Ball Games And Beyond

This week on Ball Games and Beyond, host Evan Groat talks NFL free agency and the shift we have seen in the running back market from 2023 to 2024.  Several free agent running backs were signed to lucrative contracts on day one of free agency which is a drastic change from past years.  Why the change in Philosophy?  Tune in to hear why.  NFL writer from Yahoo Sports, Frank Schwab joins the show to weigh in on the conversation and discusses Kirk Cousins to the Falcons, why he believes running backs are once again being valued and winners and losers of free agency.

On this week’s episode of Ball Game And Beyond, host Evan Groat discusses LeBron James and his milestone achievement of scoring 40,000 career points as he continues to add to his legacy as one of the all-time greats in NBA history.  NBA insider, Mark Medina joins the show to give his take on James reaching 40k points and if he has finally surpassed Michael Jordan as the greatest of all time.  

On this week’s episode of Ball Games And Beyond, host Evan Groat discusses the topic of court storming in college basketball.  Does the NCAA need to make a change to it’s current policy of fans taking the court following an upset win to ensure the safety of players, coaches and officials? We dive into that topic and more with guest Steve Wiseman, Duke men’s basketball beat writer for the Raleigh News & Observer.

The off season is upon us and there is plenty to discuss.  On this week’s episode of Just Pod Baby, host Evan Groat recap’s the 2023 season, runs down the list of soon to be free agents and in segment two is joined by Vinny Bonsignore from the Las Vegas Review Journal talk about everything from the search for a new head coach to the plans at quarterback in 2024.

This week on Just Pod Baby, Evan discusses the 2023 regular season finale versus the Denver Broncos and why the game matters even though the playoffs are no longer an option. Davante Adams says the Las Vegas locker room is in full support of their interim head coach but would you expect anything else to be said at this point?  In segment two, Evan makes his case for Jim Harbaugh to be the next coach of the Raiders and plays audio from Aaron McMann, Michigan football beat writer for the Ann Arbor News, on why he believes Harbaugh will make the jump to the NFL.

It’s Chiefs week and the Raiders playoff pulse is still alive.  Fresh off their dominating win over the Chargers the Raiders look to keep it rolling as they head out on the road to face the Chiefs at Arrowhead stadium.  Will a win over the Chiefs be enough to convince even the biggest Pierce skeptics that he deserves the job?

Fresh off the bye week the Raiders are ready to take on the Minnesota Vikings and host Evan Groat is ready to talk about it this week on Just Pod Baby.  The main topic of the show is, what to look for in the final five games of the season.  Mathematically the Raiders season is still alive but getting to the playoffs will require something very special by Las Vegas in the next five games.  In segment two, Matthew Coller who covers the Vikings for PurpleInsider.com joins the show to discuss his new book, ‘Football Is A Numbers Game’ and helps to preview the Vikings.

Over the next five weeks interim head coach, Antonio Pierce will be looking to make a case for himself to become the Raiders next full time head coach.  This week on Just Pod Baby, with Las Vegas on the bye week host Evan Groat assesses Coach Pierce’s job over the last four weeks and gives him a grade.  In segment two, the conversation turns to where the Raiders coaching vacancy and if it is an attractive destination.  

The Raiders improved their record to 5-5 with a 16-12 win over the New York Jets but now they enter a very tough stretch of games starting this Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.  Alain Poupart of SI’s Fan Nation joins the show in segment two to preview the matchup between the Raiders and Dolphins.

This week on Just Pod Baby, host Evan Groat discusses the rejuvenated Raiders following their win over the NY Giants.  Interim head coach, Antonio Pierce has the players buying in and the fan base believing but what does Pierce need to do to have the interim tag removed and become the full time coach of the Raiders next year?  In segment two, Evan previews the week 10 matchup with the Jets with Dan Leberfeld of Jets Confidential.