The Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima analyze the Cleveland Guardians' recent scoring surge and debate whether Rhys Hoskins has redeemed himself. They dive into the ongoing LeBron James free agency watch, questioning if the delay in his decision suggests Cleveland is merely a secondary option. The conversation also features an interview with Cam Justice regarding the high-stakes quarterback competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. 02:52 - Guardians Home Run Barrage 07:15 - Standings And Run Differential 12:45 - LeBron Decision Watch Frustrations 22:30 - Rich Paul Podcast Reaction 31:05 - Shedeur Sanders Brand Debate 41:45 - Online Fan Base Sensitivity 50:50 - Mahomes Vs Sanders Comparison 57:15 - Deshawn Quarterback Debate Call 01:14:05 - About Last Night Recap 01:19:45 - Ryan Clark ESPN Firing 01:26:15 - College Football Playoff Shifts 01:32:00 - Transfer Portal Reality Check 01:36:50 - Cam Justice Browns Interview 01:44:30 - Future Quarterback Draft Plans 01:55:15 - Sanders Vs Watson Comparison 02:03:25 - Cleveland As LeBron Fallback 02:14:50 - Miami Heat Odds Shift 02:24:55 - LeBron Legacy And Retirement 02:36:40 - Fans Prefer Shedeur Sanders

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima break down the Cleveland Guardians' high-scoring victory and the statistical importance of run differential. They delve into the frustration surrounding the prolonged LeBron watch and analyze Rich Paul's podcast comments regarding the decision-making process. The conversation concludes with a heated debate about Shedeur Sanders' off-field brand management and his NFL future. 02:52 - Guardians' Seven Homer Victory 09:26 - LeBron Watch and Frustrations 13:16 - Rich Paul Interview Analysis 21:44 - Draymond Green on Schedule 25:43 - Comparing 2014 Return Hype 33:18 - Shedeur Sanders Business Debate 40:31 - Sensitive Fanbase Reactions

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima tackle the ongoing debate regarding Shedeur Sanders and the workload of modern athletes. They explore the mounting anxiety in Cleveland as LeBron James delays his free agency decision. Additionally, they recap the Guardians' massive offensive performance and react to Ryan Clark's sudden firing from ESPN. 01:50 - Shedeur Sanders Trolling Debate 06:00 - Athlete Branding and Commercials 09:45 - Shedeur Sanders' ESPY Workload 15:10 - Lima's Quarterback Future Outlook 19:40 - LeBron James Decision Anxiety 25:05 - Cavs Roster Referendum Fears 31:52 - Guardians Seven Home Run Game 35:13 - Ryan Clark's ESPN Firing 39:31 - SEC Media Day Tensions

Cam Justice joins Ken and Tone to analyze the high-stakes quarterback competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. They discuss the pressure on the Browns' roster, the impact of the transfer portal on college football, and concerns regarding the team's pass rush depth. 01:55 - Ohio State's Grueling Schedule 05:45 - Transfer Portal Player Movement 09:05 - Paying College Athletes Model 14:51 - Cam Justice Interview Begins 19:10 - Watson Versus Sanders Debate 23:45 - Character Development And Growth 27:35 - Browns Pass Rush Concerns 34:05 - Browns Future QB Plans

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima express frustration over the three-week wait for LeBron James' decision, questioning if Cleveland is being used as leverage. They analyze the Guardians' recent offensive surge and debate the polarizing dynamic between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. The discussion concludes with a look at modern athlete branding and reports of media changes at ESPN. 02:20 - LeBron Decision Delay Fallout 09:20 - Cleveland Legacy vs. Philly 13:45 - Guardians Home Run Surge 19:45 - Is Cleveland a Fallback? 27:55 - Retirement and Legacy Regrets 34:15 - Deshaun Watson vs. Sanders 38:15 - Modern Fanbase Branding Issues 41:40 - Karl Raveich ESPN Rumors

Ken reads an email pushback questioning his claim that almost no Browns fans want Deshaun Watson to start, prompting him to hold firm at "98 percent" while acknowledging Watson still looks like the real-time leader for the job. He compares the intensity of Shedeur's fanbase to that of Caitlin Clark and Tony Romo, arguing that hyper-loyal, brand-driven fandoms are simply the new normal in sports and something Anthony needs to get used to. Ken also draws a personal line, sharing a story about his late mother's fierce devotion to athletes like Bernie Kosar, to illustrate how logic rarely factors into this kind of fan loyalty. The segment closes with a brief, unconfirmed mention of a reported ESPN staffing change involving Sean McDonough's broadcast crew before wrapping the show.

After three weeks of waiting, Ken raises the uncomfortable question of whether LeBron actually wants to return to Cleveland or if the Cavs are simply the option left standing once other roster fantasies fell through. He and Anthony note that every other potential destination has been publicly ruled out at some point while Cleveland never has, which either means it was always the plan or that it's been used as leverage the whole time. The conversation shifts into a reflective take on why walking away from basketball is so hard for a 23-year veteran, drawing a comparison to Rusty Wallace's regret about retiring too early and Tom Brady's inability to let go of football. It closes on a lighter note bantering about the Paul brothers and old Vine videos before teasing the next segment on the Browns' quarterback battle.

Ken plays a clip of colleague Jake Vulinec, who admits the long LeBron wait has dulled some of the excitement even if he does come home, and Ken agrees the drawn-out process is souring what should be great news. He argues the roster is already good enough that there's no reasonable excuse for the delay, comparing how differently he'd feel about begging for LeBron if he were on a station in a city with no history with him. A caller pushes back that media speculation is fueling the frustration more than LeBron himself, sparking a debate about who's really responsible for how dragged out this has felt. The show closes on the news that Miami has overtaken Cleveland as the betting favorite to land him, leaving Ken visibly rattled.

Ken and Anthony break down how differently the Browns will judge each quarterback, arguing Deshaun Watson likely needs a Super Bowl-caliber run to avoid being cut loose, while Shedeur only needs a solid, winning-record season to stay in the conversation. They compare the situation to LeBron and the "circus" concern some teams reportedly have about taking on a high-profile personality, wondering if that same hesitation applies to Shedeur's film crew and other NFL teams' interest in him. Ken argues the draft slot creates a real double standard, since a first-round investment in Watson buys more patience than a fifth-round flier ever will for Shedeur. The segment ends by teeing up a phone poll asking listeners whether it might actually be better for Shedeur's long-term career if he doesn't win the starting job right away.

Cam Justice from News 5 Cleveland joins the show to break down the Browns' quarterback competition, calling Deshaun Watson the "leader in the clubhouse" mainly due to veteran experience, but noting Shedeur Sanders offers a higher ceiling if he can clean up his decision-making. She points out that Watson has struggled to play like a seasoned veteran under pressure, and that a rebuilt offensive line will be a major factor in how both quarterbacks perform in camp. Cam also weighs in on Shedeur's emotional short film about last season, calling it a possible sign of real character growth, and flags a retooled pass rush without Myles Garrett as her biggest concern heading into the year. She closes by naming the Steelers and Buccaneers games as key measuring sticks for a Browns team not expected to make the playoffs.

Ken and Lima dig into Ohio State's brutal schedule and whether the Buckeyes could realistically lose four games and still make the expanded playoff, before pivoting into a broader lament about how NIL and the transfer portal have changed the sport. Ken argues something has to give on regulation, pointing to real examples of players getting sued over buyouts, while Owen and Ken share personal stories about players and coaches leaving the moment a better opportunity appears. They also wrestle with how much big-money boosters now determine a program's success independent of tradition, culture, or coaching.

The show breaks down the Guardians' 13-4 blowout of the Twins, a seven-homer outburst including two from Rhys Hoskins, sparking a debate between Ken and producer John over whether one big game actually "redeems" a player who's still hitting under .200 for the season. The conversation shifts to Ryan Clark's on-air firing from ESPN, with the hosts calling the timing classless and debating whether an old comment about non-players not deserving a voice in sports media contributed to the fallout. They also dig into SEC commissioner Greg Sankey's comments about a possible breakaway from the NCAA, with Ken relishing the idea of the SEC losing ground to the Big Ten. The segment ends with a reflective moment on whether years of NIL and playoff expansion have made college football harder to love.

The hosts dig into why LeBron's three-week free agency wait is starting to strain patience, wondering whether the delay is really about leverage, roster fit, or something more personal about wanting to come back at all. They explore the flip side of a "no," including how a snub could turn Evan Mobley, Donovan Mitchell and the current roster into scapegoats for missed trades like Giannis or Jaylen Brown. A charity golf outing the day before revealed real optimism among Cavs-connected people that LeBron is coming home, but there's also lingering fear he could pull a repeat of 2010 or 2018.

Anthony warns that Shedeur Sanders fans can see through the constant needling on the show, prompting a debate about whether pointing out his packed schedule is fair game. The conversation breaks down Shedeur's jam-packed ESPYs itinerary, brand deals, and reported workout routine, weighing whether any of it is actually affecting his play. The hosts land on the idea that none of it matters until there's real evidence it's hurting his football, since plenty of other athletes juggle similar workloads without issue. It closes by acknowledging quarterback evaluations are notoriously unpredictable, pointing to Baker Mayfield's up-and-down career as proof nobody really knows how this plays out.

Ken learns that Shedeur Sanders' inner circle and some fans are upset over comments questioning whether his off-field ventures could be affecting his focus on football, and pushes back hard, insisting he never said anything unfair. He and Anthony dig into whether it's normal for a young quarterback to juggle modeling, music and reality TV while fighting for a starting job, and question the oddly specific claim that Shedeur works out four times a day. The conversation also touches on the short film where Shedeur says old friends stopped reaching out once things got hard in Cleveland, with Ken arguing that reaction is understandable rather than mean-spirited. It closes with Ken standing by his takes and refusing to back down from the backlash.

Draymond Green reveals that Adam Silver is holding up the NBA schedule until LeBron picks a team, though Draymond warns the pressure might actually slow LeBron down rather than speed him up. Ken and Anthony riff on whether this is somehow a power move by LeBron before circling back to Rich Paul's comments about not overvaluing what looks good "on paper." The conversation shifts to why a return wouldn't match the emotional high of 2014, with Ken and Anthony agreeing it's simply impossible to recreate that moment no matter where he lands. They wrap by teasing the Browns' quarterback competition and a new report on Deshaun Watson.

Ken and Anthony break down the Guardians' four-homer beatdown of the Pirates, with Rhys Hoskins going deep twice to silence critics calling for him to be DFA'd. From there the show pivots to LeBron's still-unresolved free agency, now three weeks old, with Ken firing back at the afternoon show for mocking how often he brings it up. Rich Paul's comments on the Game Over podcast get dissected for clues on timing, with training camp roughly 70 days away. Ken makes his case that patience is wearing thin and the longer this drags on, the worse it looks if LeBron doesn't pick Cleveland.

They analyze the Cleveland Guardians' defensive struggles and the impact of Travis Bazzana's arrival. They also debate Rex Ryan's criticism of Shedeur Sanders' off-field focus and the high-stakes wait for LeBron James' free agency decision. 01:50 - Guardians Sloppy Performance 10:24 - Pittsburgh Rivalry Discussion 18:05 - World Cup Extra Time 26:16 - Global Soccer Culture 34:40 - Shedeur Sanders Film 41:36 - LeBron Free Agency Delay 55:39 - Danny Cunningham Interview 01:10:25 - Travis Bazzana Highlight 01:18:56 - Tom Brady Wrestling Drama 01:25:17 - Le'Veon Bell Arrested 01:36:52 - Daryl Ruiter Report 01:50:21 - Rex Ryan Criticism 02:02:51 - Brand Versus Football 02:13:31 - Fan Quarterback Debate 02:25:44 - Playoff Standards Discussion 02:33:14 - LeBron Potential Destination

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima breakdown the Guardians' recent "sloppy" play and the future of Gabriel Arias following a mistake-filled game. They also discuss the influx of Pirates fans in Cleveland, the World Cup final drama, and Shedeur Sanders' message to his critics. 02:41 - Vogt Critiques Sloppy Play 06:45 - Pirates Fans Infiltrate Cleveland 11:00 - Paul Skenes' Star Power 19:03 - World Cup Final Reflections 25:30 - Adopting Soccer As Fan 34:18 - Shedeur Sanders' Loyal Message

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima examine the ripple effects of LeBron James' delayed free agency decision on the Cleveland Cavaliers' roster and local schedule. Danny Cunningham joins 92.3 The Fan to discuss potential Jared Allen trades and the tightening competitiveness of the Eastern Conference. They also recap Travis Bazzana's impact on the Guardians and Tom Brady's recent WWE-style antics. 02:20 - LeBron's Decision Delay 05:56 - Austin Carr Outing 13:44 - Danny Cunningham Interview 21:56 - Jared Allen Trade Rumors 29:54 - Lima Likes: Guardians Recap 36:40 - World Cup Final Drama 38:28 - Tom Brady's Post-NFL Career

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima react to the news of Le'Veon Bell's arrest in Stark County and the enduring wait for LeBron James' free agency decision. They are joined by Daryl Ruiter to analyze the Cleveland Browns' quarterback dynamics and the controversy surrounding Shedeur Sanders' off-field branding. They also discuss the generational gap in how modern athletes manage personal business versus on-field performance. 01:30 - Monster Truck Giveaway 03:00 - Le'Veon Bell Arrested 07:15 - LeBron James Decision Delay 14:15 - Daryl Ruiter Interview 18:10 - Browns Quarterback Competition 29:45 - Shedeur Sanders Branding Debate

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima clash over whether Shedeur Sanders' marketing brand interferes with his football focus. They also discuss the future of Deshaun Watson with the Browns and speculate on the impact of a potential LeBron James return to the Cavaliers. 01:50 - Todd Monken On Distractions 05:24 - Deshaun Watson Starting Debate 12:10 - Shedeur Sanders Brand Discussion 18:58 - Fighting Active NBA Players 24:05 - Browns Season Win Expectations 31:38 - LeBron James Decision Rumors 37:00 - Dan Gilbert's Next Move

Ken and Anthony work through the anxiety of another LeBron decision looming, debating how fans would react if he snubs Cleveland for a third time and whether the Cavs' current core is even worth blowing up if he walks. A caller offers Ken a comeback line for dealing with Anthony's constant interruptions, which briefly derails the show before they circle back to the real stakes. The segment wraps by tying the LeBron drama back to Browns quarterback talk, with Ken arguing Shedeur Sanders staying healthy in Cleveland all season may be the best case scenario given Deshaun Watson's injury history.

Ken and Anthony debate which NBA players they could actually take in a fight, landing on the conclusion that pretty much none of them stand a chance, before ripping into Chet Holmgren's frame and Anthony's own scrawny high school years. Callers weigh in on the Browns quarterback situation, with fans pushing win totals needed to keep Shedeur Sanders as the starter and Ken doubling down that he would franchise tag and draft another quarterback regardless. The segment also veers into a Guardians tangent about a kid getting blamed for Jose Ramirez's injury and wraps with a call debating whether Arch Manning will get the same leash Dillon Gabriel has been given.

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima get heated debating whether Shedeur Sanders' off-field marketing and photo shoots could become a distraction once training camp opens, with Ken accusing Anthony of twisting his words to bait Browns Twitter. The argument spills into a caller segment where a fan pushes back on the "quarterback controversy" framing, prompting Ken to point out Shedeur isn't going anywhere given his popularity with kids at a youth camp. Talk turns to trade value, with the guys agreeing neither Shedeur nor Deshaun Watson has real market value right now, while floating Dylan Gabriel as the more tradeable arm behind Michael Penix Jr. and a "supercomputer" QB room in Atlanta. The segment ends with Ken storming off mid-bit, only half-joking about needing to escape to "hell."

Ken and Lima dig into Rex Ryan's criticism of Shedeur Sanders' off-field content (photoshoots, music, a short film), framing it as a generational divide—guys in Ryan's era don't get why every young quarterback with a fan base now runs a personal brand. They point out Todd Monken, despite being around Ryan's age, seems far more attuned to modern NIL-era players, while contrasting Shedeur with Arch Manning, who's deliberately avoided this kind of exposure. The two debate whether Shedeur's business ventures are actually costing him on the field, invoking Baker Mayfield's similar media-obligations criticism early in his Browns tenure as a precedent that ultimately proved irrelevant to his play. They close split on whether Shedeur is genuinely distracted or just an easy target because of his historically rough rookie season and fifth-round slide.

Browns reporter Daryl Ruiter joins Ken and Anthony Lima to break down the quarterback competition, saying Deshaun Watson remains the favorite to start Week 1 in Jacksonville since it's an easier transition from him to Shedeur Sanders than the reverse, though he stresses that Shedeur starting as QB2 wouldn't be a failure given the retooled line and new coaching staff around him. Ken pushes back a bit, arguing there's real pressure on Shedeur to play early since fans want to see what they have, while Ruiter counters that Deshaun's best days are likely behind him regardless of who starts. The conversation shifts to Shedeur's free youth football camp, which Ruiter says drew an outsized, electric reaction from about 500 kids, before the two dismiss Rex Ryan's recent shot at Shedeur's off-field ventures (music, photoshoots, a short film) as him complaining for the sake of complaining. Ruiter defends Shedeur's use of his offseason time as fair game as long as football stays the priority, noting Shedeur has put in real work with teammates this summer.

News breaks that Le'Veon Bell was arrested on a child-support warrant during an autograph signing at Belden Village Mall, prompting the crew to riff on his mugshot, his string of financial disputes—including reportedly stiffing his own high school on a turf deal—and his infamous career-stalling holdout in Pittsburgh. Talk shifts to LeBron's decision, now dragging into a third week, with Ken arguing it's starting to feel like LeBron is taking Cleveland's love for granted by making fans wait this long, even though he doubts anyone will hold a real grudge in 10 or 20 years. Ken and the crew speculate that LeBron's reported lukewarm relationship with Luka Dončić in L.A. suggests he never fully bought in there, wondering if that's part of why Cleveland—"the only place that really loves him"—makes more sense as his final stop. The segment closes teasing Daryl Ruiter's upcoming hit on Browns training camp and rookies.

Lima runs through his weekly likes and dislikes, giving a big thumbs up to Travis Bazzana's come-from-behind homer as a potential Guardians highlight of the year while trashing the sloppy weekend series overall, plus a thumbs up for the massive prize money still floating around pro golf despite the sport's post-Tiger decline. He rips the World Cup's Coldplay-curated halftime show and Argentina's post-final antics as embarrassing, while noting his family ended up rooting for Spain over Messi after learning about his reputation for dirty play. Ken and Lima also both express confusion and mild disdain over Tom Brady's WWE-adjacent scuffles with the Paul brothers, calling it beneath a legend of his stature. The segment wraps with a fun personal aside about Ken running into the Super Troopers cast at the Cleveland airport.

Danny Cunningham of Locked On Cavs joins Ken and Lima still without a LeBron decision three weeks into the wait, and argues the Cavs' offseason has gone from "LeBron would be nice" to "LeBron is now a necessity" given the team's lack of other moves. He pegs Miami as the only real threat to Cleveland, ruling out teams like the Warriors or Sixers since he thinks LeBron cares about legacy and won't wear a new jersey late in his career. Cunningham also breaks down how James Harden's actual salary depends on where LeBron lands, floats a Jarrett Allen trade as the Cavs' most realistic path to real roster change, and pushes back on the narrative that Cleveland stood still while the rest of the East improved. He closes by predicting LeBron plays two more seasons wherever he signs, likely on a one-year deal for cap reasons.

With LeBron's free agency decision now three weeks unresolved, Ken and Lima trade jabs over whose schedule is being more inconvenienced by the wait, with Lima accusing Ken of using youth football coaching commitments as an excuse and Ken firing back that Lima's just bored and looking for content. They debate whether fans should be angry at LeBron or at the Cavs' front office if he picks another team, with Ken saying he'd want proof the Cavs actually made a real pitch before getting mad at the organization. James Harden's public confidence about LeBron returning, plus chatter about LeBron's daughter's volleyball career and reluctance to live in Philadelphia, gets floated as intel on where things stand. The segment devolves into the two accusing each other of only caring about LeBron and Shedeur Sanders for the content payday, with neither actually copping to it.

Ken and Anthony Lima dig into a short film Shedeur Sanders released on YouTube where he gets introspective about people who "show support" online but never actually reach out, which Lima reads as a shot at fair-weather fans who bailed after his rough rookie season and fifth-round draft slide. Lima argues Shedeur's personal-brand hustle—music, photoshoots, behind-the-scenes content—is smart business regardless of what critics like Rex Ryan say, while Ken repeatedly accuses him of being facetious rather than taking it seriously. The two go back and forth needling each other over whether Lima is being sincere or sarcastic about the "legendary" photoshoot content. They close out still unsure who, if anyone, Shedeur's disillusioned hangers-on jumped ship to support instead.

Fresh off the World Cup final and Argentina's post-match brawl, Ken and Anthony admit they don't really understand soccer's rules—extra time, stoppage minutes, and all—and lean on the "everybody's watching, so there must be something to it" logic to justify their newfound interest. They debate flopping and embellishment as soccer's biggest flaw, arguing it's practically the only reliable way to manufacture scoring chances at the highest level. A caller named Geo pushes back on the sport's accessibility, sparking a tangent on how expensive youth soccer has become in the U.S. compared to other sports. The segment wraps with the guys floating the idea that the U.S. should just host the World Cup every time, since the stadium infrastructure is already sitting there unused otherwise.

A sloppy, mistake-filled loss to Pittsburgh—capped by Gabriel Arias getting doubled off second on a bizarre baserunning blunder—has the guys questioning whether Arias has any runway left once Jose Ramirez returns to third base. They contrast his four years of recurring gaffes with rookies like Cooper Ingle and Kahlil Watson, who they say deserve more slack simply because they're new. The conversation spins into frustration over Pittsburgh fans overrunning Progressive Field for the Paul Skenes start, with the crew arguing the Pirates—not the Reds—should be Cleveland's real interleague rival. They close out noting the tight AL Wild Card race, which they say makes a quiet trade deadline more likely than usual.

Featuring Chris Fedor, Chris Assenheimer, Andrew Brandt, Rick Bucher, and Mary Kay Cabot.

The hosts analyze the Cleveland Browns' quarterback battle between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, focusing on how head coach Todd Monken will navigate their competitive dynamic. Additionally, they react to Miles Garrett's recent ESPY wins and reflect on the Browns' decision to trade him to the Rams for the future of the franchise.

The guys set the scene with the Guardians returning from the All-Star break. Are they poised to make any impact additions ahead of the trade deadline, and will the lineup wake up after several weeks of subpar production? Plus, what is to be done with the struggling Steven Kwan, and is Jose Ramirez the Guards' Patrick Mahomes? All that and more.

The conversation continues about the Cavaliers and a potential return of franchise icon LeBron James. As the waiting drags on, the guys wonder fatigue or apathy is beginning to set in for Cavs fans and fans of other teams. They also discuss whether the Cavs need LeBron more or if LeBron needs them more; and why Cleveland is the only place that makes sense for the future Hall of Famer.

A collection of top conversations from Ken and Anthony during the past week. The guys talk about the meaning of the MLB All-Star Game, the ever-evolving Home Run Derby, and whether Josh Allen has overtaken Patrick Mahomes in NFL QB rankings. Lima faces backlash from listeners after he said he would be 'devastated' if LeBron doesn't return to Cleveland. Plus, a semi-annual debate about daylight savings time.

Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima full show for Friday, July 17, 2026

Hour 1 of the Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima

Hour 2 of the Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima