The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Best of The Herd: 09/03/2019

Episode Date: September 3, 2019

Colin explains why Jerry Jones is signing other players to extensions to put pressure on Ezekiel Elliott.  He thinks the Texans "losing" trades over the weekend doesn't matter because their team got better.  He reveals his first Herd Hierarchy of the year and a Super Bowl contender is not in Colin's top ten.  Plus, former Browns Head Coach Hue Jackson comes in studio to talk about the browns and if Freddie Kitchens is ready to handle the team as a head coach. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. 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 Sports Slice 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 Sports Slice 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 Smigel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter.

Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, guys? This is Clivert Taylor the Fourth. And on my podcast, The Cliverts Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff. Like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker, this linebacker walks up to me. He goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her.

What? Time out. Quarterback on office blue with 42. Hey, Rhett, my mama want you to weigh better. What? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

American soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming. Ramos sending on the only score at the chip. Score! I'm Tab Ramos. I'm Tom Boke. On our podcast, Inside American Soccer, you'll get the real storylines, the biggest decisions, and the truth about the U.S. national team. It wouldn't be a huge surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals or potentially a great run into the semifinals.

Listen, Inside American Soccer with Tom Bogart and Tab Ramos on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcast. Thanks for listening to The Best of Heard Podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday. from 12 to 3 Eastern, 9 to noon Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and FS1. Find your local station for the herd at Fox Sports Radio.com or stream us live every day on the IHeart Radio app by searching herd. This is the best of the herd with Colin Cowherd on Fox Sports Radio. Ah, here we go to Tuesday. This is the herd, wherever you may be and however you may be listening.

We are live in Los Angeles on IHeart Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and FFSC Radio, and FF, One. Let me take this extra mic off. I've never done that before. That's what's called Joy Taylor, Artis, Mike. Well, you know what? We're back from holiday. We're just trying to get back into mode. Just trying to figure out how to do this radio TV simulcast thing. Hope you had a great weekend. Boy, it was steamy in Los Angeles this weekend. Yeah. It's hot. Do you stay in town? I did not. I was in Kansas City with Earl. Oh, you're kidding? Where it was also very steamy. It was hot. You've been on your tour this summer. The world's hottest places. I think it's over now. I think we're in town for a little while. All right, great.

All right, it's good to have you on a Tuesday. I hope you had a great Labor Day weekend. I've always felt that the Zeke, the Jerry battle here, is a, it's a PR game. And Jerry's very good at the PR game. He's not the best owner in terms of Super Bowls and wins. He's very good in brand building and getting his message out. And I've always felt that he took it personally when Zeke didn't show up to practice camp and was in

Cabo. The optics were bad. I think Jerry was ticked off. Jerry went to the well for this guy, went after Roger Goodell for this guy, and you pay him off by going to Cabo and bailing on camp. So Jerry has made a point of coming over and over and

over and sending messages. He sent another one yesterday. So he signed an offensive lineman whose contract wasn't up to a new deal. The message is, Zeke. We got money here, but And it's shrinking, offensive line. And then he signed Jalen Smith 10 days ago.

Money early, by the way. Both contracts did not have to be signed. Both contracts did not have to be extended. And Jerry's like, oh, shrinkin, shrink, and shrinking, it's getting tiny. It's getting tiny. Now, Shannon Sharp this morning on Undisputed, it looks like Zeke, seeing all these new deals, is at least making a move to this country. I received some information that Zeke and his team are on their way back to Dallas.

Now, I don't know if they've already landed, but I was told they're heading back. I believe this is an effort of good faith. So, Jerry, you said this is a marathon. Let's not kill this deal 100 miles from the finish line, scale, basically what I'm saying. And I believe Zeke wants to show Jerry, Jerry, I'm back. Now, Jerry has now signed two contracts, extensions he did not have to sign. and both contracts are for players who have sort of over-delivered. Jalen Smith got hurt, came back pro-bowler, and Collins, the offensive lineman.

He got involved in a real ugly situation in college. He dropped out of the draft. Cowboys rolled the dice on him, and he is over-delivered for them. So Jerry, again, is signing guys who over-delivered, the contracts early. He does not have to. The messaging to Zeke is, and Jerry was live on Dallas Radio this morning, once again, he goes back to his new favorite phrase. There's no question. The pie is getting smaller to the extent that we look at how much we're allocating

to each and every player, each and every position. It creates boundaries that you can go in other positions, and it should do that. That's called planning. And that's what we're doing. And so I can't give you a straight answer there other than this takes a nice chunk out of the pie. Jerry, I'm surprised he hasn't talked about Boston cream pie, apple pie. He's talked about pies for the last month. The truth is that the Collins deal on the offensive line actually cleared up more space.

It actually cleared up money for Dallas. But Jerry, it's not about actual details here. It's about a message. Be a good guy. I'll support you. After your mistakes, I support players. don't make me look bad. Don't go to Kabul.

Don't try to win this. Jerry's got Zeke. Back in Dallas, the optics are good. It will get done. But Jerry's been very smart on this. Is that when you have a star player and you're not paying him, the locker room can grumble. But Jerry has paid two guys early.

Why? Because he wants to keep the locker room solid for the season. Guys in the locker room are congratulating Jalen Smith, Lyle Collins. Way to go. So Jerry doesn't look stingy. Jerry's not anti-player. We take care of our people if our people

take care of us. This is not just about Zeke. This is about Jerry sending a message to cowboy players. Good dudes, show up to camp, all take care of you. By the way, memo to all you other running backs in this league. If Zeke's struggling

and getting paid, good luck. Because Melvin Gordon, charges are like, no thanks. Receivers getting paid, quarterback's getting paid, D. Lyman getting paid, edge rushers getting paid, quarterback's getting paid, running backs and getting paid. Memo to the rest of the running backs. You can fire your agent. The industry's changed. All right, let me shift to this. There was a big trade over the weekend. Jadavian Clowney went to Seattle. And Houston is paying half his contract.

And then Houston got a couple of, you know, so-so picks. Everybody's like, oh, Seattle stole it, dominated. And then they made another deal in Houston. They went and got Laramie Tunzel, a very good ascending talent left tackle, top 10 league, not top five yet, but he's getting there. And they gave up more picks and everybody's like, oh, I lost that trade.

Houston's lost. They don't know what they're doing. That crazy Houston. Time out. You know what I find with fans and media? Fans in the media are obsessed with who won the trade. You know what Uncle Collins obsessed with? Who wins

the games? Houston, today's a better football team. Houston's offensive line is the weakness, the albatross of the franchise. They just got an ascending top 10 left tackle. Not top 5 yet, but he's an ascending player

with another decade to play to protect their asset. Seattle, by the way, also won the trade. Not because of draft picks. Because once they gave Frank Clark up to Kansas city, they need a pass rush. And they went and got a Pro Bowl pass rusher. Seattle, today is better.

Houston, today is better. Draft picks. Pete Carroll's a great talent evaluator. He can't get first round draft picks right. He's had five in Seattle. One has been good, Earl Thomas. A couple have been whiffs. By the way, the Miami Dolphins have 13 draft picks today.

Would you rather have that or Philadelphia's roster? New England's traded three picks in the last week. draft picks have never been more fluid in my life. The Seattle Seahawks had four draft picks. Then Russell Wilson pretty much demanded pay me. They did. And within two hours, Seattle had 11 draft picks. People are giving those things away.

You're telling me about draft picks. Do you know the Super Bowl favorite? The New England Patriots. Joy, do you know the oldest team in the NFL this morning? Yes, the Patriots? Yeah. And by the way, my second favorite team to win the Super Bowl is the Eagles. Do you know the second oldest team in the NFL this morning, Joy?

Is it the Philadelphia Eagles? It is. You want 22-year-olds. I want to win today, and I want 28-year-olds. Draft picks have never moved more and more often in my life than now. A couple years ago, Cleveland had two first-round picks. They drafted Johnny Mansell, Tirefire, Justin Gilbert, Whiff, 0-4-2. Draft picks matter if you can land the right guy.

And even in the first round, about 30% of the guys, just can't play or don't play up to the level you think. The league now is compensatory picks, trade draft picks. You know, when you get a rookie quarterback on a contract like the Houston Texans have, Jared Goff Rams or Deshawn Watson for the Texans, those windows are tight. And Houston's like, we're going for it. We got two years here, maybe one and a half with Deshaun Watson's contract. We are going for it.

And ask yourself this morning, name another NFL team. team, because I don't think the Patriots can say this. Name another NFL team in their division that this morning can say we have the best quarterback in our division, Deshaun Watson. We have the best defensive linemen in our division, JJ Watt. We have now the best left tackle in our division, debatable, but one or two, Laramette Tundell. And we have the best wide receiver, D'Andre Hopkins.

So I got the best receiver, quarterback, left tackle, and defensive linemen in my division. I don't think the Patriots can say that. I don't think the Philadelphia Eagles can say that. I don't think the L.A. Rams can say that. I don't think the New Orleans Saints can say that. The windows are closing for Houston. They got a rookie contract on our quarterback. Two years, they've got to pay to Sean Watson.

So they're like, why get him hurt? Why waste time? Let's go for it. You can accumulate draft picks. God, New England gives him away. Got him back. Gives him away. Got him back.

Seattle got seven. Virtually overnight after the Russell Wilson deal force them to get younger fast. So, you know, I just don't, I don't buy this. Houston got buried on the trade. Philadelphia, New England, oldest team in the league. Those are your two old teams in the league. Look at who's winning the playoffs.

It's the old teams. It's the Drew Brees. You know, Aaron Donald's not a kid. You know, Robert Woods, go look at Andre Whitworth, Aaron Donald. Go look at the Rams. Goff's the kid. Not a lot of kids on the roster. It's a lot of guy.

Akeb Tali. It's guys who have been around this league forever. That's who I'll take. So I thought Houston won the trade. I thought Seattle won the trade. People are obsessed by who won the trade. I'm obsessed by winning games. And Houston, to me, this morning, is going to win their division.

And I think win it going away. I really do. Like New England, Houston. I feel strongest about those teams winning their division and winning it with two to three games left, minimum, to go in the season. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd. Weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHard Radio app. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened.

That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games,

from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

And for more, follow Timbo Slices Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my... new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health

field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking. Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough.

Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth, or are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust.

I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free, Our Heart Radio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. What's up, guys?

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

Time out. Quarterback on office blue with 42. Hey, ref, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Where's she at? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Cliverts show on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

American soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming. Ramos sending on to Ernie Stewart the chip. I'm Tad Ramos. I'm Tom Boke. On our podcast, Inside American Soccer, you'll get the real storylines. I'm not worried about Polic. I'm not worried about Balligan.

I'm not worried about McKinney. My only concern is what happens in the back. The biggest decisions. If you're going to look at stats and numbers, he has no shot at making this World Cup team. And the truth about the U.S. national team. It wouldn't be a huge surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals or potentially a great run into the semifinals.

The World Cup is almost here. Experience it all with us. Listen to Inside American Soccer with Tom Bogart and Tab Ramos on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, wherever you get your podcast. So Aaron Rogers, a story out of the Milwaukee Journal. Good to have you back. Aaron won the Matt LaFleur, Aaron Rogers Tugavore for Audibles.

Aaron Rogers won. He'll got to call the audibles he wants. That's what Matt LaFleur, first year head coach in the NFL who spent one year in Tennessee and doesn't have much of a resume. By the way, he left the Rams. Rams were fine without him. He went to Tennessee for a year. Their offense got worse.

Now he's the coach of Green Bay. And Aaron Rogers won the audible. battle, which I don't think was much of a battle. It just went public early, and Aaron was a little disgruntled about it when it came out. Here's the reality is. Matt Lefleur's resume, he's not going to beat Aaron Rogers. But let me defend Aaron Rogers on this. Okay, there's a lot of different varieties of quarterbacks.

You have Aaron Rogers and Big Ben are Hall of Fame quarterbacks, and they run around and ad lib more than I like, but they do it. And then Drew Breeze and Tom Brady don't run around at all, and they're going to be Hall of Fame quarterbacks too, and they pretty much stay within the play. and Russell Wilson's going to be a Hall of Fame quarterback and he runs around a lot. And Philip Rivers could not outrun my chair

and he is going to get Hall of Fame votes. There's a lot of different ways to do this. And you're not going to convince a guy who's 35 years old has a Super Bowl and he's rich to make massive alterations. Here's a reality with men. I'll speak for men. I will not speak for anybody else.

Once a guy is a professional athlete at 35, you can tweak things. He's not changing. He's rich. He's not changing. 35-year-old pro-athlete is similar to a 55-year-old attorney, broadcaster, actor, musician, who's successful. Like, my style is my style. I'm not making big alterations.

My style's my style. I'm 55. Aaron's 35. But in the average successful person's life, that's 55. Aaron's not changing anything. Now, you can tweak stuff. But when Brett Farr was in Green Bay, he's like, yeah, I'm not changing. anything. Aaron's willing to make

slight tweaks. But I'm not so sure if you look at Aaron Rogers. Again, Daniel Day Lewis at this point, you can't go to Daniel DeLewis and go, okay, from now on, be funnier. Al Pacino only comedies. These

guys have a style. There's a lot of different styles for actors, musicians, quarterbacks. As long as you're successful win games and have a ring, you're not going to get Aaron to move much of what he likes to do. Andy Reid was on our show last week and said, when you get somebody that's really talented at quarterback,

be careful about radical changes like Patrick Mahomes. Don't mess them up, Colin. Let his personality show. You start messing with that part of his game and you've got a problem. And so I learned that with Brett and Donovan and Michael Vic. They all put their own stamp on it and their own personality shows through the offense. And you go different places with the offense. One of the great things is you have flexibility within the offense to do different things.

And man, you play to their strength and you cut them loose and let them go. Yes, Aaron, to me, some of his leadership components I don't love, he ad-libs a little too much for me, as does Big Ben. You're not going to make a radical change to a 35-year-old pro-athlet. That's like a 55-year-old successful attorney. You're not going to change him. You can tweak things, but he is what he is. Take his strengths.

Those are the assets. try to cover his weaknesses and liabilities, but people don't make successful people later in their careers as the window closes, very rarely are going to make massive changes. Why would they? It's hard enough to be successful. But if you've been successful enough to get rich and win rings, you're not moving off that for a guy whose resumes like this thin

and errands is like that thick. Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd, Weekdays at noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. All right, so I do this every Tuesday. You know on Monday I do Colin right, Colin wrong. And every Tuesday at this time, Monday night football is over. I say these are the 10 best teams in the league. And so we don't have any games yet. This is based off the draft, free agency, injuries, what I've seen in the preseason.

Here we go. Our 10 through 1 are herd hierarchy. Heard hierarchy. Time is now. Let's go. The top 10 NFL teams, according to college. Number 10. Chicago Bears.

I like their defensive personnel. I think there's limitations with Mitch Trubisky last five games. He had five touchdowns and five interceptions. The good news for the Bears is, I think for the first time in 20 years, I simultaneously like their coach, Matt Nagy, and their general manager, Ryan Pace. Offensive line will see. Quarterback, low ceiling.

They lost defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio. Their schedule now is a first place schedule. Listen, we know defensively their front side. seven's going to be a handful. But I think there's a lot of good front sevens in the NFL, and they have better quarterbacks. So I put the Bears at 10. Number nine.

The Chargers. Now, last year I had them near the top, but Derwin James, their best athlete, is out until probably Thanksgiving. Melvin Gordon, I wouldn't want to pay him more than $9, $10 million a year, but he matters, and he's out. They've also had Terrell Williams, a wide receiver, their third receivers now in Oakland.

Jason Verrett, a good corner left. And, you know, I just think they've lost their best athlete on defense. Maybe, well, their best running back on offense. And Russell O'Coon, they've had health issues with him on the offensive line. So I don't think it's going to be a great September for the Chargers. I think it's going to be a little bumpy. I've got them at 9. Number 8.

Dallas Cowboys. Again, they've got new coordinators. I expect them to be a battling for a playoff spot by the end of the year. But it's very possible with new coordinators. the Zeeke situation. They're not as dialed in as you'd want them to be. Here's what I like about Dallas. They were 7 and 2 with the Amari Cooper trade.

Jason Wittons come in, the healthy, offensive line. For the first time it feels like in like 15, 18 months, their offensive line is healthy. So it's a very good football team. They also ended, I haven't heard much about Randall Cobb, but they also threw him into the bunch at wide receiver. So I think there's a very good Dallas Cowboy team that's got a remarkable number of great players under 25.

Now, I'd rather you be older once the playoffs start, but I think that serves them well in the regular season. Number seven. Green Bay. Again, they could be much higher than this. I have them winning their division. I think they've made a real commitment to defense in the last couple of years. I thought they had a very, very good draft defensively. And I thought they had a very good free agent.

They picked up middle-level free agents like Preston Smith, the linebacker from Washington, didn't cost him a fortune. they got Billy Turner on the offensive line. Aaron Rogers had a down year, but it was 25 touchdowns, two interceptions. I think their schedule is very workable. In fact, I think they win their opener at Chicago on Thursday. I think it's a very interesting team that will likely be better as the season goes on. They are young in spots, but they've always developed a very good offensive line. Devonte Adams is a ascending star at wide receiver.

Aaron Jones is one of the more underrated running backs in the league. and Aaron Rogers is healthy, so I have Green Bay at 7. Number 6. Houston Texans. I think they have the best quarterback, wide receiver, defensive linemen, and arguably left tackle in their division. I don't care about the draft picks. Don't forget this. Houston Texans are interesting.

When I say Houston Texans, you're like, they're okay. They've won their division three of the last four years. That's pretty good. And I think they're very good at the positions that matter. Again, Bill O'Brien keeps winning his division. division, and because they don't pay it off in the postseason, we kind of forget about them. Well, it's not like Andrew Locke had a ton of, you know, we all love Indianapolis's rise, and then they weren't winning a ton of playoff games either.

So I think the Texans are a real team. I think they have absolutely elevated the most important spot on the offensive line, and I'll put them at number six. Number five. New England Patriots. I think by the end of the year, they could be the best team. I don't think they'll be the best team early. They lost the David Andrews, the center.

I'm sorry, that's a big deal for New England. He calls the Audibles. I think their wide receiver group could be good, but it's really choppy. Josh Gordon just arrived. Edelman was out for most of camp. Demarius Thomas was out and cut. He's back. Nikiel Harry, who I think could be really good wide receiver.

He's on the IR. Gronk retired. Chris Hogan's gone. There are running power team now more than I ever remember, but I don't think their old line and their receiving group will be settled. and they open with Pittsburgh. That's no day at the beach. So if they have a choppy September, don't be shocked.

Number four. Slightly ahead of them, the Pittsburgh Steelers. They got rid of some noise. They're very focused. I think they did a really job to quietly upgrade their defense. They went and got Steve Nelson a corner from Kansas City. I think it's maybe the best secondary potentially they've had in a while. They went and got Mark Barron who can play linebacker.

They went and drafted Devin Bush, who has been very, very good it looks like. So far in the preseason. I think their defense is going to be. better. They led the NFL in Sacks anyway. I get the noise of Antonio Brown and Libyan Bell. Those stories are now. Oh, gone. Big Ben, by the way, led the NFL in passing yards last year. So his precision is not as good as I'd like, but he continues to be an elite, you know, top 10 quarterback in the NFL. And also out of Dante Moncrief. James Washington looks good at wide receiver in year two from Oklahoma State. I got him at four. Number three. L.A. Rams.

I know because I'm in L.A., Colin, Colin Rams, Todd Gurley's back and healthy. Cooper Cup, who's actually the guy they target more than any other receiver when he's healthy is back. They've added smart guys like Eric Weddle, their offensive line, they've drafted it well. And, you know, they ranked in top five last year in rushing, in passing, yards per game. Only team in the NFL, top five in both. I think they're a very balanced offense. In their division, they've got rebuilding Arizona and kind of not sure what to make of them, Seattle,

and a San Francisco team that's talented, but they're rebuilding. I think it's very possible they go five and one in their division. I have Rams at three. Number two. Philadelphia Eagles, I think, will end up in the Super Bowl. The best combination of offensive and defensive line talent in the NFL. Carson Wentz got hurt last year. But even last year with Carson Wentz, he had a career high in completion percentage,

passing touchdowns, passing yards a game. They've added Deshawn Jackson a very nice deep threat, though at the end of his career. He can still make plays. Andre Dillard, a tackle, maybe the sleeper in the draft. If a first round guy can be a sleeper. I think this is just organizationally a very strong outfit. GM Howie Roseman, the owner, the coach, and the quarterback. I like the Eagles a lot.

Number one. Kansas City Chiefs. I think Andy Reid's team start really hot. He's a great play designer in the offseason. They'll unveil some new tricks. I do not buy for a second that Patrick Mahomes is going to, like he peaked last year. Well, if that's the peak and he comes down 5%, I'm okay with that. The thing I like about them, they added Shady McCoy this week to give them a little running back depth.

They made a huge acquisition this offseason in Frank Clark, Seattle's best defensive lineman. I think between Chris Jones and Frank Clark, they are going to be a complete handful up front. they've won at least 10 games in four straight seasons, but like the Houston Texans, because they don't pay off a lot of playoff wins. You think of the Texans and you think of Kansas City. It was a double-digit win team. This is what they do.

They win 10 games. Andy Reid's one of the best coaches. They led the NFL last year, averaging almost 430 yards a game. I do not see it going down. By the way, they drafted a wide receiver second round. McCull Hardman, watch him. He had a good preseason.

Keep your eye on him. That's why I have Kansas City number one. Colin, no Saints? No. Yeah, that's what I was thinking. No, that's not what I was thinking. And I think there may be 11. I got them, I have them.

I think they'll be fine, but I think Atlanta this year is better. I think Atlanta, I'd put 11. And, you know, that's a funny thing because I was talking to you guys this morning in the meeting. It's like, I feel great about all my predictions except the NFC South. I never know what to make of it. If you told me Carolina wins 11 and 5, remember we did that last week? And I'm like, yeah, I can see them going to go in 11 and 5. Atlanta last year I had in the Super Bowl

and then they're secondary. They had these season-ending injuries. I think it's Dion Jones, the linebacker got hurt. So they were just a mess. They've upgraded. They believe coordinators. Matt Ryan, by the way, last year, again, there's so many young, exciting quarterbacks to Baker Mayfields that we didn't talk about Matt Ryan. Matt Ryan had a monster year last year. They have

clearly upgraded their offensive line in the draft. So Atlanta, and Matt's a guy that needs a good front, like Phillip Rivers, he's not going to run around a lot. So I think Atlanta solved their big problem, O-line, and I think they're not going to be as unlucky with injuries. So I picked Atlanta to win the division, so I'd probably have them 11. I could argue Atlanta's 11, New Orleans 12, Carolina 13.

They're just right there depending on who's healthy. One more herd? The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week, within the IHeart radio app. Search herd to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened.

That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athletes themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial,

calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. SportsSlice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. 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. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations

with so many incredible guests. I'm talking. Trip Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough.

Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross. Because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth. Are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely.

And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. What's up, guys? This is Cliver Taylor the Fourth. 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? Quarterback on office blue with 42. Hey, rep, my mama want you to wave at her. What?

Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clifford show on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. American soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming. sending on to Ernie Stewart for chip. I'm Tad Ramos. I'm Tom Boe.

On our podcast, Inside American Soccer, you'll get the real storylines. I'm not worried about Policic. I'm not worried about Balligan. I'm not worried about McKinney. My only concern is what happens in the back. The biggest decisions. If you're going to look at stats and numbers, he has no shot at making this World Cup team.

And the truth about the U.S. national team. It wouldn't be a huge surprise. if our team ends up in the quarterfinals or potentially a great run into the semifinals. The World Cup is almost here. Experience it all with us. Listen to Inside American Soccer with Tom Bogart and Tab Ramos on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcast. There's a reason the Patriots don't draft a lot of receivers because of Tom Brady, it's very hard to make an impact. Running backs go from college to the Patriots all hit.

receivers, it's hard. If Tom doesn't trust you, if you miss practices, you miss routes. Prime example, Nikiel Harry's on the IR. You're not going to start the season. We're not going to see him real Thanksgiving. He got banged up ankle issues. And I've said this about New England. I think Nikiel Harry's a good player.

It is hard as a wide receiver to go to New England with Tom Brady. There are quarterbacks in this league that a young receiver, Aaron Rogers, Big Ben can go to. They ablib a little bit more. Tom is now so precise. He doesn't want to get hit. He's not doing seven-step drops. If you don't learn the offense, if you miss practice time, I'm not throwing it to you.

And Nikiel Harry, according to reports, had one or two nice days of practice, got a banged-up ankle, mispractice, and you're not going to get the ball thrown to you. This shows you why New England loves to draft running backs. They all work, and they don't like drafting wide receivers. This is why they go get a West Walker. They get it Chris Hogan. They get a Demarius Thomas. They get a Randy Moss.

They go out and get people already in the league that can come in, know the pro game, and Tom is incredibly demanding on wide receivers. So here's Nikiel Harry. They go back and say, okay, we don't draft receivers. Well, let's go try to get another one. And he's not going to play. And he had missed practices. And once you miss practices with Tom, you know, you're out of the order.

Here, for our TV audience, I'm not going to read all the names. we're putting up their high round draft picks at wide receiver. It just doesn't work. It just doesn't work with New England. So I hope the kid works. He's a hard worker, but it shows you, you know, Tom is running a precise offense, and it's up to you to fit into it.

He's not fitting into your college style. You've got to fit into him. You get hurt in camp. You're done. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHard Radio app. Hugh Jackson stopped by. Great to see him.

You know, it's amazing. You get some time off away from the game, the go-tee. It looked like a million dollars. Look at you. Thank you. Healthy and happy. Thank you. And a good place.

And I'm excited to be here, though. It's great. So, Hugh, I want to ask you, so Seattle goes and gets, they lost Frank Clark, who's a real player. So they got to get a pass rush. So they bring in Judeavian Clowney. It's late. Houston, offensive line issues.

Bill O'Brien's an offensive guy. I got the Sean Watson. He's had two surgeries. I've got to get a left tackle. How problematic is it? Those are important positions, but how tough is it to take a Clowny or Laramie Tunzel? Now I got seven days to get ready. Is it tough? It's tough.

But those are positions that you have to have that talent at. You're talking about a guy that's going to protect the quarterback in Tonsol, and you're talking about a guy that's going to rush the quarterback in Clowny. I mean, they're two of the better players in a national football, get their positions. And if you have a chance to secure their services, you need to. Average game in this league is four points. So obviously in your Cleveland years, you had higher hopes, but you're also a realist. You know where you struggle. You know where your personnel's good. So your former team Cleveland, I look at Cleveland and I think on the perimeter,

corner receiver, I really like them. I think they're defensive front. They spent money. There's some players. But there's a lot of new faces, Hugh Olivier Vernon, Sheldon and Richardson. Odell Beckham's missed 16 of his last 32. Would you worry about a lot of new faces, some big personalities, and a new head coach? Is it too much? It could be. I mean, obviously, there's a lot of balancing that you have to do in that situation. When you bring in that many new players who are as talented as those players are,

I mean, a lot of those guys are alpha personality. So you have to be ready to balance those particular personality. along with creating the environment for those guys to mesh together and become a really good football team. Jarvis Landry is one of the most underrated receivers in the league. He's not flashy, but it gives you 90 catches. You know, I know you liked it when he came over from Miami. You got Odell, David and Joku, Nick Chubb. Listen, let's be honest about this.

These are alpha males. These are millionaires. And they're young men. That's a lot of mouse to feed. How would you as a coach with all those talented players, Is a lot of it just psychology to make sure they're hat? Because there are going to be games. Odell's going to be doubled, Hugh.

It's going to get four targets. Right. No, you have to wear that hat. You just said it. I mean, those guys' value is tied to what they do in games, you know, and how well they play and what they're seen at. So as a coach, you have to put those guys in position to have touches for so many different reasons, one for personal reasons, but the other reason is because they can affect the game and win the game for you.

So the strategy of how to do that is going to be so important, you know, for their offensive staff and the head coach. Freddie Kitchens was on your staff. You like him. I don't know much about him. He was a running back coach, a tight end coach. What do we know? Well, I think you just said it. I mean, he's been a, you know, he's been a lifelong assistant coach.

And again, head coach has come in all different shapes and sizes. I get it, especially now in today's national football league. They're coming from all over the place. So we'll know more about what Freddie is once the season. progress, but obviously, you know, he's a talented person. He coached the running backs when I was there. He'd been at the Cardinals and was a quarterback coach. So he's been around offensive football, been around some good coaches, but we'll be, you know, we'll start to know exactly who he is as his season starts to go. When you, we've got some college guys coming into the

NFL and certainly college schematics. But it's still overwhelmingly, I mean, Lamar Jackson won his division. Russell Wilson moves around, but is developed into a great pocket passer. Is there within the league a little pushback on college stuff, pro stuff, because I'm seeing some concepts, but if Cliff Kingsbury goes 2 and 14,

owners look around the league and go, give me my NFL guys. Do you think we'll just keep seeing college stuff, college stuff, into the NFL? You know, I think, you know, obviously I think you know, there's a book that says, who moved my cheese? And I think things are changing somewhat. You know, when you look across

the National Football League, there's more of these young players that are coming in and they're producing and they're having success. So I think, you know, there will be a time where, you know, we'll start to slow down and the old NFL way will catch up. You know, everything kind of goes in cycles. It does. But I really truly believe that, you know, those players, those quarterbacks, especially when you look at the two young men that have just come out of Oklahoma. You know, they've done a tremendous job. Yeah, Baker and Kyler. Absolutely. These guys are going to be two of the better quarterbacks in the league. That's what we're hoping. So

when you look at it, I think things are changing somewhat, but you also still have to have some of that old tried and true national football league flavor in it too. I pick the Steelers to win the AFC North over Cleveland, and the primary reason was I think Pittsburgh's defensive

front will give Cleveland's offensive line, in my opinion, their weakness, the tackle positions in their own line. I think Pittsburgh, I don't like to match up for Cleveland in the trenches and I do like the Steelers O line and I do love the Browns D line but this league is not a perimeter league it's one on the interior let's talk about Pittsburgh very noisy last year got away from it they went and got a corner Steve Nelson from Kansas City Devin Bush looks to be very good

Mark Barron they move it you know he'll be in the box he's a big hitter T.J. Watt can really play talk about the Steelers personnel they didn't win the division last year I could still make an argument but it's as good as most personnel in the league. No, it is. I mean, there's no question. And they're very strategic. And the players that they put on their team. You know, when you think of the young player,

they drafted linebacker out of Michigan. Devin Bush. I mean, he's going to be phenomenal for him. He's going to give them that dimension that they were missing, you know, when they lost. The rangy linebacker? Absolutely. Who can go cover any, you know, tight ends and running backs at any time, you know, and he can run and hit.

So Pittsburgh, when you think about them, they are still built the way they are. They're going to be very good defensive football team. very, very talented. Obviously, Mike Tomlin has done a great job. You don't stay there as long as he has and not be very good at what you do. So I still think they're the class of the AFC North, and I think they'll show that. Yeah, we don't talk about offensive lines, but I tell all these Brown fans, that Pittsburgh goal line is about as good as the AFC has.

You faced it. There's no doubt. No, they're good. They're good. I mean, obviously, you don't have the production that they've had with the bees, you know, before without that offensive line. I mean, they're good. I want to talk about the running back position, Hugh Jackson, joining us.

Analytics are changing sports. I say I like man-a-liletics. I like a little analytics, but I don't want to reduce athletes to numbers. Absolutely. Because I think it puts your coaches in very difficult spots. You know, when you look at running backs, I'm Jason Garrett. I'm fighting for Zieg. Absolutely.

I am fighting. If I'm Anthony Lynn, I'm fighting for Melvin Gordon. Absolutely. Do you worry about analytics and football moving away from the running game and that some of those numbers and data as a coach, you just need stars. You need players. Like if you're in Dallas, how do you reconcile the numbers say, pay, Zeeke, this, and take me there. Well, I think you said it. I think the numbers are saying one thing, but the algorithm of a coach is saying a whole different thing because we know.

We know what it's going to take week in and week out to produce a win. on offense and on defense. And we know what those players look like and what they play like. Numbers are just numbers. And it's who's putting in those numbers? And what kind of numbers are you putting in to get this information? Because at the end of the day, this is still about winning and losing. It's not about anything else.

So if it's about winning and losing, I'm going to trust my coaches, first and foremost. The numbers might help inform me of certain things that we can do better. But at the end of the day, I have to trust what the coaches know and what they see. You know, I've been critical of Baker Mayfield. I think he's a talented kid. I'm not into noisy quarterbacks. He's just my personal taste. My dad was kind of a conservative business guy, right?

So that's how, that's the environment I was in, emotional discipline, you know, put your money away. I tend to like the Russell Wilson, the golf. I mean, golf's in L.A. I've never seen him. Brady, Breeze, Andrew Luck. I think Mahomes has a lot of that. He's fun, but he's all football. Baker, and you've had your run in there.

Baker's a lot of noise and a lot of stuff. I think I'm being very realistic saying, I just wonder how it plays for 12 years. Is that a legitimate concern? I think it is. You know, obviously, he's a good football player. I think we all agree with that, you know, and everybody handles things and do things differently, you know,

and he's going to have to figure out what's going to be the best way for him moving forward to be what I truly believe he wants to be, which is one of the better players in the league. I think you said it. You haven't seen a lot of. of players probably handle things the way he has. And become that.

Absolutely. And I think he'll learn as he goes. You know, I think he'll be willing to learn because this league will humble you. You know, it just will. It's what it does. You know,

I always say, quarterbacks truly should start on their knees because this league will bring you to your knees. So you will learn very quickly and he will, just as anybody who are like that, that there's certain things that happen in this league that you have to really adhere to. And I think Baker will figure that out.

You know, you didn't have a winning record in Cleveland, but you know, you also didn't have a ton of personnel. The quarterback situation was, you know, that's the league. Herm Edwards always says, I'd be in the league if you gave me, you know, if you have the star quarterback. He had Chad Pennington who got hurt and there goes, Herm becomes a broadcaster. When you go into a season now, does a coach have a sense? Now, you obviously have to sell to the troops. We're going to win Sunday. Absolutely.

But do you know as a coach, do you think there's a, Seven, eight coaches in this league know that they're crossing their fingers here. Like they just know their personnel doesn't match up. Absolutely. You know. Because if you are an experienced coach who's coached in the league, you know what it takes to win and lose. But you can't stand in front of the troops and say, we don't have a chance. You have to go week in and week out and give them everything you have to give them the best opportunity to have success.

And I think the players really appreciate that. There's veteran players that know, you know, truly, we might not have a chance here. But their job, your job when you sign up for it is to be the best you can be, and that's all you can do. But is there some coaches that I know that probably know that their teams are going to struggle? Absolutely. Hugh, I've said there are college, there are NFL coaches that I believe could flourish at the college level. I've said this. Bill Parcells would not deal with boosters.

I don't think he'd be a successful college coach. And then there are college guys, I think. Brian Kelly could probably go to the NFL and win some games. And I'll ask you this again. You're going to miss Sundays. Would you ever coach on Saturdays? Oh, absolutely. I would.

I've had an opportunity to spend some time at the University of Maryland with Mike Loxley, who I think is a tremendous football coach. I think he's going to do a great job there. And I was really impressed, you know, just by the structure and what that looked like because I've been out of it for so long. So there was an itch a little bit. Sure. And it was fun to see, you know, and being able to compare it to.

the national football. Well, Herm Edwards is your friend. I mean, I talked to her last week. He's having a real good time. Yes, they are. So again, I mean, it's coaching. So if an opportunity would present itself, there's no question I would definitely look at it. Is there any high like Sunday in the NFL? No. There's not. I mean, game day

is unbelievable. You know, the smell of the grass, the fans being outside, all the pre-game parties that are going on and watching the players walk into the locker room with a true belief that we're going to defend our turf today. There's just nothing like it. Hey, it's great seeing you. You too. 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 headlines. 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 Sports Slice 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 Smigel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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 with 42. Hey, Red. My mama want you to wave at. What? Where's she at? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app,

Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. American Soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming. Ramos sending on to Ernie Stewart. The Chip. Score! I'm Tab Ramos. I'm Tom Boke.

On our podcast, Inside American Soccer, you'll get the World. real storylines, the biggest decisions, and the truth about the U.S. national team. It wouldn't be a huge surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals or potentially a great run into the semifinals. Listen, Inside American Soccer with Tom Bogart and Tabramos on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcast. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.