Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre

On today's episode, Jason and Producer Rob G bring you wall-to-wall reaction to the Thursday slate of games in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Things got off to a rocky start when the top-seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs (a team that our fearless leader dropped over $50,000 on in a Calcutta auction) got upset by the Arkansas Razorbacks. Yes, the officiating was bad, but it was clear pretty early on that the Zags just could not handle the Arkansas pressure. Chet Holmgren, Drew Timme and Andrew Nembhard are all fine student athletes, but they didn't have enough 'dog' in them to physically compete with a scrappy Arkansas team. In many ways, Gonzaga in college basketball is eerily similar to Notre Dame in college football: a fine program that isn't quite tough enough to hang with the big boys of the Power 5 conferences. Later, the guys explain why they believe that most sports fans should be rooting for Coach K, Paolo Banchero and the Duke Blue Devils to win the NCAA Tournament this year. With so many #1 seeds exiting early (Gonzaga, Arizona and Baylor), the sport needs either a marquee player or a marquee school to win it all. Thankfully, Duke has both. If the goal of the NCAA Tournament is to bring eyeballs to your product, the powers that be who run college basketball better have their fingers crossed that we get something like Duke-Kansas in the championship game as opposed to an Arkansas-Houston rock fight. Finally, Jason and Rob G close the show with a preview of the entire Friday slate of the Sweet 16. Here's to hoping the Blue Bloods flex their muscle! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a few thoughts on the blockbuster trade that saw the Kansas City Chiefs send wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins for five draft picks. More importantly, Miami also had to make Hill the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history - $30 million per season in new money. The Dolphins are a bad team (and have been for a long time) so it's not surprise that they had to overpay in a big way to bring a player of Hill's caliber to Miami. The only question now if you're a Dolphins fans is whether or not embattled quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is capable of unleashing The Cheetah the way we've been accustomed to; We're going to go out on a limb and say "No". Later, Caesars Sportsbook Assistant Director of Trading Adam Pullen swings by to discuss the impact of the Hill trade from a gambling perspective for both the Chiefs and the Dolphins, preview the upcoming Sweet 16 matchups of the NCAA Tournament, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a few thoughts on the upcoming Sweet 16 games in the NCAA Tournament. We'll go through each games with a fine-toothed comb as the week goes on, but it's nice to get J-Mac's early lean on all the action. As we've said plenty of times before, sometimes the best time to bet a game is early in the week before the sharps start to manipulate the number. Later, Jason does a deep dive into the futures of Baker Mayfield and Jimmy Garoppolo. A few weeks ago, Mayfield was the franchise quarterback of the Browns and Jimmy G was seen as the most realistic trade target for teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. Now? They'd be lucky to find a starting gig anywhere. Making matters even more complicated is now that Aaron Rodgers has signed a big money deal to remain with the Green Bay Packers, former first round pick Jordan Love should be very gettable. Love will come at a much lower price-tag than either Garoppolo or Mayfield, so you shouldn't be surprised to see his name floated around as we get closer to the NFL Draft. Speaking of QB-needy teams, the Seattle Seahawks should absolutely be in the market for a new signal caller now that Russell Wilson is in Denver. However, with the way Pete Carroll keeps publicly pumping up Drew Lock, it's becoming more and more apparent that the Seahawks are planning a stealth tank job in 2022 in hopes of landing their next franchise quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft when guys like CJ Stroud and Bryce Young should be available. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Jason kicks things off with a few thoughts on the Indianapolis Colts’ acquisition of quarterback Matt Ryan. The trade is a clear slam dunk for Indy. Ryan gives the Colts something they didn’t have last season with Carson Wentz: A quarterback who can win games with his arm. Now, Indianapolis will still rely heavily on running back Jonathan Taylor and a stout defense, but the mere fact that they can also win through the air means that the Colts should be viewed as the heavy favorites to win the AFC South. What’s more, given how weak their division is, don’t be surprised to see the Colts get the #1 overall seed in the AFC. Later, Bally Sports NBA analyst Brandon 'Scoop B' Robinson swings by to discuss why he's optimistic about Ja Morant the Memphis Grizzlies in the suddenly wide open Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers' plan for getting Anthony Davis back on the floor, how the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics matchup in a hypothetical playoff series, whether or not Jayson Tatum is indeed the best offensive player in the League, why Steve Nash - not Kyrie Irving - is the biggest reason why James Harden wanted out of Brooklyn, what exactly makes Kyrie so popular on #NBATwitter, his early First Team All-NBA picks, and more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason and Producer Rob G kicks things off with a recap of a wild weekend of games in the NCAA Tournament. Even as the officiating became a key talking point in several contests (Arizona-TCU, Purdue-Texas, North Carolina-Baylor), the fact remains that we had some high-level basketball take place over the weekend. What's more, less than 72 hours after Gonzaga big man Chet Holmgren staked his claim to be the #1 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, Duke's Paolo Banchero put on such a show against Michigan State that our fearless leader is now comparing him to a young LeBron James. Here's to hoping that we get to see these two square off in the Final Four in a few weeks. Later, the guys do a deep dive into the Cleveland Browns' acquisition of embattled quarterback Deshaun Watson. Not only did the Browns give up a boatload of draft capital for their new franchise quarterback, but they also gave him the richest fully-guaranteed contract in NFL history. The fact that Watson got this mega-deal while he still has 22 sexual assault lawsuits hanging over his head has some up in arms, but the harsh reality is the NFL is a business first and foremost. So long as guys like Watson can perform at a high level, teams (and fans) will look the other way when it comes off-field transgressions and issues of morality. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason and Producer Rob G kick things off with a deep dive into the blockbuster trade that saw the Green Bay Packers send superstar wide receiver Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders. Adams has been arguably the best receiver in football for the past few years, and he should be a difference maker for the Silver and Black. In fact, our fearless leaders argues that with Adams on the outside, Darren Waller at tight end, Hunter Renfrow in the slot and Josh McDaniels calling plays, the Raiders could look eerily similar to those 2007 New England Patriots with Randy Moss, Rob Gronkowski and Wes Welker. On the flip side, Aaron Rodgers can't be happy about losing the only legitimate outside receiving option he has. Even though the stats say that Rodgers has been fine without Adams in the lineup, no one really expects he'll be able to keep it up over the course of a full season. What's more, the timing of the trade makes it so that they've already missed out on the top receivers available in free agency (Allen Robinson) and will now be forced to pivot to good-but-great options (Jarvis Landry) or damaged goods (Odell Beckham Jr). Any way you slice it, Thursday was a bad day for Rodgers and the Packers. Later, the guys share their thoughts on Day 1 of the NCAA Tournament. Brackets were busted all across the country when Iowa and Kentucky were upset in round one - but that's part of what makes March Madness so much fun! So naturally, you're going to want to stick around for Jason's Best Bets for Day 2. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's (abbreviated) episode, Jason kicks things off with a deep dive into the Buffalo Bills' signing of All-Pro pass rusher Von Miller in free agency. The Bills had one of the best pressure rates in the NFL last season, and now they're adding arguably the best outside rusher of the last decade. Quarterbacks should have a healthy fear of the Bills' pass rush in 2022, and with budding superstar Josh Allen at quarterback, don't be surprised to see Buffalo knocking on the door of a Super Bowl yet again. Later, it's the moment you've been waiting all week for: Jason's official NCAA Tournament predictions. Our fearless leader takes you through the first round of the tournament, and tells us not just who he has to win the games but also which side of the line he likes from a betting perspective. More importantly, he tells us which teams he has futures bets on to win the national championship. The only problem is that J-Mac does 20 brackets every year so it's hard to get a firm grasp on which teams he has the most confidence in. In any event... Enjoy the ride! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Jason kicks things off with a few thoughts on Kyrie Irving’s 60-point barrage on Tuesday night against the Orlando Magic. In the last week, Kyrie has scored 60, scored 50… and got the Brooklyn Nets front office fined $50,000 for flouting the New York City vaccine mandate. Such is life in Kyrie’s World these days. It almost feels as though Irving is hoping that if he generates enough headlines – good or bad – it will pressure the NYC mayor into lifting the mandate. Moving over to the NFL, it’s becoming apparent that Baker Mayfield’s days are numbered as the quarterback of the Cleveland Browns. We found out earlier in the day that the team was recruiting Deshaun Watson, and then Mayfield seemed to write his own death certificate with a de facto ‘goodbye’ letter later that night. Baker has been mostly mediocre in the NFL so it's no surprise that the team would look to upgrade, but you'd hope that Mayfield would have learned by now that running to social media rarely helps the situation. Speaking of Watson, while the talking heads on television want us all to think that the former Houston Texans signal caller is headed to a team in the NFC South, J-Mac says you should keep your eye on the aforementioned Browns or a mystery team like the Philadelphia Eagles instead. When big deals like this come together, it hardly ever involves the 'obvious' names. Don't forget that. Sticking in the NFL, did you hear that Tom Brady reportedly tried to position himself as the co-owner/president of the Miami Dolphins this past offseason? Of course, you did - Jason told you about it last month! However, once that deal fell through, Brady decided he'd rather come back and play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rather than live a life outside of football. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason gets the party started with a few thoughts on all the biggest happenings on day one of NFL Free Agency. The big winners so far are clearly the Los Angeles Chargers. A few days after trading for star pass rusher Khalil Mack, they added the top cornerback on the market in JC Jackson. The AFC West is brutal, but the Chargers should be a double-digit win team (at minimum) next season. Later, NBC Sports EDGE betting analyst Thomas Casale swings by a for a deep dive preview of the NCAA Tournament. During the conversation, Casale and J-Mac discuss the challenges of betting on March Madness, why so many are down on Baylor and Providence, why Gonzaga is being overrated by sports media and casual fans alike, why you should have big reservations about Duke, which mid-majors are primed to make a deep run, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a few thoughts on Tom Brady's return from a (very) short-lived retirement from the NFL. Our fearless leader has been saying for months now that he didn't believe Brady was really hanging up his cleats, so needless to say he wasn't shocked to see TB12 tweet that he would be returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022. The only question at this point is: Why did Brady even retire in the first place? Not only did he seem lukewarm on the decision almost immediately, but he was coming off a season where he finished 2nd in the MVP race. Here's to hoping we get some juicy expose in the coming weeks that gives us the real story behind Brady's 2 month retirement. Later, Jason Lisk form TeamRankings.com swings by for a deep dive into the NCAA Tournament. Trust us, you won't find a more thorough analysis of the bracket anywhere else! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason gets the party started with a deep dive into the Brooklyn Nets' blowout victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. The game was billed as 'Ben Simmons' return to Philly', but the story to come out of this one was James Harden's disappearing act in yet another big game. The Beard shot 3-for-17, further cementing his reputation as player who folds when the lights are the brightest. J-Mac has been saying since the Harden trade went down that the Sixers were overrated, and they sure looked that way on Thursday night. On the flip side, with a healthy Kevin Durant and an available Kyrie Irving, the Nets look every bit like the championship contender we thought they were. If and when Simmons returns to the floor, Brooklyn has to be viewed as one of the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference. Later, Jason closes the show with a few thoughts on the blockbuster trade that saw the Chicago Bears send All-Pro pass rusher Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers. Mack isn't the superstar he was a few years ago, but he's still one of the best defensive ends in the NFL. What's more, with Joey Bosa on the other side, offenses won't be able to double-team his much. This trade is a huge win for the Chargers, and with stud quarterback Justin Herbert still on his rookie deal, we should expect more moves like this from Los Angeles going forward. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a deep dive on the Indianapolis Colts' decision to trade quarterback Carson Wentz to the Washington Commanders. It's clear that Wentz had worn out his welcome in Indy (even his buddy Frank Reich soured on him), but it's unclear whether or not the Colts have a succession plan in place. Will they make a trade for a veteran like Jimmy Garoppolo, Derek Carr or Baker Mayfield? Do they kick the tires on a high-upside youngster like Gardner Minshew? Either way, they have plenty of money and a playoff-ready roster, and we should trust that front office to make the right decision. For Washington, we all knew that they were desperate for a quarterback, but are we sure that Wentz is that much of an upgrade over incumbent starter Taylor Heinicke? It definitely feels like a panic move in DC. Later, author Jeff Pearlman swings by to discuss how his book 'Showtime' on the Magic Johnson/Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Era Los Angeles Lakers served as the basis for the ‘Winning Time’ mini-series on HBO, how much of the television show is factual and how much is clearly dramatized, why role players and staff members were so vital in the overall information gathering for his book, if we can expect a future ‘Winning Time’ season to focus on the Shaquille O'Neal/Kobe Bryant Era Lakers, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason brings you wall-to-wall analysis of the blockbuster trade that saw the Seattle Seahawks send star quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos. Once the terms of the deal were released, it became abundantly clear that the Seahawks got fleeced in this one. Denver got the franchise quarterback they've desperately needed in exchange for two firsts, two seconds and some change. That's it. Seattle is officially in full-blown rebuilding mode after this one. For the Broncos, the arrival of Wilson instantly makes them Super Bowl contenders. We said last season that Denver had arguably the most talented roster in the NFL outside of the quarterback position, and now they've got one of the best QBs in all of football on their roster. The only downside in this whole thing is that the Broncos play in the brutal AFC West; This division was already one of the best last year, and now they just added a future Hall of Famer to this mix. The Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers all have legitimate Super Bowl aspirations, and the Las Vegas Raiders were a playoff team themselves last season. Were it not for guys like Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Derek Carr, the Broncos would be considered a shoo-in for the AFC Championship game. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason goes deep into the NFL's decision to suspend Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley for the entire 2022-23 season after he was caught gambling on games last season. The punishment was excessive, but it's understandable why the NFL felt like they had to make an example of Ridley. You'd have to be pretty naive to believe that Ridley is the only player in the League betting on games, so it makes a ton of sense why the NFL decided that the best way to cut the water off on the whole thing would be to throw the book at him in hopes of scaring off the other players. Having said that, Producer Rob G believes that since it's painfully obvious that players bet on games in some form or fashion (including fantasy football), maybe the NFL would be better served by just allowing the players to bet through a League-sanctioned betting app. At least this way everything would be above board and you want have to worry about players using proxies to get their wagers on. No matter which way you believe on this whole ordeal, it's pretty clear that the NFL's incestuous relationship with various betting shops makes the whole thing pretty complicated. Finally, Jason closes the show with a quick homage to Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic. J-Mac tried to tell you a few weeks ago that Luka should be in the running for NBA MVP, and his play as of late has only cemented that. Don't be surprised if Luka leads the Mavs to an NBA Finals berth. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off by taking a small verbal victory lap on the heels of Jayson Tatum's 54-point explosion on Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets. J-Mac tried to tell y'all last week that Tatum was the best one-on-one scorer in the NBA since Kobe Bryant and the fans were outraged, so it's safe to say that our fearless leader is feeling pretty good about himself today. Plus, Producer Rob G joins the show to help discuss the notion that LeBron James (who will likely already be the NBA's all-time leading scorer this time next season) is not one of the great scorers in NBA history. Just because LeBron's bag isn't as deep as someone like Tatum or Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving doesn't necessarily mean that he shouldn't be viewed as a great scorer. LeBron puts the ball in the basket, period. Having a Swiss Army knife is great but that doesn't mean it's always more effective than a hammer. Later, the guys take a few minutes to discuss the latest scuttlebutt surrounding Aaron Rodgers and his future in Green Bay. It appears the Packers are starting to doubt whether or not Rodgers really wants to remain with the club. Quite honesty, who could blame him? The Packers haven't made a Super Bowl in over a decade. Maybe Rodgers thinks a change of scenery is exactly what he needs to get over the hump. Finally, Jason and Rob G close the show with a few thoughts on the reports that the Dallas Cowboys could lose both Amari Cooper and Demarcus Lawrence this offseason. J-Mac tried to warn us last year when Dak Prescott signed his big deal that the Cowboys would only able to keep the team together for a year or two before the salary cap came back to bite them. It's pretty safe to say that the Cowboys championship window is already closed. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a few quick thoughts on the Los Angeles Lakers' latest blowout loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. LeBron James and the fellas don't play a lick of defense, and their offense isn't good enough to make up for it. They desperately need Anthony Davis back. In the Eastern Conference, the Brooklyn Nets lost to the short-handed Miami Heat in Kevin Durant's return to the court. KD was mostly good in his first game back, but it's clear that he needs a co-star (either Kyrie Irving or Ben Simmons) to help carry the load against good teams. Later, former NFL offensive lineman, FOX Sports Radio Weekend host Ephraim Salaam swings by to discuss his transition from playing in the NFL to becoming a staff writer for the show 'Bel-Air' on Peacock, why they felt it was so important to do a reimagining of 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' and not a remake, how the dramatic approach to the story complete changes the on-screen dynamic between the Will Smith and Carlton Banks characters, why they decided to do a show 'For the Culture', how being a member of television writer's room compares to being a player in an NFL locker room, which additional shows from the past have a reboot potential, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Jason kicks things off with a few thoughts on the Philadelphia 76ers’ latest blowout victory of the James Harden-Joel Embiid Era. We all knew the Sixers would be dynamite in the regular season; the big question was always whether or not Harden and Embiid would be able to co-exist in the postseason when the game slows down. It’s why the oddsmakers in Las Vegas still have the Brooklyn Nets as the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference. Kevin Durant is coming back tonight, Kyrie Irving will become a full-time player before the playoffs start and Ben Simmons (hopefully) will be on the floor in a couple weeks. The Nets, not the Sixers, are the team to beat in the East. Later, 3x Super Bowl champion LeGarrette Blount swings by to discuss his unusual path to the NFL, how an incident in college helped shaped the man he is today, his experiences at the NFL Scouting Combine, what it was like playing for Bill Belichick and alongside Tom Brady in New England, his new CBD product line 'LG's Feel Good', and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Jason kicks things off with a quick note on the Dallas Mavericks’ win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. Luka Doncic put the NBA world on notice once again that he’s the best young player in the League, and the way he took it to LeBron James down the stretch had the building (and social media) buzzing. That said, J-Mac still maintains that if the Lakers have a healthy LeBron and Anthony Davis heading into the play-in tournament, they're going to make a deep run in the postseason. Guess only time will tell on that one. Later, FS1 college basketball analyst Casey Jacobsen swings by to discuss why this has been the busiest season of his broadcasting career so far, how the Iowa Hawkeyes were able to rebound this season despite losing star big man Luka Garza to graduation, why he believes the Duke Blue Devils have what it takes to send Coach Mike Krzyzewski into a retirement with a national championship, if Gonzaga can finally breakthrough and win a national championship after getting so close the past few years, how Chet Holmgren has elevated himself into contention for the top overall pick in the upcoming 2022 NBA Draft, whether or not the Baylor Bears have what it takes to repeat as champions, which mid-majors could shock the world during March Madness, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Jason and Producer Rob G kick things off with a deep dive into Kyler Murray’s decision to try and strong-arm the Arizona Cardinals into offering a lucrative contract extension after just his third NFL season. Kyler has gotten better every single season, and given the dearth of legitimate quarterback options in the League as a whole, he seems to have a ton of leverage here. Can you imagine how much money Kyler could fetch on the open market if he were a free agent right now? Heck, he could even threaten to go play professional baseball if the Cardinals decided not to pay him. However, given that the recent track record of first round quarterbacks getting massive extensions following their third year is really hit (Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes & Deshaun Watson) or miss (Jared Goff, Carson Wentz & Ryan Tannehill), would it behoove the Cardinals to put off any serious negotiations for at least one more season? Jason and Rob don't full even see eye-to-eye on this one, so you know there's some dissension in the Cardinals front office about it. Later, the guys close the show with a few thoughts on the reports that LeBron James is zeroing in on becoming a minority owner of the soon-to-be Las Vegas expansion team in the NBA. LeBron has openly discussed wanting to own an NBA team for years and Vegas seems like an ideal spot for him. The only problem is - would LeBron the Owner be as flippant about the luxury tax and draft picks as LeBron the Player is? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason and Producer Rob G hit you with a deep dive into the first few days of the James Harden-Joel Embiid Era in Philadelphia. Harden and Embiid have been putting up astronomical numbers together, prompting many Sixers fans to dub them this generation's Kobe and Shaq. Wait, what?! They're not even a top-5 NBA duo right now (LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, Devin Booker and Chris Paul, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are all definitively better). In fact, you could make a legit argument that Harden and Embiid might not crack the top-10. Duos like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, and Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray might not have the same level of individual talent as Harden and Embiid, but they all seem to fit together better than the Sixers' tandem. The Beard and The Process are otherworldly talents, but history tells us that neither player can perform like the best version of themselves alongside the other given where and how each guy likes to operate on the floor. Sixers fans can bask in the hot start all they want, but until Harden and Embiid prove they can dominate at the same time in the postseason, you can't call them a top-5 dynamic duo in the NBA. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Jason gets the party started by paying homage to Chicago Bulls guard DeMar DeRozan. DeRozan has been on absolute tear as of late; He’s literally put the Chicago Bulls on his back and carried them to the top of the Eastern Conference. DeRozan’s All-NBA caliber play has to make LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers absolutely sick. If you believe the reports, LeBron chose Russell Westbrook over DeRozan in the offseason. It’s entirely possible DeRozan used that perceived slight by LeBron to take his game to another level in Chicago. Speaking of LeBron, can you believe the LA Times is suggesting that the Lakers trade The King this offseason? I know that Lakers have struggled mightily this season, but let’s not get crazy. The Lakers with a healthy LeBron and a healthy Anthony Davis are still a tough out for anybody in the postseason. Finally, Jason closes the show with a word on the rumors swirling around Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans. It's become abundantly clear that Zion wants out of town, so why would the Pelicans cut the chord and trade him? Holding on to a disgruntled star is never good for anyone, and history says the longer you wait to make a deal the worse the trade offers get. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a few thoughts on the reports that Troy Aikman is leaving FOX to become ESPN's lead Monday Night Football analyst. Sports broadcasting is big business, and Aikman is one of its biggest stars. However, are we sure that Aikman's arrival is bound to boost ESPN's ratings? Are we certain that Aikman's departure will hurt FOX all that much? We'll find out soon enough. Later, Sirius XM NBA Radio host Rick Kamla swings by to discuss why he believes the impending repeal of the vaccine mandate in New York (thus allowing Kyrie Irving to play in home games) makes the Brooklyn Nets the favorites to win the Eastern Conference, why he's still bullish on Giannis Antetokounmpo and the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks, why he believes it's two-horse race for the NBA MVP between Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic, why he's more worried about Draymond Green's back injury than he is about Chris Paul's thumb injury, why he's expecting big things from Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies in the playoffs, Damian Lillard's uncertain future in Portland, the possibility that the Los Angeles Lakers would consider trading away LeBron James or Anthony Davis this summer, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a few thoughts on Aaron Rodgers' gotcha-moment on Tuesday in which he was successfully able to convince most of the sports media world that he would be announcing plans regarding his football future in Green Bay… only to come out it say that he just finished a cleanse and was feeling grateful afterwards. We all remember back in the day how irritated Rodgers was that Brett Favre kept waffling about his decision to retire, leaving his teammates, coaches and fans in a state of constant flux – and now Rodgers is doing the exact same thing! Rodgers, like Tom Brady, LeBron James and Favre before him, loves the spotlight and he'll do almost anything to keep it on himself. Later, New York Post sports columnist and author Ian O'Connor swings by to discuss the early reviews of his new book "Coach K: The Rise & Reign of Mike Krzyzewski", how Coach K's lack of involvement while the book was being written was actually pretty beneficial, why the 1980s and 1990s were the pinnacle of college basketball, why some wanted Coach K out at Duke during his early years, how Johnny Dawkins helped save Coach K's career and started the fire that led to his reign of dominance in the sport, why Coach K's confrontational style of coaching helped make him so successful - and so beloved by his players, why Coach K never ended up making the job to the NBA, how John Scheyer ended up being chosen as Coach K's successor at Duke, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason and Producer Rob G kick things off with a quick homage to Steph Curry on the heels of his record-setting performance at the 2022 NBA All-Star Game. Following what many described as a snoozer on All-Star Saturday night, Curry came in and saved the weekend behind a barrage of three pointers. In fact, our fearless leader is ready to declare Steph's big night as the greatest All-Star Game performance since Magic Johnson in 1992. That's some legendary company right there. Later, the guys react to the news that LeBron James is already planning his exit from the Los Angeles Lakers in 2-3 years so that he can play his final NBA season with his son, Bronny. If you've been paying attention at all the past few years it's been pretty obvious that this was LeBron's plan all along, but it still has to be a little jarring if you're a Lakers fan. What's more, with reports circulating that LeBron and Klutch Sports are frustrated with the Lakers front office stemming from their inactivity at the trade deadline, it's becoming even more clear that The King is already planning his exit. Finally, the guys close the show with a few thoughts on Juwan Howard's infamous slap of a Wisconsin assistant basketball coach on Sunday. While neither one is calling for Howard to lose his job over it, it puts a black eye on the program and should absolutely lead to a lengthy suspension; Howard show know better. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a quick discussion about the NBA MVP race on the heels of the Philadelphia 76ers' primetime victory over Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. After the game, our fearless leader took to Twitter to explain why he has Giannis as the front-runner to win the award at this point in the season... and why he would have a really hard time voting for the odds-on favorite, Joel Embiid. Suffice to say, our fans in Philadelphia aren't going to like this one. Later, NBA champion Eddie House swings by to discuss why he wasn't high on the Los Angeles Lakers even before Anthony Davis' brutal ankle injury, if the Lakers should look to trade AD this offseason, what makes Chris Paul and the Phoenix Suns the best team in the NBA, the seemingly 3-horse MVP race between Embiid, Nikola Jokic and Giannis, if we can trust the upstart Memphis Grizzlies and Cleveland Cavaliers to make some noise in the postseason, how hard it is for rookies to impact winning in the NBA, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a few words on Anthony Davis' nasty ankle injury which is likely to sideline him for several weeks – at least. If AD has to miss an extended period of time, the Lakers season is toast; They would be hard-pressed just to make the playoffs. With that in mind, would it be all that surprising if LeBron James decides to shut it down himself so as not to add more miles to his body during a lost season? This is bad news for the Lakers, and it’s bad news for the NBA as a whole. Later, FOX Sports NBA analyst Ric Bucher swings by for a lengthy conversation (which was recorded prior to the AD ankle injury). During the interview, Bucher discusses why he's predicting a Milwaukee Bucks vs. Phoenix Suns rematch in the NBA Finals, why the Suns don't seem to have the national profile that they deserve, Ja Morant's star power and potential to become one of the faces of the League, the Atlanta Hawks' perceived chemistry issues, why it's laughable to say that the Lakers can make a deep playoff run in the Western Conference, why he doesn't think the addition of James Harden instantly makes the Brooklyn Nets the team to beat in the Eastern Conference, why he has Giannis Antetokounmpo as the best player in the NBA, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason continues his war of words with former All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman over Matthew Stafford's Hall of Fame candidacy. If you just look at the raw numbers Stafford is already on a Hall of Fame trajectory, and we can assume he'll continue to have even more postseason success moving forward now he's with the Los Angeles Rams. What's more, based on Sherman's very specific HOF requirements (All-Pros, Pro Bowls, etc.), guys like Russell Wilson, Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger shouldn't be in HOF contention either. And let's be honest, if you don't think any of those 3 guys are deserving of Hall of Fame consideration you're probably just being a hater. Later, Jason floats out a very interesting trade idea involving disgruntled Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray. What if - and hear me out here - the Houston Texans send Deshaun Watson to Arizona for Murray? Kyler would be back in his home state of Texas while the Cardinals would be able to reunite Watson and DeAndre Hopkins. Just some food for thought. Finally, Jason closes the show with a deep dive into the final days of the Brooklyn Nets Big Three of Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving and the ongoing soap opera that exists between the Los Angeles Lakers Big Three of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off by breaking down exactly why Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford should be viewed as a Hall of Fame-level quarterback. Stafford had all-world statistics long before he earned his Super Bowl ring. Moreover, it’s not just that he won the Super Bowl, it’s how he won. It was a fourth quarter comeback in which Stafford threw the game-winning touchdown pass. In fact, Stafford led game-winning drives in his last three playoff games of the season. So when a guy like Richard Sherman comes out and says that Stafford shouldn’t be viewed as a Hall of Famer because he’s never been an All-Pro or an MVP, it should be taken with a grain of salt. Not only did Stafford play in what was arguably the Golden Age of Quarterbacks, but he also played for a terrible Detroit Lions franchise for most of his career. Later, Jason shares his thoughts on Kyler Murray's decision to clap back at anonymous sources claiming that Murray was self-centered. All signs point to the Arizona Cardinals' owner being the one who went to the press, and you have to wonder if these kind of comments will not only hurt his relationship with his franchise quarterback but also prevent them from landing top talent in free agency. Finally, our fearless leader closes the show on the report that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have zeroed in either Russell Wilson or Deshaun Watson as their next quarterback following the retirement of Tom Brady. If I'm Wilson or Watson, I'd explore other options away from Tampa. The Bucs are losing a ton of talent on both sides of the ball. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason and Producer Rob G bring you wall-to-wall reaction to the Los Angeles Rams' thrilling victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl 56. Matthew Stafford was fantastic early, brutal in the middle and clutch late in the Rams' win. With Odell Beckham Jr out for most of the game with a knee injury, Cooper Kupp stepped up big down the stretch and walked away with the Super Bowl MVP. Stafford-to-Kupp has been arguably the most lethal combination all season long so it's really no surprise that they connected for the game-winning touchdown in the final minutes. The Rams needed their two stars to shine too given that head coach Sean McVay was mostly bad yet again in a Super Bowl. Were it not for Stafford and Kupp's late-game heroics, we'd probably be talking about how McVay has been brutally out-coached in two straight Rams Super Bowls. If we take a step back and look at the big picture, it's clear that the Rams followed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' blueprint for winning a Super Bowl: Get a veteran quarterback to lead an already star-studded roster and let him work his magic. Tom Brady did it in 2020, Stafford did it 2021... could Aaron Rodgers do it 2022? The Denver Broncos have arguably the most talented roster in the NFL (outside of the quarterback position), and if they can swing a deal to bring Rodgers to the Mile High City, perhaps they could be the next team to follow the new Super Bowl Blueprint. Finally, the guys close the show by explaining how the Halftime Show featuring Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar and Mary J Blige is being wildly overrated by fans on social media. Dre and Co. put on a fantastic performance, but it was nowhere close to the greatest halftime show in Super Bowl history. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason gets the party started with a deep dive into all the big deals that went down at the NBA Trade Deadline, and none were bigger than the one that saw the Brooklyn Nets send James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers for Ben Simmons. Simmons and Sixers general manager Daryl Morey are clearly the big winners of the day; Simmons was able to get traded of a toxic situation and on to a team with Kevin Durant, and Morey was able to flip a disgruntled star (who hand't played all season) for a perennial All-NBA player to pair with Joel Embiid. Harden, on the other hand, quit on his second team in as many seasons. Harden has burned bridges with Hall of Fame teammates throughout his NBA career (Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Kyrie Irving and Durant), and at some point he's going to have to admit that maybe he's the problem; It seems that no matter what he does he'll never be happy. Finally, Jason closes the show with a bang as he gives you fifteen fantastic minutes on all of his favorite Super Bowl prop bets. If you've been listening to the pod at all the last two weeks you know our fearless leader is heavily invested in the Los Angeles Rams beating the Cincinatti Bengals, but wait until you hear about his lucrative player props! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a brief thought on the Los Angeles Lakers following their ugly loss to the depleted Portland Trail Blazers. Just when we thought things couldn't get any worse for LeBron James and Anthony Davis, they keep finding new and exciting ways to let their fan base down. If they don't make a major shake-up and Thursday's trade deadline, the Lakers could miss the playoffs altogether. Later, former NFL defensive back and NFL analyst Marcus Cromartie swings by to discuss how he's been recruiting his former college teammate Russell Wilson to join the New Orleans Saints, why he picked Joe Burrow and the Cincinatti Bengals to make the Super Bowl even before the regular season ended, Matthew Stafford's impressive play throughout the postseason thus far, the pros and cons of having Jalen Ramsey shadow Ja'Marr Chase throughout the Super Bowl, which Super Bowl bets and prop bets he likes the most heading into the big game, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason gets the party started by telling us that the biggest reason why the Brooklyn Nets seem to be in such a funk this season is because Kyrie Irving is not vaccinated. Kyrie being a part-time player has directly led to the team losing a handful of home games while the team has been dealing with injuries (Kevin Durant, Joe Harris, etc), and more importantly, it's played a large role in James Harden's overall unhappiness in Brooklyn. If Kyrie is vaccinated and available to play, do the Nets lose 9 straight games? Of course not. If Kyrie is vaccinated and available to play, does Harden feel the physical and mental stress of carrying the team on his back while KD is out? Highly doubt it. Any way you slice it, this is on Kyrie. Later, Jason shares a quick note on the trade between the Sacramento Kings and the Indiana Pacers that saw Domantas Sabonis and Tyrese Haliburton trade teams. This one was a clear win for the Pacers. One of the day's big losers, however, were the Los Angeles Lakers. Not only did LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the guys get blown out by the Milwaukee Bucks on national television, but the schedule is only going to get tougher the next few weeks. It's probably time to concede that the Lakers aren't going to win the championship this season. On that note, can you imagine how pissed the NBA would be if neither the Lakers nor the Nets got out of the first round of the playoffs? Yikes! Finally, Jason closes the show with a quick thought on Bradley Beal's future with the Washington Wizards. If Beal really cares about winning, he should try to force a trade to the Lakers in the offseason. Seriously. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a deep dive into Kyler Murray's peculiar decision to scrub the Arizona Cardinals entirely from his social media pages. Kyler and head coach Kliff Kingsbury share an agent, and our fearless leader suggests that the Cardinals quarterback is actually standing up for his coach since Kingsbury has been taking arrows ever since he got the gig. What's more, Kyler is up for a contract extension this offseason so it's entirely possible that his social media activity is serving as a negotiation tactic as well. Later, MMQB Senior NFL reporter Albert Breer swings by to discuss why Lovie Smith getting hired as the next head coach of the Houston Texans feels it could end the same way the David Culley Era ended a few weeks ago, how big of a role Josh McCown could have on the Texans coaching staff moving forward, which quarterback could ultimately end up replacing Tom Brady as the starter in Tampa Bay, what could have led Kyler to scrub the Cardinals from his social media pages, what he learned about the upcoming crop of NFL Draft-eligible quarterbacks last week at the Senior Bowl, whether or not we should expect Russell Wilson will still be a member of the Seattle Seahawks when the 2022 regular season kicks off, Jimmy Garoppolo's next landing spot, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Jason breaks down all the latest happenings around the NFL coaching carousel. With San Francisco 49ers whiz kid Mike McDaniel getting the head job with the Miami Dolphins, it’s become even more apparent that it pays to be offensive minded in today’s NFL. The majority of the head coaching hires the past few years have skewed towards the offense. In fact, three of the four head coaches from championship weekend (Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay and Zac Taylor) all came from the same coaching tree. If you want to get a head coaching job in the NFL, you better ask for a transfer to the offensive side of the ball as soon as possible. Later, Jason shares a quick note on the latest Twitter drama surrounding Kevin Durant. For whatever reason, KD is back sparring with anyone who has a negative thing to say about him in the media and on the internet. One day Durant will learn that it rarely pays to feed the trolls... today just wasn't that day. Finally, our fearless leader closes the show with a few thoughts on Russell Westbrook's benching in the Los Angeles Lakers' win over the New York Knicks. Westbrook has been an abject failure in LA so far, and unless he fundamentally changes the way he approaches the game of basketball, he could be out of the League entirely in two years. If Russ doesn't get with the times, his NBA career will come to a crashing halt the same way Allen Iverson's did back in the day. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, legendary sportscaster Bob Costas joins the show for an extended conversation with our fearless leader Jason McIntyre. During the interview, Costas discusses how sports gambling helped shape his upbringing as a youth, how he’s able to enjoy a fruitful life outside the world of sports, the ins and outs of the Olympic site selection process, the IOC’s controversial decision to hold the Winter games in Beijing, the biggest difference between Michael Jordan and LeBron James, how the NBA’s plan to put more games on cable television may have backfired in the grand scheme of things, whether or not Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens deserved to be voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, baseball’s complicated history with steroids and PEDs, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason brings you a deep dive into the NFL head coaching hires as of late. On Wednesday night, it was reported that the Minnesota Vikings would be hiring Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell - not University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh. O'Connell becomes the latest member of the Sean McVay coaching tree to get a gig. McVay is arguably the best coach in the League - and his tree has been very fruitful thus far - so it's no surprise that O'Connell got plucked so quickly. The one thing that people seem to have a problem with, however, is that O'Connell is a young, white male. With the Brian Flores racial discrimination lawsuit front and center, folks were miffed that another vacancy was filled without a minority candidate really being considered. Jason argues one of the biggest reasons why minorities keep getting passed over is that most of the best Black candidates work on the defensive side of the ball; Quarterback is the most important position in sports so it's no surprise that decision makers are looking for offensive-minded coaches to lead their team. Finally, Jason closes the show with a deep dive into the Ben Simmons Saga in Philadelphia. The situation between Simmons and the Sixers is still rocky as hell, but Philadelphia seems content to let it drag on. This is a mistake. The Philadelphia 76ers just can't afford to let another prime Joel Embiid season go to waste while they play a game of chicken. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a few thoughts on Brian Flores' decision to file a racial discrimination lawsuit against the NFL. It's become abundantly clear by now that the NFL never fulfilled its promise to promote more minority hires, so Flores' lawsuit isn't all that shocking. Perhaps the only surprise to come out of this whole ordeal is how Bill Belichick and John Elway became mixed up in all this. Later, Boston Sports Journal founder Greg A. Bedard swings by to share his thoughts on Flores' lawsuit, why he thinks Flores may end up becoming the Colin Kaepernick of NFL coaches, what kind of punishment we can expect the League to hand down on Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, why Josh McDaniels decided to leave the New England Patriots and become the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, why he believes Tom Brady still holds a grudge against the Patriots organization, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Jason kicks things off with a quick note on the latest surrounding Tom Brady’s impending retirement from the NFL. Brady is doing everything he can to make us think that he hasn’t made up his mind yet, but if you’re a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan, you need to start preparing yourself for lie after Tom. And let’s be honest, it’s going to be tough to find another quarterback willing to fill that void. Later, diehard Las Vegas Raiders fan Producer Rob G swings by to tell us why he’s not a fan of the team’s decision to hire Josh McDaniels as the next head coach. Not only has the Bill Belichick coaching tree produced a lot of bad apples over the years, but McDaniels’ history of cheating is a black eye that cannot be ignored. Finally, Jason closes the show with a quick defense of Odell Beckham Jr now that members of the Cleveland media have decided they’d like to ruin his happy ending with the Los Angeles Rams. So what if things didn't work between OBJ and the Browns? That's no reason to actively root against him heading into the Super Bowl. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason brings you wall-to-wall analysis of what was a wild Championship Sunday in the NFL. Our fearless leader was in attendance for the Los Angeles Rams comeback victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game, and his overriding opinion on the whole thing is basically: This is why they got Matthew Stafford. Stafford made several key throws in the second half to Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham Jr to complete the comeback and the Rams to the Super Bowl. On the flip side, Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan had yet another late-game meltdown in a big playoff game. Fun fact - Shanahan has now coached the team that's been on the losing end of the largest comeback in Super Bowl history (Atlanta Falcons), the largest 4th quarter comeback in Super Bowl history (2020 Niners) and now the largest 4th quarter comeback in NFC Championship history (2022 Niners). This one is going to be tough to swallow for Bay Area fans for years to come. Later, Producer Rob G joins in on the fun to discuss the Cincinnati Bengals' thrilling upset victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. While it's hard to crush Patrick Mahomes for his ugly second half given how impressive he was in the first, it's really easy to praise Joe Burrow for what he did leading Cincy the win. The victory even prompted Rob G to declare Burrow the greatest #1 NFL Draft pick since Peyton Manning - a list that includes Stafford, Andrew Luck, Cam Newton and Eli Manning. Does he have a point? Finally, the guys close the show with a few quick thoughts on Tom Brady's reported 'retirement' snafu that shook up the sports world on Saturday. Look, until Brady actually says it himself that he's retiring, there's just not much we can say about it. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a deep dive into the NFL head coaching hires that were made on Thursday: Green Bay Packers Nathaniel Hackett to the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus to the Chicago Bears. It seems like the Hackett hire was made in an effort to help recruit Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams to Denver so it’s hard to fully judge that one right now. The Bears getting Ebeflus, however, is something totally different. On its face, it doesn’t appear like a homerun hire. Later, Jason and Producer Rob G make their official NFL Championship Weekend picks against the spread. Can Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals offense keep up with Patrick Mahomes and the high-flying Kansas City Chiefs? Will Steve Spagnuolo be able to go against his basic instincts and not blitz? Will Jimmy Garoppolo and the San Francisco 49ers really beat Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams for a third time this season? Is Kyle Shanahan really in the head of Sean McVay? The guys have it all covered! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason gets the show started with a deep dive into Jimmy Garoppolo's future with the San Francisco 49ers. For most of the season, our fearless leader has maintained that the Niners should keep Jimmy G as their starter for the 2022 season – especially if he ends up getting San Francisco back to the Super Bowl for the second time in three years. But after speaking with a plugged-in source, it appears as though the Niners have already made their decision to move on to Trey Lance in 2022. The current San Francisco quarterback situation is eerily similar to what they dealt with 25 years ago when they chose to make the transition from Joe Montana to Steve Young. Like Jimmy G, Montana was the face of the franchise with a history of winning (albeit at a much higher clip than Garoppolo), but the team still felt compelled to move on. The transition to Young paid off with a Super Bowl victory a few years later – maybe the same thing will happen with Lance. Later, former Cincinnati Bengals star, NFL analyst and podcast host Solomon Wilcots swings by to discuss the meteoric rise of Joe Burrow, why he believes Burrow is cut from the same cloth as guys like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, the Bengals' decision to draft Ja'Marr Chase over a top offensive lineman, what Cincinnati can take from their victory in Week 17 over the Kansas City Chiefs and apply to the upcoming AFC Championship Game, Zac Taylor's evolution as a coach, the changing of the guard in the NFL at the quarterback position, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Jason gets the party started with a quick though on the Los Angeles Lakers blowout victory over the Brooklyn Nets. Anthony Davis returned to the floor after 17 games away, but the big story to come out of this one was James Harden’s visible frustration during and after the game. Maybe the Harden-to-Philly rumor isn’t so farfetched after all. Later, our fearless leader tells us why he had a small problem with the BBWAA’s decision to leave Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens out of the Hall of Fame. Yes, both guys have been linked to PEDs, but you just can’t tell the story of baseball without mentioning their names. Period. On the NFL front, Jason says that Aaron Rodgers' latest comments suggesting that football fans were rooting for him to lose because of his vaccination stance proves that he's ready to embark on a Hero's Journey. Rodgers needs to leave Green Bay in order to become the best version of himself. Finally, former Pro Bowl safety and NBC Sports Bay Area analyst Donte Whitner swings by to explain why he's picking the San Francisco 49ers to beat the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship game, how he expects the 49ers defense to attack Matthew Stafford, why he believes a Super Bowl appearance should be enough to help Jimmy Garoppolo keep his starting job for at least one more season, why he thinks his former coach Jim Harabaugh becoming the next head man of the Las Vegas Raiders would be a great thing for the NFL, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off with a quick note on reports that Antonio Brown would like to catch passes from Lamar Jackson next season in Baltimore. The Ravens would be making a monumental mistake if they decide to kick the tires on AB for 2022 ;Baltimore doesn’t need that kind of distraction in their locker room. The biggest story to come out on Monday, however, was that the Denver Broncos have zeroed in on Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett to be their next coach. Recall during his offseason of discontent Aaron Rodgers reportedly was targeting the Broncos as his next landing spot. If the hiring of Hackett can guarantee the arrival of Rodgers as well, the Broncos suddenly become a viable Super Bowl contender. In fact, Jason argues, Rodgers in Denver would be eerily similar to Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. Finally, J-Mac closes the show with a few thoughts on the rumors surrounding New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton. Payton is reportedly eyeing a move to TV if he decides to step away from the Saints, but couldn't you picture him taking a year off to recharge only to return to the NFL as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys in 2024? File that one away. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason gets the party started with a deep dive into arguably the greatest Divisional Playoff game in NFL history. Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes put on an offensive show, but it was the Kansas City Chiefs who came out victorious over the Buffalo Bills. The only bad thing you can say about that game is that the NFL overtime rules need to change; After what we saw in regulation, it's a shame that Allen never got a chance to answer in overtime. And as for those who think that Bills head coach Sean McDermott cost his team the victory by refusing to squib in the final seconds of regulation, just stop- McDermott did the right thing. Unfortunately for Buffalo, Mahomes is just that special. On the flip side, one coach who absolutely, unequivocally did not to the right thing on Sunday was Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles. The day after Bowles interviewed for a head coaching gig, he watched Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams run an offensive clinic against the Bucs defense. Tampa Bay was woefully unprepared for that game, and were it not for some bizarre Rams blunders and conservative play calling late by Sean McVay, this game would've been a blowout. Finally, Jason and Producer Rob G close the show by discussing which Super Bowl matchup they believe is most desirable. We can all agree that America wants to see Mahomes and the Chiefs on the biggest stage, but is the better storyline a Super Bowl rematch with the San Francisco 49ers or an encore of the greatest regular season game of all-time against the Rams? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off a few thoughts on the reports that Frank Vogel could be coaching for his job these days with the Los Angeles Lakers. That is absolutely stunning. Anthony Davis is still hurt and Russell Westbrook has been mostly terrible all season, so its should come as no surprise that the Lakers are struggling these days. If anyone has to go in Los Angeles, it should be Westbrook, not Vogel. Later, Jason does a deep dive into all of the NFL Divisional round playoff games from a sports gambling perspective. The Cincinnati Bengals are the postseason upstarts, but can they compete with a suddenly healthy Tennessee Titans squad? We're betting on Derrick Henry, AJ Brown and Ryan Tannehill in this one. The advanced statistics say that the San Francisco 49ers are actually a better team than the Green Bay Packers, but it’s really hard to bet on a banged-up Jimmy G at Lambeau Field. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers should win this one. Moving over to the Sunday games, most folks agree that it’s easier to trust Tom Brady in a big spot over Matthew Stafford, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the side in this game. Not only will the Los Angeles Rams cover the spread, but they’re going to win this one outright. Finally, Josh Allen versus Patrick Mahomes should easily be the game of the weekend. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean Kansas City won’t cover the spread; Put your money on the Chiefs. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Jason kicks things off with a deep dive into the reports that Jim Harbaugh would entertain a head coaching offer from the Las Vegas Raiders. The calculus has changed in college football the past few years, and with the Raiders transitioning into an entirely new regime, the stars appear aligned for Harbaugh to make a move back to the NFL. Harbaugh would instantly become the face of the franchise, and the Raiders have a decent foundation to build upon. This could be a win-win for both parties. Later, professional sports bettor David Baker swings by to discuss how he fared in the famed SuperContest after bringing home the title in 2020, why he's inclined to throw down some money on Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers simply because he doesn't trust Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams, why the Kansas City Chiefs versus the Buffalo Bills is easily the best game of the weekend but the hardest to bet on, why he's waiting on an update on Jimmy Garoppolo before deciding how he wants to bet in the San Francisco 49ers-Green Bay Packers game, why he's going to continue riding the Tennessee Titans bandwagon until the wheels fall off, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks things off by sharing some scuttlebutt he's heard about Jimmy Garoppolo's availability for the Divisional Playoff round against the Green Bay Packers. Folks in the Bay Area say that Jimmy G is dealing with a shoulder sprain that could keep him on the sideline, and now the wiseguys in Las Vegas are starting to bet big on Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. In the NBA, multiple reports coming out of Los Angeles indicate that Frank Vogel is coaching for his job on a night-to-night basis. Wait, what?! Did Lakers brass forget that Anthony Davis is hurt? Or that LeBron James missed a quarter of the season? Or that they've been ravaged by COVID? Or that they still have Russell Westbrook on their team? Moving on from Vogel makes zero sense given the circumstances. Later, USA Today Sports NFL columnist Mike Jones swings by to discuss why he doesn't hold Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury in very high regard - but doesn't necessarily think he should be fired, why it's hard to truly judge a head coach without giving him a decent roster and enough time to change the culture, whether or not candidates like Eric Bieniemy should try to hold out for plum head coaching jobs rather than jump at the first offer he receives, why he was so disappointed in the way the Houston Texans handled David Culley, why he's not ready to give up on Tua Tagovailia as a franchise quarterback just yet, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kicks thing off with some very interesting speculation regarding the Dallas Cowboys head coaching job. Fans and sports media members alike are calling for Mike McCarthy's job after their latest playoff debacle, and our fearless leader thinks that defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is actually angling to takeover the job. Quinn's name keeps popping up for head coaching vacancies - and maybe that's by design to make Jerry Jones think he's in high demand. Later, Jason shares a quick thought on the Arizona Cardinals' no-show against the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round. Kyler Murray was a dumpster fire, but the most shocking part of all was that he seemed unwilling to use his legs even after it became clear that he couldn't hit the red side of a barn threw the air. Is it possible that Kyler refused to run because he's convinced that the only way he'll have a long NFL career is if he wins games exclusively from the pocket? Plus, The Doomsday Podcast host Matt Mosley swings by to discuss the Cowboys' disappointing loss to the San Francisco 49ers, how Dak Prescott has mostly been able to avoid criticism during his tenure as the starting quarterback, why he thinks the team should considering moving on from Ezekiel Elliott, how the emergence of Quinn and Kellen Moore could impact the future of McCarthy in Dallas, and much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason kick things off with a deep dive into the San Francisco 49ers upset over the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs. The Niners were in control for most of the game, but the big story to come out of this one was the Cowboys' peculiar decision to call a QB draw on the final play (without any timeouts) and the subsequent snafu involving the referee. Dallas never got a crack at the end zone to try and tie the game after that bizarre sequence. Whether it was Mike McCarthy or Kellen Moore who called the run, the face remains that Dak Prescott has to have more situational awareness. Moreover, it's hard to blame the officiating for what happened at the end when the Cowboys continuously shot themselves in the foot with dumb penalties throughout the game (and throughout the regular season). It was a terrible performance by all parties in involved, and it will be fascinating to see where Dallas goes from here. Later, Jason tells us why he's already laying down some big money on the Kansas City Chiefs to cover the spread and beat the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional round. Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen both put on absolute shows over the weekend - albeit against inferior competition - so it's a little surprising that our fearless leader was so quick to fire on the Chiefs. Plus, Producer Rob G swings by to pay homage to his beloved Las Vegas Raiders now that this season is officially over, and to tell us why he thinks that Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the least impressive team to win their Wild Card matchup. Finally, Jason closes the show with the Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams Monday Night Football Playoff edition of the Best Bet. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jason is joined by Las Vegas sportsbook veteran oddsmaker and podcast host Dave Sharapan for an extended conversation heading into NFL Wild Card weekend. Sharapan discusses why he doubts the Pittsburgh Steelers will able to cover the spread much less beat the Kansas City Chiefs, why he thinks you should pound the over in the Cincinnati Bengals-Las Vegas Raiders game, why he's not expecting inclement weather to play much of a factor in the Buffalo Bills-New England Patriots showdown, why a lot of the betting public likes the San Francisco 49ers to upset the Dallas Cowboys, why he likes the Los Angeles Rams to beat the Arizona Cardinals this week even though he's less bullish on their Super Bowl outlook moving forward, and much more! Plus, Jason closes the show with his official NFL Wild Card weekend picks against the spread in an extended version of the Best Bet. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.