With Chad Brown filling in for Big Al, CJ dives into a packed football weekend as the Denver Broncos enter the playoffs as the AFC’s No. 1 seed. The guys evaluate the most favorable and most dangerous potential matchups, analyze the AFC Wild Card field, and explain why this season’s parity makes every outcome feel possible. They also expand the conversation to the NFC contenders, debate the MVP race and whether a non-quarterback like Myles Garrett deserves serious consideration, and examine the coaching carousel’s potential impact on the Broncos. The show wraps with a deep discussion on Colorado football, the hiring of a new athletic director, the realities of NIL and fundraising, and what it will take for the Buffs to compete nationally.
CJ and Chad Brown open with a wide-ranging look at the NFL postseason, highlighting Denver’s unexpected rise to the top of the AFC and breaking down which Wild Card teams present the best and worst paths forward for the Broncos. They examine matchups involving Buffalo, Jacksonville, Houston, the Chargers, and Pittsburgh while also touching on NFC contenders like Philadelphia, Seattle, and the Rams. The conversation shifts to individual awards, where Chad makes the case for Matthew Stafford while CJ argues that Myles Garrett’s dominance should put him at the center of the MVP discussion despite the quarterback bias. The second half of the show explores the league’s coaching carousel and how potential staff changes could affect Denver, before turning to college football with a detailed look at Colorado’s new athletic director, NIL economics, donor influence, and what it will take for the Buffs under Coach Prime to compete in the evolving landscape of the College Football Playoff.
00;00;00;23 - 00;00;19;06
CJ
Well, it's a sports bonanza around this great state of Colorado. And, the Big Al and C.J. show is going to get into it all with my main man, Chad Brown, sitting in for the big fella.
00;00;19;09 - 00;00;20;27
CJ
What's up, big fella?
00;00;21;00 - 00;00;37;06
Chad Brown
Man, I am looking forward to this football weekend. Obviously got started last night with the first game in the CFP and then looking forward to, chopping it up with you, my man. We used to do this together once upon a time, and now it's great to be back on camera, I guess with you.
00;00;37;08 - 00;00;57;06
CJ
Yeah, you kind of kick me to the curb like an old prom dress, but, I forgive you, man. I mean, you know, I got nothing but love for you. As you know, the big fella's, outfit is. Who the hell knows what al is doing, man? He's probably in Thailand somewhere harassing the natives. Who knows?
00;00;57;09 - 00;01;05;04
Chad Brown
You know, our boy is, My material is a great way to describe him. He's elusive. Hard to pin down.
00;01;05;06 - 00;01;08;26
CJ
That's a great way to describe. How you doing, man? I was on holiday.
00;01;08;29 - 00;01;19;21
Chad Brown
Holidays were great, man. Holidays were great. Had some, family in town here in Arizona for Christmas.
00;01;19;23 - 00;01;22;26
CJ
You know, that's one way you you can when you know.
00;01;22;28 - 00;01;27;22
Chad Brown
That's always any kind of time with them. But I had you.
00;01;27;28 - 00;01;51;22
CJ
You froze for a second when you began to explain your your in-laws. We're in for Christmas, and you were about to say something that probably wasn't true because, you know, when people start talking about in-laws, what they say and what actually happens oftentimes don't match, you know, they're going to see the show. So you going to say something that's awfully kind and uncomplimentary, where what you told me before the show wasn't that.
00;01;51;22 - 00;01;53;27
CJ
But anyway, go ahead, man.
00;01;53;29 - 00;02;12;18
Chad Brown
I actually was my parents who were in town for Thanksgiving. So, yes, it was great to see, you know, my parents, my dad's obviously not getting any younger, so each holiday with him is always incredibly special. But hopefully yours were fine. Family fun and all the great things that we do around the holidays it's had.
00;02;12;18 - 00;02;43;24
CJ
In fact, they were man, we had a great time. And you said something that was, in all seriousness, so true, particularly for guys like us as we, well into our mid 50s. You talk about parents, both my parents have, have, passed away and, you know, over the years and, but I find myself around the holiday season, for those elders, those who, poured into us and, and gave us so much as we were coming of age.
00;02;43;26 - 00;03;04;21
CJ
They're aging. You know, we talk about us aging, but they're aging the way you define your your pop's not getting any younger, you know that? I know exactly what you're saying there. And so I just wanted to give a shout out to, particularly as we come out of this holiday season and all those folks that, that we honor and certainly should honor for all that they've given us to.
00;03;04;23 - 00;03;26;25
Chad Brown
And then I'll take it one step further. Now it's our time. You know, we got together, for Christmas celebration with my wife's family. So this walk around the room and sit down with each of the nieces and nephews and, you know, ask all those questions, talk about school, talk about college. The same thing that I've seen my dad do, the same thing that my grandfather did.
00;03;26;25 - 00;03;37;15
Chad Brown
Now it's my turn to do that, to let them know that there's somebody in this family who's concerned about you, wants to know about your life, interested in what you're doing. Yeah. Now is our time to take that mantle up.
00;03;37;18 - 00;03;40;06
CJ
That's real talk, man. We have become our parents.
00;03;40;08 - 00;03;41;03
Chad Brown
Yes.
00;03;41;05 - 00;03;47;13
CJ
And it's crazy because I remember when my dad was my age, I was like, damn, pops is old as hell.
00;03;47;17 - 00;03;50;29
Chad Brown
Like, I'm he, you know.
00;03;50;29 - 00;04;10;11
CJ
Like dang pops. And, you know, you think back, he's like, ma'am, I'm that age now. I don't feel that way. Although that's how the world sees us, our nieces and nephews and and sons and daughters and and, But. Yeah. Absolutely. Right. Man, it's just, a great time to reflect on that stuff, man.
00;04;10;13 - 00;04;22;24
Chad Brown
Yeah. And for you, you know, stay at the club. Don't be the old man in the club. I know how you like to do. Hey, hey. Hey, man. Hey. Hey, man.
00;04;22;26 - 00;04;27;27
CJ
I ain't been in the club. No, I hadn't been in that kind of club and a long time.
00;04;27;29 - 00;04;28;23
Chad Brown
Hey, look.
00;04;28;23 - 00;04;50;16
CJ
Man, let's get right to it, bro. Let's not is going on. Say we got, the Denver Broncos that we're getting to right? Right here. But, of course, a lot happening up. And see you with the new athletic director. We'll talk about that. Chad. Coaching carousel. I think it will have an impact on this Denver Broncos franchise at a at a certain level, a certain point.
00;04;50;18 - 00;05;27;27
CJ
And in college football, I mean, you look at you look at transfer portals in the madness and the craziness that's taking place there, a story that's that's sort of been unfolding for about a month now as it relates to see you in a transfer portal, you know, national championship game, you got, nil. I mean, college football I think is in a it's if I had to characterize it one way or the other, it's in a bad place, but it's a bad place that I think was necessary in order for it to find its true higher ground.
00;05;27;29 - 00;05;52;21
CJ
But we're going through the sausage making. Is ugly, man, and it's difficult to sort of digest, but we'll talk more about that. I do want to start however. Oh, there's a plane out, another plane I wanted to make, and I want to give a shout out to Kristen Brown for her to have the patience to deal with you on these Broncos postgame shows.
00;05;52;23 - 00;06;15;19
CJ
And, I mean, I love how she correctly many people assume that because you are the the the analyst and the, you know, the 15 year NFL guy and you know, you know, the Pro Bowl and all, that's the all pro, all that stuff that, you know, what the hell are you talking about? The number of times that she actually corrects you and she rightfully corrects you, I think is fascinating, man.
00;06;15;19 - 00;06;30;03
CJ
So I had to give him a girl a shout out man. For one, dealing with your lack of accuracy on about half the things you say and on having the patience and the love to, to walk you through that. So shout out to my girl. I just had to put that little piece in there.
00;06;30;05 - 00;06;51;23
Chad Brown
So I appreciate the shout out. I will I'll pass it along to her and she will appreciate it as well. Yes. Here on Gorilla Sports tuning every Broncos after every Bronco game for Bronco Postgame Live, me and Christine Brown chop it up. And it's a little bit of a different kind of show because, you know, she teased me up and asked me questions that maybe you were afraid to ask, or maybe your wife's been asking you.
00;06;51;23 - 00;07;15;10
Chad Brown
You don't know how to answer it. So we certainly dive deeply into the Broncos game. What happened, all that stuff. But it's also a little bit of football 101 sometimes upper level football discussion as I break down some of these concepts. So yeah, she's done a really tremendous job. I'm quite proud of what she's done. And yes, I will give her her props when she has to correct me from time to time.
00;07;15;12 - 00;07;34;21
CJ
More than just from time to time. But you guys do a great job. Hey man. Broncos number one seed going into the playoffs in the AFC. Of course get a bye this upcoming week. Before we even get into the actual matchups I want to ask you who do you think the most favorable matchup for the Broncos will be?
00;07;34;23 - 00;07;57;27
CJ
You know, next week when they play their first playoff game? But the mere fact that we're sitting here, Chad, and we're talking about this team as the number one seed in the AFC. Like if you reflect on the season in the current NFL, what does that what does that even say to you?
00;07;58;00 - 00;08;17;05
Chad Brown
I think it's for me, I think it speaks to the quality of coaching and what Sean Payton's been able to pull off. And so when you look around the league, there's some obviously some new teams in the playoff this year. That's kind of the story. The NFL with their parity model. You always want to keep fan bases excited.
00;08;17;07 - 00;08;41;15
Chad Brown
But we have seen some good runs from teams over the last couple of years. Most recently the Kansas City Chiefs. And now it's the Chiefs are the current dominant era is done. Now they have got to try to rebuild to see what they can build in the future. With Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. But even during the Chiefs run, it was clear that they were an imperfect team.
00;08;41;17 - 00;09;02;23
Chad Brown
But now we've got a entire player filled with imperfect teams. And so this is maybe the one of the oddest years in recent memory where no matter what conference you look at, when you look at the, divisional round next week or this is the wild card round this week, every team you can see, you can make an argument why that team should win.
00;09;02;26 - 00;09;24;22
Chad Brown
And you can make an argument why that team will lose. So, I think from that perspective, we go into his football weekend really uncertain, not knowing what's going to happen, but to see specifically to your question about the Broncos, what Sean Peyton's been able to pull off and have his team win as many close games as they have, as many different ways as they have.
00;09;24;24 - 00;09;44;23
Chad Brown
So the Broncos have some issues. Clearly, Sean Payton is not a perfect coach, but to instill that close win gene into the team, no matter what happens, we'll find a way to get it done. That's why they find themselves in the position that they are right now. Number one seed in the AFC getting the chance to watch people play football this weekend that actually have to play themselves.
00;09;44;25 - 00;10;06;19
CJ
And the crazy part about it is, I don't know that, that anyone predicted that this would be the outcome this year for this team. I think most folks would, would have or did predict or would say that they're a year ahead of schedule, at least a year ahead of schedule. But I do think it is a reflection of parity in the league.
00;10;06;21 - 00;10;42;05
CJ
I guess you can say, there there's not an outcome this weekend or quite frankly, as I project forward, not even knowing who would be in a divisional round, that would actually shock me. They'll be favorites, but there's not an outcome that was shock me. Like in years past. If you were to tell me that, you know, the, you know, the San Diego or the, the LA Chargers would beat the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round, that'd be a shocking sort of outcome, given who Kansas City was and and who the charges were.
00;10;42;10 - 00;11;07;14
CJ
If you were to tell me, you know, back in, you know, ten years ago that the Patriots led by, Belichick and and that that regime would get upset in the first round, you know, there was some shocking outcomes that we could think of in the past. This year, nothing would shock me. Could the Denver Broncos win the Super Bowl, Apsa freaking lowly.
00;11;07;16 - 00;11;18;13
CJ
Could they go out in the first in the divisional round? Abso freaking lutely right. So there's no outcome that would shock me. And it just speaks to the parity I think in the league today.
00;11;18;15 - 00;11;30;10
Chad Brown
Yeah Kristen Brown and I sat down last night you know prayed up a little, you know, ESPN bracket kind of thing. And you know you do yours and I'll do mine. And so I mean you make you work you make.
00;11;30;10 - 00;11;33;09
CJ
And Kristen Chris is actually well.
00;11;33;11 - 00;11;38;07
Chad Brown
I gotta I gotta tell her to be on the show. She's gotta do some homework, you know? Man.
00;11;38;10 - 00;11;43;01
CJ
Anyway, I sorry to interrupt you, but this is B I gotta get Chris in the anyway. Go ahead. Man.
00;11;43;05 - 00;12;06;07
Chad Brown
I prepare for the games that I call. I prepare for something like this. You might want to know some stuff. So before the playoffs start, here's your bracket. Here's my bracket. We'll have a chance to compare, when we're all done with this. But we went to that bracket possibility. And again, as you go over each of the games, I suppose Carolina, in my mind, is the one least likely to win.
00;12;06;10 - 00;12;25;00
Chad Brown
But I can draw up a scenario because they've run the ball a couple of times in the second half of the season really, really well and had a couple 200 yard rushing games. So for them to somehow pull that rabbit out of the hat, they could find a way to get upset as well. But anyway, at any rate, to your point, anybody can win any of these games.
00;12;25;00 - 00;12;32;00
Chad Brown
But right now I'm on the same page with you. I can see a clear path for the Broncos to get to the Super Bowl.
00;12;32;03 - 00;12;35;13
CJ
Who's the one team?
00;12;35;15 - 00;12;50;21
CJ
That the Broncos would have to confront that you said you would say, okay, as a second round matchup. That's the that's the the least favorable matchup. And then flip that. Who would be the most favorable matchup in your opinion.
00;12;50;23 - 00;13;10;16
Chad Brown
Well I think you know Chargers being the seventh seed with them with Herbert being banged up with their offensive line being banged up. They got injuries on the defensive side of the ball as well. I think they've squeeze as much juice as they can out of that orange. It's just not their year based on the injuries. So the Broncos want to get matched up with them then being the lowest seed.
00;13;10;19 - 00;13;34;06
Chad Brown
If they were to win, that's what the Broncos would play. I think that would be a pretty easy win for the Broncos. But the next lowest seed, the Buffalo Bills, a Buffalo, gets past, Jacksonville man. Josh Allen looking at a playoff scenario where there's no Patrick Mahomes, there's no Lamar Jackson who has who has been the reason why he's not gone to the Super Bowl over the last several years.
00;13;34;13 - 00;13;50;10
Chad Brown
For him to look at the playoffs and go, I'm the best quarterback in the playoffs. I'm the only dude this year in the playoffs who can win a game by himself. So he's sitting on his bed every morning. Looking into his closet is a Superman cape, thinking, I'm gonna put that thing on. I'm gonna find a way to get this done.
00;13;50;12 - 00;13;56;17
Chad Brown
If they get past Jacksonville, that's going to be a tough game in my mind for the Broncos going against the bills.
00;13;56;19 - 00;14;21;22
CJ
And that's the thing about Patrick Mahomes I mean I'm sorry about Josh Allen. Same with Patrick Mahomes. He's just that plan is that whenever whenever those guys are on the field, regardless of what the odds are with the odds makers say, you know, you almost feel like they're the favorite to win, right? I clearly think Jacksonville is the better team.
00;14;21;25 - 00;14;50;17
CJ
We've seen what Josh Allen can do in these situations. We'll see whether or not Jacksonville has the true chops. If you were to ask me, forget about seeding. Forget about any of that stuff you had to say, okay, just on the eyeball. Who's the best team in the AFC? When the season ended, I'd be hard pressed not to say Jacksonville, but it almost doesn't end well.
00;14;50;20 - 00;15;11;12
Chad Brown
Yeah. You'd be you'd be foolish not to include them in that conversation. They reeled off eight in the road. But if you think this is one year too early for the Broncos, this may be also one year too early for Jacksonville rookie head coach. Quarterback hasn't quite played at this level in the past. There's you know, all that around them as well.
00;15;11;12 - 00;15;27;15
Chad Brown
But they're they turn the ball over on defense. They got an offense that's got some explosive playmakers. There's a lot to be said why they can win. I just think maybe it's a year too early versus a more grizzled, hardened veteran. Like Buffalo Bills and Josh Allen.
00;15;27;18 - 00;15;30;18
CJ
Sound like you got Buffalo in that game.
00;15;30;20 - 00;15;51;04
Chad Brown
I do, I do, I get it. If Jacksonville wins, it's not going to be a shock or surprise to me. But I just think this is Josh Allen's opportunity and he will seize, at least here in the first round and get into the divisional round because he doesn't have the face again. Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes, who have knocked him out every year.
00;15;51;06 - 00;15;53;15
CJ
Who does the Steelers have this week in.
00;15;53;17 - 00;15;57;00
Chad Brown
Houston, Texas?
00;15;57;02 - 00;16;17;29
CJ
You know, I'll be honest with you, that the Steelers don't scare me at all. The Texans do. See, I think the Texans are another one. Not to say that Pittsburgh can't beat Houston, because they certainly could. But if you're looking at if you're if you're the Denver Broncos, here are the teams that I want to see advance.
00;16;18;01 - 00;16;50;11
CJ
I want to see Jacksonville advance, even though I think they are arguably the best team in the AFC at the end of the season. But they don't have a they don't have a, they don't have that guy. Right. They don't have Josh Allen I don't I want to see Pittsburgh Advance because I think Houston's defense with the quarterback who's capable of getting hot and and going off, that's an additional challenge.
00;16;50;11 - 00;17;18;02
CJ
That's the challenge. I don't necessarily want to see. And, of course I want to see the Chargers beat the Patriots. That is the perfect sort of outcome, I think, for the Denver Broncos. If you're Broncos fan projecting forward in the playoffs. So you end up playing Jacksonville at home. You know you'll end up playing the the Chargers at home next week if that scenario comes true.
00;17;18;05 - 00;17;38;23
CJ
So I mean but the margin is so narrowly thin I think the Steelers are another sort of fascinating. Your your old team, the team that drafted you and you had so much said one of the teams. You have so much success with. I think they are, you know, in terms of stories. That's one that, you know, they they looked up and got in.
00;17;38;25 - 00;17;55;26
CJ
And Rodgers is their quarterback. Mike T is the head coach. They are the the Pittsburgh Steelers. That brand has as much cash as any in the National Football League. Very intriguing story coming out of Pittsburgh. I just don't think they got the the dogs to do it.
00;17;55;29 - 00;18;13;12
Chad Brown
They don't they don't. Again, would I be surprised they find a way to win? No. But Texans number one defense in the league and the Texans started the season and was it's one of the lowest scoring offenses in the NFL. Now they moved themselves in kind of into the lower part of the the middle of the pack.
00;18;13;14 - 00;18;34;02
Chad Brown
Now they're going about 23 points a game on average. So they've they've improved that. So if the Broncos were to face the Texans remember they face the Texans early this year and C.J. Stroud got banged up was out of that game. So that was the that was the sixth game the Broncos had against a backup quarterback. C.J. Stroud started that game.
00;18;34;02 - 00;18;51;24
Chad Brown
So they were five games with the Broncos face the backup quarterback going into the game. That's a six game when they played a backup quarterback. So, yeah, I think it'd be outcome would be far more difficult for the Broncos to get a win if they were to play the Texans again. Again, that defense is just so darn good.
00;18;51;27 - 00;19;15;00
CJ
Yeah. And real quick on the other side of the ledger in the NFC I you know it's amazing how how throughout the course of this year I think everyone has sort of overlooked Philadelphia. And they just end up right there all the time. That is a there's something to say about having gone through the fire. That's a team that's continually going through the fire.
00;19;15;03 - 00;19;36;16
CJ
Wouldn't surprise me if they win the whole thing certainly wouldn't surprise me if they went to NFC. The sexy pick. I think, however. So the Rams the loss and or the the LA Rams. That's the team I think with Matthew Stafford you get that you get puka puka nacua. Am I saying that right.
00;19;36;18 - 00;19;38;26
Chad Brown
Who can of course. Yeah I don't know who came from.
00;19;39;00 - 00;19;43;05
CJ
A I don't know what a hell he came from, but Lord have mercy.
00;19;43;08 - 00;19;48;29
Chad Brown
This is all man. Yeah. I mean.
00;19;49;01 - 00;20;00;20
CJ
I mean, you wouldn't get an argument out of me if you would if someone said Puka is the best receiving the league, I might disagree in the margins, but you wouldn't get a vicious argument out of me that guys.
00;20;00;26 - 00;20;26;05
Chad Brown
But it's certainly worth worthy of an argument for sure. Is he the most talented guy? No. But does he maximize every talent to fiber in his being? He does circus catches, regular catches, toughness, blocking, route running. He does all those things at an incredibly high level. Now, this was four weeks ago. Five weeks ago, I would I could see where you're coming from with the Rams, but the sign has come off a little bit here.
00;20;26;05 - 00;20;50;23
Chad Brown
Yeah. They play with their food a little bit last week when they and against the team they should have just smoked. So I think the Rams have the talent Matthew Stafford certainly deserves to be in the MVP conversation. The defense is really good. Puka Nacua can certainly change games by himself. Devonte Adams who's a touchdown maker at the receiver spot 5050 balls turning to 9010 balls when he's in the game.
00;20;50;25 - 00;21;02;07
Chad Brown
I just think, you know, they're they they've tripped themselves tripped up a little bit over the last couple weeks. And if I would have a favorite over on the NFC side it's got to be my former team the Seahawks.
00;21;02;09 - 00;21;22;21
CJ
You know what like Philadelphia the Seahawks as a team. Yeah we mentioned three teams in NFC. Didn't even mention the Seahawks. Who has the number one seed in that team that defense. And when they run the ball that team looks like the best team in the National Football League when they get their running game going a little bit.
00;21;22;23 - 00;21;33;12
CJ
But again, you get back to the same thing. Playoff football is no different. The quarterback makes a big difference. You man. And I don't know if I can believe in him yet.
00;21;33;14 - 00;21;53;03
Chad Brown
Sam Darnold has had a few too many multiple turnover games I think for anybody. Even the biggest Seahawks fan on the planet has to recognize that potential is still out there, even in that incredible game against the Rams on Thursday night, which I think my Seahawks won because I was out there raising the 12th man flag, I consider myself to be a lucky charm.
00;21;53;04 - 00;22;03;12
CJ
Did you raise the flag? Do we have any do we have any footage of that? Were you the guy up there looking, looking stupid with the was you put your bang the drum or what do you guys do?
00;22;03;14 - 00;22;25;24
Chad Brown
We we raise the flag. Once the flag is up, we lean over the railing and we wave the 12th man towel and we get the people riled up. So I again, I like to think my performance as the 12th man flag raiser was the difference and end up being a one point victory in overtime by the Seahawks. So that's all on me.
00;22;25;29 - 00;22;28;00
Chad Brown
I take I take credit for the track.
00;22;28;03 - 00;22;36;11
CJ
Chad was the 12th man flag raiser. I'm gonna get you a t shirt, man with that on it. But, we're going to go.
00;22;36;15 - 00;22;37;13
Chad Brown
We're going to.
00;22;37;16 - 00;22;53;27
CJ
The 12th man flag raising my dog. But you're right. Seattle. Seattle is right there, Chad. And so, you know, I just think on both sides it's going to be every game is, I think, going to be close in any outcome.
00;22;53;29 - 00;22;55;04
Chad Brown
00;22;55;06 - 00;23;04;01
CJ
Or there will be no outcome that would shock me. Now, you mentioned MVP. Before we move on, who's your MVP in the National Football League this year?
00;23;04;03 - 00;23;14;05
Chad Brown
Oh, man. If the 49th year. There we go. Yeah. See, there's me raising the flag. Boom.
00;23;14;07 - 00;23;17;14
CJ
Look at my dad.
00;23;17;16 - 00;23;38;06
Chad Brown
I see who is that with you? It's Daryl Jackson. He was also, elected to the top 50 Seahawks of all time team, just as I was earlier this year. See the quarterback go bananas, man. Yeah, it takes it takes a special skill set to get that towel going. Right. Is that what it is? Yes, that's what it's about.
00;23;38;06 - 00;23;56;12
CJ
The man flag raiser and. Oh, man, that looks like that. Looks like a hell of a time there, Ted. By the way, I love that stadium. I've never been in the stadium for a game, but I've been in the stadium for Kendrick Lamar concert. Man, that that bad boy rocks. Man, I love that,
00;23;56;14 - 00;24;22;18
Chad Brown
Acoustically design. Paul Allen hired an acoustic engineer when they were in the design phase to ensure that that was the loudest stadium at field level in the NFL. I know the Chiefs and that stadium go back and forth between who's actually the loudest stadium, you know, usually raised about one decibel or two a year, but at field level is impossible to communicate in that stadium because that's how loud it is down there.
00;24;22;25 - 00;24;42;20
Chad Brown
Hand signals and all that stuff's a must. That's a go back to in deep conversation. Yeah. If the 40 Niners had a better playoff prospects, they weren't going in as banged up as they are. I think Christian McCaffrey would be deserving Colorado's own Christian McCaffrey. You know, over a thousand yards rushing. I'm not sure how close he got to a thousand receiving.
00;24;42;22 - 00;25;02;23
Chad Brown
He's been the backbone of that football team despite so many injuries that they've had. But it's a quarterback award MVP at this point. As a quarterback award you damn quarterbacks take all the glory when you sometimes you don't always deserve it. So it's going to come down between the great man and Matthew Stafford. Yes, we will get to that.
00;25;02;25 - 00;25;09;09
Chad Brown
I know it's coming up. We will get to that. So but right now my pick is Matthew Stafford. That's interesting.
00;25;09;11 - 00;25;30;02
CJ
Yeah that's nice because I like you. Like you said if this were four weeks to five weeks ago I think it would have. He was the shoo in. Right. And I love how you phrased it. Right. They played in their food too much. They messed around too much. This is the perfect year in part because of everything we've talked about, right?
00;25;30;02 - 00;25;57;29
CJ
There is no dominant team. I don't think there is a dominant sort of player or statistic. Well, there's one statistically dominant player who I think is the rightful would be the rightful recipient of the league's MVP this year. But I don't think I don't think the league and the voters have the balls to do it. Unfortunately, Myles Garrett should be the MVP this year.
00;25;58;01 - 00;25;58;15
Chad Brown
Yeah.
00;25;58;17 - 00;26;32;20
CJ
So listen he he broke the record 23 sacks. He's a dominant presence I mean watching him play despite how terrible his team was watching him play I mean if they had anything offensively there was any balance of that team. You know he they would be unstoppable. Unfortunately teams are ahead. Teams aren't. He doesn't even get the number of opportunities to rush the passer that most teams get.
00;26;32;23 - 00;26;46;01
CJ
And so to see what this guy has done, not just in terms of racking up sacks, but how offenses have to compensate for him every damn play, he's the MVP this year, man.
00;26;46;04 - 00;27;07;06
Chad Brown
This brings up a topic that's, you know, not necessarily on our agenda for the day, but, you think about the New Orleans Saints and how awful their roster is. And they've been winning games with Tyler Shuck as quarterback. You know, Kellen Moore deserves in some ways to be in the coach of the year conversation. But that's going to have to be to one of these playoff coaches.
00;27;07;06 - 00;27;28;23
Chad Brown
That's typically how that goes. And so for Myles Garrett or for Kellen more as a coach. Yeah. If you don't have a winning record, you can't be in this conversation for one of these big time awards. Now, there was a once upon a time that Cortez Kennedy won Defensive Player of the year award on a two and 14 Seahawks team.
00;27;28;26 - 00;27;48;29
Chad Brown
I think we are a little bit too, you know, social media type play savvy to allow that to happen again from a national award perspective, Myles Garrett may actually win that award this year, so he may be returned to the actual best player, not the guy who's on the best team. But yeah, we can have that in another show.
00;27;49;01 - 00;28;14;06
CJ
Yeah. No, I think I think again, like absent. Like we're not talking about Josh Allen. We're not talking about the usual suspects who have a career of a whose whole career has been a campaign for MVP. Like whoever wins the MVP this year, let's say, with the exception of maybe Matthew Stafford, whoever wins the MVP this year. What name necessarily?
00;28;14;06 - 00;28;36;15
CJ
It's not Patrick Mahomes, Mahomes or Josh, or Lamar. It's going to be someone relatively new to the award. And I just think this is the perfect gift for the NFL to step out of its, you know, sort of pre-made box that you obviously support. You got to have a winning team, you got to be on a playoff.
00;28;36;17 - 00;28;44;14
CJ
No, he's the best player in the National Football League and he should be recognized as such. That's all I'm saying, Chet.
00;28;44;16 - 00;29;09;29
Chad Brown
Okay. You know, but again, just looking at it last time a non quarterback won this award was Adrian Peterson in 2012. Peyton Manning got it in 13. And then Aaron Rodgers and Cam Newton and Matt Ryan and Tom Brady in the background Lamar Jackson Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers background Lamar Jackson last year Josh Allen so yeah I mean
00;29;10;02 - 00;29;28;22
CJ
Boring I mean yeah I mean this hail in many of these cases we should just all right here the three final before the season start. Let's just designate the three finalists for MVP and determine which three which one of the three will get it when the years. Oh, that's a that's in essence, the list that you just read.
00;29;28;24 - 00;29;31;04
CJ
I mean, there's nothing to that.
00;29;31;06 - 00;29;52;00
Chad Brown
I don't think any of these guys were a surprise when they won it. They didn't come out the woodwork somewhere outside of Matt Ryan in 2016. Tom Brady, Lamar Jackson, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen have won this thing since 2016. So yeah it's a quarterback award. You can nominate those guys every single year at the beginning of the season, and you could probably win some money that they would.
00;29;52;00 - 00;29;56;16
Chad Brown
Then you will finish in the top three by the time the season ended up.
00;29;56;18 - 00;30;25;07
CJ
That the coaching carousel has started, as it typically does at the end of each NFL season. Not a lot of surprises, with one exception. John Harbaugh, the former coach for the Baltimore Ravens. I don't think Stefanski was, there's no secret there. Or surprise there. I do think what's a little bit surprising is he immediately becomes one of the hottest coaching candidates in the league.
00;30;25;09 - 00;30;54;25
CJ
You know, he's someone is going to have to explain that to me. The situation in Miami, not shocking. A little bit sad, but not shocking. What took place, in Las Vegas. I hate to see, a career that has been, I think, so good in like, this. It does appear that, I mean, I think it was the right move, but I just hate to see,
00;30;54;28 - 00;30;55;21
Chad Brown
Pete Carroll, Pete.
00;30;55;21 - 00;31;04;13
CJ
Carroll go out the way that he's going to go out here. But any any surprises to you when you look at the coaching carousel?
00;31;04;16 - 00;31;27;10
Chad Brown
Know even the Harbaugh move didn't surprise me. You're one place for 18 years. Your message wears thin. Your decisions begin to get questioned. Your hires get questioned and challenged. Other people in the organization start to think they know better. And a new coach comes in, so the Ravens aren't going to suck in the future. They didn't suck this year.
00;31;27;10 - 00;31;49;04
Chad Brown
They underperformed. And Harbaugh I this next up he's going to be a good coach. It was just time for them to part ways. And I'll just give you a quick story. My first four years was with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Then I went back to Pittsburgh for year 14 of my career. And, I remember being in a team meeting that's probably my second or third day into a meeting.
00;31;49;04 - 00;32;13;03
Chad Brown
And I thought, this dude is telling the same damn stories that he told ten years ago, talking about Bill Cowher, the same stories. And we had a bye week coming up. And I thought, I wonder if he's going to do that same thing on the bye week that he did when I was here ten years ago, where he would get all pissed off at during practice, during the bye week and make us start practice over from stretch.
00;32;13;05 - 00;32;38;01
Chad Brown
And that's exactly what he did. He made it start practice over from stretch. This is bullshit. We're starting over from stretch. And so when I hear about these coaches getting fired as they as time moves along, I thought, yeah, because they don't have they played all their tricks. They played every card they could possibly play. So, I'm not surprised that Harbaugh and the Ravens parted ways again.
00;32;38;01 - 00;32;53;18
Chad Brown
It's more of an indicator of the time together than his coaching acumen that somehow he forgot how to coach him. He sucks as a coach. He immediately is at the very top of the possible head coach. Candidates of all these guys who are available to become head coaches this year.
00;32;53;20 - 00;33;09;05
CJ
I agree with everything you said there. I do think the voice grows stale. And here's the crazy thing he's probably one missed field goal away from us having this conversation about the guy who beat him.
00;33;09;07 - 00;33;17;21
Chad Brown
Right, who now may not also be safe. Mike Tomlin, he could lose this week and he could get fired. We can't wait with you.
00;33;17;23 - 00;33;44;16
CJ
And like John Harbaugh I think for football fans generally. But for both of those I think future Hall of Fame coaches I would love to see the shake up that puts both of them on a different sideline. I think it would add a, you know, inject a bit of spice and excitement and energy to the league. Imagine Mike Tomlin, I want to see Mike Tomlin coach the Las Vegas Raiders.
00;33;44;18 - 00;33;45;15
Chad Brown
00;33;45;18 - 00;34;08;16
CJ
I want to see him coach the Las Vegas Raiders. I want to see John Harbaugh, coach the Cleveland Browns. I think that would just be it would be interesting and new. I think both those guys will elevate each of those franchises. To what level? Who knows. But I think it would give them instant credibility. And I think that would be good for the league.
00;34;08;18 - 00;34;38;11
Chad Brown
I can't argue with those points at all, because those franchises need not some new hot, young offensive coordinator who spent half the season with Sean McVay, which seems to be kind of part of the hiring cycle these last five years. Right. But due to have done it well built teams have rebuilt teams who have gone through multiple have gone through quarterback changes, have gone through leadership changes, all the stuff that those guys have done in their 18 years for Harbaugh and how many years for Tomlin.
00;34;38;13 - 00;34;52;01
Chad Brown
You know, they went head to head 40 times. Those two guys, they they played against each other or coached against each other. So to see them go to those two franchises, that would instantly boost those franchises and make them better the day they walk in those facilities.
00;34;52;03 - 00;35;17;01
CJ
All right. Now to this coaching carousel has could potentially have, an impact on this Denver Broncos coaching staff. Of course, Vance Joseph rightfully recognizes when the top of being the in charge of one of the top defenses in the league, it's been that way the last couple of years. He's certainly a hot candidate for a head coaching job.
00;35;17;03 - 00;35;40;14
CJ
One as a former teammate of both of ours. Where do you think a what do you think? If you had a crystal ball and you could make it happen, what would be the ideal place for V.J. one and two? What impact might his departure have on the future of this, of this Denver Broncos franchise?
00;35;40;16 - 00;36;05;08
Chad Brown
Well, I feel very comfortable in saying in VJs first opportunity. What the Broncos. He was not given a fair shake. There was meddling up top. And so when you are the head coach and you get coaches foisted upon you that you didn't pick, when there are players who are, you know, you are you are forced to play that you don't want to play.
00;36;05;11 - 00;36;25;15
Chad Brown
That's not a real true opportunity. Right? So that that's the path. So now I have to imagine from VJs perspective, not hungering to get a head coaching job unless I get the pillars that are needed for success, an ownership group that knows how to do it, that's going to support me as a coach and not be meddling in the process.
00;36;25;18 - 00;36;47;07
Chad Brown
A general manager who I could be on the same page with, who doesn't think he knows better, but is willing to work hand in hand with me and then obviously the quarterback situation that's important as well. So if PJ can go to say, the New York Giants, I know Joe Shane is left a little bit to be desired as a GM, but the Mora family has overseen multiple Super Bowl championships.
00;36;47;10 - 00;37;14;19
Chad Brown
Jaxson Dart is a starting level quarterback who seemed to improve as the season went along, got to work to keep himself healthy. But if you go to the Ravens, obviously and Rashad, he has seen multiple Super Bowl victories, the front office in Baltimore, they always maximize the draft. They're one of the best teams at engineering extra draft picks by getting compensatory picks, taking more swings at the plate so they can get more players onto the roster.
00;37;14;25 - 00;37;33;23
Chad Brown
Lamar Jackson has a former MVP, so I'm looking for Vance to go someplace that where he can actually walk in the door. Those pillars are in place, and he can prove what kind of coach he is, not just coaching the defense, but being a coach of an entire football team. But it's obviously going to be made much easier when those pillars are in place.
00;37;33;25 - 00;37;52;17
Chad Brown
Isn't it interesting that Sean Payton walks in the door, and the ownership change suddenly gives him all the resources that he could ever need? There's a general manager and general manager there, and Peyton who is getting the players that he needs, they've got Bo Nix and the quarterback, and now they find themselves with the number one seed in the AFC.
00;37;52;22 - 00;38;13;05
Chad Brown
So if you can get those pieces as a coach walking in the door, it's going to give you much greater chance for success. So I'm looking for Vance not just to take any job, but take the right job for him. That can maximize his chances for success. And to go back to the second part of your question, there would be a massive departure for him to leave.
00;38;13;08 - 00;38;32;01
Chad Brown
I'm not sure who's going to be able to fill those shoes from a playcalling standpoint. Think you can create the kind of atmosphere that B.J. has created? We talked about him initially being a leader of man when he first got his opportunity with the Broncos years ago. But when your feet are cut from underneath you, it's hard to really show that.
00;38;32;01 - 00;38;50;04
Chad Brown
But I think he's been able to show that now. Now that he's been given the defense by Sean Payton. So, I'm not sure how the Broncos fill that void where Sean Payton would go from a defensive coordinator perspective. But then we also got to talk about Davis Webb, Davis Webb, the quarterback coach. He'll probably leave and get the offensive coordinator job.
00;38;50;06 - 00;39;11;11
Chad Brown
But this is what you have to deal with. If you are a successful football team, people are going to take your coaches in in a league where now, once again, 25% of the head coaches have been fired, there's going to be a tremendous amount of movement based on those head coaches, those head coach opportunities, and they're going to take some guys with them.
00;39;11;13 - 00;39;23;18
Chad Brown
So, this Broncos coaching staff will look far different next year. I'm assuming BJ will get one of these jobs, and I'm assuming at least Davis Webb will get an offensive coordinator position someplace else in the league.
00;39;23;21 - 00;39;45;16
CJ
You know, Chad, it's so interesting how coveted these job. The only 32 head coaching jobs in the league in the world. There are 32 NFL head coaching jobs. And it wasn't that long ago when the conversation was always, hey, listen, that no one has the luxury to turn a gig down because you never know how it's going to panned out or panned out moving forward.
00;39;45;18 - 00;40;26;14
CJ
But I do think we're in that era now. And you alluded to this, where you got to be careful of what job you take. Ben Johnson, for example. Guy who was the offensive coordinator for the Lions. And you see how it impacted two franchises, right? That the negative impact that his departure had on the Lions and the positive impact him understanding the situation I was going into in Chicago and figuring here's a formula to win and accepting that job after turning or turning down a number of jobs in the past to be interesting with Vijay, this being his second go around, because that job that you might not take was the job.
00;40;26;14 - 00;40;50;11
CJ
I think that he took, what, eight years, eight, eight or so years ago, nine years ago. Right. Because the Broncos job was not a very it wasn't it wasn't one of the better jobs for that that year with with coaching vacancies, didn't have a quarterback. The franchise seemed to be the ownership obviously was in the balance. The franchise wasn't very stable at that point.
00;40;50;14 - 00;41;12;02
CJ
And, you know, to your point, getting into a situation where he couldn't really own his program, own his team, didn't bear well. So would it be interesting to see, and you're right, when you look at a franchise one, what's the ownership commitment to? I'll probably look at it in this regard. I want to see that commitment.
00;41;12;05 - 00;41;43;26
CJ
And who is your damn quarterback? Right. Even before you a give me. I need a quarterback. He doesn't have to be a future hall of Famer. Just someone. And you mentioned the kid Jaxson Dart at with the Giants. Someone that you can that you know the franchise and the fan base are all in on right. So that's not something that's going to immediately derail your progress as a team because you know, half the folks are in half the folks I know.
00;41;43;26 - 00;42;05;09
CJ
But give me ownership group that's committed and give me a quarterback who, you know can play this game. And I think that's the franchise you want to end up. I was hoping not that I'm wishing that Zach Taylor was, was, you know, I'd gotten fired, but had that job come up because of his history in Cincinnati. I thought that would have been a great opportunity for him.
00;42;05;16 - 00;42;26;05
CJ
Offensively. You got all you need. As long as burrow is as healthy and he's known for building great defenses, that would have been, you know, an interesting at the very least, although kind of going against my parameters because the ownership can be a little, I can't even say cheap anymore. They pay players.
00;42;26;08 - 00;42;27;23
Chad Brown
They pay players what it is.
00;42;27;23 - 00;42;39;09
CJ
Yeah, they paid the quarterback. They pay those two receivers. So you know, but you do have to be a little bit picky. More picky than what we are accustomed to with coaches in the past.
00;42;39;11 - 00;43;12;14
Chad Brown
Yeah. And going back to Cincinnati, let's not forget there's a former bus quarterback who is the head of the personnel department out there, Duke Tolbert that's right, that's right. So, you have to imagine walking in the door and Duke would have an immediate understanding and bond there as well. So, yes. Obviously you'd love to get all three ownership GM quarterback, but I think if you can get two of those three, if you can get the front office GM on the same side and you got a quarterback like Joe Burrow, I know that situation's not available with Zac Taylor coming back.
00;43;12;16 - 00;43;28;26
Chad Brown
But to our to our overall point here, I think BJ is in a position where he can be selective with what opportunity he takes and does not feel obligated just to jump on something because somebody offers it to him. He did that before things and be more far wiser this time.
00;43;28;29 - 00;43;49;02
CJ
I think he is spot on there. And hey man, before we move on to, our beloved Q buffs. Now, let let, let's say elder here hit you up on a little game, man, because I know that, we haven't played a lot of golf at all over the course of the years together, but, I know it's something that you wish you were better at.
00;43;49;05 - 00;44;12;08
CJ
And I'm going to give you a little insight, man. You see your boy, the big fella right there, man. Although his swing is. It's okay. Maybe if he lost about 30 pounds, it'd be a little better. But, Golf. Dean, now you travel a lot. You're always in the damn airport. Yeah, except in those times when you fly in private, which is probably 50% of the time, and you don't go through what us common folk go through.
00;44;12;15 - 00;44;33;12
CJ
But when you own an airport, here's what you gotta do. This, this place golf did it is a golf simulation. Spot a concourse, mezzanine level. If you are, you forget all the stress of, you know, running to your gate and being, you know, hating the airport. Get there hour and a half early, go to golf, then. It is an incredible spot.
00;44;33;13 - 00;44;57;01
CJ
And I had the every time I go to the airport now, I make sure I got at least 30, 45 minutes to hit golf, then go to golf, go to golf dash, then.com. It's at, the Denver airport. Can't call it delay anymore. That's not it's the Denver airport in concourse. A on the mezzanine level chair.
00;44;57;04 - 00;45;09;03
CJ
And we had a blast. Man. Every time I go in there, I have a blast. I'm hitting you up on game now. Don't tell me I didn't get you anything. I know after the show is going to say I didn't get my Christmas gift. You must have send it to the wrong address. I'm giving it to you now.
00;45;09;06 - 00;45;11;26
CJ
Get over the golf. Dang, man, get your game tight.
00;45;11;28 - 00;45;34;18
Chad Brown
Okay, I've walked past it. I thought that's interesting. Now, you know, it's flight delays are a thing, particularly here in the in the winter time of the year. And that much as I travel, I will stop into golf then, and I will continue to work on my swing. So the the great Charlie Parker, the jazz musician,
00;45;34;21 - 00;45;55;21
Chad Brown
Oh, he sat in the back when he was still a teenager, and he was so bad, the drum player unscrewed a symbol and threw it at his head. So Charlie Parker went back to his basement and practiced every day for a year, and waited one calendar year before he went back to the set and blew him away with his skill set.
00;45;55;23 - 00;46;06;28
Chad Brown
So that's what my golf game is going to be like. Next time you see me on a course, I'm going to eat me this even though I'm working on my stuff, and then I'm going to just show up and blow you away.
00;46;07;00 - 00;46;10;03
CJ
You need me to pop. You've said here with a golf ball.
00;46;10;05 - 00;46;13;13
Chad Brown
Okay, we got to get this day started.
00;46;13;15 - 00;46;33;11
CJ
I mean, you tell me what you need. But in all seriousness, man, do go over there and get some swings. And, man, it's a great place. And if you out there listen again. Golf-den.com golf then you won't regret it. In fact you'll be calling me saying I appreciate the tip man, particularly this time of year when the weather's a little sketchy and you're not out there at the at the driving range or on the golf course.
00;46;33;11 - 00;46;59;21
CJ
Although this weather has been flat out tremendous. Check out my folks over at, at golf did. Hey, man, to see you buffs. New athletic director. Now you know Rick George is our guy. Love, Rick Ricky G. And I think the time is just about perfect for the change to happen. I'm excited about Fernando Lavoe. He was the former came to us by way of New Mexico.
00;46;59;24 - 00;47;19;16
CJ
He was a Lobo for about a year and a half as their athletics director. But spent significant time at the University of Texas. I know, I believe he was at Ohio State with Urban Meyer in that athletic department, and he was the chief of staff for the Jacksonville Jaguars when, when Urban Meyer was the head coach there.
00;47;19;23 - 00;47;44;09
CJ
So although he's only 37 years old, he has a good resume. But more than any of that, I think as a 37 year old, there you are. And I think this is the challenge of a lot of athletic departments as they try to adjust from what a department was tasked to do 15, 20, 30 years ago and what the charge is today.
00;47;44;12 - 00;48;06;14
CJ
This young man was reared sort of he got his chops in the environment in which he's asked to perform and not having to sort of translate, you know, a 2010 or 2000 sort of charge for an athletic department to, to what college athletics is all about right now.
00;48;06;16 - 00;48;34;24
Chad Brown
Obviously, the seismic shifts in college athletics, particularly in football, not to say that it was past Rick George's pay grade or skill set, but it's such a massive shift to bring in somebody who can understand some of the new blood in the new thinking. You know, it's still difficult for me sometimes. You know, I'm 55 years old to wrap my mind around why these people are making these choices and why are these kids doing this?
00;48;34;26 - 00;48;41;23
Chad Brown
For a far younger guy, almost 20 years younger than you and I, I can see him being able to relate. You know, I didn't tell anyone my age.
00;48;41;24 - 00;48;45;29
CJ
I didn't tell anyone my age. You speak for yourself, bro.
00;48;46;01 - 00;49;16;10
Chad Brown
Elder. So if I said I'm 55, people can do math. People can do. Give the audience some credit, C.J.. All right, so now the most difficult task, I think, in front of him is the fundraising. And so now, on one hand, your youth, may not necessarily be the advantage that it was in so many other circumstances because typically it's the older folks who got the money.
00;49;16;12 - 00;49;34;22
Chad Brown
But if you want to get some some money from Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of South Park who clearly love Colorado and love Boulder, maybe a younger guy walking in the door is a guy who can get that done. They just signed $1 billion deal with, I think what paramount. So maybe they're the ones who can become the sugar daddies for this program.
00;49;34;22 - 00;50;03;17
Chad Brown
And so for Logan, I think out the box a little bit like that. I love to see, because Mark Cuban is fueling the fire in Indiana. Well, let's get somebody some other billionaire to fuel the fire here in Boulder for our Colorado Buffaloes. Because if Coach Prime is going to be able to compete, I know they're going with a different model this year with a little bit lower level football guys trying to bring in a little bit more of a hungry guy who's eager to move up, levels.
00;50;03;19 - 00;50;26;16
Chad Brown
We'll see if that plays out on the football field. But in the future, if we want the buffs to compete in the CFP, it's going to take money to do that, and it's going to take getting the perfect transfer from Michigan or the perfect transfer from Ole Miss, the perfect transfer from Georgia. We need that one tight end to round out our offense, and it's going to take money to do that.
00;50;26;22 - 00;50;31;25
Chad Brown
So this guy's got that tall hill in front of him to get that done in Boulder.
00;50;31;27 - 00;50;59;10
CJ
No, I think you're right. And you look at Texas Tech. That's the program that sort of blows my mind. Where and an infusion of money from the pocket of billionaires put that team on a stage where it was one of the top. I mean, they had a bye in the College Football Playoff. In the college football playoffs this year.
00;50;59;13 - 00;51;21;29
CJ
You talk about going from zero to hero almost instantly. That's the interesting thing about college football today. It's possible we've seen it at Indiana, as you mentioned. You look at Vanderbilt and I mean, for generations, Vanderbilt was just an afterthought. I'm going to tell you another one at that. If they decide that they want to be good at football, they can purchase it instantly.
00;51;22;02 - 00;51;49;23
CJ
And that's northwestern. I just don't think they've made a decision that they necessarily need to be. But any program that has the capacity, the ability to do what T-Bone Pickens did for Oklahoma State before nil, obviously. So in a way, it's always been that way. It's just far more pronounced now because you're not just purchasing facilities, you're not buying the best locker rooms.
00;51;49;26 - 00;52;12;28
CJ
You're not you're not trying to paint the best picture. You're actually trying to buy the best players now. So it's a direct, right. It's it's directly to the bottom line. And so, that is a bit of a void here at Colorado. No shortage of capable sea alarm or or folks who have interest in see you.
00;52;13;00 - 00;52;29;17
CJ
But getting I think you're right. Fernando's job number one, is securing the the funding element that every college football, every relevant college football program in America has to secure at this point in the game.
00;52;29;19 - 00;52;46;18
Chad Brown
Yeah, you can only do so much with social media, and social media handles in the back of the practice jerseys and sell kids on boats. You can only do that so much in today's environment, but at some point the conversation comes down to money. I know Prime is gone with a little bit of a different tack this year.
00;52;46;21 - 00;53;03;25
Chad Brown
You know, I don't want kids coming in here talking about it, and I want kids who want to play for the bus, which I think is great. And I think it's certainly going to go along the lines of building a cohesive football team, not a band of mercenaries, but again, if we're going to compete at the top of college football, the money has to be there.
00;53;04;02 - 00;53;24;18
Chad Brown
And while that may not be the driving force for every kid becoming a Colorado buffalo, it's going to be hard to ask kids to take half, you know what I mean? If if Michigan's offering you a million and we can only offer 500,000, well, then that decision makes its own. It makes itself right. But if you can offer 750 and they're offering a million.
00;53;24;20 - 00;53;37;07
Chad Brown
Well, now we're having the conversation. You're coached by NFL Hall of Famers. You get a part to be good to be in Boulder rather than Michigan. I'm sorry. My bad I mean we the decision constrains bro.
00;53;37;07 - 00;53;38;28
CJ
We have way across the country.
00;53;39;01 - 00;54;01;26
Chad Brown
You made that decision back in 87. So you were actually made that decision correctly. So I don't mean to diss your home state. You do. Yeah. You do a little bit a little bit. Yeah. The Cali guy here. But I think that's got to be a part of the picture moving forward. I think we got to get the program to some stability first, but then we can start making those kind of moves in the future.
00;54;01;26 - 00;54;04;28
Chad Brown
And so that money is going to be a huge part of it.
00;54;05;01 - 00;54;27;26
CJ
No doubt about it. And we'll talk more about, what that means for you. I do at some point want to get into the dynamic. Obviously, probably as the second most important dynamic one, fundraising, but to that relationship with Coach Prime and the development of that and, how that works out, I think is vitally important. But we'll, we'll, we'll talk we'll have time to talk about that and we'll talk certainly.
00;54;27;26 - 00;54;47;21
CJ
We'll get into that more, as we get closer to spring ball. But I do want to talk before we get out of here, Chad, about the national championship game, the final four. Now, the final three. Miami punched its ticket last night in a win over, Ole Miss. I was actually, I found myself rooting for Ole Miss because it was,
00;54;47;24 - 00;55;08;21
CJ
It was just such a good story. I thought, and and really didn't have a dog in the fight, but I found myself rooting for Ole Miss, and, it didn't turn out, but Miami's in the in tonight. We have another great game. A rematch. Did you call it the Indiana Oregon game earlier this year?
00;55;08;23 - 00;55;17;10
Chad Brown
No, I had the Indiana in the Big Ten championship. I had them against Ohio State that I had Indiana, Illinois earlier this year.
00;55;17;12 - 00;55;44;22
CJ
Well, that that game is tonight. It's a rematch. Indiana was victorious earlier in the year, I think in in Oregon, if I'm not mistaken, they were on the road when they beat Oregon. Since you've called a couple of their games like I, I still think Indiana is the mystery team for most people. We've now seen them a couple of times, most people, and still trying to figure out what is it that makes this team so special.
00;55;44;22 - 00;55;53;16
CJ
Of course, the quarterback, Mendoza's the Heisman Trophy winner. What is it about Indiana that makes them so special? Undefeated, 14 zero, as you can see that?
00;55;53;18 - 00;56;17;06
Chad Brown
Well, I think last year they were a Cinderella story. And then it became clear in the in the in the playoffs and in the championship games that they were not up to speed with the best teams in the Big Ten. But this year, completely different story. We saw them handle Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game in some ways out physical them.
00;56;17;09 - 00;56;37;01
Chad Brown
They are great. And all three phases offense, defense and special teams. Ohio State have the number one defense in the country. Indiana was just a tick or two behind them. And almost every every other defensive category they can get after the quarterback, they can stop the run. They turn the football over as far as offensively, Mendoza can win games a number of different ways.
00;56;37;01 - 00;56;57;20
Chad Brown
He's had games this year where he had 95% completion ratio, but he's also pulled out games in the last drive of the fourth quarter. So he's shown he can win multiple ways. They run the ball, the coaching staff doesn't get away from it. They consistently sprinkle the run game in and their coach doesn't want to do anything but win football games.
00;56;57;27 - 00;57;19;21
Chad Brown
He doesn't want to be in commercials. He doesn't want to do all that other stuff. He just wants to win football games. And they've created a great atmosphere because they've got so many older players who know what's at stake. Unlike some of these other teams that they've definitely gone into the portal when Kirk's and yet he left James Madison, he brought a lot of James Madison players with them.
00;57;19;24 - 00;57;41;26
Chad Brown
So they were in the portal. But they're not new to his system. Right. You're not new to what he's trying to do. They're not new to the culture that he's built. He's his offensive and defensive coordinators. Both those guys have been with him for nine years. So in a sport where turnover and change every year, you got new coaching staff, every year you got a new roster.
00;57;41;29 - 00;57;59;23
Chad Brown
He's managed to figure out how not to do that. And so that's a big reason why they've been so successful this year. The true test for them is going to be in the future, when he's got to go into the portal and can't bring kids who haven't been with them for a couple of years, that James Madison with them, he's going to have to go into the sport like every other coach, but that's down the road.
00;57;59;24 - 00;58;26;04
Chad Brown
This matchup tonight, it's going to be a great game. Obviously, work has got a dynamic quarterback. Dan Lanning is the best young coach in all of college football. He's had a chance. If he sticks that a long enough to become Nick Saban with a string of national championships, they've got money obviously at Oregon Phil Knight. So that Oregon Texas A&M game or Texas Tech game that was Nike billionaire versus oil billionaire.
00;58;26;06 - 00;58;50;18
Chad Brown
And so now it's I guess a.com billionaire. Mark Cuban versus versus Nike. Right. But I got Oregon I'm sorry, I got Indiana in this one. I, I've seen so much college football this year. No one has been as consistent as Indiana has. No one has shown me multiple times. But they are the best team in college football has.
00;58;50;18 - 00;59;00;20
Chad Brown
They have this year. And so I think Oregon's going to be game I think it's going to be a close game. The second was last night, but I think Indiana will emerge as the victor.
00;59;00;22 - 00;59;26;08
CJ
Yeah, Indiana's last two wins were just flat out impressive. The way they beat up Ohio State and the way they just dominated Alabama. You talking about bluebloods of college football in this Indiana team? Just beat them up like they were the junior varsity. Now real quick question, man. Before I get on to the topic that you're just chomping at the bit for, is that coach as weird in person as he looks man on TV?
00;59;26;11 - 00;59;44;21
Chad Brown
He is. He's a football nerd. He is a football nerd. So he's intense. He's rare to break a smile. You're not going to be laughing and joking with him because he's thinking about football. If you're a media guy talking to him, he's going to give you the prescribed time and he's going to be nice. He's going to be courteous.
00;59;44;24 - 01;00;03;10
Chad Brown
But half of his mind is thinking about, how can I make my defensive line better? What kind of turnover drills can we do for our DBS to make sure we catch every interception possible? You know, he's focused on that. He's not trying to get away from you to go to his office. He's trying to get away from you so he can go grind some more tape.
01;00;03;12 - 01;00;07;08
Chad Brown
That's how he's been as successful as he's been at multiple stops.
01;00;07;11 - 01;00;16;20
CJ
So we got to get more coaches to have that stupid, intense sort of, you know, frown on their face and all else, all else is.
01;00;16;20 - 01;00;35;18
Chad Brown
Fixed. No, no, no, there's there's lots of ways to win games, lots of ways to win games. And you can be a as nice of a human being on the planet like Tony Dungy. He's won a Super Bowl championship. Or you can be an asshole like Bill Belichick. He's won multiple Super Bowl championships. You can be a religious guy.
01;00;35;18 - 01;00;57;29
Chad Brown
Bill McCartney, our God, complete faith in God. And that's the lens through which you view life. And you can be other coaches who clearly don't look at life through that lens at all. There's lots of ways to win championships. But I think in your heart of hearts, you still always got to be a football nerd. You got to love the game so much that it's all your all consuming passion.
01;00;58;01 - 01;01;26;26
CJ
We absolutely agree on that. No. Now, Chad, you say Indiana. You know, again, I don't have a horse in this race as well. The kid, the quarterback, Dante Moore from Oregon, is a Detroit kid. So, you know, I'm a little bit partial. To that. But whoever wins this game tonight will face off in the national championship game against Miami in the Orange Bowl.
01;01;26;28 - 01;01;47;00
CJ
Which brings me to our final point here is that I had the I had the opportunity to do something that was it wasn't a big deal to me prior to it was cool, but it wasn't that big a deal. Of course, our guy Big Al was inducted into the Orange Bowl Hall of Fame this year. You see the picture there?
01;01;47;02 - 01;02;11;02
CJ
At that picture up top with him next to Coach Mag. Man, that, that guy isn't even recognizable. Like I think I think tired of people saw a picture of us when we were in school, and now we are an age. The version of who we were 35 years ago. Right. That's a completely different person. I don't know who that guy is, but, the big fella was honored, and it was a special time.
01;02;11;04 - 01;02;34;17
CJ
Chad. I was actually invited back as well. 35 year anniversary of our national championship, which took place at the Orange Bowl. And they were honoring, at least recognizing, some of the past most valuable players. I had forgotten I was the most valuable player that game until I got the call. And so, I went, and why are you laughing, man?
01;02;34;19 - 01;02;54;28
Chad Brown
Okay, well, I've seen I've seen one of your license plates. I was driving behind you to an event, and I saw that one. Lights. But I thought, I wonder if his other license plate says, oh, be MVP. Literally. I turned to Kristen and I said that if we were driving behind you.
01;02;55;01 - 01;02;57;22
CJ
No, no it doesn't. No it doesn't.
01;02;57;24 - 01;03;05;02
Chad Brown
Oh, so yeah, that's the one fifth down license plate. That's it. That's that's that's really. Oh, and that was my son's.
01;03;05;04 - 01;03;23;20
CJ
That was my son's work. He was like dad just put five down. So people always talk about it just, you know. And I said okay why not Peyton. So look, be that as it may, man, I was, I was honored. It was cool to be in that environment again. I had no idea. This this amazing series here it was a nostalgic moment for me.
01;03;23;20 - 01;03;50;13
CJ
Right? Because, you know, you don't. You move on. Life goes on. And every year you get a year more distant from that. That moment. And I had I had totally divorced myself from just the feeling of what that was all about. But then to be back there at the, at the dinner, the Orange Bowl dinner and the luncheon, and hearing the stories and being part of all that, it was special, man.
01;03;50;13 - 01;04;18;17
CJ
And I and, you know, I had to sort of re sort of reset myself on, how big a moment that was for us. Right? Like, again, I just kind of Pooh Pooh it, but it was a nostalgic moment when I almost dropped a tear. Just thinking back on what a special time for all of us it was in our lives and, to have been voted the most valuable player of our national championship game was, was an honor that I should.
01;04;18;20 - 01;04;25;10
CJ
I should probably be being closer proximity to as I age.
01;04;25;12 - 01;04;33;24
Chad Brown
Go ahead and order that vanity license plate so you can, you know, I'm for myself every time you get in your car, you know that.
01;04;33;26 - 01;04;35;13
CJ
That's not who I am.
01;04;35;15 - 01;04;44;02
Chad Brown
Okay? You know, is there not a picture of you on the set of the Tonight Show somewhere in your house that you walk by? No, no.
01;04;44;08 - 01;05;00;27
CJ
In fact, I'm. Tell you what's funny, that's another one. Like all these moments, man, that, you know, they feel like there was so long ago. And I feel like it was just a different life. Like, I don't even. I don't think of them. And I think I do probably my kid's a bit of a disservice because we never talk about any of that stuff.
01;05;00;29 - 01;05;06;25
CJ
And, so it just kind of fades in the dark. But thanks for reminding me. What show was that?
01;05;06;27 - 01;05;11;09
Chad Brown
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Okay.
01;05;11;11 - 01;05;11;28
CJ
Okay.
01;05;12;05 - 01;05;14;25
Chad Brown
But, you know, I, I, you know.
01;05;14;25 - 01;05;15;11
CJ
Again, this.
01;05;15;11 - 01;05;50;13
Chad Brown
Is the Mr.. Will I to figure it out now. Okay. Happy for you. Happy for al to be in the Orange Bowl Hall of Fame. I just need to understand what the criteria is to get invited to this event. Because as I recall, I was a leading tackler in that game. As I recall, I got the fumble. And Ricky Waters, who ends up being a, you know, a really good friend of mine at this point and we don't ever talk about that.
01;05;50;20 - 01;05;58;11
Chad Brown
We've talked about everything in life, but we have never talked about that moment because I do. You guys have a teammates when you guys are together for three years.
01;05;58;16 - 01;06;00;25
CJ
So I thought so, yeah.
01;06;00;28 - 01;06;39;22
Chad Brown
So we've done all kind of stuff traveled. Wives are great friends. Kids are friends. But we don't ever go back to that. I don't want to bring up a painful memory for him, but so that short field that you and the offense got him score the game winning touchdown that was set up by me. And so while I can crawl about one play, which was obviously a game changing play, which made your participation in the offense all that much easier, you know, we've all saw the first pass you threw, how awful that was, I was you always bring it up.
01;06;39;22 - 01;06;42;19
CJ
Oh, you worse than Lisa. Always bringing up oh stuff.
01;06;42;21 - 01;07;03;27
Chad Brown
So now you did you did get your, you know, stuff together. As the game went along, you threw some nice passes, particularly, I think one to preach on the sideline that was, that could be classified as a dime. So I'm not saying you're deserving, okay? I don't have to go back very far in this show right now that we've done tonight.
01;07;04;00 - 01;07;29;09
Chad Brown
We're talking about the NFL MVP. And I was saying it's a quarterback award. And you were pushing back on the fact that the NFL MVP is a quarterback award. But here in this circumstance, when I clearly did way more than you did to ensure a US victory, I am me serving Colorado, Buffalo MVP that Orange Bowl.
01;07;29;11 - 01;07;53;10
Chad Brown
Anybody who's watched that game with any bit of a defensive or openness to what football is really about would say wow Chad Brown 12 tackles. Wow two passes broken up. Damn near knocked rock it out the game. Oh of course the game changing turn over the game C.J and the offense the short field. That should be the MVP of this.
01;07;53;12 - 01;07;56;18
CJ
Yeah that's a strong case. Yeah you close the case I mean you're good.
01;07;56;20 - 01;08;01;00
Chad Brown
You're good I'm good there. Yes I well now you have your argument now.
01;08;01;00 - 01;08;24;04
CJ
Now you did point out the first pass that my first pass attempt in the game, which was it was bad. It was a duck. I will point that out. It was interesting that you pointed that out about my performance that night and did not point out ironically, the play that was eventually called back for a clip. Thank God.
01;08;24;06 - 01;08;44;06
CJ
If I recall, the rocket who received the punt and began to advance the ball upfield was met by. In fact, I'm even going to tell the whole story. Had you made the 13th tackle, you might have gotten MVP.
01;08;44;08 - 01;08;46;26
Chad Brown
You.
01;08;46;28 - 01;09;14;07
Chad Brown
Know, as I said on the 30 for 30, I could not be more grateful that that flag was thrown on that clip on Tim James, because literally my whole life would be different. My whole life I would have went into a football spiral. Maybe I don't even love the game anymore. To cost my team the championship. So, you know, you were having fun and were laughing and joking, but I'm serious about this.
01;09;14;09 - 01;09;33;19
Chad Brown
That would have been so painful and injured me in my football career and my football character in a way that I had never been injured before. And, by that point in my life, I won 32 in a row in high school. We won championships in Pop Warner. You know, we were Colorado Buffaloes. We were big eight champions.
01;09;33;27 - 01;09;50;12
Chad Brown
And so if that loss had fallen on my shoulders, I don't know if I would have been able to recover from that so. Well, I consider myself to be incredibly lucky, that that did not go as it appeared like it was going to go in my life.
01;09;50;15 - 01;10;11;15
CJ
But not not to be, not to worry, because we still had two minutes. We had just gone back down and scored another touchdown, which would have solidified again both the MVP and the victory. So it's not a big deal, man. Not to worry, Ted, but by the way, you see, EB that was the the Orange Bowl, program.
01;10;11;15 - 01;10;30;18
CJ
I think he's being even, Rocket Ishmael. By the way, I think Eric and Coach Mack are the other two buffs that are in the Orange Bowl Hall of Fame to date. So you stay tuned, man. You'll get to call. And by the way, I think, I think they got it right. If it were up to me, Big Al.
01;10;30;20 - 01;10;50;17
CJ
All right. No one's going to argue that he shouldn't be in Orange Bowl Hall of Fame. MVP. Well, I would have abstained from voting, so it just. I'll take it. And you should have been the defensive player of the game. Just like you said, Myles Garrett is likely to be the defensive player. I think the parallels are perfect, man.
01;10;50;17 - 01;10;52;24
CJ
So there you go.
01;10;52;27 - 01;11;12;00
Chad Brown
I will begrudgingly accept your nomination for Defensive Player of the game. If that gets me to the Orange Bowl Hall of Fame ceremony, I don't even need an award I don't need I don't even need the plaque. The big guy. Just let me sit at the dinner. Let me tell my story. Let me tell you how I was wronged by these people.
01;11;12;02 - 01;11;14;06
Chad Brown
That that would be good enough for me.
01;11;14;09 - 01;11;32;20
CJ
Right on, Chad. And by the way, I'm going to do, just a little one off me, straight to camera about what that experience was like. Because it really was it caught me off guard. How it impacted me, how it touched me being back in Miami and going through the whole sort of, pomp and circumstance of the Orange Bowl.
01;11;32;20 - 01;11;44;24
CJ
That was 35 years ago today and again, shocked at the, sort of the emotional, impact that it had on me during that process. So, stay tuned for that. I'll be doing that soon.
01;11;44;27 - 01;11;45;17
Chad Brown
Hey, man.
01;11;45;19 - 01;11;53;02
CJ
As always, bruh, as always, this has been awesome. Looking forward to doing more of it with you this year as well.
01;11;53;04 - 01;12;16;19
Chad Brown
Absolutely. It's always great to spend time with you and, for those who don't know, yes, Chad Brown does rock, but those who don't know, it's just jokes. It's all, between CJ and, Oh, yeah. You know, he's like my shorter, smaller, younger brother. Older brother, I should say. Hey, you know, they they go. There you go, there you go.
01;12;16;22 - 01;12;25;09
CJ
You know what? We can we can just keep you started. We could just keep going. We can go on for about 30 more minutes. Just going back and forth there. You want to do that?
01;12;25;11 - 01;12;30;14
Chad Brown
We'll save some for next time around. Man. You ones.
01;12;30;16 - 01;12;50;26
CJ
There you go. For my man, Chad Brown. In the absence of Big Al, Charles Johnson, it's good to be back. Big al and C.J. Podcast. Of course, you can catch Chad and his lovely wife Kristen on all the Denver Broncos postgame shows. And you know, what's that? In fact, our next show. I got to get you in the big fat.
01;12;50;26 - 01;13;05;09
CJ
I love when you two guys on the same show, because there's this love tension between you guys. I just love to just instigate. I'm just going to put my cards on the table, and I could say it up front, and you guys know I'm doing it, and it won't stop. It won't change anything because you can't help yourselves.
01;13;05;14 - 01;13;17;17
CJ
You both are so incredibly competitive, right? Respectfully competitive that I just throw some red meat out there, man. And you guys just I love it. You up for that, man?
01;13;17;20 - 01;13;28;28
Chad Brown
I am up for that. See, you have had an amazing number of great linebackers, and, I'm never going to not say I'm wasn't the best this. Just know that.
01;13;29;01 - 01;13;45;10
CJ
Don't have a don't never give that up man. Because as soon as you can see, as soon as either one of y'all can see that, then my fun ends with the two of you. So don't do that, man. Hey, man, we'll do it again soon. Chad Brown, Charles Johnson, the Big Al and KG, so have a great one.
01;13;45;10 - 01;13;45;26
CJ
Everybody.