Get some facts and come back and Seebee. Get some facts and come back and Seebee. Don't throw out salaries or other things. Get some facts and come back and Seebee. You can't handle the true now told our players you need a bit more like a dog. We don't need a bunch of cats in here looking in the mirror. But I look good. I got my extra bands on, I got my other shoes. Be a doll. We don't need no meals, we don't need no cats. We need more dogs.
They are out a detainer. Ah, you're not that detained. We weren't good. There's no sense of asking me things about the game. I'm telling you. We laid an egg. So I'm not gonna break it down for you. He sucks, he sucks, but we laid an egg. That's all I have to say. Guys, I'm sorry. I'm not gonna break it down for you. Nothing went well for us. It's on us.
We have to figure it out every way eighty down. If you broke it down, could you really comprehend everything that John Twrtorola was just referring to, Welcome to the final hour of Exes and bros. Glad you're with us. Our pull question on Twitter and on Facebook. The Facebook is Exes and Bros. The Twitter account is XB Mornings. Here's what it is. Which National League pitcher should start the All Star Game? Should it be Paul Skeens
of Pittsburgh, Should it be Chrisale of Atlanta? Or should it be other? We'll give the results on Monday in the eight o'clock hour. The reason we asked that is because Paul Skeens did something special again last night in a one nothing Pittsburgh win in Milwaukee. Skimes through seven innings of no hit ball fourth pitcher since eighteen ninety three with two outings of ten strikeouts or more and no hits. His one point nine to zero ERA this year since his debut
on May eleventh is the best in the National League. His eighty nine strikeouts with thirteen of those by the way on one hundred miles an hour fastballs, are the most in the major leagues. He's the only qualified starter without a loss since May eleventh. He's unbelievable. He had a note hitter, as we mentioned in Milwaukee through seven innings and he was pulled after ninety nine pitches. They still won the game. He is dare I say that cliche is
is he must see TV. If Justin Verlander used to be must see TV and he was, do you think Paul Skens is he sure seems like he is. I will say this, I think a guy becomes that guy when those without a rooting interest in the Pittsburgh Pirates are looking at the box score, are seeing how he did, are seeing when he next pitches. I think that's the way it used to be for Justin Verlander. I think that's
the way it used to be for Max Suther. I know that's the way it used to be for Bob Gibson and Denny McClain back in the day, Nolan Ryan back in the day, Steve Carlton. I'm not thrusting Paul Skeins into that greatness just yet, but he is a guy that I think most baseball fans and even casual fans want to see the results of his start. He's been awesome. Speaking of results, the Tigers gave you some yesterday. Tip your cap to him. They beat the Guardians ten to one. They
won three out of the four. That's all you really ask for. Long way to go, but a hell of a series for them. It's their eighth ten run game this season, the most the franchise has had before the All Star breaks since twenty sixteen. Who was really good? Riley Green was really good, three hits, three RBIs. Matt Wierling was really good. A couple of hits, and he's been perhaps the biggest pleasant surprise the Tiger
season. Geoe Orschella had a couple of hits in three RBIs. Suddenly they've won six of seven, and you and I both feel like they should win Game one of the series against the Dodgers that starts tonight. Because Tarrek Skouble gets the start tonight. Kentamaieta shifted to the bullpen. That's a good thing. Well, perhaps overdue, long overdue, but that's a good thing.
We were just just before the break, we were talking with Dave in Hudsonville, who was a former coach, and we were kind of discussing parent involvement a little bit. I used to go to practice all the time to watch my kids, and I always I was always brutally honest when I coached my kids. I can tell you this. My oldest can verify this. We were playing a game on the road at night and I pulled my son. I happened to be the defensive coordinator. I pulled my son, and my
son was pretty upset. But he wasn't playing very well. He was a defensive end. He was just wasn't playing very well. So I pulled him. I said, look, you'll go back in when you're ready to give us everything you've got. And he was behind me while I was making some play calls, and after a play he says, all right, I'm ready. I said, no, you're not. That's the common theme when people get pulled. All it takes him is a play and then they're like,
okay, now I'm ready. No, no, no, no. I want you to sit and watch and truly absorb and get that hunger back and understand what it takes. And one of his friends who was a linebacker, and I rotated four rhymebackers in three spots because we played a four to three. He said to him, he said, at least it's fair. In other words, it's not just mean. You're his son, but he's still
pulling you. And I'm not making myself out to be some martyr or patting myself on the back, saying those are some of the things that I think sometimes today's parents forget They think, oh, you know what, my son's the best, he's got to play all the time. No, No, you've got to be honest with them. Sometimes it should be more difficult for your kid to be the coach's son than not. There has to be a higher expectation right. Too many times parents just I remember coaching baseball and a
dad showed up. He hadn't gone to one practice all year, and he starts trying to coach his son from the batting circle, you know, from the on deck circle. And I walked over to him between the fence. I said, that's not happening here. I said, you haven't been at a game all year, and you never come to practice, and that's because
you're busy. I can appreciate that. I understand it. We've been working with your son, who wasn't very good by the way, But I said, we've been working with your son really hard to gain his confidence, to improve his confidence, and to help him with his baseball to swing. You're not going to start coaching while he's in the on deck circle, I said, watch and enjoy give him space. Sometimes it's better that you not coach your son or your daughter. Trust me, my daughter didn't like it.
When I was running their off season programs when she was playing lacrosse. I pushed and pushed and pushed, and I pushed her too, and it got to be sometimes overwhelming, But you know what, it made her a stronger individual. So I think what Dave is saying is a good it's a good lesson. On the other hand, as a dad, going to as many
practice as I did, I also found where coaches would allow kids. You got enough coaches instead of sitting like you're in doubles in the off season, you got coaches centered around the middle of the field chatting it up while they got guys cheating drills left and right. Kids know that those kids cheat the drills. I see it. How come the coaches aren't seeing it and then they reward the kids who were cheating the drills. You can't do that,
So there's got to be a balance. I'm not saying parents are always right. They're not, but neither are coaches. And unless you have that rule that fits everybody, then you're in danger of losing a program. Now, if you had Micah Parsons on your team and he happens to be late for a practice or two. Maybe you turn the either way because he's that good. But if he's that good and he's your leader, you bring him into your room and you say to him, hey, listen, you're my leader.
You're setting an example for everybody. I can't keep allowing you to show up late to practice. You're better than anyone I've ever coached, but that doesn't mean I can't bench you or not start you at the beginning of the game. Because rules are rules. Kids notice that they recognize it. And we're talking just kids here. We're not talking at the collegiate level, because
I don't know what it's like to coach at the collegiate level. And this is so I love because I think every single college athlete or high school athlete, they have that one coach they remember that left an impression on them. So it's extremely important to make sure you make the most of it if you get the chance to coach exactly right. And I hope the coaches feel the same way, and I'm sure they do. I'm sure they do. The good ones do, and the good programs recognize it, and the good programs
have that consistency that's what makes them so good. All right, we dive into some football discussion. It's a good segue into some football discussion on some of the best running backs and safeties are. Where are the Lions players on those rankings? We get to that on the other side of ex'es and bros.
Across the great state of Michigan after this with Danzickerson, Hey, Tiger's fans, A new baseball season means a new season on Michigan's favorite island destination, Mackinawe Island, Baseball Spring and mackinaw Island things that return every year, reminding us what a great state we live in. Shake off the winter blaus, take in a game, and plan your trip to America's top summer destination, Mackinawei Island dot org. The good offenses all have one thing in common.
They hit with power, and for the first time in a long time, the Tigers are starting to hear with consistent power. The offense is starting to smooth out the wild swings in production. Tigers have now hit twenty two home runs in their last eleven games. Everybody's contributing teams are now starting to pitch them differently, so the Tigers are countering by being aggressive ruling in the account and not missing mistakes. They're putting constant pressure on opponents with lots of
base runners. They had forty two base runners the last three games against Cleveland and scored twenty three runs. It's only eleven games, but the Tigers are showing what the upside for this offense can be. Bill Simonson here from my good friend Josh Garvey. Now he's a managing shareholder at Doorn Mayhew's Grand Rapids office. Their world headquarters are in Troy, Michigan, on the east side
of the state, and they have locals all around the world. They have over five hundred and fifty motivated accounting professionals ninety years in business, and I mentioned the ten offices worldwide. So if you want to connect and partner with one of the top CPA accounting and business firms in the world, they're right here in Michigan, Dorn Mayhew's Troy office on the east side of the state, and Josh Garvey is a managing shareholder for their Dorn Mayhew gr office.
Right there by the S Curve, you'll see the new Dorn Mayhew sign. You can find out more just google Dorn Mayhew that's Doe rin m a y Hwordorn dot com. They're one of Americas and the worlds top CPA accounting and business firms. They're Dorn Mayhew. What's up, Michigan. You're listening to my good friend shep. The Huge Show is coming up later today at three right here on the Michigan Sports Network. Is this because it's a Friday? I would assume so? Oh yeah, the weekend is in sight chef.
That's good stuff. Welcome back x'es and Bros. Monday through Friday from six until nine. Yeah, Trent keeps us on our toes. There's no doubt about it. I can't necessarily dance to that good tune like one used to. Every day we have a Poe question for you. We put it out on our Facebook page x'es and Bros. We put it out on Twitter XB Mornings. We ask you to vote as often as you like today's question and we'll have a result for you on Monday. Today's question is which NL pitcher?
Which National League pitcher should start the All Star Game in Texas? Is it Paul Skins and Pittsburgh, Is it Chris Sale of Atlanta or is it other Well yesterday's poll question was which of these events are you most interested in? And we bring this up only because baseball dominates right now with fringe activity in the other sports. Okay, like Jamie Bickerstaff being hired as a Piston. That's a good that's good stuff. Free agency, that's good stuff.
But it's a short shelf life. And it's the same thing with these NFL rankings that we talk about on a pretty regular basis. It's all good fodder. But day to day, what are you watching? What are you following? Your following baseball? But there are there other things in sports. So
we asked you which of these events are you most interested in? Euro Soccer Championships, Wimbledon, which is down to the women's championship, the Scottish Open, which just played round one, or the NBA Summer League, of which most teams you do not know. I'm telling you right now. You look at the Summer League like I watch I know, kind of geeky. I watch parts of not all of it. I watch parts of the Lakers game the other day. No, not for the name. I wanted to see
Dalton connect, so I look at Dalton Connect. He scored twenty points. Just about every other player on that team. I had no flip, an idea, no idea did you? I don't know? Anyway, That's why we asked you the pole question. So what are the results, Trent Ballely of that pole question from yesterday? Which of these events are you most interested
in? Euro Soccer Championships came away in first place with forty one percent of the vote, Scottish Open with thirty percent, wimbled in with nineteen percent, and the NBA Summer League bringing up the re at only ten percent. And as always, we thank you for your engagement. Always vote on the question. We do find this stuff very interesting. Shep how about the NBA taken dead last? I guess yeah, it does surprise me a little bit.
I think I'm more surprised at the European Championships. I mean, can you name the two teams that are playing for the title right now? It's Spain and England and it's on Sunday at three o'clock. I'm a little anomaly because my brother is a soccer nut, so he's had it on all week last couple of weeks, so I've been following it a little bit. But I'm with you. I'm a little shocked to see that a lot of people are tuned in same. England was a pre tournament favorite co favorite. Spain is
one of four times England's there for a second straight year. Interesting though, interesting results and thanks for participating. We do appreciate that. I'm going to give you a name and tell me if you recognize it. Okay, all right, Will Baker doesn't ring a bell. Piston's summer league roster played at LSU. Dannis Jenkins no sir. Piston summer league roster six' three played at Saint John's. See I look at this entire there's there's three names I
recognize. Three on the Piston summer league roster. Ron Holland should be Ron Holland Jr. He's the first round pick. Bobby Clintman, he's who they traded for. And Marcus Sasser, who played for the Pistons a year ago. You and I both watch college basketball. I do not recall watching Aaron Estrada at Alabama, but he's on their summer league roster. Anyway, let's get in their summer league. By the way, the Piston Summer League starts
tomorrow against Philadelphia. We have a text let's get to the text. We do, and there's a lot to chew on. It's a little long, so bear with me, He says. Matt Manning has been jerked around the last three years, up down, back up, then back down, holed from starts early, and that kid has sandpaper to him. Probably no coincidence. He's regressed. They should groom that kid to be the closer. He
has great one to two inning stuff. I have never seen an organization keep young guys down in the minors four or five or even six years without ever seeing a shot up north. Wow. Uh, good for you. I love the passion. I would say. I don't know if he could be a closer. It's an interesting thought. I haven't thought about him as a closer. I thought about Alex Fayato is one, but he only has the two pitches you have to as a close. You don't need a ton of
pitches. Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman two really good examples. You do not need a ton of pitches. Here's what you do need to do. And this is why I don't think Manning is a closer. You must command two pitches. You must be able to throw either of your commanding pitches to any hitter on either side of the plate, in any count. That's what you need to be an effective closer at the major league level. So that's why I don't think Matt Manning is a closer. That's number one. He does
not have an overpowering fac There's nothing in his arsenal that is elite. And I think in order for you to be an effective closer, I don't care who it is right now in the past, whether it be Craig Kimberrel who's still pitching, whether it be Josh Hater, I don't care, Emmanuel Class, I don't care. You have to be able to have something elite, and you have to be able to command two pitches and throw it in any count to any hitter. Okay, those are That is not a belief,
that is a fact. Matt Manning cannot do that. He has not been able to do that. That's why Jason Foley's so effective. Okay, it's an overpowering fastball. He's got at least one really good outpitch, all right, and he gets ground balls. You don't get a ton of strikeouts. You don't have to get a ton of strikeouts, but you've got to be able to get outs. So I don't think Matt Manning can do that. With that said, however, your frustration and keeping him down in the minors
is understandable. Now there's a part of me that says, well, you've you've got to earn your your stay in Detroit is four and seven with a five point eight e R earning your stay in Detroit, No, it's not okay. Is two and three with a three point eight e R earning or three point four e R A you're earning your stay in Detroit. That's better. But no, it's not a bad option. It's not a bad option.
That's a fifth hard right on paper. Yeah, that's what he is last year is a three point five e RA earning a stay in Detroit with with five wins. I would like him more than I would like kentami Eta. But there comes a point in time. There's comes a point in time when you grow up. Is probably unfair, but you've got to start acting like a starting pitcher every day. And he works hard. But there there's no doubt about that. I've seen it firsthand. He's twenty six years old
and he's he's in triple a and he's not performing. It's not like he hasn't had opportunities. I think that's why we, as Tigers fans and followers of the team get so frustrated because I've tried to be in Matt Manning's corner, but at some point you got to give me something. Man I agree. Has he been given enough breathing room or space to fail and respond from
that? That's I think what perhaps the texture might be alluding to. We'll talk more of that and get into some NFL discussion on the other side when we wrap things up on X's and Bros. Right after this. Hot Deal Days are here at Lyyer, get big offers all over the store July seven
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complete rules and details huge here for the Michigan High squad Letic Association. You can stay up to date on the latest from land Sing twenty four to seven at MHSAA dot com, at MHSA on Twitter and MHSA on Facebook. The latest news, press releases and stories connected to every high school in the state of Michigan available for you twenty four to seven from the Michigan High School Athletic Association. Log on to MHSAA dot com, at MHSAA on Twitter and MHSAA
on Facebook. And if you're looking for archive boys and Girls High School Sports MHSAA dot tv. That's MHSAA dot tv twenty four to seven. Everything you need to know about high school sports in Michigan, log on to MHSAA dot com. I say this all the time to players and coaches who are new to the state of Michigan. I tell them this state has more to offer than you could ever imagine. Like there is a certain perception about our state, but unless you live here, you can't truly appreciate it. And golf
courses is one of the things that I always bring up. There are so many gorgeous goal courses in our state, including Tullymore, if you want to go. I was talking with a buddy of mine about this just the other day. I said, have you ever played Tullymore And they said no. I said, you want to deal? I mean weekdays, you're talking about
ninety bucks, that's it. You're talking about fifty five for twilight for a championship course Tullymore and Saint Ives. In addition to that, you get really good food, you get a beautiful place to sit back and relax after your round, and if you want to, you can rent or buy some property nearby as well. It's got everything you could possibly imagine, especially the golf.
Go to Tullymore dot com today. Okay, we were talking about some of the well, these lists that websites come up with, most of them very informative, but it's worth talking about because well, when we started it was remember was like defensive tackles for ESPN plus. Not everybody gets the plus, but I do, and I wanted to share it with you. They go over each position over an eleven day span, defensive tackles, edge rushers.
There's one edge rusher in there from Detroit, and obviously it's Aiden Hutchinson. He is a top seven pass rusher according to executives. And that's the whole key to this. This is not written out of opinion. This is based off talking with executives, coaches, and scouts, right, And it's also not fans, so popularity contests doesn't really play a factor. Yeah,
great point. Yeah, that's exactly it. So we went with defensive tackles early on, and there were no defensive tackles for the Detroit Lions, so Alim McNeil would be the first guy you think think of. There was nobody there from a defensive end standpoint that really, quite honestly didn't get to yesterday. Miles Garrett TJ. Watt. I'm going by memory here Micah Parsons, Nick Bosa. For example, Max Crosby, former Eastern Michigan Eagle Aiden Hutchinson
was ranked sixth on that list. A guy named Trey Hendrickson, who I really like Cincinnati was in the top ten. Well, you know what I found interesting, Rashan Gary was an honorable mention. What I found interesting was that Joey Bosa, who's with the Chargers while his brother is ranked fourth, Joey Bosa got the also receiving votes, in other words, not considered in the top ten or in the honorable mention category anyway. So that was the
edge rushers. Today, we're going to give you the running backs and the safeties. So the running backs. How many Lions running backs? Let's face it, there's only two? So why would I even say that? How about I just say this, where do you think Kmir Gibbs is Jamiir Gibbs And where do you think David Montgomery is? If either are in either the top ten honorable mention are also receiving votes, where do you think executives and
coaches and scouts put them? This is so tough because they kind of they split the carries so evenly that I don't think either one of them gets to fully tap into what they could be doing on a worst team, like we talked about the Giants the other day with Saquan Yeah, and behind that all line everything, I'm gonna guess they're both in the Also received votes. Jamiir Gibbs is ranked eighth. Ooh, I like it. Yeah, highest ranking
three, lowest ranking unranked, but the highest ranking. Wow, that stunned me a little bit. Christian McCaffrey's number one. That doesn't surprise you, does it. No, that's the highest ranking. His lowest ranking was four, so no one thinks he's outside of a top five back. Yeah, I'd love to talk to the guy who voted him for four. He's the best back in the league with a sledgehammer in my opinion. Agreed. Bryce Hall is number two, highest ranking two. Get this, lowest ranking unranked.
That's a big, big disparity. No, didn't get hurt last year, right, Yeah? Nick Chubb is three, highest ranking one, lowest ranking unranked. Sakwon Barkley highest ranking two, lowest ranking ten. He comes in at number four overall. Number five is Jonathan Taylor from the Colts. Highest ranking two, lowest ranking unranked. Little surprising by that. Injury an issue. B John Robinson, He's ranked six, highest ranking, one lowest
ranking unranked. It's interesting considering he's, you know, just gonna dive into a second year. Yeah, that's bizarre. Josh Jacobs is seven highest ranking two lowest ranking unrankedy. Yeah, last year he was at number three, so he's dropped down to seven. Them Jamior Gibbs, here's what they write about Jamior Gibbs. Well, b Jehn Robinson was the top back in the twenty twenty three drafts. Some scouts preferred Gibbs's skill set of versatility. That's
why Detroit selected him number twelve. Change of pace, fast, elusive, versatile at AFC, executive set, dynamic in the past game. Not a typical North South runner you love in a run heavy offense, but he can break explosive plays with the snap of a finger, which is scary in our league. Despite the presence of David Montgomery, viewed as a powerback, the
Lions made sure Gibbs was heavily involved. During his rookie season. He averaged four or five point four yards per carry out of the shotgun formation, best among running backs. Also led the league win rushing to the right side six point three, which is interesting too. I didn't know that he's just ahead of Derrick Henry who's in at number nine, and Travis Aten who is at
number ten. The honorable mentions, so you know Gibbs is eight. Now that means you also said Montgomery is You thought he was an honorable mention, right, you said he and Gibbs. Okay, here are your honorable mentions. Aaron Jones, Kenneth Walker, former spartan Isaiah Pacheco, which surprised me. I thought he'd be in the top ten. James Cook, Alvin Kamara. Look how far he's fallen. Yeah, Joe Mixon and DeAndre So DeAndre Swift got more respect in this poll than David Montgomery did. He did,
mind blowing although Swift had a really good year. He was a pro bowler last year and gained over a thousand yards. He did, and in fairness to him, it was the first year of his career that he stayed healthy and played the whole season. So, yeah, here's what's surprising me about their right up And tell me if this strikes you in any way. They right had the soft label in Detroit, but overcame that. Did you ever view him as soft? No, just injury prone. Maybe that's what they're
getting at, but I agree that's not the right verbiage at all. No. To me, that's that is very I think that is hostile. Unfair. Yeah, unfair, Yeah, absolutely, I don't think that's I don't think that's cool at all. I'm not gonna sit here and say I miss him every day. I thought he was I thought he was a very good back. I don't think he was great. I thought he was very good, and I felt I felt comfortable with him in the offensive backfield, if
that makes sense. What's surprising to me is when people go, oh, he's the soft label. Look, they played sixteen games seventeen starting last year, so they played sixteen games with DeAndre Swift. He played thirteen his rookie year, thirteen his second year, and fourteen his third year, so he missed a total of eight games. I don't understand how that makes you soft. You missed eight games in three years, and we don't know it's all
injury. I can't recall every single time. I don't get it. That's very strange to me that you would label him with that type of track record. I do remember in Hard Knocks when Deuce Staley was still the running backs coach for the Lions, when they were featured on Hard Knocks, and I remember there was some narrative out there that Deuce was kind of pushing them to play through some injuries and okay, moving up a little bit. Maybe that's where this comes from. But I'm with you, I don't. It doesn't
make a whole lot of sense. Yeah, that's that's a good memory. I don't remember that playing through injury though. That's always been to me, it's always been a fine line. You know, you play through injury. This is the big bad, tough attitude. And look, I'm usually in
line with that, but those those teams also were really flipping bad. Do you play through the injury, risking further injury and then suddenly you hurt your team long term h and yourself obviously, or do you take a game off per doctors trainers orders to try and make sure you're at least ninety percent next time. That's up to the individual, I suppose, and it's really tough because I think the individual almost always wants to play well the team. Doctors
clear him. Well, you hope they do. You hope the individual always wants to play. I think part of the problem in sports in general has been it's not always up to the coaches or the players, it's up to
the trainers. The trainers have as much power as many ancillary coaches because players are going to those trainers, and the trainers are like, look, I don't want to be responsible for losing Trent Ballely the rest of the season, and suddenly he blows out an MCL So I think what we ought to do have him sit out a week, or have him sit out the first few days of practice, knowing in the end the coach will say, if he's not practicing, he probably be unplaying. If he's not practicing by Friday,
he ain't playing. Sure, you know, not one of those situations of you know, a situation where a guy is playing the final game of the year in a Super Bowl. So anyway, I was surprised at that label because I don't agree with it, nor do I necessarily remember it. Here's their top safeties. Now we know that the secondary for Detroit is an issue. It's hopefully been being rectified with the drafting and the signing of certain players.
You know that we've gone through it already. Detroit has probably how many safeties that you would look at and say, all right, yeah, I could see them realistically, maybe none, maybe none, But how many would you say and where would they be? I would guess Kirby Joseph is an honorable mention and Brian Branch It's hard because I don't know what position is he He's kind of a nickel corner slash safety, so it's it's tough. But what do they have? Ship So here's what they have. They have Brian
Branch as an honorable mention. The best safeties in football according to executives, coaches, and scouts on ESPN plus Antwine Winfield number one with Tampa, Kyle Hamilton with Baltimore number two. He I think he's the best, Jesse Bates with Atlanta number three. Makea Fitzpatrick with Pittsburgh at number four, Javon Holland with Miami at number five, but a Baker at number six with Arizona. Derwin James number seven from the Chargers. Derwin James a couple of years ago
would have been at least top three. Kyle Dugger for the Patriots at number eight, and then you go all the way down to nine and ten before you get to the honorable mentions where they have Brian Branch had an outstanding rookie season. He recorded seventy four tackles and three picks. Has natural coverage ability, so that allows him to play in the slot and over the top. He's also an instinctive player that has a knack for finding the ball and making
plays on both phases. That's from an NFC personnel evaluator. CJ. Gardner Johnson, former Lion now with the Eagles, also and in the honorable mention also receiving votes. Perhaps not who you thought. Melafon wo ooh is also receiving votes. Not Kirby Joseph. That's a sleepy pick. But I don't hate it. That's surprising to me. It is, Oh, it's very It's shocking to me, but I I I'm not super I kind of like that someone out there, whoever it is, has some stock and iffy because
that bodes well for the secondary. Well, it's interesting only before this standpoint from me, So that comes from executives, scouts and coaches, and you know, obviously player personnel, which is part of the executives CBS Sports comes out with players who are poised to have an all breakout season, included Kirby Joseph. So you got one guy who's not even mentioned. You got another article. This is based on writers. It's not based on the guys who
break down film and break down numbers. But this is you know, somebody who feels like you know, with these writers who take analytics into the argument, into the discussion, they feel like he's ready for a breakout season. True Media has a metric that measures the passer rating by opposing quarterbacks against coverage
players. Kirby Joseph ranked third last season, had four interceptions. He's going to have better talent around him, and he, according to this article on cbfsports dot com and through the data analytics, is going to put himself in a Pro Bowl and all Pro consideration. Isn't that interesting? I'd welcome that in a heartbeat. Well. Absolutely, but that's to me, that's a perfect example of how the different opinions can be so vast. He's not even
mentioned in one, but he is highlighted in another. There are other guys. I don't think there's another lion in that all breakout team, but there are some like there's a Jalen Carter involved, a Christian Harris and Terrell Bernard as linebackers. But Joseph along with ji Ere Brown of the forty nine ers are listed as Safeties Honorable mention former Michigan Wolverine Dax Hill with the Bengals. How about that? It's good stuff. I love that so many Lions are
on the radar, even if it doesn't come to fruition. People are taking note of the progress. And what it tells you is you could have a breakout season, you could be an All Pro, you could be a Pro Bowl. There's a lot that has to happen in order for that to take place. But people are recognizing that they are developing into much better players, thus a much better team. They're looking for guys who are gaining that improvement, thus gaining the respect. And this is the first time in my life
I can recall this sheep. I mean with the Lions specif. Yeah, there are certain players from my experience in covering the Lions for as long as I have, certain players who always resonate with me, like Benny Blades resonated with me covering him and seeing him go about his business. You had so many good players at each level, you know, whether to be Porchet and Ball up front and Spielman in the middle as a linebacker and Benny Blades in
the secondary. You really thought, Wow, each level of that defense has got an impact player. But this this feels like a revolution where like the whole team is getting eyeballs. Everyone is turning their heads watching this team National. Yeah, it's not just each level. Yeah, you're right, like McNeil, things are big expected of Lee McNeil. Inside, Aiden Hutchinson's already
established azelone, He's already established. You expect big things from Campbell right secondary, Brian Branch, Joseph with the secondary, it's like every single guy, isn't it. Well, I think a lot of that. If you're looking at corners, it's strictly because you and I believe that Terry and Arnold is going to be an impact player right away. Correct. I don't know if
National people feel the same way as we do. But it's a good discussion and it's fun to have and it's always fun to be with you on x'es and bros. Hope you have a great weekend or thanks to Trent Ballet for a production. Thanks to you for your texts and for your phone calls. We'll be back with you Monday morning right here on Xes and Bros. Six till nine Monday through Friday across the great state of Michigan. Have a great
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