No Laying Up

Apple Podcasts: 380: The BallKnowers

Spotify: 380: The BallKnowers

Neil, Poosh, and the freshly crowned Junior BallKnower TC have gathered to assess the 2025-26 NFL season and our picks standings, which are a tough look for our guy, Tron. We also get Poosh’s take on the Niners substation injuries theory, recap the playoffs thus far, and grade the offseason coaching moves. We close with a quick buy or sell on teams headed into 2026, a game we’d like to attend next season, and prospects we’re excited about heading into the draft.

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Calling all BallKnowers: Welcome to the Takes Bowl! After we learned newly relegated Jr. BallKnower TC’s fate (I see an alt-cast power rankings in your future…), I thought it’d be fun to come up with a list of this season’s greatest hits. This list features some dunking, vindication and generational quotables all worthy of a Lombardi Trophy of their own. Let's get this Super Bowl party started.

J.J. McCarthy Stinks! - All Season Long
Full vindication, gentlemen. Sam Darnold received the ultimate glow-up.

Matt Ryan vs. Asante Samuel - Ep. 368
“When he was in Philly, he had my number. His ability to break on routes, sit on routes – he was very difficult for me to go against…he jumped routes, had really good pattern recognition, like he just understood what routes went with what. And we trade for him, and he comes to Atlanta, and I’m like, all right, perfect. I’m gonna pick his brain. I’m going to ask him what tips, what were the cues, what did you know? He’s like, ‘Nah man. I was just guessing.’”

Neil Takes the Stand for Hurts (And Regrets It) - Ep. 374
“I hate that I’ve become the Jalen Hurts apologist. That was never what I was meant to do. It was just meant to hold you guys accountable. Performance, wins, losses, he’s been above average in that category. He’s been everything that team has needed from him up until this season…I just don’t think Saquon gets enough touches in any creative way. If Jalen Hurts has something to do with that, then I am team Jalen Hurts stinks. I’ll jump ship with you guys.”

Caleb Williams Is Mid - All Season Long
“He’s looked awful in the preseason, and I think Ben Johnson is going to lose patience with him if he can’t play within the system and on script.” -TC “I think the Bears have a long-term QB problem. I could see them getting (rid of) Caleb as soon as this offseason.” –Randy "I don't think we're ready to make any mea culpas or corrections regarding Caleb Williams. He is exactly who we thought he was." -TC

Shanny Glazing (Interlude)

Enough said.

Neil Totally Calling The AFC East Winner - Ep. 356

“I’m a big Vrabel guy. I think the Pats might be a little scary this year.”

Neil Botches The NFC South And Flip-flops on Penix - Ep. 356, 368

“I think Penix is going to be good.”"I'm not sold on Penix."

BallKnower Bob Calling Out CJ Stroud’s Weird Vibe - Ep. 360
“He’s a weird cat. There’s something about him that is worth studying up on because of his personality and his background. I don’t think he was homeschooled, but he’s a very serious guy. I was amused to see that he apologizes to his teammates when he cusses, which is pretty rare in the National Football League, but it’s great for the kids, I suppose.”

Poosh Reveals His Ageism Against Philip Rivers - Ep. 374
“He’s older than me. He’s 44 years old. Like, what are we doing? I wear a boot. I have a ruptured plantar fascia, and that dude’s going to go out there and run around and throw footballs in an NFL game this weekend. That’s psychotic. He has like 28 children.”