Hmm

... and have the guys play the game.

You know, not pretend like it's a Friday morning game.

Pretend like it's a Thursday night game like they're in Los Angeles.

You know, the Niners players, it's gonna feel like a Friday morning game to them.

They've been there for a while now.

They've adjusted.

Mm.

Same.

You know? Whether, whether it's, uh, certainly in this game, left tackle, but even when Simmons comes back, I think the jury's out on the Chiefs receiving corps.

I, I think defensively they're counting on these young guys, Peter Woods, R. Mason Thomas.

It sounds like the early returns in camp and in the preseason games have been positive.

Um, and then they got a lot of new guys on the back end, a lot of new guys that they're counting on on the back end.

So, uh, the Chiefs come in with a decent amount of question marks, probably more so than other people, but then they have one of the best quarterbacks of all time.

They have one of the best coaches of all time.

Same.

Unbelievable.

We'd be in the pool having the greatest time, and then they'd blow the whistle, and all the kids had to get out of the pool and watch this one grandma swim.

It's unreal when you think about it now.

Anyway, I digress, but the Tears for Fears, by the way, it's just a fantastic song, and coming back from break, and hearing that put me right back to, cause it's still kind of summary out the great lie back to the why missing public pool when I was six and seven years old, eight years old, and they would play that song seemingly on, on repeat, which by the way, was like 20 years before Khalil Benson was even born the, the left tackle Monday night for the chiefs.

There's no question.

It's a concern.

You know, It has not worked out as well with Josh Simmons thus far as I think the Chiefs were hoping in terms of his availability.

Thanks.

And it'd be like one person, sometimes zero.

Unbelievable.

We'd be in the pool having the greatest time, and then they'd blow the whistle, and all the kids had to get out of the pool and watch this one grandma swim.

It's unreal when you think about it now.

Anyway, I digress, but the Tears for Fears, by the way, it's just a fantastic song, and coming back from break, and hearing that put me right back to, cause it's still kind of summary out the great lie back to, uh, the why missing public pool when I was six and seven years old, eight years old, and they would play that song seemingly on, on repeat, which by the way, was like 20 years before Khalil Benson was even born the, uh, the left tackle Monday night for the chiefs.

There's no question.

It's a concern.

Thanks.

Ross Willie?

I think that's a very fair concern, Joe.

I think John makes a terrific point.

I think they're gonna be able to run the ball very well.

I think they're gonna have a top five offensive line again, which is really exciting.

They're asking Jalen Hurts to do something he's never done before, and the league is so detail-oriented.

You're so h- it's so helpful when you've been in the same system for years, and you've mastered all of the little intricacies.

What do you got in a 17-week season for the birds?

Ross, Willie?

I think that's a very fair concern, Joe.

I think John makes a terrific point.

I think they're gonna be able to run the ball very well.

I think they're gonna have a top five offensive line again, which is really exciting.

They're asking Jalen Hurts to do something he's never done before, and the league is so detail-oriented.

You're so h- it's so helpful when you've been in the same system for years, and you've mastered all of the little intricacies.

What do you got in a 17-week season for the Birds?

Ross Willie?

I think that's a very fair concern, Joe.

I think John makes a terrific point.

I think they're gonna be able to run the ball very well.

I think they're gonna have a top five offensive line again, which is really exciting.

They're asking Jalen Hurts to do something he's never done before, and the league is so detail-oriented.

You're so h- it's so helpful when you've been in the same system for years, and you've mastered all of the little intricacies.

What do you got in a 17-week season for the Birds?

I thought that was possible also, yeah.

And he's so strong, and he's so, uh, talented, that I think he'll still be able to have a productive year this year, but I wonder a little bit about his body type.

Yeah, yeah.

How many receivers are 230, that thick, and play that physical of a style? We talked about it a lot last year.

I do not think he was the same guy last year that he had been the three years prior.

So how much do you think David Montgomery can take the load off of C.J. Stroud in that area of the field specifically?

Well, they're certainly hoping for it.

And, you know, the Stroud thing is fascinating because he really did not play well in the playoffs.

Either one of those games, even the Steelers' Monday night game that they won, he did not play well at all.

And as a result, there's been a lot of conversation surrounding C.J. Stroud You know, he still does not have a contract extension.

They have set a deadline.

At least their GM, Nick Casario, has said, you know, Sunday, week one.

I think he's going to need that going up against these two corners.

... how many players on the Bills defense could start for the Texans?

Well, I'd have to go through it player by player, and I'm not gonna do that with you live.

I, I'll say not many.

Not many.

I mean, off the top of my head, maybe two or three, maybe.

Which, which says a lot, I think, about what Josh Allen and the Bills have been able to accomplish.

You know, I, I haven't looked at the NFL Top 100 Players all that closely or that vo- Are there any Bills defensive guys on it? I think that's probably the biggest issue I see in Buffalo right now, Dan, is that when you look at their defense, let's pretend like you and I are offensive coaches or offensive coordinators during the week.

Handicap the Eagles this year and how do they match up with the Rams and whoever else you wanna throw in with the NFC?

... how many players on the Bills defense could start for the Texans?

Well, I'd have to go through it player by player, and I'm not gonna do that with you live.

I, I'll say not many.

Not many.

I mean off the top of my head, maybe two or three, maybe, which, which says a lot I think about what Josh Allen and the Bills have been able to accomplish.

You know, I, I haven't looked at the NFL top 100 players all that closely or that vote.

Are there any Bills defensive guys on it? I think that's probably the biggest issue I see in Buffalo right now, Dan, is that when you look at their defense-- Let's pretend like you and I are offensive coaches or offensive coordinators during the week.

I-- Handicap the Eagles this year and how do they match up with the Rams and whoever else you wanna throw in with the NFC?

Where do you think about what you've seen so far?

Well, I'm going to start with the decision by the Eagles to trade for Andy Dalton in the first place.

My read on that was, I guess, twofold.

One is, and this has been proven out for decades now, certainly over the last decade, the Eagles care more about the third string quarterback than any team in the league.

You know, like even last year when they really liked Tanner McKee and he played so well in the preseason and he had won the game the year before at the end of the season against the Giants in week 18, they still brought in Sam Howell.

to be the number three quarterback last year.

They want a number three that they feel comfortable can win them a game if they have to go win the game.

So, Ross, your perspective on the O-line, especially the depth you've seen in these two games, because it looks to me like they got some players that could play behind the starters.

Where do you think about what you've seen so far?

Well, I'm going to start with the decision by the Eagles to trade for Andy Dalton in the first place.

My read on that was, I guess, twofold.

One is, and this has been proven out for decades now, certainly over the last decade, the Eagles care more about the third string quarterback than any team in the league.

Even last year, when they really liked Tanner McKee and he played so well in the preseason and he had won the game the year before at the end of the season against the Giants in Week 18, they still brought in Sam Howell to be the number three quarterback last year.

They want a number three that they feel comfortable can win them a game if they have to go win the game.

They don't want like the Vikings last year at Max Brosmer.

So, Ross, your perspective on the O-line, especially the depth you've seen in these two games, because it looks to me like they got some players that could play behind the starters.

How that factors in.

Well, so I don't think that that's as much of a factor as other people do, because the same guy drafted them both.

So let's just say for example, let's say that they decide that they'd rather start Trotter Jr, and he plays really well.

That, to me, is not a huge indictment on Jihaad Campbell, but instead that would be a huge feather in Howie's cap that a fifth-round pick is out there balling.

Kinda like getting a Jomo for a seventh-round pick, you know? I, I, I think that, that would actually really be in Howie's favor if Trotter was out there playing well.

I, I also...

I don't know.

Mm

How that factors in.

Well, so I don't think that that's as much of a factor as other people do because the same guy drafted them both.

So let's just say, for example, let's say that they decide that they'd rather start Trotter Jr. and he plays really well.

That, to me, is not a huge indictment on Jihad Campbell.

But instead, that would be a huge feather in Howie's cap that a fifth-round pick is out there balling.

Kind of like getting a Jomo for a seventh-round pick.

I think that would actually really be in Howie's favor if Trotter was out there playing well.

Well, so

That said, what are you more proud of: the seven years you played in the league, or everything you've accomplished since you finished playing?

playing?Oh, man.

That's a good question.

You're gonna get me choked up.

Yeah, my, my eyes just filled up a little bit, you even just saying that.

I wanna say one thing first, Jim, 'cause I know we've probably told this story before, but I know you're always getting new listeners and viewers.

I hope people realize before I even got into the media, Jim emailed me.

What's your sense, Ross, of C.J.'s game as he's heading into his fourth season?

That said, what are you more proud of, the seven years you played in the league, or everything you've accomplished since you finished playing?

Oh, man.

That's a good question.

You're gonna get me choked up.

Yeah, my, my eyes just filled up a little bit, you even just saying that.

I wanna say one thing first, Jim, 'cause I know we've probably told this story before, but I know you're always getting new listeners and viewers.

I hope people realize, before I even got into the media, Jim emailed me.

What's your sense, Ross, of C.J.'s game as he's heading into his fourth season?

Yeah.

So 2018, I was just watching in my house.

And I remember the last preseason game watching Mailata, like bull rushers run into him and just stop.

Like they're ph- they would hit Mailata and stop.

They were running twists, like TEs, and Mailata was passing it off.

I saw how explosive he was out of his stance, and then in the run game I saw how he could move.

And I, you know, I probably shouldn't have done this, but I said, "I don't think this guy is just gonna be a starter anymore.

Mm.

Where are you, I guess, just in the general sense of where you think the Chiefs should be amongst the AFC elite?

You know, it's a terrific question.

And I could make a really compelling argument in multiple directions.

So the argument in their favor is obviously just their incredible track record during the Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid era.

And especially in recent years, over the last five, six years, they've just been so consistently good And I think they deserve the benefit of the doubt for what happened last year.

And if I'm going to, you know, if I were a betting man, so to speak, I'm betting on Andy Reid, betting on Patrick Mahomes, you know, Travis Kelsey, Chris Jones, those guys.

I think the other side, and Steve Spagnuolo, I want to make sure I mention him because I think he's a key part of it.

Where are you, I guess, just in the general sense of where you think the Chiefs should be amongst the AFC elite?

Yeah

... 'cause I think he's a, a key part of it.

I think the flip side would be this time of year, I kinda look at teams and I think, "Okay, how many question marks do they have?" And the reality is it feels like, it feels like the Chiefs have a lot, you know? I mean, if you look at them, the receiving corps, you know, I think you can question the depth.

I think you can question what they're gonna get from Rashee Rice.

I think, you know, the jury is still somewhat out on Xavier Worthy and Taquan Thornton.

It doesn't feel like any of those guys are really known commodities.

I think you can probably say on some level the same for the offensive line other than Trey and Creed at right guard and center.

I guess I feel like there's no team that has a good ros- or, like, a great roster that I don't have questions about whether or not their quarterback [laughs] can do it again, I guess, is my problem, Ross.

Where are you, I guess, just in the general sense of where you think the Chiefs should be amongst the AFC elite?

You know, it's a terrific question.

And I could make a really compelling argument in multiple directions.

So the argument in their favor is obviously just their incredible track record during the Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid era.

And especially in recent years, over the last five, six years, they've just been so consistently good.

And I think they deserve the benefit of the doubt for what happened last year.

And if I'm going to, you know, if I were a betting man, so to speak, I'm betting on Andy Reid, betting on Patrick Mahomes, you know, Travis Kelsey, Chris Jones, those guys.

carry some weight obviously as you said but it's like I can see some problems still with the Patriots or Broncos or charge whoever it is that you're in there it doesn't feel like I guess I feel like there's no team that has a good roster or like a great roster that I don't have questions about whether or not the quarterback can do it again I guess is my problem Ross

Where are you, I guess, just in the general sense of where you think the Chiefs should be amongst the AFC elite?

You know, it's a terrific question.

And I could make a really compelling argument in multiple directions.

So the argument in their favor is obviously just their incredible track record during the Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid era.

And especially in recent years, over the last five, six years, they've just been so consistently good And I think they deserve the benefit of the doubt for what happened last year.

And if I'm going to, you know, if I were a betting man, so to speak, I'm betting on Andy Reid, betting on Patrick Mahomes, you know, Travis Kelsey, Chris Jones, those guys.

I think the other side, and Steve Spagnuolo, I want to make sure I mention him because I think he's a key part of it.

carry some weight obviously as you said but it's like I can see some problems still with the Patriots or Broncos or charge whoever it is that you're in there it doesn't feel like I guess I feel like there's no team that has a good roster or like a great roster that I don't have questions about whether or not their quarterback can do it again I guess is my problem Ross

Does it really mean nothing when they look as bad as they do on Saturday night?

No, I would never be one to say that.

I'm a guy that, and I know things are a little bit differently now than they were back then, but Every year I was either competing to start or competing for a roster spot.

And I don't care what anybody says.

Even if you just say it's like a practice, okay, it's like a really important practice because you're going against other people.

They get to see how you react in a game.

There's no question that when they're evaluating all of the players that are out there, that they more heavily weight the preseason games.

And then what is going to happen from here? Because you don't imagine they're going to carry four quarterbacks.

And then what is going to happen from here? Because you don't imagine they're going to carry four quarterbacks.

Well, we don't have to discuss how valuable we think the backup quarterback position is because the Eagles organization and Harry Roseman in particular, they've been very clear over the years that they highly value not only the backup spot, but the third quarterback spot.

I mean, there's a bunch of years, like last year, They could have just kept Kyle McCord as the third quarterback, as a drafted rookie local kid.

Nope.

They cut him and brought in Sam Howell.

I mean, the Eagles like to have a third-string quarterback who can play because if you watch the season, right, this will happen in November.

There will be teams.

Ross, I know Saturday wasn't like the most dynamic debut, but what have been your first impressions of Sean Mania?

Does it really mean nothing when they look as bad as they do on Saturday night?

No, I would never be one to say that.

I'm a guy that, and I know things are a little bit differently now than they were back then, but Every year I was either competing to start or competing for a roster spot.

And I don't care what anybody says.

Even if you just say it's like a practice, okay, it's like a really important practice because you're going against other people.

They get to see how you react in a game.

There's no question that when they're evaluating all of the players that are out there, that they more heavily weight the preseason games.

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