Next man up: Aaron Rodgers' injury, Mel Tucker news and more

When troubled and unexpected occurrences happen, it's necessary to have the next man up. This week, we're going to discuss the news surrounding Mel Tucker, Aaron Rodgers' unfortunate injury and more from the sports world. 

What is Sports Round Table from The State News?

The State News sports reporters discuss all MSU sports.

(Anthony) Hello, everybody and welcome back to the sports Roundtable. I'm your host, Anthony Brinson. And I am joined by

(DeShawn) DeShawnJohnson

(Thomas) Thomas Cobb

(Anthony) And we're back week two, hopefully on that side of his Yes, since we just started. And we do have a lot to talk about. And just to get it right out the way, we are going to discuss the things that have been the news has been talked about Mel Tucker, but we're going to try and keep it more towards the sports side. Since we don't want to just keep talking about the situation over over again. I know Deshaun is going to talk about some other resources the state news has for like the details of this story, but we're gonna just try and keep it sports and try and keep it light hearted after we talk about this. But I'll let you take over the shine. And they noted a lot of things about it.

(DeShawn) Yeah. So I mean, we, like I said are like you said entity, I think that we should definitely just focus on this for saying all of this, we can obviously like talk about some of the facts that we are aware of. Tucker was suspended without pay on Sunday, and meeting allegations of sexual harassment towards a rape survivor and advocate, Brenda Tracy, who has been working with the team for the last couple of years. I think that we are currently kind of in a standstill as far as what's going to happen next until we kind of have the official hearing on October 5. So as of right now, I would kind of like to just focus on the sports aspect of what this does to the football team and kind of how this affects MSU sports program overall. I think that first of all, there's I think the football team is kind of in a rough spot right now, just because we've had a couple up and down years, the last couple years, this football team, but I think that just being a part of football teams in high school, you really have to buy in to your programs into what your coaches are saying and like, you have to really be committed to really be in like a real team. And we had, you know, we're having a good start this year, you know, and so I'm sure that that only adds more to the buying of the football players, and then everything just shut down immediately. Like, I mean, like, we have a whole season ahead of us. And these guys can't even give everything to the game because everything around the game right now is pure drama and the beginning of the year. So I just, I can't even begin to imagine what's going on with the football team. I'm sure that they have a lot of questions as far as what's going on with our faculty members. And if we knew about this for since December of 2022, maybe why have we made moves on this earlier because in consideration of the football team, we know that something's going to happen once a report like this is made an investigation and started we know that something's going to happen with Tucker either way. So I just think that maybe we try and already start making some moves. As far as what's gonna happen. I understand trying to keep things like away from the media and things like that. But the football team is now with we of course, have a new head coach, but that's going to take some time to just change. Like, I mean, like, I love Burnett, I loved Antonio, but I just I think that it's even hard to make that shift and focus right now. It's just, you know, it's gonna be very difficult, I think, for the football team. But I do think that the, you know, the moves that we're making is definitely going to help them out. And I haven't lost all hope I just I'm sure that this is going to create some some big mountains for the football team to overcome for sure.

(Thomas) Yeah, I mean, you think about how hard this news hit us think about the players and the players, families and how that impacted them. You know, getting that information and that news, the middle of night. I mean, I don't know you guys were up for it. I was up for it. I am reading his news. And if I think it makes me sad, I can't imagine what it'd be like for a player. Right? Yeah, they're off to a to an O start. Things are looking up from last year. They have talent defensively depth defensively, something that was missing in the last two years. And bombshell, all of a sudden a bombshell Kenny Jacoby from USA Today drops the report and all of a sudden, everything's a question mark. Exactly. I think that a lot of Spartan fans are excited about Harlan Barnett, and especially Mark Dantonio, but I think what they don't understand is that this is a very temporary thing. Mark Dantonio will most likely not be back in Michigan State next year. This is mostly just an interim measure. They need someone who has experience with leadership. And Harlan Barnett has all that. I mean, you see, he was a he was a defensive backs coach at Michigan State for 10 years 2007 to 2017. He was a defensive back for Michigan State back in the 80s when a Rose Bowl was an all American and senior captain went to Florida State 2018 2019 was our defensive coordinator. And I think that that was kind of the idea that this was going to be a guy who was going to take over for Dantonio and it just didn't really work out at Florida State. They had some losing seasons. He ends up coming back to MSU in 2020 to be the secondary coach again under Tucker. And I think it was a great decision by Alan Howler to promote him. I think a lot of people were thinking Scotty Hazleton Jay Johnson. What's going to happen who's gonna be the new acting head coach, and Harlan Barnett, I think was on nobody's radar, but It should have been. I mean, this is a guy that you've referred to himself as a Spartan through and through in his press conference and just a very stand up, genuine guy. And I think the players can rally rally around that. And I heard that the players were also very fired up to hear about Dantonio. And that's just kind of looking at the bright side of things. Obviously, everything is a question mark, like I like I lead off with. But this can go one of two ways. I guess you could rebound from this, and all of a sudden start to put together the pieces that that fell apart, or things could just go downhill. And we lose half the team, I think we're about to find out just how just how brutal the transfer portal can be to a team that's looking for a new coach.

(Anthony) Yeah, and it's just unfortunate to have this come after the year Michigan State had last year of obviously, the tragedy that happened on February 13. And it's just, we go from that, and we as a community rally past that. And then we get to football season where everybody waits for and then news like this drops. I just hope that the energy isn't sucked away from the community. Because like I was talking to you about last week, just seeing how everybody comes together for football games is really, really dope. And I wouldn't want that to be lost. Even if people are still in the arena's. I still want everybody to like feel that energy of like, we're going to succeed. And then like you mentioned, we're starting off to a no, and then we have this game against Washington coming up. And if we win that, that's going to be huge, because if I'm not mistaken, Washington is ranked Right, right, number eight in the country. So if we can get that then that'll propel us to a point where we're an excellence. And it'll be impressive if they can pull that off with everything about this going on the background. But there's just a lot. So no, you want it.

(DeShawn) Yeah, and I just want to add two things about that really quickly. Obviously, I'm gonna wait to talk about most of the Washington stuff to move on from that. But I just think that I hope that the embassies, foreign jobs, we have another home game this week. And I think that we're still going to come out and we're going to be there for our family. Regardless, I think this is the time that we need to be. So I definitely think that the Spartans are going to show out this Saturday. And I would also just like to mention that, you know, for anybody that is looking for any more details, as far as the Tucker case, the state news has done an awesome job and all different angles of coverage, you know, from the sports desk to the just the MSU news desk in general. So if you guys are wanting to check that out, just head to the state news.com. And there's all types of details that you guys can find they're

(Anthony) Definitely appreciate you for adding that point. Because we don't want to make it as though like we're not taking it seriously. We just we want to balance how we talk about the situation at the sports roundtable. But if you guys come to moving on, we can transition to the Washington Game Stop right up that go with Yeah, yeah, for sure. Okay, so, this week, we still at MSU we still got our home games going against Washington, number eight in the country. Do you guys have any intel on Washington or like why they're number eight or like, do we got a chance realistically?

(Thomas) Yeah, so it's all about the quarterback Michael panics. Lefty sensation. Southpaw was from Indiana originally gave Michigan State's and fits in the COVID year. And he's just a great throw the football last year. He I think it's not an understatement to say he or an overstatement to say that he destroyed that Michigan State passing attack. Yes, this is the best passing attack MSU will face all year, with the possible exception exception of Ohio State if their quarterback kicks it up. But we're talking about Washington here. They have one of the best quarterbacks in the nation he's looked being looked at as a first second round draft pick right now. And I think that that is a problem for Michigan State because they may have talent, more talent and depth in the defensive backfield than they had last year. But it's not proven. They've played Central Michigan, and Richmond. So that is not steep enough competition, to be able to indicate whether or not they're ready for this type of challenge. I think MSU fans have to be realistic. I mean, it's going to be a harder game to win with everything that's happened. It's not going to be an easier game to win. You talked about not losing any energy, I actually think that there will be more energy from what I've seen on social media. 10s of 1000s of Spartans are descending on campus. This was originally planned to be the reunion game for the 2013 Rose Bowl team, even before all this came out. And so I think that that was already in place. A lot of alum, we're going to come back for this game, it's going to be a great game. And I think that the energy in the building will be phenomenal. It's the first game that alcohol sales are allowed. Yeah, that's gonna play a factor. That'll play a factor but I from what I've seen on social media, it seems like MSU fans are all in on rallying around the players because they understand what they're going through. And just how just how brutal this whole thing is for guys who have now lost the figure that brought them to the school. I mean, yeah, recruiting and college sports is everything it is and the way that MSU plays not just the Washington game, but For the rest of the season will be a huge, huge factor in our recruiting. And if we just sort of roll over, good things aren't going to happen, but very bad things will will ensue. We'll lose a lot of guys. And like I said, I think we're, we're gonna find out just how brutal the transfer portal can be right to a team was looking for a head coach.

(DeShawn) Yeah, no, I mean, I totally agree with you in multiple different aspects. I think that this is definitely going to be our first real test as to what this season can truly look like for the Spartans. You know, like I mentioned earlier, we had we've had a great start, but it CMU and Richmond, you know, not to have the biggest testers of what we have to show, not whatsoever. So I would like to say that I obviously Michael Penix, I mean, he he's just a phenomenal talent. You know, I don't, I think that the only major kind of factor that we have on our side is that Washington has struggled somewhat on beating teams closer to the East Coast. On the west coast, they've been dominating, you know, they dominated us last year, but that was on the west coast. So maybe, hopefully, you know, it's going to be a huge, long game, I hope. And I agree with you, Thomas, that Spartans really do show out this weekend. Because if that's the case, and that's just going to add more to what we already have going for us, you know, I mean, going off what you said last year, and you know, you mentioned the shooting, and we all came back together. And I although that was an unfortunate, you know, unfortunate thing to happen to all of us, I think that it grouped us all together stronger. And obviously, this isn't exactly the same situation. But it's another scenario where we have a chance to come together as a community and and just like and showing our colors for a minute here, you know what I'm saying? I really think that Washington is going to be a tough opponent, like I mean, like as far as what MSU has going for it. We know Kim has gotten more comfortable with his offense, obviously playing against Richmond last week, he had a lot of opportunity to do a lot more comfortable. And I think all that is great. And well, but like you said, Thomas, we got to be realistic. And I just I don't know, in comparison to the first two games, how easy of a game this is going to be like this is going to be a real challenge without all the adversity coming from the outside. So maybe we do score particularly later. But I mean, I hope MSU can come out with this one I'm rooting for the guys definitely do this week, but we definitely got to make sure we're ready.

(Anthony) Yeah, if like, if the odds were stacked against us before, they're definitely stacked now. But like you both mentioned, we're used to these type of comebacks, and we're used to rallying the troops and getting everything ready for this type of game. So I know you guys mentioned score predictions. If you guys have any score ranges. I know the shine we got mentioned, are you on a one Oh, streak right now as far as prediction. So you want to throw some out there.

(DeShawn) I mean, I mean, I'm gonna go with my heart here. And I think that, like I said, Tomorrow, I'm hoping for a lot of energy. I'm not thinking there's going to be the highest scoring game I'm looking for maybe like 2420, something of that outcome, and I think MSU could pull away with a pretty good winner. i If, if we're gonna give any like leeway to Washington, I just think that it's, it's, it wouldn't be as close to the other side, I believe. I think that if we're going to lose, it's going to be something with us, as far as confidence of the game gets away from us. But if we hold on to things, I really think they can be another dominant win for us and really show where we are so 24 and 20. I'm feeling confident with that. Okay, Tom.

(Thomas) I mean, it's no secret Washington has the better football team. Yes. It was that case before the the week before the season, and future weeks, they brought back three or four really quick quick receivers. Jalen McMillan sort of leads that group is going to be a problem for the MSU secondary that still hasn't faced that marquee guy yet right on the outside. And I think that Washington is able to score at will on Michigan State just like they did last year. I think their offense is elite enough. I think MSU is defenses inexperienced enough. But I think that MSU has promise of an elite passing attack mean, we've seen that in the first few games. It's it's not late enough, these guys aren't developed enough for it to be in full fledged against Washington, you know, they're not gonna win in a shootout, right? The only way I see us coming out with a win is if we somehow you know, are able to put together a masterful defensive performance. And I think the key to doing that is to play quarters the entire game. Don't let the big players happen. Do not let the receivers get behind you. If even if they're getting six, seven yards to completion, keep everything in front of you don't let them you be able to use their speed and quickness on the edge. But I don't think MSU is able to to really fight with Washington. I got Washington 41 to 17.

(Anthony) Really, that's gonna be brutal. Really, I feel like your predictions. Whichever one is true to be in are closer to being right that'll show the energy of the MSU football community right now. Are we going to be able to rally against the troops and pull off? What seems like an upset with Washington being number eight in the country or are we gonna see the unfortunate results of everything that could be going on with this week.

(Thomas) But just to be clear, I don't think Michigan State fans will be upset with that outcome, because they understand the ramifications of the situation. And hopefully it's not as bad as I as I predict. But Washington is a superior football team, but there's not going to be any booze, there's not going to be any hatred shown toward the team, no matter what happens, because of the Spartan community, as it has so far shown everything that they had these players back. Yeah,

(Anthony) yeah. So like you both mentioned, regardless of the result, I do think we're going to walk away with our heads high, especially when obviously, and especially if we keep it close, or find some type of green light or positive way to look at this. But I mentioned earlier about the Xiaomi. And want to know, with weak predictions, and the lions put it off, you saw before we did and it was a very interesting way to choose last with a lot of unfortunate drops, but I'll let you take the floor from here.

(DeShawn) Yeah, so I mean, I'm going to start this off by just saying, you know, I'm not gonna come at you guys or anything like that, I'm not gonna blow or hit you with any I told you. So I just want to say, the lines and the same old lines, no more man. And I mean, I think like, I also want to start with, I don't want to even go there with any of the asterisk talk or any of the KC wasn't healthy and football. Getting to the playoffs has nothing to do with who played in that game. It is strictly about you adding another tally to the wind column, and especially in the NFL, IT professional football is all about getting to the playoffs, and you don't it has nothing to do with who's playing because football, professional football, someone's always hurt. So that justifies 1,000,001 other losses during the regular season if we go that route, so I don't even want to go there. I think that the lions truly showed, I mean, they completed a great feat this past Thursday, and regardless of what happens. So I just thought overall, we had a great game, I want to start by saying that I love what our secondary did, I will acknowledge just now that there were definitely a couple offensive plays for the Kansas City Chiefs that scared the life out of me. Like we left some players wide open, and especially in fourth down situations. And we know that chiefs are a risky team. It ends up working out in our favor. So I'm not going to go on that tangent. But I think the secondary definitely showed that we have made some improvements within these last couple of years. That's been one of our issues as far as like trying to keep up with some of the elite receivers we have in the league. These are these past couple years, also that that our frontline on both sides of the ball was dominant, like I mean, as far as our offensive line, we gave Jared Goff great pocket time and we know Jared Goff is a pure pocket passer and give him time. He's dangerous. You know what I mean? I know there's been a lot of different things to say about golf in his past couple years, but he took a team to the Super Bowl. You know, I don't think that Jared Goff is just like someone that we should just be taking lightly, especially if the lions are able to provide him the assistance that he needs. On the frontline. I also thought that obviously Chris Jones wasn't there. That's I think that Kansas City Miss Chris Jones, just the most like I mean, we were able to really, like flex our muscles a little bit and show that without, without him being able to like be a big sack that guy and not be the only candidate. It only had one sec. I know Detroit didn't have any Kansas City only had one they were they rarely had pressure. Yeah. And it just I mean, from from all angles, it seems like we were able to take care of the line take care of golf. I thought that that was great. I know some people are mad about generic games, not doing any touch touches. But I think that is just going to be a part of the process. Overall, that the line is really good. And I'm very, very happy with our win. And I'm super excited for Sunday.

(Thomas) Yeah, good. Gibbs needs more touches my fantasy team. No, all joking aside, the lions definitely earned the win. Scored when it mattered that big touchdown late. I didn't think they're going to be able to pull that off. Yeah. But I will say I think the Chiefs lost themselves the game 100% crucial drop passes. We don't even need to get into that. Everybody's seen the areas Tony Yeah. all over social media. Whatever. The guy dropped, how many four five passes. One of them went for a pick six. Yeah. And one of them one catch for one yard and one of them effectively lost the game? Yes. But I all credit to the lions. Their defense stepped up when it mattered. offense. Definitely. Yes. Yes. That four quarter drive was was when I realized this isn't the same old line.

(DeShawn) Yeah, I mean, Foursquare job. We had the ball for nine and a half rights. You know, we were we show right?

(Thomas) And the game doesn't have an asterisk by it unless somebody says it has an asterisk.

(Anthony) I feel like that'd be a perfect transition into our next topic. But

(Thomas) and there's obviously been a lot of criticism for what Mike Tirico said, and, you know, I'm kind of with it. I mean, it's week one, acting as if injuries aren't a thing in NFL you might as well just say that every game about a team especially as we get into the dog days of the season. Like there's there's guys out each side every game no matter the game. And so you might as well just say that every game if you're gonna say that about this week, one game. I don't necessarily think he meant it in the way that he said it. I think if he could take it back, he would have But overall, like announcers should not be seeing that kind of thing.

(DeShawn) Yeah, I agree. As far as like, Derek goes, comment, we I know we have another one to talk about. But I just. And in the very first game of the year, the Lions have said the chiefs and at this point, everyone realizes that, and to Rico just happens, let her comment that I'm sure he knows, maybe wasn't the best at the time, you know. And it's totally unjustified. Like, as you said, Tom, I mean, like, like, if you're gonna start hitting me with, Oh, this guy was missing in this guy was missing in the moment, in a collision sport where people get hurt every single week, there's so many different wins and losses that you can either validate or invalidate just by saying that, so I just thought that it was kind of ridiculous. I know, like, it's week one. And I understand that also, like the chiefs, the world champions, and they earn that. So you know, I understand, like, people are trying to say that, like, the chiefs just aren't going to fall off. And I totally agree with that. I think, you know, obviously, they were missing two players, and that's fine. But we can't take anything from the lions in this case. I mean, like, it's a huge feat. It's absolute, because it's not just them beating the chiefs. It's what they were able to do to defensively for the cheese. I mean, Patrick mahomes, you know, we talked about it last week, he threw an interception on opening night, when have we seen that?

(Anthony) Yeah, to give our listeners some context, what comments or I guess Asterix Are you guys referring to, I guess one dog, since we got to probably take this one's on it.

(Thomas) So after the lions chiefs game, the lines have just one bite point, came down to the wire, they were missing, not just restoring tight end, but arguably the best weapon in the entire league. And they're missing their best interior defensive lineman. So it was a lot easier for the Lions to move the pile, get four or five yards of carry, basically at will. And after the game. You know, as players were shaking hands, Mike Tirico. He wanted to give credit to the lions. And then he said something along the lines of You know, there's an asterisk by it, but, and to me, that was just, of course, that happened to the lions, like the lions finally win something. And they're already getting getting torn down. And so that's what a lot of people are unhappy about is it was just an uncalled for comment. I'm sure he didn't mean it in the way he did, like I said, but it was just not needed whatsoever. And I think it made a lot of Lions fans mad.

(Anthony) Definitely understandable. And then there was another comment that y'all were telling me about as well.

(DeShawn) Yeah, I'm not I don't have the I don't have the name of the guy that came in made this comment. But it was after the Jetson bills game. I don't know how many of you guys have to check that game out. But I mean, overall, that game was just wild. And I'm sure we'll talk about a little bit more in depth later. But towards the end of the game, it goes into overtime and the Jets are able to it was an interception. Correct me if I'm wrong, right. It was an interception that they took back.

(Anthony) No, you talked about for the game winning touchdown. Yes. Think it was a punt return.

(DeShawn) Yes, that's exactly what it was upon return and I mean like it so many things happen in that play at once just from I don't even remember the name of the returner either. But I know that he made some great moves and he started his drive he started driving up the right side of the field, he makes a great cutback and there's just nobody nobody playing him on the left side of the field for the defense at all. And I know somebody comes and there's just there's a block that's made that is the key block of the play and it's the only reason that the fields open enough for this touchdown to be made and the the rep is standing right in front of it and there's no call to be made the plays dead and over with and they bring it in a rules expert that based on Harry John Perry and he comes in and he says well guys, this entire play should have been called back like I mean like he tries to congratulate the jets and then just like to Rico walks it all back by saying but there was a wide open call that should have been made and it was just so funny to me because I thought that I mean literally on the call we heard Troy and Joe both talking about what a great block was made for this play and like I mean for a whole two minutes they were talking about it and then immediately they both tried to walk it back with with John Perry and was just like oh yeah, what a tripping call and I seen the replay you know, it was it was maybe a justify call maybe. But not we know how football works. We're not going back and making calls after the game was over. So there was no point I thought

(Thomas) Yeah, It's not like it was some like a blatant push in the back, right? This is a new call, especially on these returns this tripping call. And it almost looked as if the blocker fell like wasn't even trying to, to affect the defender right fell down, guy falls down on top of them. And John Perry comes on and says word for word. You've got to put an asterisk on it, because there's a tripping call that was not made when the reality of the situation was the game was barring a shank by an NFL kicker. The game was over. Yeah, Terry. Yeah, they were inside the 20 yard line, that penalty would have pushed him back to the 30. Right? At the at the very least. And they would have had at the very least a 47 yard field goal to win the game. And so I really don't think that that terminology of an asterisk is at all representative. I would actually argue that the one that Teresa said was more representative of an asterisk. But yeah, like you said Joe Joe Bullock Troy Aikman were were raving about the blog. And then John Perry comes on and says, Yeah, that should have been called. There's an asterisk. Yeah. I didn't like it. No, I didn't enjoy it

(Anthony) And it's just unfortunate, because at the end of the day, these are not it's not the Jets fault that that happened. I don't think it should be condemning the refs. But whether it's that game or the lions, the players, they went out there and play football, they didn't worry about any injuries on either end. They didn't make any excuses. They just wouldn't play the game. And if we're really talking about Asterix, I mean, the Jets didn't have their star quarterback that was supposed to be there, right? It's just so unfortunate that Aaron Rodgers potentially his career ends off like that, but for the Jets to still go and win that game after I just got her it was remarkable. And I know you want to mention something real quick.

(DeShawn) So I mean, ironically, to me, that that game with the bills, I just thought that that game was more about the bills blowing up game than it was even the Jets winning that game. I I obviously, I want to start by saying, you know, it's unfortunate to see what happened Aaron Rodgers, you know, even if I'm not the biggest fan, just being a Detroit guy, I nobody, and I think I speak for all three of us when I say nobody wants to see a guy getting horrible. It was terrible. And he's also on my fantasy team. So we're not going to go there. I mean, it's nobody wants to see that happen. But however I just Zack Wilson I think that the jets had to completely reevaluate after what happened for them last year I mean, it he very high stock draft pick that just it seems like he was lost out there. And however he didn't seem like as long as last year it still seems like the Jets have a lot of improvements in that game could have easily got away with them the moment a rod checked out of that game. So I just I think that I you know, we talked about this last week, not on the pod, but like kind of just off air and I told you guys, I don't I'm not sure that I can even say that jets are going to be one of the top two teams in their division. I think that the bills and the dollar Yeah. Even though like I wanted to say last week that I thought that the jets would for sure be better than the Patriots and I can't even 100% say that now. So I just I don't know what's in store for the Jets. I don't know. I think Zack Wilson could definitely learn a lot from Aaron Rodgers. But the only problem I see there is that we've seen what happens there a rotten midseason when he's playing. I have no idea what's in store for him now that he won't be playing for the rest of this year if he's planning on being a big role on the sidelines or what happens we have no idea currently, but I just I'm not sure that the Jets have a great chance this year, especially losing Aaron Rodgers.

(Thomas) Yeah, just the way it played out. I don't think I've ever seen anything like it and there's so much hype coming into the offseason is that if they're on Hard Knocks Yes, Rodgers is you know, getting all this publicity for being as good guy to his teammates. Super Bowl talk. Yep. And rightfully so. Yay. And they want they they won without them. They might have the best they with Roger, they might have the best roster in the league with that defense. And now we won't get to see at least for this year. I don't think he'll be back. But that's a question for a different day. I think it's interesting to see what they're going to do. I if I'm the Jets, front office and coaching staff, I'm not content with Zach Wilson. No at all. I'm going out. I'm signing a veteran just in case and they've come out and said zack, zack Wilson's team now I get that. He we the idea was not for him to leave New York. The idea was for him to learn under Rogers, because he clearly needed a career sort of restart reboot. I heard that they reached out to Andrew Luck. Oh, wow, about potentially coming back. That just kind of shows to me. And again, that's I'm not 100% sure of that. Yeah, that was just a report on Twitter. But to me that shows that they have absolutely zero confidence in Zach Wilson. And I'm not sure why they would.

(DeShawn) I don't like like like I said, I don't have a lot of faith in Zach Wilson. And the only thing that I worry about as far as like looking to Andrew Luck or another because I think it's a great Good idea I do. I just, I don't think that they should be content with Zack. Unfortunately, this is like another one of those situations that work the foreigners are kind of dealing with like trade lands right now, right? You made a high pick, it may have been a mistake, and I don't know how long you want to sit on it, but just know that you are a team that's positioned to do some good, and you got to move quick. That's how the NFL works. The only thing I worry about when trying to sign a new quarterback, especially a vet, or someone that has a role, you're gonna feel though like I mean, like Aaron Rodgers, you know, we seen his like, I don't think that it was a disconnect when he signed Jordan love. I almost think that it kind of motivated him a little bit. But also I think that that's kind of where some of the disdain kind of was created for Rogers. I think that Rogers is an emotional guy. And I just, I don't want him to see like, I think he should be able to understand I'm out for the season. There's nothing that I can do, but I just wouldn't want to see anything happen or anything blow up just because they signed some guy and a maybe he works out for the justice here who knows what happens, but I wonder how that would play out for Rogers emotionally?

(Anthony) Yeah. And it'll just it's an unfortunate situation because like, Thomas was mentioned in the hype was there like even I was interested in like Aaron Rodgers on the Jets. Then they picked up Dalvin Cook and sauce Gardner and like it was built for this for it to be this rejuvenating energy for the New York Jets. And unfortunately, they lost kind of the main part of the energy and I don't know if y'all saw but he doped up Jake Paul before the game, and people were saying like, Oh, yep, that's the reason why he died. Definitely. So now, just with

(Thomas) the way he ran on with the American flag, honoring 911 It was one of the most captivating moments, sports moments and I can remember Yes, I watched it live and it was like, holy cow that just man won the Super Bowl this year.
(DeShawn) It's funny, man I was doing, like I said, I know I'm in spring sports report and we do a Monday night show. So we got the TVs outside playing while we're trying to put everything together and I look you know, I see the start of the game. I've seen a rock come out with the flag. I've seen it all and I was like, Okay, here we go. You know, I'm ready to see this. I'm not a huge fan of the Buffalo Bills either. So I wasn't like rooting against the Justice game. I look up three minutes later. I'm like, is Zach Wilson in the game? What what is going on? So I yeah, like I just I will it's gonna definitely be a ride for them for sure. And I'm definitely interested maybe even more than I was before, but it's they've got a lot going on.

(Anthony) I don't know what's up with the city in New York and sports. It's like it's always something that comes in with something gets them from under their feet. But with that being said, You guys mentioned I think it was yudishe earlier that you have a ride on your fantasy team unfortunately and was he a starting quarterback or backup

(DeShawn) so um, luckily enough he wasn't in the league that me and Thomas are competing and I will say that he's in a different one of my leagues that I'm doing he's he was my super flex. So it wasn't like I was like hugely dependent on him. However, he was the key factor in me losing by less than 10 points this past week. You know, I mean, I got legitimately 0.0000 points from Aaron Rodgers so you know obviously no blame to him. It's not his fault or whatever but it just finished the week did not go great for me last last week and that leads luckily I am want to know in the week me and Thomas are in I have not faced off against Thomas yet but I just I just want to add that in there.

(Thomas) I opened the year on draft day I was projected to win the league now I'm six out of 10 I got my I got my butt kicked in that league by Brad and I don't know what happened because my team was probably the best on paper will bounce back but I will say I definitely did not earn any manager of the week awards especially for the league my big league the one that I cared about the most I started Travis Kelce oh oh boy and I got to take out Jerry Judy to Oh no. And that league I put up a whopping 55 points yeah, I had T Higgins. I I don't know if I come back from that. I mean, I'm getting I'm getting crucified in the group chat I'm in 55 points that's like a that's like an all time low especially with the point system that we're running like it's not a low score Yeah, I think my my body put up 130 on me

(DeShawn) yeah, he's Yeah, no, I'm with you. I think one of my least my poison was got doubled and I had Deontay Johnson and they're right on that team so I got some low output for some players and it's unfortunate because obviously there was injuries that like that dealt with those to me but I mean like it just I am with you in a way like I said one of my other leads I'm not doing not the one me and you are part of but I it I'm down bad now I'm I'm on to I got my points nearly doubled last week and it's just that I'm doing that with a couple other classmates too. So it hasn't been fun seeing them around campus for sure.

(Anthony) On the bright side don't seem like you could do any worse from that so it's only up for me I did win a game and a three teams I want to listen so it's always a positive light somewhere and on my end I did end up winning my matchup but it was so weird because we use ESPN and it was a lot of like for majority of the quarterbacks were just bad showing like Joe burrow struggle hurts only pullets well points Josh Allen through three interceptions. And throughout the league. It was like a quarterback struggle. I ended up winning because mainly I had Aaron Jones he put up almost 30 points for me and then Costa Eckler handled business as well. But unfortunately he's saying he's dealing with an injury now. And yeah, my team came together and now this week I ended up picking up um, Tyler Alger for the Atlanta Falcons and I want to see I'm going to try and start them in the slot because he put up like 24 points last week but they're kind of saying like him and think BD Johnson. How do you say? Yeah, and they sound like they're gonna try and like share carries, but it's gonna be weird. So I don't know whether to pick him or David Montgomery because y'all mentioned Gibbs earlier from you say take Montgomery really

(Thomas) Tyler algae air. It was kind of a fluke. Week one everyone coming into the year was saying, John Robinson is gonna get every touch because I don't often I'm gonna get every touch. Yeah, that's just not how it works in NFL. Yeah, yeah. And we certainly sort of seen that slowly die out over the past few years like there's almost zero feature backs in the league anymore. And that was just kind of a crazy crazy showing from Tyler algae I mean give the guy credit but Montgomery has a much more proven back he's actually the number one back on his team relies Algiers to sorry, I would definitely go with Montgomery.

(Anthony) I take your word for it that way. And I also realized that I have bills defense and they're going to be playing Davante Adams this week who I also have so I had to I had to make a switch I had to search and scramble for a defense and I'm going with the books because I didn't have that many options. So I'm interested to see how that's gonna play out but

(DeShawn) yeah, just something that I want in the mentions and you mentioned like the poor performers or some of the quarterbacks in fantasy this week. First of all, you had the lie or the Cowboys defense. You had a great first week you just you just did the second highest scorer in the league. Yeah, I think I think as far as like overall they were the number one fantasy point rather than last week. I mean, like it was just ridiculous I played against someone that was that I'm an O in one league right now and he had the Cowboys defense and it just I mean like the the sheer amount of points that defense was able to gather was crazy, but I just I'm checking it out and this is you know, just only for PPR leagues but the top five quarterbacks as far as fantasy point performance. I don't think you got I mean, like, obviously watching the game and you may be able to get some of these but before the week started tool, mag Jones. Does Jordan love any Richardson and Deshaun Watson? I think that's a crazy stat line right there. Like I mean, like, I don't think I would have had any of these guys in my top five. Maybe besides to get some fancy points this week. And what happened the dolphins game was insane. Tyreke Hill had a serious game guys. But just it's just insane to take a look at I mean, like Pac remote and Patrick mahomes. When it comes down to seven here we got Trevor Lawrence at eight Brock Purdy at 10. There's a lot of different quarterbacks that I would expect it to have scored higher. I mean, Jared Goff only got 14 points and like, so I just, I definitely thought that we would have definitely seen some higher quarterback leaders at the beginning of this year, but it's quite insane. Maybe maybe we're seeing some transitions here. Who knows?

(Thomas) That's actually a very encouraging top five, I think, with the exception of Deshaun Watson. Yeah, he's a bit much of a fan favorite, too. And Mac Jones, I think if they're going to be like very solid franchise, quarterbacks, that's great for the league. Yeah. Because the league needs more of these guys. They need more of not just the mahomes where they make everything happen, but they need guys who stand in the pocket and deliver a football. Yeah. You know, like every team look at Tom Brady most successful player in history that's that that was his job standing in the pocket and deliver the football and I think Mac Jones was possess a lot of those qualities. And that's why the patient's went after him. And I was very excited to see him week one that the game plan and the play calling was catered to him. Yeah, if you watched last any Patriots game from last year, they had Matt Patricia as the offensive coordinator and making this choice by the end everything. If they were going to pass the football, it was either a screen, a flat, any type of check down or like a little curl route. Like they never threw the ball around the field. And in week one pads against eagles, I thought they did a very nice job of letting him do what he does best, which is, you know, put the ball in Windows, he has great touchdown passes. 15 plus yards on the field, Washington pretty much every game at Alabama. I am all in on Matt Jones and I always happen. Watching the film from week one was very encouraging to see that he finally has a play caller who understands his ability and understands that in order for him to make the biggest impact. He's got to be throwing the ball downfield.

(DeShawn) Definitely. Yeah, I mean, you touched on a map. Patricia, I think everything that was going on with the Patriots last year was just kind of a joke. Absolutely. And that's why I like like I was mentioning, you know, I'm not sure that the jets can I was kind of confident just to be better than the Patriots, but they've kind of like obviously Patricia's not they don't have a defensive coordinator for an offensive coordinator anymore. That's that's the that's the number one thing. Oh, offensive coordinator. So, I mean like I like I like Matt Jones. I think that he had a really good rookie year and I think that obviously it's you know, we all know about the sophomore slump I think that kind of got to him a little right and obviously but it's not I don't I don't put all the blame on him for that obviously the you know, the coaching situation we just mentioned so I think Mac I think he has a lot of potential I just I worry that the Patriots overall just like still have a lot of like inside work to figure out before they can become anything close to where it used to be you know, but also just mentioning you know, to in Mac that this also backs up what I was saying about I just don't think the Jets man could have been a great team like even with even with right like I you know, Rodgers was fantastic throw the football but looking back doors and took like, obviously, we did not see when Matt or Aaron was able to put up you know, to be fair, but I just this is exactly what I was talking about, like I mean, I did the AFC is a tough division and even these quarterbacks that some people may be worried about, like I think some people were definitely worried about to have before the start of this year. And some still maybe will obviously as healthy as the number one concern, and Mack Jones as well, but have a pretty good week one performance that just shows this division is no joke. And I think the Jets are definitely going to have to try and figure that out. Just going back to that point.
(Anthony) Yeah. And during your analysis of this portion of the podcast, you mentioned Tyreke Hills game and just man it's phenomenal. They were saying on I think it was the broadcast like he's his goal for this year. 2000 receiving yards like to have that type of record. And they said no receiver has ever done that fee, keep putting up 20 yards and then I mean, just physically it's gonna happen. Yeah, all he needs is do that 10 games in a row or just 10 games in total. So it's just I know the consensus number roll. Number one overall fancy pickles, Justin Jefferson but Tyree kills, making a good case for best receiver in the league right now.

(Thomas) Tyreke Hill is a really funny player to me, because obviously, he gives us all to the game. It doesn't seem like he's too invested in the outcome of his team. Yeah. He acknowledged the fact that when he left Kansas City that it wasn't about winning. It was about the location, he wanted to be in Miami. Obviously money played a part in that but he wanted to be new, new location, you know, nice, new, bright new shiny things. Just seems like the kind of guy he is and then he'll go home after a 220 yard touchdown game and stream fortnight. Viewers and that's, that's kind of that kind of just plays into my point. I think he's a really really funny, hard to pick up athlete in the sense that he's very, very easygoing, and he likes to make playful comments all the time. And I really liked that he never take himself too seriously.

(DeShawn) Yeah, I totally agree. I think that some of the comments he's even made you know obviously like just like lose small things back towards the chief I've thought they were delirious and some people kind of thought that he was taking shots stuff like that to him it's not that it's not it's not tiring I mean like he's like everybody was giving him a lot of stuff when he left the chiefs and I understand the idea of being a team and everything but when you are easily like justifiably one of the top two three receivers in the league you deserve to go and get your money you know like so I I have nothing wrong with what goes into Miami everything and everybody was doubting what he was gonna be able to do there with TSA and they've only just shown that they are able to put something together so you're looking at Tyrese numbers do that mean like I totally think that Tyreke is easily capable of getting a 2000 yard season like I mean like even with two I know some people were saying that like it wouldn't be as like a much of an ideal situation moving teams and everything but like to our I mean Tyreke is consistently every year been gaining more and more yardage and I think then it's not just Tyreke it's receivers in general as we continue to move on into the future of receivers the records that were once and this goes for all sports what the records that were once untouchable are going to be easily seen in the near future before we know it I mean like it's already it has already had 1.7k and and that was last year and that was with to us so you know i There's no tread, you know with multiple different quarterbacks for a year and so that's like if he was able to stay healthy and he's able to do anywhere near replicate what he did in week one inventory you're gonna have a season entire we could easily get 2000 yards.

(Anthony) Yeah, I'm definitely interested to see if it's gonna happen because like you meant it's very possible and especially if tool can be healthy majority of the season the dolphins gonna be some special Yeah, and with that being said, I know we we could easily hit our and I'm some point I'm gonna just let us hit the hour that we be approaching but today is not that that I want to try and end off with just one more thing that could potentially get us to the hour mark, Team USA, USA Basketball. Unfortunately, I heard they didn't even get the bronze medal like they lost to Canada if I'm not mistaken. or eliminated. Yes, yes. And it's just we struggle. I don't know. I think the guy's name is Noah Lyles, who made the comment like they're not the NBA champions aren't the world champions and that sparked the whole debate. But just in general, I mean, Apparently 2024 LeBron James is assembling the Avengers that I've heard. So do you think we should, as a USA as a country, get all the best players regardless of age and go for the gold next year? Or just should we stick with the idea of having more young guys trying to?

(Thomas) Absolutely, I think that's the entire point of it. I mean, it's no secret, we use the law, we haven't won as nearly as much as we should, in the past 20 years, because we're not sending our best players overseas to play in these in these events. LeBron is a different story, because he's so old. I don't know if he's actually going to, I think, I think we'll have to that's more of a question as we approach that date, the 2024 Olympics, but just overall, I don't think no allows was wrong at all. But I also thought that part of what he said was flawed, because if the US or the US rolled out their best possible team, they would squash every other country, and it wouldn't even be particularly close. That being said, NBA champions, are not world champions. It's it's an American League. Yeah. And so I don't I think he was right and wrong. And I, my tip, my biggest takeaway from that whole thing was how sensitive NBA players are when they jump, right? They jumped all over that guy for just speaking his mind. And he's like, he's a fellow American. Yep. And so I just was appalled. Although I already kind of knew how sensitive NBA players are.

(Anthony) The only pushback I like to give as far as the take you heard about World Champions is people from around the world, the best players from around the world are in the NBA. For sure. best players in the NBA aren't American, like you say, Yanis Yogesh and I'm a big Luca Dodgers fan.

(Thomas) It's just not it's just not an international league in the sense that it's, it spans across like, there's no there's no teams in other countries. With the exception of Canada.

(DeShawn) Yeah, I mean, I totally agree with you, Thomas. As far as like, what everything that allows said, I, I agree in the sense that if we put out a starting lineup and like I'm just like, just I'm just sitting here trying to think about what our starting lineup would be right now. Obviously, we got Steph Curry had the one. Maybe someone like DEVIN BOOKER at the two Grom you got LeBron Durant? Kevin Joelle Embiid

(Thomas) that's a big development

(DeShawn) a you know, he's officially got his citizenship so like that he could he could definitely play for Team USA if he wanted to if Team USA was able to roll out our best squads it wouldn't even be close it like I like it would not be close. But I also agree in the sense that NBA champions aren't world champions. They're not I mean, they this is some of the best talent in the world, I would agree but it is not faced off against other like you can't really you can't go with the world champions. Look, when you're not facing off against like just straight other weeks, you're just you know, you're fighting against other people that are that are within your realm, your league. It's not world champions. But I also think that like, I thought that the last comment was funny because I've seen the reaction of all the NBA players and I thought they definitely did jump on him a little bit, but I guess I tried to I was trying to understand how they felt to Doku it almost like although he wasn't calling the world champions, it was also like he was trying to like justify or like maybe like invalidate the championship, the NBA players do win. And that's it's still a lot of work. You know, it's definitely a grind and I know that basketball is content and hit professional basketball it's kind of taking a hit over these past couple of years but either way it's still winning a championship in any sport is a lot of work and a lot of grind. So I just I definitely think you know, they they earn the the flowers that they get, but they are not sure that that is that is definitely true. And you're all the different leaves all the different all these different countries have caught up in basketball for sure. Like I'm like a you know, like, like they've definitely caught up. It's no longer just like a huge difference as far as what we have to offer versus what the other countries have to offer. I think there's even some other countries out there like that are taking basketball as serious and as much of a like an iconic sport for them maybe in America is like I think our number one sport is still football,

(Thomas) it's going down in America, it's going up everywhere and all these other foreign countries. I

(DeShawn) mean, like basketball is like everything that got there like I like it. So it just, we can expect to continue to dominate these leagues just by being the same way or we're gonna have to make new game plans like I mean, like, we're at Team USA, you know, we were only doing like, we were taking mid rangers and playing to paint we seen these European guys start shooting threes, then we just shoot threes like we have to find a balance you know, and the way these guys do so we have to figure it out for sure. And it's a shame to not even see USA be able to make the final stages of this tournament and we qualify for the next Olympics, which is cool, and hopefully we can have like a little bit of bounce back there. But as far as the FIFA tournament, it was kind of disappointing to watch.

(Anthony) Yeah, and it was shocking. It's weird to see just how serious the NBA community took no allows comments because I didn't even know the only reason I knew about it is from NBA players. Like I didn't know Brian Doyle Lau Laos was and I didn't even see it until I saw like NBA players getting upset about it and whether they were champions or not and the day accorded no allows logic technically Dennis shooters the best player in the world. He's a world champion now and just his story from not even I think I saw somewhere where like, he didn't even have an NBA contract couple years ago, and now he's world champion. to bag Shutterfly reacts of dentist, quarterback shooter, but you know, it'd be like that sometimes. And with that being said, we covered a lot here today's episode, obviously, we started off with the unfortunate news. And we tried to make our way to more lighthearted news and just with whatever happens in this community, I appreciate that the thought that we can always find a positive and we can always try and move forward and even with us at sports or on sample, we're going to try and talk about things, how we know how mean we're going to keep his sports, we're going to keep it light hearted but we can tackle those situations with as much sensitivity as needed. And with that being said, as always, I appreciate your shine and Thomas and I hope you're Anthony, no problem at all, and I hope you'll continue to join us. I'm Anthony Brinson.

(DeShawn) I'm DeShawn Johnson,

(Thomas) Thomas Cobb

(Anthony) and that was the sports roundtable. Thank you guys.