The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 3 and Out - Black Monday Openings; Defending Doug Pederson; Expanded Playoffs; Saban Saves Careers; 2020 Year-End Rewards; Mailbag

Episode Date: January 5, 2021

In this episode, John discusses the job openings after Black Monday coach firings, why he thinks media criticism of Doug Pederson for putting in Nate Sudfeld is over the top, the expanded NFL playoffs, and why Steve Sarkisian is more proof of Nick Saban rehabilitating coaching careers. He also gives out his 2020 End of the Year Awards, and answers listener questions in the Middlekauff Mailbag. Follow John on Twitter and SUBSCRIBE now to get all the latest content!! 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 I-Hard radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, I'm Diana Maria Riva,

and on my new podcast, How Hard Can It Be? I call on my Gen X squad from Ohio to Hollywood as we navigate Midlife's most fantastic BS. Unfiltered conversations from night sweats to futas to scheduling sex. Wait, what sex? Is it just me, or does every woman my age, want to look at Pinterest instead of having sex sometimes? They say we can't.

polish a turd, but we're sure going to try. So let's get blunt with laughs, tears, or tears of laughter. Listen to How Hard Can It Be with Gianna Maria Riva on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano. It's our favorite time of the year on our podcast point game, the playoffs. We're digging into the biggest surprises of the season. And I'm looking back on some of my greatest playoff moments. If we didn't talk ever again, I was harmed. You just understood. That's how personal it got. Wow. Then after that game, 7, Mark keep coming till, he's like, you know I love you, dog.

You know, it's all love. This was just playoffs. This was just basketball. So listen to Point Game on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Get right to the romance and find the way to wow this Valentine's with 1800flowers.com. From classic roses and bouquets to decadent chocolate covered berries, gourmet treats, and more. Surprise your Valentine with 1800flowers.com. Right now, get the 18-stem enchanted rose medicaid.

for 3999 or upgrade to 24 red roses for $10 more. Go to 1 800flowers.com slash tune in. That's 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. What is going on, everybody? John Middlecough, free and out podcast on this, at least where I am, gloomy, rainy, little chilly day that in the business of football is known as Black Monday. We already had a lot of coaches that had been fired. We had a couple more openings happen today.

John Elway has thrown kind of his hat in the ring. He gave himself a promotion, so now they're going to have a GM, which it's rare in the NFL to have a GM job where you get to pick the coach and pick the players. That's a really good job. Going to kind of dive in up the top with the openings, then a lot of other stuff. Really quick, I've got a hit on the tanking and the issue that happened with Doug Peterson on Sunday, and where, of course, the media got it wrong, the expanded playoffs.

And listen, who knows how it's going to look on Saturday and Sunday, but on paper it's already a major success. Nick Saban has turned Alabama into the Betty Ford Clinic where you change your life for the better and come out. The irony there is Sark did have a drinking problem, but he wasn't the first to rehab himself, and he clearly won't be the last.

There have been some names that have surfaced to fill in for Sark. It's incredible what Nick Sabin and Alabama. Alabama, the program have done to people's career and helping getting people back on track. I did a little thing where I just wrote down the best performance, the craziest story, the most shocking story, the least shocking story from the year, some thoughts on Tua, and maybe we'll just hit on some other things. Of course, the Middlekopf mailbag, at John Middilkoff is my Instagram handle. Slide up in those DMs, and I got a million DMs that I'm not going to be able to answer

them all the day, but I'll get slowly back to you over the week. Got a lot going on here. A lot going on. And yeah, also subscribe to the podcast separate from Collins feed, Three and Out podcast, leave a review. It would be greatly appreciated. Greatly appreciated. Thanks to everyone that has.

But let's start with this. Job openings. And the NFL, I would say the average NFL franchise, they never truly go on the open market. like it's just Team X, like the Carolina Panthers. We're really on the open market because the league controls who gets to buy, you know, the business, who gets to buy the franchise.

Like David Temper was already a minority owner. It works like that in the leagues. They don't let people from the outside in. And if they do, they've handpicked you. It's a country club of the richest people in America slash the world. The NBA is a little more worldly. The NFL's domestic, but you've got to have a lot of, of money, right? We just saw David Tepper spend whatever $2.4 billion paid cash.

The last several owners in all pro sports have had an ungodly amount of money, whether it's Steve Balmer, whether it's David Tepper, like the cost of running these friends, the buying endpoint is $2 to $5 billion. I mean, if the Niners, if the Packers, if the Steelers, let alone the Cowboys, the Eagles, Washington ever just truly hit the open market, we all know the number would be much higher than that of the Forbes list. And the most important person, we say it all the time, in a franchise, is the owner. Because he can either be hands-off, he can control things that he shouldn't, he can take a step back, he can do whatever.

But at the end of the day, he's the guy signing the checks. Well, I think with technology, the check, there is no such thing as a check anymore. It all gets direct deposit. But the money's all, he controls all the cash. But then, to me, the most important person in your organization, organization is the head coach, even more than the quarterback. Now, the Packers, for example, a couple years ago, was unique because it wasn't a job with Aaron Rogers at 35 years old.

Most jobs, even the Chiefs, when Andy got there and ultimately like Mahomes got to his team, is Patrick Mahomes, Patrick Mahomes out of Andy Reed? You know, I don't know. Now, the Charger job is a fantastic job because of Justin Herbert, but they didn't win. with Anthony Lynn. And Anthony Lynn had been into the playoffs before. The head coach in the NFL is the equivalent of a CEO on these Fortune 500 companies.

And unlike the Fortune 500 companies that I can pay a guy, you know, let's say 5 to 20 million and give all these guys bonuses, but you kind of live year to year. As a head coach, I sign a four-year, five-year, six-year contract at usually between $7 to $12 million. We saw how much Matt Ruhle got last year. We see how much some of these college guys are getting.

Kyle Shanahan last year signed an extension of like 10 million per. Andy Reed, Sean Payton, Pete Carroll, Bill Belichick. These guys are making massive CEO-level money. Because they are worth it. Because they are worth every penny. And when you either cut corners or hire the wrong guy to be your coordinator, or I mean, excuse me, your head coach, your franchise is going to have issues. It's really that simple.

The head coach can change your franchise. Obviously the quarterback can too, but I can take a great quarterback with a shitty head coach and you will lose. Look at the Cleveland Browns. My entire adult life, they've been a laughing stock. Them and like the Raiders and the Lions, we just constantly make fun of because they always suck. They had good players last year, and they were a joke with Freddy Kitchens. This year, they hired Kevin Stefanski and what happens? 11 games are in the playoffs.

And Kevin Stefanski is probably, you know, underpaid. let's say they're giving them $6.5, $7 million. The moment he gets to the playoffs, especially the franchise like that, what it means to your fan base, the amount of money it means to your owner, I mean, he's a $10 million guy.

And when I look at all these openings, like the league, in baseball and basketball, the GMs have a lot of juice. In baseball, they run the game. In basketball, they have a ton of power. There's a small percentage of coaches in basketball

that truly have a lot of juice. and it shrinks every year. In football, the coach has all the juice. Even if he's not picking his roster, he controls the game. No matter what the general manager is telling him, he controls game day. The general manager has zero control

on the most important day of the week, and that's Sunday in the NFL. And when I look at these jobs, and I've seen a lot of things thrown out, what jobs is the best, what jobs is not the best, here's what I know, but all these franchises, whether it's the Lions, Atlanta,

the Texans, the Jags, the Jets, or the Chargers. If they hire the right coach and get a guy that becomes a top 10 coach, they will dramatically impact the amount of money that franchise is worth, the popularity of that franchise, they will be in the playoffs. You can hit on draft picks. A lot of shitty teams hit on draft picks, and nothing changes. When you get the coach right, you win. And when you win, cha-ching.

Now, the great part about the NFL, unlike some of these other sports, you don't have to win to make money. If you own a team in the league, you get guaranteed cash through the media deal. But you win? Do you know how much money, Robert Kraft, or excuse me, Belichick made Robert Kraft by all those home playoff games? Do you know how much money the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Green Bay Packers, Seattle has made over the last decade just winning all the time, going to the playoffs?

Do you know how much extra revenue that generates you? The popularity that means to your franchise? I just saw it last year in a one-year run with the 49ers. Went to the Super Bowl, boom. awoke one of the biggest fan base in the league. It is so lucrative to win in the NFL. If you ever cut corners with your head coach or your coaching staff, you're a loser and your franchise deserves everything it has going for.

Because it's not shocking that the same coaches consistently win in the league. And if I had to rank the jobs, I think by far the number one job in the NFL, the number one job opening, excuse me, in the NFL. Is the... I almost called them the San Diego Chargers. I was thinking about this yesterday

when I was watching... I watched the Red Zone basically all day, week 17. I had like a game on the second TV, but I just watched the Red Zone because most of the games, whatever, didn't matter. There wasn't that much drama. I guess I watched the Niner game.

But the Raider game for me wasn't on locally. So it was just ins and outs of that part of the game. Or excuse me, were playing the Chiefs, not the Raider game. They were playing the Denver Broncos. And some of the plays that Herbert, and I've watched Herbert the majority of his season, the chances that Trevor Lawrence is as good as Justin Herbert, to me, feel slim.

I've been watching the NFL now for over a decade to pay the bills. And I don't know if I've ever seen maybe, maybe Andrew Luck. I'd have to go back and look. But the physical tools with Andrew Luck, he just didn't have this arm. Now, he was probably a better overall player, you know, just in terms of his touch. But Justin Herbert, to me, wasn't that far behind. Justin Herbert was absolutely fantastic. And their roster is good.

I know a couple weeks ago someone sent me a picture of like an Instagram kind of stat thing that said the Chargers were the only team in the league in the top ten in offense and the top ten in defense. their offense has guys under contract including a young quarterback that's on a rookie deal. I don't see how they are not by a mile the number one job on the market. Now, the owner has been cheap before

that is something to, you know, that it can be an issue. But they can own that market because the reality is, it's not like, one thing with the clippers, for example, in the Lakers, the Clippers will never be the Lakers. They have no chance. But let's not act like the Rams are that big a deal.

They plan the same fucking stuff. stadium. So what? The Rams own it. Do you think the average 15-year-old cares? If Justin Herbert is fantastic and Coach X comes and they start going to the playoffs all the time, they are just cooler than anything McVeigh can do with Goth. You can't own that market, or at least gain a lot of market share, which the Clippers can't do. Because the Rams just don't matter. So to me, when you factor in Justin Herbert, you factor in that roster, I don't even think it's close. Then I would put the Jets second. It's New York. That's why I put them over Jacksonville.

And we'll get into Jacksonville in a second. It's the most prestigious market in America. It has the most people. Sports matter a lot in New York. Now, the Jets aren't the Giants, but the moment they're good, they immediately matter for the landscape of the league. You go on primetime all the time,

and you have a lot of people watching your game. The division. It has one franchise quarterback right now. Tua, who will get into it a little bit later, the Patriots don't have one. They have Josh Allen. So you have a general man. who is well respected around the league, has a track record of picking good players when he was

in Philadelphia and just know what he's doing. And they have a ton of money. But to me, the market, that matters. I saw Kyle Shanahan on his, on his like postseason press conference say something. He said, listen, he said, I'm going on my fourth year here. It's the longest I've ever been in one spot. But I can say one thing about the 49ers that I can't say about all my other spots that I've coached. 49ers matter. In certain franchise, The Steelers, the Eagles, the Patriots, the Packers, the Cowboys. Like, I think he's, like, he coached the Houston Texans. They'll never sniff the Dallas Cowboys.

He coached for the Atlanta Falcons. College football is bigger in that region. Like, you coach for the Jets? College sports don't matter in New York. It's the Jets. And they got Sam Darnold. You can trade him. You got the number two overall pick.

You have a lot of wiggle room. I think that's multiple first-round pick. to me that's the second best job. Third would be the Jags. Now, they have a lot going for. They have a ton of picks, they have a ton of cap space, and they have a shot at Trevor Lawrence. But I'm sorry,

the owner who has a lot of money and who's clearly a really good business man consistently loses when it comes to owning pro sports. All of his teams in soccer, you know, across the pond, they get relegated. They lose. The Jags, on top of being the most a relevant franchise in the league, probably top five in all of sports.

They just do not matter. They do not matter. So, like, it's not a very prestigious job. Now, they can pay, and you have assets. You're also in a division with the Colts, who are one of the most well-run organizations in the league. If they get a good quarterback, it's on. They're a Super Bowl, you know, competitor.

You have the Tennessee Titans. Vrabel is, I don't know, big time. They're going nowhere, a bunch of their good players under contract. And then the Texans, who are better than you, have a franchise quarterback, that unlike Trevor Lawrence, who we all think is going to be really good, is good, is dominant, is elite. So if they just get some direction, that division's really hard. I'm sorry, I'm just not as fired up on the Jags as everyone else. I like prestigious markets.

I like big boy markets. I like places where you matter. But that's just me. The Texans, like I said, they have Deshawn Watson going for him. that's something that just the Falcons and then if Stafford wants out, they don't have. Having Deshawn Watson under contract is a positive. The negatives, no cab space, no first or second round picks.

You probably got to trade JJ Watt, who's kind of the heart and soul of your team. They got a lot of issues. But if you're one positive redeeming quality is your starting young quarterback, I can live with it. Now, Jack Easterby, the preacher, power hungry, who is he? Is he one of those preachers?

you know, I always get a little uncomfortable. Listen, you're talking, I guess you're listening, not talking, I'm talking, to about the least religious human you'll ever meet. But I've always get uncomfortable. I've been to different, you know, churches. My brother's married to someone who's very religious, and you go to some of these churches, a lot of money, and, you know, the preacher rolls up and, you know, $100,000 car,

and it's like, you know, I get a little, like, this is a little shady, and that's kind of what Easterby feels like. There's some shadiness going on. You know, I don't like the guy. leading the sermon to roll up in a Ranger over. I usually got that guy red flagged. The Atlanta Falcons. They are, they have a lot of names.

They just don't have a lot of wins. And they got some cap issues. Their quarterback's old. Julio Jones, one of the highest paid players in the league. Injured a lot. Calvin Ridley's good. Dion Jones is good. But the division, you'd say,

a lot of question marks. I mean, Brady's old. The Panthers don't have a quarterback. The Saints, I mean, their team is infinitely better than yours, but Drew Brees is probably going to retire after this year. So could you make a step? The owner, the city and the market are all positives. To me, the roster is a pretty big negative. They do have the fourth pick in the draft, so you could draft a quarterback, you could trade Matt Ryan, you do have some options there, but it's a pretty big rebuild. You know, Thomas Demetrov, who I've met a couple times,

personally, he's been really cool to me. I have nothing bad to say about him as a guy. But his drafting was clearly pretty hit or miss and left him in a little bit of a weird spot. And then I got the Lions last. They just never win. You know, I'm 36 years old. When I think about the Lions, I just think losers in Thanksgiving Day football

in which they also lose. The two best players in the history of the franchise both retired at 30. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman

documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, 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 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. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas.

And I'm C.J. Toledano, and our podcast Point Game is about defying the odds. Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and Austin Reed. and finding ways to win no matter what. He's the smartest player to ever play the game. His IQ is at a level that we've never seen before. And he knows without Luca and Austin Reeves, I got to manipulate the game. We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the playoffs.

I think Joker's going to be exhausted this series because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup, he has to really guard guys like Nas Reid. He has to guard Julius Randall. And then he has to give us everything he gives us on the night-to-night basis on offense. And when IT's friends stopped by, like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too.

Steve Nash would get that thing. That man, hell get the flying. He running up the court, licking his fingers why he got the ball. Like, after you go through a training camp with that, Isaiah, you figure it out real quick. Get your ass up and down the court, and you're going to get the ball. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

American soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming. Sending on to Ernie Stewart for Chip. I'm Todd Ramos. I'm Tom Boe. On our podcast, Inside American Soccer, you'll get the real storylines. I'm not worried about Policic. I'm not worried about Balagan.

I'm not worried about McKinney. My only concern is what happens in the back. The biggest decisions. If you're going to look at stats and numbers, he has no shot at making this World Cup team. And the truth about the U.S. national team. It wouldn't be a huge. huge surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals or potentially a great run into the

semifinals. The World Cup is almost here. Experience it all with us. Listen, Inside American Soccer with Tom Bogart and Tab Ramos on the IHeart Radio app, Apple podcast, wherever you get your podcast. They just hired Chris Spielman, which the Spielmans are well respected in football, but like, do I got an answer to him? Is he got the owner's ear?

That's always weird. I don't really like that. And then I saw watching football on Sunday. They show him on the sideline talking like the president. It's just like, you know, lots going on there. I got the line, and Matt Stafford probably wants to go. I got the Lions by far the worst job. So I'm going to go Chargers, the Jets, the Jags, the Texans, Atlanta, and Alliance

would be my ranking for the job openings. Get right to the romance and find the way to wow this Valentine's with 1-800flowers.com. From classic roses and bouquets to decadent chocolate-covered berries, gourmet treats, and more. prize your Valentine with 1800 Flowers.com. Right now, get the 18th stem enchanted

rose medley for $3999 or upgrade to 24 red roses for $10 more. Go to 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. That's 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. Adoption of teens from foster care

is a topic not enough people know about and we're here to change that. I'm April Dinwiddie host of the new podcast Navigating Adoption presented by Adopt U.S. Kids. Each episode brings you compelling real-life adoption stories told by the families that live them with commentary from experts. Visit adoptuskids.org slash podcast or subscribe to navigating adoption presented by Adopt U.S. Kids. Brought to you by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families and the Ad Council.

Look through your children's eyes to see the true magic of a forest. It's a storybook world for them. You look and see a tree. They see the wrinkled face of a wizard. with arms outstretched to the sky. They see treasure and pebbles. They see a windy path that could lead to adventure. And they see you.

Their fearless guide is this fascinating world. Find a forest near you and start exploring at discovertheforest.org. Brought to you by the United States Forest Service and the ad council. Okay, I don't want to spend too much time on this because by the time you've listened to this, it's why I don't spend too much time on this podcast breaking down the games from Sunday. Sunday because I'm already 48 hours removed. So I'm not going to spend

more than five minutes on Doug Peterson and what happened on Sunday night. But I just, one philosophy I've always had, and it's easier said than done, but I think so many people are obsessed with other people. You see it in relationships, right? A couple's always trying to

outdo the other couples in their group or their friends on social media or do things on social media to show their parents. everything's worried about what other people think about them and again it's easier said than done and I'm by no means perfect I'm not trying to act like I never think about any other person or couple but I first and foremost try not to give a shit about anyone else's

relationship in terms of how I'm doing like I try to do the best for myself with my family girlfriend whatever because you can't you will never find happiness by trying to do things for other people. And I don't mean like do nice things for other people, like help people out. I just mean if you are living your life to get approval

from your family and friends, it's going to be a miserable life. And I think the same works in business. First and foremost, you have to focus on yourself and being good at what you can do. And then you could look at other businesses, whatever industry you're in,

and somewhat copy them or what they're doing well, but you have to be authentic, to yourself. And that to me gives you the best chance to be good at whatever you're doing. And in the NFL, having been there, worked in it and know a bunch of people in the league, the best teams, the ones and some of my friends are lucky enough to have rings, hell, I know a couple with a couple, they're sole focused internally. First and foremost is their own team, their own organization, getting it right for their own team. Because at the end of the day, Their employment status is judged on their team.

Not what their rivals did. Not what other teams in the conference did. Not what other teams are playing do. Obviously, you get judged if you lose to that other team. But I'm just saying people get obsessed with what other people are doing. The number one focus in any relationship in any business should be yourself. First and foremost. So yesterday, and we've talked a lot about tanking.

It's fun to talk about it doesn't really have. not like it does in the NBA. It's not the way it works. Yesterday with Doug Peterson and really the Eagles, and I don't have any inside information in this, I think going into the game, they planned on giving the guy a quarter. And people are acting like he benched Peyton Manning

or Donovan McNabb in his prime. Jalen Hertz had thrown for 75 yards. Jalen Hertz is a backup quarterback. Technically he's a starter now, but I think that's going to change this off season. He's a backup quarterback. Doug Peterson, Evan Silva of Roder World, tweeted out, the difference of finishing sixth and ninth,

they would have finished ninth with the win or six with a loss, is the equivalent relative to Jimmy Johnson's trade value chart of a third round pick number 68 overall, which is really one of the first picks in the third round. You think Doug Peterson gives a damn about the New York Giants, who, by the way, won six games. So when I see their players, bitching and moaning on social media, like Golden Tate, you were suspended for a game.

The rest of you guys, you guys were terrible. Now, you played well and you played hard, but at the end of the day, as Bill Parcells would say, I don't know, the most famous coach in the history of that franchise, you are what your record says you are. So while I was impressed, I'm sure some of you Giants fans were impressed, you went six and ten. Six and ten.

So I feel no sympathy that I get. is the record matter because like I have a little more sympathy for a 10-win team that feels they got screwed than a six-and-10 team because I have zero sympathy and I know for a fact the eagles they don't care about the the Washington football team the New York Giants once they are eliminated from the playoffs it is not their problem do you know who else problem it wasn't the Pittsburgh Steelers when they played the Cleveland Browns who had to win to get in do you know what they did they benched and sat Big Ben and played Mason Rudolph who was part of one of the worst quarterback rooms

in the history of the league last year. He stunk. No one says anything. You know the problem with the Eagles game is it was on Sunday night football. That's an NBC problem, not an Eagles problem. That game should have been at 10 a.m. Not Sunday night.

And it became a big issue, but if they had done that Saturday or Sunday morning, no one cares. Is everyone talking about Mason Rudolph starting? I didn't hear a peep. They wrote out Mason Rudolph when the integrity of the game, The Browns had a lot to play for.

No one said anything. They did not bench. Brett Farvin is prime. 75 yards the kid had thrown for. 75. And we're acting like it was a felony offense. I mean, I see Sal Powell saying the league should investigate. You know what the league likes?

Buzz. You know what the league likes? People talking about it. You know what the league likes? A game that was unwatchable. That game was terrible. yet people were kind of into it because of what was on the line and then ultimately what happened. Excuse me, I just pulled up the box score.

72 yards. He threw for 72 yards. He completed seven passes. And we're acting like benching Jalen Hertz with some travesty. Give me a break. Stop worrying about other people. Take control of yourself. New York Giants. to get in the playoffs, win more games.

Don't go 6 and 10 in a division that's a joke. You go 8 and 8, you cruise to the playoffs. Let's face it, you would have go to the playoffs. The bucks, especially the second time playing you, would have kicked your ass. So tanking, what, no. They tried to give a backup quarterback, actually their third string quarterback,

they're paying $2 million to some reps. And again, they benched a guy, 72 yards, seven completions. That's like a two-a-game. One thing that's going to be a little bit of a change this weekend is the extra game. You know, the last, I guess, my entire life,

the six teams, or excuse me, I guess it was four games, right? We'd get an afternoon Saturday game, which for me on the West Coast was 1 o'clock. Then we'd get an NBC night game on Saturday night. Then we would get a Sunday morning game and a Sunday afternoon game. Well, this week, we get two extra games. We get, you know, a 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. kickoff on Saturday, afternoon game, night game.

And then we get three more on Sunday. And listen, I am four expanded playoffs. I saw in the baseball sphere, people freaked out about letting more teams in. Like, the more playoffs, the better. That's what we care about. And the NFL and the sport of football, unlike baseball and even basketball, who's also expanded their playoffs, where they benefit is the games, the regular season games in basketball and baseball will never matter.

There are too many, especially in baseball, you play 162. One game does not matter, unless you have an injury or whatever, but the outcome of the game. Every outcome of a football game, even as they expand next year to potentially 17 games, impacts your season just because of the inventory. It's also their greatest strength. Our attention spans have never been shorter

because of technology and the way society works. So it's like, I don't have to watch if I'm a Yankee fan or a Giants fan or a Dodger fan. If I miss a game, who cares? Same in basketball. You're just not going to miss a football game if you don't have to because they all matter.

And when they expanded the playoffs, you saw people going back and forth. Here's what I know. The sport of football, and really any sport, but football specifically is the greatest television product right now in America. It's the only thing if you put on, and often I'm sure hear like live sports, the only thing that matter for television, live sports and news. Well, news, kind of.

You know, some news shows, depending on the cycle of presidential election, whatever, will do huge numbers. But like Sean Hannity, his numbers are a lot different around the election than they are right now. Same with Rachel Maddow or whatever. Where the NBA, who is diminishing in viewers, they have lost like 40% of their viewers just based on like Christmas Day games in the last like three years. It's going the other way. In baseball, it's very, very fragmented. It's become very regionalized.

And if your team sucks, no one's going to watch. where in football, win or lose, people are watching. And the good games, unlike the other two sports, it's a national product. Because of fantasy,

because of gambling, just the way we consume it, you watch, if you're a cowboy fan, you'll watch, you know, Steelers Patriots. You'll watch, if you're a Falcons fan,

Ram Seattle. It doesn't matter. It's why the ratings are so massive. It's the number one property on television. There's not a close second. It's the only thing that you can consistently

throw a good game up and get, you know, eight figures to watch. That can't be said in basketball and that cannot be said in baseball. Football runs circles around those two sports in terms of viewership. I'm not even trying to be a hater. I watch those other two sports. The masses do not anymore. Football is turned into the American pastime. Well, adding an extra team to the playoffs, meaning you get two more games,

meaning you get two more fan bases involved in the playoffs. And this year, it's already a raging success. Chicago, who, listen, if it was the six teams, they wouldn't have sniffed the playoffs. They win 8-N-8. But they're in, and they get to play the Saints. They're one of the biggest markets in America. That is a massive win for the NFL. Now, Chicago is a great sports market.

Would have consumed the playoffs regardless. But the amount of people in that general market that will consume that playoff game will be huge. And the Colts, who I wouldn't say are probably more of a mid-month, market, but are a powerhouse franchise in the league. They also got to get in the playoffs as the seven seat. So I call the expansion of the playoffs a raging success. You added the Colts and the Bears to your playoff field. It's a big deal.

And at the end of the day, all these, I guess some people have been commenting, like I say, the end of the day too much. I apologize, I'm working on that. I don't know if that's like a crutch or whatever. but this weekend you get an extra game. All these games are going to do huge numbers. If you can add two franchises, one a massive market, the other a major franchise with a huge fan base,

that's a win for the league. That's how the league pays for everything. It's why baseball is going to have massive problems in 2021. Because the owners know that they're not going to get people in the stands immediately right off the bat. And they make such a large percentage from the gate. their television deal doesn't come close to what the NFL has. In basketball, while it's better than baseball, they make a lot of TV money too.

They still also make a lot from in the stadium, which helps pave these massive salaries. Football, the massive salaries just to begin with, are covered by the TV deal. So without making a penny, if all the teams this year had not got a fan in the gates, they would have lost out on money they could have made, but they wouldn't have lost money. They'd be fine. They are fine. They can pay the players, they can pay the coaches, and they still make a profit. So the NFL...

Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth.

Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, 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 Cliver. 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. American soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming. Ramers sending on to Ernie. Score at the chip. I'm Ty Bramos. I'm Tom Boat. On our podcast,

inside American soccer, you'll get the real storylines. I'm not worried about Polic. I'm not worried about Balligan. I'm not worried about McKinney. My only concern is what happens in the back. The biggest decisions. If you're going to look at stats and numbers, he has no shot at making this World Cup team. And the truth about the U.S. national team. It wouldn't be a huge surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals or potentially a great run into the semifinals. The World Cup is almost here. Experience it all with us. Listen, inside American soccer with Tom Bogan and Tabramos on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcast. What's up, fam?

It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano, and our podcast, Point Game is about defining the odds. Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and Austin Reed. And finding ways to win no matter what. He's the smartest player to ever play the game. His IQ is at a level that we've never seen before. And he knows. Without Luca and Austin Reeves, I got to manipulate the game.

We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the playoffs. I think Joker's going to be exhausted this series because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup, he has to really guard guys like Nas Reid. He has to guard Julius Randall. And then he has to give us everything he gives us on the night-to-night basis on offense. And when IT's friends stop by, like Quentin Richardson,

we dive into some playoff history too. Steve Nass would get that thing. That man, hell get the flying. He running up the court, licking his fingers, why he got the ball, like, after you go through a training camp with that, Isaiah, you figure it out real quick. Get your ass up and down the court, and you're going to get the ball.

So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. It's humming right now because of television. And the reason they expanded the playoffs was because of television. The reason they're going to add a 17th week is because of television. What do you think these television networks are telling the league? We want to buy your product. You are the only thing that gets 10 million to 15 to 20 million people to watch. Remember, when I was growing up,

growing up and if you're around my age in your mid-30s or, you know, 40, whatever, some of the, some of the shows like in the 80s, was it MASH, and then Cheers, and then to Seinfeld, some of these shows, some of their, you know, final seasons were doing like 50, 60, 70 million people. When I'm watching TV and see the Ted Dantson show, The Mayor, I bet it doesn't come close to a million people watching an episode. Might do like 500,000 people watch an episode. like three or four podcasts for me. And I'm not trying to brag or anything, but just the world is completely changed. We're, we used to, where television networks used to be able to just throw a good show, law and order, and get millions of people, it doesn't work that way anymore.

Hell, Netflix, you throw up Queens Gambit, they get 68 million people to watch within like a month. So all the Amazon Prime, the Netflix, they do well, but the television networks don't. And who has all the football games? The television networks. It's why the league is so valuable to them. It's why they, I'm sure they push Roger Goodell. Can we add an extra couple of playoff games? Can we add an extra season? We want to buy that. We want to do business with you. We will quote unquote overpay for you because we know we can make so much freaking money in advertising off that extra week, off those extra games. It's worth its weight and gold. And that's what they're doing here. So the expanded playoffs, even with an 8 and 18,

what's the Bears? That's amazing. major win for the league. It's the Colts, Rivers, big win for the league. So get ready. Like the expanded playoffs, they're happening in the other sports, they happen in the NFL. It's because of television. Get right to the romance and find the way to wow this Valentine's with 1-800flowers.com. From classic roses and bouquets to decadent chocolate-covered berries, gourmet treats, and more. Surprise your valentine with 1-800flowers.com. Right now, get the 18-stem enchanted rose medley for $3999 or upgrade to 24 red roses for $10 more. Go to 1 800flowers.com slash tune in. That's 1,800 flowers.com slash tune in.

What grows in the forest? Trees? Sure. Know what else grows in the forest? Our imagination, our sense of wonder, and our family bonds grow too. Because when we disconnect from this and connect with this, We reconnect with each other. The forest is closer than you think. Find a forest near you and start exploring at Discovertheforest.org. Brought to you by the United States Forest Service and the Ad Council. What grows in the forest? Trees? Sure.

Know what else grows in the forest? Our imagination. Our sense of wonder. And our family bonds grow too. Because when we disconnect from this and connect with this, We reconnect with each other The forest is closer than you think Find a forest near you and start exploring

At Discovertheforest.org Brought to you by the United States Forest Service And the Ad Council I was thinking about this When I was growing up It was probably unique Because in the early 80s The Betty Ford Clinic

I actually did some research on it this morning They created it in Palm Springs Like the first alcohol treatment I think in America, you know, and it became an inpatient, outpatient facility in southern Palm Springs where people went to have alcohol rehab, right? If you were addicted, if you were an alcoholic, it's where you went to try to kick the problem. And I think over the last, definitely the last decade, maybe two, rehab facilities all over America have become much more in vogue.

We talk about things a lot more. Even in my generation, it's been pretty open. And, you know, in the 40s, the 50s, the 60s, the 70s, the 70s. Like, I just think people just kind of sucked it up and said anything and just tried to deal with their problems and it ruined a lot of people's lives. It clearly still ruins a lot of lives, but there is so much help now available. If you want to seek it or you have the people in your life willing to kind of, you know, steer you toward places where you can get help to rehab, you know, whatever addiction you may have.

Now, me personally, I don't have an addictive personality. Hell, I probably never drank less than I have the last couple of years, kind of more into cannabis now. No hangovers. I hate being hungover. I despise it. And I do enjoy drinking. I just despise hangovers.

I can't stand them. So you've got to find other ways to, you know, feel good. But ultimately, my point is some people need help. Some people need rehab. That's not even arguable. It's just a reality of life. And I think Nick Sabin and Alabama have become that for coaches. For a long period of time, like, if you had something terrible happen in your coaching career,

there was no place to be saved. Your career just ended. You became a joke. Belichick kind of became that, but for the most part, he does a lot of in-house. He created Patricia McDaniels, Flores. Like, he hires these guys, Casario. Piole. His guys were made from when they were in their 20s, right? Sabin has opened his doors to people that have hit rock bottom.

Absolute laughing stocks. And to me, Sark, Lane was a laughing stock. Sark was more like a really sad story. The dude showed up to a team meeting wasted and got fired the same day after he had had stuff happening. And the irony here, I didn't bring Betty Ford because of Sark. But my point is, like, Saban has become a place to rehab your career. He changed Lane Kiffin's life.

Lane was a joke once he got fired on the tarmac. He goes to Alabama, has success, and unlike Sark has to go to a smaller university, he's now at Ole Miss. And he's one of the guys in football that I think we hold the pretty high, we go, God, he's one of the better offensive coaches in the country. God, he's one of the better recruiters. He's one of the better guys on social media. He just kind of gets it. Lane Kiffin has come a long way. Steve Sarkesian, like, again, was removed.

I'll never forget the morning when he was fired at USC. People thought he was on drugs. I've been told by people close to him it was not drugs. It was alcohol. Regardless, like, that's a pretty big issue. He's not the first, and he won't be the last coach that drinks. Like, that's normal. But he clearly couldn't handle it.

And hit a spot. When he got fired, I thought there's no chance, no way. and ultimately his career kind of got back on track. He went to Atlanta, but then coming back to Nick Saban changed his life. He turned down the Colorado job last year. I thought that's kind of crazy. Well, he's no idiot. He got the Texas job.

He went from within a half decade getting fired the day of a team meeting for being wasted to being the head coach at Texas. Now, we can go on about Texas, and I personally think it's one of the more overrated jobs, but it does have a lot going for, money, resources, all that stuff. I do think it's going to be tough, and it's a pressure cooker. Its expectations exceed its reality. You're the second best team in your conference.

That's always the case. Oklahoma is a king dog, especially now. The other thing is I think Lane's a pretty dynamic coach. I don't know that about Sark. Like I saw Sark at Washington at USC. I was like, I don't know. I think it's a pretty bold, bold hire for Texas. But, Saving rehabbed him.

Sabin made him worthy of all these teams wanting to get a hold of this guy. When Sabin gives you the touch now, everyone wants you. Remember Loxley at New Mexico? How ugly that got? Goes to Sabin, boom, he's coached Maryland. And now two names I saw today

that are going to be in the mix to go be Sabin's offensive coordinator, Bill O'Brien, who had a terrible firing, J.J. Watt, Deshawn Watson, DeAndre Hopkins, max NFL players kind of kicking him on the way out and Adam Gase who again a little bit like Lane kind of became the NFL version of just a laughing stock

I would do anything in my power if I were those two guys to get a hold of Nick Saban because I just saw him, Lane Kiffin is now a coach in the SEC and I got news for you if Sabin retires the next couple years and Lane has a little success at Ole Miss Lane Kiffin's going to be the next head coach at Alabama

I'd put money on that Assuming Dabble turns it down, and I would expect him to. So if I'm Bill O'Brien and I'm Adam Gase, and I want to get my career back on track, I'm begging Nick Saban for this job. I'm begging to get into Alabama rehab. Because I just saw a guy that had an alcohol problem, couldn't handle it around his team,

was removed on a Sunday morning at a team meeting in front of his own players, is now the head coach at Texas? That's insane. If I would have told you the morning that Sark got fired, and everything happened and all the stories came out, that by the end of the decade, he'd be the head coach at Texas,

you would have said, I'm on drugs! But that's the reality, because of the power of Nick Sabin, and really the power of Jimmy Sexton. But now Sark has an incredible opportunity, just like Lane Kiffin, has an incredible opportunity.

Those opportunities would not have existed if they did not go to the Bama Sabin rehab. No chance. Impossible. and it's really the only place kind of willing to hire these guys that also has a chance to succeed sometimes these guys have to go to jobs

where you're not going to win where you're probably going to lose and then your career just stays derailed so when I see Bill O'Brien and when I see Adam Gase going after Nick if I were those two guys I would fight the other one to get that job

because I know for a fact I will get another good job if I do well for Nick Saban Okay, let's do something a little fun. I picked my favorite performance this year, the craziest story, the most shocking story, and the least shocking story. And then just the John Gruden Award. Let's start with the best performance. And I was thinking about this Sunday night when I saw the Green Bay Packers tweet out that Rogers threw 46 touchdowns tonight.

I'd have to go back and really think. I guess it will depend on how he does in the playoffs and if he wins the championship. It is one of the great FU seasons by any athlete in the history of sports that I can ever remember. Despite having on the field success last year, they got to the NFC championship game, it was, you know, there were a lot of people, including myself, questioning, was he regressing? Because he was. He did not look good in 2019. Could it have been the new offense? Could it have been his age?

could have been his lack of fundamentals. I think it was like a combination of it. I just thought he was a little lost. His numbers, again, still look good. The eye test was not even close. Then, and I give the front office credit on this one, they drafted a quarterback in the first round. The same exact time at his career,

they did it to Brett Farv, who was 35 at the time when Aaron Rogers was drafted, or excuse me, 36. Brett Farr of that year, Aaron Rogers' rookie season, through 20 touchdowns, and 29 interceptions, and the team went 4 and 12. Now, if I did a deep dive, maybe they had some injuries. I don't even remember that season. Packer fans, you guys could give me the details.

But bottom line, that's the opposite of what Aaron Rogers just did. They drafted the first round quarterback. Then they drafted a running back in the second round, basically not getting him any help. He came back and had arguably his best season of his career. He was dominant. Devante took a huge step and a big part of that is Aaron and Devante deserves a lot of credit too but him and Aaron became a dynamic duo

Aaron bought into this offense that if you do with his talent it is unstoppable it goes to the playoffs with guys like Jared Gough Matt Ryan Jimmy Garoppel Matt Shob Kirk Cousins Aaron Rogers is easily of the last decade and a half

best player to play in the Shanahan offense. And he eviscerated the league. Absolutely dominated. Again, after they somewhat tried to replace them, they drafted his heir apparent. And Aaron said not so fast. Now, a close second on this list would be Derek Henry, who had one of the great playoff runs we'd ever seen.

He just ran for 2,000 yards. and I was talking to my buddy Lewis Riddick today on the phone who's calling Titans Ravens this week for ESPN and I said you know what's crazy is he's not like running guys over and Lewis's like yeah

they don't run them between like the guard and the center they run them on outside zone he has unreal feet if he gets you in space he has these crazy stiff arms because he's like the size of Shaquille O'Neal and then what really separates the guy is despite being one of the biggest running backs we've ever seen, he has elite speed.

So if he gets in green grass or green turf, he's out the gate and he's gone. 2,000 yards. I think they said on the broadcast, the first guy, or the last guy to lead the league in rushing back-to-back years was L.T. And every guy in NFL history that led the league in rushing in back-to-back years

has been a Hall of Famer. Derek Henry, I mean, he's on his path to be a Hall of Famer. I would say the craziest story of this year has been Carson Wentz. just how shitty he was as a player, and he was. He was God-awful. And then he gets benched for Jalen Hertz. And maybe it starts with Jalen Hertz.

The moment they draft Jalen Hertz, Carson struggles. He gets benched. Story gets leaked that he's not happy. Jalen then has some success. The team looks better. And then going into last, you know, yesterday, a story comes out.

I think it's fair to say now multiple stories have come out from Carson Wenz's behalf that said he's going to want to trade. that him and Doug Peterson's relationship is over. Like, one of the things Carson Wentz, to me, was always known for, beside the physical talent, was, like, really high character, really good guy. And then he refuses to speak to the media on Monday. Like, to me, Monday would have been an opportunity for him to say, like,

even if it's a lie, yeah, this isn't true. This is where I want to be. I'll compete with anybody. Like, to me, Carson Wentz right now, kind of has the vibe around the league as being a little bit of a baby. Like, bro, you got bench for Jaylen Huron. Hertz and you're pouting. The guy against Washington through for 72 yards. I'll say it over and over. Doug Peterson did not bench Farr or Peyton Manning.

Jalen Hertz, who many people I know, including myself, thought he was going to be a running back. And that's who Carson Wentz is like, come on, bro. You were paid all this money. You went through a tough time. Welcome to life. We all find ourselves sometime in a shitty spot. And you know what? if you live long enough, it's going to happen multiple times. You're going to pout about it. You're paid a lot of money. What they say in Mad Men? That's what the money's for.

No one wants to hear you complain. No one wants you to leak stories through the press. Just how about you win your job back and become the star that we all think you can be? He said you're complaining? Like, you think Peyton Manning and Tom Brady? Even Rogers. Look at Rogers.

They draft. He's Aaron Rogers. Multiple MVP's in a Super Bowl. I didn't really see him complain when they drafted Jordan Luff. He just came back and kicked the shit out of everybody. Carson Wenz, who, let's be real, has never accomplished anything, besides making a lot of money. Is Bichinamonin?

Like, that to me, the story's a little out of hand, and I think it reflects poorly on Carson Wendz. What were the Eagles supposed to do? Let him keep playing? Like I said, they did the right thing by benching him. But now he's like, I demand to go to another team. I can't work with Doug Peterson. I've been around Doug.

I don't know one person who doesn't like Doug. Doug is about as down-to-earth and as normal of a head coach as you'll ever meet in the NFL. You can't get along with Doug, Carson? Maybe it's a you problem. The least shocking story. Or excuse me, the most shocking story of the year.

The Browns were actually good. This is actually a positive. The Cleveland Browns won 11 games in the playoffs. The Cleveland Browns actually figured it out. They hired Kevin Stefansky, who looks to be a really good young coach. I was impressed. He was good basically all season. They are in the playoffs.

That is a massive win for a franchise that basically always sucks. And basically there's always excuses. The quarterback's falls, the coaches falls, the GM's fault, the owner's fault. You know what happened this year? They just won. Consistently won. Dust settled 11 games, and they're in the dance. Has to be, like to me, Kevin Stubbush,

the fancy's going to win the coach of the year, deservedly so. And the Cleveland Browns, where a lose come Sunday night against the Steelers? And, you know, I'm probably going to lean the Steelers. Incredible season. And just an awesome job. You know what it felt like a little bit? Like when McVeigh got to the L.A. And the franchise was a joke, but they had good players, boom, in the playoffs.

Now, remember, they ended up losing that McVeigh's first year at home to the Falcons. So, like, you can have a really successful year when the bar's low. You're not the Steelers. You're not the Packers. Like, you don't expect to win playoff games. This is all gravy. The least shocking story. And I'm going to take a little bit of a victory lap on this, Cliff Kingsbury.

Again, people think it's like personal. It is not, I have nothing but admiration for the human being. But he's not a good football coach. We had the information at Texas Tech. He was an under 500 loser. And it's like, well, Johnny didn't have any talent. Yeah, I mean, I don't know, he had Baker Mayfield and Patrick Mahomes. I mean, what does he want?

Justin Herbert and Trevor Lawrence, too? Like, I mean, holy moly. Mike Leach has won a lot of games with guys you've never heard of. He had Baker Mayfield and Patrick Mahomes. Couldn't win. And I said from the jump the moment he was hired. How was a guy that couldn't win in the Big 12 at Texas Tech? When it's been proven, just the guy before could win there.

how is he going to have success in the NFL in a division with Sean McVey, Kyle Shanahan, and Pete Carroll? And then it looked like, okay, this year they finally got enough talent, he's just going to make the playoffs because he has the quarterback. Well, what happened down the stretch? Who did he run into? Sean McVeigh and Kyle Shanahan. What happened?

He got worked. And you can say, well, Johnny didn't have his quarterback. Neither did McVeigh. He rolled out a dude from the AAF. How about Kyle Shanahan the week before? Who'd he roll out? Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Bosa? No.

He rolled out CJ Bethard. And a bunch of guys you've never seen or heard of. Because the 49ers led the league and guys on injured reserve. And salary cap allocated money that was not playing. And they kicked his ass. So listen. Like, I remember Colin saying this about like Bakers and the Johnny Menzelles. When someone tells you who they are, listen, when a coach's resume is on display,

read it. How did we expect this guy who couldn't have success in the Big 12, again, where Mike Leach had had a lot of success? And I'm not talking about winning 12 games and competing for the playoffs. I'm just talking about winning 9 or 10. Couldn't win more than 7. was going to come to the NFL in one of the toughest divisions in football and win? And then he hires Vance Joseph? I go, I don't know.

I don't see it. Made me sweat for a little bit earlier this year, but his true colors came through. And he got throttled when it mattered most. Because the reality is with Cliff Kingsbury, his ethos, what he stands for as a play caller, his offense is soft. Do you know what happened to soft teams and soft offenses

when it comes to nut cutting time when it comes to big games? You get pushed around. You know what the Rams and Niners kind of their standard is? Physicality. And the Cardinals and the Cliff Kingsbury are out of the playoffs

and Mr. Trubisky's in over them. And then the John Gruden Award just goes to John Gruden. He makes a hundred million, signs a hundred million dollar contract three years in, not even close to the playoffs. It really is one of the most overhyped, great media creations we've ever seen. And he deserves a lot of credit for this.

He created it. But the buzz when the Raider signed him, and I gave credit to, because I'm like, God, this guy's got to be good. Been watching Monday Night Football, all this money, everyone's been trying to hire him forever. And just the way we work now, I'd forgotten about Tampa. And then he started diving in the numbers. Like, God, pretty ugly in Tampa down the time.

the stretch. And then you hear some of the players come out that played for him in Tampa. You're like, yeah, asshole. It's not fun to be there. And you go, well, he's changed, he's matured. He's going to kill it. Raiders finished 8 and 8 because they had a walk-off two-point conversion against the Broncos. And he would have needed 11 games to get in the playoffs. So it's not like he missed the playoffs by one game. He's not Joe Judge complaining that he should have been in the playoffs at six wins when 7 gets in. He went 8 and 8 in. He went 8 and 8 in the 7. He went 8 and the Seed won 11 games and kicked his ass. John Gruden is, in my lifetime, when I just factor in the hype slash the money,

I don't know if we've ever seen anything quite like this. Now, I know people that have been around it, they like him, I think he works hard, I think he's trying. I just don't think he's that good. I don't think he's that good, and he's the grand poobah, he has all the control. The defense sucking, and it is awful, is his heart. fault. Like part of the defense with Andy Reed or Sean Payton or the offense with Pete Carroll, that's

on them. They are the boss. When you make $10 million plus dollars and you run the franchise, every player on that roster you pick, it's on you. So you don't just, well, the offense is good. Who cares? Your team isn't. John Gruden, man.

We're just going to call it the John Gruden overhyped. award goes to John Gruden. Okay, let's dive into the Middilkopf mailbag. At John Middilkopf is the Instagram. I'm going to try every day, too, to put up a little content. I put up initial thoughts on the playoffs up there on Monday. Every day I'll just put a video up, you know, probably between two to five minutes. Just as my old Boston radio, who was really good, who got me started in this, the media,

you know, talking for a living. You know, talk about what you're hot on. Like what you're excited about. So whatever I'm excited about on that given day, I'll throw it up there. Today I just talked all six playoff games, the first thing that came to my mind. And really quick, before we get into the middle coffee mailbag,

I don't think I've really touched on this, but the dolphins have a potential problem on their hands. And we all know that. Like, Tua was bad again. They used the fifth pick in the draft on them. Their team is good. They just won 10 games. Their coach is good.

But they have a quarterback. question, right? They have the third pick in the draft. The third pick in the draft because of the Houston, Texas. That's a great trade. There's nothing like winning 10 games and also having third pick in the draft. The problem is,

what do they do with Tua? To me, if you traded Tua, you would not get a first round pick. So you're going to trade them the next year for like a second round pick, like the way the Cardinals did with Josh Rosen? That's tough. You know, it really

is. I mean, look at the Cardinals. They don't really have that much to show for it. I mean, Kyler is really talented. You guys know I like Kyler Murray, but not like they're going in the playoffs. So you basically just wasted a pick, or do you roll it back? But what if he's just not the guy? I don't know. I heard Dilford talk about it. I think on, like, Rosillo's podcast, I would probably give it one more year and draft a couple sweet wide receivers for him. But, like, I could also talk myself into, I've seen Fitzpatrick go into these games, and the offense looks fine. It looks explosive. but he's young, he was injured.

They're in a tough predicament. You know, you can defend it all you want, but Joe Burrow and Herbert did not look like him. Especially Joe Burrow, his team wasn't very good. Herbert, you can argue his team had a bunch of talent. True. Physically, he's on a different world than him. Like, if they could have a do-over,

the do-over would be pretty clear. The problem is if there was a do-over and you could redo the draft, Justin Herbert, if Burrow does still go one, Herbert's going too. You'd have to trade up to get Justin Herbert. I have a million questions about the Eagles, but I'll do rapid fire.

Kind of already touched on that, so. Do we trade up to the dolphins pick to take Zach Wilson or Fields? What kind of value would we get in return for Wentz and Hertz? Think we could get a late first from the Steelers, Saints, or Bucks for Hertz? Comma, Wentz. Yeah, you would not get a first-round pick for Hertz.

Doubt you'd even get a second, because he's already going into a second year, so he's only got three years left under that rookie contract. To me, whence you're getting a first round pick, even given the situation. But I do think it's gotten a little weird, as I mentioned earlier. You know, some of his just character would be too strong, but he's viewed as his high character guy,

yet all these leaks are coming out that he's not happy, that he wants to trade. And I know it didn't come from, quote, unquote, his mouth. Shefter doesn't miss. And everything has been slanted in his side. It's not like the Eagles are trying to fuck them, right? They're not trying to badmouth them. They want to figure this situation out. They're paying them all this money.

I got some questions on Carson Wentz, man. Obviously, the player is terrible right now, but the person, like, shit happens. You know, we've seen some low moments for guys. We've seen some low moments for Philip Rivers. The year Peyton Manning won the Super Bowl, he got benched. Rogers, they just drafted a first-round quarterback.

Like, sometimes you've got to suck it up in life. No one wants to hear your... This ain't Twitter. No one gives a shit about your problems Especially when you're making a lot of money And you're not getting it done So like I'm down on Carson Wentz right now man I text some people around the league

They're just like ugh And I'm pro the player I still am a believer in the player You just got to figure it out To me we gotta have We might need a Doug Peterson Howie Roseman Jeffrey Lurie Carson Wentz Kind of come to Jesus moment

Maybe give it a month to simmer down But maybe in February We all get together at the NovaCare complex and just talk out some of our problems because we need to get this figured out and we can't be going to the, I almost said the papers, chester,

we need to have a legitimate man-to-man, grown-up business, we're in a business partnership, we need to have a real conversation here. You know, we're not all on the same page. You're not playing well. You can get mad at me for not GMing well or me not coaching well.

And maybe Jeffrey Lurie, who I've been told, viewed Carson-Winz like a son, We need to figure this out You can't get all worked up over Jalen freaking hurts Second round pick You just threw for 75 yards in a game against Washington Excuse me 72 So that to me

I'm not how he ain't coming to me for advice But I and listen I don't know all the details of the situation This is just from 3,000 miles away I have not asked one question It's just too too odd button of an issue for me to get involved. But I know enough.

You know, I got my birdies. I probably know a little more than I'm acting like. But we need a legitimate meeting. Every once in a while as when you're growing up and you're screwing up as a kid and trust me I did, I had some knock down dragouts

where I had to sit down with my parents. You get older, you get in real relationships with friends. Sometimes you have to have a business partner. You need to sit it out and talk it out. clearly with relationships, your wife, serious girlfriends, that happens a lot. They are healthy. Now, they're not fun to walk into that room for, but it is a healthy situation to talk it out.

And the Eagles I know, there's no passive aggressive with the Eagles, especially Howie. Like, you talk about it. So I, they need to get on the same page quick. My question, as a lifelong Browns fan and us facing the Steelers in the Wild Card, I see our glaring as does everyone else being our secondary. It's early, but who should we be targeting in the draft to shore that up? That's a good question. I can't even pretend to know the DB draft.

I think sometimes taking DBs in the first round, especially with the Browns you're going to be drafted in the 20s, can be hit or miss. Like you can find, especially in the scheme that they run, the Seattle scheme that came over from San Francisco and just kind of everyone's running, you can find zone corners. You don't need to find, like, Denzel Ward,

and you know better than me how good of a season he has, but you can find, like, the Chargers did this years ago with Casey Hayward. I mean, Richard Truman was found in the fifth round. So I think you can just be smart and find good deals in, like, the second, third, and fourth round on players like that. Because you're not going to be drafting high enough

to get like some can't miss guy. Sometimes when you draft corners in like the late first round, it doesn't turn out well. I'm the bigger believer in like the second and third round, especially in that scheme. I would keep building the lines, offense and defensive line. That's where you win.

Protect Baker. I draft another offensive lineman, you know, or a defensive lineman. Get Miles help. We can. We can find DBs. Love the show, found your feed on Collins. Never, lifelong Niners fan from Oregon.

Never bought into Jimmy G. Hurt often and doesn't seem to have, quote, it. Of a Wilson-Dashon, even Kyler. I'd pump the brakes on Kyler a little. I put him in the category of Maddie Ice, Cousins, and Goff. Matty Ice did win an MVP, but I hear you. When everything is on schedule, they're fine and will win a ton of games. True.

Thus, the stupid stat Colin always falls back on about Shanahan's always winning percentage with or without Jimmy G. but the lack of athleticism intangibles to put a team on their back and make the play in the biggest spots as well as shown. I would bet my entire savings against any of those guys ever winning a Super Bowl as a starter. Maybe in years past, but not in today's game when quarterback is so critical to a team's success.

I would tend to agree. Don't get why some GMs can't see that. Why don't more teams just take a gamble on one of these athletic college guys? Even as a bust, they could be a good game manager as Jimmy and if they hit you got a Buffalo situation. Thanks. I hear what you're saying. I think the problem is, one, when you have like Gough or Cousins or Matt at Ryan, you're guaranteeing them like $100 million. You're stuck with them. So the moment you cut that check, you're on the hook, you know, when I guarantee you $100 million, just look at

it basically like three years of $30 million. Minimum, right? It's a little more. Three years at like $33 million. I mean, it's not that just basic, but that's like you're stuck with a guy for three years. Jimmy technically they can get away from. Like, where I stand on Jimmy Garoppel, and we talk a lot about it on my other podcast, Haberman of Middilcoff, I don't think Jimmy's back with the 49ers. I think his career with the 49ers is over. I've heard different things.

I'm not going to say it on record because I can't confirm whether. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal. but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year.

Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, 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 where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. American soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming. Ramers sending on to Ernie Stewart the chip. I'm Tad Ramos.

I'm Tom Boe. On our podcast, inside American soccer, you'll get the real storylines. I'm not worried about Policic. I'm not worried about Balligan. I'm not worried about McKinney. My only concern is what happens in the back. The biggest decisions. If you're going to look at stats and numbers,

he has no shot at making this World Cup team. and the truth about the U.S. national team. It wouldn't be a huge surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals or potentially a great run into the semifinals. The World Cup is almost here. Experience it all with us. Listen to Inside American Soccer with Tom Bogart and Tab Ramos and the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcast.

What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano, and our podcast's Point Game is about defining the odds. Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and Austin Reed. and finding ways to win no matter what. He's the smartest player to ever play the game. His IQ is at a level that we've never seen before. And he knows. Without Luca and Austin Reeves, I got to manipulate the game.

We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the playoffs. I think Joker's going to be exhausted this series because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup, he has to really guard guys like Nas Reid. He has to guard Julius Randall. And then he has to give us everything he gives us on the night-to-night basis on offense. And when IT's friends stopped by, like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too.

Steve Nash would get that thing. That man, hell get the flying. He run up the court, licking his fingers why he got the ball. Like, after you go through a training camp with that, Isaiah, you figure it out real quick. Get your ass up and down the court, and you're going to get the ball. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

It's true. But I'm pretty confident. I mean, they've been open. They're going to be looking. And I think last year, Jimmy got the benefit of the doubt. They really liked Jimmy. That's why when Tom Brady said, Kyle, I will join your team, they said no. They told Tom Brady no.

And fucking idiots like me were like, yeah, it was a right decision. I thought it was the right decision. Jimmy, in 2018 and 2020, so they made the Super Bowl in 2019. He did not miss a game. Well, the other two seasons in which he was under this big contract, he missed 70% of their games. 70%. So I've heard different things about the relationship with Kyle and Jimmy, but I know for a fact, having been around football coaches and football executives, when you are not available,

you are worthless. Everyone misses a game or two in the NFL. It's football. Guys get hurt. but when you miss 70% of the games over a two-year period like the Niners did not suck this year they actually are pretty good you know what their main problem was

it wasn't Bosa getting hurt it wasn't Sherman missing games it wasn't Kittle missing a bunch of games all those were problems it was Jimmy Garoppolo didn't start 10 of their football games they had to play with CJ Bethard and Nick Mullins who eventually got had to get Tommy John and they had to sign Josh Rosen if Jimmy Garoppolo just plays 16 games and listen, even if Jimmy Garoppolo's average he's way better than those guys

hell they might be 8 and 8, they're in the playoffs, they're probably 9 and 7. It can't even be, I can't, it's hard for me to describe many of you people that did not watch Nick Mullins play. I'm sure he's a great guy, he's not a very good football player. And C.J. Bethard has his issues too. Like if I gave those two guys to just most coaches,

like if Joe Judge got those two guys, he would have won one game. if Cliff Kingsbury had C.J. Bethard and Nick Mullins, they wouldn't win a game. It's really remarkable what Kyle did with those two guys. His problem, the guys are going to get hurt. It happens. But your quarterback can't miss games. Look around the league like Matt Stafford does everything he can to play. Matt Ryan does not miss time. Tom Brady does not miss games unless he has an ACL or suspended

by the league. Russell Wilson has never missed a game in his career. ever. Pat Mahomes dislocated his knee and missed two games. Deshawn Watson, it took like a shattered spleen or something for him to miss games. If my quarterback is missing time over a period, he's worthless to me. So when I hear this, like, you can't do better than Jimmy G. That acts like Jimmy G's going to play in the games.

Jimmy G for the last month, when the Niners got kicked out of the county because of these crazy politicians in California, and they had to go live in Arizona for five games. Jimmy Garoppolo took notes every game. George Kittle begged to get back on the field with a broken foot and ultimately played the last two weeks. Jimmy just took notes. Like, you tell me.

You think Kyle was like, oh, that's cool, yeah. Come on. Like, it's... Jimmy is a Niners problem right now. And I was the person on record that said, of course, you're not going to take Tom Brady's too old. I was wrong. And we're live here outside the Perez family home just waiting for the...

And there they go. Almost on time this morning. Mom is coming out the front door strong with a double-armed kid carry. Looks like Dad has the bags. Daughter is bringing up the rear. Oh, but the diaper bag wasn't closed. Dipers and toys are everywhere. Ooh, but Mom has just nailed the perfect car seat buckle for the toddler.

And now the eldest daughter who looks to be about nine or ten, has secured herself in the booster seat. Dad zips the bag closed, and they're off. Ah, but it looks like mom doesn't realize her coffee cup is still on the roof of the car, and there it goes! Oh, that's a shame. That mug was a fam favorite. Don't sweat the small stuff. Just nail the big stuff. Like making sure your kids are buckled correctly in the right seat for their age and size.

Learn more at nhtsa.gov slash the right seat. Visit nhtsa.gov slash the right seat. Brought to you by Nizza and the eighthsie. Council. Look through your children's eyes to see the true magic of a forest. It's a storybook world for them. You look and see a tree. They see the wrinkled face of a wizard with arms outstretched to the sky. They see treasure and pebbles. They see a windy path that could lead to adventure. And they see you. Their fearless guide is this fascinating world. Find a forest near you and start exploring at Discovertheforest.org. Brought to you by the United States Forest Service

and the ad council. If I could be you and you could be me for just one hour. If you could find a way to get inside each other's mind. Walk a mile in my shoes.

Walk a mile in my shoes. Walk a mile in my shoes. We've all felt left out. And for some, that feeling lasts more than a moment. We can change that. Learn how at belonging begins with us.org brought to you by the ad council.

Walk a mile in my shoes. Do you think Cam Newton could be Lamar's backup next year as RG3 clearly sucks? Love your podcast. I appreciate it. I would say yes. To me, that makes some sense. I like Trace McSorley.

I think he got hurt. Didn't he go on IR after that game? When he hurt his knee when Lamar was having the cramps slash pooping or whatever. And he hurt his knee and then Lamar ran back on the field. That was a crazy NFL moment this year. Yeah, I think Cam Newton will be my guess right now. Cam Newton, league minimum. Seattle or

Seattle or Baltimore. Greetings from El Salvador. Hola. They speak Spanish in El Salvador? I found your podcast on the Heard Channel, been a fan since. Appreciate it. I'm so frustrated since I lost $500 parlay

due to the Sunday night embarrassment of a game. Do you think the NFL should establish a rule against that type display of tanking by the Eagles? Maybe conduct detrimental to the league can be applied and can avoid this absurd Also, how can a head coach of the Eagles Keep the locker room after this? Players look so disappointed.

Shouldn't the players be disappointed? They're 4-9 and 1? Like, why wouldn't the Steelers be subject to these rules? The Steelers, did T.J. Watt play? Did Cam Hayward play? Because I know Big Ben didn't play. What the hell is the difference? Because I pulled a guy in the fourth quarter?

Like, what? I don't... Tanking, for what? The six-pick? The sixth pick is dramatically better than the ninth pick. When I can't make the playoffs, am I supposed to just play hard because someone else? It is not my problem.

And I'd be pissed too if I lost a parley. But it's not my problem what happens to other teams. It's just not. Like I said earlier, it's not your issue, unless it's like your parents, maybe, what other people do, like, the way their relationship is. You can't worry about other people. It's not any team's issue

What other teams record Like that's not the fucking Eagles problem That is strictly on the Giants Who won six games Quick question About Mahomes and the Chiefs As a lifelong Chiefs fan Who went through mostly inept quarterbacks

I was ecstatic when we traded up and took a quarterback However My initial thought was why didn't we take Deshawn Who was a monster in college Mahomes went to the perfect situation with Andy the weapons, and a chance to sit behind Alex Smith for a year. My question is,

how much do you think of the Holmes greatness compared to Deshawn can be attributed to the chief structure versus the Texans dumps for fire? Or if they switch places, what do you think could have happened? Well, Mahomes is physically a much more gifted passer than Deshawn.

And Deshawn is a good passer. But Mahomes is like a modern-day fall. But your situation in football, just like your situation when you're like an employee, like you don't control, does dictate some of your success. If you went to work for Apple

over the last decade and you moved your way up the ranks, you're probably going to have more success that if you work for a company that went bankrupt, right? And ultimately the Texans are football equivalent of going bankrupt. They fired a coach

like four games into the season. They traded their service. second best player. J.J. Watt called everyone a quitter. So, yeah, Deshawn Watson would have won with Andy Reid, and they would have been much better than they were with Alex Smith. Now, is Deshawn Watson, do they beat the Patriots three years ago on the AFC championship

game at home? Probably not. Do they come back last year? Maybe. Maybe not. I just think Mahomes a much better player than Deshawn Watson. Deshawn Watson is really good. So Deshawn Watson would have been better off with the cheese.

Yes. And I think that Mahomes would have been excellent with the Texans. But, yeah. It can't be argued that Mahomes benefited from Andy Reed. But I do think, like, Deshaun Watson was killing it with Bill O'Brien. It's like, Sean Watson's had success. His defense sucks. What do you think is the issue with Arizona?

Like you said on the pod, the play calling is soft, and in key moments, questionable decision-making has cost us the season, and largely in my thoughts, have been the difference between us going 10 and 6, versus our current record, which is 8 and 8. What are your thoughts on what the Cardinals need to do moving forward to not be an absolute joke? Is it get rid of Kingsbury and bringing a more aggressive play caller?

Well, Kingsbury's not going anywhere, so I don't think anything's going to change. Part of the issue is when you run that offense, the offensive identity becomes who you are. So when you run a spread soft offense, what do you think you do all week? You practice it. Well, who do you practice it against?

Your own team. So there's a softness that has just created. Like, why do you think, you know, physical team, physical defenses tend to just be physical teams because they practice against a physical defense or defenses get better when they have a physical offense because they practice against them every day. There's a tone that's set with being around those guys.

And there's just, you can, you can't hide who you are. Like, if you've listened to me long enough, you get the gist of who I am. I am, I'm just, I'm me. A coach, once we see a coach, you know, get a couple years, That's who they are.

People tell you who they are, right? You just got to listen. And we just, that's Cliff. And we could argue Texas Tech's, his record there is irrelevant right now. But the same thing is happening again. So if you just base it on his career resume, like it's just one thing after another. He's not terrible. He's not Freddy Kitchens or Jim Tom Sula.

He's just not going to be, he'll always be the first. fourth best coach in this division. Always. He has no chance to not be the fourth best coach in the division. So think about that. How are you going to figure it out as a franchise or as a team when your coach is the fourth best coach in the division? I think we know the answer. It's impossible. It will not happen. You cannot overcome that. As a Giants fan, please tell me there's absolutely no chance Gettleman survives another embarrassing season if we miss the playoffs. And if he is fired, I can't imagine Judge wanting to risk his job next season with a quarterback he inherited, who just put a 10-loss season on Judge's resume.

The Giants are weird, man. They have a weird sense of loyalty. I don't know the relationship with Judge and Gettleman. They actually seem like they'd be two guys that kind of get along, kind of two guys that are like-minded, kind of old school football guys. I mean, until I read on the ticker, I am not expecting Dave Gettleman to be fired. I don't follow it.

Like if you're a Giants fan, like reading the daily stories. But to me, if he was going to get fired, when he got fired this morning? Like, what are they waiting on? So I don't expect him to get fired. And I don't necessarily know what they do at quarterback. Are they going to roll back Daniel Jones? So I think they got a problem.

Taylor actually who I just answered his Usually when I answer your question I do a little like And he said I'm trolling him So I'm gonna say answer your question On the pod See I do interact a lot On the social media channels

Okay last question Longtime listener first time DM her It's I also apologize if you have already covered this On one of your shows am I crazy to look at Jalen Hertz and see a more athletic version of DAC? Like if people think Dak can be a top 12 quarterback,

why not him in the right personnel? Also, as a DC guy, very jealous that I cannot take advantage of the E's deal you guys offer, L.O.L. Great content and keep it coming. I love my friends at ease, big time partners. I'd say DAC is a much more natural thrower of the football. I think DAC is just a much superior player.

I mean, DAC had so much success, right, when he got to the league. It became much natural to him. You know, I think Jalen is better than I thought, but you watch him. He's still pretty inaccurate. You know, I think he just, he's a better version of those who thought he might struggle, but he's still not a great version of someone that, like,

put to bed all the question marks about him coming out. You know, and the reality is with the Eagles, they did have a lot of offensive weapons. Goddard, Ertz, Rager, Alshan came back, Miles Sanders was there for a while, Boston Scott's not terrible. Like, it's not like Fulgum's good. Greg Ward, Jr., not bad.

Like, they have enough offensive weapons. And he's just, he's okay. I mean, he had some moments. The Cardinals defense is not good. The Washington defense is good. He threw for 72 yards. 72. I will end on that.

A little hour 15 podcasts. hopefully that gets you guys through the week. And 2021, we're here. So let's see how this year goes. It can't be worse than last year. Stay positive, positive vibes only. And see you guys later. Godspeed.

Get right to the romance and find the way to wow this valentines with 1,800flowers.com. From classic roses and bouquets to decadent chocolate-covered berries, gourmet treats, and more. Surprise your Valentine with 1-800flowers.com. Right now, Get the 18-stem enchanted rose medley for $3999 or upgrade to 24 red roses for $10 more. Go to 1-800flowers.com slash tune in.

That's 1-800flowers.com slash tune in. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smigel 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 IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano. It's our favorite time of the year on our podcast point game, the playoffs. We're digging into the biggest surprises of the season, and I'm looking back on some of my greatest playoff moments.

If we didn't talk ever again, I was hungry. You just understood. That's how personal it got. Wow. Then after that game seven, Marquis coming to you, he's like, you know I love you, dog. You know, it's all love. This was just playoffs. This was just basketball.

So listen to Point Game on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, I'm Deanna Maria Riva, and on my new podcast, How Hard Can It Be? I call on my Gen X squad from Ohio to Hollywood as we navigate Midlife's most fantastic BS. Unfiltered Conversations from Nass. night sweats to futas, to scheduling sex. Wait, what sex? Is it just me or does every woman my age want to look at Pinterest instead of having sex sometimes? They say we can't polish a turn, but we're sure going to try. So let's get blunt with laughs, tears, or tears of laughter. Listen to How Hard Can It Be with Diana Maria Riva on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your

podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.