00:00:19
Speaker 1: We've got 75% of the regular season left and let's go play football. And if you got a competitive bone in your body, that's not a problem.
00:00:28
Speaker 2: Like we've moved on.
00:00:29
Speaker 1: I mean, in this building, like we had, we've moved on.
00:00:33
Speaker 3: Saturday sucked.
00:00:34
Speaker 1: I can sit around and feel sorry for ourselves.
00:00:36
Speaker 3: Like that's life guys.
00:00:37
Speaker 1: Stuff happens and we've moved on and everybody else can talk about what does that look like? And how are the comparisons to 26 and 25 and 24? And what are you telling your team? I ain't going to tell my team anything. We go respond, and we go back to work. That's what we've done this week, and love the response so far. Now we've got to go play well.
00:00:56
Speaker 4: And guess what?
00:00:58
Speaker 1: It's called sports. They may play better and coach better than us Saturday night, and they may win the football game, and we'll come back in here on Sunday and get right back to work again because that's what life in the SEC is. I mean, Alabama, I just talked about them last year. Notre Dame lost to Northern Illinois two years ago. They didn't shut down the program and blow everything up. They responded, and they went and played for the national championship game in the same season.
00:01:21
Speaker 3: So that's how– that's easy.
00:01:23
Speaker 1: That's the message.
00:01:25
Speaker 3: I love it. Feisty, fiery Shane Beamer.
00:01:27
Speaker 5: That voice went up a couple of octaves, man. He was like Willie P getting angry. It was, wasn't it? I was waiting for a Sadowski. Somebody texted in and said that your Bryce impression sounded like Willie P as well.
00:01:38
Speaker 3: I don't know what happened there. I don't know what happened there.
00:01:41
Speaker 1: Oh, man.
00:01:41
Speaker 3: Are you kidding me?
00:01:43
Speaker 5: Feisty Beamer. So do you like hearing Feisty Beamer? And he does feisty a lot in press conferences. He does defiant a lot in press conferences. That's part of the problem is there. We hear that a lot. Do you like that, though?
00:01:56
Speaker 3: I do at times, but right now I'm kind of... I'm kind of exhausted by it in a way. I need to see the results on the field. There's a lot of talking that goes on, and I get it. He's got to answer questions. They lost. He's got to get up there and try to explain stuff. But you also did a lot of talking in the offseason where you told us how good they're going to be. So, yes, that's why people are kind of worked up. You blew a 16-point lead. We understand you're going to get back to work. The problem is you let a game there against a good team that you had down get away. And you needed that one because of what's coming up, because not only do you have Bama, you've got Florida, you've got Kentucky in the next group of games. All of a sudden, oh, no, they look like they're improved. This stretch coming up here, you couldn't let one get away that you had the team down and you did. Now, they responded back a couple of years ago when they lost. They got blown out by Ole Miss. And they had that crushing loss at Bama at the end. Then they rolled off a bunch of wins. Can they do that again? Because I think he needs, Matt, a run like they had in 2024 to try to stabilize this thing. I don't know if just getting to a bowl game and just getting by and even one big win might not be. He needs to have a couple big wins. Can they get it? They've done it before. But I don't know this version of Sellers right now. Is he good enough to beat some of these teams? I don't see that right now. The problem with the blown lead, too, is.
00:03:27
Speaker 5: Fans have PTSD. 17-point blown lead in 2024 against LSU. 27-point blown lead last year against A & M. So those memories come back. There is a pattern of these things happening. The schedule's brutal. But this leads us into the conversation I want to have. And we have, I mean, there's been a lot of down-the-dumps college football radio this week. The way State lost, and now they have two losses, three games into the season. Carolina, the way they blew the lead. South Carolina, the way they blew the lead. There's been some very down-to-the-dump stuff. Clemson fans, Dabo seems to want to celebrate Bone, their big comeback win against North Carolina. Clemson fans on our text line seem like, eh, big whoopty. Big whoop-dee-doo. We still have issues. There's a lot of negativity, and I'll throw Charlotte in as well, 0-3. Although, I do think this team is better than last year. I saw some things I like against Ole Miss. They fought against Apple, though I say that. They lost by five, but they were down by 19 in that game at one point. So the point is, I don't know if everybody's noticed, a lot of y'all's teams are not off to uplifting starts. So I want to ask a question that maybe can be uplifting, or maybe it's just going to be, no, no, we're not going to rally.
00:04:49
Speaker 3: Who is most likely.
00:04:54
Speaker 5: To rally the season and end up with a decent season? Who is, of any of these teams we're mentioning, and I'm not including Duke, because they're off to a great start. I was going to say Duke, but that doesn't count, does it? Wake Forest, I think is off to a pretty darn good start. And then App State's off to a really good start. So I'm not going to include those three, but the other five, you're all included. Like, does anybody out there want to stand up for their team and say, we're going to make a rally for, Or do you just simply want to say someone else is going to make a rally? Or do we believe none of these teams are going to rally because we're all depressed?
00:05:30
Speaker 3: Oh, man. I mean, full stop. The South Carolina, I need to see it. The South Carolina schedule coming up, I just, I don't know, man. My faith in that second half took a big hit. I know that State had one of the worst losses ever, but I will say it doesn't get much worse than that. That was rock bottom. So I would think that they, maybe that's, I mean, in a weird way, a galvanizing moment for them. I don't have trust in the Gamecocks right now. the heels are probably going to play a lot of Close games. They're going to win some. Some may not go their way like the other day. Is it State, Mac, is my answer? I guess it's NC State right now because I'm not shocked if Clemson loses on Friday night this week coming off that emotional home win. At Cal. That ain't easy. They're now favored by a point and a half. I don't know. I'm not shocked if Clemson stumbles in that matchup. So I guess I'm going to say begrudgingly, nc state off no no i mean i'd be grudging no i just mean like trying to figure out the answer i think it's i want to say the gamecocks but i i don't know i need to see.
00:06:39
Speaker 5: It first i get i'm starting to think the answer to this question it will will be begrudgingly like i just i just everybody feels like they're in such a bad headspace i we have seen the losing rally from dave doran over and over again We have seen the lose and rally.
00:06:55
Speaker 3: Not the puke and rally. That's different.
00:06:58
Speaker 5: But we've seen the lose and rally, Bone, from Dave Dorn. We have seen how he did it last year. Huge win over Georgia Tech. Good finish to the season. Dave Dorn's back for his 14th year at NC State. So right there, I would say yes. 100%, you start thinking, Dave Dorn, I know... I know the Dave Doran cycle, right? I've seen it before. Then you throw in the fact that, yeah, they lost in a horrible fashion to Vandy, but they beat Vandy.
00:07:23
Speaker 3: Like, I'm sorry. They... Other than one ridiculous, flukish play, they beat Vandy.
00:07:29
Speaker 5: Now, they did blow a 17-point lead, but Barnhart made a big-time play to what should have been to win the football game.
00:07:35
Speaker 3: They did a lot of good things against Vandy.
00:07:37
Speaker 5: They played a lot better against Vandy than they did against Virginia. They obviously... came to play against Richmond, for whatever it's worth. So I can take positives from the way C.J. Bailey played, the way they ran the football in that game. And then you look at schedule. I think schedule's a big part of this, too. You mentioned South Carolina's schedule. Man, it is a gauntlet.
00:07:58
Speaker 3: It is a bear.
00:07:59
Speaker 5: It's just being in the SEC slightly different than being in the ACC.
00:08:03
Speaker 3: That's why when you have a bear trapped and you're taking away their pot of honey, you've got to capitalize on it, man. Mississippi State took back that big old pot of honey, and they took a win away from South Carolina, as I'm using a lot of bear references here.
00:08:16
Speaker 5: They did, and you've got to get another one somewhere else. You've got to go get another one somewhere else. I personally think Mississippi State's a really good freaking football team, and I think that quarterback is honestly one of the best in the country.
00:08:27
Speaker 3: Like, I really do.
00:08:28
Speaker 5: The problem is, South Carolina fans are like, we're supposed to have one of the best damn quarterbacks in the country, and they threw up two picks.
00:08:34
Speaker 3: And it wasn't just two picks. They were terrible. They were terrible, and they were devastating. It was the timing. The first one, Mac, the mechanics on that throw, trying to throw across the field over a defender, kind of, like, almost... almost off his back foot, leaning backwards. That is a freshman type throw, not a guy we thought was supposed to, who's number eight at Todd McShay's mock draft, right?
00:08:58
Speaker 5: I don't quite understand that right now. That ain't going to last for a while unless he turns it around. But NC State, I look at the history of Dave Dorn turning it around, the way they played the last two games, even though that last play was pathetic. And then I look bone at like, what's their schedule look like? I just think there are more wins on NC state schedule. Now I'm not saying there aren't games are capable of losing. Look at, look at what's coming up next. Louis Louis after app Louisville and wake forest at home, but both losable games, you know, Cal and Duke at home. These aren't easy games. I do think they can get Cal. They're at Florida State at UNC. Stanford and App are on there. I just could see State get to Doranville. Seven wins. Something like that. I could see them get to Doranville. I'm not saying State fans should think it's great if they do, but we're trying to figure out all these beleaguered teams, UNC, Clemson State, South Carolina, Charlotte, who's most likely to turn it around and that sort of thing. I could see State do it.
00:10:02
Speaker 3: Two themes, Matt, early on the text line, 704-570-9610. Also send in, if you're a new texter, what you want your name to be. Two local themes, Matt. Number one, A lot of Tar Heel chatter about the quarterback. Is Billy Edwards the guy? Would they need to make a change there? Also, a lot of Charlotte fans, Mac, are fired up right now. Charlotte 49er fans are fired up because we are about a month and a half away from Wes Miller debuting as the basketball coach. There you go, baby. There you go.
00:10:32
Speaker 5: Hey, I think he's going to be good. That's worth being fired up about. I think he's going to be good, man. I'm not against it. That's worth being fired up about. Complainer-in-Chief says his Tar Heels are going to make the rally.
00:10:42
Speaker 3: Here's the problem.
00:10:43
Speaker 5: Well, there's a couple problems with the Tar Heels. Here's a couple of problems, and, Finn, you can respond to this. First of all, yeah, the quarterback situation. I watched Edwards the other day for the first time.
00:10:53
Speaker 3: I thought, yeah.
00:10:56
Speaker 5: I thought after the first two weeks, yeah, he might be able to hold this job. I'm not so certain anymore, Bone, if he can hold this job. I thought it was pretty damn ugly. And he was getting pressured on 47% of his dropbacks, according to PFF.
00:11:11
Speaker 3: But it was rough.
00:11:12
Speaker 5: It was shaky. He seemed bothered by the pressure. I also think, in fairness to him, they don't have a whole lot of targets he can count on. They have ship and they have Thurman and Thurman was completely taken away the other.
00:11:21
Speaker 2: Day, depending on Sadler status.
00:11:23
Speaker 5: So like Sadler's big, but it's still it. And he's a true freshman. Like it's still just bear there. Now they ran the ball. That's a really good sign the way they ran the football and they're going to try to play running game and defense. But I thought their defense, I thought when Clemson adjusted, when Morris adjusted, I thought their defense looked pretty vulnerable after that. Coleman Bryson, holy crap they don't have a better safety to put on the field than this kid five missed tackles and gave up four catches for 63 yards it was brutal now i love the kid uh that plays next to him greg smith i love that kid but like i guess i'm i guess i'm rambling here bone i didn't even get to the schedule yet your schedule fitty it's still a bear dude like when you look at this bone notre dame at home at pit Duke, those are your next three games. How the hell are they winning one of those games?
00:12:14
Speaker 3: Pittsburgh's kind of flying under the radar here a little bit.
00:12:16
Speaker 4: Too, in the ACC.
00:12:17
Speaker 5: Then they've got Miami, Louisville at home, at Virginia, and State, who beats them all the time. Like, how many wins are there there? Yeah, they've got Syracuse and UConn, but those first games I mentioned, Bone, those seven, how many are they winning of those?
00:12:33
Speaker 3: Because, like I said, though, I think they're going to be in a lot of games, but it's going to be... That Belichick style that he's going to try to win with where some may go your way. I think UNC is going to be much more competitive this year in a lot of these games. But I think the games are going to come down to like they did the other day. And if lightning comes, well, they might be in trouble. Mother Nature does not like Belichick. He may have said something about her on the way. Aren't most of these teams I'm mentioning better than Clemson, though? Notre Dame, Pitt, Duke, Miami, Louisville, they're all better than Clemson. Virginia, although West Virginia definitely showed them up a little bit. Finney, am I being too harsh here?
00:13:12
Speaker 2: No, you're not.
00:13:12
Speaker 3: Four wins, five wins for y'all? When you have Notre Dame, Duke, you have Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Duke, Miami, Louisville, Virginia, and then State, who's been a problem for a long time. That's tough. That is tough.
00:13:24
Speaker 7: Which is why, Mac, I had this team making a bowl game. with the component that they beat TCU in the opener. Mack, we've talked about how improved the team is, and they are. What has this offense done against power conference opponents?
00:13:39
Speaker 2: They've scored 15 points. They've scored 20 points.
00:13:43
Speaker 7: To me, that's a reflection of your quarterback because I think you can see the impact of Petrino. You can see the scheme and the play calling.
00:13:53
Speaker 2: And guys are open.
00:13:55
Speaker 7: Like, it wasn't the other day that Ashton Hampton and the Clemson secondary strapped Carolina's receivers.
00:14:00
Speaker 2: No, guys were open. You just had a guy that couldn't get them the football.
00:14:04
Speaker 4: Does it.
00:14:05
Speaker 7: Does it change with Miles O'Neal? Someone that I thought in the preseason, it felt like that's who Carolina.
00:14:11
Speaker 2: Wanted to win the job. Do they maybe look to Travis Burgess, a guy that had not torn.
00:14:15
Speaker 7: His ACL in high school, would have been a five-star quarterback prospect. But is it too early to put him into that fire with all these big-time teams they have coming up? You know the defense is going to keep you in games. Who's going to be the quarterback that's not going to cost you games the way that Billy Edwards cost you on the run on Saturday at Clemson?
00:14:35
Speaker 3: Who can get the ball to Jordan Chip? He is a great player. Who can get the ball to him in the crunch time moments?
00:14:40
Speaker 5: The problem is when you don't have other guys other than Thurman and Chip, it becomes easy to try to focus on those guys.
00:14:46
Speaker 7: And Thurman on Saturday, only three catches, 18 yards.
00:14:49
Speaker 3: Clemson took him out.
00:14:50
Speaker 2: Credit Clemson.
00:14:50
Speaker 3: They took him away. They did, man. So anyway, I don't know, man. I don't know.
00:14:55
Speaker 5: Who of these teams, if you're one of these fans, South Carolina, Clemson, North Carolina, State, Charlotte, can you see a path to turning your season around?
00:15:05
Speaker 2: Is it the most obvious answer? Nobody.
00:15:07
Speaker 7: Is it not just a very good chance all these teams are just duds?
00:15:11
Speaker 5: I think NC State is the obvious. At some point, Matt, you don't get back up. So you subscribe, because that is a concern, is was this loss so, does this devastate.
00:15:25
Speaker 3: The locker room? I don't know how you come back from that. Does this devastate the locker room? We're going to see.
00:15:29
Speaker 5: It's going to be interesting to see their response against App. And App State fans are thinking, go ahead. Go ahead and take us lightly and be licking your wounds about last week. And that's going to be a tough.
00:15:38
Speaker 3: Game, Mac.
00:15:39
Speaker 7: Because this is going to be an app home game in Carter-Finley. Those Mountaineer boys are coming down the mountain, and they're going to take over that stadium.
00:15:46
Speaker 3: I expect State to rebound in this game. But I will say, though, Finney, there is an immense amount of pressure on the Wolfpack in this game, though. Apps had a good start. They were, what a wall lap, coming down the mountain. But State coming off what they came off of and how their season started, I expect a bounce back from State.
00:16:04
Speaker 5: But all the pressure in this game is squirreling on NC State, though. It's a free hit for App. App's off to a great start. App beat ECU and beat Charlotte. They're 3-0. It's a free hit for them.
00:16:15
Speaker 2: If they win on Saturday, they're state champs.
00:16:16
Speaker 5: They're going to go get, you know, in Sunbelt play after this. And I think you should be encouraged, especially with the QB you got. Seems like Loggins and Singleton are a good combo. So it's a free hit for them, for state. I just think state is going to be physically superior.
00:16:34
Speaker 3: You know what I mean?
00:16:34
Speaker 5: Power four versus group six. And I think they're going to lean on him, run the football, and that sort of thing. But it's a very interesting game considering where both of these teams are coming from. This texter says, how did Charlotte even make the topic list? That's Panther Cliffs.
00:16:49
Speaker 3: Basketball. I'm trying to include them. Yeah, we did. No, this is football. I'm joking.
00:16:56
Speaker 5: They're in the list. I'm not saying they're the answer. But I'm trying to include them. I'm trying to not, like, just, what are we supposed to do? Never talk about Charlotte football ever again? God forbid they get included.
00:17:06
Speaker 3: Don't answer that. Don't answer that. God forbid they get included in something. Slow down. 704 says, where are the Gamecock fans? They had so much to say last week.
00:17:16
Speaker 5: Now not one of them is saying they're going to turn the season around.
00:17:20
Speaker 8: Yeah.
00:17:21
Speaker 5: I got to be honest, Bone, y'all have just. It was a very deflating second half for a lot of reasons. Listen to Shane Beamer, 75% of your season.
00:17:29
Speaker 3: Bone still will be played. To me, that wasn't your normal, oh, my God, that's not a good law. There was more to it because of what we knew that game meant. And Beamer has to have a certain season, I think, to keep his job. And with a loss like that, look, I take no pride in talking about Shane Beamer this way. Because this is not a guy you're like, oh, I can't root for that guy. He's a bad dude. He is an insanely likable guy. So it sucks to have the conversations about Beamer. But he has to have a special year. almost like two years ago. And with that schedule, it's going to take a lot of work and it's going to take multiple games right now where you go, Oh, I didn't see that coming. Not just one. They have to have a big time year, I think. And with a loss like that and the lack of sellers progression, it was a very deflating loss.
00:18:22
Speaker 5: Yeah, I definitely get that. I, um, it's a, it's a gauntlet. If they had an ACC schedule, it'd be one thing.
00:18:29
Speaker 3: Um, I don't know.
00:18:31
Speaker 5: At Alabama, I think they could compete. Are they going to win on the road at Bama? Kentucky at home now looks tougher. I still think they can beat Kentucky at home. But that's a toss-up.
00:18:43
Speaker 3: Let's keep in mind two years ago, Kennard on defense, the player of the year in the SEC. Sellers was emerging and playing a certain way. Stewart's great, but is there– and you said your credit all offseason. Do they have enough on that side of the ball To do what they did two years ago, I don't know.
00:19:02
Speaker 5: Two years ago, I'm telling you, is one of the all-time great South Carolina teams ever.
00:19:06
Speaker 3: And it is... one of the great defenses they've ever had. And that's the thing.
00:19:11
Speaker 5: Comparing it to that, I just feel like is not fair moving forward. They need to get Dylan Stewart going. He played 14 snaps the other night in his first game back. Flashed a little bit early, but that's about it. They need to get him going, and they need to find a pass rusher somewhere else. Is it Addison?
00:19:26
Speaker 3: I don't know.
00:19:27
Speaker 5: There are flashes, but there's not a lot there. They need to rush the passer. They did not get after Taylor, I thought, near enough, man. Collier got torn apart. But again, I think more of Mississippi State, I think, than a lot of y'all do. Like, I think they're beating Missouri this week. Matter of fact, they're a six and a half point favorite against Missouri. So Vegas respects them. I just think y'all lost to a team that's better than you. The problem is... y'all screwed up early when you were only up 16, when you had to kick three field goals. Like, that should have been a 20-something point lead. You know, I don't know, man.
00:19:58
Speaker 3: I don't know.
00:19:59
Speaker 5: I want these teams to turn around so bad because I don't want fans to be like, well, let's talk basketball season.
00:20:04
Speaker 3: I don't want that to happen right now. You know what I mean? No, no. I'm with you on that. We come back. The Hornets make it. Speaking of basketball season, by the way.
00:20:11
Speaker 5: Now, this basketball season, we can talk. I'm playing next. The Hornets make a trade. The Hornets make a trade.
00:20:18
Speaker 3: Okay, you got me there. Hornets make a trade for yet another shoot. How do we feel about the trade for Buddy Heald? What do we expect the rotation to be? And who are the guys that might not make it? I feel like I've said this before. These very lines I'm using right now. Hornets talk about the Buddy Heald trade and the roster next on Sports Radio. 92.7 WFNZ. I right now and Captain Clunky.
00:21:12
Speaker 4: Bryce Young's been really good both games. That's highly encouraging that Bryce Young has played really well both games. So that's why even though they were so bad in week one defensively and they lost, I still in the back of my mind say, well, Bryce Young looked good and the receivers looked good. Well, then this week, Devin Lloyd played awesome and they did a much better job on defense, much better job on defense. So now Okay, defense, hopefully that was a one-week aberration against the Bears. Bryce Young's playing well. Bingo. The Panthers, most improved team in the NFL.
00:21:55
Speaker 5: How about that, baby? How about that? Panthers with the improvement. Ross Tucker's noticing. Ross Tucker is noticing. Ross Tucker doing a great job with Ian Eagle on his new broadcast. He's getting rave reviews.
00:22:05
Speaker 3: A lot of energy. He's good with Eagle, too, because they both have a lot. I actually think a little... Can I say something here, Mac, about that real quick? Ross Tucker, I enjoy him more than J.J.
00:22:14
Speaker 4: Watt.
00:22:16
Speaker 3: I'm not the biggest J.J. Watt analyst fan. He's all right, but... Yeah, J.J.
00:22:19
Speaker 5: Watt, to me, is a guy that should not be a number one crew guy. Like, his name is huge.
00:22:23
Speaker 4: Right. I agree.
00:22:24
Speaker 3: But, like, his game as a broadcaster, it's like, he's all right. He's good.
00:22:28
Speaker 5: He's all right.
00:22:28
Speaker 3: He's still new to it. Ross Tucker's got an energy, dare I say, a verve to his delivery. I think you just missed... Hey, Jim! I think you and Jim and Gene... Oh, it's Gene, isn't it?
00:22:40
Speaker 4: Yeah. Gene! Gene!
00:22:42
Speaker 5: I think you guys all miss Tony Romo. I think that's what you're feeling right now.
00:22:46
Speaker 3: He could be back at some point, but he might be on the ninth crew.
00:22:51
Speaker 5: Romo should be allowed back as long as he gets sauced up and goes into the booth. I want to hear what buzzed-up Tony Romo sounds like. Now, make sure you don't drive, man, because that ain't no good. But, like, get him a ride to the Game Bone, and let's get a little golf course, you know what I mean, buzz Tony Romo in the booth.
00:23:07
Speaker 3: He'd be the most buzzed-up announcer since Harry Carey. They used to really get, I mean, that generation of broadcasters, they were all buzzed up, weren't they? That's true, man.
00:23:17
Speaker 5: I don't know what he was doing up there. That's a good point. That's a good point. I feel like that's so yesteryear.
00:23:22
Speaker 3: Oh, man. There's a pop out. Anyway. There's a pop out. It's high in the air. Oh, my God, it's gone.
00:23:29
Speaker 5: Somebody on the text line says, you mean Romo wasn't already drunk doing the game?
00:23:33
Speaker 3: That is true. He could be real. He was annoying sober. That is a good point. All right, man.
00:23:37
Speaker 5: Unfortunately, we got to call an audible. The Hornets traded for Buddy Heald, Ryan Nembhard. Sounds like Nembhard's going to be released. They got some cash in the deal from Atlanta, and they traded off Dorian Finney-Smith.
00:23:50
Speaker 3: We hardly knew ye.
00:23:51
Speaker 5: But that stuff has to be replaced by breaking news here about the Carolina Panthers, and it's not necessarily good news, y'all. But we have to discuss this. Ian Rappaport is reporting on Twitter that Jonathan Brooks is expected to have surgery today to repair a core muscle injury that will land him on injured reserve. Brooks is out at least six weeks, but should return with plenty of time. to continue down the stretch. What's your reaction? I was just hoping, okay, through the bye week. This is certainly more than through the bye week.
00:24:26
Speaker 3: Also ties into the report by Aaron Wilson earlier today that Austin Eckler is in for a workout, the veteran. So kind of knew it might be for the immediate, but maybe longer than we thought. They're looking for a running back. Look, this is– I mean, yes, it could be a knee, and that would be detrimental to his entire career. But you talk about a guy, Mac, who just can't get anything started. We see glimpses of Brooks. He had a big catch in week one. We see a little bit of Brooks, and then he slowed down. And some guys are just constantly betrayed by their body. And right now, he feels like he's one of them where nothing gets started. because he's going to be out now for at least six weeks right that's the report and then how long until you know he has to get going again and is he is it just as walker said in the promo before this even he knew this is going to happen is this just another lost season for brooks where he can just never quite get it going.
00:25:25
Speaker 5: Did walker know something because when i first heard i was driving around listening to kb yesterday picking up my daughter caitlin and I'm listening in the pickup line, and.
00:25:34
Speaker 3: I hear that promo. And I'm like, that feels a little dramatic.
00:25:37
Speaker 5: Another lost season for Brooks, right? It's a groin injury, but maybe it's just a couple of weeks or whatever. Did Walker know something? That's like Walkstradamus, Bone. I feel like he knew what was coming. I will say this. We're getting all kinds of different reactions. We are getting a lot of people. I do, I do, I do.
00:25:54
Speaker 3: Thank you there, Walkstradamus.
00:25:57
Speaker 5: The first reaction we're getting from many of you is my first reaction. He can't catch a break is what a lot of texters have texted in. I just, I feel terrible for him individually. I mean, you know, it's killing him. Like we as fans bone often act like these injuries. I remember doing it on the air when I was new here on the air. about Dan Morgan. I remember doing it about Dan. I talked to Dan since about this, but like we would get so worked up as fans. Oh my God, Dan's hurt again. You don't think it's killing him. And you don't think it's killing Brooks bone that this has happened. So like, that's the first thing to say is, damn, I hate it for him. You know, it's killing him. I feel terrible, too, because he's so... It.
00:26:41
Speaker 3: Would be bad back if he already was into his career and his body betrayed him, as we see with running backs. It's sad to me because the guy can never get going to what we think his abilities will be. He just never even... We never see what he can be because he's always injured. That's what sucks. If he would have five years and, oh, my God, he can't stay healthy, well, at least he had those five years... so we could see what he was. He's just, he's almost this constant mystery of the unknown of what he can be because he's always injured.
00:27:11
Speaker 5: Slow horse says, I feel for him, but we got to move on. Another texter says, scary banana on the text line says, might be time to stop thinking of Brooks as the future lead back and start looking to the draft. Brian says, I hate to say it. I don't want to seem insensitive, but you can't count on him. You can't trust him. And he probably can't be in our future plans. Well, OK, so Ian Rappaport says Brooks will have surgery on this muscle injury. He will then miss at least six weeks. So you get him back this year. You get a chance to see something from him like the rest of the year, it sounds like.
00:27:51
Speaker 3: And then you can make a decision on it.
00:27:53
Speaker 5: I definitely am not going to sit here and act, you know, towards these texters like in my mind bone. I'm not thinking about the possibility of what you just said. Does he go down in lore on the long, unfortunate list of guys that it's just and maybe it's not always one injury, but their body just seems to always, like you say, let them down. I am definitely concerned about that, you know?
00:28:17
Speaker 3: Okay. So core muscle injury. I didn't know that's like what they're calling, what they call sport hernias. I didn't know that that was like the same thing. So essentially it's a sport hernia in a sport hernia situation. I did not know your core muscle. I didn't know what exactly that was, but it is a sport hernia. So it's not the groin. Or is that considered groin?
00:28:40
Speaker 8: Yeah, it is.
00:28:40
Speaker 3: Yeah, it is. Because it says here, total recovery time, four to eight weeks. If severe groin or abdominal pain persists after six weeks, then surgery might be required.
00:28:49
Speaker 5: So it feels like he's in the... So it's definitely that injury you're saying? Because I didn't know if core muscle just meant.
00:28:57
Speaker 3: Any muscle. No, I think it's that area, that hernia area.
00:29:00
Speaker 2: Dr.
00:29:01
Speaker 3: Bone.
00:29:01
Speaker 4: Dr.
00:29:01
Speaker 3: Bone.
00:29:02
Speaker 4: Dr.
00:29:02
Speaker 8: Bone.
00:29:03
Speaker 4: Yeah. Yeah.
00:29:04
Speaker 3: The doctor will see you now. Remember Dr.
00:29:07
Speaker 7: Liu?
00:29:07
Speaker 3: I know you do. But anyway, that's what I was doing. I don't think I have any core muscles that I actually need. Oh, God.
00:29:15
Speaker 5: So anyway, 704-570-9610. If you want to jump in here, when does ETN come back? Has to be out at least four games because he got put on that early season.
00:29:25
Speaker 3: Was it IR or PUP?
00:29:31
Speaker 5: Whatever one of those lists he went on he can he has to be on there for at least four so at least through the bye week but we haven't got an update on him i'm starting to think he can also be asked about an HN update today. The Austin Eckler thing, you said it, makes a ton of sense now. Reports say he is getting a workout with the Panthers today. They may not feel bone like either Trey Tyus on the practice squad or Amani Marshall, who they recently signed to the practice squad, are maybe worthy of being up yet on the active roster. And I don't know, maybe Eckler can't go on the active roster right away. Maybe they need to use one of those other guys and then work Eckler in. But yeah, this is not a short-term thing, Bone, where it feels like they can do this without adding a running back.
00:30:15
Speaker 3: And then you get to... Maybe Eckler ends up on the practice squad or something for a little bit of time. Like initially, and then maybe they get him up to speed.
00:30:22
Speaker 5: This texter says, what about Kareem Hunt? That seems like a better move than Austin Eckler. Yeah, Joe Person... I don't think it was like Intel. I think Joe was just kind of suggesting, hey, Kareem Hunt's a pretty big name that's out there. I saw the list bone. Our guy Edgar Salmengo Jr. tweeted out a list yesterday of like some different running backs that are available. So Kareem Hunt's on there. Antonio Gibson, who tore his ACL last year, he's on there. Miles Sanders.
00:30:50
Speaker 3: Low reunion? No, probably not.
00:30:52
Speaker 5: Raheem Mostert, Cam Akers, and Jerome Ford, who is on the Minnesota practice squad, but could be claimed to put on our roster. Do any of those names hit you, or are you just like, is Eckler... The best name? Like, what do you think?
00:31:07
Speaker 3: Eckler is older. He's 31. But if you look at what he's best at, he's equal at this point running and receiving. So maybe they want another path. They viewed Brooks as a major pass-catching threat, so maybe they think that Eckler could step in and be as effective as an out-of-the-backfield pass-catcher as a runner. Maybe that's part of why they're drawn to Eckler. I think Kareem Hunt would be the better option if looking for a– You know, between the tackles running back, although he does catch the ball, too. But I think Eckhart may kind of be what they think that Jonathan Brooks was going to be.
00:31:42
Speaker 5: The touchdown numbers lately for Hunt look pretty good. Eight, seven and nine over his last three. He hasn't averaged more than three point eight yards of carry in five seasons, though.
00:31:51
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:31:52
Speaker 5: Like in four seasons, you got to go back to that fifth year, 2021. So that's, that's four yards per carry is kind of the number I look at.
00:31:59
Speaker 3: You know what I mean?
00:32:00
Speaker 5: Like if you're under that, that you did not necessarily have a very efficient season, but again, there's a reason why all these guys are out here. You're not going to get Walter Payton in his prime bone. Off a list of unemployed running backs in week three. So that's the interesting part. I have to be honest, man. I'm ready for A.J.
00:32:19
Speaker 3: Dillon.
00:32:20
Speaker 5: A lot of people are saying let Quadzilla loose. Chuba and A.J. Dillon, let them. Those are the first two running backs, regardless of who we sign here, at least for the immediate future. And I'm ready to see more of A.J.
00:32:32
Speaker 3: Dillon. He fits that kind of power that we like running with.
00:32:36
Speaker 4: And he can.
00:32:36
Speaker 5: Catch the ball. Yeah, and we saw it. He's a better– he said it when we interviewed. He said, people think because of my size, they're always surprised that I have good hands and can play a role out of the backfield.
00:32:46
Speaker 2: But he can.
00:32:47
Speaker 3: Absolutely. We're going to Fiddy with a very quick update here. Fit Dog. Fiddy.
00:33:07
Speaker 2: All right, good morning, guys.
00:33:08
Speaker 7: This update brought to you by the H & S Roofing and Gutter Company.
00:33:13
Speaker 2: Do not wait for a small problem to become a big one.
00:33:16
Speaker 7: If you see an issue with your roof or your gutters, give the H & S Roofing and Gutter Company a phone call. They'll give you a free estimate.
00:33:24
Speaker 2: That phone number, 704-334-9934.
00:33:25
Speaker 1: 704-334-9934.
00:33:25
Speaker 4: 704-334-9934.
00:33:36
Speaker 5: You see, Bone, what Anthony said on the text line? He said, if it's a hernia, disregard the panic. So there you go. He will not panic over that. Oh, I'm sorry, Finn.
00:33:45
Speaker 3: Were you busy over there?
00:33:47
Speaker 2: I was trying to do an update.
00:33:49
Speaker 7: The Panthers aren't the only one dealing with some negative injury news. We got the update yesterday afternoon that Giants quarterback Jackson Dart will be out for an extended period of time. And it could be a season-ending injury. Remember, the initial report was an MCL sprain. They were thinking four to six weeks. It could be without their young quarterback. But after further imaging testing yesterday, the Giants could be without their quarterback for the remainder of the 2026 season.
00:34:19
Speaker 3: Injuries suck, Bone. Don't they, man? They just suck.
00:34:22
Speaker 7: That's why everyone should be fat like us, because we don't have injuries.
00:34:26
Speaker 2: We're just out of shape.
00:34:27
Speaker 3: I also hate the fact that there's so many young quarterbacks. I mean, look, man, I don't root for those guys. It's not good for the game, man. I like to watch high-level quarterback play.
00:34:37
Speaker 2: You're not a Giants fan anymore, Bo?
00:34:39
Speaker 5: Huh?
00:34:39
Speaker 2: You're not a Giants fan anymore?
00:34:41
Speaker 3: I mean, I am, but they're way down the list, though. I mean, I've only got so much time in my day.
00:34:45
Speaker 5: They're even further than his Gamecocks right now. That's how far down the list they are fitting. And by the way, Gator Rube, go root for Florida, man. Don't worry about what I got going on up here.
00:34:53
Speaker 3: Gator Rube? Trying to tell me how great it is over there, how great Summerall is. He's trying to recruit you back to your Gators. No, he said don't come back. I'm not coming back. I'm happy with my choices.
00:35:02
Speaker 2: You're wearing some blue and orange today, though.
00:35:04
Speaker 3: Huh?
00:35:05
Speaker 4: No, I'm not. Where?
00:35:07
Speaker 2: You got to get some blue on.
00:35:09
Speaker 3: When we come back on the Mac and Boat Show, actually, I've got no gator colors on. When we come back, Ashley Westwood, the Captain Mac, is a lot back on the Mac and Boat Show, Sports Radio 92.7.
00:35:35
Speaker 6: Maxey comes down the left side on his bike.
00:35:37
Speaker 3: Still Maxey up and under.
00:35:39
Speaker 6: Maxey with a couple of moves.
00:35:40
Speaker 3: Top of the box pass from Pepiel. It came to the top of the box. He'll shot.
00:35:43
Speaker 5: He scores!
00:35:45
Speaker 7: Ashley Westwood with a worldie from the captain!
00:35:49
Speaker 3: From outside the box!
00:35:52
Speaker 5: Ashley Westwood's third goal of the year is a beauty!
00:35:57
Speaker 3: And the crown of the lead in the nation's capital. Oh, the P-man, that voice got up there, baby.
00:36:04
Speaker 5: That voice went up a few octaves as the P-man called the opening goal for Charlotte FC on Saturday night against D.C.
00:36:12
Speaker 3: United.
00:36:13
Speaker 5: They would go on to win 2-1. But the captain, with a certified banger from outside the box, it was beautiful. And Ashley Westwood, Bone said his ban has been lifted. Did we ban him, too, or just the MLS?
00:36:25
Speaker 3: No, I believe that a— A certain official there may have called some issues for us. I tried to get him in trouble, but that referee messed up our whole show.
00:36:34
Speaker 5: He was always welcome here, though. I want him to know that. Ashley Westwood back on the pitch. Charlotte FC unbeaten in nine, and the captain is with us now. Westy, how you doing, man? Great goal.
00:36:45
Speaker 3: That was phenomenal, man. How you doing?
00:36:48
Speaker 8: Good morning. I'm good. Thank you, mate. When you've been on the naughty step a couple of games, you have to return with something good.
00:36:54
Speaker 3: Yeah, I like it. And you did, man. Wesley, I'd like to know at some point what you said to the ref, because I'd like to say it to Mac here at some point, just so I know what was going on.
00:37:02
Speaker 8: You might have to bleep a few things out.
00:37:08
Speaker 3: That's funny. Oh, man.
00:37:10
Speaker 5: Yeah, I hate to start on a negative front here, Westy, but the yellow card back-to-back, I got to be honest, I watch a ton of soccer. That felt like ridiculously quick to get two descent yellows. And again, we don't want to get you in trouble.
00:37:26
Speaker 3: I know everybody over there was airing out.
00:37:28
Speaker 5: The ref didn't even want to shake hands with Reem or anybody, Dean after the game. So it seems like there was some unprofessional stuff there, and I don't want to... get you in trouble here, Westy. But like, have you ever gotten two yellows that quick, man?
00:37:43
Speaker 8: I've not been sent off for like 18 years. So it's crazy. But listen, he was, I think he's been waiting for four years, but it's the way he, it's the way he disrespected Tim in the first half. That really wound me up.
00:37:55
Speaker 6: So no, I need to, it's been, it's been coming, but it's, listen, it's, it's one of them things.
00:38:02
Speaker 8: And I just don't like arrogant people.
00:38:04
Speaker 6: That's my problem.
00:38:05
Speaker 5: Yeah, you were fouled, by the way. You drew the foul. That was professional of you. You should have got the damn foul call.
00:38:11
Speaker 3: When an athlete gets thrown out of the game, Wesley, what do you do? Are you still angry after the game? Are you destroying stuff? Are you just kind of like, well, I guess I'll grab a snack and watch my mates play.
00:38:22
Speaker 8: Yeah. Listen, it was a, it's a long walk. It's not nice.
00:38:25
Speaker 6: It's embarrassing, but I must say the fans were, the fans were chanting my name. So I, I appreciate that. And it's, it helps when your team, when the lads, the lads got through and got a result, which there's nothing where I sat in the locker room watching it on TV and it's, It was the longest 15, 20 minutes of my life.
00:38:42
Speaker 4: It's not nice.
00:38:42
Speaker 5: It sucks, man. But, hey, you're back now, and the team needs you. And you guys are on a roll, man. And listen, the second half the other night was one of these where y'all had to dig in. I mean, that second half alone, I think D.C. had 21 shots, 31 total for the game. But you guys defended. Kalina made a couple of big saves. And y'all are rolling, haven't lost in nine games. What's the vibe over there with the team right now? Because y'all are getting result after result.
00:39:13
Speaker 8: There's a good feeling, mate. There's a real good feeling. But I think the pleasing thing is no one's talking about it. The lads aren't even– it's like it's sort of expected now. So that's a promising thing. We're just rolling.
00:39:27
Speaker 6: And once a team gets momentum, it's hard to stop. And like you said the other night, when you're... First off, we were excellent. We controlled the game. Second off, they changed a few things.
00:39:36
Speaker 8: They went direct.
00:39:36
Speaker 6: That's how they played. They put it in the box. But we've shown we can do two sides of the game. And Maxi coming in gives us a different dimension. Although I've said it, he was... probably his worst game the other night, but he just, he's got that little bit of magic that wins the game. So that's, that's the reason we brought him in.
00:39:53
Speaker 3: What, what is it about that magic? What does he do tactically that helps you guys the most?
00:39:59
Speaker 6: It's when you're defending deep and listen, you get the ball to him and he can, he can just take you up the field and he, he can dribble past men like there's no one there. And that's, I think he's going to really, this league will, will suit him the way, the way teams play their football. They're not focused on defending. They want to attack and they leave man for man at the back. He's the best man for man dribbler, probably if not in the MLS, one of the best in the world. We've got someone very good on our hands.
00:40:28
Speaker 3: No doubt about it.
00:40:29
Speaker 5: And that finish from that angle, those were two good goals, the two of you scored the other night.
00:40:36
Speaker 3: Are you like.
00:40:38
Speaker 3: I mean, Westy, I have this thing I do here. I got to be honest with you. I have this thing I do.
00:40:42
Speaker 5: They call it the Mac curse, where every time I get hyped up about a local sports team, Hornets, Panthers, college teams, whatever, may have happened with y'all in the past, honestly, something bad seems to happen. So I'm sure you don't want me to be too complimentary, but I'm looking around the way you're playing. I certainly think you can advance in the playoffs for the first time, but like, Are you feeling like, hey, we got a shot in this East? Like, what's the ceiling for this club, do you think?
00:41:12
Speaker 6: I said it at the end of last year, we wanted top spot. Obviously, Nashville have started very well and have maintained it. I believe that's where this club is heading. I mean, Max is coming and... Listen, we lost Wilf, but Max has come in and done a great job.
00:41:29
Speaker 8: To start with. So our squad is.
00:41:34
Speaker 6: our first 11, the team and the people on the bench is probably the most rounded squad in the MLS. We don't rely on certain individuals. We're a, we're a collective effort. And I think you need that going into the playoffs. You need, there's a, there's a good, there's a competition for places.
00:41:48
Speaker 8: So we're in a, we're in a real good place. And Zara and the gaffer have put together a good squad.
00:41:54
Speaker 3: Off the field question, Westy, who, who's your funniest teammate? Who makes you laugh the most?
00:42:01
Speaker 8: Tough. He's, In England, we call him... He's brain-dead.
00:42:07
Speaker 6: You don't know what's going to come out of his mouth, but he's hilarious.
00:42:11
Speaker 5: That's Henry Toffolo, for those of you out there. We have brain-dead people in America, too, here, so we get it, yeah. There might be three of us working on this show, Westy, to be honest with you.
00:42:19
Speaker 8: Yeah, there's... Tess is coming, and he's funny as well. He's like... He's in a different way. He's just... Yeah, we've got a few. There's a good group. It's a real good time. And then, obviously, you've got Bieber. He's hilarious. So, no, it's a good group. It's a good locker room.
00:42:36
Speaker 3: Is the sense of humor, is it universal?
00:42:39
Speaker 5: Or is, like, your sense of humor, for those of you that came from England, is it different than the American guy's sense of humor? Or is it just universal? We're all just goofballs.
00:42:49
Speaker 8: No, we're ruthless. We're boarding on the edge of that's too far. And obviously now you've got me, Toph and Nathan. We're causing carnage in the treatment room. If you want to ever speak to our athletic department, then you're more than welcome to. I'll get them on the show.
00:43:07
Speaker 5: I respect that, though. I like ruthless humor. I definitely respect that. All right, real quick before we let you go. This match against Chicago is so huge. You have a chance to get up to second, right, if you win this based on what happens, you know, around you. It's certainly a big one with Chicago right behind you. The problem is it's a damn international break, and this is one of the reasons why they're changing the schedule moving forward. But y'all don't have Abada, Toklamati, Aloko, and then they don't have Lewandowski and a bunch of– they might be hurt more than you. But does it kind of take away from a big game not having these guys, or do you not let it bother you?
00:43:46
Speaker 8: No, it's ridiculous.
00:43:47
Speaker 6: I'm going to be honest. It's ridiculous, especially when you're at the meaningful end of the season and you're losing– listen, anyone who goes on international, they're your better players. And Leal's been in top form. Idan's been excellent. So we're losing two big players. They're losing a, obviously he's a massive player for them, but you have.
00:44:07
Speaker 8: To deal with it.
00:44:07
Speaker 6: And the lads who come in, I'm sure the arch is ready.
00:44:12
Speaker 8: He's been pushing Idan.
00:44:13
Speaker 6: So whoever fills in on that right-hand spot, they've got big boots to fill as well. So I think Chicago are the last team to beat us. So we want to put that right and It's going to be a tough game, and we certainly want to be up there and reaching as high as we can.
00:44:29
Speaker 5: Tell the gaffer I suggest Westy on the wing. Westy on the wing, shaking and baking and taking dudes off to dribble.
00:44:35
Speaker 3: That's my idea. The Westy wing.
00:44:38
Speaker 8: I don't think I've got the pace for that, mate.
00:44:41
Speaker 3: I thought I'd be nice. I thought I'd really try to sell you there. All right, man.
00:44:44
Speaker 4: Anyway.
00:44:45
Speaker 8: Like a snail on the right wing.
00:44:48
Speaker 3: Westy, we appreciate you, brother. Good luck. Get three points this weekend, man. Thanks for coming on.
00:44:53
Speaker 8: Thank you. Take care. Have a good one.
00:44:55
Speaker 3: There you go.
00:44:55
Speaker 5: Ashley Westwood, Charlotte FC captain, joining us, having fun with us as always on the Mac and Bone Show. And that big game, even with some of the big names missing, is at the bank Saturday night, y'all.
00:45:04
Speaker 3: It's a big one. When we come back, how do we feel about the Panthers' chances to win the NFC South after two weeks? Is it safe to call it a two-team race with the Panthers and the Saints? Sports Radio 92.7 WFNZ.
Speaker 1: We've got 75% of the regular season left and let's go play football. And if you got a competitive bone in your body, that's not a problem.
00:00:28
Speaker 2: Like we've moved on.
00:00:29
Speaker 1: I mean, in this building, like we had, we've moved on.
00:00:33
Speaker 3: Saturday sucked.
00:00:34
Speaker 1: I can sit around and feel sorry for ourselves.
00:00:36
Speaker 3: Like that's life guys.
00:00:37
Speaker 1: Stuff happens and we've moved on and everybody else can talk about what does that look like? And how are the comparisons to 26 and 25 and 24? And what are you telling your team? I ain't going to tell my team anything. We go respond, and we go back to work. That's what we've done this week, and love the response so far. Now we've got to go play well.
00:00:56
Speaker 4: And guess what?
00:00:58
Speaker 1: It's called sports. They may play better and coach better than us Saturday night, and they may win the football game, and we'll come back in here on Sunday and get right back to work again because that's what life in the SEC is. I mean, Alabama, I just talked about them last year. Notre Dame lost to Northern Illinois two years ago. They didn't shut down the program and blow everything up. They responded, and they went and played for the national championship game in the same season.
00:01:21
Speaker 3: So that's how– that's easy.
00:01:23
Speaker 1: That's the message.
00:01:25
Speaker 3: I love it. Feisty, fiery Shane Beamer.
00:01:27
Speaker 5: That voice went up a couple of octaves, man. He was like Willie P getting angry. It was, wasn't it? I was waiting for a Sadowski. Somebody texted in and said that your Bryce impression sounded like Willie P as well.
00:01:38
Speaker 3: I don't know what happened there. I don't know what happened there.
00:01:41
Speaker 1: Oh, man.
00:01:41
Speaker 3: Are you kidding me?
00:01:43
Speaker 5: Feisty Beamer. So do you like hearing Feisty Beamer? And he does feisty a lot in press conferences. He does defiant a lot in press conferences. That's part of the problem is there. We hear that a lot. Do you like that, though?
00:01:56
Speaker 3: I do at times, but right now I'm kind of... I'm kind of exhausted by it in a way. I need to see the results on the field. There's a lot of talking that goes on, and I get it. He's got to answer questions. They lost. He's got to get up there and try to explain stuff. But you also did a lot of talking in the offseason where you told us how good they're going to be. So, yes, that's why people are kind of worked up. You blew a 16-point lead. We understand you're going to get back to work. The problem is you let a game there against a good team that you had down get away. And you needed that one because of what's coming up, because not only do you have Bama, you've got Florida, you've got Kentucky in the next group of games. All of a sudden, oh, no, they look like they're improved. This stretch coming up here, you couldn't let one get away that you had the team down and you did. Now, they responded back a couple of years ago when they lost. They got blown out by Ole Miss. And they had that crushing loss at Bama at the end. Then they rolled off a bunch of wins. Can they do that again? Because I think he needs, Matt, a run like they had in 2024 to try to stabilize this thing. I don't know if just getting to a bowl game and just getting by and even one big win might not be. He needs to have a couple big wins. Can they get it? They've done it before. But I don't know this version of Sellers right now. Is he good enough to beat some of these teams? I don't see that right now. The problem with the blown lead, too, is.
00:03:27
Speaker 5: Fans have PTSD. 17-point blown lead in 2024 against LSU. 27-point blown lead last year against A & M. So those memories come back. There is a pattern of these things happening. The schedule's brutal. But this leads us into the conversation I want to have. And we have, I mean, there's been a lot of down-the-dumps college football radio this week. The way State lost, and now they have two losses, three games into the season. Carolina, the way they blew the lead. South Carolina, the way they blew the lead. There's been some very down-to-the-dump stuff. Clemson fans, Dabo seems to want to celebrate Bone, their big comeback win against North Carolina. Clemson fans on our text line seem like, eh, big whoopty. Big whoop-dee-doo. We still have issues. There's a lot of negativity, and I'll throw Charlotte in as well, 0-3. Although, I do think this team is better than last year. I saw some things I like against Ole Miss. They fought against Apple, though I say that. They lost by five, but they were down by 19 in that game at one point. So the point is, I don't know if everybody's noticed, a lot of y'all's teams are not off to uplifting starts. So I want to ask a question that maybe can be uplifting, or maybe it's just going to be, no, no, we're not going to rally.
00:04:49
Speaker 3: Who is most likely.
00:04:54
Speaker 5: To rally the season and end up with a decent season? Who is, of any of these teams we're mentioning, and I'm not including Duke, because they're off to a great start. I was going to say Duke, but that doesn't count, does it? Wake Forest, I think is off to a pretty darn good start. And then App State's off to a really good start. So I'm not going to include those three, but the other five, you're all included. Like, does anybody out there want to stand up for their team and say, we're going to make a rally for, Or do you just simply want to say someone else is going to make a rally? Or do we believe none of these teams are going to rally because we're all depressed?
00:05:30
Speaker 3: Oh, man. I mean, full stop. The South Carolina, I need to see it. The South Carolina schedule coming up, I just, I don't know, man. My faith in that second half took a big hit. I know that State had one of the worst losses ever, but I will say it doesn't get much worse than that. That was rock bottom. So I would think that they, maybe that's, I mean, in a weird way, a galvanizing moment for them. I don't have trust in the Gamecocks right now. the heels are probably going to play a lot of Close games. They're going to win some. Some may not go their way like the other day. Is it State, Mac, is my answer? I guess it's NC State right now because I'm not shocked if Clemson loses on Friday night this week coming off that emotional home win. At Cal. That ain't easy. They're now favored by a point and a half. I don't know. I'm not shocked if Clemson stumbles in that matchup. So I guess I'm going to say begrudgingly, nc state off no no i mean i'd be grudging no i just mean like trying to figure out the answer i think it's i want to say the gamecocks but i i don't know i need to see.
00:06:39
Speaker 5: It first i get i'm starting to think the answer to this question it will will be begrudgingly like i just i just everybody feels like they're in such a bad headspace i we have seen the losing rally from dave doran over and over again We have seen the lose and rally.
00:06:55
Speaker 3: Not the puke and rally. That's different.
00:06:58
Speaker 5: But we've seen the lose and rally, Bone, from Dave Dorn. We have seen how he did it last year. Huge win over Georgia Tech. Good finish to the season. Dave Dorn's back for his 14th year at NC State. So right there, I would say yes. 100%, you start thinking, Dave Dorn, I know... I know the Dave Doran cycle, right? I've seen it before. Then you throw in the fact that, yeah, they lost in a horrible fashion to Vandy, but they beat Vandy.
00:07:23
Speaker 3: Like, I'm sorry. They... Other than one ridiculous, flukish play, they beat Vandy.
00:07:29
Speaker 5: Now, they did blow a 17-point lead, but Barnhart made a big-time play to what should have been to win the football game.
00:07:35
Speaker 3: They did a lot of good things against Vandy.
00:07:37
Speaker 5: They played a lot better against Vandy than they did against Virginia. They obviously... came to play against Richmond, for whatever it's worth. So I can take positives from the way C.J. Bailey played, the way they ran the football in that game. And then you look at schedule. I think schedule's a big part of this, too. You mentioned South Carolina's schedule. Man, it is a gauntlet.
00:07:58
Speaker 3: It is a bear.
00:07:59
Speaker 5: It's just being in the SEC slightly different than being in the ACC.
00:08:03
Speaker 3: That's why when you have a bear trapped and you're taking away their pot of honey, you've got to capitalize on it, man. Mississippi State took back that big old pot of honey, and they took a win away from South Carolina, as I'm using a lot of bear references here.
00:08:16
Speaker 5: They did, and you've got to get another one somewhere else. You've got to go get another one somewhere else. I personally think Mississippi State's a really good freaking football team, and I think that quarterback is honestly one of the best in the country.
00:08:27
Speaker 3: Like, I really do.
00:08:28
Speaker 5: The problem is, South Carolina fans are like, we're supposed to have one of the best damn quarterbacks in the country, and they threw up two picks.
00:08:34
Speaker 3: And it wasn't just two picks. They were terrible. They were terrible, and they were devastating. It was the timing. The first one, Mac, the mechanics on that throw, trying to throw across the field over a defender, kind of, like, almost... almost off his back foot, leaning backwards. That is a freshman type throw, not a guy we thought was supposed to, who's number eight at Todd McShay's mock draft, right?
00:08:58
Speaker 5: I don't quite understand that right now. That ain't going to last for a while unless he turns it around. But NC State, I look at the history of Dave Dorn turning it around, the way they played the last two games, even though that last play was pathetic. And then I look bone at like, what's their schedule look like? I just think there are more wins on NC state schedule. Now I'm not saying there aren't games are capable of losing. Look at, look at what's coming up next. Louis Louis after app Louisville and wake forest at home, but both losable games, you know, Cal and Duke at home. These aren't easy games. I do think they can get Cal. They're at Florida State at UNC. Stanford and App are on there. I just could see State get to Doranville. Seven wins. Something like that. I could see them get to Doranville. I'm not saying State fans should think it's great if they do, but we're trying to figure out all these beleaguered teams, UNC, Clemson State, South Carolina, Charlotte, who's most likely to turn it around and that sort of thing. I could see State do it.
00:10:02
Speaker 3: Two themes, Matt, early on the text line, 704-570-9610. Also send in, if you're a new texter, what you want your name to be. Two local themes, Matt. Number one, A lot of Tar Heel chatter about the quarterback. Is Billy Edwards the guy? Would they need to make a change there? Also, a lot of Charlotte fans, Mac, are fired up right now. Charlotte 49er fans are fired up because we are about a month and a half away from Wes Miller debuting as the basketball coach. There you go, baby. There you go.
00:10:32
Speaker 5: Hey, I think he's going to be good. That's worth being fired up about. I think he's going to be good, man. I'm not against it. That's worth being fired up about. Complainer-in-Chief says his Tar Heels are going to make the rally.
00:10:42
Speaker 3: Here's the problem.
00:10:43
Speaker 5: Well, there's a couple problems with the Tar Heels. Here's a couple of problems, and, Finn, you can respond to this. First of all, yeah, the quarterback situation. I watched Edwards the other day for the first time.
00:10:53
Speaker 3: I thought, yeah.
00:10:56
Speaker 5: I thought after the first two weeks, yeah, he might be able to hold this job. I'm not so certain anymore, Bone, if he can hold this job. I thought it was pretty damn ugly. And he was getting pressured on 47% of his dropbacks, according to PFF.
00:11:11
Speaker 3: But it was rough.
00:11:12
Speaker 5: It was shaky. He seemed bothered by the pressure. I also think, in fairness to him, they don't have a whole lot of targets he can count on. They have ship and they have Thurman and Thurman was completely taken away the other.
00:11:21
Speaker 2: Day, depending on Sadler status.
00:11:23
Speaker 5: So like Sadler's big, but it's still it. And he's a true freshman. Like it's still just bear there. Now they ran the ball. That's a really good sign the way they ran the football and they're going to try to play running game and defense. But I thought their defense, I thought when Clemson adjusted, when Morris adjusted, I thought their defense looked pretty vulnerable after that. Coleman Bryson, holy crap they don't have a better safety to put on the field than this kid five missed tackles and gave up four catches for 63 yards it was brutal now i love the kid uh that plays next to him greg smith i love that kid but like i guess i'm i guess i'm rambling here bone i didn't even get to the schedule yet your schedule fitty it's still a bear dude like when you look at this bone notre dame at home at pit Duke, those are your next three games. How the hell are they winning one of those games?
00:12:14
Speaker 3: Pittsburgh's kind of flying under the radar here a little bit.
00:12:16
Speaker 4: Too, in the ACC.
00:12:17
Speaker 5: Then they've got Miami, Louisville at home, at Virginia, and State, who beats them all the time. Like, how many wins are there there? Yeah, they've got Syracuse and UConn, but those first games I mentioned, Bone, those seven, how many are they winning of those?
00:12:33
Speaker 3: Because, like I said, though, I think they're going to be in a lot of games, but it's going to be... That Belichick style that he's going to try to win with where some may go your way. I think UNC is going to be much more competitive this year in a lot of these games. But I think the games are going to come down to like they did the other day. And if lightning comes, well, they might be in trouble. Mother Nature does not like Belichick. He may have said something about her on the way. Aren't most of these teams I'm mentioning better than Clemson, though? Notre Dame, Pitt, Duke, Miami, Louisville, they're all better than Clemson. Virginia, although West Virginia definitely showed them up a little bit. Finney, am I being too harsh here?
00:13:12
Speaker 2: No, you're not.
00:13:12
Speaker 3: Four wins, five wins for y'all? When you have Notre Dame, Duke, you have Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Duke, Miami, Louisville, Virginia, and then State, who's been a problem for a long time. That's tough. That is tough.
00:13:24
Speaker 7: Which is why, Mac, I had this team making a bowl game. with the component that they beat TCU in the opener. Mack, we've talked about how improved the team is, and they are. What has this offense done against power conference opponents?
00:13:39
Speaker 2: They've scored 15 points. They've scored 20 points.
00:13:43
Speaker 7: To me, that's a reflection of your quarterback because I think you can see the impact of Petrino. You can see the scheme and the play calling.
00:13:53
Speaker 2: And guys are open.
00:13:55
Speaker 7: Like, it wasn't the other day that Ashton Hampton and the Clemson secondary strapped Carolina's receivers.
00:14:00
Speaker 2: No, guys were open. You just had a guy that couldn't get them the football.
00:14:04
Speaker 4: Does it.
00:14:05
Speaker 7: Does it change with Miles O'Neal? Someone that I thought in the preseason, it felt like that's who Carolina.
00:14:11
Speaker 2: Wanted to win the job. Do they maybe look to Travis Burgess, a guy that had not torn.
00:14:15
Speaker 7: His ACL in high school, would have been a five-star quarterback prospect. But is it too early to put him into that fire with all these big-time teams they have coming up? You know the defense is going to keep you in games. Who's going to be the quarterback that's not going to cost you games the way that Billy Edwards cost you on the run on Saturday at Clemson?
00:14:35
Speaker 3: Who can get the ball to Jordan Chip? He is a great player. Who can get the ball to him in the crunch time moments?
00:14:40
Speaker 5: The problem is when you don't have other guys other than Thurman and Chip, it becomes easy to try to focus on those guys.
00:14:46
Speaker 7: And Thurman on Saturday, only three catches, 18 yards.
00:14:49
Speaker 3: Clemson took him out.
00:14:50
Speaker 2: Credit Clemson.
00:14:50
Speaker 3: They took him away. They did, man. So anyway, I don't know, man. I don't know.
00:14:55
Speaker 5: Who of these teams, if you're one of these fans, South Carolina, Clemson, North Carolina, State, Charlotte, can you see a path to turning your season around?
00:15:05
Speaker 2: Is it the most obvious answer? Nobody.
00:15:07
Speaker 7: Is it not just a very good chance all these teams are just duds?
00:15:11
Speaker 5: I think NC State is the obvious. At some point, Matt, you don't get back up. So you subscribe, because that is a concern, is was this loss so, does this devastate.
00:15:25
Speaker 3: The locker room? I don't know how you come back from that. Does this devastate the locker room? We're going to see.
00:15:29
Speaker 5: It's going to be interesting to see their response against App. And App State fans are thinking, go ahead. Go ahead and take us lightly and be licking your wounds about last week. And that's going to be a tough.
00:15:38
Speaker 3: Game, Mac.
00:15:39
Speaker 7: Because this is going to be an app home game in Carter-Finley. Those Mountaineer boys are coming down the mountain, and they're going to take over that stadium.
00:15:46
Speaker 3: I expect State to rebound in this game. But I will say, though, Finney, there is an immense amount of pressure on the Wolfpack in this game, though. Apps had a good start. They were, what a wall lap, coming down the mountain. But State coming off what they came off of and how their season started, I expect a bounce back from State.
00:16:04
Speaker 5: But all the pressure in this game is squirreling on NC State, though. It's a free hit for App. App's off to a great start. App beat ECU and beat Charlotte. They're 3-0. It's a free hit for them.
00:16:15
Speaker 2: If they win on Saturday, they're state champs.
00:16:16
Speaker 5: They're going to go get, you know, in Sunbelt play after this. And I think you should be encouraged, especially with the QB you got. Seems like Loggins and Singleton are a good combo. So it's a free hit for them, for state. I just think state is going to be physically superior.
00:16:34
Speaker 3: You know what I mean?
00:16:34
Speaker 5: Power four versus group six. And I think they're going to lean on him, run the football, and that sort of thing. But it's a very interesting game considering where both of these teams are coming from. This texter says, how did Charlotte even make the topic list? That's Panther Cliffs.
00:16:49
Speaker 3: Basketball. I'm trying to include them. Yeah, we did. No, this is football. I'm joking.
00:16:56
Speaker 5: They're in the list. I'm not saying they're the answer. But I'm trying to include them. I'm trying to not, like, just, what are we supposed to do? Never talk about Charlotte football ever again? God forbid they get included.
00:17:06
Speaker 3: Don't answer that. Don't answer that. God forbid they get included in something. Slow down. 704 says, where are the Gamecock fans? They had so much to say last week.
00:17:16
Speaker 5: Now not one of them is saying they're going to turn the season around.
00:17:20
Speaker 8: Yeah.
00:17:21
Speaker 5: I got to be honest, Bone, y'all have just. It was a very deflating second half for a lot of reasons. Listen to Shane Beamer, 75% of your season.
00:17:29
Speaker 3: Bone still will be played. To me, that wasn't your normal, oh, my God, that's not a good law. There was more to it because of what we knew that game meant. And Beamer has to have a certain season, I think, to keep his job. And with a loss like that, look, I take no pride in talking about Shane Beamer this way. Because this is not a guy you're like, oh, I can't root for that guy. He's a bad dude. He is an insanely likable guy. So it sucks to have the conversations about Beamer. But he has to have a special year. almost like two years ago. And with that schedule, it's going to take a lot of work and it's going to take multiple games right now where you go, Oh, I didn't see that coming. Not just one. They have to have a big time year, I think. And with a loss like that and the lack of sellers progression, it was a very deflating loss.
00:18:22
Speaker 5: Yeah, I definitely get that. I, um, it's a, it's a gauntlet. If they had an ACC schedule, it'd be one thing.
00:18:29
Speaker 3: Um, I don't know.
00:18:31
Speaker 5: At Alabama, I think they could compete. Are they going to win on the road at Bama? Kentucky at home now looks tougher. I still think they can beat Kentucky at home. But that's a toss-up.
00:18:43
Speaker 3: Let's keep in mind two years ago, Kennard on defense, the player of the year in the SEC. Sellers was emerging and playing a certain way. Stewart's great, but is there– and you said your credit all offseason. Do they have enough on that side of the ball To do what they did two years ago, I don't know.
00:19:02
Speaker 5: Two years ago, I'm telling you, is one of the all-time great South Carolina teams ever.
00:19:06
Speaker 3: And it is... one of the great defenses they've ever had. And that's the thing.
00:19:11
Speaker 5: Comparing it to that, I just feel like is not fair moving forward. They need to get Dylan Stewart going. He played 14 snaps the other night in his first game back. Flashed a little bit early, but that's about it. They need to get him going, and they need to find a pass rusher somewhere else. Is it Addison?
00:19:26
Speaker 3: I don't know.
00:19:27
Speaker 5: There are flashes, but there's not a lot there. They need to rush the passer. They did not get after Taylor, I thought, near enough, man. Collier got torn apart. But again, I think more of Mississippi State, I think, than a lot of y'all do. Like, I think they're beating Missouri this week. Matter of fact, they're a six and a half point favorite against Missouri. So Vegas respects them. I just think y'all lost to a team that's better than you. The problem is... y'all screwed up early when you were only up 16, when you had to kick three field goals. Like, that should have been a 20-something point lead. You know, I don't know, man.
00:19:58
Speaker 3: I don't know.
00:19:59
Speaker 5: I want these teams to turn around so bad because I don't want fans to be like, well, let's talk basketball season.
00:20:04
Speaker 3: I don't want that to happen right now. You know what I mean? No, no. I'm with you on that. We come back. The Hornets make it. Speaking of basketball season, by the way.
00:20:11
Speaker 5: Now, this basketball season, we can talk. I'm playing next. The Hornets make a trade. The Hornets make a trade.
00:20:18
Speaker 3: Okay, you got me there. Hornets make a trade for yet another shoot. How do we feel about the trade for Buddy Heald? What do we expect the rotation to be? And who are the guys that might not make it? I feel like I've said this before. These very lines I'm using right now. Hornets talk about the Buddy Heald trade and the roster next on Sports Radio. 92.7 WFNZ. I right now and Captain Clunky.
00:21:12
Speaker 4: Bryce Young's been really good both games. That's highly encouraging that Bryce Young has played really well both games. So that's why even though they were so bad in week one defensively and they lost, I still in the back of my mind say, well, Bryce Young looked good and the receivers looked good. Well, then this week, Devin Lloyd played awesome and they did a much better job on defense, much better job on defense. So now Okay, defense, hopefully that was a one-week aberration against the Bears. Bryce Young's playing well. Bingo. The Panthers, most improved team in the NFL.
00:21:55
Speaker 5: How about that, baby? How about that? Panthers with the improvement. Ross Tucker's noticing. Ross Tucker is noticing. Ross Tucker doing a great job with Ian Eagle on his new broadcast. He's getting rave reviews.
00:22:05
Speaker 3: A lot of energy. He's good with Eagle, too, because they both have a lot. I actually think a little... Can I say something here, Mac, about that real quick? Ross Tucker, I enjoy him more than J.J.
00:22:14
Speaker 4: Watt.
00:22:16
Speaker 3: I'm not the biggest J.J. Watt analyst fan. He's all right, but... Yeah, J.J.
00:22:19
Speaker 5: Watt, to me, is a guy that should not be a number one crew guy. Like, his name is huge.
00:22:23
Speaker 4: Right. I agree.
00:22:24
Speaker 3: But, like, his game as a broadcaster, it's like, he's all right. He's good.
00:22:28
Speaker 5: He's all right.
00:22:28
Speaker 3: He's still new to it. Ross Tucker's got an energy, dare I say, a verve to his delivery. I think you just missed... Hey, Jim! I think you and Jim and Gene... Oh, it's Gene, isn't it?
00:22:40
Speaker 4: Yeah. Gene! Gene!
00:22:42
Speaker 5: I think you guys all miss Tony Romo. I think that's what you're feeling right now.
00:22:46
Speaker 3: He could be back at some point, but he might be on the ninth crew.
00:22:51
Speaker 5: Romo should be allowed back as long as he gets sauced up and goes into the booth. I want to hear what buzzed-up Tony Romo sounds like. Now, make sure you don't drive, man, because that ain't no good. But, like, get him a ride to the Game Bone, and let's get a little golf course, you know what I mean, buzz Tony Romo in the booth.
00:23:07
Speaker 3: He'd be the most buzzed-up announcer since Harry Carey. They used to really get, I mean, that generation of broadcasters, they were all buzzed up, weren't they? That's true, man.
00:23:17
Speaker 5: I don't know what he was doing up there. That's a good point. That's a good point. I feel like that's so yesteryear.
00:23:22
Speaker 3: Oh, man. There's a pop out. Anyway. There's a pop out. It's high in the air. Oh, my God, it's gone.
00:23:29
Speaker 5: Somebody on the text line says, you mean Romo wasn't already drunk doing the game?
00:23:33
Speaker 3: That is true. He could be real. He was annoying sober. That is a good point. All right, man.
00:23:37
Speaker 5: Unfortunately, we got to call an audible. The Hornets traded for Buddy Heald, Ryan Nembhard. Sounds like Nembhard's going to be released. They got some cash in the deal from Atlanta, and they traded off Dorian Finney-Smith.
00:23:50
Speaker 3: We hardly knew ye.
00:23:51
Speaker 5: But that stuff has to be replaced by breaking news here about the Carolina Panthers, and it's not necessarily good news, y'all. But we have to discuss this. Ian Rappaport is reporting on Twitter that Jonathan Brooks is expected to have surgery today to repair a core muscle injury that will land him on injured reserve. Brooks is out at least six weeks, but should return with plenty of time. to continue down the stretch. What's your reaction? I was just hoping, okay, through the bye week. This is certainly more than through the bye week.
00:24:26
Speaker 3: Also ties into the report by Aaron Wilson earlier today that Austin Eckler is in for a workout, the veteran. So kind of knew it might be for the immediate, but maybe longer than we thought. They're looking for a running back. Look, this is– I mean, yes, it could be a knee, and that would be detrimental to his entire career. But you talk about a guy, Mac, who just can't get anything started. We see glimpses of Brooks. He had a big catch in week one. We see a little bit of Brooks, and then he slowed down. And some guys are just constantly betrayed by their body. And right now, he feels like he's one of them where nothing gets started. because he's going to be out now for at least six weeks right that's the report and then how long until you know he has to get going again and is he is it just as walker said in the promo before this even he knew this is going to happen is this just another lost season for brooks where he can just never quite get it going.
00:25:25
Speaker 5: Did walker know something because when i first heard i was driving around listening to kb yesterday picking up my daughter caitlin and I'm listening in the pickup line, and.
00:25:34
Speaker 3: I hear that promo. And I'm like, that feels a little dramatic.
00:25:37
Speaker 5: Another lost season for Brooks, right? It's a groin injury, but maybe it's just a couple of weeks or whatever. Did Walker know something? That's like Walkstradamus, Bone. I feel like he knew what was coming. I will say this. We're getting all kinds of different reactions. We are getting a lot of people. I do, I do, I do.
00:25:54
Speaker 3: Thank you there, Walkstradamus.
00:25:57
Speaker 5: The first reaction we're getting from many of you is my first reaction. He can't catch a break is what a lot of texters have texted in. I just, I feel terrible for him individually. I mean, you know, it's killing him. Like we as fans bone often act like these injuries. I remember doing it on the air when I was new here on the air. about Dan Morgan. I remember doing it about Dan. I talked to Dan since about this, but like we would get so worked up as fans. Oh my God, Dan's hurt again. You don't think it's killing him. And you don't think it's killing Brooks bone that this has happened. So like, that's the first thing to say is, damn, I hate it for him. You know, it's killing him. I feel terrible, too, because he's so... It.
00:26:41
Speaker 3: Would be bad back if he already was into his career and his body betrayed him, as we see with running backs. It's sad to me because the guy can never get going to what we think his abilities will be. He just never even... We never see what he can be because he's always injured. That's what sucks. If he would have five years and, oh, my God, he can't stay healthy, well, at least he had those five years... so we could see what he was. He's just, he's almost this constant mystery of the unknown of what he can be because he's always injured.
00:27:11
Speaker 5: Slow horse says, I feel for him, but we got to move on. Another texter says, scary banana on the text line says, might be time to stop thinking of Brooks as the future lead back and start looking to the draft. Brian says, I hate to say it. I don't want to seem insensitive, but you can't count on him. You can't trust him. And he probably can't be in our future plans. Well, OK, so Ian Rappaport says Brooks will have surgery on this muscle injury. He will then miss at least six weeks. So you get him back this year. You get a chance to see something from him like the rest of the year, it sounds like.
00:27:51
Speaker 3: And then you can make a decision on it.
00:27:53
Speaker 5: I definitely am not going to sit here and act, you know, towards these texters like in my mind bone. I'm not thinking about the possibility of what you just said. Does he go down in lore on the long, unfortunate list of guys that it's just and maybe it's not always one injury, but their body just seems to always, like you say, let them down. I am definitely concerned about that, you know?
00:28:17
Speaker 3: Okay. So core muscle injury. I didn't know that's like what they're calling, what they call sport hernias. I didn't know that that was like the same thing. So essentially it's a sport hernia in a sport hernia situation. I did not know your core muscle. I didn't know what exactly that was, but it is a sport hernia. So it's not the groin. Or is that considered groin?
00:28:40
Speaker 8: Yeah, it is.
00:28:40
Speaker 3: Yeah, it is. Because it says here, total recovery time, four to eight weeks. If severe groin or abdominal pain persists after six weeks, then surgery might be required.
00:28:49
Speaker 5: So it feels like he's in the... So it's definitely that injury you're saying? Because I didn't know if core muscle just meant.
00:28:57
Speaker 3: Any muscle. No, I think it's that area, that hernia area.
00:29:00
Speaker 2: Dr.
00:29:01
Speaker 3: Bone.
00:29:01
Speaker 4: Dr.
00:29:01
Speaker 3: Bone.
00:29:02
Speaker 4: Dr.
00:29:02
Speaker 8: Bone.
00:29:03
Speaker 4: Yeah. Yeah.
00:29:04
Speaker 3: The doctor will see you now. Remember Dr.
00:29:07
Speaker 7: Liu?
00:29:07
Speaker 3: I know you do. But anyway, that's what I was doing. I don't think I have any core muscles that I actually need. Oh, God.
00:29:15
Speaker 5: So anyway, 704-570-9610. If you want to jump in here, when does ETN come back? Has to be out at least four games because he got put on that early season.
00:29:25
Speaker 3: Was it IR or PUP?
00:29:31
Speaker 5: Whatever one of those lists he went on he can he has to be on there for at least four so at least through the bye week but we haven't got an update on him i'm starting to think he can also be asked about an HN update today. The Austin Eckler thing, you said it, makes a ton of sense now. Reports say he is getting a workout with the Panthers today. They may not feel bone like either Trey Tyus on the practice squad or Amani Marshall, who they recently signed to the practice squad, are maybe worthy of being up yet on the active roster. And I don't know, maybe Eckler can't go on the active roster right away. Maybe they need to use one of those other guys and then work Eckler in. But yeah, this is not a short-term thing, Bone, where it feels like they can do this without adding a running back.
00:30:15
Speaker 3: And then you get to... Maybe Eckler ends up on the practice squad or something for a little bit of time. Like initially, and then maybe they get him up to speed.
00:30:22
Speaker 5: This texter says, what about Kareem Hunt? That seems like a better move than Austin Eckler. Yeah, Joe Person... I don't think it was like Intel. I think Joe was just kind of suggesting, hey, Kareem Hunt's a pretty big name that's out there. I saw the list bone. Our guy Edgar Salmengo Jr. tweeted out a list yesterday of like some different running backs that are available. So Kareem Hunt's on there. Antonio Gibson, who tore his ACL last year, he's on there. Miles Sanders.
00:30:50
Speaker 3: Low reunion? No, probably not.
00:30:52
Speaker 5: Raheem Mostert, Cam Akers, and Jerome Ford, who is on the Minnesota practice squad, but could be claimed to put on our roster. Do any of those names hit you, or are you just like, is Eckler... The best name? Like, what do you think?
00:31:07
Speaker 3: Eckler is older. He's 31. But if you look at what he's best at, he's equal at this point running and receiving. So maybe they want another path. They viewed Brooks as a major pass-catching threat, so maybe they think that Eckler could step in and be as effective as an out-of-the-backfield pass-catcher as a runner. Maybe that's part of why they're drawn to Eckler. I think Kareem Hunt would be the better option if looking for a– You know, between the tackles running back, although he does catch the ball, too. But I think Eckhart may kind of be what they think that Jonathan Brooks was going to be.
00:31:42
Speaker 5: The touchdown numbers lately for Hunt look pretty good. Eight, seven and nine over his last three. He hasn't averaged more than three point eight yards of carry in five seasons, though.
00:31:51
Speaker 4: Yeah.
00:31:52
Speaker 5: Like in four seasons, you got to go back to that fifth year, 2021. So that's, that's four yards per carry is kind of the number I look at.
00:31:59
Speaker 3: You know what I mean?
00:32:00
Speaker 5: Like if you're under that, that you did not necessarily have a very efficient season, but again, there's a reason why all these guys are out here. You're not going to get Walter Payton in his prime bone. Off a list of unemployed running backs in week three. So that's the interesting part. I have to be honest, man. I'm ready for A.J.
00:32:19
Speaker 3: Dillon.
00:32:20
Speaker 5: A lot of people are saying let Quadzilla loose. Chuba and A.J. Dillon, let them. Those are the first two running backs, regardless of who we sign here, at least for the immediate future. And I'm ready to see more of A.J.
00:32:32
Speaker 3: Dillon. He fits that kind of power that we like running with.
00:32:36
Speaker 4: And he can.
00:32:36
Speaker 5: Catch the ball. Yeah, and we saw it. He's a better– he said it when we interviewed. He said, people think because of my size, they're always surprised that I have good hands and can play a role out of the backfield.
00:32:46
Speaker 2: But he can.
00:32:47
Speaker 3: Absolutely. We're going to Fiddy with a very quick update here. Fit Dog. Fiddy.
00:33:07
Speaker 2: All right, good morning, guys.
00:33:08
Speaker 7: This update brought to you by the H & S Roofing and Gutter Company.
00:33:13
Speaker 2: Do not wait for a small problem to become a big one.
00:33:16
Speaker 7: If you see an issue with your roof or your gutters, give the H & S Roofing and Gutter Company a phone call. They'll give you a free estimate.
00:33:24
Speaker 2: That phone number, 704-334-9934.
00:33:25
Speaker 1: 704-334-9934.
00:33:25
Speaker 4: 704-334-9934.
00:33:36
Speaker 5: You see, Bone, what Anthony said on the text line? He said, if it's a hernia, disregard the panic. So there you go. He will not panic over that. Oh, I'm sorry, Finn.
00:33:45
Speaker 3: Were you busy over there?
00:33:47
Speaker 2: I was trying to do an update.
00:33:49
Speaker 7: The Panthers aren't the only one dealing with some negative injury news. We got the update yesterday afternoon that Giants quarterback Jackson Dart will be out for an extended period of time. And it could be a season-ending injury. Remember, the initial report was an MCL sprain. They were thinking four to six weeks. It could be without their young quarterback. But after further imaging testing yesterday, the Giants could be without their quarterback for the remainder of the 2026 season.
00:34:19
Speaker 3: Injuries suck, Bone. Don't they, man? They just suck.
00:34:22
Speaker 7: That's why everyone should be fat like us, because we don't have injuries.
00:34:26
Speaker 2: We're just out of shape.
00:34:27
Speaker 3: I also hate the fact that there's so many young quarterbacks. I mean, look, man, I don't root for those guys. It's not good for the game, man. I like to watch high-level quarterback play.
00:34:37
Speaker 2: You're not a Giants fan anymore, Bo?
00:34:39
Speaker 5: Huh?
00:34:39
Speaker 2: You're not a Giants fan anymore?
00:34:41
Speaker 3: I mean, I am, but they're way down the list, though. I mean, I've only got so much time in my day.
00:34:45
Speaker 5: They're even further than his Gamecocks right now. That's how far down the list they are fitting. And by the way, Gator Rube, go root for Florida, man. Don't worry about what I got going on up here.
00:34:53
Speaker 3: Gator Rube? Trying to tell me how great it is over there, how great Summerall is. He's trying to recruit you back to your Gators. No, he said don't come back. I'm not coming back. I'm happy with my choices.
00:35:02
Speaker 2: You're wearing some blue and orange today, though.
00:35:04
Speaker 3: Huh?
00:35:05
Speaker 4: No, I'm not. Where?
00:35:07
Speaker 2: You got to get some blue on.
00:35:09
Speaker 3: When we come back on the Mac and Boat Show, actually, I've got no gator colors on. When we come back, Ashley Westwood, the Captain Mac, is a lot back on the Mac and Boat Show, Sports Radio 92.7.
00:35:35
Speaker 6: Maxey comes down the left side on his bike.
00:35:37
Speaker 3: Still Maxey up and under.
00:35:39
Speaker 6: Maxey with a couple of moves.
00:35:40
Speaker 3: Top of the box pass from Pepiel. It came to the top of the box. He'll shot.
00:35:43
Speaker 5: He scores!
00:35:45
Speaker 7: Ashley Westwood with a worldie from the captain!
00:35:49
Speaker 3: From outside the box!
00:35:52
Speaker 5: Ashley Westwood's third goal of the year is a beauty!
00:35:57
Speaker 3: And the crown of the lead in the nation's capital. Oh, the P-man, that voice got up there, baby.
00:36:04
Speaker 5: That voice went up a few octaves as the P-man called the opening goal for Charlotte FC on Saturday night against D.C.
00:36:12
Speaker 3: United.
00:36:13
Speaker 5: They would go on to win 2-1. But the captain, with a certified banger from outside the box, it was beautiful. And Ashley Westwood, Bone said his ban has been lifted. Did we ban him, too, or just the MLS?
00:36:25
Speaker 3: No, I believe that a— A certain official there may have called some issues for us. I tried to get him in trouble, but that referee messed up our whole show.
00:36:34
Speaker 5: He was always welcome here, though. I want him to know that. Ashley Westwood back on the pitch. Charlotte FC unbeaten in nine, and the captain is with us now. Westy, how you doing, man? Great goal.
00:36:45
Speaker 3: That was phenomenal, man. How you doing?
00:36:48
Speaker 8: Good morning. I'm good. Thank you, mate. When you've been on the naughty step a couple of games, you have to return with something good.
00:36:54
Speaker 3: Yeah, I like it. And you did, man. Wesley, I'd like to know at some point what you said to the ref, because I'd like to say it to Mac here at some point, just so I know what was going on.
00:37:02
Speaker 8: You might have to bleep a few things out.
00:37:08
Speaker 3: That's funny. Oh, man.
00:37:10
Speaker 5: Yeah, I hate to start on a negative front here, Westy, but the yellow card back-to-back, I got to be honest, I watch a ton of soccer. That felt like ridiculously quick to get two descent yellows. And again, we don't want to get you in trouble.
00:37:26
Speaker 3: I know everybody over there was airing out.
00:37:28
Speaker 5: The ref didn't even want to shake hands with Reem or anybody, Dean after the game. So it seems like there was some unprofessional stuff there, and I don't want to... get you in trouble here, Westy. But like, have you ever gotten two yellows that quick, man?
00:37:43
Speaker 8: I've not been sent off for like 18 years. So it's crazy. But listen, he was, I think he's been waiting for four years, but it's the way he, it's the way he disrespected Tim in the first half. That really wound me up.
00:37:55
Speaker 6: So no, I need to, it's been, it's been coming, but it's, listen, it's, it's one of them things.
00:38:02
Speaker 8: And I just don't like arrogant people.
00:38:04
Speaker 6: That's my problem.
00:38:05
Speaker 5: Yeah, you were fouled, by the way. You drew the foul. That was professional of you. You should have got the damn foul call.
00:38:11
Speaker 3: When an athlete gets thrown out of the game, Wesley, what do you do? Are you still angry after the game? Are you destroying stuff? Are you just kind of like, well, I guess I'll grab a snack and watch my mates play.
00:38:22
Speaker 8: Yeah. Listen, it was a, it's a long walk. It's not nice.
00:38:25
Speaker 6: It's embarrassing, but I must say the fans were, the fans were chanting my name. So I, I appreciate that. And it's, it helps when your team, when the lads, the lads got through and got a result, which there's nothing where I sat in the locker room watching it on TV and it's, It was the longest 15, 20 minutes of my life.
00:38:42
Speaker 4: It's not nice.
00:38:42
Speaker 5: It sucks, man. But, hey, you're back now, and the team needs you. And you guys are on a roll, man. And listen, the second half the other night was one of these where y'all had to dig in. I mean, that second half alone, I think D.C. had 21 shots, 31 total for the game. But you guys defended. Kalina made a couple of big saves. And y'all are rolling, haven't lost in nine games. What's the vibe over there with the team right now? Because y'all are getting result after result.
00:39:13
Speaker 8: There's a good feeling, mate. There's a real good feeling. But I think the pleasing thing is no one's talking about it. The lads aren't even– it's like it's sort of expected now. So that's a promising thing. We're just rolling.
00:39:27
Speaker 6: And once a team gets momentum, it's hard to stop. And like you said the other night, when you're... First off, we were excellent. We controlled the game. Second off, they changed a few things.
00:39:36
Speaker 8: They went direct.
00:39:36
Speaker 6: That's how they played. They put it in the box. But we've shown we can do two sides of the game. And Maxi coming in gives us a different dimension. Although I've said it, he was... probably his worst game the other night, but he just, he's got that little bit of magic that wins the game. So that's, that's the reason we brought him in.
00:39:53
Speaker 3: What, what is it about that magic? What does he do tactically that helps you guys the most?
00:39:59
Speaker 6: It's when you're defending deep and listen, you get the ball to him and he can, he can just take you up the field and he, he can dribble past men like there's no one there. And that's, I think he's going to really, this league will, will suit him the way, the way teams play their football. They're not focused on defending. They want to attack and they leave man for man at the back. He's the best man for man dribbler, probably if not in the MLS, one of the best in the world. We've got someone very good on our hands.
00:40:28
Speaker 3: No doubt about it.
00:40:29
Speaker 5: And that finish from that angle, those were two good goals, the two of you scored the other night.
00:40:36
Speaker 3: Are you like.
00:40:38
Speaker 3: I mean, Westy, I have this thing I do here. I got to be honest with you. I have this thing I do.
00:40:42
Speaker 5: They call it the Mac curse, where every time I get hyped up about a local sports team, Hornets, Panthers, college teams, whatever, may have happened with y'all in the past, honestly, something bad seems to happen. So I'm sure you don't want me to be too complimentary, but I'm looking around the way you're playing. I certainly think you can advance in the playoffs for the first time, but like, Are you feeling like, hey, we got a shot in this East? Like, what's the ceiling for this club, do you think?
00:41:12
Speaker 6: I said it at the end of last year, we wanted top spot. Obviously, Nashville have started very well and have maintained it. I believe that's where this club is heading. I mean, Max is coming and... Listen, we lost Wilf, but Max has come in and done a great job.
00:41:29
Speaker 8: To start with. So our squad is.
00:41:34
Speaker 6: our first 11, the team and the people on the bench is probably the most rounded squad in the MLS. We don't rely on certain individuals. We're a, we're a collective effort. And I think you need that going into the playoffs. You need, there's a, there's a good, there's a competition for places.
00:41:48
Speaker 8: So we're in a, we're in a real good place. And Zara and the gaffer have put together a good squad.
00:41:54
Speaker 3: Off the field question, Westy, who, who's your funniest teammate? Who makes you laugh the most?
00:42:01
Speaker 8: Tough. He's, In England, we call him... He's brain-dead.
00:42:07
Speaker 6: You don't know what's going to come out of his mouth, but he's hilarious.
00:42:11
Speaker 5: That's Henry Toffolo, for those of you out there. We have brain-dead people in America, too, here, so we get it, yeah. There might be three of us working on this show, Westy, to be honest with you.
00:42:19
Speaker 8: Yeah, there's... Tess is coming, and he's funny as well. He's like... He's in a different way. He's just... Yeah, we've got a few. There's a good group. It's a real good time. And then, obviously, you've got Bieber. He's hilarious. So, no, it's a good group. It's a good locker room.
00:42:36
Speaker 3: Is the sense of humor, is it universal?
00:42:39
Speaker 5: Or is, like, your sense of humor, for those of you that came from England, is it different than the American guy's sense of humor? Or is it just universal? We're all just goofballs.
00:42:49
Speaker 8: No, we're ruthless. We're boarding on the edge of that's too far. And obviously now you've got me, Toph and Nathan. We're causing carnage in the treatment room. If you want to ever speak to our athletic department, then you're more than welcome to. I'll get them on the show.
00:43:07
Speaker 5: I respect that, though. I like ruthless humor. I definitely respect that. All right, real quick before we let you go. This match against Chicago is so huge. You have a chance to get up to second, right, if you win this based on what happens, you know, around you. It's certainly a big one with Chicago right behind you. The problem is it's a damn international break, and this is one of the reasons why they're changing the schedule moving forward. But y'all don't have Abada, Toklamati, Aloko, and then they don't have Lewandowski and a bunch of– they might be hurt more than you. But does it kind of take away from a big game not having these guys, or do you not let it bother you?
00:43:46
Speaker 8: No, it's ridiculous.
00:43:47
Speaker 6: I'm going to be honest. It's ridiculous, especially when you're at the meaningful end of the season and you're losing– listen, anyone who goes on international, they're your better players. And Leal's been in top form. Idan's been excellent. So we're losing two big players. They're losing a, obviously he's a massive player for them, but you have.
00:44:07
Speaker 8: To deal with it.
00:44:07
Speaker 6: And the lads who come in, I'm sure the arch is ready.
00:44:12
Speaker 8: He's been pushing Idan.
00:44:13
Speaker 6: So whoever fills in on that right-hand spot, they've got big boots to fill as well. So I think Chicago are the last team to beat us. So we want to put that right and It's going to be a tough game, and we certainly want to be up there and reaching as high as we can.
00:44:29
Speaker 5: Tell the gaffer I suggest Westy on the wing. Westy on the wing, shaking and baking and taking dudes off to dribble.
00:44:35
Speaker 3: That's my idea. The Westy wing.
00:44:38
Speaker 8: I don't think I've got the pace for that, mate.
00:44:41
Speaker 3: I thought I'd be nice. I thought I'd really try to sell you there. All right, man.
00:44:44
Speaker 4: Anyway.
00:44:45
Speaker 8: Like a snail on the right wing.
00:44:48
Speaker 3: Westy, we appreciate you, brother. Good luck. Get three points this weekend, man. Thanks for coming on.
00:44:53
Speaker 8: Thank you. Take care. Have a good one.
00:44:55
Speaker 3: There you go.
00:44:55
Speaker 5: Ashley Westwood, Charlotte FC captain, joining us, having fun with us as always on the Mac and Bone Show. And that big game, even with some of the big names missing, is at the bank Saturday night, y'all.
00:45:04
Speaker 3: It's a big one. When we come back, how do we feel about the Panthers' chances to win the NFC South after two weeks? Is it safe to call it a two-team race with the Panthers and the Saints? Sports Radio 92.7 WFNZ.
