The Musers - Troy Aikman

0:00Hi, I'm Sam Slayton, CEO of Sante Center for Healing. Now for 30 years, Sante Center has helped individuals and families find recovery from addiction and rediscover life. Left untreated, addiction is a fatal disease. Please find out more about Sante or talk with a counselor anytime at SanteCenter.com. Because somehow that's helping, you're googling weather reports from a stadium eight states away, and your screaming just throw it to them! Like you've got a direct line to the corner back! Oh, I love that. I honestly think that's the best part of sports. Not the outcome, the sweat. That stretch between making your pick and finding out if you're a genius. That is why I play. And for those of us who watch to sit up and not sit back, it's gotta be underdog. So this season don't just watch, lock in with underdog and give every game a pulse.

1:01Download Underdog to play Keep Your Million. Start with $1 million, make it through all 20 picks, and walk away with whatever's left in bonus funds. Underdog. Unleash your dog. Trading involves risk, including total loss of positions, content is promotional, and not a recommendation to trade. Terms apply. Promotion issued by affiliate. Whether you're new to the trucking industry or looking for a change from your current driving job, Schneider has an opportunity for you. Need a CVL? Take advantage of our company paid training and tuition reimbursement programs. Ready to advance your driving career? Check out Schneider's wide variety of driving job options that fit both your current needs and your goals for the future. Start or grow your trucking career at Schneider. See what we have to offer at Schneiderjobs.com. That Schneiderjobs.com When the moments in your life are too important to miss, you can trust O'Reilly Auto Parts to keep you and your plans on the road. Our professional parts people can test your vehicle's battery and even give it a charge if needed.

2:04In most cases, we can install your new battery for free. It's just one of the many services we provide at O'Reilly Auto Parts to ensure life's best moments don't find you stranded. Third days are huge here in the football season on this show because for the 25th year, he is back to talk Cowboys and NFL. It's the pro football hall of famer, member of the Cowboys ring of honor, three times Super Bowl champion and of course, member of the Monday Night Crew with Joe Buck. It is the great Troy Ackman and it's brought to us by eight brewing company and Globe Life Insurance. Morning Troy. Hey good morning George, 25 years. I was wondering how long it had been. Isn't that amazing? I think it's your 25th anniversary the ticket is going to send you a fake silver watch. Oh good. Yeah. It's just something cheap with our three faces on it.

3:07Yeah. The commemorate this. Yeah, you've probably felt all 25. It's gone really fast for us. We always enjoy this every year. It's pretty awesome. And here we are. We are underway in the NFL. And we'll talk about that game last night here in a few minutes. What are your thoughts on the Cowboys? The optimism seems to be off the charts around these parts and really around the country. It does seem like they've had a much better off season. But as someone told me a couple of weeks ago, hey, this is just how it's supposed to look for an NFL team. You're supposed to have good off seasons. And then you take your chances during the year. But what do you think of this team? Headed in. Well, I'm excited about it. And I'm looking forward to seeing how they open up the year and kind of how this season, I guess, unfolds. But yeah, I agree with most of what others have been saying as well. It has been relatively quiet. Obviously from last year, the big focus, of course,

4:11was, you know, how could they address the defense and make some moves there that would give them a competitive chance. And it appears that they've done that. I'm looking forward to hear down the road in a few weeks. We'll have the Cowboys against the Eagles, I believe. And looking forward to visiting with Christian Parker, I've never met him. But sure seems like he's had an impact on the defense already before they've even played a game. And I think that's good. I've said it a lot. I've done a few interviews and get asked a lot of obviously about the Cowboys. And, you know, I think the past that they have gone in the past when they've hired defensive coordinators and hiring head coaches that have a defensive background. And, you know, obviously, we know that those haven't always worked out that well. And then, and not that there was anything necessarily wrong with those hires. It just didn't work out. But I think sometimes when you, when you do bring in someone who hasn't done it before, who's young and ambitious and eager, the players feel that.

5:14And there's an energy that then permeates through that room. And I sense that that's kind of what's happened. But, you know, the rubber meets the road now. We saw the game last night. There's another one tonight. And all of these teams, I can't imagine there's not 32 teams in the league that came into this week feeling as though they were better than they were a year ago. And we all know not everyone is going to be better than they were a year ago. And there's going to be some teams that are highly disappointed. So the optimism is felt in every NFL city. And now you've got to go out and play. And so I think that's why all Cowboys fans and me included are excited to see what this version looks like, at least to kick off the season. Because the opening game, yeah, it is one of 17. We all understand that. But because when the schedule comes out, you have so much extended time to get prepared. Then when you go out and if you don't play as well as what you feel that you're capable of, it is a huge let down. It makes for a whole lot of urgency then going into week two. But

6:19I've said it, I think this game Sunday night, I think it's going to be a heck of a game. I mean, they all are, especially as I mentioned, week one because optimism is right and so high. But I think a lot of people around the country are looking forward to seeing what what John Harbott's done in New York too. And what we might see differently this early in the season from where they finished up last year. Dak Prescott has nicknamed this offense, Gotti, greatest offense there is. And they were really good last year. Is there any reason to believe that they won't be really good again this year? I've not heard that. No, I mean, you would, well, let me say this, it is a high bar for them to do what they did last year. I think you look at it and feel like, well, that's back. You've got CD and George and you've got the pieces in place to be able to continue to do what you did last year. And then health is a big part of that which they've already taken

7:19to hit this week. You know, the impact that that might have when you lose, you know, alignment of his quality. And will they be able to protect them? But yeah, I think you think that the possibility of that happening are good. But I've said it also during this off season that if the defense is if the defense is better than they were a year ago. And I don't know why I'm as optimistic as I am about the defense. I just feel like this defense is not only going to be better. I'm not saying they're going to be top 10, but I think they're going to be a group that people say, hey, this defense is good unlike last season. And if they are in that category, then in some ways it might be harder for the offense to be as good, even though they could very well be as efficient if that makes sense because they're not going to be playing from behind. You know, the approach would change if the

8:21defense is playing better. But I think if the offense can go out and put the kind of points on the board that they did a year ago and the defense can make a few extra stops, then you know, the sky's the limit as far as what this team can do. Talking Cowboys and NFL with Troy Ackman here on the ticket. This division, as you mentioned, everyone feels like, okay, we've addressed our problems here in the off season will be better. But it stands to reason that Washington and New York will be better in Philadelphia is still the team to beat. And man, with some of their road games that the Cowboys have, their schedule is tough. And that's another thing that you have to factor in. And maybe it's not as tough as we think now as it'll appear in November. But it does look like they have a tough road ahead of them. Yeah. And that is, you know, that is part of it. I think sometimes you get in a trap and it's natural for everyone to do it. When the schedule comes out,

9:23you look at it and you go off of the 2025 version of these teams and what those games might mean when they get played this year and who might win and what the record might look like. You guys do it, I know. It's a fun exercise, but it becomes challenging. Even, I mean, shoot, I haven't heard this morning as far as the severity of Sam Darnold's injury. But if he's out for an extended period of time, it changes some things within that football team. And I know Dallas plays that Seattle later in the year, which we have. So we hope that that game is meaningful, but you just, you just never know. But I think, you know, they're all hard. We all know that. But the Cowboys definitely have a challenging schedule and different stretches of the year. The Rams are one of the heaviest preseason Super Bowl favorites that we've seen in a while. Are you a believer in how good or great this Rams team is? Yeah, I am. I remember back, I remember

10:31when Daniel Snyder took over the Redskins back in the day and brought in Dion and a number of high-priced free agents. And that team was built to win the Super Bowl. And there have been others in other sports. It doesn't always work out. In fact, most of the time, it does not work out. You know, Stan Kronke and Kevin Demoff and Sean McBae and Les Nees, they're in Los Angeles. They have been really aggressive. I think, you know, people have commented, at least last year, when Jerry said, hey, I'm all in. What that meant, exactly. There's no denying when you watch the Rams, since Sean McBae took over his head coach. I don't think anyone could argue that I don't know, you can be more all in when they've traded so many of their first round picks to bring in veteran guys. And then what they were able to do to get, you know, Miles Garrett and Aaron Donald then out of retirement. And then they made the big trade for Trent McDuffy, the corner. And so, I mean,

11:35it is an all-star lineup. I think they've got a record number of captains. I think I saw yesterday, because I got so many, I got so many future hall famers on that team, you know, I do not make them a captain. But, yeah, typically I would not be someone who's that bullish on a team like that, but just knowing McBae the way that I do and the way that he operates and to hold it together, I like them a lot. Now, that division, I know immediately everyone's picking the Rams and I understand why, but then you've got Seattle, who's the defending world champs, and what they were able to do last year. And San Francisco and his competitive and his good and his well-coaches, they've been over the years. So just getting out of that division alone is going to be something. But I do like them. And then you're relying on, you know, you think back to last year at this time, Matthew Stafford, we were unsure whether he would even make it into week one and make it through the season because he's dealing with back injuries and seemed pretty serious what he'd gone through

12:40and training camp. And yet he goes out and has an MVP season. So like every team, like Dallas with Dac, can Matthew, I believe, is 38, can a 38 year old quarterback make it through another season and stay healthy? Not that he has to be the MVP of the league like he was a year ago, but he's going to be obviously a big part of the success of that team. You mentioned Sam Darnold injured last night for Seattle. They end up beating New England 1310. The latest that we saw, it was a CT scan last night that was inconclusive, but encouraging MRI today. Man, what do you, if he is out for a long period of time, how a crushing that must be to the defending Super Bowl champs? Crushing. Yeah. No question. I mean, I do think it's not and it's easy for me to sit here and say this and I and every team understands

13:44it. And then it's just kind of what are you able to do about it within the structure of your roster that the quarterback position is so important to the success of any team that when you are a contender or you believe that you are and clearly Seattle is a contender, they're the defending champs, that you kind of owe it to the rest of the roster to have a competent backup that can step in and win some games. Now, if you lose a starter for an extended period, you know, it's challenging then to have a backup that can come in and play at a high level that can carry on the expectations of what the team had with the starter. But yeah, it's a it's a major blow and that that team is so well put together with the defense that they have and the skill players and the confidence as an organization that they came into this year with. Just just hated to see it and not to mention I'm a big fan of Sam's, you know, and what he was

14:45what he was able to do not just last year but also in Minnesota considering how his career began and the resiliency that he showed and the toughness and I and he's not been scarred by any of it, you know, the guy is he's an impressive young man who I'm thrilled that he was able to win a Super Bowl last year and I just hope that he is okay. I was I was I was fearing the worst that I'm hopeful that what you just reported is accurate and he's not going to be out very long. The first Monday night football match up for you and Joe. Broncos chiefs great AFC rivalry. Are you expecting a chiefs bounce back this year? You know, I am, you know, anything that has Patrick my home, it's hard not to expect that but this is a little bit of a different team than then maybe we've seen probably a little more on the defensive side of the ball. They've they're relying on they were over the cap almost $60 million

15:46when the offseason rolled around so they had to make some tough decisions. One of which is what I alluded to a moment ago when they made the trade with Trent McDuffy and the Rams. I mean as good a corner as there is an all football and in a young all pro and yet they dealt them now they got some picks and they picked some young players that they think will help them off of that trade but Spagnolo's defense they've got some younger players this year from what they've had in the past lost some key guys with been key contributors to some of those Super Bowl teams and then offensively the offensive line they did not address in the offseason they did not draft an offensive line. I mean they've already announced their left tackle. Second year player first rounder from a year ago is not going to play on Monday night. They've got an undrafted free agent rookie who's going to be starting at left tackle and and so they've they're they're going through some things on the offensive side of the ball as well as they start this season trying to protect a quarterback who

16:47had a major knee reconstruction and the fact that he's able to make week one is is pretty impressive as well but I do expect them to bounce back two years ago two years ago I believe they were like 11 and 0 in one score games and and from one year to the next things tend to fall back to the middle and last year that was the biggest difference in their season besides losing Patrick Mahomes in December was that they they didn't win those games they were like two and seven or two and eight or something in one score game so they weren't able to win the close ones and ultimately that decides the season but that division as well you know the NFC West and the AFC West are two divisions that are as good as any in football and as good as Denver was this last year as the number one seed and going all the way to the AFC championship game and probably a injured quarterback away from reaching the Super Bowl by most people that follow the league they've got Denver picked to finish

17:51third within the division behind in both Kansas City and and the L.A. Chargers so this is an exciting one for two teams that expect to be really good expect to be there at the end of the year and to open up on Monday night football and week one within the division it's a big statement game for both teams well it ought to be interesting we've got two teams playing in Australia tonight full schedule on Sunday and then y'all's game Monday ought to be really interesting it's good to kick off the season again with you thanks you got it guys have a great week all right you too there goes the great Troy Ackman and Joe Buck will have the Broncos and the chiefs on Monday night football real sports fans we are completely irrational I'm not going to check my pick every five minutes sure I'm not going to over react to the first drive yeah right I'm not going to crash out in the group chat good luck buddy that's why I love having something on the line it turns us all

18:52into complete lunatics in the best possible way suddenly you're rooting for a backup tight end you've never heard of because he needs 12 more yards you're switching seats in the house so you don't jinx the quarterback because yeah that's logical that's sports that's what underdog gets it's not just about the outcome it's about every second every yard until the final whistle blows download underdog to play keep your million start with one million dollars make it through all 20 picks and walk away with whatever's left in bonus funds underdog unleash your dog trading involves risk including total loss of positions content is promotional and not a recommendation to trade terms apply promotion issued by affiliate truck drivers the holiday rushes here now is the perfect time to become a Schneider team truck driver Schneider team drivers can earn over four thousand dollars in incentives when they work between November 2nd and December 23rd Schneider team drivers also enjoy no touch freight access to Schneider's newest equipment and sign on bonuses

19:53up to twenty thousand dollars need a driving partner Schneider will help you find one don't let the holiday rush pass you by applying now at Schneiderjobs.com that Schneiderjobs.com Hey it's Andreath here back to school is here and that means getting back into routines and packing lunches at superior grocers we make it easy with fresh fruits, crisp veggies and soft freshly break bread that makes every sandwich better and don't forget a little treat a cookie or some pandosa goes a long way at lunchtime make morning simple and shopping smarter download the spear grocers app for weekly ads and digital deals superior grocers quality variety and value.

20:57Oh I love that I honestly think that's the best part of sports not the outcome the sweat that stretch between making your pick and finding out if you're a genius that is why I play and for those of us who watch to sit up and not sit back it's gotta be underdog so this season don't just watch lock in with underdog and give every game of polls download underdog to play keep your million start with one million dollars make it through all twenty picks and walk away with whatever's left in bonus funds underdog unleash your dog trading involves risk including total loss of positions content is promotional and not a recommendation to trade terms apply promotion issued by affiliate