Get some facts and come back and Seebee. Get some facts and come back
and Seebee. Don't throw out salaries or other things. Get some facts and
come back and Seebee. You can't handle the true now told our players you
need a bit more like a dog. We don't need a bunch of cats
in here looking in the mirror. But I look good. I got my
extra bands on, I got my other shoes. Be a doll. We
don't need no meals, we don't need no cats. We need more dogs.
They are out a detainer. Ah, you're not that detained. We
weren't good. There's no sense of asking me things about the game. I'm
telling you. We laid an egg. So I'm not gonna break it down
for you. He sucks, he sucks, but we laid an egg.
That's all I have to say. Guys, I'm sorry. I'm not gonna
break it down for you. Nothing went well for us. It's on us.
We have to figure it out every way eighty down. If you broke
it down, could you really comprehend everything that John Twrtorola was just referring to,
Welcome to the final hour of Exes and bros. Glad you're with us.
Our pull question on Twitter and on Facebook. The Facebook is Exes and
Bros. The Twitter account is XB Mornings. Here's what it is. Which
National League pitcher should start the All Star Game? Should it be Paul Skeens
of Pittsburgh, Should it be Chrisale of Atlanta? Or should it be other?
We'll give the results on Monday in the eight o'clock hour. The reason
we asked that is because Paul Skeens did something special again last night in a
one nothing Pittsburgh win in Milwaukee. Skimes through seven innings of no hit ball
fourth pitcher since eighteen ninety three with two outings of ten strikeouts or more and
no hits. His one point nine to zero ERA this year since his debut
on May eleventh is the best in the National League. His eighty nine strikeouts
with thirteen of those by the way on one hundred miles an hour fastballs,
are the most in the major leagues. He's the only qualified starter without a
loss since May eleventh. He's unbelievable. He had a note hitter, as
we mentioned in Milwaukee through seven innings and he was pulled after ninety nine pitches.
They still won the game. He is dare I say that cliche is
is he must see TV. If Justin Verlander used to be must see TV
and he was, do you think Paul Skens is he sure seems like he
is. I will say this, I think a guy becomes that guy when
those without a rooting interest in the Pittsburgh Pirates are looking at the box score,
are seeing how he did, are seeing when he next pitches. I
think that's the way it used to be for Justin Verlander. I think that's
the way it used to be for Max Suther. I know that's the way
it used to be for Bob Gibson and Denny McClain back in the day,
Nolan Ryan back in the day, Steve Carlton. I'm not thrusting Paul Skeins
into that greatness just yet, but he is a guy that I think most
baseball fans and even casual fans want to see the results of his start.
He's been awesome. Speaking of results, the Tigers gave you some yesterday.
Tip your cap to him. They beat the Guardians ten to one. They
won three out of the four. That's all you really ask for. Long
way to go, but a hell of a series for them. It's their
eighth ten run game this season, the most the franchise has had before the
All Star breaks since twenty sixteen. Who was really good? Riley Green was
really good, three hits, three RBIs. Matt Wierling was really good.
A couple of hits, and he's been perhaps the biggest pleasant surprise the Tiger
season. Geoe Orschella had a couple of hits in three RBIs. Suddenly they've
won six of seven, and you and I both feel like they should win
Game one of the series against the Dodgers that starts tonight. Because Tarrek Skouble
gets the start tonight. Kentamaieta shifted to the bullpen. That's a good thing.
Well, perhaps overdue, long overdue, but that's a good thing.
We were just just before the break, we were talking with Dave in Hudsonville,
who was a former coach, and we were kind of discussing parent involvement
a little bit. I used to go to practice all the time to watch
my kids, and I always I was always brutally honest when I coached my
kids. I can tell you this. My oldest can verify this. We
were playing a game on the road at night and I pulled my son.
I happened to be the defensive coordinator. I pulled my son, and my
son was pretty upset. But he wasn't playing very well. He was a
defensive end. He was just wasn't playing very well. So I pulled him.
I said, look, you'll go back in when you're ready to give
us everything you've got. And he was behind me while I was making some
play calls, and after a play he says, all right, I'm ready.
I said, no, you're not. That's the common theme when people
get pulled. All it takes him is a play and then they're like,
okay, now I'm ready. No, no, no, no. I
want you to sit and watch and truly absorb and get that hunger back and
understand what it takes. And one of his friends who was a linebacker,
and I rotated four rhymebackers in three spots because we played a four to three.
He said to him, he said, at least it's fair. In
other words, it's not just mean. You're his son, but he's still
pulling you. And I'm not making myself out to be some martyr or patting
myself on the back, saying those are some of the things that I think
sometimes today's parents forget They think, oh, you know what, my son's
the best, he's got to play all the time. No, No,
you've got to be honest with them. Sometimes it should be more difficult for
your kid to be the coach's son than not. There has to be a
higher expectation right. Too many times parents just I remember coaching baseball and a
dad showed up. He hadn't gone to one practice all year, and he
starts trying to coach his son from the batting circle, you know, from
the on deck circle. And I walked over to him between the fence.
I said, that's not happening here. I said, you haven't been at
a game all year, and you never come to practice, and that's because
you're busy. I can appreciate that. I understand it. We've been working
with your son, who wasn't very good by the way, But I said,
we've been working with your son really hard to gain his confidence, to
improve his confidence, and to help him with his baseball to swing. You're
not going to start coaching while he's in the on deck circle, I said,
watch and enjoy give him space. Sometimes it's better that you not coach
your son or your daughter. Trust me, my daughter didn't like it.
When I was running their off season programs when she was playing lacrosse. I
pushed and pushed and pushed, and I pushed her too, and it got
to be sometimes overwhelming, But you know what, it made her a stronger
individual. So I think what Dave is saying is a good it's a good
lesson. On the other hand, as a dad, going to as many
practice as I did, I also found where coaches would allow kids. You
got enough coaches instead of sitting like you're in doubles in the off season,
you got coaches centered around the middle of the field chatting it up while they
got guys cheating drills left and right. Kids know that those kids cheat the
drills. I see it. How come the coaches aren't seeing it and then
they reward the kids who were cheating the drills. You can't do that,
So there's got to be a balance. I'm not saying parents are always right.
They're not, but neither are coaches. And unless you have that rule
that fits everybody, then you're in danger of losing a program. Now,
if you had Micah Parsons on your team and he happens to be late for
a practice or two. Maybe you turn the either way because he's that good.
But if he's that good and he's your leader, you bring him into
your room and you say to him, hey, listen, you're my leader.
You're setting an example for everybody. I can't keep allowing you to show
up late to practice. You're better than anyone I've ever coached, but that
doesn't mean I can't bench you or not start you at the beginning of the
game. Because rules are rules. Kids notice that they recognize it. And
we're talking just kids here. We're not talking at the collegiate level, because
I don't know what it's like to coach at the collegiate level. And this
is so I love because I think every single college athlete or high school athlete,
they have that one coach they remember that left an impression on them.
So it's extremely important to make sure you make the most of it if you
get the chance to coach exactly right. And I hope the coaches feel the
same way, and I'm sure they do. I'm sure they do. The
good ones do, and the good programs recognize it, and the good programs
have that consistency that's what makes them so good. All right, we dive
into some football discussion. It's a good segue into some football discussion on some
of the best running backs and safeties are. Where are the Lions players on
those rankings? We get to that on the other side of ex'es and bros.
Across the great state of Michigan after this with Danzickerson, Hey, Tiger's
fans, A new baseball season means a new season on Michigan's favorite island destination,
Mackinawe Island, Baseball Spring and mackinaw Island things that return every year,
reminding us what a great state we live in. Shake off the winter blaus,
take in a game, and plan your trip to America's top summer destination,
Mackinawei Island dot org. The good offenses all have one thing in common.
They hit with power, and for the first time in a long time,
the Tigers are starting to hear with consistent power. The offense is starting
to smooth out the wild swings in production. Tigers have now hit twenty two
home runs in their last eleven games. Everybody's contributing teams are now starting to
pitch them differently, so the Tigers are countering by being aggressive ruling in the
account and not missing mistakes. They're putting constant pressure on opponents with lots of
base runners. They had forty two base runners the last three games against Cleveland
and scored twenty three runs. It's only eleven games, but the Tigers are
showing what the upside for this offense can be. Bill Simonson here from my
good friend Josh Garvey. Now he's a managing shareholder at Doorn Mayhew's Grand Rapids
office. Their world headquarters are in Troy, Michigan, on the east side
of the state, and they have locals all around the world. They have
over five hundred and fifty motivated accounting professionals ninety years in business, and I
mentioned the ten offices worldwide. So if you want to connect and partner with
one of the top CPA accounting and business firms in the world, they're right
here in Michigan, Dorn Mayhew's Troy office on the east side of the state,
and Josh Garvey is a managing shareholder for their Dorn Mayhew gr office.
Right there by the S Curve, you'll see the new Dorn Mayhew sign.
You can find out more just google Dorn Mayhew that's Doe rin m a y
Hwordorn dot com. They're one of Americas and the worlds top CPA accounting and
business firms. They're Dorn Mayhew. What's up, Michigan. You're listening to
my good friend shep. The Huge Show is coming up later today at three
right here on the Michigan Sports Network. Is this because it's a Friday?
I would assume so? Oh yeah, the weekend is in sight chef.
That's good stuff. Welcome back x'es and Bros. Monday through Friday from six
until nine. Yeah, Trent keeps us on our toes. There's no doubt
about it. I can't necessarily dance to that good tune like one used to.
Every day we have a Poe question for you. We put it out
on our Facebook page x'es and Bros. We put it out on Twitter XB
Mornings. We ask you to vote as often as you like today's question and
we'll have a result for you on Monday. Today's question is which NL pitcher?
Which National League pitcher should start the All Star Game in Texas? Is
it Paul Skins and Pittsburgh, Is it Chris Sale of Atlanta or is it
other Well yesterday's poll question was which of these events are you most interested in?
And we bring this up only because baseball dominates right now with fringe activity
in the other sports. Okay, like Jamie Bickerstaff being hired as a Piston.
That's a good that's good stuff. Free agency, that's good stuff.
But it's a short shelf life. And it's the same thing with these NFL
rankings that we talk about on a pretty regular basis. It's all good fodder.
But day to day, what are you watching? What are you following?
Your following baseball? But there are there other things in sports. So
we asked you which of these events are you most interested in? Euro Soccer
Championships, Wimbledon, which is down to the women's championship, the Scottish Open,
which just played round one, or the NBA Summer League, of which
most teams you do not know. I'm telling you right now. You look
at the Summer League like I watch I know, kind of geeky. I
watch parts of not all of it. I watch parts of the Lakers game
the other day. No, not for the name. I wanted to see
Dalton connect, so I look at Dalton Connect. He scored twenty points.
Just about every other player on that team. I had no flip, an
idea, no idea did you? I don't know? Anyway, That's why
we asked you the pole question. So what are the results, Trent Ballely
of that pole question from yesterday? Which of these events are you most interested
in? Euro Soccer Championships came away in first place with forty one percent of
the vote, Scottish Open with thirty percent, wimbled in with nineteen percent,
and the NBA Summer League bringing up the re at only ten percent. And
as always, we thank you for your engagement. Always vote on the question.
We do find this stuff very interesting. Shep how about the NBA taken
dead last? I guess yeah, it does surprise me a little bit.
I think I'm more surprised at the European Championships. I mean, can you
name the two teams that are playing for the title right now? It's Spain
and England and it's on Sunday at three o'clock. I'm a little anomaly because
my brother is a soccer nut, so he's had it on all week last
couple of weeks, so I've been following it a little bit. But I'm
with you. I'm a little shocked to see that a lot of people are
tuned in same. England was a pre tournament favorite co favorite. Spain is
one of four times England's there for a second straight year. Interesting though,
interesting results and thanks for participating. We do appreciate that. I'm going to
give you a name and tell me if you recognize it. Okay, all
right, Will Baker doesn't ring a bell. Piston's summer league roster played at
LSU. Dannis Jenkins no sir. Piston summer league roster six' three played
at Saint John's. See I look at this entire there's there's three names I
recognize. Three on the Piston summer league roster. Ron Holland should be Ron
Holland Jr. He's the first round pick. Bobby Clintman, he's who they
traded for. And Marcus Sasser, who played for the Pistons a year ago.
You and I both watch college basketball. I do not recall watching Aaron
Estrada at Alabama, but he's on their summer league roster. Anyway, let's
get in their summer league. By the way, the Piston Summer League starts
tomorrow against Philadelphia. We have a text let's get to the text. We
do, and there's a lot to chew on. It's a little long,
so bear with me, He says. Matt Manning has been jerked around the
last three years, up down, back up, then back down, holed
from starts early, and that kid has sandpaper to him. Probably no coincidence.
He's regressed. They should groom that kid to be the closer. He
has great one to two inning stuff. I have never seen an organization keep
young guys down in the minors four or five or even six years without ever
seeing a shot up north. Wow. Uh, good for you. I
love the passion. I would say. I don't know if he could be
a closer. It's an interesting thought. I haven't thought about him as a
closer. I thought about Alex Fayato is one, but he only has the
two pitches you have to as a close. You don't need a ton of
pitches. Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman two really good examples. You do not
need a ton of pitches. Here's what you do need to do. And
this is why I don't think Manning is a closer. You must command two
pitches. You must be able to throw either of your commanding pitches to any
hitter on either side of the plate, in any count. That's what you
need to be an effective closer at the major league level. So that's why
I don't think Matt Manning is a closer. That's number one. He does
not have an overpowering fac There's nothing in his arsenal that is elite. And
I think in order for you to be an effective closer, I don't care
who it is right now in the past, whether it be Craig Kimberrel who's
still pitching, whether it be Josh Hater, I don't care, Emmanuel Class,
I don't care. You have to be able to have something elite,
and you have to be able to command two pitches and throw it in any
count to any hitter. Okay, those are That is not a belief,
that is a fact. Matt Manning cannot do that. He has not been
able to do that. That's why Jason Foley's so effective. Okay, it's
an overpowering fastball. He's got at least one really good outpitch, all right,
and he gets ground balls. You don't get a ton of strikeouts.
You don't have to get a ton of strikeouts, but you've got to be
able to get outs. So I don't think Matt Manning can do that.
With that said, however, your frustration and keeping him down in the minors
is understandable. Now there's a part of me that says, well, you've
you've got to earn your your stay in Detroit is four and seven with a
five point eight e R earning your stay in Detroit, No, it's not
okay. Is two and three with a three point eight e R earning or
three point four e R A you're earning your stay in Detroit. That's better.
But no, it's not a bad option. It's not a bad option.
That's a fifth hard right on paper. Yeah, that's what he is
last year is a three point five e RA earning a stay in Detroit with
with five wins. I would like him more than I would like kentami Eta.
But there comes a point in time. There's comes a point in time
when you grow up. Is probably unfair, but you've got to start acting
like a starting pitcher every day. And he works hard. But there there's
no doubt about that. I've seen it firsthand. He's twenty six years old
and he's he's in triple a and he's not performing. It's not like he
hasn't had opportunities. I think that's why we, as Tigers fans and followers
of the team get so frustrated because I've tried to be in Matt Manning's corner,
but at some point you got to give me something. Man I agree.
Has he been given enough breathing room or space to fail and respond from
that? That's I think what perhaps the texture might be alluding to. We'll
talk more of that and get into some NFL discussion on the other side when
we wrap things up on X's and Bros. Right after this. Hot Deal
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complete rules and details huge here for the Michigan High squad Letic Association. You
can stay up to date on the latest from land Sing twenty four to seven
at MHSAA dot com, at MHSA on Twitter and MHSA on Facebook. The
latest news, press releases and stories connected to every high school in the state
of Michigan available for you twenty four to seven from the Michigan High School Athletic
Association. Log on to MHSAA dot com, at MHSAA on Twitter and MHSAA
on Facebook. And if you're looking for archive boys and Girls High School Sports
MHSAA dot tv. That's MHSAA dot tv twenty four to seven. Everything you
need to know about high school sports in Michigan, log on to MHSAA dot
com. I say this all the time to players and coaches who are new
to the state of Michigan. I tell them this state has more to offer
than you could ever imagine. Like there is a certain perception about our state,
but unless you live here, you can't truly appreciate it. And golf
courses is one of the things that I always bring up. There are so
many gorgeous goal courses in our state, including Tullymore, if you want to
go. I was talking with a buddy of mine about this just the other
day. I said, have you ever played Tullymore And they said no.
I said, you want to deal? I mean weekdays, you're talking about
ninety bucks, that's it. You're talking about fifty five for twilight for a
championship course Tullymore and Saint Ives. In addition to that, you get really
good food, you get a beautiful place to sit back and relax after your
round, and if you want to, you can rent or buy some property
nearby as well. It's got everything you could possibly imagine, especially the golf.
Go to Tullymore dot com today. Okay, we were talking about some
of the well, these lists that websites come up with, most of them
very informative, but it's worth talking about because well, when we started it
was remember was like defensive tackles for ESPN plus. Not everybody gets the plus,
but I do, and I wanted to share it with you. They
go over each position over an eleven day span, defensive tackles, edge rushers.
There's one edge rusher in there from Detroit, and obviously it's Aiden Hutchinson.
He is a top seven pass rusher according to executives. And that's the
whole key to this. This is not written out of opinion. This is
based off talking with executives, coaches, and scouts, right, And it's
also not fans, so popularity contests doesn't really play a factor. Yeah,
great point. Yeah, that's exactly it. So we went with defensive tackles
early on, and there were no defensive tackles for the Detroit Lions, so
Alim McNeil would be the first guy you think think of. There was nobody
there from a defensive end standpoint that really, quite honestly didn't get to yesterday.
Miles Garrett TJ. Watt. I'm going by memory here Micah Parsons,
Nick Bosa. For example, Max Crosby, former Eastern Michigan Eagle Aiden Hutchinson
was ranked sixth on that list. A guy named Trey Hendrickson, who I
really like Cincinnati was in the top ten. Well, you know what I
found interesting, Rashan Gary was an honorable mention. What I found interesting was
that Joey Bosa, who's with the Chargers while his brother is ranked fourth,
Joey Bosa got the also receiving votes, in other words, not considered in
the top ten or in the honorable mention category anyway. So that was the
edge rushers. Today, we're going to give you the running backs and the
safeties. So the running backs. How many Lions running backs? Let's face
it, there's only two? So why would I even say that? How
about I just say this, where do you think Kmir Gibbs is Jamiir Gibbs
And where do you think David Montgomery is? If either are in either the
top ten honorable mention are also receiving votes, where do you think executives and
coaches and scouts put them? This is so tough because they kind of they
split the carries so evenly that I don't think either one of them gets to
fully tap into what they could be doing on a worst team, like we
talked about the Giants the other day with Saquan Yeah, and behind that all
line everything, I'm gonna guess they're both in the Also received votes. Jamiir
Gibbs is ranked eighth. Ooh, I like it. Yeah, highest ranking
three, lowest ranking unranked, but the highest ranking. Wow, that stunned
me a little bit. Christian McCaffrey's number one. That doesn't surprise you,
does it. No, that's the highest ranking. His lowest ranking was four,
so no one thinks he's outside of a top five back. Yeah,
I'd love to talk to the guy who voted him for four. He's the
best back in the league with a sledgehammer in my opinion. Agreed. Bryce
Hall is number two, highest ranking two. Get this, lowest ranking unranked.
That's a big, big disparity. No, didn't get hurt last year,
right, Yeah? Nick Chubb is three, highest ranking one, lowest
ranking unranked. Sakwon Barkley highest ranking two, lowest ranking ten. He comes
in at number four overall. Number five is Jonathan Taylor from the Colts.
Highest ranking two, lowest ranking unranked. Little surprising by that. Injury an
issue. B John Robinson, He's ranked six, highest ranking, one lowest
ranking unranked. It's interesting considering he's, you know, just gonna dive into
a second year. Yeah, that's bizarre. Josh Jacobs is seven highest ranking
two lowest ranking unrankedy. Yeah, last year he was at number three,
so he's dropped down to seven. Them Jamior Gibbs, here's what they write
about Jamior Gibbs. Well, b Jehn Robinson was the top back in the
twenty twenty three drafts. Some scouts preferred Gibbs's skill set of versatility. That's
why Detroit selected him number twelve. Change of pace, fast, elusive,
versatile at AFC, executive set, dynamic in the past game. Not a
typical North South runner you love in a run heavy offense, but he can
break explosive plays with the snap of a finger, which is scary in our
league. Despite the presence of David Montgomery, viewed as a powerback, the
Lions made sure Gibbs was heavily involved. During his rookie season. He averaged
four or five point four yards per carry out of the shotgun formation, best
among running backs. Also led the league win rushing to the right side six
point three, which is interesting too. I didn't know that he's just ahead
of Derrick Henry who's in at number nine, and Travis Aten who is at
number ten. The honorable mentions, so you know Gibbs is eight. Now
that means you also said Montgomery is You thought he was an honorable mention,
right, you said he and Gibbs. Okay, here are your honorable mentions.
Aaron Jones, Kenneth Walker, former spartan Isaiah Pacheco, which surprised me.
I thought he'd be in the top ten. James Cook, Alvin Kamara.
Look how far he's fallen. Yeah, Joe Mixon and DeAndre So DeAndre
Swift got more respect in this poll than David Montgomery did. He did,
mind blowing although Swift had a really good year. He was a pro bowler
last year and gained over a thousand yards. He did, and in fairness
to him, it was the first year of his career that he stayed healthy
and played the whole season. So, yeah, here's what's surprising me about
their right up And tell me if this strikes you in any way. They
right had the soft label in Detroit, but overcame that. Did you ever
view him as soft? No, just injury prone. Maybe that's what they're
getting at, but I agree that's not the right verbiage at all. No.
To me, that's that is very I think that is hostile. Unfair.
Yeah, unfair, Yeah, absolutely, I don't think that's I don't
think that's cool at all. I'm not gonna sit here and say I miss
him every day. I thought he was I thought he was a very good
back. I don't think he was great. I thought he was very good,
and I felt I felt comfortable with him in the offensive backfield, if
that makes sense. What's surprising to me is when people go, oh,
he's the soft label. Look, they played sixteen games seventeen starting last year,
so they played sixteen games with DeAndre Swift. He played thirteen his rookie
year, thirteen his second year, and fourteen his third year, so he
missed a total of eight games. I don't understand how that makes you soft.
You missed eight games in three years, and we don't know it's all
injury. I can't recall every single time. I don't get it. That's
very strange to me that you would label him with that type of track record.
I do remember in Hard Knocks when Deuce Staley was still the running backs
coach for the Lions, when they were featured on Hard Knocks, and I
remember there was some narrative out there that Deuce was kind of pushing them to
play through some injuries and okay, moving up a little bit. Maybe that's
where this comes from. But I'm with you, I don't. It doesn't
make a whole lot of sense. Yeah, that's that's a good memory.
I don't remember that playing through injury though. That's always been to me,
it's always been a fine line. You know, you play through injury.
This is the big bad, tough attitude. And look, I'm usually in
line with that, but those those teams also were really flipping bad. Do
you play through the injury, risking further injury and then suddenly you hurt your
team long term h and yourself obviously, or do you take a game off
per doctors trainers orders to try and make sure you're at least ninety percent next
time. That's up to the individual, I suppose, and it's really tough
because I think the individual almost always wants to play well the team. Doctors
clear him. Well, you hope they do. You hope the individual always
wants to play. I think part of the problem in sports in general has
been it's not always up to the coaches or the players, it's up to
the trainers. The trainers have as much power as many ancillary coaches because players
are going to those trainers, and the trainers are like, look, I
don't want to be responsible for losing Trent Ballely the rest of the season,
and suddenly he blows out an MCL So I think what we ought to do
have him sit out a week, or have him sit out the first few
days of practice, knowing in the end the coach will say, if he's
not practicing, he probably be unplaying. If he's not practicing by Friday,
he ain't playing. Sure, you know, not one of those situations of
you know, a situation where a guy is playing the final game of the
year in a Super Bowl. So anyway, I was surprised at that label
because I don't agree with it, nor do I necessarily remember it. Here's
their top safeties. Now we know that the secondary for Detroit is an issue.
It's hopefully been being rectified with the drafting and the signing of certain players.
You know that we've gone through it already. Detroit has probably how many
safeties that you would look at and say, all right, yeah, I
could see them realistically, maybe none, maybe none, But how many would
you say and where would they be? I would guess Kirby Joseph is an
honorable mention and Brian Branch It's hard because I don't know what position is he
He's kind of a nickel corner slash safety, so it's it's tough. But
what do they have? Ship So here's what they have. They have Brian
Branch as an honorable mention. The best safeties in football according to executives,
coaches, and scouts on ESPN plus Antwine Winfield number one with Tampa, Kyle
Hamilton with Baltimore number two. He I think he's the best, Jesse Bates
with Atlanta number three. Makea Fitzpatrick with Pittsburgh at number four, Javon Holland
with Miami at number five, but a Baker at number six with Arizona.
Derwin James number seven from the Chargers. Derwin James a couple of years ago
would have been at least top three. Kyle Dugger for the Patriots at number
eight, and then you go all the way down to nine and ten before
you get to the honorable mentions where they have Brian Branch had an outstanding rookie
season. He recorded seventy four tackles and three picks. Has natural coverage ability,
so that allows him to play in the slot and over the top.
He's also an instinctive player that has a knack for finding the ball and making
plays on both phases. That's from an NFC personnel evaluator. CJ. Gardner
Johnson, former Lion now with the Eagles, also and in the honorable mention
also receiving votes. Perhaps not who you thought. Melafon wo ooh is also
receiving votes. Not Kirby Joseph. That's a sleepy pick. But I don't
hate it. That's surprising to me. It is, Oh, it's very
It's shocking to me, but I I I'm not super I kind of like
that someone out there, whoever it is, has some stock and iffy because
that bodes well for the secondary. Well, it's interesting only before this standpoint
from me, So that comes from executives, scouts and coaches, and you
know, obviously player personnel, which is part of the executives CBS Sports comes
out with players who are poised to have an all breakout season, included Kirby
Joseph. So you got one guy who's not even mentioned. You got another
article. This is based on writers. It's not based on the guys who
break down film and break down numbers. But this is you know, somebody
who feels like you know, with these writers who take analytics into the argument,
into the discussion, they feel like he's ready for a breakout season.
True Media has a metric that measures the passer rating by opposing quarterbacks against coverage
players. Kirby Joseph ranked third last season, had four interceptions. He's going
to have better talent around him, and he, according to this article on
cbfsports dot com and through the data analytics, is going to put himself in
a Pro Bowl and all Pro consideration. Isn't that interesting? I'd welcome that
in a heartbeat. Well. Absolutely, but that's to me, that's a
perfect example of how the different opinions can be so vast. He's not even
mentioned in one, but he is highlighted in another. There are other guys.
I don't think there's another lion in that all breakout team, but there
are some like there's a Jalen Carter involved, a Christian Harris and Terrell Bernard
as linebackers. But Joseph along with ji Ere Brown of the forty nine ers
are listed as Safeties Honorable mention former Michigan Wolverine Dax Hill with the Bengals.
How about that? It's good stuff. I love that so many Lions are
on the radar, even if it doesn't come to fruition. People are taking
note of the progress. And what it tells you is you could have a
breakout season, you could be an All Pro, you could be a Pro
Bowl. There's a lot that has to happen in order for that to take
place. But people are recognizing that they are developing into much better players,
thus a much better team. They're looking for guys who are gaining that improvement,
thus gaining the respect. And this is the first time in my life
I can recall this sheep. I mean with the Lions specif. Yeah,
there are certain players from my experience in covering the Lions for as long as
I have, certain players who always resonate with me, like Benny Blades resonated
with me covering him and seeing him go about his business. You had so
many good players at each level, you know, whether to be Porchet and
Ball up front and Spielman in the middle as a linebacker and Benny Blades in
the secondary. You really thought, Wow, each level of that defense has
got an impact player. But this this feels like a revolution where like the
whole team is getting eyeballs. Everyone is turning their heads watching this team National.
Yeah, it's not just each level. Yeah, you're right, like
McNeil, things are big expected of Lee McNeil. Inside, Aiden Hutchinson's already
established azelone, He's already established. You expect big things from Campbell right secondary,
Brian Branch, Joseph with the secondary, it's like every single guy,
isn't it. Well, I think a lot of that. If you're looking
at corners, it's strictly because you and I believe that Terry and Arnold is
going to be an impact player right away. Correct. I don't know if
National people feel the same way as we do. But it's a good discussion
and it's fun to have and it's always fun to be with you on x'es
and bros. Hope you have a great weekend or thanks to Trent Ballet for
a production. Thanks to you for your texts and for your phone calls.
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