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Ryan Whitney + Fire Nick Saban?

Wednesday, January 9, 201924 takes

National Championship recap and Alabama got absolutely smoked. What happened in the game and how Dabo is the opposite of Nick Saban even though Nick Saban is the best coach of all time ( -). Hot Seat/Cool Throne including talk about Barstool Gold (Don't freak out) and the Vikings GM being an absolute lunatic ( - ). Ryan Whitney joins the show to catch up on the 2018-19 NHL season, World Juniors what do they mean? And bashing basketball ( - ). Segments include Coaching Carousel with Bruce Arians, Kliff Kingsbury, and Matt LeFleur, PR 101 for Derrick Rose, Bachelor Talk, Parental Advisory for Alabama's loss, and guys on Chicks.

Ryan Whitney on NBA Egos, NHL Dad Trips, and Fire Nick Saban?

Football is slowly slipping away from us, but thankfully we had a National Championship game that doubled as a total coaching clinic—specifically a clinic on how to make Nick Saban look like he was auditioning for a role as a very angry, red tomato. Clemson didn't just win; they dismantled the Crimson Tide in a way that had the guys questioning everything they knew about the Alabama machine.

Win
Jan 9, 2019
#4358
Big CatBig Cat

Nick Saban got significantly outcoached by Dabo Swinney in the National Championship

Not only was it an ass-kicking, Nick Saban got outcoached. He got outcoached. He was outcoached by far.

The final score (44-16) and several failed gambles (fake field goal) support the idea that Clemson's staff had the better game plan.

Big Cat and PFT were stunned by how small Saban seemed to get as the lead grew. It wasn't just the final score, but the bizarre decisions along the way, like Tua Tagovailoa and the offense basically taking a nap before halftime despite having plenty of time and timeouts to work with.

Void
Jan 9, 2019
#29215
Big CatBig Cat

Something is wrong with Alabama's coaching staff for packing it in before halftime with three timeouts

The end of the first half when Nick Saban, Tua [Tagovailoa] has about 50 seconds, 45 seconds, three timeouts... you have a prolific offense and I think they maybe ran two plays and said, you know what, let's pack it in. We'll take all three timeouts and go into the locker room. I was like, what is going on right now? Something is wrong with Alabama's coaching staff or their game plan, whatever it may be.

While subjective, the decision was widely criticized by analysts as being uncharacteristically passive for Saban.

While the world was ready to crown Trevor Lawrence the next great thing, Big Cat wasn't entirely sold on the performance being a masterpiece of quarterbacking. He saw a lot of high-pointing by elite receivers rather than a surgical carving of the defense. PFT, meanwhile, was more focused on Lawrence's physical stature and incredibly straight hair.

Loss
Jan 9, 2019
#4360
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Trevor Lawrence is Teddy Bridgewater 2.0

He's like a six-month-old dog... His paws are big. He's got skinny shoulders. He's got skinny hips. Skinny knees. He's like Teddy Bridgewater 2.0.

Lawrence went on to be much more successful than Bridgewater in both college and draft stock, and his frame filled out significantly. They are very different archetypes of QBs.

Hockey Talk and NBA Hate with Ryan Whitney

With the college football season in the books, it was the perfect time to bring in our good friend Ryan Whitney to talk some puck. Whitney gave us the rundown on the NHL landscape, specifically the dominance of the Tampa Bay Lightning and why the World Juniors actually matter—even if they are unfortunately scheduled directly against bowl season.

Whitney also gave us some incredible insight into the "Dad Trip" phenomenon in the NHL. It turns out it's not about playing for the love of your father; it's about the pure, unadulterated fear of being roasted on the team bus by the man who used to check you into the boards at age eleven.

Void
Jan 9, 2019
#29221
Ryan WhitneyRyan Whitney

Teams play better on 'Dad Trips' because they are afraid of being tortured by their fathers for playing poorly

It's not even about like, I want to play good in front of my dad. It's like, if I play bad, I'm going to get tortured by my dad like I did when I was 11. If I didn't play good in the NHL, he'd still give me the same shit. I'd get on the bus, sit next to me, wouldn't talk to me.

This is a humorous observation about hockey subculture.

Things really got heated when the conversation shifted to the NBA. Whitney has zero time for the egos in basketball, specifically calling out LeBron James for his choice of sideline accessories while injured. The contrast between the modesty of hockey culture and the "look at me" nature of the NBA remains one of Whitney's favorite hills to die on.

Void
Jan 9, 2019
#4366
Ryan WhitneyRyan Whitney

NBA players are egotistical 'assholes' compared to modest NHL players

It's the ego on these assholes [in the NBA] to think that they're bigger than the team. They're bigger than the league... LeBron carries wine into the fucking game. Looking like a clown. And by the way, no hockey player would ever do that. They're going to say my teammates are the best teammates of all time because they don't need everything to be about them.

This is an inherently subjective comparison of sports cultures that reinforces common stereotypes about both leagues.

Hot Seat/Cool Throne and Rick Spielman's Brain

Hot Seat/Cool Throne took a turn for the bizarre when Big Cat brought up Minnesota Vikings GM Rick Spielman’s game-day routine. We’re talking about a man who eats peanut butter on his egg sandwiches and has a very specific, borderline terrifying relationship with gas station pumps.

Win
Big CatBig Cat

Vikings GM Rick Spielman's game day routine is absolute insanity

Rick Spielman... eats the same breakfast sandwich: fried egg, bacon, and peanut butter on a wheat round. He shaves the left side of his face, then the right. He puts his shoes and socks on before his pants. Leaves his house at the same time so he can arrive at the stadium at 8... uses the same pump, and makes sure always to end his purchase on a zero. Zeros are just good.

The details provided by Big Cat match the reported profile of Rick Spielman's superstitions at the time.

Speaking of insanity, the guys touched on the news of a chicken tender spill in Alabama where the local authorities actually had to tell people to stop eating highway-floor poultry. PFT, ever the man of the people, wasn't buying the health warnings.

Loss
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

It is never against the law to eat food that you found on the road

They're just trying to scare you. Don't listen to them. It's never against the law to eat food that you found on the road. Actually, as a taxpayer in Alabama, that's your food.

Hot TakeLifeHotSarcastic
It is generally a health code violation and traffic hazard, making this 'incorrect' as a legal claim but intended as a joke.

The Coaching Carousel and Guys on Chicks

The NFL coaching cycle is spinning at full speed. We’ve got Bruce Arians heading to Tampa, Cliff Kingsbury (or "Kiss Sexbury" according to some New York writers) taking over in Arizona, and Matt LaFleur heading to Green Bay to try and keep Aaron Rodgers intellectually stimulated.

To wrap things up, Guys on Chicks featured a listener whose boyfriend destroyed a TV over the Bears-Eagles double-doink. Big Cat offered some perspective on sports-induced property damage.

Void
Big CatBig Cat

You only get to break one TV in your life due to sports anger

I have a take. I think everyone gets one TV in their life to break. If you show that much passion about a team, then you probably have a lively personality... You got one TV to break in your life. Use it wisely.

This is a philosophical 'fandom rule' and is purely subjective.

We also addressed the ultimate red flag: a man who voluntarily goes out and purchases a cat. PFT made it very clear that this is not the behavior of an alpha male, and perhaps that boyfriend should look into relocating to a more cat-friendly culture.

Void
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Men who buy cats are betas who want to be dominated by an animal

You're dealing with a cat guy here. Cat guys are not alphas. Not an expert negotiator. He basically got a cat because he's such a beta that he wants an animal that will dominate him... If you get a cat as a male in the United States past the age of 10 years old because you want it, you should not be allowed to date one of our American women. Go to France.

This is an intentionally absurd and satirical take on masculinity.

Make sure to use the Barstool Gold link so we know you’re there for the PMT content and not just the weird therapist sessions.

nflnhlcollege-footballalabamaclemsonrick-spielmanryan-whitney

More Takes

Loss
Jan 9, 2019
#4357
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Alabama is the worst 14-1 team of all time

Is Alabama the worst 14-1 team of all time? There probably is a team out there, and remember when I told you a little trivia, 1897 was the last time the team went 15-0... I think they got dethroned by Alabama.

Hot TakeCFBFireSarcastic
While Alabamba was dominated, they were objectively one of the most talented teams in the country. This is a satirical valuation of the loss.
Void
Jan 9, 2019
#29214
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Nick Saban looked like an anaconda squeezing the life out of himself because he got outcoached

Little Nick Saban looked like he was going to explode on the sidelines. He got outcoached. He was outcoached by far. He does the thing where when he's really mad, you can tell because he just turns red and he crosses his arms and he just squeezes his own body. And he was like an anaconda squeezing the life out of himself because he knows he's not going to get that nut after the game that he needs.

This is a subjective characterization of Saban's body language.
Win
Jan 9, 2019
#29216
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Clemson is the new standard in college football

I would say that Clemson's the standard right now. Clemson is really, really good offensively. They've got [Trevor] Lawrence coming back for, I think, five more years. He's 19. Who basically hung 50-burger on Nick Saban.

Clemson had just won two of the last three national championships at this point, giving the claim strong factual backing in that moment.
Void
Jan 9, 2019
#4359
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The blueprint to beating Tua Tagovailoa is hitting him in the groin in the first quarter

The blueprints out there for how to beat Tua [Tagovailoa] is hit him in his dick in the first quarter, and then he'll just be thinking about his balls for the rest of the game.

While physically true that a groin injury affects performance, it's not a replicable or ethical 'blueprint' for winning games.
Void
Jan 9, 2019
#29217
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The National Championship winner should have to play Georgia for the 'real' title every year

There should be a plus one at the end of every single national championship where the winner, the title winner, gets to play Georgia for the real National Championship. Say what you want about Georgia, but they have exciting games against Alabama. And Clemson ruined it.

This is a hypothetical, satirical playoff structure change.
Void
Jan 9, 2019
#29218
Big CatBig Cat

Trevor Lawrence didn't carve apart Alabama; he just threw jump balls that his receivers caught

I actually, this is a little bit of a hot take. I think [Trevor Lawrence] is going to be special, but I didn't walk away from that game being like, wow, he carved them apart. He threw a bunch of jump balls that the Alabama defense was terrible and the Clemson wide receivers made awesome plays.

Subjective analysis of a game performance, though Lawrence went on to be the #1 overall pick.
Win
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

5'9" is now 'Heisman height' because of Kyler Murray

We're rebranding 5'9". Now it's Heisman height. That's what we're calling it. I'm 5'9". Perfectly average height for a scat back.

Murray was measured at 5'10" at the combine and did win the Heisman, largely validating the 'short QB' era.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

Drake jinxes teams publicly and then bets against them to profit privately

Drake, is he the best gambler in the world? Because he basically wears the clothing of the team and then bets against them. And it always works in his way. So he wears Kentucky clothes, or he says he's an Alabama fan, and then he bets against them in the big game and cashes his tickets.

This is a humorous conspiracy theory that cannot be proven or disproven without Drake's betting slips.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

You should be allowed to walk your dog in just boxers and slippers before 9 AM

If you have a dog and it's before 9 a.m., you should be able to walk on the street in just boxers... boxers and slippers. And people can't say anything. It's the dog walking rule.

This is a matter of personal social etiquette and cannot be definitively proven.
Void
Jan 9, 2019
#4364
Ryan WhitneyRyan Whitney

Calgary's Saddledome is a complete shithole

It's really cool to look at from the outside, but it's a complete shithole. For a current day pro sports arena, it's in the very, very low bottom percentage of that entire list.

The Saddledome is one of the oldest arenas in the NHL and has been criticized for years for lacking modern amenities, eventually leading to a deal for a new arena.
Void
Jan 9, 2019
#4365
Ryan WhitneyRyan Whitney

Montreal is the best atmosphere in North American hockey

Montreal... you should see this place. Just the fans right on top of you... the seats just go straight up. It's loud as hell. The French are completely nuts. By far and away, it was my favorite place to play.

While subjective, the Bell Centre in Montreal is widely regarded as one of the best and loudest venues in the NHL by players and media alike.
Void
Jan 9, 2019
#29222
Ryan WhitneyRyan Whitney

NHL players skip the All-Star game to win titles, while NBA players go to 'get kills' and get recognized

NHL players care about their team and trying to win the Stanley Cup. And by skipping the All-Star game, they're going to save themselves a cross-country flight and Alexander Ovechkin will be ready to play in the playoffs as opposed to wasting energy going back and forth across the country. NBA players just want to try to get some kills in a city where they're going to get recognized because they're all 7'1 and have huge wrenches.

Ovechkin notably skipped the 2019 ASG to rest for the playoffs, making the first part factually based.
Win
Big CatBig Cat

The NFC North is currently a league of coaches named Matt

The next one is going to be – fuck, I wrote down the name. I think it's going to be Zach Taylor... But bonus point, if your name's Matt, because now the NFC North has three Matts as their head coaches. Three out of four Matts.

At the time of this episode, the Bears (Nagy), Lions (Patricia), and Packers (LaFleur) all had head coaches named Matt.
Loss
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Josh McDaniels might be blackballed from NFL head coaching jobs

I think he has to sit out a couple years for what he did to the Colts, don't you? Do you think Josh McDaniels is a blackball case? Put that ahead of Colin Kaepernick.

McDaniels was not blackballed; he eventually took the Raiders head coaching job in 2022, though he did wait several years before getting another opportunity.
Win
Jan 9, 2019·PR 101
#4369
Big CatBig Cat

Derrick Rose's 'kill yourself' comment was not a slip of the tongue

Derrick Rose said, 'everyone that thinks that it's going to stop, kill yourself.' ... He then doubled down on it. He said, 'like I said before, kill yourself.' ... When you say it twice, you don't get the slip of the tongue tag. When you double down, the slip of the tongue doesn't work anymore.

The transcript of the press conference confirms Rose said it twice, making the argument that it was intentional at the time a logical one.

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