Evan & Tiki

From 'Rico Brogna' (subscribe here): The Mets are trying to put their stamp on the Miami Marlins season by sweeping them. Hopefully this will be revenge for knocking the Mets out of the playoffs at the end of the season last year.

The Patriots and Drake Maye imploded, Tiki looks back at Week 1's in his career, and a failed Yankee prospect won't go away.

Drake Maye’s brutal fourth quarter has Evan Roberts and Tiki Barber wondering if the Patriots are far more vulnerable than expected, and whether that suddenly gives the Jets a clearer path to surprise people in the AFC East. Evan also admits Sam Darnold’s injury immediately made him think about Seattle potentially trading for Geno Smith, sparking a debate over Geno, Russell Wilson and how aggressive the Seahawks should be at quarterback.

The Giants’ opening stretch also comes under the microscope, with Evan more confident about beating the Rams in Week 2 than Dallas in Week 1. Tiki pushes back on that logic as they debate Dak Prescott, Matthew Stafford, the Rams’ travel and the Giants’ offense. Plus, the Yankees take care of business, the Mets keep winning, and the John Sterling home run call machine makes an unexpected return.

John Harbaugh showed a much sharper side with the Giants media, pushing back on questions about Darius Slayton and refusing to reveal Malik Nabers’ status. Evan Roberts and Tiki Barber debate whether Harbaugh was simply having fun or trying to intimidate reporters, and why that strategy will not stop the New York media from pressing him for answers.

The Yankees also lose Jazz Chisholm to the injured list, opening the door for Anthony Volpe’s return after a dominant Triple-A stretch. Evan and Tiki debate Volpe’s proper role, whether Aaron Boone can manage the situation correctly, and how his return could affect George Lombard Jr. Plus, skepticism about Matthew Stafford and the Rams, the Giants cornerback competition, and Mike Tomlin’s debut at the desk.

Mike Tomlin has Evan Roberts’ attention before the Jets even play a game. Evan admits his “wandering eye” is still fixed on Tomlin and believes the former Steelers coach already sounds like he misses coaching enough to return next year. Tiki Barber pushes back on how soon that comeback could happen, while both agree Tomlin’s blunt style and credibility make him a natural on television.

Evan also delivers a confident prediction that the Mets will smoke the Yankees, while the crew debates Anthony Volpe, Jose Caballero and the dangerous Rays. Plus, Sam Darnold’s hip injury raises questions about Seattle’s season, Shaun Morash unveils his Giants rooting guide, NFL fan traditions get ripped apart, and Robert Saleh gets a harsh assessment as he tries to prove himself again as a head coach.