GDN Archive

Tom Izzo | May 18, 2022

From May 18, 2022: Morten Andersen and Stephanie Otey are joined by Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame member and Michigan State legend Tom Izzo! Topics: • Eating sausage sandwiches on college football Saturdays • Stephanie proclaiming her MSU hoops allegiance to Coach Izzo, and asking if that makes her a bad Ohio State fan • Importance of having alumni around the program with the introduction of “Grind Week" • Morten says he can kick a basketball in the hoop from half-court for some halftime entertainment • Some of Coach Izzo’s favorite Midnight Madness moments • Why Coach Izzo is not in favor of a “super conference” in college sports, and why he thinks the Big Ten is already too big • What would have happened if the 2020 March Madness Tournament hadn’t been cancelled, and what he told his team when it happened • On watching his peers retire, and why the NIL and new transfer rules have him thinking about life after coaching more than his friends retiring • Why Coach Izzo believes with no salary caps or contracts, the transfer rules are allowing too much player freedom, which will ultimately hurt the athletes in the long run • His thoughts on a possible move to the NBA • Why new standards at the college level “hurt” • Why Coach Izzo believes college basketball is always a better option than playing pro ball before entering the NBA • His favorite ex-Spartans, and a great story about Draymond Green • Why Coach Izzo would want to pursue a job coaching football after he’s done coaching college hoops • Who he’s putting his money on to win this year’s Western Conference Finals in the NBA • Remembering the late Adreian Payne

Sean Payton | April 26, 2022

From April 26, 2022: Ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft, Morten Andersen sat down for an exclusive interview with his old friend and fellow New Orleans Saints legend Sean Payton. Topics: • How does Coach Payton feel different since retiring earlier this year • The one thing he was looking forward to most after retiring • What brought him to retiring at this point in his football career • Looking forward to finalizing his TV contract – to be a studio analyst – being signed within the next four days • On the Tom Brady-Dolphins rumors, and why he had no prior knowledge of any of it until The Boston Globe story was published • On the Dallas Cowboys rumors, and why prior history with a franchise is not the only thing he would consider before coming out of retirement for a coaching job • How the league can improve with minority hiring on the head coaching level, and why he thinks Stanford’s David Shaw will be given an NFL opportunity one day • Why Dennis Allen was the right hire for the Saints • The state of the New Orleans Saints ahead of the NFL Draft, and why he thinks they have the culture to be a winning franchise right now • Which positions the Saints will be targeting in this year’s NFL Draft • What his draft philosophy is – need vs. grade, and finding the balance between the two • High praise for Deonte Harris

Steve Hutchinson | March 30, 2022

From March 30, 2022: Steve Hutchinson is one of the greatest guards in NFL history. His hall of fame speech was filled with emotion, as the Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings legend recounted the highlights of his impressive career. From waiting for his "hall of fame knock," to blocking for some of the legends of the game, Steve dives into all of it with his Pro Football Hall of Fame brother Morten Andersen. What does he think of Russell Wilson being traded to the Denver Broncos? How confident is he in Pete Carroll at age 70 in Seattle? Can Kirk Cousins will a Super Bowl as the Vikings quarterback? Hutch breaks it all down on this week's edition of "Great Dane Nation!" Topics: • How Morten was able to make a few dollars while listening to Hutch’s induction speech • Running through his Pro Football Hall of Fame journey, and the process of waiting his turn for his “Hall of Fame knock” • What that gold jacket means to him • Morten and Hutch’s wild weekend in Los Angeles, and why Hutch had to warn the new Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees to watch out for Morten • His thoughts on Russell Wilson being traded to the Denver Broncos • The state of the Seahawks, and why Hutch is not concerned with Pete Carroll’s age • What he makes of new Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell • Why he feels the Vikings can win now with Kirk Cousins • Blocking for three of the greatest running backs in NFL history – Shaun Alexander, Adrian Peterson and Chris Johnson • What he learned playing with John Randle, and why blocking guys with multiple moves is the most difficult part of the game • Playing guard in today’s NFL, and who he thinks is the best guard in today’s game • Who he thinks is the greatest guard in NFL history • Playing college football with Tom Brady, and why he wasn’t surprised by anything that happened with Brady this offseason • Why he’s happy that Jim Harbaugh is heading back to Michigan after rumors swirled this offseason of him pursuing an opportunity in the NFL • This week’s edition of “The Name Game,” featuring Walter Jones, Mike Holmgren, Matt Hasselbeck, Jerry Rice, Lofa Tatupu, Robbie Tobeck, Brett Favre, Jared Allen, Randy Moss and Mike Munchak

Aeneas Williams | March 23, 2022

From March 23, 2022: Aeneas Williams is among the greatest defensive backs to ever play this game. A legendary cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals, Aeneas finished his career as an All-Pro safety for the St. Louis Rams. Known as one of the hardest hitting players in NFL history, you've definitely seen his highlights. This is why Aeneas is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame - his lasting impact on the game is undeniable. The Cardinals legend joined Morten Andersen on the podcast this week, where he talked about his unique journey. What does he think of high-profile former NFL players coaching HBCU schools? What's going on with Kyler Murray and the Cardinals? Is Kliff Kingsbury the right guy in Arizona? What are his thoughts on Rams studs Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey? All of that, and more! Topics: • Growing up in New Orleans, rooting for the Saints in the 1980s, and working at the Superdome • Why he didn’t play football at Southern University until his junior year • His thoughts on high-profile former NFL players taking head coaching jobs at HBCU schools, and why he feels it’s important for these institutions to continue to have the light shined on them • How happy he is for Lovie Smith to get another opportunity to be a head coach at the NFL level • Why guys like Calvin Ridley and Henry Ruggs should be examples for both college and NFL teams on why mentorship is crucial for young players • How the Cardinals should approach getting over the hump of fading late in the season every year • Why he’s confident the Cardinals and Kyler Murray will work out their differences • Why he thinks Kliff Kingsbury needs more time at the helm for the Cardinals before they decide to move on • What he loves about Buddha Baker’s game • Why the Pro Football Hall of Fame should cancel the five-year waiting period for Aaron Donald when he retires • Why he resents the sentiment that he “ended Steve Young’s career” • Why he thinks Jalen Ramsey is “the real deal” • Why Torry Holt deserves to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame • Playing with Pat Tillman, and his thoughts on the tragic passing of an American hero • “The Name Game,” featuring Larry Wilson, Rob Ryan, Chris Chandler, Larry Centers and London Fletcher

Matt Schaub | March 16, 2022

From March 16, 2022: Matt Schaub once threw for 527 yards in a single-game, tied with Warren Moon for second all-time. But, more importantly, he was the holder for Morten Andersen on his kick to become the NFL's all-time scoring leader in 2006 (KIDDING!). You might remember him for his pick-6 streak, but Matt had an impressive 17-year career in the NFL, once leading the league in passing yards and twice being named to the Pro Bowl - winning Pro Bowl MVP honors in 2010. He joined his old buddy Morten to talk about the current state of the Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons, and Virginia Cavaliers, along with some great insight on Matt Ryan. Topics: • Running through the moments directly following Morten’s record-breaking kick in 2006, as well as some of his favorite “Morten moments” from their time together as teammates in Atlanta • His thoughts on the handling of the Deshaun Watson situation in Houston • Why he doesn’t believe the Texans should have fired David Culley after one season as head coach • A rebuttal to Ed Reed’s claim from a few weeks ago that the Texans organization was filled with “bad people” • Why he hasn’t seen enough out of Davis Mills to say he’s the long-term answer at quarterback for the Texans • The current state of the Falcons, and why he thinks they’re closer to being back in the playoff discussion than people probably realize • Why he believes Matt Ryan is a Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback • Why he feels Matt Ryan has enough left in the tank to bring the Falcons back to a Super Bowl • Why he feels Matt Ryan would play for another franchise, if things weren’t able to continue for him past his current deal in Atlanta • Why he was OK spending the first part of his career as Michael Vick’s back-up • Why he was able to flourish as soon as he arrived in Houston • His thoughts on Virginia hiring Clemson’s Tony Elliott, and why he’s excited about the outlook of the Cavaliers football program • This week’s edition of “The Name Game,” featuring Jim Mora Jr., Arthur Blank, Alge Crumpler, Warrick Dunn, Keith Brooking, Patrick Kerney, Roddy White, DeAngelo Hall, Lawyer Milloy, Kyle Shanahan, J.J. Watt, Andre Johnson, Arian Foster, Wade Phillips, Derek Carr, Khalil Mack, Mark Davis, John Harbaugh, Dan Quinn, Steve Sarkisian and Grady Jarrett