In short
Nightcap Hour 2 sports talk and reactions, centered on Justin Jefferson’s return to Vikings practice after a left hamstring strain, plus NFL coaching/league trends and roster/news debates.
Guests
Shannon Sharpe (Unc Shannon Sharp), and Chad Ochocinco Johnson (Ocho), both former NFL players and co-hosts of Nightcap.
Key claims
- Jefferson returned after 25 days; he warmed up and did individual drills but sat out 7-on-7 and 11-on-11; he won’t play the final preseason game but is expected to start Week 1.
- Soft-tissue injuries may come from muscle imbalance/mechanics or fatigue; teams should avoid rushing “zero to 100.”
- Deion Sanders’ strict punishment for hitting the quarterback will work because players want to play for him and discipline matters.
- NFL is in a “golden era” of closer games (more one-score finishes, fewer blowouts).
Notable examples
- Cam Ward vs Jeffrey Simmons at camp: Ward shoved Simmons after a touchdown celebration; Simmons shoved Ward’s face mask; Ocho frames it as lighthearted competition.
- Browns: Joe Flacco named starter week one; discussion of carrying four quarterbacks.
- Auburn retiring Cam Newton’s No. 2; debate about why Carolina didn’t honor him similarly.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOCam Ward vs. Jeffrey Simmons Scuffle
0:00 to 0:34
Discussing the altercation between Cam Ward and Jeffrey Simmons at camp.
“When you're moving like I do, you don't always get a lot of lead time.”
Cam Ward vs. Jeffrey Simmons Scuffle
2:07 to 2:30
Discussing the altercation between Cam Ward and Jeffrey Simmons at camp.
“I got the AC off, but I'm cold on the inside.”
Debate on Practice Conduct
2:30 to 4:55
Analyzing the scuffle and its implications for team camaraderie and discipline.
“He walked through a touchdown pass to Calvin Ridley towards the end of practice and went over to celebrate.”
The Golden Age of NFL
4:55 to 6:01
Exploring the trend of closer games in the NFL and its impact on fans.
“Now, when we talk about these averages...”
NFL Offensive Strategies
6:01 to 8:10
Discussion on offensive strategies and the importance of scoring in modern football.
“I don't think we don't have any more teams around right now that are able to dominate offensively week in and week out where there are going to be blowouts.”
Best NFL Nicknames
10:22 to 11:38
A fun discussion on the best nicknames in NFL history and their significance.
“We're going to get the golden era of football.”
Justin Jefferson's Return
11:38 to 14:01
Insights on Justin Jefferson's recovery and return to practice after injury.
“That was from a branding, marketing aspect, which makes it obviously the greatest nickname of all time because I really bought in to the character in general.”
Justin Jefferson's Return to Practice
14:01 to 15:20
Discussion about Justin Jefferson's return after a hamstring injury and its implications.
“Ocho, I think he played like 12 years and had two holding penalties in 12 years.”
Concerns About Soft Tissue Injuries
15:21 to 17:16
Exploration of soft tissue injuries and their impact on players like Justin Jefferson.
“And so I know they have the best physio and the best everything around.”
Health and Performance Discussions
17:17 to 18:52
Casual banter about health, sneezes, and light humor regarding sickness.
“The man done covered, he covered his mouth after he done sneeze.”
Show all 26 chapters
Evaluating NFL Division Toughness
18:53 to 21:42
Discussion on the competitiveness of the NFL division and player injuries.
“You told me, chat, y 'all done heard this man say eating a Big Mac and eating all that fast food.”
Debate on Quarterback Classes
21:43 to 23:37
A lively debate on which NFL quarterback draft class is superior, 2018 or 2020.
“The numbers that he's put up as far as yards, as far as catches, it's just we haven't seen anything like it.”
Analysis of Quarterback Success
23:38 to 28:00
In-depth analysis of the success and impact of quarterbacks from different draft classes.
“I mean, the ultimate goal at the end of the day is to win a Super Bowl.”
MVPs and Quarterback Comparisons
28:00 to 28:55
Discussion on MVP winners and comparisons between quarterbacks.
“John Hallway, Blackwood, Kelly, Eason, O 'Brien, Marino.”
Debating Legendary Running Backs
30:54 to 34:18
A heated debate on the greatest running back duos in NFL history.
“You taking Barry Sanders and Marshall Falk?”
Cleveland Browns Quarterback Situation
34:18 to 36:24
Discussion on the Browns' quarterback depth and roster decisions.
“Shadour Sanders started the preseason game.”
Quarterbacks and Team Dynamics
36:24 to 38:38
Analyzing the impact of veteran quarterbacks on team strategy and growth.
“Cleveland had 11 quarterbacks start since 2020.”
Recognition for Cam Newton
38:38 to 41:09
Celebration of Cam Newton's achievements and Auburn's tribute.
“NFL players would no longer be punished for using a bow and arrow celebration.”
Comparing College Seasons of Greats
41:09 to 42:01
Discussion on the standout performances of college quarterbacks including Cam and others.
“Ain't no telling how things ended with Cam.”
Discussing Offensive Players
42:01 to 43:03
The hosts reflect on past and present offensive players' performances.
“Because I know he had a defensive lineman that went, like, I think top 10 to the Lions.”
Q&A Session with Fans
43:04 to 45:02
The hosts answer fan questions and share humorous insights.
“Alpha Body said, Ocho sounded like Keith Sweat.”
Gratitude and Community
45:03 to 46:44
The hosts express appreciation for their audience and recap the night's show.
“I'm your favorite Unc Shannon Sharp, my partner and co-host, Liberty City's own, Madden Ratings Adjuster, bingo ring of fame honoree, the Pro Bowler, All Pro.”
Gratitude and Community
46:45 to 47:04
The hosts express appreciation for their audience and recap the night's show.
“My cognac Laportier has a new drop, and this one is very personal.”
Gratitude and Community
47:07 to 47:22
The hosts express appreciation for their audience and recap the night's show.
“Don't miss a chance to own a piece of history in a very, very special moment.”
Gratitude and Community
47:25 to 48:39
The hosts express appreciation for their audience and recap the night's show.
“Choosing On Plus nicotine pouches over rough corners and edges.”
Gratitude and Community
49:12 to 49:40
The hosts express appreciation for their audience and recap the night's show.
“Strong hands built America and kept it running for 250 years.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Shannon Sharpe:When you're moving like I do, you don't always get a lot of lead time. Trips come together fast for production shoots, brand appearances, or filming, and I've got to be ready to go. That's where Amazon Prime can make the difference. When something comes up, you can get what you need, like carry-on chargers, noise-canceling headphones, so you're ready to show up for it. With same-day delivery, those essentials can show up in time to still make it happen, so you can focus on the opportunity. That's what I like about Prime. It makes it easy to say yes when the moment shows up. Same day delivery, it's on Prime.
0:32Shannon Sharpe:Available in select areas. Terms apply. Visit Amazon.com slash Prime to find millions of items delivered fast. It's the difference between trying to talk to your friends over the music at a bar and having dinner where you can actually hear each other. Between getting food delivered and cooking something you know she's going to love. It's the difference between a rough nicotine pouch and On Plus nicotine pouches with Nico Silk Mash. No corners, no rough edges. Just the softest pouch on the planet. On plus nicotine pouches. It's the difference that changes everything. Not all varieties available in all geographies.
1:07Warning, this product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical. Some people use ChatGPT to answer questions. Others use it to get real work done. With ChatGPT work, you bring the goal.
1:17Shannon Sharpe: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. Get started at ChatGPT.com by selecting work mode. Available on Plus and Pro plans. Ready for a night that's nothing short of iconic? Salt-N-Pepa and TLC are heading your way for the It's Iconic Tour, their landmark co-headlining tour with special guests and Vogue. Believe it or not, this is the first time all three of these legendary groups have toured together, and I mean legendary.
1:59It's going to be packed with decades of R &B and hip-hop hits, so don't miss your chance to experience these icons. Grab your tickets today. Hey, hey. Yes. You heard me? Hey, I got, um, right now I got chills. Chills on the inside. You know what I'm talking about? Mm-hmm. I got the AC off, but I'm cold on the inside. And that's crazy.
2:23Shannon Sharpe:Ocho, I talked about this a little earlier while you was trying to connect. Yeah. Cam Ward gets into a scuffle with Jeffrey Simmons at camp. I like that. He walked through a touchdown pass to Calvin Ridley towards the end of practice and went over to celebrate. The rookie quarterback stopped and gave Simmons a shove before doing his trademark Zombieland celebration in front of him. Simmons reacted with a two-hand shove to Ward's face mask. the offensive line came running towards defense. You like the Cam Ward picking a fight with Jeffrey Simmons? Yeah, absolutely, because it's nothing serious.
2:53It's nothing serious. They've been going at it the past two weeks. There was an altercation between Jeffrey Simmons and Cam Ward earlier in camp. I think when the defense must have been beating up on them real, real good, and Cam shot back at them. So them having fun going back and forth, I mean, it's cool. It's cool. It's all camaraderie. You know, and I think it's going to pay off, pay dividends when they have to play against somebody else. Obviously, Cam Ward has looked phenomenal.
3:17Shannon Sharpe:Let me ask you a question. Drake, you're a Patrick. Shivers you, two hands shivers you to your face, man. You cool? You walking back to the huddle? Yeah, I don't think he did it that hard. I just ask you a simple question. The man, two hands shivers you to your face, man. Are you just turning around, walking to the huddle? It's a simple yes or no. No, no, no, no, no. We're going to have a little fun. We're going to have a little fun. You have to understand that there's a report there. and obviously when you see it, you understand, okay, that's lighthearted. That's them two boys going at it as far as from a competing standpoint, not I'm shoving your face trying to knock your head off.
3:48Is it different? Man, look here.
3:50Shannon Sharpe:That's a D-lineman. Anything a D-lineman do? Yeah. Because think about the moves they use to get to try to beat the offensive lineman, don't you? Yeah. Oh, hold on. Hey, this is just not any D-lineman. This is the D-lineman. Yeah, I'm preeminent DT. Yes. Hey, listen, they've been going at it all camp. All right. We got to have one another one. Coach Prime, punishment for any player that hits the quarterback. For players who violate the rule, consequences range from up, down the stadium runs. Ocho, this old school way of coaching, considering the NIL guy jumping in and out of transfer portal, it's getting harder and harder to coach players because, hey, you talk sideways to me, I'm up out of here.
4:29Shannon Sharpe:You think this will work with time? Hey, absolutely. Absolutely. Because, listen, even if players can jump in and out, even if a player can jump in the portal, people want to go play for Deion Sanders. This is Deion Sanders. This is Deion Sanders. So you understand what that comes from. You understand the discipline that he expects out of you to be at your best. So if it comes down to having to run goddamn stadium stairs, if you hit the quarterback, then so be it. Because if you get into a game, if you do it in practice, then you're going to do it in the game. So if it takes running the stadium stairs and doing whatever else you need to do to get that out of your system, like Shamar Stewart with Joe Burrow last week, it'll it so be it because they're not going to tolerate the next level so don't tolerate it here i agree oh are we living in the golden age of the national football league percentage of games decided by seven points or fewer the historic average is around 45 uh about 46 percent look at where it is now.
5:28Shannon Sharpe:39? Now, when we talk about these averages... No. From 1970 to 74, it was 39.23%. 20 to 24, it's almost 49%. That's almost a 10 % tick up.
5:48Wait. That's a good thing, ain't it? Yes. Oh, okay. Yeah.
5:52Shannon Sharpe:That's what I'm saying. That's what I'm saying. It's the golden age. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. No blowouts. The games are coming down to the end. And it's a one-score game. That's what we're looking for. We're looking for a one-score game. Not that what we saw in the Super Bowl. You know what's funny? I don't think we don't have any more teams around right now that are able to dominate offensively week in and week out where there are going to be blowouts. Even though the NFL in general is favored for the offense, I think that was done on purpose to make the games a little bit more fun, to allow the points to be a lot of points.
6:28People like points. Yeah, no different than home runs in baseball.
6:32Shannon Sharpe:I ain't going to look here. The purists will say, Ocho, in baseball. The purists say, man, I want to see a 1-0 ball game. I want to see a 12-11. That's what I want to see. With home runs. You know, NBA, people want to see 133 to 130. Ain't nobody trying to see. I remember the game used to be 77-72. Right. Man, four quarters. Now you got guys scoring 70 points by themselves When the team in four quarters couldn't get to 70 So points They've made it more conducive Right Because now you look at baseball Home runs, this going this way Batting average going that way Strikeouts going this way But they want to see the ball go over the fence Yeah Basketball, they want to see the ball go in the hoop That's why they keep jacking up threes in football they won't score it yeah that's why they handicap the defense too huh protect the quarterback protect the receiver yeah entice them to throw the football because if i'm paying a guy 60 million i'm paying the i'm paying the wide receiver 40 me think about it yeah the highest paid running back is basically making 20 million dollars less than the highest paid wide receiver so what does that tell you they're trying to do ocho throw the damn ball oh yeah and your quarterback make it 60 55 60 i'm not paying joe burrow no 55 million dollars turning right to him and turn around and hand the ball off 35 times a game mocho i'm not doing it i'm sorry you understand why he's in the gun 98 of the time yes so that's what the league wants to see but i'm glad unless somebody you know you turn the ball over now you turn the ball over ocho yeah the game can get out of hand like we saw with kansas city in the super bowl right but normally if it's not If it's a, you know, teams are right there comparable.
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8:51Shannon Sharpe:nicotine is an addictive chemical ice cubes big three season is heating up and it all comes down to this the big three playoffs are coming to dallas texas the four best teams in the big three battle it out for a spot in the championship the action starts with the legendary big three celebrity game three games of the most physical competitive and non-stop three-on-three action The game played the way you love. Watch Live Saturday on CBS at 12 p.m. Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific, and catch replays Monday on BET. Presented by iHeart. A-yay-yay? Amazon Health AI presents Painful Thoughts. I, um, I can't stop scratching my downtown.
9:31Mm-hmm. Yeah, but I'm not itching to go downtown and tell a receptionist I'm here to talk about my downtown. town, some things you'd rather type than say out loud.
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10:26Shannon Sharpe:But I do think we're in the golden. We're going to get the golden era of football. Ocho, DraftKings built the NFL team of the best nicknames of all time. Who should be added? Okay, you got the Honey Badger, Tyron Matthew. You got Ted Hendricks, who was the mad stork. Sean Merriman, lights out. You got Hacksaw, Jack Reynolds. You got the Tasmanian Devil. You got the assassin, Jack Tatum. You got Prime. You got Ed, Too Tall Jones. You got the fridge, William Perry. You got the kitchen, Nate Newton. You got the Minister of Defense. reggie white rest his soul dick knight turing lane rest his soul and then you got andre bad moon rising you got big phil highway 63 gene upshaw bag of donuts pork chop uh the intellectual assassin i don't know about him megatron megatron got a cool legatron beast mode broadway joe the face cleaver and the avatar who's some of them is that jimmy graham is that jimmy graham's avatar yes yes i mean listen all these nfl nicknames are good they're they're all good but we all know who the best nickname is of all time they ain't got you up there on show oh that's defense i guess we gotta ask them no they got offense they got offensive yeah hundred rising yes and i have moon Yeah, they had nicknames, but I really embodied what it meant to have a nickname by actually changing my name and reinventing myself in the prime of my career.
12:06That was from a branding, marketing aspect, which makes it obviously the greatest nickname of all time because I really bought in to the character in general. And that character in general has carried me years beyond the game of football. Hell, I ain't took a snap in goddamn 37 years. But these are all – I like the intellectual session. Who is that that played for the Chargers? Is that Ron Mix? The intellectual session. That's a good one.
12:40You know, they don't even have – I mean, they don't have Walter Paye. They don't got sweetness on there.
12:45Shannon Sharpe:Mm-mm.
12:49The intellectual session. But hey, listen, Ocho Cinco. I mean, it speaks for itself. Greatest nickname of all time because I actually I was eight five. And when it changed the name, I saw a vision. Like when I do spoken word, there's a vision. It's a long term where if you're not if you're not in deep thought with me, you're not going to understand it. Who's the intellectual assassin?
13:15Shannon Sharpe:I ain't never heard of it. I mean, Bambi. who was Bambi Lance Alworth the Chargers okay okay okay he ran like yeah yeah Jack Tate was the assassin yeah no the intellectual assassin the Chargers the Chargers John Jack Tate arrested so he's out of Ohio State.
13:54Shannon Sharpe:I thought it was Ron Mix.
13:59Shannon Sharpe:I think he played, I think, Ocho, I think he played like 12 years and had two holding penalties in 12 years. That's it? Yeah, thank you. That's exactly what I said. it.
14:15Shannon Sharpe:Jeddah, Justin Jefferson returns to practice his first time in 25 days. He continues to recover from a left hamstring strain. He suffered last month. He has a history of hamstring injuries. He missed seven games in 2023 because of a hamstring strain to the other leg, prompted the Vikings to take a slow approach to his recovery. Today, he participated in warmups, individual drills, but sat out seven on seven and 11 on 11. Jefferson won't play in the Vikings' final preseason game, but do expect to start week one. Yeah. He got some imbalances or something. He needs to get that looked at. Yeah. What do you think it is, especially when it comes to soft-situal injuries like that?
14:52Where do you think that comes from? Because I don't think he has an injury history. Yeah.
14:57Shannon Sharpe:And he don't look like he quad-dominant. Sometimes if a muscle overpowers the other, it will pull. It will pull. So, you know, you quad-dominant sometimes. or something. So he might, I mean, he might need to get his hips. He might be out of line or something. Yeah. Yeah. Uh, if we fatigued the muscle, uh, you know, weak, weak muscles pool. Right. But I, I mean, you're dealing with elite athletes. And so I know they have the best physio and the best everything around. He might, you know, maybe his mechanics are off or something, but he might need to take a look at that.
15:36Hey, I'm not going to say nothing. I'm not going to say nothing. Obviously, you know my stance when it comes on to soft tissue injuries. You know my stance on when it comes to getting hurt. But we know how valuable Justin Jefferson is to that team. And I'm glad he took 25 days and they went slow with him. I think he's a player that training camp would be beneficial, but to get him back 100 % healthy. So he's not one that needs training camp like that. But I don't want him having to go from zero to 100 without having to wear and tear that training camp ring because what's going to happen? You get to getting pulled and pushed.
16:13That tug.
16:14Shannon Sharpe:That's why I used to hate guys, man. Don't tug me. Hey, if I beat you, just let me go. I'm pulling Ochoa and you tug me. Yeah. Now I'm going to turn around and swing on you. Right. that's a tough division because we saw the Bears, and you and I both think the Bears are going to be better this year than they were last year. Absolutely. You believe, you say, the Lions, I don't see them taking a step back. No, I don't. Then the Packers, you like the Packers, Jordan Love, that receiving court, Josh Jacobs. So that is a very tough division. You can ill afford. Now, they're already going to be the first three games.
16:57Shannon Sharpe:They're going to be without Jordan Addison because of some issues that he had off the field. Right. So they're going to be without him. And the last thing that you need to happen, a guy coming back from a soft tissue injury and he retweaks it. Because now he's probably going to be down double the amount of time that he missed to begin with. Exactly. Yeah. I hope he gets healthy. I hope he stays healthy because I want to see him on the field. Bless you. Bless you. Thank you.
17:26Shannon Sharpe:The man done covered, he covered his mouth after he done sneeze. Excuse me. Like, damn. It creeped up on me. I know it was coming. I know it was coming. Oh. You know it was coming, huh? No. It made a little Purell. What's that? Purell. Why are you using that? I'm all the way over here. I don't want you to get me sick. I'm going to get you sick. I'm all the way in Miami. Hey, boy, that thing you got right there that day, you might have Ebola.
17:58Shannon Sharpe:I don't know I ain't like I don't know what they say They said they died In Liberty City Say a monkey Say a monkey got escaped Yeah Say the monkey had Ebola Say one of them dudes From Liberty City Bit the monkey The monkey bit him He had Ebola Right And the monkey died Yeah So if the monkey got Ebola He beat the dude From Liberty City What he got Okay you right You right You right Ain't no telling Ain't no telling Ain't no telling. I'm just trying to figure out how you sneeze and then cover your mind and say, excuse me. It snuck up on me. I didn't know it was coming. Like, that's what happened.
18:32When you're really sick, you know, I feel like I got a fever. I thought you didn't get sick. How you getting sick and you eat fast food? You ain't supposed to get sick, remember? I know. I'm probably going to be like this under one day. As a matter of fact, you can hear my voice. I sound like Barry White tonight. You hear? Most of the time when I talk, I got a high-pitched, squeaky voice. But tonight, I sound like really sexy, like for radio. Nah.
18:53Shannon Sharpe:I'm just trying to figure out. You told me, chat, y 'all done heard this man say eating a Big Mac and eating all that fast food. He don't get sick. I'm just trying to figure out what's really going on. That's it. Well, technically, I'm not sick. I'm still here. This is a minor setback. Are you sick? Did you not say you sick? You just told us when you signed on that you were sick. Yeah. I'm good. So are you or are you not sick? Yes or no? yes at like halfway because if i was sick i wouldn't be i wouldn't be on here so i'm able to do i'm able to work so i'm not sick sick so there's a difference so if you work from home if if you work from home and sick and you can't work right something really going on yeah yeah i i understand but some people some people when they get sick sick even if they are home they can't do nothing they can't function see i'm fighting through it i'm fighting through it my body's on the inside, you know, my immune system, they in there like this.
19:53Right. And they're going to work. So on the outside, I'm cold. But on the inside, I mean, on the inside, I'm cold. But on the outside, I got the AC off and I'm sweating. But on the inside, I got chills. I mean, it's weird. So this doesn't happen to me often at all. So I'm going to be all right. I'm going to be all right, though.
Read the full transcript
20:13Shannon Sharpe:Man, Ocho, you know, I hate I hate when guys I'm I'm a firm believer. If you limp in the season, Ocho, you know how you coming out of it. You limping out of it, baby. You limping out of it. I just hate that. I hate that for Joe. Because, man, you talking about off to a historic start? Absolutely. Oh, my gosh. I think it's going to continue, though. I think it's going to be all right. It's going to continue.
20:39Shannon Sharpe:I don't – like I said, that's an extremely tough division. you could ill afford to have him and Addison out plus you got J.J. McCartney who's in his second year but this really is first year starting. You're asking an awful lot. You're asking an awful lot of a young quarterback to go out there and to do what you need him to do what I just wanted to say I just hope Ajeta can stay healthy for the entire season. They're going to need him. They got no chance. Remember KJR's is in Washington. Washington now, yeah. Addison's gonna miss the first three and then, you know, he warmed up today, but like you said, he didn't do 7-0-7, he didn't do 11-0-11 and he's not gonna play in the final preseason game which is Friday or Saturday.
21:29Shannon Sharpe:Right. So, boy, and then in 10 days, just go. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm hoping he's gonna be alright. You too? Like I said, he's on a historic pace. Yeah. Historic. The numbers that he's put up as far as yards, as far as catches, it's just we haven't seen anything like it. We haven't seen anything like it. Yeah. Like I said, I mean, he's going to have to go see some specialists and see what he's doing wrong that causes these soft tissue injuries. Because, you know, another guy, you know what? he need to call Joey Galloway. Ask Joey Galloway what he did. Yeah, Joey was hurt Seahawks. Joey was a speed guy.
22:19Shannon Sharpe:Joey running for two. Yeah. Joey running too fast. So we got laid. Are we going to burn him out in practice? Or are we going to let him take a couple of plays and then save that for the game? Right, right, right. I think Isaac Bruce dealt with some hamstring injuries also. I'm not sure. So that's definitely a situation that he might need to go So, hey, guys, you know, y 'all dealt with some hamstring injuries. How did you go about it? You know, yeah. How did you play such a long time and get over those? Debate started on IG. Which year had the best quarterback class? 2018, you got Mayfield, Darnold, Allen, and Jackson versus Joe Burrow, Herbert.
23:01Shannon Sharpe:Woo! 2018, 2020. Ocho, what you got? Hey, that's a good one. That is a good one. That's a good one. You got three MVPs in one draft class.
23:21Shannon Sharpe:And you got a guy that's been to the Super Bowl and a guy that's been to the Super Bowl twice. You got two guys have been to three Super Bowls. Yeah. And one guy's won and won a Super Bowl MVP. So what you going with, Ocho?
23:39oh that's hard um god damn that's hard i mean listen i'm gonna have to go i'm gonna have to go with 2020 because i mean there's one super bowl champion down there there's one super bowl champion down there listen i know lamar winning mvp josh allen winning mvp um but i think josh allen mvp is like here damn is one of those moments. You know, so... But, yeah, I got to go. I mean, the ultimate goal at the end of the day is to win a Super Bowl. Joe's been the one. He didn't win it because they cheated us on their fourth-on-one call on Logan Wilson. That wasn't pass interference. That wasn't pass interference.
24:21Shannon Sharpe:Eli Apple on what you call him on... No, I'm talking about Logan Wilson on Cooper Cup. Yeah, come on, Ocho. No, no, no, no. Other than that, I'm going to go to 2020. Yeah, 2020. I think you almost have to, because if you look at player for player, okay.
24:43Shannon Sharpe:Better quarterback class. Just better, just to just.
24:51Shannon Sharpe:It's harder than you think. Yeah. But Sam, Sam Donald messing it up for 2018. right Baker's had a resurgence you look at Baker what he's done the last two years Josh Allen outside of his rookie year has been sensational Lamar Jackson came in even as a rookie off the bench and he's been sensational since the day he's got there uh ooh man damn yeah I like it I like it a lot like I gotta go with Jalen simply because he got what everybody is yearning for and the ultimate goal when you get to training camp. I got to agree with you. I mean, if you go player for player. Now, you can get ridiculous with it and move the goalposts and try to say skill and arm talent.
25:46Yeah, oh yeah, yeah. And then now that changes things up when you start getting a little bit more detailed and who the better class is. But again, people will move the goalposts based on their preference and what they like in said quarterback.
26:04Shannon Sharpe:Each class got a number one overall pick. Baker was number one. Joe Burrow was number one. Sam Darnold was number three. Justin Herbert was what, number six?
26:23Shannon Sharpe:Sam Donald was three. Justin Herbert was what? Six? Six. Jordan Love was like 20, 20 what? 26? Josh Allen was seven. Lamar Jackson was 32. Jalen Hurts was in the second round.
26:40Oh,
26:41Shannon Sharpe:Tua was in the 2020. Wow. Tua was in the 2020 also, Ocho. He was? Yeah. Remember he went before Herbert. Yeah.
27:06Shannon Sharpe:Ooh, I don't know. I don't know about that. Because 83, you had Elway in the hall, Jim Kelly's in the hall, John's in the hall. So you got three Hall of Famers there. John went to five Super Bowls. Elway went to one Super Bowl. Kelly went to four Super Bowls. So that's ten Super Bowl appearances. Damn. I don't think these classes go catch that, Ocho. Nah. Who else did that? Todd Blackledge didn't do too much. Ken O 'Brien. was that draft too, right? Because he went to the Jets.
27:58Shannon Sharpe:John went one to the Colts. John Hallway, Blackwood, Kelly, Eason, O 'Brien, Marino. Yeah. Tony Eason, he went to New England.
28:13Tony Eason. mm-hmm that's a Tony Easton with not a lineman is he no quarterback quarterback yeah okay
28:27Shannon Sharpe:18 by a
28:33Shannon Sharpe:well hey they already got more MVPs 2018 already got more MVPs than 83 because Lamar got two and Allen got one. So that's three. They only got two in 83. Elway got one. Marino got one. Right.
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29:23Shannon Sharpe:Ice Cube's Big 3 season is heating up, and it all comes down to this. The Big 3 playoffs are coming to Dallas, Texas. The four best teams in the Big 3 battle it out for a spot in the championship. The action starts with the legendary Big 3 Celebrity Game. Three games of the most physical, competitive, and nonstop three-on-three action. The game played the way you love. Watch Live Saturday on CBS at 12 p.m. Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific, and catch replays Monday on BET. Presented by iHeart. A-yay-yay! Amazon Health AI presents Painful Thoughts. I, um, I can't stop scratching my downtown. Mm-hmm. Yeah, but I'm not itching to go downtown and tell a receptionist I'm here to talk about my downtown.
30:08Some things you'd rather type than say out loud.
30:12Shannon Sharpe:There's no question too embarrassing for Amazon Health AI. Chat your symptoms and get virtual care 24-7. Healthcare just got less painful. Strong hands built America and kept it running for 250 years. Strong hands also keep Copenhagen moving today. Here's to the bravery of linemen, the endurance of truckers, the skills of welders, the traditions upheld by farmers, and all American tradesmen sharing in our work ethic. Copenhagen, celebrating American craftsmanship, proven since 1822. Warning, this product is not a safe alternative to cigarettes. This is over here, 2018 versus 2020. And they didn't even put two in there.
30:59Shannon Sharpe:Nah. Ocho, which duo are you taking? You taking Sweetness and AP? You taking Jim Brown and ED? You taking Barry Sanders and Marshall Falk? Or you taking LT and Emmitt? Woo! Is that AD and Sweetness? Yep. Yeah, I'm going AD and Sweetness. Man, look at Jim. Jim Brown won MVP as a rookie. I hear you. I hear you, but I saw Asian people saying his prime. I know. I'm going with all day and sweetness. No disrespect to Barry. Barry's the real deal. LaDainian Thomason was the real deal. That's a good one. That's a good one. That's a good one. I like A.D. As a matter of fact, A.D. and sweetness is really basically the same back.
31:55Shannon Sharpe:Man. I'm trying to figure out how you going to tackle Marshall and Barry on turf. You not You not Listen the first man Is gonna miss every time
32:09Shannon Sharpe:That's hard Mm-hmm Cause Jim Brown and ED They are running backs They don't throw it to a Hand it to them Downhill 30 times Mm-hmm
32:28Yeah I like sweetness and 80, man. Boy, it was...
32:34Shannon Sharpe:Boy, that's a good one. That's a really good one. Yeah. Who are you picking? Who are you going with? Man, all them touchdowns. I mean, Embiid got like 160-something touchdowns. LT got about 140. They got about 300 touchdowns between the two of them. Right.
32:58I'm taking
32:59Shannon Sharpe:I'm taking I'm taking I'm taking I'm taking Barry Barry Hammett Barry and Marshall Okay Okay Okay Okay I like it I like it It's so funny Can you imagine Barry with this spread And the spread off it With one back Just Barry And they got And they got Nickel defense on the field All right, that wouldn't be fair. Do you realize we have yet to see a back like that till today? You'll never see another back like him. Never seen nothing like that. You can make a case that Shady McCoy might be the closest thing we've seen to him. Yeah. But the two-foot stop is what separates back. Come to balance, yeah.
33:40Nah, we're not going to see that.
33:41Shannon Sharpe:Just throw. If you come to balance, you're not tackling it. Nah, at all. If he stopped and you stopped, you might want to just say, let him go on pass. You got to throw. You got to take your shot. It's basically like they teach you on the punt return, Ocho. Go ahead and throw. Don't come to balance. Yeah, you got to shoot. Got to shoot your shot. Yep.
34:05Shannon Sharpe:Browns officially named Joe Flacco starter week one. The 40-year-old Ocho will be making his first week one start since 2022. Wins with the Jets. TBD on the rest of the depth chart. Kenny Pickett has not played since July 26th. Dylan Gabriel nursed an injury. He came in, played Saturday. Shadour Sanders started the preseason game. He's got an oblique injury. He did not play Saturday. And Snoop Hundley was the guy that they signed to get them through camp. Adam Schefter said this morning, I expect Cleveland Browns to carry four quarterbacks on the roster. Yeah. Yeah. Are you surprised they're going to carry this many quarterbacks, don't you?
34:45I mean, I'm not surprised. It's not something that teams normally do. They do not. Yeah, when you need a position that can play elsewhere, especially on special teams. Yep. Having four quarterbacks is going to take a job away from someone else. You're absolutely right. Someone else is going to have to do double time on different positions because they're keeping a fourth quarterback. So, I mean, listen, this is rare. This is rare, but I understand the problem that they are having. But, hey, listen, I said Joe Flacco was going to start. I don't know the order in which the backups are going to be.
35:23But, I mean, at any point when Joe Flacco was not playing well, we know what he can do. He's going to get you on a five, six game winning streak, going all over the place looking crazy. Then all of a sudden, you got them. The bottom is going to fall out. Yeah, the bottom is going to fall out. You're going to know what's going on. So I'm excited. I'm excited for the Browns. I know one thing. Week one, we going down there to Cleveland, out there on the water.
35:52Shannon Sharpe:Oh, man, that don't even count to no victory. We going to put up 50. You should. Hey, I tell you what. What? Man, I don't know if you've seen Miles Garrett. He's been bending the edge, Ocho. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, I mean, listen, Miles Garrett is going to be Miles Garrett no matter who he's playing. We finna lock that up. Okay. Ocho, every team's number of quarterbacks since the start of the 2020 season. Look at this. Cleveland had 11 quarterbacks start since 2020. The Saints, nine. Washington, nine. Colts, eight. Broncos, eight. Giants, eight. Bears, eight. hey it's so it's so funny i saw two uh people were complaining um on twitter today uh mad at myself and you for saying that uh drew breeze is the reason why the saints aren't doing well because they chose you didn't hear the conversation you didn't hear what we said no they took it out you have a quarterback like a breeze like a manning like a like a uh like a Brady.
37:05Shannon Sharpe:Right. They're so good for so long and they don't get hurt. The last thing that you want to do is tick them off by taking a quarterback early to be the bridge. Coach Belichick was thinking, but he was starting to build a bridge too early. Yeah. That's what we mean. So, Breeze was so good for so long. They're like, well, he's going to play forever. And when it – a lot of times, Ocho, it's like when it go downhill, it go down fast. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. And you saw with Breeze. I mean, you look at Breeze the year before. And then the next thing, he gets Nick, and it's over. Yeah. But what we got, we ain't got nothing, Ocho, because we hadn't taken a quarterback since when.
37:49Yeah.
37:50Shannon Sharpe:Same thing with Peyton Manning. Peyton Manning that had not missed a start. Yeah. He gets Nick. He plays the rest of the season. He had surgery in the offseason. Ain't the same sense. So that's what we mean by that. We're not – I'm just saying we're not blaming him. But because quarterbacks and organizations don't want to kick that guy off, they're hesitant to take a quarterback. Early. Especially drafted high. Now, you take a guy in the sixth or seventh round, fifth or sixth round, that ain't no threat. You take one in the first or second round, that's a threat to him. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Now you're looking over your shoulder.
38:33Shannon Sharpe:You remember when Coach Belichick took Jimmy G? Oh, yeah. What did Mr. Kraft instruct Coach Belichick to do? Trade him. Get him up out of there. That's what we're talking about, guys. Mm-hmm. NFL players would no longer be punished for using a bow and arrow celebration. Eagles, old outside linebacker. How you say it? Jalen? Jalix Hunt was fined$5 ,600, well,$5 ,700 for using the Bowen Island celebration in the Super Bowl. But that's something the league will no longer penalize, according to referee Land Clark.
39:14Shannon Sharpe:It's a weapon.
39:19Shannon Sharpe:Cupid, whoa back your bow. What do you think, Ocho? You like it? Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. Let them have some fun Let them have some fun By all means By all means, you know, I'm all for it As long as you don't do any gestures That have to do with these None of this Right No six shooters And no throat slash They used to let you do the throat slash They won't let you do the throat slash Yeah, outside of that, man Just let them boys have some fun, man Oh, Joe, we got great news. Auburn will retire Cam Newton's number two. Cam became the first SEC player to record a 2 ,000-yard passing season, a 1 ,000-yard rushing season.
40:08Shannon Sharpe:He had 2 ,854 yards, 1 ,473 yards rushing. He accounted for 51 touchdowns, 30 passing, 20 rushing, one receiving, while helping Auburn go 14-0 and winning the national championship against Oregon. Cam swept the major college football awards. 2000, he won the Maxwell, Walter Camp, the Manning, the Davey O 'Brien, AP Player of the Year, as well as the Heisman Trophy. Ocho, I just got a simple question. Talk to me. Why won't Carolina show that man the love that Auburn is showing him? I'm not sure. I'm not sure. He said, remember we did a topic, was it last year, that he took his son and there were no pictures of him on the wall at the facility?
40:53Shannon Sharpe:Oh, that's right. He did. He did say that. He did say that. I don't know. I don't know. That's something we would have to probably ask him. That internally, I'm not sure how things. No, we have to. You can't ask Cam because Cam don't know why. We need to ask the organization. Yeah. Kepper. Yeah. Ain't no telling. Ain't no telling how things ended with Cam. Even though we came back, it's no telling. You'll never know. Especially for a quarterback of that magnitude that did the things that he did for the Carolina Panthers. Yeah. Took him to the Super Bowl. MVP, rookie of the year pro bowler all pro but that's amazing, congratulations Cam very deserving I can make a case that's the greatest college season for a quarterback I know Joe had I know Joe numbers but Joe ain't putting up those numbers with the receivers that Cam had he ain't doing that and I don't know I think he had one I don't think he had an offensive lineman.
41:55Shannon Sharpe:I mean, did anybody play more than a year in the NFL? On Cam's team? On the offense. Because I know he had a defensive lineman that went, like, I think top 10 to the Lions. Mm-hmm. But if you look at his offensive weapons and what he was able to do. Yeah. Well, Cam was a real deal back then. Man, Cam was crazy with it. Mm-hmm. I mean, off the chain. Yeah. I don't know if we'll never see. Lamar had an unbelievable season. I mean, the year he won the Heisman. Actually, the year that he finished, the next year, it was even better than the year that he won the Heisman. If you go back and look at it.
42:37Shannon Sharpe:Yeah. Because he threw for like 3 ,500 yards and had 1 ,500 yards rushing. That's crazy. But congratulations, Cam. University of Auburn, no one else will be able to wear the number two. That's live. Now, it's time for our final segment of the evening. It's time for Q and A. A.
43:13Shannon Sharpe:Alpha Body said, Ocho sounded like Keith Sweat. You making fun of my voice? So you sound like he's wet. Nah, I sound like Barry White tonight. Kemper Noah Wood Jr. said, I have the Bengals going 10-6 this season, but they lose to the Broncos in week four. I agree, Kemper. That's funny. Aaron Owen says, I don't know who's softer, Charmin or the Bengals' defense. Bengals' defense. Relax, relax. Y 'all relax. It's just the preseason. just the preseason. Let's not get... TJ Ryder said, hey, Trey Terry for Trey. They don't need another receiver. They ain't fit to play no receiver. Another receiver?
43:59Man,
43:59Shannon Sharpe:they ain't fit to have no$100 million receiving corps. They already got a$70 million receiving corps. Hey, he trying to play Madden. He acting like it's Madden. Apache Hall said, Uncle Ocho, in wrestling, the word receipt means when your opponent hits you too hard, you owe them a receipt by hitting them harder. Is there anyone you played with or against that you felt you owed a receipt? Yeah. Brian Cox when he was with the Jets. Brian Russell when he was with the Cleveland Browns. Oh, he got me too, though, when he was at Minnesota. Not me out cold. I'm talking about out cold. I was on the field like.
44:47are you reaching for that rope yeah man you got me good that was my only that was my only
44:52Shannon Sharpe:that was my one and only man i'll never forget this oh joe and hold on i'm trying to think what year was it it was 99 uh-huh and uh greasley threw a pick and i'm chasing and i see him i was like man let me let me go get i think vic the green picked it uh-huh man i took like two steps parallel to the ground I'm in the air and I'm cursing B Cox I know that was your dirty ass ain't nobody how you know it was me I said cause they
45:28Shannon Sharpe:he's like man he's like sharp how you know it was me cause I know it was you hey that's funny I know it was you uh R S R-S-F M-A-R-O I don't know how you say that Joey Badass Golden Super underrated Might be the most underrated But just wait on Humble Beast Love JB Keep grinding gang
45:59Shannon Sharpe:Thank you guys Ocho Thank you for getting your internet working We really appreciate you joining us tonight Appreciate it Appreciate that Now I'm going to be up We want to thank you in the chat because you make it all worthwhile because without you, this doesn't even happen. It doesn't even mean anything. So thank you guys again. I'm your favorite Unc Shannon Sharp, my partner and co-host, Liberty City's own, Madden Ratings Adjuster, bingo ring of fame honoree, the Pro Bowler, All Pro. He's Chad Ochocinco Johnson. Please make sure y 'all hit that subscribe button. Please make sure you hit the like button and do us a favor.
46:33Shannon Sharpe:Go subscribe to the Nightcap Podcast feed wherever you get your podcasts from. We'd like to thank you again personally tonight for joining us like you have so many nights before. You make it all worthwhile. Thank you again. My cognac Laportier has a new drop, and this one is very personal. I've created a limited edition release to honor my brother, induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It's just not a bottle. It's a tribute. It's a celebration of a legacy. And once they're gone, they're gone. The Hall of Fame edition is officially live. Just head over to LaportierCognac.com. Grab yours while supplies last.
47:09Shannon Sharpe:Don't miss a chance to own a piece of history in a very, very special moment. Please go follow my media company page on all of its platforms, Shea Shea Media, and my clothing company, 84 with 84 being spelled out. That link is pinned in the chat. Joe Flacco officially named starter for the Browns. No surprise there. I'm up. He's Ocho. We're off the next couple of days. We will see you on Thursday, right? Thursday. Peace. Break. We got a break. Quiet confidence. It's not what you see. It's what you feel. A suit tailored just for you. A perfectly timed guy's trip. Choosing On Plus nicotine pouches over rough corners and edges.
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48:31It doesn't protect against other STIs, though,
48:33Shannon Sharpe:so be sure to use condoms and other healthy sex practices. Ask a healthcare provider about all your prevention options and visit findoutaboutprep.com to learn more. Sponsored by Gilead. 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.
49:09Shannon Sharpe:Get started at ChatGPT.com by selecting Work Mode. Available on Plus and Pro plans. Strong hands built America and kept it running for 250 years. Strong hands also keep Copenhagen moving today. Here's to the bravery of linemen, the endurance of truckers, the skills of welders, the traditions upheld by farmers, and all American tradesmen sharing in our work ethic. Copenhagen, celebrating American craftsmanship. Proven since 1822. Warning, this product is not a safe alternative to cigarettes.
From the publisher
Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson react to Justin Jefferson returning to practice after a 25 day absence, what quarterback draft class was better 2018 or 2020, and Auburn will retire Cam Newton’s #2 jersey and much more!
13:02 - Are we in the golden age of NFL?
6:18- DraftKings build an NFL team of the best nicknames of all time
10:03 - Jetta returns to practice
18:35 - What year had the best QB class?
24:49 - Which RB duo are you taking?
27:51- Browns name Joe Flacco to start (revisited)
33:43 - Auburn will retire Cam Newton’s jersey
36:44 - Q & Ayyyyy
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements.)
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