The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 3 and Out - Miami Tua Crisis, Trust Belichick, Urban's Vaxx Blunder, Sark/Eddie O Pressure, Mailbag

Episode Date: September 3, 2021

John explains why the Dolphins' public flirtations with Deshaun Watson put Tua in an impossible position, why cutting Cam isn't an indictment on Belichick, and gives some rapid fire takes on the top NFL headlines, including Urban Meyer's recent vaccine comment blunder, and Tony Dungy's pearl clutching take on sports gambling. He also looks at the big-time pressure facing Sark and Eddie O to open the CFB season, and answers listener questions in the Middlekauff Mailbag . Follow John on Twitter and subscribe NOW to get all the latest 3 and Out content!! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Volume. This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. On the Look Back at it podcast. For 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was 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. 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.

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, 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 Clifford 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 IHeard radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes.

Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of Tontons and Wampas on the Ice planet hot or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to stuff to blow your mind on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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 acapella 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. Reclaim your Saturdays. Call 1-800 Godjunk and two smiling. Happy people will magically appear at your front door. They'll be driving a clean, shiny truck. And they'll be wearing snappy, happy uniforms. All you have to do is point, point, point. And that junk will be gone, gone, gone, gone.

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I'm John Middlethoff. Happy to be heard. happy that you're listening. As you can see, like I said, nothing really changes for me, which is the great part. Hopefully, just help Colin and we grow. We get more people to listen.

I know a lot of you guys grassroots been telling your friends for years. We've been out this. This is our first rodeo. But let's rock and roll before we get into this big football season, which is really right around the corner. And actually, you know, I'm a college football guy. I'm sure many people are that are listening to this.

We got some big games. There are two coaches this week that I have served. circled that I wouldn't say must win, but there is one guy, it's his first game he's ever coached for this team. And the other guy, he's just got to win. And he might have a ring on his finger from a couple years ago, but we'll dive into that. Some other NFL things that I've saw. Obviously, Cam Newton got released. Someone, maybe the host of this podcast, said that Cam Newton's job was in trouble, that Colin earlier this week, he's gone. And we were going to start with this though. And also

Middilkoff mailbag at John Middilkoff is the Instagram. Come in the Middilkoff mailbag. Actually, you know, on the volume, get some big thinkers. People are already kind of talking about making the mailbag something bigger than it already is, including some of your guys' handles. So,

you know, this mailbag thing started as just an organic way to interact with the people. Might become a little cooler than you think. And for many of you, I know that you DM me and I always try to DM you back. and definitely read your question here on the show. But let's start with the Miami Dolphins.

And I think it's fair to say that they have an official major issue on their hands. And Jeff Darlington earlier this week reported that the head coach, Brian Flores, got in front of the team because I guess it would have been last over the weekend. There were reports that they were heavy in on Deshaun Watson. and he got in front of the team and said that Tua is our guy. And I was thinking about this. If you have to make a declaration about your quarterback in front of the team going into year two after you draft the guy fifth overall, you have a major freaking problem. That is not good.

Like if a year into your marriage, you have to gather all your friends and confess your loved to prove to your wife that you love her in front of all and you want to make sure that they all hear like, I got you red flagged. And I understand he has no choice. But can you imagine if there was talk like the Chargers are sniffing around Deshawn Watson? You'd be like, why wouldn't you just rather have Justin Herbert? And they would clearly. I mean, they would hang up. They would much rather have Justin Herbert. Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, like this is not taking place any other of these places. Now, I understand that Deshawn Watson is a star quarterback, your top five, seven guy. But Tua was drafted fifth overall. Fifth, Joe Burrell, like they're all in on Joe Burrell. They're

all in on Justin Herbert. They're all in on typically young guys that you draft high. And now Miami is kind of in the situation where, let's face it, they clearly don't love their quarterback. To me, this conversation didn't come out of nowhere. I saw a headline earlier this week that said that the Dolphins owner is the one pushing for this. If that's true, how could you blame them? You saw last year you go, we got a good team, we got a quarterback that is not as good as the other quarterback that we passed on. So if I'm him, of course I want to start quarterback, because that's what I've been waiting on. We thought for a split second we had one with Ryan Daniel.

That wasn't the case. We have not had a quarterback since Marino. It's why I think, you know, over 20-year period, they were exactly 500 before Flores showed up. And then we finally get gifted. We tank. We do it the right way. We get the fifth overall pick,

and we take a guy that might end up being the wrong selection. And now a year later, my coach is in front of the team telling them that, you know, kind of lying to the team. Like, Tua is not their guy. He's the guy they're stuck with right now while they're actively looking for upgrades. And I don't think there's a quarterback in the league, a young guy. Baker, Lamar, Mahomes doesn't count, but Herbert, Burrow, even this group of guys, obviously all the rookies,

that have the microscope watching him that if he fails, like honestly, if he has a rough September, Tua, a rough September, it'll feel like his Dolphins career is trending to be over. Now, I don't mean he's going to get bench or anything this year, even though that's possible. They brought in Jacoby Brissette. But I don't think any young quarterback over the last several years has as much tangible pressure surrounding him as to it. Honestly, I don't even think it's close. And you can already feel it.

The hell, the building already feels it. And now the coach and GM know. Because they're like, hey, hey, Stephen Ross, this guy that's super rich, we're good at our jobs. And it's clear they are. They tanked the right way. They just got the wrong quarterback. And I got news for you. It's a quarterback league.

You can be great on special teams. You can be awesome on defense. If you don't have a quarterback, you don't have a chance. Hint, their season last year. They won 10 games, they missed the playoffs. So I don't know, and think about week one. Tua, of all the young quarterbacks, you could argue, obviously, early on. I'm just talking week one, too.

He's got to face Belichick. What if he loses that game and looks terrible, which doesn't feel inconceivable? Then what happens? It's going to be really, really hard for Tua to, to kind of shed this narrative that's following him right now, that he's not that good. And the one elephant that's been added to the room is there was the picture that went viral over the last week.

And it was the picture after they won, I don't know what national championship it is because it feels like they've won 50, but the Alabama picture when they were all on the same team. And the picture was three guys standing next to each other. Mack Jones, Jalen Hertz, and Tua. And all three guys are starting week, which I actually think is one of the more underappreciated accomplishments of the Sabin era.

He has three starting quarterbacks week one and they're all 23 years older under. That's incredible for a program that a decade ago was winning national championships with running backs and defense and now they're just becoming, I don't know if any of these three guys are going to be any good, but still, Mack Jones, Jalen Hertz, Tua are starting week one. Hat tip to Nick Sabin. Like that's big time. What if two was the worst? And you're like, oh, John, that's up.

Are we sure it's not possible? Like, what if Mac is just solid with the Patriots? What if Jalen Hertz, who my buddies in Philly say he's looked pretty good? They have some weapons. Now, I'm not a Jalen Hertz believer. You've heard me say a year ago, I thought he was a running back. I might be wrong. I might be wrong.

And if those two guys are better than Tua, the dolphins have an all. That's an all-time with. It just is. But the true pressure starts this week. Okay, we have to do this, even though I think the headline is a lot bigger than the action. And that's Cam Newton, who clearly, obviously, we all know by this time, got released. And hundreds of players were released this week. And I don't think it was close.

Cam Newton was a bigger story than every other player released combined. And in fairness, he should be. You know, he's one of the more famous players in the league, former MVP, he's a big name. And it was, I don't think it was shocking. Clearly, Belichick didn't think it was shocking. But anytime a player of that magnitude, who's not like 40 years old, I think he's 31 or 32,

gets released, he's been the starting quarterback, they re-signed him. I understand why it's a big story. But I don't think we should be shocked by him being released. And I think when you factor all the variables in, it's really not shocking at all. And I think I Instagram, like Belichick's cold-blooded. Belichick has done a lot of cold-blooded things in his career, right? And starting early on in his career, when he went with Brady over Bledso.

Like, that was a ballsy move. That took, you know, big picture conviction and just some stones, some cahonis, as we say out here in the West Coast. Took took some big cahonis, actually. And it worked out. But then once him and Brady became established, he did a lot of things that were pretty nuts, right? Trading Asante Samuel, trading Richard Seymour, trading Logan Mankens. I mean, stalwarts for their really good teams who were elite players and trading them. Trading for and then trading away Randy Moss.

Not doing a contract with Wes Welker. Like those guys were established star players for the Patriots. And it was like, damn. Belichick built up the cold-blooded resume. Same thing with Bill Walsh. He kind of followed that formula. Get rid of a guy a year early and not a year late. And I think you just think about that in any walk of life, any business,

besides like relationships, right? I mean, you can't look at personal relationships, whether it be a friend or boyfriend or whatever, girlfriend, like that. But you can in business. And in some businesses, you just have to be forward thinking. they're not necessarily people driven, right? You can just tell like industries are changing.

Like part of the reason I'm able to do what I do right now is because it's 2021. I, people, a lot of people like, oh, congrats on the volume, crats. Like, I've been a full-time podcaster now for five years. Like, this is not just something, like this is serious. This isn't like some passion project. This is my life.

But the timing of it really, really matters. And the timing of just technology and radio's dying. Like, I'm lucky. Right? just Belichick, the timing of this move is not very crazy. The timing of some previous moves were like, oh my God, I can't believe he did that. And he's earned that reputation. But hell, the craziest thing he ever would have been able to do.

And Gronk basically said, F you, kick rocks, was when he was going to trade Gronk to the Lions. And Grok's like, I quit, bro. You ain't trading me to, you know, Patricia in the Lions. and Belichick didn't even hesitate. He would have done it. Gronk just quit on him. So when you look at this move, Cam wasn't any good last season.

He hasn't been good now for a couple years. They were really desperate last season. So it made sense. They had no other option. Hoyer or Stid him, they all suck. Cam was the best of that because he could run around. This year, they re-signed him because at the time, sometimes you resign a guy or sign a guy in March or even early April.

Because before the draft happens, you don't know what is going to happen. Right? A lot of people take jobs while they have a job just so they have an area to pivot. Even if they kind of like their job, maybe they get a better opportunity, but they take it before. And maybe you could look back in a couple years. You go, you know what? I should have stayed with that company. That company was bigger than I ever thought it would be.

I could have made more money. Or vice versa. You go, the best thing I ever did was leave that job for another job. but you usually, a lot of times you have to make that decision, you know, early on when you don't have that information. So it's easy to go, how do the Bears have Andy Dalton? Because they didn't have Justin Fields when they signed Andy Dolham. I think it's fair to say, I know everyone's crushing Nagy.

They would not have signed Andy Dalton if they knew they were going to get Justin Fields. And they definitely wouldn't have paid him $10 million. He would not have re-signed Cam Newton if he knew he had Mac Jones on his team. But he signed Cam Newton before he had Mac Jones. If he would have known, in hindsight, it's easy. Why do you even bring him back? Why did he give him that $1.5 million signing bonus? He did not have the information.

So you have to make decisions before you get in the position of the draft. It's funny, whenever I go to Niners practice and I see Damiko Ryan out there, when I was in Philly, we traded for Domeco Ryan. But there was a period before we made that trade where it was like, we were drafting pretty high. I think that was the year we ended up drafting Fletcher Cox. but everyone loved Luke Keekely. The whole building did. Howie, Andy.

I remember Andy, I think Howie and Andy had a conversation, and Andy was like, this guy's going to be, I wasn't privyed, but I remember Howie talking about this in a draft meeting was like, this guy's going to be a Hall of Famer.

And it was like, this guy was beloved. I mean, it was like, Luke Keakley's going to be a star. We thought we could get him, you know, before the Dimeco Ryan trade. Then he goes to the combine,

he ran like a 4-4, and everyone starts meeting him. He's a golden child. He's a great guy. He's like, guy's going to go in the top 10. And he ended up going in the top 10. But we had to make that move just because you didn't know if the guy was going to be there or not. And you have to make those moves. It's obviously quarterback's the most famous position at stuff like that because when you sign a

quarterback, the quote unquote bridge guy, he usually is a former starter. And you have to make these decisions before. Well, then they end up getting Mac Jones, 15th overall. They use the 15th overall pick on Mac Jones. In the history of Belichick, he's been a head coach now for like 26 years, the highest drafted quarterback he'd ever had before this season was Jimmy Garoplo. And what did Belichick want to do with Jimmy Garaplo? He wanted him to replace Tom Brady, who is the greatest quarterback of all time, seven-time Super Bowl champ. That's what he had in mind because Bill Walsh did it with Steve Young. He was Belichick, Steve Young. Now, I would push back, having watched Jimmy really closely, he's not Steve.

Young, like that much isn't. But who knows? You know, maybe circumstances he's been injured. He never would have been Steve Young. Maybe he could have had a better career if he would have stayed healthy. His career is still going. But you know what I mean. But that's the way Belichick thinks.

But free agency comes before the draft. So it does limit your ability to make moves. Or just the way you think. And when you're not drafting in like the top five, you don't truly know what's going to happen. There was a chance Mac Jones went fifth overall. What if I told you, and I don't know this for a fact, what if Belichick didn't like Justin Feet? or Trey Lance. He's like, I wouldn't take on those guys. We know, I mean, let's face it.

I love Bill Belichick. I think he's the greatest coach of all time. He can be a little, he can be very hit or miss in the draft, right? He just can't. He took Sony Michelle over Nick Chubb. That's a miss. He took Chase Winovich in the second round. Like, I think he'd like to have that one back. Now, if you draft long enough, you're going to have hits and misses. But the one thing Belichick really knows is his team. It's why the worst season they've had in 21 years was last year, which for them was a complete embarrassment. They went seven and nine with a quarterback that was like in the mid-50 completion

percentage. They led the league in opt-outs. Think about that. Their team was a, if John Gruden, if Cliff Kingsbury, if just random coaches in the league with a head coach of the Patriots last year, how many games they went, two? So Belichick, if you just give them functional players, like he knows he can get to double digits. He did it with Matt Castle. He'd probably do it with Mac Jones.

Cam's not really even a functional player anymore. And that's beside whether he's vaccinated or not. Like, I don't even, I truly don't think Belichick even care. I think it was just simple is this guy's way better. And then to mix and match with Cam, like, that's not really what Belichick does. So maybe Sean Payton will do that. Obviously, Kyle Shanahan's going to do that. Like, Belichick clearly decided like, yeah, I'm not into that.

Let's just run one offense. Mack has some similarities to Tom in the sense of they can run their original New England Patriot offense. Throw to running backs, throw to tight ends. play defense, play special teams. Bye-bye, Cam Newton. So I think when you look at the totality of it all, it's really more of a headline than some crazy move. Because let's face it,

Cam Newton's the type of guy that should get cut. Okay, let me tell you about my friends at Fanduel. Football season's here. And if you've never bet on the NFL, there's never been a better time to give Fandual Sportsbook a shot. Because right now, you can place your first bet risk-free. That's right. you'll get up to $1,000 back if you don't win.

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at 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. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away,

such as the biology of taun tons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to Stuff to Bole Your Mind on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care which I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college,

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

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That's 1-800flowers.com slash tune-in. Okay, let's go a little rapid fire on some things that I saw. around the league that caught my attention over the last couple days. And I want to start with, I was actually thinking about this. I listened to some of Ryan Fitzpatrick with part of my take. And he was really good. And he was, I mean, he's a Harvard guy, highest wonderlick score in NFL history. He's clearly just a high-level human and a solid quarterback who's had some high highs and some low lows.

but I saw the headline that he was officially named the football team, which I actually think they should keep that. That should just be their logo. They're just the WFT. I think the W looks cool. I wouldn't even try to overthink it because every name that I see that gets associated with them, I'm like, that looks terrible. Just kick with a football team.

But I'm walking around and listen to Ryan talk, and he's been to like, I think he's got like six or seven kids and every kid's been born in a different place. He's never been beside Buffalo any person. place long. And because forever, right, 70s, 80s, when I was a kid in the 90s, then even the 2000s, it was borderline impossible to play quarterback, right? You know, it was just, you were so, you were an outlier in high school to play college, you know, college quarterback, big time college quarterback, you were two things, you were either unreal or you went to a big program,

you handed off a lot or you ran. But if you became an NFL quarterback, All we heard is like, you know, you get all the girls, you get all the money, but you get killed, you got to have so much talent, throw guys open, there are no windows, that shit is impossible. And let's face it, like playing quarterback in the NFL still extremely difficult. It is still very, very hard. But it is a lot easier than it was 20, 30 years ago. You are not going to get killed anymore, mainly because they're not even allowed to hit you.

But to me, the number one thing that is so much. different than, you know, the 80s and 90s when a huge part of NFL marketing was, you know, putting out big hit videos. And you throw up big hit videos. I remember owning them like I had Michael George tape. I mean, they were tapes and of just big hits and bloopers. Well, part of quote unquote throwing a guy open and throwing through a tight window is because Ronnie Lotz and Steve Atwires, Atwaters and John Lynch's were there to destroy you. And you, and you, you were, had to be like careful to call your plays because people would get killed. Well now it's just kind of seven on 70.

It's still a physical game and I'm not trying to act like these guys are necessarily soft because if they did allow big hitting, there would be a lot of big hiters in the league. Like the safeties want to hit, especially the tough ones and they exist. But they're not allowed to anymore and they're coached through now college because if you get those penalties, they kick you out of the game. So it's just kind of wired. they've changed the way they play. And I actually think,

I don't want to say it used to be malicious. It was part of the game. Like I was trying to inflict pain on you. I didn't want to hurt you. I didn't even necessarily want to knock you out of the game, but I wanted you to feel me. I can't really think like that anymore because if I'm a little off,

I'll get 15-yard flag, in college I'll get tossed. So it has made it easier on wide receivers and the passing game. So Ryan Fitzpatrick, I'm listening to him talk and I'm a fan. Like he's a fun NFL character. And at the end of the day,

the NFL is kind of the number one reality show right now in America. And it's cool. And he's a fun character on a team that might be a playoff team. But I started thinking like if this was the 80s and even if Fitzpatrick had made it, right, like he did. You know, he came in the league in 2005 and he became that starting quarterback in Buffalo, like 10, 11, that kind of that range. Probably zero chance that he's still around.

his career would have been a lot shorter. So he is, I'm using him as kind of a symbol of, it is just, if you're just a capable player, you're going to be able to play so much longer and make so much more money than you ever would. And if you're kind of an above average guy like Fitzpatrick, who if we're doing like, if Aaron Rogers is a 10 out of 10, right, Mahomes a 10 out of 10, and like cousins is like a 6 out of 10, 6 and a half. What's Fitzpatrick? probably like a five, so just average. Like, an average guy doesn't get to start at 39 years old 15 years ago.

You would have been destroyed. You just wouldn't have been able to keep playing. So he, to me, really benefits from the timing and of just where the league's at. Urban Meyer. I've been, I feels like I've been bagging on him for a minute now. And I promise you, there's zero personal. Like, I do not, I've never met the guy. really do not care.

But it's just a guy that had that much juice and that much power. And Florida and Ohio State are basically NFL programs. The money's extreme. The fame's extreme. Their games, their fan bases are extreme. Like, the University of Florida is infinitely more popular than like the Jags in terms of fan base. I mean, Ohio State, I would imagine Ohio State has more fans. I'm talking not, I'm just talking quantity.

Like actual people that just if you met said, I'm an Ohio State Buckeyes football fan, I don't know, then more than half the NFL. I mean, it's arguably, I know Alabama's probably the best program. I mean, it is with Sabin. Ohio State is the biggest football program,

I would say, in the country. In Urban played a role, even taking it to another level. But in college, the players, they don't answer to anybody but you. And depending, and I'm sure many people listening to this, deal with unions. And it comes up a lot in politics, like, why don't we do this? Why don't we do that?

Well, if a union is involved, it becomes very, very complicated. And no matter how polarizing the issue would be, no, it's irrelevant. The union defends their own. That is literally their job. I watched, I'm a sucker for these, and I just, I watch a lot of them, general managers press conferences after the 53 man was announced. And I saw countless GMs asked about the vaccination process if it played a role in their, you know, deciding on their roster. And let's face it, I live in reality.

You would be naive to think it did not. with fringe guys. If a guy is so good, like I saw Darius Leonard's on back, like obviously, your starters, you don't give a shit. Hell,

a good backup, you don't care either. But if we're talking about borderline players, which on a 53-man roster, you know, that last seven or eight guys could probably go either way

between your practice squad guys. Every single one of them said, yeah, no factor. No fact. Even Mike Mayak was asked, like, I'm just a football.

we lean football. Belichick, no, right? It just every single one. he said the opposite. Of course, every single general manager, you know, I don't think wants to say the same thing, but it's thinking what he's thinking. But they work in the big leagues.

They know they have to deal with the union, agents. Like this is the national football. This is in college where you just, oh, whatever, I'm the head coach. This is a big business with a lot of different entities and variables that you have to answer to. You are no longer the grand pubes. it's why within 24 hours the Jags had to come out with a statement basically saying yeah he didn't mean what he said he does not understand the business because that's what this is a business where

the players are represented by the union like have a clue bro you don't just get to coach the team with your whistle and say whatever you want anymore and i this thing has got off to a very very rocky start very he had to fire a strength coach he doesn't know that the rules, his first round pick, this isn't his fault, is gone for the season. This urban thing has been a dumpster fire, a complete dumpster fire. And their teams is not very good. So it's just not off to a great start. But a lot of these things are kind of understandable.

He has never had to answer to anybody. Because by the time he got to Ohio State, he was the most powerful guy on campus. More powerful than Gene Smith, more powerful even than the president. everyone for that three or four year period answered to him. Same thing in his heyday in Florida. That's not the case here. I'm sorry, some players have more juice. If the Jags had to pick, they would pick,

if Trevor Lawrence after year one goes NBA player, says, I can't be around this guy anymore. Bye, bye, Urban. The game's changed. And the last thing is I saw Tony Dungey, who I will say over and over, incredible person, than me. He's a

plus character. But I've often said like, you know, he does nothing for me on television. He says nothing. Like, this is television. This is an entertainment product. So just to sit a famous guy there to like say nothing, to me makes no sense.

You would be better off hiring someone who was less famous, but would actually say something. And he'd be like, Damn. And they just kind of bring some energy. He brings nothing. But maybe NBC, you know, I mean, they're doing Drew Bree, same thing. Like, they don't really go, they don't really think outside the box. But he said something regarding gambling.

And he, let me read his quotes. This is Tony Dungey on the NFL embracing gambling. I don't know why the NFL changed its stance. My objection is just personal. So he's, he's acknowledging that. I don't think we should encourage people who are watching the NFL to gamble, especially young people. I've got boys, I want them to enjoy the game for what it is.

It's a great game. And I know people gamble. I know it's legal. I just don't want to see the NFL promoting it. That's just my personal opinion. I know there are a lot of people that don't agree with that. So again, like he's even acknowledging people like me exist, right? Here would be my thing.

the NFL has embraced, I would argue, their main sponsor for a long time, has been alcohol. Budweiser, Coors Light, Miller Light, you can't go to a stadium. Do you understand the amount of money, alcohol companies spend on marketing, especially Budweiser, historically? A lot. And the NFL has openly taken their cash, just like every league is, as they should. You know, I'm in business with an alcohol company. but like it's a little disingenuous to be like pick and choose what's right and wrong hell the NFL is in bed with you know like fast food companies historically like you watch an NFL game McDonald's you think what's

worst for like can we how do you decipher what's better and what's worse for you and listen if you are gambling money you don't have you can get in trouble it's why when you hear the fan duel reads and all these reads there are disclaimers about you know gambling and not like just there's help out there careful with your money. But you can be said about fast food, which is terrible for you. Check out the health system. There is obviously alcohol.

I don't know if you ever heard of alcoholics. I just think that anytime something new comes in, we just think, oh my God, this is the worst thing ever. I don't promotion of gambling to young kids. Like, it's going to be fine, Tony. It really is. And he's saying that.

Like, listen, it's personal. But it's like, bro. this would be my thing with NBC. I just think you need some new blood. Just get some younger people. And I'm not always acting like younger people or on things. I see younger people say things in social media all the time. Especially younger people that are like,

have prominent roles, whether they're athletes, whether they're media members that I think are fucking moronic. So I'm not like Mr. Always got to go young over old. Hell, most old people have a lot of wisdom. They know what they're talking about. Clearly Tony does too.

But on this issue, like, trust me, Tony. It's going to be a revenue source. and it's not going to be as bad as you think. I promise you. Okay, let's talk about two college football coaches who I think have a lot on the line this weekend. And these are two games that I can't wait to watch.

Let's start with LSU and UCLA. Ed O'Jeron had one of the greatest seasons we've ever seen in college football history. They went 15 and 0. they beat the crap out of everybody. They produced, I mean, it feels like 50 first-round picks, star quarterbacks, receivers, running backs, linemen, defensive player, you name it.

They had it all. And they were in all-time. Statistically, they're going to translate forever. The eye test, we'll all never forget them. It was badass. Here's the problem. When you have leader head coaches that aren't scheme-oriented, right?

Like, Sabin is ultimately now a CEO. head coach. But when it comes to knowing the defense, he knows every play call. And if you don't think he knows the offensive concepts, you're out of your mind. Edo Geron is to me closer

to like a John Harbaugh. And I think John Harbaugh knows more football than Eddo. But Harbaugh's big, he's a motivator. He'll bring like a samurai sword in the locker room with like a tree stump and cut a tree in front of the guys. He'll just do crazy motivational stuff.

and just fires guys up. That's kind of Eddie's role. He is very dependent on his coordinators. When he's had good coordinators, the Ravens have been good. Right now, Greg Roman, winked Martindale, they're good, right? And he leads the squad and motivates them all, and they've been winning games. Ed Ogeron, two years ago, had the head coach of Baylor was his defensive coordinator. Joe Brady was his offensive coordinator.

He obviously had a quarterback. And LSU hasn't normally had a quarterback. Well, here's what I know about LSU. And this is why when you look back on, on Les Miles, it was like, God, he had Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry. You just had all these players, and they were always so terrible on offense. Like, no wonder, they underachieve. And knowing people at Alabama, they always thought that LSU underachieved.

And finally, with Ed O for that one year, they achieved. Then he got a big extension. Rightfully so. You deserve to get extended when you win a national championship. It was an all-time great season, beat Alabama. It was badass. We all acknowledge, it was bad. ass. Things change, though. And people forget the past. I was thinking about that the other day.

You know, it's 2021. You know, if you have friends or people in your life or even yourself that are constantly holding on to things from like the 2000s or the, you know, hell, like even like 2012, like that's 10 years ago almost. You know, you got to look forward. Nick Saban, they have pictures and stuff in the offices. But if you think Nick, Nick, Sabin is like bragging the people about the 2014 team like no he's one Belichick you think Belichick gives two shits about the three Super Bowls he won in the last decade he is 100% focused on here and now and most coaches are I'm not saying Eddie O is holding on I think he is completely focused on the present and trying to win now I'm talking about the people that ultimately sign his checks which is

the boosters the athletic department this game against UCLA I got news first for you. Being a West Coast guy, our football's soft. It just is. It's just kind of a reflection right now of the culture. Now, our NFL football isn't, but collegially, like the Pac-12 has fallen off a cliff. No one argues that.

They deserve the heat they've gotten. The SEC laughs at us. Laughs at us. About the style of play. But last year, knowing some coaches that are in the SEC, Alabama played like 14 games.

the Pac-12 canceled the season, basically. And then they started it up with the Big Ten. That was never going to happen in the Big 12, the SEC, and the ACC. There is not one power broker at LSU that will view UCLA even close to as an equal, let alone someone that should be on the same field as them. And I don't mean, obviously you schedule those games. I just mean once the game starts, if you just ask the random LSU fan, they would, UCLA.

we should kick the shit out of them. And honestly, from a talent standpoint, they should pretty easily beat them. But I don't know if they will. Like, they obviously have two new coordinators, a ton of pressure, they got displaced with the hurricane. I think they had to go to Houston.

Now they're coming out. I think from a talent standpoint, they should win. But I know this. If they do not win that game, for a guy that just won, you know, the best national championship they've ever won. I mean, they undefeated,

one of the best teams of all time. People will forget. And you lose this game to the soft UCLA Bruins and Chip Kelly, that is not going to fly in SEC country. And in fairness, to the people that it wouldn't fly with, it shouldn't. LSU should not only not lose this game, they should be able to establish dominance. And if you can't beat Chip Kelly in a probably, you know,

a seven, eight-win UCLA team, you got problems. And you can start asking yourself, can we really beat long-term? like everything had to come together with Ed and that team. That might never happen again. Think how long it took for Harbaugh, John, that is, to get from that 2012 team to Lamar Jackson. Like, Ed's not going to get that runway.

He just won't. So he better win this weekend. And the other guy, now I, this is not as important as Ed Ogeron because he's, this is the first game he's ever coached for Texas. But Steve Sarkeesian was at, escorted out of the USC building. And whether it was alcohol, drug, I don't know. I've heard different things. I've had

people that know them. They were adamant. It wasn't whatever. That's clearly somewhat been put in the back burner. We don't judge Sark on his lowest moment. Because he went to Atlanta, that he went to Alabama, and he changed kind of the narrative

around him, which he earned. Same thing with Lane. Same thing with Lane. But Lane, leaving Alabama, had to go to some school that honestly most of us had never heard of in Florida. I'm still, Florida Atlantic, Florida Central. I don't even, off top of my head, I have to Google it.

I think it's Florida FAU. Before he got the Ole Miss job. And let's face it, everyone in their right mind would take the Texas job over Ole Miss. Even though Ole Miss is not a terrible job, sweet conference, you're allowed to cheat. Not that Texas really isn't, but Texas is a better job.

We all, even an Ole Miss fan, you know, if we were being honest with each other, would admit that. Well, Sark gets his first game like, a little like LSU, UCLA, he's playing, but the difference is, he's not even playing a Power 5 opponent. He's playing Louisiana Lafayette, who just, if you don't follow college football, that option, you're like Texas, Louisiana Lafayette, Tex's going to kill him. Louisiana Lafayette has been one of the better non-power five programs for the last couple years. Their head coach, who actually, I met when I went through college,

Colorado State when I was scouting because Jim McElwain, who just got the job, was with him at Alabama, brought him to Alabama, Billy Napier, who has been turning down FCC jobs, jobs like Baylor and Big 12 jobs. He is going to get, like Sark, a job like Texas or Miami or something in that Florida State, right? A Georgia, I'm not saying Georgia's coming open, but you get my drift. Like, he is going to get a big, boy job. And his team is established and good. Now, Texas should have better players in Louisiana Lafayette, obviously. On paper, they do. But last I looked, it was an eight-point line. I like Louisiana Lafayette. And I don't think it's inconceivable that Louisiana Lafayette beats Texas.

Now, you're not getting fired or anything. I mean, he's getting several years on the job. But first impressions matter. So if you're telling me your first impression as a Texas head coach is losing to a non-five power program. Like, I think that happened to Sabin. I forget the team, any Alabama fan listening knows. He lost, I think, the first game he ever played against some random team.

But he ended up winning a national championship, no big deal. And he's Nick freaking Sabin. He had already won a national championship at LSU. The difference is, and listen, have I met Sark? I don't know if I actually ever met personally Sark.

I know people that I know that know them really like them. I'm probably a cool hang. I don't know, sober now. But, you know, sober people, you know, if he's alcoholic, glad he's sober. But fun hang. Even sober, I would imagine. The thing at when he was in Seattle at the UW, at University of Washington, and then when he got to USC, it didn't look that great.

So I saw Nick when he coached and he went to Alabama, like, he was sweet. He dominated LSU. Sark? Kind of underachieved. At the University of Washington, they were recruiting a ton of players. and they struggled to win more than seven games. When he got to USC, before the incident happened at the team meeting, and he got yanked out and ultimately fired,

their team was not that good. So it's not like you were just, when Chris Peterson got the Washington job with all of Sark's players, he started winning immediately. So I just think, I know everyone likes this guy, and he was awesome at Alabama. Well, guess what? They had Mac Jones, Tua, they had a million first rounder,

Naji Harris, all the wide receivers. A little different animal now. It's just not going to be as easy. So you lose week one of your coaching career at this new university where football clearly matters a lot. And they always... Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games.

Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes, for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHeart Radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of tauntons and wampas on the ice planet hot,

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follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. The story I've told myself about love or relationships can then shape my behavior and that can lead me to sabotage the possibility of connection. This Mental Health Awareness Month, tune into the podcast deeply well with Debbie Brown and explore the journey of healing, self-discovery, and returning to yourself. We explore higher consciousness, emotional well-being, and the practices that help you find clarity, peace, and self-mastery in a world that can feel overwhelming.

The world is becoming lonelier. We're not becoming more social and connected. We're becoming more individualized, but we actually meet people and connect. If you've been searching for a soft place to land while doing the work to become whole, this podcast is for you to hear more. Listen to deeply well with Debbie Brown from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Feel like what coulda shoulda, you know, this and that, they always find a way to underachieve,

and then you don't win your first game against a non-power-five opponent. it's just that'll be kind of an elephant in the room that it will carry with him for a while until he wins big because let's face it he's probably not beating lincoln riley for a couple years like that's not happening you might lose and once i get to the SEC like who knows when that's going to happen i would imagine sooner than later there might be next season it's not out of the realm possibility that they are playing in the SEC i know all everything that's been reported next year because shit talks you know shit walks money talks ton of money in the line what's the point?

Like, if you're getting a divorce, there's no point in staying in the same home together for four years. Like, move out. Right? And I think I'd be shocked if they're not both there

by max two years. I know they got five more years on the TV. That thing's going to get ripped up. And then it's going to get really hard for them. So, you know, keep an eye on ADEO and Steve Sarkeesian. Okay, Middlecoff mailbag.

You guys know the drill at John Middellcoff. Little thing they like to call my name. And I put an ad in front of it because that's what I guess you got to do on the internet streets. And it creates this thing called Instagram. And you slide up into the Instagram and you get your question answered. Okay, let's start with Austin. I'm going to try to save some of your guys your handles so I can utilize you guys through social media.

See if we can do this. from your home turf, Yolo County currently live in winters. Huge fan of the pod listening since last football season. My question for you is something I haven't heard a lot of people talk about but probably will become relevant

by mid-season. What do you think the chances the Raiders part ways with Gruden ending the season following another poor performance? He hasn't come close to the playoffs in three seasons and their team is going to be probably mediocre at best.

And Mayak is definitely expecting a playoff appearance soon. I think he said that yesterday. He traded away all their stud talent and leadership right out of the gate and has nothing to show for it since. That, my friend, is a good question. Here's what I would say. I don't know if you saw the thing going viral. It's Mark Davis' house.

Mark Davis is going to buy, or not buy. he's going to build a $14 million house. And in Vegas, I mean, that's probably the equivalent in like a Chicago, New York, you know, major city, probably $28 million. You know, so it's whatever Vegas money is is very cheap relative to like, you know, bigger cities, right? His, that same house in the Bay Area would probably be 50, you know, L.A. 50. He's building this just, it's unlike anything I ever seen.

Really, when I saw it, I think. thought it was their offices, but it's a house. And I think this. The Raiders are in a weird spot. They just moved and they're coming to a market which has never had pro sports. I'm talking major pro sports. They've had minor league stuff. But right before they got there, a hockey team went. And I grew up in Davis, but it's closer to Sacramento than let's say San Francisco. Now, when I would grow up, the Niners and the Giants, most people are fans of those teams or the A's or the Raiders. But we had a basketball team, right? The Sacramento Kings. And the Sacramento Kings in the city of Sacramento were enormous. They got coverage,

like they were a baseball, basketball, a football team combined. They were like Alabama football in Tuscaloosa, right? They were all that mattered. So when you get a team, like even if, let's say the A's who might actually move to Vegas to, which is kind of ironic, because the Raiders and A's always butted heads, but it turns out it was just because of whack job politicians and the shitty place where they played. But if the A's moved to Sacramento

and they won't, I mean, there's way more money in Vegas, they would be treated like a really, really big deal. Now, they win so this analogy won't work perfectly, but they would sell out, they would have a lot of interest. But if the kings were good, they were there first, people just gravitate there first.

And the Las Vegas got a hockey team. And that hockey team, The moment they got there, they went to the Stanley Cup finals. And I heard, I was listening to on the radio, heard this NHL guy talk during the playoffs. And he thought that the Vegas hockey team of all the playoff teams in the NHL had the best home ice advantage. People are going nuts. I mean, just YouTube some like opening, you know, before the puck drops. I don't even know what the lingo is in.

in the NHL, people are very, have a lot of, you know, just fervor toward the NHL team, as they should. They finally got a team. Football is massive in Vegas. Why? Because we gamble. And unlike Tony Dungey, we love to gamble. I've been gambling since I was like 15, bro.

Trust me. Look where I ended up. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. But they have to win. I think here's the problem. They got some financial stuff that is just a little more complicated than a lot of other teams. and there is pressure, even though Mark Davis

gets to control the stadium, the casinos are funding the stadium. And they're paying him all the money for the suites. He's in bed with the casinos, as anyone that moves to Vegas will be. He should be. But they're going to have some juice. If this isn't working,

do they pressure him a little booster style like college football to get rid of John? Now, I do not think John Gruden would get fired. after year four. He's got a 10-year contract. I do think if you got past like year five and John hadn't been to the playoffs, like is he just going to keep coaching and just getting his ass kicked?

I could see, John Gruden's so rich. He was already rich before he took Mark Davis's $100 million. And it's not like he took the $100 million over a 10-year period. But I don't think it's inconceivable to think like John Gruden, five years, they missed the playoffs all five years, leaves, just quits.

And obviously ESPN would immediately take them back. But I'm with you. I think there is little than no chance they make the playoffs. The AFC is dramatically better in the NFC. We saw last year the Raiders were actually pretty solid. They missed the playoffs by three games. Three.

It's one thing to miss the playoffs by a game. Missed it by three. And it took 11 to get in in the AFC. And their defense is terrible. So I think it's not going to be pretty. Kevin, long-time listener of the show. Props on your scoobes. with the potential Cam Newton being straight up cut before the season.

I wouldn't call it a scoop. I'd call it a, it was a intuition, educated guess, just follow the league long enough. Caught a lot of people by surprise. Nor, blah, blah, blah, blah. As a Patriots fan, there are certainly shades of Brady in Mac Jones. Kid is as cool as a cucumber. Are cucumbers really that cool?

Maybe I haven't been around a cucumber in a long time. Do they feel cool when you open up you've got to put them in the refrigerator to cool them up. Is that just one of those things that we say that doesn't actually like, you know, they say what's a bird in the hands, better than two in the bush? Like, how many people have birds in their hands?

Right? I don't know. Kid is as cool as a cucumber. Would like an unbiased opinion, do you think New England has an outside chance of winning the AFCEs making a playoff run and Mack being a rookie of the year? I certainly do. Well, think about it like this. Belich plays the bills really close.

Remember, they almost beat him last year and Cam fumbled the ball. So one thing Belichick will know better than every single coach is his own division. He's been with a Patriots now 20 plus years. He knows every player in that division like the back of his hand. Strengths, weaknesses, scheme. He knows it all. So he is well equipped if his quarterback plays well to have success in the division. Now, the division is better than it's been, right, over Brady's time.

Because the bills are legit. the dolphins are solid. The jets suck. But like those two, that's four games. I think if he could just go four and two in the division, yeah. Now, I do think the bills have a higher upside because at the end of the day,

can Mack, if your defense has a couple bad games, can he carry you? I know Josh Allen can. I know Josh Allen can throw five touchdowns. Can Mac? I don't know. That'd be my thing. I would say I would pick the bills,

but I would pick the Patriots to finish second in that division. So I would go bills. Maybe we'll get into this on like Monday's pod, but that would be, I would say no on the division, but I would feel pretty confident about them competing for a wild card and making a wild card. I'd pick them to make the playoffs. Lifelong Rams fan.

Just wanted to know what your realistic expectations are for them. Our weapons are really solid, but our O-line depth is concerning. also with the loss of Troy Hill and John Johnson the 3rd good first name feel like our defense will take a step back curious to hear your thoughts

big fan of the show well you have a new coordinator right and say what you want Brandon Staley was a star he was there one year and their defense kicked ass and he became a head coach immediately and let's face it like he got he was filling big shoes

literally and figuratively in bum philip Wade Phillips. I think son of bum is his Twitter handle. I guess he's not bummed. That was his dad, RIP. But, and McVeigh moved on, and he nailed it. And I bet if you would have known McVeigh last year going into the season, he'd be like, how's your defensive coordinator?

He's like, this guy is, everything is advertised. He would never, in a million years, I thought the guy was going to get a coaching job, one and done, a defensive coach, but he did. And it happened to be the guy, I don't even know if Brandis Daley had to move. So it's like your defense is probably taking a step back. But here's where the kicker comes in.

They made an all-time great trade. Now, do you love giving two first-round picks? Ideally, no. But Jared Goff from Matt Stafford, and listen, I'm not some Jared Goff hater. I don't love his ability, but I'm a fan. He's a Bay Area guy. I've been watching him since he was like 18 years old.

I want him to have success. But when it comes to him versus Matt Stafford, they are not even in the same conversation. They do not have much in common beside they play at the same position. In terms of physical characteristics, they really have nothing in common. And I think Stafford could be a game changer for the franchise. I think Matt Stafford could get your offense like stupid potent in the passing game. And I mean, he's had success throwing the ball with, I mean, obviously Calvin Johnson,

Golden Tatey. He also plays with some random guys in Detroit. Hit their problem there, defense has been terrible. Well, their defense, again, even if it's not the number one overall defense, can still be solid. And they've never had a run game in Detroit. Well, what does Sean McVeigh do pretty well? Scheme the run game.

Now, they had to trade for Sony Michelle because they lost Cam Acres, but they'll be able to run the ball. I think the Rams are going to be pretty freaking good. How do you evaluate college coaches as a scout? Outside of Sabin, Riley, Fitzger, and about a dozen others, aren't most college football coaches only as good as their program?

That's a good question. I would say, no, they're not. Because, for example, you go to, like, Chris Peterson when he was at Boise or Luke Fickle when he was at Cincinnati. Or I'm trying to think of a smaller Power 5 program, Dan Mullen when he was at Mississippi State, is a good example.

When you can go to programs that don't consistently win, or don't, you know, Boise consistently wins, but like take him to another level. Cincinnati was good, take him to another level. Brian Kelly did it. Well, Brian Kelly's pretty freaking good. What happened?

He went to Notre Dame, he's had a lot of success. Chris Peterson kicked everyone's ass at Boise. What happened? He got the Washington job. He was good, right? Now, it doesn't always work. Scott Frost's a good example. But I would say the dude in Iowa State right now,

like, in my lifetime, you don't look like, Iowa State could make the playoffs. Like, people are saying that. The smart college football people are saying that. And there's a reason he's interviewing for jobs. Like Baylor got to the Big 12 championship two and a half years after a crazy sexual assault scandal. It was like, yeah, this guy is a big time head coach. You know, he's either going to hire by the NFL or he's going to get another sweet college job.

And I think part of it is when you are developing NFL players, like what Sabin's doing is remarkable. But let's face it. Every program in the country would have taken guys like Henry Ruggs, Jerry Judy, Najee Harris, like Tuatong by Loa, Jalen Hurt. Like the guys he's recruiting, he is recruiting against the cream of the crop, right? Who are the other? Like, he really recruits probably against, I would say, five teams. LSU, Georgia, Florida, Clemson, Ohio State.

Like, who else could even compete? like, hey, you want to go play at Penn State or Alabama? Like, uh, go to Alabama. Like, I would say, besides four or five programs, I don't even think it would be a contest with Nick. And you could argue Nick doesn't really have that much competition. I mean, hell, he's getting dudes from California. But when I go to, when I go to Iowa State and I am getting two and three stars,

and then I turn them into NFL players, guys that are getting drafted in the top 100 picks, you could argue that's equally as impressive as someone who gets, I don't know, a top 10 overall recruit, let's just use a Bosa brother or a Miles Garrett and a guy like that and then turns them into a top 10 pick. That is impressive, but kind of what he should have done, right? What happens when you get a three-star guy

and then turn him into a stud? And when I was at Fresno State, Pat Hill did that for decade. He was getting guys that best offer was like Washington State and then he turned him into a top four-round pick. That's impressive. It really is. Because I remember, I was telling someone this week, when I was at Fresno State, we had Ryan Matthews.

And I remember like the first couple training camp practices I went to as just like a member of the staff thinking like, Jesus. Oh my God. This guy's incredible. And he was. He ended up being a top 15 pick two years later. But I'll never forget, like once I got farther and farther into the program

and you kind of know all the secrets. one of the reasons Ryan Matthews ended up at Fresno State is because his GPA was terrible. He was not eligible for most programs. The PAC 12, every team was off of them, and mainly the big ones, like Pete Carroll. Well, Pat Hill and some of his staff worked to get him eligible. They helped him out his senior year in high school.

Like, you know, worked with him to do online classes. Ryan had to do a lot of work. He had to get higher grades on tests. And he ultimately did to become eligible. to play Division 1 football. The moment word got out that Ryan Matthews was eligible, Pete Carroll called him and offered him a scholarship.

Ryan, loyal guy, stayed committed to Fresno State. But like, even Pat would tell you, like, yeah, Ryan's one of the best players I ever had in the program. But to me, he's not the guy. Right? It's more like a Derek Carr

or a Logan Mankins. People that, like, other programs are not offering scholarships to. And then you develop and turn into a really good player. Boise made it, you know, they've made their program out of doing that. So I think that's how you evaluate

as a front office if you were thinking about hiring them. Because my beef, like everyone acts like Chip is some all-time great coach. Here's the thing. Like I think Harbaugh and what Harbaugh and Pete did in the Pac-10 at the time, Pac-12, was more impressive than what Chip did.

Because, and I'm not, I'm probably more of a hater on, Chip, then I am definitely. Urban Meyer, I don't even care. Oregon was good. Oregon was a consistent top 20 program, top 20. Now, Chip took them into like the top five, but if you remember correctly, Pete left, then Jim left, and the conference sucked. The conference was bad. It's just, it's not as top heavy anymore, but it's more spread out now. Chip was killing a bunch of bad teams. Like, he didn't have to beat Pete Carroll. Jeff Tedford got fired. The cow was not any good anymore. Stanford, Stanford was still solid. He beat them. I'll give them that. But like, Pete Carroll and Harbaugh,

USC was terrible when Pete took him over. Harbaugh, I'm pretty sure, took over a one and eleven program. Like, that's really impressive. And those guys, you know, went to the NFL. Obviously Pete was more sustainable, but like what they did was impressive. Chiefs fan here, you think Patrick Mahomes can get to Brady level at the end of his career? I would, I mean, from just an all-time resume standpoint, I would say no. I mean, Tom's has seven Super Bowls. Now, one thing I do think Pat could do is win like four MVPs. But if Pat Mahomes, let's say Pat Mahomes and Andy Reid win two more Super Bowls in the next

five years, he'd have three Super Bowls in the first, what's he going into year, five? So in the first 10 years of his career, kind of like Tom, I mean, Tom at three. Tom got four more. Four more. Here's the other thing. Tom and Bill got together when Bill, Bill's like what, 68 now? When Tom and Bill got together, that's 20 years ago, Bill would have been 48, late 40s, right? Andy's already in his, I think he's like 63 or 64, 62, maybe.

I'm not trying to, not trying, if you're listening, Coach, I'm not trying to over-extend your age. Maybe you're 61. But if Andy was 50, I would say, yeah. I mean, maybe they could win, maybe they could win five together. Five total. Five, I mean, that's incredible. We're never seeing what Tom did again, ever. Look at how, like, listen, I'm not the biggest LeBron guy, but he got to four.

And really, let's face it, three, the bubble ones, I got red flag. But, like, four's a lot. Michael won six. It's hard to win six. It's hard to win seven. I'd lean no. I'd lean no. I'd say if Mahomes can get to three, that's an all-time career.

I mean, look at Rogers. Now, Andy's better than any coach Rogers that had, but it's just hard to win, man. The Eagles are kind of a mystery. This is from Jared. The Eagles are kind of a mystery this year, but I listen to the Eagle Eye podcast with Philly reporters Ruben Frank and Dave Zangoro. Can I don't know. Maybe if I'm screwing up your name there, Dave, my bad. They say Jalen Hurst keeps getting better and better, and the young receiver.

are as well. Do you think the Eagles could surprise some people this year? Well, I actually think their roster is better than the way everyone's talking about them. Their offensive line is really good. Their defensive line is fantastic. So they're good in the lines. Now, the rest of their defense, I don't know, is any good.

I've heard really good things about Gannon, the defensive coordinator. He's got, I was watching some of his press conference the other day. He's like this skinny, he's got this chiseled jaw line. I've heard he's like an up-and-comer. But their DBEs and their linebackers, not great. But they got a great defensive line. Offensively, beside the offensive line, they have skill guys.

They have two tight ends. Goddard's a good player. Obviously, Ertz a good player. They do have a lot of young wide receivers. I mean, Devante Smith should be pretty good early. Rager, I mean, has kind of been up and down and you've seen the highlights in camp. He can make spectacular plays. Like, those are two first-round picks.

then the one kid who against the Steelers, Max, I always screw up his name, who runs like a 4-140 is pretty good too. And then you got Miles Sanders, who's a good running back. And I've heard the same thing. Like, Jalen Hertz has gotten a lot better. So if he could just be solid, they have talent on their team. Like the problem for the Giants, for example,

like I keep saying, if Daniel Jones is a solid, their offensive line sucks. So when you have a bad offensive line, it's hard for a young quarterback, to kind of ever get anywhere. He's always running for his life. And I'm not saying Daniel Jones would actually ever get anywhere, but it's difficult when you just,

you can't depend on guys blocking for you. That's not going to be an issue with the Eagles. It's just not. Like, their lines are good. It's just an organizational philosophy. They've always drafted heavy the offensive linemen and defensive linemen. And to me, it's the way to go.

I mean, a lot of good teams do. But the coach, like I don't know. I don't think he's ever called a play in the league, right? He's been an offensive coordinator for teams with a head coach that was the play caller. That would be my question mark. But I do think their roster, and if Siriani is just solid, yeah, they could be better than people think. I would say that's a team that everyone's kind of shitting on that I've come around a little bit. I just, no, I don't know.

If Doug was their coach, I'd be like, you know, I wouldn't sleep on this team in the division. he might stink. He might. I have no clue. But if he's solid, they could be decent. If he's good, as crazy as it's going to sound, they could win the division. That would be, I don't think that would be if he was like a Sean McVe, a floor, a Kyle type, which most guys aren't, right? Most guys aren't. Appreciate everyone listening. Have a fantastic weekend. Enjoy the games. Have some cocktails. Don't let Tony Dunjy, don't listen to Tony. You know, let's just, let's have some fun. Let's enjoy the weekend.

See you guys next week. Peace. Volume. If you love to be remembered as the person who gives the best birthday gifts, I'm here to tell you that 1-800flowers.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.

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