

The Al Galdi Podcast
Blue Wire
Longtime Washington, D.C. sports personality Al Galdi takes an in-depth look at D.C.-area sports every weekday, giving hard-hitting analysis on - and having some fun with - the Commanders, Nationals, Orioles, Capitals, Wizards, Terrapins, Hoyas and more.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 7, 2023 • 1h 1min
Episode 627: Ron Rivera addresses offense being behind defense at training camp and much more
12:36 - Commanders: react to and discussion of comments from head coach Ron Rivera at post-practice press conferences at Commanders Training Camp on things getting chippy between the defense and offense, receiver Curtis Samuel "tightening up," the defense being ahead of the offense, how offensive players are taking to assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, what Rivera is thinking regarding playing key players in the team's preseason opener at the Cleveland Browns and more32:22 - Capitals: thoughts on the Caps signing winger Tom Wilson to a seven-year, $45.5 million contract extension40:26 - Nationals: analysis of the Nats' three-game sweep at the Cincinnati Reds in a series in which Nats relievers combined for 11 1/3 scoreless innings and right fielder Lane Thomas was an offensive force52:13 - Orioles: breakdown of the Orioles' three-game sweep of the New York Mets in a series that featured Orioles relievers combining for 10 scoreless inningsVisit PaulsonAndNace.com and tell Paulson & Nace that Al Galdi sent ya!Visit TurfCenterLawns.com and tell Turf Center Lawns that Al Galdi sent ya! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 4, 2023 • 53min
Episode 626: conversation with Commanders insider Michael Phillips and more
19:09 - Guest: longtime Commanders insider Michael Phillips, formerly of The Richmond Times-Dispatch, on the team's fanbase being reenergized by the sale of the team to the Josh Harris group, where we're headed in the stadium and name situations, head coach Ron Rivera in the 2023 season coaching for his job, the Commanders' revamped offensive line, how quick Rivera might be to bench quarterback Sam Howell, the extent to which assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy has say-so in the team's quarterback situation, the likelihood of the Commanders' defense in the 2023 season being very good and more46:26 - Orioles: analysis of a 6-1 win at the Toronto Blue Jays that featured an impressive outing by starting pitcher Jack Flaherty in his Orioles debutVisit PaulsonAndNace.com and tell Paulson & Nace that Al Galdi sent ya! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 3, 2023 • 53min
Episode 625: Ron Rivera addresses how Sam Howell and offense are doing at training camp and more
12:53 - Commanders: reaction to and discussion of comments from head coach Ron Rivera at a pre-practice press conference at Commanders Training Camp on how quarterback Sam Howell and the offense are doing, including the proper way to view the offense's mixed camp so far, what Howell needs to work on and the significance of getting the ball in the hands of playmakers36:14 - Nationals: thoughts on the Nats optioning second baseman Luis Garcia to Triple-A Rochester and requesting unconditional release waivers for outfielder Corey Dickerson...and analysis of a 3-2 walk-off win over the Milwaukee Brewers in a game that featured the Nats overcoming a 2-1 ninth-inning deficit off a strong outing by starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore46:49 - Orioles: breakdown of a 4-1 loss at the Toronto Blue Jays despite a good outing by starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez...and why closer Felix Bautista is a candidate for American League Cy Young off him winning American League Reliever Of The Month for a third consecutive monthVisit InsuranceBMC.com and tell BMC Insurance that Al Galdi sent ya!Visit CateringByUptown.com and tell Catering By it Uptown that Al Galdi sent ya! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 2, 2023 • 1h 11min
Episode 624: in-depth Commanders breakdown with NFL analytics pioneer Warren Sharp and more
16:46 - Guest: Warren Sharp of SharpFootballAnalysis.com with a deep dive on the Commanders, including the opportunity for the team to gain competitive advantages in becoming big on analytics under new managing partner Josh Harris, the outlook for the Commanders' offense in the 2023 season and where head coach Ron Rivera has gone wrong with Washington's offense - including the Commanders' flawed offensive approach in the 2022 season53:37 - Nationals: thoughts on a 6-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers that featured starting pitcher Josiah Gray allowing five runs in 3 2/3 innings01:00:41 - Orioles: react to the O's trading for St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jack Flaherty...and analysis of a 13-3 win at the Toronto Blue JaysVisit PaulsonAndNace.com and tell Paulson & Nace that Al Galdi sent ya!Visit TurfCenterLawns.com and tell Turf Center Lawns that Al Galdi sent ya! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 1, 2023 • 1h 4min
Episode 623: Terry McLaurin opens up about Sam Howell and Commanders' QB instability and more
16:30 - Commanders: react to linebacker Jamin Davis dealing with a reckless-driving conviction for going 114 miles per hour in a 45-mile-per-hour zone...and a discussion about edge defenders Montez Sweat and Chase Young off comments from Sweat and head coach Ron Rivera at post-practice press conferences at Commanders Training Camp35:19 - Commanders: react to and discussion of comments from receiver Terry McLaurin at a post-practice press conference at Commanders Training Camp on quarterback Sam Howell, the extreme quarterback instability that McLaurin has dealt with, the sale of the team to the Josh Harris group and more47:44 - Nationals: analysis of the Nats trading third baseman Jeimer Candelario to the Chicago Cubs and of a 5-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers58:34 - Orioles: breakdown of a 4-2 win at the Toronto Blue Jays that featured a strong outing by starting pitcher Kyle Gibson and a five-out save by ace reliever Felix BautistaVisit InsuranceBMC.com and tell BMC Insurance that Al Galdi sent ya!Visit CateringByUptown.com and tell Catering By it Uptown that Al Galdi sent ya! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 31, 2023 • 1h 25min
Episode 622: Commanders' fan revival erupts, Ron Rivera acknowledges possible name change and more
18:28 - Commanders: react to the joy of fans over the sale of the team manifesting via large crowds at Commanders Training Camp, including key comments from head coach Ron Rivera at post-practice press conferences - could the team actually have a true home-field advantage at FedExField in the 2023 season?...and a discussion of a potential change from the name Commanders and a potential return to the name Redskins off comments from Rivera and team president Jason Wright43:01 - Commanders: deep dive on running back Brian Robinson Jr.'s 2022 rookie season off comments from Robinson and head coach Ron Rivera at post-training-camp-practice press conferences, including Robinson saying of his rookie season, "Not one time I felt like Brian Robinson..."...and are we poised to see a major increase in pass-catching production from Commanders running backs with Eric Bieniemy as the team's assistant head coach/offensive coordinator?56:45 - Nationals: analysis of the Nats losing three of four games at the New York Mets with a particular emphasis on potential Nats trade chips regarding the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline01:10:15 - Orioles: breakdown of the O's winning two of three games against the New York Yankees...and thoughts on how the O's should approach the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline off comments from Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike EliasVisit PaulsonAndNace.com and tell Paulson & Nace that Al Galdi sent ya!Visit TurfCenterLawns.com and tell Turf Center Lawns that Al Galdi sent ya! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 28, 2023 • 47min
Episode 621: Ron Rivera says Chase Young is "light years ahead of where he was last training camp" and more
12:08 - Commanders: thoughts on a bipartisan bill that could pave the way for the Commanders' next stadium being on the RFK Stadium land in Washington, D.C...and react to and discussion of comments from head coach Ron Rivera and edge defender Chase Young at post-training-camp-practice press conferences on the great turnout by fans at the first open practice of 2023 Commanders Training camp, Young feeling much better with his right knee, Young's offseason work with Ohio State associate head coach and defensive-line coach Larry Johnson and more28:02 - Commanders: react to and discussion of comments from quarterback Jacoby Brissett and head coach Ron Rivera at post-training-camp-practice press conferences on Brissett's approach to both helping and competing with quarterback Sam Howell, how much the Commanders having taken Howell in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft as opposed to an earlier round should matter, how the Commanders' revamped offensive line is doing, Samuel Cosmi's transition from right tackle to right guard, is receiver Dyami Brown poised for a breakout season? and the potential for more pass-catching production from Commanders running backs38:43 - Nationals: breakdown of a 2-1 rain-delayed loss at the New York Mets that happened despite starting pitcher Josiah Gray tossing six scoreless inningsVisit PaulsonAndNace.com and tell Paulson & Nace that Al Galdi sent ya! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 27, 2023 • 54min
Episode 620: Ron Rivera admits to "audition" for Josh Harris, Sam Howell addresses QB1 status and more
14:56 - Commanders: react to and discussion of comments from head coach Ron Rivera at a post-training-camp-practice press conference on the presence of managing partner Josh Harris at the first full-team practice of 2023 Commanders Training Camp, Rivera feeling that the 2023 season "is a bit of an audition" for him with Harris, what has stood out to Rivera in his conversations with Harris and more25:01 - Commanders: react to and discussion of comments from head coach Ron Rivera and quarterback Sam Howell at post-training-camp-practice press conferences on how Howell is doing in being positioned to be the team's QB1, Howell's mindset on his situation, what Howell worked on during the offseason, the potential for the Commanders' 2023 offense to be heavy on RPOs and more36:06 - Commanders: react to and discussion of comments from head coach Ron Rivera at a post-training-camp-practice press conference on edge defender Chase Young no longer wearing a brace on his right knee, why the team signed unrestricted-free-agent kicker Michael Badgley and more41:46 - Nationals: analysis of a 5-4 walk-off win over the National League-worst Colorado Rockies in a game in which the Nats overcame a 4-1 ninth-inning deficit49:02 - Orioles: breakdown of a 6-4 loss at the Philadelphia Phillies as starting pitcher Kyle Bradish had a bad outing for the first time in nine startsVisit InsuranceBMC.com and tell BMC Insurance that Al Galdi sent ya!Follow @WSHOnTheDaily on Instagram! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 26, 2023 • 56min
Episode 619: Ron Rivera admits "I've got a lot to prove" to Josh Harris and much more
14:49 - Commanders: react to and discussion of training-camp press-conference comments from head coach Ron Rivera on the excitement generated by the sale of the team to the Josh Harris group; the pressure to win in the 2023 season, including Rivera admitting "I've got a lot to prove" to Harris and that Harris has given Rivera expectations for the 2023 season; and where Rivera stands on analytics given that Harris is a big believer in them32:57 - Commanders: analysis of the Commanders signing unrestricted-free-agent receiver Byron Pringle...and react to and discussion of training-camp press-conference comments from head coach Ron Rivera on quarterback Sam Howell, assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, the debate over the pay for NFL running backs and more44:48 - Nationals: thoughts on a wild 6-5 win over the National League-worst Colorado Rockies in a game that featured two rain delays that totaled two hours and 16 minutes but also the Nats overcoming a 5-2 eighth-inning deficit 49:59 - Orioles: breakdown of a 4-3 walk-off loss at the Philadelphia Phillies in a game in which O's manager Brandon Hyde went with reliever Yennier Cano - and not ace reliever Felix Bautista - in what ended up being a Phillies two-run ninthVisit PaulsonAndNace.com and tell Paulson & Nace that Al Galdi sent ya!Visit TurfCenterLawns.com and tell Turf Center Lawns that Al Galdi sent ya! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 25, 2023 • 57min
Episode 618: chat with former Redskins cornerback Fred Smoot on Commanders' secondary and more
14:53 - Commanders: react to the Commanders reportedly agreeing on a contract with unrestricted-free-agent kicker Michael Badgley to provide competition for Joey Slye...and thoughts on the Commanders releasing left guard Andrew Norwell21:04 - Guest: Commanders analyst and former Redskins cornerback Fred Smoot on the team now having new ownership in the Josh Harris group, the potential for the 2023 Commanders secondary to be the team's best secondary in decades, what the team has in corner Emmanuel Forbes, who will be the team's top slot corner in the 2023 season?, what to expect from Sam Howell as QB1? and more41:57 - Nationals: analysis of a 10-6 loss to the National League-worst Colorado Rockies50:20 - Orioles: breakdown of a 3-2 win at the Philadelphia Phillies despite the O's blowing a 2-1 eighth-inning leadVisit InsuranceBMC.com and tell BMC Insurance that Al Galdi sent ya!Visit CateringByUptown.com and tell Catering By it Uptown that Al Galdi sent ya! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.


