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Speaker 1: The Around the League Podcast wonders what Dan Dierdorf is doing right now. Welcome back to another edition of the Round the League Podcast. My name is Dan Hans's name, joined by room filled with heroes, Chris Westling, Mark Sessler, and Greg Rosenthal. What up, boys? How you doing? Welcome back? Mark? I missed you on Sunday. I had like five people I am me. It's like within five minutes of each other this morning. How sick were you were you sick? I wasn't sick. That's what we were told. You were under the weather. I was fine. I had started my day at three in the morning, was under the covers. What did you think about Sunday's podcast? I thought it was well crafted. Good opinion to this past. It's fine, I'll get to it. It's a little weird even to listen to the shows you are on, although I've done that here with this podcast. It's hard to listen to yourself. I listened to every show in and take detailed notes about my own performance. Uh West, thank you for coming in on your off day. Uh you. You told me last night that you were potentially planning some type of journey outside or outdoors. I was planning on hiking Escondido Falls in Malibu. I don't like the sound of this. This is like the making of a best seller by John Krakauer. It's like a deliverance type of situation. Well that, I mean, that would be worst case scenario. But why don't you just hit the hot tub, grab wine cooler, turn up some Winwood. I don't listen to Steve Winwood in Malibu. What are you gonna like tumble off a clip and into an upscale restaurant. It's not exactly it's funny, is you know, it's the twenty one century. So of course I read online reviews of my hike and it that's kind of what the review was. Uh, there is potential of tumbling off the side of a cliff, but there's also there's also people talking about like the first quarter of the walk is through like mansion filled neighborhoods. Is Eric Gregg and West's contract? Is there something language like in the NFL where you can't have a motorcycle? Can he go climb like a steep mountain side? I like it. West is embracing the West Coast. It's like, you know, we're hanging out at pools and barbecuing on Christmas, We're going for hikes. I want to keep West on the West coast, not go back. So good. We also want to keep them alive. That's my biggest concern. Yeah, you wanted me to eat softball pants. So many contradictions for many contradictions. Alright, before we move on, obviously this is Uh, we're getting day by day closer to one of the great championship weekends ever with the Broncos and Patriots and then the Seahawks and Niners. We had talked about Colin Kaepernick, who's emerging as a major figure, um because of you know, some of the his behavior with Cam Newton. Got some feedback on Twitter. Um, first, some good feedback on Twitter. This is from Amar Abulgamg. That's definitely not how you pronounce it, uh he he tweeted, when is the new pod going to be available? It's four am here in Egypt? Should I wait or listen tomorrow? That's loyal fandom and West If you this hypothetical map, if you ever buy it, Egypt is a great spot off season, off season project. Yeah, and then uh some negative tweets tortoises as well. Uh, if Colin Kaepernick is this close to annoying you. I said that on this podcast Sunday. Why don't you just ignore him. It's not like he seeks you out hashtag common sense whatever, dude. And then at NFL A t L you guys can't give any credit to the Niners, sick the Seahawks, and your podcast sucks hm at Greg Rosenthal, at Chris Westling, at Dan Jansas, at Mark Cecil, I like, do we have a presence in the Middle East? It's good? Wait, it's good feedback. Didn't Greg say that that was the most impressive performance by any team last week? That's true. We did get a lot of tweets from forty Niners fan saying we were harsh about them, which I guess was about the Kaepernick thing. I guess that it was Kaepernick driven. But if if they actually, if they listen to me, they would hear that everyone's completely We all respect the Niners and feel they are a very real threat to win this whole thing. So I just I don't I don't appreciate here. No, I just I mean no from myself. Okay, well you let it go. Look, people, your mother's raised you to be well rounded human beings, not drooling, obsessed fanboy lunatics. It's time to either read some throw and go out to the desert or the wilderness, do some self reflection, or just step away from football for a while because you've lost perspective as a human being. All right, that's it. Well, sometimes these people are like fourteen years old, by the way. That is usually answer to the questions, like they don't they don't have a car, they don't have friends, they're obsessed with football. I think we've all been there. Well, now that we've alienated our entire listener, we've kept the ones we want. Hey, and I stuck up for Caberne. I said, you guys, you know he's like he's like the Steve Smith of quarterbacks. I like a little salt nous. So you know, we're a balanced news program. And if you do hate on us, that's fine as long as you vote for us for the station. We are balanced, but we're not fair. But West called them the hottest team in the NFC. It's context collapse. They see a headline, they don't read the full story, and the most complete team in the NFL. All right, well, obviously we're gonna be getting into these games all week, uh this week or this podcast, we will be interviewing uh Greg Hardy, the Carolina Panthers star who obviously is no longer in the dance, but he is a a t L favorite, uh Mark and I will be speaking with him a little later in the show. We're also gonna play a new game called What's more Likely Today? Get excited for that, But first we will start with the headlines. Doesn't have the same vizazz as the k Wrench theme. Soundingly, Morley Safer is coming on or something? Nothing against the gold standard behind the glass alright, headlines Jim Caldwell we'll replace Jim Schwartz as the next Detroit Lions head coach that became official on Tuesday. Caldwell, of course, previously spent what was it three seasons? Three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, and now he gets a second shot with the Lions, who, of course, we're spurned by Ken wizzen Hunt. A day earlier wizzen Hunt took the job in Tennessee. Thoughts, there's a lot of white noise in the analysis here. How do we figure out who Jim Caldwell is? Like? He took the Colts to the Super Bowl, or unless you want to look at as Peyton Manning took the Colts to the Super Bowl and then they completely collapsed After Peyton Manning uh sat out a year, he turned the raven season around, had the best game of was was at the Helm for the best stretch of Flacco's career, and then they finished twenty nine in total offense this year. Who is Jim Caldwell. That's a great class. It's a perfect, perfectly said. I can't add much to that. The lines even know who he is because he obviously wasn't even their first choice. I mean, how much do they have to talk themselves into this. You're not hiring Jim Caldwell because he's an offensive genius or strategists. You know. The more I know about the NFL and have followed it, the more I think the head coach position is not all about x as and os. It's that's only a tiny part of it. And I think they're hiring Jim Caldwell to be a leader of men, a leader of the franchise, someone to represent them, some someone that can bring in a good staff that's been in the league a long time and set the right people in place, and oh, by the way, is really good with quarterbacks at least that's what he sold them on, and he can take Matthew Stafford to the next level. I don't think they're going to hire anyone that wasn't a guy who can work well with court. Isn't be a flip side from what you had with Jim Jim Schwartz. It's I think we look at he's safe, maybe bordering on milk toasts ex girlfriend theory. A girl'll break up with the girl you want the opposite next time, you always get the opposite coach, and he is the opposite of Jim Schwartz and Schwartz who repeatedly and I think too a fault when asked, does your quarterback have issues? Mechanical issues? It's not stuff we can necessarily see, but I think we can see some of it. He just was so lazy fair about it, just bumped it off as a non issue and called well, I think if anything has been brought in to say and from his first interview when he broke when he sat down said I've looked at all the film. There's a more serious approach to fixing Matthew Stafford well, we saw what he did with Curtis Painter. That was Yeoman's works, and now he's going to take that transfer those ability. You're gonna say he was an Indie for three seasons. I don't think he was there for that third season. I'm not sure where he was. He was like Art Shelly. That performance got dam Andrew Lucky. That's very true. True. It makes you wonder who his defensive coordinator is going to be. That's such a you know, big part of the available Oh my god. They The one thing is he's not going to embarrass the organization. You would think he's gonna represent them well. And I don't think that should be the number one thing when you're looking for a head coach. But after the Jim Schwartz era, that's that's probably near the top of their list. But you said it, it it was a disappointment for them. They wanted Kenn wizzen Hunt. Ian Rapport reported it and they didn't get him, and it it just makes you feel, if you're Alliance fan, like, here we go again. Here's here's one interesting stat uh. This actually from Greg your former colleague at Pro Football Talk, Michael David Smith. Jim Caldwell is twenty four and eight when he has Peyton Manning and seventy seven that includes his college career when he doesn't. What's wizzen Hunt's record without Kurt Warner? I mean talk about they're all these None of these guys are a home run. Kurt wizzen Hunt or Ken wizzen Hunt floundered for years when he had Derrick Anderson under center and the rest of that crew. Right, what's Bill Belichick's without Tom Brady? What's John Foxes without Peyton Manning? Not to throw calledwell in with Belichick, but Fox is pretty clear with that. Okay, okay, and the other we should touch on the Titans higher as well. Wizon Hunt took the job yesterday, Wes, I know you wrote a piece that wizzon Hunt. Uh, it's good for Jake Locker for him to be there, and that will that will potentially help take Locker to the next level. One counter I have to that. I'm interested what you think I mean. Wizzen Hunt obviously was great when Warner was in Trenched his final season in Arizona, I think he started four thousand quarterbacks. Is he does he have the patients to deal with Jake Locker, Well, I don't. I think there's a saying about you can't make chicken salad out of chicken chinola. That's what it is. I don't think you can create Max Hall into some Frankenstein type NFL quarterback. You're not buying John Skelton either. No, Skelton, I don't think he had much to work with their And um, I don't think Kevin Cobb was ever going to be good enough, uh in a muddy pocket to win in the NFL. But he was. But Wien was part of a group that and I and it's not his decision alone that's signed off on that Cobb trade, which plenty of people thought was a junkie move to begin with. Desperation makes you do funny things, it does. But you know, is he given more credit than do for Rivers to when McCoy was on the scene. He's another guy I think represents a franchise well. And whether that's fair or not, I think owners choose guys based on who looks like a head coach, who's gonna be the face of our franchise, who kind of cuts that figure? Of all the Super Bowls I went to in terms of just doing the press conference and seeming like an impressive individual like Ken wizzen Hunt was more impressive than any other coach just in person. And I could see how in an interview setting, in his background, how he's going to impress them. It's like, I got this Ken wizzen Hunt's coming to town well. And in his defense, I think even going back to May and June, we were seeing that he was already working with Rivers. I don't think we could say that was all McCoy. I think that was a lot of wizzen Hunt. He developed Big Ben, who was the winning winning his quarterback in NFL history through two seasons. Uh really had his career start the same way for the forty Niners and Seahawks did with Wilson and Kaepernick, like relying on defense in a run game. I think he's shown he can he can do well with quarterback. It's really interesting he chose the Titans and Jake Locker. And I know he's lived in Nashville around there before because he coached there for a little in college, But that to me says something. And I think Jake Locker could be really good. I think it wouldn't shock me if in three years. Jake Locker is a better quarterback than Matthew Stafford. Wouldn't surprise me at all. He just has to stay healthy, alright. There are two remaining head coaching openings now, the Cleveland Browns in the Minnesota Vikings. Uh. There are reports that uh Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is very close to being named the guy in Minnesota. That could even happen by the time you hear this, Uh, things are a little less clear in Cleveland. Uh. There's an interview set to take place eventually with Broncos coordinator Adam Gays, of course, the mastermind behind with the Broncos. Did this year mark any thoughts of this? I just think this is well. I think I think there'll be two moves here. Potentially. This is just me spitballing that they to get the guy that they want, they may have to make a structural move in the front office, because I think that you've got a year in Haslem. Uh. Every guy they're talking to has closer Haslem ties than he outside of Josh McDaniels than he does Banner or Lombardi. And I think the HASLM is taken over this search, and that's when you're hearing whispers about there's a front office that isn't in tune because you got these two underlings that thought they were in control and want a but has I'm saying, I'm not dropping any more wasted guaranteed money on your pick. I'm gonna have my hands on this from start to finish. Gaze is Peyton Manning and hasn't. I'm not saying it's gonna work. I'm saying that's what's happening. And listen, nothing is guaranteed to workal I don't have a problem with them not being the second team to hire a coach and land Caldwell or Ken wizzen Hunt. There's no Chip Kelly sitting out there. What happens when the rounds higher? Mike Munchak, I know that's your theory. I mean, why do you think they would do that? Just feels feels right. Well, here's when it becomes a problem. I thought the Cleveland Playing deal Dealer report was interesting that colleagues are warning gays against that job, And to me, I don't think Gas wants it. I don't think Gates. I think Gates knows he's not ready to be a head coach. I think you're right. Why would you Why would you want to step into that if you don't feel ready. I don't think money money raise from a year ago. When you're making thirty dollars a year? Hey, do you want to make thirty a year? I doubt he's making what do you think he was making? What do you think he was making as a quarterbacks coach last year? I guess is that a factor huge? But is he three million dollars yours twelve million dollars on a four year contract? Tell me who's turning down this money every if he's confident that he's a good coach that will be there again next year. It's hard to turn. Your planning goes into it to some degree. You don't just jump on the only opportunity. I disagree. I think almost every coach jumps on the first opportunity. That's what coaches do. They try to go up. They're never trying to go down. They're trying to go up. They're trying to make more money, and they think if they're a great coach, they'll make it work. Think about back to citing the Jets as an example. Brian Schottenheimer was a shoe in as a future head coach in two thousand ten. The wheels fall off, and now he's just meandering through the league. I mean, these guys, I think they need to take advantage of these opportunities. Enheimer was thought of that highly. I remember he was a very He was a hot name for as a future head coach. You don't hear any event his names can cool down. Perry Fuel is another one. I mean, it does happen that you guys go up and down. Here's real quick. I think, well, what we're gonna see happen? I think the Gays thing buys them time because everyone says, oh, we don't expect an announcement for potentially to three weeks. Gays maybe their number one. Maybe that's where it is. Maybe Dan's right about mon Check. I think they're going to pull in a name that we haven't even heard yet. I agree, and I don't care that they haven't hired anyone yet. The timing doesn't really matter to me. The bigger problem is what gives any confidence that this crew is gonna do it well? Because they've already had one chance and it went as poorly as possible. They made their choice, and they fired him one year into it. And now you're talking about you know, infrastructure battling and all that. It's gone poorly. No confidence. All right, Let's let's turn our attention now to the Championships Sunday before we get to Gregg cracking and new game Greg. I like that. Wow, Actually we should just call him that. Why doesn't he just change his name? It's much better than dot Dante Hittner. Huh, come on, let's be fair like that. And and you should know that you have swayed me over subconsciously. I no longer pronouncing it creaking? Is that what it is? I always thought it was creaking? But I think you guys are right. I made it through about twenty seven minutes of the first Lord of the Rings and vow never to try again. I didn't even know. I I don't believe is in Lord of the Rings? I thought, But I think I believe it's a clash of the Titans. Is it? Um? Alright? Whatever? I don't know. I don't know the reference. Sum me. Let's move on to our big game. Uh, now, it's a rum or something like that, or whiskey it is? I think it's a rum think so bad. Rum gold Standard immediately jumping in with the alcohol clarification, alcohol problem, don't worry about it? All right? The game is called What's more Likely? UM. I had talked to the gold Standard before the show if it was possible to get uh, like a crowd, a crowd together to be like what more likely? I was wondering if that technology existed. Apparently it's about thirty years away. Nothing exists, right is our big moment though, ten minutes away. If you just grab a crew from downstairs and record it. We talked about that. Four of us could do it. I don't know if it would happen. We could do it live right now. Want to try? No, I don't, Okay, Gregg, game is always all right, let's get into Let's get into it What's more Likely? And we'll start with Greg Peyton Manning throws more than two interceptions on Sunday or Legarrett Blunt rushes for more than one fifty yards Blunt by far, because you said more than two interceptions, so that's three. I don't see that happening in this biggest spot. The Patriots aren't a good secondary or not a great defense, but they are opportunistic they pick off passes to leave mccordy, Denard, even Arrington. They make some plays. They're good with the ball in the air. But I don't think Manning is gonna have much trouble. I don't think he's gonna make those mistakes. And I could see Legarrett Blunt running through that Broncos defense if memory serves. The last time pick Manning through three interceptions was that game in Atlanta, and like week two of last year when everybody thought his career was and he's been on fire since then. If you said two or more, I would have thought about it a little harder because you know, I mean, why why would it be a surprise if La Garrett did do that. He's a superstar running back, not a superstar, but he's getting all that. He's getting the workload and he has been running back in the NFL. Is a big number though. If he runs for a hundred and fifty yards, they're probably winning that game. He's his bloods boiling. I like, I like it. He's gonna deal with pot roast, all right, Let's move on. How's the game so far? Sorry, it's a good game. Came up with this morning. I'm really proud of myself, but we need that technology. You're like the twenty one century version of Wink Martindale. I would take that life all right, west. Since you just compared me to Winke Martindale, what's more likely the Broncos miss von Miller at a punishing level or the Patriots miss Rob Gronnikowski at a punishing level. That's a good question, because I'll say the Broncos miss von Miller. They've played better defense, but they've also faced some suspect offenses. The charges are really the only good offense they've played against since losing von Miller, Whereas I think the Patriots have proven they can run the ball without Gronk and they can pass it when they need to. They're not the same dynamic offense, but they're still one of the best offenses in the NFL since losing Gronk. I'll go the other way. I think that New England with Gronk would have been potentially unstoppable at this point in the season. With the way they are running the ball and doing everything else well, I there's still a limited offense in terms of how they passed the ball without him. Julian Edelman has been outstanding production wise, But uh, I don't know. You put Gronk on this team, I don't think anyone stops him. I miss Gronk. I've had all this time to think about it, and I still don't know. That's how great a question I would have to go with Mark and Gronkowski just because as great as von Miller is, well, it's tough to say Gronkowski is that much better of a player than there's mist equals that they're positions, right, I agree, But Gronkowski, the way he was playing this year, and the running game and the blocking and everything. I think the Broncos could survive without the greatest pass rush in the world more than I mean, if the Patriots had Gronkowski, I don't know if anyone's stopping that offense. Dan, I have to give you credit. You don't throw softballs. You're like the Mike Wallace of probably probably mess it up in the second softball Mike Wallace, not the Miami Dolphins, Michael. The argument for I was gonna say the argument for Miller is if you get pressure on Brady he you even saw it a little bit in the Colts game when it came He's not the same guy he was when he's younger, and they're all quick passing. I think they've changed their offense enough where they don't have the deep drops. They're not throwing it deep that much anyways, so it'd be tough to get pressure on Brady. I watched they did a replay, if I believe, the Week twelve Broncos Patriots game at Mile High, and the reason this came to mind is because Gronk was a huge factor in that game. Uh he was, you know, Brady's favorite target. He had a big touchdown that led to that Brady Gronk bro out scene in the end zone, the game's tying score and leave earlier at the proudest moment for Patriots fans this season. I just like bring him that up. In the interview of Brady with Women's Wear Daily, where he admitted his fondness for frozen, Margharita's I don't know if you guys caught that. I probably got the wrong magazine, but it was something like it was also he had another answer. It was total cheeseball. I sent it to Cessler. It was like, what do you prefer prefer a woman wearing? It's like nothing at all, not for all that vocabulary, as if a press agent didn't respond through like typewritten emails to some magazine with that. Well that was part of it too, the fact that Tom would say that as the answer, because you know, all his handlers like, oh, can we let that go through? Who was a little risque god? I like, yeah, it's so obvious. Um, what's more likely? My point though, is that Gronk was such a huge part of that comeback for the Broncos and um, and I do miss Gronk because he's such a fun guy to watch and him not being involved in this game is a little bitter. Sweet von Miller have a touchdown in that game and another sack. I mean they both were huge. It's just bitter. What would be good about it? You just hate the Patriots. I don't hate them. I hate that the Jets can't go to the playoffs. Ever, all right, let's move on, Mark, what's more likely Julian Edelman finishes with one and twenty yards receiving or West wilk Welker finishes with eighty yards receiving. This is an odd one, Dann, Yeah, that guy. I wanted to give you a little interesting the tricky one. I have an answer for this one. Welker had more catches over the last six games of the regular season than any player in the NFL. What did I say. I meant Edelman. That's why, that's why we have it. That's why we called on nonsense. I don't think that uh I have a problem with that one. I'm gonna pick Edelman hundred and twenty yards and I think Welker's gonna far surpass eighty. Wait then what's more likely? But what's more? I like you to't answer the question. You said, Edelman, they'll both have more, So I mean if they're both go. If I think they're both going to have more, it's a push. I guess. Welker looks shell shocked to me. Last week. He was the slowest player on the field. He did not look like himself last week. Maybe he was just rusty. I don't know, but I wouldn't expect him to have a big game. First time, they played four catches for thirty one yards, obviously had the rough uh Hunt return that never happened at the end of the game. Last week, six catches thirty eight yards against Kansas City when they scored thirty five points, thirty eight yards. He did have a nice game against Tennessee before he got hurt. He hasn't been a big time producer lately. He is going to be the most talked about Mike Tanier wrote this, the most talked about guy that gets between thirty and forty yards in the league this week. I mean, of course he could be a bigger factor, but Edelman, you said it. He's been the most consistent receiver in terms of just piling up receptions of any player in the league right now. I can't wait for all media members to sit there with bated breath waiting for Welker to say his opinions on Brady and Belichick, because it's only been four or five weeks since the last time he gave his opinions on what it's like to play against Brady and Belichick. That must be tiresome for him. He never says anything right there, but I guess we're obligating to ask those questions every single time they played. Well. It is a good story. I know that we get tired of banging like an obvious storyline, but this was the biggest free agent um. It was a conversation in the off season. It was a good story the first time they played each other, not every time they play each other, but it was for Patriots fans. It was hard to see Welker go. And they've replaced them well with Edelman and Amundola to a certain degree, But how painful would it be to see Welker running up and down the field on the Patriots. I mean, this was one of the biggest decisions of the off season. It was a classic Patriots decision, and it's either gonna look pretty smart on Sunday or could come back to haunt them. Greg, what's more likely. Michael Crabtree goes over one fifty yards receiving our Marshawn Lynch goes over fifty yards Russia Lynch. That's an easy one. Just I don't know if either one of these passing games are gonna go over a hundred and fifty yards. It wouldn't stun me. If this game kind of looks like that first game where it was five nothing at the half in the Seattle offense hadn't done anything. People think of that game like a blowout. Russell Wilson completed eight passes in that game. They couldn't do anything throwing the ball. Things worked out their way in the second half. I'm going, Lynch, it's all about the running game. Lynch only has I think one hundred yard rushing performance over the last like seven or eight weeks, and San Francisco has right. San Francisco has the fourth best rushing defense and football, and that's gotten better all the time. It takes his one long run well over one long catch by crab Tree. I mean, when do you think the last time it was the Seahawks allowed a hundred fifty yards to one receiver. I would I would imagine it's been multiple years. Really. It's a good question though, because crab Tree right now he could do anything and it wouldn't totally they're not right, But okay, he also injured his shoulder last game. Wasn't himself throughout the rest of the game. Bolden and Vernon Davis where the two primary pass catchers after that. So to me, I don't think they're gonna ignore Bolden and Vernon Davis and just go to crab Tree, who's probably gonna have Richard Sherman draped all over him. Probably logic, cle you go, Lynch. Here, Sherman is a great call. There too. That's gonna make it much harder for Crab. Lynch had a big game the first time. They like, not huge, I think it was just shy of a hundred yards, but they had they had pretty big holes. I mean that's I think back till last year in Week sixteen or whatever. I think he had a big game then too against the forty nine. And he's gonna show up. He shows up every week. He's a clutch guy. I don't think that Lynch will get shut down in this game. That would be my feeling on that. Lynch Greg his wink allowed to answer his own question. Well, you know what the rules that they're valuable. Yeah, they're valuable. Thank you, Wes? Who did? I ask the last question to West? What's more likely? What's more likely Russell Wilson finishes in the Gabbard zone, which of course is less than five yards per attempt, where Colin Kaepernick completes less than fifty of his passes. Uh, Kaepernick completes less than fifty percent of his passes, because I believe in his career he has completed fifty point seven percent of his passes against the Seahawks. Wow, just pulled that out of thin air. That's pretty good. Nobody's saying that you're going into the wilderness forever. Nobody defends Colin Kaepernick like the Seahawks to His worst games have come in Seattle, so I think that's much more likely. I'd go with that because Kaepernick, you know, last week, last couple of weeks, statistically floating around various points in the game, and he's playing a much better secondary, the best in the league. This week with Wilson, yeah, his numbers are way down, and I guess I'm not as concerned about that as some are because of the way that offense is structured. But in this case, that Gabbard zone territory for Wilson would surprise me. So I'm going, uh really pointed this out. But Russell wilson streak lately has come against not not one of those defenses is less than average. They've all been really good defenses. I guess maybe the Giants at New York is the worst defense he's faced, and they were one of the better defenses in the leagu over the past over the second half of the season, so maybe that's what however's numbers are in an area where it's good defense or not they are unimpressive. Greg, what are your thoughts. I'm gonna go with Russell Wilson and the Gabbard zone, And I admit this is an underdog pick. If it was they were setting lines in Vegas, you would have to get some odds because I think it's it's more likely on paper Kaepernick. But I have a feel into this game they're gonna struggle to throw the ball. He has been in the Gabber zone a couple of times recently. For all the new listeners, the Gabber zone is somewhere in the vicinity of what four to five five yards per five yards per tempt last week against New Orleans five point seven two yards per tempt against Arizona in week sixteen, So much better defense he's facing this week to four yards per attempt that week. So it's happened, and uh, I just see such a defensive battle, and I think they're gonna struggle to throw the ball. The Gabber zone at five yards per tempt is like the Mendoza line at the two batting average. Even if you're at two oh six, you're still hovering around the Mendoza line. If you're at five point five yards per attempt and in the gab zone. It would be great if you could time travel and go back to the two thousand ten draft and just lean into the GM of the Jaguars gear and go be aware of the camera zone and see if he still makes the pick. I thought you were gonna say you were gonna time travel back into the Gabbard zone, which just blew my mind. Trippy man, I don't think we can recover from that. And finally, one last one and I'll throw it to Cessler. What's more likely Papa John climbs out of the television set like the Girl in the Ring or Troy Aikman challenges An Koon Bolden to a televised street fight all rocky five. Definitely, Papa John and I think that there's genuine concern. I know we share that. Danny. Uh. His skill set in terms of his powers are we don't know, maybe limitless. Uh. He's eternally creepy. He's an off full He's obviously not been hired just to be an actor. There's something else going on here. Greg is trying to shut you up. For the first time, I feel like the Shadowy League figure. I won't say let it just speak. It's a warning. It's a warning to all people. Don't look him in the eyes. I'm going street fight. I'm with Mark on the Papa John thing. Street fight. No, no, no, the girl in the ring or whatnot. I have no idea what the girl in the ring is because I don't know. It's probably happened since culture. That happened after the spin doctors had a hit. I hated the spin doctor Naomi Watts the ring right right after Mholland drive, you know. And I would be a formidable handlem BlimE. No. I would handle everything before, he would handle everything after over each other's weakness. All right, Mark and I are going to speak with Greg Hardy right now. Wes, you're heading off into the wilderness potentially, but again, wine coolers and windwood to me is a better idea. And Greg, you have some managerial tasks to handle. Is that correct? Now I'm going to hang out with my daughter and your new TP. She got. It's gonna be good. What a dad? Yeah, So you two gentlemen. Good seeing you. Mark. Let's let's continue on with our one. We have a very special guest on the line right now. He is Star defensive end for the Carolina Panthers finished the season with fifteen sacks, tying a franchise record over there and also in a Round the League podcast favorite, he is Greg Hardy. Great, Yes, welcome to the Around the League Podcast. You, I'm sure you're aware of this is a huge listener of the program. But we we've talked up the Panthers all year and you in particular. We're a huge fan of what you've been able to do with the last two seasons and the promise that your defense has. Yes, fair man, you know so good. This come to a complete season where we're getting acknowledgement for the hard work of west Nuers and whatever. Um I've made it. This made it this far into the interview without bringing up the Cracking, But now it's time. Um. According to the Internet, which obviously is never wrong, the Cracking is a legendary sea monster of giant proportions that is said to dwell off the coasts of Norway and Greenland. Um I first, my first question is how how did you begin to associate yourself with this great beast? How can you not man? Look at it does whatever he wants. So that's my thing, Like how did you even learn about it? Is it? Was it a movie or a book or um? You know, Um, I got an artistic ground up the school prographic design, uh in English, you know, and in both you kind of research menthology and no monsters and creatures and so on and so fun. So when one of my things brought it up on one of the um the websites like red d or camps Crutch or something like that, they were like the guys coming up the bench like a taking and I was like, wait for it, that sounds like me. And and from what from what we hear and read, apparently there's like a whole like uh, it's almost even though you're the cracking, it's almost incredible. Hulk ask where you go from Bruce Banner to the Hulk free safety. And your teammate Mike Mitchell had this to say. He puts his headphones on and his contacts in apparently there you know, cat contacts, which is outrageous and awesome, and and Greg's out the door and now you get to see the cracking. I believe in him, So you become a different creature altogether. It's a whole of the way of thinking, just like a different mindset that you know, I'll bring to the field that I only think is allowed in like normal society. It's a good thing. You're allowed to do it on the field, all right. So I just want to, uh, we want to get into a little bit. We want to look ahead to these games, but I want to talk about Sunday a little bit. Um. Obviously a tough loss that ended your season. Um, I know that you had eight sacks in your last three games of the season. Then you got shut out. In general, the defensive front seven struggled to get uh to the other side. Now you had said you were quoters saying they got they got a lot of us rattled. Um, how is the San Francisco scheme different that was able to kind of get you guys in a little bit of trouble? Well, really, you know, just much different. It was just effective. Man. They came out and they were a serious front. They came out with a lot of you know, fast throws, bank aids, slants, and uh tried to open up with the ring game. We stopped pretty good early, but you know they opened up in the second half, went back to it, man, and it just and they started to break it down. You know, Russell wasn't getting their Kaepernick was getting comfortable, and like I said, that's what happened, man, when the better team comes to play that day. You know, taking a look at this weekend, obviously a matchup that a lot of people felt from the start of the season we'd see in the title game, San Francisco going to Seattle. In your mind, are the two best teams in the NFC playing this weekend? You know, I can't write if Pully say that you think, uh, you think that things will be different next season for you? Oh definitely. Man. I feel like, you know, especially if I stayed in Carolina, we're gonna come out with a series attitudes chip on our show that's just prepared to dominate, you know, at every level. And I guess, you know, like every everybody saying right now about us this year, you know why, I have some experience, like we didn't have this here and you have to make a lot of plays that we didn't make and just filling the blanks, you know, basically, you know, taking a look at the San Francisco and Seattle, you guys obviously squared off against both quarterbacks, you know, with Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick. What how what's the difference between these two? How would you characterize something that makes one, you know, varied from the other. Honestly, you know, just um the level of completion, man, you got you gotta you gotta look out for what I mean, what uh You gotta look after that guy, man, because he can complete passing on any level, you know what I mean, like scrambling two foot uh in a sack, you know, falling down underhand, all types of ways, man. And he's not afraid to hold the ball and just get down there and make the plays wherever or whatever, you know. But kaeper Nick, Man, he's more of a you have a team quarterback minute. He works well with offensive lineman, his schemes perfect for him, man, and when he feels like going, he does. But he's definitely, you know, looking to make more more plays according to the scheme and not just you know, running off running the Seattle type of offense. Are you coming off Sunday and the losses? Are you someone that's able to watch Sunday's NFC title game or do you stay away from it and kind of shut it down and start looking toward next season? Me. Oh yeah, I'm done with him. My man, I can't. I can't look at him, and I gotta thing for losing, you know, just eats me up inside. Just to see you know, Uh, the last game that you know we were playing with there's defense that I've you know, growing to love and just be a part of. Breaks me up inside. So I'll try to stay away from it. Yeah, that makes sense. I feel like i'd be the same way. You're that invested in and what you're trying to do and then you fall short. You know, I feel like I wouldn't be watching it. Are you going on a vacation or anything? You you're doing something crack like crack fantastic. Yes, I'm on the coach right now. Man. Ready to get some of the water up in Miami so the sea monster will go into the sea his natural domain and dominate um. All right, So you're a general manager, Dave Gettleman gave you know the state of the team press conference today. Uh, Pathers don't have a great salary cap situation. We know, would you be all right with the franchise tag? I mean, would how disappointed would you be? Or are you cool that and just building off that if that happens, I'm definite ready to build. Man, it's a big honor and have a franchise. Say, you know, especially the type of organizations in this position, man, and I would love to just be that guy that you know can bring more chaos. You know? Me? Are you diffusing a bomb? It sounds like there was something beeping going on? Did you just did you just stop a major tragedy? Oh no, that's my ca him. Man, everything's complicated out here with me. I like that. Let's say you do get that franchise tag and you fulfill your promise, which we don't doubt you'll do at some stage here of fifty sacks in a single NFL season with by the way, the best prediction, hands down, he hands down. I mean, did you at that point do you just march into Dave Gentleman's office and just say, I mean, what do you ask for it? All the money whatever I want? Like always, I mean, what, honestly, seven hundred million dollars over forty years? What what what would be your best guess of the contract you would get off a hundred and four sacks season and uh st together make a try Tom Brady, uh Drewryes, just store him all together. Let's put that one for me. Dave Gentleman thinks he has salary cap problems. Now just wait till the cracking goes for a century. Um, Greg Hardy, you are the man. Thank you for coming on and joining us us and uh best of luck in your sea dive and then coming back and and terrorizing the league again. Thanks a lot, man man, Thank you guys for having me. I appreciate it. Cracking out, cracking out, all right, So we will be back on Thursday. That will be our super sized conference weekend pregame study of the two huge title games. Everything in our life is pointed towards these two games this Sunday. There is very little happening in our lives outside of that. It's sadly chin all right. Until then, This is Dan Hansen signing up for the Sizzler, the mailman, the boss, the gold standard behind the glass. Until
Speaker 1: The Around the League Podcast wonders what Dan Dierdorf is doing right now. Welcome back to another edition of the Round the League Podcast. My name is Dan Hans's name, joined by room filled with heroes, Chris Westling, Mark Sessler, and Greg Rosenthal. What up, boys? How you doing? Welcome back? Mark? I missed you on Sunday. I had like five people I am me. It's like within five minutes of each other this morning. How sick were you were you sick? I wasn't sick. That's what we were told. You were under the weather. I was fine. I had started my day at three in the morning, was under the covers. What did you think about Sunday's podcast? I thought it was well crafted. Good opinion to this past. It's fine, I'll get to it. It's a little weird even to listen to the shows you are on, although I've done that here with this podcast. It's hard to listen to yourself. I listened to every show in and take detailed notes about my own performance. Uh West, thank you for coming in on your off day. Uh you. You told me last night that you were potentially planning some type of journey outside or outdoors. I was planning on hiking Escondido Falls in Malibu. I don't like the sound of this. This is like the making of a best seller by John Krakauer. It's like a deliverance type of situation. Well that, I mean, that would be worst case scenario. But why don't you just hit the hot tub, grab wine cooler, turn up some Winwood. I don't listen to Steve Winwood in Malibu. What are you gonna like tumble off a clip and into an upscale restaurant. It's not exactly it's funny, is you know, it's the twenty one century. So of course I read online reviews of my hike and it that's kind of what the review was. Uh, there is potential of tumbling off the side of a cliff, but there's also there's also people talking about like the first quarter of the walk is through like mansion filled neighborhoods. Is Eric Gregg and West's contract? Is there something language like in the NFL where you can't have a motorcycle? Can he go climb like a steep mountain side? I like it. West is embracing the West Coast. It's like, you know, we're hanging out at pools and barbecuing on Christmas, We're going for hikes. I want to keep West on the West coast, not go back. So good. We also want to keep them alive. That's my biggest concern. Yeah, you wanted me to eat softball pants. So many contradictions for many contradictions. Alright, before we move on, obviously this is Uh, we're getting day by day closer to one of the great championship weekends ever with the Broncos and Patriots and then the Seahawks and Niners. We had talked about Colin Kaepernick, who's emerging as a major figure, um because of you know, some of the his behavior with Cam Newton. Got some feedback on Twitter. Um, first, some good feedback on Twitter. This is from Amar Abulgamg. That's definitely not how you pronounce it, uh he he tweeted, when is the new pod going to be available? It's four am here in Egypt? Should I wait or listen tomorrow? That's loyal fandom and West If you this hypothetical map, if you ever buy it, Egypt is a great spot off season, off season project. Yeah, and then uh some negative tweets tortoises as well. Uh, if Colin Kaepernick is this close to annoying you. I said that on this podcast Sunday. Why don't you just ignore him. It's not like he seeks you out hashtag common sense whatever, dude. And then at NFL A t L you guys can't give any credit to the Niners, sick the Seahawks, and your podcast sucks hm at Greg Rosenthal, at Chris Westling, at Dan Jansas, at Mark Cecil, I like, do we have a presence in the Middle East? It's good? Wait, it's good feedback. Didn't Greg say that that was the most impressive performance by any team last week? That's true. We did get a lot of tweets from forty Niners fan saying we were harsh about them, which I guess was about the Kaepernick thing. I guess that it was Kaepernick driven. But if if they actually, if they listen to me, they would hear that everyone's completely We all respect the Niners and feel they are a very real threat to win this whole thing. So I just I don't I don't appreciate here. No, I just I mean no from myself. Okay, well you let it go. Look, people, your mother's raised you to be well rounded human beings, not drooling, obsessed fanboy lunatics. It's time to either read some throw and go out to the desert or the wilderness, do some self reflection, or just step away from football for a while because you've lost perspective as a human being. All right, that's it. Well, sometimes these people are like fourteen years old, by the way. That is usually answer to the questions, like they don't they don't have a car, they don't have friends, they're obsessed with football. I think we've all been there. Well, now that we've alienated our entire listener, we've kept the ones we want. Hey, and I stuck up for Caberne. I said, you guys, you know he's like he's like the Steve Smith of quarterbacks. I like a little salt nous. So you know, we're a balanced news program. And if you do hate on us, that's fine as long as you vote for us for the station. We are balanced, but we're not fair. But West called them the hottest team in the NFC. It's context collapse. They see a headline, they don't read the full story, and the most complete team in the NFL. All right, well, obviously we're gonna be getting into these games all week, uh this week or this podcast, we will be interviewing uh Greg Hardy, the Carolina Panthers star who obviously is no longer in the dance, but he is a a t L favorite, uh Mark and I will be speaking with him a little later in the show. We're also gonna play a new game called What's more Likely Today? Get excited for that, But first we will start with the headlines. Doesn't have the same vizazz as the k Wrench theme. Soundingly, Morley Safer is coming on or something? Nothing against the gold standard behind the glass alright, headlines Jim Caldwell we'll replace Jim Schwartz as the next Detroit Lions head coach that became official on Tuesday. Caldwell, of course, previously spent what was it three seasons? Three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, and now he gets a second shot with the Lions, who, of course, we're spurned by Ken wizzen Hunt. A day earlier wizzen Hunt took the job in Tennessee. Thoughts, there's a lot of white noise in the analysis here. How do we figure out who Jim Caldwell is? Like? He took the Colts to the Super Bowl, or unless you want to look at as Peyton Manning took the Colts to the Super Bowl and then they completely collapsed After Peyton Manning uh sat out a year, he turned the raven season around, had the best game of was was at the Helm for the best stretch of Flacco's career, and then they finished twenty nine in total offense this year. Who is Jim Caldwell. That's a great class. It's a perfect, perfectly said. I can't add much to that. The lines even know who he is because he obviously wasn't even their first choice. I mean, how much do they have to talk themselves into this. You're not hiring Jim Caldwell because he's an offensive genius or strategists. You know. The more I know about the NFL and have followed it, the more I think the head coach position is not all about x as and os. It's that's only a tiny part of it. And I think they're hiring Jim Caldwell to be a leader of men, a leader of the franchise, someone to represent them, some someone that can bring in a good staff that's been in the league a long time and set the right people in place, and oh, by the way, is really good with quarterbacks at least that's what he sold them on, and he can take Matthew Stafford to the next level. I don't think they're going to hire anyone that wasn't a guy who can work well with court. Isn't be a flip side from what you had with Jim Jim Schwartz. It's I think we look at he's safe, maybe bordering on milk toasts ex girlfriend theory. A girl'll break up with the girl you want the opposite next time, you always get the opposite coach, and he is the opposite of Jim Schwartz and Schwartz who repeatedly and I think too a fault when asked, does your quarterback have issues? Mechanical issues? It's not stuff we can necessarily see, but I think we can see some of it. He just was so lazy fair about it, just bumped it off as a non issue and called well, I think if anything has been brought in to say and from his first interview when he broke when he sat down said I've looked at all the film. There's a more serious approach to fixing Matthew Stafford well, we saw what he did with Curtis Painter. That was Yeoman's works, and now he's going to take that transfer those ability. You're gonna say he was an Indie for three seasons. I don't think he was there for that third season. I'm not sure where he was. He was like Art Shelly. That performance got dam Andrew Lucky. That's very true. True. It makes you wonder who his defensive coordinator is going to be. That's such a you know, big part of the available Oh my god. They The one thing is he's not going to embarrass the organization. You would think he's gonna represent them well. And I don't think that should be the number one thing when you're looking for a head coach. But after the Jim Schwartz era, that's that's probably near the top of their list. But you said it, it it was a disappointment for them. They wanted Kenn wizzen Hunt. Ian Rapport reported it and they didn't get him, and it it just makes you feel, if you're Alliance fan, like, here we go again. Here's here's one interesting stat uh. This actually from Greg your former colleague at Pro Football Talk, Michael David Smith. Jim Caldwell is twenty four and eight when he has Peyton Manning and seventy seven that includes his college career when he doesn't. What's wizzen Hunt's record without Kurt Warner? I mean talk about they're all these None of these guys are a home run. Kurt wizzen Hunt or Ken wizzen Hunt floundered for years when he had Derrick Anderson under center and the rest of that crew. Right, what's Bill Belichick's without Tom Brady? What's John Foxes without Peyton Manning? Not to throw calledwell in with Belichick, but Fox is pretty clear with that. Okay, okay, and the other we should touch on the Titans higher as well. Wizon Hunt took the job yesterday, Wes, I know you wrote a piece that wizzon Hunt. Uh, it's good for Jake Locker for him to be there, and that will that will potentially help take Locker to the next level. One counter I have to that. I'm interested what you think I mean. Wizzen Hunt obviously was great when Warner was in Trenched his final season in Arizona, I think he started four thousand quarterbacks. Is he does he have the patients to deal with Jake Locker, Well, I don't. I think there's a saying about you can't make chicken salad out of chicken chinola. That's what it is. I don't think you can create Max Hall into some Frankenstein type NFL quarterback. You're not buying John Skelton either. No, Skelton, I don't think he had much to work with their And um, I don't think Kevin Cobb was ever going to be good enough, uh in a muddy pocket to win in the NFL. But he was. But Wien was part of a group that and I and it's not his decision alone that's signed off on that Cobb trade, which plenty of people thought was a junkie move to begin with. Desperation makes you do funny things, it does. But you know, is he given more credit than do for Rivers to when McCoy was on the scene. He's another guy I think represents a franchise well. And whether that's fair or not, I think owners choose guys based on who looks like a head coach, who's gonna be the face of our franchise, who kind of cuts that figure? Of all the Super Bowls I went to in terms of just doing the press conference and seeming like an impressive individual like Ken wizzen Hunt was more impressive than any other coach just in person. And I could see how in an interview setting, in his background, how he's going to impress them. It's like, I got this Ken wizzen Hunt's coming to town well. And in his defense, I think even going back to May and June, we were seeing that he was already working with Rivers. I don't think we could say that was all McCoy. I think that was a lot of wizzen Hunt. He developed Big Ben, who was the winning winning his quarterback in NFL history through two seasons. Uh really had his career start the same way for the forty Niners and Seahawks did with Wilson and Kaepernick, like relying on defense in a run game. I think he's shown he can he can do well with quarterback. It's really interesting he chose the Titans and Jake Locker. And I know he's lived in Nashville around there before because he coached there for a little in college, But that to me says something. And I think Jake Locker could be really good. I think it wouldn't shock me if in three years. Jake Locker is a better quarterback than Matthew Stafford. Wouldn't surprise me at all. He just has to stay healthy, alright. There are two remaining head coaching openings now, the Cleveland Browns in the Minnesota Vikings. Uh. There are reports that uh Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is very close to being named the guy in Minnesota. That could even happen by the time you hear this, Uh, things are a little less clear in Cleveland. Uh. There's an interview set to take place eventually with Broncos coordinator Adam Gays, of course, the mastermind behind with the Broncos. Did this year mark any thoughts of this? I just think this is well. I think I think there'll be two moves here. Potentially. This is just me spitballing that they to get the guy that they want, they may have to make a structural move in the front office, because I think that you've got a year in Haslem. Uh. Every guy they're talking to has closer Haslem ties than he outside of Josh McDaniels than he does Banner or Lombardi. And I think the HASLM is taken over this search, and that's when you're hearing whispers about there's a front office that isn't in tune because you got these two underlings that thought they were in control and want a but has I'm saying, I'm not dropping any more wasted guaranteed money on your pick. I'm gonna have my hands on this from start to finish. Gaze is Peyton Manning and hasn't. I'm not saying it's gonna work. I'm saying that's what's happening. And listen, nothing is guaranteed to workal I don't have a problem with them not being the second team to hire a coach and land Caldwell or Ken wizzen Hunt. There's no Chip Kelly sitting out there. What happens when the rounds higher? Mike Munchak, I know that's your theory. I mean, why do you think they would do that? Just feels feels right. Well, here's when it becomes a problem. I thought the Cleveland Playing deal Dealer report was interesting that colleagues are warning gays against that job, And to me, I don't think Gas wants it. I don't think Gates. I think Gates knows he's not ready to be a head coach. I think you're right. Why would you Why would you want to step into that if you don't feel ready. I don't think money money raise from a year ago. When you're making thirty dollars a year? Hey, do you want to make thirty a year? I doubt he's making what do you think he was making? What do you think he was making as a quarterbacks coach last year? I guess is that a factor huge? But is he three million dollars yours twelve million dollars on a four year contract? Tell me who's turning down this money every if he's confident that he's a good coach that will be there again next year. It's hard to turn. Your planning goes into it to some degree. You don't just jump on the only opportunity. I disagree. I think almost every coach jumps on the first opportunity. That's what coaches do. They try to go up. They're never trying to go down. They're trying to go up. They're trying to make more money, and they think if they're a great coach, they'll make it work. Think about back to citing the Jets as an example. Brian Schottenheimer was a shoe in as a future head coach in two thousand ten. The wheels fall off, and now he's just meandering through the league. I mean, these guys, I think they need to take advantage of these opportunities. Enheimer was thought of that highly. I remember he was a very He was a hot name for as a future head coach. You don't hear any event his names can cool down. Perry Fuel is another one. I mean, it does happen that you guys go up and down. Here's real quick. I think, well, what we're gonna see happen? I think the Gays thing buys them time because everyone says, oh, we don't expect an announcement for potentially to three weeks. Gays maybe their number one. Maybe that's where it is. Maybe Dan's right about mon Check. I think they're going to pull in a name that we haven't even heard yet. I agree, and I don't care that they haven't hired anyone yet. The timing doesn't really matter to me. The bigger problem is what gives any confidence that this crew is gonna do it well? Because they've already had one chance and it went as poorly as possible. They made their choice, and they fired him one year into it. And now you're talking about you know, infrastructure battling and all that. It's gone poorly. No confidence. All right, Let's let's turn our attention now to the Championships Sunday before we get to Gregg cracking and new game Greg. I like that. Wow, Actually we should just call him that. Why doesn't he just change his name? It's much better than dot Dante Hittner. Huh, come on, let's be fair like that. And and you should know that you have swayed me over subconsciously. I no longer pronouncing it creaking? Is that what it is? I always thought it was creaking? But I think you guys are right. I made it through about twenty seven minutes of the first Lord of the Rings and vow never to try again. I didn't even know. I I don't believe is in Lord of the Rings? I thought, But I think I believe it's a clash of the Titans. Is it? Um? Alright? Whatever? I don't know. I don't know the reference. Sum me. Let's move on to our big game. Uh, now, it's a rum or something like that, or whiskey it is? I think it's a rum think so bad. Rum gold Standard immediately jumping in with the alcohol clarification, alcohol problem, don't worry about it? All right? The game is called What's more Likely? UM. I had talked to the gold Standard before the show if it was possible to get uh, like a crowd, a crowd together to be like what more likely? I was wondering if that technology existed. Apparently it's about thirty years away. Nothing exists, right is our big moment though, ten minutes away. If you just grab a crew from downstairs and record it. We talked about that. Four of us could do it. I don't know if it would happen. We could do it live right now. Want to try? No, I don't, Okay, Gregg, game is always all right, let's get into Let's get into it What's more Likely? And we'll start with Greg Peyton Manning throws more than two interceptions on Sunday or Legarrett Blunt rushes for more than one fifty yards Blunt by far, because you said more than two interceptions, so that's three. I don't see that happening in this biggest spot. The Patriots aren't a good secondary or not a great defense, but they are opportunistic they pick off passes to leave mccordy, Denard, even Arrington. They make some plays. They're good with the ball in the air. But I don't think Manning is gonna have much trouble. I don't think he's gonna make those mistakes. And I could see Legarrett Blunt running through that Broncos defense if memory serves. The last time pick Manning through three interceptions was that game in Atlanta, and like week two of last year when everybody thought his career was and he's been on fire since then. If you said two or more, I would have thought about it a little harder because you know, I mean, why why would it be a surprise if La Garrett did do that. He's a superstar running back, not a superstar, but he's getting all that. He's getting the workload and he has been running back in the NFL. Is a big number though. If he runs for a hundred and fifty yards, they're probably winning that game. He's his bloods boiling. I like, I like it. He's gonna deal with pot roast, all right, Let's move on. How's the game so far? Sorry, it's a good game. Came up with this morning. I'm really proud of myself, but we need that technology. You're like the twenty one century version of Wink Martindale. I would take that life all right, west. Since you just compared me to Winke Martindale, what's more likely the Broncos miss von Miller at a punishing level or the Patriots miss Rob Gronnikowski at a punishing level. That's a good question, because I'll say the Broncos miss von Miller. They've played better defense, but they've also faced some suspect offenses. The charges are really the only good offense they've played against since losing von Miller, Whereas I think the Patriots have proven they can run the ball without Gronk and they can pass it when they need to. They're not the same dynamic offense, but they're still one of the best offenses in the NFL since losing Gronk. I'll go the other way. I think that New England with Gronk would have been potentially unstoppable at this point in the season. With the way they are running the ball and doing everything else well, I there's still a limited offense in terms of how they passed the ball without him. Julian Edelman has been outstanding production wise, But uh, I don't know. You put Gronk on this team, I don't think anyone stops him. I miss Gronk. I've had all this time to think about it, and I still don't know. That's how great a question I would have to go with Mark and Gronkowski just because as great as von Miller is, well, it's tough to say Gronkowski is that much better of a player than there's mist equals that they're positions, right, I agree, But Gronkowski, the way he was playing this year, and the running game and the blocking and everything. I think the Broncos could survive without the greatest pass rush in the world more than I mean, if the Patriots had Gronkowski, I don't know if anyone's stopping that offense. Dan, I have to give you credit. You don't throw softballs. You're like the Mike Wallace of probably probably mess it up in the second softball Mike Wallace, not the Miami Dolphins, Michael. The argument for I was gonna say the argument for Miller is if you get pressure on Brady he you even saw it a little bit in the Colts game when it came He's not the same guy he was when he's younger, and they're all quick passing. I think they've changed their offense enough where they don't have the deep drops. They're not throwing it deep that much anyways, so it'd be tough to get pressure on Brady. I watched they did a replay, if I believe, the Week twelve Broncos Patriots game at Mile High, and the reason this came to mind is because Gronk was a huge factor in that game. Uh he was, you know, Brady's favorite target. He had a big touchdown that led to that Brady Gronk bro out scene in the end zone, the game's tying score and leave earlier at the proudest moment for Patriots fans this season. I just like bring him that up. In the interview of Brady with Women's Wear Daily, where he admitted his fondness for frozen, Margharita's I don't know if you guys caught that. I probably got the wrong magazine, but it was something like it was also he had another answer. It was total cheeseball. I sent it to Cessler. It was like, what do you prefer prefer a woman wearing? It's like nothing at all, not for all that vocabulary, as if a press agent didn't respond through like typewritten emails to some magazine with that. Well that was part of it too, the fact that Tom would say that as the answer, because you know, all his handlers like, oh, can we let that go through? Who was a little risque god? I like, yeah, it's so obvious. Um, what's more likely? My point though, is that Gronk was such a huge part of that comeback for the Broncos and um, and I do miss Gronk because he's such a fun guy to watch and him not being involved in this game is a little bitter. Sweet von Miller have a touchdown in that game and another sack. I mean they both were huge. It's just bitter. What would be good about it? You just hate the Patriots. I don't hate them. I hate that the Jets can't go to the playoffs. Ever, all right, let's move on, Mark, what's more likely Julian Edelman finishes with one and twenty yards receiving or West wilk Welker finishes with eighty yards receiving. This is an odd one, Dann, Yeah, that guy. I wanted to give you a little interesting the tricky one. I have an answer for this one. Welker had more catches over the last six games of the regular season than any player in the NFL. What did I say. I meant Edelman. That's why, that's why we have it. That's why we called on nonsense. I don't think that uh I have a problem with that one. I'm gonna pick Edelman hundred and twenty yards and I think Welker's gonna far surpass eighty. Wait then what's more likely? But what's more? I like you to't answer the question. You said, Edelman, they'll both have more, So I mean if they're both go. If I think they're both going to have more, it's a push. I guess. Welker looks shell shocked to me. Last week. He was the slowest player on the field. He did not look like himself last week. Maybe he was just rusty. I don't know, but I wouldn't expect him to have a big game. First time, they played four catches for thirty one yards, obviously had the rough uh Hunt return that never happened at the end of the game. Last week, six catches thirty eight yards against Kansas City when they scored thirty five points, thirty eight yards. He did have a nice game against Tennessee before he got hurt. He hasn't been a big time producer lately. He is going to be the most talked about Mike Tanier wrote this, the most talked about guy that gets between thirty and forty yards in the league this week. I mean, of course he could be a bigger factor, but Edelman, you said it. He's been the most consistent receiver in terms of just piling up receptions of any player in the league right now. I can't wait for all media members to sit there with bated breath waiting for Welker to say his opinions on Brady and Belichick, because it's only been four or five weeks since the last time he gave his opinions on what it's like to play against Brady and Belichick. That must be tiresome for him. He never says anything right there, but I guess we're obligating to ask those questions every single time they played. Well. It is a good story. I know that we get tired of banging like an obvious storyline, but this was the biggest free agent um. It was a conversation in the off season. It was a good story the first time they played each other, not every time they play each other, but it was for Patriots fans. It was hard to see Welker go. And they've replaced them well with Edelman and Amundola to a certain degree, But how painful would it be to see Welker running up and down the field on the Patriots. I mean, this was one of the biggest decisions of the off season. It was a classic Patriots decision, and it's either gonna look pretty smart on Sunday or could come back to haunt them. Greg, what's more likely. Michael Crabtree goes over one fifty yards receiving our Marshawn Lynch goes over fifty yards Russia Lynch. That's an easy one. Just I don't know if either one of these passing games are gonna go over a hundred and fifty yards. It wouldn't stun me. If this game kind of looks like that first game where it was five nothing at the half in the Seattle offense hadn't done anything. People think of that game like a blowout. Russell Wilson completed eight passes in that game. They couldn't do anything throwing the ball. Things worked out their way in the second half. I'm going, Lynch, it's all about the running game. Lynch only has I think one hundred yard rushing performance over the last like seven or eight weeks, and San Francisco has right. San Francisco has the fourth best rushing defense and football, and that's gotten better all the time. It takes his one long run well over one long catch by crab Tree. I mean, when do you think the last time it was the Seahawks allowed a hundred fifty yards to one receiver. I would I would imagine it's been multiple years. Really. It's a good question though, because crab Tree right now he could do anything and it wouldn't totally they're not right, But okay, he also injured his shoulder last game. Wasn't himself throughout the rest of the game. Bolden and Vernon Davis where the two primary pass catchers after that. So to me, I don't think they're gonna ignore Bolden and Vernon Davis and just go to crab Tree, who's probably gonna have Richard Sherman draped all over him. Probably logic, cle you go, Lynch. Here, Sherman is a great call. There too. That's gonna make it much harder for Crab. Lynch had a big game the first time. They like, not huge, I think it was just shy of a hundred yards, but they had they had pretty big holes. I mean that's I think back till last year in Week sixteen or whatever. I think he had a big game then too against the forty nine. And he's gonna show up. He shows up every week. He's a clutch guy. I don't think that Lynch will get shut down in this game. That would be my feeling on that. Lynch Greg his wink allowed to answer his own question. Well, you know what the rules that they're valuable. Yeah, they're valuable. Thank you, Wes? Who did? I ask the last question to West? What's more likely? What's more likely Russell Wilson finishes in the Gabbard zone, which of course is less than five yards per attempt, where Colin Kaepernick completes less than fifty of his passes. Uh, Kaepernick completes less than fifty percent of his passes, because I believe in his career he has completed fifty point seven percent of his passes against the Seahawks. Wow, just pulled that out of thin air. That's pretty good. Nobody's saying that you're going into the wilderness forever. Nobody defends Colin Kaepernick like the Seahawks to His worst games have come in Seattle, so I think that's much more likely. I'd go with that because Kaepernick, you know, last week, last couple of weeks, statistically floating around various points in the game, and he's playing a much better secondary, the best in the league. This week with Wilson, yeah, his numbers are way down, and I guess I'm not as concerned about that as some are because of the way that offense is structured. But in this case, that Gabbard zone territory for Wilson would surprise me. So I'm going, uh really pointed this out. But Russell wilson streak lately has come against not not one of those defenses is less than average. They've all been really good defenses. I guess maybe the Giants at New York is the worst defense he's faced, and they were one of the better defenses in the leagu over the past over the second half of the season, so maybe that's what however's numbers are in an area where it's good defense or not they are unimpressive. Greg, what are your thoughts. I'm gonna go with Russell Wilson and the Gabbard zone, And I admit this is an underdog pick. If it was they were setting lines in Vegas, you would have to get some odds because I think it's it's more likely on paper Kaepernick. But I have a feel into this game they're gonna struggle to throw the ball. He has been in the Gabber zone a couple of times recently. For all the new listeners, the Gabber zone is somewhere in the vicinity of what four to five five yards per five yards per tempt last week against New Orleans five point seven two yards per tempt against Arizona in week sixteen, So much better defense he's facing this week to four yards per attempt that week. So it's happened, and uh, I just see such a defensive battle, and I think they're gonna struggle to throw the ball. The Gabber zone at five yards per tempt is like the Mendoza line at the two batting average. Even if you're at two oh six, you're still hovering around the Mendoza line. If you're at five point five yards per attempt and in the gab zone. It would be great if you could time travel and go back to the two thousand ten draft and just lean into the GM of the Jaguars gear and go be aware of the camera zone and see if he still makes the pick. I thought you were gonna say you were gonna time travel back into the Gabbard zone, which just blew my mind. Trippy man, I don't think we can recover from that. And finally, one last one and I'll throw it to Cessler. What's more likely Papa John climbs out of the television set like the Girl in the Ring or Troy Aikman challenges An Koon Bolden to a televised street fight all rocky five. Definitely, Papa John and I think that there's genuine concern. I know we share that. Danny. Uh. His skill set in terms of his powers are we don't know, maybe limitless. Uh. He's eternally creepy. He's an off full He's obviously not been hired just to be an actor. There's something else going on here. Greg is trying to shut you up. For the first time, I feel like the Shadowy League figure. I won't say let it just speak. It's a warning. It's a warning to all people. Don't look him in the eyes. I'm going street fight. I'm with Mark on the Papa John thing. Street fight. No, no, no, the girl in the ring or whatnot. I have no idea what the girl in the ring is because I don't know. It's probably happened since culture. That happened after the spin doctors had a hit. I hated the spin doctor Naomi Watts the ring right right after Mholland drive, you know. And I would be a formidable handlem BlimE. No. I would handle everything before, he would handle everything after over each other's weakness. All right, Mark and I are going to speak with Greg Hardy right now. Wes, you're heading off into the wilderness potentially, but again, wine coolers and windwood to me is a better idea. And Greg, you have some managerial tasks to handle. Is that correct? Now I'm going to hang out with my daughter and your new TP. She got. It's gonna be good. What a dad? Yeah, So you two gentlemen. Good seeing you. Mark. Let's let's continue on with our one. We have a very special guest on the line right now. He is Star defensive end for the Carolina Panthers finished the season with fifteen sacks, tying a franchise record over there and also in a Round the League podcast favorite, he is Greg Hardy. Great, Yes, welcome to the Around the League Podcast. You, I'm sure you're aware of this is a huge listener of the program. But we we've talked up the Panthers all year and you in particular. We're a huge fan of what you've been able to do with the last two seasons and the promise that your defense has. Yes, fair man, you know so good. This come to a complete season where we're getting acknowledgement for the hard work of west Nuers and whatever. Um I've made it. This made it this far into the interview without bringing up the Cracking, But now it's time. Um. According to the Internet, which obviously is never wrong, the Cracking is a legendary sea monster of giant proportions that is said to dwell off the coasts of Norway and Greenland. Um I first, my first question is how how did you begin to associate yourself with this great beast? How can you not man? Look at it does whatever he wants. So that's my thing, Like how did you even learn about it? Is it? Was it a movie or a book or um? You know, Um, I got an artistic ground up the school prographic design, uh in English, you know, and in both you kind of research menthology and no monsters and creatures and so on and so fun. So when one of my things brought it up on one of the um the websites like red d or camps Crutch or something like that, they were like the guys coming up the bench like a taking and I was like, wait for it, that sounds like me. And and from what from what we hear and read, apparently there's like a whole like uh, it's almost even though you're the cracking, it's almost incredible. Hulk ask where you go from Bruce Banner to the Hulk free safety. And your teammate Mike Mitchell had this to say. He puts his headphones on and his contacts in apparently there you know, cat contacts, which is outrageous and awesome, and and Greg's out the door and now you get to see the cracking. I believe in him, So you become a different creature altogether. It's a whole of the way of thinking, just like a different mindset that you know, I'll bring to the field that I only think is allowed in like normal society. It's a good thing. You're allowed to do it on the field, all right. So I just want to, uh, we want to get into a little bit. We want to look ahead to these games, but I want to talk about Sunday a little bit. Um. Obviously a tough loss that ended your season. Um, I know that you had eight sacks in your last three games of the season. Then you got shut out. In general, the defensive front seven struggled to get uh to the other side. Now you had said you were quoters saying they got they got a lot of us rattled. Um, how is the San Francisco scheme different that was able to kind of get you guys in a little bit of trouble? Well, really, you know, just much different. It was just effective. Man. They came out and they were a serious front. They came out with a lot of you know, fast throws, bank aids, slants, and uh tried to open up with the ring game. We stopped pretty good early, but you know they opened up in the second half, went back to it, man, and it just and they started to break it down. You know, Russell wasn't getting their Kaepernick was getting comfortable, and like I said, that's what happened, man, when the better team comes to play that day. You know, taking a look at this weekend, obviously a matchup that a lot of people felt from the start of the season we'd see in the title game, San Francisco going to Seattle. In your mind, are the two best teams in the NFC playing this weekend? You know, I can't write if Pully say that you think, uh, you think that things will be different next season for you? Oh definitely. Man. I feel like, you know, especially if I stayed in Carolina, we're gonna come out with a series attitudes chip on our show that's just prepared to dominate, you know, at every level. And I guess, you know, like every everybody saying right now about us this year, you know why, I have some experience, like we didn't have this here and you have to make a lot of plays that we didn't make and just filling the blanks, you know, basically, you know, taking a look at the San Francisco and Seattle, you guys obviously squared off against both quarterbacks, you know, with Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick. What how what's the difference between these two? How would you characterize something that makes one, you know, varied from the other. Honestly, you know, just um the level of completion, man, you got you gotta you gotta look out for what I mean, what uh You gotta look after that guy, man, because he can complete passing on any level, you know what I mean, like scrambling two foot uh in a sack, you know, falling down underhand, all types of ways, man. And he's not afraid to hold the ball and just get down there and make the plays wherever or whatever, you know. But kaeper Nick, Man, he's more of a you have a team quarterback minute. He works well with offensive lineman, his schemes perfect for him, man, and when he feels like going, he does. But he's definitely, you know, looking to make more more plays according to the scheme and not just you know, running off running the Seattle type of offense. Are you coming off Sunday and the losses? Are you someone that's able to watch Sunday's NFC title game or do you stay away from it and kind of shut it down and start looking toward next season? Me. Oh yeah, I'm done with him. My man, I can't. I can't look at him, and I gotta thing for losing, you know, just eats me up inside. Just to see you know, Uh, the last game that you know we were playing with there's defense that I've you know, growing to love and just be a part of. Breaks me up inside. So I'll try to stay away from it. Yeah, that makes sense. I feel like i'd be the same way. You're that invested in and what you're trying to do and then you fall short. You know, I feel like I wouldn't be watching it. Are you going on a vacation or anything? You you're doing something crack like crack fantastic. Yes, I'm on the coach right now. Man. Ready to get some of the water up in Miami so the sea monster will go into the sea his natural domain and dominate um. All right, So you're a general manager, Dave Gettleman gave you know the state of the team press conference today. Uh, Pathers don't have a great salary cap situation. We know, would you be all right with the franchise tag? I mean, would how disappointed would you be? Or are you cool that and just building off that if that happens, I'm definite ready to build. Man, it's a big honor and have a franchise. Say, you know, especially the type of organizations in this position, man, and I would love to just be that guy that you know can bring more chaos. You know? Me? Are you diffusing a bomb? It sounds like there was something beeping going on? Did you just did you just stop a major tragedy? Oh no, that's my ca him. Man, everything's complicated out here with me. I like that. Let's say you do get that franchise tag and you fulfill your promise, which we don't doubt you'll do at some stage here of fifty sacks in a single NFL season with by the way, the best prediction, hands down, he hands down. I mean, did you at that point do you just march into Dave Gentleman's office and just say, I mean, what do you ask for it? All the money whatever I want? Like always, I mean, what, honestly, seven hundred million dollars over forty years? What what what would be your best guess of the contract you would get off a hundred and four sacks season and uh st together make a try Tom Brady, uh Drewryes, just store him all together. Let's put that one for me. Dave Gentleman thinks he has salary cap problems. Now just wait till the cracking goes for a century. Um, Greg Hardy, you are the man. Thank you for coming on and joining us us and uh best of luck in your sea dive and then coming back and and terrorizing the league again. Thanks a lot, man man, Thank you guys for having me. I appreciate it. Cracking out, cracking out, all right, So we will be back on Thursday. That will be our super sized conference weekend pregame study of the two huge title games. Everything in our life is pointed towards these two games this Sunday. There is very little happening in our lives outside of that. It's sadly chin all right. Until then, This is Dan Hansen signing up for the Sizzler, the mailman, the boss, the gold standard behind the glass. Until
