That's true. What's going on? Welcome to hour number two. I'm Jim Rome. This show is brought to you by FanDuel.
Appreciate my pals at FanDuel for making that happen. All right, you know where to find me. I'm not hard to find. But we start hour number two by having a conversation with an icon. He played 12 years in the bigs for the Indians, the Reds, the Pirates, the Tigers, and the Red Sox.
A three-time All-Star, host of the Maris Office podcast, an MLB Network analyst. You can watch. On the Emmy Award-winning MLB Tonight, throughout the postseason, he will be on the show today, right after tonight's game three between the Brewers and the Padres. He is the one and only Sean Casey Case. With the playoffs heating up, you know that I had to run you down, my brother.
How you doing, Case? Romy, great to see you, man. Glad we're connected, man. I knew, I knew we would at some point in the postseason. Had to, case had to run you down.
Thanks for making time for it. All right, so before we talk about the Padres in Milwaukee, let me ask you about last night—misery night, Sean, for the Yankees. They manage only four hits. They commit four errors. They lose to the Rays five-two.
What was running through your mind watching them implode, kick the ball around the yard, and fall behind two games to none? Yeah, the first thing I thought, Roman, was with Cam Schlitler on the mound, you got to win this game. You got to get it to one-one back to the Bronx. You don't want to go down two-zero. When McMahon made that first error, and then they started throwing the ball around in the fifth, I just thought, man, in the postseason, you know, man, as well as I do, you can't get one extra out.
You can't make you know more than one error without paying for it. And you know, they paid for it, and they're down two-zero now, going back to the Bronx, and really, their backs against the You know, Sean, I agree with you on both those points. Number one, you cannot give somebody an extra out, and number two, you can't do that with your ace on the mound, especially down one game to none. And Sean, when it comes to that, like defensively, can throwing the ball around or kicking the ball around can that weirdly become contagious in a situation like that? You know what?
It's crazy to say that, Roman, but that's what happens in baseball. Just like with hitting, sometimes you can't hit, and nobody hits, and then all of a sudden, everybody hits. But a lot of times, too, when one guy makes an error, then the next guy makes an error. All of a sudden, it does come be contagious, and that's what happened in Game Two. It just looked like, oh my gosh, like Jazz is throwing it around.
Lombard can't make a play. McMahon, who's usually one of the best third basemen, he makes that play.
Wells is that with the catcher's interference, so it just really snowballed and got. A handful. We are talking to Sean Casey. All right, Case. What about the White Sox?
They won their fourth straight postseason game, rallying to beat the Guardians four three. They're now a win away from booking spot in the ALCS.
Now we know the White Sox have Pope Leo on their side. What else led to Chicago's incredible transformation after losing an MLB record one hundred and twenty one games? Sean, just two years ago. Yeah, the blessing of Pope Leo, you know, is—is it real? What's it's incredible what's going on with the White Sox, but Romy, they're doing it very unconventional.
They're—they're—you know—they're unleashing the bullpen. Will Venable has done a great job of bringing in different guys. Grant Taylor, he just goes out, throws three inning save, four inning saves, whatever you need him for. You know, they're doing that. They're finding ways.
They're young team. They're a fun team. They're energetic. Murakami's brought something to that lineup and something to. That clubhouse that they haven't had in a while, and they're coming up with big hits.
You know, at the end of the day, they're getting the hits they need. They're hitting the ball the ballpark like Murakami did in Game One, and they're holding the Guardians down. The Guardians have not scored; they haven't hit it all, and the White Sox have taken advantage of it. It's a fun team to watch, Romi. I'm sure you're enjoying it.
I'm enjoying it because they're having a great time playing baseball. Oh man, they're so fun. They're incredible. It's a great, great thing for the sport. Sean Casey joining us.
So, Casey, what about Moon and the Nash? League, you've got two more games tonight in the NL, starting with Game Three between the Dodgers and the Braves. That series tied up at a game apiece. Walt Weiss's decision, although seemingly not even seemingly, it was unpopular when he made it, but that bull game, bullpen game, turned out to be a brilliant decision by him. It gives Chris Sale an extra day as he takes the mound tonight.
What is your outlook for this evening and then the rest of that series? They really got fortunate. They really got fortunate, you know. Starting Ray Kur in that in Game Two, really doing a bullpen game, and then getting Sale for Game Three is huge. I mean, you know, I think this these teams are well matched.
There's a lot of star powers on both in both lineups. You know, the interesting guy you want to see Otani hitting fifth tonight, which he hasn't done in a long, long time with the Dodgers, if ever.
So you're wondering if he's going to be a factor. I think that's a big thing. And then you just look up and. Down that lineup of Michael Harris with the Braves been swinging the bat really well, Olson.
So it's going to be a pitcher's duel, Yamamoto versus Sale. It's it's going to be a juggernaut match there. But at the end of the day, in the postseason, who can get the big hit? Which lineup's going to come through? I think that's when it's going to happen tonight in Game Three.
Man, that one is a coin flip. Sean Casey joining us.
What about the game you're on? The Padres facing an elimination game, Game Three tonight in San Diego. Since both of those losses, Case was so. Bewrenching for the Padres. How do you expect them to show up tonight at home with their season on the line?
Well, San Diego's going to be rocking. You know, we've kind of loved that crowds they put out there. They're going to be out in full force for this game. But I think the biggest thing is, man, they got a great team. Romi, they're playing these games tight.
But in the postseason, you got to come up with the big hit, and they've had a ton of chances in both these games against the Brewers to come through, and they haven't been able to.
So I think the biggest thing tonight, they got to get some length from Pavetta. That bullpen that has been has is is one of the best in the game. But you got to. Up with the big hits. If they're going to get this to Game Four and win in San Diego tonight, they got to find a way to get guys on and get them in and get this series the two-one.
No doubt, it's this has happened in years past. Obviously, Sean, when I think about the Padres, I would have said a few days ago that their home field right now, as hot as they were entering this series, that that probably was the most hostile environment and the toughest place to go. And then the Brewers closed their roof, man. How loud! And considering how loud it got in there, would you say the Brewers?
Might have the best home field advantage in the sport right now when that dome is closed. Dude, Romy, I think so, man. The Brewers fan—they love the Brewers there in Milwaukee. I played there, playing that division for years, and I was always fascinated by how much they love the Brewers. And now they're winning.
Now they're legit. Pat Murphy has those guys playing top to bottom. They play like an old school brand of baseball. They're getting guys over, getting them in, laying down bunts. Murphy does a great job with that bullpen.
But those fans are absolutely incredible. I think actually, it was a home field advantage for them in Game One and Two. And they were able to come out of there too well. Case, Padres fans are obviously really unhappy about the roof. But fact of the matter is, Major League Baseball makes that call.
Hey, by the way, Case, how weird is this? One went off the catwalk last night. You had that one off the roof. It's almost an everyday occasion. What's going on with all the balls going off the roof for the catwalk?
So weird, Romy. I've never in Tampa. I've seen it happen. Milwaukee. I've never seen that happen.
Never seen a ball hit the roof and come down in fair territory. And you know, I don't know. I don't love it because it's you know baseball, and you want to see the roof be high enough, maybe where you don't hit it. But it's part of the game, and it's factored into both games.
So you know, both teams are playing by the rules, brother. Exactly. And it wasn't like they closed the roof right when they saw the big bopper coming up, right? Or in the ninth inning, it could have happened either. Case, I mean, is it is it as simple as the ball going up, and if you track it, it just drops straight down?
How is it that guys defensively are making a play on those balls? Is it tougher than it looks, or is it not that hard? Dude, I was thinking the same thing. I'm like, how are these balls coming down right where these guys are to make a play? Because I don't.
You know, I'm like it's incredible. They're coming right down. They could ricochet anywhere. You know, it's amazing. But it is one of those things.
It is high up there.
So if it doesn't get a a huge carry, you do have time to field it. It's the weirdest thing. You look up, you're like, oh, it's coming down. And you know, in Tampa, those three guys around it, they're like, hey, somebody take this thing. And then in left, Churio was sitting right there when France hit the ball.
So you know, it's just two lucky bounces for those teams. Case that's my thing in Tampa. It's almost like they. Practice it. It's almost like it's a spring training drill.
Like like they're calling each other off the ball or something. Like like it's weird that there's a formation out there and that they all kind of moved around and they knew what to do. Yeah, and Rob, you know what I love? They're like on the on the broadcast. They're like, okay, if it hits catwalk A and B, and if it's C, then it's a homer.
B, it comes down. I'm like, what are we doing? We got all these ground rules for the three catwalks that they hit. You know, it's hilarious. Sean Casey joining us.
So, Case, you know what? Last week, this is really interesting. I spoke to your former teammate Jonathan Papelbon. Believe it or not, Case, I had never spoken to him before. I had never spoken to him before.
And I loved him. I loved him. He showed up here in the jungle, and he was absolutely awesome. What was he like in the Red Sox clubhouse when you guys were teammates? And then, how intense was he when he knew he was going to get the ball?
You, I mean, you think I'm shot out of a cannon? Pappalbaum was shot out of a cannon. I, I played with him in '08-2 when he was like just young, nuts. You know what I mean? And when he he would come out and come out to shipping off to Boston, you know, he would come out to that song and everyone be going crazy.
And here comes Pap. I felt like he was one of the best closers I've ever played with. The intensity, the way he played the game, and he wanted to win, man. And he was a big reason that one of the best closers in Boston history, if not the best. But he Was a big reason they were winning championships out there.
Okay, since it's the postseason, before you go, I want to ask you this: You did some of your best work in the highest leverage situations. You hit four ten for your career in the postseason. You had sixteen hits in a dozen games. Is that a coincidence, or were you able to consciously dial up your play when it mattered most? You know what, Roman?
I was fortunate, man. I didn't make the postseason until my ninth season, so I had like so much experience on in big games, in big moments, being able to slow down, slow my heart rate. You know, really get into my process at the at bat. You know, and the one thing you look at in the postseason, you can't teach experience. Like you have to be in there.
So when I got there, although I hadn't been there, I had been in postseason situations before, and I felt like that really helped me a ton. You know, when when I was. You know, able to come through in certain spots, Sean. Really quickly, how did you slow your heart rate? What was the process?
Is just breathing, or another way? How did you slow your heart rate? The powers in the exhale, Romy. You know, in through the in through the nose and out. You know, I try to go two in, four out.
You know, two seconds longer on the exhale brings your heart rate down. Get to that. You know, they say the parasympathetic nervous system, and then I really believe it turns your vision on. Once your vision's on, now I'm dangerous.
So, and then you play with a calm aggression. I think mentally, as hitters. You got to stay aggressive, but it has to be a calm aggression. It's not like football where you're looking to rip somebody's head off. In baseball, it's really golf in a team environment.
Like you got to be able to slow yourself down. No one can help you in that box, and you have to figure out how to get your body into a state to perform at a at an aggressive level. I love that line. It's like golf in a team environment.
So, case, I lied. Here's my last thought: How often do you do that in real life and not between the lines? Does it work outside? The baseball diamond. Dude, honestly, I'm not kidding you when I say I'm doing it all the time.
You know, I'm really, really, you know, listening to our guy Andrew Huberman recently coming out his book called Protocols, and he talks about the quickest way to bring your heart rate down is the double inhale, exhale, and on the exhale, you know, let all of your air out of your lungs. And when I find with that, when I do that, Romy, man, can I get that deep breath?
So for anybody out there that's listening and you can't get a deep breath or you feel A little anxiety on you. Double inhale, exhale. Get all the powers in the exhale. Get all your breath out, man. I tell you what, it's a game changer for me.
When I was playing, it's probably more of a game changer for me in everyday life, brother. Case, I love that so much. I love that so much.
Now I know that maybe one percent of my audience can deal with Huberman and that type of thing, but I love that you brought that up and we got into it. Case, you're the absolute best, dude. You know I had to run you down for the postseason. Great to see you, Sean. You know I love you, man.
Thank you very much. I really love you, buddy, and I'll see you soon, my man. You got to. Case John Casey, best human ever. Clones, you probably would benefit from Andrew Huberman.
You probably would not understand Andrew Huberman, but you would probably benefit from it. In fact, I know you would. I know you would. But it's thick. It's deep.
But it's really important. But I'm glad Case brought him up. It's kind of more in that reinvention space. The people that I talk to in that space, I've never spoken to him before, but he—he's a brilliant, brilliant guy. All right, telephone number is toll free one eight hundred six three six eight six eight six.
Now, a guy that I know you can relate to, and that I do know that you understand, the mayor Sean Casey. And Case is shot out of a cannon year after year after year after year. Case shows up like that every single time. All right, some other things I want to get to. In addition to your reaction, I do want to talk about the Steelers.
Yinsers, you're still in the news, and if you're still in the news, being that you're not that good, it's probably not the best news, right? But it is news. Oh, here's something, and not good news. Good news for him. Great player.
Not good news for the team that's already had having a lot of problems up front. ESPN reports breaking: Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson announced his retirement from the NFL after 14 seasons. The six-time Pro Bowler, two-time Super Bowl champion, spent his entire career in Philadelphia. Mike Garafolo added, "Quote: Lane Johnson, an advocate for mental health over the course of his career, says in his statement, he quote deeply wanted to gut it out for one more year." End of quote. That was part of the consideration when he stepped away from the team for a bit during camp, but says now after missing Sunday's game, "quote right now it is critical that I focus on my mental health." Obviously, if if he had some questions going into the season, and he's stepping away a month into the season, then obviously.
He's got some things he's dealing with right now, and he has been an advocate for mental health and pretty vocal about that throughout the course of his career.
So he's doing the right thing, and Philly, he that this dude, not only an all time great, he gave you everything he had, everything he had.
So if you're going to come in here, Philly fan, and act like he's abandoning the fight. He's obviously dealing with some pretty challenging things right now, and needs to do what he needs to do. You got to respect that. That's an icon right there. That's a two-time Super Bowl champion.
So on a on a very personal level, that's heavy, and you can see where he was really struggling. If he's retiring right now. On a football level, which to me is secondary, but maybe not to you, Eagle fan, Philly fan. From a football standpoint, that's an offense that is already having all sorts of trouble. Like nothing is going right for that offense.
They can't throw it. They can't run it. They can't protect Jalen Hurts. Hurts can't do anything to help them. Sean Mannion under fire already.
Nothing's going right, so to lose an anchor like that from a football standpoint, obviously it's going to make obviously it's going to make things so much worse. You know, they may be two and two, but they look like an O and four team. They should be an O and four team. The two games they won, they barely won and did not look good doing it.
So it goes in the books as wins, but they could easily, just as easily, be O and four as they are two and two, and now they lose their anchor. That's tough. Good for him, but that's tough. Owen Gockley, fourteen and one. Chat, bro, playing in Philadelphia was so depressing.
He retired and pieced out mid-season. Yeah, I don't think it's quite that simple. You know, if he's citing mental health issues, and he is, quote. Right now, it is critical that I focus on my mental health. Like he couldn't play another game, maybe didn't even want to go to practice again.
Had to get himself out of that situation and immediately focus on his mental health. You have to respect that. That that's more than Philadelphia is depressing. What do you mean it's so depressing? He won two championships.
Nice to see that you're all so sympathetic to this guy, Richard Torres. Quote: He knows E A G L E S R A Z Z. I don't think that's why he retired four games in, because they're as. He's dealing with mental health issues. All right, so that news just in.
When we come back, I want some more of your reaction, and I do want to talk about the Steelers. Your reaction, also to Sean Casey. We'll talk some college ball too. All of that, still ahead. Welcome, Alvy, to your most rewarding season ever.
Only on FanDuel. How rewarding are we talking? More rewarding than a touchdown with time expiring. More rewarding than an 18-point comeback. Maybe even more rewarding than an lineman catching a touchdown.
I mean, come on, everybody loves a big man TD. And this NFL season, that feeling does not stop on the field. Look out for the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club. Exclusive offers, surprises, and more.
So every week, check the Fanduel app to see what's waiting for you. More rewarding than watching a kicker make a game-saving tackle. Yeah, that's pretty close. Make this though your most rewarding season ever with Fanduel. Visit Fanduel.com to get started.
Twenty-one plus select states for Kansas in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino. Eighteen plus DC, Wyoming. Gambling problem? Call one eight hundred gambling. One eight hundred my reset.
Call one eight eight eight seven eight nine seven seven seven seven. Visit ccpg.org/chatConnecticut. Visit mgamblinghelp.org/Maryland. Visit gamblinghelpline.ma.org. Call eight hundred three two seven fifty fifty Massachusetts.
Call one eight seven seven eight HopeNY. Text HopeNY New York. Call one eight seven seven seven eight six seven Louisiana. You're listening to the Jim Rome Show. Jim Rome takes on sports.
Everybody pointed out the obvious Harbaugh connection, and everybody, as it turns out, was right because nine is officially now a New York Giant. You know, you talk about selling low. Even the Niners got a fourth for Trey Lance. He's out of the building. We will take that fifth pick, and we will surely turn it into something more valuable than nine ever was to this organization.
The Jim Rome Show podcast. Follow and listen on your favorite platform.
Some of you are trying to make jokes about Lane Johnson retiring unsuccessfully, am I, Dad? If you want to react to it, go ahead. I want to talk to you about a business that I've been talking about on this show that is absolutely enormous for us. We use it, Gusto. Every small business owner dreams of scoring a touchdown, and for us, that touchdown was finding Gusto.
The online, the online payroll and benefit software built for small businesses. This is why I love this company because it's all in one, remote friendly, and has every single play covered. You can pay, hire, onboard, and support your team from anywhere. We do all those things, as it relates to this show. That's how we run the business of the show through Gusto, and do so with unlimited payrolls and no surprise fees.
So, what you want to do is go to Gusto. dot com today. Gusto. dot com. See why over five hundred thousand small businesses call Gusto their MVP.
That's G U S T O. dot com. Gusto. dot com. One more thing I'd say about that company: we started using them before we found them as a partner on this program.
They were recommended to us. Before we started using them on this show, we were using them for the show. If that makes sense, so that's where that came to be. We didn't start using them after they became a partner on the program. We just found them on our own.
They're recommended. That's how good that company is. All right, some reaction quote: Kevin W. nine two five two. He only retired at midseason.
Child, please. Regards, Vante Davis. Try please. This guy's playing it more straight, and it's interesting. Smasky, fourteen thirty one.
Quote: Lane saw what life for the O line looked like without Stoutland, and only needed three games to get out of there. Not good, Philly. Not good. All right, now that that's more of a straight take. That's the old line coach who up and bounced.
And if I'm not mistaken, I don't know that he. I don't know where he ended up. He just bounced. Look, we know there's been a lot of change, a lot of instability, a lot of turnover, a lot of controversy, a lot of drama. I don't think they're nearly as good.
I don't think their situation is nearly as good as their record might indicate. And then I don't know what Lane was dealing with, and nor am I going to speculate. But it's Lane Johnson, incredible character guy, incredible player, and if he's cited mental health. In the announcement, that tells me all I need to know. He didn't say it was just time.
He didn't say I'm no longer performing to my ability. He didn't say that I'm no longer willing to prepare the way I need to prepare to get myself ready. I mean, he cited mental health, so he's dealing with something, and the best thing that he felt that he could do was take himself and remove himself out of that situation. Oh, and then there's this Rick and Chico. I saw Robert Plant last night in Sac Town.
Great show. He still got it. Three Led Zepp tunes, and a great band. Saving Grace, playing his new stuff too. Clones.
If he's in your town or close to it, go. Bro, you throwing that in my face? I don't know. Maybe it's not too late. Right in my face.
Maybe if Saving Grace is touring, I don't know if they have a new record. Maybe I can get them back on. Maybe, maybe it's not too late. You know, it's always said, it's never too late. It's never too late.
I've always assumed that that ship sailed. One of the great regrets of my life. Robert Plant years ago inviting me to a show and saying that he could tell me some stories backstage that he can't tell me here, and me saying, "Oh, sure, Robert Plant." Yeah, here's how it sounded. Go ahead, Albie. Not going to happen.
But you're more than welcome to come along and see what we do. It's great fun, and I can tell you some great stories off microphone, which will really make you laugh. Um, sure, Robert Plant. I'd love to, but there's a really important Padres game going on that night that I got to track.
So I, I'm not going to go backstage and hang out with a rock icon, because you know I'm only going to be, you know, I'm only going to do thirty thousand shows. I really can't miss one night of prep, even for you, Robert Plant. Don't regret that at all. I don't know. You know, Dave.
Steve is taking the ball for the Jays. Really can't miss that, Robert Plant. I'm sure you understand. Give my best to Jimmy Page. You can stop that anytime you want, Albie.
Cowboy, cowboy, Fernando nine one six is in. What do you want, cowboy? Honk. Lane Johnson, showing it's never too late to retire. Aaron Donald should protect his mental health as well.
Good one, cowboy. Honk, bro. You're making it worse, not better. Look at Torres, man. Torres, why are you taking this so personally?
Abandon ship! Sign Lane Johnson. Torres, what? Why are you taking this so personally? Why are you acting like he did something to you?
I wonder what it is. Did Eagle fan thinks that this guy of all guys owes them at all? What could Lane Johnson possibly owe you, Eagle fan? Listen to yourselves. Let me get some non-chat reaction.
This is when chat turns. Chat can be good. Chat, chat is so streaky. Chat is streaky. Chat needs a slump buster because right now I can't buy any good content or reaction from chat.
So let me go to some non-chat for reaction. Ian McLean, Jim, as always, great interview with Case. Best dude ever. He's killing it on TV, but the Reds fans would love him to come back and turn this crap franchise around. Ian and the Natty.
Listen, Sean Casey makes everything better. He does. But and I love Case clearly, but my dude does not walk on water. He can't do it all by himself. At why why five?
Again, I'm going to ask the question: Are there four other why whys? Why are you at why why five? Did four others beat you to that handle? At why why? Regarding Jim saying Sean Casey, you know what I like about chat?
Chat is well, this actually isn't chat.
Sometimes you're talking to me, and sometimes you're talking about me, like regarding Jim saying Sean Casey is quote best human ever. Can at Alvin Deloro create a reel of Jim saying this about guests, DJ, and even himself? Ah la the famous NASCAR reel. No, at why why? Because I don't say that about a bunch of people.
I know you're getting at. You're getting at wasn't that thing where was it Troy Aikin? It was Aikin. It was Aikin who was recently saying best ever, best I've ever seen. Nobody better.
This is not true. I've said what I've said. Sean Casey is the best human ever. I did say, and I have said, and will continue to say that. My wife Janet.
I married the best person I've ever met. Technically, you're right. Both those things can't be true because I have met Sean Casey. I didn't say that I'm the best ever. I said that I have not been giving myself enough credit lately.
So that this whole thing about why, why can you string them all together? Of Rome saying everything's the best ever. I don't. But if I see something amazing, I'll say it. Like why, why?
You know what I could do? Why, why? I could string together the worst things I've ever seen. You'd be part of it. Why, why?
Five worst take ever. Why, why? Worst handle ever. We we could do that. Why, why?
Five. Or I could break for Brett Hundley. Thank you, Avi. Be right back. You're listening to the Jim Rome Show.
Jim Rome takes on sports. Everybody pointed out the obvious Harbaugh connection, and everybody, as it turns out, was right because nine is officially now a New York Giant. You know, you talk about selling low. Even the Niners got a fourth for Trey Lance. He's out of the building.
We will take that fifth pick, and we will surely turn it into something more valuable than nine ever was to this organization. The Jim Rome Show podcast. Follow and list. And on your favorite platform. That is true.
Let me remind you, we are on Westwood One. Proud of that. We're also on SiriusXM. We also have our YouTube channel, and we've got our Rome TV channel, which has eight platforms.
So figure out where and how you want to consume the program. Get after it. All right. As promised, we're joined right now by somebody who spent eight years in the NFL as a quarterback at UCLA. He set school records for career touchdown passes and total offense.
He was an All Pac-12. Honoree in twenty fourteen, he currently serves as a Big Ten Network college football analyst. He is Brett Hunley. Brett, great to have you on the show, dude. How you doing?
I'm doing great, man. I love the intro. I appreciate it. Time goes fast. Yeah, time goes fast, dude.
Time, believe me, we talk about all the time. Time is a bitch. But anyway, it's great to have you. Listen, is a proud alum of UCLA. You got to be so fired up.
The team is 21st ranked. They've got a huge game coming up against number 13 Oregon. Since you called a UCLA game for the Big Ten Network last month, I know you're fully up to speed on the team. What has impressed you the most about their foreigner foreigner start? Oh, my man's frozen.
That's our guest is frozen. Music.
Okay, I got you, Brett. You're back now. I hear you, but I don't see you. But let's see. Oh man, let's see what's happening.
Let's see what's happening. Anyway, why why don't we just talk about it until I see you again? What has impressed you the most about the four no start? You know, you know. I think it's it's unfortunate.
Oh, there we go. See, I was I was rocking the third. But you know, I think the biggest thing with UCLA is the culture. When I was able to go there, talked to Bob Chesney, there's a difference. You know, I've been around Pete Carroll, I've been around you know the Harbaugh at at Baltimore, and he brings a specific type of culture, and I think it's reflecting in the start they've had.
You know, I think this is the big first test for them versus Oregon, so we get to see actually where I think they hit at. But I'm excited for them. That's why I said I have to wear the shirt. I needed needed you guys to see the. CLA, and excited for what they have going down there.
You have to, Brett Hundley joining us. I like the Baltimore Harbaugh. You know, it's really interesting because these guys. We're talking about two legendary coaches: the Baltimore Harbaugh, and then the Seattle. E.
P. Carroll, what is it about Chesney? Like you know it. We always talk about this, Brad. You know this.
It's hard to explain it, but you know it when you see it or you feel it. He clearly has it. But what makes this guy different from some of the other greats that you talked about? I think the biggest thing is is just how much he cares, and not to say you know a lot of coaches don't care about the players, but I think there's some connection that he has outside of you know that's why I bring up Harbaugh, I bring up Picaro. They're so connected with their players, and you see that with the things they're doing, and and Bob Chesney is no different.
I think his his values and just from his family background. I mean, his father being a coach, his grandfather being a coach, how he was raised, how he came up. And how his culture is built, I think, is the biggest thing. I mean, it's it's funny when I was out there, his dad is on the sideline, his son's on the sideline. That goes a lot, especially when it's a family atmosphere as a football program, right?
It's real, it's authentic. That connectivity, and then there's that juice, there's that energy, and he brings it every single day. You know, you brought up a really interesting point that's pretty obvious, but I was going to get there. You got a big step up in competition right now. You got Oregon.
Look, I think the UCLA, at least watching from where I'm watching, Brett, they've got the right mindset. They've got the right mindset, but then do they have the right personnel and the right talent to handle Oregon right now? How do you see the matchup? I'm I'm actually excited for it. You know, I it's it's hard to say because I I I want to jump from the bandwagon with UCLA, but I think this is the first real test we're going to see from UCLA.
You know, we we've played the Maryland's, the cows, and it's not been any ranked opponents.
So this is the first one that I actually think we get to actually maybe place ourselves with where we're at in comp. Top competition, and the thing I'm most excited about—not just their offense, win night going crazy, but Colin Hitchens, the defensive coordinator—I think that's what's separating UCLA right now. Is how their defense has been playing, the turnovers they've gotten, and I think that's going to be the name of the game, especially going up against Raiola this week at Oregon. Brett Hundley joining us. You mentioned Raiola.
That's interesting. I was going to ask you about that too, because the Ducks are hoping—they're hoping that it's Dante Moore.
So we'll find out whether or not he suffered that concussion. Of course, against USC. Wait, what was your personal experience with head injuries when you played, Brett? It it it it was something. It's part of the game, you know.
That hit on more that was that was a different type of hit, and you know I I hope they take his recovery slowly. I hope you know, and it's not to say I hope he's not in the game because football is football. But at the end of the day, I want to see the player safe and making sure his long term is good. But with head injuries, especially as a quarterback, those type of hits can be detrimental. Um, and and just how we process everything that we do as a quarterback, Dante Moore, Dylan Rayo.
Is shoulders and above, so I think that's the biggest thing that I'm hoping to see from Dante Moore is if he's truly, truly healthy. They don't rush him back. He has a big, you know, a lot of career ahead of him, not only in college but in the NFL next.
So, you know, I hope he takes it slow and actually gets his recovery. Yeah, I was going to go there next. I was going to say short term. How would that impact his decision making when he returns to the field? I think that's a huge part of the decision.
I think he does need to think long term. I know you want to win for your team. I know you want to, you know, give it your all. But they do have a great backup quarterback. Rayola I think showed just what he did last week at USC.
They can they can have a good game without Dante Moore out there, and it does give Rayola some more experience. But I think he can take he should take this slowly and not rush back to get out there. Brett Hundley joining us. Since we're talking quarterbacks, and you play the position at a high level yourself, I want to ask you about Ohio State.
So you have you have Jeremiah Smith, who's understandably getting a ton of run as the front runner for the Heisman Trophy. Like the guy's unbelievable. But what about the guy who gets him the ball? Where do you come out on Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sand? I'm I'm very high on him, and you know I think watching his tape, one of the things I like I think is makes it easy for him is who he's throwing it to Jeremiah Smith again.
I mean, a lot of his receptions are going there, and it's literally take a drop. You know where you're going, and if they don't stop him, I'm throwing it to Jeremiah Smith. But at the same time, if you look back from his first first start last year in running that offense, he completed over seventy percent of his passes and. He's on the same track this year. I think he takes extremely well care of the ball, and he's very, very smart with his decision making.
So I've been very high on him since he started last year with Ohio State, and and really, really have been truly impressed by what he's done this year so far. Brett Hundley, joining us, Brett. I'm looking over your shoulder, I'm seeing pictures of you and the old gunslinger. Let me ask you about your NFL career. What was it like to share a quarterback room with a future Hall of Famer like Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay?
It was it was awesome, man. It was probably the best learning I could have come to getting drafted to Green Bay. That was with Aaron for multiple three years, and then you see up top I was with Russell, you know Lamar right here. And I think for me, just to be around Aaron, that was the best learning I could have had going to quarterback school for Green Bay. Being around somebody as smart and as brilliant as he is, how he throws the ball, I was able to really sort of mimic my game around him, and has been a good friend since.
And Has been nothing but amazing in my life, hey Brett. What was he like? Was Aaron? Was he one of the fellas? Was he one of the fellas, or was he clearly the first ballot Hall of Famer and the clear alpha?
Now, Aaron was absolutely one of the fellas. Like we would, I mean, O line dinners, getting drinks, going to his house, playing ping pong. That was a dude that you would want to hang out with outside of football. Like just a smart, interesting man, and very, very brand. But he was—he's a guy that you would want to grab a beer with and spot a cow in Wisconsin.
So we we we did that a lot, bro. I know all about spot a cow. We sent our son to Wisconsin. My listeners are tired of hearing it, but we sent our older son Jake to Wisconsin. Wisconsin, and we built a house in Eagle River, which is in the North Woods.
I know all about spotted cow. Listen, somebody who played some college ball at UCLA. When you landed in Green Bay, you know either you you get it or you don't. Like if you're a big city guy, it might not be for you. But if you want to lay low and kind of focus on football and stay out of the limelight, then Green Bay is not a bad place.
Except that it's a small town, and if you go out, they know who you are. What was the experience like for you? It was it was awesome. I still try to get back to Green Bay once a year. Honestly, I still have friends out there from the media, just friends who live out there.
And for me, it was probably one of the greatest things I could have got drafted into. Coming from LA, which is a big big place, to Green Bay, where you sort of flying in and you see nothing but. Titletown. It was interesting to start, but I sort of embraced it. I tried to even stay there the first winter, get into hunting, doing outdoor stuff, going fishing.
Dude, how did that go? How did that go? I've tried to do that. They keep saying to me, "Roam, roam. Wait, have you snowmobiled?
Have you ice fished? I'm not about that life. How did that go for you? I did it all. I snowmobile.
I was probably the only black person in the pier running around fishing. Right? I did. I did. I did everything, man.
It was, but it was, it was great because the people are amazing, and that's why I said I still have friends up there. I love going up there. Like I drink my heart's content of spotted cow. But like the reason I go back every year is because the people are so genuine and they're so nice. It was the greatest thing I could have been drafted into.
Can you explain what it is about spotted cow because you can't get it. You have to go there to get it. I have friends to try to get me to bring it back here to Cali. What is it about spotted cow? Is it is it that good because you can't get it and it's there, or is it just that good?
I think it's a little bit of both. I honestly, I think because I can't have it now being out here in Arizona. I always ask my friends if they're coming from Wisconsin. Hey, just bring me a case, please. But I think it's I think it's the aura of being in Wisconsin and saying, "Hey, this is only in Wisconsin." I think that's what makes it so great.
I love talking Wisconsin anytime. Before you go, really quickly, Brett, it's great to have you on. Let me ask you about Nebraska. All right, Nebraska's five and zero. It's great to see them five and zero, but they are also taking a major step up in competition again.
Indiana, do you think they can hang? How do you see that game going? I don't. I was speaking on this in the Big Ten, and and nothing against Nebraska. I think they've done a great job thus far, but they somewhat just like UCLA have not played any real competition yet.
I think this is the first time that we get to see what Nebraska is about. You know, and Indiana has been crushing it.
So I think this is a great competition for Nebraska to really get a test of where they're at, where they actually sit, if that five and ranking is legitimate or if it's not. You know, I was talking to Aaron Taylor from CBS. Yes, about this earlier in the week, man. It's so important, right? Like the Big Ten, they've been a little bit top heavy.
Wouldn't it be nice to see these teams that are a little bit lower up rise up and make a stand? That'd be so good for the conference. I would love that, and you know, there's one team. I think Northwestern is going to be that team. They played extremely well versus Indiana, and I think that's going to be the team in the Big Ten that is that sort of silent factor that rises up and starts showing people that that's a real legitimate contender.
That's the one to watch. All right, so All Pac-12 honors back in 2014 as quarterback at UCLA, as I mentioned, school records for career TD passes and total offense, and a Big Ten Network college football analyst. He is Brett Hundley. Brett, really good to see you, man. Great to get.
Thanks so much. Appreciate you. Absolutely, man. Thanks for having me on. My good friend and your good friend Brad Sesmat told me to tell you hi too.
Oh, can't tell Brad. I was thinking about him the other day. Tell Brad Sesmat. I said, "What's up?" All right, Brad suddenly joining us. No joke.
That's so weird. I was thinking about Brad Sesmat because I was thinking about the book which I'm writing in the 690 days. Brad Sesmat, as those of you in Southern California remember, he was at 690. He was there before I was there.
So, best of Brad Sestma. That's good, dude. All right, when we come back, our number three, we're wide open. I want to talk about the Steelers and the big fella, and also Joey Porter, Joey Porter Senior, one of my favorite guys doing Joey Porter Senior things. It's so funny.
Well, not not the Stewar fan. It's not, but to me it is, and to a lot of other people.
So, all that's coming up next hour. If you want to get up in here, go ahead one eight hundred six three six eight six eight six. If you are starting to get the feeling that I am kind of fascinated by UCLA v Oregon, it's that I am pretty fascinated by UCLA Oregon. It's a major step up for the Bruins, but the fact that Bob Chesney already has the Bruins ranked in the top twenty five. It has flipped that culture completely.
Already is absolutely amazing. All right, third hour next. The Dan Vogtino Show. I think a lot of people are underestimating the Trump effect in this midterm. You've heard it yourself.
Act like I'm on the ballot. Why is he saying that? You think he doesn't know what he's doing? That is the X factor, folks. Elections are a math issue.
That is it. This is not a football game. If you vote, we will win. It is not complicated. The Dan Vogtino Show.
Follow and listen on your favorite platform.
