Dave Dameshek opens the show by answering the question: which QB draft class is the best in the history of people. Then Carmen Vitali and JD Bunkis join the show to talk about all the latest moves of the 2026 NFL trade. They get past the headlines and into why these teams make the decisions they do. They look at how GMs construct teams and why roster construction is a science, but an inexact science. Dave then uses a fact about Patriot fans (how they lament more than any other football fans and will whine about Drake Maye's injury for the rest of time) as a way chat about the gold medal hockey game. Would Canada have won if they put Sidney Crosby on the ice? The answer touches on the racial makeup of Canada and why French Canadians aren't pulling their weight in the goal. Yes, we go there. And then we wind our way back to NFL trades. It's Football America time! (NOTE: Recorded on Thursday at 1pm ET.) AUDIO Football America! is available wherever you listen to podcasts. Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/football-america/id1831757512 Follow us: Dave Dameshek: https://x.com/dameshek JD Bunkis: https://x.com/JDBunkis Carmen Vitali: https://x.com/CarmieV Host: Dave Dameshek Guests: JD Bunkis, Carmen Vitali Team: Gino Fuentes, Ethan Bedowsky Director: Danny Benitez Senior Producers: Gino Fuentes, Mike Fuentes Executive Producer: Soup Campbell Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Commanders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Juju is joined by special guest Lalaa Shepard for a wild episode of the Alley Oop Basketball Show ? and the conversation goes WAY beyond the court.First up: the unbelievable story of a coach connected to California State University, Bakersfield allegedly being caught up in a pimping scandal. The internet can?t believe it, and Juju and Lalaa break down how a story like this even happens in the sports world.Then the conversation shifts to the legendary culture of Magic City ? one of the most iconic nightlife spots tied to hip-hop and basketball culture. Why do athletes and rappers treat it like a second home?Next up: the long-running tension between T.I. and 50 Cent. The hosts break down the history of the beef, the personalities involved, and why these rivalries never really die.Finally, they celebrate the MIST winning UNRIVALED, and what it means for the league and the future of women?s basketball.From scandals to strip club culture to hip-hop beefs and hoops ? this episode covers everything. If you love basketball culture, viral sports stories, and hilarious commentary, this episode is for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"How did Zaslow die? He didn't know how to get to Santa Fe." Mike Ryan admits that Tim Tebow is "an amazing guy," and Trysta tells the story of the time Tebow admitted they have chemistry, but something is a little off about how much Canes fan Mike Ryan continues to praise Tim Tebow. Dave pits Tony and Tache against each other in some TvT action and then starts rambling about Super Bowl MVPs. Which NFL superstars could beat up Logan Paul in a boxing ring? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Look, it's Nosferatu... no, that's just Adam Silver." Mike tee's up Pablo Torre's upcoming live show at MIT Sloan, which Tony expectedly dismisses as a dorkfest with R.C. Buford and Keith Law. The gang discusses whether Victor Wembanyama can fulfill the prophecy in just his third season in the league, and Jeremy compares the Heat's rebuild to the Spurs because he is Heat MAGA. Trysta says she would go to Phoenix if she were an NBA free agent because of the city's roads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Died right in front of my right foot...SO NHL TRADE DEADLINE TODAY!" A luggage cart hit Trysta's flight, and she didn't feel like flying on a plane with spare parts, so she's back for another edition of Friends of Show Friday. Your old pal Dave Dameshek is here to make fun of Jeremy for caring too much about the second apron as he flounders in the EP chair and gets blamed for everything. While he treads water and gasps for air, Tony keeps up to date on the NHL trade deadline. We discuss whether Florida Panthers' fans would be happy if he went elsewhere and won a Stanley Cup, and what Tua and John Fetterman have in common. Today's Cast: Dave, Zaslow, Jeremy, Tony, Trysta, Mike Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On 11/7/2006, former Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Bryan Pata was murdered. In August 2021, former Miami Hurricanes defensive back Rashaun Jones was arrested in connection with Pata's murder. Due to not being able to afford bail, Jones has been in jail since his arrest. He was tried but the jury was hung and result was a mistrial. Christian Maroni, Sara Alvarez, and Danielle Perez represents Jones's defense team. They join Billy Corben to talk about the case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"[laughs in Bills fan]" JuJu is ECSTATIC over the news of the Bills trading for DJ Moore and has takes on what it could mean before delivering his Thursday Thunder and recapping this week's polls. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I like it when it sounds like I'm peeing." Dan is still uncomfortable with Domino's pants, Jeremy agrees with Chris on an intellectual argument from yesterday's show, and Mike has some praise for Stephen Ross. Then, the World Baseball Classic is here, and the Pitch Clock has you covered! Daniel Alvarez of El Extrabase sets the table for this year's tournament, and Ethan's trivia quizzes Jeremy and Chris on the champions of past years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"You know about that hot, young wife, Dan?" It's time for the 305 Day competition, including competitions between Trysta and Jeremy, Chris and Zaslow, and Tony and Mike. Also, the show continues to praise Andy Roddick's Charlotte Hornets, and it might actually kill Jeremy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I hope so." Dan wants you to know he has NEVER owned an umbrella, and David Samson is here to lie to Mike Ryan about the firing of Tommy Hutton and to advocate for companies to lay off their employees. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Don't tell them too much." Today is March 5, and you know what that means: Tony thinks we should have the day off, and Zaslow is wearing a bald cap. Also, the Miami Hurricanes and the Charlotte Hornets are good basketball teams! Plus, Paula Lavigne & Dan Arruda are here to discuss their investigative reporting from the 'Murder at the U' podcast about Bryan Pata's murder after the mistrial from earlier this week. Today's cast: Dan, Zaslow, Chris, Jeremy, Mike, Tony, and Trysta. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tig Notaro had the worst month of her life. Then, she had her big break because of it. Tig has always been a wild child, from growing up with a free spirit of a mother, to repeating eighth grade (twice) before dropping out of school entirely, to performing half her stand-up set with her shirt off after having a double mastectomy. With Dan Le Batard, Tig explores where her own ?go to hell? energy comes from. Tig also speaks about being an Oscar-nominated producer for her work on ?Come See Me In The Good Light,? a documentary following the death of her friend and poet, Andrea Gibson. She also looks at why, despite being a ridiculously funny comedian, some of her greatest successes also deal with deep grief. See Tig live on tour - go to TigNation.com for dates and tickets, and subscribe to the "Handsome" podcast, hosted by Tig and fellow comedians Fortune Feimster and Mae Martin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Do we have pool girls?" Pool Boy Tony watched Basic Instinct for the first time, Trysta dismisses Michael Jordan, and JuJu updates the Polls. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I'm 58. I look pretty good. I feel even better." Jessica is here to discuss the highlights of Nostalgia Night for the NBA on NBC, the St. Louis Cardinals' bottomless food ticket, the U.S. Hockey team's appearance on SNL, and why she yearns for blogs. Plus, Dan makes up an absurd story about cooling himself down with a head of lettuce. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I don't know Alex Pierce." Pablo Torre's ability to win award after award after award after award has blown Dan away... The problem? Dan keeps having to pay to nominate him. Plus, Greg has a GI (or is it AI?) issue, a genuine QB debate breaks out, and Tony delivers his "Top 5 Low-Key NFL Free Agents" featuring one player who is about as high-key as it gets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Sounds like you in the shower." The Ultimate Enjoyer of Basketball?? and collector of vintage sports stuff, Kenny Beecham, joins the show to discuss how much trust we should have in the Cavs and Pistons, the Charlotte Hornets' new role as the NBA's most fun team, and Dan's insistence that the Heat fire Erik Spoelstra. Then, why did Stephen A. pick this moment to go after Zion Williamson? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"He's literally half." Roy is scamming the company, Zas is worried the Panthers' run is over, and Greg is advocating for 'hard-ass' coaches, but no matter where the group tries to lead the show... Dan. Cannot. Stop. Firing. Erik. Spoelstra. Today's cast: Dan, Greg, Zaslow, Chris, JuJu, Tony, and Trysta. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Cade Cunningham getting the respect he deserves? or is the hype machine in overdrive? This week on Alley Oop, Juju and Trysta welcome Zach Harper from The Athletic for a full-on NBA debate episode ? and things get SPICY. We kick things off with the big question: Is Cade Cunningham an MVP candidate? or are we getting ahead of ourselves? Does he deserve praise for carrying Detroit ? or shade for the results? From there, the besmirching spreads: Are the Spurs the second-best team in the West? Can ANYONE beat Team USA in Olympic basketball? Who are the true powerhouses ? East vs West? Why won?t Luka shoot when he?s WIDE OPEN?! Kelsey Plum does an Aliyah Boston elbow impression and we cannot recover. It?s debates, hot takes, chaos, and a LOT of shade. If you love NBA debates, spicy basketball takes, and zero chill analysis ? you?re in the right place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"We have actual shelves in our merch store." JuJu has some takes on Traitors and Paradise, Greg wears a shirt with his own face on it, and Zaslow delivers his MVP of the Day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"...do with it what you want, young ladies." JuJu Gotti is here as our Atlanta expert to refute Luke Kornet's take on Magic City, Dan wonders why arm length matters so much at the NFL combine, and Mike and Zas are furious at this show's asinine defense of sharks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"When I say it, I picture myself as Chef Boyardee." Can James Harden actually take a team over the top in the postseason? How do you get concert tickets if there are 700,000 people ahead of you in line? Why does Greg Cote think every one of his thoughts is interesting? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Where am I on war? Is that the question?" Roger Bennett has a new book, We Are The World (Cup), and is here to share stories of the world's game, plucky upstarts, and the dynamics headed into the upcoming World Cup. Plus, Trysta thinks Miami has a sports problem, Dan relives a classic moment between Pat Riley and Bob Costas, and Greg has a bulletin for NBA Players. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"WE GOT F*****." Legendary Marlins color commentator Tommy Hutton announced this will be his final season in the booth, so the crew discusses the greatest sports broadcasters in South Florida history, including Larry King. Wait, what? Also, Greg takes down adults who wear gloves at baseball games, Trysta gives the crew some College Basketball knowledge, and Chris exercises bad judgment. Today's cast: Dan, Greg, Zaslow, Chris, JuJu, Mike, Trysta, and Roy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I was the only one that heard the prior words." We relive one of the worst days in show history for Jonathan Zaslow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Missed connection: You were the property manager with the beautiful smile. I was the prospective buyer with a 237 credit score and a mild case of the meth itches." Zaslow had a dream that felt a little too real, and Amin is here for his Weekend Observations, including Michael Jeffrey Jordan, Johnny Manziel's hands, the Sloan Conference, pregnancy, and Randy Pfund. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Nobody here is surprised a Blow Pop is over a dollar?" Did you know that Texas Tech is back because Gilbert Arenas has too many cars on his lawn? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I'm not running." Zaslow asks Dan a medical question that gets him kicked out of the room, Draymond Green questions the media over their Luka takes, Chris freaks out over an interview with a robot, Trysta says something is 'poppycock,' and Dan brings up Pat McAfee for no discernible reason. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"SOMEONE SAY SOMETHING BAD ABOUT TRYSTA!" Dan is back from L.A., and he's shit-stirring with his very first words on the mic. After recapping the events from his time away, he asks why no one in the South Florida media has come for Pat Riley or Erik Spoelstra's job because of the lack of Kel'el Ware minutes alongside Bam Adebayo despite the Heat coming off a GREAT win over the Rockets where Ware and Adebayo played important minutes together and got everyone in America back to believing they can make some noise. (Yes, this is Jeremy writing this description.) Today's cast: Dan, Zaslow, Chris, Jeremy, JuJu, Mike, and Trysta. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Cade Cunningham getting the respect he deserves? or is the hype machine in overdrive? This week on Alley Oop, Juju and Trysta welcome Zach Harper from The Athletic for a full-on NBA debate episode ? and things get SPICY. We kick things off with the big question: ? Is Cade Cunningham an MVP candidate? or are we getting ahead of ourselves? Does he deserve praise for carrying Detroit ? or shade for the results? From there, the besmirching spreads: ? Are the Spurs the second-best team in the West? ? Can ANYONE beat Team USA in Olympic basketball? ? Who are the true powerhouses ? East vs West? ? Why won?t Luka shoot when he?s WIDE OPEN?! ? Kelsey Plum does an Aliyah Boston elbow impression and we cannot recover. It?s debates, hot takes, chaos, and a LOT of shade. If you love NBA debates, spicy basketball takes, and zero chill analysis ? you?re in the right place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Team USA's men's and women's hockey teams have returned from Milan with the double gold, but Roy is not happy with the men's behavior in the wake of the gold medal win. The whole gang is also unhappy with the behavior of some hockey reporters around the country, who are asking players returning from Milan about their Olympic experiences, including Macklin Celebrini and Connor McDavid. Rose sets the stage for the final sprint of the season in Rosa En Un Minuto, and in wins and fails, Dave loves a new goalie celebration, Ethan celebrates Aleksander Barkov, Rose makes fun of the Maple Leafs, and Roy highlights Connor McDavid coming up short again. Then, Jonathan Zaslow joins the show to discuss the reaction to the men's behavior in the locker room following the gold medal match and the Florida Panthers' dominant win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in their return to action Thursday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I shan't spend a single calorie on this b.s." Dave and Mike go head-to-head in Connect 4, Jeremy and Tony go head-to-head in naming NBA MVPs, and Amin goes head-to-head with Zaslow over a video of an Uber driver losing his mind. Somewhere far away, Dan is smiling ear to ear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I happen to be a vigorous lovemaker." Did you know that when you take a car ride with Zaslow, he will make you a Tuna sandwich? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Aerosmith owes the other America..." The Heat listened to Jeremy and dropped both of their games this week, the Lakers are ALSO falling apart, and Amin knows another thing or two about basketball. Plus, the Canes are taking on the Gators at The Light, but there's nothing more important than Dameshek's R.E.M. fury overflowing from one day to the next. Today's cast: Zaslow, Dameshek, Amin, Chris, Jeremy, Mike, Roy, and Tony. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

?Baby, if you give it to me, I'll give it to you? JuJu gives us his picks for Thursday Thunder, Jason Williams is incredibly honest, Zaslow gives us his MVP of the Day, JuJu has a Mariah Carey recommendation for Dave, and we give Pat McAfee one last deserved shoutout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I think people struggle with the fundamental element of hockey being played on ice." Sara Civian of Bleacher Report and the Too Many Men podcast joins the show to discuss everything that has happened since the US men's hockey team took home the gold medal in Milan, and the restart of the NHL season. Will the Stanley Cup Champions have an asterisk if they don't have to go through the Florida Panthers? Was Jeremy Swayman's apology to the women's team sufficient? Then our discussion of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees devolves into signing Dave Mariah Carey songs because he somehow didn't know any Mariah Carey songs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"They tryna make me Amin Elhassan!" Dan's inner monologue is very excited to talk about some NFL media news after Tony Dungy was let go from Football Night in America. Should NBC make a run at Philip Rivers or Smokin' Jay Cutler to replace him? Zas tests how much Amin knows about that. After Tony's Kon Knueppel rookie-of-the-year take aged extremely poorly extremely fast, he gives it another go... and it ages extremely poorly extremely fast again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"He doesn't even have shoes, he has shoe." Mike Ryan ordered a pair of shoes that made him feel old, Dave has a brand-new game, Amin knows all the flags, and Connor McDavid gets a nice question thrown his way. Plus, is it a possibility that Connor Hellebuyck could get booed by his home fans in Winnipeg? Which teams have the worst names? Are there any cool team names left? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"My penis made an eagle sound." Would Team USA have declined Dan Le Batard's offer to pay for their drinks at E11even? When did Dave become a commie? Did E11even actually cash the check that Pat McAfee wrote them? When did Yankee Doodle Dandy become the Soviet National Anthem? Would Mike Ryan feel the same way about Matthew Tkachuk hanging out at Elbo Room yesterday if he were not 2x Stanley Cup Champion Matthew Tkachuk? Does everyone know The Great Pickle of 2025? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"When we move you, when we give you a good emotional ride? and gave you something special. That's why they become successes, 'cause you want that feeling over and over again." Jerry Bruckheimer, the legendary producer of the world's biggest movie blockbusters in history, sits down with Dan Le Batard in Los Angeles to reveal everything that went behind bringing the "Best Film" Academy Award-nominated F1: The Movie from the track to the big screen (with some help from Lewis Hamilton and Brad Pitt). Jerry shares how his love of film began - taking photos with his uncle's camera, before starting off making commercials before making it all the way to Hollywood. Jerry also takes Dan through over five decades of making movies (from Top Gun and Bad Boys to Beverly Hills Cop and Remember The Titans) and tells never-before-told stories about some of your favorite movies of all time. The Academy Award-nominated F1: The Movie is available to stream today on Apple TV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Boy, you lookin' like a basketball." JuJu has an important Top 5: the Top 5 Movies From My Childhood That Became Something Totally Different For Me At Some Point That I Can Remember. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"It's a little slutty, but I think it works." After the worst loss in Notre Dame Men's Basketball history, Jess is here to talk curling drama, the excellence of Alysa Liu, sweaters, and how she'd fare in the NFL combine if competing against our crew. But hopefully she won't have to talk about Punch the Monkey or Clavicular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"You wanna make some love?" Zas watched Inglourious Basterds with his son while he was home sick Monday, and it features a cast of eight men discussing the "necessary" nudity in movies. Plus, is the tide turning on Luka in L.A.? And who is the worst type of person to play pickup ball with? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"If you're only going to consume the flesh of one beast for the rest of your life..." It's time to determine what this group will touch with a 10-foot pole, including Luka's future title chances, pork vs. beef, and the new ABS system in baseball, which Greg is vehemently against. The show also remains very, very, very old. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"5 Words: We are the New York Knicks." "That's 6 words." Zaslow is exhausted by this Heat season, Tony tells the story of a time he almost died at the hands of El Diablo, Greg takes a trip to see Eagles, and Dave asks a group of Dolphins fans to imagine they're Dolphins fans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Payton Pritchard is having the BEST season of his career? so are we officially in his Sixth Man of the Year era? On this episode of Alley Oop, Juju and Trysta break down:-Why Payton Pritchard might be Boston?s secret weapon-Our early MVP prediction (too soon? never.) -The Scotty Pippen Jr. fight moment that had the timeline buzzing -LeBron James weighing in on Jaylen Brown -And Flau?jae?s mom jumping online to defend her daughter like only a real one can NBA drama, MVP takes, Celtics hype, and social media chaos ? all in one episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"You know how to make a boy feel good." JuJu was going to attempt to pander to Dave, but Dave's seditious behavior has him questioning his intentions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Two things: One, don't touch the goatee." Sid Seixeiro is here to willingly answer every question the crew has on behalf of all Canadians, as he bemoans the center of the hockey world residing in Miami-Dade County. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"What are the three breaking news that come to mind that y- you you used?" The Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad fan bases are at war, Greg believes there is an 'adult' ice cream, Mike has a crucial UFL source, Tony bets the castle, and Dameshek kibitzes with a lovely couple at the hotel bar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"It was the UFL." David joins the show to discuss the team Pat Riley is actually known for, rooting for your club over your country, and NFL kickers sacrificing toes for the betterment of their team, but he also makes a HUGE mistake that sticks with him for the rest of the segment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I got a little teary-eyed when the pole dancer went up with Old Glory." Zaslow is here in his rattiest hoodie and without a hat to drive today's show and chat about the U.S. Hockey team's trip to E11EVEN with expertise from Mike Ryan, who witnessed it with his own 'pretty eyes.' Plus, the greatest position groups in Florida sports history, Greg eats a cheese & ham sandwich, Dave has a question, and Jeremy threatens to be more annoying about something than he is about politics. Today's cast: Zaslow, Your Ol' Pal Dave Dameshek, Greg, Chris, Amin, Jeremy, Mike, and Tony. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices