The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 3 and Out - 'Washington Football Team' Could Be Worse; Training Camp Media Hype Machine Shelved; Mailbag

Episode Date: July 24, 2020

In this episode, John explains why he's fine with Dan Snyder choosing Washington Football Team as a 2020 placeholder before choosing a permanent new nickname, and why there could be considerably less preseason buzz because of a lack of constant training camp media coverage fans love to consume. He also answers listener questions in the Middlekauff Mailbag. Follow John on twitter @JohnMiddlekauff and go to theherdnow.com to find the latest content. Subscribe now! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

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

Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On the Look Back at it podcast. For 1979, that was a big moment for me.

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

I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hardway with your favorite therapist and host Kear Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor it. It signals to the world that you not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that doesn't.

not mean that you need to. Listen to learn the hard way on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Get right to the romance and find the way to wow this Valentine's 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 $39.99, or upgrade to 24 red rose. roses for $10 more. Go to 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. That's 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. What is going on, everybody, John Middlecop, three and out podcast. Hope everyone is having a good Friday, Saturday, weekend. As we come, I want to say the home stretch till we get football,

but as with the rules, they got to test and go away and come back, and then they don't really practice. So this training camp, as someone that's been going to NFL training camp practices, either working in the league or talking about the league now for, I guess, going on a decade. And this is not going to be a normal year. It would be the first year I won't attend a training camp practice in that time.

Really, since Fresno State, probably in 13 years, I won't be going to go into a training camp just because they're going to limit the media availability. It's not even worth it for me. me. I have some thoughts on how it's going to impact the league now, the no preseason games. The big news of the day is Washington is going to keep their name. I have some thoughts on that off the jump because the outrage on Twitter and LeBron James, I don't think everyone was on the same page what was going to happen here, but that's typical, especially

with social media. And then of course, Middlecoff Mailbag at John Middlecoff is the Instagram. follow along. You can follow Twitter as well, but Instagram is where the DMs wide open. Leave a question in my direct messages, and you will get it read here on the podcast. Also appreciate everyone who has listened, or excuse me,

followed the podcast on Apple or iTunes, left a review. If you haven't, would greatly appreciate you leave in a review. It helps us monetize the whole deal. Follow the podcast as well. and tip my hat to you. Great appreciation.

Let's start with Daniel Snyder. I'm a little... This topic doesn't do that much for me. You know, some of the bad teams in the Northeast, like I just don't care about. I get their big markets and they get talked about, but like when the Jets suck, when the Giants suck, when Washington sucks,

I really don't care. I wish they were good because I like watching good football. Like I liked it when Eli Manning's teams were good, right? I like it when Rex Ryan's team was good. The Washington team has really not been good, I guess, my entire adult life. They've been, you know, like the Browns or the Raiders, kind of a joke. But now this situation where they don't have a name, and it became official today that they're just going to be called the Washington football team.

I actually thought the logo looked pretty good. I think sometimes in life, when emotion is really high, and you see it so much on social media with politics, it's all emotion. And, you know, one thing, and it hurts me some places in life, but I tell my mom sometimes when it gets something involved in business,

and I'm like, Mom, you can't get so emotional that this is not the way it works. You know, until you have something signed on the bottom line on a piece of paper, they can change the price. You're allowed to negotiate, you know? It's not, you know,

the older generation is used to kind of the loyalty of friendships when you're in business. It's just, it's not like that at all. There's not much loyalty involved. It's sad, but it's kind of true. Like, my generation will just do business with whoever gives us the best price. That's why Bezos is kicking the shit out of everybody. He just has better prices than everybody.

And he'll deliver it to your tour. Like, it feels, it says 24 hours or 48 hours. Sometimes it feels like I press a button, and two hours later, Bezos is dropping off a package in front of my house. It's incredible. I mean, he runs a great service. That's why he's the richest man in the world. He runs one of the best services I've ever seen in my life.

let's just call a spade of spade. But when you see the Redskins, I don't know how I got off on that tangent, and they don't have a name anymore, I think people thought that, I guess they're not that name anymore, they're just the Washington football team, that they were going to come out

with an official name before the season. When it was clear that they got pressured, and let's be real, the reason they changed it is because money and their huge sponsors started causing a fuss. Money makes things happen. Nothing else does.

And whether we like it or not, that's just the way the world works. Is that he, if he, listen, he did not want to change the name. If he would not have got his hands forced, this would not have happened. So if you don't want to change the name and you're forced to, you probably don't have a secondary name. Now, if you live in D.C. and you follow this more closely, maybe you have better information on this. But just reading from an outside perspective,

it does not feel like he had two or three names lined up if this ever became inevitable. As crazy as that sounds, because it kind of felt to be inevitable, I would say over the last five years, like we were headed that way. But when I saw today that they were just going to be called

the Washington football team this year and figure it out later, I said, of course they were. Because you don't want to get married to the wrong person, right? Now, the great part about getting married to the wrong person, they got this thing if you have to do,

you can get divorced. If you pick the wrong team name and you label it, your jerseys are that color, you sell a bunch of merchandise, you can't really pivot a couple years from today. And let's be real. Whatever they end up naming it,

and I'm just going to go off the names that I've seen from people like thrown out in articles or on social media, the Red Hawks, the Red Tails, the Warrior, something like that. And for whatever reason, because do you think it's going to be universal approval? If they just came out with the Washington Red Hawks, do you think everyone would be like, oh, that name's cool? Or some people like, I don't like it. I wish it was something different.

probably be that it's going to be like that no matter what he names it and if he's not comfortable with a name and the Redskins Brass I guess they're not called that anymore it's hard to do this topic window the Washington football team doesn't have a name and they can't decide on it

there's time on their side like what is the rush why did they have to have a new name this year especially when their hand was forced a month before the season the Washington football team and just the word watch I think it looks pretty good

you could argue Just keep it, just call it that. Just be called the Washington Football Club. I think they'll eventually pick a name, but if you told me they didn't, just kind of like a European soccer team, like Chelsea, and maybe I'm wrong, I'm not super locked in on the EPL,

but it feels like they're all soccer clubs. That'd be fine with me. Because I promise you this, whatever name they pick, there is going to be outrage and people that are going to have, it might be fake, but there will be a percentage of the population

that will not like it. I think it's really hard. Have you ever just tried to, you know, pick a brand name? I think about it all the time for just different business endeavors. It's difficult to figure out something for every Nike and Apple, you're like, God, that's so easy. McDonald's, Taco Bell.

You just think of, you know, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, titleless, Callaway. I'm just looking around my desk, you know, in my office. it's Yeti. Like it's, it's, that sounds like, oh, the Yeti. That sounds really easy to figure out. It's not. Rainbow sandals, the San Francisco Giants.

Like, it's probably a little harder than you think. So, of course, LeBron James assumed they were going to have a new name. No, they were not going to have a new name this year. And maybe this year goes well. Maybe they get some good juju from Ron Rivera. And they just are called the Washington football team. And honestly, maybe it wouldn't be that bad. Okay, let's dive into, I saw this morning, Tom Brady pulled up to one Buccaneer place or way in a truck.

I just read my guy Vic Tafer who covers the Raiders, said Derek Carr and all the quarterbacks tested for Corona. They have to stay away for three days, get retested Sunday, and then I think they're allowed in the facility like Monday. Hard to keep up with everything that's going on right now because typically the pre-season. and the buzz of preseason helps lead into opening that Thursday night game and also the preseason games and for as crappy as they are

the Hall of Fame game, the buzz of the sport. It's how we get our juices flowing. And listen, can we overreact to training camp practices? Of course we can. But overreaction and creating emotion is a good thing.

It's why the NFL right now is king. most sports fans could not name every team in the bubble. The only thing they know is like LeBron's there, all the top teams are there. They can't name the crappy teams that also got to go, the 22 teams. There's no chance they could name like the other six, seven teams on the outside looking at. The Blue Jays, for example, in baseball, were banned from playing this 60 game season in Toronto. We're not allowed to play in Canada.

So I think they're going to have to play, I think in Pittsburgh is the last thing I Again, most people don't know. Because now, there's part of just the pandemic, coronavirus, it's a weird year. It's, I mean, baseball, I got Yankees, nationals on behind me. Stan just hit a home run. They're playing in front of no fans. Opening days, July 23rd. So we got thrown a curveball in life.

But still, a big part, one thing baseball had for a long period of time is just the negotiation. So it's kind of, there's been a buildup. In basketball, we've been talking about the bubble. I swear to God for like four months. They've been planning this bubble and then executing the bubble for two months. And now they're finally, I think LeBron James is playing tonight starting to play some like exhibition games.

But for football, like OTAs, while it's cool stories and stuff, it doesn't really do much. Like you still then get a long extended period of time in the summer before training camp starts. Training camp is when kind of all of our attention starts drawing to the NFL. Who's playing well?

who's going to start, what veteran might be on the cut bubble? Who could a player that might need to be traded? How's the first round player looking? And this is the, like I said, the first time in a long period of time that I haven't been able to go to a camp. And my timeline during training camp on social media is usually packed with reporters at various camps, tweeting videos of plays, tweeting out quotes of coaches. And it helps me, just like it helps when I worked in the NFL, I followed it really closely because you were usually as a scout,

as a pro scout, given five or six teams, where you had to follow every single word coming out of that camp, good and bad. And now I do it a little more, I would say, liberally and not as intently on every team, but I'm pretty locked into the league. And there is going to be a limited information because the media is not going to be there at camp. There is not going to be constant tweeting of plays and who's looking good and especially who's looking bad,

because we know if the teams control that message, which they are going to do this year, we're not going to get a great feel for what is happening in practice. And I'm not talking even about it from a competitive standpoint so other teams can stay locked in. I'm just talking about a build-up standpoint for us as fans and for people that talk about it can really dive deep into stories. Right?

because typically once training camp gets going and guys are making plays, I'm able to do a topic just based on two videos I saw coming out of Tampa Bay Camp. That is not going to exist this year. And a huge part of that is going to be just because training camp is kind of like a glorified OTAs. They're not going to be in pads for another 20 days whenever the veterans officially report like the 28th. So I do wonder, I've started to think, I'm giving everyone a pass. Basketball, baseball, like once you get your sport up and running, I tip my hat.

This is not far or less from an ideal situation. Baseball's doing this because they're trying to make money. Basketball went in the bubble because they're trying to make money. Football is doing everything desperately to keep playing because they're trying to keep money. If money didn't matter, you'd probably just take off the season. But for a lot of people that don't realize money matters. and as your business gets a lot bigger, as all these pro sports are billion-dollar endeavors,

you actually have more on the line because if you go from 10 billion to like 3 billion, you go under, right? If I go from a year where I'm doing 400,000 in revenue to 300,000 in revenue, I can pivot pretty easily. My costs aren't as high. It's why the NFL, their costs are absurdly high. All these pro sports are.

Just look at how much the players and coaches are making. Those are set costs. And once this league gets going, and especially once week one kicks in, all those contracts for these players are guaranteed of any veteran players, which are the majority of your high price, which actually are all your high priced players. Because even your rookies, their contract was already guaranteed the moment they signed them. But I just wonder how this training camp is going to feel with,

And listen, I'm not trying to be like pro media, but they do help add a huge element during camp just with their videos, just with their tweets, just with their articles, and their videos. Whether they're right or wrong with what they see, they just create a lot of conversation. And the one thing we know about football right now is it's the number one sport in America

because we give it a lot of attention. I know Gary V, I'm sure many of you follow them, or seen him on social media. He's, you know, an entrepreneur, and he's so right. The number one thing everyone is looking for right now is attention. Whether you're a TV channel, whether you're a media member, whether you're a pro sports league, whether you're Nike. You're just trying to get people's attention.

If you get your attention, then you can sell them what you need to sell them. And for football, all I need, if I'm the NFL, I just need to get you to the couch. And we've proven if I can sit you there and you start watching, you're going to continue to watch. And that's what the other leagues have really fought. Baseball has really struggled to keep attention. The NBA definitely has.

They've lost a lot of viewers. The one thing the NFL has kind of flexed their muscles is they've kept gaining viewers, and they obviously already had a lot. Now, they have things going for them. We've talked about a million times from gambling to the setup of the urgency of the sport, to also college football probably never has been more popular than it is right now. And it's always been big. But look at basketball.

Like a huge reason basketball, I think, think has fallen off the map a little bit is college basketball is irrelevant now. It's a, as Colin says, it's a one-month sport. It's March Madness. When I was growing up in the 90s, college basketball, like college football now, you paid attention because 25 people that were going to be first and high second round picks were playing in college basketball. That's not even the case.

Hell now that like half the top 10 went to Australia, didn't play college basketball, went to Europe, went to like random leagues. the one reason college football is so popular right now is because the NFL is so big. So if I'm a Miami Dolphins fan, I was locked into Oregon and Alabama last year. And then once LSU started killing it, I was watching Joe Burrow.

Same with the Bengals. And even if I'm like the 49ers, I'm keeping an eye on what position do I need, even though we're going to draft 32, you know, in theory they ended up not drafting there, but like we need a wide receiver. Who are the sweet wide receivers? And it's really helped the popularity of the league.

and I just wonder, you start combining if college football happens or doesn't happen, has limited, you know, who knows? I think that's, it's up for debate, and it's a major, no one knows. It's definitely on much shaker ground than the NFL, and then the NFL, just how different's it's going to look? Like, I'm watching baseball right now, the no fans, you know, it's not an ideal situation. Does it take it away from the viewing product? I mean, it's still the Yankees and the nationals.

I mean, two elite teams. I guess the Yankees are. We'll see how good the nationals are. They lost a couple players and their best young player got Corona. But it's just part of watching pro sports are seeing people, a lot of people there. That's a huge part of college sports, right? You watch college football, a lot of people in the stands. That's not going to be the case this year.

So I've just already kind of preparing. I wonder if it's going to be, and then we've heard a bunch about 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 IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with a little Kim?

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

I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so you're all right. But just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed correct. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now.

Thank you finishing that sentence. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host.

and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing,

we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it, and we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth, 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 Hardway. Open your free, our heart radio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now.

What's up, guys? This is Clever Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Cliverts Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff. Like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker, this linebacker walks up to me. He goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her.

What? Time out. Quarterback on office blue of 42. A rep, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Where's she at? Hey, Miss Parker Listen to the Clippers show on the IHeart Radio app

Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast I don't know, there's an election this fall You know, a lot of people are fighting for their economic life right now unemployed Could still be searching for jobs in the fall Could just be a weird year for the NFL Of just creating buzz Of just creating

I still think they're going to be the number one sport I mean they're so far ahead of these other sports I just something It might be a little more difficult than you think With the limited access The no fans Things could get weird If you love to be remembered

As the person who gives the best birthday gifts I'm here to tell you that 1800flowers.com Is your ultimate birthday gifting destination 1,800 flowers has thoughtful And artfully created options That are guaranteed to deliver The Best Birthday Surprise

Shop thousands of unique gifts at 1 800 Flowers.com for exclusive offers and great values. To order today, visit 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. That's 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. 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. If I could be you. And you could be me for just one hour. If you could find a way to get inside. Each other's mind.

Walk a mile in my shoes. Walk a mile in my shoes. Walk a mile in my shoes. We've all felt left out. And for some, that feeling lasts more. more than a moment. We can change that. Learn how it belonging begins with us.org,

brought to you by the ad council. Okay, let's get a little Middlecough mailbag time. At John Middlecough, Instagram handle. And come in, come in firing. Come in firing with those questions. Would changing the way the NBA views their stats help with load management? They're the only sport that seems to go by averages

where the other three major sports go by totals. I know it would be a little silly at first. LeBron's leading the league with 3,000 points this season. But if major awards in all NBA selections, which determine contracts, looked into more totals than per game, averages, players might be more likely to play more games, especially star players who battle for those accolades.

Honestly, you're kind of on to something here. Not a terrible idea at all. You're right. In baseball, we go, you hit 50 home runs. Or in football, he has five touchdowns through 10 games. You're right. Seems like the NHL, which is also an 82 game season, doesn't have load management issues, and many would feel is a more physically brutal sport.

Star players play the last game of the season with no implication on the playoffs if they're still striking distance of 100 points, 50 goals, or other statistical milestones. Even when they're not, all players typically play every game they can. Sorry for the super long message. I actually think that's one of the more intelligent theory slash ideas I've seen regarding load management to date. That makes a lot of sense. Now, I think this is always the problem.

And it's why we talk about, whenever you talk about change in sports, because typically they've been doing something for a long period of time, it's hard to enact that. players push back historians push back because it throws everything off I would have no problem now it is

like the difference in baseball the biggest stat you're ever going to see is right he has a hundred I guess in football you see guys with a thousand yards that's not abnormal that's not abnormal so if you have I don't know 2,500 assists

yeah now I think you'd have to pull up some of the great seasons and pull up the totals to kind of compare it. Because a huge thing is like, well, Patrick Mahomes threw 50 touchdowns. What other quarterbacks have thrown 50 touchdowns? And you'd be like, Marino, Brady, Peyton Manning. I think that's the list. And you can kind of equate it.

Or I ran for 2,000 yards as a running back. Who else did that? Well, O.J. Simpson, Adrian Peterson, Barry Sanders, Terrell Davis. I might be missing some, but you get my drift. So you can always compare. I hit 65 home runs, who else have done this? I think it's hard when it comes to that because in the vernacular, the way we talk about it,

you just know, right? If I tell you you get to 40 touchdowns, you know that's a big number. Or I tell you, you get to 1,800 yards rushing, you know that's a big number. If you hit, you know, 200 hits is a big deal in baseball, right? 20, I know wins isn't as big a deal in baseball for pitchers, but if I say you got 20 wins,

that's typically a big deal. What direction do you see the Colts going after quarterback after this season? With Rivers on a one-year deal, does that leave the door open for luck to return, or do you think they look to free agency in the draft? I never say never, but if I was a Colts fan, and I'm assuming Drew that you are, I would not think about Andrew Luck ever coming back. Kind of false hope there. I would probably get that out of my mind.

Andrew Luck isn't coming back. maybe he does, but I would not assume that. And I would just, we're off Andrew Luck. I think Rivers, I would lean he's over the hill. Now, maybe I'm wrong, but what I saw last year was a disaster. Now, clearly their offensive line is dramatically better in Indy. So maybe if the season were to go well, he just signs another one-year deal. I could see that.

Like, I don't think Rivers is playing for another team beside the Colts. You know, he's going to end his career as a Colt. that would be my educated guess. They drafted Jacob Easton from Washington, who I think is not a very good football player. Now they took them in the fourth round, so by no means to see the future. You got Jacoby under contract,

but I don't know what that means. I think this is his last year, right? So yeah, I would say draft. The good thing is there are a lot of quarterbacks in the NFL right now. You just never know. Has James become available after next year? You know, Derek Carr, does something go off there with the Raiders?

Nick Foles, is he just one year in Chicago and done. There are Band-Aid. Band-Aid's too, you know, kind of negative a word, but there are going to be options for, you know, teams and knee quarterbacks. Big fan of the show, hope you're doing well. My question is this.

Do you think Jalen Hertz will be used in a Taysom Hill-type role? And if so, do you think there's a large number of teams that were follow suit if this is successful? If Jalen isn't a Taysam Hill role, which he's going to be the backup quarterback, unless the backup quarterback that they had last year, I think the kid from, is he from Indiana, Northwestern? The reason they had to sign McCown because he broke his wrist is the backup quarterback, and then you can basically keep three quarterbacks. But if Jalen is your number two, that was the thing. Taysam Hill was not the number two quarterback for the Saints. Teddy Bridgewater was.

So you could play Taysam Hill like a football player, right? cover kicks, running back, tight end, whatever. If Jalen Hertz is your backup quarterback on game day, you can't have them out there lead blocking for Jalen Sanders, right? Or covering kicks. To me, that's the biggest question mark. I don't know the answer. I don't know if the Eagles quite know the answer,

and it's not like they're going to get training camp to figure it out. So to me it's going to come down to is Jalen their backup quarterback. If he is, I would say no. If he's not, and he does play a Taysam Hill type role, and it works like Jalen's making plays, which he's a fantastic runner. He was a much better runner in college than Taysam was. I don't think he's quite as fast as Taysam,

but he is shifty. He's a natural open field runner. I think he could be a starting running back in the NFL. He's that good. So yeah, if it goes well, whenever trends start to happen and things start to work, I would say in football or any business, people copy. People follow suit.

So, yes, it would be 100% on the table that he, changes the game a little bit. Question, huge Steelers fan. Why is everyone giving the AFC North to Baltimore? Steelers were a juju fumble away from beating the Ravens in overtime with Rudolph, got knocked out by an illegal hit and no flagged by Dirty Earl Thomas, and Duck Hodges in week five. Week 17, a fumble that led to a quick Ravens TD before the half

and a fumble 16 points giveaway to make the score look even worse, 20, 10. With Big Ben, Steelers have not been under top five in offense efficiency the last five seasons. Steelers were 32 in that stat last year. I feel like no one is giving the Steelers a chance, and I really don't see the Ravens running away with the division. Even if Ben's at 70% of his Hall of Fame self, he's still a better quarterback than Lamar, Baker, and Burrow. Am I biased?

Well, I would throw out the week 17 game. I don't think I was watching, but the Ravens had everything wrapped up, right? So it was, they had nothing to play for. Week 5. probably some merit there for sure. To me, the biggest question mark is the guy tore his elbow last year. He's 37, 38 years old. He is a guy that struggled to play in 16 games over the last decade.

Now, I'm with you. If you have a healthy quarterback and a good quarterback on this team, they're a playoff team. They had one of the best defense in the league. They have one of the best pass rushes in the league. Minka's now a star. they drafted the tackling machine from Michigan last year when they traded up. Their offense, they got good wide receivers, their offensive line solid.

It's just a question on Ben. Now, it can't get much worse. Like you said, you were dead last in offensive efficiency last year. Mason Rudolph is not a good player. Duck Hodges is probably not a 53-man roster guy. So, Ben could probably be 50% and he's better than those two guys. But as we saw last year, his arm shattered. basically. He could not throw a football.

So at any moment with Ben, like these injuries can just go. And he could just be, he can't play. I, like, I have a hard time seeing him play like 12 games this season. I just do. Like, when we were growing up and guys would get to his age, right, 35, 36, it would just end. And now guys like, you know, Brady and Breeze, we think these guys can say to the play to their 40, it's just not normal. And Ben has a lot of wear and terror in his body.

I mean, kind of like a camp. Now, Cam ran a little bit more. But once Cam got to his early 30s, like he was physically shot. And I just think you've seen the wear and tear for those years like 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. When Ben was getting destroyed, it just catches up to you when you get to your late 30s. I was just wondering with the NFL becoming such an international platform, if you could see any more European Asian players being able to come over and really doing well, in the league without having gone through

an American high school college experience. I would love to hear your thoughts on whether it would be too challenging or even if it be worthwhile for teams to look outside the U.S. in the first place. Love the show. Well, it's one thing when a guy's playing rugby and I have tape of him in New Zealand or Australia moving around with a ball in his hands or tackling people.

If a guy, let's just say you have some big athlete in China. Well, what sport, unless he's playing rugby, if he's just like a big athlete, how can I see, like, it'd be difficult. So I don't see how you scout a guy without him playing a sport, how he'd even come on the radar. Or Europe.

To me, you would just have to play rugby. If you're playing rugby, then people can find you or hear about you. If you're not playing rugby, to me it's borderline impossible for me to figure out who you are. because there are, I mean, hundreds of millions of people in this world, especially in these other countries.

They're like a billion people in China. Like, I just, I don't know how I figure out who you are as, like, a scout or a front office if you're not playing an athletic endeavor. I can't just find you on the street, you know? I mean, those stories make for, like, fun, legendary tales. Like, I think it was Tony Braxton was discovered. Maybe it was Whitney Houston at a gas station just singing. Like, you're probably not going to be like, you know, I found my outside linebacker was just on vacation in Spain.

Saw this dude. Look 6-2, 250. I ask him, yo, you want to play football? And the guy's like, sure. And then we bring him back and he plays football. Like, that's just not going to happen. So I think you got to play a sport to be discovered. I'm a big Minnesota Vikings fan.

I believe Diggs and Adam Thielen were an underrated NFL best wide receiver duo in the past years. What are your thoughts on that? And what do you believe that Adam Thielen and the new? rookie Jordan Jefferson could do better. Well, I'm pretty sure that Justin Jefferson will not be as good a player, Stefan Dix. Because the last several years, he's been one of the best deep threats in the league. He has elite play speed. He is just an elite deep threat target.

I think he has 15 touchdowns the last two years. He's averaging over 80 catches a year. He's just, he's not maybe a top five player, but he's, he might not call him elite, but he's damn good. And Thielen is just solid. so you put an elite guy, a borderline elite guy with Thielen, you can kick people's asses, and a good running game,

and productive tight ends. What I saw of Justin Jefferson and talking to people in the league, they saw more of a slot wide receiver than an outside guy. So Thelan, who's a solid outside wide receiver, you put with Justin Jefferson in the slot, and with a couple tight ends, Irv Smith and Kyle Rudolph,

you can just play a little bit different. You might not be as explosive as an offense, like down the field. I remember several times last year Play action, boom, Cousins to Diggs, 40-yard bomb touchdown. I don't know if that's going to be happening as much, but you can matriculate the ball down the field, hit 10 and 15-yard gains with those two guys.

Justin Jefferson's a good player. But is he going to have the impact this year of Diggs that's had the last couple years? I don't see a chance. Now, can Cooks do more? I think Madison's the backup running back. The kid they draft from Boise State, who I like. I mean, that guy runs his ass off.

You got two good tight ends. Cousins is a solid player. I think the offense might have to be better because their defense might not be as good. Someone tweeted at me, I think the Vikings are replacing six starters on defense. That's a lot for a team that's arguably had one of the most consistent defensive units in the league

the last, what, six, seven years? I think Julio Jones' Super Bowl catch has to be one of the best ever. It was a very critical situation as well and had the most skill of a catch I've ever seen a Super Bowl. Obviously, a lot of... Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged.

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

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-taped Little Kim Booms 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 a little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J.

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

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

Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast. Learn the hard way with me, your host, and your favorite therapist,

Kear Games. And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and 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 loss. 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 iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. What's up, guys? This is Clever Taylor the 4th.

And on my podcast, The Clivert Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff, like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker, this kid. This linebacker walks up to me. He goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What?

Come on out. Quarterback on office blue 42. Hey, rep, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Where's she at? Hey, Miss Paul. Listen to the Clippers show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

Also, no one cares. What do you think? Do you have any Super Bowl catches above it? I think during Corona, I watched the second half of that game, and it was an insane catch. I would say at my lifetime, just thinking about it, the catch would be San Antonio Holmes that won the Super Bowl. Bend to San Antonio Holmes in the corner of the end zone.

and that's basically a winning touchdown catch in the corner of the end zone, keeping both feet in. And like you said, you just get remembered when you win the Super Bowl, whether that's fair or not. I'd say the David Tyree catch would have to be right up there too. Now, the difference I think San Antonio Holmes and Julio Jones feels a little more like elite skill in a natural position. I'm not trying to diminish what David Tyree did, but I think even Die Hard John, fans can admit, and listen, I had money on the Giants. There's an element of luck there, right? There was just, I saw a clip, I was watching some Antonio Brown highlights.

Antonio Brown was so good. If you guys remember, there was a Titan, they played the Titans on a Monday night football game, and he caught a ball, a fade pass against his helmet. It was a remarkable catch. I mean, it has to be one of the better catches the last four or five years. I don't think that was luck. I think that was skill. I think he'd practice it.

I don't know if David Tyree had ever practiced that. But the final result, I don't know how you, I mean, you could argue it's one of the great catches in football history. Hell, besides like Willie Mays and Jim Edmonds, it might be like a top five catch of all time. I mean, it led to the Giants win the Super Bowl and me winning $1,500, which in 2007, my junior, senior year in college,

might as well have been $100,000. Fantastic win. So I'm indebted to the guy. But I would go San Antonio Holmes won when you factor in what was on the line. Now, it's like I hear myself say that. I don't know how David Tyree just, he did catch it, you know, in traffic. So probably one of those.

Julio's a freak, though. 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 in... Chanted 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.

And we're live here outside the Perez family home just waiting for the... And there they go. Almost on time this morning. Mom is coming out the front door strong with a double-arm kid carry. Looks like Dad has the bag's daughter is bringing up the rear. Oh, but the diaper bag wasn't. closed. Typhers and toys are everywhere. Ooh, but mom has just nailed the perfect car seat buckle for the toddler. And now the eldest daughter who looks to be about nine or ten has secured herself

in the booster seat. Dad zips the bag closed and they're off. Ah, but looks like mom doesn't realize her coffee cup is still on the roof of the car and there it goes. Oh, that's a shame. That mug was a fam favorite. Don't sweat the small stuff. Just nail the big stuff. Like making sure your kids are buckled correctly in the right seat for their age and size. Learn more at nhtsa.gov slash the right seat. Visit nhtsa.gov slash the right seat. brought to you by Nitsa and the Ad Council. What grows in the forest? Trees? Sure. Know what else grows in the forest? Our imagination, our sense of wonder. And our family bonds grow too. Because when we disconnect from this and connect with this.

We reconnect with each other. The forest is closer than you think. Find a forest near you and start exploring at Discovertheforest.org. Brought to you by the United States Forest Service and the Ad Council. First of all, I want to say I love the podcast. I'm a Charger fan in the Bay Area and want to know your thoughts on the Chargers making the playoffs this year. Taylor was a pretty good quarterback for Buffalo, but I'm hesitant to think that he can take us to the playoffs in the AFC.

Coward says we have a great roster. but I think but I would like a former scout's thoughts also like Herbert but just think the best situation for a rookie is to sit for a year

just think about this how many teams can say their top six or seven players are this good Bosa Derwin James Ingram Keenan Allen

Hunter Henry Mike Williams I'm probably missing I'm probably missing some guys Casey Hayward like they have elite impact players Elite impact players.

Even Kenneth Murray, the guy they drafted him from Oklahoma late in the first round, that guy's going to be a stud. Now, their offensive line is not great, but that's why they want a mobile quarterback. I'm not the biggest Tyrod Taylor guy. If Tyrod Taylor's are starting quarterback, at most you're going to win nine or ten games, and that's if your team is loaded.

And their team's pretty loaded. But the guy hasn't played much really the last couple years, obviously, because he's been back up for Rivers. Are we sure that Justin Herbert's not better than him right now. It's not like Justin Herbert was a redshirt sophomore. He was a senior. He was a four-year starter in Oregon. Four years. Just put him in the game. Let him play. You got Hunter Henry. You got Keenan Allen.

You got what's the little running back's name? Austin Echler. You got Mike Williams, who's a jump-ball wide receiver. The deck's pre-loaded for him. And he's mobile. So unlike Rivers, who was a statue, Justin Herbert can run and move. I would just start Justin Herbert from the jump. I used to be a decade ago. Let the guy sit.

Let the guy sit. In 2020, four-year starter, spread offenses. Let the kids play, man. Just put them in there. You drafted him six overall. Worst case scenario. Tyrod's got to come in if he's a little overwhelmed. But I think we just have too much information over the last four or five years.

These guys play early and these guys succeed early. You know, you put young quarterbacks in. Now, this year's a little weird. They're no offseason. So maybe I'm being a little too bullish, but I would have a quick trigger finger to have Herbert in there. I don't draft guys in the top 10 at quarterback to watch him sit. Now, Tua is a little different.

To me, Tua had a dislocated hip. It could have ended his career. I'm being cautious with him. He couldn't work out during the combine or whatever. Herbert's ready to roll. I lean throw Herbert in as quickly as possible and get him playing. Appreciate everyone listening. Have a great weekend.

Enjoy some baseball. Enjoy the weekend. Enjoy the summer as much as possibly can during these trying times. And as Hank Williams Jr. said, let's get ready for some football. It's right around the corner. Peace. If you love to be remembered as the person who gives the best birthday gifts, I'm here to tell you that 1-800flowers.com is your ultimate birthday gifting destination.

1-800 flowers has thoughtful and artfully created options that are giving. guaranteed to deliver the best birthday surprise. Shop thousands of unique gifts at 1-800flowers.com for exclusive offers and great values. To order today, visit 1-800flowers.com slash tune-in. That's 1-800flowers.com slash tune-in. 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, 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 IHeartRadio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's superhuman.

documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On the Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me. I'm Sam J.

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

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

Guaranteed human.