Pierce and Scott talk about the negligent actions involving the Dolphins and Tua Tagovailoa, and ask if Miami can make the playoffs with Teddy Bridgewater under center. Plus, What's the Word? and predictions for Week 4.
Scott previews the Bears week 4 matchup in MetLife against the New York Football Giants & what the Bears need to do to be 3-1 on the season.
Scott, Pav & Merk discuss the new women's movement in Hip Hop, DJ Akademiks lame influence, expectations for this upcoming NBA season & more.
The Falcons get their first dub of the season, Jarrett & Brian go over the good things on that win & preview the Falcons upcoming game against the Cleveland Browns.
10 years have passed in King's Landing and a lot of things have changed. We're introduced to the next generation of Targaryen children while tension is rising between Alicent & Rhaynera, decisions are made, deaths happening & everybody trolling. Scott & Dante breakdown episode 7 of HBO's House of The Dragon.
It's an oddly somber Victory Monday but a Victory Monday regardless, Scott breaks down Justin Fields' worst performance, how much should Bears fans be concerned? the defense's big game & just how the Bears were able to go 2-1 so far in this season.
Jon Moxley postpones his vacation to reclaim the AEW World Heavyweight Championship while the AEW women's title scene gets even muddier with the introduction of Saraya, fka Paige. Plus, Unforgiven 2006, including one of the best TLC matches ever between Edge and John Cena for the WWE Championship.
Sami Zayn is now officially "The Honorary Uce" and got a whole new T-shirt and everything. In one of the best segments in recent Smackdown history, can this propel Sami Zayn to the levels of Daniel Bryan's B-plus Player and Mankind vs. The Corporation? 9:23 came and went on Smackdown but the White Rabbit is still being teased. This time, for Raw on Monday, Sept 26th in Edmonton. Are we sure this is Bray Wyatt? It's now time to call Bobby Lashley the Raw Heavyweight Champion. But if Seth Rollins is still feuding with Matt Riddle, who is best for business for Bobby? We have a new AEW and ROH Champion. What does this mean for the promotions?
On this weeks episode RAOP we chop it up the lackluster year in music, the Annual Squirt Off, Jimmy G having God as his agent, GTA 6 hackers running up a bag, old sneaker campout stories and more. Also Amp finally reads the "Shoulder Clap" story on air. Also we answer voicemails and questions from the listeners. Remember to send in your listener questions, #TheyNeedTheirAssBeat or #RealNiggaOfTheWeek submissions, email us at MAIL@RAOPodcast.com or call 424-260-RAOP to leave a voicemail.
Pierce & Scott discuss Jalen Hurts & the Eagles looking like contenders early on, who's the biggest disappointment in the NFL 2 weeks, would a Bills/Eagles SB break Arizona? & much more.
Scott breaks down episodes 4-6 of She-Hulk and the news from Marvel's D23 panel.
JR Bang fills in for Flows as he joins Scott to discuss this week being massive for Justin Fields & a full preview/predictions for this weeks Bears/Texans game at Soldier Field.
On this weeks episode of RAOP we chop it up about the mediocrity of white boy rap, sleep walking, Joe finally admitting he's a Milk Merchant, being blackballed in Hollywood, who was the better rapper on Cash Money and a lot more. RIP PNB Rock! Also we answer voicemails and questions from the listeners. Remember to send in your listener questions, #TheyNeedTheirAssBeat or #RealNiggaOfTheWeek submissions, email us at MAIL@RAOPodcast.com or call 424-260-RAOP to leave a voicemail.
Rob and Chris chat about the debut of War Games on the main roster at Survivor Series, the upcoming Extreme Rules show in Philly, plus more wrestling from 2006.
Scott, Pav, Jr.Bang & Merk discuss Viola Davis recent role choices, Merk's top 5 movies, Justin Fields criticism, Robert Sarver selling the Suns & much more.
Viserys is getting older & weaker, Ser Criston Cole is pulling a Carl Thomas, Alicent is declaring war & we have another wild Game of Thrones wedding. Scott & Dante breakdown episode 5 of HBO's House of The Dragon.
The Falcons lose another tough one to start the season 0-2 but showed some fight in a comeback. Brian & Jarrett give their thoughts on this past Sundays game.
A new quarterback is drafted by a charter franchise of the National Football League. He’s the newest hope in town and fans are hopeful that, finally, the luck of their hometown team is about to change. A year later, as the young quarterback goes through the ups and downs of adjusting to the professional level of play, fans are filled with angst. Some are ready to move on from the young QB and look towards the next draft. Others are urging patience as the young QB grows from these experiences, while some are ignoring the struggles with a certainty that he will be “just fine”. Does any of this ring a bell? It should because it’s been the fans of most NFL franchises over the last three decades. Fans have clamored for the new year’s upcoming draft with the hope that a new quarterback will turn the franchise around. It worked for several franchises: notably the Patriots and Packers (the Pats who drafted Tom Brady and started a dynasty, while the packers moved on from Brett Favre and continued success with Aaron Rodgers).
In this instance, however, these are Chicago Bears fans. A franchise that is not used to exceptional QB play and who do not have a recent history of outstanding players at the quarterback position. So, where are Bears fans now? They find themselves in familiar territory as they wait in anxiety for the young quarterback they selected in the draft to blossom into a star. They’ve grown tired of hoping that their team catches up with the rest of the league and have found themselves at a crossroad: Do they move on from the young QB or do they hold out hope? They’re afraid of failing and for good reason; every (recent) QB they have drafted has been a letdown. Talking about QBs directly with Bears fans is the beginning of a depressing conversation. So we’ll try something different. Let’s play a game: Quarterback 1 has started in twelve NFL games, has thrown 196 completions to 330 attempts. He’s thrown for 2193 passing yards, with an even 7 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He’s also rushed for 248 rushing yards and ran for 2 touchdowns. Quarterback 2 has also started in twelve NFL games, has thrown for 2061 passing yards on 174 completions to 298 attempts. He’s thrown for 9 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. While also rushing for 468 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Both quarterbacks are facing the question of what they can do in the NFL while also adjusting to the prospect of a new head coach and a new offensive scheme. QB1 has the hopefulness of fans and despite average stats, very few (of the vocal fans) are calling for him to be replaced, even if they aren’t quite sure what to make of him yet. His team has only won 5 games since he’s been drafted but without enough talent around him, it’s hard to judge him just yet, so the fans still have hope in him. QB2, however, is facing calls to be replaced. Since he has been drafted the team has only won 7 games, yet his stats are comparable to the first QB mentioned. He’s thrown the ball less times than the first QB but has more touchdowns (more INTs as well) and has put up yards in both rushing and passing that are similar to the first QB. So, why are there calls for QB2 to be replaced? If you haven’t guessed by now, QB1 mentioned is Mitchell Trubisky during his first season (totaling 12 starts) and QB2 is Justin Fields and his first season and first two games of his second season (totaling 12 starts). Both QBs came into their second year with new coaches and new offenses. Both QBs have achieved similar stats and have been a part of a similar number of wins. So, again, why are there calls for QB2 to be replaced? Before jumping the gun, there are some legitimate reasons for the calls. Some fans are simply afraid of having another young QB fail to live up to their expectations. They’ve lived in the shadow of an anachronistic offense and meandering quarterback for most of their adult lives as fans. They’re afraid that this cycle of player angst will never end. That’s a rational fear to have and you won’t hear a rebuttal from me. So what else is left? I’ll tell you the answer: privilege.
Before you click away in anger, continue reading. This isn’t a history or ethics lesson on white privilege in everyday society. This is simply a lesson in pro sports privilege. Particularly, white QB vs black QB privilege. In a league that is made up of a majority of people of color (71%) the quarterback position has been dominated by white men. White men at QB are the standard. Those who succeed at the position are noted for their “pocket presence” and ability to “move the ball down field. Their athleticism is not the prime point of focus, it’s their mental and arm strength. Its become such a norm that you expect teams to draft a young white quarterback while black athletes are expected to play a skill position to utilize their talent. Black quarterbacks who are athletic are referred to as “dual-threat” or “mobile” while their counterparts who can be very mobile themselves are not. White QBs are lifted up for their ability to “diagnose” a situation while black QBs are praised for their speed but criticized for failing to “read the field” properly (sometimes warranted, often unwarranted). Justin Fields, unfortunately, has found himself in this same position. His athleticism is unquestioned, people know that he can move outside the pocket, but every other aspect of his game is questioned. The former Ohio State Buckeye, who placed 7th in Heisman voting with notable wins over powerhouse Clemson, was even questioned about his work ethic and love for the game. Despite this, his own former Head Coach at Ohio State, Ryan Day, stated that Justin Fields work ethic was “off the charts”[1]. So, how did we get to this position? Its racism that fuels unconscious biases. Do not be mistaken, these biases don’t stop at white people solely, for these same biases can be found in people of color. Unfortunately, these biases prevent people from taking in the entirety of a young players career. It makes them so certain of the potential and talent of young black QBs while abandoning this same certainty for their white counterparts. This reality will probably always be prevalent in the football zeitgeist. We must, however, do our parts in shedding these biases and allowing young players like Justin Fields, to prove themselves on the field and field alone. If it works out? Great. If it does not? Then you move on but not before each player is given their fair due. Justin Fields is only 12 games in, not even a full season, so sit back and let his game speak for itself.
[1] Phil Harrison, Ryan Day responds to criticism of Justin Fields' work ethic, https://buckeyeswire.usatoday.com/2021/04/02/ryan-day-responds-to-criticism-of-justin-fields-work-ethic/
The question mark for the Philadelphia Eagles coming into this season was whether or not Jalen Hurts could rise to the level of play needed to vault the Eagles into NFC contention.
After Monday night’s breakout performance, he may have answered it and then some.
Hurts gained 390 of Philly’s 486 total yards on offense and three touchdowns, two coming on the ground, in the Eagles’ 24-7 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
“I think, for us, we came out and played very efficient,” Hurts said postgame . “Last week I talked about the inconsistencies and the urgency. The communication and the operation. That starts with me. We operated at a high level early on in the game.”
Hurts came out of the gates hot, hitting WR A.J. Brown and TE Dallas Goedert for multiple gains of 15+ yards before ending the drive with his first touchdown run. Then, Hurts hit Quez Watkins uncovered in blown coverage on a 53-yard deep bomb that sealed this game before the Vikings could put points on the board.
Hurts saved his brilliance for his second rushing touchdown. A designed run-pass option, Hurts drew in the Minnesota linebackers, pulled the ball back from RB Miles Sanders, and followed Goedert into the endzone on a 26-yard scamper to put this game away.
“He did a really good job,” Brown said”. "How he commanded the offense, it just shows the type of leader he is… he had everything under control.”
It’s the most ‘in control’ Jalen Hurts has been in his NFL career. Oft-criticized for his accuracy, Hurts’ improvement in that area was evident on three passes in particular, two of which did not count.
The first two are to Goedert. One was a beautiful throw by Hurts into triple coverage, but placed only were Goedert could come down with it.
He did not, negating some impressive precision by Hurts.
The second set up an Eagles field goal to end the first half. With the ball just past midfield, Hurts stood in the pocket, took a shot from Vikings LB Za’Darius Smith, and found Goedert for 28 yards to put K Jake Elliott in position for a 38-yard field goal.
The third was called back by a penalty, but may be his best throw of the night, as described by ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky.
Of course, Hurts was hard on himself after the game. As the Eagles failed to score in the second half, and a Kenneth Gainwell tipped ball turned into Philly’s lone turnover on the night, Hurts took accountability for his team’s play to end the game.
“We have a standard for ourselves and it only rises. A hell of a game tonight, but there’s a hell of a lot to learn from as a football team.”
As for that earlier question mark? Eagles HC Nick Sirianni believes Hurts delivered the answer well before Monday night.
"He's put in so much work. Of course, it has, it's slowing down," Sirianni said. "But it should, right, at this point. He is further into his process, and we're talking about getting better every day and he lives that. He's one of our of captains, one of our leaders, and he lives the theory of getting better every day. That's why you're seeing major improvements, it's because of the type of person and the type of player he is."
The Eagles defense also stepped up on Monday Night. A week after letting Detroit climb their way back with garbage time points, Philly clamped down on a Minnesota offense that was feeling the buzz of a dominant win over Green Bay.
Fresh off a 186-yard performance, Vikings WR Justin Jefferson was held in check by Eagles CB Darius Slay, who picked off Minnesota QB Kirk Cousins twice.
“Big Play Slay” reminded everyone he is still one of the best corners in the league, even if he doesn’t get the same recognition as his peers.
"You know how it always goes -- the older you get, the more they think you're falling off,” Slay said. “But I ain't one of them guys. I'm still at an elite level. I deserve a lot of respect in this league."
Philly’s defense bucked their usual conservative style of play, keeping Cousins under constant pressure. Cousins was especially in hell on the last drive of the game, when Defensive Coordinator Jonathan Gannon sent 5, 6, even 7-man blitzes at the Vikings.
Monday night was perfect if you’re an Eagles fan. Your defense tortured Minnesota all night, the Linc was absolutely rocking, and most importantly, your QB had his coming-out party on primetime television.
If everything coalesces for the Eagles this season, we could be staring at another special season in Philadelphia.
Scott breaks down the Bears crushing 27-10 loss to the Packers, unfair criticism of Justin Fields, Justin Fields fan comments, what's wrong with the offense & much more.