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On the Infinity Sports Network, you're tapped in to the youngest in Charles and L. Willingham out of Washington, D.C. We'll take you up to 10 p.m. Eastern Time. Number to get at us 888-710-4476.
That is 888-710-4476. You can tweet at me as well. It is at N-E-L-L underscore. Beat CP. I feel like we've touched on A bevy of different things here tonight to this point.
A lot of NBA news. A lot of stuff Regarding this gambling scandal that's going on right now in Major League Baseball, Luis Ortiz, the pitcher for the Guardians right now on administrative. paid leave on my dad, so he's getting paid. Uh to sit at home.
So I I really I really think I really think we're at a spot Right now. I I think we're at a spot right now where. It really feels like to me When it comes to That gambling scandal, and you could tweet at me as well, like I said, at N E L L underscore B T P. Um It feels like right now with that scandal, like I I don't want to sound like a. I've said it all night long, and you're probably tired of hearing it, but this is how I really feel.
I don't want to sound like some sports radio conspiracy theorist. It's not at all what I am attempting to be. But I I genuinely am starting to become concerned Yeah. whether or not sports betting is going to jeopardize the integrity of pro sports, collegiate sports, you know, so on and so forth. There's so much money tied up with these leagues in these sports books that You know, sometimes there are going to be situations where outcomes uh are are financially driven.
I I fear that I don't know how far we are away from that, but it wouldn't stun me if You know, a point-shaving scandal came out, or something along those lines. It feels like every scandal that comes out, we're inching. Closer. And close, sir. Closer.
And closer. Like I just Yeah, I I just I just don't know, man. It's it's a very, very delicate, delicate balance. That these leagues and these sports books are going to have to balance. And it feels like You know, right now we are legitimately in a spot where The more stuff that comes out, the more folks like myself and you all are going to question it.
And you're not wrong for questioning it. You're not. being a conspiracy theorist or being inquisitive. I mean There are so many scenarios. Where Especially in the NFL and in college basketball.
where it feels like Scott Van Pelt, if you all are familiar with him, does Late night sports center with SVP, and he actually does it out of our nation's capital. It's awesome, Scott. one of the media legends in the DMV. But Scott does a steg uh a segment with uh Stanford Steve is is is co-host. And pal and confidant called Bad Beats.
And during Bad Beats, if you've ever watched Bad Beats, You go, what the hell? How could that possibly happen? And sometimes when I'm watching bad beats, I go, man. You ain't gonna sit there and tell me. That that wasn't rigged.
And obviously I say it and I say it facetiously. I don't genuinely believe that like outcomes are being fixed yet. But I do think the the the bigger these deals get, And the more prominent sports gambling becomes, and it feels like it's at its peak right now. talking about sports gambling. And there are, you know, there are old heads out there talking about I used to bet off the shore Cambodia years ago, years ago, with the offshore bookie.
This is different. I know sports gambling has been going on forever.
So technically the integrity Approach has been at risk. for a long time. But There is a scenario to me. in which There is a scenario to me in which We're looking at this thing and going, okay. Can we really trust everything?
And I don't mean the you know, sound cynical or anything like that. It's just my natural thought. It's just my natural thought. So I I I don't know, man. It is It's interesting to see, man.
It's interesting to see. I just don't know I just don't know what it's about. I don't know how we get to the bottom of this. I don't know why dudes choose to do this. I tried to get to the bottom of it in the last segment.
Is it addiction? Is it greed? Is it them not managing their finances properly? I don't know how we would get to that resolution. I just don't.
I I just don't. But Either or we'll talk about it in more detail before we get out of here. Right now, though, when I go out to the guest hotline for the second time this show, We find our pal Jory Epstein, senior NFL reporter for Yahoosports.com. You can give her a follow on the XAP at Jory Epstein. Jory, we appreciate you making some time for us.
Well, now great to be on. I am doing well. How are you doing? I mean, can we really call it dog days when you think about what happened in the NFL today? I was about to say, just when you think you're getting a little bit of a rest when it comes to the National Football League, boom, here comes the Pittsburgh Steelers continuing to add reinforcements.
I want to start there. Pittsburgh with a big-time deal earlier today. Jory, I'll peel back the curtain a little bit and be transparent and honest with you. When I first saw the deal, I did not notice that Mika Fitzpatrick was included. That has clearly shifted how I grade this deal for Pittsburgh.
If you're just now joining us, talking to our listening audience, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Miami Dolphins come to terms on a blockbuster deal earlier this afternoon that sends Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonu Smith to Pittsburgh in exchange for Mika Fitzpatrick in a pick swap. Jory, as you are getting your lunch together earlier this afternoon or finishing up writing a story or an interview, what was your thought when this comes across your ticker? Yes, there was so much to impact here because as you mentioned, we've got a player swap I mean, defensively, we got Jalen Ramsey going to Pittsburgh. We got Minka Pitzpatrick going to the Dolphins. Then we also added in tight end Johnny Smith going from Miami to Pittsburgh.
Then we have the salary implications and oh, he's going to get paid Jalen's going to get paid a little bit more, but the Dolphins are going to take a little bit of that salary on. And oh, by the way, that's seventh round picks off.
So there's just so many different elements here. And I think what stands out to me most is when you look at what the Steelers have done this season or this off season, I should say, You really have to ask yourself, what is going on? The Steelers are historically a patient franchise. They don't make a lot of moves in the offseason. And now we see they're getting rid of George Pickens, they're bringing in DK Metcalf, they're bringing in Aaron Rodgers, they're getting rid of Minka Fitzpatrick, they're bringing in Jalen Ramsey and Johnny Sukha.
I mean, on and on. And it's just like, who are these guys and what have they done with the Rooney family? But I think that what it comes down to is two. To say that the Steelers are all in, I believe is a misnomer. When I reached out to coaches and executives around the league today, they too believe that.
Because if you're all in, you're usually not only focusing on this year, but you're mortgaging your future. You've got all your salary cap and your cash setting maxed out. You were maybe giving up some picks. You're saying, we are going to do this now. The Steelers aren't really mortgaging their futures either in the contracts for the players or in the implications for their draft picks, but they are heavily emphasizing this win-now mentality.
And we know why, because Aaron Rodgers figned with them. He's got a really high ceiling as a quarterback, a four-time MVP, even into his 40s. And he said he's pretty sure he's got one year left.
So, really, this is about the Steelers being in a win-now mode and the Dolphins, in my opinion, being in more of a rebuild mode. Yeah, I I totally agree with your premise uh on the deal. I mean, I look Just because they haven't mortgaged significant draft capital, though, doesn't mean that the Steelers aren't going all in. I totally believe that is their mentality. And I happen to think it's going to work.
Jory, you could say I'm a crazy person. I just feel like, and let me know if you agree or not. I think And maybe you're guilty of it, maybe you're not. I know I have been at times. We have let our opinions, talk about media members, our opinions of Aaron Rodgers, the person.
influence how we evaluate Aaron Rodgers as the quarterback. When you consider all the moves that Pittsburgh has made and then you insert Aaron Rodgers, probably the best quarterback that they've had under center since Ben Roethlisberger retired back in twenty twenty, I mean, I'd have to put the Steelers on the short list of frontrunners in the AFC. Buffalo, Baltimore, Kansas City, the only three teams I'm willing to concretely put above Pittsburgh, and we know that they've had Baltimore's numbered during the regular season. Where do these moves ultimately place Pittsburgh in the landscape of the loaded AFC? Yeah, I think we still see differently on the all-in mode because they do have other resources they're not using for this year in terms of salary cap and cash that they are not using.
But clearly, they are emphasizing twenty twenty five. And what's interesting to me is I was texting a coach last week After Rogers made his comments about he's pretty sure it's last year, and he said, the coach said, like, guys, you wanna end on a good note, if it's his third consecutive bad season, pretty good sign to hang it up. And I was like, would you really consider it third consecutive bad season? Because obviously, two seasons ago, he tears his Achilles on the fourth snap of the season, so that's a bad season. But I think that Rogers at 40 years old did better than most guys would do at 25 coming off an Achilles tear.
It's very well known in the league that you usually are not going to be 100% your first year back from an Achilles tear when you're young.
So to me, what Rogers did last year, I'm not saying his production emulated what he did earlier in his career when he was winning MVPs, but I actually think when you consider the level of adversity, both in terms of How dysfunctional the Jets were and his own health that he had to overcome, what he did last year was really impressive. And so I say that in response to what you're saying, Lynelle, about this idea of how do we divorce what we think of Aaron Rodgers, the person from Aaron Rodgers supplier. And to me, you have to be impressed with what he did from a health standpoint and the relative production. In terms of how the Steelers will be ranked, I mean, Yes, they're definitely going to be better from a quarterback standpoint than they've been in a while. I think we need to see what their defense is like because obviously, Mike Tomlin has this historic no losing seasons in large part because of his defense.
But towards the end of last year, that defense really struggled. I mean, they had that five game losing streak to end their season, and a lot of that was because their defense just couldn't stop anybody. And so I do have some questions about this. I do think Minka Fitzpatrick was a really big anchor, both from a schematic standpoint and a locker room standpoint. And I think they should have enough pieces.
I would agree with you, they're up there, but I also think that the AFC West is surprisingly competitive. I don't think it's just the Chiefs. I think the Chargers and Broncos should scare people as well. And from a defensive standpoint, I'd probably be more afraid of Denver than Pittsburgh right now. That's a very interesting comp.
I don't want to leave out the Las Vegas Raiders either, Jory. I know Coach Carroll and the company have high expectations for what he's going to do in his inaugural season there. But I think your point is well taken. The AFC is loaded, and my confidence in Pittsburgh, I think, says a lot about what they've done this offseason. And it was going to be interesting.
It's going to be a knock-em-out, drag-em-out brawl next year in that AFC to see who punches their ticket to the playoffs. One team that I know you're very familiar with, my friend, is the Dallas Cowboys. You know what we're doing radio here in Washington, D.C. Jory, I brought up Dallas' offseason about three weeks ago. A couple of weeks after the draft.
And I had about two segments worth of calls of people telling me, ship this guy to Dallas. What do you mean Dallas has had as good of an offseason as anybody in the NFL? When you look at what's going on in Big D, let me ask you this question: Is the gap Which gap is bigger? the gap between Washington and Philadelphia. or the gap between Dallas and Washington.
That's a great question, Lena. I think that is. A really good important point because obviously, I think that the Eagles winning the Super Bowl last year and winning in the fashion they did and returning the players that they are should be considered the favorites to win the NFC East. And I say that in part knowing that I should not put any money on that because no one has repeated in the NFC East since the two thousand three, two thousand four season stretch. I think what I would say is, I believe the gap is bigger between the Eagles and Commanders.
And I've talked about this, but I think the Commanders are going to be a better team than last year. But I don't think their record is going to be better than last year. Because think about all the games they won at the last minute with the Hail Marys here against the Bears and Doinking Inn and all sorts of other ones. I think at some point, yes, I believe that. Jaden Daniels will continue to be a cuts player, and this is not a knock on him at all, but typically NFL teams view it as there is some degree of swing in your luck because there's a degree of randomness, some variance in the NFL.
On top of that, the NFCs has a really hard schedule with the divisions that they're going up against. And so I think that. And I know that's not relative to Dallas versus Washington, but I think that Dallas has more in place. That has been in place for multiple years that they'll be able to draw upon. And I think this is now a team that's got Dak Prescott, Stevie Lamb, and George Pickens on offense.
And I think while they're not necessarily going to be Joe Barrow, Jamar Chase, and T. Higgins, we did see from Cincinnati last year that even if your defense struggles, and maybe Dallas doesn't, but even if your defense struggles, if you have an offensive core that is that productive, Cincinnati was able to win a lot of games with that.
So that's kind of how I view where Dallas is going to be. But it'll be a lot of it'll be interesting because we haven't seen Brian Schwartzheimer call plays in a long time. For sure. And I think when the hire was made of Schottenheimer, you know, from being boots on the ground in Dallas what type of relationship Dak and him have formed over the past several years. I know it's viewed as kind of like a net negative because it's Dallas and oh, they're hiring from within.
It feels like they're the easy target when it comes to the NFC in terms of franchises we want to just punch on. I think we know about that here in Washington because we were that team for a long time. A lot of the things that you just said, I think, are certainly true. Dak Prescott, to me, is probably one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the National Football League. And relative to Washington versus Dallas specifically, if you look at the two meetings last year, this commander's offense with Jayton Daniels in the game.
Really, really struggled against the Dallas Cowboys.
So we'll see what happens coming up in 2025. Jory, I want to put some folks on the hot seat real quick while we got you. It doesn't have to be from the same team. It could be two separate entities. But give me the quarterback and head coach under the most pressure Entering 2025.
Yeah, I would the head coach under the most pressure entering 2025 has got to be Brian Dable and the Giants. And we don't have to lose NFCs to find this guy. I went through it and I was thinking about it. And yes, you could say Shane Steichen needs to show he can develop a quarterback, but I think Brian Dable's biggest feather in his cap when he got to the Giants was developing Josh Allen. And we've since seen Brian Dable with other quarterbacks not have success and Josh Allen with a range of offensive coordinators and play callers have success.
And so then you say, well, what are you doing? Are you getting the culture right on your team? And we've seen varying reports about the culture. And obviously his former defensive coordinator at the Giants Way Martindale had a lot of questions on his way out. And then you want to see him developing a quarterback.
And so whether that looks like putting Russell Wilson in the best position to succeed in the short term. And you also, if your ownership want to see him put Jackson Dart in position to be the guy for the long term. And so I think he's going to want to both prove to them that he could win now on the strength of his defense. And be able in the longer term to have a quarterback answer in Jackson Dart. In terms of quarterbacks on the hot seat, That one's a tougher one.
And I'm actually curious who you put with it because I don't know that I feel like there's a I think what I would wonder in terms of hot seat is is this someone who Right in the way. I mean, quarterbacks under pressure, you have some guys who have not done anything yet, but I don't know if I consider that the same as hot seed.
So I'm going to have you define this a little bit more for me. Yeah, sure.
So I'll give you my answer, and then I'll give you my reason for my answer. I just thought it was actually, but you can see that.
So I'm going to go with Lamar Jackson in Baltimore. Not in the regular season, but obviously in the postseason. Everyone has a lot of nasty things to say, it feels like Drury about Dak Prescott because, oh, it's only regular season numbers that he's putting up. Same can be said about Lamar Jackson. When you stack up their head-to-head playoff numbers, Dak Prescott, wee bit better than Lamar action Jackson.
Do you agree with me when I say Lamar is the quarterback under the most pressure, or do you have another option?
Okay, that's a great point. And I will say it's funny because when I was at the AFC Championship in Baltimore two years ago now, I actually felt like if you make it to the AFC championship, there's so many different things that can happen there. And I thought that two years ago we started to change that narrative a little bit. Betsey did get past the divisional round. And I say that's coming from someone who spent the first seven years of my career in Dallas and watching the Cowboys not having made it past the divisional round in thirty years.
I mean, you guys know that in Washington. And now I believe with you guys, Making it to the conference championship last year. I think the Cowboys are the longest tenured team in the NFC to not have made it that far. But in terms of pressure, I think the answer actually has to be Anthony Richardson in Indianapolis because he is someone who already was under a lot of pressure last year. He hasn't been able to stay healthy.
He had another aggravation of his AC joint in his shoulder that knocked him out of most of the last season or two years ago. He was in off-season activities this year, and they brought in Daniel Jones, who they're paying like $13 million, $14 million, which is not backup money, to push Anthony. And so to me, it was kind of like Anthony's job to lose, but he really had to prove that he was the guy and that they shouldn't trust Daniel more. And then instead, he's been hurt. He had last year where he even tapped out of the game because he was tired.
And I know it was one play, but it was not a look that won the confidence of the locker room. And then you add to that that with Jim Ursay's passing, the owner of the Indianapolis Colts, his daughter Carly Ursay Gordon, recently said that they believe that Anthony can do it if he wants to and was really emphasizing this if he wants to. And so I don't know that the Colts are going to have the same level of intention in developing Anthony Richardson to be the starter. Because if you're head coach Shane Steichen and your general manager Chris Ballard, how many more years can you get this wrong? You kind of have to get it right this year and win games, not necessarily just develop.
And I think that job is going to go to Daniel Jones. Jory, I know you got a heart out, so we'll let you go on this. You could be brief. We appreciate you making some time. My most intriguing storyline heading into next year, one of them is what's going to happen with Travis Hunter in Jacksonville.
Real quick, based off of folks you've talked to, what are the expectations out there in NFL league circles about what we'll see from Hunter? I believe that he will be primarily an offensive player with defensive packages. There are split opinions, but I think that ultimately, the head coach who he was drafted by was going to dictate what he played. And I think that receiver is so valuable in position. You had a head coach whose job is to come in Call the plays, make the offensive run, offense run, and prove that Trevor Lawrence is also your quarterback.
You signed him to a big deal, and so you need Travis Hunter to play primarily on offense. And while I'm not saying he won't spot on defense, I do think there are people who believe it would be a lot harder to be in a defensive package than an offensive package if you were going to have limited snaps on one side of the ball.
So I think people are going to be disappointed. And I would be wrong. I'd be thrilled to be wrong and just see him play both ways and see what happens as long as they're looking out for the guy, because I do worry about the player longevity. But I think ultimately, the nature of the head coach and the quarterback situation there is going to swing him toward offense. Jory, we appreciate you making some time for us as always.
Hopefully, Washington is on one of your training camp stops, my friend. That is absolutely the plan.
So I will see you guys soon. As Jory Epstein, senior NFL reporter for Yahoosports.com, give her a follow on the XAP at Jory Epstein, J-O-R-I Epstein, one of the absolute best talking all things national football league. Always love getting the chance to catch up with her. One thing we talked about there at the tail end Travis Hunter. And I've brought him up.
uh on several different occasions on this radio station. And To me when it comes to expectations for him, I think First, I could be doing the kid a complete disservice.
So, I want to start off by prefacing my comments with that. I could be putting too much pressure on this young man, I could be being unrealistic. I think he's got the chance. And maybe it doesn't happen in year number one. But in terms of how good he is at both corner and wide receiver, In terms of like two-way phenoms in professional sports, right?
We had the Shohei versus Travis Hunter conversation a couple of weekends ago. I genuinely think I don't think it happens in year one because I think there's going to be a feeling out process and a talking point amongst the folks in the organization, like, hey, how do we use this dude? What is the best way to get the most out of Travis Hunter? I think those convos will happen. But I think eventually they'll find out what his role is going to be, and I think it'll ultimately vary throughout the course of his career and even week to week at times, depending upon the matchup.
But he has got all of the tools in the world. If he fails as a two-way player, it won't be because Travis Hunter did not put in the requisite work to be a dog. Like that's I said it all the time about this kid. It's three things he likes. Fishing.
playing video games. in training for football. Like point blank, that's that's all Travis Hunter loves. He is a a gym rat, a football junkie. If I may, and I think it's going to ultimately be the reason why he has a ton of success in this league.
We were talking about, I think it was two weekends ago. The rookie contract that he signed, it was the most guaranteed at signing for uh a guy picked in his slot, so Shout out to Young Money and their sports agency getting that deal done, putting Travis Hunter in the 1% of folks drafted in that slot. I just I feel like injury is going to be if there's going to be one thing that slows Travis Hunter down. This year in the NFL, I would say injury is that. If there was one thing.
That was going to slow Hunter down. Injury. Injury is what it would be. And I that's that's a lot of people's concern. He puts the work in though, man, like I would love to know how his body changes.
you know, from When he pre-drafts to when he was drafted, to when they break for training camp at the end of mandatory minicamp, and then what is he looking like when he returns back for training camp? Because if you don't think. Travis Hunter has been putting in work this entire time trying to get himself better. Then you're a fool and you don't know who the kid is. I think Shador Sanders is in the same situation in terms of like how much better.
Uh can he get between you know, now on the start of training camp. I know there's that workout video of him Right now, servicing online, and you know, it's great. I love all of that. We've talked a lot about Shador in terms of what we saw from him. during the spring.
It's hard for me, especially at quarterback. to put too much stock into the spring. Because I know how different it is when it's live bullets flying and it's guys that are padded and there's a pass rush coming after you. It just changes the entire dynamic of everything. There's a cautionary tale that I was able to learn from Sam Howell.
Covering him during Commander's Training Camp. The way he looked during the spring, though. was like man this dude Did they find a steal in the fourth round? And could he potentially be their franchise guy moving forward? And then we saw him during training camp.
And then we saw him during preseason, and then we saw him during the regular season. He got progressively worse as the scenarios got closer to game-like speed. And I just hope that didn't happen for Shador Sanders. Andor Travis Hunter. About a half hour left to go on the program here on the JR Sport Brief, right here on the Infinity Sports Network.
You're tapped into the youngest in Charles and L. Willingham out of Washington, D.C. We will take you up to 10 o'clock p.m. Eastern Time. As I mentioned, when we come back, we will keep things on the National Football League.
Last weekend we talked about head coaches and quarterbacks that had the most pressure on them. going into the season. I'll tell you which head coach and quarterback I expect to break out, quote unquote, during the 2025 season. All that more coming your way next here on the Infinity Sports Network. What kind of programs does this school have?
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You're listening to the JR Sport Brief. 710-4476. It's Hierarchus here on the Tara Sport Brief. Lynell Willingham out of Washington, D.C., sitting in for a guy day before the 4th of July. About a half hour left to go on the program.
Big thank you to Jory Epstein, Yahoosports.com, for joining us top of the 9 o'clock hour on the East Coast. What I want to get to right now is Some potential breakout candidates in the NFL. A head coach. and a quarterback that I think can break out. in 2025.
It's in lieu of what we did last week. where we did the quarterback and head coach that had the most pressure on them. Going into the season. There are a lot of. interesting choices to choose from.
That's how I would put it.
So in terms of a breakout coach, here is who is eligible. first or second year head coaches.
So Aaron Glenn. With the jets. Is somebody that would be eligible, Liam Cohen? With Jags is someone who would be considered eligible. Pete Carroll with the Raiders.
Now, it's hard for old Petey Pete to break down because he's. He he is Pete Carroll. But Um The Raiders are an interesting team and could have a potential breakout quarterback as well. depending on if you're still asleep on Geno Smith or not. You pick up what I put down though, Kellen Moore in New Orleans.
Um A lot of deserving guys. To me, I'll give you my coach that I'm expecting to break out. First tier. And when I what I mean by by breakout is the team will exceed expectations. and be better than what people are giving them credit for.
And I was a mouthful. They will be better than people are giving them credit for, and they will exceed. Expectations. This is tough for me. But For for the coach that I'm going to go with here.
I believe in culture. Right? I think culture is super important. in the National Football League. And I think when you when you establish a culture and you get You know, all 90 guys, all 53 guys on a roster bought in, and you get the absolute best.
out of all those guys, it's because of culture. And I can speak to it being a guy that does my local radio in D.C., what Dan Quinn was able to do during his first year in Washington, cultivating a culture, getting guys to, you know, punch above their weight class, so to speak, and the ability to get the absolute best out of everybody. That stuff matters. It matters, it matters, it matters. You know what organization with a new coach I think is getting a complete culture shift?
Look no further The Florin Park, New Jersey, and Aaron Glenn with the New York Jets. I think Aaron Glenn Say what you want about the Jets from a talent perspective. I think they've got it. I think he comes in there and gets the absolute best. out of everyone.
And this is a team on paper. that I thought actually There is young talent, is how I would describe it. There is young talent littered all up and down this roster. It's about finding a guy that can get the absolute most out of them in the hope. for Woody Johnson and and the the powers that be in that organization.
The hope is that Eric Glenn is that guy. Will he be? It's dependent upon whether or not Justin Fields is a breakout quarterback.
Now, I personally. I don't think Justin Fields will be a breakout quarterback in terms of he's putting up gaudy numbers. He'll win games because I think that team is going to play a ball control style of football. They're going to run it. They're going to use the quarterback run game to their advantage.
They're going to play good defense, and there's going to be a lot of ugly football. Played in New York, and that's fine. That is. The culture, I guess, that maybe they're trying to set: be tougher, be more physical than everybody else. But This is year number four for Justin Fields.
At some point it's got to click for you.
So while I don't think he'll be the breakout quarterback, I do think I do think that he will have some success this year. Do I take it as far as to say the Jets will be a playoff team? Oh, I guess that makes you a breakout if you make the playoffs. Am I willing to say? Out of all the first-year head coaches, Aaron Glenn.
uh in New York with with the Jets. Ben Johnson in Chicago. uh with the Bears. Kellen Moore in New Orleans with the Saints. And then Pete Carroll in Las Vegas with the Raiders, and then Liam Cullen in Jacksonville with the Jackson.
Which young head coach, which rookie head coach? is best is in the best position to win the most games in year one. Aaron Glenst the AFC is tough, and their schedule is going to be tough. This this pains me 'cause I'm putting a lot of stock. into a quarterback.
And offense. an offensive mind a head coach rather. I like Jacksonville. I think Liam Cohen and the Jags. Are going to surprise people in terms of what their win-loss record is.
I wouldn't be stunned if they came out on top. in the AFC South next year. Houston's got a revamped offensive line that no one's sure about. Right? In Indianapolis, Daniel Jones, is he supposed to be the guy to save Shane Steichen and Chris Ballard?
I doubt it. Right? Very interesting. in that AFC South in terms of who comes out on top. Tennessee is another team that No one's really talking about.
Titans aren't getting a whole lot of love. In terms of what they could potentially be next year. I think Cam Ward has the goods. The question is, is the supporting cast, offensive line, skill position group, et cetera, is it good enough for Cam Ward to have success in year one? My breakout quarterback, I'll stop dancing around and stop tap dancing.
My breakout quarterback, I can't believe I'm saying this because once upon a time I said that this young man would not be able to survive in the NFL because we just simply don't have a precedent of success for a guy at his stature. Bryce Young was balling. At the end of last year, he is my breakout quarterback for 2025, and I love what they did at the skilled position group this off this offseason. Year two of Xavier League get your draft team Mac. Jimmy Horn Jr., I think, is going to be the unsung hero of this receiving core, talking about the draft.
Adam Thielen returning, giving you that veteran presence. Jatavion Sanders in year number two. What do you get out of him? Bryce Yoke played well down the stretch, man, and I think He has a real opportunity to build off that, and I love what they did this offseason to help him. Try and build off that.
888-710-4476 is how you're reaching. We'll take a quick time out when we come back. Let's put a bow on the show. Before we do that though, my main man, Marco Belletti, gets us up to speed with a sports flash. You don't just live in your home, you live in your neighborhood as well.
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One final segment to go here with the youngest in Charles and O. Willingham sitting in for the JR Sport Brief right here on the Infinity Sports Network. Number to call is 888-710-4476. That is 888. 710-4476.
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So we've got a few moments left to go on the show here, and I do Uh, wanna get out to the phones before we uh before we end this thing. We haven't gone to the phones and all of this shells.
So we'll do that before we get out of here. The big stories that we talked about off the top, that I want to re-rack here real quick. Just to make sure I leave you with my concrete final thoughts. The way we opened up this show Honestly stunned me. Because I can't believe I was saying it as I was getting ready.
In in sports radio, especially the art of solo sports talk radio, you have to be You have to have your point and they got to be able to play devil's advocate as well. And I think When I said to start this show, I believe it more now than I did at 6 o'clock when we kicked this thing off. Not only do I think LeBron James has played his last game as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers should also strongly, strongly consider what life could be like without LeBron. And Luca, because it is no guarantee, it is not some foregone conclusion that Luca is going to sign a long-term extension in Los Angeles.
I just don't believe That that is a slam dunk. It's something that it is ultimately a guarantee to happen. I just don't. One thing that we didn't get to earlier uh this afternoon on the LeBron front. Is a potential LeBron James destination.
And I said it on Sunday if you were tapping in with us. The Dallas Mavericks. And what they have to offer. In terms of cap space and then allowing matching salary and then allowing, you know the Lakers to get some pretty decent players back in return. I think the LeBron trade to Dallas makes the most sense, and I think ultimately.
Whether it's by hook or by crook, I do think LeBron ultimately does get to the Dallas Mavericks, but Here is the Maps trade that we were looking at last weekend as soon as this news broke. And It's tough for me because I think If you're LeBron, I wonder does he care about perception? Because I know how people are going to perceive his exit out of Los Angeles. I know how it's going to go. It's going to end up.
and a bunch of Lebron slander. And I honestly In my heart of hearts, like I'm not Not here for it, man. I don't want that for him. And I think Folks need to understand. you know, where things stand with him and What's his goals right now?
What's most important to LeBron James at this stage in his career? The messaging from Rich Paul to Jean-Serrani of ESPN was loud and clear. LeBron was the best opportunity possible to compete for championships. That does not count. Cannot Will not exist.
in Los Angeles with the Lakers. Point blunt. It does not exist. It cannot exist. It will not exist in that scenario.
Now the trade that the Dallas Mavericks could swing It's not impossible. But it's going to take this roster back. In a big it's gonna set this Roster back in a big big way A LeBron trade. If we're gonna match salaries here. Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, the only Mavis players making more than 20 mill next year.
So a LeBron trade. Daniel Gafford, who was just newly signed, is probably going to have to get gone. PJ Washington probably gonna have to get going the newly signed Najee Marshall. Probably going to have to get going. Maybe Dwight Powell, maybe Clay Thompson's throwing in there.
I know this: if a LeBron trade. does happen. I think they relish the possibility of having Kyrie Irving. LeBron James, Clay Thompson, Cooper Flag, and Anthony Davis as their starting five. Like, that is as lethal of a starting five as they come, and I think it gives them the automatic frontrunner of the Western Conference if they could put that together.
If they could put that together, some folks feel like a trade isn't possible. And that a trade isn't likely for LeBron James. What other way can you do? Could he potentially get out of LA? Dave McMenamin.
Of ESPN had this to say earlier on ESPN LA about how LeBron could potentially finagle his way to Dallas. Dallas, I'm told that they would only be interested in LeBron in a buyout situation.
So, and again, we just because there is a deal to be made there. If they wanted to make a deal, there's a deal. Yeah, there's a deal to be made there, but I'd. Again, I don't Believe that's happening. And he wants to go to, if he's going to go, he's going to go to the East if he can.
I don't necessarily think that because his son's going to be at his son, first of all, and let's keep bringing this up because I don't think it's getting enough attention. His son's on the Lakers. Yeah, right.
So he's going to go get a trade away from his son.
Well, wouldn't you just put Pirani in the trade? Yeah, why not include Bernie? It's going to be such an easy trade to figure out. LeBron is 52.6, and let's throw an extra contract there, too. I just don't think that's a good point.
So we had this conversation earlier to kind of rebuttal on what they were saying about does Bronny have to be a part of any trade package? There is a sector of hating, hating, hating, hating people out there. that feel like Bronny probably can't sustain a career if he's not on the same team as LeBron. If LeBron Request a trade and Bronnie is a part of it, people are going to be. Livid.
You won't hear the end of it, I promise you. Think about what last summer was about. And how people moaned and groaned and whined and cried about LeBron. You know, making sure Bronny was on the Lakers and not drafted by another team. Think about how folks would feel if he forced him on his new team as well.
At this point, if you're LeBron, I keep saying it, man. Who gives a damn? I wouldn't care about what the next man had to say. 'Cause I'm counting fifty two point six big ones. Millions.
Public perception when it comes to LeBron. I said it earlier in the show: him and Kevin Durant. In terms of the OGs of this era, they get the least amount of respect. It's LeBron and Kevin Durant. But LeBron More power to you.
'Cause the one the one thing, the only thing to me that is separating LeBron James and Michael Jordan. And I think LeBron's the greatest of all time already, but in terms of what you all think, To me, The only thing That's in the way. The only thing that's in the way to me is like It's the ch it's the championships.
So so you can't fault him. If he chooses to up and leave again. And I know we had Gary Washburn earlier, and he accused LeBron of. He wants to be in the headlines. I don't think that's the case at all.
Love Gary to death. I don't think that's the case. I think he's legitimately looking at that Lakers roster. First and foremost, like I said at the top, like I said when the trade initially went down, LeBron and Luca, to me, was never going to be able to coexist offensively. Think about, and I know Bron was hurting the postseason, so I.
I take it with a grain of salt. Think about how limited LeBron was and how unimpactful and how uninvolved he felt offensively at times. It felt like four guys standing and watching Luka Dante's dribble the basketball a lot. It did. Ultimately, it wasn't the case.
I mean, ultimately, it was the case, and it's how they went out. But If The rumors are true, and LeBron's like, look, I can't play with this guy. And We're not going to be able to build a championship contending team here. I don't blame them. Look at where they rank in the West.
Okay C is better. Houston's better. The Clippers are better still. I think Minnesota's still better. It's a uphill climb.
For the Los Angeles Lakers, if they want to keep LeBron James happy, I don't think they can. I think he's played his last game as a Laker. Is he going to be a Maverick, though? That's the question. Is he a Maverick?
Is he a Warrior? Is he a member of the Cavaliers? I don't know it though. For the JR Sport Brief, day before the 4th of July. You've been tapping into the youngest in Charles and L.
Willingham out of Washington, D.C. Thank you to super producer Ryan. Thank you to Gary Washburn. Also, thank you to Jory Epstein for joining the program. That's going to do it.
I'm back with you Sunday, 10 to 2 a.m. Eastern Time right here on the Infinity Sports Network. You don't just live in your home, you live in your neighborhood as well.
So, when you're shopping for a home, you want to know as much about the area around it as possible. Luckily, Homes.com has got you covered. Each listing features a comprehensive neighborhood guide from local experts. Everything you'd ever want to know about a neighborhood, including the number of homes for sale, transportation, local amenities, cultural attractions, unique qualities, and even things like median lot size and a noise score. Homes.com.
We've done your homework. This episode is brought to you by Progressive. Most of you aren't just listening right now. you're driving, cleaning, and even exercising. But what if you could be saving money by switching to progressive?
Drivers who save by switching save nearly $750 on average, and auto customers qualify for an average of seven discounts. Multitask right now. Quote today at Progressive.com. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and Affiliates. National average 12-month savings of $744 by new customers surveyed who saved with Progressive between June 2022 and May 2023.
Potential savings will vary. Discounts not available in all states and situations. Dollar Shave Club delivers premium razors without premium prices. Get close, comfortable six-blade shaves, swift prints, and four blades for thicker hair, and translucent shave butter for precision. Visit dollarshapeclub.com/slash home run.
Use promo code HomeRun for 20% off. Hate doing cardio, try brushing and flossing your teeth. I'm not talking about building up a sweat. I'm talking about building a healthier mouth, for a healthier heart, for a healthier you. Smile Generation trusted dentists look at your care through the lens of the mouth-body connection because what happens in the mouth plays a critical role for the rest of your body.
To find a dentist near you committed to treating all of you, visit smilegeneration.com slash confidence today and live longer, healthier, and happier with confidence unleashed. You set the gold standard for your business. Your website should do the same. Wix puts you at the helm so you can enjoy the creative freedom of designing your site just the way you want. Want someone to bounce your ideas off?
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