Takes

The NFL is better when the Patriots are losing

I'm sorry to get right into it about the Patriots, but I do wanna say the NFL is better when the Patriots are losing. I'm not kidding. Think about this season and how exciting it's been. How many ups and downs... when the Patriots aren't in play, it's just more fun. It's wide open.

Mike McDaniel will become annoying if the Dolphins don't win soon

Is Coach McDaniel annoying? [Big Cat: Not annoying.] If they don't win next year. Yes. Annoying. Umm. You don't think the, the, the pants, the, the, the Kop pants are like a little... the sunglasses all the time is a little bit much for me.

The Jim Harbaugh hiring won't make the Chargers winners for years

None of the Chargers. AFC West, Harbaugh. I just don't see it happening. It's like, it's like buying a dilapidated Victorian home. It's like not gonna be inhabitable for years.

The 49ers are the most boring team in the NFL

Why do the 49ers bore me? So why are they so boring? That no sense... it's just like, what do you want like 20 points from all your player starters every week? Is that what you want? I don't know. I'm so bored... there's a boredom that happens with the 49ers.

MetLife Stadium is cursed

My Hot Seat is MetLife Stadium. It was recently announced that the very cursed stadium in the NFL world will be hosting the 2026 World Cup final... however, I believe they're switching it to grass. Correct? They are. But it's still cursed.

Mike Vrabel is too physically intimidating to get a head coaching job

She [Diana Russini] said that she had a GM at the Senior Bowl who mentioned to me Vrabel's physical build, that he's a very large human being and can be very intimidating to people in an organization... If you're a football owner, large human beings, you don't wanna be around them. You want a nerd. You want a tiny little nerd.

Andy Reid will never retire because he has no hobbies except football and cheeseburgers

Andy Reid, who is not gonna retire. This is all he does. I'm trying to get Andy to play golf. I'm trying to get him to go hunting. He just won't do it. Andy Reid also has a bucket list... it's just eating in different countries. My prediction, they win the Super Bowl, he probably goes to France. Eats his way through France.

Patrick Mahomes is already in the GOAT discussion with Montana and Brady

He's already in that discussion... he's this ages Brady, or this generation, or this decades, Brady, Montana... He's already there because the potential is he 28 years old? I still think of him as 22 and 23... He gets it. Fascinating to me.

Taylor Swift is absolutely good for football

Absolutely. And I'll tell you why... I think she's legitimate. I'm in my mid thirties. I'm cheering on my guy and I'm having fun at the game... anything that makes somebody a pro football fan from nothing can't be all bad.

Josh Allen would have a Super Bowl appearance by now if he played in the NFC

If Josh Allen was in the NFC, he'd probably have been in his Super Bowl by now. I would think so. [Big Cat: And the 49ers are. Yeah. They had one year.]... the AFC, the best quarterbacks in football. Well aren't they all there?

The Chiefs will beat the 49ers 22-18 in Super Bowl LVIII

I think the Chiefs repeat. 23-20. [Big Cat: No, let's fix that.]... So 22-18. You get to 18, I mean, there's six... you could kick a lot of field goal. 22-18. The Chiefs, I have them winning. I'd like to see a repeat champ and I just hope people recognize what they're watching.

The Commanders have overplayed their hand in trying to get Caleb Williams

I would make the guess right now that the Commanders have already fucked this up because no one has overplayed their hand more than the Commanders have already overplayed their hand. ... You guys have overplayed your hand to the point where it's like obvious that you're lusting for this guy. And that's a bad spot to be in a negotiation three months out.

The 49ers will stop Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl LVIII

I put in the biggest bet of my life on the 49ers. And I feel like we can stop Patrick Mahomes. ... We can be the ones to do it. This is it. ... We can do this. We can be the ones to stop him.

My depth perception improved instantly after having LASIK surgery

The depth perception was the biggest thing. ... I just feel like the depth of a linebacker, like eight yards and 12 yards is completely different. ... It's just like, it's no second guess. It's no, it's no, it's no. Like I said, no second guessing. It's just trust and confirm and let it rip.

Mike Evans is the most underrated player in the NFL

I don't know who's more underrated [between Lavonte David and Demario Davis], but I know the caliber of men they both are and I know both of them should be and will be Hall of Famers. I feel like the most underrated player I play with, honestly, that people don't give enough respect to is Mike Evans. ... He don't complain about nothing. ... And you leave him off all pros, you leave him off pro bowls and stuff like that. I'm just like, man, like they, the world, the NFL culture don't know what they missing with Mike Evans.

Florida wide receivers have a better work ethic than receivers from other states

Florida wide receivers are probably the most one. ... I believe that Florida receivers have an entire different work ethic and grind than receivers from other places. ... They're working on their feet. Like what you looking for? They got ta ta they got some of this, they got some of that. But you know, I feel like all of them, you know, they need to get a psychiatrist and, and just, and just share with them some of the things that they went through.

The Cowboys defense is going to get worse now that Dan Quinn is the Commanders head coach

Max should be ecstatic about Dan Quinn because at the very least, the Cowboys defense is gonna get worse. Right? Yep. And so if [the Commanders] get better and the Cowboys defense gets worse, I think that's a win-win for both me and you.

NFL 'retreads' like Dan Quinn run the world and usually figure it out on their second stop

Retreads run the world. Retreads run the NFL. Gary Kubiak, John Gruden, Bill Parcells, Tony Dungy, Tom Coughlin, Pete Carroll, Andy Reid, Mike Shanahan, Don Shula. Bill Belichick was a retread when he was hired by the New England Patriots. Dan Quinn, second stop, he's gonna figure it out.

Lamar Jackson should get fat because natural padding helps quarterbacks absorb hits

I think it's good if your quarterback's a little bit chunky, a little bit fat. Yeah. You get it's natural padding. It absorbs some of the hits. Peyton Manning, Tom Brady. These guys weren't in the best shape... Lamar Jackson should get fat.

Caleb Williams' ceiling is significantly higher than Justin Fields'

I think if you're the Bears, because where Caleb Williams is, I think his ceiling is so much higher than Justin Fields. Justin Fields can develop into a really, really good quarterback... But Caleb Williams has enough of Mahomes stuff in him that you gotta invest in that. Caleb Williams as a passer coming into the National Football League is further along than Justin Fields.

The 49ers will win Super Bowl 58 because 'it's their time'

This is kind of a heart pick... I just think there's a certain thing to say about it being your time. Like I just think it's the 49ers' time. Like how many times are they gonna knock on this door... they're healthy, the defense I think it's good enough, Brock Purdy has been playing outstanding. I'm picking the 49ers.

The NFL is 'fixed' and a 'psyop' to ensure the Chiefs reach the Super Bowl for Taylor Swift market share

This is the most psyop, most fucking fixed shit of all time... the NFL had a lot of fucking money to make from a purely market share standpoint. Like we [the Ravens] would've cost the NFL so much money... Roger Goodell, you're a fucking joke. They get fucking little girls to buy Stanley Cup fucking Chiefs gear. Now we got fucking Travis Kelce on Stanley Cups in third grade.

The Washington Commanders head coaching job is actually a very good job

The mess is gone. We don't have the mess... You've got Josh Harris, good owner, he'll spend money, we're gonna get a new stadium... You have the most salary cap room in the NFL, and you have the number two overall pick. It's pretty good. In terms of the long-term aspect for the job.

I was wrong: Brock Purdy is much better than Jimmy Garoppolo

I would like to correct myself at the end of the show. We, we were talking about Jimmy G and Brock Purdy. I did. I was like, oh, was Jimmy G's be, you know, is he that much worse than Brock Purdy? That was wrong. Brock Purdy's much better than Jimmy G... Brock Purdy is better both with his legs with taking shots.

The Ravens' AFC Championship loss is much worse than the Lions' NFC Championship loss

I think that Ravens loss is so much worse than the Lions... I think it's so much worse because the Lions, and it sounds cliche, they, they died on their sword. They did what they do and it didn't work... The Ravens squandered a incredible opportunity as a favorite at home to beat Patrick Mahomes that they may never get again... Your game plan stunk.

Lamar Jackson's window is shorter than Patrick Mahomes' because of his reliance on athleticism

When you think about the Raven's future, it's not a knock on Lamar to say that. Who would you rather have a 35-year-old Patrick Mahomes or a 35-year-old Lamar Jackson? Yeah. It's, there will be a limit on his athleticism... I'm just saying the window is a little bit shorter for a Lamar Jackson than it is for a Patrick Mahomes.

Three championships in five years officially makes the Chiefs a dynasty

I think you can even zoom out and just say about the Chiefs if they win this game of Dynasty. Yeah. Because that's a rule, right? Dynasty talk. Three championships in five years. That's Dynasty. This is crowning them being the new dynasty.

Caleb Williams is 'popping' because he already has dedicated haters before the draft

If you ain't got no haters, you ain't popping... So Caleb Williams is popping... The anonymous scouts are going off about Caleb Williams... saying things like, you remember he paints his nails? ... These are all big red flags. Nah... if there's Caleb Williams, I would be more concerned about the guy who doesn't get any negative press.

Panthers HC Dave Canales made a mistake writing a book about his infidelity and porn addiction

This is kind of a lesson in like, maybe don't ever get that big job. 'cause then people will start looking at your life. Dave Canales co-wrote a book with his wife about marriage... Canales admits to having had multiple affairs earlier in his life... also described in the book the addictions he once had to both pornography and alcohol. It sounds like his wife made him write a book. If you're co-authoring a book with your wife talking about your porn addiction, it's like a self-flagellation.

Patrick Mahomes is a genuinely good guy who does a lot of charity work when cameras aren't there

I'm amazed at Patrick Mahomes. He's a legitimate good guy that I think has a really big heart. When you talk to their PR folks, they're like, you should see what this guy does when nobody's looking. When cameras aren't there... he does stuff that nobody has any idea about. Just 'cause he is a good guy.

The 49ers should run the ball 40 times and live in big personnel to beat the Chiefs

Rematch... the 49ers handling business for three and a half quarters [last time]... dude, if I, I'm telling you, if I'm San Francisco, I'm in big personnel two, two backs. So use Juszczyk, McCaffrey... just go three tight ends, big personnel. Get in a phone booth and duke it out. Run it right at 'em... try and rush it 40 times.

Brock Purdy is a top five quarterback in the NFL

[Option for spicy take: top five or worst?] I'm going top five. 'cause I mean, I saw something the other day that said, you know, he was leading the league in yards per attempt, passing efficiency... Patrick Mahomes, right? So don't forget about what Brock Purdy did all year... those three scrambles he made in the second half... that turned the tide of the game.

I can't bet against Patrick Mahomes ever again

I can't bet against Mahomes anymore, man. Yep, yep. And I thought, I thought Baltimore would handle 'em. Yeah. I thought the bills, the bills had 'em... and this dude just finds a way to win. So if I bet against the guy, I'm like, that's crazy. I'm, I'm doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result.

Patrick Mahomes is ahead of Tom Brady's pace for greatness

Yeah, I mean, it's tough to deny if he wins a Super Bowl. He is on pace... I'd say ahead of pace.

Steve Spagnuolo is one of the best defensive coordinators of all time

Steve Spagnuolo, he is probably one of, if not the best defensive coordinators of all time. When you think about what he's done, he is got three Super Bowls. He stopped the [2007] Patriots, one of the best offenses of all time... held the Ravens, one of the best teams this year in terms of offense, completely befuddled the MVP of the league.

NFL players should be allowed to taunt

I think taunting should not be a penalty in the NFL. They're pros. If you wanna do it in the college, that's fine... The guys are putting their life on the line. They're playing a passionate game. This is the biggest game of their lives. You should be able to taunt.

Patrick Mahomes' leadership was the key to his young receivers' success

He deserves a ton of credit because what Patrick Mahomes never did this entire season is give any type of complaint publicly about his wide receivers. And it's paying off now because he basically stood in front of the bullets for these guys to suck for the majority of the year... and get a Rashee Rice to a point where he's like an actually really good receiver.

The Lamar vs. Mahomes matchup mirrored the Fields vs. Williams debate

Was it just watching the Justin Fields vs. Caleb Williams debate play out in real time? Like one guy can make all the passes. One guy can—he's a good passer, but when the things get tight, windows get tight, moments get tight, the passes aren't exactly precise.

Lamar Jackson and Todd Monken share the blame 70/30 for the Ravens' loss

I'm giving 70% of the blame to Lamar and then 30% to Todd Monken.

Dan Campbell's aggression is why the Lions were in the championship game

The whole reason the Lions are in this spot is because of his aggression. That's how he coaches the team. That's how he's built the team... I agree with you. I don't hate that [fourth down] call because I really think people are just forgetting the fact they do not like or trust their kicker.

Onside kick rules need to be changed because they are currently impossible

They need to change the onside kick. It's impossible. You used to be able to recover an onside kick once every what, 10, 11% of the time. Now nobody does... Change it like the XFL and be like, you have to convert a fourth and 20.

Brock Purdy is on track to be a franchise quarterback

If Brock Purdy was taken with like a top 10 pick... I think we'd be like, Purdy is good showing signs of living up to his draft status... I think he's probably on track to be a franchise quarterback.

Jim Harbaugh will lead the Chargers to a Super Bowl within five years

I think Jim Harbaugh will be in a Super Bowl within the next five years with the Chargers. Justin Herbert will look good. They will go deep into the Playoffs and winning cures all.

Deebo Samuel is a bigger factor for the 49ers than the weather or Brock Purdy's skill set

That is way more significant than the rain and how Brock Purdy looked is losing Deebo Samuel. If he's not playing, the Lions are as live as live could be. He's that much of a game changer.

The Chiefs will beat the 49ers in the Super Bowl

I just don't know how it happens. I don't know where it happens. But the Chiefs will win again because until I see Mahomes get knocked off his block, he's not losing and they're gonna beat the Niners.

Justin Fields could fetch a first or second-round pick in a trade

I think [Justin Fields] could be either a first-round pick or a second-round pick. But if you're talking about a first-round pick, you're talking about a team that needs a quarterback... like the Falcons at the eighth pick.

Dave Canales will be the coach that saves Bryce Young in Carolina

Canales was not the lead dog in that room... but all along they wanted to go young offensive to get Bryce Young... what Canales did with [Baker] Mayfield was tremendous. I think that's a good fit.

The Ravens-Chiefs AFC Championship game will be a low-scoring defensive struggle

I actually think Chiefs-Ravens is a low scoring game. I think it's in the twenties... like 23-20. I think it's an amazing scene in Baltimore.

A star wide receiver will be traded before the 2024 NFL Draft

I think one of these star wide receivers will be traded. And I'm saying that... when you look across the league, a Diggs and AJ Brown might not be traded, but those type of players... I think we get one of those big veteran trades.

Analytics have ruined baseball and basketball, but they've made football more exciting

Analytics or you know, advanced statistics, Sabre metrics, all these things has in a way ruined baseball and basketball... Football is the one sport where analytics and advance like metrics has made football significantly more exciting... the nineties football and early 2000 football when it wasn't even a question. If you had a fourth and two, you'd punt. Like, why would you want that?