AI Summary
5 min readThe Minnesota Vikings named Kyler Murray their starting quarterback over J.J. McCarthy, a decision that host Ben Maller calls a "rigged carnival game" from the start. Maller argues that Murray—whom he mockingly nicknames "Alligator Arms" for his tendency to check down and avoid risky throws—was always going to win the job, regardless of his shaky practices. The real story, Maller insists, is what this says about McCarthy: a quarterback who was handed "the presidential suite" of advantages—a redshirt rookie season, Justin Jefferson as his top receiver, and a supposedly brilliant offensive coach in Kevin O'Connell—and still couldn't beat out a player who "failed in Arizona." McCarthy ranked 35th among NFL quarterbacks last season (there are only 32 teams), and Maller sees the decision as proof that the "redshirt year" strategy for developing quarterbacks is overrated. "McCarthy is proof of the fact that it doesn't work," he says.
Adam Schefter's "Spin" on the McCarthy Demotion
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What you'll learn
- 1 (03:35) **Vikings Name Kyler Murray Starter, Ben Maller Calls It a "Rigged Carnival Game"** - Maller opens the substantive segment by mocking the Vikings' announcement that Kyler Murray won the quarterback competition over J.J. McCarthy.
- 2 (12:55) **Adam Schefter Draws Backlash for "Spin" on J.J. McCarthy's Demotion** - Maller pivots to Schefter's reporting, which framed McCarthy as a victim forced to be a backup.
- 3 (19:11) **DeAndre Hopkins vs. Steve Keim: A "Legal Food Fight" Over a Four-Year-Old Drug Test** - Maller introduces a brewing legal dispute between the former receiver and the ex-Cardinals GM.
- 4 (28:28) **Alex Cora Says He'll Manage Again, Maller Calls Him "Raw Oysters"** - Maller mocks the former Red Sox manager's media tour where he said he expects to return to a dugout eventually.
- 5 (35:43) **Yankees' $2.6 Billion Private Equity Deal: Selling the "Mona Lisa" to the "Chop Shop"** - Maller reacts to the news that the New York Yankees reached a financial agreement with Apollo Sports Capital.
- 6 (41:39) **Angels Fire Pitching Coach Mike Maddox, Maller Calls It "Scapegoating"** - Maller analyzes the Angels' decision to fire respected pitching coach Mike Maddox with just over 40 games left in the season.
- 7 (51:57) **Quick Hits: Lamar Jackson's Slides, Clippers' Kawhi Penalty, and Nikola Jokic to Greece** - Maller answers rapid-fire questions from his co-host.
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Guests on this episode
Show Notes
Big Ben talks about Kyler Murray being announced as the starting QB for the Vikings, Alex Cora saying that he's opening to managing again, Maller to the Third Degree, #QueenOfHearts w/ LaReina, Password: Word Game of the Stars, and more!
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