The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 3 and Out - NFL Camp Underdogs, Major Dak Health Red Flags, Tua Decision Time, Hurry Up Headlines, Mailbag

Episode Date: August 13, 2021

In this episode, John explains why the NFL is the ultimate level playing field for late round/undrafted underdogs, why he sees major red flags with Dak Prescott's health based on the season premiere of Hard Knocks, why the Dolphins can't run from Tua being a bust, why Urban Meyer should name Trevor Lawrence the starter today, and quick takes on the other top headlines from the week. He also answers listener questions in the Middlekauff Mailbag. Follow John on Twitter and SUBSCRIBE now to get all the latest content!! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque.

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

I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifers Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to the Clifford show on the Iheart radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok's podcast network on TikTok. On the Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84's big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English.

Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Your Valentine's Day shouldn't start with a Hail Mary. Don't wait until everyone's rushing the field for those last minute gifts on February 14th. Be the MVP this Valentine's Day and go to proflowers.com to save 15% until February 14th with code Crush 15 at checkout. See website for more details. on everybody. John Middlcock's three and out podcast. Rocking and rolling. Preseason games. I'm recording this actually before the preseason games. Actually, I think the Patriot games on in like 10 minutes. I have the Yankee game on TV right now. They're playing in the field of dreams. I'm not going to lie. It's pretty badass.

I haven't played Little League was the last time I played baseball, but I really like baseball. This is sweet. I don't know how much. much a ticket cost to get to this game, but this would have been an incredible experience. I know football's here, but if you like sports, just seeing the visuals of this game in the cornfields, absolutely incredible. Talk about a career

renaissance. Costner, who Yellowstone is just one of the sweeter television shows going, and now he's hosting this. These guys walked out of the cornfields, the two teams. Awesome. But football. And it got a lot of football stuff to talk about.

I saw a Brian Dayball quote that I really think encapsulates just the sport of football and what's so special and unique about this next really, you know, the preseason, but even the season and the intensity of making a team and how hard it is. Cowboys have themselves a serious problem. I'm no doctor, but, and they can poo-poo the MRI all you want. Like, something's up with Dak. Like, you need multiple MRIs. We all watched hard knocks.

weird stuff man that is we're all red flagging because if he ain't around they got problems and then a lot of other stuff's going on around the league that all hit um i've been at 49er practice this week it's just i listen i can't speak for all the other practices i guess i've i've seen three teams practice in my life the i was going to say the chiefs they were the eagles because that's where i worked and he was a coach uh the raiders and the niners over the years i guess i've into a Titans practice a couple years ago, but it was OTA. It's just, these guys are, people are ready to play another team. You know, you can just feel it at practice.

Like, you're kind of tired of hitting your teammate. You know, let's start playing some other people. Let's get the pads popping. Now, if you play for Sean McVeigh, you sit. And listen, I come from the school of, if I was in Sean McVeigh or any of these coaches, I get the old school mindset. I just, there's so much money in the line. I would sit on my stars, but I'm not a coach.

So we'll dive into all that as well. Leave a review on the Three and Out podcast, Apple iTunes. Greatly appreciate it. Also, if you subscribe to Collins feed, go to the Three and Out feed, subscribe to that bad boy as well. And I wanted to start with this Brian Dayball quote that I ran into on Twitter. It wasn't a quote.

It was an article written. I'm sorry, I don't know who wrote the article. I just got a screenshot of. of it. And Brian Dayball addressed the team as a lot of coordinators do during camp. I think a lot of coaches, you know, during training camp, and depending on the season, but definitely in training camp, a lot of, you know, your position coaches, too, speak to the team. And it's just a time when, you know, everyone is kind of making their impact. And maybe they have a certain message. Maybe the head coach wants them to pick a certain angle. And this, what Brian Dayball addressing the team was

was really powerful. He started by saying this. He gets in front of the entire team and asks, I guess just his offense. Every offensive player and every coach in the room to stand up. And here's what he said. If you're a coach and you've been fired, sit down.

Dayball said, every coach in the room sat. Then Dayball continued, okay. If you're a player and you've ever been cut or traded, sit down. A large group of players in the room sat down. down. He finished with this. If you weren't picked in the first round, sit down. Dable said, and suddenly the only person in the room still standing was Josh Allen. The only other first round pick on Buffalo's offense is a backup quarterback, Trubisky, and obviously he got cut the way he

ended up on the bills. Then Dable goes to Josh. How many scholarship offers did you get coming out of high school. And Josh Allen replied, zero. All right, Dable, said, let's all remember where we came from. I think that encompasses the NFL, because everyone in an NFL building, there's a couple young players on every roster, first round picks, right, that have fled. They usually come from high-level schools. Like Josh Allen is a little bit of an outlier there. But the majority of players have been cut, have been traded. Every coach basically gets fired at one point in time. every single one. And it's a humbling league.

And we talk a lot about money in the sport, right? Josh Allen just got $150 million. Well, his contracts actually work $250 million. So there's $100 plus million that he has to earn. And in other sports, I'm watching the Yankee game. Well, Big Poppy and Alex Rodriguez, we're a big part of the lead up to the game. Every time those guys signed a contract, $200, $300 million,

every penny of it was guaranteed. So if they sucked, they couldn't just get cut year four. There is a desperation in the sport of football because the guaranteed money for the players. And then every year, just because of the number of people that play football, it's basically inevitable. Going into a training camp, if you're like a fourth year player, let's say you're a guard.

More than likely, in your time with the team, they're going to draft minimum one guy at your position and every year they're signing undrafted free agents also at your position. And potentially depending on free agency, they might sign one of those guys. And because of the way your contract is structured, you're always kind of fighting for your life. And the unique part about in pro sports with the amount of money that's now being made, football included. They've never made more money. Now money's all relative.

Like if you were making $10 million in the 90s, that was a shitload of cash. but it's pretty clear now. It's been like this, basically my entire life, but basketball, if you're a star player, like Steph Curry doesn't have to answer to anybody. Then deservedly so. But he doesn't even get, like Steph Curry, LeBron James, Kauai, they don't even get yelled at, right?

In baseball, once you get the big contract, you're untouchable. So, one, in baseball, you don't typically get yelled at in the first place. That's not the way the sports set up. But two, you're just going to be on the team forever. And maybe you'll get traded. or whatever, but you never have to worry about losing your job, because all of that money is always going to keep coming.

Where in football, just the setup of the sport, Tom Brady, one of the number one talking points for two decades out of New England, was how Tom Brady would get yelled at in meetings. The best player in the history of sport constantly getting screamed at. Aaron Donald, who's widely viewed as the best player, pound for pound, non-quarterback in football. If you've ever been to a practice in football, whether in high school, whether in college, or definitely in the pros,

the loudest coach typically is a defensive line coach. He yells at everyone. Aaron Donald, who probably does not need to get yelled at all, and I'm not saying truly get yelled at, but just he's coached. Every single day he's coached. And there is something to football, there's a humility to the sport because of its setup.

And I've said for a long time, the sport really benefits just from its natural setup. There's one game a week, meaning there's a huge buildup. It's so easy to gamble on. Every game has meaning, so you never have to worry about like,

oh, I'm just watching the Chiefs game this Sunday. Turns out Travis Kelsey, Tyree killed Patrick Mahomes. Oh, they just Andy gave them a rest day. It's middle of October. That would never happen. The only way the star players do not play is because of injury.

They never take days off. And you might have a, bad week, but you never feel like, yeah, you know, he just mailed it in. Maybe in like the fourth quarter, but the most of the game, you might suck at football, but for the most part, I think we all agree, players try. It's why we always talk about tanking in football is impossible. Because the players never stop trying. They never do. And the coaches are in this weird spot, like you can't really manipulate the game like you can in basketball, because you still just got to call plays. Like, if I get to the five-yard line,

what am I to tell my running back? Just like, if you get to the goal line, just throw the ball of the other team. That's just not going to take place. And I think this message that day ball gave everyone, like, listen, everyone in here has been cut, traded, fired, or even Josh, not a soul believed in you in college. And that's unique to the sport. And I think it's part of the special element of why I think football players, when you hear them talk,

like watching Costner right now. Costner has played, I mean, Ten Cups, one of my favorite movies of all time. I love Yellowstone. When he plays a part and he's right for the part, it's elite. You watch Yellowstone, you think he could be that guy,

that rancher, right? You watch Ten Cup, you think he could be this drunk has been golfer, right? But when you hear Costor talk, he's like just kind of a Hollywood elitist. He does not talk, like in a normal interview, like you would think he is as an actor.

Like, if you've heard Matt Damon talk, he's like, Matt Damon sounds kind of normal. Even Clooney. You're like, I'd want to hang out with Clooney. I don't even know if I'd want to hang out with Costner. But one, I think his football has really exploded. And as we head to the season, which is going to be the biggest season in the history of the league.

The ratings are going to be massive. I think there's a chance. Trey Lance is playing the first half for the 49ers. And the 49ers, when they've been good in my adult life and since I've been in the media, their television ratings are freaking massive. I think Saturday night will be the highest rated preseason game

in the history of the 49ers. The interest for this sport has never been bigger. Because the majority of the time, when you put these players in positions just to talk, you're like, God, that guy sounds like pretty nice. Sounds like a good guy. Sounds like, God, I'd like to hang out with that guy.

Now, I'm not saying every single player is like that, but there is a humility to a sport where obviously guys make a lot of money just because of the, the setup of it. And I think they're constantly hammered on that. And it's just the nature of the business. And I can't wait for these games to get going. I'm sure many of you, like me, watch Hard Knocks. It's actually kind of enlightening. Cable is so screwed, like basic cable. I realize why so many of you cut the cord. I have Comcast. And usually, you know, for us on the West Coast, I guess if you live on the East

Coast, Hard Knocks comes on at 10 o'clock. But forever, for us on the West Coast, I had the HBO app, and I would just watch Hard Knocks on my iPad, because, you know, I'm getting older, can't always stay up until 11 o'clock, want to watch it. Hell, I'm ready to watch it at 8 o'clock, so I'll be done with it at 9. Well, I couldn't watch it on my TV till 10 o'clock, and I didn't really want to watch it on my iPad, but these smart TVs, I go to HBO Max or HBO Go or whatever the app is, on my smart TV, so I can't watch it on my cable, but I go to the app on my iPad. I go to the app on my TV and I watched it immediately. It's like, yeah, cable, you're done.

Like, good, hold on for dear life. Because you are coming down the home stretch. So I watch Hard Knocks. And as of two days ago, I think we knew his injury was not ideal. But then when it comes out that he needs an MRI on his elbow, I don't think there's any way

to just, just, you know, let's just call a spade of spade here. Like, they got a problem on their hands. Is something wrong with his arm? Like I said, I'm a big baseball fan. I'm sure many people listening are. We have all had pitchers on whatever team we root for,

start getting elbow issues. You know what happens when they start getting elbow issues? It's not good. Now, it's different with playing quarterback and pitching because at quarterback, I can throw balls non-100%. As a pitcher, I have to be able to let it loose. So, DAC, like, if you can kind of build back up,

it's not the same motion, right? It's a little bit different, a little less tension on your arm. But as a quarterback, for the most part, when Big Ben a couple years ago had Tommy John, to me the craziest part about that was when the hell do quarterbacks ever get Tommy John?

When do their elbow and those tendons usually go? It rarely happens. When quarterbacks get injured, it's usually knees, maybe a shoulder, but like they're throwing elbow, that that was a pretty eye-opening injury. And now DAC has this issue.

I'm not trying to play doctor. Just a state school guy. No medical degree. But when you're watching Hard Knocks and Jerry's on the phone with the trainer and the trainer saying he's talking to Yankee and Texas Ranger trainers, of course he is. Because this does not happen to quarterbacks.

So why did this happen? I don't know. But it's irrelevant why it happened. They're here. And now he's not practicing. He's getting multiple MRIs. I would be very, very worried. Because the one takeaway I had

that when Dak is not in the game and they're rolling out Ben freaking Danucci, the Cowboys suck. They would not win, would they win four games? Would they go four and 13 if Dak had to have like season-ending elbow surgery?

I don't want that to happen. Because my other takeaway from Cowboy, the Hard Knocks, I think Dak's one of the more likable guys in the league. Like he really is like, God, I'm rooting. for this guy. I found myself by the end of the

episode feeling bad for him. I could not watch the replay of the ankle injury. And then in practice, when his elbow started hurting, him kind of chirping at the coach is like, I don't want to sit out. I sat out all last year. Like, God, I like this guy. What a badass. And if you've listened to me for a long time, you know where I

stand. Like, I didn't love paying him $40 million. I still don't. You know what I mean? I'm not trying to count other people's pockets. I root for other people to get as much money as humanly possible, except in pro sports, when there's a salary cap, and we have to talk about it in that vein.

So to me, you know, $30 million, felt about right, but he took 40. But the reality is once you pay him 40, he's still the same player, if he's healthy, it's just harder to build around him. Their defense is going to stink. Like Mike McCarthy. I heard Colin a couple days ago claim that like,

and I thought he put it perfectly, that Mike McCarthy sounds like a guy trying to play a coach in a movie. Like, it all feels very forced. It's not very natural. Something's off. I don't really know what to say. But when I see Ben McAdoo,

who is a laughing stock with the Giants, Joe Philbin, who was a laughing stock with the dolphins, like, Mike, do you not know other coaches? Are you just going back to the well? And Dan Quinn, like, listen, I think Dan Quinn is a high character guy. People love the human being.

He is just people, Everyone I know that knows Dan Quinn speak very, very highly of me. But, and he's better than Mike Nolan. But Dan Quinn's defenses in Atlanta, and he's a defensive guy, were atrocious. So how are you going to hire? Just because he was a head coach, he got fired.

Like, he was your best option to be your defensive coordinator? I just think they're coaching staff? Like, I know Doug Nussmeier and Kellyn Moore. Like, those guys are good. They were all on Jason Garrett's. staff. They were not in McCarthy's hire. Whenever I see McCarthy's guy, I see McAdoe, Philbin, and now Dan Quinn. I'm like, this is your staff? If DAC misses significant time, they are so screwed. My prediction right now, it's hard because you don't know how much DAC's going to play or not.

If they do not make the playoffs, and clearly, I just don't think DAC's injury is just even if it's not that bad, is it just going to go away? Again, back to the baseball thing. When guys have elbow issues, even when they come back if they don't get the big surgery, it doesn't often just, oh, not a problem anymore, elbow's feeling good. It's one of those things that lingers. So at any time,

if he doesn't have to have surgery, you're always going to be thinking, like, is elbow okay? If he goes out there, completely screwed. If he has to miss games here and there, they will not win a game. They are very, very dependent on that individual. In McCarthy, like, you don't need to watch

like Bill Parcells or Bill Walsh, YouTube videos isn't the most dynamic individual. Now, is he the meathead that Aaron Rogers thinks he is? I don't know if I'd go that far. But do I think he's a top 15 coach in the league right now? I do not. Not at all. So I think the Cowboys are in major, major trouble.

And I'm a Jerry Jones fan. But if I'm him, I'm turning 79 years old this year. Like, I don't have an unlimited amount of time to live. Like, this might just, you might have to eat this one. And this season might just be a waste. But you're going to have to find a way, like, Jerry, you need to get a good coach. The way you win in this league, dynamic coaches. Like, that's how you do it.

And Lincoln Riley's probably never taking the job until Jerry is not going to be the GM. Because why would Lincoln Riley leave the SEC making $10 million and he gets to be his own GM? It doesn't really make sense. But I don't know, man. I think the Cowboys DAC thing is very concerning. I think McCarthy is just not very good. And it just gets back. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged.

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

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. American Soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming. Ramos sending on to Ernie Stewart the chip. I'm Tab Ramos. I'm Tom Bo. On our podcast, inside American soccer, you'll get the real storylines.

I'm not worried about Policic. I'm not worried about Balagan. I'm not worried about McKinney. My only concern is what happens in the back. The biggest decisions. If you're going to look at stats and numbers, he has no shot at making this World Cup team. And the truth about the U.S. national team.

It wouldn't be a huge surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals or potentially a great run into the semifinals. The World Cup is almost here. Experience it all with us. Listen, Inside American Soccer with Tom Bogart and Tabramos on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcast, wherever you get your podcast. Will Ferrell's Big Money Players and IHeart Podcast presents soccer moms.

So I'm Leanne. This is my best friend Janet. And we have been joined at the hips since high school. Absolutely. Now a redacted amount of years later, we're still joined at the hip. Just a little bit bigger hips, wider. This is a podcast we're recording it as we tailgate our youth soccer games in the back of my Honda Odyssey. With all the snacks and drinks.

Sidebar. Why did you get hard seltzer instead of beer? Well, they had a bogo. Well, then you got it. Do you want a white collar or something here? Just hit it. What are y'all doing? Microphones?

Are you making a rap album? Oh, I would. Come on. Could you put it? I would buy it. Cuts through the defense like a hot knife through sponge cake. That sounds delicious. Oh, you're lucky.

I'm not a drug addict. You're lucky I'm not an alcoholic. You are. I'm not a killer. I love this team, and I'm really trying to be a figure in their lives that they can rely on. Oh. Oh. Oh.

Listen to soccer moms on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano, and our podcast Point Game is about defining the odds. Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and Austin Reed. And finding ways to win no matter what. He's the smartest player to ever play the game. His IQ is at a level that we've never seen before. And he knows without Luca and Austin Reeves, I got to manipulate the game.

We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the play. I think Joker's going to be exhausted this series because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup, he has to really guard guys like Nas Reid. He has to guard Julius Randall. And then he has to give us everything he gives us on the night-to-night basis on offense. And when IT's friends stop by, like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too. Steve Nash would get that thing. That man, hell get the flying.

He running up the court, licking his fingers, why he got the ball. Like, you go through a training camp with that I said, you figure it up. real quick. Get your ass up and down the court and you're going to get the ball. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Jerry just made a very, very poor hire. Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our shows at Fox SportsRadio.com. And within the IHeart Radio app, search FSR to listen live.

Are you ready for the big day? Not your big day? Her big day. Valentine's Day. Celebrate the one who caught your heart. Go to FTTD.com to save 15% through February 14th with code Crush 15 on Fresh. Florence delivered flowers for your sweetheart. See website for details. FTT, give with meaning. And we're live here outside the Perez family home just waiting for the... And there they go. Almost on time this morning. Mom is coming out the front door strong with a double-arm kid carry. Looks like Dad has the bag's daughter is bringing up the rear. Oh, but the diaper bag wasn't closed. Typhers and toys are everywhere. Ooh, but Mom has just nailed the perfect car seat buckle for the toddler.

And now, the eldest daughter, who looks to be about nine or ten, has secured herself in the booster seat. Dad zips the bag closed, and they're off. Ah, but looks like Mom doesn't realize her coffee cup is still on the roof of the car, and there it goes! Oh, that's a shame. That mug was a fam favorite. Don't sweat the small stuff. Just nail the big stuff.

Like making sure your kids are buckled correctly in the right seat for their age and size. Learn more at nhtsa.gov slash the right seat. Visit nhtsa.gov slash the right seat. Brought to you by Netsa and the Ad Council. What grows in the forest? Trees? Sure. Know what else grows in the forest? Our imagination, our sense of wonder,

and our family bonds grow too. Because when we disconnect from this and connect with this, we reconnect with each other. The forest is closer than you think. Find a forest near you and start exploring at Discovertheforest.org. Brought to you by the United States Forest Service and the Ad Council. I have the football team and the Patriot game on in the back. Chase Young just destroys people.

Absolutely destroys people. I heard someone say that Rivera told them, might have been Mike Silver, who's like best friends with Ron Rivera. that two years ago, would have been two years ago? Whenever the Chase Young draft, yeah, because it was, they had Burrow and Chase Young in a completely different category than everyone else. Now, like, looking back, Chase Young is an elite defensive player.

There's probably going to be a point in time in his career for multiple years where he might be viewed as the best defensive player in the league in like three or four years. But if Rivera had a do-over, he would take Justin Herbert. Like, that's the move. because Ryan Fitzpatrick's now their starter. And I like Ryan Fitzpatrick. And let's dive into him right now. So I'm not breaking down preseason games.

So that's just not what I'm going to be doing. But I did see that and it was cool. Is that Ryan Fitzpatrick, Robert Mays of the athletic, talked to him. And he told him that last year when Brian Flores told him they were going to Tua, he laughed. He thought it was a joke. Like, he legitimately thought Flores was messing with him. Flores was dead serious. And he was floored.

Now, if you take a step back, at the end of the day, like Ryan, he was the fifth overall pick. You're Ryan Fitzpatrick. You're not like, you know, I don't know, a Manning brother or Philip Rivers or something. Like, you're Ryan Fitzpatrick. But he was playing a high-level football and they were winning. So I do understand.

I do imagine my guess is Flores is a Belichick guy. Belichick probably would have just kept trying to win with Ryan Fitzpatrick. And clearly they did because once they went to Tua, they kept yanking them out of games and going to Fitzpatrick and actually won him a game against the Raiders. My guess is how it went down. I have no inside sources on this. I bet it was the owner.

Because I would imagine that the owner, at that time, middle of the season, Justin Herbert was becoming a star. Everyone was myself and you name it. Every fan, anointing Justin Herbert as this star. He was picked after to him. And his team wasn't even winning.

And Miami's winning. If I was Stephen Ross, I'd be like, hey guys, is he healthy? And they're like, yeah, he's fine. Well, put him in the game. Let's see what he's got. Because if he is as sweet or sweeter than this guy, who's killing it for the Chargers,

we're going to be even better. If I was sitting in his shoes and I was some super rich guy that, you know, wasn't some scout in the league and didn't really know that much about football, I would have said to do that. So I actually think it makes a lot of sense. The problem is he wasn't that good.

Now, this preseason, like, Tua's got to start showing some stuff. Because I think, think how many players in the league young quarterbacks we speak highly of, right? Obviously, starting with Justin Herbert, but Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes,

Lamar Jackson. Baker Mayfield's turned his career around. All these young guys, I can't wait to watch Justin Fields, can't wait to watch Trey Lance, can't wait to watch Trevor Lawrence. Tua is really the only guy that everyone's like, is he suck? Is he just not any good? Is it fair? Is it not? I don't even know.

I'm down on them, but I don't really like average arm small guys. It's not my cup of tea. I like big arm guys. Now, I'm not saying every big arm guy's good, but that's just the way I lean. personal preference, right? But if he's not good, Miami has a problem. We talked about if Dax's out, obviously the Cowboys are screwed. Miami has an organizational issue if Tua is not.

Let's just say Tua turns out to be like an average to below quarterback. That is a devastating blow because it's a double whammy. One, they just had the third overall pick and they could have taken a quarterback. So if Trey Lance and Justin Fields, those guys become good, that sucks for them. Also, they could have taken Justin Herbert. So it's kind of a double whammy. And it's something that you could be a great coach. You don't shake it.

Nick Saban listened to his doctor when he said, Drew Brees is not going to be healthy. He had to leave the NFL. You don't get the quarterback right, no matter your defense is good, your offense is good, your wide receivers are good. If your quarterback is not good, it does not matter.

It's just that simple. That's just the name of the game. Urban Meyer, I just don't quite understand this. Like, this isn't college, man. You drafted this guy number one overall. You're paying him $35 million guaranteed. Like, just name him the starter. Like Trevor Lawrence, you're starting quarterback.

He refuses a name of starting quarterback, which I understand in college, right? If you're coaching Ohio State, you're coaching at Florida. You don't. You've never had a starter before. You have multiple guys battling for the job. I completely get it. But it's like, what are we talking about? your team's not going to be that good.

You have the number one overall pick on the guy that was anointed the next Andrew Luck four years ago. Just name him the fucking starting quarterback. I think Minchu's fine. But what are we talking about here, man? Why is it always so difficult?

You know, it's just, it's just not that complicated. Right? Just, he's a starting court. Just say it. You won't kill anybody. It won't give some team big advantage or disadvantage. Just say, that type stuff is just what a waste of your

energy. The Houston Texans. Like Nick Casario to me reminds me a lot of Patricia Mangini they just think they can be the Belichekian asshole

and it works for Bill and it worked for Parcells they had rings on their fingers they had equity Casario, I saw someone tweet this the other day. They're like the last two GMs with the Texans, Rick Smith, who was there before, I think with Kubiak and then obviously with Bill O'Brien,

when he watched practice, he used to stand behind the defense. I think he was a defensive player. It might have been a corner or something, safety. And when I go to nine or practice, John Lynch stands behind the defense, too. They're comfortable there. GMs usually stand on the behind offense or the defense, but usually behind the defense

because the coaching staffs behind the offense or on the sideline and then someone they wrote Rick Smith stood behind the defense the GM that lasted a year before Billy O fired him stood on the sideline

and they say Casario stands with the coaches and is constantly talking to the coaches because you know why he kind of thinks he's a coach because he had that kind of weird role in New England that ain't going to work

this is not baseball you cannot run the sport from being a GM. And the story that came out is a little inside football. When it's quote unquote called training camp, the media is allowed to watch the entire practice. Same is true for OTAs and veteran mini-camps. Start to finish.

You can come out there right when the players come out and you can watch till the final whistle. When training camp ends all the way till the end of the season, the media is only allowed 15 minutes at practice. So Casario went to the NFL and wanted to end their training camp, quote unquote, early, like five or six days early. So basically he kicked the media out. The NFL, which is in the business of, I don't know, printing money because when you allow the media there, you get people talking, it gets the vibe. It's why the NFL, I don't know, is the biggest sport in America, told him to kick rocks, no chance, you can't do that.

And a big thing with Casario is like, and listen, it's not all of his fault. Sean Watson, the massage therapist, coming out to practice, it's weird. It's a bizarre situation. But just thinking like that, to me, has, I'm red flagging you. Like, who do you think you are? One, you're the most irrelevant team in the league right now. And two, you think the NFL is just going to let you do random things? What world do you live in?

I have a hard time thinking to Casario, because this situation is going to be ugly. this team is going to suck. And I think sometimes when you're really going to suck, you need kind of a special personality. Either like you're that former player and you can see the big picture, like a Ron Rivera type, or you're just like a positive guy,

like an Andy Reid or like a younger Sean Peyton, like a big pick. I just don't see this with Casario. I just, I think it's going to be difficult, man. I really do. Justin Fields is scheduled to play a lot. I can't wait.

If you have to ask me the number one guy I'm excited to watch preseason. As you know, I'm not a big preseason guy. Justin Fields is going to play the majority of the game, Nagy said, maybe even in the fourth quarter. I know Trey Lance is going to play the entire half. I'm excited to watch those two guys play. Like Cam Newton's still in the game looking up at the television.

Mac Jones does nothing for me. Like once I finish recording this, I'm going to the gym. I'm not watching Matt Jones play a preseason game. Justin Fields, Trey Lance, I'm in. Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson? Okay, I'm in. Hell, Tua.

Back to Tua. Like, what's he looking like? Alex Smith joined ESPN. I don't love the fit. Like, to me, Alex, I think he would have been a good fit like NBC, like Sunday Night Football, in the studio. Like, get rid of Tony Dungy.

Listen, Tony Dungy, fantastic human. being. Awesome guy. Way better human. Like, I can't, like, I'm, uh, I don't know, a 10th of him as a human being. Like, he is an elite human, great guy. I just, I don't need him on television. He doesn't say anything. Putting people on television, like, you got to have some personality. It's entertainment. You can't just have a guy who says nothing. I don't know if Alex necessarily, but just give me some new blood. That's my issue with Drew Brees. I think Drew Brees, like Tony Dungy, fantastic human being. Is he really going to say something?

You know what would be more entertaining? Give me some guy that's like just going to tell it like it is. Maybe talk a little shit. Put Ojo Cinco in there. Like, hey, that was a terrible play. That was awful. You know why TNT with Chuck has been the number one you know, post game show and pregame show

in like the history of pro sports? Because they will criticize people. These other people, they don't criticize. They don't say anything. And you can say, oh, Chuck says just madness too. Yeah, exactly. entertaining. It's what we're trying to get out of these television shows. Entertainment. Don't put me to sleep.

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 great. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. American soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming.

Ramos sending on to Ernie Stewart the chip. I'm Tab Ramos. I'm Tom Boe. On our podcast, inside American soccer, you'll get the real storylines. I'm not worried about Policic. I'm not worried about Balligan. I'm not worried about McKinney. My only concern is what happens in the back.

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podcast point game is about defying the odds. Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and Austin Reed. And finding ways to win no matter what. He's the smartest player to ever play the game. His IQ is at a level that we've never seen before. And he knows without Luca and Austin Reeves, I got to manipulate the game. We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the playoffs.

I think Joker's going to be exhausted this series because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup, he has to really guard guys like Nasree. He has to guard Julius Randall. And then he has to give us everything he gives us on the night-to-night bases on offense. And when IT's friends stop by, like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too.

Steve Nass would get that thing. That man, hell get to fly. He running up the court, licking his fingers why he got the ball. Like, after you go through a training camp with that, Isaiah, you figure it out real quick. Get your ass up and down the court, and you're going to get the ball.

So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you. you get your podcast. Will Ferrell's Big Money Players and IHeart Podcast presents soccer moms. So I'm Leanne. Yeah. This is my best friend Janet. Hey.

And we have been joined at the hips since high school. Absolutely. Now a redacted amount of years later, we're still joined at the hip. Just a little bit bigger hips. Wider. This is a podcast. We're recording it as we tailgate our youth soccer games in the back of my Honda Odyssey. With all the snacks and drink.

Sidebar. Why did you get hard seltzer instead of beer? Oh, they had a bogo. Well, then you got it. Do you want a white collar something here? Just hit it. Oh, what are y'all doing? Microphones?

Are you making a rap album? Oh, I would. Come on. I would buy it. Cuts through the defense like a hot knife through sponge cake. That sounds delicious. Oh, you're lucky. I'm not a drug addict.

You're lucky I'm not an alcoholic. You are. I'm not a killer. I love this team, and I'm really trying to be a figure in their lives that they can rely on. Oh. Oh. Oh. Listen to soccer moms on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Okay, let's go a little Middlecough mailbag. At John Middlecough is the Instagram. You fire up in the DMs and you get a question to answer here on the show. From Nick, long-time listener. My question, what do you think about the current Jamal Adams holdout? He wants to be paid like a defensive lineman, linebacker, in excess of $20 million a year. Do you think he deserves it?

Why or why not? Also, if you could weigh in on Dwayne Brown as well. Well, my biggest issue with Seattle, and I think John Schneider is good. When you trade two ones and a two, you have to have a contract done with Jamal Adams then, because you have to avoid this situation. And I do understand where Jamal's coming from.

He was their best pass rusher last year. The problem is for safety to get paid huge money. I need you to cover. And as we know, he's not a great cover player. But he's an incredible blitzer. He's an unreal open field tackler and a great run game player. But remember last year, Week 2, playing New England? Julian Edelman had like 250 yards.

Julian Edelman's out of the league. He had to retire. He can't cover people. I think it's a complicated situation, but Seattle's already in too deep. What are they going to do? Now, $20 million. Like, aren't they offering them 17 and a half?

and the next highest paid safety, the Broncos guy Simmons makes 15. Like, bro, you're the highest paid safety in the league. Duane Brown, like, he's their left tackle. I don't think either of these guys are practicing. I don't quite understand what Seattle's trying to do here. Like, how do you get to these situations? Like, what are you going to hardball them once a season?

Like, you need these guys. You need them to practice. So I think it's a problem. Now, I don't think that, like, either of them, you know, is going to not play, but it's not an ideal situation. Get right to the romance and find the way to wow this valentines with 1-800flowers.com. From classic roses and bouquets to decadent chocolate-covered berries, gourmet treats, and more. Surprise your Valentine with 1-800flowers.com.

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presented by Adopt U.S. Kids. Brought to you by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families and the Ad Council. Look through your children's eyes to see the true magic of a forest. It's a storybook world for them. You look and see a tree. They see the wrinkled face of a wizard with arms outstretched to the sky. They see treasure and pebbles. They see a windy path that could lead to adventure.

And they see you. Their fearless guide is this fascinating world. Find a forest near you and start exploring at Discovertheforest.org. Brought to you by the United States Forest Service and the ad council. Minnesota guy here. You're one of the few people in the media that respects Kurt Cousins and doesn't take the easy route and shit on them. Well, because he threw 36 or 37 touchdowns last year.

He's just a good player. With that being said, if Zimmer turns the defense around this year, with young guys continuing to get better, what do you think a realistic expectation for the vital? is. Love the pod. Only one of five pods and work at a desk job. Appreciate it.

Also, when you talk business, investments, real estate, it's always a joy. My ADA Cardano, the one crypto that I own, and I own a decent amount of coins. Has had a good week. Not going to lie. My other stocks, not a great week. So you just, you know, that's why you diversify.

Because you can lose 10 grand in one thing and you can make, you know, 10 in the other. One thing in the stock market, I think you become numb to, If you would have told me like five years ago, yeah, you're just going to have days where you just lose five figures. On paper, I mean, I would have had a heart attack. And you just, it happens enough, you know, you just become numb to it.

But then you also have a day when Tillray, the weed stock that I own, the Reddit guys took it and they took that bad boy for a ride and that was incredible. See, you just paper wins and paper losses. Don't faze you as much as real losses. My thing with Kirk Cousins, you know the problem for Kirk Cucson? Cork cousins, when you don't get vaccinated in the league, you get tested every day. Like, what if he just, even if he's asymptomatic, what if he test positive? Is Kirk Cousins going to miss a game or two during the season?

You get tested every single day. If you're vaxed, you don't get tested. So even if you're asymptomatic and you have it, no one even knows. Cousins, like, it's unavoidable. He's getting the swab. He's getting the swab every day. If he misses a game, they'll lose because they need him to be. be good just for them to win. Like you said, their defense needs to bounce back. I think they should

be a fringe playoff team. If you look at the playoff teams, I think the three teams in the NFC West could all make the playoffs. I mean, the Rams in Seattle basically make the playoffs every year. I think the Niners being at the practice are good. You know, the Bucks are good. The NFC East kind of sucks. And then the NFC North, you know, just them and the Packers, unless Justin Fields is a badass, which could be. I still don't understand how Justin Fields got drafted. 12th. Justin Fields got drafted at 12th. 6-3 runs a 4-4, led his team to a national championship,

has a huge arm. I don't know, man. I don't claim to be, you know, Bill Pauley in here, but I think I have a pretty good idea. I don't get that. I really don't. Just started listening. I'm a Fresno guy who's born in San Francisco, so I consider you kind of in my backyard. Cal Poly, Fresno State, my man.

Question. We are seeing many quarterbacks from small schools play really well in the NFL. What are these Power 5 scouts missing? Josh Allen famously is from Firebaugh and Fresno State didn't even sniff him. He had to go to Reedley College and then Wyoming. Then they'd have had been two of the five draft picks from North Dakota State in the last five years. Derek Carr from Fresno State, Jimmy G, Eastern Illinois. I'm trying to think of the recent guys from the Pac-12 Marriota bus.

golf looking like a bust, Rosen bust Darnold trending down. Why are these small school guys doing well and big guys struggling? It's a great question. I think sometimes Josh Allen easily should have been at a Pact 12 school.

He couldn't have played at Oregon State, Arizona State. I was there when Derek Carr was in Fresno State. Derek Carr was better than like every quarterback in the Pact 12th. Obviously Carson Wentz could have and Trey Lance, Minnesota just didn't offer him.

So I just think, here's a simple reality. I got to take for you. In college, the coaches do all the recruiting. In the NFL, scouts do. We're not emotional about players. We just see big picture stuff. So like, I had a buddy who's now at a Power 5 school who said he begged his offensive coordinator to take Josh Allen.

And they wouldn't do it. The scouting community has no juice in college football. So if the coach doesn't like the guy, you're not signing the guy. it's really that simple. Jimmy G's probably, you know, I mean, he was a pretty under the radar. Trey Lance begged Minnesota to offer him. They said no.

I don't think it's necessarily a trend because, I mean, Herbert's from Oregon, Borough, you know, LSU, who are some other guys, Justin Fields, Ohio State, Trevor Lawrence, Clemson. I just think every player's their own entity. And I think coaches miss.

I think it's really that simple. Coaches miss. Do you think the Saints make the playoffs? if Michael Thomas misses most of the year, I have a hard time thinking that. How are they going to be good enough on offense with James? So I think it's going to be tough. What would it take for Green Bay to convince Aaron Rogers to stay?

I just think you have another year like last year. I think they win 12, 13, 14 games, make a playoff run. I don't think you have to win the Super Bowl. I think if he's good again, MVP-type season, it doesn't get any better. He's a Green Bay Packer starting quarterback. His team is elite. And the division's not that good.

Like, bro, you couldn't win 13 games, be the Packer starting quarterback. They'll pay you $45 million a year. It's pretty good. Hey, Goudicons, just kiss his ass a little bit. It's all he wants. For you to just kiss his ass, ask him, hey, Aaron,

pick two guys, you know, on the bubble. We'll let you pick the players. Like, does it really matter? If those guys suck, just cut him and just, he'll understand. Maybe let him pick a couple players when you do the cut down. Say, Aaron, we're going to let you pick two players

for the 53-man roster. here are 10 guys on the bubble. You pick two of the 10. Do something like that. I'm dead serious. I would start kissing his ass. That's what I would start doing. Just curious to hear you give a deeper dive

on how people become a part of a front office in the NFL. What's their background? Is it law? Is it scouting? Is it business? Just curious how execs into those roles and what's their typical path? You know what's funny is when I was getting into the NFL, I used to read bios.

I think the number one thing, if you want to get into a specific industry, especially something that is not like a normal career path, like just to be like a junior accountant or like a paralegal or something, but like a business that would be like, I want to work for Goldman Sachs. I want to work as an NFL vice president. Go read the bios of the people with those jobs. And do you know what you learn? What I learned years ago, decade ago, everyone's passed different.

Some guy, Ozzie Newsom, played in the NFL. Some guys never played a snap of football. They went to law school. Other guys worked in college football. Other guys, good college player. I saw Adam Peters, John Lynch's right hand guy today at practice. He played at UCLA, right? He didn't play in the pros.

And he's been a part of, I think, like four or five Super Bowl teams. So it's just every guy has, different pass. Parag, who runs the Niners money and basically the York's business. He has you know, Cal Stanford guy. Like Howie Roseman, Florida and went to

I think, what's the school in New York? I can't even think of it. It's not something with an H. Some school in New York. Got a lot degree. Start working for the Eagles. That was a general manager. Been for basically a decade.

John Snyder. I don't even know John Snyder's background. But every guy has a different path. So depending on what you want to do, Al Guido, president of the Niners, work for Jerry Jones Company. And they help the Niners build their stadium. And then through that, he met Jed York.

Now he's the president of the 49ers. I think you just look around whatever type role you want to have to do, or even if you don't quite know. Because let's face, if you're a young guy, you might not know. Hell, I didn't know. Just start looking at like five or six teams

and pick like four or five guys on their staff and just read their bio on the internet, you know, on the team's website. And I'll promise you this. One thing you'll find, most guys have different paths. So it shows you, like, you can do, like, you can't just do nothing and make it there. But there is no set path. Like, you don't have to do this, this, and this to do that, right? Think about, like, Kyle Shanahan.

His dad was Mike Shanahan. But the reason he has a job is because he knows what he's doing. Sean McVeigh. I think he played at Ohio. Now, his grandpa was the Niners General Manager. LaFleur, neither of those things. Got hired by Shanahan. Same with Sala.

Right? So you just... One key, here is my number one advice. You got to meet a guy on the inside. So you realize your paths are kind of irrelevant because everyone is a different path. The only way in is knowing someone on the inside. You know, it's like a bank robbery movie.

You know, typically in a good bank. robbery movie. The way they're able to rob the bank or whatever the robbery is, they usually know a guy on the inside that works for the company that they're trying to rob. And he lets them know, like, hey, you know, this is what you need to do to get inside this room. Without that, they could never rob the bank. Just like most people, without an end, whether it's a family member, which 99% of us do not have family members that worked in the NFL. But if you can just organically meet someone. That might mean in 2021, LinkedIn. People often like, Middlecalf, how'd you land these sponsors? I don't know. I fucking cold call people, shoot people DMs, LinkedIn, like,

you hustle. It's never been easier to get a hold of people. You don't just have to call them. You know why? Because if I call them, I don't have your number, you're not going to pick up. But I can shoot you a LinkedIn direct message. I can find you on Instagram. I can shoot you direct message that way. I can find you on Facebook. I can shoot you direct message that way. It's actually never been easier than it is right now to get a hold of who. wherever you want. Like if I truly, if I,

if the number one goal in my life was to get a phone call with Jeff Bezos, like if I, if I just really want to do that for whatever reason, maybe I had a business idea I want to pitch them.

I think I eventually could. It would take me a lot of time and I would waste a lot of time. I think I could find it. But if I wanted to go like four rings below that, like if I wanted to get a hold of the president of the, so let's say Stephen Jones,

I think you could hunt down Stephen Jones. It would be difficult. But I think it's never been more possible to do that stuff without even having to see them in person. Because you can just work the back channels of the internet, which has basically all these human beings on it. Stephen Jones may be a bad example, but whoever the president of the Cowboys is,

which is probably also a Jones. So you'd end up talking just one of the Jones. I loved it in Hard Knocks. Jerry Jones was eating a breakfast sandwich. There are just certain things in life, like whether you're worth billions of dollars, Jerry or whether you're listening to this and you make 50 grand. Have you ever met a man? I can't speak for women because breakfast tastes, you know, stupid girls I've dated, been hit or

miss. Every guy I've ever met likes a good breakfast sandwich. Breakfast burrito can be a little much, right? Especially they put potatoes in there. It can fill me up, you know, for the entire day. But a breakfast sandwich, when I saw me eating that breakfast sandwich, I'm like, you know what, most men are kind of similar. You know, we might make, you know, Jerry's worth billions. You know, most of us are worth thousands. You know, if you're doing well, you're worth hundreds of thousands. If you're doing really well,

maybe you're worth a couple million. Jerry's worth billions of dollars. And that smile he got when he put that salt on his breakfast sandwich. It looked like he had a sausage, egg, cheese. Made him very happy, you know, because we all get very happy

when we eat a breakfast sandwich, something we all have in common. So when you see the chaos on the internet about everyone hates each other, which is, I never believe. Most people, you know, you see all this vitriol and this.

chaos on social media. I've said this for years. And then you go into society, you just turn off your phone, you go to the gym, or you go out to eat and like, God, everyone's just kind of being friendly. Like, why? Everyone hates each other on the internet, but in real life, everyone's kind of nice, even when things are kind of weird. Just finish hard knocks and I have some questions.

First, did the Cowboys purposely make sure Mike McCarthy wasn't shown hardly at all? Second, I love how Jerry Jones said he'd do anything to win a Super Bowl, but he will never do what he should do and done years ago and let someone else run the team. Finally, it seemed like the Cowboys camp wasn't serious enough. Maybe it was how it was produced, but players and coaches didn't seem locked in like in past Hard Knocks. Yeah, maybe you're, I think it's just this simple. The Hard Knocks, I'm 36 years old.

Be 37 here soon. Sucks. You know, it's like I used to, it's crazy. You start getting older. I'm sure anyone listening to this. Like, once you get in your 30s, the years go by fat. I remember being 20. I felt like I was like 26 forever.

I was telling people. I just vividly remember telling people of 25, 26. And that just lasted forever. I feel like I was telling people I was 32, like 15 minutes ago. Now I'm 37? The hell of the years going. I think with McCart...

So I've been watching Hard Knocks basically it's his entirety. Do you remember in the 2000s, the Hard Knocks? You would get like coaches meetings, talking shit about players. It was awesome. You're like, this guy sucks.

We need to get this guy more. cut this guy. It was very just raw and real. Now it's completely fake. It just completely manipulated. It is a puff piece. It is, you know, state run media is NFL run media. That's all that is.

So I just think the whole thing is kind of a joke. That's just how Hard Knocks has been. So yeah. Jerry, but their team actually is not terrible. Serious, to me, it's just hard to tell. I thought the mojo thing was kind of stupid but it felt like the players liked it so who am I to say it's stupid?

What does Baker need to accomplish this year if he wants to get the same type money as Josh Allen contract extension? He wants instead of the franchise tag. I think it's pretty simple. Just make a large playoff run. If he's really good, throws 35, 40 touchdowns and they're in the AFC championship game,

he's going to get $40 million. If he has a shitty year and they miss the playoffs with this great roster, how could they give him any money? I think Baker is a lot on the line. I really do. And, you know, he's going to get some money no matter what, but I couldn't pay him $43 million. And listen, I might have been hard on him, right?

I was really hard on him early in his career. You put him in that, you know, the Stefansky, who runs like basically the Shanahan system. It's quarterback friendly and he looked good. But I don't know, man. Can he sustain it? John Dorsey's a really good GM scout, right? I guess he's not a GM anymore. He's been fired.

But he really valued the stuff Baker had. And he's hit on a lot of picks in his life. So I'm not going to try to act like I know more football than John Dorsey. And he loved him. He was worthy in a good quarterback draft to take him number one overall. But physically, he's not close to his gift that is Josh Allen, right? Or Lamar Jackson. Now, can in that offense with that roster, can he pull it off?

I know if you're a Browns fan, even if you like Baker, I think we all realize. like if you're a Browns fan, that means you're more likely a Cleveland sports fan. Like, you know what elite player looks like. His name's like LeBron James. Right. Even like Kyrie. Like those are Max type guys. Miles Garrett, Max type guy.

You watch Baker Mayfield, if you're a Browns fan and think like Max guy, that's a max guy. If you're an Indians fan, right, like you've had C.C. Sabathia. You've had Linder. Like you've seen great players. Is Baker a great player? He's just the best quarterback you've had because you've had a bunch of bad quarterbacks. And again, he maybe I'm mighty, I'm fully acknowledging I might be in hard on him.

Like, I don't view him as like a bottom 10 quarterback, but is he a top 10 quarterback? Because if I want to pay someone $45 million, he better be a top 10 quarterback. Hell, I thought Dak Prescott's like right, 9, 10, 11, somewhere in there. And I didn't even like paying him for he. So maybe my standards, I was in an argument today at Niners practice. Argument would be strong, but talking at Niners practice with Matt Mayoko, who votes for the Hall of Fame, Josh Dubow who works for the AP and we were just talking Hall of Fame. And I got into an argument on

DMs the other day with a guy that said John Lynch is not a Hall of Famer. And I said, well, if Tim Brown's a Hall of Famer, then John Lynch is a Hall of Famer. And he's like, well, Tim Brown's way better than John Lynch. I said, well, just look at their stats. And I don't, you can't compare.

He had a, however many touchdowns, John Lynch is a defensive player. They both went to nine Pro Bowls and they both scored two touchdowns. He's like, well, he scored all those touchdowns on shitty Raider teams. I'm like, well, John Lynch was one the best players on one of the best defenses ever on a team with no offense. Now, again, I like John

Lynch. I'm glad he got in the Hall of Fame. Like, it's good for him. I'm not rooting for people not to get in the Hall of Fame. Personally, though, I think the Hall of Fame just started letting a lot of guys in. Fringe guys. And clearly, he had to wait nine years. Like, to me, when I think Hall of Fame, like, I think Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Ray Lewis, Brett Farve, like, Michael Jordan. I think the best of the best, but that's not really what the Hall of Fame is anymore. So I got no problem with John Lynch getting in. Just like I had no problem with Tim Brown getting in. But like once you started letting those type guys in,

like it just opens the floodgates to more. Because we were talking about Frank Gore. Is Frank Gore a Hall of Famer? Like that one's tough because he's going to be the third leading rusher in the history of the league. But he was probably never a top three running back in his career on a given season in the league, right? Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch.

Like those guys to me, like Marshaun Lynch will not have the stats Frank Gore has. but when Marshawn's peak for like four or five years, he was top two running back in the league. He was better player than Frank Gore. And I'm a Frank Gore guy, but he just was. So it's just the Hall of Fame

gets a complicated argument. As a former scout, who in your eyes are the top three GM personnel executives in the league? Also, does Howie Roseman make the top of your list? Why doesn't he invest in linebackers? Thanks for your time. You know, it can change, right? Because, like, people would say,

if I say John Schneider, he'd be like, well, look at his roster. And be like, well, so you're telling me it's just Russell Wilson? That's the only reason they win. Now he plays a big role. But John Schneider was the reason he's on the team. And they've made the playoffs basically like eight out of the last nine years.

Jason Light on an all-time heater. And then you'd be like, well, they were not very good before they signed Tom Brady. Well, look at last year. I mean, their team is just stacked. hasn't missed on a draft pick in a long time. And they were in position to be a badass team because the team he built around them. I saw this argument the other day on Twitter.

It was like, oh, Chris Ballard's overrated. I'm like, is he? They won 11 games last year, the Indianapolis Colts, with a washed up Phillip Rivers. How many teams in the league could put Philip Rivers on their team last year, that version, not peak Phillip Rivers, last year, and win 11 games?

obviously quarterback's the most important position. So once you draft like Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen, your team's just going to be good. But what if you don't have a great quarterback? Can you build just a good team? Right? Ballard does. Like Ballard's team, right? If I put Philip Rivers on Seattle

and I put Philip Rivers on the Colts, the Colts are going to be better. Seattle would not make the playoffs in the AF or the NFC. So I think John Steyer is one of the best. But how like, and we can play. It changes year to year. right? Two years ago, John Lynch is like, shit. Team 1, 13 and 3, we walked to the Super Bowl. Look at the roster I built. Me and Kyle. And then last year, like, God, he sucks.

So it's one of those things. Like, here's what I know about Howie. He can make deals with anyone. He is this dynamic. When we talk about Mike McCarthy, not dynamic, how he's dynamic. So he can just constantly do shit. So when they're like, if Jalen Hertz is a problem and just not any good, they'll just trade for Deshawn Watson. They will land a quarterback. He'll make a huge trade. It's what he does. There's not a better trader in the league. Has he missed on some picks? Yeah. Why do guys miss on picks, though? So, I mean, to me, Jason Light stands out right now. I think John Snyder's body of work is fantastic. Look at Kevin Colbert, how consistently good that Pittsburgh Steelers are would be some names that come to mine. And listen, I am biased, but I think

how he's his dynamic when it comes to making deals. That's part of the deal, right? So I'm like, how good your practice squad? I'm like, I don't know. You can just constantly make good trades. And I think he'll figure out the quarterback position. I wouldn't put them, like, you know, based on the last couple years, obviously, in the top three. But a couple years ago, you would have when they won the Super Bowl. So it's just, I think it ebbs and flows a lot.

I think Rick Spielman with the Minnesota Vikings. His team, like, they've had average quarterback play for five, six years. Every year they were making the Super Bowl, or not the Super Bowl, but the playoffs. Cousins and Teddy. Right? And they just were winning 10 plus games. He just builds a really good team. but if you build a really good team but you don't have a quarterback,

we go, ah, yeah, he's a good GM, not a great one. It's hard. Now, like Ozzie Newsom, I'm like, they never really had a quarterback most of his time. They had a little moment with Flacco, but it was like he got a lot of credit. Imagine if he would have drafted a sweet quarterback. Imagine if he would have had Lamar Jackson and some of those earlier Ravens teams. Won like 15 games a year. Hell, they're winning like 14 games right now with Lamar and the team now

is not as good as it was probably 10 years ago. It's still pretty good. That's a good question. appreciate everyone listening and have a great weekend. I'm going to watch some football, play a little golf, and probably have some cocktails. So talk to you all soon. Talk to you next week. Peace. The story of the rose is a story of love. Whether it's a date night with your sweetheart, a galentine's day with friends, or showing yourself a little extra love. Use code crush 15 at

FTT.com through February 14th and save 15% on florist crafted bouquets, plants, and specialty gifts. See website for details. FTD. Give it meaning. podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and Friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform?

We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential.

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

I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me. Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifers Show.

This is a place for raw, unfills of conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to the Clivert Show on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok.

On The Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me. I'm Sam Jay. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s.

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