Thursday, December 28, 2017

Episode 102 – Let’s go bowling! New Year’s Six college football preview

For the third straight year, Mark Podolski, sports editor of The News-Herald, joins Tom and Travis for a marathon rundown of college football’s New Year’s Six bowl games, including Ohio State-USC in the Cotton Bowl, as well as the College Football Playoff semifinals between Oklahoma and Georgia (Rose Bowl), and Clemson and Alabama (Sugar). Plus: Quarterbacks Sam Darnold of USC and Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma, as well as Penn State running back Saquon Barkley (playing in the Fiesta Bowl vs. Washington), could figure prominently into the Browns’ draft plans in April. How much of an impact, if at all, will their bowl game performances have on where they land on draft day?


...

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Catch us on WaitingForNextYear.com

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Episode 101 – Scott Sargent of WFNY on the state of the Cavs

Scott Sargent, editor and co-founder of WaitingForNextYear.com and a contributing writer for Bleacher Report, joins the show to bring the guys up to speed on the state of the Cavs heading into another Christmas showdown with the Warriors. New faces such as Dwyane Wade, Jose Calderon and Jeff Green have the team surging after a rough start to the year. Scott explains what has made the Cavs’ excellent second unit work so well, why Calderon has been a surprisingly good fit with the starters, where Isaiah Thomas and Derrick Rose will fit moving forward, what Tristan Thompson’s role will look like and whether any roster moves are coming later this season. … Plus: A quick rundown on the Warriors, and the LeBron James vs. James Harden MVP debate.


...

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Catch us on WaitingForNextYear.com

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Episode 100 – ‘Real players,’ regional NBA broadcasts and Rice Krispie Treats

It’s episode 100 of The Nail, and the guys are keeping it a buck on new Browns GM John Dorsey, how we watch Cavs games, NBA All-Star Games, the Indians’ offseason, Rice Krispie Treats and more. On the anniversary of Mike Holmgren’s infamous “Don’t call me for playoff tickets” diatribe and the disastrous debut of Johnny Football, John Dorsey added a new entry into Browns lore by declaring he wants “real players.” Fair or unfair? … Plus: How do you watch the Cavs? The guys discuss the merits of national TV broadcasts vs. Fox Sports Ohio productions, as well as watching live vs. on DVR.


...

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Catch us on WaitingForNextYear.com

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Sunday, December 3, 2017

Episode 099 – Playoff forgotten, Ohio State sent to Cotton

The College Football Playoff pairings were released on Sunday, and despite winning the Big Ten championship, the Ohio State Buckeyes were left out of the national title picture. Instead, they’re headed to the Cotton Bowl to face USC. The guys welcome Josh Poloha of Waiting For Next Year to figure out how Alabama moved up into the fourth playoff spot without playing in a conference title game, whether OSU ever had a realistic chance at getting in after all, and whether factors that weren’t supposed to matter – the potential for Clemson-Alabama III vs. a rematch of last year’s Clemson-Ohio State blowout, the Big Ten’s recent playoff history – actually played a role in determining this year’s field.


...

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Catch us on WaitingForNextYear.com

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Episode 098 – Fight for 4: Bill Bender on Ohio State, Alabama and the College Football Playoff

Four games between top-10 teams in one day! Playoff implications abound! Saturday has all the makings of a great day for college football, but the biggest fight of the weekend could be waged on Sunday morning if perennial powerhouses Ohio State and Alabama are left to scrap for a fourth and final College Football Playoff berth. Bill Bender of the Sporting News is back on the show to help the guys navigate the battlefield. Quality wins? Bad losses? Conference titles? What will sway the selection committee? Do precedents matter? Are any other teams outside the current top four in the mix? Can any of those top four stay in even with a loss? It’s an action-packed – and, at times, contentious! – episode of The Nail.


...

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Catch us on WaitingForNextYear.com

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Episode 097 – Craig Lyndall on The Nail joining WFNY, the Cavs and #SellTheBrowns

As you may have heard, The Nail is joining up with Waiting For Next Year. The guys welcome Craig Lyndall of WFNY to discuss that news, the NFL and Craig's #SellTheBrowns mantra, and the state of the Cavs one month into the NBA season. Are the Celtics an actual threat in the East or another in a long line of media creations stemming from LeBron fatigue? What in God’s name possesses fans to defend Derrick Rose? Plus: Thoughts on Jae Crowder, Jeff Green, Dwyane Wade and the almighty Brooklyn pick.


...

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Episode 096 – Another round of ‘What’s the Deal?’

With two weeks of headlines to catch up on, the guys dust off "What's the Deal?", a fan favorite format from last year. Topics covered in this version include: OSU coming back from the dead in the College Football Playoff picture, the Jerry Jones vs. Roger Goodell feud in the NFL, the Browns, Peyton Manning, Corey Kluber winning the AL Cy Young and early Indians offseason rumblings, and LeBron and the Cavs starting to get it together. Plus, with the recent airing of ESPN's "Nature Boy" documentary and WWE Survivor Series coming up this weekend, Tom shares a story about the time he interviewed Ric Flair, as well as Vince McMahon and Triple H, back in 2004.


...

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Thursday, November 2, 2017

Episode 095 – Beauty & the Least: OSU shines as Browns, Cavs flail

It's been a dismal, dysfunctional week in Cleveland, from the Browns botching the trade deadline as only the Browns can to the Cavs taking their infamous regular season malaise to new depths. Thankfully, Ohio State gave us something to enjoy, as J.T. Barrett delivered an all-time performance in an instant classic victory over Penn State, launching the Buckeyes back into the national title picture and J.T. back into the Heisman race.


...

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Thursday, October 26, 2017

Episode 094 – The Browns and the Nightmare on Lou Groza Boulevard

It’s Halloween weekend, so it’s a fitting time for the guys to finally take on the scariest house of horrors in town: Browns headquarters in Berea. … Plus: A preview of Ohio State’s big challenge Saturday vs. Penn State, J.T. Barrett’s search for a second signature win, #Pac12AfterDark and Halloween costumes.


...

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Episode 093 – Adjusting to basketball season and the new-look Cavs

It's a new season in the NBA, and the Cavs have a lot of new faces as they look to make a run at a fourth straight Finals. The guys discuss the good, bad and ugly from the team's opening night win over Boston, dealing with the growing pains that come from replacing half your rotation, and ignoring the endless noise that will be sure to surround the team with LeBron in the final year of his contract. ... Plus: A few minutes on uniforms (Ohio State, what are you doing?), and a quick peek ahead to OSU-Penn State next week.


...

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Episode 092 – Sifting through the ruins of the Indians’ lost October

It’s the day after the Indians’ ALDS disaster, and the guys are still bummed out. What happened to the bats at the top of the order? Was Corey Kluber in worse shape than we knew? How long before an automated strike zone becomes a reality in Major League Baseball? The guys sift through a lot of questions about what went wrong and where things go now. ... Plus, an extended discussion on one more question for the offseason: Have we seen Chief Wahoo on a major league uniform for the final time?


...

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Episode 091 – Embracing October: Indians-Yankees ALDS preview

The MLB postseason — and all the anxiety that comes with it — is here. The Indians are loaded, and they ended September scorching hot. But October brings unpredictability — and a tough New York Yankees team in the ALDS. The guys discuss the curious setup for the Tribe’s pitching staff, their faith in Terry Francona, the Indians’ myriad lineup options and what to expect from the new Bronx Bombers.


...

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Episode 090 – Photographer Ken Blaze on shooting Cleveland sports

When he’s not dodging Gatorade bottle caps being launched out of the Indians dugout by Trevor Bauer or accidentally getting thumbed in the eye by J.R. Smith courtside in The Q, photographer Ken Blaze is shooting Cleveland’s biggest sports moments for the most recognizable media outlets in the nation. He joins the show to take the guys behind the lens covering the Indians, Cavs and Browns, and share some of his favorite game day experiences.


...

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Episode 089 – Of course we’re talking about the Indians

After a one-week hiatus, the guys are back to pay homage to the Indians’ once-in-a-lifetime winning streak—which climbed to 21 games on Wednesday—and all of the crazy performances and stats it has produced along the way. … Plus: Some honest-to-God optimism for the Browns and well-founded consternation over Ohio State.


...

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Episode 088 – Browns moves, Q renovations and Buckeyes kicking off

The guys discuss a busy day for the Browns – Joe Haden is cut! Cam Erving is traded! Joe Haden is going…to Pittsburgh?! … Plus: Plans to renovate Quicken Loans Arena have been scrapped. Were they even worth it to begin with? And finally, a primer on the Ohio State football team, which begins its 2017 season on Thursday.


...

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Episode 087 – High school football with Bill Tilton of Varsity Chalk Talk

High school football kicks off on Friday night, and Bill Tilton of Varsity Chalk Talk joins the show to set the stage for the new season. Topics covered include: Teams and players to watch in the area and how the OHSAA’s competitive balance measures will shake up the state playoff picture. … Plus: Bill shares his story of leaving the newspaper business to launch his own high school sports information company and talk show, as well as his two cents on the state of the Indians and Cavs.


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Episode 086 – Cavs trade Kyrie Irving to the Celtics

Kyrie Irving has been traded to the Boston Celtics. The guys get friend of the show Mark Meszoros on the line to discuss the blockbuster deal that is bringing Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, the Nets’ unprotected first-round pick and a prospect to Cleveland, sort through the Cavs’ options moving forward, and ponder the ever-present question: What, if anything, does this mean regarding the team’s future with LeBron?


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Episode 085 – Let’s talk about sports video games

With the dog days of summer winding down, the guys take a break from the usual business and bring on friend of the show John Werner to talk sports video games. Enjoy a trip down memory lane with Madden, NHL 94, Golden Tee, NBA Jam, the 2K titles, the glory days of wrestling games and even a few obscure gems (hey there, Super Baseball 2020). … PLUS: "Working" at FuncoLand, the story of a six-year dynasty on NCAA Football 2002 at OU, the NFL Blitz championship belt (and the property damage it led to), and a couple of million dollar ideas for game companies. It’s one of our longest episodes ever, but it’s one of the most fun, too.


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Monday, August 7, 2017

Episode 084 – Browns QBs, Cavs uniforms, Kyrie and sports media narratives

With no single story dominating the Cleveland sports landscape, the guys go around the horn this week. Topics covered include: Brock Osweiler getting the start at QB in the Browns’ preseason opener, what we’re looking forward to in that game, the Cavs’ new uniforms, and sifting through agendas to understand what’s going on with Kyrie and LeBron.


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Monday, July 31, 2017

Episode 083 – Indians at the MLB trade deadline

Mike Hattery, who writes about the Indians at Waiting For Next Year, joins the show to help the guys sort out the aftermath of the MLB trade deadline. Topics covered include: How the returning Joe Smith fits into the Tribe bullpen, additional moves that could be made in August and which other teams around MLB did the most to help their cause on Monday afternoon. Plus: A conversation on how advanced statistics are changing the way we look at baseball and the ways in which the game is covered.


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Episode 082 – Uncle Drew doom: Coming to grips with Kyrie’s trade request

Sigh…It’s never easy with the Cavs, is it? Still reeling from the news on Friday that Kyrie Irving has asked for a trade, the guys sift through the emotional wreckage in the latest chapter of our favorite basketball team’s never-ending soap opera. Topics covered include: What drove Kyrie to wanting out, the unprecedented nature of a teammate walking away from playing with LeBron James, how much the Cavs’ front office dysfunction played a role in this mess, and where the team goes from here.


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Monday, July 17, 2017

Episode 081 – State of the Indians with T.D. Dery

With the MLB All-Star break now in the rearview mirror, friend of the show T.D. Dery is back to take stock of the Indians. The guys look at the back end of the starting rotation, potential lineup upgrades, targets at the trade deadline, Jason Kipnis' interview with Cleveland Scene and more.


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Sunday, July 2, 2017

Episode 080 – Talkin' Tribe with Carlos Baerga

Carlos Baerga was in town for the Lake County Captains’ Grand Slam 5K race, and he took some time to join the guys at Classic Park to talk about the ’90s Indians coming of age, the parallels he sees between those teams and today’s Tribe, and passing along lessons he learned during his career to the next generation of players.


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Episode 079 – Help (still) wanted in Cavs front office as the NBA gets to work

The draft has come and gone, two bonafide superstars have been traded, and free agency officially begins at midnight on Friday night. And yet 10 days after letting GM David Griffin go, the Cavs’ bizarre dance with Chauncey Billups to lead their front office drags on. The guys ponder what’s going on, whether a Plan B even exists and what’s happening around the league while the Cavs try to get their house in order. .. Plus: An honest discussion about Fox Sports’ decision to cut its online writing staff, and how you can donate to Travis’ ride with Pelotonia to raise money for cancer research.


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Monday, June 19, 2017

Episode 078 – Happy anniversary, now say goodbye: Griff gone from Cavs

On the one-year anniversary of the Cavs winning the NBA championship, the unthinkable has happened as the team has officially parted ways with GM David Griffin. The guys convene an emergency podcast to make sense of the Cavs sending the architect of their title team on his way to future endeavors (and mostly just vent for 25 minutes).


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Episode 077 – Cavs fight like hell, but fall in the Finals

Two nights removed from the end of the Finals, the guys give a spirited send-off to the Cavs’ run as the reigning NBA champions. Topics covered include: the Cavs’ historic offensive performance in Game 4 even with the series likely out of reach, chaotic moments defining the last two games, Golden State needing Kevin Durant more to beat the Cavs than Durant needed Golden State to win a title, and an appreciation for the Cavs’ core over the past three years as we head into a summer of uncertainty.


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Thursday, June 8, 2017

Episode 076 – Confronting reality with the Cavs on the brink

With the Cavs on the verge of being swept in The Finals by Golden State, the guys begin to look ahead to an uncertain, unsettling future for the team in the wake of what has been an abrupt and demoralizing series.


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Episode 075 – It's Finally time: Legacies on the line in Cavs-Warriors III

After nearly a full year of anticipation, it's time. With Cavs-Warriors III beginning Thursday night, the guys discuss what has become arguably the best rivalry in sports, who has the most at stake in this year's Finals, and how the Larry O'Brien Trophy will be won.


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Episode 074 – Justin Rowan on the Cavs and Kyrie Irving's 42-point night in the ECF

Justin Rowan, writer for Fear the Sword and co-host of The Chase Down podcast, is back on the show as the guys salute Kyrie Irving for a 42-point performance on Tuesday night that put the Cavs back in control of the Eastern Conference Finals. We also start peeking ahead to Cavs-Warriors, Part 3.


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Episode 073 – Cavs-Celtics: It’s clobberin’ time in the Eastern Conference Finals

On the eve of the Eastern Conference Finals, the guys ponder what, if anything, the Celtics can do to stay competitive in this series, how the Cavs will look to take away Isaiah Thomas at one end of the floor and get Kevin Love more involved at the other, and whether Ty Lue gets his proper due as an NBA coach.


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Episode 072 – LeBron, Cavs complete a surgical sweep of Toronto

With an alley-oop off the backboard from Kyrie to LeBron 3 minutes into Game 1, the Cavs were on their way to dismantling the Raptors, and they never relented en route to a decisive and dominant four-game sweep. The guys discuss LeBron’s transcendent play through the first two rounds, the Cavs’ switch officially having been flipped, and what’s ahead after the team’s next lengthy layoff.


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Sunday, April 30, 2017

Episode 071 – Another Browns draft roller coaster; Cavs-Raptors ready for the real East Finals

Another NFL Draft is in the books, and as usually is the case, the Browns gave us no shortage of stuff to talk about. The guys discuss whether it was the right move to trade down from No. 12 and draft Jabrill Peppers, DeShone Kizer vs. the rest of this year’s QB class, and other notable picks around the league. … Plus: What to watch for when the Cavs play the Raptors in what might be their biggest challenge in the Eastern Conference.


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Monday, April 24, 2017

Episode 070 – Kurt Angle on his return to WWE

In a special episode of The Nail, Kurt Angle details his long road back to WWE after a decade of addictions to pain medication and alcohol threatened his life and livelihood. Angle also discusses whether he would be satisfied with his career if he never wrestles another match for the company, how WWE's women's division has taken off in recent years, and his work behind the scenes sharing advice with a new generation of superstars.


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Episode 069 – Cavs head to Indiana (mostly) in control

With the Cavs heading to Indiana looking to finish off the Pacers, Mark Meszoros is back on the show to help us get ready for Game 3. Will the Cavs throw down the hammer over the next two games, or will they let the Pacers hang around and send the series back to Cleveland? Other topics covered: Overcoming fourth quarter issues, Ty Lue’s adjustments through two games, Kevin Love wrecking Indiana in the post, and the Celtics and Raptors having their hands full in their respective series.


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Friday, April 14, 2017

Episode 068 – It’s showtime, folks. Are the Cavs ready to #DefendtheLand?

Whether they’re ready or not, the Cavs begin their NBA title defense on Saturday when they open the playoffs vs. Indiana. The guys sift through a strange and mostly lackluster regular season and figure out what, if anything, can be applied going forward. Can the Cavs stay focused long enough to handle their business in the early rounds? Does anyone on Indiana scare you besides Paul George? Which team is the Cavs’ biggest threat in the East? And for that matter, does a threat in the East even exist?


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Thursday, April 6, 2017

Episode 067 – John Hutchison of Burning River Baseball is talkin' Tribe

Baseball is back, baby, and the Indians have given Cleveland all sorts of reasons to be excited. John Arthur Hutchison, a contributing writer for Burning River Baseball, is back on the show to bring us up to speed on all things Tribe for 2017. Topics covered include: offseason roster moves, the emergence of Yandy Diaz, the return of Michael Brantley, Francisco Lindor’s star power, Andrew Miller’s role in the bullpen, Cody Allen’s underappreciated greatness and lots more.


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Episode 066 – Blue Jackets national anthem singer Leo Welsh on the CBJ, NHL (and Browns)

With the Columbus Blue Jackets putting the finishing touches on their best regular season in franchise history, Leo Welsh, the team’s national anthem singer since 2003, joins the show to bring us up to speed on all things CBJ and NHL. Topics covered include: slimmed-down goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, rookie phenom defenseman Zach Werenski, former Lake Erie Monsters playing key roles in Columbus, and the NHL’s bizarre playoff seedings. … Plus, the guys wrap up the show by hitting Leo with a few Browns questions on the offseason, the draft and the front office.


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Monday, March 20, 2017

Episode 065 – March Madness, Cavs caught in crosshairs of NBA rest resentment

The guys are back to talk about all the big matchups from the opening weekend of March Madness, including Villanova vs. Wisconsin, Duke vs. South Carolina, and AT&T Uverse vs. Raycom Media. (Come back, CBS!) … Plus, the NBA's problem of resting stars and how ESPN, the network that invented “Embrace Debate,” blew a chance to have a discussion of actual back-and-forth substance about it during Cavs-Clippers on Saturday night.


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Episode 064 – MAC tournament crash course with Jason Arkley of the Athens Messenger

It’s championship week in college basketball, and that means the Mid-American Conference is bringing its brand of mid-major hoops back to The Q. With nearly every team coming to town having a realistic shot of cutting down the nets on Saturday night, Jason Arkley, the OU beat writer for the Athens Messenger, is back on the show to bring us up to speed on all things #MACtion. … Plus: With a disjointed regular season finally winding down, the guys lament the endless wait to see the Cavs at full strength and start thinking ahead to what their playoff rotation could look like.


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Saturday, February 25, 2017

Episode 063 – Flat-out better: Reality sets in at NBA trade deadline as Cavs tower over East

Regardless of your geographic beliefs, the Cavs remain high atop the mountain in the Eastern Conference after the NBA trade deadline, and they could have more reinforcements on the way in the form of Deron Williams and Andrew Bogut. The guys discuss whether the Celtics did the right thing by passing on a proposed trade for Paul George and how the Cavs’ and Warriors’ dominance has deterred teams from making deadline deals. Plus: A look at the Cavs’ surprisingly effective super-sized second unit and some proposed rules changes for Major League Baseball.


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Friday, February 17, 2017

Episode 062 – A long, strange trip: Tales from the road as the Cavs hit the break

Beers on the beach in Mexico, cab rides in Austin and a surprisingly eventful first half of the season for the Cavs. There’s a little something for everyone on this week’s episode, as Travis returns to the States and Tom takes his turn traveling. With the Cavs hitting the All-Star break, the guys get into the highs and lows of the season, the storylines (legitimate and contrived) making headlines, and the joys (or, for some, agony) of listening to Bill Walton and Dick Vitale call an NBA game.


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Episode 061 – Joel Hammond of the Indians on managing the Tribe’s social media

With nearly 1.4 million likes on Facebook, 675,000 followers on Twitter and another 322,000 followers on Instagram, the Indians are as strong on social media as they are in the AL standings. This week, the guys welcome one of the masterminds behind the team’s social success: Joel Hammond, assistant communications director. Joel takes you behind the curtain on how the Tribe has developed its colorful online personality, how to push the limits of creativity without going over the line, and how his crew deals with wise guys making 3-1 jokes.


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Monday, January 30, 2017

Episode 060 – All-Star Games and a changing of the guard in the booth

With last week’s announcement that Cleveland will host the 2019 MLB All-Star Game, the guys talk about what getting the game means for the future of Wahoo and the Cavs’ hopes for following the Tribe's lead by renovating The Q and landing the NBA All-Star Game, as well as their memories of Cleveland’s all-star doubleheader in 1997. … Plus, as Brent Musburger becomes the latest big name in sports broadcasting to move on, a look at what has suddenly become a very different landscape in the world of play-by-play.


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Episode 059 – Ready to rumble: LeBron is angry, WWE Monday Night Raw hits Cleveland

After falling for the fifth time in seven games, LeBron aired out his frustrations with the state of the lower half of the Cavs roster. The guys take a look at what's been going wrong the past few weeks, what can be fixed (or, in LeBron terms, how they can "get a [bleeping] playmaker") and when it might happen. ... Plus: With the usually great Royal Rumble coming up on Sunday, WWE brings out the big names for Raw in Cleveland on Monday night.


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Saturday, January 14, 2017

Episode 058 – Kevin Kleps of Crain’s on Q renovations, Browns in Berea, Indians tickets

Kevin Kleps of Crain’s Cleveland Business is back on the show to talk sports biz headlines. The guys dive into the proposed renovations at Quicken Loans Arena and the future of stadiums in Cleveland. Plus: The Browns’ stalled march to Columbus, the Chargers’ ill-advised relocation to Los Angeles, and the Indians’ influx of cash from a new minority owner and a deep postseason run.


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek

Thursday, January 5, 2017

Episode 057 – GM David Griffin ‘MacGyvers’ his way into another Cavs roster upgrade

With 2017 upon us, the guys were ready to throw out some predictions for the new year as well as a few resolutions for Cleveland’s teams. But 90 minutes before it was time to press record on Thursday night, Cavs GM David Griffin went ahead and crossed item No. 1 off the list in a big way by acquiring Kyle Korver from the Hawks. The guys discuss Griff’s latest bit of roster resourcefulness and what other moves could be in the works, as well as their 2017 outlooks for the Indians, Browns and college football.


...

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play Music | Stitcher

Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast

Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast 

Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com

Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek