The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 3 and Out - MNF Recap, the future for Daniel Jones, could Caleb Williams stay at USC

Episode Date: October 3, 2023

John recaps the Seahawks 24-3 domination over the Giants, how good is the pairing of Geno Smith and Pete Carroll, and what should the Giants do with Daniel Jones after the season. Later, John dives into the issues surrounding the New England Patriots and also answers some of your questions. Follow John on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for the latest. Check out Gametime - the fastest growing ticketing app in the US, and the official ticketing app of 3 & Out and GoLow -  for tickets to all of your favorite NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAA teams. Concert and comedy show tickets, too. Go to Gametime now to create an account, download the app and use code JOHN for $20 off your first purchase. #Volume #HerdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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How are we doing on this beautiful, Tuesday morning, I'm recording this Monday night. Just watch Seattle blast the Giants. We will talk about that off the top. Then we'll talk about some other football stuff that happened over the last 24, 48 hours. Like I do every Sunday, me and Colin talked it out, and I dive into a couple things that we didn't get to talk about. And things I'm fired up on. Here's the game plan this week.

I'm moving. So I finally can move into my house. And she has a lot more stuff than I do, and I have a decent amount of stuff. So I'm going to record this podcast. Then in the morning tomorrow, before I move, I'm probably going to do a big mailbag at John Middlough. At John Middlecoff is the Instagram firing those DMs. And that will be for Wednesday.

And there's not going to be a podcast this Thursday. So instead of having five podcasts, we usually have the one with Colin. And then I just do four for the rest of the week. We're only going to have three. We'll have this one. We will have one Wednesday and then we'll have one Friday. So no podcast Thursday. That is the plan right now.

just because I got responsibilities that I have to take care of. I just don't have a choice. Don't have the internet. But I got a hot spot. So this is just an ordeal. I don't like, I'm a creature habit. I get very, a routine-oriented individual. So this is a little uncomfortable of a week.

But we will make do. We're not going to complain about something that hasn't even happened yet. So that's the plan. If you're listening on Collins feed, make sure you subscribe to the podcast. And if you want in the mailbag, know the drill fire into those DMs other than that let's rock and roll what I need you to do is I need you to grab your cell phone I need you to go to a little thing called the app store I need you to search game time they happen to be the official ticketing app of this podcast three and out you want to go to a game

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way ahead, but that is something surely with my friends at game time. I'm going to figure out for 2024. I was thinking about the Super Bowl, especially if the Niners go in Vegas, I might have to talk to my buddies at game time. You should too. Game time right now. promo code John, $20 off.

Okay, Monday night football. Listen, we hang our hat on honesty, authenticity, on this show, and I'm just going to lay this out before I dive into the game. I watched it, as I do every game, as I will, this Thursday. game. Hell, I'm moving this week. I got a hot spot and I will watch every play of Commander's

Bears. I do it for you. If that game would have been on, on Sunday morning, the 10 a.m. Slate where there was a large slate, that would have been in a little box on like my third TV and I would have watched very little. And if you're not a Giants or a Seahawks fan, you would agree. Now, if you gambled on the game, if you have a fantasy player, maybe you would be a little more locked in on Sunday. But when you put a game like that on Monday night football, and this was the crazy part about the league, right? I mean, Seattle, obviously, Gino got a little banged up.

They were a little off. Those are two playoff teams. Now, there are seven seeds, right? Seattle was a seven seed, the Giants were the six. But I bet when they were putting the schedule together at New York, who, hell, I was wrong, I thought they'd be a playoff team again. In Seattle, like, not a bad little game, not a bad little wild card matchup.

And it really wasn't. It was Seattle beat the living piss out of them. And let's start with them. because I want to be happy. I want to start on the positive note. And I think Seattle deserves a lot of credit. And, like, when you watch that game the night, it doesn't take Howie Roseman or Brian Dayball

or Jerry Jones to realize the talent discrepancy in that game. Now, both teams had key guys out, crossed the left tackle for Seattle, obviously Sequin and Thomas out for the Giants. But when you watch Seattle, a couple years ago, everyone was shitting on them. And this was when Russell was on the team, and ultimately they pivoted. And right now you see two guys in their early 70s,

which in the last couple years have lost Hall of Fame quarterbacks, Belichick and Pete Carroll. And one guy made the playoffs last year and looks headed there again. The other guy is in shambles and looks like he's going to win six games. Do you know a big difference between the two operations? I'll give you two words. John Snyder. Belichick doesn't lean on a GM

Belichick picks all the players He doesn't listen to anybody Pete Carroll and John Schneider Have been tied at the hip for a long time And they've swung and they've missed And I've always given them a lot of credit For willing to get up to the plate And swing for the fences

And listen, you saw tonight Jamal Adams, who's been banged up with a million injuries The last couple years, makes his debut, gets neat in the head And wants to kill the doctor Nine plays after getting yanked off the field for a concussion. Right? And I don't blame them. That's a reaction usually from players. They don't want to be told they have, they're not allowed to go back, especially when you factor in the circumstances. But let's face it, that is a move they would definitely like a redo. But look at all the talent they had on that field. And a lot of it is recently drafted. You know Kenneth Walker? That guy running all over the place. You know the reason before Mel Tucker couldn't keep his fingers off his cell phone calling Brenda Taylor and got himself in some trouble and ultimately lost his job? Kenneth Walker.

Got that guy $90 million. Because you removed $90 million from that guy's coaching resume. He's terrible. He's not a $5 million coach. Total. Kenneth Walker is a stud. D.K. Metcalfe. This draft, they had a really tough decision.

When I think Pete Carroll in Seattle, and really Pete Carroll, Seattle slash USC, I think, yeah, you know, he'll take some flyers on some character guys because usually that guy can play. He'll go with his Percy Harvins. He did it with a lot of guys at USC. It's like, yeah, this guy's a little bit of a wild card, but the dude has talent.

So it's like, God, Seattle's going to take Jalen Carter at number five. You can see it coming from a mile away. It was a no-brainer. And then they get their pick, and they take the corner slash safety, nickel, do it all, from Illinois Witherspoon. And you're watching him the night, and the number one, obviously he had the pick six. He was flying around, making TFLs. My big takeaway from him is like, that really,

reminds me of a defensive back that would have played with Richard Sherman, Cam Chancellor, and Earl Thomas. He feels L-O-B. But this speaks to the cohesion of Pete and John Schneider. And the importance of having a coach and GM, clearly they both need to be talented, and obviously both guys are. But they respect each other, they believe in each other, and they work well to each other, because they've pivoted the move off Russell Wilson, the players they've acquired since is pretty evident. Now, are they a Super Bowl contender? Hard to be with Gino Smith. And I like the guy. And hell, that's a pretty damn good move. But that team has a lot of talent. That team is equipped. And they're not going away because a lot of their talent is now young.

And I think Pete got kind of, as the kids would say, drug for a long time on the internet. Because like, oh, Russell Wilson's just carrying his ass. No, actually he knows what he's doing. Pretty good coach. Now his coaching staff, his defensive coordinator night, had 75 sacks, his offensive coordinator, Liam Cohen, I guess Liam Cohen actually is back with the Rams, but he has a Rams guy as well in Seattle. They just know what they're doing. And I have a lot of respect for Seattle and this post-Russell Wilson pivot that they made, and the talent on the field is just evident. And I enjoy watching them. I think they're just good. And if Gino can stay healthy, a little scare there, but I mean, that's a double-digit win team, and that's, you know, probably the

sixth seed in the NFC. Now on the flip side, the number one story coming out of tonight is going to be Daniel Jones, who threw a couple picks, a pick six, and it just looked pretty bad this season. And it's always easy to play Monday morning quarterback, but there is no disputing that his agents and his representation in this offseason, they bent over the Giants management, Joe Shane and ownership, because I always thought the easy move and just a simple move, you're not just going to let him walk, who's going to play quarterback for you, just franchise tag them, and then basically get a two-year sample size of what you view he is. Because right now, if Daniel Jones was playing on the franchise tag, while he would be overpaid,

you'd go, listen, you're not tied to him past this year, you can make a pivot if this year's shitty, it's not that big a deal. Everyone understands that you were kind of, you know, a rock in a hard place, you were stuck and he did it. But when you gave him the big money, you open yourself up to criticism when he plays like he's been playing. And let's face it, he's not playing very good. He looks awful, and he's making a ton of money. And part of making a ton of money is having the ability, if, yeah, if Sequin has a rolled ankle and you're missing a tackle, that I can still make enough plays to give us a chance to win.

and not only can he not do that, he's the opposite. He loses you games. So when I look at the Giants' financial decisions, they had two guys that were free agents, or hitting free agency, right? Sequin Barclay and Daniel Jones. My thought all along was franchise the quarterback, let Sequin hit the market, and just be willing, what was he going to get?

Who was going to give Seyquon Barkley $20 million guaranteed? Now, ultimately, you gave him essentially like 11 or 12 with the franchise tag, But you would have been, you would have gladly given him a two-year deal. Who was giving him some massive money? So to me, financially, the reason I thought Brian Dayball was the coach of the year last year, their team's not that good. They don't have that many impact players. It was on full display tonight.

The talent on their team is nowhere near Seattle. In Seattle, last year was a seventh seed. And this year they added Witherspoon, who's a big addition, right? It might help win them an extra game, right? instead of being a nine-win team, they're a 10-win team. But that's not like a 14-win team. And when you look at the Giants, their margin for error never was that big. Because this isn't 07.

This isn't 11. Kiwanuka, JPP, all those guys ain't walking through the door. Justin Tuck and his prime, that's not this squad. Kvon Thibito is an interesting player. He's got a long way to go. And offensively, right, they're missing some weapons, just in general, on their team. They literally don't have that many.

So when you look at the Giants, once you overpay the quarterback and your team's not that talented, your margin for error dramatically shrinks. And you watch tonight, everyone's thinking it. God, we'd like that contract back. God, that was a mistake. I mean, we're four games into this thing. And I think the easy solution was just you franchised the wrong player because you would have been able to re-sign the other player. Again, I will ask this out loud, who was giving Seekoine Barkley three for third?

Who was doing that? The entire league won't pay any of these running backs. Their own guys, which they like. The Colts love Jonathan Taylor. The Raiders love Josh Jacobs. None of them will pay these guys. So I think the Giants fell under the trap of they let emotion. Say what you want about Belichick, not going well.

But the reason he was such a great GM with Brady was no emotion. He could make decisions purely on business, become very black and white, positive negative. There wasn't a lot of gray area with him. He didn't let, like, I really love the way Sequin represents the team. Like, yeah, a lot of guys represent their team well. Is he worth the money or is he not? Is he worth letting hit free agency or are you going to franchise tag him?

Daniel Jones, he is just such a class act. A lot of class acts in the NFL. Are you going to give him $80 million? Or can you just play them one season, $30 million and figure it out from there? and have a difference of $50 million, right? Can we make unemotional decisions? And one knock historically on the Giants is they really get emotionally tied to guys,

which I'm human. I do too, you do too. But when you're talking, it's one thing if it's a $7 million player, it's another thing when you're paying a quarterback over $40 million a year. And that's how when you get emotionally tied, you make mistakes.

And I understand Brian Dayball, he needs a quarterback, but you saw him tonight. You saw the reaction a night after the pick six. When he goes over to him, shakes his head, then he grabs the tablet and essentially throws his Daniel Jones standing right there.

I thought Troy Aikman summed it up pretty well. The only positive on Daniel Jones is how the hell does he not lose it? Because a lot of those sacks, and I think there were 10 of them the night, which is kind of crazy from a team that struggles to rush the passer. Very telling of the Giants' offensive line,

which is not great, that they got issues. and I think for the Giants I don't know if it's going to get much better Now Sequin comes back Maybe Darren Waller kind of his role grows But it's pretty ugly and it's gotten ugly fast So Seattle's trending up

The Giants are trending down And thank God that game's over And get ready for Commander's Bears Now speaking of the Bears Let me preface this whole rant by saying I don't pretend to know more about player personnel than Ryan Poles Like if you just ask Ryan Poles

Pauls about every guy drafted the last five years, he could rattle off 99% of the guy's strengths, weaknesses, their background, like he knows player personnel. Just like if you asked Iber flus to get on a whiteboard, I wouldn't know 5% of just overall defense or X's nose compared to the guy. So I'm not acting like I know more about being a GM than Ryan Poles or I know more about X's nose than Iber Fluse. but I've been watching football long enough. I've been around the game long enough.

And I've seen situations in my time being working in football, close to football, doing this for a living that are just no-brainers. I would consider them BP fastballs. Like it's just, this is too easy. It doesn't get any easier than this. There are complicated situations. Hell, I'd even go back to the Giants.

I understand the Sequan Daniel Jones Free Agency was complicated. It's easy to play Monday morning quarterback, and we're going to do it. But I'll be the first to raise my hand. It was complicated. Just like Seattle, probably passed on Jalen Carter, even if they love Witherspoon. Like, that takes some balls. Like you just, you know Jalen Carter is going to be good. You know he'd be good for you.

To me, after week one, and you had lost, whatever, you had finished the season last year, 10 straight losses, you had lost this. You had not won a game since October of 2022. in that video, which by the time it went viral to us with Chase Claypool, of him refusing to run routes, of them not blocking, they had seen it. These coaches get in and grade the tape. Some grade the tape that night.

They definitely, a lot of them get in like four or five in the morning and grade the tape on game weeks. They had seen it over and over again. By the moment they see it, then their players are going to see it. And restarting, and I think culture and some of that stuff can be overused, right? like how do we change the culture, how do we get the ship headed in the right direction? A lot of that,

and I truly believe that, this is not as much the message from the coach. It's not the rah-rah speech from Mike Vrable or John Harbaugh, right, or even your position coaches. It's the character of the players you have. When you watch now that they're in the media, like Julian Edelman or Gronk, really get kind of nerdy talking football.

You're like, God, these guys love football. football. No wonder Tom loved these guys. No wonder these guys fit in with McCordy and Slater in Hightower and that group won the Super Bowls in the 2010s. Or you watch some of the guys that played with Peyton Manning, right? Talk. Robert Mathis, Dwight Freeney, uh, Clark, Reggie Wayne. You're just like, God, I get it. I see it. The character and the culture starts from your players. And young players, just like young people were easily influenced, right? You get to a certain point in time when they're like, don't worry about what other people say.

That's easy for the 50-year-old to say it. It's another thing telling the 21-year-old that, right? Hell, it's taken me. I still struggle with it, and I'm a couple years away from 40. Now, I've gotten a lot better at it. I'm definitely better at it at 38 than I was 30, but it takes time. And the players, and especially a team

with a lot of young, influential players, the moment Claypool did that to not cut him is the most embarrassing thing any team has done. Honestly, I thought the Raiders with the Chandler Jones situation is like, what are you guys doing?

He's not playing for you. You're not allowing him to come. Just remove him. Right? And it took him getting arrested for them to do it. It's like, why does it take this long? These situations aren't that complicated.

But when the story broke on Sunday morning that they're trying to trade Chase Claypool and he's not allowed to be with the team and then Iber Fluce said they let him choose and then it was reported actually they didn't let him choose he's not allowed to be with the team he's still not allowed to be with the team he has no trade value like you traded for him and you gave up a lot pick 32 it was a mistake everyone's makes mistakes the niners drafted tray lance howie roseman took jalen rager over just of

jefferson it's fucking football it's hard whatever you made a mistake it's a shitty mistake but you made it move on cut the bait the milk is spilled Let it go. And for them not to cut him on Monday or Tuesday going into week two, I think is the most head-scratching move of the season so far.

This team sucks. They have so many problems. And the reason you keep losing in all these different fashions, they just had a 28 to 7 lead, stuff like that. And you can't convince me that stuff like that doesn't matter,

not with losing teams. And there's a reason losing teams, keep losing. Like I said, Do I think Ryan Poles is just some idiot? I don't. He was around Andy Reid, Brett Veach, John Dorsey. I think he knows player personnel.

Iber Fluse, I don't know about that. I would say no. Poles made a mistake. To not cut this guy the next day is just, it's a joke. It really is. And then to leak out they're trying to trade them, who in their right mind would trade for this player, who won, did that week one,

and then two, you've told not to come around anymore. Your stock literally couldn't be any lower. If it was like an actual stock, it'd be 0.0. It has no value. Like another team wouldn't trade you a box of Gatorade's for that player. So just cut him. Just do that. Why is it so difficult to do that?

I'll never understand it. But just a joke for the bears. Speaking of teams that are not a joke, I thought I'd do this. I thought I'd go through a little NFC, power ranking slash just where we're at because coming into this season was like oh the AFC 10 teams could be like the three seat

we got four teams could be the one seat the conference is loaded and the NFC just a couple teams actually I think it's actually shaping out a little different because when you look at the NFC listen I know the Eagles beat the Niners in the NFC championship when Purdy got hurt but I think if you're basing it's strictly on

2003, the Niners have played better than the Eagles. And I think clearly those two teams in the NFC are more talented than every other team. I would have it, Niners 1A, Eagles 1B. And clearly the Niners have more cohesion given that their play caller offensively is the same. And he also is their head coach. The Eagles have two new coordinators. I watched a lot of that Washington game. They have clearly just looked off.

Like the Niners have had series where they've looked off, but they have not looked off in games. Defensively, they look as good as ever. I actually think this is their best defense of the Shanahan era, especially now adding Hargrave. And offensively, they are dramatically better twofold. One, Purdy is way better than Jimmy Garoppolo ever was. If Jimmy Garoppel was just like your solid, you know, everyday quarterback

that you can win some games with if you have a good operation, if your operation's not like the Raiders, you'll lose. he's just the middle of the road guy. Purdy's better than that. And that's why they're scoring, the first time in 49ers history that they started their first four games and scored 30 plus points in each game.

And Christian McCaffrey, who was damn good last year, is just completely in his element in 2020. Kyle knows how to use them. He's just an unstoppable force. Now, the Eagles have unlimited talent, right? Offensively, even when they're off at any moment,

AJ Brown can score a 50-yard touchdown. at any moment Godder or Devante Smith can make a play at any moment they can run the ball down your throat at any moment one of their defensive linemen can get a sack so I take them like I said 1A 1B just depends how they're playing luckily for us we get to see these two teams play a little bit later in the season

now I would have on their own tier in the NFC Dallas because one thing's clear with the Cowboys when they get a lead on you and their defensive line can kind of pin their ears back They actually are built very similarly to the Jets. The difference is they have an offense, so they get some leads. And when they get leads, they fucking annihilate your quarterback. And they annihilate your offensive line.

And clearly, even losing digs, all of a sudden you're looking up, you're like, who's this bland guy? Pick sixes? I mean, he's like high stepping. Dan Quinn, I don't even know if he was going to get a job last year, but keeping him, he's definitely the highest paid defensive coordinator. Him and Fangio will probably make $4 or $5 million to coordinate. that defense, when it's rolling and they get a lead, is awesome.

I think the only question, and now we'll get to see it this week, Niners Cowboys, can the Cowboys, and I talked about this with Colin the other day, win a game? Because I know the Niners can, I know the Eagles can, when you've got to be gritty, when you're down like seven points at halftime. Because it's happened once to the Cowboys this year, and they lost to the Arizona Cardinals. All the other games, the Jets game was their smallest halftime lead. It was eight. Other two games were like 20 plus points.

and they just boat ratio. Well, the Niner game, if it's like 10, 7 and half, can they grit out a win? Because if they can prove that, then I'll take them more seriously. But right now, I view them much more, and this sounds negative, but relative to those two teams, more front runners.

I think they could grit out a win against these other teams, because to me, Detroit is clearly the fourth best team. And I do think if the gap between Dak and Jared Gough is not that wide, and we'll see how this season plays out, I don't know if it is. Like, is the gap between the lions and the Cowboys that wide? Now, the Cowboys' defensive backs are better. I would take Dan Quinn over Glenn, the defensive coordinator.

But I've been saying this from the offseason. Detroit has players everywhere. They get Jamison Williams back this week because Raj changed the gambling operation. So when you look at the top four teams right now in the NFC, it's pretty freaking good. Niners, Eagles, Cowboys, Lions, like that's a real group. If that's your final four, there is a ton of pro bowlers, all pro level guys, and just high-end NFL talent.

Then I think you get this next group, clearly, you know, the Giants are out and Seattle's in. I mean, Seattle, someone has to win the South, and I know Tampa is currently three and one. I got to wait and see before I put them. Like, I would take Seattle every day of the week over Tampa. And then we just have a lot of teams. Obviously, someone's going to win that division. someone's going to host that game. And more than likely, I guess it could change.

But if Dallas is your five seed, a lot like last year, Dallas would be what? A seven, eight point favorite on the road if they're playing Tampa or even the Saints with Derrick Har. They would be a massive favorite. And honestly, it's hard to not see them win that game. So, yeah, the rest, the Tampa's, even the Rams, there are some random teams.

But to me, the top four in the NFC is really good. good. And then I looked at one thing today because we're a couple weeks away from, you know, would this team trade this guy? Would this team throw their hat in the ring with Caleb Williams? Now, the bears don't really have anyone to trade, right? And right now, they would have the number one pick, and the number two pick also belongs to them, the Carolina Panthers. So they got a very, very good chance of somehow corraling the number one overall pick. And then it's bye-bye Fields, Hello Caleb. Eva Caleb's like, I'm not going to play there.

I just draft him anyway. That would be my tactic if I was a GM, if his dad was like, we're not playing there. I'm still picking you. We'll see what happens. Here's a $40 million contract. Say no. But when you look at a lot of the other teams in the mix,

right, like Denver. Like who do they really have to trade? Last year they traded Bradley Chub. They don't really have star players to net them to quote unquote blow it up. The Patriots, hell, their best. two players just got injured today and they're not going to trade Christian Gonzalez. I think the only team that currently looks like they're going to really, really suck this year is the Raiders.

And I really think you have to ask yourself, what the hell are they doing? Where are they going? How is this going to continue? How can they keep losing this many games with this high-end talent? And if all of a sudden you look up and you're one in five, like would you entertain trading Max Cross? If you could get, if Jamal Adams went for two ones and a two, you couldn't get two ones and a two for Max Crosby, a young player under contract, turned his life around. I think he's three years sober, awesome team captain, high character guy. I saw Richard Sherman, a social clip went out on the

volume center on his podcast. He's just wasting away there. I was reading a little about Devante Adams' contract. It's a little harder to trade. But I think Crosby, and listen, Mark Davis is not going to want to trade Max Crosby. But like, what's the plan here? Just always suck. You just move to Vegas to just always be awful. It's hard to fathom just a couple years ago. It felt like they had momentum.

And now it feels like they've taken three steps backwards. So I think there are a couple more losses away, which, let's face it, they're going to be hard pressed to win games. For them getting some calls with just some massive offers from Max Crosby. and I'd be all over the guy. Now, I wanted to do Morgan and Morgan here. And my friends at Morgan and Morgan

making it look easy. And every single week, there's a guy, there's a coach, there's a player that made Sunday or even Monday night look easy. And I think tonight there wasn't necessarily a guy. Tyree Kill and Mike McDaniel has had that market cornered the first couple weeks.

Khalil back. I'll never forget when the Raiders drafted him going to a practice and seeing this guy's arms are enormous. And I had a buddy on the staff and OTAs ended. Now the Raiders were terrible at the time. He's like, he's not just our best player. We don't have anyone in his world. And within a couple years, he was the defensive player of the year.

And let's face it, Khalil got banged up. Just hadn't been the same player as last year in Chicago. last year with the Chargers. And even this year with the Chargers, it wasn't looking good. I mean, part of them losing, it's like, where is Cleo Mac? And then you look up yesterday,

and it's sack after sack, after force fumble. And the dust settles, the Chargers get an enormous win. All of a sudden, they're two and two. And you're like, God, the Chargers could make the playoffs. Joey Bosa was missing. They needed that guy to make big plays. And big plays he made. And he actually kind of rib the Raiders.

He's like, you know, the old number four, him and Derek were buddies. Wouldn't have held on the ball that long. The quarterback made it kind of easy for us. But he had six sacks, which only six other guys in the history of the league have had in an NFL game. So listen, I mean,

he just needs five, six other sacks. All of a sudden you look up. Killelea has a 14 sacks season. So props to Kille Mack for making it look easy. Like I said, brought to you by Morgan and Morgan. For more information, go to for the people. dot com slash John or dial pound

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Today for a limited time only. 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 friends. podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Clipper 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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And for more behind the scenes, 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, iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Let's dive into Belichick. And one take I believed, you know, some, I don't want to say I throw at the wall, but, you know, part of this business is making predictions, trying to see the future.

This one I believed. And I've believed it for years. Because back when I lived in the Bay Area, the number one conversation was Mack Jones was going to be a 49er. And I stand by this. I still think that's the craziest. thought in the history of the league, it would have been the worst draft picked

in the history of the NFL. Not after the fact, but the least talented guy to ever go third overall in the history of the national football league. Now, he ended up going 15th, which I still think is one of the great overdrafts in the league, ever.

He's not very athletic, he doesn't have a big arm, and now he's a terrible decision maker. And my thought coming into the season is Mack Jones was going to end the Belichick era. He was going to ruin Bill Belichick's career in New England. And I think that is now taking shape.

Now listen, when I was younger, I was lucky enough a good friend of mine's grandparents, the guy my dad worked for, be around some very, very successful people that were in their 70s when things started to go the other way. And anyone listening to this that knows someone who's had success

or having success and things start going the other way in their later parts of their life, they usually don't become more progressive and more open-minded and more willing to change. I would say the history of those type individuals in men usually become grouchier, grumpier, more closed off, more stubborn,

and it usually leads to problems. And I think you're seeing that in Bill Belichick. When I think of some of his other contemporaries, older coaches, obviously Pete Carroll is in the 70s, you know, Andy, I think Pete Carroll and Andy immediately, what do both those guys have that Bill just does not? they have two GMs that they lean on and swear by. Doesn't mean they don't disagree with them sometimes,

but they empower people to run their personnel department. Ever since Casario left, and even when Nick was there, Bill's the boss. Bill's the Grand Poo-Baw. I've been lucky enough to know a lot of scouts when I worked in the league and since that have been in that building. He ain't listening to any of them. Now, that's not abnormal.

I'm not saying Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVeigh listen to everything their scouts say, but he wasn't listening to his personnel people. It's why Belichick historically has had some weird drafts, but when they had Tom, they could always overcome it. Well, he got pretty desperate because once, however the Jimmy G thing played out, he was forced to get rid of him, he didn't, Tom stayed, whatever.

He did not have a backup plan. And which is the craziest thing to think about Bill Belichick is during the Brady era, they always had contingencies. And then Brady leaves to Tampa and it was like, we're just going to sign Cam Newton. and then a year later we're just going to draft McCorkel Jones and now they are just kind of an average to below franchise and usually when these thing end

think about one of Bill's greatest strengths as an executive because he was the GM coach was getting rid of guys early. You'd be like well NFL cutthroat Belichick cutthroat it's a business money doesn't know emotion why wouldn't Kraft and that family do it to him because I've said this before and I'll say it again

like Bill's just not going to voluntarily look at the crafts and go, you know what, I've given you guys close 25 years, giving you everything I have, it's just not going that well. How about this? You just give me a couple of your salary and we'll just go our separate ways. Like I said, anyone who has been around successful, wealthy individuals in their 70s, when shit hits the fan, they're usually not the easiest people to deal with. And we've all, because he has such a public job, followed Bill's career,

his mannerisms, the way he interacts. This is not going to be a pretty breakup. But as it's going right now, as they're headed, recording this on Monday, they lost their two best defensive players. Their team was literally, listen, if they're going to compete to make a wild card, they're going to have to have a top five defense,

they're going to have to not turn over the ball, and just be perfectly coached up. Yesterday, I had forgotten about this, just because there was so much football going on. I'm at the gym today. I look up at the TV and they show the highlight of the Cowboys running the two-point play, the field goal where they just tossed it in 99, he walks right in. Because clearly the Cowboys know that Belichick brings that heat off the edge

and it's going to be a walk-in touchdown or two-point play. And it was. That's what Belichick used to do to other people. And maybe it's just a... Eventually you lose as many coaches as he has because a huge thing with Belichick for 20 years, was starting guys 20 for 20s, they called them. 20 hours a day, $20,000 pay.

From McDaniels to Patricia to Flores to all of his executive candidates. Adam Peters started this way, the Niners number two, Casario. They all start this way. What Scott Pioly did once upon a time, Thomas Demetroff once upon a time in Cleveland. And you know exactly what he's looking for. Well, since they've had so many people leave, those people don't really exist anymore.

And now you see a franchise that, let's face it, is kind of lost at sea. Their quarterback situation is a joke. Their skill guys on offense, which he's always struggled to accumulate, especially a wide receiver, are not very good, is now his defense that does have talent is injured. Let's just call a spade a spade. They're fucked. And they play the Saints this week at home.

Then they go to the Raiders, and then they got the bills, and then at the Dolphins. if he goes one and three in those games, it is possible he goes two and two, but I think the way this team has been, I think they're three and eight in their last 11 games, let's say they go one and three. All of a sudden they'd be two and six.

What are they going to do? They are much more likely, and I said this the other day, to be a five-win team than a nine-win team the squad we're looking at. And Belichick's greatest strength, like I said, was being completely unemotional with football. He looked at players.

obviously he had relationships with guys and he cared about certain players he loved Slater he in a weird way loved Brady he loved some offensive linemen but he was always willing to get rid of him or let him walk why wouldn't the crafts do the same to him now this isn't just like

firing like the Giants fired Gabe Kapler thank God because the dude's a fraud and a phony clearly Belichick is not that but it just feels time for a breakup like it's over and let's face it most good things come an end. And think about, you know, when I was a kid, it was like if you got a divorce,

it was like, God, I bet, you know, she cheated on them. You know, is there some violence? Is there something? It was always, it was a very taboo thing to say when I was a really little kid. Now that I'm an adult, like half the country gets divorced. I know a ton of people to get divorced and have cordial relationships. They share custody of kids. They like each other. It's just like, yeah, we just didn't really get along. You just wasn't working out. We're still friends. things are going, I'm not saying every divorce is like that. And I don't even think this divorce would be like that because Belichick isn't wired like that.

But I think sometimes things just come to an end. And that's how it kind of feels like with Belichick and the Patriots and the Kraft family. If they win six games and he won seven and then he won six and they're headed nowhere fast, like I kind of expect Belichick to not be the coach next season. Speaking of young coaches who look really good, I was thinking about this today

that Vrable is a good example, and I think D'Amico is the most recent. There's a big question with defensive coaches, right? How do they interact and influence their quarterbacks? And most of them struggle at it, right? They don't know offensive play calling. They are very dependent on whoever they hire as the offensive coordinator. Their role for offense is really just motivation and support and helping with their confidence. but in terms of being able to dial up plays in the middle of the game,

in terms of walking into the meeting room throughout the week and helping the quarterback and the offensive coordinator and the quarterback game plan, like that's just not happening. It's just not. But I do think there's a unique thing happening right now. It's happened for a while in Tennessee, and you're seeing it on full display this year. And so many of you guys are like, do not count out the Titans.

And you're right, their coach is too freaking good. Mike Frable could play with me, you and nine other guys and we could compete. Why? Because the dude was born to coach. And when you think about it, he's not just your normal defensive guy. This dude was a team captain on Super Bowl teams. He's known as just like one of the higher level guys. And think who his best friend or best friends were on that team. Was the quarterback. D'Amico Ryans, what you're watching him do right now with the Texans, who their young quarterback looks fantastic. I mean, these shattering records through four games.

But to me, just the eye test, how calm he is, how explosive he is as a passer. A couple times yesterday avoiding the rush as a playmaker, which he showed in that playoff game against Georgia, CJ Stroud looks really, really good. I think one of the biggest redo takes I'd like to have is I was all in on Bryce Young. He looks tiny. Like, I just, I don't see it. And the other two guys, their talent is, I mean, Anthony Richardson's talent is immense. and C.J. Stroud just looks like at minimum,

he's going to be like Kirk Cousins or Dak Prescott. But both those two coaches are good examples. D'Amico was like for eight years in the NFL. I think he was a team captain, his rookie season. He was a second round pick. He was a team captain, his rookie season for the Texans. Like, these guys are natural leaders. And not from a coaching standpoint.

Like, literally you put them in the locker room when they were playing and everyone gravitates toward them. And when you have that ability, I do think your connection with the quarterback can be a little different despite being a defensive guy, a linebacker by trade. Like ultimately, D'Amico and Vrable, their job descriptions as players, were to make tackles. Not to throw, not to score points, right? It was a defensive mindset.

But to me, when you're a team captain, that means, and I see it with the 49ers and Fred Warner, like he's very close with Brock Purdy. He was one of Brock Purdy's biggest, you know, defenders last year when he first, when he made the team, when he started his biggest proponents as he just, I mean, he hasn't really struggled, but just had his back from day one. And I think there are certain guys that just get other people, right? Some people just understand people, right? Part of leadership, there's a difference of having the stones and the balls to make tough decisions. And that's hard, right? Belichick, trading Logan Mankins

or trading Richard Seymour, or trading Chandler Jones, or making tough decisions. Bill Walls did it forever and he's done it. That's leadership's hard because people are going to look at you funny. People are going to ask you why you do it, why you did that, why you're doing this, why you're not doing that. That's part of leadership. Then there's a huge part of just having the ability to connect with others, right, in a genuine way. And Vrable has that down as good as I would say any in the NFL. And to me, D'Amico's a natural. Like you could tell D'Amico, Robert Sala, I think has it too. And Robert Sala was a really, really good head coaching camp. candidate. I think D'Amico is in a different unit. Like, if you had the opportunity to hire the two guys,

and I'm not just judging Casala struggles in New York, I'm just saying, D'Amico's only coach four games. I watched both of them very closely, been around them, been to their press conferences. To me, it's a no-brainer of D'Amico. So when you watch the Texans, who have a lot of ammunition, right, to improve their team, and really a couple years ago when they hired David Kelly, it was so ugly and such a disaster, no one would take that job. So they basically hired a guy to fire the guy. Last year didn't quite understand, but ultimately who cares? It led them to Domeco Rines.

And now they got a quarterback. Pretty sure they still have another pick coming from Cleveland who, you know, you saw Deshawn's already banged up. Now, Miles Garrett's in a boot. Now they're in a buy, so we'll see how their injuries play out. But their next games against the 49ers. I think the Texans got them some pretty special. Now, are they good enough to make the playoffs this year?

We still got a long way to go. I would say you would kind of bet on the Titans just they're farther along in their development, just be scrappier when they played. Obviously, the Jags have kind of got or can get their offense together and in theory should be more explosive than the Texans. But I don't think you can just count the Texans out.

Like, is it inconceivable they could win the division? we've seen crazier. These teams aren't good enough. The Jags aren't good enough clearly to run away with it. The Titans just could lose to anyone, just like they can beat anyone. So what you're seeing out of the Texans is kind of what you saw exactly out of the Titans forever with Vrable.

It's like, how are they doing this? Well, they're doing it because their coach is a fucking stud. The dude was born to lead a group of men in football pads. Whether he was literally in the pads with them coming out of the tunnel, or he's in a pair of joggers, a collar shirt, and has a whistle around his neck, leading him out of the tunnel. and that's what's cool about this sport. And we've seen a lot more recently some of these guys go into coaching.

And I think the AFC South has two just defensive guys that are just, they're just ended to win it for a long time. One thing I wanted to hit on really quick was some stuff from college football from the weekend. Watched a decent amount of college football. And like most people, I've watched Colorado. I think four out of their five games. The only game I missed was a Colorado State game. But I was intently going to watch the USC game

because my number one thought going into that game was this is a big moment for Lincoln Riley, kind of to have a muscle flex. Kind of to go, hey guys, you know, it's clear I got a quarterback in an offense. I can score on anybody. But my defense, we just saw Oregon do it. Now I know that was at home,

but we're going to shove these guys around. We're a playoff contender. We're a national championship contender. We're tough. I've said it forever. And the only reason I know it, because I've seen it up close and personal. You can't fake being tough. When I was around and anyone that played the Fresno State teams, anyone that played for Pat Hill, he's a tough guy.

So he knew what other tough guys look like. He knew when he was recruiting what a tough guy was. Because that was him. Former offensive linemen, he resonated with other tough guys. it's why he was friends with the Ozzy Newsoms, the Bill Belichick's, the Andy reads. They saw football from a similar lens. You can't fake that. It's why my issue with Chip Kelly is, and this goes to Ryan Day 2,

who's learned from Chip Kelly, is like, their mode and their thoughts and their philosophical beliefs on the sport are just different from true tough guys. It doesn't mean they can't win. We've seen Chip win a lot in his Oregon days. We've seen Ryan Day win a lot. Now, he benefits from being in Ohio State, but let's just call a spade to spade.

The toughest guy in that conference is not Ryan Day. It's Jim Harbaugh. Why? Because Jim Harbaugh doesn't have to fake it. He's just a tough SOB. And Ryan Day is just an offensive-minded, great mind. Can score points, can recruit that position. But when I look at Ryan Day, do I think tough guy?

Hell no. Listen, I've always thought the guy was. kind of a phony and a fraud, but you can't dispute when you watch Urban Myers team played. They can play in the parking lot or they can play in front of 100,000 people. They're going to hit you in the mouth, just like Harbaugh's doing, just like Sabin did forever, just like Kirby did forever. Ultimately what Lincoln Riley is, he comes from Mike Leach. I love Mike Leach, RIP, one of my favorite coaches of my entire life.

But Mike Leach was a score points play no defense. Now, because Lincoln Riley's at Oklahoma and USC, he's recruiting and training and training. transfer portaling and buying different level players than you did at Texas Tech and Washington State. But he thinks like Mike Leach. And when you watch his team, they're just soft as puppy shit. I mean, they are just a team that is not built to win a national championship. And it starts with their head coach. Because the way he views football through the lens of his football mind is points, is offensive players.

I lived through being in college and my cousin played at Fresno State when they played the peak of those USC teams. Well, why were they built from such a physical standpoint? Because Pete Carroll is at his core a defensive-minded guy. So what does Pete Carroll like? Sweet guys on defense that will knock you out in a run game. So USC, what they hung their hat on was Malugas, the Cushings,

all the defensive linemen, Big D.Bs and a powerful offensive line with a running game. When you watch Lincoln, like, he wants to just sling it all around the yard, which is fun. And it's enjoyable. It's not going to win him a national championship. I don't think there's any chance with his defense. They can win the Pack 12. I thought this more and more every time I watch them play.

Their quarterback is very, very talented. And more than likely, he's going to be the number one overall pick. but he's not good enough I had a buddy last year that was at their bowl game I think they played Tulane remember they were like the highest ranked non-power-five team and they lost why

Caleb was incredible I remember getting texts from the buddy was like god this guy's arm in person is outrageous but the problem is their defense couldn't stop a nosebleed so I watch USC fun team but frauds because they play no defense

and the only person to blame is the head coach. Because in college, the head coach is also the GM and sets the tone for the operation. And I watch USC and I just see a soft team. That's not Caleb's fault. That's not the wide receiver's fault. It's the head coach's fault.

Because it starts and ends with defense if you want to win a national championship. I think easily the most disappointing team so far of college football has to be Brian Kelly and LSU. And I was glued to that game. I was going furniture shopping. I found

to TV to watch it while Maria's shopped all around the store and I watched about the first half and we got home, got some in and out, watched the second half. It was a fun game to watch. But you don't pay a guy $90 million and $10 million a year

at LSU. It's one thing to lose to Florida State neutral site game when they're a national title contender. It's another thing and they beat Alabama but like you can lose to Alabama. You can lose to Georgia. Under no circumstances can you lose to Mississippi. That will not be tolerated with LSU.

Now, I'm not saying he's going to get fired or whatever, but that's the type loss for as awesome as last year was, right? Upset in Alabama, getting to the SEC championship game. It was a really good starting year after kind of the weird off season of bungling its family. You know, he can't even say it. Being three and two is one thing, it's another thing to lose the divisional game. You can't lose Elaine Kiffin, right? because they're thinking, why wouldn't we just hire Landkiff and then?

And that's one of those things that it's hard to shake. And I think it's much more difficult. Like one of their great advantages always was, well, you're just going to have more talent at LSU. Well, in theory, you will. But that guy now can always transfer. So at any moment these guys can leave. Well, before, even if I inherited a team that was struggling, I was going to get guys

that might be struggling just because they're not playing well. We're not getting coach right. The talent's going to be there. Now the influx, people leaving. it might be a little more difficult than even he planned. Right. And it's going to be fascinating to watch because clearly this year they can't make the playoffs. But man, lose to Ole Miss.

And in that fashion, it's one thing to lose 24 to 21 last second field goal. They're celebrating Eli Manning's O3 team. Patrick Willis is in the house. It's a really big moment. I think they said in the broadcast, biggest crowd in the history of the program. Like 70,000 people. it's another thing to lose and give up like 78 points. I mean, they could not stop them.

You're LSU. You're LSU. You should have NFL players at every level of your defense. And multiple sweet pass rushers, awesome linebackers. I mean, you're a school of elite DBs. When I think LSU, one of the first things I think about is defensive backs. And you're just getting smoke like that. So that's a really, really bad loss.

Another thing sometimes, you know, if I'm having a cocktail or two, I'll fire off some tweets that I might regret And I'm watching the Duke North Carolina game, or excuse me, the Duke Notre Dame game. And Riley Leonard's running around. I'm like, this guy might be the third best quarterback in this draft. Caleb, Drake May, Riley Leonard. And then I started texting around just to double check my work. And I got people, like, he's a really good prospect.

He's huge, former basketball player, really athletic. Not a great arm. So his comps probably more Daniel Jones. Now, Daniel Jones did go six. But he has a devastating injury at the end. That game was really fun. and Sam Hartman, who a couple buddies coming into this league, told me that they had like third-day grades on them.

And then clearly, we've talked about this through the first couple weeks. His stats were crazy. Got humbled a little bit in the Ohio State game. He made some plays down the stretch. Now, it's Duke. They're not, you know, the Coach K Duke football program. They're clearly a lot better. They're a high-level operation, probably an eight-nine-win team.

If they're quarterback, I haven't seen the latest, maybe shattered his knee. But if he had been healthy, like, they're going to win a lot of games. It was an impressive win. I thought Sam Hartman showed some grit, some toughness. He made a run to extend the game on like fourth and 15. Is he an NFL starter? I was open to it through the first couple games. Watched him a little closely.

He's probably more likely to be a backup, and he's probably more likely to be a fourth, fifth round pick. Which, there's nothing wrong with that, right? Nothing wrong with that at all. But that was a very, very fun game to watch. Okay, one thing, I want to dive in before we get out of here. It's time for this week's game I thought might give almost, almost anything to redo the game brought to you by Uber Ease.

And here's what we're going to do. We're going to talk about a game that almost, almost went in the way of the gamblers. Because there were multiple times this weekend where if you took the team with an enormous spread, you were feeling pretty good. The Kansas Chiefs were minus eight and a half. And Patrick Mahomes was walking into the end zone at the end of the game. And it would have made it a 10-point game and you would have covered easily. Who was taking the Jets plus eight and a half was Zach Wilson. So I didn't bet the game, but if I would have, I definitely would have taken Kansas City.

And then Patrick Mahomes is running. He's going to walk into the end zone. Here's the problem. Patrick Mahomes is too well coached. He knows situational football too well. And he doesn't care about the line of, he doesn't care. care about the gambling line. So he just hits the ground and the Jets cover. But to me, if you are almost almost, and I would have, if I bet this game, would have taken Arizona plus 14,

the Niners are winning by three scores. Arizona has the ball with like under 10 seconds left. Dobbs hits Zach Ertz. One of the better receiving tight ends of the last decade. Right. They're in, you know, probably the 20-yard line. Hit Ertz at like the five. He walks into the end zone. The problem, the ball goes right through his hands. He drops the ball. Now, they still got one more play. Dobbs drops back, hits a wide receiver in the corner of the end zone, again, in his hands, and the ball goes right through his hands.

These are two of the worst gambling losses. If you had the Chiefs or you had the Cardinals, I can ever remember. I mean, literally, walk in touchdown, two other touchdowns. Mahomes on the ground, two other balls on the, the ground. You cannot make it up, but it's why we love football. That's this week's almost almost anything game of the week. We'll go with the Cardinals. And you can order your almost, almost anything with Uber Eats, the official on-demand partner of the NFL. Order now. Okay, let's hit on a couple mailbag questions because I wanted to get a couple in before we do the

big mailbag come tomorrow, but I saw some questions so I thought I would get to him. I know you love the Raiders, but if the Raiders have the first overall pick, in the draft. Next year do you keep Josh McDaniels around with Caleb coming to town? Mark Davis is notoriously cash poor, but with talent like Caleb, that is a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

Do you think Mark would fire him and hire someone else? My personal hope is if we get the number one pick, Coach Harbaugh comes from Michigan. I talked about it earlier. I think the Raiders got a lot of problems. They are so

far away. The only way to me you don't sell some parts this offseason and just restart the whole thing is if you fire him and get hardball. But if you're going to keep Josh McDaniels, you've got to think about just kind of trading everyone and starting over with Caleb Williams and having a bunch of draft picks, right?

And just kind of resetting your franchise. Because having these players, we got Devante Adams in his prime, Max Crosby in his prime, and you just lose constantly. I saw Sherman talked about it. Like, what a waste. I wonder, though, now playing in Vegas would be sweet if you're Caleb.

But, I mean, he's already claimed, like, I'm not going to go to a dysfunctional place, which I don't know how he can control that, given that all dysfunctional teams draft high. It'll be very, very fascinating. Team like the Raiders, some of these crappy teams that draft number one overall, if him and his dad make a stink. Trying to settle debate with some buddies. If the Bears land the number one overall pick and decide, to trade fields.

What does the compensation look like what they get in return? Well, based on the first three weeks, wouldn't be much. When you're talking about trading, this isn't fantasy football, you have to factor in their contract. This is the third year for him of his career.

He has a four-year contract. So after this third year, you can pick up his fifth year option. I think it's fair to say that would not be picked up. So if I'm trading for fields Let's say he's not as shitty as he's been the first three games But he doesn't get to play the Denver Broncos every week

But he looks much more capable Maybe a team takes a flyer He'd be in the last year of his contract So you're just getting a one-year deal with the guy I'd guess like a six-round pick Unless he keeps making plays like he did last week Which I think it's fair to say he won't But if he were two

And you keep losing that round draft pick would go up 100%. Is it possible Burroughs injury is worse than the Bengals are reporting? Would it violate any sort of league reporting policy? Well, to get the doctors to say he's okay to play, the severity of it can only be so bad, right? I think it's fair to assume it's definitely worse than the way they publicly talk about it.

But I also think, like, they wouldn't send him out there if he was at risk to rip the calf to rip at Achilles though they say that Achilles and ACL injuries can sometimes happen

when you're overcompensating on the other leg it happened to Derek Rose Clay Thompson tore his Achilles after tearing his ACL and it was overcompensating so I I don't think it can be that much worse

but they definitely are probably downplaying it because he clearly looks like a shell of himself the Bears would have the number one and number two pick at the season end of today. I think they draft Williams and trade fields. Where do you think fields would end up trading two

in that situation? It would have to be a team like Washington, Atlanta, or New England. Yeah, it'd be someone really, really shitty. I would say Atlanta, I haven't watched much of them, because they don't deserve my eyes. They're that boring. They are so boring. They've drafted all these

offensive players, and they are still that boring. So, I I would say that Atlanta would definitely make some sense. Do you think that New England, being frustrated with McCorkel-Jones, could go after Kirk Cousins? Belichick is just trying to win games to reach Chula, and he is horrible with first-round picks anyway. Just unload two or three of them to get an above-average functional quarterback.

Well, Cousins is going to be a free agent. So I don't think he'd trade to get a guy that was going to be a free agent. I mean a lot. Would he take Cousins over Mac? of course, Cousin's a better player. But what is the compensation? Cousin's trade's kind of complicated because he makes a lot of money and his contract is over.

So I don't think his market is as big as someone with that production would normally be. Is Matt Stafford having a potential MVP candidate season? Favorites like Mahomes, Burrell Lawrence, have all had slow starts, and once Cooper Cup comes back, the offense seems unstoppable. If Stafford stays healthy and maintains this level of play,

continues to elevate the roster. We were all convinced they were going to be heart garbage, just a thought. Well, to me, they'd have to probably it'd be difficult for him to win it. He's fighting an uphill battle. His numbers aren't close enough. I mean, he's

three touchdowns, five picks. He threw two interceptions against the Niners and the Bengals. He only threw the one touchdown. He is having a season, though, like a respect season, which I think's cool. Because everyone's like, oh, he's injured, and I'm guilty of this. Oh, they're going to suck.

Well, I thought he was going to be injured and suck. Because, well, I thought he was going to be injured and then they were going to struggle because he wouldn't play. But he's like willing them to victories. So, yeah, I mean, I would say no, he can't win the MVP. I mean, he's already too far

behind and their team's not going to win enough games, but I think he could be like an NFC pro bowler, for sure. Highest point differential so far after four games is the bills. Furthermore, the bills went through something horrible last year with Hamlin. Josh Allen was playing with the UCL. Media just went off about them being overrated.

Defensive head coach won't work. Weak defense. Josh Allen isn't good enough. Burrow Herbert Mahomes, ETC. Then in week one, they get sideways. Do you think there is an FU mode this season due to the doubters? It would be fair to tell me to calm down because they have played the following quarterbacks, Zach, Jimmy G, Howell, and Tua.

So it's not like they're shutting. down monsters every week. I do think the last three weeks have been big muscle flexes for them. And we talked about it on Friday. He needed an FU game. Josh needed a game. The franchise needed a game like Miami. We set at the big kids table.

This is our division. And they had it. We beat you last year in the playoffs. We plan on going back and hosting a playoff game again and being the number one seat. So I just think the bills are good. more about the FU and the doubters. I just think they have a quarterback who's, you know,

I mean, been flirting with MVP-level stuff for a couple years, flirting with superstardom. I mean, he's damn good. But this could be his year to be the MVP of the league, to lead his team to the number one overall seed. Shaw McDermott's running the defense now. So, yeah, I think he might be on to something. I'd love to share a take with you.

I know you can't respond to all of these, but maybe for the mailbag. Alabama native. I went to Ole Miss, 15 through 19. Saw us beat Alabama, and I've seen us lose to Alabama in miserable fashion. I'm as anti-Alabama football as it possibly gets. So I'm biased, no BSing that. But have the Panthers maybe made a devastating mistake with Bryce Young?

Saturday during the broadcast, Clatt said he looks at five things for his quarterbacks. Great with your mind, arm talent, good in the pocket, use of legs, got to be able to create. most Alabama quarterbacks don't cover any of these besides one and two. Arm talent in your mind. Bryce maybe covers traits one and three.

Good with his mind, good in the pocket. And maybe a little bit being able to move and create. Way too early to tell, but as a former scout, I am curious your take. Here, man, continue message. This message is really, really long.

Basically, had the Panthers made a fatal mistake. I do think it's fair to say. we can only go off the information we have. I mean, 12 years ago, people would not have known Amazon would be Amazon. Steve Jobs was once fired from Apple. So, like, things change.

I'm not writing Bryce Young's obituary now as an NFL legitimate starter. But as we see here today through four games, I do think it's pretty clear. This is what I got into a little tweet storm when I was drinking. Drinking would be strong. I mean, I had a couple spritzies and a couple beers.

And Riley Leonard is a guy. If you look at his stats for Duke, they're not great. But physically, he has a lot of skills. And when you get drafted in the NFL, because if you draft guys that don't have the physical skills, they might miss too. Look at Mack Jones. And if you draft the guys with the physical skills,

Justin Fields, they might miss. It's all the crapshoot. So just take the guy you like. whether he has a huge upside, whether he is it, take the guy you believe in. And every coach, every GM views it a little differently.

But it is impossible to watch Anthony Richardson and definitely C.J. Stroud and go, God, I kind of see it. I can see how this works. I was someone, I'm pro Alabama. Not now. I kind of find them,

now that they're falling off, but pre-Brice Young, that run. I loved watching those teams play. And I thought Bryce was a much better player. Let's use, for example, Mac Jones. But one thing Mac does have is Mac's just way bigger. And when you watch Bryce, he looks freaking tiny. He doesn't have a bazooka for an arm,

and he's not a great athlete. When you go back to Bryce Young, the reason he did not run the 40 at the Combine is because he's slow. And you know what slow guys don't want to do? Run the 40 so everyone knows, they're slow. Everyone knows he's slow, but if he never puts a time, you know, in everyone's database, he could be like, well, it could be four, seven, he's not very fast. So he's not a great

athlete. He's obviously tiny, and his arm's solid. So I do think it's a little concerning where we sit today and go, God, if you'd like a redo, here's what I know. The Colts and the Texans, one million percent would not trade their guy for Bryce today. That's a fact. And I think if you called Carolina, obviously publicly they'd never say anything, they would have discussions immediately and probably do some sort of deal. So things can change. This is very fluid. The way we talk about football is like the way we talk about stocks.

Things go up and things go down. Guys improve. Guys get worse. But as we sit today, it's a long-winded way of saying, yeah, he's, his deficiencies and the things he lacks really show up. Sometimes, you know, when you're dating someone, early on you don't learn some stuff about them that over time you do. And sometimes you're like, whatever, I like her so much. Or I like him. It doesn't matter.

But sometimes the deficiencies, like the moment you kind of get into a relationship, you're like, oh my God. This is crazy. This is not going to work. Same thing with players. You can love the guy, but the moment you get him into your jersey, it's why we hear, all these former GMs tell stories like we knew in training camp we had a problem. I don't think they think they have like

it's the end all, be all, they're screwed here but you can't convince me that there aren't some concerned people in that building. I mean, Frank, former NFL quarterback, when he stands right next to him, he towers over the guy. So was everyone on the same page? And it's like, well, this is what you said it six months ago? Yeah, shit changed. Right? So if they loved

them, things change and things change fast. Now you don't give up on them after four games. but it's definitely concerning. And to me, the number one thing for the concern is this. He just looks so tiny. He looks so small. And I clearly underestimated that. And I don't really like small guys.

I don't like small guys. I don't like weak arm guys, which is basically me. I don't look for me. I want Josh Allen. But I like Bryce because I thought he was an excellent football player. But it's a good example. Just because you're an excellent football player,

if you can't see and he can't see, and you can't move really. Godspeed. Okay, see you guys soon. Talk tomorrow. Adios. Have a great day. See you.

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 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. 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. Hey, what's good, y'all?

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

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