The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 12/11/2020 - HOUR 2 - Blazing 5

Episode Date: December 11, 2020

Blazing 5: Colin's new NFL picks for the weekendThe Patriots issues on offenseThe Rams have a better defense than people thinkGuests: Eric Mangini, Andrew Whitworth Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year.

Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hard Way with your favorite therapist and host, Kear Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor? It signals to the world that you're not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to.

Listen and learn the hard way on the 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 Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversation.

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 IHeart Radio app by searching Herd.

You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Ah, here we go on a Friday hour two, 10 o'clock Pacific, one o'clock Eastern hour, live in Los Angeles. This is The Herd, wherever you may be and however you may be listening. Iheart Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and right here on FS1, Eric Mangini in 15 minutes. Joy Taylor is joining me. I'm going to go skiing tomorrow with my kids. What are you doing this weekend?

I sit in my house Watch sports Watch sports and TV I finished Shits Creek last night You finished it I'm so sad That was like my comfort show And that show

That's my wife's favorite show That show won everything right Everything It's such a fantastic show But like I don't I'll watch like one drama Or suspense or something show Like I like true detective

I'm watching the undoing But I need like a nice like happy show Of course. I can't like add to my anxiety in 2020. I do a nice light, happy show. Yeah, true crime is my favorite, but it can get dark. Yeah. Yeah, can I only handle so much dark?

Yeah. I need a little bit of laughter. Occasionally. Yeah. I think a lot of people feel that about that Dan Levy show. That's really funny. It's a great show. And what's her name, O'Hara?

Catherine O'Hara. Oh, gosh, she's so quirky and fun. Amazing. It's such a great show. Yeah, she's so great. All odds provided by Fox Bet. here we go on a Friday off a winning week, our Blazing 5. That's a hot one.

Let's blaze it up. Fire it up. It's Collins, Blazing 5. Titans at Jaguars. I'm going to take the Titans minus 7 and a half. I know there's a hook there, and betters tend to not like the hooks, but I'm going to swallow it here. I think we have a route on our hands. Tennessee is a very good team that was humiliated at home last week. You know my rule.

Bet them the following week. They did outscore Cleveland 38 to 3 in the second half. Their offense, though, lacking what appears to be firepower, is top five in the NFL in yards per play. That's a huge Vegas stat. The Jags defense is awful. Worst in the league, they've not held an opponent under 24 points in week one. Huge coaching advantage. Tennessee, I like this as my route of the weekend.

Titans bounce back. 36, 23. What are the Jags playing for at this point? I don't know. Chiefs at Dolphins. I'm going to take the Finns, Miami plus seven. This game feels like all Miami games, kind of close and ugly. We talk a lot about offense, but Kansas City's defense is clearly the second best defense in this game.

The data tells you it is slipping. Dolphins defense is first in the league on third down. Translation, we'll get Patrick Mahomes off the field. They did that with Russell Wilson. Kansas City's defense is the sixth worst rushing defense. In the last month, it's gotten worse. The Chiefs have not won by more than six points in any of their last four games. What I think you have here, you have a Miami offense that can run it, doesn't turn it over,

excellent defense, at home, and a Kansas City offense that sort of lacks a certain urgency. I think they'll win. But Miami games look the same every weekend. They are the best bet in the NFL. Nine and three against the spread this year, the Dolphins. That's the best in the NFL. and I like them here. Chiefs win, Dolphins cover.

Cardinals and Giants. Okay, this is the game you should bet the least on. I like the Giants plus two and a half, but the reason I'm worried is everybody likes the Giants this week. You walk into a bar. Hey, who are you guys betting? Giants or Cardinals? Everybody says Giants.

I think they have a coaching edge. I think they're at home. I think they are better than their record, and I like their defensive line matchup here. But I am concerned that they just came off their big win in several years and the world now loves the giants. What concerns me more for Arizona? Kyler Murray, last three games, is struggling.

Their defense has allowed over 30 in three of the last four games. They've lost four of five and are a Hail Mary from being O for their last five. And although I think Cliff Kingsbury did a very good job, brought some new things to the table during the offseason. So in September and October early, we. We all kind of fell in love with Arizona. They have not shown a second gear. The Giants are just getting better every week,

and I feel like Arizona is getting a little worse. I'm going to take the Giants to win. But close, though, the weather's like 58 and sunny. It's not a weather advantage. 2724 New York Giants. Steelers at Bills. Been saying it all week, I'll take Buffalo and swallow two points, Bills minus two.

First of all, they're a Hail Mary pass away from being 6 and 0 in their last six games, and they outplayed Arizona. The Steelers, as I talked about earlier today, are becoming so Ben Reliant. It's comical. They don't even attempt to run the football. I think Buffalo, and I was told this early in the season, and I didn't buy it. Josh Allen, outside of Mahomes, maybe the second best young quarterback in this league, and he is getting better. He is getting better. The Steelers, as an offense, are getting worse.

at home, they have the most fourth quarter takeaways in the NFL, and why is this significant? They don't have a great defense, but it is situationally fantastic. What does that mean? Really well-coached football team. They may not have their offensive coordinator in a month. Brian Daibel is going to get a head coaching job. This staff between Daible and Sean McDermott is unbelievable. Their GM just got an extension. It's a brain trust. Buffalo, and I like him to win and beat Pittsburgh by a touchdown 2821. Ravens at Browns. Like it, I love it.

I'll take Cleveland. Teams are different. Some get hurt. Some get healthy. Some don't have an identity. Some do. Cleveland has found their identity. This is the two best running offenses in the NFL, but the Browns have only allowed

six sacks since week seven. This is the best offensive line in the league, and the coaches have figured it out. If you go to week seven, the Ravens since then have a minus six sack differential. Browns plus 10. Turnover differential. Ravens minus three. Browns plus three. The Ravens have lost four of six games.

I struggle with their offensive identity. Do they want Lamar to run? Do they not? Let's not get him hurt, but we need him. Cleveland is at home. They're getting points. They are the better football team. I said last week, they matched up very well with them.

Tennessee. I didn't know if they had the ump, the gravitas in him to win. They did. I do worry a little bit about their maturity of winning back-to-back games, Monday night football, Baker Spotlight, will he go a little cray and think he's a... I worry about that. Cleveland's the better football team. They've been the better football team since week seven. They have the better identity. They have the better offensive line. I'm going to take Cleveland. Biggest win in how many years, 28, 26. I think they're the better team. I think it'll be close. It's a divisional game. It's a divisional rivalry. These games are all

you know the personnel. You're not fooling anybody. I like Cleveland here. In fact, it's, uh, I bet some money on it. I'm not going to lie. That's my, oh, oh, uh, go to our, uh, check out the Fox Bet social platforms for all of my pick. So I took favorite Tennessee, favorite buffalo.

Then some dogs. So, uh, so New England just got, it was really badly. night. It was ugly. I mean, you can lose and then it's like, ugly. That was ugly. And Bill Belichick was in just a terrific mood when asked about Cam Newton after the game. You're going to stick with Cam next week at quarterback? Great question, Mike. I'm really glad you asked that. Cam's our quarterback. What has Cam showed you to stick by him so much? He's our quarterback. I could just answer that one, done.

Yeah, it's a wonderful mood. I don't think there's a ton. I don't think there's a market for Cam. I said this before with Teddy Bridgewater. There's a market for him because Teddy wins. I think there's a market for Jimmy Garoppolo. I think he wins. Now, I think Teddy, the market may have been three to four to five teams. I think Garoppolo, two to three to four teams. Cam doesn't win enough.

And it's just painful to watch him. It's just hard to watch. Everything looks difficult. But this goes back to something I talked about three years ago. When I said it three years ago, I got nothing but pushback. And I think today, most of you will agree with me. is that athletes age differently. I compared Cam to Russell Westbrook three years ago.

And Russell was like MVP guy. Nobody wanted to hear this. I said, he's going to age poorly. He's going to age poorly. As you age in basketball. Cam and Westbrook's games are so driven by physicality. But as you watch the NFL change to an efficiency league, Cam's not efficient as a player.

As you watch, the NBA change to a shooter's league, Westbrook can't shoot threes. Westbrook at times is painful to watch shoot. Can last night is painful at times to watch throw. Is that players age differently. Sometimes the culture, the sport moves away from you. Sometimes Steph Curry, it moves into you. Shoot more threes. And I think Westbrook, the game's moved away from his physicality. That's not the league. He doesn't really have moves. He just blows past you. And increasingly, over the next four or five years, Russell won't blow by as many people.

He'll have to shoot more. And it just gets uglier and uglier. And I think similar to Cam, you got to do better in the pocket. And his game is, the sport has moved away from him. He's had an injury, and I think it's painful to watch. Last 16 games, he's won six. He's got five touchdown passes. This is Carolina and New England.

He's a 74 passer rating guy, 75. So, you know, I think when you rely on physicality for your game, you don't age as well. I said that it was a baseball player years ago. Jose Reyes played for the Mets. And I remember saying this at ESPN when I was there. I said, he's a great player, but somebody paid him a big contract. And I'm like, his sport is legs. It's not going to age well.

He's going to just go, you see this with wide receivers oftentimes, speed wide receivers. They lose the speed. you don't have the game. Receivers like Steve Smith, Sr., who run great routes. Heinz Ward, big blocking receivers. It's different based on what is your game. Robert Woods, for the Rams, by the way, could play a long time if he's healthy. It's a great blocking wide receiver. He's a very good route running wide receiver. He's not really a guy based on speed. He's fast, but not a burner. Tyreek Hill's game may not age as well. It's all about burning. It's all about just running past people. So I think Cam and Westbrook, there's a similarity here.

I think it can be painful. The game's moved away, very dependent on physicality. And I just don't, I don't see a market for Cam. There wasn't a market before we got to the Patriots. It was mostly a prove-it contract. And I don't think anybody's watching that in the NFL right now saying, I got to have that. I just don't see it. Eric Mangini, he's got three rings, got him with New England.

His thoughts on last night in the league. Big Sunday coming up. Eric Mangini. One more herd? The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week. week within the iHeart radio app search heard to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like 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 superhuman documented it all

embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year within probably 10 days i'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying.

Yep, that's me. 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

The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger.

So, if you've ever supported me, or you're just chasing down a dream, This is right where you need to be. Listen to The Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people.

I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84's big to me, not just because of crack.

I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack, so I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you 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 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, Tript Fantine, Ryan Clark, Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it.

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is Fox on Fox as number 21 Colorado looks to secure a spot in the Pack 12 championship when they host Utah. It all starts with big noon kickoff at 10 a.m. Eastern, followed by Big Noon Saturday, only on Fox. All right, we're making it work. That's all I know. College football, we're just making it work as much as we possibly can.

Eric Mangini, three years with Cleveland with the Jets, a couple of years with the Browns. He's now joining me as he often does on Friday. Three rings with the Patriots. All right, you watched the Patriots last night. Are there solutions easy? I look at them in an increasingly weapons-driven league, tight-end, wide receiver, quarterback.

I just don't see a lot of speed. I don't see dynamic game changers. I see them all over the field for the Rams. How do you solve this message? This is not great. Like, how do you solve this stuff? Well, I don't think it's a short-term solve. The most disappointing part of that game for me last night was what New England did defensively.

I mean, rarely do you see them get gashed like that in the running game and jump off sides on fourth and one? and some of those things, to me, are uncharacteristic. And I think that will get fixed. You know, from an offensive perspective, it's, you know, they're transitioning from the O line. Losing Dante Scarnacki as the O line coach hurts them. The other thing that was surprising last night is guys running free, not even getting a hat for hat on some of the Ramsacks. You know, it's going to be fixed.

and I think, you know, last night was a little bit more of an aberration than than necessarily the way it's going to trend. But, you know, I've said this, Eric, and I've seen this in every industry I've ever, I used to work at a big company, ESPN, and they were formidable and they were dominant. And you start believing in your system. You start listening to less people outside of your sphere. You start believing into your good press. And I look at New England, and the more Super Bowls they win,

the worst they are at drafting offensive players outside of the O line. And, you know, the arrogance is a real human trait for successful, rich people. And some of this is I look at them, boy, Eric, they don't draft offense very well. Frankly, they don't have a lot of players that anybody would else want. Isn't that a fair criticism? It's an absolutely fair criticism. But when you look at arrogance, a lot of people become arrogant after one Super Bowl. We see that all the time in the NFL where a team wins a Super Bowl and they're giving

everybody else advice on how to repeat, and they never even sniff the Super Bowl again. New England's had 20 years of success and, you know, unprecedented Super Bowl victory. So to look at them with the same sort of guise of arrogance of big corporations or I don't think that's fair. I don't think they have done typically a great job of drafting offensive talent. That's not necessarily a strength and they've been able to do that because having Tom Brady who maximizes, you know, the intellectual side and takes advantage of coverages, has been able to, you know, to cover that. Yeah. By the way, it's all said and done now.

Tom, if he wins this weekend, they'll be poised for a wild card slot. New England's not doing anything. The divorce, the breakup. Today, what's your opinion on it both sides? But look, I think both sides would have been better together. I think that Tom in Tampa is going through that frustration of having to learn a system. And the reason you bring Tom Brady in is he's not lighting it up athletically. He's lighting it up because he understands what the coverages are.

He understands how the offense works. He understands how to get the ball into the right place. And when you now force a guy like that to learn, you're not maximizing his impact on the team. And I think what we just talked about with New England, he'd be able to maximize the ability in New England because of his time with Josh McDaniels, because of how well he knew the system. And both would be better off if it's another year together.

So you live in Cleveland, and Monday night football, this is a big stage. Baltimore's been in dozens of games, Harbaugh. and I like Cleveland this weekend, but you know that. You coached in Cleveland and you coached in the Jets and sometimes non-traditional powers get into these big stages after a win, Eric, and they're just feeling themselves. I mean, I know. We're laughing, but this is a real thing. And how do you think Cleveland responds Monday night in their biggest game in a decade off a great win?

Well, look, I thought the opening game in the season was a little bit of hazing of Kevin. and Stefanski when you put a rookie head coach with two rookie coordinators against the Ravens and all that experience with no pre-season, well, all the challenges. So now fast forward to where we are now. What I love about the Browns and the way that Kevin's handled the team and the way that the team has responded is you're not hearing about all the other stuff. Nobody's complaining about what Colin Coward said about him on his show. nobody's talking about, you know, what they're going to do in the playoffs.

They're actually, they're just focusing on the next challenge. It's so, it's so refreshing to hear and to see. And I think they've got a really good coaching staff. And I think they've got a great opportunity, not just to win this game, but to make a bunch of noise moving forward. Let's do the opposite of that, which is the Steelers, which have a remarkable history and brand, but they can't run the football.

They don't attempt to run the football. Aaron Rogers right now is 14th in the league in attempts. Last year, Mahomes was 18th. Russell Wilson was 22nd when he won a Super Bowl. Aaron was 14th when he won a Super Bowl. Big Ben's number one. He's averaging 50 throws a game. I think we buy into him because of the brand,

and I watched him again last weekend, and I'm like, I don't like where they're at. My feeling is you do. Let's update the Steelers' opinion. in today. Well, look, I know there was a study on another one of our shows that talked about the first eight years of Big Ben versus the second eight years and how much he threw the ball and their success. But if you look at that, the first eight years that Ben was in the league, they had a top three defense or better, scoring defense or better, six out of those eight years.

Over the past eight years, they haven't. This is the first year. They've even sniffed that situation. So Ben's had to carry the load. It's easier to run the ball when you're playing really good defense. Now, that being said, to establish a running game and to be able to build off the running game, every team needs it. And Seattle's learning about that as much as anybody this year. So do I think the numbers are skewed? Yes and no. I think that the defense has changed dramatically.

and if I was going to put the team in anybody's hands, to me it'd be Ben Rathesberger. By the way, the Wendt topic has been fascinating for us because I do think if he went to the Colts and Frank Reich and got better, I don't think his salary, at least for the Colts, is an issue. I mean, again, $35 million for a good quarterback is what you pay. But for the Eagles, I guess I could make the argument that if they moved Wence, they're not paying Jalen Hertz anything. So the quarterback position wouldn't be that. punitive, although it's awful to have like that dead cap money.

What are you doing Philadelphia today? I mean, seriously, you ran the team. What do you do with the Wendt situation? Carson Wence has to work. Carson Wence has to work or there's going to be a new head coach. That's just the way it is. And it may not be the short term where he has to work. But when you've got a situation where you've got $59 million in dead cap money,

if you move on from him next season, that's a problem. If you've sold your owner on the fact that this is our franchise quarterback and that he should get a second contract and he should get that contract early and then you say, look, he's broken beyond repair. That doesn't fly. And I understand why they're moving to Hertz in the short term. He can move around better than Wentz can. But I watched that game last week. The coach's copy. The O-line has problems.

They didn't run the ball very effectively. The receivers weren't getting open. I didn't think they necessarily called a bunch of plays that were as beneficial to Carson as could have possibly been. But if you say that this guy's broken, then to me you probably have a new head coach with the next quarterback. By the way, touch on the, let's go back to the Rams game. Boy, I tell you what, that defense is really good. They've got really nice skill players. I really like them.

I know you watch him and like him. Is there something that worries you about the Rams? Yeah, it's similar to the 49ers. When they were playing the Cardinals, I was thinking about that game, and you look at it and you think, okay, well, Kyler Murray, the Cardinals are relying on him to win the game, and you look at the Rams and you think, okay, they just want to make sure that Jared Goff doesn't lose the game.

And that's a difficult situation. to be in. You know, his touchdown to interception ratio is a big concern. His overall decision-making, kind of like the 49ers with Garoppolo, they had a lot of different ways that they could win, and when they got

into the most critical times, they kept taking the ball out of the quarterback's hands. And can you win a Super Bowl doing that way or go to a Super Bowl that way and not rely on the quarterback? Yeah, you can. It's just, it's hard

to really get behind them when you don't feel like they're really behind the quarterback that same way. I like golf better than Garoppelow, do you? Yeah. In fairness, to golf, I think that, or actually to Groppaul, I think that the Rams have done a great job of building the running game and then creating plays off the running game that help golf quite a bit. I think a lot of quarterbacks of sort of his level

and Garapolo's level would benefit from that. I'd say yeah, between the two, I would probably lean towards golf as well. All right. Not much of an endorsement there. That was, you know, it's not like you're giving it. Well, I didn't hear you endorsing him that whole hard to lead. It's like, I like, I like him a little better. I think he's a

slightly more athletic, better deep ball thrower than Matt Ryan. That's what I think he is. I think he throws You think it's a better deep ball throw than Matt Ryan? Boy, Matt's arm in the last year or two. Coach, if he's not set up. I like Matt Ryan better than both those guys. All right, all right.

Easily. All right. We'll see you soon, coach. Enjoy your Ohio winner. I know you love it out there in Cleveland. Hey, it's 50 degrees here. It's blazing. So I might go get a 10.

Eric Mangini, good stuff. Joy Taylor with the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the Herdline News. And so it has begun in Brooklyn. Kari Irving has refused to talk to the media over several occasions this week. Last Friday, he released a statement instead of a traditional news conference.

But that was not enough for the league. They fined him and the Nets, $25,000 each because he did not speak with reporters, which is part of his contractual duties to do. He reacted to the fine on Instagram today. with a Malcolm X quote and continued by saying, I pray we use the fine money for the marginalized communities in need, especially seeing where our world is recently. I am here for peace, love, and greatness.

So stop distracting me and my team and appreciate the art. We move differently over here. I do not talk to pawns. My attention is worth more. I will say this. I firmly believe in the power of prayer. However, prayers do need. to be distributed in spaces where needed.

And since you are the VP of the executive committee of the NBA Players Association, you know exactly where the fine money is going to because your committee and the NBA vote on where it goes. So no need for prayer there, Kyrie. You know where it's going. Yeah, right. So really, what are you saying?

You know where the fine money is going. So to be upset that you're getting fined over something that you signed and agreed to do, in your contract. And then being a part of the executive committee of the NBA Players Association. You have influence with it. You also agreed to where that fine money, which you agreed to pay, if you didn't talk to the media, was going. What are you saying?

Yeah. Well, in my lifetime, every great player, football, basketball, has always talked to the press. LeBron's unbelievably willing. MJ was willing. Magic was willing. Now, Kareem was a little prickly, but he was always a little bit of a kind of a loner. But I just don't think it's that difficult to answer questions from, I just don't. Or don't.

But just don't sign a contract that says that you're going to do that or you're going to be fined and then be upset that you're going to be fined. And then when you make the decision about where the fine goes, say that you need to pray about where it's going because you know exactly where it's going. My thing with Kyrie is, and listen, I love all different kind of personalities. I don't think everyone should be the same or fit in a box. So I have no problem with how Kyrie conducts his business. It feels a little bit like you're taking yourself a little bit too seriously. Yes, I would say that's fair. We're nerds.

I'll speak for myself. I'm a nerd. I get paid to give my opinion about what other people do for a living. So I don't take myself very seriously. I take what I do seriously. But at the end of the day, we're talking about sports. So I'm not God. But what I will say is, and you don't have to talk to the media.

You can get fined, pay as much money as you want to the charities that you've decided where they're going, where the fine money is going. You don't have to talk to the media. Whatever. But you can't decide who tells your story. None of us can't. Right. What we can control is how we conduct ourselves, how we treat other people, how we talk about other people, and what kind of legacy we leave, depending on how we live our lives. So if you're calling the people who cover you and tell your story for a living pawns, don't be upset about how they speak about you.

That's fair. Like, you can't have it every single way. Right. So Jimmy Butler is reacting to the hardened. rumors to the heat. Reportedly Hardin has put the heat as a list of teams he would like to go to, which is not very surprising.

I don't blame him. Of course he wants to play for Miami. Right. But Jimmy Bellar is not paying attention to any of those rumors. There's a lot of stuff always in the media. I think that he's a hell-of-five player. I like the group that we have. And I mean, to tell the truth, I just want the guy to be happy.

I think that's what life is about. That's what the game is about. It gets a really pretty simple way of saying, I don't have an opinion because this is out of my control. They have Bam, they have Butler, they have Hero, they have Duncan Robinson. They've got kind of a core group of people. And Spolstra could make it work. But in the end between the, I don't think Jimmy Butler and Hardin play the same game. I think Jimmy Butler would be wildly frustrated with James' lack of commitment on the defensive end.

I think that's the part that would not make it work. And the heat are a culture organization. Totally. Totally. So that's the problem. Dwayne Wade was a great defender. This is an organization if you're going to come to, you have to be willing to work. Hard. Practice hard, full commitment.

Both ends. Yes. So that's why I don't think that he fits. Now listen, could the keep use a score like James Hardin? Who couldn't? Like who wouldn't want that situation? But the problem is when James Hardin comes in, he wants to be the number one guy and he wants everything to revolve around him, is fine if you're in Houston, but that's not going to work in Miami.

Yeah, they also have, Jimmy Butler gives you about 25 a game. Bam will become an 18-point-of-game guy. Tyler Hero probably becomes the same. I don't think scoring will be the issue. I am always worried when a team builds great chemistry, like this is what I worry about Kyrie and KD. This is the Clippers. So the Clippers in Brooklyn were these chemistry plays.

The following year, the number one criticism when you add better players is, yeah, our chemistry is not good. Chemistry is, I mean, you and I have done this. Chemistry is so hard to build. It's very important. And I think the Clippers are a great example of what can happen if you don't. Even if you have the deepest roster in the league. Yes.

Like Miami's culture was so good. Jimmy Butler was so happy. It's like, okay, I've seen what happens to Brooklyn and the Clippers. When you have great chemistry, you bring a star in that doesn't fit. You underachieve. That's what happens every time. Well, they're not going to trade Jimmy Butler or bam. And in order for the money to match up, too, the heat would have to include Igadala and Kelly Olenic in a trade deal,

plus some smaller salary pieces like Precious Achua, Duncan Robinson, Kendrick Nunn, Tyler Hero. They're not going to do all that. There's no way I'd let Tyler Hero go. No. The whole league is looking for Tyler Hero. And listen, James Hardin is a better player than Tyler Hero. No one's saying that. But is he better for their culture?

They were in the finals last year. For a reason. For a reason. So are you going to blow all that up for James Hardin? and you'd have to get rid of a lot of pieces. Finally, the Rams made a statement last night, holding the Patriots offense, only three points in the win. They looked great.

And Sean McVeigh couldn't be happier with the way his defense is playing. He said, I think, really just the entire unit, I think it's been consistent with what our defense has done all year. They've been such a strong point for our team. I thought our coaches put together a great game plan. These guys have done a great job. They're playing as good as anybody. And now let's see if we can wrap up the regular season like that.

Take the Niners out. They've been great all year. They feel. different than that Super Bowl team, though. Like, that Super Bowl team felt very finesse. This feels like a tougher team. Oh, defensively, this is a Brockers. Brokers had a great night.

Two sacks, five tackles. Aaron Donald, one and a half sacks. They're number three in scoring defense, number one in total defense, number one in passing defense, number three in rushing defense, second in takeaways with 21 and number two in sacks. I think they're a much more diverse team

than the Super Bowl team. They can do more things well and beat you more ways. I think they're secondary sick. I think they're very dangerous. So do I. Take out the Niners. They beat people by double figures. That's what they do.

And the interesting thing about them is Cam Acres is running the ball. Oh, my God. Tremendous. He was great. And that opens the offense up for Jared Gough and Sean McVease so much. He had 29 carries 171 yards. Now listen. Don't want to get crazy.

He was the Patriots. They didn't have a good night. But if they can run the ball like that. Watch out. Joy with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Herd Lye News.

And one of the best Rams joining us 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 which I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th.

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

and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right what you need to be. Listen to The Clifford show on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-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 kill. Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down,

and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84's big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but yeah, yeah, literally. 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 IHeartRadio 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, Kear Gaines, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way.

Open your free, our heart radio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Turns 39 tomorrow. He's a pro-bow left tackle. 15 years in the league. Going to get a lot of Hall of Fame consideration. He is joining us live after that impressive. ram showing last night.

Andrew Whitworth joining us. Okay, let's start with this. Joy and I just asked the question. Super Bowl team, this team, Andrew. What does this team do better? What do you see, the similarities and differences? I think that really offensively, we mix it up

a little more. I think when you look at the game plans, there's different things coming at you personnel-wise than really we did that year. So maybe we're not as fine-tuned in the one personnel that we do, but we mix it and do enough to kind of keep you're off your feet a little bit and trying to make sure you're matching us personnel-wise and the things we do.

And defensively, man, I think the way they mix it up in coverages and blitzes and how they're playing up front, that secondary level they're playing at. And really the speed we have at linebacker in and at safety, they can cover the field fast. I think one of the most impressive things about this defense is you watch last night, there's two or three people making the tackle, not one, all over the football. Yes, incredibly fast. So Brandon Staley is your new defensive coordinator. did you see something early?

He obviously is a great communicator because the team communicates well defensively. Tell us what he does that you like. I think he's a great teacher and he's one of those guys that much like when I moved here in 2017 in free agency and met Sean and was around him a lot and got to see him

coach. You knew instantly, man, I don't know when it's coming or what time it's going to happen in his career, but this guy's going to be a really good football coach. And unfortunately, I think he's going to be one of those guys that, you know, selfishly, you're hoping nobody calls him in the offseason, but he's going to be one of those. It's going to be a hot ticket come soon. So last night, the world got a look, and we'd seen him earlier this year, but he really controlled the last three quarters of the game running

back Cam Acres. So you guys, the Rams drafted him. Let's see, I think he was the same, let's see, Van Jefferson Camaker. So you didn't have a preseason. So obviously, you're going through walkthroughs. It's, you know, it's August. Did you suspect? Cam would be this special? I think he's one of those guys really through the walkthroughs, through when we got into practicing in camp. You knew enough watching how he carried the football, and it's strange to say,

but he walks around like he's a really good tellback. Like just the demeanor, the attitude he kind of carries himself with. It's like this kid knows he's good, and he knows what it's going to take, but it's just figuring it out. And I think really early in camp and early in the season, And it was more of him learning how we run the ball and really our scheme and what we're trying to accomplish with every run.

Because I think that's the biggest change for these young skill players is it's not just free-for-all. It's a plan to every play. And that's how it's got to work in the NFL. And, man, to watch him last night, that slash run ability, though, the set up the block, make one cut and hit it. It was impressive to see and talented. Offensive line, you're out.

You'll come back, but they have a young left tackle who played very well last night. What can you do not playing? I mean, obviously you talk, they listen, but I thought the offensive line last night had one of its better performances without you. I mean, and seriously, that's not what we would suspect. Your takeaway, do you talk, do you help,

do you communicate, your thoughts on the O line without you? Yeah, I think they did a tremendous job. And they're getting better and better every week, just like we kind of set out the season. I said at the beginning of the year that this group has the talent. They're young. I mean, people forget, really, without my old, and Roger Saffold and John Solomon,

we had two years ago. I mean, we were really, this was a really young, inexperienced group. And now your two most experienced guys outside myself are really only four and five year players. And the rest are all, they're in their second season or rookies.

And so it's one of those things where this is a very young group that's getting better every single week, including Joseph Nobun, who played, who's playing left tackle right now while I'm out. And he's continuing to get better and better. And the physicality they played with last night, that's something you bottle up and say,

guys, if we can play that way each and every week, we're going to give this offense a chance with a great defense to put ourselves in a position to win each and every week. Aaron Donald doesn't look like a big talker. And not all players are built to lead. Some are just built to perform. Is Aaron a leader or just a remarkable talent? Well, I think that it's in the,

I think the screamers and the yellow version of leaders would probably say, hey, you know, what, he doesn't talk enough. But I'm one of those people that, you know, Colin, I don't believe in that mess. I think that leadership is the ability to walk in a room and men say, you know what, that's the guy I want to walk in the room with. And that's the guy that when I want to walk into adversity, I want to walk in it right beside him. This guy does everything the right way, his attitudes the right way, his efforts the right way.

He sets the tone in how he does things each and every week for this defense and for our entire team. And to me, that's the greatest form of leadership there is, because if I'm going to walk in any kind of adversity, Aaron Donald's the guy I won't right beside me. So to me, that's the kind of leadership that lasts. You've been posting your rehab on Instagram. I said this earlier today in a league where nobody, Seattle has injuries, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, third year in a row. You guys are remarkably healthy.

Even you're coming back. There was the girly injury they've quickly replaced him with good drafting. Is it luck? Is it coincidence? Is it culture? The Rams have stayed remarkably healthy. healthy, Andrew, and you know. I mean, you don't get hurt much. I mean, is it, what is it in the culture? Is it a better turf? It's less hitting in practice. What is it? You know, it's wild.

In this league, you look at the late in the year and in playoff runs, you know, you can talk about who gets hot and who does this, but a lot of the time calling it goes back to who's healthy and who's not. And I think that's one of the most important things you can be at the end of the season is have a healthy football team. And I think that really honestly, it's Reggie Scott and his team, our medical director and our VP of sports performance. I mean, this guy does a tremendous job of just being the guy who helps establish the culture, not necessarily on the football field, but in our locker room, in our weight room, in our training room. He does an amazing job. Our staff is unbelievable, really the job Justin Love is done and come in for us as a strength coach. I mean,

it's really special. And it's one of the things that I realized was completely different about this place the first day I stepped in it, is really the job they do of taking care of guys. bodies, be on top of those kind of things. I mean, Colin, here's my birthday tomorrow. This is going to be probably one of the first times on my birthday. I'm not going to be playing NFL football in 260-something games. I have no idea what to do right now. I'm so confused not being healthy and ready to go, but I'm looking forward for the opportunity

that I know this. I mean, in the progress we're making, I'll be back for the playoffs without question if that happens. And so I'm excited. Go have a piece of cake. Just go have a big fat piece of cake for your things. I can't do that. All the guys are working hard.

They're winning football games. I'm so jealous and feel worthless right now. You're not, you're great for us. You're not worthless. You're great guy, and we appreciate it coming on. Thanks, buddy. Hey, I appreciate it. Well, that's a guy you want in the locker room.

That is a cat. I want my locker room. He's a man of the year candidate. Oh, is he? Yep. Oh, that's great. He's as good as they get. Walter Payton Man of the Year award.

Wow. It's a streaming service coming next year. U.S. only. It's called Discovery Plus. They have, you know, your food network. your HGTV and what else do they have? Oh, they have some exclusive originals. By the way, I just got text.

I don't have my phone. There's a documentary on Schitt Creek. Oh, yeah, I'm going to watch it. It's called something, Warmest Regards or something. I was just texted by a friend. He said, watch the documentary on the... Warmest regards, yes. Best wishes, Warmest regards.

Watch that. I'm going to. Okay, so that I got to tell my wife and enjoy. All right, hour three coming up next. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel,

help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get. your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged.

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

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hardway with your favorite therapist and host, Kare 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. On The Look Back at it podcast.

From 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. I mean, it was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to Look Back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.