The Weak-Side Podcast

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Listeners and friends, it's been a tremendous run. Thanks to all of you who listened, wrote to us and made the Weak-Side Podcast a truly special community. With that in mind, our final episode is based around questions, feedback and ideas from each of you. For the last time, Conor and Jenny, along with Shelby, discuss... +In any given year, if you were to give an expansion franchise exclusively draft picks 1-53 to build their best roster, would they rank dead last come the end of that year, asks Alex from the UK? +Can you see the Buffalo Bills making a repeat statement and potentially going back to the AFC championship game, submits Chase from upstate New York? +Why are QB passing yards in a game so disingenuous, queries Tane from New Zealand? +And Jack from New England has a burning question: Can either of you specifically define the terms “froggy” and “spicy”? Plus, reader brainstorms on "doink points," the KC Elephants and a suggested new segment for the Monday show, "Gramling's Grumbles." We will be responding to the wonderful emails our loyal audience sent to weaksidepod@gmail.com. You can now find us every Monday morning with Gary Gramling on The MMQB Monday Morning NFL Podcast—and in the future, at our vegan taqueria, Root. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our penultimate episode of the Weak-Side Podcast, we turn to what we enjoy the most: listener mail. Among the questions Conor and Jenny discuss... *John from Portland says he was "horrified" when the Seahawks ignored other positions of need and took a receiver with their first selection in this year's draft. He later began warming up to the "Legion of Zoom" but then wondered: Was he right to worry? *Reece from Australia, in addition to reminding us about his country's notable contributions to the sport of basketball, asks which team will benefit most from a more "normal" NFL season? *Jack revisits an important topic that has yet to be fully addressed: Should the Chiefs become the Kansas City Football Team, to move away from disrespectful imagery and chants? *Plus, an Orracle about the news of the week, which was also the news of last decade: Tim Tebow. Important programming note: Next week will be the last episode of the Weak-Side Podcast. Please write in to weaksidepod@gmail.com with comments, memories or even your own Orracle so we can sign off by celebrating our loyal listeners and the community we have built. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jenny and Conor rip into five compelling storylines from a fascinating 2021 NFL Draft. While there are many teams to get to, Jenny and Conor were particularly taken by:  + The 49ers' lauding of secrecy. A victory for CIA-obsessed coaches or a troubling trend in office politics?  + Rating the Mac Jones experience on a scale of 1 to 10. One being no Super Bowls and 10 being six more Super Bowls, of course.  + Tracking the rising stars of the formerly embattled Dave Gettleman and Ryan Pace. What it's like to watch old dogs learn new tricks.  Plus, discussions on Dear Abby, Mock Draft scoring etiquette and more.  Loyal listeners, we want to keep hearing from you! Email us at weaksidepod@gmail.com.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First was Conor's mock draft, then Jenny's mock draft, and this week it's time for another annual show edition: Our mock draft regrets. (Yes, already). The lead-up to the draft is a simultaneous faucet of both information and non-information, and with days of hindsight, among the decisions Conor and Jenny are already obsessing over:  +The 49ers' QB decision at No. 3. Reports say the 49ers are choosing between Mac Jones and Trey Lance. Could the Niners really still be deciding, and if they do already know who their guy will be, what are the reasons for continuing to keep this pick close to the vest? +Conor didn't mock any running backs in the first round, while Jenny regrets only allotting three first-round receivers. +The sixth QB Conor thinks could sneak into the first round, and the offensive lineman Jenny thinks will go higher than expected. Plus, a discussion of Kevin Colbert's comments that if two players are close, "we're going to take the player that played" in 2020 over the one who opted out. And make sure to check out Conor's *new* mock draft on Thursday morning. Loyal listeners, we want to keep hearing from you! Email us at weaksidepod@gmail.com or leave us a message at our brand-new voicemail line: 929-445-7349. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the heels of Conor's wildly popular mock draft, Jenny reluctantly takes her turn (By the end of the show both she and Conor are considering taking another try). This week on the Weak-Side Podcast, the hosts discuss: +The 49ers are playing their QB pick close to the vest but Jenny has her reasons for putting them down to draft Justin Fields at No. 3. +Why the Falcons choosing an offensive line at pick No. 4 isn't out of reason. +The year of the tight end continues with Florida's Kyle Pitts, who could be the highest-drafted player at his position in 15 years.  +A potential Patriots trade up, and why Belichick's history of not drafting QBs higher than the 62nd pick isn't necessarily pertinent. Plus, Conor makes a wardrobe prediction for the NFL Draft, and Jenny hopes we don't allow the narrative that NFL prospects who opted out of the 2020 college football season don't football to persist unchecked. Loyal listeners, we want to keep hearing from you! Email us at weaksidepod@gmail.com or leave us a message at our brand-new voicemail line: 929-445-7349. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Weak-Side Podcast listeners, it's that time of year again. Hate or love mock drafts, they make for entertaining conversation. Conor is up first for the Weak-Side crew and on this show reveals his picks 3 through 10 (there's little surprise for 1 and 2). On this week's episode, he and Jenny discuss: +Why a different QB may be a better fit for the 49ers than Mac Jones. +How the Broncos will (finally) address the QB position this offseason, securing a top prospect two years after drafting Drew Lock in the second round. +Whether it's better to build a roster from the outside in, or from the inside out, a pertinent question for the Bengals at No. 5. +Like last year, there is a lot of debate about who will be the first offensive tackle and the first receiver off the board. Plus, Conor delivers a very specific Orracle about what will happen at picks No. 22 (Titans) and 23 (Jets). Loyal listeners, we want to keep hearing from you! Email us at weaksidepod@gmail.com or leave us a message at our brand-new voicemail line: 929-445-7349. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Panthers' trade for Sam Darnold had ripple effects on QB situations around the league. On this week's Weak-Side Podcast, Conor and Jenny discuss: *The teams that are still searching for a QB, and their dwindling options. *Does Darnold represent a marked upgrade at the position for the Panthers over Teddy Bridgewater? *Did the Jets make the right decision, or should they have stuck with Darnold and moved the No. 2 pick for a haul of draft capital? *One pre-draft bold prediction, both for tradition-steeped Rust Belt franchises. Also, a robust discussion of TLC's greatest hits. Loyal listeners, we want to keep hearing from you! Email us at weaksidepod@gmail.com or leave us a message at our brand-new voicemail line: 929-445-7349. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A month out from the NFL draft, a series of bold trades livened up an otherwise ordinary Friday. This week on the Weak-Side Podcast, Conor and Jenny discuss: *What the 49ers' jump up to the No. 3 spot means for the team's plans at QB, and specifically for Jimmy Garoppolo's once bright future in the Bay Area. *The Dolphins' turning a left tackle into a gold mine of draft picks, who they might draft now after dropping out of prime QB range and what the future holds for Tua. *The Eagles' giving Jalen Hurts a chance and turning their attention to retooling their roster through the draft. *The Jets standing pat at the No. 2 pick, presumably to draft Zach Wilson, and what's next for Sam Darnold. Loyal listeners, we want to keep hearing from you! Email us at weaksidepod@gmail.com or leave us a message at our brand-new voicemail line: 929-445-7349. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fresh off the NFL's free-agency opening rush, the Weak-Side Podcast is ready to hand out our awards—bolstered, per usual, by masterful sound effects from producer Shelby. On this week's Free Agency Awards Show Edition, Conor and Jenny present: *The teams with the best and worst overall free-agency performances. Which club really nailed it this year, and which one left a ton of glaring needs unaddressed? (Raiders, we see you...) *The best and worst overall signing. While the depressed cap market mostly led to good deals, a few teams seemed to overpay and get desperate. And one team did not yet address a major position of need, despite pleas from its QB. *The best under-the-radar signing, one we'll be talking about in December. Think a savvy veteran center and a versatile DB/returner.  *Plus, The Orracle gives you a move to watch for in the coming weeks, and the Vrentas Consensus centers on a different kind of spending—or lack thereof.  Loyal listeners, we want to keep hearing from you! Email us at weaksidepod@gmail.com or leave us a message at our brand-new voicemail line: 929-445-7349. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NFL's paradoxical "legal tampering" period has begun with both unusual activity and non-activity. This week on the Weak-Side Podcast, Conor and Jenny discuss the early free-agency headlines, including... *The Patriots made an uncharacteristic splash as soon as free agency opened, signing Matt Judon, Jalen Mills, Davon Godchaux and Jonnu Smith (plus Nelson Agholor after we recorded the show). What does this tell us about Bill Belichick's path forward after missing the playoffs last season? *Drew Brees officially retired Sunday, creating a void that will be hard to replace. We know Taysom Hill is in the Saints' 2021 plans; will any other QBs be as well? *The Buccaneers re-signed Shaq Barrett, who joins Chris Godwin and Lavonte David as key free agents from the Super Bowl team who will be staying put. Can Tom Brady and the Bucs run it back in 2021? *Plus, The Orracle predicts a dream team-y 2021, and the Vrentas Consensus weighs in on what position group will account for the most important free-agent signings. Loyal listeners, we want to keep hearing from you! Email us at weaksidepod@gmail.com or leave us a message at our brand-new voicemail line: 929-445-7349. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Free agency hasn't opened yet but Dak Prescott is already the big winner, earning a four-year, $160 million contract from the Cowboys after two years of fruitless talks that the team probably regrets now. On this week's Weak-Side Podcast, Conor and Jenny discuss the big win for Dak, as well as... *Their guesses for the biggest surprises of free agency (both involve quarterbacks). *What impact the Rams and Eagles' trades might have on other QB movement in the years to come, thanks to a question from Tom in the UK. *The Patriots QB situation for 2021 and beyond, prompted by a truly wild QB hypothetical suggested by loyal listener Crime Dog. *An awesome new OT proposal, the "Spot and Choose," put forth by the Baltimore Ravens. And, the Orracle predicts Zach Ertz's next destination. Loyal listeners, we want to keep hearing from you! Email us at weaksidepod@gmail.com or leave us a message at our brand-new voicemail line: 929-445-7349. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

J.J. Watt's trail of clues ultimately led to the desert, and his free-agent decision gave us some meaty news on a Monday in March. This week on the Weak-Side Podcast, Conor and Jenny discuss... *The reaction to Watt's decision to go to Arizona, and what it says that two one-time faces of the Texans are now playing together on another team. *Will the Seahawks actually trade Russell Wilson, or is a quarterback exerting his influence in this way to get what he wants the new normal?  *The top candidates for franchise tags this year, and if there will be fewer players playing on the tag this season as a result of the pandemic-depleted cap. *The latest in Conor Orr's How-To Series: A Quarterback's Guide to Forcing Their Way Out of Town. *One telling hiring metric in the NFL's 2021 Coaching Demographics Report. Also, listen to the end for a revelation about the persistence of the AOL Away Message culture. Loyal listeners, we want to keep hearing from you! Email us at weaksidepod@gmail.com or leave us a message at our brand-new voicemail line: 929-445-7349. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Conor and Jenny issued a call for mail and you responded! It's time for another mailbag episode of The Weak-Side Podcast, and our listeners prompted the hosts to discuss... +Between Stafford and McVay, Goff and Campbell and Wentz and Reich, it's wedding season for QBs and coaches. Which newlyweds will stay married, and which are headed for a split? +Jarett Stidham's future in New England, and the possibility of Ryan Fitzpatrick signing with the Patriots for a full AFC East sweep. +Potential trade compensation for Deshaun Watson, and which QB the Texans may get back in return. +Reece from Australia's bucket-list NFL tour and our reviews of the best game-day atmospheres in the NFL. +A bonus book recommendation from Rob, who has introduced Conor to the wORRld of pun competitions. Loyal listeners, we want to keep hearing from you! Email us at weaksidepod@gmail.com or leave us a message at our brand-new voicemail line: 929-445-7349. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Regular listeners of the Weak-Side Podcast agree that "The Orracle" is the show's must-listen segment every week. But how accurate is soothsayer Conor Orr? This week, thanks to some expert record-keeping by producer Shelby Royston, we hold Orr accountable with some of his best—and worst—predictions.  Join us as we revisit nine of Orr's predictions this season on topics including: *The coordinator he projected to to be the hottest darkhorse candidate of this hiring cycle. *The futures of the Giants' quarterback, general manager, midseason flier at running back and division race. *How the NFC West would unfurl, including the team he thought would win a Week 11 showdown as well as his choice for division champion. *His mid-October pick for Week 5 pick for the Offensive Rookie of the Year. *The prognosis of the eventual Super Bowl LV champions. If you have any thoughts on The Orracle's batting average, or any questions overall, please email us at weaksidepod@gmail.com or leave us a message at our brand-new voicemail line: 929-445-7349. We'll do a mailbag episode in the weeks to come. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tampa Bay won a Super Bowl at home, Tom Brady won his seventh ring and there is some oat milk commercial everyone is talking about. This week on the Weak-Side Podcast, Conor and Jenny discuss the conclusion to an NFL season like none other, including.... *The scene from the streets of Tampa, Brady's rented waterfront mansion and the first (and hopefully last) pandemic Super Bowl... *How things came together for Brady and the Bucs to win sooner than even they thought, and what Brady's millionth Super Bowl means for his legacy.... *Can the Bucs or the Chiefs return to the Super Bowl next season? *The unanswered, lingering questions from Brady's on-field feud with Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu... *The back-channeling spiciness that's ahead in what's shaping up to be an unprecedented offseason of QB movement and player power. Loyal listeners, we want to hear from you! Email us at weaksidepod@gmail.com or leave us a message at our brand-new voicemail line: 929-445-73 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Conor and Jenny convene after a long day of Zoom interviews in the middle of a nor'easter, a far cry from their poolside recording of The Weak-Side Podcast in Miami this time last year. This week, the podcast hosts discussed... *The first virtual Super Bowl week and what it means for players, media and fans. *The blockbuster trade that stole headlines this weekend, and what it means that the Rams went all in on Matthew Stafford. *If "the player," aka Deshaun Watson, is past the point of no return with the Texans. *What this week says—if anything—about Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and where the credit lies for the Patriots dynasty. *Their very non-committal and subject-to-change Super Bowl picks, and an open call to hear yours (remember: the more guesses the better!). Loyal listeners, we want to hear from you! Email us at weaksidepod@gmail.com or leave us a message at our brand-new voicemail line: 929-445-7349. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Super Bowl LV matchup is set, and if you are already tired of the Old Goat-Baby Goat storyline, Conor is here for you. This week on the Weak-Side Podcast, Conor and Jenny also discussed... *The potential ramifications of Matt LaFleur's Decision to kick the FG instead of giving Aaron Rodgers another chance to score a TD.  *Why opponents must be aggressive to beat the Chiefs, and if the Bucs are up to the task. *Other Super Bowl storylines to satisfy those who are already over hearing about Brady vs Mahomes. *What could be an unprecedented offseason of quarterbacks on the move, with Matthew Stafford, Deshaun Watson and Aaron Rodgers all potentially playing in different uniforms next season, and if this is a new era of NFL player empowerment. *Why the NFL needs to change its rules this offseason to delay the head coach hiring season for all teams until after the Super Bowl. Loyal listeners, we want to hear from you! Email us at weaksidepod@gmail.com or leave us a message at our brand-new voicemail line: 929-445-7349. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Divisional Round matchups didn't quite live up to the hype, but loyal listeners know the Weak-Side Podcast doesn't concern itself with hype. This week, Conor and Jenny discussed.... *Which of the four teams that lost this weekend—the Rams, Ravens, Browns and Saints—has the brightest future. *Grades for each of the new head coach hires so far (hint: the once-retired college coach did not fare so well) as well as the NFL's continued dearth of Black head coaches. *A Bills-Chiefs Preview: The Chiefs wait for news on Patrick Mahomes' health after he was placed into the concussion protocol following a hit in Sunday's game, and Conor's optimism for the Bills is unabated. *A Bucs-Packers preview: Loyal listener Pete was way ahead of the Weak-Side Pod in his Tampa Bay enthusiasm—but Conor and Jenny still can't pick against the Packers this week. *If Deshaun Watson is really on his way out of Houston, and which teams are possible trade destinations (aside from, you know, all of them). And, as hearing from our readers is most important, this week Conor and Jenny want to know: Can anyone tell us what happened at the end of Grease? Leave your answer in a review or write to us at weaksidepod@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Weak-Side Podcast, Conor and Jenny break down Wild-Card Weekend, starting with the Browns' assertive win against the division rival Steelers, setting up next week's meeting with the Chiefs at Arrowhead and raising questions about Ben Roethlisberger's Steelers future. They also discuss the big news of the week, the Eagles parting ways with Super Bowl-winning head coach Doug Pederson, and reports that Deshaun Watson could want out of Houston amid the latest Texans turmoil. For next week's divisional-round games, Conor and Jenny are in agreement on Packers having the upper hand against the Rams, but have different favorites in the three other matchups. Finally, Conor's Orracle projects the future of simulcasts, while Vrentas issues her Consensus that Bill Belichick should decline to accept the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Donald Trump. Also: Can anyone tell us what time zone Hawaii is in?  Loyal listeners, we want to hear from you! Email us at weaksidepod@gmail.com or leave us a message at our brand-new voicemail line: 929-445-7349. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices