The New York Jets release Le’Veon Bell.
Contributors
Special Guest: Matt O’Leary – @MattOLearyNY
Nick Rossetti – @The_Rossetti
Santiago Leon – @sleon
Five games into the 2020 season, the New York Jets have decided to release star running back Le’Veon Bell. General manager Joe Douglas announced the end to the multi-time Pro Bowler’s tumultuous Jets tenure Tuesday night.
Le’Veon Bell – 3.3 yards per rush with Jets
tank for a high draft pick?
Who do the Jets have left in RBs?
Alabama Defensive Coordinator Issue
Pete Golding is the current alabama football defensive coordinator and has face criticism in the past few days.
Charlie Strong for Bama Defensive Coordinator?
Charlie Rene Strong is an American football defensive analyst and former player and coach. Strong is currently a defensive analyst for Alabama. Prior to that he was most recently the head coach at the University of South Florida.
Is the Golding or the players?
Most of Twitter is against Golding
Poll Question
What is your favorite Dessert? #NationalDessertDay
Cake: , Ice Cream: , Brownies: , Pie:
Matt: Ice Cream
Nick: Brownies
Matt O’Leary’s Links
https://www.mattolearyny.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLS0BYK5W7eT_SxW6pQA19w
Transcript
Santiago Leon
Welcome to the Sports Cast October 14 2020. If you haven’t yet, please subscribe to all our channels Periscope, iTunes, and YouTube. And if you’re an iTunes, please leave a rating and review. It will help us out tremendously. We’re also on da be online digital radio. You can check us out at the sports cast app for iPhone or you could go to the sports cast dotnet website and follow us on Twitter at the sports cast one for the latest and breaking news, which we do have right now. I’m Nick Saban has tested positive for COVID-19. And we’ll definitely we’ll be talking to that later in the show. But first we’ll talk about leaving on Bell from the New York Jets got released last night, got cut last night by the New York Jets and today we had Nick Rosetti, our sports cast contributor and Matt O’Leary, a Jets personality on YouTube. Welcome to the sports cast guys.
Unknown Speaker
Thanks so much for having me. Excited to be here.
Santiago Leon
Nick Walker excited as well.
Nick Rossetti
Thanks so much and really stoked to talk to Matt.
Santiago Leon
Well, Matt lay breaking news last night leaving on Bell manda averaged three yards per game for the Jets got cut last night. A lot of drama going on with the Jets not just leaving on but also Adam gates. Matt, tell us what happened last night?
Matt O’Leary
Yeah, so it’s been pretty well known that Adam gates did not want levy on bell. He was not a fan of him getting that contract from then General Manager Mike maccagnan. levy on wasn’t really utilized properly. Last year, his numbers were way down. It wasn’t really injury or him being banged up. I truly believe that he just wasn’t being utilized to its fullest strength. And then this year, he’s played in two games with the jets and more of the same. Like this past week. He had 13 carries and just one target in the passing game. And I think just tensions finally boiled over they tried to move them but I don’t think anyone One was willing to bite on that contract and they decided to cut them that seems to be you know how everything decided to go down?
Nick Rossetti
Yeah, Matt, one thing I wanted to, to ask you about and before I even ask you a question, I want to read something that I came across that that just blew my mind. Um, so throughout Lavie on bells tenure $27 million earned 17 games played zero rushes of 20 plus yards, zero out of 264 times 01 hundred yard games and only four total touchdowns I mean how do you explain that like beyond obviously we know the team itself and offensive line we can talk about all that stuff but how that that significant of a decrease in production in terms of what he was putting up with the Steelers like how can you explain that
Matt O’Leary
I put a lot of it on the scheme I think Adam gazes scheme is not really fit for what levy on Bell is trying to do he continuously when he would give levy on carries it was just me a gap on second and 10 and there’s okay you got two yards and now it’s third Nate and you’re in a tough situation there. Last year, it was a mix the the offensive line was you know, bottom three in football probably and levy on really high. He had his struggles and you know, again, I’m sound like a broken record here. But a lot of it i think is put on the coach and Adam gaisce. And just the lack of creativity, they never lined him up in the slot almost rarely, which Pittsburgh they did that a ton and it worked wonders. He’s a great receiving back. And they really didn’t give him the appropriate number of targets a game it was it’s really mind boggling when you look at the talent that he has and just how he was used here. It’s It’s unbelievable. And, you know, jets fans are pissed off today. They’re not happy because they know that, you know, this guy is talented, he’s going to probably go to a contender now on the cheap. And he’ll he’ll be good there he’ll be able to put up production maybe not to the exact level that he did in Pittsburgh, but he’ll be more than productive. And and we know what the reason is going to be it’s going to be because of the head coach calling the place
Santiago Leon
that you’re brought about in case of course the head coach of the Jets. Um, of course, there’s been speculation of him getting rid of it’s week six coming up. What’s happening with him so far? What have you heard what, what have people been telling you with Adam gates and his and his stance with the Jets?
Matt O’Leary
Yeah, it really looks like he’s going to be the head coach through the remainder of the year, which the the Johnson family who owns the Jets, they don’t like to make head coaching changes in the middle of the year, they almost never do that. And while they look like the absolute worst team in football, and they often certainly had their flaws last year, they are unwilling to make a change right now, which I personally believe in a lot of other jets fans and you know, pundants believe that it’s a mistake to continue to run him out there for the next 11 games and continue to ruin their young quarterback, which is exactly what’s happening. Sam Donald isn’t progressing, he’s getting worse and regressing and, you know, it’s tough, but they’re gonna run this thing into the ground. And they’re probably going to be looking at a top three pick probably number one overall.
Nick Rossetti
Matt to that point, you know, you just mentioned the draft and and top three overall picks. But really what I want to know from your perspective is what is Joe Douglas his plan? Like, I remember, Joe Douglas has a scout, actually with the Ravens in the early 2000s. And then moving on to Philly where, you know, he was director of player personnel if I’m not mistaken for that championship team with with Nick foles. And just looking at the talent roster and everything that they put together, like the overall level of talent from a just an individual player perspective on that Philly team was, was great and and in my opinion, you’re looking at a team now that has the least amount of talent perspective wise across the league. What what’s the plan here? Like, where do you go from here?
Matt O’Leary
Yeah, that’s a great question. I think his plan is just to start from the ground up. He was brought in after Adam gaisce and when they moved on from Mike maccagnan, who was the GM before him, it was already after the draft it was already after free agency. So this past draft was his first draft class as a GM this past free agency was his first free agency and his moves in free agency were not so much of going all in it was more so like these are stopgap guys and I’m bringing here to evaluate what this roster is. I truly believe he wanted to use this. You As a, an evaluation year and then everything just fell out from underneath him. The defense regressed Adam, Adam gates just continue to struggle in the quarterback did not get any better. Part Part of that on Donald part of that’s also on the coaching, or lack thereof. I think really his plan is to build this thing through the draft. I think that’s what he’s best at. Um, we haven’t seen a ton out of this draft class yet, because you have some injuries. But, you know, overall, I think he’s going to continue to try to acquire pecs and build this thing up to the draft
Santiago Leon
that you mentioned about trying to build this from the bottom up. Um, the question is, Trevor Lawrence come, I know comes into mind. You know, if you guys get into that top three range is Sam Darnell, the man or do you think Trevor Lawrence will be a consideration for the Jets?
Matt O’Leary
I think if they have the number one overall pick, the selection is going to be Trevor Lawrence, I don’t think he’s someone that you can pass on. I really liked Sam darnold a lot. I want it to work out here. I just think they the surrounding talent isn’t there. The coaching is not there. They This is a team that’s maybe going to have 012 wins this year. And if that’s the case, I don’t see them picking outside the top three. And if you have the number one overall pick, like I said, Trevor Lawrence is going to be the pick. And they’ll start this thing over now. I think he could have success success elsewhere. I think there’s a lot of talent there. I just think the Jets did an absolutely awful job of making his life easier. They didn’t get him a great head coach. And I mean, if you look at everyone else from that 2018 draft class, except for maybe Josh Rosen has bounced around. They’ve all been put in positions to succeed like Lamar Jackson, they did a ton to build around him. Josh Allen, the bills have done tremendous work to build around him. And even bigger Baker Mayfield, he had talent going in there and then they go out and trade for Odell Beckham Jr. They made his life extremely easy where the Jets have done the exact opposite for Sam, Donald.
Nick Rossetti
Matt, he talks about not wanting to fire the ownership group is doesn’t want to fire head coach in the middle of the season. Obviously, I think everybody knows that there’s going to be a change there. Tell me a little bit about who you’re thinking might want that job, right? Because it’s gonna have to be somebody that’s willing to take on a lot of different issues that are going on, across, you know, across the team from special teams, offense, defense, etc. So tell me a little bit about who you think might you know, be of interest for that job. And also on the flip side, who the Jets, you know, who would they target?
Matt O’Leary
Yeah, um, I think if they have the number one overall pick that makes it a little bit more intriguing. You get the opportunity to work with, you know, potential generational talent like Trevor Lawrence. And this, this team does have a lot of draft assets over the next couple of years with the Jamal Adams trade and stuff like that. So I think that could be a little bit of an appeal. It is a tough sell, because you look at like, Houston’s gonna need a coach. Obviously working with deshaun Watson, a team that has a ton of talent is going to be a nice spot. The Falcons have a ton of talent. So maybe the Jets aren’t the number one choice on everyone’s list. But I think there’s a really a lot of coordinators who I like Eric be enemies, a name that comes up a lot. He’s the offensive coordinator of the chiefs. The Andy Reid coaching tree is usually a good one. So he’s someone I’d be interested in. Brian table, the offensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills has done a great job. they’re familiar with him. Absolutely. And I think Arthur Smith, the Titans OC has done a great job this year as well with Ryan tannehill, salvaging his career after he escaped from Adam gates, and I really like I know he’s young, but Joe Brady, I think is going to be a coach in this league very soon. I’m a huge Matt rule guy and Matt rule, you know, brought him in and that offenses looked really good. So I think those are some hot coordinators who are going to be in the market and you know, if not one of those guys, maybe they go the college route and see if they could pry someone from there.
Santiago Leon
Nick about a Lincoln Riley.
Nick Rossetti
Oh, I you know, I mean, we talked about this before, but I don’t think he’s going anywhere. Unless Unless it starts unless it’s in Texas in Dallas. That’s the only way
Santiago Leon
agree. Interesting caveat. Let’s look at the running backs who will be RB one now, Matt?
Matt O’Leary
Oh, it’s gonna be Frank Gore. He’s like a million years old, but they’re going to continue to give him the ball. That’s what they were doing when leveon Bell was out. Um, it’s going to be heavy Frank Gore, which gates loves Gore, and then they drafted Michael P. Ryan out of Florida this past year in the draft. So he’s going to be the second running back and he’ll spell gore when need be and hopefully I’m not counting on it. But hopefully they you know, down the stretch, give p Ryan a little bit more of the action and you know, see if have anything there long term with him?
Nick Rossetti
Matt, a guy that I wanted to ask you about, very familiar with Quintin Williams. I want to know what your thoughts are about his development. Um, you know, from my standpoint, Alabama graduate I got to watch him play a couple of times live and and you know, he really came out of nowhere as a redshirt sophomore busted onto the scene of the national stage and the 2018 season and then goes top three I want to see what your thoughts are on on you know his production so far what his ceiling is you know, what are your thoughts on his tenure with the team long term?
Matt O’Leary
Yeah, I think he’s had a really inconsistent start with the Jets he he’s he’s been good in the run game but I think he’s been more so inconsistent as a as a pass rusher which he was pretty good at Alabama doing that. I’m honestly like, you have guys like john Franklin Myers, who they found off a practice squad who’s just as productive if not more productive right now then Quintin Williams, I think his ceiling is obviously higher than that. As a top three pick, like talent is obviously there. A lot of people were talking about him being you know, one of if not the most talented guy in that draft class. Just hasn’t transitioned at the NFL level yet. I think he’s a fine starting caliber, you know, on the interior defensive line, but he hasn’t done anything to make you go Okay, like I see why he was a top three pick. He’s been fine, but I’m hoping he becomes more than just an average two. Okay, starter.
Santiago Leon
Matt, Joe Flacco is the starting quarterback right now. Do you think he could turn things around? Or do you don’t have much faith in them?
Matt O’Leary
Not really. I think he’s just kind of holding down the fort until Sam gets back and he was okay this past week against the Cardinals he didn’t do anything awful. He didn’t put up great numbers he just you know, honestly, it’s it’s the limitations of the town around him and who’s calling the plays and it’s going to be a lot of short stuff. It’s going to be a lot of running with Frank Gore up the middle. It’s boring football but that that’s the way that it’s going to be this week and I don’t expect it to be you know, fun game against the dolphins on Sunday.
Nick Rossetti
Matt something I’ve always wanted to ask a Jets fan. I just don’t know that many. So really excited to talk to you about this one. Love the rumor Mills I know there was a rumor going on last summer and then again think back in the spring of a guy like Todd mcshea joining the front office for the Jets. I know he was college buddies with with Joe Douglas. Is that somebody that you would be okay with as a potentially like head scout or somebody you know involved in the in the front office in some way?
Matt O’Leary
Yeah, I wouldn’t mind that to be honest with if Joe Douglas you know, values him as someone who could be you know, an asset to this team. I know I sound really down on Adam gay so which I am but I do have faith in Joe Douglas I think he you know comes from two organizations in the Eagles in the Ravens that have had a bunch of success in recent years. So I think that the talent as a GM prospect is there. So if he sees something in mcshea that he’s interested in then then I’m all for bringing him on. You know, I think that’d be an intriguing guy to add to the mix
Santiago Leon
that own four jets how many wins you think the Jets will get this season
Matt O’Leary
maybe one or two I don’t really look at this get this schedule it’s tough like don’t them they’re most winnable game was against Denver. And they lost my nine points or something like that on Thursday Night Football. Maybe the dolphins this week, but they just be the 40 Niners are pretty good who demolished the Jets? So I mean, it’s not an easy schedule that the that the Jets have. So it’s going to be tough unless someone just no shows you know, we’ll we’ll see what happens but I don’t expect it to be very many wins this year.
Nick Rossetti
All right, Matt, last one here that I just wanted to kind of pick your brain on is what’s the pulse of the fan base? Um, you know, where what are their thoughts about the organization about where it’s headed, and and the changes that need to be made?
Matt O’Leary
Yeah, the Jets fans are not happy. And for good reason. They’ve had a really bad product to watch for a long time. Now the last time they made the playoffs was 2010. Nobody likes the head coach, pretty much everyone did not like the higher to begin with and they could have predicted that it was going to go down this route. Now everyone’s everyone’s upset. And it really starts from the top with ownership. If you have bad ownership, it’s very tough to have success. And for whatever reason, the owner seemed to like Adam gays, I think he’s going to finish out the year. I’m hoping he gets fired, I think I would say it’s about a 90% chance he’s gone but there’s a little 10% chance that they don’t want to admit their mistake just yet and they’ll he’ll somehow get his way into having another quarterback and putting the blame on them. Donald here but you know a Jets fans are rightfully upset and right now I think everyone’s hoping for the tank and maybe you draft Trevor Lawrence and get lucky and have some success.
Santiago Leon
Matt, you brought up a little bit about the ownership. Um, what are the chances for a new owner to own the Jets like Gary Vaynerchuk
Matt O’Leary
I love Gary Vee I would love if he would own the Jets. I don’t know if he has the money just yet or I don’t know if the Johnsons are looking to sell they’ve been in ownership for about 20 years now if I’m not mistaken it’s really it’s really tough to see if they’re going to make a change if they’re looking to sell right now they have you know they’re making pretty good money off the Jets on off they’re gonna be looking to move just yet.
Santiago Leon
Well, there you have a New York Jets with Matt O’Leary, of course will be eyeing the whole developments. Two coaches were fired this season so far. Right, Nick? A was Quinn from Atlanta, and Houston,
Nick Rossetti
Houston. Yeah, O’Brien, which technically fired their GM to and so did Atlanta.
Santiago Leon
Yeah. So we could see something the Jets, but what it sounds for Matt, the ownership does not like the fire coach this season. But seeing what the other two teams, they could be encouraged to do that. We think that
Matt O’Leary
yeah, I mean, I really hope so. I think that’s what everyone’s rooting for here. You know, in New York. I don’t know if that’s that’s what the owners think, though. Which is my concern.
Santiago Leon
Why noise? Let’s switch over to college football late breaking news about less than 20 minutes ago. Nick Saban has COVID-19 this Saturday, Alabama plays Georgia a big game. Not very favorable for Georgia. They’re up plus six in Vegas. Nick, tell us about the news. And will that affect big time for Saturday?
Nick Rossetti
Yeah, obviously it’s it’s really big news. It wasn’t just Nick Saban as well as also Greg Byrne, the athletic director also tested positive. That was reported by Cecil hurt from the Tuscaloosa news. My initial reaction just overall is how are they going to play this game on Saturday without Nick Saban? Right, like? I’m sure, obviously I guess another coach could come in and and and coach the team. My you know, we were talking before the show, my initial guess would be Steve Sarkeesian. He has head coaching experience, obviously with watching Washington and USC. But you know, with this with this big announcement, this is a big splash and this is kind of built up here over the last couple of days. I don’t know if you’ve kept track with Florida having a problem also
Santiago Leon
suspended this Saturday, right. Right, which postponed till December. So
Nick Rossetti
right tentatively as well. And Ole Miss Lane Kiffin came out here today and said that, that they’re having issues as well. Not sure if that’s what this came from, this stemmed from last Saturday’s game and Oxford but sec on rocky footing, I would say
Santiago Leon
right now. How much? I mean, if Georgia doesn’t have any issues, they’re all healthy and and Alabama without Nick Saban was that will that affect the game entirely?
Nick Rossetti
How could it not right? Like how could it I know he’s not playing but you know, it’s it’s the psychological effect I think on the players that that it would have a dramatic effect at the very least. I know the spreads want to add 555 points five and a half.
Santiago Leon
Last night, but it okay. Since then, but
Nick Rossetti
yeah, yeah. So obviously this was going to be or at least Vegas thinks it was going to be a close game. Anyway. I’m throwing this type of wrinkle in he I really don’t know. Um, like I said, I would my initial reaction is I don’t know how they’re gonna. I mean, I don’t know how they’re gonna play to me.
Santiago Leon
sec cancel game because of a coach, or do you think, I don’t know layers? Like 19 players getting in?
Nick Rossetti
Right? Right, right. I don’t know. Right? Like, and who knows, too, like if Saban was was tested, right, and he tested positive, and he’s been around the players, then now you’ve got the streamline effect of like, Okay, well, now we got to test all the players. And now we can’t practice or at least practice the way that we want. So I really don’t know how how that all that stems into a game that’s going to happen in three days.
Santiago Leon
Yeah, so what it’s like the whole incubation period, sometimes I guess, when a player gets it, you don’t really see the result like two or three days after an over again, all scientific guys. Sorry about that healthy, why health wise. But yeah, there is an incubation period. I don’t know what the SEC protocols are. I’m not sure what’s the NCAA. I know the NFL has a word of pretty much if one, one coach or player staff gets infected, the whole facility is closed. That’s not the same thing for college, isn’t it?
Nick Rossetti
I don’t think so. I really don’t think so. Because just based on my initial reactions to when those guidelines Put out, the NFL was always always a little bit more lenient, uh, just based on the whole return to play for college. Specifically, I know the SEC, they were always kind of in the forefront of wanting to play and they were going to play no matter what but this is a real test here. I mean, we’re in some rocky waters right now. Um, and I hope that Greg Sankey and the rest of the league can figure out a way to to make this work.
Santiago Leon
And we’ll definitely keep you guys up to up to date by visiting the sports cast on net, another Alabama news, another coach that became nationwide headlines in the past couple of days as a defensive coordinator of Alabama, Pete Golding, a unconfigured. To me until this week, on issues with the defense this past game against Ole Miss, on Twitter was going through firing Pete golden, he makes $3,000 a day things like that, Nick, I’m I’m sure you’re not a fan of him. But what are your thoughts of repeat Golding? And do you think the conversation of him lead of him being let go is brought up already?
Nick Rossetti
Yeah. So I want to take a step back first, and I want to go back to when Jeremy Pruitt took the Tennessee job, because obviously you had Kirby smart, who was a longtime defensive coordinator for Alabama, he leaves he goes to Georgia, and Jeremy Pruitt comes in and it’s a seamless transition. And you could even say that Pruitt was somewhat of an upgrade over Kirby but after that tenure of Jeremy Pruitt, Saban, in my opinion, took a risk. And he actually hired a guy named taj lucroy. And taj lucroy was a really good recruiter, defensive line coach, I think at the time, maybe middle linebacker or outside linebacker or something like that, but young, unexperienced but was kind of like this next generation, you know, guy that that Saban maybe saw a lot of potential. And so we went young, really what I mean by that with his defensive coordinator choice that lasted all of one year, and in that year, that was the 22 2018 year where we went undefeated and lost the Clemson the national championship, something just felt off about the defense, giving up explosive plays bad on run defense, like it was just not the Alabama defense that we’re also used to and also used to being, you know, the run stopping big hitting, you know, you may, you might complete a couple of passes, but you’re not averaging more than three yards of carry on us. Like that’s just not going to happen. And so we so TAs Luke boy transitions out of that role, I think he’s with the Browns now. At least I know that’s where he went after. And then instead of going back to somebody who’s a little bit more established, he hires Pete Golding, and Pete Golding came from a smaller program. UTSA UT San Antonio, or utl pasa one of those smaller Texas, FCS schools. Same same situation, the up and comer the young, you know, maybe a cool hire and and it really just has not worked out if anything, it’s gotten worse. And last year, I really wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt because number one, it was his first year on the job. And number two, without Dylan Moses, that’s like losing your starting quarterback right like like on defense when you lose a guy like does it Dylan Moses, the guy that is the same color on defense, like it’s really hard. And, and not to mention a couple of other injuries that we have on defense side. So I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. But from what I’ve seen, these first three games, just the fundamentals like tackling guys being so out of position, lack of effort, like just the some things that I can’t even believe I’m saying it, it makes me sick. And and really, it’s, I mean, you can only point fingers at, at so many players to the point where it’s really their development, right. And it really doesn’t matter how many stars you have at the front of your name when you sign your letter of intent, but it’s how you develop throughout the system and the system’s broken, and, and it was broken last year. And what really bothers me is what Pete Golding said during his press conference earlier this year before fall camp, you know saying you know commenting about what some of the issues are about last year lack of discipline, tackling making the defense a lot you know, easier to understand and you’re seeing the exact same problems and yet you just spent all offseason trying to solve it. Or you say you did so. I really I really think it’s time for I think this experiment needs to be over but I understand that saving doesn’t fire guys. People didn’t understand that sable Saban does not fire guys. He will find you another role and put in a good recommendation and find you somebody where else to go? And then he’ll bring somebody else in like, the only guy he’s ever fired since I’ve been like, for my last knowledge is Lane Kiffin and think about that, like just how monumentous that was 11 days before national championship game, so he doesn’t fire guys. So I don’t see a transition happening during the season. I think Saban has really made up his mind twofold. One, this isn’t getting fixed. And this is who we are. And we’ll worry about this in the offseason or two, we’ll make a change and and like I think he’s leaning more towards the this is just who we are this year.
Santiago Leon
Definitely a situation to look at one name that has been brought up these past two days. Um, Coach Charlie strong. He’s a defensive analyst for Alabama used to coach for you SF, the names been lingering around in Twitter and also in from other sports cast contributors. Nick, what do you know about them? Would he be a right transition to or what are your thoughts about that?
Nick Rossetti
Yeah, so you know, very familiar with with Coach strong, starting with the defensive coordinator of Florida during the Urban Meyer years very, very successful. A lot of draft picks that that were really well known and obviously a defense that was that was filled with stars and won a couple of national championships. So then he goes to where I’m based now Austin, Texas, I’m the sky’s the limit in terms of the expectation and he just does not meet that expectation whatsoever. I think he was one in four against Oklahoma. You know, bad defense, not struggling offense couldn’t win the big 12. So ultimately, they as as I think they’re about to do here again, they fire their head coach, they fire Charlie strong. And he goes and takes a smaller school head coaching job with USF. What scares me the most from that transition is going from the competition that he was playing in the big 12 to I believe there in the American conference USF.
Santiago Leon
Also, I’ll double check on them is on Bell, but I can be totally non
Nick Rossetti
Bell American conference, you know, a smaller power five, or you know, a group of five, I should say conference, the
Santiago Leon
American Athletic Conference, the American
Nick Rossetti
Athletic Conference. Oh, gotcha. Gotcha. So same struggles, though, right? Lack of lack of defensive identity. Offense struggles. He even got a former Bama commit Blake Barnett as his quarterback down there, and they still couldn’t win. So, um, you know, I, I hesitate to say that this is our Savior in waiting in line. I know a lot of Bama fans see what happened with Steve Sarkisian. And they see the fruits of that labor going on right now. And they say, Oh, that’s perfect. That’s that’s exactly how it’ll work with Charlie strong. I would pump the brakes on that, um, the guys hasn’t been a defensive specific coordinator in a while. Um, he’s only been a defensive analyst now for less than six months, or eight months, whatever. We hired him back in early January. So I don’t know if that’s an easy fix. I really don’t I
Santiago Leon
will definitely be eyeing the situation with the defense. Nick gave us great insight of how Nick Saban so hiring and letting go practices are so it’s gonna be a slow one won’t be abrupt. You know, especially now that Nick has COVID. So things AP golden has has that one more chance to change thoughts against Georgia especially. I’m speaking about COVID which we’ll switch back to Matt. Um, there’s been talks about having a bubble during the NFL playoffs, of course, there’s been you know, scheduling changes for the past two, three weeks. Matt, what are your thoughts about that having a bubble for the playoffs instead of playing at each of the teams? stadiums?
Matt O’Leary
Yeah, if it’s something that’s feasible, I’m all for it. I think limiting the opportunity for players to get exposed is really what the NFL should be doing. Yeah, they probably can’t do it, like how the NHL or NBA just did it, they might have to get a little creative with, you know, maybe each team just stays in their own hotels, and then they travel on a private plane and that limits their exposure, but I think that they’re gonna have to make some sort of a change for the playoffs because right now, we’re seeing too many cancellations.
Santiago Leon
Yeah, so for the Patriots, and the Titans have had like the biggest issues. Nick, what’s your thoughts about having a NFL bubble for the playoffs?
Nick Rossetti
I you know, if it somehow if you would figure that out. I think it’s a great idea. Look, just primarily primarily at and this is something that you can talk about to Matt with the islanders is is the NHL and the NBA Bumbles Look how successful those models were, um, I’m not 100% sure, but the NBA but I know the NHL had zero positive tests throughout that entire bubble. So I think it’s a great idea but the the real problem with some of those logistics right? Like, where are you going to do it? How are you going to how’s it and trying to figure all that out? So I think there’s a lot of work to be done but I’d be all for it if they could, you know, lay out a game plan for something like that. I
Santiago Leon
have one location for the AFC and one location for the NFC. So definitely be interesting. I think I’m kind of with Nick. I think we should but we’ll see how the rest of the couple of couple of weeks. Go on because I know our fantasy Nick is kind of this is I mean, I’m 32 now I mean, I should be five But no, but you know, it happens. I’m NHL we should wish you brought up How did islanders do during the NHL draft
Matt O’Leary
on they didn’t have too many draft picks after trading for GG pageant on their first pick wasn’t until the third round. So the draft wasn’t a huge thing for the islanders this year. You know maybe you get a couple of developmental guys in the later rounds that you’re looking for but you know what once Lula Morello traded away the the first and second round pick in order to go out and get GG Pashto and extend him to stay here you pretty much knew the the draft was not going to be a huge thing that for at least 2020
Nick Rossetti
Matt, let me ask you is barzal going to be an island or long term?
Matt O’Leary
Yeah, absolutely. I don’t think they’re gonna have an offer sheet situation I really don’t with everything going on with COVID and the flat cap I don’t expect a lot of teams to be putting offer sheets out there. I know that I understand the situation isn’t great right now. They just traded away devonne teas and got some pics back and I think they’re gonna attach one of those pics and clear up Johnny boychuk $6 million cap pit and then eventually you know I think the plan is signed pulak sidebars Owl and maybe if you have a little bit extra space spend on a forward or something like that, but I don’t have any anything to worry about with Matt bars. I think he’s gonna sign your long term.
Nick Rossetti
Speaking of cap is Andrew Ladd still on the books. Yeah, man that that is unreal. I feel like that deal was signed like what did he sign his seven eight year deal? You signed for seven years in 2016. So he’s got three left. I find
Matt O’Leary
and I not to interrupt cut you off there. Sorry. I was reading into a couple of again rumor Mills about maybe a Andrew Ladd for Zachary’s a straight up deal for deal is that something that you know you would entertain? Um as of right now I would say it’s probably unlikely it was talked about at the the trade deadline but the islanders would have had to attach a pic and a prospect with that and to take on that cap number I think at this point would be a little difficult unless they clear even more cap space out but I don’t think Andrew lads gonna move I think they’re just gonna have to bury his contract in the AHL. And, and that’s really the only way I think they could survive that one.
Nick Rossetti
And, and to that point, as well, you know, I’m gonna be honest as a capitols fan, I was surprised at how successful Barry has been up there. I thought that was a purely for the money move. But I mean him and let him in lemma Rila have done really, really well. But the one guy that I think has really helped support the organization is a guy named Mitch corn. I’m not super familiar if he’s still, you know, as hands on as he was when he was with us, but what a goalie coach that guy is.
Matt O’Leary
Yeah, 100% I mean, Mitch corn. He’s, he kind of oversees other technical goalie coaches up here. Oh Greco, who is with Lou, Amarillo and Toronto. But Mitch corn did a tremendous job with Semyon Varlamov and Thomas greiss this year. Last year, he had Robin Lehner and Thomas grace and they both put up, you know, phenomenal numbers Robin Lehner was in the conversation, and now this year, it’s going to be Varlamov and Isla Sorokin, everyone’s excited about the kid from Russia. And I think, you know, everyone’s hoping that he’s going to be the guy long term. So we’ll see what he can do once he gets his hands on.
Santiago Leon
I believe Nick talked about him a few days ago.
Nick Rossetti
Oh, that was the Nashville guy that was the the guy that Nashville took here and this and forth overall, this last in 2020s draft but Matt, speaking of returned to play um, I know there’s been a lot of talk about January 1, it you know, how are you feeling about this next season? You know, is it is it going to go as smooth like what it what this really reminds me of is the 2013 lockout. When they started January 1, I believe or the first week in January and played what 32 games I think so got the playoffs in. So you know, tell me a little bit about your thoughts about a January 1 start date. And if you think it’s gonna happen.
Matt O’Leary
Yeah, I think that’s probably the best fit Submit for when they’re gonna get things started back up again. I know initially they were trying to get it in December but I just think that’s unrealistic. And you know, they’re probably going to play a shortened season again I don’t think that they could, you know push this thing to a full season and then try to get it back on track I just don’t see how that’s possible. So I think unfortunately we’re gonna see you know, shortened season maybe it’s like 40 games ish somewhere in that mark about half a year and then going to the playoffs and you know from there I don’t know about you but I really enjoyed the the NHL playoffs this year with the expanded playoffs. I thought it was interesting, and I think was a big hit for the NHL, so maybe they can get lucky and have some success again with that.
Nick Rossetti
Yeah, yeah, I agree. And and to that point, like you just said, I think that obviously the league took a big hit financially. And they’re going to be recovering from that for a while now until that new ustv deal comes up. And that’s going to affect a lot of things from a free agency and draft perspective but I’m hoping that we can get some type of I read an article the other day about them maybe doing a game on Lake Louise up in Alberta to start the season. I thought that would be really cool because we’d obviously miss out on a Winter Classic or some stadium series games so hopefully you know all goes well with that and we don’t have any more obviously labor disputes or anything with a with the new deal signed
Matt O’Leary
Yeah, absolutely. I think that’s that’s the next hurdle they have to get over but if everything goes smoothly and according to plan and hopefully you know they get this thing back on track and start making some money again.
Santiago Leon
Yep. Anything else in hockey before we head into a little bit of baseball
Nick Rossetti
I’m nothing got a lot of a lot of forwards still on the books Matt something that I know what the free agency market that I wanted to just highlight is goalies went quick. Demon went quick picture Angelo goes to Vegas to recruit goes to St. Louis. And really the surprise in my mind is the Taylor Hall signing that I still trying to figure that one out. But a lot of guys like granlund I know the the forward from the Panthers still unsigned. So forward markets still pretty open with a lot of guys on signed.
Matt O’Leary
Yeah, agree. Absolutely. I think you know, my coffin being out there still is a little surprising. And, you know, eventually the dominoes are going to begin to fall. But I think you know, teams are struggling to figure out their own cap situation first before they worry about signing you face so I think it’s gonna take some time.
Nick Rossetti
Yeah, I thought it was interesting to a lot of players that did sign um, you know, with expansion coming and and the flat cap still looking to kind of navigate their deals for either a lot of upfront signing bonus, or buyout protection later on in their contracts. I thought that was really interesting with what pitcher Angelo did so I think it’s going to be really interesting next year, year and a half with Seattle coming in as well.
Santiago Leon
Absolutely. Well, there you have it. That’s our NHL segment of the sports cast. It’s been a while that talked about hockey, but it’s good to bring this up. Um, any predictions for baseball? You think it’ll be the rays, the rays and the Braves?
Matt O’Leary
I think so. I really do. I think the rays have been playing really good baseball this year. And after beating the Yankees, I think that they’re you know, they’re a team on a mission. And the Braves lineup is just really good. I think that, you know, they’re gonna have enough to get over the Dodgers. The Dodgers seem to choke every year anyway. So I really think we’re gonna look at the, the Braves and the race in the World Series. about you, Nick.
Nick Rossetti
I agree. Um, I think that it’s really interesting to see the rays back into you know, going into the World Series since what 2010 I think was last time they made that pretty cool, magical run. And same thing with the Braves too. Right? Like they’ve been known as the you know, can’t get over the hump. You know, can’t can’t win a playoff series since the early 90s with with Glavine and Maddox and all those boys. So I think it’s a really interesting matchup
Santiago Leon
should be exciting things are formulating in baseball, NBA got the Lakers as champion. So sports is in full, full swing. And of course, we’re into the football part of the year. Anyways, anything else? Thanks before we head into the random question of the day,
Nick Rossetti
how Let me ask you guys this, how crazy would it be that we play this Bama Georgia game on Saturday evening, and Steve Sarkeesian leads the team out there as the head coach and wins. What is the ripple effect from that? I mean, not just from the banner perspective, but from a a sec. You know, teams that might be looking for a new head coach, like I mean, Steve Sarkisian was already getting looked at from Mississippi State but I mean, this past offseason, but I think that guy pretty much cements himself as the number one candidate to get hired across all of college football. If, if that so is the case of what happens,
Santiago Leon
I would think that will will definitely prove that the Nick Saban system works without, of course, Nick Saban will keep these coaches prepared. And obviously, the players and the players will probably play harder, maybe, you know, play for the coach. So there’ll be a lot of emotions of course and playing against Georgia. So they did which is very, very difficult to beat. But we’ll have any will have motivation to do so. So I, I believe like the emotions will be high, hopefully no other Alabama player or or, or, or have no Alabama player being positive for COVID.
Nick Rossetti
About even just thinking about this too. Oh, sorry to interrupt. But I mean, they let Hugh Freeze coach from the hospital bed. Like I just put Nick Saban up in the press box by himself and let them coach from up there. Like, I promise you when he yells at you, you’d still hear him. So like, I’d be fine with something like that.
Santiago Leon
How about you, Nick? I mean, Matt, what are your thoughts about not having a head coach on the sidelines?
Matt O’Leary
Yeah, that’s obviously gonna be really difficult if that’s what ends up happening for Alabama here. You know, it’s something that they’re gonna have to get used to for at least this week, and we’ll see how long he’s in quarantine for hopefully, he you know, recovers quickly and gets back out there and coaching his team
Santiago Leon
will definitely be ironed out. Of course, news will be changing throughout the day throughout the week. So we’ll see what the SEC says what Alabama says. But, but our prayers will be for Nick Saban. Hopefully he’ll get through this process smoothly. Hopefully he doesn’t get as much symptoms as the other situation when you get covid. So we’ll definitely keep that an eye. Of course, you can follow us on the sports cast. One on Twitter, or the website, the sports guys dotnet random question of the day and it’s in our Twitter poll. What is your favorite dessert? The options are cake ice cream pie, or brownies. We’ll go with Matt. He’s our guest today. What is your favorite dessert from these options? Great question. I think I’m gonna go ice cream. I can’t go wrong with some ice cream on a hot summer day. That’s a tough one. Nick Rosati easy one very well, yeah,
Nick Rossetti
they’re easy one for me as well. I’m going brownies, but specifically the cosmic brownies. Um, that’s my hands down favorite. If I was on death row, that’s what I would request to eat.
Santiago Leon
What does that have a brownie? Is that a cosmic brownie? You said?
Nick Rossetti
Yeah. Cosmic brownie. Like it’s a it’s a brand I think but it has like, I don’t even know how to describe it. But it’s a it’s a type of brand. Yeah, it’s amazing. I
Santiago Leon
would say something else. But I can’t because this is a PG show. But anyways, um, ice cream is winning Matt there on your side. 46% pie and cake is tied for 23. And the brownies came in less than 7%. Nick, sorry about that.
Nick Rossetti
America, you guys don’t know. Try a cosmic brownie. And put this back up in a week. I promise you it flips the other
Santiago Leon
way. Now, will you put brownies in the cake category or the two separate things?
Nick Rossetti
I I feel like that’s a is a hot dog a sandwich question. You know what I mean? So I i brownie is a is a category for me. I’m down with that.
Santiago Leon
I agree. And Matt has it. Would you have brownies with ice cream?
Matt O’Leary
Oh, absolutely. You could do a little vanilla scoop on top. Of course.
Santiago Leon
Maybe we’ll have some whipped cream and a cherry on top as well. Yeah. With some hot fudge. Anyways, Matt, tell us about the best way to reach you and tell us about your YouTube channel and your podcast.
Matt O’Leary
Absolutely. So on YouTube at Matt O’Leary and why and that’s where I am on social media, Twitter, Instagram, all that stuff. I do jets content over there. And on the YouTube channel, we do a podcast once a week, every Wednesday. It’s a call in show where we answer questions and yeah, it’s a lot of fun. So if you’re into the Jets, definitely check it out over on YouTube, Matt O’Leary and why
Santiago Leon
Nick, how fast would the news get to you once Adam gates gets fired? Um, no, sorry, Matt. Matt, Nick. Sorry.
Matt O’Leary
I am extremely extremely excited to hear that so hopefully very quickly.
Santiago Leon
Okay. Yeah, cuz I feels like you know, someone from the Jets will Hey, Matt, this is what’s gonna happen in few minutes.
Unknown Speaker
I don’t know if I go that far.
Santiago Leon
Nick, what is the best way to reach you to talk to you about the latest on Alabama and their game this Saturday?
Nick Rossetti
Yeah, yeah. So you can find me on Twitter at the underscore Rosetta? That’s two s’s in two T’s. Don’t wear it out. And then you can also find me on Instagram. My DMS are always open at the underscore rosseti 77 the best ways to reach me
Santiago Leon
Yes, follow Nick’s feed is definitely all sports all Alabama and of course his Instagram is pretty good and he goes to Mexico. October at time, so definitely check that out before the hurricane. Yeah, before Yeah, exactly. Anyways, um, you can reach us at the sports cast one on Twitter or at the sports cast dotnet our website and listen to us on radio, go download our app, the sports cast. And before we go, Nick, what is your prediction for this Saturday? Give us a score for Georgia and Alabama.
Nick Rossetti
I almost want to put an asterisk next to this one, but I’m gonna go 3724 Bama rolls.
Santiago Leon
Okay, and let me pull up what who the Jets play this week? And I’m sure Matt knows it right now. They’re playing the no the dolphins Who do you think is gonna win that game? I’m thinking the dolphins 2713 and Nick.
Nick Rossetti
Ah, depends on if they put number one in, but I will. I’m gonna go dolphins 27 jets 10
Santiago Leon
This will be a good time to put to one.
Nick Rossetti
You can’t put them in when they’re winning. Right? You can’t put them in when they’re winning. I almost wish the Jets drafted them.
Santiago Leon
Yeah, and of course last week, Nick was referencing how the dolphins beat the like the the 40 Niners by a lot so and Fitzpatrick is on fire. So definitely you don’t want to extinguish that you want to hit
Nick Rossetti
people. People forget that. mahomes sat for 15 out of 16 games like people forget that correct? No, I would prefer I would prefer that same trajectory for my Hawaiian friends so I am fine with him sitting as long as he needs
Santiago Leon
I’m with you Nick. Totally I say till at least December at the earliest but I prefer to prefer him just have a solid rest here. redshirt season, but anyways, we’ll find out more about this weekend sports continues. COVID ain’t stopping everything. But we’ll see what happens. Nick and Matt. Thanks for coming on to the sports cast.
Nick Rossetti
Thanks for having me. Matt. Nice to meet you.
Matt O’Leary
Yes, nice to meet you also, and a lot of fun. Thank you.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Santiago Leon is the Founder and CEO of the Sports Cast. He covers NFL, NBA, and world soccer. He’s also founder of sleon productions, which he specializes in technology and serves clients with solutions to make their business grow.
