The Wake Up Call: Recent Episodes
ESPN Charlotte
Hunter Bailey from the Charlotte Observer returned to discuss his piece on Denzel Irvin with Walker Mehl. Bailey documents the latest concerning Irvin's placement on the heart transplant list and the road ahead. They also discuss Jahmir Young's status as he tests NBA waters and resides in the transfer portal, why Kicker Jonathan Cruz decided to leave the 49ers program eventually landing with Ole Miss, and how WR Elijah Spencer is the final piece to making Charlotte's offense unstoppable.
How you can help Denzel Irvin's journey to a new heart: https://www.gofundme.com/f/denzel-irvins-journey-to-a-new-heart?qid=1b53bdeb9198a0c714fa0b8a6cd63b14
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ESPN's Stephania Bell joins Walker Mehl to discuss the last 2 years of Christian McCaffrey's career and if those injuries are indicative of his future. Stephania mentions one specific injury that's particularly worrisome, his usage rate, and where you should consider taking him in your next fantasy football draft. Stephania also talks about the injuries of both Jimmy G and Baker Mayfield.
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Walker puts together the most important audio from Carolina's new offensive line additions and new offensive line coach. OL coach James Campen discussed how he evaluates some of the individual players, Bradley Bozeman tells you where he's most comfortable, and Austin Corbett talks about his relationship with a QB Carolina could potentially pursue.
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It wasn't quite the same feeling we all had 2 years ago when the Panthers brought in a new offensive coordinator.
When Matt Rhule came in 2020, he brought the passing wunderkind from LSU with him.
Fresh off a championship coaching a Heisman winner and the most prolific passing offense the college game has ever seen (in Baton Rouge no less, where they're used to recruiting the best RB in high school football and just handing it off 40 times a game).
It didn’t work out for Joe Brady like a lot of people thought. I’ve always defended him and still point to the problems around him as the real issues, but either way it led to his firing in the middle of his 2nd season.
Matt Rhule had to find somebody with experience, and he chose... Ben McAdoo. McAdoo’s head coaching exit with the Giants was a flameout, but he has been a part of some successful units. He was OC in NY beforehand and was at least in Green Bay’s building during some of their success.
So after a stint with Dallas and before that with Jacksonville, he finds himself at the helm of a unit desperate to improve.
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Of course it all starts at quarterback, and we still don’t know who’s going to start at that spot, but McAdoo may have tipped his hand… (audio).
No, no not that. Even if McAdoo is paranoid about saying the wrong thing, that wasn’t breaking any news. I find a lot more substance with this… (audio).
That hints at Malik Willis to me. At the very least it draws you away from Kenny Pickett who is viewed as the “safest” QB in the draft, with Sam Howell and Matt Corral both considered to have higher ceilings than the Pitt product.
But, clearly, Willis is viewed the most as the raw/crazy talented kid who might need some time to cook. It’s just the kind of guy an offensive mind would want to mold.
And I don’t blame him, I even agree with him, but Ben McAdoo ain’t in charge here.
Like he said, it will eventually come down to Matt Rhule and maybe even David Tepper. If they really value McAdoo’s opinion, then Willis might be the guy. And I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I hope they do.
Walker goes over the statement released by David Tepper's real estate company terminating plans to build practice facilities in Rock Hill based on their initial agreement. Included is:
- An update on the situation (0:00)
- A portion of Walker's interview with York County Council-Member Brandon Guffey (2:32)
- Extra Point on David Tepper's comments last year about a new potential stadium for Carolina (9:34)
Jake Fischer from Bleacher Report joins the show to discuss his piece on the Charlotte Hornets offseason ahead. He addresses this potentially being Mitch Kupchak's last year as Charlotte's GM, Kupchak's relationship with James Borrego, and whether he'll return next season, along with Miles Bridges' chances of landing with a different team.
Also, check out Jake's book "Built to Lose: How the NBA's Tanking Era Changed the League Forever"
Link to buy: https://www.triumphbooks.com/built-to-lose-products-9781629378718.php?page_id=21
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Malik Willis and Kenny Pickett are all the rage at the QB position, especially if you’re a Carolina fan because those quarterbacks are the most likely to be taken in the top 10 at that position.
With Carolina picking 6, it makes sense to discuss those 2 players, even if they trade back and are still within the top 15. But, what QB’s should they consider if they trade back further?
There a few to consider. Let’s start with Matt Corral who’s in the mix to be the 3rd QB selected. He suffered an ankle injury in the bowl game he played, but RG3 on ESPN said he’s still worth the risk despite the injury… (audio).
I think Sam Howell has the widest range of opinions concerning his evaluation, But Mina Kimes said on NFL Live that one team could be getting a steal if he falls too late… (audio).
Embed from Getty Images Desmond Ridder from Cincinnati had a fantastic season that saw the Bearcats get into the CFP, allowing the first G5 team ever to reach the final four. ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky loves the way Ridder processes the game… (audio).
What if those guys are all gone by the time Carolina picks again? Maybe later in the 2nd round? Who could fall that late?
Mike Greenberg gave you a name to remember… (audio).
Even if you don’t think Carolina should select a quarterback at 6 overall, I do think it’s important for Carolina to draft a QB at some point in the selection process.
Walker welcomes the go-to guy when it comes to breaking down the ATL. Brad Rowland joins SportsCenter-CLT to discuss what he'll be watching for in the Hornets Play-In game against the Atlanta Hawks and if Charlotte's ability to limit Trae Young will continue. Also, What the hell happened with the Freddie Freeman situation? Should the Braves have signed him? What does he make of the Ronald Acuna comments?
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David Tepper, Tepper Sports & Entertainment, and the Carolina Panthers decided to halt construction of Panthers Practice facilities in Rock Hill just a month ago. Their claim for doing so is that Rock Hill did not follow up on the city’s initial payment for the development. York County Council Member Brandon Guffey joined Walker Mehl to discuss the matter.
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Mark Schofield from USA Today Touchdown Wire joined Walker Mehl to discuss the upcoming NFL Draft including how the Carolina Panthers should operate, his QB rankings, why WR classes are so strong every year, and their love for Scrubs.
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ESPN's Katie Barnes joins Walker Mehl to discuss South Carolina's National Championship over UCONN. Katie discusses the paths of Aliyah Boston and Destanni Henderson, Dawn Staley's impact on the game, and what her legacy could be by the end of her career.
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It just wasn’t quite enough, and the Heels didn’t have anything left.
North Carolina lost the National Championship 72-69 against the Kansas Jayhawks. KU has ended North Carolina’s chances at a national title multiple times now, and they did so coming back from the largest overcome deficit in National Championship history.
16 points seems low for that to be a record, but it hurts all the same.
In fact, the Heels experienced plenty of hurt all around. Brady Manek got drilled in the face not long after the opening tip, Caleb Love twisted his ankle and limped during dead ball periods, and Puff Johnson borderline threw up on the floor after getting hit in the stomach.
This was all after Armando Bacot did everything he could to just play in this game… (audio)
He would go down a couple times due to the pain.
It’s amazing North Carolina only lost by 3, let alone even having a 16 point lead. They missed 50 shots total in this game. The trio of Bacot, Davis, and Love accounted for 41 of those misses.
Even out rebounding Kansas by 20 wasn’t enough to count for all the missed shots and injuries North Carolina accumulated.
Kansas also just became dogs in the 2nd half. Remy Martin got drunk off of clutch 3’s and the Jayhawks scored 31 contested points just in the 2nd half.
Hubert Davis had a particular message for his team after the game…(audio)
I don’t know if Carolina can ever be considered a Cinderella, probably not, but the shoe seemed to fit during their run that started with a landmark win against Coach K for the last time in Cameron Indoor Stadium. Championship or not, the first team coached by Hubert Davis will go down as one of the most beloved in Carolina history.
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Hunter Bailey of the Charlotte Observer joins Walker Mehl to discuss Charlotte's Jahmir Young testing the NBA waters, the chances he could come back or even transfer, and the pressure on Charlotte basketball next season. They also discuss the upcoming Charlotte 49ers football season including some new names you need to know, and if the 49ers have a number 1 offense in the conference this season.
Walker welcomes Rod Morrow from Game Theory with Bomani Jones and The Black Guy Who Tips podcast to discuss Game Theory's launch, his process as a writer, working with Bomani, and the Charlotte Hornets.
It’s something Duke and Carolina fans look for on the bracket every single year. Even if it’s highly unlikely, they still take a glimpse and ask, “What if?”, shiver at the thought of the stakes, and move on.
This year, it happened. For the first time, fans' “What if” became a reality. North Carolina and Duke will play each other in the NCAA Tournament... In the Final Four no less.
Joe Ovies of 99.9 The Fan discussed the feelings of fans leading up to the game… (audio)
This is the ultimate double or nothing proposal, except I don’t know that anybody agreed to it.
We all know the feelings surrounding Coach K’s last game at Cameron Indoor Stadium when they lost to UNC. The possibility of that loss being the thing this Duke team was remembered for most was huge. Vice Versa for this Heels squad. After all, we had talked about that game being UNC’s Super Bowl.
Except now they have to play another one, and Duke gets its shot at redemption.
I will say the stakes are very different this year, compared to any other season this could’ve happened. If Duke wins, the excitement is there but it still feels like relief just as much in Coach K’s last ride. A Duke win doesn’t quite neuralyze the Cameron Indoor loss to UNC, but if they lose it does smack them in the face on center stage.
A defeat means Coach K will have had two crazy special moments ended by a Tar Heel team who at times this season were fighting to reach the tournament. Duke has 3 lottery picks and 5 pros. The Blue Devils are the favorite to win the Championship, UNC has the lowest odds of anybody.
That’s not to say UNC by any means is absolved of pressure. The chance to play for a Championship itself provides the gravity and you want to deny the most important game going to your rival.
It’s happening, whether you embrace it or quietly wish it wasn’t.
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Walker Mehl speaks with Grant Leonard, who was introduced as the new Head Coach of Queens Mens Basketball on Wednesday. They discuss the news of his promotion, what he's learned from previous head coach Bart Lundy, how the roster and coaching staff is coming together, and the possible transition to D1.
Charlotte Hornets PXP Announcer Eric Collins joins the show to discuss his bobblehead night at the Spectrum Center, Gordon Hayward's impending return, and a sneaky reason why the Hornets are playing with more joy.
Friday was the latest checkpoint in the Deshaun Watson situation, and let’s be real, to call it a situation for the sake of brevity or to decrease shock value only hurts.
Despite a grand jury choosing not to indict Deshaun Watson on the criminal charges filed by 10 different women, he still faces 22 civil lawsuits alleging inappropriate behavior and sexual assault.
22 allegations. That number suggests a pattern of behavior that far, far surpasses any leniency or those who embrace 2nd chances, something I consider a characteristic of myself.
But no, Watson won’t be charged on any of the criminal complaints.
It’s reported that one owner in particular didn’t need the clarity from a grand jury to aggressively pursue Deshaun Watson: Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper.
Here’s ESPN’s David Newton discussing the matter on Sunday morning… (audio)
Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network reported, “Panthers owner David Tepper previously hired an investigator to thoroughly look into Watson’s legal issues.”
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported the Panthers have done a “ton of homework” on the Houston QB.
Benjamin Allbright even indicated David Tepper told people in Watson’s camp that Watson could name the next coach in Carolina. That’s how badly Carolina’ owner has transparently wanted him over the last year.
I guess that’s fine. I just hope the motivation is to find the truth, rather than find ammo to defend this desire and a potential move.
Let’s not forget the reason why David Tepper had the chance to buy the team.
Previous owner Jerry Richardson sold the squad because of a Sports Illustrated article that revealed allegations against Richardson regarding sexual harassment toward female employees. By the way, none of which a grand jury chose to indict him for.
Jonathan Alexander of the Charlotte Observer reports a Texans asking price including 3 first round picks, an additional selection, and players like Derrick Brown, Jeremy Chinn, or Brian Burns. David Newton says Jaycee Horn is the only untouchable player due to dead money and his contract.
Still, that’s a lot of “right moves” Carolina made going out the door to bring in a guy ESPN’s Adam Schefter thinks will miss time regardless because of the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
David Tepper said he planned to change the culture in Carolina following the events that led to the sale. But Tepper wants his new QB and he's willing to do a lot for him, except of course speak publicly. Tell me again, how is the culture supposed to change for the better?
Former Eagles player and current analyst Mike Jenkins joined Walker Mehl to discuss the ACC Tournament including his belief in some of the top programs in postseason play. Mike also talks about his professional career playing overseas and appearing in the D-League.
Queens Coach Bart Lundy spoke with Walker Mehl about a terrific regular season, this weekend's SAC tournament, and the potential move to Division 1.