Russillo reacts to the start of the NBA playoffs, including Magic-Bucks, Celtics-76ers, Clippers-Mavericks, and more (1:32) before he is joined by ESPN's Todd McShay to discuss the uncertainty surrounding college football, the multiple reasons athletes might opt out, how the pandemic has affected NFL scouting, a potential solution for NFL teams looking to gather more information on 2021 draft prospects, and more (11:00). Then Ryen talks with Dallas Mavericks guard Seth Curry about being in the O...
Aug 18, 2020•1 hr 6 min
Russillo shares his thoughts on CFB media coverage and the new visitor rules for the NBA bubble in Orlando (1:15), before he is joined by Ohio State men’s basketball head coach Chris Holtmann to discuss whether the 2020 season will be canceled, Big Ten coaches’ plan for the 2021 season, recruiting at Ohio State, and more (18:14). Finally, Russillo shares his would-be NBA awards ballot, and brings back a rebranded segment, Stats to Impress Other People, before answering some listener-submitted Li...
Aug 13, 2020•1 hr 15 min
Russillo shares his thoughts on the dragged-out CFB verdict (1:33) before talking with Lakers beat reporter Mike Trudell about the Lakers' underwhelming restart in the Orlando bubble, the need to find their closing rotation, the ways teams are trying to stop Anthony Davis, the idea of "flipping the switch" for the playoffs, and more (14:37). Then Ryen talks with Jovan Buha, Clippers reporter for The Athletic, about the Clippers chasing consistency, the core player group when healthy, the effect ...
Aug 11, 2020•1 hr 7 min
Russillo shares his thoughts on the Lakers' loss to the Thunder on Wednesday night and on 76ers-Wizards (1:52) before talking with Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports and The Athletic about college football. The two discuss the new scheduling format for the Power Five conferences—the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and PAC-12—as well as the #WeAreUnited group of college players voicing their concerns, and who may or may not sit out this season (20:07). Finally, Ryen answers a listener-submitted "Life Advice"...
Aug 06, 2020•1 hr 6 min
Russillo shares his thoughts on the “We Are United” letter from a group of PAC-12 football players and on the bad arguments on both sides of the player compensation issue (4:20), before talking with the new head coach of Duke women’s basketball, Kara Lawson. The two discuss her journey from playing for legendary coach Pat Summitt at Tennessee, to winning a WNBA title with the Monarchs, to her time with ESPN and her coaching roles with USA Basketball and the Boston Celtics. She talks about workin...
Aug 04, 2020•1 hr 4 min
Russillo shares his thoughts on “player lists," more specifically the NFL Top 100 (3:15), before he is joined by longtime NBA referee and head of referee and development training Monty McCutchen. McCutchen tells some stories from his long career as a referee, and the two get into the weeds on flops, charges, and blocking fouls, the values Monty tries to instill in NBA refs, and more (15:04). Then Ryen talks with SI’s Chris Mannix, who is currently in the Orlando bubble awaiting the NBA restart. ...
Jul 30, 2020•1 hr 38 min
Russillo shares his thoughts on the Knicks bringing in Tom Thibodeau as head coach (3:03). Then Ryen talks with Mike Sando of ‘The Athletic’ about his 2020 QB tiers, the evaluation process, QBs who made a notable shift in tiers from years past, and more (13:12). Finally Russillo answers a listener-submitted Life Advice question (1:02:20). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 28, 2020•1 hr 16 min
Russillo kicks off the show with his takeaways from the first NBA scrimmages (01:00) and the media taking the dramatic angle in covering Mookie Betts’s contract extension (10:00). Then, private basketball coach Drew Hanlen joins the show to discuss his journey from hardworking college basketball player to coaching Bradley Beal (18:00), whether Jayson Tatum can be a top 5 NBA player (31:30), and traveling with Joel Embiid (38:15). The show wraps up with some life advice (01:08:00). Learn more abo...
Jul 23, 2020•1 hr 17 min
Russillo goes through Mike Sando’s "QB Tiers" from 2019 (04:45) before ESPN’s Malika Andrews joins the show to discuss the ever-changing NBA bubble (20:00), the arrogance of the Clippers (30:00), the Lakers’ hotel decoration controversy (43:00), Dwight Howard partying (47:00), and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 21, 2020•1 hr
Russillo opens the show discussing claimed college football championships (03:00), before former Patriot Willie McGinest joins the show to discuss the transitions from Parcells to Carroll to Belichick (18:15), Cam Newton's potential uses in New England’s offense (28:00), and his work with Julian Edelman for the Be the Change campaign (33:00). Lastly, Russillo gives some Life Advice before signing off (36:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 16, 2020•43 min
Russillo looks at Cam Newton’s conversation with Odell Beckham Jr., Victor Cruz, and Todd Gurley about replacing Tom Brady (03:00), before New Zealand Breakers CEO and former NBA player Matt Walsh joins the show to discuss R.J. Hampton’s play in the NBL (12:00), Matt’s time on the Heat with Shaq (21:45), and getting banned from the G League (26:30). Lastly, Russillo wraps up the show with Life Advice (44:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 14, 2020•55 min
Russillo is joined by The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor to discuss some things we may have forgotten about the NBA in its three-month hiatus that will be interesting to see come playoffs time (1:20). Then Ryen talks with Rebecca Cutter, creator of the Starz series ‘Hightown,' a show about the opioid epidemic and organized crime in Provincetown, Massachusetts. They discuss the show's inception, the process of shopping it around to different studios, the attempt to capture life on the cape, and more (35...
Jul 09, 2020•1 hr 12 min
Russillo shares his thoughts on Patrick Mahomes’s massive contract (2:38), before talking with president of Quarterback Takeover, Quincy Avery, about his winding path to training some of the top college and NFL QBs including DeShaun Watson, Jalen Hurts, Justin Fields, and more (14:55). Then Ryen debuts a new segment titled “Ryen vs. The Internet” and answers a listener-submitted "Life Advice" question before signing off (51:40). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoice...
Jul 07, 2020•1 hr 5 min
Russillo is joined by NFL analyst Andy Benoit to discuss the Patriots’ signing of Cam Newton, best NFL defensive players, and Andy’s research on every interception and interceptable pass from the 2019 NFL season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 30, 2020•51 min
Russillo shares his thoughts on the MLB 60-game season (1:59), before talking with former 3x MLB All-Star pitcher Dan Haren about the format of the 2020 MLB season, the ups and downs that come with being an MLB pitcher, stories from the mound and more (9:39). Finally Russillo answers some listener submitted 'Life Advice' questions (43:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 26, 2020•54 min
Russillo is joined by film producer Basil Iwanyk to discuss his winding path from aspiring basketball player at Villanova to film producer in Hollywood; what, exactly, a producer does; raising money for films; working with Ben Affleck on ‘The Town,’ Keanu Reeves on the ‘John Wick’ franchise, Benicio del Toro on ‘Sicario’; set stories; Hollywood tough guys; and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 23, 2020•1 hr
Russillo shares his thoughts about the NBA playoffs format and whether he thinks "older" teams will be at a disadvantage (4:10). Next he catches up with his old friend and host of 'SportsCenter' Scott Van Pelt about continuing to produce 'SportsCenter' with almost no live sports; recognizing student athletes with Senior Night;.moving from ESPN HQ in Bristol, CT, back to Washington D.C.; the NBA "Orlando bubble"; MLB misfires; and more (10:15). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoic...
Jun 19, 2020•1 hr 6 min
Russillo shares his thoughts on some of the players' concerns about resuming the NBA season, recalls the 1998 NBA lockout, and wonders whether NBA players could successfully start a league of their own (1:15). Then Ryen is joined by NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah to discuss his top prospects for the 2021 NFL draft, as well as some stories from his time as an NFL scout (15:20). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 17, 2020•55 min
Russillo shares his thoughts on the new info about the NBA’s return in the “Orlando bubble” (4:30), before talking with Super Bowl 54 champion Mitchell Schwartz about training at home for the 2020 NFL season, offensive lineman being a thankless job at times, transitioning from the Cleveland Browns to the Kansas City Chiefs, Mahomes as a leader, playing for Andy Reid, and more (16:45). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 11, 2020•52 min
Russillo shares his thoughts on spending my university programs, specifically about coaches’ severance pay (1:35). Then Ryen is joined by writer, sports analyst, and former president of the NFLPA Domonique Foxworth to discuss collective bargaining negotiations; the leverage disparity between the players union and the owners; Domonique’s career path from NFL player, to business graduate, to president of the NFLPA, to COO of the NBAPA, to sports media, and more (16:28). Finally, Domonique addresse...
Jun 10, 2020•51 min
Russillo is joined by Andy Staples and Bruce Feldman to discuss the important questions surrounding the start of the CFB season, including: protocols, testing, nonconference games, home-and-homes, ticket sales/fan presence, the return of academics, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 03, 2020•48 min
Russillo shares his thoughts on the rocky negotiations between MLB owners and the players association (1:55), before talking with 12-year MLB infielder Todd Walker to discuss his time on the 2003 Boston Red Sox, becoming fast friends with Pedro Martínez, the tension-filled 2003 ALCS, and their crushing loss to the Yankees in Game 7. Finally, Todd shares his thoughts on the negotiations about how to start this season (20:35). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 28, 2020•1 hr 11 min
Russillo shares his thoughts on “bad optics” surrounding the return of certain sports (1:13), before he is joined by The Ringer’s Kevin Clark to examine the NFL’s young QBs including Josh Allen, Sam Darnold, Kyler Murray, Lamar Jackson, Baker Mayfield, Daniel Jones, Jimmy G, and more (10:00). They also talk about Dak Prescott’s contract ambitions, how the coronavirus pandemic may affect the salary cap, the success of "The Match 2” and the pros and cons of having athletes mic’d up for live sports...
May 26, 2020•1 hr 5 min
Russillo shares some thoughts on moving houses, Dak Prescott’s contract negotiations, and takeaways from ‘The Last Dance’ (1:40). Then pro golfer Max Homa joins to discuss his 2019 PGA Tour win at the Wells Fargo Championship, the spectrum of golf course vibes, losing and regaining his PGA Tour card, overthinking on the course, people lying about their drive distance, PGA Tour stories, and more (11:44) before they answer some listener-submitted questions (1:02:50). Learn more about your ad choic...
May 21, 2020•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 129
Russillo shares his thoughts on Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Blake Snell's comments regarding the possibility of players taking a pay-cut for a shortened MLB season (0:55), before he is joined by ESPN's Jeff Passan to discuss the issues surrounding proposed changes to the MLB revenue split in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, health and safety protocols, Baseball's opportunity to gain a new audience, and potential consequences of not reaching an agreement in time (19:40). Learn more about your ad ...
May 19, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 128
Russillo talks about Scottie Pippen's refusal to check-in during the 1994 playoffs versus the Knicks (3:50), before talking to author of 'American Kingpin,' Nick Bilton, about the Silk Road, an Amazon-style internet marketplace created by Ross Ulbricht that featured illegal drugs and other items. They talk about the rise and fall of the Silk Road, Ulbricht's capture and trial, and more (13:09). Finally Russillo answers some listener-submitted questions (47:25). Learn more about your ad choices. ...
May 14, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 127
Russillo is joined by his old friend and UFC commentator Jon Anik to discuss the logistics of putting together a live television event today; UFC 249 results, including Greg Hardy vs. Yorgan De Castro, Francis Ngannou vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik, and Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje; Conor McGregor’s post-fight comments; and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 12, 2020•48 min•Ep. 126
Russillo is joined by Premier Lacrosse League cofounder and player Paul Rabil to discuss the return of professional lacrosse in the form of a 16-day quarantine tournament (1:20). Then Ryen talks with Bill Simmons and longtime Bullets/Wizards fan Joe House about Game 2 of Round 1 of the 1997 playoffs between the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Bullets (27:28). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 07, 2020•1 hr 51 min•Ep. 125
In part two of a two-part series, Russillo is joined by former collegiate and pro athletes to run through some of their best recruiting stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 05, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 124
Russillo answers some listener-submitted questions about buying a home, switching jobs, balancing sports with relationships, and more (1:12), before talking with The Ringer’s Bryan Curtis about today’s media landscape, how it has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, covering entities like ESPN, starting out as a young journalist, and much more (23:10). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 30, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 123
