The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Anthony Davis, Pro Bowl snubs, Andrew Luck, & the NFL playoff picture

Episode Date: December 19, 2018

Colin discusses why he believes New Orleans Pelicans F Anthony Davis is coming to the Los Angeles Lakers, why he can't stand the Pro Bowl, why Indianapolis Colts QB Andrew Luck should get more MVP consideration, and what the NFL playoff picture looks like. Guests include Chris Broussard, James Jones, and Ed Werder. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano. It's our favorite time of the year on our podcast point game, the playoffs. We're digging into the biggest surprises of the season. And I'm looking back on some of my greatest playoff moments. If we didn't talk ever again, I was harmed. you just understood.

That's how personal it got. Wow. Then after that game seven, Mark keep coming to her. He's like, you know, I love you, dog. You know, it's all love. This was just playoffs. This was just basketball.

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You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. This is The Heard. On Wednesday, wherever you may be, however you may be listening. Live in beautiful Los Angeles, IHeart Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and FS1. We are packed today. Former Packer James Jones stops by. Chris Brouss are also, I don't think it's that complicated. In fact, I think the NFC is very easy.

I'm going to lay out exactly how I think the playoffs go today. Joy Taylor is joining me. We get ready for the holidays. Very excited. Very excited. Did you get all your shopping done? One more little tiny thing. Big stuff's over.

One more little thing. But I want to talk about when rumors become reality. There's a lot of rumors in sports. I come on the show all the time. I break maybe two stories a year. Urban Myers leaving Ohio State. You know, I'll do that once or twice a year. I hear a lot of rumors.

I hear stuff all day. But my rule is always do I hear a second and a third person that I trust to confirm the rumor? If I don't, I won't go with it. We started LeBronzo last year because it went from a bunch of rumors to credible sources telling me, I remember one day when a buddy. called me and said, Magic Johnson is telling Jerry West, LeBron's coming. And that was about nine months before it happened, six months before it happened. Story yesterday, LeBron said, oh, boy, Lakers getting Anthony Davis would be amazing.

This has been talked about and rumored about for the last four or five months. We created the Lebrow. Anthony Davis is the brow. The Lebrow meter, folks. It is now getting into LeBron's Ombuds. meter territory. Multiple sources are saying, listen, yesterday, even LeBron talked about it. That would be amazing. Like, duh, that would be incredible. Like, folks, it's happening. All right, there's affairs that catch everybody off guard. And then there's affairs that happen. Oh, she had an affair

with a tennis instructor. Yeah. Remember Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, did a movie together? And he was hanging out with Jennifer Aniston. And the movie was they were this high couple with great chemistry and stuff. Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Yeah, yeah. And they had an affair and you can see that coming from about a thousand miles. That was one of those affairs you could see coming for a thousand miles. Like those were sad situations for Jennifer Aniston, but you saw it coming.

The Anthony Davis thing, it's happening. We're getting into the whisper campaign, louder whisper campaign. Multiple sources are now saying, yeah. Now, he signed with clutch sports. We know that months ago. We know that. And that's LeBron's group, Rich Paul. I mean, that's part of it.

But this is a, listen, when Shaq was in Orlando, everybody said Shaq was too big for Orlando, but Orlando felt big. At the time, Orlando was a new franchise. They had a bunch of stars. They were a very good team. Orlando played much bigger than their market. I understood Shaq leaving Orlando for Los Angeles. But Orlando felt much bigger than the size of the city of Orlando.

New Orleans is a big NFL city, is a big college. college football city. It's a tiny, irrelevant NBA city. It's not a good team. I mean, am I the only person tired of Anthony Davis being in witness protection? Am I the only person tired of Anthony Davis being on NBA TV instead of TNT and ABC? Okay. The only question now in this situation is who are the Lakers going to give up for Anthony Davis? Because we have moved past the Whisper campaign. This is like a. talking point among execs and people in the NBA. The only question now, are they going to give them Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart?

Because the Lakers really like Josh Hart. They know they're going to happen because Anthony Davis is under contract this year and next year. So the only way to get him is trade for him. And if New Orleans doesn't make a trade, they're not going to get anything in return. But I got to tell you, I hear stuff all day and I don't buy 90% of it. But people now aren't even afraid to talk about it. This would be huge for the NBA. LeBron, Anthony Davis, and whoever else fills the roster, you're going to watch it.

And I'm just hearing more and more. Derek Fisher talked about it yesterday, former Laker in our show, and he made it very clear it would be a perfect fit. Three years, five years from now, you know, then you have to start to look at Anthony Davis or someone that can impact the middle of the court. So you have LeBron at a wing, you have great perimeter shooting, and then you have somebody in the middle that's protecting the rim. making it really difficult for people to score in the paint, but also can run the floor, roll to the rim, and then also stretch the floor with some shooting.

So, you know, guys like Anthony Davis start to come to mind as far as the future. There are NBA deals that shock us. LeBron to Miami, like we thought he could leave. We didn't think he would. Oh, my God, he's playing with Dwayne Wade, and it made sense. But this is one of these that has a very LeBron to Los Angeles field to it. All the dots. bad team.

It's not a huge NBA city. He's in witness protection. He signs with LeBron guys. And I'm hearing stuff now every third day. Twice a week, people are talking. I think it's a matter of time now. To me, I'd rather get LeBron the best player I can as soon as I can. I don't want to have LeBron play another 90 games, put more games on those legs.

I'd rather get it done, make a move. But New Orleans, you know, they've talked themselves into, we're going to keep him. I don't buy it. The LeBrow meter is officially in play in the herd. Just like the LeBronso meter was nine months before it happened. The Lebrow meter is officially in play. All right, let me shift gears to this. I'm not a big awards guy.

I don't care. I'm really not. The MVP in the NFL this year is kind of fun because there's like a lot of bunch of, you know, a bunch of interesting choices. It's a good year for quarterbacks. And there was a lot of snubs yesterday in the Pro Bowl. I don't watch the Pro Bowl. Two things in America that America likes, I don't care about.

The Home Run Derby and the Pro Bowl. I don't watch either. Their exhibitions, I don't care. They don't mean anything. I couldn't tell you the last time I watched a Pro Bowl. I'm dead serious. Home run derby is fun. I don't watch it.

They've added some things, you know, give it some urgency, the clock and stuff. You might as well add softball uniforms and Bud Light. It's a batting cage for big guys. Used to be like stars. Griffey was in it, Bonds. And again, yesterday there were some snobes. there were some snubs for the Pro Bowl. I mean, Tom Brady made it. Come on, give me a break. Tom Brady over Andrew Locke. Come on. But I will say this. This is an all-time snub.

Coaches are 30% of the vote. Players are 30% of the vote. And fans are 30% of the vote. So fans did not have that much influence. This should not have happened. Aaron Rogers made the Pro Bowl and Russell Wilson did not. Sixty-six percent of the vote was not fans. I've never held fans to the same standard. I'm going to the Chargers game of the Ravens this weekend. I'm sitting in the stands with the fans. People will be drunk next to me. People be crazy next to me. People be loud.

They'll be great. Yeah, I mean, like, when I go sit in a stadium, I'm ready for inappropriate, loud, drunk guy. Fans are fun. Fans add juice. Fans add energy. But fans didn't have 66% of this vote. This is a really embarrassing vote. Think about this. A, Aaron

and Russell Wilson played. Russell won head to head. They both played well. but Russell beat him. That should matter. B, this was a rebuilding year for Seattle. I'm from Seattle. I had him at like 7 and 9, 6 and 10. The Packers were picked to win their division.

So don't expectations mean something in a Pro Bowl? Russell was rebuilding O-line, rebuild running game, rebuild... They've exceeded expectations. Green Bay is underachieved. How about this one? Russell's beating him in statistics. That's usually Aaron's thing, right? We know Aaron's maybe not the greatest personality to be a leader,

but passer rating, Russell. Touchdown passes, Russell. Wins, Russell. Completion percentage, Russell. So he's winning in stats. How about the other thing? And this is not a small thing. Aaron's 0.17 on the road.

Owen seven. Josh Johnson has more road wins. There's only two teams in the NFL that don't have a road win. The Niners with their meners with their, 27th quarterback and Aaron Rogers. They win a road game. Russell Wilson's 4-4-4. Well, Colin, what about weapons?

Well, what about him? Russell Wilson's two best receivers combined don't equal the number of catches as Aaron Rogers' number one receiver. But more than anything, if you could sit down as a player and a coach, because I'm going to eliminate the fans that are only 30% of the vote, fan is short for fanatic. We should never hold fans to the same level. It's not their responsibility to be accurate. Fans bring energy and juice to sports.

Fans are what changes the difference between an empty stadium and a crazy stadium. We need fans. They have their own jobs and their own standards. We shouldn't bring their standards into sports. That's what the media. That's what players. That's what coaches do. If nothing else, think about this.

What division is Aaron Rogers in? The NFC North. So he plays the Bears twice, the Lions twice, and the Vikings twice. Russell Wilson has more wins against the NFC North, three than Aaron Rogers has this year. One. Even in his own division, Russell played those teams once. He's three and one. Aaron's won three and one.

I mean, this is as bad. This is why awards are adjourned. joke. This is why I don't watch the Pro Bowl. This is why popularity contests and internet polls don't mean anything. This is as bad a slight as I've ever seen in the Pro Bowl.

Listen, Leighton Van derrish didn't make it for the Cowboys, but there's a bunch of good linebackers like Bobby Wagner, Luke Keakley. I get it. Layton's great. He's going to make a bunch of them. He's a rookie. He didn't really hit until about week six, week sevens when he really hit. I understand that.

I think Ty Why Hilton could make it, but there's so many great receivers in the AFC. Let's not go crazy here. Most of the snubs came down to there's a bunch of good players at the position. But Russell Wilson beat Aaron Rogers, beat him statistically, overachieved, has fewer weapons, had more wins in Aaron's own division. That's as bad a snub as you get and why the Pro Bowl is sort of silly. It really is sort of silly. coming up next there was a story generated by an NFL player yesterday that Nick Saban would be a nice fit

keep your eye out for Sabin and Green Bay I do not buy that for one second but there is a franchise where I believe Nick Sabin is a perfect fit and I do give it a 5-10% chance. I think I'm going to shock you with who it is. It's not what a former player said it should be Green Bay.

I think that's a terrible fit for a lot of reasons. The Saban NFL fit that works. That's coming up. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHeard Radio app. Casper Wave mattress, ergonomic system, aligned your body, giving you great support when you want it. 100 nights risk-free, white-glove delivery, casper.com slash wave, casper.com slash wave. Code heard, 50 bucks on select mattresses, terms and conditions apply. All right, so yesterday, Ryan Clark, an ex-NFL player, came out and said, Sabin to Green Bay needs to happen.

He said, if you're Green Bay, sell the farm, sell the farm, you send everybody to Tuscaloosa. You try to get Nick Saban to leave Bama, become the coach. When you look at quarterback coach relationships, Peyton and Drew Breeze, Belichick, Tom Brady, mutual respect and accountability. So let me just start with this. I think it's a terrible fit. I don't think it's an age thing. Nick Saban's 67. He's got great energy.

He looks, talks, walks, young. He does not feel like 67. Mike McCarthy's 55 feels closer to 67. Sabin's 67 feels closer to 55. By the way, Joe Biden is 76, Bernie Sanders 77, politics a hell about harder than coaching football. Those guys are going to run for president. Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders are probably going to be the Democratic nominees to knock off Trump, and they're in their mid-70s, and politics ages you faster than football.

So it is not an age thing. But I'm a big believer, and I've told young broadcasters this, I tell everybody this. Fit matters. If you're a cattle rancher, don't marry a vegan. If you're a night owl, don't marry an early riser. Fit is everything in life. Don't chase money. Chase fit.

Chase management. Saban's personality, he is more of an authoritarian. That's why he's perfect for college. It's a Bobby Knight, Urban Meyer, Roy Williams, Urban Meyer, likes, seeks control. He gets unraveled, he gets feisty. Anytime he loses control of the Alabama. media or the national narrative, he goes crazy, right? So he's an authoritarian personality.

He's very old school. I'm not criticizing that. It's very Trumpian. He likes control. He is a Tony LaRosa. He is a Bobby Knight. He is an urban Meyer. That is his personality.

And that doesn't fit in Green Bay. Number one, Aaron Rogers is a free thinker, a free doer, an ad libber. You're never going to control him. Also, because Aaron Rogers makes $33 million, it's going to limit the recruits you can get. You're not going to be able to pay big money. Also, it's Green Bay. It's always been a lousy free agent market.

So there's three things that really work against Green Bay here. He's an authoritarian figure, and Aaron Rogers is an obstacle. Aaron's an outspoken, free-thinking, ad-living quarterback. He drives Sabin nuts. Who, by the way, has more money than Nick, more fame than Nick, a Super Bowl title Nick doesn't have. How do I know that Rogers respects Nick Sabin at that level? college, maybe NFL no.

The other two things are Nick loves to recruit. Green Bay is the worst place in the league out, even worse than Buffalo to recruit. Free agents don't want to live there. At least Buffalo, you're in New York State. And because the quarterback's making $33 million, it would totally limit personnel moves. Let me also include some other places that are lousy fits. Dallas with Jerry Jones, that's not a good fit. Stop talking about that.

Replacing Bill Belichick in New England, his best coaching friend, you don't want to replace Howard Stern. You don't want to replace Oprah. You don't want to replace a legend. That's a bad fit. New York Jets, I hear a lot. It's not going to work. Crazy owner. Feisty New York media.

Six papers, nine radio stations. Those were lousy fits. The one that is so obvious to me, I mean, it just on a million reasons, and I buy into it, is the Cleveland Browns and Maker Mayfield. First of all, the owner of the Cleveland Browns made his money in the South. Two of their best players, Nick Chubb, Miles Garrett, S.C.

guys. He knows their strengths and weaknesses. They have a ton of cap space. They have extra draft picks. Nick loves recruiting. Nick loves personnel. It's his strength, not X's and O's. He would come in with extra draft picks, massive cap space. The best players, he's either seen him, Baker Mayfield, or played against him in the SEC. He knows the personnel. He also has those Midwestern. He coached at Toledo, Michigan State. He's from West Virginia. he's got very much Midwestern ethos, Midwestern values. He also coached on the Belichick staff in Cleveland. This is an obvious one.

And listen, say what you want about Baker Mayfield. Baker Mayfield's an accurate thrower of the football. Baker Mayfield's going to be a 10-year starter in this league. He wouldn't be my first choice among the young quarterbacks, but you come in with a young good quarterback that can throw the football on a rookie salary. Their stars are mostly Southern. The owner had made his money in the South. You got cap space, extra draft picks.

And by the way, this is a great place to enter. You don't want to enter New England where they got statues of Brady and Belichick outside. You don't want to enter Dallas where you got Jimmy Johnson, Parcells, Aikman outside. It's Cleveland. You get them to 500. They're building a statue for you. And also, this is something else to think about. Look in that division right now.

Cincinnati, Andy Dalton. Big Ben is not in this league in three years. He's not. Lamar Jackson, I think it'll work short term. I'm not sure that running around thing is going to work for seven, eight years. Like Cleveland, to me, is obvious. And I think Cleveland, their owner's a deal maker? Give Nick Saban 2% ownership.

I think Saban to Cleveland makes a ton of sense. You know, don't get too caught up on age. Biden, Bernie Sanders, are late 70s. They'll run for president and one of them is going to get the nomination. and politics eat you alive, you can coach in football for a long time. Nick Sabin is not going to go to the NFL. Are you sure? Yes, he was a failure at Miami.

And the reason he was a failure is for every reason that you just described. He is an authoritative figure, and that does not work in the NFL. Ain't a grown man trying to hear you're yelling and screaming. They make millions of dollars. They've got a mortgage wife and children. They're professional athletes. They're not dealing with that. You said he likes to recruit.

He said it himself. The NFL, you may get one first round draft pick if it hasn't been traded away. He can recruit 10 first round draft pick talents in one year at Alabama. You can rebuild the entire situation. He said that. He said that. He also rolled the tape, said this. Well, then I guess I have to say it.

I'm not going to be the Alabama coach. I shouldn't even have to comment on this. I think I've said this over and over and over again. Why are you bringing up old stuff, Colin? He says a lot of stuff. These coaches say a lot of stuff. If he's smart, he will stay in college. He's a god in Alabama.

How many times can you... He will go down as the greatest college football coach of all time. He's already there. In a dynasty. Exactly. So why are you going to go back to the NFL and of all places, Cleveland? If you scale Everest, it's time to move to a new mountain. I mean, seriously.

Or you climbed Mount Everest, and that's a great accomplishment. How many people are climbing Mount Everest seven times? And that's good. How many times can he beat Clemson and Auburn? I just don't think his coaching. style or personality works in the NFL, especially today. I don't know if I think it's very exciting. Let's make it happen.

Joy Taylor with the news. No, no, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. I remember that. It was not even convincing when he said it. Unbelievable. All right, Patrick Mahomes is the MVP favorite.

Once again, Mahomes, Andrew Breeze, have been neck and neck in the MVP race for the past few weeks. And despite losing to the Chargers on Thursday last week, Mohams has outperformed Breeze who barely scraped out a win on Monday night against the Panthers. Whose odds are these? Joy, whose are these? I don't want to say it's bet online. By the way, can I just say this? Everybody calls me a crazy person for putting luck and rivers in.

Well, hell, those odds have luck in rivers third and four. No, I don't think anyone's calling you a crazy person for having them in. I think luck should be in the conversation. He's just not going to win because they went five for six in their first six games. You can't do that in an MVP. What was that? The first six games just don't count? It's just not as important.

Remember when Carson Palmer won the Heisman because he had a great last month for USC? By the way, Tua had the Heisman the whole year, and then he played one bad game, got hurt. I think these last four or five games, I think people get, and I think they should get really into it. Well, we have a short memory. That's for sure. But I don't see luck even with whatever happens in the next two weeks jumping, Breeze, or Mahomes. And River should certainly be in the conversation. What if Kansas City loses to Seattle?

They might. I think they're going to. What's the spread on that, Goulet? What is that Kansas City, Seattle, spread? I think Kansas City's going to lose. Seattle's off an embarrassing loss. Seattle needs to win for the playoffs. Kansas City's already in.

What is the line on that about? I would guess, my guess is it would be two and a half. So it's about a two and a half points. Chiefs are favored by two and a half. So Seattle's a home dog. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. I mean, it'll be interesting.

It's definitely, it's going to be a rough game for Kansas. City, a tough game for Kansas City, but I don't, I just don't see luck jumping that much higher, no matter what happens in the last few games. So has there been a more disappointing team this season than the Falcons? Where did you have the Falcons finish in the beginning of the year? I had the Falcons winning the NFC, yes, I would say they were number one. Well, they are out of the playoffs in week 15, and it's the first time the Falcons fail to qualify for those since 2015. So now there's some reports that despite Dan Quinn being expected to return for the 2019 season, there could be significant changes.

to his staff. So both Sarkesian and Emmanuel have been in their current role since 2017, but they are both on the hot seat right now. Whatever happens, they need to make some major changes. By the way, I'll say this again, this will not be popular because the way things went at USC, I would hire Steve Sarkesian to be a head coach in college. I think he's a total college football coach. He's a great recruiter, big personality. USC was too much too soon. But if Sark gets fired and I'm a college program. He is a world-class recruiter. He is a great teacher. I'd hire Steve Sarkesian in two seconds. Now, maybe not at like an Alabama-level job, but I'd hire him in a good job. I'd hire him a good job. I mean, he's been there and had no issues. One at Washington. And he was on his way

at USC and then his personal life had issues, but I'd hire him. Finally, amidst the Lakers trade rumors this week, LeBron might be recruiting someone not named Anthony Davis. I think you'll be very excited to hear who it is. He went to dinner with Mello. That means to come on. LeBron Mello and their wives went to dinner in New York City on Monday night. Now they are friends, so it could just be a friendly get-together. And he's still technically a member of the Rockets.

Dinner? I told you this, Colin. That's how I dress going to dinner. You dress like that going to dinner. Yes. Joy. I wear hoodies all the time. To dinner?

Listen. Don't let this TV stuff fool you, okay? I wear a nice dresses and television. Are you eating a Burger King? Who, what you drink? No. First of all, it's Los Angeles. That's swag, Colin.

That's how people dress at dinner. Yes. I wear a top hat. I don't even, that is ridiculous. What do you mean? First of all, that's New York. You should dress better in New York. What is he supposed to wear a suit in a spectacle?

Seriously. I... Pull out the cane? Yes. I mean, you dress that way for dinner in Sheboygan. No. You're in New York City. You could be sitting next to Meryl Streep. Cardi B. You've got to look the park. I don't know. I can't see exactly what brands he has on, but I'm going to guess.

It looks like he bought those things in the back of the gap. There's nothing cheaper that he's wearing. I bet his socks cost you a car. I wouldn't wear that to Starbucks. You went to a four-star Zagget rated restaurant and that? Yes. Man, there's another reason I don't like Carmela. That's how we roll, Colin. God.

I can't believe you. Earl and you. Yes. The beautiful couple. He looks very good. That's actually, that's very similar. The p-coat over the hoodie. So Earl drives up in his lambo and he's like, oh, my beautiful.

Joy, how are you? And you're like, yeah, I'm in a hoodie. I'm Belichick. Yes, he loves that. It's not a Belichick hoodie. I look very good in hoodies. You need to clean it up. Come on.

Joy Taylor with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Hurd-Ly News. Former New York Times writer, Akron Beacon Journal, Cavs, the odd couple, Chris Brousard, Rob Parker, my buddy, NBA Voice at FS1.

All right, let's get, I said this to start the show. I hear rumors all the time. You hear rumors. You're really a foot soldier. You're on the ground. You're hearing stuff all the time. But when I created the LeBronzo meter,

it was because I was hearing legitimate people over and over say the same thing. He's coming to L.A. I was told very early, LA leads, he'll look at Philadelphia. LeBron has since admitted he didn't really look at Houston, and I was hearing. He doesn't care about Houston. He did give, you heard the same thing.

He was intrigued by the Sixers. Right. But it was L.A. I'm now here in Anthony Davis, L.A., execs in the league are like, it's happening. Well, look, Rich Paul is his agent. He chose Rich Paul as his agent. How did Cantavius Caldwell Pope get $18 million last year from the Lakers? He wouldn't have got half that,

maybe from somebody else. So I'm not saying Rich is going to drive him to L.A. I think he'll have a list. What's going to happen is no trade is going to happen this year because New Orleans would be nuts to trade him this season. And Anthony Davis would have to go Jimmy Butler to get traded now. That's not his personal. But can I throw this out there?

Chris, the history of trades, the sooner you move, the more you get. Because the longer you wait, I know if I'm the Lakers, You're running out of time, and my guy wants to come here anyway. I have always been a believer. If my wife said I want out of the relationship, I got to just move on it. Because it's just going to be chaos for the next year. But I don't know that. Maybe Davis will say that now.

There's no way I trade him this year. Why not? Why should I? Because I can get more. I don't know that you're going to get more. What I will agree with you on this is this. I think the Lakers can give more than Boston. Now, that's off what everybody else is saying.

Well, well, well, too. Everybody else is talking about the draft picks. First of all, they could have four draft picks this year. They can't even trade for Anthony Davis until after July when Kyrie Irving's contract expires because it is strange designated player rule. Okay, that's great, Chris. So there's my point. If the Lakers know that Boston can't make a trade until June,

If I'm the Lakers, I'm like, I don't want to go toe to toe. They could give up Kyrie Irving. They've got stars. If they gave up Kyrie, that's a different story. I don't think they give up Kyrie. How do you, if you're in a negotiation, I'm in a negotiation with you and Chris, you have better assets than I do. And we're trying to get Goulet as our producer. Okay, we're going to get Goulet.

You have more assets. But you can't offer them anything until July. I am on that before. I'm going to give you, I want to get that deal done so I take you out of the equation. Didn't that make sense? It makes sense, but New Orleans has to play ball with that. If I'm New Orleans, I'm just not giving up on him that soon. Now, I know, look, what's going to happen is if they don't trade him this year,

they're going to offer him the supermax extension, he's going to turn it down, and then they're going to realize, okay, we got to trade him. And we're trapped because we're running out of time. You make some sense. I don't see it happening this year. What I do say is this, the Pelicans could use a guard like Lanzo Ball. So I think Lanzo ball, and if I'm the Lakers, I want to keep Kuzma in heart. Yeah.

But I think Kuzma may have to be a part of it. Whoa, whoa, what about Brandon Ingram? Ingram's gone. Ingram and Lanzo are in it. I may have to give up Kuzma Tzuva. No, I'm not giving you both of those. No, here, okay, you right now. But what if Anthony Davis does not now?

because I think there's going to be a list, and it's going to be the Lakers up top. But Boston and the Knicks are going, I think, be on that list, too. That's educated speculation. I don't buy the Knicks because I've been hearing the Knicks and great players for a decade, and none of them go there. I'm not saying they'll go there, but I think they'll, they're a possibility. I'm just saying there. If I'm the Lakers, I'm absolutely concerned about Boston.

They've got better assets. They got Kyrie Irving. Outside, well, you, okay, you're assuming they're going to give up Kyrie. I think to get Anthony Davis. But I think if I'm them, I want to team Kyrie and Anthony Davis together. I guess. Okay, but then you're going to have to give up.

I think Ball, Ingram, and Kuzma. Now, again, I don't want to give up all that if I'm the Lakers, but those three are a better package than Rozier, Tatum, and Jalen Brown. Lanzo, they need a point guard, Ingram, and Josh Hart. Lakers love Josh Hart. People around the league. No, I love Josh.

Yeah, I want to keep. But I like Coosman better than Josh Hart. I agree. I agree. So I think it's Lonzo, Josh Hart, Ingram. If I'm New Orleans, I think I do that today. If I'm New Orleans, I'm holding out for Coosma, too. I don't like getting trapped in life.

I think I don't like being trapped. I feel like the longer I sit there in New Orleans, the minute Anthony Davis turns down the Supermax, I am trapped. I got no options here. But you can send him to Boston. I just don't like, look, you don't like being trapped. If I'm New Orleans, I also don't like being, can I say, punked right away?

Like, I'm giving up that quickly. We're not saying, oh, let's trade. Like, you don't have to give him up right now. Why would I? Let's try to make the playoffs and see what we can do this season. The minute somebody tells me in my life behind closed doors, I'm not interested. I'd rather move him. I don't think he's done that yet.

It's about time. Why lie to him? I think you're better served as a player telling your owner, listen, I want you guys to get the most you can get. I don't want to hoes my franchise. I don't think Davis, look, he's giving them plenty. If he says it this summer, that's plenty of time. He can't be a free agent until 2020. So you're giving them a whole year to make the best deal.

He would just have to want to join the Lakers this year, which inside he may want to, but I don't know that he wants to, it may be a piece. are hit. I don't think they want, he and Rich Paul want this to get ugly and look like, you know, he's forcing his way out and it just makes you look bad. You look at a lot of guys that have done that and it's Dwight Howard. It's made them look bad. And so I don't think they want any of that. All right. Stick it around. Got more to hit on in the NBA. Also some NFL thoughts with Chris Broussard. It is your favorite sport. Chris, more of that. Coming up top of the hour, I'm going to lay up the NFL playoff picture, how I think it's going to turn out. I think it's

pretty obvious, especially in the NFC. In L.A., it's the hurt. By the way, before I forget, I watched the great new movie last night about WikiLeaks with Benedict Cumberbun, the great actor. And he is something like that.

Cumberbatch. What is it? Cumberbatch. That movie also came out almost six years ago. Six years ago? It's a hot new movie, though. Oh, I thought it was brand new. That movie was six years ago. Oh, God, it was good. It wasn't a good as Snowden, but Bertrand Cumberbun. was outstanding and you should absolutely watch that.

Okay, so I've got to go back to it. Sam's going to, I'm going to drive Sam crazy. Sam's our director and he doesn't like when I do this. Can we go back quickly to a story? Please America, side with me on this. Carmelo Anthony and LeBron go to a five-star restaurant, New York wearing sweats. Broussard, Joy is like I wear hoodies all day. Didn't that? It rubbed me the wrong way. Thank you. I'm completely with, and I wear sweats all the time when I'm not on the air, but not to a restaurant, not to a nice restaurant. Like you said,

if it's Burger King, if it's Starbucks or something like that, but a nice restaurant like that, come on. When you take your wife? You got to dress up to respect your wife. I wear a top hat and a tucks. It's fashion. That is not fashion. Yes, it is. That didn't look like fashion.

That looked like a fashion faux pa. That didn't work. That didn't work at all for me. You got to respect your lady friend more than that. What did LeBron have on? Same thing. They're both a little off. Bad.

What do you mean they're off? Look at everyone with them. The whole crew is off. It's ugly. I guarantee you that is a very, very expensive outfit. It might be expensive. That's what gets NBA players in trouble.

They think because something is expensive or designer that is fly. All this stuff James Hardin and Russell Westbrook are wearing, I know it's on the runway, but it's not meant to be worn in regular life. They're tastemakers. It is meant for them to wear in regular

of life. That stuff be, look, that stuff is crazy. If I wore a checkered, if I wore a tick-tac-toe suit to work today, would you laugh at me or acknowledge my greatness? I mean, I would, I would assume that you're going through something because it's not what you normally wear, but if that's what you want to change it up to, I'm perfectly comfortable with that. Okay, I don't have, listen, the only other NBA topic, I mean, listen, the Lakers lost last night. I don't care. I think the Anthony Davis story is overwhelmingly the biggest story in the league. There is a story, though, that's going on. Chris Paul yesterday said James Hardens, the best offensive player he's ever seen. I absolutely believe the NBA allows James Harden to travel. They allowed magic to palm

the ball. They allowed Michael Jordan to travel. If you become iconic and great, the NBA changes the rules for you. Well, they haven't done that for LeBron. Well, he doesn't have a go-to move. But Michael had like three set moves. He traveled on all of them, magic palm the ball. James Hardin's traveling. If you become a great player, like let's say Kareem traveled on the skyhook and he did a little dance step. They'd let it go. The league's about stars, shots, moments. LeBron doesn't have a stock move. Well, imagine how many turnovers Hardin would have if they call travel. Because he owns the league record for most turnovers in the season. He's challenging that record again this year. He's got two of the four highest turnover seasons in NBA history. Now, he has a lot of usage. Almost six

a game. A lot of usage, but that's why Chris Paul is out of his mind. Number one, the turnovers. Number two, Hardin's not that efficient. He's a 44% shooter. Now, I know it's true shooting percentage, but that's because of the threes. That jacks up your true shooting percentage. You can't compare that to Michael Jordan because they didn't shoot threes as much back then. The third thing that Chris Paul's overlooking is the Mike Dan Tony factor. Thank you. Mike Dan Tony is PEDs for certain types of plants. I mean, like if you are, you are, you are, are a good ball handler, see the entire floor, and you're downhill, you're going to be greater than anybody ever suspected in Mike Dantone's system.

Steve Nash was the NBA's arguably best player for a three-year stretch. Absolutely. And I contend this, Colin, and I voted for Steve Nash at least once on the MVP. I don't know if I voted both times. I think I did both times he won it. I contend that Steve Nash would not only never have won the MVP award, but he would not be a future Hall of Famer had he not hooked up with Mike Dantone.

He was on the decline in his last season in Dallas. That's why Mark Cuban let him go to Phoenix and didn't try to resign him. So Nash becomes this superhero in Dantone's system. Chris Duhin, Ray Felton, Jeremy Lynn, they all played above their heads for Dan Tony, and that's what you see with James Harden. I'm not saying he's not great,

but you got to put Michael Jordan ahead of him. I would put Steph Curry ahead of him, too. Because if you put Steph in Dantone's system, he might average 37 and 13. Yeah, Steph Curry's an all-time better player than Hardin. Certainly a better offense. Well, neither one of them's a great defense. First of all, he's a better shooter and he's a better ball handler. And I would argue a better passer, even though his assist.

Hardin can pass too, but Steph's an underrated passer. By the way, I'm not really into awards. The MVP race this year, I think is really interesting. I still think Philip Rivers, if he beats Baltimore's defense, offense and has a great couple weeks. He'll finish second. I have Andrew Luck winning it. I have Philip Rivers second.

He's not even a pro bowler. It's embarrassing. I agree with you. He should be a pro ball. That's why I don't watch the pro bowl. I think we've given it to Mahomes. And my takeaway is if he loses this week in Seattle, he's 0 for four in his biggest games.

I'm not blaming him, but you've got to win one of them. Hold on. It's amazing how we say his biggest games. He beat the Chargers in L.A., which I know. When? The game. one. But still, every, he beat Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh. He just beat Baltimore, which is playing great football. What month are those games in? It's funny that we, they all count the same. I get it.

December football is a little more important. But the only reason we say these games are, these are his most important games, is because they lost. We're not counting the first Pittsburgh game, but we're counting the second. Well, games matter more in December because if you, you can react as a team and as a general manager and as a player to a September performance. You get to January, it's final. If you lose, you'll lose. You don't have time to make up for a bad performance. But he put up 51 points in one of the loss.

I know he had the five terms. Let me guess. It was sunny outside. Hold on. He's had, he has had two six touchdown games this year. You know how many six touchdown games, Aaron Rogers, Tom Brady, Ben Rothensburg are having their careers? Two.

Oh, timeout. Two. He's got two in one season. His first season is a starter. This dude's the MVP. Why don't you like Pappasuring Mahal? It's not that I don't like him. Why is it I always get tagged a hater when I offer reasonable criticism?

This guy has, what, 14 or 11 more touchdowns than anybody else in the league. He's two. Seven turnovers against the Patriots and Rams combined. You forget about that. You're talking numbers. I got those numbers. Magic Johnson turned it over a lot. Now you're changing sports on me.

You turn it over sometimes. I mean, he's only got 11 I&Ts. I'm not shut. Listen, Andrew Luck is 13. Oh, yeah. Andrew Luck doesn't have Cheetah, Sammy for most of the year. Sammy Watkins is hurt. Kareem Hunt is out as he should be.

Spencer Ware is out now. Like, he's lost some top players too. So you look at this right here when I put it on TV. Luck Rivers Mahomes. You have a problem. What order would you put him in? Mahomes, Rivers, Luck. You put Luck third?

Yeah, I would have Breeze third. Yeah, no question. I'm with you on luck should have made the pro bowl ahead of Brady. Well, that's just like saying milk goes good with cereal. I mean, that's not some big proclamation. Of course he should have made the pro ball. Well, ahead of Brady, though. Of course.

All right. A lot of people don't. And Rogers shouldn't have made it. Russell Wilson should have made it ahead of Rogers, I think. Yes, that was, that's embarrassing for the league. It is. That's embarrassing. Russell beat him head ahead of him.

No question. Do you know Russell has more wins against the NFC North this year than Aaron does? He's 3-1. Aaron's won 3-1. Even in his division. It's not a bad year for him. Good stuff. Chris Broussard.

Good having you on. Did I convince you about my home? No, not at all. I think you're crazy. Coming up, I'm going to tell you exactly how the NFL playoffs are going to play out. Fun stuff next. NFC's easy, in fact. Ah, here we go, hour two.

This is the herd. wherever you may be, however you may be listening, live in Los Angeles, Iheart Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and right here, FS1. Joy Taylor is joining me. This could be the best hour of all the hours. I really think it could be. Very excited for this.

Joy Taylor joining me again. I'll also tell you, I'm at, I got a buy seller hold. this is going to be for the next six or seven minutes, Joy, this can be fun for me. Because you know this. In like July and August, I make my NFL predictions. Right. And then over the course of the season, we kind of keep track. We've been very good on the AFC this year.

But you are allowed to mend your prediction. Yeah, a couple times in the preseason based on injuries. I've been money all year on the AFC. I mean, literally, it's the most accurate I've been doing this for 20 years. Most accurate I've ever been in a conference. NFC is a mess. but I think in the playoffs, the NFC is going to be much more predictable and the AFC is going to be chaos. So I'm going to lay this out.

I want you to hold me to it. All you bloggers, all you media critics, all the people that hate me, over the next five minutes, I want you to hold me to it because this is what I think is going to happen. And by the way, Joy, 14 of the 16 games this weekend have playoff implications. So I'm going to make some predictions why I see the teams. as I see the team. So let's start with the NFC here at Fox. We're NFC.

So let's make my predictions. Here we go. First weekend of the NFL playoffs. Seattle, a five-seat will face Dallas a four-seat. There's all sorts of talk about Dallas today in the papers. Jason Gaird, oh my God. They're going to win their division. Seattle's going to go to Dallas,

and Dallas is going to win that hard-fought, low-scoring football game by four to seven points. I think Dallas is a more complete team. I think Dallas, if you look at the splits, DAC is a much better home quarterback than he is a road quarterback if you look at passer rating. So I think Dallas will host Seattle. Dak will play well.

They'll be able to have a little support from Amari and Zeke. And Dallas will win that game. It'll be a good competitive game, but they'll win by four to seven points. Okay, I have Philadelphia. Every year in the NFL, there's a team that makes it, and we're like, how the hell they get in?

Philadelphia is going to go 2-0 the next couple of weeks, and I think Minnesota is going to blow it. And I think Minnesota has a chance to lose this weekend at Detroit. So Philadelphia is going to backdoor their way into this thing. And we know they've got a great roster. We know they've got players and they're going to go to Chicago. And they're going to get pushed around in Chicago. This is going to be a tough place to play.

First time the Bears have won a division since 2010. They're going to have a great game plan. They're going to play their butts off and Chicago's going to beat Philadelphia by about a touchdown or more. So Dallas and Chicago and the NFC come out. home winners with Ws. Now, the second weekend, the four-seat Dallas goes to New Orleans, the one-seat. And New Orleans is going to say, oh, I remember you. You beat me on national TV in a standalone game.

We're not going to let that happen again. DAC on the road, not as effective as at home, and the Saints win this game comfortably like 2820. Then the Bears who beat Philadelphia face the Rams. You know, I've been selling and shedding my Rams. stock for a month. But the Rams are going to be healthy off a buy. They're at home and Sean McVeigh with two weeks is going to put in a really nice game plan and they're going to squeak by the bears. Sean McVeigh is great off a buy, off a loss to start this season. You give Sean McVe's brain an extra week to prepare a game plan at home. Gough plays better at home. I think the Rams

when a low-scoring 23-21 game, then we get to the NFC Championship. The two two-seed Rams at the number one seed, New Orleans, and I like the Saints to win that game. I think, again, if we had a guess this game two months ago, we would have thought it would be a shootout. I think it'll be a low-scoring game, and the Saints have the significantly better defense. So let's stop right there. Let's stop right there. Camera on me, let's stop right there.

So Saints win the NFC. Chalk. Now, hold me to it. Let's go to the AFC, or we got all sorts of. of stuff happen in the next two weeks. I think the Colts are going to get in. They're going to win the next two games. They're going to beat the Titans they always do to end the year as a sixth seed at the Texans.

Now that means I think the Texans are going to lose it Philly this weekend. They're an underdog. I think they will. By the way, do you know they've never beaten a Philadelphia team, the Texans. Didn't win in Houston? Houston's never 0-10 all time. Doesn't mean anything, but that's weird. So I think Philly beats them.

So the Colts will face the Texans. in Houston where they just beat him and they're going to beat him again, it'll be very close. Yeah, Andrew Luck eats this secondary for lunch. He's thrown for like 800 yards or something against him. And I think the weakness of the Texans is actually their secondary outside of Joseph. So I think he beats him in a close game. The Kansas City Chiefs are going to lose at Seattle this weekend and become a five seed. I know you think I'm crazy, but I think the Chargers are going to win out.

and the Chiefs are going to lose this weekend, become a five-seat, and go to Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh a four-seat, and Kansas City is going to win that game. Kansas City, in a crazy fun game, is going to go, and they're going to beat Pittsburgh in the most entertaining playoff game of the entire year. Kansas City will win in Pittsburgh. I think right now, I actually think there's things they do that I trust offensively, and I don't know what I get. Pittsburgh week to week. It's close. I'll take Andy Reid over Tomlin in a really close fun game. Now that's the first weekend of the AMC. Let me go to the second week of the AFC. The six-seed Colts now go to the number one rested Chargers and they're going to get rolled. Like listen,

we know the Colts are still kind of in a rebuilding mode. That is a personnel mismatch. The most talented playoff team is not the Saints. It's the Chargers. They got two of everything. Like Noah's Ark's team, they got two of everything, man. And they're going to roll the Colts, who squeaked by the Texans and have to go on the road again and they're going to get rolled. And then the Chiefs of five-seat go to the Patriots, and I think New England ends up a two-seat because they're going to win on the rest of the year, 2-0. And I think Kansas City this time beats them.

I think Kansas City is going to be the team that you can beat them once, stand-alone game, big spot for Patrick Mahomes. But I think Patrick's going to be able to beat Pittsburgh, second time he plays them, and they're going to be – sometimes you lose a regular season game like Saints to Dallas. It's an advantage. It's very hard to beat a great team and a great coach, two times, three times in a year. Kansas City beats New England and New England looks old and New England looks tired and we all sort of get it. And then in the AFC championship game, we have the Chiefs at the Chargers, which is going to look odd. And I don't know who's going to win.

You're going to bail right now? Yeah. I don't know. I have to see the injuries. I have to see Kansas City will have gone on the road. Pittsburgh, New England. My gut tells me the Chargers are going to win this game, but I want to see how much health and gas the Chiefs have after a Steeler Patriot.

Because remember, the Chargers get a rest, then they get the Colts at home who are beat up. My gut feeling tells me the Chargers, a team I've been on for two months, I'm going to watch on live this weekend against Baltimore. my gut tells me the Chargers win this game. It is the Chargers and the Saints in the Super Bowl, which would be a great, would be an incredible Super Bowl. Who has the Super Bowl this year? CBS?

Oh, good Lord. Tony Romo is going to go nuts. Won't be able to control himself. So my gut is Chargers over the Chiefs, but I'm going to hold off because I do want to see what Kansas City has left in the tank. If they go through two emotional wins over Pittsburgh and New England, It is really hard. So if they roll Pittsburgh in New England.

Then I feel great about it. But if they go through these two wild finishes and the chargers roll the Colts and are sitting there like, yeah, that to me, I got to see Kansas City's playoff performance. How was that? It was good until you decided to not give the answer to hand. I said I'm leaning chargers. I'm leaning chargers. I actually tend to agree with you.

Can I say something about, I want to say something. something about Andrew Luck did not make the Pro Bowl. Leighton Van derrish didn't for the Cowboys. Andrew Whitworth didn't for the Rams. But the biggest snub, think about this, I'm reading two articles today on who got snubbed. Andrew Luck's not in either article. So Andrew Luck not only got snubbed, he was even snubbed by the snub list.

Folks, we all know he's talented. Here's the thing about Andrew Luck. Everybody admits he's talented. I just appreciate him more than everybody else. And here's why. Most people in life pay for exciting and drama and fireworks and fun and the party and loud. That's what most Americans pay for. I want to be at the party.

Drama, fun, loud, concerts. I'm the opposite. It's a psychological thing. Had chaos as a kid in my life. I pay for quiet. I go off hours off into restaurants. I seek quiet on vacations. I got a bunch of noise at home.

I tend to seek and pay for quiet. And this is why I love Andrew Luck. Aaron Rogers inherited a playoff roster, a world-class roster, momentum, stability, and it's been drama for 10 years. Andrew Luck inherited an impulsive owner, coach and GM fired, awful roster, and there's never any drama. I think about this all the time. Why do I like Andrew Luck so much more than everybody else? Because we all know he's talented. Is that Aaron Rogers inherited all this stuff.

He and Big Ben, there's nothing but noise, nothing but loud, nothing but comments, nothing but passive aggressive, nothing but, and they both inherited the Packers roster and momentum and stability and the Steelers roster of momentum. Those guys drive me nuts. Andrew Luck got nothing and has never complained. There's no noise. He puts a wet blanket on everything.

And there is something in my life I tend to pay for quiet. I appreciate quiet. I seek quiet. I seek calm. Most people pay for loud, party, fun, concerts, noise. And like there's a website called Captain Andrew Luck. It's obviously not Andrew Luck. It's a Twitter site, and it's the funniest thing on the internet.

Today's was, Dearest Mother, I have received your care package of brazed turkey knees and spiced pigeon toes. And the unit continues to prepare for the Giants. Word may have reached you. I was not among the Pro Bowl honorees, yet others in our unit were, that is just as special to me, Andrew. And what makes that Twitter handle so funny is there's some honesty to it. That's kind of who he is. he's always seeking others humility quiet calm predictability and i think we should have a new award for andrew luck nobody's going to give him the MVP how about the mbv the most boring

valuable player and i and i keep thinking why do i like him so much more than everybody else because he delivers something that i seek in my life quiet fun space no drama and i just like him. And these other guys, Ben and Rogers, inherit everything, and it's nothing but drama for a decade. And those guys wear me out. People like that wear me out. So I'm giving him my MBV player, Andrew Luck. He got snubbed. Not only by the Pro Bowl, he was snubbed on the snub articles. They didn't even mention him in the snub articles. So he was snubbed by the snubbers. That's when you really know you have been snubbed. Bicelhold, former Packer James Jones is going to be joining us in studio coming up next.

Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Coming up on New Year's Eve, the Red Box Bowl kicks off between Oregon and Michigan State at 2.30 Eastern on Fox. Then flip over to FS1 is number 17 Utah, battles number 22, Northwestern in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at 630 Eastern or Catch It All on the Fox Sports app. Well, our next guest had him on a couple of times, played eight of his nine NFL seasons with Aaron Rogers, was a Super Bowl champ, one of his favorite targets.

Eight years were the Packers, one year with the Raider, now NFL network analysts. Love to have them on James Jones. A lot guys take shots at Aaron Rogers. James Jones does not take shots at Aaron Rogers. You had a great relationship with him. Let me start with the Pro Bowl stuff because you got snubbed once. You led the league in touchdowns back.

in what year? 2012. And you got snubbed. Led the whole league. Led the whole league in touchdowns. No receivers had more. No running backs had more. What happened?

I'm like, okay, I'm a lock for the pro bowl. Like if you lead the league in interceptions or tackles and all that, you should be a lock. No, not even an alternate. Not even an alternate. Will you ticked off? Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. But I mean, I didn't share with the public, but I was upset.

I'm like, man, they let these guys in. These guys have two touchdowns. But I guess, you know, if your name is big and, you know, they feel like fans want to see. Well, fans have 30% of the vote, so they do, you know, they're kind of the tiebreaker. So players and coaches vote, and then fans come in. Like Aaron Rogers, this year did not have a great Aaron year. Russell Wilson and a rebuilding team had a great year. Yes.

Nothing against Aaron, but Russell beat him head to head. Yeah. In fact, Russell has more wins in the NFC North than Aaron has this year, and they voted Aaron in because Aaron's way more popular. Yes, absolutely. By the way, Aaron does better commercials than any athlete in America. Every one of his commercials is hysterically funny. And he's good.

Yeah, absolutely. That's the name of the game. man. Okay, so let's start with this. I haven't talked to you since. Mike McCarthy fired midseason doesn't feel like the Packers. Did you agree with the way Green Bay did it? No, man. I mean, Coach Mike was in Green Bay for 13 seasons. Only other coach that was there for 13 seasons is Curly Lambo. And the field is named after him. You know, Coach Mike has a street named after him in Green Bay, eight straight seasons to the playoffs, a Super Bowl. I just felt like as an organization, all he's brought to the organization, that you can at least let

him finish the season out. Give him the respect, let him finish the season out. Even if you tell him, Coach Mike, after the season, we're going to part ways. But I thought they should at least give him the respect to finish the season. Now, the season didn't go the way anybody wanted it to go, but I felt like they should have let him finish it out. Was it a message to Aaron Rogers to Aaron? We hear your frustrations. We're going to show you some support.

We hear your frustrations. Well, I had a chance to talk to Aaron, and he was a little upset that they weren't able to keep Coach. Mike's job because he said you know in years past coach Mike could get a little predictable with the offense and things like that but he said this wasn't one of those years he said we weren't making plays he said we will come in its plays open on the field that we're not making and it had nothing to do with Mike and he said that's what's so disappointing about it because this season it was not about coach Mike it was about the players on the field not making plays yeah you know I saw a story

you know, there's been a lot of stories about Nick Saban was the big one yesterday. I don't think Sabin's authoritarian personality works well in Green Bay for two reasons. Aaron's a free thinker, an ad libber, and an independent guy. That doesn't work with Nick. Nick likes to control. It's not a criticism of Nick. It's his personality. The second thing is because Green Bay is not a free agent destination, and they're not going to have a ton of cap space with Aaron making 33 million.

It limits personnel choices, which Nick is great at. Like, I don't buy Sabin and Green Bay to you. No, no, and I absolutely agree. I just feel like the way he coaches is strictly built for college. Like, you can't come into the National Football League and kind of, I don't know, you see him on the sideline. He kind of mother-effing players and getting all in each other, in players' faces and all. To me, that's not going to work in the National Football League. Like, you're talking to guys that are making more than you.

you're talking to guys that have been proven in this league. And I just feel like his style of coaching does not work in the national football league. It looks like a college coach. Absolutely. Everybody's on scholarship. You could talk to these players any kind of way. Everybody's trying to make it to the National Football League. But this style is not going to work in the National Football League.

And that's why I didn't work for him the first time around. And I don't like the thought of him going on. By the way, was Jason there in Miami when Nick was there? He was. Yeah, and Nick was like, they have a good relationship. Of course he liked Jason because Jason's great. I bet he loved Jason. He was one of the few great players.

But did Jason even acknowledge it rubbed some dudes the wrong way? I mean, I'm not going to speak for him, but he definitely rubbed a lot of people the wrong way, not just players, like people in the organization, media, certainly fans. He just has an abrasive personality that works in college and it doesn't work in the NFL. What kind of coach does Aaron need? And this has been, James, people have talked a lot about this, that, you know, it's funny. We all assume Aaron needs a brilliant offensive guy. I could argue Brady's got a defensive guy.

I could argue that if you look in the history of the NFL, great quarterback, Peyton Manning with Tony Dungey, Big Ben with Tomlin, Brady with Belchette. You can make an argument that Aaron is so smart. Don't try to outsmart Aaron. Give him a defensive guy. That's all I've been saying. Oh, it is. I talked to Aaron when they fired coach, Mike, and I said, who do you want as the head coach? Like, who would you want to come in and coach?

And he was like, JJ, you know me. Like, what kind of coach do you think I need? And I said, I would love to see you with a defensive-minded coach. So he has the defense. He'll get you a top 10 defense. You communicate with your offensive coordinator and you guys put up points. But we have the defense. And I think that right there is what Aaron Rogers needs.

You're communicating with one guy that you respect. You have a very good relationship with. And you guys go put up points. I got the defense. I'll run the team. I'll set the tone. But I think a defensive-minded coach will be great for Aaron. Everybody's saying offensive-coordinator, you know, an offensive-minded coach.

Aaron's two-time MVP, Super Bowl MVP, like, you're not going to come in here and make Aaron look just like somebody, like just that much better. Like, he's already special. So even if he comes in and wins you get an offensive-minded coach and he wins another MVP, Aaron Rogers is special. You know what I'm saying? Get him a defensive coach. I'm going to throw a name out there.

This is going to be crazy. And I want everybody to hold me to it. But I think Cam Newton still got two years left. And I think Ron Rivera may get run by the new owner. My sources tell me that the new owner, he's not going to sit around. He's going to shake things up if the Carolina Panthers don't go to the playoffs and they're not going to.

and Ron Rivera, they're not going to fire Cam. Ron Revere's in trouble. Ron Rivera, Carolina, every year is good on defense. Last seven years, five of six, they've been top ten. If I'm Green Bay, I go get a good, I mean, you talk about a rock solid dude. He's had to deal with a lot of Cam Newton stuff. So he can deal with some ego. I mean, he's dealing with a superstar in Cam.

So he can deal with Aaron Rogers. If you can deal with Cam, they're both commercials. I mean, you can argue that Cam and Aaron are the two biggest stars with Brady in the league. And I guarantee you Green Bay's defense is top 10. And by the way, Revere is going to face Trubisky instead of having Breeze. He can face Kirk Cousins instead of facing Matt Ryan. That's my dark horse.

Ron Rivera. See, I like it, but you could call me crazy too, but I want Rex Ryan. Oh, God! I think Rex Ryan is nuts. Come in the building, get that defense right. If you talk to any guys that ever play with Rex, they love him. He knows how to communicate with his players. He gets the best out of his players.

I mean, he's going to AFC championships with Mark Sanchez. If you put together a defense, a big-time defense, and let Rex do that. Yeah, but he's bad on. And you have Aaron Rogers. Is Aaron going to respect Rex? Absolutely. Rex been fired twice. Absolutely.

That's fine. But when you come in here and you do it your way, that's fine. All that happens in the past is over. It's gone. But I would love to see Rex Ryan come. them in there because he's great at communicating with his players. They love them. They have a great relationship with him. He's a great defensive-minded coach.

Get Aaron to O.C. I don't know if Aaron would buy into him. I think Aaron would buy Rivera. All right. Let's go to the Cowboys. I want to talk as a wide receiver. It's obviously wide receivers today, James Jones, joining us, are more valuable than they were a year ago. The catch rule's been flipped.

Two rules, the catch rule has been flipped. Everything now is a cat. They don't even go to replay. It's a catch. The second thing is, can't hit receivers over the middle. Now, everybody goes over the middle. It used to be like you'd send the big Michael Irvin over the middle. You wouldn't send slot guys over the middle.

Everybody goes over the middle. So I look at the Cowboys Amari Cooper. Are you shocked? Is he this good? What do you make of him going to Dallas and literally changing the offense? Not shocked at all. Amari Cooper is a special player. I mean, he was a special player his first couple years in Oakland.

Then you come into this year, you hear John Gruden say, okay, he's going to be the future of our offense, and you don't get him to ball. coming out of games with two, three targets. How is this the number one option on your football team? And he's coming out of the game with two or three targets. I don't understand it. So he goes to Dallas and we watched Amari Cooper.

Amari Cooper off the line of scrimmage, I don't know if there's anybody better. What do you mean? Like release wise. If you come up and press Amari Cooper, he is going to kill you at the line of scrimmage with his releases. He's super explosive, got the AI crossover off the line of scrimmage. Nobody can touch him. That's why when he went to Dallas, I said, this is what Dak.

needs because Amari Cooper is that guy that is going to get you that separation. It's not going to be when Dak looks over there, tight coverage. Amari's going to have that separation. He's special at running routes. So I'm not shocked at all. I broke down a lot of film of Amari Cooper. He's a special player. I was shocked that the Raiders let him out of there. But if you could get a first round pick for him, I guess you do what you got to do. But not surprised at all, special player, top 10 talent. And look, the Cowboys got him a good one. How about this? you have a team

so I just laid out my playoffs and I said every year there's a team that ends up in the playoffs and we're like how did they get in the playoffs I'm told your shocker in the NFL playoffs is mine and yours is? Mine's the Philadelphia Eagle

so is mine they're going to make it aren't they? They're going to make it in and they remind me they remind me of us in 2010. We had to win our last two games to get in the playoffs. And those last two games, we started playing football the right way. And we started going into games like, can't nobody stop us? We just had that swagger. Can't nobody stop us? Then we're looking around the locker room. We're like, dang, we got all these weapons. We're about to destroy the playoffs and go win the Super Bowl. And I feel like the Philadelphia

Eagles are getting that swag. They have the players. You look at their front seven. They can get after the quarterback. They can stop the run. Nick Foles is in the game. He's not just looking for Zach Ertz. the ball around to everybody, which is making their offense more potent, more dangerous. And I feel like they're starting to play football the right way. They're getting that confidence. Their roster is too good. Exactly. I mean, you watched them against the Rams in the first half. It was like, oh, my Lord, they're pushing the Rams all over the field. I'm with you on this. I think Philadelphia is going to sneak in it now. I think they're going to have a pretty quick life in the NFL. I think going to go into Chicago going to be a tough one. They know how to play in the cold,

though. That's the thing. You're getting a cold weather team to come play in the cold. I'm telling you, man, they are scary because they can go to any place and win a ball game the way they're built. And finally, let me ask you one more Aaron question. According to Ian Rappaport, NFL guy, Panthers are going to sit cam

against the Falcons due to his shoulder. They're out of the playoffs. Aaron Rogers this week playing the Jets. The Jets have a legitimate big-time pass rush. Did you see what they did to Sean Watson this weekend? They were all over him. And

And if you're Green Bay, I know Aaron wants to play, but if I'm Green Bay, I think I sit Aaron. I think I do, James. No. You wouldn't sit him? No, I'm playing. We all got ourselves in this situation. Let's finish the season out the right way. Let's go into the offseason saying, okay, we finished these last two games playing the right football.

I know everybody says this is a long off season. This stuff doesn't carry over. It does because it gives you confidence. Like, okay, we had a bad season. The last two times we took the field, we played at a high level. Let's get back to doing that when this season comes back around. And I just feel like as for the other players, Devante Adams, who's special, who's been having a special season, all of a sudden, you get to thinking, okay, if Aaron's sitting,

why ain't I sitting? You know, you're going to put me out there with Kaiser, and he's, like, why ain't I sitting? So I just think it sends the wrong message. Now, if Aaron's hurt, you know, I understand that. I wouldn't call him, I would say he's gimpy. Yeah, but if you can play and he wants to play, I say you let him play. We got ourselves in this situation. Let's all finish it out as a team.

Go out there and play and finish the same school. I want to throw something at you quick. Buy a seller hold around the corner, Joy coming up. College football players occasionally now say I'm not playing the bowl game. What do you make of that? I hate it. I hate it. I was talking to Reggie Bush about this the other.

I wish I could go back and play a college football game. You know, and if it's the national championship, you're not. But you're not sitting out. You know. But what if you were playing the Outback Bowl? I'm playing. Because it's all about the brotherhood to me. I'm going out there with my teammates.

I want to play. I mean, you can get hurt training. You could pop on Achilles getting out of your break training for the combine. You can get hurt doing anything. I just feel like these are your brothers. You've been battling with them all year. Go out there and finish the season of strong. That's just my opinion.

If you're a running back like Bryce Love of Stanford and you've given a school four years and gotten you know what kicked out of you. But man, I don't like Will Greer a quarterback bailing on his brothers. I don't like that at all. It's like, Will, you got kicked out of Florida. Now you quit on your team in the bowl game. Character matters to me? Like, if I'm a team, I'm like, is this guy into the team or is he into himself?

I'll give a running, Leonard Fernette wanted out. Christian McCaffrey. I get the running back who's given the school 600 carries. I get that. Quarterbacks? I don't like that. What's the punter going to sit next? I may pull my hammie?

Running backs, I want you out there with me. We've been in this thing. We started this thing off. You and I could play together. Offseason programs. Joy just wants to have a vacation after week eight. I mean, I'm just saying. He doesn't owe the school anything, really. James Jones, NFL network analyst.

Week 16 doubleheader this Saturday. Redskins, Titans, 430 Eastern on the NFL network. Oh, my Lord, Ravens Chargers, 8.20 p.m. Eastern NFL Network. I was glued to it last week. I got Baker, Mayfield, and Darnold last week. I get great games this week. Good seeing you again. Thanks, family.

James Jones, eight years, 9. in the league, eight with the Packers. Joy Taylor with the News. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. So the Saints have home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs,

basically locked up after beating the Panthers on Monday night. They only have to win one of their last two games, both at home against the Steelers and the Panthers to clinch home field advantage. And that advantage is very necessary for the Saints, because even though June, Breeze and Company are 7 and 1

on the road this season, they're a lot more vulnerable away from home. Yeah. If you just look at the difference in Breezes, numbers, his complete in percentage, yards down significantly, yards per average is down, and touchdowns. And he has four interceptions to one home in a way. So it is a big difference.

They're much more vulnerable on the road. You know what it is, and I think about this all the time. If, let's say you and I ran a baseball team. Yards per time. And our baseball team was at Fenway. You would build a baseball team to play at Fenway with a short porches, right? It's the same in football. If I'm a dome team, I'm going to play fast.

Right. If I am in Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, I do need a running game. I think what's happened to the Saints through the years is they've been built smartly in that division where they play eight home games. Atlanta's a dome. Carolina's warm. So is Tampa. So when you send them to a North team and a Northern team, they're not the same team. They are smartly built to win their division.

And then once you get into the playoffs, it's a coin flip anyway. There's a lot of dome teams in the NMC anyway. Well, everyone would prefer home field advantage, obviously, throughout the playoffs if you can lock it up. But I think everything you just said matters. If you're a dome team, it's even more important because it's what you're used to. It affects how you play tremendously. So Larry Fitzgerald isn't quite sure if Sunday's matchup against the Rams will be his final home game. I kind of forgot about Larry Fitzgerald this year, obviously, with the situation that the Cardinals are in.

But he's in his 15th season with the Cardinals. So it's obvious speculation about his possible retirement would come up. And when asked by AZ Central, he said, said it may. It may not NFL careers end every Sunday. I'm just blessed to be able to play the game I love, no different than any other game. Honed in and ready to play as I have hundreds of other times. I have done it. I'm frustrated at work, but there's a lot to be thankful for. Such a good dude. Such a good dude. Yeah, he'll be a first bout, Hall of Fame. He's second all-time in receiving yards, third all-time in receptions.

You know what? Behind only Jerry Rice and Tony Gonzalez and seventh all-time in receiving touchdowns. I would consider strongly if I was the National Football League to offer him an executive position. He is the first guy in the league. He's bigger than a broadcaster. I would literally, if I was Roger Goodell, I would call Larry and say, Larry, I want you to be on a board. You are a player liaison. He is such a good guy, globally traveled, been around the block. I mean, he's just...

He's regarded as not only one of the best in the game, but one of the best all-around people in the game. And he's also, every time... I saw earlier this year. year. Somebody interviewed him on the sideline during a game, and I'm just sitting there. He's like, when I first saw Russell Wilson, I remember I interviewed him at 22 and he was like a rookie. I'm like, he could run the league. Like, Larry's one of those guys, if you're the league, get him in the executive offices. And like he deals with big player issues.

And he's respected. Oh, God, he's in one of the great all-time players, one of the great humans. I'd love to see him play one more year, though. I don't think I would. I think I'm done with it. I don't want this to be the way that it ends there. I think it's going to... Give Josh Rosen another year, let them get some pieces together and have it end a little more positivity.

And finally, the Rockets continue to search for help on the wing, and apparently they have turned to Contavius Caldwell Pope in their search. According to Mark Stein, KCP is considered Houston's top target on the trade block. He's only averaging nine points per game because he's splitting minutes with everyone, but he is above average on defense with Houston on the wing, which Houston really needs. Yeah, I think he's a pretty good fit for Houston. He's a shooter, and he's a good player if I don't have to rely on him.

He can give me 20 on some nights, but I'm not building my franchise around him. He'd be their third, fourth best player. I like that. Well, yeah, I mean, he'd be a piece. Who do the Lakers get? Well, that's the issue. They would have to get a significant return for him because not only are they losing him. Well, they're also helping someone in the West who they may have to end up playing.

I like that. I love that rumor. Darrell Morey make it. I love that story. You like Hardin for KCP? Yeah, no. No, I think KCP's a really good fit for Houston. I actually think he's a good fit.

As long as I don't have to rely on him and he can be a shooter and he can hit three. Long athletic guy. He plays a little defense. You don't want hoodie mellow? I'm done with that story. You and you're your hoodie crew. We are the hoodie crew.

Earl drives up in his Lambo. Yes. Hello, darling. Let's go to dinner. And you come out and you're like, hey, it's my Belichick Blazy. What do you think? I don't... It's really...

You are way better than that. When we go somewhere that that's appropriate, like if we go out to a club or something, I'll put a dress and heels on. So you don't wear the hoodie at the club. Actually, sometimes I'm... Look, look, I'm just... No, I would wear a hoodie at a club.

I don't even understand the world. You're on crazy pills. I'm not on crazy pills. I'm young and I've got swag. And Mello does too. Joy with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by.

The herd line news. You know what I wear at the nightclub? A button down Oxford. And the kids love me. Do you have a hoodie? Don't you? Didn't Baker bring you an undraftable hoodie? Yes, I got a hoodie.

But I walk into the club like this and it says respect. Put some respect on this Oxford. Kids love me. Coming up next, buy, sell, or hold. And the latest on Cam Newton not playing should Aaron. Coming up next to Herd. By the way, Ian Rappaport broke the story. give him some props.

Cam Newton's being shut down for the year by the Carolina Panthers. I think this is going to be a weird situation going on in Carolina. They got a new owner, and I think he's a man that my sources have already told me that there's going to be some real pressure on Ron Rivera. I think Carolina is going to lose their last two games. I think Ron Rivera may get fired. I think it's a mistake. I think he's an excellent coach.

If I was the Green Bay Packers, I would give Aaron Rogers an elite defensive coach. I think that's great, too. And so Cam's done. Cam's a lot of work, folks. I've been doing this 20 years. I got a lot of sources in the NFL. Cam's a lot of work. People have no idea what Ron Revere is dealing with on a weekly basis.

He's a really good football coach. They're always good defensively. They've drafted very well. Cam's had more than enough support. They're shutting him down. Fos Green Bay. This is a very respected, defensive-minded head coach. You're not going to get anybody that's going to teach anything to Aaron on offense.

let Aaron handle that. It's like a Tony Dungey hire. Let Peyton run the offense. You know, let Tom run the offense. Let your big Ben ad lib and do his offense. Get him defensive guys. So Cam's been shut down. Ed Wurder, by the way, is going to be joining us next hour on the show.

Edwarder, good dude. Rock solid NFL guy, tons of sources on Green Bay's next coach. All right, here we do it. I'm your stockbroker. You have questions. I'll tell you to buy it, sell it, or hold it, and here we go. Time to buy. Colin will decide if he'll buy it.

Sell. Roger to sell. Or hold. Who hold? Buy sell or hold? The Patriots will earn a buy for the ninth street season. We all know the margins are shrinking. Gromk doesn't have long.

Edelman's no longer elite. But we also know the Patriots play Buffalo and the Jets to earn the season. And, you know, they get them at home, and they're going to win those. And they already have the three seed and a tie-eat. breaker over the Texans, who I think are going to lose at Philadelphia this weekend, so it's real simple, John. Buy, bye, bye, bye. Yep, Patriots will earn a buy for the ninth straight season.

They'll win out. Buy seller hold. Aaron Rogers will never win the NFC North again. That sounds like somebody who's living in the moment. He has won it five times in the last eight years, and for the record, he's only had a great defense once in those eight years, and they've struggled to get free agents the entire eight years and he's never had the best roster, often in his own division. Minnesota has the last several years.

He's 40 and 17, and he's against this division. And he's still the best quarterback by far, by far in this division. So John, Aaron's going to win this division multiple times in the next four, five, or six years. Buy seller, or hold. The Chargers will earn the number one seed in the AFC. Now, right now they're 11 and 3, and so are the Chiefs. Okay, and the Chiefs have the tiebreaker. But the Chargers' last two games, they face low-powered offenses.

Baltimore this weekend at home and Case Keenham on the road. Whereas the Chiefs face Russell Wilson and Derek Carr, and I think they're going to lose to Russell Wilson, which is a coin flip game this weekend. So, John, I think the Chargers, the hottest team in the league, Philip Rivers, as hot as any quarterback, are going to earn the number one seed in the AFC. And by the way, can we let the seasons play out on the MVP? I mean, why are you giving the MVP awards out? We could have a new number one seed this weekend in the AFC, and you're giving out awards already.

By seller-hold, Baker Mayfield, speaking of awards, will win offensive rookie of the year. Here's the thing. Yeah, everybody thinks I don't like Baker Mayfield. I wonder why. I've been very fair. So let me tiptoe around this. Three offensive rookies made the Pro Bowl. Baker wasn't one of them.

I think he's had a good year, didn't start the year. He's had a couple of bad games. Here's who hasn't had a bad game. Saquan Barkley for the Giants, who has started from day one. They've leaned on him from day one. And the kid behind a so-so offensive line has been magic. and as a quarterback that can't run around and complete about 58%. Everybody's been trying to stop Saquan Barclay for like 14 weeks, 15 weeks,

and nobody's stopping Saquan Barclay. So John... Sell, sell, sell! No, I think Baker has had a heck of a year, but Saquan Barclay is a runaway rookie of the year. I also think Quentin Nelson's been very good, but he's an offensive lineman. He won't win it. Last one, buy-siller hold.

A defensive team will win the Super Bowl. And this is a very live in the moment thing, right? Right. Like, we do know that defense matters in the NFL, right? And we know defense matters December, January playoffs NFL. But let's be honest about this. Do you remember the Super Bowl last year? There was one punt.

Remember that Saints Vikings game? Not a lot of punts in that one either. This is a quarterback league. And Lamar Jackson, Dak Prescott, Mitch Tribesky have a combined one playoff appearance. And I'm going to tell you that Patrick Mahomes is a great quarterback. He'll be around. Big Ben will be around. Luck will be around. Brady will be around.

Philip Rivers is going to be around. Bree's going to be around. A defensive team, John. Sell, sell, sell. No, I like them. I like Dallas. I like Baltimore. I like Chicago. They're not winning the Super Bowl. Let's not go crazy on this. Edwarder is around the corner, all fired up for that. Show the people in your life how much you care.

If you haven't gotten this yet, Don't have all your presence buttoned up. Go to 1,800flowers.com, Code Heard. Right now for 2999, 12 holiday lights roses. They'll give you another dozen free and a vase. 1,800flowers.com, enter the code Heard. Hour 3, here we go. This is The Heard.

Wherever you may be and however you may be listening. Great to have you in Hour 3. Iheart Radio, Fox Sports Radio. We're not on TV this last hour. As Fox Sports Go. By the way, yesterday I said, tongue in cheek, I said I was leaving Twitter, and it was basically to make fun of all the overly dramatic people on Twitter, the media people and the low-level celebrities who are like,

I got to get off Twitter. It's just too much. It's like, who cares? Did you clarify that you weren't actually leaving Twitter? My son even asked me this morning. He goes, Dad, are you leaving Twitter? Is that a joke? And I said it was just to make fun of all the media losers and the lo-

But did you fix the joke? Well, I went back on Twitter. Yeah. Yeah. So I'd say it was... Okay. So, okay, it was good. People that take Twitter too seriously are overly dramatic. It just are such cartoons.

Like the people that every post is like, you've got to read this story, and this is life-changing, and this is an outrage. It's, oh, go go take your wife to lunch. I mean, have a life. So I had to make fun of those people that announce they're leaving Twitter. Don't let the door hit you on the way out, bra. Nobody cares. Nobody cares. You toothpaste commercial actor.

You deodorant commercial actor and nobody cares of sports writers leave Twitter. Nobody cares. Those commercials went for a long time. You get good checks off those. The other thing is I ran into, yesterday I went and I was at a, my son was swimming, so I went to a health club with a pool. And I ran into a 38-year federal air marshal. And he came up to me and he goes, you're not leaving Twitter, are you?

And I'm like, no, I just like to make fun. See, it's important. He's like, you can't leave Twitter, kid. And I'm like, nobody's called me kid in a long time. We sat there and talked about being an air marshal. We sat and talked about his career as an air marshal for 15 minutes. Fascinating guy. I can't divulge half of it.

Well, you're the person who likes to talk on the airplane, right? Oh, nonstop. I just ask questions nonstop. I don't, of the very strange things you do like wearing jeans all day, even when you're at home. Yeah. The fact that you like to talk to strangers on airplanes is like just slightly about that in weirdness. I've never gotten into an Uber or a taxi and not talk to people. the way, I have found a guy that was a drug dealer for 25 years and turned his life around.

You don't know, you don't find that stuff out unless you talk to people. Exactly. Yeah. That's the point. I say, he was like Pablo Escobar and he got out of it. And I was like, it was in Arizona one time. It was freaking out my producer who's like, we're going to get killed. And I'm like, yeah, but we're going to have a great story.

We're changing lives with this stuff in this taxi cab. All right. So I got Ed Wurter coming up in 15 minutes. So you don't want to go anywhere. Ed's great, long-time NFL guy on some of the stuff going around the NFL right now. Cam, they're shutting him down in Carolina. Are they going to shut down? I think Vegas thinks Aaron Rogers is not going to play because the line's moving.

So Edward is coming up. Best for last. My three rules I'd like to see change in sports, I don't think they're crazy, but they are dramatic. But first, there are big rumors surrounding Anthony Davis. But let me just tell you, from what I hear, Anthony Davis, to the Lakers is a foregone conclusion. This has been talked about and rumored about for the last four or five months. We created the Lebrow.

Anthony Davis is the brow. The Lebrow meter. Folks, it is now getting into LeBronso meter territory. Multiple sources are saying, listen. Yesterday, even LeBron talked about it. That would be amazing. Like, duh, that would be incredible. like, folks, it's happening.

All right, there's affairs that catch everybody off guard. And then there's affairs that happen. Oh, she had an affair with a tennis instructor. Yeah. Remember Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, did a movie together. And he was hanging out with Jennifer Aniston. And the movie was, they were this hot couple

with great chemistry and stuff. Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Yeah, yeah. And they had an affair. And you can see that coming from about 1,000 miles. That was one of those affairs you could see coming for 1,000 miles. Those are sad situations for Jennifer Aniston, but you saw it coming. The Anthony Davis thing, it's happening.

We're getting into the whisper campaign, louder whisper campaign. Multiple sources are now saying, yeah. He signed with clutch sports. We know that months ago. We know that. And that's LeBron's group, Rich Paul. I mean, that's part of it. But this is a, listen, when Shaq was in Orlando, everybody said Shaq was too big for Orlando.

But Orlando felt big. at the time Orlando was a new franchise. They had a bunch of stars. They were a very good team. Orlando played much bigger than their market. I understood Shaq leaving Orlando for Los Angeles. But Orlando felt much bigger than the size of the city of Orlando. New Orleans is a big NFL city, is a big college football city?

It's a tiny, irrelevant NBA city. It's not a good team. I mean, am I the only person tired of Anthony Davis being in witness protection? am I the only person tired of Anthony Davis being on NBA TV instead of TNT and ABC? Okay, the only question now in this situation is who are the Lakers going to give up for Anthony Davis? Because we have moved past the Whisper campaign. This is like a talking point among execs and people in the NBA. The only question now, are they going to give them Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart?

because the Lakers really like Josh Hart. They know they're going to happen because Anthony Davis is under contract this year and next year. So the only way to get him is trade for him. And if New Orleans doesn't make a trade, they're not going to get anything in return. But I got to tell you, I hear stuff all day, and I don't buy 90% of it. But people now aren't even afraid to talk about it. This would be huge for the NBA. LeBron, Anthony Davis, and whoever else fills the roster, you're going to watch it.

And I'm just hearing more and more. Derek Fisher talked about it yesterday, former Laker on our show, and he made it very clear it would be a perfect fit. Three years, five years from now, then you have to start to look at Anthony Davis or someone that can impact the middle of the court. So you have LeBron at a wing, you have great perimeter shooting, and then you have somebody in the middle that's protecting the rim,

making it really difficult for people to score in the paint, but also can run the floor, roll to the rim, and then also stretch the floor with some shooting. So, you know, guys like Anthony Davis start to come to mind as far as the future. There are NBA deals that shock us. LeBron to Miami. Like, we thought he could leave. We didn't think he would.

Oh, my God, he's playing with Dwayne and it made sense. But this is one of these that has a very LeBron to Los Angeles field to it. All the dots. Bad team. It's not a huge NBA city. He's in witness protection. He signs with LeBron guys. And I'm hearing stuff now.

every third day, twice a week, people are talking. I think it's a matter of time now. To me, I'd rather get LeBron the best player I can as soon as I can. I don't want to have LeBron play another 90 games, put more games on those legs. I'd rather get it done, make a move. But New Orleans, you know, they've talked themselves into, we're going to keep him. I don't buy it. The LeBrow meter is officially in play in the herd.

Just like the LeBron's own meter was, nine months. before it happened. The LeBrow meter is officially in play. All right, let me shift gears to this. I'm not a big awards guy. I don't care. I'm really not. The MVP in the NFL this year is kind of fun because there's like a lot of bunch of, you know, a bunch of interesting choices. It's a good year for quarterbacks. And there was a lot of snubs yesterday in the Pro Bowl.

I don't watch the Pro Bowl. Two things in America that America likes, I don't care about. The home run derby and the Pro Bowl. I don't watch either. They're exhibitions. I don't care. They don't mean anything. I couldn't tell you the last time I watched a Pro Bowl. I'm dead serious. Don't run derby is fun. I don't watch it. They've added some things, you know, give it some urgency, the clock and stuff.

You might as well add softball uniforms and Bud Light. It's a batting cage for big guys. Used to be like stars. Griffey was in it, Bonds. But, and again, yesterday there were some snubs for the Pro Bowl. I mean, Tom Brady made it. Come on, give me a break. Tom Brady over Andrew Luck.

Come on. But I will say this. This is an all-time snub. Aaron Rogers made the Pro Bowl and Russell Wilson did not. 66% of the vote was not fans. I've never held fans to the same standard. I'm going to the Chargers game of the Ravens this weekend. I'm sitting in the stands with the fans.

People will be drunk next to me. People be crazy next to me. People be loud. They'll be great. Whoa. Yeah, I mean, like, when I go sit in a stadium, I'm ready for inappropriate, loud, drunk guy. Fans are fun. Fans add juice.

Fans add energy. But fans didn't have 66% of this vote. This is a really embarrassing. vote. Think about this. A, Aaron and Russell Wilson played. Russell won head-to-head. They both played well, but Russell beat him. That should matter. B, this was a rebuilding year for Seattle. I'm from Seattle. I had them at like seven and nine, six and ten. The Packers were picked to win their division. So don't expectations mean something in a Pro Bowl? Russell was rebuilding O-line, rebuild running game, rebuild.

They've exceeded expectations. Green Bay is underachieved. How about this one? Russell's beating him in statistics. That's usually Aaron's thing, right? We know Aaron's maybe not the greatest personality to be a leader, but passer rating, Russell. Touchdown passes, Russell. Wins, Russell.

Completion percentage, Russell. So he's winning in stats. How about the other thing? And this is not a small thing. Aaron's 0-1-7 on the road. Oh, and seven. Josh Johnson has more road wins. There's only two teams in the NFL that don't have a road win.

The Niners with their 27th quarterback and Aaron Rogers. They win a road game. Well, Colin, what about weapons? Well, what about them? Russell Wilson's two best receivers combined don't equal the number of catches as Aaron Rogers' number one receiver. But more than anything, if you could sit down as a player and a coach, because I'm going to, eliminate the fans. Fan is short for Fanatic. We should never hold fans to the same level. It's not their responsibility to be accurate. Fans bring energy and juice to sports. Fans are what

changes the difference between an empty stadium and a crazy stadium. We need fans. They have their own jobs and their own standards. We shouldn't bring their standards into sports. That's with the media. That's what players. That's what coaches do. If nothing else, think about this. what division is Aaron Rogers in? The NFC North. So he plays the Bears twice, the Lions twice, and the Vikings twice. Russell Wilson has more wins against the NFC North, three than Aaron Rogers has this year. One.

Even in his own division, Russell played those teams once. He's three and one. Aaron's won three and one. I mean, this is as bad. This is why awards are a joke. This is why I don't watch the Pro Bowl. This is why popularity contests and internet polls don't mean anything. This is as bad a slight as I've ever seen in the Pro Bowl.

And listen, Leighton Van der Wyrish didn't make it for the Cowboys, but there's a bunch of good linebackers like Bobby Wagner, Luke Keekly. I get it. Layton's great. He's going to make a bunch of them. He's a rookie. didn't really hit until about week six, week sevens when he really hit. I understand that. I think Ty Y Hilton could make it, but there's so many great receivers in the AFC. Let's not go

crazy here. Most of the snubs came down to there's a bunch of good players at the position. But Russell Wilson beat Aaron Rogers, beat him statistically, overachieved, has fewer weapons, had more wins in Aaron's own division. That's as bad a snub as you get and why the Pro Bowl is sort of silly. It really is sort of silly. Coming up next, longtime NFL reporter, Ed Werder, why the cowboy struggles aren't all on DAC. He's got strong opinions. That coming up next. One more herd? The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week within the IHeart radio app. Search Heard to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. By the way, Brian Winhorst reports that LeBron James wants the Lakers to trade for Anthony Davis.

At the very least, he wants the conversation about it to start now. So Brian Winhorst is hearing the same thing I'm hearing. LeBron is like running out of patience. LeBron wants the Anthony Davis thing sooner than later. If you've got to give up an extra player, let's get it done. LeBron didn't come to Los Angeles to wait a year and a half. So Brian Winhorse is hearing what I'm hearing, or I'm hearing what he's hearing, which is LeBron wants the conversation to start.

That's why LeBron talked about it yesterday. and that LeBron doesn't want to sit here for another year and play with all these kids and not have a second guy. Used to work with him. Great NFL reporter. He's got a podcast with Matt Mosley and Ed Wurter, former Cowboy Beat Rider Dallas Morning News. He's doing some stuff for Westwood One sidelines,

Westwood Radio, Super Bowl, a bunch of playoff stuff. Ed, Werdder. Ed, how are you? Haven't talked in a while. Well, Colin, always appreciate an opportunity to talk football with you on your show. Miss that. Yeah, and you and Matt Mosley. are great on your Doomsday podcast. That thing does very, very well, and you guys know your stuff.

By the way, I shot down the Nick Saban Packer thing. I think he's too authoritarian as a personality. It works for college. I don't think it works with a strong, independent, free-thinking Aaron Rogers. I don't buy Saban Packers, do you? No, I guess you could argue that if Nick Saban was going to fit in a college atmosphere and try to recreate that in the NFL, the Green Bay might be one of the few places where that sort of thing could be accomplished. You know, as a smallest town, obviously, in the entire league. And they do have state-of-the-art facilities in and around Lambeau Field.

They don't have any one owner, so he wouldn't be subjected to the impulsive decisions of any one person. They have a new general manager. But all of that being said, my understanding was that Mark Murphy, who's going to control this decision for the Packers, his first choice is Jim Harbaugh. Now Harbaugh has already said he intends to remain at Michigan, whether that's just to protect his incoming recruiting class, or he's sincere about that remains to be seen. But I think Harbaugh was the college coach that Mark Murphy would have taken his first shot at. By the way, had great success in the NFL.

Urban Myers out of the Big Ten so I could see why Jim could chop it up for a couple years. You think Harbaugh does go back to the NFL eventually? I do. I mean, he built a great program with the 49ers. they seemed like they were set up to compete with the Seahawks to go to the Super Bowl for five or six year period and then ultimately he had this other opportunity there was some friction obviously in the front office

between me and Trent Balke I think he would want to make sure he had more roster control and just overall control the organization than he had there because of how it ended but I have no doubt that Harbaal will eventually coach the NFL By the way who do you think gets the Green Bay gig? I mean would they go and get kind of a snarky young hipster like Josh McDaniels? Well, if Aaron Rogers wants to be coached by the best that there is, if he's like Tom Brady

in that sense, because I know I've been told before that Tom Brady is of a mind that, look, I want to be the best there is. I want to get better every day. And if you can't help me do that on a daily basis, then I don't want you in my meeting room. So he has that kind of regard for what Josh McDaniels brings. I think he's a really flexible coach. He's very creative. That's something that Mike McCarthy is criticized for lacking in Green Bay.

I mean, this is a team that in an offense that made Cordaril Patterson, who was mostly a kick returner for the Minnesota Vikings. They made him their starting a running back for three weeks. And effectively so, he outrushed Zico Elliott over that three-game period where he started at running back. So I think that would be a great fit. Now, I don't know if the Packers can do enough to convince Josh McDaniels to leave. Obviously, the Indianapolis Colt achieved that, and then he had second thoughts,

and he reneged on the deal and stayed in New England. I don't know to what degree that hurts him, but I don't think it'll stop NFL teams from making an effort. Let's go to the Cowboys, which you covered for years. You still live in Dallas with your wife. You know the city very well. you know, the organization. You're not a huge Jason Garrett guy, from my understanding. Well, I mean, I think, you know, Jason Garrett's, you know, had eight years

and has never gotten the Cowboys beyond the divisional round of the playoffs. I think he's been giving ample opportunities and good players. Yes. And has failed to capitalize on that. And you look at this year, I mean, just look at the last two weeks. One week, they have a 400-yard passer, a 200-yard receiver, and 100-yard rusher for the first time in franchise. size history and beat the Eagles, and the next week they get shut out by the Colts for the first time in 15 years. So how can you have that disparate an outcome from one week to the next

to me? That's coaching and preparation and motivation, and I don't think the Cowboys are getting that out of Jason Garrett at the moment. And I think they've got a big decision to make this offseason on Dak Prescott, their dual threat quarterback who's unlike any other quarterback, Jason Garrett's ever had. Garrett seems to be a guy whose offensive philosophy emanates from the great teams. He was on with the Cowboys in the 90s. And he doesn't really know any other way. And I'm not sure he can maximize Dak Prescott's skill set.

You know what somebody told me that Jerry, Dak Prescott got him out of that prickly anthem situation. And Dak was very unpopular on Twitter when he said, I'm going to stand next to my owner and put my hand on my heart. And Dak got a lot of crap on social media. and Jerry decided at that moment, I'm going to ride with this guy for the next five years. That's what I was told, but it resonated with Jerry because that anthem thing was real sloppy, he had for about a year everywhere.

And Dallas, even in conservative Dallas, Cowboys ratings on television were dropping. And it was like even in Dallas they had some issues. They were still filling the bill down to people. But there was immense pressure on Jerry because, you know, other than Bob McNair, he probably made the most critical. statements about players who were with Colin Kaepernick and were taking a knee or another way, you know, disrespecting to the opinion of many of the anthem, protesting that. And Jerry said, look, if, you know, he issued an ultimatum. If you're going to do that, then you're not going to play.

And so to have the support that he got from Dak Prescott and Zeckel Elliott and the players in general, you know, I mean, Zeke Elliott had to show that sort of a loyalty to Jerry because of how Jerry had fought to his benefit to try to get him to, you know, out of his suspension last year. But I think that Jerry is genuine when he says he believes in Jack Prescott and sees him as their franchise quarterback going forward. That being said, he doesn't have to do a deal after this season. It's just the first time that he can adjust his contract since he came into the league as a rookie. He's been incredibly successful in terms of winning games. Only Tom Brady's won more games than the 30 that Dak Prescott has helped the Cowboys win over the past three years.

Now, is Jerry going to pay him as an elite franchise quarterback? Is he going to pay him $25 million a year? I have my doubts about that. But if I were him, I'd be reluctant to give up on Dak Prescott without seeing him with another coaching staff. Now, the problem is I just don't think Jerry is going to fire Jason Garrett. I think he'll be looking for reasons after the season not to fire him. Although it still could happen depending on what happens going forward and how the Cowboys perform in the playoffs. You know the Cowboys so well.

It's funny. A lot of people think they're dysfunctional, but I don't think you can be dysfunctional as a business and draft as well as the Cowboys do. I love their roster. I really do. They've got one of the best young rosters in football. Oh, yeah. And obviously they made a controversial move in the middle of the season when they were three and five to give up a first-round draft pick and make a trade for Amari Cooper with the Raiders. And they did it with the belief that at the time,

despite how poorly they were playing, and despite the record, they could go win the division, and they're on the brink of accomplishing exactly that. So I think Amari Cooper is another good personnel decision. I mean, I think Jerry has proven right about the difficult decision he made with Jalen Smith. He's been proven right about the decision that the Cowboys front office made

about drafting Layton Bandresh instead of a wide receiver. Now they had to go get a receiver, so you could argue they use both their first round picks to fill both those. holes, but the Cowboys Personnel Department's on a good role right now. Yes, they really are. MVP, I'm being mocked by America because I think Andrew Locke is doing more with less. I still think they're sort of in a, not a San Francisco 49ers rebuild, not an Arizona rebuild, but Chris Ballard's still rebuilding to some degree.

They need more receivers. They need an edge rusher. They could use two corners. I think they could use another tackle. I think they love their interior offensive linemen, not their tackle. So I got luck way up there, but I'm goofy on my love luck. Who would you give it to? Well, I'm obviously impressed with Andrew Luck, too, and I took a lot of abuse for stating on Twitter that I think he's a top three quarterback in the NFL again right now.

So do I. I mean, if you look at – he's second in the NFL in touchdown passes with 34, even though he's missed it in the entire previous season with a shoulder injury that caused him to miss 16 games. He's playing in Frank Reich system for – this is his first year in Frank Reich system. So he's obviously picked that up incredibly well. That being said, I've kind of thought all along I would vote for Drew Brees, but given what's happened to him the last three weeks, averaging 177 yards passing, two touchdowns and three interceptions in the loss of Dallas and two moons against Tampa and Carolina, in which they just haven't been quite the same.

I'm going with Patrick Mahomes. I mean, his performance as a first-year starter is historic, and not only does he have a lot of touchdown passes, but 13 of them have come under pressure. That's the most in the league this year. He's maintained that high offensive output, even with the loss of Kareem Hunt, the absence of Sammy Watkins. The Chiefs are 11 and 3, and their three losses have been by a total of 7 points. They're the most penalized team in the league.

They've got one of the worst defenses in the league, and it's only because of Patrick Mahomes that this team could well go to the Super Bowl. That's pretty good. So you're, by the way, now you're doing some sideline stuff, you're doing radio and you're doing a podcast. You're in the audio world, which I've been in my whole life. It's way more fun than writing. Writing's hard. Sidelines is fun, isn't it?

Doing podcasts? It is. I mean, I love the job I did at ESPN. I got to go to a big game every week, and then I would go in the last couple years and work in the studio on SportsCenter and the NFL shows that we had to really enjoyed that part of it. It was all new to me. And this opportunity, though, Colin, to go out. And while I'm still under contract, ESPN, with their permission, I've been able to do some games with Westwood 1.

I was on the field at the Super Bowl for the first time I've covered probably 35 Super Bowls. This was the first one. Last year it was the first one I ever, you know, was live on the field. And that was a different perspective, and it is very enjoyable. Yeah, no, it's great. You do agree with the podcast. My guys on the staff say, you know, they're all into it.

Matt Mosley's a pro. You, it's called the Doomsday Podcast. listen to mine first and then that second. I might reverse the order, but I appreciate it. Well, I'm glad you're doing great. I see you on Twitter and your lovely fam, and I wish you the very best. And you're a good dude, and you've got all sorts of great info, Ed.

It's great talking to you. Well, you too. Thanks for the opportunity. Have happy holidays, and I'll see you in Atlanta for the Super Bowl. Ah, great stuff. Ed Werder, a total pro. Cold and flu season, try Vic's Sinex Nasal Spray. Cinex nasal spray use as directed works up to 12 hours.

By the way, today is the early signing period in college football recruiting. I'm into that stuff. Most people aren't, so I don't spend a lot of time talking about it. The southern schools mopped up, you know, same old, same old Alabama Clemson. Jim Harbott, Michigan did well. Ohio State's not going to do as well without urban. Oregon did very well out west, so did Washington. What else?

Yeah, I mean, you know, it's the teams that you think would. recruit well. The South recruited very well. Michigan did very well. Oregon did very well. So there you go. I like recruiting. Nobody else does, but I like it. No, people like it. Signing Day is a big deal. It is. Well, it used to be one signing day. Now they got this early one. Then they have a later one. So it kind of, it's a buzzkill for the later one. And one of my sources said yesterday, California's got their worst class in over a decade. Good receivers, nothing else. That's what that's what my guys say. Joy with the news. No, no, no, no, no. Turn on the news.

This is the herd line news. So, Patrick Mahomes is the MVP favorite. Him and Drew Brees have been neck to neck in the MVP race for the past few weeks. That's why people think you don't like Patrick Mahomes. When I say that, you sigh. Well, I didn't, I also, that's the same reaction when I see you and Earl go out and you're wearing a hoodie. We look good. So does Earl like the hoodie?

Yes, he has many, many hoodies. And when you're in a hoodie, though. Yes, he's bought me many hoodies, yes. So he's buying you more. He's enabling your hoodies. Yes. I don't understand your right there. I don't get it.

He's talking about this because Carmelow and LeBron went to dinner in New York. And they wore hoodies. And they wore hoodies. And they wore hoodies. And a high-end restaurant was very happy to have them there. Yeah, because they probably dropped 10 grand on wine or something. Yeah, because what you wear doesn't matter. You know what I would say?

I don't want your money. No hoodies in my fine restaurant. I'm sure that would go over very well. I think I'd let LeBron in anything. Yeah, yeah, I think so. I'm sure they clear the deck for them. So, Mahomes and Drew Brees are neck-and-neck-neck and MVP race. Someone who doesn't wear hoodies to restaurants,

Andrew Luck, is fourth in the MVP race right now behind Philip Rivers, Drew Brees, and then Patrick Mahomes. And Mahomes outperformed Brees over the past couple weeks, but he did lose to the Chargers last week. I know how Mahomes is going to be. to win it. I do know he's going to win. And I'm okay with it. He's got a, his dad's supposed to be a nice guy. I don't think it's locked up yet. I think what happens in the next two weeks matters. I think if the Saints get back on track and play the way that they were playing through the

middle of the season and something happens like the Chiefs lose their last two games could absolutely swing still. I don't think there's a chance that Andrew Luck or Phillip Rivers wins. Do you know how big that Kansas City Seattle game is this weekend? Very big. If he plays poorly, it could take away the MVP. If they lose it, takes away their number one, number two. Holy moly is that game huge? What network has that game? Who has Kansas City? NBC does?

No, that's not that big of a game. It's actually huge. Has there been a more disappointing team this season than the Falcons? You had the Falcons winning the NFC. They are eliminated from playoff contention. In week three. In week 15. It's the first time the Falcons have failed to qualify for the postseason since 2015.

And now there are reports that say despite the fact that Dan Quinn may keep his job, some other significant changes could happen to his staff, including names like Sarkeesian and Manuel. Injuries. Some of it's just like Philadelphia. They just fell apart. And they both have the secondaries, Atlanta and Philadelphia, both secondaries.

They just lost like three starters. What are you going to do? They have the Panthers and the Bucks that finished the season. A currently ranked ninth in total offense and 24th in total defense. So we will probably see some changes to Atlanta. Finally, last week, Sun's owner, Robert Sons. Sarver talked about the possibility of the Sun's moving amongst discussions about whether the city would provide $150 million to help upgrade talking sick resort arena. But Commissioner Adam Silver says he

expects the sons to come to term the city of Phoenix to keep the franchise there. You should. Robert made news and then unmade the news. And subsequently, he and others in his organization made absolutely clear that their 100% intention is to stay in Phoenix. I will say in Phoenix that it's the oldest arena now in the NBA that hasn't been either completely rebuilt or renovated. My sense is they'll reach an agreement in Phoenix just as we've managed to do in our other cities. I can't imagine that that team would end up leaving that market. By the way, this is where a league has to step in, unlike the Chargers. The NBA should step in and say, listen, we'll give you $500 million because Phoenix has been a NBA city forever. I go back to the Paul Westfall, Alvin Adams,

Gar, Herdeys. No, you can't. You can't move the Suns. You can't move the Suns. other organizations. You could move a lot of franchises in that city. The coyotes, the debacks, you can't move the Sons. No, it's just too story to ever franchise, but the situation is too complicated for the league to just come in and give them money. But the issue here is trying to get money from the city. After what happens in Miami with Marlins Park, no city, like, I'm completely off that. And I realize that the arenas are used for more than just NBA games. They are community centers, there are other events

there, not just the NBA. Obviously, that's the main usage for it. But you can't have private citizens paying for arenas that are owned by billionaires. Totally agree. Like taxes, it doesn't. It doesn't. You're charging a fan, nine bucks for a Heineken. Can you give them a break on the stadium?

You have to pay for that, too? I mean, you can't. You just can't do it. You know the hot dog is at a baseball park these days? Very expensive. Outrageous. Did you have good garlic, garlic tater tots, though, at um stables garlic tater tots

yes I'll pay a pretty penny for those you have good vodka sodas too do they special I passed on the tater tots joy with the news well that's the news

and thanks for stopping by the herd line news coming up there is a proposal for a four point shot in the NBA you think that's zany it may happen but I'll give you three

changes in sports that may sound drastic, but I'd love to see. Best for last next, I heard. Looking for the perfect holiday gift. How about the original Untuck shirt? Untucka.com. Shirt's designed to be worn untucked. Go to Untucka.com promo code Herd for 20% savings.

So yesterday, oh, this just in, Aaron Rogers says he will play this Sunday. According to Rob Damovsky, who was the Packers reporter for the place I used to work at. Rob Demovsky. And there you go. So yesterday, our best for last year, there was a, there's a story about the NBA considering a four-point shot. And multiple teams are talking about it. It's a little too drastic for me. I don't think the NBA needs major fixing.

In fact, I've said before, if you're going to do anything with a three-point shot, I'd reduce it. I'd take the corner out. I'd make the arch go from like bench to bench so you wouldn't be allowed to sit in the corner and shoot threes. Because I think that's what happens in the NBA. It's very difficult for a center to have to race out to the corner. Big three changing the game. Yeah, but I think the game's fine.

I think, you know, the game's fine. I think a third of the league is unwatchable and tanking. That's the biggest problem. But everything else is fine. I like basketball. But I thought I would give you today the three things I've thought a lot about through the years. I would make one in the NBA, one in the NFL and one in baseball, three. Now, these will come across as drastic, but I've thought about these for years.

So let me start with number one. In the NBA, no more fouling out. And I want you to think about this. It removes stars during the game. that have to, you know, they get, Westbrook gets two early fouls and you take a star out of the game. Well, I paid $240 for my ticket. I didn't go there to watch a guy who can't shoot. I want Westbrook in the game.

It ensures stars will be on the floor in crunch time and overtime. And it also takes refs out. Now, I know a lot of people will say, well, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, everybody just go around fouling people. No, you still don't want your opponent in the bonus. You're not going to have LeBron running around fouling people because you'll put people in the bonus. What it does, it takes out this. We all know Hardin gets the calls anyway. So just you can't foul out.

You can't foul out. And by the way, you ever want this, I see this a lot more in college basketball where, you know, it's Gonzaga, it's North Carolina in the championship. And, you know, Zach Collins for Gonzaga gets in foul trouble. It changes the entire game. if you get all the way to the final four, I don't want some, your ref from Sheboygan knocking out some star for Duke, Zion Williamson, lean into a guy wrong,

and it changes a complexity of a game. So no fouling out in basketball. That's my first one. Sounds crazy. I mean, it's, it sounds, I just think it's problematic. I'm with you for increasing the number of fouls you can get. But if you can just foul every time,

what's to stop a defender from, from fouling James Hardin every time? Because the other team gets in the bone? and shoots free throws and most guys shoot 74% from the line. So you don't want to foul, but you don't get that ticky. Yeah. You could, by the way, that's a good point. John just said this.

You could bring bench guys in that and do it right now. Rosters go 13 deep. You could have a guy who just walks in and fouls people, but you don't want to put the other team in the bonus. So there's my first one. This one I've been thinking about for years, NFL, overtime should be one possession, and the road team chooses. I get the ball or I don't. If I'm the bears or the cowboys and I'm on the road, I want my defense out there.

And if I can hold you, then I win the overtime. They give me one extra point. If it's 27, 27 going into overtime, I am the Cowboys. I say, I want my defense out there. I'm on a road team. I want my defense out. And I hold you. You do four play.

You know, you just don't score. And then if you score, you win. But if the road team, if I'm the chiefs, I choose Patrick. of homes to go out if I'm on the road. The road team always chooses, and the reason I've always said this is, more than any sport, football is conspired to work against road teams. I can't even audible. Like when I go on the road, my audible system is limited. I got to travel. A dome team has to play in cold weather. You build a dome team to play a certain way. So the road, it's a one possession overtime. The road team, if you can't beat somebody at home in 13 possessions, then we go

overtime, the road team gets to choose what side of the ball they want to represent them for one possession. And if I'm Kansas City on the road or San Diego, I may just say put my star quarterback out there. So they have to score. You have to score anything. It could be a 50-yard field goal. But it's one possession. This eliminates ties, forces teams to be more aggressive in regulation, and it reduces injuries and fatigue for the next game. My third one is baseball should be seven-inning seven batters. Shortens the game. eliminates needs for pitchers to hit, reduces time between stars at bat. You'll still have nine guys on defense, but a manager chooses the seven guys to hit.

Seven innings, seven batters. So Bryce Harper will still get his four at bats. It'll take out middle relievers. It will encourage star pitcher starters and closers. So you go six innings with your starter, you go to a closer. None of these multiple middle relief guys, it shortens games. It won't affect records because starters will still get their in. closers will still get their saves,

batterers will still get their four at bats. But I don't have to have a 228 hitter shortstop batting. He just fields. So also, reduce his strain on starting pitchers. I think that is, to me, those are the four. You can't foul out in basketball, NFL overtime, one possession. Baseball should be seven innings and seven batters. We have a caller on the line who we haven't heard from him in a while.

He pops up every time I'm talking baseball. Longtime hater of my show, former columnist for the new Canaan Dispatch Telegram, F.T. Tilsworth. How are you, F.T.? How am I? I just heard the most foolish idea. Since Woodrow Wilson proposed, we dissolve the Austro-Hungarian Empire. How am I?

Okay, listen. Can't we agree, though? Baseball games are too long. There's too much baseball. No, there's too much you. Listen to yourself. The host of radio and television's most overlong show lecturing us on what is too much. You think the general public wants three full hours of you every day?

We can barely stomach three seconds. Now, let's slow down. How about, let's about seven batters. The stars get more at bats, more chances for home run. I still get my Mike Trout. I still get my Bryce home. No, no, no. Only fools like you think home runs are exciting.

Any true baseball man knows There's nothing more exciting than an eight-hitter In the midst of an O for 47 slump Finally getting that one accidental bloop single And lifting his batting average to 0.052 Now that's excitement, Cowherd F-T, I've got to go, we always appreciate it. Yes, Cowherst. Go do more show.

That's what the people want. Proof is, Cowherd, this world would be better off with less of a fuss budget grumbled Tonian like you. Good day, sir. All right. F.T. Telsworth, a new Canaan Dispatch Telegram, former columnist, still lives, breeze, eats, even though that newspaper's out of business, he is still on his typewriter knocking out columns three or four days a week,

talking about, you know, the double switch. I like the four-point shot idea, though. Oh, God. That would be like that. Remember that league where they used to bounce off trampolines and score and basketball? What was that called? what was that called? Lamb ball.

Yeah, or like, what was that hot sauce league where everybody traveled? N1 mixtape. And one mixtape. It was a hot sauce league. Like, four points? They barely play defense. I want four points. Are you thinking a rock and jock, the MTV game where there was like three hoops?

Yeah. That's what that's what it would feel like. It'd feel like a four point. If you don't remember that with hot sauce and oil filter and chapstick and remember that skip to my loo wear a hoodie at a

Zaget rated restaurant? Yes. You remember that league? Do it. You like that league? The Rock and Jock League? Four point shots not that ridiculous. Really? So it would be half court? I mean they're doing a big three. Just like an area of, yeah, like an area of the court. Yeah, so Steph Curry would be the best

shooter, the best three-point shooter, the best four-point shooter. I mean, look, they talked about the three-point line this way when they instituted that. It's like the end of basketball, remember? Well, I don't remember. Three-point shot's been around. Actually, it's funny. It's been around forever.

And then all of a sudden, Steph Curry came in, and people are now like, you can't have centers. I mean, it was around for 25 years. They brought it in. Michael Jordan had two good years shooting threes. They brought it in. Then they moved it back out, and he couldn't shoot a three again. Well, analytics have changed a lot of that also. Yeah.

They have. Analytics have changed everything. Chris Broussard, James Jones, Ed Werder on the show today. Tomorrow, T.J. Hushman, Zata. I actually think, I'll tell you again, I think Saban and Cleveland and Baker, that's the one NFL thing with Sabin, I think, works. I really do. I really think it works. A lot of cap space, a lot of draft picks, rookie quarterback deal. We'll see you tomorrow.

Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the Internet lost its mind. and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where SportsSlice comes in. I'm Timbo, and every episode we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headline. And we're going straight to the source, the athletes themselves,

their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear. Listen to SportsSlice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. 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 podcast.

What's up, guys, this is Clever Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Cliverts Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff. Like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker walks up to me, he goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Time out. Quarterback on office blue of 42.

Hey, rec, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Where's she at? Hey, Miss. Mark, girl. Listen to the Cliffer Show on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas.

And I'm C.J. Toledano. It's our favorite time of the year on our podcast point game, the playoffs. We're digging into the biggest surprises of the season. And I'm looking back on some of my greatest playoff moments. If we didn't talk ever again, I was hungry. You just understood. That's how personal it got. Wow.

Then after that game seven, Marquis keep coming to. He's like, you know I love you, dog. You know, it's all love. This was just playoff. This was just basketball. So listen to Point Game on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.