NFC East 2026: Every Team's Ceiling, Floor & Breakout Player (Ep. 2050)
STACKED extracted the fantasy-relevant player signal from this podcast and kept the full transcript here for context.
1 hr 9 min
Duration
Estimated from transcript
Jun 11, 2026
Published
Thu, June 11, 2026
16
Player insights
12
Players mentioned
Topics
DeVonta SmithGeorge PickensIsaiah LikelyChuba HubbardDak PrescottJake FergusonJalen HurtsJayden DanielsJonathon BrooksMalachi FieldsSaquon BarkleyTerry McLaurin
Player analysis
Player insights
Chuba Hubbard
NegativeRole0:49
Chuba Hubbard struggled last season, failing to record any explosive runs and losing his job after getting hurt, which raises concerns about his role in the Panthers' backfield.
Insight pageDak Prescott
PositiveProjection0:40
If Dak Prescott stays healthy and plays to his abilities, the Cowboys could be a very good team, potentially winning 10-13 games.
Insight pageDeVonta Smith
PositiveRole0:18
Devonta Smith is expected to step up as the number one wide receiver for the Eagles, especially with AJ Brown's absence, and has shown potential to thrive in that role.
Insight pagePositiveUsage0:19
Devonta Smith has recorded 87 receptions for 1207 yards and 6 touchdowns in 21 games without AJ Brown, indicating he can be productive when the top receiver is absent.
Insight pageNegativeRole0:19
There are concerns about Devonta Smith's ability to be a clear number one receiver, especially compared to AJ Brown, which may limit his upside.
Insight pageGeorge Pickens
PositiveRole0:39
George Pickens has always been a talented player, but his stats at Georgia were limited due to the team's heavy run game and dominant victories.
Insight pageNegativeRole0:39
Concerns exist regarding George Pickens' contract situation and potential injuries, which could hinder the Cowboys' offensive performance this season.
Insight pageIsaiah Likely
PositiveBreakout0:59
Isaiah Likely is expected to take a big step forward and could become a focal point of the passing attack if he can handle the workload.
Insight pagePositiveBreakout0:59
Isaiah Likely has the potential to take a big step forward and become a focal point of the passing attack this season, especially if he can handle a larger workload.
Insight pageJake Ferguson
PositiveRole0:40
Jake Ferguson is considered a solid tight end option in the Cowboys' offense, contributing to their overall potential.
Insight pageJalen Hurts
PositiveProjection0:22
Jalen Hurts is anticipated to improve his rushing performance this season, which will positively impact Saquon Barkley's effectiveness as well.
Insight pageJayden Daniels
NegativeRole0:56
Jaden Daniels is facing challenges due to a lack of supporting cast and a tough schedule, which could hinder his performance this season.
Insight pageJonathon Brooks
PositiveRole0:06
The Panthers have expectations that Jonathan Brooks could potentially be the lead back over Chuba Hubbard, which indicates a significant role change for him this season.
Insight pageMalachi Fields
PositiveRole0:01
Malachi Fields was drafted to fill a role in the offense, but he may not be a high-end target earner or difference maker as a rookie.
Insight pageSaquon Barkley
PositiveProjection0:22
Saquon Barkley is expected to have a bounce back season, improving from last year's performance, although he won't reach the elite level he once had.
Insight pageTerry McLaurin
NegativeInjury0:46
Terry McLaurin came into camp late and has been dealing with injuries, which raises concerns about his availability and performance.
Insight pageFull transcript
Episode Transcript
0:00This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed Human. Guaranteed Human.
0:03It's time for the tailgate it's me Joe Pisapia joe p.
0:06p is up here with me of course is andrew erickson and look what the cat dragged in from his staycation.
0:12it's deep bro everybody remember him derrick brown thank goodness that Scott Bogman was here filling in for him for the last
0:18two weeks two weeks where we haven't seen you in and de bro we caught a lot of slack because we did
0:25the saints preview yeah of course in the comments i saw all that holmy god why you're doing this without derrick how
0:31could you do this i'm like i thought you'd want a non-biased take, especially since you abandoned that team this time last year.
0:38Now all of a sudden you're a fan again.
0:40Andrew, by the way, did you measure the size of the bandwagon in which Derek had to jump back onto when it came to the New Orleans Saints?
0:49Did you get a good measurement on that? Just a tad bit short.
0:52That's what it was. Just a tad bit short.
0:55Feels like it. Feels like it. That's okay. So do you want to get your Saints two bits in?
1:00Because we all picked them to win the division.
1:03We were all very excited about the Saints. You beautiful man.
1:06I don't know. So since everybody's dying to know what you think, before we get to headlines today or anything else, I feel like you should chime in.
1:14Absolutely. I'm with you boys. I think the Saints win the division.
1:18I think they're the best bet on the board in the NFC South.
1:22I bet the over for their win total right now.
1:25I think that this is going to be a really good year for the New Orleans Saints.
1:29They've gotten younger and explosive on the offensive side of the ball, as well as the defensive side.
1:35Like, bringing Cade Nellis, now you have Kristen Miller, possibly the best defensive tackle that they have on the entire roster because
1:41Godshow and Brissett, like those other guys have failed to kind of live up to the hype.
1:46We'll see if Cam Jordan actually makes it back onto this roster before week one.
1:50I was watching some stuff with Nick Underhill and he said Cam Jordan for his entire tenure with the Saints has always
1:57had two corner lockers, one of which has been cleaned out, but one of which is still there.
2:02So we shall see, boys. I don't even know.
2:05Why does he get two lockers? Am I supposed to understand that?
2:08I don't know! But he's had that. I don't care where they are.
2:12Why do you need two? So if you found out Drake May had two lockers, would you really have that big of a problem?
2:19Drake May can do whatever he wants. There we go.
2:22There's the past phantom. There we go. Drop in the comments.
2:25There we go. Today we're going to continue our previews.
2:28If you want to watch the NFC South, you can go back and watch on demand on our YouTube channel.
2:34Subscribe to the tailgate. Today we're going to do the NFC East.
2:37So the beast of the East will tell you who that beast might be.
2:41And remember, when you subscribe to the tailgate, all your new users, you win cool stuff, including our latest giveaway that we're going to give away.
2:49The Ja'Marr Chase jersey is gone. It's out. It's done.
2:52The winner of our Jamar Chase jersey giveaway is 345 Duende.
2:55So Duende 345 it's you. So contact us at customer support.
2:58Hit us up at mailbag at fantasypros.com with your mailing address, screenshot of your YouTube account, maybe some flattering pictures of you.
3:05I don't know. Mailbag at fantasypros.com That's what you do.
3:07So 345 Duende. You're the big winner of the Jamar Chase jersey.
3:11We're going to be sending that out to you.
3:14And when one giveaway goes away, another takes its place.
3:16So if you're the tailgate, welcome. Because our next giveaway is a big one.
3:21The B. John Robinson jersey. Oh, baby. Let's go.
3:23Signed. Falcons jersey. Perfect time, right? That NFC South show we just did just in the books there.
3:28It's from Pristine Auction as well. So it comes with all the, you know, the official doodads in there and tells you that B.
3:35John signed it. So how do you win? Subscribe to the tailgate.
3:39Drop your comment below. That's it. That's all you got to do.
3:42Like the stream. Can't hurt your ability to win it as well.
3:46We got a couple of things we're going to talk about at the top here with headlines, but I know you guys aren't big like you're football guys.
3:54You're focused on everything else. I think the sports stuff is kind of like in the ether for you, but this is
4:00so much fun that I just want to talk about it with you.
4:04Have you paid attention at all to Elmo getting dragged on Twitter during the NBA finals?
4:09I'm just curious. Is this, is this a new stuff?
4:12See, does it have to do with the chicken dance or anything like that?
4:16No, it does not have to do with the chicken dance.
4:19So Elmo being Elmo living on Sesame Street and most people, you know, Sesame Street is associated with the inner city, New
4:25York kind of stuff, especially for young children like me who grew up in Brooklyn without cable and all we had was public television.
4:32That was it. That's what we had. 15 miles in the snow, the whole bit.
4:37That's right. That's right. PS 236. Shout out, baby.
4:39Ate the whole pot of sauce, you know, stretched it over a week, half, you know?
4:44So Elmo tweeted out before the NBA finals, Elmo hopes both teams have fun.
4:48Elmo getting dragged on Twitter by New Yorkers everywhere.
4:51Some of these tweets are hilarious. This isn't the time for sportsmanship, Elmo.
4:54These streets ain't Sesame, bro. You've got ones that someone just retweeted this girl, Ashley, retweeted and said, just coward to Elmo just right off the top.
5:02If you're neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.
5:07So take that, Elmo. Don't forget where you're from, you little red effort.
5:10I mean, unbelievable. But the best one, the best one that I saw was somebody found an old picture, I guess, at
5:17one point, Carmelo Anthony and Amari Stoudemire, former Knicks, were on Sesame Street with Grover.
5:21And somebody tweeted that picture and said, Grover's the real one, Elmo.
5:25And that was spectacular. So, internet games this week.
5:27Has Spike Lee weighed in yet? I mean, I think that's the bigger part of the news.
5:32Has Spike Lee decided to dunk on Elmo? Well, I mean, I get like, Nick's fans are taking this stuff seriously.
5:38We're recording this on Wednesday, play the next game tonight.
5:41I know this is a football show, but Elmo getting dragged on Twitter was, and some of them are like straight up.
5:48Wouldn't have put that on my 2026 bingo card, I'll tell you that.
5:51Erickson, do you think people should drag Muppets publicly in the streets for sports stuff?
5:56No, but it just goes to show, you know, anytime there's an event going on, someone's always going to get upset on one side, no matter what.
6:04Elmo, you're either a New Yorker or you're not, bro.
6:06Like, you know, you got to like, keep it real.
6:09All right, let's keep it real with the Panthers for a second here, because I feel like I've had this conversation with
6:16both of you and I'm still kind of, I would, it's wish casting as far as I'm concerned, but Cameron Wolfe reported
6:22that the Panthers have expectations that Jonathan Brooks could potentially be the lead back over Chuba Hubbard.
6:27Now, we're pushing a lot farther than I thought we would this early.
6:31Erickson, D-Bros talked a lot already, so talk to me about this Jonathan Brooks situation here.
6:35So it's one thing to think he could be a useful backup plan, it's another thing now to suggest that he could
6:42potentially take over the backfield as the number one guy.
6:45Are you buying this? Like, this seems like, a little bit of hopium for me.
6:49I don't think so. I mean, did we see Chuba Hubbard play at the end of last year when he had zero
6:56runs of over 15 yards, zero explosive rushes for Chuba Hubbard, who has broke down at the second half of the last two seasons.
7:03Lost a job outright after getting hurt, did not get it back from Rico Dowd, and then down the stretch they ended up splitting both guys.
7:10So, I think that the Jonathan Brooks thing is real for what he could potentially do in this Panthers office.
7:16Again, he's only going to be 23 years old in July.
7:19I get that he's coming off these devastating knee injuries, but if you're ever going to bet on someone coming back from
7:25a knee injury, it's someone that's 23 years old and not someone that's 30.
7:30So, I'm buying it. Don't hurt your knee now, Erickson, because you're above 30, so just be careful now because no comebacks for you.
7:37D-Bro, I mean, I assume you put this on your vision board already, like this Jonathan Brooks thing.
7:42we need a D-Bro vision board for the season.
7:44I just want to put, I think we should all do that.
7:48We should all make digital vision boards for the season of the things that we're manifesting and do them on the show this year.
7:55What do you say? We in? Oh yeah, totally down with that.
7:58That's a wonderful idea. AI slop vision boards coming at you later this year.
8:02We're going to do it. So, D-Bro, I mean, Jonathan Brooks, I, two torn ACLs in the same knee.
8:08I know he's 23. I get all that. But, I mean, to unseat the guy that you're also paying in Chuba Hubbard, I can carve out the role.
8:16I get it. I can say if emergency break open glass, okay, we'll see how it happens.
8:21But to just replace Chuba Hubbard, I think, is a little absurd conversation right now.
8:25I don't think it's an absurd conversation at all.
8:28I think you are. You're on the Daniel Jones island.
8:31We've already discussed this. Out of all the islands, that's not exactly the happiest.
8:35I know there's a lot of islands getting talked about in the press these days, but, you know, notwithstanding.
8:40But the thing with Chuba Hubbard, too, with that contract, you also have to realize, too, that after this season, he can get cut at any point.
8:48Like, he does have more years left on this thing, but after this year, that contract does flip to where they would
8:55save money against the cap, actually $6 million in 2027.
8:58So, I've always kind of looked at the Chuba Hubbard deal as they were buying time with Jonathan Brooks' health and stuff.
9:04And I don't think this is crazy at all, to be honest, man.
9:08Like, they let Rico Dowd out a walk. Outside of Jonathan Brooks, what do you have on this depth chart?
9:14Trevor Etienne? Like, that's it. And, well, actually, no, you don't even have him.
9:18You have Trevor Etienne now. You don't even have Trevor Etienne.
9:21We still don't know. He's in radio silence about his last name.
9:24He has. You know, do you find that upsetting?
9:27Sounds like another Elmo situation. He doesn't have to come out and say it.
9:31People already know. It's the same name, same pronunciation.
9:34But, like, dude, back to Brooks, Chuba Hubbard, to Erickson's point, he was one of the most of inefficient running backs on
9:40a per-touch base that you could actually make that he was the most inefficient running back on a per-touch base since last year.
9:47Like, Erickson highlighted, he had over 130 carries, zero explosive runs.
9:50Amongst 49 qualifying running backs, he was dead last in missed tackle rate.
9:54He was 47th in yards after contact for attempt.
9:56So, what are we talking about here? The guy who had the run, who's been up and down, his collegiate career was
10:03up and down, the guy that is now truly healthy.
10:06And the two ACL part, I'll point everybody to Jeff Mueller had a wonderful tweet going through all of this.
10:11If we all rewind back to Brooks' recovery after that first ACL, it wasn't like it was all rainbows and wonderful things coming out about that.
10:19It seemed like he was having setbacks from the very beginning that ACL surgery didn't go well.
10:24So, it's really like we could just chalk that up to the surgery was botched, not like for, you know, whatever.
10:30It was Dr. Nick from The Simpsons. It was not good.
10:33Hey, everybody. I've thrown many ACLs and put them back together.
10:36It wasn't good, man. And so, that ACL reconstruction never took hold.
10:40It failed. And this one has been nothing but we've gotten glittering reports throughout the process.
10:45And now he's in camp and he looks like the guy.
10:48And that's all with us glossing over the fact of how long a recovery period that he's had.
10:53He should be 100% right now. Right now, guys.
10:56How? When? When? Right now? Right now. What are we talking about?
10:59What are we talking about? Right now. Before we get off of the Jonathan Brooks conversation, I have a quiz for you guys.
11:06So, what do you think? take the under-overs. Jonathan Brooks is going to be 23 years old.
11:11What is Jonathan Brooks career receiving yards? Under-over, 23.
11:13Over. What? You mean receiving yards that he's going to have this year?
11:17No, like in his career. That he's had in his career.
11:20Oh, has he even played like two games? That's why it's a quiz, Joe.
11:24Do you know? It's under. You're taking under? I think it's over.
11:28Okay, and then offensive snaps. 23. Over-under. I'm going to say under also.
11:32Over-barely. I think both those were barely over. So, he has 23 career receiving yards and 23 offensive snaps.
11:37That's the right answer. There you go. Dude. Somebody watching this show playing hacky sack just blew their mind, bro.
11:43It's unbelievable. Let's talk about another running back, too.
11:46Making some headlines. And, you know, starting to get more and more comfortable with the idea of actually being the guy to the...
11:52I don't know if I sent him to the mood yet, but the quote here from John Shipley from Sports Illustrated says,
11:59certainly looks like he was picking up steam, whatever the hell that means, at organized team events.
12:04And people wonder why some of these places go.
12:06Like, I don't know what that tells me, but like, somebody's got to report on something and say something.
12:12So, I'm starting to just... Manifest in my brain, I'm trying to understand that Bhayshul Tuten is the most explosive guy.
12:18Basial Tootin is the guy that was drafted last year and Basial Tootin is just a second year player.
12:23So, all those things should line up for Basial Tootin to be the guy in Jacksonville this year.
12:29Erickson, I know originally you were kind of feeling the Chris Rodriguez thing.
12:32I was still saying, hey, let's not dismiss it altogether.
12:35I still have concerns, but I'm starting to have less concerns.
12:38Now, again, I don't know if I'm just... Maybe I'm wish casting on this one.
12:43But what do you think here about the Basial Tootin hype train here as we start to turn into mid-June?
12:49Big fan of Basial Tootin and I think that he is going to end up being the best running back on the Jacksonville Jaguars this season.
12:56So, Chris Rodriguez, I think that he is very restricted in terms of what he can do and offer an NFL team.
13:03He turns second and long into second and seven or third and seven or whatever the offensive coordinator was talking about when
13:09we talked about this on an earlier fantasy pro show that recorded last week about Chris Rodriguez and Basial Tootin.
13:15He just does everything that I think Chris Rodriguez can do and more.
13:19And citing the explosiveness for Tootin, he wasn't even explosive last year.
13:22He had one of the worst breakaway run rates of all running backs last season.
13:26But we know dating back to his days in college, that's not his profile.
13:30You don't look at him as, oh, this guy's a plotter.
13:34He can't break off big runs. He just didn't happen to do it last year.
13:38And I think that has to go with being a rookie day three pick that had fumble secure or fumble issues and ball security issues entering the NFL.
13:46And that's a concern. Yeah, but what I'm saying is he was thinking about that more on the field than trusting what
13:53he saw hitting the hole and generating big plays.
13:55This year, it's going to be the trope, the cliche.
13:58Well, Basial Tootin, the game is really slowing down for him.
14:01But in this case, I kind of want to buy it because his breakaway run rate in college was 47%.
14:07It was 10% last year, which is the fifth lowest among all running backs.
14:11And when you just look at Tootin, that's not his type of game.
14:15Like he is a big play threat. I think we're going to see that on display.
14:20He's going to get red zone opportunities. I'm not worried about Chris Rodriguez there.
14:24They took Travis Achan off the field last year to put Basial Tootin in the game.
14:28So I don't think C-Rod is going to be doing much except picking up three yards on first and 10.
14:34Can Basial Tootin be as successful as A-T-N was or Achan was last year in this offense, Derek?
14:39Oh yeah, I think he definitely can be. The question is how much does Rodriguez eat into his work?
14:45I think that the biggest concerns concerns with that are on early downs and in the red zone which I mean are still mild concerns.
14:52I don't disagree with any of that but I think he is going to be the lead back.
14:57I think Tootin will be the lead back because to Erickson's point the explosivity wasn't there on a per-touch basis but outside
15:04of that Tootin was really stinking good, man. Like among 55 qualifying backs he was 5th best in rushing success rate he
15:10was 11th in missed tackle rate and 17th in yards of contact per attempt and this front office Gladstone and Liam Cohen
15:16have already come out and talked about these analytical numbers are stuff that they care about and they look at so while
15:23we can talk about Rodriguez as good in those metrics too so is Tootin and Tootin actually has pass catching chops and
15:29that's the part where Rodriguez doesn't have that like we have never seen him as a pass catcher in college or in
15:36the NFL so he's going to spell him on early downs fine he can take the Basial Tootin role of last year
15:42while Tootin is doing the 60-65% work like Travis Etienne was doing last year and be a top 20 back in this
15:48offense Alright, let's turn our attention to the NFC East and let's start with the Philadelphia Eagles Jalen Hurts by the way
15:55has had 5 different offensive coordinators already in his career as a Philadelphia Eagle I just want to throw that out there
16:015 already Kevin Petula luckily is not returning here but he has a job because once you become an offensive coordinator in
16:08the NFL you have a job somewhere for life it's the best gig I can only hope someday I can get that
16:14job and then I will work forever it'll be unbelievable for me so the Eagles last year 11-6 in 2025 quick exit
16:20for them courtesy of the 49ers Nick Sirianni I think is under a lot of pressure this year I'm just going to
16:27keep it real I think if this team does not get off to a good start I understand he won the Super
16:33Bowl a couple years ago I don't think they care I don't think Philadelphia cares fans certainly don't it is a very
16:40fickle fan base that is going to be quick on the trigger that will want a change there if they don't perform
16:46up to snuff the new play caller by the way we have Sean Mannion who is a new offensive coordinator is new
16:52to doing it right he's going to be the 11th different coordinator or play caller by the way so they go back
16:59and forth all the way go back to college he's had 11 different play callers or offensive coordinators so Jalen Hurts this
17:05is what he does right Erickson he kind of like every year it's a new look for whatever it is we don't
17:12know necessarily what Sean Mannion is going to do all I can venture to guess is without AJ Brown you see Saquon
17:18Barkley catching a football more you see them going all in on Makai Lemon because I think that'd be crazy not to
17:24this is why you moved up in the draft to select him so the Steelers could not and yes an expanded role
17:31of Devonta Smith but I don't think Devonta Smith all of a sudden becomes Pukanakua in terms of targets I don't think
17:37that's going to happen either so you don't think he can be the number one wide receiver because like that's what the
17:44Eagles are telling us on his own team or the number one wide receiver you're saying it's going to be all about
17:50operating as a true number one wide receiver can you do that because you're saying that it's going to be all Makai
17:56Lemon and I don't think that's right I think they're a one in one A to be honest with you that's what
18:03I think I think Smith is a clear one yeah I agree with Debro I think that the way that they've talked
18:09about him stepping in I mean he carved out he carved out a 1B role alongside AJ Brown one of the most
18:15awful because that's what he is I think you got those splits with you when AJ Brown has been out I know
18:22you tweeted him a while back I mean Devonta Smith basically turns into a top 10 fantasy pretty good man brown or
18:28even Dallas Goddard has missed time in the past so I get you like Makai Lemon and I think that he's a
18:35really good piece to this offense we'll see how it gels because it's going to be brand new they're installing the Sean
18:41McVay Kyle Shanahan type offense with Sean Mannion who we still don't know really much about and how he's going to do
18:4734 years old he just turned with the Packers over the last two seasons he last played in 2023 so I am
18:54very interested to see what this offense looks like throwing the ball more over the middle of the field but I mean
19:00Nick Sirianni's buying Devonta Smith's sock some of the players on the Eagles are talking about yeah no Devonta Smith I know
19:07he hasn't really been in that number one role but we think that he can be all ball and be that number
19:13one guy for us so I still think it's going to be Smith's offense as the number one again maybe Lemon eats
19:19it but like from week one I would be very shocked if it's Lemon and Devonta Smith both seeing the same amount
19:26of targets especially with Dallas Goddard also one of Jalen Hurts' you know preferred targets underneath so Devonta Smith has 87 receptions
19:32for 1207 yards and 6 touchdowns in 21 total games without AJ Brown that includes 17 of those 21 that's going to
19:39record his rookie season yeah yeah well because it has to because that's most of the time that he wasn't with AJ
19:45Brown he was a rookie yeah look man Devonta Smith is a nice player I like Devonta Smith but I think Devonta
19:51Smith in the NFL being an alpha dog I think is a tough sell for me I don't love him I like
19:58him a lot I like him I think he's solid I think that I don't know if there is a true number
20:04one I think this is going to be one of those it's going to be this guy this week that guy that
20:11week and I don't know if that's a bad thing necessarily for Jalen Hurts either because for Jalen Hurts and his continued
20:17development I think it's better when you just you know go full Drew Brees and you just throw the open guy and
20:23we just throw the open guy good things happen typically for your offense D bro obviously you disagree with me this is
20:30great you guys hate me today on the show this is perfect I love this I feel like you're hating yourself not
20:36so much us I don't like Jonathan Brooks as much as you I'm starting to like Bayshel Tootin as much as you
20:43guys I clearly don't think that Devonta Smith turns into Jamar Chase this year like it's just not that that's not his
20:49game I just don't think but what do you think about Saquon Barkley this year well no you guys are saying he's
20:55a number one like yeah I didn't say he's the best wide receiver in the NFL who is Jamar Chase well but
21:02what so he's what the 1A on this team or the 1 on this team he's the number 1 he is the
21:081 okay and here in 5 career games without AJ Brown 9 targets 88 receiving yards per game 16.2 fantasy points per
21:14game against which teams oh are we really going to play that game well because I think that matters I think when
21:21you're playing crap teams it matters are you going to go to the rookie log and sit here and be like oh
21:27he played all the tough teams or are you just going to cite the rookie year and be like oh we can't
21:34do it Raiders off the top of my head he has got pretty good numbers against the Chiefs in a lot of
21:40big games he's cooked that defense repeatedly over and over and over again so fair but you also got to put the
21:46context of the other pieces that are on that field I want to know about Saquon Barkley because that's the other big
21:53piece that's the piece that two years ago took him all the way to the Super Bowl to the championship right the
21:59whole thing last year we saw the regression because of the 400 touches the 400 carries rather than other even touches just
22:06the 400 carries 400 carries guys just don't bounce back now it's two years removed from that do we see the bounce
22:12back deeper I think you see a relative bounce back I think he's going to be better than he was last year
22:18but not nearly as good I mean and again like I'm not saying anything that's crazy or he's not going to go
22:25back and rush for 2000 yards this freaking season I just don't think that this offensive line I think will be better
22:31than it was last year but I don't think they're going to get back to that elite tier that they were a
22:38few years ago I think they could be top 10 top 12 if everybody stays healthy and things work out but I
22:44think you will see a bounce back for Barkley and to your point earlier we were talking about yeah does Barkley take
22:50over more of a passing game role because we haven't seen that to this point with Philly and Hurts' legs are still
22:57going to be part of this equation and I think we're going to see a bounce back because we haven't even gotten
23:03to Jalen Hurts yet but like I think we'll see a bounce back with Jalen Hurts' rushing because it dipped massively last
23:10year it did so I think that is going to help with Barkley the threat of Hurts' legs as well as just
23:16the changing of this offense and what that can do and I think a lot of people are out there pessimistic about
23:22what all this means with also because we haven't discussed either because then this is part of the Barkley discussion losing long
23:29term and I'm Jeff Stoutland as far as you know well that was the next thing I was going to bring up
23:35which is yep Stoutland's gone he's been there since 2012 coaching that offensive line it's the guy from the Vikings they brought
23:42in Chris Cooper so again that's going to be different you know it is going to be leadership there with the offensive
23:48line and you've lost Jason Kelsey who's a leader on the field too last couple years obviously didn't have him last season
23:54either but you know Andrew that that is that is tough I think this is a chance though I think this is
24:01an opportunity and I'm actually not down on the Eagles I'm actually positive on the Eagles I think this is a chance
24:07for Jalen Hurst to take over in a different way I think this is a chance for the offense to kind of
24:13reshape itself remake itself and all I'm saying is if it fails Sirianni will swing for it I'm telling you right now
24:20he's going oh yeah because the expectations are very high the question is do we think it's going to fail Andrew do
24:26you think it's going to fail do you think it's going to be remade and and in a new likeness and now
24:33all of a sudden it's going to actually roll in a whole different way but also a very effective one this is
24:39Michael Rappaport and my podcast the I am Rappaport stereo podcast is unlike anyone you've ever heard we're a variety show and
24:45if you're looking for strong opinions funny opinions about sports entertainment politics pop culture and whatever else catches my attention then subscribe
24:52now this kid Jafar Jackson is as good as Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury and it's as good as Timothy Chamillai as
24:58Bob Dylan and I say that with love and respect for both of those actors and I don't know how many Oscar
25:05nominations they give out I don't know if it's five six for best actor 150% this kid Jafar Jackson should absolutely positively
25:11get nominated for his portrayal as Michael Jackson listen to I am Rappaport on the I Heart Radio app Apple podcast or
25:17wherever you get your podcast what's up fam it's Isaiah Thomas and I'm CJ Toledano and our podcast point game is about
25:24defining the odds like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and Austin Reed and finding ways to win no matter what
25:30he's the smartest player to ever play the game his IQ is at a level that we've never seen before and he
25:37knows without Luca and Austin Reeves I got to manipulate the game we get a player's perspective on the challenges of the
25:43playoffs I think Joker's gonna be exhausted this series because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup he has to really
25:49guard guys like Nas Reed he has to guard Julius Randle and then he has to give us everything he gives us
25:56on the night-to-night basis on offense and when IT's friends stop by like Quentin Richardson we dive into some playoff history too
26:02Steve Nash would get that thing that man hair get the flying he running up the court licking his fingers while he
26:09got the ball like after you go through a training camp with that Isaiah you figure it out real quick get your
26:15ass up and down the court and you gonna get the ball so listen to Point Game on the iHeartRadio app Apple
26:21Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts I love the sounds the buzzing from the stadium the chanting from the fans the
26:28announcers calling the place soccer football it's home why do I watch the World Cup that's like asking me why do I
26:34breed I inherited that fandom from my mom I like watching it with my dad it's a connecting force from Futuro Studios
26:41I'm Fernanda Echavarri and this is American Football a show about soccer culture in the U.S.
26:45and its underdog roots we go beyond the game to the people and the stories that make it great a soccer game
26:52is a festival it's not just a game it's your culture I took an elbow to my head which cracked my skull
26:58it is an American game the Brazilians don't like hearing that though are they the only ones that don't like that?
27:04actually nobody likes that as we get ready for the Men's World Cup this summer listen to American Football as part of
27:10the My Cultura podcast network available on the iHeartRadio app Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts I think that with
27:17Sean Mannion I just don't have a lot of confidence confidence with him coming in and just being oh yeah we're gonna
27:23establish a new offense you know why did anyone else want to be the office coordinator for the Eagles because they didn't
27:30want their egg housed or like is that what we're talking about here?
27:33Is that when you throw houses and eggs? Your egg housed?
27:37You mean the house egg? Your house egg basically so I think I open the eggs and there's a bunch of houses
27:43oh my god the sons of bitches those kids who are gonna come after them who parked their car in my slot
27:49inside my eggs so everybody drop your comments below which one of the three of us do you think has ever egged a house?
27:56Andrew, myself, Derek Brown I bet the answers might surprise you and I will I will reply in the comments if I
28:03ever did or not who's ever egged a house go ahead keep talking or housed an egg I house an egg every
28:09day almost see the thing is I house eggs for breakfast that's what I do I know me too house in those
28:16eggs they don't stay all those egg whites is how you're so strong no I don't I'm off the egg whites just
28:22I eat the eggs the full yolks you gotta get that good there's protein good fats in the yolks you gotta have
28:28that so Sean Mannion is there any more Sean Mannion Sean Mannion where do we go?
28:33should we be overly bullish on him? I mean coming the first time he's called plays first time as an offensive coordinator
28:39I just think that Hurts works in a particular way and I think they're trying to frame the offense around some of
28:46his strengths but I think it's gonna take some time to gel I think it does work in their favor though when
28:52you look at just their opening schedule playing the commanders and the titans start the year so maybe a couple layups but
28:59the offensive line's not elite what will Hurts look like and I also think too again to Devontae Smith to Mekhi Lemon
29:05both those guys aren't as good as AJ Brown in my opinion so you take him out of the offense I get
29:11that making it so Hurts doesn't have to force the ball to him make maybe that ends up being a net positive
29:18obviously the Eagles kind of feel that way about moving on from him but when AJ Brown and Jalen Hurts were actually
29:24clicking together I don't think we're gonna see that necessarily from Devontae Smith or from Mekhi Lemon this year so you brought
29:31up an interesting fact of like how successful can a first year coordinator be I have some answers for you Josh McDaniels
29:37in 2006 now again you take it with a grain of salt because it's got Tom Brady okay Brian Billick in 1994
29:43for the Vikings very successful turned that into obviously a head coaching job for Ravens team Ben Johnson 2022 first year was
29:50terrific you were number four in total offense Sean Payton in 2000 that team went to a Super Bowl as well Shane
29:56Steichen in 2021 first time as the lead play caller for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021 so it can happen and the
30:02one thing those guys all had in common where they were all young offensive like young offensive minds they were like old
30:09guys where they were they were young and they got their first opportunity and they had something to work with and I
30:15feel like Mannion has something to work with let's talk about the defense here let's talk about the other side of the
30:22football can I weigh in on Mannion real fast too sure go ahead just real quick point on this we everybody has
30:28skepticism because of the hurts narratives throwing over the middle Sean Mannion changing up this offense all that kind of stuff do
30:34we see the same type of skepticism thrown at Declan Doyle who has never coordinated an offense no is everybody so worried
30:41about the Seattle offense losing Clint Kubiak and a brand new OC I don't hear those things being talked about I am
30:47but I'm saying but that's not the general consensus conversation only we were talking about that tomorrow on the NFC West show
30:54subscribe exactly the tailgate we'll talk about tomorrow all right so defense this unit obviously largely kind of the same you got
31:00your Jalen Carters and as long as he can not get ejected from games we're okay and we've got you know Quinnian
31:06Mitchell Cooper G same group pretty much there look I think the defense will be fine I think it's gonna be better
31:13I don't see you I think it could be a little bit better this year I don't see too much of a
31:19move there the depth at wide receiver we already you know kind of touched on like we talk about the the signings
31:26of the guys like Wicks and Hollywood Brown but I don't really account for those but but I will say this when
31:32you start to look at the schedule a lot of primetime games for the Eagles they also travel to Dallas on Thanksgiving
31:38and then they host the Houston Texans on Christmas so they're one of the teams that are double dipping at the holidays
31:45which is gonna get tricky so things are not going well for the Eagles it is going to be a very bad
31:51holiday season for them around the Philadelphia area they have a three-week stretch to in December that I wanted to point out
31:58Seattle Seahawks Houston Texans in that stretch that's gonna be pretty tough in week 15 and 16 so just I don't know
32:04there's definitely some things there to point out that when you hit December if the Eagles aren't clicking it could be like
32:10one of those disastrous drop-offs let's talk about Super, Super Bowl winner plus 1900 you think the Eagles have a Super Bowl
32:17run them anyone anyone I do anyone about this I think their defense can step back into the elite tier like you
32:23know before we kind of get into all the betting stuff I think it's kind of getting lost in the sauce that
32:29Jalen Carter's shoulders were so bad that he couldn't even basically like put on a t-shirt last year both of his shoulders
32:36were wrecked I think adding Jonathan Grenard to this pass rush is going to be an upgrade over Jalen Phillips I think
32:42adding Rick Wollin opposite Quinian Mitchell and Cooper Dejean would be the best CB3 they have had over the last three years
32:49and adding depth with Arnold Ebicetti and Jeremiah Trotter I think this defense could be elite so I yeah I'm willing to
32:55wet my beak on the Super Bowl stuff I like the plus 1000 for the conference Andrew that's kind of where I
33:01think is even better you know it's like hey plus 1000 to come out of the and it's not impossible no you
33:08know especially if they could somehow find home field advantage throughout the playoffs it's not impossible to win the division plus 150
33:14not terrible not bad you know okay I think I think they Vegas seems to think it's up for grabs there are
33:21better odds about the division minus 163 for the playoffs no plus 150 so they're gonna make the playoffs we all think
33:27the Eagles are a playoff team if they don't yikes like I said Philadelphia is gonna be feasting what do you think
33:33the win total is for the Eagles you know throw that out there and a half yeah you can get over nine
33:40and a half at minus 135 under 10 and a half at minus 130 so that's the range right now so you
33:46think they're an 11 win team anybody I do but I'm not betting it at the minus odds yeah I think I
33:53think there's a lot of volatility here yeah and when you look to according to adjusted games lost second healthiest offense last
33:59year second healthiest team overall so that also only accounts for guys that miss time so it's not as much as when
34:05guys play through injuries yeah there's some context a little bit different but just that being said oh context like which teams
34:12did Devont yeah he destroyed the Kansas City Chiefs one of the best defenses in the NFL every single time without AJ
34:18Brown without AJ Brown that's the one I want it's the without AJ Brown teams that's what I'm looking for somebody find
34:25that I love how much you hate Devontae Smith he's just he's terrible I don't hate Devontae Smith I just you don't
34:31love him when I think elite wide receivers there's a finite number of we didn't say he was elite Devontae Smith we
34:37said he's a he's the number one guy on his team that's all we said but like you could say because he's
34:44Jamar Chase he's not Jamar Chase he can't operate as a clear wide receiver one for an offense it's not good I
34:50don't think he's a clear wide receiver one I think that's fair take that's fair let's talk about the Dallas Cowboys how
34:57about those Cowboys 2006 was a lot of scoring and a lot of giving up points too Brian Schottenheimer certainly like year
35:03one I would say a successful year for him young legacy mind another Nepo baby in the NFL we love that they
35:09hired Christian Parker away from the Eagles to serve as the defensive coordinator he's just 34 so it's a very young coaching
35:16staff over here with the Dallas Cowboys they certainly did try to address some of the problems with the defense through the
35:22draft Derek Brown do you believe that the Cowboys did enough through the draft here and through the free agent process to
35:28cure some of the many ills that the Cowboys had last year in 2026 I do I think their defense is going
35:35to be massively improved you had a full season of Quinn and Williams you got a bingo added to the defensive line
35:41as well as Rashawn Gary I think that this defense can really and then you're looking at Dominic Donovan I can't apparently
35:48freaking talk to the Azaraku I think he could take a step forward Azaraku could take a step forward in his second
35:54season as well as you're adding Caleb Downs who I think is going to be a wonderful chess piece like he's probably
36:00gonna be there starting nickel corner as well as move around the formation if they want to go three safeties they have
36:07the depth to do with Jalen Thompson Malik hooker yeah I think this defense is gonna be massively improved and the other
36:13thing about it is like it's not like they can't still like the Ron Bland and Kobe Durant are a little bit
36:20of a question as far as your corners and stuff they did add Devin Moore they do have Siobhan Revell so can
36:26he take a step forward I think there are questions of the defensive side but I think this defense I mean really
36:32here's the thing if Dallas just fields a league average defense like not even saying they step into top 10 top 12
36:39territory if they're just league in the middle of the pack this should be a 10 win football team guys right I
36:45agree I agree a hundred percent with that sentiment and I think I believe what they've done this year especially the Caleb
36:52Downs move and I like Rashawn Gary quite a bit yep Erickson I think that they did enough to be middle of
36:58the pack defensively and if you're just middle of the pack and the offense stays healthy and plays up to their capabilities
37:04like you know they're putting 30 on everybody Malachi Lawrence somehow just give up you know instead of giving up 27 you
37:11just give up 24 like you're gonna win some more games this team was middle of the pack on defense after they
37:17got Quinn and Williams last year so we've already seen this kind of play out where a couple pieces here and there
37:24okay now we can be an average level defense the Dallas Cowboys led the NFL in pressure rate last season but they
37:30were second to worst interceptions and below average and total sacks so the turnovers those third down plays that result in a
37:36loss of 10 yards to the offensive side of the football those just didn't work out in the Dallas Cowboys favor last
37:43year especially in terms of well we're playing behind we have to throw the football so our defense is kind of left
37:49out there so I think that their defense has gonna shock people this year to be totally honest where last year it
37:56was a joke but the Quinn and Williams trade I think was the first start they needed to do and needed to
38:02make all the other things they've added there's a reason why they're gonna be starting six or seven new guys on defense
38:08and you have more contributions from players that were already there again Siobhan Ravel was coming off an injury his last year
38:15of college and then he started midway through his rookie year he's now entering the season fully healthy and ready to go
38:21so the secondary is definitely the most pressing point for me because I think that this pass rush is gonna be pretty
38:27ferocious with the guys they have there they didn't add anybody else on offense just gonna be playing the hits my one
38:34concern though with Dallas is does Jerry drag this George Pickens thing out and it becomes where you know he's going to
38:40but like you know it but this is the reason why it's not gonna work right this is like this is the
38:47reason why it's like everything looks great on paper it's like yep they're gonna win 10 games it's gonna feel great they're
38:53gonna win the division but then they don't get a contract with George Pickens he gets injured his hamstring because he's not
38:59at practice and then things and then even though the defense is better well the Cowboys office takes a step back because
39:06they're missing one of the most dynamic pieces with George Pickens so that's my one main concern maybe Jerry will turn new
39:12leaf and sign him to the long term extension or we live in reality where he probably won't it's gonna be the
39:19same spiel it was when it was lamb a couple years ago what if he gives them an out and they sign
39:25Stefan Diggs to a one-year deal he's not just he's still hanging out there he's done it's not that man Pickens was
39:31so good last year he's better than lamb and pickens stepped up in big spots when lamb was not available to and
39:38was that dude like the thing is though Pickens was always this guy going back to Georgia I knew you were gonna
39:44say that you're so predictable I knew you were gonna say that the problem is Pickens has always been a head case
39:51going back to Georgia same problem it was never a matter of the talent and you can't make him a paid man
39:57I get it but the problem is the reason why George Pickens stats in Georgia weren't all world was because they were
40:03beating teams by 30 and 40 points every week they didn't need to throw the football that much and on top of
40:10that they were a heavy run team anyway so the height of Georgia when they were winning those national championships there when
40:16George Pickens was on those teams guess what they just didn't need George Pickens to do what the Cowboys need them to
40:23do last year because no lead was safe for the Dallas Cowboys last year on paper those two wide receivers with Javonta
40:29Williams and Dak Prescott that looks really good and let's not forget about the tight end Jake Ferguson is pretty damn good
40:35too it's a solid offense to put out there it's just about health and about Dak especially staying healthy and playing every
40:42game if and I don't like this whole like good year bad year nonsense oh that's garbage yeah it's on the way
40:48it's such a lazy nonsense stupid thing like what's the context of those two who got hurt around him how's the offensive
40:55line that year all that stuff if Dak Prescott just plays to his abilities and this team stays relatively healthy the defense
41:01is better they can be really good let's talk about the schedule for them too so they have a tough road matchup
41:07against the Packers in week six Monday night football road game against the Eagles in week seven and then San Francisco in
41:14week 10 so there's to me you're gonna know about the Cowboys by week 10 because I think week six seven and
41:20ten those are the three games that you circle on your schedule and go if you can win these games you are
41:26in a really good pole position to make the playoffs do you guys agree disagree with that logic to me like that
41:33is the chunk of the season where you put a hurt on those teams especially those NFC teams right the Eagles San
41:39Francisco Packers all teams that have playoff aspirations you kind of control your own destiny am I right Andrew yeah I think
41:46we're gonna know before then I think we're gonna know before them because they get Baltimore and Houston in week three and
41:52week four yeah but those are those those telling games out of conference games are always so wacky to me it's like
41:58yeah but they're good football potatoes like so they are good football teams but it's out of test you got to beat
42:05those teams in your conference because all those tiebreakers and all that other nonsense that's what happens for you if you're the
42:11Cowboys week six week seven week ten handle your business all right otherwise I sick Elmo on you let's talk about I
42:18can't I don't know about the Cowboys to win the Super Bowl plus twenty five hundred you guys have any I don't
42:24think I want to whatever happened in this lifetime well it's happened in my lifetime maybe not in yours no but I
42:30what year were you born again 94 oh he didn't so that was 92 93 wasn't it or was it 93 94
42:37I gotta I gotta remember because you know the Super Bowl is actually in the year of you know in a year
42:43of oh yeah yeah go back and look help us comments that's definitely a Barry Switzer one that I do know we'll
42:50find that out fast all right so so they did win the Super Bowl in 92 93 and okay so he was
42:56here for they won it in 95 so Erickson was a tiny bebe for 95 I want to say that's the Cordell
43:02Stewart Pittsburgh Steelers one right Barry Switzer that was back-to-back with Jimmy Johnson and then Barry Switzer came in and they were
43:09like we don't need Jimmy Johnson yes that was Steelers right they didn't win again yeah and then they never division winner
43:15plus 1300 to win the NFC yeah yep I'll take that that was real quick I'll take that that was really quick
43:22for both of you division winner plus 235 intriguing that's my favorite division bet for for NFC East why talk about it
43:28because I think that all the parts or pieces are here we just talked about if their defense could be league average
43:34they're a 10 win football team if their defense could take a step and be top 10 then what are they 12
43:4113 win football team then it puts them in the same same air as the Eagles as far as probably like where
43:47their win total range of outcomes could be so they could take the division you know that Vegas is accounting for Jerry
43:54because to make the playoffs yes plus 105 even money not to so that is me Jerry Jones built in I've ever
44:00seen and then so the win total here you want to take a guess what you get it yeah you can get
44:06eight and a half of the over at minus 150 or under nine and a half at minus 135 so over nine
44:13and a half is a plus 115 so if you think they're a double digit win team you get plus money I
44:19would actually take an alt line I would take I would take like pump it up to like ten and a half
44:25and get some real good money all right look at you the confidence in the Cowboys what could go wrong you can
44:32always you always wait to to see if Pickens doesn't hold out too because that that makes me a little squeamish with
44:38some of these futures with the Dallas Cowboys bro you ain't wrong all right everything went wrong for the commanders last year
44:452025 was Cinderella season in 2026 well felt like the walk of shame that's what it felt like for them Dan Quinn
44:51is back again and I think maybe general manager Adam Peters had a little bit of a wake-up call and realized maybe
44:57didn't do enough to fortify and we spoke about it last year on a lot of shows the three of us what
45:04the hell the commander is doing or should I say not doing enough of in the offseason to help this franchise well
45:10bad things happen now they got new offensive coordinator Cliff Kingsbury comes into town here just to kind of set the stage
45:17a little bit they promoted quarterback coach David Blau by the way so Cliff is gone to the Rams and then you
45:23have David Blau taking over so let's talk about another new offensive coordinator another ex-backup quarterback David Blau who if memory serves
45:29had a great moment on Thanksgiving a couple years ago yeah remember the David Blau game because I do I do I
45:36played him in DFS I remember that yeah that's right you remember who he was throwing it to who is number one
45:42wide receiver Devonta Smith no who is the number one oh gosh he signed a very terrible contract with the New York
45:49Giants after leaving the Detroit Lions oh Galladay yeah yeah Kenny G baby dude he was so bad on the Giants oh
45:55my god that him baby didn't stop him taking certain thrusting pictures though so we already talked about why some like your
46:01Mannion concerns and you talked about Seattle's concern what about David Blau concerns anybody because Kingsbury's gone to the Rams yep there
46:08can there concerns there too concerns that we have no proof of concept with David Blau at all outside of he's a
46:14former NFL quarterback Sean Mannion says hi and we think he'll be good so yeah I mean I've got concerns here Erickson
46:21from what I've read they're trying to go away from the shotgun heavy scheme of what they were doing they're trying to
46:27go in more of a play action kind of thing which I think is good yep let's good let's keep things quick
46:33let's get in rhythm I think quarterback rhythm is very important for young quarterbacks and Jane Daniels still a young quarterback I
46:40like the Chigakonkwo addition and considering how much he leaned on Zach Ertz the last two years I think that that's a
46:46gonna be a very important piece of this puzzle Tara McLaurin came into camp late Tara McLaurin got hurt this is what
46:53we see with holdouts all the time I wish there was more around them like to me this is a team that
46:59still desperately needs another wide receiver to step up maybe it came in the draft and we don't realize it I don't
47:05know the run game also for me is lackluster so offensively to me there's a lot of questions about the commanders that
47:12I just I don't have enough answers for that's where I'm at Andrew yeah we had issues with this team last year
47:18surrounding Jane Daniels with Zach Ertz not injured Devo Samuel not on the roster Austin Eckler also got hurt last year so
47:24we're basically putting Jane Daniels on the league's oldest team and last year we got really really poor results as you know
47:31and I think that's kind of what happens when you do that when you put a young quarterback and you just put
47:37band-aid fixes over the skill position players now they've obviously tried to do a little bit more as you kind of outline
47:44with the additions that they've made but still you feel like there need another piece here is it that ends up signing
47:50with the Washington commanders is it Stefan Diggs I think those would be both really smart for the Washington commanders to invest
47:56more into these types of positions so we'll see I like Antonio Williams as a sleeper receiver I really like Chica Conquo
48:03as a tight end that I don't think ever really got to fully showcase what he was able to offer always playing
48:09in pretty bad Titans offenses well it's hard when Will Levis is throwing you the football it's a mess but I mean
48:16he still has three straight seasons of at least 50 catches he actually never has missed an NFL game it's an Ironman
48:22Chica Conquo well now you're not playing all the snaps it's a little bit easier to play every single game you're not
48:28a full-time player but that being said I yeah the commanders to me I think early in the process when we're kind
48:35of doing our power rankings I was just blindly like Jane Daniels he's an elite quarterback that's all that matters but the
48:41weapons it's still probably not enough and the defense was so bad last year they did more things at the edge rusher
48:48positions Sonny Styles I think is probably my favorite guy to bet on defensive rookie of the year just based on how
48:54he can be used and deployed in Durante Jones's defense if he's the new DC coming over from the Minnesota Vikings where
49:00we know that Brian Flores loves to use these hybrid fronts sending blitzers yeah a lot of the skies and coverages are
49:07gonna see a lot and I think that just really fits styles extremely well what he can offer I agree so I
49:13yeah well last year they had Debo in that mix so I'll tell you what I'll throw a name out there like
49:20because as of recording this today I don't believe he assigned anywhere Keenan Allen like if I'm the commanders Keenan Allen's a
49:26guy I want he showed me still a little bit in the tank yeah and he's talking about like reliable veteran possession
49:32wide receiver look I'm not saying I'm not saying digs wouldn't work but I think Keenan Allen would be the better take
49:39there like for me like just somebody who's just so steady outside presence and he's not gonna be a problem in the
49:45locker room too like that's it like you all know that you know I love Stefan but we know Stefan has a
49:52lot of baggage it comes with you so this is a bit of a problem I think Keenan Allen a little less
49:58baggage there potentially let's talk about you talk about the defense there Debro did you have anything to chime in on the
50:04defense because Andrew made some good points there about like you know styles and and you know some of these pieces there
50:11that are brought in and maybe what we might see from them this year I think the defense could be very good
50:17they could also stink I think there's a lot of volatility with all of these parts of pieces meshing because you also
50:23bring in Javon Kinlaw they bring in Leo Chanel they added a lot of talent and a lot of guys that are
50:30very skill set dependent like do certain things very very well now I think there's a lot of like a leap of
50:36faith that we're gonna have to take with Dan Quinn putting those players in the right spots to succeed I'm kind of
50:43with that leap of faith my biggest question is not really the defensive line or even pretty much the linebackers it's a
50:49damn secondary man like Treo my treyamos can he be a league average corner Mikey Sanders still like good lord please move
50:55him back to nickel but that's not gonna happen because you got freaking a meek Robertson and so my biggest question is
51:02that is the dang secondary what are we going to get out of them is it gonna be league average below league
51:08average how does that look apparently like if the pass rush isn't top tier and getting home on a play-to-play basis so
51:15I've got some hope for the defense but I've got a lot of questions and it's the same freaking thing for the
51:21offensive side man like I agree with Erickson like a lot of what he said here just I still feel like unless
51:27you do add a Keenan Allen and hell even add a Keenan Allen and a Stefan Diggs or Brandon Iuke and another
51:34player like if I'm the commanders the that's the thing I don't want I don't want Diggs I don't want to do
51:40all that nonsense Jane Daniels guy like they're they're boys I think I will I think Iuke will eventually be a commander
51:47I think that SF is being very very petty I think it's a it's a war of the petty between IU can
51:53I don't like 49ers but I kind of get where they're coming from I mean I understand both sides of it I
51:59think there's so much that has gone on to that guy I think it has gone on I think there's so much
52:06that we don't know I hate it I hate that I've been put in the position is be like yeah they're they're
52:12right but they are I think we're wrong to sign them we talked about it when it happened like yeah don't overpay
52:19for Brandon Iuke it's going to set your organization back it's a terrible idea you run a system offense just keep plugging
52:25guys in there and you'll be fine it's a system and what do they do they paid him and you it was
52:31it was just this it felt like that was the deterioration moment where everything just started to fall apart and fall apart
52:38and and you're going to see early on in this schedule they play the Eagles on the road in week one and
52:44week two they play the Cowboys if they go oh and two to start those two games on the road and I
52:51agree they very well might be Seattle week three so oh and three so that actually brings up another point so that's
52:57something that Chris Sims mentioned on one of his shows where they got well you can immediately dismiss it well I think
53:03it's that guy it's never been right about anything whatever it's not true he has but this was a point that I
53:10thought was interesting where if Cliff Kingsbury still the office of coordinator here isn't he and let's say the commander start out
53:16oh and three Dan Quinn's on the hot seat isn't he like the immediately put into the position of oh well we
53:22need to get a new head coach in here who's going to be the interim head coach can we bring Cliff Kingsbury
53:29in to call the show so Dan I don't think they're not going to fire Dan Quinn midseason I think that I
53:35think that that's way I think they'll let it finish up the year terrible again that's what Dan defense was terrible last
53:42year like you're right so you're right but the defense is terrible that's why he got that's why he was like you
53:48know Kingsbury we don't need you anymore we're gonna sign David Blau well make he we're gonna hire him I just thought
53:54it was interesting to think about that that that and the offense fell apart last year somebody as a head coach I
54:01mean Kingsbury when Daniels healthy his rookie year was really good I think that's more Jane Daniels and not so much Kingsbury
54:07for being real about it yeah I I will I again I agree with Derek begrudgingly but yes and I don't think
54:14Dan Quinn's on the hot seat because I think Dan Quinn is enough NFL equity over his career that 2025 was so
54:20magical last year was a disaster last year was also a disaster brought on large in part by the front office not
54:26giving them enough to work with so here a little bit more to work with even if they're just a middling team
54:33this year which is what I kind of think they are that's where it goes so I forget Super Bowl forget conference
54:39I don't think we're interested in that to win the divisions 525 I'm not interested in that to make the playoffs yes
54:46plus 225 no is minus 194 I'm gonna say this if you like if you think the commanders have a run in
54:52them wait till these first couple games because that plus 225 is going to be plus 400 after week three so I'm
54:58just telling you right now because they have to dig themselves out of a hole and you're just gonna get a better
55:05number and then season win total what do you think it is boys I think it's seven and a half and I
55:11hate the fact that I think the under is probably steam because that's where I want to go yeah Erickson what do
55:18you think bro he is correct it's seven and a half and it's the juice minus 115 so Vegas thinks that's where
55:24it's plus 115 I'll bet the under it's not terrible yeah it's not terrible I figured it was gonna be like minus
55:30130 especially if they're gonna I mean if they're looking at an oh and three start yeah to the year potentially keep
55:37walking their schedule it's 49ers week six Eagles week eight the Rams week nine they get the Bengals week 11 it's just
55:43a lot of it's a lot of bad so that probably looks like a schedule they're gonna win five games six games
55:50Daniels for me at least that's probably not one of the guys I'm looking at comeback player of the year even though
55:56I know he's up there just based on again like he's gonna have again if he if the commander's gonna be good
56:02it's gonna be because of Jaden Daniels because of the supporting cast because the defense we're still not sure about the schedule
56:09is gonna be tough they play a lot of tough teams so if he is exactly because there's a rookie okay then
56:15he deserves to win the award but it's it looks like could be tough sled I just I still think we look
56:21in totality they have still not put enough around Jade and Daniels they still haven't like I think quietly Adam Peters might
56:28be one of the worst gyms and all of football well the run game is a thing that I really keep coming
56:34back to is like you know the training together these motley crew running back rooms but like he wasn't special but he
56:41was solid and and I think again to your point it's a crew it's a crew that it's not defined and I
56:47don't like that and I think that is the biggest problem because if you give him a legitimate run game and especially
56:53if you want to run play action like you have to have a legitimate run game that you're afraid of in order
57:00to make the play action work in order to keep the defense honest I mean it's a very strange point let's talk
57:06about the New York football Giants John Harbaugh comes after two decades with the Ravens and with him he brings question marks
57:13because I'm not exactly sure what the Giants offense is going to be Malik neighbors the health is in question Cam Scadaboo
57:19health is in question love Scadaboo I do like the I think the rest of the receiver core is kind of that
57:25lunch pail group the Moonies the Slayton's I like Malachi Fields you still got Hodgins there who's been part of things like
57:32they've got some guys there they can get the job done if Jackson Dart plays well but Erickson my big concern here
57:38is that we are worried about where this offense is going to be right now in terms of their growth and development
57:45because if you don't have Scadaboo on the field right away or if he doesn't look like himself and you don't have
57:51Malik neighbors on the field or looking like himself especially for the first half of the season to me that's kind of
57:57problematic what are your thoughts on the Giants from the offensive standpoint first this feels like a team that'll take a leap
58:04in the second half of 2026 or 2027 I don't have a lot of confidence with Matt Nagy the Chiefs were more
58:10than happy to let him walk because the Chiefs office had kind of been stagnant over the last couple years when he
58:17was part of that staff like he wasn't necessarily coming to Andy Reid with oh we have all these great ideas we're
58:23gonna do all this stuff it's gonna be great it wasn't great and that concerns me even going back to Matt Nagy
58:29when he was with the Bears offense necessarily wasn't super super productive every single year Dardis talked about this is gonna be
58:36a run first offense how does that look with Scam Scadaboo coming back from his injury from last year that's concerning just
58:42the track record of guys coming back these fibula injuries which is not good like you see production fall off now he's
58:49a bit younger same thing with Quinchan Judkins who's also coming back from a similar injury these are younger guys so maybe
58:55it's not as bad but I mean when you're signing the hodgepodge of what I know you said lunch pail I say hodgepodge Odell Beckham Jr.
59:02Juju Smith-Schuster like oh I forgot about Odell yeah well Odell and Juju I'm like I don't know I mean it seems
59:09like they're just that they're the practice yeah yeah also Darnell Mooney he's just the sexier version of the same guys I
59:15like Mooney yeah Mooney was never healthy last year he was injured the entire season I'm convinced all right well Debro what
59:22are your take on I should say on the Giants offense too because you and I were the big supporters of Jackson
59:28Dart in the draft last year we thought that people were underestimating him we were right he performed very well but again
59:34as a quarterback you can only do so much with what's given to you is there enough here for him to work
59:41with this year I think there's enough in totality to work with with all the parts or pieces the one guy we
59:47have not mentioned to this point and I think he could take a big step and be a focal point of the
59:54passing attack is Isaiah Likely if he could be the guy that we've seen in spurts over the last few years and
60:00they signed into the contract I think we could see a big breakout season for my Isaiah Likely if he can handle
60:06that type of workload and be that type of piece then maybe Emily neighbors comes back sooner rather than later and everything
60:13else kind of gels because they also did draft Malachi Fields I wasn't immensely high on him I think he could fill
60:19a role in the offense but as a high-end target earner or a difference maker especially as a rookie I think they
60:26can get it done I think to going back to the point of like them being a run first offense and Cam
60:32Scadaboo some of the recent clips and yes I know it was just a backflip at a freaking softball game but some
60:38of the training camp clips or at least the OTA stuff of like Scadaboo running routes how he looks right now I'm
60:45a little bit more hopeful about Scadaboo than I was good yeah like neighbors looks like a guy who had knee surgery
60:51fair I think neighbors is gonna start on the top I think neighbors will start on the top yeah a second knee
60:58surgery I don't think we're gonna see neighbors until week week four week six of the NFL season so I don't think
61:04he's gonna be part of the equation but that discipline was that goes back to likely like if he can be that
61:10guy that lost what six games in the fourth quarter last year yeah it was six or seven it's a bunch of
61:17like this was a team that if they just have more discipline at the end of the games and they didn't have
61:23neighbors but they had leads and they closed them out time and time again the hope is that you have a football
61:29coach in Harbaugh they can bring some discipline to this football team on defense they have names there's no doubt about that
61:36Burns you know still a very good player Arvel Reese obviously you know the sky's limit for him secondary dude guy I
61:42don't know I'm also concerned about this run defense I mean Dexter Lawrence is no longer part of it well that's the
61:49big thing I want to come back to because when you take him out of the equation now all of a sudden
61:55like you might have pass rush but now all of a sudden you don't have what you had in terms of stopping
62:01the run can stop the question is do you have to stop the run that I mean you have to stop the
62:08run against the Eagles in this division and to a certain extent the Cowboys but I guess the commanders is not gonna
62:14hurt you as much I don't think what do you think yeah it's the commander I mean could they beat could they
62:21finish third in the division instead of fourth I think that that makes a lot I mean I thought that this would
62:27be one of the teams I look at is like from going from worst to first because I think when you have
62:33Jackson Dart super talented player showed up as a rookie if he does take that next step maybe Matt Nagy doesn't even
62:40matter like none of these offensive coaches that are here it doesn't matter because Dart is the guy neighbors comes back like
62:46I think that's what's holding me up is their best player is not going to be there for week one or to
62:53start the year it may not be a hundred percent until midway through the season that's what concerns me the most about
62:59trying to invest in the Giants knowing that their best player my league neighbors may not be healthy and that's why I
63:05get concerned about them my other big factor that's the big one too deeper right that everyone keeps talking about it's like
63:12and I'll blame them because Matt Nagy calling plays for the Chiefs was thoroughly uninspiring the last two years okay outside of
63:18John Harbaugh and I like Denard Wilson I think he's gonna be good as a DC outside of them look at the
63:25rest of this coaching staff you want to talk about the the misfit toys of yesteryear we already mentioned Matt Nagy like
63:31just going down the list dude Brian Callahan is their quarterbacks and pass game coordinator Tim Kelly is their tight end guy
63:37and Greg Roman is their senior offensive assistant like it's just we're just they're only in the line coaches with the Cleveland
63:44Browns last year yeah it's just it's not good man so we'll pass Super Bowl we'll pass conference we know past playoffs
63:50I mean it's plus 600 if you think they can go from worst to first that's just the process play for me
63:57you gotta you gotta use trust the process just gotta trust bro no well I think I think that's part of the
64:03process the process is broken no it's not it works every year working wise line here's the thing though not for this
64:09team we saw some of the holes in that team if the Cowboys have a Pickens Jerry Jones issue yeah all right
64:16honestly like and and the schedule is not impossible for them either I mean uh they have a three-week stretch in November
64:22and December they have uh after the Thanksgiving game they face consecutive road matchups against the Eagles in the 49ers so that
64:28that'll be very telling if they can get things right by then that's but to make the playoffs plus 270 not to
64:35make the playoffs minus 230 weeks 13 through 18 13 through 18 they get the 49ers the Seahawks the Browns the Lions
64:41the Cowboys and the Eagles uh yeah they win one game lastly here what do you think the win total is for
64:48the Giants six and a half five and a half Andrew you're both wrong oh seven and a half oh you see
64:54that under baby and I bet you it's minus 160 what is it because they're they're screaming they're not a playoff team
65:00but then at the same time the win total is only seven and a half so you're kind of like that win
65:07total is kind of ridiculous they also have it feels like they're covering but wait get this minus uh plus 105 to
65:13over the seven and a half even money for the under oh I'll take the under Vegas is kind of Vegas is
65:20hedging their bets a little bit where they're like the whole range of outcomes of the Giants it's not impossible to think
65:26that things could all click right for them and I feel like that's what they're telling us slam bet the under non-division
65:32road games Rams Texans Colts Seahawks Lions not good not good it's a whole lot of not good oh well don't forget
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65:45at Florida Sportsbook you bet on the NBA Finals uh just like Elmo wants to Elmo just hopes all the teams have
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67:08you next time kids I just hope everybody has fun in this division guys this is Tav Ramos from Inside American Soccer
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68:06iHeart terms apply what's up fam it's Isaiah Thomas and I'm CJ Toledano it's our favorite time of the year on our
68:12podcast Point Game the playoffs we're digging into the biggest surprises of the season and I'm looking back on some of my
68:19greatest playoff moments if we didn't talk ever again I was crying you just understood that's how personal it got wow then
68:25after that game seven Marquis coming to he's like you know I love you dog you know it's all love this was
68:31just playoffs this was just basketball so listen to Point Game on the iHeart Radio app Apple Podcasts or wherever you get
68:38your podcasts it's that time to put on your jersey and wave your flag whoever you root for why do I watch
68:44the World Cup that's like asking me why do I breed and it's beautiful the guys are young and cute and fit
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