The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Best of The Herd: 11/12/2019

Episode Date: November 12, 2019

Colin says there is no MVP debate because it's Russell Wilson and it's not even close. He thinks people are being way too critical of Jimmy Garoppolo after a tough loss on Monday night. He says the Cowboys are showing a really troubling trait and explains what it is. Plus, Kobe Bryant called Tony Allen the toughest defender he ever faced and Tony joins the show to talk about defending greats like LeBron and Kobe and why he isn't a fan of load management. 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,

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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.

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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.

So listen to Point Game on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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 SportsRadio.com or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app

by searching herd. This is the best of the herd with Colin Cowherg on Fox Sports Radio. Ah, here we go on a loaded Tuesday live in L.A. This is the herd, wherever you may be and however you may be listening. We're on IHeart Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and FS1. Labian Bell, the jet stops by Reggie Bush. Joy Taylor is joining me one hour from now, the herd hierarchy, which is going to be the hardest heard hierarchy ever.

What do we do with San Francisco and Seattle this morning after one of the great NFL games in recent memory? God, I swear, the last four or five football games, including LSU Bamai have watched, they've come right down to the wire. What a weekend of football, period. Yeah, this whole weekend has been a treat. That was an amazing watch last night.

An amazing watch. Let's start right here. The only thing worse than having to face that San Francisco defense is having to face them trailing, which is what happened to Russell Wilson last night. Oh, by the way, 7 for 15, 35 minutes time of possession, 24 of 34. I know, I know there's this great new kid named Lamar Jackson. Everybody's in on all that MVP Lamar Jackson talk.

Y'all need to settle down just a tad here because you see, Lamar Jackson has this advantage over Russell Wilson. When he plays, he has a full complement of players with him. Last night against San Francisco, on the road, trailing early. He was down to one functional tight end, something called Jacob Hollister, a practice squad guy, a rookie wide receiver, D.K. Metcalfe, who came. can't run many routes. Josh Gordon had been in Seattle, 10 days.

Undrafted Malik Turner, who at one point Pete Carroll said, who's Malik Turner? None of us knew, and I'm from Seattle. Late in the game with that, against that defense on the road, multiple times Russell Wilson had winning potential drives, up and down the field. Had Seattle's game been on the road? on last week against Tampa, the MVP race is over.

But Seattle tends to be, you know, right next to Alaska and Idaho, so it's geographically isolated. The only reason their games get on TV period the last 10 years is Russell Wilson, maybe last seven, six, five, whatevs? My point is, let's stop the MVP talk. There are guys playing quarterback, guys learning how to play quarterback, and about three guys in this league that have mastered quarterback. You were watching one.

Russell Wilson, in his career, he has faced six. Six times a team that is eight games or better above 500, meaning translation, a great team. He's six and oh. Last night, this is a guy that makes everything work for Seattle. Three years ago, he led the NFL and touchdown passes with the lowest rated offensive line. Tom Brady can't do that. Aaron Rogers can't do that.

Patrick Mahomes can't do that. Drew Brees can't do that. Dan Marino couldn't do that. John Elway couldn't do that. Joe Montana can't do that. I'm not sure Deshawn Watson can do that. That's insane. Everybody works with him.

Doug Baldwin goes to Stanford. Undrafted becomes a star. Tyler Lockett is a gadget guy out of Kansas State becomes a star. They have a tight end. I'm from Seattle. The Huskies had a tight end named Will Disley. He was a blocking tight end. He actually started playing defense.

They moved him over to tight end. His junior year he had two catches. He ends up with Seattle. He got hurt this year. And we all said, oh, my God. How are they going to make it without Will Disley? He made Will Disley a name. He works with everybody.

By the way, the last two quarterbacks that got drafted number one, Kiner Murray, Baker Mayfield, got drafted because of him. And I wouldn't be shocked if this morning, Russell Wilson isn't in a children's hospital with sick children. If you ever seen this guy emotionally, last night he throws a pick. And he's like, all right, goes to the sidelines. Let's go. Let's go. I mean, I always talk about 30% of what you're paying a quarterback is leadership.

I've never seen anything like it. I mean, Brady occasionally shows emotion, not a bunch, but some. Russell Wilson throws a Super Bowl interception. He throws an interception last night. It doesn't bother him for a minute. He is so unique. I like Lamar Jackson. He's still figuring out how to play quarterback. He gets to play the Bengals twice a year. Russell Wilson's got to play the Rams twice. He got to play the Niners twice. By the way, the team in the league not called the Raiders is Arizona. He's got to play them twice. He's got to face McVeigh and Wade Phillips and Kyle Shanahan. You got to be kidding me. I like Lamar. I'm a Lamar fan. I like a lot of these young quarterbacks. But what you're watching here is ridiculous.

This is absurd on the road. San Francisco practice squad tight ends, undrafted wide receivers. I'm from Seattle. I don't know who these guys are. I mean, could they, Josh Gordon's been there 10 days, and that worked. New England's like, enough Josh Gordon. Russell Wilson's like, I'll take flash. Boom, boom, two huge catches last night. I mean, I just think we're looking at a guy, no losing seasons ever. You know, we make excuses for Cam.

He's never had back-to-back winning seasons. Russell's never had a losing season. NC State win, win, win, win, Wisconsin win, win, Seattle, win, win, win, win. You know how hard that is in the NFL without Bill Belichick is your coach? Do you know how hard it is? Look what happened to Atlanta this year? Look at Philadelphia is struggling. We've had Aaron Rogers the last two years couldn't win in Green Bay.

Patrona Holmes has lost three straight starts. You know how hard it is to win in this league? I mean, Lamar's great. But you've got to be kidding me. I'm watching them last night. And it wasn't a stat night for him. Last night wasn't about stats. And the MVP's about stats.

That's not what last night was about. It was about leadership and moxie and toughness and a big mistake and overcoming it. And dealing with, you. huge parts. Here's Russell Wilson afterwards. It's the craziest game I've ever been a part of.

I mean, I talk about a Monday night football game. It felt like NFC championship game right there. Just back and forth, back and forth, two great teams going after. We knew it was going to come down

to the wire. I said earlier in the week if I was going to come down to the wire. Didn't think it was going to come down in overtime, no more time on the clock kind of wire. But that's just a true amazing moment,

wildest game. Most amazing game I've been a part of for sure. and I said this about Tiger Woods. Just enjoy Tiger Woods. Because Tiger left, and for years and years, we were like, that guy's Tiger and that guy's Tiger and Rory's Tiger. And I like, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

There's no more Tiger. We're never going to see anything like Russell Wilson. Kyler Murray's interesting. He's a prototype, but this guy's crazy. I mean, he's just out of his mind unique. All right, let me go to this. Jimmy Garoppolo's getting a lot of heat this morning. Man, he looked, he looked rattled.

That guy looked flustered. We get so spoiled watching Russell Wilson, who's master of the position, and Drew Breeze has mastered the position in Tom Brady. They've taken all these snaps. They've been college starters for years. You watch a Brady in the two-minute drill and a Breeze and a Russell Wilson, and yeah, Jimmy Garoppolo is a little flustered. There's a bunch of quarterbacks in this league that are very young and very good.

And I like most of them. I like Sam Darnold. I like Carson Wentz. I like Dak. I like Lamar. I like Jimmy Garapolo. I like Deshaun Watson. I like Patrick Mahomes.

But these guys' games swing wildly because they're learning the position. What did Jimmy Garoppolo have to endure last night? Let's think about it. Oh, he faced Pete Carroll, arguably the best defensive coach in this league for a decade, not named Bill Belichick. For all young quarterbacks, their performances are based on who did they face, Pete Carroll. How's their offensive lines health or match up?

I don't know. Do you watch the game last night? A five-story building named Davian Clowny was chasing Garoppolo all over the field. You think that gets into your head a little bit? And oh, by the way, what are your weapons? You saw DAC when Zeke left. Deshawn Watson didn't have a left tackle. Carson Wentz didn't have a deep threat. Patrick Moholmes doesn't have Kareem Hunt.

You noticing with the young quarterbacks? Last night, no George Kittle. Emmanuel Sanders got hurt. It was a bunch of kids most who couldn't catch. I mean, when it comes to young quarterbacks, ask yourself, what defense are they facing? Pete Carroll. How's your offensive line doing?

Last night, not great. Sacked five times. Janavian Clowny best game as a pro. What's the update on your weapons? Patrick Mahomes was not the same without Kareem Hunt. Jared Goff when Cooper Cup got hurt. Dack without Zeke. Deshawn Watson without a left tackle.

Yes, Carson Wentz without a deep threat, Deshawn Jackson. These young quarterbacks swing wildly based on those three factors. And Jimmy Garoppolo last night was good enough to get him. He didn't have his Pro Bowl tight end. He didn't have his best veteran receiver. He's facing Janavian Clowny. He's facing Pete Carroll. And by the way, Monday night football against Russell Wilson.

That's like a playoff game. Kyle Shanahan gets it. Kyle Shanahan, thank God his coach isn't overreacting like Twitter. He gets Jimmy Garoppolo. Jimmy not really changed. Jimmy's always the same, so there's no difference there. I thought he battled. He battled very hard, hung in the pocket for a while.

I thought he made some big plays, but I know he made a number of plays he'd like to have back also. Listen, nobody could catch Jimmy Garoppolo's passes last night. His guys are the Seahawks late. He looked a little flustered. They all do. because young quarterbacks fluctuate as they're learning the position wildly based on who do they face, how's their offensive line holding up, and are their weapons healthy? And last night he had three real challenges.

By the way, Jimmy Garoppolo has the same number of career starts as Sam Darnold. And we're holding off on Sam Darnold. He didn't have him start. He's got three fewer starts than Baker Mayfield. and we're saying, well, let's not rush to Barry Baker Mayfield. Garoppolo started 19 games. He's 16 and 3. Jimmy Garoppolo, 19 starts 16 and 3.

He's good. We're good here. Yes, he didn't look quite as calm as Russell Wilson. You know, that's sort of the way it is. You know, that's kind of the way it is when you're on the field with Brady and Breeze and Russell Wilson. guys who have mastered the toughest position in sports. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist,

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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 Slic Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. What's up, guys? This is Clivert Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Clivert Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff.

Like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker walks up to me, he goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Time out. Quarterback on office blue 42. A rep, my mama want you to wave at her. What?

Where's he at? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Cliverts 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 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 Polisic. 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, inside American soccer with Tom Bogart and Tabrammel.

us on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcast. One of the things I really like is I like a lot of the analytics in sports. I like how sports change. You know, one of my knocks on baseball is it looks the same as it did 100 years ago. I want more stuff. I like new stuff. I like risks. And the NFL, I mean, first of all, I got all these quarterbacks coming in now,

and it's so much fun to watch. But the other thing is it used to be people didn't make trades in the NFL. Jimmy Johnson was the first guy to go out and say, I'm going to get, you can have Herschel Walker, I want eight players. People didn't do that in the NFL. Now we have trades. Well, now it's crazy. Now you're seeing stuff you didn't see five years ago. Mid-season trades.

Aggressive wins in sports. Think about the teams this year that made mid-season moves. They're all paying off. Michael Bennett of the Cowboys. Oh, wait, he's good. Jedavian Clowny last night. Minka Fitzpatrick of the Steelers. Marcus Peters of the Baltimore.

He solved their big dilemma. Jalen Ramsey of the Rams, no question their defense now carries the team. Emmanuel Sanders, wide receiver San Francisco, walked in, two practices in, made an impact. Muhammad Sunu is already after Edelman, the number two target for New England, and Laramie Tunsell saved Deshaun Watson's bacon left tackle. These were aggressive mid-season traits. For the record, many of them pay. Panned. Laramie Tunsel move, panned.

Minka Fitzpatrick, Panned. I mean, you're going to tell me that Jadavian Clownie wasn't worth that third-round pick Seattle gave up? Aggressive wins. And here's why it's important is that as good as Pete Carroll is, Pete Carroll has whiffed on a lot of first-round draft picks. That running back penny, they don't want him near the field. I was a couple years ago running back, first round, the penny kid, San Diego State. They don't want them near the field.

They're running backs. A seventh round guy they love. Minka Fitzpatrick got ripped. But when you get these veteran coaches who don't sit and watch college football, but they sit and watch NFL film all day, Bill Belichick has whiffed on a million picks. But how often is Bill Belichick whiffed when you get him a guy already in the league that he's watched and played against?

He doesn't whiff much. Pete Carroll seen Jadavian Clowny. You also get the expertise of a Belichick or a Pete Carroll or a Mike Tomlin who can take Minka Fitzpatrick. They scout him, they watch him in the league, they move him into their system. These draft picks, I mean, I remember covering Warren Sapp in Tampa. When I worked in Tampa, Sapp was great. He was lost for about 15 games.

He was just lost. Now, he became a Hall of Fame level player. But if I can get a clownie, Muhammad Sunu, these guys know the playbook. They figured out quickly. You'll put him in. Emmanuel Sanders is in San Francisco for an hour. It's like, boom. They've got wide receiver, rookie wide receivers they've had for a year now.

They still can't catch and get the playbook down. So, I mean, Muhammad Sanoo walks in New England and Brady trusts him. First game, he throws to him. Second game, he's a go-to target. They draft a receiver, Nikiel Harry from Arizona State. They still don't play him. Brady doesn't trust him. So aggressive wins, mid-season trades, get a veteran, been in the league.

And here's the other thing that Pittsburgh did by adding Minka Fitzpatrick. is that, and I think Pete Carroll figured this out, adding Jadavian Clowny and Josh Gordon, it adds juice to your locker room. I mean, Seattle's in a dog fight with San Francisco. But when you bring Josh Gordon in, players know Josh can play. Players know Jadavian can play.

Those guys fill out the uniform. It adds juice to the locker room. Guys are like, oh, oh, we're all in. When the Steelers added Mink of Fitzpatrick, what Mike Tomlin was saying is, I don't care Big Ben's out. We're going to go win this division. We're going to go win this division.

By the way, it adds juice. has played better since Minka arrived, not just because of Minka, but because of the energy and the symbolism of adding a star player. We're not calling the season off. Football's hard, man. Week 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, you can lose guys in locker rooms. Not physically. You lose them emotionally.

And I'm looking at all these, Laramie Tonsal move got ripped, Minka move got ripped. I mean, Houston's a different team. Seattle's defense last night was the more dominant defense at times. So aggressive wins in sports. Make in season trades. Want 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. As a sportscaster, I think Joy and I both feel this. We don't want to overreact to individual wins. But there are wins. I mean, Baltimore dominating New England, you're like, all right, I see the world differently. I don't think New England's terrible, but I look at Baltimore after that game,

and I'm like, oh boy, that was, that was ugly. So Seattle, San Francisco, Dallas, Minnesota, we had a lot of these big kind of transforming games. So this week's Heard Hierarchy. We thought a lot about it, and here we go. It's an interesting one. Heard hierarchy. Time is now. Let's go.

The top 10 NFL teams, according to college. Number 10. Pittsburgh Steelers, let's just say it. They have the best offensive line in football. I don't think it's Dallas. I think it's Pittsburgh. How do you have the best red zone offense in the NFL with Mason Rudolph and backup running backs? Because you just road grade everybody.

Four game winning streak. Only 11 sacks allowed. Again, Mason Rudolph is not mobile. You can't get to Mason Rudolph. 26 takeaways. Their front seven is so dynamic athletically. Between the Niners and the Steelers, there are more 24, 25-year-old guys. this is the best offensive line in football.

It's Mike Tomlin's best coaching job. And listen, they're the Colts with more dynamic defensive players and offensive players. The Colts have a great old line. We know that. This is the best offensive line in football number 10. Number nine. Houston.

Houston has kind of quietly become a great running team. You can't run on them. They're the opposite of Kansas City. They run it and you can't run on them. Third and rush defense, fourth in rush offense. And by the way, Deshawn Watson has been dicey in September, but he's never lost a November game. They're coming off a buy. He's healthy. The offensive line is healthier.

Watch out for Houston, number nine. Number eight. A little bit of fools gold with Green Bay. I'll put him at eight. Do we know anything about Matt LaFleur? I didn't love their situational stuff this weekend. They've been out gained by 300 yards this year. That's with Aaron Rogers and Devonthe Adams and Aaron Jones. they've been out game this year. They're 28th in total defense. You know, they beat up a little bit on Kirk Cousins. They beat Dak.

Aaron tends to play really good in Dallas. But I think there's a little fool's goal here. I think their defense is opportunistic. I do like the fact they have a running game for Aaron, but I don't know enough about Matt LaFleur, and I don't trust this team yet in big games. Number seven. The Cowboys.

Now, I know, oh, but. But the Cowboy, listen, teams get better during the course of a season. Dak is clearly getting better to me as a quarterback. Dallas has the better offensive line than Green Bay. They're number one in total offense. They're number one in third down offense. I think they have the second best offensive line in the NFL to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dak, by the way, is on pace.

Career highs in completion percentage, passing touchdowns, passing yards. They're a very good team. Are they special? No. but I think they do certain things exceptionally well and they do more things exceptionally well than Green Bay. I know Green Bay beat them, but at this point, I trust Jason Garrett I do more than Matt LaFleur.

So I'll put Dallas at seven. Number six. Minnesota Vikings, one slot ahead. I think they're very close. Listen, that was their first win against the winning team on the road in two years. Let's not go crazy. And Kirk Cousins completed six passes to wide receivers. This is about defense, head coach, and a running game.

Delvin Cook is remarkable. How about that one run when he bounced off a couple of cowboy defenders? I mean, just pinballed it. This is a team that has an identity. I wish their identity was like their quarterback, but it's their coach, their running game, and their defense. They just beat Dallas on the road. That's a rarity.

They don't do that much. But I think Minnesota is a slot ahead of Dallas at number six. Number five. New England. I think they still need another offensive piece. I think they have good backs. Muhammad Sanu is clearly their number two after Julian Edelman. They have the most takeaways in the NFL.

Some of that is they played crappy quarterbacks. They have the best head coach and the best clutch quarterback, and they'll probably play a playoff game in Foxborough. But their offensive personnel, I got to be honest with you. I said this last year, and they won the Super Bowl. They just, Grunk ended up being so big for them against Kansas City and so big for them against the Rams, their last year's offense without Josh Gordon's speed and without Gromk.

They need another piece offensively. Number four. Seattle. I think it matters. I think you have to holistically look at Seattle. They didn't have Jadavia and Clowny when the season started. They did not have Josh Gordon, who had two big catches last night. I think they're coming together, and I think Josh is a special player.

He was big last night in a couple of big third down, and I think Clowney was absurd. By the way, you know, you think of Seattle, and you think, you know, they have all these disparate parts offensively. They're fifth and total offense. And they faced a real schedule here. They faced San Francisco. They faced Baltimore. They faced a real schedule here. Russell Wilson leads the NFL and passing touchdowns, passer rating.

And I think Clowney, Josh Gordon, are really nice pieces. Number three. The Saints got blown out. Don't worry about it. There is a big concern with the Saints. They don't have a vertical passing threat. One of the things I look at is how many 20-plus yard plays do you have? I mean, you can't

go on 13-play drives. And when a Super Bowl, You have to be able to go over the top. They're like 25th in the NFL. They just don't beat you over the top. That's why Teddy Bridgewater was a perfect Drew Breeze prototype. You know, smart, coachable, get the ball out, complete it. They don't turn the ball over. They only have, which is just crazy.

They have six turnovers all year. That's crazy. They have a very good offensive line. They play real defense. They got a pass rush. So they have a lot of elements I like. Quarterback, coach, defense, but they do not get any freebies offensively. I mean, Ted Gins, their number two receiver.

He's more of a returner than a receiver in his best days. So that's the concern. Number two. San Francisco. Again, I know Seattle beat him. They didn't have George Kittle. When a young quarterback doesn't have a Pro Bowl tied end or Emmanuel Sanders, that would be like taking Lamar Jackson and saying,

all right, you don't get your best tight end and you don't get Mark Ingram. Like young quarterbacks need their best weapon. San Francisco's got a lot of talent wide receiver, but their best veteran receiver really didn't play much, and their world-class tight end didn't play. And I thought it was Garoppolo was throwing the guys that he would prefer not to throw to who mostly couldn't catch last night. It's not an excuse, it's a reality.

You know, let's be honest about him. Red zone defense, passing defense, sacks, you know, 1-1-2-2. They're great. Number one. I'm going to go to Baltimore. I thought a lot about this this morning. They dominated New England and they dominated Seattle. I watched both those games.

They didn't just win. They dominated both those teams. They dominate Pete Carolyn Belichick. All right. That's good enough for me. The other thing to remember is they had a really ugly loss against Cleveland. Okay. Since then, teams get better as the season goes on.

Since then, they're a top six defense. Listen, it happens. I mean, it just happens. You have bad Sundays. You're missing the left tackle. You're missing the right guard. You've got to Baltimore, if you take out the Cleveland game, I got too many good wins.

By the way, they're 13 and 3 in their last 16 games. They have something that I think is incredibly important, an identity. And I think Marcus Peters has also solved their big issue. Early in the year, we said the same thing. They need a corner. They went and got one. Baltimore is number one. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m.

Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the I-Hard Radio app. Being well-rounded, I think in the NFL can be. kind of overrated. I think we all know coaching matters in the NFL. The other thing I think about is identity matters. I think that's kind of the Baltimore story this year. Baltimore has an identity. What are you?

And I'll give you a great example. Sunday night, Minnesota had a very strong identity. Delvin Cook, screens running, took the game over. Seattle last night had a very strong identity. Russell, this is why we pay you 35 large. Take the game over. It was Russell made all the decisions. Meanwhile, Dallas on Sunday night, play calling.

So I thought about this. So as we go into the playoffs, I thought about the 10 best teams. Let's start in the AFC. I'm going to do all the divisional leaders. That's eight teams. And then two other teams that don't lead the division, Minnesota and Seattle, that are very good. The NFC is better. So what is the Patriots identity?

Head coach quarterback. Pretty clear. Raven's identity. Head coach quarterback. Texans identity. quarterback, chief's identity, head coach quarterback. So who has the weakest identity, the Texans? That's my least favorite division leader.

I do think they're trying to develop the running game, and it's getting there, they got to make sure they get that running game figured out. That's going to be the key to Houston. You better have a legit running game so you don't depend on Deshaun. but the weakest identity in the AFC is the one I think is the first out in the playoffs. Let's go now to the six teams in the NFC, the divisional leaders and Seattle and Minnesota. What is the 49ers identity? Head coach D-line.

Packers, I would say it's Aaron Rogers and the newfound legitimate running game. That's a real running game now. Saints, head coach, quarterback. Cowboys, they don't know what their identity is. You saw their play calling late. They don't know what the hell their identity is. They took the ball to Dax's hands. He was having his best game as a pro.

Seattle, we saw their identity last night. Pete Carroll runs the defense, Russell Wilson. We saw Minnesota. Defense, Delvin Cook, and I would say Mike Zimmer's defensive game plans. The two teams right now of the 10 best teams, Houston has a chance to find an identity. Deshawn and a top five running game. think they can get there.

Dallas doesn't know what they are. They don't know what they are. Now, in my opinion, what is Dallas? Dak and that old line. Give Dak time to throw. You know, I've argued this. Amaris is valuable as Zique, in my opinion. Now, I'm in the minority there.

Most of you, when the season started, said the identity is Zique. I've never bought into that. Okay, Dak was losing games when he had Zique. Dack doesn't lose a ton when he's got the O-line healthy, Tyron Smith left tackle and Amari Cooper. So that's, to me, Dallas has the weakest identity of the 10 best teams in the league. Now, because they've got exceptional talent, the best linebacking duo, Zeke, Dack, Amari, to me, outside of Pittsburgh, second best offensive line in football, they can overcome some of those. But I think, I mean, let's be honest. Last year got to a Super Bowl.

You didn't have to love the Rams, but they had an identity. The minute Gurley got hurt, it was a little muddy. Cooper Cup got hurt, a little muddy. And by the Super Bowl, New England, Rams didn't know what they were offensively. They didn't really have an identity. So that's what I asked about Dallas this morning. What are they? So you got to put your arms around DAC.

Dak is starting. The O-Ly and Telfy. That's your team. I don't, I've said this. I like Zeke. But if you told me today I had duped, who's a good back? Who's not a special back? Sony Michelle.

I think Dak could win a bunch of games with a healthy online, Dak and Sony Michelle. Nick Chubb, I think Dak could win a bunch of games. I don't think Dallas has won in these games without Dak and Tyron Smith and Travis Frederick. I think Dallas could win a, I think Dallas could get to the NFC championship without Zeke. As long as you gave me a, you know, a B running.

back. Nick Chubbs terrific, Sony Michelle, a couple young guys, and the guy for Seattle last night that you see. But I don't think Dallas knows what they are. I don't think they do. I don't think Dallas Cowboy fans know. I think their play calling late in that game told me everything I need to know.

And if you go into a playoff and you don't have an identity because none of you think they got the coaching. We know coaching matters. None of you like Jason Garrett. So now I don't have a coach. I don't have a hardball. I don't have John Harbaugh. I don't have any read. Don't have Pete

Carol, don't have Belichick. I don't have Sean Peyton. You would acknowledge that. So you better have an unbelievable identity. That's where Baltimore comes in. I get the coach, then I get the identity. And I got some misgiving. Lamar gets popped here in the next seven weeks. It's not the same team.

But I think it's a real thing. And I think we saw last night a team with a strong offensive identity. Russell wins. Minnesota Sunday, strong offensive identity. Dalvin Cook wins. Even San Francisco. last night without George Kittle.

Emmanuel Sanders. Offensively, San Francisco didn't quite know what they were. You got Garapolos throwing the guys he'd rather not throw to. It matters. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. 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 confidence. 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? 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, Keer 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. 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 beaders to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context and ask the questions everybody wants answer. 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 Sliced Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. What's up guys? This is Clivert 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, rep, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Where's she at? Hey, Ms. Parker.

Listen to the Cliverts show on the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Will Ferrell's Big Money Players and IHeart Podcast presents soccer moms. So I'm Leanne. Yeah. This is my best friend, Janet. Hey. And we have been joined at the hips since high school. Absolutely.

Now a redacted amount of years later, we're still joined at the hip. Just a little bit bigger hips, wider. This is a podcast. We're recording it as we tailgate our youth soccer games in the back of my Honda Odyssey. With all the snacks and drinks. Sidebar. Why did you get hard seltzer instead of beer? Oh, they had a bogo.

Well, then you got it. Do you want a white color or something here? Just take it. Oh, what are y'all doing? Microphones? Are you making a rap album? Oh, I would. Come on.

Could you imagine? I would buy. Cut through the defense like a hot knife through sponge cake. That sounds delicious. Oh, you're lucky I'm not a drug addict. You're lucky I'm not an alcoholic. You're lucky I'm not a killer. I love this team and I'm really trying to be a figure in their lives that they can rely on.

Oh. Listen to soccer moms on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Played a decade and a half in the NBA. my pleasure, a three-time first-team all defense. He made it in this league because he could play defense. He was annoying. Kobe said he's the best defensive player that ever guarded him. Absolute pleasure to bring on Tony Allen.

Celtics, of course, Memphis still lives there. So let's get into this. You made your way. Eddie Sutton in college at Oklahoma State said, son, you're going to make the NBA if you play defense. And so you decided I'm going to be a defender as a player. So let's talk about the Kobe stuff because Kobe said you were a pain in the butt. How was Kobe to defend?

Well, he was very hard to defend. I mean, you look at his game. There's nothing he can't do. He could shoot. You go into the picking road. He's going to pull up. You know, you're damned to shoot from three. He's going to shoot the three.

And he's relentless going to the hole. So you take a guy like that whose confidence is sky high and who's very skilled, great footwork. He's hard to guard. I mean, he's a low for anybody. What if you made him miss three straight shots? he still wouldn't get discouraged. Like he's shooting the first shot.

Every shot is like his first shot after Walmart. Really? He never get discouraged. Now, LeBron's a little different, though. Yeah, with LeBron, I think if he missed like three or four, you know, you saw it in the Dallas Maverick series. Series. Well, they went zone. And I think, you know, shooting kind of discouraged him early on his career. I don't know about now.

But when I was defending, LeBron, it's like. His confidence level depth. It dipped. And I would have to agree with that. Now, let's ask about James Horace. Harden. So you saw a very early James Harden. He drives me nuts. He's developed into a great offensive player. How do you get under his skin? It's kind of hard. You just basically just got to force him to the way he doesn't want to go. And that's right. You know, and he still gets his numbers.

He still gets the call when he goes and try to get foul. But most importantly, just compete. A lot of time with these guys, you just can't get discouraged. You got to live with the game plan. And if they finish with a big night on you, it's what the team wanted. So But me on the other hand, I take it personal. Like, I try to do a little bit different than Scouting Report. You know what I mean? So, like, they might sell me to shade him left. I might just stick him straight up just to see what he going to do.

You know what I mean? Yeah. And I always did that throughout my career. Was there a great NBA player you felt you got under his skin a little? Yeah, but he not really no guy we talk about him. Who? Kevin Martin. Kevin Martin's a good player. Yeah, I kind of harassed him a lot throughout my career.

Were you a trash talker? You were physical as hell I speak in third person So if I get a good stop I say good job TA That's okay Yeah it's kind of irritate for the So the three best guys

You said hardest to defend Kobe Kevin and James Harden Yeah Kevin good luck LeBron's not on that list And some of it is he loses confidence I mean at the time I was playing with him You know I'm playing against him I thought part of that was

me being confident as well, you know, and me competing and being ready for the challenge. And I just saw when I played him, he wasn't just that confident in shooting the shot, although that was the scout report, but most guys who we, you know, we think out of prolific guys, they take those shots.

Like, you better not leave me open. I didn't see that in him at the time. That's when he was in Cleveland, though. And then he went to Miami. He went to Miami. I ain't get a load of him then. I was in Memphis, about in. Tony Allen's joining us, three-time first team all-N-B-A.

What do you make of a player like Westbrook, dynamic, not a great shooter? So you face a Westbrook where you can give him some space because he's not going to burn you on threes. Is he a hard guy to defend, an easier got to defend? Harden Westbrook to me may not work. What was Westbrook like? I think Westbrook, he was one of those guys who was just non-stop energy, one of those guys who was relentless as well. Never saw a shot he didn't like. But one thing that sticks out about him, he's not scared to go to that offensive glass. He's not scared to make a backdoor cut when

maybe say like a guy like hard is in motion and in dribble. You know, I think he do a lot of things, little things that help that ball club. You probably don't think that do all work. But I think if he take the initial that I'm going to sit back, I'm going to let you do you hard, and I'm going to tack the glass, getting people involved. and, you know, get out on the break. I think that would be a good fit for him, and he'll blossom. What do you make, you were a guy that took a great deal of pride and effort. What do you make a load management?

Load management, in my day, you was kind of being the worst. Sure, sure. And now it's kind of helpful for guys in their careers, but I think it hurt the fan also, you know. Just think of my little cousin or someone to come see a Kuwait Leonard. I grew up in a small town. I went to one game a year. It was a two and a half hour drive to get to a game.

So, folks, like that for an example. And let's just say it was Bird or Magic or whoever didn't play. You'd probably been hurt. Yeah. It probably killed your moment. I went to the kingdom watched Larry Bird play. And if Larry Bird didn't play, it would have been a waste of, I mean, I remember as a kid going, because you didn't have all the games on TV.

So Larry Bird just saw in the playoffs. And I'm like, oh, Larry Bird's coming to Seattle once a year. And I went and saw him play. Yeah. And that would have hurt you if he had he not played. Well, let's talk. Kauai Leonard. I said before here's how I judge the best player in the game.

I need a bucket. Number one guy in the league right now, Kauai Leonard. I need a stop. Number one guy in the league right now, Kauai. If I need a bucket or a stop. So I think Kauai is the best player today this moment in the NBA.

Do you? I mean, coming off a run, like he just left with Toronto, I would agree. But I don't know, it's a lot of basketball level. It's early, you know. I want to see how this team developed throughout the year. They haven't hit no adversity yet, you know. I'm not a big fan of Zubok, neither. I really think they need to, you know,

improve in that area. But defensively, you're right. If we have to get a stop, we're going through Kauai. We have to get a bucket. We're going through Kaua. He's got a little, you know, he's a cross between Kobe length and Michael, hand size. You didn't guard, Michael. How would you stop Kauai? To me, Kauai plays a lot like Mike in the sense that he backs the ball up. So basically you've got to be ready to get in that weight room just to defend that strength. And his IQ as far as being a guard and a power forward. You know he played power forward in college.

I think he kind of got the edge. And he mixes it up. So you got to be ready to be in the way room with a guy like him. So when was your first year in the NBA? 2004. So you didn't play, Michael. You got Kobe, though, in his prime. I got Kobe in his prime.

He gave me 42 points one game. Really? Six foul and eight minutes. What timeout? Come again. You got six fouls and eight minutes? In eight minutes against Kobe. How'd you sleep that night?

I didn't sleep. I didn't sleep. I was so embarrassing. I think that game right there made me really start paying attention to film. I started watching film more and more after that. Because I was like, yo, how did he fail me out? By the way, did he say anything to you? Did he ever show you that he respected you?

Kobe? No, but he definitely disrespected me that day, because when I found out, he waved him. He waved at you. Yeah, I remember that vividly. Was he a trash talker? Yeah, he'll let you know if you got a good blog. He'll say good shot

or good, he talked to you. Kobe's a talk. Well, you a talker? No, I can't. I ain't had no time to talk. Because my room for error was short. It's interesting. You know, we always think of there's pressure on the shooter, but You'd go into a series. The pressure was on you.

Exactly. I mean, did you sense that pressure? Yeah, I can recall series where coaches would say, you know, well, you got this guy, Tony, it's on you to ultimately bring us home defensively. And I'll be sitting somewhere on my seat like, whoa. But it's a challenge. I'm up for it. Always embraced it.

Never shied away from it. Who is the best coach ahead? Hmm. That's a good question. I have to say, Doc Rivers. Why? I don't know. He pretty much let me know what I was going to need to do to stay in the league. You know, I was playing right alongside Ray Island and Paul Piers.

And, you know, sometimes I would shoot shots that were illivast. And what did he say? You tell me, yo, like, if you want to stay on this court and let alone be in his league, you need to swing, swing, and go get you a rebound, put back, or get it in transition. And it didn't bother you when he said that. No. He was honest. He was blatantly honest. Yeah, I'm a huge Doc Rivers fan.

Yeah, I think Doc Rivers treats you like a grown-up. I think he's honest. Not all coaches do, by the way. No, no, all coaches do. Do you ever get in a good fight in the NBA? No, nobody really ever attempted to fight me. I don't know. You know, you were tough.

I always thought you were a tough guy. I'm a nice guy, man. You were kind of intimidating, though. It probably when I grow up my hell. Other than that, I'm a nice guy, man. 14 years, he still lives in Memphis. Absolute pleasure. Love to have you on the show again.

One of the great defensive players at a guy really that took an incredible. Bruce Bowen's another one. Took incredible pride in his defense. Tony Allen. Great meeting you. 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 SportsSlice on the IHeart Radio app,

Apple Podcast, 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 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, right. My mama want you to wave at her. What? Where's she at? Hey, Ms. Parker.

Listen to the Clifford show on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, 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. 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 crying. You just understood.

That's how personal it got. Wow. Then after that game seven, Marquis come until he's like, you know I love you, dog. You know, it's all love. This was just playoffs. 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.