The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 3 and Out - Russell Wilson's Walk Back; John's Weekend Revelation; Packers/Rodgers Mess; Rapid Fire NFL Headlines; Mailbag

Episode Date: June 15, 2021

In this episode, John reacts to Russell Wilson publicly walking back his trade demand from earlier in the offseason, lets listeners in on his big revelation about the future of the NFL relative to the other major professional sports, runs through the worsening Packers/Aaron Rodgers mess and other NFL headlines, 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.

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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. The story I've told myself can then shape my behavior, and that can lead me to sabotage the possibility of connection. This Mental Health Awareness Month, tune into the podcast deeply well with Debbie Brown.

If you've been searching for a soft place to land while doing the work to become whole, this podcast is for you to hear more. Listen to Deeply Well with Debbie Brown from the Black Effect Podcast. on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. American Soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming. Ramos sending on to Ernie Stewart the chip. Score!

I'm Tab Ramos. I'm Tom Boe. On our podcast, inside American soccer, you'll get the real storylines, the biggest decisions, and the truth about the U.S. national team. It wouldn't be a huge surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals or potentially a great run into the semifinals. Listen, Inside American Soccer with Tom Bogart and Tabramos on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcast. Hey, I'm Deanna Maria Riva, and on my new podcast, How Hard Can It Be?

I call on my Gen X squad from Ohio to Hollywood as we navigate Midlife's most fantastic BS. Unfiltered conversations from night sweats to futas to scheduling sacks. Wait, what sex? Is it just me, or does every woman my age want to look at Pinterest? instead of having sex sometimes. They say we can't polish a turd, but we're sure going to try,

so let's get blunt with laughs, tears, or tears of laughter. Listen to How Hard Can It Be with Tiana Maria Riva on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Get right to the romance and find the way to wow this valentines with 1,800flowers.com. From classic roses and bouquets to decadent chocolate-covered berries,

gourmet treats, and more. Surprise your Valentine with 1-800flowers.com. Right now, get the 18-stem enchanted rose medley for $3999, or upgrade to 24 red roses for $10 more. Go to 1,800flowers.com slash tune-in. That's 1-800flowers.com slash tune-in. What is going on, my people, three-and-out podcast? I'm John Middellcop.

You guys are here for the podcast. Appreciate everyone showing up. And luckily, a large, percentage of the NFL is on summer vacation. Some of us, me, I'm sure many of you, we had to work. You know, we don't get 35, 40 days off. Luckily, there's enough going on. I can have some takes on some topics that are out there in the football world. Russell Wilson, something crystallized to me over the weekend that I wanted to hit on today. And then just a bunch of other little topics that we will fire through. Of course, Middlecough Mailbag at John Middilkoff is

the Instagram, you fire up in those DMs, and we'll talk about it here. If you listen on Collins' podcast feed, I also have one. John Middlecop, three and out. I would greatly appreciate it if you listen there. Subscribe and listen to that feed if you like the show. Also, anyone that's left to review, I tip my hat. Apple iTunes, leave a review. I greatly appreciate it.

Keeps us in business. Keep some food on the table. Not Ruth Chris, not Fleming's, just, you know, McDonald's and Chick-fil-A. But, hey, man, bakers can't be choosers. I'll eat it. I actually had Chick-fil-A on Friday. And for, I talked about the mob last week. My obsession with the mob, someone DM me said, you've got to watch Operation Odessa. Watched it. Awesome.

Highly recommended. I think it was on Apple TV is where I watched it. I actually paid like $7.99 to watch it. It was well worth it. Operation Odessa, whoever DM me that, tip my hat. Awesome documentary. Russian mob, Pablo Escobar, FBI, submarines, cocaine, sweet. Exotic car dealer, highly recommend.

Highly recommend. Thanks for the recommendation. And keep them coming. Keep him coming. I actually just started watching Ted Lasso. Very funny. Very funny. I honestly didn't even know I had Apple.

TV got a television for my room. I've never had a television in my room since I've been adult because like I in theory I'm like I'm gonna read when I go to bed I never end up reading I just ended up bringing my iPad in so like probably six months ago I put a TV on the wall and yeah just got with the times the great part is you don't even need a cable box right they have this thing called smart TVs not that I didn't have smart TVs in my other room but I still have regular cable so I don't necessarily use them beside like Netflix this one My Comcast just goes right to my television. I just downloaded an app.

It's freaking incredible. Maybe I won't have Comcast too much longer, unless they want to be a sponsor on the podcast, then I'm more than welcome to keep them rolling. Russell Wilson. This happened late last week. I didn't see it till this weekend, and I just said,

oh, had to shake my head. Now, listen, I've lived on the West Coast now his entire career. I have a ton of admiration for him as a player. I think Russell Wilson is an all-time great player. In a weird way, I think he's even now an underrated player. He is, I mean, he's a first ballot hall of famer. But he said something that caught my attention. And he told the media last week that he never requested a trade.

Even though his agent told Adam Schaefter, well, Russell's not requesting a trade. If they do trade him, here are the 14. teams he'd want to go to. Remember, like Dallas, the Bears, Vegas, and the Saints, maybe? I can't even remember the four teams. But he listed four teams. It's like, honey, I don't necessarily want a divorce, but if we get one, I'm either going to date Jennifer, Megan, or Julie. So, just be prepared. If you want to go our separate ways, I'm coming after your friends. And I think two of them will have me, right? They've seen my W-2s doing pretty much.

well. You, there is an element, how can I say this? I despise fake people. I despise really the fake world that we're living in. I think you see it a lot. Definitely in my business with the media. The group think that you get on social media. People talk, unlike they act, it's become very, very fraudulent. It's become like everyone is just walking on eggshells with what what they're saying. It's like, just be real. Like, there's a difference just being a bad person and just given your real opinions or your real feelings. I try to hang my hat on authenticity.

I try to surround myself with authentic people. It's why I think politicians rub the majority of human beings the wrong way. I say this all the time. Most human beings are not that political. We're not left. We're not right. Most humans have the same desire. They want to have a good job. They want to have a healthy family.

They want their kids to grow up, have food on the table, have a home, have their kids go to school, have good friends. Like, the majority of human beings have the same beliefs, have the same desires. Yet politically, we're constantly ripped apart for various reasons, right? They're usually led by corporations, which again, I'm pro corporations, I'm pro business, pro the private sector, but it can get very fraudulent. I think we all see some of these commercials on TV. It's like, what are we doing here? But people are very, very afraid to offend. And it's almost like people think

that everything they see on social media is like most people think. It's just not the case. And I think Russell Wilson has fallen into this like corporate persona. And listen, I've never met the guy. I was, when I was scouting, people loved him. And I do believe, like Russell is a very, very good human. Like, I do believe he stands.

for like internally behind closed doors the right things. But I think this image that he puts on, he puts so much effort behind that image, he's terrified to come off anything that will offend anyone. It's like Russell, just come out. You were pissed off at Seattle and you fucking told them to trade you. You did not want to be there any longer. Instead of tiptoeing around like, I don't want to go,

but here are the four teams like BS. You wanted things done differently than they were. were done before, even though I pushed back, like, Russell doesn't get that much better, bro. You've won from day one there. They do everything humanly possible to get sweet players. Is it always going to work? Of course not. They have taken several swings at star players.

They've drafted pretty well, right? It's like, oh, middle cop, what are you talking about? D.K. Metcalfe, Tyler Lockett, Carson. Now, is your offensive line perfect? No. Are you the easiest quarterback to protect? No. Did you benefit a lot early on in your career from a great defense and a great run game?

Yes. Did your stardom grow because of what they had equipped for you to land? Of course. Do you aspire to be like Tom Brady? Maybe, but here's what I know about Tom Brady. He's never requested a trade. You basically shit on your entire offensive line this offseason. You can claim you didn't.

You did. We all saw it. But your corporate mumbo-jumbo, you can come back. I didn't say that. These guys are humans. They know what was going on. Do you notice in Tom Brady's Instagram? Someone DM me this the other day.

Like, we need Aaron Rogers and Russell Wilson. Let's stop comparing them to Tom Brady. Go to Tom Brady's Instagram. Check out his stories. A little circle at the top of the Instagram. Click on that. Do you know what the majority of the stories are? Teammates, offensive linemen,

wide receivers, linebackers, corners, his coaching staff. He's always propping up other people. and he's been like that since New England, obviously. But he was like that with McCordy, with Slater, with Gruncowski, with whoever he plays with. It's always about someone else. And let's face it, Russell puts on this corporate image. Like, it's a little bit about you, Russell, which is fine.

I'm selfish as well. Most people listening are. But to come out and claim that, like, you know, you just got caught up in this media storm is very, very disingenuous. your agents who in a million years would never, ever say anything to ruin the relationship with his client. Why? Because Russell Wilson is a cash cow. Anyone listening to this, in sales, in any business you're in, if you are in a partnership or a business relationship with a cash cow, someone that is very lucrative for you, your company, your life.

Do you know what you don't do? Ever screw up that relationship. So when his agent gave those four teams, that came from Russell Wilson. He didn't just pull that out of the sky and be like, I bet Russell would like to play for these four teams. No, that was Russell's words. He just used the agent as basically like, you know, an umbrella,

as like a wall, as a separator. Now, Russell, we could, Adam Schaefter, who I'm buddies with, I like Adam Schaefter, could have easily just wrote, Russell Wilson would like to, Russell Wilson says he wants to go to one of these four teams if him in Seattle can't figure out their quote-unquote differences. But I just think people have a problem. And Rogers kind of acts like this too. I said it when he went on with Kenny Maine. You cannot talk shit about your organization halfway and kind of, tiptoe around it and resonate with us normal people.

Now you can if you're very image conscious and you don't want your fan base to get mad at you, but I think we're educated enough as sports fans, as people that follow this league, as people that follow the dynamics of these athletes. Like, we get it, bro. Just come out and say you hate them. Here's the problem. Same with Russell Wilson. They can't actually give the details because it's not going to resonate with us.

We're going to be like, wait, you wanted them to do something else. Well, what was the other thing? Well, I don't know, but just get a better player. So just say that your right guard sucks. Say it, I dare you. You won't. You, Goudicans, like, what, what is it, Aaron? He looks at you funny, or is it just all about Jordan Love?

Just come out and say it. But they never will in a million years. They have this corporate image, they have this team, and there's just like this separation that they, you know, they always like to be protected. They have this like halo around them that's just, they're untouchable. You know, JJ Watt battled this for a while.

And it's like, I actually think JJ has got much more normal over the years. Russell's the worst. Rogers is somewhere in the middle. And I'm not acting like Tom Brady is not corporate, but he has a much more human side to him, even with kind of his whole weird TB12 thing. It always feels like, you know, he's just one of the guys. I think anyone that's played with Russell would say,

yeah, he's not really one of the guys. And then he tries to act like he's your friend, but he'll be the first to throw you under the bus. And then be like, well, actually, I didn't say it. My agent said it. No, you said it because your agent would never utter, utter a word publicly on record without you giving the thumbs up. But to claim that you didn't ask for a trade, I mean, can you imagine if you looked at your girlfriend or wife and be like, you know, kind of during a rough patch? I said, listen, if we're going to break up, just know that I'm going to start dating Jennifer immediately.

That's where I want to be. it would be over. Now, obviously business is different than personal relationships, but that's kind of what he's saying here. And it's why it's just hard for... 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 IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Will Ferrell's Big Money Players and IHart Podcasts presents soccer moms. So I'm Leanne. This is my best friend, Janet. And we have been joined at the hips since high school. Absolutely. Now a redacted amount of years later, we're still joined at the hip, just a little bit bigger hips, wider.

This is a podcast. We're recording it as we tailgate our youth soccer games in the back of my Honda Odyssey with all the snacks and drink. Sidebar. Why did you get hard seltzer instead of beer? They had a bogo. Well, then you got it.

Do you want a white collar or something here? Just take it. What are y'all doing? Microphones? Are you making a rap album? I would. Come on. How did you believe?

I would buy it. Cuts through the defense like a hot knife through sponge cake. That sounds delicious. Oh, you're lucky. I'm not a drug addict. You are. I'm not an alcoholic.

You are. You are. You're lucky I'm not a killer. I love this team, and I'm really trying to be a figure in their lives that they can rely on. Oh. Listen to soccer moms on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano, and our podcast, Point Game is about defying the odds.

Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and Austin Reed. And finding ways to win no matter what. He's the smartest player to ever play the game. His IQ is at a level. that we've never seen before. And he knows. Without Luca and Austin Reeves, I got to manipulate the game.

We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the playoffs. I think Joker's going to be exhausted this series because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup, he has to really guard guys like Nas Reid. He has to guard Julius Randall. And then he has to give us everything

he gives us on the night-to-night basis on offense. And when IT's friends stop by, like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too. Steve Nass would get that thing. That man, hell get the flying. He running up the court, licking his fingers, why he got the ball. Like, after you go through a training camp with that, Isaiah, you figure it out real quick.

Get your ass up and down the court, and you're going to get the ball. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, everyone, it's Ryder Strong, and Will Ferdell from PodMeets World. And now the PodMeets Twirled podcast. We're two men who were completely clueless to reality TV, who now have covered Dan with the stars, traitors, and we're gearing up for the season finale of Survivor. So yeah, now we're experts. I know we annoyed a lot of our listeners by our severe lack of survivor knowledge.

That is the point of the show. I'm just going to remind you. I have watched some Survivor. I obviously haven't watched enough. Did people not like it? Yeah. Just because we? Yeah.

We'll be recapping the big conclusion of the 50th season from the final attempts at gameplay to the desperate pleas of finalists to a bunch of, of ha, who, ha, ha, who. Again, we are experts. So make sure to tune into Pod Meets Twirled for all our Survivor 50 takes.

Listen to PodMeets Twirled on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. And I am as Russell Wilson as a football defender as you can get. To me, he's like the Steve Young of this generation. He's a elite player. But some of the stuff around him,

it's like, Russell, you are an exhausting human. to follow just as like a fan. Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our shows at Fox SportsRadio.com. And within the IHard Radio app, search FSR to listen live. Get right to the romance and find the way to wow this valentines with 1800flowers.com. From classic roses and bouquets to decadent chocolate-covered berries, gourmet treats, and more. Surprise your Valentine with 1-800flowers.com.

Right now, get the 18-stem enchanted rose medley for $3999, or upgrade to 24 red roses for $10 more. Go to 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. That's 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. 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. Adoption of teens from foster care is a topic not enough people know about and we're here to change that. I'm April Dinwiddie host of the new podcast, Navigating Adoption, presented by Adopt U.S. kids. Each episode brings you compelling real-life adoption stories told by the families that live them with commentary from experts.

Visit adoptuskids.org slash podcast or subscribe to navigating adoption presented by Adopt U.S. Kids. Brought to you by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families and the Ad Council. Something happened on Friday night that crystallized into my brain. And I came to the conclusion that in the foreseeable future, the next, eight years, I think the NFL, and just football in general, but the National Football League is going to widen the gap of interest relative to the other professional sports. I'm sitting there on my couch. I may or may not have had a couple edibles enjoying my, you know, Friday afternoon.

I'm a sucker for an elite pitcher mowing batters down. Tim Linscom's one of my favorite baseball players ever Randy Johnson Pedro Martinez Greg Maddox I'll watch any Top Flight Ace Max Scherzer you name it Furlander in his prime Shuff and just put batters back Into the dugout it's awesome

I am a sucker for that Jacob de Grom who's having a historic year The San Diego Padres who are loaded He's mowing him down strikeout, strikeout, strikeout, they can't touch him. Six innings go by, 80 pitches, he comes out of the game. Now, immediately I changed the channel. It's like, well, you've lost the viewer here.

John Middilcoff in California, watching a Mets game, immediately changed the channel. Now, after the game, DeGrom says that he felt something in his elbow or shoulder or whatever, precautionary reason, which I'm going to believe what is being said. but anyone that falls baseball knows starting pitchers now go five or six innings that you are not expected to go eight or nine no matter how many pitches you have no matter how well you're pitching

you've watched in the playoffs the GMs let's face it a lot of these guys now are Ivy League elites run the sport and I've been saying it for a long period of time professional sports are in the entertainment business they are competing they are a television show

It's reality television show. That is what pays the bills. And football, by a mile, has the most urgency to every single one of their events, which are mainly football games, right? Now, they have the draft and free agency. But in terms of the main property they have are games. And they obviously baseball and basketball. As we've seen in baseball, the sport is double the length of basketball.

and they don't even care to entertain you in the sense of they will do whatever they want to do to win, the general managers and the front offices, which is their prerogative. But I think we all agree, baseball used to be way more popular and it looks completely different now. Basketball, we have enough information to know that management and the players detest the regular season. They find the regular season irrelevant. and you know who else has agreed with them? The consumer. And I tweeted this out on Friday night

just because I was like, what is going on? I hope these leagues do not forget that they are in the entertainment business. That is where the money comes. And the NFL knows this. Now they get lucky. No player on God's Green Earth

who's ever played football on any level. High school, college, or the pros wants to miss a game. The games, unless you're like a sicko like Brady or Ray Lewis, are the only fun part. Study in film, lifting, practicing, getting up early all weeks, staying up late, getting ready for the game plan. Football is hard preparing for the game. What do Ray say? You pay me Monday through Saturday.

Sundays are for free. In basketball, like, they don't even like playing the games until they, quote unquote, matter. But the problem is, the inverse. inventory of a sport, you need the regular season to matter. Look at college basketball. There are one month of your sport. When I was a kid in the 90s, it was four or five months. It was what college football is now.

And college football still has this. Every game matters. You have to watch. Even in the NFL, technically every game doesn't matter. But as we've talked about on this show for years, when I go into a game, I know your star players are going to play unless they are injured. In basketball, they're like, yeah, he's just taking the day off. In baseball, they're like, yeah, I know he's how many.

He's got 70 pitches and he's the best pitcher in baseball, but, you know, we're going to take him out of the game. Long season. Understandable from the general manager seat. The problem is the general managers who now run baseball and basketball do not align with the fan. And the fan pays for everything. And without the fan, professional sports would not exist. The only reason pro sports exist right now Because they are a cash cow

They print money Because people watch and attend If that ever drops off And in the other two sports it has In the football it's gain fans over the years The moment that changes Your sport is in trouble It's why when we talk about NBA ratings

It is a big deal when they keep dropping down And down and down that is what pays the bills. Baseball's become much more regional, but we all can admit it's nowhere near as popular as it once was. I'm an outlier. I will watch a random baseball game.

I will watch Clippers Jazz. Most of my friends will not. People will watch the Jags play the Texans on a Thursday night. They just will. It's proven over and over and over again that 14 million people show up for that game. They can't get 3 million people to watch an NBA playoff game.

Not because the guys aren't trying hard now. It's because they've lost the consumer during the regular season. You can't just expect the guy to flip the switch as a fan. We're in football, and they're lucky, the setup of the sport one game a week. Games matter, right? There is just every guy for the most part, you may lose a game, but it's pretty rare to be like, you know, nobody played hard. you turn on basketball games all the time.

People are just laying an egg. In baseball, my partner on the other show, Guy Haberman, who's called Major League Baseball games, has always said this. Baseball effort is hard to decipher, but if you watch a team who gets one hit, it looks like they don't try. So if you're a fan of a team that can't hit,

you're like, God, this sucks. They're not even trying. Even though they might be, they just can't hit. The greatest advantage for football moving forward, and this is why I think they'll keep running circles around these other leagues, is their regular season's always going to matter. Every game is always going to matter.

Their star players are always going to play. You'll never be like, you know, down to touchdown, we just, week six, we just got to pull Patrick Mahomes out in the third quarter. Keep them fresh for week 12. Not the way it works, right? You'll never get, you know, it's week 10, we're seven and three,

we're just going to give Julio Jones, Tanny Hill, and Derek Henry the day off. Rest day, I know we're playing the Texans. You know why? You could lose to the Texans. We see it all the time. And you can't afford one loss in the NFL might be the difference of not making the playoffs.

But I'm sitting there locked into watching Jacob de Grom. And again, something might have tweaked, but it is very symbolic to everything that happens in baseball now. Guys do not go eight innings. They don't throw complete games. I immediately change the channel. immediately changed the channel. If that was football, the equivalent,

and again, they're different sports, the equivalent of Jacob de Grom is a Mahomes, is a Russell Wilson. No fucking chance he's coming out of the game. That's why we don't change the channel. Wanted to go around the league like we've been doing the last really several months, I guess, maybe after the draft,

and just hit on some little topics and things that I saw over the weekend or today on Monday. One thing that definitely made the rounds was Mark Murphy, the CEO and president of the Green Bay Packers. Unique role because most presidents for NFL teams, I know just the 49ers have Al Guido. You know, the Niners have, or excuse me, the Eagles. I know Don Spilinski, these are just a couple guys I know. Any, you know, NFL team that you follow, you might know your team president. I think Joe Ellis is one, maybe the Broncos.

They're usually focused on the business side, selling corporate suites, just money, sponsorships, cash for their owner, and they make seven-figure living. It's an elite job, basically the CEO of a team. But they actually don't have anything to do with football. It's what makes Murphy's job unique with the Packers is he's kind of in charge. Gutikins and LaFleur do answer to him. and he called Rogers a complicated fellow,

which, let's face it, most human beings are complicated fellas, most guys. I think we definitely could call girls or females, complicated ladies, right? We're all complicated. I don't even think that's necessarily a shot, but given everything that's going on

and how viral everything goes, even if you're just talking to season ticket holders or just a group of people, things get out. Have a clue This, listen, I don't think it's that big of a deal, big picture, but like, what are you doing, bro? Come on.

Use some restraint. I get anyone on stage, whether you're giving a best man speech, whether you're giving a commencement speech, whether you're talking to 10 partners in a business. You want to impress. You want to throw a couple zingers. That is also human nature.

You want to be, you know, a big swing and you know what, on stage and impress people. Make them laugh, make them impressed. This is not the time. Rogers is the best asset in the history of your modern day franchise, even better than far. Right there were probably Reggie White, but Reggie was a free agent. But you know what I'm saying? Like, you have a tenuous, explosive situation. Newsflash, keep your mouth shut.

When it comes to Aaron, just, it sucks, but like, yeah, it's not something. something I'm going to comment on right now, given the standing of the situation, given where we're at with our quarterback. I'm just, I'm going to leave that one alone, guys. You guys all know we want them back. Maybe Murphy doesn't. Maybe Murphy's tired of him. But to use Ted Thompson, who is deceased as an example of the guy that called him a complicated fella, I saw someone on social media made this remark as kind of unfair, because it's not like Ted Thompson can come to the defense or say I didn't say that or did say that. Honestly, it's, it's pretty dumb.

It was a mistake for Murphy. And I also read the day that LaFleur, because last week I said that I think they need to get a sit down. I guess they've already done that. LaFleur and Gutikins, it is a tough situation those guys are in. Whether Gutikins created it, whether he didn't, I don't know. Like what I said with Russell Wilson, like Aaron, come out and say it or else we're just going to keep guessing. Maybe he likes that. But Murphy, bro, you.

Just stay quiet. Like, this is not the time to come in with your opinions on the situation. Stefan Gilmore is not at Patriot mandatory minicamp. Complicated situation. He's going to be a free agent after this year. He wants a new contract. He's been a defensive player of the year. He's been one of the best corners in the league.

If not, given a year, might have been the best corner in the league. You know, 18, 19, last year he got hurt. He wants a new big contract. Here's the problem. He's going to be 31 this season. I would say in the history of the league, Don quarterback, you should never be in the business of giving a high-end player, a high-in third contract.

I have no problem, and neither does Bill Belichick, giving elite players second contracts. People are always like, Belichick never gives any money. He doesn't. Signed Logan Mankins. Signed Richard Seymour. Signed Rob Grunkowski. He signed a, you know, Devin McCordy,

Hightower, he signed a lot of second contracts to guys. He will never sign third contracts. Gilmore is not going to be on the Patriots after this year. The question is, do they trade him now? But if you're another GM, do you feel comfortable with a skill guy coming off a major injury? I think it was a torn quad giving him a multi-year guaranteed contract? And when you're talking about an elite pro-bow level guy, this is not 20 million guaranteed. He's going to want, I don't know, $20 million a year.

So it's, I'm a step on Gilmore guy, but I think the history of the league tells us you should never, ever be in the business of any non-quarterback giving third contracts at premium numbers away. I got no problem signing third contracts to guys at a lower number, at a team-friendly cap space, but not, I can't break the bank. is poor business. That is, for every one that you're going to hit on, you're going to miss on five. It is a risk, a proposition that I would not be in the business of if I was a general manager. Clearly, the ball is rolling down the hill, the avalanche of momentum for the 12 team playoffs. Of course, this was inevitable. There is, you know where 14 playoff has been cool.

Do you know what would be way better? Eight. You don't it be better than eight? 12. You know what would equal more money? More teams. More fan bases. It's not like all these new fan bases are going to come. I think I talked about it last week. Like, we have a general idea of the 20 to 25 teams that are going to be in the mix every year. And really, four or five of the teams are going to make the 12 team playoff every single time.

But if you're a fan of Oregon, if you're a fan of Washington, if you're a fan of Texas, if you're a fan of Florida, your team is definitely more likely to be in the mix every couple years with a 12 team playoff. Plus, there's just more money. The more money, more marketable, means more money for the players. Now that, you know, name, image, and likeness is out there. This is,

I would say this is a borderline lock by the end of this year to be official. And I think we just start next year. We're probably going to have to do four teams this year, but I would be on 12 by next year. Start rocking and rolling. That's what the people want. Because guess what?

We'll watch. 1,000%. It will rate. It will get viewers. it will get eyeballs. Levion Bell. People kept DMing me like, Middilkoff,

what's your opinion on Levion Bell's comments? I don't care. If I was in Levian Bell's shoes and I made one of the worst financial decisions in the history of the leak, I am $14 million poorer because I took the advice of my agent, of my team,

and of myself to sit out my second franchise tag for the Pittsburgh Steelers. that was $14 million, I will never get back. We've all made a poor business decision in our life, right? Sold a stock too early, sold a home too early, bought something at too high. But for most human beings,

even if you make your worst financial decision is not the end of the world, right? $14 million, I don't care how much money you've made. And listen, he was a second round pick, so it's not like he got huge, it's not like he was a top 12 pick, So he didn't really make money till that. He only got one contract, and it was $27 million guaranteed from the Jets.

And unlike quarterbacks and unlike a lot of wide receivers and tackles and linebackers, they cut him by year two. So the only money he saw was the guaranteed cash. So instead of having the $27 million and $14 million, do the math. So he's pissed, he's petty. I understand it. Now, is he wrong? Of course.

Like, Levyon, you're not any good. Because your decision not only cost you a lot of money, you got worse at football. You took a year off, came back, and you were dramatically worse. I had a pro scouting buddy that texts me. I love Levion Bell. So did my friends in the league. They're like, you know what's sad? He looks slower.

He looks like a different player. This was year one for the Jets. And they don't evaluate, like, when you're in the league, you're not just totally like, you know, it's the offense's fault, Adam Gase's fault. they're just judging the player in a vacuum. He got worse, because you know why? Iron sharpens iron. You can't take a year off in the NFL

when you're 27, 28 years old. You can't take a year off in any pro sport and expect to come back better. That's not the way it works, especially at running back. The position where the tread on the tires, Leveon wasn't fast to begin with. So if he lost half a step,

That. 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. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano and our podcast Point Game is about defying the odds. Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and Austin Reed. And finding ways to win no matter what. He's the smartest player to ever play the game.

His IQ is at a level that we've never seen before. And he knows without Luca and Austin Reeves, I got to manipulate the game. We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the playoffs. I think Joker's going to be exhausted this series because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup, he has to really guard guys like Nasree. He has to guard Julius Randall. And then he has to give us everything he gives us on the night-to-night basis on offense. And when IT's friends stop by, like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too. Steve Nash would get that thing. That man, hell get to fly. He run up the court, licking his fingers

why he got the ball. Like, after you go through a training camp with that, Isaiah, you figure it out real quick. Get your ass up and down the court, and you're going to get the ball. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Will Ferrell's Big Money Players and IHeart Podcasts presents soccer moms. So I'm Leanne. Yeah. This is my best friend Janet. Hey.

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

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

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

Oh, you're lucky. I'm not a drug addict. You're lucky I'm not an alcoholic. You are. I'm not a killer. I love this team, and I'm really trying to be a figure in their lives that they can rely on. Oh, listen to Soccer Moms on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, everyone, it's Ryder Strong and Wilfridell from PodMeets World.

And now the PodMeets Twirled podcast. We're two men who were completely clueless to reality TV, who now have covered Dancing with the Stars, traitors, and we're gearing up for the season finale of Survivor. So yeah, now we're experts. I know we annoyed a lot of our listeners by our severe lack of surveillance. Survivor knowledge. That is the point of the show. I'm just going to remind you.

I have watched some Survivor. I obviously haven't watched enough. Did people not like it? Like what was just because we? Yeah. We'll be recapping the big conclusion at the 50th season from the final attempts at gameplay to the desperate pleas of finalists

to a bunch of ha, hoo. Ha, ha, ha, who. Again, we are experts. So make sure to tune into Pod Meets Twirled for all our Survivor 50 takes. Listen to Pod Meets Twirl on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Is a dramatic problem for that individual player, right? Like, if Julio Jones loses a quarter of a step, like, whatever, he's still bigger than every DB, he's stronger than every DB, he'll be able to make up for it in ways. If Levion Bell loses half a step, I hate to say it, he's fucked.

And clearly, the chief's got him. And he's is open-minded with players as any coach in this modern day game. Like the coach in my backyard, Kyle Shanahan, is the opposite. I'm a Kyle Shanahan guy, but he is not open-minded when it comes to players. Not at all. He wouldn't touch a guy like Levion Bill once he gets the boot from the Jets. He doesn't do that.

And he's, when it comes to players, as open-minded and is liberal with talented guys, whatever. If you can play, come on in. He'll play you. Levy on stinks. He's not any good. and he only has himself to blame. Now, ultimately, maybe his agent gave him the advice, maybe his mom gave him the advice,

maybe whoever gave him the advice. We all had, it was his decision. He agreed to do it. And the media, God, they championed him. Take it against the man. Levion Bell against the Steelers, yeah. Sit out the year. You show them, Levion.

Pro player. You know, the pro player Twitter media is like, Woohoo! $14 million he'll never get back. And then when he did come back, he sucked. And the two years he had to come back for he had to play for the Jets. Good choice, bro. Good move.

I'd probably hate Andy Reid too if I, you know, my NFL career sputtered out and fell off a cliff. Good idea, too. Tweet that out or Instagram that out. Every team in the league, wait. You know, the hundreds of players that haven't got along with Coach Reed. I bet every team in the league like, oh, yeah, let's bring on Levion Bill in. Nope. Like, what are you doing, man?

Get right to the romance and find the way to wow this Valentine's with 1-800flowers.com. From classic roses and bouquets to decadent chocolate-covered berries, gourmet treats, and more. Surprise your Valentine with 1-800flowers.com. Right now, get the 18-stem enchanted rose medley for $39.99, or upgrade to 24 red roses for $10 more. Go to 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. That's 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. 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.

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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 discover the forest.org. Brought to you by the United States Forest Service and the ad council. Okay, at John Middlecough is the Instagram handle. You fire in the DMs and you get your question answered here on the show. Also put all the podcast material up on YouTube, just under my name, John Middlecop, all the three and out stuff.

And definitely once football starts back up after this next month and a half or whatever, training camp, videos up there as well. And who knows? Just keep the content flowing on the YouTube and obviously here on the podcast. From Alexander. Love the pod up here in Canada. Wondering why you think everyone overlooks Mike Evans when he has more career

touchdowns than Hopkins, Kelsey, Julio, Keenan, and Ty Hilton, and he was drafted after all of them. Not to mention he's had at least a thousand yards every year since being drafted, so he's more consistent. Great question. I don't know. You know, if he had played with Tom Brady's whole career, I think he would be viewed like Keenan Allen and Devante Adams.

I, you know, that's a great question. I think Mike Evans is a star. I think everyone in football values the guy. You know, sometimes your market dictates how big of a star you are. How many times you've been in the playoffs? You know, that was Mike Evans' first ever time in the playoffs. Julio's been an NFC championship game. He's been in a Super Bowl.

Devante obviously played in a lot of big games with the Packers. They're just a big national team. This was Mike Evans' first year. I mean, people in fantasy know. I mean, football fans know, but it's just the marketing machine that is for playoff teams is different. So I think Mike Evans' popularity is going to grow dramatically. But I don't think he cares. I've followed him for a long time, and I think he's kind of low-key.

Dude's a baller. I'm with you. I love Mike Evans. Top five wide. receiver in the NFL 100%. Do you think Jerry Jones regrets not hiring Urban Meyer instead of McCarthy? Well, McCarthy was a disaster last year. I don't know if Urban was open-minded to taking a job last year if he wanted several years off. But there's what, I mean, let's face it,

there's no pressure with the Jags. I mean, if he fails, like, whatever, he fail with the Jacks, they always fail, they suck. You fail with the Cowboys, it's kind of equivalent to like when he took Florida or Ohio State. It's a different level job. I'm not saying there won't be criticism. He obviously has the number one overall pick. But taking the Cowboys is probably the biggest high-profile job in America,

especially now like the Yankees, like Aaron Boone, managers in baseball don't matter. Basketball coaches, you know, like the days of being Phil Jackson, Pat Riley fame. are over. So you could argue the Cowboys job is America's biggest job, right? Whatever soccer's biggest job is, you know, you guys soccer aficionados, Man City, Chelsea, Barcelona, whatever that job is, is probably the Cowboys.

Which is crazy because they don't even win, but it is, we all agree, it's a high-profile job. Started listening to you through Collins feed before I found Three and Out. Appreciate that. Do you think that players in the NFL will start gaining the kind of influence and ability that NBA players have? Will stars start forcing their way out of bad franchises, team up and chase rings? I'd say you never say never.

It's just different in football. Teams don't have to capitulate. Teams don't have to give into your demands. In the NBA, when they ask you, they're like, I want to be traded. They're like, oh, where do you want us to train you to? We'll do whatever you want. In the NFL, it's like, no, Aaron, you're not going anywhere.

Like, see a training camp. So the NFL just operates a little bit differently. It's actually much healthier. Let's face it. The NBA just constantly trading these guys is not great for business. A huge point of difference for the NFL has been players stay on their team for minimums eight, nine years. When a guy leaves in free agency, it's because the team chooses not to sign them. Now, every once in a while, Jamal Adams, Jalen Ramsey, they were on the worst two teams in the league.

Like, I don't even think it was that crazy. I think the Killelea Mac thing was pretty nuts. But for the most part, yeah, I mean, I don't think it'll get to that level. Also, the only people that are at that level are the quarterbacks. If I trade for Jamal Adams or Kille Mack, that does not guarantee me anything. Now, if I trade for Aaron Rogers or Russell Wilson or Mahomes or Josh Allen, then I'm immediately good. But just because I trade, like, the Bears had a good roster, right? The Seattle was already a playoff team.

Same with the Rams. so when they trade for those players, they were already good. Now that you could argue the Bears, Khalil meant a lot, but Khalil was a very, very unique situation when he was traded. He didn't want to get traded,

he just wanted his money. The Raiders, I just don't think he had any. Raider fans would be like, yes, they did, John. Mark Davis is rich. Okay, guys, sorry, he has money. I'm heading into my senior year of college and will be graduating with a degree

in computer science. I love all things football. Do you see the football community in the future leveraging data and hiring someone, hiring more data analysts? And if so, do you have any recommendations about getting a foot in the door? Keep up the great work. What I did originally in college was just mail my resume to general managers and coaches.

And I still think that is a process that will never get old. Now, you're competing with a lot of people to try to get their attention. A lot of emails get deleted. A lot of mail gets thrown. away. But I would play guerrilla marketing and just email whether it was general managers, whether it was contract negotiators. Every team is leaning more into data analysis. So yeah, I just think I still have in this desk where I'm sitting right now several letters from the Green Bay Packers. I have one for the Chicago Bears. Thank you for your recent inquiries. Thank you for

your recent inquiry regarding employment with the Chicago Bears. This is from 2006. Your interest in our organization is appreciated. However, we do not have anything at this time. I have one from the Packers. I have one from the Rams. I have one from the Giants. Let me read you one from the Giants.

March 13th, 2007. God, that feels like a long time ago. I am in receipt of your inquiry regarding a position with the Giants. unfortunately, we do not have any openings at this present time. We will keep your resume on file in the event a position becomes available. March 2007, I have one from the Steelers.

I have one from the Oregon Ducks. Everyone was saying no. Three years later, I was in the NFL. I'll give John Mara credit. Signed it. John K. Mora signed it. I talk some shit about John Marr, not because he's not a high-level guy,

just because I'm more of an eagle than I am a giant, but I respect that. Everyone else printed signatures. He signed it personally. Maybe he had an assistant forge it, but... But I think the overall takeaway is, I am literally living proof. I didn't know one soul in the NFL.

And you can relate this to any business you want to work into. Obviously, the NFL feels more untouchable than say like Google or Goldman Sachs or whatever just because it's like so public and these guys are I guess more famous. Maybe they just feel more famous in the world I live in. But if you're in finance, the finance guys feel famous. But I would say the NFL is probably a little different. I didn't know anybody. And I'm not getting that smart. I just went to a state school. I had a business degree and I just willed my way there. I was just relentless. Now I didn't know how to get there, but I ultimately found a way there.

And if I can do it, I promise you. Some of you guys, the DM me are more intelligent, go to better schools, probably. I'm sure I have better resumes. I mean, in college, I worked at a golf course. If I can do it, so can you. That would be, if you really want to work in football, I'd be like, if middle golf can do it, I can do it too.

I'm a Packer fan. And Aaron Rogers situation is one glaring elephant in the room that I feel like isn't being discussed. In the case of an Aaron Rogers trade, I feel like the Packers organization will favor getting players and picks over just picks. They still want to win the division with or without Rogers. So the thing that confuses me is what team who would actually trade for him? Comes out of trading for Rogers better than the Packers currently are now. Yeah, I mean, I think ultimately the Denver Broncos would really want to trade for him. He's Aaron Freakin Rogers.

So if that meant giving him a player and some draft picks, I think they wouldn't hesitate doing that. Now, it's kind of the NBA thing. Like, it's really easy for all these teams to trade all these first round picks for James Hardin and not really give players. Because I don't, if I'm the Denver Broncos, it's like, I don't want to give you Jerry Judy, Noah Fant, and two first round picks. I want those two guys with Aaron Rogers. And if I'm Aaron Rogers, I want those two guys with me. I want to trade picks. It's a tough situation.

Honestly, it doesn't really make sense for the Packers to trade Aaron Rogers. And it doesn't make that much sense for any of these other teams if they can't hold on to all their young, sweet, offensive talent. What's the best way to go about getting in the sports industry? What major, minor, would help me? What other things should I be doing aside from getting a college education right now? Caleb, it looks like he's a football player. My recommendation would be, I think, just business degrees.

Again, I can only speak for experience. I worked with guys from Harvard. I worked from guys that played in college. I work with guys that were political science majors. I personally think, unless you're going to build bridges, right? Or there are specific, you know, degrees, but I think a degree is pretty overrated. Like, if you work in the NFL, it's not like,

remember what you learned sophomore year in college? They never ask you that. So it depends what you want to do in the sports industry. Do you want to sell tickets? Do you want to sell sponsorships? Do you want to evaluate players? Because if you want to evaluate players and work in the front officer,

your degree is irrelevant. Having a degree, I guess, is important. But what your actual degree is in is not. And I think the easiest way is just do whatever humanly possible it is to make connections with people inside. And I was lucky, once I got denied from all these places, and I got to work at Fresno State, I got to meet all these people in the NFL.

And Anthony Patch, who's still with the Eagles, was the guy that got me in my interview. I got to meet Adam Peters, who's now the number two with the 49ers. John Robinson used to come in. Now the general manager of the Tennessee Titans. These guys come through a bunch of other scouts that are now assistant directors,

college directors, some are still scouting, some like Robinson or GMs. So you just, you never know. But you got to find a way to get around those people. That would be my number one recommendation. You guys can do it. Because if I did it, I promise you anyone listening can do it. I promise you.

Most homes I lived in, like my college roommates, I was always the dumbest guy there. Now, I was the most aggressive and relentless. My greatest skill, when I want something, I'm just relentless until I get it. but just in terms of like intellectual capacity, I was always a low test score. But if I fucking want something,

it's my greatest strength. I will not stop until I get it. And you don't always get it, but I will get something. And that to me is like my number one quality in life as an accomplisher. Because I can't, I'm not going to, I'll be the dumbest guy in the room.

Most rooms I step into. And it's just, I'm not saying that to try to like, be humble or whatever. I've been around some brilliant people. I don't have that in me. Now, maybe I've figured out a way to use my brain to my advantage what little I have upstairs, but be relentless. Whatever you want.

Be my number one life advice. Do not stop until you get it. And the way the world works is, you know, sometimes you think what you want you don't end up getting, but you get, you know, what kind of works. And it'll work out. Or you learn on your way there what you actually like and what you don't like. Like me.

I'm doing this now. I didn't think I was going to be doing this a decade ago. You know, everything kind of happens for a reason as you just kind of plow through, you know, your young adult life. I think I'm a young adult, I guess, at 36. So all you people in your 20s, you've got so much sweet life to lead. Just stay skinny and just eat whatever you want in your 20s. Enjoy. Because once you start powing down cheeseburgers and, you know,

And Coors lights in your mid-30s, you know, you wake up on Monday morning and you add five pounds. So just get ready for that. Good luck. Adios. See you later this week. Peace. Get right to the romance and find the way to wow this valentines with 1,800flowers.com. From classic roses and bouquets to decadent chocolate-covered berries, gourmet treats, and more.

Surprise your valentine with 1-800flowers.com. Right now, get the 18-stem enchanted rose medley for 39-99. or upgrade to 24 red roses for $10 more. Go to 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. That's 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. 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 I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

The story I told myself can then shape my behavior, and that can lead me to sabotage the possibility of connection. This Mental Health Awareness Month, tune into the podcast deeply well with Debbie Brown. If you've been searching for a soft place to land while doing the work to become. come home. This podcast is for you to hear more. Listen to deeply well with Debbie Brown from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm CJ Toledano. It's our favorite time of the year on our podcast point game, the playoffs. We're digging into the biggest surprises of the season. And I'm looking back on some of my greatest playoff moments. If we didn't talk ever again, I was

You just understood. That's how personal it got. Wow. Then after that game seven, Mark keep coming to. He's like, you know I love you, dog. You know, it's all love. This was just playoffs. This was just basketball. So listen to Point Game on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. American soccer is about to explode.

The World Cup is coming. Ramos sending on to Ernie Stewart the chip. Score! I'm Tad Ramos. I'm Tom Boca. On our podcast, inside American soccer, you'll get the real storylines. the biggest decisions, and the truth about the U.S. national team. It wouldn't be a huge surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals

or potentially a great run into the semifinals. Listen, Inside American Soccer with Tom Bogart and Tabramos on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcast. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.