Edition #39

TRANSCRIPT IF YOU DON’T WANT TO LISTEN!

Hello and welcome back to Sports Square Podcast number 4.

And today we're going to talk about the NFL, MLB, Cricket.

We're going to talk about the MLS and also the NBA.

Let's get started.

In the NFL, we're going to talk about the Texans and the Colts mostly, but here are the two scores from yesterday.

Steelers 17, Ravens 10.

The Ravens played an all backup backfield.

and Texans and Colts 23 to 19 yes the Texans won it the Colts are out the Colts were actually the one team that one team I was cheering for um CJ Strata went 20 for 26 264 yards two touchdowns Gardner Minshew went 13 for 24 and 141 yards it was all all because of a drop pass

Now, I'm not going to blame everything on the wide receiver, or the running back, basically.

I'm going to blame a bit on Gardner-Milchew, 10% maybe, because that pass was behind.

But I mean, this is an NFL game.

These guys are NFL wide receivers.

They should know how to make that kind of catch.

And that person

Got subbed out on 4th and 1 for Jonathan Taylor.

Who is it?

Not Zach Moss.

It is?

His name was Tyler Goodson.

He's a running back who's seen 7 targets in his life before that play.

He shouldn't have to make a spinning catch to his back side if the design is all about getting him wide open.

That failure is on Shane Steichen and Gardner Minshew is one comment by Nate Atkins who said, I don't put tonight on Tyler Goodson.

Well, I do.

Even if you've seen only seven targets, you're in the NFL and you're in the NFL for a reason.

Cause you're good.

Not no bad players make the NFL.

Some people turn out bad in the NFL because NFL is such a high skill, uh, level, but,

You can't make that.

I mean, at that point, I was feeling really bad for Fairbanks, who'd missed that extra point kick by a mile.

Because he would have to take all the blame for the Texans losing.

I mean, the Tex- uh, the Colts could've went on it- went for like a two-point conversion and they would've missed.

Or the, um, the Colts could've just tied- uh, tied the game up.

Edition 39

I kind of agree with that at this point.

And the Colts are the first team officially in off-season mode.

Houston is back in the playoffs and Rookie of the Year honors are definitely coming for Stroud and Will Anderson Jr.

The combo of D'Amico Ryans and Kassiro ain't going anywhere and the future is very, very bright.

Right.

Alright, let's move on to the MLB.

Just for a second, we're going to go back to NFL picks in just some time.

The Braves extended Chris Sale for two years and $38 million.

So they are taking a lot of risk in signing Chris Sale.

Who knows if he just falls down.

And then the Braves also signed Luis Guglielmi.

The Dodgers are now the frontrunners for Teoscar Hernandez, but I don't really think they need him.

and then uh Kenley Jansen reunion is might happen with the Dodgers but Josh Hader is also linked to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Blue Jays are interested in Jorge Soler and the Red Sox uh uh Masataka Alfio, Masataka Yoshida is feeling trade interest just like Kenley uh Kenley Jansen and then

Jordan Montgomery offered free BBQ for life for Texas Rangers return.

That is so weird.

But the Rangers are still in play for free agent Jordan Montgomery and Josh Aders.

And the Rangers 90 million windfall could help bring back Jordan Montgomery.

I personally think Jordan Montgomery is going to sign with the Texas Rangers.

I mean, just coming back after a championship.

But, anything can happen.

The Dodgers can go on and sign in for all we know.

But, yeah, let's move on to the NBA.

Draymond Green to rejoin the Warriors Sunday.

The NBA reinstated Draymond Green on Saturday from a suspension that lasted 12 games and sources told us ESPN that the Golden State Warriors forward is expected to need approximately a week of ramp up before returning back to game action.

So Chris Paul actually got injured, fractured, that requires surgery.

Next week he's going to take that surgery.

So Draymond Green back.

Do you think that's going to help?

I don't think that's going to help.

Maybe that might.

Defensively, the Warriors do need some changes.

The NBA announced an indefinite ban for Green on December 13th, one day after he struck center Yusuf Nurkic during a game against the Phoenix Suns.

The NBA said

Green completed steps that demonstrated his commitment to conforming his conduct to standards expected of NBA players.

He has engaged in meetings with a counselor and has met jointly on multiple occasions with the representatives of the NBA, the Warriors, and the National Basketball Players Association.

which both of which will continue throughout the season.

The group meetings which were done over video calls and also included Green's agent, Clutch CEO Rich Paul, Warriors General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr.

and Team Trainer Rick Celebrity according to

ESPN sources were part of what the NBA described as certain league and team conditions that Green had to fulfill before his reinstatement.

The league proposed the path the word toward reinstatement be centered around counseling after some on-court incidents like the chokehold of Rudy Gobert and of course hitting Yusuf Nurkic.

The one who choked Rudy, the one who took a wild flail at Yusuf, the one who punched Jordan Poole last year, that's the guy who needs to change, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said the day after green suspension was announced.

This is not just about an outburst on the court, it's about his life.

It's about someone who I believe in, someone I've known for decades, who I love for his loyalty.

While Green was away, he had basically no contact with Curry and most of his teammates.

And he said space was important for him and us.

We're trying to win games and he's trying to come back.

Green lost $2 million while serving the suspension, and Golden State saved nearly $9 million on their luxury tax bill.

They've went 7-5, Green's 12 games away, and 10-10 this season when Green hasn't played.

7-8 in his 15 games played.

Let's move on to the MLS.

All-MLS Roster Named for USMNT Camp Ahead of Slovenia Friendly United States Men's National Team Manager Greg Berhalter Named a 25-Player All-MLS Roster Ahead of the Team's Animal January Camp which begins next week Detailed Roster by Position Goalkeepers Drake Callender I'm just going to tell you guys the starters by the way Defenders Nathan Harjo

Midfielders Joshua Atencio, forwards Esmer Badrac Turevic and let's go one more for each Roman Salentano, Dewan Jones, Azeal Jackson and Bernard Kamingo and then let's go one more Patrick Schulte

Shaq Moore, Jack McGlynn and Kyle.

Okay, let's move on to some NFL picks.

And by the way, if the Dallas Cowboys win against the Commanders, they will win the division and there will be another winner of the NFC's.

They have not like repeated a title since I think 2002.

Jaguars versus Titans.

First game, let's go Jags.

I think the Jaguars will win.

They will be the AFC South champions.

The Texans will get the wild card spot.

Titans, no.

The Titans aren't that good.

We know it.

Ryan Tannehill's starting, I think.

And when Ryan Tannehill starts, it's just not good.

Vikings vs Lions I'm sorry, but if Jerry Hall starts, you're not winning against even the Lions.

And the thing is, Dan Campbell is actually playing all the starters versus the Vikings.

It's like crazy.

You don't want to play all your starters when you basically locked up the number three seat, but OK.

Lions, because you're playing all your starters and you can beat the Vikings by a lot.

That QB position needs to be fixed.

And also there was a report that the Vikings actually tried to trade up with the Colts to get Anthony Richardson.

Unfortunately, they didn't.

They couldn't.

Next one, Falcon Saints.

This is the NFC South, which is also keeping things interesting, but I'm going to go the deadly pick here.

I'm going to go Falcons.

and I don't, I don't, I just don't think that, Derek Carr is going to do good today.

Um, Falcons defense, I mean, it isn't, it isn't like the Niners defense, neither is it at least mid, like the Eagles defense, but it's like nowhere.

But I think the Falcons defense will make some key stops today.

I'm saying Derek Carr has two picks, three sacks, and that's going to be the cause of a, oh, that one of those picks, pick six.

Jets vs. Patriots.

I just feel really sad for Bill Belichick.

He's obviously going after this game.

It's pretty, you know, everyone knows it.

And Semyon is starting this game.

So I'm going to go to the Patriots.

Patriots take a win.

Bill Belichick's last game, probably as a head coach.

I'm just thinking, imagine if the commander signed up.

You know what I would want though?

I would want the Eagles to sign him.

Buccaneers vs Panthers.

Buccaneers.

Bryce Young?

No.

No.

David Tepper throws a drink on a fan?

No.

Buccaneers.

You're gonna win.

You're gonna win the division.

Sorry Falcons.

But yeah.

Browns vs Bengals.

This one was supposed to be interesting.

It was interesting the first time both of these teams played.

It was Joe Burrow and Deshaun Watson, but this time it's Jake Browning versus Joe Flacco.

Joe Flacco's going to sit, so it's going to be Dorian Thompson-Robinson or another back of Kibbe.

It really depends.

They haven't named the starter yet.

Jake Browning.

Yeah, take the win there.

I don't think the Browns really care.

They've locked in a wildcard spot.

There's no way they can win the division behind the Ravens.

Playing all backups.

Backups versus probably an actual good Bengals team.

Yeah.

Next game.

Bears versus Packers.

Packers.

Obviously the Bears have no shot of making the playoffs.

Unfortunately, they They did come back heavily in the second half If you're if you're gonna start like oh and three or oh like oh and seven There's no way you're gonna come back and make the playoffs.

Sorry bears.

You're not making it Packers You guys got the wild card spot here Cowboys commanders.

I Want the commanders to win?

but it's pretty obvious that the Cowboys are going to win.

Commies are injured.

Cowboys are healthy.

They are going to play Dak Prescott because who knows what can happen.

I mean, but commanders right now, there's no way they're getting the first overall pick.

They should try to get the second overall pick.

Drake May, Michael Penix, you know, all these guys.

And you know, they can actually start building a young team just like the Houston Texans did.

Who knows?

Caleb Williams could be a bust even though he isn't gonna be.

Could happen.

Broncos versus Raiders.

Um, who knows what's gonna happen with the Raiders management after.

Antonio Pierce has done an okay job.

O'Connell's probably gonna go.

He's probably gonna.

His job's, his QB job's probably gonna go.

The Raiders could draft another great guy.

The same people I told before.

Drake May, Michael Penix, other, other QBs that entered the draft.

Um, Raiders, Raiders take the win.

I'm

Yeah, I don't think, I don't know why they're not giving Jalen Hurts a day of rest.

Marcus Mariota is there.

I guess right now Marcus Mariota is playing at the same level as Jalen Hurts.

That's how bad Jalen Hurts has been doing.

And then you got Tanner McKee.

Unfortunately, he's an emergency QB, but I would love to use Tanner McKee even though he has basically no experience in the NFL.

Eagles are gonna win by a field goal maybe just because their point differential is so bad and

yeah they're playing all their starters even though there's no use Seahawks vs Cardinals Cardinals last week beat Philly but Philly chokes I'm gonna give it to the Cardinals Seahawks you're gonna be shut out you're not making the playoffs you got lucky in a little run there versus Philadelphia and who was it who else was it I think it was Philadelphia and

oh and the and the Titans and then you had a little run you know the Titans and Eagles but then you got stopped by the Steelers who I don't think you should have been stopped by but you did Cardinals I'm gonna give it to you Jonathan Gannon's been doing being very aggressive but Cardinals you stay in the game for 60 minutes you got this one Rams versus 49ers Rams

not 49ers

I mean, Carson Wentz was a great QB, he's not now.

I just think that the 49ers team, backups at least, are better than the Rams backups.

49ers have a lot of depth in every position, so I'm gonna give this to the 49ers.

Chiefs vs. Chargers, Patrick Mahomes is sitting, but Easton Stick isn't gonna win a game, so I'm gonna give it to the Chiefs.

Yeah, Bills versus Dolphins, game number 272 or 62.

And this is very, very important.

Winner wins the AFC East.

And I'm going to predict the score for this one.

Bills versus Dolphins.

Josh Allen to a tug of viola.

Raheem Mostert and wide receiver Jalen Waddell are not expected to play versus the Bills.

So,

The Bills are winning.

The Bills have choked way too many times and I just think the Bills will finally find a way to win this one.

I'm going to give them the score of 28 to 20.

28 to 20.

The Bills are winning.

Alright, let's move on to our last topic of the day.

Cricket.

Warner, David Warner of Australia is now officially retired from Test Cricket.

Yes, and he signs off from Test Cricket with a medley of his greatest hits.

His punch 50 featuring a switch hit, a reverse sweep, and a shuffle down the pitch received a standing ovation from a crowd of more than 20,000.

And David Warner was given a Guard of Honor by Pakistan.

Signing off from Test Cricket with a century was beyond even him with a target of only 130 against Pakistan at the SCG, but he did the next best thing as a punchy 50 allowed him to raise the bat around the ground one last time.

He couldn't quite make it to the winning moment, trapped LBW by the feisty Sajid Khan, but it allowed him a lone walk off the arena.

The final tally, 8,786 runs.

An average of 44.59 each time he steps up to the pitch.

Strike rate of 70.26, 26 hundreds, 37 fifties.

He ends at number 5 on Australia's all-time test run scorers list.

It meant the world to me, Warner said of the reception.

I've given absolutely everything to play this game and sacrificed a lot of things to be in the position I am in.

Lots of ups and downs.

I have had to come back and overcome adversity.

I think I've done that very, very well.

I think it's been well received from a lot of people and I think today just showed me that I do have a lot of support.

I'm very grateful and very thankful for that.

Now, just to ruin your spirits, Warner was involved in the sandpaper scandal, which basically led him to about a year ban.

At the start of the day, Pat Cuttins gave Warner the chance to lead the team onto the field when play resumed, thanks Dave, had been painted on the grass at the ground for today alongside an image of Warner's trademark leaf.

He was wearing his original baggy green, which had found its way back to the hotel the day before after vanishing on the eve of the game.

As is standard for Warner, he hadn't worn it earlier in the second innings, but for Swansong as a test cricketer, there had been little doubt he would give it a final airing.

There was a final catch, too, when he snaffled the chance at a leg slip to remove Mohamed Rizwan.

He had been a superb close infielder.

When Nathan Line bowled a Hasan Ali, Warner jogged off to pad up for the last time in his test career.

Warner touched the plaque that honors Philip Hughes outside the home dressing room.

Then, as in the first innings, he embraced Usman Khawaja by the boundary rope.

A few moments later, the pair had shared a more private moment.

He said it's been an awesome journey and one he won't forget and will cherish these moments forever.

Warner recalled, I didn't have anything to go back with because I was tearing up.

Khawaja then hung back, allowing Warner to lead the way.

Shan Massoud lined his team up for a guard of honor and shook Warner's hand.

At the end of the line, he was also acknowledged by umpires Michael Goh and Richard Ellingsworth.

It was sad.

Just watching a bit of the thing.

Video

The NFL is pretty important for some teams.

Some other teams are just playing backups.

The things I probably want to watch just as an NFL fan would be the Cowboys and Commanders and the Eagles and Giants at the same time.

At the same time.

And then I would watch the game 272 or 62 Bills versus Dolphins.

That's a very very important one and All right.

See you later