The Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima

Listen in as the hosts of 92.3 The Fan react to NFL analyst Ryan Fitzpatrick's bold guarantee that Cleveland Browns starting quarterback Deshaun Watson is destined to fail this season. The crew breaks down the timeline for Watson's potential benching and debates whether rookies Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel will ultimately take the reins of the offense. Plus, college quarterbacks who are worth keeping tabs on for next year's draft.

This compilation highlights a variety of topics surrounding the Cleveland Browns and wider sports news. The hosts open by discussing Deshaun Watson's recent "mea culpa," where he apologized to fans and emphasized his understanding of their frustration regarding the team's direction. They then shift focus to the potential sale of the Seattle Seahawks for an estimated $9.6 billion, leading to a larger conversation about the rising valuations of professional sports franchises and whether the Browns' ownership might consider a sale.

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima analyze the Browns' 37-13 preseason win over the Patriots and the resulting roster decisions at the quarterback position. They debate the team's ability to keep four signal-callers and contrast the national media's glowing portrayal of Deshaun Watson with Ryan Fitzpatrick's blunt assessment. 01:50 - Preseason Victory Recap 06:55 - Four Quarterbacks Roster Math 13:10 - Taylen Green's QB Ambitions 15:45 - Potential QB Trade Partners 23:30 - Quarterback Odd Man Out 31:07 - Traffic Report 32:30 - National Media Watson Portrayal 38:00 - Fitzpatrick Predicts Watson Failure 43:40 - Patriots Super Bowl Hangover 53:00 - Locker Room Roster Dynamics 01:07:40 - Browns Fans Call In 01:11:40...

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima evaluate the Browns' quarterback depth chart following a dominant preseason win. They discuss the potential of waiving Taylen Green to the practice squad and critique the overly positive portrayal of Deshaun Watson during the national broadcast. 03:16 - Browns Preseason Recap 07:11 - Keeping Four Quarterbacks 11:23 - Taylen Green's Role 18:41 - Deshaun Watson's Job Security 27:09 - Amazon Prime Coverage Critique 31:19 - Hopkins Airport Closure 36:49 - Ryan Fitzpatrick's Analysis 40:01 - Watson's Perception in Cleveland

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima react to Todd Monken’s optimistic comments regarding Deshaun Watson following a Browns preseason victory. They discuss the disconnect between the locker room's support for Watson and the persistent negativity from the fan base. The conversation also covers the latest roster bubble battles, including the emergence of local product Luke Floriea and the release of Cedric Tillman. 01:50 - Monken's Preseason Recap 05:08 - Watson Comeback Narrative 08:11 - Locker Room Perspective 14:15 - Wasted Opportunity Costs 20:52 - Baker Mayfield Comparison 25:34 - Roster Depth Discussion 31:35 - Luke Floriea Roster Push 36:40 - Cedric Tillman Cut Analysis

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima break down the Browns' quarterback situation following a strong preseason performance from Dylan Gabriel. Darryl Ryder joins to discuss the organizational hierarchy between Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders, and Deshaun Watson. They also evaluate local standout Luke Floriea and preview the 2027 draft class as college football returns. 02:15 - Dylan Gabriel's Performance 06:10 - Browns Quarterback Depth 13:36 - Darryl Ryder Interview 19:45 - Deshaun Watson Narrative 24:30 - Potential Gabriel Trades 28:35 - National Media Access 36:33 - College Football Kickoff 40:10 - 2027 NFL Draft Prospects

Nathan Zegura joins 92.3 The Fan to discuss roster decisions following a Browns preseason simulation, focusing on the potential of backup quarterbacks Taylen Green and Dylan Gabriel. They also react to Ryan Fitzpatrick’s blunt assessment of Deshaun Watson’s future and the quarterback's complicated relationship with the Cleveland fan base. 01:00 - Browns VIP Access 02:43 - Zagura QB Discussion 09:26 - Watson Starting Role 15:43 - Fitzpatrick Slams Watson 24:57 - Watson Fan Relationship

Ken and Anthony replay Ryan Fitzpatrick's blunt take that Deshaun Watson isn't going to be good, contrasting it with Amazon's glowing pregame coverage and questioning why fans should soften on a player they don't believe will actually perform. They argue the fan-player relationship is purely transactional at this point, no redemption without wins, and note internal conversations about how far to take criticism of Watson as the season approaches, while a caller makes the case that Dillon Gabriel deserved a fairer shot from the start.

Nathan Zegura joins Ken and Anthony to break down how the Browns could realistically keep all four quarterbacks by using Mike Hall as a hybrid defensive lineman, while also floating Dillon Gabriel as a trade candidate to Atlanta given his strong showing. The conversation turns to Luke Floriea's breakout performance and the running back depth chart, before circling back to Deshaun Watson's path to a full 17-game season and whether a surprise quarterback move is coming before the roster deadline.

Ken and Anthony debut a new weekly graphic, built by producer John, tracking top quarterback prospects for the 2027 draft class, kicking off with Jayden Maiava, CJ Bailey and Harvard transfer Jaden Craig ahead of college football's final "Week 0." The crew nitpicks the graphic's layout while debating whether any of these prospects will ultimately turn out better than Shedeur Sanders, setting up a recurring segment to track their progress all season.

Daryl Ruiter joins Ken and Anthony to break down Dillon Gabriel's strong preseason showing, admitting there's a real chance the Browns keep only three quarterbacks and that Todd Monken's comments left the door open to moving on from one of them. The conversation also digs into why Shedeur Sanders was practically invisible in Amazon's glowing Deshaun Watson coverage, with Ruiter offering an inside explanation for why the broadcast leaned so hard into the "reclamation project" narrative.

Ken and Anthony dig into why Dillon Gabriel's efficient preseason performance suddenly has the show flipping the switch on a quarterback they've spent months clowning, questioning why he wasn't given a real shot at the starting job over Shedeur Sanders given his operational command of the offense. They debate whether his strong showing makes him harder to trade or simply reinforces his "career backup" ceiling, while noting he's earned enough goodwill that a change of scenery might now be off the table.

Ken and Anthony make the case for keeping Luke Floriea, an undrafted local receiver who scored three preseason touchdowns and gets called by his first name by Todd Monken, even suggesting he's earned it over Taylen Green or Malachi Corley on a crowded roster. The conversation widens into the fallout from cutting 2023 third-round pick Cedric Tillman, with the guys revisiting the receivers Cleveland passed on and crediting this year's deep receiver draft haul to years of past whiffs.

Ken and Anthony argue that nothing about the fan reaction to Deshaun Watson changes until he actually plays well, walking through why his frustration stemmed specifically from being cheered during an injury rather than criticism itself. Callers weigh in with everything from a plan to keep all four quarterbacks by cutting Shedeur Sanders loose to lingering resentment over the Baker Mayfield fallout, and the guys end up debating the uncomfortable question of whether Cleveland would cheer another Watson injury.

Ken and Anthony unpack the wave of glowing Deshaun Watson coverage on Prime, from a "what's your why" sideline interview to Todd Monken's genuine excitement about the comeback story, and wonder if the overwhelmingly negative fan reaction is out of step with how the locker room actually feels about him. They also debate whether Mike Vrabel's visible frustration in the Patriots' preseason finale points to a Super Bowl hangover in New England, before circling back to whether Monken's optimism about Watson is real belief or just a coach talking himself into his only option.

Ken and Anthony dig into Amazon's surprisingly glowing Prime broadcast of Deshaun Watson, questioning why the quarterback competition and Shedeur Sanders got almost no airtime while Watson's comeback story dominated. They debate whether fans will soften on Watson as the season nears, even as Ryan Fitzpatrick's blunt comments and a report that a rival station edited out criticism of Shedeur keep the QB drama boiling.

Ken, Anthony and the crew work through the Browns' four-quarterback logjam, agreeing Deshaun Watson's contract makes him uncuttable and Dillon Gabriel's value as a backup keeps him safe, which leaves Shedeur Sanders and Taylen Green in the crosshairs. A caller and the room land on the same painful conclusion about Green despite disagreeing on how they got there, while Ken floats sneaking him through waivers onto the practice squad or even trying him on defense.

Ken and Anthony break down the Browns' 37-13 preseason win over New England, praising Dillon Gabriel and Kalen Green's performances while noting the Patriots looked overmatched. The conversation shifts into a wild debate about the Browns' four-man quarterback logjam, with Ken floating a creative (and quickly mocked) plan to keep all four by shifting Mike Hall into a hybrid role. The guys can't agree on who gets cut if it comes down to three, teeing up a phone-line debate with listeners.

Ken and Lima break down the Cleveland Guardians' sweep of the Angels and the seven-game win streak led by Steven Kwan. They analyze the Browns' decision to name Deshaun Watson the starter over Shedeur Sanders, featuring insight from Mary Kay Cabot and a critical evaluation from Brady Quinn regarding Watson's lack of self-awareness with fans. They also discuss the massive sale of the Seattle Seahawks and the controversial new luxury suites at Ohio State's stadium. 03:05 - Guardians Win Seven Straight 09:48 - Shedeur Sanders Directive 19:52 - Fitzpatrick Evaluates Watson 31:42 - Jerry Judy Cut Candidate 41:40 - The Tanking Moratorium 55:18 - NCAA Legal...

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima analyze the Cleveland Guardians' seven-game win streak and Steven Kwan's impact on the lineup. They explore the controversy surrounding the Browns' quarterback battle between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, including the influence of social media bots. They also evaluate potential roster moves involving veteran wide receiver Jerry Jeudy and rookie standouts. 03:05 - Guardians Road Trip Sweep 08:23 - Steven Kwan Saves His Name 12:05 - Browns QB Battle Discourse 21:01 - Ryan Fitzpatrick QB Analysis 27:04 - QB Competition Embarrassment 33:42 - Jerry Jeudy Cut Candidate? 41:50 - Evaluating Veteran Wide Receivers

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima debate the Cleveland Browns' potential record and whether the franchise should focus on evaluation over tanking. They also analyze shifting player loyalty in college football through the lens of Jeremiah Smith and express frustration over Ohio State's new luxury end zone suites. 01:50 - Ohio State QB Recruits 05:10 - Browns Tanking Debate 09:48 - Denzel Ward's Impact 13:35 - NIL Regulation Discussion 18:21 - Transfer Portal Impact 21:30 - Coaching Salaries in NIL 32:02 - Guardians Win Streak 35:41 - Ohio State Luxury Suites 39:10 - NFL Pro Bowl Changes

The discussion begins with the massive sale of the Seattle Seahawks and how it impacts the valuation of the Cleveland Browns and Jimmy Haslam's ownership. Mary Kay Cabot joins to break down the decision to start Deshaun Watson over Shedeur Sanders and the potential for a Dylan Gabriel trade. They analyze fan frustration regarding Watson's performance and the logic behind resting Sanders. 01:50 - Impact Of Seahawks Sale 06:00 - Evaluating Individual Ownership 12:20 - Showcasing Dylan Gabriel 14:45 - Mary Kay Cabot Interview 19:50 - The Watson Sanders Debate 25:45 - Analyzing Preseason Struggles 31:20 - Jerry Jeudy Safety Status 39:10 - Post Interview Reaction

Deshaun Watson's training camp performance and his response to fan criticism spark a debate about the immense pressure on Cleveland quarterbacks. Former NFL quarterback Brady Quinn joins to discuss Watson's lack of self-awareness and the toxic nature of overanalyzing practice throws. They also evaluate the potential of future draft picks and the roster status of players like Jerry Jeudy. 01:29 - Deshaun Watson Analysis 04:08 - Drafting Arch Manning 06:28 - Brady Quinn Interview 16:33 - QB Practice Trackers 24:55 - Evaluating Jerry Jeudy

Ken and Anthony break down why online completion-percentage trackers are misleading fans and even ex-players like Shannon Sharpe and Ocho Cinco into thinking Shedeur outplayed Watson, arguing real coaches evaluate context, drills, and intent that never show up in a box score. They replay Ryan Fitzpatrick's breakdown of why Watson won the job and circle back to Jerry Jeudy, with Ken more willing than Anthony to move on from him if he doesn't produce. The two also touch on next year's incoming QB prospects and how the "meat grinder" of scrutiny is coming for whoever's next.

Former Browns QB and Fox College Football Analyst Brady Quinn joins Ken and Anthony to break down whether Deshaun Watson really won the Browns' QB job fair and square, explaining how limited media access to practice makes it hard to judge the competition from the outside and previewing how Todd Monken's system could actually fit Watson's skill set. Quinn doesn't hold back on Watson's postgame comments either, calling out the lack of self-awareness from a player getting paid big money to perform. He also offers advice for how Shedeur should carry himself as QB2 while the drama plays out.

Ken pushes back hard on the Browns' decision to leave Shedeur Sanders inactive for the preseason finale while sending Deshaun Watson out in rain-delayed third-quarter mop-up duty against third-teamers. He tears into the double standard of judging Watson's shaky performance against backups while writing off the results as meaningless, and takes aim at fans and media obsessing over a completion-percentage tracker that no real coach would ever use. Anthony pushes back throughout, setting up a heated back-and-forth over whether this is Ken's first real shot at the coaching staff.

Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com joins Ken and Anthony to break down why Deshaun Watson won the Browns' QB competition, revealing Todd Monken admitted for the first time that Watson was clearly ahead early on. Ken pushes back hard, unable to separate Watson's rocky preseason outing from what he represents to a fan base still bitter over the trade, while Cabot defends the process and explains why Shedeur wasn't even active for the finale. The conversation also touches on Jerry Jeudy's roster security and whether Dillon Gabriel could be dealt.

Ken and Anthony react to the Seahawks' record $9.6 billion sale and what it means for franchise valuations league-wide, including the Browns' jump to $8.6 billion. They debate whether the Haslams will ever actually sell, weigh the tradeoffs of an individual owner versus a corporate boardroom, and question whether a private equity group would even have taken a chance on Johnny Manziel back in the day. They close by wondering if tonight's preseason game is really a showcase for Dillon Gabriel with the QB competition already decided.

Ken and Anthony recap the Guardians tying their season-long win streak at seven after sweeping the Angels, with Steven Kwan's remarkable turnaround since the All-Star break taking center stage. They marvel at his climb from under .200 to .270 with a red-hot road trip, question whether Cleveland will actually pay to keep him, and take some shots at the Angels' organization along the way. The show wraps with a look at Ohio State's controversial new $150K premium suites blocking student sightlines and the NFL officially scrapping the Pro Bowl.

Ken and Anthony tackle the wild west of NIL and the transfer portal, debating whether Jeremiah Smith might be the last player fans can truly fall in love with before free agency-style movement kills that connection for good. They wrestle with the fairness of players finally getting paid against the loss of tradition and hometown loyalty, using examples from Vince Young to Jamar Chase to make their case. The conversation spirals into whether coaches are overpaid relative to players and whether regulation is coming to clean up the chaos.

Ken and Anthony wrestle with how to frame the Browns' upcoming season, with Ken revealing his five-win prediction and both hosts agreeing they'd rather call it a "season of evaluation" than use the dreaded tanking word. They dig into the tension between playing to win now versus positioning for next year's draft class, using Denzel Ward's injury history as a flashpoint for how far that logic should go. The two also needle each other over mock drafts and how early is too early to start eyeing next year's quarterback prospects.

Ken and Anthony dig into whether Jerry Jeudy is actually a cut candidate for the Browns, weighing his up-and-down camp performance against the addition of rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston in the receiver room. They debate whether his friendship with the starting quarterback factors into his roster spot, revisit last year's "disaster" of a season for him, and argue over whether Cedric Tillman is the more likely one on the chopping block instead.

Ken and Anthony dive into Ryan Fitzpatrick's detailed breakdown of why Deshaun Watson actually won the Browns' QB competition, pointing to timing and pocket presence as the difference-maker over Shedeur Sanders. The two go back and forth on whether the "embarrassment" narrative is fair, debating fifth-round pedigree, fan pity parties, and what happens if Watson stumbles out of the gate. Things get heated as they clash over just how quickly the leash might come off in Week 3.

Ken and Anthony break down the Guardians' improbable comeback win, rallying from an early 3-0 deficit to sweep their road trip and extend their winning streak to seven straight. They dig into Joey Cantillo's bizarre outing (seven walks, still a quality start), Steven Kwan's red-hot second half, and Jose Ramirez heating up at the perfect time as Cleveland closes the gap on the White Sox in the AL Central. The conversation then shifts to a heated debate over the Browns' backup quarterback fan controversy, with the guys sparring over bot accounts, fan sentiment, and whether the QB competition was ever...

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima break down the Cleveland Guardians' six-game winning streak and debate if making the postseason is enough for the franchise. They discuss the controversial decision by Todd Monken to name Deshaun Watson the starting quarterback over Shedeur Sanders despite recent preseason struggles. Joe Thomas joins the conversation to analyze offensive line development and the immense pressure on the Cleveland leadership group. 02:15 - Guardians Win Of Year 07:00 - Cleveland Playoff Standards 12:40 - Ralphy Velasquez Debate 20:20 - Watson Named Starting Quarterback 27:50 - Shedeur Sanders Controversy 34:20 - Watson Performance Critique 41:50 - Roster Continuity Issues 47:30 - Jameis Winston Trade Talk 55:30...

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima react to the Cleveland Guardians' six-game winning streak and debate whether simply reaching the postseason constitutes a successful year for the young squad. They also analyze comments from Todd Monken regarding the Browns' quarterback situation, specifically why Deshaun Watson remains the starter over Shedeur Sanders. The conversation highlights the operational challenges of starting a rookie versus sticking with a veteran. 01:50 - Guardians Win of the Year 05:10 - College Football Comparisons 09:00 - Playoff Expectations Debate 17:40 - Postseason Success Standards 21:40 - Todd Monken QB Update 27:00 - Monken on QB Competition 36:15 - Watson vs Sanders Analysis 40:40 - Locker...

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima debate whether trading for Jameis Winston is a viable solution for the Cleveland Browns' struggling quarterback room. They also analyze the Cleveland Guardians' recent success and the merits of promoting prospect Ralphy Velazquez. The conversation shifts to a heated discussion regarding the University of Akron's decision to let a fan call offensive plays during a game. 01:50 - Browns Quarterback Crisis 05:25 - Jameis Winston Trade? 10:42 - Browns Rebuild Strategy 18:51 - Fans Talk Monken 22:19 - Watson's Performance Outlook 28:40 - Guardians Win Streak 36:07 - Ralphy Velazquez Debate 39:42 - Akron Fan OC Contest

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima evaluate the AFC North with reporters from Baltimore, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh. They explore a hypothetical scenario where Shedeur Sanders and Dylan Gabriel are part of the Browns' quarterback room alongside Deshaun Watson. The conversation focuses on the fallout of Watson's recent performances and the growing fan preference for Sanders as the starter. 02:11 - Ken Weinman on Ravens Training 06:25 - Tony Pike Analyzes Bengals Roster 10:35 - Chris Mueller on Steelers Quarterbacks 14:42 - Deshaun Watson vs Shedeur Sanders 20:15 - Chris Simms on QB Competition 24:57 - Comparing Watson and Sanders 28:38 - Ownership Ego and Roster Decisions 33:54 - Backup...

Joe Thomas joins the program to critique Deshaun Watson's response to fans and analyze Todd Monken's choice to start him over Shedeur Sanders. They evaluate rookie Spencer Fano's development and the offensive line's performance in joint practices. The discussion concludes with a look at the Guardians' season using college football analogies. 02:38 - Joe Thomas on Watson 05:32 - Monken's Quarterback Decision 12:43 - Spencer Fano Evaluation 18:01 - Hall of Fame Jerky 22:42 - Watson Versus Shedeur Sanders 35:08 - Guardians and College Analogies

Ken tries to justify why he's rooting for the Guardians "in a vacuum" this year, separate from the frustration surrounding the Browns and Cavs, and workshops a series of college football comparisons—first Purdue, then Minnesota, then Arkansas—to capture a scrappy, low-budget team overperforming against big spenders like the Dodgers. Lima and the rest of the room shoot down every comparison as a stretch, with Ken eventually conceding he's just trying to find a way to be excited about a low-payroll team making the playoffs without sounding like he's making excuses for ownership. The segment closes with a quick prev...