The Fade Route with D and Z

The Titans took Cam Ward with the number one overall pick in the NFL draft, but does he have what it takes to bring them out of last place?  Can Trevor Lawrence deliver on his potential and deliver the Jaguars into the playoffs?  Do the Colts have their quarterback situation figured out with Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones?  Or will this be another division win for Houston?  D and Z answer these questions as they make their picks for the AFC South in the 2025 NFL season. 

D and Z discuss Shedeur Sanders' impressive NFL Preseason debut, the potential impact of the Jon Gruden case on the NFL, UFC's landmark deal with Paramount, and more!

Can the Panthers escape the cellar?  Will the Saints march to the top of the division?  Can Michael Penix Jr. and Falcons take the next step and topple the Bucs?  D and Z make their picks for one of the most unpredictable divisions in all of sports, the NFC South.

D and Z discuss the latest and most important holdouts in NFL training camp, the latest entrant in the Cleveland Browns' quarterback contest, the winners and losers of the MLB trade deadline, and more! 

How will the new (and improved?) Steelers gel?  Do the Bengals have enough defense to be contenders?  Are the Browns in store for a lost season?  D and Z make their picks for the AFC North.  

D and Z reflect on the complex legacy of Hulk Hogan, preview the MLB Trade Deadline, discuss the fallout from the Christian Wilkins release, and more!

In part 2 of our interview, Westchester SC Majority Owner Mitch Baruchowitz joins D and Z to discuss the ups and downs of an expansion franchise, the team's performance this season, and the potential impact of promotion and relegation in US soccer.

Can the Lions survive losing both coordinators and contend in the NFC North?  Will JJ McCarthy pick up where Sam Darnold left off for the Vikings?  Will the Bears be improved with a better offensive line and new Head Coach (and former Lions OC) Ben Johnson?  D and Z make their picks for the NFC North.

D and Z welcome Mitch Baruchowitz, the majority owner of USL League One's Westchester SC to the In Route to discuss his vision for the club, the challenges and triumphs of building a soccer team from scratch, and the importance of community engagement.  Plus, D and Z tackle the WNBA t-shirt controversy, Shane Gillis' performance at the Espys, the swing-off in the MLB All Star Game, and more.

Can the Dolphins hold it together one more year and stay competitive in the AFC East?  Have the Jets and Patriots made enough improvements to move up the ranks?  Will D and Z underestimate the Bills again?  D and Z make their picks for the AFC East.        

Summary In this episode, D and Z discuss recent sports news, including the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game controversies. They critique the event formats and player participation, delve into the implications of player contracts, and reflect on the legacy of Ndamukong Suh. The conversation also touches on the NBA Summer League and the comparison between the Dunk Contest and Home Run Derby. They conclude with a discussion on Chris Carter's legacy and the upcoming NFL season preview.  

The NFC East could see three playoff teams this year.  But can anyone challenge the Eagles and take the top spot?  D and Z make their picks for the NFC East for the 2025 season.

D and Z discuss the MLB All Star snubs, project the Knicks' season after hiring Mike Brown, grade the Yankees and Braves' seasons, and more!

D and Z rank the greatest number 10's in sports history.  

D and Z discuss the latest NBA offseason moves, focusing on team dynamics, trades, and the confusion surrounding the Milwaukee Bucks and the future of Zion Williamson. They reflect on past NBA draft picks that didn't meet expectations and the importance of drafting well in both the NBA and NFL. The conversation shifts to LeBron James's potential future moves, the Pittsburgh Steelers' recent trades, and the struggles of the New York Mets.   

In part 2 of our interview, comedian, media personality, and die hard Yankee fan John Franklin joins D and Z to discuss his sporting event bucket list, his recent experience at Fanatics Fest, what the Yankees should do at the trade deadline, and more!

D and Z rank the best athletes to ever wear number 9.

In part 1 of our interview, comedian, media personality, and Yankee fan John Franklin joins the In Route to discuss his journey in comedy.  Plus, D and Z break down the Tyrese Halliburton injury, the plethora of NBA trades, the Mets' continued struggles, and more!

In part two of our interview, BaldAVguy George Chacko joins the In Route to discuss the Mets season, their recent slump, and trade deadline targets.

D and Z rank the greatest athletes to ever wear number 8

BaldAV Guy George Chacko joins the In Route to break down the Knicks' continued coaching search and potential trade targets for the Mets.  D and Z discuss Connor McDavid's legacy after losing to the Panthers again, the Yankees and Mets' recent struggles, and more!

This has been the toughest list to make so far, but who will it be?  D and Z rank their top five athletes to ever wear number 7.

D and Z discuss the low ratings of the NBA Finals, the Knicks' short list of coaching candidates, what the Steelers can expect with Aaron Rodgers, and more!

In part two of our two-part interview, Jess from the Wakin' Up with CJ and Jess Show on The Wolf joins the In Route to discuss the Yankees' World Series rematch in LA and more!

Who was the best of the best to wear number 6?  D and Z rank their top 5's of all time.

In part one of a two-part interview, Jess from the Wakin' Up with CJ and Jess Show on The Wolf joins the In Route to discuss the end of the Knicks' season and how they can improve next year.  Plus, D and Z discuss Tom Thibodeau's firing, analyze the NBA Finals, preview the Stanley Cup, and more!

So many fantastic athletes have worn number 5.  But who is the best?  D and Z rank their top five athletes to ever wear number 5.

D and Z break down the Knicks' Eastern Conference Finals woes, make their way too early picks for MVP and Cy Young, reminisce about Around the Horn, and more!

In part two of our interview, The Athletic's Arthur Staple joins the In Route to discuss the impact of the recent trend of the Presidents Trophy winners not winning the Stanley Cup, the impact of Rangers' hire of Mike Sullivan, and what the Islanders will do with the number one pick in the NHL Draft.

Who is the core number 4 in sports history?  So many great options, but D and Z rank their definitive top 5 pick!

In part one of our two part interview, Arthur Staple of The Athletic joins the In Route to preview the NHL Conference Finals and predict the Stanley Cup winner!  Plus, D and Z discuss the NFL Owners' meetings, Brock Purdy's new contract, Juan Soto's bad weekend in the Bronx, and more!

Who is the greatest athlete to wear number 3 in sports history?  So many great options, but D and Z rank their definitive top 5 picks!

D and Z analyze the Mavericks winning the NBA Draft Lottery, the Cavs' loss to the Pacers, MLB's decision to amend their lifetime ban on Pete Rose and the Black Sox, and much more!

Who is the greatest number 2 in sports history?  D and Z rank their top 5 picks!

D and Z discuss the Clippers' playoff loss to the Nuggets, which players are in line for the next big payday in MLB, the best potential landing spot for Giannis, and more!

Who is the greatest athlete to ever wear number 1?  D and Z rank their top 5's of all time.

D and Z break down the results of the NFL Draft, including Shedeur Sanders' historic slide.  Plus, D and Z evaluate MLB after one month, and more!  

Who is the greatest athlete to ever wear zero? D and Z rank their top five choices.

Z plays the Immaculate Grid for April 25, 2025. Play today's grid and try to beat his score. Post your scores on: X: @Faderoutedandz Insta: @faderoutepodcast email: faderoutemail@gmail.com

D and Z make their top 5 picks for the NFL Draft, discuss the Jets' treatment of Aaron Rodgers, and more! Plus, Clinton DeSouza joins the In Route to discuss the Jets' draft plans and the Knicks' series with the Pistons.

In honor of Rory McIlroy's victory at Augusta, D and Z rank their favorite victories at the tradition unlike any other, The Masters

D and Z preview the NBA and NHL playoffs, discuss Mike Trout's run in with a fan, Chris Paul's latest accomplishment, and more!

In honor of the late, great Val Kilmer, D and Z rank their favorite movies. What makes the cut?

D and Z discuss the Nuggets' firing of Michael Malone, Alexander Ovechkin setting the new NHL scoring record, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s new contract, and more!

Who started out hot and tricked us into thinking they were good, only for it to all fall apart spectacularly? D and Z make their pick for the biggest April Fools.

D and Z preview the Final Four, discuss whether or not torpedo bats should be legal, analyze Rafael Devers' strikeout problem, and more!

Who is the greatest American female athlete of all time? In honor of Women's History Month, D and Z make their picks for the greatest American female athletes.

D and Z reflect on MLB Opening Day, the Giants' revamped quarterback room, the latest chapter in the LeBron/Stephen A.'s beef, and more!

The Yankees won the American League pennant last year, but the injury bug has bitten them hard already. Do they have enough to hold off Baltimore or the resurgent Red Sox? Can the Blue Jays finally fulfill the promise of their pedigree? D and Z make their picks for the AL East.

D and Z make their Final Four picks, discuss the proposed ACC/Big East merger, what the Chase and Higgins signings mean for the Bengals, and more!

Can the Braves or Mets unseat the Phillies at the top of the division? Will the Nationals improve as they rebuild? How can the Marlins compete? D and Z continue their MLB division by division preview and make their picks for the NL East.