Bald Guys On The Bench
Bald Guys On The Bench
Memorial Week Mayhem: NBA, NHL Playoffs, and Driver Testing Drama
Recorded May 27th, 2025
Graham and Scott reunite for a Tuesday edition of the Bald Guys on the Bench podcast, serving up hot takes on everything from Hollywood to hockey!
The duo kicks things off with summer vibes and Memorial Day weekend reflections before diving into an unexpected movie discussion. Could Tom Cruise, at 62 years old and still performing jaw-dropping stunts in the latest Mission Impossible film, be the last true movie star? The hosts compare his legacy against other action stars while marveling at his physicality and versatility across genres.
Hockey fans will appreciate their breakdown of the NHL playoffs, where Florida and Edmonton appear headed for a Stanley Cup Final rematch. The conversation highlights Florida's unexpected emergence as a hockey powerhouse state, challenging traditional markets. Similarly, they dissect the NBA conference finals, with both series at 3-1, analyzing Oklahoma City's impressive young roster and the Pacers' surprising playoff run.
The football segment heats up with passionate debate about the Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback dilemma. Should they pursue Aaron Rodgers despite his advancing age and tendency to skip team activities? The hosts weigh immediate competitiveness against long-term team building, exploring rumors surrounding Kirk Cousins, Will Levis, and other potential options. Additional NFL news touches on Joey Bosa's injury concerns with the Bills and Najee Harris trade rumors.
Golf enthusiasts won't want to miss their coverage of Lucas Glover's bombshell revelation about PGA Tour driver testing practices, Will Zalatoris's unfortunate back surgery announcement, and the Tour Championship's format changes. The episode wraps with Memorial Tournament predictions and US Open qualifying discussions.
Ready for straight-shooting sports talk that doesn't pull punches? Hit play and join the bench conversation!
#baldguysonthebench #graboneandcrackone #nhl #nba #stanleycupplayoffs #nbaplayoffs
welcome to another episode of the bald guys on the bench podcast, with your hosts graham cohen and scott wasco what's up everyone and welcome back to a Tuesday night edition of the Bald Guys on the Bench.
Scott:Your boy had a lot of shit going on Sunday, graham didn't. Graham had to work late last night. We couldn't throw it out. Monday, graham, let's go. It's Tuesday, let's get it popping. How you doing over there in Vegas.
Graham:I'm doing good. It's getting hot. Oy vey. I'm just glad we got a pool, but forget all that. It's time to grab one and crack one. Brother. I'm thirsty, let's go, I am too.
Scott:Let's go, let's go. So Memorial Day weekend, you know, came and went, it's officially summertime, it's about to be hotter than the 80s over there in Vegas.
Scott:I mean ooh, but there's no humidity. I don't give a fuck, it's hot as shit. I mean, dude, the first time I was ever in Vegas in the dead heat of summer it was probably July Oof, kristen and I went out there and I remember we went to the Hoover Dam and it was like 137 in the shade and people are like it's not that bad. You know, there's no humidity, dude, I don't know. I've said this on the show before. The only way I can describe it is go grab yourself a hairdryer when it's windy. Pointed out your face on a high heat, and that's what it feels like Facts. And the worst part is, you know, in Southern California it cools down at night. In Vegas it's 110 during the day and guess what, it might cool down to 101.
Graham:Yeah, 95 if we're lucky. Hey, and that 95, we're like yes yes, this is nice, it's still miserable.
Scott:I mean, when it's hot, it's hot, dude, I don't give a, but anyhow, you know, tradition is how was your weekend, bro? Memorial Day weekend. I know you worked a little bit, but what's going on?
Graham:Yeah, weekend was good, worked a lot, watched, you know, the playoffs. But what's going on? Yeah, uh, weekend was good, uh, worked a lot. Uh, what's? You know the playoffs between hockey and basketball. Um, other than that, helped my dad uh put together, or we got it a little while ago, but now it's finally like put together, set up correctly. Um, we got a, I wouldn't call it. I mean, um, we got a, I wouldn't call it. I mean, technically it's an above ground pool, but like not one of those big, expensive ones, it's the ones you get at like costco, that's like 700 bucks. You know what I mean.
Scott:So, uh, hey, why do you need a big ass pool? Were you doing laps? I mean, you're training for the olympics. You're trying to cool your hot ass sweaty balls off, I mean. So give me a course, let's go exactly so happy about that.
Graham:The pool is ready to go. Um, and yeah, pretty much it.
Graham:Not much else going on besides that the only exciting thing is what happened earlier today, which was, uh, I took the family and we went to go see the last Mission Impossible, the Reckoning. And boy, let me tell you, that show was long. I didn't even realize it. It was almost three hours, like 2.45. It didn't seem like it, but let me tell you it had me on the edge of my seat from the start to the beginning. Absolutely amazing. Is it really the last one? Yeah, that he's doing. I mean, studios might try to bring it back later on, but I mean it's the last one with him as the lead and you know what's funny.
Graham:I was telling my parents this, like after it was over. Do you know how old Tom Cruise is?
Scott:Let me guess. Let me guess, I'll show you my hands.
Graham:No.
Scott:God, he's been around a while too.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Scott:That's my point, and I heard something After I guessed this. I heard something the other day. I'm going to bring it up. Since you're the movie guy, I'm going to just say he's 58.
Graham:See, that's what I thought too, but he's not Does he have a six in front of it. Not only does he have a six in front of it, he has a two behind it. That dude amazing shape. I mean not only like I don't know what his workout schedule is, but whatever he's doing, whatever he does to keep him in shape golf clap to him. That's all I got to say, and my point of bringing this all up was I'm watching, I'm like is he like the greatest action star in film ever?
Scott:He does his own shit right? That's what I'm saying. Oh dude, his stunts are mind-blowing.
Graham:And I'm like for not being a fighting martial arts movie if you're just talking about straight stunts. Who's better than that guy You've got to give, I mean, some actors they have their niches Tom Cruise, action and also a quality actor. I mean, I'm just curious what he's going to do as the older he keeps getting.
Scott:You know what I mean. So I heard something. I don't remember what I was listening to. They were talking about oh, I was talking about Apple TV and how they're kicking ass right now with all their shows.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Scott:And they basically said is Tom Cruise literally the last big movie star? Yeah, and I started thinking about it and I was like you're the movie guy.
Graham:Yeah, I mean anything that's not and has an assembled cast. The only thing that's real big are the marvel movies, really, and that's like casts of anywhere between four and twelve people. Right, we're talking straight. I mean, granted, the mission impossible is like they have the other key little actors, but like he's the main guy and for that being the case, I mean, look, you had and it's even crazy to say this but Matt Damon, for you know the Born Identity and some of the other movies he's done, like you could put him up there. Jason Statham has a lot of action.
Scott:Yeah, but Tom Cruise, he's done Everything. He's been a sports agent Right, show me the money. Yeah, dude, I know.
Graham:Mission Impossible Vanilla Sky. I mean just so many different things.
Scott:And I'm not even listing all of them. I'm not even close.
Graham:Dude A Few Good Men. I mean this dude can act.
Scott:But he's still a weirdo. That Church of scientology shit dude out there. Remember we used to pass that shit every day, going to saboba to play some g and yep, we drive past and be like dang dude, don't kidnap me, bro, I like my medicine, I like my when I'm hungover, like, leave me alone, hey all you know what the days of thunder too. Yeah, yeah, pop gun yeah I mean the late, the last great movie star.
Graham:Yeah I mean? I mean, it's really him, denzel. I mean Tom Hanks, but Tom Hanks is not an action star, you know what I mean? It's just like Right, liam Neeson.
Scott:What was his line, dude? I was going to say it Give me back my daughter, you, son of a bitch, something like that, something like that, something like that. I don't know, dude, if there's anybody going out there to protect me, I want that guy.
Speaker 1:Liam.
Scott:Neeson, I mean, my guy just kicks ass and takes names, right? Am I wrong?
Graham:No, I mean out of all the fictitious characters of you know, I mean I yeah you can't go wrong with him. I mean taken as a classic, I mean either him or keanu reeves, john wick.
Scott:I mean, oh, dude I can't stand keanu reeves dude. He's the worst actor of all times.
Graham:Speed was tell me how you really feel. Please hold on. What are your thoughts on the Matrix?
Scott:well, we saw it live and in person in Pittsburgh after the Knights Penguins game. Did we not?
Graham:I think only the real OG fans would get that reference, I mean.
Scott:I mean, the best part about speed was Sandra Bullock facts. I mean East Carolina university alumni. Oh, but anyhow that's enough movies.
Speaker 1:Exactly.
Scott:Sports sports podcast, even though that was a good. I was thinking about it when I heard it the other day. I was like I gotta bring that up, and then it just made sense that you went and saw the movie today. Yeah, yeah, I don't know how was your weekend, brother?
Scott:dude, it was pretty good. Uh work. Saturday my dad and his buddy came down to the club play some golf, play the back nine with them. And you know, memorial Day weekend, always here in town we have the Patriotic Festival, which is a three-day country show, you know, friday night, saturday night, sunday night. And somebody I've gotten to hang out with and play some G with was the headliner Sunday night and got to play some golf with him on Sunday and then go and watch him perform Sunday night, and you know it was a long night, maybe over-served myself, but you know we were all good. We were Ubering to and from. You know, at one point texted me and I don't even remember what you said have fun, yada, yada, yada. I remember I think I texted you out of the blue and it was like 9.5.
Graham:Out of 10, baby.
Scott:Anybody that's listened to the show before knows when Graham and I are chatting, when I'm having some beverages, graham will be like where are we at? And it's a scale, but it was a fun scale, you know. Of course it was a fun day you get to play golf with a top five country singer out there. You know I had song of the year two years ago. Then go watch him perform. It was pretty sick. It was good, great show all around with good friends and had a blast. Shout out. I'm giving props to my wife because she even stayed up to 145 drinking.
Graham:I mean from what I heard. I heard she had to stay awake because someone passed out in the Uber ride home.
Scott:Yeah and you know what sucked about that. Every time I fell asleep my elbow would hit the goddang window button and the window would come down and I'm like, why does this guy keep doing this to me? And she's like you're doing it. And I'm like, oh my bad, okay, whatever, okay, whatever. Classic Is what it is. But awesome Sunday, dude, and it was, you know, yesterday, memorial Day, it was just a classic.
Scott:You know, I'm too old for nights like that. I became one with the couch and had about 37 naps, you know. But as we keep going, I just got to throw this out there. And you know the deal and everybody close to me knows the deal. Someone close to my family is going through some shit. We're not even going to get into it. Going through some shit, we're not even going to get into it, but we're just going to go out there and say any of our listeners, if you're a religious person, throw a couple prayers up there for a couple people close to the Wasco family had some rough shit go down last night. That was very unexpected, very sick and not even getting into it. But if you know, you know, and I love all my friends, I love everybody reaching out to me about the situation. Everybody's good. Nothing related to me, but somebody close to the family. That's all I'm going to say. We're going to leave it at that. So let's jump right in, dude, let's do it.
Scott:Stanley cup playoff, bro. We called it. Well, we didn't call it. Tp called it a couple weeks ago. He called rematch and it's looking like a rematch. The Oilers just beat the Stars to go up 3-1. The Panthers I mean boat racing. The Hurricanes I think they felt sorry for them last night and let them win so they didn't get swept, but I mean yeah thanks guys.
Graham:Dicks, let me guess you had the other side, oh yeah, oh, I'm sorry. Did you watch the first three games? I mean, was there ever a doubt?
Scott:I mean I had the over in game three, three and the score was over what? Six and a half, five and a half plus money. We go into the third period. It's tied. I think one one. They cover the over in the third period. Yeah, the Panthers are too deep for the Hurricanes. The Oilers are too deep for the Hurricanes. The Oilers are too deep for the Stars. I mean, let's just go out there and say it right now the Stars were lucky as shit to win game one. Yeah, oh.
Scott:Or this shit's over. It was a sweep, yeah, I mean, give credit where credit's due. Dude, we're going to see, I think for the seventh year don't quote me on this seventh year in a row, a team from Florida is in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Graham:That sounds about right.
Scott:Tampa for all those years and now this is the Panthers' third year in a row. The first year, the Knights beat them. Second year, they beat the Oilers in seven. Unless a miracle happens, they're going to beat the Canes.
Graham:I mean, I never would have thought that Florida would be the capital of hockey for the United States, because what is going on right now, right, it's insane. What's going on down there in Florida?
Scott:And dude, just like they said when the Knights organization started, hockey's not going to work in the desert. Okay, give me six years, we'll raise a cup.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Scott:How do you think that makes the Maple Leafs fans feel? And I'm not throwing shade at Canada.
Graham:But I kind of am. I mean, let's be real.
Scott:I mean, I kind of am, but whatever.
Graham:If I had a dollar for every time I heard you say F those poutine-eating motherfuckers. I think I could buy a plane ticket to see you once a week.
Scott:I'm just going to say this dude, if the Panthers Oilers advance, I think the Oilers I don't know who would have home ice. Wow, I don't know, but I'm just gonna go out and say it Panthers ain't going back to back. We're gonna see a Canadian team raise a cup, what I think?
Speaker 1:it's gonna happen back-to-back.
Scott:We're going to see a Canadian team raise the cup. What I think it's going to happen, I hope it doesn't happen. Wow.
Graham:But this is the first time I've heard you say something.
Scott:They've got a deep roster, yeah, but so do the Panthers dude. I mean adding Marchand to the crew. I just don't know. I just have that gut feeling. It's Edmonton's time. It went seven games last year.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Scott:Granted. Both teams have added people.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Scott:The Oilers by far have the worst goalie but Skinner has been the hottest goalie.
Graham:Hey, you know, I'll take the hottest, that's what happens, dude, dude.
Scott:That's what happens in the initial in the stanley cup playoffs what's that saying I'd rather be lucky than good.
Graham:Yeah, exactly so I I mean at this point. I mean it's kind of like in the nba playoffs right now. It's like the rain's pretty much on the wall. Let's just fast track it and let's get to the finals in both of these sports and let's see what's going to happen. Um, although I think the hot in hockey, I think it's going to be a much more competitive series between the two teams um versus the nba. I I mean, look, I like what the paces are doing, um, but the way okc is playing.
Scott:Um, but the way OKC is playing, they're just, I mean, barring anyone getting hurt. You know it's, it's their time. Yeah, I get, I get what you're saying, but did you watch the game the other night when they lost by 7 million points?
Graham:Yeah. Like they gave up and preserved. They said, hey, we'll let you have one, we don't give a shit, we're still going to stomp you. I guess, Dude Minnesota gave them all that they could last night and they were not, I mean for most of the game. They were down an average of six points the whole game.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you ain't wrong.
Graham:In basketball that's not a lot, but it's like you know I mean the equivalency. In football it's like, yeah, we're a field goal away, but yet you know they still have no chance.
Scott:Yeah, you know what I mean.
Graham:It's just like, yeah, we're close but we're not going to advance, type of thing. So I mean it's a valiant effort and, look, I'll give credit to the OKC because the thing about it is, if they were going to do it, it has to be this year. You called them last year and it was a little premature, but now it's their time to shine. The reason why I'm saying it is within I don't think it's next year, but the year after that they're going to be in a situation where all their top guys need to get paid. Well, that's my point. So a lot of their top guys are people that they've drafted in the last two, three, four years and now it's time. It's just like all right, now it's time to pay you.
Graham:And it's getting to the point where, like how it is in football, most teams that win it's not because they're not Cincinnati, we're not putting half of their team's salary cap in four players and then expecting everyone else to fill in the gaps, type of thing. In basketball you still have to spread it out. With all the other sports you can't be top-heavy with a few stars, and if OKC had a chance, this would be their chance. So I mean good for them and look, anything can still happen. I'm not announcing them the world champions, even though it looks like it's going to be, but I am quite curious to see how the matchups are going to go between them and Indiana. I mean the Knicks are not coming back down 3-1.
Scott:Dude, let's face it, that series was lost. Game one Facts.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Scott:I hate to say that, but they just ripped their heart and souls out.
Graham:Yeah, and they needed that. I mean, look the game that they won game four.
Scott:They were down.
Graham:What that was sunday night they were down 12 or 11 with like two minutes left and just, uh, anthony towns was just like all right, I'll put my team on my back. Dude had four points in the entire in the in the first three quarters and scored 22 in the fourth. Put this team on his back. It's like all right, we're gonna get this dub. And, mind you, they still only won by a bucket. Like the pacers gave that game away, kind of like how the knicks gave the game away in game one, so it's. And even still, the Pacers were up even in game one. So it's just like you know.
Scott:So the Pacers beat Cleveland right.
Graham:Cleveland, yeah, and then they played.
Scott:Who did they beat in the second round?
Graham:No, no, they beat the Cavs in the second round and in the first round they beat.
Speaker 1:It wasn't.
Scott:Detroit, Okay, yeah you're right, they beat yeah, they beat Cavs in the second round, in the second.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Scott:What the hell? Come on, nba guy, you're supposed to be the guru. Yeah, I'm sorry, I'm just fucking with you. I'm going to look it up. Nba, I gotta go way back the Bucks.
Graham:Yes, there you go.
Scott:And then beat Cleveland. Wasn't Cleveland the one seed?
Graham:Yeah, they were the one seed, but two of their top three guys Were hurt most of the series, and it's just like. You know what I mean. It's kind of like hard to play, yeah, you know.
Scott:Oh wait, hold on next man up, yeah exactly next man don't work like that in basketball it doesn't work like that in any sport.
Graham:Okay, tell me what sport next man up works in the nfl the next man dude? No, I'm gonna say no to that, because every time, like pittsburgh, for example, and tomlin loves to say that, next man up when, when our stars get hurt, who's replacing antonio brown? Who's replacing levy on bill? Who's replacing ben roethlisberger?
Scott:I'm just saying, other teams have done it.
Graham:I'm just saying.
Scott:The easiest sport for next man up is the NFL, and probably baseball, because rosters are so big.
Graham:I'll concede to that. All I would say is it's tougher when the people that go down are your superstars. Is what I'm saying.
Scott:It's harder to be superstars. I mean, how big is the roster in the NBA Twelve and how many people play Seven, maybe eight?
Graham:Depending on the team. Yeah, the Pacers will play up to ten, but a lot of teams do seven or eight. Yeah, yeah, but I don't know.
Scott:So aren't both series 3-1? Yeah, yeah, after what we just watched tonight, the chants.
Graham:It's all over.
Scott:Yeah, it's toast. Okc playing the Pacers Dude, I don't know man, I feel like the Pacers are like a team of destiny and they're doing everything they can do. I'm not hating on OKC.
Graham:Do you remember back in 2001 when the Philadelphia 76ers were the team of destiny? Then they played the Lakers and got smashed? 4-0? Or 4-1? I think maybe they won a game. Don't quote me on this.
Scott:But like yeah, believe me, we're also talking about who were on the Lakers.
Graham:Well, all-time greats yeah. Are there all-time greats Kobe, they had Allen, iverson, they had Mutombo.
Speaker 1:They had. No, no, no, no, no, no, they had.
Scott:I mean, you know what Ivers Iris's nickname was in high school? Tell me Bubba Chuck. They had Bubba Chuck baby.
Graham:But yeah, I mean it's time. I just think that, look, the Pacers are the team that are showing us that you can have, like, you don't need the superstar, you can have a core of good players, but it's all about the system, the roster, the depth and coaching. You know what I mean. It's just like you have a really solid team that can play well together.
Scott:They don't have that one guy throwing up 40 a night.
Graham:Right, right.
Scott:So. So, if everything stays like it is and it's the Pacers and the Thunder, what do you think? That series goes Five.
Speaker 1:Five yeah, five yeah Okay.
Graham:I don't want to say sweep, because I think, to be honest, I think the Timberwolves against the Pacers would be a hell of a better matchup, A fair series per se. And how they're manhandling the Pacers I'm sorry. How OKC is handling the timberwolves I just don't like. The thing is, okc just has too much size and their bigs can shoot. You know what I mean. They got the mvp, they got you know. They got two other guys that are averaging 20 points a game, one of which is chet holgrims, who's I don't know 7'3" can shoot the three.
Graham:That's it 7'3". Yeah, you know, little guy.
Scott:Is that any good?
Graham:So it's just. You know, with any sport, there comes a time that a team just fits the right time, the right pocket of players, and things just work out. Look, there's a reason why they were the number one team in the league this year. I think they only lost 15 games. And once again.
Speaker 1:I'm a year late. Yeah, a year late.
Scott:And I don't even know why I picked them last year. I just did it because they were hot and you know they were young yeah.
Graham:I think it's the same team. That's the thing. Like now, they have experience from last year. Exactly.
Scott:A year, Another year in the league. It is what it is yeah, yeah so. All right, I'm going to say over five and a half games.
Graham:We can bet a shot on it if you want.
Scott:I'll probably owe you a shot. Oh, Yankees just hit another home run.
Graham:You definitely do owe me a shot, but I don't rake you over?
Scott:Well, not yet. Not yet because the season hasn't started. Not yet we said when the season started, I said Kirk Cousins would not be on the Falcons roster and from a lot of shit, I'm reading today your squad is talking to the Falcons.
Graham:The.
Scott:Falcons Backup plan. They got to have a backup plan, yes, but the Falcons, already the Falcons, they gotta have a backup plan.
Graham:But the Falcons already paid him the money.
Scott:Yeah, and they're going to eat a lot of it to trade him to Pittsburgh.
Graham:And we have a lot of picks next year. But that's what I want us to use to move up and draft someone. I mean, how old is Kirk Cousins now? Anyway, what is he like? 35?.
Scott:I don't know, he can't move in the pocket. Yeah, that's the thing that scares me with y'all. But I mean, you see what Terry Bradshaw came out and said today. I know we're skipping ahead. Terry Bradshaw came out, he ripped the Steelers, totally ripped them. Yeah, interested in Aaron Rodgers? As a joke, amid contract interest or rumors? As a joke, amid contract interest or rumors, he's been saying he's started, he's came out and said today what you and I have been saying for weeks an organization like the Steelers doesn't play that game.
Graham:I agree.
Scott:And then rumors came out today about the Steelers trading for wait for it, wait for it somebody that you signed in the offseason, backed up in the regular season last year, and that's none other than Mason Rudolph. And they're talking about trading for Will Levis make it, make sense, make it make sense, make it make sense.
Graham:There is no chance in hell. I would much rather put Will I'm sorry, I almost said Will I would almost rather put Will Howard out there and say he's the guy. This year We'll take our lumps. Whatever our record is, at the end of the year we'll get a better draft pick. Will Levis hasn't proven anything. Why would we trade for him? Why would we let him start?
Scott:I'm not disagreeing with you, I'm just telling you what I'm reading.
Graham:No, I know that. My thing is this there's so much smoke and mirrors and look For the stability in which the Steelers have always governed themselves by For as long as we can know what they have put themselves Into. This situation Is beyond out of character and I would agree with that. I mean it's unfathomable, the situation they're in Beyond, that being said, the quarterback market after the end of the season. Okay, let me ask you this question how did you feel about the quarterback? I mean, like, was there what quarterback was out there that someone could say that's who I want? We had Russ and Fields in the building and we let them walk. I think they would have and I've said this in previous episodes I think we would have kept Fields, just not for the number that another team was willing to pay him, which is therefore why he left. That's fine.
Scott:It is what it is. He wanted the guaranteed starter position Right and he got that with the Jets.
Graham:Yes, but I, yes, we would have guaranteed him that, but we didn't want to pay him the money that the Jets wanted to pay him for that position.
Scott:Somebody I told you I thought would have been a good fit in Pittsburgh while you groomed Will Howard.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Scott:Who obviously has skills. I mean, he came from Washington State and then he went to Ohio State. Is Mariota? Yeah, you could have gotten him cheap. He had a starter experience.
Graham:Would the Commandos let him go?
Scott:He was a free agent Resigned with them.
Graham:I also think a lot of it also comes down to timing, yeah.
Scott:Dude, exactly. And when you say timing, I'm going to just say this I was listening to some podcasts the other day and we're all listening to these mock drafts before the draft, and this and that, and we have this dude ranked on our big board and this and that. It all comes down to the team. What does that team need? Right then and right there? And you guys obviously needed a defensive lineman. You've been preaching it since God dang 2012. And but I've always been preaching for you, you need a quarterback.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Scott:You know, and I'm glad and I hope Aaron Rodgers doesn't go to the Steelers, because Aaron Rodgers isn't good enough to wear the black and yellow in my mind and I hope he doesn't go there, not because I want y'all to be bad this year, I just don't want you to put all your eggs in that basket.
Graham:I agree with that. My only rebuttal.
Scott:Hold on. I'd rather you guys lay for the future, not put everything into that old-ass quarterback that doesn't show up to OTAs that is holding you guys hostage right now. What's today's date? May, what? Okay?
Graham:Yeah, no, I the charger started.
Scott:OTAs. Today, he hasn't even thought about making a decision.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Scott:I this is the time where your quarterback is your leader and and he's out there with the boys, getting to know them, getting to be one with them. Where's he at? Sitting in a dark basement for 10 days, whatever the hell they call that shit. Is that who you want leading your fucking football team? Because I don't.
Graham:I don't you know what's the saying? You can't have the cake and eat it too, um. Have the cake and eat it too, um. I. You know the hesitation in my voice. It's like you see the writing on the wall.
Graham:The team did what they needed to do during the draft to set them up for the future. Right, because if that wasn't the case which and I, and like I said, you know how thankful I was that we got who we drafted Derek Harmon I mean, I couldn't be even more happy. But if we didn't go that route, is Jackson Dart supposed to be the leader of our franchise for years to come? Did we have all that faith in him? I don't know where the Steelers had him graded and past him. The quarterbacks that were available weren't that sexy. So am I happy with the way we went 100% Back to also what I was saying about timing yes, things could have possibly have gone a certain way or not, but it's like I just said, we knew what we had with Russell.
Graham:We knew what we had with fields. Kirk cousins is in a situation of who knows what the hell is going to happen, and you can't it's like you can't hold your team hostage waiting for a him, aaron Rogers, but also be another organization to have something go on where they are willing to give away someone for draft picks. So it's like you need both sides to work. So, that being said, well and I've said this am I happy about Rodgers coming? Yes and no. I'll start with a no. First, everything that you just said. He is notorious for not coming to OTAs. And to think, for someone that knows how important it is to get connected and be on the same page as your teammates, when do you do that? You obviously can't do that in training camp.
Scott:Right now.
Graham:That's, and I 1,000% agree with you. I mean football, like other sports, it's all timing being on the same page with the wide receivers, being on the same page with the offensive line, like you have to have. I mean, you can tell the difference between teams that have had the same quarterback, O-line wide receiver running backs for multiple years. They just have that chemistry. That's like you don't even think about it. I get all that.
Scott:Why do you think Chargers fans are so happy Mike Dove is back? I get it Because of the chemistry with Herbert. I get it. Yeah, he was hurt. Yeah, he wouldn't take the pay cut. Yeah, we was hurt. Yeah, he wouldn't take the pay cut. Yeah, we released him. He signed with the Jets. But Herbert's like where's number 81? Oh, there he is, Boom.
Graham:No, I get it the only thing that I can say.
Scott:We're talking DK Metcalf. Y'all traded a second round pick for, and then paid him a boatload of money. Now is when him and Rodgers need to be getting their shit together, agreed.
Graham:Agreed, agreed. I mean, look, they've had some throwing sessions, but still like, you need the playbook, you need this, you need that, and my thing is this the only thing that I'm considering as the positive for Aaron Rodgers is this Danica Patrick, I'm considering as the positive for aaron rogers is this danica patrick's coming back in his life shut the front door I mean, just had to.
Graham:Unless somehow Rudolph Howard Become the second, coming In their perspective, first year or however many years Rudolph's been in the league now we're not getting cousins. I'm just saying it right now. I just In the bottom of my heart, that's not happening. I still think Aaron Rodgers Gives us a better chance to win, and the only reason why I care about that is we have players on our team. I still think Aaron Rodgers gives us a better chance to win, and the only reason why I care about that is we have players on our team that are getting older and are not going to be around much longer, and if there's a time to win now, this is it.
Scott:All right, so here's. Here's the thing. We still got golf to talk about. Yeah, I want to bring two things more up about football. I'm going to put you on the spot right now.
Graham:All right.
Scott:If Aaron Rodgers becomes a stealer, are y'all winning the division?
Graham:I like her chances but I mean, the safe answer is no.
Scott:Then why do it? And, like you've always said, Hold on a second.
Graham:Hold on a second.
Scott:No, you hold on a second mother. Hold on Like you've always said. If we're not going to win the division and go deep, then why do I want to F up a draft pick for next year?
Graham:All right, then I'll flip this around on you. Is Aaron Rodgers going to lead us to only a four-loss season, a five-loss season?
Scott:I don't know, I haven't seen your schedule.
Graham:My point is this and yes, have I said all the things that you just mentioned A hundred percent. But also, to be fair, when I make that statement, every team is rebuilding except one. Only one team has the chance to win. So it's just like my point in saying that is if you know, you have no chance. I mean, I'm not saying tank and no legitimate team would ever do that, but I'm just saying Ask the Indianapolis Colts when they sucked for luck.
Graham:Okay, well, that's To be fair. Peyton Manning had a broken neck, so like let's.
Scott:Sucked for luck.
Graham:Okay, I get what you're saying. My point is this how many times has the number one overall seed won it?
Speaker 1:You know what I mean.
Graham:I'm not disagreeing with you and let's just say this the Ravens, the last two years, have either been the one seed or the two seed in the AFC. I mean, they're in Kansas City, but it's just like. My point is, we can't be the seventh seed Right and if, depending on if they're changing the playoff system, is that still up in the?
Scott:air. They're not.
Graham:They're not changing that, all right. Well, that being the case, there's a difference between the seventh seed and the five seed.
Graham:It's, I mean, like I get what you're saying. What I would say to that is I would still feel comfortable even if we don't win the division, if we have it like, as long as you have a chance where you feel like your team has a chance in the playoffs. I mean the last how many years Pittsburgh's made the playoffs? How many of those games did I feel like they were? Has a chance in the playoffs? I mean the last how many years Pittsburgh's made the playoffs? How many of those games did I feel?
Scott:like they were going to win in the playoffs.
Graham:I don't think any. None of them. I don't think any and, as we brought this up on previous podcasts, I wanted to bet my house On the.
Scott:Chiefs.
Graham:Against Kansas City and you're like, ah, giving me some optimism.
Scott:What happened? They lost by 35 as your best friend, trying to be your best friend and not be like bro I was trying to save face.
Graham:I know I get it and I'm appreciative of that, but sometimes you can't put a lipstick on a pig and call it pretty. You know what I mean, or whatever, however, the saying goes Like it is what it is, so all that being said, I think Aaron Rodgers gives us a chance.
Graham:With the other piece from the pieces we already have, with the addition of the new pieces that we got via free agency and in the draft, I think Rodgers gives us the best chance to make a deeper run within the playoffs. Am I expecting Pittsburgh to win the Super Bowl? Absolutely not. Would it be whipped cream, cherry on top? Absolutely. But with Aaron Rodgers I can at least say I feel confident we can win a playoff game. Okay, fair enough, and as a Sealer fan, we need that as a minimum right now.
Scott:It's been a while Minimum, so two more things real quick in the NFL before we jump to golf, because it is Memorial Week, jack's place. Did you see who got injured today?
Speaker 1:No, or the injury report that came out.
Scott:No, that edge rusher that the Chargers let walk because of all his injuries and signed with Buffalo.
Graham:Bosa, bosa. No yeah, bro Dude.
Scott:Yep, already happening. Already happening. What'd it say, cash pull. He's out until at least second or third week of training camp.
Graham:Oh okay, I thought you were going to say the season. I'm like Jesus Christ.
Scott:No, my buddy Mark, huge Bills fan, texted me Bosa already injured. You were right.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Scott:And I was like dude, I told you it was coming, the guy. And it sucks, dude, because he's a monster when he's on the field.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Scott:But he's never on the field.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Scott:But he's never on the field. Yeah, you know.
Graham:Wait, it's an official refreshment of memory. Did the Chargers get Vaughn Miller? Did that happen?
Scott:No.
Graham:No.
Scott:No, suffered a calf injury. It'll keep him sidelined for the foreseeable future.
Graham:I mean he's an edge rusher, I mean he doesn't need to practice right now.
Scott:And this is what happens to him every goddamn year.
Graham:No, I get it, I get it, I get it.
Scott:Every year, so I wanted to bring that up, and then I wanted to bring it up. Dude rumors are flying everywhere About the Chargers trading Nazi already.
Graham:What.
Scott:Yeah, I've read it numerous places. You draft Hampton. You got this other dude, some undrafted free agent that everybody has a woody about. Dude, they're talking about the Chargers trading Nazi, maybe to the Cowboys.
Graham:They drafted someone like the fourth or fifth round who was decent. But hey, the only thing I can say to that is that could be a good thing for us.
Scott:It could in fantasy. I don't want it to happen because I want the one-two punch with Hampton and Najee with the Chargers. Because Najee's a big bruiser, Hampton's bigger than Najee with the home run speed. I want to hit him with the one two, boom, boom, wear him out. But I've read it numerous places, dude.
Graham:Well, you still got Vital right. Yeah, and the thing is, if they I mean if they were going to do that they could trade him and then bring back Dobbins for the cheap. Look at that smile on your face right now.
Scott:I'm hearing Dobbins is in contract negotiations with the Texans. Yeah, that's what I'm hearing yeah, that's a good one-two punch with Mixon and him.
Graham:Yeah.
Scott:What's your?
Graham:confidence level on Mixon, by the way, for the fantasy season.
Scott:You know me, dude. I've always been that guy that has had the band thrust on Mixon, Always have. He's reliable, he's done work. I mean minus punching that girl in the restaurant in college. He's been a solid dude.
Graham:Is this your eight for him now? I don't know, I'm not sure. It's at least seven, because he's been four. He was like four or five in Cincy and then yeah, it has to be.
Scott:The thing that wears me out about the Texans is their offensive line. You trade away Tunsell to the Redskins your O-line was the worst piece of your team last year and you trade away a top five left tackle.
Graham:I'm sure we touched on it, but I'll just say this there obviously has to be a reason, there has to be a chemistry issue. There has to be something going on in the background. You don't give a Isn't left tackle because, since mainly most of the quarterbacks are right-handed, isn't the left tackle probably, besides the quarterback, the second most important position?
Scott:Yeah, the highest paid people quarterback left tackle, edge and corner.
Graham:Right. So if that's the second most important position and he's a top five guy and they're getting rid of him, either your organization is and I hate is dumb as a rid of them, either your organization is and I hate is dumb as a box of rocks, or there's something going on. I agree.
Scott:Something was weird there. I agree. I don't know what Washington gave up for him, but you know Washington did what they had to do. That's what was their issue last year.
Graham:I know we talked about it. It was a couple, it was picks.
Speaker 1:I mean, it was like a second and a third.
Scott:It wasn't a lot. Anyhow, let's jump right into golf, dude, let's do it. We got the Memorial this week. We had whatever it was at Colonial last week. Our boy was right there playing in the last group and didn't get it done. That's Fowler and Romano. But Memorial Jack's place, dude, in Ohio, one of the golf courses that's on my bucket list, I really want to play that place, dude. It looks so sick, so amazing.
Graham:With everyone. You know you got no connects.
Scott:I can get on there, but something I wanted to share. You know, your boy, that you used to always pick in the majors for your favorite or underdog, zalatorris. Dude came out today and announced back surgery. What again? Yeah came out on twitter and announced that. Hey, everyone sharing a health update. This spring, I started feeling some discomfort and instability in my back that progressively got worse following the pga and mri showed that I had re-herniated two discs. After discussing the options with my medical team, I underwent surgery this past Friday. Dude another guy that has just been battling it, dude, I hate it for him. He battled so hard to get back. It's such a good player. Only showed up in big-time events where you had to hit it straight, where you had to hit irons, and now he's going through it again.
Scott:It's like geez. Luis man, it sucks. Same with Billy Horsfall dude. Billy Horsfall was right there trying to get on the Ryder Cup team. He got on for the rest of the year.
Speaker 1:Damn yeah, and at least with.
Graham:Horschel, I mean, he's not a young whippersnapper anymore.
Speaker 1:No, it sucks.
Graham:Is he 40s yet or still late 30s?
Scott:He's close dude.
Graham:That's what I'm saying. He's close yeah.
Scott:Yeah, but it sucks, man, close dude, that's what I'm saying, like yeah, yeah, but I just think I'm older than really harsh right it's just like I don't feel myself with that old and I look at these people.
Graham:I'm like damn, these motherfuckers look old.
Scott:I'm like wait, oh shit, I'm 42, yeah it got really weird for me as a sports fan when I became older than everybody, right.
Graham:Yeah right, and all the people we used to watch are now on the senior tour.
Scott:Or retired.
Graham:Or retired exactly.
Scott:But, dude, weird news came out today. I think you saw the press conference Rory's not playing at Jack's place Didn't even call Jack up and say I'm not playing. Now is the media blowing this up? Well, of course they are. But this is also someone and I was talking to Billy earlier like Rory was a whiny little bitch earlier when he lost to DeChambeau at Pinehurst last year and left and yada, yada, yada. I kind of became a fan again after he won the Masters.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Scott:Then he's a whiny little bitch, doesn't do a press conference. At the PGA last week His drivers found nonconforming and he plays like shit and he doesn't do one press conference. Now you don't call Jack. Give him a three minute call and say, hey, I'm not playing.
Graham:You know the next event he plays. You know they're going to ask him.
Scott:No, because he ain't going to show up, dude.
Graham:You can't run from the media, you just can't.
Scott:Well, it's the PGA Tour and they're not obligated to do it like the NFL. Remember Marshawn Lynch? Yeah, I'm just here why.
Graham:Because I have to be.
Scott:No, so I don't get fined.
Graham:Yeah, no, you're right, that's yeah, that's what he's saying.
Scott:But and I get it. When a driver is nonconforming, it's not supposed to be made public, right, okay, it's not supposed to come out, and I think he was bitter Betty about it. And then Scheffler ends up winning the PGA and it comes out after he wins that his driver was found nonconforming. But then it comes out yesterday, lucas Glover comes out on driver testing and says on record I've been trying to think all day how to say this without sounding like it's going to sound, but most guys don't even give the people that are testing the drivers their real driver. They give them their backup. What? Yeah, bro, he goes. No, it's true, and the testing is the way it is. Why and again, I know a lot of guys they keep two drivers in their bag just in case. Hey, oh yeah, it's this one, it's the one right here. Yeah, test this one.
Graham:I'm sure Jay loved to hear that. Oh man.
Speaker 1:Right.
Graham:Oh, my God.
Scott:I was shocked when I saw it Heard it on the podcast. You know what Kudos Props to Lucas Glover. When I saw it heard it on the podcast.
Graham:You know what Kudos props to Lucas Glover you know for coming out and saying that shit.
Scott:And I'm not going out there and saying Rory was cheating and, like they all say, it happens every week to different players, but it's not made public. It's not supposed to be made public, but what I am saying is test them every week.
Scott:They say it takes less than a minute to test it. Yeah, and here's the thing I was thinking about. You test them on the first hole. And first hole on Thursday Opening round. You got somebody testing your driver. Okay, if it's non-conforming, you're already on the tee. How do you get your backup? Yeah, that's, how do you get it. You're on the tee.
Graham:Then that'd be something they'd have to do on the range before they go out.
Scott:They'd have to do it on Wednesday. And now it is. Golf become like adult league softball. When they tested all the bats back when we were in California and you could own, they put a lime green piece of tape on the bottom of your bat or your driver. Yeah, this has been tested. There's no right or wrong answer, it's just if you're only going to test 50, that seems kind of weird to me.
Graham:Oh no, it has to be everyone yeah.
Speaker 1:It has to be everyone, it has to.
Graham:That's like oh we're just going to randomly drug test people. What is that?
Scott:It's the same in the NFL. Remember when dudes would have big games and then they would post the thing in their locker room Please submit News. Would have big games and then they would post the. Thing in their locker room. Please submit, you know, come here for your drug test. Oh yeah, and then the NFL banned that they weren't allowed to make it public on people's social medias.
Graham:I mean, I mean, the best one was the Eagles game with Saquon Jump. Yeah, jumped backwards over the guy, like the league was like let's check this out.
Scott:Yeah, go piss in a cup. What, yeah, I don't know, but the biggest news came out on the PGA Tour today Tour Championship they're changing the format Did they say to what? No longer will the FedEx cup leader enter the tour championship with whatever. It was 12 under or whatever 10 under Second.
Scott:Yeah, it says PGA tour announces tour championship format will return to stroke play. Field of 30 qualifiers will start at traditional even par instead of starting strokes model, the model used since 2019. But here's the thing, dude you dominate all year. You have a year, like Scotty had last year, okay, and you're heading into the tour championship and Johnny Smith comes out of nowhere and can win. No, no.
Scott:I would say Give us a straight up tour championship where it's 30 players right, that qualify top 30 and FedEx cup points qualify for the tour championship. Okay, 30 in FedEx Cup points qualify for the tour championship.
Graham:Okay.
Scott:Give us a match play where the top X, top five, top six get first round buys, let's go. I mean, I don't even know, I'm just thinking that as we're talking, there's no right or wrong answer, but allowing, like remember last year, keegan Bradley, if he won the tour championship could have won because he won the second round. Fedex in Colorado.
Graham:Yeah, that's my point. Like if you give so much, if you give so much to the points to get the status or to get the points, which therefore gave you the extra strokes. I mean, look, within the last, let's just say, 10 years of the FedEx Cup, you had a couple guys that came back from 10th place or even 15th.
Scott:Remember Tiger.
Graham:Tiger won the tour championship, but somebody else won the fedex cup yeah, I mean like it could still happen, but it's just like to your point. I don't say that we're used to the how they're playing it now, but there should still be a bonus for being the number one, like like what's the at that point. What's the point of the points I mean, like I get it.
Scott:I agree. I agree 100, because a year like last year, like scotty had, went in seven million tournaments, right. There's no right answer because we can. There's no right answer because we can bitch and moan about it forever. You can't have a guy have a season like Scottie last year and Keegan Bradley come and steal the FedEx Cup. We talked about it last year, yeah, forever.
Graham:Yeah, yeah, I mean, could you imagine if that would? Have happened to a one tiger. I mean, the fedex wasn't around back then, but like, but still just imagine he has someone that's so far head and shoulders above. But just had a bad week and someone else like, okay, now you're the player, really.
Scott:Really so? I don't know, man, there's not a right or wrong answer, but I think personally, it's time to change venues.
Graham:I agree, like why does it always have to finish at it's?
Speaker 1:in Atlanta right.
Graham:It's not TPC, but it's the it's notlanta.
Scott:Right, yeah, it's not tbc, but it's not tbc, it's atlanta athletic club, maybe no, uh, don't tell my tongue anyway, but yeah it needs to change dude yeah it has to.
Graham:I mean I, I mean there's some parts that I do like the concept of the match, but the thing is is, even with that, like you can't, I don't know. Like my thing is, if the tour is gonna say something that they're gonna change it, like they better have damn good reasoning and why they're doing it and also examples and what they're going to do with it.
Graham:Eastlake. Yeah, I mean they have to have, like they had to have thought about this and what they're going to do. Like you can't just go from the system that we've had and then just go straight to all right. No, it's just going to be a regular tournament. Whoever wins wins. Like that doesn't make any sense. It's like we just said, scotty having the year that he did, if he didn't win the tour champion, if he didn't win at Eastlake, he's not the FedExCup champion, even though he was the number one player in the world the whole year. Yeah, he won all those tournaments, he had all those top finishes, but yet because someone played consistent, like you could have guys that not win a tournament, still finish top 30 in the world but win that event and then they'd be the FedExCup champion.
Scott:Like I said, look what Keegan did last year. He got hot at the end, won the event at Castle Pines and had a chance.
Graham:Which was in the FedExCup playoffs.
Scott:In the playoffs, yeah, and had a chance, which was in the FedEx Cup playoffs.
Graham:Yeah, and had a chance. Look, I wouldn't object if they like, just let maybe the top five guys get a stroke or two ahead. You know what I mean? I mean you couldn't do that. It has to be something for the third.
Scott:It has to be something.
Graham:Because here's the thing.
Scott:You're playing in the tour championship, it's guaranteed money.
Graham:Right.
Scott:That's guaranteed money, right? That's it. Look, you're playing all year to get in that top 30. That's everybody's goal.
Graham:Are they trying to say it makes it so it's not only top heavy for the people that have a chance to win. So whoever's at 25 to 30 has no chance. I haven't read what. Because really what it comes down to folks is also off the top of the head right now. In the last 10-15 years with the FedEx Cup, the winning margin is only within a couple strokes. No one's like blowing the field out.
Scott:Yeah, I think Scottie won by a couple last year over Morikawa.
Graham:And that's my point. It's just like the top people. I mean, you have guys that were like 20 and make it up to like five, but you're not going to have someone that's like 20 and 30 that has a chance. They literally have to play the best four rounds of their life to do it, and if that was the case, then they deserve to do it. You can't be 30th in the world.
Speaker 1:Not world 10.
Graham:Sorry In the FedEx. Sorry, you can't be 20th in the FedEx. Shoot 10 under for the week and be like shoot 10 under for the week and be like okay, that's good enough to be the best player in the world for for the tournament.
Scott:Like it's just like yeah, that's good, but hopefully we start to see more of what the plan is for the tour soon, and I'm sure it's out there. Right now we're just on the air doing this. We don't have time to research it, but I don't know. We got Oakmont in a couple weeks, dude. Oh, I can't wait to see the carnage there. Baby, let's go, let's go. And I can't even not mention this. Did you see who won the senior PGA yesterday? No, angel Cabrera, second win of the year. Dude, still putting with the jailbird.
Graham:I mean, if there's any other, if there's a better way to end the show, that's definitely it, right there.
Scott:What a story dude. What a story man. What a story man. What a story. He wins US Opens back at Oakmont, a place where he won, and you know we got the memorial this week. Next Monday is what we call the longest day in golf for everybody playing the 36-hole qualifiers for the US Open. And hopefully our boy gets in when are you qualifying? There's a lot of names right here talking to you. I didn't do the whatever. I think it's regionals and sectionals.
Scott:You got to do the first one first to make it to the second one, and if you don't play in the first, you're definitely not making it to the second Obviously yeah. But you know, longest day in golf, dude, it's brutal, but anyhow, Graham get us out of here.
Graham:Scott, it's always a pleasure doing the podcast with you. I'm excited to see what happens in these playoffs, both hockey and in basketball. I'm excited for the US Open coming up. I'm excited to watch this golf tournament memorial and see if it's going to be anyone else besides Scotty Scheffler. That being said, as the best homie always says, Buh-bye.
Scott:Good night friends.
Speaker 1:Lucas Glover, you've probably been blackballed by the PGA Tour, but I still love you, buh, buh this episode of the bald guys on the bench podcast is brought to you by our friends at North Star Credit Union and Southern Auto, located in Southeast Virginia.
