PMT DB
PMT DB
Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace on Bear Weather, Mitch Trubisky, and Drafting Kicker
The Oscars happened over the weekend and they were exactly what we expected: four hours of people in nice suits patting each other on the back while everyone else at home waits for someone to get arrested. Jimmy Kimmel got a little preachy, but the real winner of the night wasn't a movie about a fishman. It was Kobe Bryant taking home a statue, finally putting to rest any debate about who the real GOAT is.
PFT CommenterKobe Bryant is the GOAT over LeBron and Jordan because he won an Oscar
Kobe Bryant, our supporter, just won an Oscar. MJ and LeBron trash. He's our GOAT. And this proves it. How many Oscars has LeBron and MJ won? That's right. Zero.
While Hollywood was busy with trophies, the real action is starting in college basketball. We are officially entering the best stretch of the calendar year, and Big Cat is already prepared to die on the hill that the lead-up might actually surpass the Big Dance itself.
Big CatChampionship week is better than the NCAA Tournament
Hot take championship week might be better than the tournament. Because you actually know the teams, unlike in the March Madness, when you're like, I don't know how these teams are going to match up.
Big Cat and PFT are also keeping a close eye on the hot seats across the country. Between Sean Miller's standoff with ESPN and the pressure mounting in East Lansing, the stakes couldn't be higher. Big Cat thinks the leash is getting short for Tom Izzo if the Spartans don't make a deep run.
Big CatTom Izzo is on the hot seat if Michigan State doesn't reach the Sweet 16
Final Four or bust, is Tom Izzo on the hot seat? You've got to say, if he gets bounced before the Sweet 16, he's on that hot seat.
Who's Back of the Week
Who's Back featured a heavy dose of the letter B, courtesy of Hank. We had Chris Berman managing a spring training game for the Giants, buzzer-beaters, and the return of the B-lines. PFT also offered some very practical medical advice for any listener looking to maximize their tournament viewing experience.
PFT CommenterYou should schedule a vasectomy for the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament so you have an excuse to watch basketball for two days
All the guys know if you need to get your balls cut off, you got to do it that first weekend so you have permission to sit on the couch and watch college basketball for two days nonstop. Yes, you got the frozen peas on your balls.
We also spent a good chunk of time on the NFL Combine, which is basically just Mike Mayock getting high on his own supply of linebacker drills. The standout story was Shaquem Griffin's insane performance, though Big Cat remains a realist about how NFL scouts will actually view him come draft day.
Big CatScouts will reasonably drop Shaquem Griffin in the draft because he only has one hand
I can't wait for people to get mad when he falls in the draft a little bit. Look, I think he's a good player, and he did well at the Combine, but he does not have one hand. So, like, I think... That's a fair criticism to throw out there. That doesn't mean that he's not going to be a good NFL player, but I think most scouts would probably say, I'd prefer two hands than one.
Ryan Pace Joins the Show
Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace joined us in Indianapolis to talk about the "process" of rebuilding a franchise. Big Cat, being the unbiased journalist he is, made sure to grill Pace on the most important factor in any Chicago victory: Bear Weather.
Ryan PaceI believe in Bear Weather
Do you believe in bear weather? Do I believe in bear weather? Yes. I was going to say, this is an important question. Okay. You believe in bear weather. Yes.
We also touched on the quarterback situation. Pace was candid about the importance of finding a franchise guy and why the team moved up to grab Mitch Trubisky. He understands that in today's NFL, you're either set at QB or you're essentially dead in the water.
Ryan PaceIf you don't have the quarterback position right in the NFL, you are swimming upstream
I think we all know, like in the NFL, especially now, I mean, it all starts with a quarterback and if you don't have that position right, then you're swimming upstream. So, you know, there's a good feeling in our building right now when we feel like we had that guy [Trubisky].
As for the future, Pace didn't play too coy regarding the team's needs. While they have a lot of cap space, the focus remains on building through the draft and adding weapons for Mitch. It sounds like the wide receiver room is about to get a lot more crowded.
Ryan PaceIt is obvious that the Bears will try to acquire a wide receiver this year
Are we going to get a wide receiver this year? I mean, I don't think we're — we try not to be overly transparent, but I think that's pretty obvious. Okay. All right. Breaking news. Bears are going to try to get a wide receiver.
The Ball-Punching Metric
In the spirit of the draft, we discussed a scout's claim that he would punch himself in the balls repeatedly to draft Saquon Barkley. This led to a very scientific discussion about dominant-hand ball punching and whether Barkley is worth the physical toll. Big Cat is already on board if it means Saquon ends up in a Bears uniform.
Big CatI would punch myself in the balls 12 times to get Saquon Barkley on the Bears
I would punch myself in the balls 12 times for Saquon Barkley to magically just be on the Bears. Just magically. You just compile, you know, you trust the process, like Ryan Pace told us.
We wrapped things up with the debut of Hashtag Hyphy and a look at the latest memes from Hank's Hot in the Streets. While Spongebob memes are currently dominating the landscape, Big Cat is calling his shot on a legacy children's TV host becoming the next big thing.
Big CatSteve from Blue's Clues has a million potential memes in his face
I'm going to call my shot here. I feel like Blue's Clues has like a million memes in it. That guy, Steve, with his fucking stupid old Navy shirt, that guy for sure has a memeable face.
Just remember to check the revolving doors for alpha leadership before you draft your next quarterback.
