Ross Tucker, Host of the "Ross Tucker Podcast"

Our number four of our radio program, that's right, it is the Zach Gelb show coast to coast on CBS Sports Radio.

Let's head out to the guest line right now. Welcome in a former NFL offense. Lyman does a great job as an analyst for Westwood One Sports where he covers the NFL. You can always check out his very popular podcast, the Ross Tucker Football Podcast.

And as always with Ross Tucker, we'll talk about a great gift idea, MyFrontPageStory.com. Ross, how you been my friend? Zach, I am fantastic.

I love talking with you. You know how proud I am of everything you've accomplished. And this is going to sound weird, but I saw you on TV last night.

Did you really? My wife and I finally finished the Manti Teau documentary. And by the way, I saw myself on TV last night too, because I'm in the part two. So we watched part two. Listen, we got two little girls.

We got a bunch of activities. We don't watch much TV, but I knew I was in it. I heard I was in so I had to watch it. So I saw the part where you're sitting at the table with Manti before the Heisman and you ask him a question and then there's the part with me. So yeah, I saw you on Netflix last night. I bet you people don't tell you that very often. Well, now we're in an exclusive fraternity together.

We get no residuals from that. So I guess you're still buying dinner next time. Yeah, I was wondering about that. Don't they have to ask for my permission to use that or something? What's the deal?

I would assume so, but I guess not. I'll just take the plug in the documentary. So I'm good with that. Let me start you off with this draft coming up on Thursday and I'll be in Kansas City hosting the CBS Sports Radio draft coverage. We know that the Panthers are going to take Bryce Young first overall. I think that's the right pick.

Are you in the same boat there? Thousand percent. Yeah, I never understood when the Panthers first made the trade and the conversation revolved around, you know, DJ Stroud. I just didn't get it Zach. I mean, I, and DJ Stroud's a really good player, but I don't know, man, Alabama's on national TV every week. I watched every game they played seemingly the last couple of years. Has he ever had a bad game? I mean, even, even when Alabama lost, it was never his fault. He just has an incredible knack for making the right play at the right time.

And Stroud's a good player as well. But Zach, I mean, for the last couple of years, first of all, two years ago, Alabi and Garrett Wilson were so open. Most of the time it was embarrassing.

It was like a lobby would score a touchdown on a post with no reason, 20 yards of them. And then this year it was like, every time, you know, what hit the fan, he would just throw it to Harrison Jr. Who would make a ridiculous catch their offensive line at all. And then Ohio state's awesome. I just think, you know, I think it was good to see Bryce Young have to deal with even more adversity this year without having a dominant O-line or dominant receiving core. It only kind of enhanced, you know, my thoughts on him.

Well, it just shows you how in the moment it is because for the last two years, you're exactly right. Bryce Young is the much better quarterback. And then there was that push after the Ohio state game up against Georgia for Stroud to usurp Young. But it's almost like people forgot because I agree with everything you just said, Ross Tucker. Bryce Young this year did not have a lot of great weapons.

CJ Stroud did, but two years ago in the SEC title game, Bryce Young did go 26 of 44 for 421 yards and three passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown against a Georgia defense that was probably better two years ago than the one this past year. Totally agree. Absolutely.

Totally agree. I'm a huge Bryce Young guy. That would be the guy I would trust with the keys to the franchise.

I mean, I'll go get it another way, Zach. You know, I like college football and recruiting and stuff. You know how good you have to be to be five, 10 and a quarter, 175 pounds in Alabama gives you a full scholarship. I mean, do you have any other like order to start for two years there or even be in consideration that everyone picked? I mean, he's just that good.

He really is that good. And I think Carolina's doing the right thing. The intrigue, Ross Tucker, for this draft starts with the second pick.

It seems like it changes each and every day. Today, the betting favorite is Will Levis at two for the last week and a half. Everyone said that the Texans are going to pass on a quarterback. What do you think the Texans will actually do at two once Bryce Young goes off the board at one? Tough to tell. There is no way that the Houston Texans come out of this draft without a quarterback in the first round.

I just don't see it. So if they don't get one at two, Zach, think about putting the pressure on yourself to have to trade back up to get the guy you want unless they're willing to sit there at 12 and hope somebody falls to them. I do not think they'll take Will Levis. I actually think Will Levis is going to drop. I think Will Levis is going to fall. I mean, like if you're looking for a guy with high upside based on his physical ability, aren't you going to take Anthony Richardson?

If you're looking for a guy that's more polished and more ready as a passer now, aren't you going to take C.J. Stroud? You know what Will Levis is? Don't use this, Zach.

I'm going to use this. Will Levis is Kmart. And there's nothing wrong with Kmart. There's nothing wrong with Kmart. There's nothing wrong with Kmart.

Okay? But if you wanted the cheapest price, you went to Walmart. If you wanted something a little bit nicer, you went to Target.

That's why Kmart's not around anymore. You don't want to be in the middle. Will Levis is in the middle. He's not the highest upside guy and he's not the most polished guy. Do you think they're fine if they don't take a quarterback with two? And I agree with you.

I don't love Will Levis. If he's still there at 12, maybe it's a different conversation. But if they're waiting at 12, it makes me think, and I would never have thought that this guy was going to go this early in the draft, but is Henson Hooker then in play for them at 12? Has to be. That has to be a consideration. Now, listen. Because you know he'll be there.

Yeah. Well, Casario saw what happened with the Patriots and Mac Jones, right? Which is, I don't think the Patriots love Mac Jones.

They never traded up for him. People thought he was going to go higher and higher and higher. And he was there and they're like, OK, well, we'll take him. And I think Casario thinks, you know what? I don't know anybody's really going to take Levis. I don't know who's going to take Richardson that higher shroud. We can sit at 12 and one of these guys will fall to us.

I think that is a possibility because I do think Levis, there's a chance he falls. And I think maybe Casario is on the hot seat a little bit because there's been rumors and maybe you think, I got to get a stud player that helps us win more games this year in Anderson. And then there's pros and cons of all these quarterbacks. Let's just take the one that comes to 12 or we'll go down for 12 to 12 and then they got enough ammo they can move back up if a guy gets within range that is a guy they really like. You also wonder, and I know this is a tricky game to play, Ross Tucker, if maybe they just pass a quarterback all together in the first round.

And I know what you just said about the hot seat. Maybe the D'Amico Ryan's timeline resets things for Casario as well. And maybe they're back in the top five next year and they go get Williams or May. You know, I hear people say that it's a tough game to play. Yeah, I mean, what are you going to do?

Have a really bad season so you get number one pick? They just did that. And then they blew it the last week. They just said that. Didn't we just do this?

Yeah, pretty much. And then they told Lovey Smith knew he was going to be fired. So Lovey Smith's like, all right, I'm going to go win this game. I'll show those guys. Think about the impact that that wins by Lovey Smith might have on that franchise.

I mean, it's unbelievable. A few more on the quarterbacks, Ross Tucker, and then we'll explore elsewhere in the draft. Who do you think the Colts are going to end up getting F4? We know it's going to be a quarterback. The question is who?

This is another one. I find it so interesting that there's all these, Will Levith is the odds on favorite at two. All these rumors about Will Levith at four to the Colts. I don't know, man. I can see Steichen going for Anthony Richardson.

I really can. I can see Steichen if he liked the way Richardson's wired and everything I'm hearing is that people really do like the way that he's wired. You know, his personality, his football character. I think Steichen gets him and says, I'm putting them on the Jalen hurts program. We run the ball a bunch early. So he, so he gets settled in as a passer.

Then we throw it a little bit more. I mean, Steichen just kind of did this. He has the template, Zach, with Jalen Hurts. Ross Tucker, if let's just say Richardson doesn't go in the first four picks, I think Seattle and Detroit make very intriguing destinations because they're not bad teams. They're just here because of trades and they have a quarterback each now, but no one probably believes they're a franchise quarterback.

And all you hear is Richardson's development. If Richardson's still there at five or six, do you think either Seattle or Detroit would pull the trigger? I tend to think one of them will. Yeah, I do.

I really do Zach. I don't know which one, but I think one of them is going to say, you know, we hope to not be drafting up here again anytime soon. They, you know, the Seahawks made the playoffs. The lions probably should have. They both in my mind are projected playoff teams this year.

This now look, they could look at the other way, Zach, and they can say, Billy's coming back to the past a little bit. We're going to difference making player here. Maybe we make a run, you know, maybe we make a playoff run, but the chance to get a guy that has that kind of upside at that position, while you already have another guy in place and you're still going to have a good team and you can make a smooth transition.

I think that is awfully tempting. Now they're both in the NFC, but you still have to look at this thing as like, who do you have to beat to win the super bowl? Patrick Mahomes or Joe Burrow or Josh Allen? Like you better have a guy that can really, really, that has big time upside at that position. Ross Tucker, when you look at the Raiders, not necessarily what they're going to do at seven, there's some thought that maybe they go quarterback, but if they do go quarterback, like I just wonder what direction they're going in. Cause they just brought in Jimmy G. It almost makes me think if they draft a quarterback at seven, probably not going to play right away, but then shouldn't they have just kept Derek Carr for another season. I don't get what direction the Raiders has an organization or just moving in. No idea what they're doing. Yeah.

And I always say that. I mean, I, I, I am thoroughly confused. I mean, how about you give Derek Carr that contract, you give him more money and then you trade him or you give Darren Waller that contract and then you trade him.

I mean, you want to talk about a core job of self scouting. The Raiders are given out contracts to guys before they've played a down forum and then decided they don't like them and then getting rid of them. I mean, it it's not, it's not good. It's not a good look for that franchise. And then they bring in Jimmy G. Is he an upgrade over Derek Carr?

I don't think so. I mean, I'm looking at them. How did they get better this year? I don't really see them getting better. They've gone out of their way to say that, you know, at some point they're going to get the long-term answer at that position. It's like, they're trying to talk to a guy like Mark Davis through the media. And I think they're trying to buy time. I think they're trying to buy time and see if they can get a quarterback next year. Ross Tucker Eagles at 10, will they take Bijan Robinson if he's available? Because I've been advocating that they should.

I would be very, very surprised if they did that. And I do not agree with you or the other people suggesting they should do that. I'll tell you why.

There's a few reasons. Number one, the guy that got the most money, there was a bunch of free agent running backs this off season. The guy that got the most money was Miles Sanders. He basically got beat out in the playoffs by Kenny Gainwell. I mean, he got out snapped and outplayed in the playoffs by Kenny Gainwell. So the guy that Carolina said, that's our guy, highest paid running back free agent this off season. The Eagles pretty clearly in the playoffs, those games are kind of important, decided Gainwell was more effective. They have Mr. Reliable and Boston Scott. And then two other things that Rashad Penny is a stud, but he's never had. Penny is a first round caliber running back. Now we know the caveat. If he stays healthy, he hasn't been able to, it's a lottery ticket.

I get it. But why would you, why would you block that lottery ticket? You have to, and there's other guys that could get like a four net. Like if they need to get another running back later, they can, but they've got two guys that they know they can count on in Scott and Gainwell and then Penny's the lottery ticket.

I just think they're much more likely to get O-line, D-line, corner. The other problem with Bijan Robinson, look, Zach, you know, I do the Eagles preseason games. I would love if they signed, if they dropped to Bijan. I love saying Bijan.

It's awesome. But the other thing is you're paying the guy pretty darn good money up there. I mean, you're already making them like a top six or seven paid running back. Whereas Rashad Penny's making like the minimum.

I mean, they, they're not in a position now where they can spend, it's not even the draft choice as much as the money that Bijan would get in my mind. Last thing I'll ask you before my front page story is wrapping up with Ross Tucker. So we talked about the quarterbacks. We talked about Bijan Robinson, your love for saying his first name outside of the quarterback and then Bijan Robinson, but who are some players that you just really love in this draft when you watch all the tape? Yeah, well, I still love Will Anderson.

You know, this is one of my soapbox items, Zach, but it like drives me crazy. I mean, I've seen Peter King out on his mock draft, you know, this morning that, that Will Anderson might not go till six. So you're telling me that guy. It reminds me a lot like Kayvon Thibodeau last year. It's like prospect fatigue when you hear so much about someone.

Then we, all of a sudden we start to fall and then they don't actually fall. But Zach, he would have been the number one pick last year. Yeah, I agree. But the guy's gonna lose 10 plus million dollars because he had to go back to school for another year.

He didn't get hurt, didn't play bad. Like that, that's nuts to me. The other guy I love is Peter Skowronski. And number one, I love him as a player just because he's part of like the short arm posse, but he still gets it done. But also like, I mean, Peter Skowronski, like, what's that guy gonna do if he doesn't make it in football? Sounds like a perfect fit for the Bears.

He really does. Well, I mean, look, he's not gonna be a doctor. Nobody's gonna go see Dr. Skowronski.

I mean, you know what I mean? Like, he's got to make it as a pro football player. Nobody's going to that guy for anything else.

Skowronski, he's got to be a football player. He's gonna do it. I love that. I absolutely love that. Alrighty. Tell me, every time you come on, you're talking about My Front Page Story. It's a great gift idea.

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Absolutely love it. Just one more quick one before we let you run, Ross Tucker. We know the team that you started your football career off with. It looks like they're close to being sold.

I'm sure there'll be a few hiccups along the way. Just as a former player of that organization, just how are you feeling? Because all pride with that team has just been lost throughout the years because of Daniel Snyder. Totally thrilled. Yeah, I mean, Zach, I started my career there and finished it. 01 Schottenheimer. Went to four other teams. Came back 07 Gibbs. And then retired in 2008.

Zach, I know you're a younger guy, but you still remember. 2001, man, my rookie year. FedEx Field was rocking. There was like a 40,000 people season ticket waiting list. It was awesome to be a player on that team in that area back then. I go do games there now. It's unbelievable.

I've never seen, and this is a good talk show topic, so maybe you can get some people to call in. I've never seen a greater erosion of a fan base in professional or maybe the Oakland A's. I don't know, but in a 20-year period, you go to a game now, half the stadium's full. And even the half that's there, half of them are on the other team.

Exactly. It's a dump of a stadium too. They literally take a dump on their fans with the sewage. Everything about it is horrible.

My sister lives down there. My nieces and nephew, they don't even watch the game. They couldn't even tell you who plays. They lost the whole generation, Zach.

They really did. 100%. He's Ross Tucker. Ross, always great to catch up with you, and we'll track down Netflix to make sure we get those residuals, all right? I love it. Thanks so much, Zach.