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00:00Incident in Kentucky over the weekend. We'll have to wait. That's on hold.
00:06I didn't know the proper terminology, apparently, of toilet pieces.
00:10The thing on the left with the chain, the thing in the middle.
00:13The chain is what you didn't mention.
00:15I didn't mention the chain.
00:16The chain is the key element to getting the thing to flush.
00:19But I didn't even use a chain or get that far. I didn't need the chain.
00:23I just sort of moved the black lever, and that was sufficient.
00:30That's wrong. Look at your face.
00:32All you had to do was lift the chain, and then the toilet would have flushed.
00:35If the chain is detached, then that's what...
00:37Now I'll know.
00:38Let's get to Will Kunkel.
00:38Now I'll know.
00:39We don't need to bore people with all this.
00:41I'm so beneath you when it comes to toilet accessories, parts.
00:46Sorry.
00:47Will Kunkel with us from Houston, the Bills and Texans in week one.
00:51Will, are you ready for some football?
00:53What a transition. Hell yeah.
00:55Sorry.
00:55We're a couple of pros here, Will.
00:56Don't read into it. Don't read into it.
00:59Don't read into it.
01:01It's only going to get worse from here.
01:03I would say for the Bills, Will, I don't think, even considering teams that are not on their schedule,
01:11most of the good teams in the league are.
01:13But anything that might have been possible for the Bills in week one at Houston is the worst they could
01:19have drawn, I think.
01:20I mean...
01:20I agree with this.
01:21I'm just sort of stuck on...
01:23It's the scariest opponent, I think, that they could have drawn.
01:25It's matchups and it's recent history, so what a test for them right away.
01:29Yeah, and not to mention it could decide who gets home field advantage in the AFC in the playoffs.
01:35So it's one of the most pivotal games for both sides as well.
01:39I think you're right.
01:40I said this last year going into that Thursday night football game is that the Bills might have a higher
01:46ceiling than the Texans,
01:47and they're maybe even a better football team.
01:50However, the matchups indicate that the Texans have the ability to blow out a team like the Bills,
01:56like maybe not blow out, but win a game like they did against the Bills,
02:01because the Texans' strengths are on defense.
02:05Their weaknesses are on the offensive side of the ball and the offensive line.
02:09The Bills' strengths are not on the defensive line,
02:12and their strengths can be neutralized.
02:15The Bills' strengths can be neutralized by the Texans' strengths.
02:17So it was just kind of that matchup where we're like, all right, listen, we can say that, hey,
02:20I think the Bills are a better team than the Texans.
02:22However, I think the Texans have the ability to wipe the floor with them consistently in that building at night,
02:30in that hornet's nest feeling, and that's what it was.
02:33I don't know if that's going to happen again this year, man, because Josh Allen's just too good.
02:37Like DJ Moore being added to that offense, James Cook,
02:41Joe Brady, I have to think, has something up his sleeve that says, all right,
02:46I've had an all-off season to plan for this.
02:48I'm the head coach now, and now let's roll.
02:51So I'm certainly not writing them off.
02:53But I will say just from a matchup standpoint, like it does favor the Texans,
02:57even though I think the Bills might be a better team and go further in the playoff.
03:01You know, Will, if we had talked the week leading up to that game,
03:06I'm sure I would have said to you, because I've said it a lot that week,
03:09I recognize the pass-rushing prowess the Texans have.
03:13I'll bet the Bills love their tackles.
03:15I love their tackles.
03:16I love this matchup.
03:17I think they've got the antidote that they should be able to handle this.
03:21And then the game started, and, I mean, they got their doors torn off
03:24and never had a pivot.
03:26That was the thing that really blew my mind.
03:28Now, the game ended up being close.
03:30I mean, the Bills had a chance to pull that thing out at the end, amazingly,
03:33considering how dominant Houston was in the first half of that game.
03:36But with that said, I have to think they have – they'll probably go in.
03:41Spencer Brown wasn't healthy in that matchup last year.
03:46Dawkins was, and they both had their struggles.
03:49They'll probably try to take that out for a spin again,
03:52but I would expect them to have a quick pivot,
03:55because it blew my mind that that game went by,
03:57and they never really gave their tackles any help.
04:00Two things.
04:01So, one, you're right, but also, like, that game was so close
04:06because that's how the Texans play now because they don't have a good offense.
04:09So they can't pull away.
04:11They're going to be in every game, like, against teams that are better than them,
04:16but they're also going to be in tighter contestant games of teams
04:20that are not nearly as good as them because they still –
04:23there are going to be times where they can't pull away.
04:25As for them not adjusting, you know, with Dawkins and the guys on the offensive line,
04:29the one thing that people got to remember with the Texans is, yes,
04:33the name brands are up front, but they're so damn good,
04:37and people are going to learn this year as some did last year,
04:40that that secondary might be the best in the NFL too.
04:44So there's going to be coverage sacks on top of sacks up front
04:47where you just get beat.
04:48So when you're doubling down on the ways you can get to the quarterback,
04:51it's just like, holy hell, this is happening so fast,
04:54and it feels like you're in quicksand.
04:55And yet, at the end of the day, you were in it.
04:58That game last year, before we get away from it, I mean, on one hand,
05:04the Bills are what?
05:05They're third and one inside the 20, down four with 30 seconds to go.
05:10Like, you might think they might have had the win probability edge in that moment.
05:15On the other hand, like, half their losses in the last five years have been the same thing.
05:19Where, I mean, they are 73-27 in their last 100 regular season games,
05:26and it feels like maybe 15 of those losses are like, oh, it's right there.
05:30They could have had it.
05:31They very rarely get beat soundly is really all it is.
05:35I mean, playoffs, well, playoffs included.
05:37I mean, their playoff losses are all close games.
05:40That was Davis Mills, by the way, Will, as you'll know, that night in Houston.
05:44So, let's talk about C.J. Stroud, the big rookie year.
05:48Then it has to be at least a call to step back last year.
05:52I think everybody kind of wants to know what he is.
05:55What are your expectations?
05:57I think he has a better year from his prepared standpoint,
06:01his understanding of the offense, as well as his command of the offense at the offensive line.
06:06I think C.J. has that step.
06:08I think ultimately he gets a new contract because when you have a quarterback in your building,
06:12you can't let him go because we've seen what's out there.
06:15We've seen about six teams right now in the NFL that have their heads so far up their rear ends
06:19on how to handle a quarterback that they don't have anything,
06:22and it could throw away an entire season.
06:24So, if you have someone in your room, like, just sign them.
06:27I know it costs a lot of money.
06:29But I also say, hey, just because he's better doesn't mean the offense is going to be better
06:34because the offensive line is still a pretty big mess.
06:38Kaelin Rutledge was drafted.
06:40He played right guard in college.
06:42He's going to be the left guard.
06:43He was brought in to hopefully play center.
06:46But the free agents you signed in Wyatt Teller and Braden Smith,
06:49Braden Smith now placed on IR, he was not slated to start.
06:52Wyatt Teller not good enough to allow Rutledge to play center.
06:57So, you're having to move guys around and put guys in positions that they're not their best at
07:01or where you want them.
07:02And it's not a great place to be week one of the NFL season.
07:05So, I still have major, major, major concern over the offensive line.
07:09And then who knows what's going to happen with Nick Caley, his second year as the offensive coordinator.
07:13They had issues getting out of the huddle last year into the offensive line
07:16in order to establish what's happening on the defensive side of the ball to run the play.
07:20So, they were working on that this preseason, which is insane in the NFL.
07:24So, I still have my questions as a whole on the offense.
07:27I think C.J. is better.
07:28But I still think that what's around him is just very limiting.
07:32Where do you think it stands with Stroud and the future?
07:37Like, is that – are people thinking a lot about that?
07:40Or is it sort of a back burner issue?
07:42I think it's the only thing they're thinking about.
07:44I think until the game actually kicks off, the conversation right now is all about C.J. Stroud
07:50and his contract.
07:51And here's what I tell people.
07:53If you want to sound smart, don't worry about the raw dollar amount
07:57because it's going to be around, if not more, than $70 million.
08:03And it's not because C.J. Stroud is better than every other quarterback in the NFL
08:06that's making $55, $60 million, depending on who you are.
08:09It's because every decent quarterback, the top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL,
08:14make about 20% to 25% of the salary cap.
08:17Well, the salary cap in five years from now is going to go up about $120 million.
08:21Because over the last five years after COVID, the salary cap has gone up 10% every year.
08:27That's $24 million per year.
08:29So in five years, you're going to add $120 million to the $301.2 million it is right now.
08:34And 20% of that $420 million, that's $86.5 million, which is insane.
08:41So $70 million is a bargain.
08:44That's the numbers we're working with.
08:46Worry about the percentage of the salary cap that is getting paid, not about the raw dollar amount.
08:51Let's talk more about the surrounding cast that Stroud has to work with in Houston, Will.
08:56Will Kunkel, our guest on the Western Hotline.
08:58Mike Shope and the Bulldog here.
09:00Nico Collins.
09:01I mean, I'm not sure if Elite is wrong.
09:04Like, he is so good when he's on the field.
09:08But you need the rest of it.
09:09You need whatever they can piece together.
09:11They trade for Kayshawn Booty.
09:13They have lost Jaden Higgins.
09:15Tank Dell isn't going to start the season on time.
09:18So might there be, with the booty trade already, and they only kept two running backs plus a fullback, if
09:24I remember right.
09:25Do you think, do you expect more, maybe it would be today?
09:28I mean, it would have to be soon.
09:29Do you expect more roster movement from the Texans?
09:33Yes, but not in the manner in which most people think.
09:35I think that the Texans truly, as I think a lot of GMs do, it's not unique to the Texans,
09:40they look at their 53-man roster and their practice roster as one roster.
09:44Because on game day, they can pull up Jawar Jordan, for instance, from the practice squad, and all of a
09:49sudden they haven't that extra running back that they want.
09:51So they have the guys they want in the building to be their weapons.
09:55The issue is, who the heck is the other weapon outside Nico Collins?
09:59I don't think that Kaylee did nearly a good enough job moving Nico Collins around pre-snap to get him
10:04the ball, putting him in different positions.
10:06Whether or not Nico wants to do that or not, who knows.
10:09But I think knowing Nico, he'd be willing to go anywhere on the field to get the ball.
10:15But who's the other guy?
10:16Because right now, defenses are going to double-team Nico, play umbrella coverage, play two-man safeties, and just take
10:23away that deep ball, that deep threat from Nico.
10:26That's the question.
10:27But if the Texans can't run the ball well, it doesn't matter.
10:31They were so bad at running the ball last year, bottom third in the NFL, and that's why they couldn't
10:36do any work in the air, because they can't run the ball.
10:39And you put 11 guys on the ground, then that's what happens.
10:44Do you think run the ball, I mean, David Montgomery is sort of a classic example of the workhorse kind
10:51of running back that you might feel like is what the prototype for this kind of thing.
10:55There's Woody Marks that maybe fills in as a third-down back or pass receiver.
11:01Not that he's that big, but, well, I mean, I don't know.
11:04You tell us, Will.
11:04Like, what do you think the breakdown there is likely to be?
11:08Yeah, I feel like David Montgomery is their bell cow.
11:10He's the guy.
11:11He is the body and the mentality that they wanted and they had with Joe Mixon until he disappeared off
11:16the face of the earth that no one has ever seen or heard of him.
11:19No kidding.
11:19I hope he's doing well.
11:21But, like, that's what you want.
11:23However, if you don't have the guys in front of them to move the bodies in that same manner, it
11:26doesn't even matter.
11:27I remember two years ago watching Joe Mixon play running back.
11:31Like, he ran east to west as often as he did just to find a hole in a gap in
11:34order to gain any sort of yardage.
11:36So I don't think David Montgomery has that ability.
11:39So hopefully they can at least move bodies a little bit better up front for that to happen.
11:44They identify as a downhill physical running team.
11:48Now, guys, I know it's 2026, but just because you identify as something doesn't mean that you are something.
11:54Okay?
11:55You have to actually do it and be that to say you identify as a physical downhill running team.
12:03So put it all together.
12:05And, again, like you already alluded to, like it's the defense is what's going to – you're going to have
12:10to limit teams to, what, 20, 24 points and hope you can get to, you know, 28 or thereabouts.
12:16Right?
12:17I mean, because offense, it doesn't sound like there's a whole ton there for C.J. Stroud to work with,
12:22honestly.
12:23Yeah, that's kind of where I lie in my head is if they can – like a real average of
12:29somewhere between 24 to 27.5 points, I think they're going to be in really good shape.
12:35But the issue is – so if you – you know, people are going to, like, look up what the
12:38Texans averaged last year, and it's about that range.
12:41But that's because they had 40 points against the Ravens and then 30 points against the Titans in back-to
12:47-back weeks.
12:47They're not a team that averages 70 points or scores 70 points in two weeks.
12:52Those were all liars against some really, really bad teams, and one of them was only one good quarter against
12:56the Titans, and the Ravens had about, like, nine starters that were injured.
13:00So they've got to average a true 24 points per game, and if they do that, they'll be in good
13:05shape.
13:06I'm hesitant to believe it's possible.
13:07You know, it really stands out here, Will.
13:10You know, we talk to guys from all over the league, and when we do, I like to open the
13:14Our Lads depth chart on one of my browsers to look at.
13:18And usually there's a lot of – if you're familiar with their applications, you know, new guys are in different
13:26colors.
13:26And I'm telling you, this Houston defense is maybe the only unit I've looked at all offseason that only has
13:34one name that's not – that's in a different color.
13:38Reed Blankenship from Philadelphia at Free Safety is the only new starter.
13:42There's depth guys that have changed, but, man, you've got 10 of the 11 from an elite unit all coming
13:49back.
13:50Yeah, like, that's one of the crazy things, and that's why none of them had to play in the preseason.
13:55They're familiar with each other.
13:56They've been there.
13:57They've done that.
13:57They know the system.
13:58We know that they are going to be good.
14:00My two concerns with the defense is, number one, the health, because they were very healthy last year.
14:06And to do that two years in a row is really, really tough to do, knock on wood.
14:11But number two is they're being asked to be perfect.
14:14It's just kind of the way it is with this team and the way they're constructed.
14:16There's a lot on their shoulders, and they've really towed the company line with the media for the last couple
14:23years.
14:23But, man, I find it's going to be difficult, I think, that if the offense doesn't carry their weight,
14:29for them to all say the right thing every single week in and week out,
14:32is that if they're not perfect, that they start taking some L's here and there.
14:36Woody Marks, by the way, is probably big enough.
14:38I don't know how good a pass blocker he is.
14:40Maybe I should know that, but 5'10", 208, that's sufficient probably to play that role,
14:45and he might have done some of that last year.
14:48I just know Bulldog just got roped into drafting him, and I'm just not excited about it.
14:52But it's the 12th round.
14:53I guess it's okay.
14:54Will Kunkel is our guest on the Western Hotline.
14:57Mike Schopen, the Bulldog here.
14:58Will, what's the – not the book.
15:01Like, what is your impression, your analysis of D'Amico Ryans as a head coach?
15:07I mean, they did win the AFC South back-to-back and then went and won 12 games after that.
15:13So the record looks really nice.
15:15It kind of reminds me a little bit of talking about Sean McDermott here,
15:19which is, with Josh Allen especially, the Texans don't quite have that luxury,
15:23but there was always some debate about just what he really was, how valuable he really was as a head
15:30coach.
15:31Now he's gone.
15:32What would you say to that in terms of Ryans?
15:35I think Ryans is an elite defensive coach.
15:38We know how good he was as a D.C. with the 49ers,
15:42and obviously what he and Nick Casario have built here defensively as well.
15:46Now, we found out last year that he took a step back from play calling on defense,
15:50and now Matt Burke calls the defense so that he can focus a little bit more on the offense.
15:54He's not an offensive guy.
15:57He is – I don't know how good of a CEO head coach he is either.
16:02Like, that's another layer to being a head coach.
16:04Bobby Slow at the offensive coordinator, they fired him.
16:06They brought in Nick Caley.
16:07That didn't work out last year.
16:09Is it him making that hire, or is it Nick Casario?
16:12I don't know, but they work in tandem,
16:14and they also have an issue identifying talent on the offensive line and developing that.
16:19So, there are gaps, and there are holes, and it's not perfect.
16:22I think he's an elite culture guy as well.
16:24Always positive, always upbeat, always honest and straightforward with his guys
16:28and expects a high level and holds that standard with them as well,
16:32and that's why you see that particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
16:36They got to find somebody that carries that weight on the offensive side of the ball.
16:40They haven't found it.
16:41I don't think it's Nick Caley.
16:43My biggest issue is that they didn't hire anybody this offseason or the offseason prior,
16:47even if they kept Bobby Slow at, to help Bobby and or Nick if it didn't go well.
16:52How do you adjust?
16:53So, now, if it doesn't go well, there's no one to turn to,
16:56and they're just going to have to take it on the chin week in and week out,
16:59and Nick's going to have to figure it out for himself.
17:00So, I think like every head coach, he's not perfect,
17:03but he's got some really, really, really good areas,
17:06and then some areas like, hey, we've got to kind of figure it out.
17:09Bulldog, do you like the McDermott parallel?
17:11No, I think everything Will just said, I'm sitting here going,
17:13this sounds like McDermott, the culture-y piece, even the tight shirts.
17:18The tight shirts.
17:19Ryan's is 39 when he takes over.
17:21McDermott might have been 43 or 42 when he took the Bills job.
17:26And they all, by the way, both have this.
17:28I mean, at least McDermott, after losing in Houston the first year in the playoffs,
17:33the first Bills, well, his second, I guess.
17:35But Ryan's has a playoff win each year.
17:38It's sort of like the Bills in this era where they win one playoff game,
17:43and maybe two, but never more than that.
17:45You know, Will, before we move on, maybe talk about the division
17:48in the few minutes we've got left, if I didn't say that right the first time.
17:53One player on defense, I made this point about all the starters coming back,
17:57but the second-round pick, Caden McDonald, was a player that I think a lot of
18:01Bills fans would be interested to hear how he's doing
18:04because there was some interest in him as an idea for the Bills in the draft,
18:10and it, you know, didn't come to fruition, obviously, because he's in Houston.
18:13What kind of role is there to be carved out for Caden McDonald?
18:19I think it's going to be intermittent but important early on,
18:23and I think it will likely expand later on.
18:26But for them to get him, this defense, to be able to get a guy that has potential,
18:32at least, to create pressure up the middle and be a true run stuffer
18:36and get to the quarterback up the middle is insane
18:39because if he truly turns into what it looks like he might be able to turn into,
18:43you know, because of what he brings, he has that what we call swarm mentality,
18:49as D'Amico Ryan says.
18:51It's just kind of that nastiness, continuously, like 11 hats to the ball,
18:56don't stop to the whistle, play just on the edge of violent and dirty,
19:01but always, you know, try to keep it as clean, as proper as possible
19:04while playing as physical as humanly possible.
19:06He's that guy mentally, and physically, he's that strong.
19:10Can he put it together with his technique and the ability to do it week in and week out?
19:13We're going to find out.
19:15But, yeah, he could be really special, particularly on a defensive line
19:19where he's got Jadavian Clowney, Will Anderson Jr.,
19:22and Daniil Hunter doing the hard work.
19:25Will, Houston, we've talked all summer here leading up to the season
19:29and, you know, especially week one with the Texans.
19:32Aaron Schatz, longtime football analyst, he told us he thought Houston would be the one seed.
19:39Like, that was his prediction, one of his predictions in the AFC.
19:41Is that warranted?
19:42Like, do you like them on any sort of level above what Jacksonville is?
19:46Are they a clear favorite, or are they not?
19:48How do you look at what this summer has sounded like in terms of expectations for Houston?
19:54I think when you get to those conversations of winning the division and or the Super Bowl,
19:59like the high-end conversations, it's truly, truly a game of inches.
20:04It's truly of a, do you commit the one extra turnover?
20:07That's where the Texans are.
20:09You know, when you're looking at something through a telescope,
20:11you're really, really far away, and you don't see all the imperfections.
20:15Well, the team like the Bills and a team like the Texans, they're under a microscope.
20:18So you see all of the imperfections.
20:21So when you're on that big stage trying to win the division
20:25or you're trying to get to the AFC championship game,
20:27it's every single minute detail matters the most.
20:31So I don't know.
20:32We're going to flip the coin, and I think they're in that conversation
20:35to be able to win the Super Bowl.
20:37But they have a huge question mark on the offensive side of the ball,
20:42and it's a matter of can they get in the red zone
20:45and can they have any success once they do get in the red zone.
20:48They were one of the worst red zone teams in the NFL last season,
20:50and that's a bigger question than probably anything the Bills have
20:55or someone like, I don't know, the Eagles or the Rams have at this point.
20:59So they've got some serious question marks to address,
21:02but they're in that conversation.
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