NFL Network Insiders Tom Pelissero, Judy Battista and Mike Garafolo join forces to deliver the biggest football headlines of the day. The trio starts the show with a discussion of Rhett Lewis' first mock draft, which has Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter going No. 2 in the 2025 NFL Draft. Then, Draft-eligible Notre Dame CB Benjamin Morrison joins the show. Later, Jeff Chadiha and Brian Baldinger tap in with answers to burning questions in the AFC. Also, Cameron Wolfe discusses the Jaguars opening their offseason program.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Caleb Williams has a new head coach, and for the
first time, the Bears quarterback is speaking on his feelings
about Ben Johnson. Hear what last year's number one pick
had to say as offseason programs continue at Hallis Hall
and several other spots around the NFL. The Giants could
have had the number one pick in this year's draft.
(00:27):
Then they meet the Colts in week seventeen, and YadA, YadA, YadA.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
They're sitting third overall.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
Will that be schanor Sanders spot or will Russ Cook?
Speaker 2 (00:35):
But the most talented player in this draft?
Speaker 1 (00:38):
We will tell you the latest on a potentially franchise
altering decision in New York. Chiefs and Ravens will be
back to work soon as well. Things are going to
look at least a little bit different around Patrick Mahomes
and Lamar Jackson.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
In twenty twenty five.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
It is Rosster reset time, starting with last year's AFC
Division champs.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Welcome inside the.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
Insiders alongside Judy Batista and Mike Garriffolo. I am Tom Pelisero.
We are now just sixteen days out from the twenty
twenty five NFL Draft, kicking off in Green Bay. Wisconsin,
which also means we continue to get more and more
teams back in their buildings.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
New head coaches get a two week.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
Jumpstart on everybody else in terms of starting their off
season strength and conditioning program, which means Tremor Lawrence back
in the building in Jacksonville for the first time since
the Jaguars hired Liam Cohen to be their head coach.
Out in Las Vegas, new facing Pete Carroll and some
familiar faces too.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Fack that is credit nearly What times in five five
forty far?
Speaker 2 (01:49):
Max Crosby missed opportunity?
Speaker 1 (01:51):
What time is it? Go time? Nailed it for you.
We'll redo that one later, Max. Other players back in
the building for Las Vegas. This, of course, is at
a time of year that this is all voluntary. But
when QB one like Caleb Williams shows up as he
did yesterday with the Bears kicking things off, usually a
good sign and also a sign that everybody knows that
(02:13):
it's go time. Right back scrossby Ard, I'm not gonna
let that one go just yet. Uh Mike, the Chicago Bears,
Oh that's right, And we've got Caleb Williams talking about
Ben Johnson.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
It's gonna be fun.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
I can't wait.
Speaker 5 (02:28):
And and you know to be able to to help me, uh,
you know, learn more about ball because he's super smart,
super sharp, been you know, walked in, uh you know
this morning, flung open the door, you know, made a
grand entrance. And then and then we got to work
of of you know, him him testing us about what
we talked about yesterday and things like that.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
So already first.
Speaker 5 (02:49):
Day in and challenging us and you know we can't
everybody loves a challenge. He says something that you know,
he said, uh, you know, you never forget your first
day as a head coach. And you know, he said,
it's a it's a great day and you know, get
this thing rolling. He he jumped out there and you know,
set a bunch of du set a bunch of don't
set a you know, a president of what we're going
to be like as a team, finding our identity and
all of that. So you know, we're excited.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
Obviously we have to put into work.
Speaker 5 (03:13):
Can't be too excited because the work hasn't been done,
but you know, definitely excited for what's to come and
you know the future.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
Much like Caleb Williams I'm so excited about Ben Johnson
Mike as a new head coach. I almost did let
Caleb talk first what he had to say most important here.
But this is certainly a huge moment for the Bears
here as they continue to move forward, because it's not
just the on field stuff. Well we'll see in OTAs
in May and training camp in July and August, it's
also Ben Jonson Caleb Williams, the most important relationship in
(03:41):
that building.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
That work begins an earnest right now.
Speaker 6 (03:44):
Yeah, and look, we got a couple of weeks before
we really dig into the x's and o's of things.
You know, the off season workout is step one of
the off season with regard to the players getting back
in the building, starting to get themselves in shape. Yeah,
and I'm looking forward to the OTAs in the on
field work Tom because you know, it's gonna be a
expectation from Ben Johnson for how things are supposed to
(04:07):
be run and an expectation for a number one overall
pick to perform like one. So I'm really fascinated to
see this relationship how it develops.
Speaker 7 (04:18):
If you haven't seen Ben Johnson on game day, he is.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
A high energy guy.
Speaker 6 (04:22):
He is a demanding guy, and that's what Caleb Williams
is going to experience. And that's what Caleb Williams is
gonna get when things go well, and that's what Kayleb
Willas is gonna get when things don't go so well.
So really curious to see how this goes and to
see these two try to get on the same page
and try to vibe together, as Caleb Williams certainly wants
to take a huge step forward in the year two.
Speaker 8 (04:41):
Judy, I thought it was pretty telling that Caleb Williams
said that as soon as Ben Johnson walked into the
quarterbacks room, he started quizzing them on what they had
talked about yesterday.
Speaker 9 (04:53):
That was a.
Speaker 8 (04:54):
Concern around the Bears and for Caleb Williams last year
that he wasn't being challenged, he wasn't.
Speaker 10 (05:00):
Being pushed as the quarterback.
Speaker 8 (05:02):
You heard him stay there like they all have a challenge,
Like he's a competitor. He needs to be pushed to
get better. Ben Johnson is certainly, as you said, Mike,
that personality. He is demanding. He is known to be
very detail oriented. So that is going to be something
that we're going to see with Caleb Williams. Certainly their
personalities are going to have to mesh here fairly quickly
(05:24):
because the expectations are going to be much higher for
Caleb Williams performance. But I think it's interesting that two
days into the off season program, Ben Johnson is already
pushing and prodding the quarterbacks. Probably a very good sign
for their development.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
With a prior regime in terms of the coaching staff,
we already had a pretty good idea at this time
last year Caleb Williams was going to be the number
one overall pick. Similarly, got a pretty good idea cam
Ward's going to be the number one overall pick in
this year's draft. But after that, let's just say it's
chaos right now. Rtt lewis our latest mock draft, posted
right now at NFL dot com. He took his to
(06:00):
have at it, including the Raiders trading up the number
two to land Travis Hunter, which you can imagine how
that would go over in Cleveland. More on that momentarily.
Shadur Sanders Rhett has going.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
To a teen. The Retinos well down there in New Orleans.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
With these Saints at number nine, they've done a ton
of work on these quarterbacks. That would also mean the
Giants would pass on Shador Sanders in this scenario and
select Abdul Carter, the Penn State edge rusher at number three.
Take a look at the rest of the top ten,
and we know the trades are always a highly unpredictable
part of this. Some people fundamentally when they do mocks
(06:36):
say I'm not even gonna do those early rehdd says,
forget all that, I'm trading all over the place at
least one there in the top ten. But Mike, I
think that this reinforces, if nothing else, some of the
uncertainty about Shador Sanders above all else in terms of
exactly where he's going to go at a time that
the Giants will certainly not rule it anything out about
(06:56):
taking a quarterback or doing their due diligence on some
other guys.
Speaker 6 (07:00):
Yeah, Abdul Carter who had breakfast with Brian Dabel at
Penn State. Now Dabel wasn't there just for the breakfast
with Carter. He was there for family reasons. His daughter
goes to Penn State, and why not. I mean, more
information is a good thing. So Abdull Carter and Dabel
had breakfast now going to visit the Giants on Thursday. Now,
he would only schedule visits with the first two picks
(07:24):
before his pro day. Now after his pro day is
adding the Giants at number three. And technically this counts
as one of their local visits, so it doesn't count
as one of their thirty visits.
Speaker 7 (07:33):
But obviously it's a big.
Speaker 6 (07:35):
One for the Giants to get a look at Abdull
Carter and get more information from Abdua Carter because if
it goes cam Wore Travis Hunter won two, the Giants
are think going to have their decision to make whether
it's Shadora Sanders or one of the premier pass rushers.
And they do have some pretty good pass rushers already
in Kaevon Thibodau and Brian Burns. But Judy years ago,
(07:56):
I think it was when the Giants drafted Matthias Kiwanuka
and we're like, that's four. How many of these guys
do you need? Ernie of course, he said, you can
never have enough. So they wound up winning the Super
Bowl after probably a wise philosophy.
Speaker 8 (08:10):
They won two Super Bowls actually with a bevy of
pass rushers. This would obviously be if they were to
select Abdul Carter, this would not be a need pick, right,
This would be a best player on the board pick.
Speaker 10 (08:23):
But they do have.
Speaker 8 (08:24):
A history at that franchise of loading up on pass
rushers even when they have them in the building. They
had straighthand they took Keywanuka. Anyway, then they had oc
and Justin Tuck and they took.
Speaker 10 (08:36):
Jason Pierre Paul.
Speaker 8 (08:37):
They got two super Bowls building a defense like that
and having not just great pass rushers but depth at
pass rushers. Does that mean they're going to do it
this year? No, those teams that won Super Bowls had
other pieces in place that they simply don't have in
place right now, namely the franchise quarterback. But we should
go back to when the Giants signed Russell Wilson. Yes,
(09:00):
this franchise still needs an answer, a long term answer
at quarterback, but signing Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston gave
them a little bit of breathing room so that if
they don't like the way the board falls with quarterbacks,
Dingtung have to take one at the top of the draft.
We will see what they finally think about the quarterbacks
at the top of the draft when we get to
(09:20):
draft day. But certainly a pickup Abdul Carter would not
be out of character for the New York Giants.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
Johns use a very high pick on a running back before,
not really expecting them to do so this year. Although
certainly you can make the argument on talent, Ashton Genty
is well deserving of being a top three pick. In
reht Lewis's last mock draft, he's got him going at
number six, which remember, in this scenario is the Browns
because they traded back with the Raiders who went up
to get Travis Hunter. You saw all that there is
(09:46):
absolutely no question about Genty's college production. You compare him
to some of the absolute greats in the game, including
Ladenian Tomlinson. He's right there, despite Genty missing a little
bit of time during the course of his career, a
really intriguing prospect, Mike one of those guys who much
like Jamiir Gibbs several years ago. You know that everybody
(10:07):
likes the player. You know that he could help a
whole lot of offenses. The question is always how high
is too high from a positional value standpoint.
Speaker 6 (10:16):
I think in this case, everybody saw the impact that
Sakuon Barkley had, not of the team that drafted him,
but the team that signed him in the Fildelphia Eagles,
and has seen that a lot of times when you
draft a running back up high, you're going to hit
on that one and it's more or less not a
sure thing, but you feel pretty good about it based
on recent history. So Ashton Genty mocked by a lot
(10:37):
of people to number six, now not the way that
RHTT did it to the Raiders whom he visited this week.
This has been This has gone from Ashton Genty possible
top ten pick to absolute mortal lock of a top
ten pick, possible top five pick, Like does he even
get to the Raiders Now I'm bringing in the Jaguars.
You also have the Patriots at that point. You also
(10:58):
have potential trade up possible abilities. Raiders could go up
to make sure that they get him. The Chicago Bears
we've also talked about with him. There are teams outside
the top ten that have running back needs, so perhaps
they come up with it. I just the production, the
character is off the charts with this kid. He is
about as much as slam Dunk in this draft, as
(11:19):
you are going to get and yeah, I like him
at number six there, and if he's gone before that
to some team, whether it's the teams that are currently
there or not, won't be surprised.
Speaker 8 (11:30):
I think this question goes beyond just Ashton gent and
goes to the running back class, which is really deep
and really good, and that is you know, did the
running back renaissance that we saw last year, which went
beyond just Sakwan Barkley included Derrick Henry too, did that
impact the way teams will assess quarterbacks in the draft.
Let's look at the Raiders, who really could use a
(11:52):
running back. They had the worst rushing offense in the
league last year. But does John Spytech look around and say, listen,
we have a lot of other needs we could build
up other places. This draft is deep at running back.
We could get one later in the draft, or did
they pick one very high? There are other teams that
need running backs. The Cowboys need a running back, The
Broncos need a running back, the Browns need a running back,
(12:15):
the Bears need a running back. So there's plenty of
need there. There are plenty of options in this draft.
I'm just really curious to see how aggressive teams are
about taking running backs one year after we saw running
backs really return to prominence in the NFL.
Speaker 1 (12:32):
Sixteen days away from where would be right now, to
be at six pm or so, Green Bay time, It'll
be like an hour away. They'll be in the green room.
They will have had the red carpet stuff. It's gonna
be an exciting time. The countdown is officially on. Countdown
also on for the rest of the teams to begin
their off season programs, including the AFC champion Chiefs, who
(12:54):
have not been called AFC Champion, they have been called
Super Bowl Champion for a couple of years running. As always,
Brett Veech Andy Eating Company have reshuffled the deck. What's
it gonna look like in twenty twenty five? Our Roster
Reset series kicks off tonight. But first we've got Notre
Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison coming on the show, one of
the top prospects at his position in this year's draft.
(13:16):
Could your team be the one to take him? He'll
tell you who he's visited, and a whole lot more.
Speaker 11 (13:21):
On's on to the air linebacker Blitz intercept it picked
off by Benjamin Morrison on the fifteen.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
Yard line fires from the near sideline.
Speaker 12 (13:30):
Intercept it beencher De Morrison midfield.
Speaker 6 (13:34):
D Jay is pegged off by Benjamin Moeson. Here goes
Bullenson touchdown bag six.
Speaker 7 (13:43):
A lot of that on the tape.
Speaker 6 (13:45):
When you look at Benjamin Morrison what he was able
to do at Notre Dame nine interceptions in thirty one games.
That has helped land him number four on Bucky Brooks's
top five cornerback prospects. Here in the NFL draft, where
he is expected to hear his name call late first round,
early second round perhaps, But how about right now, Benjamin
Morrison joining us here on the Insiders.
Speaker 7 (14:05):
We appreciate you joining us.
Speaker 6 (14:07):
I got questions about the draft process, some injury stuff
to get to, but I want to start there. Nine picks,
thirty and thirty one games. What allows you because I
saw you peel off your guy on one of those plays,
What allows you to have that nose for the football?
Speaker 13 (14:20):
Yeah?
Speaker 14 (14:20):
I think this preparation, see the scene, the play before
it happens, developing, just that natural instinct. At the end
of the day, you got to see the ball and
go get it. That's what the game football is about.
That's what I problem myself on is bringing the ball back.
Speaker 6 (14:33):
Well, the tape is strong, and you hear a lot
of guys evaluators around the league saying you've got to
rely on the tape not so much these workouts in
the spring. That has been the process with you because
you're coming back from hip surgery. Number one, how is
the hip doing? And number two? You know I haven't
been able to work out for teams just yet this spring.
Speaker 7 (14:54):
What's the plan there in that regard?
Speaker 3 (14:56):
Yeah, hips soon great.
Speaker 14 (14:57):
I'm also fully cleared about a couple of weeks ago.
So just going throughout the proper ramp up process. I'm
going to have a hold of private showcase out here
on the twenty first, where we intend to have almost
all the NFL teams out.
Speaker 3 (15:11):
Here to be able to see me compete.
Speaker 14 (15:14):
So it's it's been it's just been exciting, just understanding that,
like when I was injured, to see where I'm at now,
I wouldn't I wouldn't think I could be here both
through hard work and prayer and spend time my family
and loved ones, I'm right where I need to be.
Speaker 7 (15:29):
So that's right before the draft.
Speaker 6 (15:30):
She'll have a chance to make a lasting final impression
there just a couple of days before the draft. So
what's it been like, because you know, I know how
it is when there's injury questions and those are the
only questions really about you. It doesn't seem like it's
anything else that you have to explore before the drafts.
What's it been like throughout the process. How many teams
have you met with? Who have you met with recently
and what have you told them in those meetings?
Speaker 14 (15:51):
Yeah, so I met with almost all the teams at
the combine that I've had like five plus he visits
so far. And it's tough feeling to defend yourself being
injured when you have your tape.
Speaker 3 (16:06):
But that's just the.
Speaker 14 (16:07):
Name of the game, and that's what That's what has
come to understanding that God doesn't make mistakes, and I'm
in this position for a reason.
Speaker 3 (16:15):
So whatever team gets me, he's gonna get a steal.
Speaker 7 (16:18):
You mentioned God doesn't make mistakes. Let's it's a good
jumping off point.
Speaker 6 (16:21):
We'll talk about your dad, Darryl, who played in the NFL,
was drafted in the NFL. Uh the team chaplain for
the Arizona Cardinals. So I would imagine that the Cardinals,
foremost amongst any team, have eight areas there handsome fellah
have the best off field on field reports that they
(16:41):
could possibly get. What do you think your dad tells
them about his son, Benjamin Man?
Speaker 3 (16:46):
I hope not too much.
Speaker 13 (16:47):
I tried.
Speaker 14 (16:47):
I tried to love to keep it flood and keep
it business over there. But I mean, shoot, I'm his son,
so obviously he's how good things to say about me,
and and I feel as if.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
Like that's my best friend.
Speaker 14 (16:59):
I've looked up to him I was a young kid,
so just seeing what he's able to do on and
off the field has been truly a blessing for me.
Speaker 3 (17:05):
And there's no other man I'd rather have in my
corner than him.
Speaker 7 (17:10):
That's awesome.
Speaker 6 (17:10):
Do you remember your dad playing in the NFL and
what lessons has he helped you throughout your playing career.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
I don't remember him playing. I wasn't actually born.
Speaker 7 (17:19):
You have.
Speaker 14 (17:19):
My oldest siblings were. But my dad's like he's my
he's my hidden gym. He's helped me since I was
a young kid. I don't give him enough credit. He's
he's been in my corner since I was young. Really,
showed me what it took to become a good football player,
but first a good man. And that's that's the main
thing that I take away from him, is the football side.
You got to become a good man first and everything
(17:40):
else will come after that.
Speaker 6 (17:42):
You talked about your siblings. They're there right over your
shoulders shoulder. You are one of five, three sisters, one brother.
What do you imagine the scene is going to be
like for you draft? I mean, you have a plans
yet for the part of that family, beautiful, you have
plans yet for the party. What do you think it's
going to be like when everybody here's your name called.
Speaker 14 (17:59):
Yeah, it's gonna be surree. I mean those are my people.
I mean I've grown up. I look up to all them.
They've they've set a great example for me. So I say,
being the youngest here a fool not to fail just
because they've all gone before you. So I just imagine
me and my family on the couch and loved ones,
close friends and just breaking down because I think that this,
I think this is the emotions are gonna be high.
Just throughout these last six months, it's been hard, it's
(18:21):
been challenging. I'd be lying to say, kids all easy,
but it's been hard. So being able to experience my
loved ones and the ones who I care most about
and allowing them to celebrate with me, it's gonna be
It's gonna be special.
Speaker 6 (18:35):
Yeah, looking forward to looking forward to that scene. They're
wishing you the best in that regard.
Speaker 13 (18:39):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (18:39):
And again we expect to hear your name early in
this draft, in large part because of what you put
on tape. Give me, give me the quick pitches. We
let you go here. Pretend I'm a team and it's
the old elevator pitch.
Speaker 7 (18:50):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (18:50):
What kind of player are you as you come into
the NFL? What kind of skills set you up? I
mean press man seems like you can do a little
bit of both.
Speaker 13 (18:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (18:59):
I think through this process I kind of got a
little forgotten about.
Speaker 14 (19:02):
That's what this little protuce for is to show that
I am who I say I am. I know, I
know what I can do, So I think I am
on the top corners is not the top corner this draft.
You look what I've done in two and a half
years that sometimes take guys four to five.
Speaker 3 (19:17):
I RaSE guys. I eliminate guys the world receivers.
Speaker 14 (19:21):
I've gone against the best, Jay Flowers, Ordinatis and Marvin Harrison.
List continues, and I think I hold my own and
I do well against high caliber receivers like that, So
I think that that that's.
Speaker 3 (19:33):
Just my game. We play a lot of man at
Notre Dame. I could do it all, and I'm gonna
find the ball.
Speaker 6 (19:41):
Well, good luck finding the ball in the NFL. We
know that there's gonna be plenty of chances to do that.
Congratulations on in advance on your being selected, continued recovery.
Speaker 7 (19:51):
Good luck at that workout right before the draft.
Speaker 6 (19:53):
I did love this, by the way, as I let
you go, Lance Zeroline, our guy at NFL dot com
called you inquisitive but patient when it comes to your
style of play. Well, you're going to need that patience
because we still got a couple of weeks to go
here before the draft, but we're going to get there eventually.
Benjamin Morrison, appreciate your time.
Speaker 7 (20:10):
Good luck moving forward here.
Speaker 3 (20:11):
Man, I appreciate thank you for having me.
Speaker 6 (20:14):
Coming up next on the Insiders, we're going to take
a look at the AFC division winners as we get
ready for our roster reset. For those guys what to
look for in twenty twenty five as they come off
their success in twenty four.
Speaker 7 (20:26):
That's next on the Insiders.
Speaker 8 (20:36):
Kansas City Chiefs fell short of the three peet in
Super Bowl fifty nine. It's definitely not time to blow
it all up in Kansas City, but it is time
for us to launch roster reset season here at NFL Network.
Let's take a look at the AFC division winners from
last season. That is where we're going to start with
the roster reset. Chiefs, Bills, Ravens, and Texans. And help
(21:00):
me with roster resetting. Jeffrey Chidia, who has his column
up on NFL dot com on roster resets, one big
question for each of the teams, and our Brian Balding
are also all right, Jeffrey, Let's start with the Chiefs.
We all saw what happened in the Super Bowl. Have
they solved their problem at left tackle?
Speaker 13 (21:20):
Well, it's a work in progress. Still.
Speaker 11 (21:22):
I don't think anybody's going to know this they answer
this question until we get deeper into training camp in
the NFL season next year.
Speaker 13 (21:30):
You're talking about a team that signed Jalen Moore to
a two year deal.
Speaker 11 (21:34):
They traded Joe Tuney, who was their best left tackle
to Chicago. He was actually a guard and he's going
to play guard in Chicago again.
Speaker 13 (21:41):
After that, they don't.
Speaker 11 (21:42):
Really have anybody who they trust, and so it's very
lucky this team ends up drafting a left tackle candidate.
Speaker 13 (21:49):
But right now it.
Speaker 11 (21:50):
Looks very I would say a little bit scary for
what they're looking at.
Speaker 13 (21:54):
I think they hope Work can be that player.
Speaker 11 (21:55):
They may sign another veteran here, but Baldy, I can't
sit here today and tell you that this team looks
better at left tackle than they did see on's back.
Speaker 12 (22:05):
I agree with you, Jeff.
Speaker 15 (22:06):
I mean I was a little shocked that they threw
money at Jalen Moore. He's been a backup to Trent.
He did start five games last year. He's got twelve
starts over his four years in this league. They must
have seen enough of them. I didn't think he was
very good on the edge against elite guys. But it's
not just left tackle. I mean they got King Juley
Suamatia played left guard now too, to replace Tony, and
(22:28):
that's the first team All Pro guard. So I've never
seen him play guard. Not to say that he can't.
He's a world of talent. I thought they gave up
on him pretty early after two starts in Kansas City
year ago. Now they're kicking him inside. So it's a
brand new left side. So not only are they trying
to solve two positions, but they two guys have to
get to know each other. To your point, you know,
(22:49):
this offseason is very important for their communication and building
the trust that I thought they had at one point.
Speaker 8 (22:57):
All right, let's go to the ANFC East champion Buffalo
Bill's Jeffrey.
Speaker 10 (23:01):
What's going to happen with James Cook?
Speaker 11 (23:03):
Well, another great question and another question that won't be
solved for a long time. It looks like I know
General Mander Brandon Bean made the comment that he's moving
on to the draft and worrying about that.
Speaker 13 (23:13):
They have signed a ton of They have signed a
ton of.
Speaker 11 (23:15):
Players to new deals in Buffalo lately, with Terrel.
Speaker 13 (23:18):
Bernard and Khalil Shakur.
Speaker 11 (23:20):
They gave a new deal to Josh Allen and all
the while their running backs been sitting here wondering what's
going to happen to him because he's going into the
last year of his contract and.
Speaker 13 (23:29):
He wants a lot of money. That's part of the
issue here.
Speaker 11 (23:31):
He wants a fifteen million dollars a year deal and
he's not in that category, So I don't know where
this ends for him.
Speaker 13 (23:39):
Look, he's got they sat gout the franchise tack.
Speaker 11 (23:40):
They can still do things, but right now, with the
running back market and the draft Baldy, I have to
think James Cook is not in a great spot right
now in Buffalo.
Speaker 15 (23:49):
But you know, the performance was I thought excellent. I mean,
sixteen touchdowns last year and back to back Pro Bowl seasons.
Speaker 12 (23:56):
And you talked to the guys.
Speaker 15 (23:57):
You talked to Aaron Cromer, the offensive line coach, end
of the offensive lineman, Dion Dawkins.
Speaker 2 (24:02):
Across the board. They love them.
Speaker 15 (24:04):
They love blocking form, but it is a position. They've
got Ray Davis, a drafted last year. Ty Johnson is
their third down back, but they need you know, and
Josh Allen's going to get his carries, so you know,
they're splitting carries amongst a lot of different players. Maybe
they feel like they can still do it, but I'm
sure James Cook is looking at the other guys who
have gotten paid and saying, what about me? Maybe it's
(24:26):
my turn, and maybe they're going to look at the draft.
Like you said, all.
Speaker 8 (24:31):
Right, speaking of running back contracts, let's go to Baltimore.
Speaker 10 (24:35):
What's going to happen with Derek Henry's contract.
Speaker 11 (24:38):
Well, he deserves the race, and Eric, the Costa general manager,
has talked very glowingly about what Derek carry went to
this team last year. He had the best year for
a thirty year running back in NFL history with over
nineteen hundred yards and eighteen touchdowns, and I have to
imagine they're going to make something happen for him. Look,
he's going to be thirty one years old. That's not
a great position to be him. You're paying running backs,
(24:58):
but he is very special running back, as it proved
last year. And Dakasa said, when you talk about special
running backs, you want to do something that you want
to take care of those guys because they have such
a huge impact on your entire team. So a great
bargain last year, Baldy. I have to think he's going
to be a lot more expensive in the coming years.
Speaker 9 (25:16):
I agree, Jeff.
Speaker 15 (25:17):
And the fact that with him and Lamar in the
backfield together, I mean, it was you know, it was
not easy on in defenses trying to figure out how
to defend that do as much as they ran the ball,
they ran it more than they threw it, like a
couple of teams in this league. And the one thing
I think Derek Henry proved all of us is that
there's no decline in his speed or his ability to
(25:37):
break long runs like that is still there. And so
as long as that's still there, regardless of the age,
I got to believe that Baltimore will find the right
compensation for King.
Speaker 12 (25:45):
Ed all right.
Speaker 8 (25:48):
Finally, the AFC South, This was one of the most
glaring deficiencies in the entire NFL last year, the offensive
line of the Houston Texans, and of course they made
one of the shocking moves free agency. Is that offensive
line going to be any better?
Speaker 13 (26:04):
Well, I think they're throwing numbers at it.
Speaker 11 (26:05):
And you look at what Nicko Sarai wants to do
with that group, I think he wants to find as
many options as possible.
Speaker 13 (26:10):
When you trade Larmie tunsl away, when you trade.
Speaker 11 (26:14):
Kenyon green Away, when you release Shac Mason, then you
go and bring in Cam Robinson and Trent Brown and
Lincoln Tomblinson you trade for add ingram. That just tells
you that they're going to try to throw as many
bidies as they can. I think one upside here that
you know is a good thing for this group is
that Titus Howard who moved from tackle to guard, it's
to go.
Speaker 13 (26:32):
Back to tackle.
Speaker 11 (26:33):
This is the draft that's really big on guard, So Baldy,
I think they can get this team better, but it's going.
Speaker 13 (26:38):
To be a lot of bodies in play here.
Speaker 15 (26:42):
Well, they have changed the offensive line coach, the offensive coordinator,
and the offensive line. Those things generally don't come together
real fast when there's a new way of doing things.
They were awful against Kansas City the playoff game at CJ's.
Travis sacked eight times and he was hit fourteen times,
and a lot of it was it was a bad
(27:03):
coordinating job upfront and how they protected. But make no
mistake about it, it's not easy replacing Laramie Tunssel. He
did have way too many penalties last year. The line
committed too many penalties last year. They've got to cut
that number down and they've got to build some continuity
awfully fast with a lot of new parts.
Speaker 8 (27:23):
Guys, Thank you, this is only the beginning of roster
reset season. Here at the NFL Network. We will have
much more.
Speaker 10 (27:30):
Including stuff from the NFC coming up soon.
Speaker 1 (27:34):
There's a new head coach in Jacksonville again, and finally
today Liam Cohen got to meet some of his new
players in bright future, they hope, arriving in Jacksonville after
some trying years.
Speaker 2 (27:48):
Time now for count on It.
Speaker 1 (27:50):
Presented by Toro, Tom Pelisaro back here on the Insiders,
joined by a guy we can always count on, Cam Wolfe.
I want to break down our matching shirts momentarily here Cam.
But first of all, Jaguars back in the building. It's
all about Liam Cohen and Trevor Lawrence. That relationship.
Speaker 2 (28:07):
What do we expect.
Speaker 16 (28:08):
Yes, a new error for the Jacksonville Jaguars, but it
will always be about Trevor Lawrence. And when I talked
to Liam Cohen at the league meetings, he said a
few things, and one about Trevor Lawrence. He said, we've
had dinner a few times, we haven't been out on
the field, but it's clear in early conversations with him,
how mentally tough he is, how he wants to be
coached hard. And as he walked into the building today
(28:29):
Trevor Lawrence.
Speaker 13 (28:31):
The big focus.
Speaker 9 (28:31):
Point was energy and communication. They can't work out on
the field and practice yet, but they can go over
to playbook.
Speaker 16 (28:37):
They can bring energy into the building and the Jaguars
have already circled things they want to work.
Speaker 9 (28:41):
On with Trevor Lawrence.
Speaker 16 (28:42):
You know, Liam Cohen has talked about helping his mechanics
and his footwork. You noticed in the last couple of
years Trevor Lawrence got a little bit off with his footwork,
and so they're going to try to put that into action.
They also want to see him in this new offensive scheme.
Speaker 9 (28:56):
From what Cohen said of the.
Speaker 16 (28:57):
League meetings, Trevor Lawrence is right on track from that
offseason surgery he had on his shoulder. They expect him
to be throwing and may once they get to OTA's,
But they also want him to have a level of
freedom within this offense. He led the NFL in turnover
since he's been in the league in twenty twenty one.
Speaker 9 (29:15):
He's got hurt last couple of years.
Speaker 16 (29:16):
They want to make it a little bit more relaxed
and free for him to play the level ball that
he showed in twenty twenty two. When the Jags made
that playoff run. They believe Trevor can take them to
the next level, but it's going to take a little
bit of work, and we're going to be tracking it
all offseason to see that Liam Cohen and Trevor Lawrence
relationship in jackson.
Speaker 1 (29:33):
Ken We've talked so much for weeks now about those
top three picks in the draft, all teams that have
a quarterback need. We kind of lose some of those
teams in between the Jaguar zone. The number five pick
in a draftwear depending who you talk to, there are
four or five elite caliber prospects. What do you expect
them to do at five?
Speaker 9 (29:51):
Yeah, I think they're going to look at the trenches.
Speaker 16 (29:54):
The Jacksonville Jaguars have been clear throughout the offseason we
want to build this thing up right. James Gladstone, the
general manager, come from the Los Angeles Rams, who had
a lot of success building in the trenches in last year's.
Speaker 9 (30:05):
Draft with Jared Vers and Braden Fisk.
Speaker 16 (30:08):
And so when you look at number five, you know,
maybe Abdul Carter's off the board, maybe Travis Hunters off
the board, but maybe there's a guy Michigan's Mason Graham
who is on the board, and he's a guy who
would fit excellent.
Speaker 9 (30:18):
With what they do.
Speaker 16 (30:19):
He can play three tech, he can play on the edge,
he can rush the passer. That's something that their defensive coordinator,
Anthony Capnelli, would love to get his hands on. Someone
that's versatil who's had proven production and can fit right
inside that defense with the Josh Heinz Allen, with a
Trayvon Walker, with the Eric Garmstead and improve a defensive
front that was in the bottom ten and run defense
(30:40):
bottom five and pass rush last year. They definitely need
to get that the next level. Maybe there's a guy
in Jalen Walker from Georgia if they decide to go
with another pass rush a guy who can play inside
linebacker and outside linebacker and get this unit a little
bit more juice on that side of the ball. And
so they got a lot of options at five. They
also have six pick in the first four rounds to
(31:01):
help the offense side of the ball too, if they
want to go defense at.
Speaker 1 (31:04):
Five, Cam, thank you very much. I'll see you at
the white party later.
Speaker 2 (31:08):
Coming up.
Speaker 1 (31:09):
We got more insiders, including a closer look at a
guy who probably will be off the board by the
time the Jaguars are up at number five. Travis Hunter,
Colorado's do it all man and Baldy's favorite player in
this draft. Baldy is back with us next to break
down why this is the best talent you're going to see.
Speaker 7 (31:32):
For NFL prospects.
Speaker 6 (31:33):
The road to the Draft is the ultimate job interview, grueling,
high stakes, and life changing. For Oregon quarterback Dylan Gabriel
Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden, the third the NFL scouting
Combine was one of the biggest tests yet. How did
they handle the pressure, What moments to find their experience?
Getting exclusive behind the scenes look as these two prospects
take on the biggest stage of their pre draft journey.
(31:54):
In this episode of Destination Green Bay presented by Toyota.
Speaker 2 (32:02):
Combine to get today.
Speaker 13 (32:06):
That's a head to Indy, Who's Combine?
Speaker 6 (32:08):
Come another guy?
Speaker 3 (32:09):
I'm forward to see hear me moving.
Speaker 6 (32:11):
One of the top guys.
Speaker 17 (32:12):
I definitely think I'm prepared, you know, all the whole
work I put in, what you don't have this opportunity to,
you know, be able to showcase my schools in front
of the whole world.
Speaker 4 (32:23):
Very opportunity for sure.
Speaker 13 (32:26):
No see how Indy Man he's out and we are
here the twenty twenty five NFL scouting Combine.
Speaker 7 (32:34):
It's the peak.
Speaker 2 (32:35):
Everything's working too.
Speaker 18 (32:36):
If it's every kid's dream to make it to NFL
combine and go crazy, and you.
Speaker 2 (32:42):
Got to go make it happen.
Speaker 3 (32:42):
So I'm gonna let it fly, take a deep breath,
and Game.
Speaker 19 (32:45):
One, I'm gonna feel confident myself, you know, confident the
work I put in and watch stop.
Speaker 6 (32:56):
Now, when that draft begins, we're expecting to hear Travis
Hunter's name called extremely early. How early we shall see
one hundred and eleven and a half snaps per game
right there, lead FBS, I mean, that's that happens when you're.
Speaker 7 (33:18):
Playing both ways. But look at that in the bottom.
Speaker 6 (33:21):
No NFL player has played more than one hundred snaps
in any game, any game since twenty twelve. And here's
a guy who thinks he's going to wind up playing
both ways in the NFL.
Speaker 2 (33:30):
Or believes that he can do that.
Speaker 6 (33:32):
We shall see some are skeptical, some believe he can
do it. And Brian Baldinger, which side of the equation
is he on? The Natalie dressed Brian Baldinger. Look, Travis
Hunter is going to have an impact on both sides
of the ball.
Speaker 7 (33:44):
We know that. Just how big which side more than
the other? I mean, you tell me, Balding.
Speaker 15 (33:51):
Well, I was opted for the pro day in Boulder
on Friday, and he put on a show just catching
the ball and just being Travis Hunter. He put on
a show.
Speaker 12 (33:59):
I would deep.
Speaker 15 (34:00):
I dug deep into my fasaurus here, Mike, and I
came up with indefatigable. Like the guy just doesn't tire,
He doesn't breathe hard. You go back, you talk about
one hundred eleven you know, snaps a game. His first
game for Colorado was at TCU in a hundred degree
one hundred and two degree heat. He played one hundred
and forty snaps that day, took off an interception at
(34:20):
the goal line, I mean, helped win that game. He
was catching all these balls without gloves. He doesn't need gloves.
His hands are unbelievable. He can adjust to any ball
he is. He's a rare, rare athlete and you really
can't take your eyes off. In fact, it wasn't just me,
it was Champ Bailey, it was Deon Sanders, it was
John Payton, there was everybody that was in attendance that
(34:42):
they couldn't stop watching them, and uh, and just how
smooth and fluid it is. And I understand all these
questions about, well, you gotta really perfect one side of
the ball first. I think he could do both, Mike,
I really do. I believe he can be your starting
wide wide receiver. I believe he could be your starting corner.
I believe he can improve two positions on your team
(35:04):
day one. Now you're gonna play them every snappanos on
those places. No, but if you're playing a team with
three great wide receivers, why wouldn't you have Travis Hunter
out there on one of them? And if you if
you've got all this different offense, you've got your two
minutes thrill, you got your red zone, you get all
this third downs. Why is he on the field and
some of those packages, you know, just putting the fear
(35:26):
of his ability to catch it from anywhere on the field,
adjust to it and finish these these uh, these catches
in the end zone like he did at Colorado. I
believe he's going to be a star player day one
in this league.
Speaker 6 (35:41):
I've seen some people say, well, you can make more money,
it seems right now as a wide receiver on that
side of the ball than you can cornerback.
Speaker 7 (35:47):
But you can also.
Speaker 6 (35:48):
I mean, if you're Travis Hunter and you wind up
playing both sides, you could be the show. Heyo Tani
of the NFL and say you got.
Speaker 15 (35:54):
To pay me like incentives, Mike, Well, I mean, look
at the agent should have a lot of fun loading
up the incentive packages for catches, touchdowns, interceptions, fastest defense.
I mean you could draw up a couple snaps with
contracts with this kid.
Speaker 2 (36:09):
Yeah, yeah, takeoffs like all that.
Speaker 7 (36:14):
Yes, yeah.
Speaker 16 (36:16):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (36:17):
Indefatigable, according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, incapable of being fatigued.
I would refer to you, Baldy, as induplicable. We can't
be duplicated.
Speaker 7 (36:28):
I don't know if that's now.
Speaker 2 (36:31):
We'll apply.
Speaker 7 (36:32):
Appreciate you, buddy, Thank you, Baldy. Always bringing the heat
on the insiders.
Speaker 4 (36:42):
One way to describe me would be generational, be.
Speaker 9 (36:45):
Prepared to be astound.
Speaker 2 (36:46):
He elevated his draft stock.
Speaker 20 (36:48):
Wasn't a better athlete than nicking men war Warri Nicki
min Warri defensive bet South Carolina that is awesome.
Speaker 4 (36:55):
This guy's legit.
Speaker 20 (36:56):
The night before the combine, I wrote them whiteboard vertical
forty three.
Speaker 9 (37:01):
Forty three broad jump eleven five eleven and a half broad.
Speaker 20 (37:05):
Forty four three through four three five a sub four
four forty. I didn't hit my forty, but it just
shows what type of mindset I had and what type
of belief I had in myself coming into the combine.
Speaker 4 (37:14):
And I back it up.
Speaker 12 (37:19):
All right.
Speaker 4 (37:20):
My style of play is kind of real, I'll say unique.
Speaker 20 (37:23):
When I was in college, you know, I just prided
myself on being able to play every position. You know,
played a little bit of Nickel, got a lot of
good tape on their play, a little bit of strong
safety and free safety. So I'm just real versatile and
I'm big enough to come off the edge, fast enough
to guard your slot receiver, physical enough to.
Speaker 4 (37:43):
Tackle a running back.
Speaker 20 (37:48):
Seven seven seven chain I had got and that just
meant a lot to me because my jersey number seven,
my birthday is February seventh, and my family have a
total of seven family members. That are seven reasons why
I played so like it just resonated. You mean, I
got four older brothers, so the household was crazy, but
it was fun. My Reese arrests all the time, a
lot of WW moves we used to do on each other,
(38:09):
but it was a fun household.
Speaker 4 (38:10):
We used to compete all the time growing up.
Speaker 20 (38:17):
When I hear my name called on draft night, man,
I'm gonna try to be strong, hold it in, but
I'm not sure how I feel. I hope I don't
crown TV, but maybe I will. There's been a lot
of hard work. Everything I've been through a lot of
long nights. Everything's gonna pay off soon, giving back to
my family, being able to support them, support my community,
being one of those guys that made it out from Irmo,
(38:37):
South Carolina. So the NFL Draft is a moment I've
been waiting for all my life.
Speaker 1 (38:43):
Happy birthday too. Ravens linebacker ro Kwan Smith, who's entering
his eighth NFL season somehow still only turning twenty eight
years old today, which means he's still got a lot
of hype speeches in them.
Speaker 18 (38:58):
It's only one way to play this game, and it's
the fast and physical all day. Y'all here too, saying
trap game. That trap game now, hey, ethic, ethic, that's
a lot of heat says. She's saying, this is in
this world. Man, what we gonna be today, PQ, what
we gonna be today.
Speaker 12 (39:12):
Let's come out here. Man, Let's not take this for granted. Man,
that's like I said before. Let's do this for the
ones that came. Man, Sunday Night football, the.
Speaker 21 (39:20):
Whole world, watch sint the message because you never know
what play gonna be your last.
Speaker 12 (39:24):
Man, Let's come out and film.
Speaker 21 (39:26):
It ain't from the job, man, I'm coming, I promise
you on my life, I'm coming from the first stop.
Speaker 12 (39:31):
Man, from the first second. What are we gonna do? Man? Oh,
back against the wall, all back, It's against the wall.
That's old team security.
Speaker 21 (39:39):
Lock the gates, that's all it's gonna take, be bothered
and everything you do. Let's take this every style, bloody,
from the first job to the last job.
Speaker 12 (39:50):
Let's show me exactly who we are from the first
stop to the last stop.
Speaker 21 (39:53):
So amc North Football, mister Baltimore Ravens.
Speaker 12 (39:56):
That's all I gotta say. Man, I'm ready to go. Man,
you know what we do to more to WOA.
Speaker 1 (40:02):
Very similar to the pre show speeches that I like
to give, complete with all those words that you couldn't
actually say on TV before I go run through the
wall for Roquan Here big NBA news today, Nuggets fired
their head coach, Michael Malone. At the time, they are
still in the four seed and there's only five games
left in the season. I asked NFL research. Four NFL
(40:22):
teams since nineteen seventy have fired a head coach in
season with the winning record. Judy, I'm putting you on
the spot. Can you name one of them?
Speaker 10 (40:35):
They think the Baltimore Ravens did they fire?
Speaker 2 (40:41):
The Ravens might give a guess.
Speaker 7 (40:44):
They have a winning record a couple of years ago.
Speaker 1 (40:47):
It's been a little while it was John Gruden resigned.
Of course, in Rich Pasachi ended up taking the Raiders
to the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (40:53):
But couple other.
Speaker 1 (40:54):
Memorable ones on here two thousand, the Lions fired Bobby
Ross and the Commanders fired or Of Turner. The difference
is NBA season's eighty two games long.
Speaker 12 (41:03):
That's like fired with one game to go.
Speaker 2 (41:05):
We'll be back tomorrow. See you
Caleb Williams has a new head coach, and for the
first time, the Bears quarterback is speaking on his feelings
about Ben Johnson. Hear what last year's number one pick
had to say as offseason programs continue at Hallis Hall
and several other spots around the NFL. The Giants could
have had the number one pick in this year's draft.
(00:27):
Then they meet the Colts in week seventeen, and YadA, YadA, YadA.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
They're sitting third overall.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
Will that be schanor Sanders spot or will Russ Cook?
Speaker 2 (00:35):
But the most talented player in this draft?
Speaker 1 (00:38):
We will tell you the latest on a potentially franchise
altering decision in New York. Chiefs and Ravens will be
back to work soon as well. Things are going to
look at least a little bit different around Patrick Mahomes
and Lamar Jackson.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
In twenty twenty five.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
It is Rosster reset time, starting with last year's AFC
Division champs.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Welcome inside the.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
Insiders alongside Judy Batista and Mike Garriffolo. I am Tom Pelisero.
We are now just sixteen days out from the twenty
twenty five NFL Draft, kicking off in Green Bay. Wisconsin,
which also means we continue to get more and more
teams back in their buildings.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
New head coaches get a two week.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
Jumpstart on everybody else in terms of starting their off
season strength and conditioning program, which means Tremor Lawrence back
in the building in Jacksonville for the first time since
the Jaguars hired Liam Cohen to be their head coach.
Out in Las Vegas, new facing Pete Carroll and some
familiar faces too.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Fack that is credit nearly What times in five five
forty far?
Speaker 2 (01:49):
Max Crosby missed opportunity?
Speaker 1 (01:51):
What time is it? Go time? Nailed it for you.
We'll redo that one later, Max. Other players back in
the building for Las Vegas. This, of course, is at
a time of year that this is all voluntary. But
when QB one like Caleb Williams shows up as he
did yesterday with the Bears kicking things off, usually a
good sign and also a sign that everybody knows that
(02:13):
it's go time. Right back scrossby Ard, I'm not gonna
let that one go just yet. Uh Mike, the Chicago Bears,
Oh that's right, And we've got Caleb Williams talking about
Ben Johnson.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
It's gonna be fun.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
I can't wait.
Speaker 5 (02:28):
And and you know to be able to to help me, uh,
you know, learn more about ball because he's super smart,
super sharp, been you know, walked in, uh you know
this morning, flung open the door, you know, made a
grand entrance. And then and then we got to work
of of you know, him him testing us about what
we talked about yesterday and things like that.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
So already first.
Speaker 5 (02:49):
Day in and challenging us and you know we can't
everybody loves a challenge. He says something that you know,
he said, uh, you know, you never forget your first
day as a head coach. And you know, he said,
it's a it's a great day and you know, get
this thing rolling. He he jumped out there and you know,
set a bunch of du set a bunch of don't
set a you know, a president of what we're going
to be like as a team, finding our identity and
all of that. So you know, we're excited.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
Obviously we have to put into work.
Speaker 5 (03:13):
Can't be too excited because the work hasn't been done,
but you know, definitely excited for what's to come and
you know the future.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
Much like Caleb Williams I'm so excited about Ben Johnson
Mike as a new head coach. I almost did let
Caleb talk first what he had to say most important here.
But this is certainly a huge moment for the Bears
here as they continue to move forward, because it's not
just the on field stuff. Well we'll see in OTAs
in May and training camp in July and August, it's
also Ben Jonson Caleb Williams, the most important relationship in
(03:41):
that building.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
That work begins an earnest right now.
Speaker 6 (03:44):
Yeah, and look, we got a couple of weeks before
we really dig into the x's and o's of things.
You know, the off season workout is step one of
the off season with regard to the players getting back
in the building, starting to get themselves in shape. Yeah,
and I'm looking forward to the OTAs in the on
field work Tom because you know, it's gonna be a
expectation from Ben Johnson for how things are supposed to
(04:07):
be run and an expectation for a number one overall
pick to perform like one. So I'm really fascinated to
see this relationship how it develops.
Speaker 7 (04:18):
If you haven't seen Ben Johnson on game day, he is.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
A high energy guy.
Speaker 6 (04:22):
He is a demanding guy, and that's what Caleb Williams
is going to experience. And that's what Caleb Williams is
gonna get when things go well, and that's what Kayleb
Willas is gonna get when things don't go so well.
So really curious to see how this goes and to
see these two try to get on the same page
and try to vibe together, as Caleb Williams certainly wants
to take a huge step forward in the year two.
Speaker 8 (04:41):
Judy, I thought it was pretty telling that Caleb Williams
said that as soon as Ben Johnson walked into the
quarterbacks room, he started quizzing them on what they had
talked about yesterday.
Speaker 9 (04:53):
That was a.
Speaker 8 (04:54):
Concern around the Bears and for Caleb Williams last year
that he wasn't being challenged, he wasn't.
Speaker 10 (05:00):
Being pushed as the quarterback.
Speaker 8 (05:02):
You heard him stay there like they all have a challenge,
Like he's a competitor. He needs to be pushed to
get better. Ben Johnson is certainly, as you said, Mike,
that personality. He is demanding. He is known to be
very detail oriented. So that is going to be something
that we're going to see with Caleb Williams. Certainly their
personalities are going to have to mesh here fairly quickly
(05:24):
because the expectations are going to be much higher for
Caleb Williams performance. But I think it's interesting that two
days into the off season program, Ben Johnson is already
pushing and prodding the quarterbacks. Probably a very good sign
for their development.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
With a prior regime in terms of the coaching staff,
we already had a pretty good idea at this time
last year Caleb Williams was going to be the number
one overall pick. Similarly, got a pretty good idea cam
Ward's going to be the number one overall pick in
this year's draft. But after that, let's just say it's
chaos right now. Rtt lewis our latest mock draft, posted
right now at NFL dot com. He took his to
(06:00):
have at it, including the Raiders trading up the number
two to land Travis Hunter, which you can imagine how
that would go over in Cleveland. More on that momentarily.
Shadur Sanders Rhett has going.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
To a teen. The Retinos well down there in New Orleans.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
With these Saints at number nine, they've done a ton
of work on these quarterbacks. That would also mean the
Giants would pass on Shador Sanders in this scenario and
select Abdul Carter, the Penn State edge rusher at number three.
Take a look at the rest of the top ten,
and we know the trades are always a highly unpredictable
part of this. Some people fundamentally when they do mocks
(06:36):
say I'm not even gonna do those early rehdd says,
forget all that, I'm trading all over the place at
least one there in the top ten. But Mike, I
think that this reinforces, if nothing else, some of the
uncertainty about Shador Sanders above all else in terms of
exactly where he's going to go at a time that
the Giants will certainly not rule it anything out about
(06:56):
taking a quarterback or doing their due diligence on some
other guys.
Speaker 6 (07:00):
Yeah, Abdul Carter who had breakfast with Brian Dabel at
Penn State. Now Dabel wasn't there just for the breakfast
with Carter. He was there for family reasons. His daughter
goes to Penn State, and why not. I mean, more
information is a good thing. So Abdull Carter and Dabel
had breakfast now going to visit the Giants on Thursday. Now,
he would only schedule visits with the first two picks
(07:24):
before his pro day. Now after his pro day is
adding the Giants at number three. And technically this counts
as one of their local visits, so it doesn't count
as one of their thirty visits.
Speaker 7 (07:33):
But obviously it's a big.
Speaker 6 (07:35):
One for the Giants to get a look at Abdull
Carter and get more information from Abdua Carter because if
it goes cam Wore Travis Hunter won two, the Giants
are think going to have their decision to make whether
it's Shadora Sanders or one of the premier pass rushers.
And they do have some pretty good pass rushers already
in Kaevon Thibodau and Brian Burns. But Judy years ago,
(07:56):
I think it was when the Giants drafted Matthias Kiwanuka
and we're like, that's four. How many of these guys
do you need? Ernie of course, he said, you can
never have enough. So they wound up winning the Super
Bowl after probably a wise philosophy.
Speaker 8 (08:10):
They won two Super Bowls actually with a bevy of
pass rushers. This would obviously be if they were to
select Abdul Carter, this would not be a need pick, right,
This would be a best player on the board pick.
Speaker 10 (08:23):
But they do have.
Speaker 8 (08:24):
A history at that franchise of loading up on pass
rushers even when they have them in the building. They
had straighthand they took Keywanuka. Anyway, then they had oc
and Justin Tuck and they took.
Speaker 10 (08:36):
Jason Pierre Paul.
Speaker 8 (08:37):
They got two super Bowls building a defense like that
and having not just great pass rushers but depth at
pass rushers. Does that mean they're going to do it
this year? No, those teams that won Super Bowls had
other pieces in place that they simply don't have in
place right now, namely the franchise quarterback. But we should
go back to when the Giants signed Russell Wilson. Yes,
(09:00):
this franchise still needs an answer, a long term answer
at quarterback, but signing Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston gave
them a little bit of breathing room so that if
they don't like the way the board falls with quarterbacks,
Dingtung have to take one at the top of the draft.
We will see what they finally think about the quarterbacks
at the top of the draft when we get to
(09:20):
draft day. But certainly a pickup Abdul Carter would not
be out of character for the New York Giants.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
Johns use a very high pick on a running back before,
not really expecting them to do so this year. Although
certainly you can make the argument on talent, Ashton Genty
is well deserving of being a top three pick. In
reht Lewis's last mock draft, he's got him going at
number six, which remember, in this scenario is the Browns
because they traded back with the Raiders who went up
to get Travis Hunter. You saw all that there is
(09:46):
absolutely no question about Genty's college production. You compare him
to some of the absolute greats in the game, including
Ladenian Tomlinson. He's right there, despite Genty missing a little
bit of time during the course of his career, a
really intriguing prospect, Mike one of those guys who much
like Jamiir Gibbs several years ago. You know that everybody
(10:07):
likes the player. You know that he could help a
whole lot of offenses. The question is always how high
is too high from a positional value standpoint.
Speaker 6 (10:16):
I think in this case, everybody saw the impact that
Sakuon Barkley had, not of the team that drafted him,
but the team that signed him in the Fildelphia Eagles,
and has seen that a lot of times when you
draft a running back up high, you're going to hit
on that one and it's more or less not a
sure thing, but you feel pretty good about it based
on recent history. So Ashton Genty mocked by a lot
(10:37):
of people to number six, now not the way that
RHTT did it to the Raiders whom he visited this week.
This has been This has gone from Ashton Genty possible
top ten pick to absolute mortal lock of a top
ten pick, possible top five pick, Like does he even
get to the Raiders Now I'm bringing in the Jaguars.
You also have the Patriots at that point. You also
(10:58):
have potential trade up possible abilities. Raiders could go up
to make sure that they get him. The Chicago Bears
we've also talked about with him. There are teams outside
the top ten that have running back needs, so perhaps
they come up with it. I just the production, the
character is off the charts with this kid. He is
about as much as slam Dunk in this draft, as
(11:19):
you are going to get and yeah, I like him
at number six there, and if he's gone before that
to some team, whether it's the teams that are currently
there or not, won't be surprised.
Speaker 8 (11:30):
I think this question goes beyond just Ashton gent and
goes to the running back class, which is really deep
and really good, and that is you know, did the
running back renaissance that we saw last year, which went
beyond just Sakwan Barkley included Derrick Henry too, did that
impact the way teams will assess quarterbacks in the draft.
Let's look at the Raiders, who really could use a
(11:52):
running back. They had the worst rushing offense in the
league last year. But does John Spytech look around and say, listen,
we have a lot of other needs we could build
up other places. This draft is deep at running back.
We could get one later in the draft, or did
they pick one very high? There are other teams that
need running backs. The Cowboys need a running back, The
Broncos need a running back, the Browns need a running back,
(12:15):
the Bears need a running back. So there's plenty of
need there. There are plenty of options in this draft.
I'm just really curious to see how aggressive teams are
about taking running backs one year after we saw running
backs really return to prominence in the NFL.
Speaker 1 (12:32):
Sixteen days away from where would be right now, to
be at six pm or so, Green Bay time, It'll
be like an hour away. They'll be in the green room.
They will have had the red carpet stuff. It's gonna
be an exciting time. The countdown is officially on. Countdown
also on for the rest of the teams to begin
their off season programs, including the AFC champion Chiefs, who
(12:54):
have not been called AFC Champion, they have been called
Super Bowl Champion for a couple of years running. As always,
Brett Veech Andy Eating Company have reshuffled the deck. What's
it gonna look like in twenty twenty five? Our Roster
Reset series kicks off tonight. But first we've got Notre
Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison coming on the show, one of
the top prospects at his position in this year's draft.
(13:16):
Could your team be the one to take him? He'll
tell you who he's visited, and a whole lot more.
Speaker 11 (13:21):
On's on to the air linebacker Blitz intercept it picked
off by Benjamin Morrison on the fifteen.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
Yard line fires from the near sideline.
Speaker 12 (13:30):
Intercept it beencher De Morrison midfield.
Speaker 6 (13:34):
D Jay is pegged off by Benjamin Moeson. Here goes
Bullenson touchdown bag six.
Speaker 7 (13:43):
A lot of that on the tape.
Speaker 6 (13:45):
When you look at Benjamin Morrison what he was able
to do at Notre Dame nine interceptions in thirty one games.
That has helped land him number four on Bucky Brooks's
top five cornerback prospects. Here in the NFL draft, where
he is expected to hear his name call late first round,
early second round perhaps, But how about right now, Benjamin
Morrison joining us here on the Insiders.
Speaker 7 (14:05):
We appreciate you joining us.
Speaker 6 (14:07):
I got questions about the draft process, some injury stuff
to get to, but I want to start there. Nine picks,
thirty and thirty one games. What allows you because I
saw you peel off your guy on one of those plays,
What allows you to have that nose for the football?
Speaker 13 (14:20):
Yeah?
Speaker 14 (14:20):
I think this preparation, see the scene, the play before
it happens, developing, just that natural instinct. At the end
of the day, you got to see the ball and
go get it. That's what the game football is about.
That's what I problem myself on is bringing the ball back.
Speaker 6 (14:33):
Well, the tape is strong, and you hear a lot
of guys evaluators around the league saying you've got to
rely on the tape not so much these workouts in
the spring. That has been the process with you because
you're coming back from hip surgery. Number one, how is
the hip doing? And number two? You know I haven't
been able to work out for teams just yet this spring.
Speaker 7 (14:54):
What's the plan there in that regard?
Speaker 3 (14:56):
Yeah, hips soon great.
Speaker 14 (14:57):
I'm also fully cleared about a couple of weeks ago.
So just going throughout the proper ramp up process. I'm
going to have a hold of private showcase out here
on the twenty first, where we intend to have almost
all the NFL teams out.
Speaker 3 (15:11):
Here to be able to see me compete.
Speaker 14 (15:14):
So it's it's been it's just been exciting, just understanding that,
like when I was injured, to see where I'm at now,
I wouldn't I wouldn't think I could be here both
through hard work and prayer and spend time my family
and loved ones, I'm right where I need to be.
Speaker 7 (15:29):
So that's right before the draft.
Speaker 6 (15:30):
She'll have a chance to make a lasting final impression
there just a couple of days before the draft. So
what's it been like, because you know, I know how
it is when there's injury questions and those are the
only questions really about you. It doesn't seem like it's
anything else that you have to explore before the drafts.
What's it been like throughout the process. How many teams
have you met with? Who have you met with recently
and what have you told them in those meetings?
Speaker 14 (15:51):
Yeah, so I met with almost all the teams at
the combine that I've had like five plus he visits
so far. And it's tough feeling to defend yourself being
injured when you have your tape.
Speaker 3 (16:06):
But that's just the.
Speaker 14 (16:07):
Name of the game, and that's what That's what has
come to understanding that God doesn't make mistakes, and I'm
in this position for a reason.
Speaker 3 (16:15):
So whatever team gets me, he's gonna get a steal.
Speaker 7 (16:18):
You mentioned God doesn't make mistakes. Let's it's a good
jumping off point.
Speaker 6 (16:21):
We'll talk about your dad, Darryl, who played in the NFL,
was drafted in the NFL. Uh the team chaplain for
the Arizona Cardinals. So I would imagine that the Cardinals,
foremost amongst any team, have eight areas there handsome fellah
have the best off field on field reports that they
(16:41):
could possibly get. What do you think your dad tells
them about his son, Benjamin Man?
Speaker 3 (16:46):
I hope not too much.
Speaker 13 (16:47):
I tried.
Speaker 14 (16:47):
I tried to love to keep it flood and keep
it business over there. But I mean, shoot, I'm his son,
so obviously he's how good things to say about me,
and and I feel as if.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
Like that's my best friend.
Speaker 14 (16:59):
I've looked up to him I was a young kid,
so just seeing what he's able to do on and
off the field has been truly a blessing for me.
Speaker 3 (17:05):
And there's no other man I'd rather have in my
corner than him.
Speaker 7 (17:10):
That's awesome.
Speaker 6 (17:10):
Do you remember your dad playing in the NFL and
what lessons has he helped you throughout your playing career.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
I don't remember him playing. I wasn't actually born.
Speaker 7 (17:19):
You have.
Speaker 14 (17:19):
My oldest siblings were. But my dad's like he's my
he's my hidden gym. He's helped me since I was
a young kid. I don't give him enough credit. He's
he's been in my corner since I was young. Really,
showed me what it took to become a good football player,
but first a good man. And that's that's the main
thing that I take away from him, is the football side.
You got to become a good man first and everything
(17:40):
else will come after that.
Speaker 6 (17:42):
You talked about your siblings. They're there right over your
shoulders shoulder. You are one of five, three sisters, one brother.
What do you imagine the scene is going to be
like for you draft? I mean, you have a plans
yet for the part of that family, beautiful, you have
plans yet for the party. What do you think it's
going to be like when everybody here's your name called.
Speaker 14 (17:59):
Yeah, it's gonna be surree. I mean those are my people.
I mean I've grown up. I look up to all them.
They've they've set a great example for me. So I say,
being the youngest here a fool not to fail just
because they've all gone before you. So I just imagine
me and my family on the couch and loved ones,
close friends and just breaking down because I think that this,
I think this is the emotions are gonna be high.
Just throughout these last six months, it's been hard, it's
(18:21):
been challenging. I'd be lying to say, kids all easy,
but it's been hard. So being able to experience my
loved ones and the ones who I care most about
and allowing them to celebrate with me, it's gonna be
It's gonna be special.
Speaker 6 (18:35):
Yeah, looking forward to looking forward to that scene. They're
wishing you the best in that regard.
Speaker 13 (18:39):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (18:39):
And again we expect to hear your name early in
this draft, in large part because of what you put
on tape. Give me, give me the quick pitches. We
let you go here. Pretend I'm a team and it's
the old elevator pitch.
Speaker 7 (18:50):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (18:50):
What kind of player are you as you come into
the NFL? What kind of skills set you up? I
mean press man seems like you can do a little
bit of both.
Speaker 13 (18:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (18:59):
I think through this process I kind of got a
little forgotten about.
Speaker 14 (19:02):
That's what this little protuce for is to show that
I am who I say I am. I know, I
know what I can do, So I think I am
on the top corners is not the top corner this draft.
You look what I've done in two and a half
years that sometimes take guys four to five.
Speaker 3 (19:17):
I RaSE guys. I eliminate guys the world receivers.
Speaker 14 (19:21):
I've gone against the best, Jay Flowers, Ordinatis and Marvin Harrison.
List continues, and I think I hold my own and
I do well against high caliber receivers like that, So
I think that that that's.
Speaker 3 (19:33):
Just my game. We play a lot of man at
Notre Dame. I could do it all, and I'm gonna
find the ball.
Speaker 6 (19:41):
Well, good luck finding the ball in the NFL. We
know that there's gonna be plenty of chances to do that.
Congratulations on in advance on your being selected, continued recovery.
Speaker 7 (19:51):
Good luck at that workout right before the draft.
Speaker 6 (19:53):
I did love this, by the way, as I let
you go, Lance Zeroline, our guy at NFL dot com
called you inquisitive but patient when it comes to your
style of play. Well, you're going to need that patience
because we still got a couple of weeks to go
here before the draft, but we're going to get there eventually.
Benjamin Morrison, appreciate your time.
Speaker 7 (20:10):
Good luck moving forward here.
Speaker 3 (20:11):
Man, I appreciate thank you for having me.
Speaker 6 (20:14):
Coming up next on the Insiders, we're going to take
a look at the AFC division winners as we get
ready for our roster reset. For those guys what to
look for in twenty twenty five as they come off
their success in twenty four.
Speaker 7 (20:26):
That's next on the Insiders.
Speaker 8 (20:36):
Kansas City Chiefs fell short of the three peet in
Super Bowl fifty nine. It's definitely not time to blow
it all up in Kansas City, but it is time
for us to launch roster reset season here at NFL Network.
Let's take a look at the AFC division winners from
last season. That is where we're going to start with
the roster reset. Chiefs, Bills, Ravens, and Texans. And help
(21:00):
me with roster resetting. Jeffrey Chidia, who has his column
up on NFL dot com on roster resets, one big
question for each of the teams, and our Brian Balding
are also all right, Jeffrey, Let's start with the Chiefs.
We all saw what happened in the Super Bowl. Have
they solved their problem at left tackle?
Speaker 13 (21:20):
Well, it's a work in progress. Still.
Speaker 11 (21:22):
I don't think anybody's going to know this they answer
this question until we get deeper into training camp in
the NFL season next year.
Speaker 13 (21:30):
You're talking about a team that signed Jalen Moore to
a two year deal.
Speaker 11 (21:34):
They traded Joe Tuney, who was their best left tackle
to Chicago. He was actually a guard and he's going
to play guard in Chicago again.
Speaker 13 (21:41):
After that, they don't.
Speaker 11 (21:42):
Really have anybody who they trust, and so it's very
lucky this team ends up drafting a left tackle candidate.
Speaker 13 (21:49):
But right now it.
Speaker 11 (21:50):
Looks very I would say a little bit scary for
what they're looking at.
Speaker 13 (21:54):
I think they hope Work can be that player.
Speaker 11 (21:55):
They may sign another veteran here, but Baldy, I can't
sit here today and tell you that this team looks
better at left tackle than they did see on's back.
Speaker 12 (22:05):
I agree with you, Jeff.
Speaker 15 (22:06):
I mean I was a little shocked that they threw
money at Jalen Moore. He's been a backup to Trent.
He did start five games last year. He's got twelve
starts over his four years in this league. They must
have seen enough of them. I didn't think he was
very good on the edge against elite guys. But it's
not just left tackle. I mean they got King Juley
Suamatia played left guard now too, to replace Tony, and
(22:28):
that's the first team All Pro guard. So I've never
seen him play guard. Not to say that he can't.
He's a world of talent. I thought they gave up
on him pretty early after two starts in Kansas City
year ago. Now they're kicking him inside. So it's a
brand new left side. So not only are they trying
to solve two positions, but they two guys have to
get to know each other. To your point, you know,
(22:49):
this offseason is very important for their communication and building
the trust that I thought they had at one point.
Speaker 8 (22:57):
All right, let's go to the ANFC East champion Buffalo
Bill's Jeffrey.
Speaker 10 (23:01):
What's going to happen with James Cook?
Speaker 11 (23:03):
Well, another great question and another question that won't be
solved for a long time. It looks like I know
General Mander Brandon Bean made the comment that he's moving
on to the draft and worrying about that.
Speaker 13 (23:13):
They have signed a ton of They have signed a
ton of.
Speaker 11 (23:15):
Players to new deals in Buffalo lately, with Terrel.
Speaker 13 (23:18):
Bernard and Khalil Shakur.
Speaker 11 (23:20):
They gave a new deal to Josh Allen and all
the while their running backs been sitting here wondering what's
going to happen to him because he's going into the
last year of his contract and.
Speaker 13 (23:29):
He wants a lot of money. That's part of the
issue here.
Speaker 11 (23:31):
He wants a fifteen million dollars a year deal and
he's not in that category, So I don't know where
this ends for him.
Speaker 13 (23:39):
Look, he's got they sat gout the franchise tack.
Speaker 11 (23:40):
They can still do things, but right now, with the
running back market and the draft Baldy, I have to
think James Cook is not in a great spot right
now in Buffalo.
Speaker 15 (23:49):
But you know, the performance was I thought excellent. I mean,
sixteen touchdowns last year and back to back Pro Bowl seasons.
Speaker 12 (23:56):
And you talked to the guys.
Speaker 15 (23:57):
You talked to Aaron Cromer, the offensive line coach, end
of the offensive lineman, Dion Dawkins.
Speaker 2 (24:02):
Across the board. They love them.
Speaker 15 (24:04):
They love blocking form, but it is a position. They've
got Ray Davis, a drafted last year. Ty Johnson is
their third down back, but they need you know, and
Josh Allen's going to get his carries, so you know,
they're splitting carries amongst a lot of different players. Maybe
they feel like they can still do it, but I'm
sure James Cook is looking at the other guys who
have gotten paid and saying, what about me? Maybe it's
(24:26):
my turn, and maybe they're going to look at the draft.
Like you said, all.
Speaker 8 (24:31):
Right, speaking of running back contracts, let's go to Baltimore.
Speaker 10 (24:35):
What's going to happen with Derek Henry's contract.
Speaker 11 (24:38):
Well, he deserves the race, and Eric, the Costa general manager,
has talked very glowingly about what Derek carry went to
this team last year. He had the best year for
a thirty year running back in NFL history with over
nineteen hundred yards and eighteen touchdowns, and I have to
imagine they're going to make something happen for him. Look,
he's going to be thirty one years old. That's not
a great position to be him. You're paying running backs,
(24:58):
but he is very special running back, as it proved
last year. And Dakasa said, when you talk about special
running backs, you want to do something that you want
to take care of those guys because they have such
a huge impact on your entire team. So a great
bargain last year, Baldy. I have to think he's going
to be a lot more expensive in the coming years.
Speaker 9 (25:16):
I agree, Jeff.
Speaker 15 (25:17):
And the fact that with him and Lamar in the
backfield together, I mean, it was you know, it was
not easy on in defenses trying to figure out how
to defend that do as much as they ran the ball,
they ran it more than they threw it, like a
couple of teams in this league. And the one thing
I think Derek Henry proved all of us is that
there's no decline in his speed or his ability to
(25:37):
break long runs like that is still there. And so
as long as that's still there, regardless of the age,
I got to believe that Baltimore will find the right
compensation for King.
Speaker 12 (25:45):
Ed all right.
Speaker 8 (25:48):
Finally, the AFC South, This was one of the most
glaring deficiencies in the entire NFL last year, the offensive
line of the Houston Texans, and of course they made
one of the shocking moves free agency. Is that offensive
line going to be any better?
Speaker 13 (26:04):
Well, I think they're throwing numbers at it.
Speaker 11 (26:05):
And you look at what Nicko Sarai wants to do
with that group, I think he wants to find as
many options as possible.
Speaker 13 (26:10):
When you trade Larmie tunsl away, when you trade.
Speaker 11 (26:14):
Kenyon green Away, when you release Shac Mason, then you
go and bring in Cam Robinson and Trent Brown and
Lincoln Tomblinson you trade for add ingram. That just tells
you that they're going to try to throw as many
bidies as they can. I think one upside here that
you know is a good thing for this group is
that Titus Howard who moved from tackle to guard, it's
to go.
Speaker 13 (26:32):
Back to tackle.
Speaker 11 (26:33):
This is the draft that's really big on guard, So Baldy,
I think they can get this team better, but it's going.
Speaker 13 (26:38):
To be a lot of bodies in play here.
Speaker 15 (26:42):
Well, they have changed the offensive line coach, the offensive coordinator,
and the offensive line. Those things generally don't come together
real fast when there's a new way of doing things.
They were awful against Kansas City the playoff game at CJ's.
Travis sacked eight times and he was hit fourteen times,
and a lot of it was it was a bad
(27:03):
coordinating job upfront and how they protected. But make no
mistake about it, it's not easy replacing Laramie Tunssel. He
did have way too many penalties last year. The line
committed too many penalties last year. They've got to cut
that number down and they've got to build some continuity
awfully fast with a lot of new parts.
Speaker 8 (27:23):
Guys, Thank you, this is only the beginning of roster
reset season. Here at the NFL Network. We will have
much more.
Speaker 10 (27:30):
Including stuff from the NFC coming up soon.
Speaker 1 (27:34):
There's a new head coach in Jacksonville again, and finally
today Liam Cohen got to meet some of his new
players in bright future, they hope, arriving in Jacksonville after
some trying years.
Speaker 2 (27:48):
Time now for count on It.
Speaker 1 (27:50):
Presented by Toro, Tom Pelisaro back here on the Insiders,
joined by a guy we can always count on, Cam Wolfe.
I want to break down our matching shirts momentarily here Cam.
But first of all, Jaguars back in the building. It's
all about Liam Cohen and Trevor Lawrence. That relationship.
Speaker 2 (28:07):
What do we expect.
Speaker 16 (28:08):
Yes, a new error for the Jacksonville Jaguars, but it
will always be about Trevor Lawrence. And when I talked
to Liam Cohen at the league meetings, he said a
few things, and one about Trevor Lawrence. He said, we've
had dinner a few times, we haven't been out on
the field, but it's clear in early conversations with him,
how mentally tough he is, how he wants to be
coached hard. And as he walked into the building today
(28:29):
Trevor Lawrence.
Speaker 13 (28:31):
The big focus.
Speaker 9 (28:31):
Point was energy and communication. They can't work out on
the field and practice yet, but they can go over
to playbook.
Speaker 16 (28:37):
They can bring energy into the building and the Jaguars
have already circled things they want to work.
Speaker 9 (28:41):
On with Trevor Lawrence.
Speaker 16 (28:42):
You know, Liam Cohen has talked about helping his mechanics
and his footwork. You noticed in the last couple of
years Trevor Lawrence got a little bit off with his footwork,
and so they're going to try to put that into action.
They also want to see him in this new offensive scheme.
Speaker 9 (28:56):
From what Cohen said of the.
Speaker 16 (28:57):
League meetings, Trevor Lawrence is right on track from that
offseason surgery he had on his shoulder. They expect him
to be throwing and may once they get to OTA's,
But they also want him to have a level of
freedom within this offense. He led the NFL in turnover
since he's been in the league in twenty twenty one.
Speaker 9 (29:15):
He's got hurt last couple of years.
Speaker 16 (29:16):
They want to make it a little bit more relaxed
and free for him to play the level ball that
he showed in twenty twenty two. When the Jags made
that playoff run. They believe Trevor can take them to
the next level, but it's going to take a little
bit of work, and we're going to be tracking it
all offseason to see that Liam Cohen and Trevor Lawrence
relationship in jackson.
Speaker 1 (29:33):
Ken We've talked so much for weeks now about those
top three picks in the draft, all teams that have
a quarterback need. We kind of lose some of those
teams in between the Jaguar zone. The number five pick
in a draftwear depending who you talk to, there are
four or five elite caliber prospects. What do you expect
them to do at five?
Speaker 9 (29:51):
Yeah, I think they're going to look at the trenches.
Speaker 16 (29:54):
The Jacksonville Jaguars have been clear throughout the offseason we
want to build this thing up right. James Gladstone, the
general manager, come from the Los Angeles Rams, who had
a lot of success building in the trenches in last year's.
Speaker 9 (30:05):
Draft with Jared Vers and Braden Fisk.
Speaker 16 (30:08):
And so when you look at number five, you know,
maybe Abdul Carter's off the board, maybe Travis Hunters off
the board, but maybe there's a guy Michigan's Mason Graham
who is on the board, and he's a guy who
would fit excellent.
Speaker 9 (30:18):
With what they do.
Speaker 16 (30:19):
He can play three tech, he can play on the edge,
he can rush the passer. That's something that their defensive coordinator,
Anthony Capnelli, would love to get his hands on. Someone
that's versatil who's had proven production and can fit right
inside that defense with the Josh Heinz Allen, with a
Trayvon Walker, with the Eric Garmstead and improve a defensive
front that was in the bottom ten and run defense
(30:40):
bottom five and pass rush last year. They definitely need
to get that the next level. Maybe there's a guy
in Jalen Walker from Georgia if they decide to go
with another pass rush a guy who can play inside
linebacker and outside linebacker and get this unit a little
bit more juice on that side of the ball. And
so they got a lot of options at five. They
also have six pick in the first four rounds to
(31:01):
help the offense side of the ball too, if they
want to go defense at.
Speaker 1 (31:04):
Five, Cam, thank you very much. I'll see you at
the white party later.
Speaker 2 (31:08):
Coming up.
Speaker 1 (31:09):
We got more insiders, including a closer look at a
guy who probably will be off the board by the
time the Jaguars are up at number five. Travis Hunter,
Colorado's do it all man and Baldy's favorite player in
this draft. Baldy is back with us next to break
down why this is the best talent you're going to see.
Speaker 7 (31:32):
For NFL prospects.
Speaker 6 (31:33):
The road to the Draft is the ultimate job interview, grueling,
high stakes, and life changing. For Oregon quarterback Dylan Gabriel
Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden, the third the NFL scouting
Combine was one of the biggest tests yet. How did
they handle the pressure, What moments to find their experience?
Getting exclusive behind the scenes look as these two prospects
take on the biggest stage of their pre draft journey.
(31:54):
In this episode of Destination Green Bay presented by Toyota.
Speaker 2 (32:02):
Combine to get today.
Speaker 13 (32:06):
That's a head to Indy, Who's Combine?
Speaker 6 (32:08):
Come another guy?
Speaker 3 (32:09):
I'm forward to see hear me moving.
Speaker 6 (32:11):
One of the top guys.
Speaker 17 (32:12):
I definitely think I'm prepared, you know, all the whole
work I put in, what you don't have this opportunity to,
you know, be able to showcase my schools in front
of the whole world.
Speaker 4 (32:23):
Very opportunity for sure.
Speaker 13 (32:26):
No see how Indy Man he's out and we are
here the twenty twenty five NFL scouting Combine.
Speaker 7 (32:34):
It's the peak.
Speaker 2 (32:35):
Everything's working too.
Speaker 18 (32:36):
If it's every kid's dream to make it to NFL
combine and go crazy, and you.
Speaker 2 (32:42):
Got to go make it happen.
Speaker 3 (32:42):
So I'm gonna let it fly, take a deep breath,
and Game.
Speaker 19 (32:45):
One, I'm gonna feel confident myself, you know, confident the
work I put in and watch stop.
Speaker 6 (32:56):
Now, when that draft begins, we're expecting to hear Travis
Hunter's name called extremely early. How early we shall see
one hundred and eleven and a half snaps per game
right there, lead FBS, I mean, that's that happens when you're.
Speaker 7 (33:18):
Playing both ways. But look at that in the bottom.
Speaker 6 (33:21):
No NFL player has played more than one hundred snaps
in any game, any game since twenty twelve. And here's
a guy who thinks he's going to wind up playing
both ways in the NFL.
Speaker 2 (33:30):
Or believes that he can do that.
Speaker 6 (33:32):
We shall see some are skeptical, some believe he can
do it. And Brian Baldinger, which side of the equation
is he on? The Natalie dressed Brian Baldinger. Look, Travis
Hunter is going to have an impact on both sides
of the ball.
Speaker 7 (33:44):
We know that. Just how big which side more than
the other? I mean, you tell me, Balding.
Speaker 15 (33:51):
Well, I was opted for the pro day in Boulder
on Friday, and he put on a show just catching
the ball and just being Travis Hunter. He put on
a show.
Speaker 12 (33:59):
I would deep.
Speaker 15 (34:00):
I dug deep into my fasaurus here, Mike, and I
came up with indefatigable. Like the guy just doesn't tire,
He doesn't breathe hard. You go back, you talk about
one hundred eleven you know, snaps a game. His first
game for Colorado was at TCU in a hundred degree
one hundred and two degree heat. He played one hundred
and forty snaps that day, took off an interception at
(34:20):
the goal line, I mean, helped win that game. He
was catching all these balls without gloves. He doesn't need gloves.
His hands are unbelievable. He can adjust to any ball
he is. He's a rare, rare athlete and you really
can't take your eyes off. In fact, it wasn't just me,
it was Champ Bailey, it was Deon Sanders, it was
John Payton, there was everybody that was in attendance that
(34:42):
they couldn't stop watching them, and uh, and just how
smooth and fluid it is. And I understand all these
questions about, well, you gotta really perfect one side of
the ball first. I think he could do both, Mike,
I really do. I believe he can be your starting
wide wide receiver. I believe he could be your starting corner.
I believe he can improve two positions on your team
(35:04):
day one. Now you're gonna play them every snappanos on
those places. No, but if you're playing a team with
three great wide receivers, why wouldn't you have Travis Hunter
out there on one of them? And if you if
you've got all this different offense, you've got your two
minutes thrill, you got your red zone, you get all
this third downs. Why is he on the field and
some of those packages, you know, just putting the fear
(35:26):
of his ability to catch it from anywhere on the field,
adjust to it and finish these these uh, these catches
in the end zone like he did at Colorado. I
believe he's going to be a star player day one
in this league.
Speaker 6 (35:41):
I've seen some people say, well, you can make more money,
it seems right now as a wide receiver on that
side of the ball than you can cornerback.
Speaker 7 (35:47):
But you can also.
Speaker 6 (35:48):
I mean, if you're Travis Hunter and you wind up
playing both sides, you could be the show. Heyo Tani
of the NFL and say you got.
Speaker 15 (35:54):
To pay me like incentives, Mike, Well, I mean, look
at the agent should have a lot of fun loading
up the incentive packages for catches, touchdowns, interceptions, fastest defense.
I mean you could draw up a couple snaps with
contracts with this kid.
Speaker 2 (36:09):
Yeah, yeah, takeoffs like all that.
Speaker 7 (36:14):
Yes, yeah.
Speaker 16 (36:16):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (36:17):
Indefatigable, according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, incapable of being fatigued.
I would refer to you, Baldy, as induplicable. We can't
be duplicated.
Speaker 7 (36:28):
I don't know if that's now.
Speaker 2 (36:31):
We'll apply.
Speaker 7 (36:32):
Appreciate you, buddy, Thank you, Baldy. Always bringing the heat
on the insiders.
Speaker 4 (36:42):
One way to describe me would be generational, be.
Speaker 9 (36:45):
Prepared to be astound.
Speaker 2 (36:46):
He elevated his draft stock.
Speaker 20 (36:48):
Wasn't a better athlete than nicking men war Warri Nicki
min Warri defensive bet South Carolina that is awesome.
Speaker 4 (36:55):
This guy's legit.
Speaker 20 (36:56):
The night before the combine, I wrote them whiteboard vertical
forty three.
Speaker 9 (37:01):
Forty three broad jump eleven five eleven and a half broad.
Speaker 20 (37:05):
Forty four three through four three five a sub four
four forty. I didn't hit my forty, but it just
shows what type of mindset I had and what type
of belief I had in myself coming into the combine.
Speaker 4 (37:14):
And I back it up.
Speaker 12 (37:19):
All right.
Speaker 4 (37:20):
My style of play is kind of real, I'll say unique.
Speaker 20 (37:23):
When I was in college, you know, I just prided
myself on being able to play every position. You know,
played a little bit of Nickel, got a lot of
good tape on their play, a little bit of strong
safety and free safety. So I'm just real versatile and
I'm big enough to come off the edge, fast enough
to guard your slot receiver, physical enough to.
Speaker 4 (37:43):
Tackle a running back.
Speaker 20 (37:48):
Seven seven seven chain I had got and that just
meant a lot to me because my jersey number seven,
my birthday is February seventh, and my family have a
total of seven family members. That are seven reasons why
I played so like it just resonated. You mean, I
got four older brothers, so the household was crazy, but
it was fun. My Reese arrests all the time, a
lot of WW moves we used to do on each other,
(38:09):
but it was a fun household.
Speaker 4 (38:10):
We used to compete all the time growing up.
Speaker 20 (38:17):
When I hear my name called on draft night, man,
I'm gonna try to be strong, hold it in, but
I'm not sure how I feel. I hope I don't
crown TV, but maybe I will. There's been a lot
of hard work. Everything I've been through a lot of
long nights. Everything's gonna pay off soon, giving back to
my family, being able to support them, support my community,
being one of those guys that made it out from Irmo,
(38:37):
South Carolina. So the NFL Draft is a moment I've
been waiting for all my life.
Speaker 1 (38:43):
Happy birthday too. Ravens linebacker ro Kwan Smith, who's entering
his eighth NFL season somehow still only turning twenty eight
years old today, which means he's still got a lot
of hype speeches in them.
Speaker 18 (38:58):
It's only one way to play this game, and it's
the fast and physical all day. Y'all here too, saying
trap game. That trap game now, hey, ethic, ethic, that's
a lot of heat says. She's saying, this is in
this world. Man, what we gonna be today, PQ, what
we gonna be today.
Speaker 12 (39:12):
Let's come out here. Man, Let's not take this for granted. Man,
that's like I said before. Let's do this for the
ones that came. Man, Sunday Night football, the.
Speaker 21 (39:20):
Whole world, watch sint the message because you never know
what play gonna be your last.
Speaker 12 (39:24):
Man, Let's come out and film.
Speaker 21 (39:26):
It ain't from the job, man, I'm coming, I promise
you on my life, I'm coming from the first stop.
Speaker 12 (39:31):
Man, from the first second. What are we gonna do? Man? Oh,
back against the wall, all back, It's against the wall.
That's old team security.
Speaker 21 (39:39):
Lock the gates, that's all it's gonna take, be bothered
and everything you do. Let's take this every style, bloody,
from the first job to the last job.
Speaker 12 (39:50):
Let's show me exactly who we are from the first
stop to the last stop.
Speaker 21 (39:53):
So amc North Football, mister Baltimore Ravens.
Speaker 12 (39:56):
That's all I gotta say. Man, I'm ready to go. Man,
you know what we do to more to WOA.
Speaker 1 (40:02):
Very similar to the pre show speeches that I like
to give, complete with all those words that you couldn't
actually say on TV before I go run through the
wall for Roquan Here big NBA news today, Nuggets fired
their head coach, Michael Malone. At the time, they are
still in the four seed and there's only five games
left in the season. I asked NFL research. Four NFL
(40:22):
teams since nineteen seventy have fired a head coach in
season with the winning record. Judy, I'm putting you on
the spot. Can you name one of them?
Speaker 10 (40:35):
They think the Baltimore Ravens did they fire?
Speaker 2 (40:41):
The Ravens might give a guess.
Speaker 7 (40:44):
They have a winning record a couple of years ago.
Speaker 1 (40:47):
It's been a little while it was John Gruden resigned.
Of course, in Rich Pasachi ended up taking the Raiders
to the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (40:53):
But couple other.
Speaker 1 (40:54):
Memorable ones on here two thousand, the Lions fired Bobby
Ross and the Commanders fired or Of Turner. The difference
is NBA season's eighty two games long.
Speaker 12 (41:03):
That's like fired with one game to go.
Speaker 2 (41:05):
We'll be back tomorrow. See you
Popular Podcasts
40s and Free Agents: NFL Draft Season
Daniel Jeremiah of Move the Sticks and Gregg Rosenthal of NFL Daily join forces to break down every team's needs this offseason.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.