Just Another Sports Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Frederick News-Post
Join Greg Swatek, Josh Smith and Colin McGuire for a weekly discussion of all things sports — with some pop culture and other topics of interest sprinkled in — between three guys who don’t take themselves too seriously and are just as likely to make fun of themselves than someone or something else.
In another attempt to provide a small, non-virus-related distraction, city editor Allen Etzler and host Greg Swatek address a number of topics from around the world of sports on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
On what should have been Opening Day for Major League Baseball, the guys talk about the Olympics being postponed until next year, when sports might come back and what they will look like when they do and Cam Newton suddenly being without an NFL home.
Plus, should the NFL push back the date of the draft? Why is Dr. Anthony Fauci talking with Steph Curry on Instagram? And what sort of impact is the virus having on the beer Corona?
Going forward in this time of crisis, Just Another Sports Podcast will aim to provide a listening experience that allows people to escape, if only for a brief period, from the coronavirus and provide a distraction.
That task proved to be impossible this week because reporter Heather Mongilio, who has been at the lead of the FNP’s coverage of the coronavirus, joins city editor Allen Etzler and host Greg Swatek on the podcast primarily to lament Tom Brady leaving her beloved New England Patriots for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Heather, Greg and Allen talk about all of the NFL free agency news, which has provided a needed distraction in period of no sports. But the conversation, inevitably, turns to the virus and Heather uses her expertise on the subject to try and answer some of the most pressing questions.
When might things start to get better? What is the best way to combat the virus? Will the upcoming warmer weather provide some relief?
*Editor’s note: Several hours after this episode was recorded news came down of the NBA season being suspended indefinitely.
Now that the NCAA has barred fans from attending games for its men’s and women’s basketball tournament, the impact of the coronavirus is now being felt in a major way in the sports world.
On this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast, sports editor Josh Smith and host Greg Swatek discuss this stunning decision and what else might be significantly impacted in this rapidly evolving story.
What sort of impact might empty arenas have on NCAA tournament games? Will they lean more heavily toward the higher-seeded favorites since the underdog teams won’t be able to rely on the crowd to give them a boost?
Plus, might the future of sports journalism be forever changed by the decision of major sports leagues to bar media from locker rooms in response to the virus? Might teams, athletes and coaches get comfortable without independently minded reporters milling around, looking for stories, and make the new policy more permanent? What sort of impact would that have on the way news is reported and stories are told?
What sort of impact might the coronavirus have on the world of sports?
That’s the question FNP city editor Allen Etzler and host Greg Swatek address on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
Could the outbreak of the presently incurable virus prompt interruptions, postponements and, perhaps, even cancellations of major sporting events, such as the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, located not far from one of the epicenters of the illness? Just how disruptive might it get?
Plus, Allen weighs in on whether his 49ers should pursue Tom Brady to be their quarterback. Why are the Knicks and Spike Lee at odds? And Steph Curry is back for the Golden State Warriors.
What other event draws such widespread fascination yet is utterly inconsequential to its sport like the NFL Combine?Sports editor Josh Smith, city editor Allen Etzler and host Greg Swatek discuss this unusual dynamic on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.The guys also touch on the marquee heavyweight fight between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder and how boxing does a real disservice to its fans with the price of its pay per views, underwhelming cards and political infighting that leads to things like numerous heavyweight championships.Plus, why are signs being confiscated at Astros spring training games? How bad are the Wizards right now? And how amazing are Sports Illustrated writers that can produce masterful work while high on elephantine joints?
As the fallout continues from the Astros’ cheating scandal, what, if anything, can Major League Baseball do about it?
FNP city editor Allen Etzler and host Greg Swatek discuss that in-depth on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
The guys talk about how badly Major League Baseball, namely Commissioner Rob Manfred, has managed this entire situation from the outset, not coming down hard enough on the team and the players with discipline and even having to apologize for calling the World Series trophy “a piece of metal.” Now MLB and its players association find themselves in an extremely unenviable spot with players and well-known figures in other sports saying that no enough was done to punish the Astros for cheating. Even players who don’t often speak out publicly like Mike Trout and Nick Markakis are sounding off about the Astros’ situation.
Allen and Greg also share their affinity for the new format for the NBA All-Star game and All-Star weekend, in general. Plus, are 17 games and 14 playoff teams (seven per conference) a good thing for the NFL? What are the best events on the annual sports calendar? And why is Big Papi, David Ortiz, being thrown onto the Boat to Nowhere?
Following the Kansas City Chiefs victory over the San Francisco 49ers, how will Super Bowl 54 be remembered?
That’s a topic sports editor Josh Smith, city editor and noted 49ers fan Allen Etzler and host Greg Swatek dive into on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
Did the better team win? Why did the 49ers seemingly move away from their strengths with a 10-point lead in the second half? Was Patrick Mahomes the deserving MVP after a below-par performance for much of the game by his lofty, best-in-the-game standards? What commercials caught the guys’ attention? And why is the halftime show drawing so much outrage and scrutiny?
Plus, why is Bradley Beal not an NBA All-Star? Josh is dreaming of Richard Petty — for some reason — and missed deadlines. And does anyone care about this weekend’s launch of the XFL?
Kobe Bryant's sudden and shocking death on Sunday cast a pall across the sports world, and the subject of the former Laker great takes over this week's Just Another Sports Podcast episode. Host Greg Swatek, sports editor Josh Smith and city editor Allen Etzler give their reactions and discuss why Bryant seemed to mean so much to so many people despite a background that wasn't exactly pristine.
What were the guys' most lasting memories of Bryant's basketball skills? How did the news of his death in a helicopter crash affect them? Why has it been so difficult for people to process the loss of someone they didn't really know? What were some of the best Kobe stories that have been written or told this week?
Also, Greg piles on the Wizards for their putrid defense so far this season, Josh tosses a tone-deaf college football coach on the boat for some ill-advised comments, and Allen hammers TMZ for releasing news of Bryant's death before the family had been notified and other media for some careless reporting during the hectic aftermath of the crash.
With the Super Bowl now set, sports editor Josh Smith, city editor Allen Etzler and host Greg Swatek dive into the matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
Allen, a 49ers fan, is worried that Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense will have their way with his team. But Josh and Greg explain why the 49ers might be better equipped to handle Kansas City’s high-powered attack than just about any other team.
The guys also weigh in on Major League Baseball allowing the Astros and Red Sox to keep their World Series titles and using robot umpires during spring training games, and whether some of the very best WNBA players could cut it in the NBA, as Kobe Bryant recently suggested.
Plus, it’s time to throw a bunch of sports writers on the Boat to Nowhere, including one who was not yet ready to vote Derek Jeter into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The Ravens were upset in the NFL playoffs. LSU quarterback Joe Burrow authored a championship season for the ages. And Major League Baseball dropped the hammer on the Astros in the sign-stealing scandal, which led to multiple firings.
Sports editor Josh Smith and host Greg Swatek discuss it all on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
What happened to the Ravens? After winning 12 straight games and establishing themselves as the Super Bowl favorite, Lamar Jackson and company fell flat in a surprising loss to the Tennessee Titans. What contributed to the Ravens demise? And what does the loss portend, if anything, about the future of the team?
Then, Josh and Greg share their affection for LSU quarterback Joe Burrow and why they both feel he will be a Super Bowl winning quarterback in the NFL, as well as their feelings on the firings of Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow, manager AJ Hinch and Red Sox manager Alex Cora for their role in Houston’s illegal sign stealing that played a role in the team’s recent success. In a culture where teams are looking to gain an edge at seemingly all costs, is cheating more prevalent than anyone realizes in MLB?
Plus, what are the good and bad looks of the week? And Odell Beckman Jr. punches his long overdue ticket on the Boat to Nowhere.
With the divisional round of the NFL playoffs on tap this weekend, sports editor Josh Smith, city editor Allen Etzler and host Greg Swatek dive into the matchups this week on Just Another Sports Podcast.
What is the best game of the weekend? Can the Titans throw a scare into the Ravens?
Josh is a Vikings fan and Allen is a 49ers fan. So, that matchup is discussed in detail, as well as who they would rather see their team face in the NFC Championship game, the Packers or Seahawks.
The guys also touch on some of the coaching changes around the league. Who is the most overlooked candidate? And the futures of some of the older quarterbacks in the league, such as Tom Brady and Drew Brees, are discussed. What are the odds Brady has played his last game for New England?
As 2019 comes to a close, what were the top sports stories of the year? That dominates the discussion on the latest episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
Was it the New England Patriots winning a record-tying sixth Super Bowl? Was it Tiger Woods returning to the pinnacle of golf with his victory at The Masters? Was it the U.S. women's national soccer team, which backed up its words with a dominating performance throughout the World Cup? Or was it Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors, who brought the Golden State Warriors dynasty to a close in the NBA Finals?
FNP city editor Allen Etzler and host Greg Swatek comb through as extensive list of stories, with some being better than others as candidates for top stories of the year.
The guys also touch on the Christmas and New Year's holidays and share hopes and well-wishes with 2020 about to begin.
With the NFL playoff picture coming into clearer focus and the NBA proposing drastic changes to its regular season, there are no shortage of things to discuss on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
FNP city editor Allen Etzler and sports writer Joe Ferraro join host Greg Swatek this week. The guys discuss the NFL playoff picture, particularly the depth of the NFC. While they wonder if anyone can seriously challenge the Ravens in the AFC, the NFC has three to four teams that all have legitimate hopes of winning the Super Bowl.
The guys also talk about changes being proposed for the NBA regular season, including an in-season 30-team tournament that could pay the players of the winning team a million dollars apiece. Do any the proposed changes make sense? What are some of the changes not being discussed that the NBA could make to generate more interest in its regular season?
Plus, is there any excitement for the college football bowl season? Did top prospect James Wiseman do the right thing by leaving Memphis to prepare for the NBA draft? And a lead sled dog gets his due.
Can the Patriots be trusted on and off the field? Did the Nationals put their free-agent dollars behind the right player? Who can challenge the Ravens as the NFL playoffs draw nearer?
Those are the main questions sports editor Josh Smith and host Greg Swatek address on the latest episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
The Patriots admitted to improperly filming the Cincinnati Bengals, their opponent this week, while compiling footage for a documentary on one of their advanced scouts for the team’s website. While Bill Belichick denied that he and the football side of the organization had anything to do with this, Josh and Greg are skeptical and explain why it’s so hard to take the legendary coach at his word on matters like this.
The Nationals, meanwhile, resigned Stephen Strasburg to what was a record contract at the time for a pitcher (seven years, $245 million) and then lost All-Star third baseman Anthony Rendon to the Los Angeles Angels for a contract of identical length and value. Josh and Greg talk about why they would have chosen to sign Rendon over Strasburg, whether the Nationals really couldn’t afford signing both players, and whether pitchers deserve these types of contracts.
Plus, can anyone in the AFC challenge the Ravens for a spot in the Super Bowl? What teams in the NFC can possibly beat them? And it’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood for the Mr. Rogers movie.
Are the Patriots really that good? Can anything stand in the way of a Ravens-49ers Super Bowl rematch?
On this Thanksgiving week episode of Just Another Sports Podcast, sports editor and Greg Swatek share their takeaways as the NFL season heads down the stretch run.
The episode features all of the usual fixings: Greg’s bad look, Josh’s good look, people being thrown onto the Boat to Nowhere and seen or to be seen.
The guys share what they appreciate most about the Thanksgiving holiday. And you just never know who might be reading something you wrote.
With the Baltimore Ravens playing like the best team in the NFL and quarterback Lamar Jackson emerging as a frontrunner for MVP, Jonas Shaffer, who covers the team for The Baltimore Sun, joins sports editor Josh Smith and host Greg Swatek on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
Shaffer helps to explain the unique style of offense the Ravens are running and why so few teams are equipped to duplicate or stop it. He also talks about the emergence of Jackson as one of the league’s must-see players and how he has overcome the questions that surrounded his status as a late first-round draft choice. Shaffer also explains why the Ravens’ defense has improved so much, and, on a personal note, how he became interested in journalism as a 2012 graduate of the University of Maryland.
Then, Greg and Josh touch on the Myles Garrett incident, the Colin Kaepernick workout and the incredible rise of 20-year-old Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks.
Plus, overzealous youth baseball parents and the commissioner of an incredibly popular sports league join the crew on the Boat to Nowhere.
Back after an unscheduled week away, sports editor Josh Smith, sports writer Joe Ferraro and host Greg Swatek reflect on the Washington Nationals’ World Series victory on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
The guys share their thoughts on the Nats surprising run to the championship and also address how the team should proceed with big-name free agents Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg. That will help dictate whether this was a one-season wonder or the beginning of a multi-year window as one of the top teams in baseball.
The guys also discuss the Ravens big win over the previously unbeaten Patriots and Lamar Jackson’s emergence as one of the top playmakers in the NFL. How might the AFC race to the Super Bowl shake out with the Ravens, Patriots and Chiefs looking like the primary contenders and all three teams having various strengths and weaknesses?
Plus, it is really feasible to have an NFL team in London? Josh has a Good Look of the Week, while Greg offers his bad look. And a bunch of baseball writers are thrown onto The Boat for poor judgement when it comes to postseason awards.
As the Washington Nationals bid for their first World Series title, the New England Patriots continue their run of excellence in the NFL that span almost two decades.
Which prompts the discussion on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast: Is the Patriots dominance over the last 19 seasons the most impressive accomplishment in the history of American team sports? That question was posed on Twitter by former Redskins quarterback Sage Rosenfels and prompted sports editor Josh Smith, sports writer Joe Ferraro and host Greg Swatek to respond.
The guys also discuss the Nationals’ World Series appearance and whether they like their chances against the Houston Astros.
Plus, there are a couple of bad looks this week, and a NBA legend, a schedule maker and a St. Louis high school football coach are bound for The Boat.
Will horrendous officiating in the NFL start driving people away from the game? Does the league even care about its officiating problem, knowing that it generates conversation throughout the week? And should the league once again scrap its instant-replay system all together?
Those are questions that sports editor Josh Smith and sports writer Greg Swatek tackle on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast, as the horrible officiating in the league forces them to return to a familiar topic on the podcast.
However, prior to that, the guys talk about the Washington Nationals’ remarkable run to the World Series. With the burden of expectations finally removed, the underdog Nats finally broke through in a big way with their perpetually optimistic manager and resilient players. They will be big underdogs in the World Series against the Astros or the Yankees. But is that the role that suits them best?
Plus, why is LeBron commenting about the NBA’s issues in China? And why is Tiger Woods allegedly writing a book to set the record straight about his life and career?
Now that the Redskins have parted ways with coach Jay Gruen, what is the proper path forward for the franchise? Who are the best candidates to be the team’s next coach? How should they handle rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins?
On this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast, sports editor Josh Smith, city editor Allen Etzler and host Greg Swatek address those questions.
With numerous backup quarterbacks getting onto the field, the guys also talk about who has been the most impressive and whether its easier or more difficult to play the position in today’s game.
Plus, there are lots of good and bad looks to discuss this week, namely the situation involving Baker Mayfield and Richard Sherman. And who is banished to the Boat to Nowhere?
After California passed legislation allowing college athletes to profit off of their name and likeness, sports editor Josh Smith, city editor Allen Etzler and host Greg Swatek throw their support behind the new law on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
The guys wonder why it has taken so long for everyone to arrive at what seems like a common-sense solution. They also talk about how other states need to move quickly with their own legislation in order to prevent a mass exodus of marketable college athletes to California.
The guys also discuss the Nationals’ wild-card win over the Milwaukee Brewers, the Bill Buckner-esque error committed by Brewers outfielder Trent Grisham.
Plus, what happened to the Ravens defense? What is the real motive behind Ray Lewis withdrawing from Dancing with the Stars? And why is Josh betting against his Minnesota Vikings?
How good are the Ravens and how bad are the Redskins?
Those are questions entertained on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast, as sports editor Josh Smith, city editor Allen Etzler and host Greg Swatek review the happenings in Week 3 of the NFL season.
With Lamar Jackson playing significantly better than his critics imagined, what sort of potential do the Ravens have as a possible contender? And can anything short of a promising franchise quarterback save the Redskins from the mess in which they currently find themselves?
Plus, how good are the Nationals’ playoff chances? How good was Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in a win at Seattle? How good is tennis’ Lavar Cup? And how good is “QB1” on Netflix?
Think Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports is just an NFL Insider?
On this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast, La Canfora joins host Greg Swatek and sports editor Josh Smith and offers a detailed breakdown of the Orioles’ minor league system and why he is so optimistic about the team’s future.
The guys also discuss myriad NFL issues regarding the NFL. Why is the officiating so bad and what can be done to fix it? How will the league address the preseason? Are the Redskins about to turn the franchise over to Dwayne Haskins? What makes the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson and the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes such special quarterbacks?
La Canfora also paints a picture of what a typical Sunday looks like for him, as he juggles his television responsibilities with "The NFL Today," with staying on top of all of the breaking news across the league, particularly when it comes to injuries.
Overreacting to NFL games is commonplace, especially after the first week of the season. So, sports editor Josh Smith and host Greg Swatek try not to do that on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
Greg shares his experience of his trip to Cleveland to see the Browns much-hyped season-opener only to see them fall flat on their face in typical fashion.
The guys talk about the Antonio Brown saga and how it wound up with him joining the New England Patriots in predictable fashion. They also discuss why they feel it’s going to work in a major way.
Plus, Greg offers his Bad Look of the Week, while Josh shares his Good Look of the Week. And a journeyman quarterback and the coach of one of the regional NFL teams is tossed onto the Boat to Nowhere.
With the NFL set to begin its 100th season this week, sports editor Josh Smith, sports writer Joe Ferraro and host Greg Swatek offer their best and otherwise meaningless guesses as to how it might unfold.
The guys offer predictions and analysis for every division and surmise who might reach the playoffs and Super Bowl 54.
Plus, Greg shares his experience attending the U.S. Open in New York and seeing Roger Federer and Serena Williams play in person, as well as a couple of bad looks from the final tennis grand slam of the year.
Josh debuts his Good Look of the Week, and the guys throw more people on the Boat to Nowhere, including a beloved sportscaster and one of the greatest basketball players ever.
With the NFL season nearing, Just Another Sports Podcast welcomes a guest that makes sports editor Josh Smith's journalism geekiness overfloweth, as he and Greg Swatek are joined by Matthew Coller — the Minnesota Vikings reporter for Skor North 1500AM and skornorth.com in Minneapolis.
Coller talks about what it's like covering an NFL team day to day. What's the best part of his job at this time of the year, even as preseason grinds through four largely meaningless exhibitions? How often does he get a chance to have coach Mike Zimmer break down a scheme with him? Why does Coller engage so many kooky Vikings fans (Josh included) on Twitter?
Coller discusses his desire to develop unique angles and grind game tape for analytical pieces that are adored by fellow football nerds — a group to which he unabashedly belongs, given his penchant for burning three hours watching 1990s Buffalo Bills games (he swears he was researching fullback Sam Gash) on YouTube and gushing over journeyman quarterbacks like Gus Frerotte or Ryan Fitzpatrick.
How does he view Andrew Luck's premature retirement? Will the Ravens or Redskins finish with a better record? Should Josh waste his money on NFL Sunday Ticket for the 15th straight season or just give up on the Vikings? Coller and the guys touch on these and many other topics.
In the midst of another miserable season with hope barely visible on the horizon, are the Orioles on track with their admittedly lengthy rebuild?
That’s a question sports editor Josh Smith, sports writer Joe Ferraro and host Greg Swatek ponder on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
With recently promoted No. 1 overall draft pick Adley Rutschman playing well and some talented arms in the lower levels of the minor league system, the first signs of the future Orioles are starting to come into view. But hanging over the franchise is their inability to identify and develop an ace starting pitcher. Will the new front office be able to change that? Can the Orioles win consistently without that pitcher on the mound?
Also, should the Redskins start rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins right away, especially with a capable veteran like Case Keenum on hand? Why are good kickers becoming harder to find in the NFL? Greg calls out a cheap shot in his Bad Look of the Week, and Joe fires another loathsome individual into the Black Hole. And why does Larry King keep getting married?
What if the baseball strike in 1994 never happened? Would the Montreal Expos have won the World Series? Would Tony Gwynn have batted .400? Would Matt Williams and Ken Griffey Jr. have taken down Roger Maris’ home-run record?
On this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast, sports editor Josh Smith, sports writer Joe Ferraro and host Greg Swatek take on some of these questions to help commemorate the 25th anniversary of the strike that nearly ruined baseball.
Plus, the guys talk about Antonio Brown’s ridiculous week and take Orioles pitching and NFL rule-makers to task.
As the season gets ready to enter the home stretch, sports writer Joe Ferraro and host Greg Swatek take a closer look at the baseball pennant races on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
Can anyone get in the way of another Astros-Dodgers World Series? Who are some of the other top contenders in the American and National Leagues?
Plus, Chris Davis goes after Orioles manager Brandon Hyde. Antonio Brown is missing training camp with the Raiders due to frostbite on his feet. The NCAA requires agent to have college degrees.
Greg offers up his first ‘Bad Look of the Week’ segment, and the Boat to Nowhere gets a little more crowded.
Why are Saints fans still hung up about their loss in the NFC Championship game? How impressive was Trevor Bauer’s frustrated heave over the center-field fence? And why is LeBron dancing and prancing around because his son happens to be really good at basketball?
Sports editor Josh Smith, city editor Allen Etzler and host Greg Swatek dive into these questions on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
Plus, it’s time for a surly NASCAR driver, a couple of NFL running backs and a television production team to join the loathsome crew on the Boat to Nowhere. Is it even possible to be a better writer than Steve Rushin or Wright Thompson? And the sharks are out on Discovery Channel.
What sort of impact will another epic men’s final at Wimbledon have on the careers and legacies of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic?
Sports editor Josh Smith, sports writer Joe Ferraro and host Greg Swatek dive into that discussion on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
The guys also talk about the remarkable combined no-hitter the Los Angeles Angles threw in tribute to teammate Tyler Skaggs, a former first-round pick who died suddenly on July 1, and whether the Washington Nationals are now among the top contenders in the National League.
Plus, are LaVar Ball’s 15 minutes of fame finally over? And do we really need a Space Jam 2?
Back from a week away and playing shorthanded without the vacationing Josh Smith, FNP sports writer Joe Ferraro joins host Greg Swatek on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
In the span of a couple of weeks, the NBA landscape has shifted dramatically. The guys talk about how wide-open the league now feels and how the NBA has finally achieved the parity it has wanted for so long. And are the Los Angeles Clippers, the laughingstock of the league for so many years, now the prohibitive favorite to win the championship?
The guys also talk about the All-Star Game and some of the hot-button issues floating around Major League Baseball, such as the home-run surge that has taken over the sport. Is Commissioner Rob Manfred to be believed that MLB did not “juice” the baseball to promote home runs and that owners are actually concerned about the number of home runs being hit?
Plus, what will be the last impact of the United States’ latest victory in the Women’s World Cup and who is being banished to the Boat to Nowhere?
What-if and what-could-have-been scenarios have driven sports conversations for decades. And this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast follows that course, as sports editor Josh Smith, sports writer Joe Ferraro and host Greg Swatek wonder how much different, and even how much better the careers of certain prolific athletes would and could have been had they not gotten injured.
What if Mickey Mantle didn’t injure his knee and shoulder in Yankees’ World Series games? What if Bo Jackson had a good hip for the duration of his career? What if Monica Seles didn’t get stabbed? How much differently would their careers have played out, and what sort of impact would that have had on sports, in general?
The guys talk about a number of different athletes from a variety of different sports whose careers were never quite when they could have been.
Plus, the Boat to Nowhere gets a little more crowded, and Greg shares his experience with former Frederick High football star Chuck Foreman over the weekend at a youth football camp.
With Josh Smith on vacation this week, city editor Allen Etzler and sports writer Joe Ferraro pick up the slack on this week's episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
Allen and Joe join host Greg Swatek to discuss O.J. Simpson's emergence on Twitter. What does it say about our society and culture that a disgraced public figure like O.J. can attract a large following on a social media platform like Twitter? And how must the Brown and Goldman families feel about this?
The guys also discuss the end of the NBA Finals and the Toronto Raptors' surprise championship, the Anthony Davis trade to the Lakers and how the upcoming free-agent period might shake out.
Plus, since Josh isn't around, the guys get a chance to talk about golf and Gary Woodland's inspiring triumph in the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.
And who is banished to The Boat to Nowhere this week?
The NBA landscape is shifting dramatically with Kevin Durant’s serious injury, the possible trade of Anthony Davis and the conclusion of the NBA Finals.
That dominates the discussion on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast, as sports editor Josh Smith and host Greg Swatek are joined by the FNP’s resident IT and craft-beer guru Chris Sands, the host of The Uncapped Podcast.
The guys also talk also touch on the Women’s World Cup, the French Open final, the difficulties that college athletes face, and the ways that Twitter annoys them, especially its tendency to make things way more than they actually are.
Chris also shares his insights on the craft-beer scene and bringing a drink to market with his face on the label.
Quickly dismissed for his appearance, Andy Ruiz Jr. stunned the boxing world Saturday by upsetting unbeaten British heavyweight Anthony Joshua, whose chiseled physique stood in sharp contract to his own.
On this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast, sports editor Josh Smith, city editor Allen Etzler and host Greg Swatek discuss the ramifications of Ruiz’s victory and whether boxing could enjoy a bit of resurgence in this country with a group of talented and outspoken heavyweights leading the charge.
They also discuss how rich they would have to be to feel good about dropping six figures on NBA Finals tickets, as some people in Oakland are doing, and whether the Warriors are more vulnerable now with key injuries piling up?
Plus, who is banished to the Boat to Nowhere, and does the Dice Man (Andrew Dice Clay) still have it?
Here's the scenario: You have the opportunity to take 10 3-pointers from behind the NBA line. If you make one, you are awarded $1 billion. If you don't make one, you are sentenced to a year in maximum-security prison. Would you accept this challenge and the risks associated with it?
That's a hypothetical question that sports editor Josh Smith, FNP managing editor Chris Kinsler and host Greg Swatek tackle on this week's episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
The guys also touch on the NBA Finals matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors and the life and career of Bill Buckner, a solid major league player who is wrongfully blamed for costing the Boston Red Sox the 1986 World Series against the Mets.
Plus, they throw more people on the Boat to Nowhere, discuss why the College World Series is an underrated event on the sports calendar and mention the worst first pitch anyone has ever seen.
Are the Golden State Warriors one of the most underappreicated teams in sports? Are the struggling Orioles even worse than people thought? And are the Nationals already out of contention in late May?
These are among the questions sports editor Josh Smith, sports writer Joe Ferraro and host Greg Swatek tackle on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
Even without arguably the league’s best player in Kevin Durant, the Golden State Warriors still seem to be the best team in the NBA by a considerable margin. As they play in the NBA Finals for the fifth consecutive season and go after their fourth championship in that span, do Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson get enough credit for rising above any obstacle that is thrown before them? Will it even matter if Durant decides to leave in free agency?
The Orioles, meanwhile, are giving up home runs at a record pace, having already surrendered more than 100 this season. Even with minimal expectations this season, their level of play has been alarmingly bad. Will the rebuilding of the franchise be a longer and more challenging process than even people within the organization thought? And who should the Orioles be targeting in the upcoming draft?
The Nationals, on the other hand, have one of the worst bullpens in baseball and a manager on the hot seat. Are their issues too significant and too numerous to overcome or do they still have time to save their season?
Plus, how entertaining was the riderless horse in the Preakness? And why wasn’t Maximum Security running in the race? And who is being thrown on the Boat to Nowhere this week?
With Kawhi Leonard’s Game 7 buzzer-beater and the draft lottery, there are no shortage of NBA topics to discuss on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
Sports editor Josh Smith and host Greg Swatek are joined by FNP sports writer Joe Ferraro. They talk about the New Orleans Pelicans winning the NBA lottery and how good of a pro that the presumed No. 1 pick, Duke’s Zion Williamson, figures to be. They also talk about the absurd improbability of Kawhi Leonard’s game-winning shot dropping in to lift the Toronto Raptors over the Philadelphia 76ers in a second-round playoff series and, of course, who will make the NBA finals.
In addition, how much trouble are the slow-starting Washington Nationals in? Why is Christian Yelich of the Milwaukee Brewers so good despite not looking a day over 16 years old? And who is being thrown onto the Boat to Nowhere?
On the heels of a stunning Kentucky Derby, horse racing takes a rare turn in the spotlight on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
Sports editor Josh Smith and host Greg Swatek discuss Maximum Security being taken down as the 145th Derby champion after impeding the path of other horses during the race.
Was the correct decision made? Is all of this extra attention helping or hurting horse racing? And how close was the sport to ending as we know it?
The guys also return to a familiar theme: Who will be playing in the NBA Finals? The question is a little more relevant now that the The Finals are a lot closer and the Golden State Warriors dynasty is showing some subtle signs of waning. How much of a threat are Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, quietly the best team in the league all season, to their throne?
Plus, Branden Kline’s recent outing with the Orioles are discussed, including the first major-league victory for the Thomas Johnson High graduate. And are Josh and Greg simply too reasonable? Are they missing out on fame and fortune by not shouting at each other more with inane and irrational sports opinions?
With the Baltimore Orioles fully ensconced in a rebuild after a historically awful season, this week's episode focuses on an equally horrific Birds campaign from an earlier era. Sports reporter Greg Swatek and sports editor Josh Smith are joined by author Ron Snyder, whose book "A Season to Forget: The Story of the 1988 Baltimore Orioles" was released last week.
Snyder, who has been a journalist in Maryland for the past 20 years and graduated from Towson University with Josh, discusses what prompted him to revisit in detail a year in which the Orioles — once a model franchise in MLB — went 0-21 to start the season.
How did the team, which still had a core of players from the 1983 world championship roster, get so bad? What was it like for the players, who were part of a squad that became a national punchline and drew hordes of media to cover their train wreck of a start? In working on the book, what was it like for Snyder to reach out to former players about such a negative experience?
Snyder also touches on the moves Baltimore made that led to a surprising 1989 season — in which the upstart Orioles suddenly had baseball fans statewide asking "Why Not?" — and touches on the organization's current state.
Later, Greg and Josh provide tickets to some more worthy passengers for The Boat to Nowhere, including an entire NBA team and a certain rapper who can entertain the vessel's crowd.
In a momentous week for Frederick County sports, sports editor Josh Smith, sports writer Joe Ferraro and host Greg Swatek react to the major-league call-up for Thomas Johnson graduate Branden Kline.
Needing some insurance arms for Saturday’s doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins, the Orioles called up Kline, a 27-year-old right-handed pitcher, from Triple-A Norfolk, making him the 14th player born in Frederick County to reach the major leagues.
The guys react to Kline’s debut, which featured a 1-2-3 first inning of work and a bumpier second inning that saw him surrender a pair of home runs. They talk about why Kline’s physical and mental makeup make him ideally suited to be a major-league pitcher and what it might take to earn a more permanent spot on the Orioles’ roster.
They also talk about the NFL draft and the NBA playoffs, which offer some really appealing second-round match-ups. Plus, more people are banished to the Boat to Nowhere and maybe even a black hole.
Tiger Woods authors a comeback for the ages at the Masters. Russell Wilson signs a record contract to remain the Seahawks’ quarterback. And the Golden State Warriors fall victim to a record comeback in the NBA playoffs.
Those are the big stories sports editor Josh Smith, city editor Allen Etzler and host Greg Swatek tackle this week on Just Another Sports Podcast.
First, Greg and Allen share what resonates the most to them about the Tiger comeback story. Then, Josh joins the discussion to talk about Russell Wilson’s contract extension and whether the Seahawks’ were wise to offer their quarterback $140 million dollars, including $65 million guaranteed, over 50 years under the auspices of an artificial deadline imposed by Wilson and his agent. They also discuss how vulnerable the Golden State Warriors may or may not be following their 31-point meltdown against the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 2 of their playoff series and the serious injury to starting center DeMarcus Cousins.
Plus, the guys banish more people, including a certain Commander-In-Chief, to the Boat to Nowhere and Allen offers some good insights on his lengthy profile of local MMA fighters that appeared in the FNP sports section last Sunday.
This week on Just Another Sports Podcast, sports editor Josh Smith and host Greg Swatek are joined by Greg’s younger brother, Brian, who experienced Final Four weekend in Minneapolis as a sports marketing representative for Under Armour.
Brian talks in depth about the perks of his job and some of the cool places he gets to go and some of the cool people he gets to meet. He shares a story about a random interaction he had with Tom Brady at a company Preakness party.
But, as Under Armour’s basketball representative for both Auburn and Texas Tech, he mostly talks about his experience at the Final Four, some of the cool things and the interesting people he got to meet in Minneapolis, and the highs and lows he experienced with both of his teams.
The guys also touch on Masters weekend, the total dysfunction with the Lakers and the latest tirades from Antonio Brown. Plus, a new twist is introduced for the ever-crowded Boat to Nowhere.
The Orioles are off to a surprisingly good start. Bryce Harper returned to D.C. as a Phillie. And Zion Williamson and top-seeded Duke are out of the NCAA tournament.
Those are among the topics sports editor Josh Smith, city editor Allen Etzler and host Greg Swatek tackle on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
How much stock, if any, can be placed in the Orioles’ hot start? Bryce Harper gets booed out of Nationals Park in his first game against his former team. This surprises Greg, who was among those in attendance. And Duke becomes the latest high-profile casualty in the one-and-done era. How many players can you name in this year’s Final Four? And how much appeal does the tournament lose now that Zion is out of the mix?
Plus, Josh, Allen and Greg reflect on the amazing Virginia-Purdue tournament game last week and toss more people on the Boat to Nowhere, including a forever-slumping Oriole and a perfectly polite and well-meaning NFL quarterback.
In this special episode of Just Another Sports Podcast, host Greg Swatek and sports editor Josh Smith talk with guest Adam Kilgore about his job as a national sports reporter for The Washington Post.
The Pulitzer Prize-winner discusses the impact of star tight end Rob Gronkowski's retirement from the Patriots, a team Kilgore covered closely during their recent run to the Super Bowl championship. He gives his take on how long New England's NFL dominance can last and discusses the morning-after web story he wrote that analyzed, with incredible depth, just how the Pats shut down the Los Angeles Rams' high-powered offense to win their sixth title.
Previously the Post's Washington Nationals beat writer, Kilgore talks about the paper's coverage of Bryce Harper's free agency and tells the guys what he thinks is the coolest part of being a sportswriter.
Also, Greg and Josh give an NFL quarterback his ticket to the Boat to Nowhere and recap some of their favorite moments from the first week of the NCAA tournament.
Is Mike Trout’s new $430 million actually a bargain? Has LeBron James’ time as a dominant player come to an end? Is Robert Kraft making sound legal decisions?
Those are prime topics batted around this week on Just Another Sports Podcast. For the second consecutive week, FNP managing editor Chris Kinsler joins sports editor Josh Smith and host Greg Swatek to share his insights.
What does Trout’s new deal with the Angels say about Bryce Harper and the record deal he recently signed with the Phillies? Can the mismanagement of the Lakers be turned around with LeBron on the roster? And how confident should Kraft be that he can successfully fend off prostitution charges?
Plus, there is some bracket talk and more people are being thrown onto the Boat to Nowhere.
After the Cleveland Browns turned the NFL upside down with the trade for Odell Beckham Jr., longtime fans of the team, Chris Kinsler and Greg Swatek, react on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
Chris, the FNP’s managing editor, and Greg, the podcast host, contemplate a world with sports editor Josh Smith where the normally sad-sack Browns are expected to compete for championships. They talk about how unimaginable this would have all been less than a year ago and how the team will manage its newfound status as league media darlings.
Plus, will the Raiders be a factor with Antonio Brown on their roster? Are the Warriors vulnerable to the Houston Rockets? Should the Lakers trade LeBron James? And who is being thrown onto the Boat to Nowhere?
Bryce Harper signed a record contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, the season has completely fallen apart for LeBron James and the Lakers, and Kyler Murray darted up draft boards at the NFL combine despite interview sessions that were reportedly less than stellar.
Those are the chief topics sports editor Josh Smith, city editor Allen Etzler and host Greg Swatek discuss on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
Were the Phillies smart to lock in for 13 years and $330 million with Harper? Does his signing the richest contract in baseball history significantly alter the balance of the National League East or change the fortunes for the Washington Nationals that much? What will happen with the Lakers now that it seems likely they will miss the playoffs? And is taking Murray with the No. 1 overall pick the no-brainer selection of the upcoming NFL draft?
Plus, Greg shares his experience behind the scenes at ESPN’s popular program, Pardon The Interruption.
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On this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast, sports editor Josh Smith, city editor Allen Etzler and host Greg Swatek take on Robert Kraft’ stupidity for getting caught up in a prostitution sting, Bryce Harper’s never-ending free agency and how much or how little baseball should really change.
The guys express their utter lack of surprise that the longtime owner of the New England Patriots and one of the leader’s of the NFL’s good-ole boys network was charged late last week with soliciting a prostitute. The question now is what the NFL will do to discipline Kraft?
Why is Bryce Harper still a free agent and what is stopping him from signing a lucrative contract with spring training well under way? And how much can baseball really afford to change to appeal to new fans without losing it’s identity.
Plus, are LeBron and the Lakers going to miss the playoffs? And will Thomas Johnson High School graduate Branden Kline start the baseball season on the Orioles’ roster?
In a week full of sports news, FNP city editor Allen Etzler joins sports editor Josh Smith and host Greg Swatek on this episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
The guys react to Manny Machado signing with the San Diego Padres, Colin Kaepernick’s settlement with the NFL and Jim Boeheim’s car accident that resulted in a fatality.
They also ask whether Bryce Harper is simply asking for too much money over too long a period of time and whether Zion Williamson should ever play another basketball game for Duke.
Plus, who is being thrown onto The Boat to Nowhere? And how did Josh feel about his trip to the Happiest Place on Earth?
Kareem Hunt is back on an NFL roster. Spring training is underway, but Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are still unsigned. And who is most deserving of the NBA's MVP award?
Those are the primary topics sports editor Josh Smith and host Greg Swatek dive into on this week's episode of Just Another Sports podcast.
How does Greg feel about his Cleveland Browns signing Kareem Hunt while under league investigation for assaulting a woman? And how does Hunt's case differ from Colin Kaepernick's and Ray Rice's?
Plus, will Bryce Harper and Manny Machado know where they will be playing by opening day? Will the Orioles be the worst team in baseball this season? And who is being thrown on the Boat to Nowhere that Colin McGuire is now captaining?
On this week's episode of Just Another Sports Podcast, host Greg Swatek, sports editor Josh Smith and staff columnist Colin McGuire discuss whether the Super Bowl was as much of a bust as Maroon 5's halftime show.
They also open Medusa's Box for the debate about whether Patriots receiver Julian Edelman could be a Hall of Famer.
They try to determine if the radical rules changes proposed for Major League Baseball could actually make the game more popular and go over some of the biggest deals of the NBA trade deadline.
Finally, and (mostly) sadly, Greg and Josh send off Colin — who is stepping away from the podcast — by making him the skipper of the Boat To Nowhere, where he'll first toss a few occupants into the shark-infested waters before sailing into his new job at the News-Post.
With spring training just two weeks away, Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are still looking for teams to play for this season.
On this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast, sports editor Josh Smith and host Greg Swatek discuss the unusual free agent market in Major League Baseball. As teams pull back on their spending in a major way, more and more good players are being left without contracts. Teams aren’t that urgent about winning now. Is this healthy for the sport?
Josh and Greg also discuss this Sunday’s Super Bowl, the Anthony Davis trade rumors, whether Roger Federer will be remembered as the greatest tennis player ever and if Bradley Beal is the Wizards’ best player.
In the wake of two memorable NFL conference championship games, are the right teams playing in Super Bowl 53? That’s what sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek wonder on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
The guys discuss how horrible officiating, poor coaching and absent-minded players led us to Rams vs. Patriots for one of the biggest prizes in sports on Feb. 3 in Atlanta. Did a bad call really cost the Saints the game? And why does everyone hate Tom Brady?
They also address Serena Williams’ shocking loss at the Australian Open and whether the Wizards are a better team without All-Star John Wall on the court.
Plus, who is being thrown on the boat this week? And why is Colin freezing — not walking — in Memphis?
Why did the Chargers look so bad against the Patriots? Who are the favorites to reach the Super Bowl? Are the Maryland Terrapins for real in men’s basketball? And is James Harden the greatest pure scorer in NBA history?
Those are some of the topics discussed by sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek on Just Another Sports Podcast this week. Plus, who is being banished to the Boat to Nowhere this week?
Playing shorthanded without sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek are left to pick up the slack on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
Greg and Colin discuss Clemson’s beat down of Alabama in the national championship game and what it means for college football. They also discuss the NFL playoff picture and play buy-or-sell with the latest NFL coaching hires.
Plus, Colin offers his lock of the week, Greg provides his upset special of the week and who is being thrown upon the Boat to Nowhere this week?
Among the topics discussed on the first episode of Just Another Sports Podcast in 2019: Has Antonio Brown worn out his welcome with the Steelers? Are the Ravens poised to make another run to the Super Bowl? Are the Eagles serious contenders to repeat as Super Bowl champs?
Plus, the appeal — or lack thereof — of this year’s college football national championship game is addressed. More loathsome sports figures are banished to a life a sea, never to be heard from again, and the life and career of the great Gene Okerlund are remembered.
Sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire, host Greg Swatek and special guest Chris Sands of The UnCapped Podcast guide you through these assortment of topics.
As 2018 comes to a close, several new ideas are born on this episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
What loathsome sports figures would you want to put on a boat and watch them sail away, never be heard from again? What teams would you choose to play in the inaugural Just Another Sports Podcast Bowl? And in Buy-Or-Sell, are the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams still threats to reach the Super Bowl this season?
Sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek guide you through these and the usual assortment of weekly sporting topics. Plus, what is on their Christmas wish list for their favorite teams?
After a weekend of wild and head-scratching results, the NFL playoff picture is slowly coming into focus.
On this week’s installment of Just Another Sports Podcast, sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek discuss the can-you-believe-that-just-happened finish to the Dolphins-Patriots game and whether the Vikings were smart to hand Kirk Cousins the big contract he seemed destined to get.
They also question how Harold Baines got elected to the baseball Hall of Fame and whether the right quarterback won the Heisman trophy. Plus, Colin shares some details from his trip to Salt Lake City.
In an eventful week both on and off the field, there is plenty to discuss on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
What were the Redskins thinking with their awful decision to sign Reuben Foster? Why was the NFL not more proactive in its domestic-violence investigation of former Kansas City Chiefs star Kareem Hunt? Were the right four teams chosen for the college football playoff? Can the Wizards blow everything up, even if they really want to?
Sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek bat these topics around. Plus, who will prevail in the NFL division races still up for grabs? Urban Meyer’s retirement and the crazy finish to the Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder fight are also discussed.
Where is the defense in college football? What teams belong in the college football playoff? Has Joe Flacco taken his last meaningful snaps for the Ravens? Is Phillip Rivers a slam dunk Hall of Famer?
Those are among the topics discussed on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast that is a little more contentious than usual.
Sports editor Josh Smith is back in the studio and in a no-nonsense mood. He doesn’t have the time or the patience for discussion with features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek about the NBA in the early season or Tiger vs. Phil.
Hear how the colorful discussion, at times, plays out over the better part of an hour.
On this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek go over a menu of things they like and don’t like about Thanksgiving.
There are plenty of sports topics to discuss as well. Is Kevin Durant too temperamental to lead an NBA team? Are Tiger and Phil worthy of pay per view? How was Ohio State able to survive against Maryland? Can the Redskins still win the division without Alex Smith? And what did the Rams-Chiefs thriller Monday night say about the current state of the NFL?
For the first time in the modern era, an NFL player has decided to sit out an entire season over a contract dispute.
On this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast, sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek weigh in on Le’Veon Bell’s decision to skip this season with the Pittsburgh Steelers and share differing opinions on how the entire ordeal was handled by the player and the team.
The Orioles’ new general manager and Bryce Harper’s contract negotiations are also discussed. How smart were the Orioles’ decision to hire 35-year-old Mike Elias to run their baseball operations after he helped build the Houston Astros from scratch into a World Series champion? And can Harper actually command a $400 contract in free agency?
Plus, in their weekly NBA discussions, the guys dive into Kevin Durant’s end-of-game spat with Draymond Green and what it might mean, if anything, for the Warriors? Are Durant’s days with the team coming to an end? And is the balance of power in the league shifting eastward?
On this week’s episode of Just Another Sports podcast, sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek reflect on the haphazard firing of Maryland football coach DJ Durkin. How come everyone could see what needed to be done except the people in charge of making the decision? What leaders at Maryland, if any, should be allowed to keep their job?
Plus, the guys weigh in on the week that was in the NFL. Who do they believe is the best team in the league? On college football, can anyone possibly beat Alabama? On the NBA, it’s the weekly check of who will be playing in the NBA Finals.
And why is Colin $100 richer?
On this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast, sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek react to the stunning news that DJ Durkin has been retained as the University of Maryland’s football coach.
In the wake of a lengthy investigation by the university into the death of Maryland football player Jordan McNair, who succumbed to heat stroke during a spring workout, the guys wonder how the university could have decided to keep the coach who oversaw the training methods and medical response that ultimately led to the tragedy. They also discuss what sort of ramifications this might have on the future on Maryland’s football program.
Plus, the Redskins are starting to look like a contender, especially on defense. The World Series ends with all sorts of connections to the Orioles. And is the WWE wrong to be conducting a show in Saudi Arabia?
On this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast, sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek discuss how seriously we should take the first-place Redskins, among other NFL musings.
The guys also discuss the fight that erupted between the Lakers and the Rockets and wonder if Dwight Howard will ever make a meaningful contribution to the Wizards.
After Colin makes an early departure to tend to a work-related matter, Josh and Greg run down some headlines of the day and wonder why the University of Maryland still employs DJ Durkin as its football coach.
How dirty a player is Manny Machado? Could LeBron work as a player-coach in the NBA? And what sort of repercussions might the bad officiating in the NFL have beyond the game?
Those are among the topics sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek discuss on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
Greg recaps his ultimate football weekend in South Bend and Cleveland with Notre Dame and the Browns. Colin explains why he was fighting with a 6-year-old girl at the WWE’s Smackdown1000 event in Washington D.C., and Josh shares why he is being forced to watch his beloved Minnesota Vikings in real time again.
After a post-fight melee in the main event at UFC 229, mixed martial arts comes into focus on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
Did the sport really suffer at all from the antics of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor before, during or after their fight? Or was it all just part of the spectacle that helps drive big business for the UFC? Sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek weigh in on this.
Plus, the guys reflect on the NFL weekend that was, chat about the baseball playoffs and preview the upcoming NBA season. Greg also grills Josh about his first weekend in a long time without live Minnesota Vikings football.
The face of the NFL is changing dramatically due to the way it’s being officiated. Not only are the rules making it impossible to play defense, creating ridiculously high-scoring games and allowing average quarterbacks to set passing records with regularity, the way they are being interpreted is also having a direct impact on the outcome of games. On this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast, sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek dive heavily into this topic and their overall dissatisfaction with the way the game is being officiated. What can be done about it? Will anything be done about it? Bad and aggravating football has eaten into the quality of Josh’s life to the point that he has vowed to stop watching his beloved Minnesota Vikings or check his phone for updates in real time. Hear about his new approach on this episode. Also, the Orioles have parted ways with manager Buck Showalter. What type of person should they be seeking to lead the team? And just how close did Colin come to winning big at the sports book?
Jeff Pearlman, best-selling author formerly of Sports Illustrated, is the guest on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast to discuss his new book on the United States Football League, titled “Football For a Buck: The Crazy Rise and Crazier Demise of the USFL.”
Pearlman tells sports editor Josh Smith and host Greg Swatek about his passion for the league and how a 40-page essay he wrote about it in high school provided the internal jump-start necessary for him to ultimately land the book. He shares stories about some of league’s quirks and how prominent local sports figures like Frederick’s Chuck Foreman and former Redskins coach George Allen played into its history. Plus, he recounts how Donald Trump served as the catalyst for the league’s demise after a three-year run.
The author also talks about why he guaranteed his mother he would one day work for Sports Illustrated, the memorable profile he wrote for SI about former Atlanta Braves reliever John Rocker, the future of the NFL and other upstart football leagues and what it takes to be an extremely successful journalist.
NFL rule changes are now influencing the outcomes of games, and that’s what sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek dive into on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
In both of the ties during the first two weeks of the NFL season, the outcome has been directly affected by the new interpretation of the roughing-the-passer penalty. First, the league admitted that Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett was erroneously flagged for sacking Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during a 21-21 tie in Week 1. Instead of settling for a field-goal try, the penalty gave the Steelers’ drive new life, and they scored a touchdown on the next play.
Then, last Sunday, Packers linebacker Clay Matthews was flagged for taking down Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins on what appeared to be a textbook sack, negating what would have been a game-ending interception and Green Bay win. The teams played on to a 29-29 tie.
The guys discuss whether this is the new normal in the NFL and whether players, coaches and fans should condition themselves to these types of calls being made.
Plus, the guys weigh in the poor attendance at Redskins games, Greg and Colin make a bet ahead of the Browns-Jets game and the Orioles hit a historic low.
Serena Williams’ loss to Naomi Osaka in the U.S. Open final, more specifically the manner in which she lost, certainly drew a strong reaction across the sports world, and that topic dominates the discussion this week on Just Another Sports Podcast.
Sports editor Josh Smith and features editor Colin McGuire sharply disagree with host Greg Swatek about the way the event unfolded and how it should be perceived. Josh and Colin argue that chair umpire Carlos Ramos overstepped his bounds in citing Serena for infractions that aren’t commonly called, and that, as one of the finest champions in all of sports on one of the grandest stages in tennis, Serena should have been afforded more leeway in terms of blowing off some steam. Greg, on the other hand, counters that the umpire was simply doing his job, although by the strictest letter of the law, and that Serena’s reaction was unnecessary and over the top.
Tune in to hear how the debate plays out. They all agree it was a sad moment that tarnished what should have been a career-defining and life-changing moment for Osaka.
The guys also discuss in detail the opening week of the NFL season, and Colin laments some poor betting advice that Greg allegedly gave him.
Maryland upset Texas for the second consecutive year. Nick Saban is snapping at reporters for asking legitimate questions. The NFL season is about to start, and Nike just made Colin Kaepernick the face of a major ad campaign.
Sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek dive into all of that and more on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
Does Maryland’s big win over Texas say more about the Terrapins and the Longhorns? And has any college football program underachieved more than Texas in recent seasons?
Why are college football coaches like Jim Harbaugh and Nick Saban made by adoring fan bases to be more than what they are, which are mistake-prone individuals who don’t win every big game?
As the NFL season starts, what teams are likely to surprise and what teams are likely to disappoint? And Colin explains why he feels Nike’s ad campaign with Colin Kaepernick was so powerful and important.
Is the NFL preseason fixable? That’s a subject sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek tackle on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
While nobody likes the preseason, there doesn’t seem to be an obvious solution to fix it. The owners are open to converting two of the preseason games into regular seasons games that count, thus creating in an 18-game schedule, but the players cite safety concerns. The players and fans would like some of the preseason games to just be eliminated, but the owners cite a loss of revenue.
Does it even matter in the grand scheme of things that the preseason is so flawed? Or will it just always be something that everyone has to live with in its current format?
Plus, the guys touch on Tom Brady’s refusal to talk about his trainer in radio interviews, the start of the college football season and some of their favorite sports movies. Colin is also very excited about the opening of a sports book at the casino and race track in Charles Town, West Virginia.
On this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast, sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek wonder why the University of Maryland has not yet fired football coach DJ Durkin. And should the removal of leadership in College Park stop with Durkin?
The corrosive culture of college football is once again under the microscope. Why were fans camped out on lawn chairs at Ohio State while coach Urban Meyer met with university officials about his future? Was Meyer’s three-game suspension adequate punishment or did he deserve to be fired to after tolerating an alleged domestic violence episode involving one of his assistants? Will anything ever change about the way big-time college football programs operate?
Plus, the Nationals essentially throw in the towel on their season. The Redskins signed Adrian Peterson. And the guys find another way to do a Tiger Woods segment.
On this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast, the culture of football comes into focus.
As controversial training methods with the University of Maryland football program that contributed to the death of a player came to light, sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek discuss the public’s and media’s reaction to the story and how the university should handle its ongoing fallout.
While Terrapins coach DJ Durkin is likely to lose his job, should Ohio State Urbana Meyer keep his after he reportedly knew that one of his assistants physically abused his wife and kept him on the staff? Does Meyer’s success as a coach insulate him more than it should? Is anything likely to change about how big-time college treat their players or prepare them for games?
The guys also discuss Tiger Woods’ second-place finish at the PGA Championship, the Nationals’ fizzling playoff hopes and the impressive play of some NFL rookie quarterbacks in training camp and the preseason.
On the heels of Hall of Fame weekend for pro football, this episode of Just Another Sports Podcast takes a hard look at the Baseball Hall of Fame and who should be in and, more specifically, who shouldn't?
FNP managing editor Chris Kinsler joins sports editor Josh Smith and host Greg Swatek for this special episode. Kinsler is embarking on an ambitious product of chopping the Baseball Hall of Fame down to the 100 most deserving players, according to him.
Kinsler feels the Hall of Fame is somewhat watered down by many players who were very good players, but don't quite fit the stature of being worthy of the Hall.
The guys discuss some of the most prominent guys who should not be in, as well as some of the most egregious snubs. Kinsler also shows off his encyclopedic baseball knowledge by discussing in detail some of the more obscure players who have been enshrined.
What inspired this project? And how does he retain all of this information? Kinsler tells us on this week's episode.
In this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast, hosts Colin McGuire, Josh Smith and fill-in Allen Etzler talk the Nationals holding onto Bryce Harper, the Orioles cleaning house and the battle for supremacy in the AL East between the Red Sox and Yankees in an MLB post-trade deadline special. The trio also look ahead to Lamar Jackson’s debut in the NFL Hall of Fame Game and the reported fight between the NBA’s Draymond Green and Tristan Thompson.
In the midst of an eventful summer on the D.C. sports landscape, Washington Post columnist Barry Svrluga joins sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
Svrluga, who built his reputation on covering a wide sports very well, shares his insights and perspective on the Capitals’ Stanley Cup run, the struggling Nationals, the chances that Bryce Harper stays in Washington and the recent resurgence of Tiger Woods.
After two solid months of regularly covering the Capitals run to the Cup, did the thrill of the story outweigh the grind and all of the late nights while on the chase? And, following years of failure, why were the Capitals finally able to break through this season?
How concerned should the Nationals be with a below .500 record in the final week of July? How much money will Bryce Harper command on the open market? How close is Tiger Woods to actually winning? And just how is he able to stay on top of so many sports and cover them all so well?
Svrluga also talks about the road that led him to becoming a sports columnist at the Post. After graduating from Duke University, he covered sports in the small town of Portland, Maine as well as Raleigh, North Carolina. He also shares his thoughts on the Post has become an industry leader in terms of putting female sports writers on prominent beats.
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On this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast, host Greg Swatek and features editor Colin McGuire welcome News-Post managing editor Chris Kinsler, who is filling in for a vacationing Josh Smith.
Chris, a former sports writer and very knowledgeable sports fan, shares his experience of attending Monday’s Major League Baseball Home Run Derby at Nationals Park with his family. The guys also discuss whether the MLB All-Star Game has lost any of it’s luster. Where does it rank compared to all-star games in other sports?
Plus, there are a pair of major trades that are pending. The Orioles are on the verge of sending Manny Machado to the L.A. Dodgers for a handful of prospects, and, in the NBA, the Spurs are about to trade disgruntled Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors. The guys react to these moves and share their thoughts on the latest NBA news in general.
Features editor Colin McGuire returns this week only to find that sports editor Josh Smith is off tending to family obligations. Nonetheless, Colin and host Greg Swatek have a myriad of topics to discuss.
A surprising World Cup final is set between France and Croatia. What has this tournament told us about its future? Who will the stars be four years from now? Is expanding the tournament a good idea?
After missing last week, Colin offers his takes on all of the big NBA news, including LeBron to the Lakers and DeMarcus Cousins to the Warriors. Is Golden State as unstoppable as everyone thinks it is?
Plus, with the Major League Baseball All-Star Game set to take place in Washington in less than a week, why hasn’t there been more buzz about the game in this area? What are some reasonable steps that can be taken to improve baseball? How much of the game is fixable?
With features editor Colin McGuire wandering around and hopefully not lost in the woods this week, sports editor Josh Smith holds down the fort with host Greg Swatek on this episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
All of the big NBA news over the past week is discussed in detail. Is the future of the NBA as we know it in peril since All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins signed with the Warriors? What sort of impact will LeBron James have with the Lakers? Will Dwight Howard help the Wizards become more of a contender?
In baseball, major decisions have to be made about the Orioles' future by the end of the month. What should they do? Will the people making the major decisions be around much longer? Plus, why are the Nationals struggling so badly? And why doesn’t there seem to more of a buzz around the All-Star Game being in Washington in two weeks?
Josh and Greg name the best athletes they have watched in person in every major sport. They also share their thoughts on the World Cup and Tiger Woods as the pied piper of golf.
Back and refreshed after a week off, sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek make the most out of a dead period on the sports calendar on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
The guys touch on the struggles of the local professional baseball teams. With nothing left to play for this season, what sort of moves should the Orioles be making as the trade deadline approaches? Is it even worth considering the idea they would leave Baltimore if the dispute over the MASN TV money doesn’t go their way?
Josh reaffirms his faith in the Nationals as championship contenders even though they haven’t been playing that well lately. Bryce Harper is not exactly lighting it up in a contract year. So, how much would he really be worth on the free-agent market?
Plus, the World Cup, Phil Mickelson’s controversy at the U.S. Open, potential landing spots for LeBron James in free agency and old-time professional wrestlers, including Razor Ramon (Scott Hall) who will be appearing at a Frederick Keys game this week, are discussed.
Entering what would normally be considered a dead period on the sports calendar, there is no shortage of topics for sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek to dive into on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
The Capitals won the Stanley Cup and celebrated (and celebrated!) for days. The NBA Finals ended with another championship for the Golden State Warriors and more drama from LeBron. Justify became the 13th horse to take the sport's Triple Crown, and Rafael Nadal won his record 11th championship at the French Open.
All of these topics are addressed in detail, in addition to very early thoughts on the World Cup and the U.S. Open. Plus, do other horses really react to Justify in a different way? This episode is as pleasing to listen to as the voice of late wrestling manager Paul Bearer or a Nadal grunt. Tune in to find out.
With Stanley Cup fever raging around the Washington Capitals, sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek offer their thoughts on the series on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast. Colin share his experience of being outside the arena for last Saturday’s Game 3 with a sea of red-wearing and surprisingly sober (alcohol could not be legally consumed outside of the bars) hockey fans.
Then, the guys offer their take on the NBA Finals and the steady march to another seemingly inevitable championship for the Golden State Warriors. Will the Golden State dynasty chase LeBron James out of Cleveland again? Where is the most logical spot for him to land if he does leave?
Plus, how foolish was now-departed 76ers general manager Bryan Colangelo to use burner Twitter accounts to respond to critics? Will Justify capture the Triple Crown, and what sort of impact would that have on interest in horse racing?
Later in the week than usual, host Greg Swatek, features editor Colin McGuire and sports editor Joshua R. Smith — not J.R. Smith — discuss the mind-bending NBA Finals Game 1 win by the Golden State Warriors, who survived to win in overtime partially thanks to a mental blunder by the Cavaliers' most mistake-prone player.
How badly did J.R. Smith — not Joshua R. Smith — hamper Cleveland's chances at winning the series when he failed to go up for a shot after rebounding a missed free throw by teammate George Hill with the game tied and less than 5 seconds left Thursday night?
The guys ponder just what's with these star-studded Warriors, who seem content to coast except for a few big surges in each game. They also consider what LeBron James will have to do to further lead his team in this series, after dropping a 51-point gem in defeat.
How about the Washington Capitals? Did their Game 2 win over Vegas in the Stanley Cup final — which is tied 1-1 — finally break their playoff jinx?
Host Greg Swatek makes a triumphant return from his unscheduled week off, and delves immediately into an NBA conference finals discussion with sports editor Josh Smith and features editor Colin McGuire.
Are the Warriors in trouble? Can the Celtics pull off two more wins against LeBron and the Cavs?
And what about the new NFL rules? Will kickoff returns increase or decrease? Will players still find a way to protest social injustice even though the league is now requiring them to stand and show respect for the flag during the national anthem?
With the Preakness in the books and Justify on his way to the Belmont Stakes, there's talk of him being better than American Pharoah. Can he pull off the Triple Crown despite getting pushed so hard in Baltimore?
Without host Greg Swatek there to hold their hands, Colin McGuire and Josh Smith manage to keep the podcast on the rails.
The pair of editors discuss whether the Caps are in trouble in their series against the Lightning, whether LeBron is LeDone with the Cavs, and whether James Harden or Kevin Durant is the better offensive player.
They also delve into their favorite Preakness memories, and ponder if Justify can handle the eight-horse field this Saturday to continue his Triple Crown bid.
How excited is Colin that legal sports betting might be coming to a state near him? How quickly will it ruin his life? These questions — and more — are addressed in this week's episode, sans Swatek, who should return next week.
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On this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast, sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek review the NBA playoffs, the Capitals milestone win over the Penguins and why Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger might be the worst person in all of sports.
With the Cavs and Celtics and Warriors and Rockets closing in on the NBA’s conference finals, who do the guys feel is the team to beat? What has been the most impressive aspect of LeBron James’ run of outstanding play, and will this be his greatest achievement if he can push this Cleveland team into the Finals?
Plus, the Caps are the first D.C. team to reach the conference finals since 1998. Will they stay hungry against the Tampa Bay Lightning? Or has a mission-accomplished feeling already settled over the team and their fans? And how does Ben Roethlisberger have the nerve to criticize the Steelers’ selection of a quarterback in the draft given his history of statements and actions?
Taking a break from their usual routine, host Greg Swatek, sports editor Josh Smith and features editor Colin McGuire welcome a special guest, CBS Sports NFL insider — and hard-core Baltimore Orioles fan — Jason La Canfora.
With the hectic NFL draft season finally behind him, La Canfora has plenty of time to devote to following the Birds, though there’s not much to cheer lately. La Canfora talks about what he’d do if he were the team’s general manager. Who should replace Dan Duquette? What does the future hold for Buck Showalter within the organization? Is La Canfora interested in making an offer on the mansion Cal Ripken is selling?
As for the draft season, what is it like for La Canfora to cover an event that’s become so wildly popular even though selecting football players is such an inexact science? Will Baker Mayfield be the right fit in Cleveland? How soon will Ravens fans see Lamar Jackson on the field in the regular season? Is there really that much inner turmoil among the New England Patriots? Does a reporter like him get an offseason?
Plus, Jason talks about how, in his career, he has been blessed to work with so many inspirational examples.
With the NFL draft upon us, the quarterback prospects are thrown under the microscope on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
Do the comparisons between Baker Mayfield and Johnny Manziel have any merit? Which of the top QB prospects will have the longest shelf life in the NFL? Sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek share their thoughts.
Plus, can the Wizards knock off the Raptors in the NBA playoffs? Should Orioles and Nationals fans already be alarmed at this early stage of the season? And will the proposed reforms for the NCAA make any difference?
Next week, the guys will break down the NFL draft and discuss other topics of interest with CBS NFL insider Jason LaCanfora.
Does it really matter if Tom Brady and Bill Belichick get along for the Patriots to succeed? Are the Wizards and Capitals already finished in the playoffs? How good a draft prospect is quarterback Lamar Jackson? Should LeBron James ever be compared to Michael Jordan?
These are among the litany of topics that sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek dive into on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
What were the best things each of the guys saw over the last week in the world of sports? Plus, an upcoming special guest is revealed.
With the NBA playoffs about to start, sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek discuss the Wizards chances and guess who will be left standing at the end. Can they envision The Finals without the Warriors or the Cavs? Who should be considered the favorite? Who does Colin call “a human tube of Bengay?”
Plus, Colin’s trip to New Orleans and his experience at WrestleMania is discussed in great detail. RG3 is already holding press conferences with the Ravens, and the Masters crowns a new and feisty champion who could help create more interest in the sport.
Shortly before this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast was recorded, news broke that the Ravens were going to sign quarterback Robert Griffin III. Sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek wonder what the team could be thinking by bringing on such a high-profile back-up who has severely underperformed in recent seasons.
The guys also talk about Branden Kline’s return to the Frederick Keys, the first week of the season for the Orioles and Nationals, Tiger Woods’ chances at the Masters and the constant drama swirling around LeBron James.
Plus, there is talk of doppelgangers, celebrity appearances and steel-cage matches. And that has nothing to do with WrestleMania, which Colin will be attending in New Orleans this weekend.
With a lack of star power in this year’s NCAA tournament — outside of a 98-year-old nun — sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek discuss whether Loyola-Chicago’s Cinderella run will generate more interest in the Final Four?
Also, what will John Wall’s return mean for the Wizards? Can the Nationals finally maximize their talent and win a championship? How do the guys feel about the Orioles' chances and Opening Day in general? Plus, are the New York Giants crazy for possibly trading Odell Beckham?
In the wake of UMBC’s epic victory over Virginia in the NCAA tournament, sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek share their thoughts and feelings about one of the biggest upsets in college basketball history, including personal connections to the story.
They also discuss their overall impressions of the tournament through the first two rounds, as well NFL draft news and rule changes and the NBA playoff outlook.
With NFL free agency in full swing and March Madness about to get underway, there is a lot to discuss on this week’s episode of Just Another Sports Podcast.
Sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek explain why Kirk Cousins signing with the Vikings make a lot of sense, as part of their discussion about the flurry of activity around the league. They also share their feelings on the brackets, the Selection Show and Tiger Woods’ return to relevance on the PGA Tour.
Plus, Josh shares a passage from a biography about Olympian Jesse Owens that would blow up the Internet and social media if it happened today.
In this episode, Just Another Sports Podcast partially turns into Just Another Movie Podcast, as sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek share their feelings on the Oscars and other films of interest. There is a sports component to the segment, as the guys begin by discussing Kobe Bryant’s Oscar victory. How deserving was he?
When the subject turns exclusively to sports, the guys talk about the most logical landing spots for Kirk Cousins, the Seattle Seahawks entering rebuilding mode, March Madness and the NCAA tournament Selection Show and the Rockets chances of taking down the Warriors in the NBA playoffs. Plus, what does Josh care about? How short is Greg’s attention span?
With the FBI bearing down on big-time college basketball, sports editor Josh Smith, features editor Colin McGuire and host Greg Swatek discuss possible changes the NCAA should make to the current system. Do the rules need to be modernized or relaxed? Should the players be compensated? Is any of this widespread corruption influencing your enjoyment of the games?
Also, the guys offer their final thoughts on the Winter Olympics, including The United States’ first gold medal in curling. With so many highly accomplished teenagers competing and winning at the Games, the guys reminisce about what their teenage years were like. Greg talks about his short-lived glory at a basketball camp, as well as a well-known former neighbor.
Plus, what will the Wizards look like when John Wall returns? Did Blake Bortles get overpaid by the Jaguars?