Today, in 23, I am going to go. Aquí, but I'm not sure. Oh, yeah, they are two 30. Video comogram. Option Wi-Fi and Mazarin connect the local con ATT FiberCon Al-Fi.
ATT connectar locambia todo. It is the JR Sport Brief Show here with you coast to coast on the Infinity Sports Network. NFL teams have to get their rosters down to 53 today. We got some quarterbacks who got some jobs. We got a bunch of quarterbacks who've been cut.
Joining us right now as we inch closer and closer to the start of the regular season. is an NFL writer. A historian, He's a football guru. Joining us right now is Russell Baxter. Russell, how are you, man?
I'm good at that. I didn't realize that was me. I thought, wow, you got a hell of a guest coming on here.
Well, listen, I got to biggy up the best way possible, Russell. Hey, that's all right. There's a lot to be said for PayPal and PayPal and Venmo. I'm glad you got the payment. No, no, no doubt about it.
Hey, listen, Russell. Out of everything that took place today, no big names, no gigantic surprises, what caught your attention? I d I think with um You know, Seattle had a plan this offseason. to rebuild basically its all of its skill positions. um they have a new quarterback they have a new offensive coordinator they have a new offensive line coach They have a new wide receiving room for the most part.
And one of those guys was a guy who Clint Kubiak Had in New Orleans last year for a brief time, and that was Marquez Valdez Scantling. Yeah. Burner, a little inconsistent. Um Gave him a deal and wound up cutting him today. Which was a little bit of a surprise.
They kept guys like Cody White. They really liked Tori Horton. Who is a fifth-round pick out of Colorado State, but he's been a little banged up the last couple of days. There's a lot riding on the Seahawks this year, I think, because of the Gamble they made through this was a 10-win team. In fact, they're the only 10-win team last year that didn't make the playoffs.
And some of that was due to an erratic defense, which started strong. Um Really stunk up to joint the middle of the season and finish strong. And a big reason they won six of their last eight games. Um But John Schneider not only brought in Darnold, they brought in Cooper Cupp. You know, they got rid of DK Metcalf, they got rid of Gino Smith, they got rid of Tyler Lockett, they got rid of Noah Fant.
Um and You know, Seattle drafted 11 guys in April and nine of them on offense.
So it wasn't really deep. I think they feel confident in some of the things they did on defense. Nick Imminwuri, the defensive back from South Carolina. He's a player to watch. Demarcus Lawrence had his season cut short last year.
He comes in and gives them a little defensive depth. And, you know, whether the Cowboys succeeded in the playoffs or not, he at least played in some playoff games. But Scantling, I thought, was Valdez Scantling getting cut loose, I thought was. A little bit of a surprise move.
Now, they could also feel very, very good about the young players they have. But it's a very big year for Seattle because they invested a lot of money into Sam Darnold. And as I wrote last night, are we going to see Sam Darnold? The first 16 times we saw him last year for the most part, or the Sam Darnold who Uh you know Couldn't complete 50% of his passes in Detroit and got sacked nine times by the Rams in the playoffs. I'm going to think it's closer to what we saw at the end.
I mean, he had such a career year. I don't think he's going to be bad, but. It it'd be hard to duplicate what he did last season. Oh yeah, I think 4,300 yards is hard for anybody to duplicate. Plus, Seattle is what Seattle really wants to do.
Is run the football. And the kid who they got in the first round, their guard, Gray Zabel from North Dakota State. You know, they don't make all, you know, they don't make offensive linemen usually offensive rookies of the year. But that's a guy to keep an eye on.
Now, their line has been awful the last couple of years. And Kubiak, let's put it this way: the Seahawks were 28th in rushing in 2023. Talk about consistency. They were 28th in rushing in 2024. I don't think that's going to be the case this year.
I think you see a lot more balance. Um One way to fix an offensive line that you know, gives up a lot of sacks. Um them on the running game and have you watched them during the preseason that's exactly what now their their starters didn't really play against green bay Um but Training camp is the time you try to get these offensive lines together. It's harder than it used to be because you don't have the contact that you used to do and you can't really build up that toughness. And sometimes you can't build up that those reps.
in that consistency and so on. But Seattle to me is an intriguing team to watch. I think frankly the NFC West is kind of wide open.
Okay. Russell Baxter is here with us, founder, pro football guru. Football guru. One of the big stories that we got today, not huge, but Dylan Gabriel is quarterback number two in the Browns. And then Shador is there at number three.
Now that Kenny Pickett is now backing up Geno Smith in Las Vegas, I think. How long do you think it might be until we see Shador get a chance or an opportunity this season?
Well, he's gonna, you know, the next man up after Joe Flacker will be Dylan Gabriel, obviously. Um and hopefully for the sake of Kevin Stefansky. He actually has a quarterback. that he gets 17 games out of.
Okay, and you know, keep in mind something, and Flat go is already on the list.
Okay, since 1999. The Browns have started 40 different quarterbacks. Oh, Jesus. Forty.
Okay. Um you know, if you're if you're out with the guys and um you stop and and get some refreshments a 40 is a good thing correct It can be on a street corner. Yeah, it can be. 40 different quarterbacks is not a good thing. And if by chance Gabriel and Shador wind up starting, that would make it 42.
Now this is only since 1999 when the team came back into the league. as an expansion team.
So Kevin Stafansky's won Coach of the Year twice. And mainly because of How he was able to in some ways rehab Baker Mayfield, after a shaky start to his career, and now they had one bad year, he moved on, and now he's kind of reaching, now he's a Pro Bowl quarterback. Joe Flaca, remember the year they went to the playoffs in 2023? Joe Flaca won comeback player of the year for basically playing five games, and Stefanski won coach of the year.
So Kevin Stefansky knows going.
Now, how good is the team around him? This was a three-win team. last season they had more problems than just just quarterback but You know, if form holds. in recent years. I'm not going to be shocked to see all three of them get at least one start this year.
It's just how it's been. But you know, you never know. I mean, this is an unpredictable league where teams. Um go from last to playoff team just asked the chargers and the commanders last year they were basement dwellers in 2023. One of them went reached the playoffs, one of them reached the NFC title game.
Yeah, you bring in a competent coach and a solid quarterback on one end, and things could change rather quickly. Russell Baxter's joining us here on the JR Sport Brief Show. You talk about a team. Bringing in a quarterback, they hope is a good bridge to whatever they end up doing next. We just heard before you joined us from Aaron Rodgers basically saying you.
Yeah, I'm I'm I'm sad that things didn't work out the way that we intended. In New York. What do you think will take place this upcoming season in Pittsburgh?
Well, I know there's been a little sound and a little guessing about. You know not even really talking about 2025 you know people asking questions even amongst themselves Um, you know, would he even return in 2026? I don't think, and this is just my feeling and a guess without talking to anybody. I don't know if that's necessarily in the plans. For the Steelers, I have felt all along watching them make the moves that they have, trading for John U.
Smith, getting Jalen Ramsey, Juan Thornhill. And remember, they let a lot of contracts expire. this year. Dan Moore went to Tennessee. Najee Harris went to the Chargers.
Um They're not official yet. But you go with the trades they've made Okay. Um and the anticipated compensatory picks. in next year's draft. And the Pittsburgh Steelers are sitting at a dozen picks right now, if that all pans out.
Now, that to me sounds like a team that is hoping to maybe hit a little magic in 2025 and maybe looking for a Quarterback. Who they can build things around, and maybe a franchise quarterback, and doing it without. You know, and who knows what's going to happen. Maybe they could completely bottom out. All right.
I mean, it's been a while since the franchise has had. a losing season. You have to go all the way back to 2003, the year before they took Ben Walthisberger in the first round of the draft. Um but that that's the point I think we know enough about Aaron Rodgers to know that he's a year-by-year case. There's no question.
Now, from all reports I'm hearing, he is throwing the hell out of the football.
Okay, and I'm not going to be surprised to see him and DK Metcalf do some very exciting things. But the Steels need to run the football. their offensive line. Neil really needs to come together. They have an excellent young center.
And Zach Frazier. They've got two first-round draft choices at the tackle spots. Roger Jones is going back. to his natural left tackle spot, but he's been a major disappointment. Troy Fonteneau got hurt in the second game of the year last year.
He's a little more of a promising prospect. Listen. But Every year we sit here talking about skilled positions. Every year we talk about this and that. Ah.
We saw what the offensive line did for the Philadelphia Eagles these two years. And even the year they lost to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Callie Roseman has this thing down pat. Build up your team in the trenches, offensive line, defensive line. It leads to a lot of good things.
It's funny because there's so much. And you know this, rating Jalen Hurts. this and raiding Jalen Hurts that.
Okay. How about, you know, but then you turn around and see the offensive line for the Eagles, the top. you know, just about everybody's list. because that's what they're built on. And that's what their philosophy is.
And that's a hard philosophy. Tig till Beat.
Okay, because if you are solid there A lot of good things are going to happen no matter what the situation is. Elsewhere.
Okay? It was funny, Saquon Barkley didn't have a breakout game at five. Any regards? Against the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, correct? Yeah, yeah.
But I believe he he touched the football more than any other player. And the more he touched the football, Was the last time the Chiefs touched football, although I will say. When the Chiefs did touch the football, they didn't hang on to it very much. Yeah, Mahomes was running for his life out there. Six sacks, three turnovers.
Um you know, and I think a lot of people are There's a little question with the Eagles because guys like Josh Schweat and Milton Williams moved on. But Hallie Roseman just has that, I mean. Zach Bond was basically a special teams player with the Saints. He was an all-pro linebacker with the Eagles. Not pro, but all pro.
Old probe.
Okay? I mean, not just I mean, just Howie Roseman's probably the best guy in the game right now because he has that philosophy. of not his idea of a splash move is getting A center. And I'm not trying to be sarcastic or anything, but he understands what ultimately wins in this game. And that's why he's been able to get.
You know, he's won two Super Bowls. As a general manager, But two different starting quarterbacks. and two different head coaches. Russell Baxter is here with us on the JR Sport Brief Show.
Well, let me ask you this in finality. The team that didn't win the Super Bowl. Earlier this year. The Kansas City Chiefs, they trying and have retooled. On their offensive line.
He certainly hopes that everything kind of works out. And then we got this news today that Travis Kelsey is going to get hitched. Is this kind of a last ditch this year? Are we going to be done with Kelsey? What do you think this means for this team this season?
Well, you know, pass catching, I mean, he's still a very, very pivotal part of what they do. I think he wore it down at the end of the year. I think the Chiefs in general, the Chiefs have played a lot of football. These last couple that's what happens when you go to three straight Super Bowls and remember when they beat the 49ers in Super Bowl 58. They weren't a number one seed.
They had to play four playoff games.
Okay, now, of course, the Eagles had to play four playoff games, they name, but. You know, when you go to the playoffs, what is it, ten years in a row they've been in there now? you know, second longest streak, you know, they can tie the Patriots. They have a chance of Tying the Bills this year if they get back to the Super Bowl. You know, the only other team to get the Ford Super Bowl is, of course, the Bills didn't win the year there.
There's the Chiefs. The Chiefs have been to the Super Bowl five of the last six years. That's. almost unfathomable.
Okay, that the team can do that.
Okay? I mean when the Patriots did what they did, they had their gaps.
Okay, they went to three in four years. Then they kind of got spread out. I mean, I'm not saying anything New England did. Premier Dynasty, we didn't do that for 20 years. Um you know, but remember Travis Kelsey But for people who don't know.
Travis Kelsey was a rookie. The first year that Andy Reid coached the Chiefs in 2013. That's a long time. Yeah, he's going to be 36 in October. It might be time to.
Hang them up and just be a celebrity. We're going to find out sooner than later. Hey, Russell, thank you so much for coming through and joining us. Tell everybody where they could follow you and all of your work. Backs football guru on well, I still call it Twitter, okay?
I'm a creature app. Backs football guru on Twitter. I put all the stuff out that I do for on SI. And be jumping back in NFL spin zone once the season starts. Um with some of my weekly columns like food for thought and key statistics and Um stuff like that.
Always fun to talk football. Nine days away. From the season opener, who's the greatest number nine in NFL history in your mind? The greatest number nine? Oh my goodness.
Or your favorite number nine. My favorite number not Romo. Romo's on my list of. I do, if you go on my Twitter account, I do countdowns. When it comes to the Super Bowl, the draft, the Hall of Fame, and so on.
So today it was nine.
Okay. And of course you have guys like Drew Brees. who is first time eligible. for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Well you know he's getting the obvious Well, you hope so. I mean second all time. I mean passing away behind by Tom Brady, okay? It's amazing. There's a question that he's not getting.
We know it's not, we know he's getting in.
Well But he didn't get in last year. And I'll just remind people: they've kind of tweaked the rules when it came to the Hall of Fame. This past year, which I was in camp, I go every year. It was only four guys enshrined. That was the fewest in 20 years.
Yeah. So. It's now a matter of not getting in. It's a matter of: are you a first ballot? Are you a second ballot?
Um, you know, they have certain limits for certain things. Um, I'll tell you one guy, I but nothing surprised me, Larry Fitzgerald. His first time eligible.
Now he wore number 11, that was two days ago.
Okay, so but Drupris obviously And number nine, probably the one hall of famer. I'll date myself. Um Anybody out there remember Sonny Jerkinson? From the Redskins and the Eagles quarterback, Hall of Fame quarterback? He wore number nine?
So this is good.
Now tomorrow is number eight. That's always a fun topic. Uh Steve Young and Troy Aikman. Yeah, well, yeah, I go young over Aikman. I think Aikman towards the end got a little worse.
Well, they both unfortunately got banged up at the end, but I think Aikman had a little bit worse. Yeah, well, yeah, I mean, Troy got. I mean, he was, it was LeBar Arrington, I think, that hit him. Yeah. And Steve got.
steamrolled on a Monday night. Um, and that was big. And I had the privilege of working with Steve at ESPN, great gentleman, and so on, great analyst, a lot of fun to work with, and so on. But, you know, there are some. The veterans out there who remember old school football, per se, not Detroit, and Steve didn't play it.
But there's a great Hall of Fame safety from The St. Louis Cardinals named uh Larry Wilson. who a lot of people credit with creating. whether he did or not, the safety blitz.
Okay. And what what year was this? Oh, we hope sixties?
Okay, yeah, now that pre that's it's not when you would get it and by the way Maybe the greatest punter of all time, Ray Guy, war number eight. Oh, Ray Guy. I remember Ray Guy. And I don't.
So that and that's what makes them fun and for me on a personal level. For the guys who are still with us and still playing in the league, I always get a big kick because I tag them. on Twitter. And Many of them respond. With a thank you and so on.
So it's nice to hear because I do that, it's a tribute to the players. Um and it's it's one way and it's also to me. We need to be, I'll get on my soapbox for 30 seconds. We in the media need to be better teachers. That's it?
There was nothing. You said 30 seconds for soapbox. I thought you were going to say more after that. No, no, no, I'm running for office next year, not this year.
Okay. All right, no taking, no taking.
Well, you came through and educated us, Russell. We appreciate the time.
Okay, we'll catch you soon. We got you. Nine days, eight days. It's getting here quick. We're getting here.
Yeah, I can't wait. Don't remind me. The only bad part, it's about to be September. I still miss summertime, but. Hey, I'll enjoy it while we can.
Hey, Russell, we'll talk to you real soon, okay? You got it, sir.
