The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 3 and Out - Russ Return Dud, Mahomes Revenge SZN, News + Nuggets, Mailbag

Episode Date: September 13, 2022

John reacts to the Seahawks getting a surprising W over Russell Wilson in his Seattle return, Derek Carr’s subpar week 1 performance, Carson Wentz looking impressive in his Commanders debut, and explains why Patrick Mahomes is a man on a mission after his disappointing playoff faceplant. He also touches on news and notes after Week1 and answers listener questions in the Middlekauff Mailbag. Subscribe NOW and follow Middlekauff and The Volume on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for the latest content. It's always FanDuel for the best wagering action! #herdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year.

Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show.

This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but the show. 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's podcast network on TikTok. On the Look Back at it podcast.

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

84 was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The Volume. The Three Now Podcast with me, John Middlethoff, is presented by Fandul Sportsbook. Football season's here, and there's no better place to get in on the action than Fandul. The app is safe, secure, and easy to use. Fanduel always has exclusive offers. When you win, you'll get paid fast.

Fan Duel has lots of ways to play like the spread, money line, over unders, team totals, player props, and so much more. Jump into the action any time during the game with live betting. Combine multiple bets from the same game in a same game parlay and try out the same gay parlay plus. So use promo code Colin and download the Fanduel app today to make every moment more this football season. What is going on, everybody, John Biddlecock, three and out podcast.

Monday Night Football. The reason I can't sing like Hank, but I can sure watch football, and that was extremely entertaining. And we're going to jump into that right off the bat. A lot going on today. I watched about three games on Monday morning, a little NFL plus style, fired through Chargers, Raiders, watched the little Sequin, Carson Wentz. I watched the Chiefs yesterday. God, they look fantastic.

I mean, the chiefs and the bills. Holy moly. I mean, both those two teams look like the Kevin Durant Warriors. Then we'll fly around the league. Just some others, a lot of injuries, some upsets. You know, some places I was right, some places I was wrong. Of course, if you're listening on Collins feed, make sure you subscribe to the Three and Out podcast.

If you are, you wind in on the mailbag. I'll do a couple mailbag questions at the end. At John Middlecop is the Instagram. Fire up into those DMs. But why waste any time when we just witnessed Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson going at it. I'm going to read a text from a buddy right now from the NFL that just sent me this about five minutes

after that game just ended. That is a billion dollar cluster fuck. I don't think I could have said it any better myself. What did we just witness? Now, I'm going to put some blame not just on the head coach, but on the quarterback

as well. Because the quarterback has been outspoken about his desire to be in a partnership. And I say this all the time. The NBA is about partnerships. It's what Kevin Durant wants. It's what Kyrie wants. They want to tell the coach what to do. Hell, in baseball, that works. The general managers tell the coaches what to do. Andy Reid tells Patrick Mahomes where to throw. Belichick forever told people and Brady what to do. Right. Peyton Manning was somewhat of an

outlier. And as we saw on that last drive, you want to let Russ cook. Well, they handed him a couple of fillets and he moved with the urgency of a snail. What was that? Like, it's easy to Crush Hackett, and listen, I have picked the Denver Broncos to come and last in that division because of him. Because he's a guy that in what world, like tonight, Pete Carroll is a Hall of Famer. The gap between Pete Carroll and Nathaniel Hackett as a head coach is a mile wide, just in terms of accomplishments. But on the field, you saw Pete had the boys ready to go. Now, we could argue that was Pete's Super Bowl, and it probably was. he just traded the greatest player in the history of the franchise.

Now, I've said it all along, Russ wanted out. They didn't like each other. They both wanted a divorce. But the end of that game, I've been saying over and over, is that Russ does not want to play anymore like Josh Allen and Deshawn Watson and like Younger Russ and Lamar Jackson. He wants to play within the pocket. He wants to get all the credit as a thrower.

He wants to become an MVP. He wants to be Peyton Manning or Tom Brady. Well, you know who drives them down the field with one time out in that situation? Tom Brady, Peyton Manning. They are pocket quarterbacks that are a complete control. And Russ on third down, dump the ball off. I know where I come from, a lot of times a guy that dumped the ball off in those situations, Derek Carr used to get crushed.

It's like push the ball down the field. He put them in that situation. So everyone and their mother, if you're listening to this on Tuesday morning, is going to be crushing Nathaniel House. He is going to be enemy number one. Yet the reason that they were in this weird situation is because of the quarterback. Like Russell Wilson wanted this. He wants his own team.

He wants everyone to answer to him. He literally had a confidant tell Peter King that we are equals. Me and the coach are partners. Think about that. In the history of the league, Walsh to Montana, Walsh was the boss. Think about some of the greatest players of all time. Lawrence Taylor, he answered to Bill Parcells. Tom Brady, he answered to Bill Belichick.

This isn't partnerships. This is not the NBA. That's not how it works. And if it did, you better be Peyton Manning or Tom Brady. And Russ isn't that guy. Now, I am not overreacting like Russ blew this game. I thought he was fine for the most part. Made a lot of plays.

A huge reason that the Broncos lost this game is because they fumbled the ball inside the five-yard line. I'm not blaming Russ or the coach for that. That they could have, I guess, woulda, coulda, shoulda, right? If he held on the ball, they didn't. But that's just a reality of the sport. Sometimes you turn the ball over and you're still in a position to win. Hell, it happened to the Bengals.

It happened to a lot of teams. It happens all season long. It's part of the National Football League. We don't play in many blowouts on Sundays. That happens on Saturdays, but not on Sundays. and you're in this position. You have the horses to drive the field. Seattle had played well, but it's not, I mean, let's look around.

They don't have Camp Chancellor and Richard Sherman. And to me, Russell's urgency on that last drive. And then just the cluster at the end of the game. Now, if I wanted to give them a little bit of a pass, you'd say, first game together. They've only been really working together for, you know, six months. But really, with pads on now, one training camp, a lot of new pieces. But this is why I was so hesitant with this team.

This is why I was so hesitant with this team. None of these guys on this squad have won anything in the league. All the self, you know, all the guys in Denver have drafted over the years. The guys that they have built their team around. They have been losing. Now, Russ is won, but they've never played together. And now you get Nathaniel Hackett, who has no experience as a head coach, who really his resume is pretty limited even as an offensive coordinator.

Now he has the pressure, let's face it, enormous pressure. his franchise was just bought for $4.7 billion. The dude that cut the check doesn't even fucking know Roger Goodell's name. He's that rich. The guy that bought the Denver Broncos does not know how to say Roger Goodell's name. That's how much money this guy has.

You talk about FU money. This guy, Walmart has unlimited money. Like, you know how the government in 2021 just literally printed money out of fresh air and gave it to everyone in America and now we got a little inflation problem? That's basically what Walmart's been doing. for like my entire life, just printing cash.

He has so much of it, buys the Broncos. I don't even think he likes football. He basically gave the team to his daughter and let his daughter's husband, who's now the president of the team. But when you cut those type checks, losing is not accepted. And then they give Russell all this money,

and we know Russell. Here's the other thing with Russell Wilson. Don't ever forget this with Russell Wilson. In a sport historically where star quarterbacks, their coaches, and when I say coaches, they're offensive coordinators, go on to become head coaches. That's just the natural plight of those guys, right?

You win an MVP and you're Matt Ryan, Kyle Shanahan gets a job, right? You are LaFleur, you come up under Sean McVeigh, boom, you get a job. It's just you work for Andy Reed, Mahomes, guys get jobs. It's just Tom Brady forever, Peyton Manning forever, Benerothusburger forever. Guys get jobs off really good, you know, when you're an offensive coordinator for a star quarterback.

Every single offensive coordinator Russell has ever had, every single one, been fired, been fired. Think about that. Not one guy got, it happens, a guy get fired, every single one of them has been fired. And now this situation when Nathaniel Hackett is going to work well? Like, listen, you guys know where I stand. I think the guy's weird. Now, I've had people that have been around him forever, say he's always been weird. That's fine. But, like, there comes a point, every single guy on Twitter, Richard Sherman, Doug Baldwin, all the guys that played with them are all basically rooting for Seattle because they can't stand Russell Wilson. It's one thing, listen, I don't get along with everybody.

If you're listening, you don't get along with everybody. That entire team did not like him. The entire fucking team. They won a Super Bowl together. They went to another Super Bowl together. They were one of the best teams in the lead for like five years. They can't stand the guy. And I'm sorry, you see some of these clips of them, high-five in air,

him doing a huddle with the broken hand. It's just weirdo stuff. Listen, we're all a little weird. I'm weird, you're weird. Everyone has their own quirks. Like, he's in a different level of weird. like kind of unrelatable. Now, he is pretty talented.

Like, I watched him today. Like, I'm not writing off and seeing this guy sucks. But that was a disaster at the end of the game. They signed up for this. They now have a coach that doesn't have any experience with a quarterback who's always worked for, let me tell you, a Hall of Fame coach. And tonight was a clinic about a guy that,

and I'm probably guilty of this too, has made fun and ripped Pete over the years. Well, Pete Carroll, who's going to be the old, his birthday's on Thursday. he's going to be the oldest coach in the league, has been winning big games now for decades from USC to Seattle. And he had his team ready.

I say this all the time. You are a reflection how your team's ready is of the head man. And his team was ready. They treated that thing like the Super Bowl. And they came out and they hit Denver in the mouth. Now sometimes, you know, when you don't have the talent, the most talented team on the field,

you come out, you treat it like the Super Bowl, especially in these Monday night games. I was thinking about this during the telecast. Thank God for whoever invented Monday Night Football. I mean, if I could, you'd probably passed away because the first Monday night football game was in 1970. I wouldn't just give you a handshake. I'd give you a hug. I love Monday night football.

It's just, you just got a football game on Monday night. How do you beat that? And then now Roger and the boys have added Thursday night football, like, we got it pretty good. We do got it pretty good. But Pete Carroll didn't just have the boys ready. They never wilted. They kept playing well all game. They kept making plays.

They kept creating things. They kept creating turnovers. You know, D.K.'s making plays. Gino's making plays. Penny, who I always loved out of San Diego State, looks pretty good. Jamal Adams, of course, he got injured again. It didn't even matter. And ultimately, when the dust settles, weird ending, whatever, Pete beat Russ.

Pete beat Russ. Because I would imagine, haven't been to Seattle a long time, that fan base was created this last like 12 years, right? And rightfully so. They've been really good under Pete. Russell's the best player in the history of the franchise. And that's, it's hard to lose your star player at quarterback and kind of, you know, potentially we'll see the peak of his powers,

but in the prime of his career. And one thing Pete's always going to have, and I saw Richard Sherman mention this on social media, like, they ain't going to play it again for a while. Like Seattle's not going to school ball, hell, neither's Denver. So like, this matchup's not going to happen. For at minimum three more years, is Pete Carroll going to still be in Seattle at 74, 75 years old?

Probably not. And who knows the way the schedules line up? It could be at Denver, and that wouldn't be the same. This might be the only time that Pete Carroll and Russ Wilson on opposing sidelines ever go up against each other. And Pete will always have till his dying day, he won. Well, of course he did. He was going up against Nathaniel Hackett.

And I'm going to say that over and over and over again, Denver's clearly really talented. They have good players. But it's a coaching league. You can't just like, oh, Steve Nash, come coach Kevin Durant and Kyrie. Yeah, you're going to get your ass kicked. That's what happened. You need a good coach. Even in basketball, hell, even in baseball historically.

But no sport like football do you need a fantastic. coach to win big. Random coaches typically don't win. The same guys are typically there, or they sustain success. And I got to, you got to give Pete Carroll credit because he came and he kind of kicked the Denver Broncos ass from the jump. And now Russell Wilson and Nathaniel Hackett kind of have egg on their face, especially Nathaniel Hackett, 64-yard field goal, pretty extreme, even though when it came off his foot kind of thought it was good. The Monday Night Football jerseys, my girlfriend was like, they kind of looked like

it's called like Bugs Life at Disneyland. Listen, I don't hate the Seattle jerseys. I think the kind of neon green kind of pops. How awesome. Here's what's so key about the NFL. It makes it a lot different than college, right? You turn on the University of Texas. It's how they had 105,000 people at the Alabama game.

And the atmosphere was incredible, right? The atmosphere was just like, Jesus. You turn on Florida, Kentucky, the atmosphere. The NFL's not really like that. It has four or five spots. Well, that's one of them. But they haven't been as good, so it hasn't quite been the same. They approached that, the fan base, like the Super Bowl, and it was fun.

It felt like you're watching a college game with NFL players. And when you get that, like, that's why the NFL's king. I mean, I had money on the game, but like I was glued. My producer, James, like, you're watching the Manningcast? You're watching the main thing? I was like, honestly, I'm watching the main thing because I love Peyton and Eli. They entertain me. but in a big game, which last year it felt like Monday Night Football really wasn't even that important.

You put Troy, you put Joe, you put that game, and it's a close game. Like, I approached it like a normal game. I was really locked in. And it really popped on television, thoroughly enjoyed it. That's just, that's a great product of entertainment right there. Thank you, Russell. Thank you Nathaniel Hackett. Thank you, Pete, for bringing it.

And thank you, Seattle for covering it and winning. I wish I would have dabbled on the money line. but that was a fun, fun game for sure. Football season is underway. So now is the perfect time to download FanDuel, America's number one sports book, because right now new customers get a no-sweet first bet up to $1,000.

That's free bets back if your first bet doesn't win. Just sign up using the promo code, Colin. Fandual has all your favorite bets from money line to point spreads to player props. You can combine your bets for a chance, at a bigger payout with a same game parlay. I like the Chiefs and I like Mahomes over on touchdowns this week against the Chargers. The app is safe, secure, and super easy to use.

Get paid your winnings fast. So sign up today with promo code Colin for your no sweat first bet. Make every moment more this season with Fandul, official sportsbook partner of the NFL. 21 and over in president of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, or West Virginia. Must wager in designated offer market. Max bet $5. Restrictions apply.

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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, 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 which I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Clipper Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball. 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 what 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-taped 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 a little kill?

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 on day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed cracks.

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, you know, your podcast, or your health awareness, this 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 can. You find it important to be a good person while you here on earth or are you a good person because you're afraid because that's two different intentions bro absolutely and that that's two different levels of trust i want you to just really be a good person join me keer gains is 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 learn the hard way and listen now okay i wanted to dive into a game that was played in los angeles Jones would say, and involved the Raiders against

the Chargers. And the Chargers, obviously, one, got a big win. They have a huge game, Thursday, big game, really. I mean, two of, I think the Chiefs, you know, I got to give them the nod over the bills just because they beat the bills. But as we saw in the playoff game, they're basically equals. And the Chargers, I would put it wrong

under, but the Chargers have a chance. I mean, Justin Herbert looked awesome. But I'm going to start with the Raiders. And when they made the move to this big building, it was a really, really big deal. because they had played in, I drive by it sometimes when I go to the airport and right now attempting to move back and forth between Scottsdale. And you drive by the Coliseum and it makes you shake your head and you go, I can't believe that professional sports and hell the A's are still in there, but only about 1,500 people ever attend those games.

We're played in this place. This is a complete dump. They're not in a million years in 2022. Even the smaller cities like Green Bay or Buffalo, whatever. you would never put anything in Oakland. So them moving, I didn't want her to move five years ago, not revision history, was selfish. I like to have in two teams.

Now, obviously, I don't care at all. Glad they're in Vegas. Want to attend the new stadium one day if Mark would let me. Me and Mark got along in person. Clearly, behind the scenes, I don't think he was a big fan of my critical takes. But I've known Derek since he was in high school. When I was a graduate assistant at Fresno State, for a lot of you guys are new listeners. We've grown exponentially, thank you, to you guys, not to me.

I appreciate it. I was a graduate assistant in the recruiting office at Fresno State. And when I got the job in 2008, he was already committed there. So he came on his visit as a senior in high school. We watched all of his games in Bakersfield's Christian, spent a year with him, then his true freshman year where he was the backup. I have followed his career extremely closely. For a lot of those games in Oakland, I attended.

I think he has really turned himself into a solid NFL player. He was really good to one season for Del Rio, but other than that, I think for many years, he left a lot to be desired. These last couple years, and specifically last year was very, very impressive. But now they get a real coach in Josh McDaniels. They get rid of the Gruden just disaster, and the situation is just, it was too much bullshit. it was so much about other than football with John. And now it feels like even though I'm going to give John some credit,

he helped Derek get the kind of the train back on the tracks. And now Derek, based on last year, was very impressive. But the thing was when you're the head, when you're the, not the head coach, because Gruden had a lot of pressure on him because he made $100 million. When you're the starting quarterback, and really a player for the Raiders,

they haven't really had expectations over the last couple decades. And specifically when Derek's been there, they've only had expectations one time. And that was the year after they made the playoffs with Jack Del Rio. And it was a disaster. Jack obviously got fired. They didn't even come close to making the playoffs. And then Gruden came in.

They were terrible for a little while after. So this is the first year that they have tangible pressure on them. They trade for Devante. They go land Josh McDaniels. Their team on paper is really good. And in the first game against one of the most talented teams in the NFL, I've been saying over and over, the Chargers might be the best.

team on paper in the league. Derek's terrible. Like Derek threw three interceptions and just awful picks. I mean, two of them are just inexcused. Like they can't happen. Not in that magnitude. And when you start making huge money and there is literally pressure behind you, listen, I am critical on DAC. One thing I will, a major difference between DAC and Derek, the pressure on DAC every single year to make the playoffs. And every single game is consumed by 25 to 30 million people is a completely different ball game

than one Derek's used to. Well, this year, 2022, all the microscopes are out. Everyone's following the Raiders. Because we're talking about the Raiders being a playoff team. They're being discussed like they're an equal. Last year they got to creep up on everybody. Last year, literally, their star wide receiver killed someone. Their coach was fired the next week and everyone

rode them off. So they got to really fly under the radar and beat the hunter. Well, this year, I'm not saying they're the hunted, but people are picking them to be good. There are expectations. It's so easy in life to be the little guy swinging up. Hell, I'm at right now. I truly don't give a shit about any of this because I don't have that much to lose. It is so much more difficult being in Coward or Dan Patrick or one of their seats. Everyone is gunning for them. They are on top of the mountain where I'm at, and I'm not acting like I'm not doing well, but by no means do I have the pressure in terms of everything I say is under a microscope, blogs are picking it up and people who, no, that's just not happening.

It's easy to be in my position. And I get a lot of credit from obviously you guys like it because I'm very unfiltered. Well, hopefully that never changes. But let's face it, it has for a lot of people over the years in my seat. And no different with athletes. It's easy to be on the come up. Well, what happens when you get to the top of the mountain? Only so many guys, Tom Brady, Steph Curry, right, can just, Derek Jeter can just handle that spot.

Now, obviously, Derek Carr's not anywhere near the top of the mountain, but this is the first year he's got expectations. And he was terrible yesterday. And he made some really nice throws. He's got a very good arm. He can make plays that goes, wow. But overall, that was a game too where Herbert was really good. He did not turn the ball over, no picks, threw three touchdowns. The Chargers were up.

the Raiders came right back. That was a game that they could have had. The Raiders could have won that game. It's not like the Chargers were up 30 points. They were right in the game. Turnover, turnover, turnover. You can't have second half turnovers if you're going to be a 40 to $45 million quarterback

playing other. Let's face it, the Chargers are going to be a playoff team. Like that can't happen. And I would imagine today Josh McDaniels isn't that happy. And I know Derek's not either. I watched this post-game press conference, basically took all the blame, but you get to this point at the high.

highest level when you're making the most money, no one gives a shit about what you say. It's just about what you do. And then another guy who's taking a lot of heat. And unlike Derek, hasn't been able to fly under the radar. Because the moment he got to the league, he played for the Eagles. One of the marquee brands and one of the biggest markets in the league.

And he's become one of the most polarizing players. And I've said over and over, I was kind of out on him just because literally everyone's always out on them. The Eagles were out on them. The Colts were immediately out on them. And I'm like, listen. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, maybe it's a duck. Maybe there's something off with this guy.

Maybe it's someone, it's not someone else's fault. We all know that guy. It's this guy. It was that guy. It wasn't me. No, eventually, if it constantly things keep happening to you, it's you. And that's where I kind of ended up with Carson Wentz. I've never argued, and no one could, his physical attributes, his size, his athleticism, and his arm.

But the turnovers are an issue. And yesterday, I'm not acting like I was watching the car. commanders and the Jax. But I was keeping an eye on it. And the moment he threw an interception, everyone went, oh my God, I can't believe what Carson Wins just did. So I went back this morning and I watched it. And I watched the pick that he threw to the number one overall pick from Georgia against the Jax. I think it was a much more incredible player by the defensive lineman than it was a bad throw by Carson Wins. The dude was literally hiding behind an offensive tackle on a screenplay, and then he throws it to his running back or tight end or whoever the

screen was supposed to go to. And this guy kind of jettisons out out of nowhere and makes the play. But the internet totally shit on him. So I assumed when I saw everyone shitting on them on the internet, like, oh, it sucks. I went back and watched, I thought Carson was pretty good. And then what did he do? He threw a touchdown when the football team or the commanders were down 2214. He had a dime down the sideline. And then later in the game, he threw the game winning touchdown. He threw four touchdowns yesterday. Like, that's a pretty good start. He had to be. Now, I am not one of those believers that the Jags are going to win more than probably five games, six at the most. So it's not like they're a good team.

But when you look at the landscape of the NSCE East, and we'll get into the Giants here in a second, like, you know, why couldn't the commanders, especially with Dak being out and Cooper Rush and just, we saw the Cowboys, if Carson Wentz is just a solid player, why couldn't they compete in that division? They can. And if Carson Wentz is going to play like that and throw four touchdowns, listen, you're going to throw picks. Unless like Aaron Rogers, you know, who last year had like four or five picks or whatever, some of these, the small percentage of quarterbacks that throw no picks, I can live with picks if you throw 45 touchdowns. Now Stafford is like right on the line of a guy that throws a lot

of touchdowns and a lot of picks. I don't want 15 picks, but I can live with 9 to 11 if you are producing points. That's literally the point of the game is to score points. And when you throw touchdowns, you put points on the board. And when you push the ball down, you. And when you push the ball down, the field, you give the team a chance to have an explosive offense. I thought Carson Wentz was pretty impressive yesterday down the stretch, which is what quarterbacks get paid for. So I would imagine today, Ron Revere and Washington's pretty happy with their quarterback. And speaking of a talent that had kind of fallen on rough times, and sometimes in football,

you know, it's out of your control in the sense of you get hurt. You know, you can be an excellent player, an elite player, tear an ACL, a shoulder, shatter a leg, and it derail your career. Right? Most of us, if we are elite at our job, it would take me doing something stupid to derail my career, right? Committing some crime and going to jail, right? You know, getting a DUI, a car accident hurting myself. It would be my fault. If something happens to me that's out of my control, right, I get sick. Something happens to a family member that I have to take some time off.

Like, no one would say anything. People would understand. But that's the thing in football. You get injured a lot of the times. It wasn't Sequin Barclay's fault that he tore his ACL. No player in a million. Like, Dak didn't want to break his hands. T.J. Watt didn't want to tear his peck. None of these guys are trying to get hurt.

And in football, more than most sports, it happens all the time just because of the nature of the game. So, Sequin had an ankle injury in 19. He had an ACL in 20. And I think sometimes, and I'm as guilty as anyone, I struggle with patience. And I struggle with patience in my everyday life. I struggle with patience as a follower of sports. I struggle with patience. It's a huge, you know, red flag on the way I operate in life.

It's something I work on constantly. It's just slow down. I struggle on patience on the golf course. Take a deep breath, John. Just relax. It's just naturally in my personality. Now, the amount of caffeine I take on a daily basis probably does not help. But I'll promise you one thing.

Caffeine is not slowing down. So the Sequin Barclay, I saw the last couple of years. He just looked pretty terrible. And then when I watched them against the Titans, because I had to, after seeing the hype, I went, that's the guy. I love Sequin Barclay at Penn State. I loved him as a rookie. Running back is one of my favorite positions in all of sports because it encompasses everything.

You got to run the ball inside. You got to run the ball outside. You have to catch the ball. You have to know every element of the offense because you got to know what the offensive is doing and the quarterback's doing. And you also got a pass block. Now, Saquan doesn't pass block. But if you are going to be that great and that explosive,

I can somewhat give you a pass. And watching Seyquan Barclay against the Tennessee Titans bust off big run and big run. Now, he had a couple, he had one that was like a 60, 70-yard run. He had another one that was probably like 30 yards, which those are awesome and those are fun. In the long run, he hit a corner and he beat up, a DB with speed. That was stuff he was doing early on in his career.

That was a big reason. Listen, we can call Dave Gettleman the village idiot. And let's face it, he was pretty god-awful at his job. I mean, he was terrible. Deserved to be fired years before he was. But he wasn't wrong at the talent in which Seekoine Barclay was. He was wrong in which where you draft a running back, you don't take a guy number two.

You know, I'm sorry, Walter Payton, you don't even take two. Not in 2022. But when Sequin Barclay is right, he can be the best player on the field against any given team. And you could argue that he was yesterday in that game. against a guy that's like a fringe Hall of Famer in Derek Henry and he's clearly the more explosive running back

and I just think it's sometimes it's cool to watch a guy and this is what makes sports the greatest reality show right? We have the great players that are humming, we have the former great players that are kind of trending down or getting cut and budging teams and then you have the great players

that kind of get lost in no man's land because of injury and a lot of them just disappear and every once in a while you get a guy to kind of resurrect his career and the guy that I saw in Dayball kind of road, you went, if he can just get it back, I still don't think the Giants are a very good team. I'm not a big Daniel Jones guy. Not a big two a guy either. Both those quarterbacks won. Like, is winning and losing a quarterback stat? Obviously, if you have a good quarterback, you're going to win more often than you do. But I can watch a player whose team wins and goes,

yeah, don't really see it. But when I watch Saquan Barclay, I think that guy's remarkable. Now, top end speed is probably the last attribute you have to have as a running back. You can be a great running back and not run a 4-3. You can run a 4-6. If you have instincts, you know, elusive vision, you have the ability to break tackles.

You're tough, you're smart. You can catch the ball. Saquan Barkley basically has everything you would want beside the pass blocking. Which we've all seen the videos of him lifting. He's definitely strong enough to take on linebackers. It's just to want to. So I'm glad

If I'm a Giants fan, at least every time you enter the game. I'm not acting like you're winning eight and nine games because I do not believe you will. But if you can just win a couple more than you have the last couple season and be much more interesting because of number 26, that would be fun. That would be fun. And it was cool to watch Brian Dayball go for it. I think guys going for it, when your team sucks, when you have nothing to like, it's not like you're the chiefs or the bills or the Rams. Like, why would you not go for? What do you have to lose?

More games? To me, that was 100% the right pick or the right move. I'm glad it worked out because you should get rewarded when you have balls in society. And Dayball clearly did. And last but not least, before we kind of dive into some nuggets, the Chiefs, I said over and over again. One, just having the opportunity to work in a building for two years around Andy Reed, he's probably the most driven, maniacal competitor I've ever seen. just in terms of his relentless

competitive stamina to just grind on football. Now, obviously a lot, you know, all great coaches have it. But the reason that really separates him is his knowledge of football, his ability to work with players, and just his grind mentality.

The guy would grind if he was a five-win coach or if he was winning 12 wins. It's not even about like he's trying to prove something, wins a Super Bowl. I remember talking to people with the Chiefs after they won the Super Bowl and they're like, yeah, I was drove by the office the other day, Coach Reed was there like a Sunday. It wouldn't change and it doesn't change.

That Belichick's the same. All great competitors don't change whether they're winning or losing. It is though it's easier when you've lost to find motivation. It's easier to grind like when you get fired from your job. It's easier to go try to find some cash when you look at your bank account and you don't have any. You're like, I need to go locks up some deals. Well, I give you $10 million. You're going to work us hard?

Some people will. Some people have that maniacal, competitive, just make some nuts. And listen, when I say nuts, I mean that in a positive way. Like the nutty nature, like the majority of people like staying in the slow lane. The majority of people like it easy. The highest level of competitors in any industry, especially with ones that are public or the ton of money on the line, are fucking crazy. And I say that in a good way. And I think one thing we're finding out about Andy's quarterback is he kind of has that too. And I said over and over and over this year, this guy's going to come back with a vengeance. And I had a buddy on the staff that said, this guy, he's got a focus in his eye. And if you watch them through the preseason, and we're lucky because Coach Reed puts these guys in the game in the preseason, you went, God, Mahomes looks pretty good. But it was easy to go, you know, it could just be the preseason. and then you watch

but then you watch them go into the desert and play the Cardinals who let's face it reeling a little bit not a big believer well earned six point favorite and absolutely eviscerate Cliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray

think about the flip side Kyler Murray's a guy who bitched and moaned he didn't have a contract even though he still had multiple years left on his had just had the most embarrassing playoff loss in like modern history for a really good player. I mean, it doesn't, we all have to agree. It couldn't have looked any worse. Mahomes, meanwhile, had the worst loss of his career at home in the AFC championship game,

where they were up 21 to 3 where he had thrown three touchdowns. Now, he had a terrible second half, but Kyler, bitch and moan, hadn't got paid. They had to put the video game clause in there. Meanwhile, Mahomes, who's already been paid, has a terrible loss, comes back and looks like Tom Brady 2.0. Like, I'm on a mission to win this thing again. Now, is he going to? I don't know. But you watch Patrick Mahomes and you watch Andy in that game, good luck.

And I've been thinking about this. The NFL is very lucky that Buffalo and Kansas City don't play in a dome. Because if they were like in indie, they would eviscerate the league. The only thing is going to neutralize those guys is the cold weather and they both play in it. And when I say neutralize it, give yourself a chance. because they are better than you. Andy's got the best quarterback in the league. Arguably, Rogers will see.

He's a two-time MVP. But you know what I mean? Who is on a mission. Josh Allen had the same look. On a mission. Meanwhile, Kyler's like, oh, wonder when the new Call of Duty comes out. Anyone want a game tomorrow Monday?

If I'm Michael Binwell, I'm thinking, and I said this over and over and over, how are you going to give contract extensions to your coach and GM? And then give a contract extension to, to your quarterback, who clearly I don't think you like all three. Maybe you like Steve Kine personally because you've known them for so long,

but you can't think Kingsbury's that good, and you definitely got questions on the quarterback. Meanwhile, Clark Hunt's feet up and go, God, I got the most stable coach in the franchise, really since like Hank Schramm, you can say Marty, but come on, that was a roller coaster ride. And I got easily the best quarterback in the history of my franchise, RIP, Len Dawson. And we are rolling. And you look at the Cardinals, it was like a dichotomy. opposite ends of the sphere of just an organization high level with high level people. You could pay Andy and you could pay Mahomes $5 and you would get the same effort.

Kyler Murray basically just told you, if you don't pay me, I'm going to quit. Whee, wah, wah, where? And what team beat the living piss out of the other? The team of the guys that aren't driven by money. The team of the guys that have more talent than the other team. The team of the guys that are dramatically more talented and just better. And think about this. It's why character and mindset, and we talk about it all the time, because it matters.

It really, really matters. Let's dive into some nuggets around the league. Last I saw T.J. Watt, torn peck, you know, looking around, see if he has to get a, he's going to like second and third opinion, not ideal. I mean, that sucks. That is a massive, massive blow for the Pittsburgh Steelers. I mean, he's one of the best players in the league. So if he's out for a considerable amount of time,

if his season is derailed. I don't want to say they're screwed, but I'm not going to say I told you so, but come on, guys. You get four picks, whatever, from Burrow in the first half. Mitchell, Trubis, you guys should have won that game, and I have someone that bet on the Steelers.

They should have been up by several touchdown. Trubisky's just not good enough. He's just not good enough. Is Kenny Pickett, you know where I stand on Kenny Pickett, but just put him in the game. What are you doing with Trubisky? He stinks. Good backup.

And when I say good backup means you feel good about a guy with experience you don't ever want to play. Dennis Allen. I'm not a believer in Dennis Allen, and I don't know if much changed, but here's what I do know. He had to win that game. Under no circumstances could you

where the majority of the 22 starters in that game on both sides, what does the Saints have? Better starters at 18 to 19 of the positions? You had to win that game. And I wasn't watching it, but I looked up and it was 2610, and I went, Dennis Allen is going to lose his first game, being a head coach.

It's like Marcus Freeman at Notre Dame. When you get handed something that's running at a high level, you can't then take a step back with that thing. It has to keep going in a trajectory at best staying stable. And it felt like, God, clearly Notre Dame, they're an embarrassment right now. They just lost it home to Marshall. People are, you're talking about him getting fired?

Yeah, I am talking about Marcus Freeman getting fired. He was handed a program. Scott Frost was handed a shit sandwich. Now it turns out Scott Frost doesn't know what he's doing. He can't fix a Power 5 program. Marcus Freeman was handed a program that averaged 10.8 wins the last five seasons. I'll round up, say 11.

And has been consistently a top 7-8 program in the country, a high-level operation with NFL guys all over the place. Their own TV deal. It doesn't get any better. And he lost to Marshall at home a 20-point favorite. Like that's just, that's one of the most embarrassing losses as I think I've ever seen. Like Nebraska losing to Georgia Southern.

Like, yeah, Nebraska loses to a lot of people. Notre Dame over the last five, six years, does not lose to a lot of people. And they definitely don't lose to Marshall at home. So, it's just Dennis Allen had to win that game. Just like Marcus Freeman had to win that game. Dennis Allen won it, Marcus Freeman didn't. Jalen Hurts watched some of the Eagles game today.

And I actually am really coming around. Now, he still, I would like him to throw the football better. But here would be my comp. he's like a poor man's Lamar Jackson. There are some basic throws that sometimes he misses that make you go, God, Jalen, that's such an easy throw. But then he does some spectacular stuff. And he is a very natural runner of the football.

Like when he runs, one, he doesn't take that many big shots, and he is just natural in the open field. And his blend of running, him and A.J. Brown clearly have a rapport. I mean, they're buddies. They're on the same pace. They're hitting big plays. The Eagles have a very talented. with the team. Now, I know the Lions came back in the game. It was 38 to 21. Last year, the

Niners played him week one, and it was like 31 to 10, and the final score was like an eight-point win. So the Lions under Dan Campbell do not die easily, but I thought the Eagles, their offense was very, very impressive defense. You know, they did have a pick six, but you would like to not give up all those points late in the game, but I'll give you a little bit of a pass there. I think it's pretty clear from a talent standpoint. Eagles are clearly the most talented team in that division. I mentioned Justin Herbert earlier. He's a stud.

He made some throws in that game against the Raiders. And this is the problem for Derek. And this back to the car. They need him to be good because I'm recording this part before the Monday night game. Just assume Russell kind of gets the swag back a little bit. Mahomes is the best quarterback in the league. Justin Herbert, when he's playing like that,

that's the top five quarterback in the league. And depending on how Russell plays this year could easily be a top five or six quarterback. That's who the Raiders are dealing with. So they need Derek, who's never going to be a top four or five player in the league, but to be like 8, 9, 10, not 11, 12, 13, 14, right? And that's where Justin Herbert is throwing BB after BB after BB. God, I mean, that guy, if I'm a Charger fan, if I'm just a fan of football,

him, Mahomes, Lamar, Josh Allen, that there are some very entertaining talents right now in the league. Speaking of talents, Justin Jefferson, holy canola. as Clay Thompson would say. What a special player? To me, the coolest part about football, and just probably sports in general, but specifically football, is how fast you know,

and then we always talk about, isn't it crazy that Justin Jefferson went 22nd? Isn't it crazy that A.J. Brown went in the second round? Isn't it crazy that Debo Samuel went in the second round? Isn't it crazy that D.K. Metcalf? It happens all the time with wide receivers. You're telling me the Bengals got T. Higgins in the second round.

You're telling me the 49ers got Brandon I, yuk at the end of the first round, it happens every single year and we immediately know, and he's the highest high end of it, because he is a, he's a star. He is a absolute matchup nightmare playmaking Jesse. The Vikings are very, very lucky to have them and their offense with him. Holy, geez, it looks good. Big week coming up for Tray Lance. It's going to be a nice day in Levi Stadium, unlike the day in the monsoon. I'm not giving the guy a pass, but he's going to need to make some play Sunday. He's going to need to throw some touchdowns.

He's going to need to be an explosive player. I'm not saying they're going to have a quick hook and go to Jimmy Garoppolo, week three if it doesn't go well. But this is a must-win week for the 49ers. You can't open your season with losses against the Bears and the Seattle. And then your next two games are Denver and the Rams. Like that, you've got to beat Seattle at home. And I start, listen, like the defense will be.

fine, but the quarterback's got to make some plays. Gotta be explosive down the field. And I'd be, like I saw enough to think that there is potential there. We just got to get it done. Hit Iuke, hit Debo. Shanahan had a play schemed up for him wide open and he missed it. It's got to happen. I just don't see it with Tua.

I just don't. I'm not trying to be a hater. I'm just telling you what I see. And I get some DMs like, Middlecalf, why do you hate Tua? I do not. I honestly kind of want to like him. I enjoyed watching him at Alabama. I watch his arm.

it resembles more of a pea-shooter than it does a bazooka. When the ball comes out of his hand and just goes so slow. If he was a baseball pitcher, he's thrown like 87 miles an hour. You have to admit if you're a Dolphins fan, and I watch the Patriot Dolphin game early Monday morning. NFL Plus, watching the condensed games, I mean, I can bang out five or six games pretty quickly. Go to the gym, watch a couple, come home at my desk,

work, what little watch couple in the background? It's just any person on Monday morning, if they're just banging off, unless I got three TVs, acting like they saw all the games, complete bullshit. It's impossible. And my condo in the Bay,

I have two TVs. You know, I'm fighting up hill battle, adapting. I just rented an office. So we'll be ready to rock and roll here. Here in Scottsdale, pulling up the operation very, very quickly. And I'll have multiple TVs.

But to me, too, I just, they have talent. Waddle and obviously Tyreek is a star. and Mozart's a good player. They have talent on the offensive weaponry. I just, I don't know, man. How tough the AFC is, I have a hard time seeing two of win big games.

The paths suck. New England looks like a five-win team to me. Now, because of Belichick, they'll probably somehow find a way to win like seven, but that was not an impressive win. I'm sorry, because the final score should have been like 40 to 7. Somehow it was 20 to 7? Not a hater.

Just do not see it. 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, 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 Podcast, 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 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. 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. 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 Podcast. or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, learn the hard way 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, or 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, is 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 learn the hard way and listen now let's bang out a couple uh middlecough mailbags see what you guys are saying ad john middlecop hey john watching monday night football and nothing uh and noticing all the scrambling before denver plays is that a lack of practice or too complicated plays love the show it's bad coaching i figured it out thanks yeah listen this is their first game they've been together, but I think you got Russell who wants to run the offense. I'm not some anti-Russel guy. I think he's a great player, but he wants to be Peyton Manning.

He wants to have this legacy and brand. Like that's, he already does. Like the RW, that's what he's into. And to get a brand, like Carmelo Anthony is not a brand. Why he never won? To get a brand, you get Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, they build brands. Brands are built off winning. TB12. Why? Because they win.

You can't, everyone wants a brand. A brand comes with like, yeah, this guy won three Super Bowls. Yeah, this guy's been dominating for 20 years. You know, Russell wants so desperately to prove that he didn't need Pete. It's weird, like this revenge thing. Like, think about Peyton Manning. Peyton Manning's neck got messed up. The Colts cut him.

And it never felt like when he went to Denver that he had like this vendetta. He's like, you know, I'm healthy now. I get it. You guys got luck. I'm just here to kick ass. Good luck to you guys. Right? Now, you could argue, listen, I'm,

I've said over and over, I'm not a vendetta revenge guy. I'm not saying I don't think about those things when someone screws me, but when I use that to motivate me, I struggle. Now, some people thrive, right? Portnoy thrives. Michael Jordan thrives. Some people, anger and like, I'm coming for your throat, and it works. For me, it's not when I'm most productive.

Like, does Russell Wilson really strike you as like vengeance guy? I feel like he's kind of unsure of who he actually is. And he's now in this position with Nathaniel Hackett, and they're probably like Nathaniel ideas, Russell ideas, and it's just, I don't know, man. Good luck to him. They do have a lot of good players, but I would bet against it. You've been talking about how you believe the Vikings are overrated,

and the Packers are still the best team in that division. Does the week one game change your view of either team, or do you still believe the Packers will win the North? I still believe the Packers will win the North, but I now believe Minnesota can. I did not believe that Minnesota could win the North before that game. I would not change my bet after one game, but I would change my view that Minnesota can win it now.

I said before the game, if Minnesota is going to win the North, you've got to beat the Packers at home. Because if you can't beat them at home, you're not going to beat them in Lambo. If you're not beating the Packers at home, are you beating other good teams at home? That's a big win.

And the way they won it, I was impressed. So, yes, they can win the North. I'm not going to budge off my pickoff one game, but if I was in Minnesota van, I would feel pretty good. I would feel really good about my stance. Been listening to you since you joined the volume. Love the content.

Bringing a different perspective and insight. Keep up the work. My question is, why is the Casey Mahomes read slander? I don't get it. Is it media fatigue? I live in Denver. And I get shit from donkey fans. Oh, I think we got you guys this year.

Meh. We still have Andy in 15. I doubt three and the first year coach are going to turn this around in year one. Colin is insufferable when it comes to his man. Russell Wilson. But yes, he's about to get it right. Yeah, I think I was brought to the volume by the sports gods to balance out the Russell Wilson love. Now, I'm with him on his playing ability and his career has been fantastic, but this notion that he was going to go to Denver with a head

coach that, let's face it, felt a little over his head in week one, felt a little strong to me, and take over a team that hasn't been winning. When you take over a team that has been winning, you have a chance. If Nick Saven retires next year, and let's just say, Lane Kiffin takes it over, Alabama's probably going to keep winning. It's like Dennis Allen,

gets to take over the Saints. Now, I don't think the Saints are going to win 12 games, but if you told me that the Saints win nine games or 10, it is somewhat believable. He has a really good team. Now, I think he'll end up winning seven,

but, you know, if he wins nine, I can see it. Please apologize to Bears fans and Matt Iberfluse on Monday's episode. You know that's what's right after you shit talk. I did. I fairly squared up. I did it on Sunday night. I will take it on my chin because, listen, I remember I had a GM who at the, he's no longer one, like get really mad at me for saying some things. And I've thought a lot about that. I think about, I don't talk to this guy anymore,

but like GMs also talk a lot of shit, right? About players, about other coaches, about player agents. And they tell the media. But they always, always do it anonymously. Like, it's never, they've never put their name on it. Everything I fucking say here is my names on it. Now, I, I know we're just joking around,

but sometimes I think, like, like, people get mad, like in the league. I know fans, whatever. We're having a good time. I was like, well, I put my name on everything. You guys never put your name on anything.

I've never forgotten that. This guy got so mad, like, no, everything I say, like, this ain't anonymous. This is three and out with John Middlethuff. So I have no problem if I say something to be man enough to answer it. For the mailbag. Monday night football, less of a clown show.

There was a difference, almost still weekend vibe to the game. These two men are worth it for Monday night. I said it earlier in the podcast when we opened up. I agree. I did not watch Peyton and Eli tonight, not because I don't love those guys. I thoroughly enjoyed last year hanging out with Peyton and Eli. I would love to play golf and drink some beer. with Peyton and Eli. I think most of you listening would as well. They feel like they would be a lot of fun

to just 24 pack of CLs, hit a golf course, you know, hit a bar, whatever. They feel like they would be a cool hang. And they are a good hang. I mean, clearly, and those guys are good hanks. But that game tonight, when the game's big and it felt big, the lights, everything, and you had Joe and Troy, it just, like, I had to watch Joe and Troy. So, you know, I had a buddy who's a broadcaster, Texas, me like Joe doesn't even know the names. Did Joe Buckmail it in a little? Maybe, but I don't view it from a play-by-play guy's mindset. Like, I just view myself as a consumer.

They feel big. They've done Super Bowls. Aikman's one of, I actually think Akeman's got a swaggerback. Because the moment they gave Tony Romo all that money, it pissed Troy off. Troy's thinking like, hey, I'm the number one guy in the NFL. Hey, I'm the best cowboy quarterback. And I feel like he's kind of got his edge back. And I've always been an Akeman guy.

I just enjoyed him since watched him as a kid as a player. Not that I liked him as a player because I was rooting for the Niners and he was always kicking the Niners' ass. But I've just always kind of liked his vibe. Like the Mannings also seems like a cool hang. Like I would love to just get some beers. Now, you know, he has like the zero calorie beers, maybe some cocktails, some Tito's and sodas with Troy.

But that did feel big tonight. That was probably, you know, ESPN, let's face it, I think the network beside like Adam Schaefter, I'm trying to think of my friends there. Adam Schaefter, like him. Field Yates, like him. You know, it's a short list. So I would say I don't watch it at all,

but I did watch that tonight and I couldn't have enjoyed it anymore. Russell Wilson is very poor at clock management. Coach is trash. I haven't seen such a bad clock management in my entire life. And then Hackett calls timeouts and kneel downs. My Broncos look bad.

I'll give the benefit of the doubt. It was an emotional. game, but that was bad. That was a cluster fuck. There's just no way around it. That was bad. But I'm very happy that I bet on Seattle. And you could tell.

Like, listen, as someone, like, who just watched Pete really closely for 20 years since he's been at USC and obviously I've just West Coast guy, watch a lot of Seattle Seahawks football, I'm not sure they're very good. Like, I mean, D.K's good. A couple good guys on defense. Penny's actually turned his career around. You know, Gino actually might be like the 25th best quarterback in the league. Gino actually is not terrible.

Gino, a lot of people have talked a lot of crap about Gino Smith. Didn't look terrible tonight. But they were going to throw the kitchen sink at Denver. And Pete Carroll on his worst day is a better coach than Nate Hackett probably on his best day. So that was a mismatch tonight. And ultimately, like, Nate Hackett better pick a shit up. because you don't pay $4.7 billion to lose. And you don't pay a quarterback $160 million and trade all your draft picks to lose.

So there is immediate pressure. It's what's so fun about the NFL. People get mad like, middle God, the Yankees game matters. Now you got 162 of them. Like you don't get fired after a game. Like in football, you feel asses get tight after. You could see if you watch that Notre Dame game, Marcus Freeman's face. It was like he saw a ghost.

Did you see Jimbo Fisher's face when Appalachian State was beating him? Did you see Nate Hackett's vibe at the end of that game? Football one loss feels like the end of the world, and it's what makes the sport so great. It makes us care sitting on our couch consuming this thing because they care so much, and they know the moment they lose, it's such a bad thing. I watched Kyle Shanan go to that press conference yesterday,

and he looked like he had seen a ghost. because losing, especially when you're supposed to win, is not good. It's not good. That can't be set. Baseball, you lose. You could be a 120 win team and lose to a team with 40 wins all season. And no one gives a shit. I've watched the Warriors for the last Steph Clay and Draymond run.

They lose to random teams all the time during the radio season. It doesn't matter. In football, it is like the Titans lost to the Giants. Can you imagine like Mike Vrable after that game? Can you imagine Dennis Allen on the sideline for a brief second when he thought he was going to lose the game? It's the best, man. There's nothing like football.

At John Middlecock, Instagram. Talk to everyone soon. Peace. 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 Sider

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. On the Look Back at it podcast.

From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84's big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a here, 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. Now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to The Clifford Show on the 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. This is an IHeart podcast, guaranteed human.