The Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima

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Full Show: Friday, September 25, 2026 Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima analyze the Cleveland Guardians' postseason berth and the intense debate over the team's success in the AL Central. They discuss the emotional return of Nick Chubb to retire as a Cleveland Brown and the ongoing discourse regarding fan reactions toward Deshaun Watson. Daryl Ryder and Nathan Zagura provide depth on the Browns' defensive front and evaluate the development of rookie edge rusher Jared Verse.

(00:01:50) Guardians Postseason Success

(00:06:40) AL Central Rivalry Debate

(00:11:45) Playoff Celebration Controversy

(00:18:52) Zach Meisel July Recap

(00:24:30) Nick Chubb Retirement News

(00:31:55) Deshaun Watson Booing Debate

(00:37:15) Browns vs Panthers Preview

(00:46:30) Jared Verse Sack Pressure

(00:56:00) Parker Messick Sunday Dilemma

(01:05:00) Guardians Doubleheader Plans

(01:13:40) NFL Fan Booing Culture

(01:20:40) Browns Mount Rushmore Talk

(01:27:50) Deshaun Watson Progress

(01:33:30) Daryl Ryder Interview

(01:40:15) Defensive Line Impact

(01:51:11) Nathan Zagura Interview

(02:03:50) Nick Chubb Legacy

(02:12:10) College Football Expansion

(02:25:41) Coming In Hot Callers

Hour 1: Ken Carman and Anthony Lima Debate Guardians Success and Browns Boos Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima analyze whether the Cleveland Guardians' postseason berth counts as a successful season, comparing it to previous playoff runs and fan expectations. They discuss the significance of clinching the AL Central division and then transition to the Cleveland Browns' home opener. The conversation covers Nick Chubb's retirement ceremony and the national narrative surrounding potential fan boos for Deshaun Watson.

(00:03:03) Evaluating Guardians Postseason Success

(00:06:26) Division Payroll And Expectations

(00:10:05) Winning Division Vs Wildcard

(00:13:43) Savoring Rare Playoff Opportunities

(00:18:47) Nick Chubb Retires A Brown

(00:24:17) Browns Home Opener Preparations

(00:27:50) Deshaun Watson Booing Debate

(00:34:40) Browns Fan Reaction Expectations

(00:39:12) Watson Vs Bryce Young

Hour 2: Patience for Jared Verse and the Guardians' High-Stakes Pitching Gamble Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima debate the significance of sack totals versus overall pressure regarding Jared Verse's recent defensive performance. They analyze the Cleveland Guardians' decision to potentially start Parker Messick to secure a division title and a first-round bye. The discussion also touches on the Atlanta Falcons' offensive turnaround and the transactional relationship between professional athletes and booing fans.

(00:01:20) Jared Verse's Sack Philosophy

(00:06:45) Evaluating Defensive Pressure

(00:13:20) Guardians Pitching Strategy

(00:19:45) Playoff Seeding Scenarios

(00:31:05) Guardians Clinch Celebration

(00:37:45) Athletes and Fan Boos

Hour 3: Nick Chubb to Retire a Brown & Watson Faces a Crucial Carolina Test Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima reflect on the legacy of Nick Chubb as he prepares to retire with the Cleveland Browns on a one-day contract. They analyze Deshaun Watson's progress and the challenges posed by the Carolina Panthers before pivoting to the Cleveland Guardians clinching a playoff spot. Daryl Ruiter joins to provide insight on the team's defensive consistency and the fan atmosphere surrounding the upcoming game.

(00:01:58) Nick Chubb Retires

(00:09:19) Watson's Performance Progress

(00:14:43) Daryl Ruiter Interview

(00:25:21) Guardians Clinch Postseason

Hour 4: Nathan Zegura on Watson's Progress and Nick Chubb's Final Goodbye Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima analyze Deshaun Watson's improved accuracy with guest Nathan Zegura ahead of the Browns' clash with the Panthers. They honor the legacy of Nick Chubb as he prepares for his official retirement press conference. The conversation also covers Kevin Stefanski's leadership style and the shifting landscape of college football conference realignment.

(00:01:50) Metallica Contest Horseman Debate

(00:04:45) Deshaun Watson's Accuracy Growth

(00:08:39) Jared Verse And Defensive Pressure

(00:12:02) Nick Chubb's Retirement Legacy

(00:17:38) Stefanski's Motivational Leadership Style

(00:22:28) College Football Realignment Talk

(00:29:13) Deshaun Watson Shootout Strategy

(00:35:32) Coming In Hot Listener Calls

Comin' In Hot Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Why Ken Doesn't Want Watson Getting Into a Shootout With Bryce Young Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Ken and Anthony open by digging into reports that Miami of Ohio could look to leave the MAC, sparking a wider conversation about conference realignment, revenue sharing, and whether smaller programs like Akron and Kent State can survive at the FBS level. They pivot to Sunday's Panthers matchup, with Ken arguing Deshaun Watson needs to replicate last week's controlled, ball-control approach rather than get lured into an up-and-down shootout with a red-hot Bryce Young. Ken closes by cautioning against Watson forcing explosive plays too early, preferring a grind-it-out formula over an aerial battle he's not yet proven capable of winning.

Nathan Zegura: Bryce Young and Carolina's Offense Are the Real Deal Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Nathan Zegura joins the show to preview Sunday's matchup, breaking down why the Browns need to get their ground game going and take more shots down the field against a Carolina defense that blitzes often but doesn't convert pressure well. He makes the case that Bryce Young and the Panthers' passing attack, led by Tet McMillan and Jaden Coker (banged up entering the weekend), is legitimately playing at an elite level rather than riding small-sample noise. Zegura also weighs in on Jared Verse's development, praising his impact in key moments even without gaudy sack numbers, and touches on the NFL's rash of quarterback injuries around the league.

Should Guardians Fans Stop Caring About the Strength of the Division? Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Ken and Anthony push back on the "weak AL Central" narrative surrounding the Guardians' playoff berth, arguing the balanced schedule and expanded playoff format make the division-strength argument mostly moot compared to years past. They dig into what's fueling their late-season surge, from Steven Kwan rediscovering his swing to a bullpen that's been excellent for over a month, while wondering if a struggling Jose Ramirez could still have a big postseason. The segment closes with a quick hit on Nick Chubb's retirement press conference set for later today.

Daryl Ruiter Isn't Worried About Jared Verse's Sack Drought Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Daryl Ruiter joins the show to break down Sunday's matchup against Carolina's high-flying offense, insisting fans shouldn't panic about Jared Verse's lack of sacks since the Browns' pressure is coming from a full defensive line rather than one dominant player. He also weighs in on how Deshaun Watson will handle adversity for the first time this season and whether fans will boo if the offense struggles early. Ruiter closes by defending the Guardians' playoff berth as a remarkable achievement given their payroll and debating whether winning the division or riding wild card momentum sets them up better for October.

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