The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 3 and Out - Jags Fournette/Ngakoue Fail; Le'Veon Decline; No-Name Cowboys; B1G WTF; Roll With Foles; Derwin James/Impact Injuries; Mailbag

Episode Date: September 1, 2020

In this episode, John fires through a bunch of NFL headlines, including the Jags embarrassing week of cutting Leonard Fournette and trading Yanick Ngakoue, more evidence of Le'Veon Bell's decline, Mike McCarthy's paranoia on display in the recent Cowboys scrimmage without player names or numbers, more indecision from the B1G regarding playing a season, LSU wide receiver - and #1 WR prospect - Ja'Mar Chase deciding to skip the college season, the devastating loss of Derwin James and a rash of other impact injuries across the league, and why the Bears need to start Foles over Trubisky. He also answers listener questions in the Middlekauff 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. 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 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, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifers Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated.

So let's get to it. Listen to the Clifford show on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok's podcast network on TikTok. On the Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84's big to me.

I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s.

84 was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Get right to the romance and find the way to wow this 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 in julys. Shanted 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 Middlecock? That's me. Three and out podcasts. That's the show. Back from Vegas on this Monday afternoon. And I got to tell you, Vegas does not suck. even when you're forced to wear masks

it's still pretty fun one I guess I didn't I probably made a couple hundred bucks drank a lot you know I'm probably feeling like a five out of ten I was like should I take a nap and maybe record it later I'm like no I just I got here like an hour ago

let's just do something so I got my pen and I got my paper and I started thinking like let's do a different podcast today let's go a little rapid fire because there have been so many stories over the last three or four days, just when I'd be like, you know, in Vegas,

have some downtime and look, and there's another headline about someone sucking or someone getting hurt, and I'm like, why don't we just, I wrote down about 15 things and that happened over the last 48 hours. And I'll hit on it, you know, give my opinion, my thoughts,

and how it impacts, you know, this upcoming season right around the corner. Obviously, there's a couple of college football things that are in the ether. And we'll just try to keep, it, you know, we'll just keep it moving. You know, there's a lot going on in the league right now. This weekend, it's crazy because no preseason games.

We're all just kind of falling the sport on the internet. Now, that's how we normally follow the sport. I mean, maybe someone like Meag attends a couple practices. But once the preseason games start, there's an ebb and a flow to the season being right around the corner. It's felt weird. I mean, there's just no way around it. and it's just, hell, it's 2020.

I just wore a mask on a plane and around Vegas. So it's just, it's the world we're living in. Nothing we can do about it. So I'm just glad the NFL is going to be played. You know, I think by the time you listen to this next podcast will be a week away from the season, the Chiefs Texans. And then, of course, we'll do a little Middlecoff mailbag at the end at John Middilcock is the Instagram handle.

So if you guys got any questions, how we interact with the people here. This is the people shut. and just fire into those Instagram comments. Also, for those of you that have, I checked this morning, I saw a bunch of new reviews and five-star reviews. If you could, three-in-out podcast on Apple, leave a review. Like I said, it helps with business and it helps with the selling of this podcast.

You know, just to keep it rolling and keep it as the cash cow and potentially more cash cow that it can become. So I can keep my lights on and pay. my utility bills. But let's start here. I would say the big news, I actually woke up. I woke up pretty early on Monday morning. And, you know, I'm not proud of this fact.

You know, typically the first thing I do is I grab my phone when I wake up, whether it's five in the morning or seven in the morning. And, you know, I usually click on Twitter. And there's Adam Schaefter. Leonard Fournett has been cut. And we'll dive deep into the Jaguars here off the top because they're a train wreck organization. Let's just start there. There is no way around

the Jaguars are a joke. I don't follow European soccer that closely besides just Rinaldo and Messi and I watched an Amazon show on Man City. I don't pretend to understand how the EPL works. But I do know they relegate and they kick your ass out of the league

if you don't win enough, right? Or you don't play well enough. And the Jags would have been kicked out long time ago. But I was also thinking this this morning In most businesses a business owner, right? If you own a construction business, more than likely At one point in time you were a contractor, you were a, you actually worked on construction sites

in some, whether you were an electrician, whether you're a plumber, you did something with construction. So you're going to have some knowledge of the business. And I'm just using that as an example. When you buy a pro sports franchise, unless you're Michael Jordan, you have no clue. Let me repeat, no clue how the business operates. Because the main part of the business is your football team, picking players, signing players, coaching the team, and playing in games that you know nothing about.

So the best owners typically are, obviously they have a lot of money, but they hire the best people. because they have, let me repeat, no fucking clue what to do. And rightfully so, it's not, it's not like Jerry Jones kind of a unique owner. He played college football at Arkansas in the SEC. I'm pretty sure if you start going around, right, Jed York, Stan Cronkey, Michael Bidwell, like there's not much football experience as we work around the country of NFL owners. So you better hire the right coaches and the right general managers. And it's pretty clear that Shod Khan, you know, David Caldwell, clearly is one of the worst GMs we've ever seen.

I mean, in football history, I can't imagine a GM with his track record being employed as long as he's been employed. But it's on the owner. Like, he, it's his problem. And he's not hired the right people. It's why they sucked him. And to cut Leonard Fournette, well, when you, they haven't been able to trade him for two reasons. And I think is he officially cut by the time Monday after. afternoon came around. I know they tried to swing a trade before the waiver wire came out.

He makes over $4 million. He actually did have a productive season last year. He had over a thousand yards. He had 76 catches. There's some character questions with him. Not like a bad guy. He's not like he's getting arrested or you know, you don't, you worry about it at night. But I don't know if he's the most beloved guy in the building. You know, he might be one of those guys who thinks he's a little bit better than he is. And rightfully so, right? He was one of, if not, I think he was the number one overall recruit in the country. He was drafted fourth. And his career has been a royal disappointment.

It's clear, like, you don't need to be Bill Belichick just to watch guys play and go, Alvin Kamara, Christian McCaffrey, Seyquin Barkley. These guys are on a completely different level than that guy. And they had to cut him. And he's not a fit in the offense. You know, he's, to me, kind of an old school, you know, running power, pulling the guard with a full back ahead of them type running back, which the league is kind of getting away from. It's a lot more spread.

It's a lot more, you know, the quicker, faster guys in space. Now, again, he had 76 catches. I actually, when I watched him last year, I thought he was okay. But the league, like, the rep on him is not good. So they had to cut him. That's a joke. Like, if you have to cut the guy you draft the number four, three years later or four years later, who's coming off a good season, like your organization has problems.

and then what happened this weekend the Minnesota Vikings just stole Yanuk and Daqa. If Yonikaan Daqa played for the Cowboys, if he played for the Patriots, if he played for Seattle, he would be viewed as a star player. Now like football nerds know about him, but listen, most people listening,

we're casual fans, right? Most people that watch NFL are casual. And why say casual? Like, they know players, but you, like, the teams that don't win that aren't on TV, you don't know. besides, especially a defensive end. It's not like they impact fantasy.

This guy's a really, really good player. He took almost a $6 million pay cut, a $6 million pay cut in a state that has no income tax. To go to Minnesota, the state that, besides California, I think it's the second highest in the country, 9%, but I'll give them credit. that just shows like how bad he wanted to get out of there.

Jalen Ramsey called Leaving the Jaguars the Greatest Day of his Life. He's got children. He's been named an all pro. I'm pretty sure Jalen Ramsey won a national championship. I think he played on that James Winston team. Called the best day of his life. Think about that. Yoniken Dockway took a $6 million pay cut.

He was not a first round pick. He has not made that much money. I don't care who he are. Six million dollars is a lot of money. I mean, I'd say, where I'm sitting. 600 grand would be a lot of money. $6 million pay cut to get the hell away from people?

I commend that. He goes to a team with Mike Zimmer, a great defensive coach, a team that's going to be successful, should compete to win that division. I always give player credit when they see the bigger picture. Get out of there, go succeed, go kick ass in a place conducive, and then you'll print checks. But taking the $6 million haircut, I don't care who you are.

Like, that's not an easy contract to sign. Like, am I really doing this? Do I really hate Dave Caldwell, Doug Marone, and the cons that much? And the answer was, yes, he hates them that much. How much does he hate him? $6 million worth of hate. And he goes to a team that I'd have to check the latest odds, but to me, they've got to be...

I know you're replacing some guys on defense, but you just Everson Griffin with this guy, who's better right now. Now, they have a bunch of new corners, but what's the best way to help out corners? Dinell Hunter and Yonnik and Dockway kicked the shit out of the quarterback. That's their game plan. And Mike Zimmer, sending aglapped blitzes. Like, Mike Zimmer's been coaching guys since Deion.

I think he'll coach some corners up. You know, to me, what a steal. And his second round pick, I mean, that's wild. So they've gotten rid of Yonick and Dockway. They cut four net and they traded Jalen Ramsey and, like, you know, how many, nine months, 10 months. I guess Jaylin was traded in the middle of the season last year, but God, what a dumpster fire franchise.

And God, Minnesota, like, that's a good training camp trade. Holy moly. For a second round pick, for a guy that I would imagine they're going to want to want to sign long term. And with that, they've asked Riley Reef to take a big pay cut. He's refusing. And you see that happening right now in training camp? Guys are asked to take pay cuts.

Because they basically say, if you do not take a pay cut, we're going to cut you. And a lot of players, you know, if it's $6 million and they want you to go to like four and a half, you're like, well, I like playing here, I know the defense, I'm still going to start, I'll take the little pay cut. And I think sometimes when the guy's asking you to take a pay cut, you go, what would be my market? Riley Reef goes, well, I consistently, I don't miss games, starting left tackle. Like I, someone would say, I mean, the Eagles just lost a tackle. I would have a market immediately. I'm not taking a pay cut.

and I guess the last headline I saw right before I press record was that he thinks he's going to be cut. But that's just, you know, listen, I don't love changing out my left tackle before the season, but it gets complicated when you get the opportunity to trade for a guy like Yonick and Dockway. Now, Minnesota, to me, their biggest issue, and I went to the playoff game last year against the Niners. And listen, it was a little skewed because the Niners had the best defensive line in the league. But still, like, their Achilles heel is just their offensive line. It stinks. And they don't have a quarterback that can run.

So if you can't protect an immobile quarterback, that you're going to be your downfall. It just will be. A headline that I saw, I think on Saturday, from someone over the New York Post, and there's been buzz coming out. Levion Bell, I think Adam Gase had made a comment about he was injured, and then Levyon said he didn't know where he was,

and the Levyon said he was injured, he's got a tight hamstring. It's just, it's always something with this guy, really with both of them, but with Levion. You know, it's like, I said at the moment he sat out the season. It's one of the dumbest financial decisions in the history of sports. He had, what, $14 million from the Pittsburgh Steelers, one year guaranteed. And his style, it's not like he took big hits.

Like, play that season, he would have bawled. They're just good. And then he would have got, at worst, the same contract that he got from the Jets, which clearly was nothing like he thought he was going to get. which I think ended up being $27 million. But I look at it like you got $27 million guaranteed, but you lost $14 million guaranteed. So you didn't really make that much money.

And then like novel concept here, when you stop doing something that is really hard, whatever that is, right? Whether it's being a lawyer, whether it's playing on the PGA tour, whether it's building bridges, whether it's, I don't know, playing running back, and you take a year off, for the most part,

you're going to get worse. And the reports are that he looks really slow and bad. And I started tweeting about it like, God, I mean, I thought Levion Bell, the year before he held out, I think that year one of his franchise tag, because he was he used franchise tag back to back and he declined the second one. I thought he was an elite player.

And some people tweeted at me like, he was a product of the system, he had all the help. I thought his instincts, his vision, his power, his ability in the passing game. Just how he was such a unique player. I did not think he was a product of the system. I thought he was a straight up baller. And my buddy texts me in the league.

He's like, bro, you watch him in the last year on film. He looks slow, plotting around. And like, again, sometimes you just take a season off. You never get it back. And it feels like Levi-on-Bell what could have been because I know the guy that I saw those last couple years when the Pittsburgh Steelers, the one year Ryan Chazier got hurt,

I thought they were the best team in the league. I mean, A.B. was in the peak of his powers. Bell was in the peak of his powers. Their defense was excellent. And obviously once Chazir went down, they were never quite the same. And, you know, the way Bell situation played out, you know, the media was like,

he's taking a stand for the players. Yeah, not signing a contract for $14 million. It's one thing to hold out when you're Aaron Donald and you're Cleo Mac and you go, I'm going to make $80 to $90 million guaranteed. Levy on Bell, bro, you are never going to get huge money. You had a major injury in your past. You had character concerns you'd been spent it before.

And just a large percentage of the league just fundamentally doesn't believe in, you know, paying free agent running backs. So an all-time misplayed his hand, and it looked like his career is now circling the drain. The Cowboys, I saw clips from their Twitter account, They held a scrimmage. I would imagine some cowboy fans are listening. And they put it on television,

which I think a lot of teams have done. There's been a lot of... I read some Albert Brewer Monday morning quarterback. There's been more scrimmages this year than ever before. Because you're not playing preseason games. It's what happens in college football. You just play full-on scrimmages. And they didn't have any numbers.

And, you know, listen, coaches, by nature, are really, really paranoid. It's football. It's a top secret sport. it's this isn't basketball where you're like, I wonder who's getting the ball at the end of the game? I don't know, Kevin Durant, James Hardin, Janice, you know, or baseball.

Like, I wonder what pitch Max Scherzer's going to throw. I don't know, 98. In football, you don't know what plays are coming. Right? It's a game of secrecy. And when you have new coaches, you don't exactly know the scheme they're going to implement. Now, Mike McCarthy has a long hit.

history of what he ran in Green Bay. He's holding over some coaches. If you watch McCarthy that year off, he really tried to, he made it well known. He kind of went on a PR campaign, and it worked. It got him the cowboy job. That he did a lot of introspection, that he looked at what he wasn't using. He looked at where the game was going. They broke down every game, every week. Like, who knows? And then just part of it, I mean, and all these coaches are doing it. I try to watch Kyle Shanahan's press conferences. Typically, most press conferences are just on paris. Periscope. I appreciate that about the Texans. Like I just see them a lot on Periscope. Most of these other teams that naturally do their team, their press conference on Periscope are not

doing that right now. They're making it very challenging for you to find it because they don't want the opposing teams, which that's all they're doing right now. None of the opposing GMs or scouts have any film to watch. So all they're doing is just whoever your first like four opponents are in September, you're just... Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all,

embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying.

Yep. That's me, 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, 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.

Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tapped Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam Jett. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we picket here, unpack what went down,

and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because, of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line.

We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you for finishing that sentence. Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your

Podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field

and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it.

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

And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, 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.

Watching them every day, every story that comes out about every player, every coach quote. That's all you have to do besides watching your own team. And there's only so much you can do there. So I do, I laugh at it. I think it's kind of stupid. But I do understand from McCarthy standpoint, there definitely are some jokes about like, you know, I would imagine there's some players getting yelled at in meetings the next day, claiming it wasn't them.

But, you know, it's just, I mean, the Cowboy Ram game, that week one is going to be pretty fun. 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 $39.99. Or upgrade to 24 red roses for $10 more. to 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. That's 1,800

flowers.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 through this fascinating world. near you and start exploring at Discovertheforest.org. Brought to you by the United States Forest Service and the Ad

Council. What grows in the forest? Trees? Sure. Know what else grows in the forest? Our imagination, our sense of wonder, and our family bonds grow too. Because when we disconnect from this and connect with this,

we reconnect with each other. The forest is closer than you think. Find a forest near you and start exploring. I Discover The Forest.org, brought to you by the United States Forest Service and the Ad Council. The Big Ten, to me, it's just one big WTF. Like, if you're not going to allow students on campus, which, to my knowledge, the Pac-12, the majority of their schools are not.

I understand attempting to make a stand. I disagree with it. I would play football. I think all high school, like high school football in California got canceled. I think that's an absolute shame. But the decision they made. But I would assume, yeah, the Big Ten is not going to have students on campus. They're all having students on campus.

How could you justify having students on campus but not playing football? Because the football players are going to be way more easier to corral in the sense of COVID testing, the ability to keep an eye on what they're doing, and have coaches who are on them about doing the right things. As a student on campus, if I'm just at Michigan, I don't give a shit. I'm like, well, I read all the statistics.

Corona can't do anything to me. Clearly, most young people, every young person I know does not care at all about Corona. I mean, at all. I don't blame them. You simply read, it doesn't impact you. And we'll find out years to become if that's right or wrong, but that's the information we have now, and that's what they're doing.

So to not allow the football team that clearly wants to play, right? The parents want them to play, the coaches want to play, the kids want to play, and you're having students on campus. That'd be a hard one for me. to wrap my head around. I just fundamentally disagree. I have a lot of admiration for the SEC and kind of their mindset. Like we're playing. And they never

got up the path of we're going to play. And the ACC followed suit and the Big 12 did too. We're going to play and we'll just play a longer conference schedule. Screw everyone else. We don't give a crap about the Pac-12 because they don't. I mean, the coaches, I know this. The coach is the Kirby Smarts and Nick Sabins and Dan Mullins, you couldn't pay them enough to come coach out west.

They would never in a million years coached the Pac-12. And the crazy thing about the Pac-12 is we don't even hear anything. They just kind of took it. Yeah, we're out, whatever. At least the Big Ten, I admire the programs and the kids and the parents and the passions for stating their opinions on this one. Like, we want to play. This is BS.

I haven't heard of peep. Out of USC, out of Stanford, at a cow, out of any of these schools. But every day I look, Scott Frost is pissed, Harbaugh's pissed, Ryan Day and Justin Fields want to play. I admire it. And they've, I'm not the biggest Big Ten guy in the sense of like, I don't follow. And I know these programs, I mean, Penn State, Ohio, State, Michigan,

Wisconsin, these are huge programs with massive fan bases. So I would imagine many of you are following this story much closer than I am. but I appreciate their passion and will of everything they possibly can do, though it doesn't. Actually, I've read some things that feels like maybe they end up playing in October. If they ended up playing in October, it's a joke then that they, they quote unquote, canceled the season and then changed and basically admitted they were wrong.

Jamar Chase, speaking of college football, opted out. I can't blame them. You know, Joe Burroughs gone. Joe Brady's gone. Just from a football standpoint, the chance that he looks worse this year just based on, at wide receiver, if he was a tackle or a defensive end and he was an elite player, it's just you can control your own destiny much more or even a cornerback. At wide receiver, you are very dependent on one human throwing you the ball.

Now, listen, there is no chance on God's Green Earth that the quarterback, I would say, whoever the starting quarterback is for LSU is 70% as good as Joe Brady was or Joe Burrow was last year and that might even be high. I mean, Joe Burrow had the greatest season in the history of college football. And Jamar obviously dominated 20 catcher or 20 touchdowns.

But like this tape speaks for itself. Everyone said this year if he would have came out even in the number one wide receiver in a draft that had I think six wide receivers going the first round, what hell does he have to prove? He won his national championship. He won the Blitnikov.

He dominated in the playoffs. Dominated in the SEC. I think he made the right choice. Now, I think it's going to be difficult. The one thing playing does, like talking about Levi-on-Bell, it's different for a guy that's 19, 20 years old. But just maintaining that edge and that talent, right? I mean, he is redlining right now talent.

He's arguably the best. offensive skill guy in all of college football. Well, how do you maintain that working out on your own? Like that, there's no way around it. Like, that will be a challenge. And I'm sure he'll have a top flight agent and they'll get him with a top flight trainer. But listen, we know training and playing football are not the same. They're just not.

And that's why I think we see all these injuries, which I'll get in here in a little bit. Cooper Cups banged up right now for the Rams. Again, I can't wait for that Dallas Rams game week one. Here's what I'll say about Cooper Cup. I guess Sean McVeigh said today that it's not a sprained ankle. He's very, very important to the success of the L.A. Rams. He had 94 catches and 10 touchdowns last year.

To me, when I watched them, their big issue, their offense is going to be fine. Their defense had issues last year. But offensively, he's Jared Gop's guy. I'm pretty sure they're very, very close off the field, and he is an elite slot receiver. I mean, he is a baller. This was shitty news because if you watch Hardin, Knox, and if you see the numbers, not many people are. I think the episode three hard knocks

is the least amount of people that have ever watched Hard Knocks. Now, I don't know if that counts someone like me who watched it. I watched it on my iPad, so I don't know if it counts streaming, but I've enjoyed it. Now, it's not like some hard-hitting Rex Ryan, Bill O'Brien,

swear fest. It's just an easy watch, but it's very star-studded. And I would say, beside Aaron Donald, and Joey Bosa, Derwin James, like the best player in the two teams. And you could argue, if you knew like Anthony Lynn,

you'd get them off the record or whatever, and you said, who's the best player on your team? It's not inconceivable that he said, Dirlwind James. Now, the tangible, what we know, it would be Bosa. He just played way more.

But it was pretty clear after year one that Dirlwind James had a chance to be like an all-timer. And when I saw that he limped off practice and they were hoping it was a hamstring. It was like, okay, you know, it sucks. Maybe he'll miss week one or whatever. Within five, six hours, he tore his knee. And now he's having surgery,

and he's going to miss a significant amount of time. That is, and listen, they got, they drafted, I think, Nelson Adderly. They have a stack secondary, and they have a really good defense. But when I remove one of your best defensive players and your best player in your team potentially, it's hard to recover. sucks for the guy

just a shitty situation I mean it's the one thing I don't miss at all at all about being just on a team at training camp that moment when you're just on the sideline your team gear next to your GM or next to your other scouts

or with the coaches around the players and you see a guy go down and the whole thing goes silent and honestly sometimes at least those you know like this is bad I actually miss even less. Because when a guy goes down,

it's carted off, you're like, that is awful. But you just, it's kind of part of the business. You just shift, well, we need to sign someone, what do we need to do? When a guy limps off, right?

Or it's like holding his shoulder, you just like, ah, hopefully it's nothing. Because sometimes it's just nothing, right? He goes to the trainer, comes back to practice. Sometimes he goes in and practice ends, and then it turns out,

you know, it's just a scare he's going to miss a couple days. And then sometimes you go, well, he tore his meniscus. You're like, good God. Sucks. I mean, I just, as a fan of elite players, I watch pro sports for elite players.

I watch baseball to watch Mike Trout and Max Scherzer. I watch the NBA to watch Janice and Steph Curry and Kevin Durant. I watch the NFL to watch, you know, the bosses and the Durwin Jameses. I'm not here to watch overachievers. I want to see the best of the best. That's what I like. about pro sports. I don't like average players. I want to watch the elite guys. And when guys like

Derwin James get hurt, we just, the sport loses out. Alvin Kamara, latest I read he just like, I'm out. You know, what am I doing here? Pay me my money. I was actually, we were at dinner last night we were talking about Jerry McGuire got me thinking, show me the money, Jerry, is that Alvin Kamara, which I understand, like unlike Leonard Fournette, Alvin Kamar is an elite player. Now, I wonder if Sean Payton, and I don't know Sean Payton, I don't know one with the Saints, so I don't know exactly how they think besides just following them on press conferences and over the years coaching his team. But there might be a part of them that goes, listen, you guys didn't really know who

Alvin Kamara was until he got a hold of me. And I'll find another Alvin Kamara. That might be his mindset. Because Alvin Kamara, if I was on his side, I'd be like, well, Derek Henry just got huge cash. Christian McCaffrey got huge cash. Last year, Zeeke got huge cash. I'm an elite player.

I want huge cash. And I'm not playing this year for $2 million. And I'm not playing week one. Because that's his leverage. That's your leverage as a football player. When you're an elite player is to hold out a game. Hopefully you'll get a contract, right? Unlike Levi-on Bell, like here, here's your $14 million.

We're not going to give an extension, but here's your $14 million. It's a lot different for Alvin. Like, here's your two. Well, what if I have a career-ending injury for $2 million, I was a mid-round pick, and it's just over. Now, if you're the Saints, also if you're Alvin Kumar, you're like, well, I just saw a guy in my draft class,

Michael Thomas, or I guess Michael Thomas was a year before him, got huge money last year. Like, you take care of your core guys. You're not going to, am I not one of your core guys for the next four or five years? And it's a complicated situation. Listen, I tend to be, I'm a sucker for good players, right?

So I tend to be never pay running backs. It's just an easy thing to say. And then I get like Christian McCaffrey on my team or I get Alvin Kamarro. It's like, well, I kind of like this guy, you know. But the money, Alvin Kamara is probably not signing a contract for less than $42, $3, $4 million guaranteed.

He wouldn't be cheap. A complicated situation. I mean, I guess a lot of this podcast is about injuries, but Carson Wentz missed a practice with a lower body injury. I don't have any inside information on it. My take is I'm a Carson Wentz fan. I want to see Carson Wentz on the field. His talent is immense.

And what we saw down the stretch, and I know it was against shitty teams, the Redskins, the Giants, the Cowboys, and I think either the Redskins are Giants again. He carried the team with a squad full of practice squatters. Because I didn't think he played that well, earlier in the year, and he played so much better down the stretch. And then he obviously got the concussion in practice.

Listen, I mean, how often do you see a quarterback in camp, a soft tissue injury? You know, if Lamar, right, pulls a hamstring or whatever, like, I get it. Lamar's a runner. Carson's really a pocket quarterback. Now, he can run, but he's just a mobile pocket quarterback. But his injuries, like, it's, he's at the point now. when ever he goes down in a game, every single person watching that game's holding their breath.

Is he going to get up? And he's just kind of that guy right now. Like he might be the new Rathusberger. And I think Rathusberger, you know, I know people with the Ravens forever and people in the league, that he was kind of a drama queen. I don't think Carson's drama queen at all with this in the sense of like he gets hurt, he gets hurt.

Right, he tore his ACL, broke his back. He got a concussion. Like there's nothing, you just can't come back in. It's not one of those, well, he's got, he tweaked his foot. You know, like Carson's injury, and I'm not saying this might be nothing, but it just, it just shows you, man, he is just, he's a huge wild card. Like, is he going to have, and no one knows this?

I mean, Harry Roseman, Doug don't know this. Is he just going to have a successful next five, six years of staying healthy? Or is it going to be one thing after another? You know, they showed you like they had a backup plan. They drafted a quarterback in the second round. Now, I'm not a huge fan of that player in Jalen Hertz, Oklahoma, Alabama quarterback. but they were, and they won a Super Bowl with Nick Foles, so maybe they know more than me.

But I know this, Jalen ain't Carson Wentz. I'll promise you that. If they're going to be good and they're going to make the playoffs, they need Carson Wentz to play. Jalen Rager, who everything I've read was having a great training camp, Jalen hurts because Carson missed the practice in the scrimmage, throws a pick, dudes running it back, Jalen tries to take him out, and hurts his shoulder.

making a tackle. And I think, you know, you'd go, God, just hit the ground. We don't even make a tackle. It's just instincts, but not an ideal situation. So now their first round wide receiver, who was bawling,

gets hurt in a practice. It's one thing, right, if you go up to high point a ball or make a play, do you get tackled weird? You, you, it was because you made a tackle, right, on an interception, which is just,

it's got to be a kick in the dick for the, you know, Doug and Howie. I mean, that sucks. I mean, but there's nothing you can do. You just, the Eagles like the Niners, a lot of injuries, and you just kind of got to pivot, right? I mean, there's nothing part of football, but it just seems like those two teams get injured so much.

Speaking of the Niners, Fred Warner, who led the Niners in tackles last year, who really is probably one of the better players that's not that famous in the league. He's just an all-around three-down linebacker. He can cover. He can blitz. he's physical, he can run, he's just a playmaker.

I mean, I think Fred Warner's a stud. And I mean, I've watched every snap, but I thought last year he became like, damn, and I was going to have to pay this guy. I don't know if he got Corona. I just saw Kyle Shanahan say today. They put him on the COVID list. The quote I saw was just,

it just shows you, we're not out of the woods with this stuff yet in the sense of like, these guys aren't, guys are going to test positive throughout the year, basically. But if he just got Corona before the Arizona Cardinals game, that'd be a big deal for the Niners. Now, just based on the timeline, he should be back. And I don't even know if he hasn't. He might have just been around someone that had it. But they're playing the Arizona Cardinals in Kyler Murray, week one.

Fred Warner is like, you know, they just need that guy to tackle Kyler Murray. There's no way around it. So that's something to monitor. The Bears quarterback situation I talked about this on my other podcast yesterday Haberman and Middokoff Check out that podcast as well That

My original take on the situation And I heard Michael Lombardi say this And I kind of agreed Like And I don't have any inside information I haven't bothered any of these guys With who's looking good at camp I really don't even care

You know just when the game comes I'll watch I'm not a reporter I'm not looking to like break Who's going to be the starting quarterback that I would go with Mitch Trubisky if all things are equal because if you don't go with Mitch

you can't name Foles the quarterback and then go back to Mitch and then the more I thought about it was like, you know, who gives a crap? I watched Mitch last year, he stunk. The players in that locker room know Mitch stunk. Now Mitch is well liked. He's a high character guy

and it's not like they're rooting for Mitch, his teammates, but they also want to win. So Nick Foles, I thought about this yesterday, if Nick Foles was the Chief's quarterback, if he was the Saints quarterback, or he was Kyle Shanahan's quarterback, he wouldn't be like Mahomes, but they would compete to make the playoffs.

I could not say the same with Mr. Trubisky. They would have, he stinks. So why don't just name Nick Foles the quarterback? And I don't love Nick Foles, but you got a good defense, you got some players on offense, just go with Nick Foles. You know what?

Mitch, you made this bed. Now you're the backup. And if Nick gets injured, which he has in the past, be ready. Stay locked in. You were the second pick in the draft. We're paying you a lot of money. It's not going to need to worry. Don't study any less.

Don't work any less hard. This is the pro football. Be a pro. But Nick Foles are starting quarterback. If all things are equal to me, I've come around, no brain. Just make Nick Foles, week one, the starting quarterback for the Bears.

And again, no inside of the game. information, haven't talked to a soul there involved in this decision, my educated guess, would be Nick Foles would be named the starting quarterback. Belichick. I have seen more quotes from Belichick on Cam Newton

of just how much he likes the guy and how hard he's working and how impressed he's been. And they started thinking like, of course he likes him. Do you know what Belichick likes? Guys that like football. Guys that work hard. It's not and clearly Cam has a lot of talent, it's not that hard to impress football coaches.

You know the guys that piss football coaches off? Guys that don't know what they're doing. Guys that show up late. Guys that don't really care about football. And here's, I've tried... 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 games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way,

This platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment. And the next, we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told,

and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok.

Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? where you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English.

Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day,

but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table. right now. Thank you for finishing that sentence. I don't think there's a more important year for black people.

Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field. and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking.

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

Steve Burns, Dustin Ross. Because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth? Are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different. intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust.

I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search, learn the hard way, and listen now. Just try to put yourself in Ham Newton's situation. If you were kind of on top of the world, you know, for four or five years, right, drafted one, resurrect a franchise, become a pro bowl level.

level player and make a bunch of money and you know you're one of the more famous guys in the league and whatever your profession is and then you have a two year run where just a bunch of people are talking shit everyone thinks you're not that good at your job you get fired wouldn't you come back guns blazing and have the biggest chip on your shoulder to show every person listen i'm guilty i'm raising my hand that said this guy is just it's over for cam newton that it's on and get ready and then you get to link up with I don't know the greatest coach ever right like okay let's let's see what you got imagine if like you were some product designer in electronics and you got fired and all of a sudden you get a phone call and it's Tim Cook he's like listen the iPhone

Apple it's kind of stalled we need a new product can you come here and work on a new product Forest and you don't have a job you're like, I'm in. Cam Newton, no one would hire the guy. Belichick paid him $500,000. He's going to be the Patriots starting quarterback. Listen, I don't know how good

Cam Newton, you know, is going to be just how talent, how much talent is around them? Who's there, I guess, Nikiel Harry, I'm a Nikiel Harry guy. Edelman, you have this gunner character that I can't stop reading about on my Twitter timeline. Went from talking about Tom Brady, Gronk,

and Belichick to gutter. That's the number one story in Pat's camp, Gunner, which is a good story. You know, D2 Corner, practice squad guy now like the next Edelman or Welker, but I'm actually excited to watch Cam. And, yeah, that'll do it for my, did I miss anything? Rapid Fire?

I thought we just mix it up a little bit today and just bang, bang, just fire through some stuff. It felt like a lot happened this week. Get right to the romance and find the way to wow this Valentine's with 1 800 Flowers.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 18th stem enchanted rose medley for $3999 or upgrade to 24 red roses for $10 more. Go to 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. That's 1,800flowers.com

slash tune in. 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. Diapers and toys are everywhere. Ooh, but Mom has just nailed the perfect car seat buckle for the toddler. And now, the eldest daughter who looks to be about nine or ten

has secured herself in the booster seat. Dad zips the bag closed, and they're off. Ah, but looks like mom doesn't realize her coffee cup is still on the roof of the car, and there it goes! Oh, that's a shame. That mug was a fam favorite.

Don't sweat the small stuff. Just nail the big stuff. Like making sure your kids are buckled correctly in the right seat for their age and size. Learn more at nhtsa.gov slash the right seat. Visit nhtsa.gov slash the right seat. Brought to you by NHTSA and the Ad Council. Adoption of teens from foster care

is a topic not enough people know about and we're here to change that. I'm April 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. Okay, let's dive in. Middle Coff mailbag. at John Middilkoff, Instagram, your segment of the show, the people segment.

And I'll start with Kevin. Why is it that some NFL franchises are consistently bad forever? Jaguars, Browns, lions have had numerous GMs, coaches, and quarterbacks, but nothing changes. Enlightened me, John. What do we always say about football? It's a coaching league, right? Baseball, all about the GM.

They set the lineups now. They do everything. They get paid more than managers. Basketball, players league. I mean, the players are in full control. Football, coaches run the show. They pick the players, most of the time, some GMs do. They definitely cut the players, and they have an enormous impact.

Monday through Saturday and then Sunday is why they make $9, 10, $11, $12 million. There's a reason Nick Sabin, Dabo Sweeney, Urban Meyer, Andy Reid, Sean Payton, Kyle Shanahan. I mean, these guys, obviously, Belichick, your coach really matters. Just say the Jaguars, Browns, and Lions. Who's the best coach all three of those franchises have had the last two decades? Combined. Who's the best coach the Browns have had in my adult life?

I don't even know. They all suck. they just hired Freddie Kitchens. The Lions have Matt Patricia as their head coach. The Jaguars, I mean, Doug Marone, honestly, the guy is probably Jack Del Rio. Of that whole group, think about that, of the last 20 years, Lions, they'd be Jack Del Rio or Jim Caldwell.

Those would be the best coaches. And honestly, when you look at relative to Marone and Patricia, like Jack Del Rio made the playoffs multiple times with the Jacks, made the playoffs with the Raiders better than these guys I mean it's just it's a coaching elite you have to hire good coaches these teams have hired terrible coaches

I mean awful just god awful it's a place for just these Matt Patricians to make millions of dollars it's crazy Giant sign Logan Ryan big fan of it

especially with the crappy Baker situation could I get your thoughts yeah I mean it's just I don't think the Giants are going to be very good I don't like their roster at all. I think they're the worst team in that division. I would expect them to circle the drain. But, you know, DeAndre Baker,

an absolute disaster pick by Dave Gettelman, had major red flags coming out of college. Clearly, there's some, I always struggle with, I say it all the time, I'm not a legal analyst, I didn't go to law school, you know, being charged and committing a crime. You know, they're not, there's some, you know, it's not easy.

to navigate some of these situations because we've seen it countless times where the stories come out and I saw it first hand with Ruben Foster he got charged three different things and it was like he never did it but it's pretty clear something's with this guy

his own teammates didn't like him Joe Judge clearly hates him I don't think he's met him and yeah so you got a starting corner I'll be honest I mean I haven't like dove into Logan Ryan tape in a long time

I mean it's not like they didn't just sign Jalen Ramsey but it's better than what they have so I can't no issue with the signing huge fan of the pot I have a question for you about what defines a quarterback prospect. A big argument is now

Trevor Lawrence is a better prospect than Joe Burrow which I understand but if you had to place athleticism and arm strength over football IQ and awareness where would that get you? For instance I was not high on Cam Newton because accuracy concerns with some people were. If Cam Newton was a prospect the same year as RG3, I'd take RG3. I would even take

Sam Darnold over Cam as a quarterback prospect if they happen to have come out in the same year. I know this question is a lot to digest, but just trying to find clarity on the difference. Thank you for your time. Well, I'd say this for Cam Newton. When he walks in a room, he's six foot six, 250 pounds. He obviously wasn't as fast as RG3, but I would have taken Cam Newton over RG3. I wouldn't even hesitate. And RG3 was a really, really good prospect. When you think quarterback prospects,

physical attributes matter, how big you are, how strong your arm is, obviously how talented you are. Accuracy, you know, I think it matters. But the numbers now in 2020 are kind of inflated. Cam, to me, has just, I mean, he could throw it 500 yards. Cam Newton is like an athletic coming out of college.

Part of the reason Jamarcus Russell was such a big-time prospect because he had this huge arm. Now, he didn't have the work ethic. He also couldn't move. Even if Cam's accuracy always would have screwed him, Cam was so elite as a human being, as an athlete, that he brought immediate value. And then he had moments, and he does have moments where he can complete passes.

Obviously, he's made countless Pro Bowls and he won an MVP. Now, he's definitely, his accuracy has also been a reason why he can play really shitty. But, like, Cam as a prospect is elite. To me, Joe Burrow is not elite because his arm is just probably solid. You know, and he's a really, really, he's a first, he's a number one overall prospect. But if you go, like, coming out of college, Carson Palmer or Joe Burrow, like, Carson Palmer was a better prospect. Bigger, stronger, better arm.

Now in 2020, mobility matters. So, you know, obviously in the mid-2000s or early 2000s, Carson would have been a better prospect. Then what would we view them the same? That's where Sam Donald kind of comes into play. Now, Sam needs to play better. It's why Baker would not be viewed as an elite prospect. I mean, six feet tall.

Like, just go to an NFL practice. See how big these humans are. I mean, they're massive. I mean, it's just, this is not a little man's sport at quarterback. Now, if Kyler Murr, and Baker proved maybe the game has changed maybe I'm holding on to old you know thought processes uh I'd say Trevor Lawrence I mean just I've never met the kid but just watching him on TV he looks six foot four six foot five he's got a huge arm he can run uh he's played at an elite level he's

won I think the knock on Joe Burrow a little bit is just well his surrounding cast doesn't get any better and that was like the knock on Matt liner now it's clear Joe Burrell was a better player than Matt Liner. But you'd go, well, he played with Justin Jefferson, first round pick, who the Minnesota Vikings traded Stefan Diggs and basically just used that pick to get him. He played with a running back who arguably the best offensive coach in the league, and Brett Veach decided to draft in the first round. His other wide receiver just opted out of the season because he's like, you know,

I'm so freaking good. I don't even need to play. And he's not wrong. his talent around him was it's arguably one of the most talented offenses we've ever seen and he does throw a lot of balls some of the jump balls now he's really accurate I like Joe Burrell I'm not trying to you know diminish Joe Burrell

he's only done it one year to me part of like I like to see guys do it a little bit longer he wasn't an elite recruit like Cam was an enormous recruit obviously ended up at Auburn because he got kicked out of Florida but he went to Florida in like the peak that's who Urban Meyer recruits You're right. Urban Meyer got Joe Burrow, too. But remember, Joe Burrow was a little bit lighter of a recruit, couldn't beat out Dwayne Haskins.

Now, Dwayne Haskins ends up getting drafted in the first round. I mean, I'm nitpicking here. We're talking about a bunch of guys getting drafted in the first round. And I think if you talk to 10 different people in the league, you'll get 10 different things. I know when I look at it, when I think elite prospects, I think size, arm strength, in 2020 mobility. It's why Tua had been injured.

he's smaller. He wouldn't call him an elite prospect. Actually, Justin Herbert, you could argue, his motion's a little robotic, but in terms of size, arm strength, athleticism, he's got a lot of elite attributes. It's what makes it challenging. There's not like there's a right way to build a 30-story building, right?

There are certain things, I would imagine, for those of you that are in the construction business, that you can't avoid when building a a massive building in a big city. Like there are just basic things you're going to do every time. When I'm drafting a quarterback, like John Snyder like Russell Wilson, John Dorsey liked Baker Mayfield,

Andy and Veach loved Mahomes, you know, Kyle Shanahan loved Kirk Cousins, right? I mean, Belichick, I guess we'll find out this year. But you just go around the league, like, you know, Look at who Sean Peyton likes. Obviously Drew Brees, but then he's like in love with his Taysam Hill. Nobody else will like Teddy Bridgewater. So I just think all these guys look at it a little differently.

And it's where when you're talking like Trevor Lawrence and Joe Broe, who knows? Maybe Joe Burrell turns out to be a better player. And at quarterback, you are dependent on other people, like your head coach and the skill around you and your offensive line. So you can't do it. It's not like basketball where you just go, Anthony Davis is an elite player. or Kevin Durantson lead player. They can do a lot of damage on their own. A quarterback, like, you can only do so much damage on your own.

Like, you need the wide receiver to get open. You need the coach to call some solid place. Right? It's just, it really is, as cheesy as sounds, like the ultimate team game. Hey, John, love the podcast. I'm a diehard Panthers fan. A lot of people are counting the Panthers out this year,

but I think they will be sneaky good. You think Rule and Brady are the right men for the job? Both are out to prove they can make. it in this league. It's going to be tough division, but I think the Panthers are going to turn some heads. Thoughts. Thanks for entertaining work.

Appreciate it. Hashtag, keep pounding. I don't think they're going to be very good. I just really don't. Now, they do have some skill guys that are talented, right? McCaffrey is an elite baller. DJ Moore, the guy from Maryland, can fly. Teddy is just, to me, he's just going to be okay.

Can Teddy, it's one thing when you're playing. playing on the Saints. Another thing when you're playing on the Panthers. Matt Rule's never been a head coaching in the NFL. That is a pretty big transition. Joe Brady was a quality control guy two years ago. Like that is a massive, massive transition. They might be good in a couple years.

I think this year is going to be some growing pains. I'd expect them to win like five games. And there's nothing wrong with that. I think they can win five games and make some progress. I get you're bullish. That's why we're fans, right? That's why we root for our teams. To me, my lock right now, just looking at week one,

of week one is probably the Raiders minus one and a half. Last I saw it was one and a half might be one. At Carolina, you know, 10 a.m. kickoff, no fans. I think no fans? Maybe you guys have fans. I don't know. But to me, the Raiders of all the games I've seen week one, it's the games that I'm going to put some money on.

It's going to be that game. Will the Titans pull the trigger on Clowny, or is that dead? Question for the pause. Love the show. I flew out of Sacramento, and I was driving back to the Bay Area from Vegas. And I was thinking about this. If I was a GM after all these trades and all these players,

like everyone's been at training camp for the month, do you know what trouble me about Clownie? Like, do you really like football that much? Like, say this, the last holdout we had that went all year, Levy on Bell, I disagreed, and I think he's been proven he was wrong. wrong, but I understood what he was fighting for. I don't understand what Clownie's fighting for.

It's like, bro, you've already made $50 million. The market is your market. You were getting offered $12 to $15 million. Do you not want to play football? Like, don't tell me you're making some principal decision on money. You were the number one picking the draft, and you just played your fifth year option. You've made a huge cash. Do you want to play football or not?

Because right now it kind of feels like, does Javier Clownie want to play football? Eh, kind of feels like he's indifferent. Kind of like his play. You watch him on Monday night football against the Niners, best player on the field. You watch him on one of the random morning games against the Browns when he was on Seattle. You're like, this guy even care?

And that's kind of how it feels like his career's going. And if I'm Mike Rable, for example, and I got a team, I'm trying to get back to the playoffs, I'm trying to get guys that are all-in. Is Clowning an all-in guy? Because when I think all-in guys, like, I think Tom Brady, I think Drew Brees, I think J.J. Watt.

You know, I think Richard Sherman. I don't think Jadavion Clowny. And when I got to pay big money, I like my guys to be all in. If he'll play, like I'd take him tomorrow, if I was any team for like $5 million, wouldn't even hesitate. But if I got to pay you $12 to $15 million, I need to know that you love football. And I just, I don't know. Where I'm sitting, my vantage point, I'd have to question that at this point. I really would.

And it's sad because he should have, to me, his career is going to be a little a little Nadamakan Siu, but at least Indama can Sue signed a contract, right, when he went to the Dolphins. Like, is this guy just going to not play this season? I don't get it.

I really don't. I was thinking weirdly about that question. I was thinking about that today. Like, what's he doing? With the increasing growth of the NFL, do you see over the next few years a new franchise being created? and if so, where do you think that would be?

I don't. I think they'll just move teams. They got in the L.A. market. Being in Vegas, it's going to be a great place. I mean, listen, I wanted the Raiders to say, selfishly, I have a lot of friends that are Raider fans in this Northern California. I was lucky to have two NFL teams in my backyard, even though the last several years the Raiders wouldn't allow me at practices or anything.

We weren't exactly on the best terms. But, like, I enjoyed having two teams. Listen, Mark Davis had no money, got to Vegas, makes sense. The place is the stadium drove by it today on the way to the airport looks fucking awesome. It's just Vegas is a sweet place. Anyone listening that's been there knows like, Vegas is cool. I think the Jaguars will eventually move to London, and I think got the teams to L.A. Like, name me a big market where the league's not in.

I said we're like, I'm Roger Goodell, but the Bay, L.A., Seattle, Chicago, New York, Boston, Philly, D.C., Dallas, Houston, Minnesota, you know, I mean, just, Tempe, the whole country covered. Charlotte, Atlanta, New Orleans, I just, I don't see where the league's missing. Now in Vegas, I think the league's got all the sweet cities covered. I would say no. Now, money talks, shitwalks, so if new,

they need two teams because you have to have even numbers, I guess if two owners wanted to pay $4 billion for a franchise and it got divvied around to the owners, I mean, they'd never turn it down. I just, I don't know the cities that would make sense. You know, college football has kind of a stranglehold on a lot of other smaller cities around the country. I think the league is just perfectly set up. They're just in the right cities. Jacksonville's the one that doesn't really make sense, but I don't think they'll be there that long.

I think eventually it's pretty clear they're going to go across the pond. and it'll be Shod Khan and the Jacksonville Jaguars that eventually make that move. Honestly, I'm looking at 55 minutes. Completely, completely honest. About two hours ago, I'm like, I don't know. Like, I'm just not feeling great. How am I going to put together a podcast? And then I just, I mentally, I'm just like, come on, John.

Let's get our mind right. And now 55 minutes later, we put together a podcast. So it's how we do it here. The three and out team of me and myself. But I did it. I motivated myself. and we got together a show for the week. And we're less than two weeks away from the national football league being played.

So I appreciate it. Have a great week again. Go to Three Now Podcasts on Apple and iTunes. Subscribe to the pod. Leave likes and reviews and all that stuff. Greatly appreciate everyone listening. Thank you. All your funny DMs that you guys shoot me about other stuff.

And we'll be back a little late this week. Peace. Get right to the romance and find the way to wow. valentines with 1-800 flowers.com. From classic roses and bouquets to decadent chocolate-covered berries, gourmetters, and more. Surprise your valentine with 1-800flowers.com. Right now, get the 18-stem enchanted rose medley for $39.99, or upgrade to 24 red roses for $10 more. Go to 1-800flowers.com slash tune in. That's 1-800flowers.com slash tune in.

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

Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your... Podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year.

Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me. Clivert Taylor the 4th.

You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifers Show. This is a place for raw, unfills of conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard,

but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to The Clivert Show on the I-Heart 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. On the Look Back at it podcast. For 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me. I'm Sam Jay and I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it with our friends, fellow comedians,

and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year. I mean, it was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.