The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 3 and Out - GM Zoom Draft Exam; OBJ/Vikings Makes No Sense; Player Comp Overkill; Dak Should Holdout; Headlines; Listener Draft Q's

Episode Date: April 17, 2020

In this episode, Middlekauff discusses the x-factor of GM's adapting to the using Zoom to conduct the draft, and why draft tech is a natural extension of the evolution of scouting technology. He also explains why Odell Beckham to the Vikings rumors don't make sense, why Dak should hold out, player comp overkill, and answers listener questions in Middlekauff's Mailbag. Follow John on twitter @JohnMiddlekauff and go to theherdnow.com to find the latest content. Subscribe now! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo, and every episode, we're cutting through the noise,

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

Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smigel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel. Help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter.

Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hard Way with your favorite therapist and host Kear Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor? It signals to the world that you not to be played. with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to. Listen to learn the hard way on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

What's up, guys? This is Clivert Taylor the Fourth. And on my podcast, The Clivert 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, A, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Time out. Quarterback on office blue with 42. Hey, Rhett, my mama want you to weigh better. What?

Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clippers show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Get right to the romance and find the way to wow this Valentine's with 1-800flowers.com. From classic roses and bouquets to decadent chocolate-covered berries, gourmet treats, and more. Surprise your Valentine with what.

1 800 flowers.com. Right now, get the 18-stem enchanted rose medley for $3999 or upgrade to 24 red roses for $10 more. Go to 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. That's 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. What is going on, everybody, John Middlecalf, three-and-out podcast. Thursday afternoon, I'm recording this a little bit before 5 o'clock Pacific Standard Time. A week from the day, the draft would be an hour away. So we are coming down the home stretch of the draft, and I can't wait.

I don't know about you, I'm a little drafted out, and I talk to some of my buddies in the NFL. I know they feel the same way. It's different for them. You just read so many mock drafts, and you see so many Twitter experts, and that's all I am nowadays, that just have my opinions that, you know, not watching the amount of tape that they are, And you just, then your general manager goes, well, I just read a mock, and this guy's now mocked at the end of the first round, and you have a third round grade on them. It's just the draft can't get here soon enough for those in the NFL, for those of us that talk about the NFL. I know everyone listening to the fans of the NFL or college football.

It really is a great event. And, you know, I was one to say, and listen, I'll take the L on this one, that I was a little surprised they didn't move free agency back in the draft. but I'm going to dive into right now where it's pretty clear they shouldn't have moved the draft back and I think a lot of general managers I watched a lot of press quote unquote press conferences over the last 48 hours guys doing Zooms Brett Veach howie Roseman Thomas Demetroff I mean all these guys Mike Mayock listened to his conference call and I think it's going to be okay around the NFL we're going to shoot into a bunch of different stories that have come out over the last three or four days. It's kind of hammered my opinion on each one from from the Falcons trading up to the Odell Beckham fake news to Glazer's report to a bunch of

different stuff. Dak Prescott might skip not might is going to skip the virtual offseason and then of course Middlecoff mailbag at John Middlecoff is my Instagram handle same as my Twitter handle direct messages wide open answer your questions here on the show slide up in those DMs, leave a question, whatever you want, and I will answer it here. You know, we're quarantined. So we got time fire in there. And I also want to thank everyone that have left a review. If you like the show, go to the three and out Apple, you know, podcast home and just leave an Apple review. Greatly appreciated.

I know a lot of you that have, I salute you. I'm giving you a salute right now virtually. Kind of like the GM. So let's dive into the GMs. Listen, we're all having our ups and downs. I try. I actively try. And I did this before the Corona ever hit. I can be naturally, I would say the majority, like in my 20s. And even early, I'm 35 now, the first couple years of my 30s, my natural reaction can be a little, just to be negative.

It can always be negative. And it's something you get hammered home when you're a scout, like be a glass half full guy, not a glass half empty guy. But listen, you know, my dad, businessman, I said he would have skewed on the negative end. And it's just, it's something that just kind of comes naturally to me. And as I've gotten older and wiser, and I think a lot of people can relate, I try to actively be more positive. And I'm not saying I'm just a negative person even 10 years ago. But my first reaction would tend to be no, or that's not going to work.

And I've really tried to change that around. It takes time. And listen, in the middle of Corona, I've been one to say, keep your spirits up during Corona, be positive, but it's hard. I completely understand. I talked to a good buddy today who runs a small business, who said they just took out a pretty big six-figure loan. And while it's great, you know, playing 1% interest on, you know,

hundreds of thousands of dollars. He's like, we do have to pay that back in a year. You know, it's kind of a scary situation just to try to stay afloat. He said, without the loan, we're done. I'm sure many of you that either run these small businesses, that know people in small businesses, what everyone's feeling all around the country. and we all ebb and flow

the reality is I don't do that much anyway like I spend a lot of time in my office naturally I watch games for a living I thrive inside but listen I have a routine I like doing I go to the gym at specific times Monday basically through Sunday I definitely in the summer I like to play golf I even like to run outside I try to do that

it's a little cold you know that's why this California guys are a little softer I tried to go for a morning run it was like 55 degrees I'm like shit No wonder Derek Carr is bad in the cold. I mean, this is freezing, and it's 55 degrees. We're just, we're spoiled around here. But I did understand when all the GMs, when it said, listen, we're going to do the draft.

And it was clear that no one was going to be able to use the draft rooms. Everyone was like, this is bullshit. I was like, I get that. Because my first reaction was, yeah, this kind of BS. This is going to be really difficult. And then a couple weeks have gone by, and I've used Zoom for interviews. I'm sure many of you have used Zoom

for your conference calls or whatever and you realize, you know what? It's actually not that hard. And then you realize, well, everything is digital now. And if it's not, you could just order a whiteboard if you want a couple whiteboards off Amazon. I have a whiteboard standing right next to me right now. I'm just a nobody.

Order one off Amazon. I use it all the time. And the access these guys have. And one thing I consistently saw when I listened to a podcast the other day with Thomas Demetrov, at his house talking to Peter King, he was in great spirits. He's like, yeah, we're going to be fine.

Watching Howie Rosenen today, he's like, yeah, we figured it out. Things have been going good. Talking to all my buddies, you know, that are zooming in with their whoever general manager, their scouts or assistant scouting directors or whatever, they're like, yeah, it hasn't been that bad. We figured it out. Because you know what most high-level people do in any business or in any situation? They adapt to their surroundings.

That's why they're high-level. Now, these are way less than ideal for everyone involved, but we're figuring it out. And the faster you can get yourself into, you know what, this isn't that bad type mindset, the easier it's going to be to function. And I think the majority of the NFL, maybe not Belichick, isn't pretty good spirits right now. And feels, I listen to this conference call from Mike Mayock, and he's like, you know what? I got three whiteboards with over 1,000 magnets. I feel like I got the draft room right in my home office.

I feel like I'm ready to go. I'm sure many of you saw that Tom Telesco picture where he had 10 computer screens. I actually thought it was a little bit of a fraud move. And then I had a scouting buddy text me. He's like, actually, I got secondary screens and iPads and Microsoft Services. That's pretty normal. Because I defended there was a picture of Gettleman where Gettelman had his computer, where he was either sending emails or watching tape.

And then he had multiple binders. I know for me, I can see right now, to the corner of my eye, four different binders. I'm a big binder guy. I write everything down. Now I could easily, I got multiple iPads. I could put it in an iPad situation. I don't. I'm just more comfortable doing that. Am I a little bit living like it's 2002? Maybe. But I do understand people being comfortable with taking notes differently. Now, you do have to, there's only one way to watch the tape. You got to do it through a computer, you got to do it through an iPad, you got to connect it to your television. Like that's, but it's like you want to take notes on a Microsoft surface,

or take notes in a binder, like do whatever you want to do, this is most comfortable. The reality is who is, you know, it's not going to limit your ability to be prepared for the draft. And I, I just, not that I'm impressed, because as a couple of GMs have said,

like, listen, we're still getting paid. This is our job. Like, we're not going to complain. We got 22 million people officially unemployed. That number could be, you know, let's be honest. If you've got 22 million people unemployed, you probably got, I mean, I'm just going to take an educated guess,

another five to eight that have not filed or that don't know how to file that will in the coming, you know, days or weeks. So the numbers are astronomical. A lot of people, and the majority of those people ain't making NFL GM money. So the NFL has it pretty good. They're all, none of these guys are getting pay cuts, at least up now. These guys are able to function in their job. Now, moving forward, big question marks this fall, I don't know.

Like, I, one thing I try not to do, people like, are you watching the news? No, not really. Because I don't control this situation. I'm just following the rules. I watch the news. It's just miserable. Everyone's angry.

It's like, I'm not trying to be miserable all day. Like I said, that can come pretty natural to most people, especially in this situation. So I try to stay positive, not just you get suffocated if you just flip on the news all day and watch it because let's be honest, it's going to be really negative. and I'm in the media business. I have to be interesting.

Advertisers pay the bills. Well, everyone's like, I can't believe what CNN said or Fox News said or MSNBC. Their job is to try to get people to watch. I know media always loves like, it's journalism. Those days ended.

Corporate America runs everything. They're trying to do billions of dollars in ad revenue. The more people that watch, the more money they make. Sounds terrible, but it's just the truth. So, like, it's hard. You got to, I don't really have,

have an answer for it, but that's just the situation and the reality that we live in when it comes to news. I think we all agree it comes with television, right? With sports, you watch first take or some of these shows. They're all trying to be provocative. We've heard 18 million ways to judge LeBron James. I can't take it anymore. Now, I'm giving you a little bit of a pass during mid-corona. You've got to come up with some content. Trust me, I'm starting a YouTube channel trying to come up just with different ways to talk about stuff. Hell, we've been lucky on this show. that, you know, there's just been a lot of topics. We've had free agency, we've had the draft,

but if this goes all summer, you know, I'm going to have to start getting really creative. Luckily, I can get, you know, pop and edible, I can be creative. But I give the general managers, and a lot of them, and Thomas Demetrov had a good point with Peter King. He said, we got kind of a younger group. You know, this is an aggressive group.

This is a group that can, like, is pretty technologically advanced. Like, you don't think John Schneider and Thomas Demetroff and, you know, Nick Casario, and John Lynch can figure this stuff out, this isn't, you know, you don't have Bill Polion walking through those doors. These guys are technologically advanced human beings.

And the NFL is always on the forefront in terms of, right when I was leaving the NFL in like 2013, the iPads were becoming a huge element to watch tape, to share video. What I've been told, the ability now to like, you want to bring up watch CD Lamb, I can watch every one of his targets. I can watch every one of his touchdowns.

I can watch every one of his drops. The technology now is incredible. And the general managers and the teams for as weird as the situation is, and again, I'm not trying to say that this is ideal. You would want a draft room. The power of a draft room is having the people that have done the work for a year that you trust, that you work with on a daily basis together. Because it's easier to deal with.

You get into an argument with your wife. Is it easier to hash it out in person or your girlfriend? Or is it easier to do it over text or the phone? Or Zoom. Of course you'd rather be sitting there on the couch and talking it out than try to talk over the phone. Like it's always easier to get to the bottom of something, whether it's an argument, whether it's a disagreement, and that's something that happens in the draft.

A lot of disagreements. We should take this guy and then you get pushed back and usually you hash them out and that's how decisions are made. Even though you've built up to it this whole kind of spring. springtime, right, arguing and setting the board. Still the heat of the moment, we should do this, we shouldn't do that. So, yeah, it's going to be a little difficult. But I think that we have a crew of guys, and ultimately it just speaks to the NFL.

Luckily, general managers are much more adaptable than most coaches, right? This would be very difficult, even though maybe I'm not giving the coaches enough credit. They've adapted with less practice time. They adapt pretty well, too. but when you factor in technology and they're good with the football team. I think this is a little more complicated for them. Though every time I hear a general manager talk, they're giving their coaching,

not just the head coaches are very adaptable because they have to, but assistant coaches sometimes can get very stuck in their ways because their life is very routine-oriented. When you're a scout, you get thrown all sorts of different shit every day. When you're a football coach, basically from the start of training camp until the last game, every day is kind of mapped out. Now, you might have a guy get hurt or a guy get in trouble or something, but you know what's coming every day.

Practice, meetings, what you have to do on... 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 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, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it.

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

And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, 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, 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, ref, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clippers show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. American soccer is about to explode.

The World Cup is coming. Ramos sending on the only score at the chip. I'm Tad Ramos. I'm Tom Bo. On our podcast, Inside American Soccer, you'll get the real storylines. I'm not worried about Polisic. I'm not worried about Balligan. I'm not worried about McKinney.

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

Experience it all with us. Listen, Inside American Soccer with Tom Bogart and Tabramos on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcast. Monday and Tuesday getting ready. When you're a scout, you never really know what's coming. You're going into different schools. You're getting different stuff thrown at you. It's like whatever.

I mean, GMs have random stuff happen to them all the time. And so maybe the scouting community is a little more equipped for this than the coaching community. And again, I'm not talking to head coaches. I'm more talking assistant coaches. But I've got to say, I've come around on this and been really impressed with the group of executives and really excited for this draft. Get right to the romance and find the way to wow this valentines with 1800flowers.com. From classic roses and bouquets to decadent chocolate-covered berries, gourmet treats, and more.

Surprise your valentine with 1,800flowers.com. Right now, get the 18-stem enchanted rose medley for $3999, or upgrade to 24 red roses for $10 more. Go to 1-800flowers.com slash tune in. That's 1-800flowers.com. slash tune in. Adoption of teens from foster care is a topic not enough people know about and we're here to change that. I'm April Dinnwity host of the new podcast, Navigating Adoption, presented by Adopt U.S. Kids.

Each episode brings you compelling real-life adoption stories told by the families that live them with commentary from experts. Visit Adoptuskids.org slash podcast or subscribe to navigating adoption presented by Adopt U.S. Kids. Brought to you by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and families and the ad council. If I could be you. And you could be me for just one hour. If you could find a way to get inside.

Each other's mind. Walk a mile in my shoes. Walk a mile in my shoes. Walk a mile in my shoes. We've all felt left out. And for some, that feeling lasts more than a moment. We can change that. Learn how it belonging begins with us.org.

Brought to you by the ad council. Walk a mile in my shoes. Okay, let's dive in just some stories around the league. I just try to write down seven or eight things that I've seen, either in articles or some headlines, and I just write it down the headline, and then I'll just tell you what I think about it. One thing I've seen circulating, and listen,

I've met Demetrov a couple times, and he was really cool to me. I actually like Demetroff. I know he can look different if you've never met him. He's just a different general manager. But one time I met him at a Pac-12 championship game, probably in like 14, and we BS on the, like, he couldn't have been any cooler. And I know people that work for him, he's actually a grinder. I know it's kind of gone, it's been a rough couple years for him. And I know they're kind of capped out, but I actually think he's a good GM.

He's made some bold moves. He's made some good moves. I think for the most part, Dan Quinn was a pretty solid hire. Now, they're in a big, this is a huge year for him. but one piece of news that's kind of floating around is a lot of people feel like the Falcons are going to trade up and to me if I'm Arthur Blank putting myself in Arthur Blank shoes or the fan shoes

I'm not big on going from like 16 trading a first rounder to get in the top like eight to get a sweet player because there's a chance Dan Quinn and Thomas Demetroff are just not there next year and I think after last year they went 7 and 9 but they started 1 in 7 they're not a player away. Now, I'm not opposed to trading up, but if you're going to make a bold move to go get like C.J. Henderson at 8,

you can't part with next year's 1. And if I'm Arthur Blank, I just don't allow this administration to mess with my future. They're basically, I mean, we thought they were all going to get fired anyway last year. And now, granted, Thomas Demetro, if you could argue Arthur Blank's one of the more patient owners in the league.

He's been there since 08. They've made it to the NFC championship one year when the Niners beat him, and obviously the Super Bowl debacle. So they've had a couple successful years. They made the playoffs a bunch of times. But I think when you look at their division, are they the second best team in their division? You go, the Saints would be the heavy favorites, as they should be.

I think they're over-underers, like 10.5 them in the Niners are the highest in the NFC. You know, if the Bucks have a good draft in Tom Brady, you could say that they're the second best team in that division. I like Bruce Ariens a lot more than Dan Quinn. I just, again, I'm just hesitant if I'm Arthur Blank to give Thomas Demetrov some blank canvas. Now I'm not holding his hands behind his back

and forcing him to make picks because Arthur Blank doesn't care who you pick. You'm just not doing a mortgage the future move. One first rounder is not that big of a deal, but what if we're not good next year? What if the Falcons win? They go 6 and 10, and you fire everybody, and you don't have a first round pick.

That's not ideal. The Jay Glazer news He teased us and it turns out The center for the L.A. Rams has The coronavirus Which 24 hours later Von Miller has the coronavirus Here's one thing that's been pretty consistent

They say the coronavirus has been in California Girl I'm dating Got really sick And it didn't impact me Sorry I get really sick I didn't get sick I was fine I've heard a lot of people in California

that have had this story. Rumors are it's been out West since like November. So I think I've heard a lot of stories. The LA Times wrote a big article on it. If you're healthy and you're young, it's pretty like all the NBA players are fine. All these NFL players are fine. So I think, oh, the Von Miller has it.

Yeah, and he's fine. So, you know, it's like, oh, the dude on the Rams has it, and he's fine. You know, I think we kind of, it's a big headline that doesn't actually mean anything. O'Dell Beckham Jr. Fake news, trade potential. Dude from the big station in New York, WFAN,

he tweeted out that he'd heard a rumor that the Minnesota Vikings were going to give a second and a fifth rounder for O'Dell Beckham Jr. And then a day later, everyone's coming out. It's fake news, not true, and it's been confirmed by a lot of people that are not interested. Paul D. Podesta talked to the media,

said it's not true. Here's what I'd red flagged the situation. The Minnesota Vikings just got rid of Stefan Diggs who was probably half the diva of Odell Beckham. Why would they then go acquire Odell Beckham? Why wouldn't they just kept Diggs, who's already on their team and really productive and good? Why would you go get another Beckham?

Who's probably better than Diggs, I mean, is better than Diggs if he's healthy, but way bigger pain in the ass and way more of a Diva. So that didn't really make sense And here's the thing with Cleveland I've heard some rumors in the NFL They can shoot down all they want I don't think O'Dell Beckham is just a made man

I think he would love to be traded out of Cleveland I know Colin has talked a lot about this He's got you know home Paris L.A He doesn't really fit in Cleveland But you did give up the 17th pick for him I'm just not into the business of giving away for a second round pick Because if I could if I was another team a contender And I could have O'Dell Beckham for a second round pick

I'd be all over that I think he would be traded on draft night if you can have him for a second round pick. I saw this. I think Bob McGinn, who forever wrote for the paper that covers the Packers, he now writes for the athletic.

He writes great stuff around the draft. He reaches out to a bunch of scouts, a bunch of executives, and gets raw material, and gets raw quotes. And the media always gets up in arms. I can't believe an anonymous scout

would say that about John Middlethawth. I can't believe. That guy said that about Justin Herbert. Well, do you want the quotes or not? Because that's what people are saying about them. We don't have to agree with everything. But sometimes I get tired of the media getting down on the anonymous scout. Here's a news flash.

Unless you're the general manager, you're not allowed to put your name on it. So every quote you have is quote-unquote anonymous. Here's what also a news flash. You know what the media loves doing is getting those quotes. Why? Because they're great material. It's fantastic reading. it's by far the best.

And sometimes the quotes, you know what? They're uncomfortable. Do you know what a draft room conversation is? Uncomfortable. Can you imagine if the media actually had access to what was said in draft rooms, how uncomfortable they would be? And that's just,

and I'm not saying every conversation is right, but these are the conversations you have when you're talking about giving someone, I don't know, $20, 30 million dollars and investing a very, very important draft pick, which is an asset for any organization into a player. You better nitpick them. You know why I don't need to nitpick as much?

The dude I'm paying 80 grand out of college. He can be a little bit of a sloppy. But if a guy has been arrested a couple times or I don't think loves football, I get to nitpick that if I'm about to give him $20 million. But one comparison I saw in Bob McGinn's article was that someone had compared Rugs, the wide receiver from Alabama,

the speed guy who runs in the 4-2s and who hauls ass. to Tyree Kill. And he said, rugs a lot better than Tyree Kill coming out of college, which I would tend to agree to. Here's my problem, though, with comparisons. And I think you often hear the comps are, whenever you get a speed guy, his comps are always going to be Deshawn Jackson or Tyree Kill.

Because you would never comp a guy in the first round to like, yeah, you know who he reminds me of? Marquis Goodwin of the Niners. Oh, you know who reminds me of? John Ross of the Bengals, because they'd be like, well, we're not taking that guy in the first round. You notice every single player? Who does Chase Young remind you up?

Ah, Von Miller mixed with Bosa. Oh, who does Jerry Judy remind you of? Oh, Mari. Who does C.D. Lamb remind you of? Oh, Devante. Every... Who does Akuta remind you? Oh, Derel Rivas.

Every comp of every dude that's going to go high is a sweet player. Well, we know the reality is 50% of the players draft in the first round are not even going to be good, let alone pro bowlers, and just Devante Adams, D'Andre Hopkins, and, you know, Carson Wentz. We just, and I'm guilty too. Like, listen, I'm not trying to, I'm not trying to be a hypocrite here. I do those comps too.

But do you understand that Tyree Kill? One, he, in this article they wrote, the average, the average Wonderlich score for the wide receiver group in this year's class is actually pretty low. The average Wonderlick score for a Pro Bowl wide receiver, the last five years has been 21. The average Wonderlick score for, wide receivers in this draft is like 17. And I know Coach Reed has told me this multiple times,

and Hill's Wunderlich score was a 27, but Andy would tell you, Tyreek is really football smart. You tell him something once and he's got it. And that's ideal what you want in a football player. You want your guy to be really good like Tyreek, and then you want him to be smart. So when they're good and smart, the sky's the limit.

and Tyree kill also went to Coach Reed, who's an offensive innovating genius. He went to Patrick Mahomes, who looks like one of the best quarterbacks we've ever seen. He went to a team that has, I don't know, one of the best tight ends in the league in Kelsey. He went to a team that has had countless other wide receivers hauling ass around him and a good offensive line.

Like, he went to a great situation. There's a chance that if Ruggs goes to the wrong team, it doesn't look the same. Now, if you tell me Ruggs went to Kyle Shia, or Doug Peterson, I go, yeah, it probably works. But if you tell me Ruggs goes to like, I don't know, the Panthers or I'm just throwing out the Jaguars, it might not look good. You are, the wide receiver position in just like any position, is very dependent on who's scheming you open and who's throwing you the football. So I just think sometimes when you read these comps, you got to take them all with a grain of salt because you'll never read a comp.

You know who this guy reminds me of? That dude on the Cowboys Practice Squad. Yeah, he reminds me. What pick are you take? Oh, top 10? Yeah, it reminds me of that guy. Everything. It's like, yeah, I think this guy's like Brett Farf.

You know, he's got a little Terrell Owens in him. Because that's what's fun. The NBA drafts worse. Every dude in the NBA drafts. Like, yeah, if he just dribbles a little better, you know, it'll be Clay Thompson. You know, he's got a little James Harden to his game. You know, I'm not saying he's LeBron, but he's like, LeBron.

No, he's not a number. No. You know, the percentage of wide receivers, let's say have the top 10 wide receivers drafted in this draft in the first couple rounds. So like the 10 first wide receivers that are taken, from CD and Judy all the way down to whoever the 10th guy is. I think there's a chance that five of them bust.

And when I say busts just aren't good. You know, and probably two or three of them, probably two of them are pro bowlers, and maybe the next two are just like solid starters. That's just the nature of the beast. I saw DAC is not going to do any of the virtual off-season program. Do you know the way you get something in the NFL? Truly get something in the NFL?

And it sucks. It shouldn't be like this. But it's just, it's the way the economic, you know, set up for these players is with the franchise tag. You got to hold out. You have to hold out. Now, holding out virtually will be a lot different than if they were just having normal OTAs. Because obviously the media would be at practice. be a really big deal. I actually don't think it'll be a big story on Twitter and stuff, but it won't

be as feel as big of a story if actual people were practicing. But if trading camps start, and I think they're going to, I hope they're going to, the move for DAC will be if he does not have a new contract is not to show up. Under no circumstances can you show up. Because the guys in recent memory that have drawn a hard line, non-running backs, have worked. Khalil, Aaron. Donald, Julio Jones. Did Julio hold out? I can't even remember. But I say the same thing about George Kittle.

George Kittle, because of the tight ends, the cops are pretty crappy. Like if he wants legit money, he's got to hold out. Like Christian McCaffrey just signed a team-friendly deal. My recommendation to Christian McCaffrey would have been, hold out. Do not show up.

They'll pay you. Because, again, it's unfair. You've got to be a little selfish. You know, it's a team-oriented game, but to get your money, you have to hold out. So unless they give Dak, whatever the hell he's looking for.

And again, I'm on Team Cal. Jerry here, I'm not giving them $35 million. I think $30 million is more than fair. It's like, Dak, we're giving you $110 million, guaranteed. I think you've won one playoff game. You're not going to sign that?

Like, what do you think you're worth? Who do you think you are? But if you do want to get that money and at least force their hand, maybe get an extra couple million dollars, hold out. Oh, Pellasaro, Tom Pellasaro, writes for, or I guess he's a TV guy.

I used to write for USA Today. I guess he still writes a little for NFL.com. He, I saw he had, he compared a bunch of stuff. He pulled 12 general managers. I think eight of the 12 said that they have two, excuse me, they have Herbert as their second quarterback on their board. So that means over Tua. He said one thing, though, that made me laugh.

He said a lot of coaches are comparing Jake Fromm, who the quarterback from Georgia. 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 question. questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice 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 Slic Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kier Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking. Trip Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase

that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross. Because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth. Are you a good person because you're afraid?

Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free, our Heart Radio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. 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 walks up to me, he goes, Hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Time out of my quarterback on office, blue 42.

Hey, rec, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Hey, Ms. Parker. Listen to the Clifford show on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. American soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming. Ramon sending on to Ernie Stewart for Chip.

I'm Todd Ramos. I'm Tom Boe. On our podcast, Inside American Soccer, you'll get the real storylines. I'm not worried about Policic. I'm not worried about Balagan. I'm not worried about McKinney. My only concern is what happens in the back. The biggest decisions.

If you're going to look at stats and numbers, he has no shot at making this World Cup team. And the truth about the U.S. national team. It wouldn't be a huge, surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals or potentially a great run into the semifinals. The World Cup is almost here. Experience it all with us. Listen, Inside American Soccer with Tom Bogart and Tab Ramos on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcast. To Chase Daniel. I'm like, that's one of those things back to the comps. That's a red flag. I googled

it. Chase Daniels has seven touchdowns and five interceptions. In his career. When Chase Daniels, He's a cool backup until he has to play. I like Chase Daniels at Missouri. Not a good pro. Now he's a high character guy. People like having him around. He's smart. But he can't play.

So I think sometimes when you get in bed as a coach with those type players because you love him, I bet if I knew Chase, he'd be my friend. I'd like to drink beer with him, talk sports, play golf, hang out. It seems like a great guy. I know people that have had them on their teams, they love him. He's just not very good. and the problem is when your backup quarterback is that guy.

You're like, God, I love this guy, man. We love having him in the building. And then he has to play and he stinks. You're screwed. You know who the best are? Like Nick Foles. We're like, you know, Nick Foles are backup. This guy's just a high character guy.

We love having this guy in the building. And then he has to play and you're like, okay, he can function. Not bad. It works. Like, okay, this is cool. Ideally, you'd want like Jimmy Garoppelo when you had Tom Brady as your starter. But most teams, you know, you've got to settle. Like Teddy Bridgewater, the Saints the last couple years.

they probably think we love Teddy god this guy he's high character he's always smiling he works his ass off he's always prepared boom Drew Breeze breaks his thumb then it goes from like okay can this guy play and then Teddy can't you're like okay it's cool I need my backup quarterback to be able to play

I can't get into a situation where he's just a good guy because being a good guy can't overweigh your talent as a backup quarterback because I'm one broken foot I'm one broken finger I'm one broken clavicle from that guy having to start. And depending on how bad the injury is, he might have to start eight games. Worst case, you've got to start the rest of the season. But even if it's a month,

can I, can I win, can I go 500 with them? Can I win three or four games with them? Because Chase Daniels, you can't. So if Jake Fromm is Chase Daniels, I can't draft them. I can't do it. If you love to be remembered as the person who gives the best birthday gifts, I'm here to tell you that 1-800 Flowers.com is your ultimate birthday gifting destination. 1-800 Flowers has thoughtful and artfully created options that are guaranteed to deliver the best birthday surprise. Shop thousands of unique gifts at 1-800flowers.com for exclusive offers and great values. To order today, visit 1-800flowers.com slash tune-in.

That's 1-800flowers.com slash tune-in. Look through your children's eyes to see the true magic of a forest. It's a storybook world for them. You look and see a tree. They see the wrinkled face of a wizard with arms outstretched to the sky. They see treasure and pebbles. They see a windy path that could lead to adventure. And they see you.

Their fearless guide is this fascinating world. Find a forest near you and start exploring at discovertheforest.org. Brought to you by the United States Forest Service and the ad council. Look through your children's eyes to see the true magic of a forest. It's a storybook world for them. You look and see a tree. They see the wrinkled face of a wizard with arms outstretched to the sky. They see treasure and pebbles.

They see a windy path that could lead to adventure. And they see you. Their fearless guide is this fascinating world. Find a forest near you and start exploring at discovertheforest.org. Brought to you by the United States Forest Service and the ad council. Okay, let's get into the Middilkoff mailback. At John Middlecoff is the Instagram handle. Give me a follow.

slide up into those DMs. Also my Twitter handle. Try to spend a little less time on Twitter during quarantine. God, it's a negative environment. But Instagram's fun. Instagram is a fun place. And it's where I interact with you guys. Love the podcast.

I was curious if you could give your picks on the teams that are going to make the biggest jumps this upcoming season and which teams you think are going to go fall back. Well, to me, that topic and that question, I like it. That has Corona mid-May written all over it. So I'll get to that once we know the draft picks. I would say one team off top of my head that I would expect to be a playoff team would be Tampa Bay.

Tampa hasn't made the playoffs in 12 years. You sign Bruce Ariens. You have a quarterback that throws an unlimited interceptions. We've talked about this a lot. But I think Tampa, if Tom Brady can stay healthy, which historically, I mean, he doesn't miss any games besides when he gets to flakegate and Grigson turns him in. but Tom Bray, they're a playoff team.

But other than that, I actually think the Cardinals, I don't know how much better, but I think they're going to be sneaky. But, well, this will be a good off-season. Again, the off-season, mid-corona, might be a different off-season. Aspiring scout here, during your time as a scout,

what would you say was the best and worst parts of your job? Also, would you recommend it as a career and what is the best way to go about getting started in the profession? I tell everyone that I ask the best way to get into player personnel in football is to start in college. So if you're DMing me from you're at school, start working for your school's football program. If you're in Division I mean, you can't ask for anything better. I was at Cal Poly. I got involved that way and one thing led to another and I got a GA job at Fresno State.

The best part of my job is, you know, I'd say being part of something bigger than yourself. being part of a team, working with a bunch of high-level people. I was lucky enough to be a part of a high-level organization. You know, being around players every day, you know, when you're an evaluator, when you're an evaluator, I do think it helps to work in the office. I mean, that's a really cool experience. It led me moving across the country, which I never would have moved to Philly in a million years.

Winning, I mean, game days are cool. as a college scout going into all these universities. I mean, from SC to UW to Oregon, I only did the West Coast. So, I mean, a lot of these schools, I never go into all there, going to games, and that stuff was cool. The worst part were just, I mean, it was a grind.

You drive, you know, if you have the SEC, everything is pretty close together. If you have the West Coast, I mean, Salt Lake City, to L.A., to Oregon, to Washington, to Montana, to the Arizona schools, I even had U-TEP, went right by Juarez. Actually, had a good night out in El Paso. It was sweet.

It was there a couple nights. Spent a lot of time in Vegas. It's just you spend so much time driving. And I hate that to this day. I hate wasting time driving. Now, we all know sometimes in traffic, but God, I mean, there's a difference between being in traffic for 45 minutes

and going on a four-hour drive at 4 o'clock to get somewhere at 8 o'clock and then having to do work. And then, I mean, one thing that I like a lot more in my own job is I control a lot. And I think I was destined to, like, I have to be able to control. Probably why I'm destined to I have to own my own business. I have to be an entrepreneur. Because I always kind of push back.

You know, I always, whether this is a character flaw or whatever, think that, like, I kind of, I have a good feel for things. And, you know, at least with Chip Kelly, before Chip got there, it was pretty open. You could talk about whatever. But I saw it with Chip. but I think a lot of teams are like this. You know, it's just like, it's the end-all, be-all with the coach. And it's like, this is, especially now, I mean, a lot of coaches run personnel from Bill O'Brien.

Obviously, it works with Belichick, but it just can be very, very hit or miss, you know, when it's like that. Pay, I mean, the pay was not good. I think, you know, I made $45, $50,000 those couple years on the road. But again, I was 25, 26. money didn't matter as much as it definitely does to me now. And still, I'm not a big money guy. But it was like, you know, that was you don't make much starting out. Now, if you become a general manager, you know, you can make millions of dollars.

I guess if you become a scouting director, you can make six figures. Obviously, coaches make a lot. You know, the coaches make a lot more than, you know, executives, non-GMs. You know, your player personnel, your scouting director, your SEC scout is not make, I mean, your quarterback coach in the NFL might make $700,000, $800,000. Your tight end coach in the NFL might make $300,000. Think about that. How does your college scouting director not make $500,000 every single team?

That's just not the case. So that the money was tough. I also think, like, any job when you spend that much time doing it, you know, it just, I like other sports a lot. I'm a big golfer. I love watching. I'm a big basketball, baseball. I like watching other sports.

You're pretty locked in to football a large percentage of the year. Obviously during the season, during the fall, which is easy. But even during the draft process, you spend so... I'd say here's the other worst part. It's what I don't have to do now and I don't miss it at all. As a scout, you spend so much time watching crappy players relative to the NFL. So you're watching fifth round through like undrafted free agents. because, I mean, you still watch, obviously, the top guys,

but who you're going to take in the first round is somewhat at it. You don't have anything to do with it. They're coming to you in the mid-rounds and the undrafted free agents. And I got bored watching those guys. And I heard Mayock say the other day, he likes watching the late-round guys and thinks it's more important than the early-round guys. And that's probably true.

And that's why Mayok was meant to be a GM. I'm meant to be in the media. I can talk about first-rounders all day long, or even now if you're an undrafted free agent and you get to the league and you're good I'll talk about you or you're a fifth or six rounder you become tom Brady richard Sherman George kiddle i got no problem you know but i i can't pretend to get super fired up on some seventh round pick the day of the draft because the majority of those guys are going to be out of the league in a couple years so i i get i like talking about the sweet players

listen to the podcast all the time while i do my homework i appreciate that i wish i had podcast to listen to back when I had homework. As a Chiefs fan, I've been begging for a corner for a while, but now we need a linebacker. Should the Chiefs stay at 32 and get a linebacker or a corner or trade back to the second round? If you can trade back to the second round and let's say move back three or four spots and get an extra third round pick, here's where the Chiefs are at. They have a quarterback that's about to make $35 plus million. And Chris Jones, I think Veech said today that their plan is to sign him long term.

So I think the key is going to be to have cheap labor. Well, like I said, it's really hard to hit on fifth, sixth, seventh round picks. But second and third rounders, you should be able to get starters there. So if you're the chiefs and you already have a second round pick and you've got a third, if you can trade back and get another second or third round pick, and then all of a sudden you have two twos and a three or two twos and two threes, you might be able to get three cheap starters, which is going to be key for the,

not big picture. I mean, I think they're returning 20 of 22 starters. I think the Chiefs have a chance. If you remember in 2010, the Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl, in 2011 they went 15 and 1. That was the year of the Giants. I think Conflin's face froze off and they beat him in the NFC championship game, or maybe they beat them in the second round. Yeah, they beat them in the second round because they beat the Niners in the conference championship.

So that wasn't the face freeze game. I think that was 2007. My point is, I think the Chiefs can come back and be by far the best team in the league. Now, the Ravens record might be really good, but as we've seen, they don't do much in the playoffs. Like, the Chiefs go 15 and 1, they might be the heavy favorites. So I wouldn't be shocked to see them trade back. Hey, John, I've been listening to the 3 and Out Pod since day one. Favorite pod to listen to?

I appreciate that. I'm a Big Bears fan. I was wondering if you have any thoughts to what they might be able to do in the draft. They have two picks in the top 50, and I've seen them taking them taking. corners and no lineman and a few mocks. Clearly they still think Mitch is a big part of the plans, so do you think the most sense to try and surround him with its many solid weapons and try to upgrade the line play?

With Kyle Long retiring and losing Prince and Haha and Free Agency, what do you think they should do and would be able to do in the draft? Well, their defense is loaded, right? They have a great defensive front. Trevathan's coming back. Roquan got hurt, but he'll be back. They still have Eddie Jacks. they still have Fuller, so you could add a corner a little later in the draft.

I think they got some guys on the roster that I've been told that they like, they need a tight end. Now, this is a bad tight end draft. Would you trade one of those second rounders for O.J. Howard? I would think Mike Lombardi said on his podcast, O.J. Howard's on the trading block. I would think about trading one of those second rounders for O.J. Howard. I would probably use the other one on offensive linemen. But I also not of the school thought that Mitch is some sacred cow here.

I would imagine 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 reel. 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, Kier Games. In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests.

I'm talking. Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross.

because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth, or are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast,

learn the hard way. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. What's up, guys? This is Clever Taylor the Fourth. And on my podcast, The Cliverts Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff. Like being an internet famous referee.

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

Where's she at? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clippers 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 defining the odds. Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and Austin Reed.

And finding ways to win no matter what. He's the smartest player to ever play the game. His IQ is at a level that we've never seen before. And he knows. Without Luca and Austin Reeves, I got to manipulate the game. We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the playoffs. I think Joker's going to be exhausted. this series because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup, he has to really guard guys like

Nas Reid. He has to guard Julius Randall. And then he has to give us everything he gives us on the night-to-night basis on offense. And when IT's friends stop by, like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too. Steve Nash would get that thing. That man, hell get the flying. He run up the court licking his fingers while he got the ball like, after you go through a training camp with that, Isaiah, you figure it out real quick. Get your ass up and down the guy. 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. In the next, I don't know, month or whenever the fifth year option deadline is, which is usually either June 15th or July 15th, Mr. Ribicki's not going to have his fifth year option picked up. Nick Foles is probably going to be the starter. Well, likely never

happened, but thought how cool it would be if the NFL delayed the draft for another month and allowed their next crop of college recruits Trevor Lawrence Fields to declare for this year's in case college season was canceled. Love the show.

That would be pretty nuts. I also think that would be really, really unfair. Like the teams don't have any information on those guys. I mean, those quarterbacks will get drafted high, but yeah, that would be a complicated situation. One of these quarterbacks, who is better? Jeff Garcia, Alex Smith, or Jimmy G. Well, I would say,

say Alex is the most consistent. Garcia, when he was on, was a stud. I think he went to four pro bowlers. Four pro bowls. Jimmy is the unknown. So if I had to rank him, if I just had to win one game, I'd probably go Garcia, Jimmy, Alex.

Don't sleep on Garcia. That dude could play. Question for the Middilkoff mailbag. A lot of mock drafts and analysts have talked about the lions moving out of them. the three spot so the dolphins or chargers can move up and get their quarterback, ignoring Joe Burrow, of course. Does the fact that the lion seem to be dead set on Akuta hurt their value at number three

pick? If they trade down, they're still likely to be playing, they're still likely to get the player they want fifth or sixth pick. Would the chargers or dolphins be aware of that and then offer less capital and a trade of that result? Kind of greedy, I've got a second question. I would say, yeah. If those teams know for a fact who you want

and know you can still get them there, then you can't rake them over the coals. But I also think what you read in, you know, mock drafts and stuff does not mean that's what the actual team knows. So I would say I wouldn't put that much stock into who mock drafts having the Lions take. But if they do know who you're going to take, yes, that limits your ability.

Kind of greedy, I've got a second question. Well, mid-corona, why not? If you're the Chargers and you're set on 2 as your franchise guy, but he has already taken, Are you comfortable taking your second choice quarterback on the board and pretending he was your choice all along, or would you rather go for the best player available at another position and wait for another go at the draft next time around?

That's a good question. I would not take a player I don't like at 5. So if you want Tua and you get Justin Herbert and you don't think Justin Hoover is a top 5 pick, I can't take him there. Or vice versa. If Herbert goes and I'm not thinking Tua's good enough, I can't take them.

That's the whole point of the draft process. You set your board, you value where guys go. If you don't think the guy's a franchise quarterback, you can't take them in five. End of story. I think it's really that simple, despite how important quarterbacks are. I'd rather, hell, I'd go sign Jamis.

Go sign Cam. That's the other thing. James and Cam are still out there. Hell, Andy Dalton's out there. Like, I'm just not taking a quarterback. I'm not saying I believe in those two guys. I definitely, I believe more in Herbert probably than Tua just because Tua injury. But I'm just not taking one of those guys.

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. I discover the forest. 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. 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.com.

Gov. Slash the right seat. Brought to you by Nidza and the Ad Council. Hey John, big fan of the pod. Enjoyed the comparison of the draft in the stock market last episode. I'm a recent college grad working in finance, but my dream job would be working in salary cap department

or just a finance department for a team. I was wondering if you had any insight on what a salary cap finance department looks like for a team and what be the best way to get into one. Well, I think a lot of salary cap guys, they went to law school, right? So they went undergrad, did whatever, and then they get a law degree

and that helps them write contracts. Now the finance department, to me there's a difference with the finance department that are involved in ticket sales, they're involved in signage. That's, I mean, if you've got a good degree and you've been working for whatever finance company, you can obtain that job.

Now, you usually have to start in at more of a sales position, right? Cold calling, maintaining relationships. But the salary cap position, I would say most guys in the league, the salary cap negotiators have a law degree. That sounds about it. So we got all the questions.

So keep firing questions. Shorter pod today. Enjoy the weekend. Enjoy the quarantine. Try to stay positive. Enjoy some good food. Have a couple cocktails. And a week away, baby.

Draft time. Let's do it. Godspeed. Stay safe. If you love to be remembered as the person who gives the best birthday gifts, I'm here to tell you that 1,800 flowers is your ultimate birthday gifting destination.

1,800 Flowers has thoughtful and artfully created options that are guaranteed to deliver the best birthday surprise. Shop thousands of unique gifts at 1,800flowers.com for exclusive offers and great values. To order today, visit 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. That's 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. 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 SportsSlice 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, 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 Slical 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, S&L'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 podcast. Podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hardway with your favorite therapist and host, Keer Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional

who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor. It signals to the world that you not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to. Listen to learn the hard way on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. 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 42.

Hey, ref, my mama want you to wave at her. 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. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.