Hour 2: Chris Simms

0:00This episode is brought to you by PayPal. You know how a mom's bag has everything? Sunscreen? Snacks? A stapler? The new PayPal app is like that, but for your money. Shop, pay, manager account, and earn rewards all in one place. And with purchase protection on eligible items, biometric security, and pasquies, you're protected at every step. Download the new PayPal app to get started. See PayPal.com slash protection terms. This is the Michael K show podcast. I got to get more K. Listen live, we visit one on the ESPN New York app and your smart speaker. Welcome back to the show, 202 on a Thursday. And right about this time every single Thursday, we get the privilege of talking to NBC's Chris Sims. Does such a great job in Pro and College football? And he joins us now. Christopher, how you doing? I'm doing great, Michael. How you doing, man? Look at you. Call me Christopher.

1:00See, you're you you adapted. Look at your coachable. Very comfortable. Feel like I'm part of the family. So are you too busy to enjoy your Yankees? Or I mean, can you squeeze out watching a Yankee game? No, no, I squeeze it in. Certainly, it's been on my TV both nights, for sure. You know, Tuesday and Wednesday nights, I do try to go to bed a little earlier because I'm up late Sunday night, up late Monday night. And of course, I wake up real early in the morning, but definitely tuned in. Love to see you. Got the bats hot right now. Rises hot. I mean, yeah, it was cool to see us dominate the red socks that way. All right. We are talking with Chris Sims brought you by Super Bowl 60. Once let's start off with the Giants. They did make a trade for JJ McCarthy. Your thoughts on bringing in McCarthy. And do you think that in due time he's going to be the starter for the Giants this year? Well, I think it'll depend on James Winston. You know, I think the biggest thing here is just that they're bringing him in for me for one reason. They're not going to let this season fall apart if James Winston one doesn't play well.

2:02But two, if he does get hurt to where we go, oh, he's hurt. Well, there we go. We're just we're going to be three and four, three and 14 or four and 13. It's all over John Harboss first year. He's going to have that stigma. He doesn't want that. He wants to have a little insurance policy like we talk about with any team having a good back up here. And of course, he's got some inside knowledge on JJ McCarthy from his brother and his days there at Michigan with Jim being there. So I'm sure he feels comfortable about that. JJ does have starting quarterback arm talent and stuff. Now he needs to be caught like I've told you before, more variety and throws. But I think with the way we saw them playing with Jackson Dart earlier in the year, some of the you know the run game, the boot legs off it, moving the quarterback that way. JJ McCarthy fits what it seemed like they wanted to do on the offensive side of the ball more than James Winston. But I think it's an insurance policy. And then we see where it goes to where who knows, you know, maybe next year the year after that, he's the back up.

3:03Maybe he becomes more than that, you know, as far as as we've seen with a lot of these teams, you get a good back up. And maybe he becomes a trade asset because some other team wants them as a bridge quarterback or a starter. So I think it was a probably a very good investment for the Giants to make that move. I always find it interesting where people say well, John called Jim and Jim knows JJ because of the time in Michigan when they won an national championship. But the Vikings also know JJ and he was a tenth pick in the first round and they traded him for a fifth round pick. What went on in Minnesota that there was such a drop off in value. Yeah, well, you know, and one coaches, you know enough, really doesn't matter for his baseball, football, whatever. They want people that they can trust and they're familiar with, right? So he had, I know John had been up in Michigan and he'd been around JJ before. So I'm sure he felt like he knew him, do a degree. But what happened with Minnesota is it's a lot of things actually.

4:03And you know, really he got unlucky in a lot of ways. You know, you're rookie year there. You are going to be the starter probably week one. The first preseason game you get in, you look good, you go wow. Boom, he gets hurt. He loses all of your one. So no development. And the thing coming, the thing about him coming out of Michigan was, hey, he managed a simple offense. He didn't have to do a whole lot. They ran the ball a ton as we know and then sporadically they made him, hey, make a big throw for us and he delivered. But as you know, in the NFL, it's just way more pressure on the quarterback on a play by play basis. So we never got to develop there. Then within that year, of course, he's watching the back up and Sam Donald go 14 and three. And wow, so that's going to put more pressure on the situation. Then I think you had a Ted coach there in Kevin O'Connell who at the end of that year had Sam Donald and Daniel Jones. And we really wanted to keep one of them for sure, if not both.

5:03Because again, good quarterbacks don't grow on trees. They get rid of him. Okay, JJ is the starter again. And then we get into injury bill again to where last year he was in and out of the lineup. And again, never really got the progress or work on the things that needed to be worked on to make him a good player. And then I do think he felt the pressure and he was a little bit bitter and angry with them signing Kyla Murray and how that went down. So I think it's best for JJ that he got out of there. It's best for Minnesota. And let's see if he can kind of revive his career in a new place with a new message. So Chris Sims and we're also in the middle of the big blue report brought you by King Sohwayan. So I'm wondering though, did they get JJ because they don't like what they see of James? And I think that's kind of unfair. He takes over in one game. Didn't have any reps in practice. Last Sunday was an awful weather day at that life. So I mean, how could he have it? But do you think that their plan is no matter what James does?

6:03This guy's young. He's going to be our starting quarterback. And James will go back to being the backup quarterback. No, I don't think that. I think they love James. Now, yeah, you're like you said, the first two games aren't great. But there are a realistic group out there with the giants. They know the situation and what you just explained. I don't think they were like expecting James to come in and go for 350 and four touchdowns. So no, I think it's more the insurance thing. And then, hey, listen, if James doesn't play well, okay? And yeah, all right, it's not that good. And the season's lost. Okay, JJ McCarthy gets in there and looks pretty good and does some good things. But I'd be shocked if James is maybe not the backup next year. And they move on from him in some way and go, hey, let's make JJ McCarthy the backup to Jackson Dart? No, that would not be shocking to me. Definitely not. And I think, you know, again, with Wade Jackson Dart plays and we've discussed this at length the last two years, I would want to make sure we got a good backup behind them too.

7:03Yes, it looked like he learned a little bit from keeping his body at a harm. And of course, it was a big thing all through training camp. But the bottom line is he did get hurt in week two. And you worry about that being a reoccurring thing. So I think from, you know, a long-term standpoint it makes sense and a short-term standpoint it makes sense. My only worry, and I think I said to you last week, this is, if JJ McCarthy does get here, he does play well and all that. And then Jackson Dart comes back next year and it's always getting back from his injury and he's not totally himself. You're going to have the people go, hey, JJ McCarthy, look great. He was a top 10 pick. Look at him. And they can cause a problem that way. But I think, you know, they got to deal with what they got to deal with right now and if that comes and so be it. And that becomes more of an issue too, Chris, because they're both the same age. So you can go either way and say, this is our quarterback of the future, the one who plays better. No, no doubt. That's why I, you know, I was a little bit like when I first thought about JJ McCarthy being traded there,

8:06I go, oh, I don't know if I'd want to mess with that just because like I just said, if the star is a line right, you could have a quarterback problem. I think Jackson Dart is clearly the guy that giants want. He's the face of the franchise. I'm not saying that, but we know how it goes, right? And we've seen quarterbacks come back from injury, not look very good in the guy that played maybe if JJ gets in there and does play well. Yeah, we're all the sudden that can overtake your team and all it's, you know, two golden boys, you know, one from Ole Miss and one from Michigan and they're the same age. And, you know, who they're, you know, ones of 26 pick of the draft and the other ones of 10 pick of the draft and it can just, you know, be a distraction that way. But again, I think they just got to worry about right now and figure that out. And I think that's where it was a good move by them. Tongue with Chris Sims is a weekly spot here on the show. Now I come to you when I need clarity and I don't understand what happened without BJ. And it seems like Harbaugh gets a little bit short when he's asked about it. He said, well, it didn't fit. But you knew it didn't fit when he made the team. Why did he make the team? You didn't give him any luck. She didn't give him any run.

9:11So what was behind this, Chris? Do you have any idea? No, I don't have any ideas. He had an awesome preseason. So I don't think there's any denying that. I mean, he, and everything you heard or anybody I talked to with the Giants, he was great in practice and all that. I think they religionily at the start, you know, one, hey, I don't know. I've heard the Mara family loved OBJ behind the scenes. I think I heard one of the Mara's or John Mara's say, like part of the family didn't talk to him for a little while after they traded OBJ. You know, that, you know, hey, it is OBJ. Sure, it's a business, all that. I mean, does that creep into their minds maybe? But I really think he was there because, hey, it's kind of an unproven commodity at the wide receiver position as far as a lot of these guys. He, of course, is a veteran knows how to play can kind of do different things on an offense that way. But within all that, yeah, I mean, he was last guy, second to last guy to make the roster. And now they got a few injuries and they had to resign a few guys and he doesn't play special teams.

10:16And I think that's where he becomes the odd man out. But I do think OBJ can give some teams or some teams out there that have wide receiver problems, some value. To me, he'd be a guy if I'm the 49ers and I'm going, wait, word demolished at receiver, I need somebody can run routes and be dependable and read coverages. I would certainly look at OBJ. I think he can do and certainly have a certain role for offenses out there. Yeah, but the superstar days are, of course, are, are over. All right. So that's a big blue report brought you by Kings of Y and Kings of Y and best slider and football. Now let's go to the other team on the other side of town or the other side of the stadium. Aaron Plent said after the game on Sunday, he held his fingers of an inch apart. He said, with this close, do you think they're that close? I do think they're close. I mean, they're making progress. I certainly do look at it that way. There's a lot, I'm a lot more positive on things I've seen from the New York Jets than I am negative. And listen, I think the thing that we'd probably be most negative about if you had to pick one thing through three games,

11:19really has nothing to do with the players. It would have to do with the clock management at the end of week two in Green Bay, right? So that's where I think it's encouraging. I mean, damn, I mean, you tell me, didn't Gina look good last week? I mean, Gina Garrett Wilson, Tenions to Deep, Bruce Hall. Yeah, their online is showing promise there. The defense, of course, they made it hard on Jared Goff and company. I mean, that's an offense that's got a lot of weapons. Jermir Gibbs is arguably the best running back in football, but it wasn't like they just steamrolled him in that sense. And of course, got down, showed some fight, come back that way. Yeah, I'm definitely positive on the Jets. I don't know what that's going to translate to. That's going to be the big thing here. And yeah, they're going to have to win a few games that they probably shouldn't win and whatever else. But I have been, you know, like I said, impressed by what I've seen on TV and on film. All right. What is wrong with the chargers? Okay. There's a lot of things. Yeah. Yeah. So this is the first thing I would say right off the bat is just like when Detroit led,

12:22what lost Ben Johnson, this is no different except it's on the defense side of the ball. Jesse Minner is hands down one of the best defensive minds in the sport. So they lose him on that side of the ball. Now, there are a team that's got a good defense, but there's not a lot of superstars. You couldn't walk down the streets of New York City and go, hey, tell me who's on the Los Angeles Chargers defense. I think a lot of people would be a, you know, stumble a few people get the Durwin James. But after that, I think there's not many people there. He covered a lot of holes there. The second part of it is, hey, follow the assets, right? Follow the money. And where the chargers are built is they're supposed to be able to run the ball on anybody. They got two top 10 tackles in the draft pick, left and right tackle, top 10 picks. They got a second, a first round right guard. They got a second round center. They have a first round running back. They, and then of course it's Jim Harbock coach in the team. They're, they're built to be able to dominate in the run game.

13:24So that for one is not happening. And O'Marion Hampton had a few big fumbles in big moments that have cost them and cost them points. And then I think on top of that, because of Mike McDaniel, we've all expected more from the passing game. And really the first two weeks, yeah, they lost the game. But I watched every throw. Like I would sit there and go, hey, listen, Justin Herbert wasn't the problem. I can tell you that. Now last week, the interception he made late in the game when they could have gone up two scores. I think it was 13 to 10. They might have had a chance to go up 20 to 10. That was a pitiful interception. There's no denying that. But I think also too, what I would say is just, you know, look at their receiving group. You know, I don't think deepens of coordinators the night before the game are like, oh my god. I got a deal with Lad McConkey and Quentin Johnson and Trey Harris. Again, if we walked down New York City, most people would not be able to name a receiver on the chargers. So I think a little bit of this is too high of expectations.

14:24And then yeah, they're not being able to run the ball. And the defense hasn't quite been as opportunistic and as good. All right. When you see Case Keenum play as well as you did, do you want to make a comeback? I mean, if I did, I'd want to go play for that guy. Yeah. I mean, for my money right now, Ben Johnson and Kyle Shanahan are operating on a different level than the rest of football. As far as playing, calling plays, coming up with game plans, everything there. I mean, he's phenomenal. You see how creative he is with motions, formations, even their run plays. I sit there and watch them on film and just go, whoa, that is really cool. How they design that run and how they set up the motion and picked a guy and blocked and get all, I mean, he's just creative as it gets. And that's why the Bears are dangerous because he's arguably the best offensive mind in the sport. Dennis Allen, their decordinator, the X head coach of the Saints is one of the best defensive minds in the sport.

15:27And you can see they can come up with game plans and their offense is not weapons. And that was awesome by Case Keenum. I mean, that really was. It was great to see. And you could see what I loved. It's like, it sounded like he was mic-dupped during the game. But you've got to see how a real pro runs an offense. Hey, no, no, hey, check. We're going to go to the mic here. Mike's 51 on the right. All right, everybody. You got a 51. So Mike, all right. We're good. We're good. All right. So, you know, I mean, just the way he operated it was top notch. And when you have a coach like Ben Johnson, he doesn't always need a superstar. It's just if you have, if you can run his offense, he will give you a lot of advantages just by getting what he's taught you through the week if you can just get it right. You know what? I thought I was watching it Chris. I don't know if you felt the same. It wasn't like they put Keenum out there and put training wheels on him. He was making a game time throws. That was really an offense that he was running. No doubt. It wasn't being managed. It wasn't being managed. Now, you know, what did they call maybe some of the aggressive downfield plays that they might have called the Caleb Williams though, but Caleb Williams as we discussed.

16:33I mean, arguably has the best arm and football so they can do things like that, but I also can get Caleb Williams in trouble sometimes where it's like, hey, don't throw a deep. Ben Johnson had somebody open for you underneath and you couldn't take it. And I think he'll learn things like that. But no, you know, to me, the coolest thing in the game was they came out Philadelphia got gashed by Chicago last year on Black Friday in the run game. And Ben Johnson, this is where he's just so smart. He knew they were going to be geared up to stop the run. He knew they were going to all wait. They're probably going to think it's case Keenum. We're going to run the ball early to get him in the game. And he came out throwing the football. He did the exact opposite. Right? And that gets, again, just like, I don't care who it is. Steph Curry, you get him a layup. Then he starts to go, oh, wait, okay, that's a layup. Now I'm hot from three pointer. And that just makes the quarterback feel good. It makes him feel like he's doing positive things. And that's to me, the brilliance of Ben Johnson there. All right. Thursday night football. You've got Steelers in the Browns. And I mean, does Todd Munkin look like he's smart now that he stayed with Dishon Watson?

17:34And he's actually played well the last two games, Chris. He's done some positive things. Now I would tell you that, yeah, week two in Tampa, he played well week three last week against the Carolina Panthers was somewhere between the horrible week one and pretty good in Tampa. There was some horrible moments early on in the Carolina game, but he can make some plays with his legs. He made some big clutch throws Cleveland's defense is a pain in the butt. So that's going to be the interesting thing here tonight, you know, tonight and Pittsburgh, again, like it, but almost like Cleveland. It's like, I got to see a little bit more. I don't think Pittsburgh's defense is real special. You never got the feeling they were going to ever stop Joe Burrow and company the other day. And you know, even though they played well on offense last week, I don't think that's a very good Cincinnati defense and even more on top of that. They were very simple. So they line up in the defense, they're playing. And when you do that against Aaron Rogers, he's going to dial up the right play.

18:37The line is scrimmage and screw you over. So I don't know whether I what to think if I think, oh, the Steelers offense has it yet. I think the game will be close, but close and I'm going to take Pittsburgh to win that close one because I just don't trust Cleveland quite yet. I am a fan of Todd Munkin, but yeah, the roller coaster right at the Sean Watson just makes me iffy. And I'm going to take the Aaron Rogers and the Steelers in this one. I know you this is, you know, you're the final arbiter in this, but I look at this game. And I think like more barbecue, barbecue than drinking, drinking smokey smokey. Well, we're at a point of the year now where I'm working so hard. I don't it's drinking, drinking smokey smokey no matter what it does. It's happening. I need it by Thursday night. I'm exhausted. And I'm like, I need a little relaxation. And don't sleep on it. I think you would have maybe said the same thing last week about Green Bay in Atlanta. Yeah. And all of a sudden, the land on this running up and down the field and it was like, well, this is kind of fun to watch. So you never know the NFL is awesome. There's so many great players. So many guys where hey listen, it's grown men.

19:41This is their livelihood. They got pride. And I expected to be a good one tonight. All right. Final thing about college football last week. You ended up apologizing. And maybe because I like you so much, but I didn't even know why you had to apologize. What you said to me made sense. And I actually talked about it on Monday. If you're going in for a tackle, I mean, they're moving so fast. You can appreciate it because you play. Yeah. So all of us watching, they're moving so fast and all of a sudden you slide late. So you might not be aiming for his head when you start the tackle. What's a defender supposed to do, Chris? I don't understand. No, I know. I feel bad for defenders in the NFL and college. You're right. You know, slow motion and people who haven't played football. Right. You know, slow motion. You don't realize like what's really going on out there. Now listen, what I apologize for is I could have been more a little sensitive. More to the moment to the moment. Exactly right. It was a bad injury. I'm a big fan of Dante more the kid, the player, everything.

20:43And I kind of went right into football with a lot of people online got mad at me for. And what I was really happy about was that I didn't call out USC. And see, this is where social media sucks because I called out USC. It was just a little bit after we had that initial conversation. And we talked about USC looking disgusting and not professional and totally amateur hour in that moment too. But whoever clipped me off in social media, they didn't put that. Most of my mentions and hate from organ people were, how could you say nothing about USC? And I want to be like, can you watch the segment? Can you watch the whole thing? And I did do that. But I certainly could have handled it a little bit more sensitively. And the thing I will say is, yeah, I will not back down. That that was still way too late of a slide. Like way too late. Like I would argue that I don't even know if a penalty should be called. But because of how egregious the hit look and how hurt Dante more got, that that of course made the situation different.

21:43But I should have been more sensitive to him, the situation, the player first, and then dove into the football stuff because, yeah, as you know, when you're a quarterback in the NFL and you get out of that pocket, I'm telling you, when I used to run down the field, I used to see eyes and guys like they were drooling. Like I can't wait to knock you and crush you, right? They're dying to hit the quarterback. And you got to be careful there. He's a hell of a player. I know he'll bounce back. He's going to be a high draft pick. I know that. But I could have handled it a little differently. And the thing I think that made everything just amplified Chris is that the guy who made the hit turned out to be a jackass. He's joking around. That's exactly right. And that made it look terrible. I'm not saying the hit was so terrible because of the late slide. But how are we acted afterward? Just puts him in another realm. I think I think that's exactly right. And that's why I could have been more sensitive. I probably should have gone more right to Dante more. Hey, I hope he's okay. And having feelings for him in this situation.

22:45Then I should have gone to that was totally amateur hour by USC. I mean, guys coming over to him on the sideline, the smiles and tapping him. It wasn't just him. It was like 20 guys. I wanted to be like, are you serious as a coach? You're not going to go and go, hey guys, like grow up. Somebody's really hurt over here. That could be one of our guys. Next week, we wouldn't want the other team acting like that. But yeah, I think that if I had followed that pecking order, I might have not had so many organ duck fans so mad at me. Well, good stuff, Chris. Enjoy the game tonight. And how do we enjoy more of Chris Sims? How do people consume you? Yeah. Yeah. Well, you can anything NBC sports, Pro Football talk live, seven to nine a.m. Monday through Thursday. I'm on that show. And then I do my Chris Sims on button five days a week. It airs on NBC sports now and peacock at four p.m. every day. So that's where you can find me and then college football on Saturdays is always good stuff. Chris, thank you. Have a great rest of the week. Thank you, Michael. I'm Christopher. Come on. We're family. Let's go.

23:45Sorry. I'm Christopher. All right. See you. That was Christopher Sims brought you by a Super Bowl 61 coming to the networks of ESPN and ABC. This February. So we wanted to give you some football on this Thursday. We'll make our picks tomorrow and we'll get closer to actually trying to figure out the Yankee roster but the Yankees sweep the rent socks and two games in the best of three. We'll talk more Yankees. A lot of people online. My co-host want to talk about it. We'll get to you in just a moment. It is the case show right here on the ESPN New York. Harry Douglas here. Game day brings the excitement. Your stage should feel just as memorable. What Mary Abonvoy, official hotel partner of the NCAA in US soccer. You're connected to a portfolio of brands designed for how you travel. Some offer complimentary breakfast. Others give you room to spread out. Space the state productive or extended state conference. So whether you're a traveling fan or part of the team, Mary Abonvoy celebrates the moments that live on before and after the game. Mary Abonvoy, where game day checks in. Life insurance is one of those things that's easy to put off because it doesn't feel urgent today.

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25:49It's like having a true hiring partner. And you can chat with it just like you would a recruiter. Hiring Pro listens, adjusts, and shows you the people that actually fit your needs. 88% of small businesses say they trust LinkedIn's candidate recommendations. Be confident in your hiring decisions with LinkedIn Hiring Pro. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com slash Eisen terms and conditions apply. Thanks for listening to the Michael K. Show podcast. He's been here a long time. He's going to be here even longer. Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcast. Coming back to the show everybody Chris Sims has always was phenomenal. Such good information and just great on the air. So I love him. Hope you guys do too. Yankees beat the red socks. Red socks just looked overmatched. They just looked overmatched. And as I said at the start of the show, you take out 32 and 5 over those 37 gains, which again, we'll play soft and easy with the numbers.

26:49That's a quarter of the season. They're an under 500 team without that 32 and 5. You can't take 32 and 5 away. And who knows what was in the water during that 37 game run, but it was amazing. Got them back into it, saved their season. When it started, they were 14 gains under 500. They end up with 87 wins. But when you watched that game yesterday, they were overmatched. And you could see that there are issues. Now when Roman Anthony got hurt again, missed over 100 games this year. And they still don't know what's going on with his wrist or his hand. And if they don't straighten him out, that's an issue and another thing. This kid is, you know, projected as one of their best buyers. They've signed up to a long term deal. He can't play the outfield. I mean, he has no arm whatsoever. So you're going to have that D8 spot locked into him because they can't afford to put him in the outfield. So Red Sox have some some worries. Their manager against Boone was outmanaged. He seemed overmatched.

27:49Brezlo, because they did make the playoffs, gets his options picked up. When the Yankees were at Fenway Park after the Red Sox came back from Colorado, Brezlo, I would say, was within days or weeks of getting fired. So that 32 and 5 made everything well. The moves he made, those were really good. So let's keep them here. Well, let's see. Let's see. Do the Red Sox regret that? Do they regret because of the fact that the 32 and 5 spot got them into the plus that they just signed a Chad Tracy to a three year contract. Now, I'll tell you what, in terms of like a face of an organization, I can't emphasize this enough to all of you guys. He's a great dude. And the way he talks, he's wheeled, he's honest. He's, you could have empathy for him when he struggles. But you take all of that away, and he really got outmanaged in the series. Taken out totally when he did to bring in Eric Miller,

28:49taking out Sonny Gray to take a bring in Eric Miller again. Both moves blew up in his face. Letting game one get away and allowing the Yankees to stay away from head, drink and bed and are not good because the game got away. Too nothing. They probably would have had to use at least bed and are. But they didn't. They closed the game with Shriver. And yesterday they used bed and are in a nine to game because they didn't want him to have seven days between pitching when he would possibly pitch on Saturday against Tampa Bay. So it didn't work out well. And after the game Wilson Contreras, who never meant an opinion that he doesn't have, said we rely too much on stats and analytics. I mean, that's what the rents are about. That's what Brezlow is about. Now, speaking of stats and analytics, you look at Tampa Bay. And Tampa Bay is considered one of the most analytic teams in all of baseball because they have to, they have to grab wins on the margin because they have one of the lowest pay rolls in baseball.

29:49So all of their moves have to be, they have to outthink everybody else. And for the most part, they do an unbelievable job of that. But one thing I found out over the two games in New York, they don't scrimp on the little things. Like they pour money into having boots on the ground in terms of scouts. They had five scouts for the Yankee Red Sox series. And they had scouts that, you know, you know, the other side of the bracket as well. But five. So that's the one thing that's the difference between Tampa Bay and the Metz and David Sterns. David Sterns got rid of most of the Metz scouts. Most of his stuff is done with numbers and stuff like that. That's how they evaluate people. Tampa Bay uses numbers, but they also really want to know what a physical scout at the game sees. Tell me what you see. And then they want to know if that drives with the numbers that they have.

30:49So they, they over scouted the series at the Yankees and the Red Sox. They, they watched everything that both teams did. And they'll report back to Kevin Cash and the coaches. And then they'll relay it to the team. And let's see if they could take advantage. Don't, you don't have to be a scout, you know. They, they saw, um, Trent Grisham in center field. So they're probably telling every single one of their base runners take the extra base. He, he goes slow toward the ball. They see it all. And that's why they're not just an analytic team, but they're an analytic team that combines the, uh, the, the, the I test. And I think that's important. That is important. Uh, Jason and the Bronx, Jason. Hey, my tower is good. Good. How are you doing, man? I'm great. I'm great. Yankees won. Move the Red Sox out. It's all good. I don't know about you, but maybe I felt like watching the game this, this is and even last year that the Red Sox

31:50are almost in a way kind of reverting to their pre 2004 days, if you will, because all I was doing was waiting for them to make the mistake and let the floodgates open. And that's exactly what happened. Because you remember even last year, the Red Sox said, oh, we can't, we couldn't hear anything when they dropped out fly low. And then the floodgates open, Cam. Should have learned when, you know, mold them down. And I don't know, it just maybe just seems like they're reverting just a tad bit because they seem like they can't, they can't go into the Yankees, they don't overwhelm. What do you think? Well, I mean, I'm not going to dismiss that and say that's incorrect, but I think it, I think it's more simple than that, Jason. They're, they're not overly talented. I mean, everybody logs them for, for getting rid of Rafael Devers, right? And Rafael Devers was selfish about not wanting to play first base. They need a guy like Rafael Devers. They don't hit home runs. The Red Sox, you know, the first half of the year, they were terrible with home runs. It picked up in the second half of the year, but the Red Sox have always been a power hitting team. Even when they won those four championships starting in 2004,

32:51they had guys that could hit the ball out. So that was not the case. This is not a team that a lot of guys on that field scary with power. Contraris a little bit, but who else? Who else is scaring you with power? Rafael and, and, and, and, and, and, a brand new, a brilliant defenders. But are they hitting 35 home runs a year? No. So they do miss a guy like Rafael Devers. It's, I think it gets down to this. They're not as talented as past Red Sox teams. And that comes out and really manifests itself in big games. You see what they're missing? What they're missing now? One thing that Chad Tracy admitted. When we met him before the game yesterday, he said, Yankee Stadium was so loud in game one. He said, I know I've been here before, and they get loud in spurts and big moments and, and things like that. He said, but it became really difficult to actually hear. And from the, the moment that the first pitch was thrown,

33:52the crowd never stopped yelling. And the fact that he noted that tells you that it was a factor. I don't know if it will impact Kevin Cash. He's been at this forever. Or if it will impact the raise. But I think it had an impact on the Red Sox. I really do think it had an impact. Let's go to Sim and Queen Sim. Hey, Michael. How are you? I'm good. How are you doing? Pretty good. I'm seeing everything to pinstripe lenses, trying to have to get too excited, but it's hard. Watching the Yankees or Spencer Jones run out of strikeout, and then a base hit after, you excite the antithesis of modern Yankees baseball. This isn't some big burly guy striking out, which shows us sometimes. But he didn't hear. It was so beautiful to see. It was refreshing. We'll be got a bunch down the day before. Let the kids play. And I was wrong about jazz. I didn't want them to line up at all, but then two hits, and then that over the shoulder catch.

34:53Oh, my God. That was nice. And then one point about Grisham did not look in the outfield at all, but then he put down a bun and then beat it out. So I know he can run. Why he doesn't do that in the field? I have no idea. But then he beat out the bun. So at least I like that. Yeah, it's almost Sim like he's protecting himself. Like I'll run when I have to, because he did bust it down the line on that bun and got himself a hit. But you also have to run. All the time in the out. You can't allow extra outs in the playoffs. So essentially that ball that turned into a double gave the Red Sox 28 outs in the game. You can't do that. You can't do that. You can't do that. And it would have been 29 outs that he gave them. If not for the brilliant play, play by jazz. Now also you talk about jazz, right? He's got insane talent. Insane physical ability. And that's why you keep coming back. That's the seduction aspect of it.

35:55We know he's at least like a little kid. And you know, some people don't like the way where's his hat? Whatever the case may be. Sometimes he looks lazy. The way he goes after the ball. Almost lazy in the sense like Robinson cano was. Because Robinson cano was so insanely talented. He didn't have to look like he's running with his hair on fire. He just got there. But jazz has an insane amount of talent. And that's what keeps you coming back. And you put up with the quote unquote nonsense. Because he can give you a game like he gave you yesterday. Lucas, all the way in Maine. What's up, Lucas? Well, I'm doing good today. I gotta say there's nothing better than being the Red Sox in the playoffs. And you know, I gotta agree with you. There wasn't a single decision that Chad Tracy was a part of the series that really made sense for the Red Sox. Whether like you look at the roster who they brought in in big moments. Like you just can't be the feel good guy and bring that into the playoffs.

36:56Like there's a reason Ted Lasso didn't coach a win for like two full seasons. But anyway, second, I just want to take a second to remember John Sterling in the first playoff season without him. Definitely missed hearing him on the radio, but it was also finally good hearing you took all the Yankees in playoffs. And then lastly here, I just want to give out a call to all the Yankees fans in Tampa Bay. We know you're out there in Tampa. We have to absolutely overrun the trap. Get loud just as we did in Yankee Stadium. And you know, this is just the series to the world series. Well, that's the way I look at it. I never have any doubt about the Yankee fans showing up in Tampa Bay. There's so many Yankee fans in Florida. It's the Yankee Spring training home right across the Bay in Tampa. So it'll be interesting to see what type of crowds they have. You know, most of the time, all the time they have most of the upper deck is tarped off. But this is a really insanely entertaining, possibly entertaining game and serious.

37:59These two teams are really, really good. The funny part about Tampa Bay, the team, is they have one of the highest television ratings for their games in all of Major League Baseball. But the fans don't come to the games. Weird. Like you know, when the Red Sox played the Cubs in that, in that, you know, Noreaster series that was relocated down to the trap, there were over like 20,000 people, though. That's more than Tampa Bay gets in regular games. So there's a lot of transplanted Northerners down in Florida. And I think they'll show up. I think they will show up. I think this has the potential to be an insanely entertaining series. And I contend. And you know, my front from Maine just said the same thing. This is the World Series. This is the ticket to the World Series. I can't see Tampa Bay or New York losing to Cleveland or Chicago. Could it happen? Right? That's baseball.

38:59Anything could happen. But let's play the odds. The odds are the winner of this series goes to the World Series. And speaking of odds, you know, the raise beat out the Yankees during the regular season, but the Yankees are slightly favored over the race to advance to the next round. I think that's the part of how impressive the Yankees looked against the Red Sox. And on the flip side, I think the Yankees looked so impressive against the Red Sox. The Red Sox weren't very good. In the month of September, they couldn't score over three runs per game. I think they average out like the 2.6 runs per game. Can't win like that. No matter how good your starting pitching is, you can't win that way. They scored two runs. Two runs in two games. Let's go back to game three last year. They scored two runs in their last three playoff games. This is not your dad's Red Sox team.

40:01So you've built the team at Fenway Park built on pitching. Now it's great to have pitching, but you've got to be able to score some runs. I'll let's finish it off people. I want to finish with the co-host leading into three o'clock. 1-800-919-3776. Hey, we talk about game plans all the time around here. If the pain is interfering with your everyday life, maybe it's time to come up with one of your own. I want you to know about Dr. J Shaw at San Moe Pain. Neck pain? Back pain? Sciadica? My grain's nerve pain? Joint pain? Dr. Shaw specializes in non-surgical image guided treatments for all of them. He's Ivy League train, double board certified with offices in Woodbridge, Livingston and Englewood. Visit San Moe Pain.com and book your appointment online. Get your game plan for pain.

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42:17And talk to your doctor about VivGuard Hydrilo brought to you by Argenics. Thanks for listening to the Michael K. Show Podcast. He's been here a long time and he's going to hear even longer. Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. Is go out to our good buddy, Bob was shoes in. Quick quiz. How old do you think Bob was shoes in turn today? Five, four, three, two, one. Bob's 55 years old. So happy birthday to Bob. Voice of the Jets on the radio and does so much on ESPN as well. Really a fine, fine broadcast. 1-800-919-3776. Yankees take the first two games of the three games set against the Red Sox. Red Sox season over. Yankees season continues Saturday, 6-31st pitch in St. Pete at the TROP. Let's go to Phil in Columbus Phil.

43:18Hey there Michael, how are you doing today? I'm doing great. How about you? I'm doing great. Driving up to the Brown Steelers fan. That's what I want to say. It should be, we'll see if we get three in a row. Anyway, look at the roster for the LDS. Do you think we need 12 pictures so we can go with 11 since we'll have days off between game 1 and 2 and then again between 2 and 3 and only 2 back to back in. If that's the case, would you think about Lewis and Stanton off and either Hill or Ryan Weathers being at 11th picture? And then if Jets is able to play a role in the Rosario or even Trent Grishamoff the roster.

44:18Yeah, I don't think so. Well, I have a safe drive. I don't think I'll say Grishamoff the roster. There's a possibility with Rosario because Tampa Bay is not loaded with left-handers like the Red Sox were. I mean, the Red Sox had five left-handers in the bullpen and the opening starter was a left-hander. So that became an issue. A lot depends on if judge is available. Now, my guess is that he wouldn't be, but I know he wants to be. And you know, the three out of the five games will be on artificial turf. Is that good for a guy who's been battling a calf problem? I think you bring up a great point that I don't even consider. There's an off day for some reason between games 1 and 2. And then there's a travel day between games 2 and 3. So that does impact how you want to deploy your pitching. And you can really empty your bullpen and use them almost every single game. I'm not going to use them three days in a row. I still think they probably go with 12 pitchers.

45:19And I think the pitchers that they will add would be Hill and Weathers. I think Weathers was very close to making this roster, but they decided to go with the bigger bench because of only three games. But those are three games in a row. I believe they'll go with 12 and that will give them 14 position players. So the Yankee bench will go from seven people down to five. So the seven people yesterday were Volpi. He makes a team. Ramos. He makes a team Sanchez backup catcher. He makes a team. Gold Schmidt. He makes a team. Caboero makes a team. And then you've got Rosario and Stanton. So are those the two guys that are off? Because I think Stanton was a luxury that you could afford. Because you had that many people on the bench and you could pinch at him and then pinch run for him immediately. It's a three player move. The player that you're pinching for. Stanton. And then the pinch runner. And almost a four player move because if you pinch run with somebody who's fast and then you need a better hitter.

46:25The next time that that spot comes up in the order might be a four player move. So that can you have that luxury with a five man bench rather than a seven man bench. So Stanton might not make it Rosario might not make it. And if judge is able to make it then Stanton becomes almost a redundant talent. You've got judge who'll be playing right field. And then you've got Ramos as your right hander that could go and play in the outfield if you need to replace judge. So a lot of moving parts and I'm sure the eighties will take every moment that they have before they make the decision. Because none of us really knew what this roster was going to be until 10 a.m. on Tuesday. And that was the day of the game. So I'm sure that we will not know for sure what the roster is until sometimes Saturday morning. Yankees like to keep a very, very close to the best decision making. John and Sandy Ago. John. What's up? How are you doing Michael?

47:26How are you? Terrific. How about you? I'm doing pretty well. So I know I'm kind of beating a dead horse here, but just wanted to take a minute and talk about Grisham. A little confused. You know, like previous caller said, he beat out the throw going to first. As was also mentioned, he stole a base. So obviously he can move just not show why he's not doing it when he's in the field. I thought maybe he was injured on that play, but again, he ran while he was on the bases. So I'm really not sure. And you know, you don't play him. I'm not sure I know what the answer is. Do we put Caviarra out there? You know, I don't know what the Alphill looks like without him out there. And then just one other quick thing on another note on a call yesterday, I believe it was. I mentioned to a caller who kept calling Rodan Rodin.

48:29You corrected him in the pronunciation. And you're a better man than I because I would have led with the correction not waited a little while into the discussion. Well, you know what? I've actually held off today, maybe because I'm in a good mood, John, because at least three callers have called George Lombard Lombardi. And I mean, that goes on all the time. He's George Lombardi. He's not George Lombardi. But I get it. I mean, people get excited. They're on the radio. They're co-hosting this show. And maybe, you know, they get ahead of themselves. So I don't jump on people like that. But I don't. I also want people that are listening to think, well, Kate doesn't. Doesn't even know that's not how Rodan pronounces his name and it's not Lombardi. So occasionally, I'll drop it in. As for Grisham, I'm as confused as you. Now, I know there's been a regression in Trent as a defender. But to this level, I don't understand if he's nursing bad legs or hamstrings, then he shouldn't be out there. And be he shouldn't be able to move like he did on the bun.

49:29So you could say, maybe he's saving himself for those moments where he has to have that speed. But to me, and I'll say this again, every moment is that moment in the postseason. Every play could impact the game, which could impact a series, which impacts your season. You can't just cattle acut and hold back for those big moments and let balls drop in front of you. You can't. You've got to be better than that. And I don't know how the Yankees address it. I think the outfield, if you want, I think it's going to be Jones and center against the lefty. But they're not going to face a lefty in the first game. So are they going to put Grisham out there again? My guess is they will. Coming up Don Hahn and Rosenberg, we'll talk again tomorrow at one. And the words of Billy Joel Life is a series of a Losing Goodbye. I'm afraid it's time for goodbye again. See everybody. Thanks for listening to the Michael K. Show podcast. You know what? Check yourself. You're more from Michael K. Wheatys at one on the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.

50:29Mr. President, my company for me is the explosion I'm not re-ing on October 2nd. Causing massive water displacement and triggering the tsunami. They all heat the blame on me. Tom Cruise is. Digger, don't listen to this mess. And Digger is going to dig us up. Something director of Bergman and the Revenant. What would happen if I stopped doing it? You stole. You freeze the deck. That's what. With great power, comes great deniability. I'm not the Earth-netting. Digger, see the Traylon law. Only in the years of October 2nd. Rated our under 1790 Middle Without Parrot.