3/27/26 Full Show

0:00This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. What if comparing car insurance rates was as easy as putting on your favorite podcast? With Progressive, it is. Just visit the Progressive website to quote with all the coverages you want. You'll see Progressive's direct rate, then their tool will provide options from other companies so you can compare. All you need to do is choose the rate and coverage you like. Quote today at Progressive.com to join the over 28 million drivers who trust Progressive. Progressive casualty insurance company and affiliates. Comparison rates not available in all states or situations. Price is very based on how you buy. Get more out of every mile when you share the ride to work. With car pulling, you'll have time to relax, save money, and pick up new friends. Commuter connections can help you find carpool partners who live and work near you. Even if you're commuting just a few days a week, it's a free service. Carpooling. Every dollar saved. Every friend made. Register for free carpool partner ride matching at commuterconnections.org,

1:00or call 800-745-RIDE. That's commuterconnections.org. Testing season is right around the corner, and this is when confidence really matters. When kids take time to review key concepts and strengthen their skills before assessments, it can make all the difference. IXL helps reinforce what they're learning right now, so they walk into every test feeling prepared, capable, and confident. IXL is an award-winning online learning platform that helps kids truly understand what they're learning, whether they're building math confidence, strengthening reading and writing skills, or reviewing science concepts. Designed for students from pre-K through 12th grade, IXL delivers personalized interactive practice that adapts to your child's level and pace. It's an easy, effective way to support learning as the school year heads into its final stretch. Studies show kids who use IXL score higher on tests, proven in all 50 states. IXL is used in 96 of the top 100 school districts in the US.

2:02Make an impact on your child's learning. Get IXL now, and listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at IXLLearning.com slash audio. Visit IXLLearning.com slash audio to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price. I'm Brian. I work at Unite Healthcare. So Brian, why do you care? I care because I don't want to leave anybody behind. I oversee one of the biggest resource center in Unite Healthcare. I see people walk in in my office every day, just like my parents. They have no idea about the healthcare. I feel like they have my uncles, aunties. I treat as people's life family. I'm Brian, and I'm committed to care. My dad's not here right now. He's still at work, so I'm going to bless him. Mike Shope and the Bulldog. I'm going to see if there's a clean version so that my parents and the people at my school will not get met at me.

3:05We've got the spritzer filled with water, just in case if stuck it's too fire. I'm going to set up the speaker and I'm going to listen to Mike Shope and the Bulldog. I think this is the best Mike Shope feature that I've heard on a long time. I think his flow is really good on it and I like his aggressiveness on it and the Bulldog. Put not enough effort in it. I think overall his flow was good, but I don't like that mobile wrapping. That was my review of Mike Shope and the Bulldog. Didn't need a spritzer. It wasn't fire enough. No spritzer P and no spritzer. Happy Friday, happy opening day for the Bisons. That runs out. I have a friend who went. It's my car said it was 33 degrees. He got that. The sun's out. You get a free ticket because it wasn't 50. Great idea. I found myself thinking this afternoon standing in my backyard in the shade and then in the sun. I'm outside with my dog and I realized I'm in the shade. That's kind of cold out.

4:10I'm thinking about the Bisons. I'm going to get in the sun. Fine. It's a little bit better. That's what I was. The sun feels good. Leading up to. It was probably. It was definitely at most in the 40s for the very first opening day. There in 88 that I went to. Yeah, and it was overcast. There was no precipitation, but it was not sunny. It was kind of a gray kind of like spotty bits of sun. Mix of sun and clouds. Maybe they would have said, I don't know. You should coin that. But not like today. Today is like blue sky everywhere. I mean, you're going to feel the sun if you're on the right side of the field. I think it was probably fine for the people who went. Yeah. Put a coat on. Right. Right. No shorts and the sun probably would feel good. Yes. You were at the shady side. I should have remembered that. I'm sure you've told me. You were at the first ever game there. I've got a great picture of my friend and Tom Prince. It's Tom Prince at a solo home run.

5:12But there's a picture of me sneaking a cigarette. There's like a lady in a babushka behind. It's a it's a it's a very it looks like it could be from if I'm not in it, the picture looks like maybe it could be from 1950. But then there's me and my friends. Anyway, maybe I'll get around to tweeting. Taken by Harry Skull. No, no, taken by my friend Bud Redding took that picture, I believe. Is he a professional? No. No, he just had a. Yeah. Just having a camera. I'm 1980 and a camera. They let you take a camera. I don't believe it was attached to a phone. In fact, I'm sure that you would have done. Yeah. In the 80s, you would have taken cameras. The ballpark was a big deal to games anywhere. Right. Right. But particularly like, you know, you want to have some record of a historical event. Here's this new ballpark opening downtown. We're we're hoping it's the first step towards actually getting a major league baseball team. I know that sounds insane. Now all these years later, maybe, but back then it was a living breathing

6:13thing. So like, yeah, I want to document this, said my friend Bud. Well, I mean, just in general, that people would have done that in the 80s and earlier taken cameras. And that wouldn't have been something that would have been confiscated. I think not. Now, I mean, you can't take peanut butter on planes. Yeah. Right. So I think maybe in the 80s, it was a different time. You could have taken a camera while your friend was able to. Yes. I don't think I'm assuming he didn't sneak that in. I'm assuming he just walked in with like with like maybe his girlfriend at the time had a purse the size of a small duffle bag. And that also probably didn't matter. You can't take a purse into the Sabers games. Right. You can't take anything really anywhere anymore. You can't take anything anywhere. Just your phone. We still go. Your phone in a form of payment. But we still that's all it's all your phone is your form of payments. Right. You don't even need anything else. You just sort of show your phone. And there's the money. There's the ticket. Yep. We still go. Interesting. Yeah. My opening day story is Rochester 1994. I would have been 22. I'll keep

7:15the short. I've told the story probably too many times, but I'll never forget it. I got into the position of being the PA announcer there like a week before days before the season. Somebody, I think the guy died actually. And they needed somebody and I got it. So there it was 94 Rochester Ottawa. And so Orioles expose. And the opening day is the best day for the PA announcer of the year because you're introducing all the players you have, you know, you you have time. Get a lot of your show air there. Yeah. So it was a beautiful, warm, unseasonably warm day in Rochester. And I was like, this is probably going to be the best day of my life. Announcing players and in the sun and packed stadium for the opener. Everything. Great day. Great moment. Memory. Next day. 40 degrees colder and the roof literally blew off. The wind took us a sheet metal panel off the silver stadium roof and sent it hurtling flying

8:18through the air toward the field. Oh boy. Toward the third base dugout. People are sitting there. They have no idea that. Plymouth rock is about to large level object is flying toward them. Right. It could have been like a tragedy. Yeah. But the way and you know, even if it sort of lands side, it's going to be super sharp on the edges. Sure. It just landed safely somewhat. Maybe it made it to the field. Hopefully it did. I forget. But there was a moment where like we all sort of in the press box saw this giant piece of metal fly off the roof and head for the field. Oh boy. And no one died. So that was good. But very day two was not that no introductions, no sunshine, flying metal. Right. Yeah. Very different. Yeah. Onward to the 1994 red wing season. Okay. Well, we hope anyone who's down there, you're having a you're having a good day staying warm. Tonight, Sabers and Red Wings, would you take over time?

9:21I feel like I have to say yes. I can still get two points. I don't really, I might even want I might even want Detroit. Now you got it. I might even want Detroit. Yeah. Because tonight is tonight for them is I saw a win. They're far from like in great shape. But a win is like they're 47% to get in. And over time loss drops it down to 30 something and a regulation loss. This is for Detroit, drops them to like 27% or something to get in. And so I think a win for I want I think I want them in the pool. You know, like there I think they are the weakest of all of the teams that are vying for these spots. So I mean, I know that's a little counterintuitive, right? Like they're that bad. Why would I take overtime? Well, because I want them in I want them in. I like that. Instead of Ottawa or even Columbus or you know, whoever power that's going to shake out. Boston. Yeah. Boston. Sure. You wouldn't take an overtime loss right now. No, neither. I would take

10:26overtime. That's why. Yeah. I think. I mean, yeah, that's a be cocky about it. But what I'd like for the say what I'd like for the idea is for the sabers to be better at overtime. That would be ideal. Yeah. I don't think they've really figured out overtime. Or they're guys like Thompson, sometimes these over times has gotten beat has gotten trapped or made a mistake and yeah, you got all tangled up in anime. And yeah, that's a do the thing where I'm picking on their best guy. You know, some of these guys aren't even going to see the ice in overtime. But yeah, I think overtime is good. They they they seem they they have and this is not new and they're not the only team that does this. But did they not have crebs out there to take to take the draw and lost the draw and he didn't go right off because I maybe because they lost the draw, I don't I think if they had won the draw, he goes off for someone else. But I don't know. They lose the draw. He stays on and they never get the puck. So they're they're very focused on that. Like, let's get the puck,

11:27which you know, I make sense. I mean, in a game like Wednesdays, they never touched it after they lost that draw. So getting to have it first can be extremely beneficial. You might just have one possession and in the game like Boston did. But I'm not sure I love Peyton Krebs to start overtime. Sal said on his show that Paul said that Krebs had a better night in the circle than character. Okay. So maybe that's why that was. I mean, get a save. I would assume that there's a reason for it. Yeah. Like maybe just based on the game and the the face off matchups within the game. I know he did Krebs while out there in regulation with talk and Thompson win an offensive zone draw that they got a good scoring chance out of in the second period. I remember where the draw was. So maybe that was that same matchup and Lindy wanted to do it again and hope that he would duplicate it and he didn't. But yeah, get a save. That'd be good. They should have been able to get one. Yeah. Maybe they don't get the puck after that. But you know, it's why well, is it even worth

12:31talking about anymore? It's why 15 years ago, the analytics world kind of came up with face offs really don't matter. And then anytime somebody who thinks that that's just nonsense sees a play where they score somebody scores off a draw. Then they're like right after you with why this is why they do. And like everything matters sometimes. Everything like the seventh guy on the line on a kickoff coverage team. Well, that really matters because one time they got beat right. So you'd expect to be able to get a stop. Yeah. And keep the game going. But yeah, I don't think any well, I don't know. I don't want to speak for the analytics community on this. But I don't think anyone would deny that like there are certainly moments in the game where winning the face off matters more than it does at other times. But overall, what the face offs don't matter thing was born out of is that being great at winning draws does not mean you're going to be a good team. There's a lot of other things that have to go right. You can win draws and lose possession almost immediately. But because how often are you scoring off of it? It's that too. It's that goal is saying 92% of

13:34shots. That's like a few times a year. You get a you get a scoring play right off of a draw. Yeah, to win the face off is better than losing it. But if you don't score off of it, then how much was it really worth? You know, and kind of in the same vein defensively, like, you know, you're up three to two with a minute and a half to go and there's a draw on you. And you want to win that draw and get the get a shot at the open net, whatever you got, you know, that's a good time to win a draw. But you can also blow that win the draw and not get it out and you're in your own end. And like how much value was there and actually winning the draw? Yeah, like I started by saying it's not even interesting anymore. But I probably would be to some people, the, you know, the Olympic gold medal game Canada won both of the face offs and over time. That was three on three for the gold medal and lost the game. The Sabers, it can be said, our last, though, in the statistic in the league, you're 30 second. Norris was supposed to help that. And of course, Karek is supposed to help that. Let's,

14:36let's just pray that it doesn't make keys to the game. One of these days, face offs. Come on. It has been a long season and then now to be ready for playoff keys to the game. Oh god. I think we could, we could end up there. I'm, I'm, I'm bracing myself for that. I think it's realistic that we could end up there. Tampa gets one point. Did you see any of it? I saw quite a lot, quite a bit of it. Yeah. Yeah. I, I think, um, see Seattle really did a great job to get that game to overtime. And I feel like they stole, they stole the extra point from Tampa. Tampa was absolutely ragdolling them in the third period. That game was three one at one point, uh, you know, midway through maybe and then Tampa tied it up and shots in the third period were like at one point 12th to two or something. And it really looked like that. It was just everything was in the, in, in the Seattle zone. Uh, it was grubour. He played great. And then they got a chance in overtime in Montour, made a real nice

15:38little heavy play there. I don't think Vassaluski thought he was going to shoot it and he shot it. And they won. So where was this game on TV? This game was, where did I have this game? It might have been a TNT game again. No, I don't think that's right. NHL Network ESPN Plus. ESPN Plus. I had so, I honestly, I'm not, I'm not, there were, it had to be ESPN Plus. Okay. I think is where it was. They had a ton of games last night. And I was just, I remember scrolling through their guide looking for that game. And it took me a while, but I got there. Um, yeah, I'm mistaken about TNT. It was, it was, uh, anyway. So I had the Tampa broadcast of the game. Um, they spent, you don't need to know. It's like, I'm always hesitant. I always want to dive into this, but I'm always hesitant to do so, because I don't really know what it sounds like. You know, to different people, whether that's based on income or based on age, it's just, it's, I'm losing my mind over not being able to

16:45find games and know where to look. And I mean, it's opening day and I'm not beating myself up over not knowing to go to peacock for baseball. I didn't know that I was going to need to do that. That's new this year. Yeah. Even last night, I wanted to see the Dodgers and, okay, right, peacock, NBC is doing this fubo, which we have doesn't have NBC. So you need peacock to watch, you know, primarily, I guess baseball now. And I, I heard that the Nationals Cubs game, like Nationals fans couldn't find the game anywhere on the regular stream. If that's even the right term for something and then the other streams, like they couldn't get it. You couldn't get to the Nationals. That makes sense because I did read in the run up to baseball starting, I won't talk about opening night in the opening day. Anyway, whatever. The baseball season ramping up, there was some media reporter, I follow, like there's a, there's a handful of teams and maybe

17:46these two teams or at least one of them were among them, where like all of these sort of regional sports networks went belly up last season. And the tweet was basically, there probably was an entire story attached to it. You know, for these teams, they don't yet have their broadcast plans solidified. These things often come down to the wire. And I'm like, I'll say these teams are playing tomorrow. And the teams can't tell their fans exactly where they're going to find the games yet, which is, I mean, that's the definition of going down to the wire. So maybe that was one of those that they either didn't get it sorted out or people just had really no idea where to go get it because word didn't get out in time because it was decision was made so late. It was not there. Whether it was through Fios or any other service that you could have had, there was no access to the game. Verizon was telling people on Twitter that you need this extra channel that's available.

18:49But, you know, like reset your system and something like you were supposed to know to do that. Yeah. And then the fans came back with, well, this is just going to cost me more then to get this channel 579 or something. Like, I don't know. I think it's righteous to be completely baffled by all of this put together. But I also think it's kind of boring. It's probably boring to listen to or even lame, just like, you know, figure it out. Figure out some way to find your sporting events. But what do we got tonight? MSG? Easy one. Yeah, I think just regular roll sabers tonight. Yeah, I believe that that's the case. One of the great things about being at the game on Wednesday was the boards don't change. Yeah, that's a plus. Yeah. You're not constantly distracted. Do you get distracted by this? Did you ever? Is this just a me thing? Like, I hate it so much that it's always and the biggest reason why I hate it is not that it really takes my eyes off the hockey game because it mostly doesn't do that. I've always been bothered. This is even like wearing dark versus white.

19:54Places should look like the places that they are. Right. And if you're changing the uniforms and slapping ads on the glass and putting up Zach Brown band, you know, promotions for your own arena. And I have no, all I have is the center rice logos that identify who it is. What am I looking at? Right. They want you. I'm not even kidding. I'll say it again. When do we get to fake fans? When do we get to? There are only 10,000 people here. Let's slap some fake people in there. So it looks like we have a sellout. They would move. I mean, sports teams have moved people down. The bison's have a game on TV. They'll move people down. Seats behind the plate. So why not which fake people behind the plate? Some day we will. I'll probably be old enough to live to the day where they put fake fans. Where this does annoy me mostly is watching highlights back because I don't always know right away where you used to know where the game was in part based on what the ads on. If you don't see the center rice logo, you kind of know, oh, this game's in

20:57Boston. I see a giant duck and donuts ad in the inside the blue line or whatever for the local stuff, right? Canadian banks for a Montreal RBC or something. And now, yeah, that's depending on what feed you're watching. Like if Boston's playing in Montreal, I'm getting Dunkin Donuts on the wall because it's the Boston feed. If I'm watching and that I don't like that at all. But mostly where it bothers me, the changing, it's not so much when the digital ad changes over during, you know, the standard wide shot of the of the play. And that is jarring or it can be, but I think I've gotten used to it. Where it bothers me is when they switch from that regular wide camera shot where you've got the digital ads for the broadcast and they quickly go down to like an ice level shot to a guy in the corner with the puck and it's the stuff that's in the ring. And then they quickly go back to the wide shot and it's back to the digital stuff and that that just isn't a salt on my

22:01senses. That bothers me. But you can only complain about so many things in the world. Sure. That's just yeah. Once in a while, I've mostly gotten over it. Yeah, right. Once in a while. All right. So you would take over time. So would I? Anybody else playing the night that we need to know about? No, there's only two games in the league. I thought it's Rangers. Yeah. What about the draft though? Well, that's not our problem. Are you sure? Yes. You promise? Yes. Okay. NBA is big on that today. We have this rules proposal in the NFL from the Steelers that I couldn't even recite to you. And I refused to look it up. Sorry. On a Friday, especially, that like you're only getting certain number or maybe it's like adding to I'm not sure if it's adding or subtracting X number of phone calls and video zoom calls you can make with UFA in the legal tampering. The Steelers have

23:04some idea that they want to change the rules on that. Then I thought like, okay, well, I'm just not going to learn this. And then I saw the three pronged NBA anti-tanking proposal document. Oh boy. Today. And I just three pronged. I just feel like I cannot figure out anything anymore. It's bad. Where are the games? The ads on the boards are confusing and these rules changes have us. I am 80. Welcome. Welcome. Welcome to the day. I am 80 now. I have no idea what any of that means. How about just not have a lottery or fix your site. Fix your rules so that the worst teams don't get the top draft picks. That's what your problem is. Hockey basketball. That's being all sports.

24:04That's what your problem is. You have it built to benefit the worst teams. Don't have a draft. You shouldn't anyway. The problem is though that drafts are fun and huge content creators. So we want drafts, but really why have them? Why not have it be like any other business where people get to go where they were wanted and paid the most and you know, would the Buffalo Sabers be completely priced out of having a good team? I don't know. Not necessarily. Guys want to play. Not sorry to make it so complicated so early on a Friday. It's on this out. Bulldog said it. Sam Panty out of it's coming up. He's not going to want to talk about any of this. You're going to want to talk tournament. Oh yeah. Baseball futures. The white socks getting blasted. 14 to one. Whatever that was. And who knows what else? I was asked a question yesterday. I don't know if you want to take a take a try at this. And I know we got Sam coming up. But I was I was asked like how focused I am like what it'll feel like when the Sabers actually clinch a spot.

25:07And I didn't really know how to respond. Like I don't I feel I'm not on edge. Maybe people still are out there. I don't know. I've not been on edge about this team making the playoffs since New Year's. I just felt like they were they were they were good. And their place in the standings is so good right now that I'm not focused at all on what the magic number is. And what it's going to I just feel like it's kind of anticlimactic at this point. They're they're they're it would be beyond stunning if they missed at this point. Every model has them at a hundred percent. I'm not worried about it. Right. So that takes to me the heat off of like if I'm if I'm in a I mean a race for first. I'm in a race for second or third. Maybe right. I'm in a race for the best spot I can get. But I I don't feel like I'm in a race trying to fend off the senators. You know I don't want them in. But I'm not worried about them passing me or taking my spot. No. It's like I don't know. I just wonder if fans are focused on like you know the the moment they clinched the

26:09game. Well clinch. And I don't know. I'm not really it'll be great. I mean I'm not saying I'll be like not have any reaction. But it's not that important moment to me. I think what what I've thought doing this asking such questions is I don't think people really want to talk about it. Like it's a given people don't want to assume. Yeah until they've officially done it. We'll talk about it some more. Sam panty out of its next Mike show in the Bulldog Savers and Red Wings pregame at six here on WGR. This episode is brought to you by progressive insurance. Whether you love true crime or comedy celebrity interviews or news you call the shots on what's in your podcast Q. And guess what now you can call them on your auto insurance too with the name your price tool from progressive. It works just the way it sounds. You tell progressive how much you want to pay for car insurance and they'll show you coverage options that fit your budget. Get your quote today at progressive.com to join the over 28 million drivers who trust progressive progressive casualty insurance company and affiliates price and coverage match limited by state law get more

27:14out of every mile when you share the ride to work with car pulling you'll have time to relax save money and pick up new friends. Commuter connections can help you find carpool partners who live and work near you. Even if you're commuting just a few days a week it's a free service. Carpooling every dollar saved every friend made register for free carpool partner ride matching at commuterconnections.org or call 800 745 ride that's commuterconnections.org. Testing season is right around the corner and this is when confidence really matters when kids take time to review key concepts and strengthen their skills before assessments it can make all the difference. IXL helps reinforce what they're learning right now so they walk into every test feeling prepared capable and confident. IXL is an award winning online learning platform that helps kids truly understand what they're learning whether they're building math confidence strengthening reading and writing skills or reviewing science concepts designed for students

28:16from pre-k through 12th grade. IXL delivers personalized interactive practice that adapts to your child's level and pace. It's an easy effective way to support learning as the school year heads into its final stretch. Studies show kids who use IXL score higher on tests proven in all 50 states. IXL is used in 96 of the top 100 school districts in the US. Make an impact on your child's learning. Get IXL now and listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at IXLLearning.com slash audio. Visit IXLLearning.com slash audio to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price. I'm Brian I work at United Health Care. So Brian why do you care? I care because I don't want to leave anybody behind. I oversee one of the biggest resource center in United Health Care. I see people walked in in my office every day just like my parents. They have no idea about the health care. I feel like they are my uncles,

29:20aunties. I treat it as people life family. I'm Brian and I'm committed to care. For do into the final eight where they'll face Arizona tomorrow night. Welcome back. Make show up in the bulldog here. Big names lined up for tonight's tournament slate and I'm sure a man who is ready for all of it is Sam panty out of it. Decorated sports betting analyst. Illinois man. Sammy P with us on the west her hotline. Sam how's life. How is this tournament treating you? So far so good. I have an exact I guess it'd be a super effective. Now I'm going to

30:23jinx it but I have my final four all making it at 30 to one. So I'm almost there with Illinois. And then Duke Arizona and Michigan shocker the one seeds but if that's the actual final four one one one three. I'll hit 30 to one. So I'm sweating that big. I missed the part where you said and you have the bills to win the AFC East as a part of that. I missed that breaking up when you were saying that. I know by the way before I forget I was that naked city in Vegas last Saturday and they they wanted to give the boys some love. They love show up in the bulldog out there. Yes Chris here. I told you this because I saw pictures from you I was out there. The first year I went to Las Vegas to broadcast the night of the opener the Thursday night and to do fantasy drafts. We were set up at naked city and my friend Louis saved us because I could not figure out how to get us on. Yeah that was it was an equipment problem and literally like the open was playing

31:24when I think Mike said I'm here I'm here I got it was really close it was really tight I'm like okay I guess I'm flying solo here I'm through. I picked Illinois in my bracket because of you. I know there was that one week where you talked about Illinois versus Michigan and we lost on that but I figured you were still pretty high on them so I have Illinois Iowa State not for big money. Oh in the final Iowa State I thought you had Illinois Iowa and in that bottom left I was like holy cow that would have paid a nice penny. Okay so Iowa State goes tonight I can tell you I just talked to my buddy in Vegas John Murray who runs the Westgate one of the big books out there and he said the two bets they need to lose tonight need to lose outright our St. John's and Iowa State. Big public sides today I mean everybody's betting St. John's which which makes sense I mean they've won six in a row they've covered all those games too and now you're getting a big number I'm using air quotes because you can't see me I'm on the radio. Well that's a lot of points

32:25but if you followed college basketball the last five years or so when you get to the sweet 16 elite eight this is where the gap really widens like Arizona last night I had a bunch of texts from my buddies a lot that's a lot of points to give Arkansas and then Arizona scored 110 points you know and won by almost 20 so I just I warn people when you see a big number psychologically for some reason everybody loves favorites in every sport but then in college basketball sweet 16 elite eight the public sort of flips and takes points especially six seven eight nine points and I warn people these teams that are laying seven eight nine points are damn good and I think you're going to find that out with with Duke and and also another one tonight I mean it's not a public side like Iowa State and St. John's but there will be a lot of people that will look to take nine and a half ten with Alabama and if they don't make their threes guys they're getting blown out by

33:27Michigan. That is interesting and isn't isn't your your overall point there about how for some reason this sport or this tournament is where the public turns to the underdogs is that maybe just the way it's marketed that we think about and that's more there's it's for a reason but we think about upsets when we think about this tournament even you know classics in the finals whether that's villain over Georgetown or something more recent I wonder if that's really it's that when we think of the tournament and you know most when you say public you're talking about you know casuals often maybe we just sort of go right to the dogs. Well I mean yeah this is a longer form conversation I'll try and keep it as short and sweet as I can the dogs are not as big as they used to be in terms of the number. I remember you know going back a decade a 13 seed would be getting like you know 22 points and now the trendy 13 seed is getting like 13 and everybody

34:28likes them like Troy for example this year I mean everybody bet Troy and Troy got dog walked um oh why was another one oh watch out for Hawaii I mean the Hawaii went down 11 to 1 and the game was never close I think we only had four double digit seeds win in the first round and then for the first time ever in NCAA tournament history there was a stretch where the betting favorite won the game 22 straight times I think it was from Thursday night through Friday the first Friday where the favorites won every game all 16 I mean imagine being a dog player especially a dog money line player and the favorites win 22 straight in a row um there were not a lot of ups that's this year and then I you know I was doing radio in Chicago and the host says well Texas is a Cinderella I'm like Texas spent the fourth most money in NIL this year that is not a Cinderella they were just an 11 seed that's all right they just weren't as good as the money you should have made them maybe right to some extent or another is this overall I mean I know you know you're happy

35:32you're happy your final four is alive is it good for the tournament doesn't even matter anymore because the gambling is so you know you can do it from your phone now like the tournament probably gets as much action if not more action than it's ever gotten even if it's not as interesting to the casuals because the you know 22 favorites in a row one it's interesting I mean you're going to get the best matchups I mean these games tonight are crazy good St. John's Duke Michigan State Yukon Alabama Michigan Tennessee Iowa State I mean yeah that's hot those are four really really good games with eight really really good programs and you know I I see a lot of this you know in the streets on the internet like especially last week and oh college basketball's dead not really you got you got the best team standing so I've always wanted the best teams I mean it's a fun story when Loyola goes to the final four when George Mason breaks it through but in the modern day you you just you don't expect that anymore I mean last year we had four

36:36number one season the final four and the final four was awesome I mean it was one of the best I remember usually when that Cinderella makes it to the elite eight or final four they get cracked over the head with a crowbar so you do you want to want to watch do you want to watch two games that are close or do you want to watch one game that's close and another team lose by 30 I'm I'm in the first camp always with Sam penny out of it's chicken dinner Mike show up in the bulldog here WGR do you have an ear open with all this tournament noise to the Jack Adams award race Lindy Ruff minus 300 Mike that's maybe the best it's been uh-huh you know we hear or hear about different hockey analysts talking about this rough and John Cooper and a couple of nights ago yeah Wednesday night yeah the TNT like intermission you know the post game panel there everyone said John Cooper and their reasoning is four four different or three analysts all said John Cooper

37:39and their reasoning was I just can't believe he hasn't won it yet which you know I think it's fine if Lindy Ruff and the Sabers aren't having the year that they're having but it's one of the best stories in hockey this season if not the best story in hockey this season that the Sabers have gotten this hot and climbed this far they're not just fighting to get in the playoffs they're fighting for like the top seat in the conference it's crazy and I just think you know in if that coach exists out there then the career achievement guy you know should not get the benefit of the doubt in a year like that I don't think and maybe he won't but broadcasters vote on that award Sam and those guys are broadcasters that's fair I also um not the cross sports here but when I hear that everybody on TV like Sean Cooper I think about myself sitting down on Sunday night when I watched the pregame on NBC and the Ravens are playing the Steelers and all nine people pick the Ravens and I'm like oh I like the Steelers I feel the same way like okay because the betting

38:45market disagrees the betting market has gotten more expensive Lindy Ruff who I believe a week ago was even money or plus 110 and now he's minus 300 so you got to lay three to win one I guess let me ask you to a question since we have the Lindy bet the three of us together should we bet a little John Cooper plus 240 that's really the question yes or no I mean if my heart weren't where it was I would do it probably hedge a little bit but it's also not that big a bet that I'm really worried about it you know I'm out of hedge you're usually I don't I like to just ride or die with what I decided to do which I know you know you can cost me money but I still whatever I like to just stay the course I like your Ravens comparison it would be perfect if those nine NBC panelists voted at the end of the game who would win instead of there being a scoreboard but you know point taken on that and I'm very much the same way um Sabers for Cup anybody that's more than a thousand

39:50right to keep asking I think I said last Friday this is the last time to get in so no I don't want you to bet I mean if you're a Buffalo onion and you're still make it on Buffalo if you want to bet a little bit fine but again you're the train is leaving and you are you are trying to jump on and grab the railing from a price standpoint I mean you know this is a team that two months ago was 50 to one 40 to one so if you want to bet 16 or 14 or 12 fine but you're you're getting pennies on the dollar in that sense I did you know as I always do I listen to the first segment thank you for the white socks crack number one sure number two number two well they went up one nothing and then they went down 14 to one I'm like oh boy here we go um everybody makes a run Sam I did hear that we we might like the draw tonight uh between the Sabers and the wings huh well just to get to just to get a point yes because we sort of like we're playing chess here not checkers I think we agree that we'd like Detroit in the playoff pool I think they're the weakest

40:54of the contending teams for play you know playoff spots so I'd rather have them in and say auto or Columbus or the islanders even um so let them get a point and I'll maybe take my chances in overtime I perked up and then that's really I went price shopping so this this is a conversation that everybody needs to have especially during baseball season like the importance of price I have three sports books up right here fandall draftings bet mgm if you want to bet the regulation high fandall gives you plus two 90 draftings gives you plus 320 bet mgm gives you plus three 33 you can get 43 extra cents just by betting on the right book and you know a lot of people only have one book well one book has two 90 the other one has three 33 or three 30 trees my friend Eddie Olshak always says he's got to be a promo code out there we can go on onto this right I have a white socks playoff bet uh-huh I mean I know their total was down around 70 right 70

42:01and a half something like that maybe lower but I don't know give me to 85 and see what happens I don't know that they're going to make the playoffs I you know I think they can get to 70 wins the one team that a lot of wise guys like and of course you know it's not 1995 anymore you can bet on playoff markets throughout the season like you used to be able to just bet it before opening day and then they they shut the blinds the one team I'm hearing a lot about from Vegas is the Miami Marlins they they took some bets at seven to one and plus 650 to make the postseason very young team but their manager McCulloch he took them from 62 wins two years ago to 79 last year and they got better in the off season so if you're looking for some pizza money if you want to bet a little to win a lot I'm here in the Miami Marlins are getting a lot of playoff bets in Vegas I heard Texas did you hear Texas too yeah the Texas that kind of happens every year with with them at least since they've started spending all that money on since they won the world series yeah I mean Texas is

43:06they're like the win totals like 82 and a half so you're not going to get as big of a payout on them to make it um but I've heard some people that like big picture like Texas to make the world series so to your point that's another very popular one in the market for sure thank you Sam good luck tonight and this weekend anything with the podcast you want to mention uh not podcasts will be back next week I'm betting Michigan tonight and I will be thinking of you guys when the sabers and wings are tied two to two after three all right we'll take it good deal Sam right back at you thanks Sam bye bye same penny out of it's chicken dinner find that on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts wanted to say that's how they say everybody says that I never say that yeah find it wherever you get your podcasts Ryan Fowler on the NFL draft coming up at four we'll mix some baseball and of course the sabers game tonight against Detroit also Sal Capaccio coming

44:08up at five thirty we'll spend a few minutes with Sal in the wake of the news that tomorrow hamlin is resigning or has resigned with the bills and I have a documentary recommendation for Sal and everybody okay my show in the bulldog that's ahead this is WGR this episode is brought to you by progressive most of you aren't just listening right now you're driving cleaning and even exercising but what if you could be saving money by switching to progressive drivers who save by switching save nearly seven hundred and fifty dollars on average and auto customers qualify for an average of seven discounts multi-task right now quote today at progressive dot com progressive casualty insurance company and affiliates national average 12 month savings of seven hundred forty four dollars by new customers surveyed who saved with progressive between June 2022 and May 2023 potential savings will vary discounts not available in all states and situations get more out of every mile when you share the ride to work with carpooling you'll have time to

45:08relax save money and pick up new friends commuter connections can help you find carpool partners who live and work near you even if you're commuting just a few days a week it's a free service carpooling every dollar saved every friend made register for free carpool partner ride matching at commuter connections dot org or call eight hundred seven four five ride that's commuter connections dot org testing season is right around the corner and this is when confidence really matters when kids take time to review key concepts and strengthen their skills before assessments it can make all the difference ixl helps reinforce what they're learning right now so they walk into every test feeling prepared capable and confident ixl is an award-winning online learning platform that helps kids truly understand what they're learning whether they're building math confidence strengthening reading and writing skills or reviewing science concepts designed for students from pre-k through 12th grade ixl delivers personalized interactive practice that adapts to

46:11your child's level and pace it's an easy effective way to support learning as the school year heads into its final stretch study show kids who use ixl score higher on tests proven in all 50 states ixl is used in 96 of the top 100 school districts in the us make an impact on your child's learning get ixl now and listeners can get an exclusive 20% off ixl membership when they sign up today at ixl learning dot com slash audio visit ixl learning dot com slash audio to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price i'm spencer and i work at united health care sister why do you care i care because my daughter adeline has special needs i am motivated by adeline who inspires me every day i am driven to help families like mine navigate the health care system i'm so blessed to lead an amazing team at united health care focusing on the member experience and making that better i'm spencer and i'm committed to care

47:18hey y'all it's kelly Clarkson with Wayfair ever order furniture online and wonder what if like what if it is a fit uh little to the left the weight yep should have gone with Wayfair or what if it doesn't hold up that sofa was 40s old should have ordered from Wayfair or what if it's that material that makes that noise it was a sofa i swear with Wayfair there's no what it just style you love quality you can trust and furniture that actually fits your life visit wayfair.com or download the Wayfair app Wayfair every style every home it's my show you might be mocking me or you might be staunchly agree with me i can't tell i'm mocking you and the bulldog what is fuzzy bears role in this production on wgr sports radio 550 i admit it i don't read the sporting news like i used to jacksonville has a team in the international league you betcha i found that out today the shrimps something shrimps golf shrimps no they're not on a golf jacksonville that wouldn't make sense

48:21jumbo jumbo shrimps jumbo shrimp okay sorry to mean to make it plural well you were being normal there is that yeah championship celebration huh that's what i'm seeing they're celebrating a championship tonight man i got to follow sports i got to start following sports it's too much it's a new team i don't know i i never heard i never heard that name before this year i'll our guest will know yes this is when ryan fowler decides never to take our calls again who are the jacksonville jumbo shrimp i mean if you know ryan bring it i'd be super impressed but no pressure there's no points for getting this wrong no points lost they're baseball correct baseball yeah i guess we have it's all yes internationally the bison ryan open today and there's a team now in the league uh maybe they

49:23were and this is embarrassing name jacksonville jumbo shrimp anyway i feel i would have heard that last year at some point during baseball season yes existed last unless they just refuse to play the bisons and that's why we never did that would be weird that would be weird all right sorry ryan thanks for your patience ryan fowler with us draft analyst we are within a month now uh let's get the macro from you so far this this season ryan like how this draft feels to you what you kind of expect from it yeah first off fellows it's going to be back with everybody is doing well um what this draft for a lot of folks out there i think you know are a little bit down on this class as far as the blue chip talent really runs out quickly at the top and i'm right there with them however i always try to do my due diligence in each draft guys and really dive into the weeds really when you get past day two fourth fifth round bucket was really where i think in this draft you're going to find a lot of players that can really contribute on offense and on defense and i now there's a lot

50:24of positional groups i think linebacker i think receiver i think edge is specifically really pop off the page tight end as well 27 of them were invited to the combine you're going to find a lot of players in those classes and if you're a gm in football that really does your due diligence and trust your collegiate scouting staff that was out on the road for the entirety of the fall and you've been scouting this class really for the past two three years you're going to find some contributing players in those middle-to-late rounds in this class i actually really do like this class even though some others may not well i like to hear that especially about linebacker because like that that feels like a position especially like you know interior linebackers like not guys that are like pass rush specialists as well i mean those are classified as that anyway but i feel like linebacker is sort of the defensive version of the running back although that's changed over the last few years more teams are running it more and you've seen more running backs drafted earlier than probably the previous five or eight ten years i feel like linebackers that like

51:26i think i should be able to find a linebacker inside linebacker that can play for me on saturday without much trouble you know most years but it sounds like this year especially yeah as a heck of a group it really is and you made a good point you know when you move closer to the middle of the football field you know communication leadership guys that not you know say it but also show it with their pads and pop and when you look at the bills right now as far as guys that they're going to look to have and know this new look gym letter defense whether it's an eight typical three four or they're going to look some some hybrid looks and a couple bare fronts with five down linemen don't really know really until we really get the training camp and you see them in week one but you mentioned as far as saturday and that early fourth round bucket i think a couple guys come to mind kishon Elliott from Arizona state extremely extremely physical typical ball player that sets the tone in the middle and then a guy that look all the attention right now in Alabama is on deontay loss and as far as how long he played in the SEC but i think his teammates in just in jefferson is going to be the guy that plays quicker than him as far as

52:26snaps quicker in the NFL and also better than him long term so just in jefferson again in kishon Elliott two day to those early day three guys really like their skills at first versatile players and if you're drafted early portions of day three at the linebacker position you may also have to cut your teeth on special teams as well so both of those guys that think we'll be able to do that are absolutely names to know in this middle but potentially adding those bills defense with Ryan Fowler Ryan you lay out and i've heard that the same from other analysts as well the the positions where the draft is the strongest they're right in line with what the bills needs appear to be i don't know about interior defensive line but linebacker edge wide receiver i guess the bills are fortunate to be in a draft where what they need is where it's kind of rich yeah they are you know they are and again it's going to be all seven rounds you're going to be able to find guys i think you look at receiver you know you're going to have what's what's really branding being flavor is it going to be an Omar Cooper junior is it going to be a kc conception own both those guys at three level threats kc's got a little more juice in his game as far as

53:30after the catch than what i've seen in Omar's tape or do they want a bigger physical player to what they thought they were going to have with a guy like key on Coleman you know i think it is still a talented kid but right now it has not worked out it hasn't come to fruition you know are they going to value a guy potentially they take a swing on a guy like now it kind of feels laid on day one is the Chris Brazl then they'll Boston from Washington already moving the middle round to Kobe Lane from USC Bryce Lance from North Dakota State this receiver group there's short guys there's tall guys there's guys that create after the catch a lot of unique skill sets at the position and then you mentioned corner no look there's a really good separation as far as day two day three as far as what the nickel class looks like headliner really is the angel of ponds from Indiana wanting pound for pound best players in this class i wish the kid was 20 pounds heavier and an inch taller i think he goes back into night one but we don't have that luxury he's an outstanding football player he on say Scott from Miami or you want a bigger physical player there are only three guys at the combine that measured in six three or taller devon more from florida and

54:32the two Washington guys to cardio Davis and Ephesians price lock one of the best names in this class guys both those guys all vertically impressive players so it's really going to depend on what the flavor is of each office the coordinator offensive coordinator how they evaluate their board but really no positions of need for buffalo there can be a lot of players to add on all seven round right i'd like to jump back to receiver for a second here uh you know nothing i'd assume we're all following the same people on social media but probably some of them because it's you know draft content if and so today feels like ted herst day on my twitter feed like i just is a numerous draft analyst posting videos and retweeting videos of ted hers from georgia state uh six four two oh six what where is this player falling and how interesting a prospect to see to you yeah it would be really nice if the bill took a second round pick because that's where i think ted hers is going to go i really do too soon ryan talking to talk to some of his reptiles over

55:33the past really a couple months uh ted had a ton of offers to leave short estate where a lot of money uh he stayed there and it looked they did not have a good year of disgusting down there really what it was for the panthers this year but his ability like he said six four two oh five he's a three level threat i think he's outstanding and again i think he's someone for if you're looking across this draft board away where's who's one or two guys are maybe going to go much higher than maybe the consensus if you're looking across different sites of their big boards and most of them had ted hers in that 90 to 120 range i don't think at all he gets to 90 i'd be surprised he gets past 65 and 70 this is a very physically impressive player and on tape against lower level competition he showcased well then he goes to the senior bowl where he really showcased well with one-on-one scenarios and then also in team drills where you're asking the block and the perimeter as a big player take designated touches he's a guy that's really taken advantage of this pre-job process he looks the part he plays the part i think he's going to be a really nice player forever he lands likely for me at least in the second round where i think he's going to come off the board

56:34with ryan fowler Mike show up in the bulldog here on w gr i mean i'm sort of chirping when you say i wish they had a second-round pick i wish they had a second-round pick it's i think this is the majority opinion actually that's the problem i have with the trade for dj more is that it just cost too much not to mention the money he got but i don't have a dj more problem i just think they could have been better off doing this differently do you agree i do agree i think you could add a dj more on the straps guys i really do and i think it wouldn't cost a money to pay dj as well i mean for me dj more has always been a guy that hasn't looked up expectation whether that was in chicago or whether that was in carolina before you know guy coming out of merlin i thought was a fine player and uh at his best a wide receiver two in the NFL and very average at that um i think again in this class and the reason why i said the second round is where this receiver group is so deep and it really does start once you get past lemon tate and Tyson and still as of right now i'm not even sure where it's worth Tyson goes it still thinks it's top 20 pick but not sure exactly where he goes at the injury

57:36concerns which are legitimate this receiver class is outstanding and it's really going to go all seven rounds and don't think you need to add a guy like dj more in this situation where he could have found one really in those top 50 to 60 picks how about kc conception and i mentioned this you know phrasing about how it feels like tate hers day on my twitter feed i would say the same thing about conception on earlier this week or or over last weekend a lot of bills fan and a lot of bills and even just national analysts have been highlighting kc conception and that's a player that might be viable at 26 of the bills do decide to go receiver despite having made the big investment in assets and money in dj more how do you feel about the texas a and m wide out yeah i'll say this in that you know i think i do like calil chic here i really do in the slot i think you said dynamic player that can really expand your ground game as well for his ability designated touches but when you look at kc conception i don't think you potentially if you really like them go and get your got you know i'm always in support of that i don't think you

58:38don't add a conception because you made a move for dj more because i think what kc's able to do right away is win in those shallow to intermediate areas and he's going to expand your ground game as well as far as he can create undesignated touches take pressure off of josh how and not to do everything on every single play which he's been asked to do now for a long long time as you guys understand what both his arm and his leg so one thing is kc's game he's a guy also that can take it to distance on special teams as well as a partner turner potentially want to throw him back there as well he is absolutely dynamic after the catch really for me the best after the catch in this class right alongside a healthy crisp bell from Louisville at 215 pounds it's not lemon it's not taste not Tyson so kc's a guy that does not lose foot races when the ball is in his hands really the routes and the concept if you will really does start is explosive type of playmaker that i do expect to go back end of night one if he ends up in a bill's uniform i fully expect him right now to potentially lead this team in targets receptions and touchdowns in year one what about uh

59:39Tyson that's big yeah you you mentioned you think he still goes on the top 20 what's your latest if you could expound on that your latest thought on how the league sees him yeah i mean i flew an athlete as you're going to find guys in this class um and this is smoke screen season i'll say that it always matters who your information where you're getting it from because some people talk to different forces and some people talking the same people it's just always important now this time year less than a month out of really where you're getting that information from and there are legitimate concerns for Jordan as far as the acl mcl pcl the collarbone the hammies that's a little bit concerned if you're taking a risk of a guy of attention the top 15 picks to be to come in and be your boundary extraciever again i think at his best i think he's absolutely a guy that can be a wide receiver won at the nfl level i think he's a guy that had no injuries i mean that's something that's uh i don't like playing hypotheticals he's absolutely a top 10 lock for me and someone that can really be a wide receiver won in the top potential 10 to 12 receiver and football but we don't have that luxury right now with his profile so again i think that 10 to 20 range is

1:00:45where he comes off the board is there a team in the late 20s maybe they want to make a move up we will see what happens but that's really where i think he's going to go because the injury concerns are legitimate concern for teams you're tripped another wire for me mentioning chris bell because that's a very interesting player to me i mean there's the injury late november right so then acl so you've got that to work with and then i get the impression again pouring over like different analysts and whatnot in the last few weeks or so that there's a talent looking at film with him that maybe wasn't utilized to the best extent by luavil i don't know if you agree with that and could kind of expound upon bell because there's a sentiment out there that feels like he's really electric but just hasn't really had the chance to show it yet and then you've got the injury piece as well yeah it's a great question you know i think it reminds me a couple of years ago not exact parallels but at the tight end position when you watch sam liporta at iowa

1:01:47and you projected him to an offense it really expands vertically and from an aerial perspective you say man this kid's a really good player and obviously what he turned into right in that Detroit offensive last few years now with chris bell that miller mausher on offense you know i i'm right there with other people as far as what they've said as far as hey the guy that's really won on dig routes and crossers and designated touches if he gets into an NFL scheme to where he can be a wide receiver two the attention is on somebody else and i think he's someone that can be a three level threat physically he's one of the most imposing receivers in this class and i mentioned him right alongside conception as far as his ability to create after the catch and that's personally what i would love and a receiver i don't want you to catch in the ball and fall forward four yards there's a concern with stout you want that sometimes injured in Tyson's tape going over the middle field falling instead of trying to get those extra yards always falling forward so chris bell it's unfortunate the acl happens in november everything i've heard he's going to be good to go as you work into the summer months and into into the regular season

1:02:48barring any setback of course things can change but as a physically imposing type of football player that i do think also goes in the second round but again my point earlier if Brandon being loves chris bell they believe in his skill set as a physically imposing kid and they're in the back and over on one where you trust your board you trust your scouting staff i think this is absolutely a player that can come in and be a wide receiver one for you for the long haul few minutes left with Ryan foulard how about Jeremiah love Ryan where do you see him landing what's your guess he's an outstanding football player guys you know if you were to ask me three players in this class i think that it'd be pro bowlers in year one Jeremiah love Caleb Downs and then vending you wanting the interior offensive lineman from Penn State at non-premium position it's a very unique year but Jeremiah love i think it's in that bijan robinson de mere Gibbs category for me i think he's someone that can be an electric inside and outside the tackles whether you want to run power whether you want to run outside zone i mean look at some of his tape on the outside he's running big routes he's running posts he's running nine routes over over over corners he's just a

1:03:53really outstanding football player who's going to expand your offensive playbook and he is the one b to my my on my board one a which is Caleb Downs the top two players overall in my class i think he's a sensational football player he's a sensational young man as well it just wants to live and breathe football and wherever he lands whether that's at Tennessee to the giants or to potentially Washington at seven i think he's going to expand their offense immediately become really one of the most dynamic ball carriers and offensive weapons in the NFL and do time are we one and done with running backs in around one this year do you think there's there's another one that could sneak in i think if there's one that sneaks in it's jadarian price keep an eye on him to see i will see hawks in the back end of day one at thirty two and lastly ryan what about quarterbacks here everybody's got mandosa at one oh one there's some ty simpson buzz how many of these guys are interesting to you i like mandosa i don't love them i i have a mid to late first round on Fernando ty simpson i have a two on you know the second round quarterback really doesn't exist

1:04:56in today's day and age because player development and coaching you know it really goes from organization and organization in in twenty twenty six and the microwave society it just doesn't really exist but again mandosa and simpson are one two i would have really liked to see him turn that jambles declare if that worked out that way he would have been to be two for me in this class behind mandosa but really behind those guys i think there's some interesting names i mean kade klubnik from clumson Carson vex from georgia excuse me for my amy we've been talk about him for seems like a decade now there at nussmeyer from ls you do you all are from pen state i still like the skill set on him i just the mobility does scare me but the arm talent is evidently there two guys though at the quarterback position that are very interesting in this class one even may potentially be qb three in this class i'm not sure of cold paton from north to kota state gets out of day two a lot of nfl teams like his skill set as a big physical player that they can really work with and then tail in green from arc and saw long way to go with the quarterback but you can't find six five six with six guys that run four three that could potentially come in

1:06:01and even be a wide receiver in the future i don't know if it's going to be quarterback but someone is going to take a chance on both those guys really date two and that third round type of bug it and again keep an eye on cold paton i think he goes much higher than a lot of people think as of right now i know mike said last thing but he didn't consult me before he said it sure i want to squeeze in at edge real quick ryan that is certainly a position of need for the bills how likely is it that they could get an impactful player at the edge position at twenty six i think it's highly impactful now do you want your atypical three four end or you're going to get a guy that really just gets that for the passer because i think you could have a shot of the caches howl even though obviously the arm length is huge however you know you watch this tape in the sec facing future NFL tackles is the ability to win a variety of ways is excellent now do you want a Derek Moore from michigan zion young from azary more power bound power laden jared verse types of players but i think one name to know the naven sneak in the back one back end of

1:07:01day one guy is our mason comis from oklahoma six two two and forty five pounds extremely explosive can play on all three down extremely versatile and mature past our sharp at far as well so back end of day one think there are a lot of guys to know in this edge class it's just going to really vary what brand and being once in a specific specific type of body type i'm mostly looking for a guy to get around the edge and set an offensive tackle on fire so that that's it that's all that's that's so good yeah i think howl sounds pretty pretty tasty to me i agree i like caches howl as well you know someone that again scc experience a little bit under size but again we're talking about the arm length stuff i think the arm length will show up in the ground game more so than than getting after the passer in it and his variety and what he can show he shows me a lot what i've been on tape just as nick bonito really in that and that spinner roll i'm not comparing the two players nick is longer than caches but in that type of roll where you're going to pin your ears back and get out for the quarterback teams want to drop back thirty five plus times your face in Lamar Jackson your face and touch my home show borough the long list of names the asi

1:08:04that i know you guys know you got to get a guy and get out for the quarterback and i think caches howl if he was there and the bills want him i think it's actually a really nice fit thank you Ryan where can we find more of your work absolutely you can find me at mbc sports field i'll feel very good appreciate your time we'll talk again down the road that's like thanks as always guys Ryan Fowler NBC Sports Philadelphia i regret to inform you that the defending international league champions are the Jacksonville jumbo shrimp and i believe triple a champion champions as well having beaten Las Vegas in the series that follows the international league championship series in which last year they beat scranton wilksbury that one then i've heard of rolls off the tongue we know that uh that's the rail riders i believe it is the rail ride um so they did they play the bison i don't know i think i'd like to think i would have noticed yeah i think so too i never heard it before but they've

1:09:09been in for a few years okay well and they are the defending champs and are celebrating that achievement tonight right against the rochester red wings in jacksonville be funny if they celebrated in rochester i mean that would be odd yes i agree all right well i mean hats off to the jacksonville jumbo shrimp that's right congratulations i i don't order i feel bad for not knowing you exist not only existed but are the champions of a league in which we have a team yeah locally i i i feel a lot of shame they are the only team in the league 20 teams i'm looking at the list it's not easy to find some of this sometimes for me anyway they're the only team i had no knowledge of the rest of them right with enough time i could have named them all now do i sound defensive i could have named the rest of the international league i do believe i did not know about the jumbo shrimp yeah i'm i'm merely basing that that this lack of knowledge i guess about the jacksonville jumbo shrimp i'm sitting in here five days a week during baseball season

1:10:14and hearing in the update who the bison's are playing tonight either at home or on the road and i just don't feel like i ever one time heard that john say the words in order jacksonville jumbo shrimp i don't know i read the game release every day so right i i look today to see what the bison's were when leading after eight right zero and zero they hadn't played a game yet you posted on that was a bit from last year yep all right no you learn something every day even if i mean you can't even if it's years old even if it's just about the jacksonville jumbo shrimp wide receiver names Jordan Tyson maybe a faller in the first round injury stuff we'll talk about that and more sal kapaccio in just over an hour then it's six pregame for sabers red wings downtown might show up in the bulldog you can reach us at 803 05 50 this is WGR this episode is brought to you by progressive insurance what if comparing car insurance

1:11:14rates was as easy as putting on your favorite podcast with progressive it is just visit the progressive website to quote with all the coverages you want you'll see progressives direct rate then their tool will provide options from other companies so you can compare all you need to do is choose the rate and coverage you like quote today at progressive dot com to join the over 28 million drivers who trust progressive progressive casualty insurance company and affiliates comparison rates not available in all states or situations price is very based on how you buy get more out of every mile when you share the ride to work with carpooling you'll have time to relax save money and pick up new friends commuter connections can help you find carpool partners who live and work near you even if you're commuting just a few days a week it's a free service carpooling every dollar saved every friend made register for free carpool partner ride matching at commuterconnections dot org or call 800 745 ride that's commuterconnections dot org

1:12:16testing season is right around the corner and this is when confidence really matters when kids take time to review key concepts and strengthen their skills before assessments it can make all the difference ixl helps reinforce what they're learning right now so they walk into every test feeling prepared capable and confident ixl is an award-winning online learning platform that helps kids truly understand what they're learning whether they're building math confidence strengthening reading and writing skills or reviewing science concepts designed for students from pre-k through 12th grade ixl delivers personalized interactive practice that adapts to your child's level and pace it's an easy effective way to support learning as the school year heads into its final stretch study show kids who use ixl score higher on tests proven in all 50 states ixl is used in 96 of the top 100 school districts in the us make an impact on your child's learning get ixl now and listeners can get an exclusive 20% off ixl

1:13:20membership when they sign up today at ixl learning dot com slash audio visit ixl learning dot com slash audio to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price i'm Bryan i worked at UniteH health care so Bryan why do you care? i care because i don't want to leave anybody behind i oversee one of the biggest resource center in UniteH health care i see people walked in in my office every day just like my parents they have no idea about the health care i feel like they on my aunt Hol Think i treat this people's life family i'm Bryan, and i'm committed to care Hey y'all, it's Kelly Clarkson with Wayfair. Ever order furniture online and wonder, what if? Like, what if it doesn't fit? Uh, little to the left. The weight! Yep, should've gone with Wayfair. Or what if it doesn't hold up? That sofa was four days old. Should've ordered from Wayfair. Or what if it's that material that makes that noise? It was a sofa, I swear.

1:14:21With Wayfair, there's no what if. Just style you love, quality you can trust, and furniture that actually fits your life. Visit Wayfair.com or download the Wayfair app. Wayfair, every style, every home. If you're looking across different sites of their big boards, then most of them have Ted Hirsten at 90 to 120 range. I don't think at all he gets to 90. I'd be surprised he gets past 65 and 70. This is a very physically impressive player, and on tape against lower level competition, he showcased well. Then he goes to the senior bowl, where he really showcased well, almost one on one scenarios, and then also in team drills, where you're asking the block and the perimeter as a big player. Take designated touches. He's a guy that's really taken advantage of this pre-job process. He looks support. He plays the part. I think he's going to be a really nice player for wherever he lands, likely for me at least, in the second round, where I think he's going to come off the board. Draft analyst Ryan Fowler on Ted Hirst doesn't have the good name Malachi Hirst, Denzel Hirst, Jackson Smith Hirst and Jibbaugh.

1:15:23He doesn't have the good school of Georgia State. What? Georgia State. There's got to be a nickname somewhere hiding in his world, his life for you. Move off from Ted. No offense to Ted. All the video I've seen of him, it's really one video that I just keep seeing, you know, a half a dozen different analysts commenting on. I haven't seen anything about a nickname, so I can't help you there. I don't know. It's too late. It's too late. Oh, okay. I mean, after he gets drafted, maybe, but now you would just be confusing. Is there someone else named? Is there another Hirst? I see. You can't change it now. Yeah. I think Yankees and Giants getting started beautiful overhead shots of the Giants stadium with the Bay and all of it, San Francisco, awesome place. The Dodgers, I watched the Dodgers last night, Peacock, you found your way. I did Dodgers Diamondbacks. Dodgers had the gold outline of their letters and numbers because they won the World Series

1:16:25and the gold brim on their hats. I guess I liked it. It's just for opening. I don't know. Probably. Yeah, I would think they're not. They haven't changed their uniform. Go, but I remember when the Royals won. That's 2015, I think. So that long ago, the next year, they had gold element on their uniforms. Maybe again, only for opening day. But I was wondering, and I know you're not the biggest baseball fan anymore. Neither am I, really, but the Dodgers are one of those teams now. They've won the last two years. They spend way more than everybody else. They kind of toy with baseball. They don't have to win championships. It's not like that's automatic. Last year, we saw how hard they got pushed and how close they were to losing. But the regular season is mostly a formality for the Dodgers now. But I think I might still like them. I've not to the point yet where I hate the Dodgers. Like the Chiefs, and this is a little bit being from here.

1:17:26But the Chiefs won a couple, and it sort of seemed like everybody started to hate the Chiefs. Sick of them. I don't know what they really did that was so annoying. I mean, a couple of their personalities can be annoying, but there's a lot of guys on these teams. Yeah. And they get worse too than my homes in Kelsey. I agree. So the Chiefs though became like, you know, we would talk to people on this show from anywhere. And that would, you, that would come across like we're just all sick of anybody, anybody with them kind of mentality. Yeah. Yes. And I don't feel that way about the Dodger at all. I don't know. I, it might be the casual nature of my fandom at this point talking, um, but I think of the Dodgers. And I, I, I just appreciate that they still play in that ballpark, and they, they, they look like the Dodgers. Um, I even made mention, I know one time last year, they were like, uh, uh, some highlighted game on some, like Friday night on Apple or something.

1:18:26Maybe it was a, it was a standalone game on not a common carrier. If that, if that makes sense, we talk now about sports here. Right. Uh, and, and they were, they were wearing some Watt and it's just not the Dodger uniform playing the Yankees. I remember saying there should be a rule that if you're the Dodgers and you're playing the Yankees and it's like the, it's the part, if Fox baseball night in America or whatever it would have been, which is not like a new standalone carrier. Anyway, you should wear your regular stuff, you know, just, I'm, I'm, I'm in part here because it's the Dodgers and the Yankees. And I wanted to look like the Dodgers and the Yankees because, you know, I'm, it was born in 1965 and so that, but I generally, I like everything about them because it just reminds me of, you know, being a kid still. Well, there might be a baseball difference there, um, you know, specific to baseball. I think it's their players and even their manager that just give off a friendlier.

1:19:32Yeah. Five maybe. I mean, certainly Otani, it's not, I don't think it's easy if it's even possible to dislike Otani. How do you dislike Otani? We've never seen anything like him. I don't know. And there's nothing really about him that is annoying. I mean, he's not, that he's not the most demonstrative, he's not, you know, he's very likable. Unless you think like the gambling scandal was a sham or something, I guess you could, you could hang onto that if you, if, you know, might be the only thing. Yeah, I think it, I think in my opinion, it is. I think that's is super likable. I love mooky bets. I think Freeman is, you know, the, the pitcher Yamamoto last year became a star. What do you even know about him? Uh, Kershaw wasn't ever a problem like somebody that baseball fans didn't appreciate or like he's retired now. He was on the broadcast last night sitting next to the dugout in a suit. I saw that. Um, interesting. Imagine a manager, I mean, the right and the managers of Red Sox folk hero for me.

1:20:32So it's mooky bets for that matter. Uh, so there is that. I mean, yeah, Dave Roberts is, you know, responsible for one of the greatest moments in the history of the Red Sox franchise. Not everybody would feel the same way about either any of these guys. But for me, I mean, even, even gets a, it gets beyond those names like the lesser stars Tiasco Hernandez or, um, a few other guys, I don't know, like they just, I, I think I should be at a point where I sort of, especially being with Toronto last year, but I'm, I'm really not. So I don't know if there's something about them that makes them immune to this kind of thing or if I'm just sort of on, on my own, but you're with me on this point. I'm kind of with, yeah, like they don't, they don't, I think it is the casual thing. I mean, even though you care about Toronto, you're not living and dying on it. Like you wanted them to win, but it's not like so, you're not bitter about it. I don't think anyway. And that, that is, you know, if you're way all the way in with a team, then maybe that

1:21:35would be different, but I'm really not that way about any, even the Red Sox. I mean, I'm, I'm enjoying the sort of little rebirth going to the game last year and following with, following them with my son and we're going to go to a couple of games in the summer in Pittsburgh. And I, I, I like that. It feels good to be sort of re-engaged with them, but I'm not, you know, I don't know what their lineup looks like yet. And every time I sat down and watched them last year, I'd be like, I don't know who that is. Who is that? So I, maybe I'll do better than that this year. It's early. This, this didn't start for me last year until I decided to go to a game and then I was going to play and catch up for the, you know, the back end of the summer. Want to know, right, right? You know, yesterday we had the Mets and you, you were talking about something in reference, like I'm not really a Mets fan anymore. I was in the 80s pretty intensely and then that, I grew out of it, but this is 40 years since 86 and I know they're doing a lot with it. Oh, yeah.

1:22:37Different like wall of fame, inductions and an overall, like a team reunion, they couldn't sure they will, they couldn't milk the hell out of it, they couldn't just wait until 50. Well, they'll probably do it again and 50, right? But you know, guys pass on, I mean, you got to do what you can do when you can do it. This is a great spot, right, 40 years since that epic world series. And so maybe this year, I'll get a little bit, like if there's a reunion, an 86 Mets reunion, and I'm home, I'm going to want to see it. And some of those guys are still very prominent as broadcasters, like Hernandez and Darlene. Sure. So it's not like, in good and in strawberry, their stories have been told so many times, they're not like, out of the public eye altogether. So it won't be, yeah, I haven't seen this face in forever and I'd be quite like that. Some of them, we're all wondering what Rick Aguilera is doing now. And does he still have that like magic marker beard, he used to rock, then he ever really

1:23:38tightly trimmed later, like a little more than a shadow, but a beard. Yeah, like Ryan Day. Right. That's when he went to the twins, Aguilera, and was the closer for the kids, he got that beard off. Maybe he felt Jeff Reardon pressure. Right. But with the mats, now with the mats. Okay. When Dave Henderson hits that homer, you can see his face. Okay. There's no beard. Alright. Right. Yeah. Right. Right. Yes. Anyone else that you can think, like, you know what, this is, I don't even really want to admit this, but when I think about like old teams, that's one of the first things I think about is how many of them are dead, you know, sort of like, because it's morbid. I don't know why I think about that, but it starts with how long ago it was, and I can remember it. You know, I would, I lived through it. And you know, some of those guys, those guys would be all like in their sixties or even

1:24:38older, depending on who we're talking about. And you know, life. But I don't know about anybody else in them at team Boston, though, it was not you and me, right? It was at the baseball draft. I went to in Philadelphia. We were talking about this, the 86 Red Sox, Henderson is dead. Deaver was on that team's dead. Baylor is dead was on that, you know, Buckner is dead. I think there was someone else, well, the manager probably is dead, right? I guess I don't know that one for sure. But, but, yeah, McNamara probably, yeah, David Johnson is dead. Trying to think who else. I'm McNamara died in 2012. I don't want to start guessing it, whether, I don't, but the reason I had that good, that's not good radio. Who's dead? 803. But when I asked you, you know what I, first of all, I was, Lenny Dijkstra seems like he could be dead. But I don't think he is. He's not.

1:25:39He's incredible. He's had this incredible, this very rough around the edges is a way to put it gently. I guess life after baseball. Oh my God. Nobody's ever been more rough around the edges than nails. He absolutely picture in the, whatever the book is that has terms. It wouldn't be a dictionary entry, but whatever that, whatever that book is, there's Dijkstra. Yeah. Well, I don't know if he's persona non grata or what, yeah, around for any sort of reunion stuff, but he's also somebody that's, has not hidden from the public, no sphere, no he's Dijkstra. He's kind of, yeah, he's stern fan knows that's right. He's a little, maybe he saw my good actually more than hid from it. Incredible. Yeah. Mike's open the bulldog here, the Sabers home to Patrick Kane and the Red Wings tonight, big game for both teams, maybe especially Detroit now sitting two teams out in the playoff race. We'll be back after this break here on W.

1:26:40This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Whether you love true crime or comedy, celebrity interviews or news, you call the shots on what's in your podcast queue. And guess what? Now you can call them on your auto insurance too, with the name your price tool from Progressive. It works just the way it sounds. You tell Progressive how much you want to pay for car insurance, and they'll show you coverage options that fit your budget. Get your quote today at Progressive.com to join the over 28 million drivers who trust Progressive. Progressive casualty insurance company and affiliates, price and coverage match limited by state law. Get more out of every mile when you share the ride to work. With carpooling, you'll have time to relax, save money and pick up new friends. Commuter connections can help you find carpool partners who live and work near you. Even if you're commuting just a few days a week, it's a free service. Carpooling. Every dollar saved, every friend made. Register for free carpool partner ride matching at commuterconnections.org or call 800-745-RIDE.

1:27:41That's commuterconnections.org. Commuterconnection is right around the corner, and this is when confidence really matters. When kids take time to review key concepts and strengthen their skills before assessments, it can make all the difference. IXL helps reinforce what they're learning right now, so they walk into every test feeling prepared, capable and confident. IXL is an award-winning online learning platform that helps kids truly understand what they're learning. Whether they're building math confidence, strengthening reading and writing skills, or reviewing science concepts. Designed for students from pre-K through 12th grade, IXL delivers personalized interactive practice that adapts to your child's level and pace. It's an easy, effective way to support learning as the school year heads into its final stretch. Studies show kids who use IXL score higher on tests, proven in all 50 states. IXL is used in 96 of the top 100 school districts in the US. Make an impact on your child's learning.

1:28:43Get IXL now, and listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at IXLlearning.com slash audio. Visit IXLlearning.com slash audio to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price. I'm Spencer, and I work at United Health Care. Suspenser, why do you care? I care because my daughter, Adeline, has special needs. I am motivated by Adeline who inspires me every day. I am driven to help families like mine navigate the healthcare system. I'm so blessed to lead an amazing team at United Health Care, focusing on the member experience and making that better. I'm Spencer, and I'm committed to care. Hey y'all, it's Kelly Clarkson with WayFair. Ever order furniture online and wonder what if? Like, what if it isn't fit? Yep, should have gone with WayFair, or what if it doesn't hold up? That sofa was 40s old.

1:29:43Should have ordered from WayFair. Or what if it's that material that makes that noise? It was a sofa, I swear. With WayFair, there's no what it, just style you love, quality you can trust, and furniture that actually fits your life. Visit WayFair.com or download the WayFair app. WayFair every style, every home. I never get this line out the first time. It's not even good. Hey, put a little bit more in there, cowboy. And the bulldog. What's your degree in? Kick it ass and take a name! Not WGR. Sports Radio 550. Bulldog and I each showing our... Well, I'll say this for myself at least. Scary cat self. We want overtime the night. I'm sure the Sabers are favorite. Favourite. I'll favor it. I combine those two words and made a meal out of it.

1:30:43Maybe it's a little bit too conservative to say you want overtime. I don't care so much about the Red Wings piece. Whoever that is, I don't think Detroit is bad. Whoever that team is, if the Sabers do finish first, that they get from the wildcard. It's going to look close, I think. Boston, Ottawa, Columbus, Islanders, Red Wings. Probably one of those five. Maybe Montreal, but I doubt it. I think the likely scenario you run into Montreal is if Tampa beats you out and you end up in second. Oh, yeah. That's happening. That's in the window. That might be... I don't even know. The most likely outcome... Certainly if they fall out of first place, it is. But I don't know how likely it is that they will lose out to Tampa. For me, that's funny because the whole idea is all about Detroit. Otherwise, I don't think I would sign up for overtime if not for the Detroit. Like wanting them to sort of get in.

1:31:44So let them get a point off me. Hopefully I'll get the second one in overtime or a shootout. Otherwise, I don't think I would say, yeah, give me overtime. I would just... Let's play the feud. I'm going to beat you and knock you out. Not entirely. I mean, they're not out if they lose tonight. But it is a big game. It's like a 20% swing in their playoff odds. And even with a win, Detroit is not even above 50% to make it. That's how... Intuffy are right now. A couple of losses and look what happens. Right. That's really what it is. They've lost a couple of games. Yeah. Yeah, it doesn't take much. Which, you know... The Sabers, to me, the reason I'm so comfortable with where they are, and not really focused on the magic number, or when are they going to clinch, is that, to me, it would just take a calamitous epic. You know, and I know Buffalo sports fans are waiting to tell you, like, I'm not counting any chickens. I just think they've been too good for that. Like, they could really, really fade here and still make it.

1:32:44So I just don't see them falling out. So I'm not, I'm not like, nervous about their situation at all. So, I don't know. Without the Detroit getting a point, mattering to me, I wouldn't say, give me over time. 803-0550. Sal this morning, we'll have Sal out at 530, was talking about, all right, so, what's good enough for this year? And I thought about it. I know Sal was saying people were telling him, why is it anything but win the Stanley Cup. But obviously, his point isn't, you know, what you want to have happen. The standard cannot be that high. It can't really be that high for any team. Pretty much. No, we're going to have to refamiliarize ourselves, I think, as individual fans, and collectively as a fan base, to the realization that, like, you already alluded to it. Whoever they play, it's going to be close. And there's going to be probably some luck involved. I mean, it's a hockey series.

1:33:45And we are out of, we are definitely, I think I am, we all are, I think, out of shape in thinking about that and how it should be. It just, the games are all going to be close. And there'll probably be a couple of overtime games in every series you play. And, you know, okay, I hope we find our way. Right? I'm going to need a power play goal here and there, right? I mean, close game late. Oh, wow, power play with six minutes to go in a tie game. You got to get that goal. You want to win playoff games and win playoff series. And that's how close I, it'll be really tight as awesome as the Sabers have looked. I think they have as good a chance as everyone, but everyone else has as good a chance as them. Well, it's the playoffs. So I wanted to find out from fans, what is maybe the worst case scenario, but you're still happy. And I really couldn't think of an answer.

1:34:46I mean, if they fall apart in the next 10 games, and somehow miss, very unlikely, given just statistically, then, well, we'll have to see how that happened. We'll have that. Yeah. But I'm not considering that as a possibility. I think they're in. And if they lose in round one, what am I going to do with it? Ripum? I mean, I don't feel like I'm probably going to be inclined to do that. So it's like the beginning of the bill's run. You know, you hope that this is the beginning of a run and not just a fluke. But when that happened, when they made the playoffs, especially the second time, I would say, with Alan, and lost to Houston. I mean, there was some, there was a close game, an overtime game, and it was winnable. But I didn't feel like it was exactly right to be like, you know, killing them. You should have been better than that. And I'm expecting to feel that way about the Sabers. And I'm going to want to feel that way. Because I just, the kind of season this has been,

1:35:48I'm not feeling like this is going to end with sort of like a, oh my god, I can't believe they did that, you know, kind of a result. Yeah, yeah. Because it will be close. And I want to appreciate what it all is. So I couldn't, I mean, I was in on the conversation with him. Yeah, yeah. Sporting, but listening to it, I didn't really think that there was a right answer to it. Yeah. Because I'm already not satisfied, but I'm already, I'm already to a point where I think some scenario where you'd be inclined to be really critical just isn't possible. Yeah. I, you know, I like that you mentioned Alan in that 19 season. Because what I think while the Sabers being back at the level they're at, at like contender status where someone in the locker room a month ago says, we're here to win the Stanley Cup. Like Alex Tuck did, and it doesn't get laughed out of the hockey universe, necessarily.

1:36:48I, I didn't see evidence of that, and I certainly didn't find it like ridiculous that he said that. I thought we loved it. All right. You know, like wait, wait a step out and say it. They are not, so they're new to being contenders. But it's not that there are a bunch of new guys. You know, there's, there's some, there's, you know, new, you know, the trade deadline guys, and new guys this year. But like even, this is Zucker's second year here. Like he's, he's newer. But the guts of the team, Thomson, Dalline, Tuck, Power, Samuelson. Like we've been through it with these guys already. Like Alan was still new enough in 19. Like that, you know, this is second year. He's new on the stage, and you can kind of, a little bit like Drake May this past year, like they got farther than the bills got. I mean, they won two playoff games, and you know, got handled in the Super Bowl. You know, like, okay, come on back next year, and we'll, you know, we're going to keep going. And not that the Sabers are so old that these guys

1:37:50are going away anytime soon. But they're also not new. They're just new to being good. And that has me feeling a little less like you. I mean, I'm not trying to set my stage so I can, can rip them liberally if it, you know, goes off the rails here. But I think they're good enough. And I believe in it enough that I need a round, I think. I think I need, I think anything less than at least one round. Like if they beat whoever they play in the first round and then lose to Tampa. Like, at tip, good job. Good year. That's a great team, a perennial contender. Lots of stars. Lots of guys that are familiar with the whole scene. Like, it'll sting. But I won't, I don't think I'll be. How did you lose to that team? And again, it's hockey. So to be like that about any opponent is maybe foolish. But I just, I feel like they've been good enough

1:38:51that it would really, for me, it would be a big letdown if they didn't at least win around. So that would be my answer. Like go in the seven games here. I'd have to admit that's a little bit stronger than where I am. Yeah. I mean, a letdown, I will definitely feel disappointed if they don't. But what will it say about their season? Maybe it depends on how it happens. I mean, you want what we're talking about is like criticism. Well, what form would it take? I mean, how would they play? There are certain things I can think of where this would come to light. Like if Thompson goes cold, it'll be that, you know, the playoffs came around and where'd he go? He can't go cold in the playoffs for his own sake. I would say goal tending is always this. And some of that is going to be coaching affected, you know. Right. Yeah, it's a little bit of what we got going on the last 24 hours with Metsa going down. Yeah. He's being up and, you know, we'll see Lindy,

1:39:53Ruff will hear from him about an hour from now or a little more than an hour from now. Once pregame gets rolling, we'll talk to Paul just about an hour from now. You know, did talk about it today that it, you know, it's not to be a long-term thing. Explain it, you know, we're not practicing. We got other guys and let him go play in Rochester. I just hope he comes back. Or I hope they're right that Timons is some kind of an upgrade that really gives them something that they feel they're lacking. Because I don't know. I mean, I'm worried in this way and that decision and let's say Metsa doesn't come back and they go into this first roster and they lose. And like we all out here are looking at the numbers and going yeah, Timmins and Stanley were a problem for you and you you chose that you chose to do that instead of this other thing because Metsa's little base I think that's it basically like he's he's small and

1:40:55maybe they don't trust it if they end up there and I I don't the jury's out on whether they're really going to end up there. Look at heat for that. They right they will. If it goes a certain way but you know if they they're penalty kill is 93 percent or something in a first round series win and Timmins is a part of that then like okay well I guess you guys were right. You needed more size and shot blocking and whatever you need or thought you needed you were right. I think I think Stanley is even more interesting than Timmins for this because that is a and this is a little bit like your stereotyping some but that is really an expression of what Kekalainen or the whole group thought the Sabers needed to upgrade where they needed to upgrade maybe more than anything else. Carrick is a version of this too with fourth line and face-offs and you know so far so good but that was all right what have I got what do I need and you could because you always need or what depth you can go trade draft picks for

1:41:55two or three guys and feel better about what happens if other guys go down but Stanley is a specific type that they targeted because they wanted to be bigger on defense and Metsa is a sort of he takes the you know the brunt of that you know by getting sent down and so that's a specific that that is definitely one where that there's gonna be a referendum on this we're gonna see if it right we we're comfortable we have enough this is this is really maybe Metsa's problem he's well he's little they've been sheltering him and we all we all know that but still the metrics are bananas good on him all year long but he's little Stanley's big it's the playoffs we want a certain kind of guy and we feel like we don't have enough of that we got got all these puck movers the top four are all great even Samus on this become a very active and reliable puck

1:42:57mover with you know in the zone whatever he's he's a part of that top four he's fourth in the packing order in my opinion from a skill set standpoint but he's not you know he's not lagging way behind so I've got enough of that if I'm them like I could see them looking at their team going okay well we're really good on that part what do we need a little more in front of our net and behind our net and on the walls and a longer stick and all just that that's it those Stanley better perform those aspects of his job really well otherwise his lack of the other skill sets the offensive the more you know skating and moving the puck parts of the job and he's not gonna really help you in that area so he better have this other stuff locked down otherwise you're hurting yourself otherwise it was a bad you gotta get a really worried that and that this is really the the the the crux of the Metsa conversation I think is like are

1:43:59you choosing to make yourself actively worse like it have you have you by adding Stanley and even playing him with Shen those couple of games I think they did I think when Stanley got with Metsa I felt like that stabilized and was good and they certainly weren't a problem without Metsa there with Timins on Wednesday night didn't cost him the game or anything far from it but it's just one game and with Metsa you've got a season's worth of information here that tells you you know he's he's helping you definitely not hurting you it's definitely a the playoffs are different right gamble yep and okay I think already I mean you and I are talking about it it's our job to be I think already fans are debating this I am choosing I'm choosing not to lose my mind over Zach Metsa he sent a Rochester I mean I don't think it's a great idea or that is necessary it's probably not what I would do but I don't know like the

1:45:01bet is not to keep putting it in the same context but the bet is we need to be we want to be bigger for the playoffs and as such I've got 10 to 15 games here to try to work that out and get chemistry and you know sort of figure out what it looks like and how to play and that's why this is happening the way it is and Timins I think is included in that but maybe that changes maybe that ends up being Metso or Kessel Ring even like they've got options there depending on the matchup how the series starts you know you know it's kind of crazy like Metsa Metsa has been sent a Rochester I still kind of feel like he is the next guy in if anything happens to any of the guys that are gonna play tonight like I think he still will had a Kessel Ring on the depth chart Kessel Ring Paul told me I don't know if I've heard this anywhere else but the other night Paul it was

1:46:03on pregame when we were at Roswell then you left to go to the game and I talked to Paul for a few minutes there to get pregame rolling and I I said like this idea that Timins is going in I like it let's see what we've got in case we have injuries yada yada you know the whole spiel I said like multiple times on on Wednesday and I mentioned to Paul I wouldn't be surprised to see them do this with Kessel Ring and Paul said you know he lost his locker he's got a folding chair in the middle of the room now now maybe that changes with Metso going down I don't know but like that is stark like on the logo I hope like you right yeah I don't know where that but like damn like yes you were acquired in the trade to be a part of our top four and you're you know you're like the new guy that just got called up beautifully like on a chair in the middle of the room yeah that's tough but I think that might be indicative of how they are viewing him right now he's never really fit in and I know the injury stuff is like Paul

1:47:04will always focus on that but it might just be that he never really grasped see that the injury thing mitigates everything you want to say about him maybe he didn't really know instinctually how to play this way the way they want to play if they wanted him in their top four they might have just he doesn't he doesn't have it doesn't feel it it's just like the system is he's not computing it I don't know then you get to physically if you're hindered that is gonna hurt your chances of being able to adapt to that I don't know I just I'm feeling like talking to different people the last few days I'm I don't think they're gonna try him out anymore I'm guessing I might be overreacting to this chair in the middle of the room thing but that does not sound like a guy who's about to get in the line up to me that sounds more like a guy that if they could have gotten rid of him they would have maybe at the deadline so I'm not I'm not thinking he fits in here anywhere like maybe even Shan is ahead of

1:48:05him which and it's dark but it might be right like me so we'll see how that all ends up those puzzle pieces all get fit together but I don't know I'm kind of shook up about the match that I also don't want to overreact to it but I'm wondering like talking to Paul and talking to again a couple other people who are kind of close to the team I think I might have misjudged maybe I made the mistake of taking Lindy too much at his word about how he's earned a spot in the lineup and he's gone he's two days later he's you know but again that's well we're gonna try these other guys and why don't you go play in Rochester for a few days and then we'll revisit this you know we'll get back together and who knows you know something could happen in any one of these games while he's down there that will require him coming right back up so I'm just hoping he has not been banished and I I guess I'm not yesterday I was pretty sure he

1:49:06wasn't and now I'm not you know I'm not I can't say my opinion is changed about it I feel I feel like I know more now and I'm a little worried that they're scared of him because you usually have pretty good instincts all right appreciate like with dogs hmm right the French Fred is a French bulldog right part part French bulldog only part parties French bulldog mini bulldog in Boston Terrier like it's half it's half one of those and then quarter quarter the other side I don't I can't remember well that's the number one breed right now French bulldogs yeah according to the American Kennel Club rankings not sure how these earn ranked popularity I don't know we know adoptions French bulldog was number one we we did go looking for this was Leo's thing this is Fred's 10 gonna be 10 so 10 years ago he sort of championed the cause of getting another dog

1:50:14and he and my wife looked for French bulldogs and I don't know if it was a price point thing or what but they found a breeder that had this dog Fred it was like very Ontario or somewhere and we knew he was a mix but French Canadian we went right we got right Fred is Canadian um Margot was Canadian so we did we did get to him through looking for a French bulldog so we were a part of whatever the wave of excitement about French bulldogs maybe on the front end of it because if they're the most popular breed now we were 10 years early yeah I think maybe it's been three years they've been number one I mean it was a tough blow at my house oh sure well 38th Fred Fred sends his condolences to margo how does anybody if not met with a pug comprehend 38th place yeah yes margo in her example is very needy she will sit and stare at you when you're eating I don't eat anymore in the house I literally

1:51:17take food to the basement to avoid the scrutiny the evil eye the shame I feel not just giving her the entire plate of food but you know she's wonderful I mean 38th I just can't even speak almost I don't think I can even name 37 other dog breeds I'm sure I can't this is a real blow pugs behind made up dog breeds I don't even know what's happening well you kind of did name three yourself well sure yeah but I mean I could probably name 20 but I won't do that 38th what does a pug have to do they're very loving I get home from work every day jumps right to the door jumps I leave for work she knows my bag I maybe it's the time of day there's a cycle I pick the bag up at like 115 and she sprints to the door to try to keep me from opening it she knows her toys by name

1:52:25well that is impressive she does all kinds of tricks Fred does not know jumping tricks and spinning and high pause Fred is not smart I hope he's not listening he's not he's not if he were he wouldn't even get it yeah right he's not that smart he's not he's not he could be listening to us talking about him and not even realizing yeah like you can even do that thing where you like you like you hit you get the toy from him and you like do the fake throw and like he's he's gone for an hour hey no number one breeze just like listen to this I think it's getting worse for me he walks back in the room you know I'm exaggerating a little you know you walk back in the room you'll be like yeah I still have it where you've been what you've been doing now maybe he forgets you know you went running at first and then like oh there were some crumbs in the kitchen and that's all bets are off my dog likes milk yo yeah huh any other it's my wife who drinks milk so she'll like

1:53:29lay on the couch and put the glass on the floor wine water I mean water I don't know but any other drink like a fizzy water anything else no interest milk no like a cat starts licking into the glass if you'll let her maybe that's why we're 38 maybe that's a strike against maybe pugs like milk I don't know mine does salca pochio after sports sabers and red wings pregame at six here on WGR it's salca pochio filling up right behind the bills bench right now with their flags and they're hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey let's go buffalo chip now WGR sports radio 550 welcome back I reached out to sell this morning to tell him about a show I watched last night that I would recommend not just if you're a Yankee fan maybe better if you're not peacock I said to

1:54:30to sell Netflix, but I have corrected that since peacock has Bronx Zoo 90 and the story of how the Yankees under George Steinbrunner in 1990 just completely fell apart. We've talked about before how the Yankees won more games in the decade of the 80s than any other team. They weren't known for like winning, they didn't win a World Series, but they were the winningest team of the 80s. 1990, different story. And it's a three, it's maybe four or five hours in total sale. And you're going to love it. I mean, unless you have sort of pains from having lived through that team as a fan, it's, I mean, it's, it's funny. And you know, it wasn't funny at the time. I'm sure for those guys and for Yankee fans, but I recommend on peacock Bronx Zoo 90. I'll have to check it out. No, I mean, the late 80s, early 90s Yankees, like they were kind of like, man, why can't this team be better? Can I couple like kind of okay season? They weren't that great. And then 95 obviously was, you know, Mariners and Edgar Martinez. And

1:55:35that's when you knew that there were, there was something brewing there, right? For sure. Did you hear the story that Barry Bond's told on Netflix about the Yankees when he was a free agent? No, I don't know that one. I didn't know about this. You refresh me here. I don't think I quite have it. I never knew this. Barry Bond said on the broadcast and I'm on. And he said when he became a free agent from the pirates, he said, George Timer, they're called him and said, I'm going to make you the highest paid player baseball. Simon the Yankees, but you have to tell me by 2 p.m. today, basically, whatever you know, he's like, he gave him like a couple hours. And he's like, Oh, well, that's great. But I don't know what I want to do. Like, give me a minute. He, like, hung up the phone and thought about it. He said he got like upset that they were giving him a timeline. He's like, I'm not going to do it. I'm going to go back. Am I going to San Francisco or otherwise he would have any Yankees. The story I read about this said that that phone call lines up with a time where Steinbrenner was suspended and should not have been allowed to be conducting

1:56:41Yankees business, but did it anyway by telling that story sort of, tell me whatever he's deceased. Yeah. But the shocker Steinbrenner didn't really respect the rules of the suspension. I'm going to want to check this out too. We're going to talk to an author, a long time New York Post column, this Mike Vicaro week after Easter coming up. He's got a book out called The Bosses of the Bronx that say I'll after I'm done with it and made I'm going to get it to Mike before we have Mike Vicaro on. You might want to check that out. I'm like a couple chapters in and really enjoying it so far. It's all about the Steinbrenner ownership. How he came to own the team and then like I'm through. So it's, there's a lot of juicy stuff. Well, it's so good. And I didn't know so much of this when he signed Winfield, like Winfield gave him a hard time and sort of the way the contract was worded had 10 million dollars more coming than Steinbrenner intended. It's like before the first press conference when they introduced Winfield, Steinbrenner was furious with him.

1:57:42And never stopped trying to aggravate him and dig up dirt on him. And that's eventually how he gets suspended through a gambler and the gambler, how he spear is on the show. And he tells his side of that story and how he got involved with Steinbrenner and all of this. It's great. So won't say too much. But that suspension means Gene Michael replaces Steinbrenner as manager of the general manager of the team, sort of the overseer of the team and Michael drafts all those guys that became a dynasty. Winfield was my favorite Yankee. When I was younger, I loved him. And remember, he hits the, he hits the pigeon in Toronto, right? He throws the ball and hits a pigeon. And the famous line from George Steinbrenner was, he couldn't even hit the cutoff man. How was he supposed to hit the pigeon? Yeah. Steinbrenner just hated him publicly. Yeah. It definitely comes across here. Okay. The bills make a little bit of news today bringing back Demar Hamlin. I was glad to hear about it. I think I always want to have Hamlin play for the bills. But you know, I'm sure this wasn't mostly for sentimental reasons. What do you

1:58:46think of this all and sort of the fit now under a new defensive coordinator? He's a polarizing player. And Mike, I think there are bills we have to do. They, they do it for sentimental reasons. I agree with you. That's not why. You do it because you think he's going to help your roster. But he's been polarizing part of it is because he was putting up a situation a couple of years ago where quite frankly, he shouldn't have been in because he wasn't, you know, a high level safety. But he had to play because it's kind of all they had. And it was just a stark difference and unfair to him really to be compared to Mike, I and Jordan Boyer. Or you have to have those two guys, you know, not those guys. And I'm quite frankly surprised too. Like I did not think Demar Hamlin would come back. And a big reason for me is my natural reflex on a lot of these things over nine years has been, oh yeah, well, he knows the system. Well, it's a new system now. And there's like 13 free agents that they don't not resign. If you, when you guys laid them out, we talked about it last week, all the defensive guys who have who are still free agents who ever resign, if you're going to say like order them on their likelihood to

1:59:50come back, I wouldn't get to Demar very quickly for that very reason. Like Demar represents to me a high floor guy, but low ceiling guy that you can do much better than. But I've always said also like every team has players like Demar Hamlin. If you're expecting, he's not a pro baller. He's not an all pro. But the fact that they have this new defensive coordinator, the fact that they had such an overhaul and defense, I just didn't expect it. But I'm mostly here to tell you like he's fine. He doesn't even know you might even make the team. We don't know. Yeah, this is where I'm waiting. I'm waiting for you to say the thing about the 90 players. Yeah, you might not make the team. And by the way, what's his number going to be probably minimum salary? He might not even count on the top 51 salary cap books at this point. To be honest with you. Yeah. Like the, the biggest criticism I could, I could make here is, well, we know the ceiling's low. So if he's a depth guy, get a different depth guy, a younger, newer depth guy that you might uncover, like, you know, oh, wow,

2:00:53look, this guy can really help us. He can really, you know, be more than just a backup or a special team or whatever, but they can still do that. That's the 90 player point, right? It's like, you know, I'm not, you know, ready to, you know, go to the mattresses over it hardly. I mean, like, okay, like you said, we'll see if he makes it. Like I think he's outranked by the two guys they signed a couple weeks ago already that started games in the league last year, you know, Stone and C. J. Gardner Johnson. Um, and maybe Hamlin right now is their fourth safety. And we'll see what else, you know, they end up doing. And actually I thought, you know, so was the Marham and replacement basically. Yeah. Like, that to me, he just screams like a player like tomorrow, which is he's not going to make these wild plays and game changing plays. He's not a guy you want on the field all the time, but he's, he's insurance state. If you need somebody to get through a game, you've got to start him here and there. That's fine. He can play a lot of special teams for you. No problem. I thought, okay, when they signed, you know, Smith, that was even more of a, oh, yeah. Like, Demar's probably done like, not sure where he winds up. So

2:01:58I'm surprised by this. But look, I mean, if Demar Hamlin and his agent went to the bills and said, we don't want to play anywhere else. We're going to come back at a minimum deal. And, you know, but we love to be here. The bills look at the roster and go, okay, what can it hurt? It doesn't mean he has to be here. You know, on September 9th, 10th, 11, whenever the season starts. So yeah, I, I, I think it's a really, but he's super polarizing. I mean, the reaction online from fans just like last year, super predictable, which is, oh, my God, why are they doing this? He stinks or, oh, yeah, great story. They just like to feel good PR. That's not why they're doing it. They're doing it because they need players like this. Whether his name is Demar Hamlin or Geno Smith or Joe, whatever, these are players that every team has on their roster. Right. Geno Stone. I don't know how much Geno Stone. I don't know how much PR juice is left anyway with Hamlin. Like for anybody to sort of be outraged over it, I think doesn't have an understanding of really what the cost

2:03:01benefit is. I mean, there's a little bit. I, my hand is up because I think about this, you know, what happened with him when the news breaks? What is safety anymore for them as a draft priority? And we might have talked about this a little bit on Wednesday or recently I know, but with every signing at a position, I kind of want to just double back to, you know, not that Demar Hamlin means they wouldn't draft a safety in the first round or anything like that. But is that possible? There are, there are mock drafts that would put a safety on the bills. Yeah. I mentioned Jordan Hancock before you start answering them. That's another young, there's maybe a young guy that I'm even thinking of that, you know, could come on and help you. We'll see. There's more of a developmental guy fifth round pick from last year. All right. Sorry. What do you think? Safety as far as the draft goes? Now they've got five, five guys here. I wonder if they few Jordan Hancock more as a nickel going into this year because, you know, you have D L for your sign, you let Terran Johnson go, now you've signed another safety. So I wonder if they, maybe that's

2:04:04where he falls and that's why you bring back a guy like Demar. And yes, Geno Stone. And by the way, every time I do it, I say Geno Smith, right? It's just such a reflex to say Geno Smith when I say Geno Stone. But maybe that's the case. I do think safety is still something they could do early in the draft, even first rounds in good safety class. I just think I'm fascinated by CJ Gardner Johnson, like he's going to start, like he's got to be the starter right now. You're paying him starters money. He's a really good player, but he's such a wild card. You don't know what you're going to get with him. And the chances are that he's going to be on the team for one year because he'll come in and you're going to have him play. And then you're going to move off on because that's just what happens. That's the book on him. Everything does this. So you need a longer term solution. You have cold dish up for two more years on his rookie contract. And then you just have a bunch of one year guys other than Jordan Hancock to Bulldogs Point, which is right. Unless you feel that he can develop into something and maybe that winds up and you don't have to revisit it. But it would be nice to have a pair of younger safeties, you know, that

2:05:06you can really rely on because I just don't know what what CJ Gardner Johnson is going to bring. And he could wind up being, honestly, he could wind up being an all pro or he could wind up being like not on the team and we say, yeah, right. That's right. Good luck with Iowa tomorrow. All right. You're going in San and Joe's thing, huh? I mean, it sounds like if you get Iowa, then you could chop it with a lot of people, right? I mean, it's so chalky again, but you have you have to get Iowa. I have everybody open tonight. I could take any team. Crazy. Great job. Yeah. Well, I think I'm going to take Michigan tonight because it feels like it's just the right like they're going to win. And I don't really trust any of the other teams. I could take Duke. But man, I can see St. John's beaten Duke. I think I can see Alabama beating Michigan. But I think Michigan is the play because Alabama is a little bit depleted. Michigan's really, really strong. The problem is tomorrow, literally I have to take Iowa. There's the only team I have left that's playing tomorrow. Well, you've played it all the way out to the end. I hope like if you take Michigan, they can't

2:06:10win the tournament. And they like the favorite to win the tournament. That's okay. And that's better if you win because more people will be on them. What would happen? Do you know what happens in this like when like certain amount of people left like you don't have to have a winner, right? I mean, one person can't be standing all the time, obviously. Well, if it's the semi's and there's one player left, then that's it. If it goes all the way to the final and there are teams, multiple guys like yourself who have the winner, then they'll chop the whole amount. Chop it up. Yeah, for sure. But this is really interesting and fun, but it gets very harrowing as well. The last two years have felt like years. I don't know this for sure because I'm not playing in Joostrovsky's survivor this year. But it's so chalky again that it probably does go all the way. I mean, I think the winner probably does go all the way. So figure out how best to do that, I guess. Not to try to change your mind on tonight, but listen, I mean, I thought of Iowa State tonight because I don't think I'll take him after this, but I just don't feel like that's a, like, I

2:07:11mean, I don't know. Tennessee could win. I guess my philosophy, I guess at the end of the day is surviving advance, right? And to me, the best chance to survive in advance tonight is Michigan tonight. That's probably right. Okay, good luck. Thanks, guys. All right, let's sell Capaccio on the West her hotline. His appearances are brought to you by New York's only outlet liquor. When you need to stock up, it's the place to buy a case. What's your outlet? That would definitely not use Michigan tonight. Yeah. I can't say what I've got. Definitely, you're definitely would not do because I, but I just, yeah, I got it sales pool. I didn't want to say it's not, I stopped following Michigan. I got bounced, but it was, I said great job, just because I mean, to get, to get, you know, what's it been? Like Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Thursday is what he's won so far, right? That's, that's pretty, I got through two days, and I was like, whoa, I get to pick on Saturday, but it does sound like he's playing it pretty safe. Yeah, like he's used everybody on one side, except for Iowa. Yeah, right. Yeah. I mean, you got to win. Right. But I mean, I would be out too because I'd be trying to get cute.

2:08:17Right. Right. In the first week, you didn't lose that way, but I would have, I would have picked a nine or a 10 or somebody like that. Yeah. The first round and, you know, across your fingers, but he'll, we'll see if he gets stuck. Yeah. I was trying to avoid teams that I thought we're going to win it myself. Like that, you know, it was, you know, I would still be doing the first two days of the tournament was easy to do. And, you know, but I, I struck out on Gonzaga and that was the end of that. I think I would still be doing that tonight. Yeah. You want to pick a team and I he mentioned Iowa state. Maybe that's picked the favorite or even Alabama's pretty, I wouldn't do that. Pick the favorite tonight that you think has the least chance to win the championship. Right. Mike's open the bulldog here. Paul Hamilton at six Sabers pregame. This is WGR. This episode is brought to you by progressive insurance. Whether you love true crime or comedy, celebrity interviews or news, you call the shots on what's in your podcast queue. And guess what? Now you can call them on your auto insurance too with the name your price tool from progressive.

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