In short
Nightcap episode reacting to the Indiana Hoosiers’ 27-21 national championship win over the Miami Hurricanes, plus NFL coaching/front-office talk about the Bills firing Sean McDermott and the Titans hiring Robert Saleh.
Guest backgrounds
No traditional guests appear. The hosts are Chad Ochocinco Johnson (“Ocho”) and a co-host (“Unk,” Miles Turner/Brianna Stewart segments appear as promo). They discuss football as former players/TV personalities, with Ocho providing commentary and anecdotes.
Key claims
Indiana’s turnaround is unprecedented: 16-0, first Big Ten title in 58 years, first undefeated season in 80 years, and first national champion/Heisman for IU. They praise OC Kurt Signetti’s gutsy fourth-down play-calling and Fernando Mendoza’s Heisman-level performance. For the NFL, they argue McDermott’s postseason defensive failures justify his firing, and that Saleh is a strong hire for Tennessee.
Notable examples
Mendoza 16/27, 186 yards; Mark Fletcher Jr. 17 carries, 112 yards, 2 TD; Malachi Tony 10 catches, 122 yards, 1 TD. Specific fourth-down quarterback sneak/draw and Mendoza’s break-tackle-to-first-down sequence are highlighted. They also cite Bills’ defensive issues in playoffs and compare coaching “trees” tied to Nick Saban.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VONitty-Gritty Championship Game Analysis
2:29 to 4:19
Hosts discuss the exciting national championship game and team performances.
“Use code SHANNON to get$50 in lineups after you play your first$5 lineup.”
Indiana Hoosiers' Historic Victory
4:19 to 5:12
Discussion on the Indiana Hoosiers' perfect season and national championship win.
“As you watch the very, very exciting national championship game, the Indiana Hoosiers stand atop of the mountain.”
Fernando Mendoza's Impact
5:12 to 7:05
Analysis of quarterback Fernando Mendoza's performance and significance.
“Please make sure you hit that subscribe button.”
Game Strategy and Key Plays
7:05 to 9:09
In-depth discussion of critical plays and coaching decisions during the game.
“Ain't none of us down in no Cocoa Beach.”
Analyzing the Championship Game Plays
14:00 to 21:00
The hosts analyze specific plays and strategies from the recent championship game.
“I'm not sure why Beck chose to go that way.”
Indiana's Historic Football Achievements
21:00 to 28:00
Discussion on Indiana's historic football season and Coach Saban's influence.
“If you go look at their program, what they did, they took a lot of guys from lower levels, James Madison, that situation, and brought them in.”
Discussing Fan Investments and Ticket Prices
28:00 to 31:30
Dive into the impact of ticket prices on fans' commitment to their teams.
“the real fans out they priced all the real fans out that mean obviously the fans from indiana Now, you know, some people took their life savings.”
Betting and Accountability Among Friends
31:30 to 35:24
Explore the dynamics of betting and keeping promises within friendships.
“When you try to be nice to somebody, they take advantage of you.”
Analyzing the Bills' Coaching Changes
38:39 to 42:01
Examine the reasoning behind firing Coach Sean McDermott and its implications.
“Per ESPN research, only four teams in the Super Bowl era have won a playoff game in six consecutive seasons.”
Analyzing Coaching Changes: Harbaugh and McDermott
42:01 to 43:10
Discussion on the firing of McDermott and Harbaugh's future.
“And I didn't believe it because – What did I tell you about Harbaugh?”
Show all 18 chapters
Hiring Dynamics in the NFL
43:11 to 44:50
Exploration of how coaching hires often bypass formal processes.
“if I know he was in they asked to talk to him yeah it only makes sense it only makes sense it only makes sense to have him come back because they've had tremendous success That's when he was there.”
Evaluating Brandon Bean's Draft Record
44:51 to 46:42
Critique of Brandon Bean's performance as a general manager.
“We ain't got to make it that kind of show.”
Coaches Taking Teams as Far as They Can Go
46:43 to 49:23
Discussion on the limits of certain coaches like Dungy and Jackson.
“the Pagoulas, Kim and Terry Pagoula, they're saying he's taking this team as far as he can take them.”
Speculations on Future Coaching Moves
49:24 to 51:56
Speculations on Harbaugh, Stefanski, and coaching strategies.
“Because this is the team that has the best quarterback available.”
Tennessee Titans' Coaching Change: Robert Sala
51:57 to 56:00
Overview of Robert Sala's hiring as the Titans' head coach.
“Blank y 'all ain't gonna make me say nothing bad about Mr.”
Tennessee Titans Coaching Changes
56:00 to 58:15
Discussing Robert Sala's hiring as head coach and its implications for the Titans.
“coach, a defensive mind, and I'm sure he's going to get those boys playing up to par and up to speed.”
Offensive Strategies and Challenges
58:15 to 1:03:20
Analyzing the Titans' offensive needs and the impact on quarterback Cam Ward.
“And like you did say, they can build defensively.”
Coaching Realities in the NFL
1:03:20 to 1:05:24
Exploring the pressures and expectations placed on NFL coaches, especially with the Jets.
“They want instant success, and that's not what you're going to get.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:01I'm Daniel Alarcon, and this is my friend who's much more famous than I am. I wouldn't go that far, but I'm John Green, co-host of the podcast The Away End with my old friend Daniel. On our podcast The Away End, we'll share with you the magic of international football, all leading up to the 2026 World Cup.
0:16Shannon Sharpe:Together, we'll find out why, of all the unimportant things, football, soccer is the most important. Listen to The Away End with Daniel Alarcon and John Green on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
0:33Shannon Sharpe:I'm Miles Turner. And I'm Brianna Stewart. And our podcast, Game Recognized Game, has never been done before. Two active players giving you a real look at our lives and what we actually think on and off the court. Nothing's off limits. We talk tanking. I might get in trouble for this answer, but I think it's, like, definitely happening in the WBA. We talk about our mistakes, too. They pulled me to the side and was like, hey, man, we got a call last night, man. you can't be rolling around the city like this the night before games. Check out Game Recognized Game with Stewie and Miles on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
1:07How much do you weigh, Wanda? Right now, I'm about 130. I'm at 183. We should race. No, I want to leave here with my original hips.
1:14Shannon Sharpe:On the podcast to match up with L 'Aleah, I pair prominent female athletes with unexpected guests. On a recent episode, I sat down with undisputed boxing champ, Clarissa Shields, and comedian Wanda Sykes, to talk about Wanda's new movie, Undercard, the art of trash talk, and what it really means to be ladylike. Open your free iHeartRadio app, search the matchup with Aaliyah, and listen now. Brought to you by Novartis, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports Network. The big game is almost here, and there's no better way to cash in during America's biggest sporting event than PrizePix, where it always feels good to be right.
1:46Shannon Sharpe:And the big game is right around the corner, and that means your last chance to get in on the football action before next season. So close the season outright with prize picks by getting$50 instantly in lineups when you play your first$5 lineup. Week two of playoffs has been electric. After week one, Drake made all damn day. Stephon Diggs showed up big today. More, more, more. New feature alert. Prize picks now had early payouts. If your lineup gets off to a hot start, you now may be able to cash in on those winnings before the game even finishes. Prize picks is simple to play. Just pick more or less on at least two player stats.
2:24Shannon Sharpe:If you get your picks right, you could cash in. Download the PrizePick app today. Use code SHANNON to get$50 in lineups after you play your first$5 lineup. That's code SHANNON to get$50 in lineups after you play your first$5 lineup. PrizePicks, it's always good to be right.
3:06Shannon Sharpe:Oh, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, come on. You can't don't do that. You can't just jump on the bandwagon just because they won the game now. Come on now. Oh, Joe, you do know my daughter got a doctorate degree from Indiana, right? I'll be your daughter. Your daughter deserves the right to wear the shirt. Why would you root for Miami? You didn't go to Miami. I was born in Miami. That's all my daughter. So hello you to play for the Hurricanes I said I was born in Miami. Okay, my daughter my money went to IU Okay, I like I like that. I like that.
3:41I like that Okay, okay, you know That was a good game, though. That was a good game. Very good game. Hey, let me tell you something. Let me tell you something. The playoffs, most of the time, we argue and we fussed about the teams that made the playoffs. But when it got down to the nitty-gritty in the championship game, the two right teams were there. Yes. The two right teams were there because this game was very, very good tonight. I would have loved for you and them to do a little bit more offensively, especially in the first half. But I'm going to let you do the – before we talk about it,
4:15Shannon Sharpe:I'm going to let you go. Thank you guys for joining us for another episode of Nightcap. As you watch the very, very exciting national championship game, the Indiana Hoosiers stand atop of the mountain. A perfect 16-0 record. They take down the Hurricanes by the score of 27-21, one of the great college turnarounds in college history. I don't know if we've had a better story than what we have tonight. A team that's been a predominant body feeder for the better part of 100 years, and here they are kings of college football. Y 'all know who I am. I am your favorite uncle. That is my partner and co-host, the one that's very disappointed.
4:52Shannon Sharpe:He's been losing a lot to me lately. I can't wait till y 'all see that video that we got coming out in a couple of weeks. My bad, my bad, Ocho. We ain't gonna talk about that. We ain't gonna talk about that. The Liberty City legend. He was born in Miami. He was rooting for the Canes. He's a little disappointed right now, but you know what? He should not hold his head because they put up a very valued effort. That is Chad Ochocinco Johnson. Please make sure you hit that subscribe button. Please make sure you hit the like button. And do us a favor, go subscribe to the Nightcap podcast feed wherever you get your podcasts from.
5:24Shannon Sharpe:We would like to thank each and every one of you, not only joining us tonight, but so many nights before tonight. We cannot do this without you. Thank you. Thank you so much. Because of your eyes, ears, and your word of mouth, Nightcap has become the phenomenon that it's become. And thanks to you, we'll continue to grow and continue to thrive. So again, thank you for your support and your continued support. Those looking to purchase a bottle of Shea by LaPortier and you cannot find it in a state or city near you, head to LaPortierCognac.com to order your bottle or two. We have the original, the OG size, which is a$7.50.
5:58Shannon Sharpe:We also now have the Junior, which is a$3.75. It is a premium BSOP cognac, the best tasting premium BSOP cognac on the market. But don't take my word for it. Try it and compare it against other VSOP cognacs, other cognacs in general, and let us know what you think. We believe we have the best tasting cognac on the market. Please drink responsibly and stay safe. Tickets for our Super Bowl live show in San Francisco are on sale now. The link is pinned in the chat. The show will be Thursday night, February the 5th at the Earps Theater in San Francisco, Bay Area. We expect you to show up and show out.
6:34Shannon Sharpe:Again, the tickets for the Super Bowl live show in San Francisco. They are on sale now. That link is pinned in the chat. The show will be Thursday night, February the 5th, at the Earps Theater in San Francisco. Be there. You don't want to miss this one. The Indiana Hoosiers, Ocho, they did it. They won the national championship. My cousin. Who got that pick, Ocho? My cousin, Jamari Sharp. Hey, you don't know him, man. Now he ain't my cousin. Now he ain't my cousin. You ain't no kidding to him. Where you from, man? Where you from? He a shark. That's all you need to know. Actually, he from Miami.
7:14He from down here.
7:16Shannon Sharpe:I got some relatives down there. No, you don't. I got relatives down there. Down there in Cocoa Beach. All down there. Yeah, down there. Cocoa Beach, yeah. Cocoa Beach? Yeah. Ain't none of us down in no Cocoa Beach. whoa whoa y 'all hold on ain't like y 'all inhabited like y 'all landed on miami the johnson's oh so now you not all y 'all johnson's in miami yeah listen flowers johnson's rolls um you're franklin yeah we don't we dominate down here in the side miami hey matter matter of fact i might be wrong i'm asking probably check that i think he is from florida ask if you could check that you got to fact check me before people jump on top of my head now no jamari sharp jamari sharp i think he is Jamari Sharp, he undercut a deep right.
8:03Shannon Sharpe:I don't know if Beck was thinking he was going to back shoulder him or what. What, that last play? Yeah. You came back shoulder that in the safety role? In the middle of the field, that's got to be a sideline throw. He got to let that go. He got to let it go. Oh, he went to Northwestern. He is from Miami. He went to school with him. That's Teddy Bridgewater. Yeah. Yeah, I knew him from the crib. but they won a national championship after what we thought many thought was a Cinderella season last year. They won up last year. They won up the first team. Aren't they the first team to go a perfect 16 and no team has ever won 16 games.
8:42Shannon Sharpe:I think the most was 15 Clemson 115 and I think LSU 115. Yes. Now you got the college football playoffs. Now they won the big 10 championship and they won three games in the college in the playoffs. Now here we are. We have a team that's won 16 games. That's crazy. Kurt Signetti take a bow. What you've been able to do with this program in a short span of two years. Yes. No, nobody can boast what they've done. I look, I understand that there have been some programs of turnarounds. But not like this, Ocho. No, not that fast. Let's talk about the game and we'll talk about the program. Okay, get Mendel's stack.
9:19Shannon Sharpe:Mendoza was 16 of 27, 186. K-Lon Black was 17 of 79. Roman Henry was 19 of 60. So they ran the ball 43 times for a buck 32. Carson Beck was 19 of 32, 2-32, one touchdown, one interception. Mark Fletcher Jr. continued his hot streak. 17 carries, a buck 12, and two touchdowns. He took off that long 57-yard run to get him back in the game. Malachi Tony, 10 catches, a buck 22, and a touchdown. Let's take Indiana first, and then we'll talk about Miami. Hey, go ahead. Take it away. Hey, that goddamn, listen, Fernando Mendoza. I had an opportunity to see him in high school down here at Columbus High School.
10:04He was good. I didn't know he would turn out to be what he is now. Cuban-American, obviously his parents are from Cuba. His grandparents are from Cuba. And I'm not sure. Is he, I mean, obviously he would be the first Heisman winner to be Cuban-American born, right? No, he'd be the first, maybe the first Cuban quarterback to actually win. also a national championship. I mean, he put that team on his back, Unk, when they had to have it. Unk, that fourth down, that was fourth down, that quarterback sneak?
10:30Shannon Sharpe:Yes, quarterback draw. How in the hell, who called? You talking about a ballsy call? That's Signetti. Hey, listen, that's the one thing you don't expect with as far as they have to go to score. I wasn't expecting that. Oh, Joe, it's fourth and five. You're not even expecting them to go for it. My point is that. Let alone the play that they call. Listen, that was a great play. Mendoza right there. When he got that ball and took off that that moment in in his effort to make sure I'm going to score by any means necessary and jumping and diving and just, you know, putting putting putting his body itself in harm's way, putting the ball in harm's way just to get that touchdown.
11:13That lets you know how much this game meant to him to ensure that he did win the game.
11:20Shannon Sharpe:Ocho, when you and I tweeted, I said that call forget, okay you go for it on fourth down and you're in a dogfight and you know you really haven't been able to stop Miami in the second half so you know you're in a dogfight and points at a premium. Yes. So the mere fact that he went for it and then the play that he called to go to get it. I say man Signetti, Sig's walking around with pumpkins. Heavy. heavy that's slightly disrespectful as good as as good as the hurricane defense played tonight obviously they were a bend but don't break defense you're gonna make some plays obviously in the air on the ground you're gonna have some plays but to call that on fourth and four fourth and five and expect to get it as especially with that with that with that front four i mean come on man that that was a great call that was a gutsy call very very gutsy Ocho it's the distance for me it was the distance fourth and one Ocho I ain't got no problem with that I get it yes I think you and I are in agreement with that fourth and one yes Ocho that's fourth and five fourth and five and then the play in which he called nobody saw this coming because you're like hey this ain't no running down and then for him he breaks the tackle He runs into another guy.
12:44Shannon Sharpe:Now, he's got the first out at that point. He said, but I ain't satisfied. I'm greedy. I'm going to get sweepstakes. I've already got the first. Let me – and he lays out. He knows he's going to take it. And then he brings it back in. He takes the shot in the back. That was a hell of a call. Very. I don't want to be a coach, but I just know this. I ain't going for it on no fourth and five in that situation. I'm taking that damn field goal. I'm just being honest. I'm taking the field goal. And I think a lot of other people would have taken the field goal on fourth and five. And I'm going to trust my defense.
13:18My defense has played well all night. I'm going to trust my defense and let them finish the game off. But, man, that was nice, man. Dosa played really well. Goddamn Cooper was balling. He had five for 71. Malachi Tony did what he could offensively. They kind of kept him balled up, especially in the first half. He got alive, and they put Malachi in position to make some plays in the second half, but it wasn't enough. Carson Beck on that throw, I wish he would have let it go. You got to let it go. Let it out there. It was almost like a cover two look in a sense. The corner stayed outside, knowing he had help on the inside.
13:57So the receiver was kind of sandwiched. He was kind of sandwiched in a sense. I'm not sure why Beck chose to go that way.
14:05Shannon Sharpe:It's got to be over here, because that safety is coming now. Oh, yeah, he's coming, yeah. now he's coming because if you if you just throw it in the line in which he's on it's going to be a collision and he's going to have to hold on to it i would have preferred like you said lead him but i will lead him over here because if i leave leave it right here yeah that safety gonna bust his head and in the simple fact the db was very smart the db was very smart on that at the snap of the ball he purposely used the sideline as his friend and widened all the way out so the receiver had no choice but to go inside but release inside yes so the receiver reaches to the side and it made it it put they put they put the goddamn safety right in position where he wanted to be the only way the receiver had a chance to make a play is if Beck let that thing go all the way out there like a like similar to like a Randy Moss yes uh uh Tom Brady to Randy Moss type throw I'm letting I'm just letting up as far as I can and knowing what they do yeah we threw the goal ball 42 and 4.
15:04Shannon Sharpe:The ball was 42 yards deep, 4 yards on the sideline. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Y 'all had the red line back then? I don't know. Some people is 44 and 3. I don't know, but I'm just saying the way we did it, it's 42 and 4. 42 yards deep, 4 yards deep. Is that the way? Yeah, it's the same. It's the same. Y 'all had the red line too back then? Yeah. Y 'all had the red line on?
15:33What'd you say, Ocho? Y 'all had the red line. You know, we had the red line painted on the practice field to let the receivers know the state. When you stack, you want to stack and stay on that red line, which was four yards from the sideline.
15:45Shannon Sharpe:Ocho, I don't care where you release. You can release in there by the center. All I know is when John's going to let the ball go, it's going to be 42-4. So if you want to release inside, if you want to run a shallow cross, it didn't get back out there. I don't care. Mike didn't care. Mike said you can release inside. you take the best release but at the end of the day I need you 42 and 4 and like you said a job immediately if I get you I'm stacking you I'm not just gonna run and then hope no no no I'm gonna stack your ass because now I can't have John to always have to make a perfect throw because if you don't stack him and you let that guy be in his hip there's only one place John can throw it is gonna probably be a completion and it's over here because if he put it like here he gonna chop so I want him kind of like what Marvin Mills did.
16:34Shannon Sharpe:And if I have to slow down, you're going to have to come through me to get this ball. Yep. Ocho, I thought they let them play tonight. Man, Miami was real handsy. Oh, yeah. They let them play. I don't think they called a P.I. the whole night. Maybe I missed something. Listen, they played it fair, though. They played it fair. Not only did they let them play, they were very handsy. And obviously, I see that as a part of football. So they were handsy, but none of the handsyness impeded the receiver in being able to make a play. I thought on some of those stop routes, I was like, oh my goodness. Hey, hold on.
17:07Did you see at the beginning of the game, number five for Indiana?
17:10Shannon Sharpe:Yeah, Pond. Boy? Hey, he nice. Oh yeah, he quick. He's very Denzel Ward-like. Yeah, he's quick. He got quick feet. Yeah, I wasn't able to watch him the whole game, but just his technique and what he was able to do in that first play, I was like, okay, they got something out there. I said, it's going to be a long night. in the passing game and if i i don't i don't have the stats in front of me but if you look at how many yards the goddamn hurricanes had at halftime i understood it was going to be a long goddamn day yeah um i mean they gave up a block putt for a touchdown you let them convert i think they converted uh let me see i know they can i think they converted two fourth downs on that one drive now i'm not sure how um and i think what didn't i say that was the first time they had gone for the fourth down in the college football playoffs.
18:00Shannon Sharpe:So in three games, just about everybody else was going for it on fourth down. They've been so efficient, they didn't need to. They just figured of getting everything they needed on first, second, and third down. 3 of 11. Okay, IU went for two. They were two for two on fourth down. Indiana, you know, excuse me, UM, 3 of 11 on third down, Ocho. That didn't help. IU was 6 of 15. They're normally a lot better than that. penalty 7 for 65 for 38 one turnover and Indiana dominated time of possession 36 minutes a little over 36 minutes to a little under 24 minutes for the the Canes but when you look at what Signet has been able to do he came from if I'm not mistaken he was on the staff with you remember he was on the staff with Coach Saban he was in Alabama too yes Man, everybody come from up under that tree, always has success wherever they go.
18:58Shannon Sharpe:Kermit, Kirby Smart, Lane Kiffin, Loxley, Dan Lanning.
19:07Shannon Sharpe:When you see his tree, ain't nobody in college football has ever had a tree like Coach Saban. Yeah, I mean, you heard what I just said. Yeah. Who else was there? The guy that was at Florida, the head coach at Florida, and he was there. If I'm not mistaken, I think he was the receiver coach.
19:30Oh,
19:31Shannon Sharpe:Crystal Bull was also on that staff. Crystal Ball too? Yes. He was the O-line coach. Dan Lanning was a grad assistant. Kirby Smart was the D coordinator. Mel Tucker was the DB coach. Loxley was there with the quarterback's coach. All of them, yes, all of them was there. It's so funny. Everybody that's coming to that coach. Oh, Sarkeesian? Everybody that's come under that coaching umbrella up underneath Nick Saban has had success everywhere they went. Had some type of success everywhere they went. Ocho, what look, I understand like some programs have been down like what Jim Jim Harbaugh was able to do with Michigan.
20:08Shannon Sharpe:But Michigan has always been Michigan. Yes. We know them from Coach Schimbechler, although they never won a national championship. but he always had them in contention. Yes. So what Jim Harbaugh was able to do, revitalize a once-dominant program. Indiana, their first Big Ten title in 58 years. I wasn't born the last time they won a Big Ten championship. The first undefeated season in 80 years. My mom was three years old. The first Hoosier to win a Heisman Trophy. The first ever national champion. First ever number one ranking. And probably Mendoza is probably going to be the first number one overall pick from IU.
20:50Shannon Sharpe:Absolutely. Indiana National Championship included just eight four - and five-star recruits, while Miami had 45 four - and five-star recruits. If you go look at their program, what they did, they took a lot of guys from lower levels, James Madison, that situation, and brought them in. guys that are already proven that's already played at the college level damn that potential y 'all might be good i already know i've seen what you did at that level come on yeah because we heard remember we had serrano here he said hey i played with him at jm he said you know what i'm about yeah let's go get it done and those guys came there this
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21:33what's up i'm miles turn and i'm brianna stewart and our podcast game recognized game has never
21:39Shannon Sharpe:been done before. Two active players giving you a real look at our lives and what we actually think on and off the court. Nothing's off limits. We talk trade requests. What's the vibe of that when it's like your star player is like, well, I want to leave and then actually now I'm going to stay. We talk tanking. I mean, honestly, like I might get in trouble for this answer, but I think it's like definitely happening in the WBA. And yeah, we talk about our mistakes too. They pulled me to side and was like, hey, man, we got a call last night, man. You can't be rolling around the city like this the night before games, no, you know, doing this, doing whatever.
22:14And of course, family stories. And I'll be like, mommy, why did you miss that? Mommy, do you play basketball? Check out Game Recognized Game with Stewie and Miles on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, I'm Wilmer Valderrama. And this is Freddy Rodriguez. Welcome back to Dos Amigos. Dos Amigos season two, baby. This time, we're going even deeper into our careers, our lives, our art, and everything in between. Each episode emanates from our very own speakeasy where we swap stories about the moments that really shaped us on and off camera. What do we invest in right now?
22:55What is the immediate advice you give people right now? It's to value time, to be cognizant of time and how important time is. because once the time is up, it's up, and then that's it. And the relationships, collaborations, and even the failures that pushed us to grow. And the common denominator is that we have the same people with us since, like, 30, 40 years ago, right? Like, we have a lot of the same homies that stuck around. Plus, the door always stays open for a third amigo to pull up a chair. Listen to Dos Amigos as part of the My Cultura Podcast Network, available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
23:32I'm John Green. You may know me as the author of The Fault in Our Stars, and now I guess also as the co-host of The Away End, a brand new world soccer podcast.
23:42Shannon Sharpe:I'm Daniel Alarcon, a writer and journalist, and John and I have known each other since we were kids. My first World Cup was Mexico 86. I was nine years old, I watched every game, and I fell in love. On our new podcast, The Away End, we'll share with you the magic of international football, all leading up to the 2026 World Cup. For us, soccer, football, is a story we've shared for over 30 years, since Daniel was the star player on our high school soccer team. Very debatable. And I was their most loyal and sometimes only fan. I love this game. I love its history, its hope, its heartbreak, and above all, its beauty.
24:19Together, we'll find out why, of all the unimportant things,
24:22Shannon Sharpe:football, soccer, is the most important. Listen to The Away End with Daniel Alarcón and John Green on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is the most impressive thing that I've ever seen in college football. How he was able to turn that program around so fast? Yes, because even if you look at Auburn, Auburn has had players. They had Bo, and they had guys, Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams. They've had players. Andre Bruce was the number one overall pick in 1988. They've had players. What? And prior to camp, they had their Heisman Trophy winners. Bo won the Heisman.
25:04Shannon Sharpe:I think they had another. Bo might have been all maybe Pat Sullivan. I think didn't Pat Sullivan win the Heisman Trophy. If I'm not mistaken, I think Pat Sullivan. They might have only two, but I think Sullivan won the Heisman Trophy. But we've seen nothing like this, Ocho. This is this is this is crazy. Yeah, this is crazy. What I was able to do. Yeah, in such a short amount of time. And now with the college football playoff, Ochoa, well, if such and such had made it, they wouldn't have beat this team. If that would have did this, they wouldn't have beat that team. Well, they beat Ohio State.
25:37Shannon Sharpe:They beat Alabama. They beat everybody that you put in front of them, they kicked their ass. They beat them. Yeah. Hold on. They beat them convincingly. They didn't just sneak by. There wasn't no controversy. they beat everybody fair and square with no questions. None, none. I don't know. We ain't got nothing to really talk about. From UM, I thought they got up to a slow start. I thought IU defense was playing a heck of a game. They were putting pressure on Beck. And then all of a sudden, they couldn't get any more pressure on Beck. and had and i'm like bro on third and 15 you bring a corner blitz that's the time you play zone now it's third and five thirty six you rush three drop eight huh oh joe i don't care how i don't care how many you drop if you don't put pressure on the quarterback guys gonna find dead areas hey every time man it's even easier zone zone if if you got you a very smart receiver understanding scheme and tactics and what you're trying to do defensively it's easy to find the zone it's just pitch and catch pitch and catch pitch catch get your ass upfield or get down one of the other um this was a heck of a game this is what national that ish the ash alma mater got beat 65 to 7 and all these blowouts that we've had that ain't what it's supposed to be nah it's it's supposed to be this you're supposed to be on I don't know who's gonna win this game on Joe right and matter of fact you know I was upset I wanted to take my son to the game obviously I looked at the ticket I looked at the tickets everything five thousand seven thousand dollars and I chose not to go to the game I told my son you know probably the best seat in the house is probably sitting at home watching it from from tv but for those people that were able to go to the game regardless of the price this game today regardless of how much ticket was it was worth the price of admission are you sure this game was in miami because i saw more way more red than i saw green and orange are you sure are you absolutely certain are you willing to put this on your 12 kids that this game was in miami the game was in miami but so why are them there so can i can i tell you why you yes can i tell you why yes because they priced all the real fans out they priced all the real fans out that mean obviously the fans from indiana Now, you know, some people took their life savings.
28:13They took some money they saved up, and they came and bought tickets. Well, y 'all ain't got no life savings? I mean, we do, but we ain't finna spend it on that.
28:20Shannon Sharpe:Oh, y 'all know what the outcome's going to be? Nah, we, nah. Are you football? Oh, now you're a Hoosier fan all of a sudden. Hey, don't worry about it. Don't worry about it. I just need you. Hey, you just, I'm going to, hey, you just go on the order of that case. You just order gold, that case. What case? Now what case can't you see what I'm talking about? I'm gonna put that pistol in his mouth. Wait, I'm asking you what can I don't got no case No, I'm gonna have put that the file you want yo No, I'm asking you honestly what case I can't y 'all hear what he said not chat He talking about what case I ain't get in trouble I'm do to buy like camp when you say case only case I know about is like when you got a case like what you mean I Need you to order a case of the portier.
29:09Oh Man, oh I got you. Why you oh hey matter of fact, I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna do it. Hey, hold on I'm gonna do it right now matter of fact. I'm gonna do it right now Tell me how order What would I go to on? You got a hold on you ain't got to do that. I got you, huh? I Promise you I'm gonna do I'm gonna order right now. I did a I need the website. What's the what's the website? Oh I don't want no problems you heard me I don't even like guns I'm order the case right now I promise you
29:50Shannon Sharpe:I got I got you I got you twin I put a that's so nightcap I got you on sweet Jesus on grandma cookies I got you you know you know yeah I keep my word that one thing about me i always keep my word now
30:12aren't you good over there i got you hey hey send me the link send me the link for uh le portier
30:24hey oh you got to learn how to wear your shiesty if you're gonna wear you got to make sure can't nobody recognize it's you i don't know who unk is who you oh you with 57 shiesty this this this
30:34Shannon Sharpe:Shise to Shea. Shise to Shea. Okay, okay. I like that. I like that. I like that. Yep. I got, hey, what's that in your hand? That's a baton or a golf club? I'm about to be 58 Savage. Okay. I got you. Hey, hey, what's the link to the LaPorte? I'm for the order right now. And I'm going to see you the receipt. LaPorteConiac.com. Hold on. I'm going to do it right now. Hold on. Hey, baby. Baby, I know you're watching. Do me a favor real quick. Order a case of LaPorte. Go to LaPorte.com. Order. What I got to order, huh? a case of LaPortier order a case of LaPortier with Chase and then send me the receipt screen shopping the receipt so I can send it to Unk real quick just to let him know I'm on top of my bets and I don't want no smoke I don't want no issues I want everything I want the transition going into you know Super Bowl I want that week to be smooth for us and I don't want no I'm going to clear my debt I want problems I want problems I just said I'm finna do it I don't want no smoke.
31:33Shannon Sharpe:I tried. I tried to be nice. Chad, y 'all see? When you try to be nice to somebody, they take advantage of you. I just said I'm finna buy it. I'm paying my debt. The mere fact that I had to break it, you supposed to have already ordered it. Oh, I didn't know you was gonna lose. They lost 30 minutes ago. I know, but it came down to the last drive, and I forgot all about the bet we had. But I'm taking care of it right now, though. You know? I respect you and I respect our bet because all I got is my word and if I ain't got my word I ain't got nothing and I told you I told you I'm gonna stick to my bet and I'm ordering me let me see let me see if she ordering the case right now hold on there about to be two cases ordered the one you ordered from LaPortier and the one Miami PD put on me oh nah you good listen if you do something to me I'm going to tell Mommy Petey to let you go.
32:32But they going to catch you anyway because you ain't wearing your mask right.
32:35Shannon Sharpe:First of all, you owe me still$5 ,900. Hold on. How if I'm buying a LaPortier? What? You better off stop. That ain't got nothing to do. Hold on. Hold on. I got to order a LaPortier and pay you$5 ,900? You sure do. Yeah. Well, you going to have to get that in blood. Okay. I'm buying a LaPortier. Hold on. Hold on. let me make sure y 'all see what this man trying to do this man tried this man trying to say since he buying a case the 5900 is wiped out but i thought that's what we bet on the the the the new bet was about was about the little no no no no yeah that was a new bear the old bit didn't go away okay okay okay so the oh okay i got i got you on the 5900 and um I'm gonna bring cash to you at the live show in Santa Clara.
33:27I got you. I know you can't breathe in that, huh?
33:32Shannon Sharpe:No, I don't know how pick them be playing in this. Well, it don't be that kind. It'd be the, you know, it'd be the thin one. You got the thick one. Actually, I guess I need to call it by its real name before somebody talking about I'm trying to be anti-Semitic because if you use the word shysty, you know, somebody and might say, well, he's being anti-Semitic. It's actually called a bella clobber. That is the correct pronunciation of the garment that I had on. So forgive me. Anybody that took offense from me saying the word shiesty, I apologize. Ocho, this bella clobber. No, that's not the way that, that's not the way it works.
34:11Ocho, we don't want no problem. Okay, I'm going to educate those on the outside coming in. based on culture and where you're from certain things are called different names and what you just had on your head is not a Boba Clot, it's a Shiksy Bella Clava I don't know nothing about no Bella Clava, I know about a goddamn Shiksy though, I know about a beanie with the eyes out when it's time to go do a drill, you know that's it, all that
34:38Shannon Sharpe:other stuff they talking about, man I don't, you know, I don't like I said, people try to take anything that you and I say or any somebody from that's not from that and they try to twist it and try to make more of what it than it is right and they miss the entire point so anybody that took offense to anything that I said because you know you use that word and people like oh my goodness he's being anti-semitic everything is anti-semitic now so the bella clava that I had on that Ocho and I was going back and forth we were having a good time so anybody that took offense to me using the word shiesty.
35:11Shannon Sharpe:I did not mean to or intend to offend anyone and even though that was not my intent, although intent only matters to me, if you took offense to it, I sincerely and humbly apologize. I'm confused. How can a word offend someone on an item, a tieristic item? That should really offend anyone at all. It's a long story, Ocho. Okay, my bad. Ocho! Yeah. What's up? I'm Brianna Stewart. And our podcast, Game Recognized Game, has never been done before. Two active players giving you a real look at our lives and what we actually think on and off the court. Nothing's off limits. We talk trade requests. What's the vibe of that when it's like your star player is like, well, I want to leave and then actually now I'm going to stay.
35:59We talk tanking. I mean, honestly, like I might get in trouble for this answer, but I think it's like definitely happening in the WBA.
36:07Shannon Sharpe:And yeah, we talk about our mistakes, too. They pulled me to the side and was like, hey, man, we got a call last night, man. You can't be rolling around the city like this the night before games, you know, doing this, doing whatever. And of course, family stories. They'll be like, mommy, why did you miss that? Mommy, do you play basketball? Check out Game Recognized Game with Studi and Miles on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, I'm Wilmer Valderrama. And this is Freddy Rodriguez. Welcome back to Dos Amigos. Dos Amigos season two, baby. This time, we're going even deeper into our careers, our lives, our art, and everything in between.
36:49Each episode emanates from our very own speakeasy where we swap stories about the moments that really shaped us on and off camera. What do we invest in right now? What is the immediate advice you give people right now? It's to value time, to be cognizant of time and how important time is. because once the time is up, it's up, and then that's it. And the relationships, collaborations, and even the failures that push us to grow. And the common denominator is that we have the same people with us since like 30, 40 years ago, right? Like we have a lot of the same homies that stuck around. Plus, the door always stays open for a third amigo to pull up a chair.
37:27Listen to Dos Amigos as part of the My Cultura podcast network, available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm John Green. You may know me as the author of The Fault in Our Stars, and now I guess also as the co-host of The Away End, a brand new world soccer podcast.
37:46Shannon Sharpe:I'm Daniel Alarcon, a writer and journalist, and John and I have known each other since we were kids. My first World Cup was Mexico 86. I was nine years old, I watched every game, and I fell in love. On our new podcast, The Away End, we'll share with you the magic of international football, all leading up to the 2026 World Cup. For us, soccer, football, is a story we've shared for over 30 years, since Daniel was the star player on our high school soccer team. Very debatable. And I was their most loyal and sometimes only fan. I love this game. I love its history, its hope, its heartbreak, and above all, its beauty.
38:23Together, we'll find out why, of all the unimportant things, football, soccer, is the most important. Listen to The Away End with Daniel Alarcon and John Green on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
38:39Shannon Sharpe:Bills by Sean McDermott. Oh, man, that's your fault, man. Per ESPN research, only four teams in the Super Bowl era have won a playoff game in six consecutive seasons. The 91-96 Cowboys won three Super Bowls. The Patriots, 2011-2018, won three Super Bowls. The Chiefs, 2018 to 2024, won three Super Bowls. The Bills, 2020 to 2025, did not play in a single Super Bowl. Now, I remember you and I had a discussion, Ocho. I posted it. October 13th, I said, Ocho, you looked at me to my uncle. You think so? I said, absolutely. Yeah, yeah, because look at the success he's had. He wasn't able to win a Super Bowl, but he was in goddamn contention every goddamn year, two AFC goddamn titles.
39:30six playoff appearances, six playoff appearances,
39:32Shannon Sharpe:and you still fight him. Look at the team. The Cowboys did it from 91 to 96. They won one playoff game in six consecutive seasons. They won three Super Bowls. The Patriots did it from 2011 to 2018. Three Super Bowls. The Chiefs, 2018 to 2024. Three Super Bowls. The Bills, 2025. Did not play in a single Super Bowl. I keep, I keep, see. Oh, my goodness. So I got a question for you, too. Matter of fact, chat, y 'all can chime in as well. Now, you think about the success the Buffalo Bills have had, obviously reaching the AFC Championship game, making the playoffs in general, right? So you fly at the head coach.
40:17Yes. You're bringing a new voice. You're bringing a new regime. You're bringing coaches offensively, defensively, and new special team coaches. Now, when you do that, are you further away from winning a Super Bowl or do you believe you're going to be closer to winning one since you still have the same supporting cast and the same goddamn quarterback?
40:36Shannon Sharpe:They believe the head coach is taking them, and I use the term all the time. They believe the head coach is taking them as far as they can go. They believe, hold on, because here's another scenario. What is Sean McDermott's background? Defense. Yeah. What has let him down every year in the postseason? Defense. He is. Remember, he scored 36 that lose to Mahomes. They score all these points. Come playoff time, the defense is atrocious. Now, he fired Leslie Frazier. Because if I'm not mistaken, what Leslie Frazier, his D coordinator, when they gave up that lead, a three-point lead with 13 seconds, I think Leslie Frazier was his head coach.
41:19Shannon Sharpe:And he wanted to keep Leslie on, but he wanted to call the plays. Right. They fired Leslie Frazier. I saw this from miles away. I said, boy, if he don't get it done this year and everything has been removed, he was the best quarterback still remaining in the postseason. And it wasn't a hurdle that's befuddled them so many times before, which is the Kansas City Chiefs. I saw this coming. But when I said it, I remember the chat, the chat just, Oh, you just trying to get clicks. You just saying stuff. They ain't going to fire that man. Yeah, you was right, Unc. You was right. Listen, you was right.
42:06I'm talking you was dead on. You was dead on. And I didn't believe it because – What did I tell you about Harbaugh? What did I tell you about Harbaugh? You know, I kind of understood that. I could see that after 19 years, obviously, things not going right and losing that game. I could see more Harbaugh getting fired, but I really couldn't see McDermott because of the success that they kept having in the postseason outside of not winning a goddamn Lombardi, but you're getting there. You're knocking on the door every year. You're knocking on the door every goddamn year. It just keeps closing on you.
42:38Shannon Sharpe:It ain't good enough, Ocho. It ain't good enough. And guess what? You've dominated that division. Now, you're not going to dominate that division no more. You've got to fight tooth and nail because the Patriots ain't going nowhere. No. guess what Jacksonville they built to last yeah the Broncos the Chargers the Chiefs if y 'all think the Chiefs are gonna stay down you fooling yourself oh no absolutely not you saw the enemy went back huh I don't know if I know he was in they asked to talk to him yeah it only makes sense it only makes sense it only makes sense to have him come back because they've had tremendous success That's when he was there.
43:24Hell, he shouldn't have left the goddamn building in the first place.
43:27Shannon Sharpe:Well, he was not going to get the credit because teams always say they want somebody that called plays. Right. Nick Ziriani didn't call plays. Matt Nagy did not call plays. Mike McDaniel didn't call plays. Guess who else didn't call plays and had a job for 18 years? Who that? John Harbaugh. he was a special teams coach see Ocho if I want you I can make every excuse to get you if I don't I'll make every excuse why not I shouldn't hire you that's how it works I like hey that applies a lot more than just football you hear me you do realize 80 % of the people that get hired the job is never posted hey man you know hey Ocho you know they're hiring down there such and such really yeah you I mean you interested I'll put a word in for you come on now you know they're really ready today ready to have conversation like no no no no no no no you know they're gonna take care each other now come on now oh and I ain't got no problem right but just oh but I mean if you take care of somebody is that a and you don't have to go through the process is that a DEI hire?
44:53Shannon Sharpe:What you guys hate so much? Just curious.
45:02We ain't got to make it that kind of show.
45:06Shannon Sharpe:Okay. I'm all for it. Brandon Bean has only drafted two Pro Bowl players out of the 56 draft picks since he selected Josh Allen, James Cook, and Dawson Knox. Actually, and check this out, Ocho Yeah Brandon Bean is actually getting a promotion His new title is President of Football Operations General Manager Gaining oversight of the coaching staff Hey, so he just got a promotion Yep And got the same position that I'm buying for In Cincinnati, basically Or basically the same position that Matt Ryan has With the Atlanta Falcons Am I correct? Yes And he's only drafted two Pro Bowlers in the last 50 years.
45:52Since he drafted Josh Allen.
45:56Shannon Sharpe:Only two. So the mere fact that Josh Allen has been doing this. Oh, my goodness. Yeah. Oh, my goodness.
46:09Shannon Sharpe:That's terrible. Yeah. That is terrible. player of operations i'm trying to think trying to think man i don't i don't look like i said i didn't advocate for the man to lose his job i don't want anybody to lose their job but football is a is a what has you done for me lately business and i'm just i'm just looking at the landscape and i just see a guy just get i mean he keeps hitting his head on the on on on on the ceiling. Right. So that's telling, so I think the Pagoulas, Kim and Terry Pagoula, they're saying he's taking this team as far as he can take them. Right. Now, I'm not saying this as far as they can go.
46:53Shannon Sharpe:I'm saying they believe this as far as he can take them. A lot of the things that I said with John Harbaugh with Steve Bishotti was thinking, we're further away. We're not getting closer. We're not.
47:10Shannon Sharpe:that that's that sucks and you start hearing about the tension between monken and and and and and lamar mar yeah harbaugh yeah it always it always it always comes from somewhere on you know and i know we a lot of people got on on mike pressing about some of the things that he wrote but obviously he wouldn't have anything too right if he didn't get it from somewhere it always comes from somewhere where there's smoke there's always fire anytime you hear reports coming from inside the building and the one person to leak it out and get it out are the reporters. Whether they be... Yeah, but I'm not surprised.
47:46Shannon Sharpe:When he called that timeout and when he did all this grandstanding, because he knows in overtime you don't get a challenge. Everything is challenged upstairs. So even in that situation, the booth was going to challenge it. For him to call that reporter from the phone, he wasn't trying to talk about the fans. he was appealing to Kim and Terry Pagoo. Matter of fact, didn't I say that when you said that? Yeah. I say you're trying to save face because there's no reason to even consult a reporter at that moment when you do all the talking you need to do at the goddamn podium. I said it the other night.
48:19Soon as he's... I mean, what do you call a reporter for? Okay, I get it.
48:22Shannon Sharpe:You're trying to save face. I'll give you a prime example. Tony Dungy to the... Tampa. They lost the NFC Championship game. Yeah. They lost the NFC Championship game, and they made a move because they felt that Coach Dungy had taken that team as far as he can take them. What does he do? He goes to another team, and he takes them to a Super Bowl. And he wins it with Peyton. That's what I'm saying. When I made the thing about Mark Jackson, I was like, what does Mark Jackson have to do about this? He was head coach at Golden State Warriors. They had gone to the playoffs several times. But Peter Gruber and those guys had believed he had taken them as far as he could take them.
49:11Shannon Sharpe:Then comes Steve Kerr. Four championships later, whoop, there it is. Yeah. So let me ask you this. Do you think Harbaugh and Stefanski regret committing to the Giants and Falcons so soon? Because this is the team that has the best quarterback available. Can they back out or no? I'm just asking. Can they back out? He's probably drawing the contract now. Listen, Harbaugh hasn't signed anything yet. Wasn't there some language he still has? Mike Tomlin. Now we're talking. But I don't think Mike wants to coach anymore. I don't think he wants to coach anymore. I think he wants to sail off into the sunset even though it's not ending on the terms that he would like.
49:54Yeah. But you know who else can go over there and coach in Buffalo?
49:58Shannon Sharpe:Who? Someone who knows the game. the ins and outs Bill Belichick nope who Shannon Emanuel Sharp oh shit yeah I'm just telling you again then I couldn't do no podcast I'll do it for you don't worry about it what it's gonna be called Ocho and what it's gonna be called it's gonna be called nightcap Ocho and what I mean shit Ocho and the chat that's it That's all I need. Just me in the chat. You got to have somebody bounce something off of. Ash. Ash going to take your spot.
50:42Shannon Sharpe:You talking about yourself for three hours, two and a half, two hours, two and a half hours? No, that ain't going to work. But let me take a nap. I take a nap, but you know I get to talking and it won't shut up. But you got to have somebody. Look, I commend Colin Cowherd. because Colin basically is him. But, I mean, yeah, he has Jason McIntyre, but mainly it's just him. Yeah, he just go. Yeah. He just go. I mean, you need somebody. You need a differing of opinion. You need to have somebody else's thoughts on something. And that's why you and I work. We're totally different. We see some things eye to eye.
51:18Shannon Sharpe:But when we disagree, we really disagree. I mean, we're diametrically opposed. All the way on the other side. Yeah, man, you in Africa and I'm way in Russia. But that works.
51:36Shannon Sharpe:Look, I think everybody got what they want. Harbaugh wanted a situation. He wanted$20 million a year. He wanted to sell the roster. And he only has to report to the bars and the tissues. Right. 50-50 owners of the Giants.
51:50Stefanski, I don't want to doubt.
51:55Shannon Sharpe:Mr. Blank because Mr. Blank he's been great. Look Mr. Blank y 'all ain't gonna make me say nothing bad about Mr. Blank because what he did he gave Raheem hired Raheem. He supports the black colleges the black college hall of fame he funded that. All these black colleges that got Newfield Savannah State and all those he did that. So y 'all ain't gonna make me say nothing bad about him. So even though he hired Kevin Stefanski and I'm like damn it's not like you hired you know a young Kudra Belichick I do believe he could have got someone better Stefanski might make me eat my words but I believe Clint Kubiak and I believe some of these other guys are equally deserving right now I would like to see Kubiak in Baltimore with his imagination with Lamar Jackson, he's going to attack every area on the field, vertically and horizontally.
53:01Shannon Sharpe:And he's going to run the ball. What does San Francisco do? What do the Rams do? They're going to run the football. And they got a guy that can run the football. And then when Lamar Jackson pulled that ball out, guys are going to be so wide open because they're going to be so tired of Derrick Henry I just I'm surprised that Stefanski was the second coach hired I really am to be honest listen it's hard for me to know why I'm not sure when he had the interview the interview must have went extremely well based on him having the last four seasons being and losing seasons, only winning eight games in the last four years.
53:53I'm not sure why he was hired, but there's something that Arthur Blink saw in him.
53:59Shannon Sharpe:Or Matt Ryan, because Matt Ryan was in – that's Matt Ryan, that president of football operation. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So I'm not sure. That falls up under his purview. Yeah, I'm not sure. I'm not sure what it is.
54:16But who knows?
54:17Shannon Sharpe:Maybe Sean McDermott, look at the level of success that he's had. Maybe he pops back up, and now he's in the hiring cycle. All I know is this. I'm a little leery. If your level of expertise is on any side of the ball, you become a head coach, and that side struggles. Sean McDermott's defense struggles. Yeah. If you're an offensive coordinator, and your team putting up 15 points a game, averaging 300 yards, nah, bro. Nah. Uh-uh. No. No. Mm-mm. So. Ocho, we have breaking news. The Titans are working on to finalize a deal to hire 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Sala as their next head coach. Sala spent Monday in Tennessee with the Titans, and the two sides impressed each other enough to move forward.
55:09Shannon Sharpe:We knew something. It was trending in this direction. When they moved it, they said they pushed it back because he was supposed to do an interview via Zoom. on Sunday. They pushed it back to Monday because they wanted to do this in person. That was the first hit. They were kind of leaning towards Robert Sala. So I'm not surprised by this. I think he'll do great defense, but everything is predicated. Who's going to be your offensive coordinator? Who's going to be in your young quarterbacks here? Because we know he can dial up defense, and he's got a linchpin. He's got a guy that you can build a defense around, and that's Jeffrey Simmons.
55:45Yeah. I mean, I've played around with just the thought of Jeffrey Simmons being down in Cincinnati, but I think that shit might have sailed right now. I don't think the Titans are letting Jeffrey go. But Robert Sala is a great addition, a great head coach, a defensive mind, and I'm sure he's going to get those boys playing up to par and up to speed. On the offensive end, Cam Ward being the future of that organization, Calvin Ridley coming back. I still think they need some more weapons uh Pollard Pollard is good but I'm sure they can use someone else you know back there in the backfield but they need another receiver they need another another dog to go along yep I agree Calvin Ridley who's coming off of injury so we're not sure what he's going to look like they need another security blanket for for Cam Ward out there so I mean the Titans are doing what they need to do uh I'm sure Robert Sala going to I'm not sure how much control and say he has in the roster and wants to pick as far as the draft and in the offseason acquisitions goes.
56:46But they can make a change. They can make a change. They might be the team similar to this year's Carolina and Bears. Bears choices that went before the season started on a team to look out for. It could be Tennessee next year depending on what they do in the offseason and what they do in the draft.
57:06Shannon Sharpe:Robert Sala would now be joining his third AFC South team of his career. His first job was with the Texans from 2005 to 2010. And he also spent time with the Jags from 2014 to 2016 as the linebackers coach. And now he's the Tennessee Titans head coach. Texas head coach D 'Amico Ryans and new Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Sala, both with former 49ers defensive coordinators, are now head coaches in the same division and will square off twice a year. They came, the Shanahan staff, they were all on staff. I don't know if D 'Amico was on the staff with Kubiak when he was in Houston. Because Kubiak was the head coach at Houston, and Kyle was his offensive coordinator.
57:58Shannon Sharpe:But a lot of these guys with Kyle when he was in Washington, Sean McVay, Mike McDaniel, Raheem, all those guys. So I like this. So do you believe Robert Sala is the right hire for the Tennessee Titans? Oh, yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. I mean, he's a defensive mind. And like you did say, they can build defensively. Great, because you had that nucleus down there in Jeffrey Simmons. I'm more focused on what they do offensively. You know, I'm more focused on what they do offensively. Yes, I agree. I'm with you. Yeah, and surrounding Cam Ward with more weapons, more weapons he can work with. With Calvin Ridley coming back off injury, we don't know what Calvin Ridley were going to get.
58:44So I'm hoping with the offseason acquisitions that they do bring in and what they do in the draft is very, very important for the growth of Cam Ward. Defensively, I think they're going to be fine, especially when you get a coach like Robert Sala coming in that building. I think they're going to be okay.
59:00Shannon Sharpe:Yeah, I agree. I think they probably need some offensive line help too because Cam Ward was sacked a lot. Where did Cam Ward finish as far as sacks? Because I don't care who your offensive coordinator, you can't protect the quarterback, you can't win in this league. Yeah. It's hard. It's really hard when your quarterback getting punished.
59:24Robert Sala, he was tied for the most sacks in the NFL.
59:28Shannon Sharpe:So that's where you start, Ocho. He got sacked 55 times. And remember, he missed the game, right? Or he got hurt the last game of the season. Okay. So, 55 sacks, you ain't going to make a living. You ain't going to play long. You keep getting sacked 55 times in the season. Yeah, I mean, so I was right. I was right. Okay. Solid Jets tenure. He had Zach Wilson. He had Aaron Rodgers. But I think he needed this year to rehab his image. Right. Because it's hard to go from the Jets, head coach, and just go get another job. Yeah. Most of the time when people leave the Jets, they ain't really going too many other places.
1:00:20Not at all. But I think everyone deserves a second chance if you have to coach at the Jets. If you got to coach at the Jets, and that organization that hasn't done anything worth a damn in a very long time, you deserve a second chance.
1:00:35Shannon Sharpe:I think Parcells left the Jets and ended up going to coach the Cowboys.
1:00:44Shannon Sharpe:This would be funny. Coach Belichick was going to be the head coach because he was supposed to take over for Coach Parcells, but he didn't want to do that because he knows the Jets was on some bull jive and they ended up having to trade a first-round pick to get Coach Belichick to go to New England, which was the best first-round draft pick the Patriots have ever spent.
1:01:05Shannon Sharpe:That is the best draft pick that they've used, and it wasn't for a player. It was to get Coach Belichick. And it worked out perfectly. Yes. Get some O-line, get some O-line, some O-linemen to protect Cam. I agree. You need another receiver to go opposite of Ridley. Hopefully he can come back to what he was. Probably you get your running back, Ocho, probably in the third or the fourth round. Yeah. Got some good ones out there now. And you got to get some defense. You got to get somebody to go along with Simmons. Hey, LeJarrius Sneed should be healthy coming back this year, huh? Yes, yes, yes. You get him to play like he played when he was at Kansas City, you know, get him back right, man, they should be fine.
1:01:54Oh, yeah.
1:01:55Shannon Sharpe:Rex Ryan went to the Bills. But Rex had success. Rex went to back-to-back AFC Championship games. Because remember that year, he knocked off Peyton and he knocked off a Tom. And they ended up losing to Pittsburgh at the AFC Championship game. That's when they had that crazy defense over there with the Jets. Oh, yeah. They had Crowe and Revis, Bart Scott. I think they had Muhammad Wilkinson that front four they had there I think Calvin Pace was on that team too David David Baker David they had a linebacker number 52 I don't remember they had some they had some thumpers they had some thumpers and they could get after the quarterback they would run the football with Thomas Jones and those guys and Damian Woody and Mango, rest his soul.
1:02:54Shannon Sharpe:They did a great job of mauling people.
1:03:01But the Jets, do we know who the Jets are?
1:03:07Shannon Sharpe:Oh, Aaron Glenn is still there. He's still there. He can't have another season like he had last year. No, no, he can't. Because you know the least is short. You know the least is short. You see what happened? Raheem, you see what, hell, McDermott, I mean, Harbaugh, and they want instant gratification. They want instant success, and that's not what you're going to get. I mean, those owners over there, especially with the Jets, you got to learn patience. You got to learn patience because in order for the head coach to have success, you got to have the product on the field. Right. You think about all these coaches that are having success and winning all these games, and, I mean, you say, oh, it's coaching, but coaching you can only coach so much you still need you still need the players to be able to perform you still need the players to be able to execute the x's and o's the better the better the players you got the easier it is to goddamn implement a game plan and when it's time to play somebody i agree now you got players you gotta you gotta you gotta do certain things to help them get open you gotta hide you gotta hide their weaknesses and that's difficult man yeah then you get exposed as a coach because look what I'm working with and the coach can't say that it's
1:04:26Shannon Sharpe:but I think the thing is Ocho is that you oversell to get the job you make all these promises I can coach this guy I can get so much better than this and blah blah blah and then the owner's like what happened you said you could bro I was just saying that I was selling you I was selling myself to you I really couldn't do it not with what you got hey you know that's how it be when you first meet somebody you know you're not meeting the actual person you're meeting their representation I'm trying to put my best foot forward to make sure I don't lose the opportunity I want this job as a Jets coach actually that's your agent they're meeting your agent because that person is telling you everything what's so great about the person that you really haven't met yet.
1:05:16Shannon Sharpe:Come on now. We're going to have this conversation on a later date time, but I'm just saying, when you meet somebody, that's the agent. Because you know how an agent sells? Whether you're in Hollywood, whether you're football, basketball, baseball, or whatever the case may be, your agent will always tell you great things about said individual that's looking to get this job. Mm-hmm. It's all about representation. And anytime you meet someone new, you are meeting a representative. Always. So. I'm Daniel Alarcon, and this is my friend who's much more famous than I am. I wouldn't go that far, but I'm John Green, co-host of the podcast The Away End with my old friend Daniel.
1:06:02On our podcast The Away End, we'll share with you the magic of international football, all leading up to the 2026 World Cup.
1:06:08Shannon Sharpe:Together, we'll find out why, of all the unimportant things, football, soccer is the most important. Listen to The Away End with Daniel Alarcon and John Green on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Miles Turner. And I'm Brianna Stewart. And our podcast, Game Recognized Game, has never been done before. Two active players giving you a real look at our lives and what we actually think on and off the court. Nothing's off limits. We talk tanking. I might get in trouble for this answer, but I think it's, like, definitely happening in the WBA. We talk about our mistakes, too.
1:06:46They pulled me to the side and was like,
1:06:47Shannon Sharpe:hey, man, we got a call last night, man. You can't be rolling around the city like this the night before games. Check out Game Recognized Game with Stewie and Miles on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. How much you weigh, Wanda? Right now, I'm about 130. I'm at 183. We should race. No, I want to leave here with my original hips. On the podcast, The Matchup with Aaliyah, I pair prominent female athletes with unexpected guests. On a recent episode, I sat down with undisputed boxing champ Clarissa Shields and comedian Wanda Sykes to talk about Wanda's new movie, Undercard, the art of trash talk and what it really means to be ladylike.
1:07:20Shannon Sharpe:Open your free iHeartRadio app, search The Matchup with Aaliyah and listen now. Brought to you by Novartis, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports Network.
From the publisher
Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson react to the Indiana Hoosiers winning the National Championship by beating the Miami Hurricanes in a thriller of a game, the Buffalo Bills have fired Sean McDermott, and the Tennessee Titans have hired Robert Saleh as their new head coach and much more!
Subscribe to Nightcap presented by PrizePicks so you don’t miss out on any new drops! Download the PrizePicks app today and use code SHANNON to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/NI...
5:11 - Indiana beats Miami
30:56 - Bills fire Sean McDermott
47:10 - Robert Saleh to the Titans
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