The Fade Route with D and Z

In our season six finale, author Ray Hartjen joins D and Z on the In Route to discuss his book, Immaculate: How the Steelers Saved Pittsburgh!  Plus, D and  Z discuss Aaron Donald's return to the Rams, predict which NFL coaches will be on the hot seat this season, debate the ways to keep sub-500 teams out of the MLB playoffs, and much more!  

The AFC North has undergone multiple coaching changes this offseason.  Which new coach will have the biggest impact?  Will a healthy Deshaun Watson make a difference for the Browns post Myles Garrett trade?  Can the reunited Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy recapture their Lambeau magic in the Steel City?  How will Lamar Jackson and the Ravens bounce back after last season?  Joe Burrow has laid down the gauntlet for the Cincinnati Bengals - it's now or never.  Will the Bengals be able to cash the check Burrow wrote for his team?  D and Z answer these questions and more as they preview and predict the AFC North!      

D and Z debate the Browns' decision to start Deshaun Watson week 1, discuss the exodus of pro athletes back to college in light of the Louisiana court decision, break down Kyle Tucker's struggles in Los Angeles, and much more!  

The Detroit Lions took a major step back last season after losing Ben Johnson to the Chicago Bears.  Will the replenished brain trust translate to a move up the standings?  Can Coach Johnson and the Bears avoid a sophomore slump and remain atop the division as the hunted rather than the hunter?  How can the Green Bay Packers deliver on their perennial potential and become a force in the NFC?  Do the Minnesota Vikings have the QB power to take its talented roster to the promised land?  D and Z answer these questions and more as they rank the NFC North!   

D and Z discuss the controversial sale of the Lakers, Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson's NFL Preseason debuts, the petty feud between Jayden Daniels and LSU, and more!

In part two of our interview, former University of Delaware relief pitcher Daniel Belfer joins D and Z on the In Route to discuss the resurgence of small ball in Major League Baseball, the importance of villains and rivalries in sports, the success of ABS, and more!

The Titans brought in plenty of ex-Giants and Jets, including coaches. Have they improved the roster enough to contend?  Will CJ Stroud have a bounce back season in Houston or will his struggles continue?  Will a healthy Daniel Jones and a paid Jonathan Taylor catapult the Colts up the standings?  Have the Jaguars done enough to stay at the top of the division?  D and Z answer these questions and more as they make their AFC South picks!  

In part one of our interview, former University of Delaware relief pitcher Daniel Belfer joins the In Route to discuss his experience and routine as a collegiate athlete.  Plus, D and Z reflect on this year's NFL Hall of Fame class, debate the punishment for the Clippers and Kawhi Leonard after the Daktronics scandal, question LeBron's Laker legacy, and much more!

In part two of our interview, Dr. Tommy Rhee joins the In Route to discuss the place for chiropractic and regenerative medicine in a weekend warrior's pain management toolbox, the secret recovery strategy to improve performance, the future of regenerative medicine, and more! 

Three, count 'em.  Three teams finished 8-9 in the NFC South last year, sending the upstart Carolina Panthers into the playoffs.  That won't happen again, right?  How will the Panthers and Saints build on their surprising seasons last year?  Can the Buccaneers stave off injuries and reclaim the division title?  How can the Falcons make sense of their quarterback situation?  D and Z answer these questions and more as they rank the NFC South.

In part one of our interview, Navy veteran and former Buccaneers team Chiropractor Dr. Tommy Rhee joins D and Z on the In Route to discuss injury and pain management for pro athletes and average Joes!  Plus, D and Z break down the MLB trade deadline.

The injury to Bo Nix derailed a potential Super Bowl season for the Denver Broncos.  Will the addition of Jaylen Waddle and a healthy Nix take them over the top this season?  Will the Chargers pose the biggest threat?  Can the Chiefs shake off a down year and reestablish themselves as a contender?  How can the Raiders make strides after drafting Fernando Mendoza first overall?  D and Z answer the questions and more as they make their picks for the AFC West.

D and Z debate how the Sixers will fare now that they signed LeBron James, how the Phillies can improve before the MLB trade deadline, whether Bill Belichick and Michael Lombardi are done at UNC, and more! 

In part two of our interview, DJ, songwriter, and former San Diego State and Frankfurt Galaxy wide receiver Robert Ortiz joins D and Z to discuss his transition from the gridiron to music studio, the process behind creating his song "Here Comes Forever (Bride Walk)", how football and music overlap, and more!

The Seattle Seahawks are the reigning, defending Super Bowl champions, but the Rams and 49ers have been busy adding high profile players to make a run at the division.  Will the addition of Myles Garrett (and possibly Aaron Donald) change the landscape of the NFC West?  Will Mike Evans prove to be the target Brock Purdy needs to put San Francisco back on top?  Will the Cardinals make strides forward post Kyler Murray?  D and Z make their picks for the NFC West.

DJ, songwriter, and former San Diego State and Frankfurt Galaxy wide receiver Robert Ortiz joins D and Z to discuss his journey in football from playing to coaching flag football, his relationships with Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, and Randy Moss, and more!  Plus, D and Z break down the results of the World Cup Final, predict whether the Yankees and Red Sox will add at the trade deadline, discuss the NBA's decision to delay their schedule release until LeBron signs, and more!

D and Z rank the greatest athletes to ever wear number 26.

Tommy Sica, creator of Boogie Birds, joins the In Route to discuss youth sports as a parent, the animation process, and the impact of AI on the industry.  Plus, D and Z make their predictions for the World Cup Final, discuss the most surprising teams and players in MLB, the ongoing Kawhi Leonard saga, and more!

D and Z rank the greatest athletes to ever wear number 25.

The Bald AV Guy George Chacko joins the In Route to talk Knicks, Mets, and the USMNT.  Plus, D and Z discuss Cristiano Ronaldo's legacy, the Jaylen Brown trade, Lebron's free agency strategy, and more.

D and Z rank their top 5 athletes to ever wear number 24.

In part two of our roundtable, FCK Clout CEO Gil Godoy and Interwho's Ben Behan join D and Z make their predictions for the World Cup knockout round.

FCK Clout CEO Gil Godoy and Interwho's Ben Behan join the In Route to preview the World Cup Knockout stage and discuss his trip to the Knicks' championship parade!  Plus, D and Z debate the impact of the Ja Morant and LaMelo Ball trades, Mets next moves after firing Carlos Mendoza, the Bills' erasing OJ Simpson from Highmark Stadium, and more!

D and Z rank their top 5 athletes to ever wear number 23.

D and Z discuss the fallouts of the Giannis and Brady Tkachuk trades, speculate on a potential Jaylen Brown trade, reveal their standouts from the World Cup group stage, and more!

D and Z rank the greatest athletes to ever wear number 22.

Danny Butler joins D and Z to break down the Knicks' NBA Championship win.  Plus, D and Z rank the Knicks among the last eight NBA champions, break down the Hurricanes' Stanley Cup victory over the Golden Knights, and more!  

In part three of our World Cup preview, FCK Clout's Gil Godoy and Interwho's Ben Behan join D and Z make their predictions for Groups I-L and pick the tournament winner!

In part two of our World Cup preview, FCK Clout's Gil Godoy and Interwho's Ben Behan join D and Z to break down Groups E-H.

D and Z rank the greatest athletes to wear number 21.  

Gil Godoy of FCK Clout and Ben Behan of Interwho join D and Z for their World Cup preview of Groups A-D!  Plus, D and Z break down the NBA Finals, the Brendan Sorsby injunction in college football, and more! 

D and Z rank the greatest athletes to wear number 20.

D and Z preview the NBA and Stanley Cup Finals, debate the latest negotiations between MLB and the MLBPA, discuss the June 1st fallout in the NFL, and more!  

D and Z rank their top 5 greatest athletes to ever wear number 19

D and Z debate the Knicks' chances in the NBA Finals, the Vegas Golden Knights' Western Conference win, the potential legislation to fix college sports, and more!

In part two of our interview, former PR Director for the New York Jets and current President of DCT Media David Tratner joins the In Route to discuss the Knicks' run in the NBA playoffs, the recent trend of veteran media professionals using direct to audience platforms like Substack, and more!

D and Z rank the greatest athletes to ever wear number 18.

In part one of our interview, former PR Director for the New York Jets and current President of DCT Media David Tratner joins the In Route to discuss how he handled the fallout of NFL Draft and the impact of streaming services on sports viewership.  Plus, D and Z preview the NBA Conference Finals, analyze the NFL schedule, debate MLB's reaction to the Pete Crow-Armstrong incident, and more!

D and Z rank the greatest athletes to ever wear number 17.

D and Z break down the NBA Draft lottery results, reflect on the managerial career of Bobby Cox, discuss whether the Edmonton Oilers should rebuild after firing their coach, and more

D and Z make their picks for the greatest athletes to ever wear number 16.

Clinton DeSouza joins the In Route to break down the Jets' offseason and the Knicks' playoff run.  Plus, D and Z pay tribute to the late John Sterling, discuss which hot MLB team can hang with the Dodgers in October, debate the Rockets' next move after losing to the Lakers, and more!

D and Z make their picks for the greatest athletes to ever wear number 15.

D and Z break down the winners and losers of the NFL Draft, the two most surprising series of the NBA Playoffs, the Red Sox and Phillies' managerial changes, and more!

In part two of our interview, sports broadcasting veteran Rob Adams join D and Z to discuss Steelers' fans' expectations for the first season post Mike Tomlin, whether or not Aaron Rodgers is returning to the Steel City, and their NFL Draft needs.

In part one of our interview, sports broadcasting veteran Rob Adams join D and Z to break down the Yankees start to the season, the promising prospects on the Hudson Valley Renegades.

D and Z discuss the proposed AJ Brown trade, the Mets' next move after losing their twelfth game in a row, the disappointment that was Wrestlemania, and more!  Plus, D and Z Order Up their mock top 5 picks in the NFL Draft!

In part two of our interview, Arthur Staple of the The Tri-State Hockey podcast joins D and Z to discuss the Buffalo Sabres emergence this season, autopsy the 2025-2026 New York Rangers, predict the Stanley Cup winner, and more!

D and Z rank the greatest athletes to ever wear number 14.

In part one of our interview, Arthur Staple of The Tri-State Hockey Pod joins the In Route to preview the Stanley Cup Playoffs and discuss the John Tortorella and Pete DeBoer hirings.  Plus, D and Z react to Dianna Russini's resignation, predict the NBA Play-In Tournament winners, dissect Francisco Lindor's spell of poor play, and more!

D and Z rank the top 5 greatest athletes to ever wear number 13.