Takes

Hendon Hooker's maturity and age make him the reason Tennessee is the favorite over LSU

Hendon Hooker is 23, 24 years old. So he is way mature beyond the age of some of these kids are gonna be out there. LSU is gonna start six freshmen... the maturity of Hendon Hooker, the offensive of [Josh Heupel], I understand why Tennessee is a favorite.

Lincoln Riley gives USC the ability to play with any of the top juggernauts

There are some coaches that are more talented than others. You look at Lincoln Riley, USC. So even though USC is not as talented as [Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Clemson] because of Lincoln Riley, they have the ability on a given Saturday to play with those other programs.

Aaron Donald is the best non-quarterback in football

I think Aaron Donald is the best player in football that's not a quarterback. Quarterbacks are, are always going to get the, the notch above because they touch the ball every play. He's the best non quarterback in nfl.

Justin Fields will become the next David Carr if the Bears don't fix the offensive line

If the Bears don't fix their offensive line, Justin Fields is headed toward being the second coming of David Carr. I forget the Carr brothers... they both look alike... but he just gets hit too much.

You know within the first 20 practices if a rookie quarterback is 'the guy'

But you know, within the first 20 practices; like you don't have to see. Yeah. Like you, you wanna see it on the field to kind of confirm, but man, it is just the way these dudes carry themselves and how they act at practice and how they're focused.

Jalen Hurts will get a $250 million contract if he continues his current level of play

If [Jalen Hurts] continues to play this way, he'll get 250 million when the season is over and he will be... it'll be a great story. What the improvement he's made from game one to where he is now has been outstanding.

The 1992 Dream Team is better than the 2008 Redeem Team and it isn't close

I would say the dream team was the greatest basketball team of all time... And it's not even close. Well, yeah. Probably, probably not close. But this team was very, very good.

Eating 14 hot dogs in 12 hours is not a lot of food

When you say 14 hot dogs in 12 hours isn't that much. It's not. That's a fat ass statement. Not that you're a fat ass, but... it's really just dealing with Stu Feiner all the time.

Kyle Shanahan owns Sean McVay as a coach

It was a Kyle Shanahan masterclass. [Shanahan] owns Sean McVay. Obviously not the NFC Championship game, but I think it's now nine and three against the spread, Kyle Shanahan versus Sean McVay.

Pete Carroll is having more fun with Geno Smith than he did with Russell Wilson

I actually think that Pete Carroll's having more fun with Geno Smith as his quarterback. It's a combination of like, okay, weirdo Russ isn't around so I don't have to worry about placating him all the time... If I win a game with Geno Smith, that's pretty cool. If I lose, who really cares.

From a purely passer perspective, the Lions won the Jared Goff for Matthew Stafford trade

It's time to ask like who really won that trade Cat? The Rams or the Lions. ... Just from a purely passer perspective. [Big Cat: I'd want Jared Goff.]

If the 49ers had Matthew Stafford, they would be prohibitive Super Bowl favorites

If you had Matt Stafford on the Niners, I think they would be prohibitive Super Bowl favorites because there are definitely some times you're like, Hey Jimmy, just the offense is so great, you have so many weapons. Just hit the guy who's wide open.

Matthew Stafford is too obsessed with targeting Cooper Kupp

The problem is that Matt Stafford, he's obsessed with Cooper Kupp. It's like, it's sad. ... Cooper Kupp is like the only, the only option that he ever looks at. ... it's kind of creepy how much Matt Stafford is obsessed [with] Cooper Kupp. He's just like 19 targets through the bottom 19 times.

The Wisconsin head coaching job is better than the Nebraska job

I think I would rather, I would rather take the Wisconsin job than the Nebraska job. Nebraska fans will get very upset, but I agree. Nebraska feels like it's the entire job is poisoned... Really the only way that you can possibly succeed at Nebraska is to do what Bo Pelini did... which is to just make everybody in town hate you.

Clemson at 16-to-1 is a great value bet to make the College Football Playoff

A future that I had my eyes on: Clemson at 16 to one to win the national title. I don't think they're gonna win the national title. I think they're gonna be in the playoff though. I think Clemson is sneaky a little bit back. DJ Uiagalelei is playing well... they've played the two toughest teams in Wake Forest and NC State and the ACC.

Georgia's recent performance suggests they aren't the juggernaut people thought

Did we get a little bit duped by Georgia's dominance? Because we watched that 49 to three game against Oregon week one... and we're like, this team is insane. And I think they're obviously still very, very good. But the last two... games in a row where they've played down to their competition severely. Makes you start to say, Huh, maybe this isn't like the juggernaut we all thought it would be.

Steve Sarkisian could be on the hot seat if Texas loses the Red River Showdown

Sark definitely could be on the hot seat if he loses this game [Red River Showdown]. ... I'm just saying, I'm gonna house some podcasts are saying possible hot seat. ... the discussion could happen. People are talking about it.

James Madison University will be ranked in the Top 25 if they are undefeated heading into the Marshall game

They should be wins [Arkansas State/Georgia State]. And then they got Marshall at home. They will be ranked at least 23 if they go into that game... It's pretty crazy the fact that they, this is their first year as a big boy program and they're undefeated.

Losing a preseason game to an NBL team is bad for Chris Paul's legacy

The sun's lost their first games. Good for us. They lost an NBL team, an Australian league team... How did Chris Paul do though legacy wise? [Hank:] I mean, that's bad for your legacy. [Big Cat:] I'm gonna count that as another 3-1 lead blown.

Ben Simmons will be one of the most hated and mocked players on the internet this season

Ben Simmons is back and he's shooting basketball... It's gonna be awesome when it's like a Thursday night primetime game... and he just misses a shot. And the whole, like this is now this we're we're looking at one of the most universally hated guys on the internet... There's not a lot of defense for Ben Simmons.

Justin Fields needs to be taught how to message things better to the media and fans

He needs a, he needs a friend like [Kyle Long] in Chicago to reach out and say hey. Like, just don't say that. ... People's wounds are just as fresh as yours. And they can't wait to point two fingers, the middle ones, at you.

NFL cornerbacks are the biggest psychos on a football team

I would say cornerbacks. If cornerbacks were any bigger, we would have to just put 'em all away... they just have so much confidence at all times. All cornerbacks... they're psychopaths... they lead the league in pointing at other people.

Carson Wentz panics and closes his eyes when the pocket breaks down

Carson Wentz, patted the ball a little bit. He was, he was floating into his O-linemen's backs. It's almost like he closed his eyes a little bit. ... He needs to go back and play Madden 2009. They had those mini drills where it was like the pad would just fill it at you, You have to left stick around the pocket.

Scoring a rushing touchdown is more demoralizing for a defense than a passing touchdown

Statistically speaking, you take a look at teams that lead the league in rushing touchdowns, running the football into the end zone is demoralizing for a defense... heads down, hands on hips... The past game: It's a quick touchdown. Okay, we'll get 'em back. They threw it in. The running game is like, go fucking replicate that ass whipping we just put on your defense.

I’m officially retiring from the NFL unless someone offers me a two-year, $15 million contract

I quietly, I didn't tell anybody I retired. Just didn't tell anyone... I guess you guys are kind of the first to hear it publicly... I've officially retired... [unless] two for 15 million. I'd be there in a heartbeat.

Teachers are not blue-collar workers

I don't think the teacher is [blue-collar]. I would say no to that... I don't I think they eat in the cafeteria. [Big Cat: It's mental blue-collar.] I don't know if a teacher is, and it's no disrespect to teachers out there... But I, I don't think they'd say it's blue-collar.

Patrick Mahomes would lead the Texans to the playoffs right now

The reality is, I think if you put Patrick Mahomes on the worst team in the league, I think they make the playoffs. Yeah, I think he's that good. I think he is. If he, if Pat, if you took Patrick Mahomes right now and put him on the Texans... they probably make the playoffs.

The Buccaneers and Chiefs will both make the divisional round of the playoffs

I would make a healthy wager that both the Bucks and Chiefs will be around divisional round playoffs.

I bet a decent amount of money on the Eagles to go 17-0

I did, I did put a future on the Eagles earlier this week. I, I put, I put a decent amount of money on them to go completely undefeated... they only have to get, they have to go 17 and oh for this to hit. If the Eagles go 17 and Oh I will, I will be a rich man.

Trevor Lawrence is a bad weather quarterback

Can Trevor Lawrence not play in rain?... I'm just excited cuz we can start a narrative, a new narrative of bad weather guy where we can just bet against Trevor Lawrence.

The Steelers are in danger of their first losing season under Mike Tomlin

The Steelers are probably in danger of going below 500 for the first time. I would say that since Mike Tomlin took over the team.

Arthur Smith is a coach I have a crush on because he ran the ball 14 times in a row

Arthur Smith, I got my eye on you. I think I got a little crush on him... He literally like, this is the one thing you guys can't stop right now. And we are not gonna stop doing it until you figure out a way to stop it. He had an entire drive, 10 plays in a row, all runs. Then they started the next drive with another four runs in a row. God, do I love a coach who does that.

Carson Wentz is afraid every time he gets on the football field

I think Carson [Wentz] kind of wants to be put out of his misery... I don't think he likes playing football. I think he's afraid every time he gets on the football field that he is going to do something embarrassing, which means that if you have that mentality, you will do something very embarrassing.

The Commanders will not bring back Ron Rivera as head coach next year

I'm officially prepared now for a coaching search this off season. I don't think that they're gonna bring [Ron] Rivera back. I don't know if they'll fire him in the middle of the season or not, but I don't think that he's done anything to warrant having a future as the Washington Commander's head coach.

The Titans will win the AFC South because they always find a way

I think the Titans are just gonna find a way to win this division because that's just what they always do... You doubt the Titans and then they win.

Frank Reich is an example of 'height privilege' in coaching

I think that Frank Reich is an example of height privilege in this country. I think if he was short, if he looked like Matt Rhule, I think he would've already been fired... the gray hair just gives him a gravitas. He looks studious.

Joe Flacco is the next 'Colt-like' veteran quarterback for Indianapolis to pick up

If we're looking forward and figuring out, okay, who's the most Colt-like quarterback for them to pick up this season? It's Flacco. It has to be Joe Flacco. I don't know who else it could be.

Justin Fields will break the record for the lowest amount of completions for a 16-game starter

We do have a fun stat that we can track all year... It's the race for 166 and... 166 is the lowest amount of completions that I could find of a starter in 16 games. Doug Williams did it in 1979... right now Justin Fields is on pace for 145 completions this year.

Brian Daboll is the best of the first-year head coaches

I do think that as far as like first year coaches go [Brian] Daboll is the best. His best. I, I actually really like him... He's doing every single small thing perfectly.

The Detroit Lions are the most exciting team in football

I think the Lions are the most exciting team in football... I think that the lines are just straight up exciting football because I think they lead the league in points per game. Yep. And I think they lead the league in points given up per game.

Jared Goff has a Hall of Fame case based on his involvement in high-scoring games

Jared Goff has now been part of three of the top 20 highest scoring games. NFL history... That's pretty cool... quarterback, their job is a score points... Eventually Jared Goff will retire and it will be our job as friends of Jared to try to get him into the Hall of Fame.

The Houston Texans are a stock I would buy because they are tanking correctly

If the Texans are a stock right now I'm buying a shitload. I'm putting my paycheck into Texan stock... They have a shit loaded draft fixed... They are really bad... The Texans are doing a phenomenal job tanking. Yeah, they have.

The Raiders will be a 'watch out' team if they beat the Chiefs on Monday Night Football

The Raiders are back. The Broncos look terrible. The Raiders... if the Raiders can beat the Chiefs on Monday Night Football, watch out. That's gonna be great for just everyone being like watch out for the Raiders.

Bailey Zappy is 'the guy' for the Patriots

I think he is. He is. They let him throw, if they let him throw the ball, he's the guy when they let him throw the ball... there was a spark and an energy when Bailey Zappy was playing today... I was more excited today watching that game than pretty much any of the other games.

The Packers should be worried because they barely beat a third-string rookie quarterback

Packers, I don't know. You should be [worried]. Packers, you barely beat Bailey Zappy... you have a rookie quarterback, third string, you're playing it tied... go fucking win the game. I agree.

Wisconsin would hire Urban Meyer and put morals aside for a national title

Hypothetically, would you like to put your morals aside to win a national title? Yes. The answer's yes. The answer is yes.

Tua Tagovailoa should not have played against the Bengals on Thursday night

The bottom line is I think we talked about this on Sunday night, so it's not like news to us. [Tua] probably shouldn't have been playing tonight. It was scary, especially going into it. We knew that at least we had talked about it, that Tua should not have been in that game.

Jeff Bezos should invent an anti-concussion helmet for the NFL

Why hasn't Jeff Bezos tried to invent a machine that can definitively tell you if someone is concussed? Like a helmet that definitively makes it so you can't be concussed? He's invested in football now. He really has gotta put his money where his mouth is. Save football, Jeff Bezos.

The Bengals are still playing clunky and disorganized football

The Bengals, I don't wanna say they're like back because it does still feel like there's, they have drives where it's just very clunky and disorganized.

The Bengals have the best wide receivers in the NFL

They've got maybe the best receivers in the NFL. Definitively number one, the best receivers in the NFL. Don't ask us who numbers two and three are.