The Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima

Latest Episodes:

Hour 3: Fans Rally for Shedeur Sanders After Deshaun Watson Struggles Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

Ken Carman and Anthony Lima evaluate the AFC North with reporters from Baltimore, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh. They explore a hypothetical scenario where Shedeur Sanders and Dylan Gabriel are part of the Browns' quarterback room alongside Deshaun Watson. The conversation focuses on the fallout of Watson's recent performances and the growing fan preference for Sanders as the starter.

(00:02:11) Ken Weinman on Ravens Training

(00:06:25) Tony Pike Analyzes Bengals Roster

(00:10:35) Chris Mueller on Steelers Quarterbacks

(00:14:42) Deshaun Watson vs Shedeur Sanders

(00:20:15) Chris Simms on QB Competition

(00:24:57) Comparing Watson and Sanders

(00:28:38) Ownership Ego and Roster Decisions

(00:33:54) Backup QB Popularity in Cleveland

(00:40:50) Joe Thomas Segment Preview

Hour 4: Joe Thomas on Watson's Fan Comments & Monken's QB Decision Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

Joe Thomas joins the program to critique Deshaun Watson's response to fans and analyze Todd Monken's choice to start him over Shedeur Sanders. They evaluate rookie Spencer Fano's development and the offensive line's performance in joint practices. The discussion concludes with a look at the Guardians' season using college football analogies.

(00:02:38) Joe Thomas on Watson

(00:05:32) Monken's Quarterback Decision

(00:12:43) Spencer Fano Evaluation

(00:18:01) Hall of Fame Jerky

(00:22:42) Watson Versus Shedeur Sanders

(00:35:08) Guardians and College Analogies

Ken's Wild College Football Analogy for the Guardians, Explained Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

Ken tries to justify why he's rooting for the Guardians "in a vacuum" this year, separate from the frustration surrounding the Browns and Cavs, and workshops a series of college football comparisons—first Purdue, then Minnesota, then Arkansas—to capture a scrappy, low-budget team overperforming against big spenders like the Dodgers. Lima and the rest of the room shoot down every comparison as a stretch, with Ken eventually conceding he's just trying to find a way to be excited about a low-payroll team making the playoffs without sounding like he's making excuses for ownership. The segment closes with a quick preview of Sunday's Browns game and reminders about the AFC North catch-up and Ralphy Velasquez chatter from earlier in the show.

Shedeur Fans Won't Accept Watson Won the Job Fair and Square Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

Ken argues that everyone actually inside the building during camp—coaches, staff, and even opposing teams—consistently rated Deshaun Watson ahead of Shedeur Sanders, and that diehard Sanders fans are simply refusing to accept a reality that doesn't match their expectations. He floats the idea that Todd Monken benching Sanders for a few weeks could actually help him develop behind an inexperienced offensive line, but admits fans will never give Monken credit for that reasoning if it doesn't pan out immediately. Ken also updates his early 2027 quarterback draft watch list, swapping in Darian Mensah, before pivoting to a preview of his take on this year's Guardians team on its own merits.

Joe Thomas Breaks Down Monken's Watson Decision and the O-Line Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

Hall of Famer Joe Thomas joins Ken and Lima to unpack Deshaun Watson's fan-facing comments, explaining that going after your own fan base is a cardinal sin in pro sports and puts teammates in an awkward spot with media. He offers real insight into Todd Monken's thinking, arguing the coach values Watson's ability to run RPOs and extend plays with his legs, and predicts Cleveland will pivot to Shedeur Sanders by the week three home opener if Watson stumbles on the road first. Thomas also gives an optimistic read on the young, revamped offensive line, singling out rookie left tackle Spencer Fano's early growth and praising the run-blocking lanes opened up in joint practices.

Even Though He's the Backup, Shedeur is Still the Talk of Cleveland Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

Ken defends why he and Lima keep talking about Shedeur Sanders even as the backup, pointing to Cleveland's long history of beloved backup quarterbacks and arguing Deshaun Watson's postgame comments on Saturday flipped even skeptical fans firmly into Sanders' corner. He advises Sanders to keep a low profile with the media and stay ready, drawing parallels to Charlie Frye's quick benching in 2007 and predicting Sanders could see the field as soon as week three given Watson's track record in bad weather. The segment wraps with a preview of Hall of Famer Joe Thomas joining the show at 9 to break down the offensive line.

Chris Simms' Watson Theory Doesn't Add Up, Ken and Lima Say Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

Ken and Lima push back on Chris Simms' theory that Shedeur Sanders lost the quarterback competition by playing it too safe in practice, arguing Simms barely follows the Browns and is likely working off secondhand reports rather than real evidence. They point out the irony that Deshaun Watson, not Sanders, is the one who looks afraid to push the ball downfield, and question why so many local hosts are pinning the decision on ownership ego when the front office's own moves—stockpiling quarterbacks, scrubbing Watson's signage—already read as an admission the trade was a disaster. The segment closes with a preview of Albert Breer's claim that Watson may not even be viable as a backup, teeing up more discussion at 9 with Joe Thomas.

Around the AFC North: Even Rivals Question the Watson Call Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

Ken and Lima check in around the division, with Baltimore's Ken Weinman previewing the Ravens' joint practice with Washington and calling Deshaun Watson "delusional" after his post-game press conference, and Cincinnati's Tony Pike breaking down Ja'Marr Chase's hyperextended-knee scare along with a stacked Bengals roster he ranks as Joe Burrow's best yet. Pittsburgh's Chris Mueller previews a crowded quarterback room and a contract standoff with Joey Porter Jr., but it's his blunt take on the Browns that stands out—arguing owner-driven pressure, not football logic, is really behind starting Watson over Sanders. Multiple guests agree Sanders looked better in preseason, setting up a tease for a former NFL QB's theory on why he lost the job anyway.

About Last Night: Bring Up Ralphy!!! & Akron Finally Gets Its Play Caller Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

Ken and Lima bring in producer John to recap the Guardians' wild comeback win, highlighting Jose Ramirez's three doubles and five RBI, Steven Kwan's 5-for-5 night, and Angel Martinez robbing Mike Trout of a go-ahead homer, then dig into whether Ralphy Velasquez's hot streak in the minors makes him worth calling up despite lockout-related roster risks. They also break down the fan and industry reaction to Akron letting a season-ticket-holding alum call plays in an upcoming game, debating whether the stunt could catch on with bigger programs looking to cash in on similar buzz.

Fans Sound Off on Watson's QB Job Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

Callers weigh in on the Browns' quarterback situation, with one predicting Todd Monken won't last long in Cleveland and another arguing the team created its own controversy by marketing Shedeur Sanders as the face of the franchise while starting Watson. Ken pushes back on the idea that Watson was signed purely for star power, though he admits the front office will never openly admit that. The conversation then turns to whether the Guardians would be "unserious" not to call up hot prospect Ralphy Velasquez given their six-game win streak, weighing the risk to his development against the upside of adding a spark for the playoff push.

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