The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 01/08/2021 - HOUR 1 - Upsets, Allen-Mahomes, Brady, Browns

Episode Date: January 8, 2021

Colin talks about possible upsets this NFL playoff weekendSome people would take Josh Allen over Patrick MahomesTom Brady was always going to win the divorce with the PatriotsThe reason why the Steelers don't take the Browns seriouslyGuest: Albert Breer Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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One hour from now, our Blazing Five playoff picks. A couple I really, really like. We've had amazing shows. history. Really amazing shows. I don't know if we can top of it. A lot of good things happening. It's been a very wild birthday week for you, Colin. It is crazy. You know, I was thinking about this. Doctors just want to know what the problem is so they can solve it.

What they don't want is mystery. As a parent, my kids aren't perfect. I just want to know what the problem is. I just don't want mystery. Mystery worries me. Why is he or she getting bad grades? Why is he not listening to Mom? Mysteries the enemy. Okay. Pilots. Okay, we got a storm ahead.

What you don't want is surprises when you're at 33,000 feet. Surprises are bad for doctors. Wall Street. Prime example. We saw the stock market, the Dow Jones go up significantly during that chaos in Washington, D.C. Like, because the feeling was somebody was leaving who was. trouble. Somebody that's coming in perhaps is less trouble. I mean, again, unknown concerns everybody. There's going to be an upset this weekend, probably two. Last two years, wildcard weekend,

75 percent, six of eight, road teams of one. So I'm going to give you two games, which feel like to me, we could have an upset. And there's a lot of unknown here. Rams at Seattle. The Rams have issues. But there's a lot of known Cam Acres running back. Their best back. Oh, he's back now. Cooper Cup, best receiver. Oh, he's back now. Andrew Whitworth, left tackle. Really good. Oh, he's back now. Sean McVeigh. Well-schemed offense every week. Oh, I get that. Aaron Donald. Jalen Ramsey. I know everything about the Rams, except if Jared Gough will play. and I'm kind of okay if he only played sparingly because I think John Wolford and moving in the Rams offense, the pocket, will have kind of a Jalen Hertz, Tase him feel for a week.

It'll be kind of disruptive. Seattle, though, I go back to mystery. Seattle's offense is a mess. I can't figure it out. They're healthy. Seattle's defense, very dependent on Jamal Adams making plays. I don't know if he's healthy. Seattle this weekend, I don't know what I'm getting.

What's wrong with their offense? The running backs are healthy. Russ is healthy. The offensive lines healthy. Lockett, D.K. Metcalfe are healthy. And it's been at best slightly below average. Greg Kosell. I asked him yesterday, what's wrong with Seattle's offense?

I think it starts with Russell Wilson. And now they're trying to figure out what they should be, Colin. because obviously the first six or seven weeks, it was less Russ Cook. He cooked. He's not been very good over the last month or so. So the past game right now was kind of the perfect negative storm. Wilson's not seeing things clearly.

The O-line struggles at times to protect. Wilson now perceives pressure. The result is there's no rhythm. There's kind of an undisciplined randomness to Wilson's play right now. Randomness. I don't like randomness going into the playoffs. I think the Rams can and will win this game. I thought about it.

Randomness. Nobody can explain it. We don't like our doctors, our pilots, our Wall Street guys. They don't like randomness. That's what scares them. Not problems. Oh, here's a problem. Let me solve it.

Here's a storm. Here's a sickness. Here's a market fluctuation. As long as I get my arms around it. This weekend with the Seahawks, way too much randomness. Last three times, Rams have played Seattle. they have sacked Russell Wilson 16 times and it's passerating 77. I like the Rams.

Here's another one. Tampa Bay at Washington is interesting. So Tom Brady's not playing well against good teams, playoff teams, or at night this year. I don't have an answer. But the last two times a team has won a division with a losing record. they're the most disrespected team in the playoffs and they're 2-0. I get a veteran head coach.

I get a veteran quarterback. And I get the best defensive line arguably in the NFL playoffs. And here's the thing that as much as I like Brady, a lot of Brady's success had to do with dominating the AFC East, getting a buy, then playing at home. You win that game. You're in the AFC championship. But Brady's last six road playoff games, he's two and four, seven touchdowns, 10 picks.

Keep your eye on Washington. They, Ron Rivera, and he did it with Cam, and he did it this year with Washington. Two things he does. He makes the defense, especially in the box, better, and he does it quickly. And the second thing is, he loves physicality. What do 43-year-old quarterbacks not like? Getting hit. If Tom is forced off his spot, he's uncomfortable.

I think Washington makes this game really, really ugly. So the Rams and the Washington football team keep your eye on them. Because we're going to have upsets. Six of the eight road teams, 75% last two years have won these games. So this is This is kind of interesting So according to some executives Some in league circles

would take Josh Allen over Patrick Mahomes long term Come on! Quote, I've talked to very knowledgeable people in league circles who will quietly say if they had the choose between the two they take Allen. He's larger, more durable, just as good in arm. People think Patrick Mahomes is in a class by himself. There are many of us that think Josh Allen is in the same class. So I'm just going to throw this out to you. I don't take a lot from the NFL Combine, but it's something. That's why they all go. Josh Allen went to the Combine, Patrick Mahomes, and they do all those measurements.

hand size they tell me matters. Josh Allen's were bigger. Quarterback ball velocity. Allen. Height Allen. 40-yard dash Allen. Vertical leap, Allen. Arm strength, they're both great.

Let's not quibble over who's smarter. Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk. They're both fine. Josh Allen went higher in the draft. But the difference is how they entered the league. So the way Mahomes entered the league was very much. much like Aaron Rogers. He got to sit and watch some football. He was behind a winning veteran quarterback. He went to a very stable organization, the Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs.

And he got to learn. And then immediately he had weapons. He had players around him. That's Mahomes. Andy Reed, good weapons. Alex Smith sat behind them. Josh Allen entered the league much more like Troy Aikman. Oh, you've got to play year one. We don't have. a ton to play with. We're not very good. We're trying with a new coach to sort of change the culture, which has been a losing culture for the last seven, eight years. That's Troy Aikman. And two to three years later, you looked at Aikman and went, oh, oh, he may be better than like the Dan Marino everybody talked about is the next great talent. So how do you enter the league?

Mahomes and Aaron Rogers entered the league very favorably. Veteran coach, smart history, winning culture, sit behind a veteran, learn the league a little bit, then inserted into a team that's got nice weapons and cultural and divisional momentum. Aikman and Josh Allen entered the league. You're playing year one. There's no mentor. We need you to win. The team stinks.

head coach or cultural momentum, go for it. But the minute Aikman got an Emmett and an Irvin, oh my, oh my. And the minute Josh Allen got Stefan Diggs, have you seen his numbers? They're like blowing through the rest of the league. So this idea that, and I said this a couple days ago, that Mahomes is in some sort of Michael Jordan LeBron Galaxy where it's like MJ's there. And I mean, we all argue about number two. half of you think it's Janice and he can't win playoff series.

Half you think it's Anthony Davis. I kind of agree maybe, but I mean, he was invisible for seven years in New Orleans. Couldn't win a playoff series. I don't think that's the case here. I think Mahomes and Josh Allen and increasingly Justin Herbert, if he gets the right coach, I think they're all in kind of the same category. Allen was drafted higher than Patrick Mahomes. Combined, not close.

Finally, like Aikman, second, third year of his career, finally Josh Allen has some cultural coaching momentum, gets a star receiver, and look what they've done. The hottest quarterback in the league is Aaron Rogers in the NFC and Josh Allen in the AFC. Remember what Greg Kosell said? Just a couple of days ago, we asked him, Trevor Lawrence, is this once-in a decade quarterback out of Clemson? Here's what Greg Kosell said.

What is really fascinating is the increase in precise ballpark. placement because, you know, we know what he is in just in terms of a physical talent, but he is now making throws that require pace, touch, talent level? You know, it's funny. And, you know, you and I'll start talking about college quarterback soon. But what we always hear is Trevor Lawrence is a generational talent. Well, I have no problem saying this. And if people think I'm wrong, fine.

But Josh Allen's more talented than Trevor Lawrence. Okay, that is. And Trevor Lawrence was much more. highly acclaimed than Patrick Mahomes out of college. All right, here we go. So Drew Bledsoe, the former Patriot, talking about Brady and how much he is savoring winning the divorce, plus our blazing five,

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Listen to cultivating her space on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. So Drew Bledsoe's friends with Tommy Brady and he calls him Tommy. That's when you know they're friends. He said about Brady going to the playoffs. He goes, I think Tom was smart enough to see the writing on the wall. They'd done everything they could to stay on top. And then Tom saw the salary cap issues. I think part of him thought, okay, I'm going to make a move here before we go sideways. The best surfers know when to jump on and off the waves. And they call this seeing around corners. The best CEOs do it.

The best parents do it. The best athletes do it. LeBron, by the way, you spot trends and you spot problems before they exist. It's what Steve Jobs did at Apple. He created a phone that you didn't even know you needed and now you can't live without it. That's why he was a billionaire. He was a genius. He saw a need for something before society had it.

LeBron saw an aging de-way. They've been to the finals four straight times. Boom, he goes to a younger Kyrie. And, you know, it's seeing around corners. And Brady was always going to win this divorce. And the reason is simple. It's always easier for a free agent star quarterback to find a safe landing spot than it is to find a Deshaun Watson or a Tom Brady in the draft.

Belichick has drafted 10 quarterbacks after he drafted Brady. One is kind of good. Garapolo. Nine weren't. One is good, Jimmy Garoppolo, but can't stay healthy. And according to Chris Mortensen, the Niners are moving off him. That's the success. So it's always easier. Just think if Deshaun Watson, who reportedly wants to be traded and they're not going to let it.

But if he could, it was a free agent. Not just because of his talent. Kirk Cousins had the choice of teams. Minnesota. He picked them because he's like, oh, yeah, they have all these good receivers and backs. Peyton Manning in Denver. Oh, they've got, remember they had Eric Decker, Demarius Thomas. Oh, they got good receipt.

Tom Brady and 43-year-old Brady. Deshaun Watson, the Colts, the Bears. There's always like Washington. There's always really good teams that are just missing the guy. That's easy. So Brady was always going to win this. It was the degree in which he'd win it. But, you know, I look at this and the reality with Brady, his genius,

was in August of 2019 because that's when in August, he and his agent, Don Yee, changed his contract. So he was unfranchisable. You couldn't franchise him. So Brady saw this over a year before he left. He saw this. You're not going to be able to franchise me. And then again, it is a real talent.

Most people, they get into a job. It's a nice job. And they don't see the problems coming. and I are in media. It changes every year. When we got in this business podcasting, there wasn't even a Facebook or a Twitter. There's new platforms developing. Now there's Parlor, which is Twitter, but leans right. That's happened in the last year. So it's a constant move toward which platform's growing, which platform shrinking. That's not that we're smart. It's almost like you have to. If you don't watch and see around the corners, you just, your stuff dries up real fast in this

business. So when you look at Brady as Drew Bledso, says Tom saw the issues. He saw the salary cap. He saw them losing coaches. He saw Nikiel Harry, by the way, in camp. He watched Nikiel Harry in camp and went, okay, this isn't great. He can't get away from people. So, congrats to Tommy. We're friends, too. Joy with the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. Tommy Brady. So the reports that Deshawn Watson could request a trade from Houston continue to pick up Steam. Team reportedly has no interest in letting him go, according to the Houston Chronicle, under no circumstances. Will the Texans trade to Sean Watson, even if he asks for one?

Writer John McLean added that the Texans aren't foolish enough to trade Watson. He's not going anywhere. Apparently, Watson is reportedly very unhappy, extremely unhappy with his lack of involvement in hiring of the GM, Nick Casario. Watson wanted the organization to at least listen to him as well as the locker room's voice and given an opportunity to meet with the candidates. He's also not spoken to the Texans' front office in the last few days, though they have tried to call him. Now, in general, I don't really think that it matters what your quarterback thinks or any of the players think about who you're hiring.

Aaron Rogers is always unhappy. Right. But the Texans owner, Cal McNair, did tell Watson he would be involved in the process and asked to provide feedback during the team's search for GM and head coach. And he didn't. That's my problem. Yeah. Don't make promises.

You're not going to keep and then get upset when the people you made promises to are mad at you for not keeping them. Yeah. That's not how works. Yeah. And I also think, Deshawn's felt like the last two years as a little bit of a life preserver for a play. Yeah.

So I think, I don't think you ever, this is not the NBA. You don't owe your quarterback. Like when Aaron Rogers complains, it's like, dude, you are winning 10 games a year. Your front office is not that bad. So, I mean, it's like mostly Aaron has been given really good support. Big Ben complains. Dude, your organization like drafts star receivers every draft. In Deshawn's case, it's been so man over, they've been mismanaged.

Yeah. That I do feel like you, even when LeBron wanted more of a say with the Miami Heat, it's like, Spolstra, Pat Riley, they're pretty good at this stuff. what Deshawn's saying is, listen, we're incompetent at this stuff. I would at least like us saying it. And it's not that Deshaun may have the answer, but my issue is do not tell him you're going to involve him and then don't. It's on you.

It's just like when coaches go to players like we're not going to trade you. Why would you say that? Yeah, we may have to. Well, you may have to trade him. And then you look like a liar and then the relationship deteriorates because you made a promise that you can't keep. And this is a keepable promise. You can solicit Deshawn Watson's advice or what he's leaning towards and then not do it.

But don't say you're going to ask him and then don't ask him. I'm 100% on Deshawn's side. Don't say it. It's your fault. You opened the door. A door that didn't have to be open. I'm with you. Because a star may not be there in three years.

And that coach may. Right. So you do have to think bigger picture. You have to think of the entire organization. And a lot of people, if Ben and Aaron Rogers aren't happy, they need to be, they need to be, realistic. The Packers and Steelers are well-run. Right. But again, it's different. We feel like we're supported. We have good people around us. But if you work at a company and you feel like we're poorly run, I'm the star, then I get, I do think you have a right to at least go to the

owner of front office and say, can I have a suggestion? Because I won big in college and I'm saving the franchise. Could we at least interview this guy? And the owner says, yeah, and you don't, then I'm ticked. It's, the Texans have been all the Sean Watson. Jay J.J. Watt, but mostly Dishon Watson, and he has a right to be furious with him at this point. And it's disappointing because we all know what Dishon Watson is capable of. Like, imagine him

in a stable situation. Like you said, with the Patriots. Well, how about imagine him with the Bears defense? Or Washington. With Washington's defense. David Montgomery, Matt Nagy, Alan Robinson, who's the guy that got Tariq Cohen is back? Yeah, put Dishon Watson in Chicago. that is a fascinating.

That's a Super Bowl. Put the Sean Watson with the Niners. Yeah. Yeah, no. It's Chicago feels like a real shot here. You know, because Chicago's one of those. They've gotten a lot of draft stuff right. It's just a quarterback thing they've done. So the Browns have been working virtually to get ready for their playoff game due to the COVID test this week. And Baker is not using their lack of practice as an excuse. Just adapt and play. I mean, it's winter go home. So it's whoever we have out there. we're counting on them and we believe in those people that are out there.

So, you know, we're still having to adjust and adapt. But just like last week, it's hitting the curveball and adjusting each day. This is not an ideal situation for anyone. I think if you ask the Steelers, honestly, they would prefer that Stefansky be there and they beat them fairly, like they want everybody out there. True competitors want to beat the best competition. I think so. So it's not going to have quite the flare if the Steelers blow them out or the Steelers

one in any capacity because they don't have all their pieces. It does matter that you don't have your head coach and you can't practice all with. Yes. And I also think it really matters when you have the fewest players on your roster of every playoff team with playoff experience. So it's like of all the, like if Pittsburgh would have unraveled a little, Tomlin, Ben, you've been here before. Right. Like it's hard to act like you've been there before when you haven't been there before. Yeah.

And now it's unraveling. This game has a feel that it's, you know, in the Vegas line did not they agreed with me that losing your play callers worth maybe half a point. Olivier Vernon being out is really a big deal here because you can chip block Miles Garrett. Now they don't have two pass rushes. What does that tell me? Big Ben's going to be the more comfortable quarterback this weekend. He's going to be comfortable. Now, as far as like whether this is fair or not, because I'm sure Brown's fans are upset.

And this is just not only is just the reality of the NFL that sometimes you go into situations, you don't have all your pieces. Nearly every team has had to cancel practice due to COVID protocols at some point this season. Two of the bigger outbreaks with the Titans and the Ravens. The Titans had to close their facilities for 11 days. After an outbreak, they reopened and then they beat the bills 42 to 16. And then the Ravens had to close their facility ahead of the game of the Steelers. And obviously, that game was postponed three times and the Ravens lost that game.

So obviously everything matters. It plays a role. At the end of the day, the Browns do have this working in their favor, that it is a division matchup, and they just played them last week. So obviously it wasn't all the Steelers players, the best players out there, but it's not a completely unfamiliar opponent. Finally, the road to the Super Bowl starts tomorrow. So let's take a look at which teams have the best odds.

To win, according to Fox Bet, at Plus 200, the Chiefs are the favorites, which they have been since the preseason. The Packers made a huge jump from the 11th best odds all the way up to the second and the front runner to come out of the NFC. The bills also dramatically improve their odds, moving from 12th to third throughout the season. So Fox Betton Vegas is a little over the Titans. Remember, they were the big shock team last year, but I think they're so...

Everyone's come down a little bit of Titans. When you go into the playoffs, because there's so much I like about Tennessee, when you go into the playoffs and you have the single worst unit of all the teams, their secondary is the worst unit in the playoffs. That's hard. Like, you don't have to be perfect. and the problem is, Joy, they don't have a compliment to their worst unit. They have no pass rush.

So the worst unit's the secondary of the Titans, they don't have some magic elixir to... You can't disguise it. Like Seattle's secondary had issues, they disguised it with Carlos Dunlap. So I think a lot of betters like Tennessee this weekend, I'm like, boy, you can't be horrible in win playoff games. You don't have to be great at everything, but you can't be bad at anything. Because the coaching's too good. You'll just keep... It's like Cleveland.

Cleveland's secondary is bad. That's not, even if they won, you can't win multiple playoff games when you have a bad component. I just think that game comes down to Derek Henry. If you're able to contain him, that changes their entire offense. And the Ravens rush the ball so well, they'll be able to control time of possession. It's going to be very interesting game. Joy Taylor with the news. Well, that's the news.

And thanks for stopping by. The Hurdline News. It's ski lodge Joy Taylor today because Joy is wearing. We always say that when I wear this dress. Every time I wear this dress, you say I look like I'm going skiing. I mean, it does kind of look like a ski dress. It's cold. It looks like you're having a hot toddy after a little ski run.

That's what I would be doing. I'm more interested in the lodge than the skiing. Let's go to a bar to you by Mercedes Ben's the best or nothing. Go to Albert Breer, Monday morning quarterback. All right. Listen, six of the eight teams last two years, 75% in the wild card round, the road teams of one. We're going to get an upset. And I said the two that smell like an upset, Rams, Seattle's offense is bleeding.

Nobody can figure out. Jamal Adams and the Rams are now Acres is back. Cooper Cup is back. Andrew Whitworth is back. That's the first. The second is Tom Brady on the road in the playoffs is two and four in his last six. And Washington's defensive line is going to make him at least partially uncomfortable. I think that game could get really ugly.

So those kind of feel like, you know, I just don't see the Bears beating the Saints. Is there an upset that you kind of feel like is possible? Those are the two for me, really, Colin, the ones that you mentioned. I actually picked the Rams to beat the Seahawks for a lot of the same reasons you mentioned there. I like Sean McVeigh on the stage. I like the fact that he's making Pete Carroll prepare for two very different quarterbacks. I just think the Rams are ready to perform on that stage. And again, I think a lot of times in the playoffs, having premier players like Aaron Donald, like Jay

and Ramsey really helps. And I don't even regard that as that much of an upset. Obviously, Washington beating Tampa on Saturday night would be massive. I just give you this tidbit. The formula to beat Tom Brady in the playoffs almost invariably, and this is like regardless of last year, his team wasn't as good, right? Like Brady's team was not as good last year. But if you go beyond, if you go past that, like the almost every time,

whether it was the Ravens or the Giants, the formula to beat Tom Brady in the playoffs is, to get to the quarterback with four guys. What's the one thing that Washington can do in an elite level? Get to the quarterback with four guys with Chase Young, with Montez Sweat, with Duran Payne, with Jonathan Allen. That group is a top five group in the NFL.

And so I'm just going to be watching the first couple series of that game. You could have a muddy track. We know how the field is at FedEx Field and how that's caused issues in the past. It kind of becomes a sloppy game and they're able to muck it up a little bit. and the Bucks offense doesn't look great out of the gate.

I could see Chase Young and that group up front for Washington making it a long, long night for Tom Brady. We talked about I had my top five people in the playoffs this weekend or overall that I felt had pressure. I think there's some pressure on Bruce Ariens. Tom's had a great success. Ariens is not seen as a grinder like a Sean Payton or some of these playoff coaches. He's a little loose. Is there somebody for you in the playoffs, coach quarterback playoff? that you do feel, I thought it was Ariens, maybe I'm wrong.

Aaron Rogers has a little. It's time to win at Lambo. But who's facing pressure over the next several weeks to you? Lamar Jackson, I think, this weekend. And look, he's been great through three years. We've seen some cracks this year. He was fantastic, obviously, MVP of the league last year. And I think when you're a young quarterback, you get a little bit of a pass, right?

Like, all right, year one, year two, you know, if you have great seasons and then they end in your first playoff game, that's fine. I think if you lose in the first playoff game three years in a row, then it becomes a thing. And we're talking about going into an offseason now where the Ravens are going to have to make a decision on his fifth year option. They're going to have to make a decision on extending him. And you look at how many guys have gotten extended after year three,

the last few years. Happened for Patrick Mahomes, happened for Deshaun Watson, happened for Carson Wentz, happened for Jared Goff. And so I just think, like, you look at where Lamar Jackson is, and he's had an awesome first three years. There's no question about it.

It looks like the Ravens hit a home run with that draft pick, but he hasn't won in the playoffs yet. And I think up until now, you could chalk it up to young player isn't experienced in the stage, he'll get there. You lose three times in a row. I think that's where it sort of becomes a thing. And I can even remember all the way back to when this became a thing for Peyton Manning, right?

It feels like we're getting there with Lamar Jackson. If he loses on Sunday of the Titans, I think now we're starting to talk about this is a little bit more of a trend, can he winning the playoffs? So there's a lot of head coaching openings. Many people feel that Jacksonville is a great opening with Trevor Lawrence. And my pushback would be, if you go look in college football or pro football, the markets that care about it, like Pittsburgh and Green Bay in New Orleans,

where the fans demand excellence. They go to their talk radio. They write letters. The GM hears it. There's a kind of an environmental pressure in the south. If your coach can't beat Sabin occasionally, even if you're a – LSU, you fire them. Jacksonville's got so much apathy. It feels like a college football market that, I mean, they stayed with Doug Marone forever. They stay with the GM. There's no pressure to get it

right. So I don't view that just because of Trevor Lawrence is a great job. I like the Charger job. I think they're ready to win now. Is there one when your sources talk about one or two that are really attractive or unattractive? Well, isn't like their apathy in L.A. for the Chargers they're Colin by your same argument? There is, but I would say this. There is, but the talent on the roster assembled by Telesco is so good that I think it's hard not to, I think you could ace back-to-back drafts in Jacksonville and not have the Chargers roster.

Right. So this is the way I would split it up then. I think for a coach, the Chargers opening might be the best opening because you want to win right away, right? Like, so if you're a head coach and you know. I probably have two years to win in this environment before the temperature really turns up. I think the charges are a place you can win quickly with a few tweaks to the roster. You're right.

They've got frontline talent, and it's hard to find cornerstones. They've got a lot of them. If Durwin James can stay healthy, he's in that category, Joey Boza, Kenneth Murray, obviously the wide outs, Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. We'll see what happens with Hunter Henry, Austin Eccler, and the big one, Justin Herbert. So for a coach, you want to go in and be able to win right away and establish your program the way like Sean McDermott did in Buffalo going to the playoffs in his first year,

the charges are the best opening. From a general manager's standpoint, though, where you're looking at the big picture, and it's a job where, you know, the description of what you're supposed to do is look five years out. I think Jacksonville is absolutely the best one. You can build that thing up in your own image.

You're going to get patience from the owner, which for a GM is very, very important. You've got multiple picks. It's not just Trevor Lawrence. You've got multiple picks in the first, second, fourth, fifth, and seventh rounds, and you've got more cap space than anybody in the NFL with a couple of nice young pieces, C.J. Henderson, Leviska, Chinald, Josh Allen. And so the way I'd answer your question, I'd split it up, Colin, and maybe that's a little bit of a cop-out. But if you're a head

coaching candidate, I think the charges are probably the best opening. I'm with you on that. If you're a GM candidate, I think the Jaguars opening is the best one. In the NBA, if a star demands a trade, their CBA is very star-player-player. favorable. In the end, you know, the, the, the logo for the NBA is a player. The logo for the NFL is a shield. So complaining quarterbacks, Aaron Rogers and Big Ben, get over it. Deshawn Watson may demand a trade. Is he different in that he has saved a rudderless franchise for two years? And he may have a case to be made. I think he has a case to be made to be upset. Yeah. I mean, look, like he doesn't, I don't think any quarterback in the league can demand the.

their voice be heard in a head coach or a general manager's search, but this isn't what this is. Like he was told by the owner, Cal McNair told him, and Deshaun told me this six weeks ago, I was told by the owner that I'm going to be involved, that they're going to consult with me, that they're going to look for, they're going to look to me for ideas. And so, like, I know, like, he felt like the curveball where they had been looking at a handful of other candidates. There was almost like a no patriot rule as far as what they were going to do going forward. that curveball where all of a sudden now it's Nick Casario out of nowhere.

I know it caught him off guard. And on top of that, I think the other piece to this that you needed to pay attention to is not only did he feel like he was cut out of that, he didn't feel like he was listened to in general because the one guy that he had sort of pushed on ownership there said, I want you to take a look at Eric B. Enemy. He didn't demand that they look at, did they hire Eric B. Enemy or anything like that. Just take a look at Eric B. Enemy, right? and the reason why is because he's good friends with Patrick Mahomes,

and Patrick Mahomes called him up and said, this guy's legit, come in and take a look at Eric B. Enemy. So it was never Deshaun saying, you have to hire Eric P. Enemy. It was just take a look at Eric B. Enemy. They're the only team of the six with openings that hasn't interviewed Eric B. enemy. And so I think the combination of the curveball,

the Casario Curveball, added to the fact that they didn't interview the one guy that he put in front of them, I led to a lot of frustration. And again, you know, if Deshawn Watson hadn't been told beforehand that he'd be involved, then, yeah, I mean, I'd be with you. I'd say, you know, normally quarterbacks aren't involved in these sorts of things. The issue that Texans have with their quarterback now is they told him he'd be involved,

and now he feels like he's been ignored. Albert Breer on a Friday, great stuff. Can't wait. Thanks so much, buddy. MB, Monday morning quarterback lead guy. Thanks, man. All right, enjoy the games, Colin. Got a podcast as well.

So a member of the Steelers said the Browns is the Browns. Ooh, does he have a point or not? That's coming up, blazing five top of next hour. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential.

Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win.

I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Clever Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators,

and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me, or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right what you need to be. Listen to The Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever

you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Hey, everyone, it's Ryder Strong and Wilfredel from PodMeets World. And now the PodMeets World podcast. We're two men who were completely clueless to reality TV, who now have covered Dancing with the Stars, Traitors, and we're gearing up for the season finale of Survivor. So yeah, now we're experts. I know we annoyed a lot of our listeners by our severe lack of survivor knowledge. That is the point of the show. I'm just going to remind you.

I have watched some Survivor. I obviously haven't watched enough. Did people not like it? Yeah. Just because we? Yeah. We'll be recapping the big conclusion of the 50th season from the final attempts at gameplay to the desperate pleas of finalists to a finalist to a.

a bunch of ha, who, ha, who. Again, we are experts. So make sure to tune into PodMeets Twirled for all our Survivor 50 takes. Listen to PodMeets Twirled

on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Agency, the ability to know that we're the experts in our own body. On the podcast, cultivating her space,

Dr. Dom and Terry Lomax create a space where black women can show up fully and be heard. I wholeheartedly think, you know, you hit 30, you shouldn't have to share room with anybody. Mm-hmm. From navigating friendships and healing to setting boundaries and prioritizing your mental health.

These are real, honest conversations. We don't always get to have out loud. Totally unreasonable with different parts of life, right? Like, oh, have all three meals and make sure you're mindful during all of them? Absolutely not. During one meal, I'm standing. I'm standing and handing my children food. Because healing, empowerment, and resilience,

aren't just ideas, their practices. And this Mental Health Awareness Month, there's no better time to pour back into yourself. Listen to cultivating her space on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Go the extra mile, your very own upfitted Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van. Fox Sports Radio's Ultimate Tailgate Rig Sweepstakes, January 24th. Last day you can join.

Go to Fox SportsRadio.com to enter. It's great to have you in on a Friday. So listen, if you work in Pittsburgh, like if you were a member of the Steelers, there's no other way you could view Cleveland based on their actions other than say they're losers. That's what they've been. In the last 40 years, two teams in the NFL, you can't really take seriously, Detroit and Cleveland. In the last 40 years, they have the lowest winning percentage. percentage in the NFL. That's four decades of futility and the fewest playoff wins. And then Pittsburgh's on the opposite end of the spectrum.

They've been successful. Most division titles, three, four decades. And so you couldn't help Juju Smith Schuster of the Steelers saying what he said yesterday. No, I think they're still at St. Brown team. My player every year. I think they're nameless, great faces. Um, they have a couple of good players on their team. But, at the end of day, like, I don't know, like, it's the Browns is the Browns. Like, ever had a friend can't get out of his own way? That's Cleveland. Like, I mean, just think about this.

All the playoff teams that get in. One had a COVID outbreak and a drag racing story. Total coincidence? I know drag racing thing is overstated, but it didn't happen to Sean McKeown. Bayes team. We have roads out here too and fast cars. It didn't happen to Chris Ballard and Frank Reich's team. The COVID outbreak can't practice this week. It happened to Cleveland. I know they get defensive. But if you lived in Pittsburgh and worked in Pittsburgh and were a stealer, there would be no other way to view the Browns other than Browns is the Browns. If you work in Green Bay,

there's no other way to look at Detroit. Lions is the Lions. And so I know they get defensive about it, but it's like drag racing stories, coach won't be available. How do you want Pittsburgh to look at Cleveland? How are they supposed to look at them? It's not like they've been bad for a short stretch. It's been four decades. Last 10 years, they've had like eight coaches and five GMs.

Of course, the Steelers look at them like losers. Of course, the Steelers struggle. I mean, the only thing I worry about this weekend is Pittsburgh taking Cleveland seriously. Last week, the Steelers had backups playing. Best Cleveland team in three decades. They almost won. I worry about Steelers apathy. That's why I think it was big to give Big Ben and T.J.

What the week off? Just they'll be back. They'll be rested. They'll be healthy and they'll want to prove themselves. By the way, it's just what I'm about to say will be viewed as a little thing. I, of course, do not see it as a little thing. Baker Mayfield was talking yesterday, and I just want you to listen to what Baker says. Just adapt and play.

I mean, it's winter go home. So it's whoever we have out there, we're counting on them. And we believe in those people that are out there. So, you know, we're still having to adjust and adapt. But just like last week, it's hitting the curveball and adjusting each day. Interesting. Wearing his hat backwards. What happened to Carson Wents' season when he went to the podium with his hat on backwards?

Oh, you're bad. The season unraveled. We went and looked at Aaron Rogers this morning. 22 times we have footage of him at a podium or on TV this year. Beanie or the hat on forwards. Of course, backwards hat. Guy that does it never gets it. Those who don't get it, don't get it.

It's not quarterbackial. I will tell you the quarterbacks I like this weekend. Big Ben hat forward. Bree's always hat forward. Lamar Jackson doesn't wear a hat. We couldn't find a picture. Brady last 15 years hat forward. Goff plays hat forward.

And Josh Allen, to this point, though he's young, has been hat forward. We looked for all the opportunities. I know. It's no big deal. Says the guy who wears the hat backwards. Look at that. That just says. playoff loss, doesn't it?

Doesn't that just say down, 12, sacked, fumble, minute and a half to play? Doesn't say playoff winner to me, says things are unraveling in Pittsburgh this weekend. Go ahead, downplay it, no big deal. All right, yeah. Go find Mahomes forward. Forward that guy. Back, headband, not opposed to headband, not opposed to beanie, not opposed to a hat. last quarterback to wear a hat backwards at the weekly podium.

One did it this year. Carson Wentz. Look at that. What happened to his season? You guys say it doesn't matter. It is hat on backwards karma. It is bad. Another reason I like the Steelers this weekend.

All right. I've had too much fun this week to let you bother me. And now, because I screwed up my Twitter account and my phone. I don't even read trolls anymore. I inadvertently change my Twitter account. I don't even know how I did it. I'm troll free. Blazing 5 next. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smyl and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and headwriter Streeter Seidel help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes.

Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days I'd put on 10 pounds, I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth.

Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On the Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84's big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors.

Like Mark Lamont Hill on the... 80s. 84 was a wild year. It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win.

I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, the Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to The Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok.

This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.