The Herd with Colin Cowherd - 3 & Out - Raiders CUT Wilkins, Bakers wants to STAY in Tampa, Football is DIFFERENT than other sports

Episode Date: July 29, 2025

John dives into the news from the weekend that saw the Raiders releasing Christian Wilkins and reacts to the latest information from this situation that says that Wilkins kissed a teammate on the top of the head. Next, John discusses contract extensions for both Rashawn Slater and Courtland Sutton. After, John dives into the QB situation in LA with the Rams and if we could see a surprise with who starts multiple games this season. Later, John talks about Baker Mayfield and how he wants to stay in Tampa for years. Finally, John answers your questions in this episode's mailbag segment.05:11 - Raiders cut Christian Wilkins 13:27 - Rashawn Slater get extension 14:44 - Courtland Sutton signs new deal 16:16 - Rams QB situation 23:16 - Baker wants to stay in Tampa 26:44 - What makes football different 38:51 - 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. #VolumeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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The volume. What is going on, everybody? How are we doing? Hopefully, you're doing great because football is back. Every team in the league putting on pads. We're hitting. Maybe not tackling to the ground. You can't touch the quarterback.

But pads are popping. And we had a story break on. Monday, or at least details to one that was happened over the weekend. Christian Wilkins has been cut from the Raiders, and Adam Schaefter gave some details. And I think this, I do want to talk about how this serves as a lesson. Be very careful when free agency comes about and paying premiums for players that their own team didn't want. We had some contract signed from Roshan Slater to Cortland Sutton. Sean McVeigh gave an.

update about Matt Stafford and some kind words about Jimmy Garoppolo. Baker Mayfield said that the bucks have given them more guaranteed money. Talk about Baker. And we'll do a little mailback. Ad John Middlecalf is the Instagram firing those DMs. Get your questions answered here on the show. We will make sure you fire in those DMs.

I need a bunch of mailbag questions. I will have a football slash golf podcast probably tomorrow. I'll give my review on Happy Gilmore, which I watched on Sunday night. So check that out because I'm, spoilers, be damned. It's been on Netflix now for about three days. I know we got busy life, so I understand if you missed it's a couple hours. If you can't watch it tonight, because I'm going to talk about tomorrow. Other than that, you guys know the drill subscribe to the three and out podcast if you listen on Collins feed. Make sure you subscribe to our YouTube channel. We're going to have a big, big fall. So buckle up. So before we talk some

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Wilkins, the Raiders, they all get involved fighting over the money. and the semantics and the details over what you owe me and what I don't owe you. Obviously, the Raiders don't want to pay this player who got well over $80 million last year in guaranteed money. As high as you will see a unrestricted free agent signed for. Honestly, non-quarterback over the last several years, it has to be the most money, right? a unrestricted free agent got on the open market. Now, typically, I would say not even typically, good high-end defensive linemen,

whether they're defensive tackles or pass rushers, do not hit after their rookie contract. If they are elite players, big-time players, the open market. That does not happen. So overall, I think this is a very good lesson. Guards hit the open market. Linebackers hit the open market.

Hell, second wide receiver sometimes hit the open market. Tight ends can hit the open market. But typically, awesome tackles and awesome defensive linemen never hit the unrestricted free agent market in their mid-20s. Why? That's not how the NFL works. And I think this serves as a good example. Tom Telesco is currently on the street. I don't blame him for signing this contract, right?

But there was a reason he was available. We can say a lot about the Miami Dolphins. And I don't think they're well run. You got to give him credit on this one. They could have franchised him. They could have extended them. And they said, we're out of the Christian Wilkins business. Now, obviously, there was an injury that took part to help create this weird situation.

If he was fully healthy and had a good year, who knows, I doubt they're cutting him. But he gets injured. He's not able to participate. And clearly, they were very uncomfortable with being in business with this player. Because when you're paying a guy this type money, like the Raiders, like being in business with Max Crosby, right? The 49ers like being in business with George Kittal and Fred Warner. The chargers like being in business with Justin Herbert and Roshan Slater and Derwin James. The Raiders and John Spitech and Pete Carroll, and listen, I said this last week,

this would have been a difficult move for John Spitech if John Middukoff or Bill Middilkoff or James Middilkoff was the first time head coach and the coach. of the Raiders that SpyTech had hired this offseason. It becomes a lot, you like how I just dropped different names with my last name, it became a lot easier to do business this way when Pete Carroll goes, I've been coaching this league for decades. I've won a Super Bowl. Look at my resume.

I know what I've doing. I've also been in some weird situations with contracts with guys I've drafted, guys whose numbers will be retired. by the Seattle Seahawks, we can handle this. But this guy's not going to be on the team anymore. Now, Schefter had some comments today that were kind of funny, I mean, in a way. I'm just going to read it to you. I'm sure many of you have either seen the clips or read some headlines over what happened,

but I just want to hammer this home so we're all on the same page. This was an article that Schefter tweeted out. Christian Wilkins, who was released by the Raiders, kissed a fellow player on the head, and the teammate took offense to it. A source told Adam Schefter. The incident was not the sole reason that Wilkins was cut, sources say.

Wilkins has been recovering from a Jones fracture while he suffered in his left foot last October. Last week's incident, this obviously the kissing incident happened a week ago, happened inside the Raiders' lock, room. One source told ESPN.com that the interaction was playful, but the teammate did not see it that way. It's not known what the fellow player did following the incident. A complaint was filed to the Raiders HR department, which investigated the incident a source told Schefter. The Raiders, the team spokesman,

have declined to comment. When you are getting to business with people in free agents, especially nowadays where the cap is huge, the money for these guys that are available, you have to pay extra because the supply and demand on the open market, Miles Garrett, Max Crosby, Jalen Carter, Nick Bosa, those type guys in their prime are never available. So the guys that are available, Christian Wilkins, always get probably 20, 30% more on the open market that they would have got if they just would have got an extension with the team. but they're available for a reason their team didn't want them.

There's a reason typically you date someone before you marry them. It's a pretty big commitment. And in free agency, now the money that is on the line, it's an enormous commitment to make to a player like this. And clearly, this administration wanted no part of it.

Now, we will see how it plays out with the money, with the dead cap, and obviously there are some stuff in flux. But this is a good example. that John Spitech, and especially Pete Carroll, who guess what, the defense and physicality and the defensive line and the defensive backfield, which are intertwined or his baby, couldn't stand this guy. Who knows, and maybe we will get more information with this kissing incident in the locker room. But here's what I know. The players on the team and the head coach who probably is going to be a Hall of Famer one day, didn't want to look at this guy anymore.

And this is why, right, when you talk about extending guys, coaches come and go. Administrations come and go. Look at some of these guys that just got extended. Cortland Sutton, Roshan Slater. They have new coaches. They have new GMs from the guys that actually pick them coming out of college. But there are still people in that infrastructure, specifically the owner, who through the transition has been around a guy and go, I like this guy. I want to be in business with this individual.

And obviously depending on the position you play, depends on how much money you are arguing for and they're willing to pay you. But people have no problem paying guys that are good guys, that are trustworthy guys. Obviously, you've got to be a good player, but that I feel comfortable with. And clearly the Raiders don't feel comfortable with this player

and couldn't get him to pack his bags fast enough. And I think this move becomes a lot easier. when you got Pete Carroll as the poster child for your organization. So it would have been a very difficult thing for a guy like Liam Cohen to do. We would have been like, does this guy know what he's doing? But when Pete Carroll does it, no one thinks it's weird at all. And then this information comes out, it's like, yeah, the team doesn't even like the guy. So let this be a warning.

When you were going to get into business with people in free agency, it's extremely risky. There is a reason that guy is on the open market. because unlike some sports, in baseball, maybe the team doesn't have the money, the A's, the raise, they're never going to pay certain guys. In basketball, if I have a couple max guys now with these new rules, I can't sign you. I have to let you go.

In football, we can always manipulate the cap. If I want you, I can keep you. And typically teams want defensive linemen, especially ones they draft. And the Dolphins said, I'm out. and then Pete Carroll, how many months have they even been together now? Three or four said,

I'm out. Pack your shit and get out of my locker room. Speaking of guys that I want you to make sure you buy a house in this area, Roshan Slater, the star tackle for the Chargers, gets an enormous extension. These tackles, these pass rushers, aren't quite quarterbacks,

but you're getting guys that are encroaching on 100,000, plus, I mean, some of these pass rushers have flown by $100 plus million. I think we will see pretty quickly a offensive tackle, get a hundred plus million dollars in guarantees. And, you know, this is a good example. Jim Harbaugh did not draft this player. Jim Harbaugh did not pick this player. But Jim Harbaugh values offensive line as much, if not more, than any coach in the NFL.

He gave his reasoning last year when they drafted Joe Alt. And they said, why didn't you tack, why didn't you pick a wide receiver? He said, because I believe offensive linemen are weapons. And they are the tip of the spear. And the spear in this offense and a Jim Harbaugh's offense that has always been predicated on the run starts with the line of scrimmage. So they pay their guy, they got all. They're probably going to have one of, if not the best tackle combination in the league. And listen, I think a lot of people are high on the chart.

Rogers rightfully so. Cortland Sutton. Speaking about guys, again, when you're a new coach, Aaron Glenn, Liam Cohen, Schopenheimer doesn't really count because Jerry does whatever he wants, but you can go around the league, get these new guys. A good coach gives everyone a fresh start, but is open-minded to anything. I'll keep this guy if it's worth it, or I'll get rid of this guy if it's not, regardless how good you are, how many pro bowls you made, or how many pro bowls you've never sniffed. And I think Sean Payton went into this like, hey, we're open-minded here. Russell Wilson, I'm going to give you opportunity.

Couldn't get rid of that guy fast enough. Corlin Sutton, you thought, you know, is this guy long for the Denver Broncos? And then they get a quarterback. He gets 81 catches. He has eight touchdowns. He has over 1,000 yards receiving. Boom. Gets a big extension.

And when you're an offensive weapon, tied-end, running back, wide receiver, and your head coach is the play caller, and you have to be a play caller, and you have a young quarterback that clearly likes you and relies on you, you're going to have some job security. Just like Slater, what does he do? He blocks the blind side of a $200 million quarterback. What does Sutton do? Is a safety valve for what I think Sean Peyton hopes becomes the franchise.

So we see guys like Christian Wilkins, I don't care how much we gave you get out of here. And then we see other guys, we want you to be a part of this as we move forward. A lot of action so far in terms of money changing hands or maybe not changing hands in the AFC West. I saw a comment probably within the last week. And it was like a clip that came up on, I think, my Instagram feed of Sean McVeigh calling

Jimmy Garoppel the best backup quarterback in the NFL. And I'll be honest, I didn't think anything of it. I was like, shit, it's coaches like gassing up their own guy. He likes Jimmy. Jimmy's been with the team now a couple of years. years. Jimmy's been a guy who's had a lot of success against him. Likeable guy. Players, teammates, people have always really liked Jimmy. Now, is he the best backup quarterback in the league? I think if we went around the league, it's a pretty low bar. But yeah, in terms of resume,

probably one of the better ones. I think looking back why he said that is because he knows there's a decent chance. He's going to have to play some games this year with Jimmy Garoppolo. And I didn't realize that when he said that. Because a couple days ago, Sean McVeigh has to come back to the podium and say, listen, guys, I said that Matt Stafford was going to be back sooner than later, probably this week. I was wrong. We're taking them now week to week. Like obviously day to day, day to day could be two weeks. Day to day could be a month. But day to day sounds a lot better than week to week, because you're three weeks away from being out the entire month. So what I see Matt Stafford, who played in the league forever,

one of the toughest dudes in the entire league, in terms of like, is it make or break, July 28th, Matt Stafford practicing? Of course not. I think the scary thing with this is when they are injuries like soreness.

When I see that, regardless of where, what area is sore, I go, that can be something that just doesn't go away. And then I see back soreness. I like the rest of, ramps, and I think they're going to be pretty damn good this year.

But I'll promise you this. If Matt Stafford at any point has to miss significant time, I'm out on them. That team that went toe-to-toe with the Eagles, a big reason why, Matt freaking Stafford. I promise you at this point in time in his career, at 33 years old, it will not be Jimmy Garapola. I think there are some similarities with Jimmy Garoppolo as there was with Derek Carr. You have a couple major injuries, which Jimmy has had, and you're never quite the same. because that comfortability in the pocket. And I would say Jimmy was never the most comfortable individual in the pocket.

Completely goes away. And you can get a little what they would say in, you know, NFL for offices or NFL coaching staffs a little gun shy. And again, I understand why Sean McVeigh is hyping this guy up because there's a decent chance he might need him at some point this year. But I know this. If any of this back stuff creeps into the season at any point and Matt Stafford had to miss, significant time. Even with an easier schedule, I do not like the ramps.

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Voiden, Ontario. New customers only. Bonus bets expire, 168 hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see dkng.com. Audio. Hey, it's us, the Jonas Brothers, and guess what? We have some big news. What's the news? Huge news. We created our own podcast called Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts throughout there. But this one's extra special. So how do we actually come up with a name Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it. And we were thinking, I'm originally,

calling it one of the early names of our band before Jonas Brothers was... This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing,

a bit for the podcast, where people could call in and say, Hey Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast.

But thanks for remembering that, guys. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy,

not quite on Humor Me with Robert Smygel and Friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter.

Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get, Podcasts. The French Open is one of the toughest tests in tennis, and I know firsthand because I competed there myself. I'm Renee Stubbs, and on the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast, I'm breaking down everything happening at Roland Garris, every match, every upset, and what it really takes to win on clay. Jenchian win. I mean, she went down in three to Rabakina, but I'm delighted. She's an outsider to win the French for me. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lerner Rabakina is arguably the best player in the world right now and I actually can win on any surface because if she's serving,

well, good luck. Consider this your court side seat to the French Open. Listen to the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. 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. Baker Mayfield, when you're a quarterback, when you're a star player in the NFL, at a position player, and obviously the quarterback, You're in business with the team. You should view it as a partnership. Not like LeBron did forever.

Patrick Mahomes does not approach his relationship with Brett Feats, the Hunt family, and Andy Reid, like some of these NBA star players, becomes very adversarial, right? I'm in charge, you're not, you listen to me, which would be easy for them to do because the chiefs could not operate with them, without them, and they know that.

But when you show, we will do whatever it takes, we got your back. We are pro. We want to be in the Patrick Mahomes business and being in the business with a star quarterback like Lamar, like Josh Allen, like Joe Burrell, means helping you out in every way possible.

And Baker Mayfield had some comments to Pete Priscoe of CBS about his situation. He's obviously relative to a guy throwing 40 plus touchdowns, not making that much money. He signed a $300 million contract. And he mentioned that

his contract was changed to where he got a bunch of guaranteed money in 2006 and even though that that guaranteed money still means he's an underpaid quarterback relative to guys at his position who he's much better than he wants to be in business with Tampa he wants to play there and I think it's easy for a guy just like any human being when you've seen some shit through experience through adversity and through struggles helps you realize, I got a pretty good now. I don't want to ever risk going back to what happened.

Look at Kirk Cousins. Kirk Cousins like, I got to get the most money humanly possible every fucking time. Okay, Kirk, welcome to the Atlanta Falcons. Godspeed, homie. How'd that go? And I think Baker, and obviously, Kirk, I'm not saying he's not responsible for poor play. But as he said the other day, if I would have known, I would have stayed with the Minnesota Vikings,

even if it would have been for less money. It's easy to say now, but you've never thought that way, and you've never operated that way. And when you have a bunch of money, and Baker does at this point in time, and if he keeps playing well, he's going to have a bunch more. You can't always make your decisions based on

who's going to pay me the most. Because sometimes that decision leads to problems in the NFL, leads to not playing well, leads to losing. And I think Baker may feel that this point in time in his career has a pretty good understanding of like Jason Light building this team, the infrastructure we have, the type guys we have on this team, kind of know what we're doing around here.

They obviously like me, I like being here, and even if in a year they may not offer me $200 million, and that number is $175 million, this is where I want to be. Because unlike most positions, even the guaranteed money for a quarterback, Tuatongavai low is a good example, right? he got this huge contract well over $200 million,

but his guaranteed number, I think, was like $150 or 160. If Tua just plays, Tua is going to see every penny of his contract. I saw it with Jimmy Garoplo when he signed up for $125 million. Like $70 of it was guaranteed. Guess what?

He saw every penny. Because all these other positions, they try to get rid of you quickly as possible. At quarterback, if you are just pretty solid, you typically stay. And last but not least, before we get out of here.

I think I'm going to do a go low, happy Gilmore review. I watched it on Sunday night. So we'll talk about that. No spoiler alerts today. But I recommend seeing that because I'm just going to give my full thoughts on tomorrow's podcast. One thing that differentiates football from any other sport slash activity is that you can't actually play it unless there are literally coaches, referees and pads. Every other sport, I could get into the box

against whoever is a starting pitcher and simulate an bat. We can just, I could have an umpire behind us and I don't even need people in the infield or outfield. We can just simulate A-Bs, right? In basketball, I get nine other people, if I'm an NBA player or a college player, and we can legitimately play a game.

In golf, in tennis, like, You can just play other people, the actual rules, and have a real match like you would at Wimbledon, like you would at the U.S. Open. You can play, hell, you can play the same course. You can play the same court. Football, you have all these practices in the spring and then even at the starting training camp that are nothing like the actual sport because the pads aren't on. And any coach or GM will tell you, you know, it's really, really hard to evaluate our offensive linemen, our running backs, even our lineback. even our linebackers, because it's one thing to run fit when everyone's in shorts and t-shirts. What about when people are running full speed and we're tackling to the ground?

Can you actually bring that guy to the ground? I don't know, we're going to find out. And in football, most guys that have years upon years of tape, you feel pretty confident, right? If the guy's still moving at the same speed in shorts and t-shirt, you go, he can still play at a high level. We have a body of work. But there are a lot of guys returning young players that might have been on the practice squad and then all the guys that you just drafted, you don't truly know.

You can be bullish on a guy being like, God, I think this guy's going to be pretty freaking good. He's flying around. Then the pads come on and it's like, uh-huh, a little overwhelmed. And listen, as time goes on, maybe he gets more comfortable. No one's judging you purely on the first day of pads in training camp. But it does separate players. And it does go from a place where a team can be really high on a play. based on the off-season activities

and the way he came into shape in training camp and then the pads come on and a week goes by and you go, this guy's not going to be able to help us out this year. And it can work on the flip side of, hey, this guy was on our practice squad last year. We didn't have high hopes, but he's kicking ass and taking names right now. He knows the offense, he knows the defense,

he's playing fast. This guy, could he start? And you start repping in really quick. And it's the best part of training camp by far. Now, ideally, no one gets injured. We know that's kind of impossible. We've seen a bunch of guys get injured so far. But I think it is a time for NFL front offices when the practice tape really, really matters.

And the evaluations with your scouting department, with your coaching staff, anyone that's watched hard knocks over the years, they don't show it as much anymore. But back in the day, those big conference rooms where the coaching staff and maybe a GM and assistant GM are all sitting at and people on the outside, you know, the younger coaches and some of the younger scouts, and they're just evaluating people. Because the huge part of football right now, and this is going to happen in college. College is a little different because you don't have any preseason games. So you start, if you're Texas or Ohio State or some of these programs,

you're a week in, you know, you start kind of implementing some of the game plan. But for the first couple weeks of an NFL training camp when the pads come on, it's really all about evaluation, how you handle the scheme, you handle the information and what you look like versus, you know, your own team. It's not a lot of like getting ready for week one. It's purely evaluating the roster. And, you know, that goes for veteran players too. Like, God, this guy's slipping.

This guy isn't quite what he once was. And once you start having those thoughts, you go, listen, his money this year is not guaranteed. So will we pay this guy $12 million? dollars if he makes your opening day roster his salary if he's a vested veteran his salary becomes guaranteed so you have to think twice like do we cut him and just go with the six rounder who might be 85% as good as this guy but he only costs us a million dollars and in two years he might be even with the guy and these are decisions that start really kind of materializing you know in these meeting rooms and in people's heads and these conversations start happening

right now. Now it doesn't mean that it's going to come to fruition and maybe that veteran guy it's like hey, we still feel good about this guy maybe the position coach is arguing for him,

maybe the coordinator's arguing for him, maybe the head coach is arguing against them. So you get all these different factions which is good, which is healthy. You don't want everyone on the same page right now. You want everyone bringing their opinions. But once you start getting close to that cut down date,

there's going to be a decision made and everyone's got to be on the same page. But for the next couple weeks, And, you know, the Chargers and Lions, because they got to camp earlier, they've been in paths for a while. So these conversations have been happening with those teams for a little longer. Now, both those two teams, especially the Lions, are a little more established of a roster. But some of these teams, you know, have, the 49ers have like eight spots open. For the last, like, four or five years, the 49ers have had like one starting spot maybe open.

And it's like anything in the NFL, roster is churned. You get to a point where a lot of guys leave and boom. Eagles are a good example. not as many openings. A couple on defense. Really none on offense. Maybe one, one position. Some of these teams, hell, you know, the chiefs, the bills, like you might get three or four.

But it's not even just the starters. Because if the starting spots open and the backup wins the job, well, now who's the backup? So you kind of get this domino effect, which, you know, basically you get up early in the morning. You eat breakfast. You go to practice. You evaluate that practice film. you go to meetings, you keep evaluating that practice film, and you're just kind of doing that because there's no other film to evaluate.

There are no preseason games yet. There's obviously just nothing else going on. So you're kind of keeping tabs with the league if you're a GM or an assistant GM, but your number one job right now. The number one thing you have to do with your head coach and your coaching staff is nail the evaluation of your own team. And listen, some of it's hard. Some of these decisions might be a coin flip,

and you just pray to God that you don't select, keep the guy, and the guy that you let go goes on somewhere else. And then a couple years later, he's like a high-in player and the guy that you kept is not even on your team. But that's the risk you take. And it's why the more information you have, hopefully the better decision you can make. But these are fun times.

These are tense times. These are just, there's a lot of just, A lot of stress. I mean, when you have a job that's like, hey, this job is available, and you realize, like, if someone loses this job, especially if it's the veteran, he's not going to be on this team anymore. So these guys aren't idiots. You know, if you've been in the league long enough,

you realize, like, if I don't win this starting job, I'm going to get cut because they're not going to pay me $7 million to be the backup guard. It's just not going to happen. Buckle up. If you're a fan, you know, you're reading all these articles about these, these competitions, it's as real as can be. Hey, it's us, the Jonas Brothers, and guess what? We have some big news.

What's the news, name? Huge news. We created our own podcast called, Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts.

We're starting a trend. But this one's extra special. So how do we actually come up with a name, Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it. And, well, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band before Jonas Brothers. This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes.

I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast, where people could call in and say, hey, Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. 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. The French Open is one of the toughest tests in tennis, and I know firsthand because I competed there myself. I'm Renee Stubbs, and on the Renee Stubbs Tennis podcast, I'm breaking down everything happening at Roland Garris, every match, every upset, and what it really takes to win on clay.

Genschen win. I mean, she went down in three to Rovachina, but I'm delighted. She's an outsider to win the French. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lennarabakina is arguably the best player in the world right now. And I actually can win on any surface. Because if she's serving, well, good luck. Consider this your court side seat to the French Open.

Listen to the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. 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. Okay, let's do a little thing we call the mailbag. At John Middlecough, at John Middlecough is the Instagram fire in those DMs. your questions answered here on the show. Again, it's just my name, firing the DMs, and we will start with Patrick.

Question for the bag. Schefter today reported that McCorrin will not take less than $33 million a year, and that's the deal that D.K. just got from the Steelers. Schefter said he wants considerably more than that. Terry is a better player than D.K., in my opinion, so starting with that number makes sense. It does not seem like the commanders agree. Given what you know about Adam Peters and his background with the Patriots and the Niners, who seem to have plenty of these kind of holdouts in recent years,

how do you see this playing out? I think this is complicated. You know, I think we discussed earlier when you come into a situation and you really like the player. One, you know, the Chargers giving Slater a lot of money is it's not. That's every single coach in the history of the league. would have done that. I think Cortland Sutton's a better example. Sean Payton comes in, he gets this young quarterback, and immediately his young quarterback has a

rapport with Sutton. Now, as of recording this, I haven't seen the guaranteed money, but he got like four years, 95 million bucks or whatever, right? So under 25 a year, which always factors into the guarantee. So it's a relatively easy deal to do. If you really like the player, you like the guy, and you go, we're getting this guy under market rate, you know, with the top guys, he's $6, $7, $8 million off the top guys. And we love the player. He knows our scheme. And we feel at 28, 29 years old for the next several years going to be in the prime of his career. I think when you start talking $40 million a year, it's like, I'm sorry I'm out. I get $35 million a year. Let's just say like that would wet his beak. You give me $35

million dollars a year. So let's just do the math. Is he signing like a two-year extension? Let's just say they'd guarantee every penny. Two years, $70 million every penny. Like, do you feel comfortable given, again, a really good player. And I get, D.K. got that. I think the Steelers giving him that type money is kind of crazy, right? I do think that Terry McLaurin is really, really good player. But I think he got to be very, very careful. Like, is Terry McLaren a top six, seven wide receiver in the league, you know, probably in the discussion last season, which was his best year ever, but he's, no one would take him over the top guys. So it's like you're going to pay him more than the top guys who are younger than him and he wasn't my guy. I just think this is the type

questions you start asking yourself. The problem is, is you go, we got this guy on a rookie contract, the quarterback, this guy helps out my rookie quarterback. You know, Debo's pretty big risk. Now, if it doesn't work out, who cares? He's unrestricted free agent, he's gone. What's Terry going to do? Just not play. Obviously, he showed up. He's holding in. He's a high character guy, so you feel good about the person. But I think the situation's, I think there's a decent chance that he's making play on the money. Speaking of Washington, is Jaden Daniels the next up in Washington's cursed quarterback cycle?

We've seen it before. Rookie quarterbacks take the league by storm, then year two hits and the brick wall. RG3, rookie of the year in 12, benched by year 3. Jason Campbell, flashes in 06, inconsistent by 07. Kirk Cousins took years before consistency. Dwayne Haskins, RIP, 7 TD, 7 I&Ts in his sophomore year. Washington's quarterbacks historically crash hard in year 2, and the NFL always adjusts. So, is Jaden built different?

I would say, I mean, obviously. Obviously, he's way better than Duane Haskins' RIP. Cousins, I mean, was a fourth round pick. Jason Campbell, little before my time of being super dialed, but better player. RG3 was pretty awesome, but he tore his knee, so he was never the same. I would say he's a better player than all those guys, and I would expect him to have a good year. I think the bigger question is less about the quarterback and more about the offensive coordinator. Because, like, every single time with Cliff, like he has a big year, then he kind of

comes back to Earth a little bit because teams figure out his offensive scheme. So it's not apples to apples, and I don't pretend to be some schematic genius. But I do think that spread offense and the pros, Chip Kelly, Cliff Kingsbury, it's just, when that's your bread and butter, as time goes on, defensive coordinators go buckle up, Buttercup, because it's fucking on. And we plan on kicking your ass. And I would say that's happened in recent memory to Cliff and the chip. Now, can they adjust?

Can they adapt? We'll see, because there's no excuse. This quarterback's pretty freaking good. I'd be stunned if he's not really good. For the mailback, I saw Bill Simmons on his pod with Zach Lowe talking about how. Talks about expansion in the NBA have slowed because teams don't want to lose money in TV deals

because they'd have to share revenue with whatever new teams there would be. Could you see this also being the case potentially in the future? of the NFL, if they've ever were to expand. For context, Simmons has been banging the drum that the NBA was going to expand because he's pretty dialed in with the owners, you know, Lee office people. And it was like Vegas and Seattle's going to get a team. And then I would say based on the last like six months, turns out James Dolan, the Knicks guy has been at the forefront of being anti-expansion and clearly got people to agree with

them and their main stances, we just got a historic television deal. If we add two teams and we go to 32, we'd have the same, right now they're at 30, they'd have 32 like the NFL. Well, the piece of the pie we get in the national television contract, we have to split up with two more teams. So it's less money coming into us, even if these teams give us a couple hundred million dollars each with an expansion fee. I think it'd even be greater with the NFL because NFL teams are already split.

winning it with 31 other teams if you own the team. So if we add two more, especially a couple of international teams, it doesn't even matter where they'd be at. My piece of the pie gets cut dramatically more because now we're talking 33, 34 teams. So it's even a bigger cut than the NBA would be, right? So I think one million percent, the natural reaction to some of these guys, even if there's a greater good big picture, it's a lot of. it's hard to not think short term and over the next three, four, five years,

it's going to cost me hundreds of millions of dollars. Again, assuming that's the math. Yeah, I mean, I think that would be the number one. I think there'd be a lot of variables. I think anytime you're talking expansion, there should be a lot of variables besides just the money. The one thing I disagree with Simmons is like the league has never been more talented. It's like, Bill, I've been watching the NBA for 30 years.

I feel we've never had worse teams. This isn't an individual sport. It's a team sport. So yeah, it's like the AAU of the NBA. It's like I'm watching all these teams. Like I feel like all these teams and part of it is the transactional nature of the sport. It feels like these teams aren't any good.

There's like four or five good teams total max, sometimes less than that. In the NFL, you're so predicated on quarterbacks or aren't enough quarterbacks to go around. So I'd be anti-expansion in both. The NBA does not need more teams. The NFL does not need more teams. So that's where I stand, even before the arguments about the money.

Congrats on the wedding and the baby. Big year for me, I know. Question for the pod. I'm a Bronco fan. And I hear all the time in the conversation about Bo Nix how old he is relative to rookie and second year quarterbacks. It seems like it is constantly brought up. But when the media talks about Jane Daniels,

his age never gets brought up in conversations about him. even though he is literally only 10 months younger than Bo Nix. Might it just be biased for me. You know what I appreciate? And I, you know, I had this just so hardcore when I was young. And I was like in my peak as a sports fan of like high school into college. You have such a chip on your shoulder for arguments like this. And for me, that's not as tight with like any specific team anymore.

like my happiness or my daily and listen I listen to multiple podcasts on the 49ers say I still follow the team closely but I'm not as emotionally moved by the arguments one way or the other on a lot of this stuff I miss that I miss going this is bullshit everyone keeps calling my guy old jaden Daniels is 10 they be in the same grade so listen sometimes you get a perception and you get a way you're going to be discussed and it's not going to change like Bo, Jaden Daniels, within a year was like, are we sure the Bears pick the right guy? And listen, I'm sorry, that's a conversation this year. Caleb can shut everyone up, including myself, but right now, like, Washington would not trade their guy, and I don't know how the Bears, who knows, you know, early in training camp, but there's a chance by like Halloween.

They're like, God, that was a bad decision. Where Bo Nicks, everyone's like, this guy should not go in the first round. Sean Payton's crazy. This is nuts. So anytime your first reaction is like, this is stupid, people don't want to believe, right? It's like most people that talked about football or were in the NFL viewed Bo Nix not as a top 15 pick. Hell, most people that viewed them as like third, fourth rounder. It's to go back to Kirk Cousins or Dak Prescott or Russell Wilson early in his career.

When you're drafted in the third round, half the league didn't even like you as a prospect. So it's like it's hard for you to get the respect. It's Purdy's argument. Same with Jalen Hurts. I know one was a second round pick, one was a seventh round pick, but it's like it's hard for you to shake that. So yeah, I don't really know what to tell you besides it just is what it is. Win games.

I was thinking about it today. Not today, but over the course the last week. I do think there is some sleeper, like looking at some of the gamers. looking at some of the gambling odds. Obviously, the chiefs have won the division for whatever, seven straight years, but I think Broncos can be pretty good.

I do think they can be pretty good. Last mailbag, you were talking about the fact that having pads for training really do make a difference. So my question is knowing this year that Chargers got to it early because of the Hall of Fame game with a coach as good as Harbaugh,

could you expect an early advantage for that first month of the season, for example. Hadn't thought about that. Hadn't thought about that at all. But you still get, you know, some of your core guys, Alt, McConkey, you know, Herbert's second year with this group, extra reps. Don't hate that. I don't, I haven't thought about that at all.

Could that be a big advantage for the Chargers? Let's look at this from a gambling standpoint. Week one in Brazil against the Chiefs. Because the Chargers, most teams they play, I think they're going to have a coaching advantage. The one game for sure they do not have a coaching advantage is the Chiefs. But the Chiefs are breaking in all signs point to be in a left tackle. Josh Simmons, who's repping with the ones. Obviously some new players.

We'll see what happens with the skill guys. You know, Rishi Rice getting suspended. A couple new guys, defense potentially. But yeah, I like where your head's at there. That's good knowledge. Good thinking. Now that Brock Purdy assigned a mega deal

and is one of the highest paid quarterbacks in the NFL, is it time for the media to stop covering them like a plucky underdog and start covering them like a franchise quarterback. Guys, this does not,

just because you get paid, just because you're Jalen Hertz and you win a Super Bowl, unless you're Patrick Mahomes or like Josh Allen or Lamar if they just won a Super Bowl, there's nothing to even argue anymore. All these guys,

basically everyone, the top couple guys are going to be argued constantly. It's never going to end. Jalen Hertz would have to win three Super Bowls is like an MVP to shut people up. Even if Purdy won the Super Bowl. Like, well, Kyle,

had his best year ever. Oh, they've hit on all these draft picks. I'm just, these conversations, the Bow Nicks, the Purdy's, Dak Prescott, we argued about Dak Prescott for a decade. Now you could say that people arguing against him were right, but I'm just saying like

Dak Prescott's going to be argued about this year. Same with cousins. Unless you're Mahomes, like you're just going to get argued about. A big fan of the show. Do you think it's possible that Cam Ward is absolutely horrible for the Titans? We see a Rosen-Kailor-Murray situation. The upcoming draft class seemingly has a three-to-four player

with the same talent as Cam Ward. What are your thoughts? I think Cam Ward is a lock to be their quarterback for several years. And I have a hard time seeing him be absolutely horrible. I really do. Now, how good, I don't know. I don't know how good their team's going to be. Could they be a sleeper this year if he's really good?

I do think so because their defense is pretty good. But their GM, who was just hired from the Chiefs, he made that pick. So, Josh Rosen was the 10th overall pick. So you went from the 10th overall pick to the number one overall pick. They took Cam Ward number one overall. It was crazy with the first overall. Josh Rosen, even though it really wasn't a couple years later. I do think getting rid of the number one overall pick after one year would be, I'd be stunned.

I don't think it's going to happen at all. I know you're more of an NFL guy than college football, but you're still very knowledgeable. I appreciate that. Obviously, the NFL pays the bills around here, but I love college football. It's just harder, you know, if you don't fall recruiting, it's, It's easier to follow the NFL than it is college football, especially now with the transfer portal. I was doing college football research and found that dating back to 15, excluding Burroughs' LSU breakout year. The champion has come from the top four odds favorites each August before the season.

LSU was number six that year. As of right now, the pool to select from would be Ohio State, Texas, Georgia, and Penn State. I don't buy Ohio State or Penn State leaving Texas and Georgia in my book. I think there's great value in Texas at plus 650. What are your predictions? I do think the likelihood of Ohio State going back to back given they lost so many guys on defense

and their quarterback. Listen, I've been known to be Ohio State Hater. Their team was fucking good last year. I mean, they had the best team money could buy and they backed it up down the stretch after they lost to Michigan and earned that bad boy. I'm with you. Patricia's coaching the defense. I would say Ohio State, if Ryan Day were to win that, it'd be a hell of a coaching job.

I would put more stock into Penn State. You could argue Penn State has a better chance than Texas given just how physically demanding the SEC can be. And like, this is going to sound crazy. We do have more information on Drew Aller, who actually played pretty well last year. They're returning their coordinators. I guess they added Knowles, who Ohio State came from Ohio State. He's a PA guy.

Their defense is going to be unreal. Penn State's defense is going to dominate this year. Offensively, they brought back both their running backs, their quarterback, their OC, and I'm pretty sure they've added some dudes in the training. Transfer Portal at wide receiver. Now they did lose Tyler Warren. I think Penn State's going to be fucking good. I'd be, I'm going to pick them to win the Big Ten.

Georgia is Gunner Stockton, their quarterback? It's just hard for me to pick them. I would go in rank of Penn State, Texas, Georgia, Ohio State. Obviously, Ohio State and Ryan Day are better program than Penn State. They've proven a lot more. but it's like this team they're pretty good

and you see the highlights of Lavar Arrington's kid who's going to be the next Abdul Carter and Michael Parsons Jesus he's 18 years old

he looks like a NFL player Hey it's us The Jonas Brothers and guess what We have some big news What's the news? Huge news We created our own podcast

called Hey Jonas We invented a podcast Well we didn't invent it We just contributed to it We're the first people to do podcasts Pretty Yeah pretty wide range

Of podcasts starting a trend. But this one's extra special. So how do we actually come up with a name, Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it. Well, we were thinking I'm originally calling it

one of the early names of our band before Jonas Brothers. This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast, where people could call in and say, Hey, Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little note.

Notepad, Hey Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smigel and Friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, 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. The French Open is one of the toughest tests in tennis. And I know firsthand because I competed there myself.

I'm Renee Stubbs. And on the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast, I'm breaking down everything happening at Roland Garris. every match, every upset, and what it really takes to win on Clay. Jenchen won. I mean, she went down to three to Rabakina, but I'm delighted. She's an outsider to win the French for me. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lina Rabakina is arguably the best player in the world right now,

and I actually can win on any surface. Because if she's serving, well, good luck. Consider this your court side seat to the French Open. Listen to the Renee Stubbs Tennis podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. 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.

After a week of Josh Simmons, checking all the boxes in Kansas City, even in pads, and there's seemingly being no competition at left tackle anymore, is this outcome more of a failure on the league to let such a talent fall to Kansas City and bail them out? Or is it more about how capitalistic of an operation the chiefs have going right now?

now. Seems like the type of pick where we look up and see him in the Super Bowl next February, and it's like, yeah, probably because Mahomes isn't worried about his blind side anymore. I think two things can be true. One, he's one of the more talented guys in the draft. And if he had been healthy, he's a lock top 10-ish pick, lock. He was not healthy coming out of the draft. So that right away makes people a little squirmish. The other thing, the other thing that is true, he had red flags. Now, I wouldn't go as far as like Jalen Carter red flags, but I know he was off some boards. Where I think it benefits the chiefs is their coach is a little liberal, more liberal with Veach of who's on and off the board, you know, and I think sometimes

maybe where a front office would be like, oh, I'm not quite comfortable. Cochree goes, we're good. I can handle the guy. It doesn't mean it's always going to work, but I think you've got to be careful playing that game, right? Did Atlanta screw up by not drafting Jalen Carter? Atlanta was not equipped to handle that guy. Not at all. So I think sometimes when we play that game, I don't know. I think sometimes it's unfair.

He was there at 32 for a reason. He plays the most coveted position on offense beside quarterback, left tackle. So for every team to pass on them, I think there were a ton of question marks. I also think we got to be careful. Is it going to be good? I would probably bet on it. But it's July 28th. I mean, we got a long way to go.

But he got pretty lucky. I would say it worked out pretty well for him. Now, in the short term, you go 32nd instead of 14th or 10th or 8th, you make a lot less money. but I think in the long term he can make a lot more money so the Chiefs if this works out it'll be a steal

not even a steal I mean he was there of course the Chiefs ran to take him he's left tackle my wife and I just welcomed our son last month as well so congrats on the announcement of the baby boy question for the mailbag I've heard you describe Philip Rivers and Debo

as war daddies what's your definition for a player that fits the bill and who would be your all war daddy team. Quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, defensive player will limit it to current and recently retired players. I think war daddy is one of those like you know when you see it.

And I think part of being a war daddy as someone that you feel comfortable with, and listen, whoever's listening to this, whoever you're a fan of, you know there are certain players on your team that you just feel really comfortable going into a big game. with. You know this guy is ready. And I honestly, I think the quarterbacks, right, Philip Rivers, he was just, listen, win or lose, you just felt good being in the trenches with him. I think it's what makes this top quarterback group pretty special is because I think all of them, now they may not

play well. But I'll tell you this, the top four guys, Mahomes, Josh, Lamar, and Joe Burrell, those fucking guys aren't scared of lick. I mean, those are guys. that you just feel comfortable going to battle with. I think a war daddy, typically your best players that are your toughest players, are going to stand out. So it's like, yeah, I mean, Trent Williams or, you know, Lane Johnson, right?

I mean, some of these wide receivers, part of the two is a physicality. Like what made Debo is like, Debo will break tackles, right? Like George Kittle, when you watch him play, is a lot different than Travis Kelsey. Travis Kelsey's numbers dwarf George's in terms of the receiving game, but when you watch George, there's a physicality that Travis just can't bring to the table.

Right? He's just, he's not going to do what George does. You know, back to Gron. So certain position players, you know, McLaren is like Terry McLaurin is a war daddy. And I think you've got to be very careful. Like I'm not going to list. Maybe I'll do my all-war daddy team before the season starts. but this is like where the Raiders

SpyTec and Pete get there and I was guilty of this too I'm like hey pivot kind of restart trade Max trade him for two ones and a two like you get a hole for Max Crosby the lions would trade you a shitload for Max but I think Pete and John

would be like he is everything we want in a guy like Max Crosby is the ultimate war daddy so the physicality the toughness the relentlessness I think when the lights get the brightest, right? Monday night football, Sunday night football against the best competition.

You know that guy if he's healthy is going to be, give everything you have. Doesn't mean you're always going to play the best games. To me, it's about effort, physicality, toughness. It's almost like an intangible thing, right? And there's a hitting aspect to it, especially defensive players. Like Dree Greenlaw. That guy's a war daddy. That guy is just an old school cut from the 1990s back.

Some of these guys just aren't. Doesn't mean you can't be a really good player and be quote unquote a little softer than other guys. Awesome. I listen to your podcast every day. Experience is the reason why I sigh with mostly everything you say. But San Jose is an awesome city. We got the sharks and a lot of nightlife.

The food is amazing and a weekend here may change your mind. It's just going to be a hard disagreement on my side. I'm just, I'm not a San Jose guy. My question would have been, for my Pittsburgh Steelers, you and especially Colin, have been bashing their offseason in trading for DK without having a franchise quarterback. But is it insane to think that they can draft or trade up to a higher position to get a franchise quarterback of their choice?

If you had to pick between Drew Aller, Lenora Sellers, or Nika, I'm a little Oliver. I can't say that last name. Who has the highest upside? I would say right now, as we sit here today, Nico is not even in the conversation to sniff the first round, let alone trading up for it.

So I would remove Nico. I would say Aller is a very interesting prospect, the taste that he left in our mouse, especially if you had $1,000 wagered on Penn State. And he threw that interception against Notre Dame, we got to bounce back from that bad boy. I don't feel as comfortable talking about Lenore Sellers. I'd be lying if I said I was super dialed in

to all of his games for South Carolina. I would say he is a guy. Him and Arch are the guys, and probably DJ Lagway as well. Like, really excited to watch this year. But I would say Sellers and Al are immediately in that conversation of guys. To me, if I'm a Pittsburgh Steeler fan, Rams fan for sure,

because I got the two picks, the Browns, they got a couple first rounders. I think you're watching all these guys. Nico is. well, but you're watching Aller, Lagway, Sellers, Arch, all the good quarterbacks.

And any guy that starts playing well, you're keeping an eye on. Probably leaving some guys off. So I'm 19 years old, and I just became the head coach of a West Seattle eighth-grade football team. The players seem to look at me as an adult, but my assistant coaches seem harder to convince. So far, all we had is the skill showcase. Any tips for when I go to the first practice?

to get everybody bought in and behind me, even though I'm 19. You want to rattle one of those assistant coaches, cages? Fire one of them before you even get there. Show everyone who's boss. Just kidding. Don't do that. Unless the guy sucks at his job, but no. I think the best thing you can do,

like you can't change your age. You can't change your experience. Just be authentic, be who you are. I think any time, like, you're dealing with eighth grade kids, they're going to look up to you no matter what you got them right the assistant coaches who i think it's fair to say many of them are going to be older in you some way older than you like just i'd be a little careful of like screaming at them immediately not that i don't even

know if you're coaching style but don't try to act like a coach that you've seen on tv just be who you are i think anytime at any level this could be the pros this could be college, this could be D2, this could be high school football, this could be eighth grade football. You have to be authentic to who you are. I think the best coaches, Nick Saban didn't fake it. That's Nick Saban's personality. Andy Reid,

Pete Carroll, they're authentic to themselves. Mike Tomlin, the Harbaugh brother, you go around. You go, Kirby Smart, Lincoln Riley, be true to who you are. Because if you just act, be consistent and that's being authentic, if you act like you do normally would

every single day, if you know what you're talking about, they'll respect you. So, like, you're not going to gain respect by screaming at them, by, you know, boss them around because you're the top of the totem pole. But I think you've got to just, whatever your personality is, try to be consistent with that. I'd also try to know your shit because the more, quote, unquote, schematic, you know, motivating eighth graders actually might be kind of important. ideally they're ready to roll of practice charts

but yeah it's tough there's not right or wrong way to do things but I would say anytime you're a younger person and people are answering to you and you kind of start throwing around authority it's the easiest way you know in terms of your fellow workers to get them to turn on you

and if you're going to want to win games in the eighth grade league football you need a good staff a question. Do you enjoy special teams? A friend who just started watching football last year tells me it's gimmicky and boring and I found it harder to defend. Why was it an interesting part of the game even though it is? I found it interesting the NFL has made big changes to it more than any side of the ball in the last 15 years. Well, because office is defense, besides like officiating the violence, right, the hits,

because they don't want to get sued for concussions. Like, offense defense is why you watch, right? Like, when you play golf, hitting drivers and seven irons are fun, putting sucks. Like, yeah, do I care about special teams? No. Like a kicker, punter, kickoff return, like, no, it's really boring. I do not care at all. Hell, most NFL coaches aren't that interested.

They just want their special teams coach to handle those guys and their kicker to make kicks and their punter. to be good at directional punting. And whoever's on the special teams unit to be sound in their lanes and make tackles. Yeah, it sucks. But it's part of the sport. Because let's just say you took it out.

And if you got past like the 35-yard line, you can just give a thumbs up, automatic three points. You could just start every drive at the 25. Like it is exciting. I mean, there can be exciting plays. A kickoff block, a punt block, a fake punt. but the overall run-of-the-mill 40-yard punt or 30-yard field goal right down the middle, yeah,

it doesn't do anything to me as a consumer. And there is a gimmicky element to it, of course. But it is pretty interwoven and connected to football at this point in time in 2025. Do I see them scrapping special teams? I don't. Maybe one day. I guess you never say never, but there are enough coaches in the league, older coaches that would definitely fight for it,

to keep it as part of an integral part of the game, even if it quote-unquote can be a little gimmicky at times. The volume. Hey guys, it's us and the Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe. I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called, Hey, Jonas. We invented a podcast?

Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. We get to ask other people questions, because we're sick and tired of being asked questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it, but, you know, tired and sick. Tired and sick. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smigel and Friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel, help an occupier Pella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes.

Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year.

Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hard Way with your favorite therapist and hosts Kear Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. 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.