NFC South Love and Saints Camp with Cam Jordan, Chris Olave, Juwan Johnson and Justin Reid

19:41And that's where he actually reminds me a little of some of my favorite quarterbacks, the anticipation that he can throw those outbreaking routes like a Geno Smith, like a Phillip Rivers. that's lofty company, but the types of throws that he makes are just beautiful football throws. And that's one of the things I love about Bryce Young.

19:59Jourdan Rodrigue:And I think, first of all, I like how they've built their receivers room. I think that group will still have a ways to go and proving that they can kind of all click together and develop different layers in the passing game. But I like how they've built it out over the last couple of years. One of the things that I think doesn't get talked about enough and certainly didn't last year and definitely didn't, especially when they were struggling at left tackle a couple of years ago when Bryce first came out, This offensive line has come together. It is a top third offensive line in the NFL. It played like it last year, and they have things that they need to fix in the run game.

20:33Jourdan Rodrigue:But in terms of protecting and understanding where Bryce Young is and having some of the stalwart players, Austin Corbett, Taylor Morton, Taylor Moton on the right side, they are a group that is now used to playing together more. Ikea Konwu is gaining confidence. That's all you're hearing from how he finished last year and then coming into this season. And if they can finally look like a veteran group together for Bryce Young, I think that goes miles for him this year. And the camp reports for Tetaro McMillan, T-Mac. I don't know. There was a T-Mac. Kyle Brandt pointed that out. So I kind of like just saying the full name.

21:09That's what his mom wanted anyways, Tetaro McMillan. He's getting the volume of a number one receiver and looks like a number one receiver. Even though there's like some drops to me in a perfect world, he has a little T-O to him where you can live with a few drops when you're that physically talented. I mentioned Canales talking about Bryce Young and the maturation that he had. Remember, of course, Andy Dalton was starting games for the Panthers last year. I would say the biggest thing is that he continued to lead throughout that process. I think that he earned a lot of respect from his teammates, from me, that regardless of the situation, he didn't agree with me on the decision not to play him.

21:50But he worked and he kept leading. And he was showing me, this is my team. And he was showing his teammates, you're my guys. And he would stay in front and he would touch them and talk to them. And then came back in and then we started to grow together. And then building into that in the offseason, the leadership continued. Got a little something to him.

22:14Jourdan Rodrigue:Yeah, I love it. I had DJ's voice in my head. I guess it's getting back to work with him. when you said that they were a top third offensive line. Oh, yeah. I hedged. I'm learning so much from you. He got on me for building up Devontae Adams and then saying top 15 receiver, which just isn't that dramatic. I mean, top third, 32 divided by three, that's like 11.3. You might as well go top 10 at that point. Coming from where the Panthers were a couple of years ago, I think they would take it in a heartbeat. I'm just giving you a note. I think just go top 10 at that point. That's a question. Are you also?

22:48It'd be 10.66666.

22:49Jourdan Rodrigue:So this is how negative cycles perpetuate, Greg. You were hurt, now you hurt me. Hurt people hurt people. I get it. Sometimes like a little bit of hurt is healthy. Think about that. That's the NFC South in a nutshell, baby. We will take a quick break. We are going to be back on the other end with the New Orleans Saints. That's going to be me with a rapid fire bunch of interviews. Excited about that. And then Jordan is going to join me on the back end of the show.

23:45every four or eight weeks. If your doctor decides that you can self-inject Tromphia, proper training is required. Tromphia is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease and adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. Serious allergic reactions, increased risk of infections or lower ability to fight them, and liver problems may occur. Before treatment, get checked for infections and tuberculosis. Tell your doctor if you have an infection, flu-like symptoms, or need a vaccine. Explore what's possible. Ask your doctor about Trimphia today.

24:18Call 1-800-526-7736 to learn more or visit trimphiaradio.com. Lows, noes, Sundays are for football. So tackle your home improvement projects by Saturday and earn your Sunday with great deals on LG and Bosch appliances. Select Ego, DeWalt, PhilTreat products and more. Then once your to-do list is done, Get ready to kick back, relax, and enjoy the game. Shop in-store or online now and earn your Sunday with help from Lowe's, official partner of the NFL. ChatGPT can do more than answer questions. It can help you get real work done. ChatGPT work is built for bigger projects with multiple steps. You bring the goal along with the information it needs, like briefs, notes, files, feedback, calendars, data sets, or project plans.

25:08Then ChatGPT can help turn all of that into something useful. An analysis, a tracker, a deck outline, a prototype, or a workflow you can keep shaping. It can also use approved apps, connected tools, files, and browser contexts to help move the work forward. And you stay in control. You give direction, review drafts, approve actions, redirect the work, and choose the final output. so you spend less time sorting through busy work and more time making progress on the work that matters. Put ChatGPT to work on your most ambitious ideas and projects. Get started at ChatGPT.com by selecting work mode.

25:47Available on Plus and Pro Plans. The washer won't start and the laundry's already piled to the ceiling. Hopping on grandappliance.com. Great idea. I heard they have next day delivery. Uh-huh. I'm seeing that too. And they have a bunch of GE options in stock. Oh, that's great. We've always had good luck with GE appliances. This one looks perfect. Scheduling for tomorrow. Gosh, Grand really makes it easy. Another crisis averted by the team at Grand Appliance. Visit GrandAppliance.com today. Grand Appliance, appliance experts since 1930. This is Adam Devine, Blake Anderson, and Honors Home from This Is Important.

26:27You know those moments when you realize you've been adulting too hard? Like getting excited about a new vacuum? Making a spreadsheet for a group trip? Saying, uh, let's circle back and meaning it? That's when you need a slice. And trust us, we all need a slice. Slice is a soda you remember. Back and better for ya. And yes, it's still soda. The full flavor, the fizz, the whole thing. but now it has grown-up benefits. Five grams of sugar or less, plus prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics. I personally love the orange soda flavor because it takes me back to my childhood. So you get real soda flavor, real fizz, and real benefits without making some sad adult compromise.

27:21Grab a slice when you want something full-flavored, low-sugar, gut-friendly, and way more fun than whatever responsible thing you were about to do. Slice, a better soda for fun's sake.

27:36All right, we are here with the outstanding defensive end of the New Orleans Saints. Cam Jordan, a man who is also a podcast host off the edge with NFL media. Cam, like, were your feelings hurt at all that the podcast group didn't go along in the ESPN package? I was going to say, I thought I was being absorbed as well. You know, my podcast sponsored by, you know, NFL Network and iHeartRadio. And I guess it's still sponsored by NFL Network and iHeartRadio. I don't know. It is. I mean, it's in the press release. Right. And it says the NFL still owns a podcast. I think that's a good thing. I think they think we're doing such a good job, Cam.

28:16They want to keep it going into the future. How has it been, by the way, being like a podcast host slash player? Podcast life has been wonderful. The first couple of years when it was me and Mark and there was a tandem. You got to love a good duo, you know? Then when you go solo, it's not as fun when you're talking to yourself because now you're truly talking to yourself. Like, you know, like at least if you live stream something, you've got a chat you're talking to. You've got your, you know, you've got a Batman. You've got guests. Yeah, there's Batman and Robin, but you know, Batman and Robin used to work together.

28:50Right. You know? Batman Nightwing. I feel that. The whole thing is on your shoulder. If it doesn't go well. Guess whose fault it is. You can't really blame anyone. Can't blame anybody but yourself. No, you blame your producers. You fed me the wrong information. You said seven-time pro bowler, not eight-time pro bowler. Gosh darn it, Batman. No, we got the best in the business helping you out, including Chris Pabonis sometimes on the off-the-edge team. You guys look great out there today. Yeah, it was a fun one. Saints defense. I know it wasn't like a heavy day of practice, but that looked like a defense that's feeling themselves.

29:21That was like five team periods. I don't know. Okay. I appreciate it, you know. Um, you gotta, after me, I guess there's another guy who's in the podcast space as well. We're all just podcast family. We got Juwan Johnson. Juwan Johnson. Yes. Ju Shan. Shan Ju. Like, tell me about how this defense feels different maybe than last year. Not like comparing and contract, just like a lot of different players. Not in terms of the scheme and everything, but it is a lot of new players on this team. There's a lot of a lot. You know, you bring in Justin Reed. You got Julian Blackman, that complete new backfield in the safety area, right?

29:57You have the surgeons of Kule McKinsterica heading to his second year. Looks like he's dialed in. Alante Taylor heading to, what, year four now? Love it right now. Contract year. Man, and a vocal leader. You can feel it on the field. Justin Reed came in with a commanding presence. Of course, you got Pete Warner, DeMario Davis. I feel like Jalen Ford, as well as DeMarco Jackson, is having great camps. We bring in, you know, now our D tackles, I think you can label them defensive ends or something like that. Whatever you want to label them. Just know our D line is hulked up. You know, guys are getting bigger, stronger.

30:34I mean, you're a big, big group. Yeah, yeah. Brandon Staley likes those big guys up front. No doubt. He's got a type. Edge is 6 '4 and above, you know. Carl Grandison, 6 '5. Chase Young, 6 '5. Cam Jordan is a short one of the bunch, 6 '4". Gosh darn it, Batman. Grand dazzle. I'm like 5 '5", 5 '6". Yeah, my dad married for love. Although I felt better watching your – Blake Groupie was like – he was closer to my side. Yeah, Blake Groupie gives everybody hope. He's like, oh, that's a football player? No, he's a kicker. There's a difference. You know, like – I can tell my son, though. It's not his fault, the genetics.

31:12I can tell my son, like, look at that man. He's got a strong leg. You got a chance. Yeah, absolutely. So you've been in New Orleans forever. I have been a short-time resident of New Orleans. I went to college at Tulane, and I have a lot of love. Good old Tulane. Yeah, for the city. How has living in New Orleans this long changed you? Man, all my kids is from there. Remember to wipe down a good old Magnolia. The 504 is special, man. Everything that I've wanted to accomplish happened there. You know, wildest dreams have been accomplished there. I've got one dream left, and that's to win the Super Bowl.

31:47Because other than that, I've done it all. I've done, done, done it all. It's been a blessing. Don't you feel like New Orleans is just a little different? So I think for people that haven't spent that time in New Orleans, what do you think is different about playing there as a professional athlete, living there, than in different places? The fans live, breathe, eat football. They may know gap assignments. When you think about it, we come from the West Coast, you go to the South. we like football on the West Coast. You know, we like, we appreciate athletics. It's an event to go to. No, no, no. In the South, they're looking forward to Sunday.

32:24Like, the only reason they're happy about Friday is because Sunday's coming faster. You know, like, it's who we play. They got their schedule down. They've got the jerseys that they're going to wear to the games. They've got their rituals of, like, what chips they eat before each drive. There is a tradition in New Orleans, and it's nothing but the Saints. And when you're, you know, playing against this offense then, and today for sure it was a good day for the defense, and that's what I've been reading. It's always a good day for the defense in my mind. Right. Is there a part of you that's almost like, all right, we've got to bring this offense along too.

32:56We've got to bring these young quarterbacks along as a leader of this team. Through the fire. Through the fire. You know, your sharpest metals are repeatedly made from the fire. You forge it in the fire. You know, you remelt, and you do it again. There's a technique to that. I forget what it's called, but we're folding metal here. Eventually, it's going to sharpen up to where we're going to be quite a fine blade against other people. You're asking the wrong guy, although I did watch the reality show where they're cooking with the fire. I'm totally forgetting where they're bending the glass like glass blowing.

33:31Those are some real artists. If you say so. Those are some real people. Yeah, yeah. I'm not one of them artisans. I do not know. I just thought you might know that, a renaissance man. All right, wrapping up. Are you paying attention to your numbers? I'm thinking about that partly because Canton just happened, and I was thinking, okay, someday, at some point, they'll be talking about your numbers, and they'll be talking about the different numbers. Do you pay attention to your sack totals and all that different sort of stuff? Of course, in the offseason. I've always said offseason was a time to appreciate accolades, and endseason is a time to appreciate getting after the quarterback.

34:03I'm right on the cusp, but I've seen weaker Hall of Fame classes. I'm trying to be on the fence about like, hey, congratulations to everybody who gets in. But I'm leaning on the, all right, let's make it somewhere of a standard. If you're not like, for me, linebackers, if you don't have 200 tackles, I'm like, hey, you know, like he has to be greatness by longevity, not greatness by splash of. It depends how splashy that splash is. Because like Sterling Sharp, for instance, he was so amazing. Ring of honor. to guys that, guys that, in my mind, you've got a minimum nine or 10-year threshold. If you didn't make the mark, I'm not going to lie to you.

34:45That's just how I feel. But at the same time, I'm not here to say that he's not worthy. In my mind, I've always looked at the guys, the Chris Dolmans, the John Randles. I've looked at guys who played 14, Michael Strahan, Julius Peppers, Bruce Smiths, Reggie White, guys who played 10, 12, 14, 15 years, and they were great for not only five or six or seven or eight or nine, ten years of greatness. I love it. You've got a standard like six, seven, eight, nine Pro Bowls. You know, like I don't want to hear, oh, he had three years where he was untouchable. All right, what was the other three years?

35:17If he hadn't been hurt and he didn't have any. Man, Sterling Sharp taking fire. It's not Sterling Sharp. Because to be him, his peak is so amazing that if you're that dominant, then you get a little extra. But I hear you. Definitely not talking about Sterling Sharp. There was a certain outside linebacker edge type that may have gotten in some years back that I looked at and I said, well, I guess I'm already worthy. If you don't enter as a D-line, if you're as an edge guy, if you don't touch 100 sacks, now as an interior, you drop that number by at least 30. People out there can do the research and find out who that is.

35:53But yeah, if I were you, I would look at that and say that's only going to help me in the long run. Do you pay attention, though, to your podcast numbers? That's the key. Absolutely. I love my podcast numbers. I know all of them. No, I love, I love the idea that I get to talk to my friends online. I get to share these, these experiences with the world. And in New Orleans, kids can listen to my podcast and not have to worry about what's going on. You know, they're like, man, like I get reprimanded sometimes because it feels like New Orleans is such a familial place. They're like, Cam, my son heard you say, I said, oh, you know what?

36:27That is, my fault. I do try and do better, you know, and I want to be somebody that everybody can look up to, but I do have a good time on a podcast. It's where you get to let down the hair. Well, he's going to be joining us someday, whether it's NFL media, whether it's ESPN. No doubt. I'm going to continue talking recklessness. Where it's going to be, I appreciate you. Yeah, absolutely. Game Jordan. It has nothing to do with Sterling. But maybe it does, if it applies. No, I'm not trying to get you in trouble. Shanna's going to call me like, you know you're talking about my No, we're not talking about your big brother.

36:59He's amazing. But if he's in, I think my dad might be in. Okay. I'm going to start rallying Steve Jordan for the Hall of Fame. Top 50 Minnesota Viking, Ring of Honor, electee, time to be in the Hall of Great. And then we'll have a Hall of Fame. I don't know. You never know. Sometimes you wait like 25, 30 years, and then it happens. I don't like that. You know what? Either way, before I stick my foot in my mouth, you've been a blessing. Appreciate it, too. All right. We are here with Saints Safety, Justin Reed. Great to meet you. Great to talk to you. You were saying like you felt like you barely even practiced today.

37:32Yeah, I felt like we only warmed up and it's already over. Well, it hasn't been like a... Describe this training camp to me. Now you're out in California, a little different to Louisiana, but what was it like back there? Yeah, in Louisiana, it was like, honestly, it's about just building a culture. It was about building a dog mentality because when you get in heat index 115 day after day and you know what you're going to get when you walk out there. You're sweating. We did walkthroughs and your shirt's drenched by the end of a walkthrough. So practice was just about making sure, one, you prepare the right way, hydration-wise.

38:01If you're not hydrated, you don't stand a chance. And then just having that dog mentality, being a physical team, building camaraderie because we have a ton of new faces on this team. I think like two-thirds of the roster is new. And it's like continue to build. And you're one of them. And normally I would think you're coming in here at year eight, right, for you? You've been in the league. You've seen some things and you become and you come over here, you'd be like the veteran leader guy on this team. But Demario Davis has been in the league for 14 years. Cam Jordan's been on this team for 15 straight years.

38:30So what is it like joining a defense like that with that kind of leadership? What's the mix been like? I mean, it's been huge. I mean, we are not short of experience by any means, especially on the defensive side of the ball. and it's been cool that, you know, we have so much experience that we can bring to conversations, talking about ball, what we want to do here, what we want to do there, knowing problem plays that we've had from different systems that we played in the past and being able to talk it out before we even get it, you know. So I think that's really accelerated us gelling together as a defense.

39:01Are you the one that's making a lot of the communication and the calls? I know it's a new defense with Brandon Staley. Does he give you that freedom from your position to change things up from the field? Yeah. So, yeah, the back end, we were responsible for the back seven coverage wise. And the linebackers are responsible for the front and what they want to do, pass, rush, rise and with the with the run defense and everything like that. So Double D and Pete, they control the front seven and me and Julian and Jay Howell, we control the back seven. And yeah, Julian Blackman, you're referring to who also just arrived here.

39:36And that's kind of an idea of like what a new team this is. And yet watching you out there, it felt like the defense. There's a lot of energy. There's a lot of cohesion right now. There's a lot of trash talking from Demario. He said he wanted us to write down that you guys didn't let them in the paint all day. Yeah, that is a fact. You know, and it's really the way that Kellen's built this group. He's been really intentional about doing team bonding events and building chemistry and making it a space where guys are close enough to challenge each other and talk trash to each other, you know what I mean, and try and, you know, bring the breasts out of each other.

40:13So it's been a ton of fun, and we don't take it easy on each other. We're out here to compete. We're not out here on vacation, and it's just about continuing to sharpen that steel until we get ready to go on the field. What's something you can take from your experience winning those Super Bowls, playing in the Super Bowls for the Chiefs? Number one thing is that it takes everybody. Like, I believe that wholeheartedly. It isn't just your front line, first 11 guys that step on the field. At some point in the season, you're going to need somebody to step up. And they're going to need to make a play that's going to win or lose you the game.

40:45You know what I mean? You want every man to be prepared for that. So overcommunication is never a bad thing. So overcommunicate everything. be loud, be assertive. Even if you're wrong, if you're loud and assertive and everyone's doing the same thing, you know, you're going to be all right, but you just get rid of those busted plays and you'll be able to play good. You got to be right, though. You can't be assertive and wrong, right? I mean, being assertive, being assertive and wrong is 1000 % better than being quiet and not saying anything at all. Interesting. Yeah. Okay. I love hearing that. I'm curious kind of what a Brandon Staley defense is like.

41:17It's obviously new for you here, but kind of what would you say that the trademarks of what you guys are trying to get accomplished? Oh, he wants everyone to play fast. He doesn't want any thinking, no thinking. He wants everyone to play fast. He wants it to be physical. Um, he loves loading the box with the big guys up front, play a lot of five down, sometimes six down coverages. And those edge players are just, you know, out there to wreak havoc. And you got a lot of them. I was thinking, you know, you're a Louisiana guy. It just seems like it's a thing. Maybe I'm wrong. Honey badger before you, But I feel like a lot of Louisiana guys end up back on the Saints.

41:50What is it? Yeah. What is it with Louisiana, with New Orleans, that kind of made you want to come home? I mean, football is – everyone from Louisiana knows football is like close to religion down there. You know, everyone is going to know everyone's name that's on the field. And, you know, what's crazy is when you get drafted and you go through the process in about seven years, like it's not a thought that crosses your mind until the opportunity presents itself. And it's like you start thinking back and it was like when, you know, you're you're watching that 2009 Super Bowl. And it's like what that did for the entire state.

42:19And, you know, I have friends back home that dedicated an entire enshrinement, like a whole room to that moment, you know. And then, you know, you get the opportunity to do it and you think about those moments and it's just such a cool opportunity. You must have been at the age where you were enjoying that. Where did you watch that Super Bowl? At home, probably at my Uncle Kevin's house. We have a family get togethers of 60 plus people. Yeah. And all of them know ball. My mom is probably the biggest football fan in the family. OK. Yeah. That's some Louisiana stuff. That's some New Orleans stuff and a defense led Saints team.

42:54That's kind of turning it back to the old Saints back back when I was younger. Justin Reed, appreciate having you. Absolutely. All right. Here with the veteran tight end of the New Orleans Saints, Juwan Johnson. Are you a veteran? I feel like when you get the next contract, you are a veteran. I was just about to say, you just called me a veteran. That just made me feel so weird. But I feel like the difference between a veteran and not, and you can tell me if not, is when you get that nice second contract. That's the moment. Yeah, you can say that. I mean, I feel like it's everybody's opinion. I feel like he's always objective what a veteran is.

43:30I feel like after, like, you've been through a couple coaches, it could be that year five after year five maybe, you know. I feel like when you're getting up a little early, you're just like, man, I don't know about this one today. I think you could be considered a vet then, but I feel like sometimes a little bit different just depending on the person. But yeah, it's just weird that you call me a vet. I just never thought about it. I think so too, because it stuck up on me when you signed that contract this offseason. I guess it was like, okay, I guess he's been in the league that long. I think of you as a young player too.

43:58I don't know if surprise is the right word, but did you expect to come back to New Orleans? Honestly, no and yes. long story short I was waiting for the Saints for a really long time like man I want to be back but you guys you guys haven't talked to me in so long and then yeah like right before stuff was about the you know going to things we had a conversation and they extended me and I was super excited so me and my wife we were just really excited to be back my kids are here my foundation is here I have a great community here we appreciate you Cal honestly we just have so much here in New New Orleans and we just want to continue to build with this community.

44:38And honestly, I want to build this franchise. So that's what I really wanted to do. I want to stick with them. What is that with contracts and like bosses and corporations? They always do wait till the last minute. Yeah. I mean, it's not like you're going in like any other job. You like, I want to raise like you're not going in and saying that, you know, I was just kind of being patient about the situation. And I think they saw the value in me and I definitely saw the value in staying. And, you know, I really just wanted to be with the franchise. And obviously I see what Kellen is doing. and what he did before and did in Philly, did the Chargers, did the Cowboys.

45:07He has a long rap sheet. It's great. And obviously, you know, being with Ms. Benson and being with Mickey Loomis and all those guys and Dennis Lausche, I feel like it was just so good. I've had such a good relationship with them. I just want to continue that. Yeah, I heard the scrimmage the other day was 126 plays. So has that been an emphasis? Like you're getting a lot of work in in a short amount of time? Yeah. I mean, it was a surprise. I mean, honestly, you know, when you look at the clock over there, you're like, man, I think we're supposed to be done at 11, and it's 11.30. You're just like, whoa, we've been out here for quite a bit.

45:39You see guys' shoes swishing and junk, and, you know, their pants are all soaked. It's just like, shoot, we've been out here for a minute. But it's some work that we need. I feel like, you know, Kelly's been really good with taking care of our bodies, and I think it is good to kind of simulate a game. And I think that's something he's been really good about, is kind of like simulating game-like situations. I took it as meaningful when I read that little story that he had you guys watching the Indiana Pacers a little bit. talking about pace. Do you think this is going to be like a fast offense?

46:06Yeah. Well, you have to. I mean, yeah, think about it. Pacers only have one superstar if you want to call him a superstar. And so, you know, them just having like... He's a superstar. We're going to go back and let it get that. I'm just saying some people may not. I think he is. Some people may not. I'll tell you what, the Dream Team didn't. I mean, that's all I'm saying. They didn't even play the guy. I mean, they didn't think my guy Jason Tatum was a superstar. That's very true, which I'm kind of frustrated about. But besides the point, I mean, I think just having a fast-paced offense, something that gets the defense on their toes is something that is definitely a change-up.

46:39You know, we have a change-up. We have a curveball, and we have, like, a slow-paced situation too. So it's always good to, like, keep the defense on the heels and not know what we're going to expect. So you're figuring out who your starting quarterback is going to be. Tyler Shuck, I thought, had some moments out there today. Spencer Rattler, you had your guys on the move, certainly. I guess just, like, what have you seen out of your group, including Jake Hayner in this camp? Yeah. I mean, honestly, the one thing that I take about is that all of them are so supportive. And the thing is, I feel like in situations you can kind of get kind of like a vibe from each guy that is just like, they just don't like seeing each other succeed.

47:16And that's not something that I peep at all from even the beginning of us even drafting Tyler. And so all the guys have been super supportive, super helpful. They even coach each other up. And I think that's been the biggest thing about it all is that a leader is going to be out of this group, whoever it is. Like, whatever guy you want to have, he's going to be a leader. And honestly, that's what you need. And whoever we have, whether that's Jake, Tyler, or Spencer, I mean, you should be really excited on who we're going to get. I won't make you, you know, call out any former situations, but I've definitely heard Red seeing many a quarterback room where they were not supporting each other.

47:49Well, yeah, we've heard some that said that, you know, he's not there to, you know, coach other people. And, you know, and that's fair because he's also a fellow Jersey guy, so I won't say his name. I think he's just like a tough, yeah, Joe Flacco you're talking about. I think he just sounds like he's a gruff, and he's being honest. Actually, he's good behind the scenes. But back in the day, you did hear and read and see that him and Lamar, maybe when he was at a different point in his career, it maybe wasn't as cool. Before I let you go, you got this weighted shirt on. You said, you know, now you're a veteran.

48:20It's tougher to get out of bed in the morning and stuff. You're making it tougher to practice with a weighted shirt. What's up with that? It's something about adversity that you got to have. And so, you know, I just throw in a little bit more weight, just, you know, have a little bit more restriction when you're playing out there. I mean, I feel like, you know, it's kind of like a mindset thing. You know, people ask like, oh, you have what, five pounds? I'm like, yeah, I mean, it's just a mindset. You know, you really don't feel you just go out there, you're playing and then you take your shirt off and then you feel like you're like 10 pounds, 10 pounds lighter.

48:44So, okay. But what if you like, I don't know, you probably aren't reading like camp reports or anything like that. But what if they were like, well, Jawan Johnson was like looking a little, you know, like a little slower today, like looking a little five pounds heavier today or something like that. Right. Honestly, you know, I don't really mean to that. But I will say this. If somebody came up and asked me, I'd be like, well, hey, if I'm a little slower, maybe I need to work on getting a little faster. And I'll still have this one. So, I mean, on game day, it'll look a little different. And I think that's probably what matters.

49:12Right. It's like that donut on your baseball bat when you're out there in the preseason games. You know, you're out there and you're like warming up and you're like on deck. You got the little donut swinging and stuff. And then when you go out there, hit a grand slam, whatever the case may be, nobody has any questions. It is the veteran, but he looks fresh, and you can check him out. This season, this preseason, Juwan Johnson, appreciate you. Absolutely appreciate you, man. Here with Chris Olave, the talented young Saints receiver, a perfectionist. You weren't pleased with your practice today as you were coming over here.

49:44Oh, yeah, man. It was his first day out here. Got high standard for myself, but we're going to bounce back tomorrow. Tough matchups, though. Kool-Aid McInistry, Alante Taylor. I saw on you different points today. What's it like been going up against those guys? It's a competition, man. They're great cornerbacks. We go up against each other every day. Iron sharp as iron. We've been doing that all at camp. So they win some, I win some, but at the end of the day, it's a great competition. Do you like all the talking they're doing? I love it. They're doing a lot. Do you do a lot of talking? When I need to.

50:16I don't start it, but if they talk to me, I'll talk back. Okay. When I think of Chris Olabi, like I remember when you came out in the draft, and your route running and your ability to stop on a dime with some of those stop routes and just be so precise in that. How did you get that to be like one of your strengths? And would you agree that's one of your strengths? Just repetition every day, especially going into college at Ohio State. Coach Hardline taught us a lot from an early age. Once I got there at 18 years old, I learned that for three, four years, learning from him and the receiver room, just being so deep, having that competition, watching everybody else work, it made me just work even harder.

50:59So just like I said, just having that from 18 years old and trying to sharpen it every year, getting into the league was an easy transition for me. Was there someone you liked watching while you were back in college to kind of learn the craft? It was really a lot of them. Really everybody was good in the room. Terry McLuhan, Paris Campbell, all the older guys that was in front of me. I just watched them my freshman year and then try to work on my craft every day. try to perfect my craft. So when my time came, I was the best I could be. You're now with Rashid Jaheed, like a lot of pop for him this training camp.

51:33What have you seen out of him and his growth and how you guys are going to play together? He's great, man. Once I saw him come in our rookie year, I think he was injured at first, but I seen him working off to the side. I seen he had potential to be what he could be in every year, seeing him develop into a complete receiver. I'm excited for him, man, and he's humble as a person. and I can't wait to see what he does this year. It's the sky's the limit for him. So, you know, I asked one of my friends who's a Saints fan, like, oh, what should I ask some of these guys? You got anything you want? And he wants to know, like, how does a Kellen Moore offense help you, help Chris Olave?

52:08Like, what is new or different and how this offense is structured that you think can help out your game? Man, he puts the players in great positions, so it's not really a scheme. He puts the players in great positions to win. He knows what we're good at. He knows what we're great at. And he puts us in that position to be able to win on the field. So he looks at matchups. He looks at every part of the game to have us succeed. And like I said, he puts us in great positions to be able to win. So I'm excited for this year and what he provides for us. Like offensively, it's a big change for this team.

52:43You know, you were in a certain sort of scheme and there was continuity in terms of the coaches that were there, your offensive coordinator. like what is this new season been like for you like what what have you felt and been different could be anything could be the scheme or it could be the way you're attacking training camp like the vibe of the team anything that you feel like just from top to bottom man it's a whole different vibe whole different energy I love the energy around the building I love the energy the coaches bring from the top to the bottom like I said Kellen's done a great job in bringing everybody with him he brought everybody a lot of people from Philadelphia they just won a Super Bowl so So like I said, just from the top to the bottom, the vibes, the energy, everybody's bought in.

53:21The chemistry I'm on the team is great. So I'm excited for the future, but the season's going to be great. I feel like the Saints are not getting as much attention maybe nationally. So the people out there, you know, getting ready for this season, you think they're going to be wrong? Tell them why they are going to be wrong if you think that. Oh, man, we're not worried about the outside world, man. We just focus on ourselves. Like I said, we got a great, great roster on paper. We just got to keep building every day, build the chemistry along the team. So when we get in those hard parts of the season, we got to lean on each other.

53:53And like I said, we develop that bond, that chemistry right now. So when we get there, we're ready for that moment. Appreciate you. Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints. All right. We are wrapping up our day at UC Irvine with the New Orleans Saints. Appreciate all the players coming on. That was awesome. Jordan, while I was talking to the players, you were doing some interviews for a future must read piece to be named later. So I'm looking forward to that. But we did watch practice together. And, you know, we've had ourselves in a Saints mindset. So I guess before we go, I'm curious, like what stood out to you?

54:32What are you thinking about with this team?

54:33Jourdan Rodrigue:Yeah, I mean, energy from the defense. You know, I thought that the quarterbacks actually had a decent day. There wasn't a lot of team periods today by nature. Some of the beat writers were telling us that their structuring practices is a little bit different under Kellen Moore. So today may be less of a full-on team period, 11-on-11 workload, but they did get some short area work in 11-on-11. And the energy from the defense, DeMario Davis at one point came over to the sideline and said, they're hoping and wishing after a breakup in the end zone. They're hoping and wishing and then said, write that.

55:04Jourdan Rodrigue:They didn't touch the paint all day. So I'm going to share it because he said he said I could, you know, he told us to. Yeah, he was he was fired up. He's jumping up and down. And this defense is looks legit. The energy is there. The communication, the nonverbal communication is what I was watching with the secondary because this is a Brandon Staley defense. And one thing I learned way back when in watching a defense coordinated by him is you have to watch the nonverbals, the hand signals and that sort of ripple effect of communication across the back half of the defense. And that is very much there.

55:36Right. They were using Danny Stutzman, the rookie who's reportedly had a nice camp. They've they've drafted some stuff to him at that position. I was going to say, if someone has some stuff to him, Danny Stutzman got some stuff to him. He's got some stuff. And he was getting the first team snaps because Demario Davis wasn't in there today, which is why maybe he was so vocal. And you look around the defense and you do see. Productive players in the past, you see a good mix of youth, and it can be a better than average defense. It's going to need to be a renaissance season for your boy, Brandon Staley.

56:14You feel nervous?

56:15Jourdan Rodrigue:Yeah, I think so. And I think it's going to be interesting. I like the partnership with him and Kellen Moore. There seems to be, they were communicating a lot. There seems to be a good sort of, hey, let's go out there and compete with each other because they're really building this thing, combining a lot of older guys with some very, very new pieces. and then also such uncertainty still at quarterback. And so they're kind of just like building this mishmash of ecosystems together. And so you need to go out there and compete the way that we saw today. And I thought, honestly, I thought the quarterbacks, even though nobody scored, credit to the defense, in terms of getting to their reads, getting the ball out, overall decent day it looked like from the three rotating guys.

56:56I feel like there was one score. It wasn't there. There also was, you know, the officials kind of gave. It dropped. They dropped it. On a tip pass, there was a drop pass in the end zone. The quarterbacks were scrambling a lot. I saw more option plays than I would have expected with Tyler Shuck running it. With Spencer Rattler was on the move for much of the day. Jay Kaner was holding onto the ball maybe a little too long and scrambling around. There was a lot of scrambling around, and that's the flip side of saying the defense looks so good. It's like, okay, what is real there, and what is them playing an offense that's not totally ready yet?

57:30Jourdan Rodrigue:And that's where I do look at the way they're communicating. I don't necessarily, when I say they had the energy and they looked really solid, it's not like, oh, because they were making plays against an offense that's still figuring out what it is. The reason I say that is because that communication already seems very advanced relative to having an entirely new coaching staff coming in and running this system. And I think that's what really stood out to me is that the chatter, yes, was there amongst each other and that comms together. But the nonverbal stuff, like I said, all I do when I come out here and watch any coach from this system, their defense, I watch the hand signals.

58:08Jourdan Rodrigue:And that's very much what was happening today. And they have a lot of smart players. You know, we talked to Justin Reed and they brought in Julian. One of my favorite players, by the way, for a long time. And yeah, you just think of like. I'm so jealous. You got to talk to him. The know-how in this group. I'm glad you're jealous. It's good to make you feel jealous every once in a while. Also, you're talking to some of the beat writers that are covering the team and then talking a little bit with the players here, too. Look, I think if this offense is better than expected, and by that I would mean like, if they finish the year 22nd, let's say, in DVOA, and they're just respectable enough, and the defense really plays better than people are, to the Saints, I think that is their path to relevance.

58:47It's going to be because of their running game, which actually today I thought looked pretty good. They haven't been repping the running game, apparently, in practice all that much, but today they did. It was kind of a special teams and running game, And I thought it looked good. It's a just a sight for sore eyes to see those Alvin Kamara stutter steps and just how cool he still got it. Natural a mover. He is gliding through the hole. And I thought he looked awesome a year ago. I think Kendra Miller is an X factor for this team because he's just given them nothing. And the coaching staff is on him to stay on the field.

59:21And he is the healthiest that he has ever been. And so if he can give them a second explosive player in that backfield with Camara, to me, he is pretty clearly going to be the two. But he has to stay healthy because they just need juice. The thing you worry about a little bit and they are built to run up front in terms of their offensive line is just they just got a lot of like smaller fast guys. It's not a big. Yeah, that's true.

59:46Jourdan Rodrigue:He had a move today where I really saw, because I haven't seen a ton of him, but I really saw his patience as a runner where his first block got closed off, or his first gap got closed off by the defense. And he hesitated just long enough, but he didn't hesitate in the way where he was moving backwards. He was almost moving sort of sideways through the air. And then he cut to the other side and he found a new crease. And I just thought, okay, that guy's got something there. Like, keep doing that, you know. Hopefully your first gap's open. But the elusiveness and the patience and seeing what's available to him, you did see a little something there.

1:00:18Natural mover. And he caught a touchdown. That's why I'm a little confused. Maybe it was seven on sevens when he caught a touchdown, but he definitely caught a touchdown today.

1:00:25Jourdan Rodrigue:During 11s, I'm going to go with DeMario on that one. It was probably seven on seven when they scored that touchdown. So, yeah, looking at the Saints, we're going to check them out, me and my son. We're going to be in the crowd on Sunday. And we love the NFC South, by the way. We do. We'll see. Obviously, like I was here last training camp and they were trying to talk themselves up. And I was like, this team seems doomed. I think this year they're trying to talk themselves up. And I do feel like a little better about it, that it can be a nice start. And if there is a path for them to go 5-12 and it actually be like a positive season, it's tough as an NFL fan to go into a season like that.

1:01:05But I think if they have a young developmental season and get the right mix of their young players getting better, that could be better.

1:01:11Jourdan Rodrigue:I think they're going to be a tough team to play, honestly, because I do think that, yes, their record may or may not be what it is. We are all very realistic about this team and kind of where it's at and some of the places they really have to rebuild. If you don't have the answer at quarterback, you have a long way to go still. But they're going to be a tough team to smother. They're going to be a tough team to kind of beat down the way that we saw near the end of the season last year. A lot of beef. A lot of beef on that defense. They seem just like, like tired and just ready to just come on.

1:01:43Jourdan Rodrigue:Like, let's just get some energy back in here. And I, I, it is training camp, but I, I really felt that energy today. And they're not, there's no fans here. So even having that self manifested, like making that yourself, not relying on people being in the crowd cheering you on to do it. Like that says something to me too. Yeah. And on the Tyler Shuck, is he getting rid of the ball watch? I thought that was okay today. There was like two places where he held on to a little too much. He had you in the first half. You can't lie. But he looked good near the end of the practice. The first couple snaps he was doing the thing where he's holding onto the ball too much.

1:02:14But they actually moved the ball. I didn't think they looked bad. It was just the second they got close to scoring a touchdown, it stopped. All right, we are going to stop now. That was it for this show. We will be updating you on all the injury situations around the league. We are aware of the Anthony Richardson pinky situation, but we don't know what it's going to be. He took a hit where he was just no situational awareness and a bad job by the blocking there in Indianapolis. So we'll see if that's serious. We'll see if the Chauncey Gardner-Johnson injury in Houston is serious. One of my favorite players.

1:02:43He was carted off of practice today, but we'll update all that when we are back with you Sunday night, recapping all the preseason takeaways. You will next hear in this feed, 40s and free agents though, being dated Jeremiah.

1:02:56Jourdan Rodrigue:Yeah, I hear, by the way, I mentioned it earlier. I hear there's a really good Greg roast in that episode. DJ told me. Every time. I'm looking out for it. I mean, you should say it. Talk about like a competition. You should be feeling the heat from DJ. And people are going to like those shows better. You got to watch out. Football's back.

1:03:18The washer won't start and the laundry's already piled to the ceiling. Hopping on grandappliance.com. Great idea. I heard they have next day delivery. Uh-huh. I'm seeing that too. And they have a bunch of GE options in stock. Oh, that's great. We've always had good luck with GE appliances. This one looks perfect. Scheduling for tomorrow. Gosh, Grand really makes it easy. Another crisis averted by the team at Grand Appliance. Visit GrandAppliance.com today. Grand Appliance, appliance experts since 1930. When you're a maintenance engineer in a beverage manufacturing plant, you keep production lines moving and quality on track because there is no room for slowdowns.

1:03:58With Granger's vast selection of high-quality motors, sensors, belts, and hard-to-find parts, you can get what you need fast and all in one place so nothing gets in the way of getting the job done. Call 1-800-GRANGER, click granger.com, or just stop by. Granger, for the ones who get it done. Honey, Felipe sent another photo. From Argentina? How? With T-Mobile, of course. Mira, he's video calling us. Hola, familia. Did you get my photos? We did. They're so pretty. Here to share every moment with T-Mobile, Enjoy data roaming at no extra charge in 21 Latin American countries. Switch now on the T-Life app or T-Mobile.com slash connectate.

1:04:41Qualifying plan required not for extended international use. You must reach out in the U.S. and primary usage must occur in our network. Visit T-Mobile.com. Some people use ChatGPT to answer questions. Others use it to get real work done. With ChatGPT work, you bring the goal, plus real inputs like briefs, notes, files, feedback, data, and project plans. It can help turn them into an analysis, tracker, deck outline, prototype, or workflow you can review and keep shaping. You stay in control, giving direction and choosing the final output. Put ChatGPT to work on your most ambitious ideas and projects.

1:05:14Get started at ChatGPT.com by selecting work mode. Available on Plus and Pro plans. There are exciting things happening at your local CVS. Shop new extra big deals with extra care every two weeks. No coupon needed. Plus, get access to exclusive sale prices, personalized deals, and more as a member. Extra Care is the way to save at CVS. Join for free, online, or in-store and start saving. Visit your local CVS store or cvs.com slash extra big deals for this week's deals. This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed human.