The Best of the Sports Shop

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss who deserves a statue but doesn’t have one yet, NFL preseason football, Shedeur Sanders, Aaron Rodgers and more.

Tom Brady was honored with a statue outside Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The 12-foot-tall bronze sculpture was unveiled on August 8, 2025, prior to a preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Washington Commanders. This tribute marks the first time the Patriots have erected a statue for any player. This statue serves as a permanent tribute to Brady's legendary career with the Patriots, where he played from 2000 to 2019, leading the team to six Super Bowl victories and becoming one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in NFL history. Are there any athletes, actors, entertainers, people, etc. who do not currently have statues that should have statues?

NFL preseason play continues this weekend. Aaron Rodgers has expressed dissatisfaction with the new helmet he is required to wear due to NFL safety regulations. Rodgers has openly criticized the new helmet, stating, "I can't stand the helmet," and likened its appearance to a "spaceship." Will Rodgers play well this year? What preseason matchups should we look forward to this weekend?

What is Pam's middle name?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss Denzel Washington calling out Jerry Jones.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones remains deeply involved in the Cowboys' operations, fiercely controlling both football and business decisions. His reluctance to compromise with Micah Parsons, cautious spending approach, and long playoff drought have stirred widespread fan outrage. Public figures and media alike are now weighing in. Former Cowboys like Michael Irvin and even Cowboy fans like the legendary actor Denzel Washington have criticized Jerry. Washington publicly aired his frustration with Jones. On ESPN's First Take, he criticized Jones for putting “money over winning,” stating bluntly, “All money ain’t good money, Jerry.” What is Jerry doing? Is the criticism fair?

Reese says Denzel Washington and Tom Hanks are the best actors. Is he right? Is anyone better?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss some CBS Sports football rankings and the AP Top 25 College Football Poll.

The CBS Sports article titled, “From ‘tempting’ to ‘ghastly,’ one word to describe 40 notable quarterbacks from Week 1 of the 2025 NFL preseason” provides a quick-hit breakdown of quarterback performances using a single word to sum up each player’s showing. The article highlights a mix of veteran polish, rookie promise, and early warning signs as preseason evaluations begin. Some players are already showing flashes of potential, while others may be in danger of slipping down the depth chart—or off the roster entirely.

The 2025 preseason AP Top 25 college football poll has made history, with the Texas Longhorns claiming the No. 1 spot for the first time ever. Texas edged out Penn State by just five points—the closest margin in a preseason vote since 1998. Penn State, ranked No. 2, holds its highest preseason ranking since 1997, while defending national champion Ohio State comes in at No. 3. Clemson and Georgia round out the top five, ranked fourth and fifth, respectively. The SEC dominates the rankings, placing a record ten teams in the preseason Top 25, the most ever by a single conference. Other notable inclusions are SMU, which appears in the preseason poll for the first time since 1985, and Boise State, the lone representative from the Group of Five conferences. Where is Alabama?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex speak with Ken Blocker.

Blocker joins the Sports Shop to discuss the Bull City Classic Jamboree in Durham, NC.

To get tickets visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-bull-city-jamboree-tickets-1505735729099?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Or if you cannot attend, you can watch and stay updated: https://www.1standgoal365.com/

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss if they have ever left someone important out of a thank-you speech.

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss our Nate McMillan interview from last week.

A week ago today, the Sports Shop had Los Angeles Lakers lead assistant coach Nate McMillan in studio. How has the interview gained traction?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss CBS Sports' rookie QB rankings from Week 1 of the preseason.

CBS Sports ranked the performance of NFL rookie quarterbacks from Week 1 of the preseason. Over 12 quarterbacks were selected at the 2025 NFL Draft. While all eyes are specifically fixated on guys like Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart and Shedeur Sanders, the preseason allows us to see a bunch of them in action. Over the first weekend of preseason action, several rookies suited up for their respective teams. What QB is ranked #1? Where is Shedeur Sanders? Where is Cam Ward? Any surprises?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Travis Hunter's preseason debut and A’ja Wilson's historic achievement.

Travis Hunter, the No. 2 overall pick, made an unprecedented two-way appearance in the Jaguars' preseason opener against Pittsburgh the Steelers. He took the field on offense as a wide receiver and on defense as a cornerback. In his NFL preseason debut, Hunter logged 10 offensive snaps, caught 2 passes for 9 yards, and executed solid route-running and decision-making on option routes. On defense, Hunter saw 8 snaps, but had a missed tackle and appeared a bit uncertain about the defensive call on one play. Hunter admitted to feeling “a little nervous at first,” but settled in quickly after the opening play. Coach Liam Coen praised his offensive execution while noting there’s room for growth on defense. What did you think of Hunter's showing?

A’ja Wilson delivered a standout performance on Sunday, posting 32 points and a career‑high‑matching 20 rebounds in the Las Vegas Aces’ 94–86 comeback win over the Connecticut Sun. This feat made her the first player in WNBA history to record 30-plus points and 20-plus rebounds in a single game. How impressive is Wilson?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Cam Ward's preseason debut.

No. 1 overall pick, Cam Ward made his preseason debut for the Tennessee Titans on Saturday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played for two series, finishing 5 of 8 for 67 yards, and orchestrated an 11-play, 65-yard drive that ended in a touchdown. Head coach Brian Callahan called the performance “encouraging,” adding that Ward “did what we would hope he would do in his first action”—noting he still “hasn’t arrived yet.”

Cam Ward delivered a composed and promising first glimpse into his NFL career—just enough to excite fans and coaching staff, with the understanding that he’s still very much in the development phase. How did Cam Ward look? What are the expectations for Tennessee this year?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Bill Belichick, the UNC Football program and Shedeur Sanders.

UNC officially ushered in a new chapter by hiring legendary coach Bill Belichick in December 2024. He replaces Mack Brown, who was fired after the 2024 season. Belichick is emphasizing a leadership culture—with developing leaders emerging organically within the team. Belichick’s roster changes—with many young players and transfers—plus favorable ACC scheduling, could position UNC as a surprise ACC contender in 2025. North Carolina Tar Heel Football is riding a wave of renewed excitement and scrutiny. With Bill Belichick taking the helm, the program is undergoing a cultural shift—focusing on leadership development, evaluating emerging talent, and hoping for a breakthrough season. Does Kmac believe in Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels?

Shedeur Sanders, the Cleveland Browns' fifth-round pick, made a significant impact in his NFL preseason debut. Sanders completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns, helping lead the team to a 30–10 win over the Carolina Panthers. Head coach Kevin Stefanski acknowledged room for improvement but praised the overall operation, saying Sanders showed he belongs in serious quarterback conversations. What grade would you give Sanders for his performance? Why did he fall to the 5th-round? Was Sanders blackballed?