host of NFL live and SEC nation and pretty much you can see her all over the place it's Laura rutage good morning good morning how are you guys we're doing great but what I really want to know is how much do you love our city and the Cowboys for consistently trying really hard to provide you with content I love it uh you know it's funny because there are people who were like oh wow ESPN just only talks about the Cowboys and that's really not true on NFL live but unfortunately or maybe fortunately depending on how you look at it the Cowboys are always providing us headlines and yesterday was a great one getting the CD deal done and uh we were all excited about that but yeah it it is funny uh we do spend a lot of time talking about those cowboys okay when y'all are sitting around and preparing your show and getting ready for it do you look like you look at the Cowboys as a circus a well-run PR machine or a legitimate football organization I think it's kind of a mixture of all those things that's what makes them so fascinating you know they're a team that for whatever they've actually done in the postseason we expect them to be there every single year and they have one of the best quarterbacks in the league so we'd be talking about him anyway from that standpoint and then there's always these other underlying storylines right that just kind of like circulate around and I think no matter what you know when we talk about them especially for NFL live being a daily show we talk about so many teams right but the Cowboys are usually at least some part of our rundown for the show usually the conversation is you know if it's not some major news it's like well what about this angle that people haven't talked enough about you know um even yesterday when we're we were talking about CD we were also talking about the Bland injury which unfortunately uh you know happened but also like some of us think it's a big deal others aren't as worried so it's it's always interesting to get differing opinions um on Dallas you can count in the category if I am worried about that injury so us too yeah we are too for whatever it's worth what do you think about the Cowboys kind of kicking the tires on Dalvin cook this has been in the offseason a much maligned running back room what do you think about this opportunity yeah I love it I mean look to your point it's a running back room that needs debt and I think Zeke will have some part of this but right he's not you know a younger back and running backs unfortunately in the NFL these days just have a very shortened career unless you're somebody like Christian mcaffrey so I think they should do it and it can't really hurt at this point to me too you've got to think that in order to try to I mean everyone knows that dak's going to be going to CD so to try to diversify this offense in a way to make it a little bit more balanced you've got to get something going in the Run game and one thing we talked about too recently is just Dak you know obviously injuries have affected him a little bit but getting back to being a little bit more mobile even in the pocket and doing some things outside the pocket that we know he can do a great running game or even like a decent running game could help a lot uh in that way so I hope the dvin cook thing happens is it is is there an anticipation that because of Kell Moore that the Eagles offense is going to be back or more explosive it kind of fell apart last year I do think that will help right and uh it's going to be interesting because Jaylen Herz even said this he's had so many offensive coordinators during his career even going back to college so there's going to be I think a little bit of a learning curve with some of that but I do think they're going to be a lot better than they were at that latter half of last season I mean that was a collapse that I don't think we've seen in quite some time at the professional level like that to just consistently be so bad when you have the weapons that they they had I I think Jaylen was hurt and that was part of it but that doesn't even excuse you know some of how that looked so I expect more explosiveness for sure and that's another reason why the cowbo always need to make sure that they're in a better position because uh that NFC East you know when it comes to the Eagles and maybe even the commanders a little bit too I wouldn't really consider the Giants in that category but you know Jaden Daniels can make some things happen they have some weapons on that Commander's team the Cowboys need to make sure that their offense is you know humming at a a really nice Pace like they were many times last season I was about to ask where you are on the Jaden Daniels hype train I know Caleb Williams gets a lot of attention and all of a sudden you know Bo Knicks has really been emerging in the preseason but what are your anticipations or what your expectations for Jaden Daniels yeah I you know covering him in college I I've loved him for years and I I think he is everything that we thought he was right and we're seeing it already play out in this Commander offense I realized it's just the preseason but my goodness he throws a pretty ball you see some of these passes and you're like oh my God let me watch that again and again and again and they have Terry McClaren who is one of of the like utmost professional just goes out gets the job done great leader he's an exceptional player on that offense dami Brown he's already had a nice connection with in the preseason I think that they could surprise some people I'm not saying that they're going to be better than the Cowboys or better than the Eagles but they're not going to be some easy out I think jayen will make a pretty easy well easy as as rookie quarterbacks go transition to the NFL he'll have his bumps but I expect him to have a really nice career this rookie quarterback class this season guys is really fun I mean you mentioned bone Knicks too not not many people were talking about him after the draft in maybe the way that they are now we're seeing him look absolutely perfect in this Shawn pton offense there in Denver yeah how much how much of that because Kevin and I've been kind of eyeballing that a lot lately I'm just kind of curious your thoughts on how much that is Shawn pton having just a great understanding of the game being able to make it simple for the quarterback versus what the quarterback was in college and and what he's it into now yeah I think it's kind of some of both right where Shawn pton identified bonck and said oh yeah this guy can run what I want to do and then also tailored some things specifically to bock's skill set and look I mean it's interesting because we've seen teams like I don't know uh this is kind of funny considering that he's actually on the team but Zack Wilson with the Jets you draft him because you're like oh he's making these wow throws in prod but can he actually run the offense that you want him to run and and so often at the NFL level I think guys get obsessed with just what is incredible Talent at the quarterback position undeniable talent but then you got to execute the offense in this case it looks to be perfect marriage of hey you know what this guy may not have like some of those you know wow throws that you saw from Zach Wilson or or maybe somebody else but he can do what I need him to do and he can do it at a very high level I I think some of his Mobility too and the ability to use his legs is going to make make an even better um factor in that offense so I Shawn pton from what I know really liked B Knicks for a long time and it's funny because you know some of us were like really okay well you we'll see how that goes but I think they were so happy they knew that he would be there for them you know when they were picking you get a little nervous after the Falcons took pennic as high as they did but they knew that like they were the ones that loved him and and he would love them back you know and and I think it's going to end up working out really well for Nicks and for Sean pton and that Broncos team talk with Laura Rutledge right here on 1053 The Fan now I realize some of the Dynamics of these regular season college football games have changed with the expanded playoff but as somebody who went to Texas A&M after this weekend do you think I will be optimistic or not optimistic about how this season's going to go no I think you're going to be optimistic like Texas A&M is good they really are now look I do do I think that they're going to be like you know absolutely a playoff team I don't know some of it has to do with the schedule and and who they're going to have to play in the SEC but the fact that they're at home for this Notre Dame opener um there's so much familiarity on the Elco side with what Notre Dame's doing like there's just going to be I think a lot of gamesmanship that could actually play into the Aggie's hand a little bit and they got so much talent you know and I I believe and maybe I'm just drinking the Kool-Aid but I do believe them when they say that they've worked on I know we're doing it we're drinking this maroon Kool-Aid together what could ever go wrong with drinking Kool-Aid I I believe them when they say they're going to be you know better in the fourth quarter and they're conditioning for that and things things of that nature they're like this kind of team that when you look at the whole SEC it's not like anybody's really talking a ton about Texas A&M uh nationally but they're a team that could maybe surprise some people I I think people are focused on you know other parts of the and even maybe other parts in the state of Texas right with Texas joining but I could just see them they are never and it's never an easy place to play let's say they beat Notre Dame and then there's going to be a lot of conversation around that the other thing too that's interesting with this expanded playoff of course is you've got teams that can afford a couple losses and probably still make it in and strength of schedule I think could really play nicely for them uh when it all comes down to it you mentioned Texas this appears as though especially with your's back as a playoff or bus season and obviously their expectations might be even higher than just being in the playoff is that fair to say I think it's National Championship or bus for them and and and listen Steve sarkeesian's not saying that right he's like can you guys stop with all he he's like do pulling a Sabin with the rat poison he doesn't want any more of this positivity um even we were there in Austin when we welcomed them to the SEC we did a whole show around it he was kind of trying to temper expectations even at that point that's before all of this preseason love really um came to the Forefront but they are really stacked you know and I I think the thing about Texas we saw this last season too they're such a physical team so they're just going to match up well in the SEC and even in a very tough schedule going to Michigan week too there's a lot that sticks out they do host Georgia which plays nicely for them you know the other thing that is in their favor I think despite the fact that they're a really good team and they should be a top five team when it's all said and done maybe you know top two if we'll we'll see how it all plays out but they are their schedule helps them right they don't really have to go on the road in the SEC until like late October and it's Vanderbilt so they're in a really nice spot I think when it comes Vanderbilt after that but I know sorry I try not to throw shade I try not to you know like punch down but anyway van Vanderbilt is is where they have to go so they're in a a really favorable position I think schedule wise all right so one of my bucket list things I've always heard Saturday night uh at LSU is one of the best environments does the change does the teams that have moved into the SEC change the tailgate party rankings at all and what are the top three tailgate parties for you in the SEC oh yeah well you're right um about LSU at night you have to do it like if if you are able to go and see Death Valley at night it is absolutely worse all of the hype and it's just a mustsee um they're they're certainly at the top for me I'm not just playing to the crowd here I think Texas A&M is a great tailgate environment and and here's what I like is a actually a early game there because you get people out there with the breakfast tacos I didn't know about that like I'm from Atlanta and then went to Florida so we we didn't really do that and I'm like why didn't we do that because that's great and it it's so fun to see you know just the different styles of tailgating then I would put Alabama in the top three they just know a thing or two about it right they know a thing or two about big games um an honorable mention always is Old Miss that's another one if you if you have not been to the Grove for tailgating experience it is truly an experience and I do think I mean look guys I haven't you know covered the Big 12 in a long time so I haven't seen Texas and Oklahoma uh tailgating necessarily but I'm excited to experience it and the early Returns on what Austin was even just for a welcome to the SEC show yeah make me think that it's going to be really promising when when you infiltrate all of these t gates are you going to be bringing your honey baked ham with you because I know that game day is Honey Baked Ham day this fall so are you going to be bringing everyone some honey baked ham to get it going for those tailgates I absolutely am I'm going to be traveling with one of their gorgeous bone in half hams in my carry-on bag um and just taking it everywhere I go and it really really for me right because it's so delicious but you mention it game day is a honey bake day and you guys are going to absolutely love their new offerings the the sliders are unbelievable so it's not just about the hand they've got sliders they have a sandwich platter that everybody loves so many offerings their new pulled pork Cuban slider is delicious it's got the pulled pork and the ham Swiss cheese pickle the whole nine yards so um it's a great way to show up at a tailgate or even at your house if you're hosting people and say yeah let me impress you let me show you that I really went all out for this with delicious food and something for everyone yeah Ham's the top three meat Kevin I yeah yeah top three especially if it's honeybake so honey bake.com Gamay if you want to get more information by stuff online pick up in store set that all up so you are on NFL live SEC Nation I know you got to do the Masters you got honey Bak ham what's next is it cookbook are we going back into dance as you continue to take over General Media what's next oh goodness I'm probably oversaturated um I don't know what's next you it's really funny you mention cookbook because I love to cook and I love food um and it is something that I have thought about I just thought you know wouldn't it be so embarrassing though if I made a cookbook and nobody got it like nobody wanted it but but maybe I maybe if I sent one to you guys and you guys wanted it then at least back on the show and promote it we'll we'll help you out three people wanted it uh no but I listen I I'm just uh I'm so fortunate to be able to you know do any of this I'm so thankful for the honey bake partnership and and all these jobs that I do at ESPN I can't even believe that I'm doing this so um truly just grateful for all of it well we appreciate you coming on with us especially since you said you think Texas Anam is going to win I appreciate that even more I needed that hope for the week so thank you very much for jumping on with us thanks for having me guys I appreciate it [Music]