ESPN's Laura Rutledge

[SPEAKER_02]: Welcome everyone to SI Media with Jimmy Trayner. [SPEAKER_02]: Thank you so much for listening. [SPEAKER_02]: First one of 20, 20, six, eight, guys. [SPEAKER_02]: Got a lot of nice messages at the end of the year. [SPEAKER_02]: Thank you, me, to the pod, stuff like that. [SPEAKER_02]: Wish me happy new year. [SPEAKER_02]: So I think, thank you guys for that. [SPEAKER_02]: You guys have always been great as an audience. [SPEAKER_02]: So I appreciate it.

[SPEAKER_02]: We have an excellent show this week. [SPEAKER_02]: Laura Rutledge, first time for me, having Laura on SI Media with Jimmy Trayner, obviously from ESPN. [SPEAKER_02]: a workhorse, as big as there is in sports media with NFL live and assassination and sideline reporting. [SPEAKER_02]: So fun chat with Laura Rutledge and then we have Salacata and train of thoughts after that. [SPEAKER_02]: Before we get to it, we did a, there are annual year and extravagant to podcast.

[SPEAKER_02]: with Peter Schreger and Andrew Pearl off last week, six years in a row, we've done a year-end pod three of us together, where we talk about people we want to recognize and sports media, refund some sports media stories from 2025, and give out what we love to watch and consume content in the past year. [SPEAKER_02]: So if you miss that, because it came out on New Year's Eve, so Decent Chance, you may have missed it. [SPEAKER_02]: Extravaganza with Shreger and Praloff was last week.

[SPEAKER_02]: So make sure you give that a listen. [SPEAKER_02]: Also Joe Bach, Iron Eagle, JJ White, Reece Davis, Reece and guests at the end of the year. [SPEAKER_02]: So check those out as well. [SPEAKER_02]: And please, please, please make sure you subscribe to the pod. [SPEAKER_02]: You want to leave a review on Apple. [SPEAKER_02]: I would greatly appreciate that. [SPEAKER_02]: And if you want to send in some emails, I'll try to answer some questions.

[SPEAKER_02]: And then, next couple of weeks here on the pod. [SPEAKER_02]: All right. [SPEAKER_02]: Let's get to it. [SPEAKER_02]: Yes, PN's lower Rutledge followed by Traneetho. [SPEAKER_02]: It's all right here right now. [SPEAKER_02]: Alright, joining me now, very excited to have one of the busiest people in all of sports media making headlines all over the place, Laura Rutledge for me is P.N. [SPEAKER_02]: Laura has a going. [SPEAKER_03]: It's great. [SPEAKER_03]: It's going well.

[SPEAKER_03]: Thank you for having me. [SPEAKER_03]: Big fan of what you do. [SPEAKER_02]: Oh, thanks. [SPEAKER_02]: I appreciate that. [SPEAKER_02]: Same here. [SPEAKER_02]: And like I said, making headlines all over the place. [SPEAKER_02]: Let's start with with the sprint that goes viral now every week from your signline report to the set. [SPEAKER_02]: I thought it was so awesome what Chris Burman did. [SPEAKER_02]: That was a total surprise, right on Monday night.

[SPEAKER_03]: Yes, I had no idea that that was coming. [SPEAKER_03]: They know that I am so maniacal about our rundowns that things have to be put in there as something sneaky. [SPEAKER_03]: So all it said in the rundown was special guests for busted up. [SPEAKER_03]: We do a segment called Busted Up on NFL Live. [SPEAKER_03]: So I thought, oh, cool, you know, they've got something in there different. [SPEAKER_03]: And I didn't ask about it because it was a taped piece.

[SPEAKER_03]: I thought I'll toss to it and I'll figure out what it is. [SPEAKER_03]: had no idea that it would be boomer and you know boomer just for a little peak behind the curtain has been beyond lovely to me. [SPEAKER_03]: I don't deserve how kind he's been to me and he's just been a great mentor. [SPEAKER_03]: So that meant so much to me.

[SPEAKER_03]: I was trying not to [SPEAKER_03]: You know, just get a little emotional about it, because you just never think in your life that you're going to have boomer and what I was doing is ridiculous right like it doesn't deserve any credit, but for him to have some fun with it. [SPEAKER_03]: It's something that I'll cherish forever. [SPEAKER_02]: I mean, I would love to know how many non football players have gotten a could go all the way from boomer.

[SPEAKER_02]: I mean, that is something to put on like the tombstone.

[SPEAKER_03]: literally like I'm I immediately said can I get this clip off because I want to you know put it up in my house and not because that's anything to do with me but because it's boomer and you know it's really cool I mean I get to walk into the studio every day that's named after him and you know we all kind of stand on his shoulders at ESPN he's the best to do it so I'll never get over that man I really won't it was so cool so take us through what goes on exactly so you're doing a post get I have time interview

[SPEAKER_02]: And then you actually get, and then you have to get to the set to do the hat to host the halftime show. [SPEAKER_02]: So how much time do you have to do that interview? [SPEAKER_02]: Is it the same time every week? [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah, so when we have two reporters on these big games, it's usually just one question with the coach. [SPEAKER_03]: We're trying not to keep them for too long.

[SPEAKER_03]: And the worst thing you want to do is, you know, when you're waiting for the other interview to finish to then to have your coach waiting and, you know, nobody likes that race. [SPEAKER_03]: We try to get a minute out pretty quick. [SPEAKER_03]: So usually it's about [SPEAKER_03]: you ever take, you know, 45 seconds for that interview.

[SPEAKER_03]: In this particular case, they actually had gotten Pete Golding first because Kirby was talking to one of his players, so we were letting him spend his time doing that, and that probably added, you know, maybe another minute to my timeline that I had, because it's really just a [SPEAKER_03]: No, I think you're I always know because here's what I learned about this You cannot panic in these situations.

[SPEAKER_03]: I mean, geez, there's so many like more important things in life that would actually be worth panicking over I always figure if I don't make it over there that I did make it over there But I also had full faith in myself to just run a little faster I actually was not going fast enough. [SPEAKER_03]: I should have been speeding a little more than than I was, but my heels were kind of [SPEAKER_03]: I had poor foot footwear choice there.

[SPEAKER_03]: I should have thought through that a little better. [SPEAKER_03]: But for me, it's like, I know we've been talking through. [SPEAKER_03]: I had already texted with the producer and Bristol during the first half of that game. [SPEAKER_03]: I knew what was going to happen. [SPEAKER_03]: We were coming on the air with a sponsor, soundful element. [SPEAKER_03]: Then we're going right to a highlight play that I just watched. [SPEAKER_03]: And then I'm asking the guys about it, right?

[SPEAKER_03]: And there was actually plenty of time, even when I sat down, probably a good 28 seconds [SPEAKER_03]: all firmed up on that traffic, but, um, no, honestly, it's, it's like a true joy to get to do. [SPEAKER_03]: I mean, I, I, I never in a million years would have imagined, I'd even get to do a playoff game, much less beyond the sideline, and also host the halftime show. [SPEAKER_03]: And, and then also, I get to host a post game on SEC Network, which is such a blast.

[SPEAKER_03]: We always have players storming the set. [SPEAKER_03]: It was fun to sprint to that, too. [SPEAKER_02]: I should have mentioned at the top. [SPEAKER_02]: So Laura, obviously NFL live, S.E. [SPEAKER_02]: Nation on Saturdays, sidelines for Monday night football. [SPEAKER_02]: Now sidelines for college football playoffs. [SPEAKER_02]: So there was so much going on there.

[SPEAKER_02]: Tell me, so when you have to do the hosting at halftime and you sprint over, how much time do you have between the time you get there to when you're on camera? [SPEAKER_02]: Like, can you breathe a little or you're right of where you're going? [SPEAKER_03]: No, that's probably about 30 seconds. [SPEAKER_03]: By the time I actually got there and got the gear pieces in and the mic and the whole rig number roll, there's probably about 30 seconds.

[SPEAKER_03]: So it really, that part of it is why it's essential that you have a good grasp of what's coming your way. [SPEAKER_03]: And the other thing too, I mean, I actually talked to Joe Buck about this and he had a great point. [SPEAKER_03]: He's like, doesn't it make it easier?

[SPEAKER_03]: like when you're rushing around and racing around and getting from point A to point B and you just sit down and you kind of just talk about it like hey what we see in the first half I think at times and I've been guilty of this we over complicate what this is right it's it's it's being in the moment it's bringing that to the fans at home that

[SPEAKER_03]: you know aren't there in the game aren't there in the stadium to feel what it's actually like and I found that I've hosted many of these half times when I haven't been on the sideline and I feel like I have a better grasp and you know even some moments I never want to take time from the analyst but even a few little pieces of info from the sideline that may not have gotten in the game in the first half that I can provide that wouldn't otherwise be there.

[SPEAKER_02]: Yeah. [SPEAKER_02]: So even before boomers thing, you were getting a lot of play on social media for the, you know, they, they got your running. [SPEAKER_02]: How did you like first become aware that this was become a thing where people were were into you running from the interview to the to the set? [SPEAKER_03]: Well, there was one that sort of got some attention when we did the first round Oklahoma Alabama game.

[SPEAKER_03]: And that one was actually more difficult because I had to scale, write, three flights of stairs. [SPEAKER_03]: Now put in, please, for people out there, they're like, oh, she thinks she's some big deal like doing this, I realized this is so minor and comparison to actual crazy jobs. [SPEAKER_02]: Because I have, I think it's funny.

[SPEAKER_03]: yeah it's hilarious right like it's just funny it's it's and it's a blast and it's college football like it's just so fun but um but you know so I kind of the I didn't think this one was gonna be anything like that the funny thing about this was I was actually on that sideline where the set was that was George's sideline but the way that the superdom is set up George I had to go into the opposite tunnel across the field so

[SPEAKER_03]: Originally, we thought, oh, this will be great. [SPEAKER_03]: You're right there. [SPEAKER_03]: You'll just hop up on the set and then we were like, oh shoot, actually get after run, you know, across the entire field. [SPEAKER_03]: And some people are like, oh, get a golf cart. [SPEAKER_03]: There's no golf cart down on these fields, right, that anything that's down there is a, is a, maybe there's a cart, a medical cart right for the players.

[SPEAKER_03]: They're not bringing some golf cart down for me like, right. [SPEAKER_03]: I just need to run. [SPEAKER_03]: I just need to get there and, you know, when Mike McQueen had originally pitched this to me last year, actually, the first time we ever did it was in the sugar bowl last season, he's like, you think he can get there? [SPEAKER_03]: I'm like, yeah, of course, I'll get there. [SPEAKER_03]: Like, I'll figure it out. [SPEAKER_03]: It was as simple as that.

[SPEAKER_03]: And, you know, it cracks me up. [SPEAKER_03]: Like, the guys, the analysts have been giving me crap.

[SPEAKER_03]: They're like, oh, you're running for, [SPEAKER_02]: Or Loskees like, wow, you're more athletic than I thought you were, you know, like that person's been really hilarious for all of us, just I love I love getting made fun of I love people telling you get a golf card, people look great alright, well so Thursday night Ole Miss Miami you'll be on the sidelines so we'll be we'll be watching for the sprint on Thursday

[SPEAKER_02]: Now the other thing is this been these post game interviews with Justin Herbert and Sam Darnell, which caused a big ruckus. [SPEAKER_02]: Now, let me just, I have to ask this question because I remember when the Herbert thing happened, I thought I was on another planet because I'm like, [SPEAKER_02]: I don't think he was rude, like he was in that moment. [SPEAKER_02]: He would have been rude if he didn't stop and do the interview.

[SPEAKER_02]: But he did the interview, so he did it. [SPEAKER_02]: It was right. [SPEAKER_02]: He did the interview. [SPEAKER_02]: Lord did her job. [SPEAKER_02]: I don't understand the big, like, we surprised by the reaction to that whole thing. [SPEAKER_03]: I was, um, honestly, I didn't even think it was going to be that big of a deal even in the moment, right? [SPEAKER_03]: I was like, oh, shoot, he doesn't want to talk.

[SPEAKER_03]: Okay, but I'll just still try because that's my job, right? [SPEAKER_03]: And, you know, to me, I, I, [SPEAKER_03]: Listen, people love to make a big deal. [SPEAKER_03]: A lot of things that are not that big of a deal. [SPEAKER_03]: And in this case, that is exactly what's going on here. [SPEAKER_03]: I credit him actually, Jimmy, for sitting there and doing the interview, when he doesn't like attention. [SPEAKER_03]: Right, that's all this is.

[SPEAKER_03]: He doesn't, he wants it to be about his teammates. [SPEAKER_03]: And we actually did interview Lisa Salter's interviewed another one of his teammates.

[SPEAKER_03]: But [SPEAKER_03]: you know we had agreed prior to the start of the game with the PR staff of the chargers that we were going to do an interview with Justin Herbert if they won the game and so that was part of my job that was part of what had been talked about and you know in my case and I think what [SPEAKER_03]: what's always been most important to me is that I with class and professionalism, I have to do my job. [SPEAKER_03]: I have to at least try and, you know, it's funny.

[SPEAKER_03]: Like, I hate bothering people. [SPEAKER_03]: It's kind of like sometimes I'm thinking I'm in the wrong job because I do not want to bother anybody. [SPEAKER_03]: I want to like just be, hey, I hope everything's cool with you. [SPEAKER_03]: I don't want to bother you. [SPEAKER_03]: You know, I hate that. [SPEAKER_03]: It makes me cringe.

[SPEAKER_03]: Um, so it really does like make me feel bad if somebody feels bothered by something that I'm doing, but yet, you know, again, um, our job is to bring the best to the fans our job is to show the fans what's actually happening down there and that's that's a key piece of it.

[SPEAKER_02]: Yeah. [SPEAKER_02]: That incident made me mad because I hate when I react to stuff based on Twitter because I remember seeing all these tweets like he was so rude the way he disrespected Laura Rutledge of Mike. [SPEAKER_02]: What did he like tell it to screw off? [SPEAKER_02]: Like I couldn't wait to watch the video and then I'm like, okay.

[SPEAKER_03]: He stood there and answered more than one question so like I didn't understand, you know, but he did and yeah, he totally didn't And believe me like I'm the first one to be sensitive to the fact that he had a broken hand and I mean he was going through some crap. [SPEAKER_03]: He's so tough like it was it was pretty remarkable that they won that game [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, and the don't thing is even worth talking back because you cleared that up.

[SPEAKER_03]: So, well, and let me just say it quickly. [SPEAKER_03]: I did want to have to respond to people on that, but I'm like, I'm not letting this happen to somebody else like he does not deserve this. [SPEAKER_03]: We had a full conversation. [SPEAKER_03]: He was so kind about it. [SPEAKER_03]: He actually thanked me later for giving him the time because that is a little rare like a lot of times you have to get those interviews done super quick.

[SPEAKER_03]: And it's just like much to do about nothing totally. [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, well, I saw the Dalian way, oh, no, not again, but that was not again. [SPEAKER_02]: And everyone's like, what's the one with you? [SPEAKER_02]: Let me get into like a little bit of your schedule. [SPEAKER_02]: I am curious about because you do do so much with NFL live and then as a nation and Monday night football. [SPEAKER_02]: The college is added on this this time of the year.

[SPEAKER_02]: But do you get a minute to breathe from September to January?

[SPEAKER_03]: No, and like I'm grateful for that, you know, I really am that this is beyond what I worked for my whole life, but I think what I found is that I'm like a chronic over-prepared and I love research and I feel like my whole career has kind of been built on that, you know, I was never going to make it in this business if I didn't lead with knowledge and lead with preparedness and all those things and so for me it's

[SPEAKER_03]: I've had to learn that I just can't prepare the way that I want to for every single thing. [SPEAKER_03]: I've had to say, all right, like look, you are going to compartmentalize this hour to get ready for NFL live. [SPEAKER_03]: And then the next hour and a half, you're going to spend on SEC Nation. [SPEAKER_03]: And then you're going to focus on this college game. [SPEAKER_03]: And sort of like segmenting out my day that way.

[SPEAKER_03]: I mean, there's been many times, you know, we're on the road for SEC Nation. [SPEAKER_03]: We're in a college town. [SPEAKER_03]: I'm doing the production meeting for that show.

[SPEAKER_03]: It's coming up on Saturday and then racing to do an NFL live call and then I'm running to do a Monday night football meeting, you know, with Joe and Troy and Lisa and whatever team we're going to be covering on that following Monday and I think just like learning that your brain is capable of a lot more than you think it is and sort of trusting yourself in that the one thing that's been surprising to me with managing all this is that. [SPEAKER_03]: Um, it actually makes you better.

[SPEAKER_03]: Like it makes you a better broadcaster. [SPEAKER_03]: And in all honesty, I am a little bit scared about a time when they don't want me to do all of this because I'm like, am I going to suck?

[SPEAKER_03]: Yeah. [SPEAKER_03]: Like am I going to suck if I don't, if I don't, if I don't work this hard all the time, I'm, I'm such a believer in reps and like, [SPEAKER_03]: you know, the Malcolm Gladwell moniker of like the 10,000 hours and putting all this time in and that's all I've ever known. [SPEAKER_03]: So I really lean on that and I think it's made me better on TV. [SPEAKER_02]: Which of your jobs is the most difficult to do? [SPEAKER_03]: that's a great question.

[SPEAKER_03]: I actually think the college side is the most difficult and a lot of it has to do with the way that that game has changed. [SPEAKER_03]: You know, you've got so many different players coming in. [SPEAKER_03]: There's not a lot of continuity sort of have to relearn it all over again every year and there's a lot of times where, you know, it's just easier to have the better handle on these NFL roster. [SPEAKER_03]: I go into these money night games.

[SPEAKER_03]: I've been talking about these teams all [SPEAKER_03]: but yet there's this like joy and purity to the college game that still exists despite what people say about it. [SPEAKER_03]: And I found that, you know, I lean into that side of it and those relationships and knowing everything I need to know just by, you know, following it as a fan.

[SPEAKER_03]: But then you do feel like you want to provide people with that extra something that they wouldn't just get, you know, by [SPEAKER_03]: Tuning in or whatever it may be so it's the constant battle of finding that and college football is hard You know to cover these days and make sure that you're bringing fans something that they don't already know

[SPEAKER_02]: so many teams and so many players to, I know whenever I've had college football play by play people on, they always say it's just so difficult to learn the rosters just to do the games. [SPEAKER_02]: True, you know, yes. [SPEAKER_02]: And if you're hosting a show where you have to know every team, I could see that that being a bear. [SPEAKER_02]: Do you have a preference on what you like to do more hosting or like the halftime interviews?

[SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, so it should be timeline reporting or hosting. [SPEAKER_02]: That's what I mean. [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah, so I love, I really do love both. [SPEAKER_03]: That's not a non-answer. [SPEAKER_03]: What I love the most though is hosting live on location. [SPEAKER_03]: Being in the environment, in the atmosphere, hosting in front of a live crowd, that sort of a skill set that takes a while to learn. [SPEAKER_03]: You're out there.

[SPEAKER_03]: I mean, people, there's a common misconception people are like, oh, you must have teleprompter, you know, like there's no teleprompter. [SPEAKER_03]: We're out there with nothing. [SPEAKER_03]: You know, just reacting to what's going on. [SPEAKER_03]: There's a lot that's planned. [SPEAKER_03]: There's a lot that goes into it. [SPEAKER_03]: The mechanics of the show. [SPEAKER_03]: I'm really actually thankful for SEC Nation all these years.

[SPEAKER_03]: Because it's a smaller, much smaller version of a college game day, right? [SPEAKER_03]: But it's given me so many reps and that type of... [SPEAKER_03]: posting, which is a muscle that otherwise wouldn't be exercised. [SPEAKER_03]: And you see where you stay best do this. [SPEAKER_03]: You see Scott VanPelt do this. [SPEAKER_03]: You know, some of the great, I mean, Chris Fowler did it so well for all those years. [SPEAKER_03]: And it's a unique skill.

[SPEAKER_03]: So that is what I love the most. [SPEAKER_03]: And then I hope there's always a component of my career where Sidelin reporting is part of it. [SPEAKER_03]: I think reporting makes you a better post and hosting makes you a better reporter. [SPEAKER_03]: So it's sort of [SPEAKER_03]: There's so many times I lean on things that I learned on the sideline or information that I glean there that then can be a quick ad to make our conversation better in a hosting scenario.

[SPEAKER_03]: So I love doing all of it, but I do love hosting the most. [SPEAKER_02]: As from hosting, what has been like your biggest on air, [SPEAKER_03]: that is a great question. [SPEAKER_03]: I'm trying to think I've had I've had a few on the sideline. [SPEAKER_02]: Oh, yeah, I was thinking, okay, give me the hosting thing.

[SPEAKER_03]: I'll I'll give you this like there have been a few times where in the moment you're thinking about so many different things you're thinking like, okay, I want to go here maybe I'm going to go here or what it and then like [SPEAKER_03]: you forget what team people are on, you know, like you just have a brain fart and I've done that a couple times and then I'm like, oh my god, and my analysts are amazing and they'll just call you out. [SPEAKER_03]: They're like, well, that was wrong.

[SPEAKER_03]: I'm always thankful for that because you'd rather just correct the record and admit your mistake than people be like, oh my god, she thinks she's right, you know. [SPEAKER_02]: Um, I think like, you know, [SPEAKER_02]: You know, people being robots, they like, I think we all do one make of a stake on a name and get a word wrong or something like that. [SPEAKER_03]: You know, to keep it.

[SPEAKER_03]: Actually, to keep it actually paid me what was was a compliment, but he was like, you know, the difference between you and, you know, maybe like a restavis or something is that.

[SPEAKER_03]: you make mistakes but you also own up to them and you have fun and you make fun of yourself and and basically saying like Reese doesn't make mistakes but she does it you know he's he's he's so flawless and perfect and that that's what i i hope to be one day but uh but yeah i do think there's like a self-deprecation that is very much part of my personality that that works in these moments you can't make too many mistakes uh quickly my my biggest signline gap uh this happened

[SPEAKER_03]: many years ago, but you could find it probably on YouTube. [SPEAKER_03]: I was doing a Kentucky Missouri basketball game, and I was interviewing John Kelly Perry at halftime, and you know, with Cal, it's like you asked the one question, he's going to go whatever direction he wants, so it really does not matter what you asked, so you try to just ask the quickest possible question to give him more time.

[SPEAKER_03]: So I had done that, and then we were standing by the student section of Missouri, and they were [SPEAKER_03]: I couldn't really hear what they were saying, but they were doing something. [SPEAKER_03]: And I don't know what possessed me, but I decided to ask him about the student section. [SPEAKER_03]: Bad question. [SPEAKER_03]: Like, what's he supposed to say, right? [SPEAKER_03]: They're telling me I suck, you know, but just awful.

[SPEAKER_03]: And he just kind of looked at me and ran off, you know, and like that was it. [SPEAKER_03]: And I am not kidding you. [SPEAKER_03]: I thought I wasn't going to be able to ever show my facing in the state of Kentucky again. [SPEAKER_03]: I mean, it was so bad. [SPEAKER_03]: the athletic director was upset with me as he should be. [SPEAKER_03]: I'm like trained, apologize to Cal. [SPEAKER_03]: It was a whole mess. [SPEAKER_03]: They ended up winning the game.

[SPEAKER_03]: But it was so bad that in the post game press conference, Coach Cal actually said, can you guys lay off this reporter like she wasn't that bad, you know, calmed out because the Kentucky fans were so upset. [SPEAKER_03]: But listen, I get it. [SPEAKER_03]: I that was bad. [SPEAKER_03]: I should have had a better question and I don't know what happened.

[SPEAKER_02]: All right, so the, so the student sector in the standing Aliens talk, you ask him what about the student sector, and he just left. [SPEAKER_02]: He didn't say it or anything like I'm not answering that dumb question. [SPEAKER_03]: I'm out of here, but I don't play them like what's he's supposed to say? [SPEAKER_03]: I didn't, I don't deserve an answer for that question, but you know what it taught me, you know.

[SPEAKER_03]: that is a good lesson is you know you always have different options and I I pride myself on like being very reactionary so I'm very much like okay this is you know this is happening let me make sure I'm reacting to the answer from the person but you need to have three or four other questions in the hopper just in case you know you're gonna ask another one and I didn't have I had some but they left my brain in that moment and that's unacceptable you can't do that

[SPEAKER_02]: that's a good one. [SPEAKER_02]: That is a good one. [SPEAKER_02]: You got to find it. [SPEAKER_03]: It's really funny. [SPEAKER_02]: Oh, I'm going to look for it for sure. [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, but also that with Cal, and even just like what we've mentioned with Herbert and Sam Donald, which we said we're much to do about nothing. [SPEAKER_02]: Have you, you don't have to be in name.

[SPEAKER_02]: But have you had an experience with someone where you did the interview and you thought that person's a jerk? [SPEAKER_02]: Like how do those DEEC care? [SPEAKER_03]: Not many, but there have been a few. [SPEAKER_03]: And you really, there was actually one this year. [SPEAKER_03]: I will not name names, but what will happen sometimes is I try to ask the shortest possible question because I don't want it to be about my question. [SPEAKER_03]: It should be about their answer.

[SPEAKER_03]: So what's best going to set them up [SPEAKER_03]: to answer this and not be listening to me try to prove all the things that I know. [SPEAKER_03]: You know, that's not my job. [SPEAKER_03]: My job is to get a good answer out of them. [SPEAKER_03]: So I was asking a really short question and this person still was annoyed and like trying to cut me off and I'm like, dude, I can't ask a shorter question. [SPEAKER_03]: You know, like that was literally like, what did you just see?

[SPEAKER_03]: So I think, and I get it. [SPEAKER_03]: Listen, like, they have such a job to do. [SPEAKER_03]: There's so often times where they're thinking about other things and, you know, it's not even

[SPEAKER_03]: actual personality like just they've become somebody different down there and that's real right the emotions are so palpable But you you definitely have a few interactions you just have to let it roll off right like you got to have really thick skin in these moments You can't take it personally and I really don't I just sort of file it away and say okay interesting the next time I interview this person See what happens But I would be curious Oh, I would be curious

[SPEAKER_02]: What is worse for you when you have to go do the halftime interview? [SPEAKER_02]: Is it like a team's getting their ass kicked and they're down like 21 nothing? [SPEAKER_02]: Or it's like 10, 10, and it halftime and it's very intense and I, you know, like high level of competitiveness. [SPEAKER_02]: Because I could see it both ways. [SPEAKER_02]: Like the guy down 21 nothing wants to just want to talk to any reporter.

[SPEAKER_02]: And then if it's a close game, that coach is probably [SPEAKER_02]: You know, 28, nothing worse is like how does that how does what is you bring go through with that?

[SPEAKER_03]: It's definitely worse when they're down and especially when they're down by a lot because it's sort of like, Oh God, I mean, and there have been times trying to think of an example where we just haven't done the interview out of respect to the person, like what's he gonna say, you know, and you don't want to put them in that bad of a position if they're just getting totally [SPEAKER_03]: wall up, you know.

[SPEAKER_03]: But the funny or thing that happens, or maybe worse, is when you were over there, like, set up so that we're there in plenty of time, maybe around two minutes to go in the first half. [SPEAKER_03]: And then all of a sudden, like, let's say they were up, I don't know, three points. [SPEAKER_03]: All of a sudden, quarterback throws a pick six.

[SPEAKER_03]: The whole complexion of the thing is changed and you're like, [SPEAKER_03]: You thought, like, you thought, oh, I got a good situation here. [SPEAKER_03]: And then you're thinking, oh no, and that I think is tough.

[SPEAKER_03]: The other thing that can be interesting when it can go, you sort of get yourself ready and brace for impact is when the officials have been part of the game in a way that they don't like or there's been a call that they didn't like right before the half and they're kind of like getting into somebody and then they come to you and you're like, [SPEAKER_03]: Hey coach, how you doing?

[SPEAKER_03]: You feel like you're in the middle of something that you don't want to be in the middle of. [SPEAKER_03]: Because again, we love bringing people the reality of what's going on. [SPEAKER_03]: I think that is the whole purpose, right? [SPEAKER_03]: But you also pay being in the middle of something that is frustrating at times for them. [SPEAKER_02]: You know, I would be a terrible sign of my report because in that spot, I was like, Oh, child, bad of these ruffs.

[SPEAKER_03]: It's like, I know my god. [SPEAKER_03]: I actually did one time I asked this was a couple years ago. [SPEAKER_03]: I asked Steve Syracusion at halftime. [SPEAKER_03]: They had had like, [SPEAKER_03]: eight penalties or something like all of them run the O line. [SPEAKER_03]: It was it was bad. [SPEAKER_03]: And I didn't ask it. [SPEAKER_03]: I asked it in a way like, you know, how do you clean up the penalties?

[SPEAKER_03]: And he fire back at me is like, well, maybe if the ref stone column, you know, which, which was right, like he was very frustrated that was his perspective. [SPEAKER_03]: And then. [SPEAKER_03]: it was such a quick answer and I was tossing over to Holly Row. [SPEAKER_03]: So I wanted to follow up so bad, but I'm like, oh, shoot, I have to go. [SPEAKER_03]: So I sort of had this pause moment, so people were like, oh, she didn't expect that.

[SPEAKER_03]: She should have been more ready. [SPEAKER_03]: And really, I was trying to decide could I push it and ask him another question. [SPEAKER_03]: I follow directions and toss it over. [SPEAKER_03]: But yeah, that was one where I'm asking about the officiating and he was like, yeah, let me blame the [SPEAKER_03]: He had a case. [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, that's a people like me love.

[SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, so what you've got you've got Houston Pittsburgh Monday night Do you know which sideline you'll be on I have Houston? [SPEAKER_02]: Okay, cuz I was okay Because I was gonna say if you're on Pittsburgh like is it just an automatic if they lose that you go up to Aaron like Aaron Rogers After the game is this your last game like it seems like Yes, well, so it's interesting. [SPEAKER_02]: He's gonna be pissed and then [SPEAKER_03]: He is lovely about interviews.

[SPEAKER_03]: He's really good about, for the most part, doing those post game interviews. [SPEAKER_03]: But we only interview him if they went. [SPEAKER_03]: So that's the whole key is like... That's okay. [SPEAKER_03]: Oh, I blame, okay, sorry. [SPEAKER_03]: That Chris Feller was texting something I want to make sure they're not the brawler. [SPEAKER_03]: So anyway, we would only interview him if they win.

[SPEAKER_03]: Which then which means that really those questions will be asked in the press conference later if they live as you know, okay, so you don't do something with the loo, okay, but maybe maybe that's later, like I'm going to be later in the play now in this case, I don't know, it's good to wait like maybe yeah, yeah, you have Houston. [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, so you'll be on Houston sideline.

[SPEAKER_02]: Okay, so if they lose it's it's Pittsburgh losing that's the juice you're story because of Tomlin and Rogers, I guess. [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah, you're right. [SPEAKER_03]: I it makes me wonder like should we send somebody. [SPEAKER_03]: You know, tell Lisa, you got to go in there. [SPEAKER_03]: Lisa Salters has Pittsburgh, like maybe maybe she should try to get an interview with Rogers. [SPEAKER_03]: If that happens, I'm going to give you credit.

[SPEAKER_02]: Okay, I'll take it, I'll take it. [SPEAKER_02]: Tell me, tell me in the listeners, like just tell me, like you're like your day to day, like your schedule starting, like from tomorrow, like you have that game, like from that game to the Monday night game, like what, what does all that entail? [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah, so tomorrow we're still trying to figure out the exact schedule, but early morning, I'll have sports center and all of those shows and we'll be doing some hits.

[SPEAKER_03]: We also for game day, we'll do an interview with both coaches, so I'll have peak oldings inside of Ole Miss and some reports in and around game day, normally we kind of do something in the lead up to the game as well. [SPEAKER_03]: And then we will... [SPEAKER_03]: from there, I'll host SEC Nation for a couple hours, pop off of that to go do silent for the game, doing halftime on SEC Network.

[SPEAKER_03]: So, Reece Davis will manage the ESPN halftime, but all who's the halftime show on SEC Network, then do the post game show, and then I'll red eye back to Connecticut, go home for like,

[SPEAKER_03]: little over 24 hours see my kids try to repack because it's going to be really cold and in Pittsburgh and then head to Pittsburgh we'll do all the meetings and things for that game on Saturday and Sunday a combo of those two days and then on Monday you know Mondays are are pretty wild and crazy I all host the two hour NFL live on that Monday and then immediately [SPEAKER_03]: quick break before NFL Countdown Monday Countdown. [SPEAKER_03]: And then do a pre game interview.

[SPEAKER_03]: We're going to interview CJ Straud. [SPEAKER_03]: So we'll actually hear from both quarterbacks in the pre game of this game. [SPEAKER_03]: That's a little scoopage for you. [SPEAKER_03]: Which would be really cool. [SPEAKER_03]: It's a little rare that we do that. [SPEAKER_03]: But in this case, it just makes sense. [SPEAKER_03]: And then do the game and get ready for the next games.

[SPEAKER_03]: It will see if, and as you see, if, well, it's really just Ole Miss. [SPEAKER_03]: If Ole Miss advances that I'll go to the national championship and do SEC work. [SPEAKER_03]: But if they don't advance, then I won't go to that game. [SPEAKER_03]: And the next thing would be the divisional round game. [SPEAKER_02]: So you have to be in Pittsburgh on Saturday for the Monday night game.

[SPEAKER_03]: Yes, and I could go like there's a chance I'll go on Sunday depending on whether and all of that, but most of the time I like to get there. [SPEAKER_03]: make sure I'm in place, especially for the meetings and all that with teams. [SPEAKER_02]: That's funny. [SPEAKER_02]: You said that because what I was going to say is you strike me as the type of person. [SPEAKER_02]: I bet you're never late for anything. [SPEAKER_02]: I could see that you're always in any way.

[SPEAKER_02]: And I had and one of the times Joe Buck was on this podcast. [SPEAKER_02]: He talked about with Troy Ackman. [SPEAKER_02]: If you're not 15 minutes earlier, you're late. [SPEAKER_02]: You've got to play the clip of Joseph and Troy was like, yeah, that's true. [SPEAKER_02]: So if you don't even for dinner. [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, so if you work with Troy, you got you can't, you know, you got to wait this. [SPEAKER_03]: I, you know, Troy has been so generous.

[SPEAKER_03]: There have been a couple times where I've been, you know, in the Dallas area and I obviously I fly commercial just like everybody else, but if I can hop on with him sometimes, it makes it a lot easier. [SPEAKER_03]: So there've been some college [SPEAKER_03]: was able to connect with them. [SPEAKER_03]: And to go to fly with him, I am like, I want to be there 45 minutes early. [SPEAKER_03]: Like, I do not want to be holding him up at all.

[SPEAKER_03]: And listen, like, that's part of his genius. [SPEAKER_03]: That's part of his success as he is. [SPEAKER_03]: He is so punctual. [SPEAKER_03]: He is early, always, and, you know, that's, that's the way he operates. [SPEAKER_03]: So yeah, you're right, but you don't want to be late, [SPEAKER_02]: So we've talked about your crazy, busy schedule. [SPEAKER_02]: You mentioned you have two kids that you'll go see when you get home.

[SPEAKER_02]: And what, like, do you get time to watch a show? [SPEAKER_02]: Can you watch a movie? [SPEAKER_02]: Do you have any downtime at all for just, you know, some pop culture, let your brain rock scroll through TikTok, anything.

[SPEAKER_03]: there are definitely some nights where I do like a brain rot tiktok school scroll and then you know I get less sleep than I should and I wake up the next morning thing you why did I do that but sometimes I think it's like a complete like it's the worst feeling when you do this. [SPEAKER_02]: I've done that. [SPEAKER_02]: I'm like, what does this question with yourself?

[SPEAKER_03]: it was just gross like there was no need to do that and I'm like why am I feeling my brain with all this nonsense but um but I will say you also need some of that to like be a human and it's okay and there are times when I'll even get to a hotel room somewhere and I'm like oh I should be doing this or that and I'm like nope. [SPEAKER_03]: We're just going to sit here for a minute and I love watching forensic files. [SPEAKER_03]: I don't know what that says about me.

[SPEAKER_03]: But I'll turn on forensic files and just watch that for like 20 minutes. [SPEAKER_03]: Give myself this little that's really sad actually. [SPEAKER_03]: I have no life, but give myself this little moment of reprieve, right? [SPEAKER_03]: But the great thing is you know, the NFL offseason, it never really stops and NFL live as you're around and I love that. [SPEAKER_03]: But [SPEAKER_03]: I do get more semblance of normal that time of year.

[SPEAKER_03]: My husband and I have all these shows saved out that we can't wait to watch. [SPEAKER_03]: And we sort of like go on hiatus for five months and then reconnect, you know, for the other seven months. [SPEAKER_02]: Right. [SPEAKER_02]: Right. [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, husband is probably rooting for all missed to lose, so you don't have to work next week. [SPEAKER_03]: You know, there's a chance. [SPEAKER_03]: But at this point, we're like, man, this old miss team is such a great story.

[SPEAKER_03]: Like, let's just keep seeing it through. [SPEAKER_02]: It really is a crazy story that he left and there's still there and it's just you know I like if they win it all what that whole scene could be like with you know what credit does he get or this is that it's crazy.

[SPEAKER_03]: It's remarkable and I think Pete Golding probably deserves more credit than he's gotten to sort of keep this thing afloat and the players too right they're dealing with a ton and yet they said we're all good we're just going to keep winning. [SPEAKER_02]: Right. [SPEAKER_02]: Now, not that you need more jobs, but in doing research, I saw that back in the day, you did baseball. [SPEAKER_02]: You were your southern reporter for the raise in the Padre's.

[SPEAKER_02]: Would you want to ever get back? [SPEAKER_02]: Like, do you want to do all this sports or you're perfectly content doing NFL in college or, I mean, I don't know when you would have the time to branch out, but giving that ESPN has every sport in their portfolio, would you want to dip into something also your content this way? [SPEAKER_03]: I love baseball. [SPEAKER_03]: I loved covering college baseball to at EDSPN.

[SPEAKER_03]: My couple years being able to do Omaha is what some of my favorite memories in this job. [SPEAKER_03]: And listen, you know, I'm open to anything. [SPEAKER_03]: I love doing all of it. [SPEAKER_03]: Tennis, you know, if that ever became an opportunity, that roster is pretty full. [SPEAKER_03]: I'm so excited for everybody that's getting a chance to do it. [SPEAKER_03]: And I've loved adding golf, you know, doing the Masters has been just an absolute joy for me.

[SPEAKER_03]: And that was a bucket list that [SPEAKER_03]: I really didn't see a way I was ever going to be able to check off my list. [SPEAKER_03]: I just have loved golf and loved watching the Masters for all these years. [SPEAKER_03]: So to have a role there has been really special. [SPEAKER_03]: And I'm just kind of, we're going to see where this leads, right?

[SPEAKER_03]: And, you know, doing the NFL at this time when the NFL is so prominent and so many different [SPEAKER_03]: ways and is only going to continue to grow and college football is just fascinating. [SPEAKER_03]: It's been a real joy and I hope I can keep it going. [SPEAKER_02]: If if he has been came to you and said, Laura, you can only keep one of your jobs, which would you want to keep? [SPEAKER_03]: That's a really good question.

[SPEAKER_03]: I would say money and I football, you know, that's the, that's the dream, right? [SPEAKER_03]: And it's it. [SPEAKER_03]: there's never a time that goes by when I hear the the music even that I don't just like get chills and say, wow, how am I here, you know, and certainly a lot of hard work and effort went into that, but that doesn't always pay off, you know, it doesn't always end up that you get to do it.

[SPEAKER_03]: So as long as I get the chance to do it, that's the one that I'll cling to for sure.

[SPEAKER_02]: make sense and you know and they have the suit and you guys have the super ball next year because like I said I um I had Joe buck on I don't know maybe a month ago and he said East Pan is already prepping for that for that super ball after next season so that's got to be a big thrill for whatever you know roll you get there [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah, I mean, I think what's really neat is, is our Super Bowl year starts as soon as this Super Bowl goes final.

[SPEAKER_03]: And so we've got all kinds of cool plans with what we're going to do and, you know, and if I live role in all of that and it's it is it's a dream like to be even associated with the Super Bowl and I think what people are going to be real excited about. [SPEAKER_03]: I'm sure you heard this from Joe is just it's going to be impressive.

[SPEAKER_03]: what we're able to do with the Disney family of networks and the way the rollout, the synergy, the ideas and the creativity that's gone into the planning, I'm just really pumped for people to see what that all looks like. [SPEAKER_02]: That's a significant Super Bowl for two other reasons to let when I had John we talked about that that two bulls being played on Valentine's day.

[SPEAKER_02]: So I think we'll get a lot of good stories, not like couples breaking up and then after I talked about that with Joe one of the listeners email me and said you also forgot that that's a year where the next day is president's day. [SPEAKER_02]: So everyone's not everyone, but a lot of people will be off the next day, which is what everyone always wants with the Super Bowl.

[SPEAKER_02]: So you have like all these people who will probably go even harder, Super Bowl Sunday, because they're off the next day. [SPEAKER_02]: It's Valentine's Day. [SPEAKER_02]: First one for ESPNs was a lot going on with that Super Bowl. [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah, I would just say to, um, you know, all the dudes out there like get creative on your Valentine's dates and just say it's got to revolve around the Super Bowl in some way, shape or form.

[SPEAKER_03]: You can still do a candlelight dinner, you know, and just have have our game on right there and and just say it's part of the deal. [SPEAKER_03]: Just get, get her a good gift, get her some nice flowers, and watch the game. [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, you got it. [SPEAKER_02]: You got to make sure you can't that's not one on the 14th, but you decide your plan. [SPEAKER_02]: That has to be planned out. [SPEAKER_02]: Wait, wait, wait. [SPEAKER_03]: You got to scheme this up a little bit.

[SPEAKER_02]: I got to ask you, because I had or Lasky on him a big fan of his. [SPEAKER_02]: He's great. [SPEAKER_02]: And a big reason that is just his food takes us so horrific. [SPEAKER_02]: Like how shocked you by what you see with Dan or Lasky's food habit.

[SPEAKER_03]: it's so gross like I don't and I love Dan Dan is one of my favorite people but when I tell you like I'll walk into we have basically one room at ESPN that's like a green room and we spend a lot of time in there I'll walk in there I'm like oh it smells like somebody pass gas in here and it's just Dan eating [SPEAKER_03]: eggs and chicken. [SPEAKER_03]: Like in this whole weird scramble with no seasoning on it, it's just like it's nasty. [SPEAKER_03]: Like nobody wants to eat that.

[SPEAKER_03]: And I love food. [SPEAKER_03]: I love to cook. [SPEAKER_03]: There's all- and more is like, Dan, you know, what if you tried this? [SPEAKER_03]: Like what if we change it up a little bit? [SPEAKER_03]: You add a little flavor to it. [SPEAKER_03]: No, I'm good. [SPEAKER_03]: The worst thing that he does, though. [SPEAKER_03]: This is the worst thing. [SPEAKER_03]: He will get a pack of mentos, mentos.

[SPEAKER_03]: Like mentos are, I don't know, two calories a bite or whatever they are, he'll chew them up and then spit them out back and back on the table. [SPEAKER_03]: While we're doing the show, there's just spitting, you know, chewed up, he doesn't want the calories. [SPEAKER_03]: He always says a minute on the lips is a lifetime on the hips or some nonsense like that. [SPEAKER_03]: The guy has no body fat, but he's over here spitting out mentos, like they're gonna give him some, you know,

[SPEAKER_02]: Like I can listen whatever his preferences are everyone's entitled to eat whatever they want But then he comes out like the food takes on Twitter, and it's like Okay, but Danny's so authoritative we call it definitive Dan definitive Dan's like I am right about this and you're like Know you're not you're actually wrong, but okay, but he was on the last time I asked him [SPEAKER_02]: If he had a pick, would he rather have pancakes, waffles or French toast?

[SPEAKER_02]: And he said he'd rather have yogurt and fruit. [SPEAKER_03]: Which, by the way, he's trying to eat so much yogurt. [SPEAKER_03]: I don't. [SPEAKER_03]: He doesn't want a carb. [SPEAKER_03]: It's very weird. [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah. [SPEAKER_03]: It's like it's interesting. [SPEAKER_03]: You know, Tivo is similar in some ways. [SPEAKER_03]: Like, he'll smell a dessert, but he won't eat it. [SPEAKER_03]: He'll just get the smell. [SPEAKER_03]: Which I don't understand that either.

[SPEAKER_02]: I could appreciate that, though. [SPEAKER_02]: Like that, at least like you're acknowledging it. [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, so after, so let's, so a college football championship wraps up the NFL wraps up then it you get a little down time. [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah, well, we'll turn our attention on NFL live to the draft, which is actually really cool for me because it's kind of an intersection of my two worlds and I love getting to talk about these college guys on on NFL live.

[SPEAKER_03]: We'll do some coverage at the combine and, you know, free agency and things like that, but definitely a lot slower of a time than what has been these last few months since August. [SPEAKER_02]: It's slower for you because you're so. [SPEAKER_02]: You're on the air so much, but that time now, it's crazy how busy that time has become a free agency and yes, the schedule can don't in the draft like there's no there's no down there's not really the only kind of down time is like, may.

[SPEAKER_03]: I don't there's not really any other time I mean after the draft because then. [SPEAKER_03]: you get into camps for NFL teams and I'm always pitching Seth Markman in company like, hey, what if we went to some camps, like there may be some more of that coming, which I think would be great coverage. [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah. [SPEAKER_03]: And then before you know it, you know, the whole thing starts again. [SPEAKER_03]: So the NFL has mastered the year-round relevance deal.

[SPEAKER_02]: It's very smart. [SPEAKER_02]: Absolutely. [SPEAKER_02]: All right. [SPEAKER_02]: Oh, I appreciate it. [SPEAKER_02]: Come on. [SPEAKER_02]: So we'll see you. [SPEAKER_02]: So Thursday night, [SPEAKER_02]: Again, Miami good game. [SPEAKER_02]: We'll see Laura Spritt to the SEC Nation. [SPEAKER_02]: Have time. [SPEAKER_02]: Everyone's tired of me doing that. [SPEAKER_02]: Well, you got to put a spin on it now. [SPEAKER_02]: Now you've got to do something different.

[SPEAKER_02]: You know what I should do. [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah, I should do that or like a heel kick or something. [SPEAKER_03]: Or I should have. [SPEAKER_03]: I should put some people that I have to dodge like some people. [SPEAKER_03]: I need to make it a little more interesting than just a straight line. [SPEAKER_02]: Spice it up. [SPEAKER_03]: I know we're going to. [SPEAKER_02]: Let me. [SPEAKER_02]: Let me. [SPEAKER_02]: Let me. [SPEAKER_02]: with the Texans and the Steelers.

[SPEAKER_02]: So as usual during the football season, we'll be seeing a lot of Laura Rutledge. [SPEAKER_02]: And I appreciate it taking the time. [SPEAKER_02]: I know you're busy. [SPEAKER_02]: So thanks for doing this. [SPEAKER_03]: Thank you so much. [SPEAKER_03]: Appreciate you. [SPEAKER_02]: Take care. [SPEAKER_02]: Thanks. [SPEAKER_02]: All right, joining me now is he does every week for our train of thoughts segment from the said YTV in New York.

[SPEAKER_02]: That's spoken to him since before Christmas. [SPEAKER_02]: So we have a lot to catch up on. [SPEAKER_02]: My buddy Salat Tada. [SPEAKER_02]: Sal, how's it going? [SPEAKER_01]: Well, we have not spoken on the year, which is weird. [SPEAKER_01]: Because every time we do this, like I feel like, oh, well, it just all like it was text with you yesterday, or whatever, but you're right. [SPEAKER_01]: We had not spoken on the year since before Christmas. [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, all good.

[SPEAKER_02]: Oh, go off the air. [SPEAKER_02]: We have not, we have not, because the pod last week was with Shreger and Pearl off the year and thing we do is us out to the week off, and then we taped obviously right before Christmas. [SPEAKER_02]: So how is Christmas? [SPEAKER_02]: How is New Year's? [SPEAKER_01]: It was good. [SPEAKER_01]: I mean, I got to enjoy it having two weeks off.

[SPEAKER_01]: There was no SNY shows for the most part, so it was nice to just shut down and have that I was looking forward to that at the end of the year and spend some time with the family for Christmas and then getting stuff in order around my house that have been dying to do for a while since we moved in, which has been over a year. [SPEAKER_01]: So it was really nice downtime.

[SPEAKER_01]: I mean, New Year's, did you do anything on your [SPEAKER_02]: And I would have been sleeping at midnight, but these animals where I live were shooting our fireworks, like it was the front of the July, and no good. [SPEAKER_02]: I was not happy about that. [SPEAKER_01]: Fireworks, fireworks, barely have a place on Fourth of July. [SPEAKER_01]: They should not have any place on New Year's Eve. [SPEAKER_02]: And these were like bombs going off.

[SPEAKER_02]: It wasn't like, in fact, it was my oldest friend, my, you know, some seventh grade. [SPEAKER_02]: He texts me every single year basically at midnight to say Happy New Year, which is weird [SPEAKER_02]: He texted me at 12, 12, on New Year's, you know, happy New Year, blah, blah, blah. [SPEAKER_02]: And I wrote back all I want to do is go to sleep in these motherfuckers around here shooting my fireworks like crazy.

[SPEAKER_02]: So the next ad right back and say, I hope you know I didn't write happy new year back. [SPEAKER_02]: I apologize but like I just I don't understand the appeal of fireworks never have never well but whatever. [SPEAKER_02]: There's a lot of football the last two weeks and obviously we got to talk about what's coming up this weekend because it's phenomenal.

[SPEAKER_02]: I will say this [SPEAKER_02]: I did not watch one second of football on Christmas day, it was the cowboys and commanders and then the Vikings and lions and then the Broncos and chiefs because I have a very hard time watching the games where both teams are eliminated.

[SPEAKER_02]: Or in the case of like Casey Denver non-competitive with, you know, Patrick Holmes not playing like I have a hard time watching those games and if they're on CBS or Fox [SPEAKER_02]: Maybe I would have flipped over to them, but there's no way I'm going to Netflix for that. [SPEAKER_02]: So that for me was like a huge bust, but me or they still got, you know, 20 million for every each game, which was, you know, which I find, yeah, exactly.

[SPEAKER_01]: I was going to say I find it hard to believe. [SPEAKER_01]: My loan interest there would have been fantasy, but I think it was a limited. [SPEAKER_01]: That was a [SPEAKER_01]: Yes, right. [SPEAKER_01]: So that was championship weekend. [SPEAKER_01]: I was out my fantasy team was out by then. [SPEAKER_01]: So I lost interest in that and if you're not betting on it or pick it any of these games or whatever pulls you're in and you're not a fan of those teams and it's Christmas.

[SPEAKER_01]: I'm willing. [SPEAKER_01]: I watch maybe a few minutes of each game just throughout the course of the day, but I was locked in and watching movies with my wife or catch it up on TV shows or just hanging out playing with my daughter. [SPEAKER_01]: I wasn't watching the game. [SPEAKER_02]: And the Saturday games, I was into that that week and week, something like Texan's Chargers and then Ravens Packers.

[SPEAKER_02]: And then the Sunday, then they had the, that was a good, and the Sunday night was Niners Bears. [SPEAKER_02]: So those were all, that was a good week. [SPEAKER_02]: And then in week 18, you had the Saturday games with, [SPEAKER_02]: You know, I was really upset that the Seahawks Niners don't have to be a huge dud at 13, 3. [SPEAKER_02]: And the Sunday. [SPEAKER_01]: That's what it was shit. [SPEAKER_01]: I don't know. [SPEAKER_01]: We texted a little bit about it.

[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah. [SPEAKER_01]: I was trying to get into it. [SPEAKER_01]: I'm like, all right, well, four games I got to watch. [SPEAKER_01]: And then I realized there was nothing at one to watch.

[SPEAKER_01]: And even at four, what happened was the Panthers, [SPEAKER_01]: box game the fact that the Falcon Saints was the game that mattered the most on Sunday just ruined everything for me like you don't want to have two teams that have nothing to do with anything deciding a crappy division to begin with so yes outside of the Sunday night came with the Ravens that made up for the whole weekend but Sunday sleep outside of the Raven Steelers that was a waste and I got it I got it say like

[SPEAKER_02]: That would, you can't do a better job calling a game than Tereko did with that Ravensteel his game. [SPEAKER_02]: It was unbelievable how good he was because obviously the last play, the Miss Fjoggle by Loop, everyone talked about that. [SPEAKER_02]: He built it up for like a good two minutes. [SPEAKER_02]: He called it perfectly. [SPEAKER_02]: I feel like he said that up though when Boswell missed the extra point to make it 26, 24.

[SPEAKER_02]: Because when he called that misexual point, he was basically saying like, all the Ravens are going to come back here now and kick a field goal to win the game. [SPEAKER_02]: And I am surprised, I mean, obviously now Harbrao got fired. [SPEAKER_02]: I was surprised, I didn't see more people ripping Harbrao to shreds for taking a knee [SPEAKER_02]: on the play before the field goal. [SPEAKER_02]: It wasn't a 25 yard. [SPEAKER_02]: It was a 42 yarder.

[SPEAKER_02]: You've got to like, why would you not try to get yardage there? [SPEAKER_02]: I don't understand. [SPEAKER_02]: I don't understand what these coaches do in the last two minutes. [SPEAKER_02]: It's just on the right. [SPEAKER_01]: I did see, I saw some people rip it on, or I guess it just depends on who you follow on social media or some of that. [SPEAKER_01]: But, yeah, I mean, playing it safe in that spot doesn't make any sense.

[SPEAKER_01]: It should have been a bit [SPEAKER_02]: Right, I'll say this. [SPEAKER_02]: The best thing about not working for two weeks. [SPEAKER_02]: I mean, I was off basically from the 23rd to the fifth. [SPEAKER_02]: The single best thing about that was barely being on Twitter. [SPEAKER_02]: By far in a way, the single best thing, like I would check it, you know, maybe two, three times a day instead of every five minutes.

[SPEAKER_02]: It was, you know, there were a lot, there were things that would happen that like people would text me about like, what's you taking on this and I like I didn't even know what was going on.

[SPEAKER_02]: It is crazy that if you are not on Twitter, you do miss a lot, now listen, I think the stuff that you miss out on more times than not is just nonsense, you know, like Tom Brady and Alitarl, like I was like, I don't know what's going on, but like then you text [SPEAKER_02]: Oh God, it's just a life changer when you're not on that freaking cesspool of an app.

[SPEAKER_01]: I agree, but you and I for what we do have no choice, so like if you're my wife, I have a choice when I'm not working. [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, but right exactly the same thing. [SPEAKER_01]: And that's why I enjoyed those two weeks as well, staying off of social media for the most part, like not posting, not dealing with shit. [SPEAKER_01]: My favorite thing on that topic, and I texted you about this, your buddy Neil Best,

[SPEAKER_01]: when he said that he's retiring from news day also mentioned in his post on ex that he would be retiring from ex which is something like that usually doesn't have people like on retiring whatever blah blah blah but when you say you're retiring from ex I look at that and say god bless you man like I want to get to a point in my life where I don't need to be on social media and unfortunately that's not going to happen you know I'm lucky for another 23 years

[SPEAKER_02]: There was such a, like I would, I would be like, why am I in a good mode? [SPEAKER_02]: Why am I so relaxed? [SPEAKER_02]: But it was like, oh, yeah, I'm not checking my Twitter. [SPEAKER_02]: And I would check Instagram, I said this a billion times. [SPEAKER_02]: I know everyone has heard me say this. [SPEAKER_02]: It's insane to me how nice people are on Instagram and like their vicious on Twitter.

[SPEAKER_02]: But like, I got so many nice messages from people over the holidays, thanking us for the pod, wishing me a Merry Christmas, wishing me a happy new year. [SPEAKER_02]: People checking in on sale. [SPEAKER_02]: I hope everything works out with sale. [SPEAKER_02]: appreciate it. [SPEAKER_02]: Thank you. [SPEAKER_02]: Thank you for doing the podcast like it's it's crazy. [SPEAKER_02]: I enjoy checking Instagram because everyone I never get a negative comment on their fight.

[SPEAKER_02]: Someone will listen to this now. [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, certainly, but but for a fucking creative. [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, I also don't have nearly as many followers on Instagram. [SPEAKER_02]: So maybe that's sort of the the trade off there. [SPEAKER_02]: Well, yeah, so to recap, yeah, so I wanted to say [SPEAKER_02]: And I'm going to say one other thing, and I want to get like crazy into it, because I do, I, I, I, my huge, I love Rolovsky, but ESPN that crew can't call playoff games.

[SPEAKER_02]: Valoralovsky and Riddick. [SPEAKER_02]: It's not good. [SPEAKER_02]: Or they, or they got digital. [SPEAKER_02]: Well, they, well, okay, week 18, they did. [SPEAKER_02]: I'm sorry, yeah, not playoff games. [SPEAKER_02]: But that was basically a playoff game. [SPEAKER_01]: I didn't, I didn't know if you meant that they had another one coming up. [SPEAKER_01]: Valor's my issue. [SPEAKER_01]: I know you love Fowler's might not know.

[SPEAKER_02]: No, no, no. [SPEAKER_02]: I don't love Fowler. [SPEAKER_02]: If I was running ESPN, I think the first thing I would do is get Fowler off NFL football. [SPEAKER_01]: Yes, yes, I can't put it in the NFL football. [SPEAKER_02]: I should just say NFL. [SPEAKER_01]: But yeah, oh, well, I mean, I would. [SPEAKER_02]: I don't like him even on the big games on college, but I'm not McDonald McDonald should be there. [SPEAKER_02]: Number one college football play by play guys.

[SPEAKER_02]: Sean McDonald. [SPEAKER_02]: is their best guy, not even an issue. [SPEAKER_02]: But to shoehorn fowler into the NFL, and then Olauski and Riddick are just, they're doing, they're doing such in hardcore exes in Olaus broadcasts. [SPEAKER_02]: They've got a, that, they've got an ESPN has to do, if they're going to have a 5, 6, 7, 8 extra games, you know, a Buccaneacman can't call, they've got to, they got to do something.

[SPEAKER_02]: The single biggest sports story of the entire NFL season, [SPEAKER_02]: should be that the jets with the whole year would add an interception. [SPEAKER_02]: That's really one of the single most remarkable things I've had. [SPEAKER_02]: Like, there are guys that get two interceptions in a game. [SPEAKER_02]: There are teams that get three, four interceptions in a game. [SPEAKER_02]: They did not get one interception. [SPEAKER_02]: Like, I can't even get over.

[SPEAKER_02]: how ridiculous that is. [SPEAKER_01]: That's so ridiculous that it never even crossed my mind in my entire life that it was possible that an entire team could not like it's just not something I ever thought of before. [SPEAKER_01]: Right. [SPEAKER_01]: Some of these, some of these stats or numbers, whatever you are, it never even crossed my mind whatsoever that it would be possible for an NFL team to not have an interception for an entire year.

[SPEAKER_01]: I think they only had four turnovers period. [SPEAKER_02]: I mean 18 18 18 18 18 weeks and they couldn't get one interception, yes, it's insane. [SPEAKER_02]: The other thing I wanted to mention, sort of as a follow-up to last week. [SPEAKER_02]: So last week, we did the year-end pod with Shreger and Pralov. [SPEAKER_02]: And we discussed a lot of the top sports media stories of the year. [SPEAKER_02]: And I wanted to mention something and totally forgot it.

[SPEAKER_02]: I had it written down too, but I totally forgot it. [SPEAKER_02]: And it's well, I'll get into it with you because I want to just, because I do think it's interesting as sort of a wrap-up on 2025. [SPEAKER_02]: You can make the argument that two of the biggest sports stores in 2025, where the gambling scandals with Major League Baseball and the NBA.

[SPEAKER_02]: What I find fascinating about that, they've had zero impact ramifications [SPEAKER_02]: whatever, like, they were completely, they have not hurt either sport in any way shape or form. [SPEAKER_02]: So, like, people want to get all worked up about gambling and how bad gambling is and the players and this and games are going to be fixed and then people are going to tell, okay, fine, we've had two gambling scandals in each sport, they ended up [SPEAKER_02]: impact.

[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, no one cares. [SPEAKER_01]: No, which is crazy. [SPEAKER_01]: I mean, at first it was, oh, it's going to be a big minute goes away. [SPEAKER_01]: No, no one cares. [SPEAKER_01]: People are gambling has become so mainstream now. [SPEAKER_01]: I think that's a big factor in it. [SPEAKER_01]: Maybe, maybe they would maybe if the leagues cared more and they weren't in bed with the gambling. [SPEAKER_01]: I don't know the answer to it, but I'm with you.

[SPEAKER_01]: I thought that they were going to become a bigger deal, especially when you see majorly baseball pitchers, purposely throwing [SPEAKER_01]: to be a ball because of the bet. [SPEAKER_01]: I would think that that would be a we talk about compromising the integrity of the sport.

[SPEAKER_01]: It doesn't get any worse than that from sports and yet these stories were kind of just yeah it sucks here's the fun even let's move on if right nothing sticks they came [SPEAKER_01]: I'm into the college football playoff because I am not as much as I would like to have been, but I am rooting for Indiana and that Indiana Oregon matchup will be that to me is a must watch. [SPEAKER_01]: And maybe the first absolute must watch. [SPEAKER_01]: I'm shocked that Ohio State went down.

[SPEAKER_01]: You know, some of the upsets that we've seen here, I wish Notre Dame were in there, but I have not been as into it as I wanted to be. [SPEAKER_01]: Will you watch both games Thursday and Friday? [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, what does it give me the schedule exactly? [SPEAKER_02]: This is my amy-all misplays on Thursday and then Oregon and the Anna plays on Friday. [SPEAKER_01]: But yeah, there's no reason for me not to at least have those games on.

[SPEAKER_01]: You know, here's the, I'm just gonna be really for a second. [SPEAKER_01]: Thursday, probably not a problem. [SPEAKER_01]: Friday, you know, I got to get to a point where I could tell my wife that even though it's a Friday night and even though it's college football, [SPEAKER_01]: because, you know, it's been so much time watching football on the weekends. [SPEAKER_01]: It sure already knows that he was wild car weekend. [SPEAKER_01]: Don't bother me.

[SPEAKER_01]: We're 30, like from 430 to basically Monday night, you get to leave me alone. [SPEAKER_01]: I'm sorry. [SPEAKER_01]: This is the next two week and really three week ends for, I mean, through the Super Bowl where it's over. [SPEAKER_02]: Well, this is really that this is the biggest weekend in terms of [SPEAKER_02]: quantity because you have the two playoff games on Thursday and Friday.

[SPEAKER_02]: I mean, I think the lead, the line you need to use on your wife is that there's only three college football games, lots in the season. [SPEAKER_02]: You have one Thursday, you have one Friday, then the championship a week from Monday. [SPEAKER_02]: So that's the next week. [SPEAKER_01]: Right. [SPEAKER_01]: Okay. [SPEAKER_02]: Okay. [SPEAKER_02]: This is the weekend you really need to, there's a lot going on. [SPEAKER_02]: Because even next weekend there'll be no college football.

[SPEAKER_02]: And then you ought to game Saturday to game Sunday for the NFL. [SPEAKER_02]: So you could, you know, manage it. [SPEAKER_02]: But this is a tremendous. [SPEAKER_02]: So yes, so you have Miami Ole Miss on Thursday. [SPEAKER_02]: I'll be rooting hard for Miami. [SPEAKER_02]: I mean, I like Miami. [SPEAKER_02]: as a three point favorite in the game. [SPEAKER_02]: I want to root for Ole Miss, but I don't want Lane Kiffin getting any credit.

[SPEAKER_02]: That's why I'm reading against Ole Miss. [SPEAKER_02]: Even though he's not there, though some even him just being there for the regular season getting them there, I don't want him getting any credit after he left the team. [SPEAKER_02]: So in a sick way after we were for them to lose. [SPEAKER_02]: And then, yeah, I mean, the Indiana story on Friday is phenomenal against Oregon in the anniversary and half-point favorites, um, into both of those games a lot.

[SPEAKER_02]: And then the NFL, let's do this. [SPEAKER_01]: So is it is Indiana the favorite to one of the all right now? [SPEAKER_02]: I would guess so. [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah. [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, for sure. [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, I mean, the three and half-point favorites, I would assume that I've to be working in the United States futures. [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah. [SPEAKER_01]: I just so I'm just curious the way that what Ohio State would have been the favor to one of all they were still here.

[SPEAKER_01]: So now I'm assuming in the end. [SPEAKER_01]: I love their code. [SPEAKER_01]: She's old school. [SPEAKER_01]: Okay, so get while court weekend for me is we're talking about one of the best weekends in the sports calendar. [SPEAKER_01]: That individual round to me, or probably my top two period of all the weekends. [SPEAKER_02]: All right, so Saturday for a 30 the Rams are given 10 and a half to the Panthers.

[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, like the Rams there to cover to a lot of you know I haven't I haven't really thought about that yet It's way too early in the week is where we call this one's a morning here, but yes, if I had to there's no way I could put money on the Panthers and by the way We'll be betting these games like I've been absent for a while you come on say come on stand a little while Core weekend you got feeding I'm feeding for this get out of my way and let me get some action this week

[SPEAKER_02]: the best part of that is that you said, I've been absent for a while. [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah. [SPEAKER_02]: Like you're in school, bedding, you've been absent from bedding. [SPEAKER_02]: What a way to put it. [SPEAKER_02]: So one was the last time you made a wager.

[SPEAKER_01]: Thanksgiving might have been actually because remember I told you had those touchdown Paralyze things and then I thought about getting back and what I had was fantasy was given me juice and I was in this knockout pool fuck I don't even want to get into it the disaster that we had we ended up taking the Rams for a month and I thought for a minute with the audience. [SPEAKER_01]: Oh, no. [SPEAKER_01]: I still we were seconds away. [SPEAKER_01]: I told him.

[SPEAKER_01]: I said we got to get off the Rams. [SPEAKER_01]: I have a bad feeling. [SPEAKER_01]: Let's go with the Saints. [SPEAKER_01]: Let's go with the Giants even. [SPEAKER_01]: That was a Giants. [SPEAKER_01]: They stink. [SPEAKER_01]: They murder the the Raiders that day. [SPEAKER_01]: We were stuck with the Rams. [SPEAKER_01]: Anyway, now we're out. [SPEAKER_01]: But I had those two things given that. [SPEAKER_01]: How much did you have won? [SPEAKER_01]: It was a big poll.

[SPEAKER_01]: Now you would have you it's a survivor. [SPEAKER_01]: So we would have been going there was like 10 teams left. [SPEAKER_01]: it would have gone into the playoffs. [SPEAKER_01]: And now that's where it's tricky because you have to if you use the pile of teams, you're screwed. [SPEAKER_01]: You have no options. [SPEAKER_02]: So you made it to week 17 in a survivor pool. [SPEAKER_01]: It was a, yeah, it was a buyback though. [SPEAKER_02]: That's especially.

[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, right, which is why, but even with the buyback, there was a lot of people, but which is why there's strategy because it goes into the playoffs. [SPEAKER_01]: So even picking the Rams was faulty logic because why would [SPEAKER_01]: if you need them in the postseason, especially in the game like this. [SPEAKER_01]: So anyway, I had that as action. [SPEAKER_01]: So I had not played that, but I was just going to do a week 18, but the games were just awful.

[SPEAKER_02]: So there was nothing to be a friction with your friend before she had to take the Rams. [SPEAKER_02]: Many issues. [SPEAKER_01]: And then I tried to talk him into the Giants and he was like, oh, but the Giants. [SPEAKER_01]: And then we had the Giants and I was like, you know what? [SPEAKER_01]: Fuck it. [SPEAKER_01]: We can't go down with the Giants. [SPEAKER_01]: I'd rather go down with the Rams. [SPEAKER_01]: They should beat the Falcons. [SPEAKER_02]: You know what?

[SPEAKER_02]: I have no sympathy for you, and I'll tell you why. [SPEAKER_02]: You're a grown man in your 40s. [SPEAKER_02]: Why are you teeming up with someone? [SPEAKER_02]: He, well, here's why this one. [SPEAKER_02]: Do it by yourself and stop. [SPEAKER_01]: I know. [SPEAKER_01]: No, but this one, he got me in a knockout pool that we each lost our own. [SPEAKER_01]: Then he said, I went into the buyback. [SPEAKER_01]: I'm already however many weeks in.

[SPEAKER_01]: If you want to join me, I was like, all right, I'll join. [SPEAKER_01]: That's how that happened. [SPEAKER_02]: That's nothing to trouble. [SPEAKER_01]: I was moving out. [SPEAKER_01]: We're not at least like a blame myself and now in this case, I'm like, I told you now you ain't your friend. [SPEAKER_01]: Exactly. [SPEAKER_02]: No, is that pool still going as we get into the playoffs? [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah. [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah. [SPEAKER_01]: There's like 11 people left.

[SPEAKER_01]: I think a couple of people had bangles on week 18. [SPEAKER_01]: That's a brutal loss. [SPEAKER_02]: I don't even know what they lost their arms. [SPEAKER_01]: The rounds be yeah.

[SPEAKER_01]: so everyone's going to pick the rams and I pull this week if they have the rams left out correct if they have them available but that's the challenge and then remember you got to get through you know the week be beyond I think people are going to be on the rams this week and the patriots I would expect where I think that that could be an upset all right so let's all right so the rams you like to cover all right then Saturday night

[SPEAKER_02]: Everyone freaking out because it's on Amazon Prime, which I don't understand, I don't understand why people are freaking out because for the last three or four years, when I've complained about games being on Netflix and Prime, everyone tells me to shut up because everyone has Netflix and Prime and who doesn't have Netflix and Prime. [SPEAKER_02]: Now it games on Prime, people can play in it. [SPEAKER_02]: If I like to complain, I don't like to complain.

[SPEAKER_02]: I don't understand anyway, Amazon Prime Saturday night at eight o'clock, Packers, Bears, [SPEAKER_01]: Man, that might be the toughest call the weekend. [SPEAKER_01]: I would go Packers, even though my gut may be, Packers have been my team over the Bears all year long, but based on what we've seen at some point that you have to become a believer in the Bears, I'm just not there yet, so I'd probably go Packers. [SPEAKER_01]: I like the Bears and we'll put the Bears in there.

[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, it makes sense, that's a logical pick. [SPEAKER_02]: All right, Sunday early at one o'clock. [SPEAKER_01]: You're going, so you're going Panthers and Bears. [SPEAKER_02]: I don't know. [SPEAKER_02]: I don't know about the Panthers. [SPEAKER_02]: I might that might be like one where I do like a team total or something like that. [SPEAKER_02]: Sunday at one bills at Jaguars with Jacksonville point and half favorites. [SPEAKER_02]: Who do I?

[SPEAKER_01]: So my whole End of the season thought process was Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo that line is also indicative of I think a trap. [SPEAKER_01]: I want to say Buffalo, but the closer we get to that game, the more I think Jackson Bull's probably going to win that game, I would be adding the Jaguars. [SPEAKER_02]: Here's my issue with Buffalo.

[SPEAKER_02]: And I follow the Bull's closely because my friend, who I midnight, who I said to, you know, F.L.F. [SPEAKER_02]: basically when he said happy New Year because the fireworks is a die-hard Bull's fan. [SPEAKER_02]: He's come over many Sundays because he doesn't have the ticket, so when they, they're not playing, you know, at 425, he wants to watch him. [SPEAKER_02]: They have no weapons at all. [SPEAKER_02]: Obviously, they have Josh Allen, no shit. [SPEAKER_02]: James Cook is great.

[SPEAKER_02]: They have zero weapons on offense. [SPEAKER_02]: It takes a lot for them to move the ball up and down the field and score. [SPEAKER_02]: So I'm going to bet the Jaguar, so I think the Jaguars are on that little bit of a special kind of season type of thing. [SPEAKER_02]: Everyone should only am Cohen and now he's not in the near.

[SPEAKER_02]: So I'm going to bet the Jaguar is right at the point [SPEAKER_01]: All right, for a 30 Sunday, Eagles minus four and a half against the Niners, I would, this one I feel strongly about, I'm taking the Niners, I love the Niners, I believe they could go to the Super Bowl.

[SPEAKER_01]: I can't believe that they played that poorly against the Seal Hawks in that final game with a chance to get the one seed, I just think they're a better team, I think the Eagles have been playing with fire all year long, given the Niners confidently, given the Niners. [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, I don't necessarily, I don't feel that strongly, I think the Niners defense is pathetic, [SPEAKER_02]: I just like getting four and a half points.

[SPEAKER_02]: Like I think their offense can keep up with the Eagles. [SPEAKER_02]: So, you know, the Eagles, the offense. [SPEAKER_02]: up and down. [SPEAKER_02]: I like the points. [SPEAKER_02]: I just like getting four and a half points there. [SPEAKER_02]: That's why I'm better than I know. [SPEAKER_01]: Well, Eagles defense or Niners offense. [SPEAKER_01]: I mean, those are the two strongest units.

[SPEAKER_01]: So if you if you're valuing defense, I can see that you're taking the Eagles and also like you said, you're getting four and a half, so even it's a field goal game. [SPEAKER_01]: But yes, I would be betting the Niners. [SPEAKER_01]: Definitely. [SPEAKER_02]: And then Sunday night at eight o'clock, Chargers Patriots with the Pats giving three and a half Chargers. [SPEAKER_02]: I'm going to go patriots.

[SPEAKER_02]: My thing is this, I feel like I've bet the chargers of million times in that spot. [SPEAKER_02]: They always lose. [SPEAKER_02]: I think Justin Herbert is so overrated. [SPEAKER_02]: It's not even funny, but that's all other story. [SPEAKER_02]: Never wins a big, they never win a big game. [SPEAKER_02]: They never, never, never, now you're getting three and a half, which is important here.

[SPEAKER_02]: But I think Mike Vrable, I have a lot of faith in him, I think Drake May is just as good. [SPEAKER_02]: I think he's actually better than Herbert. [SPEAKER_02]: Herbert never gets the job done. [SPEAKER_02]: I like knowing when at home. [SPEAKER_01]: I am only picking the chargers and betting the chargers because of horrible. [SPEAKER_01]: I love them. [SPEAKER_01]: I think he's the better coach.

[SPEAKER_01]: Everything else would favor knowing on a home field or the way that they played one in the football. [SPEAKER_01]: They're all that stuff. [SPEAKER_01]: The pieces are there for the chargers, but I love Jim Horbo so much I'm taking. [SPEAKER_02]: Okay, but even if you think Hobba is the better coach, I mean, how much better is he than frable? [SPEAKER_01]: I think he's better, better enough to get his, you know, and also Brable, new team, different expectations younger team.

[SPEAKER_01]: I know Brable's been experienced in the postseason before with Tennessee. [SPEAKER_01]: I just think horrible is better. [SPEAKER_01]: Maybe some tricks up his sleeve, you're right about the charges historically. [SPEAKER_01]: The difference now to me is Jim Horbaugh and I just believe he's in one of the best kind of in a league. [SPEAKER_02]: I could not disagree more than I think it's going to be significant in that. [SPEAKER_02]: Like, variables just as good, if not better.

[SPEAKER_02]: I don't see that as a massive advantage. [SPEAKER_02]: And I haven't seen anything from all-bought as the charges had coachless. [SPEAKER_02]: A couple years to make me think, oh, this guy, you know, but I will see that. [SPEAKER_02]: I like that one up since that one. [SPEAKER_02]: I wrap up some Monday night, Texans minus three and a half at Pittsburgh. [SPEAKER_02]: I will have the most amount of money the weekend on Houston in this game.

[SPEAKER_02]: I don't think it's going to be close. [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, I mean, I want to root for Rogers their home. [SPEAKER_01]: I think the popular pick is going to be the Texans, you know what? [SPEAKER_01]: I'll probably do, that might be a game I stay away from. [SPEAKER_01]: Maybe do something side by because I want to root for Rogers. [SPEAKER_01]: I'll take Pittsburgh and the points and like I know the Texans are good.

[SPEAKER_01]: I don't think there is good as everybody's making them out to be the last couple of weeks. [SPEAKER_01]: I mean, they've struggled. [SPEAKER_01]: You look at the last couple of weeks. [SPEAKER_01]: They've struggled even get some crappy teams here. [SPEAKER_01]: So they're good. [SPEAKER_01]: They're defenses legit. [SPEAKER_01]: I don't think they're that good in Tomlin at home with Rogers. [SPEAKER_01]: What back right? [SPEAKER_01]: What's healthy here?

[SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, what yeah Yeah, yeah, and what last week and they should have lost. [SPEAKER_01]: So yeah, all right I mean, as long as he's healthy there. [SPEAKER_01]: I mean, maybe the defense up for the test. [SPEAKER_01]: It's going to be that that to me should be a field goal game either way. [SPEAKER_02]: I'll take the stealers [SPEAKER_02]: So yeah, no, I think I think it's going to be an easy one for the Texans.

[SPEAKER_02]: That's how I just think that defense is going to Do a number on Pittsburgh's offense. [SPEAKER_01]: So you know, Metcalf back as well for Pittsburgh. [SPEAKER_01]: That's true. [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, he'll be motivated. [SPEAKER_02]: I guess, but I don't know. [SPEAKER_02]: I was not I know everyone else was I was not like overly impressed with the Steelers in that win.

[SPEAKER_02]: I mean, the Ravens defense thinks they should have lost You know, I know people go on crazy about Rogers, but like two of the touchdowns the guys were completely white open. [SPEAKER_02]: I don't think that's going to happen against that's used in defense, but we'll see. [SPEAKER_02]: All right. [SPEAKER_02]: Before we wrap anything you watched or consumed over the last two weeks that you would like to mention. [SPEAKER_02]: Oh my god.

[SPEAKER_02]: We honestly we don't have enough time for this. [SPEAKER_02]: Like I watched the entire Taylor Swift documentary. [SPEAKER_01]: I rewatched the whole thing.

[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go slow, go

[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, oh, it's great. [SPEAKER_01]: I'm a huge tell us what they're now. [SPEAKER_01]: Anyway, I'm not the pit. [SPEAKER_01]: What you wouldn't watch the show. [SPEAKER_01]: The pit on HBO. [SPEAKER_02]: So he has what's funny about that. [SPEAKER_02]: Someone, I believe on Instagram told me I must watch it. [SPEAKER_02]: And I wrote back to the guy I said, I will, I will make that the next thing I watch.

[SPEAKER_01]: But are you, are you in, like, can you handle some gruesome scenes from a hospital bed? [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, I don't care. [SPEAKER_02]: That's, it's not real. [SPEAKER_02]: So I don't care. [SPEAKER_01]: Okay. [SPEAKER_01]: My issue is, and it's a great show. [SPEAKER_01]: Then if you have no problem with that, I think you would like to show. [SPEAKER_01]: It's a little too gory for me.

[SPEAKER_01]: And my main issue is now, I think I have everything that they all have or that I'm going to get it. [SPEAKER_01]: Like, this guy falls off the ladder. [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, now I'm like paranoid that I'm going to, but the show is great outside of that. [SPEAKER_01]: The other thing I texted you about this, [SPEAKER_01]: was, I just happen to stumble across it on YouTube, WWE Vault, which I'm sure you're familiar with. [SPEAKER_01]: Yes, incredible.

[SPEAKER_01]: Yes. [SPEAKER_01]: And by the way, they were doing like a live, like a live paper views and sequence, it was, it's just phenomenal. [SPEAKER_01]: But I saw something that had outtakes of behind the scenes. [SPEAKER_01]: Did you watch it? [SPEAKER_02]: Okay, so I'm glad you brought this up, because Sal text me over the weekend and he's like, you got to check out this thing on WWE Vault on YouTube. [SPEAKER_02]: It's on their YouTube page.

[SPEAKER_02]: And it's not the WWE official YouTube. [SPEAKER_02]: It's WWE Vault. [SPEAKER_02]: So you got to go to that page. [SPEAKER_02]: Now, I watched what you sent me. [SPEAKER_01]: Okay. [SPEAKER_02]: Thought it was okay. [SPEAKER_02]: It had good moments. [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah. [SPEAKER_02]: Well, a little down. [SPEAKER_02]: But on that page, they've got two things that I'm absolutely going to watch. [SPEAKER_02]: Well, they've got a 16-minute video of Jesse Ventura's greatest moments.

[SPEAKER_02]: Got to see that. [SPEAKER_02]: 100% will have to watch it. [SPEAKER_02]: And then they have a four-hour [SPEAKER_02]: Four-hour, rowdy, rowdy, piper, mixed tape, full matches, unfiltered promos on aired footage. [SPEAKER_02]: I mean, I'm not going to watch four hours of that. [SPEAKER_02]: But yeah, they also uploaded 90s, go crazy as golden era talk show moments. [SPEAKER_02]: You know, with like the pipers pit and the barbershop stuff, 100% I've got a lot to do.

[SPEAKER_02]: There's a there's a 15 minute no excuse me 27 minute ultimate warrior video so all of it. [SPEAKER_02]: I will be spending a ton of time on this channel. [SPEAKER_01]: Now, the one that I sent you was called like golden era out here or something. [SPEAKER_01]: And it was like, I think, yeah, and then we said, I think you're right. [SPEAKER_01]: Like there were some moments when it was like, Holy shit that was cool and someone was like, all right, whatever.

[SPEAKER_01]: But just to get behind the scene on certain things, whether it's the Mr. [SPEAKER_01]: Perfect, what do you call them? [SPEAKER_01]: Videos or vignettes, vignettes, thank you. [SPEAKER_01]: The vignettes, the Andre, the giant stuff with the salesman in the car. [SPEAKER_02]: see that's where they that I thought dragged out way too long. [SPEAKER_02]: I that was the there was a good stuff with mean gene and Oh, you're Alfred Hayes Right, well, me jean's cracking it up, man.

[SPEAKER_02]: Oh, yeah, the Mr. [SPEAKER_02]: Perfect stuff was phenomenal couldn't get the bull's eye with those. [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, yeah It was just it was really cool to see the unique behind the scenes been yet for something that we've only seen the Edd proper version air was it was cool [SPEAKER_02]: All right, so tell us with Doc the pit you the pit you finished it like you watch the whole story. [SPEAKER_01]: Well, that's this is the problem I have with Thursday and Friday night.

[SPEAKER_01]: We're in the middle of it. [SPEAKER_01]: Also, I think new episodes are starting to come out either this week or next week. [SPEAKER_01]: But we're in the middle of it. [SPEAKER_01]: So we've been binging on that. [SPEAKER_01]: So when I sit down Friday night, my wife says, all right, let's get the popcorn and watch the pit. [SPEAKER_01]: I got to say, all right, I got to watch in the Anna in the Anna Oregon and I can't watch it on Saturday or Sunday.

[SPEAKER_02]: This is like, [SPEAKER_02]: You don't say, or one must wife, there it is, that's it, God say it, and don't edit that out. [SPEAKER_02]: Um, two TVs can save a lot of problems. [SPEAKER_02]: The only thing I saw that I would recommend if you're, if you're a, if you're R age is the Chevy Chase documentary that was on CNN, the other night, I was, I think was on New Year's night. [SPEAKER_02]: I, I, I, I did the art today and watch it that night, um, two hours.

[SPEAKER_02]: If you're of our age, Saturday night live, comedy, those movies, flat show, that stuff, I don't think it was great. [SPEAKER_02]: I think it was very good, so I would put that on the list. [SPEAKER_01]: I would watch it, but I don't know where it is. [SPEAKER_01]: Can I get it streaming? [SPEAKER_01]: I saw it once it came out on CNN and I was like, oh, well, would it, okay, I'm streaming somewhere. [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, I'm sure it is.

[SPEAKER_02]: All right, it was good to chat again. [SPEAKER_02]: That's the first one of her first training thoughts of 2026 in the books and we'll see you next week. [SPEAKER_02]: Alright, my many, many thanks to Laura Rutledge, my thanks to Salacada, my thanks to you guys for listening, quick reminder, we did release a pod on New Year's Eve, if you missed it over the holiday, you're busy, obviously, off the work and stuff like that.

[SPEAKER_02]: You didn't catch it, go into the archives, check it out, it was the sixth annual year and extravaganza with Peter Schrager and Andrew Pralok, we also had Joe Buck, Iron Eagle, and JJ Watt on the pod towards the end of 2025, so if you missed any of those, [SPEAKER_02]: give them a listen, subscribe to the pod, leave a review on Apple, shoot me an email, I'm going to answer some questions in a upcoming episode, and that's it. [SPEAKER_02]: First of all, I want to 26 in the book.

[SPEAKER_02]: Happy to have you around again for another year. [SPEAKER_02]: I appreciate the support. [SPEAKER_02]: You guys have been tremendous, so thank you, and that's it. [SPEAKER_02]: We'll see you next week. [SPEAKER_02]: Stay safe and take care.