The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 3 and Out - Giants Culture Reboot + Jaylon Smith on Mental Toughness, Overcoming Adversity, Mailbag

Episode Date: August 25, 2023

John explains why the Giants would take a chance on former 1st round pick Isaiah Simmons.  Then, John is joined by former Notre Dame All-American and Cowboys Pro Bowl LB Jaylon Smith discusses why he’s excited about signing with the Saints, what he saw in Brian Daboll that allowed him to turn around the Giants, how he mentally overcame the knee injury he sustained in the Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State. John also answers listener questions in the Middlekauff Mailbag. Follow John on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for the latest. Check out Gametime - the fastest growing ticketing app in the US, and the official ticketing app of 3 & Out and GoLow -  for tickets to all of your favorite NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAA teams. Concert and comedy show tickets, too. Go to Gametime now to create an account, download the app and use code JOHN for $20 off your first purchase. #Volume #HerdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

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

It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The volume.

Just a reminder, you can catch me recording this podcast, live on Amp. Amp is a new live radio app that lets you call in and chat with me in person while recording. Get the app on Apple's App Store and make sure you follow me at John Middlekoff to get notified when I go live. What is going on, everybody, John Middlecough, three and out podcast. How are we doing? my people. Here's the deal. We've had a lot of podcasts this week. If you're listening on Collins feed, make sure you subscribe to the three and out feed. We have a lot of content. And we've just, we've had one on Monday. We've had a podcast on Tuesday. We had a podcast yesterday

talking about Trey Lance and Arbaugh and everything. We got one today. A lot coming up. A couple quick takes on Giants, the trade for Isaiah Simmons, as well as just some overall thoughts on the economics around draft picks in 2003 relative to what they were once upon a time. We have a new show sponsor, my friends at Guinness. So they are a big part of this weekend Notre Dame game. We got a Notre Dame alumni. He goes by Jalen Smith, former All-American, former cowboy,

currently trying to make the New Orleans Saints. Very impressive guy. Obviously, he had the terrible injury in his last game of his career in the bowl game. We talk a little bit about that. And yeah, just, I mean, I've been, I've admired that guy, his mentality for adversity since the moment that happened. So he's a stud rooting for him. We also have a mailbag. At John Middlecoff is the Instagram, fire in those DMs and get your question answered on the show. Very easy to do. At John Middlecoff, fire in the DMs, answer your questions on the DMs or on the show through the DMs. So fire in the

those fire on my Instagram. That's how you interact with the people. Other than that, last weekend of the preseason, next week will be a big, I'm sure week of shows, we're going to have cut downs, we're going to have some trades. I'm sure some wild stuff will happen. You never know in the NFL with a guy you didn't expect to get cut,

a guy you didn't expect to get traded. The fireworks usually go down right in the last weekend of August in the National Football League. So we will have you covered. And yeah, that should wrap it. So if you missed any podcast, check the three and out feed. We got a lot of podcasts this week, and we're going to have a lot more football season, baby. Buckle up.

Before we dive into football, I need to tell you about my favorite app in the phone. Grab your smartphone, go to your app store, download the game time app. They happen to be the official ticketing app of this podcast. And when you do, you go, God, I want to go to a football game this fall. College, pro, you name it. I got you covered. sign up. They got interactive maps. You can find out exactly where you want to sit. Your first pair of tickets. Use the promo code, John. That's my name, J-O-H-N, J-O-H-N. You get $20 off. You get $20 off. You get $20 off. You get $20 off. You get $20 off. You get $20 off. How do you beat that? These inflationary times, give a little discount. No big deal. I don't even need a thank you. Just download the app. Game time. promo code John, $20 off.

That's all the thank you I need. Enjoy yourself. Let's start with just football in general. The game is not that complicated. I was watching the Netflix documentary. You know, right now, not a lot of television shows out there. The writer's strike is really starting to kick in to our entertainment. And you lay in bed at 9 or 10 at night.

You just want to watch a little TV before you unwind. Options are getting limited. So I flipped on the Florida Gators documentary. I'm not an urban Meyer guy. I think he's kind of a scumbag. Don't even like Florida. And I saw a lot of criticism of the documentary online. Like, I'm not expecting guns, murder, sex, drugs, rock and roll, strippers, prostitutes,

which obviously played a big role in his program, literally murder. But I was like, you know what? one of the best programs in my life for that stretch. I'll just watch it, take it for what it is. I get it's probably Urban Meyer propaganda. That's the only way they can get him to agree. He's basically telling it through his lens. Now, I've never disputed for all his scummy tendencies, how good of a coach he was. College. No business in the league. Elite college coach. Elite. So I was like, you know, I'll throw this on. And I think he represents something, right? If you hire Urban Meyer in college, you're going to win.

If you hire Lincoln Riley, Nick Saban, Brian Kelly, you're going to win. The NFL is a little harder because in college, I can steal you from another program. If I'm LSU, I can go to Notre Dame and go, I'll offer you $100 million. If I'm USC, I can look the guy at Oklahoma and say, what's your number? In the pros, I can't. So the only way, if you're not a retread coach, and retread sounds negative. I mean, Andy Reeves on a second job. Bill Belichick's on a second job.

But if you haven't had previous experience, I'm kind of guessing. I'm taking a projection a lot like a draft pick, right? When I hire Sean McVeigh, Kyle Shanahan, Mike Vrable, I'm hoping it's much easier to hire a Pete Carroll or Andy Reed that have a resume. But that's not most coaches, right? Most coaches are not Sean Payton.

Most coaches are Brian Dayball. And in football, in college, when I hire Nick Saban, when I hire Urban Meyer, when I hire Brian Kelly or Lincoln Riley, they have the quote unquote GM position now in college football. But let's be real. The head coach on Saturdays is the GM and the head coach. In the pros, you got a true GM. You're paying another guy seven figures as well. Now, these coaches are making between 10 and 15, Sean Payton, $18 million. GMs make a lot less, but they're still making two to five.

Like, they're making some coin, and they play an integral, important role in any franchise, regardless how much juice or non-juice they have. But the reality is the best franchises have a very, very close relationship between the head coach and the GM. And even if the head coach is the Grand Poo-Bah, Pete Carroll, Andy Reid, they empower John Schneider, Brett Veach. And they have success. So when I look at the Giants, they were an embarrassment for a four-year stretch. Shocked, Pat Schumer didn't work. Wait, you're going to hire a special teams coach from New England.

Good luck. And it was even more of a disaster than anyone thought. But when they hired Brian Dayball, who fits the projection like a lot of coaches in recent history, right? Kyle McVeigh, LaFleur, guys who have been coordinators, offensive guys, guys that can influence the quarterback. You never know. I don't care who he's worked for. I don't care where he's been. And I don't care how good he's been as an assistant head coach.

If we knew these guys were going to be good, they would have been hired way before they were hired. And they would have had way more people lined up trying to hire them. Like Mike Vrable's good. Well, of course he is. Look at him, right? Well, it wasn't that big of a no-brainer a couple years before he got hired when he had to start just working for Urban Meyer as a college assistant

and then go to Bill O'Brien as a position coach. It made sense like team captain, Brady loved him, Belichick guy, tough guy, defensive mind. But he's been way better than anyone could have imagined. The giant success, like, and listen, I am guilty of this too. Quarterback, quarterback, quarterback, quarterback. Would Josh Allen have been Josh Allen if he would have gone to a shitty situation? If he wouldn't gone to a place that had a GM and a head coach,

Sean McDermott and Brandon Bean, same vision, same ideas, same willingness to go through the mud and big picture, and a coordinator in Brian Dable that knew what he was doing. Is Jimmy Garapelo a $180 million career earning guy if he doesn't play for Belichick and Kyle Shanahan? Instead, he plays for Joe Judge and Todd Bowles? Your circumstances in football, especially at quarterback, dramatically influence your success. There are only so many Peyton Mannings that can overcome anybody.

Look at Trevor Lawrence. Can't miss. Andrew Lux's probably the best example. He overcame incompetence. Trevor Lawrence, if Urban Meyer would have been his head coach for several years, again, good college coach, no business in the pros, it would have been ugly. It gets Doug Peterson, NFL guy,

Super Bowl champ, looks like the next star. So, Daniel Jones, I had a lot of people when Daniel Jones was coming out. I remember thinking like, they drafted them six overall. What are they doing? And my guys in the SEC were like, middle cop, I like this guy. I had a big grade on this guy. Well, Pat Schumer, Joe Judge, four years later, is like, this guy stinks. What a terrible pick. And then boom, Brian Dayball comes in and just makes him credible. Now, how good he's going to be? I don't know. But I'll never forget being in college seeing Alex Smith. And you see it in this documentary,

Urban Meyer got hired from Utah to go to Florida because of that Alex Smith year. Him and Dan Mullen, right? They were taking the country by storm with this spread offense and this athletic quarterback. And then he goes to Mike Nolan and Mike Singletary. And he's viewed as just an absolute embarrassment. Then Jim Harbaugh comes. Then he trades him to Andy Reid and he becomes a really good player. The power of a good head coach and a GM that not only knows what he's doing,

but is on the same page as your coach, equal success in the NFL. It's hard to find. No one knows there is no secret sauce, but once you get it, you're off to the races and you're going to be good. Now, it doesn't guarantee you Super Bowls, right? The bills may never win a Super Bowl, but they're going to consistently be good

because they have a good head coach, they have a good general manager, and they're both on the same page. It's just really that simple. And I think the Giants, you saw today they made a trade. One thing whenever you get, you know, organizational chaos

and people get fired and new coaches come in, I remember being a pro scout. You're always evaluating that team extra hard, especially during training camp, because everyone's available. Because they don't care about any of these guys, especially former high picks. So Isaiah Simmons and one of my friends in the league

who's probably the best scout I know hated him. I remember him saying like this guy, top 10 pick? Like I wouldn't, I wouldn't have drafted this guy. Not that he had an undrafted free agent great on the guy. He just said, if I was in charge, he would just be a guy, I don't draft. and he's been proven right. And maybe the guy has no position, and maybe he just can't really find himself.

But the Giants basically get to take a free flyer on a guy that clearly Arizona would have cut. Because any time that you trade a seventh round pick for a guy right before the big cut dates, tells you everything you know. One, no one else wanted him. And two, he was going to be released. They would have cut him.

And the Giants a couple years ago could not have made this trade. They did not have the cohesion. They did not have the vision. They did not have the talent running their operation. Maybe I'm overstating it, but I really believe in these two guys. And when you have two guys that know what they're doing, you win. It's really that simple, right? Harry Roseman knows what he's doing.

You've seen him with a good coach. They've won. Siriani, proven to be a pretty good coach. They've won. Doug Peterson, proven to be a pretty good coach, they want. You get a GM, and Howie's one of the rare, like, GMs that has more juice than the head coach, Right? That's pretty rare in football. Like, Less Need does not have more juice than McVeigh.

John Snyder does not have more juice than Pete Carroll. John Lynch does not have more juice than Kyle Shanahan. But those guys are empowered, and it's why they've had a resume of success together. And I'm telling you, I don't know, maybe, I don't think the Giants are going to be some 14 win team. I think they could have a similar record to last year and be a better team. I think they could be 9 and 8 or 10 and 7 and be just dramatically better on the eye test and just more talented. And I think the entire reason is because their head coach and their GM, they finally got it right. And I was thinking about this because the Trey Lance conversation has just been just a lot of draft talk, right?

Missing on picks and how bad of a pick it was. And it's not arguable. It was one of the worst. It's legitimately the worst draft pick in franchise history, given the amount they traded for him. And he's obviously can't even be the backup going into year three. and I haven't broken down every trade in NFL history, it has to be right up there as, I think I can very confidently say a top five worst pick in NFL history

and definitely, you know, one of the worst draft, it wasn't a draft day trade, but one of the worst draft trades ever. But in 2023, and really since the new CBA in 2011, missing on a draft pick is not killer. It is in the sense that I could have drafted, I drafted this guy. I could have drafted that guy. That sucks. That can be a kick in the dick, right?

I could have drafted my homes. I could have drafted Josh Allen. I could have done this. But in terms of the actual pick, even if you miss, it does not sink the franchise. It doesn't derail you in terms of finances. Because I remember being in college and when I first became a GA, like at Fresno State, like 07, 08, 2009. And it was that stretch of like Jamarcus Russell, Matt Stafford, Sam Bradford, Nadamacan Sue wasn't the number one pick, but he was the number two pick. The amount of money these guys were getting paid. And remember, the salary cap was dramatically smaller. So when they were signing these $50, 60 million contracts, it was not with a $2.25 million salary cap. I don't know what the salary cap was in 2007, but my guess would be closer to $120 than it was $220. So the amount of money was crippling from a financial standpoint. I remember, Marcus Russell held out into the season, and a big reason was Al Davis did not have the cash to pay the signing votes. And now the money is, it's all monopoly money. Like, ultimately, Trey Lance is going to make $35 million from his contract. Whether he never plays another snap in the NFL, he made out like a mandate.

But that money to Jed York, kind of irrelevant, it's all monopoly money. I was just telling, I'm doing a big remodel for the house I bought. And I was telling the general contractor today, you know what's crazy about real estate and when you use a problem? property to pay for another property. It kind of feels like monopoly money, right? Like the money I make doing a podcast, the money you make doing whatever you do, you know, you feel like I earn that money. When you buy a property and it just appreciates, you don't have to actually do anything, especially when you live there. You're just like, well, I sold it for double what I bought it for. That's fucking easy money. That's why most people I've historically have said, buy real estate,

buy real estate. Because it's just, if you do it right, you can make a lot of money and you don't have to do much, besides just pay the note or have someone else pay the note for you. What's kind of the same thing right now in the NFL. If I'm an owner this year and my team wins two games, or I'm an owner and my team wins 15 games, when the season ends, whenever the payment comes out for the media deal, which last year I think was almost $400 million, I think it was like $375 million.

That money's the same. You get the same check from the league and the same amount of money. I think it's paid out throughout the season. whether you're good or bad, whether you suck or whether you win the Super Bowl. Like the money that the chiefs got last year from the NFL was the same amount of money the Bears and the Houston Texans got. The same amount of cash. Now, you make more independently from sweet sales and all that stuff, but I'm just saying

the money that ultimately you have to have to pay your players, to pay really most of your bills, is all the same. So when you whiff on any pick or whatever, it used to be devastating because of the amount of money, it was way less money being made. It was all out of whack. Well, the new CBA and this rookie scale has kind of changed the game. So financially, you miss on Trey Lance. It would have been devastating if you didn't have a quarterback. 49ers have two guys that are better in Brock Purdy and Sam Darnold.

But ultimately the money, even if they have to cut them, which I don't think they are inclined to do, because, you know, it accelerates, you know, when you sign someone and you give them a signing bonus of $20 million since a four-year contract, you amortize that over the length of the deal. And usually you backload it a little bit. And when I cut a guy before the deal is done, it accelerates forward to that year. So they would have a huge dead money, which I don't think they want to do. But even if they have to eat a little money and attach a pick to get rid of them, like, whatever, here's a fifth round pick.

We'll eat a couple million dollars. Take this player. It's another thing. and you've seen it recently with some of these running backs, when you have an albatross number of a guy that people view can't play, why did, hell, Dalvin Cook can play. And not a soul in the NFL would trade for Dalvin Cook for $14 million. Because ultimately when he signed, he signed for less than half of that.

When you look at the true guarantees, Zieg was making a ton, signed for $600,000 signing bonus. So the money in the NFL with the salary cap, when it comes to draft picks, isn't that crazy? What, do you know what is crazy? If Russell Wilson stings, what is killer for the Denver Broncos is not that they gave up a couple first round picks. It just isn't. What's killer for them is that Russell Wilson's contract is enormous.

It is massive. The amount of guaranteed money that they gave him that goes over the life of his contract, you can't get rid of that. You're stuck with that, especially the money through the signing bonus you give them. Same thing with Kyler Murray. So it becomes, like if Russell Wilson right now, Sean Payton made him available, obviously it would be detrimental to their salary cap. But it would be basically impossible to trade him because people question how good he is. And to his number is so massive.

It is very, very big. And the guaranteed money makes things very, very complicated. So when you miss on draft picks, which all general managers do, the only problem is who you could have taken in that spot, right? The reason Howie Roseman regretted Jalen Rager, not because he was paying him much money, because he could have taken Justin Jefferson. Now, he made up for it a couple years later when he gets AJ Brown, but it wasn't because he owed Jalen Rager a lot of money.

He didn't. When you're the 20th pick, I mean, what do you get guaranteed, like $5, 6 million? Contract is nothing. That's like what Justin Tucker makes to kick. So I think the NFL, what makes it such a fascinating league is it's the biggest business of all the pro sports, at least in this country. I know European soccer is massive.

Obviously, just look at what Messi's doing. I mean, what a, I'm not the biggest soccer guy, though I do respect, you know, obviously the World Cup with the European countries. You can't convince, like, I can't take the MLS seriously. You know, this is not in his prime messy. This is an older messy that felt like, you know, a little bit of a cash grab, get some Apple stock, get some equity in the deal. It's like he's not even breaking a sweat.

Remember, I'm not the biggest tennis guy, but I like Federer or Nadal, Yukovic watching those guys play. Federer never sweated. It always felt like, God, look how easy he makes this. The guy doesn't even sweat. It's like Kauai Leonard.

They just don't even sweat. When you don't sweat, I don't care how hard you're working, it doesn't look like you're working that hard. And when you're kicking someone's ass, like, God, this guy's making it look easy. Messy is making a fucking mockery of soccer in America. It's like he just kind of spins around some guys,

kicks it through his legs, boom, kicks him like 75 feet out, loops it around the goalie every single time. It's like some of his goals look like something you would see on video games. He's always done that, but it felt a little harder at the highest level. This is a joke. And I don't really know. I guess the ultimate point is the business of the NFL from the owner's standpoint,

from the player standpoint, it's just, it's really fascinating. And it's what makes complicated like Chris Jones and Nick Bosa are elite players. No one would argue that. Whether you're pro-management, pro-team, anti-certain players, like, that's a universally accepted opinion. It's not an opinion. You just, you have to be, there's no subjectivity on their talent. They are elite. But where it does get complicated is like, how much you want?

Like, if you did get, have a major injury, which can happen, we're giving you $125 million guarantee, like, it's basically a quarterback contract. We're stuck with you minimum for like four years. So these contracts get very complicated. When you draft guys high, whatever. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque.

Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win.

I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast.

It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me, or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need. to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Notre Dame alumni and legend and NFL player, Jalen Smith, sponsored by Guinness, as we, Notre Dame seasons right around the corner. I see my man in New Orleans. What's going on? Oh man, how you doing, brother? I'm excited to be on the show, and we get to watch Irish football this weekend.

It's crazy. I mean, you just, when did you sign with the Saints? A couple weeks ago, right? Like, you signed kind of mid-camp? Yeah, yep, yep, I signed like the second week in the camp. So I've been here for two weeks now, and I'm loving it here in the boot, man. All the teammates have welcomed me in the right way. And just excited to be, you know, down south

and a part of the New Orleans Saints. You know, what's funny is like we talk so much about young guys, right? Like late draft picks, undratch, trying to make the team. You're a good example. I was reading some quotes from Dennis Allen, who obviously you had a really good second preseason game, but a guy who comes a little later, you're trying to make the team, things are going well.

You've been on both sides, right? High pick, established player. And now in this situation, what's the last couple weeks have been like? I mean, it's a grind. You know, anytime you get a chance to play in the National Football League, you know, each and every year, you've got to go out and earn your spot. And I'm a guy who's been through some adversity from injury to new contract, to being released, to plan on multiple teams. Entering my eighth season in the National Football League, you know, you've got to prove yourself every day. And I'm a guy that I know I can still play the game at a high level and add value to any team.

So I was just thankful, you know, for the opportunity of Dennis Allen and the Saints bringing me in to show what I can do. You know, and I've done it. So I just got to continue on this process. And at the end of the day, you've got to control what you can control. So last year, you know, you had played the year before he signed late with the Giants. Last year, day ball comes in. You play a lot up through the playoffs. So a guy like you, you know, your contract ends, your free agent, why?

were there opportunities before the draft? Was it just something that played out? Did you specifically wait for the right opportunity? How does that play out for a guy? You know, when I worked in the league, we said, call you a street free agent. You know, he's like, yeah. How did you play that game to figure out how you ended up with the New Orleans Saints? I mean, the biggest thing is there's got to be a team that wants you,

that can, you know, that you can add values you, that can actually see, you know, where you would fit in their system. And that's something that I've always been fond of, of just making sure that I'm somewhere that I'm wanted and that I can show and display, you know, my talents. You know, being a leader, having experience in the league, having success in the league,

and some ability, you know, the only thing that matters is what you do now. And I had a great run, you know, the past two years with the New York Giants, even having a playoff game, a playoff victory last year. That was an amazing. team, coach by Coach Dable, who's a great coach.

And for me, this offseason was just about, you know, being somewhere, you know, that I can add some more value. And, you know, the calls wait. You know, you got to wait for those calls. You got to wait for those right opportunities. And for me, it was just about making sure I was ready. So when the Saints came, it brought me in. I killed the workout.

And they brought me right in. And I've been working. I've been bawling. So we just got to keep this thing going. We got one preseason game left. I'm just excited to be still playing the game that I love. One thing I saw Dennis Allen said about you, what's unique is right,

you don't have a long history, definitely in Notre Dame and early on playing special teams. And now is that something that you have to show that you can do a little bit just to make this team? Like, are you nervous right now? Because financially you've made some money in the league. It's not like you need this to survive. But pride, you want to.

keep playing in the league, like to making the team right now, is that something that you go? You think a lot about, or do you just old cliche day by day, just be where you're at on that given day and just let the chips fall where they may? Day by day, let the chips fall because the more you try to worry about what you can't control, it can actually affect the things you can control. And I'm a guy that's a faithful God, a believer in God, and I know what he has for me is for me. But as far as making this team and adding value, you know, you got to show it every single day. And that's just something that I've always prided myself.

Even when, you know, I was the, you know, the defensive captain, you know, for a team. And, you know, it's the star player. So, you know, nothing's changed for me and my preparation and my work and just going out there to show that I belong. And that's what matters, you know, especially when you know you got a lot left in the tank. you just got to continue to prove it every single day. So that's what I'm excited for. That's what I've been doing. And like I said, just happy to be here in New Orleans,

the fans that welcome me in, you know, the right way. You hear a lot about culture. And, you know, you hear a lot about how amazing the food is here in Louisiana and New Orleans. So I'm just taking everything in day by day for sure. You've been around, obviously last year, the Giants were good. You've been around some good cowboy teams. just seeing these guys at practice. I think there's a lot of just positivity, right?

With Derek coming in, the talent that was already there, Michael Thomas back. What's your take been on just the operation in these last couple weeks, talent-wise? The take is in every room, we have skill, we have leadership. It's a well-balanced team. And you talk about on paper, you talk about, you know, actually being a part of it, you know, you can feel it, the energy, the confidence that we're

building and that we're growing. The only thing that matters is on game day, can you make that same thing happen? So the preparation has been key for us, and Dennis Allen has done a great job at leading us men as we, you know, kind of build this culture and this camaraderie, you know, headed into the season. I've talked a lot about Brian Dayball on this podcast. And, you know, I'm a bald guy, a roof of ball guys. What made him, like, tell me your experience with him and why is he a good coach? Players coach, complete energy guy. He lets every player be themselves.

You know, you don't have to walk around the building trying to fit this image, you know. I think the more confidence that players have, the more comfortable that the players and staff, you know, kind of possessed the better than we, you know, then we could play. You know, you have those coaches that you just want to go out and ball for, you know, you kind of want them in your foxhole, and Dave will was one of those guys. He displayed that you hear a lot about, you know,

Pete Carroll being one of those, you know, players coaches that you just want to do right, you know, for and buy. And that's what I loved about Davel in my short time playing under him last year, you know, with the New York Giants. Just had amazing time with the guys. And we chailed together and had success, success and went on a run. And that's kind of what I look forward to about being here in New Orleans is just what we can accomplish, you know, winning the division. The ultimate goal, you know, being that, you know, hosting that Lombard chart trophy, you know, but it starts now.

And that's why I was, you know, very blessed to be able to join this team because, you know, For me, I'm going to do whatever it takes to win. And that's what I told, you know, Coach Allen is, you know, whatever he needs for me and whatever role he knows that I can play and I can produce. And I'm just going to make sure that I'm ready and continue to show it each and every day, sure. Yeah, let's roll back to your younger years, you know, an Indiana kid, Notre Dame, Brian Kelly. You know, you were an enormous five-star recruit was, I saw, I read that you committed in December.

So, you know, it's not like you waited until the end. Was there ever a doubt? Where else were you thinking? Was it Notre Dame since you were like a five-year-old? It was probably, if I didn't go to Notre Dame, it would have been Ohio State. My older brother, Ross Smith, he played at Ohio State and was there at the time of my commitment. And that would have been the only other school that I would have probably went to. But I'm a mama's boy.

I like to be close to home. You know, Notre Dame was a little closer than Fort Wayne than Ohio State was and just having the opportunity to play right away. I went to a Catholic high school, so I got to, you know, kind of learn about those Catholic values, you know, from high school that could kind of help, you know, me learn about this world and be able to maneuver, you know, being an American citizen. And then Notre Dame is just a prestigious university that's global. You know, being able to play each and every week on national television, being able to meet so many people.

You know, my college roommate, both of his parents were lost law graduates at Notre Dame. They went to undergrad at Stanford and, you know, they own their own law firms, things like that. So just being able to create relationships outside of football. And we're all relational human beings. So I value that. And Notre Dame was one of the best decisions I've ever made for sure. You know, from the outside, obviously the way your career ended. And then because you were such a highly touted prospect coming in the draft,

we just got to experience your mindset about it. And I've never met you before this moment talking to you. I always had a lot of admiration and respect. And just I was like, I hope I would do the same if I had such so much adversity in, especially at a young point in time. I think you were a huge inspiration for a lot of people, the way you mentally handled it. And the way I can see now. I mean, you're just a positive person.

But it's easy to be a positive person. Then, you know, stuff hits the fan. You go, how do you maintain that mindset? That injury is. something we all saw. I mean, how did you keep such a positive mindset through it all? It's obviously worked out pretty well in your career, but at the time, that could not have been easy.

It was tough. It was tough because, you know, being the number one linebacker, you know, a sure top three, top five picking the draft to get hurt in your final collegiate game is something that no one think so. And nor one imagines that it will actually happen. But for me, when the injury occurred, it was just like, why now? That was my immediate response. And then from there, it was just a belief system of like, okay, I have no time to, I have no time to really like dwell on what happened. What happened happened. And I had so many people doubting me. There were doctors saying that I'd probably never play the game again. So I didn't have a job.

choice but to have that belief system of like that I would make it back. I kind of I kind of refer to a clear eye view, which is my core values. And what it stands for is a focus vision, a determined belief, and earned dreams. And that's just kind of like my motto, my core values, just on how I've been able to overcome everything. You know, having that focus vision is a laser being focused on what you want to accomplish. And then having that determined belief it's about a self-belief, a belief for yourself

that you can accomplish that goal. And then earn dreams is just about how bad you want it. You know, what work are you willing to play this game? What work are you willing to play it to be successful? And then when you talk about, like, it wasn't okay for guys to skip games, you know, skip bowl games before, you know, before my injury. So I'm a huge catapult of that.

of people being able to make a choice on whether they want to play or not. You know, if I could go back, I would have played still. You know, that game was highly stout. It was like 12 first-round projected picks in that Fiesta Bowl. So, you know, no doubt in my mind would I have wanted to leave the game the right way, leave my college career, being a Notre Dame captain, you know, with my guys, with my brothers. but now guys get to make the choice.

So, man, I'm just thankful to be able to be a part of that. Do you get guys now, whether it be Notre Dame or other, you know, big time schools that either hit you up on DMs or through an agent or whatever that ask for your advice on what they should do in those situations? I do, I do, I do. And it's all about pro-choice. It's all about pro-choice. You got to weigh your options.

You got to weigh. you got to really think about and process, what do you want to do? And then from there, you know, you do what's best for you and what's best for your family.

That may differ, you know, based on the individual, you know, but, you know, for me, it's just about value over. It's about value over across.

And I'd love me, you know, some Notre Dame football. And being a captain there was just a blessing. And, yeah, I'm just thankful

to be a part of this, this rich, history and tradition. I'm looking forward to seeing them get a win this this upcoming weekend as well. Yeah, so what do you think in big picture? A lot of hype on this team, a lot of returning dudes. They get a quarterback, you know, the transfer portal wasn't around when you were playing. You get a quarterback like a free agent, Sam Hartman, a lot of hype on him. How about a little Notre Dame LSU playoff game? How sweet would that be?

That would be phenomenal and I would be in attendance. Talking a lot of trash to a lot of teammates here at the Saints that actually played in Bat Rouge at LSU. So definitely would vote for that game for sure. Well, man, I really appreciate

it. And like I said, man, I think you're an inspiration, your mindset for people that you'll never even meet and the way you handled that and all your success. And hell, we're rooting for you not just to make this team, but to keep this career rolling. And good luck, Jalen. And

Go Irish, baby. Man, I appreciate you guys having me on. Y'all be safe, man. Go Irish, baby. Let's do it this year. Again, that Jalen Smith interview was brought to you by Guinness. Gather your friends, raise your glasses, and toast to win. Ginnis Strout Stout, imported by Diageo Beer Company, USA, New York,

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

I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me. Clifford Taylor the 4th.

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

It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Okay, let's bang out a couple of minutes. mailbag questions at John Middlecoff is the Instagram. At John Middlecock is the Instagram firing those DMs. I understand Caleb Williams is quarterback one and May is quarterback too. But how far apart are they really? If you look at May's numbers, his stat line last season is almost identical to Derek Carr's junior season, except May also ran for 700 yards. May is about as accurate a passer as I've seen at the collegiate level in a long time.

Again, I understand Williams is the number one guy. Wouldn't surprise me if he wins the Heisman again. But how far apart are they really? Yeah, I mean, I am very, very higher on Drake May. It's an elite player. Sabin offered him millions of dollars. So Nick Sabin, who runs an NFL operation, was willing to pay him like, what Caleb Williams getting paid for USC.

You want $5 million? Said no, state of North Carolina. Now, he also turned down Nick Sabin, I think, coming out of high school. So Nick Sabin has been all over this guy for a long time. my guess is if I had to take a... Listen, I'm not always right. And a lot can take place. Last year at this time, I thought Will Levis was going to be the number one pick.

Turns out he's a little bit of a meathead. Had a bad season, Rich Gangarello, but still stand by. A lot of talent. Just weird stuff happened. I think it gets a lot closer as this season happens. Even if Caleb just maintains his level of play, I think Drake's star continues to rise. So I'm with you. Big time athlete.

So what made, like, part of what makes... Caleb Williams is he has like this Patrick Mahomes type of game. So he's all guys like that are always going to be, especially nowadays viewed as elite players. Trevor Lawrence, Andrew Locke, what made them such special prospects. Now, Caleb's a really good athlete too, is their ability to run. What makes Josh Allen so special? Justin Herbert, athleticism. So I'm with you on Drake May.

I think this quarterback class at the top, those two guys studs. So I hear you. I view all of college gambling nonsense about as stupid as the Harbaugh suspension. Obviously, they shouldn't be betting on games in which they play. But this is about as close to inner entrapment as it gets. Gambling is shoved in these kids' faces constantly. It's in the palm of their hands and bets can be made within seconds. And we're going to pretend we didn't set them up to fail.

And these are somehow low character athletes. As a libertarian, I'm typically all. for personal responsibility. But this is about as absurd as it gets. It's the equivalent of handing out free beer tickets, then surrounding the bar with cops, ready to pull everyone over. I have always said this.

If you're a player and you bet on yourself to win, never really bothered me. I understand, like, if position coaches or a head coach or a baseball manager bets on the spread, they can manipulate the game, and it starts being friends. But if I just bet on my team, if I'm a collegiate athlete, if I'm Caleb Williams, and I put

$5,000 on USC to win money line, you wouldn't do that against San Jose because they're an enormous favor. But let's say when they play Utah or Oregon, it's like minus 110. And I put 10 grand on the game. What am I doing wrong? Bet on my fucking self, right? I'm with you. I have no problem.

Where I do, like, if you bet on the spread, anyone that watched that Netflix documentary on the Arizona State guy in the 90s, he was. like betting on the other side of the spread. So he was, he was manipulating the game. And that's where you just get fraud, right? It's the equivalent in gambling of insider trading. So I'm with you. I don't have a problem, especially if guys bet on other games. Like, I don't have a problem with any of it. Right. I mean, I really don't. Just betting on your, betting against yourself or betting on the spread is where we get in a very, very murky water. And the difference in college and the pros, and this is why I have zero sympathy for anyone in the NFL that has been pop so far,

is they get paid. Like, that revenue comes into their pocket. So all they're saying is you cannot bet on the NFL. Hell, you can go home and bet on college football, but you cannot bet on the NFL. I think that's fair in the pros. In college, like, if I play for Alabama, I'm not allowed to bet on Oregon USC. That doesn't bother me. And I'm with you.

I'm a libertarian, personal responsibility. do whatever you want. That doesn't bother me as much. Massive Bears fan. Buddy introduced me to you a couple years ago, and it's been an auto download ever since. Shit, I like this guy. Your last pot, I wanted to remind you, yes, the Panthers should be bad,

but the Bears own their first round pick. I saw a couple of people DM me that. I said that if the Panthers suck, you're right. So if the Panthers don't want to totally suck. Now, let me rephrase. what I said, even though I was brain fart there, obviously they made the trade. No team tries to tank. None. It's just a fact. Even if you attempt to, you know, blow up the team like the Cardinals, they are going to try week one, week two, week three, maybe the last couple games.

They'll mail it in. But how, once upon a time, we saw Brian Flores. His team had what? One win or no wins in December and he won three games. Maybe he had one win. So these teams try. fair or not, stupid or not, they just do. It's just the way you don't work all those hours to lose. Personally, I expect the Bears to have a top 15 pick in 24. My question is, with our cap space and the picks we have in 24 and 5, is it bold to say the Bears may make some serious noise in the NFC come to 24th season? Here's the problem.

If you have a top 15 pick, that probably means Justin Field's status on your team up in the air. That means you have a quarterback problem. You need to get a, you need to find another quarterback. And two, as you saw in free agency, this is not baseball or basketball. We're like, Kevin Durant's available. Or Ray Lewis and Ledanyan Tomlinson and Luke Keeckley. Like most free agents are like, yeah, the team didn't want that guy. It's usually not like, who do you want this year to buy?

Micah Parsons, Lane Johnson, Nick Bosa or George Kittle. That's not the way free agency works. I would say the worst free agency by a mile is the NFL in terms of premium players hitting the market. The only premium players that ever hit the market now are via trade. Now, that is where you could take advantage. Like, could you make whoever that player is, I don't know the name, but Jalen Rams, Khalil Mack, which you did once upon a time. Could you make a trade like that?

Because that is when you have cap space and you have extra picks, it allows you to kind of wheel and deal that way. So I think that that would give you a lot of wiggle room. But when it comes to buying players, like you guys were probably smart. You didn't buy McGlensy this year. You don't want to just overpay players in free agency because that's what you got to do.

You got to pay 20, 30% premiums on guys that team didn't want. And even if like the 49ers would publicly say, like, we like Mike McGlensie, We just couldn't afford to pay him. Well, if you had loved Mike McGlinchie, you would have found a way. And it feels like I'm just always shitting on McGlinchie. I'm not. I think he's a fine starter, but at $50 million guarantee, that's, I mean, that's like highway robbery.

For him, which I don't blame him for signing the contract, but that's crazy. I know you're probably, like most football fans are out on Trey Lance, but hear me out. What if Kyle sees potential in him? We know he doesn't have the biggest arm or is the most athletic quarterback, but I believe he has an above average arm and is mobile enough. Lance is still a rock quarterback. Maybe Kyle thinks he can mold him into an ideal quarterback. He's proven he doesn't need Rogers, Mahomes, or Allen. Kyle can still develop them for another two to three years. He's only 23. P.S., I'm a Falcons fan and hope we suck this year so we can get Caleb. Also, I'm a Texas fan.

Oh, Texas, not Texans. I've given Sark one more year. If he doesn't win at least 11 games, we're going after Urban. You know what's crazy is in that Florida documentary. I've only watched the first episode. It's wild how young Urban looks when he first got to Florida. I would guess he's early 40s. He looks pretty weather now. Obviously put on some weight.

Just looks older. I mean, I bet he's a guy in his 60s now, but he was, he looked young when he first got to Florida. I would say this about Tray Lance. He's only got two years left on his contract. So the 49ers are not going to resign the guy, even if he were to write it out. If for whatever reason they're not able to trade him and he's on the team this year, I see under no circumstance that Trey Lance is a 49er in 2024.

If he's the third string quarterback all season, if there's no injuries. Which you never know with the 49ers, their quarterbacks get injured at a high rate. But I do think it's over with Trey Lance. And I'm with you. His story is not written. He can still improve a lot. Here's the problem, though. In season, which now we're in season,

it's not really about development when you're not playing. When you're the backup, especially third-string quarterback, so if they trade them, let's say to the Atlanta Falcons. Let's say he's the Atlanta Falcons quarterback tomorrow. I mean, like, he's traded to the Atlanta Falcons. Well, if you guys started, let's say three and three, there is no way that Desmond Ritter is getting benched. So worst case scenario, if you start like that, you're talking about his opportunity to play

might not be till like November or December. And then in practice, do you know what he does? He services the defense as the backup quarterback. Tyler Heineke is your backup. At least I just typed in your depth chart. How is Trey Lance beating out Tyler Heineke immediately? Maybe over time he could, but I don't think Trey Lance is in position to go anywhere and play right away. I think best case scenario, the earliest he's ever playing if he's traded in the next couple days,

is like middle of October. Because think of what it would take, okay, the bucks. Baker's their quarterback. He's getting what, at minimum a month if they go one in three or oh and four. Then they would go to Kyle Trask to see what they got there because the guy's never really played. Then they would go to Trey Lance. Right. So if you start two and two or three and three if you're the Falcons,

Desmond Ritter then is still getting a couple more games. And what if at practice, Tray Lance hasn't done enough because the practice in the season is so much different than practice in training camp. Like in training camp, it's just about running your plays, reps for the twos and the threes and obviously the ones. In the regular season, you still do individual and group, but then you go to your unit offense or defense and you start running game play and plays. You start running like looks against their deep. you start getting ready for your opponent. Hell, if you've played high school football, you know that. Football practice is dramatically different in the off season,

so the spring or camp than it is in the middle of September. So it's harder for a backup without an injury at quarterback, especially a guy, a fringe second string guy, like maybe he just starts the third string guy, to ever move his way up. I think Trey Lance is kind of screwed in terms of playing time. I just don't see where he's getting it. So, I mean, some of these people blame Kyle on the internet.

I don't know. Question about a bachelor party in Scottsdale coming up in September. Bulk of the crew gets in Friday afternoon. And we have three tea times lined up for Saturday morning. All good there. But there's four of us coming in Thursday night, looking for a whole resort on a golf course for an AMT time Friday before the rest of coming later that afternoon.

any recommendations where to stay play Thursday night. I got a good one for you. Talking stick. It's the casino. It's right in the middle of Scottsdale. It's got multiple golf courses. It's got craps. It's got blackjack.

It's got buffet. It's got bars. You can drink. You can gamble. You can play golf the next day. In the off season, a bunch of players, I have my neighbor, I think I've told this story, right before training camp started, said he played crap still two in the morning. with Debo Samuel and it was awesome.

He was hot with the dice. Debo was making a bunch of money. Everyone was having a good time. Had another buddy that came in probably two months ago. He's a big poker player. He said he played poker to like four in the morning, sat right next to Terrell Suggs. So you get unique people at this casino

because it's right in the heart of Scottsdale and it's got two golf courses right behind it. So talking stick, Indian casino, not relatively, you know, it's nothing like some of these fancier hotels. I would recommend that. Have a good time. What do you think of this take? Can Justin Fields be a poor man's Jalen Hertz? That's a good question.

Justin Fields, both coming out of the draft, was, I viewed him dramatically better. I did not like Jalen. The one thing Jalen has really done is improved. dramatically with not just seeing the field, anticipating, but it feels like there's a lot of touch to his ball. And I'm not saying he's Steve Young, but I don't remember, besides like Josh Allen, a guy improving more in like a 24-month span. So part of being a good quarterback, if you're Justin, because he already runs at an elite level. I know, I think he said he's a top five rusher of all time. He clearly is one of the most talented rushing quarterbacks, just guys

with his legs with the ball in his hands we've ever seen. But to be a good quarterback. It's about touch. And yeah, if he develops a lot more touch, then he, it's not just Jalen Hurts, he can just be a really good player. Because how do you defend a guy? Like, what made Lamar so good? He had touch. He became accurate once he got to the league and his running was unstoppable. So yeah. I mean, if you're, if you're an elite runner and you are a good passer, you become a star player. Remember when the Chargers had Brian Daible and the interview room and said, no, thanks for Brandon Staley. Yeah, man.

This is what I said earlier. There is no magic formula. If you just hire the right guy, you will win. If you hire the wrong guy, if you have a star quarterback, you may still kind of win, but everyone will still make fun of you like Brandis Daly. If the Chargers had Brian Dayball, maybe I'm overrating Brian Dayball. But if he is one of the next good young coaches, I mean, is there a chance to chargers or we're viewing them as like a legit threat to win the AFC right there with the

Chiefs? Let's face it, as long as they got Staley, no one's picking them to win the AFC. Even though talent-wise, I mean, they definitely have enough. Question for the pod. What do you think the main reason is that the NFC East has not had a repeat winner since 2004? I feel like that's one of the craziest stats in sports that doesn't get talked about, especially considering there has been several instances of teams in the division winning getting to a Super Bowl in that time frame. Of the other divisions seem to have been dominated by one or two teams for long stretches. The East always seems like a coin flip.

Do you think this year is the Eagles year to break a streak and go back to back? It is a crazy, crazy stat. I think part of it is, right, there hasn't been that many Super Bowls. Eagles have won one, the Giants have won two. I guess three Super Bowls in a division in 20 years isn't bad. But several appearances, right? The Eagles have two during that time. So they've been there three times.

The Giants have been there twice. Part of it is the Cowboys have had really good teams over that time period and they just haven't done anything in the playoffs. That's what makes it unique. For the most part, Washington hasn't been that good, right? They won the division a couple years ago at 7 and 9. Give me a break. And then they won it the one year with RG3 with the Shanahan's.

But, you know, you've had a lot of just, I mean, those two Eli teams who I'm pretty sure actually the two teams that Eli had, they won, they were the fucking wild card. Yeah, I don't know what to make of it. I don't even know. It's crazy. Part of it has to do with starting in 2004, that was like the second half of McNab's career, wasn't as consistent. Eli was always, I mean, his career is really defined by two sweet playoff runs, not by consistent. every year being a pro bowler. Dallas roller coaster ride with Dack and Tony Romo

in Washington just kind of sucking. So I don't really have a great answer for you. But they just haven't had like Peyton Manning Denver Broncos or the Legion of Boom Seattle Seahawks where it's like every year the team's going to win 13 games. Even this year, you think the Eagles are going to win it. But if the Cowboys won the division, wouldn't be that shocking. And if Kvon Thibodeau becomes a 12-sac guy,

and Daniel Jones throws 33 touchdowns, what if they win 13 games? That seems a little crazier, but not implausible, to go from nine wins, or let's say 12. And let's say all three of them win 12. And the Giants have the tiebreaker, right?

I think it just has to do more with the competitiveness of that division, which is really, really high. Having lived it and seen it firsthand, it's just big boy brands, a lot of money, a lot of pressure. Now we'll see what Josh Harris.

I was thinking this the other day. when that handshake went viral of Joe Buck and Josh Harris. I don't think Josh Harris, and I get it, like there are only so many human beings that have the capability to cut a check four, five, six, seven billion, whatever these teams cost, right? So it's a, it's a immediately,

if you're talking like, who can own Team X in any major sport? You're talking about a small segment of humans. But Josh Harris owns the Philadelphia 76ers. And having lived in that town, the Eagles would be the equivalent of like LSU LSU football in Baton Rouge or Georgia football in Athens. Like the Eagles are everything.

But I would say the Phillies and the Sixers are a really freaking big deal. Like they would be the equivalent in most cities as the number one team. The way the Sixers are followed, covered, talked about in Phillies when both of them are relevant and good. They matter a lot. Eagles are one. But that's like 2A and. 2B. He owns the fucking Sixers and he bought the Washington commanders. I was, I text a buddy that

works for the Eagles. I'm like, I, one, this is nuts. How is this possible? And two, I don't think he could have owned. Like, I don't, and I'm not saying he would have been the guy that bought these teams and clearly they're not for sale. He could not have owned the Giants or the Cowboys and continued to be the Sixers owners. It just wouldn't have been, they would have boycotted the team. He can get away with a little bit because for the last couple decades, Washington is like, who cares? But what have been a couple years, just the law of averages? What's going to happen when the Eagles in Washington in like 2026 last game of the season,

like winner gets in? And Washington beats them. And there's this video of the fucking Sixers owners dancing in the locker room with Lincoln Riley as head coach and Caleb Williams or something. You know, I'm just throwing out hypotheticals here. if I was a guy in Philly, I'd be like, fuck this guy. Like, I get it. He wanted to own a team, but you own a team in our division?

Because the moment Washington just gets as decent again, hell, they beat them last year. It's not the same level as the Cowboys and the Giants. And a part of it has just been the recency bias to how good they've been when the Eagles have been good under Coach Reed till today. But it's pretty crazy when you think about that out loud or just like, just think about the visuals. it's just something to keep an eye on. I just don't think that'll be tolerated. Especially if Washington ever gets good and they're like beating the Eagles

because what do owners usually do when their team's good? Jumping up and down, dancing in the locker room, doing stupid shit. I don't know, something to keep an eye on. I just don't think that'll be tolerated. Not in that city. Not with that fan base.

And nor should it be. I'm sorry. It's just like if I'm a if I'm a diehard 49er fan, And, you know, the guy that owns the Giants also owns Seattle. And Seattle is beating my team. Like, this isn't cool. There's nothing I can actually do about it besides like, screw this. In Philly, they will like boycott you.

That's something just big picture. I got that situation, red flag. Again, I don't think if the Giants were for sale, he could have been the owner. And if he was, he would have to devout, basically get rid of, divulge his interest in the sixers. That would not be tolerated. They would not, like, every single person in the city would be back. This ain't going to work, dog.

Like, this, this, this ain't penciling. You can get away with it, at least initially in Washington. But I got that situation in the next couple of years, something blowing up. I promise you, it will. I don't know exactly how. I don't know exactly what, but I could see something getting weird. Okay, I'm going to end on this. Lifelong 49er fan.

What is your opinion on Super Bowl contending teams drafting and starting rookie kickers? Thinking of the Niners and Jake Moody, anytime you decide to draft and enlist a rookie kicker, there are challenges for both the organization and the player involved. I think when rookie kickers are tasked with starting for legit Super Bowl contending teams, an additional layer of pressure is added to an already difficult road to making it in the league becoming a mainstay for years to come. From a team standpoint, regardless of whether the kicker works out or not,

a question mark is suddenly introduced to a near-complete team when the focus should be squarely on the Lombardi Trophy. This is a really good question. This gets back to the economics of the league, and you get to a point once you get a high-priced team, which the Niners are, you can't be paying Robbie Gold $5,6 million, because you've got to pay Nick Bosa, you got to pay Debo Samuel, you've got to figure out how to pay Brandon Ayuk, you're already paying Trent Williams and Fred Warner. You're paying a lot of guys

a lot of money. And I think if Kyle, there was no salary cap, they would just keep paying Robbie Gold until he couldn't kick anymore. But at every other position, whether you're the chiefs, whether you're the Bengals, whether you're the Eagles, you make some tough decisions and you let guys go. When I was in Philly after my first year, we won the division and we lost in the playoffs to the eventual champs. It was the year Aaron Rogers

won the Super Bowl. Packers beat us. Well, David Akers had had a weird year, but he also was just like, it's time to just move on and get a new kicker. Well, it's hard in the kicker business, right? You're like, well, ideally, you just like to draft a guy pass like third, fourth round,

whatever, have him just be your kicker for the next decade. Those first couple years are cheap. but sometimes it gets weird. And with Jake Moody, it got weird immediately because he started missing kicks. He missed kicks in both games. So it's concerning. But he's a blue chip guy from Michigan who's kicked in weather. So I think he just bet on Harbaugh can be, I would say, clearly pretty over the top

and pretty outrageous with some of his comments about players. But when he said death taxes and Moody, the things that you, you can rely on to be a guarantee. In his experience with Jake Moody, Moody didn't miss. The guy was fucking nails. And this is the hard part about the draft. Right. So you draft a guy from a program who's been kicking ass taking names, who's been in some tight games and needed Moody to make kicks. And all he's done is make kicks. And then you get him and he's immediately misses some in games. Like, you just never know. We did that when I was in Philly. We drafted this dude from Nebraska,

something Henry, Jake Henry, Bill Henry, and he immediately sucked. Now, Jake is much more talented, but remember Aguio. Aguio was drafted by Tampa. Now, that was pre-Bradie, and immediately just sucked and had like a case of the yips.

And listen, I'm a golfer. You lose your confidence. Kicking, unlike defensive end, right, if I just have a rough week at camp or have a bad game. Like the next practice, we just start going full speed. You just keep going full speed.

And kick as a kicker, it's like you can practice or whatever, but you might get a game where you get no field goals. Maybe kick a couple extra points. The next game, it could be like four field goals, two in the fourth quarter, one to win the game. You just never know. There's so much time thinking. It's like a reliever. You start losing your confidence. Your job has spent way more time standing around than it is like playing small four.

Just keep shooting. Keep running. Keep play some defense. You just, it's hard to not overthink it. So you had to move on. You couldn't keep paying a 40 plus year old kicker premium money. Now, I'll tell you this. If Jake Moody starts missing,

I could see them just like putting them in on injured reserve and begging Robbie Gold to come back. But I do think they had, I don't blame them for doing it. And I don't think there were other options. Like you don't want to sign some random cheap kicker who's already in the league because he's cheap for a reason. So you just got to find your own.

The problem is the history at that position. like Google where Justin Tucker was drafted. I'll do it for you. He wasn't. A lot of guys that become great players were not draft picks. I'm pretty sure, you know, the Broncos forever with McManus, wasn't drafted. What's his name from the Raiders?

Daniel Carlson, really good player. Was he from Auburn? He was a fifth round pick. So kickers hard. you just, whether you draft them, whether you sign them as undrafted free agent, it's, I would say it's the closest thing to,

it's a little playing the lottery. Obviously, you have better odds, you know, drafting or signing a kicker than playing the lottery, but you know what I mean. Kind of hope. Because all the other positions,

like, what are you really evaluating? Like, leg strength, mentality, you don't know. If anyone knew that Justin Tucker was going to be, I don't know,

the greatest kicker of all time. I mean, If you could redo Justin Tucker's draft, like 2011 or whenever he came out, he definitely goes in the second round. You could argue some good teams like the chiefs don't need a kicker. Well, it looked like they did for a second last year, but Tucker would go high. He would go in the top 50 picks for sure. So when you draft a guy at the end of the third round,

the Niners love acting too like it was a fourth round pick. Like, no, it was the third round pick. It was on the second day. I get it was in the compensatory part of the round. but it was on the second day of the draft. So you can't claim it was a fourth rounder. He just needs to miss kick, make kicks. That's all he used to do.

So any kicker or punter. If you're a punter, pin the guy, hit the ball far. If you're a kicker, make the fucking kick. The other positions, we get into the weeds with all the different techniques. Kickers, punters, get the fucking job done. You got one job. Punt the ball far, punt the ball to the left or right. Or if you're a kicker, hit between the uprights.

No one else cares about any of your purpose. process about what you're doing mentally do what you got to do to get right and make the kicks. It's really that simple. Appreciate everyone listening. Have a good weekend. Enjoy some football. And we'll get into the weeds next week when we're putting these 53-man rosters together. The volume.

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