The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 3 and Out - Free Agency Timing; Hopkins vs. Diggs Trades; Bill O GM Malpractice; Full Trade/Signing Rundown; Mailbag

Episode Date: March 17, 2020

In this episode, Middlekauff thinks the NFL's free agency period feels off in the midst of the unprecedented Coronavirus impact, and why the NFL continuing with free agency in the midst of the panic feels weird. He also runs down Bill O'Brien's GM malpractice with the DeAndre Hopkins trade, his take on the Stefon Diggs, DeForest Buckner trades, other signings on an insanely active off season day 1. He also discusses how the Coronavirus impacts QB's changing teams, why 2020 will make or break Baker Mayfield, 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 headline. 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 Clivert Taylor the Fourth. 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 Podcasts, 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 harmed. you just understood.

That's how personal it got. Wow. Then after that game seven, Mark keep coming until he's like, you know I love you, dog. You know, it's all love. This was just playoffs. This was just basketball.

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What is going on, everybody, John Middlecock, three and out podcast in the middle of Corona. I hope everyone's being safe out there quarantining. I think I have been, I have an official mandate in the Bay Area. 7 million people, we've got to quarantine. You got to stay in unless your dog needs to take a leak where you want to get a little exercise, but you've got to stay away from people. Business is shutting down, crazy freaking times.

I mean, as crazy as these last five or six days have been, I would imagine it's only going to get a little crazier. And I'll dive into just off the top some of my thoughts on the league doing this. I keep going back and forth. But the league gear started. And we got Hopkins traded, Buckner traded, Armstead re-signs, Byron Jones signed, Tanny Hill gets huge money, the Ravens make a bunch of moves, Baker has no excuses, we'll talk about it all on the show.

Of course, you can slide in my DMs, at John Middlecopf is my Instagram and my Twitter handle. It's wide open. I'll try to answer a bunch of questions. I probably have so many today. I don't know exactly how I'll do it, but I'll attempt to. And we'll just keep swinging, you know, what are you going to do? Like I talked about on Friday, these are unprecedented times, some weird territory. But luckily, given what I do, I mean, I record this from a home office.

And you guys consume this on your phone. So I guess I'm lucky that you read some of these stories on guys and their businesses. They're not able to come to work. Then I'm able to still talk about what I like to talk about. And luckily, I like to talk, and I got some takes, and it happened. It's why I was very uncomfortable with the NFL starting the league year. and they leaked out pretty early on Sunday that they tried to move this bad boy and the NFLPA wouldn't allow them.

Now, I do understand because unlike most businesses, like I feel for the checker at Safeway right now, where you got to keep places like Safeway or wherever you may live, whatever the grocery stores are so people can eat. I know the Safeway that I go to, most of the checkers, a decent percentage of them, feel like they're over 60 plus, and they don't have a choice. yet they're in there.

A lot of people are going in and out. They got to be around people. They're kind of being forced to. It's a shitty deal. It really is. And those are the type people that I'm feeling for right now. And I was like, NFL free agency is going to happen when all these major cities are going to be shutting down this week.

Albert Brewer, Peter King, talked to anonymous GMs. All of them. Every single one of them that they quoted in their articles was just shitting on this decision. ignorant, arrogant, just ridiculous. Now, the counter, because I'm not just, you guys know me, I'm not moral high horse guy, but like you're not,

there aren't in-person videos, or excuse me, visits right now, those have all been canceled. If a guy's going to get a physical, it's going to be at a neutral site, which I would imagine teams are going to be a little uncomfortable with. I got a text from someone that ran into an NFL head coach that is in the football circle, and that coach told them, like last Friday or Saturday,

OTAs aren't happening. And I saw someone just tweeted right before I press record. The offseed has been suspended indefinitely. So all these guys are getting signed. And I guess officially, unless they were your own guy, I don't think you can put pen to the paper until Wednesday. But the football, there's going to be nothing really happening potentially all spring. I actually have a couple theories on why Taney Hill was signed there.

I think Derek Carr is a lot safer now because of that. It's going to have huge domino effects. Think about all the new coach. When you get hired as a new coach, your staff is usually able to reconvene a week earlier before the rest of the league for your offseason activity. So this is just, listen, it's uncharted territory. We'll take it day by day. The league, I think I already mentioned this, but the league immediately got out that it was the NFLPA. The NFLPA, the union, did not want this to not go down, which is understandable.

Mike Tannenbaum, former GM, tweeted out on Sunday that over $230 million of Bowman. bonuses were due at the start of the league year on Wednesday. My solution would have been this. Pay the bonuses, push back free agency a couple weeks, and tentatively and see what happens. Now, I guess I'm glad it happened. It gives me a lot to talk about today, but it's not like I'm not even weirded out talking about it at all. I just do understand where these GMs and league personnel, I'm texting with my buddies, they're not with their GM right now in the scouting world.

They're at home. Now, luckily, and I talked about this last last. week. A lot of the work, the hay is in the barn, but things change. Like texting with someone with the Niners. I don't think they exactly knew the way this was going to all play out. They had a plan what they were hoping for, but you still need to get Ballard to say yes on the first round pick. So, you know, it was a crazy day. It's been a, I mean, it's been a crazy couple weeks. It's been a crazy weekend. I'm talking football. I'm talking Corona. I'm talking the whole thing. These are just wild freaking times.

and the NFL, they benefited from just the time in which Corona hit was early March, right? Or you could argue in February, whenever it really kind of started coming. But in February, in late February, I was at the Combine. Think about that. I was talking with a buddy the other day that like, we're at the Combine. Everyone's running into each other, interviewing people, hugging people. And three weeks later, it's like, no gatherings. A lot's changed.

I mean, I think running by players, agents, everyone's out of the bar, the main bar at the combine. You got coaches, media. Now, granted, most people in there are younger, but still, it's just your shoulder to shoulder, you can't move. Three weeks later, it's like OTA, suspended indefinitely. So you just, we don't know what's coming with this thing. Because I would have told you a week ago, and I was someone that a couple weeks ago, yeah, how serious is this thing? Well, by about once March Madness, the Masters, Vegas, once Vegas started shutting down. Now, by the time Vegas shut down, it was Sunday, it was clear that this thing was not going away and it was getting serious.

But I would say middle of the week last week. It was clear. 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 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 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, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests.

I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped. up in the chase, that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth. Are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, is we have real conversations about

on 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 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, Ms. Parker.

Listen to the Cliverts show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or 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 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 stop by like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too. Steve Nash will get that thing. That man, hell get the flying. He running up the court, licking his fingers why he got the ball. Like, 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. This thing was pretty nuts. Now, the NFL chose to go through with it, mainly, and I do think the NFLPA forced their hand. I'm not trying to give Goodell credit on this one because I would imagine many owners and even Roger probably thought we can own the real estate, which clearly they are. They're the only thing anyone's talking about because they're the only thing that actually things are happening. But, you know, I think they probably could have worked around it, but it's a pointless conversation now.

Because I'm not one to complain over something. Like once it happens, it is what it is and we're moving forward. and these are there was a lot of movement today you know teams got better some teams got worse as of recording this we still don't know some I guess Tom Brady's the big big name and we'll get into him a little later

but I think it's pretty clear it's pointing like he's going to go back to the Patriots but you would say that the bucks coming full bore after him and the Chargers but for agencies off and running you're coming to bed hon yep honey I'll be right there Just got to turn out the light.

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exploring at discovertheforest.org. Brought to you by the United States Forest Service and the ad council. Okay, let's talk about traits. And today you saw how high. And today you saw how high-level organizations, teams that know what they're doing. I say it all the time. The NFL, probably more than any big business in this world, because most billion-dollar industries are run by smart people. Tim Cook, Jeff Bezos, these are highly intelligent individuals. You can go around, people run at Google, you know, people running Wells Fargo,

even though actually you watch dirty money on Netflix. Wells Fargo, who I'm actually, I mean, I've been banking with my whole life. Some shady stuff went on. But the NFL is clearly split between the meatheads and the intelligent people. And basically Bill O'Brien and everyone else. The NFL is a league predicated on, one, obviously good coaching. But to win in the playoffs, you need premium players. I think one of the most underrated parts about the Patriots over the years,

they beat you because they had elite players at several positions. I mean, they had the best quarterback ever. They had really good offensive lines. You know, just a couple years ago, Trent Brown was their left tackle. He was one of the highest paid offensive linemen ever last year by the Raiders. He's a really good player. Grunkowski Hall of Famer. Edelman dominant slot receiver.

McCordy, very, very good. Stefan Gilmore, defensive player of the year. Matt Slater is one of the greatest special teams players ever. So, look at the last year, the Niners, First the Chiefs, Tyree Kill, Kelsey, Chris Jones, Frank Clark, Mahomes, Buckner, Armstead, Bosa, Kittle. This is not you need elite blue chip players. And there are two ways to get them. One, you can trade for them or you can draft them high. but when you

if you're a team going to trade a guy Khalil Mack Jalen Ramsey Laramie Tundzel DeAndre Hopkins you better get a boatload back because to win big games

you need guys like DeAndre on your team and you need to surround them with other elite players and to trade DeAndre Hopkins because you had you didn't like him or he didn't like you or whatever for a overpaid running back and a second round pick is embarrassing.

Stefan Diggs, I'm glad I recorded this late, was just traded for a first round pick. Check the resumes who you'd rather have between D'Andre Hopkins and Stefan Dix. And I like Stefan Diggs. I might have traded a first round pick for him. DeAndre Hopkins is a better player. You have to, when you're trading a premium,

you have to get a premium back. And there have been back-to-back years where Bill O'Brien waited on Clowny till the basically training camp, or actually was a season already going, I even forget, and got a third round pick and a couple special teams players. If he would have traded him right now, he might have got a late first, early second round pick.

DeAndre Hopkins, you actually traded at the right time, but you're valuing a running back when the entire league doesn't value running backs. The entire league goes running backs, not a value, right? It's like brick and mortars right now are very, hit or miss. What is the stock market value in America? A lot of tech stocks because they got big upside.

Well, I know what running backs are not really in vogue right now. Because the league would show you, I can get them in the third, the fourth, undrafted free agents. I can acquire them for cheap. And then when I do pay them big, historically, it doesn't pay off.

You traded one of the best players in franchise history for an overpaid running back who's been injured, which the cardinals got in the middle of the third round and a second round pick for D'Andre Hopkins? Give me a break. How does that happen? And they trade Stefan Diggs, who's not as good a player as Hopkins?

Doesn't have as long of a resume? And they get a first round pick? What does it, pick 21? Look at the 49ers. Well, Bill O'Brien, the Ivy League Meathead. That's what I'm going to call him, the Ivy League meathead. The 49ers. Parag, MBA, Stanford.

One of the smartest money guy in the league right there. with Howie and Belichick. John Lynch, Stanford grad, Kyle Shanahan, football savant. What did they do today? They took a step back. They took a deep breath. You know what DeForest Buckner was with the 49ers?

A team captain. One of their best players. But as I said on my other podcast, Haberman and Middilkoff, about a month ago, the 49ers offered him $60 million, Buckner, last year. He turned it down, or over $60 million. and guaranteed money.

Turned it down. So what do you think he was looking for this year? Huge cash. So the Niners went, okay, we're not going to play chess. Or excuse me, we're not going to play checkers. Let's play a little chess. We can get Armstead, who we're going to sign before Buckner, so we don't wait until after we trade Buckner,

and then Armstead's leverage over us goes way up. We'll get him on a team-friendly deal because he's from an hour away in Sacramento. He likes playing here close to his family. He's a West Coast guy. He wants to be here. So we're going to get him on a number that if we were started bidding against other people, that number would be higher.

We'll get him to sign. Then we will trade Buckner, who we love and overall is a more complete player than Armstead. While Armstead's higher upside as an interior pass rush might be there, but there's still some unknown. He's a one-year wonder. But to me, the point is I get him for way cheaper, and I trade Buckner, and I get picked 13. DeForest Buckner, you know, you could argue. You has had the career of D'Andre Hopkins. And the other thing is you've got to pay

to Forrest Buckner. Get picked 13. Look at Bill O'Brien. He got rid of DeAndre Hopkins. He got a second-round pick and an overpaid running back. So you got the bills. You heard Sean McDermott on this podcast last week.

He's just a high-level guy. Now, that's a bold risk. Diggs can be a little bit of a diva. Diggs is the one guy. It's not like he's been playing in a crappy organization. They win all the time. He makes big plays for him. Now he wanted out.

Maybe he didn't like cousins. You know, Josh Allen's not a guy. exactly Mr. Accuracy down the field, but I like the move. Just a high-level move. Vikings, pretty high-level operation too. Like, listen, it's not working out. Let's get a huge package for him. Boom, boom. Win-win. Niners. Win-win. You get Buckner, we get picked her team. Win-win. Ballard. DeForest Buckner is exactly Ballard's type of player. Overachiever, high-level guy, but a really good player. Super high character. Immediate team captain. Been on good teams, proven in the league, long track record.

He fits, he is a cult. He fits their mold what they want perfectly. Like, those two deals, win, win, win. Both teams feel good. I mean, the Texas can pretend they feel good. It's moronic business. Even JJ Watt tweeted something today. Basically like, God, this tweet didn't age well enough.

And it was like, God, this is getting crazy. Talking about like the coronavirus last week. what do you think D'Andre Hopkins is in the history of their franchise? One of the top four or five best players in the history of the Tucson Texans. Now they've only been around 20 years, but still, it's inexcusable. It's embarrassing. Not everyone should be a general manager in this league.

Bill O'Brien is a more accomplished Chip Kelly. That's what he is right now. He's a more accomplished Chip Kelly. Now, he goes to the playoffs a lot. He knows how to coach. but since he's got the power whether he doesn't know how to handle it whether he doesn't know how to evaluate

whether he doesn't understand value the NFL and the op when you leave the season the season is about scheming is about coaching is about plays once the off season hits it's not about any of that shit it's about understanding how much a player costs

understanding what a player's value is on the open market understanding what a player will get understanding what players are going to be there when you draft in certain spots. It's the stock market from about February 1st till training camp. What can I trade this guy for? This guy doesn't fit. What can we flip them for? It's a smart guy league.

People think like baseball and basketball are smart guy leagues? Yeah, just shoot threes. Shift. In game, they have a lot of maneuverability. But at the end of the day, basketball is all about finding max players. right? It's just that simple end of story point, period point blank. Daryl, quote unquote, the most intelligent general manager in the league, he just star chases, 24-7. That's all he does.

Baseball, I mean, let's be real, if you have the best players and good pitchers, you're probably going to win. And there's an economical disparity in the sport. Football, because one, unlike basketball, there is a ton of good players out there. And unlike baseball, every team has money. the margins are very slim. Coach Reed told me that when I interviewed him at the combine. The difference between winning and losing is, in the regular season,

is small. In the playoffs, it's even smaller. And the Texans who have been a playoff team, the way to get over the edge in the playoffs is not like get more solid players. It's about having premium players, having good depth and premium players. That's why when you had a 24-0 lead on the Chiefs, you couldn't hold them off. Because Mahomes, Hill, Kelsey, they were coming for that ass.

Frank Clark, Chris Jones, the Honey Badger, making plays, kicking your butt. 50 unanswered points. They got more blue chippers than you do. How about this? Keep Hopkins, add blue chippers around them. Keep good players. And then add. Stop giving away your draft picks.

What are you doing? I don't get it. It never makes any sense. How could this guy go to an Ivy League school and not be an Ivy League operator? Chosia, they're frauds. You know, it's why we call Cal Poly the Harvard of the West Coast. Yeah, we're just state school, but we're pretty smart guys. Where Billy Ogo?

Columbia, Princeton, he went to one of those schools. And he's just the worst general manager beside Gettleman and Chip Kelly, I think I've ever seen. It's just awful. And he just keeps doing the same crazy deals. What are you? DeAndre Hopkins? At least you go, you know, if you would have told, you know what, John, the 49ers traded DeForest Buckner. They got back a third round pick.

I would have puked in my mouth. You know what, John, the Vikings traded Stefan Diggs. They got a third round pick and a linebacker. I would have fallen to the floor. But you know what you say? You know, John, they traded Stefan Diggs. They got back, pick 21, high level operation. They got, they traded DeForest Buckner.

They got packed 13. Jesus, that's a steal. But you go, they needed, the Colts needed a defensive lineman, the Vikings desperately needed to add some death, get more first round. I get it. You go, they traded DeAndre Hopkins. Oh, what did they get back? Pick 20?

No, John, they got back a running back, who makes $10 million a year and really hasn't been that good the last couple of years. He's been injured a lot. And, you know, like a pick, I don't know, in the early 40s. Huh? What? What did you say?

Didn't Odell Becker? come just go for pick 17 last year? This is a league of comps. This is a league of precedent. It's like the law. I never go to law school, but everybody always says that. I've watched enough lost shows that go, everything's about precedent, things that happened before.

Football's the same way. You go, Stefan Diggs, not quite as good as O'Dell, but the bill's a little desperate. So you get, last year, O'Dell went for 17. This year, Diggs goes for picking the early 20s. Buckner, that's a little unprecedented of a move. But you know what? This is also why you make trades in the spring. So you know what pick you're getting.

Because when you trade Khalil Mack... 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 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. SportsLice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them.

Listen to SportsSlice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slices 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, Tript 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, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, learn the hard way. Open your free, our heart radio app. Search learn the hard way and listen now. 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 walks up to me, he goes, Hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Time out.

Quarterback on office, Blue, 42. A rep, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Where's he at? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Cliverts 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, 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 Nasree. He has to guard Julius Randall. And then he has to give us everything he gives us on the night-to-night bases on offense. And when IT's friends stop 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 I said, you figure it out real quick. Oh, yeah. 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. When you trade Clowny, when you trade, now Clowny was for a third round pick, when you trade even Kunzel for some of these guys, once training camp happens, you don't know where that pick's going to land.

I trade Diggs. I know exactly where my pick goes. I trade Buckner. I know exactly what pick I get. It's why smart teams have a plan And they form that plan in February And then they execute it in March This isn't that complicated

It really is not And I'm not, you guys know me I'm not Mr. Overreactor on stuff If anything like I go the opposite Where the media goes But Bill O'Brien is a It's kind of a joke right now He really is. He has no business being the general manager

And you saw Parag and John and Kyle High-Level shit Chris Ballard made a bold move, but you understand it. Sean McDermott, they need a wide receiver. Boom, get one. The Vikings need to replenish. Well, Diggs doesn't want to be there. Go get a solid first round pick.

Niners playoffs, Bill's playoffs, Colts, I mean, Jacoby was a train wreck, or they would have been a fringe playoff team, and T.Y got hurt. And the Vikings, playoffs. So you got three of those four teams playoffs, and the Colts had some weird circumstances with their quarterback, or they're a high-level operation.

And then you got the Texans, that you just scratch your head. What are we doing? If I was a Texans fan, or I lived in Houston, and they just traded DeAndre Hopkins, I'd be apoplectic, I'd be speechless,

I'd be furious, I'd be, I might think about rooting for another team. Like, what's the whole point of sports? Our best point, player who produces and is a good guy and you get rid of them because you guys don't see eye to I. Maybe it's you, buddy. You don't get along with anyone. Clownie goes to the Seattle. Boom, playoffs. They're best defensive linemen. What do you think Hoppin's going to do for the Cardinals? He's

going to produce, going to make plays. I just don't get it. So kudos to the other four teams make an impressive moves. Impressive front offices. Smart teams. You know what, Ballard? I think it's a bold trade. It's a little rich for my taste, but I understand it. Vikings, bills, no, easy trade both sides. Niners do that trade every day of the week and twice on Sundays. Texans, Deshawn Watson, I'll pray for you. And all the other people infected by Corona.

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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. Okay, let's dive into the corona impact on the quarterbacks.

The OTAs, as I mentioned earlier, are going to be, I don't think they're going to happen. I don't think we see football. Now, I know technically we don't see football in the spring, but I don't think we see team activities. You can't get groups of 50 or bigger right now. So this football probably is going to start in training camp. Well, if you don't have OTAs, how can you possibly sign a new quarterback? Doesn't that change everything? doesn't that again as I've recording this I don't have any Brady new news doesn't that impact

tom Brady because if you're Tom Brady you're not going to leave if i have a short period of time to put something together right wouldn't i go with the person that i'm used to working with in any business let alone football which offensive football is really really complicated and tom Brady's offense is known to be the most complicated isn't it more likely if oTAs are getting scrapped and I get they're going to be able to do virtual conferences and everyone's like well I tweeted this out on like Sunday and people like well my business where everything's virtual yeah here's the thing well football is a billion dollar business the majority of the assistant coaches it's gonna but that are over 45 don't know how to work a computer so now they have IT guys

and people can help out but I'm telling you football for being this billion dollar operation is not mr. tech savvy when it comes to like let's just do a virtual meeting room. No, they don't operate like that. Now they're going to have to this spring, but there's a big difference between getting down the field, working it out, repping it out, being in the facility with the guys. I think this limits

quarterbacks and teams who had ideas of moving on from their quarterback. I think it changes the plans. And I think you saw on Sunday that the Titans said this to themselves. I don't know this. I haven't asked John Robinson this. And I like the signing because I think he realized

this. We could try to get Tom, who's probably on the fence, and maybe he has to work through some things this week, but maybe by Thursday he realized, you know what, Mike and John, I'm going to stay with the Patriots. And then you haven't tagged Tanny Hill and John Gruden assigned him. Because I think it was pretty clear that if Ryan Tanyhill would hit the open market and the Titans knew this, John Gruden would have signed him. So if you have an asset that you like and the current climate of America is going to change the way you do business the next two or three months with your most important employee,

and that's the quarterback, I think he got to play it a little more conservative. Is right now the time to be just buying stocks? Probably not. We got a lot of unknown moving forward. And Tom Brady, while he's a proven entity, a proven stock, it would be pretty risky. One is age, and two, you're going to have Arthur Smith,

first time coordinator last year, first year being a coordinator, trying to integrate with Tom. It'd be bold. So they signed Ryan Tanny Hill. I didn't really know what his market was going to be, but he wasn't going to get like 30 or 40 million. He probably wasn't going to get 80 or 90. They gave him 62 million guaranteed.

I think that's pretty fair. Ryan Tanyl, somehow, he's like the better version of Sam Bradford. Before he signed that deal, he'd made $77 million in his career. This guarantees him at least 62. We'll probably see probably like 80. I mean, when the dust settles, Ryan Tannels is going to be worth like $180 million. But he was in the right place, right time. I also think this benefits Derek Carr.

Ryan Tannhill didn't become available. Tom Brady probably not going to be interested. They're just going to sign Marriota and Carr's going to be the quarterback. I think if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers do not get Tom Brady and one of the New England reporters on Monday morning reported that Tampa Bay made it loud and clear they want Tom. But if you're Tom, you go, Bruce Ariens does have a unique offense. He throws deep.

As Ken Stabler once famously said, and Tom Hanks, who has the corona but looks to be healthy, signs his emails by this, Tom, and then it just says, Throw deep, baby. That's what Bruce Ariens likes to do. Throw bombs. Well, Tom Brady threw bombs when he had Randy Moss. For the last decade, he checks down and throws quick outrouts. They have a quick passing game offense.

So it would be a dramatic change. Now, if the Corona hadn't existed, I'd say, you know what? That's an interesting spot. They got Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and O.J. Howard. That combo could be elite. Mike Evans is borderline elite. Chris Godwin's a badass. He might be elite by the time mid-season next.

next year happens, and O.J. Howard's really talented. And they can always draft more sweet players or sign sweet players. But I think if you're Tom, you've got to go with what you know because time's on your side, and really at this point, you're just playing for legacy anyway. It's not about the money. It's not really about anything besides just trying to add stack rings, stack wins. There would be a huge unknown going to a new coordinator. I also think this puts James Winston in play to stay in Tampa.

And I'll give Tampa credit by not franchising him. You want to pay James Winston $26 million? He threw 30 picks last year. And I saw a tweet that when viral had just a montage, he could have thrown 21 more. And at first it's like 21 dropped interceptions. You think, well, some of these are going to be like one-handed tips. They were hitting guys in the hand in stride.

Guys just drop them. There's a reason guys play defense. So James Winston, to me, it's like, yo, buddy, you just threw 30 freaking picks. You've never won a freaking thing in this league. I'll give you $15 million. Who else is paying you? I'll wait.

Hang up and listen. Get back to me. Holler at me. And you're going to get them on the cheap. You're going to take advantage of Jamesus. James is not in a position of leverage or power right now. Now, ultimately, if they got to go back to them at $15, $16 million, that's a pretty good deal. I think that is probably the way it shakes out.

The Chargers are an interesting option for Tom Brady. They trade for Tray Turner, they can draft the tackle, they got Mike Williams, they got Keenan Allen, they franchise Hunter Henry, they signed Austin Echler, who's a Tom Brady type running back, they got two legit pass rushers, they have Derwin James, are going to be healthy, here's my issue. He's going to play for Anthony Lynn. I just close my eyes, see Anthony Lynn, I just, I don't know. I don't think Anthony Lynn and think dynamic offense.

And again, also factoring in, while the roster is good, this lack of OTAs, that's a huge transition. That is really big. Now, the L.A. thing, and here's the other kind of curveball. The story broke, I think, Sunday that if Corona puts everything to a halt, what if construction is not able to take

place over the next couple months? What if the new stadium in Los Angeles, and no state is more, you know, quicker to act on stuff like this than states like California, that they might not allow stuff and unions, it gets very, very complicated, very, very quickly,

you just wonder maybe the stadium's not ready. It's not inconceivable. The Chargers are playing back in that little 30,000 stadium again. You think Tom Brady, if he gets wind of that, would play in that thing? Are you kidding me? You think Jordan with the Wizards look bad. Imagine Tom Brady in a Charger Powder Blue uniform playing in front of 27,000 fans, cheering for the other team.

That'd be weird. I'd like to avoid that at all cost if we could. So I think the OTAs and the current climate of our world Just has directly impacted the quarterback dominoes and something we've been talking about for a long time But sometimes you just unforeseen things change the way I do believe Tom Brady was probably open to some moves You know clearly I don't think any of this stuff was fake But after taking inventory after seeing what the corona was going to do to his potential spring

Of working with a coordinator of working with a coach Remember, Tom Brady hasn't gone to OTAs with the Patriots the last two years. Two years ago they won the Super Bowl this year. They went 12 and 4, and obviously they lost in the first round. Hasn't been to one off-season practice. Not one. Well, he can do the same this year. Stay with the Patriots.

Obviously, it's going to be canceled, but he'll just be used to it. This is how he's operated anyway. Business as usual. Tom Brady, no OTAs, no problem. I was talking to someone this weekend in the league, and I mentioned, you know what's weird about the NFL? there hasn't been a major quarterback bust in a long time. You know, like, Trubisky, clearly he's not worth the second overall pick.

And Deshaun Watt, the quarterbacks that came after him, I mean, Deshaun Wats is a star. And Mahomes is like the best player we've ever seen. But Trubisky is like better than Joey Harrington's and the Ryan Lees and the Achilles Smith. There really hasn't been just, you know, the wents, the goth. Just think about Darnold, even Joe. Josh Allen, I mean, Lamar Jackson, a lot of these guys are functional.

Even the guy, like Josh Rosen is just kind of an unknown. Probably, it's just hard to even put up. If Josh Rosen was a class in college, it would just be incomplete. That would be your grade. You get an I for incomplete. But we were talking, and I said, you know who could be a bust? Because you know what most busts in the NFL are when you're a top 15 pick? it tends to not be talent.

Like Solomon Thomas, he's going to play in the league for eight, nine years. He'll quote-unquote be a bus because he wasn't worth the third pick. But he's just not good enough. He's a high character guy, he works his ass, he's just not talented enough. Because he's a tweener.

He doesn't have a position. It's a football reason. If Baker Mayfield fails, it's going to be because of maturity in work ethic. And last year he became fat. I mean, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out, like, bro, you got that pudgy face.

You're drinking too much. It's the big leagues, bro. Put down the Corps' light, pick up a protein shake, and pick up the clicker and watch a little film. Not working hard enough. Because you could argue he was one of the worst, not just quarterbacks,

one of the worst full-time starters in the NFL last year. He was atrocious. Now, you could defend him and say, well, he might have the dumbest coach in NFL history. And I'd say, okay, that's fair. The year before, when everyone was acting like he was a genius, or, I mean, some great player, people thought Freddie Kitchens was good. Genius would be strong, but thought Freddie Kitchens was a good offensive play caller.

Once they fired Todd Haley and Hugh Jackson. But Baker Mayfield, and this is, I'm going to talk about the Ravens next, a little AFC North little primer, there might not be a player in the NFL that has more pressure on him next year in 2020, or this upcoming season, assuming it happens, then Baker Mayfield. He is Odell Beckham. He has Jarvis Landry.

I can never say this guy's name right. Najoku, say it really fast. He has Austin Hooper, who they bought today, who really actually a pretty team-friendly deal. Signed Jack Conklin. Now has a high-level guy in his meeting room with Case Keenham. Nick Chubb, who's a star. Kareem Hunt, who's damn good.

Like, what else do you want? Tom Brady would die for half that. We got no excuses for Baker Mayfield. The analytical community two years ago appointed him as one of the next greats. Last year he was an embarrassment. And he's even admitted, I got fat. I said it. Need to lose some weight.

When he said to the Super Bowl, the day before, he had a shirt off. He looked terrible. Now we'll see. All it takes is eating right, working hard. But the rubber's about to meet the road. And you know the scary thing for Baker? in 2020 is the OTAs, they're not going to happen. Offseason is suspended indefinitely right now.

Does he have the discipline to grind on his own? Because he didn't have the discipline to grind when he was around his team. So this is really, really going to test him. He's rich. He's got more money than $35 million from the Browns. He's got commercials. He probably got 50 mil in the bank. Does he have the inner drive?

Does he have the self-discipline? does he have the burning just the fire inside him that after last year really for the last six months everyone laughed at him you know what most of the greats listen we all have a rough year we all have an off year i'm giving him the benefit of the doubt that maybe he can turn it around but we're sure as hell going to find out because when you laugh at great players especially high picks that were great players you you bet last night a blown call changed a game this 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 athletes 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. SportsSlice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsSlice 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. 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.

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, is 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? Quarterback on office blue 42. Hey, rec, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Hey, Ms. Parker.

Listen to the Clippers show on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. What's up, fam? This Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano, and our podcast Point Game is about Default. 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 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, 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.

They're coming for blood. James Harden made fun of Janus. He came out and like the next week was dropping like 40 and 20s. You made fun of Michael Jordan or Tom Brady or Peyton Manning or Aaron Rogers. They're coming for your throat. Here's the thing with Baker Mayfield though.

He's not in any of those guys I listed. He's not an elite physical talent. If he does not max out maturity, work ethic, film study, the mental part of the game, what Tom Brady saying, and Tom first time, I'd give him my life to this.

Do you know what Drew Breeze, who actually is Baker-Mayfield's comp, in terms of short, he's a better athlete than Baker, but not a great athlete, not a big arm, just hang his how in accuracy? Do you know what Drew Breeze really separates himself by doing? He's maniacal about the sport of football. He eat Breeze and sleeps it. When, uh, I forget the, the offensive lineman, I want to say Brandon Treef, I think that's his name, uh, but I think that's, that the Washington Redskins.

guy, whoever their play-by-play announcer is for the Saints when he retired a couple years ago and he cried and you said Drew Breeze is the most inspirational person he'd ever been around. And how the offensive linemen used to order food on Wednesdays and Thursdays, because they'd be going home and he'd still be there working. That's what it takes in this league. It's where you're paid all that money. It's why the good quarterbacks, you think Russell's going home early or not getting the facility early?

I don't know much about Aaron Rogers' work ethic, but his resume speaks for itself. We know what Tom Brady does. I mean, I talk to Andy, they can't kick Patrick Mahomes out. Andy told me at the Super Bowl, Mahomes already screaming at Andy to get him an iPad so we can go through every one of his place. It's the offseason. It's like, Patrick, just get away. He's like, no, I want to go through all my second and third downs.

That's the way he's thinking. Patrick Mahomes on a bad day has 10 times the talent than Baker Mayfield has on a good day. So that's what it takes. So now he has countless players around him. you could not ask for a better supporting cast. You could not ask for any more talent on offense, and they're in a position to also draft the tackle. They're going to have two new good tackles.

They got running backs, got tight ends, they got wide receivers up the wazoo. Like, what else do you want? If you gave a young Peyton Manning or a young Aaron Rogers or any guy like that, that type talent, you're the number one pick in the draft, who everyone's acting like you suck. This is where people separate.

If people told me, I suck at podcasts, I suck at podcasts, that's all I kept hearing. One, I'd either try to improve and figure out what everyone was saying, or maybe I'd just, maybe I'd suck. But I'll promise you one thing I would do is I'd spend every waking moment to try to get better at this profession. And I follow him on Instagram.

You know, sometimes it looks like he's screwing around. Now, I get Instagram is not a true view of a guy, but I know this. Tom Brady can be screwing around on Instagram. We know what he's doing. He's out working you. I know what, I don't care what Patrick Mahomes does on. on Instagram.

I know how Hardy works. Or Deshawn Watson or Russell Wilson or whoever these guys. Like Baker Mayfield, the microscope is on you. Here's a hot take. If he has a bad season this year and maturity is still a factor, he won't be on the Browns in 2021. I feel very confident about that. This coach, this general manager, they did not pick this player.

This is not their guy. So if he doesn't get it done this year, and I don't mean Super Bowl or even playoffs, but if they can go 9 and 7 and he can have a big season, he can look like he can be a franchise quarterback, and they're all good. If he has a below average season and he looks like he's not even a top 20 quarterback, it might be over for Baker Mayfield in Cleveland. I'm dead serious. You can't have Odell Beckham, Jarvis Landry, multiple tight ends, multiple running backs,

a much improved offensive line, the scheme in which he's going to play in the zone running scheme, Her cousins just put up career numbers in this offense. Trying to put up or shut up. I don't want to hear any excuses. 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

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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 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. TSA.gov Slash the right seat. Brought to you by Mitzah and the Ad Council. I'll give you another team I don't want to hear any more excuses on. And I'm not going to give them credit in the sense of the Baltimore Ravens are well run.

In my adult life for the last 20 years, once they moved to Baltimore and they won that Super Bowl in 2000 or 2001, whatever, I think it was the 2000 season they won in 2001. Maybe it was, yeah, because the Raiders and the Bucks were in the Super Bowl the next year. they have been a high-level operation. They've had a couple down years. But for the most part, they draft good players.

They just have pro-bowlers at a lot of different positions, and they make the playoffs a lot. So you know what I expect the Baltimore Ravens this fall to do? Make the playoffs. They've made some savvy moves. They get Callais Campbell for a fifth round pick. They tag their best pass rusher that they still might. You know, trade we'll see.

He'd and Hearst, who had been passed by Marky Andrews. They trade for a second round pick. Good moves. I expect them to be a double-digit win team. They're at the point now. To me, I'm viewing them like the Houston Rockets. The Lamar Jackson version of the Baltimore Ravens, I view like the Houston Rockets.

Rager's season doesn't mean much to me anymore. Because the last two years, you've had home playoff games, and you've been throttled. Two years ago, you couldn't barely get a first down against the Chargers. Last year against the Titans, they beat your ass. We all watched it.

Because the number one thing the Titans struggled to do, or excuse me, the Ravens struggle to do is when it's third and seven against a good team in January, they can't complete a pass. And this is not all on Lamar Jackson. Their offense, they have so much success running the ball during the regular season.

It doesn't work with your quarterback just running around trying to make plays aimlessly in January. We have a long history of the sport. You throw the ball to win in January, especially in the modern, game of football with the rules. You better be able on third and five, third and 36, third seven, third eight, third nine,

in a tie game against the Chiefs, against the Patriots, against the Steelers, against the Broncos, whoever, you got the Texans, the Colts, you get you either completing that pass or you can't. And right now they haven't been able to do that. I know their defense is going to be good. They got a great defensive coach in Wink Martindale.

They have a ton of good defensive players. They have a good personnel staff. They make good moves. Their offense is going to be stacked. They're going to be good. They're going to score points in the regular season. They might compete to be the one seat again. It's going to work.

And I believe Lamar Jackson, unlike Baker Mayfield, I have faith in that guy. You know why? He doesn't talk much. He just produces. And then when he does get shit on, you know what he says? I got to get better. I got to work harder. Nobody cares.

Work harder. Baker Mayfield, meanwhile, is fighting with reporters saying he's got to lose weight, all this. You know what, Lamar? I just got to get better. So you know what? I'm rooting for him. Now, do I think he can? We'll see.

I'm not a big, and this is. gets back to Josh Allen. I like Josh Allen too, but like Lamar Jackson, typically very, very inaccurate quarterbacks. You know, Lamar Jackson has been more accurate, but let's be honest. He had a Monday night game last year where he threw five touchdowns. He threw for like 120 yards.

It was a very, very special, unique season, but let's not act like he was Drew Breeze back there. A lot of pressures on him, a lot of pressures on this team, and strictly the playoffs. Like the Rockets, the NBA is probably canceled for the year. We're judging you on the playoffs. No one cares about you kicking the cricking. out of the Bengals in an October game.

We don't care about you beating the Raiders by 20 points in December. I'm going to judge you, when you have a home playoff game or go on the road as a wildcard team, can you win that game? Because the last two years, you haven't even been close. Two years ago, you got your ass kicked by the Chargers. In last, the Titans game, it was never close. They were in complete control.

They were dominated, actually. The game was over at halftime, actually thinking about it. So, yeah, high-level moves. Ravens are a well-run operation. They've been a top, you know, six, seven franchise in the league the last two decades. But this Lamar Jackson run, he's on his rookie contract. You're able to make all these aggressive moves. It's time now.

This is a year where we need to see some playoff victories. Or you're just a cute little regular season story with some fun little offense that works in the regular season. You put up some sweet numbers. Like James Harden won an MVP. Russell Westbrook won an MVP. But when it matters, they get their ass kicked when they're the guy. We'll see. Now, again, Lamar Jackson's way younger. Those guys are established veteran players.

We got room for growth. But for them to win, and they're going to have a winning roster, you got to win on third and long in the playoffs. Okay, before we get to the Middilkopf mailbag, I'm just going to bang through some deals. One thing that broke pretty late was Amari Cooper resigned for $100 million, $60 million guaranteed. I used to be very, very high on Amari.

I'm now, you know, I wouldn't say I'm lukewarm. I would say I'm solid warm. He's a good player. Would I want to pay him average 20 a year and 60 million guaranteed? Little rich for my taste, you know, similar to the numbers Michael Thomas got last year. I think Michael Thomas is a much more reliable player. In a big game, I can trust Michael Thomas.

In a big game, Amari can be very hit or miss. Now, in the dome, I think Amari's made for it. Amari is a bright lights player. He belongs in Dallas. Can he live up to the contract? I would by no means say it's a lock. Houston, Texas signed Randall Cobb, $27 million, three years. So about nine a year.

He got $18.5 million guaranteed. So you could look at it essentially when you give that type bonus. He's a lock to stay there for two years. basically like two years, I mean, nine and a half a year, you know, essentially when you factor in the guaranteed money. You got rid of Hopkins who was making like $9 or $10 million for Randall Cobb. Now listen, Randall Cobb was a solid player last year. Had three touchdowns, over 50 catches. He's just not Hopkins.

And I just, I don't know, man. Don't like that one. Drew Breeze, Charles Robinson's reporting the Saints are closest to finalizing a deal. Makes sense. Redskins agree. the terms with Kendall Fuller, formerly of the Chiefs, Good Slot Corner, the guy the Chiefs traded when they got, oh, they traded Marcus Peters and then they landed Fuller.

Stefan Diggs, we already talked about that. Chad Hennie, back to the Chiefs, clearly Andy likes him. Marcus Marriota to the Raiders. I'm a fan of that deal. Makes a lot of sense. Two years ago, he won a playoff game in Kansas City, in the freezing cold. Derek Carr's never won in Kansas City.

Mostly played bad, and he hasn't played very well in the cold. Seattle re-signed Geron Reed, two years, $23 million. You know, he is 27 years old. I think he got in trouble last year. You know, see, he had to sit out the first six games with domestic violence. Now, clearly Pete and John, they know him well, but a little rich for my taste. A.J. Klein, signed by the Bills. You know, he's a solid rotational linebacker.

He was a good player on the Saints a couple years ago. He was originally, I think, on the Panthers. Just like the guy on my team. The Lions, what are the Lions doing? Gave Jamie Collins a bunch of money. They gave Van Hoy a bunch of money. He's just trying to recreate the Patriots. I'm all for bringing a guy or two,

but you're just bringing every ex-patriot and you're making them super highly paid. It doesn't work. It never works. works. Trey Flowers, Van Oye, Collins. It's just not going to work. There is not a bigger lock in America that Patricia and Quinn are fired.

Lock. Put it in stone at the end of next year. Texans re-signed A.J. McCarran, I mean, A.J. McCarrant stinks. Jets agreed to terms with O.T. George Fant. They gave him $13.7 million guaranteed. I don't really have a take there. uh, Eric Murray, Texan signed of the Browns. I'll be honest.

Don't really have a scouting report on him. Just being real with you guys. Try to keep it real. The Eagles agreed to terms with Javon Hargrave, formerly to the Steelers, three years, $39 million. Uh, I don't know how much guaranteed money he had, but yeah, they, they needed some interior help. Malik Jackson, who got hurt last year, should be back.

Timmy Jernigan will surely get cut. Now you got Malik Jackson, Hardgrave, and Fletcher Cox. Pretty good rotational, interior defensive lineman. A little bit of a shocker. The Bears gave Jimmy Graham almost $10 million in guaranteed. Texting was someone with the Bears, not naggy, but they go, you know, it doesn't, Ryan Pace knows him from the Saints. He still is a good red zone target.

Mitch isn't very accurate and he is tall. So, you know, I'm not going to bitch in much. own over giving $9 million of Jimmy Graham. Michael Brocker signed with the Ravens. He's just a solid player. Zane Gonzalez, we don't do kick or takes

here. Kyle Van Nuoy talked about that. Byron Jones basically got insane money the first two years, like $20 million a year the first two years. I had to text around because I, you know, I haven't watched, like really, really studied

Byron Jones because you don't. If you just watch players on TV, you don't really get to see them. You've got to ask scouts about corners. And the one thing I was told, if he's a starter on your team, you feel really, really good about it. Is he Patrick Peterson or Revis or Sherbin in his prime? No, he's not. Is he the highest paid corner ever? Yes.

But is that because he actually just a good player that hit free agency? Yes. You know, the Dolphins, they traded all their good players. They have a bunch of caps base. They got a bunch of picks. They bought a bunch of players. James Bradbury got four. $45 million with the Giants.

I've heard actually he's not that much worse than Byron Jones. Just another solid starter should improve their defense. Dennis Kelly resigned with the Titans. They had to do that once Conklin leaves. I bet they like Kelly at his number a lot more than Conklin at his number. Raiders kept Peterman. We got a lot of action today. Chad Henney stayed.

Graham Glasgow, who was with the Browns. Again, to be honest, I don't have a scouting report on a center from the Browns. This signing is just mind-blowingly stupid. They gave Big V from the Eagles, the Detroit Lions, $50 million. I don't have the guaranteed money, but I saw it earlier today on Twitter. It was pretty big. You can't give Big V that much money under no circumstances. It can't happen.

He's not a good pass protector. You can't pay a pass. You can't pay an offensive tackle solid. money when he's not a good pass protector. It can't happen, and they did it. I think we've basically covered most of the Brady unsigned. I think James is in somewhat of a weird spot.

There's a chance all the chairs are going to get filled here in the next couple days, and James is not going to have one, one, and two, he's not going to have any leverage. There's a chance James Winston's playing for like $10 million next year. And you know what? Like I said, go back to Tampa. is that where he belongs?

I think so. Prince of Mocha Mokamora. Jets are poking around. Clowny. The Giants are in pursuit. So yeah, this is all this stuff's for murder. That basically covers it. Okay, let's bang out a couple

Middilkoff mailbag questions at John Middlecoff. Instagram, slide up into those DMs. I'm running out of juice. I've given a lot of takes today on Periscope. Recorded another podcast. Recorded this podcast. done some Instagramming.

I've given everything I had to the first day of free agency, even though I've been in quarantine. Question for the pod. Could you see a scenario where Deshaun Watson forces his way out of Houston? Leaving seems like it would be the best way for him to have a winning career. Well, in fairness to the Texans and Bill O'Brien, Deshaun Watson has had a winning career, right? When he has been there, when he has started for him,

they're good, and they make the playoffs. that happens. So, DeAndre is his best friend. And sometimes, like, well, just because your best friends gets traded, this is the big leagues, welcome to the real life.

But I think Deshaun would say, well, name me five better wide receivers, you idiot. And Bill O'Brien would be like, uh, Randall Cobb. So, yeah,

if I was Deshawn Watson, I'd be pissed off. I'd be, I would not be happy. I would not be happy at all. Is he going to, force his way out of Houston. You know, I think he's up for a contract extension relatively soon,

and that thing could be historically big. So, I don't know. That's a good question. I had a question pertain to the running back market. Going forward and a special player like Christian McCaffrey, who just saw Derek Henry get franchised and only going to make $10 million. Would it be wise for him to convert to wide receiver for next year? So if he's franchise tagged, it would be wide receiver money instead of running back,

and he would preserve his body going forward under the rebuild in Carolina. instead of them driving him into the ground and getting rid of him once his contract is up. I know McCaffrey is a special case because it was his receiving ability, but you're just trying to figure out a way for top-tier running backs to get more money. Yeah, I think it's tough because, you know, I saw a lot of players today go, I can't believe they pay Tanny Hill when the running back carried them. Well, guys, quarterbacks are more important. It's harder to find Ryan Tanyhill than it is Derek Henry.

That's just, that's a reality. Now, is Ryan Tanyhill more valuable last year to the Titans than the Texans? I mean, to the Titans than Derek Henry? You'd go, well, probably not, but they were not going to go to the playoffs with Marcus Marriota. Tanyhill came in, resurrected him, helped lead him to the playoffs, made some huge plays. I think the problem for McCaffrey is he is such a good running back that even though they throw on the ball and he gets 90 plus catches, he is lining up in the backfield. and they are handing him the ball off.

So yeah, he can say, well, move me to slot receiver. Well, if I'm the offensive coordinator, I still want to put him in the backfield because I still want to give him the ball in those situations because that's where he thrives. So it's just a very, very difficult situation. I don't know if there's a right answer to it because I think more often than not,

they're in the right, they're in the right. They're doing the right thing. You shouldn't franchise these guys. Or, I mean, you shouldn't long give them huge money. I think it's a very difficult spot. Tight ends are very similar. There is not a tight end in the league. The highest paid tight end ever.

Amari Cooper just got $60 million. $60 million in guaranteed money. The highest paid tight end in NFL history with guaranteed dollars? $23 million. Austin Hooper. Think about that. What's George Kittle thinking right now? What's your take on what the Jets have done so far in free agency?

I get J.D. being an O-line guy. may not want to overpay for a tier one free agent alignment. But do they have the luxury of getting average guys in the tier two of the draft? Are you worried his plan won't give us sufficient time to see Darnold develop? Yeah, you know, are you going to overpay Conklin? Are you going to pay Dennis Kelly? Are you going to pay some of these centers and guards? I'm with you.

I would bet him a little more aggressive. Have the Jets even sign anyone? I guess they sign Noah Fant. or not Noah Fant, but the Fant from the Seattle. I don't know. I'm with you. I would have been a little more aggressive for offensive linemen. You know, the dude from the Patriots got franchise,

so you can't get a hold of him. Could you have signed Byron Jones to that type contract? Maybe. You know, you just, in 2020, you got to be aggressive in free agency. I already read that one. Packers' fans. fan here in Hawaii. Given the fact that Rogers is getting older, what do you think about Green Bay going after Jonathan Taylor in the first round and creating a crazy duo with him and Aaron

Jones? This draft is so loaded with a wide receiver talent, arguably Green Bay's biggest weakness on offense, they get a great starter in the second round and address the other needs, linebacker, offensive line, ETC, and later rounds. Possibly even trading number two running back, Jamal Williams, for one of those needs. Love the pod, keep it up. Don't hate that idea. My only issue with Jonathan Taylor in the first round Were they picking? 28 or 29 because they were in the N.S. They're probably picking 29, right?

Because they had a better record than the Titans. Would I take him at 29? I mean, in a perfect world, in a vacuum, yes, I would be comfortable taking him. My issue and the question I think NFL people have on Jonathan Taylor is how good of a pass catcher is he? I don't think he's bad, but I don't think he's McCaffrey or one of those guys.

And to justify being taken in the first round, you've got to be dynamic doing everything. And there are some fumble concerns. Well, they play in a division with the Bears and the Vikings, very, very physical defenses. And hell, even the Lions today, added Van Nuoy, added Jamie Collins, like they did get more physical. That's just something that I would need to know. And now all these visits are canceled.

It makes it a little more complicated. It really does. I would lean probably take in a wide receiver there. Because, again, the value, I can get a running back. in the later rounds. How's it going? Love the pod. With Ben coming back off the elbow

and assuming he has one or two seasons left in the tank, and Pittsburgh not having a first and always finishing middle in the top of the pack, should we be planning our future at quarterback? I think we saw Rudolph and Duck aren't the long-term solutions.

I agree. Also, where do you think we need the most improvement via the draft? Trade outside quarterback. The O line. Thanks again. for pumping out good content. Well, you got wide receivers.

You got Juju. The other kid you drafted last year can fly. Vance McDonald and tight ends are solid enough. James Connor, you can always find running backs. Your defensive line is stacked. You tagged Dupree. You keep T.J. You got players there.

The dude you drafted from Michigan is going to be a good player. You add Minka. You got solid corners. Yeah, I think you've got to figure out quarterback. You can never have enough offensive linemen. But am I taking a mid-round quarterback? I mean, I just took Mason Rudolph in the third round. A couple years ago, I took Dobbs in the fourth.

I think their next quarterback, they got to take a guy in the first round. How about this? Signed James is the backup. It's great. James and Big Ben? Talk about a reality show. You can just start a reality show. James and Big Ben, that would be the name of the reality show. People would watch.

It would get big numbers. I'll promise you that. Maybe that's your idea. Sign James. Two-year deal. as of recording this it's about 9 o'clock on the West Coast he hasn't signed

and maybe if all the dominoes fall he doesn't have a place to go if Teddy goes to Tampa you just sign him two years 20 million guarantee him like six or seven and you just try to reclamation project Ben gets hurt again throw James in there

let it rip appreciate everyone listening busy ass times I'm tired and quarantined free agency stay safe Hopefully this entertained you, and we'll just keep on chugging.

Peace. Learning to ski, keep in mind these helpful tips. Start on smooth, easy slopes, bend your knees, and always look up. Not down, that is up to Alberta, Canada, where your unsightly tumbles are a thousand miles out of sight, surrounded by skiers you'll never see again, and the breathtaking beauty of the Canadian Rockies. Plan your trip at travelalberta.com. Learn in Canada. Impress in California.

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. In every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headline.

And we're going straight to the source, the athletes themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, 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 Slicel Life 12 in the TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok.

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 Band. 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 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 with 42. Hey, Wreck, my mama want you to weigh better. What?

Where's she at? 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. on this. If we didn't talk ever again, I was funny. You just understood. That's how personal it got. Wow. Then after that game seven, Marquis come in 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. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.