The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 02/23/2021 - Best of The Herd

Episode Date: February 23, 2021

Colin defends Russell Wilson after reports surfaced the Seahawks are listening to trade offers and explains why Seattle needs to embrace their franchise quarterback. He also points out an important similarity between LeBron James at this point in his career and the great Michael Jordan. Plus, Colin tells NFL fans which quarterbacks he'd rather have over the next 5 years in a game he plays called "Mayfield or The Field." Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel 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 head writer, 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 was 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 I'm 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 Clifers Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled 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 IHeard 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. Thanks for listening to the best of Heard podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday. From 12 to 3 Eastern, 9 to noon Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and FS1, find your local station for the herd at Fox Sports Radio.com or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Heard. This is the best of the Heard. with Colin Cowher on Fox Sports Radio.

It is a Tuesday. It is great to have you in. We are live in Los Angeles. This is The Hurt, wherever you may be, and however you may be watching or listening. Fox Sports Radio, IHeart Radio, FS1. I have got so many things to talk about today. So I live now by myself for three weeks. All I do is sit around and come up with conspiracy theories and watch sports.

Joy Taylor is joining me today. Joy looks ravishing. How are you, Joey? Thank you. Thank you. As long as you're not, you know, getting your tinfoil hat out, you're not a big conspiracy. You are a big theory person, but not with so much the conspiracy. I keep the con out of my theories.

I'll be on Joy's podcast later today, by the way. Yes, yeah. Go subscribe, because you're not going to want to miss it. Right now. So let me start. I want to talk about ego. I, of course, do not have one, but let's discuss it. Story today, Mike Silver, NFL reporter guy.

NFL network reports, one-third of the NFL has called the Seattle Seahawks about Russell Wilson. The starting point is three first round picks. This, of course, would not happen unless teams felt Russell Wilson is available. This is now the fourth story in three weeks. leaking about Russell Wilson being unhappy. Isn't the rule in the NFL? When your quarterback is great and in his prime, just make him happy.

New England forgot about that. Now they stink and Brady's winning Super Bowls. It's funny. We celebrate ego in every other sport. Think about this. In the NBA, Russell Westbrook, my best friend's the ball. It kind of makes him quirky and likable.

I mean, Kevin Durant, Berndor account, Twitter. It kind of makes it more interesting. In the NBA, Michael Jordan's documentary, he mocked people. And we're like, God, I love Michael. I love it more now than ever. We're okay with NBA stars having an ego. International soccer stars, Ronaldo, Messi. They got tax evasion problems.

They got personality issues. They bounce from European team. It's kind of part of their appeal. They're superstars. In baseball, home run hitters, I grew up with Reggie Jackson, Sammy Sosa, Manny Ramirez. It's okay to be quirky. It makes them more appealing. Makes them bigger stars.

UFC or boxing, like Connor McGregor. Well, of course he has to build his ego up. Of course, boxers have to be a little out there. But if an NFL quarterback shows just a little ego or a little want with personnel or play calling, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. I want you to think about this. Aaron Rogers makes $35 million a year. He's good looking.

He dates celebrities. I think he owns like a hedge fund. He's the biggest star in his state. Aaron doesn't get a little ego? We got to draft Jordan loved a man. Make sure Aaron Rogers fits into our little box. Russell Wilson. Have you seen his wife?

She's the best-looking human on the planet. He makes $35 million. Biggest star in Seattle. He can't get a say in play calling? He can't have a little saying who you hire is your offensive coordinator. Why do we celebrate egos everywhere else, which I'm okay with, the guy's great in his prime. Let him have an ego. Let her have an ego.

But if a quarterback doesn't fit into a box and you can't control... I used to work at a company like this. ESPN was just paralyzed by anybody having an ego. You know what happened? All those guys and gals with egos left and it's not the same company. How about just when people are great in their prime, they may be different. Howard Stern's a little different. He sees the world differently.

Aaron Rogers is a little different. It's okay. Soccer starts. UFC stars, home run hitters, NBA stars. We embrace it. We celebrate it. They're quirky. They're out there.

But God, the Green Bay Packers can't totally control Aaron Rogers. And Russell Wilson wants to have a say in the play calling and the schematics and the play design. And you understand Russell Wilson's not happy, right? Stories get out when somebody wants them out. It is amazing to me that this story is leaking because Seattle. battle's ego is with a coach. These coaches and GMs stop trying to control

and manage and box in superstars. Listen, once they get old, get rid of them. But I want my quarterback when he goes into battle. I want my UFC fighter. I want my home run hitter. I want my NBA star to be a little delusional. A little delusional. I remember one time talking to somebody

who was friends with Derek Cheater. And one night I was in Tampa, it was years and years ago. Derek Jeter walked into a steakhouse with about six guys. And I told my friend about this, and he had covered Jeter for years in Tampa and spring training where the Yankees hosted. And he said, Jeter's whole theory is he doesn't want anybody giving him negative thoughts during the season because it's such a thinking sport. And he hangs around guys that make him feel good about himself. And they're kind of yes, man, and they're really positive.

He doesn't want cynical friends. He doesn't want critical friends. He wants a good vibe during the. the season because baseball is such a mental sport. And I'm like, I'm down with that. I get it. I don't want Derek Jeter doing, you know, oh my God, can I hit the hurt? Oh my God, yesterday I went 0 for four. I want Derek Jeter confident at the plate with two runners on seventh inning tie game against the Red Sox at Fenway. NFL GMs, coaches, owners, Bruce Ariens embraced Brady. He let Brady have a say. He let Brady dial up a play. He took some of Brady's

leadership and said, yeah, I'm going to let go of myself a little and give Tom more of the offense. Result, Super Bowl. God, Seattle, lighten up. You're never going to get anybody as good as Russell. Like, that's it, right? Best player, franchise history. And they've had good players. He's the best ever.

Take care of him. Make him happy. Suppress your ego. Let him have one. All right. LeBron James, I love this. I love when people do, what do they call it on Twitter, Joy, when you, you, it's like covert shots. people. It's like you take a little shot at somebody, but it's not really a shot, but it really sub tweet. Subtweet.

Love it. People are scared to tag you. Yeah, like it's sub tweet. LeBron sub tweeted, but it was verbal yesterday. He was talking about his workload. Anthony Davis is hurt. Dennis Schrooter's out. And LeBron now leads the NBA. I'm not joking here. He leads the NBA in minutes in February. He's 80 years old. He leads the NBA in minutes. So he was talking about the workload, blah, blah, blah, here we go. This whole narrative of, you know, LeBron needs more rest, so I should take more rest, so I should take time here. It's become a lot bigger than what it actually really is.

I've never talked about it. I don't talk about it. I don't believe in it. You know, we all need more. I love that. A fast turnaround from last season, and we all wish we could have more rest. But, you know, I'm here to work, and I'm here to punch my clock in and be available to my teammates.

That was a shot at Kauai. It was a shot at Kyrie. It was a shot at Embed. It was a sub-tweet. It was a shot at load management guys. It was a shot at minute restriction, Paul George, who gets six months off, but he can only play this many minutes. It was a shot at all of them.

We spent all this time talking about the differences with LeBron and MJ. Here's where they're totally similar. They both play sick, they play tired, they play hurt, they play cranky, they play when they got a cold, they play when they're sore. Kevin Durant's played 19 of 32 games. Kevin Durant, because his hamstrings are sore. So are LeBron's. It's called the NBA season being 38.

You know how many games? Damian Lillard, LeBron James, Chris Paul, and Steph Curry have missed. Veterans who are sore getting that. They're on IBU pro for the minute they wake up. they missed three combined. Michael Jordan literally demanded to play with a broken toe, second year in the league. So he broke his toe and the organization freaked out because medical people said if he re-breaks it, it will never be the same.

He had a broken toe. I can't go to work if I have an ice cream headache. He had a broken toe. Jordan demanded to play. Screamed at his coaches. It was against Atlanta. He screamed at his general manager with a broken toe. whole.

LeBron James leaves the NBA in minutes at 38. I don't care what happened last night. They don't have AD. They don't have Dennis Schrooter. LeBron's in a shooting slump. Yeah, maybe he's tired. I mean, give me a break. This whole thing, I love that LeBron said that last night.

It's very relatable. Hey, man, I'm punching the clock. That's what they do in Akron, Ohio. Not a lot of coastal jobs there. In Akron, Ohio, you punch the clock. You go. to work. It doesn't matter if you're tired. Doesn't matter if you're hungover. It doesn't matter if you're sick. You go to work in Akron, Ohio.

Soar hamstrings. You break. Give me a brain. And like Anthony Davis, he's a terrific player. Man, you've got to learn to play hurt. You got to learn. Patrick Mahomes played on one foot. And if he didn't get choked out, he was yelling at the coaches to get back in the game. He literally passed out on the field. He was playing on a foot. And he was screaming at Andy Reid. Let me back in. They're like, no, dude, we're going to protect you from you. That's my kind of player. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHeart Radio app. The Pittsburgh Steelers are essentially playing chicken.

They keep dissing Big Ben and they're daring him to say something back. So if the Steelers keep Big Ben this year, he's a $41 million cap hit. He's worth less than half of that in my opinion. If they release him, it's $22 million cap hit, dead money cap hit, to which I would say, so what? For one year, go get Sam Darnold. You're not paying Sam Donald anything. The key is, what are you paying the position?

If you bring in Sam Darnold with the dead money from Ben, it's $30 million. that's under market value, right? So the thing about Big Ben, and it's really heightened because of Tom Brady's greatness and tape study, there's a story that came out that Brady basically, the night before the Super Bowl, is sending all his receivers tight ends and backs tape at midnight. And he has been known. We saw Tom versus Time. Tom is a tape addict.

And there's a handful of guys in the league. I think Tom's more addicted than most, but he's an addict. The not so secret secret in Pittsburgh is Ben doesn't like tape study. He doesn't really tape study. That's why the Steelers have the most remedial, simplest pre-snap audibles in the game. It's like high school football. And so Pittsburgh has a new offensive coordinator and a new quarterback coach. And both of them want to make the office.

fence more sophisticated, more multiple sets, more motions. And Ben really isn't into that smart football thing. And so Ben, like Brett Farv at the end of his career, like this is who I am, love me or hate me, this is who I am. And that was adorable in the 80s and 90s, but it's 2021. And you just can't get away with being old, slow, inaccurate, and not studying tape. There are guys who are just talented, Farve and. Big Ben. But the minute they're out of their prime, their usefulness in the locker room drops

significantly. And then there are guys, you'll just keep around forever. Udana's Haslam still plays for the Miami Heat. He's a culture setter. Drew Breeze, workaholic grinder, culture setter. He was past his prime four years ago. Larry Fitzgerald, you just keep him in the room. He's an example. He's a mentor. He's smart. He offers wisdom. he's a grinder. And then there are other athletes, the majority of them, once they're out of the prime, get them out of the building. They're not guys, they're just talented.

Farr have had a lot of this. Ben's got a lot of this. So what the Steelers are basically doing now is they're playing chicken with them. They're leaking all these stories. They let it know, be known. We're ready to move. And I think it's the smart move. You cannot afford to pay Big Ben 41 million.

Absolutely cannot afford to pay. pay him 41 million. You can't afford 22 million of dead cat money if you go get a Sam Darnold for a year. And by the way, this should not be undersold. The idea that Pittsburgh will go off the rails without Big Ben, Big Ben has missed 41 games with the Steelers. You know what their record is? 23 and 18. A couple of years. A couple years. ago they went three and three with something called Duck Hodges and five and three with Mason Rudolph.

You think they can't move the football? They can't play without Big Ben? They're playing chicken with them, and I'm here for it. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays at 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 which I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Clipper 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.

Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kai had to be able to, They said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do a little camp? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J.

And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack all day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed correct.

So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you for finishing that sentence. Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history.

Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns,

Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth, or are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway.

Open your free, Our Heart Radio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Sometimes in sports, you can say things, and they're always true, but when you say them, people bristle. Like four teams that made the playoffs last year in the NFL will not get in this year and four new teams will get in.

That's happened three decades in a row. But if I insinuate, your playoff team won't make it. People freak out. There's going to be minimum three absolute busts in the first round of the NFL draft. Minimum.

There have been years where they're six to eight. there will be at least one quarterback bust in the first round every year. Paxton Lynch, E.J. Manuel, Josh Rosen, Johnny Mansell, Dwayne Haskins, Brandon Whedon. One's going to be a bust. I do not understand the current momentum behind Mac Jones. There is no proof that Nick Saban develops NFL quarterbacks. Tua was the golden child. Tua, I was assured, was different.

Tua, I was told, is one of the great all-time high school quarterbacks. The Miami Dolphins benched him twice last year, and three of his starts he completed under 100 yards passing. Also rumors they want Deshaun Watson. That tells you, not only are they disappointed in the games Tua's played, they don't like what they see at practice. Mac Jones gets five things at Alabama. He will not get in the NFL.

He throws to wide open receivers. Look how often the receiver is wide open. He's behind an offensive line that rarely allows him to get even rushed. He always has an elite run game. He always plays with a lead. And because his coach is Nick Sabin, he always goes into a better game with a better scheme, a better game plan, better in-game adjustments.

That is not the way it works in the NFL. You're always rushed. Your receivers are rarely open. Good luck if you have a running game over two or three straight years. Eventually the back wears down or wears himself out. You almost never have the best coach in the league. Playing with a lead? Give me a break.

One quarterback's played with a lead the last 20 years, Brady, that's it. You're playing from behind all the time in the teeth. a pass rush. I saw Mike Tannenbaum, former GM, came out yesterday. He has Trevor Lawrence number one, Zach Wilson 2, and Mack Jones number 3. I can't discuss that.

I don't even want to go there. I don't get it. I don't understand it. I'm not anti-Mac Jones. But there's a reason these Alabama guys don't work in the NFL because you don't face a real world at Alabama. You always have a lead and you

always have a great run game and your receiver. Look at all these videos I'm showing you. Everybody's wide open by 15 yards. DeAndre Hopkins doesn't get that open in the NFL. Randy Moss wasn't that open in the NFL. Calvin Johnson wasn't an open in the NFL. Every Alabama wide receiver is wide open. You have the better coach, the lead, the better O line.

You never get rushed. There's a reason where most star quarterbacks in the NFL didn't go to great football powers. Ben Rothlisberger, Miami of Ohio, Aaron Rogers, Cal, Philip Rivers, NC State. Russell Wilson, NC State, benched, had to transfer. You had to go to Wisconsin because the coach didn't like him.

Tom Brady didn't start at Michigan. There's a reason why Matt Ryan, Boston College, Dak Prescott, Mississippi State. There's a reason most NFL quarterbacks don't come from traditional powers because you get really comfortable at traditional powers.

It's not an NFL life. It's why trust-fund kids have a lot of issues. They grow BMWs and horses and polo and country clubs. That's not the real world. And when they get a little strain, chaos, or pushback in their life, they don't know what to do. Do you know, 92% of millionaires in America are from middle class families or below? Why?

Because they've had to fight for the last piece of food at dinner. They're like kids who have to deal with life stuff, like getting yelled at and getting grounded and not having lunch money. And they're like 92% used to. Maybe because of tech it's changed. most millionaires come from humble beginnings because they are ready for the struggle. There's a reason the NFL isn't just filled with Alabama and Ohio State quarterbacks. That's not a real life.

Mack Jones is yesterday I saw where Devante Smith, the star receiver, chose Mack Jones over Tua. People were tanking for Tua. That was a term. You know there's going to be a bust in this first round, right? A quarterback. You know this to be true. I don't get it.

I have heard Charlie Weiss and Mike Tannenbaum and Devante Smith and this guy is great. Athletically, he is a 1978 quarterback. He was a three-star athlete. His arm is good, not special. Where's the it? I mean, God, folks, anybody that's quarterbacking an out, Nick Saban mostly has recruited quarterbacks that don't get in the way of his defense in coaching. My buddy Jim Acklewain, who I live next to in college, told me,

Nick said, listen, just don't lose games for us. Lane Kiven, I'll tell you that. Don't get too clever. Don't lose games for us. Coaching and defense will win the SEC. Want more herd? The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week, within the IHeart Radio app.

Search Herd to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. 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 you'll say. Yep, that's me, Cliver 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 where you need to be. Listen to The Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tapped Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim?

Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because. of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so y'all know.

I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you finishing that sentence. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history.

Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Keer Games. And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tript Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing.

And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on Earth? Are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro.

Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, learn the hard way. Open your free, our heart radio app,

Search learn the hard way and listen now. So I said, okay, listen, you have to have a top 12 quarterback in the NFL to get to Super Bowls. If you look at the recent last 20 years in the NFL. So I put out a list of what I consider the top six quarterbacks in the league. Again, I don't even think this is arguable. Mahomes, Brady, Rogers, Wilson, Josh Allen, Deshawn Watson. I don't think that's really arguable. And then I said the next six, we could debate.

I have Matt Ryan in and I don't have DAC. Well, Matt Ryan's been an MVP and he's gotten to a Super Bowl. You know, Dax won a playoff game. But I said the second six are very, I had in Lamar, Justin Herbert, Derek Carr, Jimmy G, Matt Ryan, Kyler Murray. And I didn't have DAC in, which, listen, if you have DAC in, I'm not going to yell and scream. Matt Ryan has been an MVP and gotten to a Super Bowl. And led a Super Bowl with about 10 minutes ago. And by the way, Garoppolo, in his one full season starting, got to a Super Bowl.

But I said the next six. is not you could argue with me. It's all debatable. Cleveland fans were outraged, not just that Baker didn't make the second six. Many said he should have made the first six. And I'm like, I'm like, oh, crazy town. All crazy town. So today is line in the sand day. We're going to play Mayfield or the field.

For the next five years, who would I rather have? Okay. Next five years. So that will take, obviously, you know, breeze. No. Right. Next five years, Mayfield or the field.

Here we go. All right. Baker Mayfield or Lamar Jackson. Lamar Jackson's won 80% of his games. Lamar Jackson does something better than any football quarterback in the history of the sport. Moves. This is not close. Baker Mayfield, Justin Herbert.

Not a GM in the league would take Baker over Justin Herbert. He's bigger. He's stronger. He was a four-point student. He set every rookie. quarterback touchdown record they've ever created Herbert by a mile. Baker Mayfield or Derek Carr? Last two years, Derek Carr is 101 passer rating.

Three times the TDs overpicks, it ain't close. Derek Carr. Baker Mayfield or Jimmy Garoppolo. Now, this is the rub, right? Jimmy gets hurt a lot. I'm not disputing that. And that worries me. But the Niners are awful without him, and we know they're rock.

Foster's good and Shanahan's good. I take Garoppolo for the next five years and roll the dice on his health. Baker Mayfield or Matt Ryan? MVP, Super Bowl, multiple playoff wins. Matt Ryan's 35. He's not 39. Now, if I sign him for five years, the last year may be nonsense. I'll make a prediction.

Matt Ryan with Arthur Smith. Smith, the coach, is going to have two really good years. He finally gets an offensive coach. We're all going to like Matt Ryan by November again. I know we're all out on Matt. Watch by November. We're all going to be back in the Matt Ryan fan club. Baker Mayfield or Kyler Murray.

Kyler Murray. Again, Kyler does something spectacularly. He's not there yet. But he had a big jump rookie year to last year. Baker Mayfield or Jack Prescott. Baker's a better pure thrower of the football. I think Dak's a better athlete. I think he's more mature.

I feel there's a, I feel there is sort of a in the locker room. He's loved by everybody. I think Baker's got some critics inside that locker room. Baker Mayfield or Ryan Tannahill. Close, but I saw a stat. Let me give you this. Ryan Tanniel had the second highest passer rating in the last 20 games to Aaron Rogers.

I know we all don't like Ryan Tannehill, but unlike Baker, he doesn't have two great tight ends. he didn't have the greatest offensive line. Ryan Tannahill, I got to be honest with you, often plays trailing because of that crappy defense. Tanna Hill's probably the most underrated quarterback in the league today. Baker or Kirk Cousins? Close. I would take the maturity and the accuracy of Kirk Cousins. You know, I don't think it's a huge gap.

Kirk drives me nuts in big games, but Baker doesn't have a history. It went in a lot of big games either. All right. now that gets interesting. Baker or Tua? I take Baker. I don't know if Tua can play. I don't see a lot of special with Tua. I think the dolphins have questions. I think Baker's got a little more it

factor. Baker or Joe Burrow? I think Burrell is really special. I thought Burrow would be a good NFL quarterback. I think I made a mistake. I think he's really, really special. Baker, Carson wins. Carson's a much bigger, stronger, better athlete. This

moment, a lot of people would go Baker. But I guess my takeaway is the only thing that scares people about Wents is his contract. Everybody know he was an MVP for 10 weeks two years ago. He was literally when he had Frank Reich, the MVP of the entire league. Baker or Jericho? I take Baker. I think Baker five years with Kevin Stefansky will be better than Goff five years with Fred Flintstone in Detroit. Baker, Big Ben. I take Baker. I'm out on Big Ben. And I think Baker works harder than Ben. I would move off Big Ben, so I take Baker.

Baker or Matthew Stafford? I think Stafford's a much better talent. You know, Stafford has a stat. I saw this. Let me look this one up. Stafford has the most game-winning drives 36 in the NFL in the last decade. How? He plays for the Lions. They're usually trailing.

Baker or Mitchell Tribusky? Baker. Mitch Trubisky is a very limited thrower. I think Baker can make big-time throw. throws. There's things I worry about Baker. He's not the athlete he thinks he is, but he makes big-time throws, and I think Trubisky is limited as a thrower of the football. All right. Here's the big question. Next five years, Baker or the goat? Tom Brady. First of all, Tom Brady will be great next year. And you imagine because of his work

ethic, he'll be good the following two. I couldn't give a rip the last two. If Brady gives me three more years, one A minus 2B plus, do we know that Baker's going to get a contract extension in Cleveland? We don't. So you would take Baker over Tribisky, Big Ben, Jared Goff, and Tua. Is that unrealistic? Am I, like, being ridiculous? No, I don't think you are. I mean, I think a lot of people would go either way on the Carson Wentz or Kirk Cousins.

Yeah, I get it. I mean, Carson's in a fortune, and he played. I get it, but I'm saying if you gave me both, I think the upside's much higher with Wentz. I'm willing to roll the dice on the Jimmy Garoppolo injury, although I get it. The argument is like... Yes, people would argue about Jimmy Garoppolo. I get it. I get it.

But I got one year starting, and the kid got to the Super Bowl and let Patrick Mahomes with seven minutes to go. No, I mean, the idea that Baker Mayfield is in the top six best quarterbacks in the league is silly. I don't like being known as... And I almost regret doing this segment because now everybody's going to think, Oh, you call and you're doing... I think you have almost no arguments with any of those. The Wentz thing I get. Because the last 10 games we've seen of Carson Wentz,

he can't complete screen passes. Like, I get that. But I'm saying five years, I think if he turns around, I get a B plus A minus quarterback. Drew Bledsoe is now going to join us live. 14 years in the NFL, number one draft pick. Isn't it the worst? When you play quarterback, schmucks like me come out and grade you all the time.

It's just a horrible. What if Drew Bledso sat around all day in graded sportscasters? It'd be terrible. Oh, man, it would be rough for you guys, dude. It'd be really rough. I might try it. Actually, there was a time, some buddies and I sat on you, like, you know, we should do that one time. And I obviously can't share with you on there.

You did all right, bud. You came out okay. But some of your cohorts, man, we had some interesting things to say. It was pretty funny. Hopefully you were drinking your double-back wine that made the night better. So let me start. Let me start with this. We saw another story with Russell Wilson come out.

And I defended quarterbacks today. I said, you know, we love our soccer stars and our UFC boxers and our home run hitters and our NBA stars. We give him a little ego. You're the best in the world. But if a quarterback shows he doesn't want to be in your little box, the Packers are drafting Jordan Love and the Seahawks want to move him. Did you ever feel in the NFL sometimes a little restrained by the ecosystem of the NFL? There's no question, you know, Colin. As a quarterback, part of your job is to be a politician.

You know, you really, you have to learn how to say a lot without saying anything. And, you know, you, and the minute that you express, you know, a real opinion, man, you are, you're just criticized, you know, up and down, left and right. And so, you know, look, as a quarterback of Russell's stature, you know, I think part of what's going on, people ask. if you wanted some input on player decisions. And, you know, I mean, shoot, they asked me about player decisions. They asked the quarterback about player decisions. You just can't admit that they actually ask you about it. You know, because you set yourself up.

Then you set yourself up to be criticized. Well, that player didn't work out and Russ picked him. Well, no, you don't want that either. So it's a, it's a, you know, it's a hard line to walk. You know, you've got to try to do the right thing all the time. And then sometimes when you do the right thing, criticized for that. So it's part of the game. That's one of the reasons that quarterbacks make a ton of money. It's just, you know, you have these other responsibilities

that other players don't have. Yeah. I like that you said that. You got to be a little bit of a politician. So, Dak Prescott is, whether you love him or not, it's been two years where we've talked contract and he hasn't gotten a contract. And I'll be honest with you. I try to sometimes put myself in the athlete's perspective. If I was hanging out there two years and my company wouldn't offer me a contract, at some point, I think there'd be a little bitterness. Like, was there ever a point in your career? Like, you thought, like, guys, I'm giving you everything. I'm giving you everything. How do you think that lands for that? Well, you know, I think it's frustrating, but it's also, and again, I make it a firm policy

not to talk about somebody else's money. But I also know that they've been in negotiating. for a number of years. And, you know, in a negotiation, there's give and take. And, you know, so I do think at some point, hopefully they meet at an agreeable point for both of them so that Dak can be there for a long time. Because I've said this before, I really like Dak. I really, truly do.

I think he's a heck of a player. He's a great leader. I think he, you know, brings that other aspect to the game because when he's not in the pocket, you can actually pull it down to run for yards. Yeah. But, you know, quarterback in the Cowboys, I did that for a couple of years. It's a different kind of job, man.

And Dax seems to stand up underneath that kind of pressure very, very well. Doesn't seem to face him very much. And that's a big part of playing quarterback down there. So I was talking to Lovar Erington earlier about this. I said, you know, and Lovar Erington brought up a good point. He said there's a reason the same coaches win every year in the NFL in college. There's a lot of bad coaches. and yesterday Dan Campbell in Detroit goes,

I don't mind being known as a meathead. And I thought, slow down. I don't want my coach saying that. You don't have to name names, but were there times, maybe it wasn't a head coach, it was a coordinator or it was a business assistant coach. Did you feel at times, Drew,

that you had the second best coach on Sunday, that you just felt like I don't have the best back support here? Well, I mean, yeah, so let's be honest. you know, when I left, when I left New England, I had to go back and face Belichick, you know, twice a year. And so I don't think, I don't think any coach would feel like I was sliding him up when I said that we were at a disadvantage from that standpoint. I will say I love Danny Campbell. He was with me in Dallas for a year. He's just a high-intensity dude, and I really wish him the best. And I actually think for the first time, you know, the lions are kind of set up going forward. They've got a mountain of draft picks now. You know, if they do things right, he's going to have some

personnel, and I just hope he puts good coordinators around them. Yeah. Do you think coaching on average, though, is good, average, I mean, in your career, is it excellent, good, solid, or just okay? There's a very broad range, Colin. And I've talked with some buddies that I've played with for a number of years, and there were a lot of very good coaches, obviously. But the frustration that I think some guys have is that when you get to the NFL, you're the best of the best. Right? You're the best of the best that's ever played, you know, and you're, you know, and you know, and you finally get there. You think that across the board, the coaching is going to be the same.

And there were, you know, coaches that I had in college, even a couple of coaches that I had in high school, you know, that would have been better coaches in some cases than some of the guys that were, that were coaching in the NFL. And that's, you know, and it's like, hey, look, there's great coaches in high school. There's great coaches in college that sometimes just choose to stay there. so it's not necessarily a slight. But you do think that you're always going to be amongst the best and the best, and that's not always the case. So tell me, where are you? You know, it's funny.

There are some guys like Brett Farv, they never get hurt. And then there's guys like Garoppolo, who by week two or three every year always seems dinged up. And some of it's just genetics. It's DNA. John Lynch once told me, I love John. John's like I never had a concussion. And I'm like, what?

12 years you were knocking people out with your top of your helmet. I don't understand it. But, you know, John swears, I never had concussions. Would you be concerned that Garapolo is simply, and I'm sure you played with guys like this, he's brittle. His body doesn't withstand the season. Yeah, it's a real concern, Colin. It really is for certain players. You know, they just get hurt a lot.

You know, I mean, I've played for quite a while. only had one to one deal where I almost died with Tommy. But other than that, I was able to stay on the field quite different, most of the time. And, you know, and it is a real concern. And I think that there are a couple of different things that play into that. One is just, you know, some, there's some bravelness maybe. But there's another piece that just, like, sometimes guys just don't know how to fall properly. And you just go down awkwardly.

I remember when Russ and RG3 came into the, the league. Same year, rookie year. And early on, RG3 was lighten the world on fire. Russ was playing well also. But I remember saying to somebody, like, man, RG3 just gets hit hard a lot. And Russ almost never gets hit hard. You watch him. He goes, runs around and makes all these plays. He almost never gets hit hard. And so there is a thing to it that's beyond just being brittle. It's, you know, knowing how to fall and how to get hit and how to protect yourself. Yeah, no, it is interesting. And I think it's funny.

Kyler Murray played baseball and Russell played baseball. They're both great sliders. They both get, like Lamar Jackson, I love, but there are times with Lamar, he's tall, he's thin, and he just gets smoked. And you can only take so many of those hits. Okay, finally, would you be comfortable doing what Deshaun Watson's doing? like because I've had players tell me I couldn't do it man I don't like the heat I don't I don't think Aaron Rogers has the personality to say I'm holding out I don't think it's his personality that's fine would you have the personality to say listen I don't trust my organization I'm not playing

how would it land for you um the short answer is no you know I never held out and you know I just felt like the you know the best way to you know handle the negotiation was to show up and be at your job. But I also know that every situation is unique and every situation is different. And, you know, what Deshawn Watson is dealing with down there in Houston, it looks like it's going to be a really bad situation now for a while because it's not, there's no way to fix it. And, you know, if they've exhausted other avenues with the organization to try to get them

to move him and that's not working, you know, you don't. get a lot of shots at this as an NFL quarterback. If it's going to be really awful for a long time, you know, he's got to find a way out. And so I don't judge him from doing that, but that's not how I probably would have done. It looks like you're joining us from a mountainside in Montana. Am I correct? That is correct, man. Up here, hiding out in the mountains sitting by the fire, and I might even go sliding around on the ski slopes here a little while.

Look, has it been a good snow season for Montana? It's been pretty thin. It's been pretty thin, but they got a bunch here in the last. last couple weeks. It's been pretty good recently. All right. I want you to go to doubleback.com. Doubleback.com.

It's the best cab I've ever had, doubleback winery. And will you enjoy a glass on the mountain today, by the way? When I'm done, when I'm done, you know, if my wife's with me,

we'll have a little rosé at lunch from when I'm by myself, and I'm just by myself today. I'll just go ski and then have a glass of wine when I've done. And by the way, I haven't forgotten you guys.

I've got some wine for you, calling it, and I've got some joy chardonnay coming down for joy. Don't think I forgot you. Wonderful. Thank you. Yes, it is wonderful. Doubleback.com. The winery is remarkable. Check it out. Good seeing you, bud. Yeah, likewise, Colin. Always great to see you, but I know you don't want to talk about it anymore. Really glad you're healthy. Yeah, boy, that was no good. I didn't even get hit. Shees, I can't imagine getting a hit for a living. But I'm good.

Oh, man. We're all good. We're all really glad you're... Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy. Guy not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and Friends, me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, S&L'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 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 you're saying. Yep, that's me. Clivert 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 Cliver Show. This is a place for raw, unfills of conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it.

Listen to the Clivert Show on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. On The Look Back at it podcast. For 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was 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.

This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.