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PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

I'm withholding all judgment on Josh Rosen for his rookie year

I'm officially saying this whole year, too early to judge. I learned my lesson from Jared Goff. I like that. What about Sam Darnold? Too early to judge.

While wise to wait, Josh Rosen and Sam Darnold did eventually prove to be busts, so early negative indicators were actually correct.
Win
Big CatBig Cat

Urban Meyer can't get his team ready for inferior opponents

Urban Meyer's sad faces on the sideline because Ohio State lost a game that they should have won... people are saying, not me, people are saying, Urban Meyer, can he get his team ready for the inferior opponents? I don't know... but this is now becoming a trend for Urban Meyer.

Meyer finished 2018 with another Big Ten title but the loss to Purdue kept them out of the playoff, supporting the idea that one slip-up to a 'lesser' team was a pattern.
Void
HankHank

Boban Marjanovic is not of this world

My who's back is Boban... His clips of him playing are, I mean, I remember people talking about him last year, but this year it's like surreal. He's not of this world. It's like he's playing on a seven-foot hoop.

Hyperbolic but reflects Boban's historically high PER and physical uniqueness.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

LeBron James is the new Steve Jobs

LeBron is the new Steve Jobs. From films and TV shows to educational institutions, A&R-ing via his IG... James is using his magnitude to invade industries and redirect the conversation.

Inherently subjective comparison between a basketball star and a tech visionary.
Void
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The Giants should 'put Eli Manning down' like an old house cat

Eli Manning, he's more like an old house cat that just coughs up hairballs and shits himself all the time. Put it down. Put it down.

Eli Manning was benched for Daniel Jones the following season (2019) and retired shortly after, confirming he was at the end of the road.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

The clutch gene is a real muscle that can be strengthened

Researchers who study the brains of athletes believe more and more that a so-called clutch gene exists. They've seen enough incremental improvement through brain training that they regarded as a muscle capable of being built and likewise atrophying.

The existence of a 'clutch gene' is highly debated and largely considered a psychological phenomenon rather than a literal muscle or single gene, though performance under pressure can be trained.
Win
HankHank

Conor McGregor will lose to Khabib Nurmagomedov

My Who's Back of the Week is Conor McGregor... maybe because he's going to lose. He is going against Khabib... who wrestled bears as a child.

Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated Conor McGregor by submission at UFC 229 on October 6, 2018.
Win
Big CatBig Cat

Aaron Rodgers is surly, malcontent, and uncoachable

They hate each other. They always have hated each other. It's great to watch. Aaron Rodgers, surly, malcontent, uncoachable.

The relationship between Rodgers and McCarthy deteriorated to the point where McCarthy was fired in December 2018.
Loss
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Aaron Rodgers is a system quarterback

Aaron Rodgers, uncoachable. I mean, look at his track record with backup quarterbacks. Aaron Rodgers is a system quarterback. Yes, exactly.

This is a satirical take that is fundamentally incorrect given Rodgers' individual talent and multiple MVP awards.
Win
Big CatBig Cat

Tiger Woods is all the way back

Tiger Woods is all the way back. He won the Tour Championship... Tiger Woods still was able to break through to anyone who's even watching football who doesn't even care about golf.

Tiger went on to win the Masters in 2019, confirming he was indeed 'back' to winning at the highest level.
Loss
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Batman will definitely appear in the upcoming Joker movie

Batman will be in [the Joker movie] at some point. That's my solemn promise to you is Batman will be in there at some point.

While a young Bruce Wayne appears, Batman does not appear in the 2019 Joker movie.
Loss
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Roger Goodell is making kickers miss to justify getting rid of ties

We had a theory last year... that Roger Goodell was trying to save football or at least appear like he was the good guy by having all of his kickers miss these easy field goals so that he could come in and change the rules and get rid of ties altogether.

Hot TakeFootballFireSarcastic
Purely satirical conspiracy. The NFL did not get rid of ties; in fact, there was another tie shortly after this discussion.
Win
Big CatBig Cat

Wisconsin is out of the national title race after losing to BYU

The one redeeming quality about Wisconsin Badger football fans is we are realists to a fault. I never, we're not, we're out of the national, you know. It's not going to happen. We could win every game and it still wouldn't happen. You can't lose as 23 and a half point favorites.

Wisconsin finished the season 8-5 and was nowhere near the playoff, so Big Cat was correct to write them off.
Win
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

DC Sports is back following Elena Delle Donne's performance and the Nationals' .500 record

My Who's Back of the Week is DC Sports. DC Sports is back. The Nats are 69-69. ... And the Mystics are still in the playoffs. Elena Delle Donne... basically broke her leg in half. ... But she came back, put the team on her goddamn back.

The Mystics made the Finals in 2018 (losing) but won the title in 2019. The Nationals won the World Series in 2019. PFT was actually ahead of the curve.
Win
Big CatBig Cat

I will not believe Texas football is 'back' until they win a meaningful bowl game

I am firmly in the camp of I will not listen to any Texas who's back until they actually play in a meaningful bowl game... I feel like Texas every year, they're back, and they're going to go 7-5.

Texas finished 10-4 in 2018 and won the Sugar Bowl against Georgia, arguably meeting Big Cat's 'meaningful bowl game' criteria just months after this take.
Loss
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Nick Saban stays on top because he has a factory where he personally shits out new players

I think Nick Saban personally shits players out. Because he chews them out in practice, and then he digests them for a while, and he takes a crap, and boom, I got a linebacker. ... I'd be like, yes, Nick Saban has a factory where he shits players out.

OpinionCFBScorchingSarcastic
Biologically impossible, though Saban's ability to replace talent is legendary.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

These new microphones officially make us look like douchebags

We look like fucking idiots with these new mics. I mean it sounds better I think so it looks like cool... but I do feel like we are officially douchebags. This is now official... like just close your eyes and be like the douchebags who have a podcast, this is what they do.

Inherently subjective self-assessment.
Win
Big CatBig Cat

Little League sound bites will soon become fake and self-aware, ruining the magic

Do you think there will be a point where these kids become a little self-aware and start doing this? Because Big Al is, like, so beautiful because he's genuine. But we're going to get to that point where they're going to try to start making sound bites and stuff, and it's going to ruin it.

Over the years, LLWS introductions have become increasingly meme-focused and clearly rehearsed for viral impact.
Void
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Jalen Ramsey's suspension is actually a great treat for him because he gets to sit in the air conditioning

That's why Jalen Ramsey was so smart to get suspended. True. That's a great treat for him. For going after the media. Yeah. Got to keep us in check.

It's an ironic take on a player's motivation.
Loss
Big CatBig Cat

Mike Tomlin has officially lost control of the Steelers

So my who's back is Mike Tomlin losing control of his team. Because like you just alluded to. This tweet, a fan dressed in pads and a helmet made it past security and tried to take part in some drills at the beginning of today's practice. What kind of fucking training camp are you running Mike Tomlin?

Hot TakeFootballHotSarcastic
Hyperbolic take based on a single odd security incident; Tomlin remained coach for years after.
Void
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Nick Saban and Bob Stoops are the ultimate football guys for ignoring a robbery while drawing up plays

They're so invested in making their points that they don't notice when a man walks into the bar with a shotgun and robs the place. So they were out having drinks, diagramming football plays, and they were completely oblivious to a dude robbing the bar with a gun. That is an ultimate football guy story.

Win
Big CatBig Cat

Urban Meyer's defense in the Zach Smith scandal is just 'passing the buck' to Gene Smith

Urban Meyer has figured out his defense, and it is kind of what we all expected. He released a statement... and he basically went with the, I have always followed proper reporting protocols... Gene Smith, you are pretty much fucked and Urban Meyer's just gonna say yeah he told everyone and it's your fault for not doing anything.

Meyer was suspended for three games, and the investigation did find he followed reporting protocols to his boss (Gene Smith), though his handling of the situation remained highly controversial.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

Pretending a player returning from injury is a 'free agent signing' is the ultimate sports radio caller move

It's my favorite sports radio caller when a guy comes back from injury and they're like, 'well, we don't have to do anything in the free agent signings because we basically get the best free agent back.' That's essentially what's happening with Blake Bortles.

Win
Big CatBig Cat

I finally have a football game to watch every single week from now until the second week of February

We have finally gotten to the point where we will have a football game every single week until the second week of February. We have the Hall of Fame game on Thursday night. There will be a football game every single week.

Correct; the 2018-19 season had games every week from the Hall of Fame game through Super Bowl LIII.
Loss
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Washington D.C. sports is a dynasty that will never lose another championship again

Washington, D.C. is back big time. Wayne Rooney... man of the match. The Capitals re-signed Tom Wilson... that's a dynasty. The Redskins won the offseason again... they're a dynasty at this point. The Washington Valor won the Arena Bowl... so Washington, D.C. sports will never lose another championship again.

Hot TakeLifeScorchingSarcastic
Incorrect; while the Mystics and Nationals won titles in 2019, D.C. sports teams have lost many championships/games since this 2018 claim.
Win
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The Cleveland Browns will win seven games this year

I have something very brave to say. I think the Cleveland Browns are going to win seven games this year.

The 2018 Browns finished 7-8-1, making this prediction exactly correct on the win total.
Loss
Big CatBig Cat

The Cleveland Browns are going to win the AFC North

I think they're going to win the division. And you know what? They're going to be fun as shit. I'm dead serious. They got Pac-Man [Adam Jones] coming in at cornerback maybe? They will definitely win more than – I'm going to say, yeah, like they're in that – yeah, they'll be scrappy. They'll be upgraded to scrappy.

The Browns finished 3rd in the AFC North in 2018; the Ravens won the division.
Push
Big CatBig Cat

The 1990s were the last era where professional athletes could be out of shape and still succeed

The 90s were kind of the last era where guys were basically able to just be fat pieces of shit and go to the whole thing... There's some guy who in every single sport we can trace to. Like, who is the guy who's like, I'm actually going to train in the offseason? I'm going to lift weights.

While fitness standards have risen, there are still examples of less-than-fit stars (e.g. Nikola Jokic, Phil Kessel), making 'last era' hyperbolic.
Loss
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Joe Flacco's mobility is night and day compared to last year

Joe Flacco's mobility is night and day compared to last year. He's healthy now. Flacco is full speed. The difference is evident. No limitations as a scrambler. Or even on designed runs. So they're opening up the playbook for Flacco. They're going to let him show off the wheels.

Flacco was benched mid-season in 2018 for Lamar Jackson, and his mobility certainly didn't revolutionize the Ravens' offense.
Loss
Big CatBig Cat

Kawhi Leonard will hate Toronto and his uncle will continue to speak for him

Kawhi Leonard, does he like Toronto or not? It was reported that he hates it. He didn't leave his hotel room during the All-Star game. Will he or will he not stay or play or ever do anything else on a basketball court because no one's talked to him in like 10 months and his uncle has taken his brain and is now speaking for him.

Kawhi Leonard won the NBA Championship and Finals MVP with Toronto in his only season there, appearing quite content with the result.
Void
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Hulk Hogan's reinstatement to the Hall of Fame represents a 'one-in, one-out' policy for racism

But now that Papa John got in trouble for saying the N-word... In America, we have like a one-in, one-out policy for racism. So Papa John's racist now, and because he's in the club, Hulk Hogan is now out of the racism club.

A satirical social observation that cannot be factually verified.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

Manny Pacquiao's late-career fights are depressing and sad to watch

He's still fighting. So that's pretty sad. I didn't realize that he was fighting until like a day before. An aging boxer, watching them is one of the saddest things you can do. You know when it's done, and everyone knows, and then they always hang on for a couple extra years, and you're like, let's just try to remember the good times, because this is depressing the fuck out of all of us.

Subjective feeling on athlete longevity, though Pacquiao did continue to fight until 2021.
Loss
Big CatBig Cat

The Jabari Parker contract is a perfect risk for the Chicago Bulls

Jabari Parker, two-year, $40 million. It's actually the perfect risk by the Bulls to do that but it is very funny when you see the number 40 million and you realize that a guy who's got two torn ACLs is getting 40 million.

Jabari Parker was a bust for the Bulls; he was benched by December and traded away by February of his first season.
Win
HankHank

Loneliness has the same effect on mortality as smoking 15 cigarettes a day

Loneliness has the same effect on [mortality] as smoking 15 cigarettes a day... so if you're lonely, just smoke a bunch of cigarettes and you'll actually be healthier [because you'll make friends].

The statistic about loneliness and mortality is a real medical finding, though the logic about smoking to fix it is obviously a joke.
Win
Big CatBig Cat

History will remember Carmelo Anthony as someone who sucked, forgetting how good he actually was

Here's what's going to happen to Melo, which kind of sucks. Because Melo, I mean, all-time scorer... He's definitely going to play for a couple more years, and everyone's going to look back and be like, Melo sucked. They will not remember that Melo was very, very good.

This prediction is largely coming true as Melo's later years with the Thunder and Rockets often dominate modern discourse over his Nuggets/Knicks peak.
Void
Liam (Bubba)Liam (Bubba)

Carmelo Anthony has staying power because he has the coolest basketball name ever

Have you guys heard the theory why he [Carmelo Anthony] has so much staying power? It's just because he has the coolest basketball name of all time. Like if his name was like John Brown, he would have been benched years ago.

Subjective theory on NBA stardom and career longevity.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

Women prefer 'soccer bodies' over any other male physique

I know you remember the dad bod thing that women pretended, like, oh yeah, we love guys who are kind of fat and don't care. That was so nice of them. But really, when it comes down to it, if you ask a woman, I guarantee you they go soccer bod over any other bod.

Subjective claim about general attraction, though rooted in observations of viral World Cup players.
Push
Big CatBig Cat

Tiger Woods basically finished second in the U.S. Open if you don't count the first and second holes

If you had taken out the first and second hole, Tiger [Woods] would have finished second in the U.S. Open. So he's kind of back.

Tiger Woods missed the cut at the 2018 U.S. Open after shooting +10 over the first two rounds. Big Cat's hypothetical logic is literally correct regarding the math but absurd as a measure of performance.
Win
HankHank

Drake's Degrassi reunion video was a calculated response to Pusha T's diss track

Drake decided that his response for the diss track basically coming at his entire livelihood... was to just do a video from his childhood acting days. Big Degrassi reunion.

The 'I'm Upset' video featured the Degrassi cast and was widely seen as a way to pivot the narrative away from the Pusha T beef.
Push
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The Colts are favorites to finish second in the AFC South behind the Jaguars

the Colts, just in general, are back this year. I think you've got to pencil them in as favorites to come in second in that division behind the Jaguars.

The Colts did finish second in the AFC South, but the Jaguars finished last. The Texans won the division.
Win
HankHank

Pusha T killed Drake in their rap beef

So Pusha T killed Drake. Yes. Drake cannot stop. He's still going to come out with an album. We'll probably have some subtle shots, but I don't think he's going to come out with a full-on diss track.

Most hip-hop analysts and fans agree Pusha T won the 2018 beef. Drake never released a direct rebuttal diss track.
Void
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Drake doesn't have the bars to keep up with Pusha T in a rap beef

Drake doesn't have the bars... Slash Drake is also very scared. I'm just going to say this. Drake doesn't have the bars.

Subjective opinion on rap skill and the outcome of a lyrical battle.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

You can't fire an FBI agent for breakdancing

You can't fire someone for feeling a dance circle. If you've ever been at a wedding, any kind of party, there's nothing more awkward than a dance circle where no one goes in. So this guy had to go in. He did an unbelievable move.

The agent was eventually charged with second-degree assault and reached a plea deal, though he was not immediately fired, he faced significant legal and professional repercussions.
Loss
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

No two nations that have McDonald's have ever had a war against each other

No two nations that have McDonald's have ever had a war against each other. Please credit Pardon My Take. Please credit us for inventing that economic principle.

The claim is historically incorrect. Conflicts between nations with McDonald's include the 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia and the 2008 Russo-Georgian War.
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Big CatBig Cat

Melania Trump's absence is a genius way to control the media narrative

I hope she's just it actually is genius. If I could totally see like President Trump being like, let's just have Melania never be shown in public again. Just so there's always like a conspiracy theory in my back pocket that can take like take control of the media narrative at any point.

Melania Trump reappeared in public shortly after this episode, on June 4, 2018, attending a White House event. Her absence was due to an embolization procedure for a kidney condition.
Loss
HankHank

Johnny Manziel is in it for the long haul in the CFL

[Johnny Manziel] signed with the CFL. He's going to the Canadian Hamilton Tiger-Cats... I think he's in it for the long haul.

Manziel was traded by Hamilton, played 8 games for Montreal, and was barred from the CFL in early 2019 for violating his contract.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

I'm not trading lives with Prince William because his hair is so bad

That guy, William, that is the worst bald guy I've ever seen. You got to pick it. You're a fucking prince, man. His hair is so bad, I wouldn't trade lives with him. I would not trade lives with the Prince William.

This is a purely subjective aesthetic judgment and personal preference.
Open
Big CatBig Cat

Predicts Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will get divorced

I saw a lot of people tweeting like, oh, my God... they love each other. I can't wait for them to get divorced. It's going to be awesome. I hope she takes them for all of Sussex.

As of 2024, they are still married.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

A Chrissy Teigen and John Legend divorce would melt down Twitter

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend. It would be incredible. It's like sometimes I sit up at night being like, if they got divorced, I think I'd stay up for a week straight on a meth binge just looking at Twitter and getting high off that.

Hypothetical social media reaction.
Void
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Riley Curry is a fraud for not facing the media after a loss

My problem with Riley [Curry] is she's always the first one to show up after a big win, and she never steps to the podium and faces the music after a loss... Like a fucking coward. Like a fraud. Riley Curry's a fraud.

She is a child; judging her based on professional athlete media obligations is satirical.

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