REAL TALK! with Doc and Marlon

Falcons Stun Rams w/ Mike in the OC

• Doc & Marlon

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We trade quick pleasantries, then tear into a wild NFL slate: Falcons stun the Rams, LA’s seeding gets murky, and small mistakes flip big games. We argue MVP, map the playoff paths we’d actually want, and press pause to fix the Lakers’ defense before turning to confident college picks and some pure hoops nostalgia.

• key wins and losses across christmas and saturday slates
• why the falcons beat a favored rams team
• stafford’s mvp case vs younger contenders
• chargers miscues, seeds, and preferred afc matchups
• bears belief with caleb williams and a rising defense
• tomlin’s future and rogers’ timeline
• week 18 leans and nfc south scenarios
• lakers’ defense issues and potential roster tweaks
• college football picks with trench play focus and bowl tradition talk
• all‑time nba starting fives, with family cameos

We want to wish everybody happy holidays and happy new year. We thank you for all the listeners, all the subscribers, everybody that’s supported the channel, that’s reached out to either myself or Doc to either be on the show or input on whatever it is


Welcome And Guest Introductions

SPEAKER_07

And welcome, welcome, welcome, everybody. It's another episode of Real Talk Doc. You doing all right today?

SPEAKER_04

Yes, I am, man. We got a special guest, one of my best friends on Sirius. Let's go. You can do the intro, brother. Absolutely, man.

SPEAKER_07

Mike, Mike in the OC joins us. You love him or you hate him. It's one of the two. You love him or you hate him. Most people hate him, but in hearing real talk, we love him. What's up, Mike? How you doing?

SPEAKER_01

I am I'm doing okay. And I think I thank you guys for the love. Hey, man. I need all the love I can in the world, right? What are you gonna do? That's right. Haters will hate, but it's no reason for that. Like Doc and I, we just have fun, talking sports all these years.

SPEAKER_04

That's all I need style, yeah. Well, welcome aboard, man. I mean they love you, man, because you're very interesting. Let's go. Absolutely. Okay.

NFL Week Recap Highlights

Rams At Falcons Deep Dive

SPEAKER_07

So so we we don't have much time. This is a happy holidays, Merry Christmas, happy new year to everybody. All of that. Uh, we don't have a ton of time in this episode, so we're gonna jump right into it. I'm going to go into my recap. Uh, and then at that point, we will dive into uh the games and we'll look into next week, talk about playoffs, and then Doc will finish up when talk about college. So, all right, so of course the Christmas game ratings probably didn't do as well as uh NFL thought they would. Uh no Jaden Daniels is there. Dallas took care of business against Washington, uh, Detroit, Minnesota. That's a horrible game. Uh Minnesota took care of business to take out the Lions. So that that game's done. No Patrick Mahomes in the night game. Denver, you almost thought Denver wanted to give Kansas City the game, but uh Denver took care of business. And then the Saturday games, they had two Saturday games. Um we'll get into my game a little bit later, but uh we had the uh we had every chance to do it. We didn't do it uh between the kicker and the uh tight end dropping passes, Gaston. But anyways, the Texans beat us. So there uh they clinched the playoffs Baltimore and Green Bay uh with no Jordan Love. Baltimore's good, and then they play this uh weekend uh for the uh the title uh for the AFC North um championship. And then some other notable games uh as we go down. Uh Pittsburgh lost. We everybody thought that Pittsburgh was gonna win that game, uh, but Pittsburgh uh Todor does okay. Pittsburgh drops a bomb on that one. Uh what else? What else? What else we got? Uh Jacksonville and uh Indianapolis. Jacksonville takes care of business there. Uh Philip Rivers, that's my guy always. He takes care of business, and then another notable game. Uh Carolina drops a bomb. You know, it's it's Carolina. And then but Philadelphia and Buffalo. That's probably the game that everybody was watching. Uh Philadelphia did nothing in the second half. Buffalo ended up uh uh going for that two-point conversion, which you know I understand why they did it, but it is what it is. We'll dive into that. Uh, but Philly ends up winning on that one and the Sunday night football game, uh, Chicago, that last second play, Caleb Williams does not connect uh on that pass, and San Francisco does win. But this is why we're here. This is why we're here. The Rams at Atlanta Falcons. Who nobody would have thought this. Nobody would have thought doc. I know you probably going into the game thinking, okay, well, it's my Falcons playing against this team right now that possibly couldn't make the Super Bowl. And they've been playing lights out. No Devontae Adams, but still, you still got Puka, you got Kyron, you have all these weapons on the Rams side, and you guys pull it out. So, Doc, I'm gonna go ahead and start with you. Congratulations on the win, a three-point win. Uh, you get you get you had two home games this year. I talked to you about this yesterday. You had two home, two home games on Monday Night Football, which is uh, you know, a little weird, but it's fine. But talk to talk to us about the game, talk to us about how you feel with your Falcons taking care of business against Mike and the OC's uh uh Rams. Go ahead.

SPEAKER_04

So totally shocked. And Mike will agree. I'm I'm I'm flummox, man. You know, where was this performance against the Jets or the Dolphins or getting shut out against the Panthers? I want Raheem Morris to get blown out, and I hope Arthur Blank does the right thing because there is some indiscretion relative to being a head coach of the pro football team. Raheem Morris is Mr. Bo. But yes, I'm extremely happy that we beat the Rams. You know, it's one of those things where, you know, we have the talent to do so. We have some people coming back like Drake London. I'm stunned that uh B. John Robinson, even though he's a superstar, went off the way he did against that great Ram defense with Jason Fair's uh uh Jared Verse. You had the linebacker Landman, you know, and it's one of those things where that's how special this guy is. And this is what we do, fellas. We beat Buffalo in week five or week six, whatever the case may be on a Monday night at home. And then we turn around and lose five in a row after that game, and then we uh, you know, we won last night. And this is our third victory in a row. So it's one of those things where, you know, you never know with this Falcons team. It's counted as the NFC South is atrocious, by the way. But getting back to the game, I thought the Rams were gonna win after uh Jared Burris had that black kick and showed off his wheels on a on a turn, uh, and then you threw a tie touchdown to Puka Nicole. Everybody knows how great he is. But Xavier Watts, and I want to get your take on this, Mike, because Xavier Watts is the rookie out of Notre Dame. And I think um my other safety, you had to pick six, you know, uh, it's one of those things where Xavier Watts being a rookie, he had two interceptions on Stafford. And then the pick six by my guy, you know, uh, he was a Cincinnati free agent. And I think that uh Stafford never throws three interceptions in a big spot. So I'll take it, Mike. You know, uh we sacked him four times, you know. I got some young linebackers, Jason James, Pierce Joe. You know, you guys know the draft, but it's the running game. It's the running game that did is to set up the play action pass with Kirk Cousin, who can't move. And it's the defense at the right spots, man. You know, he could start to run late. Kyle Algiers ran. They set up the field goal. And Mike, I'm sure you'll agree. It can't hurt you in going in the postseason because you are stuck at five or something like that. But it goes water, man. It's a signature victory, and we might keep Raheem or it's not a Falcon fans.

Rams Outlook And Seeding Scenarios

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, yeah. I mean, I always liked him anyhow. I know it's been up and down for you guys, Doc. But you know what, Doc, you sent me a take a depth or you sent a group text forward going, hey man, don't don't blow us out too much, Mike. And I said, no, don't worry. I these NFL Games guys, and you know, we lost to the Panthers. I mean, you saw how they handled us. You can't predict these things. But I'm telling you right now, and I told Russo, Chris Russo today, and I told, I'm telling you, this game, Doc, this performance was set up last week by that absolutely awful law to the Seahawks, one of the worst I've ever seen the Rams have. Up 16 with eight minutes and the ball, and they lost. And I'm telling you, the Rams were still hung over from that, still disillusioned, still shocked. And then they had to watch Seattle win and the Niners win, which wiped out any chance of the one seed for them. So all they're playing for is five or six, right? I think they just came out flat, and you guys came out strong, and you just took it to us. And we're just playing just both sides of the ball. You're right about Matt. I mean, it's unbelievable. Almost two pick sixes and a third interception, but then at the end he got it going, and we got it going at the end, and you're right, it got close to the first block, and the pickup was crazy. But we just couldn't get it done at the end. Even though at the end I thought there might have been a PI call that wasn't called a 2-2, but it didn't matter. You guys, Doc, you guys deserved a win. You guys played better. The Rams. It's been that kind of year for the Rams, guys. There's just been some terrible losses. You know, the Eagles game, the Niners game. We talked about the Seahawks game. This one came out. They've lost five games, Doc, by seven points or left.

SPEAKER_00

Wow. Right?

SPEAKER_01

So it's it's been one of those years where they've been they're they're considered a lot of people think they're the best team, but they just haven't been consistent for the whole year and a whole game. They just have lapses. And then missing Devontae's big now, right? You know, not having that that in the red zone. And then, you know, they're missing some guys on defense and guys in the straight on the offensive line. So it's catching up, and now they're where they are. They're gonna be they're gonna be five or six. If the Niners lose and they win next week, the Rams, they'll be the fifth seed. If the Niners win, then the Rams are going to Philadelphia. Either the Rams or the Niners are going to Philly next week.

SPEAKER_07

Which brings me which brings me to my next point, Mike. So how how are you feeling about next week? What do you think's gonna happen? What do you think you guys are gonna go? And and where's your confidence as far as if you were to go this place or if you were to get a home game, uh what do you what do you feel? What do you think is gonna happen?

SPEAKER_01

Well, they got Arizona next week, right? Finish the season, which usually Arizona, you know, they're not good over there. So they got to win that. I think they're gonna go out and try to win this game, try to finish strong at least, right? They've lost two in a row now. Two tough losses. So they're gonna try to win this thing. I think they're not gonna say it. They'd probably rather go play Doc the NFC South winner than Philly. Yeah, they've had their problems in Philly. I would have seen Philly again, though, just to kind of can we finally beat these guys? Because you don't have the last year in the playoffs. Game of the snow, Stafford crack rib down there at the 10-yard line almost to win it, and then Carter had the sack, but and then the game and Saquon Barkley went nuts against them, four touchdowns in two games. So I think they're not saying that, but they'd probably rather go play Carolina or Tampa or something like that. But what you know, at this point, go rego, just kind of finish strong, get things right, and it's gonna be on the road. So there's no home game here. So I think at this point, just finish strong and see what's gonna happen. They just, you know, they realize look, five or six, you know, not a tremendous, you're gonna be in the road regardless. It's gonna be a competitive game wherever they go. So you're just gonna try to finish strong and get in the playoffs, and get guys back.

SPEAKER_04

But it could it could be problematic with the lapses in reference to because, you know, Stafford is getting old and he's I wouldn't say he's prone to mistakes on that big anything but, but you are on a two-game losing streak. And I think McVeigh is pissed off that you have to pretty much blow out of Arizona to get your mantra back and get the respect nationally from uh the people and for your own locker room. Because two-game losing streak is a two-game losing streak. So good luck, brother. You know, I agree. You should play Carolina, you know, or something like that rather than go to Philly, even though Philly can't score to say that they come on firing Sirianni's ass in Philly. That's a rough crowd. You already know that. You know, they booed Santa Claus in 78. But that's neither here nor there. But go going forward for the sake of time. Good luck, brother. Go ahead, Marty.

SPEAKER_01

We'll see what happens. But you're right, guys. They gotta get the confidence back.

SPEAKER_05

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

They also booed Michael. Remember Michael Irvin's on the turf dock in Philly, and he was almost body out of paralyzed? And they were yelling at it, they were booing Urban. Yeah, they were booing. It's a crazy crowd. They had to jail underneath the bet the whole bit, but you know, we see how they did. How crazy it is there.

Chargers Frustrations And Playoff Matchups

SPEAKER_04

Yeah. Marlon, before you move on, there's several games, and I want to pick three that um this pass, and you did a brilliant job of recapping. But I'm sick and tired of Buffalo. You know, you lost at the crib again in the critical game. Now the Eagles can't score, but they did just enough winning 13 to 12. You know, and then uh you had out here the Charger game, you know, and then you had the Steeler and Cleveland games. These are the games that are must-wins for these teams going to the playoffs, man. I know you might want to get it off your chest, uh uh, Marlin. So go ahead. What the hell's going on with your coach?

SPEAKER_07

I'm gonna talk about it right now, man. It's it's we have one of the most accurate kickers in the National Football League. And for him to miss not only a field goal, but also two, missed an extra point. It's just ridiculous, man. And then on top of that, too, this this tight end uh Rondio, Alonio Gaston, whatever he is, from Sterakist. I gotta talk to Adam Stein about this. But for him to miss two, two crucial catches. One catch was on the two-yard line, which is when they got their interception when we're driving down uh when after after our defense just let go two bombs uh in the first quarter. And and we're marching down and he goes and lets that one go. And then there's another one where it's third down and he doesn't catch that one. He does catch a touchdown pass later down the road, but at that point it doesn't mean anything. So he is a rookie. I'm not gonna kill him too much, but still, come on, guy. You done took the you when you were the third tight end on the depth chart. You essentially moved up to be the the uh starting tight end, and and you can't do stuff like that. And then and on top of that, Dicker the kicker, he's been Dicker has been automatic for for years. And for him to miss if and I woulda, coulda, shoulda, I know, but for you to miss that field goal and then miss that extra point, it wasn't like it was the 50-yard field goal or or an extra point to where we got two penalties when we back to where it was a 40-yard field goal. So it was a very, very, very simple uh two uh kicks that he definitely should have made, and he didn't. So it is what it is, woulda, coulda, coulda. But I if I want to put blame on two players, Dicker and the tight end. Those two players could have done something. Now, the defense could have, of course, stopped them, but after they had those two long uh plays, they essentially did nothing for the rest of the game. But it is what it is. This could be a blessing for us because we're not starting our starters next week against the uh the Broncos, so we're just letting them go and get the one seed. It is what it is. We need the rest. So we will either go up against the Patriots, which I kind of want the Patriots. If you guys are asking me, I know you guys never asked me, but that's what I want. I want the Patriots, but then uh the Jags uh or the um either the the Steelers or the Baltimore. I kind of want to stay away from that just because they can be decent teams. But I if we drop down to seven, I'm okay with that. We go up to uh New England and we take care of business. So that that's what I want.

SPEAKER_04

So all right. Well, Mike, you know, that's a long dissertation by Marlin, but I just I agree with him wholeheartedly, man, because I love Urban. You gotta rest the guy. But Mike, you're Rams, man. You you did good on that, on your thoughts about what's going forward. But is Stafford your MVP, or are you gonna go with the kid May in New England in the second year? Right now, your call.

SPEAKER_01

This is the big debate, right? I'm gonna say is Matt's got what he's got. 42. I think it's 42 touchdowns, eight picks. Not a great, obviously terrible game in the game. I think May was at 32 and 8, maybe more than I'm still gonna go with Stafford. I mean, overall the year's been tremendous, and he's at 37. I know it's not supposed to be a career achievement award either, Doc, but let's face it. That's gonna go into the voters' minds too, how much this guy's given to the league over 17 years on those terrible Lions teams and how great he's been with LA. I still think he's gonna edge it out, unless something drastic happens this last weekend, but not even uh, you know, he's gonna play again, he's gonna play against the Cardinals, but I still see Stafford pulling it out overall. It's it's been a it's it's been a fan. He had games where he had no less than two touchdowns, like eight games in a row tonight. He's amazed. Listen, he's a great young quarterback. But then again, the Patriots schedule this year, you gotta admit, hasn't been strong.

SPEAKER_07

Yep.

SPEAKER_01

You know, they definitely had a weaker schedule because they were so bad last year. So Dak and then earned you. I'm sure it'll be a close vote. But um, you know, of course I'm gonna lean towards Stafford. I I think he's still gonna I think he's still gonna eke it out. But we'll we'll see how it goes.

Stafford vs May For MVP

SPEAKER_04

Yeah, that's a good response. Before we move on, fellas, we gotta give it up to the Chicago Bears. I forgot to mention their game against San Francisco. You can make the argument the last two weeks for the Bears have been some of the best entertainment NFL football we've seen in years. The previous week they won, you know, against the Packers in Soulja Field in a in a great game. And then this great game against San Francisco, man, the 49ers came out of no. They have a chance for the number one seed. I'm I'm I'm high on Caleb Williams, man, you know, in his second year. It's only his second year, and to me, he's got undue criticism. Your take, Mike and Marlon, on Caleb Williams and the Bears. How far can they go, man? I think he can make some damage with that defense with Jalen Johnson and Sweat. Your take on the Bears, fellas.

SPEAKER_07

Caleb, Caleb is uh one of those quarterbacks where, you know, he's polarizing. You love him, you hate him, he makes good throws, he makes bad throws. My my biggest fear is if somehow he gets matched up with uh a Rams team that comes in there and and Tom McVay is prepared, they're ready to go, offense, defense on all cylinders, they're ready. So he has a long career ready for him, but I don't know how he's gonna go up against that that Rams defense or uh if if he potentially goes up against, I don't know, the I don't I don't see him going up against the Niners. I don't see them falling that low to I don't know if they can't fall to number four or maybe even Green Bay. I would love that for them to have a matchup against Green Bay. That's gonna be his best matchup. Uh it's a divisional game, but him against Green Bay helps him get further along in the playoffs. But if he goes up against the Rams, potentially, or even the Seahawks, possibly, it's it's not gonna be a great matchup.

Caleb Williams And The Bears’ Ceiling

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, I thought you know, I thought Caleb, I mean, listen, he's got talent, and I thought Lasher's kind of undue criticism. The team wasn't very good, the coaching was terrible, and people are all over him. Like, oh my god. I mean, one year. I mean, these guys got no chance to develop back anymore. It's crazy. These guys come in there and just do everything. You go back to Aikman and all these guys, always they struggled their first year or two, you know, and here he is now they got a terrific coach. This was what coaching does, right? You got a heck of a coach in there with Johnson. They turn it around, and the Bears haven't had a good quarterback since you know, Jim McMahon. I gotta be look who they've had all these years. Grossman, Cutler, nobody. And now this guy comes in, and you see what he could do. He could scramble, he could throw it yet. Like Marlon says, some of those rows aren't great sometimes, but he's got a lot of moxie out there, right? He wants to come in. I think he's he's been terrific, and they're gonna be formidable. They definitely got a tough team. Now they haven't been here. You know, it's funny around the league. You got teams this year like the Patriots haven't been here in a while. The Bears haven't been here, right? Jackson, teams that are kind of new. Denver now, right? We got a lot of newer teams in the mix this year. Some of the traditional teams are, you know, Kansas City's out, right? So it's it's it's I it's I think it's wide open this year. If I just want to give a little, it's wide open for playoffs this year in both conferences. I gotta admit. It's like anybody could win. Maybe not the South Doc, but I mean the Rams, the Seahawks, the Niners, the Eagles, are gonna be tough. They're gonna be tough games. So, yeah, I should be surprised, I think.

SPEAKER_04

Well, before we turn it back to Marlon, Mike, I just gotta ask you, this last year, if Tomlin loses Saturday at Boston, is he out? Sometimes the voice is getting saying, What happens to Aaron Rodgers, Mike? Your call, real quick. Steelers.

SPEAKER_01

I yeah, I mean, you hear a lot about Tom. Look, he's got a heck of a career there. It's amazing how much criticizing this guy. The guy keeps winning every year. Yeah, that won Super Bowls all the time. But I think this could, if he does lose, doesn't make it, I could see him leaving. You hear the Giants might interest it. I could see that. I'd say I'm more prone to say he's gonna leave. And I think Rogers, I don't know, this guy, you know, it's kind of like LeBron. He keeps going on. Is he gonna hang it up, not hang it up? I'm leaning towards him hanging it up after this year, too, if they don't make it. How much more is he gonna do, Rogers? You can't really he's never gonna be as good as he was. The team jam will never be as good as he was at Green Bay. It's like when do you call it quits? And that's the toughest thing for these guys. When do you call it quits? And the quarterback, man, you know, one wrong hit, and you can really get hurt. So at this age, you're thinking he's kind of hanging up. And I think Stafford might be up that stage too. So I think I could I I could see Tom the leader.

SPEAKER_04

Well, if you if you ask me, I think DK Metcalf has killed that team because they should never lose to Cleveland. You got no names, Marlon and Mike trying to make big-time catches. DK Metcalf, you know, I I hope they forbid his 45 million. He did something stupid and it's killing that team. Aaron Rodgers has nobody. But go ahead, Marlon. I digress. Continue. Good job, Mike.

SPEAKER_07

Mike, Mike, I'm sticking, I'm sticking back on you, Mike. Talk to me about Phillip Rivers. I know you hate the Chargers. You hate our fan base. You hate this. Chargers have no idea.

SPEAKER_01

I would give Barbara a hard time about I give a hard time about the Chargers, Doc. He knows they should be in San Diego still, Doc. We all know they should be down in San Diego. The beautiful city, the great fans, and the standstrown, you know. It's just terrible. Yeah, but whatever. It is what it is. But you know, I I try to, I look at the, I don't, sometimes the charges, if they're gonna like, you know, here they are ascending, and then they take a step back. Then they go up, then they take a step down. And I keep waiting. Herbert's got all the ability in the world. The height, the arm, the you know, he can run it, but I keep waiting for more. Maybe it's unfair, but I think some games just aren't as good, but maybe that's the line, maybe it's lack of weapons, whatever. And they run in Harbaugh to win these kind of games, right? So win not, you know, they brought him in to beat the Texans or another loss earlier. Win these games, and that was not a good loss on, like you say, on was a Saturday. And the kicker thing, you never know in this league. We got Josh Carter at the Rams. He was terrible for a while. They had to get rid of him. Anything's just but I think the Chargers, I keep waiting for them. And Herbert's got a lot to prove, right? Because in the playoffs, it's been a little rough. So we'll we'll have to see how this plays out, you know.

SPEAKER_07

Now, now, Mike, now how about Rivers? Are you impressed with the quarterback that we've had for the past 30 years? Phillip Rivers. Are you impressed with him?

SPEAKER_01

I've always liked Phillip. By the way, I'm one of the ones that say he should be in the Hall of Fame. People, now he's not a Hall of Famer. Are you kidding? He put up great numbers. He played a long time. But what about the fact coming back this year, Martin? He must have been thrilled when you saw him coming back. The Colts. I mean, that was crazy. He came back. He sees as a funny guy, Philip, you know. He's a true original.

SPEAKER_07

I love him.

SPEAKER_01

But I've always I've always liked Phillip and his 10 kids and his whole life and his whole story. I think he's entertaining a tech, you know. I thought he'd be a broadcaster because I think he'd be great in the booth. But uh, yeah, I mean, I like Philip. I like Faust. I've liked your team, actually, Duffy's years. Even though I'm by Rams, I always like the Chargers, you know, gock back to Eric Coriel and all those guys joined for you.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah, Chuck Munsey. Oh man, John Jefferson.

SPEAKER_01

Oh boy. Jefferson, I'm like, man, but we'll see what happens, man. I wish you the best in the playoffs. Hopefully you can get a you know win or two there.

Rivers, Herbert, And Chargers Expectations

SPEAKER_07

Absolutely. Absolutely. So all right, so jumping into uh next weekend, uh the uh week 18. So the three games, and and I knew Doggy was going to go and kill the schedule because of what happened. Uh uh Carolina Talk, uh Seattle and San Francisco and then Baltimore and Fitzford. Who do you have one of Carolina Telf? Uh AFC. Uh well, AFC Talk. Well, yeah. Uh uh Seattle, San Francisco, and then uh AFC North, Baltimore and Pitbull. Who do you got winning these three games?

SPEAKER_04

Well, I I I I I got uh Tampa Bay taking care of business at home because you know I think Todd Bowles, he's had it near at the crib too. I think Baker Mayfield's gonna do just enough with Mike Evans and that defense, you know. Uh Devontae. Uh at Mekka Buka. Uh so I think Tampa will win a close one there. They can't let this one go, otherwise, Todd Bowles is out. Uh, I think the Steelers, I think the Steelers are gonna win because your boy is hurting Lamar, and I love Lamar, but I think that's too much of an injury. They might kiss him goodbye or Harbaugh. I just don't see Steelers losing in a big spot at home for the AFC North. You go back to Ray Lewis versus uh some of the great linebackers the Steelers had, Greg Lloyd and some of the other cats. And uh, you know, I think the Steelers are gonna handle business. It might be ugly, running game and all that, but they have to stop Derrick Henry, the horse, who went for four TDs and over 200 yards. I think they'll do that uh at home. And as far as the Seattle and 49ers, I think Seattle's gonna do it, man. I know Curdy's hot. And Mike, I think you know your division NC West. I think uh your boy Sam Donald, he's he's on a mission, man. You know, this is no joke. They got Kenneth Walker the third at running back. They got um Smith and Smith and Jigba, Charminet out of UCLA. So yeah, those three games right there are massive games. I mean for succeedings is obvious. But uh I I think out of all the three right there, I think Seattle and San Francisco hitch the list. And I think Seattle's gonna do it. You know, at home. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, I like I like yeah, if you want to start there, yeah, I like Seattle. I I don't know. I mean the Niners, it's kind of like everything's going their way this year, it seemed like. And I'll give them credit, you know, and you know me and the Niners.

SPEAKER_03

I I just can't stand the Niners.

Week 18 Picks And NFC South Math

SPEAKER_01

I mean, all these years Rams Niners, but the fact that they could win again at home field and then the Super Bowl for San Francisco or Santa Clara, I can't have it. I gotta have the Seahawks win. And Sam, listen, Doug, we know his career ever since you know grew up in San Clemente out here, and then he was the USC, of course, and everything that's happened to him. And I always root for him, except against the Rams. And he's had some problems against the Rams, and then he turned around that collapse on the Rams a couple weeks ago. But I hope he can do it. And Charbonnet's been great. Uh, you mentioned from UCLA, he's been terrific. So I see them winning. I see Tampa, yeah. I can see Tampa winning at home. And that's interesting, guys, because if Tampa wins, and I think I heard this right, Doc, if your Falcons win, right? You play the Saints?

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, we play the Saints.

SPEAKER_01

And the division would go to Carolina, I think.

SPEAKER_03

Yes, because after Carolina swept us. Yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

So you they need Atlanta to lose as well, Tampa. So there's a lot going on there. And that would be crazy in 8-19 getting in. But yeah.

SPEAKER_04

Well, you had that two years ago, if you remember, Mike, when uh uh I think it was the Seahawks, yeah. And that's when uh Marshawn Lynch went crazy, you know. But uh yeah, it goes loaded, man. You know, that's we don't want to help nobody out. That's right. But but the but they they the parents swept Atlanta, you know, and we're gonna win for our own purpose because we hate the Saints. That's good old-fashioned southern hate, but you know, uh, we can care less about either team. Graheemar is trying to save his job, you know. I just cannot forgive losing to the New York Jets, who's offensively challenged. Or or Miami. And Marlene, you agree that you never should lose to those two teams. Your boy and Miami got benched. We lost to a quarterback that got benched, fellas. Oh, yeah. So yeah, absolutely. You know, two of us, yeah. So go ahead. Absolutely. So yeah, Mike.

SPEAKER_01

Go ahead, Mike. No, I was gonna say, I know. You can't watch your guy, you guys can count on that team. You got some guys that could play for the Falcons, so it is kind of disappointing what's gone on this year. But you know, things just didn't go their way. Then I can see, I can see the Ravens. Derrick Henry, I mean, my God. I don't he's one of the dogs, he's one of the best we've seen. Now, where was he in some of these games, though? Why was he not on the field for Harab? Which I still haven't heard a good explanation. You saw what he did last week with a green day. I mean, I I can see I can see Baltimore just kind of pulling this one out. They kind of come out of nowhere, right? They had a terrible record. I know Lamar's not playing, but then again, like you said, what weapons does Rogers have out there? You know? That's right. So I can see the Ravens speaking that one out. You know, so that's one, two. Is that all road no two road teams and a home team with Tampa? But who knows? We could we could be all wrong on this stuff, and it could go the reverse.

SPEAKER_04

I just don't trust Harbaugh, man, because oh, two weeks ago, you know, Henry didn't see the rock at all. And he had already up to that point averaged 7.1 yards to carry. I don't trust Harbaugh. Now you're in Pittsburgh after a great game. You know, we'll see how that defense, you know, stops a little bit. Cameron Hay with a nose tackle. Their number one pick, Marlon, from Oregon. You know, I forget his name. He's huge. So they'll try to stop him and force the backup quarterback to play, you know, the throw. And I'm disappointed in Lamar Jackson. It sounds like he quit on the team. It might be legitimate injuries, but that style of play, Marlon, and Mike, that doesn't last long. You saw Cam do you saw Vick? So we'll see. You know, I'm taking Pittsburgh, so we differ there. Go ahead, Marlon.

SPEAKER_07

I agree. I agree. So, all right, uh, Mike, so before we uh let you go, we're gonna get into a little bit of basketball. Then Doc is gonna close out with some college. So uh how are you feeling about our Lakers? Uh we're right now 15, right now, 20 and 10. Uh, what are your thoughts on the uh Lakers right now as where we stand uh in the West?

SPEAKER_01

Well, listen, uh what I think the Lakers right now, don't uh guys, awful deep the defense and terrible. And that is the biggest thing. My son and I talk about all the time. Like, where's the defense on this team? They're giving up some huge games. And JJ ran the riot act the game before last, and then they beat the Kings the other night. But Austin Reeves now being out for a bit, you know, is obviously problematic. You know, he's he's been terrific this year, but I guess they kind of been better than I thought, you know, just trying to trying to figure out 41, by the way, happy birthday, LeBron. That's 41 today with uh Sandy Koufax and also Tiger Woods. 41 now. Doc, he's still doing reverse dumps. I mean, talk about a guy thought like you got it. This guy, you know, this year I thought too. I go, Mark, when he went down, when he was out early, right, with his injury, I go, is this it now? I don't know. This is probably it, right? And then he comes back, he's averaging 27 a game. I was like, when is this guy gonna be done exactly? I don't know. He keeps doing his thing, but they're good. I don't see any kind of title. I just don't see it. I still think OKC and some of the other teams are probably better, but I guess you know they'll be in the mix, but they they could probably use a little more defense somewhere, you know. So maybe you might see you might see some sort of trade, maybe repackage against kind of a bigger wing or something. But um, so far the record's been pretty decent, you know. I gotta admit, it's been pretty good.

SPEAKER_04

But we're trying off low Trey Young in Atlanta. So if you get him, send us somebody down here because he's gonna destroy.

Lakers Defense, LeBron Longevity, And West Race

SPEAKER_01

Oh, God, he'd love to be a Lakers. He was courtside a few years ago, I remember, chilling and wearing his glasses and hanging out in one of those games. But and pretty big of a player. But uh, yeah, I think the Lakers, I could see him maybe going something forward, you know. That's the thing about losing Anthony Davis, right? They just locked that guy in the middle. And DeAndre's been pretty good, but just sometimes they just lack the, especially at the guard position, right? Because Luca and Officer got great defenders, and you get in the middle, they're just done. Guys, oh yeah, and stuff. So they they definitely have some issues on defense. That's the biggest thing.

SPEAKER_04

The West is so deep, gentlemen, that uh you know, injuries. I mean you heard you heard Joker out for four weeks with a knee, and that's gonna kill Denver. And of course OKC keeps uh OKC keeps rolling along. I think they're gonna repeat again, but who knows? Injuries are a bitch. I never thought uh Joker could get hurt like that. Uh keeping eye on Houston, Durant's quietly putting the grab together a great year with uh Emithoker as a coach. So we'll see, man. That West is something else. The East, real quick, uh, all you got is the Knicks and Detroit, Kay Cunningham. You know, I like Brown, the coach of the Knicks. He's better than Thibodeau, uses his bench, Mike. But uh, other than that, you know, Philly ain't going nowhere in B. Atlanta's a joke. So we'll see in the East, you know, and and Giannis is out. I think he might have came back rebuilt. You don't take Milwaukee seriously. So it's all in the West, fellas. And good dialogue on the Lakers, Mike. Yeah, good job. Don't forget about the Spurs, Doc, too.

SPEAKER_01

They've been crushed. The Spurs could be one because they got, you know, one of the great talents you've ever seen out there in Victor. Right? He's 19 years old. Think about it, man. This guy's just gonna get better and better. Doc, I see Victor, I think a Kareem. I don't know, I see a young Kareem out there, young cat. Yeah, even though Freak came in the lake at 21-22. But the Spurs are tough. They're a tough team. Oh, they are nine, and yeah, they're good. They put it on the they put it on Oklahoma City twice, right?

SPEAKER_04

Oh, yeah, they did. They did. Yeah. Wemby on the 17. He reminds me, Marlon, of uh Ralph Sampson. But Ralph Sampson was 7-4, but he had to he didn't have the outside skill that Wendy has. That's a good point on your part. Yeah, and then you got other teams like Portland. So we'll see, man. Yeah, good dialogue.

SPEAKER_07

Okay, all right. We'll see where it goes. And and Mike, if you want to stay on for this, you're more than welcome to. But Doc, uh, the last thing I got for you is uh college football, man. We got the playoffs coming up. We have a game tomorrow, and we have three games uh coming up uh on the first, which is on Thursday. So uh we'll go ahead and start with that in order. So we go with the first game. Uh Miami uh is uh going up against Ohio State. Right on that, uh nine and a half on that one. So what are your thoughts and who wins?

SPEAKER_04

I love Miami's defensive line to get out to say in the quarterback for Ohio State. But Ohio State has too much, Mike and Marlin with the receivers Tate and Jeremiah Smith. Uh Carson Beck in a big spot, you know, he likes to turn the ball over, you know, and all that. Now they beat AM last week or the week before, whatever the case may be, but Beck under enormous pressure from the edge, from the edge rushers for Ohio State, who are all number one picks. And then you got uh, you know, the safety for Ohio State. He's an all-American, two-time all-American. So I I think that uh Ohio State's gonna handle business, you know, and they might even cover it, because like as I reference, you know, um Beck turns the ball over, ex-Georgia quarterback, so I know what I'm talking about in the big spot. So we'll see with that. And they have no running game to speak of at Miami, so it's all on Carson Beck. You know, they got some kid named Tony down there. It looks like Michael Irvin, Mike, but I I think Beck's gonna make some mistakes, you know.

SPEAKER_03

I guess I'll have to fit playman. That's right.

SPEAKER_07

Yeah, yeah. All right, Doc. Now now, Georgia, let's go, Doc. This is gonna be the the the night game, the nightcap game uh for New Year's Day. You're going up against the old miss, spread six and a half. Talk to me, Doc. How you feeling? How you feeling?

College Football Picks And Bowl Nostalgia

SPEAKER_04

I'm feeling good about this game because uh I think Gunnar Stockton hasn't been getting his due as a clutch performer, especially in the fourth quarter. You check out his numbers, he's in the 90 percentile, that's all that percentage. That's how we beat Tennessee, and that's how we beat uh Ole Miss earlier. But uh the kid, the kid for Ole Miss, he's dynamic, the quarterback. So I think we're gonna handle business. And you give Kirby Smart three or four weeks to prepare with Glenn Schumann, the defensive coordinator, and plus we're getting people back, Kobe Young, number eight. I think we're gonna cover that six and a half, man. Ole Miss is in trouble, you know, and and it's not because Lane Kiffin left and went to LSU. I just think George is just a better football team. Then we scored 17 points, Mike, in the fourth quarter in Athens two months ago. And it's a reason why we did that. Because we were Ole Miss down with our big defensive line and our big offensive line. So it begins in the trenches, you know. So there you go, right there. I think it's gonna be 38-17. Go ahead, Marley.

SPEAKER_07

Okay, all right. And uh, Mike, any thoughts on the those two games?

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, I think Ohio State, they're just they're just kind of a machine. You know, they're just they're they're like docks and they're just like team. And the Miami kind of pulled the upset, right? Last year today, and you thought they might lose that game, and they've kind of been up and down, but I can see them doing that. Yeah, Doc's George's game has been the best team the last how many years, Doc?

SPEAKER_04

You know, the last good five, six years, something like that.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, dominant team overall. You know, if you go year in, year out, you're always there. You won titles, you're right there for the title, Kirby's got it going. They they just got a whole thing going. And they go the SEC titles quarterback, yeah. You get another quarterback, I guess. That's embedded. Yeah, back, right? Different guys, you just plug new guys in. You know, that starts with recruiting, right?

SPEAKER_04

Yeah, it starts with recruiting. We get the five-star recruits, and then the coach who played at Georgia, so he ain't going nowhere through and through, and they love the system and the physical practice. But I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the Alabama versus Indiana, the Heisman trophy winner. Um, I think Indiana's gonna shock Bama. And I say that not because I'm a uh I hate Bama and is SEC River. I think Indiana's for real. How many times are we gonna say, well, Indiana doesn't have this, they don't have that, you know? They don't have the five-star recruit. They get on campus, pump iron, get stronger, Mike. You know, and then the kid Mendoza won the Heisman. Uh transferred from Cal. What the hell is story? I love I love Kurt Signetti, you know. And then as far as the other one, uh Texas Tech versus Oregon, I'm going with Dan Lanning's team, man, even though Texas Tech led by that linebacker Rodriguez, who won the Buckers Award morning. I think uh Dan Lanning's true with Dante Moore, a potential top pick in the NFL draft, if it was for Mendoza. Oregon has big boys, big Samoan kids. So I think Oregon's gonna do the number. And remember, Texas Tech's quarterback is just a freshman. So they may play great defense, but I think Oregon's gonna overwhelm them with their size and the running game and a receiver led by Dante Moore. People don't know who this kid is in Oregon at Pacific Northwest, Mike. But Moore's a real deal. I know him because he went to UCLA.

SPEAKER_01

You know I'm UCLA fan. So I know Dante, and he went one year there and he transferred. I'm glad he transferred because it was under Chip Kelly and everything, it was a mess. So he's he was the number one recruit to I come out of high school. He was that guy. Yeah, he was number one either amongst quarterbacks or he was that good coming out of the Michigan area. I don't know how UCLA even got him, but it wasn't good the first year. But he's kind of young and the system wasn't great, but he's been great. So I see Oregon winning that game, and I'm with you, Doc. Indiana. I mean, have you seen a turnaround like this in college football ever? Where this is one of the worst programs ever, Indiana, right? For years. And Sidnetti comes in there a few years. I mean, it's amazing what they've done. It's really something you don't usually see that, you know, in college sports where a team goes.

SPEAKER_04

Not like that, not at a basketball school. You know, 22 wins, Marlin, in two years. 22. And Kurt Sonetti was on the FPS level. So him to go to a D1 school to do that at a basketball. When you talk to Indiana, you think Bobby. You don't think football. Yeah. Undefeated college team. That's right. That's right. You know, Bobby Wilkinson, you know, and all that. Top Aberglassy. Top Aberley wasn't even a thought. His dad was young. Yeah, he didn't.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, yeah. But I think we think about the Bulldock, and you know, and you know, like we go back, right? We go back to the the old Bowl the packed end, the big ten, right? The orange bowl, you know, orange bowl at night, right? You're gonna have the great Nebraska versus Miami game back in the day, and uh guys from Miami, then the Rose Bowl is with SC or whoever, Washington and Michigan and Bo Shembuck or McKay. And these traditions are just gone now because of this playoff, right? It's like a stop. The Rose Bowl was the Rose Bowl. It was a two o'clock game, Marlon. That was the game. That's the game that drew people in California when they looked at the January 1st and saw the beautiful, you know, the beautiful mountains of the Rose Bowl in Southern California, and the sunny weather, like I'm gonna get out there. People were literally moved out here because they saw the weather. And um, and the fact now it's just kind of a that's what bothers me, Doc, about everything that's gone on now. It's not their tradition like it was, it's not the Orange Bowl, it's a playoff game at the Orange Bowl or a playoff game at the Rose Bowl. So that's something I've had a hard time getting used to. Then the whole conference readnament for the Pac-12 being gone to still piss me off to no end. You see the Big Ten, and it's a mess now. It's so different now with you know NIL and everything going on. And so it is what it is, but that that does kind of make me sad a little bit.

SPEAKER_04

The fact that well Marlon Mike makes a good point, Marlon, because you it was USC versus Michigan in the Rose Bowl, January 1. It seemed like every year, Ohio State versus USC back in the 70s, you know, both. He sure did, and was the MVP. He sure was.

SPEAKER_01

You know, huge game. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah. NIL is ruined it, and then you transfer for it. Now you see USC pull out of the Notre Dame thing. You know, it wasn't Notre Dame, but it was UFC. And I heard uh your boy uh Johnson, Keyshawn Johnson ripped the hierarchy. So they call some Palmer, you know, they ripped the hierarchy, Marlin, because this is rivalry, as Mike referenced, Notre Dame UFC. Uh so yeah, it's it's a lot different. It's a lot different. It's not our fathers or even us, where college football used to be. And and then Marlon, before we go, I I gotta say, this time of year is what I love. Who can forget the 83 Arms Bowl Mike with Schnellenberger, Tom Arnsborn? You know, you had Irving Fryer, you had Dean Steingler, Dave Remington going against that Miami team with uh Bernie Kozar, you know, and his receivers at the time. So yeah, and then you have Bosworth at Oklahoma in 85, you know, and and uh Jamel Holloway, and those Keith Jackson are tight end, you know, and so it's changed, Marlon, and we hate that. But it's the way of the world now in college football, the money talks, and unfortunately, some of these kids don't want to, they want to get the free lick, you know, so free feeling. So I agree with you, Mike. Totally agree. Good job on that.

SPEAKER_07

So one last question for you guys, and we get out of here. So, all right. So I'm going to ask you guys I uh I love to get history with you guys. So I'm gonna ask your your uh top five all-time. So if you guys are putting together starting five, your favorite players didn't have to be statistical players, your favorite players if you're putting a starting five one through five. I will go first just to show you guys how I would compare to the five that you guys would do. So, okay, so I'm gonna go uh of the point guard, I'm gonna go ahead and do uh Steph Curry. I'm going to do him. I wouldn't do Russell Westbrook, but I'll just I'll just do Steph Curry. Um Steph, I'll do Kobe, I will do Carmelo, uh, I'm going to do Kevin Durant, and I will do Chad. So Steph, Kobe, Mello, KG, and Shaq. That's that's that's my as just as far as favorite players, favorite players that you guys would want to do. Doc, I'll go ahead and start with you on this one. Who you got? Your favorite player, you're starting five of all time.

SPEAKER_04

Oh, yeah. Well, Magic's gonna be the point, obviously, and Jordan the two, and then I'm gonna go uh, you know, Bird at the three, big cap, even though I'm a Will guy at the five, and I'm a four, you know, I'm gonna go carone. And growing up in the ABA, Dr. J was my favorite in the ABA. That's all I know you're you're a little older than me, not much, but the ABA with Dr. J at that time. You can argue his best years was in the ABA. So to answer your question, real quick, I'm gonna go Magic at the point, Jordan at the two, Bird, and people forget, because I'm out here on the West Coast, they forget how good Bird really was. I don't care about LeBron. And four, I'm playing Carl Malone over Barkley, which is not favorite, and then I'm gonna go five with Big Cap. Big Cap, you know, you know, my wife said Tim Duncan, but uh you know, Will.

SPEAKER_03

Wait, wait, yeah, Isaac Lakers. I need it, I need to hear I need to hear, man. I need to hear her.

SPEAKER_07

Hey, Doc, Doc, if she's there, I need to see I need to hear her starting five.

SPEAKER_03

Oh yeah. I need to hear it.

SPEAKER_07

Who she got?

SPEAKER_03

Who she got?

SPEAKER_00

Okay, you don't have to point guard, okay magic, okay shooting guard. Kobe Kobe.

SPEAKER_07

Let's go.

SPEAKER_00

Um my three, my um small forward.

All‑Time NBA Starting Fives

SPEAKER_07

Take your time. Take your time.

SPEAKER_00

You know, I I really like I really like Dragon, but um Okay. I guess Larry Burr, Larry Burr, my foreword is um uh John K. Okay. And of course my center is uh Kat.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah. There you go.

SPEAKER_07

You know, hey Doc, I'm gonna just tell you right here. You know, you your daughter's been on the podcast. That's been one of my favorite episodes. Your wife has never been on the show. So this is this is by far, by default, my favorite episode that we've done.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

Well, if Doc was on vacation, he has some fillings in the family that could that could help him out. Yeah. Doc wants to take a knife. Doc wants to watch some old uh, you know, sixer highlights with uh McGee and Dr. J.

SPEAKER_05

Oh yeah.

SPEAKER_01

All right, all right, Mike, what do you got? Oh man. You know, it's funny we talk about the altar. It's always the best argument. It's in a who's number one, who's this, who's that. But but real quick, Doc is absolutely right. Dr. J in the ABA. They say that's the best basketball maybe ever played by anybody. He was so good, Marlon, in the ABA, but no one saw the games really. The dude was ridiculous. And we got the MPA. Oh my god, he's so incredible. Well, Marlon, I don't know how the heck, when you said step, I mean, I I'm kind of almost fell out of my chair. You've heard of Magic Johnson, right? And I know it's a little a little before your time, Marl, but Magic Johnson, my favorite athlete ever, Doc. You know that. I don't care what's Urban. I mean, I can't even tell you this time what a thrill it was to hear or see him with Chick on the mic, hear him see play every game all those years, just how exciting it was for the Lakers. But yeah, I got Magic and I got Kobe, and yeah, you could put Jordan. It's it's it's it's so it's so close, all these, right? Kareem in the middle. To me, Carey's still my to me, still Kareem's the best player. I don't care because he won so many dang titles, so many MVPs, the UCLA years, everything. You know, just unbelievable. Bird, definitely down in the front court. Bird, Bird was so good, and I hated him because of the Celtic thing, but he was a killer. He was an absolute killer out there, Marlon. He was so good. And if you're gonna go like power for now, I put Dr. J, but Dr. J and Bird kind of played the same. You know what I played like a power forward? How about Maurice Lucas doc? The old Portland Trailburgers, Big Mo, who played with Wal. Maurice Lucas. He was a great teammate for one of my favorites, Rust and Peter. The 77 Portland Trail player. Oh my god, he was such a great player, Marlin. I mean, there's so many guys though. You talked about Malone. There's so many great sports over the years. John Ken. You know, but all those guys.

SPEAKER_04

And I thought it twist is off the list. Huh? Yeah, worthy is on my uh, he might be on my third team because Sparkley was good at the four, you know. But I would call him alone. So we disagree on that. And I see I was taken aback by uh Steph Curry, but that's that's Marlon's player, though. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

Marlon's a great player, I'll give him credit. And Steph's definitely a top. I never thought he'd be a top 10. I thought how who's gonna who's gonna take off that top 10 list? Who's coming out? Like a Duncan, a Keen, or whoever will. But yeah, you gotta get what he's done, Doc, for the game. He's an unbelievable player. I mean, the shooting's like something who's never ever seen ever will. So I have no problem if you want to put don't forget about Isaiah Thomas, too, by the way. Yeah, that's a very good point.

SPEAKER_04

I was gonna bring that up. Yeah, another guy. Isaiah. But the bad boy did two rings. Yeah, the typical point guard, the first really pure 5'11 or shorter point guard. Because remember, uh, your boy Oscar Robinson was 6'5. He led the league of triple doubles his entire career. He was 6'5. So Isaiah. But but but I'll leave you with this. You guys forget about Will Chamberlain, man. I had to put Cap in there because he won in high school, college, and pro. But Will's numbers so sick, Marlon. Look him up.

SPEAKER_05

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04

Averaged 50 and 25 one year. He put 55 rebounds on Bill Russell. This is Bill Russell. I know he played so long ago, and I don't remember Will retiring in 73. I was 11. Mike, you remember him, but Will chambled his numbers.

unknown

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

I just walked by my first game in 70. I walk in out the port by Barentham Knight. I walked by Will, Jerry West, and Gail Goodrich.

unknown

Oh.

SPEAKER_01

I was like, are you kidding me? I had a program and everything, a media guy. Will Will was probably the greatest athlete we've seen come into the league. Will changed the whole game of basketball with his physical style. Just everything he could do. The dock goes at track in Kansas, and then later on he did teach volleyball. He was one of the kind, Will. On and off the court. Just absolutely just uh, you know, unbelievable.

SPEAKER_04

While I had to put him in there because when he was 50 years old, he used to have these games, pickup games from NBA players, and Magic swears that Will blocked every shot. He was sick, you know. And and and Coach Larry Brown was there and he he verified it. And let's not forget, man, he scored 100 points in a game in 62. That's 63 years later. That record will never be broken. You know, people said the 2,000 yards, OJ in 73, and some of the other records in sports, Wayne Gretzky, but nobody's scoring 100. Kobe Krane closed with 81, Martin. And he's still 19 points short. Still. Yeah. That's how dominant Wilt was. Yeah. Okay. So there you go.

SPEAKER_07

Hey, so I got my I got my wife right here, and uh she she's not gonna give a starting five, but just give one player. One of your favorite, she don't really watch sports, nothing like that, but just give one player. You can give a start of five if you want to, but player that one. Come on, your favorite player. You know, you know, you know, Mrs. Mr.

SPEAKER_01

Doc gave her gave her uh I need to get my wife on too, guys. I still have to do it.

SPEAKER_07

It's a holiday season and all that. So yeah, just just just what just give us one player. Okay, LeBron James.

SPEAKER_06

Okay, there you go. Okay, there you go. Okay, yeah, I got one.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah, it's a is it is it she from Boston, Marlon? I'm surprised she didn't say Mikhail or Paris or Bird. Oh, she don't know. She don't know. I know Birds.

SPEAKER_05

You know, Bird, okay, Chillsbird.

SPEAKER_07

I know that's a Chillosbird. Okay, all right, yeah.

SPEAKER_01

So yeah, and I and this is this is a pretty young too, Doc. Don't forget, this is a young crowd. So very this and this is a family affair.

SPEAKER_07

I know you guys are in your 90s, but this is a family affair because all of you guys have met my wife. So uh yeah, so this is a family. This is great. This is great. This is great, man. So, all right, guys. Well, hey, uh, I hope that and both of you guys' daughters are home, correct?

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, my daughter, she's home this week. She lives in LA. You know, she's in the you know, film production, entertainment kind of works for the tennis channel now. So yeah, she's doing great things. Uh so she's got a nice having her around, you know. So it's really, you know, we always miss her when she goes. And you guys have the same thing, right, Doc?

SPEAKER_04

Your daughter's yeah, my daughter's a senior at Cal Baptist University here in Riverside.

SPEAKER_00

She's gonna finish our down here.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah, she finished her first three years in Oregon, but she's gonna finish down here in Cal Baptist Riverside. So, yeah, it's a blessing to answer your question, Marlon. Yeah. So yeah, we're a bunch of old heads watching them get old, you know.

SPEAKER_07

I love it. Okay. Well, hey, what is it? Well, this was supposed to be a good 20-minute episode, turned into 50, 50, mid-50s. So uh if if that that's all I have to do.

SPEAKER_02

Oh, well, my last thing.

SPEAKER_07

One last thing. Top three favorite hosts for the radio show. Top three hosts. Mike, I'll start with you on this one. Top three top three hosts on Mad Dog? Uh with mad dog, uh 88, 80, whatever you got, 86, whatever you guys say, top, top three, top three. Go ahead. Then we're we're out of here.

SPEAKER_01

Top three on bad dog radio, you're saying. No, well, whatever.

SPEAKER_07

On serious, top, top three on serious. On serious, okay.

SPEAKER_01

Oh, serious? Yeah. Well, I'm just gonna go mad. I mean, listen, Chris Russo's the best ever it's ever done, as far as I'm concerned. There's nobody like Chris Russo. I mean, he's one of the kind, craziest ever. And we're gonna go our guy Shine. I mean, he's just so consistent, so great. Yeah, you know, great connection with everybody, loves you guys, everything about him. And that third one, you know what? Byrne is right there, but I'm gonna go my guy Patrick Maher. Because Patrick's really funny, very bright. Patrick Maher. He does funny things on the radio. I like the way he runs the show, so I'm gonna go Patrick. So those are my three guys. If I didn't choose three. I like it.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah, I agree with you. I I think uh uh Chris Russo's number one, and then because of the knowledge, he's way older than Adam. Adam Science a close 1A or two, but then I gotta go to the NFL channel with uh, you know, PK and Mills, you know, Pat Curran and uh, you know, Chris Miller and the NFL channel, XM88. Oh, yeah. Oregon quarterback, right? No, Chris Miller. No. Uh uh, no, that's uh Mills. I call him Mills. He went to Michigan State. You you're talking about Chris Miller, the ex-Falcon. His first name is um, I forget his first name. Jim Miller. Jim Miller. That's his next first name.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, you said Chris, okay.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah, my bad, my bad. Yeah, went flashback on you. 86,000 with Chris Miller out of Oregon. It's Jim Miller and Pat Curran is number three. So yeah, all serious. Uh Tom Burning, he's he you can say he's 3A or number four, you know, but those are my three, right? You I wouldn't be mad if you put Adam Shine first, but Chris Russo is a machine as far as history. Not saying that Adam Shine doesn't, fellas, but I I think Chris Russo has to be number one, you know. Yeah.

SPEAKER_06

I'm gonna I'm gonna go, I'm gonna do this.

SPEAKER_07

I'm gonna go Adam Shine. And then I'm gonna go uh Mike Babchek.

SPEAKER_02

Oh wow. Of course you get Babs in there. That's okay. Yeah, come on.

SPEAKER_07

Hey, hey, dog, dog, dog is all right, but you know, I'll I'll go Mike Babchek and then uh and I'm gonna go Steve Torrey.

SPEAKER_01

Oh wow. Okay, that's it. I miss I miss him on the radio. I really and I get it with Stephen A, but yeah, can we get squeeze Tori in there once a day or something? I mean, I'll I will say this.

Family Check‑Ins And Holiday Plans

SPEAKER_07

I I don't I don't mind Stephen A in one time slot, but he must have had some great uh agents that was able to plug him in to that next time slot and he he sold it as if, oh, I'm gonna just come on again. He'd never come on again.

SPEAKER_01

He doesn't come on again, though, so it's a repeat. Exactly.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, it's a repeat, yeah.

SPEAKER_01

So yeah. He's never been on back in his New York Right House. He's never been on.

SPEAKER_07

He's never been on. So I I'd still have to be good, but it but but anyways, guys, this has been amazing. Uh we will we will be back on next week into the new year. We want to wish everybody uh happy holidays and and happy new year. Uh we we thank you for all the listeners, all the subscribers, um, everybody that's that's supported the channel, that's reached out to either myself or doc to either be on the show or or input on whatever it is. So uh this has been great, Mike. You've been great. You've been of course.

SPEAKER_01

Well, let me let me just say about you guys. You guys are two of the greatest guys I've ever met in my life. I'm just gonna lay it on the line. You're two great men. First, you're incredible sports fans, but you're fantastic guys, fantastic dads, fantastic husbands. You're just fantastic guys. You know, I love it. I just thought so. It's always an honor to come on. I listen every week, regardless. Hey, my day, come on. I listen every week. I love what you guys bring. You guys have a great, great chemistry, you two, and you guys got great guests. I mean, yeah, outside from all the regulars, you got other guys where that come on are really good. So you guys do a great job with this. I wish you all the best in 2026, even even greater things.

SPEAKER_04

So you guys are God bless you, Mike. I appreciate that, brother. Thank you so much. Yeah, friend. Appreciate it.

SPEAKER_07

Absolutely. So all right. So hey, so Doc, I gotta ask you, what are you and Miss Melissa about to do right now? What are you guys getting ready to go get into?

SPEAKER_04

Well, we're gonna watch some NBA basketball on the fire stick, and she's got our crabs and other meat for her gumbo, her yearly gumbo thing on January 1. I love it. You know, and take it from there. Last year we went to Vegas on January 1. They brought in the new year. This year we're staying at home. When we stay at home, she does the gumbo thing. So, you know, we're we're gonna be chilling. Watching the game because she's an Alabama fan, Mike, so you know, pray for him because I think you're gonna lose. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

You guys got a lot of rather than Alabama and Georgia Freighter Now now Doc.

SPEAKER_07

Now Doc.

SPEAKER_02

You guys don't like any of the same teams, huh? You guys are always on opposite sides, right?

SPEAKER_04

With all you absolutely, man. And she she's up in age, she's 59. Oh, telling my wife, hey, but she remembers Kenny Saber. She remembers Kenny Saber from the 70s. Our shell. Yeah.

SPEAKER_06

That's right.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah.

SPEAKER_06

Now, now, Doc, are are you gonna be preparing any chitlins at all?

SPEAKER_04

No, no, we don't do chitlins. My aunt, she passed, she used to do the chitlin things, you know, even from the south. We don't do the chitlins, you know. She used to clean them and they stunk up the house, and they were good though. Hot sauce, but no, we're not doing that. My wife, no, she doesn't have to pace for that. Crabs, and that's it. Lobster, juggle, and all that. That's it. It's seafood.

Favorite Sirius Hosts And Closing Thanks

SPEAKER_07

And chitlins, the chitlins this thing, but hey, it is what it's what we did, you know. So, okay. That's all right. Yeah, well, Mike, well, I I do appreciate you for joining, my brother. And uh, Doc, uh, happy new year to you and your family. Glad that you and Mike are enjoying your daughters back home. And uh, I know uh in a few weeks they'll be going back off to school and back on to their own way. So, yeah, uh it's it's it's definitely been a great year. So happy new year to you guys, happy holidays and all that. So it's been great.

SPEAKER_04

Same here, Mike. Same here, Marlin. Thank you. Appreciate it. Peace.

SPEAKER_07

All right, we will catch you guys next week. Peace. Peace.

SPEAKER_02

Peace.