Grant and Danny
Full Show- Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024
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Good Tuesday afternoon and welcome into Grant and Danny on the fan. It's September 3rd, 2024, and you are listening live to G and D on a football week. College football was awesome all weekend long. We are two days away from the kickoff of the NFL season. It's here. We did it. Do you guys need a sweatshirt this morning on the walk to school? Maybe you do, maybe you don't, whatever your preference is. The fall has arrived. Shut up. Everybody else my time. You had it. You had yours. You're out there in the sun, burning yourselves with your scanty clothing. Just tanning yourselves in all your abdominals. Now it's my time. Now it's my time. Just not sweating. Just standing and not sweating GP and the foosball. She's back. Sean Merriman, former Maryland Terpen and excellent pass rusher in the NFL joins us today at 330 to look ahead to the season that kicks off on Thursday night football with the Ravens and the Chiefs. And then at five o'clock today coming up in three hours, very, very excited to let everybody know that one of our favorite football guests, who better to get our game week started than Charles Davis of CBS will be on the call of the cheat of the Bengals and the Patriots. This weekend, I should say, Charles is with us at five o'clock right here on Grant and Danny. We're taking you up to six, 10 and pregame of Nat's Marlins tonight. On the fan, there is a lot to get into. Why don't we start with the news of the day. Trent Williams and the 49ers agreed to a contract restructure. So San Francisco's now sealed and delivered deals with Brandon Ayuku was holding in and Trent Williams, who was holding out. They're both back. They're throwing it all together last second here. But the 49ers with their stars carrying over from last year will be at close to full strength as they get ready to open their season this weekend. Yeah, too much at stake. Too much at stake for a team that's that good, a team that's got that kind of firepower, a wide open NFC, where they're the prohibitive favorite. They're the best team in that conference. Been to the super pretty much every time they've been healthy. They've been in the conference title game or on the way to the Super Bowl. They are right there. Their window is open right now. So maybe if you're in a rebuilding position, maybe if you're coming off a three or four, five win season, you could play some more hard ball with Trent Williams. And then a lot of time for that, right? I mean, if you're Trent, you're trying to win your first Super Bowl. You've been searching for one. You've been on the precipice knocking on the door with San Francisco for a few years. You just got to give yourself the best chance this year and worry about everything else after that. They opened the season on Monday night football six days from today against the Jets actually. So that should theoretically be Aaron Rodgers first full game for the New Yorkers. It was Monday night football one year ago in week one where he ruptured his Achilles tendon and he was done for the season. So he'll look for a different result in that game and the Jets hope to keep the train on the tracks for at least a night with Aaron Rodgers, but that's Monday night football. Now the 49ers did have a massive scare. And this was a near tragedy before we move on. We should just acknowledge that Ricky Pearson, their rookie receiver from the University of Florida. I love this guy. He actually played with Jaden Daniels at Arizona State and then transferred to Florida at the end of his college career. They drafted him in the first round, which now seems almost like an unnecessary pick by the way, because Deebo is not going anywhere and they paid Brandon Ayuk. He was kind of going to be the Ayuk replacement perhaps, but he's a really, really talented route runner. He went to a event where he was signing autographs was walking out of the event in downtown San Francisco, a teenager saw him 17 year old, I believe, tried to steal his watch. They get into an altercation and a bit of a fight. Kid pulls out a gun and shoots him in the chest. Subsequently, as he's taking off and trying to jump into a car, shoots himself, he's hospitalized. Pearson, more importantly, had the bullet go through his chest, out his back, a nearly devastating loss of life situation. He ends up being a okay. He's out of the hospital already is apparently in the team's facility today. But how can you hear that and not think about Brian Robinson two years ago? A hundred percent, man. The exact same scenario, basically. Robinson, instead of being at a card signing event, was in downtown DC just picking up seafood. He heard about a restaurant. They did lunch. He heard this is a great place to get a, you know, a po-boy sandwich or whatever. He went, he scooped his food. He's taking his, his take out back to his car and two kids that were younger than 17. I think one was like 13 and one was 16 or something. You know, attack him, try to rob him. He gets into it with them and gets shot in the leg. So it's very, very similar to what we went through here in DC. Absolutely. I mean, just it defies, believe it's, it's so, the details sound fictitious. They sound made up. It sounds too incredible to be true. I don't mean that in a good way. Like obviously it's just, it's, it's absurd. And people are going to hear this the right way. Obviously, I don't want anyone to be shot. I think that's pretty, that pretty strong stance there. That's pretty clear and pretty obvious. I've got like a little, like it's, it's even more heartbreaking to me when this isn't some sort of like weird nefarious activity going on. Aaron Hernandez style of three o'clock in the morning, somewhere you shouldn't be. You know what I mean? This isn't one of those like extracurricular. Yeah, you're committing a crime. Yeah, you're doing something. You're hanging out with some sort of CD element or whatever the hell. It was like going to sign autographs. You know, it's like sort of team and career and football related, like, trying to make some people happy, right? Like to, to, to build some fandom, to build the fandom. And it's, and that happens. Just unbelievable. Yeah, it's nuts. And it, it again is just scary. You think about it, these athletes, people know where they're at. You know, when they're publicizing themselves and doing some marketing at events, I saw Debo Samuel actually on Instagram live yesterday, a video was making the rounds where he said, Hey, you guys need to slow down with the posting pictures of us out and about. Yeah. And obviously it's after one of his teammates got shot. So he's a little spooked, but his point is I think a good one. You know, he was referencing the fact that if he's eating at a restaurant or whatever, sometimes, you know, he'll see that people will take a picture and say, Debo is at so-and-so right now eating this meal. It's like, not man, let me live in some privacy. You just don't know what people are thinking. And bad guys have the social media too, you know, that they can, oh, Debo Samuel, he's definitely got some jewelry on. He might have money or whatever, but just very, very happy that Piersal is okay. And by a couple of inches, probably not only survived, but hopefully we'll get to play football again as he's in the building today. No idea what the timeline is on his recovery. We'll see what the 49ers have to say as they talk about that today. So that means we only have one holdout left, by the way, with San Francisco and Trent Williams agreeing to terms this morning, Hassan Redick still having not reported to the New York Jets, the former Philadelphia Eagle. And this is the all time, stare down at the off season. The Jets traded for him, knowing he wanted a new contract and told the Eagles he wasn't going to report. Redick broke out with the Panthers, then played really well in Philly. This will be his third organization in short order, where he's a hired gun pass rusher. And now he's telling the Jets, I'm not showing up without more money. It's not happening. And the Jets put out a really strong statement saying, don't listen to him. He knows the score. So this is the one, this, this is the, we've got Jamar Chase holding in still, where he may not play in week one. He's still wearing jeans during practices, sitting on the sideline, watching his buddies. This is the one players yet to report to work. Yeah. And you know, it's very little opportunity. There's not much leverage. There's only so much you can do, right? If you're a player with the CBA being on a contract, you know, not coming up to work days is prohibitive, right? You don't accrue the service time that you need. You don't end up playing well to earn that big ticket and free agency. The best you can do is basically say almost in effect, I'm not going to be as good for you guys and you're desperate to win if you don't pay me and I can't show up and practice and make sure that I'm ready to rock and roll. You're going to get a worse version of me. That's not that much leverage. Honestly, you know, you could, it's basically a glorified temper tantrum with the hope that the kid is like a parent at the end of a long day and the toddler just is holding their breath and is turning purple and just yells and you go, fine, I'll make you the dumb chicken nuggets. That's what it feels like. I mean, there's, there's only so much that you can do at this stage. The alternative, I guess you can call your bluff and say, well, turn the car right around. But what is that? I mean, the, the jets are in a decent position. They need him. And that's why obviously they took the risk of trading for him even kind of without the certainty of that deal. How much college football did you get to watch this weekend? Not as much I would have liked a lot more time in the greater Leesburg area at the various soccer plexes out there. There's one where, like, I don't know if it's a semi-pro team or something, the revolutionaries. I don't know. Maybe the, I think that's George Washington. That's, that's you know, you're watching it. But maybe somebody like that. I don't know. Nice little stadium. There's a commitment with like the professional style, the dugouts for the, for the kids for, for soccer games and stuff like that. So I was, I was there a lot, but I caught some locally. Marilyn looked really good. Now they played UConn. They should look really good. And they do this every year to start the season, but I was actually more impressed by them this time around than I have been in a little while. Billy Edwards and his first start as the starter was excellent, 311 yards, two touchdowns. And Ty Felton, who to me looks like a, a day two draft pick, their number one wide receiver, went seven for 178 and a couple of touchdowns. Marilyn's done a pretty good job. Not quite wide out you, but they turn out some athletes at that position. You think about DJ Moore, what he's done in the NFL. Stefan Diggs is another one. There have been other guys coming through there. But I really like Felton's game. They got speed. They got athletes. I just don't know if they're big enough in the trenches and good enough up front on both sides of the ball under Mike Loxley in that conference. Yeah, it's always how it feels, right? Like where they're tough. You guys can go against anybody's top. Absolutely. But then you get to guys seven through 15 and it's five star Freddie on the other side and it's, you know, I don't know, you're kind of outgunned there. The opposite of the Maryland performance was what Virginia Virginia Tech did. They went to Vanderbilt in Nashville and they got stunned by the Commodores 34, 27 and overtime. The Vanderbilt quarterback was a transfer. But I think it was like the conference USA player of the year last year, Diego Pavia, and he ran for 104 yards and a touchdown. Just ran all over Virginia Tech. I thought they were terrible defensively. They got off to a really slow start on offense. And then they got back into the game and tied it but eventually lost in overtime. That's a bad loss for a team that a lot of people thought out of a fairly weak kind of sneaky. Yeah, might actually be able to make the playoffs. And I guess with one loss, you're not dead in the water, but certainly doesn't look good after one week. No, really could have used that W. Just also kind of spinning around Florida State. What on earth is going on? I mean, this, this is a group we were sort of told, Hey, now the, you know, the, the sort of slow bill last year, I thought they got job not making the playoff. But you know, it was, it just depends on how you view those playoffs, right? You would put them in the playoff? Yeah, because I go either games matter or they don't. And they decided they don't because they're not good right now. I remember kind of going back and forth on that. Yeah, I was, I'm happy they were out. I thought it would make for a terrible playoff because they, yeah, they would have been as good because they weren't as good as the teams that were there would have been destroyed without Jordan Travis. But a lot of people are now trying to make their first two games a referendum on last year like see, they should have been and that's still silly. It's a different team. It's a different year. That said, they're the third FBS team in the last 45 years to lose two games in a row to open the season when they were double digit favorites. It's happened three times counting them this year in almost 50 years. They're 0 and 2. They were double digit point favorites in both games. And I actually think Boston College is going to be really good watching them last night. They've got a good quarterback. It's year one with Mr. Bill O'Brien as their head coach. To me, that team looks like they're going to be a tough out in the conference. That was pretty impressive or depressive if you're a Florida State fan. And LSU does not win season openers. That's, I guess that's kind of a new thing. How mad was Brian Kelly? He was pretty pissed. He's like slamming the desk. Be as mad as you want, Mr. Kelly. Do something different. Big win for Notre Dame. They had an awesome performance just like USC's win that you're referencing over LSU was massive. I thought Notre Dame, Texas A&M on the road too. Yeah. That's a game where you go there. You win that one. And then with their schedule, which is mostly cake for much of the rest of the way, they have an opening if they can win one or two more of their biggest games to pretty easily being in the middle of the top 12 when the playoffs start. And you know, they will be. I mean, they'll be in the mix. TV loves that. It's sort of that built in ratings, Bonanza. They're, you know, no matter how overrated they are, they're always kind of more around. And we'll end up getting some more high profile games maybe than some of the mid majors football, Danny football, football tonight. We got a fantasy football draft. We do matter. In fact, let's bring producer, Daris Dameron on to the program. He was hired as the bad guy this year to form the fantasy football league, come up with all of the specifics for the league, the settings. So we are drafting tonight and all of our listeners can come hang out with us. Even if you're not in the league, we're going to do an onsite draft with the board and the stickers. And it's going to be a good time. So if you want to just come hang with the guys, do some happy high line, man. Yeah, let's have some drinks and some wings, the Grant and Danny program. And some of the P one callers and folks are going to be around mingling should be really good time. So give us the deets on what we need to know, Daris. Yeah, we'll be at a high line in Crystal City. I want to thank everyone who participated in the trivia contest last week. It was fun going through all the responses and seeing some of the bits that people had to do. But we did get our winners. We got our winner from last year's back. So it's going to be a good time. It should be a lot of fun this evening at Highline and Crystal City. And still the defending champion. Are we trying to start the draft right at seven? Do we think? Yeah, I told everyone to be there by seven. So maybe we're looking at like a seven 15. My only concern about the stickers and the board is going to take longer than the online one minute at a time. Not that that's a big deal, but we should start it sooner than later. Or else where we're going to close that bar down tonight. We also do need to figure out how we'll determine the team selection order or excuse me, the draft order. That's a good point. Yeah, we should do some kind of bit. Maybe a wing eating contest before we get going. Most wings gets the highest pick, something like oh man, all get a plate of wings. And in the order of how fast we finish our wings, I like my chances in that one. I was going to say you're our rep. Yeah, that's true. We're sharing a team this year, you and I. And I believe you and Ryan are sharing it. That's correct. Yeah, we're co-managing a team. Very, very good. So tonight, come out, hang with us. We are at Highline R&R Crystal City. We'll be there right before seven o'clock. We're drafting throughout the evening. So when you walk in, just ask them where the show is and they will point you in the right direction. But good opportunity for everybody to get together to kick off the football season. Hey, that plays rules. And it's really, really fun. Great appies, good foodstuffs. And this is always one of the most fun nights of the year. When we get together, we do bits, you, even if it's a good pick, you don't tell the person it's a good pick and you hackle and make them insecure. That's the best. I think that's healthy. That's supposed to be the sign of pal ship, right? And camaraderie. And that's the fellowship we're all looking for. Yeah, like first pick, the consensus number one is Christian McCafford. Like somebody puts McCafford and we're like, Oh my God, that's so stupid. Definitely like it's like one of those internet memes. Like, Oh, he's out with the guys. They're probably thinking about ways to cheat. And then it's like, Christian McCafford is going to be hurt by week four. You know, Christian McCafford is going to be out by week. They've already talked about his usage. We should get to the commanders because they are five days away from starting their season. Week one in Tampa before a clock window, which is just a gigantic victory for all involved. Just a big fat elf. You all get to watch the one o'clock red zone, three hour window on the first Sunday of the season. I'm, I've got chills just thinking about it. I am feeling electricity through my body, just thinking the countdown clock says like 10, nine, eight. And then the music's going to play and Scott Hanson's going to walk out. And we're going to see the live look ins at like seven stadiums. And then right at one o'clock, I got my Sunday ticket going. I got ball in the air kicking off the season, I and Eagle and Kevin Coogler and all these dudes on the call of a brand new year with the new kickoff. Everyone thinks it's just going to change the game forever. But really, it's just going to be a kickoff that gets returned to about the 24. Everything's going to be fine. Just calm down and don't be angry. We're ready. It does look weird. We want a clock, man. We get to watch football. And then the commanders come on to four. It's perfect to ruin it. To ruin the whole day. But just enjoy your one o'clock window. Yeah, I'd like to enjoy the, I can do both. I can, I can juggle both things. They should be on a one o'clock always until they're good. Then we can start putting them in more prime time windows. Speaking of things that shouldn't shouldn't happen. You were just talking about how, or you've said this a lot on the show, Sundays is a busy day for you with games. Yeah. Is that going to be the case in the fall during football? Absolutely. So I need that. And this is just my own thing unrelated to or not you saying that I need that to stop. And how do we get that to happen? What do we do? See the, why is that a thing? I will answer that. Here are the days that work for games. Okay. Monday through Friday at night. Saturday, big game day. Let's do all the games on Saturday. Sunday, no games. So it's several things. Number one, I don't know how all these parents are able just to get their kid to a practice at like four 45 or five o'clock. That's hell. I don't know how anyone does it. We're scrambling. We fight with each other all the time. Everyone's always yelling at each other. It's 97% of our strife at home is the scheduling and how the hell do we do this. But most people work in the office anymore. It's easier to do that than ever before. I would say a lot of people still have jobs. A lot of people are so employed. But a lot of them are not in the office. Maybe you still have to stop working at like three 30. Get the kid. How many people are really working? You know what I mean? But enough where it's still it like everyone should be agreeing with me that it's way too complicated and somehow everyone does it and it drives me crazy. So times where there are no conflicts are delightful. We're signing up my youngest, for example, for this flag football league. Because in the spring, he had 10 different Saturdays where there were three different games. Soccer game, baseball game, lacrosse game. And it's like he's dragging. We're tired. Everyone's miserable. So you find one sport, this one, fly football. The whole thing takes place on Sunday. The practice is right before the game. It's so lovely and so calm and so delightful. I don't think any youth sports should be played on Sunday. No, I know you're aware of that. And it is 2024. So we got to update that like sacred Sunday thing. We got to change that. So travel tournaments, travel games for my oldest strong Sundays all the time. So yeah, it is a it is. But it's welcome because I can I can I can contribute. I can go. It's it's great. Number one, we should all work back from how do we make sure there's no games on when the NFL is being played. That's the first step concerned with everything else is after that. But second, you join about the sacred Sunday thing and that's fine. Whether you you go to church or you don't or whatever your your cavities are fine. No problem. There used to be this just the thing where you had a day to be with your family and kind of just not have to be everywhere at the same time. And that was cool. I think society was better when that when you just had a day to just kind of do your thing and recharge the batteries and slow down and you didn't have to look at your phone and you could just hang out with your kids at home. And now that's gone. That doesn't exist. And I'm just saying I think it was better when that exists. Yeah, it is long gone. And the yeah, because everybody works. Everybody's so busy having a day or having moments where there's no no conflict or whatever because it's not like if you've got kids, you know this. You're not just sitting at home all day Sunday. If you have kids, you're doing stuff like you're you're a doer. There's no there's no day where no one's doing anything. You you want your kids cooped up for for 12, 13, 14, 15 hours? It's called Sunday. Yeah, I think great either. Yeah. So over here, you guys go do your and I bet your mom is just or a bet mom is just sitting there doing nothing to know she's got the kids. It's tough. Yeah. Yeah. She doesn't like me very much. Look, I'm telling you, worst husband and father in America. Yeah. Every Sunday that notarized letter. He's like, Hey, my bad on that September through December. Uh huh. I'll be back. So you got some January. And there's a little bit of January too, because the playoffs, the wild card around division around. We don't have to worry about those around these part. No, but I'm still going to watch it. It's for work. You can't get mad. Of course. What are you most excited about when it comes to the commanders opening their season week one in Tampa Bay? What are you most excited to turn that TV on? You see them running out of the tunnel. What's got you fired up when you think about week one and Washington? We'll get into that next. We'll open up the MGM national harbor listener lines as well on Grant and Danny here on the fan. Dear Autumn leaves, you won't be covering roads alone this season. Toyota's lineup of cool colorful vehicles is ready to ride by your side. Take on fall in a trail tackling Tacoma or go for the powerful Tundra. Head to toyota.com for more info or visit your local Toyota dealership today. Toyota. Let's go places. This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Whether you love true crime or comedy, celebrity interviews or news, you call the shots on what's in your podcast queue. And guess what? 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So when you get a hunch in the middle of the game, you can check out the latest stats, view live play by play and so much more on the same page where you place your bets. You'll get started with $200 in bonus bets guaranteed when you place your first $5 bet. That's Fandal.com/sportsfan. Never waste a hunch and make every moment more with Fandal, an official sports book partner of the NFL. Must be 21 plus and present in Colorado, first online real money weights are only $10 first deposit required. Bonus issued is now with drawable bonus bets that expire seven days after receipt restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fandal.com gambling problem call 1-800-522-4700. The seasons may be changing, but the deals at the sharpest rides are unbeatable as ever. Hey, what's going on? It's your girl, Tasha McKia, and I need you to join the sharpest rides for their fall into savings events where they're offering incredible prices on their massive inventory. That's right, everything is on sale now. Shop from sleek sedans to rugged SUVs and sporty convertibles. The sharpest rides has the perfect ride to match your fall adventures. Plus with their exclusive financing options, getting behind the wheel of your dream car has never been easier. Log on and shop online at the sharpestrides.com right from the palm of your hands. Or check other massive inventory in person at the sharpest rides, located 2250 South Sea Home Street in Inglewood. Either way, you will fall into savings. Don't miss out, head on over to the sharpestrides.com today and explore the deals that make every season better. And tell them that your girl, Tasha McKia sent you the sharpest ride, affordable, sexy, sharp. [inaudible] His Danny, I'm Grant. This is the fan. Sean Merriman stops by at 3 30 to get us ready for the NFL season. Charles Davis is on the show at five. He is on the call with Iron Eagle of bangles Patriots this weekend in Foxboro. Danny, it's game week. We are five days away from the commanders playing their week one game in Tampa. Let's open up the phones at 800 636 1067. Now the question is, when you think about week one, when you think about Washington making their debut against the box, what excites you most? I think the easy first answer is all things Jaden Daniels, of course. So we could just tee that up, get it out of the way and then move on. But it's got to be getting our first true look at the kid. No kid gloves on, so to speak. I mean, it's all, you know, it's all going to be spoon fed at the stage of a rookie's development. But yeah, I mean, this is the real football. This is the real stuff. This is the offense. This isn't what are they showing? What are they not showing? This is it. This is the real thing. The bullets are flying, so to speak. And a guy with all the talent in the world who does everything the right way all the time. It's not just for Instagram or for show. This is the, this is the person. But here it is, man, it's in your hands. Like, sorry, there's a lot of pressure, but the fate of hundreds of thousands of people's joy and happiness. When it comes to this recreation activity, we've all opted into it's on you, man. Please help us, which isn't fair. And probably it ain't right, but we oversimplified at a extremely dependent position, as our buddy Joe Thiesman talks about on this show so frequently. Jaden Daniels is the answer, though, because you get to see how they're going to use him, how they're going to implement him. Cliff Kingsbury made it clear when he spoke to the media in the preseason that he was not going to show much of what he wanted to do in the regular year, and that they didn't really open up the playbook much. So theoretically, even after seeing Daniels play multiple times, one of those games, the only through the ball three times, by the way, and then he didn't play in the third game, we may still have no idea really what their offense is going to look like, what their true plan is. In fact, if you go back to 2012 and Robert Griffin's debut 12 years ago, a week from now in New Orleans, when he came out and they ran that read option for the first time, that whole offense that the Shanahan's design, what they call their 50 series, nobody knew it was coming and they scored 40 points. That's this week. He who's to say that we don't see something that we're not expecting. Maybe they don't huddle. A whole lot. Maybe everything is out of the spread and it's up tempo and they're holding up boards on the sideline like it's college football. Like nobody knows what they're going to do. And I'm exaggerating and being funny, but I can't wait to see what it looks like. I'm also really interested to see how much is Jaden Daniels running the football? Because we all know that how good he is as a pastor is what's going to determine the fate of the pick and whether or not he's going to be a championship level QB in this league. But I do think he's got a chance to be Lamar Jackson-ish if he runs a lot to him and Anthony Richardson and Jackson. There's a short list of guys who have his game breaking ability when he's running the football. So I will be really curious to see that part of his game. One hundred percent. So some other things kind of related to Daniels. I'm excited to see Austin Echler. Like I this we've now kind of gotten to the point where we can't wait to sort of cast guys off, right? Because Echler was everybody's darling of the probably, you know, a top five fantasy pick for a couple straight years. And then last year that production from him and everybody in Los Angeles in terms of the running backs fell off the cliff and they were disastrous running the football. But he still caught the ball very well. Still is quality out of the backfield. And that to me is the recipe. This is how you help a young quarterback. This is how you help an offense. It's a little cheat code early down throwing the football to running backs. Even if it's not sexy, even it's just four and a half yards, et cetera. It's a glorified running play. But it's something else defense said to worry about. It's an effective, cheap, simple, easy way to keep the offense moving to keep the chains moving. And he's as good as anybody has been over the last decade at doing that. I mean, he's in that Thurman Thomas mold when nobody was doing that. Him and Roger Craig back in the nineties were no running backs or catching the ball to the backfield. And they revolutionized the position. He's as good as there is at catching the football out of the backfield. That is awesome. And I want that. I'll say the rest of the rookie class, not named Jaden Daniels, or at least a chunk of it. Brandon Coleman was listed as the starter at left tackle on the depth chart the team put out going into their game with the Bucks. Now that depth chart is far from gospel and you could even say it doesn't matter a whole lot. But that did catch my attention. And I think a lot of people's attention. Do we see him? Dan Quinn said now over a week ago, he does not have to see Brandon Coleman play in the preseason to feel good enough to start him week one of the regular season site unseen because they saw him in practice extensively. Well, the last time he was practicing before this week when he came back, he was their best left tackle. He had supplanted Cornelius Lucas in those reps. So does he just pick up where he left off? There's a very good chance when they trot out there as a first team offense. And you know, you get that shot from on the field where somebody holding the steady cam is like in the huddle and they break the huddle and we're seeing Jaden Daniels now from the all 11 view and they've got his stats and his LSU graphic there. Brandon Coleman might be at left tackle as the guy on the left side of the offensive line for Washington, their third round pick. That would be a huge deal. We have not seen him in a game. We've not seen Johnny Newton in a game. What's his status? What's going on with Johnny Newton? Could he play and we'd see him for the first time? I doubt it, but it's possible. And then the guys that we know will be on the field in that rookie class, Mikey Sanrestil is going to be their starter on the interior in the nickel. You know, he's going to play a lot at corner as well, perhaps. I think he's sharpie, legit, good. Nothing to worry about there, but I want to watch him. I want to see Luke McCaffery, who's going to play summit wide receiver. Maybe you slide him down the depth chart a little bit because they brought in Noah Brown with some size and then Luke's in it. Excuse me. Bents in it. Luke McCaffery at wide receiver and Benson at a tight end. You combine those players. That'd be pretty good. That'd be a really nice player, but Benson it to me. Probably a second fiddle tight end until Earth's is unavailable with health, which seems like an annual staple. So early in the year, maybe it's a little quieter, but he had an awesome preseason. There was not a single time where he caught the ball and just quickly went to the ground. He's the opposite of Earth's in that way where he's fighting through tackles. He's taken on contact. He's got that cool after the catchability. I can't wait to see Ben Senate, whether it's against the bucks or in the weeks to come after that. That's a fun pick. So we roll our eyes at this because this is this is one of those places talking about Washington, where the Hall of Famer past his prime, you know, gets one last payday, right? You know, the names before I even say them, whether it's Bruce Smith or Dion Sanders or, you know, Jason Taylor, you know, incredible pantheon players who don't really produce here and are, you know, just getting paid past their prime over the hill. I don't think that's the case with Bobby Wagner. That's a Hall of Famer. Right now this minute, he stops playing. He's across the threshold for what should be a Hall of Fame candidacy, right? They've got some numbers, pro football reference, has him past the average of what a inside linebacker or cruise for his career. He's already surpassed that with more to play. It's rare to get the privilege of seeing a Hall of Fame player who's still got something left in the tank. And we're going to see Bobby Wagner play middle linebacker for Washington. That's pretty cool. What about coaching staff wise? I don't think there's really any questions with demeanor or how they're going to go about their business coming out of the preseason. We saw a lot of that and Dan Quinn is on a first time head coach. So it's not like you've got a former coordinator who's doing it for the first time. Go back and watch a Falcons game. You can get a feel for how involved he'll be. In fact, we saw on the preseason when some guys were struggling that he would go right up to them and coach them up and get in their ear during the game and be a bit of a motivator, which I really, really liked. But what about coordinating? Whether it's Joe Witch, Jr. on defense or on the offensive side of the ball with Cliff Kingsbury, any questions, anything you're excited to see there? You already mentioned Clings, Clingsbury, I'm sure that's a little word combo, Cliff Kingsbury. But to me, this is one of the fascinating questions. It's almost like the one A to Daniels and everything that's concerning Jaden Daniels. But it's obviously very related. What offense is it? Is it this sort of the same deal as Arizona where you know, you kind of know some of the tendencies and every year they start off great and then kind of get figured out by the end of October, November and kind of swoon or are there new wrinkles or is he kind of reinvented himself? Did he behave a certain way because of who his quarterback was? Does that change with Jaden Daniels? Those looks and what they can do to outthink and out and try to make things easier for Daniels and really this offense by transitivity would be a welcome departure for what we've seen in the last couple of years, predictable thumping via Scott Turner at the behest of Ron Rivera or drop back and throw it 77 times via Eric B. Anime. I don't know the answer to that. I think that's one of the big variables. So I'm obviously excited there in terms of Kingsbury. But in terms of Joe Witt and really Dan Quinn kind of by extension, the secondary, they take unknown players and have them lead the league in interceptions. That they've done that multiple straight years there in Dallas and Dan Quinn cut his teeth with the lead in a boom there in Seattle. So if you're a member of the secondary, you cannot get a better situation than you've got right now. Now, you maybe prove that you can't do it and they'll supersede you and they'll go grab somebody else over the next couple of seasons. But right now, with an out in a hurry, a lot of holdovers from last year, if you are a member of the secondary, this is your best shot to be good and be competitive and stick in the league. Mr. Mother guys, for me, we haven't mentioned Frankie Louvault, whose style of play I think is infectious. Can't wait to see his physicality in the way he played in Carolina and Burgundy and gold. On the offensive side of the ball is this finally the year Deami Brown carries over a big preseason. And Brian Robinson has a chance, you would think, to have a pretty strong season. They're going to run it a lot more than they did with Eric Bienemy. There's been a lot of chirping from him about usage last year and the style of play offensively and why he'll be a lot better with this group. Well, now you got to go prove it. You could talk all off season, but now you got to go out there and not average four yards a carry and kind of prove that you were being held back, which hopefully we'll get our first glimpse of seeing him do that in week one against the box. Phones are open. We'll get to your thoughts next at 800-636-1067. As always, you could tweet us at Grand H. Paulson at Funnydanny. The question being who or what are you most excited about as it pertains to Commander's Bucks five days out on Sunday and week one being here for Washington, a former Redskins. Todd Bowles has no time for the commander's name. We'll explain next. Dear Autumn Leaves, you won't be covering roads alone this season. Toyota's lineup of cool, colorful vehicles is ready to ride by your side. Take on fall in a trail tackling Tacoma or go for the powerful tundra. Head to toyota.com for more info or visit your local Toyota dealership today. Toyota, let's go places. The seasons may be changing, but the deals at the sharpest rides are unbeatable as ever. Hey, what's going on? It's your girl, Tasha McKeea, and I need you to join the sharpest rides for their fall into savings events where they're offering incredible prices on their massive inventory. That's right, everything is on sale now. Shot from sleek sedans to rugged SUVs and sporty convertibles. The sharpest rides has the perfect ride to match your fall adventures, plus with their exclusive financing options, getting behind the wheel of your dream car has never been easier. Log on and shop online at the sharpestrides.com right from the palm of your hands or check other massive inventory in person at the sharpest rides located 2250 South Sea Home Street in Inglewood. Either way, you will fall into savings. Don't miss out, head on over to the sharpest rides.com today and explore the deals that make every season better. And tell them that your girl, Tasha McKeea sent you the sharpest rides, affordable, sexy, sharp. This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Whether you love true crime or comedy, celebrity interviews or news, you call the shots on what's in your podcast queue. And guess what? Now you can call them on your auto insurance too, with the name of your price tool from Progressive. It works just the way it sounds. You tell Progressive how much you want to pay for car insurance, and they'll show you coverage options that fit your budget. Get your quote today at Progressive.com to join the over 28 million drivers who trust Progressive. Progressive casualty insurance company and affiliates price and coverage match limited by state law. Hey NFL fans, you can start the season with a big return on Fandal, America's number one sports book. So when you get a hunch in the middle of the game, you can check out the latest stats, view live play by play, and so much more on the same page where you place your bets. You'll get started with $200 in bonus bets guaranteed when you place your first $5 bet. That's Fandal.com/sportsfan. Never waste a hunch and make every moment more with Fandal, an official sports book partner of the NFL. Must be 21 plus and present in Colorado. First online real money weights are only $10 first deposit required. Bonus issued is now a throwable bonus bets that expire seven days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fandal.com gambling problem. Call 1-800-522-4700. 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/wealth. Investment minimums apply Fidelity brokerage services LLC member NYSE SIPC. First thing you want to do is make sure that you had some things in place, you know, before the player arrived and so do some things offensive line-wise. On the interior to make sure that, you know, obviously like adding a tight end like Zach, having a run game, you know, that you would add to it all of those things, you know, were part of the design prior to even Jaden being here. But the added element that he's brought, the confidence, the swagger that he plays with, the details that he has, all of those things are what you'd hope to see. And that's why I just thought it was best to go through the process and get through all of the steps and then, you know, do that. But without having to do that, our whole program is going to be based on competition. And so I felt best to go through the whole competition before, you know, making any big statements. Dan Quinn getting ready to coach his first game with the commanders. Six seasons as the head man in Atlanta twice double digit wins final three years, seven and nine, seven and nine, oh and five. He's got something to prove as a 43 and 42 all time head coach who made the playoffs twice in his first three seasons. And then none of the final three years got off to an oh and five start before getting fired in 2020. And he's been waiting, chomping at the bit for this opportunity. So welcome you back on G and D. We are five days away from the commanders and the bucks you're home for more NFL talk than anywhere else all week long is one oh six seven the fan. The head coach of the box is Todd Bowles who also has ties to the nation's capital and to this organization. He played with the Redskins. I bring that up because I think it's important context for this quote and this part of his press conference this week. Pretty clearly, Todd Bowles either doesn't care or just has no time for the name commanders. I think if you find yourself just facing the rookie quarterback, the other 10 guys going kill you. So we're facing the Redskins. We're not facing Jayden Daniels. They got 10 other guys that we got to worry about as well. So we don't look at it as facing the rookie quarterback. We're trying to beat the Redskins. I totally get that every now and then someone's going to slip up and say Redskins happens with broadcasters on the call of games. Sure. You and I still every now and then especially for talking about the past. It's kind of weird. What do you do? But almost always right after that you catch yourself because you know, well, it's not Redskins. It's commanders. There was no hesitation. There was no let me take a step back and call them the commanders or say actually the new name or nothing. He just it's not on his radar. He's got other things to worry about. He doesn't really care. I just found that clip hilarious. Yeah. I mean, when you spend three quarters of a decade collecting a paycheck from the Washington team and you've got a long time association with that team, like part of your career, which Todd Bull's had to me, you're to be forgiven. I know that it's a, it's a, you know, a cardinal sin to some and I'm not here to legislate that. We've done that plenty. But to me, it's like, you think about Washington, think about the name of the team. He played for that team. So again, when he showed up to work, that's what he was doing every single day is like, what do you play for? And that was the answer for again, seven, you know, seven and a half years. Yeah. Like I get it. Like I understand like whether it's slipping up or just a cognitive association. He doesn't have time for the new thing for whatever. I don't even think it's anything to need to be forgiven for. Like to him, it's the Redskins and he's just kind of rolling with it. But clearly he knows they're the commanders now. There's just no acknowledgement of that in any way in that press conference clip there from this week. Let's go to Chris, who's in Brandywine on Grant and Danny. What are you most excited about as it pertains to week one? Hey, guys, I'm definitely most excited about the idea that I think we're being slept on. I think that we're better than model the national prognosticators are think. And we might catch a few teams slipping, including Tampa Bay. Now, one thing I just wanted to ask you guys in regards to, one thing I'm worried about is just whether or not what happened in Dallas was a system issue or if it was just they came out flat. Don't mind the playoffs. Can you mean? Yeah, the playoff game against the Packers. Yeah, they gave up almost 50 and Dan Quinn's defense got annihilated. I mean, Matt Lefoor, the head coach of the Packers of calls plays for Green Bay played for and worked under Dan Quinn in Atlanta. My guess is he had a pretty good field for how they operate. He worked with him and Joe with Jr. So Green Bay, when they play Washington, you may want to take the over. I don't know. But I think he had their number that day and it was a really bad day for the Cowboys. Yeah, that's certainly it's a it's everything about it was bad. I mean, we've seen these things happen before like Tampa Bay beat Philadelphia last year in the postseason. Philadelphia is a better team than the Tampa Buccaneers are, right? Like we kind of know that Dallas has turned into a pretty good homework on that side of the ball over the last few seasons. So I'll take the bigger sample before I start slamming the gavel. People love to do that where it's a high stakes huge moment and they're bad and they were terrible that day. By the way, they got wood shaded in that bug and they were not competitive. You could say that. I think it's still say Dan Quinn did a pretty good job when that's out of the football over the last several seasons collectively. Top five over two seasons, I would think statistically defensively and also 30 plus takeaways speaks to his word got through to the Cowboys last year, along the lines of Washington being slept on. Another power rankings shop today, PFTs, they had him 27 out of 32 teams. Only the Raiders, Giants, Cardinals, Patriots, Panthers, some of the directs of football ranked behind Washington. That's kind of where most people have them outside of the top 25 in the NFL, bottom five to seven teams in the sport. So yeah, they're going to catch some team sleep and potentially. And I do think this bucks game is a winnable contest. Let's go to the very handsome Dominic in Ohio. What's up, George? Thank you, boys. Appreciate it always taking the call. Yeah, Marty. I am the most excited for the pageantry of Sunday to come back. I cannot wait to go over to my brother's house, eat all of the fattening dips, have my fantasy teams on my phone, have my parlays built, checking on those like a addict scratching at an itch that they just can't, can't scratch anymore. It's the thing that I treasure the most is the pageantry of that, that whole thing. It's, it's the thing I cannot live without settling in, right to, to the self-induced stress of whether it's a, you know, your, your daily fantasy team or your regular fantasy team or like a six way parlay that you put for a dollar hoping to win like 6,000 just because you need, so you need the Cardinals to cover or something weird. That's the best, dude. It is so perfect. Yeah, there's just something about the whole football season or like this time of the year. I was driving and just thought about a windows are going to be down. You're going to wake up. It's going to be a little chilly outside and I walk the kids over to the, you know, farmers market near us. There's just so much about this time of year going to get them to a pumpkin patch a couple times and eat some apple cider donuts. Like it's all wins. It's just where the 72 dolphins, everywhere he looks at double just a win. You just, you can't swing a stick without it. Zanko over there hitting a victory and I'll call me Grant Schola. It is the best. Sean Merriman at 3 30. Charles Davis at five. We're getting you ready for the NFL. Let's take our first look at the week's one schedule several days out here and look at some of the big storylines going into a brand new season of football on a football week on the fan. Hey NFL fans, you can start the season with a big return on Fandal, America's number one sports book. So when you get a hunch in the middle of the game, you can check out the latest stats, view live play by play, and so much more on the same page where you place your bets. You'll get started with $200 in bonus bets guaranteed when you place your first $5 bet. That's Fandal.com/sportsfan. Never waste a hunch and make every moment more with Fandal, an official sports book partner of the NFL. Must be 21 plus and present in Colorado. First online real money weights are only $10 first deposit required. Bonus issued is now a throwable bonus bet set expire seven days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fandal.com, gambling problem, call 1-800-522-4700. Dear Autumn Leaves, you won't be covering roads alone this season. Toyota's lineup of cool, colorful vehicles is ready to ride by your side. Take on fall in a trail tackling Tacoma, or go for the powerful Tundra. Head to toyota.com for more info, or visit your local Toyota dealership today. Toyota, let's go places. The seasons may be changing, but the deals at the sharpest rides are unbeatable as ever. Hey, what's going on? It's your girl, Tasha McKeea, and I need you to join the sharpest rides for their fall into savings event, where they're offering incredible prices on their massive inventory. That's right, everything is on sale now. Shot from sleek sedans to rugged SUVs and sporty convertibles. The sharpest rides has the perfect ride to match your fall adventures. Plus, with their exclusive financing options, getting behind the wheel of your dream car has never been easier. Log on and shop online at the sharpestrides.com right from the palm of your hands. Or check other massive inventory in person at the sharpest rides, located 2250 South Sea Home Street in Inglewood. Either way, you will fall into savings. Don't miss out. Head on over to the sharpestrides.com today and explore the deals that make every season better. And tell them that your girl, Tasha McKeea sent you the sharpest ride, affordable, sexy, sharp. 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/wealth. Investment minimums apply Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC member NYSE SIPC. This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Whether you love true crime or comedy, celebrity interviews or news, you call the shots on what's in your podcast queue. And guess what? Now you can call them on your auto insurance too, with the name of your price tool from Progressive. It works just the way it sounds. You tell Progressive how much you want to pay for car insurance, and they'll show you coverage options that fit your budget. Get your quote today at Progressive.com to join the over 28 million drivers who trust Progressive. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Price and coverage match limited by state law. [BLANK_AUDIO] [BLANK_AUDIO] [BLANK_AUDIO] [BLANK_AUDIO] And NFL game week on the fan. Welcome back. Grant and Danny with you, the exclusive sponsor for our shows, The Law Firm, Condorian Murad. They'll guide you and your family in the right direction by to help you draft a will or set up a trust. They'll also get you squared away on a healthcare power of attorney if need be. Schedule a free consultation with their estate planning attorneys at kmloyers.com. Be sure to tell them we sent you as a show. That way they'll give you a discount kmloyers.com. My parents were taken great care of by Kia Condorian. We'll see more on our guys over there. So check them out. They'll do a good job for you. >> It's that adult thing that you got to do. You don't think about it right when you're a kid, they never tell you, hey, you got to figure out all the bad permutations of stuff that could happen to you, but you got to get your affairs in order, man. It's a grown up thing to do. >> Our affairs tonight include a fantasy football draft. >> Oh, it's her. >> For the Grant and Danny listener at league. Come hang out with us and a bunch of listeners as we draft our teams tonight. We are going to be in Crystal City at Highline R&R, going to be an excellent vibe and a great setting for the 2024 GND listener. >> So they did like an Instagram post with like two characters on it that are like these thin handsome guys that gave you red hair. >> So here's what I don't understand about that. And thank them for doing it because I'm a big believer in publicity, being a good thing. >> Promote the thing. >> Were those just two random guys that were wearing headset mics? >> I don't know. >> Or was that supposed to be you and me? >> I don't know. I'm not trying to be difficult or like spoiled about it, we're like, oh, that's that way like this. It's cool. They're promoting the event. That's what I want. I'm all in. >> I was a skinny redhead. >> Yeah. That's what it was. I was like, I don't know that that's, and I guess I'm the other guy. That guy had dark hair. >> You were extremely handsome. >> Yeah. I was like, I guess handsome. More handsome than me. He's a cartoon. I would say it looked more like you than it looked like me, but I was a skinny ginger. Now, I'd rather be a skinny ginger than what I am. >> Okay. >> Probably. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. >> You know what I mean? >> Who's that guy? I want to be that guy. >> I don't know that guy. How fun does that guy look? >> But anyway, that was fun. And we appreciate them doing this. >> Yes, we do. >> But coming out, eat some winks will be a less skinny ginger when you get there. I'll be the guy that isn't that. >> Yeah, that was my metabolized self. >> Let's get to week one in the NFL and some of the big storylines, game by game will go through a big part of the slate. It all gets started with Thursday night football, the kickoff of a brand new season. Seems like an annual tradition at this point at Arrowhead Stadium with the Ravens and the Chiefs. The Chiefs have a chance to be the first ever team to three-peat. But on top of that, they, if they get to the Super Bowl, will be the first team to ever get back to a Super Bowl having won the last two. So no one's ever three-peded. And in fact, no team gunning for their third straight has ever even gotten to the Super Bowl game. They host the Ravens in their quest to do so. Patrick Mahomes, an annual MVP candidate. >> Yeah, I mean, I don't think last year's too much in your mind. I mean, you're so focused on trying to get better. And I mean, we're playing the best of the best. I mean, week one. So we're going to see where we're at. We're going to go out there and play our best football early in the season. But all we can do is go out there and be our best. I mean, it's going to take that in order to get the win and we're going to learn from our mistakes and make adjustments on the sideline and go out there and find a way to be a really good football team. >> Yeah, last year, Kansas City started off kind of slowly. They were sort of working their way through the beginning part of the season, knowing full well they'd be there at the end. Not a lot of challengers in that division. And it seemed like Baltimore was the class of the AFC. They were the best team in the NFL for most of last year. A lot of turnover, a lot of change, including at Defense. Coordinators down the head coach in Seattle lost a lot of personnel. So this is the time if you're going to play the Chiefs, you'd like them week one rather than say week 16 or 17. >> Yeah, that's the lion's tier point from last year's opener. I do think it's interesting that Rishi Rice didn't get suspended and probably isn't going to. Sometimes the league says we don't need to find out what happened legally. We can do our own research. Sometimes they wait for everything to play out. So it's kind of, I don't know what to expect rhyme or reason with suspensions. But Hollywood Brown, not all the way back, not healthy. So it'll be a lot of Xavier worthy, presumably. They just signed you, Drew Smith, Schuster, as far as Baltimore goes. First game with brand new 32 year old defensive coordinator, Zach Orr. And this will go one way or the other. If that defense is really good again, which it should be, he'll be a head coach in two years, maybe getting interviews this off season. He'll be the next guy that the hot candidate in the NFL. But they lost a lot of assistance. He's elevated from his linebacker role a year ago. Obviously their coordinator on defense last year is now the head coach in Seattle, Mike McDonald. So there's some questions on that side of the ball for John Harbaugh after they lost some talent as well. But most of the young players for the Ravens, it'll be coming back and playing are actually on the offensive side of the ball, including Roger Rosengarten. They're projected right tackle from that rookie class. The Friday night game. Yes, I said Friday night game. Coach, you're a tailor? Not Friday night lights. Oh, different different. Maybe outside of the state's Friday night lights in the national football league. It's the Packers and the Eagles. We're going outside of the United States, Danny. We're playing this thing in Brazil, obviously. Do you see any of the, like, yeah, restrictions that the league passed along to players? Oh, no, I didn't see that. Oh, it was like, do not leave your hotel. Do not wear any jewelry. Do not say hello to anyone. Do not pass go. Do not leave the bus without, like, armed guards. I'm paraphrasing and joking a little bit. But basically, they don't, especially after the Ricky Pierce all thing. Yeah. It was just like, hey, man, let's just stare at the ground and run into every building you're going into. And Darius slay and some other guys are like, why the hell are you sending us there? Like, you can't send me for work to do something and then scare me with this. Like, I guess our families are staying home from this one. Yeah, maybe we'll skip this trip and I'll send you a text if I'm allowed to keep my phone with me. Yeah, you know, it's the never ending quest to make this thing global. The, I'm conflating analogies here, but you got to break a few eggs, I suppose. I don't know. It just doesn't seem like a great idea to me. I love the Friday night lights angle. Please. And thank you more of that. I'm all about it. But that just seems a little iffy to me. Yeah. You're not going to get a whole lot more of it because it's essentially illegal in the state to have Friday night games because of high school football until after the season ends. Packer's Eagles, though, two playoff teams potentially. Remember, Green Bay won a playoff game, destroyed the Cowboys. We talked about it last hour. And then they gave San Francisco fits in the postseason. Meanwhile, Philadelphia is highly considered to come out of the NFC East. People think they could be a Super Bowl team if Jalen Hertz bounces back. And the Packers have some new faces in some new places. Matt Loflores got a brand new running back in Josh Jacobs, who led the league in rushing two years ago at the Raiders. The more experience you get with somebody, you find out what they like, what they, what their best at. But I would say definitely from a past standpoint, how you can utilize them in the passing game, whether some guys are checked on guys, some guys are creative route runners. And I think you just got to go through the process and throw some stuff at him and see how he does with it. And it'll be an interesting year to see what he can do. I loved Matt Loflores when he was here in DC. It was probably one of the coaches on that staff I was closest with. Having said that, I am stunned with how good a head coach he's become this quickly. And a lot of people right away will discount the first few years going 13 and three, because it's just Aaron Rodgers. You can't. It's hard to go 13 and three, man. Be good. But nine and eight last year with Jordan Love developing into a franchise QB, making the playoffs, getting a win. In his career, Loflores 56 and 27 in six years. He sounds when he talks like a guy that's been doing this for 40 years. Yeah. Even when he, well, even when he was doing his 30s. He's just a worker. It's what he sounds like, right? He had the maturity. Yeah, not everyone is a burn the candle at both ends. And like you tell your wife, you'll see her in January kind of coach. That's Matt Loflores and it is worked in Green Bay. Other side is the Eagles. This is such a fascinating group. And obviously I hate them so much and I hope they lose every game. And their fans are miserable for a thousand years. But just in terms of objective football stuff, Dixriani basically fired himself as the offensive leader, right? Enter Kellen Moore. Sort of revamped this group, trying to get Jalen Hertz back to MVP level. You've got weapons out the yang. Of course, a familiar former first-round pick from right down the street here, Johan Dotson with their slot receiver to go with Devante Smith, AJ Brown. It's a revamped defense in theory. That's a group that could absolutely win the NFC East or the coach could get fired. I wonder if Johan Dotson's going to make a player too in prime time. Everybody watching on Friday night, a big debut in Atlanta for the Falcons. They are a sexy pick at NFC South. I think they're being a bit overrated. I don't quite see it the way everybody does. I don't know where the pass rush is going to come from necessarily with them. They did go get Matthew Judon in the preseason, which should help a lot. But they were a really bad pass rushing team last year. I don't know if that's enough of a fix for them in that regard. And I don't like their weapons as much as everybody else. There's this assumption that Kirk Cousins, who they bring in, is just going to now make Kyle Pitts be what he's supposed to be. And Drake London is going to take off. I think they're pretty good. I don't think they're really good. To me, that's more of a nine-win team than an eleven-win team. But they've kind of been crowned. They host the Pittsburgh Steelers. It's a one o'clock kickoff in Atlanta on Sunday for the Steelers. They had a battle that went throughout camp in the preseason at quarterback between Justin Fields and Russell Wilson. Wilson won the thing. In fact, my daughter struggles to say or are sometimes. So she thinks his name is Russell Wilson. I think we all just try to be our best every day. I think every day I step in the building, just try to bring my energy, bring the focus, the detail, the experience of it all, too. And then me stepping through the white lines, do everything you can to be your best version of you. Do you think the Falcons should be the favorite in the South? I do. But I also have my second axiom there is that the NFC South stinks. Nobody's any good. The bottom is the worst. I think Carolina probably picks first or second again. So it's more about the other teams than Atlanta? Yes. So someone has to win that division. Why don't people default to Tampa won it last year? Mm hmm. Didn't lose a ton. Just assume they do again. Because that, I don't know if it has the same streak as the NFC East does, but it always feels like someone goes from worst to first or third to first. And it's Topsy Turvy. They all beat each other. They're all six to one half dozen or the other. All these teams are flawed, low ceiling. We're here also. Someone's going to win nine games. Is this the year Mike Tomlin Steelers finish under 500? I think they scream nine and eight again. It's perfectly set up because again, their division is the opposite. That division is a buzzer. Yeah, Baltimore really good. Cincinnati Super Bowl caliber like the Ravens. Both of those teams strong and then the Browns have a quarterback dilemma. But if you take the Sean Watson out of the equation, it's probably like a 13 14 win outfit. That's a loaded team in that athletic piece, a polling 31 agents. They asked who the best talent evaluating GM is. And a lot of people said Andrew Berry, their general manager. Now, I guess he swung and missed on the Sean Watson and we're not going to count that. But they've done a really good job everywhere else almost. Absolutely. Yeah. So I mean, to me, this feels like the year it finally happens. But you know what Pittsburgh is going to be limited offensively. Great special teams really competitive on defense. They're going to win some ugly football games. They're going to Pittsburgh it up one o'clock kick off its soldier field. All eyes will be on the Bears and the Titans because the number one pick in the draft will make his NFL debut. Caleb Williams will make his first start as Chicago's franchise quarterback. What a last year plus for general manager Ryan polls who made the massive trade to come down the board. They go get DJ Moore and a bevy of picks turned into a number one overall selection. I mean, he is absolutely moving and shaking beloved in Chicago. This was the GM polls as he gets ready to watch his newest pupil. I want him to lean on the talent around him. And then when the time is right and that's an instinctual thing. And I think that plays right into him. That's when you do the special and balancing that. And then sometimes it's going to get out of whack one way or the other. But always come back to that. It's kind of like that that neutral place where he's at his best. Does anybody want to type anything that he's saying? Does anyone want to just really loud like the furious typing? So why isn't that at the keys? And why is the microphone on your keyboard? Glide over the keys. Who is typing so loud? Everyone's talking about the bears and understandably. That's where we started. The Titans are a fascinating team. I'm not going to go full Clary on you. Clary said at lunch today that he's got the Titans as a sneaky playoff caliber team. I mean, Ryan, I don't want to put words in your mouth. Did you you said they're going to be a sneaky? Let's watch out for them. He's got one in the division. But didn't you also say they win the AFC South? That's my hot tag. I think they win the AFC South. I'm all in on Callahan. I think Will Levis could potentially surprise people. So we'll see. What do you like most about Levis? How he plays football or that he eats his bananas with the peel on? Ah, it's banana with the peel on, but it's actually more so. I think the Texans kind of fall off. And I think the Texans are the Titans kind of take a little step up here. Yeah. So by the way, I'm at lunch with before you Darris, you got there. It was Ryan and Danny, both telling me how bad the Texans stink. Nope. And they're like, look out for the Titans and watch out for the Jaguars. You both said the Texans will not make the playoffs. Right. But it's very different than they stink. I mean, you're doing everyone that made it last year will make it this year, which never happens. It's always half the teams fall off. They were a game away from flipping and flopping with Indianapolis Colts last year. And I want to take all things. Larry's got him seven and 10. You just have him missing the playoffs. Yeah. I think they're nine and eight right around the same as they were. We're going to read the what's wrong with the Texans articles is, you know, the Colts win one more game and the AFC is too crowded. This is far cry from that. I've never said seven and 10 either as well. You said worse than that. I think you said five and 12. Yeah. No, I tried. I'm thinking like nine and eight. I think they fall off and miss the playoffs. Three and 14. I think it's what he said. Wait on your chicken sandwich. You kill the mosquito and you're like, dude, the three and 14. They stink. Remember the Titans. Ryan Clary says division champions. I am actually interested though. They did the thing you should do to give your quarterback the best chance. Brian Callahan, OC from the Bengals. Offensive minded comes over. Maybe you try to fix Will Levis. They went and got weapons as well, including Calvin Ridley. It's a lot of the things that I think you should be doing. Yeah. Sneaky Tyler Boyd signing as well from Cincinnati. That's going to help them. They updated it. They basically was like, give it to Derek Henry and let's see what happens. They did that for a handful of seasons and it was awesome for a while. Last couple of years as they've been beset by Andrews on both sides of the ball, they've been pretty terrible. No more Mike Rebel. They've now kind of updated and changed that roster over a little tiny bit. Again, I don't think anybody in that division is excellent, right? But you know, if you buy the idea that Houston's maybe been prematurely crowned and it's going to be wide open as it's been, maybe Tennessee makes some noise. I don't think they're ready yet though. Let's get back to some of the prime time activity in week one. Sunday night football is going to be awesome. 8/20 kickoff locally for the Rams and the Lions. A rematch of a tremendous playoff game from this past winter. The Lions just narrowly edging out the Rams at home in that game. Now we get to see it in week one on Sunday night football. When Matt Stafford's healthy and he will be to start the season, the Rams are a different team. Like they are a Super Bowl contending type club. So too are the Lions. They bring everybody back from that vaunted offense, including their coordinator Ben Johnson, who left more teams at the altar for a second straight off season. This is going to be a fun, maybe a telling game. If the Rams come out and beat the Lions, you got to consider them one of the better teams in the conference to kick off a brand new season. This is GM Brad Holmes who put the Lions together on Jamison Williams, who's considered an X factor for Detroit this year. I think it's very evident in the results that you saw this training camp that the work that he's put in, just like Ray was saying, the route running, everything, just him working with Elle, working with golf, just doing all those things in the all season in preparation. He's got some good guys in that room, obviously, you have an elite player like Saint Brown, and forget the performance, but how his intent was are and Kaleef Raymond. I mean, he's got really good guys to look upon and follow, but. Go to the Rams for a second. Last year, I think a lot of people, myself included, kind of wrote them off because they started three and six. They were getting smashed by people and they were not impressive. Struggling, couldn't find their identity, didn't know who they were, etc. After the bi-week, they went six and one. Their one loss was when Baltimore was playing excellent football in overtime in Baltimore, gave them everything they can handle and lost a toss-up game. Ended up losing that epic one point playoff game to Detroit. I didn't view their season that way. I just remember that start and kind of you have an impression of them. They were pretty nasty down the stretch. One is Sean McVay's better coaching jobs, I would say. Oh, he was great. I thought last year could have been the coach of the year. The Monday Night football game to round out week one. Now six days away as the Jets and the 49ers, that game's in San Francisco. The Jets get Aaron Rodgers back on the field first time since week one, a year ago. New look, wide receiver room, including Mike Williams coming over from the LA Chargers. Breeze Hall is kind of a sexy top-of-the-board fantasy pick. Everyone thinks he's going to become a superstar this year. They drafted a monster ever running back to pair with him in the backfield in fourth rounder, Braylon Allen. Noah is on Reddit who has not yet reported the lone holdout left in football. He's supposed to be a key piece to that defense. So without him, Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald, their first round picks and 22 and 23 respectively will be coming off the edges. And for San Francisco speaking of holdouts, no practice time, no preseason time for Brandon IU Trent Williams, but it's all hands on deck for a perennial Super Bowl power in the NFC as they try to get their season started. For the Jets, they have been a quarterback away for two straight seasons. And that's why they were so desperate and went to get Aaron Rodgers and tried to make this thing happen. He lasted about 14 seconds off and on for about 20 straight seasons. Well, yeah, for sure. But last year, they were actually really good. And last two years, really, they've been really, really, really, really good defensively. They were fourth in football two seasons ago, a third in yards allowed last season. They're excellent everywhere except that quarterback spot. If you don't have Zach Wilson, if you have a replacement level Randy, just to do checking it down. If you had Jacobi Brissett or Joe Flack off his counters, they probably could have had at any point. That's a playoff team over the last couple of seasons. They haven't been. I think they are poised for that breakout finally to have it happen there in New York. Remember when they made two straight AFC championship games with Rex Ryan as their coach? She's eating snacks and Mark Sanchez as their quarterback. Yeah. Who was like sooner back up and then even sooner out of the league. Same kind of deal then. Like what might that team have been if they could have just had an average NFL quarterback? Sean Merriman is going to join us next the former Maryland Terrapin and tremendous NFL pass rusher when he gets his thoughts on not only Maryland's big win this weekend, but the NFL season ahead. Our double plays coming up at three forty five and we are blitzing at four. This is Grant and Danny. 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Toyota's lineup of cool colorful vehicles is ready to ride by your side. Take on fall in a trail tackling Tacoma or go for the powerful tundra. Head to toyota.com for more info or visit your local Toyota dealership today. Toyota, let's go places. At five o'clock today, Charles Davis joins the show one of our favorite NFL guests. He's always fantastic. Make sure you're listening coming up in about 90 minutes. We got a belt label. It's coming your way right at four o'clock on Grant and Danny. And next hour we're going to go through some commanders burning questions as we are on to week one head of NFL action starting in two nights on Thursday night football. Did you see the sports reporters is coming back to ESPN? The old I did see that. Yeah. Do we know who the reporters are going to be? I think it's going to be different each episode if I guess because what I saw for the first episode, by the way, have they ever done anything more for me? Do you know who Jeremy Shapps can have on the first episode? I don't know. Mike Toreko, Joe Buck, I and Eagle and Kevin Harlan. And those four guys are going to be talking about essentially calling games and play by play. They might as well just being that right to your house. Are you kidding me? That thing wouldn't have it wouldn't be better if it was in my living room. You couldn't design something better for me. So back in the day when it was like so much Mike Lupica and other, I don't know, I forget some of the rest of the names, but it was basically arguing about New York sports, which wasn't for me. Like I found myself growing wary of it just that it was the refusal to acknowledge that there was there were several cities outside of New York or Boston or maybe even the Lakers. But it gave rise to the things that we all loved, right? It gave rise to some of the things that you know, kind of changed television and some for the worst, but a lot for the better. Like there's no PTI without the sports supporters. There's no, you know, this format to a degree without shows like that. I just think that there is still a place for informed, if you want to call it boring, you can. Sports content, it doesn't have to be personality driven. And by the way, information and intel and insight can still be personality driven. It just doesn't mean that I've got to wear a big clown suit and jump around and wave my hands in the air and act to fool. You know what I mean? Like you can still provide that insight, provide that information without it. Like to me, there's still a place for shows where the star of the show is the information and ESPN has just gone so far away from that they've sprinted. I don't know if getting rid of that show was because of the movement they made in the direction that they did to basically like screenshots and everybody having a terrible take and ridiculous content to fill 24 hours. But I'm just excited it's coming back. Yeah, I'm hoping that they don't let it fall into the trap of the other, just the regular old debate shows to your point where it's just nothing but loud bits or shouting hot takes or, you know, the seven thousand deep dive into deck in his contract or can anyone beat the homes or what does this say about LeBron's legacy, kind of the normal crap. But again, if I had to complain, I remember at one point, I used to watch it, I would say religiously, but pretty often. And I kind of fell off a little bit mostly because it sort of became a precursor to some of these debate shows that we see now, right, where it was all things New York, all things Boston, the occasional like LA related Lakers thing. And it was like, no, no, there's an entire sort of nation of sports that's hungry for content that whether it relates to them or not is just more relatable, right? And I felt like it, they lost their way to a degree. I mean, the other thing not to be flipping about, but I think the sort of sudden death of John Saunders, and it was like 2015, 2016 really changed the landscape there. Very possible. Yeah, that's possible. I can't wait for the first one specifically up my alley, but also just the idea that it's coming back is a win. Let's go to the bet QL guest hotline now and welcome onto the show. Sean Merritt, who's got the ties, of course, to the University of Maryland. He's a Terp and had such an excellent NFL career as one of the tremendous past rushers of his era, joining us via bet online. Sean, thanks for the time. We really appreciate it. How are you? I'm doing well, man. How are you? Good, buddy. Great. I wanted actually to start with the Terp. So I'm a 50 burger this week. They got athletes all over the place for Mike Loxley. What'd you make of their big performance and win over you, Tom? You, you know, um, and I'll say that I might be a little biased because I'm from the area. I believe that the DMV area got the best talent in the country. And I believe when those guys stay home that we can compete against anybody in the nation, including anybody in Texas, anybody in Florida, Georgia, it doesn't matter. Kelly, it doesn't matter. I think that the DMV area has the time most talent. Now, what you have to do is keep stringing those games along, right? Like, you can't put up a 50 piece and come out and, you know, get containers lesser than and not look as good. We know that they're going to slump all the teams that they should. The biggest thing is they're getting better and better and better to compete with the Michigan's in the world, compete with the Ohio State's. What they had, by the way, calling the hills with three quarters last year. So those are the games that we need to lead up to in order to get, man. But that talent there in the DMV area is something different. Sean, let's go up a level to the NFL. Do you like the way the league is rolling out? And it's great for us. You know, Pudgy, it's like myself sitting in home watching television. But do you like this kind of, there's a game Thursday, there's a game Friday night, then there's like a double header on Monday. Like that sort of special rollout, or are you more of a traditionalist? Player or the businessman? Either way, either way. Look, I think it's a player, right? You want, you wanted to come into the game to help you as possible. I remember the last, you know, last couple years, like, hey, Thursday night football game. You put older guys because you don't get a time to recover. Now the game is less physical. You know, they're not having padded practices during the week. They've taken at least a lot more. So it's okay. But I think they're not about having it spread out because last year you want is guys sitting around scratching and can't move in all day because they're waiting the game on Sunday, right? So they give you just up. I'm gonna throw you on hold because your phone's breaking up a little bit. So we're gonna get that sorted out right now here on Grant and Danny joined by Sean Merriman, the former Terrapin who was such a good pass rusher with the Chargers in the NFL had a really strong career. We'll get to, among other things, with Merriman, some of his picks for division championships, conference, Super Bowl, and see where it ends up. But we're joined now by Sean Merriman on Grant and Danny. What do you make of the commanders, chances, and Jayden Daniels as a rookie to make some noise in the NFC East? You know, I said this, I think that Kayla Williams was the most talented quarterback that came out. But I think Jayden Daniels was the most NFL ready quarterback that came out. And we're starting to see that already. Leaving the preseason game and looking at where he's placing the football. Like, wait, you know, he's placing where guys don't get hit. Right on the back show, that first bomb he had coming out, we threw the ball, you know, I think 30 yards down the field, right over the shoulder, we're only the wide receiver can catch it. So you look at him having the ability to come out and play right now. Not don't forget, you can use his legs, right? Because I would tell, let me look at this. When you're starting out, you just get NFL, if you're having problems with the speed of the game and the thing like this, don't don't be afraid to take off for her to her defense, which are legs. And he's capable of doing that. So I got him, you know, as the most NFL ready quarterback coming out of college. Sean, who do you like in the NFC East? Right now with all the with all the turmoil that is going on with Dallas, you never know with them. The inconsynthesis or Philly, you never know with them. I changed the commanders got a lot better. It's tough, man. You know, you just don't know, but I know this that is not going to be as easy for the Cowboys this year, because what happens is you got the three to four year window where other teams got get better and commanders just got better. Sean, you played in the AFC West for so long with the Chargers. Obviously it's a new era there now with Jim Harbaugh, but the Chiefs have had a stranglehold on that division. The Broncos are trying to make some headway with Sean Payton. And they've turned things over to bow Nix. And the Raiders have retained Antonio Pierce. They're the one team that still got a pretty ugly quarterback situation. It seems like out there. But how do you see that division shaken out? Well, look, of course, it will be biased to the Chargers. I do think they've gotten a lot better in me spending time around the team and the coaching staff. There's a different era or about them. There's a different level of confidence. There's about them this year that they didn't have and the physicality of these guys are going to come out and play with. Running with Gus Bradley and JK down here. He'll draft and do all the shots later there. These guys going to be a bunch of physical bunch, but it's just hard to snatch away the crown from KST and just somebody who dethrones them. And you're right now. I think the bow Nix is the future of that team. I think it was a great take. I think it was a you kind of caught a lot of people off guard where he just jumped in and started doing this thing. And the Raiders, man, I'm not a piece. My boy. We are a good friend of mine. But I'll tell you this, you cannot win in that division without a quarterback. You just can't do it. And I don't care how great Max Crosby is. He is great. How great that defense going to play this year, how great Devonty Addis is because you can't get the ball to him at the quarterback position. Sean, forgive me. I don't remember if you ever held out or had contract disputes or anything. But I do know that San Francisco without Trent Williams, Brandon, I look for so much of the off season. The Jets, a son, Redick still hasn't reported. Jamar Chase is not practicing still with the Bengals. We got a handful of guys this year who just kind of skipped the entire off season until this week. Is that going to affect either those players individually or those teams, the offense, the defense they're a part of, the other guys adjusting or you think it's like riding a bike with some of those veteran stars? I think, you know, Trent Williams has been doing it forever. You could just pop him and he's going to do his thing. I think it's a skills but skill position is going to be uphill battle. The timing, you know, getting used to those routes, just stopping and going because it's hard man up to replicate football, the actual game of it. You can work out all off season, strength and change directions, you know, doing your drills. There's nothing like playing actual game of football. So it's going to take a few games for a guy like Jamar Chase to get back on a brand value. It's going to take a little bit for those guys to get back going again. Sean Merriman with the serum GND. Sean, you spent a little time in Buffalo. I'll go to the AFC East here for a second. You got to go to the betting window now. You got to put money on Buffalo or any of the other three teams in the AFC East to win the division. It's, you know, I'm Bill's marker for life man and love those guys out there, but we all know in football, you got a three or four year window before you come out of there and at least win one. I think, um, I'm not going to say that window is closed, but it's gotten a lot smaller because mine has gotten a lot better and Rogers is on the field. That, that jet team, I believe is stacked. And the other team, you don't have to worry about as much there is the patience because I don't think they figured out their quarterback situation. None against, uh, uh, you know, Jacobia, anything, uh, bersett, none against him, but you need a, uh, a big time quarterback in order to win in that division. I don't think they got that there. So I can't put, I can't believe it feels mad. I, I think mine and the jets just got so much better. Uh, but it's hard to kind of just throw all your money on them. Former Terp, Sean Merriman courtesy of bet online, check out bet online for updated Super Bowl conference division and awards odds plus win totals for each team. Week one lines, plethora of fun props on every game and so much more. Sean will let you out on this, who wants your Super Bowl prediction for this year. Who wins? Who loses? Well, I don't think a three P is, is, uh, is in a car to Casey, even though I hate going against a champ's, it's so hard to go against anybody. It's one back to back. Um, but a three P is knowing that the Texas has gotten, gotten better and Rogers is back. You know, the charge is going to be much better than anywhere last year. Um, their, their road to get back to the Sioux balls going to be tough NFC NFC side. I like the 49ers. Um, I do, because I think they're the most violent team in football, but I think that AFC is wide open. Um, I don't, I don't see the cheese going for three feet. It's too hard to do. Nobody's ever done it. Uh, Sean, always a pleasure, man. Really appreciate the time. Enjoy the week one. You got it guys. Make sure you also down my new free ad supported platform, uh, Lifestyle Sports TV available on all smart TV, free ad. Uh, we got a big fight coming up. Lifestyle extreme fight this Friday that'll be live, uh, on Lifestyle Sports TV that's available at every major, uh, CTV platform. Love it. Always making moves. Sean. Thank you, buddy. We appreciate you. You got it. Thank you man. There's Sean Merriman on Grant and Danny here on the fan via bet online joining us here on G and D. Uh, next let's get you a double play. What's going on in our lives? Nothing to do with sports. We're blitzing at four o'clock. We're talking commanders burning questions in week one at four 25. This is the fan. Double play on Grant and Danny, driven to you by your local Washington area, haunted dealers. Stop it for a great deal on the rugged and capable Honda pilot. Contact your local Washington area, haunted dealers. Today, our double play. What's going on in our lives? Nothing to do with sports. Seems like a good time to remind everybody you can come hang out with us tonight. We are drafting our fantasy football teams and our Grant and Danny listener league. If you are not in the league, no problem. You can join us and eat some wings and have a good time at a sports bar while we are discussing football. A bunch of listeners going to be there. We're going to be in Crystal City tonight at Highline R and R draft starts around seven o'clock. Get there when you can. We'll be there throughout the evening. Indeed it just and indulging in delicious foodstuffs and camaraderie. Dare I say even some fellowship GP always fun. Time for our double play. Danny, what do you got? Ricks of powers back GP started the premiere of season two debuted late last week, a three episode head start to kind of get the season moving last season up and down a little bit uneven. The sets designs everything was beautiful. You were in Middle Earth, obviously at the start of the second age. You know that only to tell you, but I'm talking to everybody else now. You basically have the return of Sauron in guys. This is according to Middle Earth lore. They took a lot of Liberty story wise in season number one and that's continued. But I think they listened to some of their critical feedback here and they're trying at least to do a few things, I guess slightly differently. They're still a little bit too much. Again, these like extra plot lines. They're trying very hard to have this kind of panoramic in the feel of the same thing of the original Lord of the Rings trilogy where you've got the separate quests. You don't exactly have it hitting as hard as it probably should. For example, it's taking place in Numenor through the first few episodes. It should not be taking place in Numenor. We sort of they're sort of like an all so ran character and yet they're sort of like this mainstay. There's this intrigue we're supposed to have about this political infighting and a lot of us don't care. I'm just not into it. Please tell me what's happening with Anatar. Please tell me what's happening with Colembrane Bohr. Show me what's happening with this stranger slash potential. One of the five wizards, maybe one of the two blues that we never see. I don't know if he's, I don't know if he's Pilando, I don't know if he's Alatar. I don't know what he is, but they haven't told the ship, but there's intrigue there. Now he's fighting with the Southlanders and there's also a dark wizard involved. That's positive. I like that storyline with him and Noldi and Nordi, or Nori, rather, and Poppy, who kind of tagged along there from the Harfoots. It's a whole other thing. But I will tell you, pretty pleased through three episodes. Good, not great, visually stunning, but yeah, little too much whining for some of the characters, the younger versions of characters that we know and love very well. Very good. Well done. Thank you. Should I do my double play now there? So should I wait till everyone turns their radios back on? Zanger Zams, come on. Here we go. Who said that? Here we go. Who put that question mark on the teller? Here we go. Colombrum board. Do I hear a Colombrum board? Colombrum board. Colombrum board. Spell that for me. Say it again. The real elven pronunciation is Colombrum board, but the kind of the, you know, sort of the way it's fashion for us for, you know, because we can't speak the elven speech. We're not from Arta. Uh, Colombrum board is how you hear it all right. K-E-L-E-M-B-R-U-M-B-O-R-E Colombrum board. No, but that was adorable. Okay. Yeah. Well, that's how I wrote it down in my journal, Colombrum board. It's time for my double play. I want to talk about Colombrum board. Just kidding. You won't. Uh, he forged the rings, man. Sleep on with your own right. Surprising that bore is in that word. Hey, come on. Come on. What did he say? Battle bio. Who's done it? Come on. Who's done it? I'm not, I'm not moving on. Who's done it? Come on. Who's done it? Uh, all right. Two things, Danny. I think you'll be interested in both. I can't promise. All right. Number one, I've got a very hot take. This one you'll hate. Major League two gets a bad rap. I think Major League two, I'm not saying it's Major League, number one, but I do think the movie Major League two, better than I remembered it being. I watched it this weekend. Now it was late at night. You're a little bit punch drunk when you watched it. Yeah. I watched it and I'm like, this isn't terrible. Did we sleep on Major League two just a little bit? Here's why it got panned. Okay. Because it couldn't recreate what one was. But it's not a bad movie. I've actually always argued this. It's not as awful as everyone remembers. Ooh, I thought you completely disagree with it. It is not as all everyone says it's awful, it's so stupid because you can't recreate the magic that was the original Major League, which was just perfect. How does Wesley Snipes just not show up? Yeah. There's just a different guy playing Willie Mays Hayes. I don't know how I feel about that. Yeah, you shouldn't feel good. Did they not get a contract done with him? I think that was the beginning of Wesley's difficult period where he started being a little bit tougher to work with. Was that he wasn't in jail for like the tech stuff or anything? I think that was to come later if my timeline's right. Okay. Well, he should have been in that movie because he's a 10, Miss Davis, a 10. The other thing is, have you seen Adam Sandler love you on Netflix? No. Are you familiar? No. So this is, I don't really know what it is having watched half of it now. I'm about, quite literally, you can see it right here. I'm halfway, I'm halfway through Adam Sandler love you on Netflix. Okay. The red line is about 50%. All right. All right. I really like it. And I was prepared to not laugh and to not like it. And I've said before, like the Adam Sandler movie thing, I'm pretty good on. I loved his Will House movies like everyone else. Sure. Years and years ago, Big Daddy and Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore. But all the stuff now are just him and guys. He's, but the voice isn't it? No, I'm out. It's, he's just kind of, if you're weird enough, you're considered a genius. Do you know what I'm saying? I know exactly what you mean. We confuse eccentricity with genius. Exactly. Yeah. But so here's what I don't know. I don't know what this is exactly. It's like made almost movie-ish, but it's a stand up routine that he's doing. And maybe it'll be explained in the back half, but it's basically just like Adam Sandler's stand up and he did it in a funny way. Everyone tries to put a little wrinkle on it like you're running in and you walk out in that outfit. You're doing your set. You know, he has essentially like the start of a movie it feels like. And then he's doing his set the whole time, but it's very, very funny. And like he does these little songs where they make, they have nothing to do with anything. And again, I don't know if it was because it was late at night. What? I'm just cracking up and I want you to watch it. My guess is you'll hate it, but I thought I would hate it and I found myself liking it. Well, I certainly appreciate people trying to do something different, right? Like the sometimes we were swinging this in that regard, but like very different. It's not like anything else I don't think on Netflix. Yeah. Think of like a stand up special. A great one probably popped in your head. Chris Rock's last special, I think it was his last one was Tambourine where it was the same stuff, but three different places. Yes. Right? That's unique. That's a little bit different. Neil Brennan, one of the writers on on Chappelle show, who is dry and funny as hell, did a thing with three different microphones where he took on different personas. Seth Meyers and his standup special had a whole chunk where he performed, but as his wife, and I know that sounds weird, but it makes more sense because it's jokes about him from his wife's perspective. So I've never seen that, but as someone who doesn't find him funny, even a little bit, that's not surprising to hear. Well, I'm telling you, that was the best part. Yeah. I think he's fine. A little bit too smug for me. I find his stick. It's just not for me, which I get. But the standup special, it was, it was going fine. It was okay. Some pretty clever stuff. I mean, he's a comedian. He knows what he's doing. The section where it's about him, but his, as his wife writing the jokes was the best part of it. Wasn't there a thing that came out that Jennifer Lawrence like really wanted to date him or something and found out he was married? There was a weirdest thing I've ever heard. There was a Nicole Kidman like Jimmy Fallon thing, different thing. That was, she, she thought she was going to date Jimmy Fallon and he just played video games. Yeah. That was great. No, apparently I'll have to look it up and find it in the break. Like Jennifer Lawrence had a big crush on Seth Meyers. Wow. And I just, I don't know why. I can't quite figure that one out, but I'd love to know more. I'd love to double click on that. Very strange. Uh, the Beltway Blitz is next on Grant and Daniel. Let's talk commanders burning questions next hour. We got our guy Charles Davis on the show at about one hour and five minutes, right at five o'clock on the fan. [silence] As the exclusive sponsor of our show, the law firm Condorian Murad will guide you and your family in the right direction by helping you to draft your will, set up a revocable trust or create a health care power of attorney, schedule a free consultation with our estate planning attorneys at kmloyers.com and be sure to tell them that we sent you so that you can get a discount. That's kmloyers.com. Welcome back, Grant and Danny on the fan. It is time for our Beltway Blitz. We do it every day at four o'clock. We'll cover the NFL, the commanders, and right now the nationals. Mark Zuckerman of mass and sports.com joins us to kick things off. Mark, why don't we begin with what was an extremely sloppy series for the nationals. They were coming off of the impressive three gamer and back-to-back wins against the Yankees and then they ran out of steam against the Cubs. They gave up seven, five and 14 runs and they committed all of the errors. Mark. Yeah, Sunday's game was just atrocious. I mean, it was officially three errors but it should have been five and I feel like they kept getting worse as the game went on and it was a really disappointing series obviously given what they had done against the Yankees. And I know we can look at this and say, hey, they're young, the lineup the other day. I think it was seven rookies in there, nobody over the age of 26. So you understand to some extent that you're going to have things like this but the bad defense and the bad base running which you saw earlier in the weekend, this is happening way too much and Davey can talk about it all he wants but this is something that does have to clean up and I don't care if you're in your second month in the big leagues or your tenth year in the big leagues. These are things you have to be better at and hopefully the message is getting across and that they understand that that's just not going to cut it any longer. Mark, how do we view Mitchell Parker's season big picture? He's had a couple of these starts and it wasn't a meltdown. It was late bullpen, you know, give up a touchdown in the extra point and you mentioned some of the, you know, the, the, the errors in there but overall still viewing his year as a guy that we weren't sure was a big league or not as a pretty smashing success even if he's maybe we're not a bit of steam here towards the second half of the season. Yeah, I think that's the way to look at it. This is a guy that we thought maybe we'd see at some point during the season. Instead, he gets called up two weeks in when Josiah Greg got hurt, makes his debut at Dodger Stadium, it looks really good that night and I think has exceeded expectations along the way. Now, I mean, is he a finished product? No. Is he have the ability to turn into a front line start in the big leagues? I don't know but he has shown a little bit of resiliency here and even when things kind of go bad around him like we saw the other day, he still found a way to get through six innings. He, he has a way of just kind of keeping a demeanor that doesn't get too high or low and I think that consumed him well. The biggest thing he's got to work on, we talked about bad defense. He was among the culprits. He's got five errors this year, most by any national pitcher in a single season. He's only had 12 defensive chances. That's an atrocious percentage there. That is something he's got to clean up. It's probably not going to happen in season but this winner, even more than pitching, I think he's just got to work on his defense. Yeah, I've never seen a worse season defensively for a pitcher fielding the ball in the infield and I almost, you know, you worry it's like yip territory now or it's so mental. Anytime he leaves the mound, bad things happen, he's trying to go get to the baseball. I want to go back to something you said an answer ago though, Mark, when you were talking about some of the defensive miscues otherwise and you mentioned Davey without going full Nats Twitter and assuming like every ground ball is dictated by the coaching staff and they're the worst. I am curious about Davey's place in it's been years of base running blunders. The fundamentals defensively can somewhat be explained away with youth and guys playing out of position. But I mean, at what point is the message either not getting through or is there no fear that, hey, if I screw up and do three stupid things on the base pads, I'm not getting benched anyway. So what's really the ramification for me being bad at it? Right. And I think it's fair to ask that question. Absolutely is. And you heard him after the game, I think a little stronger than he has been in the past. He was pretty set up with it the other day and he even said something the effect of, you know, hey, if you don't want to play defense, we'll have to find something else for you to do. So a little bit of a threat there and I would be followed through on any that, I don't know, or even who specifically he's talking about. But the time for this stuff has come and gone. It does not, this should not still be an issue. And, you know, we're down to the last four weeks of the season so there's only so much you can expect right now. But I do believe that next year there is increased pressure on Davey, on his coaches, on Mike Rizzo and the front office to see the the fruits of all this. They have the team out there. They're close to having the team out there that they've been counting on for a few years now. And we kind of gloss over the wind and the losses because you say it's a rebuild. But I think by the time we get to next year, there should be pressure on everyone to perform and actually see the results at the big league level. And if it doesn't happen, especially early in the year, I think there are going to be some conversations and some pressure and questions about what are they going to do moving forward with all of those people. I think right now you kind of understand why it's not the case yet. But I do think 2025 is huge in that regard and there should be pressure on everyone to be better next year. Along those lines, before we let you go, Mark, real quick, my point is if they don't spend some money as a front office this off season, speaking for myself, I'm going to be loud and I'm going to be angry. I mean, at some point, it's time like you had several years to kind of pack it in and do this rebuild thing. And you've shown enough now that if you could supplement with some power in right field or first base, whatever you want to do, you're not that far away. Aren't we there as well to put some pressure on ownership, even higher up to actually go spend some money now? 100%. I think that is the biggest unanswered question and biggest issue of the off season. They have now shown who their core group of players is going to be. They've developed that from within, but you can't do it all from within. You have to have veterans who've done it before. The whole idea of this year was figure out what you have and figure out what you don't have. I think we have a pretty good idea right now. They need a first baseman. They need at least the starting pitcher, probably a couple of relievers, maybe another bat somewhere in there. They don't have to break the bank, but they do have to start acting like a major league team that is trying to win again. And that includes commitment from ownership to spend money on veteran players. So that, that to me is the pressure of the off season. And then if they do their job, now there's pressure on everyone else to perform come April. Mark, thank you as always, man. Have a great week. Thank you guys. We'll see you brother. Hit that NFL center. Please dares. Our pal Benjamin Brown to go around the NFL. Ben, as we get ready for NFL opening week, congrats to all those who celebrate. Who's going to be better than everybody thinks in your opinion? Oh, that is definitely the hot, you know, the hot topic they see right now. I think, you know, there's obviously high surrounding like the New York Jets. I think in a lot of ways, the direction that they're going, they could be really good on a one year deal. I know I should maybe get some flaxx lists, but I do think the Carolina Panthers in particular, another team that could be, you know, much better than expected, obviously, Bryce Young in year two, kind of the key clog to them actually being relevant in the NFC South. But I'd like to what they did at receiver. I think they have some young and intriguing pieces that can kind of win at the top of their route to both the, you know, the wide receiver in tight and position. I think overall, you know, if you were kind of down on the Atlanta Falcons, the Carolina Panthers could also be a sneaky good team this year. Ben, I'm just trying to get the wording in my tweet, right? You said NFC South champion Carolina Panthers. Ben Brown guarantees super long for something about a red solo cup and what you would do if it doesn't happen. I think pretty much, pretty much. It could be interesting. I know obviously you can make a case for almost any team at this point. I would say 31 out of 32 teams, but I like Carolina structure. I would say that much, but I have to give another shot today. You know, the commanders hometown team. I do think that there's like an upside case. So I'm being really good in the in the end of fees. Look at him coming out of the tunnel. Just spinning the hits on WWE Raw. Welcome to DC. I love Jaden Daniels. Ah, there we go. Stick aside. How do you feel about Daniel's season ahead? I mean, I like it. Honestly, and I know I think the initial question, you know, very much should have been like how does Cliff King's very kind of evolved what he wants to do offensively. I think, you know, we at least saw a glimmer of that, you know, in the free season. But I think what they do in the regular season early on is really going to dictate both, you know, the short and long term project, you know, the projection of the overall team. But I liked what I saw in the free season. I think overall, you know, Terry McClellan could be a guy that can legitimate still be a number one wide receiver option at a number of NFL teams. And I think, you know, he has been held back at the quarterback position. So if you can kind of unlock that, I think the rest of the pieces do kind of fall in place. And, you know, when you look around the rest of the NFL, there is some vulnerability. I would say at the top. So for that reason, I think there is a bullish case for the Washington manager here in 2024. What's more likely Cincinnati Bengals win the AFC North or are well under 500 missed the playoffs entirely? I could see any scenario there in, but which one of those is more likely that they're bad or really good? Yeah, I still think they're really good. I think, you know, obviously, last year, you know, some outlier type situations, especially, you know, from the injury standpoint, I still think there's a number of questions about where they are at at a secondary standpoint. But, you know, this is still Joe Burr. I think if he is neither, should he believe, you know, a top three, top four quarterback in the NFL, I think they can win the AFC North. I do think outside of, you know, an injury to Joe Burrow, I don't really see them having the kind of wheels sort of come off season that they did last year. So I do think it's probably just a little bit more likely AFC North. I think they're, you know, second and odd basically right now, I would actually probably lean in their direction as far as what I would rather bet, you know, in the Ravens or the Bengals at their current price right now. What do you think of the Dallas Cowboys coming into the year? I would say I was very concerned that there is, I think, you know, obviously, you know, what we would expect is the sort of, you know, second place outcome, you know, 10 and seven seasons. But I think there is a downside risk to the Dallas Cowboys that maybe you resolve a little bit now that CD Lam's locked and loaded. But there's still our scenarios where, you know, this team goes south, that press cuts not here next year. And they're not even really relevant, I would say in the divisional race. And I do think that's probably the one major fundamental shift from where the Cowboys were at last season to this season. And I think there is that sort of like downside risk that's just a little bit of a wider distribution than what it was at in prior seasons. I could easily see them, you know, not really be competitors whatsoever. And I think that's maybe the scary thing and the narrative that people have built up. And I do still think it's probably justified and valid even after the CD Lam extension. So I think that's maybe another reason why I do think that, you know, in benefit, the east is, you know, wide open and there could be a surprising team that potentially went back that vision for the AFC South Houston or the field if you got to go to the betting window. And so that is, I think that is a really relevant question. You know, I expected the Texans, obviously the most type team this off season, they very much lived up to that building. And I, but I, what I did not expect is, you know, the number of moves that they made to really build around CJ Stroud. And for that reason, the fact that, you know, that would be something that I would very much want to push, you know, from, from a team standpoint and even a fan standpoint, I think that's hard not to buy into. So although I don't think Trevor Lawrence is as bad as what people are saying or projecting right now, I still think there's, there's enough there with the Houston Texans that I am kind of buying a divide with that one in particular, for sure. Ben, it is great to hear your voice on a football week, buddy. Thank you. Thanks guys. Enjoy. Enjoy the rest of the week. It's gonna be a great one. It's you, man. We appreciate you. Let's talk local football. The local outfits on the road in Tampa on Sunday, week one to kick off a brand new season. We're joined now by the beat writer for the Washington Times, who covers the commanders and all things DC sports, Liam Griffin. So, Liam, why don't we start with, I think you were at FedEx, we took the tour together of everything they were trying to do over it now, Northwest Stadium. What do you make of just the brand new literal and figurative can of paint on this organization going into a new year and the excitement in the fan base as we have arrived at week one? Yeah, no, the bar is obviously pretty low for commanders fans, but I think you take what you can get. You mentioned that fresh coat of paint and that's something that all right, you can tell that the new ownership group at least cares about the product that they're putting on the field and the stadium around it. So, I think there's a lot of reasons to be optimistic. If for no other reason, then you're approaching competence within the organization. Is this version of Cliff Kingsbury's offense going to look pretty much exactly like it did in Arizona or is this kind of, has there been a massive update? Do we, are we expecting like a 2.0 patch here where it looks different? So, that's something that I'll be really interested to see when I'm done in Tampa this week is how much Cliff Kingsbury has taken from his time in Arizona and how much he's really adjusting and iterating on that. When Zach Earth was talking earlier in the off season, he was with Cliff in Arizona. He said, no, it was pretty much the same stuff we were running with the Cardinals. But like I said, the NFL was that not for long league. So, I'll be interested to see how much he does change. Obviously, a lot was made in Arizona about Cliff Kingsbury was always putting DeAndre Hopkins on the same side of the field. We saw that with Terry McClorian in the pre-season. So, really from what we've seen so far and given that it's only pre-season, it's only training camp, it looks to be very similar to what they're running with the Cardinals. Our guest, Lim Griffin, covers the commanders for the Washington Times. We didn't get to see this defense on the field as a starting unit for a single snap. It didn't play pain or Allen. We never saw Bobby Wagner. There are major questions about the secondary and even those guys played a very light load in the pre-season. What should we expect from Joe Witt's side of the ball? So, based on what we saw in Dallas last season, Joe Witt, Dan Quinn, it's not going to be the exact same things that we saw there. But we could definitely expect a lot of that mentality. This cover three zone, this cover one man where they use their athletic safety to plug up the middle of the field with man to man outside. That's what they're going to be looking for and they're going to be sprinting to the ball. That is what the defensive philosophy really stretches. It's just, okay, the scheme itself is not that complex. You need to perform. You need to execute. You need to be fast to the ball. You need to break up passes, make turnovers. So, that's something that we'll be looking for in Tampa is just how well this defensive back group in particular is able to adjust to this scheme. And you're also looking at, in Dallas, one of the reasons that this defense in this game was so successful was that you had Michael Parsons rushing the passer as an absolute freak of nature. And Jonathan Allen, Deron Payne are great players, but nobody in the league is Michael Parsons. So, we'll be interested to see whether they're bringing more pressure and how they kind of adjust with the personnel. You've got to bet the entire Griffin fortune on the following. Who has more touches this year? Robinson or Echler? If you're going straight up touches, I'm going Echler. If we're going rushing attempts, we're going carries. I'll be going Robinson. But Austin Echler is really this young quarterback's best friend. I think you'll see a lot of touches for him in back hurts in these kind of steady veteran presence for Jayden Daniels, especially when you're looking at an offensive line that has some questions going into the season. And Jayden Daniels is someone who is prone to taking pressure, or at least he was during his collegiate career. So, I could definitely see a lot of outlet passes for Austin Echler throughout the season. Correct. Liam, correct me if I'm wrong. You're a Woodbridge guy, right? You're from the area? Yeah. No, I grew up here. I grew up following the team, been to preseason playoff games as a kid. So, you know, I'm very familiar with the with the organization. But you're younger than we are. Like, what's your earliest memories of this organization from when you were. Yeah. So, my earliest memories, two things came to mind, and that is Patrick Ramsey with the first quarterback. Let's go. That was my guy. That's the first guy I remember watching. And then watching Sean Taylor play defense from the secondary and absolutely annihilate people with something that I will never forget and is what kind of turned me into a fan. Yeah. Well, then that's kind of where I was going was. I'd imagine you were old enough to remember Sean Taylor. What did you make of the decision to redo the statue? And here in the room when Josh Harris said that they're going to do it the right way and they wanted to honor him correctly. Yeah, this is such a no-brainer decision for the Harris ownership group. You look at how the team treated Sean Taylor after his test. The players obviously honored him, but Dan Snyder never really did that much. You know, it took forever for the team to officially retire his number. Nobody wore it, but there was no official efforts to do that. The wire mannequin was a complete and unmitigated disaster. So, building a statue and also saying, wherever we move next, wherever the next stadium is, the statue is coming with us. This is a part of our future of our organization is honoring this path. I think it's an a clear and obvious step in the right direction as someone who is so important to the fan base. Liam, as a Woodbridge guy, I look forward to you and I meeting in person over a couple appetizers. I'll tell you why I needed a police escort to get out of Potomac Senior High School in the greater Woodbridge area when I was in high school. Appreciate it, man. Thank you. I look forward to it. See you soon. Thanks, bud. There's Liam Griffin of The Washington Times on our Beltway Blitz here on Grant and Danny. Next, burning questions in week one going into the season. What still don't we know? Where are you most intrigued, curious, and worried about this team? What is your burning commander's question five days out? We'll get to that next. We can open up the phones at 800-636-1067 on G&D. [BLANK_AUDIO] I couldn't be more excited. I can't believe it. It just felt like the blink of an eye that we're here now and just laughing at it on the field with a couple of coaches. I assume we got there and how soon we'll be in Tampa. I'm the most excited, but I think our fans should really, really be excited about this next week and what to come with this team. That leads me to my answer. I'm really excited about everything. I'm really excited about our offense with Cliff and the way he runs it and the guys that are executing it. It's going to be a really fun offense to watch. It's going to be a fast offense and it's going to put defenses in a bind with what we do. Defensively, I really love how fast and physical the guys are playing a mindset of the guys in the leadership on that side of the ball too. Honestly, just really excited about how we play and how we're going to play and the style of how we play. I don't want to get too much into specific some certain areas, but I just can tell you that I'm not exaggerating when I say how excited I am about everything. That's Adam Peters, general manager of the commanders. This is Grant and Danny. It is time to line up some burning questions in week one. We are five days away from Washington's opener at Tampa Bay against the Bucks at Raymond James Stadium. Have you been to that stadium by chance? No. One of my favorites in football. Very, very nice place to watch a game. Now, I have not checked the weather. Perhaps one of you guys can dig on that and just figure out what it's going to be in Tampa Bay on Sunday because it early season can be hot. Yeah, hot and gross and sweaty and unfun, but I love that stadium. It's got the big pirate ship. The annoying part would be if they're scoring touchdowns. You're the cannons. Cannon's going to go off, but I've got great memories there. I was there in 1999 sadly for a playoff loss, but Washington led 13 nothing on the precipice of the NFC championship game. Be mentioned, just ripped off a kick return and what would be his final return ever with the then Redskins. And then the Bucks came back to in 14, 13, maybe a bogus PI on Liam on Evans and Sean King leading the comeback, not that it still haunts me to this. I don't think about it much. Not my favorite Redskins team ever or anything. They were lining up for a game winning 51 yard field goal. Dan Turk snap never got back to Brad Johnson and the rest is history, but had that game been there a couple times subsequently as well when I was on the beat, but I do like that stadium a lot. That's where they'll be playing on Sunday. So let's get into some burning questions. If you got one hit us up on the phones, your number one question that you wish at a crystal ball to be able to answer or something that a lot of times this goes into like concerned territory, but it could just be curiosity. Yeah, like what's it look like? 800 636 1067 will hit the phones hard in just a moment. Sure to wide receiver. We know term of corn. We got that. We're good. A upper 70s catches just over a thousand yards, maybe five, six touchdowns. Good to go there. Who is it? Is it is it as a key a situation? Is it really down me Brown? Is it Noah Brown? I don't know the answer to that. I'm fascinated to see. And also do we even need it? Is it something that's even essential to this offense? Is this a running back tight end and term of chlorine production? Or are they spreading you wide? Everyone's going to get a chance to eat. I have no idea about that receiver spot. Is Brandon Coleman just going to be rolled out with the starters at left tackle? I think there's a chance of that for sure. I don't think you list them top of the depth chart. If you're not ready for those questions, at least, like the default should actually be to do the opposite of that unless they're just going to come out and say, Oh, we did it in alphabetical order. It's going to be Lucas. They're battling whatever, but six foot four 320 pounds. A lot of teams viewed him as a guard. Washington said, Uh-uh. This guy can play tackle. He's pretty athletic. He's got a huge wingspan and giant hands and arms. To me, he looks like a guard body, but he moves like a tackle. I was so impressed by him at practice for a couple days out there in a row. And then he was just like gone. We didn't see him again. But what if Brandon Coleman is the big fella at left tackle right away and plays well, we got a whole different combo to have about that old one, which that hurts. Is it dynamics? That hurts a couple of years ago that can do a little things after the catch, a little wiggle, a little all around football type game? Or is he, I think it was Aaron shots. Maybe you called him this. I could be wrong. I apologize if I miss miss attributing a catch and fall guy. Not that interested in the catch and fall guy to be honest with you. I'm more interested in rumbling after the catch, punishing smaller members of the secondary after the catch, making guys miss after the catch, being a threat after the catch, not catch and fall, but who's arts is Andrew Wiley going to be able to hold off all comers at right tackle. Let's say Coleman does soon take the left tackle job away from Cornelius Lucas. Why not play Lucas if you like him so much at right tackle. Lucas is played on the right side of bunch. He's been a swing tackle, right? If he's been the left tackle starter over Coleman and you feel so good about Coleman that Lucas loses his job, if so fact though, doesn't that mean that he might make more sense at right tackle than Wiley who struggled a bunch, including in the preseason where it wasn't pretty all the time. I just, I'm not writing him in pen yet. I think he's the starter. I get that. But if Coleman ends up starting at left tackle, I would like to see what it looks like with Coleman and Lucas. That might be your best offensive line. Are we going to hurry up all the time? Back in the day, the Buffalo Bills realized, Hey, we're really good with in a two minute drill with Jim Kelly getting to the line, calling the plays getting into Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed, James Lofton and company and that allowing the other team to to to to to to to sub to change things out, making guys tired. If we dictate to them, well, they ran it all the time pretty much. They began in the night. I think it was the 89 AFC title game and kind of continued. This has been what we saw in the preseason. They don't huddle. They get to the line and they kind of keep going with some tempo. I love that personally. I know a lot of old school football people are going, you got to use the full 40 and running the dang ball. None of that matters unless you get first downs, shaking to the egg style. But are we going hurry up all the time? Can't wait to see it. He's Washington going to be able to generate enough pass rush to bail out what is a very average secondary in terms of personnel. And does that pass rush have to come from the interior as it has the last few years or can they actually get some pressure off the edges? Dorrence Armstrong, nobody really knows this guy yet. We've seen him almost zero in the preseason, the former Dallas Cowboy, Cleo and Farrell. What about Chavante Jean-Baptiste or Dante Fowler, the speed edge rusher who we had on the show told me he thinks he could quietly have a really, really good season. He's primed for a breakout again. He had a 11 sack year, a few seasons ago, thinks he can get back to that level. Is it have to be pain, Alan Newton, Mathis in between the guards pushing the pocket or might they actually get something off the edges and who other than Armstrong solidifies themselves as being able to rush the quarterback? I would bet on Fowler, but it's wide open. Are we exclusively a shotgun team? I know we saw that in Arizona for Cliff Kingsbury and company, but some people thought, Hey, maybe that's because Colin Murray is about five for three numbers approximate. Well, Jay Daniels is not a 6465, but he came from an offense where that's pretty much what they did. We saw a lot of that in the preseason. How much under center are we getting and how much is it? No, no, no, we're in the shotgun all the time with a running back, maybe to one side of the other, a lot of read option, a lot of zone read, a lot of, you know, kind of RPOs based on those specific looks. How much shotgun and how close to 100% is Brian Robinson said throughout the off season, he was and he didn't use these words, but he made it pretty clear. He's held back by Eric, the enemy, the amount of commitment to the run and the idea that they just didn't want him to be a big factor last year. All right, well, they're going to run the ball now. My burning question is, what's in the tank for Brian Robinson that we haven't seen? My burning question is, how much better are you than what you've put on film to this point? If you look at efficiency for him, he grades out, I would say, well, but certainly not near the top of the NFL, kind of a middling tailback. If you look at things, metrics like yards per attempt or rushing yards over expected, it was kind of similar year to year. It was a 4.0 yard per carry guy. If in fact, it's going to happen, it probably has to start happening right now. So is this the year burning question? Does Brian Robinson show that what he talked about all off season commit to me? Believe in me, and I'll take you where you want to go. Is he able to deliver the goods? There's a television show that you absolutely sleep on back in the day called Murphy Brown, sorry, Candace Bergen, the whole one of the themes of the show was she had a new assistant pretty much every week and they run some funny guest stars and go out and things like an office, right? Yeah, I was like, definitely remember it, but I never watched. Yeah, so it was actually pretty well done, pretty funny. And I'm late, always very current. Yeah, she was she was really good. The assistant job constantly turned over. That's Washington Center position. There have been approximate. I look us up approximate numbers here. In the last few seasons, seven trillion centers. They can't get that position right. They've tried, they've signed, they've promoted internally. They had had guys that also play guard kind of look over, enter Tyler Biotish, hold over from from Dallas, not hold over, but a guy that came with Dan Quinn from Dallas to hopefully anchor that position. He's not all world, but at least solidifying that spot, adding some cohesion on that offensive line to help out their young rookie quarterback. Hopefully they found a solution there to a position that's been a bug a boo. Shout out to Matt on Twitter, who sent me an update on the weather in Tampa. He says, for Sunday, it looks like 88 degrees with a 60% chance of rain. Yuck. In fact, during the game, 4 p.m. at kickoff, about 40% chance. And then the chances are 60% for the rest of the window. Is it a bit of a hot take that I actually hope it's disgusting and rains a lot there? Yes. Here's my thinking. I'm not so sure. I hope the Washington's better, defending the past. I'd rather it be a little bit mucked up. I don't want Mike Evans and Godwin and company to be able to run free. I'd like less throwing, which I get. And I think the more rain when they're on defense throughout the year, probably the better. Trying to hang with receivers. Yeah. I just want Jaden Daniels on dry fields as often as possible. Oh, I smell what you're cooking there. And yeah, I also think him running around and making plays. I don't need him slipping and sliding. Just give me 72 and sunny. Let's see what the kid looks like. I don't really care what happens on defense in the first quarter or two of the game or maybe even in the first quarter of the season. If you want to look big picture, I just, I want to see Jaden Daniels and I want to see it pretty, but it's going to be very hot and it sounds like there are chances of rain in Tampa Bay. But those are some of our burning questions on the commanders five days out. What is yours? We're going to hit the phones hard next at 800-636-1067, 800-636-1067 we're Grant and Danny. you. Gee, do you hear all the fan? Grant Paulson, Danny, who? Hey, in a football Tuesday in a football week, we're talking football all week long because a real game happens in two days and Washington plays on Sunday. At the moment at 800-636-1067, the conversation is thus. What don't we know yet? What's your burning question? What are you excited to figure out? What are you excited to learn about when it comes to this weekend, when it comes to Washington's game? There's a whole bunch on the table for me. A lot of it obviously revolves around Jay Daniels, but really it's about the offense. What's it going to look like? How are they going to do it? How are they going to protect Daniels? How are they going to maximize Daniels? How much running is going to happen? How much hurry up are they going to do? How are some of the pieces there where they bet big on an unheralded receiving core outside of Terry McCorran? How does that hold up? How does their untested left tackle hold up? Right? We didn't see in the preseason that half the league thought was a guard, but they're just going to roll with Brandon Coleman. Apparently, maybe it's not. There's a lot of things going into a GP to the phones. We go 800-6-3-6-1-0-6-7 to Kevin and Arlington. What's your burning question? Kevin. Hey, fellas. Great talking with you. Thanks for taking my call. So I had one after the tackle situation. You laid that out beautifully, Grant, because like you, if in fact Coleman starts, we know Lucas is better than Wiley. We just know that. So it would be interesting to see this that make Wiley the swing tackle. And as far as Trent Scott, boy, I wasn't impressed with him at all. I'm still hoping for after the first week that we go out and get a veteran offense tackle that to the next to a play Scott. Well, I'm serious, Kevin. Hopefully, you don't see Trent Scott, right? Because there's three guys in front of him on the depth chart. Fair enough. Fair enough. I just, you know, injuries happen. And I got help with Scott sees the field. But to me, the quarterback position is another one where, okay, I was actually talking with Lionel yesterday on the radio. And he was, you know, surmising that, you know, they're going to start St. Jude's and Forbes. And I'm like, wait, just a minute. I don't do that. It should be, in my opinion, from what I've seen, it should be Davis and Sandra Still, who can handle the boundary because he's the best damn corner on the team. And, you know, for me, Forbes is like Damon Davis. He's a record nation project number one at this point. That's what he is. Well, it certainly feels that way. I appreciate the phone call, uh, phone call care. We're gonna squeeze through as many of these as we can. Always appreciate you. The reason Lionel said that, the reason I felt that way, and it's listed that way in the depth chart, that's what they've done every day at practice pretty much. It's pretty obviously St. Jude's Forbes Davis kind of in that order outside. Now I'm with you. I'd like to see more Sandra Still against two receivers. They've got to find a way to get him on the field. If he can't play outside and he's excellent in the nickel and he just can't play the boundary for some reason, which would seem odd because it feels like playing inside is way more difficult than being outside where you can use the sideline as your friend. Then we can reassess at that point. But I would like to see Sandra Still on the field on every snap at corner regardless of if you're using two or three. Because right now I'm going, oh, really? So he comes off the field? I'll take my chances with the tight end against one of their guys, right? And in a true receiver set, then I will versus three. If I feel like there's an advantage when you've got a good nickel corner, well, then I'll do something where there's no nickel corner on the field or I'll try to take advantage in a different way. Dylan McGrady on Twitter says, "Are we finally going to have a good line backing core?" That's my burning question. On paper, it's great, but can we finally be good? You better? I mean, investing in Wagner and Lou Vu the way that they have, I think they're going to have an excellent line backing group. The Jordan McGhee injury hurts because that depth was going to really help them too. That guy can play. He was a mid-round pick at a temple. He'll be back at some point later in the season though. Let's go to D in person, though. You're burning commander's question five days out. Great. Danny, my guys, thanks for taking my call. Hey buddy. You bet, bro. All right, man. Listen, this is, I got a lot of questions, of course, like any other commander saying, but my question is, my gut has been telling me that Quinn has in the other guy, the GM and Peters, they've kept McCafford kind of on the hush-hush on purpose because they know this guy is his dad reincarnated. I mean, he said, "If you look at his route running, it's actually ridiculous." He catches the ball. I think Senate is a sleeper. I think those two, a lot of people are surprised that he's starting. I think he is going to be a big surprise and people are going to be like, "Wow." That's what I think. I think they're doing it on purpose. They've kind of hush-hush kept them down in the basement and let them go on game day. Appreciate you, buddy. Thank you, dude. There's not really a reason to do that though. You need to get him his reps to prepare him. I guess your point is, if the opponent doesn't know how involved he'll be or how good he is, maybe you can catch them off guard. But I don't know. I would have rather just gotten him as many snaps as possible. He mentioned that he's going to start. I think he's referencing that depth chart that came out with the team's game notes for their first game, which is not gospel. I still think in a two-receiver set, he's not going to be one of the guys on the field in week one. I would think it's McLaurin and then probably either Alamo Deza Kias or Diami Brown. I think the reason they listed it that way, though, is McCaffrey has kind of been used outside a lot, whereas the other guys have been used in the slot and were listed at that part of the depth chart. So I don't know how telling it was, but you just look, the proof is in the fact that in conference USA, he went from playing quarterback to wide receiver. His first jury had 58 grabs for 720 yards and six touchdowns. His second year Danny McCaffrey went 71 for 992 and 13 touchdowns in the American conference. He's been a receiver for like an hour and he's already figured it out. Indeed. I mean, the pedigree, obviously, as the caller mentioned, is pretty good. There's guys that McCaffrey family that can play a little bit. So if the question is, who's more likely to figure it out quickly? McCaffrey or other, I'd probably go McCaffrey. Here's a really good burning question from Dave in Woodbridge. Dave, you're on GND. Hey, guys. So a lot of excitement here, but I'm definitely worried that the kicking game. I feel like we haven't had a kicker since mostly in low Miller. I want some consistency for the next six to eight years. Where are we going to stand with this guy? We just traded a pick for him. So worried about it. Do they have the answer at kicker on the roster right now? They traded a draft pick for Kate York. So you know, they're going to give him some leash, presumably, because they could have just waited until everybody got cut and then signed somebody for nothing. But Danny, they traded. I know it was a late round pick. Still something, but they decided, Kate York, we, we, they sought him out. You know what I mean? They went after him. They didn't just say, well, let's see who falls to us and we'll pick one of those guys. No, they evaluated the landscape, found the guy they liked, and then they went and gave up a pick to solve their problem. He was two for two in the final preseason game. My big fear is that they were going to be in the kicker carousel pool all season. Hopefully York keeps them out of that. Yeah. You want, you want that to stick, especially because as you mentioned, you could have waited a day or two till, you know, the guys that lost kicking battles all around the league got cut, had a feeding, feeding friends that you signed somebody, you hope that because you committed earlier that that guy works out just, it just little things like that go a long way to credit bill it. I know the players in locker room, maybe don't care near as much about that sort of thing, but it just would feel good as a fan or somebody that's invested in this team to have the front office when they go, we know best to have that workout. One of our favorite guests that we have under in the football season every year, also one of the best to talk to on the NFL. CBS is Charles Davis. You see him on NFL network all off season as well. He'll be on the call of the Patriots and the Bengals. Let's get his thoughts on Jaden Daniels, the commanders and the rest of the NFL live next top of the hour right here on Grant and Danny. [BLANK_AUDIO] [BLANK_AUDIO] [BLANK_AUDIO] [BLANK_AUDIO] [BLANK_AUDIO] [BLANK_AUDIO] The annual Grant and Danny juxtaposition of league jingles, network NFL anthems is only three days away. I guess two really man Thursday ahead of Thursday night football will be breaking it out. Who will take the crown in 2024? The songs don't change, but somehow the rank the mood does. Right. Is it going to be Fox? Is it going to be CBS? Is the NFL network Christmas? I'm playing drums, but there's a jingle plus jingle bells. You know that one. That's you know, I love that one. I love this one too. They're so good. Right now, I'm going to tell you CBS can be tough to beat because when that just hit, my heart was all ready for it, aren't you? A little pitter patter in the heart just now. We're playing that CBS jingle because by God, that's Charles Davis's music. That's good walk up music. Coming out of that he's hurting the curtains right now out into the arena. He walks. He's got he's all oiled up. He's looking fresh. He's ready to jump into the ring and drop elbows on people. He'll be on the call of the Patriots and the Bengals with the Birdman, Iron Eagle, the outstanding CBS crew this coming weekend. Charles, happy new year and happy football season from your pals at Grant and Danny. Happy new year. Happy football season guys and everyone who can hear our voices. First of all, do I get pyrotechnics when I come out a percent? Yes. Hey, if you want them, you got them. I got we got flames. I don't know what your intro music. I mean, we got the CBS jingle, but if there's like a song you really like that starts blaring, you can spit water into the air. Yeah, we'll work that part out later. I think what was always thought Goldberg's entrance. Oh, so good. With a repetitive, concussive beat and just him walking with armed guards and the whole deal. And then when the pyrotechnics hit, it's like he didn't hail the pyrotechnics as well, right? And kind of blow those out. It's right. You know, it's to bring Jack Hammer and somebody and doing his thing. And by the way, he was quite a football player at the University of Georgia. So let's let's not forget that and with the Atlanta Falcons. Just spearing dudes. You knew Charles Davis was going to bring it back to me. I bet you got a scouting report there. You've broken down film on Goldberg somewhere along the line. Goldberg was heck of a player. You know, he's actually an undersized note. And just, you know, the efforts that you see in the ring and whatever people want to think about pro wrestling, they still have to go through it. A lot of the hits are real. Some of them are unexpected. When you have to give your body up to the mat like that, so often, you got to know what you're doing. And it takes a little bit to get out of bed every day. So I gave those guys a bunch of credit. But don't forget, we don't there's one song that won't make the entry into your your mashup because we don't know it yet. And that's Netflix for Christmas. That's true. That is true. Now now CBS is producing both games. I know that our production teams are doing the games. No one knows who the announcers are going to be, et cetera. So I don't know, CBS is able to cut the deal that it's CBS music on the Netflix deal. I have no idea. I leave that to the people who know what they're doing. They're above my head. Well, Charles, we're speaking about what Netflix is going to give us. We got to get you on that Chappelle Sandler kick on that Netflix contract, right? They're doing games for Netflix. You need one of those 10 movie deals, bro. Hey, I'll take one. Sorry. Yeah. I'll take one. No sense in me being greedy when I haven't done anything. Yeah, you got to prove yourself and those guys certainly have. But anyway, I've taken up enough of the time. But yeah, I love what you guys are doing with that. That's going to be fun to see how the rankings come out. And next year, you'll have Netflix into the fray. It's a different world, man. Let's start with the game you're calling the teams that are involved here Cincinnati. They're a year removed from a conference final appearance. And then another year removed from losing in the Super Bowl. They were nine and eight last year kind of viewed as a disappointment. How are you viewing them this season that Buzz Solva division? I think we're viewing them where they get the respect they deserve because of where they finished the previous two years. But there's still a little air of mystery to them because a couple of key guys weren't there. Remember Von Bell left but came back and they think the data is just huge for their secondary in terms of communication, less busting to that nature. But who's going to slow down the running game? Because when DJ Reader wasn't on the field and he was heard a decent part of last year now in Detroit, people gashed him running the football. So do they have a Sheldon Rankin's the guy to replace him and kind of stymie that DJ Hill, the rookie Chris Jenkins, things of that nature. So a little bit of mystery, but you kind of bank on the fact that this team has been there a couple of times. I mean, let's face it, if Joseph O'Sai doesn't hit my homes going out as over the sideline, they might go back to back Super Bowls. Charles, before you get to work with iron on Sunday in the booth, we'll already have had a couple of the AFC powers playing. In fact, three of them, if you're going to count the jets on Monday night, we get to see in prime time here after you're done. But Chiefs Ravens Thursday night football, do you see Baltimore coming back to the packet? All they lost a lot on that defensive staff, some key starters as well. And the Chiefs are trying to do something that's never been done before with a three P. Yeah, I mean, look, it's going to be a bigger slog for both of them. When you're the number one seed, people circle you although, let's be honest, don't people circle Baltimore anyway? I mean, this is this is not new. And the same thing with Kansas City, they may be going for a three P, but their circle every time they hit the field. And what's interesting to me is how Andy Reed and his staff and that team goes about, I'm not going to say reinventing themselves, but creating an atmosphere that you are chasing something as opposed to defending something. And I always think the teams that try to defend something are the ones that have a tougher time doing it. Plus, Andy Reed made no bones about it. What does he want to do offensively? He wants to get back to being the Chiefs. Last year, defense led them. The homes played to that defense and showed his superior IQ as a quarterback, but he'd like to be back, pulling in a downfield dominant so it was, can Xavier worthy be that guy? You know, they give him that deal with Hollywood Brown comes back and he help open things up again. Because you saw Travis Kelsey's yards for catch drop last year. It wasn't because he didn't still have it. I think it's because everything was so condensed because no one could stretch the field. And when Marcus Valdez-Gantling didn't stretch the field, you held your breath on whether that is actually catching. So that was a big issue for them. Charles Davis with us here on Grant and Danny, let's go to the AFC East where New England is. It's a different phase than we're used to for 20 years, basically, they competed for Super Bowls. Now they're kind of, you know, starting to new see what they have there. But that AFC East is intriguing. Miami is has been good over the last couple of years, kind of until it gets cold. Buffalo's the, you know, maybe the windows on its way closed, but we'll see how open it still is. And the Jets have been great, except the quarterback. How do you see that division going? I see that division. You know, it's funny. The AFC North is going to get the kind of the, what they didn't see in hard knocks, right? Which I think is very intriguing, right? We're going to see the whole AFC North. And that, since we started with a wrestling theme, that steel cage match every time those four go at it, right? When you do that, it almost feels like every game ends on a field goal at the buzzer. And both teams walk off like men. And we survived that one. And now we'll do it again next week. I feel like the AFC East, not quite to that level. But boy, as you said, intriguing attack. Big questions each team has to kind of answer. But at the same time, very talented there. People play to their level. And if the Jets play to the level we expected last year, and I think that roster is better this year than it was last year, but the hype is way reduced because we didn't get it last year. The Jets have a very good chance of doing it. And what I would say to the Jets and what I'd say to Miami, if you don't get Buffalo now, you know, you know that old adage? If not now, when? Because it's not that Buffalo is bad. In fact, they're ready to take on all comers. But if you don't see some vulnerability in them based off of what we've seen from the previous years, then I just don't think you're watching what's going on out there. You better go get them while you have a chance before Brandon being at the chance to re-totally restock that cupboard. Our guests, one of the great analysts in the country covering the NFL. And around draft time, one of the tops when it comes to breaking down the prospects, Charles Davis on GND. And Charles, I want to lead you toward speaking at the draft, the rookie quarterbacks. I think there's two groups here. They got the four guys who are going to play extensively this year, presumably, if Drake Macy's the field. And then two that aren't expected to and JJ McCarthy out for the year, Michael Pennix behind Kirk Cousins in Atlanta. But of the four guys that are either already starting or could soon, Caleb Williams, Jaden Daniels here in DC, Bo Nix in Denver, and Drake May in New England. What's your outlook for this crop? Because it seems like it's just been extremely positive in every market on all of these guys. Yeah, I'm pretty bullish on them. And normally, what I say about these quarterbacks, no matter what number we take in the first round, you start at 50-50 in terms of those really being good in the NFL. And then air on the side of not going to be good. It's just kind of the way this thing works out. It's kind of like, if you took them what one and two, one would be one of the two would be good and one of the two would not be quite as good. Or worse than that, manning and leaf, right? Marioded and Winston looked like they both had chances to both ascend. And then neither one of them got to the heights we fully expected, although I think you'd have to say Winston had the bigger highs. So out of this group, though, as someone called me today and said, "Hey, but watch it hard not. I've been watching the Bears." Caleb Williams feels about as close to can't miss as we're going to get. And then he also countered with, but I can't wait to see this Daniel's kid pull go. He said he seems to have a presence to him. There's something about it. And this is a football guy calling me. This isn't just a friend wanting to know who I would take in fantasy. This is someone who's pretty well involved with the league and gets it. And then he just kept going. And he said, "Nix was central casting for Denver." He said, "This is one time I actually believed when a team says we got the guy we wanted. Because Sean paid at that number, fell in love with a guy that he knew he had a shot to get. And let's face it. When he wakes up in the morning, he sees Drew Brees 2.0. Now, if any played it out level, we don't know. But the similarities are pretty strong. And let's face it, this kid at 61 college starts 61. That tells you about how our world change and gave kids extra opportunities plus which schools. He was such a legacy at Auburn. I'm not sure anyone could truly understand just how big a deal that was. I'm an SEC guy. So I totally got it because I knew his dad. But when he went there, oh, you talk about the rejoicing. If he had gone down Alabama instead of Auburn, they might have burned down the next family home. Okay. That's how big a deal it is back there. But this kid seems to kind of have it. Plus, he won the academic Heisman coming out of college. The Campbell Trophy is given by the National Football Foundation. He seems to have exactly what Sean Payton is looking for. I can't wait to see the other pieces go in around him. And Drake May for a hot minute we thought would start the opener. But they decided to go with the veteran, which I think was probably a smart move. Considered how they posited it from the beginning. But you remember in the beginning of training camp, all the Drake May is a disaster conversation. Remember that one? This foot works terrible. He's not seen by God. Joe Milton might be the number two quarterback, which was never in play. But you know, instant reactions. No one's saying and now with Drake May, are they? They're seeing a kid that can flat out do it. Now he'll have his ups and downs when he does play the rookie. But everything else is there. And if you spend any time with Drake May, you'd love having him quarterback your team. So all that just went crazy. And I'll just stop here. Speaking of draft, the one quarterback out of the six that went in the first round that took the most beating in the process was oddly enough. Drake May. Charles Davis with us here on G and D. Charles. Okay. So a couple of years ago recently, an AFC South team team on the rise had been really bad previously, had a nice season, won the division and won a playoff game. And then the next year, they kind of disappointed, right? That's Jacksonville. Now Houston is kind of taking on that role with everybody's darlings. They were disaster before. I get it on paper. They did an awful lot this offseason. They're coming off for their most successful seasons in some time. And do you think we're crowning them a little bit too early? And be if it's not them who is it in the AFC South? Yeah, it's a great question. I don't think we're crowning them too early in terms of the division, but they got to run the goal and see if they can get into the playoffs and make some noise. I mean, that's a big deal. But I think that you guys have probably done a really nice job chromicaling. Their offseason was not one of, wow, wasn't that fun? Let's stand pat. It was, wow, wasn't that fun? Can we get better? And they went out and got players. You know, they didn't just say, OK, we're good. They went, got digs on offense. They got Danico Autry, who was so underrated on defense. They got Daniel Hunter, the big time pass going after the quarterback guy. Aziz al Shire to run your defense in the middle. They made a lot of moves. They said, OK, young quarterback, first contract. We better capitalize now before we have to pay him. And then it's harder to get players. And they're trying to get it done. They should be the favorite in the division. But you I'm going to tell you that division is in a place right now where there are a lot of people thinking we should be involved in this thing. Daphson, William mentioned they were in three and hosting Monday night football in Cincinnati last year with the number one overall season AFC in play for them. They lose the game and go south not to be seen in the playoffs. The year before the Tennessee Titans had a stranglehold on the division went south, not to be seen again. And less than a year later, Mike Rebel loses his job when it looked like he was going to be there for as long as he wanted to be. So it's a volatile division. The Colts feel very good about their football team. They said they had four plays last year with Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor on the field at the same time or plays. Kind of like Aaron Rodgers, four plays with the Jets. They feel very good about their team. They think they're going to be right in it. And Tennessee is just ticked off. They're like, no one talks about us at all. No one's doing this. And I think that their GM ran card thought has made some really strong moves in this off season and in the draft. Now the key is they will play differently. Not Derrick Henry 25 times, right? So Will Levis, this is your moment. And they gave you some guys to go get it in Hopkins. Tyler Boyd coming over from Cincinnati. Trailing Berg says to step up and make some plays. I mean, they've got some receivers now that I'm missing one of the big ones. Who's the Calvin Ridley? Yeah, Calvin Ridley coming in from Jacksonville. If he can get back to that Atlanta form of Calvin Ridley. So they're going to play it differently with a brand new head coach. But they think they're being drastically overlooked. Now they need to go play that way. Well, let's you out on this one. We were missing. We didn't ask about Washington's division here in the East. Seems like most pundits have Cowboys Eagles a cut above that the Giants and the commanders. Do you see it the same way? And then of those two supposed powerhouses, which do you like better? Until proven differently, absolutely. And where I think that Dallas gained is not an advantage. They were able to not lose ground this offseason because let's put it on the table. Are we really sure that what happened to Philadelphia at the end of last year has been adequately taken care of and dressed and put behind them? We don't know. At least I don't. I'm still waiting to see and feel this team that it's all said and done and we can let it all go. Every team says it. Every team does it. But we have to see when the adversity kicks in, when the stakes get high, when things get tight, do they do that revert? Because that was an epic collapse guys. I mean, epic. What were they 10 and 1? And by the end of the year, you're like, what the heck happened here? But are they roster wise the best? Philadelphia to me is the best roster wise and definitely a cut above Washington and the Giants doing some chasing. We'll see how we go. But remember the Giants got to play a couple years ago. How did they do it, guys? They won every close game they played. Those are like eight, one score games that they won. That's usually not sustainable. Charles, by the way, you're headed to you got Cincinnati and you got New England this weekend. Well, I believe that's in Foxborough, right? No, that's not even better. We're going to Cincinnati very likely in a few weeks. Washington's going to be there. The show's trying to hit the road. So I might hit you up after the fact for some scouting reports. Your boy's looking for a good cut of meat somewhere. That sounds good to me. You hit me up anytime. I love it. And the Bengals have a brand new locker room. Remember that report that they do at the lake every year about the guys rating their own team. Yeah, the NFL, they get crushed in. Remember, they got clobbered about the locker room and it's that and everything. Well, guess what? They've got a brand new locker room there at the stadium. And I think the guys are pretty well pleased with that. And supposedly they're breaking out some brand new threads. I hear we're going to get orange pants and orange tops for the vehicles on Sunday. And they have this thing they call ruler of the jungle to kind of lead the team in the who day chant. Guess who they brought. That's what they're bringing in for Sunday. The national championship Yukon coach Dan Hurley. Oh, wow. Apparently who barely grew up a Bengals fan and mentioned who day in a press conference when they beat Xavier in Cincinnati. And ever since that time the Bengals are all over it. So he's going to be the ruler of the jungle. That ain't breaking out all stops for the opener fellas. I love it. It's going to be fun. Do all that stuff that not more wear in town for Washington. Just treat that one more normal. I bet you for a Monday night game, they're going to have some things planned too. Unfortunately that Monday night game you'll probably you know what you'll get. What you'll get their rank. They'll get whoever is going in their ring of honor. I'll bet you that bet you'll get that that night. Oh, good. That sounds good. I get a ginned up crowd for that. Make sure everyone's all fired up for the commanders. Hey, Charles, can I wait to watch you in the Birdman again? Thank you so much. We appreciate you. Thanks for having me guys. You guys take care of yourselves and I can't wait to hear the final results of the of the theme song. Yeah, we'll get Darris. We'll get it over to you last year CBS one. But like I said, the songs stay the same. It's like a feel thing on that day. Like whatever the vibe is you have to go. I don't know how to describe it. It really is. I hope I hope we're vibing well that day. There you go. All right, Charles. We appreciate you. Appreciate you guys. Be good. That's right. Our NFL anthems Fox CBS NBC. We do NFL network and Monday night football. So we added Amazon to it. Right. We're up to six. So Amazon we could just put six though. Whoa, whoa, you can't go in with it. I was literally getting ready to say we clear our minds. We actually have a meditation session before the show. Can we clear our minds except for Amazon? No, we clear our biases away. We listen to it clean like it's the first time. Okay. Right. We have to do that to keep the integrity of the process. Otherwise, the whole thing's a damn sham, a sham. I'll agree to your terms. But just know that it's going to be tough for me in any mindset to have Amazon. Well, now you got me in contrarian mode. Now, do I have to put Amazon in my top six? Let's do this next on GND. It is game week. First week of the NFL season, first week for the commanders. How many wins for you to be really, really happy about the season and how many wins would it take for you to actually be mad? What are those numbers look like? We'll get to that next on GND. Brandon Iuq was talking with reporters today. And they said, you know, John Lynch told us even after a lengthy hold out and all the consternation when the team and a player agree on a deal, everybody goes their separate ways, forgives the other and you just forget it ever happened basically. It's like, you're just happy to see the other water under the bridge kind of thing. And they said, is that true to Brandon Iuq? And I wouldn't have loved it if I was his agent, but he said pretty much yes. And then that he's a guy made it harder than it had to be over the last few weeks anyway. It's like over the last few weeks, we were in a good place, essentially confirming the reports that since August 12th or so, the deal has been on the table that he's willing to accept, but he was just kind of dragging this thing out to either see if he could do a little better, not show up to camp or skip camp. But up until then, maybe there was a whole lot of debate and seeing where he was going to end up. But he basically admitted that it was just a whole lot of nothing over the last few weeks with him and his agent kind of agitating. Not the best thing to put out there publicly if I'm the agent, I guess. But what do you carry? He just made you know, he got it done. So at the end of the day, I don't think people remember. But yeah, the point is, when threats are empty and everyone knows it and you confirm it after the fact, it's not a great thing to reinforce. Like, again, it's not the same. Obviously, these are pro athletes, but you know what, as a guy with kids, when you're dealing with your children, if you do nothing but empty threats, and you never follow through on it ever, like, if you do this, then this happens, if you do this, then this, and you never do the second thing, then they learn whether they are conscious of it or not that you don't, you know, I don't really have to do what you say because you're not going to follow through. So it becomes self-defeating. This should not be a surprise, but it did officially happen. Florida State after their 0 and 2 start has fallen out of the AP top 25. No, yeah, they will not be ranked in the top 25 going into this week. Just the third team in the last 45 years to start a season 0 and 2, despite being a double digit point favorite in each of their first two games. So they will go into the third week of the year, not in the top 25, as you'd expect. Coming up in a half hour at six before we get you ready for Nat's baseball against the Marlins with a preview of the game, which we should discuss. Shohayo Tani, who is doing something that's never happened before and may never happen again. And it has nothing to do with pitching and hitting, which is what he's actually known for because he's not able to pitch this year. He's rehabbing. So while he's rehabbing, he's exclusively playing offense and he's doing something that's never happened before, just on offense. So every time he does either the things, we're at a new place that's never happened before. You follow me? Nobody's ever done. 44 and 44. He's passed that now. He's got 44 homers and 46 steals. When he hits another home run, nobody's ever done 45 homers and 46 steals. When he hits another one after that and steals another base, we're in uncharted territory. Like there have been guys who did each one of these things individually. Think of like a Ricky Henderson or, you know, an Eric Davis or Barry Bonds in his career head seasons where he hit more than 50 homers or stole more than 50 bases. But Shohayo Tani is just taking a break from pitching and just going to do it this year. He's so stupid good. We'll get to that at the top of the hour right at six o'clock. But it is game week for the commanders as they take on the box. We've got a week one looming in the NFL, including a Thursday and Friday night scheduled tilt. Excited about that. We're two days away from the start of the NFL season. We've got our own show fantasy draft coming up tonight. By the way, at about seven o'clock, we're going to be over at Highline Sports Bar and Crystal City. We'll be there throughout the evening. So come on over, hang with us and enjoy the great spot. A bunch of our listeners and the crew here from the show will all be over there. So it should be a really, really good time. But the question we wanted to tee up here is with the start of the season five days away, how many wins would it take for you to be excited and happy and kind of taken aback positively? And then how many wins for the needle to move the other direction where you're actually angry and disappointed, even in year one, even with a new staff, not that you're calling for heads or your Boston schools or anything, but just, you know, what would it take essentially to move you to a motion positively and negatively from a record standpoint? So let's start with wins positively. How many wins for you, Danny, before you go? Wow. That was actually way better than I expected. And this group is going to be awesome for a long time, eight or more for me. So they went eight games. You're moved to really excited. I'll go pants. That's way. That's pretty good. Because again, look at the history of this league. Look, you can stay in Washington. You can go everywhere else. What usually happens when the bottom falls out the first year after the bottom falling out is the power washing of what was. And that's what took place here. This is the beginning of trying to build something. What's unusual is what happened in that fraudulent year of 2020 with Ronda Varen company with probably a five or six win team, winning the division. It's the worst division in the history of sports, probably they won that. That's a mirage. That's weird. That's a sugar high. What normally happens is a team that wins four games, then just jump up and win nine, 10, 11, 12, the following year. To me, this is about, do they have the bones to really build something? I'm hoping that they do. So to me, they win eight games, which probably means they're competitive more than they're not. It means that some of the key decisions that they made are working out in general as positive, that some of the fluctuations that are inevitable with a rookie quarterback making his way into the NFL aren't too devastating and the lows aren't too low. Yeah. I mean, to me, if there are eight wins at the end of the season, I'll go. That is a pretty nice step forward. It doubles their previous years total. I think you see plenty of times, especially with weapons at quarterback or young guys that people don't really know what to expect. You see teams have the 500-ish type year. I actually think the second year for this group could actually be more complicated because they went with so many veterans in the free agency. They brought in so many older players who've had good careers on one in two-year deals. They have the fourth most players with four-plus years experience in the NFL that they're going to suit and boot for games starting in week one. And I say all that to say, it would not surprise me at all if they won seven or eight games. You know, eight would be fine. It would be a job well done. But I think they put together a roster that has nothing to do with last year with all due respect to what you were just saying. I think it's irrelevant that they won four games last year. It's a new GM. It's a new head coach. It's an entirely new front office. It's an entirely new coaching staff. So even the holdover players are different versions on themselves because they're in different schemes with different coaches. And then it's an entirely new team. They have the most turnover of any team in the NFL year to year. I was looking at a chart today with the least to the most and the commanders far and away over 70% turned over the most in the league. So I don't think four wins is relevant. So I don't really count it as well. How many more wins from last year? Because this is, you never see a team basically with new owner, new GM, new head coach, new coaching staff, new everything top to bottom, the entire front office, new paint and carpets everywhere. Like nothing has carried over from last year. It's almost a different org. That said, my answer is nine. I think if they go over 500, you win nine games. You're flirting with the playoffs. You win nine games. You're either the last wild card team in where you're out by way of a tiebreaker or like you're playing a game in the final week or two of the season, hoping to make the playoffs. And if they do that in their first year, I'll be really excited and borderline elated with the progress this quickly. Now carrying it over will be really complicated because again, there's like 25 one year contracts and a lot of these veterans are going to move on. And especially almost like the transfer portal, Danny. If any of these guys have really good years, they're either going to have to be paid or they're just going to go find a home somewhere else maybe as the youth movement continues in Washington. But still, as a standalone season, which is kind of what I'm viewing this, I think a nine win season would move me to be excited. What about the flip side? What would a win total look like for you even when you have low expectations and you're not making any demands in year one? You and I are pretty patient and are going to be with this staff and these players. But what would be the win count where you actually go? Are we sure that this is going to work and that this staff in this front office? Are we sure that they know what they're doing? I thought about this hard thinking about where that would actually land. I mean, listen, you could say one thing now, then the emotions of the season, the way it plays out if they're not competitive a bunch of times or something like that. But I think it's probably for if it was the same as last year. And here's why. There's a lot, as you mentioned, you alluded to a lot of veteran presence here, right? If I'm going to win four games, why, why am I not doing it with a bunch of 21 year olds? Why am I doing it with with veterans? Why am I doing it with culture changers? Why am I doing it with with this group? Because they're trying to establish a standard. And if you're the same as last year with this brand new regime, it's going to feel empty. It's going to feel disappointed. It's going to feel like a waste to a degree, right? For every 32 year old that you're starting or a guy that's been in the league for eight, nine years, that could have been a, for the sake of argument, I don't know, an undrafted for agent that could have been Kaz Allen getting that touch instead of veteran victor. You know what I mean? So if it's the same as it was last year, because that's the route they went, right? They went for some culture establishing short term. Let's raise the tide so that this program looks different. And now we can kind of sustain something. If it ends up being the same as it was last year with a, frankly, a bumbling buffoon in charge of personnel with a couple of his cronies, it's not going to feel like we're as good a hands as maybe we think. I'm going to give you my answer next. And I want to pose this on the phones. We'll hit them next as well. 800 636 10067. Question is, how many wins would the commanders have to get for you to positively be taken aback and feel really excited about the season? And then the inverse is on the other side, how many wins negatively for you to actually be a little bit worried in the grand scheme of things moving forward? So positively Danny went eight, I went nine. We'd be jacked up. As far as losses go, you said four record have four wins. I've got a different number. I'll give it to you next. And then we'll hit the phones. 800 636 10067 on GND here on the fan. [BLANK_AUDIO] He's Danny. I'm Grant. This is the fan. 800 636 10067 is the number. Question for you guys, how many wins positively and negatively? So two answers here for you to feel impressed and disappointed this season. I'll round out our answers and get to the one that would disappoint me. So you said four wins and you're going to be salty? I think five or fewer and I'll be irritable. I think that with all the moves they made and I'm not pretending like they have a ton of talent, they don't. But they did enough and they brought enough in that if Jayden Daniels plays well and I think he will. Not improving on last year is fairly ridiculous, especially when the coaching staff was really bad, right? Ron Rivera was in a weird situation as the year went on. We all kind of knew he was a dead man walking and it was just low energy in the whole building and nobody was really pulling the rope in the same direction. I'm not trying to compare this group to that group, but it's just more talented with better coaches. The schedule is not more difficult. There's really no good reason why they shouldn't be able to win five or more football games. So I should say even more than five. But if they were to go five and 12, if Daniels plays great and they do that or plays really well off and on, I'm not going to be angry necessarily about the future. Yeah, it's like how? But I will still feel like a five win season for year one of Dan Quinn is a massive disappointment for him and his staff. Yeah, we'll be excited. You know what I mean? I'm not going to go, Hey, five wins. Doesn't matter. It'll sting a little bit. It will feel what feel that awesome going down. Let's go to Danny in Ohio, Danny, Danny on the fan. Hey, hey, folks. Hey, buddy. Great segment all day. As always. Appreciate you. Thanks, man. Oh, yeah. No problem. Yeah, over here in Ohio, just pretty optimistic. So I'm on the 10 wind scale to be happy. And I'm at like us eight under an eight win would be a disappointment. And here we have the boys playing good ball this year. Yeah, well, there's a lot to like you. Yeah, it can't be worse than last season. I think we should be able to win double. But I think our home home and field advantage might actually come around this year. You know, with the new ownership, I think we'll have better turnout. What opportunities for people to come and take over our stadiums. And I think that man, you win. You got to you got to protect the house and when I'm not saying you win every single home game, but you got to win hopefully at least eight during your season. And yeah, otherwise I'd be be a little disappointed. And I think the offense is here. Let Terry cook. I think it's the offense that just speeds where it goes through him will be, you know, thanks for listening. Better shape. Yeah, for sure. I'm just, I guess I'm a little bit more patient just thinking about, you know, Joe Burrow, your one, they won four games, you know, Justin Herbert's rookie season. He was excellent. They won seven games. When you're talking about turning over a lot. Now, the positive turnover is, as you said, ownership, there's no greater upgrade in the history of sports than going from human beings from Dan Snyder. Like we that's a win. And I'm doing touchdown dances and I'm not taking it for granted, but you got plenty of cases where it maybe takes another year or two to really implement the program. So I got a little more tempered, but I understand the point. It's not as if they're facing, you know, nothing but the the 85 bears on the let Terry cook idea to it's going to be hard for him to put the chef hat on and get in the kitchen and make a whole lot of meals and start cooking. If someone around him doesn't step up, whether that's Noah Brown eventually or right away the Ami Brown or possibly Luke McCaffrey. Like I don't care who it is. Alhamd as a kiss. Someone else has to attract attention and provide some type of scare or else just stop Terry McClure. No one else can beat you. Like they really do need somebody else to provide something or else he's not going to be able to cook the way that he has. But I would say that's a minority of the fan base call in that and I appreciate it like Danny does. But the idea that if they don't win eight games, you're going to be disappointed. I would say the vast majority of people are not expecting them to win eight games. Let's go to Anthony in the city. What's up, Anthony? Yes, sir. How you guys doing? Hey, buddy. Yes, sir. I listen to you guys all the time. Appreciate it. Ten-time caller, but yes, sir. So I think seven and ten because you know, you can't expect too much from a first year quarterback. Yes, Dan Quinn was a former head coach, but it's like first year and you know, with the commanders. So seven and ten is a little bit more expected. And then, you know, you just got to trust the process. Nine games is that's just too much for a special first year quarterback. And especially if you had stated if they do win nine games, they're going to have a lot of turnover. So they're going to have to do better than that nine games, which put more pressure on them. You know what I mean? Totally. But then to be clear on the topic, the amount of wins for you to be impressed and the amount of wins for you to be upset. Seven. So seven, you're impressed. Okay. Got you. So they got to win over seven. Appreciate you, bro. Thank you. Let's go to John and Herndon home with the Hornets. What's up, John? Hey, guys. Thanks for the call. For me, I look at it a little different. I mean, I'm just very happy that we're out of Snyder Lake. So if we see progress, you know, we've got the turnover. We've got a coaching staff that's, you know, good. And when I think we got a friend office that's not as weak as reviewers was. So I'll be happy at six. I'll be a static at seven. And I'm glad we're in the division with Daniel Jones because we have a chance to actually finish third with seven wins. Although he does torch Washington pretty good. Eight three and one over the last 12 games against Washington, by the way, stunning. That's the Giants. But that is a great take. And I think that exists in the fan base. In other cities, they wouldn't understand that or someone passing through or listening on the Odyssey app would laugh at that. But the fact that Dan's gone and there's a real general manager here. The win loss record will give you a year or two to sort the football stuff out. I got a shot. That's, that's going to make me a long term. I've got a shot this year, secondary. He's Danny. I'm Grant. You're listening to the fan. 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