The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 3 and Out - No Preseason Games Winners/Losers; Top 5 Teams Built To Handle Corona Camp; Mailbag

Episode Date: July 21, 2020

In this episode, John examines the effects of the NFL eliminating preseason games, his top 5 teams that are built to overcome the 2020 corona camp, and answers listener questions in the Middlekauff Mailbag. Follow John on twitter @JohnMiddlekauff and go to theherdnow.com to find the latest content. Subscribe now! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On the Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 is 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. I mean, it was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hard Way with your favorite therapist and host, Kear Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing.

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To order today, visit 1-800flowers.com slash tune-in. That's 1-800flowers.com slash tune-in. What is going on, everybody, John Middlecopf, three-and-out podcast, back at it again on this Monday afternoon. Waited a little while because I knew there was going to be some news about training camps and some of the procedures. And I don't think it's set in stone, but it's probably concrete enough for me to put together a little podcast. And that's what we will be embarking on in July 20th, coming down the home stretch here where teams are reporting.

And we can get back to, I guess, some semblance of normalcy. I see baseball on in the background. NBA players, no positive tests. So sports feel like they're kind of kind of kind of. Coming back. You know, golf's in full swing. Let's just keep charging through, baby. Got a lot to talk about some thoughts on these new training camps and really more centered around the preseason games.

And as I'm recording this, this is very fluid, but it looks like there will be no preseason games. Have some thoughts on that. Because there's going to be no preseason games, I pick my top five most stable franchises to be able to handle this. And then, of course, the Middlecoff mailbag at John Middlecoff is my Instagram handle. Slide in those DMs. I welcome all, any and all questions. For those of you that have, I tip my hat to you. And for those of you that haven't yet, please do this.

Go to Apple. Leave a review. If you like the podcast, five stars. Listen, there's some just, please give five stars. If you don't like it, give two. I don't really care, but leave a review. Preferably five stars. And subscribe to the podcast.

as well on Apple. I know a lot of you listen on Collins' feed, but I'd greatly appreciate if you subscribe to that podcast as well. A lot of people ask just it's probably easier that way. And yeah. So let's dive in to what I just learned. Shefter tweeted out. Rapsheet tweeted out.

And again, this is a fluid situation. But if the NFL agreed to this, it sure feels like the NFLPA will agree to this as well, that there will not be any preseason. and games this fall. And it got me thinking. I would imagine many people listening at one point in time in their life, whether it was college or right out of college, did an internship.

And I can only speak from my experience, an internship my senior year in college. I've talked a lot about being a GA at Fresno State and obviously working for the Eagles. My senior year at Cal Poly, it's in the Central Coast, I got an internship with the Kansas City Chiefs in like their sales and market. And it changed my career. It didn't pay. I got no money during the football season. My dad knew a guy in Kansas City.

He rented us a room for like $400 a month or something. And I just helped out with like selling signage. But through that, I kind of got my feet wet by meeting some guys on Herm Edward's staff. This was in the fall of 07. The team was terrible. I think Larry Johnson had held out. They had just drafted Dwayne Bow. and Carl Peterson and Herm Edwards were the coach and general manager.

And I just kind of got me really, really inspired to work in football. And a little bit, I was able to help out the coaching staff. I kind of went to the director of football operations and told him I would do any and everything to kind of to help him out. And after my kind of nine to five for, you know, three or four weeks, I got to just do miscellaneous stupid stuff. but inspired me and helped me kind of change the path of my life and got me involved in college football after that, and then in the NFL, it's kind of where it all started. And without that internship, who knows the way my life would have played out?

You know, I'm a believer. I'm not that religious of a human being, but I do believe that everything happens for a reason, and that internship changed my life. Sometimes you need to get a foot in the door. Now, these guys that were just drafted, and I'm not talking about first or second round pitch, They're in really third rounders.

They're what we call on scholarship. They're not going to be cut, no matter how terrible they are. And every year we see several first rounders have awful first years. And sometimes, and I know a lot of you listening, don't get the opportunity to go to training camp. And it depends if, you know, even doing what I do now, I only go to one or two practices a week. This year I won't be able to go to any because of the virus. But typically if I go to, you know, five or six-niners practice and back in the day, when I went to Raiders practice, you can get a feel for what young guys are good and what young guys are not.

When you're working in the front office, you're watching every single rep they're taking. By about two weeks in and a couple preseason games, you got a pretty good idea of if this guy can contribute or if he's got to be a developmental player. But the biggest time for training camp, because a lot of times in the OTAs, you get excited about fifth, sixth, seventh, even undrafted free agents. but by the time, like my first year in the league, I thought some guys were going to be really good and then you'd make it through the first week of training camp, you realize that, you let's wait until a preseason game or at least the pads come on.

And then when the lights come on in a preseason game, when you're playing another opponent and you don't know what's coming, you learn a lot about the guy. And that's an incredible opportunity for late-round picks and undrafted free agents to prove their worth to a general manager and most specifically to the head coach, because the head coach is the guy giving you plan. time. And if there aren't going to be preseason games, and it sure as hell looks like there's not

going to be preseason games, I don't see how the six, seventh, and undrafted free agents make the team. Because if I'm running training camp and I don't get any preseason reps, and I understand a lot of coaches these last several years have not even put in their starters, but this year, because there have been no offseason activities, you're going to want to see where these guys are at. You might play a little bit in theory if you had some preseason games. Now you have to use all that energy to the reps in practice. I don't see how an undrafted free agent now gets any consequential reps. I just don't see how it happens in practice.

Because if anything, you're given like a fifth rounder, an extra rep, or you're given a guy that was on your team last year and a practice squad in an extra rep. Or maybe your starter, you know, if it's DeAndre Hopkins and he's due to your team, he's going to want every rep known to man. Or if you have a Nick Bosa and he's trying to take the next step, or Khalil Mack who's trying to get his mojo back, whoever, your starting players are going to want every rep.

You know, Peyton Manning was notorious for this. Remember the famous Brock Osweiler, Jiff? He wouldn't let him in a blowout game, let alone practice reps. Tom Brage is the same way. A lot of players, because they didn't have any off-season, their off-season training has kind of probably been hit or miss. It's probably got a little more normal these last couple months where some of these gyms and these different states have been open

and these guys have been practicing with their own teammates. But it's different with coaches and your strength staff. So I just don't see how they ever get. Where do they get their opportunity? Now, I understand their name and their college film. If you're a fourth or fifth. Fourth rounders aren't a lock on most years. But I would say they're going to get the benefit of the doubt

because as a fourth rounder, you got a little more bonus money. But a guy that I drafted in the seventh round, every year we look up by week three or week four, and you know this as a fan. If you're a fan of the Bengals or the Texans or the Jaguars or the Giants or the Seattle, whoever, you go, God, we got our fifth rounder, not only make the team, but he's a starter. and we have an undrafted free agent that rotates on defense.

I just don't see how that happens because if you're a coach, you're going to have to feel good about the guy understanding what to do. And all these guys that were on your practice squad last year that have been re-signed to the team and that are going to show up at training camp are going to be so much farther ahead of that guy. And here's something that most people probably don't know. It's kind of, you know, nichey football, geeky stuff, that as a vested veteran, which I think is four years

and more in the NFL. Once you make the roster and play week one and you're on the roster after week one, let's say hypothetically you're making $3 million. That salary, if you make the team, let's say you're like a seventh year guy and you're making $4 million a year. Well, if you play week one,

your salary is guaranteed for the rest of the year. It's why a lot of older players during training camp do not make the team because an undrafted free agent or a late round pick it might not even beat him out, but it's just equally as good. So instead of paying the guy $4 million, it allows you to pay another guy $750 grand.

Hell, whatever the league minimum is, might be like $675. And that allows you, you do that a couple times. I think the average is several, you know, some teams have four or five undrafted players make the team. I think the average is like almost two. but every year those guys make the team and if those guys are going to make the team

that means a veteran player and I don't just mean like a 12 year guy might be a fifth year guy gets cut and training camp in football is unlike the other two sports and in the NBA when you bring your 15 guys to camp

maybe you have two spots if you're a shitty team you have two or three spots I mean the warriors haven't had a spot for like the last five years most good NBA teams at most have won In baseball, maybe a couple spots, and a lot of them are determined by service time. In football, there are legitimately, even in really good teams, I mean, star-studded, like the Chiefs,

probably four or five spots open, and then bad teams, like teams with new coaches, the New York Giants and Joe Judge, it might be 20 spots up for grabs. So those preseason games, I mean, are just like a test. You're either going to get a pass or a fail And the difference between playing like an A or playing like a C Might cost you a position on the team Might cost you a roster spot And the other thing is when I keep an undrafted free agent

On the team over that vested veteran that's making millions of dollars I can cut that undrafted free agent in the middle of the season if he's not any good And I don't take a financial hit Because his contract's not guaranteed He's not making any money So it's going to be to be very, very fascinating. I think we're going to look back on this season in several years and see countless. And I won't really blame the teams if you cut an undrafted free agent because

he didn't get reps in practice and that guy becomes like an eight-year starter or even like a six or seventh rounder on some of these good teams. Like it's going to be hard for a seventh round player to make the Kansas Chiefs, to make the Baltimore Ravens, you know, to make the Seattle Seahawks. in this scenario. Now it would be very, very difficult in any scenario, but if I'm a 6th or 7th rounder for the Baltimore Ravens and I go, one of the best rosters in the league, at least I'm going to get reps in practice in a normal season,

and then in preseason games, if Lamar and all my starters aren't playing in the second and definitely the fourth game, I might get to play 70, 80 snaps. And who knows? I make a couple of plays, all of a sudden, John Harbaugh's like, I like this freaking guy. I've liked him since OTAs.

I've liked them since early in camp. I'm pounding the table. We're going to keep them. And we're going to keep them over this fringe older player that will free up some cast space. I don't see that happening now. I talked to someone in the NFL last week. I was driving to play golf. He kind of called me to BS.

And he was like, you watch this year, coaches are going to be very, very conservative with who they keep because you're going to want to make sure guys know exactly what they're doing. So older players. and when I say older players, I'm just talking about guys that have been on your practice squad the last two years are going to have such a leg up. Because for the last, minimum the last year, your coach saw that guy every day, you saw him at practice, the defensive coordinator who uses him for scout team against the starters, can swear by him to the head coach, be his effort, the way he's focused,

how well he reps stuff in practice. And it's going to have a ripple effect. And you know what? I get it because, This really benefits older players in the NFL. Because like I said, no sport has more people and more new labor, more cheap labor, gunning for your job at a high-price job in any industry like the NFL. Because every year there are how many draft picks?

There's seven rounds worth of picks, 10 to 15 undrafted free agents, you know, a team. And every one of those guys are coming for people's jobs. And I just think it diminishes their opportunity greatly. and I get it. The owners, what I don't think people understand is how little the owners give a shit about like when they practice

or installation times. They don't care about any. This is all about money. That's all this is about. You think the coaches would want no preseason games? Come on. You're out of your mind. Of course they would.

Not just for the starters, but for everyone. Just to rep it in this weird time during this virus. but money always you know kind of rules the day and you know in big business it should for the most part and in this situation in these weird times I understand getting rid of the preseason games

but like the internship that changed my life because I just got an opportunity a lot of these guys won't be given the opportunities now luckily if you're an undrafted free agent like football last night a blown call changed a game this morning the internet lost its mind highlights are trending opinions are flying and nobody's telling you

exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsSlice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

And for more, follow Timbo Slicelife-Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex Inman.

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

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

Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses.

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healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, learn the hard way. Open your free iHeartRadio app, search learn the hard way and listen now. What's up guys? This is Clever Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, the Cliverts show, I'm bringing you conversations about

all kinds of stuff. Like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker, this linebacker walks up to me, he goes, A, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Time out. Quarterback on office blue of 42.

Hey, rep, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Where's she at? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Cliverts show on the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Ball's going away. If you just show up in practice, you can still make, you know, a, uh, Just somewhat put your best foot forward and attempt to influence individual coaches and show out every rep is going to be infinitely more important than it typically is because there is going to be a very, very limited amount of opportunities just in practice, just in practice.

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Brought to you by the United States Forest Service and the ad council. Okay, let's dive into the five teams in the league that have the best opportunity, in my opinion, to handle this weird, crazy, and safe to say, unprecedented preseason. You know, I think it's clear, you know, like I just talked about, no preseason games. It doesn't make sense, because there was talk, maybe they'd have one preseason game. It didn't make sense to have one preseason game for the league. You know, and obviously the players, the veteran players, the older guys that are, you know,

let's face it, their jobs, a lot of them are on the line every single training camp. It's good for them no preseason games. But if you're in the league, it only makes sense to have two preseason games or zero. Because at least two, you give every team a rep on the protocols during the virus. There would be a lot of pushback because if you only did one, half the teams in the league don't get a home game, don't get to practice the protocols. So I understand for the NFL, make it easier, no fighting, just say, listen, no preseason games. It's just the cards were dealt.

We'll just deal with it this year. and good luck coaches, good luck GMs, you figure it out. But I pick the five, and these just happen to be five of the most stable franchises, but the five teams, in my opinion, that are most equipped to handle a training camp heading into an NFL season where you're not going to get any games. And you're reading about some of these protocols that are coming out for virus testing, camp's going to be very weird.

Even if you read the protocols that everyone tweeted out, I think it's going to be a lot of unknown. Who knows who's going to miss time? Who's going to get sick? Who's going to get injured? Remember back in 2011, the amount of injuries in that camp when it was the lockout and there wasn't an offseason was the highest of the last decade? There's going to be a lot of unknown.

I've listed some podcasts about the NBA bubble and things are, you know, every day something that goes wrong and not a big deal. like one day in one of the practice facilities, the lights were too dim, that guys could barely see. Next day the NBA changes. Like, there's just some unknown in these situations. You just don't quite know this river of the virus that you're going into. You know, every day it feels like things changed. But there's certain teams, you know, for my money, that are just more equipped. So let's start with number five. And I'm going to go, now listen, on paper, you'd say this is probably their worst team in the last two decades.

But I put them on this list simply for this. Because I easily could have put like the Niners, for example. But the Niners are depending on two first round picks to impact their team. These guys haven't got an offseason. They're replacing a pro bowler into Forrest Buckner and Emmanuel Sanders a wide receiver.

So there's still some unknown there. It's going to be difficult. I'm going with Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots because every single player that is on that roster, he handpicks. It's just the way the Patriots roll. he's the dictator. You know, you hear that term a lot on social media.

This is an actual dictator. Bill Belichick, he's the boss. So every single player that makes their team every single year, it's because of Bill Belichick. And he's the general manager, he's the coach. And even though they have a new quarterback situation, even with Cam, I think he is the most equipped coach in league history

to handle these type situations. And I think that it actually works to his benefit. because he can dumb things down, he can expand it in it, he can do whatever he wants. And he knows exactly how to resonate with players. And even if he's doing it on like dumb it down levels, the moment you can't hang, he'll just get rid of you. And I think the players that he knows he can depend on, he'll lean on, they still have a core group of guys there. I'm just simply putting them on this list because they have the greatest coach of all time, who happens to be their general manager and who happens to run everything football in that organization.

organization and has been in nine Super Bowls in 20 years. Like I just believe in the guy. And I still think if they can figure out Cam and maybe a lighter workload in camp will help Cam, kind of ease them into the season, they easily could make the playoffs. Number four, the Baltimore Ravens. They do something that no other team does. And one thing I kept pushing back on, for them to take the next step, they would have to expand the passing game.

But I actually think with this just kind of weird off-season, I mean, there's been no off-season in terms of practices, so their own division haven't really been able to rep it. Now, I would imagine all the coaches, you know, on the Bengals, on the Steelers,

on the Browns, and teams that are on their schedule have isolated them and tried to spend some time over the last five or six months developing some game plans. But it's one thing. for the coaches to know what to do, it's another thing for the players to know what to do. And one thing every team would do for a team like the Baltimore Ravens, they would set aside

some practices in OTAs and definitely in training camp to rep it out. And that probably won't be feasible this year. So they have a huge advantage just because they have a unique offense. They have a ton of guys coming back on defense. Their core group of players are all in their mid to early 20s. Their coaching staff did not change at all. They have Harbaugh, they have Weak Martindale, they have Greg Roman. They would have been good whether we had a normal year or whether we had a coronavirus year.

But in this type year, with De Costa and Harbaugh, they've worked together for years. They're on the same page. The majority of their team, I mean, most Ravens fans could probably write up, you know, probably get 48 of their 53-man roster. It's a relatively easy team to envision. They're going to be really good. I think there's a bigger picture topic, which we've talked a lot about for the postseason, and that's something that they can rep out during the season. But just for a team that can handle a training camp and going to have a sweet roster going into the season

and not have to worry about getting a lot of guys cut up because these guys already know what they're doing, the Ravens are really equipped. And I think Philly, my number 30 team, right there too. Harry Rosemans ran the Eagles for over a decade now. Doug Peterson is going into his fifth year. He's clearly, you know, established himself. Unlike why I put them ahead of Harbaugh is because Doug is a play caller. And I always lean with the coach that is a play caller.

They have a star quarterback in Carson that proved last year that a team that was full of me, you and three other guys down the stretch. You know, I mean, the reason, how they made the playoffs, they benefited a little bit from an easy schedule, but they have a great head coach and they have a stud quarterback. And I just think that their understanding, every guy on that roster has come in under this regime. Every guy has been picked, you know, in some form or fashion by Doug and definitely Howie. And they're just a high-level organization.

So high-level organizations, when shit gets weird, usually separate themselves. So I think the Eagles, now I don't know, you know, there's still some question marks for the Eagles. They lost an all-pro guard. They re-sign Jason Peters. they were going to have to get a rookie wide receiver, you know, kind of up to speed fast. But the head coach, like I said, has been there five years. The coordinator's been there that entire time, too, on the defensive side of the ball. And obviously their GM and their front office has been intact.

I know they lost Joe Douglas, I guess last year. But how he's been the boss now for, you know, ever since Chipp left. Number two, Seattle. The head coach, the general manager, and the quarterback have been arguably the most. beside Belichick and Brady, the most consistent, you know, trio in the league for the last eight, nine years. And kind of like Philly, just like the Ravens in New England, this group has drafted all these players.

They got actually, you know, they really benefited last year from D.K. Metcalfe taking a huge role for that team, right? And, you know, the clowny situation, he doesn't even have a team yet. But there are some questions for them on defense. But their roster on defense the last several years has been nothing like it was, you know, those first four or five years of kind of their, of that L-O-B run, right? They win now with their quarterback making place. They're going to try to run the ball down your throat, Pete Carroll and his culture, and Russell Wilson's going to save the day. So when you got John Snyder, when you got Pete Carroll, and most importantly, Russell Wilson, whether it's coronavirus or whether it's just regular times, I believe you're equipped to,

to handle it pretty seamlessly. And number one, this was a really, really easy choice, was the Kansas Chiefs. They returned 20 of 22 starters. Their general manager and head coach have worked together for a decade and a half. Veets now has been a GM, I think, going on three years. Andy has coached in this league.

Is there any coach in the league besides Belichick that has coached more in the NFL? What's Andy going into is 22nd season in the league? Even Pete Carroll obviously left for a while to coach college. Andy knows the league like the back of his hand. Veach and him speak the same language. They have the best player in the league on their roster who they happen to extend this offseason.

Arguably their third or fourths or second best player in Chris Jones. They also just extended. Kelsey, Tyree Kill, offensive line, Honey Badger. They were just equipped to defend their championship before this virus ever hit. And I just think there's a common thread here. There's consistency in all these front offices that, you know, Pete Carroll, John Schneider, Howie Roseman, Doug Peterson,

Belichick and Belichick, DeCosta Harbaugh. They speak the same language, so they know what they're looking for. The hardest part, as we talked about in the earlier segment, was knowing who to keep, knowing who not to keep, knowing what guys to cut, knowing what veterans are over the hill. or when you've been working together for a while, you know exactly what that guy's going to think,

or you can have contentious discussions and they can get to a positive resolution. It's going to be difficult, for example, Mike McCarthy's never worked with Jerry Jones in a football setting. So once practice is going on, maybe Mike wants to keep a guy that Jerry doesn't or Stephen doesn't want to keep. Maybe Joe Judge doesn't want to keep a guy that Gettelman wants to keep. Maybe Ron Rivera thinks the guy sucks.

and, you know, I don't even know, Kyle Smith or whoever's running the Redskins, right? These situations, Cliff Kingsbury and Steve Kine, look around, I mean, Bill O'Brien, who knows with him on any given game or day, right? There's Minnesota, for example, would be a team that I could have put on this,

but there's going to be a lot of pressure on that franchise. They have a lot of new guys coming in. They cut a lot of veterans over the offseason. There's a lot of unknown. The offseason would have been huge for a team like that. Like Diggs, Everson Griffin, they ain't walking through the door. those guys

those guys were Xavier Rhodes I know he hasn't been good but he knew what he was doing now whether he did it well we can argue that all day long but like when the Honey Badger shows up he knows Pagnola's defense

he knows what is expected Bobby Wagner can tell every guy exactly what Pete and Russell and John Snyder and get everyone on the same page the Ravens all speak the same language when Bill Belichick talks that's all that matters

Philly I mean they've shown their kind of character of the last couple years with weird things going on. So they're used to weird things going on. And I think when you look at the Chiefs, when you look at the Seahawks, when you look at the Eagles, when you look at the Ravens and when you look at the Patriots, these teams are just equipped for this, I mean,

unprecedented, bizarre, coronavirus training camp. Okay, like always, Middlecoff mailbag, at John Middlecoff is the Instagram. I don't know if you guys follow Colin. He gave me a little love this weekend on the golf course. I'm a big golf guy. I've been playing a lot of draft kings, golf fantasy. You want to end.

I always put the link up on my Instagram. It's fun if you like golf, and we'll do that a lot in the fall with football as long as football happens. But I'm pretty confident football's going to happen. It's going to be a weird year. Middlecoff mailbag at John Middilcoff. DM's wide open.

You guys know the drill. Also, again, leave a review greatly appreciated. We're going to have a lot more These last couple weeks Typically when I'd vacation But you know When you're a podcaster You can I've kind of been on a vacation

Staycation I've been playing a bunch of golf You can still just You know take 45 minutes to record Great business model I love the podcasting field I highly recommend it Love the pod

Listen to every episode I'm a Minnesota Vikings fan Who has a love-hate relationship With Kirk Cousins Especially with all the money The bikes are paying him In your opinion Do you think the Vikings

made the right move in extending his contract when there is an influx of young quarterback talent and when the front office deep down knows that Kirk Cousin probably isn't a Super Bowl caliber quarterback. What are your thoughts? Here's what I didn't get. And I obviously know people in that division. They think very, very highly a Rick Spielman. Everyone I know in the NFL thinks Rick Spielman is an excellent GM. From an outsider's perspective, I agree. He has put together a very, very good roster. very, very good over the last four or five years. And pivoted well this year, got a first rounder for Diggs.

He's impressive. I didn't get that. And I know Cousin's agent and I, listen, Cousins is a really high level guy. You know, they were part of the reason they did this deal, right, was to hit free agency again next year. So it was like, are you going to tag me? So you're going to tag him for 35 or whatever million it was going to get? my pushback is they gave him $60 million or whatever, basically a little over 30 each of the next two years,

you know, an extension after this season. Who would have paid him that much money? Like there does get to a point. We always hear this, well, it's just the going market. That's just what guys get paid. Do good teams overpay? You know, he's not a bad player. He's somewhere between like,

Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending. opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines.

We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts,

or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim?

Well, you can find him. find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so you all know.

I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you for finishing that sentence. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history.

Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversation. with so many incredible guests. I'm talking. Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase

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

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

learn the hard way. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. What's up, guys? This is Clivert Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Cliverts Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff, like being an internet famous referee.

We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker walks up to me, he goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Quarterback on office blue 42. Hey, ref, my mama wants you to wave at her. What? Hey, Ms. Parker. Listen to the Clifford show on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

And in 15. Cousin's biggest issue. Because when he's in rhythm and you're running. the ball, he can kick your ass. And he's put up good stats. As a pro scout described to me the last couple of years, he can't play out of rhythm. So if his reeds aren't there immediately and he has to scramble, he's done. Like that's where Mahomes, where Rogers, where Russell Wilson, they kick your ass out of rhythm. They're always scrambling around, keeping things out of the context of the offense. That is kind of the new age quarterback.

to why I like mobile guys like Carson Wentz. In theory, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, why they have a chance to get a lot better. Lamar Jackson. Now, you can say Tom Brady. The day and age of playing like that are probably over. Cousins is, you know, the ultimate pocket quarterback. I wouldn't have done it. Now, I understand where they're coming from.

They think he's solid. He's, you know, he's what, he's 31, 32 years old in the quote-unquote prime of his career. But I'm with you. Am I into paying? They gave him $85 million. an extra 60, not a math major, so what would that be? About, would I be into giving $145 million, give or take, I mean somewhere around that number, to a guy that I know every morning when I look in the mirror, I can't win a Super Bowl with this guy,

I couldn't do it. I have no problem with them giving him his first contract, and I just don't think he quite lived up to it. And he hasn't been bad, but he's just, I'm not into giving my philosophy simple. I pay premium to premium players if, you know, Dalvin Cook's a bad example because he's running back. Danelle Hunter wants huge money, Harrison Smith wants money,

Kendricks wants money, pay those guys. I'm just not paying John Randall, Randy Moss, whoever you're good players in the history, Adrian Peterson. Kurt Cousins, I just, I couldn't have done it. And listen, I like the person.

Players okay. I don't know why they extended them. Get right to the, the romance and find the way to wow this valentines with 1 800 flowers.com. From classic roses and bouquets to decadent chocolate covered berries, gourmet treats, and more. Surprise your valentine with 1,800flowers.com. Right now, get the 18-stem enchanted rose medley for 3999 or upgrade to 24 red roses for $10 more. Go to 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. That's 1,800flowers.com slash tune in.

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I find that retired players in the NFL are vastly superior and more enjoyable in the media than retired NBA players. Easiest example are Pat McAfee compared to clown Kendrick Perkins. Do you agree and why do you think it's like that? I think the biggest issue in the NBA is that the NBA is this isolated little bubble where you can't say anything bad about your friends, where your friends when you're with them on teams. you never get yelled at.

You yell at the coach. You get the coach fired. The NFL is different. When you sit down in a team meeting, and Ron Rivera's up there, and Mike Zimmer's up there, and Bill O'Brien's up there, Belichick's up there,

any of these coaches, Sean Payton, at any moment you could get in trouble or called out. At any moment at practice, your position coach can light your ass up and hold you accountable. And that's what coaching is.

I want to say light your ass up. I mean, get on you, push you, like any coach would do. In the NBA, that doesn't happen. So in the NFL, guys are like legitimately used to kind of a contentious environment. With coaches, obviously locker rooms, there's a lot of guy talk and ribbing each other, which happens in basketball, but the coaching aspect, to me, guys just in the NFL, a thicker skin.

Now, sometimes skill guys can be thin-skinned, and every human's a little different. But I think players are used to just being a little more real. The NBA, you're only allowed to be fake positive. And then if your friend is a certain player, you've got to crush the other player. Part of the reason Kendrick Perkins hates on Steph Curry is because LeBron hates Steph. You know, it's just stupid stuff.

It just doesn't happen in the NFL. The NFL is just more of a blue-collar league. And blue-collar people can just, I don't know, just handle stuff a little bit better. That's, I guess, my long way of saying. I just think, don't think some NFL analysts aren't great. And some NBA, like Charles Barkley.

Look at Charles Barkley. Like that era of players, like, he can say whatever he wants. This new era of players, they're like pick and choose who they like. My question is that the other day you were praising, and rightfully so, the Kansas City GM, but what about John Robinson of the Titans? Has anyone else handled an incredibly difficult offseason better? He got Tanyhill to sign for $2 million less than the tag, and Henry to sign for $4 million less than the tag.

he signed both players and still has $24 million to chase Clowny, Kukowski, or a wide receiver. I think his draft class has a chance to be special, but then most of his draft classes do. I think the Titans have a top three coach GM combo out there. John Robinson is my guy. I'm a huge John Robinson guy. I mean, he's one of the GMs in the league that I know.

I mean, I'm a big fan. I've only met Braybill really briefly over a cocktail with a bunch of other people around. I love it. Brable's a badass. I'm a Titans fan. I like the Tennessee Titans. John Robinson is really good at his job.

He's one of, I guess, Vrable kind of too. They're the Belichick guys that can just be themselves. They're not insecure. They don't worry about trying to be exactly like Belich. They just, they're good at their job. John Robinson is a legit scout, and that's how he cut his teeth. And now he's turned into an excellent general manager. And when he made the decision two years ago to get rid of the coach

and however variable, it's probably the best thing he's ever done. And the Tanny Hill move worked out perfectly. You know, taking the kid from Mississippi State last year, looks like a genius move. Drafted A.J. Brown in the second round, legit. Getting Henry basically on a two-year contract when he's the best player on their team, smart.

Having a backup plan for Marcus Marriota. I mean, he's just, John Robinson's a really good GM. I would agree. The only reason I mean, I've known Veach. I guess I've actually known John Robinson longer because I knew him when I was working at Fresno State. But I mean, I worked with Veach. And at the end of the day, Vich was a, I mean, the leading force in Malms.

So, I mean, I just, that's, but again, we're nitpicking. I mean, there's a reason those two guys met in the AFC championship game. They're good at their jobs. Diehard Pats fan from Maine. My entire life, Brady has been our quarterback, so without him, the Pats look pretty bland aside from grabbing camp. However, I'm really looking forward to seeing Nikiel Harry's potential. I feel like from the small sample size of game time,

he's gotten shown a few flashes and some free plays. What are your thoughts? Also let me know when you're ready to find your main vacation home. Just quit my job to pursue real estate full time. Love the pod. Keep grinding. Hashtag no days off. More of a West Coast vacationer.

You know, so I don't know if I'll be in Nantucket with Belichick or anytime soon. I would love to buy a second home in Lake Tahoe or maybe the Monterey area. So if you know anyone there, now I need a little more money to do that. I probably need to buy my first home. first, but we can always dream big. I was a huge Nikiel Harry fan coming out of college. He reminded me a lot of Juju Smith. And his season, he missed the first eight games last year.

And it's well documented how difficult it is for young players to get on the same page as Tom. It didn't work out. I think Nekeel Harry is going to be a good player in the NFL. Here's the other thing. Cam Newton has survived and thrived with players that have big catching radiuses. because he's not Drew Breeze or Steve Young. He's not pinpoint accuracy.

Well, that's Nikiel Harry. He is a jumpball wide receiver. I actually think he's tailor-made for Cam Newton. So I love the Cam Newton-Nuton-Keele-Hary combo. I'm a Nekeel-Hary stand. I'm going to ride for Nikiel Harry. I like, I love Juju Smith. I love Devante Adams. These were West Coast players. They were kind of knocked because they were a little slower. I watch a lot of Pac-12 football. I believe in the guy.

I think he can play. And I think it will be in a weird way a little easier without Tom there. Because it can be difficult with Brady in your ass about not knowing his crazy-ass offense. Texas fan here. In my opinion, we are bound to be an 8-10 win team for the next five years with no chance to win the Super Bowl. They squandered Deshawn's rookie contract, and I don't believe they have enough elite-level players to challenge the Chiefs. Trated Hopkins for a box of chocolates and JJ is only getting older. What moves would you make to get them to a Super Bowl caliber level?

Also watch Australian rules football after listening to the last mailbag and the shit is absolutely bananas. So when I think the Texans, what do they really lack? You know, offensively, in theory, they should... Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened.

That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear.

The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice brings you closer to the action

with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice. On the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slic Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs?

Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at It podcast. I'm Sam J.

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

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

For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Keer Games. And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we, are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it.

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

Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, learn the hard way.

Open your free iHeartRadio app, search Learn the Hardway, and listen now. What's up, guys? This is Clivert Taylor the Fourth. And on my podcast, The Cliverts show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff, like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game.

This linebacker, this linebacker walks up to me, he goes, A, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Time out. Quarterback on office blue. 42. Hey, Rhett, my mama want you to weigh better. What? Hey, Miss Parker.

Listen to the Clippers show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Be explosive enough. Now, they got DJ, I almost call them DJ, like these Dustin Johnson, David Johnson. Problem is he's always hurt. Deshawn's a star. Their offensive line should be better. You got Laramie Tunzel, they drafted a couple guys the last couple years. Their offensive line should be better.

they're depending on a lot of injured guys, right? Brandon Cooks and David Johnson and Fuller to contribute. Those guys get hurt a lot. But if those guys are healthy, like that's a legitimate NFL playoff offense. To me, their defense hasn't been good enough. You know, they lost Clowny. Like you said, JJ's a little bit older. Do they cover well enough?

Like, to me, their defense just hasn't been on the level in which it has to be for them to make a legit run. And I think it's hard when you don't have the draft pick. because when you usually go, well, where'd they get Clowny? Where'd they get J.J. Watt? Well, they draft them really high. Usually to get good defensive players, you'd pick them high in the draft. They had Honey Badger who they got on one-year contract getting left.

And it's not all their fault. I know they wanted them back. I just, I'm with you. I think Bill O'Brien's a good coach. I think any time, even if you gave Bill O'Brien the best roster in the league, I don't think you'd probably, you'd be a, you might not win the Super Bowl. You know, he's not a bad coach by any means, but he's not, I don't see super dynamic. But they have a star quarterback now.

I don't really know you're kind of stuck because you're paying tons of a bunch of money. You're about to pay Watson a bunch of money. If JJ gets hurt again and retires or whatever falls off a cliff, how do you replace him? It's difficult. You know, O'Brien be likely to do a Cleo Mac type trade. I'm usually not short on opinions, but I don't know really what you do. you're just kind of stuck. You hope you catch lightning in a bottle.

You hope you get the right seating. The Patriots are gone. Who knows? You know, you got to try to get home field advantage. You can't be going on the road to play the Kansas City Chiefs because you're not better than them. And if you've got to go to Kansas City, you've got no chance. Now maybe this year with no fans, not as big a deal.

Do you think Titans are a top five NFL team if they could sign Clownie? I don't see any glaring weakness on our team if we sign them and we don't get any more respect even if we go to the Havsy championship game. if they got clowny I mean I you know I think the NFs excuse me the AFC South sneaky pretty freaking good

because you got the Colts who are really good you know in theory should be good let me pull that back who are good I don't know if they would be really good when you got Philip Rivers as your starting quarterback Titans just went to the AFC championship game

and you got the Texans who go to the playoffs all the time so I would expect yeah man I mean I If you got clowny, you could feel pretty good about being a playoff team, as you should be. So I would say top five might be strong. Sorry, my food order just called, distracted me for a second. But yeah, I think the AFC South has a chance to be. If Phillip Rivers is good, could be a three-team playoff division.

Big fan of the pod, what are your thoughts on the Madden 21 rating and Kyler Murray rated so low? Philosophy, zero, refused to have any opinions on Madden rating. And I growing up was a huge madden guy. I don't play video games anymore, though I'm not anti-video games. I just, I can't even pretend to give a shit. I really can't. You know, if I had to guess, they probably gave him like a high 70s, low 80s. He's just, you know, he's a young player.

So, you know, it is what it is. No opinion. Adoption of teens from foster care is a topic not enough people know about and we're here to change that. I'm April Dinwiddie host of the new podcast, Navigating Adoption, presented by, Adopt U.S. Kids. Each episode brings you compelling real-life adoption stories told by the families that live them with commentary from experts. Visit Adoptuskids.org slash podcast or subscribe to navigating adoption presented by Adopt U.S.

Kids. Brought to you by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families and the Ad Council. 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 straight. with a double-armed kid carry.

Looks like dad has the bag's daughter is bringing up the rear. Oh, but the diaper bag wasn't closed. Diapers and toys are everywhere. Ooh, but Mom has just nailed the perfect car seat buckle for the toddler. And now the eldest daughter, who looks to be about nine or ten, has secured herself in the booster seat. Dad zips the bag closed and they're off. Ah, but looks like Mom doesn't realize her coffee cup is still on the roof of the car.

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.

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Brought to you by the ad council. Okay, let's beg out a couple more questions here. As an NFL fan from New Zealand, we were a little upset down here when Marquette King claimed that he could dominate if he came over to play rugby. I realize that NFL players are freaks of nature, and if they had played rugby their whole lives, they could be amazing on the rugby field.

But having seen a lot of players transfer from other sports to rugby, I doubt many could transition as well. Basically, my question is this. What is the general vibe of NFL players and those in the league toward other sports like rugby? And rugby league. How are these sports viewed in terms of physicality and difficulty? I don't think most players even think about it.

I think they would respect it if you, you know, threw it on TV. But I don't think by any means that they are... Most guys wouldn't have an opinion. Marquette King is a punter. So, now he's an athletic punter, but to think that he would dominate, I'm with you, I'm calling bullshit. We're not talking like Ray Lewis or Barry Sanders. He's a punter.

So Marquette King, it's not even in the NFL. Like, he was out of the league by, like, his late 20s. So... No, Marquette King should not be speaking for NFL players. But I think if you showed like physical rugby lee, I think a lot of NFL players would respect it. It's also a lot different. You know, these guys are used to hitting the big hitters, they got pads. You don't have pads.

You know, it's just different. Has a number one overall pick ever had better weapons if healthy? And big if, because a lot of them are often hurt than Joe Burrow. AJ Green, John Ross, Tyler Boyd, T. Higgins, and Joe Mixon. Joe Burroughs under pressure rate was very similar to Andy Dalton's and Ryan Finley's last year, so I believe the offensive line talk is a bit overblown. Although I know they aren't the Colts or the Cowboys, I'm curious to hear if any number one pick has better potential weapons week one. Pretty good point.

I mean, Joe Mixon's a stud. A.J. Green, legit star, but he's hurt a lot. And, I mean, literally heard a lot. He was hurt last season. John Ross, another guy injured a lot. Tyler Boyd, good player, T. Higgins rookie. But I hear you. I'd have to think.

I mean, Jared Goff, right? I guess he had Todd Gurley, but Todd Gurley was injured. I'm just trying to think in recent memory. Baker Mayfield, I guess by year two, he had some dudes. Yeah, I mean, it's pretty good roster on paper, offensively. But wasn't there offensive lines? line pretty terrible. I don't know much about the guy. I mean, I've never met him, but is the coach any good? It's probably more important as the number one overall pick. If you could say, would you want really good weapons, average to below average coach?

Or average weapons, really good coach. I'll take the coach. So I just don't know if Zach Taylor, I mean, are we sure? And I'm not saying he's bad. We just don't know. That's asking a lot. lot. Now you're right. They're players on paper. Now the division, the, the, the Browns are going to have a good defense. Steelers defense is good and so is the Ravens. It's a tough defensive division. It's a really, really tough defensive division. So to me, to be able to, that division, man, that's six games against the Steelers and the Ravens. And the Browns, you know, should be good. We'll see. But just player-wise on defense, they got some dudes. What's up, brother, huge fan.

As a fellow Niner fan, what are your thoughts heading into the season? I strongly believe players are truly bought into Kyle's system. There may be a drop-off since the division is tough, but can they possibly go deep again? Yeah, you know, I think on paper they're one of the best teams in the league. I think Kyle's clearly one of the best coaches in the league. I'm more of a Jimmy fan, I guess, than some. But no excuse. I mean, they should have, you know, beside like the Saints, as good of a team as there is in the NFC.

Now, they're depending on Buckner, excuse me, Kinlaught to replace Buckner and IEuk to just be good. So they're depending on two first round rookies to impact them. Now, they got Jalen Hurd, the kid from Tennessee coming back. They lost Joe Staley when somehow got Trent Williams. So yeah, you know, they got a million running backs, which Kyle or his dad make look like stars. And, you know, their defense is still really, really good. I guess they have, their main question on the team is corner opposite Richard Sherman. And if Richard were to get hurt, their corner depth is not great.

But their linebackers are good, their defensive line is loaded, their safeties are good, their O-line's good, tight ends a star, their wide receivers are talented, quarterback solid, running backs, gashic as Kyle's calling plays, use checks as stud, they should be good, you know. They should be, you know, compete to make a run. I'd say them, the Saints, them and the Saints to me are the clear two best teams. Now, the Seattle will play the Niners tight.

And the Rams do too. So you're right, the division's tough. I don't take the Cardinals as serious as some. Their coach never won more than seven games in college. Never won more than seven games. That's all you need to know. I appreciate everyone listening. Again, subscribe to this podcast.

Leave a review. I tip my hat to you, enjoy, I got baseball on the back. I had to take some phone calls, so I'm recording this a little later, this part, after the beginning part. I've had baseball, I got the Giants A's game, the Yankees game was on. I'm starting to feel a little normal. Sports are coming back. No fans.

But hey, we can't get greedy right now. Better than nothing. You know, I know a lot of people wanted to shut it all down forever. I am just, I'm happy that we got some athletic endeavors going on on my television. Enjoy the week. Talk to you soon. Peace. If you love to be remembered as the person who gives the best birthday gifts, I'm here to tell you that 1800flowers.com is your ultimate birthday gifting destination. 1,800 Flowers has thoughtful and artfully created options that are guaranteed to deliver the best birthday surprise.

Shop thousands of unique gifts at 1,800flowers.com for exclusive offers and great values. To order today, visit 1,800flowers.com. slash tune in. That's 1-800flowers.com slash tune in. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where sports slice comes in. I'm Timbo, and every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headlines. And we're going straight to the source, the athletes themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff

nobody gets to hear. Listen to SportsSlice on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert 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. 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. On the Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 is big to me. I'm Sam Jay. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we

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