Podcast appearances and mentions of jared verse

Nathan Zegura joins the show to preview Sunday's matchup, breaking down why the Browns need to get their ground game going and take more shots down the field against a Carolina defense that blitzes often but doesn't convert pressure well. He makes the case that Bryce Young and the Panthers' passing attack, led by Tet McMillan and Jaden Coker (banged up entering the weekend), is legitimately playing at an elite level rather than riding small-sample noise. Zegura also weighs in on Jared Verse's development, praising his impact in key moments even without gaudy sack numbers, and touches on the NFL's rash of quarterback injuries around the league.

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima debate the significance of sack totals versus overall pressure regarding Jared Verse's recent defensive performance. They analyze the Cleveland Guardians' decision to potentially start Parker Messick to secure a division title and a first-round bye. The discussion also touches on the Atlanta Falcons' offensive turnaround and the transactional relationship between professional athletes and booing fans. (00:01:20) Jared Verse's Sack Philosophy (00:06:45) Evaluating Defensive Pressure (00:13:20) Guardians Pitching Strategy (00:19:45) Playoff Seeding Scenarios (00:31:05) Guardians Clinch Celebration (00:37:45) Athletes and Fan Boos

Daryl Ruiter joins the show to break down Sunday's matchup against Carolina's high-flying offense, insisting fans shouldn't panic about Jared Verse's lack of sacks since the Browns' pressure is coming from a full defensive line rather than one dominant player. He also weighs in on how Deshaun Watson will handle adversity for the first time this season and whether fans will boo if the offense struggles early. Ruiter closes by defending the Guardians' playoff berth as a remarkable achievement given their payroll and debating whether winning the division or riding wild card momentum sets them up better for October.

Jared Verse's comment that sacks aren't a testament to how he plays drew heat from fans still craving a Myles Garrett-style pass rusher, but Ken and Anthony argue the new scheme and teammates deserve more patience. They debate how long that patience lasts, floating 10 sacks as a fair bar given Verse's workload is split with a deeper defensive line. A caller weighs in comparing Verse's winning mentality to Garrett's stat-focused leadership on losing teams, sparking pushback from Ken on that read of Garrett's legacy.

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima analyze the Cleveland Guardians' postseason berth and the intense debate over the team's success in the AL Central. They discuss the emotional return of Nick Chubb to retire as a Cleveland Brown and the ongoing discourse regarding fan reactions toward Deshaun Watson. Daryl Ryder and Nathan Zagura provide depth on the Browns' defensive front and evaluate the development of rookie edge rusher Jared Verse. (00:01:50) Guardians Postseason Success (00:06:40) AL Central Rivalry Debate (00:11:45) Playoff Celebration Controversy (00:18:52) Zach Meisel July Recap (00:24:30) Nick Chubb Retirement News (00:31:55) Deshaun Watson Booing Debate (00:37:15) Browns vs Panthers Preview (00:46:30) Jared Verse Sack Pressure (00:56:00) Parker Messick Sunday Dilemma (01:05:00) Guardians Doubleheader Plans (01:13:40) NFL Fan Booing Culture (01:20:40) Browns Mount Rushmore Talk (01:27:50) Deshaun Watson Progress (01:33:30) Daryl Ryder Interview (01:40:15) Defensive Line Impact (01:51:11) Nathan Zagura Interview (02:03:50) Nick Chubb Legacy (02:12:10) College Football Expansion (02:25:41) Coming In Hot Callers

Nick and Jonathan talk about Mary Kay Cabot's theory about the Browns defensive line. Then, they're joined by Pete Fiutak of College Football News, and they discuss UCF's hot dog promotion.

Nick and Jonathan talk about if the Browns defense was actually saving sacks for Myles Garrett and also address some of Jared Verse's comments.

Nick and Jonathan react to their conversation with Ross Tucker and discuss if they are already concerned with Jared Verse's slow start.

Nick and Jonathan are joined by Audacy NFL Insider Ross Tucker. Also, they discuss Jared Verse's lack of production through two weeks, and they talk about the lack of respect for Guardians SP Parker Messick.

Ken and Lima give Deshaun Watson credit for outplaying Baker Mayfield, especially after leaked reports that his job was in jeopardy, but warn against overcorrecting the story of Baker's messy exit from Cleveland. They stress that one good game doesn't justify the trade or put Shedeur Sanders' future in doubt. They also praise the defense for bouncing back without Myles Garrett, highlighting Mason Graham, late pressure from Jared Verse, and a secondary that held up against Baker's deep shots.

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Daryl Ruiter joins the show and predicts Tampa Bay should beat the Browns comfortably given Baker Mayfield's clear talent edge over Deshaun Watson, though he floats the same wildcard Ken and Anthony raised: if Baker lets his emotions take over trying to embarrass his old team, mistakes could open the door for Cleveland. Ruiter also puts real blame on Todd Monken, Mike Rutenberg, and the defense for their week one collapse, singles out Jared Verse for criticism given the trade capital spent to get him, and confidently predicts the Guardians will still win the AL Central.

Mary Kay Cabot joins Ken and Anthony to argue Deshaun Watson needs something close to 400 yards and five touchdowns to earn any goodwill back from Browns fans, while acknowledging the rusty offensive line and his surgery recovery made a rough start somewhat predictable. She explains why Todd Monken likely held Shedeur Sanders out of the brutal opening two road games, positioning him to take over with a gelling offense and a home crowd behind him in Week 3. Cabot also breaks down Austin Barber's strong debut at right guard over Tevin Jenkins, the defense's need for veterans like Denzel Ward and Jared Verse to step up without Myles Garrett, and why she doesn't buy Baker Mayfield's downplaying of his return to Cleveland as anything but a revenge game.

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima dig into why the Browns' pass rush collapsed without Myles Garrett, pointing to Jared Verse admitting he wasn't ready for how often he'd get chipped and double-teamed now that he's the focal point instead of a complementary piece. They tie it to a broader theme: Jacksonville had zero respect for Deshaun Watson's arm, loading the box and blitzing freely, which further exposed a defense already missing Alex Wright. Callers Greg (Dayton) and Greg (Dallas) pile on, one apologizing for thinking the hosts were too negative in the past, and Ken reiterating he won't pick the Browns to win a single game the rest of the season.

Daryl Ruiter joins Ken Carman and Anthony Lima to dissect the Browns' loss, arguing Watson's box score stats mask an ugly performance where he showed no feel for the field, took needlessly deep drops, and remains a liability physically given his surgery history and the coaching staff's baffling use of RPOs with him. Ruiter says he can't explain why Watson beat out Shedeur Sanders for the job, calling the preseason evidence for that decision essentially nonexistent, and all three agree it would be a bad football decision to start Watson again if he plays similarly poorly against Tampa Bay. They also note the defense was arguably worse than the offense, with Trevor Lawrence carving up Cleveland for four touchdowns and Jared Verse managing more tackles than Myles Garrett despite the drop-off in pass rush.

Rams edge rusher Myles Garrett will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his ailing knee and is headed to injured reserve. The Compas Gilberto Manzano & Vic, the Producer, get into what this means for the preseason Super Bowl favorites. What to expect the team to look like without their All-Pro edge rusher. Join the conversation at House of Horns.

NFL Legends James "Deebo" Harrison and Joe Haden react to Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson being cited for speeding, Baker Mayfield signing an extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and much more! Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/DEEBOJOE and use code DEEBOJOE and get $150 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! Timeline:00:00 - Deshaun Watson caught speeding04:33 - Jared Verse on Browns underdog status09:06 - Baker Mayfield signs extension with Buccaneers14:34 - John Harbaugh won't tell Giants plans to media25:39 - Super Chats (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements.) #Club #NightcapSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima dig into Myles Garrett's quiet night in the Rams' blowout loss to the 49ers in Australia and admit it feels good to finally criticize him now that he's not wearing orange and brown. They contrast Garrett's talent with Jared Verse's more vocal leadership style and argue Browns fans spent years suppressing valid criticism because he was too good to touch. The guys also dismiss the "jet lag" excuse for the Rams' performance, floating a theory that Sean McVay's team simply didn't take the trip seriously

Nick and Jonathan agree that Deshaun Watson needs to validate Todd Monken's decision in Week 1. Also, they talk about their excitement for Jared Verse's Browns debut, and they're joined by 92.3 The Fan's own Daryl Ruiter.

Nick and Jonathan debate what it will take for the Browns to win the Myles Garrett-Jared Verse trade?

Deshaun Watson draws criticism for seemingly dismissing his poor preseason outing against the Bills as the team prepares for their season opener in Jacksonville. The discussion covers concerns regarding the offensive line depth following Tevin Jenkins' injury and expectations for rookie Jared Verse. (00:01:50) NFL Australia Game Debate (00:06:02) International Expansion Concerns (00:09:23) Stadium Designs Abroad (00:12:43) Mary Kay Cabot Interview (00:17:14) Browns Roster Expectations (00:20:34) Watson's Mental State (00:24:00) Miles Garrett Trade Rumors (00:26:46) Defensive Scheme Changes (00:32:11) Watson Media Availability (00:36:10) Browns Quarterback Competition

Mary Kay Cabot joins Ken and Anthony to break down Tevin Jenkins' back injury, which could force two rookies onto the offensive line against Jacksonville, and gives her own win total projection of six to nine games for the Browns. She digs into Deshaun Watson's uphill battle to win back fans in the first two games, comparing his fragile psyche to Baker Mayfield's thicker skin, and defends the Jared Verse trade over reported offers from Buffalo and the Rams for Myles Garrett. The segment closes with Ken and Anthony ribbing her over the Browns' upcoming trip to Australia and whether curiosity about the location will draw viewers.

Ken and Anthony marvel at how much more bullish national NBA analysts are on James Harden and the Cavaliers than local fans, pointing to Cleveland's hot start with Harden last season and defending the Darius Garland trade given his injury history. They then rehash the Myles Garrett trade, weighing whether Andrew Berry should have shopped him to more teams after a report surfaced that Buffalo offered three first-round picks, ultimately concluding the Rams package with Jared Verse was the smarter, less messy move.

Bills Reporter Sal Capaccio of WGR 550 in Buffalo joins the show with an outsider's read on the joint practice, saying the Bills offense was the best unit on the field and giving Deshaun Watson a slight edge over Shedeur Sanders when things got chaotic. He also weighs in on Jared Verse's matchup with Dion Dawkins, downplays the Bills' new stadium complaints as overblown internet outrage, and breaks down why Joe Brady won't get a honeymoon period after replacing Sean McDermott.

Nick and Jonathan tease a story about Jared Verse and some quarterback comments before diving into their thoughts on Parker Messick and how big of a surprise he's been for the Guardians' rotation this season.

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima replay Mary Kay Cabot's prediction that Deshaun Watson would be named captain if he wins the job, then spiral into a debate over whether that's plausible given only three teams last year didn't name their quarterback captain, and build out their own guess at the Browns' full captain list (Jerry Jeudy, Denzel Ward, Jared Verse, and Carson Schwesinger get floated). The house-on-fire analogy caps off a segment that doubles as a broader gut check on where the Browns' real problems actually are.

Herm Edwards analyzes the quarterback competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders while exploring Todd Monken's coaching philosophy. They also examine the leadership of Jared Verse following the Myles Garrett trade and debate win projections for the upcoming season. 01:50 - Herm Edwards QB Evaluation 05:06 - Deshaun Watson Performance Review 08:10 - Jared Verse Vocal Leadership 12:20 - Todd Monken Coaching Style 17:17 - Herm Edwards Philly Legacy 21:30 - Browns QB Camp Divide 26:50 - Roster Needs and Predictions 35:55 - Fernando Mendoza Practice Habits

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima talk quarterback evaluation with ESPN analyst Herm Edwards, who explains he trusts his eyes over stats and leadership qualities over completion numbers, and admits Deshaun Watson's return after over 600 days away actually impressed him. Edwards also praises Jared Verse's early leadership since the Myles Garrett trade and breaks down why a 60 year old first time head coach like Todd Monken brings a calming, experienced presence a team like this badly needs. He even leaves the door open that the quarterback competition might not truly get settled until Week 4 of the regular season.

NFL Legends James "Deebo" Harrison and Joe Haden react to the latest on contract negotiations between Joey Porter Jr. and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the ongoing QB competition between Drew Allar and Will Howard to solidify QB2 behind Aaron Rodgers, and much more! Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/DEEBOJOE and use code DEEBOJOE and get $150 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! Timeline:00:00 - Intro04:57 - When will Steelers extend Joey Porter Jr20:49 - Will Howard vs. Drew Allar23:33 - Browns new stadium revealed34:41 - KC Concepcion is a beast38:53 - Jared Verse on fight with Spencer Fano (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements.) #Club #NightcapSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The show opens with a lighthearted fight over whether Shedeur Sanders' interception in the Duck Hunt segment "counts," complete with producer Owen threatening to sabotage the bit if Ken pushes it through. From there they pivot to Sanders' rough practice day (Zac Jackson's report vs. the QB tracker numbers), the value of joint-practice competition citing Jared Verse and Spencer Rattler/Fano battles, and a broader worry that the Browns' roster is too thin behind the starters after a bad third quarter Saturday. Ken and Lima close by laying out their realistic timeline for when Shedeur actually takes over at QB — landing on Week 3 as the likely target — while noting Deshaun Watson making it through 17 games would be "the all-time stunner."

The debate over Jared Verse's leadership versus Myles Garrett's on field dominance boils over into a genuine argument, with Lima pointing to the Pittsburgh game where Garrett's presence alone rattled Aaron Rodgers while Ken counters that transcendent talent alone still only produced five win seasons. They trade barbs over Booger McFarland's prediction that the Browns could be a surprise playoff team, with Ken mocking the take while still projecting six wins himself, and both agree the secondary's inexperience makes this a genuinely difficult season regardless of who plays quarterback.

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima evaluate the Nielsen fandom index results placing Cleveland at number ten and analyze Deshaun Watson's health after reports of arm numbness. They also interview Aditi Kinkhabwala to discuss the quarterback competition and the leadership transition on defense from Miles Garrett to Jared Verse. 03:10 - Duck Hunt Debate 07:40 - Perspiration In Football 13:10 - Training Camp Competitive 18:00 - Watson Game Projections 24:20 - Nielsen Fandom Rankings 33:50 - James Harden Contract 41:40 - Cavaliers Roster Future 48:30 - Watson Health Concerns 56:50 - Penn State Scandal 01:12:10 - About Last Night 01:17:45 - Lakers Ownership Conflict 01:22:40 - Kinkhabwala Joins Show 01:30:10 - Defensive Leadership Shift 01:43:45 - AFC Surprise Teams 01:51:20 - Falcons Preseason Flop 02:09:40 - Earning The Job 02:19:20 - Bazzana Performance Review 02:33:30 - Offensive Strategy Talk

Browns sideline reporter Aditi Kinkabwala joins Ken and Lima to break down the QB competition, framing it as a philosophical question of who gives you the best chance now versus who has the higher long term ceiling, and sharing that Deshaun Watson is in the best mental and physical space she has seen from him in years. She details how locked in Watson was on the sideline, constantly reviewing the tablet with his quarterback coach, and confirms Todd Monken's genuine excitement watching him play again. The conversation shifts to roster concerns beyond quarterback, with Aditi flagging secondary depth as the team's biggest worry and praising Jared Verse's leadership as a legitimate Roquan Smith style locker room presence, sparking a spirited debate with Ken and Lima over whether the team is underrating how much they'll miss Myles Garrett.

Nick and Jonathan talk about their expectations for Jared Verse in his first year with the Browns.

Nick and Jonathan talk about their expectations for Jared Verse in his first year with the Browns, and they discuss CBS Sports' article on fan optimism.

Browns LB Quincy Williams joins Afternoon Drive on The Fan live from training camp. He talks about his belief in new defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg, playing alongside Carson Schwesinger, what Jared Verse brings to the defense, and more.

Nathan Zegura joins the show to evaluate the ongoing competition between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson, noting Sanders' consistency and Watson's operational strengths. They also analyze the impact of Jared Verse as a culture-changing leader following the hypothetical departure of Miles Garrett. Discussion covers the offensive line configuration, standout training camp performers, and the intense coaching style of Todd Monken. 01:12 - Browns Quarterback Battle 04:56 - Offensive Line Depth 06:35 - Jared Verse's Impact 08:38 - Preseason Standout Players 18:33 - Garrett And Verse Comparison

Daryl Ruiter joins Ken and Anthony from Browns camp, where 16 players missed practice, including a scary cart-off for Sam Kamara, though Ruiter notes Todd Monken stays tight-lipped on injury details. He breaks down the quarterback competition, saying he'd start Shedeur Sanders in Week 1 given his marked improvement since spring, even as he expects the Browns to go a different direction. Ruiter also argues the Jared Verse-for-Myles Garrett trade makes the Browns better positioned long-term, pointing to their lopsided Patriots loss as proof sacks alone don't win games, and calls the current rebuild talent-driven rather than asset-driven. He closes by raving about rookie receivers Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion, the most excited he's been about a Browns receiver duo since Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry.

Nathan Zegura joins the show from the road to break down the Browns' quarterback battle, saying Shedeur Sanders has been the most consistent once the ball is snapped while Deshaun Watson's pre-snap operation and arm talent remain the best of the group, though his accuracy has been inconsistent. He also maps out his best-guess starting offensive line, flagging real uncertainty at center and right guard depending on how Wyatt Teller or Brailsford win that battle. Zegura raves about Jared Verse's leadership already rivaling what the Rams reportedly mourned losing in Myles Garrett, and names Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion as his top training camp standouts at receiver.

Ken makes the case that Myles Garrett was never a true locker room leader despite his elite talent, and argues the Browns actually benefit from swapping him for Jared Verse, who's already shown willingness to mentor teammates like Spencer Fano in ways Ken doesn't believe Garrett ever would. He praises Verse's energy and buy-in since arriving in Cleveland, contrasting it with his own preseason fear that a player traded from a Super Bowl contender to a rebuilding team would visibly check out. The conversation veers into a nostalgic detour about crying over emotional Browns and Cavaliers sports moments, and closes with a Fan Cash Friday giveaway segment crowning a $100 winner named Mark.

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima debate the shifting dynamics of the Browns quarterback competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. They speak with insiders Daryl Ryder and Nathan Zegura about training camp standouts like Jared Verse and the status of the offensive line. Additionally, Akron head coach Joe Moorhead addresses the viral promotion allowing a fan to call plays. 02:24 - Traffic Report 07:17 - Browns QB Battle 12:53 - Practice Recap Highlights 23:20 - Akron Fan Promotion 32:18 - Guardians Midseason Slump 46:35 - Joe Moorhead Interview 58:55 - Hall Of Fame 01:07:30 - Future QB Prospects 01:18:03 - NBA Investigation News 01:24:15 - Lima Halloween Mishap 01:30:16 - Joe Thomas Role 01:36:28 - Daryl Ryder Interview 01:42:04 - Shedeur Sanders Progress 01:53:45 - NFL Preseason Opening 02:06:17 - Nathan Zegura Interview 02:11:47 - Jared Verse Leadership 02:17:51 - Wide Receiver Battle 02:24:07 - Miles Garrett Trade 02:36:00 - Fan Cash Friday

They debate the ongoing quarterback battle in Cleveland following Deshaun Watson's recent standout practice performance. Mary Kay Cabot joins to discuss Shedeur Sanders' growth and whether Jared Verse's leadership provides more value than Myles Garrett's production. The conversation also covers Jerry Jeudy's viral social media video and insights from a listener who claims to cook for the players. 01:55 - Dylan Gabriel Camp Performance 05:20 - Shedeur Sanders Starting Debate 11:15 - Player Cook Shares Intel 16:40 - Mary Kay Cabot Interview 20:15 - Deshaun Watson Practice Evaluation 24:40 - Offensive Line Position Battles 28:10 - Jared Verse Leadership Value 33:45 - Jerry Jeudy Video Explanation 38:20 - Browns Front Office Influence

Ken and Anthony analyze Deshaun Watson's standout performance at training camp and debate whether he or Shedeur Sanders should lead the offense. Mary Kay Cabot joins them to discuss the rust factor and the importance of leadership from newcomers like Jared Verse. Plus, Cleveland Sirens President Allison Howard details the vision for the city's new WNBA franchise. 02:08 - Radio Bar Experience 06:10 - Crushers Night Preview 13:04 - Stephen Vogt Ejection 19:47 - Watson Practice Performance 26:40 - QB Competition Debate 34:30 - Jared Verse Leadership 43:00 - Building Team Culture 55:42 - Allison Howard Interview 01:09:58 - Guardians Mets Recap 01:18:00 - Akron Zips Promo 01:22:30 - Dylan Gabriel Analysis 01:34:31 - Mary Kay Cabot 01:51:01 - Jerry Jeudy TikTok 02:01:00 - QB Decision Hierarchy 02:20:56 - Personal Chef Story 02:34:40 - First Pitch Anxiety

Ken and Lima examine the controversial decision-making in the Guardians' recent loss, specifically focusing on Stephen Vogt's ejection and a questionable bunt. They pivot to Browns training camp to debate whether Deshaun Watson's impressive practice session secures his starting spot over Shedeur Sanders. The segment wraps up with a deep dive into Jared Verse's impact on team culture compared to the high-level stats provided by Myles Garrett. 02:33 - Guardians Loss Breakdown 06:00 - Hotel Bar Game Struggles 13:04 - Vogt Ejection Analysis 21:14 - Watson's Impressive Camp Day 26:37 - Quarterback Competition Debate 34:58 - Jared Verse Leadership Impact

Rams cornerback Trent McDuffie describes the emotional reaction in the Rams' locker room when Jared Verse was traded for Myles Garrett, revealing just how beloved Verse was there. Ken and Anthony highlight Verse's early impact in Cleveland too, including Todd Monken's story about Verse mentoring rookie Spencer Fano on footwork and hand technique after practice. That leads into a bigger debate over whether Verse's leadership matters more for this rebuilding Browns team than the raw sack production Garrett brought last year. Ken pushes the idea that 2026 is about culture and building blocks rather than win totals, while acknowledging the team still needs to show real progress on the field.

Ken and Lima evaluate whether Todd Monken or Browns ownership will ultimately decide the starting quarterback, specifically debating Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. They also examine how rookie Jared Verse is transforming the team's culture and vocal leadership dynamics compared to past veterans. Finally, they react to a surprising caller claiming to be a personal chef with inside knowledge on players' eating habits and depth chart standing. 01:50 - Todd Monken's QB Choice 06:36 - Jared Verse Leadership Analysis 09:57 - Hypothetical NFL Trade Talk 18:30 - Mary Kay Cabot's Report 21:35 - Chef's Insider Update 32:23 - Ken's College Injury Story 36:00 - Crushers First Pitch Prep

Ken and Anthony revisit a call from a self-proclaimed Browns "personal chef" named Joe, who insisted Deshaun Watson is the clear starter based on insider knowledge of the players' eating habits, including a sweet potato and ice cream cheat meal. The guys poke fun at the absurdity of the claim while noting it lines up with what Mary Kay Cabot and most reporting suggest anyway. A caller named Michael makes a serious case for why Jared Verse's vocal leadership style is exactly what this Browns locker room needs compared to Myles Garrett's lead-by-example approach, especially with so many players who didn't grow up as Browns fans. Ken reiterates that Verse's real value will show up in 2027 and 2028, not necessarily in the win total this season, while bracing to be held accountable if the team gets blown out along the way.

Ken and Anthony debate whether ownership or Todd Monken truly controls the Browns' quarterback decision, with Ken drawing on the Johnny Manziel era to argue that this front office has learned from past mistakes of letting fan pressure override coaching judgment. Ken insists money isn't a factor for Jimmy Haslam and that if Monken wants Deshaun Watson, it's genuinely his call, while predicting ownership would be thrilled if Shedeur Sanders earned the job instead. The conversation shifts back to Jared Verse and the emotional reaction from Rams players, with Ken doubling down that culture and leadership matter more long-term than raw sack totals, even if it means a rough 2026. He again braces for backlash in December if the win total doesn't back up his "long game" theory on Verse's value.

Ken sticks to his guns on the leadership-over-stats debate, admitting he's nervous but insisting he's "playing the long game" that culture and veteran presence from guys like Jared Verse will pay off for the Browns down the road, even if it means a rough 2026. Callers push back hard, with one pointing out Joe Thomas led plenty of 1-31 seasons and leadership alone never saved those Browns teams. Ken and Anthony also debate whether the "glorification" of one star player (a dig at last year's Myles Garrett sack chase) actually helped or hurt team building, and whether Rams players truly understand what they're getting in Garrett. Ken braces for listeners to replay this segment against him in December if the record doesn't back up his theory.

The 2026 Know Your Rival series closes out with the team everyone else in the NFL seems to be convinced is the best in football - the Los Angeles Rams. The offseason narrative around these two teams has centered more on the two-point conversion that Zach Charbonnet picked up and not the field goal miss by Jason Myers that could have made the 2025 series a 3-0 clean sweep in favor of the Seahawks. What does the Myles Garrett trade actually add after trading away a young talent in Jared Verse trade? Does Aaron Donald coming out of retirement actually matter? Puka Nacua and Alaric Jackson both carry real question marks into the season with their off-field issues that could lead to suspensions. Matt Stafford has a well-documented boom-or-bust pattern, and Vegas has the Rams as NFC West favorites despite them losing the division last year. In the second half of the show we've got 49ers training camp fallout, a full Madden 26 defensive rankings reaction, and a Sam Darnold contract question. Join our Sea Hawkers Podcast Pickem League - free prizes for weekly winners. Support the show Get in the Flock! Visit GetInTheFlock.com Or visit our website for other ways to support the show Subscribe via: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | TuneIn | RSS Follow us on: Facebook | Twitter Listen on our free app for Android, iOS, Kindle or Windows Phone/PC Call or text: 253-235-9041 Find Sea Hawkers clubs around the world at SeaHawkers.org Music from the show by The 12 Train, download each track at ReverbNation