NFL Season Preview (Hour 3)

Have you ever covered a carpet stain with a rug? Ignored a leaky faucet? Pretended your half-painted living room is supposed to look that way?

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Hire high quality, certified pros at Angie.com. Look around. What do you see? Cars? Lots of them. And guess what? They're probably on AutoTrader.

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AutoTrader. Alrighty, hour number three of our radio program. That's right, it is the Zach Gelb show on the Infinity Sports Network. This portion of the show is brought to you by Ethos Life, the easy way to get life insurance in ten minutes. Up to two million dollars in coverage with no medical exam and just a few health questions. Get your free quote at checkethos.com.

Not available in all states. We'll be joined by Elijah Molden of the Tennessee Titans coming up momentarily. That AFC South is going to be a really fun division this year. You expect the Jaguars to bounce back with their combination of Trevor Lawrence and then also Doug Peterson coaching the team. We know what the Texans did just the year before as they really made a huge jump in the year one of D'Amico Ryan, CJ Stroud and Will Anderson with that trio. Indianapolis almost made the playoffs last year even though they were without Anthony Richardson for most of the season. And this is going to be a big year for Will Levis.

And you look at Tennessee, they have put Will in a position to succeed. I know they said goodbye to Derrick Henry, but now they have Tony Pollard. Last year they had DeAndre Hopkins. Now they've added not only Calvin Ridley, but also Tyler Boyd. And then you look at the defensive side, they were able to snag Lageria Snead in a trade with the world champion Kansas City Chiefs.

No more Mike Vrabel, new coach coming in in Callahan. So now you kind of look at this division. I think this is a really good division. Like there's been some years where we looked at the AFC South and you haven't been all that thrilled, but from top to bottom, this is a really good division in football this year. Alrighty, Chris has taken away as we get set to preview the Tennessee Titans.

Let's see from one, the entire Big Jumpies chasing Mahomes in the end zone. Their third Super Bowl in five years. We preview all 32 teams right here on the Zach Gelbs Show. The Tennessee Titans. And we welcome in a fourth year defensive back in the NFL out of Washington.

He's spent his entire career with the Tennessee Titans. And that, of course, is Elijah Molden, kind enough to join us right now on the show. Elijah, appreciate the time as always. How you been, my man? I'm good. I'm in the back of my car feeding snacks to my daughter. So we got stuck up in traffic.

We'll be home in like a couple minutes and I won't be on the move anymore. But I love that. What's the snack of choice these days? Just wondering. Dried strawberries. And she's had like the whole bag.

I wasn't expecting dried strawberries, but I kind of like it already. Let's talk about you. You're going into your fourth year in the NFL through three years. I know the year in between you had to deal with a pretty nasty injury. But how do you kind of look at your NFL career so far? Yeah, definitely up and down with the injury kind of, you know, stopping the momentum I had after my rookie year.

So really, it's kind of crazy. I feel like I'm going into my second year, you know, with with the position change. It's my second year at that, you know, playing safety and then and also the second year after my injury. So it's, you know, I'm going to go on year four, but it feels like number two.

So, yeah, kind of kind of crazy. You mentioned the position changes. How do you kind of look back at it last year moving to safety? It was a lot of fun. I think it was it was challenging just because I wasn't just playing safety. It was kind of, you know, I was kind of playing like four positions at the time, nickel free strong and then dime position. So it was a lot.

It was a lot to juggle. But I think, you know, looking back on it definitely made me better because now I'm able to understand the defense as a whole. And yeah, man, you have a new coaching staff, you have a new defensive coordinator. I'm just trying to wonder, what do you kind of think? I know there's a lot of work still to do before we see game one of this season. But what do you kind of think your role will be and how do you think they'll use you this year in Tennessee?

Yeah, I mean, who knows? I think it's still pretty early days, but I mean, at least for OTAs, I was I was mainly at safety. I didn't, you know, I wasn't kind of bouncing around from position to position. They wanted me to get comfortable at one position and grow there and and produce there.

So that that really just helps just because I'm not, you know, I'm able to kind of focus and specialize on one position as opposed to, you know, trying to be like a jack of all trades. Elijah molded is my guess. Would have been the early impression so far of the new head football coach and Brian Callahan. I love him. I think I love his philosophy and the culture he's bringing.

Definitely an offensive minded coach. I think everyone everyone knows that. But the way he's kind of able to, you know, to get guys, you know, to rally around them and then also empower our defensive coordinator, Denard Wilson has been been exciting. So, you know, we start up in less than a week.

So it's going to be once we start to the marathon, you know, it's it's a marathon. So I'm just so excited. I thought it's going to be our best year yet. I know you said that Denard Wilson is so exciting. What makes him so exciting with your early knowing of your new defensive coordinator? Yeah, I mean, before I even met him, just looking at his track record, like, you know, him, him being a Philadelphia when I went to the Super Bowl and then going to Baltimore. And if you just look at the, you know, the DBs, he develops kind of speaks for itself. You know, so selfishly before even got the job at one, I wanted him all the way and then thankfully we got him. So it's just the the attention to detail and the energy he brings. He holds people to a very high standard and. You know, he just brings out the best in you, you know, I mean, like he every little mistake you're going to get called out on.

So, yeah, Elijah Moulden here with us. Mike Vrabel, highly respected coach in this league. Was your coach to start your career?

Just how did you kind of process that one? And what was the first reaction when you found out he wasn't going to be back as your head football coach for this season? Yeah, I mean, we were so you know, we were so deep in the season that I didn't really see it coming. I don't think too many people in the team saw coming to just because we're so like I said, we're so engulfed on just day to day tasks. So I was surprised, just like, you know, a lot of people around me. But, you know, one thing about being in the NFL for this long and then, you know, kind of already being familiar with the business from my dad is things move fast. You know what I mean?

You got to produce right away. So, you know, with Coach Hallahan coming in, I think it's a great opportunity. And definitely a different shift from from years in the past. I know the Giants are on the offseason hard knocks.

So we've seen your old defense. According to Shane Bowen, a little bit. Yeah.

Yeah. If you had to kind of tell Giants fans what they're getting in their new DC, what would you kind of say about Shane? Yeah, I love Shane. He's a great guy. Great coach.

Actually, I think I've watched bits and pieces of the episode, but not too much. But I think, you know, he's very even keeled, but he can, you know, he can kind of turn it on whenever he needs to. Yeah, I mean, I think he has a lot of different varieties of coverages that he likes to do. And and yeah, I mean, he's a great coach. We definitely miss him in Tennessee. Get him back to the team this year. They made some big moves this offseason.

Let's start in defense of the ball since we're talking to Elijah Molden, who's the safety for the Tennessee Titans. Entering your number four with Jerry Sneads, a heck of a player coming over from Kansas City. He knows how to how to win some championships. Kind of take me through when you found out that luxurious is going to be a teammate. And what are the early impressions so far of him? Yeah, I was actually on vacation with his one of his teammates from Kansas City, Keith Taylor.

And when we found out, he just said, You got a dog. And I think, you know, I know everyone in the league knows that he kind of just my person to him. I feel like he plays like an inside light, like old school inside linebacker corner. He's so physical.

So I'm definitely looking forward to, you know, him being on the outside of helping me out. You know, he's going to help out the whole defense to what did you see out of your quarterback will love his last year? And what type of quarterback do you think you have for this upcoming season and will?

Definitely flashes, I think. I mean, the first game he started versus Atlanta was like, whoa, like he's definitely something. You know, I mean, he can make all the throws. And I think coming in, he I think he had a lot a lot on his plate as a rookie. And a lot was asked of him and he still was able to produce. So I think the sky's the limit for him.

You know what I mean? He's he's a smart guy and he you know, he's he's someone who he's obsessed about football, too. So he's going to say he's going to take leaps and bounds every year. When you look at his leadership skills, how would you describe him as a leader? He's pretty vocal. I think, you know, this year he's kind of stepping it more into that vocal role. And then, you know, we're offense and defense. We don't have too many meetings together. So other than that, I'm just doing my best to stop in our practice.

So, yeah, you know this, right? Derek Henry's voice meant a lot in that locker room. And now it's an identity shift with the offense because Derek Henry is with the Ravens. It felt like that was it for him at the end of the year with the send off and how he walked off the field. But when it was final that Derek Henry was going to Baltimore, leaving Tennessee, I know it's a business, but was that at all like kind of a little bizarre to you knowing that he was not going to be back with the team?

Yeah, a little bit. I think he was the first player when I when I came to the locker room as a rookie. I was like, man, like there's dudes like that in the NFL. You know, he just looks like a gladiator. So and he's just a great guy. You know, we you know, I got to know him pretty well over the years. And I think, you know, the way he went out, first of all, he had a great game his last his last game here. But the way he went out, you know, it was pretty professional, like he, you know, I think a lot of people knew knew it was his last potentially his last game.

And, you know, it was like it was like he was shaking hands with the organization. So I'm happy for him and hoping he can do big things in Baltimore. You feel like your team's getting slept on a little bit. The division is so good now. But on we talked about the defensive moves that you guys have made. But on offense, you know, Tony Pollard brought brought in Calvin Ridley brought in Tyler Boyd.

You already have D hop there. You know, is Tennessee getting slept on right now in your opinion? Yeah, I think so.

We always are. But I don't I don't really care. I don't I don't pay attention to that stuff. I don't I don't really go on social media or read any article. So, you know, I if I had a guess, I probably say, yeah, I don't I don't care too much about it. The last thing I'll ask you and I have to take you back to your college days because your alma mater last year had a heck of a season going to the national championship game.

Now, we know Caitlin Dore is off to Alabama. But how about last year getting to watch your Huskies and how far they did go in the college football world? It was fun and it was a lot of fun. I think, you know, just watching the offense and all the weapons they had. It was like, you know, being being the central time to and they would always play later. So I didn't get to watch too many games live, but I would always see highlights and it was fun to watch. Yeah, it was a lot of fun.

But, you know, it seems like. You know, whenever these college teams win and they they have success and it's like it's good for the team, but we ended up winning and all of our coaches and players bounced. So we got to rebuild and kind of, you know, work through the same thing this year, but it's going to be more difficult. One more for you, because just knowing who your week one opponent is, it's the Chicago Bears, and there's going to be a lot of eyeballs on that game. Rome with Dunze, obviously a wide receiver, but Caleb Williams in that quarterback. Just what's the first thought about knowing you're going to have to go up against Caleb Rome and everything that they got in Chicago right now? Yeah, I mean, I think it's it's an exciting opportunity. I love the city of Chicago and a good friend and old teammate Kevin Byers on the team, too.

Kyler Gordon, my college team is on the team. So I it's actually a couple familiar faces over there. Even from my earlier years, earlier years with the Titans. So, yeah, familiar faces. And I think it's the opportunity just because, you know, rookie quarterbacks, that first game is pretty challenging. And then kind of the whole really first season is challenging. But, you know, I know he's a dog and and they got weapons around him, too. So it's going to be a challenge. But, you know, we expect to come out on top.

I think, you know, if you don't have that mindset, then you shouldn't even be on the field. He's Elijah Moulden. Elijah, always great to have you on the show.

Good health this season. And thanks so much for doing this today. Yeah, man. Of course.

Appreciate it. You got it. There he is.

Elijah Moulden. Always enjoy our conversations with him as we cross Tennessee off the list of NFL teams that we preview as we get through all 32 right here on the Zach Gelb show. I can't wait to see that division. And I think you can make a case that any team in that division can make the playoffs. You know, Texans, obviously, 10 and seven a year ago.

And you would think CJ shroud gets better in your two Jacksonville. I expect them to bounce back like everyone's down on Jacksonville. That team was nine and eight last year. They couldn't like win a game.

It felt like down the stretch. But with Trevor Lawrence at quarterback, he was hurt. I think they're going to bounce back. You know, the Colts nine and eight to Stikin second year head coach Anthony Richardson, if he could stay healthy. And I'll tell you a Tennessee. You know, I'm not saying Tennessee's gonna make the playoffs, but they're gonna be a scrappy team, man.

They're gonna be tough. You look, they got Tyler Boyd's a third wide receiver here and you got Hopkins. You got Ridley Pollard's a solid running back. And it all comes down to what can will love is big is will love is just a guy is will love is the person that fell out of the first round.

There's a reason for it. Or is he going to be your franchise quarterback? And this is, I think the best thing for Tennessee.

Sure. I think variable should still be the coach, but he's not. I don't think I also think this plays a factor in it. In fact, rebel didn't want to be the coach anymore.

I truly do believe that. I think variable thought he was going to get the Patriot job and get to go back to one Patriot place and reconnect with Robert Kraft. But when you look at Tennessee, they're in a position now where you can actually evaluate will love us like sometimes there's quarterbacks where you go. Who is the quarterback in a position to succeed? They brought in an offensive minded head coach and they brought in weapons for will love us.

Sure. You lost Eric Henry, but Tony Pollard's solid back. You already had Hopkins and they had the three touchdowns or four touchdowns right away in that game one. And then you bring in Calver Italy and you're bringing Tyler Boyd. There's enough there to see if we'll love us has it. And now it's up to him to show that he is that dude for Tennessee. And that's what makes him a fun watch for this upcoming season.

All right. It is that guilt show on the infinity sports network. We stay in the football world, but we go from the NFL gridiron to college next. It's time to preview the Wisconsin Badgers with a little college football fix. Big 10 media days are going to be next week. And Jake Cheney has been a part of the program for the last few years.

Linebacker for Wisconsin will jump around with him next. Hi, I'm Angie Hicks, co-founder of Angie. When you use Angie for your home projects, you know, all your jobs will be done. Well, roof repair done. Well, kitchen sink install done. Well, deck upgrades done. Well, electrical upgrade done. Well, Angie's been connecting homeowners with skilled pros for nearly 30 years. So we know the difference between done and done.

Well, higher high quality certified pros at Angie.com. Have you ever covered a carpet stain with a rug, ignored a leaky faucet, pretended your half painted living room is supposed to look that way. Well, you're not alone. We've all got unfinished home projects, whether it's a door that sticks or a disorganized closet or an AC unit that only works half the time.

It all matters. You just haven't taken care of it yet. But there's an easier way. Just download the Thumbtack app. You can search for what you need done and find tons of highly rated pros right in your neighborhood.

Check prices, reviews and book a pro right on the spot. Plus, you'll know what to tackle next because Thumbtack is the app that shows you what to do, who to hire and when. Pull out your phone. And in just a few taps, say goodbye to all those unfinished home projects and say hello to caring for your home. The easier way.

Download Thumbtack and start a project today. Look around. What do you see? Cars? Lots of them. And guess what? They're probably on Auto Trader.

Whether you're into timeless classics or the latest trends. Did somebody say solar powered, eco friendly, vegan leather wrapped, aroma therapy scented disco ball equipped self-driving car? If you see it on the road, you can likely find it on Auto Trader. Big cars, small cars, blue cars, new cars and used cars, electric cars and one day maybe even flying cars.

With millions of options to choose from, buying a car becomes a whole lot easier. See it. Find it.

Auto Trader. Our daughter, Jesse, loves playing detective. A clue. But since we discovered she has sensitive skin, we've been playing detective, too. We thought the problem was our puppy, but it was actually our old detergent.

Aha. So we switched to Tide Free and Gentle. Tide Clean's better than the leading competitive free detergent, and it doesn't leave behind irritating residues. Plus, Tide Free and Gentle has no dyes or perfumes, so it's gentle on her skin. Case closed.

If it's got to be clean, it's got to be Tide Free and Gentle. We miss college football. We can't wait for the 2024 season.

This time for 46 yards, and Michigan has taken a 13-3 lead on the second touchdown of the night from the man who was not tripping. And we're counting down the days to kick off. Are we there yet? No. Are we there yet? We said no. Are we there yet?

What's wrong with your ears? Here is your college football fix, only on the Zach Gelb Show. And this portion of the show is sponsored by the new Hyundai Tucson, available with complimentary class-leading Blue Link Plus.

Now it's easy to use your phone to control your Tucson. Forty-three days away until the Wisconsin Badgers kick off against Western Michigan on Friday, August 30th. Let's welcome in a man that has been with the program for the last few seasons as a linebacker, and that is Jake Chaney, kind enough to join us on the Zach Gelb Show. Jake, appreciate you doing this.

Thanks so much for the time. How you been? I've been doing good. I'm happy to be on.

Well, thanks so much for coming on. So the last few weeks, I'm not familiar with it. I could gather what it is, but all I've been hearing about is this squat fest with Wisconsin. Tell me a little bit about squat fest and what's going on with the Wisconsin Badgers football team. I'm somewhat new to squat fest too. This is my second time doing it, but it was brought over by Brady Collins and the strength staff from Cincinnati. And the best way to put it is like a rager in the weight room. I'll say it's like one of the hardest workouts you can possibly do, but as much as fun as you can make it. And it's more than just squatting, right?

Yes, sir. So what are some of the other things that you're doing, just wondering? I'll say we have about eight stations set up after the heavy squat, and it's a full body exercise. It's not necessarily high weight and a whole bunch of technique things. It's as many reps as possible in a certain amount of time. And, you know, you have punching bags, you have neck machine, you have rows, bench press, you have lunges, you have RDLs, all the whole nine yards.

And, you know, you get that done in a certain amount of time. Talking to Jake Cheney right now, get him back to the product on the field a year ago, right? It's a new era for Wisconsin football. You guys ended up going seven and five in the regular season.

You lost the bowl game. But what do you take away with all the transition that did go on with the program last year? What do you kind of take away from a year ago? You know, last year was a great learning opportunity for us.

You know, you can look at it as at this point a year. But, you know, from the end of the day, you have to learn from it. And I think the biggest thing we learned is, you know, we have to keep the locker room, the locker room.

You have to stay tight with the guys. And we're all working for one goal, coaches and players. And I believe the team has full trust in Coach Fickle. And, you know, we're starting to become a team. I'm not saying you guys didn't necessarily trust each other all throughout last season or didn't trust each other.

But when you say what you just said, I'm just curious. Like, when did things start to feel comfortable and normal a bit where, okay, you guys finally all started to get on on the same page with the changes that were going on? I would definitely say that Nebraska week. I think things really, like, felt like it was clicking. And we kind of got back to what, like, our heads settled, our hearts settled. And, you know, we started having fun with the game again. You know, it's interesting that you said that because I remember watching that Nebraska game and it was towards the end of the season. You guys were in the midst of a three game losing streak. You know, you wouldn't expect that moment to happen after three straight losses. So it kind of speaks to what's going on at Wisconsin.

You guys were able to still find the groove at the end of the year, even while going through that three game losing streak. Yes, sir. That's the best way to put it.

Yes, sir. Jake Cheney here with us. How would you describe Coach Luke Fickle? Because we all saw him right at Ohio State and then also Cincinnati.

When you get to the college football playoff at Cincinnati, it's so impressive. But, you know, after being with him for a year and now more than that, Luke Fickle is what as a football coach with your eyes? I would say high energy, high intensity guy who still somewhat believes in the old ways of football, in the toughness and the camaraderie. And, you know, he came out and told us straight up that there's a reason why he still coached football. And that's because he just wants to be a part of a team.

And, you know, I think that's the best way I can put him. You know, I like how you said that, you know, he is an old school kind of coach. And there's, you know, a lot of value there when you have a new coach comes in. It's just the nature of the sport now.

So many guys hit the transfer portal. I'm just curious, why did you want to stay with Wisconsin when you probably had opportunities to leave and go elsewhere? You know, coming from Florida, you don't know a lot about Wisconsin, but I'll say I'm a Wisconsin through and through guy. No, I want to I want what's best for this place.

And, you know, you can't run from it when you believe that. And I truly believe the coaches that we have here right now isn't to change Wisconsin or change the culture or anything. It's to make Wisconsin the best place it can possibly be. And what do you think you guys could show this year off of that? Now, with everyone comfortable, better understanding everyone on the same page, what can Wisconsin football look like this season? Yeah, I mean, the goal is always win games, but, you know, you can't promise I can't promise you any wins. I can't promise you any losses right now.

But I truly believe you'll see a more complete and well-versed team out there this year. Talking to Jake Cheney, we talked about your head football coach. How about your defensive coordinator, Mike Trestle?

Give me a little bit about him. You know, I think very highly of Coach Trestle. You know, he's a he's a football genius. He's a football junkie. You know, he's he's a great coach.

And, you know, there's there's not I mean, I can say I can keep on going how great of a guy is. But, you know, I love working under somebody like coach stress. You know, he lets me come in on the D staff meetings.

You know, they may might be watching something non-related to what we're doing right now. But he'll let me come in and watch and we'll sit down and talk ball. And, you know, I think I think having defense coordinator like that in the linebacker room is great for this team.

I know there was a lot of changes to your positional group this year, and I did see he went out of his way to say how impressed he was with how you've been handling everything. What do you kind of think this defense can accomplish this year? And what's brewing with this Wisconsin Badgers defense right now, Jake Cheney? I mean, I truly believe this is might be one of our most complete defenses in since maybe 21. You know, we I think I've made truly we have guys everywhere with experience. No, I think the best defense I've been a part of was the defense with Leo Chanel, Scott Nelson, John Hicks, Matt Henderson, Keanu, Herbig. And I know I've truly believe we had on this defense.

I'm not trying to compare guys or, you know, do all this, that. But, you know, I truly believe that at every spot on this defense, we might be two and three deep. There's been so many changes to college football as a wrap it up with Jake Cheney, the Wisconsin football team, right? NIL, you know, the transfer portal conference changes. You've also had the college football playoff expand and we'll see that this year from four to 12 teams.

I'm assuming you're in favor of that. But what was your opinion when that was official that the college football playoff expanded 12 teams? I mean, I wouldn't say I thought much about it.

You know, that's a far ways away. And, you know, the big thing is we got to make it there. You know, a team has to make it there to worry about it.

So I haven't put much thought in it. I know Coach Vick really doesn't talk much about it. But, you know, I think right now we just need to put our best football out there.

And then maybe later in the season, we can start having those conversations. What about your impression so far of Tyler Van Dyke coming over from Miami? Oh, you know, the one thing I'll say is my stepdad's a huge Miami fan. So I remember once seeing that we got Tyler Van Dyke and I'm like, wow, like it's kind of forward. I remember being in high school watching his games. You know, I know he's a guy.

He's a player. I'm excited to see what him and Barry brain lock and do this season. No, I think I think we have a great quarterback room right now.

It's nothing like having two great quarterbacks and, you know, this day they should jumpstart offense. How did you land at Wisconsin? What drew you to Wisconsin? Just wondering. So I remember I got a Jim Leonard was recruiting me.

Sure. You know, being a kid from Florida, you know, you don't might not know much about Jim Leonard, but I remember my dad always saying like how, you know, great that is that somebody's like Jim Leonard's recruiting you. I guess he knew a lot about him and I went up to the game and I just kind of fell in love with it.

And then COVID hit and that was my only visit. So that's the only place I felt comfortable with committing to. I read an article and you mentioned how when you were undersized when you were younger and you had some self-doubt. I'm just curious, how'd you fight through that to end up not only going to Wisconsin, but being a pretty well-respected player at Wisconsin. How'd you get through some of that adversity earlier on in your life? You know, the one thing I'll say is like I was I was a younger kid in high school. I graduated about early 17, maybe four months into 17.

That's when I graduated early to roll here. And, you know, it took time for me to grow. It took time for me to develop. And, you know, I missed out on, you know, you could say you missed out on opportunities, but, you know, God works in many ways. So I think the biggest thing for me was like just like under like don't put it. I wasn't big into goals. I was just all about work.

And, you know, that worked for me. And you mentioned your dad, your dad played at Florida State, and he was also your coach in high school. How was that experience playing for your old man?

You know, it was good. He was never he never really had a hand in my playing time or, you know, how I was seen throughout the team. You know, I have to give a lot of credit for my high school days to somebody like Coach Dickson and Coach Evans and where they, you know, they cursed me out.

They beat me down. And, you know, that made me a better player. And if I was if I was a coach's kid who just walked around because I played because my dad, I truly don't believe I'll be here. And then before we let you run, Jake Cheney, I know you got Western Michigan and South Dakota, but, you know, Wisconsin always got some big games. You got USC moving into the Big Ten, Oregon. You talked about Nebraska, but you got Alabama week three.

I know you're focused on the first game, the first two games of the season, but give me a thought about about playing Alabama come week three of your guys' season. Oh, you know, I have a teammate that plays at Alabama. His name is Richard Young. You know, I respect him a lot.

Well respected. And, you know, we talked to those guys, you know, talking to guys over there and know Richard tells me how much they work. You know what their schedules like, you know, what kind of what their core values are. And, you know, right now, you know, it makes you kind of think like a lot of people think that, oh, it's all talent. It's all this.

It's all scheme. But, you know, at the end of the day, those guys work. And right now, you know, you put it put in perspective like what you're doing right now. And, you know, can I sit down and say today I worked as hard as Richard today, or am I out working and I put in more effort into Richard right now. And, you know, I just sit back and think about that that's really my only thoughts about Alabama, because, you know, we got a little second to the season got fall camp coming up we just finished OTAs, and there's definitely some more work to be done.

Before I can worry about a team like Alabama, or even say we're ready to play Western Michigan or South Dakota because those are too well for great programs to. Well, good luck as we get closer and closer to the start of the season appreciate your carbon out a few minutes for us today. Okay, no problem. Thank you. You got it. There he is.

Good deal. Fun stuff right there with Jake Cheney, Wisconsin linebacker, as you get to see your number two for Luke fickle in Madison, Wisconsin, as the badgers trying to get back to some of their better days already, we will take a timeout. When we come on back update some of the biggest stories the world of sports with some audio we get to a news brief doors take us to summers away, or winter adventures and afternoon getaways. Your dedicated fidelity advisor can help you open those doors by working with you on a comprehensive plan to help you reach your wealth's full potential, because doors were meant to be opened. Visit fidelity.com slash wealth investment minimum supply fidelity brokerage services LLC member NYC as IPC selling a little, or a lot. Shopify helps you do your thing, however you teaching Shopify is the global commerce platform that helps you sell at every stage of your business from the launcher online shop stage to the first real life store stage, all the way to the did we just hit a million orders stage Shopify is here to help you grow, whether you're selling scented soap or offering outdoor outfits Shopify helps you sell everywhere from their all in one e commerce platform to their in person POS system, wherever and whatever you're selling Shopify has got you covered Shopify helps you turn browsers into buyers with the internet's best converting checkout 15% better on average compared to other leading commerce platforms and sell more with less effort thanks to Shopify magic, your AI powered all star Shopify powers 10% of all e commerce in the US and Shopify is the global forest behind all birds frothies and Brooklyn and millions of other entrepreneurs of every size across 175 countries plus Shopify is award winning 24 seven help is there to support your success, every step of the way, because businesses that grow grow with Shopify sign up for a $1 per month trial period at Shopify comm slash Odyssey podcast, all lowercase go to Shopify comm slash Odyssey podcast now to grow your business, no matter what stage you're in Shopify comm slash Odyssey podcast. Hey, I'm Andy. If you don't know me, it's probably because I'm not famous, but I did start a men's grooming company called Harry's. The idea for Harry's came out of a frustrating experience I had buying razor blades. Most brands were overpriced over designed and out of touch at Harry's our approach is simple. Here's our secret. We make sharp, durable blades and sell them at honest prices for as low as $2 each.

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That's harrys.com code style. Enjoy. Time for your daily news brief. We get you caught up on the rumors reports and reconnaissance from the day in sports.

All right, news brief time. Zach Gelb show Infinity Sports Network. Dabo Sweeney. He ripped the expanded college football playoff. Listen, I'll be see some guys if you're forward for and probably out of the playoffs, probably see some guys head off to Arizona and train, you'll probably see some situations like you see in the NFL Ravens are in the playoffs. They got locked up, right?

They got the buyer. They got one more game. That really means nothing. You play Lamar in that game. Maybe you're 11 and oh, and you got that rivalry game. But oh, you play your biggest foe next week in the conference championship. And if you win that game, you're going to get a bye. Those are things that are probably decisions you'll see play out all throughout college football. I hate to break it to Dabo.

This prevents those types of things from happening. And I'm not a fan of going to 12. But like, let's say you were four and four with a 14 playoff.

You got no shot. Like I remember I talked to Brendan Rice last year of USC. And that was when they were in a funk. And he was like, we still think we're playing in a Pac 12 championship game. Now we knew they weren't going to be at USC. But at least their hope was still there because they're not eliminated.

Now you're going to 12. So let's say you have three or four losses, you're probably not making the playoff I get that. But if you then get hot and don't lose another game, and somehow go on to win your conference like there's a chance you get in. So or can be there for the 12 spot if there's a lot of losses that year with all these conference changes.

So I don't think going to 12 Dabo really made the points that needed to be made like I do think there's unintended consequences on this. But the idea that you're worried about a kid going to train at four and four where he would have done that if it was a 14 playoff anyway, he's going to do it at a 12 team format. Let's go to Greg Sankey the commish of the SEC was on 10 10 XL radio in Jacksonville, and was asked about it the 12 team playoff devalues the regular season. That's where people say well you're ruining the regular season.

Are you kidding me even better now. Yeah, yeah, that was my theory hypothesis if you will about the 12 team playoff is it enhances, so you break it down, you have to understand it's not the 12 best teams. It's a five best conference champions for them to get a buy and know where they are.

Then you've got a fifth to get seated. And then you've got the seven remaining best teams right now. That's the expectation so you may be ranked 12th and not in because of 16th ranked conference champions in that that's the deal. That's more access for better teams. And that fifth spot, right, maybe among five conferences that may have three or four teams November 1 buying for a conference championship and there's 20 teams that are in. And then the top 20 has the ability to access those remaining spots arguably Yeah, in the past if you weren't in the top 10 November one, forget it, you know, you're not playing for the championship and we value those things. Here would be my follow up because I think it does devalue the regular season. Let me just use a school like Penn State for example, and this is not me hating on Penn State I picked them to make the playoff.

Chris has how about that. I pick Penn State to make the playoff right now going into the season I think they're the third best team in the Big Ten. Are you okay you feeling feverish. I feel fantastic. I even texted your athletic director Pat crap yesterday, who was the athletic director when I was at Temple. And, you know, I have, I guess a perception about me that I'm a little critical about Penn State some just am realistic as I despise their football coach in James Franklin but I said there, we did our playoff picks today, I had Penn State and Pat.

He said love it. So I'm just letting everyone know and happy valley. I picked you to make the playoffs this year.

Thank you. Just make sure. He doesn't pick you guys to make the playoffs because then I just throw that right in the garbage, but a school like Penn State for example, Chris, you're a Penn State sycophant. Did you need to see more of Penn State after the regular season last year. No, I just wanted to be over because I was just so upset at how it ended.

And that's my thing. In a 12 team format. They could go beat West Virginia, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Northwestern UMass, Indiana, Maryland Rutgers Michigan State. None of those are like great wins.

Like what's the best win out of that. Iowa. Right, I would say more so West Virginia than Iowa. Okay, well what's what I think what's going to be really good last year they nine wins last year. Yeah, that's fair. But still, like if your marquee win is either West Virginia, or Iowa.

I don't need to see you. When you lose to Ohio State, you lose to Michigan. I don't need to see you as like the 11th or the 12th seed in the college football playoff. So provides a landing spot for teams with big brands to get into the college football playoff.

That's my biggest problem, six or eight teams, I would have been fine with, but 12 is way too many. I mean, we've had this conversation before, it makes it much more interesting like Greg Sankey said for the 80 other teams 60 other teams 50 other teams in the 113 in division one football, who will now have a chance because if you're not a top 14 or top 17. Sure, just end up participation trophies, just like every other sport know you still have to win in the playoffs and win the title, every other sport, you have, and just because every, every other person does something that that makes it right and we enjoy it with all those other sports so why wouldn't we do here.

You don't enjoy the NFL playoffs with 14 t a regular season is a snooze fest a snooze fest. I love hockey most people don't give a rat's ass about hockey until the playoffs. Like, but to hockey fans in college basketball. We don't know most people don't care about college basketball unless you're john rostein and john Fenton toe March.

Come on college football the regular season actually matters, and now they're devaluing it. Okay, let's move on let's go to Sark Steve Sarkisian on get an arch Manning to buy into actually sitting, we've been fortunate to coach some pretty good quarterbacks. We've been fortunate to do it for kind of some decades now, we've been fortunate to have some pretty good quarterback rooms, and I think the Manning family is pretty well aware of that, and I think they trained arch to try to put himself in the best position to try to play in the best conference in America, and then ultimately put himself in the best position to, you know, further his career playing in the National Football League.

Now he's 100% right. The Manning family is so calculated. They knew he definitely wasn't going to play in your one, and there was a chance he wouldn't play in your two, and they were fine with it. Okay, let's go to Devonta Adams he was on the club Shay Shay podcast with Shannon sharp on rumors that he wants out of Las Vegas, you know, it's a lot of that stuff going on last year in the media and them asking, you know, what are you gonna do about this are you are you thinking about going here and they talk about whatever without me even being involved in it, and it ended up getting all the way to the point where it got in the locker room and people was thinking that it was, you know, I was actively on the Raiders, right, what do I look like sitting here talking to other people about being on another team right you know and that's how I still feel about it right now like I'm locked in with with the Raiders and I really feel good about this team. And, you know, as far as I know they feel good about me. And if that ever changes that got to a point where they weren't feeling the same way, you know, I ain't done playing so obviously we will figure out whatever we need to figure out right now.

That was a big two words ever issued right there. Right now he's all in. I do think, like 90% of that is true.

I do. But at the end of the year if they don't know Connell isn't the dude if Gardner Minshew isn't the dude which will probably be the case, is he still going to be all in. I don't think so. And that's why everyone's talking about this deal getting done now I don't think it's getting done now. I think a year from now is when the Vonta Adams forces his way out. Let's go one more from the Vonta Adams on his thoughts about potentially reuniting with his old old old pal Aaron Rodgers from be reunited with anybody would be Aaron. Okay, but, or, or be, you know, relocated and be anywhere, it would be with Aaron. See, you talk about how much you love the Raiders and you want to be a Raider but if I was to relocate somewhere I'd be with Aaron Rodgers. So, that's why I say like 90% I think he is all in, but I think he's just all in for this year because he knows his contract situation too.

The Bubba dub show. I gotta start listening to this just because of the name had Terrell Owens on to to to to to. And he was annoyed at Tom Brady, for not wanting him on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Okay, listen up, Tom Brady ignored me bro. Maybe his last year in Tampa Bay, the year that AB went went crazy on and I think everybody knew I think about a year and a half, two ago, and I was talking about coming back. So, at that point in time, it was at the end of the season. I didn't need to play a full season. I just, they just needed somebody to fulfill at least fulfill some holes with AB leaving at the receiver position. I reached out to him through Randy and a couple other people just to come in and just play third down, third down the red zone situation. You know, this dude really ignored me, bro.

Just shows you how like the lack of respect here but then when they get in front of you, they want to act like they respect you. The last time Tio, and I love Tio, and every time I see him, I always say like you still look like you could play. But the last time we played an NFL game was 2010 with the Bengals. And I remember the Antonio Brown situation exactly where I was because I was on a flight back from Miami. And I was dating this gal at the time and it was New Year's 2022.

So it was like we flew back on like January 2nd or something like that. And the girl I was dating, we couldn't believe like what Antonio Brown was doing. So Tio is annoyed that Brady wouldn't return his call when Brady's still competing to go try to win a championship. And it's like you hit him up and go, oh, Tom, I can still play. I want to play. Like, huh? Like what's next?

John Hannah is, you know, John Hawk Hannah's gonna wake up one day and be like, Hey, drink me. I want to go play guard for you. You've been out of the league for over a decade now. And you're gonna get annoyed and think Brady mistreated you there? That's like a ridiculous request from Terrell Owens.

That's just absurd. Alrighty. I think that's all the time we have today on the Zach Gelb show on the Infinity Sports Network. I will be back on Monday.

Off tomorrow, but back on Monday at 3 p.m. Eastern, noon Pacific. Big thanks to Lomas Brown for joining us. Big thanks to Elijah Molden and also Jake Chaney.

Big thanks to Chris Hess and Moist Mike for producing this extravaganza. A big thanks to each and every one of you for listening, calling and participating in the show, whether it's listening to us in one of our local Infinity Sports Network affiliates, Sirius XM Channel 158, the free Odyssey app or streaming us on YouTube. Everyone have a very good Friday tomorrow and everyone also have a splendid weekend. I'll be back on Monday.

We'll talk to you then at 3 p.m. Eastern noon Pacific. We out. Bye bye. Peace. Look around. What do you see? Cars? Lots of them. And guess what? They're probably on Auto Trader.

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