The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 09/01/2021 - HOUR 1 - Patriots, Watson, Newton

Episode Date: September 1, 2021

The Patriots will win more than people think this seasonThe Dolphins were very interested in Deshaun WatsonCam Newton never had a primeGuest: Nick Wright Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Thanks for making us part of your day. Fox Sports Radio, IHeart Radio, FS1. The Herd brought to you by Jersey Mike Subs, be a sub above. A lot of stuff going on today. This is one of my favorite times of the season. the interest bubbling up for college football, which starts Thursday, Ohio State, Minnesota, like Minnesota last year. We've got a new coach, real game.

And then we got big college games. We've got NFL stories yesterday, of course, right before our show. Cam Newton, release, cut, whatever you want to say by the Patriots. And Joy Taylor is joining me. Andy Reid's on our show today. Yay. They're very quiet, Andy Reed. I know.

The Chiefs are the quietest. the quietest team with that many stars. It's amazing. They just in the Midwest, we're having barbecue tonight, fly over us and talk about all the coastal team. So they're poised for a great season. Nick Wright as well. So let's start with this. I had an epiphany yesterday. You know what that is. You're driving around. And like all of you, you drive around. I do some of my thinking sometimes when I'm driving around. And I'm driving around, I'm thinking. Then I get home yesterday. And I had a rare cigar just out there thinking yesterday, doing a lot of thinking, and I had an epiphany.

Stuff started clicking in my head, and I thought, we are massively underselling New England this year. I'll tell you why. They do things a certain way. You do things a certain way. We're all creatures of habit. But Belichick, for 20 years, has done things a certain way. And then last year, they didn't. Brady left.

They were caught off guard. They went and got Cam. No camp, no games. He gets COVID. There's eight up outs. And Cam's style really isn't New England's style. We said it's an interesting fit.

And so for the first time in 20 years, New England didn't do things the way they do things. and Belichick talked about this yesterday, why they chose Mac Jones. This is about 20 seconds, but there's a line in here. See if you catch it from Belichick. First of all, he's had a high level of production. But I feel like he's been able to show an ability to do things the way we want

them done at a productive level. So he's young. I'm sure he'll continue to learn and grow. We'll see where that goes. but that's how we drafted him. I think he's come in and performed at a level that supports that. Do you notice the line? The way we want to do things.

Last year, COVID, no camp, Cam late. He's a different quarterback. They adjust to do it. Cam and the Patriots adjust to do it. They didn't do things the way they do things. When you think of New England's offense, what do you think about? Efficiency. not Cam's thing.

High completion rate. That's not really Cam's thing. No turnovers, rarely penalized, great situational football. That was Brady. That's not necessarily Cam. Cam's more of a playmaker. Gives you some upside. Big over-the-top stuff.

Big. It's not what they do. So last year, Cam had to fit into New England's offense. Weird. And New England had to fit into Cam's style. Weird. Mac Jones. is their style. Accurate, efficient, no turnovers. And there's two things that's really interesting.

We spend so much time on this show and other shows. And there's a reason why we do it, talking about quarterbacks. But when doesn't the quarterback matter nearly as much? When a football team has two things, the quarterback is less crucial. Do you have a top one or two offensive line in the league? And are you a top three run production? team. And I'll give you an example. Let's go back five, six years. 2015, Cam Newton. Number one rushing team in the league. Top two offensive line ranking. Oh, 15 and 1. The following year, Cowboys, rookie Dak Prescott, number one rated O line. Zeeke comes into the league, fresh legs,

number one rushing team. 13 and 3. Let's go to the following year, 2017. Eagles, number one rated offensive line. Top three running team. Number three, won a Super Bowl with Nick Foles at the end. Let's go to 2018. The Rams, top two offensive line. Todd Gurley, number three in rushing, went to the Super Bowl, 13 and 3. 2019. 49ers. Remember that 49er team? Number two in rushing. Most rushing touchdowns. Top offensive line.

Got to the Super Bowl. Last year. Number one rated offensive line. Cleveland. Nick Chubb. Top rushing team. They were. Let me see here.

Third in rushing. Number two and offensive line. Now, look at the quarterbacks on that. Inconsistent Cam, rookie DAC, Mick Foles, career backup. hot and cold Jared Goff, often injured Jimmy Garoppolo, and, you know, the polarizing Baker Mayfield. That's not exactly Stauback and Ainkman. That's not exactly Mahomes and Allen.

Brady Manning. If you have a great O line, and this is New England's best offensive line, I can recall, if you're highly productive running the football top three, this is the deepest running back group. Do you watch the preseason we've seen from New England? Simply put, Mac Jones. is not that crucial. New England and Cam.

It was a weird fit. We all admit it. It was a band-aid. They kind of made it work. He was coachable. They coached him up. It kind of worked. It's not who they are.

I mean, let's be honest, for you accountants watching the show, you don't take your shirt off and dance in the midnight rain. You could do it. It'd be fun. You and your wife are in Acopoco. That's not who you are.

And for you, people like to have fun. You don't go to bed at 8.15, but occasionally you've done it. You're tired. You're worn out. That's not who you are. Last year, that's not who they are. This year, it's who they are. And the quarterback Mack Jones is not that crucial. So I make two amendments. I've already made one. This is not official yet, but I did it this morning. I have New England with two more wins than I proposed. We are underselling them from 10 and 7, to 12 and 5. Don't love all the noise around Miami,

but I still think Miami's a very good football team. This will be part of my new amendment. Next week. All right, so let's go to this story. Brian Flores said yesterday, he told the team that Tua is our quarterback. So let's, let's, we all know something to be true. I've been in this business a long time, so is joy. when a company or a business is going to do something and it's perceived as controversial,

here's what they do. And I know because I've benefited from this more than once. They call the media, they leak the story to see how it plays. I saw something a couple of weeks ago where a bar stool and baseball were going to have a deal. Got leaked for a couple days. A lot of pushback. Suddenly no deal. Not saying it won't happen.

but somebody in baseball leaked that. How's it going to play? Right? Because that company, you see, is kind of outspoken and controversial, right? It's a way of the game works. So here's what happened with Miami.

Miami made a run at Deshawn Watson. Deshawn Watson's camp is trying to save him, make him look important and big. They leak it. Miami backs off and says, we're not going to implode the season. We'll go with two. I'm not blaming the dolphins.

I would go with two or two. I think Miami with this coach and these special teams and this defense can win double-digit games and make the playoffs. I have them in the playoffs. At least I did until about five minutes ago. So, but this is what happens. This is a controversial signing. So clearly Miami made a run at him.

Clearly, somebody in the Watson camp leaked it. There'd be no value for Miami to leak this story. Miami doesn't want this thing out there. It leaks from the Deshawn Watson camp, an agent, people close to him. By the way, five different teams leaked. Why? Because Deshawn Watson's camp is trying to save his bacon and this not to be a lost year. They want it out there. The perception is, oh, he's hot property.

Everybody wants him. You guys better get in, get your bids it. And Miami's like, damn it, we're out. And I don't think it's a bad move. But now, this is why I said this in the draft. Back in March, I said this. This is a very good quarterback group. There's five legitimate quarterbacks.

I didn't love all of them. But there's five guys I can play. I didn't even love Mac Jones, but I said, right fit, New England, he'll win games. And they were close to the top of the draft. I said, go get a quarterback. Because what's going to happen now? New England's going to get one of those quarterbacks.

They did Mac Jones. Buffalo's got Josh Allen. The Jets got one. Say what you will, but Zach Wilson's talented. And now this morning I can make the argument, you're the one team that's not satisfied with your quarterback. And next year, there's two great, great, great prospects. There could be other ones, but two great quarterbacks.

They'll both be gone in the top four. And Miami's way too good to get back up there. So I don't think they're done pursuing Deshaun Watson. In fact, a reporter I trust and another network said something on the air today that, like, this is not done. It's done now. But that's the story. That's why you have all this movement.

they made a run at Watson. It got leaked. They don't want to implode the season. And for now, they shut it down. But don't kid yourself. Be warned if you're an NFL team. If you get into the interested in Deshaun Watson camp, it'll get leaked. Because his group and his people, they're trying to save his career.

And so they're trying to drum up interest. Everybody wants him. I swear to God, the other day, it's like seven teams were listed. That's funny. They all leaked. Stuff leaks when one of the camp. wants it late. All right.

We got good stuff today. Anytime Annie reads on the show puts me in a good mood. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. On Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHeard 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.

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You got to get a dog or a cat there, Joy. It really brightens up your day. I really, I wanted a hairless cat. Oh, shit, that's frightening. That's why I want one. Nightmares. It's like a little alien baby. So fun.

So sometimes the media does a poor job of covering what they like instead of reporting on what's happening. Memo to the media. I've said every day, this is your show. I figure out what you like, and then I figure out ways to talk about it. You like football. It's 70% of my show. The media does a poor job at that. The media has always covered Cam Newton like he's Patrick Mahomes, or Tom Brady or Aaron Rogers.

He's not close to any of them. There's a story out today. Washington's Ron Rivera committed to Ryan Fitzpatrick with Cam Newton available. Oh, God. How embarrassing. Ron Rivera was over Cam Newton, so much so he chose his backup. Washington's not going to bring him Cam Newton. Come on. Do your job, media.

That's not going to happen. Dallas is a backup. It's got a shot. It'll be effective, I think. Let's look at Cam's prime. Oh, wait. He doesn't have one. He never had a prime.

He's the Macarena, not the Beatles. He's not even Aerosmith. He's not even the Backstreet Boys. He didn't have three, four straight great years. He had one. It was an MVP. If you take that out, he's under 50% in his career, 60, 62, and 1. This isn't baseball where stats matter.

You've got to win games. Mahomes wins games. Aaron Rogers and Russell Wilson win games. Brady wins games. With Belichick and Ron Rivera, Cam couldn't win games. I want you to know this about Ron Rivera. He takes over Washington last year. It's a complete rebuild.

It's a completely dysfunctional organization. own her down. He wins the division and gives the eventual Super Bowl champions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tom Brady, everything they can handle in the playoff game with Taylor Heineke. Ron Revere's a great coach. Belichick's the best coach. They couldn't win with Cam consistently.

Let's stop this. If you look at the MVP year for Cam, it is amazing. The year before, he was awful. 5-8-1, passer rating low 80s. The year after the MVP was working. He completed 52% of his throws, went 6 and 8. This is not baseball. Nerds sitting around trading cards on stats, on base percentage.

OPB, yes, you know me. Nobody cares. Win games. Mahomes wins games. Brady wins games. Russell Wilson wins everywhere. He won in high school. He won at NC State.

He went in Wisconsin. He wins in Seattle. He wins everywhere. Gives a rip about his stats. Cam didn't even have a prime. He didn't have a prime. Matt Ryan's got a prime. You can't.

guys all bang on Jimmy Garoppolo. He's 24 and 8 as a starter. Well, he's got a great coach. Really? Kyle Shanahan's record, six games under 500 when Garoppolo doesn't start. Is he a great coach? I think so. Ron Rivera and Belichick, Shanahan, I think they're all great coaches. But like, let's report the truth. Cam's now a backup. And I'm not sure he wants to be a backup. I think Dallas is a really interesting fit. It is an organization that can handle stars. And Dax really secure in himself is a really solid guy. Dak can handle anything. Dax handled anthem controversies.

He can handle Jerry Jones. He handled Zeke's nonsense. He handles hard. Dak can handle anything. Okay. Dak is built uniquely. He can handle all the noise. Russell Wilson could handle it.

I don't even know if Aaron could handle it. I don't think Tom Leighton is. You know, I mean, there are certain guys that are great. And I'm like, I'm not sure if that work, Dak can handle it. But we got to be fair about this. Cam has no prime. It doesn't exist. There's not three to four years of, wow.

Even Matt Ryan's got that. So the media needs to cover what's happening, not what they hope happens. By the way, Ron Rivera asked yesterday about potentially adding the great Cam Newton. It did pop up on our radar. But just so you know, Ryan Fitzpatrick is our starting quarterback. So that's where we are. We have three guys we like, you know, that all, you know, came to camp, did a nice job for us, and we're going to go forward with those guys.

Oh, he showed up on the radar. Sort of clouds. What does that mean? Does that mean anything? They're going to go with Ryan Fitzpatrick. And they're going to win the division, by the way. Washington's going to win the division. With Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ron Rivera, second year rebuild.

He's pretty good coach. Joy with the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. Well, the Eagles had yet to announce their starting quarterback, but head coach Nick Siriani finally said yesterday that Jalen Hertz will be under center week one. All right. There we go. Jalen's our starter. And really that, and he's done a

great job. We wanted him to take advantage of the opportunity and take the reins with the advantage of the opportunity that he got. And we feel like the preseason that he had, he did that. I consistently saw a player that got better every single day. I consistently saw a player make the, make the read, you know, getting better with his reads and his accuracy and his ability to run and when not to run. You know, and so he did exactly what we wanted him to do. Well, it was pretty much assumed that Hertz was the starter, but the Eagles had yet to officially confirm. He only played in one game this preseason to preserve his health. Interestingly enough, for all the slack that we give Alabama quarterbacks, three of them will be starting week won.

That's right. That's funny. That's right. Jalen Hertz, Mack Jones, and Tua. So the race is on to see who the best Alabama quarterback is. You know, I will say this. They kept four tight ends in Philadelphia, and that's not a small thing. I actually like that move.

I can beat up on Philadelphia all I want. But what they're telling you is we've got a young quarterback. A young quarterback's best friends are tight ends. Three of the tight ends I like a lot. Tight ends running backs. Yeah. So, I mean, Philadelphia said, listen, we're going to, we're not. And by the way, the receiver they got from TCU last year,

who had a bumpy first year, has had a very good preseason. They also went and got Devante Smith, the Alabama, the kind of thin receiver. So they're doing it the right way. Is they're giving him elements that young quarterbacks need? A lot of tight ends. They draft a quarterback or a wide receiver. So as much as I bang on Philadelphia with Jalen Hertz here, they've given him some really nice pieces to help him in his first full year of being

the guy. I'll give him credit for that. I hope they give him the opportunity to see if he's the guy, though. That is the thing that gives me hesitation with Philadelphia, because they went from what we thought was a very functional well-run organization to a very dysfunctional organization very quickly. And I think Jalen Hertz, Jalen Hertz, despite his numbers and the record last year, I thought I saw things from him that were interesting, that could develop into great things. things. He and Gardner Minshu have some similarities in that they can move, they can when they run, they throw, they can vote like certain guys, Dwayne Haskins runs, his accuracy implodes. Jalen Hertz and Minchew can run around. Their accuracy doesn't go down. Yeah, I mean,

they're just kind of playmakers. They can move, they can throw. So, and they have a, offensive line that needs receding. They got to go in the draft next couple of years. But so it's well, yeah. I mean, most teams want to update and upgrade their offensive line. It's, it's very hard to build an offensive line, although I do feel like that's where teams with young quarterback should put the most emphasis. Yes. But I'm really interested to see what Jay and LeHardt does this year. So the fourth episode of HBO's Hard Knocks aired last night, and we got to see that DAC has ditched his pitch counts in practice, and the Cowboys quarterback seems pumped and ready to go this season.

He said, oh, I'm back. I ain't scared. I put a little touch on that one. It worked out. be smooth, run fast, get in, get out. I'm telling you I'm playing quick mentally. All right. Dak resumed full participation in team drills after four weeks resting and rehabilitating his strain in his throwing shoulder. So the Cowboys open next Thursday night. So close.

They're getting, I think the line is up there. They're getting seven and a half points. I'm not giving doubt. I'd take Dallas. That's a lot of points. This isn't college football. That's dramatic. I know.

That's like a... Maybe it's because of Dax shoulder? I think that's some of it. I mean, Tampa's really good. That's not denied that. Yeah, but I mean, that's a lot. That's a lot of points. Maybe it's because Tampa's really good and they're running it back.

And they have all their coaches back. Yeah, because generally there's a little bit of a shakeup, so you're not quite sure what you're going to get. I don't know. That's still a really big line. Yeah. So, I can't. So the Philadelphia Inquire. reported yesterday that Ben Simmons told team brass, including head coach Doc Rivers and Darrell

Mori, that he doesn't want to play for the team anymore, and he does not intend to report to training camp. They have obviously sought to actively trade Simmons this off season, but they haven't found a team willing to part with the quote King's ransom that Mori wants. This is all according to the report. Another source said that the Sixers reportedly had to pick between Simmons and Embed, which Embedd responded to this morning on Twitter. He said, so that's the report. And then he responded, sources, quote, trust me, bro. Stop using my name to push people's agendas.

I love and hate drama. I love playing with Ben. Stats don't lie. He's an amazing player. And we all didn't get the job done. It's on me personally. I hope everyone is back because we know we're good enough to win. And then he followed that with, from my own experience,

y'all have no idea how much this media. and make stuff up for followers and shame on you for believing them. Well, I don't think Simmons is terribly happy. I don't think that's a big, I don't think that's a make-believe story. I don't make a habit of defending everything that us nerdy media people do.

But making up stories for followers is not, that's nothing, like for legitimate people that are paid to report on teams. Like, it's not about followers. Like, there's, it's our job. Our jobs, we have our opinion. It's reporters jobs to find the story and sources and talk to different people within the organization and talk to different players, and it's not for followers.

It's no secret that there is an issue here. It's actually very obvious that there's an issue here because Ben Simmons is not there. So there's nothing to make up. The situation is not a good situation. Now, I understand Joelle Embede saying he doesn't want to be in it. Now, how I get in it, that part I understand because Joelle Embed has done nothing, but play really hard, play great, and work through a lot of adversity for this team. But this doesn't work. This doesn't fit.

It doesn't. It's not a good personality fit. It's not a good game fit. But that's not on Joelle Embed. No, and Embed is, listen, Embedd wants them to get the most they can. So Embedd's smart enough to know is that he doesn't want to sell this thing as a mess because that gives the Sixers less leverage. If I was Embedd, I'd be like, we get along great. Right. To the marketplace, that is, oh, the Sixers aren't desperate. Because it's increasingly looking like they're desperate.

But they're in a desperate situation because it's deteriorated with Ben Simmons, not with Ywell NB. But the point remains, and you've said this a million times, whenever there's a problem with your star. Move him. And you feel like you guys have reached a point where it's probably not going to get resolved on any kind of level. It's time to go. Like, you have to eat it with the organization and players and the fan base for the long-term solution. because once it deteriorates to a point where people are demanding to be moved, then you lose all your leverage.

You're done. Yep, Joy with the News. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Heard Lye News. Let's bring in my buddy, brought to you by Mercedes-Benz, the best or nothing. Nick Wright co-hosts, first things first. By the way, Chris Brousard is now a co-host too on that show, which is fantastic, and I love that because I love them both.

So let's be honest about this. You are in the prime of your career. You're going to have about an eight to ten-year stretch. You're just going to have energy. You're going to be great. Hopefully I've had a prime in my career. Mahomes, next eight years, prime. Here's my thing about Cam.

He never had one. He had a great year, the year before and after, he was bad. This is not baseball. You've got to win games. Mahomes wins. He wins him ahead. He wins him behind. He wins in Super Bowls.

Haven't we been, can't we be honest about Cam now? He's never been quite the quarterback. a lot. We've covered him like he's Mahomes, and he's not. He's got a losing record if you take his MVP year out. Okay, well, you can't do that. Mahomes has never won a Super Bowl if you take out the year he won the Super Bowl, so we're not allowed to be like losing record if you take out the 15 and 1 MVP year went to the Super Bowl. If Cam never had a prime, then did Philip Rivers? I'm just, like, I'll throw up, like, did he never have a prime? I think he did. I just think their primes had a ceiling to him. I would also,

argue, maybe Cam was what we call an early bloomer. Maybe his prime was from his year at Blin championship, Auburn championship, four years into the NFL MVP and Super Bowl on the precipice, and then the prime was over because of injuries. So I think maybe his prime just hit earlier. But I know that you, and you're trying to be nice here, Colin, but you've never been a huge Cam Newton guy. He's more my style than your style. And so you don't want to take a victory. lap as he's now, you know, looking for work, but you're kind of trying to quietly be like, hey, I was right about Cam. I told you guys remember. And so I get it. I understand, but I think it's unfair to say he never had a prime. Guy had a prime just didn't last as long as it should have.

All right. So I had an epiphany last night. I was out in the backyard smoking a very inexpensive cigar, three or four dollars. And I'm sitting out there. You smoke a lot of those these days, you'd be careful. A lot of videos are you. Shulis smoking cigars. It's very odd, but go ahead. Sorry. I went back to 2015 Cam's MVP year, and six years in a row, if you have a top one or two

offensive line and a very productive top three running game, the quarterback can be Baker, Garoppel. Gough. You're going to be a 12-13 win team. And we know New England has what appears to be their deepest running base. They just gave one of their running backs away. They've got an excellent O line. Are we underselling the fact that Mac Jones ain't that far from Garoppolo or Jared Goff

and Belichick's probably the better coach of all those teams listed, that New England's probably going to go back to being pretty darn good. Well, you are on fire today, my friend. I like how you just slid in there a little Baker-Mayfield slander. Like, you can have any one as your quarterback. You have Baker as your quarterback. You win 11 games. Listen, I think the Patriots and the Dolphins are going to compete for the final playoff spot in the AFC.

I think they will both win 10, I guess. Well, in these days, now it's 11 games. Like, is 10 and 6 now 11 and 6? I'm not quite, the 17 games still throws me off. But I think they're both around that quality of team. And I think that is a testament to Belichick because, yes, they have a good offensive line. Yes, they have a deep running back room. But for all that money they spent this offseason, that wide.

receiver depth chart is barren. It's Nelson Aguilar, Jacoby Myers, Kendrick Bourne, and Nikiel Harry who wanted out of there. So I know they have the tight ends, obviously, in John Hussmith and Hunter Henry, but I don't think Mack Jones is, you know,

going to have a lot of favors done for him as far as throwing to the outside, but because they're going to be the best coach team in the league or one of them, and because the defense will be good, assuming Stefan Gilmore gets back at some point healthy, yeah, I think, I don't, I saw you, I was watching. I don't think 12 and

5 is where I'd have them, but I'd have them a touch beneath that. I think they will compete for that final wildcard spot in the AFC. So let's go predictions. You love tears. You love tears. Your rankings and your tier. I've got mine

and you've got yours. So let's give me your tears right now. I have Andy Reid on, your friend today. So I imagine they're at the top of your tier. Well, yeah, of course. And by the way, when you talk to Andy, ask him just for a friend like, hey, Andy, you know your old buddy from Cannes City that's hosted his own show for five years and you've never come on it yet you're always laughing and giggling with Colin Coward. What's the deal with that, buddy?

But neither. Yeah, so the chiefs are at the top. And I can't see what you have on camera right now. So I'm not sure if it's on the screen. But you can see all of it. What I think will jump out to people is I think the Falcons are going to be the surprise team. They were 0 and 7 last year in games decided by less than a touchdown. I love Kyle Pitts.

I think they're going to make the playoffs. I think the playoff teams from last year that are going to fall out. I think you're going to see Washington fall out. New Orleans, Pittsburgh's going to fall out. I had it up here so I could go through it. Cults, bears, yeah. Yeah, the cults, I think the cults are already having the season from hell. Like, you're already dealing with, you're on your third string left tackle,

you have injuries at quarterback. You have injuries with T.Y. Hilton. But the other aspect that I think probably jumps out of people of this is, I don't think the bucks are the favorites in the NFC. I think the bucks are right neck and neck with the Niners and with the Rams for that second ranking in the NFC behind Green Bay. I think Green Bay should be the favorites. And you're right, I do love tiers, T-I-E-R-S,

almost as much as I love tears, T-E-A-R-S, Colin Cowherd tiers, which is what we're going to have a lot of when the Browns are awesome, when Baker Mayfield leads them to 13 and 4, and they're a game away from the Super Bowl, my friend. That's certainly possible. So I have what I like to call my power pyramid. So I'll just give you mine.

I don't know if you can see it. So at the top, they brought back all their starters, all their coaches. I would have Tampa at the top. I have Kansas City Buffalo. Very, very close. One is reworking their O-line. One is reworking their pass rush. Then I have Cleveland, Baltimore, Seattle.

certainly capable of winning it all. Beneath them, teams I have concerns about, but they're darn good. Rams, Packers, Colts, Patriots. That is my power pyramid. So that sounds to me like you think the AFC is way better than the NFC. Right? Like just going through that, it sounds like you have like seven of your top ten or AFC teams, correct? Yes, that's what I think.

Yeah. Well, I mean, I think the best young quarterbacks are there, yes. Well, not only the best young quarterbacks, and this is a different, I'm not trying to take a left turn. If you think about it, Colin, all of the young quarterbacks that have proven something are in the AFC. All of them. Like, Kyler is, I guess, the one in the NFC, and then we'll see about Trey Lance, we'll see about Justin Fields. But it's Mahomes, it's Lamar, it's Baker, it's Josh Allen. I think Trevor Lawrence is going to be awesome.

Like the NFC quarterback position got old fast, especially with Brady going over there. And Justin Herbert, who I left out. It's going to be a long list of guys who are awesome quarterbacks who unfortunately never can make a Super Bowl because Mahomes lives there. I'm really, I think you maybe thought I was joking about the Chiefs. I do think undefeated's on the board. Before Halloween, they play all of the AFC contenders. In the first seven weeks, they play the Bills, the Ravens, the Titans, the Browns, and the Chargers. If they're undefeated by Halloween, they are going to go 17 and O.

Mark it down, Mr. Cowherd. Oh, boy. Oh, it's so crazy. They were 14 and 1 with Mahomes last year. No way they could go undefeated. Come on. Come on. You know it's coming.

All right. I don't even need your Ben Simmons stuff. I'm good with that. You've got a nice, I don't even need it. I got a nice tan. You look happy. Things are rested. And now this is the last.

weekend before the end. In the prime of my career. How could I not be rested? I'm in the prime my career, as you said in the beginning, starting an eight to 10 year run like you had a decade ago. I don't know what phase you're in now, just holding on. I'm not sure. I'll talk to you later. Nick, right, first things first. Now co-hosted Chris Broussard. That's good stuff. I did see something that is kind of remarkable and I don't think I've seen it in over. I don't think I've seen it in 15 years in the NFL. And I was reminded of it this morning. That's next. to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Hey, this is Jason McIntyre. Join me every weekday morning on my podcast,

Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre. This isn't your typical sports pod pushing the same tired narratives down your throat every day. Straightfire 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 IHeart 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 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, so... Then you're 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 hard way with me, your host,

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that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing and we're still chasing it and we don't know when we've done enough because people scoreboard watch life becomes about wins and losses Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth or are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust.

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such as the biology of Tontons and Wampas on the Ice Planet Hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to stuff to blow your mind on the I-HeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Simply Safe, but making people feel safe at home for the past 15 years. Save 20% first year and get your first month free. Simply savecollin.com. Simply savecollin.com. So I saw this story.

Oh, oh, this just came down. Greer, Carolina, backup quarterback got released. That's who the Dallas Cowboys should go get. Will Greer is young, can play. Will Greer's got a little Gardner Minshue to him, run around a little bit. Oh, they did. They just did. The Cowboys claimed him.

Oh, they did. Okay, boom. I saw that and I was like, Cowboys. Look at us. Just GMs. I saw Will Greer got cut and I'm like, that's exactly what Dallas means. No, that makes sense. No threat to DAC, but shares, you know,

share some of Dax's qualities. And he's a competent backup. He's not a big guy, but he's a little squirly. I wouldn't trust him in big spots, but he's Minshu. He can run around and make plays. Very good player at West Virginia. Watched him a lot in college, liked him. A little squirly for me as a franchise guy, but he's a backup guy like Monshu. You can win games with him. So how about that? I should be run on one of these teams. Say it right now. I text a Wayne Galman got cut by the Niners yesterday that I'm running back. I'm such a dork. I texted a general manager. And I said, what do you make of him? I like him.

I mean, he's obviously two teams have let him go. He's not great. This is what I do. This is I have no life. This is what I do every day. So I saw this story about Tampa Bay. The Buck's initial 53-man roster includes just 10 new players. So they brought every coach back.

They brought all their stars back. They got everybody back. And they have 10 new guys, seven are rookies that they drafted. And they draft very well. A couple of their rookies, I think are going to be really good. So, you know, Tampa is, I don't remember seeing this. I would have to go back 10 years, probably 15. They're the only team I can recall that had a draft that was completely for depth.

They were not drafting any starters. There's nowhere to start on this team. Joe Tryon, edge rusher, terrific preseason. I watched him play in high school. He's from Washington state where I'm from. Went to the University of Washington, a three-star recruit, worked. work just got bigger and stronger, and you looked up and you're like, oh, he's a player. He's a typical Tampa Bay.

Nobody talks about him. He's going to end up being an eight-year starter. So they literally drafted for depth that is unheard of. Nobody does that in the NFL. It's a salary cap league. And just think about this. I think Tampa is the best roster I've seen in 15 years, top to bottom, no bad units. Here's the other teams I think are stacked, and they all had major issues.

Kansas City had to completely rebuild their offensive line. Buffalo has a pass rush issue. They had to go heavy into that in the offseason. Cleveland's really good. Secondary, they got a safety, they got corners, totally redid it. The Seahawks, offensive line and tight end, not athletic enough, had to upgrade. Baltimore, lack of wide receivers, they've addressed it. And the Packers, who have had a top five offensive line for Aaron Rogers' entire career,

have a problem. Like David Boktiari's in the Pup list. He's not around for a month and a half. They lost Cole Lindley. They're a Pro Bowl center. They're now moving a guard from center to left tackle. They have the 16th rated offensive line. That is bad by Green Bay standards.

I mean, nobody in this league outside of New England builds competent offensive line. This is the worst offensive line, middle of the pack. And those are the good teams. Those are Super Bowl-level teams. And the other thing Tampa does, where it's just amazing that we never thought about this or talked about this until Brady got there. They not only do a good job in the draft, their guys hit. Like the last couple years, Tristan Wirth's right tackle.

People now think he's the best right tackle in football. He's entering his second year. Antoine Winfield safety. Monster talent. Vita Via defensive line. Fantastic. A Devin White lineback. He'd be the best linebacker on several teams.

He popped. So you've got this stacked roster, everybody back, and nobody has hit on as many draft picks as Tampa has in the last couple of years. I mean, they are three, four of those guys are, Tristan Worf's now is being talked about as the best right tackle in football. So let's go again to my power pyramid, which I debuted with, and I believe left or right, these are the best team. The best teams, Tampa at the top. Kansas City next, then Buffalo.

It's kind of the best rosters. Then Cleveland, Baltimore are interchangeable. They're interchangeable. Then Seattle. Then I think Rams, Green Bay, Colts, and I had an epiphany, and I put New England in there. So there we go. Very excited. So Will Greer claimed by the Dallas Cowboys.

That's a good move. That is a good move. It's weirdly comforting. to me because I've been shouting about it for weeks. Like, what do you guys doing? You need a backup quarterback. That's a weird division. So nobody, the Cowboys have the quarterback, but

three other teams. Jalen Hertz, question mark. Daniel Jones, question mark. Washington's got this. Washington's got, it's funny, how many people are bailing on Washington? Folks, I think indisputably, you can make the argument, best coach,

absolutely best defense. Okay, that's a And also, Terry McCollin's a great receiver. They went and got Curtis Samuels. So now they have real perimeter weapons. Like, it's a thing. All right. Endless hot water.

Choose Navian, 15-year limited warranty. Go to tankless maidsimple.com. Tankless made simple.com. Huge college football weekend starts Thursday, then Saturday. Game Sunday is the holiday weekend. The Labor Day weekend is just around the corner. Hour one down, hour two next. In L.A., it's the Hurstead.

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, S&L'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 podcast. Podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hardway with your favorite therapist and host, Keer Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor? It signals to the world that

you're not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to. Listen to learn the hard way on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. 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 Cliford Show. This is a place for raw, unfills of conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve

to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to The Clivert Show on the I-Hard 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.

For 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was 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. 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. This is an IHeart podcast.

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