The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 08/03/2021 - HOUR 3 - NFL

Episode Date: August 3, 2021

Trey Lance is taking 1st team reps at Niners campMore on what the Colts should do at QBGuests: Justin Herbert, Bucky Brooks Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter.

Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On The Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me.

I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year. It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people.

Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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. 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 it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional

who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor? It signals to the world that you not to be played with, And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to. Listen and learn the hard way on the IHard radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Thanks for listening to The HARD 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 Hurt at Fox Sports Radio.com or stream us live every day on the IHart Radio app by searching HARD. For listening to Fox Sports Radio. It was really one of the most remarkable things I've seen a rookie quarterback do. Justin Herbert to the Chargers last year was not only the NFL offensive rookie of the year, but he broke in the history of the National Football League. He set the NFL rookie record for touchdown passes in yards per game and 300-yard games and completions

behind the last ranked offensive line in the NFL. And I'm simply not sure how many players in this league could do that. But he's also humble entering his second year and four new starters on the offensive line. The pride now of the Chargers formerly of the Oregon Ducks, and he's joining us live. So, you know, Justin, it's great because seasons are long and you guys ended on a four-game winning streak at the end of last year. What is the value of that to you? I know it's last year, new staff, but that it's, give me why that matters to you. Yeah, well, first off, thanks for having me.

And I think that four-game winning street tells us a lot because you have to find ways to win games in the NFL. And, you know, in the first half of the season, we lost so many close games, decided by seven points or fewer. And every game in the NFL is going to come down to two-minute or something like that. For us to kind of find a way to win late in the season, I think we found out how to do that. And I think if we can carry that over and apply that to an entire season, I think we could be really good. So you guys lost 12 games, by the way, decided by one possession last year. You did not lose all of them, so that's most in the NFL. I want you to take me to the practice you had today and go back one year from today at any practice.

what is the difference for you a year removed from last year? How is the world change? How you see the game? Yeah, that's a great question because last year, I think I was just worried about lining up correctly and opening to the running back the right way. And I was just worried about saying the play correctly, making sure I don't forget any motions.

But this year, it's a little different. I have to worry about Mike IDs and flipping protections and making sure that I'm on the right side given certain coverages. So it's definitely been a different, year, but it's been a lot of fun. You're only 22 years older. You were last year. I don't know your birthday, which, by the way, when is your birthday? It's March 10th. Okay. Well, so you're 22 right now. 23, okay. You're 23. My bad. So I said last year, one of the things I've always wondered is when

you walk in and you're the youngest guy in the locker room and everybody says, okay, go be a leader. And I'm like, well, he's 23. His teammates are 29 and 30. Do you feel a little more comfortable off what you accomplished, walking in and letting your presence, your voice be heard a year later? Yeah, I think so. I think the important thing is to be yourself. And I've never wanted to be a rah-rah guy who's only up when things are good. And I want to be the same person when times are bad and when times are good. And being true to yourself and being yourself and being genuine with your teammates and having a relationship outside of football. I think all those things go into being a good leader.

And yeah, when things need to be said, I don't have a problem stepping up and saying them. But I could always always be better. So that's just something that I'm always going to work on. So you have a new coach and four new offensive linemen. And by the way, you've got a center who's a pro bowler, Cory Lindsley. How long, Justin, until they're used to your voice, your cadence, your inflection. Because part of this game as a quarterback is manipulating the defense, getting them to move, to show their tell.

Like how long do you feel it's going to take before there's some symmetry here and you feel like, okay, this is a unit. We're all one here. I feel like we've actually got a pretty good step on that.

I think the entire spring when we were able to work in OTAs and kind of work together, all those guys showed up and we got to work on the cadences. Brian Belag is definitely a guy who's always been on me, even last year,

about making my snapcouts sound differently and having multiple cadences to hold the defense accountable and for him to do that and, you know, kind of hold me accountable. I think that's awesome. And it's only going to help us. And for us to be able to use different snap counts, different cadences, I think it gives our offensive line a huge advantage.

You know, it's funny. I was talking to somebody the other day, and they were talking about a certain NFL quarterback. And I'm not going to mention his name, but they said he's not a great practice player, but he's a good game player. And I always think to myself, you know, if you're Tom Brady, I read a story the other day, he's punting a football, he's screaming and yelling at people, and he's throwing it.

helmet at practice after a bad practice. And you can do that if you're Brady. What is your personality like? Do you look, I mean, do you have the intensity at practice that you would in a game? Are you a good practice player? How do you view it as you grow? I try to be perfect in practice. And it's unfortunate because I'm never going to be perfect in practice. And I have those almost unreachable standards in practice. And I need to be better at, you know, coming back at the next play. And I've done a great job working on that this past year. You know, you're going to make mistakes. You're going to throw interceptions and completion.

It's all about bouncing back on the next play and giving your team a chance at winning. And, you know, I think practice is a great place for that because I'm going to throw interceptions and incompletions in practice. And I'm going to have an opportunity to get better after him. So, you know, I've tried to stay pretty level-headed during practice. So you were sacked, you and Joe Burrow were tied for the most sacked quarterback last year. And Russell Wilson, even this off-season, complained. publicly. He said, like, well, I'm tired of getting hit. It hurts. When you're getting sack last year,

there's a big difference between an Oregon State guy hitting you and a Kansas City chief guy. Was there a moment last year for you, Justin, that you felt the hits were taking their toll, if not physically, mentally on you? No, I think we did a pretty great job in our strength and conditioning program where I felt like I was able to kind of withstand some of those hits. And a lot of them were my fault too. I could have got the ball out earlier. I could have changed the protection and things like that. So it's on all of us. But, you know, I think if, as long as you take care of your body, you keep eating the right things, you work out, you stretch and stay durable. I think you're able to take it some hits. And obviously you don't want to take too many, but I think we did a good

job with that this past year and even this year too. So they always say for quarterbacks, it takes until year three, Russell Wilson said year three, the light came on. And I guess that me, he said, he told me one time, said the game slowed down. So I just want you to try to explain to me because I want to get into your head here. Is the game slowing down to you and kind of explain what that would mean to somebody watching us talk that as you play in the NFL, because it's obviously faster than the college game, that it slows down. What exactly does that mean or look like to you? Yeah, that's one of those tough things because you look at a college team and you say maybe one or two of those guys on defense is going to go to the NFL.

And on an NFL team, every single guy is part of the NFL. They're all fast. They're all, every guy on the field is probably faster than me. And that's kind of what you have to realize. The speed of the game is so much quicker and realizing coverages and holding disguises, it makes playing in the quarterback position so much harder. There's just so much that I need to learn, so much film that I need to watch to really understand a defense for what it is.

And I think the more you can do that, the better you're going to get. Coach Day and I, we've done a great job of that. this offseason watching film. But there's always so much more you can understand about run fits and protections and things like that. The list goes on. Yeah. By the way, Keenan Allen is one of the most underrated players, not just receivers. I remember when he played at Cal.

He's just an incredible player. But it's funny. He didn't run the fastest or he's not the biggest, but there's an it factor to him. If I'd never seen Keenan Allen play, Justin. And I said, Justin, tell me what makes Keenan Allen special. how would you describe it? That's a tough place to start. I would say he finds a way to get open.

However he does it, he understands leverage so well, and he's able to break, contain, and find a place to sit, or he's just got such a good feel for the game. He's got incredible hands to, and he catches everything that I throw to him. There are even times where, you know, I'm hanging on to him too late just because I know he's going to get open, and sometimes I get back to the progression too late, but Keen just finds a way to get open, makes plays,

and with the ball, he can be able to be. make guys miss. And, you know, he might not be the fastest guy in the game, but, you know, he's got some good speed and he's run some pretty good routes too. Finally, you have a new coach, and he's a defensive coach, Brandon Staley. He's a young guy, is very smart. But, you know, defensive coaches, Justin, they don't want quarterbacks to make mistakes. They want the defense to win the game. Have you ever gone up to your coach yet and said, coach, you got to lighten up. I'm going to throw the deep ball. I got a good arm here. defensive coaches generally are more conservative than offensive coaches.

Have you sensed that yet? No, he's done a great job of communicating with us. And he even played quarterback for a little bit, too. So he really understands the game. You know, we ended up completing a post-ball into quarters a couple days ago for a touchdown. And he came back the next day, tried to hold that look, disguised it, and got the safety deep. And, you know, I think they made a good play on the ball. So it's a game of Cat and Mouse, and he's done an incredible job.

So it's been awesome to play for him so far. Justin Herbert, Chargers. I'm going to a couple of your games with my buddies. I've got several buddies who bought season tickets to watch you play. Good luck. Stay healthy, my friend. We'll talk soon. Awesome.

Thanks for having me. You bet Justin Herbert, just a wonderful kid and a world-class talent. You know, where they may have some practices, I think, next weekend at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. So the Chargers are pretty good, you know, for media. Hey, if you call, I want a field pass to watch him. I've had buddies go to practice. They're like, oh, my God. Remember, T.J. Hushmanzada, you got to give him credit.

Came on this show, and he said, whoever passes on Justin Herbert is making a huge mistake. I remember that. T.J. said, I'm a pro athlete. That dude's ankles and shoulders. Like, that guy's going to be a star in this league. I remember he said it multiple times. He goes, I don't know what all these scouts are seeing. But if he's available and you don't draft him, then you don't.

know what you're doing and he was right. He's just a, he's just, by the way, he was a four point biology major. That's what's going to say the mental side of it. He's so aware. He's so thoughtful. He even sent you when you had your medical emergency, sent you a little gift. He just took responsibility here. No, no, it wasn't.

It was my fault that I got sacked so many times. He takes responsibility. He's a team player. Yeah. He really is. Good to have him on. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays and noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Imagine an Olympics. where doping is not only legal but encouraged.

It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tapped Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam Jett. And I'm Alex English.

Each episode, we pick a here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me. not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now.

Thank you finishing that sentence. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Clipper Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to

college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast, it's a space for honest conversations,

stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. 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 possessing. 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 that's two different levels of trust I want you to just really be a good person join me Kear games 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 hard way and listen now.

DoorDash is here. Get more from your neighborhood. It's the summer of Dash Pass. 10 bucks off groceries, pet food, could be alcohol. Try Dash Pass for free. Get year round savings. Stay cool out there. Terms and conditions apply.

All right. Alex with the news. No. Turn on the news. This is the Herd Line News. Well, Russell Welsbrook will be heading west as a member of the Lakers next season, but he almost made the move two years ago with the other L.A. team when he was still on the Thunder. He reportedly initiated a conversation with Kauai Leonard about teaming up on the clippers,

but Kauai responded by reaching out to Westbrook's Thunder teammate, Paul George, asking him to join forces. So a little bit of a shady roundabout way of Kauai to get a player. it worked. Paul, I will say this, given the choice of the two, Paul is a plus defender. And I've said this before.

Paul George gets a lot of heat. And he's not as consistent as, you know, LeBron James and his prime. Paul George, a really good basketball player. Paul's a bigger athlete. Paul had been at that point, except for one exception, a healthy athlete, and Paul's a very good plus defender.

So, and a good ball handler for his, size. So if you'd have told me I was going to choose the two, even though Westbrook gets more love from fans, I would have chosen Paul George over Westbrook, too. And that's not a shot at Russell. Russell, Paul George, in this league right now, everybody is looking for plus defenders on the wing to be able to guard great wing players, multiple positions. Paul George is that. I'm just trying to imagine how that conversation went. Hey, Paul, so your teammates thinking about he's willing to leave. So do you want to do it instead and come join me?

So it's just, it's always fun when you get those little behind the scenes. Little nugget information of how it all went down. So yeah, there's that. Well, moving on, Bears fans are extremely excited about seeing what rookie Justin Fields can do for their team next season. But Fields is urging those fans to be patient as he continues to learn what it takes to be an NFL quarterback. Yeah, I mean, I'm constantly growing every day.

So, of course, you know, there's a lot of people that, you know, are anxious to see me play. but I think I said in my last interview, you know, greatness doesn't happen overnight. Like, I don't really get upset if I miss a throw because I know that I can make that throw. So right now I'm more focused on like the mental part of, you know, the game and just trying to make sure I'm on my piece and cues and knowing what I need to do, you know, mentally and what I need to do like before the play call and after. But the ups and downs, you really just can't really dwell on those from the downs. You just have to learn from them and just move on to the next day. By the way, he started a lot of games at Ohio State.

So one of the things I like about Justin Fields, he played in a legit conference against good teams. He started a ton of games. He faced Clemson, had one of his best games. So what's your prediction? What week do you think we might see Justin Fields? Week two. Really? Yeah, what's the bear schedule?

Week one at Rams? Week two at Bengals. Okay, so nice job. First bangles. All right. So here's what you do. Yeah. You go to the Rams, you give it the Dalton, he loses.

It makes it very easy. for him to go and play the Bengals at home. Okay. So you probably give Andy the first start. Or, you know, you could get crafty here and give Andy a few starts. You don't want, do you want Justin Fields having to go to Cleveland to face Miles Garrett? No thanks. Maybe you start him home against Detroit.

Then at the Raiders, two wobbly defenses. All I know is this. I want Justin. Two or four. Yeah, I think I may. You know, everybody says you play him game. one, but this is all a game, right? I'm not sure I want him facing Aaron Donald in week one. That was the number one defense in the NFL last year. I don't think that's for his confidence.

Now, I'd love to have him face Cincinnati, but then do I want him to face Miles Garrett and Cleveland? Not really. Okay. But if you ask me, week four, Detroit, week five, Raiders, neither defense I like. And then you take your chances against Green Bay at home. I mean, listen, it's the NFL. There's no ideal place to start him. but I think most people think he's going to start week one. I have a feeling Andy Dalton will get the week one call. He was promised it by somebody. Okay. All right.

Well, moving on. Lamar Jackson is a legend at University of Louisville, and he will now be immortalized by his former college. The school's athletic director announced that Lamar will get a statue outside of Cardinal Stadium. It's expected to be placed at the main entrance next to the one of Johnny Unitas. And when hearing the news, Lamar was clearly emotional about the honor tweeting, that's major. I appreciate that. Like y'all, serious?

Oh, good for him. That's so special. I mean, you are forever remembered. Your legacy is now there for the rest. Remainter. The school's there. The stadium's there. The statue's there. That's special. That is special. Louisville didn't get on. I watched him a couple times. I think he played Clemson a couple times and I watched him. And he was obviously in an amazing athlete. My question was always to him. He runs a lot and he's thin.

But, you know, it's interesting. is that the only thing that ever worries me about Lamar is he's got to get a little more Russell Wilson, which is don't take hits. Because about twice a game, I think he runs so fast that sometimes he almost runs into hits. He's so fast. That's the only thing I don't worry about his throwing. I don't think he's ever going to be Elway. He's good enough.

But he does. He takes some shots. Oh, yeah. Like real sideline shots. That's the part of his game. I really want to see grow. Dude, slide. Like, get down.

About once a Sunday, you're wincing watching him take a shot. Yeah. Good stuff. Alex with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Hurd-Lie News. Just got this little gem. This is almost breaking news.

Trey Lance, 49ers, just got his first reps with the starters in team drills. Through a touchdown three plays later. Boom. Let the magic happen. Bucky Brooks around the corner of the herd. 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... the same tired narratives down your throat every day. Straight Fire gives you honest opinions on all the biggest sports headlines, accurate stats to help you win big at the sports book, and all the best guests. Do yourself a favor and listen to Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human. potential. Either way, the podcast'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. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tapped Little Kim's boobs at the

VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do a little count? 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, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you finishing that sentence. 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. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me. Clever Taylor the 4th.

You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my choice. journey from basketball to college football or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music.

The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app,

Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kier 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, you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth? Are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro.

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

Former NFL defensive back. former NFL scout. I challenge him often. And that's why he comes on the show. I'll go right after Bucky Brooks, my friend. Okay. So I said, I understand the pressure of athletes. I'm not a Neanderthal.

Simone Biles, I get it. But there is a thing about the NFL, like you kind of sign up for, you're hurt, next man up. Carson Wentz is hurt. Well, you can't bring in Nick Foles. And I'm like, I don't know. I'm the GM. It's a Super Bowl roster.

Bucky, why can't I call Nick Foles? Because we saw what happened when you brought Jalen Hertz in. We've seen it time at time. In Indianapolis, you absolutely cannot bring in a veteran that could absolutely threaten him. Because remember, he's a guy who's trying to repair his confidence. And the last thing that Frank Wright and Chris Bellet would do is put him in a situation where that confidence will be threatened. Even though everyone is on the outside saying,

oh, the sky is falling because he's hurt, he may be out five to 12 weeks. I actually believe that Indianapolis Coast are well positioned to be fine and weather this storm. Because when you look at this team, this team isn't really a quarterback-centric team. Not right now. It's a team that was built for the offensive line.

Their running game, they have three backs that can get it done. Nahim Hines, Marlon Mack, and then Jonathan Taylor. Defensively, I believe they could be a top defense. Matt Iberflus has done a great job of getting this defense to play. And so it will be a more conservative style then the fans are used to seeing in Indianapolis, but running game defense will give them a chance

to keep it afloat until Carson Wentz returns. Well, I did make this argument yesterday. They do play in a wobbly division. Yes. What worries me is they open with the Ram Seahawks, and that's probably going to be 0-and-2. I don't want those defenses with Jacob Eason. So you think Chris Ballard here is just basically

saying, listen, after eight weeks, if he comes back eight weeks, we're three and five. And I've got to battle an average Tennessee team. That's what you think they're doing. Yeah, I mean, like the team to beat or the team that they have to compete with in that division is Tennessee. So if you think about it, normally, Colin, the goal is to get to the halfway mark right around 500. If you can get there 500, they give you a chance because you

want to get hot down the stretch. This defense is legit, and they can keep them in the mix. This was a defense that at one point in the year was the number one defense. They turn it over. They do a great job, and they should be even more dominant another year. in this defense to Forrest Buckner, more explosive players to bring Quiddie pay over, the secondary returns intact. So I'm bullish on this defense. Offensively, the news about Quentin Nelson hurting his foot in a way that is similar to Carson Wentz, that is troubling. Because if he is there, then I'm all the way in on. They're going to run the football. They're going to do it. Because remember this about Frank Wright. And I think it's underreported.

Frank Wright is a product of, but Bobby Ross. Bobby Ross, long time college coach and Maryland, Georgia Tech in the National Football League with the San Diego Chargers. It's about toughness. It's about the running game. At his heart, that's how Frank Wright wants to build his team. So they'll be okay with or without Carson Wentz. Let's talk about this. Trey Lance just took over first

team reps, three plays later touchdown. So you tell me, you're sitting there with Kyle Shanahan. There is value in a veteran player who is won with guys in that locker room. Trey Lance hasn't. But I said it when he

got drafted. He and Justin Fields are going to do stuff at practice and the old guy's going to be like, okay, that guy's a baller. That guy can play. Would you just, even if Trey looks the part and maybe at times moves the offense better, would you start Garapolo early

for the room? I don't know. See, because we talk about the room. The room is also very aware of someone who is special on the field, no matter what position. Guys remember or guys that have that who we factor?

they stick out. And so we're getting reports that Trey Lance is dazzling as an athlete and as a playmaker. If it's even close, you go to Trey Lance. And the reason why is because it gives Kyle Shanahan the opportunity to have the best of both worlds.

Because this offense is a monster, regardless of who plays a quarterback because of the run game. That stretched bootleg run game terrorizes people. But now you have a quarterback that will allow Kyle Shanahan to do some of the stuff that he did

with RG3, where now, you have to account for the quarterback. So you can't chase the front side run because you're worried about the quarterback coming on the back door on the bootleg. You can't go hard on the zone run because now Trey Lance can pull it. It gives them an opportunity to be more dynamic

and with the weapons that they have coming back. George Kittle, Debo Samuel, Brennan Ayyuk, a plethora of runners, and now you put in a quarterback that also can add to the run. If he shows that he's ready, you put him in as soon as possible and go with it because he will work through those mistakes, and defensively they should be good enough to hold it

until he matures and becomes the playmaker that everybody believes he will be. It's interesting. We had a discussion off the air when Justin Herbert played for Oregon before he went to the NFL. You and I had gone on the air and said multiple times, I don't see the holes in his game, big, strong, athletic, smart. But he played in a very conservative offense.

And we now, he has something in common and I'll let you tell the story with the young man Justin Fields at Chicago, who we like, but there are some questions about, well, can he do this? Can he do that? And there's a belief that Justin Herbert at Oregon and Justin Fields at Ohio State have something in common. Yeah, they do have something in common. One, they stayed around so long that we picked holes in their game. Like, it happens every year in a draft.

There's one guy that we single out that we are just going to absolutely torpedo their game. Because we've seen so much of them. seen so much of them. We have to find somebody to talk about and continue to drive the conversation. With Justin Herbert and Justin Fields, I believe both of their coaches held them back because they needed to because they didn't have guys that were ready to play behind them. So we didn't see Justin Herbert run much at Oregon.

He played in a more conservative style because Mario Cristobal knew. This is my QB1. I don't have anybody behind him. I need to keep him healthy and upright. Similar stuff for Justin Fields. He had the bad outing that everyone. one saw on national TV against Indiana and then Northwestern in the championship game. He couldn't get it going.

But then we kind of forget or overlook when they dazzle against Clemson. So for Justin Fields, I think Justin Fields is going to be a far more impactful and dominant pro player than he was as a college player because when you see the flashes, I'll talk a long time ago, grade the flashes. When they show you those spectacular skills, they can replicate it. You have to give them a chance. I believe Justin Fields is going to be an outstanding player in Chicago. Chicago, and much like we celebrate and rave over Justin Herbert, I think we'll come back

in 12 or 24 months and have the same kind of conversation about Justin Fields. Yeah, it's funny about Justin Fields because in the Senior Bowl, he lit it up. And then in the Rose Bowl, when Oregon's Mario Cristobal knew, it's the last game of the year, we'll let him run. Well, everybody went, okay, all the critics were like, okay, because remember that Wisconsin defense was good. Yes. I was like one of the best Wisconsin defense in 15 years.

So I got to ask you about this. John Gruden's story came out. There's no now, you got to win now mandate. But when he got there, two years before he was there, seven pro boulders. Year before he got there, five pro boulders. Now the Raiders have two pro boulders. And I know Gruden has influence on the draft. When I look at them, 66 sacks in three years, dead last.

Offensive line lost three starters. Tell me what I'm missing. I don't see the progress with the Raiders. Do you? No, they certainly aren't the same team that we thought they would be. Whenever you pay a coach, a czar, $100 million, the expectation is that he is going to get them to the next level. Remember, this is a team that went to the playoffs and the Jack Deal Rio. Jack DeRio had Derek Carr playing at, I think we considered, an MVP level.

So now, Derek Carr has played solid. He's been good, not necessarily great. The team hasn't been great, 19 and 29 since he took over. At some point, we want to see the wins happen. Who are the young players that have taken over? Because remember, it was controversial when they got rid of Khalil Mack. I like Josh Jacobs and Max Crosby. Right.

Okay, so those guys are good. But remember, Khalil Mack was a guy who was all pro at two positions. outside linebacker in D.N and they moved on from him. They haven't seen the same kind of dominance up front from anybody. And so it's one thing to get a bunch of picks, but those picks have to turn into players. And right now the Raiders haven't been able to turn those picks into players consistently.

So I believe there should be a lot of pressure on John Gruden and everybody to make sure that this team is a playoff team because when you look at the division, Kansas City is always going to be in the conversation. We can say that the chargers are going to be better. of Brandon Staley comes over. High IQ coach will do something to get that defense right. We saw what he did with the Rams.

Denver. Some would say Denver is a quarterback away from being a team that can compete at a high level. So when you're the Raiders and teams are, maybe you're looking at this team and maybe they're the fourth best team in the division. To me, Mark Davis has to put a little more pressure on Gruden to get this right because year four, the program should be overhauled and turned over. This team needs to be a playoff team in my mind. or has been an abject failure.

Okay, every year there's a team that doubles their wins that shocks us. And every year, every year there's a good team that disappoints us. Last year it was the Niners, but that was injuries, and it's often injuries that derail. I mean, if you told me Baltimore won eight games, I'd say, who got hurt, right? So I'm not going to ask you for that. But I'm going to tell you what team is going to exceed expectations. And there is no bias here, but Robbie Anderson, Christian McCaffrey, Sam Darnold, DJ Moore, Chuba Hubbard, Matt Ruhl, year two.

They solved left tackle. I think Carolina is better than we think in a division where Atlanta's defense is rebuilding and the saint are rebuilding more than they would admit with a Michael Thomas problem. Carolina has a chance to win 10. Give me your team. Carolina, wow. I'm trying to take all that in because you threw that on me with Carolina and 10. Here's two things that hinge on Carolina.

Christian McCaffrey, staying healthy. and then Sam Donald. Which version of Sam Donald are we going to see? So I'll give you that. I'll say keep an eye on the Dallas Cowboys. You're the second guy that said that. The reason why, having been up to camp a few times, offensively, I mean, they are loaded.

I mean, they are loaded. Zeke is his college weight. He looks like the Ezekiel Elliott that has been a two-time Russian champion. He's fit. He's ready to go. Offensively, C.D. Lamb is a super sophomore. Meaning if you're going to, in your fantasy drafts, find a receiver that could pop in a major way this year.

CD Lamb last year he spent primarily in the slot. This year they're moving them around the row, the formation, playing everything. And they're doing that with everybody. But the defense, I am really big on what Dan Quinn has done. And Dan Quinn has not only simplified it, but he's found a way to connect with the team where they are just flying to the ball and doing all these things. I know we're saying, hey, it's just practice. We don't know.

but there's something there that you can feel that this defense is going to be much better. And I know when he was coordinated defense in Atlanta at the end and things fell apart, part of that was because of the trust that the team lost in him when they fell apart in the Super Bowl. I believe in Dallas he turns it around. Watch out for the Cowboys. Second former NFL scout, John Middlokoff said almost the exact same thing. You scouts, you're just the brains work the exact same way. Speak for yourself. Thanks, Bucky.

Is around the corner on a Tuesday. Good Day. A lot of football. Live in L.A., it's the herd. 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 Acapella 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. On the Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me.

I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year. I mean, 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. 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 money. I'm sorry great. Listen to Superhuman on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hardway with your favorite therapist and host, Kear Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing.

How many men carry a suit or armor. It signals to the world that you're not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to. Listen and learn the hard way on the IHard radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. This is an IHart podcast.

Guaranteed human.