PMT DB
PMT DB
Matt Olson, Barstool Independence, and the Hard Knocks Premiere
The pirate ship is back on the open ocean. Big Cat and PFT opened the show addressing the massive news that Barstool Sports has been sold back to Dave Portnoy by Penn. While the partnership with Penn changed their lives, the guys are clearly energized by the return to independence. Big Cat was quick to shut down any narratives that the show was censored under corporate ownership, noting that the only real changes involved navigating the red tape of gambling regulators.
Big CatGambling regulators simply do not like Barstool Sports
Turns out regulators maybe don't love Barstool, don't love us. And I get that. It's totally makes sense. I think Penn had the same thought, like, Hey, we thought this was gonna work out maybe a little better with regulators. It didn't. So we are back to being ourselves independent.
Big CatI don't think any of the content on Pardon My Take changed while the company was owned by Penn
In terms of the content of this show, I don't think we changed anything. Did we, PFT? ... It's just been how we've talked about gambling, which I understand that was part of the, the rules And it made sense for to, to make sure that we talked about gambling the correct way under pen.
Football is officially back with the premiere of Hard Knocks featuring the New York Jets. The main takeaway for Big Cat was simple: Aaron Rodgers has never looked more at peace. Whether it's the change of scenery or the lack of Packers drama, Rodgers appears to be fully rejuvenated in New Jersey.
Big CatI am officially an Aaron Rodgers fan for the 2023 season
I've never seen Aaron Rogers happier. He looks so happy. He looks so relaxed. I'm so happy for him. ... Aaron Rogers, the shackles are off. He looks like he can be himself. ... He's a great fucking guy. Great football player. I've always loved Aaron Rogers this year. That's a fact. You can't dispute that fact.
Beyond Rodgers, the show highlighted the coaching staff, specifically offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. PFT is already buying stock in a Hackett redemption arc after his disastrous tenure in Denver, suggesting the vibe in New York is exactly what he needs to get back on the head coaching track.
PFT CommenterNathaniel Hackett is future NFL head coach material
I think he's future head coach material. Just the way that you, it's, it tells you a lot the way that you can get along with a star quarterback if you have that trust that guy's a rising star... Once he gets that under his Belt, I think he's gonna, he's gonna turn some heads.
One of the more bizarre moments from the episode involved Robert Saleh's animal analogies. He told the team a story about how eagles deal with crows, leading PFT to go on an absolute tear about how crows are actually the dumbest creatures on the planet for their suicidal eagle-hitching tactics.
PFT CommenterCrows are the dumbest animals in the world
My personal big takeaway was that crows are dumb as shit. ... I've been told my whole life that crows are the smartest bird in the world. And it's a miracle that they ever get out of bed in the morning without stabbing themselves in the butthole with their own beak. Because they're so stupid that they just hold onto the back of an eagle and die of not being able to breathe.
The Orioles Broadcast Debacle and Baker's QB Battle
Jake Marsh took the floor for a rare, heated rant during Hot Seat/Cool Throne. He laid into the Baltimore Orioles ownership for the reported suspension of broadcaster Kevin Brown. The crime? Stating the factual history of the team's struggles at Tropicana Field. Jake argued that if a broadcaster gets suspended for using facts provided by the team, the entire organization should be sent home.
Jake MarshIf the Orioles suspend their announcer for stating facts, they should also suspend the production truck and PR team
You're suspending the broadcaster for stating those facts. Where did he get those facts from? The truck. ... Where did the truck get those facts from? The team's pr game notes in that case. Suspend all of them. ... If you're gonna just suspend him, you gotta suspend everyone else involved with making that decision of making these facts come to light.
In Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers released their first depth chart with a massive "OR" between Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask. PFT sees this as a flashing red light for Baker's career, suggesting that if he hasn't already cleared the hurdle of a former second-round pick, the season might be over before it starts.
PFT CommenterThe Buccaneers' depth chart 'OR' listing is bad news for Baker Mayfield
My Hot Seat is the Bucks. ... At the quarterback position they have Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask listed as QB One. ... I feel like this is bad news for Baker. 'cause most people assume that Bake was gonna be QB one, right? ... This is telling me that Baker, they want Baker to be the QB one, but he's stunk in training camp, so they're like, well we can't demote him yet, so we'll just make it an or.
Matt Olson on Hitting Dingers and the Braves Wagon
Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson joined the guys in studio on a Friday night to talk about his monster season. Olson is an AWL who famously dressed as Big Cat for Halloween years ago, and he fit right into the show's dynamic. Big Cat didn't hold back on the praise, immediately labeling the slugger a legend in the making.
Big CatMatt Olson is a future Hall of Famer
I now welcome on a very special guest in person. It is Atlanta Braves Allstar... I'll say this too. Future Hall of Famer Matt Olson. I was looking at the numbers and you, if you stay healthy, you're a future hall of famer.
Olson talked about the pressure of hitting after a teammate has already cleared the fence and the mental toll of the "foul pole home run." He confirmed the heartbreak every hitter feels when they launch a ball 400 feet only for it to land inches to the wrong side of the pole.
Matt OlsonHitting a home run foul is a sign that the batter will likely strike out later in that plate appearance
If anybody ever hits a foul homer during that bat, they're fucked the rest of that bat. ... There's three options from that point on: it's another homer, which is like a small percentage, or a punch out or a walk, and the punch out is the highest percentage there. ... You're like, 'Damn it, that was my one chance. I'm fucked.'
Mount Rushmore and Uncle Chaps
The show wrapped with a Mount Rushmore of Rookie Mistakes, ranging from the classic edible impatience to betting on the Celtics in the playoffs. Uncle Chaps then stopped by to deliver a set of brutal roasts that spared no one, though he did take a break from the insults to make a bold prediction for his Jacksonville Jaguars.
Uncle ChapsTrevor Lawrence will win NFL MVP and the Jaguars have the league's best skill positions
I'm gonna put a lot of money on [Trevor Lawrence] winning the MVP. 'cause the odds have gotta be insane. And he's so good. And now having Calvin Ridley... I don't know if you've seen the clips from their camp. Calvin Ridley's a freak. The Jags might have across the board the best skill positions.
It turns out that being a billionaire owner doesn't protect you from the PMT jinx, but being an independent pirate ship definitely makes the takes fly a little faster.
