PMT DB
PMT DB
Peyton Manning on Hall of Fame Prep and Aaron Rodgers' Return
Big Cat is officially back from vacation and never wants to leave again. While he was gone, the sports world decided to lose its mind. The Cubs traded away their entire soul, Novak Djokovic had a meltdown for the ages, and most importantly, Aaron Rodgers decided to stop holding the sports world hostage and returned to the Green Bay Packers. Of course, the collateral damage was Blake Bortles getting cut, which really stung for everyone in the studio.
PFT CommenterAaron Rodgers is a diva for returning to the Packers and taking Blake Bortles' job
Aaron Rodgers decided that he was going to be a diva and take Blake Bortles' job. [Bortles] got cut, Aaron Rodgers un-retired. I know deep down I was like he's obviously gonna come back, but I also believed that maybe he would actually retire.
Big Cat was particularly fired up about how the Packers handled the situation. He leaned into the idea that Green Bay might actually be the worst place for a player to end up, regardless of their history. He pointed out that Rodgers' press conference essentially served as a warning to every free agent in the league that the organization doesn't value its people.
Big CatThe Green Bay Packers are the least desirable team to play for in the NFL
The Green Bay Packers are a classless organization by cutting Blake Bortles. Probably least desirable team to play for in the NFL, according to Aaron Rodgers, not me, Aaron Rodgers. If you're a free agent listening to the show right now, Will Compton, don't you dare go to the Green Bay Packers because they will mistreat you.
This led to a broader discussion about how much power a superstar quarterback should actually have. Big Cat argued that if you have a generational talent, their happiness should be the primary objective of the front office, something the Packers missed entirely.
Big CatOnly 4 quarterbacks (Rodgers, Brady, Mahomes, Wilson) deserve to have their organization listen to their input
There's only a few guys [an organization should absolutely listen to]. It's pretty much Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes and probably Russell Wilson. Those are the guys right now. One of your top checklists that you check off every day is, 'Is my generational talent quarterback—top five guy who wins us games and makes me look better than I am at my job—is that guy happy?' That should be one of your top things you check off every single day, and the Packers clearly haven't been doing that.
PFT had a few theories on where this goes next. He isn't convinced this is a long-term reconciliation and suggested that Rodgers might be playing a much longer game to maximize the headache for the front office. PFT even floated a theory about Rodgers becoming a year-to-year mercenary once he finally escapes Wisconsin.
PFT CommenterAaron Rodgers will become a year-to-year mercenary on one-year contracts after this season
I think this will be the last year for Aaron, because I think what he wants to do is he wants to do a sign-and-trade next year. He wants to go someplace for a one-year contract and then be a mercenary year-to-year, and then just go ring chasing all across maybe another four years after that playing for various teams.
The Sheriff Rides Into Canton
Ahead of his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Peyton Manning joined the show to discuss his legendary career and his obsessive preparation. He was surprisingly humble about his physical gifts, admitting that he knew he couldn't rely on raw athleticism or a cannon arm to win games.
Peyton ManningI realized early that to get an edge I had to out-prepare everyone because I couldn't out-throw or out-run anyone
I came to the realization that I couldn't out-throw anybody. I couldn't throw it 85 yards down the field like a Brett Favre. I couldn't outrun anybody clearly. I realized that to get an edge, I had to try to out-prepare anybody. I told myself that I was [working harder]. The main people I was trying to outwork was our opponent. It gave me confidence to go full speed ahead.
One of the funniest moments of the interview came when the guys asked about his infamous rookie season where he threw 28 interceptions. Instead of being defensive, Manning embraced the record and even offered some advice to the new crop of rookie quarterbacks like Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson. He believes the only way to actually get better is to stay on the field and take your lumps, even if it means throwing a few dozen picks along the way.
Peyton ManningRookie quarterbacks like Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson should start immediately and play all 16 games to learn
I'm a believer in putting those guys in right away, put [Zach] Wilson in, put [Trevor] Lawrence in and let them play. Let them see how fast these defenses are. They're going to figure it out a lot sooner. I would like to get that [28 interceptions] record off my resume, and if Trevor Lawrence wants to break that this year, I am for it. But you got to be a 16-game starter to do it.
He also defended his "Manning face" and those infamous wobbly passes that somehow always found their target. According to the Sheriff, a tight spiral is mostly for show and might actually be easier for a defensive back to catch.
Peyton ManningThe quality of a spiral is overrated; wobbly touchdowns count just the same
Every one of my records is getting broken... but nobody's throwing more wobbly touchdowns than me. Okay. I mean, the spiral is overrated, right? As long as it gets there. And the good thing about the wobbly pass, a lot of dropped interceptions. Because these guys playing defense, a perfect spiral right in their hands they're going to catch, but a wobbly pass, there's a good chance they're going to drop it.
Olympic Fever and Mt. Rushmore
Outside of the Manning interview, the guys caught up on the Olympics. Big Cat was particularly impressed by Rowdy Gaines' energy in the swimming booth, while PFT was busy tracking the aerodynamic benefits of tattoos.
PFT CommenterForearm tattoos make you faster
They also forearm tattoo on the guy that won the a hundred meter dash [Marcell Jacobs] this year. Forearm tattoos make you faster. Absolutely.
They also touched on the high jump controversy where two athletes decided to share the gold medal rather than go to a jump-off. Big Cat pointed out the irony of people calling Simone Biles a quitter while celebrating two guys who literally agreed to stop competing.
Big CatHigh jumpers splitting a gold medal is the equivalent of quitting competition
The cutter and the Italian guy tied for high jump, and then they split the gold. I would do the same thing if given the opportunity to be like, 'Hey, you can quit now and get a gold medal.' That's the best of both worlds for me. But for the people who were like, 'Simone Biles is a quitter,' they should be mad about that. Because this is the most like—this is competition and you just tie. You must have consistency on this one.
The show wrapped up with a chaotic Mt. Rushmore of Combinations. After Billy tried to pander by picking Big Cat and PFT, the guys got into the weeds with everything from food pairings to legendary sports duos. Big Cat made sure to secure one of the most aesthetic combinations in the history of the gridiron.
Big CatA 'thunder and lightning' backfield is the best thing in football
I'm going to go with thunder and lightning, but specifically in your backfield. Nothing better than that when you got the big bruiser between the tackles and then a scat back on the outside.
Hank still doesn't understand how time zones work, but at least he made it back for the recording.
