The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 3 and Out - Eagles Comeback; Eli's Return; Niners/Saints Instant Classic; Chiefs/Pats; Baker, Be Quiet; CFB Playoff, Week 14 Recap

Episode Date: December 10, 2019

In this episode, Middlekauff reacts to the Eagles MNF comeback to spoil Eli Manning's return, the Niners/Saints game of the year, what to make of the Chiefs win over the Pats in Foxboro, Lamar Jackson beating Josh Allen in a showdown of young QB's, and Baker Mayfield popping off about the Browns' training staff. He also reacts to the College Playoff Final Four, NFL Week 14, and answers listener questions in Middlekauff's Mailbag. Follow John on twitter @JohnMiddlekauff and go to theherdnow.com to find the latest content. Subscribe now! 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. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo, and every episode, we're cutting through the noise,

breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headlines. And we're going straight to the source, the athletes themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear. Listen to Sports Slice on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok.

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 IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, guys? This is Clever Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Cliverts Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff. Like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker, this linebacker walks up to me. He goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her.

What? Time out. Quarterback on office blue with 42. Hey, Wreck, my mama want you to weigh better. What? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app,

Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. 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 hiring.

you just understood. That's how personal it got. Wow. Then after that game seven, Marquis come until 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.

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John Middletalc, that's me, free and out podcast, the show. It's a little later than I usually hit play because of what? Sunday night football game, which looked like a blowout, ended up being a comeback by the Eagles that went to overtime, and the birds pulled it out. You know, who would have thought on what looked like to be Eli Bannings' comeback story? He now is officially 116 and 117, so he's an under 500 quarterback. We'll dive into some thoughts on that game.

Kyle, Jimmy, Sean Payton, game of the year. A lot of thoughts there. The Chiefs and the Pats, two teams kind of trend. in different directions. Watch the Bill's Ravens game. Really, you know, have one distinguishing trait that is separating Lamar from Josh Allen right now. Baker Mayfield, dude, just figure it out.

Just be quiet for a week. I'll dive into some of the comments he had about the trainers and Odell Beckham, college football playoffs, some things I saw around the league. and then like always at John Middlecoff, Middlough mailbag, DMs wide open, slide up in it, and I will answer your questions,

same as my Twitter handle. Let's start with the Eagles. The NFC East is a debacle, and the Eagles, you know, I think we all have those years just as humans, as professionals, whatever, when shit just doesn't go our way for whatever reason.

And you're watching the Eagles, and it's just one of those years. guys are dropping like flies. They literally can't catch balls. I mean, by the end of the game, they had one wide receiver, literally one healthy wide receiver and one healthy running back.

They lose Lane Johnson, probably the best player on their team. Dudes carted off and walked back to the locker room. It felt like every other play. And they came into this game with a ton of injuries. Sometimes that happens.

Where it's just you're dealt, some years you get dealt, two aces, right? And you're like, this is going to be my year and things just go really well and sometimes they don't whether you're playing football or just live in life we've all had that happen where you just can't catch a break right and i really think and i've had a couple i've had more than most i think we can all relate to if you just keep your head up and keep swinging and handle the bad times the good times feel that much better

one and two you realize you can get out of it and the thing with the eagles this season couldn't have gone much worse. And I think this speaks to the head coach. And a little Carson, too, but definitely Doug, is that they're going to have their worst season, minus the chip little debacle, in a long time. With they were, you know,

predicted to be Super Bowl contenders, and we'll see how their division plays out. It's going to be hard for them to beat Dallas. They literally have all these injured guys. But if you go 8 and 8, when it feels like the building's on fire, like look at the Giants. The Giants are having

a season from hell and they're going to go two and 14. Like, that's what a dumpster fire looks like. The Eagles are not a dumpster fire. They're just going through rough times. Now, Carson, and I've talked, you know, at length about it, he's got some issues right now. But tonight, the first half was a debacle, but he's also playing with a couple wide receivers that he's not used to playing with.

Alshan gets hurt with, you know, at the time of recording this, I don't know the injury. DeShon's been MIA since week one. He's playing with Greg Ward, Jr. I've never heard of this guy. They're basically operating those two tight ends, like two wide receivers, because they don't really have a choice. They signed Jay Ajai two weeks ago, because, again, they don't have a choice. And Carson's working through some things.

But when you're working through some things, and you're behind the eight ball, giving the talent around you as a quarterback, that's not easy. It'd be one thing if you're like, God, you know, Carson Wentz is really shit in the bed. He can't get first downs. Deshawn's wide open, Alshon's wide open. Lane Johnson's killing everyone. Jason Peters is dominating.

That's not the case. I mean, Lane Johnson's gone. Jason Peters love the guy, but he's... This probably was last year in the NFL. I mean, a couple weeks ago, Brandon Brooks, who's widely considered the best guard in the league, had a panic attack. Now, he's had those before, but could not play in the game.

So Carson hasn't dealt with a great hand this year, and on top of that, he hasn't played well. But I think you saw today, his talent is immense. That's the man on the most. My mom could tell you that. Like his physical gifts are elite, but football's about more than just physical gifts. It's about reading defense. It's about taking something off certain throws.

It's about touch throws. It's about leading men. It's about controlling a huddle. It's about knowing your offense. It's about all these things that clearly he's still a work in progress. But I still stand by this. For all the quote-unquote work-in-progresses, I would take a work-in-progress with Carson-Wenst's talent. and they're going to need a big off-season.

They're going to need to do a lot of retooling. This was a year when, you know, the Eagles have had some weird leaks about guys, you know, talking behind players going anonymous sources. You know, you would think they would clean house a little bit and just kind of hit the reset button. You know, once upon a time, a little different. It wasn't quite the same.

But remember the crew of LOB guys and the defensive guys that didn't quite look at Russell the same way, they eventually had to hit the reset button, and it was the best thing they ever did. Now, I'm not saying that Carson Wentz is going to be as good as Russell Wilson, because Russell Wilson's turned into, I think we'd all agree,

one of the truly great players in the history of the league. But I would imagine the Eagles understand this. They have an excellent coach. Like Doug Peterson is big time, and they kept, you know, the analytics, are they going to go for two here when they're down 14? No, he's going to take a deep breath. He's trying to win the game.

He's playing a shit opponent. he's not playing the Chiefs or the Ravens where he has to worry about the math. The Giants were not going to score another point and they didn't even get close to. And you know, you got to commend the Eagles because everyone on social media, and rightfully so, including myself,

counted them out at about half time. I bet on the Giants plus nine and a half. That cashed. But for a wide, you know, for a long period of time there, probably even well into the third quarter, this thing was a wrap and they were going to lose, and they didn't. They found a way. Now, it's against the second worst team in the league,

but on primetime games against divisional opponents, you know, these games consistently are a little more difficult than they probably should be. Now, the Giants have a lot of issues. They are destined for a two-win season. Pat Schumer's surely going to get fired. But I'm going to leave this on somewhat of a positive note because I'm not going to break down Pat Schumer's game management

at the end of the game, because let's be honest, who the hell gives a good, who cares? Who gives a damn? Even Giants fans. Just fire the guy. Just blow that thing up. Get a new coach. But who, if you, unless you were an Eagle fan, was not rooting for Eli Manu tonight. And listen, I know that I'm still getting yelled at by my mom and the way I was raised by my parents growing up about just basic things in life, right? Treat people the right way. You know, the difference between right and wrong.

About just being a good person. treating people that can't do anything for you well. And I think when you see the Mannings, specifically Eli, he feels like one of the better people in the league history. And, you know, we can argue all day about his resume, and it's a polarizing resume. But he has to be one of the better guys in the league. Like, tonight I just found myself rooting for Eli Manning.

You know, when he hit a couple of those deep bombs, I jumped out of the couch. like Chattin' Eli. And, you know, personally, being a former Eagles employee, that's really my only connection to the NFC East. I hate the Giants. I really do. I can't stand their pretentious owner who kind of views himself at the top of the pedestal

like he's better than everyone else and the best player in the history of his franchise, who, you know, his personal favorite of mine, Lawrence Taylor with a crackhead. And, you know, it's just the giant way. It's just a bunch of BS and Huey. Like, you guys are no different than any other franchise. now you're one of the laughing stocks of the league. But one of the reasons you're still kind of not is because of the respect people have for Eli.

And I have a ton. You know, the two playoff runs that he had were as impressive that's ever been had in the league. I mean, he took down the 17 and 0 Patriots, the second time around those games that he had on the road against Green Bay when it was freezing cold to beat that San Francisco 49er team in the rain. And it's kind of cool that he got a couple other shots. I think you also realize watching him play.

Now, they're doing the right thing by starting, I will not call him Danny Dimes anymore. We'll just call him Daniel Jones. You got to see what the young guy has. There's no point in throwing Eli out there. But Eli's a better player than Daniel Jones. Like, Daniel Jones is useless right now. He really is.

Now, as the game went on, you see, like, Eli can't scramble around. He can't make anything happen outside if the guy's not open. You know, he's a limited player. And I hope for his own sake, hopefully maybe he can start one more game and get that record back to 500 and retire. But he will retire whether you're a fan, even if you're a cowboy fan, a Redskin fan, an Eagle fan that have had, I mean the Redskins have been irrelevant,

but the Cowboys and the Birds, who have had big-time matchups with him over the last 15 years, say what you want about him. I think everyone respects him as a human. And he's just truly one of the good guys in pro sports and had a couple cool moments tonight. It was cool to see Peyton in the house and his family. You know, it's funny. It's like Peyton's worth. Last night, a blown call changed a game.

This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending. Opinions are flying. And nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies,

and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the trial. triumphs the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered.

Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing.

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

Join me, Kear Gaines, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. What's up, guys? This is Clever Taylor the Fourth. And on my podcast, The Clifford Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff. Like being an internet famous referee.

We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker, this linebacker walks up to me. He goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Time out. Quarterback on office blue 42. Hey, rec, my mama want you to wave at her. What?

Where's she at? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to. to the Cliverts Show on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, I'm Jared Adano. You might know me as that loud guy who yells out, help on the internet.

Help! Somebody! Please! But there's so much more to me than that. I'm an actor. I'm a comedian, and recently, I've become quite the helper myself. And on my new podcast, Hope from a Hippocrat, I'll be changing lives,

helping people in need with my sage advice and thoughtful solutions. Sike! I'm a comedian. I'm not qualified to give good advice. Join me and my comedian friends as we riff, rant, recommend some of the most legally dubious advice known to man. If I'm calling you, even if you're on your phone, let it ring twice. One ring is too scary.

Cream of chicken suit. Hey, cream. Cream a chicken suit. This is Help from a Hypocrite, the worst advice from the dumbest people you know. Listen to Help from a Hypocrite as part of the MyCultura podcast network available on the IFR Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hundreds of millions of dollars. So is Eli.

And their family so famous. And they show the pictures of just the bannings and Olivia's mom and his dad and Cooper in the box. And they look no different. Now they're bigger and richer, but that any family would look like. They're on the edge of their seat. They're nervous. You know, you could see Olivia. She was like talking to someone about what should be happening.

Just kind of a cool moment for the NFL, even in a loss for Eli. 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 $39.99, 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. Look through your children's eyes to see the true magic of a forest.

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Discovertheforest.org. Brought to you by the United States Forest Service and the ad council. Adoption of teens from foster care is a topic not enough people know about and we're here to change that. I'm April Dinnwit, 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 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. Okay, let's talk about the game of the year, at least so far, which I would imagine it will be tough to top.

49ers at the Saints. And the number one thing that stood out to me is I'm not a big fan of Big 12 football. I like Lincoln Riley in Oklahoma, especially this year now that they play defense. But I like defense. and I think the consumer of the NFL likes physical defense is why in college football I've grown to like the SEC and even the Big Ten. I like watching people get hit.

I like watching people get tackled. And for a game that had, it felt like 200 points. Final score was 48 to 46. It was a very, very physical game. You know, multiple players on the Niners were lost with injury. Jared Cook was KO'd out of the game. It was a body bag game. bodies were colliding at high speeds.

And I think watching the NFL this season, I think it's been a very, very physical sport this year. You know, where a couple years ago it felt like it was getting soft. I actually think they've brought the violence back into the game. And I actually think that's a big reason why the ratings have gone back up. People like violence. They really do. It's why we were willing to pay $50 to $100 for pay-per-view fights.

I'm not even a big MMA guy, but you saw that guy. They got his lips split open. It's like, we like watching. collisions and people fight. And obviously football is organized, organized violence. It really is. But for, we'll start with the 49ers, I think the key to any good football team

to have a legitimate chance to win Super Bowls, and that's ultimately what good teams. The goal is to win Super Bowls, to win playoff games and Super Bowls. You need to be really dynamic in two areas. Your head coach and your quarterback. Now, you need skill guys, you need to have a good defense. I think you need a better situational defense in the playoffs, let alone.

I think we talk, you know, can the Chiefs win the Super Bowl this year? Of course they can. If they get good situational defense. Is anyone going to view them as the 85 bears? No. Well, the 49ers gave up, Drew Brees destroyed them. Gave up five touchdowns. And another one that he had technically running.

It was one of those where he jumps over the offensive line. But what separates the 49ers, and their defense is awesome. But the reason they won this game, and the reason they won this game, and the reason they have a chance to win at all because they have a dynamic head coach and they have a dynamic quarterback. We knew more about Kyle coming into this season. We'd seen him as a coordinator,

and that's ultimately what he is now. I mean, he's the head coach, but he still calls plays. We knew how elite he can be. We saw the Super Bowl run. They went 15 and 1. He was up 28 to 3 on Belichick. He was taking him to school. Now, could he be a great head coach?

We didn't know. The last couple years, hard to tell. Quarterbacks coming in and out. Garoplo gets hurt. This year he's proven his worth. Every single game, he does things that if you watch the 49ers, and I've watched every snap they've had this season, your jaw will hit the floor.

I can't believe he did that. And then he has a bread and butter of his offense, the zone read scheme, the play action stuff, which he kind of hangs his hat on. And then everything is built off there. But Kyle is flexing his muscles as one of the best coaches in the league. I think for the most part, a lot of people, if you followed football closely,

would have said, even before his team is now 11 and 2 at the start of the season, Kyle was highly viewed in the NFL by fans, coaches, anyone that follows the sport. I think the big question was the quarterback. And when he got traded to the team a couple years ago, remember, you guys probably don't, he didn't start the first couple weeks.

Because you've heard Matt Ryan talk about it. I know Kyle's been open about it. The offense is very complicated. to learn. There's a lot of verbiage. It's just, it's not easy. And they didn't throw Jimmy out to the wolves right away. They let him learn. And about, I think it was either three or four weeks in, they said, screw it. We're going to give him a watered down version and we're going to see what we have. And it was a complicated situation because he was about to be a free agent. And he lit the world on fire. They won six straight games. Maybe they won five straight games. And then the following year,

he tore his ACL by week three. And this year got off to a rocky start. in OTAs he wasn't that good in training camp he was abysmal there was a practice in training camp he wasn't actively trying to do this he threw five straight pick sixes and then he had a game I think it was against the Denver Broncos

in the preseason where he looked just over his head and then the season started he started a little slow but a couple of things jumped out to me immediately one his toughness can't really be argued you can pepper him and he will consistently

get back up and the other thing is how good he is to just staying in the pocket. He ain't scared. And to sustain high-level play in the NFL, you have to be a consistent pocket quarterback. Obviously, Brady, Breeze, Rogers, whatever, that's really what separates you.

Even Lamar, we'll get into a little later. For him to have a 15-year career, he's going to have to learn to be a quote-unquote pocket quarterback. Now, his running will always be an element, even with Jimmy. Like, Jimmy's a pretty good athlete. He can make plays that aren't. there and it will also cost you sometimes but that comes with the package now the thing that he's done a really good job of I'd say over the last month is cut out the really really dumb

throws because it's hard to win in this league when you're playing the best teams because most times when you're playing the best teams and you have a good team it's going to be a pretty highly contested game meaning more than likely coming down the home stretch it's going to be a one-score game and if you throw a pick in those situations or turn the ball over, you're going to lose. And Jimmy cut that out yesterday, or I guess two days ago now if you're listening. He was incredible.

The one interception he threw, hit his wide receivers in the hands. And I've seen a lot of this that he outduled Drew Breeze. He didn't outdule him. Because Drew Breeze threw five touchdowns, and he had another one on the ground. What he did, though, is he matched them. And when you're in a situation, when you're

playing Drew Breeze, and when you're playing Aaron Rogers, or you're playing Peyton Manning, or you're playing whoever the best is. And that guy is on, when you're playing the Hall of Famer and he's dialed, it's going to be hard to out-dule him. But can you just match him? Can you go toe-to-to-to-with him? And that's what Jimmy did.

I knew when Kyle's on, he can go up against anybody. Andy Reed, Sean Payton, Belichick, like, we know what he has in the back. We've seen him call plays for a decade. Like, we know he's elite at that. Now, sometimes just because you're elite play caller, ultimately you need your players to kind of come through, especially your quarterback. And Jimmy showed he could do that. in arguably top two or three hostile environment,

while the other Hall of Fame and quarterback was just shredding what many considered the top defense, depending on what metric you look at it. It's pretty inarguable any metric you look at, the Niners are top three defense in the league. Now, they were losing some guys. Sherman got banged up. D. Ford lasted about a play. I mean, he's the highest paid defensive situational pass rusher in the NFL,

and Jimmy carried him. Jimmy and Kyle carried them. And it's what you have to have. You get in those situations. There may be a playoff game where your defense wins it for you, but to win the Super Bowl, your coach and your quarterback have to be on point. When you look at all the Brady and Belichick years,

when you look at a couple years ago when Foles and Doug locked in, that's what's going to separate them. It's why when I sit here today, I think the Niners have as good as chance as any team in the league to win the Lombardi trophy. Now, you know, depending on, they could also lose, I guess if they play Dallas in the first round, they'd probably win that game. But they might not go that far. That's the crazy thing about this individual season.

There are probably eight to ten teams. I mean, probably legitimately eight teams. Niners, Saints. I throw the Packers in there, Seattle. You know, Minnesota, feeling get healthy. The Ravens, the Pats, the Chiefs, Titans, Houston. You know, teams that could just make hay come January. but I am confident in Kyle and Jimmy has a right now the way they're playing and calling plays

have just their chips are in the middle of the table. Are they going to win at all? I don't know. But I feel pretty confident they got a good shot. And when you look at the other side, Sean Payton is one of the best coaches that I've ever seen. His record speaks for itself. He's been as dominant of an offensive coach with Drew Brees for, you know, 15 years now. In these last 10 years, it took historically poor defenses to hold his offense down.

In the last couple of years, they've been dominant. But I thought yesterday, or Sunday, I keep saying yesterday because I recorded this on Monday, he was reckless. And I say it all the time. I admire people with balls. I admire aggressive people. I try to be aggressive. It's why I commend people that are aggressive coaches when they go for it.

And I think the analytical crew is trying to take credit for this. football fans have been sitting on their couch since like the 60s been telling coaches to go for it. You don't need an Excel spreadsheet to know. Like, coach, go for it. You know, this is the late in the game, let's do it. But yesterday, it was borderline stupidity. There was a personal foul penalty on a touchdown to Jared Cook.

Turns out he got knocked out. He got a concussion. Didn't come back in the game. So Sean Payton accepted it and went from the two-yard line. Instead of kicking the extra point, he went from the two to the one. It was like, okay. I get it. And he didn't run like, you know,

Alvin Kamara up the gut. He didn't throw a quick slant to Michael Thomas. He ran an end-round to Taysam Hill. And he got caught and he didn't score touch. And they were up 13 to 7. And ultimately the Niners won by, it ultimately didn't cost him in the game. But it didn't really make sense.

Like, what are you doing here? But his biggest snafu was he went for it late in the game. They were down two at the time. and he kicked, or excuse me, instead of running a punt, just punting and trying to pin the Niners, whose offense was sputtering, he called a deep go route for Tason Hill to throw. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened.

That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. go straight to the source, the athlete themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports

Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slic Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Keer Games. And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark.

Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. and we're still chasing it and we don't know when we've done enough because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person

while you hear on earth? Are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing,

growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast. Learn the hard way. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the hard way and listen now. What's up, guys? This is Clivert Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Cliverts show,

I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff. Like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker, this linebacker walks up to me. He goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? My mom.

Quarterback on office blue with 42. Hey, rec, mom. I want you to wave at her. What? Where's she at? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Cliverts show on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

Hey, I'm Jared Adano. You might know me as that loud guy who yells out, help on the internet. Help! Somebody! Please! But there's so much more to me than that. I'm an actor.

I'm a comedian. And recently, I've become quite the helper myself. And on my new podcast, hope from a hypocrite, I'll be changing lives, helping people in need with my sage advice and thoughtful solutions. Sike, I'm a comedian. I'm not qualified to give good advice. Join me and my comedian friends as we riff rant and recommend some of the most legally dubious advice known to man. If I'm calling you, even if you're on your phone, let it ring twice. One ring is too scary.

Oh, cream a chicken suit. Hey, cream. Cream of chicken suit. This is Help from a Hypocrite, the worst advice from the dumbest people you know. Listen to Help from Hypocrite as part of the Mike Coultera podcast network available on the IHartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. ...to his gunner. Now, the thing on punt is the guy defending the gunner, you know, the corner on the outside. There's usually two of them if you double team the gunner.

But in this situation, there was just one. he has the right to block that individual. It is not like a normal offensive play because he thinks the ball is being punted. And the 49ers defender is a backup guy number 33, put on a clinic of blocking the guy out of bounds. Like you see a lot of times on punt. And Taysam Hill throws this go route

that ends up going out of bounds and Sean Payton's losing his mind. And of course the referees did not throw a penalty. It was a punt. It turns out they faked it, but once you fake it, the offensive rules then do not apply to the other on the outside,

who was getting blocked, and the guy was putting on a clinic of just shoving the guy out of bounds. But there was no reason for them to go for it in that situation. The ebb and flow of the game was like, why don't you just punt the ball, pin them, and then try to play some defense?

Again, their defense had been playing well. Big fan of Sean Payton. Big fan of everything he stands for, his aggressive nature. Obviously, he kicks the onside kick once upon a time in the Super Bowl. But in that situation, in that game, this wasn't just some random game in October. This was a game on December 8th where whoever wins this game is going to be the driver's seat for the number one overall seed. I just didn't understand it. It made no sense.

Again, there's a big difference in the world that I live in on being aggressive and being reckless. And I don't know necessarily either one of those two plays ended up costing the game because they had the lead with 53 seconds left. But John Payton was reckless in this game and, you know, he's got to be kicking himself a little bit

these last couple days since that game because he could have been better. 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 bear gourmet treats and more. Surprise your Valentine with 1800flowers.com.

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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 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 Nitsa 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 and. 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 it belonging begins with us.org. Brought to you by the ad council. Walk a mile in my shoes. Okay, let's dive into Chiefs, Pats. Start with the Chiefs. One thing hit me watching the Chiefs game. Probably more than ever.

I mean, I obviously watch all their games and root for them to win. I actually had money on the Chiefs. So it didn't bother me that Jerome Boger had a rough day at the office. But it really hit me watching Mahomes this week. Why Andy Reed was probably one of the only coaches

to truly really like him coming out of college. I thought he was a top 10 pick. Because you know what Mahomes is? We've used this comparison before to Steph Curry. But it's not Steph Curry because he's just he's making throws we've never seen. We have. Brett Far have did it. It's more just the way he plays.

Like Steph Curry, they're kind of artists. They don't, they're not exactly, you wouldn't send on a teach tape to young quarterbacks. Like, he's not Mr. Fundamentally Sound, and I bet sometimes he drives Andy crazy. And really Kelsey and Tyree Kill kind of fall under that mode too. They just, there are elements of their games that you can't really coach, and you don't really want to coach out of it.

Like, I'm watching my homes. Someone sent me a DM that said, you know, I'm noticing him kind of float in the pocket and not always be consistent with his footwork. Yeah, that's kind of him right now. But it's not actually a bad thing because he's able to make some of his most remarkable plays kind of do it in his own way. Now, as he gets older, they need to really kind of hone in on that because your arm, you know, when you're 35, he's not going to be throwing it like he's throwing it now at 23 years old. but I also think you had to let him be him. And same with Kelsey.

On Kelsey's fumble, he caught a first down, came back behind the sticks, and tried to run around the guy ultimately got tackled and actually should have probably been a touchdown. Tyra Kiel does a lot of the same things. And I think it speaks to Andy's greatness as an offensive guy. You kind of have to let your players, as long as they're functioning within your offense, be them.

and Mahomes right now is not Mr. Fundamentals because he's leaving pockets, he's kind of, sometimes he'll just start backpedaling and there's no reason to backpedal. Now, he can get away with it. For a long period of time, Aaron Rogers got away with it because his arm was elite, because he's in the peak of his physical powers. But watching them yesterday, they have three players that when they are on are going to be better than any players you have on the field.

obviously Mahomes and he wasn't even on yesterday but just his talent is immense Kelsey beside Kittle is clearly the second you know the elite of the elite in Tyree Kill there's not a player like him so if their defense who honey badger as I was texting with the buddy in the league a couple weeks ago he's one of the rare character rejects coming out of college meaning the majority of the league probably had him off the draft board who has you know seven eight years later become one of the Best leaders and higher character guys in the league. Like, boom, everywhere he goes, team captain.

Larry Fitzgerald once said he was the heart and soul of the Cardinals, goes to the Texans team captain, goes to the Chief's team captain. Chris Jones is one of the more talented players in the league, and Frank Clark's kind of coming on. So they have difference makers on offense, which with a great quarterback. They have playoff experience. They've been making the playoffs every year for years. And hell, they were an off-sides away last year from going to the Super Bowl.

They got some guys on defense this year, and they are playing better. Now, I'm not going to judge them too much against that team just because of how shitty the Patriots have been playing. But I'm bullish right now on the Chiefs. I think they're playing their best football at the right time. They're trending in the right direction. I think officially yesterday with the Raiders winning, they won the division. Of course, they were never going to not win that division. But we'll just see how it plays out with the paths,

and the Texans and the Titans kind of coming down this home stretch. If they drop some more games, when all the dust settles, Don't be shocked if the Chiefs have a, you know, a home field buy in week one of the playoffs. And I just, they would terrify me because when Mahomes on, he's as good as anybody. Like I said, Kelsey, Tyree Kill, Honey Badger, Chris Jones, Frank Clark. They got difference makers. I'm telling you, this would have been crazy to say a couple weeks ago because they were losing a bunch of games. But I think they're back to being a super bowl, a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

And then the Patriots. I think there's two ways to look at it. one, they got legitimate issues. They can't run the ball. Sony Michelle looks terrible. The offensive line can't block for Tom. Tom obviously doesn't move that well, despite his one of his great scrambles ever.

But, you know, do I think Tom is quote-unquote slipping? Not necessarily. I just think they legitimately can't block for him. And he's a statute. So if you can't block for him and guys aren't open, the offense is screwed. They have one legit receiver, and it's a slot guy.

Now, Julian is one of the great champions, one of the great clutch performers in recent memory, but they're depending on an undrafted free agent and another first rounder who hasn't really played all season. But I also think this. And like the Warriors last year when Kevin Durant went out, I wrote them off, everyone wrote them off. And then they broke the Houston Rockets and kind of ended the franchise. If you follow the NBA, you've seen the Rockets are a dumpster fire. You know, Daryl complains and wines and leaks every other week. Mike D'Antone's going to get fired.

Russell Westbrook is playing the worst basketball of his career. Their franchise is just trending in the wrong direction. Now, the Pats, I don't know, the Rockets were the number one contender for the Warriors, and they were mental midgets. So the Warriors were just mentally stronger and broke them. When you look at the Pats, you go, well, the Ravens are going to be pretty mentally strong. We've seen the Chiefs, like, they're not going to, you might beat them, but they're not going to mentally tap out.

but I know this to beat the Pats and I no longer think and I've said this for the last probably four or five years I would have picked the Pats to win the Super Bowl when the playoffs started. I'm not going to do that this year. I don't necessarily, as I sit here right now recording this,

I don't feel confident about one given team going to win the Super Bowl. I actually think that's what makes this season in the NFL great is a handful of teams feel very confident they can win it all and a big reason is because the Pats are vulnerable. But when the Pats lose,

if you look at it like an action movie, they're going to die, but they're going to take out a lot of people. And if you beat them, they're going to make you earn it. They might, I don't know what's going to happen, but you will sweat out that playoff game.

In Foxborough, away from Foxborough, wherever it is, I'm not just acting like they're going to get blown out in a playoff game. I just can't see it. They have too many good players. They still have too good of a defense. I mean, Tom's just been through the ringer

for 20 plus years. I just think if they're, there's a will, there's a way that they'll keep it close. But I'm as big of a borderline Pats Homer as there is for someone that's not a Patriot fan, just of respect of Belichick, of respect of their operation. If you like football, if you like success, I mean, I just don't see how you couldn't admire what they've done. But there's no way around it that something is really, really off.

But I just think everyone's bearing them thinking like they'll just going to be some one and done in the playoff or someone's going to beat them by 20 points. I have a hard time seeing that happen. Then on the story that broke today about the filming in the press box, I can just go off the information that I've read. I just know this. And Belichick denied it. He claims he has nothing to do with it.

If you were going to film an opponent, one, I can't imagine Belichick's that worried about the Bengals. Two, you would not send him to the press box. And the dude was in the press box. For those of you listening that have never been to a press box, it's all media people who clearly if you follow football whoever your team is you're following all your team's media they tweet about everything that's going on you would not send a guy in a patriot uniform and that's what he was in he was a patriot credentialed employee in the press box

filming different things like that that to me just does not add up like the patriots and listen I won't deny that the patriots have done some shady shit in the past but that's just stupidity so I do believe bellichick yeah I have nothing to do with this because if he was going to do something, he would not send that guy to the press box. I don't know where we'd send him. I don't know how he'd get on the field for a game that wasn't their own game. I don't even think they would attempt to do that. So it's just, it doesn't quite add up to me.

Maybe you'd buy a ticket. Send him, you know, put him in the actual stance and then he could pull out a camera. You would not send him to the press box. Too many people to see. Too many Twitter followers in there did someone to turn you in. It just does not add up. I'm not admonishing and acting like the Patriots have no blood on their hands over the years. Like, some weird things have happened.

But this one, it just doesn't quite add up. Okay, let's dive into the Bills and the Ravens game. And listen, the Ravens are 11 and 2. They beat the Niners. They beat the Patriots. They're more than likely going to have the number one seed in the AFC. And if you're doing power rankings right now, you know, I think you would have to put them in number one. but as I said last week, after they played the Niners,

Lamar Jackson is unreal as a runner. He's like Barry Sanders. But he's throwing for like 100 to 150 yards a game. Let's not act like he's Mahomes or Watson or, you know, what Jimmy and Breeze, a huge part of his game is running. And rightfully so, he's one of the great running quarterbacks we've ever seen. The dude can't be, you can't catch him.

You could put him in a phone booth and you might not be able to touch him. him. And I didn't like Lamar Jackson and I didn't like Josh Allen coming out. And I say it all the time. I'll get into Baker here in a minute. I love Baker coming out. But the moment I start thinking you're a sloppy, and that's what I think Baker is, I don't really root for you, especially when I don't think you're that good of a player anymore. I'm not in love with the way Lamar Jackson plays as a 10-year project. Can you win the Super Bowl with him this year? Yes. You know, is it going to be a little more challenging than I think the casual football fan thinks. 1,000% because for them to win the Super Bowl, he's going to have to consistently win

more than likely on 3rd and 5 plus. That's usually what it comes down to in the playoffs, late in games. Now, he's proven he's much more accurate than I ever thought. But the reason I didn't like Lamar Jackson coming out of college, because I don't really like running quarterbacks. I want my quarterback to win throwing the ball. Now, I like athletic quarterbacks like Russell Wilson, but Russell Wilson hangs his hat on throwing the ball. But the more you get to know Lamar Jackson as a person, that's what happens when you come in an NFL star.

I'm like, this guy's a badass. Nobody cares, work harder. I love that shirt. I just love everything he stands for. He doesn't complain. He's always positive. He's everything if my unborn son, I'd say, I want you to be like this guy. So what you have flaws, so what people are talking shit?

Don't be, no victim mentality. That's a problem just in America. Lamar Jackson, no victim mentality with him. We're just going to get the job done. And you know what? All he's been doing is getting the job done. Same thing with Josh Allen, who I hated even way more than Lamar Jackson

because he was very inaccurate. But you follow him on social media. He's just a likable guy. You're rooting for him. I'd say the biggest difference between the two players because both of them are playing on. They got high-level coaches. Obviously, John is more accomplished than Sean.

But it's, if you were, watch football, Sean McDermott knows what the hell he's doing. The Buffalo Bills clearly have an identity. Tough football team, defensive football team, they're good and they're going to be good for a while. But Washington, you know what the difference in this game was? It wasn't even really Lamar's running. It was when he had layup throws, intermediate and deep, and for the most part, he wasn't throwing that deep. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you, exactly what happened. That's where SportsSlice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting

through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsLice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok.

Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host and your favorite therapist, Kier Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking. Trip Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it.

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

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

What's up, guys? This is Clivert Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Cliverts Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff, like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker walks up to me, he goes, Hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What?

Time out. Quarterback on office blue of 42. Hey, rep, my mama wants you to wave at her. What? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clifford show on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, it's Edwin Castro, also known as Castro 1021,

And I'm Kunky, his best friend, and business manager. And we've got a new show called The 1021 Podcast. I'm taking you behind the scenes on how I became one of Twitch's most popular streamers. We also love sports. And with the World Cup right around the corner, we'll be breaking down the biggest storylines ahead of the big tournament here in the USA. Listen to the 1021 podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Just intermediate. He hit him. When guy was open and he had to throw the ball 15 plus yards, and that's where he is behind the line of scrimmage down the field, he was hitting guys, or at least giving them a chance. I'm watching Josh Allen going, listen, I want to root for the bills. They're a fun story. I've known Sean McDermott.

When I first got in the league, he was our defensive coordinator with the Eagles. He's just a high-level guy, really, really impressive. I'm just not sure Josh Allen, at this point in time. Now, guys improve. so I'm done writing off guys that are high character guys, smart guys that have the talent are going to work hard. Now, it doesn't mean they're all going to

maximize their ability, but you just, you got to keep an eye on those guys because they can prove you wrong. So I'm not writing Josh Allenoff, but he just can't hit pretty basic throws. And then some of the tough throws down the field, he's not even close. And that's the biggest area of improvement for Lamar Jackson is,

yeah, he's going to miss. some passes, just way off the mark. But he's also going to hit a lot of pretty basic ones. And if you do the basic things in life and whatever your profession is consistently well, you're going to be ahead of the curve. Because most people can't be consistent with the basic stuff, let alone the really hard stuff, which Lamar and Josh have the physical capabilities to do. Lamar is an elite runner.

So is Josh. There was a play late in that game where the Ravens said like an all-out blitz. Josh has like two three-60s in the pockets avoids two linebackers and a defensive lineman and gets the ball off. It was just remarkable. Like only him, Lamar, like Russell Wilson, and maybe like Carson Wentz could have pulled that play off.

But when he has no, when he has time in the pocket, and he's just sitting there and he has a guy, and he's not thrown to Jerry Rice and Julio Jones, but he just can't hit balls. And honestly, yesterday, or Sunday, I keep saying yesterday, I'm recording this. on Monday. It wasn't even that close. He was killing him. He was awful.

Because the Ravens were down, a touchdown late in the game. They still had a shot. But he's just not quite good enough. Now, you know, back when I had a radio show, we interviewed Warren Moon, and he was the one guy who said, I believe that you can improve accuracy because he did. He's like, when I was in college, I didn't feel I was accurate,

and as I went on through my career, I kept getting better at it. Now, I worked really hard at it, but I kept getting a lot better at it. And by the end of his career, he's a Hall of Famer. Josh Allen has a lot of work to do because he just, it feels to me like he just has some innate flaws. Like there's just a touch factor. Like, as a golfer, I don't have much touch. And, you know, I work on it a little bit. I just don't have much. And there is a touch like Drew Breeze had touch from probably the moment he was 12. Like, there is, now you can work on it. You can definitely improve it. But I think the baseline of where he's starting, because

clearly Lamar, Lamar's got some touch. His problem is when he tries to let it rip on like a 10-yard ball and get away from him, but actually a lot of his little lob passes or even just deep passes that he's not necessarily trying to throw 100 miles an hour, but just put a little air under it. He's not bad at those at all. Where Josh Allen is more missed than hit. And that would be the biggest thing concerning when you look at big picture. Because Lamar has to get better.

you know, third and long. You know, you just watch them. Maybe the stats tell me I'm wrong. I just know what I've watched. Balls fly all over on him. But he's hitting a lot of basic passes and then he's making remarkable runs. To me, Josh, against really good teams,

obviously against the Patriots earlier than the season, it was a disaster. Against the Ravens, especially early in that game, he kind of put their team behind the eight ball being all over the map. And that's just something as his career progresses just to keep an eye on, because he's a little bit of a spray shot right now. I'm not exactly sure he knows where it's going.

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. 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 through 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, let's dive into Baker Mayfield. And I can just speak for men, but there's a reason we're always

apologizing. We do dumb things. But when you get into a professional setting and you're the number one overall draft pick and you're the quarterback, you shouldn't always be having to apologize for dumb things. And Baker now, like on his third time, this season has had to apologize through Twitter after something he said.

And there's two numbers that really stand out to me on Baker Mayfield. 15 touchdowns six interceptions. He's been a below average player this year. Bottom line, period, end of story. Even a diehard Browns fan would tell you, he's been underwhelming. I'm a fan of Baker Mayfield, or at least I was coming out. I had no problem with him going number one. I thought his comparison coming out of the draft was the next Drew Breeze.

I used to tell Colin, I just think I told it to him on a show. I was like, I think you're being a little harsh on him. But the one thing Colin nailed is your decision making off the field usually leads to bad decision making on the field. And let's use James, a guy that, again, another player that I've personally kind of liked. But the moment he had that incident with the Uber driver, Right, at Florida State, it was multiple things. And then he did the thing in the quad about screaming, you know, the kitty cat word.

And then he has the Uber driver incident. I'm like, I'm out. I am out. And it does feel like he's matured a little bit, but his decision making is consistently the worst in the NFL. Now, he overcomes it because he throws a lot of touchdowns. He might be, remember back when I was growing up, if you were a 30-30 guy, If you were a 40-40 guy in baseball, 40 bombs, 40 stolen bases, you were like Barry Bonds, Jose Konseco, you were an elite player. 30-30 wasn't bad either. He might be a 30-30 guy this year,

30 touchdowns 30 picks. My thing with Baker, and this is where Colin was dead on, was like his decision-making and just his actions were questionable off the field. And usually that leads to questionable actions on the field. His situation hasn't been as bad as a player. It's more as a leader. He's constantly popping off about dumb things. After the game on Sunday, after, it's abundantly clear. O'Dell Beckham is going to demand to trade this offseason. He will be a one and done Cleveland Brown. I would bet $500 on that.

Now, I guess I might lose the bet because John Dorsey might refuse to trade him. That's the difference between the NFL and the NBA. If you demand a trade in the NBA, you get traded. In the NFL, it's a little dice here. But I think he's going to want out. You know, he has career lows in basically every metric. It's just not worked out. It just has not worked out.

And this is another element. Collins nailed. Odo Beckham is a rock star. He's not meant for Cleveland. The major difference, you'd be like, well, LeBron played in Cleveland. Yeah, there's a reason the NBA's in bed with the commies in China. You know, they need those revenue streams because it's a worldwide sport. And they're in bed with some bad people.

You know, they got to do what they got to do for the rev stream. In football, this is domestic. And there's a reason O'Dell Beckham became such a big deal. He was in New York City. O'Dell Beckham would not have become O'Dell Beckham had he been playing in Cleveland Brown to start off his career. That's not an opinion, that's a fact.

So the trade demands coming. And let's even give Baker the benefit of the doubt when he pops off and saying the trainers, who, in my experience, in Division I football and in the NFL, trainers are pretty close with players. The trainers aren't out to get the players. If anything, the trainers are on their side, trying to keep them healthy. They spend a lot of time with them.

They have friendly relationships. It's a good, in my experience, and I can only speak from my experience, they have extremely healthy working relationships. So for Baker to point the finger at a hernia injury, and in my experience, when you need a sports hernia, your season's over. So this leak about O'Dell Beckham, if he had a torn growing, he'd be out for the season. It doesn't quite add up.

Is he banged up? Clearly he is. But for Baker just to act like the trainer screwed it up and they could have fixed the problem if they would have handled this in training camp, something doesn't add up there. Now, maybe O'Dell told him that and he's trying to get his guys back

and he's trying to make him so he doesn't handle it, create a trade demand. I don't know. There's just, it's a hard story to kind of figure out. All I know is why does Baker keep talking and then ultimately have to eat his words and come back with apologies. This is like the third time it happens.

And every time watching the Monday Night Football game, I got three Baker-Mayfield commercials. He's got more commercials right now than wins. It's really, it's starting to bother me because he's acting like such a sloppy. He really is. I can't text one person in the NFL without them going like,

what the hell is wrong with this guy? He needs to figure it out. The organization needs to figure it out. John Dorsey picked this. guy number one overall, he can't have them fail. He staked his career on it. You draft a guy number one overall. He can't then be a sloppy and not a good player.

That reflects very poorly on you. Especially in a draft that had Lamar Jackson, even Sam Darnold that had Mono doesn't feel like his career's falling apart. Or even Josh Allen that struggles to hit water from a boat also doesn't feel like he's a bad human being. And I'm not saying Baker Mayfield's a bad human being, but he feels extremely immature right now and this NFL thing's a little big for him.

So I hope someone in Cleveland intervenes but you could argue it looks pretty clear they don't have anyone there to intervene. I mean, Freddie Kitchens is fighting for his coaching life. John Dorsey, I don't know what the hell he's doing. Jimmy Haslam probably stealing from some truckers like the Cleveland Browns right now led by their quarterback are just an immature dumpster fire.

Okay, let's get to the college football playoffs. And a couple things really stood out to me this weekend. One, a little like Eli Manning, who's not rooting for Ed Ogeron? He, you know, living in California, knowing a lot of Pact 12 people, being a Pact 12 fan myself, he was meant for Louisiana. It's easy to say, play the Monday morning quarterback. They should have kept him in L.A. Like, Ed Ogeron didn't belong at USC.

Now, is Ed Ogeron better than Clay Hilton? 1 million percent. That's not even arguable at this point. But, you know, it's weird. The football gods, he belonged as the head coach at LSU. And he now has an opportunity if he can run the table to be an absolute legend where he's from. And football just means more in the South.

And it means a lot in California. Like, I live in Northern California, where the 49ers are one of the biggest brands in the league. Like, in SC, college football's huge. Like, it's not like football's not big out here. but it's way bigger down there. And, you know, it's just an easy guy to root for. He makes you smile when he talks.

He makes the kids smile when he talks. He's just, who's not rooting for LSU if you're not a fan of one of the other three teams? Because it's just, he's an easy guy to root for. He's got an Eli Manning type quality to him. And his team is incredible. We've said it forever. If LSU could get a quarterback, if LSU could just get a quarterback. if LSU could just get a quarterback and run a normal offense.

Well, they did two things. One, they landed a quarterback, and this guy keeps acting like he's, you know, chop liver like, like, no one believed in me. It's like, Joe, you're about to win the Heisman trophy. You went to Ohio State out of high school, and then you transferred to Louisiana State. So let's not act like you went to Cal Poly and then transferred to Reno. You know, your football life's been pretty good.

Now, you're a really good player. And he's by far the best quarterback in the country. country this year, I think, start to finish. Now, two is hurt. So this guy's healthy. He's a big time athlete. I'd say the only knock would be the arm strength. It's good, but it's not great. What I see is like the Alex Smith, and this used to be a negative thing. Think Alex Smith with the Kansas Chiefs, that's what I see Joe Burrow, like a better version of that. Big time athlete, but he'll push the ball down the field. Again, not a great arm, but he's accurate. He's really accurate. And he's a playmaker. He's a really good player. Then obviously the roster is loaded. But the number one thing

they did is they hired this guy Joe Brady, which a year ago was probably making $80,000 as an offensive assistant for the New Orleans Saints. It's amazing if you probably work in any profession. And football's a unique profession because even though there might be a lot of coaches on a coaching staff or whatever, there's still not that many. And if you're an offensive assistant, you're basically like the head coaches or offensive coordinators, secretary. And so what was Joe Brady at the Saints? He was Sean Payton's, the equivalent of secretary film breakdown guy. Can you imagine how much he learned in a two-year span working with Sean Peyton and Drew Breeze? The amount of knowledge that he got in 24 months, because it

clearly shows. And I would also imagine he was going to be a good coach, whether he went with Sean Payton or whether he went with some random coach with like the Miami Dolphins or the Washington Huskies. Wherever he ended up, he was eventually going to be good. He just happened to get with a really good coach. And it changed, you know, obviously his career forever. Because this season with LSU and Joe Brady will change this guy's career forever. So the combination of Joe Burrow and Joe Brady with Ed Ogeron, you know, these guys are

going to go down as absolute legends. And if they can win at all. They already beat Alabama. They already won the conference. They're two games away from. definitely Eddie O and Joe Burrell getting statues. The other game, and I

think Oklahoma doesn't really have a chance. The other game is pretty interesting. Ohio State, I'm not a big Ohio State guy, but I'll be the first to admit, they're one of the more talented college football teams I've ever seen. And they're absolutely loaded. They have NFL guys at every position.

I think I heard Urban Meyer tell Coward, like they got 22 NFL players. He literally means every one of their starters is going to be in the NFL. Now, a lot of them are going to be first and second round picks, but they've got a lot of like fifth, sixth, seventh rounders. That to me separates teams. Like, most top 20 teams have first rounders, right?

Now, the top ones have more first rounders. But, like, is your right guard, is he an undrafted free agent, or is he a fifth rounder? And you start stacking some of those fourth, fifth, and six rounders to go along with your first rounders. You basically have an NFL team. But I think people are sleeping on Clemson a little bit. and I looked up a number here.

I'd get their conference sucks. But they also played Texan Am. It turned out they weren't that great either, but they attempted to schedule an SEC team in non-conference. They scored 605 points this year. They only gave up 138. They have a $6.7 million head coach. They have a $2 million defensive coordinator in Venables.

They have a quarterback that is going to be the lock. Let me repeat, lock number one overall pick if he stays healthy in 2021. who's already won a national championship as a true freshman. So Ohio State is really, really talented. They have a first year head coach in Ryan Day, who, you know, people in the NFL speak highly of. He's a Chip Kelly guy. I've never met personally.

I don't really have any thoughts of. But this is his first year as a head coach, let alone he hasn't even been an offensive coordinator that long. Then his defensive coordinator was the DB coach a year ago for the Niners. Now, everyone I knew was San Francisco really liked him, people that have been around him really liked him, and clearly he's done a really good job. But I know this.

It's going to be hard for me to bet against Dabo Sweeney, who just happens to be the defending champion. And I saw that when ESPN, they put some cameras in, like, their lunchroom. After they kind of came out with the brackets, they go to Dabo Sweeney. And he's like, I just want to thank everyone in this room. It was basically all the players and the coaches. We're the first team in college football history

to start the season as the number one overall team defending champions win every game. and basically kick the crap out of everyone they play, and somehow when the dust settles in the playoffs start, we're ranked number three. So he's got a legit beef where he can look around to his team and kind of play the underdog card, and it's not BS. There is some substance to it.

So I'm not, I'm picking Clemson to upset, and technically it's not an upset. I checked the line today. They were favored. But I think people are sleeping on Clemson because their conference sucks, and that is a fact. Their conference was potentially historic,

bad. They have been really, really poor, right? Because Miami, Florida State are awful. And if those two teams are bad, the conference is going to stink even if Clemson is historically great, which they are. But Clemson destroyed everyone they played. And again, they have NFL

players just like Ohio State everywhere. They have an elite head coach and an elite defensive coordinator that have won chips. So I'm picking Clemson to beat Ohio State and I think Clemson would have every bit of a chance to beat LSU

is like Alabama has the last couple years. No, obviously not last year, but in the previous years. So I think between the top three teams, you probably have between Ohio State, LSU and Clemson, and even Oklahoma's got a lot. I would just say at the top of my head, 60 guys in that game will be in the NFL next year.

Hell, I could be low-balling it. It might even be higher. So if you like the NFL and you're not that big of a college football fan, never quite understand. It's just basically the minor leagues. You get to see who's coming, especially by the time like a month in, you kind of have an idea who's who. The college football playoffs from a talent standpoint is absolutely stacked. Okay, before we get into the middle cuff mailbag, let's just hit a couple quick things

saw around the league yesterday. The Packers, I said this after they got destroyed by the Niners, their next two games were the Giants and the Redskins. They were going to get right pretty fast. And what happens, boom, two wins. They control their own destiny for a home field buy. That is insane. Even if they lose to the Vikings, they'd only have one loss in the division

and if they end up with the same record as the Minnesota Vikings, they would be assuming that they win two of their next three. They'd be five and one in the division and they'd win the division. And depending on what happens with the Niners, Packers have the tiebreaker with the Saints. They're in pretty good shape.

Now, if they lose two, the bears get them this week. That's a different conversation, but I'm not sure they're that good. I mean, I don't think they're bad by any means. But I would be, if you told me right now that Packers won the NFC, I'd be surprised. I really would. But, you know, if they get a home game, and if somehow they win these next couple games and the Saints drop another one and the Niners in Seattle, you know, however, and they get the one seed, yeah, I mean, it's not out of the, you've got to go through Lambo. They'd be in pretty good shape.

The Panthers, they're done. They got destroyed by the Atlanta Falcons. I mean, at one point in time, in the fourth quarter, it was like 33 to 10, or 33 to 13. Just a debacle. Now, the Falcons are kind of screwed, too, even though they've won some games, you know, late in the season. Calvin Ridley's out. Truffant's out. They play the Niners this week.

Now, the Niners have a bunch of injuries, but I can't imagine the Falcons are going to come to Levi Stadium and win that game. The Lions, you know, Minnesota. got right. Of course they did. They're playing the Lions. The Lions are a joke. They traded, it's one of the great mid-season DB trades ever, the Diggs kid that Seattle has, who just every game, I mean, in that Sunday night football game, he had multiple interceptions. He makes

huge hits every game. He's just good. Who trades that guy? Especially when you suck. Somehow the Rams, I've been hard on Sean McVeigh because it's like, what is this guy doing? But that being said, he's a good coach, he's a good leader, he's a good motivator and they, I mean, they beat the limit hell out of Arizona two weeks ago. And they pretty thoroughly dominated that Sunday night game against Seattle.

Now, you know, Seattle, they run out of gas a little bit. They could afford to drop a game having that win over the Niners. But still, that was a beat down. It really was. The Raiders and Tennessee. We'll start with the Raiders. I mean, they stink. They're six and 17, but everything.

Every metric in the eye test, they're like a three or four win team. Their point differential is that of like a two or three win team. Their defense is atrociously terrible. I mean, it is. It's awful. They can't cover anybody. They can't rush the passer. Their linebackers stink.

They are just bad. And their best player, who's now hurt in Josh Jacobs, they have no chance. Derek Carr, to end the game. against the Tennessee Titans on fourth and five down 20 points. The play kind of broke down. No one was open. He scrambled. He threw the ball out of bounds on a fourth and five with the game just like ended with like three

or four minutes left. Like he should have just, I was speechless. Now, he's done that a couple times in his career, but it's indefensible. The Tennessee Titans are actually probably the hottest team in the league. I mean, they inserted Ryan Taneyhill into the starting lineup, and I think he's five and one, and their offensive. They hit big pass plays. Vrable's got a sweet mustache.

They play the Texans too of the next three weeks. I mean, they win those two games. Hell, you'll be like, God, the Titans are the three seed. Remember, they beat the Chiefs, so they got a tiebreaker there. Titans are hot, man.

You told me when all the dust settles, the Titans are 10 and 6 or the three seed? I don't think it's inconceivable. And has there been a better off-season move than the Titans acquiring Ryan Tanny Hill to have as a backup for when they benched Marriota, and they were able to go to them

and, I mean, let him to the playoffs. It's just bottom line. He got, he made a team that was dead, a playoff team. Pretty just, pretty damn remarkable. Okay, let's dive into the middle cop mailbag. What's wrong with Indy? A lot of injuries, but the core is still mostly there. In your opinion, what's their biggest hole?

When TY's out, just the playmaker situation is a problem. They just, you know, Chris Ballard, who I have a lot of respect for, you know, built a tough team, built a group kind of an overachievers. TY is their guy that's a difference maker and Mack who's been out. They're just not explosive enough on offense. And when they get into this, you know, shooting match with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,

they're just not equipped to playing games like that. It's just not who they are. With the talent the Browns have, Beckham would be the MVP of football this season with Brady on the team. Brady is not Finney. I think it's time. You cover that as well as other analysts is doing it already. Give your point of view. Should the Pat sign Brady for two more years or move on? I mean, he is 42 years old. He's by no means finished, but we do have to acknowledge he's old. He's just old and he can't really move. So when you can't block for him, they don't have wide receivers that can get open. It's just a problem. He can't make something out of nothing. Is he finished? No. And if they had Odell Beckham, it would help a lot. If the Pats had Odell Beckham, it would look a lot different than it does in Cleveland.

The Patriots also, it shows you how high the standards are, and this is kind of, this is what's cool about them in Alabama, is it's championship robust. They're really the only two programs, I think, in America. Now, maybe you could say like Duke basketball, but how many championships of Duke won the last 10 years? A couple. I mean, it's truly for Alabama or New England championship robust. And the Patriots are 10 and 3 right now.

now. I think we act like they're five and seven. Let me repeat. Ten and three. For the mailbag. Is Tanyhill a top five quarterback in the AFC right now? Well, let's think about that. AFC East.

Nobody. AFC North. Lamar. AFC South. Yeah. I mean, AFC West. Yeah, Mahom. Yeah, he's right up there. He's damn good. I'm watching against the Raiders. I mean, he's

an explosive player. I mean, that's one thing. He will push the ball down the field. They have a really good run game. I mean, Derek Henry's one of probably the more consistent players in the league right now. He's been killing it. Yeah, Tanny Hill, if you told me Tanyhill makes the pro ball, you won't find me complaining. Do we sometimes undervalue the importance of a tied end in the NFL?

When New England struggling on offense and almost every other good team that has at least one good tied-in. In Seattle, having a guy in Hollister who can make plays. Yeah, I think people in the league don't underestimate it. I think fans of good teams don't underestimate it. If you got George Kittle, if you got tonight Zach Ertz catching a couple touchdowns, if you got Travis Kelsey, you know,

if you got guys, you know, Mark Andrews and Hayden Hurst on the Ravens, obviously the Patriots would tell you how important Gronks been to them for years. So, no, I would say smart football football. people know how important it is. Quick question. John on Josh, Alan. I know you like him, and I know he's got one heck of an arm, but I don't think he can play. What do the bills do if they have the weapons, but he overthrows everyone 89% of the time? What say you free agency or maybe draft a guy that can play right away?

Well, see, that's not going to happen. They took Josh Allen seventh overall. Seventh overall. He's like a maid man in the mob. in the Bill's Mafia. I mean, he's just, he's getting four years. The ship's going down with him. And this is only year two.

So his accuracy was a problem in college. It's still a problem now. Now, that just might always be a problem, and it might be his undoing as a good NFL player. It might be the reason he never becomes a good player. He's just not accurate. I don't know how you fix it. You'd have to ask like an Andy Reader, Sean Payton.

And I think some of them would say it's not fixable, to a certain extent. So drafting guys and stuff It's not an option maybe for at least another year They're in bed with this guy Any chance the 49ers would trade for O'Dell While his stock is down? Would the Browns take pick 25 to 32 thoughts?

You know, I struggle to do that If he's going to need off-season surgery You know, I would try to somehow land a second round pick And trade him for that But I struggle to trade in a first round pick for a guy that just, and I'm an Odell Beckham fan, but he's going to get surgery. I don't know.

I need to find out more information. I guess if I win the Super Bowl and on the Niners, would I trade pick 32? I'd think about it, but would I want to trade like pick 24? I don't know. And again, I like Odell. Do you think the Browns are willing to trade him the 49er? Same question.

I mean, this is, I know Kyle really liked him. I know that for a fact that Kyle really, really liked them. Quick question. You may have already covered this and I haven't made time to listen to the pod in a while. But why is everyone so quick to say the Patriots and Brady are falling off? Maybe it's just ESPN, but it seems like everywhere I look. Also, was this week's Jimmy's solidified franchise performance in Nola? Yeah, I just think it's, again, the nature of being that good. When you're that good, when you're LeBron, when you're Alabama, when you're New England, you know, when you're the Yankees, the moment you slip up a little bit, people want to bear you. It's just because I think people are jealous as shit at the best, and people wish they were that, and they're just not.

So the Patriots, again, they're 10 and 3, and we're acting like they're drafting in the top 10. Shows you. That's a credit to Belichick and Brady. Who's my Heisman winner? It's got to be, Joe Burrell. I think he wins in a landslide. It might not even be close.

Whenever I watch the Eagles, I inevitably think of Chip. I know you think he's a guy. a slap, mainly because he's a slap. But is there anything we can really attribute definitively to him? Guys were running fast offenses before him. What did he really do that merited the slobber job

where people think he was mad genius? That's a good question. I think it was more just the consistency of the pace. He never relented. There was no take the foot off the gas. And back in college, when people weren't doing it, it caught everyone off guard. In the NFL,

no one was doing it consistently. Like the Patriots would randomly just go into that mode in different parts of the game. He did it 24-7-365. Now the problem in the NFL is when you play good defense is you're going to go three and out. So you go three-and-out and you take 15 seconds off the clock. It doesn't do anything.

I also think that he was ahead of the curve on sleep and nutrition and stuff like that. He was doing that 10-plus years ago and now obviously everyone is big on that stuff. So yeah, you know, just he was winning. I really think it's that simple. Whenever you win and he was killing people, people get interested. I also think he benefited a little bit.

The Pac-12 was down. Remember Pete Carroll got sanctions he left and then Lane and Sark. Harbaugh bounced to the Niners. Washington did not have Chris Peterson. Washington State, Mike Leach hadn't showed up yet. Oregon State was terrible. The Arizona schools. were terrible, and he kicked

the crap out of him. So, and then with the Eagles, that first year he went 10 and 6, I guess the second year he went 10 and 6, too, but it looked, I think he started that year, was it like 7 and 2, so it looked a little bit different. Who's my next pick for Monday Night Football Commentaries? That's a good question. I don't know. I don't know. I don't think Tony Romo would come to ESPN,

but I'm not sure about that. I really haven't even thought who's next, but it could not be worse than, as my guy, Brent Jones, former 49ers, tied in, said on radio in the Bay Area, I heard him one day. He's like, what do they call that guy, Lugie? They call him Lugie? You know, Haka Lugie? No, it's booger, but he was basically just, it's unlistenable,

and it really is. And luckily, we're, what is it, week 14, we only got maybe a week or two left of this crew ever. So we're almost out of the woods. Because it'll be new people. Maybe Pat McAfee, I don't know. Just anyone new. Just try something else.

For the love of God. I'm sure they're good people. But just as a consumer, we demand better. Appreciate everyone listening. Enjoy the week. And playoff football is not far away. College football playoffs are here. We've got bowl games, not far away.

Let's get it on, baby. Tell your friends about the show. Like, review it. And yeah, just enjoy the week and stay healthy and have a good one. Peace. Get right to the romance and find the way to wow this valentines with 1800flowers.com. From classic roses and bouquets to decadent chocolate-covered berries, gourmet treats, and more. Surprise your valentine with 1,800flowers.com.

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