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  • THAT'S MY QUARTERBACK!!! | 2026 NFL QB Situations and Playoff Predictions

    THAT'S MY QUARTERBACK!!! | 2026 NFL QB Situations and Playoff Predictions
    Jan 10 2026
    Welcome to a high-octane episode of Running it Back, where the lessons of sports leadership meet the chaos of the 2026 NFL postseason. Host Mike Palmer is joined by Tarlin Ray and Isaac Tellechea to break down the systems, the carousels, and the "crocodile tears" defining this year’s quarterback drama. QUICK CHECK-IN Tarlin gives a brief update on his upcoming hip replacement surgery. He is navigating a five-day prep window—which includes boarding his dog, Chia, to keep the recovery environment germ-free. QUARTERBACK CONTROVERSIES AND LESSONS LEARNED The episode's namesake harkens back to Terrell Owens’ infamous defense of Tony Romo. The crew uses this lens to examine today’s leadership dynamics: THE SUNK COST OF TUA: The Dolphins’ season is a "train wreck," leaving Tua Tagovailoa as an emergency third-stringer despite his massive contract. THE SYSTEM VS. THE TALENT: The crew debates if organizations fail quarterbacks more than the other way around. BRYCE YOUNG AND DREW BREES: Tarlin draws a parallel between Bryce Young and a young Drew Brees, arguing that elite "closers" need the right offensive coordinator to unlock their potential. THE CALEB WILLIAMS BLUEPRINT: In Chicago, Ben Johnson is credited with "speeding up" Caleb Williams by forcing faster decision-making. DURABILITY IS THE TOP ABILITY: Mike emphasizes that while talent is great, durability is the ultimate asset, comparing the "horse" that is Josh Allen to the injury concerns surrounding Jaxon Dart and Tua. 2026 PLAYOFF AND SUPER BOWL PREDICTIONS With heavyweights like Mahomes and Burrow out of the mix, the path to the Lombardi is wide open. Who do we got? Listen in to find out... "Josh Allen is like Jon Snow pulling the sword out for the big battle *Battle of the Bastards),. If you extend that analogy, then, clearly Matthew Stafford is clearly the Night King." — Mike Palmer. TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Intro and Tarlin’s medical update. 00:08:00 - The "That’s My Quarterback" origin story. 00:15:00 - The Tua Tagovailoa tragedy in Miami and "Kafkaesque" Giants. 00:27:00 - John Elway, Drew Brees, and the importance of QB development time. 00:33:00 - The "Ben Johnson Effect" in Chicago. 00:39:00 - Super Bowl picks and Josh Allen’s legacy.
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    41 Min.
  • Lessons from CP3's Unceremonious Exit from the Clippers

    Lessons from CP3's Unceremonious Exit from the Clippers
    Dec 29 2025
    The latest episode of Running It Back dives into the "unceremonious" exit of Chris Paul from the Los Angeles Clippers, a move Mike Palmer views as a masterstroke in locker room management. Mike and Tarlin Ray are joined for the first time by Isaac Tellechea, the newest addition to the Running It Back team who will be helping behind the scenes and joining the occasional taping. Isaac jumps right into the fire, offering a Miami Heat fan’s perspective on what real veteran leadership looks like versus the "Too Alpha" style that might be holding CP3 back in his twilight years. The trio debates whether Chris Paul’s legendary high expectations have crossed the line into toxicity. Tarlin, the resident "Chris Paul Apologist," argues that a 6-foot point guard who controls the game with a legendary IQ deserves a sunset tour. Mike, however, isn't buying the "Point God" narrative without a championship ring to back it up, suggesting that CP3’s rigid style makes him less of a leader and more of a "ball-dominant" force that can eventually alienate a roster. The conversation covers the aging Clippers roster and the friction caused when Paul reportedly tried to switch defensive assignments for Kawhi Leonard, which legendary coach Jeff Van Gundy noted was outside Paul's latitude. Isaac compares Paul’s current stage to Udonis Haslem, questioning why CP3 hasn't transitioned into a "Yoda-like" player-coach role that elevates teammates without the alpha friction. The guys also engage in a lightning round ranking Paul against the likes of Isiah Thomas, Jason Kidd, and John Stockton, while wondering if there’s a graceful ending left for him—perhaps babysitting Bronny on the Lakers. Episode Time Stamps [00:00:00] Welcome to Running it Back: Leadership and Point Gods. [00:01:00] Introducing Isaac Tellechea: The newest "eyeball witness" to the pod. [00:01:50] Fantasy Football updates and the status of Tarlin's dog, Chia. [00:02:40] The "unceremonious" Clippers exit: Chris Paul sent home. [00:05:00] Friction with Kawhi Leonard and Jeff Van Gundy's reaction. [00:07:50] The Alpha Debate: Does leadership require a "chip" for validation? [00:12:30] Comparing leadership: Steve Jobs and driving results through "toxic" environments. [00:15:30] "Too Alpha": Comparing CP3 to Jordan, Kobe, and Jalen Brunson. [00:18:40] The Udonis Haslem (UD) comparison: Learning to downshift leadership. [00:20:50] CP3’s Phoenix impact vs. his current statistical "downshift". [00:25:20] The Russ (Westbrook) vs. CP3 comparison: Wild energy vs. calculated dominance. [00:26:40] Lightning Round: Ranking the greatest PG leaders in NBA history. [00:30:50] Future Forecast: Would you hire Chris Paul as a head coach? [00:32:30] Final thoughts on CP3's legacy and wrapping up Isaac's debut.
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    34 Min.
  • Running It Back Season 6: Leadership in Crisis - Kawhi-Ballmer, Phee's WNBA, and the Ryder Cup

    Running It Back Season 6: Leadership in Crisis - Kawhi-Ballmer, Phee's WNBA, and the Ryder Cup
    Nov 25 2025
    Season 6 Kickoff! Mike and Tarlin are back for a special edition of Running It Back, diving into the biggest sports stories for lessons in leadership, accountability and the struggle for growth. The conversation starts with an update on Mike's Mets (the only thing softening the blow is a wealthy owner) and Tarlin's dog before flexing into three essential topics: WNBA: The Commissioner vs. The Player Napheesa "Phee" Collier, Vice President of the WNBA Players Association and co-founder of the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league, put the entire league office on blast, labeling them the "worst leadership" at a moment when the league is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by stars like Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese. Player First vs. Management First: Compare the WNBA’s current position to the NBA's profitability years under David Stern. Is Cathy Engelbert missing the story by not putting her most valuable assets—the players—first? The Cost of Growth: Revenue is up, but is management willing to take the long-term investment view required to scale the league and pay the players what they deserve? A Familiar Narrative: Tarlin draws parallels to the massive lockouts in the NHL and MLB in the mid-'90s, warning that the WNBA’s current crisis of leadership threatens to squander its boom moment. NBA: Ballmer, Kawhi, and the Clippers' Stink Steve Ballmer’s “hardcore” Clippers franchise faces a serious challenge following the surfacing of a no-show job deal for Kawhi Leonard’s uncle with a carbon offset company, Aspiration—a company in which Ballmer was investing. The Madoff-Type Scheme: Mark Cuban called it "a shady carbon offset deal where the math 'is not mathing.'" Lessons from History: This scandal echoes the Joe Smith salary cap violation with the Timberwolves in 1999, which led to heavy penalties. Will Adam Silver take action against the ego-driven, win-at-all-costs leadership of the Clippers? Independent Journalism: A shout-out to Pablo Torre and his team for their investigative work in surfacing this stink. Golf: The Ryder Cup and the Crisis of Individualism Team Europe, led by the small-ego, unifying captain Luke Donald, dominates the US team, highlighting a fundamental leadership failure for the Americans. The Accidental Captain: Donald's success comes from putting his ego aside and positioning every player to win, a direct contrast to the US side. Rotten on the Inside: The American team's individual success in the singles matches proves they lack the necessary team cohesion and leadership apparatus. The Need for a Colangelo: The US golf program is at a crisis moment, much like USA basketball in the early 2000s. Who is the necessary, unifying leader—the Tiger Woods—needed to build a winning culture for the next generation? Quote of the Episode: "If it's rotten on the inside, it will never grow as much as you want." Like, follow and share Running It Back wherever you get your podcasts. 00:00 Introduction and Season Kickoff 00:40 Unexpected Dog Incident 01:58 Mets' Season Recap and Ownership 04:21 NFL and Fantasy Football 05:34 WNBA Leadership and Player Issues 15:29 Napheesa Collier and Cathy Engelbert Beef 15:44 Kawhi Leonard and the Aspiration Deal Controversy 17:29 Steve Ballmer's Aggressive Ownership 19:28 Kawhi's No-Show Deal and Leadership Lessons 21:17 Mark Cuban's Skepticism and Aspiration's Ponzi Scheme 24:21 Ryder Cup Leadership and Team Dynamics 29:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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    30 Min.
  • Fantasy Football 2025: Draft Strategy, Flores v The NFL, the Rooney Rule and More | Running It Back

    Fantasy Football 2025: Draft Strategy, Flores v The NFL, the Rooney Rule and More | Running It Back
    Aug 28 2025
    Get ready, fantasy football fans, because we're officially running it back! After a well-deserved summer hiatus, your favorite sports podcasters are back and ready to kick off the NFL season in style. This episode has everything you love: a healthy dose of signature banter, some wild personal updates, and a deep dive into the world of fantasy football—from its surprising origins to the drama of your home league. Don't miss a single second as we tackle the big topics: The Origins of Fantasy: We're talking 1960s, a league with a mouthful of a name (The Greater Oakland Professional Pigskin Prognosticators League), and the very first player ever drafted in fantasy history. Tarlin, with his deep Gemini research, connects the past to the present with players who play both sides of the ball. The Modern-Day Fantasy Grind: The guys break down their own league obsessions, from old-school in-person drafts with stickers to the new "Guillotine League". We also get a look into Mike's "Palmertron 5,000" and the eternal debate of bros versus cos. Running Backs and the Art of General Management: Is the running back dead? The guys debate strategy, assess player health, and reveal their own plans for the upcoming drafts. Tarlin even has a new rule he's trying to pass to "make tight ends great again". The Flores Lawsuit and the Rooney Rule: We shift gears to a serious but crucial conversation about the NFL's ongoing legal battles. The guys discuss the Brian Flores lawsuit, the fact that he's still a defensive coordinator while suing the league's owners, and what it all says about the Rooney Rule and the future of minority coaches. Whether you're a seasoned veteran with a "war room" and multiple leagues or a rookie looking to get a leg up, this episode is a must-listen. So grab your draft magazines, open up your pre-draft spreadsheets, and get ready because you know we're Running It Back. 00:00 Introduction and Casual Banter 01:07 Baseball Talk and Team Loyalty 02:05 College Preparations and Nostalgia 04:25 Transition to NFL and Fantasy Football 06:00 Deep Dive into Fantasy Football 07:42 Fantasy Football Strategies and History 09:34 Fantasy Football Leagues and Rules 11:28 Fantasy Football Drafts and Management 19:47 Bros Over Cos: Fantasy Football Draft Strategies 20:17 The Value of Running Backs in Modern Fantasy Football 22:08 Quarterback Draft Picks: Who to Watch 23:27 Wide Receivers: Top Picks and Strategies 25:13 The Impact of the Rooney Rule and Minority Coaches 26:56 Brian Flores' Legal Battle Against the NFL 30:21 The Future of Minority Coaches in the NFL 37:43 Concluding Thoughts and Upcoming Topics
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    39 Min.
  • Thibs' Firing, Hali v SGA NBA Finals, Plus "Big Shot Rob" and the History of Clutch

    Thibs' Firing, Hali v SGA NBA Finals, Plus "Big Shot Rob" and the History of Clutch
    Jun 11 2025
    Get ready for an unfiltered and energetic breakdown of the NBA playoffs as we, Mike Palmer and Tarlin Ray from Running It Back, dive headfirst into the latest on the hardwood! We kick things off by dissecting the Knicks' recent playoff run, asking the tough questions about what went wrong and what's next for Mike's beloved and Tarlin's bandwagon team. Tarlin connects Coach Thibs' firing to a fascinating historical trend—it seems winning Coach of the Year can be a bit of a curse. Meanwhile, Mike remains optimistic that this shake-up opens up exciting new possibilities for the Knicks in the trade and free agent markets. Then, we shift gears to marvel at the Indiana Pacers' surprising success. We're talking about Tyrese Haliburton's incredible clutch shooting and Rick Carlisle's brilliant coaching. While we might not label Haliburton a "superstar," you'll hear why Mike concedes he is an elite point guard who consistently delivers in the clutch. Tarlin even drops some compelling stats, drawing comparisons between Haliburton and Chris Paul. Of course, we can't ignore the Oklahoma City Thunder (OKC). We delve into their suffocating defensive intensity, and I'm even bold enough to make a finals prediction you won't want to miss! We're exploring the evolving landscape of basketball, celebrating deep teams that bring high intensity for all 48 minutes, rather than relying on just one "alpha" superstar. And Tarlin makes a powerful point: it's about the quality of basketball, not just who's the "face of the NBA." So, join us for all this and more—we promise a fun, insightful, and passionately debated journey through the world of NBA.
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    29 Min.
  • Knicks Pacers Rivalry | Reggie v Patrick, Hali v Brunson and More | Running It Back

    Knicks Pacers Rivalry | Reggie v Patrick, Hali v Brunson and More | Running It Back
    May 21 2025
    Tarlin and Mike are back to chop it up about the Knicks Pacers rivalry through the years heading into the big series starting this week. Tarlin asks in on the Knicks bandwagon. Mike extols Brunson's leadership, doesn't fear Haliburton, the Pacers, Pat McAfee, or even Hans Perez, the firefighter who wore a Haliburton jersey to the midtown New York celebration outside MSG on Friday night. Mike and Gilbert Arenas are saying Knicks in 5. Tarlin is on Knicks in 6--It sounds good, doesn't it? Where do you stand? Which half of Knicks Nation do you belong to? Or are you riding or dying with the House of Haliburton? Listen in and learn. Subscribe wherever you get your pods. Video episodes up on Youtube and Spotify.
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    26 Min.
  • Allen Iverson's "Practice?!?!" Turns 23 | Plus Pop Promoted to El Jefe, House of Haliburton and More

    Allen Iverson's "Practice?!?!" Turns 23 | Plus Pop Promoted to El Jefe, House of Haliburton and More
    May 7 2025
    In this engaging episode, Running It Back takes you on a journey from the iconic to the immediate. We start by commemorating the anniversary of Allen Iverson's "Practice" press conference – a moment that gave us one of the most quotable moments in NBA history. Then, we shift gears to the present, analyzing the ongoing NBA playoffs, the buzz around Tyrese Haliburton, and the contrasting leadership styles of coaches Larry Brown and Gregg Popovich. It's a study in contrasts – from a legendary player's raw emotion to the strategic minds shaping the game today.
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    16 Min.
  • House of Giannis vs House of Haliburton | NBA Family Beef Edition

    House of Giannis vs House of Haliburton | NBA Family Beef Edition
    Apr 30 2025
    Get ready for a high-energy episode of Running It Back! Mike and Tarlin deliver instant analysis of the latest NBA drama: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Tyrese Haliburton. We dissect the controversial end-of-game moments, the heated aftermath, and the unexpected involvement of family members. Is Halliburton soft or clutch? Is Giannis a philosopher or just tired of the drama? We’re also talking overrated players and the rise of the crazed sports parent. It's a jam-packed episode with all the hot takes you crave! Tarlin challenges Mike's assessment of Halliburton, offering a compelling defense of the young star while Mike doubles down on his "soft" critique. We explore the complexities of Halliburton's game, his interactions with other players (including Dame Lillard!), and the surprising revelation that he was voted one of the league's most overrated players. Beyond the player face-off, we delve into the escalating trend of overzealous parents in youth and professional sports. The guys discuss the John Halliburton incident, comparing it to other examples of parental interference and debating the impact on the players and the game itself. It's a conversation that goes beyond the headlines to examine the changing culture of sports.
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    19 Min.