Justin Jefferson & Mark Ingram Join (Hour 1)

Here's your host Zach Gelb. Live from the place you're not overly ostentatious Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas welcome on in day number three of the Zach Gelb show on the road in Vegas on Radio Row across all the great local CBS Sports Radio affiliates Sirius XM Channel 158 the free Odyssey app and of course streaming on YouTube youtube.com slash CBS Sports Radio. This place is a madhouse. This place is a zoo right now and it is only Wednesday and we have three shows still to go. What an action-packed scene this is in the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

Whole lot of guests stopping by today. Justin Jefferson is going to join us. Roma Dunze who's going to probably be a top ten pick maybe even a top five pick in the NFL Draft. Mark Ingram, Max Crosby, Fletcher Cox.

You want me to keep on going? Sean Alexander is going to stop by. Tony Pollard of the Dallas Cowboys and then also this one I'm really excited for. The rapper Little Dicky is going to stop by as well. So we welcome you in. We got a whole lot cooking today. You can follow along all the action behind the scenes on social media at Zach Gelb on Instagram or I'm straight flexing or via the good old cesspool of Twitter.

That's Z-A-C-H-G-E-L-B. Make sure you follow for everything that we're doing on the road whether it's going to the Vegas Golden Knights game last night. And man I know that sometimes nationally you can't talk a lot of hockey on a national radio show. But if you know me you know and I do it sometimes and the boss is like oh stop talking about hockey.

What are you doing? Nobody cares about hockey. Well I'm a big hockey fan and being able to see that stadium and being in the building for the Edmonton Oilers with Connor McDavid and Leon Dryseidel. And you have the Vegas Golden Knights as well and that match up in the pregame theatrics in the scene.

It was just absolutely unbelievable. It was really cool inside the inside that arena last night and it was just absolutely wonderful. I want to thank Sully. Obviously people know Sully if you listen to CBS Sports Radio. Maybe Sully should be our next program director.

I don't think anyone would be opposed if we made Sully the next program director of CBS Sports Radio but he really hooked it up at the hockey arena in Las Vegas and there's only more chaos that's going to happen all throughout the week. So I think we're going to have a great game on Sunday. So looking forward to that between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs and quite frankly you know after being in Vegas for the last three four days I said this on Monday and I thought maybe that this conversation was going to change just like a little bit and maybe we would start to hear more and more people start to pick the 49ers.

Let's be real. The Chiefs are an underdog and it don't feel like the Kansas City Chiefs are an underdog because every single person that we talk to man I love the 49ers you know Brock Purdy is a fun story. Christian McCaffrey is absolutely sensational. We know what Debo Samuel could do as well.

George Kittle that defense which hasn't played great. The you know the last two games we know what that defense is capable of. Everyone says nice things about the 49ers but when push comes to shove it's you can't bet against 15. You can't bet against Patrick Mahomes and maybe I will be an idiot.

Maybe I will be a moron and maybe I will end up being a dope at one Sunday does come and go. But I do believe and I've seen this story before when everyone and I mean every Tom Dick and Harry they line up on one side. We as people usually get things wrong and when everyone is saying Kansas City Kansas City Kansas City Kansas City Kansas City I know it's tough and really tough to pick against 15. It is Brady like when you enter a big name game now where it's death taxes and the Chiefs are going to wake up bare minimum in an AFC championship game. But when you take a glance and you see that they're now in a Super Bowl after all this time of being the the you know being doubted to still see them be here it just makes it tougher and tougher and I love this guy my guy Justin Jefferson joining us on CBS Sports Radio. The reason I love Justin Jefferson is because I'm just very simple. I don't like when people lie to me and I've had a lot of times where there will be people that they get drafted and they should have gone a lot earlier and they go oh I'm going to be the best wide receiver.

All those teams are going to pay and nine times out of 10 wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong. Justin Jefferson was right. I will never forget that conversation that I had with you right after the draft and now look I don't think there's a better wide receiver in the NFL let alone the guys that I got drafted in front of you.

Crazy crazy. It's been a crazy journey man. My career has been going very fast you know ever since I stepped foot into the league but I just like you said I mean I'm very blessed you know very blessed to be in a situation that I'm in to have the courage and have the the confidence in myself to tell you you know that I'm going to be that number one receiver into to you know and do what I say you know so it's been great you know it's great to be here great to be in front you right now.

Great to see you dog. So it's it's been a journey man and Justin Jefferson of course on behalf of sleep number once again the greatest care yes that I ever got two three years ago they sent me like six seven items right before the Super Bowl. I still use every item and I have friends and family they change your life.

Hey can I get. Oh man sleep number has changed it man. I mean just the ability to track the amount of sleep that you're having the recovery process. I mean everything has been has been great working with them a 80 percent or 80 percent use it for a reason. 80 percent of NFL players use the bed for a reason. So a might as well go get one bro. You're all business this year.

That's what I'm really different. You've had fun the last four years. I'm not saying people are doubting you but with the injury you guys didn't make the playoffs after the great year.

Yeah. A year ago in the regular season. I think there and this is scary for the rest of the NFL. I wouldn't want to be a defensive back. I think there's a different version of Justin Jefferson come off. Oh and then I didn't finish the season last year eight weeks off and I still got a thousand yards.

Oh man that's how you know you're a bad dude. Oh trust me. Next year is definitely a I can't wait. I can't wait to step foot on the field. I'm definitely you know coming into this off season with a different mindset. Of course I want to be healthy throughout the whole season.

There's definitely different things that I'm going to be tending to do and you know work on as I go on throughout the off season to make sure that I'm out there on that field every single week. So I'm excited man. I'm excited to get back out there excited to see what happens with you know of course our our decision with our quarterback and what we're going to do for the rest of the season.

So I'm excited. It feels like Kirk's not coming back. That's just the way that it feels. Do you feel that too.

I have no idea. I mean I know I talked to Kirk of course I know Kirk wants to be with his team. I know that he has done everything in his power to be out there and to do well for us and as he has he's been doing great for us.

You know he's been you know putting up tremendous numbers for us. So I want to I would like to have him back of course having that connection with him for four years. You know it's it's tough to regain that with you know a new quarterback. So it's it's something that are definitely going to be in thought and it feels like it's a breakup.

Like you don't want it to be time but it feels like it's coming to an end. I hope not man. Of course you know having that connection with him was it was great. And of course I wouldn't have be in this position without you know having him throw me the football.

So I would like to have him back. Of course we're going to see how everything goes. But you know hopefully hopefully stays hopefully stays. So you made a pretty legendary prediction on my show. I'll make a prediction right now.

Just seeing it. I see Russell Wilson next year as your quarterback. Really. That's all I think is going to be quarterback in the Vikings. Why.

What would you. What makes you say it ain't going to be Denver. We know that the coach doesn't want him there. I think Justin Fields would have been a good fit for you guys but we know the Bears aren't going to trade him in division.

Maybe it ends up being a Michael Penix junior. You go in the draft and get someone. But I think you guys need a veteran. You guys have a good team. You K.J.

Hockinson Addison. There's offensive pieces. You guys got to take advantage of this window now especially what Detroit just did. Oh for sure. I mean it is. Hey I'm right there with you.

You preaching to the choir. You know I definitely understand everything that's going on. Understand you know this is our time to really do what we need to do. Of course you know build upon a little bit on our defense and get a couple key pieces.

But I'm right there with you. You know to having a veteran is definitely more comfortable you know more reliable especially. They've been in that situation.

They've been it. They had the experience of being in the NFL game. You know you never really know what you're going to get out of a rookie quarterback. So he could be you know the best or he could be the worst could be a bus you know so you never really know what can happen.

There's a lot of things that can go on by getting a rookie quarterback. But at the end of the day you know I'm still going to be myself by the way. Regardless you are smart because you know everyone around here like we do a different interview come on.

But everyone's going to ask you certain questions. You kind of tricked me because you brought up the quarterback first. Don't even allow me time then to talk about your contract.

What the heck is going on with the contract because it's stupid that they haven't already got the contract done. Yeah I mean I'm right there with you man. I definitely am ready to you know sit down with them and sign a piece of paper and you know label me as one of the top paid in the game. So I said this last offseason I said get it done last offseason because I don't want to get you upset. And I know you like Minnesota. I know you like the Vikings but I don't want you thinking about maybe going somewhere else.

No you know that's really not really on my mind. At the end of the day I'm I'm just playing football. No matter where I'm at no matter who I'm playing for I'm going to give them all out there on that field and I will continue to play the game of football which I know. So it doesn't matter you know who's going to be throwing me the football or you know who would I have on my front my back. I will always you know give the game all that I have and just continue to be myself. I never change you know no matter how much money I have or the fame that I have just being myself. You already got all the swag.

You don't need more money to have more swag. I'm surprised you're not wearing the sunglasses. I'm actually annoyed. I had sunglasses in my backpack.

I was ready to rock and roll with the sunglasses. I was annoyed. I got to be got to be on my p's and q's got to be business you know aware. I'm getting older man. I'm getting older. Contracts come in. Contracts come in.

You know just trying to try to elevate a little bit. Who are the five best receivers in the NFL if you had to list them. Of course I was going to label me as number one. I definitely would say Terry Hill is number two. Number three I would say Devontae Adams. Number four I would say Jamar Chase.

Number five I would say. I'd say Stefan Diggs. Cooper cup.

What he did this year was really damn impressive. But then also puking. Oh yes. Oh yes.

Like what they just did this year. We know where you are at. Yes. I know what Addison is capable of.

Yes. What do you think you guys could be as a one two punch. I mean Addison has definitely been been been phenomenal. I mean his well just really for me going down and him having to be that number one receiver you know him making plays him having to take on a whole different role than what he was expected to take on.

So I was definitely you know happy to be on the sideline during that that point to really coach him up a little bit more to be that you know person that he can lean on a little bit more because Adam was that type of player from the vet now. Yeah for sure. And it's crazy. It's very crazy because you know we had felt like a day ago. Exactly. So it's kind of it's kind of crazy. You know now I'm on the other side of things. You know he's kind of leaning on to me to you know asking me different questions and you know he's expecting we're going to talk about you retired in six seven years.

Hall of Famer you know maybe Super Bowl. Thanks. Thanks man.

You start to get gray hair. Thomas flying man. Hey don't remind me. Thomas Thomas flying man. But I'm just you know I'm always grateful grateful to be in a situation that you know he wants to learn from me.

He wants to be you know that type of player. And I'm just you know happy to be healthy right now to you know go into this next next phase of my career exciting is this is very exciting. So hey I'm ready.

I'm ready. By the way Mike can I get my poster please. If you don't mind we've got to have a fun entertaining question at the end. We all know it's Taylor Swift. We all know Travis Kelsey.

We're part of you on the spot. Are they going to eventually get engaged one day is their wedding bells coming in their future. I can say yes. I feel like they're good for each other. I mean that's another smart decision. No one said no yet. I don't I don't I don't really like how much the NFL has been boosting it.

OK. I feel like it should just let it be at this moment. I understand it's a money thing. And you know it's Taylor Swift. It's wild because the NFL doesn't like ever genuflect to anybody for anyone. And it's kind of worth it for her because they don't need more people watching.

They don't need more money. But she brings it. Oh she brings it. Oh yes. Oh yes. All right.

Every time you know someone scores or make a play. Yeah. She's on that television.

So they're definitely making their money worth having on that television screen. Who wins the game. Is Taylor Swift going to be there. Yeah she's performing in Japan and Kansas City. Is this rigged. Amen. I don't know. Hey I'll tell you one thing I didn't I did not ever expect Travis Kelsey to be dating Taylor Swift. You just knew you're going to be the best wide receiver. Yeah. That one just flew over my head.

I didn't I didn't I didn't see that one in the script but hey you got to you got to kind of go vote vote for Kansas City. I mean Pat Mahomes also has been doing great. You know he has been through so many different you know battles being in Buffalo being in being in Baltimore but he always seemed to break through and do what he need to do.

I know you got to run sleep number what you got cooking today off the best bed possible. I'm always well lately. Hey that's been that's been the key to it. That's been the key. That's been a key success man. I've been I've been you know it's been a journey just getting back back on that field.

So the recovery process having that sleep every single day waking up rejuvenated ready to go ready to attack the physical therapy that I was you know doing. So it's definitely been a great partnership. I'm definitely excited with the new stuff the new commercials that we have been coming out with but the partnership has been great and I'm definitely happy to be to be here. He is my favorite wide receiver. He is Justin Jefferson. Justin great to see you appreciate saying here. There you go. Justin Jefferson Roma dunes.

They're going to join us next. This is at Gelb show on CBS Sports Radio. Now back to the Zach Gelb show.

Alrighty. Rock and roll in from Las Vegas at Gelb shows CBS Sports Radio. My next guest dog. That's what he is. Dude this dude was unbelievable. And he's had a great career at Washington. You know when we booked this a few weeks ago Roma dunes is here sitting to my left on behalf of Sharpie. I was like oh yeah he's going to be a top 10 pick. And now I'm reading the mock drafts I'm like he could be a top five pick.

I didn't I didn't I thought it was going to maybe be like seven or eight and maybe sooner than that. But Roma dunes they just had a sensational season at Washington one of my favorite stories of the year with Kaylin Deboer Michael Pennix Junior is here with us Rome appreciate the time. How are you. I'm doing great.

I'm doing great. I mean I'm back in my hometown. So to me all you guys are our visitors in my spot. So you know I'm back home and I'm excited to be able to do all these different things. And now I'm out here with Mike as well and Sharpie so I'm having a lot of fun with it. You know it's so funny to me right.

You had a great season your team had a great season this year you make it to the national championship game. And it's so stupid like what these events become and all the media coverage and all the attention and how many times people just messed up and butchered your name and weren't even like in the right ballpark. And you had you had fun with it though because some guys you know I don't blame them if they take that personally. Yeah no for sure. I mean I know my name's been mispronounced ever since I was young.

It's a tough one. So it was funny seeing some of the bigger names like just completely like butchered it was like I think you went after it. Yeah there was a little bit of Stephen.

I think it's got bad help mess. That was the one on Twitter. Yeah on Twitter but he came back and on Twitter he was like my bad man and he was real professional about it. So it was funny and then there was one that was just that ESPN put out. It was just absolutely insane. I have a screenshot of it but it's just funny to me. You know it just kind of fed into the realm of like you know they still don't know you know about Washington football and they don't know about us so you need to go out there and do more. So it's fun.

Well that was the crazy part to me. And I'm not just saying this because I got the prediction right. I picked you guys to win the Pac 12 before the start of the season. And even when you guys already beat Oregon which was a great close game the first time it was your nine and a half point underdog going into the Pac 12 championship game even against Texas after you beat Oregon twice. You're an underdog. I made some good money in that Texas game because I was like all right. Even if they lose they're not going to lose by by more than six six and a half point. It makes sense why everyone kept on doubting you guys this year.

Yeah no I agree. I think you know I think you pay close attention and I appreciate you for that. You know you knew the story of the team you know you know the previous season what we had and just a few the few missed clicks that that kept us from you know going super far last season as well. So having the whole squad back to season with new new improved improvements you know we knew how far we were going to go so it was laughable for us to see you know people continue to doubt us and and on that stage. But it was fun it just added more fuel to the fire and we won when we won those games it was a little bit shove it in their face. You may have had a different perspective on this room with doomsday if you were coming back to Washington because that's like a personal thing when the coach leaves you know guys got to do what's in the best interest for for them.

Just like what you're doing in the best interest for you and what other people will do it's business it's part of it. But if you're someone at Washington I know it's a changing landscape in college football I understand why players would be upset you rather be upset that a coach is leaving than saying yeah you know good job that this guy's leaving. Caitlin divorce phenomenal when you got that kind of news and you saw that he was going to Alabama had you kind of process it. Oh man it hurt it hurt me honestly because I thought you know I thought he was going to be there for a long time and I thought you know they he's he was going to continue to build something special and I just felt for Washington because you know with a head coach leaving there's just so much uncertainty and you never know what's going to happen. But you know I was I was excited you know for the future in the same room because you know University of Washington is going to get a great coach and they have a great coach coach fish and I'm excited for that new staff as well. So it was bittersweet you know new beginnings and things are ending but you know I think Washington football is going to get it done regardless.

We all change jobs it's cutthroat in all businesses it's it's part of it but to see right Jed fish the board leaves then Jed fish Arizona people talking about them being a playoff team next year that he goes to Washington it's like up Arizona your season's over even before it started. It's it's a wild time in college football. Wow yeah just the certain the rotation of coaches I mean that's why you know it's exciting to be able to see you know the opportunities for the players to finally be able to have some say in it too you know being able to be in the portal and and be be in a spot where they feel like they're comfortable and and they're able to have success so man college football there's no regulations it's like the wild wild west with you know NIL and people being able to leave without any without any you know repercussions it's it's crazy but it's exciting that's kind of kind of the field of college football right it's exciting it's new you never know what's going to happen and it's definitely not you know scripted in any way. Talking to Roma dunes a right now a few years ago we just had Justin Jefferson on right before you came on he came on this show right after he got drafted and he goes the teams that passed up on me they're going to pay I'm going to be the best wide receiver out of this draft class in the NFL. What type of player do you think you could be because this is on paper an awesome early wide receiving draft class right. Yeah no there's a bunch of bunch of great receivers in the in the draft this class and I think you know we all provide you know different different skill sets and I think you know I mean unique in that way as well I think I'll come into the league and have an immediate impact you know I'm looking to come into the league to be be a Hall of Famer and I'm not just looking to be you know one of those one time names that that people heard about having a good season. I'm looking to come in and make a great impact I want to win a Super Bowl I want to do big things so you know my work ethic and the way I'm approaching it. I want to make the impact heavy because people have been able to do it like like you said Justin Jefferson Jamar Chase are able to come in early and have that success so I'm looking to go along that same path. Let's say I'm an NFL general manager I'm interviewing you we're at the combine.

Why should I take Roma dunes. Why should I draft him over Marvin Harrison Junior. I think you know I think I'm the number one wide receiver I can't speak to any of Marvin's weaknesses or strength but I think you know I provide a versatility.

I could play inside I could play outside. I go attack the football you know all the all the things on the field from from a wide receiver standpoint. I think I provide you know a unique skill set and a special special prospect in that realm but also my off the field stuff. You know I'm a guy that's going to be in that locker room encouraging other guys you know looking to make the team better as a whole because I know it's a team sport. You know regardless of how good I am you know it's about you know the old line doing their job and the quarterback doing his job and everybody being on the same page as well as the defense as well. So and that included in the community as well. I'm looking to make an impact wherever I go on a bigger scale than just football.

So I think all those aspects. Tell me what you're doing today on behalf of Sharpie. I'm here today with Sharpie. They got me out here in my fresh you know Adidas collab. It's nice right.

It's nice. So they don't just do a great job with the with the collab they do a great job with their with their with their pens and their markers and you know I remember having the sniff sharpies back in the day. So it's super exciting to be able to work with them.

They got me here with the gel pen super smooth super silky and it doesn't it doesn't bleed it doesn't smear in it. And it's what I'll be using to sign my first NFL contract and they'll be able to be right there along me with all the contracts I'll be signing my rookie year. So I'm super excited to be partnered with them. Well it's funny I have a Sharpie right here.

We have a poster board. We've been having people sign this all throughout the week was on this day. Will they get engaged eventually. Travis Kelsey Taylor Swift do you think we're going to the wedding bells season here. Yes. Okay. I'm on the yes. I'm waiting for someone to say no. No one's had all these tough NFL players soon to be stars.

No one say no a few maybes in the middle. But we'd love you to sign this. And best of luck. We appreciate you jumping on board with us today. And then seriously what a great season you guys had.

The last thing that I'll just ask you. Is it just surreal. Like we're sitting here. You're getting ready for the NFL draft. You just were in the national championship game.

And now you're getting projected as like a top five pick. It's got to be crazy how quickly life moves by. It's crazy. It's crazy in this year. I mean it's just been so crazy. Just the roller coaster of the season and all the different motions that that brings. Going straight into training. Going straight into seeing draft projections here and there.

Being in the first round. It's a dream of mine and it's exactly where I want to be. So it's awesome. And I'm just taking it all in step by step. But you know continuing to stay grounded and do the things that got me to this point in the first place.

So I find peace in that. And you know through my support system I'm able to get a lot of support in that way. So man I'm just super grateful. Super excited to be where I'm at. Well good luck. Nothing but the best. Appreciate you doing this. Thank you.

He is Roma Dunze. This is the Zach Gelb Show Coast to Coast on CBS Sports Radio. Mark Ingram going to be stopping by in five minutes. Now back to the Zach Gelb Show.

Alrighty. Rocking and rolling inside the convention center Mandalay Bay Las Vegas getting set for the Super Bowl. What a show.

First 40 minutes in the books. Justin Jefferson was awesome. Roma Dunze sensational as well. And now joining me is Mark Ingram. And he's here today on behalf of the American Gaming Association.

And I'm not going to lie to Mark. When it was announced that Reggie Bush wasn't coming back with Fox I was like, Man that sucks. And then I watched the Fox pregame show and I'm like, I know Mark Ingram was a really good talker when he was playing. And I remember interviewing a few times when I was working at Sirius when you were with the Ravens. Man, you guys have a kick-ass show.

It's tough to kind of put a dent into game day. You guys are right there going at it, you two. Man, well I really appreciate it, man. I just have an amazing crew around me, man. From the producers, man, to my crew on the set, man.

The whole network, man. They welcome me with open arms and they encourage me to be myself. And it was just the beginning for me, man.

It was my first year. And there's so much room for growth and improvement. And I'm excited to just be able to add value to the show, man. We're trying to be the best college football pregame show in the world, man.

So that's what we're striving for. Is the studio what you only want to do or do you eventually want to get into that booth and call some games? I did a broadcast boot camp and I had the opportunity to try a call game on radio, try a call game on TV and I actually did enjoy it, man. I really enjoyed it.

And this is just a great starting point for me, man. I love the big noon. I love going to the college games.

I love the atmosphere of the fans. But we'll see where it takes me, man. I'm very interested to see where this career has for me, what it has in store for me.

I'm not counting anything out. I love doing big noon, man. I could do this for 20, 30 years, man. Yeah, absolutely. I love it. I love the big noon show.

But the calling games definitely interested me and it challenged me, so I'm interested to see where this career path takes me. See, the studio show is a better lifestyle. Yes. Because you come on in the night before, you have a good dinner. Yes.

You know, maybe talk to a few coaches. You do the show. Yes. And then you're gone. Gone. Maybe go to the game if you want to.

Yes. You go do the games. Trust me, it's not like you're digging ditches or anything like that. You got to come in a few days before. You got to do a lot more prep. It's a lot more prep.

It's a lot more particular work, for sure. And not only that, what always made you so good is that you're just a genuine person, talker. You're an entertainer.

Thank you. You do the broadcast. I think I'd be a little more buttoned up.

I think just having you sling it on a Saturday big noon is awesome. I loved it, man. And they told me to be myself. They encouraged me to be myself.

And we go through the producers and we go through the show, what we're going to be talking about. And I'm able to study the games that I'm going to be talking about so I can give great information to the audience through my eyes, through my experiences, being able to personalize it. And I'm also able to be present with my wife and my five children, man. So I couldn't think of a better position and a better job to be able to transition into.

It was truly an amazing blessing, man. I'm with a great network at Fox. There's a family atmosphere. My whole crew from Urban to Rob Stone to Brady to Matt Leinart. We all gel, we're all different, but we all just have one goal in mind. That's to be the best college football pregame show in the world. And we have the support from Fox.

We have the support from our producers. And, man, it literally was, I can't think of a better transition for me to be able to, you know, transition to coming right off the field, man. It's a tremendous blessing and an honor. So I'm looking forward to it.

So I'm really excited about it. Mark, what was the best college atmosphere you had this year? Man, when we went to Colorado for, we went to Colorado for, it was Colorado vs. Colorado State. It wasn't our game. Yeah, it wasn't our game.

That's what everyone was in in Colorado. But, man, we had Lil Wayne out there performing. And that was an honor. I got to interview him. And, yeah, he's the best rapper alive.

I grew up on, you know, Mixtape Wayne, Lil Wayne, like Hot Boyz Wayne, you know what I mean? So that was an honor and a pleasure for me. Bronc was out there going crazy. We was partying. The whole atmosphere was just lit, man. And it was exciting, man. So I think that was the best show, the best atmosphere. But, man, you talk about going to Ohio State.

You talk about going to the big house for the game, Michigan-Ohio State. I was there. That was crazy. That was special. I was storming the field, had a few drinks, enjoying myself.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. See an urban, nah, I like Michigan. See an urban on that sideline when the interception happened.

And everyone's running past the urban. Hey, good to see you, coach. Bye-bye.

Right, man. It's just, man, college football is amazing, man. And to be able to just experience, travel to these campuses, man, I would have did this anyway.

Traveling to campuses, going to see the games. I'm a football fan, so being able to do that for work, man, like, man, it's a true blessing, man. And I'm thankful. I don't take it for granted. And I'm trying to do, like I said, man, it's just the beginning.

It was just the start for me. I plan on getting better. So much room for improvement.

So much room for growth. Like, man, you guys are the best in the world at what you do, man. And I respect that. And I'm trying to be able to be the best version of myself, be the best at being a broadcaster. There's just some people that you know. I did a four-minute interview with you working for Sirius after a game when you were playing with Baltimore.

And you could just tell right away if someone has it or they don't. Like, you could get better. But, man, after that four-minute interview, I go, he can retire tomorrow and do this broadcasting stuff. Thank you, man.

It means a lot to me, for real. Talking to Mark Ingram. So, Alabama, Nick Saban, he just left, right? He retired because it's NIL transfer portal, right? Heck no, man. He's 72 years old, man. He's a young 72. Yeah, he is. But that's why he should retire, man.

Selfishly, I'm sick about it and I've heard about it still. But, man, at 72 years old, he has so much going for him in the business side, beyond football. His wife, Ms. Terry, he gets to spend time with her now. His daughter, his kids, his grandkids, like, he gets to spend time and live a normal life. And he deserves that, man. He's the best college football coach in the history of the game. Seven national championships, several Heisman winners, several All-Americans, several draft picks.

Like, the impact that he's had on so many young men's lives, that they're better men, they're better in their work field, they're better husbands, they're better fathers from being under Coach Saban. And he's poured so much time into others and making others great, it's time for him to enjoy himself, man. I love the way that you said it, and then a few answers earlier, you talked about how it still gives you time, the job, to interact with your family. A lot of times with these coaches that you're so regimented, coach, coach, coach, coach, coach, they retire when they're 80, and they've only got like five, six more years of living. It's like, you have changed so many lives. Sometimes you've just got to be selfish and focus on yourself and enjoy it.

You do it for yourself. Ms. Terry has been there for him the whole, his whole time, man. That coach grind is different, man.

And he gets to spend more time with her and more time with his family, man. So, selfishly, I'm upset because we're losing the best coach in college football history. Got a good one coming in, though.

Yes, yes. We have a great one coming in. And he's been a winner everywhere he's been, and he's done a great job weathering the storm of what has happened since he has taken the job. We're excited for him, and we know he's going to continue the standard of excellence at Alabama for us. So, we're excited for him. And, man, you talk about winning everywhere he went.

I know Kalen DeBoer well. Mark Ingram here with us. When he was at Sioux Falls as a baseball player, he got like five or six hundred on the baseball team, led the team in receiving yards, receptions, receiving touchdowns. He was great there. Then Fresno had that one good season. We know what he's done at Washington. And it's, right, no one can replace Nixie. But I know a lot of people are going to be like, man, it's not Nick Saban this year. It's not Nick Saban this year. It doesn't have to be Nick Saban. He just needs to be the best version of Kalen DeBoer.

And here's the best part. He's unflappable. I don't think Alabama, there will be people that would doubt him. There's going to be people that are going to say, oh, man, he's not fit for the job.

He's the same person every step of the way. I think he could handle the onslaught of, man, it's not Nick Saban. Man, but like you said, man, when you're a winner, that's in your DNA. You can see that that's interwoven in his DNA. This is a coach who was just in the national championship game.

What more could you ask for? At Washington. Yes, at Washington. Imagine what he does at Alabama. Imagine the resources and the backing he has in the SEC at Alabama with the Crimson Tide, man. He's just going to take off even more.

So I believe in him, and I'm excited for the future with him at the helm. How about Lamar Jackson, Mark Ingram? I thought they were going to be Kansas City.

I thought they were going to be here. And I've been defending Lamar for years. That guy is still so young. He's won the two MVPs. But people go, what about the playoffs? And now I've got nothing for people that say, what about the playoffs after this year? Listen, man, it's a team game. You can't put it on one person.

And, yes, what better? I wish he was playing in this game. And, yes, you do have to answer the questions about the playoff record. But he can get the job done. What he's able to do on the football field and the energy he brings to a football team is irreplaceable, man. And the effect he has running the football, passing the football, his leadership, man, he is a true, bona fide QB one.

He should be respected as such. And, unfortunately, football is a one-game elimination in the playoffs. If you have a bad game at the wrong time, you're going home. And the one thing is it's a team game, man. You can't just blame it on Lamar Jackson. And you know what it also was?

They got too cute. The same team that I had watched all season long was not the team I watched in the AFC Championship game. And not only that, it's like I think the way that we talk about Lamar at a thrower got to them. You bring in Monk and he's going to throw the ball more, I'm fine with that.

Lamar's a better passer than what people give him credit for. But it almost felt like in that AFC Championship game, they were saying, we're not going to run the ball and we're going to try to beat Kansas City in this different way and you can't do that against the Chiefs. Listen, be who you are. Be who you are and who you were the whole season. And you think you hold the Chiefs to 17 points at home, you think you win that game.

Absolutely. They had so many, they had some inopportune-istic turnovers. They had some bad penalties, personal foul penalties on defense, one on offense. You just can't hurt yourself against the Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, Chiefs team, a team that is clicking at such a high level at the most important time of the season.

Like, they beat themselves in that game and you think the defense did enough holding them to 17 points, but you think if you hold the Chiefs to 17 points in Baltimore, at home, that you win. No points in the second half. Come on. No points in the second half. Come on. You can say some turnovers here and there, penalties here and there.

They just didn't make the plays they were supposed to when the game mattered the most. Tell me what you're doing today on behalf of American Gaming Association. So I'm with the American Gaming Association and as we know, legalized sports betting has transformed consumer entertainment. I mean, AJ research shows that 63 million American adults will be gambling on this Super Bowl for a total of $23 billion. And so what I'm here to do is just encourage responsible betting. Know what you're betting.

Understand the lines. Understand the odds. Have your limit. Don't go over your limit and enjoy it. It should be an added form of entertainment.

It shouldn't be stressful. It shouldn't take away your enjoyment from the game with your family. So we're just here to encourage responsible betting and man, may the odds forever be in your favor. You are a part of the entertainment world now.

We know you're a great entertainer. What's your perspective on Travis Kelsey and Taylor Swift? Listen, Travis is one of my good friends, man. I'm just happy for him. He looks happy. He genuinely looks happy.

They both look happy. So, man, as a friend, as you know, one of my longtime brothers, man, that we've been training together for many years. Man, I wish the best for him, man.

I mean, he's a good dude. Wedding bells? I think we're getting wedding bells.

I think they're getting engaged eventually. You think so? Not after the game. Not after the game. Trust me, no girl wants to get proposed to. Even if it's Taylor Swift and Travis Kelsey, they're the megastars on the field after the game.

You got to do that somewhere private. Man, we'll see, man. I don't know. They look happy, though.

They do. I think there's genuine love there. So, I mean, Trav, I know him. He's a real dude, man.

So I don't think he'd be putting on a facade for nobody. You know what I mean? So, I wish the best for him.

If that's what it is, man, I wish the best for both of them. Well, hey, I appreciate it. Thanks so much, Mark Ingram. Great to see you in person once again. He's Mark Ingram on behalf of the American Gaming Association.

Yeah, we did. It is the Zach Gelb show on CBS Sports Radio. I would say goodbye and talk to you for a little bit, but I still got to be live for the next two to three minutes. It's all good, brother. It's all good, brother.

Hold it down. Appreciate you having me on the show, man. And nice shades, too. Nice glasses. You got them Gucci's on. Yes, sir. Big trust.

Big in the flesh. Yes, sir. There he is. Mark Ingram joining us right here on CBS Sports Radio.

It is the Zach Gelb show. And he's 100% right when you look back at that game and you see the AFC Championship game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs. It was just one of those moments where they tried to dictate how you win. And you can't do that. You can't do that up against Kansas City.

You can't change what you've been doing the entire season. And we sit here at the Super Bowl, and we get set for the game coming up on Sunday. And it's just one of those moments, and it's one of those situations where you're like, who could have been here? And you look back at the AFC Championship and the NFC Championship game, there was a legitimate, and I mean a legitimate case to be made for not only the Detroit Lions with the bad decision-making and the aggressive decision-making by Dan Campbell, and there was also a case to be made for the Baltimore Ravens. But that's what happens. And for the Lions, it feels like they're going to be back.

It feels like they're going to be closing in once again. But once you get there, you don't know if you're going to be able to get back. And it makes it tougher to continue to get back and to find a way to keep on being a consistent winner in this league. But for the Ravens, I know it's not just Lamar, but that's the way that we talk about it. I know Munkin was absolutely horrible in that game, and Zay Flowers got the ball punched out, and you got to tip your cap to Lageria Snead. But it seemed like that was their opportunity. All the other years, I was okay. Not that it was right, but I was okay with them coming up short and not getting to a Super Bowl. But this year against the Texans in the first half, no bueno. All right, you turn it around, you play well in the second half. But then up against Kansas City, as Mark Ingram just said it, you hold the Chiefs, the Samthors Chiefs, to 17 points.

Seventeen dang points. You think you should win the game. Like, right, Samthor, in that AFC Championship game, I go to you before the game, and I say, Kansas City's only scoring 17 points. You're nervous. You are absolutely nervous if I told you before that AFC Championship game you guys were only scoring 17 points. I'd be nervous, but I wouldn't be completely distraught because this is what I was saying all along when we were asking questions about why people doubted Lamar Jackson.

Okay, but it's 17 dang points. But it was also, in the first half, it just felt like they were able to do whatever they wanted. Long, sustained drives. And then the second half was a little bit different. You're talking about the Chiefs, you mean? The Chiefs.

Yeah. It just seemed like they were able to do whatever they wanted in the first half. They didn't score in the second half. Patrick Mahomes, he even said it.

Things were ugly. We know our defense is kicking ass. We don't got to do anything. Right. Because their offense couldn't do Jack in that game.

And that's on Lamar, that's also on the offensive coordinator as well. It's time to ask the pros. Where either listener gets to ask us a question, it's brought to you by O'Reilly Auto Parts. Simply tweet your question at CBS Sports Radio or at Zach Gelb using the hashtag Ask the Pros. Be listening later in the show when we might answer your question. Think O'Reilly Auto Parts for all your car care needs. Get guaranteed low prices and excellent customer service from the professional parts people at O'Reilly Auto Parts. Joining us next on set from the Raiders, Max Crosby. We'll be right back.