Great Dane Nation VegasInsider

On the 84th episode of “Great Dane Nation,” Morten is again joined by VegasInsider’s Stephanie Otey, who will be contributing to the podcast over the next few months as the NFL offseason continues to roll along!

Off the top, Stephanie pays off her punishment for losing last week’s quiz, as she attempts to sing Michigan State’s Fight Song while wearing Sparty green – let’s just say Steph should stick to her day job (04:22).

Morten and Stephanie then dive into the NFL Super Bowl futures market, taking a close look at the teams in each division with the shortest Super Bowl odds. Who do they think provides good value at the current moment (09:51)?

We close things out with our new segment called, “Doink or Down the Middle,” where our hosts buy (“down the middle”) or sell (“doink”) various topics from the world of pop culture, sports, food, music and more (38:49). Where does Stephanie stand on the beach? Does Morten like cable television? Their answers may surprise you!

On the 83rd episode of “Great Dane Nation,” Morten is joined VegasInsider’s Stephanie Otey, who will be contributing to the podcast over the next few months as the NFL offseason continues to roll along!

Off the top, Stephanie introduces herself to our audience, walking us through the career path that led her to the Better Collective family (01:56). Morten and Stephanie then dive into a new segment called, “Doink or Down the Middle,” where our hosts buy (“down the middle”) or sell (“doink”) various topics from the world of pop culture, sports, food, music and more (06:42). Stephanie then weighs in on the situation in Tampa Bay with Tom Brady, and whether this crazy offseason has tainted her image of the GOAT. Plus, Morten and Stephanie’s thoughts on all the other insane moves we’ve seen from around the NFL (19:50).

Finally, our hosts are put to the test, as TommyFreezePops (Tom Carroll) conducts a quiz for each host about their cohost. The host with the lowest score will have to sing the opposing cohost’s college-fight-song-of-choice, wearing the rival colors, on our next podcast (32:54).

On the 82nd episode of “Great Dane Nation,” Morten is joined by his Pro Football Hall of Fame brother and Seahawks-Vikings legend Steve Hutchinson (07:11 – 58:12). But first, he checks in with TommyFreezePops (Tom Carroll) for this week’s edition of the “Opening Kick” (01:00 – 06:23). This week, Morten makes a major show announcement, as VegasInsider’s Stephanie Otey is joining the show as a new cohost for the spring season! Her first episode with Morten and FreezePops is next week.

We then move to our interview with Steve Hutchinson, where he discusses a wide range of topics: how Morten was able to make a few dollars while listening to Hutch’s induction speech (08:24); running through his Pro Football Hall of Fame journey, and the process of waiting his turn for his “Hall of Fame knock” (09:41); what that gold jacket means to him (13:12); 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 (15:58); his thoughts on Russell Wilson being traded to the Denver Broncos (17:59); the state of the Seahawks, and why Hutch is not concerned with Pete Carroll’s age (20:58); what he makes of new Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell (24:22); why he feels the Vikings can win now with Kirk Cousins (27:46); blocking for three of the greatest running backs in NFL history – Shaun Alexander, Adrian Peterson and Chris Johnson (30:15); what he learned playing with John Randle, and why blocking guys with multiple moves is the most difficult part of the game (32:51); playing guard in today’s NFL, and who he thinks is the best guard in today’s game (36:45); who he thinks is the greatest guard in NFL history (41:39); playing college football with Tom Brady, and why he wasn’t surprised by anything that happened with Brady this offseason (43:20); 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 (45:43); and 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 (46:49).

Finally, we close things out with “Morten’s Game Winner” – a weekly monologue from The Great Dane on his biggest takeaway of the week. This week, Morten talks about Steve Hutchinson, and why there is no question that Hutch would be on Morten’s all-time “dream team” (59:06).

On the 79th episode of “Great Dane Nation,” Morten is joined by his newly minted Pro Football Hall of Fame brother Tony Boselli to talk about his journey to Canton, today’s Jaguars, and much more (11:52 – 01:03:14). But first, he checks in with TommyFreezePops (Tom Carroll) for this week’s edition of the “Opening Kick” (00:55 – 10:58). It’s a big week for NFL news, and the guys react to it all – Calvin Ridley’s suspension, Aaron Rodgers’ new contract in Green Bay, and Russell Wilson’s new home with the Broncos.

We then move to our interview with Tony Boselli, where he discusses a wide range of topics: breaking down his Pro Football Hall of Fame “knock” from Anthony Muñoz, and why that moment was so special (12:54); why he immediately thought of his dad when he received the Pro Football Hall of Fame news (18:09); why he felt like this year was his final chance to get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (24:52); who he thinks will be the next Jacksonville Jaguar to join him in Canton (26:29); why Morten is partially responsible for Tony’s Hall of Fame selection – it’s a stretch, people (28:46); his special connection to Bruce Smith, and why he was the perfect presenter for him at this year’s NFL Honors show (33:20); why the Urban Meyer era in Jacksonville was such a dumpster fire (35:02); why he believes the Jaguars still need a full-on culture shake-up within that organization, and why he likes the Doug Pederson hire at head coach (38:17); why he feels Trevor Lawrence can be an elite, superstar quarterback in the NFL (40:15); thoughts on Aidan Hutchinson as the possible #1 pick in the draft by the Jaguars (42:34); defensive line move he feared the most (44:14); why a botched shoulder surgery ended his career short (45:58); why he doesn’t think the Jaguars will ever move to London while under their current management, but believes they will always play a game in the U.K. every year (49:31); his excitement for Lincoln Riley at USC, and why Coach Riley has to focus on rebuilding that offensive line (53:44); and this week’s edition of “The Name Game,” featuring Mark Brunell, Carnell Lake, Keenan McCardell, Lane Kiffin and Leon Searcy (54:57).

Finally, we close things out with “Morten’s Game Winner” – a weekly monologue from The Great Dane on his biggest takeaway of the week. This week, Morten talks about Tony Boselli, and why his Pro Football Hall of Fame journey is a perfect illustration of the full-circle nature within the history of this game (01:03:54).

On the 78th episode of “Great Dane Nation,” Morten is joined by Cincinnati Bengals legend Ickey Woods to talk about his dance, his foundation, today’s Bengals, and much more (13:56 – 51:02). But first, he checks in with TommyFreezePops (Tom Carroll) for this week’s edition of the “Opening Kick” (00:57 – 13:04). In honor of the iconic “Ickey Shuffle,” Morten talks about his dancing career – yes, you read that correctly. Plus, the guys talk about the Mardi Gras celebrations happening right now in New Orleans, LA.

We then move to our interview with Ickey Woods, where he discusses a wide range of topics: how the Bengals of today still pay tribute to Ickey Woods by breaking out the “Ickey Shuffle” (15:14); why he was surprised by the Bengals’ run this season, and thoughts on the Bengals’ loss to the Rams in the Super Bowl (16:47); how Joe Mixon is able to stand out in a league that is continuing to devalue running backs year-after-year (18:48); thoughts on Joe Burrow, and what the Bengals have to do to improve next season (19:55); why the AFC is going to be a three-horse race for the next decade, and why the Bengals are capable of being the 1-seed in the AFC as soon as next season (22:07); why the 1988 Bengals were so special compared to the other Bengals’ teams of that era (24:37); how Boomer Esiason was able to rise above a loaded quarterback field in 1988 to win NFL MVP (26:40); the origin of the “Ickey Shuffle,” and why it wasn’t an overnight sensation (27:46); the difficulty of retiring at such a young age (29:15); his involvement with the Cincinnati Sizzle, and why he believes women’s football could take off if the NFL gave it some real support and backing (30:13); the background and mission of his foundation, the “Jovante Woods Foundation,” and where people can go to support Ickey’s mission of ending Asthma-educed deaths (32:29); why Ickey hated playing against Morten’s Saints (36:22); why he believes it’s partially the Bengals organization’s fault that there is only one player from their team’s history inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (37:37); why he's happy Las Vegas finally got an NFL team, and the advice he’d give players who are embarking on a football career in Sin City (38:54); and this week’s edition of “The Name Game,” featuring Randall Cunningham, Anthony Muñoz, Boomer Esiason, Paul Brown, Cris Collinsworth, Sam Wyche, Solomon Wilcots, James Brooks, Eddie Brown, Max Montoya, David Fulcher and Dick LeBeau (40:47).

Finally, we close things out with “Morten’s Game Winner” – a weekly monologue from The Great Dane on his biggest takeaway of the week. This week, Morten talks about Ickey Woods, and how his short NFL career has had a lasting impact both on and off the field (51:42).

On the 77th episode of “Great Dane Nation,” Morten is joined by Olympic Gold Medalist and Boston University legend Mike Eruzione to reflect on “The Miracle on Ice” and much more (11:11 – 56:11). But first, he checks in with TommyFreezePops (Tom Carroll) for this week’s edition of the “Opening Kick” (01:35 – 10:14). To set the scene for our conversation with Mike, Morten and TFP talk about their favorite and least favorite aspects of the Winter Olympics. Will FreezePops change Morten’s mind on curling?

We then move to our interview with Mike Eruzione, where he discusses a wide range of topics: the state of USA Hockey after not medaling in Beijing, and why Mike is bullish on the future of the program despite this year’s disappointing result (12:37); why Mike believes hockey should be moved to the Summer Olympics (15:31); why he thought NHL owners made the right move by not sending the pros to Beijing, even though the players wanted to go (16:17); why he feels like USA Hockey is right there with Team Canada, in that they should be a threat to medal in any international tournament moving forward (16:54); why he feels Auston Matthews is the best American hockey player in today’s game, and why Charlie McAvoy needs to be mentioned in this conversation as well (17:46); his blue-collar upbringing in Winthrop, MA, and how that molded him into the success story he is today (19:54); why he actively avoids talking with his grandkids about who he is and what he’s accomplished (22:22); the crazy story that led Mike to playing college hockey at Boston University (25:59); the process of being selected to Team USA ahead of the 1980 Olympic Games in Lake Placid (30:18); why he and his teammates were able to be so relaxed heading into their game against the Soviets, despite being enormous underdogs (32:59); the untold story of Herb Brooks in the day directly following “The Miracle on Ice” (40:43); his thoughts on the movie “Miracle” about his team’s run to gold (42:22); why he opted for a career in broadcasting and motivational speaking over pursuing something in the NHL (43:41); the state of today’s game, and why he thinks goaltenders in hockey are the position in sports that has changed the most over time (44:40); why he wants the NHL to make rinks wider (46:45); thoughts on fellow Massachusetts native and BU Terrier Jack Eichel, and why he thinks a change of scenery is exactly what the kid needs to take the next step in his career (47:19); why he thinks it’s time to move the Arizona Coyotes to a city like Quebec City (48:19); why he wishes Connor McDavid played in a larger market (49:34); why Mike thinks Patrice Bergeron is Boston’s best kept secret, and where he sees the Bruins heading this season (50:06); how happy he was to see BU win the 2022 Beanpot, and why BU’s head coach Albie O'Connell needed that trophy to help continue proving he deserves his job (51:31); who Mike thinks is the greatest player in BU Hockey history (53:06); and this week’s edition of “The Name Game,” featuring Herb Brooks, Jack Parker, Jim Craig, Dave Silk, Doc Emrick, Jack O’Callahan and Al Michaels (54:20).

Finally, we close things out with “Morten’s Game Winner” – a weekly monologue from The Great Dane on his biggest takeaway of the week. This week, Morten talks about Mike Eruzione, and why his blue-collar upbringing was ideal for the goliath that was the Soviet Union in 1980 (56:55).