The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 08/27/2021 - HOUR 2 - John Middlekauff

Episode Date: August 27, 2021

In this hour of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Doug Gottlieb--in for Colin--looks into the future and likens Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers' possible post-Packers career trajectory to that of one NBA superstar, should the Packers not win a championship this coming season. What are Rodgers' best options after 2021? Doug expounds. Also, John Middlekauff--former NFL scout and host of the "3 and Out" podcast--joins Doug to chat about college football's powers jockeying for position as well as current storylines coming out of NFL training camps.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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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 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 IHeard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes,

follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Thanks for listening to The 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 Heard at Fox SportsRadio.com or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Heard. Welcome in. This is The Hurd, wherever you may be and however you may be listening to us.

Thanks so much. I'm Doug Gottlieb in for college. Cowherd. Football Friday. You're like, what? Yeah, dude, stuck up on you. Gonna be honest with you. I love some college football.

Of the experiences in my life. And, you know, it's really important to take stock at times. The experience of my life that are positive. I can't think of, I mean, I've been so fortunate to see so many cool football games. You know, like Virginia Tech is hosting North Carolina. And I got a chance to see Virginia Tech. I know they've been down the past couple years. I do think this is a year in which they start, they begin the process of bouncing back.

But Lane Stadium, enter Sandman. And the great thing about it, I think that's next Thursday night they play that game, right? That's like an ode to what made Virginia Tech special. Danny Cannell was talking a little bit about it last hour, where he was like, you know, Nebraska was so different in the 90s because there were so many fewer games on TV. It's true. Now, there was Sunday night football, but there wasn't Thursday night NFL football. So Thursday nights belonged to the Big East.

and that's where Virginia Tech and Beamer Ball, that's when it first became popular. Miami and Virginia Tech were the best teams in the Big East Football Conference. And it seemed like they played every Thursday night. When I was recruited to Notre Dame, I was on the field at Notre Dame Stadium when they came running out and they played and lost to Michigan on a last second field goal.

And I'd never say anything like I was one of the greatest college football games I've ever seen. and I'm in the student section with all these recruits and students are crying. I had no idea the passion of college football. Like when my sister was a cheerleader at UCLA and this is back in the, I think Homer Smith was their offensive coordinator. And there's a famous USC UCLA game in the early 90s when Todd Mernovich threw three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter.

Both teams scored 21 points in the fourth quarter, USC, UCLA. J.J. Stokes was the best college wide receiver I had ever seen. But you know what? When the game was over, I don't remember any of the students in the student section crying at that one. I don't. So the passion obviously kind of Midwest to Southeast on, but still, there's just something about college football. I'm not going to convince you that the talent or quality of play is as good as that in the national football league. It's not.

It's not close. But it doesn't make it any less significant to watch, any less fun to watch. And I could be more excited than tomorrow's about tomorrow's college football kickoff. Let me get to this, though. This was Aaron Rogers when he was asked if this is championship or bust type of season. I think we all know what's at stake. And I talked about that a little bit today about perspective and how important that perspective is to focus on this season. and enjoy the most of this season

because there are a lot of unknowns. So we're just going to enjoy this season. It's title town. It's championship or disappointment just about every year. So what people take that as, and it's real because of what Aaron Rogers said, I mean,

because of what he put out there on Instagram with the last dance, is this idea that if they don't win it, like, if you don't win a championship, are you really going to leave? First thing is, if you win a championship, I find it really hard to think he would leave. Unless you're going to retire, which doesn't feel like he wants to retire.

Maybe he does. And he just wants one big paycheck before he does. But he's not going to retire. So you win a championship, you're not leaving. It's not like you're Kauai Leonard and you just parachute it in for six months and then you leave. Now, he's been a Green Bay Packers entire life. He's still under contract after this year. He's not leaving if they win a championship.

But if they don't win a championship. And I'm like the only sane person. And I do think that Aaron contextualized it very smartly, right? Which is like, it's not championship or bust, but championship or disappointment. We'd be disappointed. Like, should they have, could they have won last year? Yes. It's really hard without David Bakhtiari.

It's really, really, without your best offensive lineman, the line wasn't great anyway. Really, really hard. Really hard. So I think it's smart to contextualize it. What is where do they play? What is the weather like? Who is as Devante Adams healthy? Is he not healthy?

Is Aaron Jones healthy? Aaron Rogers healthy. Remember when they lost to Seattle on that miracle comeback years ago, he was playing with a torn calf muscle. So that's why it's really easy right now before we have 17, 18 weeks actually, but 17 weeks of games, plus the playoffs to say, It's a championship or bus type of year. But has anybody thought of, like, if you leave, aren't you doing a Kevin Durant a little bit?

If you can't win a championship, right, they've been to two straight NFC championships. They get to the NSC championship game again or they get in the playoffs again. They lose. Are you pulling a Kevin Durant? And look, I've been a defender of Kevin Durant. I'll tell you that I believe the Warriors don't sniff a championship if they don't get KD. That team changed. They lost Harrison Barnes and the bench had gotten older, some had gotten overpaid.

That team was not the same. Became a top heavy team. They needed to rant just as much as he needed to win. But like everybody talks these statements about the warriors as if the calves weren't loaded. Like Kyrie Irving's a first ballot Hall of Famer. So if you do Kevin Durant and Steph Curry, I think the world likes Steph Curry better than like Kyrie Irving, but you'd have a tough time convincing me that Kyrie Irving isn't, again, different style of game, but the equal of Steph Curry.

He's a different player, but they're both great. And LeBron had Kevin Love. Whatever you think of Kevin Love now, Kevin Love then was still seen as a star slash superstar level, star player. Is he Clay Thompson? I don't know. There was a time there when he was considered the best power forward in the sport.

Granted on bad teams. And then if Tristan Thompson, he's not the passer of Draymond Green, but defensively and as a rebounder, better rebounder. It's not like like LeBron wasn't a bad team. But the point is that Kevin Durant was the better player on the better team and the better man and probably for his career made the better decision.

But all anybody says today is, well, look how weak that was. Lost in the conference finals. Then he went and joined that team. Now, again, we're not going to, Aaron Rogers is not going to join the Tampa Buccaneers that they lose to him. I don't think he joins the Niners if they lose to the Niners. There's lots of teams they could lose to. I don't think if they lost to the Cowboys,

he's not going to be the Cowboys next quarterback. He loses to Washington. He's not going to Washington's next quarterback. But the idea of leaving when you're, close. And it's the only place you've ever played. That's a little bit of the Durant thing. You know?

It's like when you're in high school. You know, you're in high school. And in your district, you're good. And you get to the playoffs. And maybe you get to the semifinals. But there's another high school that's able to, that recruits players or their private high school. And guys can be from out of the district or from wherever.

And now you're getting ready to your senior year. like I could go and win or I could compete with my guys on my team. And even if it doesn't succeed, at least I've done it with the guys, the same guys, the same organization the entire time. I don't know. Like,

look, Aaron is going to clearly do his own thing. I am not convinced this is last year, but I am also not convinced that that's simply because of money or whatever. I think they got a chance to be special, that they are still in the middle of a great run.

They have a young and athletic defense. They've revamped their offensive line. Aaron Jones is just tapping the surface about good. He could be plus the Dill, A.J. Dylan appears to be another stud running back who they drafted. Devante Adams is in his prime. So if they don't win it this year, will he leave? He might. But there's a little of buyer beware.

and look at how it affected Kevin Durant's life. He has had an incredible amount of respect. He has, he's widely considered the best player in the sport now. But his time in Golden State, no matter how successful, three NBA finals, two titles, they would have won a third had he not gotten hurt. That is, he's forever known as a guy who joined a team that beat him. And people will say that's the easy way out. And I don't think Aaron Rogers wants that.

All right, coming up next. I'm Doug Gottlie, filming in for Colin. This is The Herd on Fox Sports Radio or the IHeart Radio app. What are the expectations for the Pactures this season? Can they take that next step? Okay. We'll find out from John Middukoff. He joins us up coming next.

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. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year.

Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined.

And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast, it's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be.

Listen to the 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 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 Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast.

I'm Sam Jek. 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 all 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 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, Keer Games. And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, 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're

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

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

Doug Gottlieb in for Colin. This is the Hurt. Discover match all the cash back here in your credit card at the end of your first year. It's amazing because Discover is accepted 99% of the places in the U.S. to take credit cards. Learn more. Discover.com slash yes, 2021 Nielsen Report. Limitations apply. John Middukhov joins this three-in-out podcast. Former NFL Scout also used to work at Fresno State. College football set to kick off. upcoming tomorrow. Brett Beelma back in the Big Ten, right? That's an interesting one.

Scott Frost trying to coach his way out of the doldrums at Nebraska. Being a guy that generally covers the NFL, but you love college football, what are your thoughts on, like, what's it really like to go to a big-time college football game? Yeah, I mean, when I was a GA, when I was GA at Fresnel State, we played Vilema at Wisconsin. It was freaking awesome. I mean, it was one of the coolest

experiences of my life. We actually also went, I think, the next year to Illinois. So, I mean, we always played the big schools. I mean, it was real, it's a big deal. And for those, you know, Nebraska, I mean, I grew up, you know, I probably got into football in like Jerry Rice and Steve Young, but college football with Bowden passing away a couple weeks ago and Tommy Frazier and Nebraska. I mean, it felt like those were by far. are the two biggest powerhouse programs that I remember. And Scott Frost, it's crazy, Doug. I mean, just a couple years ago, he kind of had this like Chris Peterson vibe at Boise.

It was like he couldn't miss, right? Whoever was going to hire him, he was going to win. And that happened with Chris. Remember forever the USC thing, they didn't see I die. He didn't take the job. UCLA want all these programs. He ended up going to Washington and had a ton of success. Resurrection the program, took him to the playoffs.

I think people thought Scott was, it might be a little more difficult. just because going through Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, but it's been a disaster. And I think sometimes we think, you know, high school elite quarterbacks are going to be like NFL highly drafted guys. And sometimes it's just hard. You know, he signed that guy Martinez from Fresno. And I had followed the high school quarterback's career pretty closely. And he just hasn't been that good. And, you know, I think at the highest level when your team, you know, Ohio State can get by because even if their quarterback is just okay,

their other positions are so great. But at a program like Nebraska, once they made that transition, you put all your eggs in the basket with a couple recruits. Like, they have to hit. They just didn't. Yeah, no, no. I mean, and, you know,

they had Luke McCaffrey who lasted for like five minutes there. But it is fascinating, right? Like the whole thing is based upon recruiting. You've got to have players. No one's ever done it without players. And when Nebraska, you know, I don't know if they understood what they were doing for the football

for the football program when they left the Big 12 when they left the Big 12 well first of all I don't people don't have a healthy enough respect for just how good those programs are in the Big Ten they're not they don't have outside of Ohio State

they don't have maybe the elite athleticism of some of those at CCC schools and the defensive line right and some skill position spots but but I mean really well invested football probably with really good coaches really good programs, guys that are four and five year guys, grown-ass men.

And, but here's the bigger thing. Now you can't recruit Texas, okay? Because here's how it really works in recruiting. You go into Texas, you're like, aha, hey, Nebraska, big time program. All right, when do I get a chance to see my kid play? Well, you know, we're on this game, we're on that game. Okay, everybody's on TV. One of the Big Ten Network.

You might have it. You might not. Are you going to play in Dallas? You're going to play in Houston. when they were in the Big 12, they played in Texas. They were on every, those, the ABC regional programming always picked up the Big 12 game. And they left that behind. And that's why I think the Pack 12 is stupid to not try and expand and pick up some of these schools.

Because you could have California that still has a ton of players. Arizona is growing. Nevada is growing in terms of quality players. But you got to get into Texas and not wanting to expand because these programs aren't like us, like you need the players. You need also the students for the student body, and they are in Texas. Yeah, I agree. I mean, I would say at any moment time, though, with the expansion stuff, it can change, right? I mean, if things start looking a little leery, and they have been for the Pact 12, like the one thing that was fascinated to me about the Alliance is the Big Ten has been

crushing it. I mean, they've been printing money, not quite SEC money, but they've been making a ton. I think the PAC 12, and even the ACC, because beside Clemson, got a little lucky that the Big Ten just wanted to do at least, even if it's a hollow agreement, wanted to associate their name, because they did not need to do that, as long as they have Ohio State. I'm going to disagree with you.

I think basically what that was was like, nobody steal my stuff, right? Like, we got our teams, you got your teams, you got your teams. We're not poaching each other's teams, right? And it's them standing up, the Big Ten's tied to Fox, and the SEC deal is an ESPN deal.

The college football playoff as of now is an ESPN deal. and it's them going like, all right, look, either you've got to cut us in on all these discussions or we'll go off and do our own thing. And as much as it's hard to imagine having two dueling national championship tournaments, we've had dual national championships in our lifetime, several times over.

So it's part for the course that college football is on this, is potentially on this time. I agree, but if the SEC reached out to Clemson and Florida State and said, hey, you want to come join? Like you'll be our, this side's Texas and Oklahoma? You think they'd say no? I don't know. I don't. I don't know. I don't know. Because part of the argument is you're at a distinct advantage if you're Clebson and the ACC. You're at a distinct advantage. This is, this is the Oklahoma thing. This is the Oklahoma thing, right? People in Oklahoma, like,

we're better than the rest of this league. You are. But one of the reasons you're better than the Rest League is, like, you spend twice as much money. You have twice as much history as we do. You go and compete with a league full of savages that are well invested, well coached, well-funded, great players, tons of history. You're just like everybody else. You're not the bell of the ball anymore. You know, there aren't any Kansas games. There aren't any, you know, there used to be, obviously Iowa State used to be a win, right? There aren't these, they're not, buy games in in conference play like every game is a war obviously with exception maybe and like like Kentucky hasn't been terrible Vanderbilt's not terrible

Missouri's not terrible like that's the bottom of the league so I there is do I think they would probably because everybody takes the guaranteed check when to me if you're Clemson you're going to get in the college football playoff anyway you can this scheduling deal I think helps them because it gives them all right now we're going to play against the Ohio State or play against the USC. Plus, we're already playing against Georgia, and we're already playing against South Carolina.

Like they got kind of, and they got Florida State in their schedule, they'll eventually get good. I don't know. I think they probably would, but I'm not convinced they would because there is something to be the biggest fish in a smaller pond.

And it's not that much smaller pond. Let's get to the NFL. John Middukoff, our guest, I'm Doug Gottlieb. This is The Hurt on Fox Sports Radio app. Aaron Rogers said, championship or disappointment. They've been the NFC championship game

last two years. Two years ago, defense, not good. Last year, better, very close. Running game, good. Overall talent good. Now they've revamped the offensive line. They've changed the defense as well. Are they a better football team this year than last year? Yeah, I think it's pretty darn close. I think that they are clearly

one of the favorites. I think last year, what was so eye-opening is we thought, Rogers might be going the other way, and then he threw it back and we went, holy moly. He was the best player in the league. So if you get that player again, you could have a much less talented team than the Packers even have, and they'd have a chance. So to me, their defense, in theory, should be better, new defensive coordinator.

They have a young secondary, which I think we feel Jair Alexander is a really good player. They have a couple good pass rushers. They have a good defensive line. Linebackers have been a little hit or miss, but you can't have a perfect team. offensively, they should be dominant. If they get another MVP-type season like they did last year, and if Devante can stay healthy,

their running game in that scheme is going to just dice people because it works and they have good running backs. The division stinks. I mean, the Lions aren't going to be any good. Minnesota might be better than they were last year, but the Packers have owned them. And then the Bears have some issues. So, yeah, I mean, I think that they, I think there's probably three or four players.

Obviously, Tom, every season, Super Bowl or bust. Holmes now is kind of that way. You know, Russell hasn't been there in a while, but I think that's kind of their standard, him and Pete, like, their plan is to, like, make a run. And I think the Packers would fall into that category as well. So that's what happens when you have a top, you know, three or four quarterback in the league, but definitely when you have a guy like Aaron Rogers and a coach who's proven to be pretty darn good. Doug Gottliebun for Colin, this is the herd.

James Winston gets the starting job with the Saints. I try to point out to people to start the day. Like, look, this is – he's not. even the first Tampa quarterback to try and resurrect his career. Not the first Tampa number one overall pick. Like Vinnie Testiferti, number one overall pick, terrible with Tampa.

And then later in his career, turned around and how he played until he was like 80 years old, right? He was like the George Blanda for the, for the jets. Steve Young wasn't good during his time in Tampa. No. And, of course,

went to the USFL, was the backup to Montana, and then became a Hall of Famer. What's the likelihood you think of success for James? now he's the starting quarterback with the same. I actually think it's pretty good because I think when you use Steve Young for an example, now Steve, I think it's fair to say, was at the same age as James, a little more mature. But there is something to be said about infrastructure, about a head coach who believes in you,

about just an operation. Now, Bruce Ariens just, I mean, they had to pivot. I think if he would have stayed with Bruce Ariens for three or four years, he might have had a chance for success. but I think Sean Payton, even the mindset in that program, probably a little less predicated on throwing deep, even though the other night James did. They can't. They have a dynamic running back. They have always dominated in that scheme in the short passing game. So if they can just teach James to like, you know, I think Gruden used to always say you never go broke taking a profit. If you can just kind of like live to fight another down sometimes, Sean Page is one of the best coaches in the league.

They have a really talented roster. I actually think that. they're pretty well set up for him to have some success. And then you also like the best part about having a quarterback like Tayson Hill who quote unquote couldn't win the job, he can do other things, right? It's the one position where only one guy gets to play, but because of what he does, they can still use them however many times a game to run the ball,

some trick plays. I actually think they got a pretty good thing going. And James, historically, we've just seen a lot of top picks resurrect their career, maybe never live up. I mean, he was the number one overall pick, but you see it with Ryan Tanniel. When he went to Tennessee, he got an infrastructure of Ray Bull, of Arthur Smith, they draft A.J. Brown.

You get a great running back. And all of a sudden, you're like, oh, Tanyl's pretty darn good. Now, it's different because he can run. But I think if James can cut down on the turnovers, which Sean Payton is definitely not used to because that was not Drew Breeze's thing, I think he has a chance to 100% resurrect his career. Is Jimmy Garoppolo the right pick for San Francisco? I mean, I just would go all in with Trey Lance, but I understand it if in Kyle's mind, the guys played one game in basically a year and a half.

He's a small school guy. They have playoff expectations. So the pressure on him, if you just start them right away. I also think it enables them. Jimmy's on the roster because if you were to bench Trey Lance, you're not going to pay Jimmy Garoppolo $25 million to start Trey Lans. you're not going to pay Jimmy Garopp, all that money to be the backup. So then you've got to have him take a pay cut. And what if he says no, then all of a sudden you cut them?

And then you got Trey Lance and Nate Sudfeld rolling into week one. It's a little risky. So I do understand the logic. And I think they're going to be a Taysom Hill Drew Brees thing, but he's going to play a lot more in games. Like that, I mean, we might see 10, 15 snaps from Trey, we might see series from Trey Lance. Now, philosophy of going to two quarterbacks, unless it's college, is not going to work in the pros.

We know that. You got to stick with one. But this is somewhat of a unique circumstance. And he can just do things that Jimmy Garapo can't do. So I do understand, especially a team that, let's face it, they want to pound the run game. So it is an easier landing spot than maybe like a pass-happy team. Okay. I'm looking around the NFL and I know the teams are talking about.

There are a lot of people that are taking notice of the bills. They're like, look, the bills. They got a special thing going on. Maybe even the best team in the AFC. Are you a buyer? I wouldn't go that far yet. I mean, I watched the Chiefs house him twice. And he,

listen, I've come around on Josh Allen because I was someone that I wouldn't have touched him coming out. And I think of, like a lot of people in the NFL as well, look stupid because he's really improved. Now, I know Mahomes, Rogers, a lot of the top quarterbacks. I've seen them do it in crazy environments.

Last year there weren't any fans. Now, I do think his skill set, like he's a really talented player, so it's not going to shock me if he maintains that level of play. But I would just hesitate to anoint them as like, I view them as a playoff team and a really good squad. They've drafted. I think last year they had their back-to-back picks defensive linemen in this last draft, so their defense should even have more pressure on the quarterback. To me, if they can balance out a little bit better, it'll help them against the Chiefs. But, yeah, I mean, I think they have a legitimate chance to be compete for like an AFC championship.

But to me, the chiefs are the clear frontrunner in that division. Or, I mean, that conference. And we've seen them play the bills and handle them. So I would, I'd pump the brakes a little bit on the hype. Okay. You know, we haven't talked a lot about Seattle. It's kind of weird. When Russell was like, I don't want to ask for a trade, but they change offensive coordinators.

It is weird, though. Here's a team, perennial playoff team. Hall of Fame quarterback. Won a Super Bowl, been to another Super Bowl, this close to winning two Super Bowls. And look, maybe it's the nature of it, but doesn't feel like there's, we talk more about the Rams because they switch quarterbacks.

We talk more about the Cowboys because they're the Cowboys. Even the Browns, where's Seattle this year? I think because we don't view them as a well-rounded team, like some of these other squads, a little bit like, I don't need probably more than most teams in the league. I mean, if one of them, we saw last year, Jamal Adams went down, it just impacts them.

And he's a safety, and it hurt their pass rush. So it's like they kind of hung their hat when they were an elite team on defense. And now I don't think we view their defense is very good, but their offense is pretty elite. But, you know, they always fight the balance of like letting him cook and running the ball because you know that's what Pete wants to do. Now they bring in the Rams offensive coordinator. Is their offense going to look like the Rams and the Niners now?

Or are they going to let Russell? I mean, they have two of the best wide receivers in the league in DK and Tyler Lockett. I mean, those guys can dominate, especially in the deep passing game, which Russell's, I don't know, arguably one of the best deep passers in the history of league. So to me, it's going to be fascinating to watch those guys. And they've had some weird things going on, right? Jamal, they ended up paying him, not that big a deal. Like you had to do once you trade it for him. But quandary digs, another safety wants to get paid.

There's some issues there. They're starting left tackle, who's, you know, 36 years old is just showing up, but he just stands there at practice. it's a little bizarre, but, you know, I don't necessarily blame the player, but I also, like Seattle clearly kind of gets in these stalemates when it comes to contracts, which I do understand having principal and having a number set, but there are certain players on the team that, like, you can't operate without this guy. So what are you going to do, just get in a staring contest, think he's going to blink? Is that really what you want with your starting left tackle?

I think there's a balance to it all, and I don't know. Eventually it's going to combust. You know, like, Belichick was able to get away with it pretty easily, but usually he would ship that guy out. Once it became a problem, he wouldn't let the guy just sit there and be angry forever. And Seattle's gotten, you know, they've been pretty good at that. It's part of peace, like, quote, quote, culture. To me, eventually, there's going to be, there's going to have to be a blow up.

Okay, I'm looking at the Bears, and they're going to go with Andy Dalton. and it doesn't and and I do kind of get like I'm not sure people understand that the bears over the last three years they have essentially the same record as the Indianapolis Colts. I think the Colts have won one more playoff game. That's really the difference in two.

Regular season record exactly the same. Probably in a stronger division because the Vikings before last year were really good and the Packers have been good. But like the Bears it's the same team but they're choosing Dalton instead of Justin

Fields, at least for now. Is that the right call? I mean, I disagree with it, but I've been around coaches. I know you have too. They get very, when it comes to a quarterback, they value things that a fan that the media, people on the outside can't see, right? Just the way he carries himself, the way he calls, plays in the huddle, the way his understanding of opposing defenses, things that they really value. And I've heard, you know, in practice, they've been blown away from the jump. Because, of course, Andy Dalton is a very, very smart quarterback. He would impress any coach that he was around.

And I understand making a promise when you did once you sign him. You're the starting quarterback. We've seen it historically forever in football. Things change once you draft the guy. And then I even understand, listen, he's our starter going into camp, but give him the opportunity to earn the job. And they clearly kind of rigged it that way. And you can make the argument, like don't throw Justin Fields to the Rams,

especially with a bad defensive line. But I'd push back, you know, they play the Bengals, I think, week two. The Bengals have legit defensive lines. Most teams can hurt you. You know, every week, like I understand Aaron Donald's better than most and probably everybody. But like any defensive line you're going into when your offensive line is a question mark, which it definitely is a problem. Now, I've had people in the league tell me, like, Fields is going to play sooner than even they think

because Andy Dalton is going to get peppered. you know he cannot move definitely like fields even Mitch like Mitch was a pretty good athlete yes so and I'm not rooting for anyone to get hurt but I mean you just three hours we saw last year with Dak I mean when when the cowboy's offensive line went you just start running for your life and at least Fields runs a four four flat so he might be able to run away um all right last thing john middle cough our guest dog gotley in for Colin this is the herd I look I I don't really understand the anti-vax sentiment now anyway, but regardless of which, Cam Newton did this to himself, right?

Like, especially when you're fighting for your football life. That's what he's doing. You know, Carolina didn't want him. His old coach in Washington said in a lot of nice platitudes about him, didn't want him. You know, Brandon Bean couldn't have brought him in his backup, didn't want him. The rest of the league, he wouldn't assign for three, you know, for $3.5 million if there was a starting spot out there for him.

but he doesn't get vaccinated. He leaves town. He knows the protocols. He's in the program. So he misses a couple days of practice. This feels to me like a guy who it's almost like he's volunteering to not start. And he may start just in spite of his actions, not because of them. Based on Belichick's previous just history with the way he operates when it comes to distractions in any pain in his butt,

it wouldn't shock me if they cut him. Now, his value because of his ability in short-yarded situations, and he's not very expensive, to me, leaves the, you know, probably has him 50-50. But talking to some people with the Eagles that joint practice against the Patriots a couple weeks ago, their running backs are awesome. I mean, we just saw it. They traded Sony-Michael. They don't even need him.

He's like a fifth-string guy. So you could argue, like short-yard stuff, they got sweet running backs. Do you really need can? Like, let's just go all in with Mac. basically his backup would be, you know, the four-man versus the Macas-Hoyer. Yeah. Yeah.

I don't think Cam, depending, like, I know Colin talked about it the other day when that story leaked, the Patriots don't leak anything. They wanted that out. So I wouldn't say expecting, but it is by no means going to shock me if in the next couple days, you know, when the big cuts happen to 53, Cam Newton has been released by the Patriots. John, great stuff, man. Can't wait for the next three now podcast.

We appreciate you join us, me and our guest in the herd. See you, Doug. All right. What I have a tendency to do is disregard all clocks and times. So we're going to do herd line news, Heard line news, including a story who you can only believe in baseball, right, in baseball if you're a fan of this team. Plus, Baker is getting even better than ever.

That's next. Be sure to catch live editions of The Heard, weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Hey, it's me, Rob Parker. Check out my weekly MLB podcast Inside the Parker for 22 minutes of piping hot baseball talk featuring the biggest names and newsmakers in the sport. Whether you believe in analytics or the I-Test, we've got all the bases covered. New episodes drop every Thursday, so do yourself a favor and listen to Inside the Parker

with Rob Parker on the IHartRadio 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 IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, CliverTaylor 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 Clivert 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 Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a here. unpack what went down and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s.

To be clear, 84 was big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack all day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Then you're finishing that sentence. Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people.

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 Hard Way 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. 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, Keir Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Doug Gottlieb in for Colin. This is The Heard. A quick shout out to Michael Kehoe, who is the president of MDrive. Just had a little baby Nash. Ironically, I was on a Zoom with him yesterday. He's like, yeah, my wife, she's number four. She's a couple weeks away. A couple weeks is a couple hours.

Anyway, Michael, congratulations. Our relationship, you, me. I know DP and, and of course, Colin, we love the company. We love what we're able to all do together. Speaking of companies we're able to work with, Navian is just like that. For endless hot water,

choose Navian. Get all the hot water you need for as long as you need it right now. Save hundreds on a new Navian tankless water heater with local rebates. Visit tankless made simple.com. It's tankless made simple.com. Let's get to Heardline News. No, no, no, no, turn on the news. This is the Heardline News. What do you have there, Ryan, music? Well, I'll tell you, Doug. I got a couple of great football stories for you and then I would love for you to tell me about this amazing baseball story that you mentioned before the break. But we'll start here. It's going to be a big year for Baker Mayfield making the playoffs last year, dominating the Steelers, staying competitive against the Chiefs

in that second round playoff game. This season, there are expectations and Cleveland offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said, Baker looks better than ever. Quote, it shows up in his quickness and his conditioning. He's in a really good place. His footwork right now has improved over last year. And he made a good point that I hadn't really considered. This is the first time in Baker's NFL career that he will actually have continuity of coaching staff and playbook. Yeah, it's a big thing. And, you know, where you're not learning a new offense every year, you're not learning a new, you know, kind of football dialect every year. I think that's huge. And it sets up really well for him in a year where he's trying to,

show he deserves an elite level of contract. But Baker's a lot like James without the off the field stuff where whatever you think of him doesn't really matter, like what Colin thinks of him. And Colin and I are agreement. Like I don't think Baker is nearly as talented as the elite level guy.

He ain't close to Mahomes. Heck, he ain't Kyler Murray in terms of talent. But something about him that guys like. They just do. They like playing. with them. What's interesting is they bring so many pieces back and at Odell Beckham Jr.

Does that make them better? Or does more become less? Because we were always taught that less is in fact more. Yeah, it'll certainly be interesting to see how this plays out because I wonder if they are truly going to

wait until the very end of the season before they potentially announce or if the Browns get off to a hot start if all of a sudden on a random, you know, Tuesday we hear about some contract extension for Baker Mayfield. Because we know Josh Allen got his. Now we're waiting on Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield. But another quarterback situation we've been keeping our eye on is the San Francisco 49ers with both Jimmy Garoppolo and Tray Lance.

We talked yesterday. You had mentioned that you believe that it seems pretty obvious that Jimmy Garoppolo is going to be their starter week. even though they haven't officially announced it through either GM John Lynch or head coach Kyle Shanahan. They haven't put their Facebook page in a relationship with Jimmy Gropoulos. Unless it happens on Facebook and Facebook official it hasn't happened. That's true. It's very true, Doug.

You bring up a great point. John Lynch, though, did say some interesting comments, though, about how they are going to approach this season with their quarterbacks. If we're in a situation when asked about playing both of them, if we're in a situation, like that, then yeah, it's going to be difficult to prepare for. We haven't shown a lot in pre-season as well in terms of the things that we can do with both Trey and Jimmy. He continues that this is something that we are kind of looking forward to.

The amount of time that people are going to have to put in trying to prepare for each quarterback. So you could see a Drew B's, yeah, Drew Brees, Taseom Hill type situation. Oh, yeah, that's that's why we, that's why we move mountains to trap him third overall is because we want a gadget. quarterback. I do think that's how they use him. Remember, like, Lamar Jackson, before he became the starter mid-year with the Baltimore Ravens, they line him up a wide receiver, they play him at running back, they played him in quarterback, they moved them all over, gave you something to think about. I mean, that was my, the thing that I loved about that early Lamar Jackson situation was when they tried to keep Flacco on the field and spread him out wide so that they could put the

ball into Lamar's hands and Flacco just had no interest of even pretending like he was going to run a route. Those were good times. You can get hit if you run around. Yeah, yeah. He's like, I got no interest in any sort of physical contact. And that's Ryan Music with the news. Well, that's the news.

And thanks for stopping by. The Hurd Lie News. Okay, so you guys are familiar with the Immaculate Conception, right? Are you familiar with the Immaculate Any? Ryan, you know what Immaculate Eni? You are? That is, is that three straight strikeouts on nine pitches? Yes, nine pitches, three strikeouts, perfect inning.

So here's what's interesting, right? The Yankees have been a red hot team. They've been playing great baseball. And they made some moves around the trade deadline. And everyone was critical in baseball of the Boston Red Sox. Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox, people forgot they had Chris Sale, who was a former Syung Award winner, rehabbing and coming back. last night he got his third win of Chris Sale Part 2 with the Red Sox.

He's 3 and 0 with a 2.35 ERA. But even more impressive in making his third start, he had an immaculate inning. Do you know what that must be like, right? Nick Gordon, Annleton Simmons, and Ryan Reef Snyder all struck out on three pitches. Just one, two, three. And remember, we talked about. this with Padres and Dodgers, no matter how much better the Yankees are,

if they're in the wild card and they face the Red Sox, do you know who they're going to have to beat? Chris Sale. Pretty amazing stuff. All right, coming up next. James Winston is the starting quarterback of the New Orleans Saints. And you know what it does?

It breaks so much the narrative about the NFL. I'll explain next. I'm Doug Gottlieb, this is The Herd. One more Herd? The Herd streams 25. four hours a day, seven days a week within the IHeart radio app. Search heard to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. 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 I-Hard radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, 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 Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. On the Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me.

84's big to me. I'm Sam Jay. 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. It was a wild year. It was a wild year.

I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.