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Download the app and see why it's never ordinary at Bet365. Gambling problem? Call 1-877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov. Must be physically located in North Carolina. TNC Supply.
This is Free Range with Von Miller, the podcast where I step outside the lines and I take you with me. Each week, we're talking everything from the biggest stories around the league to the biggest stories off the field. This isn't your average sports podcast. This is game meets culture, locker room meets living room, and no topic is off limits.
So if you're into good conversations that ruffle a few feathers, join me every Wednesday and follow Free Range with Von Miller everywhere you get your podcast. Welcome to Radio Rental. The scariest stories you've ever heard in your life. All told by real people. And off we go.
This wasn't a human being that I saw. There's something here in this house, something not of this world. There was a woman moving through the hall. I stepped back and I was completely alone. Radio Rental is available now.
Listen for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. It is. The JR Sport Brief Show. on the Infinity Sports Network. And coming to you live from Atlanta, Georgia.
Much love and many thanks to everybody listening all over North America. I hope you've had a good Tuesday. It's been Tuesday all day. It's December 2nd. The year Twenty Twenty Five.
I'm in Atlanta, Georgia. Thank you so much to our producer, Holding Things Down in New York City. Ryan Botcher. We got a lot to get into. Week thirteen of the NFL season.
It's done. I mean, what an ugly game we saw last night. I mean, the Giants got beat up by the Patriots. We got the college football playoff rankings that are going to come out in about an hour from now. We'll find out the latest.
We got some great guests that are gonna come through and join us. We know Lane Kiffin left. We left old Miss for L S U. We're gonna have uh Well, we got a lot. How about this?
Let me go in order. We got Will Graves joining us. We don't know if Mike Tomlin is going to be sticking around with the Steelers. But Will Graves is going to join us in about 40 minutes from the Associated Press. He's in Pittsburgh.
We'll talk about it with Will. Of course, when the latest college football playoff rankings are announced in an hour from now, we'll give you the latest. And then we're going to be joined. By a bracketologist. We're going to be joined by Jerry Palm.
From palmbrackets.com, Jerry will come through. And help us analyze the entire field. We only got one more ranking after this, and matter of fact, it's not the ranking, it's the It's the finale. It's going to come on Sunday. Got a lot of guys injured in the NFL.
LeBron James is old. News flash, we knew that. Based on what the Patriots did last night, Kyle Hautower is going to join us. He also covers the Patriots. For the Associated Press.
Are the Patriots real? Are they just uh good? for right now.
Okay, we got a lot to get into. This show. Get started every weekday, 6 p.m. Eastern, 3 Pacific, which is right now. You can always listen on the free Odyssey app.
Your local Infinity Sports Network affiliate, SiriusXM, channel 375. And if you got a smart speaker, you'd be smart. Ask the speaker to play. the Infiniti Sports Network. You can also find me online.
I'm everywhere. I'm like uh Santa Claus, isn't he everywhere? Or He knows when you're sleeping. He knows when you're awake. I'm not Santa, I'm not God, but I'm all over the Internet.
I am at. J.R. Sportbrief. That is act. JR Sport Brief.
all over the place on social media.
Okay? Here's a phone number if you want to call. Knock yourself out. Here's the number: 888. seven ten four I S N That's eight eight eight seven ten.
four. I S And Man, there's been a lot that has taken place here. of the past twenty four hours since I was on the airwaves with you. Had that crap Monday night football game where the Giants just It looked horrific. New York Giants could even go out there and hit a field goal.
What are we doing? Young Weiku was just like, ah, you know, the ball fell out at the end. And so I, you know, I held back. I didn't kick the ball. Basically made it sound like he did it on purpose.
Okay. All right, young Waku. Giants got a star, young star, rookie. If they drafted Abdul Carter, he can't even show up to work on time. It's just.
Just terrific there. Adam Thielen, how about that? He wanted to be released. From the Minnesota Vikings, and now he's a member of the Steelers. Good luck with that one.
I guess the Steelers are like, we need anybody that could play.
Okay, let's just go ahead. And throw a life raft out there for this guy. I don't know how thrilled he is about the situation.
So we got a lot to get into. Let's just uh. Let's just talk about this nonsense from last night. Because it was pretty comical when we left the studio. At halftime, Monday night football, the New York Giants and the New England Patriots, when I walked out the studio.
The score was thirty to seven. The New York Giants were fumbling punt returns and kick returns. Giving up punt return for 95-yard touchdowns. Quarterback is getting a hell beat out of him. The field goal kicker can't even connect with the ball to.
formally kick a field goal, it was just bad. Oh, yeah, and I told you the star rookie couldn't even show up to work on time. He got benched again, Abdul Carter, for the second time. Congratulations to the Patriots. They are eleven And two.
This is what you want. This is what you expect. When you bring in a coach like Mike Vrapel, he's one of the best coaches in the entire NFL. Tennessee Titans are a bunch of numbskulls for even letting this guy go. And so the Patriots look.
Am I feeling that they're going to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl? Nah, I'm not there yet. But I'll tell you this, they will be able to hang in there. with anybody. Drake May, I'd still take Matthew Stafford as my NFL MVP.
But Drake may putting up a great case. Two touchdowns yesterday. He has 23 touchdowns, six interceptions on the year. There's teams that wish they got this. out of their second year Q B.
Patriots are the first team to get to eleven wins. This was their tenth straight victory. They get a chance to relax. They got about two weeks off. before they take on.
the Buffalo Bills. This is a beautiful thing. For the New England Patriots. And if you don't like the Patriots, if you were sick all the years of winning, With Tom Brady and that old Uh evil-looking Star Wars character Bill Belichick. You may have to get used to it.
Mike Vrabel is not as insufferable as Bill Belichick was or still is. And Drake Mace certainly isn't Tom Brady. May he'll never be Tom Brady, but I don't know. Maybe he'll start telling you about diet plans and how he doesn't eat tomatoes. And I don't know, it's too early in his life and his career for Drake May.
It's who uh you know, be weird. There was a point in time where Tom Brady appeared normal. and he started making money and dating supermodels, and then he became very Very weird. But for right now, everybody in New England is normal. Things are normal.
They are back to winning. all those years of pain, it appears that they have a They paid off. Mike Vrabel. I've always a coach. He's like, Yeah, the wind was good, but We always can do better.
Of course, they can. you know, a lot of good things to build on and continue to improve. You know, really focus on things that we're going to have to do a little bit better down a stretch here. I think that just proud of what the team has done week in and week out. whatever the challenge was and whatever has been presented to us.
And that's what a coach is supposed to say. You don't want anybody on your team to get complacent. You don't want anybody on your team to just be quite okay. You always want them. you know, feeling that they can do better.
Drake May, he knows that. He can do better. And they ain't scored no points really in the second half. Listen to what Drake May had to say. Start with coach saying no naps.
You know, we're going to come out here and start fast. And we knew this team has been up in a lot of games and they had good players over there. They had some good talent and we wanted to try to get on them fast. And Marcus helped us with that. What a return for him.
And the kickoff return, I mean, kickoff coverage. I mean, I think just all phases of the game showed up at different points. And I still think offensively in the second half, we got to put some more drives together to put the game out of reach. Yeah, more points is better, right? When I left the studio I remember vividly saying, or clearly saying, on the air, I said, wouldn't it be awesome not for the Giants?
But wouldn't it be awesome if they kind of doubled up on them? Gave you a 60 to 14 type game. The Giants were able to put some points on the board. Didn't really matter now, did it? Fifteen points.
It doesn't matter. You knew your giants stink. Patriots have won ten straight. New York Giants are here with their seventh straight loss. They get to take on Washington in another two weeks.
And who cares? If you're a Giants fan, what are you waiting for? If you're a Giants fan, what are you waiting on, the season to end? Are you looking for your new next coach? I mean, it doesn't look like Kafka is going to be the guy.
I mean, it part of his job right now is telling the the rookie Abdul Carter to show up to work. I don't know. Maybe it's something about Penn State and showing up late. They still haven't had a. They still don't have a head coach, and we're going to get into that in a minute.
It doesn't appear like a. They're gonna get one out of BYU either. But before we get there. Back to Abdul Carter. He can't show up.
He suspended or he was held out. for the second consecutive game. He was benched the entire first quarter. Last week, They basically told him, Hey man, you gotta show up to work. Can't do it on time and this week they said it wasn't a matter of discipline.
But this was a coach's decision. And it's like, what? Then, what's the difference? Is he showing up on time or is he not? After the game Abdul Carter, talked about being benched again.
Slowly. story for that. Yeah. happens. What happened?
I ain't gonna get into detail when I said shit. Yeah. Why Ato? Oh, damn. Ouch.
Asked me the same question. Why? What happened? I'm not answering. Wow, ouch.
Wow. Damn. He says, What happened? Bleep happens.
Well, we know that happens. But don't you have a little bit more control over what you you need to do? Out there on the football field. His teammate, veteran Brian Burns, was pretty much asked what happened, and he says, Listen, man, I'm just. Trying to help steer the young rookie.
He's young. That's pretty much it. Nobody knows exactly what happens. I mean, damn it. Today he was asked the same question, and maybe he feels better.
Take a listen. I'm doing good. Appreciate you. You um you posted something It seemed like refuting some stuff that's been out there. What was on your mind there with that post?
Yeah, I'm not even gonna entertain that. Yeah yeah. No, then don't put stuff on social media. Like when is when are people gonna grow up? When are people going to own up to their actions?
Like why are people so damn passive aggressive? Like before we had social media. You used to stand on what the hell you were feeling. And you said it and you stood on it. And if somebody had a question or pressed you on it, you gave your opinion.
I mean, I hate to say it. Who am I to say? I guess I am somebody to say. Why these athletes so damn soft? They've been getting their asses kissed for so long You're so good.
You're so great. Here, you got a lot of money. Oh, you're so famous. But you got to show up. and make the main thing the main thing.
You were drafted to play football. for the New York Giants. Go out there and play football. For the New York Giants. Please do it.
Do it. This guy hasn't accomplished anything. in the NFL yet. And he's on social media. Ah, my feelings are hurt.
Ah, I'm complaining. Oh, you know, let me put a vague emoji or anything. Just shut up. Go out there and play on the field and then talk. And if you're going to talk, be able to back it up on the field.
Stand by your words, stand by your actions. There's nothing worse, I think, in the year 2025. And we're getting ready to approach 2026 years. After Jesus Christ. There's nothing worse.
than an athlete. who goes on social media. Passive, aggressive about whatever they feel. And then, when they actually have a member of the media in front of them, or you ask them, what did that mean? Nothing.
You take your ass back to high school. Yeah, I don't know, crawl back into your mother's womb if you want to hide so much. If you're gonna mean something, mean it and say it. Man, we got so many people, not just sports, people just want to hide behind their phones. They won't pull that you know what out their back pocket.
and they want to tell you how they feel. And then when it's time to actually Stand up to it. It's like I can't do it. I gotta hide behind my keyboard. I gotta, you know, tap my touch screen.
I gotta punch a couple of keys and press send. Come on. Do better. Be better. Abdul Carter out here.
Big as hell. Would beat the living hell out of me unless I kicked him in the nuts in a cage. If you put me in a cage match, he'd beat my ass unless I was cheating and dirty. Which I would have to be. But the fact is, man, Grow up.
Please No more social media posts and whining and crying and hiding. No more lacking accountability. It's lame. They used to have the reporters and the players, they beef in the locker room.
Nowadays uh the players nowadays, they just they're they're so shy. I don't want to talk about it. Wait until I get home into my uh my condo on the You know, 55th floor overlooking New York City. Wait until I get upstairs and I just, you know, punch it back into my phone. Man, get over it.
Get over your damn self. You want to answer about his social media usage? Everybody thinks that that's just a different world, man. And in a lot of cases it can be, a false reality for human beings. It sucks.
But he was also asked about his teammates telling him to grow up. Did he have an answer for that? When you hear one of your teammates say that you have to grow up. What is your response? The guys who say that is guys I look up to, guys I respect.
So if they say something like that, I'm going to look at myself first, like, all right, what am I doing? How can I get better? And prove to them that I can earn their respect and, like I said, grow up and be where I'm supposed to be. It grow up. You know, baby, I get it.
He's young in the NFL. Oh, he has all this money and the world is his oyster, and everything is at his fingertips. Good. Good for him. And typically, when you're good at something, in his case, it's going to go get the quarterback, you're going to get paid a lot of money.
He is. Only It's 22 years old. But you want to know something? At minimum. And I don't know the details.
I know last time they said he was late. He says he wasn't sleeping. What does it matter? Your ass ain't show up on time. No excuses.
You don't have to be 6'4, 6'5, 6'3. You don't gotta weigh 250. You don't have to hit a quarterback. You don't have to be a rocket scientist. Shout outs to everybody out there, all my farm workers, all my chefs.
Everybody driving Uber. It don't matter if you're an NFL player.
Well your ass is a Uber driver. Man, it doesn't take a whole lot of anything.
So show up. One time. Period. Mike Kafka, welcome to the New York Giants. This is the crap.
That you got to deal with. Field goal kicker can't even kick a field goal. Third overall pick in this year's draft. It can't show up to work on time. Your quarterback Dart.
People are like, oh my God, he's going to get a concussion. Don't get concussed. Yeah. And now you got to replace Brian Dayball for a few games. What Uh World.
What a world. Good luck.
So Mike Kafka. And these coaches get paid a lot of money. Don't feel all that bad for 'em. Man, but let's be real. It's like a lot of places, a lot of cases, there's some jobs that are worse than others.
And as it stands right now, the New York Giants job. I know Mike Kafka, I hope you're having a stiff drink. at the end of the night when you finish studying. or trying to figure out which one of your uh your players you gotta punish next. Because they can't show up to work on time.
And coaching just like life. Trying to get your kids out the door in the morning, right? Pain in the ass, kids.
Okay, we still love 'em though.
Well, these are not his kids. They're making millions of dollars. They're just a big old pain in the ass. The JR Sport Brief Show here with you, coast to coast, on the Infinity Sports Network. We have a lot, a lot.
To get into.
Okay, I told you later on in the show. We're going to be joined by Kyle Hightower. To talk about a good team, not the Giants, but the good team, the one from last night, the New England Patriots. We're going to figure out whether or not the Patriots are really contenders. The college football playoff rankings, the latest edition before we get to the final rankings, and the final bracket on Sunday is going to take place in an hour from now.
And next hour, we're going to have a conversation with Jerry Palm from palmbrackets.com. We'll get his thoughts on the college football playoff rankings the minute that they are released. And how about this? in about twenty minutes. Speaking of coaches, we're going to have a conversation with Will Graves, who covers all things NFL.
He's based out of Pittsburgh. We're going to talk about the Steelers and whether or not Mike Tomlin's time. is up. But when we come back on the other side of the break, speaking of coaches, We got a college coach who apparently is not going to Penn State. I mean, if you want to coach a football team in college, You may want to make your way to Penn State because they are still looking.
For a coach, I'll give you an update on who's not going to Penn State on the other side, and you can also call me. Here's the number, eight eight eight seven ten four ISN. That's eight eight eight seven ten four ISN. The phone lines are open if you want to talk to me, if you want to talk to America. You're listening to the JR Sport Brief Show coast to coast on the Infinity Sports Network.
Listen up, football fans. You won't want to miss this. Right now, new Bet365 customers bet $5 and get $150 in bonus bets, win or lose.
So you could turn that $150 into something bigger when you bet on money loss, spread, totals, player props. $150 in bonus bets when new customers bet $5. I know where I'm going to bet from now on. Download the app today and see why it's never ordinary at Bet365. Gambling problem?
Call 1-877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov. 21 plus only. Must be physically located in North Carolina. TNC's apply an app only. This is Free Range with Von Miller, the podcast where I step outside the lines and I take you with me.
Each week, we're talking everything, from the biggest stories around the league to the biggest stories off the field. This isn't your average sports podcast. This is game meets culture, locker room meets living room, and no topic is off limits.
So if you're into good conversations that ruffle a few feathers, join me every Wednesday and follow Free Range with Von Miller everywhere you get your podcast. Welcome to Radio Rental. The scariest stories you've ever heard in your life. All told by real people. And off we go.
This wasn't a human being that I saw. There's something here in this house.
Something not of this world. There was a woman moving through the hall. I stepped back and I was completely alone. Radio Rental is available now. Listen for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Hey there, we're Corinne Vienne and Sabrina D'Anaroga here to introduce our newest podcast, Crimes of a Crime House Original. Crimes of is a weekly series that explores a new theme each season, from Crimes of the Paranormal, Unsolved Murders, and more. Our first season is Crimes of Infamy: the true crime stories behind Hollywood's most iconic horror villains. Listen to and follow Crimes of, available now wherever you get your podcasts. You're listening to the JR Sport Brief.
It is the JR Sport Brief Show. Here with you coast to coast. on the Infinity Sports Network. In about 15 minutes, we're going to be joined by Will Graves. covers all things NFL.
He's based out of Pittsburgh. I'm going to get his thoughts on what the hell is going on with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Could this really be? Mike Tomlin's final year. With the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Phone line's open. If you want to give me a holler, that's 8 at 8. 710-4ISN. That's 888-710-4ISN. We don't know the future of Mike Tomlin, but we have found out the future.
Of Kalane Satake, who's been the head coach of BYU. For about a decade now. He used to play at BYU. He's helped take them from an independent. Into being, well, now they're playing a Big 12.
They're also now playing in a Big 12 championship game against Texas Tech. And then they should be in a college football playoff. It should be.
Okay? And apparently, there were a lot of conversations between Satake. And Penn State, we know they fired James Franklin. They actually ended the season on a three-game winning streak. You know, after they gave him the boot.
But Penn State still doesn't have A coach. And apparently it's not going to be Satake, he's going to stay where he played. He's going to stay where he's made his bones. Take a listen to this report that just came in from CBS Sports HQ. Got some big breaking news to bring you out of college football.
BYU coach Kalani Satake is expected to rebuff Penn State and stay with the Cougars. That is the latest from our Chris Hummer and Matt Zinitz. It's another setback for the Nittany Lions who have just been going through coaching recruits, coaching potential over the weeks now. Obviously, trying to replace James Franklin. Satake 83 and 44 in 10 seasons at BYU.
He has the Cougars in the Big 12 Championship game for the first time after joining the league in 2023. They're going to take on Texas Tech in the Big 12 Championship.
Well, look at that he ain't gone nowhere.
Now Penn State is left holding the bags. It's like they turn the lights on at two AM or three AM. Depending on where you live, they may turn the lights on a little bit later. I don't know what freak place you're hanging out at, but it's like they turn the lights on and boom, everybody's gone. You're just standing there by yourself.
Penn State did all of this to fire James Franklin. He said, you can't beat anybody. You can't beat Ohio State. You can't beat Michigan, man. You can't beat the next door neighbor.
Get out of here. They fired him. And now they still don't have a coach. Ma I'll know where they go look. It seems like all the good coaches have been kind of sucked up already.
Sucks for Penn State. They got so close. This is what I say. You gotta be careful when you wanna try to fire somebody, you don't know what's coming next. Eight eight eight seven ten four ISN.
That's 888-710-4ISN. Hey, we got John. He's calling from Reno out in Nevada. You're on the Jerry Sport Brief Show. What's up, John?
Hey, JR. You know, I'm interested in this Michigan State Iowa game today, uh Two undefeated teams. Uh one ranked, one not ranked. I I like to think Jackson Cole is going to get it done for the Spartans, but the Hawks. The Hawkeye is pretty tough.
Bennett Church can put up some points. How do you see this game? Man, I I'm thinking about we at the college football playoff. I have not watched one Michigan State game with my eyeballs all year. Oh, really?
Okay. Well, I've been making money on college football. I can't get money. But basketball's been good too. Bobby, I know.
I mean, why else would I be talking about football and you just asking me about the Oahawas in Michigan State? I know you're making money. Yes, sir. It's been a good year. I bet.
Well, send me some, okay? Ask me. I will. God bless you.
Well, thank you. Ask me when the football season's over. Thank you, John. Appreciate you. Yeah, he's coming out the gate.
He's like, oh, what about the Iowa man? I haven't watched the Iowa Hawkeyes. If it means anything, 77% chance, according to ESPN, that Michigan State will win.
So wow, okay. Wow. Well, I must say, uh for the basketball season having just started. The majority of the times when they're playing these games All one million of them. You want to know where I'm at?
I'm right here on the radio. I'm chatting with you. I'm talking with you. And so, man, I I don't really get in depth on on college basketball. Until we start getting into January and February when the football season starts to dissipate, man.
Send me some money. Eight eight eight seven ten four ISN. That's 8 at 8-710-4ISN. Mark is here from Iowa. You're on the Gerald Sport Brief Show.
What's up, Mark? Mark you live on the radio. I'm here.
Well, go ahead. You're live. I'm here too.
Well, he just got me going on the hawk eyes, so I'm an Iowa boy.
So it's. No, I'm just wondering how much of these college players getting paid. to play.
Well, it depends. We have some quarterbacks. You look at a guy like Carson Beck, it's been reported that he's making between $3 million and $4 million to play for Miami this year.
Okay. Why would any of them guys want to leave early when they're making as much as they could in the pros?
Well, there are well, you bring up a good point. There are plenty of players who are doing exactly that. And Carson Beck also probably, once again, happens to be a prime example of that. Carson Beck is probably his future at the NFL level, if he sticks, is probably going to be a backup, you know, making, I don't know, 100%. Hundreds, I don't know, I think the minimum now in the NFL.
It might be a mil. I think it may have finally reached there, or maybe it still might be at like 700, 800. No, but absolutely. If you can make money, I don't want to call them kids. I'm 58.
Okay. So don't call them kids butt. Yeah. NFL They're a rookie and they're doing what that kid does and is late for work all the time and this and that.
Well, he's got a pocket full of money. Yeah. Well, I I think that's the only thing that And here's the one. Yeah, but hold on. I I think there's there's part of that that's that's irrelevant.
There are certain players that will never be stars in the NFL. That are stars in the top. I agree with that. I agree with that. That can make tons of money.
and they stick around in college because they know they're not going to make the big money. In the NFL. And now you have guys. Yeah, like an Abdul Carter. He was selected number three overall by the New York Giants.
He got guaranteed money. I mean, and forget Abdul Carter. We can go ahead and look at Jamarcus Russell. He will tell you to this day, he has no problem being labeled a bust. In the NFL?
Because he says, yeah, I'm the biggest bust and I made a lot of money. And so, yeah, money is a motivating factor, and I think most of us also know and understand. Listen. Just because you play professionally. doesn't mean you love.
What you do.
Okay, there's a lot of athletes who show up to work. Because they can run and jump and dunk and throw a ball and hit a ball far, and they do it because they're good at it. Not because they love it, but because they can make a lot of money. I know it sounds crazy, but Love. A lot of us are doing things that we don't want to do, right?
You doing exactly what you want to do to make money, but it's paying the bills, right? Maybe barely. Maybe it's keeping you in a house and a home. Maybe it's keeping your spouse happy, your kids happy. You show up and do what you got to do.
Now, you think it's any different for some guy making five mil? We got a lot of dudes who are loafing out here, okay? Yeah, lazy people are everywhere. It doesn't matter how much money you're making. 888-710-4ISN.
That's 888-710-4ISN. I mean, some of the best things you could ever do in life. It's trying to make money and do something that you're happy with. It's real simple. It's the J.R.
Sport Brief Show on the Infinity Sports Network. We're going to take a break. When we come back on the other side, we're going to have a conversation with Will Graves, Associated Press National NFL writer. He's based in Pittsburgh. I'm going to get his thoughts on what the heck is going on with the Steelers and is it a reality?
That Mike Tomlin could move on. We'll get into that on the other side of the break. But right now, on the Infinity Sports Network, it is time for a news flash. Here he is, Rich Ackerman. Listen up, football fans.
You won't want to miss this. Right now, new Bet365 customers bet $5 and get $150 in bonus bets, win or lose.
So you could turn that $150 into something bigger when you bet on money loss, spread, totals, player props. $150 in bonus bets when new customers bet $5. I know where I'm going to bet from now on. Download the app today and see why it's never ordinary at Bet365. Gambling Problem?
Call 1-877-718-5543 or visit morethanagame.nc.gov. 21 plus only. Must be physically located in North Carolina. TNC Supply and App Only. This is Free Range with Von Miller, the podcast where I step outside the lines and I take you with me.
Each week, we're talking everything, from the biggest stories around the league to the biggest stories off the field. This isn't your average sports podcast. This is game meets culture, locking room meets living room, and no topic is off limits.
So if you're into good conversations that ruffle a few feathers, join me every Wednesday and follow Free Range with Von Miller everywhere you get your podcast. Welcome to Radio Rental. The scariest stories you've ever heard in your life. All told by real people. And off we go.
This wasn't a human being that I saw. There's something here in this house, something not of this world. There was a woman moving through the hall. I stepped back and I was completely alone. Radio Rental is available now.
Listen for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Crimes of is a weekly series that explores a new theme each season, starting with the true crimes that inspired Hollywood's most iconic horror villains. Listen to and follow Crimes of available now wherever you get your podcasts. You're listening to the JR Sport Brief. It is the JR Sport Brief Show here with you, coast to coast.
on the Infiniti Sports Network.
So many coaches on the college scene there. They're leavin', they're going, they're comin'. Man, we're here at the uh Bottom quarter of the NFL season and We got coaches across the league. People are like, hey, we got to get him out of here. We got coaches.
Brian Dayball's been fired. And. Just as past Sunday we all heard it people are screaming once again. For Mike Tomlin to get the boot. It's on the national airwaves.
Mike Tomlin is having to answer questions about this. What the heck is going on with the Steelers? We know things are not going to last forever. Aaron Rodgers isn't going to be there forever. They still need a QB.
They've needed one since Ben Rofflisberger. They got players who are leaving. Slay is now gone. To get an understanding of what's going on in the Steel City, joining us right now is the National Writer, covers all things NFL for the AP. Welcome back to the show, Will Graves.
Will, how have you been, man? You good? I'm good, man. I've been better than Mike T, that's for sure. Oh, my goodness.
You know, for years people have been saying, hey, let's fire him, get him out of here. We've heard this for years now. But I don't think I've ever heard him more specifically have to answer a question. About his own job status and hearing it from the fans. Do you think this is coming to an end whether it's this year or the next year?
Like, nothing lasts forever. I think whatever ending happens for Mike in Pittsburgh, it's going to be on his terms. I just You know, he's had a look, he's built a Hall of Fame resume. People can say, you know, a lot of the arguments you hear here is, oh, he. He won Super Bowl with uh You know, with Bill Cowher's players and this, that, and the other, inherited a franchise quarterback, blah, blah, blah.
I mean, that's true. But, you know And they get mad when you talk about the fact that they he's never had a losing season, but like we both know that's not how the NFL's supposed to work, right? Like you're supposed to go down and then back up. And he I mean, he went eight and eight with with Duck Hodges and Nason Rudolph, the quarterback in 2019. I mean, he went he managed to get a winning record in 2022 with Kenny Pickett as a rookie and Mitch Trubisky starting the first part of the season.
I mean, like, he finds ways to keep teams competitive. But it look, it was look, I was at the game on Sunday. That was the first time That the The jeers were that noticeable. I mean they were There was a point late in the third quarter or fourth quarter, they had just been stopped on fourth and go fourth and two from like the build five and that effectively ended the game. The the PA guys, uh I I don't know if you may know, but like they play this song Renegade, uh, it's an old rock song by the group Styx.
For 20-some years at home games, they play that during a decisive drive where you're supposed to fire at the defense and fire at the crowd. It is a staple of every Steelers home game. And for the first time in history of ever, They booed the entire time. That to me was more jarring than people yelling for him to get fired, right?
So, look, it's strange. It's very strange. I was there today. You know, he got asked, end of the way, I think if you had to go back and and revisit that, if you listen closely to the audio, he he makes it. The reporter that asked finished her question by saying, and people thinking you should be fired, what do you say to that?
And he said, I agree with them. That was, I don't think you heard the second part of the question because, like, you can cut it up and say he agrees he should be fired, but. You know, it's some it it's strange, but I just don't see You know, the Rooney's look, you know, there was a a couple of years ago when they lost to the Bills in the first round. of the playoffs. After Mason Rudolph had that great run the last three games to kind of get him in.
There was some stuff out there. Oh, he might step away, this, that, and the other. This was all coming from his side, all designed. To create leverage in his negotiations with the Steelers, and he got what he wanted. He got a longer contract extension than I think we were anticipating.
He's a prideful guy. I d it's really hard for me to see him leaving Half finished, you know? Yeah. But their needs are many, too. Like, you look at this team, look at what they've done the last month or so.
ten point home loss to the Packers where the game was not competitive in the second half. They got I mean, the game against the Bills, not competitive in the second half. They had a game earlier in the season against the Seahawks that turned on like a kind of a fliky play when Caleb Johnson decided not to return a kick and the Seahawks fell on it. Or that you know they've they've You know, they're 6-11 in their last 17 dating back to last season, and eight of those losses have been by 10 points or more. And that is a jarring thing.
But These are the Steelers. They like to do things a certain way. There's no scenario I see Mike Conley getting fired. This year or next year, maybe even the year after. I think whatever whenever the end comes here, it will be with Mike's blessing.
Will Graves is here with us from the Associated Press based out of Pittsburgh.
Well, we heard the fans, we heard the response from Mike Tomlin. And now it seems that even some of his former players, you hear Ben Roethlisberger criticizing. Him and his schemes.
So James Harrison is now laying it on as well. This law has to just be a massive pain in the backside. What are these guys' current relationship with the Steelers, or is it just noise?
Well, I mean, I think a a lot of it's just noise. A lot of former players, you know, like to Consider themselves pundits in retirement, and they've certainly earned the right to do that. Looking at Debo and And then have a little more insight than most, I think, because they were so tight with. with Mike and with the organization. Um At the same time, you know, It is, when you look at the, there is a sameness to what's been going on here.
the last six, seven, eight years. And I think that is You know, any other on what other franchise would would sort of if the coach went Eight years without winning a playoff game would keep their job, right? I mean, look, but the problem is, it's not the problem, but like you also have to accept the fact that. Before that stretch began, the guy was really successful, won a Super Bowl, went to another One multiple divisions, you know, one playoff games, and it just hasn't been that way the last seven, eight years.
So It's a You know, then the irony of all of this is like the backdrop of this is they're tied for first place in their division. Right. I mean, like, that's the thing. It's like the way that people are talking, you would think the Steelers were 2-10 and angling for the first pick. And if they beat the Ravens on Sunday, I think that's a tough ass for them considering the way that they don't seem to be able to stop any effective running game.
at all, regardless of who's on the other side. But if they win that game, they're kind of in control of their own fate again. I mean, so, like, and that's one of the great ironies here in Pittsburgh. The people that so badly want regime change. would have I I believe would have trouble enduring the pain required to actually really force the Rooney's hand and make it happen.
To have the stands, the stands would have to look like they looked in Tennessee on Sunday, right? But that's the thing, like, it's not happening, you know. People. I wrote yesterday to the people, you know, the patient seems to be running out. The response I got was: we ran out of patients a long time ago.
Maybe, but there's still 67,000 of y'all there. ten, you know, eight to ten times a year. Right. So you're not showing like vote with your feet, vote with your pocketbook if you're that upset, and it's just not happening.
So. You know, and to me, that would be the way to get the Rudy's attention, and it's not happening.
So it's uh It's just a it's it's very bizarre, man. It is it's it's a super bizarre year. But Mike, look, Mike's hyper-confident. Um you know he We were kind of, you know, what do you change? you know, when when things are do you reevaluate?
And he goes, Well, what do you do when you um You know, when you write a bad article, and I responded, I said, Mike, I got more confidence than even you, so I'm good, right? And everybody laughed. But, you know, the. He he has a high regard for his abilities and I do believe that Like, you know, he is I I'm not saying that he thinks it's funny. I think he he he knows he's, you know, in sort of a serious a tight spot, but I mean, he's going to survive this, right?
I mean, and it all matters like Can they get you know you talked about it like can they get a quarterback? I mean, that's been sort of they've they've misfired. There's been six guys they've run through here in the last four years And they haven't found an answer yet. And I really think everybody's pointing to the draft. The class looks great.
The quarterback class looks great like three months ago, and now it's like, well, maybe not so much. I still think they're going to try to find their guy, and I think maybe the fate of that guy. whoever they they settle on. Um, maybe that guy and Mike's fate are going to be maybe more closely entwined. And that could play a factor in what he does down the road.
But I mean, like as I mentioned, it's just very hard to envision there's any any other way than Mike T deciding, you know what, it's time for me to go do something else.
Well, Will, we know the guy that he's currently tied with because they had a little bit of a bromance over the years is obviously Aaron Rodgers. His birthday is in what, the two, three days? Today is today. He's turned 42 today. Oh, how about that?
He's 42 years old, Aaron Rodgers is. We know every year is am I going? Am I coming? Am I staying? It's not going to get any better as he gets older.
What do you think the reality is for him? Is there a possibility he's back once again next year to maybe babysit a future quarterback? You know, I think, you know, had we had this conversation maybe six weeks into the season where. You know, they're not putting up a lot of yards, but they're really efficient in the red zone. They're scoring points, the defense forcing turnovers.
He's throwing he was on pace until that Charger game. He was on pace to break Ben Rothesberger's single season record for touchdown passes, the franchise record.
So he was being really productive until about halfway through the season. The Chargers game was bad. He gets hurt at the Bengal game. He sits out. And he looked bad last week.
And I think You know, when you got when Joey Bosa lands on top of you. and you come up and your nose is bloody, you got turf coming out of your the front of your face mask and stuff. I think there was some of this like Danny Glover lethal weapon, I'm getting too old for this, maybe going on a little bit. I I just don't see He doesn't look good. He was ineffective when he played.
Look, he's playing with a broken wrist. I'm not questioning the guy's toughness. He's going to the Hall of Fame. Everything that's happening with him this season is house money. Right, yeah, like he's he's he even said before they played the Packers, look, I'm gonna go in, I'm going into the Hall of Fame as a Packer.
Like, this is like, let's just be real here, right? But I just it's really hard for me to see any scenario when he comes back, especially look, you know, what's been happening in the last couple two, three weeks. He's questioning practice habits of his teammates. He's kind of criticizing guys publicly for route running, for not doing the right things, and not just rookies, but established guys like Johnny Smith.
So I really think that it's getting a little sideways here, and I imagine that the you know, there's not going to be a lot of conjecture when the season ends on whether he's going to do this again. I mean, I think that we've seen in the last five, six weeks, the answer is definitely going to be no. Oh, wow. Wow. Damn.
And now you think he's going to hang him up or is he going to drag another team around? I the competit look, he's a competitive guy. And I want to be I'll just be honest with you here. I think when he signed here for people that do what I do for a living, there was a little like, oh man, what's going to happen? What is this going to be like?
He's been great for the most part with us. He's been you know, transparent, honest, interesting when he wants to be. Um, but I just, you know, what team could look at the way that he's played the last. You know You know, month or so, and you know, and say, This is the guy. He had one really good game, and it was against the Thursday night game.
Against the Bengals, but A, the Bengals' defense is terrible, and B, he got a lot of help with some yak stuff from. Pat Freiermuth and some other guys. He's struggling getting the ball down the field. They have basically no vertical passing game at all right now. That's one of the reasons that they're having trouble generating.
You know, points because they have to go, you know, 80 yards and 15 plays. There is no Quick strike stuff in this offense because he can't get the ball down the field. Or when he can, the guys that he's thrown to can't get the ball.
So it is, I mean, they signed Adam Thielen today. To the practice squad, they signed Marquez Valdez Scantling to the practice squad a month ago. It tells you how where MVS is at if he can't even get on the 53 considering the issues that they have with the passing game.
So there's a lot going on here, but Aaron is not, you know, I just can't see him playing next year.
Okay. All right, well, Will, we always appreciate the time and your insight, even dropping that insight, sharing with us nationally. Hey, tell us quickly where can we find you online and everywhere? You can find me at Will Graves AP. I'm not on excellent as much as I used to, but I'm on the other stuff too.
You can find me. Just do a search for my name, and I'm not the former North Carolina basketball player. Hey, Will, we always appreciate the time, my man. We'll catch you soon, okay? Enjoy the rest of the season.
It looks like it's going to be a fun one, okay? All right, man. Take care. And thank you. Shout outs to Will Graves, covers all things Steelers in the NFL for the AP.
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