The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 3 and Out - Ravens/Steelers Thoughts; Top Week 12 Games, Storylines, 3 for the $ ATS Picks; Mailbag

Episode Date: November 27, 2020

In this episode, John gives his thoughts on the Ravens/Steelers postponement, previews the top Week 12 games, storylines, gives his 3 for the $ ATS picks, and 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 IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On the Look Back at it podcast. For 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it.

With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year. It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win.

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

Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Are you ready for the big day? Not your big day, her big day. Valentine's Day. If not, you better rush to FTT.com to order early and save on a winning combination of flowers and gifts

for Monday, February 14th. Bold blooms and gifts are the perfect way to celebrate the one who caught your heart. So go to FDD.com and save 15% through February 14th with Code Crush 15 on fresh, florist delivered flowers when you order early. See website for details. FTD, give with meaning. What is going on, everybody, John Middlecough, three and out podcast?

Recording this a little early on Wednesday, so I got no clue. And honestly, don't really even care. I'm going to watch because it's Turkey Day and you got to watch. but the best game of the day got delayed till Sunday. The one game we all wanted to watch, Raven Steelers, ain't even happening. Like, I just, Cowboys Redskins, I guess they're not the Redskins, the Washington football team, Lions, Texans, like, again, I'll gamble on it, maybe, but it's just, that's pretty bad. I mean, it is what it is.

But luckily, we got a really good weekend of games. We got a big story that just kind of broke Nick Sabin. This happened to him before, but now Sark's going to coach the Iron Bowl. Some sneaky pressure on Sark. I'm just going to fly through a bunch of stuff. And like I said, Middlekoff mailbag at John Middlecoff is my Instagram handle. I'm going to answer a bunch of questions on this pod. And that's kind of what we'll do on a little turkey day.

Keep a shorter pod and just kind of do a little entertaining. One thing, also, if you guys subscribe to the podcast, 3 and out podcast, Apple, iTunes, wherever, leave a review. one thing that it hit me, and someone texted me a buddy, text me this the other day, he's like, you should look up random NBA players and say their salary relative to like JJ Watt or Khalil Mack or Aaron Donald. And listen, the last recession, I mean, we're currently kind of in one, forced one because of Corona, but like a true one that happened when you didn't actually have to just force businesses to shut down in 08 and 09.

I've said it before on the podcast. I was broke out of college. I didn't even quite understand what was going on, but I did feel it around me. I worked in college athletics. I saw a bunch of people get furloughed. I saw people lose their houses. I saw people walk away from their houses, foreclosures.

I was in Fresno at the time, which is an area in California that directly was impacted by the housing crisis. So like, I did see the bubble burst. Now, I didn't see it coming. I had no clue what the real estate market. I wasn't in the, I was out of the loop as a, a 22-year-old guy. But one bubble, I think that is coming.

Before we dive into the game, I've been thinking a lot about this is the NBA. Now, I like basketball still. The NBA does wear me out and it gets exhausting. And I've probably never watched less, but I still enjoy it. Like, I watch the Warriors. I watch random games on television. My peers, I say it all the time, like my friend group,

people in their 30s and their 40s don't. But when the Michael Jordan documentary came on, everyone rushed to watch that. And the ratings were like 6, 7 million. people are watching it yet the NBA finals they could barely get like five or six million people to watch and that was the Lakers in the in the bubble right so it's just I do think it's a bubble and I say it all the time the reason these leagues make a lot of money and have the amount of money to pay the players is not because of the players it's not because of the owners it's because of the fans the more fans you have the more money these companies pay for the media rights and that pays for everything without fans they are the consumer right without the consumer you don't have a business. And you can still play football. You just wouldn't make any money.

Like the fans are making this all go. And in the NFL, the reason these salaries are skyrocketing, right? These quarterbacks are making $35 million. Pass rushers are making $20. Receivers are making $20. We've never had more people watch football. And I say it all the time. It's just perfectly set up for our culture.

It's once a week, urgency every week, no tanking. Even the shitty teams, I guess the Jets aren't really watchable. But like the Jags pushed the Packers a couple weeks ago, You never turn on a Bucks game and go, oh, Tom Brady just taking the night off. Or I'm turning on Seattle. Oh, you know, Russell Wilson and D.K. Medcalf, not playing tonight. What's the reason, Jim? I don't know.

Rest. They're tired. That doesn't happen. We gamble on it and play fantasy. It's set up for our culture. It's actually, I think, only going to get stronger because gambling is going to become such a big deal. I've been gambling for a decade plus. Gambling on the NBA sucks.

Gambling on baseball is impossible. To me, there are only two sports I gamble on. Football and golf. Now, I gamble on March Madness, but it's not because I feel great about any of the games. I just like to gamble on the entertainment. But you couldn't pay me to gamble on the NBA. You definitely couldn't pay me to gamble on baseball.

And football has that going for them. Plus, it's just a national sport. But when I see some of the money getting thrown around from the NBA, it's like, guys, you're rating, like, less and less people are watching. To me, they're the ultimate bubble. Now, I'm not one to say, like, basketball is going to be irrelevant. It still has a market, and there are still people,

watching, but less people watch today than watch 15 years ago. Yet the salaries are flying up. Yet in the NFL, way more people watch today than did 15 years ago. That's good. In business, you're either growing or you're dying. And when I see the piston signed Jeremy Grant to $20 million a year, I just know the sports is some trouble. When I see, and I grew up a Kings fan in Sacramento, them give Deeran Fox, who I liked a lot out of Kentucky, but watching them in the NBA might be a little overrated, $160 million, all guaranteed? I think we got a problem. I've been saying it for a long time.

The best partnership in the history of the world is being an NBA player. Not being an NBA owner, being an NBA player. Because every single penny you signed for, you have zero liability. You get hurt, doesn't matter, guaranteed. Another player in your team gets hurt, obviously irrelevant. Someone dies in the stadium that night, not your problem. In the NFL, most of the money's not guaranteed. It's actually not that great of a partnership.

Now, if you stay healthy, you can make some cash if you're a good player. But at any moment, you get injured, they're going to cut you. And it also is what's so great about the sport. It keeps us kind of on the edge of our seat. You never know. Every year, the roster turns over pretty dramatically. So I think when you see some of these salaries of the NBA, I throw up a red flag. I go, the sport is just not healthy right now.

The interest level is just not there like it used to be. Twitter does not count. You have to watch the games. That is where these leagues, their money. The big money. It's the reason in the NFL, I saw it for years when I did the Raiders post game. You know, the team was terrible. They were making no money. It didn't matter. Mark Davis could sign whoever he wanted to sign because every year he got a huge media check. They were not making money. But every year he got the same amount of money the Cowboys got or the Patriots got

from the media rights deal. And that number only goes up. It's why when everyone, on my timeline today, freaked out and I'm recording this on Wednesday, about the Steelers game being pushed back. They're like, that's not fair. The Niners game didn't get pushed back. Guys, this year's not about fairness. It's about making money. Now, every year's about making money, but this year specifically was just about keeping the boat

floating. So it did not go under and sink like the Titanic. Because, listen, I've never run a billion dollar business, but I know this. It's much easier to keep your head above water if you're running a $500,000 business and you've got to go through six months a rough time, then if you run a billion dollar

business and money stops coming in. Why? Typically, your expenses are higher. So the reason the NFL pushed back the Steelers and the Ravens game for whatever corona outbreak, and they didn't do it for the Niners game, the Niners game was being played by itself. There was not other inventory that game. We've seen how big these Thursday night packages are, right?

They're worth $800, $900, $900, $100 billion. Every game's worth $80, $90, $100 million. Well, they got two other games going this Turkey Day, or you guys watched it yesterday. It was easier to push this back. It makes sense. The whole point of this year was to get games on television

and it make money. That's why that game got pushed back. Which sucks for us. I mean, I wanted to watch it. I didn't want to watch the other two games. Crazy, that cowboy win. No, I don't know. But, I mean, it's just, this isn't that complicated.

It's all about money. It's the only thing that matters with all this stuff. They're not running a charity. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential.

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

I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me. Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment.

and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast, it's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tapped Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs?

Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam Jek. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it.

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

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

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

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

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

as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose. On my new podcast, learn the hard way. Open your free, our heart radio app. Search learning a hard way and listen now. They're running a major business in a weird time when dudes are getting sick. I mean, actually technically they're not getting sick. All these players, every single one of them they got corona have come back.

Hell, I mean, it's just like the evidence is in. When the NFL players have got corona, they've come back pretty seamlessly. But when they test positive, like they have to quarantine them. They have to keep them away. Like, that's just what they have to do. Now, when the Niners, the reason the Niners, did they get screwed a little? For sure. But it is what it is.

like other teams have gotten screwed too. It's just part of the deal this year. A story of the rose is a story of love. From farms to our florists and right into the arms of sweetheart savoring a date night in. Best friends showing their galantines how much they adore them. And those giving themselves a little love. Go to FtD.com and save 15% through February 14

with Code Crush 15 and celebrate your love story with iconic roses, florals, and gifts from FTT. 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. And we're live here outside the Perez family home just waiting for the... And there they go. Almost on time this morning.

Mom is coming out the front door strong with a double-armed kid carry. Looks like dad has the bags. Daughter is bringing up the rear. Oh, but the diaper bag wasn't closed. Dipers and toys are everywhere. Ooh, but Mom has just nailed the perfect car seat buckle for the... 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 nitsa and the ad council let's look uh there's some pretty good games this weekend the colts indie games huge obviously indy beat him a couple weeks ago really didn't just beat him i mean took it to them uh took advantage of their special teams won by double digits uh they're both seven and three if indy wins this game they would almost be in the driver's seat to win this division.

Titans coming off a huge win against the Ravens. Titans are just good. I think both these two teams are pretty good. I just don't trust either quarterback. You know, Philip Rivers doesn't often have two back-to-back good games. Ryan Tanny Hill can be good one week and not good the other week. I do think it's going to be a little harder for Derek Henry to run on the Colts. Why?

The Colts have one of the better defenses in the league, especially their front seven. It's really good. I'll be shell-shocked if he runs for. 100 yards. And it's pretty clear their formula to win games with the Titans. And it's a good formula.

Run Derek Henry. Well, I don't know if he can run against the Colts. So can Ryan Tannyhill beat you? The Titans defense is a little questionable? I kind of like the Colts in this game. But I also kind of like the Titans

plus three and a half. We'll get that for a minute and three for the money. Tassam Hill at Denver. It's pretty interesting. Vic Fangio just embarrassed to him. Put him to the bench.

He was so bad they benched him. Well, Taysam Hill, who physically is more gifted than Tua, it's not an easy place to go. I mean, I'm sure it's going to be cold, on the road. No fans, but still, the elements. We saw Tua. I mean, he crumbled like a cookie. Now, I think a little more highly of Taysam Hill

and definitely Sean Payton than I do of Chan Galey and Tua. But I think that's a pretty tough game for them. The Raiders against the Falcons, you know, this is a game if you're the Raiders, you want to make a wild card and after the Chiefs game we're all talking about them like wild card you know the Raiders like a wild card team

you got to beat the Falcons you have to beat the Falcons now John Gruden said he thought the Falcons were the best three and seven team he's ever seen I mean it's funny but I think he has to say shit like that because he cannot afford a loss because whoever wins

even if whoever loses the Colts Titans game is going to have seven wins the Browns play the Jags that's a win the Dolphins play the Jets, that's a win. Both those teams would then have seven wins. That would be three teams with seven wins. If the Raiders were to lose this game, they'd only have six. So this is a huge game for the Raiders. Brady versus the Chiefs. You know, Brady was terrible. I talked about it on Tuesday. He just looked bad. He looked old. Their offense looked bad. I mean,

just like they don't even practice. I've never seen Brady throw it to no man's land like he was doing the other night. And the Chiefs, you know, coming off a big win, but it was weird. It was like they won, but it felt like they lost because they look like they're, you know, they feel internally like they're way superior to the Raiders, as they should. I mean, they're defending Super Bowl champs. But that was one of those wins where I think you can coach them up pretty hard during the week if you're Andy, but you're going to need the defense to play better because I would assume Brady's not going to have two back-to-back terrible games.

One difference between last week for the Chiefs and then this week is like Josh Jacobs and Devante Booker. are just better players than Leonard Fournett and Ronald Jones. I guess I've been calling him Ronald Johnson. Someone DM me. You keep calling Ronald Jones, Ronald Johnson. When I was with the Eagles, we had a wide receiver from SC named Ronald Johnson. I know who Ronald Jones is.

I was a backshy a big fan of Ronald Jones. I kind of like that he's become a decent player. I know the clip of Leonard Fournett went viral this week. He's got terrible vision. I mean, he's just an average player. Can't catch. So I think the Raiders, in a weird way, are a tougher matchup for the Chiefs. in the running game.

In the passing game, you know, Derek's just playing better than Brady. I mean, Brady, what he was last week was, again, I'm a huge Tom Brady guy. I think he's the greatest quarterback of all time. That was one of the worst games I've ever seen him play. And I don't just mean like,

I just mean the eye test. He was skipping balls, overthrowing balls. It was just a complete disaster. It was an absolute disaster. So that game's big. Much bigger for the Tampa Bay than Kansas City. That's for sure. Herbert against the bills. Bill's coming off a buy. Justin Herbert

on pace to have the greatest rookie season of all time. Let me repeat. Justin Herbert is on pace to have the greatest rookie season of all time. Now can the bills, you know, the other thing, sometimes when you get West Coast quarterbacks going in the elements, I would imagine it's going to be freezing cold in Buffalo. Justin Herbert grew up in Eugene. It's cold. It rains there. Yeah, I mean, I'm fascinated to watch this game, two of my favorite young quarterbacks in the league. Again, Justin Herbert, on pace to have the best rookie season of all time. It's pretty nuts. Bye-bye Anthony Lynn.

You had a good run. Three for the money, I must apologize. My three picks last week were an embarrassment. I am currently on a very, very cold streak. I went 0 for 3 last week. You could call me Joey Galloway Jr., because I basically called I basically called Northwestern the fighting Reese Davises without saying it

and they won that game pretty easily I mean they kick Wisconsin's ass that that was a beatdown the Patriots, you just can't bet on the Patriots this year my bad and then what was the other game I took but let's go this week I can't even find it on my sheet but I'm 20 and 16 this week the Titans I'm going three games

My philosophy is when I get two good teams late in the season in November, December. I take the better playoff level team. Or excuse me, let me rephrase that. I take whatever team is getting points because I don't think we know who the better team is. I mean, they played once and he beat them. But I think if these two teams played 10 times,

it'd be like 5 and 5, maybe 6 and 4. These are going to be really tight. I say the same thing about the NFC West, not really counting the Niners right now with Nick Mullins. But when the Cardinals, the Rams and Seattle, if they're going to play each other, And I can get three plus points in that game. I'm going to take the underdog.

So I don't necessarily love the Titans in this spot, the game's at Indy. I just like the team getting three and a half points. I like the team getting three and a half points. So I'm going to go with the Titans plus three and a half. I don't even feel great about this pick. But I do think when you look at the Chiefs, they're 8 and 1. They're going to cruise to like B-13 and 3.

The Bucks, a little desperation here, coming off just a terrible game. I mean, Brady throws multiple picks. Even their defense kind of got smoke, especially the secondary. I'm going to take the bucks plus three and a half. Again, don't love this just leaning with Brady, Arians, being completely desperate. The Raiders coming off a pretty big win in the sense of, like, that game was big for them. Not saying that this game isn't because the Bucks are better than the Raiders.

They beat them 45 to 20, but just in a vacuum, like that game mattered more to the Raiders than this one will. or excuse me the Chiefs. So I'm just going with the desperate team. And then I'm going to go with the over 55 with the Raiders and the Falcons. The Raiders, the offense has been fantastic. The Falcons, you know, can score points. Todd Gurley, sneaky, nine touchdowns this year.

Julio comes in and out of every game because he gets hurt, but Calvin Ridley's back. So I'm going to go Titans plus three and a half on the road at Indy. Raiders Falcons, over 55. Bucks plus three and a half against the Chiefs. Again, you got desperation.

Tom Brady, desperation. Okay, like I said, I was going to do a big, big mailbag. At John Middilkoff is my Instagram. The direct messages where the single people slide in and out of to communicate and also where people like me communicate with you guys. People show, and we take the people's questions here. So just slide up into my DMs. I got a ton.

I'm not going to be able to answer every single one. You hear a lot about people talking about how quarterbacks have to be mobile now. Could you explain exactly why that is? I mean, it's not because defenses are better, right? Why couldn't like a Peak Peyton Manning pick apart defenses from the pocket in 2020? Would love to hear you explain. Here is my theory. As the offenses become more spread in college,

less and less good offensive linemen come into the league. And you've seen last year actually there were a lot of tackles draft in the first round but I think there has never been worse guards and centers in the NFL. And even tackles are pretty hit or miss because what they do in college doesn't really translate to the NFL even though the NFL has become more spreading. But the defensive linemen have never been more freakish. Think how many Aaron Donalds, Khalil Max, Josh Allen's, Miles Garrett's, Bosa brothers. These guys, the interior guys, you know, the Fletcher Cox type that are rushing from the middle of the field,

there have never been Eric Armstead, DeForest Buckner, never been bigger freaks coming at, the defensive linemen are still coming in at rapid rates. So my theory, again, I haven't really talked to many people in the NFL about this. A couple buddies, I guess, but these guys can get by these average offensive linemen just because there's more good defensive linemen than they've ever been. So if you don't have a good offensive line, let's face it, most teams don't, you have to be able to move. And when I say mobile, I don't mean Kyler Murray or even like Deshaun or Lamar.

I just mean like Jimmy Garoppolo, Derek Carr, be able to move. Now, could Peyton Manning excel? Probably yes. Not probably. He would be great. But I do think Peyton was just an outlier in general. I think most quarterbacks, I just think like Jared Goth. to me as the last true, you know, pocket quarterback who was drafted, you know, he went number

one overall. I just don't think we're going to see many guys like that. I wouldn't want guys like that. And I think a big reason is because supply and demand, there are way more sweet defensive linemen coming in, way less sweet offensive linemen coming in, so there's just going to be a lot more pressure on the quarterback. Well, what's the way to avoid pressure? Not just get rid of the ball fast, but be able to run away.

And that's my theory. Do you think the Colts would go after a guy like Trask in the draft? I think it would definitely be available and is a player who is definitely ripping up draft boards. Yeah, I mean, I think Kyle Trask is surely headed for the first round. I mean, he's having an unreal season. I think they'll go, well, the last time Dan Mullen had a quarterback that he put in the draft, his name was Dak Prescott. Now, we can argue all day long about Dak Prescott,

but if we redo that draft, Dak Prescott's going in the top 10. So if, depending, Dan Mullen's coached a lot of really good quarter, If he signs off on this guy, clearly he is because he's playing so well. But, yeah, I mean, I don't know if he'll be there. Assuming, let's say the Colts win the division and win a couple win a round in the playoffs, like, they'll have to trade up to get the guy. Random question for the pod. With all the talk of how important Derek Henry has been for Tennessee the last two years,

it has me wondering, who do you think has been the best back for them in the last 20 years or so? Derek Henry, Eddie George, or CJ 2K? Would love to hear your thoughts. I would say Henry or George, C.J. 2K. Would be third, even though he was really good. I would lean just Derek Henry because, I guess Eddie got him to the Super Bowl. I'd have to do a deep dive on Eddie, George, and kind of watch. Just, that's a tough question.

That's actually a really good question. Both Heisman trophy winners, both huge backs, both carried their team in the playoffs. I'd say Steve McDare was definitely best. and Ryan Tanny Hill. I might give the slight edge to Henry, but we'll see. That's a damn good mailback question. Is Jeff Akuta a bust,

or is Patricia just ruining him? He's been getting burned on a weekly basis. Yeah, I mean, I had friends in the NFL that thought that C.J. Henderson, the kid from Florida, who went to the Jags, was a better prospect than Akuta. That thought Akuta was a little overrated. Now, full disclosure, I didn't like break down the film

on Jeff Akuta. but when I watched him just on TV copy at Ohio State, he was pretty good. I have a hard time thinking, you know, especially if you're just playing man defense on the outside. Like if you're getting burned, that's a little bit on you. I'd be lying if I said I've locked in on Jeff Akuta and the Lions. It always is concerning when a top five pick at corner is getting smoked. Now, the good news is you're going to have a new coach. So I wouldn't, you can't be a bust.

after one year. That's impossible. So that to me is the good news. What will the Bears do next year at quarterback? If we win a couple more games this year, we'll be out of the race for any decent quarterback in this draft. Should we try to trade for a guy like Darnold? Would love to hear your thoughts. Yeah, I mean, I'd say

Darnold would be in the mix. I would say if Jimmy Garoppolo gets cut, Jimmy Garoppel would be in the mix. You could always trade a one to move up and get a top quarterback in the draft. I'd say Foles won't be on the team. Tribisky won't be on the team. It's a good question.

It's tough, man. It's just how have the Bears for 40 plus years never had a quarterback? How is that possible? How did they not just get, I mean, they had Jay Cutler for a minute, but how did they not have like, you know, they had Eli Manning for 10 years or Philip Rivers? Or just to run into one of those guys. Even like an Andy Dalton for six years. They just, I feel free Bears fans.

I would say Darnold Possibility, Jimmy Garapolo, Possibility. Jimmy Garoppolo possibility. I'd say James, probably not possible in draft. I've always thought Texas should be a bigger power than they've shown in the last few years. Is Herman a goner? If so, doesn't it make sense that they target a known commodity versus previous attempts at the hot assistant like Strong and Herman?

I'd love to see them target an Urban Meyer or a Brian Kelly. They have the money. What are they thinking? I don't know much about the politics there, besides what I've read and talking to people that know the program. clearly the boosters and just the power, you know, that control the football, it's just a complicated situation. So I think a lot of times, like Nick Saban, the rumor was they offered him $100 million. I've heard that might not be true.

But to me, and I heard one of the reasons, even if it was true, he wouldn't be that interested. At Alabama, he, no one, Nick Saban answers to Nick Saban. Urban Meyer at Ohio State answered to Urban Meyer and same at Florida. Pete Carroll at USC answered to Pete Carroll. Nick Sabin doesn't want to answer to 10 boosters. 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, 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 where you're saying. Yep, that's me, Clipper Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way,

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

The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me, or you're just chasing down a dream, This is right where you need to be. Listen to The Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford

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

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

Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests.

I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth. Are you a good person because you're afraid?

Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. person. Join me, Keir Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free, I Heart Radio app, search Learn the Hardway, and listen now. He's not into that game. I think part of the problem is they have all these people that have their hands and are pulling some like puppet strings in the

program that make it complicated. So could they, do they have the money to get Urban Meyer, Brian Kelly? You bet your ass they do. Do, do? Do, Either one of those guys want to go there? I don't know. I mean, Brian Kelly has unlimited power now at Notre Dame. He's the head coach, the GM, he's everything. Not sure how closely you follow Big Ten football, just wanted to get your thoughts on Jim Harbaugh's future.

He was hired to bring stability to the program and develop a perennial contender over time, but despite a talented roster that seems to struggle more and more as time goes on, from consistent 10 and 2 a few years ago to barely beaten Rutgers this week, Do you think it's time for Michigan to move on, and if so, would be a good replacement, Mike Leach? Well, I think Harbaugh and Mike Leach run two different type programs, so I don't think that makes much sense.

I think the thing is I would give Jim Harbaugh another year to see, like, I'm not giving Jim Harbaugh like the Axe in the Corona year. Now, if next year, you know, they had that quarterback. I wasn't watching the game, but I know they brought in the backup quarterback who kind of sparked it. maybe he can give them a little life.

Part of Jim Harbaugh's problem, really since Kaepernick and then at Michigan, is like he can't find a quarterback, which is crazy. He's at Michigan. Look at all these programs that find a quarterback. Florida, Bam, Ohio State, USC. Hell, Washington State is finding NFL quarterbacks. Wisconsin, Iowa, all these teams have NFL quarterback. Jim Harbaugh can't do it.

To me, if he could just get a good quarterback, they'd be fine. They'd have a chance to win big. But for whatever reason, he can't do it. I think I would give Jim one more year Big fan from From over from Mexico Do you think you can give a top 10 rankings on your show I argued last night that I would put Buffalo in the top four teams in the NFL

Thanks Yeah I mean I think they'd all be aFC teams Right now I'd probably go Kansas City Pittsburgh You could put one or two I give Kansas City they're defending champs But Pitts undefeated Tennessee Indy Buffalo would be probably my top five.

Then, I mean, Taysom Hill, the Saints, we still have a lot of unknown there on Taysom Hill. The Packers are clearly flawed. Seattle, probably the Rams might be the best team in the NFC. So that would be probably my group. But the first five teams, I'd put Buffalo at five, probably, at five. Are you ready for the big day?

Not your big day, her big day. Valentine's Day. If not, you better rush to FTT.com to order early and save on a winning combination of flight. flowers and gifts for Monday, February 14th. Bold blooms and gifts are the perfect way to celebrate the one who caught your heart. So go to FTT.com and save 15% through February 14th with Code Crush 15 on fresh. Flores delivered flowers when you order early.

See website for details. FTD, give with meaning. 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 if I could be you

and you could be me for just one hour if you could find a way to get inside each other's mind walk a mile in my heart Shoes. Walk a mile in my shoes. Walk a mile in my shoes. We've all felt left out.

And for some, that feeling lasts more than a moment. We can change that. Learn how it belonging begins with us.org. Brought to you by the ad council. What do the Broncos need to see out of their evaluation of Drew Locke. Do you view this season as a one-year audition to be the man in Denver? He seems to have the physical talent, but is shown to be extremely careless.

list with a football, which has not improved week to week. That's sometimes just young quarterbacks. Curious to hear your thoughts on what teams look for in determining if a guy is the quarterback of the future, or what makes them decide to move on. When we see guys in the same division ball out right away, Herbert and Mahomes, it leaves me some doubt that Locke would be anointed the franchise quarterback moving forward. Well, here's a reality. He's a second year player, and he's a second round pick. Mahomes, I mean, was a 10th pick in the draft, and Herbert was a 6th pick in the draft.

Like this guy did not go in the first round I think usually The second round pick you're gonna give him a couple years The GM's there They invested in them I think Jurelock Unless this year is an absolute debacle Or he has some major injury

I think he's gonna be the quarterback next year Plus how do you move on Like if you win seven games Let's say or let's say they win six You draft a quarterback in the first round I don't think you do I think you could argue The Broncos are in like the worst spot

you can be in football, kind of in no man's land. And I think right now they kind of are in no man's land. So I just think you write it out this year with Drew Locke. I think what you look for is improvement week to week when you're in it with the team and the coach and John Elway. To me, what's he like Monday through Saturday? What are his study habits? What are his work habits?

How's he at practice? How do the guys feed off them? Then obviously you're judging them. I mean, the games matter the most. But with a quarterback, there's a lot going on. Like, do you see him improving through the week? Do you see him not improving in the week? Is he a worker?

Is he lazy? Like, there are a lot of intangible stuff you look for when evaluating that. Because he does have the physical talent. Like you said, the turnovers. I do think with good coaching, you can get some of that out of there. Yeah, I mean, it's complicated. I don't think there is just some scientific formula. That just right or wrong, this guy's my quarterback.

This guy's not my quarterback. Kind of just a no man's land. You mentioned that the Colts defense had a bad first half against Scream, Bay. The same thing happened against the Titans and the Bengals. Is that great halftime adjustment, coaching? And what's that say about the initial game plan? Is you're coming out slow? Rivers is your quarterback sustainable? Go Colts. Yeah, I think sometimes in a big game, your team can be really amped up.

Sometimes the offensive coordinator, which LaFleur had an incredible first half, can just, you know, like if you have Aaron Rogers and Devante Adams and your offense is humming, and you have a really good game plan, like you should be able to score 21. points on anyone. To me, the score, they had 28 points at half, but, you know, seven of them came on the deep bomb at the end of the first half where they got the pass interference at the ball at the one-yard line. So I just think they had a great game plan. And the Colts clearly, whatever, you know, just the Packers did. And then I think your player settled down, you get a stop or two, you take a deep breath, you realize we're fucking good, and you just

kind of get your mojo back. I think sometimes, they say this in basketball all the time, good offense beats good defense, and it's true. You could put the best defensive player ever on Kobe or Mike, and he's getting a shot off. You could put the greatest perimeter defender ever on LeBron James. He's going to get to the basket in his peak. I think offense is a little like that, too. Like, you give me Tom Brady, Randy, Randy Moss, you give me Montana and Jerry Rice. Like, you give me Aaron Rogers.

I take the quarterback over a great defense. There's a reason the Chicago Bears of the mid-80s didn't win four straight Super Bowls, right? I mean, they won, but they had a great defense. defense of all time for like five straight years, one and one. It's the reason the Niners, who, remember the Bears and the Giants thought were like West Coast Soft, won four of those bad boys. Offense wins. If your defense is good, too.

So I just, that is a good question. Settle adjustments for sure. I think sometimes one thing you see with the Rams, the Niners, the Packers, when that scheme and you can clearly practice against it throughout the week but when the run game

just kind of works and then you can get the play action boot dump-offs the linebackers are just kind of running with their head cut off they don't know which way to go left right biting on fakes the play action stuff

it just it can really throw you off because I saw it with Kyle last year I've seen it with McVeigh this year seeing it with the Packers this year. It's just really, really difficult, I think, to practice against if that's not your go-to offense, like the offense that your team runs.

I have a question for the mailbag. What's up with the lack of appreciation for Chase Claypool in the national media? Some don't even think he is in the top 10 rookie wide receivers. I don't know how that's possible. He has like 10 touchdowns. He has eight. He has eight receiving touchdowns in 10 total TDs and 10 games.

Oh, yeah, he has 10 total touchdowns because he has a couple running. Yeah, I think. a huge way to get publicity with the media is to have previous momentum. And I think this year it's like, well, the rookie receivers that had momentum, Justin Jefferson, Jerry Judy, Brandon Ayuk, right? Those guys had a lot of CD Lamb, had a ton of momentum coming into the season. And it's just easier to ride the momentum. It's harder when you come in with zero to momentum. even though he's a second round pick

and he went to Notre Dame but I don't think he had a bunch of hype instead the Steelers that just have never missed on a wide receiver in franchise history he's like yeah we'll take him and he'll get us 15 touchdowns as a rookie I can't really explain it the Steelers in a weird way

are flying under the radar at 10 and 0 with Brady's horrible performance Monday versus the Rams and his problems on primetime this year do the Bucks think they have a chance to win a playoff game? Do you think the Bucks have a chance win a playoff game. I would say it's all going to be matchups. And if you look at the NFC,

the Bucks are probably going to be the five seed. I guess they could be the six seed. Do they play Seattle in the first round? Do they play, do they get the end of, are they the five seed and are they playing the Cowboys? Because if they play the Cowboys, they're going to win. Do they play the Rams? To me, it just all depends on matchup. Their defense is clearly good enough to win. And until he fails in a playoff game, you know, I think we'll give Brady a puncher's chance no matter who they're playing. But they're probably not going to have a home game, right? They're not going to win the division, so they're going to have to play on the road. So are they playing, are they playing the Saints? You know, are they the 7 seed and playing the Saints as a two seed? Because the

Packers or Rams won it? I just got another matchup. Do I think they could win a playoff game? 100%. Do I think they could lose in the first round? 100%. stole my wife's Instagram that happens sometimes I get people you know I don't have Instagram but I'm using my wife what if I just like hollered back at his wife

how many quarterbacks do you think are worth over $30 million? That was a joke I would never do that to a listener What team other in them I'm taken What team other than Dallas Would be foolish enough to pay Dak Considering he isn't good enough

To elevate any receivers Or an offensive line Quarterbacks that I, without hesitation I say are worth over $30 million My Homes, Rogers, Russell. I'd stop there. Rathesberger on a year-to-year basis, yes, I would pay Rathesburger a year-to-year-to-year $30 million.

Because it's clear, when they have Rothesberger, they kick ass. You know, Josh Allen, I got to see more. Deshaun Watson, you know, to me, he's more like 25. Yeah, I don't, I mean, Derek Carr is having a good moment this year, but as people have texted me in the league, like, he's doing it without fans, you know? I mean, he's really excelling without fans. So, and I think Derek's a good,

I think Derek can be a top 10 quarterback, but I love Derek making 20 million. I don't know if I love him making 30. Now, if he's going to play like this, I don't mind it. It's a select few, man. It's really a select few. It's like the NBA. I got no problem given LeBron James,

Anthony Davis, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant a max contract. I don't like giving Kyrie Irving a max contract. I just don't. I love giving Clay one, but now he's hurt again. I don't like giving... You know, to me, the max contract, the elite money, should go to the absolute elite player. If you don't pay, if you pay an elite player, elite money, you'll never go wrong. If you play an above-average player, elite money, like, that's kind of Kirk Cousins.

Like, do I like paying Kirk Cousin $30 million a year? Hell no. Would I mind paying Kirk Cousins $20 million a year? Get me a couple extra players? Wouldn't mind it. That extra $7,8 million in a salary-cap league that's hard-capped makes a huge. difference. Okay, we'll end it there.

Keep this short, because I know you guys are probably busy with family. Glad, I hope everyone had a good turkey day. Hope you guys enjoyed the football games. Hopefully you enjoyed the games this weekend. Big weekend for Steve Sarkisian and Alabama, the rivalry game with Nick Saban having Corona.

So, very, very excited. Thanks everyone for listening, for sure, for shooting me these questions. And you just, have a good holiday. Adios, peace. Godspeed. See you. 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 Crush15 at FTT.com through February 14th and save 15% on floristcrafted bouquets, plants, and specialty gifts. See website for details. FTD, give it meaning. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite.

Unhumor me with Robert Smigel and Friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, S&L's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Idle 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 I-Heart 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 experience. excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled 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 Clifford Show on the IHeard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. On the Look Back at a podcast. For 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. It 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.

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