Rice on the Mics
Welcome to "Rice on the Mics", where sports talk comes with no script, no filter, and just the right amount of chaos. Hosted by Ian Rice, this is the spot for real fans who love the game but aren’t afraid to call out the bad takes, blown calls, and overpaid benchwarmers. Whether it's a legendary performance, a brutal choke job, or your fantasy team crashing and burning, we’re here to break it down like it’s last call at the bar. No corporate PR spin, no forced debates—just unfiltered sports talk with passion, personality, and maybe a little trash talk along the way. If you’re looking for stats read off a teleprompter, you’re in the wrong place. But if you want bold opinions, real conversations, and the kind of debates that might get a drink thrown at you, pull up a mic and let’s go.
Rice on the Mics
Panic Buttons and Power Plays: When Baseball Teams Spiral
The New York sports landscape is in shambles, and we're here to break down every painful moment. The Yankees finally snapped their six-game losing streak, but Aaron Judge's cold spell has fans panicking as his average plummets from near-.400 to .366. Meanwhile, Anthony Volpe continues abandoning fundamentals in pursuit of power numbers when what the team desperately needs is consistency at shortstop.
Across town, the Mets' season hangs in the balance after dropping six straight games, including a gut-wrenching collapse in Atlanta that saw their division lead evaporate. Now facing a crucial 10-game stretch against Philadelphia and Atlanta, it's time for the team to show some killer instinct against legitimate contenders instead of just beating up on weaker competition.
The NBA Finals drama intensifies as Indiana refuses to go quietly, dominating Oklahoma City 108-91 in Game 6 to force a decisive Game 7. Former Knick Obi Toppin contributed 20 points off the bench while Pascal Siakam added a 16-and-13 double-double as the Pacers went on a stunning 68-32 run over 24 minutes to build a 31-point lead.
We examine CJ Mosley's retirement from the Jets after five Pro Bowl seasons as the emotional leader of their defense, while Baltimore continues building a potential juggernaut by adding cornerback Jair Alexander on a bargain one-year deal. Plus, we spotlight WNBA sensation Caitlyn Clark, whose fearless play and logo three-pointers are transforming women's basketball despite the physical punishment she's receiving from veterans.
Whether you're suffering through baseball's midseason slumps or anticipating football's return, we've got the honest, unfiltered analysis you need to survive these tumultuous times in sports. Follow us on Instagram @RiceOnTheRadio for mid-week updates and join the conversation about all things New York sports.
I guess there's only one way to find out. Let's do it to it right. Five, four, three, two, one, zero, all engines running, liftoff. We have a liftoff. All right, new York fans, follow my lead here. Let's take some deep, calming breaths. Everything is going to be okay. At least we hope so. The Mets are spiraling fast and the Yankees survived, but they couldn't hit water if they fell out of a boat right now. Oh, and the Knicks are still coachless too. Durant's playing a choose-your-own-adventure game and we've got some NBA and NFL rookies speeding their way into the headlines. But hey, look, look, look, listen.
Speaker 1:This week it ain't all doom and gloom. Huh, florida's turning into a hockey state. Go all doom and gloom. Huh, florida's turning into a hockey state, go figure, in a town called Sunshine. Kaitlyn Clark yes, some. Wnba is getting smacked around and still continues to disrespect her opponents, all while LeBron is trying to rewrite ring history, but not how you're thinking. Oh, and lest we forget, the Red Sox continuing to trade away yet another Yankee killer for a bag of baseballs. So much to cover this week. The chaos is here, the takes are ready and this mic is scorching hot.
Speaker 1:This is episode 18,. This is Rice on the Mics, let's get this thing going. Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed. There it is. There it is. I can feel you guys Do it with me. Find your zen. There it is. I can feel you guys Do it with me, find your zen, find your zero.
Speaker 1:Because these baseball teams, right now they are the definition of panic inducing. Look, it's a long season and everything's going to be all right. Right, tell me it's going to be all right. Well, I'm here to bring some things to light. So let's dive right into these Ajita-inducing teams. First off, yankee fans congrats. You scored some runs. It only took you 30 innings, three shutouts and about 1,000 prayers to the baseball gods. But hey, you did it. No, no, no, no, no, I'm only kidding. I'm only kidding.
Speaker 1:I'm not going to start this off with massive Yankee hate, but the Yankees finally snapped that brutal six-game skid thanks to some homers by Grisham and Goldschmidt going back to back and belly to belly, and all while getting a solid outing by rodan, even though he's, uh, still handing out homers like halloween candy at this point. But, and look, there were definitely some moments in that start of oh no, here comes the implosion. But he got the job done and the bats came through for him. But if we're being honest with ourselves, yankee fans, you know damn well that guy scares the shit out of you every time he makes a start, because you can either get seven innings scoreless or three and a third and four home runs. But the real problem has, uh, reared its head. You scored seven runs great.
Speaker 1:But it really illuminated the fact that we all know already that this offense lives and dies at the hands or the bat, I should say of Aaron Judge. And over these past eight games or so, judge has gone cold. He's gone two for 19. And, in Boone's words, he's expanding his strike zone, which Judge should know better by now to not do that he's striking out every five minutes. By doing that, he went from flirting with 400 on this season to now he's hitting like 366, I think, Look, is it panic time for Yankee fans?
Speaker 1:I don't know, but according to you guys, it might be Every week. Every Wednesday, I put out a poll of all the topics I'm going to cover here, and the slider poll that I put out on the story this week which, by the way, if you're listening should definitely participate in had over 40 votes and it was about 75%. Yes, it's panic time for Yankees offense. Listen, I love Judge and I can appreciate his game. You know real recognizes, real right, even as the Yankee hater I am.
Speaker 1:But some regression is hitting him harder than a 99-mile-per-hour fastball to the ass and, believe it or not, yankee fans were booing him, booing him, booing Aaron Judge. What a joke. This is what he does, though. This is what every player does. That's why it's called the back of the baseball card. You're just. You should be so lucky that when Judge does hit a little slump, it's like a Soto slump where, even though he's slumping, he's still hitting 290 with like four homers. Look, let's hope this isn't a long-term issue and he gets right back into the groove. But fans that thought he'd finished the year hitting 400 and going for another triple crown here, I don't know. I mean, I think it's time to come back down to earth a little bit.
Speaker 1:And speaking of the martian, see what I did there, just when you thought your lineup couldn't get any more confusing. Guess who's back Back again. Stanton's back, booney's friend, and Boone's playing musical chairs, again doing the lineup roulette all over. He's squeezing Ben Rice at catcher, trying to find spots for Dominguez Grisham Bellinger. Look, I've said it before on this podcast and I'll say it again Stanton coming back is a blessing and a curse. You love his bat in the lineup and you need his bat in the lineup Shit. He was the only one that got two hits during the Angel Series when no one else was doing anything. He got two hits during the Angel Series when no one else was doing anything.
Speaker 1:But it looks like the Yankees are falling back into their old ways of sacrificing defense to add some bats, and those bats ain't hitting anyway, so it looks way worse. That's the kind of move that really makes Yankee fans start to panic and have some flashbacks to the fifth inning of the World Series. I know the unspeakable inning, the unspeakable inning, but hey, man, you lost because of bad defense. And speaking of defensive troubles, I got to get on Anthony Volpe a little bit. Now, look, this isn't a complete rip job by me. I actually do like Volpe. He's a hometown kid. He grew up rooting for the Yankees and now he's on the main stage and he's playing the most important position, especially in Yankee land. But the kid hasn't done himself any favors.
Speaker 1:Look his rookie season. He runs into 20 homers, wins a gold glove. But now, three years later, he's thinking he's Aaron Judge Jr. Here's the reality. As a young, high-potential New York shortstop, I don't need you to be Texas A-Rod blasting 50 homers okay. What I need you to be is consistent. What I need out of my shortstop is I need you to hit like 270, 280, be a solid, speedy leadoff hitter scores like 100 to 120 runs on the year. Hitter scores like 100 to 120 runs on the year, maybe like 15 to 20 homers, a couple stolen bases and like ozzy smith level defense. I know that's a lot to ask, but you know just solid, solid defense.
Speaker 1:Volby's booting balls lately. I mean, look he should. He should take a look across town at Lindor and you can call it Mets bias. I don't really care. But even when Lindor is slumping or he has his usual April slow start, like he does every year, he's always flashing the leather. He's always winning games offensively and being a leader of men. Volpe's got to stop chasing the homers. Volpe's got to stop chasing the homers man. He's got to stop chasing Jeter. I mean, didi was a great player but he didn't stand a chance being the first person to take over shortstop after Jeter. Volpe's got to get out of his head, just play baseball and just make the damn plays and everything else will follow.
Speaker 1:Now you med fans, I'm sorry to make you guys wait, but a lot of drama in Yankeeville, but there's just as much drama in Medville too. We got to have a talk, lost six straight, including a gut punch loss in Atlanta. In the house of horrors that it is, soto hits that first inning home run thinking all right, all right, we, we're here, we're good. Truist Park, we, you know, we. We vanquished these demons last year when we sent them home in the playoffs or in the wild card, whatever the fucking game. 163, nope, big old collapse. Blow the 4-1 lead late, botch it in extras, don't bunt anybody over, just oh God. And then you set up the momentum for the rest of the series which led to you getting swept.
Speaker 1:And who gets blamed for it all? Soto, despite the fact that he was on base. You know, three times in one game, two times in another, hit a home run whatever. No, no, no. Soto blames Soto, not Alvarez, who makes a terrible error trying to steal a strike and then immediately follows it up with calling a bad pitch and then throws behind the runner on a chase down. I mean, that's literally stuff. And look, I'm sure he feels bad about it, but barely anyone threw any blame at him. Everything was directed at Soto and Lindor, like the captain he is, says he's got to be better leading off. But like, come on guys, come on fans, we're better than that and we've got to be smarter than that. We've got to know the game better than that. Oh, and the Mets lead in the division. Yeah, that's gone.
Speaker 1:Get swept by the Rays. And then you give life back to Atlanta and you got swept by them too. Now you come home to play Philly tied at the division, and look, you played great at home, no doubt, but Philly is breathing down your neck. They're not even breathing down your neck, they're in your kitchen right now. They smell blood. And oh, just a nice warm welcoming when you get back to Citi Field, wheeler right away. So this could quickly turn into a seven-game losing streak. Oh, and then, after the three with Philly, you know, just for consolation prize, you got another four with Atlanta. Now, granted, they're home, not in Truist, but another four with Atlanta.
Speaker 1:This was the 10-game set that you were supposed to step on the throats and claim the division as yours, and now you've done nothing but give it right back. The starting pitching is coming back to earth and the bullpen can't keep up with it. Ten games, ten games. Those are the make-or-break games and this is the real test. This is where you need to dig deep. Fine, you got swept by Atlanta. Come home and sweep the Phillies. At least take two out of three of the Phillies. You're not beating up Washington or Pittsburgh or the Rockies. I mean, it's time to show that you're the team with that killer instinct that we've been waiting to see, that we've been dying to see. It's all fun and games, but you know is the time you got to kick some ass.
Speaker 1:And let me just stay with the Mets here for a moment, with time moving ever so quickly as it does and the all-star break and trade deadline rapidly approaching. I said it on this podcast once before and I got a lot of hate for it, but I got a good spicy take for you Francisco Alvarez Slumping at the plate, but he's got potential for days. You got Terence and Sanger in AAA, who played well, by the way, while Alvarez was hurt, which is another knock on his record. I hate to say it, but alvarez has massive trade value, especially for some teams that might need a catcher or unsure about their minor league catchers. So if teams call I, I think you at least, you at least you have to listen.
Speaker 1:But here's the kicker with all that how far are you willing to go to appease your star player? Look, it was a different regime and it was a different time for the Mets. But a couple years into Lindor's tenure here, when he was kind of struggling and trying to find his way, tenure here, when he was kind of struggling and trying to find his way, he basically went to the front office and told them to get Javi Baez from the Cubs. And guess who was in that trade? Pete Crow Armstrong. So to appease the player that you gave a 12-year contract to, you traded a star center fielder that you weren't sure what he might turn out to, but you look at him now. That fucking hurts.
Speaker 1:Francisco Alvarez and Juan Soto are very good friends and if you were to trade Alvarez, I don't know, would it put a big hitch in Soto's ego or his confidence, because he seems to have finally found it again now with the Mets. And the last thing you want to do is wreck this team's mojo by Soto being upset or Alvarez being gone we don't know how he is in the clubhouse. I don't know, man, if the offer is good enough and it helps the team get closer to winning a ring, I'm sorry. Nothing is off the table. This year is the year for the Mets to make that big Yoannis Cespedes-style swing at the trade deadline. I mean, when they traded for Cespedes, they gave him Michael Fulmer, and Michael Fulmer and Michael Fulmer went on to Detroit to throw a no-hitter and almost damn near win a Cy Young, but Cespedes got them to the World Series. So this is the year, man. The team is just on the brink. You got to make the move, and if that includes Francisco Alvarez, then sorry man, I wish you the best Best of luck on your future endeavors. In the words words of Vince McMahon, but anything is on the table.
Speaker 1:Speaking of PCA, while we're on the topic, that kid, god damn it. Yeah, I hate to say that kid man, he is something special and unfortunately, unfortunately, I bring him up because Pete Crow Armstrong, pc PCA, as he's known, he will not be doing the home run derby this year, which, look, I don't know. I think that's a, I think it's a damn shame and I think it's a missed opportunity. If I'm being totally honest, the kid is the kid is exploding onto the scene and blossoming right in front of our eyes. I mean, he's got 19 homers already and they're not wall scrapers, they're fucking mammoth shots.
Speaker 1:Cubs fans going nuts, shitting MVP. It reminds me of a certain Cubs fan who will not stop sliding into my DMs every week, constantly telling me that PCA is the second best player in the league behind Judge and that he's the best defender in the league. And look, I hate to agree with him but honestly, it's getting tougher and tougher every week to not agree with him. But PCA says no, no, no to the derby. Maybe when he's older, was his quote. He'll do it when he's older. That's stupid man. Honestly, you know what he should do, he being uh, drafted by the men's format. He should take a page out of pete's book pete's book, excuse me, pete alonzo when he was still on his bullshit arbitration contract, he went and won the Home Run Derby twice and I think he doubled his salary, because you get like a million dollars or a million five or something when you win it. I don't know.
Speaker 1:I think it's bad for the game, for young, budding, emerging players to not partake in the all-star events. It's like the NBA stars skipping the dunk contest. I mean, for years and years we've been clamoring for LeBron or Giannis or Morant or Donovan Mitchell or Anthony Davis or Kyrie Irving Name your player but instead we get to watch Mac McClung. And look no disrespect to Mac he's 5'6", doing unbelievable dunks. But you know what, man? You know what would be a lot cooler Watching LeBron do some amazing shit, not some G-League or call-up. And that's what PCA is, man. He's a young, budding star and this is your time to shine and this is your stage. You're young, you're electric. You got to get the fuck in there, man. I mean, go for it, man, go for broke.
Speaker 1:Lastly, I don't know if you guys heard or if you've been paying attention, but uh, the red socks traded rafael devers officially, officially, official, out of boston and headed to the giants, the san francisco giants boss events. I'm sorry, but your front office just knows exactly how to strike out. I mean, you trade Mookie for practically nothing, you trade Chris Sale for practically nothing and now, after you paid Devers playing that straight flush, which you know how to play, you move him and this might be the worst trade out of the three. Now I understand San Fran's picking up all of his contract, but all three of these guys were yankee killers. Do you want to win the division or not? I don't. The yankees are licking their chops. Thank god he's gone. They can't wait then.
Speaker 1:Meanwhile, devers shows up in sanfran meets up with barry bonds during batting practice, which is going to be great for him. Don't be surprised if he just explodes in the next coming months. Thanks for making the NL harder. Boston, I really appreciate it. Then immediately starts taking grounders at first base the same position that he told Boston to go fuck themselves and not play him, and then in the press conference goes I'll play anywhere. You want me? Just a straight up F. You to the socks oof boston. How you feeling right now? I know it's not well, like I'm a mess man. I know the old timers felt terrible when the mets traded siever. I can't imagine it doing it. I can't imagine doing it two more times trading Trading Seaver and then trading him two more times. That's what you had. Boston, jesus man, you better hope they don't fully sell, because I know the Mets are knocking on the door with Jared Duran and I got some players for you, but Boston loves Duran, so ay-yi-yi, all right, look, plenty more still to come.
Speaker 1:Today, nba finals chaos, nick's coaching fiasco Got some Duran drama, because, of course, why wouldn't we? Jets Giants, some thoughts on CJ Mosley riding off into the sunset, but first let's, let's take a quick breath, reset and and we'll keep rolling. Stick around. You're tuned into rice on the mics. Well, all right. As much as every Knicks fan around wants Indiana to go home empty-handed, they just refuse to die. Oklahoma City rolled into Indy with the trophies half-polished, the parade buses warmed up, champagne ready for the popping and the Pacers said hold up, hold up, hold my beer. We ain't done yet.
Speaker 1:Pacers take game six to the tune of 108 to 91. Obi topping, obi topping with 20 off the bench, siakam with a 16 and 13 line and a beautiful finger roll, and one that if you didn't see live, don't worry, you'll be seeing it on ESPN on loop. And Howie playing on one leg still drops 14. Not to mention the great white hope and perpetual thorn in the next side, tj McConnell. Energizer Bunny himself dropss a 12-9-6 line and he controlled the pace beautifully while Howie was out.
Speaker 1:Jesus, I mean, the pacer started slow and you thought OKC was going to run away with it. They were down 10-2 early. Reggie Miller was sitting on the sideline pacing back and forth calling the game, like watching his son's little league game. But then, uh, like they've done all year, indiana just went nuclear. They outscored OKC 68 to 32. Over the next 24 minutes they led by 31 31. Indiana hadn't led double digits at all during the first five games in a series and in an elimination game. They go up by 30, not 10, not 20, 30 they just couldn't miss, which, as Knicks fans, we know. That's par for the course. And then meanwhile, okc, who's shown plenty of resilience and grit to come back no matter how much they were down. They imploded. Sga drops, which for him is pedestrian 21, which is insane to say. And Jalen Williams, hero of game five. He goes quiet with 16. Mark Dagnall, postgame, said it bluntly they outplayed us, period, end of story. So now we get what we want.
Speaker 1:The finals shift back to Oklahoma City on Sunday night, first game seven in the finals since 2016. And for any of my historians out there, does anybody know what that is? That was the Golden State Cleveland series comeback. And history loves the home team in game seven, 15 and four all time. But uh, go and ask golden state about it. Go see how curry and clay feel about that game. Seven home home corn, a bone proof. Man pacers are playing with some house money and uh the thunder. Well shit, they better come correct if you want to have some hardware in the trophy case. Season legacy comes down to one game. One game, all right. Now let's pivot on to our lovely new york knickerbockers.
Speaker 1:Still head coachless, aimless, trying to talk systems with players when they don't even know what the coach is going to be running in the first place. They requested interviews with Jason Kidd, quinn Snyder, chris Finch and they all got blocked. You know what the real salt wound is? Ime Udoka, a guy I personally I wanted running this Knicks squad guy. I personally wanted running this next squad. I thought he would have been great. Well, just signed a massive long-term deal with Houston, eight figures annually. My brother, last week. If you listen, this is exactly what he said. He said if a team blocks you from interviewing the coach has to demand immediate job security, and that's what Udoka did. Got himself the bag too. And the Knicks? Well, they're left playing musical chairs still, and the chairs are very quickly running out, keeping it local with some Rutgers basketball.
Speaker 1:I don't know where or who Ace Bailey is getting his advice from, but he has now turned down multiple interviews with teams for the draft and straight up skipping workouts with the Wizards, the Pelicans, the Hornets, and he's claiming that he sees a clearer path to stardom elsewhere. Well, hey, bud, I hate to break it to you. Here's a little kicker for you. A former Wizards player has won an NBA title for the last six years running. Ace, my brother, you might want to revisit that logic. Put in some years and be the star you think you're going to be, and everything else will take care of itself. I promise you that's how talent works.
Speaker 1:And lastly, just a couple more NBA stories to touch on, because the season is almost over, but there's always drama going on and I'm sure once the off season starts it's going to be uh, it's going to be chaotic. But for now the KD saga continues. Durant's saying he wants Miami, san Antonio or Houston, and that's his short list. But really I think he wants to play for the Knicks but they don't want him, so he has to pivot. I don't think Pat Riley wants him in Miami.
Speaker 1:I think Ime Udoka has a young core that he's building and wants it built his way, without any high-priced veterans coming in, and San Antonio would be a good match. It would be a deadly match actually. But I don't think they have the space or the cap room for him. So, as far as for the Suns front office, I don't think they have the space or the cap room for him. So, as far as for the Suns front office, I don't know. I think they're going to try and do right by KD, but also I could see them just not caring at all and getting the best offer possible, saying it is what it is and tough, titty so Durant sitting at home waiting for the phone to buzz and trying to control his destiny. But I really think the Suns are saying sorry, bud, you don't get to call the shots.
Speaker 1:Irony is thick, like that man, and considering KD was blindsided by Phoenix, even potentially shopping him in the first place at the deadline this year, but the price being too high now that both sides know what's what it's game on, and I think phoenix is going to get every last penny they can. So katie hates, break it. He has a 37 year old superstar looking for an extension from whatever team you're going to end up to, it's time to maybe face the facts and see the reality. Speaking of irony, by the way, how about the king himself, lebron James, this week, complaining on his podcast about ring culture and championships defining greatness? Lebron said, quote it's weird, unfair and a ring is a team accomplishment.
Speaker 1:Now, yeah, sure, sure, that might be true, but, lebron, my guy, you built this castle. Kg Pierce and Rondo laid the foundation in Boston. But, dog, you put the cherry on top when you left Cleveland, built the big three in Miami, did a whole press conference about it and dropped the not not one, not two, not three line. You guys made ring chasing a standard. I mean, why do you think? Katie left and went to Golden State, but what now? Suddenly rings, they don't matter as much, I don't know. Sounds an awful lot like a guy who knows he'll never match Jordan's jewelry collection. And you can't rewrite history when you're the one who wrote the first chapter. My guy, sorry, that's how it goes.
Speaker 1:And lastly, as a surprise, quick time out for some serious respect out here. I got to give respect where respect is due. Kaitlyn Clark is an absolute baller. If you haven't watched her play, it might be time to tune in. This woman is single-handedly making WNBA must-see TV and shit. Look, I will be the first to admit if you asked me two or three years ago anything, anything about the WNBA, I might be able to name a couple players or I'd say that, like my wife went to college with Elena Deladonna at Udell and that would be the most of my expertise. But I'll tell you what the draft class. These past couple years they've shown some solid hoopers and Clark is leading that pack, plus all the storylines like her getting the shit beat out of her because of how good she is, and time after time, just shooting threes from the logo right in your eye.
Speaker 1:Listen, say what you want about women's sports, but uh, talent is talent and the talent is real, it's, it's undeniable and you gotta maybe start paying attention here. A great line to keep in the back of your head always is uh, in anything you do is um, become, become so good at what you like that you become undeniable. So, basically, any self doubt, any questions you have or haters trying to discourage you and shit talking you okay, fine, I'll become so good at my craft that I am undeniably amazing. So when you start shit talking me in a conversation. It makes other people say wait, wait, wait, wait. What are you talking about? They're? They're really good.
Speaker 1:And that is exactly what clark is doing. All the old vets shit on her on her way in to the big leagues, saying this is the big league. Now, this is in college, we'll see how she does against some grown women. Well, you know what she's fucking doing the damn thing and embarrassing all of you old vets. She gets hacked, poked, shoved, takes cheap shots all night. What does she do? She gets right up and drains a logo three right in your face, turns and stares you down. She's third all time in triple doubles, third in two seasons. The league desperately needed someone like her. She's fearless, she's magnetic, good personality, borderline, unstoppable. I mean, who's guarding? Are you gonna guard her at the half court? Clark is raising the bar for women's hoops, not just on a competitive level but also on a class level. She's bringing eyeballs and energy that this league has craved for years and years.
Speaker 1:We talk greatness all the time in sports and doesn't matter who it is. Good is good, great is great. This woman defines greatness. I see you, kate and Clark. I see you Caden Clark. I see you. Basketball drama never disappoints, but neither does football. Jets lose a legend, ravens add a star and Dak Prescott can't figure out what legacy means NFL Talk coming up next. Stay tuned.
Speaker 1:From the hardwood to the hash marks time to check in on the league that never sleeps, where June optimism is undefeated and quarterbacks say things that make you double-check their job title. Let's start in New York Jets linebacker CJ Mosley officially called it a career, dropping his retirement video on his 33rd birthday, and honestly, he's got a legacy worth celebrating Five-time pro bowler, leader, enforcer and just the guy you want to build your defense around, not just schematically either culturally. Now, yeah, he missed some some time past year or so and unfortunately he, uh he lost his starting spot by the end of it. But time waits for no man right? Cj mosley was the emotional compass of that messy locker room for five years, and that matters, man. He led by example and wasn't afraid to get in your face when things slipped. And now, well, that torch goes straight to Quinton Williams, new head coach, aaron Glenn, former DB himself, he's going to want an enforcer, someone who sets the tone, and I fully expect big q to step into that role and own it own it big time too. Part of a leader isn't just, you know, taking the heat in post-game pressers. It's holding your guys accountable behind the scenes, having those uncomfortable conversations that need to be have, keeping the standards high and holding guys accountable. And this is Quinton's defense now. So let's see how he does. And, as a Jets fan, for the first time in a long time they might actually have the right people in place top to bottom to make things matter the most. I'm excited for jet season this year, man. I know a lot of people aren't, but I really am.
Speaker 1:Elsewhere in the afc, the ravens just got richer. They inked former packers, cornerback jair alexander, to a one-year deal worth up to six million, which is like nothing. This is what good teams man. They add talent for the price of nothing. Not sure I get it. He's missed some time past two seasons, but, dude, this guy's only 28 years old, two-time pro bowler. When he's healthy he's one of the best pure cover corner safeties in football. It's not close. Now Baltimore pairs him with Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins Super, flexible, experienced, flat-out speed across the secondary. Even if Alexander's 85% of what he was, I mean this is a steal. And then you know you play good defense. And now they got Lamar jackson and, uh, derrick henry back there to just kill the clock and do whatever the hell they want. They are absolutely dying to take buffalo out and it's no easy task, but these afc games in the playoffs have been great to watch. Adding a guy like Jair Alexander is another step for them to jump that hurdle.
Speaker 1:Now how about them Cowboys? Let's, uh, we gotta talk Dak Prescott for a quick second here. And I and I say this, I say this with love, dak In an interview this week he said, quote I want to win a championship. Be damned if it's for my legacy. The legacy will take care of itself. End quote. Sir, what, what are you talking about? Since when is a Super Bowl ring not part of your legacy? That's literally the whole point of your legacy. A ring is the cornerstone of your legacy. It's the resume itself, it's the bust in can. It's the difference between great regular season guy and immortal winning a ring.
Speaker 1:I mean, what are we talking about, dac? Maybe he got crossed up, maybe I'm just being too harsh on him, but I don't know. Dac says it's for his team. Is his personal being, his sanity okay, but let's not pretend that the hardware doesn't define the moment. My guy, especially in d Dallas, the most, one of the most scrutinized franchises in football. You win in Dallas it's like winning New York. This is not me knocking Dak's game, by the way. I think when he is healthy and he is good, he has the right guys around him. I think he is totally capable of making a push to win a ring. I mean he was an MVP finalist and you know that McCarthy just didn't get him up. But, like I don't know, this legacy conversation it doesn't start after the ring. The ring, the legacy conversation, starts once you get the ring. So strange to me, I don't know.
Speaker 1:And some rookie news, just a quick one here Shador Sanders, everybody's favorite draft fall guy that nobody wanted. Well, maybe he was just being a kid, being a kid or whatever, but got pulled over this week doing 101 in a 60 at 1230 in the morning. Look, I don't know, it could just be a dumb mistake. We're all young, we've all been there. But you also have to wonder is this kind of maybe the reason why he slid a little bit? I mean around one to five, maybe not, but I don't know. Man, these scouts, these coaches, they see shit that a lot of us think we not. But I don't know, man, these scouts, these coaches, they, they, they see shit that a lot of us think we see. But we don't see. So we'll see. Listen, there's no need to over react. But uh, that's definitely not how you want to start camp, especially in cleveland where qb stability is. Uh, I don, stability is a paper straw. That'll do it.
Speaker 1:On the gridiron front, we got some retirements. We got rookie speed demons, ravens just casually stacking another weapon like it's nothing. But hey, man, that wraps up football this week. There will be plenty, plenty more football to come, so until then we'll just have to wait it out. Okay, well, that's going to do it for this week's ride. Yankees finally snapped a skid, but not without some more questions. The Mets are free-falling and the Braves and Phillies are loving every second of it. Nba Finals head into a Game 7, and the WNBA's biggest star just keeps taking hits and giving buckets in return. Mosley hangs it up, ravens add another chess piece and Shador Sanders might want to ease off the gas pedal, literally, as always.
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