April 2, 2025 • 22 mins
Former WSU QB Luke Falk and WR River Cracraft join Ian to talk about their experiences with Sam Darnold, River signing with the Seahawks and relive their times in Pullman with Mike Leach.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Live from the R and R Foundation Specialist broadcast studio
back to Ian Furnez, powered by Seattle's closest sports book,
Snop Call Me Casino on Sports Radio ninety three point
three KJR FM.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Our number two of the show brought to by Snoll
Call Me Casino.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
The infernests with you here on a Wednesday afternoon as
we met Root Sports, Slash, Crack and Hockey Network studios
getting read for our game tonight with the Canucks and
the Cracking again to seven to thirty start seven o'clock
pre game late here on KJR last week.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
We had a chance.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
In fact, I was sitting right here, if I'm not mistaken,
in these same studios across the water. Talked to Sam Darnold,
the new Seahawk quarterback who was signed recently by the
Hawks out of free agency, Gino Smith moving on to Oakland,
Cooper Cup, Marcus Valdez Scantling also being out of the offense,
as well as former Washington State University Fighting Scrap and
Cougar wide receiver River Craycraft added as well. And we
(00:58):
were talking with Sam dar Arnold and we put the
connection together that he played with in New York. Well
a guy by the name of Sam Donald, and they
had a good relationship there and thought, you know, it'd
be good to talk to his backup quarterback, Luke Falk,
and especially with River Craikraft signing here as well, and
so we're gonna try some little different We've got both
guys on the line right now, excited to have them
(01:19):
both with us. Luke Falk, how are you.
Speaker 4 (01:22):
Down while how are you doing?
Speaker 2 (01:23):
I'm good, buddy, I'm good. River.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Congratulations on. I know you're a California kid, but in
a sense coming back home in the state of Washington.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
How are you?
Speaker 5 (01:32):
Thank you now? I'm fired up. Yeah, I'm fired up.
It's gonna be a fun time.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
I love it. I love it.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
All right, let's get into this stuff. And by the way,
we do have some audio we'll play a little bit
later on.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
Luke.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Apparently there was some sort of ping pong bet that
Donald hasn't hasn't fessed up or hasn't paid up on yet.
We'll get to that a little bit later on and
get your thoughts on what the Seahawks are getting in
the new quarterback in Sam Donald. But River, let's start
with you, free agent. You've been to a couple different
teams the league. Coming from Miami, how did Seattle come about?
And Wi FI here in Seattle with the Seahawks.
Speaker 5 (02:07):
A number of different reasons. I'd say the biggest reason
is my wife is from Seattle. This is basically home
for us. We both went to Washington State, so we
spent a lot of time in Seattle. It's always been
a dream dream of mine to play there. But secondly,
with Clint Kubiak, him and I spent some time together
(02:27):
when I was back playing for the Broncos a few
years ago, and that's how we got to know each
other a little bit. And when he got hired here.
You know, the offense that he's running is is an
offense I'm very familiar with. Spent two years in San Francisco,
three years in Miami, and even one in Denver learning
this offense. So I've been a part of this offensive
scheme for six years now and going on. And I
(02:52):
think just my familiarity with the offense is really what
helped Clint make that decision, and in the relationship that
that we built during our time in Denver, and we
stayed in touch throughout the years, so that's kind of
been the driving force to make all this happen.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
Uh, Luke, you know, you know Rivers game as well
as anybody. I know, it's been a few years since
you played with him. What are the Seahawks getting in
River Craycraft?
Speaker 6 (03:18):
I get in a total stud I mean, that's no
doubt why he's been in the league for so long,
and he's just gone through a lot of adversity, but
he has no quit. You know, he's he's all grit
and I mean us Kook fans know him, no him
real well. You get a gamer out there and he
elevates the group and it's not just the things he
does on the field, but his presence off of it
(03:41):
and the leadership he brings. And I mean, Riv's just
one of those guys you want in the foxhole with this,
So Seattle they're very lucky.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
I love it when we get back to River in
a second, Luke, tell people what you're up to these days.
Speaker 6 (03:54):
Yeah, I'm doing mind strength coaching, you know, so I
help athletes and coaches out in that department able to
unlock their full God given potential through strengthening their minds.
You work on your body in the weight room, you
get strong that way. You work on your skills on
the field or on the court, but what are you
doing with your most valuable asset? And so many athletes
(04:14):
and coaches take it for granted. And I was fortunate
enough to have a mental performance coach while I was playing,
and that was really the difference maker for me. As
you all know, I wasn't very athletic, so I had
to find some way to be able to, I guess,
make up for it. So I've been able to help
athletes out and coaches, and it was something I utilized
when I.
Speaker 4 (04:33):
Was coaching at the quaenent level and now I'm doing
privately and it's been a lot of fun. We've got
a lot of great traction going right now.
Speaker 6 (04:40):
And I actually be up in seattles speaking at Skyline
High School for the surrounding schools on June twelfth for
anybody wants to come out, so it'd be a fun time.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
Wait a second, I know the connection there. I know
the connection. Yeah, I know the connection there.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
You're gonna go up the guy that uh I think
he finally exhausted his eligibility after twelve years. It wazoo
our our guy, Peyton Polor, right, the new head coach
up there at Skyle. Actually I say new head coach.
He'll be his second year, I think as a head coach.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Peyton.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
I'll tell you that, guys both this, I'm gonna you'll
love this.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
This is way too inside for everybody else.
Speaker 3 (05:18):
Peyton Poloor and Colton Teglovich and uh and Bo Glover
play in my cheer. I'm a charity golf turnment every year,
and those knuckleheads are out there every year playing in it,
and and some of the benefits go to it's split
three ways. Avery Huffman DIPG Foundation for Brandon Huffman. You
(05:38):
guys probably familiar with the Brandon of his daughter who
passed away from a pediactor brain cancer, Jordan Morris Diabetes Foundation,
he's a Sounders player. And then the other third goes
to Helenski's Hope, which I know would be very near
and dear to both your hearts as well. So those
those guys come out every year, and I'm on a
text chain with him. I told those guys last night
that I'm having you on and and so you know,
(05:59):
feel free to share any stories about about those guys,
Peyton or Bow or anybody if you want.
Speaker 4 (06:04):
Oh man, I don't know if it's uh, I don't
know if I.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
Can't riff anything, you guys the griff absolutely not.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
That means the good stories are out there that sing.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
I think it was Colton Taglovic.
Speaker 6 (06:22):
He might have thrown a dart at one of our
buddies backs in Pullman one time.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
So anyways, I'll just leave. We can't really share the stories.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
Uh well, that's what you get with the JC kid
like that that comes into the big school.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Hant just doesn't know how to behave himself. Well Colt
does he? They?
Speaker 4 (06:38):
Oh my gosh.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
Yeah, we might have to get you guys to golf
with those guys this year to help us out. It's
a ton of fun that we have an after party
at my house and uh the Uber picks up bow
And and Colton usually around one am. So, uh, well
does that shock you? Does that shock you riff at all?
Is that shock you.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
That that happens?
Speaker 5 (06:57):
That checks out perfectly?
Speaker 3 (07:00):
River Craig Craft, Luke Falk with us, River, the offense
that we're gonna see with Clint Kobiak with the Seahawks,
describe like just for the for us, Uh, you know,
Neo fights. Uh, you know that aren't the all twenty
two guys. Uh, describe what it is and why it
fits you, and maybe why it fits a guy like
Sam Darnold, the quarterback who I know you're also familiar with.
Speaker 5 (07:19):
Yes, I am yeah, sorry one second, yeah, No. I
won't give too much detail on the offense. But if
you've watched San Francisco, if you've watched the Rams, if
you watch Miami the last few years, Green Bay does it.
It's an offense. I've kind of taken my storm through
Kyle Shanahan and it's it's more of a condensed offense
(07:41):
to spread out the field rather than lining up. You know,
outside of the numbers, A lot of the times you're
you're a little more condensed. You like to hit inbreakers
and you know, everything is I think the objective of
the entire offense is to marry everything together, so the
runs of like the passes, the passes look like the runs.
I think that's the full objective. But basically, if you're
(08:04):
able to stretch the field by aligning in a condensed split,
that is kind of the objective to get the edges right.
So and then for your question about Sam, Sam, I
think is perfect for this offense, and I know he's
familiar with it from his time in San Francisco. It's
a timing based offense essentially, and this is something that
(08:26):
you know, with my last three years in Miami, this
is something that Tua was very elite at, timing, hitting
in windows, knowing when the ball is supposed to be there,
being able to adjust on the fly versus different coverages.
These are things that Sam is is meant to do.
In my opinion, I think this is one of his
biggest strengths, is not only throwing the ball well, but
(08:48):
throwing it on time, and I think that's why he
had the success that he's had. And I'm really excited.
Sam and I have been working out a lot. You know,
we live right by each other down here in California,
so everything kind of worked out, I see for us.
Sam and I have We've known each other for the
last maybe ten years, just kind of doing some off
(09:09):
season training together here and there, and now we're kind
of full time going, which is awesome. So I'm really
looking forward to it. I can't wait to get up
there and get it going.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
River.
Speaker 3 (09:20):
Is there an element of as you're talking about, you
know reading the defense quarterbacks gonna throw with timing into
space things like that. I know, the spacing and you know,
the condens for a formation is different. Is there an
element of air raid, the Mike Leach air raid at
all to that? As I describe it, it feels like
that's something that there's at least some elements to that.
Speaker 5 (09:41):
I think the air raid. I think the air raid
is almost a harder way to learn, which is why
I'm glad I did it before going into the NFL,
because it teaches you how to understand space. It wasn't
so much of a timing thing with Coach Leech and
the air raid. It was more about you being on
the same page as Luke, you know. So as long
(10:04):
as Luke and I were on the same page, you
know that ball might come in different spots, you know,
so you have to be ready for it. But as
long as you and the quarterback are on the same page,
I think opposed to this offense, you can kind of
expect the ball in one spot and it's your job
to get there where In the air raid, Luke was
able to throw us open. You know, he had the
(10:25):
free reign to decide for the defense. And kind of
choose where he wanted that ball to go, and we
just had to be on the same page. But I
think both are both can be successful. I do think
the air raid is harder because you have to have
the guys that can do it. I know the air
raid gets knocked a lot in college, but I actually
(10:46):
think it's harder than most of these pro style offenses
because you have to learn it the hard way first.
That's always been my take on the air raids.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
Interest.
Speaker 5 (10:54):
He needs its respect.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
Luke Faull getting River creade craft right now? River? Uh?
Speaker 3 (11:01):
Luke, you played uh, you know with with with Sam
in the NFL.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
What is Seattle? Where the Seahawks getting in Sam Darnold.
Speaker 6 (11:09):
Oh, well, not a very good ping pong player, But
that'll be good news to them because he's working.
Speaker 4 (11:14):
On his games. So you know, that's probably why I'm
out of the league and why he's in it.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
But we'll get to that second.
Speaker 4 (11:19):
Uber uber uber talented.
Speaker 6 (11:21):
I mean, that guy's got more revolutions on the football
with a spiral than anybody I've ever been a part of.
Speaker 4 (11:28):
Works tirelessly. Guy's a total gamer.
Speaker 6 (11:32):
I mean when we played him in Pullman, we were
up by a touchdown, and uh, Sam made like, I mean,
he just kept pulling things out of his out of
his backside on fourth down and just I'm like, how
the heck is this guy still around?
Speaker 4 (11:46):
And anyways, he's a total gamer.
Speaker 6 (11:48):
And you know, I think he's gonna fit in the
Seattle style perfectly and all the things Rivers is talking about.
I think that West Coast offense is perfect for him.
Speaker 3 (11:57):
Luke, you you were, you were with that organization with
the YEA. How hard is it to play there? And
I'm gonna maybe now, I mean, just I'm gonna ask
you about both the Jets and just New York. And
I'll give you an example from a different sport, our
hockey team who I worked for, the Crack, and they
traded for a kid named Coppo Coco. He was a
second overall pick in the NHL draft a few years ago,
(12:18):
and he was just getting I mean, it was just
brutal for him there in New York and he comes
to Seattle and he's just flourished here like just I mean,
he's he's and he's only twenty three years old, twenty two,
twenty three years old, but he's flourishing like he's having
it like he's it's a revelation for the young kid.
So I wonder is it a New York Jets thing?
Is a New York thing? You went through it as
(12:38):
a quarterback? How hard is it to play there? Because
I look at a guy like Sam hell Gino Smith
is a good example, right, gets out of New York
and all of a sudden he has success elsewhere. How
hard is it to play there for that organization or
just in that city.
Speaker 4 (12:51):
Yeah, I don't think it's a city.
Speaker 6 (12:53):
And I'm not gonna speak like to ill will because
I didn't have I didn't do great at any of
the organizations I was at.
Speaker 4 (12:59):
But I will say that leadership does.
Speaker 6 (13:01):
Matter, and being in an alignment and the pot down
uh so in that regard, you know, it makes it
a lot more challenging if certain people in the building
aren't the same page with what the vision is and
and how to push that forward. And I guess I
will say I felt a little more comfort knowing that
Aaron Rodgers didn't have as great as success there, you know,
(13:23):
was the eight that came before him. So but I'll
say this just the if the uh leadership matters, having
being being on the same page and whatever organization you're at.
I mean, there's a there's a handful of teams that
have a competitive advantage every year in the NFL because
of that reason, because the GM, the head coach, the owner,
(13:44):
they're on the same page. And then you know, some
of the other ones are at a competitive disadvantage because
it's like, you know, it's like different agencies within the government.
They're not talking to each other. So how are you
supposed to collaborate and communicate and get on the same page.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
Interesting stuff. By the way, Jess, do you have the
audio from Sam Darnold? Okay, River, you'll get a kick
out of this. So we we when when Sam got signed,
Luke text Jess and said, hey, something about a ping
pong bet that was gone wrong. Uh So I asked
Sam Darnold about that last week with Luke. Here here's
what he said.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
I love it. I appreciate you jumping on. I know
you got to go.
Speaker 3 (14:17):
I was told, Luke Falk, your your former backup in
the Jets, tells us that we're having him on next
week since Racougar's uh he he speaks very highly of you,
highly of you, except he says. He says, you owe
him for a ping pong loss.
Speaker 2 (14:30):
Is that right?
Speaker 7 (14:31):
Yeah, he's got my venmo.
Speaker 5 (14:33):
He'll be all right.
Speaker 7 (14:34):
He can he can send me a venmo. He doesn't
need to make that. He doesn't need to make that
national news. But I'm glad Luke told you about that.
And uh, by the way, you're probably I mean, you know,
you're probably psyched about the River Crakkraft news. I mean
he was. He's a Washington State legend.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
Man, buddy, I'm sam. I can't tell you how psyched
I'm about that. That's that's that's off brand Cooper cup.
I love it, man, and he can block. I'm excited
for River Man. He's listen more Koog's the better. So yeah,
I'm glad you're psyched about it too.
Speaker 7 (15:06):
Yeah he U No. We actually grew up pretty close
to each other and he went to Saint Margharitea high school.
I went to San Clementy. So in the off season
I throw with River a ton. So he's actually a
good buddy. But uh, yeah, man, he's I'm excited for that, obviously, MBS.
There's there's a ton of guys that you know, have
a lot of opportunity to you know, to make some
(15:28):
hay this year, and I'm excited to you know, just
kind of you know, just just play efficiently. I think
that's the biggest thing, is playing consistent and playing efficient
And if I can do that this year will be
all right.
Speaker 3 (15:40):
I gotta let you go because I know you've got
another thing to do, So go do that, and we
appreciate it. Can't wait to meet in person. Hey, thanks
for your time today, Sam.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
I really appreciate it, all right, and appreciate it.
Speaker 5 (15:50):
Man.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
There we go. Okay, that was that was Sam Darnal
last week.
Speaker 3 (15:53):
So one then will request, uh, Darnold, is what you
need to do there, Luke, and trust me? Yeah, yes,
looking at the contract, he's got the money and uh.
And then he talked about that relationship with River. You know,
you and River had or you and Sam had River,
which is great too, and and obviously having the familiar
with the quarterback is going to be fun. Uh so yeah,
we all trust me River. Everyone's psyched to have a
(16:14):
cougar here too. Many Husky's been rolling through that organization
for a while, buddy, So welcome to Seattle.
Speaker 5 (16:20):
I appreciate it that we we're fired up.
Speaker 3 (16:23):
Final thing, I got to ask you guys about coach
Leach uh and and the late great Mike Leach and
what I mean, what he did at at all of
our alma maters was just awesome at Wazoo and you know,
we miss him terribly. Luke, do you have what's what's
your favorite Mark Mike Leach moment memory that you had?
Speaker 5 (16:43):
Oh?
Speaker 6 (16:43):
I got a number of them I've shared. I've shared
a lot, but you know, first and foremost, I want
to just thank Coach Leech for all he did. And
I didn't tell him nearly enough while he was here,
So that's a regret I have. I think we had
a little bit of a riff later on in my career,
and anyways, I just wanted him to know how much
he really meant to me. In but I'd tell this
(17:03):
one all the time. Is we're playing Oregon State. We
were down by I can't remember seventeen points or something.
At halftime, you come in, you expect the coach to
be rallying the troops or you know, I guess making
some threats and demands and coach leaches and coaches off
or a locker room practicing is Spanish, and it was
just like.
Speaker 4 (17:23):
Nick Saban's not doing that, nobody's doing that.
Speaker 6 (17:26):
And then he casually walks out, if you guys don't
play with more effort and intensee, we're gonna scrimmage all
day tomorrow. And then that was a threat and we
end up winning, but just pretty funny from Coach leach standpoint.
Speaker 4 (17:41):
And then I'll share another one. I don't think I've
shared this.
Speaker 6 (17:43):
One with anybody, but we lost the Boise State in
twenty sixteen. Coach Leach the next day shows up two
hours late our team meeting, which wasn't a huge shock,
and he has three people stand up in front of
the entire our team, River cray Craft, myself and Gabe
Marks and repeat the statements.
Speaker 4 (18:05):
I don't know, you know crap? How about that? I
don't know crap? And we were just saying.
Speaker 6 (18:10):
We had to repeat that over and over and over
in front of our teammates until I don't know, until
he felt satisfied with it. So he felt like we
were freelancing too much.
Speaker 3 (18:20):
Uh, River, you remember that moment absolutely?
Speaker 5 (18:25):
Yeah, Oh my gosh. Yeah. We had a number of
things going there.
Speaker 3 (18:28):
We we Leach was, oh god, no, I was just
gonna say, Gay Marks has come on this show quite
often over the years. I can't even fe like the
relationship he had with Gabe was just one of the
most interesting things I've ever seen, because you know, that's
about as oppos as you get. But I could just
imagine seeing River cray Craft, Luke falk and gave Mark
standing up doing.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
That in front of everybody that remember that.
Speaker 3 (18:50):
Probably, I don't know if you have to do that
with Mike McDonald, I think it might be a little
different experience here.
Speaker 5 (18:55):
Yeah, yeah, hopefully not, hopefully not a unique experience.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
My favorite one was.
Speaker 5 (19:01):
After the.
Speaker 6 (19:03):
Go ahead, go ahead, Louke, I was just saying, Coach
Leach was a great mind strength teacher for all of us.
Speaker 4 (19:10):
So anyways, he he sharpened our sword in that regard.
Speaker 5 (19:14):
Did you have one River sharpened our swords? Yeah, I knew, Luke.
If you remember this, if you're gonna love this, I
think it was we played in Nevada. So we played
in Nevada.
Speaker 8 (19:27):
We ended up losing this game, and and it was
a game that we should have won, and we ended
up losing, and and some kid on the Nevada team
made a statement in the in the press or after
the game, saying Nevada is all about grit, Nevada is tough,
and Washington State's got all the bells and whistles and
(19:49):
and Leech loved that. So so we got into our
meeting the next day and and Leech pulls up the
interview for us, and let's us watch what this kid's
saying about our team after they just beat us, and
he says, you guys need to learn how to play dirty.
So he takes all of our gloves, you.
Speaker 5 (20:07):
Know, buyersers, wrist bands, whatever, all the accessories that guys
play with. I think gloves is kind of an important
one to take away, but he takes everything away, and
he says, you guys need to learn how to play dirty.
So from then on the rest of the season, including
the first game after the Nevada game, I'm talking game day,
(20:29):
we're in full uniform. He finally gave us the gloves back.
By the end of the week, we're in full uniform
with the gloves, and Coach Leach had this sandpit that
he had us roll through, and we rolled through this
sandpit every day before practice. He made us buckle up
our helmets, put our gloves on. Everything you were going
to wear during practice, you had to have on through
(20:49):
this sandpit. And he wanted us to learn how to
play dirty. So we would roll through this sandpit and
then proceed the practice for two hours out on the
turf with sand in every crevice you could think of.
And and he made us do this before a game,
which was hilarious. And we did this the rest of
(21:10):
the season. It was only one game, but we did
it before practice the entire season. It was unbelievable. He
played better.
Speaker 4 (21:17):
Not to mention we had to change locker rooms too.
Speaker 3 (21:21):
Oh yeah, did you go, Yeah, that's right.
Speaker 5 (21:27):
I forgot about that. Yeah, we were humbled quick.
Speaker 2 (21:32):
Yeah, brand new because that was the first year of
the brand new facility. Right And he's and.
Speaker 3 (21:35):
All of a sudden moving back to I'm sure yeah,
I'm sure the athletic department was loving that too, all
the millions of dollars they spent on that. By the way, Uh,
Coltonovich says, uh he thought it was actually Dylan hands
are through the dart at Nate to ride.
Speaker 4 (21:48):
Oh yeah, okay, he's claiming that's good.
Speaker 5 (21:52):
I knew Gill was involved somehow.
Speaker 3 (21:57):
Well listen, River you'll run. You'll run into that crew
often enough. When you get back up here. I'm sure
a great group of guys. Like I said, they support
my tournament every year and I love them to death
for it because it's it's for a great cause, with
the Lynsky's Hope among the others. So River cray Craft,
congratulations and signing with the Seattle Seahawks. We're thrilled to
have you here in Seattle, Luke. Look forward to meeting
you here in person at some point in the near
(22:17):
future when you're up here. Maybe I'll see it at
Peyton's event as well. And guys, thanks for doing this day.
We really appreciate it.
Speaker 5 (22:23):
Thank you. I appreciate it.
Speaker 7 (22:24):
Thanks man.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
There you go, Thanks a lot. There you go.
Speaker 3 (22:27):
That is Luke Falk and River cray Craft, River cray Craft,
New Seattle Seahawks fun stuff.
Live from the R and R Foundation Specialist broadcast studio
back to Ian Furnez, powered by Seattle's closest sports book,
Snop Call Me Casino on Sports Radio ninety three point
three KJR FM.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Our number two of the show brought to by Snoll
Call Me Casino.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
The infernests with you here on a Wednesday afternoon as
we met Root Sports, Slash, Crack and Hockey Network studios
getting read for our game tonight with the Canucks and
the Cracking again to seven to thirty start seven o'clock
pre game late here on KJR last week.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
We had a chance.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
In fact, I was sitting right here, if I'm not mistaken,
in these same studios across the water. Talked to Sam Darnold,
the new Seahawk quarterback who was signed recently by the
Hawks out of free agency, Gino Smith moving on to Oakland,
Cooper Cup, Marcus Valdez Scantling also being out of the offense,
as well as former Washington State University Fighting Scrap and
Cougar wide receiver River Craycraft added as well. And we
(00:58):
were talking with Sam dar Arnold and we put the
connection together that he played with in New York. Well
a guy by the name of Sam Donald, and they
had a good relationship there and thought, you know, it'd
be good to talk to his backup quarterback, Luke Falk,
and especially with River Craikraft signing here as well, and
so we're gonna try some little different We've got both
guys on the line right now, excited to have them
(01:19):
both with us. Luke Falk, how are you.
Speaker 4 (01:22):
Down while how are you doing?
Speaker 2 (01:23):
I'm good, buddy, I'm good. River.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Congratulations on. I know you're a California kid, but in
a sense coming back home in the state of Washington.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
How are you?
Speaker 5 (01:32):
Thank you now? I'm fired up. Yeah, I'm fired up.
It's gonna be a fun time.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
I love it. I love it.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
All right, let's get into this stuff. And by the way,
we do have some audio we'll play a little bit
later on.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
Luke.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Apparently there was some sort of ping pong bet that
Donald hasn't hasn't fessed up or hasn't paid up on yet.
We'll get to that a little bit later on and
get your thoughts on what the Seahawks are getting in
the new quarterback in Sam Donald. But River, let's start
with you, free agent. You've been to a couple different
teams the league. Coming from Miami, how did Seattle come about?
And Wi FI here in Seattle with the Seahawks.
Speaker 5 (02:07):
A number of different reasons. I'd say the biggest reason
is my wife is from Seattle. This is basically home
for us. We both went to Washington State, so we
spent a lot of time in Seattle. It's always been
a dream dream of mine to play there. But secondly,
with Clint Kubiak, him and I spent some time together
(02:27):
when I was back playing for the Broncos a few
years ago, and that's how we got to know each
other a little bit. And when he got hired here.
You know, the offense that he's running is is an
offense I'm very familiar with. Spent two years in San Francisco,
three years in Miami, and even one in Denver learning
this offense. So I've been a part of this offensive
scheme for six years now and going on. And I
(02:52):
think just my familiarity with the offense is really what
helped Clint make that decision, and in the relationship that
that we built during our time in Denver, and we
stayed in touch throughout the years, so that's kind of
been the driving force to make all this happen.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
Uh, Luke, you know, you know Rivers game as well
as anybody. I know, it's been a few years since
you played with him. What are the Seahawks getting in
River Craycraft?
Speaker 6 (03:18):
I get in a total stud I mean, that's no
doubt why he's been in the league for so long,
and he's just gone through a lot of adversity, but
he has no quit. You know, he's he's all grit
and I mean us Kook fans know him, no him
real well. You get a gamer out there and he
elevates the group and it's not just the things he
does on the field, but his presence off of it
(03:41):
and the leadership he brings. And I mean, Riv's just
one of those guys you want in the foxhole with this,
So Seattle they're very lucky.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
I love it when we get back to River in
a second, Luke, tell people what you're up to these days.
Speaker 6 (03:54):
Yeah, I'm doing mind strength coaching, you know, so I
help athletes and coaches out in that department able to
unlock their full God given potential through strengthening their minds.
You work on your body in the weight room, you
get strong that way. You work on your skills on
the field or on the court, but what are you
doing with your most valuable asset? And so many athletes
(04:14):
and coaches take it for granted. And I was fortunate
enough to have a mental performance coach while I was playing,
and that was really the difference maker for me. As
you all know, I wasn't very athletic, so I had
to find some way to be able to, I guess,
make up for it. So I've been able to help
athletes out and coaches, and it was something I utilized
when I.
Speaker 4 (04:33):
Was coaching at the quaenent level and now I'm doing
privately and it's been a lot of fun. We've got
a lot of great traction going right now.
Speaker 6 (04:40):
And I actually be up in seattles speaking at Skyline
High School for the surrounding schools on June twelfth for
anybody wants to come out, so it'd be a fun time.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
Wait a second, I know the connection there. I know
the connection. Yeah, I know the connection there.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
You're gonna go up the guy that uh I think
he finally exhausted his eligibility after twelve years. It wazoo
our our guy, Peyton Polor, right, the new head coach
up there at Skyle. Actually I say new head coach.
He'll be his second year, I think as a head coach.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Peyton.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
I'll tell you that, guys both this, I'm gonna you'll
love this.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
This is way too inside for everybody else.
Speaker 3 (05:18):
Peyton Poloor and Colton Teglovich and uh and Bo Glover
play in my cheer. I'm a charity golf turnment every year,
and those knuckleheads are out there every year playing in it,
and and some of the benefits go to it's split
three ways. Avery Huffman DIPG Foundation for Brandon Huffman. You
(05:38):
guys probably familiar with the Brandon of his daughter who
passed away from a pediactor brain cancer, Jordan Morris Diabetes Foundation,
he's a Sounders player. And then the other third goes
to Helenski's Hope, which I know would be very near
and dear to both your hearts as well. So those
those guys come out every year, and I'm on a
text chain with him. I told those guys last night
that I'm having you on and and so you know,
(05:59):
feel free to share any stories about about those guys,
Peyton or Bow or anybody if you want.
Speaker 4 (06:04):
Oh man, I don't know if it's uh, I don't
know if I.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
Can't riff anything, you guys the griff absolutely not.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
That means the good stories are out there that sing.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
I think it was Colton Taglovic.
Speaker 6 (06:22):
He might have thrown a dart at one of our
buddies backs in Pullman one time.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
So anyways, I'll just leave. We can't really share the stories.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
Uh well, that's what you get with the JC kid
like that that comes into the big school.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Hant just doesn't know how to behave himself. Well Colt
does he? They?
Speaker 4 (06:38):
Oh my gosh.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
Yeah, we might have to get you guys to golf
with those guys this year to help us out. It's
a ton of fun that we have an after party
at my house and uh the Uber picks up bow
And and Colton usually around one am. So, uh, well
does that shock you? Does that shock you riff at all?
Is that shock you.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
That that happens?
Speaker 5 (06:57):
That checks out perfectly?
Speaker 3 (07:00):
River Craig Craft, Luke Falk with us, River, the offense
that we're gonna see with Clint Kobiak with the Seahawks,
describe like just for the for us, Uh, you know,
Neo fights. Uh, you know that aren't the all twenty
two guys. Uh, describe what it is and why it
fits you, and maybe why it fits a guy like
Sam Darnold, the quarterback who I know you're also familiar with.
Speaker 5 (07:19):
Yes, I am yeah, sorry one second, yeah, No. I
won't give too much detail on the offense. But if
you've watched San Francisco, if you've watched the Rams, if
you watch Miami the last few years, Green Bay does it.
It's an offense. I've kind of taken my storm through
Kyle Shanahan and it's it's more of a condensed offense
(07:41):
to spread out the field rather than lining up. You know,
outside of the numbers, A lot of the times you're
you're a little more condensed. You like to hit inbreakers
and you know, everything is I think the objective of
the entire offense is to marry everything together, so the
runs of like the passes, the passes look like the runs.
I think that's the full objective. But basically, if you're
(08:04):
able to stretch the field by aligning in a condensed split,
that is kind of the objective to get the edges right.
So and then for your question about Sam, Sam, I
think is perfect for this offense, and I know he's
familiar with it from his time in San Francisco. It's
a timing based offense essentially, and this is something that
(08:26):
you know, with my last three years in Miami, this
is something that Tua was very elite at, timing, hitting
in windows, knowing when the ball is supposed to be there,
being able to adjust on the fly versus different coverages.
These are things that Sam is is meant to do.
In my opinion, I think this is one of his
biggest strengths, is not only throwing the ball well, but
(08:48):
throwing it on time, and I think that's why he
had the success that he's had. And I'm really excited.
Sam and I have been working out a lot. You know,
we live right by each other down here in California,
so everything kind of worked out, I see for us.
Sam and I have We've known each other for the
last maybe ten years, just kind of doing some off
(09:09):
season training together here and there, and now we're kind
of full time going, which is awesome. So I'm really
looking forward to it. I can't wait to get up
there and get it going.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
River.
Speaker 3 (09:20):
Is there an element of as you're talking about, you
know reading the defense quarterbacks gonna throw with timing into
space things like that. I know, the spacing and you know,
the condens for a formation is different. Is there an
element of air raid, the Mike Leach air raid at
all to that? As I describe it, it feels like
that's something that there's at least some elements to that.
Speaker 5 (09:41):
I think the air raid. I think the air raid
is almost a harder way to learn, which is why
I'm glad I did it before going into the NFL,
because it teaches you how to understand space. It wasn't
so much of a timing thing with Coach Leech and
the air raid. It was more about you being on
the same page as Luke, you know. So as long
(10:04):
as Luke and I were on the same page, you
know that ball might come in different spots, you know,
so you have to be ready for it. But as
long as you and the quarterback are on the same page,
I think opposed to this offense, you can kind of
expect the ball in one spot and it's your job
to get there where In the air raid, Luke was
able to throw us open. You know, he had the
(10:25):
free reign to decide for the defense. And kind of
choose where he wanted that ball to go, and we
just had to be on the same page. But I
think both are both can be successful. I do think
the air raid is harder because you have to have
the guys that can do it. I know the air
raid gets knocked a lot in college, but I actually
(10:46):
think it's harder than most of these pro style offenses
because you have to learn it the hard way first.
That's always been my take on the air raids.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
Interest.
Speaker 5 (10:54):
He needs its respect.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
Luke Faull getting River creade craft right now? River? Uh?
Speaker 3 (11:01):
Luke, you played uh, you know with with with Sam
in the NFL.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
What is Seattle? Where the Seahawks getting in Sam Darnold.
Speaker 6 (11:09):
Oh, well, not a very good ping pong player, But
that'll be good news to them because he's working.
Speaker 4 (11:14):
On his games. So you know, that's probably why I'm
out of the league and why he's in it.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
But we'll get to that second.
Speaker 4 (11:19):
Uber uber uber talented.
Speaker 6 (11:21):
I mean, that guy's got more revolutions on the football
with a spiral than anybody I've ever been a part of.
Speaker 4 (11:28):
Works tirelessly. Guy's a total gamer.
Speaker 6 (11:32):
I mean when we played him in Pullman, we were
up by a touchdown, and uh, Sam made like, I mean,
he just kept pulling things out of his out of
his backside on fourth down and just I'm like, how
the heck is this guy still around?
Speaker 4 (11:46):
And anyways, he's a total gamer.
Speaker 6 (11:48):
And you know, I think he's gonna fit in the
Seattle style perfectly and all the things Rivers is talking about.
I think that West Coast offense is perfect for him.
Speaker 3 (11:57):
Luke, you you were, you were with that organization with
the YEA. How hard is it to play there? And
I'm gonna maybe now, I mean, just I'm gonna ask
you about both the Jets and just New York. And
I'll give you an example from a different sport, our
hockey team who I worked for, the Crack, and they
traded for a kid named Coppo Coco. He was a
second overall pick in the NHL draft a few years ago,
(12:18):
and he was just getting I mean, it was just
brutal for him there in New York and he comes
to Seattle and he's just flourished here like just I mean,
he's he's and he's only twenty three years old, twenty two,
twenty three years old, but he's flourishing like he's having
it like he's it's a revelation for the young kid.
So I wonder is it a New York Jets thing?
Is a New York thing? You went through it as
(12:38):
a quarterback? How hard is it to play there? Because
I look at a guy like Sam hell Gino Smith
is a good example, right, gets out of New York
and all of a sudden he has success elsewhere. How
hard is it to play there for that organization or
just in that city.
Speaker 4 (12:51):
Yeah, I don't think it's a city.
Speaker 6 (12:53):
And I'm not gonna speak like to ill will because
I didn't have I didn't do great at any of
the organizations I was at.
Speaker 4 (12:59):
But I will say that leadership does.
Speaker 6 (13:01):
Matter, and being in an alignment and the pot down
uh so in that regard, you know, it makes it
a lot more challenging if certain people in the building
aren't the same page with what the vision is and
and how to push that forward. And I guess I
will say I felt a little more comfort knowing that
Aaron Rodgers didn't have as great as success there, you know,
(13:23):
was the eight that came before him. So but I'll
say this just the if the uh leadership matters, having
being being on the same page and whatever organization you're at.
I mean, there's a there's a handful of teams that
have a competitive advantage every year in the NFL because
of that reason, because the GM, the head coach, the owner,
(13:44):
they're on the same page. And then you know, some
of the other ones are at a competitive disadvantage because
it's like, you know, it's like different agencies within the government.
They're not talking to each other. So how are you
supposed to collaborate and communicate and get on the same page.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
Interesting stuff. By the way, Jess, do you have the
audio from Sam Darnold? Okay, River, you'll get a kick
out of this. So we we when when Sam got signed,
Luke text Jess and said, hey, something about a ping
pong bet that was gone wrong. Uh So I asked
Sam Darnold about that last week with Luke. Here here's
what he said.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
I love it. I appreciate you jumping on. I know
you got to go.
Speaker 3 (14:17):
I was told, Luke Falk, your your former backup in
the Jets, tells us that we're having him on next
week since Racougar's uh he he speaks very highly of you,
highly of you, except he says. He says, you owe
him for a ping pong loss.
Speaker 2 (14:30):
Is that right?
Speaker 7 (14:31):
Yeah, he's got my venmo.
Speaker 5 (14:33):
He'll be all right.
Speaker 7 (14:34):
He can he can send me a venmo. He doesn't
need to make that. He doesn't need to make that
national news. But I'm glad Luke told you about that.
And uh, by the way, you're probably I mean, you know,
you're probably psyched about the River Crakkraft news. I mean
he was. He's a Washington State legend.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
Man, buddy, I'm sam. I can't tell you how psyched
I'm about that. That's that's that's off brand Cooper cup.
I love it, man, and he can block. I'm excited
for River Man. He's listen more Koog's the better. So yeah,
I'm glad you're psyched about it too.
Speaker 7 (15:06):
Yeah he U No. We actually grew up pretty close
to each other and he went to Saint Margharitea high school.
I went to San Clementy. So in the off season
I throw with River a ton. So he's actually a
good buddy. But uh, yeah, man, he's I'm excited for that, obviously, MBS.
There's there's a ton of guys that you know, have
a lot of opportunity to you know, to make some
(15:28):
hay this year, and I'm excited to you know, just
kind of you know, just just play efficiently. I think
that's the biggest thing, is playing consistent and playing efficient
And if I can do that this year will be
all right.
Speaker 3 (15:40):
I gotta let you go because I know you've got
another thing to do, So go do that, and we
appreciate it. Can't wait to meet in person. Hey, thanks
for your time today, Sam.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
I really appreciate it, all right, and appreciate it.
Speaker 5 (15:50):
Man.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
There we go. Okay, that was that was Sam Darnal
last week.
Speaker 3 (15:53):
So one then will request, uh, Darnold, is what you
need to do there, Luke, and trust me? Yeah, yes,
looking at the contract, he's got the money and uh.
And then he talked about that relationship with River. You know,
you and River had or you and Sam had River,
which is great too, and and obviously having the familiar
with the quarterback is going to be fun. Uh so yeah,
we all trust me River. Everyone's psyched to have a
(16:14):
cougar here too. Many Husky's been rolling through that organization
for a while, buddy, So welcome to Seattle.
Speaker 5 (16:20):
I appreciate it that we we're fired up.
Speaker 3 (16:23):
Final thing, I got to ask you guys about coach
Leach uh and and the late great Mike Leach and
what I mean, what he did at at all of
our alma maters was just awesome at Wazoo and you know,
we miss him terribly. Luke, do you have what's what's
your favorite Mark Mike Leach moment memory that you had?
Speaker 5 (16:43):
Oh?
Speaker 6 (16:43):
I got a number of them I've shared. I've shared
a lot, but you know, first and foremost, I want
to just thank Coach Leech for all he did. And
I didn't tell him nearly enough while he was here,
So that's a regret I have. I think we had
a little bit of a riff later on in my career,
and anyways, I just wanted him to know how much
he really meant to me. In but I'd tell this
(17:03):
one all the time. Is we're playing Oregon State. We
were down by I can't remember seventeen points or something.
At halftime, you come in, you expect the coach to
be rallying the troops or you know, I guess making
some threats and demands and coach leaches and coaches off
or a locker room practicing is Spanish, and it was
just like.
Speaker 4 (17:23):
Nick Saban's not doing that, nobody's doing that.
Speaker 6 (17:26):
And then he casually walks out, if you guys don't
play with more effort and intensee, we're gonna scrimmage all
day tomorrow. And then that was a threat and we
end up winning, but just pretty funny from Coach leach standpoint.
Speaker 4 (17:41):
And then I'll share another one. I don't think I've
shared this.
Speaker 6 (17:43):
One with anybody, but we lost the Boise State in
twenty sixteen. Coach Leach the next day shows up two
hours late our team meeting, which wasn't a huge shock,
and he has three people stand up in front of
the entire our team, River cray Craft, myself and Gabe
Marks and repeat the statements.
Speaker 4 (18:05):
I don't know, you know crap? How about that? I
don't know crap? And we were just saying.
Speaker 6 (18:10):
We had to repeat that over and over and over
in front of our teammates until I don't know, until
he felt satisfied with it. So he felt like we
were freelancing too much.
Speaker 3 (18:20):
Uh, River, you remember that moment absolutely?
Speaker 5 (18:25):
Yeah, Oh my gosh. Yeah. We had a number of
things going there.
Speaker 3 (18:28):
We we Leach was, oh god, no, I was just
gonna say, Gay Marks has come on this show quite
often over the years. I can't even fe like the
relationship he had with Gabe was just one of the
most interesting things I've ever seen, because you know, that's
about as oppos as you get. But I could just
imagine seeing River cray Craft, Luke falk and gave Mark
standing up doing.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
That in front of everybody that remember that.
Speaker 3 (18:50):
Probably, I don't know if you have to do that
with Mike McDonald, I think it might be a little
different experience here.
Speaker 5 (18:55):
Yeah, yeah, hopefully not, hopefully not a unique experience.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
My favorite one was.
Speaker 5 (19:01):
After the.
Speaker 6 (19:03):
Go ahead, go ahead, Louke, I was just saying, Coach
Leach was a great mind strength teacher for all of us.
Speaker 4 (19:10):
So anyways, he he sharpened our sword in that regard.
Speaker 5 (19:14):
Did you have one River sharpened our swords? Yeah, I knew, Luke.
If you remember this, if you're gonna love this, I
think it was we played in Nevada. So we played
in Nevada.
Speaker 8 (19:27):
We ended up losing this game, and and it was
a game that we should have won, and we ended
up losing, and and some kid on the Nevada team
made a statement in the in the press or after
the game, saying Nevada is all about grit, Nevada is tough,
and Washington State's got all the bells and whistles and
(19:49):
and Leech loved that. So so we got into our
meeting the next day and and Leech pulls up the
interview for us, and let's us watch what this kid's
saying about our team after they just beat us, and
he says, you guys need to learn how to play dirty.
So he takes all of our gloves, you.
Speaker 5 (20:07):
Know, buyersers, wrist bands, whatever, all the accessories that guys
play with. I think gloves is kind of an important
one to take away, but he takes everything away, and
he says, you guys need to learn how to play dirty.
So from then on the rest of the season, including
the first game after the Nevada game, I'm talking game day,
(20:29):
we're in full uniform. He finally gave us the gloves back.
By the end of the week, we're in full uniform
with the gloves, and Coach Leach had this sandpit that
he had us roll through, and we rolled through this
sandpit every day before practice. He made us buckle up
our helmets, put our gloves on. Everything you were going
to wear during practice, you had to have on through
(20:49):
this sandpit. And he wanted us to learn how to
play dirty. So we would roll through this sandpit and
then proceed the practice for two hours out on the
turf with sand in every crevice you could think of.
And and he made us do this before a game,
which was hilarious. And we did this the rest of
(21:10):
the season. It was only one game, but we did
it before practice the entire season. It was unbelievable. He
played better.
Speaker 4 (21:17):
Not to mention we had to change locker rooms too.
Speaker 3 (21:21):
Oh yeah, did you go, Yeah, that's right.
Speaker 5 (21:27):
I forgot about that. Yeah, we were humbled quick.
Speaker 2 (21:32):
Yeah, brand new because that was the first year of
the brand new facility. Right And he's and.
Speaker 3 (21:35):
All of a sudden moving back to I'm sure yeah,
I'm sure the athletic department was loving that too, all
the millions of dollars they spent on that. By the way, Uh,
Coltonovich says, uh he thought it was actually Dylan hands
are through the dart at Nate to ride.
Speaker 4 (21:48):
Oh yeah, okay, he's claiming that's good.
Speaker 5 (21:52):
I knew Gill was involved somehow.
Speaker 3 (21:57):
Well listen, River you'll run. You'll run into that crew
often enough. When you get back up here. I'm sure
a great group of guys. Like I said, they support
my tournament every year and I love them to death
for it because it's it's for a great cause, with
the Lynsky's Hope among the others. So River cray Craft,
congratulations and signing with the Seattle Seahawks. We're thrilled to
have you here in Seattle, Luke. Look forward to meeting
you here in person at some point in the near
(22:17):
future when you're up here. Maybe I'll see it at
Peyton's event as well. And guys, thanks for doing this day.
We really appreciate it.
Speaker 5 (22:23):
Thank you. I appreciate it.
Speaker 7 (22:24):
Thanks man.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
There you go, Thanks a lot. There you go.
Speaker 3 (22:27):
That is Luke Falk and River cray Craft, River cray Craft,
New Seattle Seahawks fun stuff.
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