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00:00Week number one in the NFL. We're ready. It's on deck. It's coming fast next week on Thursday.
00:06So basically eight days away, you will be watching the Ravens and the Chiefs on opening night.
00:12Game number two, which is a Friday night. You don't have to wait till later in the weekend
00:16with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers live from Brazil.
00:20Now, the one thing we've been watching, Doves, all offseason long, was some wide receivers
00:25and some holdouts waiting to see when they would get back to camp and if they would get paid.
00:30And it turns out CeeDee Lamb got a monster paycheck here that, once again,
00:34is going to reset the market for the wide receivers, or at least the top tier wide receivers.
00:38Brandon Ayuk, we're still waiting for over for the 49ers.
00:42But the one guy that we've had our eyes on for a long time has been Jamar Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals.
00:47And the reason is he's been showing up to camp, Doves.
00:50He just hasn't been practicing here in the hopes that he gets a new deal.
00:54Now, understandably, he still has time left on his contract, but is eligible for an extension
00:59and more money. And he deserves that. And it seems like everybody around Jamar Chase
01:04is getting paid, Doves. And he's not at this point, but looks like he may be willing
01:09to start the season without a contract. That's an upset to me, Dovesy.
01:13Yeah, absolutely. You think you'd be getting risked there.
01:17I mean, with two years remaining on that rookie deal as well, the fifth option, quite a hefty one,
01:21the fifth year option set to go at $21.8 million. And rightfully so for Jamar Chase.
01:27I mean, at 24 years of age, everything we have seen is that this guy's an absolute superstar
01:33and a foundation key piece for the Cincinnati Bengals.
01:36If they want to stay relevant, they absolutely want to, because look at who's quarterback.
01:41It's Joe Burrow. This is something they can absolutely build around.
01:44They've lost a couple of key pieces there in the offseason, but this is certainly one guy
01:48that deserves the bag. You want to keep him happy. You don't want to upset him in that locker room.
01:53We heard from head coach Zach Taylor. At least it sounds like there's optimism towards week one.
01:59But Donnie, from all reports, I don't know if I'd be so optimistic about putting pen to paper
02:03and getting that extension.
02:05You know what the interesting part about this is too, because it's still a human element.
02:09And yes, they operate in a different stratosphere than the regular person,
02:13which means millions of dollars are at stake and they already have made millions of dollars.
02:17But everybody knows you can like whether you sell insurance, whether you drive a truck for a living,
02:21whether in a cubicle, it doesn't matter if you feel underappreciated from your employer.
02:26Sometimes you're going to question the work ethic. Now, you do have to be professional.
02:29You are under contract. You do want to perform at your highest level.
02:32That's only going to help you down the road. But it's got to be tough when you see a lot of people
02:36in your boat that are getting that paycheck and you know, well, you deserve it.
02:40And maybe if you weren't on the Bengals, you probably would have been paid already
02:44because you take a look at that wide receiver room. Tee Higgins did get the contract extension,
02:49but it's a one-year deal. That's the franchise tag, which means he's not up
02:53for another contract negotiation till next year. And the Bengals have basically made it known,
02:57Dubs, he's probably not going to be back on the team. So Jamar Chase is saying,
03:00well, where's my money? At least that guy got paid on the franchise tag.
03:04I deserve more and I'm not getting it. I'm just interesting to see how well
03:08that wide receiver room handles this season because big things are expected from the Cincinnati Bengals.
03:13But if the employees are a little bit upset or not focused 100% on the games,
03:18that could be an issue. Now, let's head down the South Beach and Odell Beckham Jr.
03:23One of the more electric players we've seen in the NFL over the past decade,
03:27but injuries have marred his career. Looks like he was on pay Dubs for a Super Bowl MVP day
03:32when the Los Angeles Rams won the Super Bowl in Los Angeles just a few years ago.
03:37Goes to the Baltimore Ravens, gets a nice paycheck, but doesn't perform.
03:40Heads to the Miami Dolphins, wants to perform, but now going to be on the pup list
03:45for at least the first four games. I don't think I saw this coming, Dubs.
03:48Did you see this coming as these issues in the offseason with OBJ now heading into the regular season?
03:54And they continue to surface, Donnie, and nothing gets easier for Odell Beckham Jr.
04:00At this point in the career, you look at the production that continues to dwindle.
04:04You could say, well, he's been slightly more efficient.
04:07But, I mean, from 14 games last year, just catching 35 passes for a measly 565 yards
04:14with three touchdowns, you've got to ask the question, what really is Odell Beckham Jr.
04:19bringing to one of the most high-octane offenses that we've seen in the league over the last five years?
04:25He fails to get that first step now, so he's definitely lost a beat.
04:29As a wide receiver, three, I think it makes a little bit of sense.
04:34But for me, I'm looking back saying, where's the durability for a long and testing season?
04:39And, look, the Miami Dolphins, they're only planning towards that playoff push.
04:44You've got to be healthy. You've got to get those reps in.
04:46Tua told us on Monday, you know, he was asked by the media and the press there,
04:51how's the combination, how's that connection fitted with Odell Beckham Jr.?
04:54He goes, to be honest, we haven't had any reps together, so I really can't tell you.
04:59So to miss the first four weeks, I've got question marks how far that will push into the regular season.
05:04But it's not a great outlook for Odell Beckham Jr.
05:07And for the Miami Dolphins fans, you know, for Mike McDaniel,
05:10I feel like this is always going to be something in the back of your mind.
05:13We know the X factor. We know that pizzazz is there from OBJ.
05:17I'm sure he can still do special things at a special level.
05:21It's just the quantity that looks to be dropping off, Donnie.
05:24So it's not good for the Dolphins.
05:27No, it's certainly not. And also, like, we understand, Dubs, right,
05:30that he's no longer the number one option on a football team.
05:33Quite frankly, he wouldn't be the number two option on Miami.
05:35So you figure if he's healthy, he can be slotted into that third wide receiver position
05:40where you're not getting any rolled over coverage on you.
05:42You're not getting double cover coverage where maybe he can have 40 to 50 catches in that third roll
05:47and still be effective for the Miami Dolphins.
05:49It's something to keep an eye on. But if you've been injured the entire all season, Dubs,
05:53which means you're not working on your game.
05:55And as you pointed out astutely there with your quarterback,
05:58it's all about timing with the new quarterback.
06:00And if you're not going to get that and then just say, OK, he's ready to go week number five
06:03when that offense is already humming over the first parts of the season,
06:06that could be a game changer for them.
06:08But we'll see what we get out of OBJ. Just not expecting big things now with that injury.
06:12How about this? The Rams trading linebacker and captain Ernest Jones to the Titans.
06:17And I like this. The Titans have made some very shrewd moves in the all season.
06:21But the question is going to be, Dubs, are those moves going to translate into victories
06:26on the field for that team in the AFC South?
06:29Look, I've still got a couple of question marks on offense.
06:32I've got a couple of question marks on the head coach coming in first year.
06:36I think it's the long game for the Tennessee Titans.
06:38But take a look at this. Tony Pollard, Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd, Jones, Snead, Jamal Adams.
06:45I'll tell you what, for Jones, it's more of a sudden shock for me towards the Rams.
06:50I didn't see this one coming. They've already lost Aaron Donald and now to lose Jones.
06:55Massive departure. Certainly helps the Tennessee Titans.
06:58Will Levis, he better get that mayonnaise ready.
07:01That coffee, there's a lot of expectation for him to step up
07:04and just get a little sharper with that offense.
07:06But I do think we see a bit of an improvement.
07:08Six and a half wins. Is there win title, Donnie?
07:10The odds makers, they're still riding them off.
07:13Yeah, we're going to talk about this after the break as well.
07:16And yes, the mayonnaise fragrance is in the air, baby.
07:19That's football. Yes, it is.
07:21The early line coming back right here on the Sports Grid Network.
07:23Oh, those Tennessee Titans, they spent some money in the offseason.
07:27The question, though, is that going to translate into wins on the field, Dubzy?
07:31Because when I look at the Tennessee Titans,
07:33and if we can bring that graphic up there for the additions that they made this year,
07:37Tony Pollard, Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd, Ernest Jones,
07:40they just make the trade for it. LeJarius Snead, one of the better cornerbacks in football.
07:43Jamal Adams, we'll see if they can resurrect his career.
07:46Because I see it as if Will Levis, as you were bringing up,
07:49just has a decent football season.
07:52Look at the weapons around him on offense.
07:54Hopkins, Boyd, and Ridley, one of the better wide-receiving cores in football.
07:58Throw in Spears in the back foot along with Tony Pollard.
08:01If he can just deliver the football as a point guard,
08:04this team should move the football.
08:06Now, am I saying, Dubzy, they can win the AFC South?
08:09I don't think that's going to happen.
08:10Can they make the playoffs? Maybe.
08:12But you're putting a lot of pressure on Will Levis.
08:14But I do believe the talent is there.
08:16When you look at the 6.5 win total,
08:18they should absolutely, Dubs, challenge that in my mind.
08:22Yeah, I think they'll challenge it.
08:24I think they'll hover right around 6, 7.
08:26You won't see much of them in prime time.
08:28I think they've just got the one prime time game all season long.
08:31But these are the weapons that you need for a young quarterback like Will Levis to thrive.
08:36We've seen a bit from Will Levis.
08:37There's a couple of question marks.
08:39There's a bit of inconsistency.
08:40But the new head coach, Brian Callahan, coming in,
08:43we know his background with Joe Burr on that offense for the Cincinnati Bengals.
08:47I do think they get it downfield a lot quicker.
08:49I think that will suit the play style for Will Levis.
08:52In terms of in the division, it's going to be a tough out,
08:55trying to get through the Texans, the Jags.
08:58I'm very bullish on both of those teams having big years here.
09:01But for Will Levis, he is going to have every opportunity to thrive.
09:04There's obviously going to be a lot of pressure on Brian Callahan to figure things out.
09:09But you look at the first six weeks here of the schedule,
09:12it's not going to be the easiest from starting off there in Chicago,
09:15followed by the Jets.
09:17But at 6.5 win total, for us as better as Donnie,
09:20that's the way you can approach a team like the Tennessee Titans.
09:23And you look at where they were last year, it's upgrade, upgrade, upgrade.
09:28A lot of green check marks for me.
09:30So the only step should be in that forward direction.
09:33How far forward will it be for the Tennessee Titans?
09:36I'd be buying more into that long game.
09:38Year two, year three, with all these new pieces, if they can figure things out.
09:42But very interested to see here week one.
09:45Yeah, DeAndre Hopkins is going to be down for a little bit
09:48with that knee injury to start the season,
09:50but not expected to be out long term, which is a good thing for them.
09:53And the thing I always like, Dubs, about NFL organizations,
09:55if you have a young quarterback and you want to find out about that young quarterback,
09:58don't treat him like Justin Fields and say you have no weapons to work with.
10:01Go out there and see what you can do.
10:03Give that guy some weapons to work with so you can see
10:05if he can be a future quarterback in the league.
10:07And Will Levis is going to have that opportunity this year.
10:10But yesterday, Dubsy, it was cut-down day in the NFL.
10:13Roughly 1,000 players were released from their respective organizations.
10:18And some of the biggest names out there, Kadarius Toney,
10:21which was supposed to be that wide receiver that the New York Giants
10:23were going to be able to count on in the future.
10:26He goes to Kansas City, picks up two Super Bowl wins,
10:29and now he's on the street because, Dubsy, if you're going to be a wide receiver,
10:33number one, you've got to be healthy.
10:34Number two, you've got to catch the football.
10:36And number three, you've got to be in it to win.
10:38And apparently, Toney wasn't there.
10:40He's got two rings, but now he's looking for a job.
10:42Yeah, we've heard all reports coming through training camp
10:45that he wasn't getting the reps or the looks.
10:48I guess it eventually came to fruition.
10:50And look, Toney was a first-round pick back there in 2021.
10:54There's always been such a high ceiling.
10:56But in Kansas City, they've got Xavier Worthy coming on to the scene,
11:00a couple of more young pieces that I guess they've got high hopes for.
11:03And I'll tell you what, Toney, being a wide receiver in this league,
11:06it is a tough job.
11:07That's going to be one of the toughest afternoons in this sport,
11:10waiting for that call, coming into the head coach's office and saying,
11:13hey, it ain't going to be here with us.
11:15So onwards and upwards.
11:17Bailey Zappi for the Pats, that was another standout for me.
11:20Not that he's looked fantastic in the quarterback room,
11:23but, I mean, they're an absolute train wreck right now.
11:26And Desmond Ritter, no longer with the Cardinals,
11:29that was a standout as well.
11:32Yeah, the interesting one with Ritter too was, hey, you know what,
11:34let's just see what he can do, make it be Atlanta's quarterback,
11:36now already looking for another job on another team after not working out
11:39with the Cardinals.
11:40You see Caleb Farley, who also was not too long ago,
11:43a first-round draft pick of the Titans,
11:45which is why you got to go out and get guys like Snead to sort of fill
11:48in those blanks.
11:49When you whiff on first-round picks, it usually doesn't help you,
11:52and sets that franchise back for a couple years.
11:54Also, some other players out there.
11:55Louis Scene from the Vikings was released,
11:57a couple of wide receivers out there.
11:59Terrence Marshall Jr., Allen Robinson, and Noah Brown.
12:02By the way, the Texans releasing some really good wide receivers.
12:05Why?
12:06Because that wide receiving core is absolutely deep down there in the south
12:10and should be a lot of fun,
12:11but we think Noah Brown certainly is going to find his way to some other teams.
12:14Also, one of the notable injuries that I did see was the Packers putting
12:18A.J. Dillon, their running back, on I.R., and not season-returning I.R.,
12:23season-over I.R. for a neck injury.
12:26They picked up a big running back acquisition in the offseason,
12:28sort of lessen that blow, so they should be just fine in their quest
12:32to beat the Philadelphia Eagles, hopefully not in Brazil,
12:36on Friday to start week number one.
12:38Let's talk some Super Bowl futures right here on The Early Line.
12:42It's Dubs and Donnie on a Wednesday morning, and we'll be right back.
12:46Wake up, people.
12:47We're getting you ready for the NFL season every step of the way,
12:51because why?
12:52Next Thursday night in Kansas City, they're going to drop a banner.
12:56They're going to kick off.
12:57It should be an epic night between the Kansas City Chiefs
13:00and the Baltimore Ravens, two teams in the AFC that we think could be careening
13:04towards another AFC championship game.
13:08Let's have some fun, Dubs.
13:09You can take a look at the Fandula Sportsbook of where these odds
13:12are rounding into form before we get to opening kickoff next week.
13:16If we're looking at who's going to win the NFL championship next year,
13:20of course it's going to be the Kansas City Chiefs at the top of the heap
13:23at a plus 550 price, along with the San Francisco 49ers at a plus 600 price.
13:28For a while, Dubs, those two were neck and neck with the same odds.
13:31Now it looks like Kansas City separating themselves just a little bit.
13:34But how about this as we talk about?
13:36Like next Thursday night's game, that includes the Chiefs, number one,
13:41on the odds board right now at a plus 550 price,
13:43and number three on the odds board, that's the Baltimore Ravens
13:46at an 11-to-1 price.
13:48So let's just start there.
13:49If we look at game number one with two teams we expect to be players
13:53in the AFC, how much could that change your mind, Dubs, win or lose
13:58for either team on opening night as we move forward in the season?
14:02First week of the regular season, last week of the regular season,
14:06I usually think and treat them as outliers there for me, Donnie.
14:10But look, we'll be able to get a couple of key takeaways.
14:13It doesn't get easy in search of a third Lombardi for the Kansas City Chiefs,
14:17but I don't think it gets a lot tougher from trying to go back to back.
14:20You look at the weapons returning here.
14:22As long as Spag's going to be calling on the defensive side,
14:25Andy Reid's going to be scheming things up,
14:27but they have to improve those drop balls.
14:29They have to get better in the second halves.
14:31I thought they excused a lot of second-half woes last season
14:35off the back of some Patrick Mahomes brilliance
14:38with that postseason push.
14:40So I like the Kansas City Chiefs.
14:41So the Baltimore Ravens, you know, they finished up top of the conference.
14:45I think there could be a little bit of regression coming.
14:47Lamar Jackson, I don't know if he can go back to back
14:50with another MVP-caliber season.
14:52Derrick Henry comes in to that backfield.
14:54We know the run game is going to be heavy,
14:56but how are those two going to get amongst it there?
14:58Their defense is certainly going to be strong,
15:00but for the Kansas City Chiefs at home, dropping the banner,
15:03they are going to be up for the occasion,
15:05and I do think they could be looking even better through the regular season.
15:09And hey, once we get to the playoffs,
15:11we know they've got the experience in bunches.
15:13So no surprises for me.
15:14The Chiefs are starting to firm up in the market at plus 550.
15:17It's not a bad price, but for the Baltimore Ravens,
15:20I guess that's the team that I want to see a little more juice out of early
15:23in this year just to know that they are the contenders
15:26that we saw from last year.
15:29And also, if you remember last year, opening night in Kansas City, yes,
15:32because when you win the Super Bowl,
15:33you get that opening performance in your own building.
15:36The Detroit Lions had a pretty good showing there
15:38against the Kansas City Chiefs.
15:39We'll see if the Ravens can do that.
15:41But here's the always tough thing all throughout history.
15:43Nobody wanted to bet against Michael Jordan in a big spot.
15:46Nobody wants to bet against Tom Brady in a big spot.
15:48Nobody wants to bet against Patrick Mahomes in a big spot.
15:51But granted, they're not going to go, at least we don't think,
15:5417-0 in the season, run through the AFC playoffs,
15:57and win the Super Bowl, and go perfect on the season.
15:59There are going to be ups and downs for the team,
16:01but you know what makes it so hard for me, Dubs,
16:03to look from last year to this year is last year for me,
16:06and I'll continually say it,
16:07that was the year to get the Kansas City Chiefs.
16:09They didn't have home field advantage.
16:11They were lacking at the wide receiver position,
16:13and then yet they go on the road in the divisional round,
16:16knock off the Buffalo Bills,
16:17the AFC championship on the road against the Ravens,
16:20beat them, and then faced a very good opponent in the Super Bowl
16:23in the San Francisco 49ers, and beat them.
16:25So now you take a look at the wide receiver position
16:27for the Chiefs.
16:28Worthy, Rice and Brown, Kelsey at tight end,
16:30Pacheco running back, Patrick Mahomes as your quarterback.
16:33How do you theoretically bet against the Chiefs,
16:36and also, are you looking to fade the Chiefs at times
16:39during this NFL season?
16:40Because to me, it's one of those roadblocks in your head
16:43that you say, how can I pick against the Chiefs
16:45when I always see them win out here, Dubsie?
16:48It's very tough, Donnie, but I think you highlighted,
16:51you know, a couple of great points there
16:52on the betting side of things.
16:54We saw the same last season.
16:56They're going to be caught napping,
16:57maybe against a couple of sort of weaker outfits,
17:00you know, week four, week five, week six,
17:03as they just sort of lose a bit of steam.
17:05But I think week one, opening night,
17:06they're going to find that juice.
17:08But it's a long season going through the NFL.
17:10Obviously, depth and injuries, that's going to be a concern.
17:13And guess what?
17:14The more championships that you win,
17:16the more that you'll rise to,
17:17the more that these players demand in prices.
17:19That's why it gets even harder and harder
17:21trying to keep all these superstars under the one roof.
17:24But I do think with those complement of weapons
17:26that you just went through, Donnie,
17:28I think it's a forward step for the Kansas City Chiefs.
17:31You've got a couple of more targets for Patrick Mahomes.
17:34That's going to give him plenty of confidence.
17:36But don't get it twisted.
17:37Every single week when a team is playing
17:39against the Kansas City Chiefs,
17:41I don't care what round it is,
17:43that's going to be their superbomb.
17:45That's what makes it so tough for the Chiefs
17:47trying to go through the regular season without flinching.
17:50They're, of course, going to drop a couple.
17:52I certainly think they get to double digits.
17:54They're going to figure out their way into the playoffs
17:56and get set for another monster run.
17:59Cohesion is such a big thing, too.
18:01You take a look at their room, right?
18:03As always, Andy Reid is that offensive coordinator
18:05setting up the offense.
18:06And Steve Spagnol has been a wonderful defensive coordinator.
18:09So year to year, that continuity is always there.
18:11Dubzy, it's like, you know, a guy on the bag, a golfer,
18:14you want that continuity for years.
18:16Because you know what? This guy can read my mind.
18:18I'm going to hit a four iron.
18:19No, you know what?
18:20I think that five iron is the right move here.
18:22Having the trust to make that bag change here
18:24and club change, same thing in the NFL.
18:26Continuity on a year-to-year basis does pay off.
18:28Now, let's take a look at the San Francisco 49ers.
18:32to win the Super Bowl.
18:33Talented, maybe the most talented team in the NFC.
18:36And of course, the favorites here to get to the Super Bowl.
18:39But the questions always linger.
18:41Can you be healthy for an entire season with Christian McCaffrey?
18:44And there is something to getting to the Super Bowl, Dubzy,
18:47and losing it, that Super Bowl hangover,
18:49knowing how hard it was just to get there.
18:52You're right in it. You lose a close one.
18:54Then you have to rebound the next season.
18:56How are we paying attention to and betting
18:58the San Francisco 49ers this year for you?
19:01For me, Donnie, 49ers still the best roster coming in to a new season.
19:05Brandon and I yield. They've got to get him happy.
19:08They've got to get him secure.
19:09But I don't think he's needed or essential
19:12to make another Super Bowl run.
19:14I think this is a team we could possibly look at
19:16fading early in the year.
19:17Maybe they're a little sluggish out of the gates.
19:19But I do think there is a bit of class.
19:21And I do think they've got that X factor.
19:24For Christian McCaffrey, I mean, what did he put up?
19:2621 tutties there last year, 14 rushing seven.
19:30He is arguably the best player in the NFL
19:33and certainly a few fantasy players.
19:35He would go in that one spot.
19:36So I think the 49ers are going to be right in the mix.
19:39Again, I think maybe we see a bit of a downtick
19:42in terms of their win total from where they were last year.
19:45But for a guy like Brock Purdy, I think he's still going to be doing
19:48exactly what Cole Shanahan needs.
19:50CMC, whether he plays every single game,
19:53I don't know if we're going to get that kind of durability
19:55out of Christian McCaffrey.
19:56But if he were to go down,
19:58well, I think that would be a very quick fight for me
20:00going against the 49ers.
20:02They don't need all of their weapons,
20:03but they certainly need their biggest one
20:05cooking on full cylinders and healthy
20:08if they want to make another championship run.
20:10They were so close last year, Donnie.
20:12It will come down to having a bit of a hangover.
20:14Will they be sluggish or do they take that?
20:17Do they learn from it and try and go one better in a new season?
20:21Yeah, it also is interesting too,
20:22because you saw at the end of last year in the regular season,
20:25Christian McCaffrey went down with that calf injury.
20:27It was fine for the playoffs,
20:28but now we see Doves in the preseason and in training camp
20:31hurting that calf once again.
20:33They gave him ample time off.
20:35He'll be ready to go week number one,
20:36but we'll see if that injury does linger.
20:38We also have some pretty good parity from,
20:40let's just say, 12-1 to 18-1 at the Fandula Sportsbook.
20:44You got the Lions, the Eagles, the Texans,
20:46Bengals, Bills, Cowboys, Jets, and the Green Bay Packers.
20:50The one thing I do like is you get referendum games,
20:53Doves, coming up in week number one,
20:54which means the Chiefs are playing the Ravens.
20:56That could give you a leg up,
20:57because the big part about that is,
20:59not only do you pick up a win to get a game ahead,
21:01but it's essentially a game and a half
21:02because then you own the tiebreaker
21:04in that head-to-head market.
21:05Same thing with the Philadelphia Eagles
21:07and the Green Bay Packers.
21:08They play game number one in Brazil,
21:10which again, that's scheduled to be an Eagles home game.
21:12How big would that have been, Dovesy,
21:14if that game was in Philadelphia and not in Brazil
21:16to have a true home field advantage?
21:18So when we're looking at some of these teams
21:20changing up on a week-to-week basis,
21:22how about those Houston Texans, a 15-to-1 price?
21:25They're scheduled and priced
21:26as if they will be a threat, Doves,
21:28to win a Super Bowl this year.
21:30What could go wrong in Houston?
21:33Star young quarterback C.J. Stroud's second year.
21:36He can only get better.
21:37You've now got Stephon Diggs,
21:39one of the best wide receivers coming in to the mix.
21:42You've got Joey Mixon setting the table.
21:44I'm that guy. I am that guy turning right side.
21:47I think it's a step backwards for the Houston Texans.
21:50I hate to say it, but I'm not buying in.
21:53I love it.
21:54The contrarian views, we need them out there.
21:56We can't all love the same teams out here.
21:58Apparently, you can win money by going against the public.
22:01What a novel concept.
22:02It's officially hour number two right here on the early line,
22:05a fast-moving hour number one with a lot of hot topics,
22:08and we are going to continue that into hour number two.
22:12It's on your right side. It's Doves Anderson.
22:14It's the Sports Grid Network at SiriusXM Channel 159.
22:17How are we feeling after that hour, Doves?
22:19We feel like we've got another hour, another two hours,
22:21maybe another three hours in us this morning
22:23on Pomp Day Wednesday.
22:24Donnie, I just fit it in like maybe 100 push-ups
22:27through that commercial break, so I'm jacked.
22:29I'm ready to rock and roll.
22:30We got a lot going on for you sports fans.
22:33No shortage, so let's make some money.
22:35Let's keep that momentum rolling.
22:38Let's do it here, and by the way, more NFL topics on the way.
22:41Absolutely, but get this.
22:43The NFL, Doves, we understand.
22:45It is about money.
22:46It's about making money,
22:47and it's about charging obscene prices to get into stadiums,
22:50and also you want to buy a beer?
22:52It's like $20 for a can of beer.
22:54You want to buy a pretzel?
22:55That's a good $8 now.
22:56Oh, you want a bottle of water?
22:58Yeah, that's about $7.50 or higher,
23:01depending on what stadium you were going to,
23:02but that's not the issue we're going to have today.
23:04We understand.
23:05When you go to an NFL game, you better pack your own lunch
23:08or eat in the parking lot before you get in the doors,
23:10but how about this?
23:11Front Office Sports reporting yesterday,
23:13the NFL owners have voted to approve the introduction
23:16of private equity into franchise ownerships.
23:19Firms will initially be capped at 10% of a team's equity,
23:23so more money invested into NFL franchises.
23:26The thing I get a kick out of,
23:28if you just scroll through X and social media
23:30and see what the fans think of this,
23:32because many people don't really understand what it means,
23:35and quite frankly, it's only 10%.
23:37It's not a controlling stake here.
23:38You're not going to have voting rights,
23:40but if you want to make money,
23:41private equity firms do this.
23:43Invest in a team,
23:44then you have to hold it for a certain amount of years.
23:46You sell it for a profit.
23:47That's how they do,
23:48but everybody in the actual comments here from Maximus,
23:52it'll be so cool when a regular season game
23:54between the Browns and the Cardinals
23:55cost a family of four $1,200 to get in the door
23:58and $300 for food and drink.
24:01It doesn't seem like the general public, Dubzy,
24:03is in love with private equities now joining the NFL ranks.
24:08I was just checking my Bank of America account, Donnie.
24:10I cannot partake in jumping in
24:13with one of these private equity firms,
24:14and it doesn't sound like it can be a free-for-all.
24:17It sounds like there's only eight firms
24:19that have actually been approved to go down this route,
24:22but I mean, nah, it gets tougher and tougher.
24:24I was just out in SoFi Stadium last season.
24:26It was $80 for parking.
24:28The food and beverage,
24:29you can't bring in your own ham and cheese sandwiches, Donnie,
24:32because they're checking everything at the gate.
24:34You can't even bring in a bag,
24:35so I don't know about this one.
24:37More to come on that side of things.
24:39It's just another way for, I guess,
24:41the NFL to monetize of where it stands right now.
24:44They've already got a good grasp
24:46on where this thing sits, but, hey, more, more, more.
24:49That's what we want to see.
24:51By the way, Dubs, I was a season ticket holder
24:53for the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.
24:55From the very first season, it opened in 03,
24:57right up to the Super Bowl season in 2017.
25:00The kick that we used to get out of it was,
25:02early on, they told you,
25:03you can't bring in hoagies or sandwiches
25:05because it could be like a security threat,
25:08which they completely blew up, because why?
25:10It wasn't a security threat.
25:11It was the fact that they wanted you to pay $10 or $15,
25:14whatever it was back in the day, for a sandwich,
25:16as opposed to bringing in your own.
25:18But the thing I could never wrap my head around,
25:20and I swear it is thievery, Dubs, as you just brought up,
25:23paying to park in an empty parking lot
25:27for a ticket you purchased to go into the stadium.
25:30I never understood it, but, again,
25:32it's like going to a casino.
25:34It used to be like, hey,
25:35come park in our parking spots here.
25:36We just want you in the casino.
25:38Now you find yourself paying for parking
25:40at casinos just to get in.
25:42Obviously, that has nothing to do with the equity firms,
25:44but the whole concept, Dubs, of, yes,
25:46and it's even more now, and in Los Angeles,
25:48paying $80 to drive your car to a game
25:51on top of what it's going to cost,
25:53how did we let this get away with it, Dubs?
25:55How did we not revolt against this?
25:57It's not good enough, Donnie.
25:59I mean, parking should be free,
26:00but the worst part about it was
26:02I was running late to the game,
26:04and I had the misses in the front seat,
26:06and I didn't want to look cheap.
26:07So when the parking attendant says,
26:09hey, it's going to be $80,
26:11I couldn't flinch.
26:12You know, I'd act like, well,
26:13$80 is not a big deal for Dubsy.
26:15It absolutely crushed me.
26:16So you know what I had to do?
26:18I had to double load up on that game
26:20that I was about to sit through
26:21for the next three hours trying to chase it back.
26:23I don't know if I actually hit that Sunday afternoon,
26:25but, yeah, never a dull moment.
26:27A day out at the football is not what it once was.
26:31I mean, you've got to close a guy out
26:32in five and four on the golf course today
26:34before Dubsy, just to pay parking the next day overall.
26:38But the NFL is making some other changes,
26:40maybe at a later time.
26:41And I'm big on technology, Dubs.
26:43If you start with Major League Baseball,
26:45and you tell me right now,
26:46tonight we are going to get robo-umps,
26:48which means the strike zone,
26:49we know exactly what it's going to be.
26:51There's going to be no hits and misses here.
26:53There's going to be no bad calls.
26:54I absolutely love that.
26:55I don't care about the human element one bit
26:57in Major League Baseball when it comes
26:59to getting the strike zone correct.
27:01But how about this?
27:02The NFL will not use its electronic system
27:04to measure first downs during the regular season this year,
27:07as Suarez says,
27:08after continuing to test it during the preseason.
27:10Now they say it might come in in 2025.
27:13I got to tell you,
27:14sometimes I like nostalgic things,
27:16and I like anticipation to build.
27:18So isn't it fun where the line to gain is fourth and one,
27:23a quarterback sneak,
27:24they go into the realm.
27:25If you can't see where the football is,
27:27they spot it.
27:28Then they bring the chains out,
27:29and they stretch them,
27:30and oh, it's a first down.
27:31Or no, it's not a first down.
27:33I generally enjoy that here.
27:35Now the NFL wants to get up with technology.
27:37So what they want to do is take that away,
27:39just have like a laser measure,
27:41and you move forward.
27:42If it's quicker, I understand.
27:43But I actually think that's a charming part
27:46of the game here, Dubsy.
27:47I don't want to miss out on it.
27:49It is a charming partner for the traditionalists.
27:51Absolutely love it.
27:53And Donnie, I don't want to be that guy.
27:55But look, if I'm paying 80 bucks for parking,
27:58and I got to get out of there in a hurry,
27:59the quicker, the better.
28:01And if it can help eliminate a little human error,
28:03I'm all for it, Donnie.
28:05I'm that guy.
28:06I think the changes that we've seen in Major League Baseball,
28:08it's a big thumbs up.
28:09I would love to see this one from the NFL there as well.
28:13Why is it going to take four years
28:14to try and bring this thing in?
28:16It sounds like somebody's trying to cut a deal
28:17at the table again.
28:19I know what's going on here, Donnie.
28:21Well, the Chainlink gang holding this up,
28:23like they want more money,
28:24they don't want to be busted out.
28:25Because even like the Major League Baseball umpires, right,
28:28they're not telling the umpires they're going away.
28:30Like you're still going to stand behind the plate
28:32as the umpire.
28:33You're just not going to call the balls and strikes.
28:35You get buzzed.
28:36It's a ball.
28:37You get vibrated there.
28:38It's a strike.
28:39It's very easy to do that.
28:40So I don't understand why the union in the umpires
28:43from Major League Baseball try to take that away.
28:45But the one thing we do like about the NFL over the years,
28:47like TV has basically changed a lot due to technology.
28:50And we're all here for it.
28:52Like try to watch a game from the 70s or 80s
28:55on their broadcast.
28:56You don't see the scoreboard.
28:57You don't see the score.
28:58It's like we don't even know what down it is at this point.
29:01And then they flash some graphic up randomly at that point.
29:03Or even like back in the day for me in the 90s,
29:06the 10-minute ticker that used to come up on the screen.
29:09It was like do-do-do-do-do-do.
29:10Oh, everybody gathers around the team.
29:12Okay, Dallas is winning.
29:13Okay, Seattle has the lead.
29:14Ooh, Tampa Bay is losing now.
29:16And you waited every 10 minutes for that ticker to come up.
29:18And now you see it on time to time.
29:20And also, how did we ever live without the line to game,
29:24which means the first down marker,
29:25not having that line on the screen where you know
29:28exactly where it is.
29:29Remember having to actually think it out yourself.
29:31Like, okay, they've got to get to the 34, 33.
29:33Let me add that up in your head.
29:34So technology is good for the game at times.
29:37I just don't like to lose the nostalgia, Dubsy.
29:39Yeah, no, I get it, Donny.
29:41Even when you're watching a game and you go there in person,
29:43there's a lot of signage on the field that's not actually on the field.
29:46They're just putting it in there via graphics or some green screen.
29:50I don't get.
29:51But look, that is one of the best things about some of the
29:53mainstream sports here in the States.
29:55When I first came across from Australia,
29:57I love the fact that Major League Baseball stays true to its traditions.
30:01I love the fact that when you watch Sunday football for the NFL,
30:04they're not blasted all over their uniforms and jerseys
30:07like a NASCAR driver.
30:09At least they're trying to stick true to that side of things.
30:12So I'm all for it, Donny.
30:13You'll love to see it.
30:14Some of these things are what make this game so fantastic.
30:17Sunday afternoon, you want to see, I guess,
30:20a couple of constants there.
30:21So I know I'm going against.
30:23You've got a good take on this one.
30:25By the way, 0-3-0-4-0-5-0-6 in that range,
30:27we didn't really have smartphones at that time.
30:29And I remember going to the games on a Sunday,
30:31and it was like a novel concept that they would post statistics
30:35on one of the side scoreboards for fantasy football
30:38that you would be glued to the entire game.
30:40And I remember, again, it wasn't long ago.
30:42Wi-Fi in a stadium was not really a real thing.
30:46So you were just left with 70,000 to 80,000 people in a stadium
30:49trying to fight for the same space here to get that 3G
30:53or whatever it was back in the day to work on your phone.
30:55And forget about it.
30:56If there was a big play in the game,
30:58or you wanted to call home and say,
30:59did you see what just happened to the stadium?
31:01Good luck fighting 70,000 people's cell signal
31:04just to try to make a phone call.
31:06We've come a long way in sports here with technology,
31:09and I love to see it here.
31:11But sometimes when I see that chain gang out there
31:13and the anticipation of a first down or not,
31:15I think that needs to stay in the game.
31:17Let's continue with the Hot Topics next.
31:19More gambling advice?
31:20Get ready.
31:21Right here on The Early Line.
31:22Who's having fun?
31:23Certainly these two guys doing the show.
31:25Absolutely.
31:26Hopefully you're home there watching and listening in
31:28and following along with us,
31:29because we've got some Hot Topics on the way,
31:31which does include the NFL and the FanDuel Sportsbook
31:34to try to have some fun with.
31:35Now, Dubsy, fusion is the word of the day.
31:38We're not talking about nuclear energy at this point.
31:40But also, let me ask you this question.
31:42Fusion restaurants, a big fan?
31:44Ever been to one?
31:45Any thoughts on fusion food?
31:48Donnie, no.
31:49I mean, I've probably got the taste buds of a 12-year-old.
31:52Give me a melted toasted cheese.
31:55Bob's your uncle.
31:56What is a fusion?
31:57Obviously, I'm going to buy into what the name suggests.
32:01It's a little blend.
32:02It's a little mix of cuisines.
32:04Is it, Donnie?
32:06Exactly.
32:07It's a blend of, let's just say, I don't know,
32:09Mexican cuisine, Italian cuisine,
32:11if you want a little Mediterranean mixed in
32:13with a little Spanish, stuff like that.
32:15So I've technically never been to a fusion restaurant
32:18and have eaten there.
32:19But I was joking with Ben last week, like Taco Bell.
32:21You know, you have the Mexican pizza.
32:23It's got Italian.
32:24It's got Mexican.
32:25That's as fast as I go to fusion at that point here.
32:27But the reason we have fusion bets here
32:29is we like to put two different teams into categories
32:32and see if we can make some money.
32:34We've been having some fun with this all week long,
32:36and we'll continue that today.
32:37How about this wager, Dubs?
32:39The Lions to have the NFL's best record
32:43and the Patriots to have the NFL's worst record.
32:47That comes in at a 36 to 1 price.
32:50So if we set the table with this one,
32:52we are expecting big things out of the Lions this year.
32:54Are they the favorites to get through the NFC
32:56into the Super Bowl?
32:57Not necessarily, but we're expecting that offense
33:00under Ben Johnson, once again, Jared Goff
33:02at quarterback to absolutely be a machine.
33:05On the other hand, we don't have such high expectations
33:08for the New England Patriots.
33:09Three, four, maybe five wins.
33:11Is it feasible that the Lions can have the best record
33:15in the NFL, let's just say 14 and three,
33:18and the Patriots could be, let's just say,
33:20three and 14 at a 36 to 1 price?
33:24Yeah, and I mean, essentially, two outcomes here.
33:26I'm buying in on the Lions.
33:28I think they're getting set to roll.
33:30We saw that last year for Dan Campbell, Jared Goff.
33:32Jared Goff, I would consider maybe pushing
33:35into being a top five quarterback in this league.
33:37My favorite wide receiver, I'm on Rah St. Brown.
33:40I think he checks all the boxes.
33:42So the Lions, potent offense.
33:44Yes, I could absolutely see that.
33:46On the flip side, what's going on in New England?
33:49What is happening for the Pats?
33:51Who's going to be at quarterback?
33:53How are they going to get it down the field?
33:55I would argue the Patriots and the Carolina Panthers,
33:59they're going to be the biggest cupcakes coming in
34:01for the regular season.
34:02So, Donnie, yes, for the Lions to finish up top, thumbs up.
34:05For the New England Patriots to have the worst record,
34:08I could absolutely see that as well.
34:10And it's not, like, mind-blowing.
34:12The number, the price that you're getting,
34:14plus $3,100, 31-1, that's a great buy.
34:18Yeah, a lot of good prices out there.
34:20By the way, we had George Bellucci on yesterday
34:22to talk about the New England Patriots.
34:24So I'm going to ask you the same question.
34:25In your mind, Dubsy, you got Drake May,
34:27the young quarterback you draft in the first round.
34:29You got the Sage veteran in Jacoby Brissett.
34:32Now, for me, I don't think it makes a difference
34:34who you're going to start.
34:35You're not going to make the playoffs,
34:36and wins certainly are going to be tough to come by.
34:38Who do you start, Dubsy, for the New England Patriots?
34:41You go with the young buck,
34:42or are you going with the Sage veteran to say,
34:44hey, guide us through some of these choppy waters here?
34:47Yeah, and look, Donnie, I guess if the veteran,
34:50if I could see the upside that he could,
34:52you know, when you say, you know,
34:54guide us through choppy waters,
34:55pick up a couple of wins, pick up a couple of victories,
34:58give us some kind of promise
34:59that Jacoby Brissett can get it down the field,
35:01I would say, okay, let's throw the salty vet in there,
35:04maybe Drake May can just sit on the sidelines
35:06for the first five, first six,
35:08try and get a bit more confidence,
35:09figure things out coming up to the pro level.
35:11But I don't think we get any kind of hope
35:13with Jacoby Brissett as starting quarterback.
35:16We've seen all these tricks, all these tools before,
35:19and it's not enough with that offense to do anything.
35:22They're not going to compete.
35:23They're not going to contend to a first quarter,
35:25let alone going through four quarters.
35:27For Drake May, I think it could be
35:29a great learning opportunity.
35:30I'm just always so hesitant of throwing a young guy
35:33in at quarterback and not letting him succeed.
35:36We saw it there for Bryce Young.
35:3763 sacks last year.
35:38That can absolutely ruin a young quarterback.
35:41It can ruin his confidence.
35:42And by year three, year four,
35:44he's probably looking at being a backup somewhere else.
35:47But in terms of this situation,
35:49Drake May is the guy.
35:51You're just going to try and set him up for success,
35:53and you cannot have that expectation set too high.
35:57Set the bar low of your Patriots fan.
35:59You're not expecting much.
36:00You can see that from that win title.
36:02They could still have the worst record
36:04for the regular season,
36:06but Drake May could still be successful
36:08in showing us a bit of ability
36:10as long as they can keep him fit.
36:12Yeah, ruining a young quarterback's confidence,
36:15certainly not supposed to be on your list to do
36:17for the 20-44 season here for Gerard Mayo
36:20and the New England Patriots.
36:21But let's take a look at some of those odds
36:22at the fans of the sportsbook.
36:23Do you have the best record overall in the NFL?
36:25The top five as follows here.
36:27The Chiefs at a plus 8.50 price.
36:29The 49ers, 9-1.
36:30The Eagles at a plus 9.50.
36:32The Ravens at 10-1,
36:33along with the Lions at a 10-1 price.
36:35If you had one bet to make
36:37over those top five teams here in the odds market,
36:39who would get your vote for the best record
36:42on the 2024 season, Doves?
36:44Best record?
36:45I think the 49ers would be up there in the mix.
36:48Worst record?
36:49I think you're seeing it well with the Panthers, obviously.
36:51I'm not big on.
36:52There's another market offered up here
36:54under this fusions tab, Donnie,
36:56and I think you'll like this one.
36:57The Kansas City Chiefs to finish as the AFC's number one seed
37:02and the 49ers to finish as the NFC's number one seed.
37:05You look at the odds makers,
37:06they're telling us they're the two best teams
37:08to start the regular season.
37:10Obviously, they got that X factor
37:11and they're going to make that push
37:13at the right time of the year,
37:14but there's a good chance that they could both finish
37:16in those one spots.
37:17I know it was the Ravens and the AFC,
37:19but for the Kansas City Chiefs,
37:20we highlighted in the hour number one,
37:22I think they could take a step forward
37:24and show a bit of improvement through the regular season.
37:26You're getting plus 2,100, 21-1.
37:30So the 49ers with our best record,
37:33maybe it's the Chiefs up there for the AFC.
37:36Couple up, well, nice little score could be coming.
37:40Yeah, it's interesting to let it play out too
37:42because the one thing we do know is yes,
37:43we're expecting good football teams to play out
37:45over the entirety of the season.
37:46Let's also remind ourselves last year,
37:48the Philadelphia Eagles, Dubsy, riding high at 10-1.
37:53Only to crash and burn late in that season
37:55and then get embarrassed in the playoffs here,
37:57but they're still sitting at that 950 price,
37:59new offensive coordinator, new defensive coordinator,
38:01new images this year.
38:02A couple of nice draft picks for them,
38:04rebuilding that secondary to see how it plays out.
38:06But the one thing that always sticks out to me,
38:08which I love in the regular season,
38:10that's those Baltimore Ravens sitting there
38:12at a 10-1 price.
38:14The questions don't come up during the regular season
38:16when Lamar Jackson is healthy.
38:18He's always going to be an MVP candidate.
38:20They're going to win a lot of football games,
38:21but the issues come up in the playoffs.
38:23But the best thing about that is the playoffs don't matter
38:26when we're talking about the seasonal best record here.
38:28It ends after week 18, and those 17 games are played.
38:32So maybe the Ravens at a 10-1 spot would be a decent look.
38:36More fusion wagers on deck, more fun to be had
38:39right here on the Early Line
38:41for the SportsGrid Network Series XM Channel 159.
38:44It's Dubs and Donnie right here on the Early Line
38:46for a Wednesday morning edition,
38:48only a few days away from the month of September,
38:51only about a week away from the NFL
38:53starting their regular season,
38:55but we're also a day away from week one in college football,
38:58which means Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday,
39:00and Monday football action.
39:02But let's have some more fun
39:04at the Fandula Sportsbook here, Dubsy,
39:06with the Futures Fusion.
39:07How about this wager?
39:09The Chiefs and Chargers both make the playoffs
39:13at a plus 200 price,
39:15or at least three AFC North teams
39:18make the playoffs at a plus 260 price.
39:21So let's start with the Chiefs and the Chargers.
39:24Obviously, we expect the Chiefs to make the playoffs,
39:26win the division, possibly get to a Super Bowl
39:29and win it for a third straight year,
39:31which would be remarkable.
39:32The Chargers, new head coach in Jim Harbaugh
39:35coming from Michigan over to the Chargers.
39:38Herberts, the quarterback here,
39:40a changing of the guard with some of the talent,
39:42at least offensively for that team,
39:44but we still expect a competent effort.
39:46And then if we flip it over to the other side of the wager,
39:49at least three AFC North teams
39:51to make the playoffs at a plus 260 price.
39:53For me, maybe the toughest overall division in football.
39:58So when you see this wager,
40:00which way would you possibly go, Dubsy?
40:02Chiefs, Chargers to make the playoffs,
40:04or are you taking the three AFC North teams
40:07to make the playoffs at a plus 260 price?
40:10Ravens, Browns, Bengals,
40:14all to make it through the playoffs, Donnie,
40:16at plus 260, yeah, yeah, on a Wednesday.
40:20Look, on the flip side, we know the Kansas City Chiefs,
40:23they're going to make it into the playoffs.
40:25It's the Chargers and Jim Harbaugh
40:27I'm probably buying in on long-term.
40:29They're coming off a five-win season last year.
40:31Your franchise quarterback, Justin Herbert,
40:33he's dealing with that plantar fasciitis.
40:36That is not something you want to have for your quarterback
40:39coming into week one of the regular season
40:41after an off season of losing a lot of vets,
40:43a lot of experience out of that locker room.
40:45So I think there's a couple of question marks for the Chargers.
40:48They'll show improvement from last year,
40:50but I don't think they make it into the playoffs.
40:52So I'd be looking towards the AFC North.
40:54You saw from last year, very competitive,
40:56but every team having a really strong season.
41:00I think the Ravens are going to be right in the thick of it.
41:02Again, the Cleveland Browns,
41:04I feel like nobody is giving the Cleveland Browns enough respect.
41:08Still sneaking somewhat under the radar.
41:10I think the Steelers are going to struggle.
41:12I don't think they're going to get to ten wins again this year.
41:14And for the Bengals, Joe Burrow, he's back.
41:17He's healthy.
41:18Jamar Chase looking like he's probably going to be there week one as well.
41:22So I'd take the three teams from the North to make it into the playoffs.
41:26It's not an easy feat,
41:27but right now all these teams have the right weapons in place.
41:31It's two pretty good options here when you look at it,
41:33because it feels like they're giving you some outs, right?
41:36We don't expect the Chiefs, Dubsy, and barring massive injury,
41:39like let's just say Patrick Holmes, those play the entire season.
41:42I don't think they're going to win seven or eight games.
41:44Like they're more likely to win 10, 11, 12, or 13 games,
41:46which means they're probably going to win the division,
41:48which automatically gets them into the playoffs.
41:50The tough part about the Chargers is,
41:52I was actually hoping like last year's team with all that talent,
41:55particularly on offense,
41:56like the Keenan Allens and the Mike Williams would have stuck around to go
41:59under Harbaugh and Herbert to see if that would have made a difference.
42:02Sooner than later,
42:03we do know the Chargers are going to be a formidable opponent out there in
42:06the AFC West.
42:07It's just what Harbaugh does.
42:08He wins everywhere he goes.
42:11But if we're looking from the three AFC North teams for me,
42:14this is the tough challenge because if you separate them, Dubsy,
42:17like if you removed and said, all right,
42:18we're going to take the Browns out of this division and let you say the
42:20Ravens out of this division, then you say, okay, the Bengals,
42:24they probably should win the division.
42:25And maybe the other, you know, just say the Browns are right behind them.
42:28But if we're trying to placate that same division,
42:31they're going to be playing each other on a week to week basis.
42:34Therefore has to be a winner and has to be a loser.
42:37So sometimes you look at it and you say to yourself,
42:39how can we get three teams to the playoffs?
42:41If we're beating our head against a brick wall on a week to week basis,
42:44just trying to beat these same teams, but the price points are intriguing.
42:48A plus 200 price on the cheats and the charges,
42:50but you get a little bit more of a return.
42:52If you can get those three AFC North teams.
42:55Let me ask you this question on the Cleveland Browns,
42:57the Sean Watson who had such high expectations coming over from the Texans
43:02trade to the Browns hasn't worked up or sort of say,
43:05haven't lived up to the expectations and not even by a long shot on that
43:08contract.
43:09You take a look at him having a little bit of shoulder issues and arm fatigue
43:13in training camp.
43:14And Nick Chubb is going to be placed on the pup list year for the first four
43:17games.
43:18Any worries about the Browns knowing they might be a little bit damaged goods
43:22here coming into the 2024 season.
43:24Yeah, absolutely.
43:25I guess that's been enough for a ride to show Watson over the last couple of
43:28years and everything he's dealing with off the field.
43:31I mean, you certainly need him at full health, full billing,
43:34and that's the way he plays it.
43:35He needs to get out of that pocket, use the wheels to scramble.
43:38But I'm still bullish.
43:39I think the Sean Watson can turn it back a couple of years if he's fully
43:43healthy and find that top stride.
43:45Obviously, Nick Chubb, he has to return.
43:47You've got Amari Cooper, Jerry Judy.
43:49So the pieces are in place.
43:50And don't forget, be on the other side of the ball,
43:52big bad miles Garrett coming at the quarterback.
43:55So I like the Cleveland Browns.
43:56I think they're going to be right in the mix.