The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 03/19/2021 - HOUR 2 - Standings

Episode Date: March 19, 2021

Colin gives his process of how he comes up with his NFL standingsIs Kevin Durant injury prone?Guests: Eric Mangini, Ric Bucher Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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We're live in Los Angeles. It's the herd. Wherever you may be and however you may be listening, IHeart Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and FS1. Joy Taylor is joining us here on a Friday. I'm very excited for the next seven, eight minutes on this. It's kind of dorky. I pitched it to the team this morning.

They were not interested. They argued with it. They said this is not. Nobody is interested in your process. and then I had to fire several of them. Rehired them by the end of the meeting. But I'm just going to do, I'm going to take you behind the scenes for how I build my standings. I think this is actually very interesting.

People ask me about your process all the time. Okay, so this is my process. You should show them what your notes look like. Oh, yeah, I got liners. You want to talk about, you know, how doctors write out prescriptions. Only you could read those notes. Okay, so here's, now last year I was seven for seven on playoff teams in the AFC. I take a lot of pride in this.

And obviously I have the right to change it, but this is my process for picking the standings. Now, we've obviously had coordinator changes, coaching moves free agency. Free agency is not done, and we have the draft, though I don't tend to think. I think people overvalue the draft. Like Trevor Lawrence will make an impact. You know, I think a couple offensive linemen for the Bengals could solve their issues. I don't think the draft necessarily makes you better. It makes you deeper.

But if you're depending on the draft to make you good. football team in six months after it happens, good luck. So little music, here's how I do it. First of all, I start with last place teams. I think there are five, and I think this is the easiest year to pick last place teams. Let's start with Denver. They were five and 11 last year. They have the worst quarterback in their division, and they have to rebuild their defense. I don't think you can have easily the fourth best quarterback in a division and upgrade. Justin Herbert's only getting better. Denver's less.

Philadelphia. Feels like they're swimming in chaos. I think Doug Peterson was a pretty darn good coach. He out-coached Belichick arguably in a Super Bowl. He's gone. I think they downgraded heavy at coach. And Carson Wentz is gone. Jalen Hurts to me may have some success, but I think they're a fourth place team.

Jets. Well, they were 2 and 14. Well, they signed big free agents. The Jets always do that. We don't know if Robert Solican coach. even if he can in a division with Belichick twice a year, Brian Flores twice a year, and Sean McDermott twice a year. It's a fourth place team.

Detroit Lions. Jared Goff with a significantly worse offensive line and a significantly worse head coach is a last place team. And Houston, they're a mess. There's nothing about them I like. There is nothing about Houston I like. So those are my last place teams. Then I go to my first place teams.

I feel very secure about four. I think Buffalo's got a great GM. I think they have a great quarterback. I think they keep elevating Josh Allen. And I kind of look at what they did, and they were 13 and three last year. They had a complimentary receiver, Emmanuel Sanders. They're going to go and get a pass rush, a little bit of an elevated pass rush in the draft. That'll be available where they're drafting.

They have a history in the last three years of drafting very well. I like them. Tampa Bay. Tom Brady now in his second year, they bring the band back together. Jason Light, the GM has a history of filling spots. I think they'll move off in Domenu. Fill that in the draft. They'll be fine.

That'll be a push. And I think if you look at that division, this is not a tough one. Kansas City. They signed Kyle Long on the offensive line and Joe Tunney. It helps. I don't think they'll be as good at tackle, but I think they are so spectacularly coached and so spectacularly quarterbacked that if you look at that division,

everybody else is just trying to win shootouts. And Green Bay. The division's gotten worse. I do think Minnesota gets slightly better. But I think Aaron Rogers, if you look at he's going to face Andy Dalton twice a year, Kirk Cousins twice a year, who's not been good in big games, and Jared Gough of the battle in line and worst coach. It's Green Bay's Division.

So I've given you my last, there were five. I've given you my first. There's four. Now we move into what I call improved teams. There's seven of them. I thought Cleveland did a great job. They were 11 and 5 last year with a bad secondary. Well, they get Grant Delpit and Greedy Williams back, and they added John Johnson and Troy Hill.

That was a, they've had a really good free agency period. Listen, Arizona's old, JJ Watt, A.J. Green, Rodney Hudson. But those are good one, two-year players. And I do think Kyle or Murray was improving at the end of last year. So I think they're better. Chargers went and solved some offensive line issues by getting Corey Lindley, Matt Fowler and then Jared Cook at tight end. Derwin

James comes back. So I think the Chargers are better in Justin Herbert's second year. Colts got Carson Wence. They're about one more receiver away. Maybe it's Paris Campbell who's already there. He's very fast kid. Did a lot of drag routes at Ohio State. I don't know if he's any

I don't know if he's just a college receiver, but he can burn. I think the Colts will be better because they'll be far more athletic at quarterback. Dallas Cowboys. Well, I think Dan Quinn's an upgrade at defensive coordinator, and I think Dak Prescott's for their season is an upgrade over Andy Dalton, and I may be critical of the Cowboys, but they feel like the chaos has left the building. New England Patriots,

listen, it just tied in, just at Jono Smith and Hunter Henry, and at wide receiver with Nelson Aguilar, they feel like they're more explosive. And the L.A. Rams got Matt Stafford. I think that's an upgrade over Jared Goff. He's a better arm, a little more athletic, throws better in a muddy pocket. So those are my improved teams. Now my teams that I thought regressed, I thought they went a little backwards. The Bears were 8 and 8 last year.

I think Trubisky's a better fit with an average offensive line. I do not like their GM. Chuck Pagano is a good, Pagano was a good defensive coordinator. He retired. Don't love that. Raiders, again, for their five offensive linemen, gone. Why that's a problem? Derek Carr more than any quarterback.

in the league regresses with poor protection more than any quarterback in the league. New Orleans Saints, it feels like a reboot year. A zillion dollars over the cap. Drew Breeze has gone. They're now just scaling back on players. They had to let go with Jared Cook and Trey Hendrickson and Janoris Jenkins and Emmanuel Sanders. So they'll be viable, but it's a step back.

Pittsburgh Steelers. They're not going to start 11 and 0. The division's better. They lost Bud DePrie, Marquis Pouncey. I thought Ben at the end of the year, they lost five of six. look tired. They may not be terrible, but I don't think they're going to get off to that 11 and 0 start and go 12 and 4. And finally, the Tennessee Titans, who I generally think are pretty well run. Arthur Smith, the offensive coordinator, is gone. Ryan Tannehill benefited greatly

from Arthur Smith. Very interested to see Ryan Tannihill without his kingmaker. Matt Ryan popped with Kyle Shanahan left was not the same immediately. And then I think there's teams, three, four, five, six. They're kind of the same. The dolphins are 10 and six. They add Will Fuller, but they lose a couple of defensive guys I like, including Kyle Van Noy, Devon Gossu, to the Patriots. I don't think they're, those are good defensive players. Will Fuller, when he's healthy, he's pretty good. Same team. Atlanta, let's not kid ourselves. It's a question mark. I didn't think Dan Quinn was a terrible coach. I don't know if Arthur Smith can coach. They'll be okay to average to below average. Carolina is still rebuilding process.

They don't love Teddy Bridgewater below average. Baltimore's good. They're still good. They lost a couple of pass rushers. They lost Matt Judon, a very good linebacker who I like. I don't think they will, they have a history of drafting well. I think they'll just, they didn't get better or worse. Same team.

Seattle, they won't be as good offensively, lost Shack Griffin and Carlos Dunlap. They won't be as good defensively. But they did get Gerald Everett at Tide-in and Gabe Jackson, so I think their offensive line and it tied in, they're a little more dynamic. It feels kind of like a really, they were good last year. They'll be good this year. In Washington, which I thought was going to be improved, I do like Curtis Samuel, but I talked to two NFL GMs.

Nobody gets the Ryan Fitzpatrick thing. I don't get it. So they were 7 and 9 and went to the playoffs. They kind of feel 7 and 9, 8, and 8, unless they make a quarterback move. So now, now I've given you, I've given you, my bottom is my top, slightly better, slightly worse, the same. I didn't do all the teams here

because once you do those teams you don't need to do all the teams it just fits and I have a right to change but right now here's my AFC predictions Bill's Patriots Dolphins Jets I know

Browns Ravens Steelers Bingles I think Cleveland's had a sensational offseason AFC Colts Titans Jags Texans AFC West according to my groupings Chiefs Chargers Broncos. In the NFC, again, I've got the right to change. Washington, Cowboys, very close, Giants, Eagles, Packers, Vikings, Bears, I downgraded the Bears, called the Lions fourth

place. So, Minnesota, obviously, goes right into second. Bucks, Saints, Panthers, Falcons. I just think the Bucks and Saints. Tampa's going to be better. Saints are worse. Panthers Falcons are not viable yet. NFC West is my hardest. Now, you look at that and you say Rams, I have upgraded the Rams at quarterback a game. I think Seattle is pretty much the same. I think the Ram, Seahawks battle for the conference crown. Arizona's better from 8 and 8, probably 9 and 7. Now, you look at the Niners and say, how can you have them last? Well, why have the Niners been in all these quarterback discussions? The anxiety of Jimmy Garoppolo's health. History tells me they will not get a full season of Jimmy Garoppolo.

That's why every fourth day, there's a 49er story on the AP wire or somebody on a blog. So I'm not saying the Niners are four and 12. But this morning, history tells me Garoppolo plays for seven to eight games. They would be a fourth place team. Eric Mangini is going to join me. So that is my process, as boring as it is. All right, Eric, joining us live. Three Super Bowl rings.

All right, what did you make of that? That circus you just watched. That is a lot to unpack in mid-March. The fact that you're making the predictions that you're making at this point is impressive. I disagree that the draft has no impact on teams. I think that Tampa Bay would argue that Antoine Winfield had an effect, and Tristan Wilkes had an effect. You could say that Justin Herbert had an effect.

had an effect on the charges. And look, there's a ton of draft picks that make an impact year and year out. In terms of your teams that made no improvement, I disagree with Washington. I think Washington has improved. I get the Ryan Fitzpatrick move. What is he good at? He's good at nurturing a young quarterback. And if they're going to go get a young quarterback, that makes a lot of sense.

And then they bring Curtis Samuel, that helps. And they sign what some people would argue is the best cornerback. that's available in free agency, which is an issue, and they've got the really good, good defensive line. I think Carolina has made some improvements. They brought in two guys that can rush the passer that have more sacks than they had, I think, total last year. They're two free agents.

Every year, top teams regress and teams pop. You know, you ding some teams for having a new head coach, and you don't ding others. look at the charters, they have a rookie head coach. Well, how is that going to affect them? So there's, A, I'm very impressed that you went through this process. B, I think you're totally undervaluing the draft. I feel like the draft does have a, can have a significant impact. And I think you're also undervaluing some of these these coaching changes and coaches and systems that are in the second year. Carolina was in a ton of games last year.

They were in a ton of games, and now a second year in the system, I think they've got a chance to make significant improvement. All right. Well, that's good. We chopped it up there. Okay, I want to talk about, there's some obvious stuff.

New England obviously upgraded it tight-end wide receiver. That's not disputable. What did you make of the CAM contract, which is very incentive-based? What does that tell you about New England? Well, this huge spending spree. So the $100 million is going to be dependent on the $5 million. And that's the way it is.

The quarterback position drives all of it. And when you bring this amount of free agents into a room, especially a room like New England, the Patriot Way is a lifestyle. And I've told you a thousand times it's not for everybody. and when you don't have an alpha like Tom Brady who's sitting in those meetings so when the coaching is coming through

and the greatest player of all time is taking that coaching, it's hard for anybody in the room to dispute it. But now he's gone and Cam has assumed that role, but he's got a $5 million contract. And the NFL, it's don't tell me, you love me, show me you love me.

And when you're paying a guy $5 million, you just don't have the same pop. you don't have the same pop based off of how he played last year. So there's a lot of moves, but a lot of those moves are going to be dependent on how right they were on the Cam Newton decision. You know, it's interesting in the free agent market. Wide receiver, I mean, really good guys are not getting gobbled up, and I would theorize, and I've noticed it in high school recruiting in California, is the best players

want to play quarterback or wide receiver. they don't want to get hit at running back. There are so many gifted wide receivers. I mean, you're seeing second, third round guys like Claypool, walk into this league and you can't stop them. Is part of this that teams look around and go, why pay big? There's 28 receivers enter the NFL every year

and 8 to 10 or great immediately. Is that part of it? Well, that's part of it. And when you look at Freed and see over the last couple years with wide receivers, the top three guys really didn't do very much. You know, they changed teams. They got, they had good value, and they didn't add that much production to the teams they went to. So you, as a team and as a league, you always look at those trends.

So that could be part of it. And there's still been 25 wide receiver signed, Colin. So it's not like there hasn't been any movement in the wide receiver space. Who are the guys right now that you feel should be signed that aren't signed? Well, Kenny Goliday is pretty special. Juju's wildly productive at the slot. I don't know. But when you look at Juju, he had a chance to be a clear number one.

And he had a lot of numbers, but Pittsburgh threw the ball almost every play. So that whole group had a bunch of numbers. So did he really distinguish himself as an impact player in that Pittsburgh system to where if you're another team, you're saying, okay, if we insert them here, he's going to have a huge effect on us. And I don't know you can argue that he did. And then with Ghaladay, you know, he missed a bunch of time last year. You're not sure where the hip is.

There was some question on whether or not he could come back. You know, did he sit out on purpose? So there's that question as well. So it's hard to throw a ton of money when there's significant questions. So I am big on Wentz and Frank Wright. You are a little bit of a cynic. And I want to hear your cynicism on the. Carson Wentz stuff, Coach.

You love hard and you love Carson. Look, there's a lot to like about Carson Wentz, but one of your points is that he's going to be in a media market that's not as tough. Well, if that's your defining you're defining characteristic for a guy

who's changing a new team, I think it's problematic. I mean, you get on on quarterbacks all the time because they're oversensitive to media pressure. And Carson goes into a team, that's a good team. He didn't get his number. You know, this is a, this is a locker room that's going to say, hey, we're pretty good. What are you bringing to the mix? And that's a

different kind of of pressure. And he's going to need to be more resilient than he was in Philadelphia going into that locker room and show those guys he can actually impact things and not mess it up. That's going to be the first start. So I, I, I, I, um, coaches fall in the way. love with players. General manager's job is to fall in like with him. And I think Gruden's got too much power. And I think he sends mixed messages all the time. We want character guys. And he goes, gets Vantes, Burr-Befat, Antonio Brown. Sometimes the Raiders feel like to me, what mood is John Gruden in when he wakes up in Vegas in the morning? What do you make of their off season? We're four of the five offensive linemen. They just moved off. Rodney Hudson's pretty good. What do you make of it?

Okay, well, it's three of the offensive line. They re-signed one just yesterday. So there's been a little bit of change, and then they moved on from Trent Brown, but he barely played last year, and they really liked Good, who came in and filled in for him, and they re-signed him. So really, that number is significantly left, or less than what it's being projected as. And it was an overpaid group. They made a mistake.

they paid the guys too much money for a group that wasn't as productive. So they've gotten younger and cheaper without losing much in terms of what they're going to give in the running game. And then some of the other moves I like as well. You know, they got faster at wide receiver. They got depth at running back. They added four defensive linemen. You're knocking them, but I don't think that they've had an unproductive free agency period at all. Derek Carr, more than any quarterback in the NFL, regresses the most sharply with less protection.

By far. Matt Ryan's second, I just worry about Derek Carr with less time to throw because history tells me he regresses quickly. But when you look at it, they haven't changed out that many players. Incognito's back. Good was already playing. So that's three out of the five. they got a veteran center. They brought in another center, or actually they had a center on the roster that they really like

and could potentially start. And now they've got a running game that's been bolstered by Kenyon Drake. And that helps a lot with protection. When you can run the ball effectively, it slows down the pass rush. It slows down everything that's happening. The Steelers should understand that better than anybody after this past year. So I think the moves will help. them from that perspective. All right. So you like the Raiders. I think they're a mess.

You're questioning cynical on the Colts. I think they're going to end up in the AFC championship. So that's where we stand in late March. Listen, it's March Madness. It's a time to go all in on certain things. So I like your positioning this morning. It gives us a lot to stew over and the next beer and steak we have. That sounds good. I'm looking forward to that. Hopefully it happens soon. Yeah. Eric Mangini. Thanks, coach. By the way, here's the very latest. Ju-Jew-Smith Schuster is returning to the Steelers a one-year deal, $8 million, that's it. Kansas City was interested, so was Baltimore.

Juju went to the market, and the market said, no thanks. $8 million one year. That's what it is. Whatever. It's probably the best place for him, honestly. Oh, I think, yeah, yeah. Yeah, I think right now. I mean, I can't say that.

Kansas City would be great, obviously. There you go. What do we got to? Matt Stafford, New Rams. Coach. He is being welcomed into the city by Joy and I next hour. 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. Hey, this is Jason McIntyre. Join me every weekday morning on my podcast, Straightfire with Jason McIntyre.

This isn't your typical sports pod pushing the same tired narratives down your throat every day. Straight Fire gives you honest opinions on all the biggest sports headlines, accurate stats to help you win big at the sports book, and all the best guests. Do yourself a favor and listen to Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre 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 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. 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 Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok.

Hey, I'm Deanna Maria Riva, actress, mother, lover, and a Gen X woman walking through life one hot flash and hormonal crying jag at a time. You ladies know what I mean. I'll bet you a perimenopausal chin here you do. So let's talk about it. Join me on my new podcast. How hard can it be with the Adamia Riva, where I call on my Gen X squads from Ohio to Hollywood as we navigate midlife's most fantastic BS. All of a sudden, I'd had hanginess happening on my own.

I was like, what the hell is that? I was married when I had her, so I didn't even consider how empty that nest was going to be. Mood swings, night sweats, fupas, fupas, sex. drive, wait, what sex? Dating at 45, how high can it be getting naked at 50 with the new guy? That one's kind of hard, no? Well, that's lighting. They say we can't polish a turd, but we're sure

going to try. So let's get blunt with laughs tears or tears of laughter and dive into it unfiltered and unbothered and ask, how hard can it be? I cannot believe I'm about to say this out loud in public. Listen to How Hard Can It Be with Diana Maria Riva as part of my Cultura Podcast Network

available on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm CJ Toledano, and our podcast Point Game is about defying the odds. Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and Austin Reed. And finding ways to win no matter what. He's the smartest player to ever play the game. His IQ is at a level that we've never seen before. And he knows without Luca and Austin Rees, I got to manipulate the game. We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the playoffs. I think Joker's going to be exhausted this series because when they don't

have Rudy in the lineup, he has to really guard guys like Nas Reid. He has to guard Julius Randall. And then he has to give us everything he gives us on the night-to-night basis on offense. And when IT's friends stop by, like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too. Steve Nash would get that thing. That man, hell get the flying. He running the court, licking his fingers why he got the ball. Like, after you go through a training camp with that, Isaiah, you figure it out real quick. Get your ass up and down the court, and you're going to get the ball. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. For the first time in 11 years, WWE Hall of Fame or Edge competes in a match on Smackdown.

Plus, Sasha Banks collides with Nia Jackson, a championship showdown. It's an all-new Friday night Smackdown, live at 8 Eastern on Fox. By the way, the Ravens made a big push on Juju Smith-Schuster. The Kansas City Chiefs made a big push on Juju Smith-Schuster. he took significantly less to stay with Ben and the Steelers. Eight million one year deal. So a very productive player. I like him a lot.

You know, he's a little, people think he's a little too much into his social media stuff. And he hasn't elevated last couple of years. Numbers have gone down. Some of that is. Chase Claypool obviously came in and got a lot of looks. That's a big part of that. So, you know, the Steelers have always drafted wide receivers as well. And they just keep bringing one in every year.

and they keep taking some catches away. I think he's a very productive player. Andy Reid wanted him and John Harbaugh wanted him and Mike Tomlin wanted him. Those are three Hall of Fame level coaches. So he's a good player. And, you know, it's funny. Aaron Jones could have taken more money. He wanted to stay in the winning culture in Green Bay.

Julius Smith-Schuster could have taken more money. He liked the winning culture in Pittsburgh. So, you know, I hear a lot of times, oh, these athletes, all they care about his money. Well, there's two Pro Bowl or very, very high-end players that didn't take money. I mean, Deshaun Watson is going to lose money if he leaves Houston, right? Like if he sits out. He wants to win games.

Well, your quality of life matters, too. Of course. And these guys make a lot of money. Juju makes a lot of money away from the sport. Right. Not obviously going to the Ravens or Kansas City. You don't necessarily mean you're not going to enjoy playing football because there's two high-level teams. But, you know, you're comfortable there.

Yeah. Joy Taylor with the news. No. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. I was remember it was Mason Rudolph and Duck Hodges throwing to him for a while there. Them was out. Well, I mean, it's, you know, people could say, well, he just didn't want to go because Lamar's not a good thrower, but he could have gone to homes.

This is a guy that just said, I like winning, I like the culture, I don't want to move, and Pittsburgh treats it, Pittsburgh tended to treat its players really well. Great. Great. So Carson Wentz was introduced as the new quarterback of the cults yesterday, and he spoke for the first time since the trade about how his, tenure with the Eagles game to an end. I'm not going to sugarcoat it. It wasn't fun. You have to look yourself in the mirror and, you know, learn from it, learn from it, and become a better man, better player, all of those things. So yeah, I'm not going to lie. It wasn't fun. It was difficult. But I did everything I could to still be supportive of Jalen and my teammates.

If any of my teammates out there don't think I was the best teammate, I apologize. I wish I could be better. You know, like I said last year, was tough for everybody. I think he said all the right stuff I think well I don't I don't think for me personally I feel like all the pressure is on Carson Wentz now

you're in a situation where you got everything that you wanted there's no one looking over your shoulder there's no Jalen Hertz you have Frank Wright you have the offensive line you have some weapons to throw to you have a solid defense

and you have a division that is completely winnable he should win the division I mean I feel like they should do more than that. I think definitely an upgrade over Philip Rivers. And I mean, they were productive last year. Carson is one person of this network that likes you.

Mangini and Joy are out. I don't dislike Carson Wentz. I don't think, I think that there's a narrative around Carson Wentz that is a little unrealistic. He didn't win an MVP. And he like, no one in the history of sports has gotten more credit for not winning an MVP. Like, can you remember other than the year that Derek Rose won the NFL? MVP over LeBron. Do we ever talk about like, well, they should have won the MVP that year. No. We don't talk about it. He didn't win. Tom Brady won and Tom Brady had better numbers at the time

that Carson Wentz got hurt than Carson Wentz did that year that he didn't win the MVP. And so there's this narrative around him that he has had all of this production and he's so much better than Dak Prescott. And we know what kind of talent he has. We've seen it. But I don't, I don't see anything that happened in Philadelphia that hasn't happened to every other player. And he's so much better. at every other position in the NFL. Someone always gets drafted at your position. That happens. Even if you're Tom Brady, that happens.

They take other quarterbacks. Other quarterbacks come in. You still have to perform. And every other position deals with that. Not everyone gets along with their coach. Russell Wilson, future Hall of Famers, had a little public issue with Pete Carroll. They resolved it.

Like, what happened in Philadelphia that was so difficult? Philadelphia is a difficult place sometimes for players. The fans are tough. They're not that tough. It's not New York. Like Philadelphia is tough, but I mean, it's going to be okay. I just want to see what he does this year. All right.

And I'm just going to wait and see. So the Bears use their franchise tag on Alan Robinson this year. He said he was in no rush to sign the tag, but that changed when Kenny Galladay showed up to have a free agency meeting on Wednesday. According to Ian Rappaport, Robinson is now accepted the franchise tag and he will make $18 million next season. A lot of money, but he's really good.

And not only that, they don't have, I mean, they need him badly. They do need him, which is why we didn't want to sign the franchise tag and wanted a longer deal. Yeah, he has leverage. They just don't have, they don't have receivers. Well, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports that the Bears are still offering Gallaudet a one-year contract in the range of 11 to 12 million and are trying to sell him the idea of playing alongside Robinson as, you know, a wide receiver duo. That's actually, I mean, that would actually, Ryan Pace, who I'm not a fan of his GM, That's the way Andy Dalton can win. When you give him two elite receivers, like in Dallas or Cincinnati, that's when he's won.

But if you're asking Andy Dalton with a marginal O line and one guy you can double, that's not what Andy Dalton can do. Andy's a distributor. He's a very effective distributor. He's not a playmaker. So Ghaladay with Alan Robinson. Oh, okay. And Tariq Cohen comes back. Draft another receiver.

Then all of a sudden, Andy Dalton can at least be viable. This actually is not a bad situation for Alan Robinson because Andy Dalton coming in for the year. It's more of a passer. And then you can, well, if he's not productive, then you have the opportunity to leave next year and go somewhere else. I can't believe Andy Dalton is the, oh, sorry, Chicago fans. You know what, in 70 years, maybe in 72 years. You'll find a right quarterback. So the NCAA tournament started last night with the first four matchups.

And the last of the night was a thriller. UCLA was down by as much as 14. to Michigan State, but the Bruins outscored the Spartans 53 to 36 in the second half in overtime to pull off the comeback. They won 86 to 80, and they will face six-seed BYU on Saturday. This was a fun game. It was a very, it lived up to everything that Michigan State is. Obviously, Tomizzo had a moment there, which you see every single tournament.

And I'm happy for UCLA. It was a good win for them. I don't know how they're going to do on Saturday, but it was a fun start to the tournament. They're an interesting team, is usually they blow the leads. They've actually had a lot of, they probably had six games this year where they had it, and they melted down late. So for them to come back and win, Michigan State was hot and cold all year. That's just who they are. They got blown out nine times.

Well, the tournament is underway, and the women's tournament starts in San Antonio on Sunday. Stanford is number one overall seat in the women's tournament. But I'm excited for some much-manist games. Yes, Yukon is one seed. South Carolina and NC State are the other one seats for the women's. All right. Good stuff. Is Baylor any good?

Yes. And they're still good. Yeah. Joy with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Herd Lye News. Matthew Stafford, new quarterback for the L.A. Rams will be joining us soon.

Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. On Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the office. I heart radio app. Hey, this is Jason McIntyre. Join me every weekday morning on my podcast, Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre. This isn't your typical sports pod pushing the same tired narratives down your throat every day. Straight Fire gives you honest opinions on all the biggest sports headlines, accurate stats to help you win big at the sports book, and all the best guests.

Do yourself a favor and listen to Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, 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 I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford 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 Cliverts show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or we're at you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford

and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm CJ Toledano and our podcast, point game is about

defining the odds. Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and Austin Reed. And finding ways to win no matter what. He's the smartest player to ever play the game.

His IQ is at a level that we've never seen before. And he knows. Without Luca and Austin Reeves, I got to manipulate the game. We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the playoffs. I think Joker's going to be exhausted this series

because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup, he has to really guard guys like Nas Reid. He has to guard Julius Randall. And then he has to give us everything he gives us on the night-to-night basis on offense. And when IT's friends stop by, like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too.

Steve Nass would get that thing. That man, hell get to fly. He running up the court, licking his fingers, why he got the ball. Like, you go through a training camp with that I, head you figure it out real quick. Get your ass up and down the court, and you're going to get the ball. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your

podcasts. Hey, I'm Deanna Maria Riva, actress, mother, lover, and a Gen X woman walking through life one hot flash and hormonal crying jag at a time. You ladies know what I mean. I'll bet you a perimenopausal chin here you do. So let's talk about it. Join me on my new podcast. How Hard Can It Be with Deanna Maria Riva, where I call on my Gen X squads from Ohio to

Hollywood as we navigate midlife's most fantastic BS. All of a sudden, I'd had hanginess happening on my own. I was like, what the hell is that? I was married when I had her, so I didn't even consider how empty that nest was going to be. Mood swings, night sweats, fupas, sex drive. Wait, what sex? Dating at 45. How can it be getting naked at 50 with the new guy?

That one's kind of hard, you know? Well, that's lighting. They say we can't polish a turd, but we're sure going to do. try. So let's get blunt with laughs, tears or tears of laughter, and dive into it, unfiltered and unbothered and ask, how hard can it be? I cannot believe I'm about to say this out loud in public. Listen to How Hard Can It Be with Diana Maria Riva as part of my Cultura Podcast Network available on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Big news on the NFL front, Fox in the League announced yesterday a new and expanded media rights

agreement that runs through the 2033 season. The new 11-year agreement extends Fox's coverage of premier NFC games, new and exclusive holiday games, and much more. Fox is America's number one network for the NFL, and we couldn't be more excited for what lays ahead. Well, America's Game of the Week on Fox has been the most watched NFL window for 20 straight years, and we also have four of the next 12 Super Bowls, which is a big deal, and we also got some gaming rights. Listen, the NFL is the must-have in programming in America. It is the must-have.

And we have it, and we have the NFC. And for the next two years, Tom Brady, well, I mean, we have Brady, Russell Wilson, Aaron Rogers. Now we got Matt Stafford, hopefully, Kyler Murray. We've got a lot of good young quarterbacks. Listen, the league is vibrant, and we're doing well, too. That's good. and we'll do some Christmas Day stuff too. Hey, Rick Buecker is now joining us, Fox Sports NBA analyst for the next 12 Super Bowls. So I was saying this is that I think there are four guys in the NBA that are clearly valuable. There's a lot of talented guys. LeBron, Steph, Chris Paul, and Jimmy Butler.

The teams aren't the same. KD and AD are really gifted, but the Nets had won 13 of 14 without Kevin Durant. this again. I cannot believe you're doing this again. Kevin Durant. Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis have become the same guy. Talented and brittle. What's wrong with it? Isn't that fair?

Damien Lillard. Would you speak his name? I like Damian Lillard deserves to be in that conversation. All right. There's five. Valuable guys. You know what it is? You guys love KD. And my takeaway is

Golden State one without him. Brooklyn wins without him. How valuable is he? He's just talented. He's not that valuable. Is he? Yeah. When you're that talented, when you are a go-to guy that can get his shot anytime he wants it and get a quality shot, when he can score at all three levels, when he now has the signature of having been a champion and having been a finals MVP twice over, that carries a lot of weight and a lot of gravitas when it comes to your team. So when it comes to KD, yes, he needs to get healthy. And this does concern me. This soft tissue injury after what kept him out for an entire year last year, lingering as it has is reason for concern. But if he gets back,

and he gets back to what he was at the beginning of the year, he instantly becomes the leader once again of this team. He's going to undercut James Hardin's MVP run, and I don't know that KD's going to win it either. They're going to cancel each other out. But if we're talking about who is the best player on that team, who would be the leader of that team, it would be Kevin to that. But it's funny. When I think of greatest players I've grown up watching, I started, I saw Jerry West at the end, Magic and Bird and LeBron and Kobe and Michael Jordan. None of them were

hurt all the time. Carl Malone. KD.'s hurt all the time. He's never available. Last three years. He's not available. Anthony Davis. But no, we don't. I mean, I mean, I'm like, no, no, no, fair. I'm not going to put KD and AD in the same category. I'm just not. KD. To me, has proved a lot more than Anthony Davis has. I'm not giving the one championship in the bubble riding along with LeBron James and put that in the same category as what KD. Yes, yes, was Golden State loaded? Yes, were they already proven winners? Yes, but they don't win. They don't have the dynastic run that they had unless they add Kevin Durant. And he was deservedly the MVP of those two finals. So I'm not going to put them in the same category. Being available

injury-wise is important. But we're also in a different era, Colin. And this undercuts everything, which is guys are put on the shelf for much longer. The sports medicine aspect of this, I was just looking at Kobe's stats, you know, back when he won the MVP and then the following year, he had two years in a row where he played 82 games,

played every single game. There was a time where that was a badge of honor. Now it's like, what am I doing playing 82 games? I can't, what's the point of playing 82 games If I can play 72 and it might make me 3, 4, 5% better in the postseason, hell yeah, I'm going to take those 10 games off. So I just think we're working with a different formula at this point when you're talking about these long eras to put KD in the camp of

he's always injured or he's always missing games. Yeah, the last few years he has. But prior to that, he was fairly available. He was as available as any star that I can think of. It does feel like Hardens now the heart and soul of the team, doesn't it? He's more of a distributor. I mean, I don't trust Kyrie emotionally. I don't trust KD. physically. I trust Harden emotionally and physically. If you want to say that he is the driving force of this team, the catalyst that is making it all work, I would go with you with that 100%. I would still say the most important player is Kevin Durant.

It's a little bit like Steph and KD when they were together in Golden State. Like Steph was the driving element to that team. But who was the best player and who was the guy that ultimately you were going to look to to make the shot when all the chips were in the middle of the table? It was Kevin Durant. And I would say that that's still going to be the case here. James Harden distributing, creating, but KD ultimately knocking down the big shot, that to me is the formula that's going to get the nets where they want to go. Well, I guess I'm more of a heart and soul guy over a most talented guy. That's our difference.

I like Hart. And that's fair. No, and I do too. I mean, look, I agree with you. And I think when we talk about most valuable, it's never been defined by the league. So you can go with the heart and soul guy. you just need to declare, I'm going with the heart and soul guy. I'm a touchy-feely guy. I'm a narrative guy. I'd rather go with that than just go with the pure killer who's going to get the shot and make the shot with the game on the line. I'm with you on that.

The guy who makes everybody feel good, I mean, again, this goes back to Shaq and Kobe. Shaq was the guy who made everybody feel good. Shaq was the guy who set the screens and drew so much attention that it threw everything off. when those two were playing together. But you weren't going to win championships without Kobe Bryant and his ability

to throw the dagger when you needed it. So it's just, it is your preference. It is your taste. I see you, Colin. I guess I see you as a touchy-feely guy. I see you as a heart and soul guy. I am. So that fits.

I'm okay with that. Yeah. I like dependable, 80 games, health. I think Hardin has shifted his game. he's a little more giving now. It's kind of shifted the culture. Brooklyn's passing is getting better. I like that. Okay, but this is also a short memory for Colin Cowherd. Is it not? Because was he a guy that you would embrace,

guy that you'd talk about puppies with when he was in Houston? No. At the beginning of the year? I mean, are we just giving him a full pass on that? Well, Houston is the worst team in the league without him, so I probably undervalued his ability to be real glue. I just saw him as kind of an offensive eccentric player, but I look at what he's doing in Brooklyn,

and I'm like, I've got to be honest. They pass better. He passes more. He doesn't, I don't trust Kyrie emotionally. I don't trust Kevin physically. It's like, I don't know. He feels like Stefan Golden State. That's my guy.

That's my, everything else I can live without. That's my guy. This is my guy. See, look at it. I am willing to embrace change and, and Harden, I am now more a Hardin guy. So is he your MVP? No, God, I don't even care about that.

He's number two to LeBron, but I hate that topic. He's number two. LeBron and Brady have seven between the two of them, despite 37 combined years of dominance. I'm over even talking MVP. All right, we got a new big NFL contract here, Bukes. I want to talk about that for a second. Good see, anybody. I really appreciated you give me a little NBA time here.

Okay. Again, America's Game of the Week. Most watch show and TV past 12 years. Fox has a new contract, 11-year agreement for the next 12 Super Bowls. Listen, we're a network that we basically, we do the NFL, we do baseball playoffs, we do college football, and we do the World Cup. We've got some NASCAR in there. We got some other stuff. A little basketball, but we do football in Europe.

We do football college and pro here, and we give you a little baseball. playoffs. That's the big stuff. We do the best live events of anyone in the business. We do really good live events. We do. This show's live right now. It's very good. So we're in a network that does a very good live events. Save Bigin Your Water and Energy Bills with Navian tankless water heater provides instant and endless spa-like comfort water. Tankless made easy. Go to tankless made simple.com. Tankless made simple.com.

Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guide, 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. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Cliford 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 Cliford 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 Cliford Show on the IHeard 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. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hardway with your favorite therapist and host, Kear Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor? It signals to the world that you're not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to. Listen to learn the hard way on the IHard radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. This is an IHart podcast. Guaranteed human.