yeah, that's why I didn't name him.
Speaker 2:They get an A, but they did trade everybody away.
Speaker 1:I mean, they literally were skin and bones right, Sure, so they had money to play with. And you did put I mean, Dan Quinn, people are going to follow him. That's just what it is.
Speaker 2:He's an excellent DC yeah.
Speaker 1:And so Cowboys couldn't pay these guys. It's just unfortunate, and Quinn knew it, so I kind of hate him for that right now.
Speaker 2:He knew our hands were tied, yeah, and he saw the riding on the wall.
Speaker 1:And he was like this is my only chance to get these guys and we need help. And that's what he did. So, all right, grade them. I'm going to close my ears, go ahead.
Speaker 2:Solid A.
Speaker 1:I didn't hear. Was that an F? Is that what you said?
Speaker 2:No, oh, ok, it wasn't an A, I know.
Speaker 1:And I know I'm jumping ahead of myself. But out of all these free agents this is the question I was going to leave you with. But who won?
Speaker 2:And I wrote on my notes sorry for the Cowboys fans but the two teams that, in my just looking at it on paper, that won this initial free agency signing are the Eagles and the commanders. Yes, yes, the two best grades we just gave are for those two teams. I know your division rivals.
Speaker 1:It is and you are sitting there watching all this happen and you are all in Like that's what drives me crazy. I mean we will finish. I think the only team we will be in our division this year is the Giants.
Speaker 2:And that's because Saquon's gone to Philadelphia.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and Giants didn't do much. I didn't even put them on there, right.
Speaker 2:No.
Speaker 1:So it's just ugh, I can't. This is where just my heart hurts. And it's still our year, though it's still our year, jimmy G.
Speaker 2:So that's the hard part is, if those two teams are the big winners, then who is the big loser in the free agency market right now?
Speaker 1:Well, Cowboys, I think, lost the most. I think Bill's lost a lot. Bill's lost a lot, but they still have their.
Speaker 2:They got Mitchell Trubisky though.
Speaker 1:We have holes everywhere.
Speaker 2:Yes, everywhere, and there's no way that we can fill it and we're not going to have anybody.
Speaker 1:I mean, I just don't know how we instead of all in it feels like a rebuild, like that's how I feel about it right now. Do you agree with?
Speaker 2:that I do. It's just it's hard to see it as a fire sale or a rebuild because they did, you know they did keep Micah, they did keep CD and you know I mean they're yeah.
Speaker 1:But we I mean we. If I'm the Cowboys right now and I'm hoping this is it I'm hoping they're trying to upgrade the lines, because if you don't have a good defensive line or offensive line, you're in trouble anyways. Right.
Speaker 2:You got to dominate one of them.
Speaker 1:So, and to tell you the truth, offensive line is where we're struggling the most. I mean we still have, and I don't know we could still pick Tyron Smith back up right, he hasn't gone anywhere.
Speaker 2:Nope, and the door is still open.
Speaker 1:He says it is still open and he does want to retire there and I know he's close to that, but still I don't mind losing him because we only have him for half the season anyways. So I would rather have, you know. But Nevin Galmar, I mean, we took him two years ago like he's still fresh and he was just hitting his prime and you let him go for 1.7 million.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's cheap. It's below your $2 million official.
Speaker 1:I'm really loving this button today. All right, so some honorable mentions. I just didn't want to like take. But out of all these, what do you think? Bills lost a lot, they only picked up quarterback Trubisky. Dallas definitely lost a lot. They did pick up Aaron Kendricks. I'm not even a huge fan of him. I think he's kind of passed his prime. The only thing I loved is that we stole him from San Francisco. He had already agreed to terms and then changed his mind. But that's our. You know, we did get our long snapper. We did resign, obviously Jordan Lewis, which just breaks my heart because I think Gilmore is gone. Gibson went from Washington, went to New England, so did Jacobi Brasette. Devin Singletary did go to the Giants, which I do. I don't think that's a bad deal.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Drew Locke went to the Giants. I mean he's going to be a backup for them, right?
Speaker 2:Yeah, who cares?
Speaker 1:But I mean they got. They got Danny Dimes, leonard Floyd went to San Francisco. That's huge for them. I like Leonard Floyd.
Speaker 2:Just bolstering that 49ers defense.
Speaker 1:Yeah, Buck Sine Baker and Mike Evans, so they're keeping that duo together. I'm happy Baker got paid. I think he was deserving.
Speaker 2:I'm a fan. I'm a fan?
Speaker 1:I am a fan too. Was it Arizona quarterback Desmond Ritter? Right, mm-hmm, he went, oh, he went to Arizona.
Speaker 2:I know why you liked Baker. I did just click.
Speaker 1:Oh, oh you. Well, I like him anyways, I don't think he was given a fair shot. I don't know. I think the Browns kind of screwed him over, don't?
Speaker 2:you? Yeah, I do, oh, and then Seahawks. This wasn't a good fit.
Speaker 1:Can we talk about Seahawks getting Howell for a fourth round pick? I mean, are we giving up on Gino?
Speaker 2:I think that's what we talked about earlier in the week, right?
Speaker 1:Yeah, but that's crazy. I don't know. I mean Sam Howell not trying to knock him, but Gino is definitely more athletic. I don't know. I just don't know how you make that trade when you have Gino there. I mean, what's that telling Gino?
Speaker 2:That we don't have faith in you anymore, I know that's crazy.
Speaker 1:I mean Seahawks are. They're struggling, right, New coach. I think they're going to be a hot mess, maybe worse than the Cowboys, so I'm excited about that.
Speaker 2:It'll detract from what's going on. Cowboys dumpster fire.
Speaker 1:It's like a little butterfly right Like watch the butterfly, Pay attention.
Speaker 2:Don't pay any attention to the man behind the curtain, all right.
Speaker 1:So out of those, what? Is there any anybody else that I missed? That surprised you.
Speaker 2:No, and I think we covered some of those other surprising ones that came down quickly, but obviously the most surprising being that Keenan Allen deal.
Speaker 1:but Keenan Allen was huge today and then Aaron Donald retiring. Congrats to him. I mean that's a huge loss for them, but I mean, wow, what a career. So I'm happy, go live your life, dude, you deserve it. Go hang out with Jason Kelsey.
Speaker 2:You guys can go to all the games together.
Speaker 1:Mike Vrable, right. Yes, I mean I'm so happy that's the. We talked about it. That's the mic I wanted in the Cowboys but it didn't get. But Browns are taking them home on as a consultant, which I mean he'll get picked up from a head coaching. I'm shocked he didn't get it this year, but I definitely think he will. He will be a head coach. I'm just happy he's staying in the game, right, I'm glad the Browns brought him on, which we could have done that. I'm so mad we could have done so many things. But let me leave you with this. All these free agency signs teams got better. Some teams did not. I mean, can you rely only on a draft and be a contender coming? I'm talking directly to a back to back Super Bowl champion.
Speaker 2:I think you can. You can develop and build from the draft, but no, you've got to have that core man. I think that's the philosophy that the Cowboys have tried to take is we'll just draft early out of it. And that goes with that comment that, Steven Jones, about being efficient, slash cheap. You still got to have those, those key positions filled with, you know, veteran talent or exceptional talent at that, you know, for that matter. But you know the ones that come out of the draft ready to play, you know, are the running backs, the wide receivers, yeah, those positions like offensive and defensive liners, those guys have to develop, they have to mature, they have to get their grown man muscles.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean it takes some time. It's an adjustment, right.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so you stick a guy that's coming out of college that left tackle, you're in trouble, right. Because, he hasn't seen week after week, he hasn't seen the guys as fast and as strong as he's about to see.
Speaker 1:So I mean, and I completely agree with that, and you know it's so sad because I am a huge Coway fan and I don't want to think that this is. You know, I ride or die with them, no matter what. I mean, obviously that's apparent. But it starts to make me wonder, like, do you go to the Cowboys to be a celebrity and go everywhere else to play football? Like that's kind of the mindset that I'm. I mean, dalton Schultz kind of threw it out there right when he left Dallas. He didn't realize, like he said, it felt like a zoo. When they're working out, people are knocking on the window. You know it's a, it's a business over there, I know it's a business everywhere. But they allow, they're all about ways to make money and I the brand.
Speaker 1:yes, the brand and that's what Jerry Jones and he's even been vocal. He's like good news or bad news as long as we're being talked about. You know that's money in my pocket. So I mean, free agency definitely was an insane week. I appreciate you coming on and discussing all this with me. I know there's more to come. Thanks for getting me through it. I got choked up a little bit. I got to use my button a lot today, so that was exciting. But the Cowboys, at the end of the day, they do draft well. I always think they draft well, except that that actually is my one.
Speaker 1:That's like the you know the understit, like what is that? Every occasional vow with the Y, but they do. I mean we got CD lamb, we got Micah Parsons. I mean, if we could pick up like a Jonathan Brooks, which he I think they said that, like the Cowboys doctor, is the one that did his surgery, so the Cowboys have the knowledge of how far along he is from his. I mean, if we got him, I would be happy with that. What's the other end? Trey Bensum, I think. But anyways, we'll just have to see how it falls out. But Cowboys are going to win this year Super Bowl, super Bowl 59.
Speaker 1:And we're just going to throw her but at the end of the day, Eagles did more than possible, but we're always the lowest in free agencies, but we usually make a couple of moves. I think I'm just nervous that we made zero moves Right. I mean we got our long separate. But anyways, thanks for coming on. I know there'll be a lot more to talk about, especially leading up to the draft, so hopefully you'll come back on and talk with me again about all this.
Speaker 2:Absolutely Anytime.
Speaker 1:All right, I appreciate you coming and that wraps it. I know this was a longer episode. Obviously we had a lot to cover. I appreciate you guys staying on staying with us Hope we gave you. If you guys ever want to, you know, call in, let me know topics that you would like me to discuss. It's always open. I will put my information when I release this podcast for you guys to email me Topics that you'd like to hear me discuss. But I appreciate you guys being on and we will be back because I'm sure there will be more breaking news. I want to thank my guest, jimmy, for being on the show and until next time your girl is signing off.