NFL: Thursday Night Tailgate

Jeff Pearlman, Tony Collins, Zig Fracassi, Marco Coleman & Ron Lippock

On this episode of Thursday Night Tailgate our guests are: Jeff Pearlman, author of the new book, "Gunslinger" a biography about Brett Favre, former New England Patriots Pro Bowl RB Tony Collins who takes us through our 5 Star Picks of the Week, Zig Fracassi Sirius/XM NFL Radio Host, Marco Coleman, Georgia Tech Hall of Famer and former Dolphins Pro Bowl DE, and Ron Lippock author of the book "Steelers Takeaways, Player Memories Through the Decades."
Jeff Pearlman - Jeff walked us through his new book, "Gunslinger" a biography about Brett Favre. We discussed the angst that current Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is having about the book particularly the story related to how he greeted Favre when they first met. We also discussed why Ed Sherman of the Chicago Tribune has said that Packers fans that prefer not to see Favre's image sullied in any way, may want to avoid reading this book.
 
Tony Collins - Tony gave us his 5 Star Picks for Week 8 in the NFL.
 
Zig Fracassi - We talked with Zig about his Dallas Cowboys and got his take on Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott plus what he thinks should
happen once Tony Romo is healthy enough to play again.
 
Marco Coleman - Marco discussed his alma mater Georgia Tech and what he thinks that program needs in order to be a Top 25 team. He also shared his thoughts on the Dolphins seasons and his former coaches Don Shula and Joe Greene.
 
Ron Lippock - Ron shared several stories from his book, "Steelers Takeaways, Player Memories Through The Decades." He shared stories about Chuck Noll, Art Rooney, L.C. Greenwood, Rocky Bleier and several other Steelers legends.
 

Lisa Kelly, Tony Collins, Olandis Gary, Beau Bock & Omar Moreno Join Us...

On this episode of Thursday Night Tailgate our guests are: Author Lisa Kelly, former Patriots Pro Bowl RB Tony Collins, former University of Georgia, Denver Broncos & Detroit Lions RB Olandis Gary, the Dean of Atlanta Sports Talk Radio Beau Bock and former Pittsburgh Pirates World Series Champion CF Omar Moreno.
 
Lisa Kelly - Lisa has written a couple of books titled: "Echoes From The Endzone, The Men We Became" and "More Echoes From The Endzone". The book focuses on legendary players from Notre Dame and what they did after their football careers. We talked about both books, which are 5 Star rated on Amazon.com, in particular 2 players we've had on the show, former Steelers QB Terry Hanratty and former Dolphins DB Shawn Wooden.
 
 
Tony Collins - We went through our 5 Star Picks of the Week with Tony.
 
 
Olandis Gary - We talked to Olandis about this thoughts on his alma mater the University of Georgia so far this season. He and new Head Coach Kirby Smart were teammates at UGA, so we got his insights and thoughts about their struggles so far this season. We also talked about their current Heisman candidate RB Nick Chubb. He also shared his thoughts on the Broncos and their current RBs C.J. Anderson and Devontae Booker.
 
 
Beau Bock - Beau shared his disappointment about the constant underachieving of the University of Georgia football team and offered no excuses for it being Kirby Smart's first season as Head Coach. Beau also shared his insights on the Atlanta Falcons this season and the great performances of Matt Ryan and Julio Jones.
 
Omar Moreno - We talked with Omar about signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a free agent from his home country of Panama. We talked in length about the 1979 World Series and how they came back from a 3-1 deficit to win it in 7 games. He also talked about what it was like playing alongside guys like Willie Stargell, Tim Foli, Dave Parker and the rest of the We Are Family Pirates of the late 1970s.

John Luke, Tony Collins, Darrin Nelson, Christine Lisi & Toi Cook

On this episode of Thursday Night Tailgate our guests are: The Auctioneer from A&E's Storage Wars and New York sports fan John Luke, former Patriots Pro Bowl RB Tony Collins, former Vikings RB Darrin Nelson, ESPN Radio Host Christine Lisi and former Saints & 49ers DB Toi Cook.
John Luke - John is from North Harlem New York and a big Jets, Yankees, Rangers and Knicks fan. We'll get his thougts on the Jets so far this season and what he thinks they need to do so this doesn't become a lost season. We'll also talk about how he got started as an auctioneer, his experiences on Storage Wars and athletes he's met over the course of his career.
Tony Collins - We'll go through Tony's 5 Star Picks of the Week.
Darrin Nelson - We heard Darrin's thoughts on his alma mater Stanford and their recent struggles. We also talked about the Vikings 5-0 start plus his memories of going against Pro Bowl DT Keith Millard and Hall of Fame LB Chris Doleman in practice. 
Christine Lisi - Christine shared her thoughts on her favorite team, the Buffalo Bills and how they've rebounded from an 0-2 start to win 3 in a row. Hear her expectations now for the rest of the season as well as her thoughts on the Buffalo Sabres for NHL season.
Toi Cook - We inducted Toi Cook into the Thursday Night Tailgate Guest Hall of Fame on this episode. Toi has been a wonderful supporter of the show over the last 5+ years. He is one of our Top 5 guests in show appearances. We'll honor him plus get his thoughts on his alma mater Stanford and what it was like for him when they inducted him into their Hall of Fame along with Golfer Notay Begay. Hear Toi talking about playing golf with Notay and hanging out with fellow Stanford alumni Tiger Woods.

Nick Lowery, Ed White, Curley Culp & Craig Wolfley

This week on Thursday Night Tailgate our guests are: Former Chiefs Pro Bowl KickerNick Lowery, former Vikings & Chargers Pro Bowl Guard Ed White, formerChiefs & Oilers Hall of Fame NT Curley Culp and former Steelers Guard CraigWolfley.
CurleyCulp - Curley took us through what it was like being a part of the Kansas CityChiefs Super Bowl 4 championship team and their win over the Vikings. He alsotalked about his 1975 season when he was named Defensive Player of the Year andwhat it was like battling against the Steelers of the 70’s twice a year.
NickLowery - We talked with Nick about the Chief's season so far and their blowoutloss to the Steelers on Monday night. We'll also talk with Nick about the greatwork he's doing with his Foundation to help kids with his anti-bullyingcampaign plus what’s allowing today’s Kickers to be so much more successfulthan they’ve ever been.
Ed White- We talked with Ed about the Vikings hot start, what continues to be the issuewith the Chargers. We also talked about what it was for him going against someof the greatest defensive players in the game’s history including the Vikings’own defensive line, the Purple People Eaters.
CraigWolfley - Craig shared stories about trying to make the Steelers team duringthe early the 1980's when all of the Steelers legends were still with the team.We’ll also hear what it was like playing for Chuck Noll and his favorite ChuckNoll stories. We also got his insights into this year's Steelers team.

Gary Burley, Tony Collins, Terry Hanratty, Vernon Turner, & Keith Millard

This week on Thursday Night Tailgate our guests are former Bengals NT Gary Burley, former Patriots Pro Bowl RB Tony Collins, former Steelers QB Terry Hanratty, former Rams & Bucs WR/KR Vernon Turner, and former Vikings Pro Bowl DT Keith Millard.
 
Gary Burley - We talked with Gary about his time playing at Pitt in the mid-'70s and what it was like being a part of that program when Head Coach Johnny Major and RB Tony Dorsett were there. We also got his take on the Steelers/Bengals rivalry.
 
Tony Collins - We'll hear Tony's 5 Stars Picks of the Week for Week 4 in the NFL.
 
Terry Hanratty - We'll talk with Terry about his time playing for Ara Parseghian at Notre Dame and winning the 1966 National Championship. He shared his story about him being drafted in the 2nd round by the Steelers in 1969, Chuck Noll's first season as Head Coach. He also talked about how he felt when they turned around and drafted Terry Bradshaw #1 the following year. and dealing with the QB carousel the Steelers had in the early 70s with Bradshaw, Joe Gilliam, and Hanratty. He also shared stories about the pranks he used to pull on Jack Lambert.
 
Vernon Turner - We'll get an update from Vernon on how the movie about his life is progressing. Derek Jeter's movie company, The Player's Tribute, has taken on the project.
 
Keith Millard - Keith talked about the Vikings stellar defense this season and what he expects from them and the rest of the team this season. We also got his thoughts on his alma mater Washington State and their season as well.
 

TNT 5 Year Anniversary Special & Guest Hall of Fame Inductions

Hear our 5 Year Anniversary Special with our Guest Hall of Fame Inductions. This year we are added 7 new inductees to our Thursday Night Tailgate Guest Hall of Fame: former Steelers LB Levon Kirkland, former Patriots RB Tony Collins, Root Sports Pittsburgh TV Host Paul Alexander, former Chiefs WR Eddie Kennison, former Chief WR J.J. Birden, former Saints DB Toi Cook and former Chargers DB Vencie Glenn.
Levon Kirkland - Levon was our very first guest on episode 1 back in September of 2011. Along with honoring Levon, we also his reaction to Chad Brown's story that the Steelers coaches were reluctant to call out Greene and Lloyd when they jumped off sides or made a mistake. Marvin Lewis, then Steelers LB Coach, would always saying to the 4 of them that "we" can't jump off sides. Hear Levon discuss that, the Steelers and Cardinals this season and much more.
Tony Collins - Tony was our 2nd Guest Hall of Fame inductee of the night plus we got his 5 Star Picks of the Week.
Paul Alexander - Paul told the story of the first time he sat down to interview Chuck Noll and being so nervous he could barely speak. He also talked about his displeasure with the unfortunate negative nature of today's mainstream media.
Eddie Kennison - Eddie talked about his desire to help people, always trying to keep things positive and how that enables him to sleep well at night.
J.J. Birden - J.J. shared his inisights on his alma mater the Oregon Ducks as well as his former team the Kansas City Chiefs. We also talked about how he was able to be a successful Wide Receiver in the NFL even though he was the smallest player in the league.
Vencie Glenn - Vencie talked about keeping things real, what it was like being inducted into the Indiana State Hall of Fame the same weekend his father died and the message he wants kids to takeaway when he gets an opportunity to speak with them.

Felix Wright, Tony Collins, Anne Jewell, Chris Miller & Bill Ferrario

This week on Thursday Night Tailgate our guests are: former Browns DB Felix Wright, former Patriots Pro Bowl RB Tony Collins, Executive Director of the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory Anne, Jewell, former Falcons QB Chris Millers and former Packers Offensive Lineman Bill Ferrario.
Felix Wright - Hear Felix talk about the Monday Night game against the Rams when he intercepted 2 passes, returning 1 for a touchdown earning him the nickname Mr. Monday Night. He also talked about his incredible journey from being a history and PE teacher to becoming a CFL All-Star and later leading the NFL in interceptions.
Tony Collins - Hear our 5 Star Picks of the Week with Tony, Bob and I.
Anne Jewell - Anne shared the latest exhibits at the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory including the barnstorming Arabian Knight like uniform worn by Babe Ruth which earned him the nickname the Sultan of Swat when he played on a team with Robert Ripley who later started Ripley's Believe It or Not.
Chris Miller - Chris shared his insights and expectations for his alma mater the Oregon Ducks and his former team the Atlanta Falcons for this season. He also talk about concussions ending his playing career and which QBs he enjoys watching now.
Bill Ferrario - Bill shared his thoughts on his alma mater the Wisconsin Badgers and their big opening week win over LSU. He also talked about Brett Favre's Pro Football Hall of Fame induction speech and his thoughts on the the Packers this season.

Chad Brown, Tony Collins, Sherman Williams, Joe Burns & Tim Krumrie

On this episode of Thursday Night Tailgate our guests are: former Steelers, Seahawks & Patriots Pro Bowl LB Chad Brown, former Patriots Pro Bowl RB Tony Collins, former Cowboys RB Sherman Williams, Georgia Tech Hall of Famer and former Bills RB Joe Burns, College Football Hall of Famer and former Bengals Pro Bowl NT Tim Krumrie.
Chad Brown - We got Chad's thoughts on his alma mater the University of Colorado, his memories of playing alongside new Hall of Famer Kevin Greene, and how he expects Bill Belichick to handle the loss of Tom Brady for the first 4 games of the season.
Tony Collins - We'll talk Fantasy Football with Tony and his roster in our Thursday Night Tailgate Fantasy Football League.
Sherman Williams - Sherman sharing his insights about his alma mater the University of Alabama. We also looked back to their National Championship victory over Clemson. He also talked about former Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott now thrust into the starting QBing job in Dallas.
Joe Burns - Joe shared his feelings on being inducted into Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame last year as well as this year's Yellow Jacket team. He also shared his thoughts on the job Rex Ryan has done up in Buffalo.
Tim Krumrie - Tim talked about what it was like when he heard he is going to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame this December. Tim never missed a single game in college or the NFL as a Nose Tackle. We talked about how he was able to keep that streak going despite being in the middle of every play and why the streak was important to him. Wel also talked about the concussions he suffered and the experimental treatment he's going through to improve blood flow to his brain.