REAL TALK! with Doc and Marlon
Doc and Marlon bring you the best takes from all of sports. #REALTALK #THATSRIGHTBROTHA
REAL TALK! with Doc and Marlon
McIlroy's Masters win, NBA playoff predictions, and Bills / NFL draft & more with @CloverInTexas and @MikeFromOC
We dive into the Masters, NBA playoffs, and NFL draft prospects while welcoming guests to break down the Buffalo Bills' offseason and college football's changing landscape.
• Rory McIlroy finally captures his Masters victory after ten years of waiting, completing his career Grand Slam
• Lakers secure the third seed in the NBA Western Conference with strong late-season performance under JJ Redick
• Debate over whether Cleveland Cavaliers or Boston Celtics will emerge from the Eastern Conference playoffs
• In-depth analysis of all-time great NBA draft classes, with 1996 (Kobe, Iverson) and 1984 (Jordan, Olajuwon) receiving highest praise
• Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Padres identified as early MLB season standouts with potential to surprise
• Buffalo Bills assessment, including Joey Bosa acquisition and concerns about Josh Allen's running style
• NFL draft predictions focusing on team needs for Bills, Raiders, Saints, and Patriots
• Texas quarterback Arch Manning discussed as potential breakout college football star in the upcoming SEC season
• Discussion of UFL's struggles to find its footing in the spring football landscape
And welcome everybody to another another episode of Real Talk. Doc, you doing all right today.
Speaker 2:Yes, I am, I'm ready to rock and roll man. You know we got a guest on our second time, him being on Mike in the OC and welcome aboard, brother again.
Speaker 3:Doc. What an honor Marlon. What an honor Number two. Now listen, I'm assuming someone dropped out. But that's fine, I will take it. I told.
Speaker 3:Marlon, I'm here If he needs me. I'm hopping on. Got done with the pizza, the nice white pizza, little salad, we're set to go. Nice starting time out here. I'm always ready for you guys. I listen every week. You guys are doing a great job. Appreciate it. Yeah, you, and a nice starting time out here. So I'm always ready for you guys. I listen every week you guys are doing a great job.
Speaker 1:Great past the movie, appreciate it. Yeah, this was an episode I was getting ready to cancel on Doc in a heartbeat because I woke up at 3, had to get to work early to get some stuff done and all that. So Doc didn't know it, but I was getting ready to cancel on him. But I said you know what? But I say you know what, let's get it done. We're here, we have the playoffs going on, baseball's going golf, masters, everything. So we'll just go ahead and do it. All right. So we'll just go ahead and jump right into it. Doc, we're going to start with you. Mcilroy gets his Masters. What were your thoughts on the Masters leading into the last day? And?
Speaker 2:what were your thoughts on him finally winning one? Well, I thought he was going to blow it, man, because he blew it early, a little putt shot. But he came back strong and showed heart and gumption and made the thing happen. I'm happy for Rory McIlroy. I'm not the biggest golf fan, but I did turn over a few times during the NBA action and you know, god bless him, man. He came through in a clutch, you know, and he wasn't going to blow this second time. So you know, it's one of those things where that's an intricate game, it's a mental strain. Somewhere, especially in Augusta, some of the fairways are a little rough. You know, tiger mastered in some of the other guys Jack Nicholson but you know, props to Rory McGrady, man. I want to get that off Again. I'm not a big golfer, or do I watch golf that often, but I did have one eye on it, you know, yesterday, and then I switched back to NBA, of course. So props to Rory McGrady.
Speaker 1:Yeah, mike thoughts.
Speaker 3:Yeah, listen, you know. I was telling Shine today on Maddox. I said listen to me, there's, you know there's. It all comes down to the four tournaments, right, the majors, I mean and I'm a casual fan too, I'm not watching the you know, the 76 Unical Open and you know, wherever it is.
Speaker 3:I mean, I'm watching, I'll watch the majors, and it really comes down to the Masters and the US Open. The Masters is always one. I mean, the course, everything about it, the history, right. Doc mentioned Tiger, just how great he was and what he pulled there. And the thing with you know, rory right, what is this? The 17th try, I think. I heard he came there almost as a teen and it's just the fact that he hasn't won. He's come close and he was going for the right. He's going for the whole four majors and only five other golfers have done that.
Speaker 3:So for him to do it right. It's like for him to do it and how this happened, where he started off really poor and then kind of gave the lead back and had a great shot around the trees and then on the 18th where he missed the putt to win it. You know, and you're like, oh my goodness, now he's going to the playoffs. And I told my son, you know, and you're like, oh my goodness, now he's going to the playoffs. And I told my son, you know what? He can still do this stuff and he did that great. After Rose did a great job too, by the way, right, he did a great job. And after he hit that great shot, it rolled back and you just know he lined up for that. What two-footer, three-footer and he nailed it.
Speaker 1:You all the pressure's on him. There's nothing more pressure-packed than what he went through yesterday, and all the credit to him for pulling this out, absolutely when I thought about it, when I saw it, it was him and DeChambeau that was going into the last day. I definitely thought DeChambeau had a shot, but obviously he didn't have that.
Speaker 3:Yeah, he wasn't good, he wasn't good to watch and the other guy, and then there's another guy that was in the mix. It was really back and forth. It was kind of quite a day yesterday watching it. You know, just seeing all the back and forth action.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so definitely happy for him and for sure you know, we'll take a look at what goes on for the rest of the golf season. But McElroy, it seems like it was because he hadn't won in what was it like nine, ten years, something like that. So he hadn't. Yeah, he had, yeah, major right right, spent a long time. Yeah, he had, and won a big one, so all right. So now we have to uh what everybody kind of wants to uh hear. We're going to get into some mlb in a little bit, but we'll go ahead and go to the uh nba uh playoff start, I believe, in a couple days. So, um, mike, I'll go ahead and start with you on this. Real quick, mike, we don't have all day, but real quick. Thoughts on the Lakers.
Speaker 4:I've been warned here I've been warned. Let me get my question.
Speaker 1:Mike, let me get my question out. All right, thoughts on the Lakers getting the three seed and the outlook for the Lakers going on throughout the playoffs.
Speaker 3:Look for them to get the three seed is pretty darn good. You know, kind of considering kind of how this year has gone for them. Started out well, lagged in the middle, came on strong, luka LeBron got hurt, so they were in that what four or five mix so they could have been anywhere from the three seed down to the play and it was that close. You guys saw the teams that had the same number of losses there. You know pretty much the last what 10, 11 games. So for them to kind of get that done, you know, great win in Oklahoma city last week almost without enough Last Sunday was fantastic. It is buried Oklahoma city.
Speaker 3:They lost the Tuesday night game but that was pretty close. Luka got tossed out, he could have won that. And then they went to Dallas to stick here with business and Luka was. You know that was an incredible moment. But so for them to get the three and thanks to Golden State too for the ableism games down the stretch so for them to get the three is big because they got the home, obviously home court, and now that they play Minnesota, I think it's a good matchup for them.
Speaker 3:You know it's like Minnesota's still a good team, but I'm thinking they get by Minnesota, then they'll play the winner of Houston versus either Golden State or the Grizzlies. I think Golden State's going to win that game in the play. And so, yeah, I would not be shocked if we see a Lakers-Golden State second-round matchup there, but that's thinking ahead. I think the outlook you know what it's positive. I'm not saying they're going to win the whole thing, but they're in the mix. They're going to be a tough out with Luke and LeBron. Lebron at 40, still doing what he's doing it's absolutely amazing.
Speaker 2:It's absolutely amazing.
Speaker 3:And all the other guys are playing well too they're going to be formidable in this whole thing, All right Doc.
Speaker 2:Well, I'll tell you, man watching the Lakers with my wife she's a diehard Laker. You've got to give props to JJ Redick, man, he fixed his thing. You know, even after the trade, the Lakers had devastating losses at home to Chicago Bulls and some other teams. They were up and down, crushing defeats, you know, and especially the Bulls at home. I'll never forget that. And for him to turn that thing around and Austin Riley coming to play late. He had a great year, but late he really stepped in. He had 45 points one game when both LeBron and Luka was out.
Speaker 2:This team has chemistry, they have discipline. You know LeBron's got this thing going and Luka took Dallas to the finals last year. The Western Conference as a whole, gentlemen, is daunting, you know, and I know Mike said that Minnesota, I can see them winning in four or five games, but you can't overlook them. But here's the thing. Here's the thing, man Vanderbilt, you know. And to answer your question, martin, the guys, hashimura, you know. And the big center, the young cat, you know, dan, he showed up and Luka has a rapport with this cat in the middle. They traded for a center and it didn't work out and this cat opened up this game. His name escapes me, but you know, jackson Jackson. Yeah, so you know.
Speaker 2:To answer your question, man, it's the Lakers. They can make this long run, man, because they're battle-tested, and whenever you have veterans like Luka and LeBron, the sky's the limit. But you got to give JJ Redick power. I didn't like to hire a podcast guy. You know, they started off really slow, really bad, and then they picked it up, but then the Luka trade, and so you can see the discipline. So, yeah, I can see the Lakers doing the business here in the Western Conference, man. And we can't forget Austin Reeves. Are you kidding me? He's an excellent three. He might even be a two, and LeBron is a third option. So we'll see how it goes. I'm looking forward to that matchup.
Speaker 1:More likely to get Doc we're kicking it back to you More likely to get out of the first round the Rockets or the Clippers?
Speaker 2:I think that you know what.
Speaker 1:Now, as I say that, as I say that, as I say that, just know that the Warriors you know the Warriors could slide into that seven seed so we could be seeing Rockets Warriors. And of course you got the Clippers and Nuggets. But the Clippers haven't been playing that bad as of lately. Nuggets got a lot of drama going on over there in. Denver.
Speaker 2:I'm going to take the Rockets brother to answer your question, simply because Amy Adoka has those young cats going. Man, they're a two seed for a reason. You know, Jalen Green, they got those young cats and I just think that Emile Doku did a great job with Boston before he got blown out. I think Houston, with those young legs, they can run, they can shoot the threes and you know, they gave the Lakers fish the other night before the Lakers took over with their second team. So the Clippers, I just can't trust Harden in the postseason. Man, they look good in the regular season. What else is new? And then Harden blows up. Of course now they got, you know, quiet Leonard, but who says he's going to stay healthy in a big spot? And the Nuggets are. They are battle-tested, having won the thing two years ago, you can't count them out. So I'm going with thecy Quinn, I'm going with Houston. I mean, yeah, houston, come out.
Speaker 1:Mike, what do you think it's?
Speaker 4:tough right.
Speaker 3:That's close. Because Houston you talk about being battle-tested. I think about Houston they haven't been battle-tested. This is new and you know the NBA. You have to kind of pay your dues in the playoffs. You have to win a series, come back and win another series. So this is a whole new thing to them. But they're coached great. They're tough, very tough team. They're really scrappy out there. They gave the Lakers fits. You know that last game the Lakers pulled it out. So, depending who they play but let's say they play the Warriors hey, listen, you know, steph, and those guys are still, even though they've had terrible last few games, they're still going to be tough out. But the Clippers Denver I don't like the Clippers winning that series. I mean Denver. They got the home court and, like Doc said, they just won a couple years ago and Joker's still incredible. I see the Nuggets winning that series but, the Clippers.
Speaker 3:they played well, but it always seems like something always happened to them in the playoffs. This is the reason they're the team that has, out of all professional sports, they're the team that's gone the longest without even going to the finals. They've never been to the finals, so something along the way there's something gets hurt, there's some sort of disaster, there's a 3-1 lead, chris Pollack, blah, blah, blah. So I could see Houston having an advantage there to get by. But it's not going to be easy for either of those teams. All right.
Speaker 1:And Mike, we're going to kick it back over to you. I feel like the East is a little wide open. Obviously, you do have the Cavs. The Bucs are there. You've got to respect the Bucs. The Knicks have been very up and down this season and you've got to respect the Celtics. So just a simple question who's making it out? The East? 30 seconds.
Speaker 3:Celtics you know, once again. You know the defending champs. They've been a little up and down this year but they have the experience, you know. Like I say, they won it last year. They're still very deep, they're still tough. You know they're going to be tough in the series. They just know how to win these series. Cavs to me it's kind of like they're new at it, right, still new at it. So to get through and they lost to the Celtics last year. I wouldn't be completely shocked if they get to that point, but I'm still going to favor the Celtics coming out of the East.
Speaker 1:All right, doc, what do you got out of the East?
Speaker 2:Well, I'll tell you, mike, I respectfully got to disagree with you because even though they lost to the Celtics last, the Cavs have this thing going man Mobley, mitchell, they got the big man in the middle and it's one of those things where if you don't know pressure, you don't know pressure. You know they got the best record in the East and a lot of the youngsters on that particular team are learning from veterans like Donovan Mitchell. Unlike Houston, houston might not feel pressure because they're so young and they might be oblivious to this thing. That's why I pick Houston, but Cleveland. To answer your question, I'm taking Cleveland coming out, the East man. I just remember the 22-point comeback on the road late in Boston Garden and TD Garden and Cleveland came out on top. You know, I saw that game. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. There's something there that we're not giving credit to Cleveland and I just think that they remember last year and that this is their year on the East.
Speaker 1:Okay, all right. And then, mike, before we get out of here, you're Mm-hmm, I'm sorry, I got like five things. I got the NBA finals. I'm sorry, I'm trying to. I got to navigate through the whole episode. The NBA finals predictions who do you got?
Speaker 3:Finals predictions.
Speaker 1:Finals predictions.
Speaker 3:Who do you got before we get over to MLB, listen, listen for the Lakers, they're, they're one back now the Celtics, and don't have you know, for the Lakers, we always keep score, so why don't we go out of the limb and just kind of revisit? This matchup again, especially watching this great Celtic City doc I want to see oh, absolutely that.
Speaker 2:Great Celtics cities, doc, I want to see you get that. Oh, absolutely, I agree.
Speaker 3:That's been incredible. By the way, you know I'm going to say Lakers-Celtics. Why not Okay?
Speaker 2:Why not, if the?
Speaker 3:Lakers kind of get it together. You know, keep playing like they're doing. I can see it happening All right Doc, what do you?
Speaker 2:got. Yeah, I'm going with my preseason thing, man, that's a change. Okc and Cleveland, man, that's how I referenced it. I know they're a new team, remember. Okc is bad. They've been knocked out the past two years. I think SGA is going to do the number here in the West. And then, of course, I just mentioned Cleveland. Real quick, I want to give a shout-out to some of the games. On that pressure situation, how about those Clippers winning on the road in Golden State? The Jimmy Butler trade? It looks like his legs are dead, but that was a great game from a fan standpoint on the last day of the regular season on the road in San Francisco. So I do give the Clippers props there. Man Harden showed up big and all that. We'll see in the postseason how he performs, man, but you know I like that game yesterday. That was one of the games of the year yesterday, on the last day of the regular season, and you saw what Minnesota did, absolutely.
Speaker 4:Yeah.
Speaker 3:And what about this crazy stat guys? The Lakers have not played a game when it's home since 2012.
Speaker 2:Wow.
Speaker 3:Is that something to think about the Laker franchise? Because remember there was such a drought there you know, with how bad the team was in Kobe's last two years. And then the year they won was the COVID year, so they didn't play any home games, that's right. And then they've been in the playoff, so they haven't had a game won in 13 years, which is pretty remarkable for that franchise, yeah, yeah for that franchise.
Speaker 2:It's going to be good for them.
Speaker 1:One last thing before we get to MOB Mike, I'll start with you, and you've got to be quick, Mike. I didn't prepare you for this, but you've got to be quick. All right, let's do it If you look at some of the best draft classes in the NBA. If you can just think off the top of your head the top three best draft classes in the NBA who do you have Top three?
Speaker 3:Well, the 96 one, obviously right, that was the Kobe draft. And that was a hell of a draft and I can't escape all the other guys that were in that. That was a heck of a draft I love. Listen, I'm going to go back. I love the Magic draft. I like the 79 draft. I like Magic and all the guys that followed after him in that. One too Boy. A third one. Wow, that's a tough one. I'll just throw it out there. I'll say the 82 draft when.
Speaker 2:Big Game.
Speaker 3:James was drafted.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 3:Big Game.
Speaker 2:James.
Speaker 3:Is that incredible? The Lakers have the number one pick three years apart Magic and big game and that's incredible how they've got both of those.
Speaker 2:That's right, it was remarkable.
Speaker 3:But that's the whole franchise. That's that showtime where it's got to be.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 2:That's a good response, brother. I'm going to take the 82 draft. It was Terry Cummings and Jamesford and Dominique Wilkins. That's a great draft. You know, dominique, he was the third overall choice. But to answer your question, marlon, I'm going to take the 84th draft with Jordan Tambouli, barkley, lajuan, and then I'm going to say the 85th draft. When Ewing came out of Georgetown as the first pick and it's one of those things, that 85th draft was lit man, but the 96 draft with Colby and Kevin going there, you know, and there was a few other cats in there.
Speaker 4:Did.
Speaker 2:I ever see that one too. I believe no, iverson was the first pick in the draft. I don't think it was the first pick that year. I forget it might have been 97, 90. I forget. Yeah, I love your choices, especially the 82, a big game.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it was Iverson. Iverson was in there.
Speaker 2:Iverson was the first pick that year, so yeah, 96.
Speaker 3:He had a draft picture with Kobe and Iverson and all these other guys.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that was a great draft, man Iverson Canby.
Speaker 1:Stephon Marbury, Ray Allen.
Speaker 3:Wow, yeah, that's what I'm saying. All those guys are there.
Speaker 1:Paige Estavakovich, Steve Nash.
Speaker 2:Yeah, steve Nash, that might be at the top. Go ahead, mike.
Speaker 3:On that 82, one with Worthy. That was the Lakers' conundrum. Who do we one with Worthy? That was the Lakers' conundrum. Who do we draft Worthy or Cummings right?
Speaker 4:Yeah.
Speaker 3:Terry Cummings is a great player from the Pulse.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah.
Speaker 3:And they were kind of like split on it and of course the great Jerry West. You know we're going to pick Worthy, but the thing was and Terry ended up having like a heart condition.
Speaker 2:Yes, he did. Years later, years later, yes, he did.
Speaker 3:So it turned out James was the choice, but they almost traded worthy after the 84 finals because of that disaster for Mark McGuire and I believe Roy Charmanger was the number that I'm trading up so big game changes is an incredible you know that that was the choice. So it's not these choices you make, or even getting Kobe back. Then right it's. How did Jerry pull that one out for Vlade, the right for Kobe, those are some good ones.
Speaker 2:Those are some great ones.
Speaker 3:Those are some good ones right there.
Speaker 2:Good information there. Marlon, I swear Iverson was the first pick that year.
Speaker 1:And Ray.
Speaker 2:Allen, you might have to think about putting that to top Anytime. You have Jordan in that draft, remember, jordan should have been the first pick. Sam Bowie was All-american out of Kentucky. I think it's really a second year. Yeah, he broke his leg and wasn't the same. Him and Mel Turpin, the twin towers, you know Mel Turpin was number two, jordan was three, you know, then Barak Lee and a lot of them. So you know it's interesting.
Speaker 1:But yeah, continue all right, great question, perfect, all right. So let's hop over to MLB, because we got another guest to hop into, so all right. So if we look at over the al, mike, I'll ask you this out of the new york yankees, the detroit tigers, the la angels and the uh yeah, the la angels. All right. So who is the most impressive team thus far in the al the yan Yankees, tigers or the Angels? No bias.
Speaker 3:Well, first of all, I got to beg you, please never put LA in front of the Angels, as Doc knows that name change is horrific. We never say LA Angels. To me, they've always been the Angels. They're still the Californians to me. I've been with them since what? 1970? I hear what RD did there. So they're the angels of sweat licking them. But I tell you they've been impressive. I mean, the thing is, you know, for the angels, you know it's been terrible. We haven't been to playoffs since 14. The whole showy disaster leaving Trout's been hurt, you know, every year.
Speaker 1:But they're not the nice start.
Speaker 3:They won four of the first five series. They lost in Houston this week in two or three, but they're still in first place. So they've got some young guys over there. Kyron Parris could hit the ball. He had like five homers with four steals in the first ten games Never been done. You know Logan Ahop, he's a great catcher. Of course Trout's playing nice out there in right field. Joe Waddell the pitching has been horrible. So they've been a surprise. And the Yankees last year. But they got up. You know, fortunately for them they had to play the Dodgers to start the year, so they got swept out in the.
Speaker 3:Dodger Stadium, but they're going to be good too. But it ends up being a nice pleasant surprise. I don't think it's going to last, but we'll see. I'm going to take it for what it is now. I'm enjoying it, you know At least.
Speaker 2:I'm happy for you, mike, because you've been torn with this team, especially with the injuries. It seems like Mike Trout got his act together. Relative to injury freeze, he's put together real well. He had two bombs the other night and I watched the injury game late on a Saturday night. He had two bombs. If he hadn't got hurt you can argue he was the greatest player in the modern era man, because he started out with a house of fire. But then the devastating injuries to the calf, the rib, the shoulder, the back. If he could stay healthy he could put up 40 or 50. How many MVPs does he have? Three, look at that, marlon. An injury that derailed what should have been a Willie Mays-type career. I'm happy for you for that man.
Speaker 3:The crazy injuries he's had.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, as long as they got Judge and the Yankees. In fact, they won tonight and I think the Yankees will be all right in the ALEs. Baltimore's let me down and some of the other teams in that division Boston, toronto my braids beat Toronto, but Stanton should be coming back soon, so yeah, but the Angels, they're a team to be reckoned with. Orange County Good job.
Speaker 1:All right, and then, Doc, I'm going to go ahead and kick it back with you. We got the Mets, the Chicago Cubs and my San Diego Padres, so who is the most impressive team? Right now in the NL.
Speaker 2:I think the San Diego Padres have to give a nod. And I'm not saying because he owes me a show. I think Machado and Tatis have done it and your pitching has been more than unexpected. Carrying that team man and I think your team would be record, but you knew they were coming in, but to see a team up close, when the Braves came out here a couple of weeks ago, you shut us down back-to-back. That's pitching, you know, and I think San Diego in the long haul, thanks to the Dodgers flounding around a little bit, and I love the Cubbies, I love Champs Cubbies. But right now, to answer your question, I think San Diego Padres Right now is that team. They're the hit factor in the National League.
Speaker 1:Now, mike, right now is that team? They're the hit factor in the national league now. Now, mike, you love to talk about anything. San diego, you love to talk bad about them, whether it's the padres, the chargers, everything. So is this a time where you give you know, a southern california team? You know chargers are included in this. Do you give a southern cal, southern California team some love?
Speaker 3:Absolutely my thing with the Chargers. Get them back to San Diego. They're fine. I just ate them in LA, that's all I'm going to say. Get them back down south, please, but that's for another show. But the Padres, listen, you were that close to beating the Dodgers last year in the playoffs. Right, you had a lead on them. You could have beat them. It's an impressive team. It's a fun team.
Speaker 1:We got them two years ago.
Speaker 3:You could do it. You could do it again, you could do it. So I'm impressed with them. There's a chance this year this could be your year, possibly the Dodgers just kind of back-to-back hard. It's not easy to do, so maybe they're off to a very slow start. They're off to kind of a slower start LA. So I'm impressed. I'm impressed with what the Padres are doing and hoping Doc's Braves get together. You know it's been a rough start.
Speaker 3:That's just a rough start, but there's so many games, man, there's so many games, so it's a long season, so you just got to keep winning. Just got to put some series together, all right.
Speaker 1:Mike Well, hey, we appreciate you for joining. You got anything else for us before we get to our next guest?
Speaker 3:Listen, it's always fun being with you guys, anytime, any day of the week, any hour. Wake me up at 2 in the morning, I'll climb out of bed, tell my wife I've got a call to take. You know I can wake up and just start talking sports, you know, but talk on the phone, are you kidding me? I mean we could just ramble. It'd be like a telephone 24 hours straight just talking about that. Absolutely, absolutely, mike and I love it, thank you brother.
Speaker 2:You too. Yeah, before you go, mike, I got to ask you. The Rams got the 26th pick and I've done several mocks and I got you taking Matthew Golden, the wide receiver, out of Texas. And another mock I got you taking the big Alabama guard, tyler Booker, 6'3", 352s, out of Alabama. You know you've got to protect Stafford, but do you go receiver, since you lost your boy Texas, matthew Golden, or lose a bird in the third, or do you go offensive line Like Booker's massive? I watched the SEC. He's a real great up the middle.
Speaker 3:I love the line pick. Just because you're right, doc, we've got Devontae. Right Doc, we got to pick him and we got Devontae. Now, right, we got the great Devontae Adams.
Speaker 2:Good point, good point.
Speaker 3:So I would not mind that. But I wonder too and that's another short there I wonder if they're going to start looking to the future for a quarterback.
Speaker 3:You know, do they try to move on and get one of these guys? You know they're very creative and they're always trying to stay one step ahead, how they kind of work their team. It's just an impressive organization. So we'll see what they want to do. But big guard, not a problem because they've had injuries on the line. And you see, if we have injuries we're done because Stafford needs to be protected. But when they're healthy.
Speaker 3:It's a good deal for Stafford, so I like that pick. I'm looking forward to the Doc Mock. Oh, I like that pick, I'm looking forward to that to the Doc Mark.
Speaker 2:Oh, absolutely, absolutely, brother. Good response, man, that's it All right, great talking to you guys.
Speaker 3:You have a good rest of the show. Man Anytime Marlon, anytime Doc.
Speaker 2:All right man Appreciate you. Bless you, brother. We love you. We'll talk to you.
Speaker 3:Love you guys too. All right, all right. Talk to you later, bye-bye.
Speaker 1:And then our next guest joins us. None other. She's the biggest Bills fan, in my opinion. On Mad Dog Sports Radio Always calls Adam after every big win and big loss, something that I don't do. I'll never call after a loss, but Clover in Texas joins us. What's up, clover? How you doing.
Speaker 4:I'm doing great. Doc and Marlon, Great to talk to y'all.
Speaker 2:Thanks for having me on, absolutely, it's our pleasure. And you're very knowledgeable with all sports, especially your buffalo bills and texas longhorns. So, yes, let's do this, let's go all right it's so.
Speaker 1:Uh, josh shallon, I believe it was this offseason. He got a nice little extension. So I think everybody well, and me personally, I didn't know how it was going to be. You lose Gabe Davis, you lose Stephon Diggs, and I didn't know how he would respond and he had one of his best seasons that he's had as a starting quarterback for the Buffalo Bills. So what were your thoughts on the season prior and then, obviously, losing some weapons, and then the season that we just had passed, as far as your Bills, yeah, I mean, it was a great season, mvp season for Josh Allen.
Speaker 4:Surprisingly, like you mentioned those players that we lost, he didn't miss a beat. He actually, you know, stepped it up, stepped the game up and, would you believe, our leading receiver was a guy named Matt Collins. I don't know if you remember the name.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 4:But he wasn't expected to do much, but he ended up being the top receiver. Now he's gone. He's at the Patriots now with Stephon Diggs, which is pretty wild, but they said goodbye to him. I guess they said they can. You know, josh Allen's just going to be fine without him. You know you got your guy Josh Palmer, right from.
Speaker 1:Chargers.
Speaker 4:Yeah, yeah, feel some space. I think he's going to be good. He looks pretty solid. When I was watching some of your games it looked like he had pretty good hands, but you know who's the other guy you have?
Speaker 1:Quentin Johnston, I already know who you're talking about.
Speaker 4:I just didn't know if he just looked good because he was looking so bad. But yeah, I mean Allen had a great season. The division doesn't seem to be. I mean, I think the Patriots are getting better. They had a lot of money to spend. Obviously, brable coming in is going to be a big improvement. Miami they don't seem to be improving very much. They got a lot of uncertainty. And then the Jets also, you know, they look like they're kind of rebuilding. So I predict we're still going to be division winners again. I do, even though we've got a lot of holes to fill. But I think we got, you know, set at quarterback. Offensive line is all set, all signed. They're the ones that you know protected. Josh Allen all year created all those holes for James Cook. They did a great job. So I think you know, with that basis we got a good running start.
Speaker 2:Well, that's good, clover, and I got a couple of questions for you too, and I got to blurt them out. Are you in any way, shape or form, concerned with Josh Allen's running through 17 games, even though he won the MVP and is a big guy? Is there concern they're going for because he's not a spring chicken anymore, he's 27 or 28. And B, the James Cook thing is that a thing? Are you worried about James Cook? Is that a thing? And what's your take on Josh Allen wheeling back the reins? You don't want him to get beat up. You know those two things.
Speaker 4:Yeah, that's a great point. I think you know he's definitely still doing the running, but not as much as he passed. Like you said, he's getting older. We can't be having him out there getting hurt. I think James Cook certainly carried a big load. We had another rookie, carter.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 4:He was pretty good, he was pretty solid. And Ty Johnson, he's another veteran running back. So they fed them a lot. They fed them a lot and James Cook is definitely a key part of the offense.
Speaker 4:It does worry me that he is making all that noise about getting big money right, which I get it. You're running back, you got a short career, you want to get paid, but the thing is, you know, we got, like I mentioned, we got that great offensive line. They bring in another lineman on a lot of these running plays. They they got like six big guys creating holes. So I think the team, the personnel or the brass, they're like well, the reason why you're successful James Cook is because we have this great offensive line With those other guys I mentioned. They also have a lot of success.
Speaker 4:But he's a dynamic player. He catches it out of the backfield and he's got that speed. He doesn't block and he doesn't play on third down. So I don't get where this $15 million number comes from from him. But it's interesting also that he's the one making the Instagram posts talking about selling his house. He's been saying that where there's like five or six other guys that were eligible to resign, that were resigned to contract extensions and he was the only one that was eligible that didn't get signed and he's the only one making noise about money.
Speaker 4:So there is some uncertainty. I mean I don't see him holding out, but I mean you never know right. That seems to be the thing. We just saw that even in college, which was crazy. It could happen. But if he's not playing, that's a big deal.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, and I look at somebody that will be playing and it's kind of near and dear to my heart. He was the last standing San Diego Charger. You guys got him one year, $12.5 million. Joey Bosa is going to be $12.6 million. I'm sorry he's going to be on the defensive line for you guys and I definitely think he's going to be a great addition. I for sure thought he was going to end up with his brother in San Francisco, but they probably weren't trying to pay him as much money. It seems like they're going through a somewhat semi-rebuild restructure in San Francisco but the Bills were willing to pay him the money and you know 12.6 and kind of have a prove-it deal and to see what you got and figure out if they want to give you a bigger deal, and I think it's going to be great.
Speaker 1:I think that's in the defensive line. You guys, obviously. I know you know you guys give up a lot of points. You know you can't get after the quarterback slash. You know you're giving up big places, some receivers. So that's definitely the we thought receiver was where you guys needed the most help, but it's on the defensive line. Josh Allen's going to figure out a way to make plays, whether it's the tush push, which almost could possibly get banned soon in the near future, but we'll talk about that later. But yeah, I'm definitely happy for Joey and he landed on a great team and that's the thing. If one of my favorite players on my team leaves, I want him to go to a contender to get a ring, because, lord knows, we'll probably never get a ring. So your thoughts on Joey Bosa going to your team and what he's going to do for that defensive line?
Speaker 4:Well, yeah, I'm definitely excited about him, and hearing what you just said about him makes me even more excited to see him play.
Speaker 4:He's definitely a game wrecker. I guess the question with him was always the health, and I know the Bills do a lot of rotating, so I'm wondering if that's going to help him stay on the field more when they don't just expect him to play on every down, and then hopefully they can supplement the draft to also bring in some reinforcements, because I think that's the only thing that I hear from the fans Excited about the players. Obviously they make a big difference, especially when it comes to the Chiefs and getting after Patty Mahomes. That's our big wall we have not been able to get over in the playoffs. Can he be the one to make the difference? I'd say, just put him in bubble wrap to playoff. I mean, that's not really realistic, but I'm definitely excited about him and, like you said, he feels obviously that he can come here and get us to a ring. So he wouldn't just come out here for one ring if he didn't think he was going to be able to push us to that next level.
Speaker 4:So I think that's going to be really exciting to see him in the mix.
Speaker 2:Well, this is great dialogue, Marlon with Clover. The AFC East is kind of tricky, you know, year to year, and Buffalo has owned it the last two or three years. But it begs the question on the outside, looking in, like me and Marlon are, you know, dalton Kincaid underperformed last year and then the rookie from Florida State, clover, was some. I wouldn't call him a buzzer, he's just a rookie. But to me you need another guy and for my mock I got you taking Luther Burden III and then my other mock, jahar Barron, I think, out of Texas, the corner. Oh, your call on those two guys. Do you need a corner? Do you need Luther Burton, who I think he's going to be a great pro? Caught everything at Missouri. Your call between those two and what your needs are in that division.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I can go with Luther Burton. I love that. Out of Missouri. He's 6'2", 206 pounds. He's an explosive receiver. He's going to take the top off the defense for sure a lot of run after catch elusiveness.
Speaker 4:I like him a lot. I think he would be a great fit. I think we either got to think about someone like him. My dream pick for Texas would be Matthew Golden, but I don't see him being there. We take it 30. But yeah, luther Burton, he might be there. Yeah, jake, what did you? Lillian Jake Barron, the cornerback.
Speaker 2:Yeah, Barron, out of Texas the corner, yeah.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I mean I don't see him being there either. He's a stud. I mean he's a 4'3", 9' speed. You know he's a first-team All-American. Great, great career at Texas, really great. I mean, those guys, they played really great under our defense coordinator Pete Kikowsky. But yeah, they were definitely. You know well you know you saw the Georgia game. Those games were pretty tight, like more defense.
Speaker 2:That's right.
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 4:So I would love him too. But yeah, those are definitely two huge needs the quarterback position, because right now we just got the one guy on John Ablank we just re-signed him too, he's a stud and then we just have like a journeyman Dane Jackson guy on John Ablink we just re-signed him too, he's a stud and then we just have like a journeyman Dane Jackson on the other side, First-round pick from a couple years ago, kair Elam Benford that's the guy's name. I'm sorry, he's our cornerback. Kair Elam was a complete bust, right. I think they panicked. I think the Chiefs got McDuffie at cornerback and then they traded up ahead of us to get McDuffie, who's a star? You know he's a star.
Speaker 4:And then they took Elam and he didn't do anything. We just traded him to the Cowboys because never got anything out of him. So that's a big hole, that cornerback position to fill. So I like him and then I feel like because of that they haven't really knocked it out of the park, Like last year. You said Keon Coleman he was our first pick, he wasn't very productive. Kincaid was our first-round pick the year before. He hasn't really lived up to his draft status. So I love Barron, I love the other receiver, but I feel like they should just take the best player.
Speaker 4:I mean defensive tackle, which would be great. We need somebody. I hear you know Kenneth Grant a lot.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 4:I hear.
Speaker 2:Tyron Williams Massive.
Speaker 4:Yeah, we need someone big in there to pair up with Ed Oliver, because he's a smaller guy.
Speaker 2:Yes, he is.
Speaker 4:Yeah, we need. Who's the other guy, derek Hammond out of Oregon. I hear him a lot. Yeah, derek Hammond, correct, we need some beef up there to like, you know, at least put some pressure and you know stuff to the run. Okay, because sometimes we get carved up, like with Derrick Henry. You know Kyler Murray carved this up last year, so that would be good, you know, show up the defensive line. But yeah, we need all those. We need cornerbacks, wide receiver, I love and we need a safety as well. So yeah, I mean.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's a oh. I'll tell you, marlon, this is a gift. Clover knows her stuff man yeah. This Nick Imanamori out of South Carolina. He can fall. You know the draft is very tricky with people going skill positions. You mentioned safety and I love DeMar Hamlin. Your take on DeMar Hamlin. But if you get a safety, what happens to DeMar Hamlin? Do you see an upside there or he is what he is right now? Your take at safety.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I think that's the perfect way to say it. Demar Hamlin is what he is. He knows what he's supposed to do, he knows where he's supposed to do, he knows where he's supposed to be, but he's not going to beat you with any speed. I mean he's not going to chase people down. He's not fast, but he's very good. He's got good awareness. He'll seem like he gets a lot of interceptions. You'll see him there. He's like, oh, he knows coverage, but he's he's not fast and doesn't tackle very well. So we need to probably get some of these younger guys in here. Let me see I've got a list of those as well, because safety would be good. I've got so many wide receivers written down.
Speaker 4:Yeah, that's good, how about Makuba? Andrew Makuba out of Texas. He's a little hawking guy, that's good. Yeah, Like okay. How about Makuba? Andrew Makuba out of Texas. You know he's a little hawking guy.
Speaker 3:That's right.
Speaker 4:He may be there still in the round two, round three, you know he would be great Because, yeah, we need a younger guy. We got Taylor Rapp he's a veteran we have, and then we have Cole the rookie. We have a rookie and he's coming along, but it would be good to have, like you know, somebody else, because those you know, Taylor Rapp's not getting any younger, so yeah, safety would be good.
Speaker 4:Wide receiver Edge rusher I like this Landon Jackson out of Arkansas oh, I love him. Good point, Marlon, he's a player out of Arkansas. Marlon in rusher, he's like this Landon Jackson out of.
Speaker 2:Arkansas. Oh, I love him. Good point, marlon. He's a player out of Arkansas. Marlon in the SEC yeah, big guy. He's like Worcester Raiders, crosby and Raiders. Okay, you put them side to side. That's the comp right there. So good point on that, Clover yeah.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I think that would be some relief for both of us. You know, to keep him out of the play, I think he could just step right in. Even that's Nick Scouting too at A&M. He looks pretty good too. Those guys are probably like round two guys, but yeah, I like that. And then I hear a lot about this cornerback. Where is he from? Ut? San Antonio, is that right?
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 4:His name is Zah Frazier right. Right right 6'3", 186 pounds. He's a specimen. He might be like a fourth-round guy.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 4:But I was like cornerback that size, that's pretty good.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's male blunt size, you know 6'3", and it has that kind of speed. He's like a third or fourth round guy. That's very good. Clover on that, Marlon. With your blessing I got to get into Clover with the University of Texas.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, I was going there next. I love it, doc, let's go.
Speaker 2:Yeah, what are you expecting this year? Well, arch Manning, he's a big name. He waited two years. I'm surprised he didn't transfer with all this NIL thing. Or you look at the University of Tennessee. They lost their guy, but I want to see Arch. You know, this is Texas. Well, what do you, what is your expectation for Texas and particular Arch Manning?
Speaker 4:What is your expectation for Texas, in particular Arch Manning? Well, doc, you just brought it up perfectly because the kid is so impressive how he waited the two years. Like you said, I've heard from other people he should transfer because he's missing out on a lot of money, but he's got a good foundation with the family, cooper, the dad he's like. Sometimes you just have to earn it and sit and watch. I guess Arch would tell him it's hard to wait. He said you're going to be fine. So he's got a level head on his shoulders. So there's that. Then he's got the pedigree. And then he did play a couple games last year when Quinn Ewers was out for injury and he looked fantastic. What I was impressed with was the leadership and just how he scans the field. He had a couple chances to scramble. He started scrambling, then he saw an open guy, or maybe he just drew the defense. I mean there was kind of NFL-style poise there. It was great Bringing up the what's the guy's name? From Tennessee that just left Nico.
Speaker 2:Nico, I can't pronounce him. Yeah, yeah, okay, what a mess. What a mess. Go ahead.
Speaker 4:So from what I'm hearing is Arch is like commanding like $20 million in NIL money, if you can believe that. So I'm thinking that Nico guy was seeing that this guy is not. This is his first time being QB1, and he hasn't even done anything right. And Nico's looking at I took my team to the playoffs last year and I'm only getting $2 million this year. So I don't know, that might have something to do with it, but that's another element that makes all this very interesting.
Speaker 2:But you know I don't.
Speaker 4:And then the fact that if Arch is making that much money, I mean, why would he come out unless he's getting? If he's going to go to a good organization, right, Because you're not even going to make that much as a rookie in the NFL, right, Right, so he's really set himself up for a good situation. But yeah, I don't care about all that really, I just care about the quarterback play and I think you know we, obviously you know we played your team, Doc, twice last year.
Speaker 4:We lost twice. The quarterback play was a big part of the loss. It's frustrating, I know you know it's frustrating too, because you guys had kind of a similar situation.
Speaker 2:With.
Speaker 4:Alabama.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 4:Yeah, and so we're excited that you know we got Arch. He is the prototypical quarterback. I think he's going to lead. I think he's going to definitely lead us to a great record. I don't know if we're going to go to semifinals again, because we lost a lot of pieces. Matthew Golden, Isaiah Bond are leaving.
Speaker 2:Kelvin Banks to tackle yeah.
Speaker 4:Yeah, All these are barren. You just mentioned, so we'll see. Yeah, yeah, yeah, you know all these are there and you just mentioned, so we'll see. You know Stark is great at recruiting. But, yeah, definitely excited about Arch and you know, to see how it changes the whole landscape for these quarterbacks and Coach too.
Speaker 2:Well, Marlon, yeah, the fact that you guys joined the SEC makes it much more intriguing for the University of Texas. I just saw Earl Campbell on that football line thing. This is Texas, so the recruiting hotbed is there in the state of Texas. You guys had a freshman linebacker. That was a freshman All-American. I like him but, as you referenced, you've got to replace a couple of offensive linemen. I think the running back Blue is gone, as well as the other cat, and so you know you got a big recruit out of the state of Georgia, big defensive lineman Justin. I forget his last name, but he was a five-star. So I think Sark got this thing going. Marlon and Clovis, so I just had to ask about University of Texas, because this is Texas football. You take a backseat to nobody historically and present. So, yeah, good response 100%.
Speaker 1:I was getting ready to go there next, doc, so I appreciate you for taking it there. But all right, clover questions for you. I know you were watching some golf over the weekend. So thoughts on McElroy winning and I said it a little bit earlier in the episode I thought DeChambeau would have figured it out on that final day but didn't end up pulling it through and McIlroy ended up winning it all. So thoughts on McIlroy and the Masters weekend in general.
Speaker 4:Well, it was really great. You know, I always love watching the Masters. I always watch the Tiger, and so I haven't really been into it as much when Tiger's not in it. But I watched from Friday all through Sunday. It was amazing. Roy was on a heater up until you know, I don't know what hole he started falling apart. I couldn't believe it. He had like a four or five-stroke lead and you just couldn't believe it. He had like a four or five strip lead and you just couldn't believe it. And then justin rose I mean he was just hitting birdie after birdie after birdie and then, you know, he he really could have put it away earlier too. I think there was a chance from the eagle and it, you know, was a putt that I've seen him make a lot, so it was. It was just so impressive what they're doing. And then bryson, I mean, oh my goodness, I don't know like a lot of people made the point about how they don't play in louisville golf the four days yeah but so I don't know if that took a toll.
Speaker 4:Um, he said rory wasn't talking to him. I don't know if there was some kind of mental game going on, but he just totally fell apart. I was really surprised. It did seem like he would fall apart and he would also get it back together and then he'd fall apart again. Then, when it went to the playoff, I thought it was, oh my gosh, this is so exciting. But it ended up being just the one hole and I was glad Rory won because he's been waiting so long. But I just the Justin Rose's performance. I just thought, wow, like this guy, he did seem like he was going to win because he had finished so strong. But it was great, it was very exciting. You know, I don't watch golf other than the semesters. Maybe I'll watch US Open, right, because that's like Father's Day weekend, right, so it's kind of fun to have it on. And but for just you know, a casual fan boy, that was everything you could ask for. It was really great. What did you guys think?
Speaker 2:I was. You know, I was just watching. I'm not really a golf person, but it was intriguing that Rory McIlroy came back after blowing it late because there were some questions. It's been 10 years, as me and Molly discussed earlier. So I am happy for him. And he's what do they call it? He won four of the majors, the big things, so they call it something.
Speaker 4:Career Grand Slam, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:Grand Slams yeah, so that's good for him, but yeah, I had one eye on it in between. Turning to the NBA, you know. So, yeah, that's my thought on that NBA. Yeah, I got to ask you real quick before you go, and we love this dialogue with you Did you play sports in high school? You're very astute. Did you play? Were you a softball player? Did you golf?
Speaker 4:Did you run?
Speaker 2:track cross country what?
Speaker 4:I ran track. Yes, I was a sprinter. I'm 400 meters with my race and I played volleyball and basketball.
Speaker 2:Wow, that's great, that is great Athlete. Marlon Marlon ran track two.
Speaker 3:I'm the only one that didn't have wheels.
Speaker 2:Hey, good job on that. I knew, clover, you sound athletic, you know your stuff. What's your sport, though? Your track was basketball, or what.
Speaker 4:Well, the sport I love the most is football, but of course I never played that Right right. But yeah, I love track. My oldest son runs track and cross country. So, oh my God, I just live for his event. It's so much fun to go and watch him run and he just finished the season. Last week he finished with a 458 mile.
Speaker 1:I gotta brag a little bit personal bet, but mine will be opposite of that. Mine will be 854. That that sounds like, mama I couldn't even do that.
Speaker 4:Yeah, uh, yeah, it's a lot of fun, I like, I like the track and and uh, you know, traveling around for that um, but you know it's not a very popular sport. You know, as far as uh viewership like, mostly you'll see it like uh trials, olympic trials, the, the pre-fontaine classic that happens every year at um university of oregon, so that's kind of the big event but that's really. But then you know they have these other ones like diamond league. We see the sprinters like fred curly you don't know him and uh, who's the guy the 100 meters? He's a lot of. I'm trying to blank on his name.
Speaker 2:Right yeah.
Speaker 4:But yeah, that's why you don't even remember their names, because it's like they change so much. And then you have these young prospects that come up, like some of these 16, 17-year-olds, and then, like four years later, they're gone. So it's a you know, a different sport, right and but I like it.
Speaker 1:It's a different sport right, but I like it. My last question for you, clover, so I know you're a Mavs fan, so are you happy with Anthony Davis? And I'll say thank you for Luca, but are you happy? With what you got your return on investment.
Speaker 4:No, not at all. Like it's not even worth watching. Like because that's what luca was just made it so exciting. I mean, even the games you lost, you were still watching to the end, because you felt, even like you're down by 10 points, you would think, oh, you can just hit a couple threes and we're back in it. I don't even feel that way anymore. Who's going to carry the load now that he's gone and Anthony Davis isn't going to be it? Great defender, right, but certainly doesn't seem like an equal trade right.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:I don't understand it, but I mean people here are so upset, you know people here are just so upset about it all oh yeah, oh yeah, caskets around and fire Nico, and it's crazy, it's crazy.
Speaker 4:So I was at the game.
Speaker 1:I was at the game on Wednesday and it was a yeah, it was amazing Electric atmosphere. Yeah, it was pretty crazy so, but yeah, I can, so fun for you.
Speaker 4:Yeah, it was pretty crazy, but yeah, I can imagine.
Speaker 1:Yeah, Absolutely. But yeah, Clover, so you have anything else for us before we get you out of here.
Speaker 4:Well, okay. So what are y'all's top five picks for the draft? I'd be interested to hear who's going where.
Speaker 1:That's a Doc question and it's going to be interesting to see where he puts your door. Doc, you're up.
Speaker 2:Yeah yeah. I got Cam Ward going. One of the Titans. I got Abdul Carter going two to the Browns A generational edge rush to the opposite of Miles Garrett. The Giants I got them taking Travis Hunter. You know they need a marquee guy in the city of New York, a guy that can sell tickets. The Giants fans are pissed. And so I got him going three and number four the Patriots I got Ketoria McMillan to give Drake May a big weapon. He has a huge catch radius.
Speaker 2:This always surprises at the top five of each draft. He might be rated a little high, but this is my man. He wants to put a stamp on the Patriots. So I got him taking a big receiver, 6'5", a Mike Evans clone who runs a 4'4". And then number five, of course, is Jason Mason Graham, the big defensive tackle out of Michigan, an ex-wrestler. He's all about leverage and strength. This guy's an All-American for a reason, man, a two-time All-American. As far as Shadura, I got him going nine to the Saints. For some reason, my man, derek Carr, got hurt in the offseason. He might not even play at all this year. He's talking to hang it up.
Speaker 2:Man, they need something down in New Orleans A rabid fan base, the Cowboys. I got them taking a Marion Hampton. This random is a big franchise. They need a running back out of North Carolina Power guys. I got the Steelers Jenty Jenty's going to the Raiders at six.
Speaker 2:I got them going to the Raiders at six, my wife's Raiders, the Steelers, another team that has a big fan base, just random talk, jackson Dart. I got them staying with him and Jackson Dart will fall to them. And yeah, and of course we're able to discuss the Bills Luther Bird in the third. You know, before you go I want to give you my top three draft classes going back 40 years I think. The 83 draft Chloe and Marlon with the six quarterbacks, kelly, marino, elway, and then of course you had Tony Eason and Kenny O'Brien to the Jets, but you had Eric Dickinson at two. He went second overall out of SMU and Kurt Warner out of Penn State and you also had Darrell Green at. So the number two draft would be the 89 draft with Deion, but the first pick was Aikman, you know. And then you know Tony Manders. He had a solid career, but Deion, barry Sanders went three and Derek Thomas went four, but Deion went five. So four out of the top five picks were pro football Hall of Fame. That's a special draft right there. So 83, 89.
Speaker 2:And my last one before you go, I got to go 85. Bruce Smith, number one overall pick at a Virginia Tech. My Atlanta Falcons had the second pick, Clover Quick story. I thought we were going to get them, but the Bills at that time needed an edge rusher, so we ended up drafting the big pit tackle Bill Fralick and any time you have Jerry Rice 85. He was in that 85 draft. Jerry Rice was in that draft. Al Toon, you know, went to the chest. So those are my top three right there. But since we had you on, I had to put Bruce Smith in the 85, the top three, yeah.
Speaker 4:Yeah, so that's it, my first season with Bill Stanton. I saw him play. He was still doing great. That was his last season, like 99-2000.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 4:Seeing him up close I was like this guy has got these huge hands. It was amazing, oh my goodness. But wasn't there something about the Barry Sanders Deion draft? And Deion was kind of mocking Barry, was that in that show? Oh, I'm glad I didn't have to go to the Lions like Barry, oh yeah, he did say that.
Speaker 2:He did say that he didn't want to go to the Motor City because they were losers anyway, but at the time the coach needed a running back, they needed a guy. Remember Billy Sims got hurt in number 20, the original number 20. He got hurt after three or four years. So Deion wanted to go to Atlanta that was his kind of city deep south and he wore his chains. And I remember, like it was yesterday, wxia, channel 11, from the airport Fun time. But yeah, that's amazing, yeah.
Speaker 4:So he said the running back, like you said, dickerson went number two.
Speaker 2:Yeah in 83. In 83, yeah.
Speaker 4:But we're kind of getting back to that. We're talking about Gentry. I mean, you know he's having a six, but he could potentially go earlier.
Speaker 2:And that's really cool. Running backs are starting to get some higher picks. I agree Marlon had LaDainian Thomas for so many years, clover and Bijan Robinson is in Atlanta now. Remember Bijan was third in the league in Russian, behind the guy in Philly and then he had Big Boy in Baltimore. The running backs are coming back. Usually didn't take running backs this high just as little as five years ago. So yeah. But Eric Dickinson, man Hall of Famer. I wish he stayed with the Rams and I hope Mike and the OCs listen. He had a great career man but that offensive line for the Rams was tailor-made and I think the woman at the time Frontier blew him out of here. He wasn't getting that money. Jerry Curl, 4'3 Speed SMU Remember they had Craig James Marlon.
Speaker 4:Yes.
Speaker 2:They were the Pony Express. I'm a lot older than both of them. That was the team man.
Speaker 4:Drew McElhinney, they're coming back. Man SMU, they're looking legit, you know, for ACC team. Well, this is the first year they're in ACC, but they're exciting, they're exciting. Oh man, I know it's getting late. This is great dialogue, clover and Mara, I'm so happy to talk to you all about all this this is so much fun. Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 1:Of course. Hey, we will definitely get you back on Clover, of course, as it gets closer and closer to the NFL season Before we know it four months. I know you're into the UFL a little bit, but, yeah, I see your tweets, I know you're into it a little bit, but we got about four months until we're into the preseason, so and the Chargers are in dallas this year, so you better believe, yes, you better believe I will be there. So the schedule should be getting released.
Speaker 1:oh yes, oh yes uh the schedule should be getting released roughly, I think, in about maybe a month, uh, maybe a little less. Uh, shortly after draft. At that point I'll be getting my tickets going to SoFi. I'll try to see if I can go to three games this year.
Speaker 4:Wow, I hope it's not on Thanksgiving.
Speaker 1:No, the one time that the Chargers did come here was in Thanksgiving. My daughter, my first first born, was born a couple weeks prior to that. So my wife, my wife was not gonna tell me no, but she said, hey, if you want to go, you can go, but she's basically letting me know that. Do you want to spend your first holiday away from your, your, your daughter and, essentially, your new?
Speaker 4:family. I picked up what she was putting down, so I did not go. You're a smart man.
Speaker 1:Oh, but I wanted to go, so bad.
Speaker 4:I know you did, I know she knew that too.
Speaker 1:Exactly.
Speaker 4:It's on family with the TV is special too. It is.
Speaker 1:That's yeah, it's on. Family with the TV is special too, it is. It is, that's right, that's right, absolutely, clover we are Go ahead.
Speaker 4:Oh sorry, oh, I just think of that USL. My son is real into it. He likes those battle hawks and so it took him to that. We took him to the game last year, nice, we took him to the game last year Nice, and he played the Renegades and they played the old ballpark.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 4:And they're playing again this Saturday and he's like well, I'll just see if we want to go. That morning I said, okay, good call.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 4:But I'm not going to rearrange my day. Exactly On that game, because it's not a very good product.
Speaker 1:No, we'll just have it on tv and it's like, okay, you have it on tv, I don't know how long it's gonna last, and you got the rock. That's there, that's investing it and all that, but it's it's. The hard part is it's there's no great time to broadcast it. And you have baseball opening day that's late march. You still have hockey that's going on. You have MLB playoffs that's getting ready to happen and unfortunately, the draft is two weeks away and all people are thinking about is you know, I want to go to the draft, I want to watch the draft and you know there's not that many big players that play in it. That makes you want to go out and makes the average fan want to go out and watch and see it, and it's. It doesn't matter what big celebrity you put in front of it, it it just doesn't.
Speaker 4:As dog would say, it doesn't move the needle enough like last year, they started it like right after the nfl.
Speaker 1:Yes, and then this year.
Speaker 4:They started it later. Like you said, we're on the same time baseball and hockey playoffs, the whole playoff race. So I think they messed up with that. And then another thing he liked the Battle Hawks because AJ McCarron was playing there. You know he goes back and forth, he goes, I'll play the UFL, then I'll be the backup for the Bengals. He was like kind of a legit quarterback and then their coach kicked him to the curb. He's like he's too old. I'm like he could still like throw the ball accurately, unlike some of these other guys and read a defense.
Speaker 4:So I think they're doing it all wrong. They don't know what they're doing.
Speaker 1:Doc, last year they started it the week after the Super Bowl.
Speaker 4:And it was perfect, because you have year. They started it the week after the Super Bowl and it was perfect.
Speaker 1:Oh my, God, because they made it as if you did not miss a weekend of football, right right and you had it, and you had your finale or your Super Bowl in May, and then they basically let the Super Bowl breathe for about a month and then you have your season opener and the season's going to go through until, I think, it's like June, which, at that point, is too hot in certain cities to be playing outside, but you know, it's.
Speaker 4:I love it was hot yeah.
Speaker 1:And I love it went in May, yeah.
Speaker 4:I love the concept of it, but it's not going to work. Yeah, and those Houston games are brutal. I mean, I don't know if you've ever been down there. That heat hits different and I see people out there like passing out. Oh yeah, I don't see how anybody goes to those Houston games.
Speaker 2:Yeah, with pads on and all that. Yeah, I agree, it reminds me of the USFL in 83 when Hershey Walker and Mike Rozier and Doug Fruity and Jim Kelly you know they tried to make it look different from the NFL. I'm not into the USFL, but the USFL at that time in the early 80s. Hershey Walker was the lead guy and of course he was owned by Trump at the time the New Jersey Generals and we hated him losing his senior year at the University of Georgia to GoPro. So you know, when you hear you guys talk you just bring that memories of the USFL. Reggie White was in that league. Jim Kelly, wow, houston Gamblers. So yeah, good stuff, good stuff. Clover.
Speaker 4:Oh man, y'all the best. Thank you, doc and Marlon.
Speaker 1:Appreciate y'all the best. Thank you, doc marlon. Appreciate y'all, of course. All right, clover, we will get you on uh, like I, like I said, probably sometime after summer, closer to uh, the preseason and all that, and we'll get some preseason predictions and take a look at the bill schedule and I'll find a way to hit on josh somehow.
Speaker 4:So we will. I love it. Hope they'll be excited about our draft picks.
Speaker 2:Yeah, we'll do a draft recap at that time too, okay.
Speaker 1:There we go, all right. Well, we appreciate everybody listening and joining. We will catch you guys next time. Peace, peace, bye-bye.