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There's one man who refuses to follow the script.
We have rules here.
You know that.
And if you don't follow the rules, then what are we?
One man stands tall in the face of adversity.
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Happy and merry.
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Sports Wednesday to you and yours.
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And on this Wednesday morning.
27 hours away from the first round of the NCAA tournament.
The world of sports is buzzing and we are going to get to all the big stories.
Including you know we're talking NCAA tournament all show long.
And yours truly me your boy you know Nick Costos.
I have changed my mind from Monday show on one important bracket and betting decision
as it concerns this year's NCAA tournament.
I'm going to share it with you coming up in a little bit.
May God have mercy on my soul.
I will also attempt to answer this question is there an AFC playoff contender.
That needs a little love in 2026.
I'm going to explain and I will also be brave enough to ask this question.
What the hell is the point of TV USA and the world baseball classic.
We will get into last night's the buckle for TV USA losing to Venezuela as we move along.
Our bets for tonight will close the show I got bets in both first four games
because why the hell not 310 840 4910 is the number 310 840 4910 YouTube
dot com backslash at the costos you can tweet us at the costos T H E K O S T O S and
at you better you bet.
Now just to say this.
We have so much college basketball on today show it's going to make your head
spin all the college basketball talk all the NCAA tournament talk that you're
a little hard can ever desire joining us today on the show ESPN college basketball
analyst the great Seth Greenberg.
The great John Fanta from NBC sports and our good friends ESPN betting
analyst Joe Fortenbaugh Seth Greenberg John Fanta Joe Fortenbaugh all
talk in NCAA tournament plus my NCAA tournament thoughts.
We're from Tyler and Kenny.
So we've got you covered as Chris Brown one said from well to well.
So yeah NCAA tournament talk all show long.
So I want to I want to give you that because I'm now going to give you this
because we're officially starting the wonderful sports Wednesday edition of you
better you bet with yesterday's blockbuster trade in the national football league
as the Denver Broncos laying in weight hiding in the proverbial bushes.
Man and I I was so mad at myself.
So I'm off yesterday, right?
And like last week I was out I had a sick day I was I was I had a sinus infection
I was terribly sick yesterday I was off because I'm working Saturday with bread
Evans doing count down the tip off.
So like I'm feeling good yesterday and I see the trade.
It's 11 13 a.m. Eastern.
I said because I looked at that was like there's they're still on the air.
Chris Max still on the air and I immediately texted Bill and Tyler and said.
Did I give my Broncos AJ Brown take on the air on Monday?
Or did I set you guys on the on the phone before the show on Monday?
And I was I was very upset when I was reminded that I said it off air.
So just so everyone knows that not that it matters, but I did think something
like this was possible.
No one heard me say it on the air, but I'm not surprised that the Denver Broncos
pulled this move because you know up until yesterday when the Broncos make
the trade for Jalen Waddle and we will get into it in full trading first,
third and fourth round picks getting back Jalen Waddle and the fourth round pick.
All the Broncos had done to this point in the off season.
Besides for Sean Peyton giving a play calling duties to new offensive coordinator.
Davis Web was resigned their own players.
Like here comes tonight is going to be back some others on defense.
JK Dobbins is resigned, but they hadn't made literally zero signings outside of
the players on their own roster.
They had done nothing and it seemed to me to be a little weird.
Because you know, if Bonix doesn't injure his ankle at the end of the
division or around win against Buffalo, and I said this the Monday after
championship Sunday, like I think the Broncos would have won the AFC
championship game would have beaten the New England Patriots.
And look, probably not win the Super Bowl against the Seattle Sea Huxman.
I'll tell you what is impossible that the game would have been less entertaining
with Denver in it.
I think not probably would have given Seattle a better game than the horrendous
New England Patriots performance that we got in Super Bowl 60.
So the Broncos did end up taking a big swing on a wide receiver,
but not AJ Brown.
Instead, here's Stutt Dolphins receiver.
And look, like Waddles not as good as AJ Brown, but Jalen Waddle still a real good player.
Going to be 28 later this year.
And it's going to an affordable contract for the Broncos compared to
other like other contracts that we've seen big name receivers get.
So great trade for the Denver Broncos.
The 30th overall pick in the draft, third and a fourth round pick swap for Jalen Waddle.
As Miami continues, it's big time rebuild and earnest.
We will get to the Miami Dolphins in a little bit.
But we're going to start here and we have news, by the way, on the Dolphins.
This broke like moments ago.
ESPN's Adam Shaftor tweeting like within the last few minutes of real time
that the Miami Dolphins are telling teams that star running back to Vaughan
is not available in trade.
To which I will just translate that right now for everyone.
Hey, all the other teams in the NFL.
If you want to Vaughan up your offer, why it makes no sense for the Dolphins to hold on to him.
But we'll get into that when we talk about the Miami Dolphins in a little bit.
But first, from the Denver Broncos perspective, it's absolutely something that needed to happen.
Because if you were Sean Payton and you're George Payton, not related.
Last name's not spelled the same, but pronounced the same.
And you're the Denver Broncos coach and the general manager.
You can't go backwards and you can't stay in neutral.
Remember what I said the Monday after championship Sunday.
Here on you better, you bet on Westwood One Sports.
When Dan Campbell's words, you know, biting kneecaps, not those words.
There could be many words from Dan Campbell ringing in your ears at any given point in time.
But Dan Campbell's words after the Lions blew a 17 point half time lead
in the NFC championship game a couple years ago in San Francisco against the Niners,
were ringing in my years.
When I watch Sean Payton do his loser interview, and I'm not saying Sean Payton's a loser,
but it's like the loser's interview that the coach does when they lose the championship game or the Super Bowl.
With Frost, with Frosty, the snowman, aka Evan Washburn, with the Frosted Tips,
not blonde, but snowy after the game on CBS.
And you could just see it in Sean Payton's eyes.
This is my interpretation.
At least maybe you disagree.
I thought it was pretty obvious that in that moment, I felt like Sean Payton,
what's going through his head, we may never get back here.
That may have been our best opportunity.
And it sucks that we didn't have Bonix.
And it sucks that it went the way it did.
And it sucks that the high leverage decision that he made in the first half with the seven nothing lead,
not kicking the field, goal going for that fourth and one, didn't go his way.
And maybe the Broncos will never get back there.
And maybe that's true.
Maybe they won't.
But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't try.
And that you shouldn't take that big ass swing.
And they took this swing here in a major way by trading for Jalen Waddle.
So just in terms of the Broncos offense, and what Jalen Waddle brings to the table,
just imagine a Denver offense, right?
And let's just call it, you know, on the field in multiple three receiver sets.
Courtland Sutton, who's like an excellent big body receiver, obviously,
and Waddle up, like, you don't have to be a football genius to know.
Waddle with the speed is a great compliment to Courtland Sutton.
You got Troy Franklin out there.
And then playing the role of Marvin Mims, except, you know, good at football,
is Jalen Waddle.
This is why he's hot.
This is why he's hot.
This is why this is why this is why he's hot.
Like send Mims to the bench.
And Jalen Waddle gets all those snaps.
How do you not love that if you're a fan of the Denver Broncos?
How do you not love that if you're someone that wants to bet the Denver Broncos next year?
You absolutely have to love it.
Because for Denver, you can get Jalen Waddle.
You can swing some sort of big move on defense.
I don't think that's going to happen, but I'm just saying it's hypothetical, right?
For Denver, it's all going to come down to.
If A, Bonix can take the next step.
Or B, you surround him with enough enough weapons in this system.
That you can make up for his shortcomings, right?
And we talked about those shortcomings all year last year while they were winning a million games.
It was obvious that Patron Peyton didn't necessarily think that Bonix could handle a million things on his plate.
And that's okay. They were the one seed in the AFC.
And now you add like a legit speed threats of the offense in Jalen Waddle.
Of course this helps Bonix.
So adding Waddle increases the need for A to happen, which is Bonix wakes up in his Patrick Mahomes.
And certainly helps points B.
And the reason why this is such an important move for the Denver Broncos.
Now I, I'm not going to include the Pittsburgh Steelers in this in this conversation.
I'm not interested in the Steelers part of this year because Mike McCarty's the coach.
And if Aaron Rogers is going to come back, I'm not interested in the Steelers.
But the AFC last year, right?
And we talked about this entering the playoffs.
We talked about it over the course of the season as Kansas City was nose diving.
That's a wacky year in the AFC where you could get a Broncos Patriots AFC championship game
where Buffalo loses in the divisional round.
And Baltimore doesn't make the playoffs.
And Kansas City doesn't make the playoffs.
Who would have ever thought that that would have been Ben C.J. Stroud?
Urineights down is like a million times.
And is place one of the worst games we've ever seen a quarterback play in the divisional round.
Wasting that excellent defense that the Texans had last year.
Like think about the contenders in the AFC now.
And seriously, right?
How wacky that was last year.
And I'm going to stop short of painting this as a fact.
I'll toss it to you.
The listener you the viewer.
Do you think the AFC is going to be better or worse than it was last year?
Like I don't need to say it's better, right?
Like you know it's going to be better.
The bills made a coaching change and got DJ more.
The Ravens made a coaching change and they're not done yet.
They didn't do.
But got Dre Hendrickson and made the swing for Max Crosby.
And we can get into that later in the show.
The chiefs.
How could they be worse than they were last year?
The chargers.
If they're offensive linemen are healthy.
And now Mike McDaniel's calling the plays.
Like the divisions brutal.
I think the guy like the Drake Mays entering year three.
Like the Bengals defense is better now if Joe Boros stays healthy.
The Broncos couldn't stand pat.
Now I'm not here to tell you this is a move that absolutely pushes the Broncos over.
And like this is what gets the Broncos to the Super Bowl.
And the reason why I'm going to say that.
And you may say that I'm a hater.
And I am willing to accept those slings and arrows.
If that's what you want to say.
I don't think it's true.
But if you want to say I'm a hater.
Fine.
I don't really believe in bone X.
As far as winning a championship.
And I'm acknowledging that if he's healthy and I said this the day after the game.
If he's healthy and for championship someday, I think the Broncos go to the Super Bowl.
And probably get annihilated by the Seahawks for the second time in the Super Bowl in a little more than a decade.
But I think they would have made it.
But again, that's a wacky down year in the conference.
Conference going to be better this year.
Now you might have to contend with Lamar Jackson January.
You'll get a hard to imagine.
You'll get a worse defensive effort than Buffalo put out if you got to play the bills again.
And remember number 15 in red.
Chiefs have a lot of work to do.
But I'll throw it to you again.
If you're projecting right now, the seven playoff teams in the AFC.
Are you really going to have the Kansas City Chiefs on the outside looking in?
Because I'm not and look, I was wrong about that last year.
Maybe I'll be wrong about it again.
But this was absolutely a move that the Denver Broncos had to make.
And again, I'm not saying the Broncos can't make it.
Jalen Wattell definitely gives them more of an opportunity.
If I were them, I would have made this trade absolutely not even think twice about it.
From both perspectives, I would have made this deal.
I'm just a little skeptical about the quarterback.
I'm a little skeptical about Bonix.
Last note on the Broncos part of this.
And I'm going to tie in and we'll do Miami on the other side.
But I want to tie in the team that the Broncos played on championships on day here.
And that team is the New England Patriots.
So New England goes to the Super Bowl and gets slammed obviously by the Seahawks
and Drake Mays running for his life the entire postseason.
And now that we have the benefit of hindsight to look back on it in totality,
like the Patriots were probably not a classic conference champion, right?
Not as good as the normal conference champion.
The Patriots have made two big off-season moves thus far.
Big moves.
Number one, the signing of Elijah Vera Tucker to show up that offensive line,
which will kick Jared Wilson to center.
And on paper, it makes a lot of sense, right?
But can AVT stay healthy?
Big thing, right?
Huge, huge kind of like maybe like how this season might turn for New England could depend on AVT's self.
And the signing of wide receiver Romeo Dobbs away from the Green Bay Packers.
Okay?
Like those are two good moves.
Absolutely.
And I would say that the Patriots are better now than they were at the end of last season.
Because of those moves.
But when you consider that the Broncos just traded for Jalen Waddle.
The bills have a new head coach and traded for DJ Moore.
The Ravens have a new head coach and signed Trey Hendrickson.
The chargers have Mike McDaniel calling the plays.
How could they not get better health on the offensive line than they had last year?
The Chiefs can't be worse.
The Bengals can't be worse.
I don't think the Patriots can sit on their hands here.
I still think New England's got to make a big move.
And that big move, you've heard me say it before.
And this is not going to come out of left field.
This is not going to be like, you know what the Patriots should do?
Like try and trade for Max Crodale.
They got to go get AJ Brown.
Go make it happen.
If you got to wait till June 1st for Philadelphia financial purposes, fine.
You do what you got to do.
But you get AJ Brown and you reunite him with Mike Verabel and you give Drake May that weapon to go along with Dobbs.
And the other like exciting young receivers that the New England Patriots have.
It's a no-brainer.
Because I'll tell you something right now.
The two teams that played on championship Sunday in the AFC and New England won that game.
If you're being honest, even with Drake May unquestionably being a better quarterback than Bonix,
better bet to make the Super Bowl, Denver or New England.
It's the Denver Broncos hands down.
And that is a problem for the New England Patriots.
3108404910, 3108404910.
Do you like the Denver Broncos trade for Jalen Waddle?
Do you think it gets them over the hump?
Should the Patriots trade for AJ Brown?
YouTube.com, backslash at the Costos, YouTube.com, backslash at the Costos,
at the Costos THKOS, TOS on Twitter, at you better, you bet on Twitter.
On the other side, if you're a Miami Dolphins fan, I know.
You got to be feeling a little down in the dumps this morning.
Good news, though.
I'm here to tell you why.
I know the sun's always out in Miami.
But I think the sun will be shining hot potentially on this team.
In 2027 and beyond, we'll talk to Dolphins part of this trade.
Coming up next, you better, you bet on a Wednesday.
Westwood One Sports with Nick Costos presented by Ben MGM.
The Broncos created their first round picked to the Dolphins for Jalen Waddle.
Does the star receiver give Bonix the weapon he needs to push Denver to the Super Bowl?
Westwood One Sports.
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I'm the host of a news show from Washington Post opinion called reasonably optimistic.
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Every Wednesday, I'm going to talk to people who see a path forward.
It does seem to me that there is some awakening of a desire to act together to solve problems where they are.
You know, I am a believer in America and it's worth fighting for.
Join me Wednesdays on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.
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