Doubting Lamar? (Hour 2)

I'm Larry Mullins, host of the podcast Your Weirdest Fears, the show that explores the odd things that make your heart stop. I am so scared of the Grinch.

He is bad vibes. We talk to everyone from therapists to exterminators to lizard man. I was 25 when I actually got my tongue split.

I have one tattoo that covers my entire body. Listen and subscribe on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts from. I'm Larry Mullins, host of the podcast Your Weirdest Fears, the show that explores the odd things that make your heart stop. I am so scared of the Grinch. He is bad vibes. We talk to everyone from therapists to exterminators to lizard man. I was 25 when I actually got my tongue split.

I have one tattoo that covers my entire body. Listen and subscribe on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts from. Our number two of our radio program, I'm live in Colorado today. It is the Zach Gelb show, coast to coast on CBS Sports Radio. You can always give me a follow on the good old cesspool of Twitter or on Instagram, or I'm always straight flexing at Zach Gelb.

That's Z-A-C-H-G-E-L-B. Coming up, 20 minutes from now, we'll connect with Dennis Pitta, the former Super Bowl winning tight end from the Baltimore Ravens. He'll drop by as the Baltimore Ravens, as you know by now, will not have Lamar Jackson this weekend. But there's a lot of talking to do about the future of Lamar Jackson in Baltimore.

I will take his word for what it is worth about the swelling. It is a little bizarre to me that the player had to announce this and the team didn't announce it, but there is regardless if you think he's healthy or not, and I clearly think he isn't, there is an ominous feeling about Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. And this is not an in the moment thing, because this has been a contractual difference the last two years as they've been trying to hammer out an extension as it continues to linger on and on and on, and they can only franchise tag him twice, and you can't afford to franchise tag him the second time and then let him play out that season and let him walk for only a compensatory third round pick. I think we're entering into potentially the final days of Lamar Jackson as a Baltimore Raven, that's on the early side, or what I think could be the final year of Lamar Jackson in Baltimore, because I've said this all throughout the year, I said it going back to the offseason, right at the draft, when he was voicing his frustration about the Marquis Hollywood Brown trade, which he knew about. He knew it was coming, because Marquis Hollywood Brown didn't want to be a part of the Ravens anymore, and he requested a trade multiple times and they kept him in the loop in Lamar Jackson, and still, he kind of took some shots at the team when they did trade a trade away, a guy that didn't want to be there, Marquis Hollywood Brown. Now, I think DeSean has a gripe that they haven't got him a number one wide receiver, and they haven't got him someone that's been a proven number one wide receiver in this league, but this should be a contract that should already be done, and if it doesn't get done this offseason, either it's going to be Lamar saying to the Ravens, I want to wrap up my time in Baltimore, send me somewhere else, or it's going to be the Ravens saying, hey, we got to look to trade you if we can't get a deal done this offseason, whether that's before the start of the season or after the season.

Because we can't afford franchise tagging you two more times and then letting you walk for only a compensatory pick. So Dennis Pitta will join us 20 minutes from now, and then also at 8.20 p.m. Eastern, we'll be joined by former Chargers fullback in Lorenzo Neal, as we've got to continue previewing these games, Seahawks and 49ers, Chargers and Jaguars, Dolphins, Bills, Giants, Vikings, Ravens, Bengals is your wildcard slate on Saturday and Sunday, with the first two games that I mentioned on Saturday. And the last three on Sunday, and then on Monday night, you know it, and I know it, it is Dak Prescott and those drama Dallas Chokin' Cowboys going up against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But without further ado, I'm not talking about Freddie Huddu, let's update you on the biggest stories in the world of sports with some audio. We call this segment The News Brief. Time for your Daily News Brief.

We get you caught up on the rumors, reports and reconnaissance from the day in sports. Well, we already had the answer today on one attention whore in Sean McVay, that Sean McVay is going to be coming back and coaching the Los Angeles Rams next season. Another attention whore is Aaron Rodgers and Brian Gudekunz, the general manager of the Go Pack Go, did speak to the media and he was asked if he wants Aaron Rodgers back on the pack next year. Picky, I take that as Gudekunz actually does want Rodgers back. But when he says I want all these guys back, you know that's not realistic. So do you pause it all and say, Hmm, maybe Gudekunz doesn't actually want Rodgers back.

Absolutely. That felt a lot like Jim Harbaugh this past weekend, even two weeks ago in Michigan, where you got to plant the seeds of, hey, I'm not definitely leaving or I definitely don't want, you know, you have to kind of play nice and answer it in a way where if he's back, there's not gonna be any friction caused. But, you know, again, he didn't specifically come out there and say absolutely want Aaron back. He's our guy. You know, if it's up to, you know, up to us, he's back. It's up to him.

You know, we'll see. But we absolutely want it back. We welcome back open arms.

Obviously didn't hear that whatsoever. I think when you say we want everyone back, it's a nice way of saying, yeah, ideally, but we'll see. I think Gudekunz also knows he has to walk a fine line here because this was a really ugly, messy relationship. And John Kuhn, who joined us last year and always joins us whenever we talk about Rodgers, he said there is an actual friendship now and respect between Aaron Rodgers and Brian Gudekunz. And almost I feel as if Gudekunz has to walk on like a tightrope when talking about Rodgers. So it did sound a little bit awkward and I hear what you're saying.

But then I'll just throw you this question and ask you this. If he actually wanted Rodgers gone, then why did they give him an extension last offseason? Because I know he was coming off back to back MVPs, but they still had an out last offseason and elected to extend him for three more years. I think last offseason they wanted him back, but also I do think that things are, you know, able to change as you go. And maybe you saw this year and how much they are aggressive. You're talking about a team that missed the playoffs.

I wonder if now you're Brian Gudekunz, you wonder, is it worth it? So out of 100 percent, where are you that next year Aaron Rodgers will not be back with the Packers? I will say 65 percent.

Okay, so 65. So you're leaning more likely than not likely that he is on the way out. I think, and I said last year, it was like 90 percent, 95 percent that he was coming back to Green Bay. I'm at like 80, 85 percent right now that he'll be back with the Packers next year.

The only pause I have is the potential retirement. Now the only way that changes those numbers drastically that'll play for another team is if Gudekunz goes to him and says to Aaron, Aaron, we want to be straight up with you. We don't want you back next year. If that's the case, I think that sparks a little fire in the tummy of Aaron Rodgers and in his belly and makes him say, okay, I'm going to go play somewhere else.

But I don't think that's going to happen. I really do ultimately believe this is an Aaron Rodgers decision. And if Rodgers wants to come back, they'll welcome him back for another year with open arms. If he does not want to come back, then they will look to trade him. They'll get a deal done and then they will also then hand the baton over to one Jordan Love. Let's hear one more or a few more from Brian Gudekunz on whether Aaron Rodgers or Jordan Love give the Packers the best chance to win in 2023. You're talking about a four time MVP, right? So we are very excited about Jordan, where he's at. There's no doubt about that. But George never played a 16 or 17 game season, gone through all that stuff. So so different than we moved from Brett to Aaron, right? You know, I mean, so you just that's a that's a hard thing to say.

But at the same time, I mean, where Aaron's at the level he's at, you know, he would I think there's not many teams he wouldn't give the best chance to win. How do they know what they have, Hickey and Jordan Love? Outside of what, that half or was it even was it even that of maybe a quarter of Jordan Love you got in Philly on that Sunday night game? I don't know.

Where Darius Slay was raving about. Yeah. I mean, I don't know how much you can glean from practice. I feel like some, but not, you know, anywhere near when it comes to game experience. So very little, I would say at this point, even though he's been there for three years. Well, I think inside the facility, you could understand if he has the the character, the toughness, the leadership abilities to be a franchise guy, and maybe you see some things on the practice field. But until you throw him into a game situation for a long stretch and a big sample size, it's tough to know what you have as a quarterback on the field.

And if you could see signs that he has it, but you don't actually know if he's going to be a great player until you see him physically play on the field. So I think at this point, anything they say about Jordan Love is just to kind of cover their ass because they took this guy in the first round. And it's stubbornness.

Here's the other part of this, too, Hickey. It's the Jordan Love factor. Like if Jordan Love goes to them this offseason and says, I'm not doing this, sit behind Rogers for one more year. Now they could say, hey, kid, tough luck.

Sit on the bench and shut up. They could do that. But we've seen players before try to force a trade. And I just don't know what the market would be for Jordan Love.

Like we say this all the time. Teams do a lot of crazy things. And teams are desperate that don't have a quarterback to just try to find a guy. Jordan Love was not the most highly thought of quarterback coming out of college. And not many thought he was going to go in the first round. And now going to year four, like I said, with him probably falling out of the first round. No more packers. Right.

Like you're going to have a short time to figure out if he's the guy anyway or guy or not before you have to pay him. You're not going to get a big return if you try to trade him out on a fourth round pick at this point, like fifth round. Right. Like, yeah, there's no I know it's just in one one game, but there's no Matt Flynn moment. There's no whole like Matt Schaub type of moment where even though that was in a slim sample size, at least it was some sample size. There's barely been any sample size on on Jordan Love.

Here is Brian Gudekunz on Jordan Love's development these last three seasons. I definitely think he's ready to play. You know, I think he feels that way. I think he's chomping at the bit. But at the same time, we're going to do what's best for the Green Bay Packers and what gives us the best chance to win moving forward.

All right. Let's go to Joe Mixon. The Bengals do go up against the Ravens once again this weekend. No Lamar Jackson once again for the Baltimore Ravens. But Joe Mixon says the Bengals are the team to beat in the AFC. As I said, I believe what?

Last week or two weeks ago, like. And I stand on is like we're the big dogs at AFC and everybody knows that they gunning for us. But we know we're going to get everybody best shot. But at the end of the day, if we're not turning the ball over and taking care of the little things, we can't be beat. So we've got to go ahead and we're going to take everybody best shot.

But they better be ready to take ours. Picky, would you agree that if we pulled 100 people, the clear majority would say the big dogs in the AFC are actually the Kansas City Chiefs? Them are the bills. If we open up to the three teams, I would guess the Bengals right now would finish last in that poll of 100 people. I don't know about that. Now, maybe just for this season.

OK. But if you look at. And factor in last year, like at least the Bengals, they are the defending AFC champs. Like if I'm Joe Mixon, I'm saying to myself, we beat the Chiefs the last three times we played them. We won the AFC championship game last year. So in order to to take down the in order to be the best, you got to take us down.

I get that mentality. But the Chiefs have won a Super Bowl. The Chiefs have been in the last four straight AFC title games.

The Bengals. Yeah, they had the Chiefs number, but they got to the Super Bowl. They didn't win it for Buffalo as much as I think Buffalo is going to the Super Bowl and winning the entire thing this year. They haven't won the AFC. They haven't been to the Super Bowl. They have not won a Super Bowl. So I could understand because of how much Buffalo has been hyped up this year and how they've been everyone's Super Bowl pick.

Why you may say that. But if we're looking at this to claim that the big boy spot in the AFC based off previous history, I would say it's a conversation between Kansas City and Cincinnati. What do you think about that? I guess the only reason why I was still saying no, just because like every one of their mother this year picked the Bills. So like there's no thought about the Bengals whatsoever. You know what they just accomplished. And again, personally, I felt like the Super Bowl this year, like let me be clear about that. But the Bengals have they could plant that flag and say we're the best team in the AFC because they beat Kansas City the last three years. And we don't know what they're going to do up against Buffalo probably next weekend because unfortunately, we didn't get to see the conclusion of that game. Well, right, right, right. I'm with you there.

I just I think when it comes like I think perception and action, you know, reality are different. I think just the perception wise, I would still say to those three teams, the Bengals would be third in terms of national perception of big dogs in the AFC. But I think I think Jim makes a point like, hey, they won the AFC this year. Last year, like I mentioned, they beat the Chiefs three times in a row.

They are they should be the team to beat even though right now they're the three seed. It's weird because it's going to be a cop out. I could see why people would say the Chiefs. I could see what people say the Bills that I could see what people would say the Bengals. Like I could see if you are listening to say, oh, Zach's right. Hickey's right. Or let's just go with what Kansas City.

I could see all three options there. Joe Burrow on if last year's playoff run can help them during this year's playoff run. I think it's natural to call back on experiences that you've had in similar situations.

And so I think, you know, I'd be lying if if I said I wasn't. But, you know, like I said, it's a new year, new team, new new opponents. And so, you know, it's we know what it takes. That's that's all last year did for us.

Hickey in a big game. He's the quarterback right now in the NFL that I have the most confidence in in Joe Burrow. What do you think about that? I would probably still say my home just because he's done it for longer. But I burrows right there, man. He is right.

I think it's one in one day without a doubt. Like he's not the most gifted quarterback, but he just has it. And that cool, calm confidence that he has. I eat it up.

I love it. When you look at the way that Joe Burrow does conduct himself. I'm not telling you my home stinks and my home's can't beat Burrow. But last year, last three times that they've went head to head. Burrow has been victorious late in the season last year, playoff last year, AFC Championship game in my home's den. And then this year as well, they did take down Kansas City as well. I if Burrow is able to get to a Super Bowl this year again and win it this time around. I do believe you have a lot of people saying he's the best quarterback in football. And for a while, we didn't think anyone could knock my home's off his perch.

And that fell also in Buffalo. Josh Allen could have a thing or two to say about it before it's all said and done. Kirk Cousins.

And if he's feeling the extra pressure to win on Sunday. I don't know that I think about those things. I'm just focused on, you know, the X's and O's.

Studying, you know, knowing the plan and being able to execute the plan and the other stuff doesn't really isn't really where my mind goes. Brian, let's be real about it. At this point in his career, Kirk Cousins has heard everything about what people think about him in a big spot. He's just got to be immune and just not even feel anything when it when it comes to, oh, are you going to choke in the big moment? This is what year six or seven is conversation for the most part about him in a big spot. Yeah. Like you said, he's heard it all. He's got to roll his eyes out.

Right. Like to see a fair claim to make because the guy hasn't won a Super Bowl. The guy has only had one big postseason moment. But at this point, that can actually affect him.

If it does, that's a big issue. And finally, Mike McCarthy says the Cowboys don't feel extra pressure to win their first road playoff game since nineteen ninety two. We had 10 guys. We had the baby pitchers of 10 players and the dates that they were born.

And then obviously acknowledge that. And the reality of it is, you know, we have zero responsibility to what's happened here in the past all the way back even to the San Francisco game. This is about our opportunity. It's about what's in front of us. It's about what we've accomplished on our journey through the regular season with the things that we've learned from our things that didn't go the way we want them to go. And how we apply that to this to this one game and how it's going to help us win the game.

My follow up to that, Ryan, would simply be this coach based off those past experiences that you talk about. Will you guys actually be ready for the playoff game on Monday night? Because last year you guys puked all over yourself very early in that game and very late in the game. And the coach even admitted afterwards that they just weren't ready to go for the game. Now, we know how he would answer that, you know, I hope or yeah, we'll be ready to go. But I still can't get over that last year, how they were not ready for that game.

And they admitted that the team before the game, there was just a weird vibe around them. All right. This is Zach Gelb show on CBS Sports Radio. We'll talk about the future of Lamar Jackson.

Also touch on Wild Card weekend next with the Super Bowl champion and Dennis Pitt. We'll come on back in five minutes. I'm Larry Mullins, host of the podcast, Your Weirdest Fears, the show that explores the odd things that make your heart stop. I am so scared of the Grinch.

He is bad vibe. We talk to everyone from therapists to exterminators to lizard man. I was 25 when I actually got my tongue split. I have one tattoo that covers my entire body. Listen and subscribe on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts from. There's a lot to listen to.

So get started and download the free Odyssey app today. I'm Larry Mullins, host of the podcast, Your Weirdest Fears, the show that explores the odd things that make your heart stop. I am so scared of the Grinch. He is bad vibe. We talk to everyone from therapists to exterminators to lizard man. I was 25 when I actually got my tongue split.

I have one tattoo that covers my entire body. Listen and subscribe on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts from. You're listening to the Zach Gelb Show. It is the Zach Gelb Show on CBS Sports Radio. Wildcard Weekend is here. We will see the Ravens and Bengals on Sunday night. And I'm just reading this from Sammy Watkins, who is now back with the Ravens. And this is via the Washington Post. This is what Sammy Watkins said.

It's a little bit long, but it's pretty important. In this league, everybody is pretty much banged up hurt. Veteran ride out, Sammy Watkins said Wednesday in a quiet corner of Baltimore's locker room. I don't want to speak for him in a situation, whatever he's going through with the contract. I don't know what world he's in, but for me, you got a chance to do something special. We all know with Lamar Jackson out there, this team is really freaking good and special things can happen. He can, he can will this team to a Super Bowl. I don't think he's thinking about it that way, but he's got an opportunity to win a Super Bowl. I hope he hobbles back out there, put him out for the pass plays and don't run him at all. But you never know.

That could be wrong. I'm being very selfish right now. Just want to win. I just want him to be out on the field. But man, what a great thing it would be to see eight touch the field this Sunday and we go out there and blow them out. But that's for Lamar and everybody else to figure out.

Hope more actually something happens. Somebody reaches out to him, whether it's a coach or somebody and he decides to play. But that's a question if he's healthy or or if he's not.

I don't know. I haven't been watching him. So that quote is now going viral. Peter Schrager just retweeted it a few moments ago, but that was said by Sammy Watkins on Wednesday. We know by now, Lamar Jackson is not going to play this weekend. Let's bring in a Super Bowl champion. Did win a ring with the Baltimore Ravens, was a longtime tight end in the league, and that's Dennis Pitta. Dennis, I appreciate the time when you hear those Sammy Watkins comments to the Washington Post about Lamar Jackson.

Just what crosses your mind? Yeah, I think they're a little bit surprising, for sure. I think, you know, you'd be shocked to think that Lamar would sit this game out based on contract situation. Listen, I think based on what Lamar tweeted recently about his injury, which I think was, you know, rare too. Typically, you don't see guys take to Twitter to specifically explain their injury. Coach Harbaugh has been very close to the vest about Lamar and his injury and all that and the specifics of it. There hasn't been a whole lot of information about what he's dealing with. I think Lamar wanted to clear the air and make sure people know that it's not contract related. And I think that was the intent of his tweet. So, Sammy coming out and saying that, I think it's surprising to all of us and kind of shocking that it seems like he thinks Lamar can play through it and that it is more contract related than Lamar's leading on. So, I honestly don't know what to believe, Zach. I think we're all a little bit shocked from those comments and from Lamar's tweet and just kind of everything that's going on around that whole situation.

And I think it's very interesting to say the least. If Lamar says he's hurt, I'm going to believe him, and I would agree with you, if he could play, I think he would play. But with that being said, and I've been saying this ever since the draft, it feels like we're on the verge, whether it's this offseason or next offseason, where Lamar Jackson gets traded and he's going to be playing somewhere else soon. Yeah, I mean, I am not sure what's going to happen with Lamar. The Ravens really hold the leverage in this situation because they have really three years of franchise tags they can use on him without having to give him a long-term contract.

Now, I don't think that's what either side wants to do, just given the cap hit that they would have to endure through those franchise tags. Obviously, Lamar wants long-term security. I think he loves Baltimore. Everybody I've talked to thinks really highly of Lamar and the organization and thinks he's their future. And by all accounts, Lamar wants to be there. And so it would, to be completely honest, shock me if he got traded. But you never know in this league.

I mean, strange things happen. I think they'll find a way to ensure that he's there for the long term. But Lamar's just such a special player. Sammy Watkins is right in the respect that they're a different team with Lamar at the helm.

And they want to be able to go on. The defense is playing tremendous right now. They feel like they can go on a postseason run if they can just get Lamar back in action and generate some offense.

I mean, they haven't really generated much offense the last handful of weeks with his absence. And if Lamar's back in there, you like your chances. But the way Lamar plays and the style of his game, you have to be 100% healthy. If he doesn't feel like his knee's stable enough to play the way that he wants to play, I mean, he's not going to be very effective.

So I'm like you. I believe Lamar and the fact that if he's not healthy, I believe it's at his word. And I don't think he would have any real reason to mislead everybody in that respect. Now, I know Sammy Watkins was there last year.

But this year he just joined the team a little while ago. Is this him, you think, speaking for how a lot of guys feel in the locker room, but they just won't say it? Or is this just you got to take it as one person's comments and only one person's comment? Yeah, I think that's what the interesting part of it is. You know, guys in the locker room typically have a pretty good handle on, you know, everyone's kind of injury status and all that.

When they're thinking they're going to be back, how they're feeling. I mean, the locker room in the Ravens facility is right next door to the training room. And so you don't have to go very far to see the guys that are rehabbing and injured and getting treatment and all that.

And you pass right through that room every time you go to and from meetings. And so I'm sure there's plenty of interaction between Lamar and his teammates. And I'm sure they're all keenly aware of his situation. So I think it does surprise me.

Again, I just think it's surprising, this whole Sammy Watkin comment. Because I just think, you know, if he was healthy enough to play, I think Lamar would be the first one to make sure he was playing. And so especially given the playoff game, we were talking the regular season. I mean, this is a different conversation. But Lamar early in his career struggled in the playoffs and that was kind of the knock on him for the first couple of years that he couldn't win a playoff game.

And then they finally got over that hump. And Lamar just wants to win. He wants to win playoff games. He wants to win a Super Bowl. And so I would imagine if he could be out there, he would.

But again, that's why these comments are surprising. Dennis Pitta here with us. Looking back at your team's run when you guys won that Super Bowl back in 2012, all these years later. Just what are the memories that still stand out about that run and what that group was able to do? Yeah, it was a special postseason. I mean, we had some ups and highs and lows during the regular season. We started off really well.

We went through a three-game skit. Our offensive coordinator got fired with two weeks left in the regular season. And Jim Caldwell took over. And so there was a lot of ups and downs in that regular season. But we got into the postseason and things started to really click.

And I think I was just on the radio the other day talking about the mile-high miracle in Denver. When we traveled to play Peyton and the Broncos and the way that game ended. Going into overtime and just the craziness. Listen, I think any good postseason run, you have to get a little bit lucky at times.

And the ball has to bounce your way at times. And it certainly did in that game. For Jacoby Jones to be able to get behind the Broncos secondary and score with like 30 seconds left in regulation and no timeouts.

It was an unbelievable finish. That game certainly stands out in my mind. It was also one of the coldest games I've ever played in. I think it was one of the coldest postseason or December, January games that's ever been played in Denver.

Some statistic I saw. So that was a memorable one. And then we went to New England and a place that we lost the year previous in the AFC Championship game on a missed field goal. And so there was a bad taste in our mouth from the previous year. And so we went back. Same circumstances in New England, AFC Championship game.

We got it done. We were able to go on to the Super Bowl and get it done against the 49ers there. So many memorable games in that postseason run. And what an incredible run it was for our team. Two things off the Super Bowl.

I'll ask you this one first and then I'll follow up. What do you remember about the blackout after the Beyonce halftime show? And what did you do to make sure that you were right when the game did resume and obviously the game did change in a big way? Where it looked like it was going to be a blowout and it became a good one right after that blowout.

A blackout. Yeah, it was something like we've never experienced before. The Super Bowl is always a little bit different because, like you mentioned, Beyonce is doing the halftime show. It's always these big halftime shows. In a normal NFL game, you're in and out of the locker room at halftime in about 10 minutes. But it's so long at the Super Bowl. The halftime is really short.

Yeah. Yeah, and at the Super Bowl, it's like a 30-minute halftime. So you're sitting around. You make all your adjustments from the first half. And then you've got a lot of time to kind of your own devices, your own thoughts, and talking with teammates and all that stuff.

It's almost like you're just hanging out and they're waiting for the show to be over and then you can go resume. So we had a long halftime. We go back out. We return the opening kickoff. Jacoby Jones returns the opening kickoff.

We go up 28 to 6. And so our offense still didn't take the field. We were supposed to obviously got the ball at halftime. We didn't take the field because of the return. And then they have the ball and the lights go out. And so now for 45 extra minutes, we're sitting there on the field waiting for the lights to come back on. Why it took that long on the field, I don't know.

Do you buy that it's a conspiracy theory? I know some of your teammates, I think it was Ray Lewis, thought that they pulled the plug to try to make it a game. Listen, that game was getting out of hand quickly for the 49ers. We had a ton of momentum going into halftime. Like I mentioned, we returned the opening kick after halftime.

We're up 26. And I think at that point, we had them in like third and long right before the lights go out. It's like a Buffalo Wild Wings commercial. Yeah, it was crazy. I mean, you can throw out all kinds of theories.

I mean, I'd be hard pressed to believe a lot of them. But for whatever reason, whether it was Beyonce's performance at halftime or whatever reason, we overloaded the circuit board and the lights go out. And so I've never played in any football game at any level where the lights went out and we had to sit around for 45 minutes. Much less the biggest game of the entire year.

And so it was it was unusual for sure. But but to my point, so we go in for an extended halftime. We return the opening kick. Our offense did not see the field for like two consecutive hours from the end of halftime until we finally resumed play again when the lights came back on.

And so that was difficult for us to imagine. Clearly, the 49ers did a better job during that blackout of staying ready and being ready to go. Because because as soon as we got back to play, I mean, I think we turned the ball over a couple of times and they they regained all that momentum and made it a game.

And so they handled it much better than we did. But but that was tough. You're not on the field. I mean, that's that's a long time to not be on the field and have to try to get get going again, especially when when we had as much momentum as we did. Dennis Pitta, I want you to be honest with me here, because you can't be afraid of Harbaugh. John can't cut you anymore. I'm just wondering, what was he actually like leading up to that Super Bowl, going up against his brother, you being inside the locker room?

You know, to John's credit, and I'm being honest here, he didn't really change. You know, he was the same coach Harbaugh that we knew all season. And, you know, guys in big moments in critical situations, a lot of times they.

They change, they get tighter, they get, you know, a little pressure on them and they they start to overreact to things and all all these kind of things. You would not have known that we were playing in the Super Bowl and the Harbaugh Bowl against his brother versus any other game with his demeanor and everything that he did. And we approached that game the same as we did every other game. And I think that's what helped us.

I mean, the Super Bowl is so different to begin with and the hoopla and all the hype that surrounds that game and all the media and everything you have to do leading up to it is is crazy. But we kept our routine and everything as as similar as possible as we did the entire season. And I think that helped us come out and play our best because we were a hot football team during that postseason run.

And, you know, we were a confident group at that point and we knew we just had to kind of stick to our routine and keep playing our game and we were going to be all right. When we get to the game coming up on Sunday, I just don't see without Lamar on the field how the Bengals could win the game. I mean, how the Ravens could win the game. I know the Bengals offense a line on the right side.

Their starters are not going to be able to go. So there could be some extra pressure on Joe Burrow. Can you see a path to a to a Ravens road to victory if it is Huntley or Brown, depending on who gets the go for them? Yeah, I think you have I think you feel a lot better as a Ravens fan if Huntley's under center for sure. He's done a lot of good things over the last couple of years in Lamar's absence. And I think you have a lot more confidence in him being able to to create plays with both his arm and his leg a lot like Lamar does. He's got a very similar style to Lamar. And so the offense doesn't change much when Huntley's in there. Now, he's not Lamar Jackson, we all know.

But, you know, he's done some really good things for them. I think in this game, you know, I think every anybody betting on this game is going to going to go heavy onto the Bengals simply because Lamar Jackson's not out there. But I think the Ravens can muddy up this game. I mean, their defense has played great ever since the addition of Roquan Smith. They have really taken their defensive play to a whole nother level. And if they can get to Burrow, get pressure on him and just make life difficult for him and keep the points down, you've got a chance. I mean, you've got, you know, healthy running backs finally.

And if you can kind of muddy the waters and stick to the run game and not get down by too much where you can stay in your game plan and run the football throughout that game. You know, you have to like your chances. Dennis Pitta, always appreciate the conversation. Thank you so much for the time. All right, Zach. Thanks, man.

Appreciate it. There is Dennis Pitta, the Super Bowl champion, winning tight end with the Baltimore Ravens back on that crazy Super Bowl run back in 2012, where they started off beating Hickey's Colts. Then that crazy overtime game up against Peyton Manning and the Broncos in the divisional round. Then they beat my Pats after he said it the year before they lose in that Billy Cundiff kick. And then in the Super Bowl, you all know the Harbaugh ball between John and Jim. How that one did play on out with them getting the victory.

Thirty four to thirty one. We'll take a break. We'll come on back.

We'll react more to the Sammy Watkins comments that are now going viral about Lamar Jackson. I'm Larry Mullins, host of the podcast, Your Weirdest Fears, the show that explores the odd things that make your heart stop. I am so scared of the Grinch. He is bad vibes. We talk to everyone from therapists to exterminators to lizard man. I was twenty five when I actually got my tongue split.

I have one tattoo that covers my entire body. Listen and subscribe on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts from. Turn of events, nonstop coverage from the biggest sports radio stations in the country, podcasts dedicated to each NFL team and postseason games streaming live for free. Your playoffs, your Odyssey, get in the game and download the free Odyssey app today. The listening you love is on the free Odyssey app, your trusted local radio stations, coverage of your favorite teams, live news from your hometown and millions of podcasts on demand. Best of all, you can completely customize your listening experience. Follow topics you care about, like leagues and teams, pause or rewind your local sports and news and add shows to your queue to catch up later. There's a lot to listen to. So get started and download the free Odyssey app today. You're listening to the Zach Gelb show. This NFL postseason, every Westwood one NFL broadcast streams live for free. The wildcard round, the divisional round, the AFC and NFC championship games, the Pro Bowl game and Super Bowl 57 catch all the action on the Odyssey app on westwoodonesports.com via Westwood One Station streams or by asking Alexa to open Westwood One Sports. It's all sponsored by AutoZone.

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AutoZone. It is a Zach Gelb show on CBS Sports Radio. This whole situation about Lamar Jackson just continues to be bizarre. Now, the contract is one thing and you could have your thoughts that Lamar doesn't want to be back in Baltimore or maybe the Ravens don't want Lamar back and even that could get a little bit hairy. But just this week, you had Lamar Jackson basically announce he's out for the game when usually that comes from the team. And then today you had John Harbaugh talking about HIPAA laws and he can't get into the degree of the injury. How many times do we have a coach at a podium saying a player is hurt and may not give you many details but tells you the degree of a let's say in this case the PCL injury.

So that was weird. And now comments that were made on Wednesday that I guess got published in the Washington Post today or finally is making the rounds today from Sammy Watkins basically opens up the door to make you think that Sammy Watkins, maybe it's just him, or he's speaking for others in the locker room, don't actually know how hurt Lamar Jackson is. So once again, these were some of the comments made by Sammy Watkins to the Washington Post.

In this league, everybody is pretty much banged up hurt, the veteran wideout said Wednesday in a quiet corner of Baltimore's locker room. I don't want to speak for him and his situation and whatever he's going through with the contracts. I don't know what world he's in, but for me, you got a chance to do something special. I don't know what Lamar Jackson out there. This team is really freaking good and special things could happen. He can will this team to a Super Bowl.

I don't think he's thinking about it that way. But he's got an opportunity to win a Super Bowl. I hope he hobbles back out there, put him out there for pass plays and don't run him at all, but you never know that could be wrong. I'm being very selfish right now just to want him to be out there on the field.

But man, what a great thing it would be to see eight touch the field this Sunday and we go out there and blow them out. But that is for Lamar and everybody else to figure out. Hope miraculously something happens, somebody reaches out to him, whether it's a coach or somebody and he decides to play. But that is a question if he's healthy or he's not.

I don't know. I haven't been watching him. Let me just say this about Sammy Watkins on this on these comments. If you're going to basically say, yeah, I think he's not playing this weekend because he's caught up in the contract or other factors, don't keep on walking it back. Because there's a few times where he's saying that pretty much or giving you that feel that he's saying that and then he's trying to walk it back and say, oh, maybe I'm just being selfish or at the end. But there is a question if he's healthier. He's not.

I don't know. I haven't been watching him. He's clearly trying to say he's not buying the extent of this injury with Lamar Jackson, and he think that he thinks that this guy should be out in the field coming up on Sunday up against the Cincinnati Bengals.

But any time he's about to go all in and really be truthful, he then slightly does walk it back. This just in a story that you think could not get more bizarre from Lamar Jackson announcing himself basically out for this week, not the team. Harbaugh talking about the HIPAA laws at the press conference. And now these comments made on Wednesday from Sammy Watkins to go viral right now on Friday. This looks like a mess in Baltimore.

And you know, that organization is a proud, respected organization. You always look at the Ravens and you feel good, whoever their coach and general manager are, and you feel like they're a well-run organization. Ryan, this is a disaster right now. There are a lot of conflicting feelings, I think, in that organization where not everybody is on the same page. And I think a lot of people, fair or not, are questioning how hurt Lamar Jackson is. This is the first time you can describe the Ravens in about 20 years using this word incompetent, because that's what they did this year. That this has been an absolute disaster.

There's a lack of leadership everywhere. I said Jared Harbaugh saying one thing, Lamar saying another. Now you have players speaking out about your star quarterback and questioning how hurt he is. If he's hurt, this is what bad teams like the Jets, like the Lions do. This is what bad organizations do.

Now hold on. You said the Lions. There's new Detroit Lions football.

This year, yes, but for the last two decades, the Browns, the Lions, the Jets, any sort of drama, any sort of competition, you can point to one of the three teams being it. And now the Ravens, like I said, well-run organization for a while, are making a fool of themselves. And if I'm Lamar Jackson, and let's say what Jim Trotter said earlier in the week about the swelling with the knee and then the statement that he released, and I legitimately think I cannot play, and I have Sammy Watkins of all people saying this stuff, if I'm Lamar Jackson, my first thought is A, bleep Sammy Watkins, but then B, how many of the other guys in the locker room think that? And if that's the case, it even gives more ammunition for Lamar Jackson to maybe want to request a trade this offseason if the own guys in the locker room before today, we've had all signs that they've had his back, are now starting to not protect him.

And like Sammy Watkins basically stabbed him in the back, Hickey. And look, I don't know if Sammy Watkins is saying this, if he's a lone wolf. I think he might be. Maybe it's still a vocal minority of players, but I don't think he's the only one. You don't say this without being the only guy in the locker room. I don't think he's the only one.

Yeah. Which is not good. Because put it this way, let's just say you have like 50-something people, 60-something people when you figure in injuries, and then guys are the practice squad, there's no way just one person alone thinks something of the locker room. It may only be two or three other people, but it depends who those people are. Lamar may look at this and say, guys, just time's lining up this offseason, franchise tag me, and then trade me.

That wouldn't surprise me for one second. Five questions, five answers. Next, we'll do a little on-side, off-side wildcard round edition on this Football Friday. This is Zach Gelb's show CBS Sports Radio broadcasting from Colorado. So get started and download the free Odyssey app today. The listening you love is on the free Odyssey app. Your trusted local radio stations. Coverage of your favorite teams. Live news from your hometown. And millions of podcasts on demand.

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