Second String Opinions

Second String Opinions

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Second String Opinions episodes

  • Ep. 393 Packers Pressure, Breakout Candidates & Matt LaFleur’s Redemption Tour
    Alex Strouf, Josh DiMaggio and Will Sommers dive deep into what the Packers need to become a legitimate Super Bowl team in 2026, separating the roster into two categories: players who need to break out and players who must evolve into true NFL stars. The conversation centers around Jordan Love officially taking ownership of the offense, Christian Watson’s potential leap into elite territory, and whether Tucker Kraft, Evan Williams and Edgerrin Cooper are on the verge of national stardom.
    The guys debate whether Matt LaFleur is poised for a major bounce-back season after a disappointing 2025 campaign and discuss why this season has to be viewed as “Super Bowl or bust” following three straight playoff appearances. They also break down concerns surrounding the offensive line, Micah Parsons’ absence early in the year, and whether Green Bay finally has enough high-end talent to compete with the NFC’s elite.
    Later, the crew pivots into another heated Brewers-Cubs rivalry discussion as Milwaukee climbs back into first place behind Jacob Misiorowski’s dominance and continued pitching depth. They react to Cubs fans unraveling online, Pete Crow-Armstrong controversy, weird Twitter group chats devoted to hating PCA, and why the Brewers continue to frustrate big-market fanbases despite spending far less money.
    The episode wraps with reactions to Aaron Rodgers officially announcing 2026 will be his final NFL season, plus One Word Wednesday featuring a fake mentalist scandal, golfer drama at the PGA Championship, and the latest examples of athletes and fans going completely off the rails.
    1 hr 5 min
  • Ep. 392 Will the Packers Start 0-2 in 2026? + Rodgers Returns & Brewers-Cubs Heat Up
    Alex Strouf, Josh DiMaggio and Will Sommers break down the Packers’ newly released 2026 schedule, including a loaded primetime slate, a Christmas showdown with the Bears, and why Green Bay could still be a 12-win contender even without Micah Parsons early in the season. The guys react to Adam Schein predicting the Packers will finish last in the NFC North, debate whether Jordan Love has officially entered his prime, and discuss why the NFL schedule release has become a full-blown entertainment event.
    The crew also dives into the brewing rivalry tension between Packers and Bears fans after “Bears Still Suck” chants echoed through Lambeau during Luke Combs weekend and “Green Bay Sucks” chants broke out at Cubs-White Sox games. Plus, reactions to Matt LaFleur shotgunning beers on stage, Tucker Kraft stealing the spotlight, and why sports rivalries have become full-on pop culture moments.
    Later, the guys talk Brewers-Cubs at Wrigley, the Brewers’ ongoing power shortage despite staying near the top of the NL Central, and whether Milwaukee finally needs to make a splash for a true home run hitter at the deadline. They also hit on Aaron Rodgers officially returning to Pittsburgh, the lingering Giannis drama in Milwaukee, Malice at the Palace memories, random alien conspiracies, and one of the strangest headlines ever written about Milwaukee potholes.
    1 hr 3 min
  • Ep. 391 Packers Schedule Buzz, Giannis Drama & Brewers Fever
    Alex Strouf, Josh DiMaggio and Will Sommers react to the Packers’ 2026 schedule, including a loaded home slate, major primetime matchups, the Christmas game against the Bears and a late-season showdown with the Bills at Lambeau. They debate Green Bay’s win total, the NFC North outlook and why the NFL has fully turned schedule release into entertainment.
    The guys also dive into the latest Bucks drama after Myles Turner revealed details about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s lateness and Doc Rivers’ lack of fines. Plus, Brewers fever keeps rising, Will prepares for Cubs-White Sox weekend, and the crew wraps with what they missed.
    58 min
  • Ep. 390 Packers Optimism vs. Reality, Schedule Storylines & One Word Chaos
    Alex Strouf and Will Sommers roll through a Wednesday edition of Mr. Irrelevant—without Josh DiMaggio (again)—and break out the full “list edition” of the show. Strouf lays out his top reasons for optimism and concern heading into the Packers’ 2026 season, from Jordan Love’s prime and a revamped defense to lingering questions at cornerback, running back depth, and the ever-nerve-wracking kicker position.
    The guys also preview key storylines ahead of the NFL schedule release, including potential marquee matchups, Thanksgiving game possibilities, and which early-season games could define Green Bay’s trajectory.
    Elsewhere, it’s classic Mr. Irrelevant chaos: coffee spills, Will’s elite history of accidental drink disasters, a deep dive into bizarre sports stories during One Word Wednesday, and an unexpectedly hilarious segment where Strouf admits to not seeing some of the most iconic movies ever made—leading to a crowdsourced “must-watch” list from listeners.
    The episode wraps with golf talk, weekend plans, and just enough randomness to keep things perfectly on-brand.
    1 hr 1 min
  • Ep. 389 Giannis Trade Rumors, Brewers Sweep the Yankees & Packers Kicker Reset
    Alex Strouf, Josh DiMaggio and Will Sommers open Monday’s Mr. Irrelevant reacting to the latest report that the Milwaukee Bucks are open to trade offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo. They break down whether this is a true turning point in the Giannis saga or simply the Bucks doing due diligence with the NBA Draft Combine underway and every team in the same place. The conversation centers on how much control Giannis has over his next destination, what kind of return Milwaukee should prioritize, and whether a deal could realistically happen before the NBA Draft.
    The guys also debate the complicated future of the franchise if Giannis is moved, including the challenge of balancing young players, draft picks, and the reality of Damian Lillard’s contract. They discuss possible suitors like Miami, Golden State, Boston, Cleveland, New York, the Lakers and Oklahoma City, while questioning whether any team can put together the kind of offer that truly makes sense for the Bucks.
    From there, the show shifts to the Brewers after a statement weekend sweep of the Yankees. Strouf, Josh and Will highlight Jacob Misiorowski’s dominant outing, his triple-digit fastball, and why fans should not take his rare talent for granted. They also discuss Brice Turang’s walk-off home run on Mother’s Day, his rise into national recognition, and whether he is becoming one of the Brewers’ biggest stars.
    The show wraps with Packers kicker talk after Brandon McManus’ release, leaving rookie Trey Smack as the likely favorite for the job. The guys compare Smack’s college profile to past Packers kicker experiments, wonder how much pressure comes with relying on a rookie, and close with a quick NBA playoff detour after Victor Wembanyama’s ejection against Minnesota.
    1 hr 1 min
  • Ep. 388 Tyrod Taylor Reaction, Jonathan Gannon’s Defense & Josh’s Kentucky Derby Recap
    Alex Strouf, Josh DiMaggio and Will Sommers react to the Packers signing veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor and what the move says about Green Bay’s backup quarterback plan behind Jordan Love. They debate how much Taylor has left, whether Desmond Ridder was ever a real option, and why the position has become more important in recent seasons.
    The guys also discuss Jonathan Gannon’s first comments as defensive coordinator, the ceiling and floor for the Packers defense, and Bobby Babich’s memorable introduction to Green Bay media. The show wraps with One Word Wednesday, Timothée Chalamet Knicks skepticism, Bryson DeChambeau’s PGA Tour future, and Josh recapping his long, chaotic, and profitable trip to the Kentucky Derby.
    1 hr 4 min
  • Ep. 387 Packers Add Tyrod Taylor + Gutey's Urgency Shift
    Alex Strouf and Will Sommers open Monday’s Mr. Irrelevant with the sudden shutdown of Spirit Airlines and a surprisingly Packers-adjacent effort to bring it back. They break down the crowdsourced “Let’s Buy Spirit Air” campaign, which cites the Green Bay Packers’ community ownership model as inspiration, while questioning whether pledges, profit-sharing, and billions in debt make the plan realistic.
    The show then pivots to breaking Packers news as Green Bay signs veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor and releases Desmond Ridder. Strouf explains why the move matters more than a typical backup quarterback signing, especially after Jordan Love has missed time in recent seasons and Malik Willis proved how valuable QB2 can be.
    They close the hour by examining Brian Gutekunst’s evolving roster-building philosophy. From adding older veterans like Javon Hargrave, Zaire Franklin, and now Taylor, to drafting for immediate need, the conversation centers on whether Green Bay’s front office is finally matching its “championship urgency” talk with action.
    1 hr
  • Ep. 386 Lukas Van Ness, Brandon Woodruff's "Dead Arm", Chicken Wing Conspiracy and Kentucky Derby Picks
    Friday’s edition of Mr. Irrelevant gets a little weird in the best way. With Joshy DiMaggio out, Alex Strouf and Will Sommers welcome WTMJ’s Mike Spaulding to the show after he recently told them, in so many words, that they stink. From there, the guys dive into the Packers picking up Lukas Van Ness’ fifth-year option, what Green Bay’s edge room really looks like, and why the pressure is officially on for a Super Bowl-or-bust 2026 season. They also get into Chase Claypool’s surprise Packers tryout, Brandon Woodruff’s concerning “dead arm” comments, Sal Frelick discourse, and an all-time detour into whether Orioles broadcaster Jim Palmer is lying about never eating a chicken wing before age 80. Plus, Kentucky Derby picks to close the week.
    58 min
  • Jason Wilde on the Packers’ Biggest Post-Draft Questions - Weekly Wilde
    Jason Wilde joins Alex Strouf for a post-draft check-in on the state of the Packers and the biggest questions still hanging over the roster. Jason explains why the offensive line is the group he’s watching most closely, dives into the opportunities at edge and cornerback, and breaks down the competition at kicker, backup quarterback, and backup running back. He also weighs in on the Packers’ changing messaging at wide receiver and what it says about where the offense is headed heading into 2026.
    39 min
  • Ep. 385 Packers WR Philosophy Shift, NCAA Tournament Expansion & Sal Frelick Debate (Again)
    Alex Strouf, Josh DiMaggio, and Will Sommers break down what feels like a major shift in the Packers’ offensive philosophy, especially at wide receiver. The guys discuss why Green Bay seems to be moving away from the “WR1 by committee” idea, what that says about Matt LaFleur and Brian Gutekunst, and why defined roles for Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Matthew Golden, and Tucker Kraft could finally unlock the offense in 2026. They also debate whether LaFleur and Gutekunst are truly aligned for the first time in years, and what that means for the Packers’ Super Bowl window.
    Later, the show pivots to college basketball as Alex sounds off on the NCAA Tournament expanding to 76 teams, arguing it waters down March Madness and hurts the exclusivity that made the event special. The crew also hits One Word Wednesday with reactions to a viral flag football celebration, a Reds ABS challenge that won fans free pizza, a bizarre but life-saving Younghoe Koo missed field goal story, and fans bringing spaghetti into a Brewers game. To close, Alex demands an apology for Sal Frelick after another productive night at the plate, while Josh refuses to budge in the ongoing Sal debate.
    1 hr 3 min

About Second String Opinions

From the publisher's feed

Alex Strouf -- alongside his friends and enemies -- provides a comedic and chaotic commentary on all things Wisconsin sports each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

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