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EP 21 – A born-again Steeler fan meets his Christmas movie match (while Nick plays Madden)
Sean Barie and Nick Shook recap the week in the NFL, Sean explains how he’s back on board with Mike Tomlin and the Steelers and Nick reminds him of the coming Browns takeover in 2019 while also playing a game of Madden during the entire podcast. Sean’s dad makes his first appearance for a rousing game of “Is That Bowl Game Real?” and McDev returns with a fresh batch of deals. Story Time includes a unique use of a Subway sandwich, and Nick’s girlfriend Bridget makes her first appearance to bury America’s favorite holiday film, “A Christmas Story”. Rest in peace to the Barie family dog, Toby. Rate and subscribe on iTunes and Soundcloud!
EP 20 – Miami’s miracle, Steelers panic, some other sports and a lot of holiday talk
Sean Barie and Nick Shook recap the week in the NFL, Steely Phil returns to give his take on Mike Tomlin and the future of the Steelers and Sean rubs the Miami Miracle into his coworker’s face. Sean and Nick also cover whether the Bears are legit before pivoting to the college bowl slate (and their favorite obscure bowls). Story Time includes an unexpected and dramatic proposal, the two discuss their most hated and most loved holiday cookies (an assault on pizzelles is coming) and Sean repeatedly suggests his parents are old (Nick, who is writing this summary, says they most certainly are not). It’s a podcast fit for the season. Rate and subscribe on iTunes and Soundcloud!
Behind the O-Line: Texans’ line keys running game with zone scheme
By Nick Shook
Around The NFL writer
Read full post on NFL.com
The Houston Texans are one of the league’s hottest teams and are drawing deserved attention.
Houston hasn’t lost a game since September, winning in a variety of ways that were mostly by close margins. Then came Week 13 and its dominant win over the Cleveland Browns.
That victory opened the eyes of the league, as the Texans cut down a Browns team that was riding high after two straight victories. Three interceptions led the way for Houston, shutting down rookie Baker Mayfield in the first half and then managing to maintain the lead despite Mayfield throwing for 351 yards in the second half.
The defense played well again in Week 13, but what about the offense? The unit led by rookie Deshaun Watson has done its share to contribute to the winning streak, and deserve a closer look at how it’s doing so after recording victory No. 9.
Let’s go Behind the O-Line to figure out what is working for the AFC South leaders. Continue reading
EP 19 – Job losses galore, the CFP is set and Sean’s holiday spirit is under attack!
Sean Barie and Nick Shook break down three big stories in both college football and the NFL: Urban Meyer’s retirement, Mike McCarthy’s firing and Kareem Hunt’s release. Sean and Nick give their takes on the way the College Football Playoff shook out (pun unintended), they discuss whether some currently hot NFL teams are for real, and celebrate Seattle receiving NHL expansion team! Story Time includes an ill-advised tweet during college finals, and Sean has a deep-seated rant against the assault on his holiday spirit. Rate and subscribe on iTunes and Soundcloud!
Behind the O-Line: Browns’ changes at OC, tackle aiding Mayfield’s play
By Nick Shook
Around The NFL writer
Read full post on NFL.com
Hue Jackson’s firing has been a turning point of sorts for a Cleveland Browns team that, at 2-5-1, seemed destined for another forgettable finish and top five position in the upcoming draft.
The Browns‘ offense was stuck in first gear at best in the final days of the Jackson era, failing to get much of anything going in the passing game. It was an alarming shift after a hot start for rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield. Cleveland braced for more disappointment as the seemingly eternally gray skies in the region set in for a long winter.
But then came a ray of sunshine in the most unexpected form of running backs coach Freddie Kitchens, an NFL veteran who was promoted to offensive coordinator for the first time in his career.
Since Kitchens’ promotion, the Browns‘ offense has taken on a new look, answering prolonged calls for more involvement of running backs in the passing game and injecting life into a unit that was left on life support not too long ago. His approach has been simple: Shorten the passing game and keep defenses honest. Continue reading
EP 18 – Thanksgiving! Favorite dishes, holiday football and the month ahead
Sean Barie and Nick Shook recap the thrilling Rams-Chiefs game, discuss a few NFL teams who are on hot streaks and where they might land come January. Sean breaks down his new relationship with a significant other (who’s a Browns fan!), McDev returns to stick a fork in the Eagles along with his picks, Story Time includes Hassan Whiteside’s journey with his assault rifle, the two update the College Football Playoff situation, Nick analyzes JR Smith’s excommunication from the Cavs (and how we got here)and Sean and Nick share what they’re thankful for. Rate and subscribe on iTunes and Soundcloud!
EP 17 – The Bell won’t toll, and does anyone have a chance against Alabama?
Sean Barie and Nick Shook recap the fallout from Le’Veon Bell not signing his franchise tag before the deadline, where he’s headed from here, the latest in the NFL and the newest College Football Playoff rankings. Sean introduces a new segment (with a shot at a former Browns coach) for you mixologists, McDev returns after watching his Birds choke on Sunday night with a fresh batch of picks in McDev’s Deals and Nick sings about a lobster stolen from, yes, Red Lobster. Everyone’s favorite Yinzer, Steely Phil, also returns for some enlightening banter. Rate and subscribe on iTunes and Soundcloud!
EP 16 – Election night in America: Would you vote for James Conner for MVP?
Sean Barie and Nick Shook recap the thriller in New Orleans between the Rams and Saints, the disappointment that was Patriots-Packers and Alabama’s dominance of LSU. The two make some college football playoff projections, Sean delves into hockey, McDev returns from his weeklong sabbatical with a fresh batch of picks in McDev’s Deals and Nick rants against the Lakers’ lack of patience. Story time includes a #FloridaMan wearing Crocs diving into — yes — a crocodile pit. Rate and subscribe on iTunes and Soundcloud!
EP 15 – Fire everyone in Cleveland (but don’t lose your car keys in a Boston sewer)
Sean Barie and Nick Shook recap the back-to-back firings of coaches in Cleveland, including a heated debate about the desirability of the Browns job moving forward and a critique of the Cavaliers organization. Sean regales listeners with his tales of covering the World Series in Boston (including an interesting wrinkle involving the city’s sewer system), his roommate joins for a little talk about the Steelers and Ravens, and the two hosts recap the trade deadline. The fellas also discuss the latest in college football, and Sean explains his love for his hometown of Pittsburgh in the aftermath of tragedy. Rate and subscribe on iTunes and Soundcloud!
EP 14 – The Steelers are OK now, we guess…? Plus: Kent-Akron week, Sean moved out and McDev’s McPush
Sean Barie and Nick Shook recap Week 6 of the NFL season, including the shootout in Massachusetts (no, it’s not 1776), the Steelers’ thrilling win over the Bengals and the Raiders’ meltdown (and how it’s unfair to the people of Oakland). The pair then shifts to talk (and rant) about the MLB playoffs, take a couple of trips down memory lane and then get to the important part: IT’S KENT STATE-AKRON WEEK. The two break down the history and the greatest mid-major rivalry in sports, and also welcome McDev back in after he got a good ol’ push out of his gambling weekend. Nick struggles to find something he loves, while Sean gets settled into his new apartment. There are more entertaining points of note, but it’s 12:23 a.m. PT and the writer of this (Nick) needs to go to bed. Rate and subscribe on iTunes and Soundcloud!
Nick Shook 