
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Each week, Ryen Russillo will break down the biggest topics in sports.
Latest episodes

Jan 17, 2022 • 1h 19min
Was More Really Better in Wild-Card Weekend? Plus Former Chief Mitchell Schwartz on Chiefs-Bills and the Cowboys' Comedy of Errors
Russillo shares his thoughts on NFL wild-card weekend (0:26), before talking with Super Bowl champion Mitchell Schwartz about the Chiefs’ Round 1 win over the Steelers, their Round 2 matchup vs. the Bills, strange sequences in the Cowboys-49ers game, the effects of playoff expansion, and more (13:40). Then Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (47:14).Host: Ryen RussilloGuest: Mitchell SchwartzProducers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 14, 2022 • 2h 4min
NFL Playoff Draft Revisit, Coach Luke Fickell on Taking Cincinnati to the Playoff, Plus 'Ozark' EP Chris Mundy
Russillo shares his thoughts on all six Round 1 NFL playoff matchups (0:37) before revisiting the NFL playoff draft from November with Ceruti and Kyle (13:10). Then Ryen is joined by Cincinnati football head coach Luke Fickell to discuss the 13-0 regular season, matching up with Alabama in the CFP semifinal, QB Desmond Ridder, his friendship with Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, his season as Ohio State interim head coach, building the program at Cincinnati, and more (20:27). Then Ryen talks with ‘Ozark’ showrunner Chris Mundy about building the show’s characters, the difficulty of trimming story lines, writing for kids, working with Jason Bateman, and more (50:18). Finally Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (1:24:04).Host: Ryen RussilloGuests: Luke Fickell and Chris MundyProducers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 12, 2022 • 1h 14min
The SEC Gap Is Widening, Eric Dickerson on the Rushing Record and Recruiting Stories, and the QB Stock Game Finale
Russillo shares his thoughts on the SEC's dominance of college football (0:31) before talking to Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson about his book, 'Watch My Smoke: The Eric Dickerson Story,' what it's like to be fast, quitting football in high school and returning to win a state championship, committing to Texas A&M before ending up at SMU, his first five NFL seasons in Los Angeles, contract disputes, his NFL rushing record, and more (9:57). Then, with the end of the NFL regular season in the books, Ryen, Ceruti, and Kyle close out Q4 of the QB Stock Game and announce the winner (44:48) before answering some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (49:06).Host: Ryen RussilloGuest: Eric DickersonProducers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 10, 2022 • 1h 38min
What We Know Vs. What We Thought About Raiders-Chargers, Flores Out With Jon Vilma, Plus Klay’s Return
Russillo shares his thoughts on the climax of the roller-coaster matchup between the Raiders and the Chargers, the speculation on head coach Brandon Staley's timeout call in overtime, and the difference between what we thought in real time vs. what we know today (0:32). Then Ryen talks with Super Bowl champion Jonathan Vilma of Fox Sports about the "almost tie" between the Raiders and the Chargers, their differing opinions on the 1-seed Titans, what to make of the Patriots, the Dolphins firing HC Brian Flores, Vilma's choice for DPOY, the upcoming College Football Playoff national title game, and more (14:45). Then Ryen briefly talks about Klay Thompson's return to the Warriors (49:56) before answering some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (55:34).Host: Ryen RussilloGuest: Jonathan VilmaProducers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 7, 2022 • 1h 41min
Joel Klatt on the Alabama-Georgia Rematch, Plus Baker Mayfield and Fan Base Angst, and NBA Point Guard Devaluation
Russillo shares his thoughts on Baker Mayfield vs. the media and fan base angst in tortured sports cities (0:36), before talking about the point guard position in modern basketball (11:38). Then Ryen talks with Joel Klatt of Fox Sports about the CFB bowl games, the upcoming national title game between Georgia and Alabama, the argument for CFP expansion, and more (23:44). Finally Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (1:02:21).Host: Ryen RussilloGuest: Joel KlattProducers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 5, 2022 • 1h 33min
Ja Morant’s Massive Leap With Chris Vernon. Plus Willie Colon on Big Ben’s Goodbye and Playing With Antonio Brown.
Russillo shares some NBA observations on the Grizzlies’ win over the Cavaliers, Kyrie Irving’s return, the uptick in fouls, and more (0:40). Then Ryen talks with The Ringer’s Chris Vernon about Ja Morant and the fourth-place Grizzlies (14:25), before talking with Super Bowl champion Willie Colon about Ben Roethlisberger’s looming retirement, Willie’s six years with the Steelers, what makes head coach Mike Tomlin special, and being teammates with Antonio Brown (32:08). Finally Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (1:06:25).Host: Ryen RussilloGuests: Chris Vernon and Willie ColonProducers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 3, 2022 • 1h 31min
Will Rodgers Win the MVP He Deserves? Titans the Fifth-Best AFC Team? Plus CFB Opt-outs With Trent Dilfer
Russillo shares his thoughts on some NFL Week 17 results, including the Bengals beating the Chiefs, the unimpressive first-place Titans, Cowboys-Cardinals, and more (0:32). Then Ryen talks about some college players opting out of bowl games (11:31) before he is joined by Super Bowl champion Trent Dilfer to discuss Vikings-Packers, Aaron Rodgers for MVP, Joe Burrow’s throwback style of play, the end-of-season playoff puzzle from a player’s perspective, and more (22:24). Finally Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (59:04).Host: Ryen RussilloGuest: Trent DilferProducers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 29, 2021 • 1h 56min
Danny Kanell on Michigan-Georgia and How Cincinnati Can Hang With Bama. Plus, Is Being a Pro Coach Still Worth It?
Russillo shares his thoughts on coaching (0:42) before talking with Danny Kanell of SiriusXM and CBS Sports about college bowl games, opt-outs, the College Football Playoff matchups of Georgia vs. Michigan and Alabama vs. Cincinnati, and more (14:15). Then Ceruti gets some Orlando Magic thoughts off his chest (1:14:17) before Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (1:19:20)Host: Ryen RussilloGuest: Danny KanellProducers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 27, 2021 • 2h 4min
The Bills' Statement, Burrow’s Ceiling, and Rating QBs With Albert Breer, Plus Fake NBA Trades With Kevin O’Connor
Russillo shares his thoughts on the Bills' victory over the Patriots (0:41). Then Ryen talks with The MMQB's Albert Breer about the Cardinals' loss to the surging Colts, Joe Burrow's incredible day in the Bengals' win over the Ravens, how to evaluate Trevor Lawrence's rookie year amid all the turmoil in Jacksonville, 2022 QB draft prospects, rating the midtier NFL QBs, and more (9:13). Then Ryen talks with The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor about the Warriors' continued dominance while they await the return of Klay Thompson and James Wiseman, the Jazz, the Bulls, the Lakers' loss to the Nets, fake trades, and more (49:55). Finally, Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (1:27:54).Host: Ryen RussilloGuests: Albert Breer and Kevin O'ConnorProducers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 24, 2021 • 1h 55min
Major Bucs Question Marks With Sara Walsh, Plus Best-selling American History Author Nathaniel Philbrick
Russillo is joined by Sara Walsh of NFL Network and Fox Sports to discuss the Buccaneers' shutout loss to the Saints, the recent injuries to skill-position players Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, and Leonard Fournette, coach Bruce Arians's decision to bring back WR Antonio Brown, the rest of the Buccaneers' regular season, and more (0:30). Then Ryen talks with author Nathaniel Philbrick about his book 'Travels With George: In Search of Washington and His Legacy,' as they examine the U.S.'s first president and the commander in chief of the Continental Army. They also discuss Nathaniel's book, 'Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War' (20:57). Finally, Ryen answers some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (1:11:19)Host: Ryen RussilloGuests: Sara Walsh and Nathaniel PhilbrickProducers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices