The Brad Cesmat Show

Brad is back from the holiday weekend with plenty to discuss including Arizona Cardinals star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins agreeing to a two-year extension worth $54.5 million, $42.5 guaranteed. ESPN.com Cards’ insider Josh Weinfuss (14:02 on podcast) talked about Hopkins’ new deal, Sunday’s season opener against the NFC-Champion 49ers and much more. The AZHS football season is supposed to start October 2nd but could there be a snag along the way? Brad thinks we’re not seeing full transparency from the AIA. Plus, Sports360AZ.com’s Sande Charles Zoomed in SI.com Senior Fantasy Analyst Michael Fabiano (39:11 on podcast) to talk about starts, sits and latest news leading into Texans-Chiefs Thursday night and then a full slate of games on Sunday.

The Diamondbacks traded away some popular players Monday and then asked season ticket holders for their 2021 deposit just a few hours later. Tough deal for a club which was expected to compete for a playoff position but instead finds itself buried at the bottom of the National League West. ESPN MLB Insider Pedro Gomez (12:35 on podcast) talked about the trades made, what lies ahead for the organization, how the San Diego Padres got so good so fast and much more. Plus, Donald Trump wants to see Big Ten football sooner than later (as political as it is) and the Arizona high football community is waiting for the AIA’s decision on games starting October 2nd as planned.

The underachieving Arizona Diamondbacks started cleaning house on Monday all the way up to the trade deadline. The college basketball world mourns the loss of John Thompson. The Arizona high school football world waits for Wednesday’s decision to either proceed with games on October 2nd as scheduled or push back once again. azcentral high school reporter Richard Obert (24:07 on podcast) talked about all the uncertainty of what’s hanging in the balance later this week. 

Not only professional athletes but teams in many teams are taking a stand following the unthinkable shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The power of sports can have quite the impact overlapping into societal issues and problems. The Arizona Diamondbacks losing streak reached eight games following their blowout loss to the Rockies on Wednesday. ESPN MLB Insider Pedro Gomez Skyped in with Brad (11:40 on podcast) to talk about players not playing in protest, the D-backs bumpy road, Torey Lovullo’s future as manager and much more. Plus, ASU head football coach Herm Edwards (26:35 on podcast) discussed the season being postponed, keeping his student-athletes engaged, civil unrest in this country and much more. 

Tuesday morning the Arizona Cardinals made Budda Baker the highest paid safety in the National Football League. Is he worth Steve Keim’s big-time investment? We’ll see but Keim certainly hasn’t been shy about spending big dollars on players he likes. Jordan Hamm joined Brad and Eric to talk about the impactful in-depth feature he did on D-backs’ outfielder David Peralta, as well as if the AZHS football season will really start on time in early October, as scheduled. Plus, Sande Charles caught up with SI.com Senior Fantasy Analyst Michael Fabiano via Skype (27:23 on podcast) for his weekly segment.

Luka Doncic is simply amazing. The Mavericks’ young megastar hit a game-winning three-pointer Sunday against the Clippers. Brad and Eric know Deandre Ayton will never be Luka but disagree on DA’s upside and potential at his age in the league. Former Eagles Pro Bowl quarterback and Valley resident Donovan McNabb Skyped in (9:55 on podcast) to talk about Kyler Murray’s second season, McNabb’s amazing career with the Eagles and his training of Mesquite senior quarterback Ty Thompson who is headed to Oregon. FOX CFB analyst/SiriusXM host and good friend of the show Brock Huard (29:09 on podcast) talked about the Pac-12 postponing their season, why he doesn’t see spring football happening, the SEC throwing caution to the wind and trailblazing through COVID-19 and much more. Plus, the D-backs can’t hit and went winless on their last road trip. The season is in jeopardy of slipping away unless the bats come alive.

The Cincinnati Reds have suspended long-time announcer Thom Brennaman after the former D-backs’ TV voice uttered an anti-gay slur in the middle of a Reds-Royals doubleheader on Wednesday. Brad and Eric agree it’s hard to dismiss or excuse Brennaman’s actions when you hear the tone and disgust in the audio clip. The Coyotes are done after back-to-back 7-1 blowout losses to Colorado. Look for a rebuild and possibly a new nickname next season. The Waste Management Phoenix Open will have a much different feel in 2021. Plus, Sports360AZ.com’s Devon Henry Skyped in (21:47 on podcast) to talk NASCAR with the big Valley event rapidly approaching.

San Diego Padres young star Fernando Tatis, Jr. set Twitter and baseball on fire Monday night after hitting a grand slam on a 3-0 pitch in a blowout win over the Rangers. Brad and Eric agree, MLB “purists” continue to drag the great game down as the baseball needs more young, outgoing stars like Tatis, Jr. The Diamondbacks continue to win – can the starting rotation become whole? Colorado pushed the Coyotes to the brink Monday with a blowout win which makes the series 3-1 Avs. SI.com NFL Senior Fantasy Analyst Michael Fabiano (12:53 on podcast) Skyped in to talk about the latest fantasy news with drafts heating up everywhere. Plus, a deep dive with the Voice of the Suns Al McCoy (26:38 on podcast). The Suns’ future appears bright after their perfect 8-0 run in The Bubble.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have turned around their slow start and suddenly find themselves back in the mix in the National League West – despite Robbie Ray’s inconsistencies. Brad and Eric both agree someone will pay Ray this off-season, despite his usually high pitch count and inability to work deep into games. Are the Suns for real? Well, maybe. Brad is optimistic that this off-season could be the tipping point for a revival on Planet Orange. Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields is trying to save the Big Ten football season…too bad it isn’t his call. Plus, Brad celebrated his first hole in one last week but it was somewhat bittersweet.

The news is in and it’s not good if you were hoping for a Pac-12 and Big 10 football season this fall. Both conferences announced Tuesday they won’t be playing any sports in 2020. Brad agrees with the decision as safety, not greed, needs to remain the top concern at all colleges moving forward. Pac-12 Network Host and good friend of the show Yogi Roth joined Brad via Skype (8:52 on podcast) to discuss the decision and what lies ahead for the conference. Former ASU standout safety, now Sun Devil sideline reporter Jordan Simone also joined the show (18:53 on podcast) to give a former Pac-12 player’s perspective and if spring football will work at the college level. Plus, the Suns are a perfect 7-0 in The Bubble. One more big test ahead Thursday afternoon against Dallas with a possible playoff birth on the line.