The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 3 & Out - Darnold gets another shot, Trouble in Cleveland, Don't fight with Mayo

Episode Date: August 14, 2024

John reacts to the news that J.J. McCarthy needs knee surgery which will ultimately give Sam Darnold another shot at starting in the NFL which will likely be his last chance to prove that he deserves to be a starter in the league. Next, John talks about the Browns rookie, Mike Hall Jr. being arrested and charged for domestic violence, Jared Goff praising his head coach, and how Mayo handles any type of fighting during preseason/joint practices in New England. Later, John answers your questions in this episode's mailbag segment. 7:27 - Darnold gets another shot 12:36 - Trouble in Cleveland 17:56 - Goff loves his coach 21:11 - Mayo and his rules 28:13 - Mailbag Follow John on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for the latest. Check out Gametime - the fastest growing ticketing app in the US, and the official ticketing app of 3 & Out and GoLow -  for tickets to all of your favorite NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAA teams. Concert and comedy show tickets, too. Go to Gametime now to create an account, download the app and use code JOHN for $20 off your first purchase. #Volume #HerdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

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

Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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 a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s.

84 was a wild year. It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th.

You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifers Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to the Clifford show on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes,

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Deposit and eligibility restrictions apply. See eligibility terms and responsible gaming resources at DKN. What is going on everybody. John Middilkoff, three and out podcast. How are we doing? I waited around on Tuesday because there were a lot of reports about Brandon Iuk getting traded to the Steelers. And then of course, nothing happened for a long time. So I just recorded a podcast.

So I recorded this. It's about 4 o'clock in the afternoon. If something does happen over the next 12 hours, I will do a reaction video. that would be up on the YouTube. So I will put that up on YouTube if something happens. But at this pace, which everything has played out, or I guess the way everything has played out so far, I wasn't going to wait on something that easily might not happen

and could take forever. So if something does, I will have you covered. Go to the YouTube page. If it doesn't, then here's the podcast. JJ McCarthy tore his knee, or need surgery on a knee tear, which they don't know the severity of until they look. So Sam Darnold gets an incredible opportunity that some guys never get.

And he's getting it with a chance to really earn himself a lot of money. Or just established that he is who many people think he is, just a backup. Also wanted to dive into the Browns who had their second round defensive linemen arrested. And yeah, not ideal at all for Stefanski and Andrew Barry. some other NFL stories. Gerard Mail had a great quote. Jared Gough said something pretty interesting, as well as a couple injuries that don't look to be that serious

of some star offensive players. Like I said, go to YouTube, all of our stuff's up there. If you listen on Collins' feed, subscribe to the Three and Out podcast. Separately from that, we have our own feed. You can find all of our stuff on there as well. And let's talk some football. But obviously, before we dive in,

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It's funny with opportunities. Sports, a lot like life, they can come and they go. And sometimes certain people get more than others, for whatever reason, for whatever circumstance. And some guys get an opportunity, fail, and never get that shot again. When you look, and we've talked a lot about the 2021 quarterback class, Trey Lance is never getting a chance to be a starting quarterback ever again. I would say the same thing about Zach Wilson.

It's never happening. It doesn't mean they can't become one with injuries, worked their way up a depth chart. They will never be named the starter as of right now. Justin Fields gets traded to a team with another quarterback that someone just paid $80-plus million a dead cap to kick away. Can't beat the guy out. Mack Jones, very difficult for him to become a starter again.

These guys have been in the league just a couple years. already flipped like that. Yet Sam Darnold, who looked like his career was down the drain, got a lifeline. And it actually didn't start this year. It started the last year with Kyle Shanahan. And I do think that belief in a coach who's viewed as one of the best offensive coaches in the league changed the perception about him. Goes there, he just told Albert Breer, because let's face it, early on in his career,

was kind of embarrassing. But we talked about this yesterday when it comes to the jet situation. Most people can't overcome chaos. Most people can't overcome dysfunction. Most people can't overcome awful coaching. And that's what Adam Gase was. That's what Matt Ruhl was as an NFL coach. Yet he goes to Kyle Shanahan.

He's their backup. And they all really liked him. They felt comfortable if they had to start him in a game. And at one point in time last season, after Purdy got a concussion, that Sam Darnold was going to start. Turned out pretty clear, ended up starting, and Sam just basically started the last game

that they punted against the Rams with a bunch of backups. But then Kevin O'Connell came calling. So I want to give you $10 million. We're going to draft a quarterback more than likely. We got a couple first-round picks. But you're going to be our starter. He said that in OTAs.

He said that in the start of training camp. And he hasn't relinquished that, even after J.J. McCarthy looked good. then it turns out a couple days later Jay-Marthy needs knee surgery now as of right now torn meniscus from what I read you don't know how long

you're out until they do surgery could be a month could be the season sucks if you're a Vikings fan that is not what you want to read glass half empty if he misses the whole season you get all those reps you know Patrick Boholms

a big part of his success even though he redshirted was all the reps in practice constantly getting better, getting used to Andy Reed, starting the last game, building that momentum in the year two. That would be off the table, obviously, if he's out for the year. Best case scenario, post-surgery, misses the rest of training camp, maybe a couple weeks in the regular season, can come back, run scout team, everything's fine.

But the bright side is, this is not the Bears. This is not Washington. You didn't name your rookie the starter. You weren't planning on starting him or even playing him. In a perfect world, he wouldn't play all-season. season long, and he signed Sam Donald. And now he has an enormous opportunity around a young offensive coach that many believe is a rocket ship with the best wide receiver in the league, with another guy who's probably

going to get suspended because of a bad DUI. But when he does come back after two or three games, is one of the better young wide receivers that looks like in the league. And Addison, they signed Aaron Jones. Last time I checked, he's a stud. They have a superstar offensive tackle that they just gave a lot of money to. and it's an incredible opportunity. And if you're lucky enough to screw something up,

even if it's not all your fault, and get handed another opportunity, you've got to take advantage of it. And luckily for Sam Darnold, he's not playing for a huge contract for the Vikings. They're going to go to J.J. McCarthy, unless they have to amputate his leg. Like, J.J. McCarthy's going to be the Viking starter in 2025.

But he's playing for a lot of other teams that have a lot of question marks at quarterback. Some do not have a quarterback. And if you can be a 26-year-old who can be successful with Kevin O'Connell, who has Kyle Shanahan on your resume as a reference, someone's going to pay you. Someone's going to give you some money. And you can go from a laughing stock in this league,

especially when you're a highly drafted player, to someone people covet pretty quick. We just saw it with Baker Mayfield. No one would touch him. then he goes to Tampa Resurrection his career gets $100 million. I'm not saying that's going to happen here. I wouldn't bet my life savings on it.

But I do know the right people believe in this guy and think there's something there. Now it's on saying to prove it. You know, it's funny with the Browns. They have this Ivy League leadership. Their GM, super smart guy, went to Harvard, played at Harvard. their head coach, super smart guy,

both these guys looked apart. One looks like a GM, one looks like a head coach, both skinny in shape, went to Penn, just a couple Ivy League elites running their operation. Yet I was texting with someone today after I saw the headline that their second round defensive tackle

from Ohio State, Michael Hall, Jr., was arrested for, quote unquote, allegedly dragging his baby mama, maybe she's pregnant with her. child's your baby mama i didn't write that down around the driveway in front of the house and putting a gun to her face basically said saying to her i will end it all cops arrested him again all allegedly we don't because he might be a fact might not be i don't know not the point because obviously if that happened a complete scumbag i mean you got to cut them i mean end of story point blank there's nothing

else say. But here's the thing. For this like group of Ivy League guys, as someone in the NFL put it, they sure do draft and sign a lot of questionable character guys. I said, wait, what was this guy's deal? And I asked around a couple college directors and they said he was off several boards around the league. We would have drafted him, but he was a massive red flag on our board. He was a no doubt about it, first round talent. I won't put the Deshawn Watson thing

all on those guys, because clearly the owner had to sign off on the contract. But it's hard to argue when you sign a guy with that much baggage, I question what you're doing. This one is one of those, and I think sometimes the analytical elite, because Darry

is a huge believer in this, and he's like the founding father of the group, Character can be like kind of an afterthought. Not as important. Traits, talent, ability. And that's true, like in baseball. But in football, you practice way more than you play. You have a ton of downtime.

And to draft a guy who was a major, major red flag, for anyone you ask in the NFL, and have him not even get halfway through training camp, before the cops coming and putting handcuffs on them is not a great start. And I think the Browns, they've done a good job. Stefansky's a good coach. A lot of people pushed back when I didn't have them in my top ten list. I easily could have honestly kind of forgot about him.

And that's on me. Their GM, clearly pretty good. But they overlook character a lot. And this is pretty glaring. This is a guy that everyone in the league had questions about. and they picked them. And he couldn't even make it to the second preseason game without a major situation coming up.

And here's the problem. They haven't had many draft picks over the years. So what do they do? Lean talent, more in character, because we need the guy. We don't have a lot of high-end cheap talent because we traded it for Deshawn Watson. So maybe we overlook it a little bit. And then it bites us immediately in the ass.

Assuming this is true. even if only a portion of it is true. He put himself in a position where the cops came over to his house and he found his way behind bars. That can't happen. It simply cannot. But when you draft red flags,

you put yourself at a much higher risk for these situations to happen. And like I said, these two Ivy League guys who are really impressive whenever they talk, very talented at their jobs, feels like get a little bit of a pass. I know one thing I hear all the time is

Andy Reid, he just takes flyers on characters. I don't know. Seems like a lot of people do. And some people, because they're more liked by the media, kind of get a pass. Andy sure has a long history of kicking everyone's ass. These guys got worked in a playoff game six months ago. Granted, it was with their backup quarterback.

Let's face it, we would like this team a lot if we believe, more in their quarterback. But part of the reason we don't believe in the quarterback, not just because his play has fallen off a cliff, we don't trust the guy. I don't know, man. I don't know how to get around it.

When you have top 50 or second round picks, I think he was the 54th pick maybe, so he wasn't a top 50 pick. But he was definitely top 50 player on their board. And he can't make it to the second preseason game without having an incident of allegedly putting a gun to someone's face, I just, I can't take you that seriously. I really can't.

So simply put, this isn't good. I mean, no way around it. A couple other NFL stories. Jared Goff had a really good comment. I was reading an article. Albert Brewer does a really good job. Goes to all these training camps and talks to these guys. And, you know, people think I'm too harsh.

I guess people people think I hate Siriani None of this is personal Whenever people have gotten mad at me in the league I'm like this isn't this is a job Like I don't think you're that good at your job I'm not saying you're a bad dad I'm not saying you're a bad person

Unless I hear you are or know you And know that you're a bad person And I think you're a scumbag Like I'm sorry that's that's on you not me But like if I don't think you're a good coach I don't know if Brandon Staley's a good guy or not Don't know him I just thought he was a phony

And a terrible coach Siriani who's had a good coach way more success than Brandon Staley. I will say this. I do believe Brandon Staley knows scheme, knows how to coach the defensive side of the ball. Like,

especially on a whiteboard, I don't feel that confident with Siriani. But there are other coaches in the league that do exactly what Siriani does. Leadership, lead the squad, do not call any part of the ball. And they're very, very good at it. The Harbaugh brothers, elite.

Tomlin, say what you want. about him, he's a leader of men. And I would put Dan Campbell immediately in that category. And as Jared Goff said, he's never been around a guy who has a better emotional IQ for when to push and when to pull back. He's like, his ability to just know when to go pedal to the metal and to know when to hit the brakes is something pretty uncanny. And when you have a guy in a position of just leadership, that's all they're

doing. They're not dictating the play calls. They're not coaching a position. They're just leading the men into battle. You better be a lead at that. And the stories I've heard from people with the Ravens with John Harbaugh, it's pretty special. Jim Harbaugh's resume speaks for itself. Dan Campbell took the Lions, the absolute laughing stock of the league. The team that when they played on Thanksgiving, it's like, why do we have to do this every year? To a team, many people are going to pick this year to win the NFC. That's a remarkable accomplishment. If he just gets him back into the playoffs again,

the Lions went to the playoffs back to back years? What if he wins the division again? The Lions won the division two straight years? How the hell is that possible? If I would have told you that five years ago, you would have laughed at me in the face. I don't think Dan Campbell gets enough credit. Gerard Mayo gave one of the great quotes I've ever heard.

And a lot of people have talked about, you know, coaches get asked about it all the time, about fighting and practice. I saw Belichick was on with McAfee and just said how pointless it is. Like what a waste. How no one wants, none of the coaching staffs, when you do these joint practices, want anyone to fight. Obviously, tensions flare, people get pissed, but it just slows everything down and obviously you can break a hand or something. And it could be a liability to your team. But Gerard Mayle said today And I don't know if he got this from Bill or he made it up himself

But he says I keep this pretty simple I tell starters If you fight You will play the entire preseason game I tell the backups If you fight You will not play a snap In the preseason game

What an incredible threat That you know he will back up It ain't worth the rest and given his team, he ain't worried about losing anybody. I don't know. It'd be one thing of like McVeigh or, you know, Andy or some of these guys said that. Like, you wouldn't, there should be certain players you would not leave him out there the whole game.

But on a team like this, you know he's not bullshit. And I think any time there is a threat and you know there is substance behind it and they are not bluffing, as you grow up, you know, your parents, you know the buttons you can push with them. But then you get to a point where, you know, if I push this button, he ain't lying here. This is going to be bad. So you stop pushing? And I just think that's one of the great ways to sum up your responsibilities to your team.

Name me a starter who wants to play the entire preseason game. And name me a backup who is not only trying to make that. team but knows that's his resume for the rest of the league that would risk that. Awesome quote. I'm hard on the Patriots here, but that was good. A couple of injury notes before we get out of here. I think it was scary a couple days ago. Malik Neighbors was down for a minute, and a lot of people thought what happened to him.

Turns out he's going to be okay. I saw he said today. I'm 100% not missing week one. Everything is going to be fine. We can all take a deep breath. I don't think there's a worst tweet or if you see it on Instagram like with Schaefter

So and so is down and taken to the locker room I saw that yesterday with Jemir Gibbs Jimir Gibbs was down and taken immediately to the locker room And you're like You have, I don't even play fantasy But I felt for all the people in fantasy That might have had him on their squad I felt for all the Lions fans

That have waited since Barry Sanders To have a team where they're pumping out their chest like that sucks turns out it's just a hamstring that's always the best case scenario it's like well it's gonna miss a couple weeks but everything's okay

and I've said it forever there is nothing worse in training camp than in a practice when a guy goes down absolutely nothing it sucks in a game but at least it's a game right

it happens every single play in a game anything can happen at any moment in a practice in a lot of these situations, I think Sam Williams with the Cowboys happened in a kickoff return drill, in a kickoff return drill.

I just don't think it gets any worse. And I know these coaches and these GMs become numb to it. I haven't become numb to it just reading it on the internet. And I've been in enough practices, post-work in the league, where the practice stops and the energy goes out. It sucks. So anytime a guy goes down,

and everyone's freaking out and it turns out, I just pulled his calf, everything's good, because there's a fine line of just, hey, hamstring, we'll just give him a couple weeks off. Then like, yes,

Patel tendon ripped apart. We're not going to see him for a while. You can kiss this season goodbye. That sucks. So, happy to both those guys who are two players that, whether you play fantasy, whether you just love football,

whether you root for one of those teams, we just want to watch. I just want to watch Malik Dabber, and I want to watch Jemir Gibbs. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential.

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

I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement

to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast, it's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger.

So, if you've ever supported me, or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok.

What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm CJ Toledano and our podcast Point Game is about defining 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 Rees,

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 I'm,

head you figure it out real quick. Oh, yeah. 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, I'm Deanna Maria Riva, actress, mother, lover, and a Gen X woman walking through life one hot flash and hormonal crying drag at a time. You ladies know what I mean. I'll bet you a paramed apostle chin here you do.

So let's talk about it. Join me on my new podcast. How hard can it be with Deanna Maria Riva, where I call on my Gen X squads from Ohio to Hollywood as we navigate midlife's most fantastic BS. All of a sudden, I'd had hanginess happening on my own. I was like, what the hell is that? I was married when I had her, so I didn't even consider how empty that nest was going to be. Mood swings, night sweats, fupas, sex drive.

Wait, what sex? Dating at 45. How can it be getting naked at 50 with a new guy? That one's kind of hard. Well, that's lighting. They say we can't polish a turd, but we're sure going to do. try. So let's get blunt with laughs, tears or tears of laughter, and dive into it, unfiltered and unbothered and ask, how hard can it be? I cannot believe I'm about to say this out loud in public.

Listen to How Hard Can It Be with Diana Maria Riva as part of my Cultura podcast network available 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 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 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 in the 50th season from the final attempts at gameplay to the desperate pleas of finalists to a bunch of ha, who, ha, ha, who, ha, who. Again, we are experts. So make sure to tune into PodMeets Twirled for all our Survivor 50 takes.

Listen to PodMeets Twirled on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Okay, let's dive into a little thing we call the mailbag. At John Middlecough, at John Middlecough, is the Instagram fire into those DMs. And, you know, one thing I said over the last couple weeks that I don't want to want to say is controversial, but people have pushed back in my DMs. And I think I got a couple of emails as well as that I have Josh over Lamar, and this question hits on it.

And again, it feels like I'm being critical of Lamar. I mean, I have the guy as a third best quarterback. And by any means, I think he's way better now than he was when he won his first MVP. But that first MVP statistically was much better than last season. and overall, and this is, last year was not a good MVP season. It just wasn't. Like, he didn't even throw 25 touchdowns. Josh Allen, I think I did the math sometime last week, had 15 more touchdowns than him,

passing and rushing combined. So the other thing is like I wait the playoffs. And I watch one guy who hasn't been very good in the playoffs ever. And I watch another guy who has thrived in the playoffs. just look at his numbers look at his play against the chiefs so just wanted to know why you have Josh Allen as the definitive

second best quarterback Lamar is essentially already a Hall of Fame lock while Allen isn't close see to me like he's going to be a Hall of Famer they both are but obviously he has two MVPs Josh has none the other guy has been a complete flame out in the playoffs there's no way around it especially when you factor in

MVP's you win MVP's and then you get rolled at home and you don't play well. Here's the other thing. Both these guys win. Both these guys are rattling off wins when they play. Lamar plays on a team. Last year they had the best defense in the league by a wide margin. If I put Josh Allen last year on the Ravens,

I think they win the Super Bowl comfortably. They easily beat the Chiefs and they would have destroyed the Niners. Destroyed would be strong, but we saw Lamar. destroy them Niners on Christmas. So, like, I just think the gap right now, one guy trusts in the playoffs, the other guy,

I could never put a penny on to win a big playoff game. Big favorite against, like, last year of the Texans, they didn't have a shot. But a team that can beat him, like, you wouldn't bet on. You'd bet on Joe Burrow if he's healthy.

And he's obviously the wild card. We just have to, we don't know enough about his health. I get a lot of people go, where's Joe Burrow? Well, I heard someone say this on the podcast, and Bengals fans would know that you guys are following his training camp.

Can he not play in three straight practices right now? He has to take a day off. That just concerns me. When Joe is healthy and we saw it for a stretch last year, like the game he had against the 49ers when he destroyed him, he looked like Joe Montana meets Peyton Manning. Obviously, he's elite. And another guy that I trust in big games.

I don't trust Lamar in big games. I just don't. It doesn't mean he can't change that. But right now, if Josh Allen can win big games, we saw him go toe to toe he threw five touchdowns against the Chiefs on the road and his defense screwed him. You give Josh Allen Lamar's defense. He's winning a Super Bowl.

So I don't think it's that crazy of a statement. And again, I'm not acting like Lamar Jackson's Dak Prescott. I think he's a stud. I like the guy a lot. But no one can dispute when you watch him in the playoffs. He doesn't even look like the same player. And last year's MVP, listen, pretty almost,

it was not a great MVP season. Let's not act like it's some of these great Rogers, Tom Brady. It wasn't even nearly as good as his original MVP. Not even close when you look at the stats. The Ravens defense last year, Mike McDonald, who I watched a press conference with him in Seattle, like what an impressive guy. Boy, genius.

Their defense was elite. Their team was awesome. And he sunk. You're totally right about the end. NCAA in their BS punishments. ASU got punished by them for COVID recruiting violations. Years after the main offenders, Herm was fired and Jaden had transferred to LSU.

It was a joke. I don't understand why anyone listens to the NCAA. I will always say life starts after 40, so you are living the dream. Full disclosure, I hate the comment living the dream. Partly because my dreams, like my actual dreams, change every night and depending on melatonins or whatever i can't even remember them but i would agree

your life gets better as you get older with all the drama in ninerland would you conclude there is an underlying culture gap that the team is not priority one if management instilled that mentality but also that if you show you are about the team we will also proactively take care of you none of this would be happening. Speaking from the Lions land, where it seems like all the players in management are all on the same page. Obviously, the 49ers haven't won a Super Bowl,

but they've had way more success than the Lions. They also have a lot of guys that need to get paid, or want to get paid, who are deserving to get paid. And this is a business. So it's easy to go old school, the team, the team, the team. It's all about, like, this is a business.

and in life, I don't care what you do. Sometimes you've got to fight for your money. The only person who truly cares about you is you. If the Niners could, they would give Brandon Ayuk a four-year $40 million contract. So I don't blame these guys, even though these situations all are a little different for wanting money. That's the way the world works, especially in the NFL. I think, and I've heard this. Well, they paid Christian McCaffrey.

Of course, Brandon Ayuk's going to be pissed. how he, Christian McCaffrey got a raise from like 12 million to 19 million. If that was the case with Brandon Ayyuk, they would gladly raise from $14 million salary to $19 million. Christian McCaffrey does not make much money relative to what these other guys make. Trent Williams, all-time great player, all these other guys, he's better than are getting paid. He wants a raise. He has no guaranteed money. Totally get it.

The Iyuk situation, by the time you're listening to this, maybe I'm recording this during the day on Tuesday, so maybe he's been traded. I don't think it's a culture issue. I just think these guys want to get, I mean, last year, Nick Bosa held out all of training camp. I think the question is, they got a bunch of injuries,

they've had a lot of drama, is this year that kind of catches up to them. I don't know. I still think they're really talented, and they're coach's elite, so they should be fine in terms of regular season wins, but injuries are a problem. They have an old team.

I love it. It's like, the oldest team in the NFL, you're thinking like 37 years old it's like 27 years old and you don't have to go that far to get to the top 10 where the average age is like 25.8 it's like what are we talking about here?

I mean now some of their better players Kittles 30 Trent Williams is 35 36 years old hasn't been a training camp like yeah I I think it's fair you know they signed Leonard Floyd who's played a long time

uh Javon Hardgrave is a guy in his third contract. Charvarius, Ward, makes a lot of money, is an older player. So I don't think it's a culture issue because I think every team deals with this.

Like, what if the Eagles, some of their players would have said no to contracts they offered? Would they have a culture issue or just guys saying no to their contracts? So I just think these, I'm less fazed by this money going back and forth. In terms of judging a person, I fought for money. I'm sure everyone listening to this fights for money. It's part of life.

It feels different when you're in the public spotlight and the dollar amounts are public and big. But I think it's all kind of falls under the same umbrella. Like, are you selfish if you ask your company for a race? Are you selfish if, you know, you negotiate a deal if you own a business? And you say, well, yesterday's price is not today's price. You know, I'm dealing with this wedding. And I was talking to my brother who got married in 2018 and just asking him, you know, what he paid for this and stuff.

And you just realize it's hard to compare. A little thing called a historic amount of inflation. So $5,000 on something in 2018 is what now? Eight. And depending on where you're going or money changes. And I think we've seen the same thing with white. receiver inflation, player inflation, the cap inflation. You got to kind of get numbed to the numbers.

Listener from the UK. A question for the pod. Would a Chiefs three-peat make them the best dynasty ever? Well, it put them in a special class because I'm pretty sure there's never been a three-peat in NFL history. So best dynasty ever. I think part of a dynasty, right? Like the Warriors were a dynasty, but it lasted. Eight years.

You know, the Patriots lasted almost 20. So would you rather have the same amount of... Would you rather have six Super Bowls over 20 years? Or four Super Bowls over seven years and never win another one? I think you've got to let things play out over the totality and then judge them after. But it would be the greatest run we've ever seen in NFL history these last three years if they win another Super Bowl. 100%. I don't even think that's debatable.

Big NFL fan over here in the UK. See, what Roger's doing is working. You know, you send these teams across the pond, you develop fans. Now, maybe you're just a... Been watching since 82, so maybe Roger hasn't impacted you. Neutral now, as gave up on Washington because of Snyder, and enjoyed it a lot more. Question. The Rams defensive line.

I'm seeing them play at Soldier Field in week four. Excited about that. How big a drop-off are you? you expecting with the losses of Donald and Williams in the offseason, if any. To me, their offense looks like it could be potent. I think the hard part about judging, obviously you lose Aaron Donald, there's no replacing that. There are certain players you lose that you just do not replace, right? Like Trent Williams just retires tomorrow. There is no replacing that. It's impossible. Aaron Donald retires. You get a caliber of player. I don't care who you draft. I don't care who you

sign, you're not as good as that guy. And you don't impact the game plan of the opponent like that guy does, where you keep the opposing coordinator, the opposing players, you make them nervous. Now, if they hit on these two defensive linemen that they drafted in the top, I think both guys were top 40 picks. I mean, one guy was top 20 pick. Maybe it was like early 20s.

I think he was 20. I think he was like 19, maybe 21. I don't have the draft order in front of me. Jared Verson, I forget the other guy's name, but the D-Tackle, both of them are Florida State guys. If they're really good players, then their D-lines should be pretty good. Right? We saw last year they hit on the pass rusher, I think, in the third round, and if these two guys are good, but you never know with rookies. The other thing with rookies is you can have a good game or a good month.

Can you have a good season? And that's the thing with Aaron Donald. When you get a player of his caliber, you just go, if he's on the field and he's healthy, I know exactly what I'm getting every game. Obviously, some games are better than others, but I'm getting an elite player all season long. And when you get rookies, even if you hit him out of the park, you just get moments where they don't show up, or maybe they run out of gas, or maybe they get schemed against, and they don't know what to do.

And they get overwhelmed. Maybe they're just mentally fatigued, let alone physically fatigued. They never play this many games. I just think it's an unknown. It's a wild card though. If those guys are good, they could be good. I mean, they're going to be a good team no matter what,

but if those guys are impact players, they could be really good. The other day, you were talking about how you do not think the NFL will ever change the MVP to a quarterback award. Do you think we should separate MVP regular season awards, one strictly for the quarterbacks, and one for everyone else?

I think we could talk about this all we want, want. But a lot of people have a lot of different ideas on awards, on rules in the regular season. If the league has no urgency is probably even the wrong word, but just no desire to make a change, then it's just, it's a pointless conversation. But yeah, I mean, it'd make it a lot easier. Seems like it'd be a pretty easy change. But I think that's kind of why they do the offensive player of the year and the MVP, because the MVP feels like moving forward will just be a quarterback, and the offensive player of the year can be with Justin Jefferson, can be a Christian McCaffrey.

That's what the nicest part about defensive player of the year, which is just the defensive MVP. Like any player can get it. Right, Dorel Revis, Dion Sanders, a pass rusher, a line, Ray Lewis, Brian Erlacher, Ed Reed, Troy Palomalu, like every position. is on the table. Where with the, like, why can't, if I don't allow a sack

and I'm easily the best offensive lineman, why can't left tackle win the award? He never would, but whoever, you know, Trent Williams or whoever that guy is, how is he not the most valuable player? He's the best player. And that's where I think you get in the argument of most valuable player to statistics.

You know, it's just complicated. It's why we argue. argue about it all the time, which is kind of fun. I've got something that nobody is considering, and I'm surprised. When I hear the price only goes up for contracts, my response is no shit. But that doesn't mean it's smart to pay guys you plan on paying. The salary cap increased by less than 6% on average the past decade. I think they think that's supposed to go up closer to 10.

over the next decade, but, so that six might be nine or ten moving forward, but I hear what you're saying. The rate of return on the SMP is closer to 15%. So if you're going to pay

$100 million signing bonus on an extension, you can pay that to avoid paying 105 next year. But savvy thing to do is use that 100 to get the return

of 115 million. Then paying the extra five and six still nets you $10 million more. When Jerry said he didn't have urgency because he went to college, I assume this is what he meant. I know most people aren't tuned into finance, but the owners are.

Do you think these players understand that taking a deal early for less is beneficial to the player because they can start realized games? I think a lot of agents understand this. it's why I think a lot of players push for big signing bonuses because you could argue take a little bit less guaranteed would you rather have

60 truly guaranteed and a $50 million signing bonus paid immediately or 75 guaranteed with a $25 million signing bonus right? I mean these are type conversations that agents

and contract negotiators are having it's why I think Jordan Love is a good example. He got less money than Tua, but before Christmas, he will have received $75 million. So I think if we want to break down his deal, you could argue the money up front he's getting is a more valuable contract than what Tua got because of the ability to invest the money. And assuming that he'll just play the stock market or invest in real estate or whatever, because like you said, prices don't come down. They go up.

And we've seen that more than ever, definitely in my lifetime, over the last three or four years in these inflationary times. Now, inflation impacts everybody, but a guy making $100,000 and a dude making $75 million is a little less faced by inflationary times, right? If I got $75 million, it's funny. there were some houses in my neighborhood that were on sale for a lot. Like triple what I bought my house for, which is cool. Obviously with high rates,

it's a little harder to flip them. And one was a legit flip. And me and Maria went over there when they first went on the market just to check it out. I was like, let's see what this bad boy's bringing to the table. And I was BSing with a real estate agent. And she's like, at the end of the day,

if we sell this house, the rate won't matter because someone's going to pay cash. and when rates are high, higher price points in real estate, for example, or in anything, the big money people are more likely to pay cash because they're unfazed by,

whether it's a 7% rate or a 6.6% rate. Doesn't matter. When I bought my house, the rate kind of mattered because I was only going to put down 15% or 10% or whatever. But if I was paying cash, who gives a shit what the rate is? and that's where I think when you're talking these price points or this

value of these contracts the money up front is really really important at an agent yell at me a couple years ago over something with a player in the team that he was dealing with he's like they don't pay big bonuses partly because I don't have the cash like some of these other teams do

it's what Jake Rosenberg when he was on a couple weeks ago talked about it's so easy to complain but you can maneuver any contract you want, because you can finagle the bonus. So even if I don't have, I only have $7 million in cap space in free agency. I could still win the bidding on a player. If I'm willing,

one, I can just fudge his cap number that first year at like $3 million. And I can give him a ton of money up front. So yeah, I mean, just those conversations that you're having get talked about all the time, especially now with the money that they are discussing, which is insanely high. It's why ultimately when you see guys arguing, like you lose the public. Like, no one actually cares whether IUC makes $26.5 million or $28 million. No one cares. He cares, as he should. And the tax rate in Pittsburgh is 10% lower.

It's a flat rate, a little over 3%. Well, you're paying over 13% in California. So those would be the discussions I'm having. For every million dollars, I'm getting taxed. I've got to pay 130 grand. Or I pay 30 grand. It's a big deal. So, yeah, I think these conversations are 100% happening.

The Packers and Bears rivalry obviously is the biggest in the NFL. Eh. I don't know about that. To me, a rivalry, obviously history plays a huge part in it, but it's also like rivalries change when teams suck. And the Bears, as Rogers has been saying forever, have been owned by the Packers.

So a rivalry in its heyday is when it's going back and forth. So yeah, they've been playing for a long time, but it feels like a one-sided rivalry. Right? like Auburn has beat Alabama. So it makes that rivalry pretty interesting. Now that Jim Harbaugh beat Ohio State a couple times, it makes that rivalry even more interesting.

But when one team is just consistently beating your ass, it doesn't quite feel, even though it's a historic rivalry, it doesn't feel the same. But I hear what you're saying. If Caleb Williams can help the Bears turn things around, then the Jordan Love versus Caleb Williams' rivalry could be the biggest in the NFL over the next decade or so and could really help revive the Packers-Barr's rivalry.

Yet I've heard nothing about it this off-season. It's interesting how the two teams got their franchise quarterbacks in complete opposite ways. Jordan was considered a project, sat behind Rogers, and great offensive coaching staff for three years. Whereas Caleb is a can't-miss prospect going to literally a quarterback graveyard in Chicago. You can say what you want about the weapons,

but I couldn't think of a worst place for a young quarterback to go. What do you think will have a better career based on what you've seen so far. Well, I mean, as of right now, you would have to bet on Jordan Love. Because I've seen Jordan Love in regular season and playoff games thrive. Thrive. And he's with an organization that is consistently successful.

So if you were just playing the odds, you would pick Jordan Love. Now, if you wanted to be a little riskier investor, you might pick Caleb. Someone shot me an email the other day and said, I agree with what you said about Caleb's first game is preseason game,

which anyone that my mom could have watched it and seen the skills. But the knock and Merrill Hodge, I guess, has said over the past six months that he doesn't like him from the pocket at all. And you don't really see that much in the preseason game, especially against schemed looks, which we won't get until the regal season starts.

That is a question mark. Can he pick you apart in the NFL from the pocket. Because we know he can move, we know he's got a huge arm, we know he can throw on the run, the 10 plus times where it's like second and eight, third and 11,

can he just dice you from the pocket? I've seen Jordan Love do that. In the NFL, on the road in the playoffs, with 30 plus million people watching against the boys. So I would say, yeah, this rivalry could be re-sparked. Right now, I would say a better rivalry is Cowboys and Eagles.

Why'd they both been good? Niners and Rams. Why'd they both been good? I mean, you kind of got to be good to make it a true rivalry that in current times everyone's invested into. I hope it is good, because the more good teams, the more interesting the league is, the better businesses. More entertained we all are. I'll be in Vegas next week, and I want to play some long bets. Any favors?

I kind of like the Saints to make the playoffs. I think you get that. I saw on Draft Kings for plus 175. I kind of like the bills. I think you get them to be the 1C at like 4 or 5 to 1. Obviously, if you watch that first preseason game, you'd be like, they got a long way to go. I looked at some college bets.

Fresno State to win the Mountain West. You get them at plus 475. Those are three that I've kind of looking at. I'm biased on Fresno State, not going to lie. Huge fan from Mexico. I have a bet with a friend we made about five years ago. He's a Chargers fan and loved Rivers. Being quite biased, he believes Rivers will be a Hall of Famer.

I'm not so convinced. The bet is whether or not Rivers will be a first ballot Hall of Famer. To me, it seems that cut out of the O4 draft class, He had the least impressive career to Ben and Eli. Not only was he less accomplished, but I also believe he was the least talented quarterback of the three. Do you think Rivers will make it to the Hall of Fame? And what are your thoughts on the quarterbacks from the 04 draft class?

Well, Rathurstberg is the first ballot Hallfamer. That's not a question. Eli is one of the more polarizing players, but we can't put extra weight on the playoffs and not act like his two runs were two of the most incredible things we've ever seen, which is going to get him in. Do I think Eli is a first ballot hall of famer?

Probably not, but I think he's a borderline lock. He beat Belichick and Brady twice. He went on the road and took out Favre and Harbaugh in Green Bay and San Francisco in very tough conditions. It wasn't all him, but he was the quarterback. So I do not think, one, if you bet against Rivers being in a first ballot, Hall of Famer, you're going to win that bet.

I like Philip Rivers a lot. I've said forever, I think he would be an incredible broadcaster. I think he would be awesome calling football games as an analyst. I think he's made for it. I don't think he's a Hall of Famer. I would not vote Philip Rivers in the Hall of Fame. And I really enjoyed his career. He obviously had some really good moments.

And when he was healthy, he could be a really, really good player. and if you flip-flop the two and put Eli in San Diego and Rivers in New York, maybe it looks different. But that didn't happen. So I would say Rivers, not a Hall of Famer. Like I said, Ben, first ballot, lock. Eli, I think there'll be some arguing back and forth. He will get in. Rivers will not.

I'm a high school senior who found you while listened to Colin last year. Have listened to every episode since. Anyway, the last thing I was going to be. going to say is that it's cool out podcasting you feel that you really know a person. You've never talked to them before. I feel like if I ever got the chance to meet you would really be cool. I'm Ohio State fan, so I like all the players that come from there to the NFL. I know you weren't high on Marvin Harrison Jr. coming out.

I mean, I had him as top 10 player. I just had neighbors over him. I would say pretty high on him. I think he's going to be pretty good. It's weird. It's like, I got Josh Allen over Lamar. It's like, you hate Lamar. It's like, he's the third best quarterback in the league.

Do you think that he could elevate Kyler and make him a top 10 quarterback? Or does, or do you think they make the playoffs and could he win offensive rookie the year? Then about my new favorite quarterback, C.J. Straub, where would you rank him in the NFL? A lot of questions here. Let's just focus on Marvin Harrison. I was thinking about this. I think that the NFC West has, has. like the smartest group of coaches.

Kyle and McVeigh, we all call them like offensive geniuses. Mike McDonald, nickname in Baltimore was Boy Genius. And I think Jonathan Gannon, I met him in Philly, all my buddies in Philly, they swear by the guy.

I actually think he's pretty impressive. Just, you talk to him, you hear him talk, the press guy. Like, he's just an impressive guy. I know that thing that went viral of the pew, pew, pew, pew, pew, was kind of funny, and he got made fun of. but he's impressive guy. I just don't think they're going to have the talent to compete to the playoffs.

But Kyler's a problem. And if he's healthy, he's tough to play against on a weekly basis, man. That little dude scrambles around. He's got a big arm. When he gets hot and he usually gets hot in the second half, he's taken down a lot of people. So Marvin Harrison is going to benefit dramatically from having... Marvin Harrison last year played with a guy who,

wasn't any good. He was just not a good player. That's why he's not the starting quarterback, and they told him the transfer. You're not going to start here anymore. That's why Ohio State is a new quarterback. When Marvin Harrison had C.J. Stroud, it was like, Jesus. And C.J. is a different type player. CJ's a pocket quarterback.

Kyler's much more of like this versatile kind of run-around throw guy, but he's proven to be a good NFL player. And I would expect Marvin Harrison to be pretty productive this year for sure. On CJ, I think Texans are going to be a problem, man. I think they got something brewing. Tank Dell is a monster. That dude is a baller. Nico Collins is like 6-3-225.

He's on a cheap contract. Baller. They trade for digs who, let's face it, they don't even need. They're going to be good, man. They're going to be a problem this year. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games.

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

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

One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment. and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. What's up fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano and our podcast Point Game is about defining 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 the flying. 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. Hey, I'm Deanna Maria Riva, actress, mother, lover, and a Gen X woman walking through life one hot flash and hormonal crying jag at a time. You ladies know what I mean.

I'll bet you a perimenopausal chin here you do. So let's talk about it. Join me on my new podcast. How hard can it be with Deanna Maria Riva, where I call on my GenX squads from Ohio to Hollywood as we navigate midlife's most fantastic BS. All of a sudden, I'd had hanginess happening. my own. I was like, what the hell is that? I was married when I had her, so I didn't even consider how empty that nest was going to be. Mood swings, night sweats, fupas, sex drive. Wait, what sex?

Dating at 45. How high can it be getting naked at 50 with the new guy? That one's kind of hard. Well, that's lighting. 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, and dive into it unfiltered and unbothered and ask, How hard can it be? I cannot believe I'm about to say this out loud in public. Listen to How Hard Can It Be with Diana Maria Riva as part of my Cultura podcast network available 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 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 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 in the 50th season from the final attempts at gameplay to the desperate pleas of finalists to a bunch of... Ha, who. Ha, ha, who. Again, we are experts.

So make sure to tune in to 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. You often talk about how the NFL is cashing in big time on TV deals. For teams that play on Sunday, not Sunday night football, is the revenue divvied up equally across all the teams? For primetime games, Thursday, Sunday, Monday, does that pot of money only go to the two teams playing? same question for the playoff games as well for a team like the Broncos that won the Super Bowl in 16 but haven't been back to the playoffs since

does that mean there's a lot less money the strength of the NFL despite a lot of teams not factoring in to playing on Sunday and Monday night football consistently and drawing big ratings they split the money equally it's the power of the valuations of these teams

it's why you can buy the Panthers or you can have the Cowboys, the Niners, or the Packers. I know the Packers don't have an owner, but you know what I mean. You get the same revenue check. Forever, Al Davis and the Raiders didn't have any money relative to the rich owners. But once the season started and they got the revenue checks from the media, it was the same amount as the Cowboys. It's why Jerry Jones is always bitching and a moaning about

merchandise and owning his own revenue because the power. power of the NFL is under the umbrella of the national television deal, which is CBS, Fox, and NBC, and now Amazon and Netflix. So when they get $150 or $200 million from Netflix or a billion dollars from Amazon, that gets divvy up equally to the owners, who then divvy that up to the players, basically 50-50. It's the most powerful thing about the NFL. That's a thing with the NBA.

They divvy up their television deal equally, but every team has their own independent deal with their local television, right? The Knicks TV deal, the Warriors TV deal, the Lakers TV deal generates different amounts of money than Oklahoma City or Orlando. There is no local television deal with the Niners or the Giants or the Jets, different from the Tampa Bay Bucks. There's only national television games. And everyone gets the same amount of money.

Equally. Same with the playoffs. I mean, that's all built in to the television deals. Brian from Toronto. Love the podcast. I subscribe and listen from Toronto. Huge Bill's fan. Quick question.

When the Jets and Giants play or Chargers and Rams play against each other, do they still get ready in the home locker room even though they are the visiting team or do they make them get ready for the game in the visitor locker room? Just wondering, keep up the good work. It's a good question. I would imagine,

do the chargers use the Rams home locker room? I'm not sure about that. I think the chargers could be wrong here. I think there's a visitor locker room. Again, could be wrong here. And then the chargers and Rams have different locker rooms. Not quite sure on that one. Pretty sure the Giants and Jets flip-flop.

Like that's a split. The Rams built that, and then the charges are their tenant. So I don't know about that one. It's a good question. If there were only two locker rooms, the home team would get the home locker room in that scenario. But I'm pretty sure there's more than two locker rooms at SOFi. I think it met life, there are two locker rooms.

And in that scenario, the Jets are Giants. If they're playing each other, one team would get the home locker room. Thoughts on hard knocks. Iber Fluse isn't it. Concerned about his looks and his beard. And not focused on the important matters. Also, kissing Caleb Williams' ass? I get he's the number one pick, but Jesus, he hasn't had a snap in the NFL.

He's not a coach. He's a fan boy. I will say this. I like Iber Fluse's look. And I'm hard on Sala for dying his beard. If your wife wants you to look a little different, guess what? Happy wife, happy life. It's always easy for other people to judge, like, you ain't the one sleeping with them.

So if she wants that, I got no problem with it. If Iber Fluse had... The other thing is they show Iber Fluse getting his haircut. Guess what? I used to get my haircut in the facility. That's where all these guys get their haircut. So Sean McVeigh gets done up. Doesn't bother me to the least.

If he had dyed his hair in his beard, that would be a little much. He just greys hair and had a beard Listen to someone that's bald I would die to have his hair I think it's a good look The dying the beard is trying to be something you're not You got greaves who gives a shit You're old

Robert Saul you got grave No one cares Let's work on Hassan Redick I have a much bigger issue With the dying of the beard Than I do a guy growing a beard And kisses Caleb Williams ass Because that is his ticket

To getting a contract extension What's supposed to do scream at him every day. I actually thought Iber Fluse came away pretty likable. Pretty impressive. Very just comfortable

in his own skin. That was my takeaway. So I was the opposite of you. Listen to your most recent podcast. I still think Josh Gordon could have gone down as one of the best if it wasn't for his suspensions, which feel pretty antiquated.

The dude was just smoking a little weed. Assuming it was just weed. That was in response to someone asked if you could who were the best wide receivers the last 20 years. Agreed. Josh Gordon was pretty talented. Question for the mailbag. A long one, so I apologize. Are wide receivers about to hit a wall with contract values?

We saw this with running backs, Sequin, Echler, Jacobs, Zeeke. Now we are at the point with CDIUK. Next up will be Chase Higgins and Diggs. Should we expect a regression? I think it's going to be very telling that over these next couple years, the Chiefs are not paying anyone big money.

The Ravens are not paying anyone big money. The Chargers get good. They are not paying anyone big money. The Packers, not paying any wide receiver big money. The Lions finally did. You know, the 49ers have had Debo, but he's relative to these other contracts. He got less than half of what Jefferson did, guaranteed.

If these teams do not win with the Eagles, are paying their two wide receivers, a lot of money. If it works, people follow. I don't care what business you're in. I mean, I listen to other podcast all the time. Like, that's a pretty good idea. I should try that. Maybe I should have that guy on.

I mean, you're always looking to steal to get better. And if something doesn't work, you kind of, you pivot. And I probably shouldn't try that. Well, if all these wide receiver contracts fail or, you know, the teams regress because their team's not as deep, there will be a pivot. I mean, what was the reason team? stopped paying running backs. It wasn't because they're not good running backs. It's because Zika immediately didn't look the same.

Todd Gurley's knee fell apart. You're like, this is too risky. So everyone pivoted. And now the price didn't really jump. Everyone's like, I'll dive back into the deep end. Sequin got a contract. McCaffrey got a race. So I think it just depends how things go.

If all these wide receiver contracts blow up in people's faces, teams will pivot. And they'll stop paying. And they'll just trade them to the bad teams that will pay. But if it works, teams will do it. I was thinking you get in a tough position when you draft a guy, and then he's really good and he's a good guy. And the team likes him, the coaches like him.

What are you supposed to do? Not pay him? Because you would pay other positions, right? If the same thing was a tackle or pass rush or a corner, you're like, hell yeah. Pay that guy. but with wide receivers, like you said, now it's turned into running backs.

Can I find another one? And it's also pretty basic economic, supply of demand. Colin and I talked about us the other day. Look how many wide receivers that were just drafted the last couple of years. Dude's nonstop. Guy's thriving in like the 20s. If I draft a guy at 26

and he becomes a stud, it's one of the best contracts in the league. Like if Malik Neighbors or Marvin Harrison is a star, doesn't get any better than that from a deal standpoint. If they're immediately better in some of these guys that got paid, you're like, well, I'm paying this one guy, 28. Marvin Harrison's making six. Who would you rather have?

Right now, would you rather have Marvin Harrison at $5.5 million or Brandon Ayyuk? I haven't even seen Marvin Harrison play a snap in the NFL. I take Marvin Harrison. Just based on the potential if he's good at that price, how do you beat that? Brandon Ayyuk was an incredible player. when he was on the 27th overall contract.

He becomes a little more complicated when it's like, well, is he a top 7-8 guy? CD is like, well, is CD a top two or three wide receiver? And that gets to the argument like you can't overpay a great player. Could you overpay Jerry Rice or Randy Moss or Terrell Owens assuming he wasn't a pain in the butt, right? Megatron. I got no problem paying the best of the best.

but you also see when bad teams have a highly paid wide receiver are kind of useless like Devante Adams like what's the return on investment for the Raiders is not very high because they don't have a quarterback but you put Devante Adams on the bills

you're like shit be incredible you said a couple episodes ago you were going to Nashville I'm pretty well versed in all the favorite local bars and restaurants if you ever need a recommendation also wanted to suggest you check out five daughters

bakery and their 100 layer donuts would 10 out of 10 recommend them for your wedding? It would be a huge hit. Let me write that down. I'll take a screenshot

actually. Full disclosure as someone I'm in the process trying to lose about 10, 15 pounds. I got a sweet tooth. I don't like Donuts never really had or have.

My dad was always a sucker for donuts. Not a donut guy. I'm just not, if I do do sugar in the morning, I do a waffle. Like I like waffles more than pancakes, though I don't discriminate against pancakes. But I'm not like, I like my sugar in the afternoon. I've just never really liked donuts. I'm always been more of a croissant guy. even when I was a little kid

We would go to the bakery And my friends If you're with someone else's parents They'd all get donuts Like I'd get the croissant But I do understand A lot of people do like donuts So I hear you

I'll have to check that out You think the Sanders family In the Seattle franchise Is a good fit I feel I couldn't see Dion Well they got wide receivers So who knows

The problem You guys aren't going to be bad enough to be drafting high. And assuming Chador has a good season and is the top five-ish pick, I don't know if you guys are going to be in the mix. If you win seven, eight games, you're more likely to pick at 15 than four.

Now, could you trade up? But I think other teams are going to be interested. I don't know. I can't even pretend to know how the Shador Sanders draft process is going to go. I think we can all acknowledge it could get weird. And would it totally shock you if he just tries to drive him to the Cowboys or something?

Not at all. I know this. They're going to be a lot of eyeballs. And there were last year, but even this year now that you know these guys are draft eligible, but specifically the quarterback. That week two game at Nebraska against the Patrick Mahomes clone, Dominic Riola,

I'm pretty excited for that game. Dominic Riola against Shador. I talked to a buddy that went through there on a scouting trip who thinks they're going to be better, who thinks they have a lot more talent this year than they did last year. Interesting to, I'm fascinated to watch them play. I mean, Colorado's got two potential top five picks.

Travis Hunter and Shador. Good evening, bro. Do you think Zay Flowers will have a thousand-yard season? I think Zayflauers a stud. So, yeah, I would expect that for sure. I think he's going to be a monster. this season. Someone told me that last year when he had the fumble in the

in the playoff game, in the locker room, he was crying, and one of the coaches went up to him and like, you should be crying. It should hurt. That should mean a lot to you. So that moment should drive him.

And last season, I mean, he looked like an ascending star. I don't know if he'll be Tiree Kill, but he's pretty freaking good. Hard to not watch him last year and go, God, this guy's sweet. Really enjoyed the coaching rankings you did. I've always thought the NFL coach is medium.

NBA is a player's medium. Soccer is 50-50. I've also thought that Belichick is likely the most valuable individual in the history of the league. That you would want to have player or coach. I was wondering if you could do a top five ranking of the top five individuals you'd want for your team if you were starting a franchise. And also, if you could do a top five list for 2024. Well, I think you would take Mahomes over any coach.

I would take Josh Allen over any coach. But here's an example. Would you rather have Lamar Jackson and just pick a coach? Nick Siriani or who's a terrible team? Dave Canales, he might be a good coach, time will tell. Dennis Allen. Or would you rather have like Kyle Shanahan in Brock Purdy? Or Sean McVey and Jared Gough? Or Andy Reed in one of those type players.

To me, you can give me Lamar or Justin Herbert or some of these players, but if you give me a bad coach, I don't know. you could argue that if you get one of the top two or three coaches, their value is they're going to find the quarterback and make it happen. So yeah, like, you could take Patrick Mahomes with the number one overall draft pick. But if your coach sucks, I'll take my chances. If I got Andy Reid, like, I've seen him work with every quarterback. I've seen Kyle Shanay and Sean McVey work with a ton of different quarterbacks.

I think you could make that argument. And that's like you said that that argument. argument that went viral years ago. Like is Brad Stevens, this is when he was a good coach and then he became a bad coach and then he became an executive and he won a title. So crazy career. But like, is he more valuable than most NBA players? And the answer is no.

Like, you take the top NBA players over any coach because you cannot win in the NBA without an elite player and really multiple. Or in the NFL, it's like, we could argue all day long. Like, is Brock Purdy the seventh best quarterback? Is he the 12th best quarterback? But he's got Kyle Shanahan. Like, Jared Goff, what's it? Sean McVey and Ben Johnson, Jared Goff's kicking ass and taking names.

So, like, you said, it's a coach's medium. The top coaches should borderline have equal value. It's why, if I was like Andy Reid's agent, it's like, okay, I understand Patrick Mahomes making $45, $50 million. But what's Andy's value? $35 million? It shouldn't be that much difference. If Brock Purdy next year makes $60 million, if I'm Kyle's agent, well, shit, what's Kyle worth?

It ain't half what he's making. Is he worth $45 million? What's Sean McVeigh worth to the Rams? Because I saw the Rams before Sean McVeigh got there. Actually, I didn't, because I never watched their games, because they were completely irrelevant. You could argue the top coaches in, what if Jim Harbaugh immediately has the Chargers good for the next three or four years? What's his worth? I'd say pretty high. So yeah, I mean, you could argue the first picks should be coaches.

And then even if you don't get the top 10 quarterbacks, well, if I give that top guy the 12th best quarterback, he's going to win. He's going to win. But if I give an awful coach, I could give him Montana. I could give him Mahomes. There's no guarantee he's going to win at all. We've seen high-in, I saw Matt Stafford with a lot. Alliance. Didn't win. Good question. When you get a good quarterback with a good coach, you get

double-digit wins, playoffs. Like CJ Stroud, would he be good anywhere or is like, does he benefit from D'emico? Who's a young star? I'd say it's a combo. C.J.'s really talented. But if I put him just with a shitty team with no weapons and a bad coach that doesn't know what he's doing, Godspeed, I think I'd just talk myself into. The first pick in football, should be the coach, which is why this sport is so much fun. Because in the NBA, we could argue, like, what is Cruz value? I'd argue he's got value, but like, is he probably overrated because of the guys he's coaching?

100%. He could not win with bad players. It's impossible. But in the NFL, you see great coaches win with average players. So maybe the first pick should all be coaches. If this was a fantasy draft and not an auction but the draft, if you have a top five pick, maybe you should draft a coach and then take the quarterback in the second round.

Maybe that would be the move. Actually, I think that is the move. The volume. 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 helped make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and headwriter,

Street or 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. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque.

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84 was big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. with our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 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. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me. Clifford Taylor the 4th.

You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled of conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to The Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Hey, what's good, y'all?

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