Hr3 - Tua Tagovailoa’s Oblique Injury Leaves Falcons Facing QB Dilemma

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1:26M-L-B shop.com M-L-B trademarks used with permission. Would you look at that? It's time for some of our favorite snapple real facts. Real Thack 1433, tow wrestling is a competitive sport. Real Thack 732, the chicken is the closest living relative of the Tranasaurus Rex. And, Real Thack 1599, a man once ate an entire airplane. Yowch, did he have any hot sauce? Yeah, so anyways, this has been a refreshing break brought to you by Snapple. Real Th, Real Juice. We're Snappes and D-Rex fishing. We are Dukes and Bell. We start off every day and every hour by saying, hey man. Thank you for listening to Atlanta's number one sports show. It's number one sports station. 92 9 the game. Now, let's get to the facts. Because today at Falcon Practice, here's what went down. If you're just tuning in, however you're accessing the show, you think you guys, whether it's on the Odyssey app, whether you are walking your dog or you're listening on the computer or you're at home, the Falcons to a tongue of

2:29Iowa today, individual Jorills, all right. He's throwing. He throws to a coach. So this is warm up basically, all right. At that point, he finds himself, a little discomfort, a little bit of pain, goes down to the grass, all right. And all of a sudden, now he is limited in practice today. So this has been fluid, guys, because as it happened, we were like, what do you mean he's hurt? Now we know it's an oblique. We also know Cooper Rush then took all the remaining reps with the first team. We got a game on Sunday. Yeah. So two has been with the game plan. He practiced yesterday. Remember, they practiced Monday. They were off Tuesday. And now it's Thursday and Cooper Rush is taking first team snaps. So Mike, two or through that pass had the discomfort. We know it's an oblique. We do not know the extent of what this means as far as is he going to be out or not. But we only have two choices because Michael Pinnix currently is inactive. It's Jack Strand or it's Cooper Rush if two of can't go. All right.

3:29So is this any given Sunday now where Cap Rooney gets knocked out? That was the, the star quarterback. And sorry, that is quaid. Then you get the backup who is like a like a Vince Ferragamo type guy. And then you get to steeman Willie Beeman who is the third string. Remember they gave me Fox. Jamie Foxx who actually played high school football did a nice job. And then he gets out there and then he becomes the man. And as we said with the exception of Kurt Warner, this never happens in the NFL. You've had guys, you know, maybe John Aunitus with you know, it was literally playing, you know, Napar would pick up semi pro ball. But Jack Strand got people so fired up. But guys, if you put a rookie in that environment in Pittsburgh, it's going to be ugly. You know, I'd love to see what Jack Strand can be when he gets an opportunity. I don't know when that opportunity is going to come, but I just don't think the first week would be it. What I'd really like to see and I'm not going to trigger anybody. So I just tell you, I mean, I think this is a folks too late day day. But even folks that were arguing with me, even folks that were arguing me about Patix and he knows his body. He can't go a minute too soon. This is the most important thing and it is an important thing.

4:31And I get all that. I mean, this is a crossroads for his career. Do you become the man or not? You're either going to be a guy who gets another couple of years, you got an option picked up and maybe a contract with the Falcons. You wind up a gypsy wearing a baseball hat, you know, and then the Joshua Dobbs route, which is, it pays well, but it's not optimal. But anyway, getting back to the man, my competitor could save the day. He could come up to coach. I mean, you know what? And then guys go, no, he can't do that. Oh, okay. All right. I guess once the die is cast, you can't go back. So now we're stuck with frigging Cooper rush potentially starting in the steel game. It's just, it's like this, all the build up to the start of the season is like right out the window. It's felt that way all camp long because we never got what we thought we were going to get with seeing two guys go at it. A mono, a mono, right for rep, a battle. It didn't turn out that way. Two of, by the way, did stand up after he threw the ball, walked a few steps and then put his hands on his knees, hunched over once more. I'm just describing to you what happened. And then he didn't throw again and warm up after the injury.

5:34Mike, I just tweeted out and put him up. See, Duke's Mike said ATL bailed 929. As crazy as it sounds, I would start strand and I will tell you why. Now, look, it is an optimal. Mike's absolutely right. But he does the things that I think you're going to need to do to beat the Steelers. He can avoid pressure. He can run. He also can at least threaten to throw the ball down the field and maybe challenge them and take the top off. Are you telling me in this game plan that we're not going to, gonna see Zachariah branch or, or, or Johan Dots and challenges guys? That's why we went and got these guys. We didn't have enough speed on the outside to challenge. Start strand and just see and he brings those tools. The problem is guys, he's not seeing any reps. It's Thursday. So the problem right now is strand is just like last night. I'm the backup and God forbid if something happens to Cooper Rush, if two of can't play on Sunday, he's going to be thrown into action.

6:34And this is going literally going to be all right. What are we running again? And that is a little bit unfair to every backup. It's certainly unfair to an undrafted free agent, Mike, who makes your squad. And it's supposed to be on the practice team, you know, the practice squad. And here he is, maybe in Pittsburgh, he might get some run by default. But as I said to Carl, unless we're going to run a single wing and some are going to be having a shotgun and just run, you know, remember when you played Mike Vick on the Madden game? Shotgun, run Vick. You know, but that's it guys. That's not, that's not, that's not, not going to work. The one thing we do know, whether you have doubts about Johan Taylor, we mentioned earlier with a Cooper Rush out there on the blind side, switches back to the left side with Jake Matthews. Johan got an old guy rest day today with the injury report. So there's nothing to be concerned about there. But yeah, it just, it just takes so much wind out of your sales. Yes, we can try to run the football, but Cooper Rush is just this nobody, nobody listens. It was like, I was ever, it's either Strand or Pentex for many of, for much of our audience and two of maybe a distant third. And now we're going to see Cooper Rush potentially, unless this two of think and he gets treatment, do what they've got to do.

7:37But this, if this is similar to what happened to his back and it was backed out oblique, they kept him out for the first five days of practice. Let's, and by the way, does he still give you the best chance to win? Yes, that's why he was named the starter. I mean, you guys don't want to admit it, but they could have easily named any of these other guys. They didn't because they thought to a gives a, he gives us the best chance to win this week. And so let's hope that he is able to play, but I got to tell you something. What if he starts this game, Mike and all of a sudden the first series, you see signs. And now you got to pull him. And now all of a sudden Cooper's been thrown into the, I just think it just diminishes our chances of going up there and trying to win this football game. You got, they're going to run the ball regardless. And this is why I'm saying play Strand. You're, they're not going to let Cooper Rush to the ball 50 times in this game anyway. So why not start the kid? Yeah, only way you're throwing that matches were getting smoked by three of us. You've touched down some more than we're one dimension of the run games out the window. But B-john, you know, we've talked about it. Everyone's talking about, hey, you know, 20, 20 carries five or six throws.

8:38Sounds like a nice number. You got to lean into one in the early part of the season. And even when Michael Panic's junior does get out there to take the pressure off, you know, heard Mike Tomman last night, you know, crappin' on to a, you know, it was two touchdowns, one pick. You got sack four times last time, last game last year for the Dolphins against Pittsburgh. Mike Floreo said, if two of us didn't do well, they'll cut him. And, you know, we did explore that option earlier in the year because you, you know, I don't think they're going to carry four quarterbacks all season long. I thought they might trade a Cooper Rush when you have a situation like what happened with Seattle. If somebody like a Donald is out for an extended period and you didn't experience backup. But I'm not sure what the market is for a two out there. They could have cut him already. Why, why, why are we got to wait to see him lose a game? And it goes on the record before you feel like you need to cut him. If he wasn't doing the job and they didn't feel confident in him, Mike, they would have cut him already. And, and I think to be honest with you, if situation or circumstances were different in this situation, meaning pinnocks was healthy, that, that, that's a different element. But it wasn't. And so now this four quarterback thing, they just said to me in my ear, four quarterbacks don't look too bad.

9:42But this is why they did it. They were unsure even before we got to this point. What is this going to be in week five? Where are we? Who can we rely on? So, you know, I hate it, Mike, because again, we talk about these roster spots and trying to hide guys and all this stuff. But at the end of the day, this may be the best decision that he had cutting him and the front office made because of the uncertainty of where this is going. Like I'm intrigued by his turn. We talked about it all camp long, but the guy that I want to see out there is Patix. I want to see what Patix Jr. is and establish the baseline. And nobody is as to fancy his offense and how he functions. I mean, you could day day day. I know we've argued this till we're blue in the face. We got to get gazillion likes and what and views of you and me arguing about this. You say, look, the man's got to know his own body and he can't rush it. As Cam Newton said, he's rushed back and everybody says that's now the template. Well, yes and no. You're trying to battle for a job in this league and his goal, the opportunity is yours. Are you going to start next week against Carolina? You can't go up there and be the hero.

10:42Well, here you can't start. You can't go to coach and just say, hey, man, you know, maybe you can't get some reps and let's do this. Well, now, so to get as a cat now. Here's the thing. Again, and I firmly believe that no, you can't, if he's not ready to go, there's no, there's absolutely. Does it look worshipy now says he's ready? Because that's what some guys have said. I don't know about that, but I don't think it looks bad. I don't think it looks bad. I think it looks heroic. Yeah, but here's the thing until you see him to me, there's, it looks like crap. To me, there's clearly already been conversation to where he feels, because like I said before, he understands the risk he's taking by not going out there right now in regards to his career. He know, like he's an older injury prone guy. He's no, he's not 30, but he ain't far from 30. So he knows the risk he's taking in regards to what this could mean for his future. To me, this feels like there's been plenty conversation between him, Stavansky, Ryan, whoever, that look. We need to find out what you are, but you got to let us know when we're going to find that.

11:45You're like, you got to be ready to, to let us know when we're 10 and again. If it's Halloween, so here we go. Well, I was listening to Mike Bell and it sounds like you guys are in a gap. You anyway, so I'll take my time. Well, here's the thing. And the guys that I've been going round and round with on social media, you know, yeah, Mike. All right, man, look, I just want to win. I want to see what this guy's about. You know, you, these guys, he can't go until he's ready. He's not an established star. He doesn't get that, he doesn't get that benefit of the doubt you guys are throwing at him. That's my point, which no one seems to get. But it's not, but the thing is he knows all this. That's the thing, Mike. Right. But so when he is rolling, he's the one rolling the doubts. So if he goes against Carolina Week 2 or not or it's Week 3, and there's a thing, if he waits, no matter how, the excuses are already built in, well, he was never 100%. So when am I ever going to get this sample size, which means he doesn't become my quarterback. We draft the quarterback in the 27 draft and his career is kaput here in Atlanta. No, Mike, that's where I will disagree. The excuses go away the longer he waits, the longer he waits, the excuses go out of the window

12:49because what he's telling you is I am on my timeline, which is what dayday saying. And if this is three or four more weeks, there are no more excuses. When we see you, bro, you better be ready to go. Yeah. There are no excuses. You're healthy. You're ready. Mentally, you're ready. That is crap to me. Like I'm not using any excuses at that point. If he came back this week, then you could use that excuse. All right. So here's a guy that says, Carl's right, physical specimen, durable, high football IQ, mobile, big arm. But let's start Howdy Duty Sunday. How strange can throw check downs and bubbles all day too? That's right. At least he can scramble when pressure extend to play maybe says Rob West. That's where I'm at. I mean, I know I sound crazy and you guys know I was on this frost thing because I said, look, if it's a real thing and you guys say, hey, he played great playing. I love it, man. But like I said, the odds of him being in Kurt Warner like a thousand one, but I'm with you. If push comes to shove and two, it really can't go. I would not, I know what the ceiling is with Cooper. Play the kid, man.

13:49I'd love to see the guy. I just don't think I just don't think the fanciest got it. And by the way, it's the fans can best think it's Groundhog Day. Okay. From Baker Mayfield to Deshawn Watson to James Winston to Joe Flacco to Shadour Sanders. And now this is Salt Bobbra. It's a mess. We don't need a bunch of cats in here. We need some more dogs. Hey, man, we're coming back. Braves win the day. What does it look like moving forward? And who's this HaSong Kim guy? It's Duke Symbel. Hey, all right. It's almost here. Are you ready? Just grabbing my shoes. That's what you said 10 minutes ago. I just wrapped the video call, uploading this giant file on my tablet, looking at my watch group and Nana's with the group chat. And of course, still lining up tonight's playlist on my phone. All at once? Yep, story of my life. That's why I switched to D-Mobile. They have the fastest 5G network. Okay, multi-tasker. I see you. Honestly, I never imagined I could do all this at once. It's awesome. Say no more, I'm totally switching.

14:50My post is taking way too long to upload. That's a sign you've got to get to mobile. So many reasons to join T-Mobile. Find yours at T-Mobile.com. Fastest based on analysis by Uclav Speed Test Intelligence data of National Speed Score Results incorporating 5G download and upload speeds for the first half of 2026. Diamond Dynasty has all new red diamond cards and World Baseball Classic Content in MLB The Show 26. Collect your favorites and compete against the best. MLB The Show 26 is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series XS and Nintendo Switch. Reading E for everyone. Officially licensed by MLB Playersing. Would you look at that? It's time for some of our favorite Snapple Real Facts.

15:50Real Thaq 1433, tow wrestling is a competitive sport. Real Thaq 732, the chicken is the closest living relative of the Tranasaurus Rex. And, Real Thaq 1599, a man once ate an entire airplane. Yowch, did he have any hot sauce? So anyways, this has been a refreshing break brought to you by Snapple. Real T, Real Juice. We're Snappes and Disney Red Fishing! Fantasy Football season is back, baby. Matthew Berry here and my podcast, Fantasy Football Happy Hour, has the sleepers bust and start to advice you need to win your league. So listen and follow Fantasy Football Happy Hour wherever you get your podcast. Hey, get your football weekend started right tomorrow. We're going to be at Twin Peaks and Buckhead.

16:51We're going to be at the Big Brother's Live from two to six. Enjoying all the eat-string scenic views and come on through, man. We'll be gearing up for college football. We'll talk more about the tech, Tennessee game, obviously Georgia, and all the big college football games that are going on this weekend. That's Duke's and Bill. That's us tomorrow from two to six and Buckhead, Twin Peaks. Mike, before we get to Grant, because the Braves did win today and we're looking forward to another series with the Phillies. With all the quarterback stuff that's going on, we kind of left out a story that is going to help the Falcons moving forward. Just real quick, because it's the business side of it. Bryce Johnson is the cap expert we stole from the Eagles and he's making money moves. Falcons converting 14.7 of Chris Listeram salaried into a signing bonus, adding a voidable year. They love these voidable years, Carl, creating 11.7, it's $0.6 million of 2026 cap space, which allows us more and more freedom. He's now guaranteed 16 million this season. And by the way, according to the cap experts, we're going to be the number two team in cap space next year and in 27 the number one team. How about that? We still have room now, but next year we get the number one team as far as cap space. Yeah, the thing about this year is so what?

17:52You're not spending money on anybody. You're not going to go out and acquire a bunch of free agents. It's really about next year and real quick. We're going to learn a lot about him and cutting him next year. There are a lot of teams over the years who've had the most cap space and have spent it the wrong way. Does not guarantee you a damn thing. Like, we got a lot of money. You better go get the right players. Now, in this Decorative Act situation goes really haywire. I mean, if you're going to trade for somebody, you don't see trades like you do in baseball at the deadline, but it would give you some flexibility. That was your case, but I don't think that's the case. I don't either. Does anyone give up draft equity? Yeah. And by the way, Chris Listeram, this basically moves money forward as all of us is. So what that said, man, let's say good afternoon to Grant. Grant, good, good win today. What a salvage one. And who is this a song, Kim guy? Yeah, it's a guy that apparently just comes through with the big hits when it feels like you need them the most. And the one today, I mean, I'm not going to sit here and tell you that this... It's all quite like the sweep of the Dodgers because this series really felt like the polar opposite of how you were feeling there, but hot sun, Kim coming through with a big hit on the Albi's,

18:53a pinch hit, a day off for him, a rare day off. It was at least until the eighth inning. He comes through with a with a big triple and is able to help get the braze jump started. Mike Dostremsky, Austin Riley, hot sun, Kim. If you had those guys, this is the ones who'd be the heroes of this series, you're probably lying to me, but it takes everybody, right? They can't always just be on Ronald the Cuny Jr. or Metal, or Drake Baldwin, or some of the guys toward the top. You're going to have to get some other contributions. And this was a day where it started off kind of crazy too, because they had to scratch Lane Thomas. And now he's going to be heading to the IEL, so their depth takes a hit. A lot of different things were happening today, but lost in all of... And what shouldn't be lost in any of this is how well Martín Perez pitched. And I'm just going to ask you about that because he bounces back from a tough outing against Philly up there and does a fantastic job. Seven strong innings. And I know yesterday you'd mention, hey, if we go to a third starter, Grant Holmes, but sort of by committee, but Martín Perez, you know, getting his hat back in that ring. Yeah, absolutely. And it's not to take anything away from Martín Perez's candidacy before that,

19:53but you know, coming off the Philly start. And he said, like, I'm not somebody who benefits from being in a six-man rotation or having a week between starts. That just... It's not a thing that helps me. And he has also backed it up by saying, look, I am the employee. I understand our plan. I know what we're doing. It's just that's not the ideal situation for him. And I appreciate the veteran kind of just letting you know that that may have been one of the factors that dealt with him just being flat out rusty in the first inning against the Philly's, because that's really what it looked like. Whereas with the raise today, it just seemed like he was attacking. He was around the zone. The raise had some insane bad-a-ball look in the series. And that speaks to the kind of team that they are because they like to put it in play, put pressure on the defense. We saw the way they run the bases, all of those things. And Martín Perez, I mean, you can look up and down that lineup. There are a couple of names there that you're thinking, okay, I don't want to let this guy beat me. But he's Circle Simpson's name on the lineup and says, I'm not going to let that guy beat me with his legs. And he didn't. He turned a huge double play early on. And they were able to get him with another close play at first base later in the game. So just some big plays were made. And the pitches were made.

20:53Seven scoreless innings from Martín Perez. And as we've gotten down the stretch here and saw that AJ Smith's showover is struggling. And the Bryce Elders going to miss the rest of the regular season. You can't have your rotation fall apart before you get to the postseason either. So this was a huge win, huge performance by him. It gives the Braves a four game lead in the division with the three games coming up against the Phillies. But the Braves also have the tiebreakers. So if you look at the lead, you can really do four plus one because the Phillies cannot win the season series from the Braves. Rice Eld gives up the homer. And Mike always talks about, you know, I just wish we have. He wobbles. That's it. The phrase I'd nervous. Yeah, he wobbles, but he comes through and the bullpen. This is the question I'm getting to grant is if we can get this bull pin and by the end of the month looking like we thought it might. How much of a benefit is that going to be heading into these playoffs? Honestly, when you had Robert Suarez back in, I look at the bull pin as a strength of this club all year long. I mean, being one out Suarez for the last two plus and almost three months now, that wasn't part of the plan.

21:57Certainly he was the premier acquisition. You wanted to have him and tandem with rice elegant, laced this and that might have been able to take some pressure off of right cell being the only guy getting the save ops down the stretch. Did your point is it's done a nice job with that, but at least for the first this was the first run that right cells allowed in eight appearances. I didn't think it was a particularly bad pitch. Sometimes the hitter just goes down and gets gets one and that's what Victor Mesa did today. So you kind of just be happy that the braze offense scored you three months instead of just the one because the wins all count the same. But I think by and large rice elegant, laced this does continue to get the job done. I think we all remember what a heart attack it was in 2021 with a lot of these will Smith save opportunities. And then that whole thing just kind of worked itself out down the stretch because to your point and to the betterment of the club. It was the entire group of the bullpen that just kept delivering the big performances and I think that they have the personnel in place to do that whether you're looking at rice elegant, laced this and bring back Robert Swarez and did your flint as Dylan Lee look better last time out.

22:57They brought over Brent Souter who I think is an underrated multi inning piece for this bullpen Dylan Dodd has been terrific this year as well. He could even look at a guy like Ray Kerr at somebody who's auditioning to have an opportunity to get into this bullpen mix. And then of course, you know, yeah, it's whereas back in and that could just make this whole thing a whole lot stronger and we haven't even talked about well what starter could help out the bullpen because you think you've list out those names and you feel pretty good about reverse engineering just about any game. I hate the way baseball goes with that, but you know, in the best of five. Okay, I can deal with it. I do it's bored on an necessity. Graham McColley is with us bunch of by Mark Spain also shout out to Walt Weiss. We talked a lot about Aussie struggling and he pinch hits Aussie for Dominic Smith and Aussie triples and then Riley and oxen me to get the first one started in the eighth. Yeah, and sometimes you just have to, you know, I guess move a couple of pieces around the board. I mean, Aussie obviously has been a part of some big moments this year, but after the hot start to the season, it's kind of been a grind for him. I know he wants to be out there every day, especially when you consider all the time that he's missed and I do think at second base, he's the guy that you want out there, but offensively speaking, you certainly want to see these kind of moments that we saw today for him and for

24:06Austin Riley for that matter. I did see in the series some encouraging swings, particularly for metals and as well. So hopefully some things are going to start to fall for him and he's going to start to get going again because there's just some things right now that aren't really clicking for the braves that I don't expect to maintain there or stay that way. But can you get yourself all together at one time all rowing this thing in the same direction and if they do, you know, they've got the personnel on paper and as much as we can look at this guy or that guy or the other guy off the bench and the seventh or eighth reliever in the bullpen. Yeah, they all have a role to play, but your stars are going to have to play like stars if you want to do the things that you're trying to do here to close out the season, win this division, grab a wildcard by and also, by the way, win some games in October for the first time in a minute. Grant, we talked to the general manager, Alexander, plus just a week ago about the the ground trade not going down what we didn't know and we found out according to Mark Finsan who reports, MLB is that they were shopping Spencer strider to the Rangers and I doesn't surprise me.

25:07Does it surprise you? No, and I had actually heard this. I'm surprised that we had not talked about this around the trade deadline. I did discuss it on the show and some other other spots, I guess, but yeah, that's one of the things that I heard that there was Spencer strider involvement. I also heard that that was not necessarily involved. Maybe it was something that was floated, but I don't know what the final iteration of this trade look like, but it does make some sense if you're trying to look at the entirety of the braze payroll structure. And where they could have made themselves better, you would think, well, if the ground is healthy and able to pitch for us this year and the Rangers want to move that salary, which is considerable. They are going to take on some salary and maybe they look at Spencer strider as an upside guy who could bounce back for them next year in some capacity. So that I think was what that deal would have looked like. What other involvement there was, prop prospects and other things. I'm not really sure, but it really sounded to me like it with what Mark Finsan was saying that this was more of the monetary component. Of how a trade like this would have to work the braids would want to move off some salary. Yes, we know they had the money that was freed up by the pro far suspension that they could also kind of push into the deal to cover the cost of the ground, who I think is 35 million dollars if I'm not mistaken next year.

26:21So it would have been a considerable pickup, not just for the stretch drive, but also taking on the ground contract on the whole. All right, the matchups for this Philly sees we get what sell Mally Grant homes. Is that right? Yep, that's the three you're going to get. It's all going to start tomorrow as the braids and Philly's get this thing going at true as part because you are going to get Chris sale and Aaron Nola who was terrific against the braids last time out. And then the braids are going to have to go head to head with Jesus Luzardo. That will be Tyler Mally start and his Grant homes and Andrew painter in the finale painter is a younger picture in here. So that does mean we miss Zach Wheeler in this rotation this time around. So that could be a plus, but you're still going to have to face some horses to starting rotations of strength for the Philly's, but I guess if you look at it with the three guys that you won't go into the mouth of the braids. It is sale and Mally and Grant homes, especially coming off what Martin Perez was able to give you with some momentum heading into that series. All right, Grant. Great stuff, man. As always brave salvage one today. Big series with the Philly's over the weekend guys. We'll talk tomorrow. Thank you so much. Sounds great. Thanks, guys.

27:21All right, man. We're going to get back into the Falcons conversation. Lots of thoughts and comments on our social media page and certainly on the text line. We got time for you to call in. What are you doing if you're Kevin's to Fansky 4047 260929. The guy that should be your franchise quarterback is inactive. He's recovering. The guy you brought in today hurt his oblique. We're not sure if he's going to be available. You have an undrafted free agent in Jack Strand and you've got Cooper rush. Remember they kept four quarterbacks on this roster and everybody said, Oh, that's dumb. Is it 4047 260929. What are you? What are you going to do if you're Kevin's to Fansky? It's Duke's and Bell. I don't have that in front of me today. Hey, I arrived almost here. Are you ready? Just grabbing my shoes. That's what you said 10 minutes ago. I just wrapped the video call uploading this giant file on my tablet, looking at my watch group and Nana's with the group chat and of course still lining up tonight's playlist on my phone.

28:25All at once? Yep, story of my life. That's why I switched to T-Mobile. They have the fastest 5G network. Okay, multi-tasker. I see you. Honestly, I never imagined I could do all this at once. It's awesome. Say no more. I'm totally switching. My post is taking way too long to upload. That's a sign you've got to get T-Mobile. So many reasons to join T-Mobile. Find yours at T-Mobile.com. Fastest based on analysis by Uclav Speed Test Intelligence, the data of national speed school results in incorporating 5G download and upload speeds for the first half of 2026. Gear from MLBshop.com helps you show everyone what team you're with before you even say a word. So people start asking you things, locals and fans know like you with the crew, you from the D, you go to high school, you're dad put you in brown and gold, you see skins gone? You get your dodged dog. You see big dumpers 60. Do you see him put bloody in the jacket? How about 47? You see judges 62. Show his 50, 50. The gear sets it all.

29:33Cut from the city. Go to MLBshop.com. MLB trademarks used with permission. Would you look at that? It's time for some of our favorite snapple real facts. Real fact 1433, tow wrestling is a competitive sport. Real fact 732, the chicken is the closest living relative of the Tranasaurus Rex. And, real fact 1599, a man once ate an entire airplane. Yowch, did he have any hot sauce? So anyways, this has been a refreshing break brought to you by Snapple. Real T, real juice. We're snappes and empty refreshing! Why does it feel like nobody really gives us the inside scoop? Join us on the powers that be. The podcast where insiders from Pock break down who has influence how they use it and what it actually means for you. New episodes every weekday. Listen to the powers that be wherever you get your podcasts. It's funny, you've got all the answers and then when I say hey, we're taking your calls. Nobody's calling Mike 404-7-6. You're going to mix. Oh, no, tonight. What are you doing if you're Kevin Stofansky? And don't say, well, you know, I play pinnocks. He's inactive. That's the problem here.

30:40He's not ready, guys. He's 97.5% ready. And until we fill that 2.5, we just can't get across the finish line. So we got to wait. Dayday says, you know, you just can't push it. The man knows when he's ready. And that's just the way it is. I mean, sure in the old days, you get cleared by the doctors. You say, I'm out there, coach. But you know, it's not the way it works in 2026 for everyone else. I'm going to have to get as a cat in the house. Yeah. All right. 404-7-2-6-09-2-9. I am going to roll the dice. You're going to do it. You know, say it. And I'm starting to act strange. And I'm just going to roll the dice, Mike, and say, you know what? He's got all the tools. The problem is, guys, you got to get him some reps. But at the end of the day, like, we're going short-handed anyway right now. He's the backup technically. If Cooper Rush starts this game, then Strand is going to be your backup. That's it. I mean, the thing is, oh, today, and that's why I mean, as much as I like what you're saying, and a lot of guys agree with you, is as soon as this thing became what it was today, it was just Cooper Rush.

31:43Next up, you get all the reps and Cooper Rush. That's the pecking order. You know, you'd have to make a concerted effort. Look, Jack Strand is on this roster because somebody in the organization should see something. Yes. You know, that is Matt Ryan. Correct. You know, I think it's Matt Ryan. I like to think you know, or it's as we learned earlier in the week, it's a consensus. They have a collaborative effort with the general manager and the head coach. Do you think at any point Matt went, not, I don't like this kid. I don't think he's any good. But you guys go ahead and keep it. I just I mean, but they see something in him. And so if you see something to have him on the roster at the, you know, and again, guys will lose their minds about Zach Harris into some of the other guys who became that 54th man with the roster. It's, it's like, well, if you're, if you feel you can start to see with them, why couldn't you? I mean, you've, you've, you've almost made the argument for you to do it. Because you see something and it would be a hell of a look. It's going to be a, be some mistakes. It'll be trial by fire in Pittsburgh. But I'd rather, I'm with you. I would rather see Stranding. I mean, my number one guy would be Michael Panic Studio. That option's not available to us.

32:44Let's start with Danny on in North Atlanta. Danny. Thanks for listening to sports video 92 9 the game. What would you do? I just got to tell you guys after being a Falcon fan 61 years. This is the year I jumped off the wagon and a bit the Falcon still lose 10 games. Come on. Come on. What's, where's your fighting spirit? Now you're quit after after 283. Now you quit 60 years. He said, yeah, this is, this is the straw that two are going with his back. And this is the straw that breaks the camel's back part of the pun. Quarterback. Go to jail. But no, no, no, no. Yeah. We had a proud Mike Vick in the who's scowl. The great joke. I mean, Patrino put lockers. Let me know. Hey guys, I'm going to call those hogs homes. Zooey. Yeah. But this is the, this is the move. It's interesting because there is a lot of history that we don't want to talk about or that we've lived. I get it. But you know what, man, like, I'm asking you what would you do? We got a game Sunday. We got to show up. What gives you the best chance to win?

33:50And that's what we're talking about. And by the way, I look, a banged up oblique against this defense does not help us. If in fact, it is that guy, if it is that serious, Mike, it may not be. He may be back out there tomorrow. But I doubt it. No. The way he looked in the preseason, it drew a lot of attention. I talked about nationally. And I found that working as PN. But you know, going up against the third string of the Colts is not going up against TJ Watten Company. That's the thing. Although he would at least. And Stefan being, but there's a thing is too late in the game now. It's already Thursday. Cooper rush got the reps. I mean, Friday and then you fly up there. That's it. I mean, you just hope he's ready. I mean, nobody wants to wish an injury and Cooper rush because he's brilliant. He's a fast study. Mike, he'll pick this up. By the way, for those that asked Michael Penex Jr. If he wanted to, he could go to the cup. I mean, they could activate him up to 90 minutes before the game. It again. That's not going to happen. He put in that pressure on this man. He's not going to do that. I mean, you know, I mean, you know, the hero, you know, being the man. You have to be in the cap. They don't need no me. It's kind of time on our tradition. You know, like coming to the rescue guys. I'm ready. I wasn't ready. But you know what? By God, I'm going to I don't want to see this team going to ask us kicked up in Pittsburgh and put me in their coach. I'm ready to rock and roll. Let me get this straight. So it's okay for a guy with a potentially bad oblique to sit it out, but a guy coming off his third ACL injury. How bad is he? You know what? Now, you know what? Now that I think about it. You know what? I'm going to go ahead and go out here and jump.

35:17I get my future. Yeah. I mean again. Now where's his future? This future with some other team? I was up for the future of the Falcons. Maybe it will be because I don't give my he's not relating all of that. I don't give a crap about my professional players. Yes. Again. No, not really. He's played 12 games. Not really. You know, I show him Halloween November 1st. It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. Well, that's just good. It doesn't matter. That is career is not going to be with the Atlanta Falcons because they will not take up his pitch. And best believe he, his agent, his new wife, they all understand that. So the massive money, the only money you're going to make is off that first, the first four years of your contract and everything else is going to be wearing a baseball hat and making four or five. You don't know that. If he ends up on another team, he could end up barlling out. Yes. As long as, but if he, especially if he fully recovers, like, look, it's a gamble for everybody because the at the Falcons, the Falcons too are saying, look, we're going to give you the time. To your point earlier, Carl, we're going to give you the time. Tell us when you're ready. But guess what? When you ask kids on the field, you better show out. If not, we're cutting ties and you can go figure it out.

36:27So is it 94.5? It doesn't matter. 97%. I'm just curious. I'd like to see a flow chart on. No one a guy is really ready to go. You know, 544, you can start the clip right there. Let's talk to Vincent Riverdale. Vents, what are you doing in this situation? This is where we're at right now. It's Thursday. Things could change. What are you doing? Hey, man, I think we just got to stay professionals, man. I hate to be the cliche, but it's next man up. So we see otherwise, man. I think I think it's just one game. I think Michael be ready next week, man. And I think they were really throwing in the towel, but we got to be a run heavy. I'll say I'm talking if I can get 60 plays running me before 40 of them play. Well, that's what I think the game plan was going to be even with two. Who are the quarterback? This is this is my debate. This is my, my, my, my issue with this for everybody says strand may not be ready. And he may not be. Oh, he's not getting the reps. We know that. But the game plan was going to be the same whether it was strand rushed or a two.

37:32So why not run the guy out there who has more scapeability can take a hit mic, at least what we've seen. Right. And can stretch the field. Like at least he'll throw a deep couple of times, man. We'll see what happens. But that's why I'm like, you know what? At this point, I have nothing to lose. And by the way, nobody now is expecting us to go up there and win this game. I mean, the numbers moving up as we speak Steelers with 13th against the run last year average in 113.1 yards again. That comes after 4.3 toats. It's not a bad average. I mean, like I said, B. John, as we talked about yesterday with the beat writer from the athletic in Pittsburgh. And B. John is is, it's like, you know, you can't stop them. We've seen some teams slow him down. You know, most effective probably was at San Francisco game last year. Yeah, that's true. All right. Kenneth and Duluth. You're up next on sports radio. 92.9 again. What are you doing, Kenneth? In this situation. What are you doing? Hey, guys, it's Keith, but I'm sorry. I think it's obviously strand because Mike is right on it. The Falcon's future quarterback is in the draft next year. That's obvious to everyone.

38:38The one thing I haven't heard one thing of guys, I keep hearing panics. Is it ready mentally, physically? Maybe he's not ready because he couldn't practice all year. He doesn't know the playbook. It's not ready to run the office. I mean, all we know is he could do the 7 on 7, which is in 11 on 11. And that's something that has been brought up. But he's got the mental reps. So Fansky said he's done everything they've asked of him, you know, in his preparation. But I mean, I can't speak to that because we, you know, and so Fansky is said that Mike, they've been in communication. Carl's point about where he is with his body and there's no like surprises. If anything, the Falcons probably let Michael speak too much to the media about where he is. Cause now we're inside his head. Yeah, I don't mind that though. I said it yesterday. I don't mind him being honest because at least you know where you stand. Look, if you hadn't heard from his mouth, I'm not ready. You would be killing him right now. So I'm okay with that. Tell us the truth. And then we have to live with it. I'm fine with that. But this idea like if he didn't say that and just said, man, you know, when they ready to put me out there, put me out there. You would be killing Stefansky. You'd be killing Matt Ryan. Cause you'd be saying, that's the reason why they're holding him back. We now know that's not it. It's him.

39:56Okay. So now the onus is on Michael pinnocks to let us know when he's ready. This is just a weird situation, man. And now I just got the craziest text message, Mike. What you got? And this is this is where we are. This is this is the craziness. Why don't we go sign camp? Would you stop it? Come on. Go sign camp. Yeah, man. I mean, then then both guys get say that I read it. But this is what I'm talking about. Oh my God. I'd rather see Matt Ryan sign a one day contract and play on Sunday. How many games are going to win this? Seven. So I it's a gap here. And that's why day days right. And I'm wrong. Mike, you take all the time in the world. It just doesn't matter. Why do I even pay for my PSL in my season tickets? It doesn't matter. Another year or another year, not making a playoffs, making nine. You need even more like a doll. What do we care? You know, why do we why do we follow this? Why do we live and die for the Falcons? You know, we get around to it.

41:01Seven. Right now. Yeah, I mean, we're we just how are we going to scheme the past rush? Are we going to have to blitz it? Get the past rush? Can the old G's do the past rush thing? You know, I love Kendall Daniels. I love Perkins. I'm curious to see what over he's good with linebackers, but you know, you're bringing a guy like Zadaria's. I mean, it's he's old to do. I mean, these are guys that are just it's hard to envision, you know, that production. You're not going to replace it. Now the good news is, well, probably be better against the run. You know, and you're going to help your young linebacker Corks. We got some big bodies up front the middle. Like you said, seven right now. Does it mean that never goes up? You think? Well, he said if pinnets is back sooner than later. I mean, I mean, that's what I think. Why am I being such a PRI is because I want to see panics out there. I want to see what this guy's all about. You know, because I didn't see what I thought I wanted to see because Zach Robinson was an idiot. Because he Morris screwed the pooch with his assistance and everything was a trafic. He going all the way back to font. No. I want to see what a really good offensive coordinator with a really good staff can do with Michael Penning's junior to make him the quarterback. We thought he was going to be.

42:02And I'd love to see that start Sunday, but I got away. All right. By the way, if you're tuning in and you're going guys, what is going on to is questionable now after tweaking his oblique at practice today. That's where this starts. And it happened literally as we came on the air. So that is why we're even discussing the idea because some of you're like, what are you guys talking about? Jack Strand. Well, he's your emergency quarterback. Cooper rushes your backup. So with the questionable tweaking of his oblique, he did not take first team reps today. They gave those to Cooper rush. And so now it's Thursday. Tomorrow's Friday guys. That's the last real preparation day. They'll do meetings and all kind of stuff as they get up there on Saturday. But when you talk about being on the grass and preparing tomorrow's it. And so now you're looking at a situation where two on Monday and then they were off Tuesday. Wednesday was supposed to be preparing. Now this is the hiccup. And that's why we're talking about this. And again, if we get to work tomorrow, which Quinn peaks in Bucket, and we find out that Cooper rush was splitting reps. With Jack Strand, then okay, but that won't happen. And they don't even do that tomorrow because they're traveling.

43:06Saturday, they'll try. Yeah. I mean, but tomorrow's just a walk through. It's not even like there's nothing. There's nothing that you would see that would give you any idea about somebody leapfrogging somebody on a depth chart. Well, they're going to work, Mike. I mean, Friday is a work day. I don't think they'll be walking through on Saturday. I think tomorrow they're trying to again make sure everybody's on the same page of this damn game plan. You got two days before a kickoff Saturday when they get up there, all that other stuff will happen. But I just think like that is a big deal when you start talking about how do I give this offense confidence? Who gives us the best chance to win? Hey, obviously, I think it's Cooper rush. It's the picking order right now. If it was me, I'd roll the dice. I mean, you know what the ceiling is with Cooper rush. You have you have some hope for Jack Strand. That's where it's at. That's why so many folks are fired up about trying to see the guy out there. All right. You know, which ill will about Cooper rush. But yeah, I mean, two of you know Sunday. If I can't get Michael Patix, I want to see Jack Strand. All right, man. We are at Twin Peaks tomorrow. Come on out and hang up with this Chris got a full show tonight by the way. Two hours. Oh, he's got we've got the game. That's right. Look at me. Tonight, you should like by the way. I'm just thinking of the ramps. No, I like the 49 is to cover the three and a half eight o'clock pregame kicks it 830. So Chris is on for two hours. We talked about that tomorrow. It's so crazy, Mike, because the game last night, we really didn't dive into it today because of what's going on with our football.

44:17I like Seattle never thought that Drew Lock could do what he did. And that defense just lights out and Drake may against winning teams is just not good. And boys, that's that been thrown around today on social media. All right, man. We're back at it tomorrow on a big Friday show. Let's get out here and clear through. We got to find a way to win those football games. Yes, we do coach. We do. We do, raw. You're right. Man, we're pulling from the vault of our former coaches right now. Kevin, we got to find a way to get up there and get this done. Can we get it done? Okay, wait till tomorrow. Answer that day. Great job. Exactly. Producing big go behind the glass. Our engineers, stay tuned. Toto's got you covered guys. Big shut out to our guest today as well. Tomorrow, I think Daniel Flick is going to stop by to talk some Falcons. We'll talk to Koon and we'll talk to a B Mac, our regulars guys. And we'll be out there talking about all the big games. Lots of interesting college football games this weekend, by the way.

45:18We'll break it all down for you tomorrow. Make sure you're here. Hey, Mike Bell. Clear throat. I saw this today. Why are we played in Australia? Because the NFL can. I mean, it's just a growth in the stuff that these guys that count the beans up at Madison Avenue, park Avenue, live for more money, more markets expanding the brand. But to play, you know, a big division game, which has serious playoff ramifications of 15 hour flight away. Hell, there's more talk about how you prepare for this one. He's been there a week. One team just flew in. I'm glad to see football, but I don't think no, we shouldn't be playing in Australia. It's too much. Yeah, I don't like it either. And by the way, the Madrid game, we lose a home game. Do we lose a home game? I know it's a great question. I know when you play is international games, somebody's losing a home game. Hey, man, as we talk about the Falcons. We can't get more frustrated. Just know it can't get any worse. Can it? We haven't even started the season. And it feels like we've got a lot of things that are unsettled and controversial right now. Hopefully things get settled out. And Mike, maybe we can win more than you anticipate. I keep thinking to myself, we're going to have either a similar record as we've had the last five years, which is about 500.

46:29Right. Part of me wants to believe that if Pinnix comes back and plays the way we think he can, that he gives us maybe a small advantage to win some more games. But to Mike's point, I don't know when that is. Hey, if you love the show, tell your friend. If you don't, you use all your sick days. Hey, our rides almost here. Are you ready? Just grabbing my shoes. That's what you said 10 minutes ago. I just wrapped the video call, uploading this giant file on my tablet, looking at my watch group bananas with the group chat, and of course still lining up tonight's playlist on my phone. All at once? Yep, story of my life. That's why I switched to D-Mobile. They have the fastest 5G network. Okay, multi-tasker. I see you. Honestly, I never imagined I could do all this at once. It's awesome. Say no more. I'm totally switching. My post is taking way too long to upload. That's a sign you've got to get T-Mobile. So many reasons to join T-Mobile. Find yours at T-Mobile.com.

47:36Fastest based on analysis by Uglospeed Test Intelligence, data of national speed score results in cooperating 5G download and upload speeds for the first half of 2026. Did you know that there are over 200 legends like Andrew Jones, Albert Kluvels, Felix Hernandez, and King Gryffy Jr. in MLB The Show 26? Collect them all and current all stars to build your perfect liner. MLB The Show 26 is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series XS and Nintendo Switch, rated E for everyone, officially licensed by MLB Players Inc. Would you look at that. It's time for some of our favorite Snapple Real Facts. Real Thack 1433, Toe Wrestling is a competitive sport. Real Thack 732, the chicken is the closest living relative of the Tranasaurus Rex. And, Real Thack 1599, a man once ate an entire airplane.

48:37Yowch, did he have any hot sauce? Yeah, so anyways, this has been a refreshing break brought to you by Snapple. Real Th, Real Juice. Whist up to the red machine! Hey, it's Jen Hatmaker. Here's what I've learned in midlife. Joy isn't the reward you earn after all the work is done. Joy is the work. That's what this new series on For the Love is all about. The sacred, yes. It's choosing delight, rest, and pleasure on purpose. Because saying yes to yourself, that's the thing that finally lets you fill your table with everybody else. Come find your sacred yes with me. Follow and listen to For the Love, wherever you get your podcasts.