Tag: SiriusXM

Josh Allen knows he can rely on Sam Darnold

Sam Darnold and Josh Allen have built a very strong friendship with one another.

Sam Darnold and Josh Allen began their NFL journeys together when they were drafted just a few minutes apart in 2018. Now the two quarterbacks are division rivals, but that hasn’t stopped them from forming a close friendship at the onset of their careers.

Allen was recently on SiriusXM NFL Radio and spoke about his relationship with Darnold. The Bills gunslinger said that Darnold was “one of the greatest dudes” he’s been around and added that he’s been able to count on the Jet for just about anything.

“We’ve been able to rely on each other,” Allen said. “Just kind of lean on each other I guess and just throughout the year. Texting each other and just making sure like we’re both doing OK, and we’re both adjusting well to it. So we’ve kind of had similar situations and it’s fun to have somebody like that that’s kind of going through the same things.”

The two AFC East quarterbacks have spent time together this offseason in Southern California while working with their trainer, Jordan Palmer. Darnold and Allen, both California natives, got to know each other before they got drafted in 2018.

So far in head-to-head matchups, Darnold has the edge over Allen, 2-1. Darnold’s first win over Allen was in 2018 when the Jets squeaked out a 27-23 win in Buffalo. Allen got his revenge in Week 1 last season when the Bills beat the Jets, 17-16. Darnold beat the Bills again in Week 17, 13-6. However, the Bills had clinched a playoff spot at that point and Allen only threw five passes before being subbed out for Matt Barkley.

Entering 2020, expectations are higher than ever for the third-year quarterbacks. Allen’s Bills are arguably the division favorites, while the pressure is on Darnold to make a significant leap in the department of consistency.

Whatever the new year throws at them, though, it sounds like the two will have someone to talk it over with.

Joe Flacco eager to be someone Sam Darnold can lean on

Joe Flacco wants to be a guy that Sam Darnold can lean on for mentorship.

Joe Flacco is ready to take on a new role in his career not only as a backup but as a mentor.

The Jets signed Flacco to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million deal that maxes out at $4.5 million with incentives. While Flacco does feel like he as some football left in him at age 35, he also understands that his value is going to come from being a voice that Sam Darnold can count on to be successful.

“I want to, first and foremost, help the team in any way possible, but also be a guy that Sam can lean on and can learn from,” Flacco said on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “I would say those are the two most important things; to help out the guys on the team and to help out Sam to do all he can.”

Flacco’s veteran presence should assist Darnold in his development as a quarterback. Flacco has never been considered a top quarterback in the NFL, but he knows firsthand what it takes to win at the highest level. Flacco led the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl title in 2013, defeating the San Francisco 49ers. He was named Super Bowl MVP, throwing for 287 yards and three touchdowns.

Flacco is not a quarterback who lights up the stat sheet, but the guy knows how to win. He is the 15th-winningest quarterback in NFL history with 108 total victories. Flacco is ahead of some of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time in Troy Aikman, Ken Stabler and Steve Young.

The Jets never want to see Flacco on the field in 2020, but they signed him for a reason. They need him to use his past experiences to help Darnold make a big jump as starting quarterback in the NFL.

For what it’s worth, he sounds like he’s all in.

TE Hunter Henry talks about Chargers quarterback competition

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry will be ecstatic no matter who is under center in 2020.

Chargers tight end Hunter Henry came into the league in 2016 with Philip Rivers throwing the ball to him. Four years later, he will have a couple of new faces distributing the wealth to him.

Henry has already started to develop a connection with rookie quarterback Justin Herbert, as the two have spent some time working out and will soon start throwing together.

“He’s got a great arm. Obviously, he went first round, sixth pick for a reason,” Henry said about Herbert in an interview via SiriusXM. “He’s very, very talented. Obviously, the mental side of the game will be the biggest thing.”

Los Angeles is hopeful that Herbert will be the long-term solution at the quarterback position. However, there’s no guarantee that he will walk in as the Week 1 starter.

Tyrod Taylor, who’s in the final year of his two-year deal, is in the driver’s seat to start. If Taylor is the one under center, Henry still has a lot of confidence that he can get the job done.

“Big believer in Tyrod, too, so I’m looking forward to seeing what he’s going to bring to us this year,” Henry said.

Regardless of who’s the starting quarterback, Henry is eager to continue to be a threat in the passing game and reliable as a run-blocker. But most importantly, show that he can stay healthy for a full 16-game slate.

If all goes well, Henry should be sure to strike a long-term deal with the Bolts, if he doesn’t happen to do so already before the July 15 deadline.

Mike Daniels: Lions ‘locker room was amazing’

Mike Daniels declared the Detroit Lions ‘locker room was amazing’ in 2019 despite the injuries and losing in an interview with Sirius XM

Mike Daniels didn’t have the kind of season anyone wanted in 2019. His first season in Detroit was hindered by injuries and an inability to find a true role in Matt Patricia’s defense. But the veteran defensive tackle looks back quite fondly at the team, his Detroit teammates and the Lions locker room culture.

In an engaging interview with Bruce Murray and Brady Quinn on Sirius XM NFL Radio, Daniels talked about his on-field disappointment in Detroit.

“I couldn’t control my playing time, is the best way I can put it,” Daniels said. “When I was out there I did what I felt was productive.”

He noted Pro Football Focus still rated him as one of the most productive pass rushers in terms of win rate at his position despite the injuries and the inconsistent playing time.

Daniels then turned to the locker room and culture in Detroit. Asked by Quinn to contrast the situation in Detroit against his prior years in Green Bay, Daniels quickly defended Detroit.

“Locker room was awesome. Definitely enjoyed my teammates there. That was one of the hardest-working group of guys I’ve ever played with. It’s unfortunate that things went the way they went outside of a lot of guys’ control. But when you really see just how hard those guys are working, it was very encouraging.”

Daniels continued,

“That defense, seeing how those guys worked and practiced, worked so hard. It’s just unfortunate that things didn’t go the way that we wanted them. But that locker room was amazing … I truly enjoyed my time with those guys.”

He left the door open to return to Detroit, and also Green Bay, as he trains in his fully-equipped home gym in Michigan.

Notre Dame Baseball Alumni Gather on SiriusXM Podcast Episode

This pandemic has resulted in reunions and interviews of all sorts.

This pandemic has resulted in reunions and interviews of all sorts. One of the least likely has come in the form of a podcast episode featuring Notre Dame baseball alumni who were part of the program at different times. One edition of the SiriusXM podcast “Sports From the Sidelines” aired on MLB Network Radio on Wednesday. The episode, appropriately entitled “Three-Run Domer” featured Craig Counsell, Brad Lidge, Cavan Biggio and Pat Connaughton, all of whom represent the program at different times.

There was no shortage of topics during the 47-minute conversation. Counsell, who mentioned how rare it was for the football team to lose during his time at Notre Dame, said it is imperative for MLB to start playing so that college football has a chance to do the same. The Milwaukee Brewers manager can’t see college football kicking off if his own sport isn’t in action.

On a lighter note, Connaughton hasn’t forgotten about baseball. In fact, even as his Milwaukee Bucks wait to see if they’ll have a chance to compete for a 2020 NBA championship, he hasn’t shaken the thought that he might give professional baseball a shot like Michael Jordan and Tim Tebow before him. He didn’t necessarily say he would leave basketball behind like MJ and Tebow left their respective sports, but it’s practically a given he would do that if he was serious about baseball.

If you’re a SiriusXM subscriber, you can go to the service’s website and listen to this episode on demand. You’re not doing much else being stuck at home. Hear what these Domers have to say about their time representing the gold and blue.

Bob Quinn is happy with where the Lions stand at quarterback

Lions GM Bob Quinn expressed his happiness for where the team stands at QB and explained why he didn’t select any in the 2020 NFL Draft

The Detroit Lions depth chart at quarterback did not change one bit over the last week. GM Bob Quinn stood firm on what the team already has on the roster, not even signing any undrafted free agents following Saturday’s final rounds.

Quinn was a guest of Sirius XM NFL Radio and hosts Alex Marvez and Gil Brandt this week. The Lions GM was asked about the team not selecting any quarterbacks, either early or late in last weekend’s draft.

“We evaluated the quarterback position from top to bottom this year,” Quinn responded. “We were fortunate enough to see Jordan Love (Packers 1st-rounder) at the Senior Bowl, spend time with Tua (Tagovailoa, No. 5 overall to Miami), (Justin, No. 6 overall to the Chargers) Herbert and all these guys.

There were a few guys on our board we liked later (rounds), but when the time came, we had other guys that were rated a little bit higher than them.”

Quinn made it pretty clear the team is set at quarterback and happy about where it stands, too.

“The quarterback position for us is, Matthew (Stafford) is our guy,” Quinn said emphatically. “We signed Chase Daniel to a multi-year deal to be our backup. Experienced, veteran quarterback that has gone in and played in a lot of games. We feel like we upgraded the backup quarterback position with Chase.”

As for a developmental project, Quinn is happy with David Blough.

“Then we have David Blough coming back from last year. He got pressed into action last year late in the season when we had two quarterbacks injured. He was a young kid who kind of got thrown in and he did make some plays for us. He made some rookie mistakes as well, and he’ll grow from that.”

Quinn’s voice was confident and unwavering in reiterating at the end of the answer that “Matthew is our guy” and reinforcing his belief in both Daniel and Blough for their roles.

Julian Okwara ‘excited to get to work’ with brother Romeo in Detroit

Julian Okwara ‘excited to get to work’ with brother Romeo in Detroit on a phone interview with Sirius XM after being drafted by the Lions

Julian Okwara joined Sirius XM NFL Radio for a phone interview shortly after he was informed he was joining older brother, Romeo, as a member of the Detroit Lions. The third-round pick from Notre Dame is definitely excited to join his brother and help the Detroit Lions win some football games.

Julian was asked about if he believed pre-draft that he could join Romeo in Detroit.

“No, I mean, going through the process you meet with all the teams and you never expect it. It just went…it’s a dream come true,” he said proudly.

He addressed the injury issue that many believe caused him to fall in the draft process. Okwara broke his leg and missed the final four Notre Dame games in 2019.

“I got injured in the 9th game against Duke. I wasn’t sure, a lot of things were going through my head. (phone breaks up) … I just knew I was not going to freak out, that I would do whatever I could to work out and get myself healthy. Now I’m just going through the process and excited to get to work.”

Julian noted that he didn’t “play the waiting game too much” because he was at brother Romeo’s draft party and saw what happened when his big brother went undrafted.

Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff on navigating the NFL’s virtual draft

Since free agency is cooling down, though, Atlanta is now preparing for the first ever virtual NFL draft.

It’s been an eventful offseason for Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff. Since the free agency period is cooling down, though, Atlanta is now preparing for the first ever virtual NFL draft.

We’ll get to see which teams adapt to these unique circumstances and how much of an impact it has on this year’s draft process.

Dimitroff joined SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio and discussed the franchise’s preparation for what is sure to be an interesting weekend for the league.

Listen below, as shared by the station’s Twitter account:

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PGA Tour’s motion to dismiss Hank Haney lawsuit denied by district court

The PGA Tour’s motion to dismiss a Hank Haney lawsuit regarding the termination of his radio show was denied by a district court on Monday.

A judge for the Southern District of Florida has denied the PGA Tour’s motion to dismiss Hank Haney’s lawsuit against the Tour related to the termination of his show on SiriusXM’s PGA Tour Radio station.

The former golf coach filed a lawsuit against PGA Tour, Inc. on Dec. 18, 2019, seeking damages for harm he claims the PGA Tour caused by allegedly interfering with his show.

The Tour argued Haney’s claims were “bereft of factual specificity.” Alternatively, the Tour said that even if Haney’s allegations satisfy pleading standards, Haney has “still failed to allege facts demonstrating that Defendant unjustifiably interfered with Plaintiffs’ contract and/or business relationship.”

But the court disagreed. From the ruling Monday:

“The Court, having reviewed the parties’ submissions, the record, and being otherwise fully advised in the premises, finds that the allegations teed up in this case—like a well-hit drive on the golf course—have avoided pleading hazards under Rule 12(b)(6), remained in bounds, and left Plaintiffs with an opportunity to take their next shot.”

In a statement to Golf Digest’s Brian Wacker, Haney said he was pleased with the decision. “Discovery will show the evidence in our favor is overwhelming and indisputable, and evidences a disturbing influence the PGA Tour exercises in the golf world, including on media outlets.”

The PGA Tour has said it doesn’t comment on pending litigation.

In his lawsuit, Haney claims the Tour had “long-standing animus” toward him dating from a desire to “settle an old score” relating to his 2012 book, “The Big Miss,” about his relationship with Tiger Woods, whom he coached for six years.

The lawsuit alleges the Tour forced its Superstores and other shops to cancel orders of Haney’s book, directed the Golf Channel in 2013 to discontinue Haney’s TV show, the “Haney Project,” and convinced sponsors to discontinue relationships with Haney.

Last May, Haney was originally suspended, then dismissed at the Tour’s instruction, from his radio show with Steve Johnson due to insensitive comments he made about the potential winner of the U.S. Women’s Open.

HANEY: Remarks about Korean golfers ‘based on statistics and facts’
TIGER: Hank Haney got what he deserved

Haney, who instructed more than 200 tour professionals throughout his career, issued an apology after facing backlash in the media and from players. His lawsuit states SiriusXM accepted the apology and agreed there would be minimal, if any, consequences.

The lawsuit claims that his dismissal “cost [Haney] advertising revenues that would have amounted to millions of dollars over the life of the agreement.”

As part of his deal with Sirius, which was signed in November 2017 and was set to continue until Feb. 15, 2021, Haney received $250,000 per year plus a percentage of the advertising revenue generated by the program.

Since his dismissal, Haney has a new podcast on iHeart Radio.

 

Aikman: Cowboys tagging Prescott ‘could have damaging effects’

The three-time Super Bowl champ thinks Dallas’s QB has earned a record payday and believes a franchise tag on him could do genuine harm.

The contract standoff between Dak Prescott and the Cowboys appears to be headed toward a franchise tag designation for the starting quarterback. The front office seems willing to let that happen in order to not set the market at the position; the player has no reason to voluntarily undercut his earning potential after a career-best showing in 2019.

Now the most decorated quarterback in the franchise’s history has publicly thrown his support behind the man currently doing the job for his former team. Hall of Famer Troy Aikman says that not only does Prescott deserve a record payday, he believes that owner Jerry Jones risks doing irreparable harm by not giving it to him.

Aikman was interviewed earlier this week on SiriusXM NFL Radio. Host Zig Fracassi and former NFL coach Todd Haley asked the three-time Super Bowl champion about Prescott and his ongoing negotiations with the club.

“He’s one of the best young players that I’ve been around. I think sometimes ‘leadership’ and ‘leaders’ gets thrown around. Those words get thrown around, in maybe a way that’s not reflective of, maybe, the players. But this guy, in every sense of those words, it’s what he is. His teammates love playing for him. He has an energy and a charisma about him that I haven’t seen in very many guys. And I think, for the most part, he’s matched that in his play and the progress he’s made.

“I know Jerry has talked about wanting to sign him; to me, it is a no-brainer. I’m surprised it hasn’t happened. I’d hate to think what might happen or how Dak might feel if they end up going the franchise tag route. I just don’t think that’s going to be in the best interest of all parties, and ultimately, I don’t think it’s in the best interest of the Cowboys. And it could have damaging effects, in my opinion. I’m hopeful they get a deal done.

“Sometimes I think what the public thinks of a guy or what the media thinks of a guy is not always the same way that a locker room feels about him or really how he presents himself and carries himself within the football team. That is not the case with Dak. I’ve never seen him in a situation where he’s not been totally authentic; I think that’s what’s endeared him to the players. And he’s old-school in the sense that he- honestly- in a time when I think more and more players are worried more about themselves, he’s an old-school guy that truly only cares about winning football games. It’s been refreshing. I love him. I hope he gets his money. He deserves it, and I believe that he will.”

As Grant Gordon of NFL.com points out, the former fourth-round draft pick out of Mississippi State has not missed a start since being thrown into the first-string role as a rookie. Prescott had never even missed a practice until late last season.

For 64 straight regular season games, Prescott has been one of the best quarterbacks in the league by any statistical measure. He’s been a stand-up guy after both wins and losses, the face of the franchise, a role model in the community, and an exemplary spokesman for America’s Team. He also happens to have done it all for mere peanuts on the NFL’s gargantuan pay scale.

It’s time for Prescott’s salary to match his resume.

And the guy with one of the best resumes in Cowboys history agrees.

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