The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 08/02/2021 - HOUR 2 - Right and wrong, Rodgers

Episode Date: August 2, 2021

Where Colin was right and wrongDid Aaron Rodgers get what he wanted?Guest: Darius Butler Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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We're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Ah, here we are already our number two on a Monday. Live in Los Angeles, it's the hurt. Wherever you may be, however you may be listening, we're on IHeart Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and FS1. Joy Taylor's in Italy this week, spanning the globe, and Alex Curry is sitting in, grew up in Manhattan Beach, California, down the road about 30 minutes from where we sit. They had volleyball tournaments all up and down the beach and Hermosa and Manhattan Beach this weekend. It was wild. It was wild. It felt like if you know anything about

the six man, it kind of got canceled for five, six years. And it was the first time it was back. So being back and then after a pandemic, it was wild in Manhattan and Hermosa this weekend. We'll just leave it there. They'd like to play volleyball and drink down there. I know that. It's great to have you in. Every Monday that I'm on the air, I do a little thing called where Colin is right. where Colin is wrong. I make plenty of mistakes. I'm gone wrong from time to time, and I think I need to call myself out. Where Colin was right. Where Colin was wrong is brought to you by Jersey Mike's subs. They have a new grilled portabella mushroom in Swiss. Give it a try. Ingredients. Fresh make the sub. Jersey mics be a sub above, and here we go. Where Colin was right. Well, I predicted Aaron Rogers

would eventually return to Green Bay. I didn't think he had the stomach for a holdout. He would lose millions of dollars and he likes to be liked. And in the end, I also predicted he would call out the media as dramatizing the situation. And in all the ironies of irony, he called out the media for dramatizing it, then went on for 30 minutes detailing all the things that ticked him off about the Packers, therefore validating our coverage. But he's back. He blames the media.

We always have content. We've got to fill space. Yes, and when you're the MVP and hate your organization, we're going to talk about it. Where Colin was wrong. I'm actually surprised how desperate the L.A. Clippers are. They're going to spend $36 million for Kauai Leonard not to play next year for the right to potentially sign him to a big contract. They've got a great new owner, an excellent roster, a tremendous head coach. They beat the number one seated Utah Jazz without him.

and in two years, he creates no chemistry. He doesn't communicate. You never know if he's going to play. Forget wearing a number. Just put a question mark on that clipper outfit. I think there are times in life you've got to move on. I know he's talented, but you will officially be held hostage. And if he doesn't play next year, and he won't, he's not going to risk it.

He will have played 48% of the games, done nothing for chemistry. in three years. Where Colin was right? When Trey Lance got picked number three, there were doubters about, he didn't have a lot of starts. He got to a small school. We said he will look the part.

He's big, strong, and athletic, and that will buy him credibility in the locker room. Mac Jones would not. And the reports early is that he's big, strong, and athletic, and he's wowing everybody, and he may beat out Jimmy Garoppolo for the job. We said, if you're going to give away first round picks, players want to see something, they can buy.

And I know Trey Little, he's big, he's athletic, he's handsome, he can move, he's got a huge arm, players are buying into him and coaches are buying into him. I don't think Mack Jones walks into that locker room, a Super Bowl roster, and has that credibility. So we were right on that. Where Colin was wrong. I am surprised LeBron a lot. elected to go for it with Westbrook.

They met at his house reportedly two weeks ago. I get the move, but it's a different one from LeBron. LeBron likes to handle the ball. Westbrook can be ball-centric. Westbrook is a player that often deteriorates in the postseason because his game isn't built for the playoffs. It lacks efficiency. But LeBron, I do think understands with his age,

he needs an innings eater, a minutes provider. And with Anthony Davis's health, always a dilemma, I think this works. But I am a little surprised that LeBron, knowing Westbrook's playoff struggles, went 40. Plays in the tunnel and can be marginalized as a shooter. Where Colin was right? Well, our mantra for the last several years on this show in all sports, be aggressive, worry about it later. How about the baseball trade deadline?

The Mets went and got Jave Baez from the Cubs. He homered. First game for the Mets. San Francisco went and got Chris Bryant, gave up a lot from the Cubs. First game, homers for the Giants. The Yankees went and got Anthony Rizzo from the Cubs. Two games, two home runs. And the Dodgers went out and got that guy, Max Scherzer, and Trey Turner.

And I'm not even sure Tray Turner is needed, but he's there and he's talented. aggressive teams, the Mets and the Giants and the Yankees, and I think eventually Scherzer and the Dodger, I think he starts tomorrow, will all rewarded for making a deal with the Cubs who are now officially in rebuild mode. Where Colin was wrong. Well, I would have rolled the dice on Carson Wentz, but the critics of the move, you look right this morning and I look foolish. The critic said he's been hurt.

He broke a wrist in college, torn ACL and T. 2017, fractured vertebrae, concussions. Colin, you should know better. Yeah, this morning, you look right and I look wrong. But what were the Colts going to do? Roll in Andy Dalton? You're not getting past Mahomes in the AFC and Lamar Jackson and Baltimore. You're not getting past even Baker Mayfield, Josh Allen.

I'm not sure you're getting past Miami or Ryan Tannahill. You got to go for it. Yeah, this morning, injury prone, Carson Wentz, looks like a risk not worth taking. And for that, I will give the critics a tip of the hat this morning. But I still would have made the move. I still would have done it. Where Colin was right.

Mike Sandow is a great reporter for the athletic. Every year he brings out his quarterback tears. He interviews 50 executives, coaches, coordinators, and he puts quarterbacks in tears. Tua was 29th best. Baker Mayfield, and this is what I've said, was 17th. In the end, Tua and Baker, neither one has a physical trait or ability that is exceptional. Baker's got a pretty good arm, but he's small.

He's not overly athletic. He can have poor judgment. And Tua, he's accurate. I wouldn't deny that. Not very big, average arm, not overly athletic. The top executives in the league were polled anonymously. and Tua was in the final tier, middle to bottom, and Baker was right in the same area as Kirk Cousins.

Where Colin was wrong. I thought the Golden State Warriors, with two lottery picks and a very tradable Andrew Wiggins' contract, Andrew Wiggins can play, would make a bold move during the draft or before it. And they didn't. They went and got an 18-year-old and a 19-year-old. And one is considered to be.

an exceptional prospect. But how many more great years does Steph Curry, who's had injuries have, and Clay Thompson coming off an injury in Draymond Green? This team is built to win over the next two years. You have to cross your fingers

on Clay Thompson. And Draymond Green's not as good today as he was three years ago. He's not that good of a defender, although I like him as a player. And Steph Curry was an MVP-level player, but Steph's had injuries. I thought they'd go for it. I thought they'd even move Wiseman, no takers, and instead they look like just another team and a little bit too young of a team to compete next year in the West.

Where Colin was right? Listen, been saying it for years. The SEC in college football is playing a different sport. And over the last two weeks, they lured Texas and Oklahoma, two of college football's biggest, most successful brands, especially Oklahoma. Oklahoma wins a lot of football games and Texas has a huge brand. everybody else in college football, asleep. And once again, the SEC, who has a slogan,

it just matters more. And folks, it does. They just care more. They've got the best commissioner. They've got the best finances. They are always a step ahead of the entire sport. So you can hate on them all you want. But once again, everybody's napping.

And they just separated a little more from the sport. where Colin was wrong. I would have picked Jalen Suggs of Gonzaga, the point guard number one. He was the third point guard taken. How did that happen? He was a 15-5-and-5 guy for Gonzaggot. Then he was even better in March Madness. He got better as the season went on.

A former star quarterback in Minnesota. Then he goes and plays basketball, his favorite sport, lights it up, carries them to the championship game. He was the third point guard taken. The Raptors at number four took a player. that averaged 10 points a game for a slightly better than average team. Gonzagga was the second best team because of Suggs. I don't get it. Listen, maybe the draft is one of the all-time great draft.

If Jalen Suggs is the third point guard taken, this may have been the best draft since like the Michael Jordan Akeem draft because I think the kid's an incredible talent. Where Colin was right? Who was the college football player I had? had huge concerns about after Mack Jones, the quarterback, Devonte Smith, the Alabama receiver. I said he's slender. He's slight. He's small. I have huge concerns about his durability. Boom. This morning it's reported. He's already got an MCL injury. He'll be out for a month.

He should be able to play. But folks, if you're getting banged up now, Carson Wentz, you're probably injury prone. And if you're getting banged up as a receiver now, there's got to be real questions. But he was the one receiver I said. College football in the NFL share a lot of traits. The difference is the physicality of the NFL. Be very careful about slight players, slender players, players with an injury history. This is a different sport altogether physically than college football. Colin Wright. Colin wrong. Darius Butler, the former Colt and Patriot defensive back, will join us. I've got to tell you, sometimes, you know, I've been covering the NFL in sports for a long time, and I don't root for teams, but I root for people. Chris Ballard, Andy Reed, you know, I have some friends at the Chargers, the Rams. You know, there's certain people I know in the league, and I want people that I respect and that work hard to succeed. And I think the Colts have been just such an exact. exemplary organization.

When I saw the Carson Wentz news, I immediately, I thought, oh, they have a bad schedule early. And I went to their schedule in their first five weeks. It's brutal. Brutal. If Carson Wentz was going to get hurt, take November off when you're playing the Texans and the Jags. Their first five games are the Seahawks, the Rams, at Tennessee, at Miami, at Baltimore.

That could be, I can say Ravens, Rams, Seahawks could be three of the top six teams in the league. And they're not going to have Carson Wentz. And they don't really have a viable backup. Do you get Nick Foles? Oh, yo, yo, that is a roll of the dice. Darius Butler around the corner. One more herd?

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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. Clever Taylor the 4th.

You might have seen the skisking. 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.

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Thursday on Fox, the NFL is back. Catch Big Ben and the Steelers as they battle Zeke and the Cowboys in the Hall of Fame game. All the action is on Fox and the Fox Sports app. We don't know if either team's great. We love Dallas's offensive pieces and we love the Steelers Front Seven, so we'll wait for that, the Hall of Fame game, Steelers and the Cowboys. Cowboys train actually about an hour from here up north, an hour, 15 minutes from here up north. Well, Darius Butler played for nine years in the NFL, six for the Colts,

two for the Patriots and knows the league well, mostly with good organizations, well-run organizations. That's what I think the Colts are today. That's why the Carson Wentz news is such a gut punch because I think they've done everything well. And I did defend them when they went out and got Carson Wentz because you got to go for it with quarterbacks. Tampa went for it with Brady.

Rams going for it with Matt Stafford. You know, I mean, I think that's the way you win Super Bowls. You got to take a risk at quarterback. You can do everything right in this league. If you don't have somebody special at quarterback, you're a team. Andy Reid, before Mahomes in Kansas City, five years, one playoff win over Brian Hoyer. They're a team. And now they trade up to get Mahomes.

It's changed Andy Reid's legacy in his career. Darius Butler now, former NFL defensive back joining us live. You know, Darius, when I looked at that Carson Wentz injury, and I defended the move, I'm like, I love him as a player. He's a little inconsistent. he's had some injuries. I defended it. And this morning, you know, I looked like I don't know what I'm talking about. But when they made the move for Wentz, Darius, with all his injuries,

did you like it or did you think it was too big of a risk in your opinion? I love the move. Honestly, like you said, if you don't have a guy at that quarterback position, you don't have a chance. And he was available. We saw it kind of brewing in Philly. We know he's had his best success with Frank Wright earlier in his career. So I was right on board the move as well.

And been with the team and how it's, I was constructed right now with that defense and the pillars that Chris Ballard has in the building, they're not going to have a top, you know, five pick anytime soon to pick a quarterback. So I think they made the right move. Unfortunately, this has been as part of Carson's career and it's a part of, you know, playing the NFL. Injuries happen. I was hopeful that it wasn't going to be that bad when they immediately didn't say it required surgery. But now with the news breaking the day that he'll be out five or 12 weeks.

Along with that, that's a tough start of the schedule that the coach has, man, it's tough. really, really sucks for our Coast Nation, man. I got to try to get luck on the phone and see if we get them back out. No kidding. Let me ask you about this because now people are throwing out names. And Jimmy Garoppolo doesn't work because he's expensive and he's had injury. So I don't think Chris Ballard's not going to make that move. And then I hear Nick Foles.

And I think, okay, but wasn't there some sort of... No chance. That's what I thought, dude. I'm like, that... Yeah. So let's just talk Nick Foles. You don't buy it. Why?

I mean, mentally, more than anything, the psyche, obviously, the quarterback plays a huge part. I think that was a big part of the reason he flamed out in Philly. You know, it's tough when a guy, your backup has a statue outside. And you've got to be mentally tough, obviously, in this sport. But I don't think that would be a good move for it. And, I mean, if we're being honest, Nick Foes hasn't been great. Obviously, Jacob Easton and Ellinger are in the building, and they have no NFL experience. But you won't draft the East and fourth round.

you know, this is an opportunity that's given to him, and now you've got to trust your coaches, trust the players around them, for him to get out there and try to figure it out. I mean, I can't think of another guy who's out there and available for us to really go take a stab at right now. Yeah, no, I agree. And it's why it bums me out because I do root for competence in this league.

I don't think all owners are competent, and I don't think all GMs are and coaches are. I agree. Seriously, you know, so when guys are competent, I root for them because I win, because I get good football, and so this thing for the Colts just stinks. I want to ask you about two other things. And I was saying this earlier to Alex, is that you can look at what Aaron Rogers did.

Okay, what's the win? He didn't get more money. He still has no say in where he gets traded. He's not a free agent for two more years. And in the end, he probably is more polarizing in Wisconsin than before. And this is why that matters. because when Russell Wilson had problems in Seattle, Darius, he got him fixed fast. He went to the front office.

He made demands. He was very upset. And they, boom. Three weeks later, they were done. When Brady was upset with New England, mostly it was private. Maybe a little bit in his documentary, Giselle says he doesn't feel respected, but he kept it private. With errands going public, you know this, Darius. if they trade him in a year, half the people in Wisconsin will go,

you know what, I'm tired of it. I'm tired of it. If he keeps those things private, it's very hard to move a legend. And I wonder if Aaron, by going public, made himself easier to move off of if he doesn't win the Super Bowl this year. Your perspective on that? I think he definitely made it easier, even for the front office. I think it would be more fans in that state, like you said, that would be on the front office side and be like, hey, they had to do what they had to do.

But, I mean, what did he win at the end? Honestly, you got Randall Cobb. You got a nice Ashton Martin from Bakhtari. So, and you went out there, and I think he spoke the truth. He spoke his truth in front of Mike. And obviously, everybody can do that. You got to kind of act how you can afford to act in that league. He went out there and he basically called the front office out.

He talked about his former teammates who he thought were. treat it poorly on the way out. And honestly, I think that did a lot for the guys in the locker room because there was a lot of talk, a lot of people talking for him as far as what he was upset with, what he wanted. And I think he kind of made it clear. And now at this point, you know, you're focused on football, you know, 12s back in the building for at least this season. And in football, you're thinking about one game, one season at a time. You know, next year kind of take care of itself. Like you said, Russell, he kind of clean face, which we kind of all knew he would once the trade didn't happen.

You know, me and Peter are on our best terms ever. You know, go Hawks. Let's go win the Super Bowl. I think we all kind of expected that once this time the season rose around. But I think, you know, the Packers will be fine. They made some good draft picks, I think. And, you know, it's been back-to-back championship games. And now it's time to play football and try to win the championship,

at least for this one more year. Okay, I want a player's perspective. Trey Lance has reportedly looked very good in camp. and Justin Fields reportedly has looked very good in camp. And I said with both, I can't guarantee they'll be successful, but they look the part and they're going to walk into that locker room in camp and guys are going to go, okay, those are ballers. Would you, if it's a tie with Andy Dalton, Justin Fields,

it's a tie Garoppolo and Trey Lance. Tell me what a player thinks. Would you want the veteran? because you trust him a little more, or would you, Darius, be like, go with a kid in Chicago, go with the kid with the Niners? How does a player view that going into a season?

Yeah, I think it's two completely different situations, honestly, because I felt, well, number one, in Chicago, I feel like those guys are and should be on the hot seat, you know, as far as coaching the GM. So I think it's in their best interest to go with Justin Fields. I think you kind of know what you got with Andy Dalton. You go with Justin Fields out of the game. He's got a ton of snaps under his.

belt against high-level competition. He's been, you know, top-notch from day one. So I think in that situation, go with Justin Fields. If I'm in that locker room, I won Justin Fields out there playing quarterback. The other situation out in San Fran with the 49ers, that's kind of, that's a roster that was a couple of years removed from the Super Bowl. Right. With Jimmy G.

I've been to the quarterback. Obviously, he missed a couple throws. But he's 22 and 8 as a start in this league. And that's tough to do. And for a guy coming from, you know, North Dakota and a smaller, didn't really play last year, you know that learning curve is going to be huge. And even if you're seeing some flashes in training camp, once those bright lights come on, it's a complete different story.

So if I'm in that locker room, I want Jimmy G trotting out there until, you know, it gets to the point where, hey, this kid, Trey Lance, like, we got to get him on the field and now. But I think right now I'm going with Jimmy G out in San Francisco and in Chicago. I put Justin Fields out there day one. Yeah. So you're still close to the Colts organization. what do you think privately they are saying this morning?

I probably can't. I can't say it on TV, but they are. I mean, it's tough because like you said, they swung for the fences I feel like with Carson. I feel like it was the only move that really made sense at the quarterback position. And this was a part of it that I'm sure they consider it as well, his injury history. So for it kind of blow up in their face this early, it really, really sucks, man.

But, you know, you built the good. good team. You've built a good roster. Those guys still believe in each other. You still got a good defense that can maybe, you know, win you a couple games until your quarterback gets out there. But it's tough, man, because you've had a really small offseason already. You have Frank out early with COVID in camp. Dan Carson, he hasn't really been able to build that continuity to trust with his receivers. So it's going to be tough for him to have to pick up while the train is already moving in mid-season, early in the season. It's definitely going to be tough, but injuries are a part the game. And, you know, Chris Bouther, he'll have those guys ready to go

from season start. Darius Butler has got a podcast called The Man to Man Pod, alongside former NFL defensive back Antoine Bethea. Always appreciate your insight. You had a heck of a career, and I think we both feel terrible for the Colts today, Darius. It's great seeing you. Yeah, it does. Thanks, man. Thanks for having, Kyle. You bet. So, yeah, I mean, listen, the Carson Wentz critics, and there was a lot of them. It was one of these moves that half you didn't like it. I liked it. You know, this morning, I look at all those injuries, and I'm like, yeah, it was a big risk. But, you know, there's not a lot of these GM jobs, and there's not a lot of these coaching jobs.

And when you get a really good roster, like you look at the Rams and Stafford. So Andrew Whitworth, he's got a year left. Aaron Donald is now acknowledging, I can feel my age. Jalen Ramsey's a great corner, but corners fall off a cliff because it's one of the more demanding positions. When you can get all those guys in there, you've, You've got a really nice receiving core. Cooper Cup Robert Woods. And you're like, this may not be the same roster.

I mean, Aaron Donald's never really had an injury. What if Aaron has won, Whitworth retires. You can't find somebody in the draft to replicate what they can do. So you go for it with Stafford. And I think it used to be in sports. Everybody played the long game. Everybody did. You just did what, everybody was a 401K.

You never took from the 401K. But what you're finding now in all sports is the money and publicity is so great and so celebrated that if you win it, nobody can take it away from you. And it literally changed your legacy. Media just, I mean, Andy Reid can't win the big game. Can't win the big game. Literally, he wins Belichick struggles and we have annoyed Andy the best coach in football. In Philadelphia, can't manage the clock. You know, he can't win the big game.

Now wins one. Andy Reid is an automatic hall of famer, and we have replaced Bill Belichick with Andy Reid as the best coach. That's the world we live in. No context, no nuance. You're a bum. You're a star. You're terrible.

You're great. And so these organizations follow the fans lead and the media's lead, and it's like, we're going to go for it. We're going to take big swings on this stuff. because you just get so rewarded. If I'm a basketball player and I'm Kevin Durant and he goes to Golden State and I win a couple of rings, I'm minted. It's over.

I'm minted. I get a bigger shoe deal. I get a bigger Instagram following. I'm minted. So I get it. I get why people are doing this as a general manager. Less need Rams gets to a Super Bowl. If Stafford gets there in wins, you're minted.

Who could fire you? You took a huge swing. You win. There is so much glory in the risk reward. It's worth it these days. There's so much money in being successful that increasingly, just go for it. Alex for the news. Turn on the news.

This is the herd line news. Well, we're sticking with the big news of the day that things are not off to a good start for Carson Wentz and the Colts. the team had previously hoped that he would be able to rest in rehab his foot injury, but the team announced today that Wentz will undergo the surgery and could miss anywhere from 5 to 12 weeks. So he cannot catch a break. And I want to run through his injury list here right now. He broke his wrist in the final season at North Dakota State, fractured his ribs during the 2016 preseason, tore his ACL during week 14 of the 2017 season, fractured vertebrae in the 2018 season, missed final five games, including two playoff games.

and suffered a concussion during the wildcard game in 2019. So when you hear that list. Well, and he also is he plays, I've said this. Yeah. He plays a little bit like Sam Darnold, where he thinks he's a linebacker. Andrew Luck, by the way. Andrew Luck.

Really hard. Big Ben. Yeah. Okay. So you can't tell a guy like Sam Darnold, Carson Wentz, hey, be less aggressive. it's who they are. And so when you get Carson Wentz,

you know, my takeaway was his last big injury was a concussion. And I'm like, if you really go back to the last serious injury, it was a fractured vertebrae, and that's three years ago. So to me it's like, okay, he's had a concussion, but I'm okay with it. But in the end, you can't ask Carson Wentz. You can't ask a pitcher that throws gas to be a breaking ball pitcher. It's not in their psychology. It's not in their DNA.

So, you know, I look at this and it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, way too many hits for me. Yeah. My hope is that because this is his big second chance, it doesn't mess with his confidence. Yeah. That's the only thing you hope for. All right. Moving on to Chris Paul has made a decision on his $44.2 million dollar player option with the sons.

He has reportedly declined it and will become an unrestricted free agent. However, Phoenix is still optimistic that they can resign him when, free agency opens tonight. That's the best place for him to be. Yeah. I did think to myself, when Westbrook signed with the Lakers, I thought, is Chris Paul going, wait a minute, Rob? What about me?

Every team I go to gets better. Westbrook doesn't make teammates better. I mean, I know I'm expensive, so's Westbrook. I know I'm old, so's Westbrook. I know I'm not what I once was, either is Westbrook. And I have a house in L.A. too. So I just thought Chris Paul's thinking LeBron.

Yeah. Come on. Couldn't I be the old point guard? The old expensive point guard. But in the end, I do think he knows. I bet you he's talked to Chris Paul. Yeah. And Chris Paul said, I like it here.

And I think Phoenix is the space for Chris Paul. It is. He's a great team around him. And now they have the playoff experience. They obviously didn't last year. Now they do. And if they can learn from that experience and stay healthy, then they have a great chance of getting.

back there. That's all you can hope for. Well, moving on to that, Lakers, because they agreed to a deal to acquire Russell Westbrook from the Wizards. He'll join LeBron and Anthony Davis to form a big three out in L.A. The nine-time All-Star has averaged a triple double four times in his career, including this past year. But the Lakers will be his fourth team in four seasons. Now, I had a feeling that LeBron was going to kind of help bring in a big name to the Lakers after his earliest playoff exit of his career. And obviously there were reports that he met with Westbrook and AD at his house to talk about coming to L.A. and making this happen. And there are three big names. L.A. is a big market. And as a Laker fan, I am hopeful that it's going to work and excited.

Yeah. I mean, I really think this came down to they gave up KCP and Kyle Kuzma and Montrez Harold. And those are okay players. Yeah. But very little great. they're all inconsistent players. Well, so's Westbrook, but you do get flashes and moments of great. And in the playoffs, as we know, you need special, right? And so Westbrook, unlike Ksma KCP, they're all inconsistent. But Westbrook does give you four-minute moments of, oh my God, he's one of the world's best basketball players. He gives you a lot of mid-range points.

He drives and scores at the rim. He plays his butt off. gives you a lot of minutes as LeBron ages. So again, you don't have to be a perfect player. We just watch the Milwaukee Bucks. Yonis isn't perfect. Middleton's hot and cold. Brooke Lopez, Drew Holliday.

You need a great player, often a second high-end player, and then it's guys who specialize, fit into a space, and Westbrook's energy, though he drives me nuts, he's not a number one option here. He's not a number two option. Depending on what they do in the playoffs, they may go get a shooter.

He's not the number three option, but he does give you something you need. Great occasionally. But LeBron has the ability to make players better. And as you mentioned, Westbrook sometimes looks like the best player in the league. So if LeBron has the ability to get him there more consistently and then maybe can change his playoff past

and can be great in the playoffs, LeBron is the one person that could probably do that for him. Yeah. Alex with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Herd Lie New. 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.

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 narrow. 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'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. Clever Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skisks. 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 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 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 Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick 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 saying, y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. So, oh. 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 IHeartRadio 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 Fantine, 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 iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. DoorDash here.

Get more from your neighborhood. It's the summer of DashPass. Members getting $10 off groceries, alcohol, pet food because of summer. Try the Dash pass for free. Get year-round savings, menu items, zero delivery fee dollars. Door Dash pass. I use it all the time. By the way, momentum's a real thing.

A real thing. If I hired you, man or woman listening to my show, and let's simplify this, I'm the general manager of a car lot, and I hire you to be a salesperson. You struggle the first year. You only sell 10 cars, but I like you. I'm going to give you a second year. Second year, you sell 20 cars. And then the third year, you really come into your own.

You sell 40 cars. You're not the best salesman I have, but I like your momentum. we really think you have a lot of promise. Now let's invert that. I hire you, you sell 40 in the first year. Boom, knock our socks off. Boy, she can sell cars. Second year, it drops in half.

You sell like 20, 20 cars. And then the third year, you sell like 10 or 12. I just inverted the numbers. We don't retain you. But weirdly, you have the exact same. results. You sold the exact same number of cars, but we're moving off your employment. We do appreciate the time you put in, but it's not really going in the direction we were hoping for. But I sold 70 cars. How come you're keeping that person who sold 70 cars? And you're getting rid of me. We don't like

the momentum. You have lost 70% of your sales over the last two years. Momentum matters. If you hire a football coach. Knocks your socks off in the first year, Charlie Weiss at Notre Dame. Each year didn't feel as special. It's different than if you hire a coach, struggles year one, better year two, really promising year three. He gets an extension. That's my issue with John Gruden of the Raiders. Peter King interviewed him. John Gruden detailed his struggles. He made some excuses. Let's be honest about John Gruden. two years before he got to the Raiders, they were 12 and 4 with 7 pro bowlers.

The year before he got there, they were only 6 and 10, but they had 5 pro bowlers. This will be year 4 for John. Last year they had two pro bowlers, and they've been awful after Thanksgiving. He's 10 games under 500. I don't see the progress. If John would have started

more slowly and was building to something, four wins, seven wins, nine wins, 10 wins. Their offensive line just lost three starters, and Derek Carr is one of two quarterbacks in the league, Matt Ryan the other, that regresses badly when he feels pressure. Their team in three years has 66 sacks, not only the least in the NFL, but it's not close. where's the progress? I keep people, oh, they've gotten slightly better. They have significantly fewer pro bowlers than five years ago. And most troubling, John inherited Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper,

the best pass rusher in football and a top 15 receiver. He took those players that he inherited and got three first round picks. What does he have to show for it? A good running back in Josh Jacobs. those picks are gone and those players haven't delivered. You've got to show me the momentum. I don't see it. This is not a talented roster.

One guy that I can trust to rush the passer and the offensive line lost three starters. Momentum matters. It's not just I won this many games. I don't see it. For the record, the chargers look like they're going to be. be really special this year. And don't be shocked if Denver doesn't make another run to land a quarterback before the trading deadline.

All right, over the weekend, Aaron Rogers talking to the NFL network, very good mood after his first practice. Here's what he had to say. It's the best feeling. It was a little strange, I think, day one, just because I was gone for the entire offseason and contemplated my own future and the possibility of playing somewhere. else as well. But when I'm back here, I'm 100% all in. And I was thinking about it this weekend.

If you're going to make noise and you're going to push back on your corporation, whether it's me, Alex, Ryan, anybody, what do you get? It's got to be calculated. And Aaron Rogers' reputation is he's very smart and very calculated, very precise, certainly is as a thrower of the football. What did he get for all the noise? He didn't get any more money. He still has a boss.

He doesn't like a respect. He doesn't have Tom Brady's roster, or even in my opinion, Lamar Jackson's, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen's, Russell Wilson's, Matt Staffords. What did he get? More polarizing. Didn't get more money. Didn't get more great players. Didn't get a new GM. for a guy that's known as very smart and calculated,

what he got is less popular in the state of Wisconsin. And that is an advantage to the team. Listen. Believe it or not, general managers and owners listen to sports talk radio. They listen to you, the fans. When I used to broadcast on the East Coast, I would listen to New York Sports Radio. And it was so clear that teams like

the Mets and the Jets reacted, tried to appeal to the fans. The fans are paying the salaries. There's too. It's really hard to trade popular people. You could not trade Derek Jeter. You could not trade Tom Brady. Brady has to say, I'm out. Jeter has to say I'm retiring.

Eli Manning was washed for several years and they benched him. And New York imploded. Got a coach fired. He was washed. He was no longer good. He wasn't Brady. He wasn't Jeter. I mean, Jeter got hits his last game.

Brady got to the playoffs his last year in New England. Eli. And so Aaron now has worn out a lot of fans. And this is, come on, this is Midwest. The work ethic, the ethos. Suck it up. Play. So for all the public noise and for all the chatter and the extension of this story,

what did he get? Still doesn't control his future, not a free agent for two years. There's actual risk he could get hurt. Then what is he on the market? He still doesn't control where he gets traded. What do you get? Randall Cobb and less popular. Be very careful when you make noise that you have the ability to.

to really get substantive rewards. Getting a year chopped off a contract is nothing. To me, that's not worth the noise. Two years knocked off is different. 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 I-Heart 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. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hard Way with your favorite therapist and host Kear Games.

This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having him 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 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 AHA radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. 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 Clifford 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 Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok.

This is an IHeart podcast, guaranteed human.