The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 03/31/2021 - HOUR 2 - NFL, Kevin Durant

Episode Date: March 31, 2021

Colin has updated his NFL mock draftColin's thoughts on Kevin Durant's comments on TwitterGuest: Vernon Davis Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver 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 I Heart Radio app,

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Thanks for listening to The 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 Herd. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Ah, here we go live in Los Angeles. Hour 2, this is the herd wherever you may be and however you may be listening. IHeart Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and FS1. It is great to have you in today. Vernon Davis was tied for the highest drafted tight end, which is number six.

And Kyle Pitts has a chance to be drafted around. that. Kyle Pitts had an unbelievable blazing pro day. Was it this morning or yesterday? Today. Today. And so Vernon is the last tight end that literally you thought the best athlete in the entire draft was a tight end. And I grew up

in a time when tight ends mostly blocked. And then there was a guy named Kellan Winslow and it sort of changed. And then there was Ozzie Newsom and it sort of changed. But for a long time it was just, I mean, I grew up watching the Seattle Seahawks. That was my first team as a kid. I don't remember their tight end. I don't know. I remember

Steve Largent, Sherman Smith, Jim Zorn, Steve Rable, I can remember Dan Dornick. I remember all their skill people. I don't remember they're tied in. In the 70s, it just wasn't like a position. Dave Casper for the old Raiders was pretty good. Benny Cunningham for the Steelers got a little love, but it's a different position. Now, in fact, it's the hardest position to defend because America is producing more and more six, five and a half guys that run a four-four, and they're too gifted to play defense. They can catch the ball. And what do you do with them?

The wide receiver and they're too good to put on the offensive line and they're too tall to be a running back. So you're getting all these great athletes. They look like basketball players. Like Kyle Pitts looks like a basketball player. And all of a sudden he runs a 4-2 and you're like, okay, he could be a receiver tied in. So we'll have Vernon Davis in a few minutes.

Joy Taylor's joining me. So Fox Bet now has the Niners as the favorite. The betting market has changed in Vegas Fox Bet. Justin Fields now goes to the Niners. So I follow the betting markets. When the betting markets change, it's a pretty good idea. They're not building more casinos because they're wrong more than they're right. So I said to myself, okay, so every time new information comes out, let's just do a new top 10 mock draft.

It's fun. We can all play along. So you're ready to go? Let's do it. Number one. All right. So this is the easiest pick on the board. There's only two easy picks on the board.

This is one. Jags get Trevor Lawrence. First of all, he fits geographically. Urban Meyer has a history of working with young quarterbacks. His whole career was Tebow and Alex Smith. He is the prodigy, if there is such a thing in football. Yesterday they were talking about, I was reading a website, talking about the pros and cons.

And the pros were just about everything. The cons are occasionally struggles with accuracy, but that's mostly when he plays like, you know, Ohio State's front or LSU's front. Number two. All right, second easiest pick. It looks like the Jets like Zach Wilson. You know, listen, if you take a quarterback one and two, one of them doesn't work, he's got Robert Sala. Is it going to work?

I don't know. I think he's a little slender, didn't beat the best competition. But this is the pick. Everybody likes him. He's got a nice arm. So Zach Wilson goes to the Jets. 49ers now. The betting markets have moved to Justin Fields.

Very, very highly coveted prospect. He and Trevor Lawrence for the last three years have been the guys. They've been camps together. He's from Georgia. Now, I thought Atlanta would be have a hard time passing on him, but it's really interesting how I thought this morning. So, at least I think so. So Justin Fields goes to the Niners three.

And I'm going to tell you something. I don't think Atlanta needs a quarterback. But I'm going to go Atlanta drafting Trey Lance 4, and here's why. Trey Lance, like Josh Allen, smaller school really could use the right staff, the right coach, and a year to learn. I think Atlanta now looks at them and thinks, this kid's great. We know whoever we draft is not going to play in year one. If you draft Justin Fields and Matt Ryan has a two-game losing streak and Justin Fields is from Georgia,

fans are going to want to see Justin Fields. They're going to want to see Zach Wilson. But fans haven't seen Trey Lance play. He is a prospect. And so you can put Tray Lance on the burner for two years under Arthur Smith, and by the middle of the second year, you played them in exhibition games. The fans are patient. Matt Ryan's still good.

So I think Tray Lance now, that feels right to me, goes four to Atlanta. Number five is Cincinnati. They don't take big risks. There's two great offensive tackles. I'm going to go. They draft the Big Ten tackle. It's in their geographical footprints of very. conservative organization. They already have a very good left tackle. They're going to go get

Northwestern's Rishon Slater, who can go interior or on the tackle. Match that very well against Chase Young. And again, it plays well to their Midwestern conservative base. He's a big 10 player. He could be left tackle, but many people think he's more dominant on the interior and to protect Joe Burrell, who's already hurt. I think it's a solid pick. Number six, what has Miami been doing in off season, getting players to help, Tua. They get Kyle Pitts. Number six, you can line them up anywhere. It gives coaches great flexibility. Devonte Parker, they added Will Fuller. Many people think they're going to build O-line and go for running backs. So this is a best friend for a young quarterback is a lively athletic tight end. Go ask Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelsey. Carson Wentz

and Zach Ertz. Quarterbacks that are young, learning the game. game love to rely on a 75 to 85 to 85 catch tied end Kyle Pitts to Miami. Detroit 7 needs a lot of defense, but they lost Kenny Goliday. I think they have to give Jared Gop a weapon, and they get Jamar Chase, who I think's the most NFL ready wide receiver. That's what my scouts think. He looks like a pro. He acts like a pro.

He's at alpha. He'll demand the ball. But you can't bring Jared Gough over, lose Kenny Gawaday with a weak offensive line. you're going to look so ridiculous as an organization if Jared Goff is struggling and Matt Stafford is flourishing. You're going to get crushed by the Michigan media. You've got to get him some weapon. So Goff is at least semi-comfortable.

Jamar Chase to the Lions. Somebody always drops that's gifted. Penae Sewell goes to Carolina. I don't think Matt Rule's going to fall in love with Mack Jones. They'll play Teddy Bridgewater or get Sam Darnold. This is the best player who drops. Listen, whoever they have at quarterback, this is a 10 to 15 year left tackle. We see this every year in the draft.

There's a great player, and because of needs, he drops four or five spots. I'm going to guess Penae Sewell. Again, last year they went heavy defense. Carolina's going to go offense. I still think they make a move and get Sam Darnel. Number nine, Denver's the toughest pick for me. They've got a million needs on defense. In free agency, they went and got Kyle Fuller a corner.

They could go get another corner. But I'm going to guess here that they're going to go with Micah Parsons, who is easily the best linebacker, super fast, best Big Ten linebacker, best linebacker in America. They are a bad defensive team, and they have a defensive coordinator running the organization. And last year they went big into receivers and big into offense, and all they've done is care about offense. And Vic Van Gio's like, I got a couple of pass rushers and nobody else.

So they went and addressed Corner and Kyle Fuller. they go get a he'll start day one for Denver at linebacker and number 10 Dallas this is kind of easy they get one of the two corners how about Patrick Certain big brand Alabama to big brand the cowboys I think this is an easy one this is a third easiest pick they got to put some money on the defensive side they have one young corner they really like and then it's a lot of guys they pay a lot and aren't very productive so that's my mock draft I think the first the second and the 10th pick feel like the easy one. The herd brought to you by Jersey, Mike Subs, be a sub above. Of course, I love the draft. A lot of its speculation. Some of its needs, some of it, like I think Cincinnati has to get an offensive lineman. Joe Burroughs the franchise. You could go get Kyle Pitts. It wouldn't shock me, but Joe Burrow gets hurt one more time. It changes the trajectory of Joe Burroughs career. Kyle Pitts to me is the best athlete in the draft. He's a tight end. And again, I grew up in an era

when tight ends mostly blocked. And then you saw an Ozzie Newsom, then you saw Kellan Winslow, and then it was like game on. Vernon Davis was the last tight end that went to a combine, and I thought, oh, actually the best athlete is a tight end.

And increasingly, we're seeing these 6-5 and 6-6-6 athletes. They're too skilled to put on defense. They may be a little big to put it receiver, but they're taking over the game. These tight ends are taking over the game. And Vernon Davis is the one at the Combine. You're like, the best players, a tight end from Maryland. And Vernon Davis is now joining us live.

Super Bowl chant with the Broncos, 14 great years in the NFL. So, you know, when you look at a Kyle Pitts, Vernon, you looked bigger. I always thought you could block. Kyle's more of a receiver. I thought of you, Vernon, you could block if I had to. I could put you on the line. I could put you out. but do you see some similarities with you and Kyle Pitts?

Yeah, I like Kyle Pitts. I think he's 6-6, 240 pounds. I think he's a great asset to any team because his ability, when you watch him on film, he's always going up to grab the ball, and that's what you want in your receiver. You know, it's like a quarterback's dream to have a target that's always going up for the ball. And he does that really, really well.

But he can run. He's tall. He's fast. He's big. I mean, I'll take them on my team any day. You know, tight ends now are kind of like in vogue. Everybody wants the tight end. You kind of changed it Vernon a little, where everybody still was kind of like, well, it's a tight end.

You know, you guys, tight ends weren't getting paid the big money. When you came into the league, did you feel like to some degree you were the guy that coaches finally said, we're going to design multiple plays for a tight end? Yeah, when I came in because of my speed. North Turner at the time, he was really crafty with coming up with plays because he wanted to utilize my speed. And like you said,

when I was coming in, the position was starting to change. You had Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez, those guys paving the way. And then I was able to bring in the more of the speed element. So I was, you know, a lot of my routes were downfield.

And then he was, nor would be, he would get creative with me, with putting me in the back field and handing me the ball. So nowadays, a guy like Petits, you can do a lot of that.

with him as well. Now, Kyle's not known as a blocker, and when I watched his combine today, Vernon, he's slender. I mean, there's a reason he's running what he's running. But you will, let's go back to your career. You were a bigger, thicker tight end, so you could play on the line. Do you think it's an issue? Because you know how the game works, Vernon. At one point in the red zone, they're going to ask Kyle Pitts to block. Do you worry at all that he doesn't appear to like that part of the game? Well, I think a lot of tight ends, even me. At one point, I was, you know, I was all about catching passes. I didn't really want to block. But now, if you look at Kelsey, you look at Grunkowski, those guys there, they're catching passes, but they're also blocking.

I think if he wants to be a well-rounded tight end and he wants to make it far in this league, he's going to have to learn how to block. And he has the ability. You know, he just has to stay in the wayroom, continue to learn the crap, because blocking is all technique. If you get with the right coach that can teach you how to get your on play long, get your arms out, Because that's what they're teaching. They teach you how fast can you get your arm on the defender's paths, right? How fast and how long can you play, right? And if he can learn that, oh, he'll be a force in this league for a very long time

because of his ability to go up at the highest point and get the ball. You are one of the players in my lifetime that literally, it felt like the combine changed your life. I mean, it was like, okay, we know Vernon Davis is good. They didn't take your shirt off. everybody went okay um did you sense vernon before you went to the combine did you have a sense that this puppy could change my life the trajectory of my life this combine let me tell you i felt like it was i felt like i was going out there and i and i only had one shot you know i was listening to that

m&m song um where you only get one shot don't miss it don't don't miss the opportunity right And I just kept hearing that one shot. Because I know when you go to the combine, it's a way for you to get your stock up. And that's what these guys have to realize. The combine will change your life, change your career. If you're able to show these scouts, hey, I can, you guys never seen me run. You never see me block. You never seen me lift weight.

But when you get in front of me, I'm going to have the best interview possible. And this is the opportunity. And you only have one time to do it. So you have to make sure you take advantage of the moment and bring out the best in you. And now it's the time. I said this earlier that there's something about the tight end and young quarterbacks. Because the game is very fast. You're a college quarterback.

You go to the pro. And it's just going too fast. And it does feel like the tight end is closer to the quarterback. Often you're guarded by a linebacker. So you have a step or two speed advantage. I always feel like tight ends are a year. young quarterback's best ally. Did you sense that in your career? Yes, I feel like young quarterbacks are really, are really great for quarterbacks because, you know, if the wide

receiver is not open, then you're going to check, you're going to go to the tight end. But nowadays, these tight hands are, they're faster than wide receivers, they're bigger, and they can do so much more. So why not utilize this, this target, right? This weapon that you have. And that's what we're seeing. That's why we're seeing these tight-ins catch 80 to 90 balls because they can do so much more than a wide receiver. And that's what you want on your team. You want a guy that's well-rounded that can do it all. And it makes it much easier for the quarterback, especially if you have that tight-in who knows how to stay quarterback-friendly. And he's always getting open because he's such a huge mismatch for any defender.

17 games now in the NFL. First time they've changed it in a long time. Now, as an offensive skill person, you can make an incentive or a bonus. The revenue share goes up, but I also think to myself, if I was a running back, that's 25 more hits I take. How do you view a 17th game? You know, I've always been, you know, since the beginning of the time, I always enjoy the 16 games, right? But now, the only way the 17 games would work is if you, you're eliminated some of these preseason games, right? You can't have four preseason games. You have 17 games. Because this sport is so brutal and it's just so invasive on the body, the athlete's body. I mean, you have to make sure that there's something that there's a, you know,

there's a give and take there because 17 games is a long stretch. I mean, you have some guys who come to league. I remember when I came in the NFL and I hit a wall. I said 16 games. It was, I had only played 10 games and had six more games to go. But now you're telling me I'm coming in. I'm at 10 games and I have seven more games ago. That's a big difference.

I mean, it may not seem like a one more game probably doesn't seem like a lot to someone who's who's watching from the outside. But I'm going to tell you, it's a lot. It's a lot. You played for a decade with the 49ers. I like Jimmy Garoppolo, but he gets hurt a lot. And Vernon, you know this to be true. Some guys, their bodies just aren't built for it.

And Jimmy G not only gets hurt, Vernon, he gets hurt in week two and three. is, I mean, it feels like to me it's just kind of time. Like it's too valuable a position and not, and go back to your career. You played with guys. They may have been bigger than you. Some guys get hurt.

Like the body's not built for it. You weren't a guy that got hurt. What do you do with Jimmy G in San Francisco? Yeah, I know John Litch came out and said Jimmy G is still in the team's plans and I strongly believe that. But like when you have a quarterback and he's always getting hurt, I'm not saying he's always getting hurt, but the team has been counting on Jimmy G.

They needed him last year. They needed him the year before that. And he hasn't been able to do it. So if I'm the general manager, yeah, I'm going to go out and find another quarterback because we need that competition. You know, we need to see, we don't know. We don't know if Jimmy's going to get hurt this year. So in order for us to win games, we have to put ourselves in the best situation possible.

So, you know, I'm not against John Lynch and the 49th's organization going. out and getting and finding another quarterback because you know this it's a business and and they're trying to win games and they can't really rely on jimmy g um to stay healthy i mean we we don't know this there's an unknown there so you know if i'm the general manager and i'm the team on i'm say hey look we have to really put ourselves in the best situation possible so we're going to go out and draft the quarterback and look if jimmy j's doing well uh let him play if he's not doing well then we put the young guy in if jimmy j gets hurt the young guy goes in But now, like when I was in Devere, Payton and Brock Oswald, right?

When Peyton wasn't doing well, they put Brock Oswald away, Brock Oswald in. But when Brock started declining in his play, then they put Peyton back in. So you're going to have that situation there with Jimmy G and the new guy coming in. And it's okay. You know, it's okay. Jimmy G's a, he's an older guy. So he understands, it's a business. At the end of the day, if it doesn't work out for him in San Francisco, then he, someone else would take him.

I mean, he's proven that he can play this game at a very high level. So I think the sky's the limit for Jimmy G, whether it's with the 49ers or somewhere else. By the way, you founded Real 85 and Between the Lines Productions. You have been incredibly busy. You pivoted into acting. Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Luke Wilson. I always knew you had like an artist sensibility in you. I always knew that.

Now you're into the acting stuff. Are you pretty good? Be honest with me. Has it been easy for you? I think it's like anything, it's always tough as a challenge. But if you put the time in, you can just continue to get better and better. And, you know, I've seen my growth from the time I started, all the way to now. You know, I just have to have put the time in and get those years just like when I was playing football.

Yeah, you get the years in and you just keep growing. Your sister, your mom, your dad, anybody in acting? Are this just a bug scratch you wanted to edge? My dad was, my granddad was an amazing painter. And I think art correlates in so many ways. And then when I went to college, I was actually an art studio major. And from there, I went to, when I arrived in San Francisco, I took a class at the Shelton Theater of Art, improv classes.

And, you know, I fell in love with the craft. So then I started branching out and doing more movies. And the next thing you know, I find myself retiring and going right into, the world of acting. Yeah, you're in the chariot starring John Malkovich. It's in post-production. 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. What's up, everyone? It's me, three-time NFL all-pro Sean Merriman. And I have a new sports podcast called The Lights Out Podcast with Sean Mariner. This podcast is special to me as I get a chance to talk to some of the best who've ever done it on the field or

a track. So whether it's talking to a Super Bowl champion or a NASCAR Cup Series champion, the Lights Out podcast will bring it to you the only way I know how to. I'm giving you the best insight from the best who's ever done it. Listen to Lights Out with Sean Merriman on the IHeart Radio app or wherever you get your podcast. 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, 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 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 Kanye 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 kill? 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 on day, but just so y'all know.

I mean, at this point, 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 therapy. Careers, 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 Hard Way. Open your free, our Heart Radio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. As the Braves face Bryce Harper and the Phillies, then the reigning champion Dodgers take on the Rockies. Coverage begins at 3 p.m. Eastern on FS1 and the Fox Sports app. Can't wait for baseball season to start. By the way, the Lakers are champions, the Dodgers are champions, the Clippers, the Rams, L-AFC, UCLA now all winning. I think it's so delicious.

The irony. John Calipari was rumored to get the UCLA job. His team couldn't make the tournament. Mick Cronin was the third choice. He's in the final four. There's no way Calipari gets this team to the final four. And it's really interesting to watch how hard UCLA plays. It's a glamour program.

They play with the intensity of a mid-major. They're just very Mick Cronin. They're tough guys. They get after you. That was kind of his reputation at Cincinnati. Like tough guy, tough team. They feisty. They get after you.

And it's just irony. All the Calapari is going to UCLA. And he would have been a glamorous coach. for a glamorous program. But they get this kind of street tough guy, and he's transformed the program. UCLA is like tough and physical and gets in your face and bangs with you. And your teams become the coach. And I know Mark's few, Gonzaga.

Mark's a very smart, thoughtful guy. If you watch Gonzaga play, they're very smart. They're passing. They're ball movement. They're a very thoughtful team, very joyful. Mark's a very happy guy, very thoughtful guy. You become your coach. and Calipari's a star

Kentucky's built on stars right like that's what they are so I just think it's interesting the guy that got criticized for hiring made the final four and the guy who was supposed to get the job the superstar coach couldn't make the tournament joy with the news no no no no turn on the

news this is the herd line news sponsored by Mercedes Betz the best or nothing more pro day talk it's your favorite Justin Fields was very impressive at his pro day yesterday. Fast, very fast.

Daniel Jeremiah, I thought he showed everything you would want to see within a pro day workout. He said that the environment was set up for fields to excel and he knocked it out of the park. He's also set to hold another pro day in April and 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan is expected to attend that one. He also ran a 4-44 in the 40-yard dash. Yeah, when he takes his shirt off, he doesn't look like your typical quarterback. No, he is definitely athletic and I think it's kind of, you know, it's what Nick said earlier. Like, it's weird how once the season ends, all of the evaluations start changing. And I think it's because we have this period in time between the season ending and the draft

where we're constantly asking for evaluations and it just gets kind of boring to give you the same evaluation every single time and you want to add information to your scout. And I do think that the pro day matters a little bit. It is a spotlight situation. All eyes are on you. No, you're not going up against offenders, but there's, you know, hundreds of people in the building. There's scouts.

There's coaches. There's people that you've looked up to your entire life. There is a little bit of pressure involved in a pro day. Also, you want to be impressive because if you don't nail your pro day, which is, you know, the floor, then you're really in trouble. So you could have a great season or have an okay season if you don't do it. have a good pro day, and that could be bad for you, like you said yesterday, because I know you don't put too much into pro days. But I think what's happening with Justin Fields is he's just

a product of over-analization. I think people want to give a little bit extra to Mac Jones. They want to, you know, try and find something to add to it. I think it's actually surprising that Zach Wilson is above Justin Fields. It was Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields for how many years. And now all of a sudden, Zach Wilson has jumped to Dustin Fields. Now, maybe the Jets feel like Zach Wilson is a better fit for them. Who knows? And obviously, we don't. know that the jets are taking Zach Wilson. But I think if I think Justin Fields is going to San Francisco and if he does end up going there that he's going to have a great opportunity for success. So Washington signed Ryan Fitzpatrick. It was

assumed that he would be the starting quarterback next season, but Taylor Heinecke isn't settling for the backup spot and is looking forward to competing with Fitzpatrick. He said it's going to be a fun battle. We're going to hopefully help each other. I'm looking forward to picking his brain, getting better as a quarterback in that way and whatever unfolds unfolds. But again, I'm excited for the addition. I'm excited for this offense that we've put together. Don't get it. Don't really understand it. The mystery team in the league do not get it. I think they're waiting. This is what I think Washington is doing. Because they're not in a

position to take one of these top quarterbacks, right? And they don't have a quarterback. I know that there's Washington fans who are getting enraged that we keep talking about Ryan Fitzpatrick this way. Ryan Fitzpatrick is a back-up quarterback. Great one. A great one, but he is a backup quarterback. That's not an insult. It's reality. It's reality. He's a backup quarterback. He's four and three as a starter this year. People's standards are very funny.

When Washington was really a great franchise 15, 20 years ago, if you had tried to peddle them a quarterback who, after Thysman, that had been in nine teams for 17 years, they would have been outraged. They've been so bad at quarterback now. They're trying to validate a quarterback who's been on nine teams in 17 years. Washington's standards have fallen. Your anger is on your standards. Correct. You could have never post-Soney Jurgensen or post-Joe Thysman pushed Ryan Fitzpatrick on your fan base.

To be like, are you out of your mind? But when people's standards lower it, now, when you're angry, there's a reason for it. It's not us, it's you. You're mad at the franchise. Your standards have dropped. So you're just angry that we're telling you the truth, which is Ryan's like one of those top three backups in the league. That's what he is. Well, you're not going to go into season as him as the starter and expect anyone around the league to be taking this seriously.

Or even within your own division. Like, DAC is back. Daniel Jones is going to improve, and they put a ton of pieces around him. They've completely invested in giving him every tool that he needs to be successful. I don't know what's going to happen in Philly, but at least they're investing in Jalen Hertz. Like, this doesn't make sense to me. So what I think is the only scenario that is going to make sense. We know what's going on with Sam Darnold.

Right? So the Jets obviously want more than the third round, or, you know, we're hearing, according to Kimberly Martin, a late third round or fourth round conditional pick. They're just going to wait to the draft because it's really the Jets have all the power in that situation. We know they're going to take a quarterback. So they can wait all the way up into the draft. Yeah. And then Washington has no moves to make, and then they end up giving them a little bit more for Sam Darnel, which I don't think a second round pick is regis for Sam Darnel. Yeah, no, it's all possible. You don't have a quarterback. So I think that's what's happening. So you were just talking about UCLA Cinderella run in the NCAA.

tournament. It continued last night as they knocked off one-seed Michigan, 5149 in a great game. Michigan had a great shot. Michigan just couldn't last three minutes. Michigan couldn't hit a shot. They had a chance. It was Michigan's game. And they just couldn't hit a shot. It was. They joined VCU from 2011 as the only two teams to ever advance from the first four to the final four. So the 11-seeded Bruins will now face number one overall Gonzaga on Saturday. The Zags is a big. easily took down the six-seed USC, 85-66 to win and advance. USC Gonzaga was not a very competitive game,

but this one was great. UCLA is now, they were 22 and 9 this season. They did lose their last four games before entering the tournament, including a cornerfinal loss in the Pack 12 tournament to Oregon State. So this is a really crazy run. It has been a great tournament, yes. We have, we didn't have Duke and Kentucky and Louisville, but I mean I'm a West Coast guy

so a lot of Pac-12, a lot of Gonzaga Listen, before the tournament started I think we said this on the air Gonzaga and Baylor looked like the two best teams. Michigan would have been but they lost their best player so it's kind of ending up. Gonzaga is going to I just don't think UCLA has

the fire power to stay with them I don't know anymore I was with you I thought USC was going to be a little bit closer than that but Gonzaga is just incredible offensively The other matchup for the final four for the men is Baylor and Houston. I'll take Baylor. South Carolina beat Texas, 62, 34, and Stanford beat Louisville, 78, 63 in the women's tournament.

The women's final four is South Carolina, Stanford, Arizona, Yukon. So any of those matchups in the national championship game are going to be incredible. But we have two great final four is heading in this weekend. We do. Great stuff. Joy with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by.

The Hurd-Ly News. And comes unglued with Michael Rappaport, highly inappropriate messages he has to apologize for. I'll talk about that coming up. 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. What's up, everyone? It's me three-time NFL All-Pro Sean Marion. And I have a new sports podcast called The Lights Out Podcast with Sean Murray.

This podcast is special to me as I get a chance to talk to some of the best who've ever done it on the field or the track. So whether it's talking to a Super Bowl champion or a NASCAR Cup Series champion, the Lights Out podcast will bring it to you the only way I know how to. I'm giving you the best insight from the best who's ever done it. Listen to Lights Out with Sean Merriman on the IHeart Radio app or wherever you get your podcast. 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. Yep, that's me. Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skis. hits, 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 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 a little kill? 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 on day, but just so you're just so you're not. But just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, 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. Enjoy Spallike Comfort. Save Big in your Water Bill with Navi and Tankless Water Heaters. Visit tanklessmadesimple.com. Sandwiches in 10 minutes. Okay. So this KD. Michael Rappaport thing is KD had to apologize.

Everybody's always apologizing to KD because they heard his feelings. But he had to apologize for some foul, gross, vile, direct messages. He sent to actor Michael Rappaport. It went from just kind of busting each other up, which you do, too ugly. I don't know the rules of the internet. I thought when people direct message you, you never take it public. I thought that was private, but you can and people do. And you got to know, be careful about what you text and what you do on DMs. It goes public. I've always had this theory. Whenever guys act tough, you know, there's a guy that in there's 30 and 4 act tough,

you're hiding something. You're hiding your anger, your resentment, your insecurity. KD can often be tough guy. But what you find is he's very insecure. Everybody's always having to apologize. A newspaper once called a Mr. Unreliable, they had to apologize because his feelings were hurt. Steve Kerr last week essentially had to apologize because of something he said on a podcast that could offend KD.

I mean, KD is brittle physically and sometimes brittle emotionally. Remember when he was a free agent and everybody knew he was going to leave? and people kept asking about him. He got upset about that. Y'all come here every day. Ask me about free agency. Asked my teammates, my coaches.

You rile up the fans about it. Let us play basketball. That's all I'm saying. And now when I don't want to talk to y'all, it's a problem with me. Come on, man. Grow up. Grow up. Maybe KD needs to.

Instead of confronting his issues with Russell Westbrook and the coaches, he just bolted. instead of confronting Draymond Green and his issues with Steve Kerr. He just bolted. Maybe K. Knee needs to grow up. Men confront their problems. Kids don't. They run.

The reality is here, everybody's always walking on eggshells around KD. Don't offend KD. Don't get mad at KD. When I see those missives and those angry, vile shoutouts or whatever you want to call them on DM, I see a guy that's his exterior is hiding the interior, which is deeply insecure. He's great basketball player. Nobody would deny that. He's absolutely unreliable.

Amazing, excuse me. But I want to talk about unreliable about five years ago, and I see this all the time. I am obviously very critical of certain quarterbacks. Baker Mayfield, I was very critical of. Let's just use Baker. Johnny Mansell is another. And I said, there's a difference between being talented and I'm going to build the franchise around you.

Like I can build a franchise around Russell Wilson or Tom Brady. Those personalities, Matt Ryan, I can build a franchise around those personalities. But again, a lot of people in broadcasting are talented. I'm not building my company around them. They're like immature. They get into trouble. They say dumb stuff. They do dumb stuff.

They're inappropriate. And when anybody years ago would say, Katie, he's better than LeBron. I'm like, God, you're just seeing a tiny part of building around. LeBron, 20 years, has been the face of the league. He carries the ratings. He carries the brand. LeBron doesn't play the ratings going to the tank last week. He carries the entire league.

And in 20 years, and LeBron had no easy life growing up, in 20 years, LeBron's had one, their word, not mine, misstep, the decision. Yeah, he gave a million dollars to a boys and girls club. Oh, shudder, the shame of it. But a lot of people, including the commissioner, thought it was kind of cruel and mean to Cleveland. What-evs? That's the knock on LeBron. Can you imagine?

And LeBron had a hard childhood. 20 years. I mean, Justin Bieber unraveled after about seven. Music stars, actors unraveled after about four months in the headlines. LeBron has been front and center of this. league carrying it for two decades. No missteps. Now, you may not like his politics, but that's not a misstep.

That's just how he believes and how he feels. But it's, I've said this. It's remarkable. I mean, this was a kid who grew up LeBron with chaos in his life. Didn't know where he's going to live. Basically had a surrogate father of coach. No missteps. I don't know Kevin Durant's background.

I'm sure he had some wonderful people in it. But Kevin Durant struggled a year into Golden State. He struggled in Oklahoma City. Struggling now, he's obviously got some anger stuff in Brooklyn. So it's not that Kevin's not a great talent. I could never build around him. I said this before. I said this this week.

I had four or five guys I could build my franchise around. I could build it around Steph. Mature, great, gets banged up a little, but I know he's selfless. I could build it around LeBron. Increasingly, I could build it around Jimmy Butler. I think the guy Yokic in Denver is rock solid. But whenever I criticize quarterbacks, I'm not picking on them. Baker's talented.

Do I want to put my $5 billion franchise in his hands? Russell Wilson, Tom Brady, Andrew Luck, they're just built for it. I trust them. And LeBron has been the emotional and physical rock of the love. league for 18 years. You can just rely on him. You can make him play a game back to back, put him on TV,

go to the bubble. What was the only team in the bubble? The only veteran laden team that played well. LeBron's team. Kauai Leonard, Paul George, Janus, other veteran teams, Simmons and B, all the other teams with veterans.

LeBron's team flourished. Why? Because LeBron. LeBron had a meeting about eight games in and said, fellas, it stinks, we miss our wives, we miss our kids. But we're in this thing. We're in a pandemic. Let's rule. Let's take this thing over. And they did. And it's just, one of the, oh, you're such a LeBron Homer. It's the burden of having to carry a franchise. The burden of, yeah, Bill Gates has made a lot of money, but he has been the face of Microsoft for 45 years. So when idiots pick on him on Twitter, I'm like, do you understand, 45 years, Bill Gates hasn't had a misstep?

Elon Musk tries to go a weekend without one. So it's like the rock of the NBA is LeBron. And when you compare him in Durant, Durant's not, you can't trust Durant physically. And increasingly on an emotional level, you get this awful stuff. I don't think Kevin's a bad guy. I don't. I don't think he's a bad guy. I think he's dealing with stuff personally that, you know, therapy could help, social circle could help, whatever.

I don't think he's a bad guy. I think good people say dumb stuff on social media. I think it happened. I've done it. Like, we all have a temper. Somebody pokes us. You know, we get all riled up. I don't think Katie's a bad dude.

And I think he's a remarkable player. But the difference with LeBron and Durant is emotionally and physically, when I saw this story break, the first thing I thought of was LeBron. Like, LeBron would never put himself in this. Would never get involved in this stuff. LeBron, pull back, stay out of it. You know? And I'm not taking sides.

Michael Rappaport, it was a DM. I'm not a big fan of taking DMs public. I don't think that's a, some people don't like that. What's the rule on that? I mean, I don't know that there's a rule on it, but in general, like, we all know everything that you texts or say on the phone can be screenshoted. So it's okay. I always thought DMs were private. I wouldn't say it's okay.

Okay. If I know somebody screenshots stuff, I generally don't say much too much. Screenshot being you DM me, I take a shot of it. Take a picture of it, yeah. All right. The lexicon's very confusing to me. It's all out. It's all new.

I don't know that there's rules. I keep, I've told my wife, be careful what you text. In the next 10 years, all our texts will be public. I believe in the next 10 years, all our texts will be public. Somebody will find your text and put them out there. So my texts are all day, love you, world's great, no enemies. What's for dinner? I like chicken parm.

Even my texts are vague now. Hour three next. 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. 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. 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 IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes,

follow at Clifford and at TikTok's podcast network on TikTok. This is an IHart podcast. Guaranteed human.