PMS 2.0 1167 - Mike Greenberg, Dwight Freeney, Oregon Head Coach Dan Lanning LIVE In The ThunderDome, Pacman Jones, & AJ Hawk

Update: 2024-07-25

Digest

The podcast kicks off with a welcome and introduction, highlighting the return of sports, including NFL training camps, the Olympics, and the upcoming season for various sports. The hosts preview the packed show with guests like Mike Greenberg and Dwight Freeney. Mike Greenberg joins the show to discuss the return of Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets, sharing his insights on the excitement surrounding Rodgers' return and the confusion surrounding the team's handling of the situation. The hosts discuss Dwight Freeney's upcoming induction into the Hall of Fame, highlighting his impact on the game of football and his humble personality. They also mention their hopes of attending the after-party for the Summer Slam celebration. Mike Greenberg expresses his excitement for the upcoming season, emphasizing Aaron Rodgers' health and the team's readiness. He discusses the expectations for the Jets and his belief in their potential for success. The hosts discuss the relationship between Aaron Rodgers and Robert Salah, the head coach of the New York Jets. They analyze the recent comments made by both parties and speculate on the potential impact of their relationship on the team's performance. The hosts discuss Aaron Rodgers' outspoken nature and its impact on his legacy. They acknowledge his willingness to speak his mind and the controversies that have arisen as a result. They also discuss the potential for Rodgers to enhance his legacy with a Super Bowl win. The hosts discuss the current USA basketball team and compare it to the legendary 1992 Dream Team. They acknowledge the increased competition from other countries due to the globalization of basketball and the presence of NBA players on international teams. Dwight Freeney joins the show to discuss his upcoming induction into the Hall of Fame. He expresses his anxiety about the event and compares it to planning a wedding, highlighting the importance of having the right people there to celebrate with him. The hosts discuss Dwight Freeney's impact on the game of football and the development of the chip block by Bill Belichick as a way to counter Freeney's effectiveness. Freeney shares his perspective on his playing style and how it has influenced the modern game. AJ Hawk asks Dwight Freeney about his famous spin move, inquiring about its origins and development. Freeney explains that he developed the move in high school, inspired by mixed tapes and a desire to make defensive players look silly. He emphasizes the importance of practice and comfort in executing the move effectively. The conversation shifts to the influence of "The Professor," a figure who seemingly taught Freeney the spin move. The group reminisces about the move's effectiveness and its impact on the game. The discussion transitions to Big Ten Media Days, with Dwight Freeney expressing excitement about the upcoming football season. He shares his predictions for the conference, highlighting Ohio State and Oregon as national title contenders. Dwight Freeney dives into his analysis of the Big Ten, acknowledging the competitive nature of the conference and highlighting the potential for upsets. He discusses the strengths and weaknesses of various teams, including Penn State, Michigan, Iowa, and Nebraska. The conversation turns to the upcoming Colorado vs. North Dakota State game, with Dwight Freeney expressing his belief that North Dakota State is a formidable opponent. He argues that Colorado fans may be underestimating the team, potentially leading to a surprising outcome. The group discusses the challenges facing Coach Prime at Colorado, particularly the opening game against North Dakota State. They speculate that Prime may be seeking a less challenging opponent for the season opener. The conversation continues with predictions for the Big Ten, with Dwight Freeney highlighting the potential for upsets and the importance of physicality in the conference. He discusses the strengths and weaknesses of various teams, including Washington, Indiana, and Purdue. The discussion shifts to Oregon's entry into the Big Ten, with Dwight Freeney expressing his thoughts on the Ducks' potential success in the conference. He acknowledges the challenges they face, including tough matchups against Ohio State and Michigan. The group analyzes the opening statement of UCLA's new head coach, Chip Kelly, at the Big Ten Media Days. They find his remarks to be awkward and unprepared, raising questions about his readiness for the big stage. The conversation shifts to the excitement surrounding the upcoming football season, with Dwight Freeney highlighting the anticipation building as training camps begin. He discusses various news items, including Russell Wilson's calf injury and Justin Fields' impressive performance in practice. Dwight Freeney shares his humorous theory about Russell Wilson's calf injury, suggesting that it may have been caused by sleeping with his cleats on. He elaborates on the challenges of living in a dorm room, particularly the need to navigate shared bathrooms. The conversation turns to the Pittsburgh Steelers' offense, with Dwight Freeney expressing his confidence in the team's potential success. He highlights the return of offensive coordinator Matt Canada and the presence of a strong running back in Najee Harris. The group discusses Mike Tomlin's approach to managing the quarterback situation in Pittsburgh, with Dwight Freeney praising Tomlin's handling of the media and his commitment to avoiding drama. He explains Tomlin's strategy of starting Russell Wilson while giving Justin Fields opportunities to prove himself. The conversation shifts to contract disputes in the NFL, with Dwight Freeney highlighting the holdouts of several key players, including CeeDee Lamb, Trent Williams, and Brandon Aiyuk. He discusses the reasons behind these holdouts and the potential impact on their respective teams. The group analyzes the situation surrounding Brandon Aiyuk's holdout with the San Francisco 49ers, focusing on the video footage of Aiyuk attending practice. They speculate on the nature of his conversation with John Lynch and the potential for a resolution. The conversation returns to Trent Williams' contract situation, with Dwight Freeney expressing his belief that the 49ers will ultimately pay Williams. He discusses the potential impact of Williams' holdout on the team's ability to sign other players. The group discusses the widespread contract disputes in the NFL, highlighting the desire of players to secure lucrative deals. They speculate on the potential outcomes of various contract negotiations, including those involving Tua Tagovailoa, Jordan Love, and Mike Parsons. The conversation transitions to the SportsCenter Top 10, with Dwight Freeney and AJ Hawk reviewing the most impressive sports plays of the past week. They discuss highlights from various sports, including basketball, baseball, and skateboarding. The discussion shifts to Dan Lanning, the head coach of the Oregon Ducks, who is making the long trip to the Big Ten. He discusses the challenges of traveling across the country for games and the importance of preparing his players for the unique experience. Dwight Freeney asks Lanning about Oregon's potential for success in the Big Ten, considering the team's talent and the new conference environment. Lanning expresses his confidence in the team's ability to compete, highlighting their talent and work ethic. The conversation turns to the impact of Bo Nix's departure from Oregon, with Dwight Freeney asking Lanning about his relationship with Nix and the challenges of transitioning to a new quarterback. Lanning expresses his admiration for Nix and his excitement about the potential of Dillon Gabriel. Lanning praises Dillon Gabriel's leadership qualities, highlighting his ability to connect with players and staff at all levels. He emphasizes the importance of leadership in college football and Gabriel's unique ability to build relationships. The conversation shifts to recruiting and the impact of NIL, with Dwight Freeney asking Lanning about Oregon's ability to compete with other top programs. Lanning acknowledges the importance of NIL but emphasizes the role of coaching staff, facilities, and university support in attracting top talent. Dwight Freeney asks Lanning about his relationship with Kirby Smart and other coaches in the same coaching tree. Lanning expresses his gratitude for Smart's mentorship and the lessons he learned from him. He discusses the challenges of coaching in the modern era, particularly the need to address mental toughness in the digital age. The conversation turns to player retention and the transfer portal, with Dwight Freeney asking Lanning about his approach to managing player departures. Lanning emphasizes the importance of retaining players who are committed to the program but acknowledges that the transfer portal is a part of the modern landscape. Dwight Freeney asks Lanning about the role of Oregon's location in recruiting, particularly the beauty of the state. Lanning acknowledges the appeal of Oregon's natural beauty and the unique experiences it offers to recruits. The conversation shifts to the demands of recruiting, with Dwight Freeney asking Lanning about the time commitment involved. Lanning confirms that recruiting is a constant process, requiring coaches to be available for phone calls and visits throughout the year. Dwight Freeney discusses the advantages that Oregon has in recruiting, particularly the association with Nike and the university's commitment to innovation. Lanning acknowledges these advantages but emphasizes the importance of building relationships and attracting talented players. The conversation concludes with a reflection on Oregon's rich history in college football, with Dwight Freeney acknowledging the program's success and the challenges of maintaining that success in a changing landscape. He discusses the importance of recruiting and the need to compete with other top programs. The conversation starts with a discussion about video games, specifically the Nintendo 64 game "007." The discussion then transitions to the topic of recruiting in college football, highlighting the importance of building relationships with potential players and the challenges of evaluating their character. The conversation shifts to the differences between the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences, particularly in terms of physicality and speed. The hosts discuss how the move of USC and UCLA to the Big Ten might impact the recruiting strategies of Pac-12 schools. The hosts discuss Nick Saban's role as a cultural influencer in college football. They believe that Saban's presence on College Game Day will provide a platform for him to advocate for changes in the sport, particularly regarding NIL and other emerging issues. The conversation focuses on the challenges and opportunities presented by the evolving landscape of college football, particularly the impact of NIL and the changing rules. The hosts emphasize the importance of adaptability for coaches in this new era. The hosts discuss the Big Ten's decision to eliminate divisions and the potential for other conferences to follow suit. They believe that this change will create more parity and opportunities for teams to compete for championships. The conversation delves into the challenges of recruiting in the era of NIL, particularly the need to reassure potential players about a coach's commitment to a program. The hosts discuss how coaches are using various strategies, including videos and public statements, to address these concerns. The conversation shifts to Dan Lanning's personal journey as a coach, including his early experiences at Pitt and the importance of family support in his career. He shares a humorous anecdote about the birth of his son and how it coincided with his first coaching job. The conversation concludes with a lighthearted discussion about Dan Lanning's hobbies and interests outside of football. He reveals his love for card games and shares a funny story about a trash can spades game he used to play with his college teammates.

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