Bare Knuckle Sports Talk 1_24_26

0:00Are you ready to know what you don't know about sports? Well then, you are in the right place. This is the Bear Knuckle Sports Talk Show, bringing you all fact, no fiction, and a little bit of prediction. And now, here's your host, Aaron Samuel, keeping it raw and real. Welcome to Bear Knuckle Sports, I'm your host, Aaron Samuel. Lots to talk about today. I want to kick things off right away. I got a penalty box, and this one's going out to Buffalo Bill's owner, Terry Pagula. All right, the penalty box door is swinging wide open today, and it's not a player. This is on the owner. I don't care about firing a head coach. It happens all the time. This is something that is the norm in the sport, but Terry Pagulia went out.

1:01He fires his head coach in nine years because he saw something in the locker room after a playoff loss. After they lost to the Denver Broncos, well, what you saw was emotion. Port is an emotional game. After a big playoff loss, players are emotional, and Josh Allen was visibly upset during his host game interview. Well, what did you think? Did you think he wasn't going to be upset? Of course he's going to be upset. That's what happens when you lose a big game. McDermott spent the last nine years building stability to an organization that was a complete dumpster fire. That's what Buffalo was before he got there. It was a dumpster fire, and I mean burn and blaze, and look what he went and did, and then he goes and blows it up with one press conference. One press conference, everything that was built over the last nine years. Again, I don't care if a coach gets fired. That stuff happens.

2:02It's the way you go about it. It makes your organization look like a second-class organization, and that's what exactly what happened with the press conference. Nothing says this function. Nothing. Like your comments about the coaches wanting to draft, that it wasn't on the GM, Brandon Bean, somehow, through this whole ordeal you expect me to believe he had nothing to do with the drafting of Coleman. Come on. It was all on the coaches. Come on. And if it was, isn't that something you keep in the locker room, you don't throw it out there for the world to know about? That's not the way you go about business. It says dysfunction. It says I'm running a lousy organization at the top and Bean somehow through this whole ordeal. What happens with Bean? He gets promoted. The GM gets promoted. How does that happen? You fired the head coach, you keep the GM, listen, your GM and your coach in the National

3:03Football League are attached at the hip, but he gets promoted. It's on McDermott, and I'm going to call up one of our draft picks and say, hey, we didn't really want him. It wasn't in our interest. We had nothing to do with this. This was the coaches pushing for this player. If I'm Coleman, I'm getting the heck out of there as fast as I can. I'm on the phone with my agent. What do we got to do? How do we get out of here? Like, come on. It just looked, it looked horrible. This public shot, it was like McDermott was a scapegoat for this loss. That's what it feels like to me, like he's, he's a scapegoat, and this guy is a heck of a coach. How they haven't gotten over the hump, you fired your coach who changed the way people thought of that organization. People are going to say to me, Josh Allen, I get it. Josh Allen is a heck of a player, heck of a player, and maybe the time had come. Maybe the time had come for a coaching change, but you do not do it out in public, ownership and Buffalo did it, publicly chastised, one of the draft picks, it just makes no sense.

4:08Like I said before, it reeks of dysfunction, and that's what I saw. So for this reason, Pagulia, straight to the penalty box, sit there, think about what you did and how this affects your organization moving forward. If I'm a coach, it's a pretty enticing position. You got Josh Allen at quarterback, one of the best in the league, I'm also looking at the ownership. Does this place really run their business like this? Am I going to be the next scapegoat? Is there no accountability by anyone else? That's what it says to me, and for this, you're in the penalty box, you can stay there. I'm not going to lie, it literally drove me nuts when I watched it. I didn't understand it then, I don't understand it now, and McDermott did a lot for that organization to turn it around. I said it, dumpster fire, I meant it, dumpster fire, he turned this thing around, been really close, really, really close, couldn't get past the chiefs, I get it, you've had some tough games, you've been right there, and this is a really good team, and to blame McDermott

5:09and not hold the GM accountable, that is horrible, and to also call out one of your young players saying basically you didn't want him, the team would not have drafted him. It was the coaches that sold you on him, I'm not so certain, if I'm Keon Coleman, get me the heck out of town now, because everything is going to follow my shoulders next. I also have a shuttle today, because we can't just crap on everyone, hey, there's got to be people there that have done well too, so this one is going out to Fernando Mendoza. That's right, the newest member of the Heisman fraternity just added his name to a very elite list of players. Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner this year, has now won football national championship, offensive player of the game, in Miami, his hometown, just a stone throw from where he grew up, Indiana went on to win 27 to 21 over the hurricanes, capping off what can only be called a storybook

6:12season. That's what it was for the Hoosiers, a storybook season. They went 16 and 0, the first time in their 130 year history, and then he goes out zero interceptions, and the defining moment, fourth and five on the 12 yard line, we've all seen it by now, Mendoza, with the heart of a line and peer determination, not to be stopped for a touchdown of the ages, of the ages, just willed himself into the end zone, sacrificing his body, absolutely an incredible, incredible play, that's the sort of play that goes down as fork, fork, fork, lore, let me get that out, fork, lore, because that's what it was, and on the way to this national championship, let's not forget what he did, 555 yards, 18, zero interceptions with wins over Bama, Oregon, and Miami, that is just incredible, incredible,

7:19this kid is the real deal, oh my goodness, behind the shoulder pass that he completes every time, people know it's coming, but he gets away with it every time, that's not luck, that is skill, absolute skill in his legacy, well soon we're going to add to his legacies what's going to happen, there's no doubt in my mind or anyone else is out there, this kid is going first overall, in the upcoming NFL draft, there is no doubt, no way that anyone else is going before him, the whole Indiana losers, what a year, what a year, like this is incredible, this is a school that is one of the worst records ever, the longest losing program in college history, playing for the national championship, and winning, with a 16 and 0 record throughout the season, they are incredible, like I said they beat number 5 Oregon to get there, that Miami team, they're a pretty darn good team, Mendoza,

8:25the cog, the turns of wheel, heck of a season, this guy comes from, he was a two star recruit coming out of high school, couldn't even get a sniff and look what he's turned into, look what he's turned into, he is the real deal, a big shout out to Mendoza and the Hoosiers, the whole school, congratulations on your first ever national championship, a season 2B remembered for a very long time, a very long time and a big shout out there, I want to talk the coaching carousel in the NFL, every year coaches come, coaches go, it's part of the business, coaches get fired, not players, sometimes players get traded, but coaches get fired, right now as we're sitting here, I look at two coaching openings, I just spoke about Buffalo, that has to be an intriguing place to coach though, with the likes of Josh Allen, James Cook, there's got to be a lineup of guys that are interested in this job,

9:32you also have the Raven with Lamar Jackson, heck of a quarterback as well, these guys are two time MVP's and some of the best quarterbacks in the league, these coaching positions don't open up all the time, so my question is which job is more enticing, which job would you rather have, and there's a sad here and I thought about this question, at first I thought it was Buffalo, I really did, I leaned in on Buffalo being the better job, it'd been more consistent, Lamar had an off year by his standards, without a doubt, he did not have a great season, how big of a question is stability in the organization though, because I just talked about ownership, if you're a coach on the market and make no mistake, both these guys, they're going to get a good coach, there's going to be enough guys interested, but if you had the opportunity, theoretically speaking to choose between either one of these organizations, which one would you go to and why, and I really think as I start to look

10:35at it, the Ravens with their culture, their history, one of the most stable ownership groups in the NFL, committed to winning, it has to be a little higher on the list, and I think that that only changed in a lot of ways because of what happened at the podium by Bill's ownership, I think that that speech, this is a guy that never really gets in front of the camera, but I think it's going to take its toll on the Buffalo Bill's moving forward, even if you're a player, how hesitant are you to go there, is it because if you've got this option or that option, and you're like well there, they already craft all over Keon Coleman, I don't want to be that guy, so for that reason alone, I think the Ravens are a better place to be, and while we're talking about the bills, why didn't the bills go out and get Ellen some help at the receiver, there were many opportunities, if you go back all the way to the draft, and the trades that went on, and even at the deadline to pick

11:39up players, and they never did it, they never got this guy any help at all, and then it's all on the coach, I don't understand, they have to get, they have to get Ellen some help, I'm sorry, Ellen is one of the greatest, possibly that we've ever seen, he's missing a piece of hardware that will put him in that conversation, but there's no denying and no doubt to what this guy does on a day in, day out basis, get him some help, you gotta go get him a receiver, imagine if they had gone out and they made a trade for pickings before the season started instead of Dallas, do you imagine George's pickings in Josh Ellen's this year, what they might have accomplished, it is crazy, or at the trade deadline, the word is, they were trying to get waddle for Miami, now that never came, came a boat either, why? Because Bean, the GM, refused to give up a first round pick this year, he wouldn't do it, a first round pick, your window is right now, your window is right now and you

12:40have a chance to get Josh Ellen a true number one receiver and you won't give up a first rounder, this is ludicrous to me, it makes absolutely no sense why you don't go out, because like I said, the window is now, it has, Josh Ellen is 30 years old, the window is now and has been for a while, and you went out and did nothing to help him, you wouldn't even give up a first rounder for waddle, which if you had waddle in the lineup, you very well might have got past, I would say if they had a number one receiver they would have, I really believe that, Josh Ellen, give them, give them some help, the building blocks are there, they got a good ol' line, they got James Cook, they need to find a receiver or receivers that are better, that'll take some pressure maybe off a coalman as a secondary option if you had a true number one, you probably see more production out of him, that would be my thought, they've been eight and eight in the playoffs, in the Josh Ellen era, they are so close to getting over the hump, you have to go out and do a better job at getting

13:46the support that's needed, and you need to fix your defense because you cannot stop the run, there's no run defense in Buffalo, everybody knows you run the ball down their throat, and that's what has gone on, it went on all year, so get some help, you're in a tough, tough, you look at that AFC, Kansas City is going to come back, they're going to be better, if Joe Burrows can ever be healthy, even with that poorest defense they have, they are a true threat, you now have New England, who is going to face Denver, the new kids on the block, if you want to call them that, they weren't gone for long, but they're back, they're a really good team, Jacksonville, they look like they're on the right path, AFC is not an easy place to get out of, a legacy to build with Josh Ellen, give them the tools he needs, while that window's still there, it should be all in every year, all the time, as long as this guy is doing what he's doing, and somehow the GM saves his job, get back to my original question, I would coach Baltimore before I would Buffalo, Lamar Jackson, yes he had

14:50a down year by his standards, this guy is the real deal, they've got Derek Henry, they need to fix their old line, fix an old line, it takes a little time, it's easier to fix receivers, they seem to be more available and easier to fix, just the stability alone to me that, that position is much more attractive, that's the way I would go, we're going to take a quick break, we'll be right back with more, you're listening to bare knuckle sports on the brushwood media now, I got involved in officiating volleyball eight years after I played division one in college, and I wanted to do more than just be a spectator, I wanted to get involved and give back to the sport that I've loved for so long, I'm a speaker, I coach, I'm an auditor, a firefighter, and I'm a volleyball official, officiating volleyball was something that helped me to reconnect to my roots, volleyball officiating will bring positive influences into your life along with lifelong friends, I said yes to becoming a volleyball official so that I could give back to the game, saying yes to volleyball

15:50officiating will give you the privilege to be a part of one of the most exciting sports around, challenge yourself as a referee to always be the best you can be, for anyone contemplating becoming a volleyball official, just go for it, take the plunge, open the door, stay in the court, just say yes, say yes to officiating, learn more about how to get involved at say yes to officiating dot com, welcome back to bare knuckle sports on your host Aaron Samuel, Mitch Mariner of the Las Vegas Golden Knights is going home, and I say home where he grew up Toronto, where he spent the first part of his career Toronto and what was a messy divorce, he goes home to Toronto, I wonder will he get the Bluebirds, are the Bluebirds coming out for Mitch Mariner, or are they going to give him a stand, you know, and what went wrong with Toronto and Mitch Mariner, I asked myself this question, because as I look at the Toronto Maple Leafs, they are not the same team they once were,

16:52don't get me wrong, they're still a good team and they played very well as of late, or a lot better, maybe not very well, but a lot better as of late, as I look at this team though, they sure could use a player like Mitch Mariner, how did they get to the point, why, why was he the whipping boy for the Maple Leafs, you're in your out, and now you look at this team and people say well man they sure miss Mitch Mariner, they sure could use a Mitch Mariner, while they had Mitch Mariner, and they seemed like they didn't want him, I'm sure for Mitch Mariner, as he rolls back into Toronto, I have to say, because the way the Toronto treated him throughout his career there, every playoffs, every playoff exit, instead of putting it on anyone, it was always on Mariner, and I never understood this, and I still don't, I don't get why Mariner was the perennial whipping boy every year, so as Toronto gets ready to face the Vegas Golden Knights, and Mitch Mariner comes home, I think he's going to light him up, I think he's going to be motivated, I think he has one of

17:54his best games of the year, and reminds the Maple Leaf faithful why they should have stuck with him, why they should have held on to him, and how they'd probably be a much better team today with him. You look at what's going on in the Eastern Conference, if you throw Mariner in that lineup, they are probably the favorites this year to come out of the East, because it's wide open, it is absolutely wide open right now, and Mitch Mariner puts you over the top, now there's all sorts of talk in the off season about possibly Toronto going after Robertson from Dallas, it's not going to happen, Dallas might move on from Robertson and take the bank for him, but it's not going to be with Toronto, the Robertson brothers are not going to be united in Toronto, there's no way, no way that this happened, it's absolutely a ludicrous idea, and did anyone get to watch Pittsburgh lay a shellacking on the Edmonton Euler's 6th one the other day, this penguins team back, I just said the East is for real, anyone can come out of there right now,

18:57between the top and bottom, it's so, so narrow, one win streak, and you can shoot to the top, just like that, you're going a little bit of a run, cross me Melkin, how about Melkin, how about Melkin, this guy who's playing a lot of wing right now, he's been the number two guy behind Cindy Crosby forever, all of a sudden, started the year people are talking about him being a trade trip at the end of the season, how the penguins are going to struggle, and they find themselves in the thick of things, and Melkin's a big reason, this guy looks really good, since they've been playing him on the wing, I believe it's opening up areas for him, he doesn't have to be defensively responsible, there's more pressure off him, the pressure has been released from him when he's running wing, and it's giving him more opportunity, a 6th one shellacking on the Euler's, this is a team that's full of confidence, and looks really good, I think that they have the ability, if they get in this year, and I say if, because just like I said, if you go on a winning

20:03streak you can be on the top, but if you go on a bit of a losing streak, fall to the bottom real quick as well, if they get in, they're one of those teams, I look at the experience on this team, the leadership on this team, and even Stewart Skinner, and Sylvols in between the pipes, but I'm going to talk about Stewart Skinner who was run out of town in Edmonton, and probably rightfully so, if they get into the playoffs, and this guy gets hot though, he's been to back to Stanley Cups, they could be a dark horse to watch for, if they get in, to really upset some teams and make a push, I believe that, watch out for the penguins, we're talking about them, selling everything off, and in a rebuild just a short couple of months ago, and now they look like, if they get in, they could do some damage, didn't he cross me, Malcolm, they've woken up, they've got the magic going on, Raquel, and if they can get goal-tending, Skinner and Sylvols, I think they're real threat, and while we're on the east, what's going on out in Buffalo?

21:04When did the Sabers become a good viable hockey team? We haven't said this in a very long time, and that's what they're doing right now, this is a team that just leaked from the Montreal Canadians, they're in the playoff picture, they're getting goal-tending that is phenomenal, they're getting scoring up and down their lineup, and they look motivated, and they actually look good, like they have a game plan, like they're organized, like they're ready to go, and I just, I'm so shocked, I'm so shocked, does this mean, if Buffalo gets into the playoff this year, and that's not a far fetch, so also not a far fetch, you say they won't, if they start to slide, that's how tight the race is, I can't say it enough, but if they get into the playoff this year, does Taj Thompson sign, does that entice him to extend? Because I'm not going to lie, I thought there was zero opportunity of Taj Thompson actually signing an extension in Buffalo this year, I thought there's no way he's not going to do it, he's going to take his services elsewhere, this guy's a heck of a player, he's going to represent Team USA at the Olympics, I wonder though,

22:09if they can get into the playoffs, and it looks like there's a real good shot of that happening, and they've turned the corner as an organization, maybe they're finally over the hump, I don't even want to call it the hump, it's been a mountain, it has been a mountain for the Buffalo Sabers, and maybe they're finally over that, and they move on, and start becoming a place where maybe it's not such a dumpster fire, maybe this organization is doing something right, they change the GM, from all accounts, he told everyone, no one's job is safe, get out there, improve while you belong in the NHL, and they've really, really responded, I am completely shocked, I thought we were looking at another fighter sale this year in Buffalo, it does not look that way, they're a pretty darn good team right now, can they keep it going, heck in Florida, Florida Panthers, back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, who have been riddled by the injury bug this year, can they turn their season around? Florida's on the outside looking in, is this a team that misses the playoffs after being the three straight Stanley Cup finals and winning back-to-back?

23:10There's a real chance that could happen this year, I know getting to Chuck Pack makes a big difference, it should help them, but they're still missing some key players there, and they haven't looked as good this year, I just wonder, is there enough time for them to turn their season around? Well, with the tight race there is, can they become the power host that they have been for the last few years? There's a real, that this Florida Panthers team just might, they might not make the playoffs this year, I'm telling you, that, that is a real, make no mistake, which would be a shocker, and you look at some of the young teams that are coming up, the Surgeon teams, around the NHL, I think there's a change of the guard is slowly starting to happen, and I think over the next couple years, you're going to see some of these teams that have been up at the top, pushing, trying to win a Stanley Cup, starting to slide, and some of the other teams starting to rise, you Buffalo Sabers, they might be one, the Montreal Canadians, if you're the Montreal Canadians right now, you got to be happy as can be, this team is look pretty good

24:14this year, and you've got a boatload of cap space, so the question becomes, with this cap space, with the way Montreal has played this year, going on a big rental player, when the trade deadline approaches, do you throw your chips in, or do you just nibble around the edges and say, hey, we've made some progress, we're going in the right direction, but this is not yet the year, I think if Montreal make a couple moves, they could become a real contender this year, we could be talking about the Canadians as a real contender, and when I say, I look around the NHL, and I'm like, well, where do you go, if you're the Montreal Canadians, and I'm going to throw this out there, and this is just hypothetically speaking, I don't know what it would take, I don't know if the player would come, he's got full control, if he goes anywhere, by all accounts, he's happy in Nashville, but what about a player like Steve Stamccles, who had a really off year last year, but looks a lot better this year, and he seems to be getting stronger as the season moves on, would Montreal make a pitch to try to bring Steve Stamccles in? Yes, the ask in the cost would be high,

25:19would it be worth it at this point of their development as an organization? That is what I really wonder, no, what you say, I say yes, if you're the Montreal Canadians, I say yes, maybe not Steve Stamccles, but you've got to try to make a splash this year, you really do, you've got to go for it, take it to the next level and see what this team has got, they've earned it and they deserve it, and that's what I think, I think it's at time, I really do, I believe that in its time for the Montreal Canadians to take that next step, and while we're on the Canadians, there's a couple other young teams out there that are really moving to change the guard, who's the next big team? How about Utah? I know, San Jose, I know, and I'm, I know, Buffalo Sabers, I know, these are all teams on the rise, I'm watching the beginning of a change of the guard, I'm not saying these teams are going to win the Stanley Cup this year, what I'm saying is the rejection that these teams are going on

26:20right now are going to be some of the top teams around the NHL in the next few years, and some of the top teams that we've been watching are going to be struggling and fighting to stay relevant, retool, rebuild. We're going to take a quick break, we'll be right back with more, you're listening to Baronucle Sports on the Brushwood Media now. Time out! Oh, right, remember, we're a team that plays together, listen, the winning will take care of itself, we just have to get everyone involved. In inner scholastic sports, we celebrate what makes every one of us unique, and in the pursuit of a common goal, everyone in the huddle, in the bleachers, and in the community comes together. This message presented by the STHSA and the South Dakota Aires Galactic Athletic Administrators Association. Welcome back to Baronucle Sports on your host, Aaron Samuel. We're talking a little bit about what's going on around the NHL right now, and I have to head out west to look at the Vancouver Canucks. The Vancouver Canucks, what has happened to this organization,

27:25and where do they go from here? Patterson, he's on the market, they say, sure what, he's gone. Everyone is available. Quinn, he's gone. This is a team that went from pushing the Edmonton Oilers, it's a short few, two, two playoffs ago, to the Branking Game 7, Adam Facing Elimination, we're up in that series, and look like as an organization, they've turned the corner, and they had a really good young team in front of them, to where we are today. So the question is where do they go? Patterson, let's start there, is he out of town? And if so, when? I don't think he survives this season. I just wonder what a team would actually give up for this guy. He has struggled mightily, as of late. It's just something that's gone on. I don't know where he is with his, there's all sorts of talk though, that he could be gone before the Olympics, before the Olympics, he could be out of town. So I want to look at where some of the best suitors I think that might be available for Patterson. And I'm going to start out in Carolina. I think there's a fit for him

28:27in Carolina. I would say to watch, watch that organization to see if they make a move. Carolina's been trying to get a big name player for a long time. They've got some real talent on that team. They're right there. Can't seem to ever get that target. Is Patterson the target that can make a difference? So does this guy just need a change of scenery? And he can become a 100-point player in this league. How much of it is on Vancouver and how much is on the player? Well, I'm going to throw it down the middle and say it's 50-50, because he hasn't produced, and Vancouver has just been kind of a disaster, you know, in fighting. I'm going back to last year, but you had the family feud, the in fighting, and now just just the gutting of the organization with the players. They're definitely in a complete rebuild. The question is, who stays? Who stays and who goes? Patterson, their biggest chip on the market right now. Evander Cain, he's gone, right? What about Connor Garland? I think there would be a lot of teams that would line up for

29:29Connor Garland at the trade deadline. Guys, making what is it? Five, five and a half million a year, and he brings a lot to the table. A lot to the table. He's a little bit on the smaller side, but he can produce, and he's showing he can produce when playing with talented players. He's a guy you could slot in your lineup up and down your if you're a team looking for depth. To play first line, second line, third line, maybe, you know, first line is a stretch, but he could do it. I think all these guys are going to be gone. I really think that Vancouver's all in on the first overall draft pick. They want to increase their chances. First overall, that's what I think I think they're looking at, McKenna, and they're going, what, how do we go about increasing our chances to get McKenna in the upcoming NHL draft? And that's what they're doing. It's a shame. I watch this Vancouver team, and I just don't know where, where they go. That's your to me, Cole. He, one of the best goal tenders in the world. In the world, when healthy, he's just never healthy. The guy is never healthy, and Vancouver

30:31just locked him up this year to a long, long, expensive contract. I have to ask myself, why would you have done that? Why wouldn't you have waited to later on see if this guy's going to be healthy? He's coming off of missing basically a complete year, and you lock him up like that. It made no sense to me. Then it makes no sense to me now. It's a real disaster. Oh, no, on the west coast and Vancouver. There's a lot of problems there. A lot of problems. We're going to take another quick break, and we'll be right back with more. You're listening to Baron Uncle Sports on the brushwood media now. Well, I'm looking good. Thank you. Just became a real ID. What's the plan in prompter road trip? Actually, the plan is to fly to New York for today's product lunch, and then visit the family in California and cap it off with a girl's weekend in New Orleans. You really can do all that. Sure, I'm a real ID, so I'm good to board any domestic flight. Speaking of which, I got to fly. Nice. Enjoy it. I'll be here. For your real ID self today, to learn how to visit TSA.gov slash real ID, or your local DMP.

31:35Welcome back to Baron Uncle Sports on your host Aaron Samuel. This just in Baltimore Ravens had found their head coach. They went out and they hired defensive coordinator Jesse Mentor. He's going back to Baltimore. He was the defensive coordinator for the Chargers, and he in Baltimore, who have now gone the way with a defensive-minded head coach. I really thought they might go with a more offensive-minded head coach when you think of Lamar Jackson. But this guy, he just spent the last four years on Harbro's staff. He's going to come in. He's young, 42 years old, a new mind, and he was one of the hottest names on the market. People were talking about him. Several teams, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have lost out to the division rival there, because they got a vacancy after Mike Tomlin is gone now. So he'll step in with two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson and see if he can take the Ravens to the next step. Like I spoke about

32:38the values, the culture within the Ravens organization. I think it's a good fit. He's familiar with them. He's been there before. So good on them. They've got their man Jesse Mentor, the new head coach, the Baltimore Raven. I want to talk. How can we not talk? We got the conference finals here coming up in the NFL. So you've got the Denver Broncos, the number one seed versus the number two seed, New England Patriots. Unfortunately, unfortunately, late in the game, the Denver Broncos last game against the Bills. Bull Knicks goes down. He's out and you've got Stinem now coming in to play quarterback. Can the Broncos beat the Patriots with Stinem at quarterback? That is a big ask and a big question. I don't like their chances. I look at Drake May. This is a guy in my opinion who's MVP this year in his first full year as quarterback in the NFL. Yeah, last year was his rookie year, but let's not forget. He wasn't there starting quarterback all year long. And Bull Knicks

33:44goes down with the broken ankle. And so he's gone. He's gone. This Broncos defense is one of the best defenses in the league. But what you have right now is a big ask to shut down the Patriots. And now you're asking your backup quarterback to go out there and win you the game. Sean Peyton is one of the best coaches in the NFL. And one of the best football minds are out there. Don't get me wrong. He's going to have a game plan for this guy. I just don't think that they can really get it going. How do you get it going to beat a very good Patriots team with your backup quarterback? I don't I don't think you can. Patriots defense. Can he hang the Patriots defense out to dry? I don't know. I don't know. I don't think so. And Drake May. He is a different player. I get the last couple of weeks. Maybe he hasn't been on fire the way he was for most of the season. But I'm a big backer of Drake May. I think he's the real deal. And I think he's going to go out

34:44and he's going to get it done. I don't see any way whatsoever how the Broncos the Patriots this week. I understand that their defense is through the roof through the roof. They had more pressures than anyone else in the league this year. I believe their sacks were right up at the top. I just don't see how they can go out do enough. And last the Broncos themselves can go out there. The defense scores some points. Well, maybe that makes a change. Anyways, I've got the Patriots winning this one. I just think there's too much to overcome. I think the loss of Bull Nicks is just too big of a hill to climb even for a guy with a great football mind like Faten. I just don't see it happening. I'm taking the Pats in this one. And I'm calling a 24 13 victory. I think the Broncos are going to struggle to put up points. And it'll be real. It'll be real. I don't think they'll get it done. And then you've got the all West matchup. The Seahawks versus the Ram. The Seahawks

35:47who I believe again were right up there. Number two in pressures this year in the NFL with their defense 277. The Rams were third 274. These defenses are going to get after the quarterback. Matthew Stafford versus Sam Darnel. Matthew Stafford has found the fountain of youth. This guy is incredible. He's having a heck of a year. I asked myself, is this a pick him? Is this game a pick him? Because I'm having a hard time going down the line and figuring out when's this game? And why? Sharpino, he's injured. He's gone. So they lose one of their running backs at Seahawks. Can Sam Darnel continue to do what he's done? I think he can. Can Matthew Stafford hang with him? I think he can. Both defenses are they try to get after the quarterback. I'm this game as close as I have it. I really do have it a really close type game. I got to take the Seahawks in this one. I'm taking the Seahawks at home and that crowd it can be the difference maker. It really can.

36:54It makes it hard for teams to get their plays in to hear what's going on. You've got to go get it done in their building in the playoffs. I'm going to give home field advantage the edge in this one, which I think will be a heck of a game. I really think this one we're in for a show here. I think we're going to have a heck of a game. And I think there's going to be more points put up than a lot of people think. I think both these teams are going to have success moving the ball at times in this game. I think it's going to come down to within a field goal. I'm taking the Seahawks in this one. 27, 24, which will set up a Patriots Super Bowl. We'll see if we're I'm right. We'll talk about that next week and we'll go from there. We've got the winter Olympics right around the corner. They started here right away. Let's take a look at the winter Olympics and men's ice hockey. Now I've talked about this before, so I'm not going to dive into the ice hockey situation. I'm more going to talk about the arena that will or will not be ready. How is it that the Olympic

37:57Committee, the number one event for the whole Olympics, get to this? We're talking about the arena not being ready for opening for the opening. And if so, maybe no fans in the stands, like, are you kidding me? Where are we with this? And the ice surface, they did they did a test on the ice surface, soft spots, holes. Like, can you imagine if you send your star play over of your NHL owner and you send your star play over to the Olympics and I get that, I'm glad they're doing it. But you send them over there and he blows out his knee or his ankle because of crappy ice because they couldn't get it right when building it. The arena, we already know it's smaller than an NHL size arena. It was supposed to be the same specs. It comes in smaller. Now there's all sorts of other issues. If you're the Olympic Winter Olympic Committee, how did we get to this point? This is your showcase event. People aren't talking about the players that are going to be there, the games that are going to be played. Instead, they're talking about what could be a crappy

38:58ice surface not being ready. I'm building not being ready. Shame on you. Shame on everyone who's been involved with that. We shouldn't be here in the eleventh hour asking the question. And I wonder where we go with the NHL and their own tournament after this. We know that they're working on revitalizing the world cup of hockey. So, no Russia in the Olympics this year, they're suspended by the International Ice Hockey Federation because of what's going on in Ukraine. I get all that. This is a team that could have had a chance to medal and possibly win. So, if you're the NHL and you're looking at your tournament that's coming up in a couple years where you're going to have a best on best, we saw it in the four nations last year, which was a great tournament. But you've got to find a way to somehow have the Russian players if you're going with a world cup and it's being sanctioned by the NHL. Because listen, we've got Russian players on pretty much every NHL team. They are one of the best hockey nations in the world. So, I don't understand why they weren't

40:02in the four nations. The International Ice Hockey Federation has them suspended, but it has nothing to do with the NHL and the four nations was put on by the NHL. So, why wasn't it the five nations? And if we're going to do this again in two years, you've got to have them there. No matter what is going on, it just has to happen. It has to happen. Where would the Russians have finished in this tournament? I guess we'll never know, but I do want to say this. They would have had the best goal tenting in the tournament. Hands down. You look at who they had to choose from. You can't even is it Babroski? Elashki? I don't know. I don't know. Where are you going with Russian goalies in the NHL? It's incredible. I'm not sure. I think it's a shame that they're not there. I get why they're not there. And I'm actually supportive of it, but as a hockey fan, I'm wishing to see the best on best, which we're finally getting at the Olympics. I just have to say it is not best

41:04on best. A best on best hockey tournament if Russia is not involved. As one of the top nations in the world, when it comes to the sport of hockey, there's no way zero chance that you can call it a true best on best. They're not there. And as we're getting close to running out of time here, I want to circle back. I never talked about the Bears. The Bears had a heck of a game against the Rams past week, last week. Where is this team right now? Like, oh my goodness, they have come so far in the last 12 months from where they were. It is absolutely incredible. Caleb Williams, if you're a Bears fan, you have to be ecstatic with what you see with this guy. That last second touchdown pass that put them into the overtime where they almost overcame, almost overcame. That was a play for the ages. Absolutely incredible. This guy combined Johnson as their head coach.

42:05I think the future is so bright right now for the Bears. I think they're on the verge of greatness. We're going to be talking when I say greatness, I know things move very fluidly in the world of sport. They are really right where the Lions were a couple years ago. Now, the Lions fell off this year, and we'll see if they can get back. But all of a sudden, I don't know where up came the Lions. In one year, one year, when Ben Johnson has the head coach and what has happened is absolutely mind-boggling to me. Mind-boggling. I do want to give some credit to the 49ers as well, even though they got blasted by the Seahawks. They blew them up in just two different worlds. But the way they stuck around all year and did what they did with the injuries that they sustained throughout the year, you have to give them some credit. This is a team that was depleted basically from day one of the season. It was non-stop, non-stop, non-stop. They just could not

43:09avoid the injury itself. We'll see where that goes. And when we were talking about the Olympics, I also want to say who's the next man up for the team Canada? I asked this question. Why, you say, I'm not so certain the brain point is going to be there. He's out with an injury, and if you saw it, they're not giving it a timeline. They're not saying that he'll be ready for the Olympics. I don't think he will. Now, Sam Bennett, is he the next man up? Is it Sam Bennett? I would think it probably is, but they said there was a long list of players depending on what role they would play that they would draw from. And I look at Braden Point. He's a top six. I think that's where they had him penciled in on this team. He was one of the originals to make it, named to the team in the summer. If Braden Point is gone, Sam Bennett, do you throw him in there? Is he the guy? Play that top six, or do you shuffle the line up? Is he the next man up? Would you be better off? Maybe with a chef feel from Winnipeg, right? Matthew, Mark, Mark Sheffield, sorry,

44:10Matthew, Mark Sheffield, who has had a great year. Is that where you go? I'm just not certain that Sam Bennett is the very next guy, but I think he will be. And I think they'll play with the line up and they'll shuffle it around. And if that happens, I do want to say, imagine Bennett and Wilson out there causing havoc. They're going to blow people through the board. The one knock team Canada might be the goal-tending, but I'm telling you there is not another nation out there that can put up offensive that Canada has. I don't think that there's a team that even comes close. I really don't. The closest is Team USA, but when you look at pure talent at the forward group, the forward position, there's no one that's touching this team. Two different worlds, two different worlds. I can't wait to see. We still got a little bit of time. injuries could happen. Replacements, Braden Point, not sure he'll be there. Is Sam Bennett the next guy up? We will wait. We will find out. That's about all the time I have for today. Thanks for

45:11listening to Bare Nuckle Sports on the Brushwood Media Network. Any questions, comments hit me up at Bare Nuckle Sports Talk 99 at gmail.com. It's been a lot of fun. See you all next week. You've been listening to the Bare Nuckle Sports Talk Show. If you enjoyed the show, be sure to tune in next week on the Brushwood Media Network for more Bare Nuckle Sports with Aaron Samuel. Go!