Football Free Agency Forecasts with Brock Vierra
*NOTE: This episode was recorded just prior to the player releases made by the Jaguars on Thursday March 6th*
In this episode of PSP, hosted by Nii Wallace-Bruce, the focus is on the NFL Draft process, with Brock Vierra, writer at Sports Illustrated. Vierra provides detailed insights from the Draft Combine in Indianapolis [0:32], highlighting standout players [2:18] and potential draftees. Key topics include the strategic moves for multiple teams including the Rams [25:07], Chiefs [10:52], and Jaguars [15:51] in the draft and free agency, with deep dives into team-specific needs and prospects.
Vierra also shares perspectives on the emerging talents and his bold predictions for the 2025 NFL season [33:13]. The discussion also touches on the international expansion of NFL games, player trades, and coaching changes.
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Opening and closing music courtesy of Jeremiah Alves - "Evermore".
Transcript
Welcome.
2
:This is PSP, and I am your host, Mr.
3
:N.
4
:E.
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:Wallace Bruce.
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:Football season is now in the draft phase.
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:Draft Combine was last
week in Indianapolis.
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:Fast forward to Monday, it'll
be The start of freigency, or
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:the period, as they call it.
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:It's essentially freigency.
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:And then after that, it'll be the
draft, and before you know it, OTAs, and
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:training camp will be in session, and
football will be back in full effect.
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:to take us through that, we
have a guest in Indianapolis.
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:at Lucas Oil Stadium.
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:It is Brock Vieira.
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:a writer at Sports Illustrated.
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:he's going to take us
through what he saw and more.
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:check him out on Twitter at MNS Today.
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:Brock, how's things?
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:Brock Vierra: It's going good, just,
getting back from Indianapolis,
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:fighting off a head cold since that
cold weather, shocked my system, but,
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:it was a great experience so many
great players and so much great insight
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:that we were able to discover that.
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:Really helps us try and figure out
exactly what's going to happen over
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:these next couple of months, through
free agency and the NFL Draft.
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:PSP: 100%.
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:the draft combine is like a max version
of the senior bowl you get all the
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:scouts, all 32 teams represented.
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:It's a bit like baseball's
winter meetings, would you agree?
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:Brock Vierra: I love that
comparison and could not agree more.
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:I wish I was telling people this, that
we could have seen a full contact game
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:at the NFL Con Monday at the Senior Bowl.
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:They do the exact same test, the
exact same type of interviews.
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:And it's just fantastic because I've
never been down to Mobile, Alabama, but at
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:Indianapolis, it's such a central location
to speak with everybody conveniently,
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:and that's what I love about it.
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:PSP: No doubt about it, Brock.
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:Now, in terms of you, personally,
you write on the Rams, Chiefs,
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:and Jaguars, if I'm not mistaken.
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:correct?
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:Brock Vierra: my official title is beat
writer for Rams on SI, or Rams on Sports
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:Illustrated, but I also contribute
to Jaguar, Chiefs, and UCLA Bruins.
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:PSP: Wow.
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:Brock, that's three NFL teams
across three different time zones.
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:How do you manage that?
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:Brock Vierra: I love football.
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:fortunately the modern era where
things are so easily accessible
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:through the internet it's a lot
easier to do it nowadays than it
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:was let's say 10 to 20 years ago.
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:PSP: social media has helped in that
regard, I'm sure, getting updates.
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:Why don't you give us an update on
what you saw at the Combine last week?
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:What were some takeaways in
terms of the prospects on the
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:field of play with drills?
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:Brock Vierra: So in terms of the drills
there was some standout performances
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:that it really just depends what do
you value when it comes to the drills.
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:I know the popular one is the 40 yard
dash because everyone loves speed and
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:there's the adage that speed wins.
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:But you look at some of the other drills,
the vertical, the three cone, the bench
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:press, things of that nature, and you can
get a little bit of information from it,
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:but what I love is when players compete
against one another in, those individual
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:drills, where At least mimic what
we're gonna see on the football field.
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:That's where I get most of my
takeaways from the combine.
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:For me I don't do a lot of
evaluation at the combine.
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:I'm a film guy.
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:I like to see what players do
in pads compared to shorts.
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:But it's nice to see differences in
movements, certain players have that
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:fluidity and that's the difference between
a good player and an all time great.
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:PSP: You would have been
on a few player interviews.
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:did anyone impress you or
stand out with what they had to
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:say to the media during week?
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:Brock Vierra: To get into specifics,
I'll name some players that were
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:the highlight of the week for me.
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:One was Ole Miss linebacker Chris Paul Jr.
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:His play speaks for itself
and I always felt he would be
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:a good fit wherever he went.
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:But getting an opportunity to hear
him speak, , to hear, how articulate
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:he is, especially about the game of
football, was a joy to listen to.
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:This guy is gonna be a excellent player,
but what I love about him is that his
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:ability to communicate at all levels of
defense is gonna elevate a defensive unit
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:So whoever grabs him.
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:They grabbed a guy that can
be a commander, a leader,
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:and an excellent player.
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:Another player that I had a ton of
joy talking to was, Carson Vinson
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:from Alabama A& M, offensive tackle.
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:You don't get to see a lot of HBCU players
at the NFL Combine, which unfortunately
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:is a shame because HBCU historically Has
produced it has produced tons of talent
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:and even now despite more PWI institutions
recruiting all over the country.
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:There's still a ton of gems
we don't get to listen to.
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:Vincent is a lot of people like
six or seven tackle on the board.
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:I have this guy as an
all pro caliber player.
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:I think it's gonna be fantastic.
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:I love the way he talks about the game.
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:I love the way that how he broke
down how he breaks down film when
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:he looks for other players and
just talking about how he would.
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:in two different offenses.
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:Another player that I would have
to say really stood out to me.
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:Maybe not necessarily what he said,
but what was said about him was
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:Georgia offensive guard, Tate Ratnage,
both of Texas offensive linemen,
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:which I believe at the time was,
now, defensive lineman, the names
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:are slipping my mind at the moment.
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:But they both said Ratledge
was the, best offensive lineman
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:that they faced all season.
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:So if a team looking for a plug
and play guard, I would say Tate
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:Ratledge is definitely that guy.
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:Darion Porter from, Iowa State or Dorian
Strong, he had a great quote about how
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:he would fit into the Rams defense, which
I really appreciated and, I can't stay
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:here all day and talk about all these
great players, but the last person I
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:was really impressed with was Florida
State defensive back, Azaria Thomas.
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:just the way he talks about the game
of football, it was really impressive
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:considering his statistics, how
people don't like to throw his way,
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:how he comes from an established
defensive back university, and his
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:play on the field, I think he's
going to be another star in the NFL.
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:PSP: The future is bright and it
seems like we're going to have
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:a strong defensive showing in
the first round of the draft.
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:Would you agree with that?
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:Brock Vierra: I would
absolutely agree with that.
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:Last year we saw an Early runner offensive
players, of course perpetuated by what
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:six quarterbacks going in the first round.
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:I think it's gonna be that
Complete opposite this year.
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:This is gonna be and perhaps an over
exaggeration But I would not be surprised
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:if we go to the NFL draft and we see
eight edge rushers drafted in the first
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:round I think the class is truly that
deep and there's so many phenomenal
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:players that can contribute in many
ways Plus, the NFL is a copycat league,
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:and everyone had just watched what
the Eagles were able to do with the
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:Chiefs, to the Chiefs offensive line.
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:So I think that they're going to load
up on edge rushers across the board,
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:especially in the back half of the
draft, championship teams, the Eagles
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:Chiefs, the Lions, the Commanders, so
and I think that's where you're going
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:to see a strong run on edge players.
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:PSP: Yeah, football is
definitely one of the trenches.
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:You only need to look at the last Super
Bowl to see what the Eagles defensive
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:line did to the chiefs offensive line.
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:We'll get to the chiefs in a moment
'cause they've done a bit of work
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:in the last week I wanted your
thoughts on players under the radar,
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:especially Canadian college players
who went through the combine process.
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:Alec I.
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:Menor, the wide receiver
coming out of Stamford.
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:Did you get a chance to
see him during the week?
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:Brock Vierra: I did not get a
chance to see him in person.
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:I only got caught up on him.
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:But I didn't need to see him because, A.
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:O.
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:Menor, has been high
on my board since:
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:he's a first round talent without a doubt.
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:I love the way he plays.
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:his aggressiveness.
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:the only reason he's not a top 10
pick, in my opinion, is that he played
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:at Stanford, not one of the more.
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:Bigger caliber programs where he could
have truly displayed his talents.
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:This guy is a fundamentally sound
wide receiver who possesses that go
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:get it attitude never say die will
and I just think that no matter
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:where he goes as long as there is
competence In the offense coordinator
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:room and a good enough quarterback.
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:He's going to be a thousand yard wide
receiver for majority of his career.
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:PSP: It'll be interesting to see
if he can fold to a team like San
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:Francisco who have wide receiver
vacancies before free agency is done.
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:One other player I wanted to ask
about is quarterback Curtis Rock.
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:With Indiana University getting
to the college football playoff.
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:What did you see from him in the combine?
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:How do you see his prospects?
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:Brock Vierra: Now you know
what people are talking about.
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:I first heard about him because
of his brother, the Warwick family
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:produces strong quarterbacks.
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:Nathan, I enjoy watching him play.
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:Warwick is a hard eval because he had a
phenomenal season at Indiana, but there
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:were some things that make you question
how can his game translate to the NFL,
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:especially since we haven't seen him As
a quarterback that could play on the 7th.
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:The other thing is he was
hurt most of the year.
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:So you're also seeing a product that
was not the standard of what he can be.
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:Unfortunately for him right now in
these conversations, he is not within
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:the top five or six quarterbacks.
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:you have Ward and Sanders, one and two.
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:Many believe Jackson Dart is
number three out of Ole Miss.
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:They can throw in, Jalen
Milrow, Kyle McCord, and other
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:quarterbacks ahead of Wark.
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:But in terms of what you're getting
from a floor, I think Wark has a
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:higher floor than most people think.
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:a good friend of mine, Michael, once
said the best ceiling is a high floor.
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:And that's how I feel about Wark.
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:at his minimum, he's gonna be a
10, 12, 15 year backup in the NFL.
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:But if you throw him in the
starting role, He can produce
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:wins for your NFL franchise.
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:PSP: his story is yet to be written But
I don't think the story is finished on
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:his brother Nathan Rock He spent time
with the Jaguars Patriots and Cowboys.
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:I still think he has something
to give, whether as a backup
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:or third string quarterback.
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:we may see him back in the
NFL in the near future.
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:Now, one player we might also see in
the near future is someone you may have
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:seen a little bit through your UNLV
coverage, and that is Jackson Woodard.
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:Look at the defensive side the
linebacker, the inside linebacker.
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:What are your thoughts on
him going into the draft?
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:Brock Vierra: Been a big fan of Jackson
for a long time, had the opportunity to
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:speak with him at Mountain West Media Day,
before this last season, you talk about
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:a guy built for football, that's Jackson.
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:a leader on and off the field, that's him.
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:incredibly talented player,
only problem is his size.
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:That might be his only detriment.
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:I do think once he gets into a proper NFL
strength and conditioning program, he's
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:definitely going to balloon in weight.
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:And considering the direction the modern
NFL is going, I think that he's going
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:to be a long time player in the league.
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:I do think that his floor
is a special teams ace.
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:I would like to see his hands get a
little bit better because unfortunately
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:he did drop the game winning interception
against Kyle McCord in Syracuse, but in
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:that game he played lights out and also
had an interception against McCord earlier
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:Jackson is a guy you just
have to ask yourself.
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:Why not?
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:you turn on his film the guy is carving
people He's playing strong in the run and
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:without him UNLV does not have the success
they have He was Barry Odom's commander
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:on the football field and commanded
that defense to take the program to new
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:heights Would you have a person that is
just a great locker room guy like that?
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:Why wouldn't you want him as a
potential day two day three acquisition?
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:PSP: you've inspired me, I love the
defense side of the ball, so say no more.
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:Big fan, You're listening to PSP
with Niemoller Spruce, and our guest,
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:Brock Vieira from Sports Illustrated.
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:Make sure you check out his work.
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:Free agency starts next Monday.
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:Brock, you're the beat writer
for the Rams, you also cover
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:the Chiefs and the Jaguars.
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:I wanted to ask, what are you seeing
The Chiefs, because the Chiefs got
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:it handed to them in the Super
Bowl, Travis Kelce, seems like
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:he'll be back, the star tight end.
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:They did trade away Joe Tooney though, it
seems like he'll be going to the Bears.
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:What do you see for the Chiefs going
into free agency and the draft?
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:Brock Vierra: I don't see that making
a tremendous amount of moves because
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:it still has some other players
that they might consider re signing,
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:such as Nick Bolton and Justin Reid
on the defensive side of the ball.
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:But, Thuning's trade did surprise me.
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:Obviously this was made in
order to help keep Trey Smith.
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:I understand why he do it, Thuny is
older, while he's a great guard, he
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:did play out of position last year,
not Thuny's fault, unfortunately, he
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:got called into the emergency service
because he didn't have a proper left
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:tackle, but We see this with them before
where they'll try and get rid of aging
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:early in order for younger replacements.
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:the best example would be
Tyra Matthew for Justin Reed.
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:That helps bring on two more Super Bowls.
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:So that's what I see the Chiefs doing.
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:In terms of free agency, they
could bring in a veteran left
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:tackle to balance out that room
as they look for a younger answer.
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:Kingsley Suamatia, if I alphabetically
mispronounce his name, is just not
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:going to work out that position.
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:So that would probably be the only place
I could see them attacking in free agency.
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:they might add a utility running
back, maybe a little depth on the
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:defensive line, especially the defensive
interior, since they're losing so
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:many players outside of Chris Jones.
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:But, in terms of a major
purchase, I don't see anything.
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:However, do not be surprised
to see Trivarious Ward return
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:on a team friendly deal.
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:Ward's career has been great, but
he suffered a tremendous tragedy in
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:his personal life that he should be
applauded for trying to play through
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:during his final months in San Francisco.
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:I think he's looking for a new situation
to round out his career where he can play.
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:call home, and that's why I could
see him return to Kansas City.
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:that would be, the only big
name on the radar so far.
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:However, Hatchimal Holmes contract
is the most flexible contract in the
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:history of the NFL because they signed
the 10 year deal and keep putting
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:years on it, freeing up more cap space.
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:The bigger question is, how are they
gonna manage Travis Kelce's contract
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:he only has one year left and he's
not the player he once was anymore.
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:PSP: he's not, the, first
option for Patrick Mahomes.
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:I feel like nowadays he'll be
the third or the fourth receiving
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:option in the Chiefs offense.
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:Now, one guy who was acquired during the
season for the Chiefs was DeAndre Hopkins.
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:He's set to hit free agency.
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:with DK Metcalf requesting a trade from
Seattle, could you see the Chiefs moving
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:for a player of his caliber, or would they
try and go for a less expensive option?
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:Brock Vierra: I don't think it
will happen because the Chiefs are
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:comfortable in the draft strategy.
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:That's how I recall Trade brought
about two more Super Bowl rings
270
:because they were able to use those
high quality picks to reinforce,
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:their roster outside of my homes.
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:That's why you had guys like Trent
McDuffie and George Carlofnis and company
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:come in and be big time contributors.
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:With that being said When it comes to
the wide receiver position, I don't
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:think that they're going to address it
in a major way until after the draft.
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:We're expecting a massive run
on defenders in this draft.
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:while Seattle, moving on from Metcalf
and also Tyler Lockett, puts them in
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:position to draft the wide receiver, I
think that their belief in the Chiefs
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:camp, that if they hold out, they
could get a player like Luther Burden.
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:With the 31st pick.
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:They have four picks in the first three
rounds, so I think that they don't want
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:to spend that capital for one player
when they feel that their scouting
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:department can get three or four caliber
players at a fraction of the cost it
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:would take to not only bring DK Metcalf
on, but also extend him since he's
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:also on the final year of his deal.
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:PSP: Chiefs will have
Hollywood Brown back.
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:Marquise Brown should be fit for 2025
after missing much of the season.
288
:he might have received rights
available, subject to NFL
289
:investigation and potential punishment.
290
:Not like the wide receiving room
is thin, it's just that it's not
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:what we're used to with the Chiefs.
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:Brock Vierra: when it comes to
Rasheed Rice, it depends on Hollywood
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:Brown he might go somewhere else
for a little bit more money.
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:Because I'm sure the Chiefs are going
to offer him a very low one year
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:deal because , Hollywood Brown was
injured for most of the year and he
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:wasn't that big of a contributor.
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:But, I think about the prospect of
having Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown.
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:Rashi race and quite frankly, I
think Rashi at most will get a four
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:game suspension for his issues.
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:The nice part about it is that
since he got injured, no one's been
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:talking about him in the media.
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:And as we all know, the media drives
the punishment given by the NFL.
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:there's been a lot of other massive
off field conduct issues since then,
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:which might help ease the punishment
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:PSP: in the off season, the Chiefs are
getting good luck One team that had no
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:good luck is the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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:they moved on from head
coach Doug Peterson.
308
:They've also moved on
from GM Trent Balkin.
309
:A chaotic manner towards the end of
the hiring cycle, and essentially,
310
:Ben Johnson interviewed with the
Jags for the head coaching role.
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:Said, I won't work with Trampalki.
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:Knocked it back, and then days later,
Trampalki was let go of his GM.
313
:nowadays, Liam Cohen is the head
coach of the Jaguars, former offense
314
:coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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:they have one of the
youngest GMs in the chair.
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:His name is on the tip of my
tongue, but you can help me out.
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:Brock, take us through that
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:Brock Vierra: Yes, I'd love to
because the Rams team I cover are
319
:directly associated with that.
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:That's James Gladstone.
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:he worked for the Rams for eight years.
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:he was the director of college scouting
for the Rams for the past four years.
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:that helped accelerate the Rams
rebuild after their victory, in
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:the Super Bowl, when they sent F 10
picks and trained away everything.
325
:When you wonder how they were able to
get successful so fast, it's because
326
:of Gladstone's scouting department.
327
:Getting guys like Pukunukuwa
in the 5th, Quinton Lake in the
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:6th, Kobe Turner and Byron Young
in the 3rd, so on and so forth.
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:Gladstone knows how to pick gems.
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:And even the UDFA market, they've
had a tremendous amount of success.
331
:that entire defense for the Rams last
year once they figured it out had it
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:rolling There's only one first rounder
defensive rookie of the year Jared
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:Furst The defensive line was Two second
year guys and a another rookie when
334
:they have the three, four, they put in
Bobby Brown, who's a fourth year guy
335
:as well, but he's another, non first
round draft pick, but you start looking
336
:at the secondary, you get some third
fourth and fifth, Jacksonville, needed a
337
:full cultural reset and one of the nice
parts about it for them was that the
338
:owner Sean Conn and even the son Tony.
339
:They don't get involved that
much in day to day football
340
:operations, which is always great.
341
:So football people can do football
things, and that's what I would
342
:expect from Jacksonville Jaguars.
343
:They are in a very advantageous position,
especially after getting rid of Christian
344
:Kirk and his cap hit, They have the
fifth overall pick, which they can
345
:potentially use to trade back, especially
depending on how the quarterback market
346
:shapes out in these next coming months.
347
:Gladstone knows how to
pluck talent from anywhere.
348
:Around the country.
349
:They already have an impressive team.
350
:They have a very strong defensive line
with two double digit sack headdressers.
351
:Eric Armstead, who was playing
out of position last year,
352
:wants to return inside.
353
:if Tyson Campbell, can stay
healthy, they have a good outside
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:inside duo with Jerry and Jones.
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:Let's say they go get a guy like
Travis Hunter or perhaps Will Johnson.
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:Yeah, strong.
357
:Cornerback room, or they can go
get a guy like Mason Graham, should
358
:they want to boost on their inside,
or Will Johnson, I don't know if
359
:I mentioned him, for the outside.
360
:There's so many things that they can do.
361
:, on the offensive side of
the ball Cohen is genius.
362
:Baker Mayfield had career highs in almost
every statistical category he was in.
363
:Bucky Irving was
fantastic in that offense.
364
:Mike Evans put in another 1, 000
yard season despite being injured.
365
:And realistically, the only reason why
the Buccaneers often started to suffer
366
:is because everyone started getting hurt.
367
:I truly believe had Evans and
Godwin stayed healthy the whole
368
:season, the Buccaneers would
have had an even better season
369
:PSP: Yeah, I've got to agree with that.
370
:They limped into the
division title NSC South.
371
:It was really Atlanta losing to Carolina,
as much as it was them winning on the
372
:day against New Orleans, I would expect
a better season from the Buccaneers,
373
:they had the talent there, Deacon
Mayfield was starting, Mark Evans was
374
:balling out another thousand yard season,
got his bonus, they were killing it.
375
:The Jags, did you see this story from
Diana Rossini in the last 5 10 minutes?
376
:Brock Vierra: I have not.
377
:Unfortunately, you're interviewing
me right now, so I haven't,
378
:what did the report say?
379
:PSP: The Jags traded Christian Kirk
to the Texans for 7th round pick.
380
:They were going to release him,
but it looks like they were able
381
:to find someone to take him away.
382
:I know it's hot off the press.
383
:, but give us your take on that.
384
:Brock Vierra: Love it.
385
:I love Christian Kirk, and I was
never one to hate on his big contract.
386
:I always felt that he was extremely
underutilized in Arizona, when
387
:healthy, he's a thousand yard receiver.
388
:great speed, great skills, never
heard anything negative about
389
:him as a locker room player.
390
:The problem is his health the
past two years has been terrible.
391
:Was his health really that bad?
392
:Or was he getting hurt as
they're playing through it?
393
:He just decided to say this situation
with the coaching staff for the
394
:front office is so messed up.
395
:I don't want to put my body through this
no more, I'm just going to take it easy.
396
:that's my question.
397
:when it comes to Kirk on the Texans,
that's a move that I understand why
398
:Houston made, especially with Tank
Dell, especially, expect them to miss
399
:next season, Stephon Diggs isn't coming
back, you need to have a deep threat
400
:to help stretch the field, it just
feels like Will Fuller all over again.
401
:You gotta get a speech
with an injury history.
402
:I get it that he's a 7th
round pick, but I don't know.
403
:I just feel that the Texans are
struggling to squeeze the most out of C.
404
:J.
405
:Stroud.
406
:And while they've had impressive post
seasons, they have a clear ceiling.
407
:Kirk can play a role in breaking
through that ceiling, the
408
:best ability is availability.
409
:right now, Kirk does not have it.
410
:Great for the Jags to get something
for him because they were going
411
:to release him, it should be a
red flag when a team is willing to
412
:trade a player to a division rival.
413
:PSP: that was one of the first free agency
contracts signed in:
414
:didn't mind paying, so The incoming GM
has to correct the previous GM's mistakes
415
:they have to pay a price by trading within
the division, but again, desperation
416
:does set the in these markets sometimes.
417
:When you look at the Jags, the
division is definitely taken.
418
:Houston have won the division,
they've made the playoffs
419
:the last couple of seasons.
420
:Indianapolis fell back a bit.
421
:Anthony Richardson.
422
:took a series off during a game.
423
:They're going to bring
in competition for him.
424
:You look around the division.
425
:Do you get the sense that with the right
moves made this offseason, the Jaguars
426
:can return to division contention?
427
:Brock Vierra: I think with the
right moves, there could be
428
:a potential contender to go
to the AFC championship game.
429
:You already have your
quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
430
:This quarterback that shined in college,
and when you ask, Oh, why hasn't
431
:he been able to produce in the NFL?
432
:His first head coach in
the NFL was Urban Miner.
433
:So that already, you're
already off on the wrong foot.
434
:When he had Doug Peterson, He looked good.
435
:They won the division and made it
to the divisional round where there
436
:were a few plays away from knocking
off the Chiefs and narrowing him.
437
:Then when you had the second half
meltdown in:
438
:Plus, I'm getting reports
that Doug Peterson took the
439
:year off in his final year.
440
:He knew he was getting fired,
so the same, effort level wasn't
441
:there in terms of preparation.
442
:he ended up getting hurt By Aziz Alshair.
443
:I think that they have a promising
quarterback for Trevor Lawrence
444
:that has the right offensive
line backing him and Liam Cohen.
445
:the strength of their team, continues
to be their defense, as I mentioned all
446
:those names earlier, is they make the
proper selections in this upcoming draft.
447
:They already have strong pieces in play.
448
:They do need to upgrade
the linebacker room.
449
:Devin Lloyd, Chad Mumma, and
company are not cutting it.
450
:They need to add another cornerback,
and find a replacement for
451
:Andre Sisco in the safety room.
452
:However, their new defense coordinator,
Ashley Kampnile, is a Defensive
453
:back whisperer, to say the least,
so I think that their issues and
454
:coverage will cease to exist.
455
:And like I said, they already have double
digit pass rushers across the board.
456
:I think the division
should be the favorites.
457
:Honestly, it should be Tyler Houston,
because Houston hasn't shown me
458
:the consistency that I wanna see
to say that they're gonna win the
459
:division for the third straight year,
Indianapolis and the Dumpster Fire,
460
:and they don't have a quarterback.
461
:You have a lame duck GM who continues
to have a job for some reason.
462
:I don't want to be rude,
463
:PSP: Okay.
464
:Brock Vierra: that's the consensus around
the league why wasn't Ballard fired?
465
:I do think Jeremy Irsay doesn't
want to fire one and keep another.
466
:he felt it was unfair to fire both
Ballard and head coach Shane Stankin.
467
:he's giving both of them one
more year to figure it out.
468
:As they don't, I think
he's going to clean house.
469
:Shane Stankin doesn't have a
quarterback, like I mentioned.
470
:His offense system is good.
471
:His system as a team is poor.
472
:They seem to have a divided locker
room where the aging vets are
473
:disgusted with the mentality shown.
474
:They haven't shown they can be a
legitimate playoff contender since
475
:Andrew Luck retired outside of
that one year with Phillip Rivers.
476
:when you look at Tennessee, it's
just not gonna work this year.
477
:While Tennessee does have some nice
pieces on their line of scrimmage,
478
:they don't have a quarterback, a
strong line of supercore, they don't
479
:have a defensive secondary, and
they don't have a linebacker core.
480
:Like I said, I think the Giants can
take the division, and depending on
481
:who they play and who they face off
with, I truly believe they can make
482
:a potential deep run in the playoffs.
483
:I don't think they're Super Bowl bound,
but they could have a strong home win
484
:and knock off somebody in the divisional
round, as they've done in the past.
485
:PSP: There we go.
486
:I got a co sign that you look at the
defensive line for the Jags, you've
487
:got Josh Hines, Alan, Trayvon Walker,
who was drafted very early I think
488
:the value is still there with him.
489
:It just hasn't been brought
out by the right coach.
490
:think Saxonville 2.
491
:Hopefully, James Gladstone can
channel his inner Les Snead and
492
:bring out some splash moves.
493
:AFC South is there for the taking.
494
:is picking first for a reason.
495
:you don't get first overall picks for
being good, there's problems in that
496
:franchise, Houston have won the division,
but I think that's default, as opposed
497
:to being the best team out of the four.
498
:So we'll see what happens there.
499
:One quick question.
500
:Brock, have you been to London?
501
:Brock Vierra: I've never been to a London
gig, but I have been to London, yes.
502
:PSP: Okay.
503
:I've always wondered about going to an
international game for the NFL, because
504
:there's London on the menu, we've got
Dublin next season, Berlin, Munich
505
:Brock Vierra: Yes.
506
:PSP: Madrid.
507
:Brock Vierra: the Rams are
headed to Australia in:
508
:Chargers going to Brazil next season
509
:PSP: It's all happening.
510
:the Rams are in for a treat, because
the Melbourne Cricket Ground is
511
:a sporting maker, if you will.
512
:Up to a hundred thousand fans.
513
:You've got or three levels.
514
:It'll be sold out.
515
:I don't think people in North
America understand the appetite
516
:that Australians have for NFL.
517
:People get up at 1, 4 in the morning
to watch games on a Monday Not just for
518
:fantasy, but because they love the game.
519
:when that regular season game gets
out there, it's gonna be huge, whoever
520
:the Rams play, it's gonna be a huge
game, Matthew Staff is gonna be there,
521
:cause was about to go to the Raiders,
but he's did a 180 degree turn and
522
:he's back in the blue and yellow.
523
:huge is that for LA going into 2025?
524
:Brock Vierra: For Stafford to return?
525
:PSP: Yes.
526
:Brock Vierra: I think it's huge.
527
:They were a play away from being
the Super Bowl champion, right?
528
:And they are able to score that
touchdown against the Eagles late,
529
:which they had the play set up.
530
:Unfortunately, Jalen Carter blew it
up because Kevin Dotson and Bo Lerner
531
:missed the combo block against them.
532
:They beat Philadelphia.
533
:They have the same strong
defensive line that Philadelphia
534
:had that would have given Jalen.
535
:Daniel's problems with the NFC title game.
536
:Plus, the Rams would have been hosting
that title game too in Los Angeles.
537
:And then, of course, I guess the
Chiefs, like I said, they have
538
:the same strong defensive line.
539
:Chris Shula, the defense coordinator,
was in his bag at the end.
540
:It was the greatness, of
Saquon Barkley and the strong
541
:Eagles defense that ruined it.
542
:Why want a new quarterback
when you were a play away?
543
:you're reinforcing
deficiencies this off season.
544
:So that's huge.
545
:I think that the rounds are in
my top four teams that I have
546
:predicted to win the Super Bowl.
547
:They are the number two team
in the NFC we'll see what
548
:happens in the regular season.
549
:But if it comes to a rematch where the
Rams have to host the Eagles, or even
550
:if the Rams have to go up to the link,
I think the Rams would it this time.
551
:PSP: the Rams have done a fine job.
552
:Arradona retired, but they
managed to replace his production
553
:through not one, but two rookies.
554
:And you've got Jareb Verst, Defensive
Rookie of the Year, Byron Young,
555
:Kobe Turner, these young guys
all across the defensive line.
556
:can beat you in many ways.
557
:If you were watching the game
without sound, you wouldn't
558
:know Aaron Donald had retired.
559
:They've done a fine job
560
:Brock Vierra: Yeah, Colby Turner is
a top five defense tackle in the NFL.
561
:said that at his, podium
session at the Combine.
562
:And for Turner, To have
learned under Donald for that
563
:one season, I think was huge.
564
:the worst part is I would love if
Aaron Donald came back for one more,
565
:I'll be honest As much as I'm supposed
to maintain professionalism and
566
:unbiased nature, I just love football.
567
:I love the game so much.
568
:And even though I covered the Rams, even
if I was covering a team besides the
569
:Rams, I would still love to see Aaron
Donald come back I truly believe Outside
570
:of three months or so with Von Milton,
Jared Verse would be the best Ed Rusher
571
:Aaron Donald would be paired against.
572
:I think he'd be better than Chris Long.
573
:Robert Quinn.
574
:Leonard Floyd.
575
:the list goes on.
576
:It starts with Ipicum, that's
why I would love to see it.
577
:But I get to see a glimmer of it in
Colby Turner she has that never say die
578
:attitude I'm literally gonna run through
two offensive linemen because I'm that
579
:guy and for the new generation who may
have not had a chance to experience the
580
:greatness That was Aaron Donald they
get a taste of it in the modern era.
581
:PSP: Absolutely, that Super Bowl
LVI team, was Led Snead's he went
582
:all in and they got the glory.
583
:Banners lasts forever, man.
584
:Banners lasts forever.
585
:I don't care what anyone says.
586
:SoFi Stadium has a new one.
587
:One of the guys from that Super
Bowl team was MVP, Cooper Cupp.
588
:He is Stafford's to Batman.
589
:How likely is it that the Rams
hold on to Cupp this season?
590
:Brock Vierra: If you were to ask me
that yesterday, I would say it's 30 to
591
:70 percent that they hold out to cut.
592
:Unfortunately, that's about
a 2 percent chance today.
593
:they just re signed Tutu Atwell.
594
:To a one year, ten million
dollar guaranteed contract.
595
:considering how much cap that eats
up, it guarantees Cup is gone.
596
:It's unfortunate, because I
think there was ways to keep him.
597
:I think that if they told Cup, Hey,
you gotta take a paid cut to stay,
598
:I think he would've been willing to.
599
:But no conversation like that happened.
600
:it feels a little bit bad.
601
:I get it's business, and I get
their ready to move on from Cup.
602
:I think he provides a
tremendous amount of value.
603
:And his influence on the football
field, even if he doesn't have the
604
:same production as he would have had in
years past, continues to be one of the
605
:things that makes the Rams offense run.
606
:Also, his brainpower and his ability
to be a mentor played a strong role in
607
:why Puka No Kua was so good so early.
608
:So I think that the Rams are
really gonna miss that once he
609
:truly does leave the building.
610
:To, , answer your question,
I say 2 percent chance.
611
:2 percent chance that Cups lose.
612
:PSP: End of an era.
613
:who do the Rams pivot to?
614
:I'm sure Snead has a plan,
but what does that look like?
615
:Will that be the draft?
616
:I'm sure they won't be ringing up
San Francisco for Brandon Ryuk, but
617
:would they be looking for player
like De'Andre Hopkins or maybe
618
:even Tee Higgins from the Bengals,
619
:Who would they be looking
to replace Kup with?
620
:Brock Vierra: Unfortunately,
Higgins is out, and the reason is
621
:that he's maybe too expensive for
the draft picks the Rams have.
622
:The Rams do not have a second round
draft pick in the:
623
:they used that to trade up for Brady
Fisk, last season, so that's gonna
624
:prohibit that trade for Higgins.
625
:Plus, Joe Burrow, would, throw a
mutiny if, Higgins left Cincinnati.
626
:who was the other, person you suggested?
627
:PSP: Oh, I mentioned Aigbo,
that was tongue in cheek.
628
:I'm a Niners fan, so I just
wanted to throw that out there.
629
:If you could
630
:Brock Vierra: Ah, gotcha.
631
:PSP: that would be great, thank you.
632
:Brock Vierra: as much as I would love
to relieve you of your financial burden
633
:as the commanders did of Deebo Samuel,
no , but I think the number one answer
634
:in terms of free agency is Devonte Adams.
635
:Devonte has expressed he wants
to return to the West Coast at
636
:his original home growing up.
637
:I think right now the competition has
come down between the Rams, the Chargers.
638
:potentially the Seahawks, but
I doubt that there may be that
639
:much of contenders in there.
640
:And honestly, perhaps your 49ers,
depending on how much money Devontae
641
:Adams is willing to eat on his contract.
642
:I don't see the Niners working
out because, unfortunately,
643
:they just don't have the money
644
:Though they have the money this
season, the:
645
:old, Lori, so that could prohibit
Devontae from going to the Niners.
646
:I think Devante is the guy.
647
:there is a belief within the Rams
organization that whatever issues with
648
:Devante are only perpetuated because
of the media presence of New York, of
649
:the Be the Jets, and Aaron Rodgers.
650
:Now that Aaron Rodgers would not be
part of that equation, Devante as
651
:a stand alone player was fantastic.
652
:Realistically The only reason why it
didn't work out with the Raiders was
653
:because Josh McDaniels screwed that team.
654
:I could spend hours talking about
why Devante Adams and Josh McDaniels
655
:did not work out in Las Vegas,
but that's not here nor there.
656
:turn on our TVs and watch Duvante saying
that because of terrible quarterback
657
:play, he's getting hit the most amount
that he's ever gotten hit in his career.
658
:He wants a quarterback to keep him safe.
659
:He wants to go to a situation
where he can win a Super Bowl.
660
:He already has made about 130 million
in his career, so money isn't everything
661
:The Rams allow him to move back
to California, for his family
662
:he doesn't have to be Superman.
663
:Fukuda Kuo is Superman.
664
:He can just be that guy that,
gets the advantageous matchup
665
:and goes out there and dominates.
666
:PSP: There we go, that's
great stuff, Rock.
667
:we can find your work on
Twitter slash X at MNSToday,
668
:where else can we find your social media?
669
:Brock Vierra: Yes, sir.
670
:You can check me out.
671
:follow my instagram.
672
:It's private, but I accept
people all the time.
673
:PSP: Yeah.
674
:Brock Vierra: So brock
viera, brock dot viera.
675
:You can find my instagram over
there but really simply please just
676
:check out my work Rams on si, chiefs
on si, Jaguars, on SI UCLA on si.
677
:You please read some of my articles.
678
:You like what I have to say?
679
:Shoot me a DM on Twitter
or at me on Twitter.
680
:And I love engaging
conversations with everybody.
681
:If you don't like what I have to say.
682
:Still at me and we'll talk I love
football So that's the best way
683
:to reach me and find my work.
684
:PSP: Now Brock, before we get you out
of here, give us a ball prediction.
685
:Could be Chiefs, Jabs, Rams,
anything football related for:
686
:Brock Vierra: Ooh a bold prediction.
687
:All right.
688
:Oh, you're putting me on the
spot with this one brother.
689
:Bold prediction is that
690
:I'm gonna do two for you.
691
:One's a Homer prediction and one is
a cross the board NFL prediction.
692
:PSP: Okay.
693
:Brock Vierra: my homework prediction Puka
will win the Triple Crown in:
694
:PSP: Wow.
695
:Brock Vierra: Yep.
696
:if you break down his, per game,
statistics and compare them with
697
:Jamar Chase, who just won the Triple
Crown, and Justin Jefferson, they're
698
:very close outside of touchdowns.
699
:the Rams are expected to
improve in red zone efficiency.
700
:But for the rest of the NFL, my prediction
is that four NFL coaches will be fired
701
:before the end of the 2025 season.
702
:PSP: Boom.
703
:That's the final word from Brock Vieira.
704
:I've been your host, Nimalos Bruce,
and this is another episode of PSP.