AI Summary
5 min readThe NFL Draft's Missing Headliner and Other Offseason Signals
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the player expected to be selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders, has told the NFL he will not attend the draft in Pittsburgh. Instead, he plans to watch from Miami with his family, drinking cocktails. The league, according to Ben Maller, is "not particularly happy about this" and is "trying to put on a happy face" while privately grumbling. Mendoza does have what Maller calls a "hall pass"—his mother's well-documented health issues provide a defensible reason to skip—but the underlying tension reveals something about how the NFL views its signature offseason event.
The Draft as Choreographed Spectacle
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What you'll learn
- 1 (06:43) **Mendoza Skips the Draft** - The NFL is unhappy that expected No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza is skipping the in-person draft to be with family in Miami.
- 2 (11:23) **Harbaugh Says "Everybody Is Tradable"** - Giants coach John Harbaugh’s comment on Dexter Lawrence and Kayvon Thibodeaux trade rumors is decoded.
- 3 (14:32) **Kyle Pitts Signs Franchise Tag, Shows Up** - The Falcons tight end reports for voluntary workouts, breaking the standard "hostage video" protocol for franchise players.
- 4 (18:30) **Mallor Meet & Greet Announcements** - The host promotes upcoming live events in Cincinnati (April 25th) and Boston/Worcester (May 8th-9th).
- 5 (27:10) **International Callers: Tokyo and South Korea** - A caller from Tokyo discusses the "South Side Samurai" nickname controversy and a caller from South Korea invites the show for a meet and greet.
- 6 (31:48) **Tree in Chicago on Doc Rivers** - A regular caller rants about Doc Rivers making the Hall of Fame, a topic the host has frequently criticized.
- 7 (35:03) **Marcel in Brooklyn and the Aaron Rodgers Rumor** - A caller from Brooklyn discusses the Mets, Yankees, and the rumor that Aaron Rodgers is holding up a Steelers deal for more money.
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Guests on this episode
Show Notes
Ben Maller talks about Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza skipping the NFL Draft and if a potential top pick should feel obligated to attend the draft, Giants coach John Harbaugh saying 'everyone is tradeable', Kyle Pitts signing the franchise tag, Password: Word Game of the Stars, and more!
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