Episode 14: AFC South Off-Season Divisional Review, featuring Brian

GUEST EPISODE ALERT!

Welcome back to off-season Shenanigans! We are hype to continue our divisional series with a division that doesn't get talked about a lot... THE AFC SOUTH!

We are excited to invite our good friend Brian on to chat AFC South and his expectations for his Colts. 

What's the Colts plan with Daniel Jones? Is CJ Stroud a bust? Is Trevor Lawrence for real? And our the Titans successfully building up? 

We get into all that more!

Let us be your home this off-season. We got NFL content every week... nothing stopping us from talking ball.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

We're back.

SPEAKER_00 0:01

We're back. And we're here continuing our division series with another guest going through every division in the NFL. So we have our diehard Indiana sports fan here repping the Colts. So welcome, Brian.

SPEAKER_02 0:17

Hey guys, how are you doing?

SPEAKER_00 0:19

Good.

SPEAKER_02 0:19

Welcome in, bro. Glad to have you.

SPEAKER_00 0:21

We're gonna do a little warm-up game with you. Our signature game, we call it This or That. So the Colts are your measuring stick, right? And it's we're gonna do every team that missed the playoffs this past year versus the Colts. And you're gonna tell me who you think's better. So if it's Colts or X team, who do you think is gonna be better this next year? Who do you have higher expectations for? We'll start off with some layoffs. So this or that Colts version, the Las Vegas Raiders.

SPEAKER_03 0:53

Alright, Colts easily.

SPEAKER_00 0:55

Yeah. Um, the New York Jets.

SPEAKER_03 0:59

That's that's yeah, Colts. That's offensive.

SPEAKER_02 1:02

That's an offensive question.

SPEAKER_00 1:03

Okay, okay. The first few are softballs. Uh the Cardinals.

SPEAKER_03 1:08

Yeah, I don't think the Cardinals have made any significant changes that's kind of like changed my mind about them.

SPEAKER_00 1:14

Um the Titans.

SPEAKER_03 1:19

I think the Colts have a lot higher expectations based on the moves. However, I do like the Titans in their trajectory. I like where they're going. I think they're doing proper team building.

SPEAKER_00 1:30

Yeah, Coles Col's a little high on them, I think. Um a team that I think is frisky, the Giants.

SPEAKER_03 1:41

Um I think the Colts are gonna be much better than the Giants. Um, but I can see why they're frisky. Like the Giants, again, they they had a pretty good free agency, and they showed a lot of flashes, but I'm also wasn't as high on them last year just because like they showed a lot of flashes, but they're so injury prone. Like they're literally one concussion away from falling apart. Starts at the top, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 2:09

Yeah, yeah. Um, okay, I think this one's another softball, the Browns.

SPEAKER_03 2:16

Yeah, that's easily the Colts. Yeah, I don't think the Browns have any expectations. Like, they're just yeah, you know, I feel like they rode, they ended on a good high because they're like, we just gotta throw the ball down the field, and who cares if it's a pick or not, you know?

SPEAKER_00 2:34

Um, no, I this list is generated, by the way, off of the draft order, which you guys don't you guys don't have a first round pick, which I'm sure we'll get to. Yes. But anyway, next is the commanders.

SPEAKER_03 2:47

Ooh. Yeah. Yeah, that that's starting to get interesting. I still say the Colts by quite a margin. I feel like the commanders did have high expectations last season.

unknown 2:57

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 2:57

But I think um people have started to realize that they're a lot further away from where you know they should be. I feel like kind of like CJ Stroud having that like crazy year and then like falling off a cliff. They kind of see that same thing with the commanders where I'm like, all right, maybe we kind of got too hype, you know, and gotta slow it down a little bit.

SPEAKER_00 3:18

So you're taking your Colts?

SPEAKER_03 3:20

Yeah, easily. I have a lot, I have a I have a lot of expectations for a Colts.

SPEAKER_00 3:24

Okay. Here's another team that I think is frisky, the Saints.

SPEAKER_03 3:32

Yeah, I just they have a lot of they have a lot of good pieces, but like you're you're depending on that in your quarterback position.

SPEAKER_00 3:43

Like hey, rookie of the year, Tyler Shuck, right?

SPEAKER_03 3:48

Yeah, yeah. Um but I I don't know. Yeah, follow your gun, bro. You're right.

SPEAKER_00 3:55

Yeah, you're right. I'm just fucking with you. Well, here's here's a tough one. My Kansas City Chiefs.

SPEAKER_03 4:02

Um I I'll take the Chiefs are gonna be better than the Colts next year.

SPEAKER_00 4:08

Okay, here's another one, another big quarterback, the Cincinnati Bengals.

SPEAKER_03 4:13

I think the Colts are gonna be better than the Bengals.

SPEAKER_00 4:15

Wow, okay.

SPEAKER_03 4:16

I think I don't think Joe Burrow's gonna be.

SPEAKER_02 4:29

They're invested in some defense, though.

SPEAKER_03 4:32

Yeah, but they didn't invest in the guess. Yeah. He's gonna get killed every time.

SPEAKER_00 4:38

Yeah. Especially now with Trey Andrickson in the division. Yeah. Um, the team that I think is gonna be the worst team in the league, Miami Dolphins.

SPEAKER_03 4:48

Oh, yeah, by a mile.

SPEAKER_00 4:50

Okay, here's another popular pick up and coming, the Cowboys.

SPEAKER_03 4:58

Um, no, because they've been doing such mid stuff this offseason.

SPEAKER_01 5:06

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 5:06

And they have just been perpetually mid. I mean, again, when Dak is Dak is always gonna be Dak and he's gonna be like MVP caliber, but like I don't think they can't they're not gonna do anything with that.

SPEAKER_00 5:18

Yeah, no defense. I agree.

SPEAKER_03 5:20

No defense. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 5:21

Um, the Falcons.

SPEAKER_03 5:24

Ooh, that's actually that's starting to get interesting. Um I think the Colts are gonna be better than the Falcons. But like by we're getting like this is not by much.

SPEAKER_00 5:36

Well, okay, now here comes this one. The Ravens.

SPEAKER_03 5:41

Um, that's where it gets neck and neck. For me at least. I think the Ravens are a better team, but they are gonna have a tougher schedule and they're in a tougher division. So standing-wise, I think the Colts have an advantage in that. Head to head, I just don't, I don't if your go-to guy is saying flowers and that's it. I don't really know what who you I don't know. So I'm taking the Colts on that side. Wow. Mark Andrews, come on.

SPEAKER_00 6:12

No, I I like it. I like it.

SPEAKER_03 6:13

You're getting old. You're getting old.

SPEAKER_00 6:16

Um, two more tough ones and then two kind of easy ones. Bucks.

SPEAKER_03 6:22

Ooh. Um the Colts. I the Bucks just started off so hot, but like, I think Mayfield is really good, but I just I felt like that was just so streaky last year.

unknown 6:38

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 6:38

They fell off a cliff. I mean, that was injuries, but still, like, every team has injuries.

SPEAKER_00 6:44

Yeah, totally.

SPEAKER_03 6:45

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 6:45

Now I'm gonna go with the media's favorite team, the Detroit Lions.

SPEAKER_03 6:50

Yeah, I'll take Wow. That is I wanna say, I'm gonna say the Lions, but every year they just get decimated by crazy injuries. Like last year was just last year was just insane, the kinds of injuries that they had. So I think they could have been a lot better. It's just they had to be.

SPEAKER_02 7:14

I agree, they're kind of in that that Niners territory, we're just like, what it what happened?

SPEAKER_03 7:18

Yeah, yeah, like again, every every offseason, I'm like the Niners, the Lions, like they're gonna be the best team. Yeah, like they're potentially players. Yeah, yeah. And then they just get like crazy, like knee coming out the leg sort of injuries. And you're like, it happens.

SPEAKER_00 7:34

Yeah, no, our butt our buddy's a Lions fan, and it seems like he goes through hell each year in some new way. I'm with you.

SPEAKER_03 7:41

I think Lions will be good. I think they're gonna be really good still.

SPEAKER_00 7:44

Um, two final ones, uh, the Vikings.

SPEAKER_03 7:48

Um called spotted mile. Yeah, I agree. Yeah, they gotta honestly trade Jettas or just start from scratch again. I'm with you there.

SPEAKER_02 7:57

Jettas to New England. Come on, get her done. That would be crazy. You guys would be back at a Super Bowl meeting. Oh, the league would be on notice, yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 8:05

Um, no, haven't you heard that Kyler's the long-term solution? I don't know where people are getting these other Cardinals games, but it's okay. I digress.

SPEAKER_03 8:13

Yeah, I mean Kyler, yeah, that's not gonna. I mean, it's Kevin O'Connell, so maybe he could do anything with Kevin O'Connell, but like when you got like a 5'9 quarterback like scrambling around, I don't know. It's either there, JJ McCarthy, who I think is like the worst quarterback.

SPEAKER_02 8:31

Yeah, exactly. Oh, yeah. I think Kyler's an upgrade. He'll be better than last year, and they won nine games. So I don't know.

SPEAKER_03 8:36

I almost I almost wanted Kyler on his Colts. I was like one million contract. Yeah, it's true.

SPEAKER_02 8:41

Yeah, free quarterback? Yeah, done.

SPEAKER_03 8:44

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 8:44

Um, I realized that was actually our last one because I put the Panthers on here, but I realized they made the playoffs last year.

SPEAKER_03 8:49

But bonus, that's fair.

SPEAKER_00 8:51

I think the Colts will be better than the Panthers. That's my bonus take.

SPEAKER_03 8:54

It's it's very interesting because like, yeah, like clear they missed the playoffs, but they made such strong moves that's like it is kind of like they're in contention right now or bust and basically restart after this year to next year.

SPEAKER_00 9:09

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 9:10

Um, so I have really high expectations of them to be pretty good.

SPEAKER_00 9:14

That's good. Let's get into it. Um, let's start with the bottom of the AFC South. Cole, bring us your Titans questions.

SPEAKER_02 9:22

Alright, so I feel like the Titans this offseason is one big question mark. Like, it's tough to talk about them too much because I'm we just gotta see it. Um, which kind of let's I'll start here. They spent close to 300 million in free agency at this point, and we're feels like it started yesterday, right? So, like, they are in this year, which makes me believe, like, in the building, they love Cam Ward. There has been some recent history of these teams that you spend you go get seven good free agents and bring them in, and your year two quarterback takes a massive step, and all of a sudden you're good. But I mean, I guess the question is like, did you get the right guys? 300 million can go far, or you get a couple injuries and all of a sudden they cooked. Um my second one talking about their coach. New guy in town, Robert Sala. I guess my question for you two is is Robert Salah a head coach or is he a really good defensive coordinator?

SPEAKER_00 10:32

I I lean that he is a head coach. I think that it's hard to see if you can be a head coach at the Jets. I just the like the hard knocks of him, he does seem like a really good culture guy. I like Salah. Um, I think Dable there is interesting with a mobile quarterback. I think if it's gonna work, Salah can make it work, but I still have questions about the ownership group.

SPEAKER_03 10:56

Yeah, I think um you can't judge anyone when they're on the jets, basically. That's just like poor organization, and like no one looks good when they're there, and as soon as they leave, it's like, oh, this guy's really good, you know. Like, I don't know. Like, you see that with Sam Darnold, like he just steps away from the Jets. You're like, oh, he's actually a decent car. Oh, he's going he won the Super Bowl. Like it's upgrade, upgrade. Um, and also to answer your first question, that's a really good question because the Titans also spent a bunch of free, like, a bunch of money in free agency like a couple years ago, and they're still like right.

SPEAKER_02 11:30

It didn't get them anywhere, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 11:31

So it was like it, but however, I think this year is very different. I'm pretty high on them. I think all their pieces address a need, and that's really important.

SPEAKER_00 11:42

So, yeah, no, I mean, bouncing off of that, I think they definitely were making right moves. I do think some of the contracts might have been a slight overpay, just because they probably had to get a few guys to want to go to the Titans. So I think it was a slight overpay, but if you paid if you overpaid seven guys and five of them hit, you had the cap space, so fuck it.

SPEAKER_03 12:03

Oh, yeah. I actually I was really high on uh Wandell Robinson going there. I think he's actually really good. He's a good slot receiver, and he's always been, I feel like that's what they needed with Calvin Ridley going down the field. Um, because Cam Ward didn't have like a dirt down option at all. Yeah, and also Robinson obviously like he spent so many years on a Giants with Dabble Eric. It's they have a connection. Um, all I was looking, like, all of their free agency like has a connection to either their office coordinator or Sala.

SPEAKER_01 12:34

Like it's oh that's nice, you know.

SPEAKER_03 12:36

So there's clearly a connection to all of them, which is why they all ended up coming to the Titans, because I don't know how you convince anyone to come otherwise. Exactly.

SPEAKER_02 12:46

They they need Cam to flash this year if they're getting guys interested in free agency. Yeah, we'll see. I mean, that that's kind of we kind of already talked about it, but Brian, just really talking about Brian Dable. Like, I what I love is when there's a defensive-minded coach that's culture-based, and then a brilliant genius offensive coordinator. Like, that's what I think is gonna be the future of football. Like, forget these young OCs coming in and trying to like lead a team. You see, it works. Like, Ben Johnson, I think, is working, but even that was rocky out the get-go. Like, I do like a grown-up defensive mind, a head coach. And can Brian Dable truly quarterback whisper? Can he make Cam Ward this next guy with yes, he's familiar with Wandale Robinson? We'll see. I'm pretty optimistic for the Titans, but let's talk about the main reason they'll be good. And that's Cam Ward. So let's take a look at his season from the past. Honestly, looking at the stats, a little better than I expected it to be. If you look at their games in the win column, it's pretty tough. But uh 3,169 yards. Um That's more than I thought.

SPEAKER_00 13:55

That's more than I thought. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 13:56

Over a 3,000 yard season. I mean, not horrific. 15 touchdowns, which is not great, 25th in the league. Only seven picks, though. So, I mean, really, like protected the ball pretty well with that awful O-line. Um, his worst stat is his QBR, which is 33, 28th in the league. So definitely, I mean, not even close to a top 15 guy, but I do think like seven picks in that disaster that is the Titans with this new team. Like, if he can protect the ball and their defense is better, I kind of believe in them.

unknown 14:29

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 14:30

Yeah, I really like Cam Ward's, like that he's he reminds me of like Caleb Williams early on, like before he kind of hit this, I don't know, like growth that he has this past year or two. But like he's like every game there's like a flash or two of like this insane generational throw. You're like, you know, you're like, wow, okay, that's like you don't really get that much off. It's like yeah, I you know you can't and so seeing that kind of gives you hope, but at the same time, it is a lot of you know decision making of just like and that's just every rookie quarterback making those mistakes, especially with the times when you have no O line. You know, it's like you're not the Broncos, you're not these like other teams who have a pretty good system set up for like a rookie quarterback.

SPEAKER_00 15:17

So yeah. No, going off of that, I mean, I definitely those numbers surprised me a little bit. I also think in this world of like CJ Stroud having a crazy rookie year and then Jaden Daniels having a crazy rookie year, we like almost expected Cam Ward to come out and do that too, because we got kind of spoiled the last two years. But you're not supposed to be good right away. I mean, I think the two greatest quarterbacks we've ever seen, Brady Mahomes, sat their first year. So you're not expected to be good right away. So I'm not like putting anything on his shoulders. I do just like the AFC is just so tough. It's like, do you have to have like a great quarterback to be like competent in the AFC? So like even if he's good, does he have to be great?

SPEAKER_02 15:59

Bonus cake for you. Yeah, go ahead. Uh, how long is his leash? 300 million. What happens if this year's a disaster? Is it JJ McCarthy's situation or is it I think he's got his years. First overall. So can he win four games this year?

SPEAKER_03 16:15

Ooh. Yeah, I I think I'm gonna say the expectation is around like six games.

SPEAKER_02 16:21

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 16:21

Like I don't think it's crazy.

SPEAKER_02 16:23

300 million for six wins? That's a disaster to me. I think that's a disaster. Yeah. I don't know. I'm I'm a little higher on him. I think he's gotta be good. Year two, three hundred million. I don't know. We'll see.

SPEAKER_03 16:38

Yeah, I don't know. I I mean, realistically, maybe the expectation is gonna be like eight games or something like that, but I just re like they're gonna they're probably gonna win around six, is my guess. Yeah, that's valid. Yeah, I think I don't know. Like, I mean, if you look at the quarterback situation in the AFC stuff, like you're right though. You I don't know if you need like that guy, like Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen. Like, I think the best quarterback in the AFC is Trevor Lawrence. I don't think he's that amazing either. So it's like, yeah, I don't know. I think he's capable of making that leap, I guess, but oh we'll we'll get to T Law, but um Alrighty, you want to move on?

SPEAKER_00 17:19

Yeah, I'll I'll I'll get us right into the Jags. So I thought I think the Jags might have been one of the two or three best teams in the AFC this past year. I think drawing Buffalo round one is like terrible. I thought whoever won that game was gonna go to the Super Bowl or at least the AFC Championship. I I mean Buffalo obviously was a disappointment. I thought the Jags really overachieved. I thought Liam Cohen did a good job. And you know, I'm gonna start with two smaller questions for you guys and then go into the elephant in the room of Trevor Lawrence. So are they rolling with Baychall Tutin as their RB1? Like, do you like that? That he Tootin is the RB1.

SPEAKER_03 18:04

No, hate it. Yeah, I'm in the same position.

SPEAKER_00 18:08

I remember I remember last year he was like a popular late-round flyer, like waiver pickup in fantasy because people thought um, you know, ETN was gonna like not be on the team the full year. But yeah, I don't know. What do you think? What what were you saying, Brian?

SPEAKER_03 18:24

Um, I think their office of the Jaguars' office identity was built around ETN. Like you can Trevor Lawrence played out of his mind last season. I think he played really well, but I think their hot streak came around because their run game was so good, and Etienne has always been that good. And in my opinion, I mean I'm biased. I love JT and I love Saquon, I love all these running backs. I'm like, if they're good, pay them. Like, yeah, they make part of your identity, they make throwing the ball a lot easier, clearly. And I felt like when I saw Etienne Lead in free agency, like they let him go. I was like, oh, that's crazy. Like that, I think that shifts their offensive identity a lot. Because I don't think tootin can like take up that responsibility that ETN's. I think ETN is really good. I'm really high on him.

SPEAKER_00 19:14

So yeah, I mean I wanted him for the Chiefs.

SPEAKER_02 19:16

Interesting. I feel a little differently. I I don't like Tutin being their choice, but I feel like ETN is pretty replaceable. Like, I don't know. I feel like he was somewhat disappointing there with his expectations coming out of college and like a few injuries. He missed his first season, right? It's like they drafted him and then he like tore something and missed. I don't know. I just feel like he the fit was never quite as perfect as it should have been with them like playing together in college. And I don't know. I don't hate it, but like they have to make a move.

SPEAKER_00 19:47

I don't know exactly who else is available in free agency right now, but I wouldn't hate them taking the other Notre Dame running back, not um Oh yeah.

SPEAKER_03 19:56

Yeah, they don't have a first, yeah. Yeah, yeah, Jan Price would be a dog for them, but uh I just yeah, they gotta do something because I mean, yeah, that gap is just too big for their offense. Wait, totally, yeah. I mean, they're worse today.

SPEAKER_00 20:11

Does Cleveland have their first round pick?

SPEAKER_02 20:13

Yeah, right.

SPEAKER_00 20:14

Oh, so yeah, they can't they can't get the other Nova Dame running back.

SPEAKER_02 20:18

That's why they kind of need to use free agency to get an RB. I don't know.

SPEAKER_00 20:21

Um, they could go there's a Nebraska running back in like the third round that people are a little high on. Um, but yeah, no, I I think Tootin is their RB1 plan.

SPEAKER_03 20:32

Yeah, it's yeah, if you look around, honestly, besides the Colts, like the entire AFC is just like kind of running back by committee. Like it's just they don't have like true RB1s anywhere except for the Colts, basically. And they're just like, yeah, we just gotta throw someone in. If that doesn't work, we'll throw another body in.

SPEAKER_00 20:51

Yeah. Um my next Jags question is another specific one. Can their defense repeat that dominance? Because early in the season, if you remember, the reason the oh, sorry, the next, can the Jags repeat their dominance, the defensive dominance? So early in the season, if you remember right, the Jags were kind of winning in spite of Trevor Lawrence. And then he really came on hot midway through the year. I think ended up in an MVP finish, like fifth or something. And but at the beginning of the season, that defense really carried them, and that defense stayed strong throughout the entire season. So, like, to me, that's a lot of the reason they won. And I don't know if they can compete in this AFC if their defense is not playing at that level.

SPEAKER_03 21:39

I think that's a big ask, especially with um I don't know, like other teams getting as good as they are. I felt like the Jaguars in general, like, they did play really well. They also had a pretty easy schedule last year in comparison.

SPEAKER_00 21:56

Oh, don't get full started on schedule talk.

SPEAKER_02 22:00

Easy schedule, honestly. Like a hard one. Name a hard schedule out there. The Chiefs.

SPEAKER_01 22:07

The Bears.

SPEAKER_03 22:11

Bears had like a yeah, harder schedule for sure. Um, I don't know. I I think the Jaguars, their tough part of the schedule are was towards the beginning, and their easy part was at the end, which is why they got pretty hot at the end. And also, but you're right though, regardless, the defense was really strong the entire time. And a lot of their free agency moves, or the little that they did do, has just been like trying to maintain a defense. So I think they kind of realize like their defense is the most important part right now.

SPEAKER_01 22:41

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 22:42

But like you compare it to the rest of the conference, it's like. I mean, you have the Texas in a conference. You're like, how do you like it's like the best defense in the league?

SPEAKER_02 22:52

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 22:52

I don't know.

SPEAKER_02 22:53

So um, didn't they say what's his face is gonna mainly play cornerback?

SPEAKER_00 22:58

Travis Hunter.

SPEAKER_02 22:59

Yeah, he's gonna be a cornerback.

SPEAKER_00 23:00

Like, that's wait, wait a second. Did you just say what's his face? I had to argue with no I had to argue with Cole endlessly last year about how much he loves Shador and Travis and how much I wasn't sure it would translate to the NFL. And now you're out here calling him what's his face? Like you sure have given up on the thing.

SPEAKER_02 23:17

But I mean that's what happens when you go to the Jags, I'm not gonna lie. I kind of feel the same about the Jags. I'm not I'm not concerned with them as a contender in the AFC. I do like Liam Cohen a lot. I love what he's done over there. He's one of the offensive mining coaches I think is working out really well. Like, he's in that Ben Johnson category for me, low-key. Like, he came in and just his energy, it's like that team has vibes, which I think does matter when you're going through a grueling brutal season. So I like them a lot. I hope it's it sticks around. I mean, those vibes go away if you start losing.

SPEAKER_00 23:45

So I mean, you said you don't expect them to be a contender. Do you think Jags are making the playoffs next year?

SPEAKER_02 23:51

Yeah, I think the loot like, yeah, I think I do, I think their first round exit. Yeah, kind of same. I'd hope we play them. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 23:59

Um, we didn't say this about the Titans. Did anyone think the Titans are making the playoffs next year?

SPEAKER_02 24:03

No, no, no. No.

SPEAKER_00 24:04

Well, I remember there's something I wanted to say about the Titans, which is I do think Cam Ward might be good for fantasy. But that's like, I don't I don't think it'll translate to wins. I just think that Dayball is a fantasy boost.

SPEAKER_02 24:18

But totally, totally.

SPEAKER_03 24:20

I do all I do remember is I think Cam Ward has a really good connection with the tight end. So if you get a late round pick on you need a tight end, I'm pretty sure Titan tight end, whatever his name was, starts from the O.

SPEAKER_00 24:31

Oh, Chico Conquell?

SPEAKER_03 24:33

Yeah, yeah. Apparently they have a pretty good chemistry together, so keep in mind for next year.

SPEAKER_00 24:39

I'm never drafting a tight end like in the top rounds ever again.

SPEAKER_03 24:43

Um not this past this patcher was crazy bad for tight end positioning.

SPEAKER_00 24:50

Yeah. Um, oh, but I do like Brenton Strange. I thought he was good for fantasy. Um yeah, no, the Jags, I expect them to make the playoffs. Sorry, Brian. I think I expect the Jags to win the division. Um, I like the Jags more than I like the Texans.

SPEAKER_01 25:05

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 25:07

So, and this le this all hinges on one guy, though. So, this is the big question. Did Liam Cohen fix Trevor Lawrence? Is this sustainable? And like, what is T Law's ceiling?

SPEAKER_03 25:24

Man, that is a great question. I personally have a bias towards Trevor Lawrence. I hate the guy, but he can ball out. Like, I mean, I've just watched him since college, like just during my team, you know. But I felt like I was when I was in college, I was like, this might be like the best quarterback ever. You know, and then as I seen him progress, I'm just like, wow, okay. It's kind of like he's almost he's just too inconsistent. Um, I I don't know. I think it's like he's a guy who can take a team to a conference game, but I think that's about it. I can I can never see him at like a Super Bowl stage, really.

SPEAKER_02 26:09

So I tend to agree with you. I think I do believe Liam Cohen is legit and the Jags are a playoff team moving forward with that duo. But to me, Trevor would Trevor like he's too passive. It's this just like this air. There's no like you know what I mean? Like, he's not a killer, he's just not. He can ball, but like I agree. I think the I think the Jags Jag and the Chargers charger. Like, I think they're gonna be first round, second round exits the next 10 years. Like, I don't know.

SPEAKER_03 26:40

Yeah, that's all they agree like it is like like Justin Herbert, honestly, I think is a far better quarterback, but like, do you ever see them going to the Super Bowl? Like, I again, like, it sucks, but like, you know, like last year they their O-linemen just got destroyed, and like that sucks. But at the same time, the Chargers are like this every single year. We do this every year. Justin Herbert has a crazy year, and it's like he throws her a stupid number of touchdowns. It's like first round exit. Great.

SPEAKER_00 27:09

I am wearing my Ladd McConkey jersey right now because uh about to go watch uh Georgia in March Madness right after this. Um and also Ladd caught some strays on our last episode, so I feel like I had to rep him. But um, no, I agree with you. I with with what you're saying. I don't think I really think that you have to be like a really good quarterback to win the AFC with the with the landscape it is right now. I and I just don't know if Trevor Lawrence is fully that. Like, if I'm doing quarterback rankings, I don't know if he like breaks my top ten, but I he could be. Like I I think he could be a top ten quarterback, and I think that might be his ceiling. I'm not sure I would ever put T Law as a top five quarterback, but I think he his ceiling might be top ten, maybe top seven.

SPEAKER_03 27:57

Yeah, that I would say like if he's around nine or ten, I'll be like, Yeah, that's probably his ceiling. Like that I can see that but anything above that I'll be like, oh Jesus, okay, that's crazy. He's doing some crazy stuff though.

SPEAKER_00 28:10

I like that he started to use his legs this year because he used his legs a lot in college and he didn't really use them early in his NFL career. I mean, that Chiefs Jags Monday night game might be like one of the I I think that's the worst Chiefs loss of my life, besides like the three-peat, just because we like totally fucked it up, like we had the lead, but he like kind of burned us using his legs because there wasn't a lot of tape of him. We weren't putting a spy on him, and like he he just had like a hundred rushing yards in that game or something stupid.

SPEAKER_03 28:41

Yeah, he again he used his legs all the time in college, and I was like, uh, this might be like the best quarterback ever. Like, just he could run like that, he takes hits like it's nothing, he can throw the ball, and then yeah, he just he didn't run, he didn't like he didn't take hits at all. Like it was just like he threw it, he got picks, or he's got you know, I don't know. So I was like, it's it's too inconsistent, but maybe that's because he's trying to force too much because you have the receiver talents that you have, which I think the Jaguars have crazy receiver depth, so it's like maybe he just felt like trade Brian Thomas. They gotta go out to the Patriots. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 29:18

I mean, wait, but where is this take? Like, I've also seen this on Chiefs accounts that we should get Brian Thomas. I've seen it on Ravens accounts that they should get Brian Thomas. Like, I don't know where this is coming from. The like Brian Thomas trade rumors. I really don't. I don't know where it's gonna be.

SPEAKER_02 29:30

They get started last year, honestly. Yeah, I don't know.

SPEAKER_00 29:33

Like, why? He's he's all they have left, I feel like.

SPEAKER_02 29:35

I mean, it's the same with the Marv, Marvin Harrison. It's these young guys got drafted, they looked amazing, and then it was like, let's sell them high while they have value still. I don't know.

SPEAKER_00 29:44

No, I mean, I'm not sure.

SPEAKER_03 29:45

I don't know if Marvin Harrison ever looked that amazing.

SPEAKER_02 29:48

Cap 10 in the draft though, like he could he hasn't been good in the NFL.

SPEAKER_00 29:54

Uh BTJ was like good, and I don't know.

SPEAKER_03 29:57

He has been ridiculously good.

SPEAKER_00 29:59

Yeah, I just don't know where all these trade rumors are coming from. But I I feel like it's just other contenders like starting the rumor because like they want to trade for him. Like, I don't know how that benefits.

SPEAKER_02 30:08

Would a first and a third get Brian Thomas right now? Yeah, probably.

SPEAKER_03 30:13

Yeah, that's probably.

SPEAKER_02 30:14

I feel like you say yes to that if you're the Jags. You just traded so much away to get Travis Hunter. I don't know.

SPEAKER_00 30:19

I think they say yes to a first and a fourth.

SPEAKER_02 30:22

Yeah. Yeah, easily. Um first and anything, right? That's why I think it's like it is. Make them the offer they can't refuse. I'm sure they would trade him.

SPEAKER_00 30:29

Well, as Cole calls him, what's his face? I think Travis Hunter is gonna stay on defense. I'm and that was my call from the very beginning. I was like, he's gonna be a corner. I don't think he's that good of a receiver. I called it, and I mean, we'll see.

SPEAKER_02 30:42

They could be fucking with everyone. Like they could, he's all only defense, only defense. I don't know.

SPEAKER_03 30:46

They could, but okay, in my general take, I do think a lot of corners could play receivers. I kind of agree.

SPEAKER_02 30:53

It's like if you're just like, why is Christian Gonzalez not catching touchdowns every now and then? You know what I mean? Like right.

SPEAKER_03 30:58

Like they could. I just think he's the best, yeah. I think it's harder to be a receiver playing corner than a corner playing.

SPEAKER_02 31:04

Um go the easy. I agree. Spend it on defense. Yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 31:09

Did final thought for Jags, did that trade age well? The Browns get trading away that pick to the Jags for their spot, their spot last year.

SPEAKER_02 31:20

I think we'll see this year. Like, we gotta see him play. Yeah. He got hurt too early.

SPEAKER_00 31:25

I don't know. A lot of teams without a first round pick, Brian. It's looking glum for you guys in the draft. I'll say that.

SPEAKER_03 31:33

I don't know.

SPEAKER_02 31:34

I'd say the draft's looking pretty glum. I will I'm trying to trade ourselves.

SPEAKER_03 31:37

We don't draft well anyway, so I'm glad we trade it.

SPEAKER_02 31:40

I want a player.

SPEAKER_00 31:41

Oh boy. Cole is like on this new thing just because Colin Coward said it that the draft like isn't where you can get starters. And I've just seen that be not true so many times that I like it.

SPEAKER_02 31:53

I think 31, we're not gonna get an amazing starter on our I don't know.

SPEAKER_00 31:59

You go, Brian.

SPEAKER_03 32:01

Oh no, I'm just saying, like, it also depends on our organization. Like, yeah, the Colts front office is not just so bad.

SPEAKER_02 32:08

Patriots are terrible at drafting weapons, awesome.

SPEAKER_03 32:11

Which is funny, like you could have a good organization and just not draft well. It's like just just train it away and like know what you can do and what you can't do, right?

SPEAKER_00 32:20

My expectation for the Chiefs is we have another draft like 2022 where we get like five starters out of it. Like, and my expectation is that at 9, 29, and 40, those are three guys who will play this year. Like, oh yeah.

SPEAKER_03 32:32

The god of the city. That is completely fair because the Chiefs are an organization that drafts fuck ridiculously well every year. It's just actually insane. I don't know about every year, jury's out there. Oh, okay. That's yeah.

SPEAKER_00 32:43

No, the wor the only year I feel like we really botched the draft was the 2023 year. All those guys, and I think that's what caught up to us this year. I like all those guys are like not on the team anymore. But no, we do draft really well. I was watching a uh clip today of like them talking about how they knew they wanted to draft Mahomes a year out and like nobody even knew who he was yet.

unknown 33:05

God damn it.

SPEAKER_00 33:06

God damn it is right. Well, yes, I think we all agree the Jags are making the playoffs. Uh time to move on. Let's get into the Houston Texans and their throwback defense and their vintage vintage and their somewhat questionable quarterback, Cole.

SPEAKER_02 33:27

Yeah, alright. So I'm gonna start with two quick talking points before we really get into the bulk of what went down with the Texans. Um first thing I'm gonna talk about is one of their biggest additions. I'm excited about it. David Montgomery, new running back? Maybe so. Probably gonna stay with Woody Marks, but I like that combo. We were talking about that earlier with the AFC duos. Like that feels like one of the stronger duos to me in the AFC right now. Um probably two like true RB2s.

SPEAKER_00 33:58

I was gonna say, do you think that's like 1A, 1B?

SPEAKER_02 34:01

Yeah, I think it's gonna be fully split. They might both suck for fantasy. I could see it being like David Montgomery gets 17 touchdowns, but like no yards again, or it's like, yeah, I don't know. Um, but this they kind of go hand in hand. Last year, worst ranked O-line in the league. Like, can you sustain a run game with that level of O-line play? Will it even matter to have that duo of backs if there ain't no lanes? Um They now they did spend a lot of money. Most of their money they've spent in free agency has been on the line. They added Pro Bowl guard um Wyatt Taylor, who I've never heard of, but really exciting addition from everything I read. Like, people are hyped.

SPEAKER_00 34:48

I mean, adding a guard does signal to me they're trying to really ground and pound.

SPEAKER_02 34:53

Yeah, and his strengths do seem to be like run blocking, so yeah. Yeah. I agree. We'll see if that line really improves. They are spending on it, so we'll see. Alright, but that brings me into the biggest question for the Texans, which was a real question that got asked to coaches, which are you sticking with CJ Stroud? Is he actually who we thought he was? Um, and I got some stats. Let's talk about it. So it's honestly similar to Cam Ward, just over 3k yards this season. Oof. 19th in the league in his yards. Not great. Less than average. 19 touchdowns, 21st in the league. Bottom, bottom half of the league. Again, most quarterbacks doing good with the picks, only eight picks. That was good. The same with Stafford and May. Like, guys staying under 10 this year all around. Um now, talk about their schedule. A lot of easy games, but they went on the year 5-5 with playoff teams. So honestly, I respect that. That's not bad. That's including their win against the Steelers, which fits.

SPEAKER_00 36:03

That feels right to me. They felt like they were about mid-good team.

SPEAKER_02 36:08

Yeah. Um, here's what I think is the biggest thing that's, you know what, CJ? It's gonna be okay. You're gonna have success this year, and the Texans are gonna be a scary playoff team, and no worries, bro. Forget about last year. They ended the season with the worst O-line in football on a 10-game win streak. With those stats from CJ Stroud. So, I mean, imagine that team if they had the 20th worst O-line in the league, like, much better. They don't have to shoot for this top 10 O-line to have success. Like, if they get slightly better, I mean, who knows what this team could be.

SPEAKER_00 36:47

We're we're flirting a little with a Justin Herbert take, it feels like, but keep going.

SPEAKER_02 36:53

I mean, uh, his line was worse than Justin Herbert's based on the stats. Like, he gets Herbert gets all the, you know, it's okay, Herbert, your line was hurt, but CJ dealt with an even worse one and won 10 games in a row.

SPEAKER_03 37:07

Yeah, I don't I don't know if the question, like, I I think CJ Strad is a really good quarterback. I think he had a pretty bad year, but like, and he'll bounce back just fine because again, if he's putting that those stats up with that crazy, terrible, bad O lineman. And also, like, his receiver depth is not that deep, you know. Like, who's he throwing the ball to? Nico Collins all the time?

SPEAKER_02 37:30

And like come on, Nico's pretty good.

SPEAKER_03 37:32

Nico's good, but like he's hurt all the time. Tank Dell blew up both his legs, like yeah, he's small. Yeah, he's hurt. Like, they don't I don't know if they have like a true wide receiver one that's like a superstar talent or whatever, like because they're investing so much money in their defense and other pieces. It's like CJ Stroud is kind of carrying a lot of that bulk.

SPEAKER_02 37:54

Uh, I don't know. I'd be pretty psyched if Drake may had Nico Collins. Like, I don't know. I feel like Nico's upper echelon.

SPEAKER_00 38:01

Nico's gotta be top ten.

SPEAKER_03 38:03

I yeah, I would I would agree with that. It's just that his availability is what I don't know. Absolutely. I take that as a big role because again, like, if you're not available, play it once.

SPEAKER_00 38:14

Guys, we're getting we're it's starting to feel like the Justin Herbert MVP takes. I'm so out on Stroud, and I don't I didn't think he had one bad year. I thought he had two bad years. I felt like pat the past season he was also not strong. I felt like D'Amico had started building up that defense. I also think my problem with Stroud is he's a pocket passing quarterback, right? Like, in my opinion, CJ Stroud does his best work in the pocket. Um he when he's outside the pocket, he has some great moments, but it does feel like he should try and be a pocket passer. And with the team around him, that defense, he he doesn't have to do that much. Like, let's be honest, it's really hard to score on that defense, okay? And they they really only fail when he's like atrocious. Like he he needs to not play like Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes or Lamar Jackson, and he needs to like wheel and deal from the pocket and be okay dinking and dunking. If he does that, I think they have a great year. I do think that he wants to play a little more off-platform though, and I think that's where it leads to his downfalls.

SPEAKER_03 39:21

So do you think like uh like Brock Purdy or like Sam Darnold, like you think they would thrive in that Texans offense? Yes. And they you think they can carry them well into the playoffs with that offense.

SPEAKER_00 39:33

Yeah. But I but if you ask me right now, if you ask Emma on this day, March 2026, who I think is a better quarterback, Sam Darnold, or CJ Stroud, I'm gonna pick Sam Darnold.

SPEAKER_03 39:44

Um I'm even gonna pick Brock Purdy. I I I agree, all that like all those quarterbacks are better than CJ Stroud right now. I just don't know if they would thrive in that situation as well. That's that's I guess the difference of our takes.

SPEAKER_02 40:02

That's fair. I don't think like I don't think they make the playoffs with with you can't have the worst, like Matthew Stafford couldn't bring that team to the playoffs with that O line. I don't think it was a disaster, like worse than the league.

SPEAKER_03 40:14

I think Matthew Stafford would retire if he had to play the title.

SPEAKER_02 40:18

Yeah, exactly.

SPEAKER_00 40:19

So god, so many strays. It's but I also think you are undervaluing their run game. Woody Marks was one of the most added players on waivers for two weeks straight. They they were really efficient with the run game. And I also want to like go back to the language you used a little bit because I don't think CJ Stroud brought them to the playoffs. I and I think in most cases the quarterback does bring the team to the playoffs, but I felt like that defense, and I think D'Amico Ryan is a top 10 coach. I think he's fantastic. I think that defense and D'Mico brought them to the playoffs.

SPEAKER_02 40:52

I mean I don't agree with that. I don't disagree at all. I think it absolutely was the defense, but I mean you have to have an incredible defense to win 10 games in a row and go to the playoffs with the worst O-line in football. Like, it's really not a recipe. That's why people that's why O-line is impossible to like really build in free agency or like pay for people. Like, I mean, if you get a left tackle, you have to lock them up and throw away the key. Like, it's it's brutal out there. So, and I mean they don't have any of that. I don't know. I do think there is a lot they're one of the teams that like with that defense, that offense has a lot of room for improvement. Where like it starts at that line, but if they can take a step, I think they're gonna be pretty scary.

SPEAKER_00 41:36

I'm picking the Texans to miss the playoffs.

SPEAKER_02 41:41

I'm not doing that. And I and I'm not scared of them at all. Like, I don't think CJ, I think my biggest concern for CJ is like emotional, just like up and downs this year coming off of that kind of like like brand-killing performance, like really change the trajectory of where he could have gone had he won that game. And like, I don't know.

SPEAKER_03 42:03

Well I think it would be too harsh to be out on him or even question like I mean, like that you should have appropriate questions for him, be like, well, what's this next season gonna look like? And if they do miss the playoffs, then yeah, he's obviously not the answer anymore. But like, I do think this next season for them is gonna be pretty big in Nattel because, like you said, like this defense should carry the should absolutely carry them to at least a playoff berth. It's like, and now the question is, what are you gonna do from there, right? You just gonna make the playoffs? Like, if CJ Stroud's gonna be good enough, they should go pretty far into the playoffs.

SPEAKER_00 42:40

What what is uh what's his leash? What's uh the time time for CJ Stroud?

SPEAKER_02 42:47

God, yeah. NFL comes at you fast. It comes back less than two years ago. He was getting Mahomes comps after that season, literally.

SPEAKER_03 42:55

But also I got a Mahomes comp like every year about every quarterback. That's true. Um exactly.

SPEAKER_00 43:02

Only one can be Mahomes, like it's fine.

SPEAKER_03 43:06

Um I'll give him what's his contract on he's on his own.

SPEAKER_00 43:11

So this will be his fourth year, and they would have to pick up the fifth year option or let him walk at the end of this year.

SPEAKER_03 43:19

Yeah, I think this next year is basically they're gonna try to figure out. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 43:23

My my early take is Mac Jones to the Texans 2027.

SPEAKER_02 43:30

Yeah, I that's a downgrade. But I do think I do think if you don't win a playoff game this season, CJ Start won't be a Texan.

SPEAKER_00 43:38

I think if he has a down year, he won't be a Texan. Like, if it's a bad statistical year.

SPEAKER_02 43:44

Unless that O line doesn't get any better. Like, I I have a hard time blaming the quarterback if you have the worst O line in football. I do think it matters. I don't know.

SPEAKER_03 43:53

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 43:54

But one year is his in my opinion. Like it's this year. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 43:58

That Mac Jones is a crazy take. That's I mean I I I think we saw it thrive in a really good system that was basically kind of meant for him, like on the night's.

SPEAKER_00 44:10

But I but I would argue that the Texans is like that as well. A strong run game, a defensive enemy coach who wants to slow the ball the the game down, play strong defense, and just have someone wheel and deal in the pocket. Like Mac Jones can sit there.

SPEAKER_02 44:27

Mac is not built to play behind that O-line. I was about to say the Niners Olaf. It's like a 40-year-old getting up from some hit sometimes. I'm like, I he needs an O-line to stay healthy to play through.

SPEAKER_00 44:39

I also think, again, I think the O-line pass protection was a problem, but they ran the ball really well. Let's not rewrite history. Like, they need to go draft a tackle. They need to keep developing the younger members of their line. I expect their line to be better. I expect their defense to be amazing. I mean, everyone thought Daniil Hunter was gonna leave and he's still there. And I I think that Stroud is the problem. I think he's good. I just don't know if he can be consistent. And, you know, it's a short timetable in the NFL, and he's had one good year and two bad ones.

SPEAKER_03 45:12

Yeah. I mean, that's still a it's still a very true statement. Yeah. I just yeah, I would I would say we'll we'll find a compromise where it's uh both CJ Stroud's and the O linems fall. No, no, either way. That often's gonna stalk next to it. No, 100%.

SPEAKER_00 45:28

And I don't Cole, not every AFC team is gonna make the playoffs. You've told me you think all three AFC T West teams will, the Bills and the Patriots. I know you think the Bengals are making the playoffs. I know you think the Jags and the Texans are making the playoffs. Um, I assume you think the Ravens are making the playoffs. Not they're all not gonna be there.

SPEAKER_02 45:47

Uh yeah, I don't know about the Ravens. I don't know.

SPEAKER_00 45:49

Okay. Maybe that maybe that's your outlier then.

SPEAKER_02 45:52

And I don't know about three AFC West teams. I pick three AFC West teams because I don't know what to do with them. I feel like I'll cut one of them after the first month of football, kind of. Like, I think there is space for for the Texans, for the Jags. Yeah, like I think they they'll be in the running at least. I mean, I agree. AFC East does feel like it's loaded up with a lot of playoff teams, but also like a lot of playoff teams I want to play. You know what I mean?

SPEAKER_00 46:18

The AFC South?

SPEAKER_02 46:19

No, the AFC in general. Like, yeah, it's like the top of the NFC in the playoffs is so much scarier to me than like any of anybody you'll see in the first round of the AFC playoffs. I don't know.

SPEAKER_00 46:30

Except like Mahomes or Josh.

SPEAKER_02 46:33

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 46:33

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 46:34

Yeah, totally. But even them, Bills, like I don't know, they're not that scary in the playoffs. That was my next that was my fault. Yeah, but they weren't there last year, so like it is. I don't know.

SPEAKER_03 46:44

Like Josh Allen, like, yes, he's a very good, like, obviously MVP cop, but like he keeps on it's every year now. Like, at a certain point, do you like just not get scared of that at all?

SPEAKER_02 46:53

Like, and I am rooting for a I want a visional playoff matchup. I want Allen in the playoffs for the Pats. So I'm rooting for that.

SPEAKER_00 47:02

No, I mean I think I think this year, to your point, Brian, people for a while thought it was just the Chiefs, right? That because he only had lost to one other team and he lost the Chiefs four times. But I think this year proved that it's not so much a Patrick Mahomes in the way issue, it's more of a Josh Allen issue.

SPEAKER_03 47:19

Yeah, I think it's more of a bills are in their own way issue. Yes. And he's kind of careless with the ball issue.

SPEAKER_00 47:25

Um, anything else on the Texans? I'm picking them to miss, um, Cole.

SPEAKER_02 47:34

They're borderline, they're fringe for me, but I do think, man, if the O-line's better, they'll probably they're gonna be pretty good. I'll I'm gonna pick them to make it.

SPEAKER_03 47:42

Mine's wild card, and I think Jaguars are gonna miss.

SPEAKER_00 47:45

Oh, okay. So you're picking the Jags to miss, Texans to wild card. Oh, you're okay. Well, let's get into it. Who's winning the division then?

SPEAKER_03 47:54

Um so I don't think the Colts are gonna win. I don't know. I think I think the Colts are gonna be around a wild card. You're I that's what I'm debating between Texans or Colts right now.

SPEAKER_00 48:04

Okay. Um so Brian, we brought you over for this AOC South episode. We this is not one of our stronger divisions, um, but it's been great talking ball with you on this division, and we gotta wrap it up talking about your team, the Colts. Uh, hit us uh with your questions.

SPEAKER_03 48:22

Well, I'll start with the most obvious question. And uh so can Daniel Jones stay consistently healthy enough throughout the entirety of the season, and also like going forwards, but you know, we're looking at this next season. Is he gonna stay healthy enough and is he gonna play at the level that uh he started playing at the beginning of last year? Um, I think that's the biggest question that I have and I would like to see, and I guess we'll find out week one.

SPEAKER_00 48:52

But I'm gonna I'm gonna take that question and just sort of flip it and be like, is he their week one? Because I I am of the thought that Achilles Achilles is a two-year injury. Like, I thought Kirk Cousins was decent on the Falcons this year. Like, I think he actually came in and made them that eight-nine win team. Um, whereas the year before he was asked, which I think part of that is the Achilles. Um, Aaron Rodgers, better this year than the past year, Achilles, Achilles, oh my god. Um, and yes, Daniel Jones is younger than those guys, but I also think those guys at their peak were a better passer than Daniel Jones. Um is he gonna be there week one?

SPEAKER_03 49:33

He he should be. Um he came out and set down an interview with Pat McAfee. And also Cole can attest to this as he's seen Tatum come back from 10 months, man. That's all you mean. 10 months. It's crazy, right? So Daniel Jones went down like what December, November-ish. And then so yeah, so that'll be you know, around the 10 months would be around the start of the season. Um, apparently he's ahead of schedule, he's gonna make it on time two week one, maybe to the last game of preseason. That is the goal. Um, apparently the surgery that he did do was the same surgeon that did Tatum's, that did Halburden's, that did all of them. And apparently it's a new procedure where it's like basically if you get it done as soon as possible, which is why Tatum's so bad, like it's freakish. He did it like the night of yeah, hours later, yeah. Yeah, but apparently, like if you do an ASAP, the recovery time shortens like by a couple months. Like it's that drastic. Um, so it's it seems pretty realistic. Um yeah, he also had a broken fibula, which apparently he has made full recovery from on his other legs. So seems like it's good progress, but we'll see. Because again, when you come back for your first game, more than the actual muscle and stuff, I feel like it's more the mentality of trusting your leg. You know, so totally.

SPEAKER_02 50:58

I mean, I think that's a decision like every team has to make when a player gets hurt. We saw the Pacers, like y'all tanking, you know what I mean? Yeah, Celtics gave up a bunch, but we kept some, we made some trades, like we're we were trying to get Tatum back, you know what I mean? I do think like you are in a win now window, especially with the sauce trade. I mean, it's what's his injury timeline? Is he gonna be back too?

SPEAKER_03 51:24

Sauce sauce should be fine. Um, he only had like kind of like a calf strain, and so they were just trying to manage that because we kind of at least like it's like why why are we pushing for anything crazy about our quarterback?

SPEAKER_00 51:41

Um with the sauce calf strain, did is that a possibility that that could lead to an Achilles? Because isn't that how they come up?

SPEAKER_03 51:50

Yeah, it apparently Achilles, like, yeah, usually a lot of them get like from cast strains, but castrains are pretty common in just football, basketball in general. So they were just trying to manage his minutes in that regard, but he should be perfectly fine to be playing at the level that he was.

SPEAKER_00 52:06

Right. And who's your QB2 just in case that Daniel Jones is not back?

SPEAKER_03 52:12

Uh Riley Leonard. It's yeah. That's uh honestly, I expected as someone who's watched him at Nerd A, yeah, I had very low expectations of Riley Leonard. He's playing pretty well, actually. I'm like, not like I'm not hating it. Um it's better than Anthony Richardson, which is a tough statement for me to say.

SPEAKER_02 52:39

That is tough. That's yeah, that's heartbreaking. Yeah. Then it was a tough run for him.

SPEAKER_03 52:44

I he will not be a Colt, I don't think, yeah, before the start of the season. Did you happen?

SPEAKER_00 52:50

Do you feel like it's too soon to give up on AR? Like, I knew that you were really high on him even last year.

SPEAKER_03 52:55

Yeah, I mean, when before the season started, I think I literally told you I was like, when they named Daniel Jones the starter, I was like, it's kind of ridiculous that like you're giving up on a 23-year-old. Like, yeah, he's he's still 23. Like, uh, you gotta give him reps, and like, yes, he has been getting reps, but it's like just let him play through the mistakes at the same time. Then you watch how the season started, and you're like, okay, I see why they made that decision when this guy is playing at a veteran level, making the smart reads, which Anthony Richardson just simply couldn't do. Like, it's just a short pass game, right? And then that opens up down the field, and you don't make those picks and mistakes.

SPEAKER_02 53:37

But totally. Um, I like what you guys are doing. I feel like you're not panicking and changing course, which makes me think Daniel Jones is doing okay in recovery and they expect him to play well, but like you kind of without the picks, you kind of do have to try to win now, stick to it, pay Alec Pierce. Like, I I like what you're doing, and I think if Sauce is back, I mean you guys were elite at the beginning of the year, kind of took everyone off guard.

SPEAKER_03 54:01

So yeah, that was actually kind of leads to my next question was regarding the defense of the Colts was how how will Lou and Arumo like answer the missing gaps that they had currently in their defensive roster? Because they don't they don't have a pass rush and they have apparently cornerback death for days now, and so it's like uh what what what's that gonna do when you don't have anyone pressuring the ball, right? Exactly. Um and I feel like he's a really good defensive coordinator, and he but at the same time, it's like you do need the personnel to make it work. And we were kind of looking at Trey Henderson, and that was like that fell through, and it's like we still need that pass rush. So, what are you gonna do? Develop a new guy or get one from the draft? Like, what are you gonna do? Because we don't need to pick trade two more picks, yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 54:56

I think the only answer is hope that you use your second round pick on an edge that it pays off. I mean, this is considered a pretty good edge class, um, that you can get some guys in the second and third round. I wouldn't hate you guys double dipping second round pick edge, third round pick edge.

SPEAKER_03 55:14

Uh I would not hate that at all. Um because I think just like a decent edge rush would elevate elevate this defense to I mean, obviously the Texans are best, but I think it would be on par to the Jaguars defense, if not better than their defense.

SPEAKER_00 55:30

I mean, I think your secondary is better than the Jag secondary.

SPEAKER_03 55:34

Oh, yeah, yeah, by far. Um, especially with Sauce there. I think he just locks down like half the field, which is nice.

SPEAKER_00 55:40

Yeah. Um do you expect them to try and trade up into the first round at all?

SPEAKER_03 55:45

Or do you think they're not in the tourist, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 55:49

Nothing to give up, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 55:50

I mean, giving up two first rounds for Sauce Gardner and a kind of contract that matches up with Dan Jr. Like the next two years is basically a window.

SPEAKER_00 56:01

Did you like the sauce trade? I actually I know you liked it when it happened. Do you like it now?

SPEAKER_03 56:06

Yes, still. Um, because I think they showed enough to me where it was like, yeah, just put your chips in the table, push it all in. If this is not the time, then you know what we'll have to blow it all up and start from scratch. But like you can't be half in, half out, right?

SPEAKER_01 56:26

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 56:26

So at this point, they were so perpetually like mid slash bad that it's like, alright, you kind of see a splash of like a window, and it's like, alright, just get that guy that elevates that defense, and your offense is already humming. You know, I think one of the first eight games are like one of the best offenses in the league. So I was like, alright, you bring most of those pieces back. Now you have Pierce who you paid, who's gonna be that wide receiver one, and get probably five or six more targets per game, which is gonna be really nice.

SPEAKER_00 57:00

Yeah, what's your expectations for Pierce?

SPEAKER_03 57:04

Easily 10 to 12 targets a game.

SPEAKER_00 57:07

Oh wow, so huge fantasy implications there.

SPEAKER_03 57:10

I yeah, I mean, I thought he's for where he was at, like with Michael Pittman and Josh Downs and all that. Like, they basically decide he is wide receiver one right now. He's they're gonna throw him the ball all the time.

SPEAKER_02 57:24

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 57:25

I love it. I'm pretty excited for that.

SPEAKER_02 57:26

He got over a thousand yards, only 84 catches.

SPEAKER_03 57:31

Just bombs, bombs.

SPEAKER_02 57:34

Yeah, I loved him. I mean, I think he's a great player to retain. I liked him on the market. I was like, Alec Pierce to giving him no capital. I wanted us to go after him. Like, I do think it's a big contract, but like I do think people in the building must be like he is really good, and he is gonna be that guy. I mean, he said I watched him in an interview. I mean, he was like, they're not gonna pay me all that money and not throw it to me every time. So like he does have that kind of ego a little bit, which I do like in my wide receiver one. I think he'll I think he'll have a massive year.

SPEAKER_03 58:05

Yeah, the Patriots offered like what, 30 million?

SPEAKER_02 58:07

Yeah, he turned down on a crazy bag.

SPEAKER_03 58:10

Yeah. Oh man. Yeah, I think um, but he he said in the interview, he was just like, I'm coming back to the cult. It's not really for the money, which the money is like all similar, right? Like it's 28, 29 million.

SPEAKER_01 58:23

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 58:23

But he was like, I want to play with Daniel Jones. It's like, all right, if you are that's huge because like, you know, it's not like uh we're gonna try this out, maybe that receiver that you you're not expecting your quarterback to make that chemistry, right? Like you're they already have that chemistry. Totally. Um and I that's why I do like Daniel Jones for a team, because I'm like, he didn't Pierce didn't have that connection with Anthony Richardson or Riley Leonard or etc. It's like Daniel Jones did have that connection. He knows that that guy's gonna be open, so yeah.

SPEAKER_00 58:56

What other uh Colts questions you got?

SPEAKER_03 58:59

Um, this one is kind of like it is based on the season, but is towards like it's more of a contingency question. So it's like should Jonathan Taylor be extended regardless of the results of this year because you know, basically, has he proven to be uh good enough to be a cult going forwards perpetually? Because like he uh he's his extension is this end of this year, and it's like that's why I'm like it is a win now situation, because like you got JT for this next year. Do you extend him regardless? Like, you know, what if you have another sure year where everyone gets injured again? And then I don't know.

SPEAKER_00 59:41

The value of him, I would almost try to pay him now, maybe a little under what it'll be next year. Like, I don't know what your cap situation is like, but I think I very tight. I think I think I lean towards because of what he showed, paying him now, because that benefits everyone, and you can pro like what if he has an even better season next year and you have to beat the Saquon contract. I think right now you don't have to beat the Saquon contract. So I I would lean towards that from like a business side, but there's also like every stat out there is like if an RB gets X amount of touches, they're gonna have a down year.

SPEAKER_02 1:00:23

So so wait, he has two years left on his deal?

SPEAKER_03 1:00:26

Oh, this next year is last year.

SPEAKER_02 1:00:28

Oh, this coming year he's done.

SPEAKER_03 1:00:30

Yeah, this coming year, yeah, 2026, 2027, yeah. So he's up for an extension after that, or I guess currently.

SPEAKER_01 1:00:38

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 1:00:38

Um, yeah, I I just find it really interesting because I do I'm in a similar mindset where I'm like, you should just try to offer him an extension right now.

SPEAKER_01 1:00:48

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 1:00:48

Um, I think he's proven enough over the years that he is that good. And even last season, it's like we did spend eight weeks talking about whether this guy could be an MVP or not, you know?

SPEAKER_01 1:00:59

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 1:01:00

Um, which is ridiculous for a running back position. Like, that's what Saquon was doing, but for 17 weeks, you know? Um, and JT could still do that. It's like I do think a lot changes when your quarterback goes down and your quarterback is a run heavy slash impact, throw the ball down the field. That opens up a lot for JT. So I would like to see what season looks like in general next year. Whether he's gonna be back to that MEP caliber level, it's like getting ridiculous, like three touchdowns a game, or is he just gonna be kind of just like any other running back, you know?

SPEAKER_00 1:01:35

Just yeah.

SPEAKER_02 1:01:36

Yeah, I think I would wait for the end of the year. I just think like you said, your window really is two years. So like what if like if there's a Daniel, God forbid, if there's a Daniel Jones injury this year, or it doesn't he doesn't come back quite, right? Whatever it is, it's there's a bump along the road, and then it gets pushed off, and like then all of a sudden you're looking like, man, did our window close already? And now we have this four-year JT contract we gotta worry about, and like I don't know. I do think see how this year goes. Are you actually as close as you think you are before you pay? Like, is he gonna want a four-year deal, three-year deal?

SPEAKER_00 1:02:11

I think he's just gonna want a lot guaranteed.

SPEAKER_03 1:02:14

Yeah, I'd probably just want to guarantee. Can you give him a two-year deal?

SPEAKER_02 1:02:17

Yeah, probably not.

SPEAKER_03 1:02:19

No, yeah, it would probably be longer, but yeah. Two-year deal would be fantastic.

SPEAKER_02 1:02:23

That would be ideal, yeah. Do what you just did with Danny Dimes. Be like, you two can leave together after two years.

SPEAKER_03 1:02:29

Yeah. Honestly, it's not really a terrible idea for a theater. I maybe give him some freedom.

SPEAKER_00 1:02:36

I would try to the the reason I would try to pay him now is I would try to pay him less than what I might have to pay him next year.

SPEAKER_03 1:02:43

Yeah, so you you think he's he's gonna have a breakout season next year.

SPEAKER_00 1:02:47

Yeah, I think he'll be good again next season. I I think him, Gibbs, Bijan, CMC went on, and Saquon are like in their own tier. And I think if you have one of those guys, it's the same way you treat having a tier one quarterback. Like you pay him.

SPEAKER_03 1:03:03

Yeah, I think um, I mean, as long as you have Quentin Nelson um on that team in the O-line, I think uh you gotta just pay JT because that O-line is gonna make gaps for him and he's gonna run through them. Totally. It's just that I'm more worried about what the quarterback is gonna do.

SPEAKER_02 1:03:22

Is there any cons is there any concern with him like not playing on a one year done this last year? Does he want a new contract bad? Is that part of it?

SPEAKER_03 1:03:32

No, but I mean, I would I just would assume that like a player at his caliber would just expect to get paid, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 1:03:39

You know, in such a dangerous position. Yeah, I would not not a lot of RBs like playing on that final year.

SPEAKER_03 1:03:45

And I feel like that's more of a talking point of RB's in general, just like they want to elevate you know the contracts for running backs and make it look good. And totally, you know, Saquon was like the face of that.

SPEAKER_02 1:03:56

So that's why if I'm the owner, I don't mind not paying him because like even if it does go up in price, RB's money's not that high. Like, what is that, two million dollars? Like 12 to 14 if he's unbelievable, or what I mean.

SPEAKER_00 1:04:09

Saquon's closer to 20 now.

SPEAKER_02 1:04:11

Yeah, yeah. I don't think I think that was an overpay. I don't think the market corrects and keeps going above that, to be honest, for RB. I don't know.

SPEAKER_00 1:04:19

Oh, I disagree. I think he'll try and match the Saquon deal. Like, that's what his agent will ask for.

SPEAKER_03 1:04:24

I would not be surprised by that because again, like like that caliber player, like they're kind of in their own tier as opposed to like Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 1:04:32

I mean, I guess the only way you would get that is if you like demand it this year. Say, I'm not gonna play unless I get a new deal. Yeah, because if you walk, I don't know. Yeah, I don't know if someone offers him 20 million a year. I don't know.

SPEAKER_03 1:04:47

Yeah. That's it depends on like again, if the Colts wait it out towards the end of the season and then they go on a stupid good run, it's like he might want that, you know? And that's true. That's fair, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 1:04:59

I guess that's the risk.

SPEAKER_03 1:05:00

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 1:05:01

I got uh two final Colts questions for you.

SPEAKER_03 1:05:05

Okay, okay.

SPEAKER_00 1:05:06

Number one, what is your expectations for Daniel Jones this season? Because I know you expect him to play, but I also can sense that you're nervous about it. So, like, where like what is the top 15, top 10, top 20?

SPEAKER_03 1:05:22

Um I would like to see top 15. I think that's fair. It's better than average. Um, I think when he was playing healthy at the time that he was, yeah, he was easily a top 10. If not, people were fringe top five, top like six.

SPEAKER_00 1:05:44

That's fair.

SPEAKER_03 1:05:44

Um I think he can be that good, but again, coming off of injury, I think you gotta give him grace. You just gotta expect better than average. So top 15 easily. Um also, especially given the personal. Personnel that he has, like you have the O-line protection, you have the receiver depth, you have the running back to again run the ball as much as you need to. That should all give him leeway where he's not in that much pressure to be like, I need to get the ball out, I need to like what you know, just stay healthy, make the right reads. That's what literally the Colts have been asking for a quarterback to do for them for the past how many years? And it's like that, and now he's literally just done that, and that's why it looks so good until he got hurt, right? It's like they don't need him to do Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, superhero stuff. They just need him to make the right reads, get the open guy, because you have all the personnel. So that's my expectation. And I think uh if he does just that, that's already gonna be better than average of a quarterback.

SPEAKER_00 1:06:51

Yeah, that's fair. Um, and lastly, are the Colts making the playoffs, and what's your AFC South finishing order?

SPEAKER_03 1:07:00

Um I I would really like them too. Oh my god. Um I'm I'm gonna say yes because I'm I'm gonna be a hopeful fan, but holy cow, I've just seen them in the wild card position or not in the playoffs like every single year for so long. Uh but I think they will make it this year. I think if they can't make the playoffs with this roster that they have, yeah, then gotta blow it up. Blow up the entire organization, honestly. They gotta get the front office out. Like that Chris got like all of them gotta go. Yeah. Because like at that point, like what do you do, right?

SPEAKER_02 1:07:39

Nikki take I like for you guys. You know what? If Daniel Jones just ain't recovered in time, man, maybe we go for a little Arch Manning. Bring Manning back in the building. Maybe it's maybe you know I don't like Arch Jones. Danny not fully recovered. I don't know.

SPEAKER_03 1:07:56

I'm not high on Arch Manning at all. Uh I don't think he's that good of a quarterback.

SPEAKER_00 1:08:02

But did you know his uncle Peyton played there?

SPEAKER_03 1:08:05

Yeah, that could be a story. They almost have a statue outside.

SPEAKER_00 1:08:10

Yeah, no, I think I kind of like that take. If things aren't going well, tank. I do think no one can out tank the Dolphins, though.

SPEAKER_03 1:08:16

I think like No, they're they're like getting a win after that. They're nailing it. They're doing fantastic.

unknown 1:08:22

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 1:08:23

Um, Cole. Wait, Brian, what's your AFC South finishing order?

SPEAKER_03 1:08:27

Oh, yeah, yeah. Uh I think Texans, Colts, Jaguars, Titans.

SPEAKER_00 1:08:34

Okay, Cole, what's yours?

SPEAKER_02 1:08:37

Yeah, I think I'm gonna take the Texans too. Texans, Jags, Colts. Titans.

SPEAKER_00 1:08:46

I'm going Jags, Texans, Colts, Titans.

SPEAKER_02 1:08:50

Damn, it is. I mean, Colts talking about him here gets me a little more because like I forget that you have Pierce, you guys have Warren on offense, JT, like so good. If if Danny Dimes is healthy and good sauce, look, I'm telling you, like, everyone's position is they don't have a chance. They rip the Titans already.

SPEAKER_03 1:09:08

Yeah, yeah. Again, I think every position on the Colts, like, it's all like pretty good, if not really good. It's just the quarterback position, which is the most important part. That's like the biggest question. Yeah, absolutely. But at the same time, it's like those questions are all true for the Texans and the Jaguars, too.

SPEAKER_00 1:09:25

It's like you know what, you know what, Brian? Because I love you, I'm gonna go Jagt Texans type of Jaguars.

SPEAKER_02 1:09:31

I like that. That's how you go. That's what you think in your heart.

SPEAKER_00 1:09:34

And yeah, that's how that's how I'm so over the Texans. I'm like, come on.

SPEAKER_03 1:09:38

That's what I'm trying to persuade you.

SPEAKER_02 1:09:40

Yeah, no, I mean it worked. It worked, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 1:09:42

It worked.

SPEAKER_02 1:09:43

I'm a little higher on them now, too. I think yeah.

SPEAKER_00 1:09:46

Well, see, this is you know, this is exactly why we're doing this division series. We get to talk ball with everyone about their favorite teams and like hear things that we haven't thought about and see what the fan thinks.

SPEAKER_03 1:09:58

Yeah, yeah. You can be like me and draft Tyler Warren in like round seven of fantasy drafts.

SPEAKER_00 1:10:05

Yeah, you did have Warren.

SPEAKER_03 1:10:07

I'll probably be up there this year, though.

SPEAKER_00 1:10:09

Oh, yeah. Are you uh is he a top five TED end in fantasy?

SPEAKER_03 1:10:12

Yes. Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 1:10:13

Easy. Um definitely Brian, are you drafting any Jonathan Taylor this year before we go?

SPEAKER_03 1:10:19

Uh based on what yeah, I feel like if I get a if no one takes him before me, then I'll absolutely try to draft him ASAP. What's his ADP, you think?

SPEAKER_00 1:10:30

Top ten. Thank you.

SPEAKER_03 1:10:31

Oh, easily, yeah. I mean, just the number of pushbacks that he got. Um that's true.

SPEAKER_02 1:10:37

I feel like the running backs though always coming off a good year.

SPEAKER_00 1:10:40

It always kind of yeah, I I try to avoid RBs going off a good year.

SPEAKER_03 1:10:44

Yeah, that's true. I mean, Saquon last year. Yeah, Bijan's Bijan might be like top three. Yeah. Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 1:10:52

Um Bijan or Gibbs, yeah. And uh JSN and Puka, they'll go.

SPEAKER_03 1:10:56

I I like Bijan more than Gibbs, honestly. Yeah, he's just ridiculous. Because he catches the ball and runs too. Like, he does everything.

SPEAKER_00 1:11:05

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 1:11:06

Um excited for it.

SPEAKER_00 1:11:08

Brian, thanks for coming on and talking the ball with us. Um problem. This was so great to talk AFC South. Uh, Cole, any last words?

SPEAKER_02 1:11:16

No, that was great. Um, gets me excited. I'm sad we're doing these all now because we got such a long wait. I'm like, man, I want to see these scenarios play out now. No, yeah, that was it was great. You know, we don't talk about this division much, so this was I feel you know well versed now. I'm a little these these research. You'd be really my best fantasier of all time for sure. Let's fucking go. Um, yeah, thanks for coming on, Brian.

SPEAKER_00 1:11:41

Everyone have a good night.