The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Best of The Herd for Jul 24, 2020

Episode Date: July 24, 2020

This Lakers roster is a joke as a title contenderThe Dodgers are great and got breaks which usually leads to titlesDak Prescott being unhappy that Jason Garrett is gone makes senseJamal Adams says Adam Gase is the problemGuests: Eric Karros, MLB on FOXMichael Vick, 4x Pro Bowl QB 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. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter.

Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year.

Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On the Look Back at it podcast. For 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English.

Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year. It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hardway with your favorite therapist and host Kear Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor. It signals to the world that you're not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that doesn't. does not mean that you need to. Listen to learn the hard way on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcast,

or wherever you get your podcast. Thanks for listening to The Best of HARD 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 IHartRadio app by searching Herd. This is the Best of the Hurt with Colin Cowher on Fox Sports Radio. Ah, here we go on a loaded.

Yes, we officially have sports back loaded Friday live in Los Angeles. This is The Herd, wherever you may be and however you may be listening. IHeart Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and FS1, Joy Taylor off today. She's traveling, taking some Fridays off as we both have in the summer. So Joy is back Monday. John Guley will be filling in on Heardline News. It is a great show today. We are packed.

Got a lot of guests. Got a lot of opinions. I'm even talking baseball today. Eric Caros next hour. I've got some thoughts on the Dodgers and the Yankees in a second. I want to start the show on a Friday with this. You know, let's not kid ourselves here. So I watched Dallas Mavericks Lakers about 4 o'clock Pacific.

I love Dallas's roster. I just love it. I just, I would, if you're Mark Cuban, you have just got to love this. You found your next jerk, Novitzky, except he's back. Luka Donjich. You got Seth Curry from Portland. What a nice fine that kid's been. This Dallas is going to be really good for the next decade.

I mean, they may have the scoring champ five of the next 10 years in Luca Donjage. The kid's 20 years old. He's way ahead of LeBron in terms of scoring ability. He's a tremendous young player. And I'm watching that game and I'm like Dallas's roster is younger. It's deeper. It's more athletic. They have a 20-year-old.

That's going to be a star in this league for the next 15 years. And I look at the Lakers and I'm like, good God. If you took LeBron out of this lineup, it's a reality show. He is the super glue to a mess. Kyle Kuzma was awful last night. I mean, I like Danny Green, but he's 33. He's old. I like Anthony Davis, a lot, but he's brittle.

This roster, Javelle McGee, Dionne Waiters, J.R. Smith, Dwight Howard, and KCP, if it was a reality show, if this was hard knocks, sign it to a lifetime deal. This is a mess. It really is. If you take LeBron James out of this Laker roster, all you Laker fans, this is the Pelicans with Anthony Davis, except not as talented because they had Drew Holliday, who's a total baller.

Drew Holliday is an excellent NBA player. That's an all-star level player. This roster for the Lakers is, this is not well-constructed. LeBron is completely super glue with this team. And this is why, of course, LeBron's going to be the MVP or at least should be. I mean, if you take Janice out of Milwaukee, they're not the same team. Nobody would dispute that. But that's a playoff team.

It's well-coached. They have multiple good players. This Laker roster is old, dysfunctional. It's got some of the goofiest players in the NBA on it. All of them, all of them out of their prime. Dwight Howard, J.R. Smith, Dion Waiters, Javelle McGee, Kyle Kuzma, I'm not sure what his prime is. KCPI like.

I do. I think there's something there. But, you know, he's had his shoes house arrest two years ago. I mean, that's just the thing. It's part of his, you know, his NBA reality. But just to give you heads up on this, Dallas has a way better roster. It's younger, it's more athletic, and they've got to star at 20. If LeBron wins a title with this reality show, goat.

I'm over. I'm not even arguing it. Because they have no business winning. They've got to go through potentially Portland. Houston, the Clippers, and then a Milwaukee or Boston? I mean, you're watching this thing last night. Take LeBron out of this. Look at this roster.

It is Anthony Davis and cross your fingers. And LeBron is strong enough and verbal enough and vocal enough and the leader so that all these sort of disparate, weird, odd NBA reality show dysfunctional parts kind of, they kind of respect him. They work hard out of respect for the king. they kind of make sure they're in line. But you got J.R. Smith yesterday. I didn't bring enough underwear. Dwight Howard.

I refused to wear a mask. God. The only thing this team is missing is Antonio Brown. It is, it is, never forget this. Before LeBron got there, it was a you know what show for about five years. Magic, gone. Agent, new GM. Owners fighting with each other, brother, sister.

God, I'm watching this. thing last night, man. They are, LeBron is super glueing this thing together. They have no business being the number one seed in the West by five and a half games. They have no business being that. No way. No way. No how.

Number one seed in the West by five and a half games. I love where Dallas is going. I just like LeBron. Because right now that the Lakers are the second best constructed basketball team in the building they play in by a mile. All right, let me talk some baseball. I watched a couple of games last night. Yes, I did.

Dodgers won. They're really good. The way it works in sports is when you're really good and you combine that with getting a break, you often end up winning a championship in any sport. So you're really good and you get a break. The example would be Toronto last year. Now, they deserve credit for getting into the finals.

Smart GM. excellent coach, nice roster, add Kauai Leonard, stir, really good. But let's be honest, Golden State fell apart, Steph got hurt, Clay got hurt, Kevin Durant got hurt, they were an overwhelming favorite. They would have won. When Kevin Durant came back for 13 minutes, boom, they looked like the better team. But that's the breaks. It was a very good team with a very good GM and a very good coach and a nice roster,

a nice mix of veterans and youth and Kauai Leonard, but they got a big break. When you get, when you do a lot right, and then you get a break, you usually end up winning a championship. This Dodger team is really good. Let's start with this. It is the first team since the New York Yankees in 1963, when they had Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris. It's the first team with an MVP from each of the previous two seasons. Cody Bellinger and Mookie Betts. They are stacked.

Max Muncie hit 35 Jacks last two years. Mookie Betts is the MVP. Cody Bellinger was the National League MVP. Justin Turner hit 27 jacks. Corey Seeger was the rookie of the year four years back. Kike Hernandez, Jock Peterson coming off great years. And look at their roster. Muncie Betts left, Bats right, Ballinger left, Turner right, Seeger left, KK Hernandez right,

Jack Peterson, who will probably platoon as a DH, left, A.J. Pollock right. Now, this is a big thing. So there's a very good baseball team. And so are the Yankees and so are the Astros. These are very good baseball teams. But the Dodgers, like the Raptors, are getting a break. There's a new rule in baseball this year for 2020. You go to the bullpen, guys got to face minimum three batters or finish the inning.

Huge break for the Dodgers. The Yankees best hitters are all righties. The Dodgers aren't. So you come into an inning and you start having trouble, you're getting no breaks here. It's not righty-on-righty. They can throw lefty, lefty, righty, lefty, righty, righty-y-y-lefty. Big break for the Dodgers. Second break.

And the Dodgers get credit for creating. this roster. I'm not saying like the Raptors. They don't deserve credit. But boy, all this situational stuff going to the bullpen three times in an inning can't do it this year. Big break for the Dodgers. Second break. The Yankees just happened doing a 60 game schedule. You're only playing your division and people in your region. Well, the Yankees region's much tougher. The Phillies should be very good. In their division, you've got the rays and the Red Sox are very good. This is a really, Phillies are going to be excellent. So the Yankee schedule, nationals defending champs really good. So the Yankees face a significantly tougher schedule.

The Dodgers got a break. The West is weak. The Padres, the Mariners, the Giants have been a mess for years. Arizona's okay. The Rockies. The Dodgers get a second big break. Like the rapporteurs deserve a lot of credit, but they get the flexibility in their roster left, right, left, right, every other batters left, every other best batters right. Big break. Then they get the scheduling break. Then they get a third break. The only hole in the Dodgers lineup is the pitcher hits. Not this year. Both leagues using the DH.

And they have a very deep roster. They can take Jock Peterson and use him regularly as a D.H. What did he have? 36 Jacks last year? Again, I'll give him credit. But when you take a really good team and you get a DH break, when you get a scheduling break, when you get a roster where you're not,

Best hitters, five or left for a right break. Everything works for the Dodgers, who I believe have won seven straight division titles. This is the year. This is the year to win it. And also, here's another break. Whereas the Yankees are excellent, they have to get through Houston to get to a World Series. The Dodgers' biggest competition appears to be Atlanta, a very good team, bounce first round last couple of years.

Nice team, good team. Not a great team yet. This Dodger team has a chance. to be an all-timer. And you add that to all their breaks. Watch out. People in this town have been complaining for years because like the Braves years ago with Maddox and Smolts, they dominate their division. Braves only got one championship out of that. Don't know how many the Dodgers will get, but man, the stuff line up for them this year. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays at noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but

encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking.

What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam Jett. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s.

To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack. Yeah, yeah. Literally. But just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack.

So I'm starting to see there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you for finishing that sentence. Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really?

Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast. Learn the hard way 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 a ball. 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, 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 hard way, 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 walks up to me. He goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Time out. Quarterback on office blue of 42. A rep.

My mama want you to wave at her. What? Hey, Ms. Park. Listen to the Cliverts show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. I'm so happy. I'm so deliriously happy. And I wish Joy was here to share it with us because we have sports.

I sat there last night and I'm flipping around watching MLS and baseball games and Yankee games and Dodger games and NBA. And I'm like, oh my God. I went five and a half, six and a half months. So it was just such a great time. You know, this is what I do for a living. I know for most of you get a life, but this is what I do for a living. We've had to basically make stuff up for six months.

We actually have games now. This is interesting. Brian Brodus is a former NFL scout, and he used to work with the Cowboys. And he was on radio yesterday, the fan in Dallas, very popular station. And he said, and he was asked yesterday about, you know, how do you think Dak Prescott's feeling right now? And he said at this point, I don't think Dak Prescott's very happy. He won't say it and he won't show it, said Brodus, the former scout.

The kid's a stud. He's mentally very, very strong. He's a total stud. But he's not real happy. and he liked Jason Garrett. And this is an underlying truth going on with Dallas right now. So Dak Prescott saved Jason Garrett's job. And Jerry Jones is a fairly patient guy.

But remember, Cowboys went 4 and 12, and then Tony Romo following year got hurt in preseason. This was going to be a man overboard. This was going to be a disaster. And then here comes Dak in the draft fourth round, and he pops. Jason Garrett knows Dak saved his job. But they needed each other. And when relationships really click is you both at least need each other.

That's why when you see a woman who's sophisticated, great job, Mary, you know, just a good-looking dumb guy, you're like, she doesn't need him as much as he needs her. Like you need relationships where both people need each other. Dak needed Garrett to mentor him and advise him. He's a former NFL quarterback, Jason Garrett. He needed his guidance. And Garrett needed Dak for stability at the most important position. and he needed W's and DAC to help provide those. This is the problem with Mike McCarthy.

He doesn't need DAC. He just signed a five-year, a $30 million deal. He doesn't, Mike McCarthy doesn't need DAC for his legacy or a Super Bowl. He's got both. He doesn't need DAC for security. He's a millionaire, just signed a five-year, $30 million deal on a state with no state tax. He doesn't need DAC for money. So Mike doesn't need DAC.

He's got security, a Super Bowl, a legacy, money, he doesn't need him. I mean, you didn't think it was strange? When McCarthy got the job, it didn't call DAC for a week. If you got the Kansas City Chief's job, how long would it take to call Mahomes? I mean, the second the press release comes out, Bob's the new coach of the Chiefs, you're on the phone. Same in Baltimore, same in Seattle, same in Green Bay. He didn't call him for a week.

Could have been longer. That was a story. So, and what's interesting is whereas the job security for Mike McCarthy right now is great, it's not great for DAC. He's got a one-year franchise tag deal. And when you look at the – I was talking about the Dodgers getting breaks this year on the no-D-H, on the new bullpen rule, on their schedule. Dallas – people think Dallas's schedule is easy.

People are saying it's one of the easiest schedules. But it's actually, because of the weirdness of this year, not easy, take a look at it if you're on FS1. So there's no OTAs, no pre-A's. season, limited practices, and Dallas has a new coach and a new system. Look at their first three games. Rams, Atlanta, Seattle, teams with the same quarterback, same system, same head coach. That's how you start the season. Okay, okay.

Then you get a couple of great games. But right in the middle of the season, at Philly, Pittsburgh, and Minnesota. Same coach, same system, same quarterback. Then you get to play Washington. Then it's back to Baltimore, San Francisco, Philadelphia. Same coach. same system, same quarterback. Don't tell me Dallas's schedule is easy.

The beginning, the heart of the middle of November in the end. It's just a bunch of people who don't need the OTA like you, don't need the preseason like you, and are not implementing a new system. So when relationships are at their best, all of them, home relationships, you know, work relationships, when both people need each other, McCarthy doesn't need Dak. McCarthy needed Garrett. And Garrett absolutely needed Dak. Jerry can be patient.

He's not insane. They came off 4 and 12. The wheels were coming off. Romo gets hurt. They were in big trouble. So this story to me, I don't think Dak's, listen, quarterback, Howie Long always says this.

You get quarterbacks in the room. You can't have two great quarterbacks in the room at the same time. They take the oxygen out of the room. I like Dak. But he has a right to have pride. He's won a lot of football games. He's won his division twice. He's not in love.

with this thing. He's had a nice press release. I'm very happy. He got a one-year deal after winning the division, two with the last, what, four years. So he's probably this relationship with McCarthy is not the same. It's uneven right now. It may not be by week eight. But Garrett and Dak, that felt like an even relationship. They both needed each other, both supported each other. If one succeeded, it helped the other. Right now, I'm not sure with McCarthy and Dak, that's the case. 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. Let me talk about support for a second.

Like we all have egos, right? If you're successful in life, you're like, yeah, I deserve a lot of credit. I'm very smart. And you probably are if you've had a very successful life. But be honest with yourself. You got support. You got help. maybe from your dad, maybe from a boss, maybe from an agent, somebody that believed in you.

I've worked hard, but man, I've gotten help. And Adam Gase got ripped again, head coach of the Jets, by Jamal Adams. Jamal Adams called him out yesterday, and he blistered him publicly. And Jamal Adams is a great player, and he can say what he wants, but it's not a good day to be Adam Gase. Yesterday, Jamal Adams came out and say, I don't think he's the right leader for the team to take us to the promised land. really bothers me, doesn't have a relationship with everybody in the building. He doesn't address the team. If there's a problem in the locker room, he lets another coach address it.

If we're playing like crap and we're losing, he doesn't address the entire team as a group at halftime. We walk out of the locker room and let another coach handle it. He said, I'm going to play for my teammates. I am not here to say Adam Gase is perfect or that Jamal Adams is wrong. What I'm here to say is, I trust my NFL sources. We've got a lot of them, and I talk to him. Kyle Shanahan is thought of as the smartest young coach in the NFL. People tell me Adam Gase has a lot of Kyle Shanahan qualities.

Really intense. Can shut people out occasionally. Really smart. Almost intimidatingly intense. But there's a difference here. Kyle Shanahan has an advisor named Mike Shanahan, top 10 coach in NFL history. Mike Shanahan watches every practice. And Kyle Shanahan can call his dad

and his dad can talk him off the cliff or give him advice. Adam Gase doesn't have that. His dad don't know him was a construction for him and fine job. But he didn't have Mike Shanahan to call. And then Kyle Shanahan has maybe the most likable person I've ever met in the NFL. John Lynch, Stanford educated, played the game as a general manager. to once again, bad day.

Talk him off the cliff. Adam Gase barely knows his GM. He didn't hire him. Nor did he hire his defensive coordinator, Greg Williams. Reportedly, Williams and Adam Gase aren't tight. Kyle Shanahan's defensive coordinators, Robert Sala, excellent young football coach. Would step in front of a train for his head coach.

The owner of the San Francisco 49ers generally well-received. Got a little bumpy with Jim Tom Sula. The owner of the New York Jets, did you read the stories this week about Woody Johnson? Not great. Support matters. I'm not saying Adam Gase is perfect. But his career record is 30 and 34

with two totally dysfunctional teams. You know what Kyle Shanahan's career record is? 23 and 25. I mean, Kyle Shanahan, because Jimmy Garoppolo had a bad fourth quarter. You saw those stories come out. They wanted to get rid of Garapolo. And then he probably called his dad Mike or talked to John. And I'm not blaming Kyle Shanahan. I think he's the best young football coach in America. But he's young. He's lost a couple of big games. But he's got advisors and an owner and a GM and a defensive coordinator who have his back,

who are there to help him. That stuff matters when you're young and don't quite have the trophy yet. Adam Gase has none of that. Dad wasn't a legendary coach. Defensive coordinator wants his job. Owners constantly in trouble. Nothing but chaos. And now your star players calling you out publicly in the number one media market in the country. Not saying Adam Gase is great.

But you cannot find me a single great NFL coach or GM who didn't have support. Go look at Belichick's career. Why do you think he gets emotional? on those 30 for 30s when he walks through the halls of New York Giant Stadium. He knows the support he had from the Mara family. Why do you think Bill Parcells and he? You know, it's a little prickly when they're together because he learned a lot from Bill and Bill learned a lot from him.

You cannot, cannot succeed to the highest levels without having somebody there to help you through the bumps. Kyle's got him. Adam doesn't. And I feel bad for him. be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon eastern 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio,

FS1, and the IHeard Radio app. Eric Carrolls joins us again, 14 seasons with the Dodgers. Okay, when you look at the Dodgers lineup, what do you see, Eric? I see a team that does not have any weaknesses, and it's pretty tough to say that. And over a course

of maybe 162 games, some vulnerabilities, but, man, with this Dodgers club right now, I mean, you see what happens. Kershaw gets scratched. They bring up Dustin May, who was not even on the 30-man roster. And he's thrown, you know, 100 miles an hour, you know, has a nice outing. The Dodgers, you know, a little slow out of the gate.

But with that lineup, they're going to wear you down. And, you know, they end up winning 8-1, I think. You know, I said this, Eric, they get a couple of breaks. Number one, their schedules much easier than, say, the Astros or the Yankees. Number two is, with this, you got to come in from the bullpen and finish the inning or get at least three batters out. With the Dodgers lineup where five of the best hitters are lefties, four of the best hitters are righties, you can't do a Tony Larusa and call him the other guy and the other guy. It feels like it plays right into the Dodgers' roster hands. Yeah, I mean, that's something that's going to present other manager, you know, opposing managers' problems.

You know, the depth, I think what's going to separate them from anybody is the depth because everybody is. is going to be dealing with the great unknown, you know, this next couple months, and that's health, whether that's COVID or whether that's injury. And because of their depth, you know, look, the reality is they could probably run out two big league starting rotations. They could probably run out two big league teams, competitive big league teams. And I don't think there are any, there are many other organizations that can do that. Now, maybe the one through nine are competitive or one through 14 are competitive.

Look at the Yankees are obviously a very deep team. But I don't know that they have the lineup that the Dodgers are so versatile. That's what makes them crazy. If you watch last night's game, Betts and Bellinger impacted the game with their legs, base running, hustle plays. Now, I'm not talking about hitting the ball over the fence. I'm not talking about making a great defensive play. I'm talking about a hustle play from third where Mookie Betts scores and another one where

Bellinger gets in a rundown and allows runners to get the second and third and then a, you know, a base hit to run score. They're so versatile. I mean, I can go on and on about them. Yeah. The Mookiee Betts contract, the Dodgers lead baseball attendance by a long shot. They've got next to the Yankees the biggest revenue stream in baseball. And I said this yesterday.

You go to Dodger Stadium. It is just, they got it. They got it figured out. They got it buttoned up. And they're always updating it. And I look at the Mookie Bex contract, and I think 30 million bucks does not feel prohibitive. But Mike Trout, 35 with the Angels, does kind of feel prohibitive.

How do you think, I mean, the Dodgers have been reluctant to hand out big deals despite their revenue. What did you make of the contract? I mean, this is going to sound crazy, but it's a great deal for the Dodgers. I think the Dodgers got a bargain. and the reason I say that, look at Andrew Friedman has constructed this ball club to where he didn't have any payroll liability beyond 2022. So he has been structuring the payroll for this moment and for this type of player. So Mookie Betts comes into spring training and immediately, you know, makes an impact with a clubhouse speech,

the leadership, the way he assimilates with the ball club. as good as he is on the field, he may make more of an impact with this organization off the field. And that's crazy to say. But it's true. And not only with his teammates, but also within the community, so many tentacles to this contract that, again, I think Andrew Friedman, and Mookie Betts is going to assimilate into this community and this organization as well as you could possibly, expect. I mean, this couldn't have been drawn up any better. So I'm watching Nats Yankees

last night, and it is weird. You got nine stars in that game, and it is, there's just no, there's nothing. I mean, there's just, you know, you're going to have empty stadiums. And I was saying this to John Smoltz the other day. I don't know, so I'll ask you eventually how it affects hitters, but as a pitcher, I remember talking

to Kurt Schilling about this. Like, you get into these big moments and, you know, you're in the eighth inning and you got about two fastballs left in the mid-90s, and you're sitting on that mound, and you can't tell me Fenway Park. You can't tell me Yankee Stadium. You can't tell me I don't get a little juice from the crowd to rear back and throw 96 for one of the last two times. And John Smolt agreed, he said, there's no question that you feed as a pitcher in later innings. That crowd absolutely elevates

you. As a batter, does it matter at all? Crowd or no? Absolutely. I mean, the adrenaline gets going. So now I've got to find something else to get me, you know, there's a lack of a better phrase, but to get me pissed off, to get me fired up, to get me, and I can draw on that. It's no different than, it's really no different than an actor having to cry, right? And so they've got to draw on some experience to create that emotion. So now I'm playing. So I've got to think what's at stake or create some sort of false narrative outside of fans and screaming and yelling. And I can draw on that.

And for each player, it's going to be something different, right? maybe I absolutely, maybe the guy out on the mound, I have a dislike form for some reason. And maybe I can create that dislike. Maybe that bad at the plate, I'm doing it for my kid, right? I'm doing it for my family. There's got to be something. And you will create that. And your teammates can help you create that as well.

And I think as we go on in the next, you know, the next couple of weeks, weeks and you know guys have had a little bit of it with with this you know the summer camp the spring training stuff the you're going to find out what makes you tick and what what creates that that adrenaline because it is it is going to and you didn't have to create and now you will have to find something and guys will find something yeah we're lucky this year we have the yankees we have the dodgers uh i don't know if i asked you this in a 60 game season the truth of the matter is your flaws may not be unveiled. And if they are, you're still in playoff contention.

I mean, in 162 season, by June, if you've got a bad infield, you're just, I'm going to see it. Hell in 60 games, you can fool people for 25. Is there one crazy team in this sport? And you think to yourself, I don't know, but they benefit from a lack of a full season. Well, the lack of a full season for me right now, I mean, I think the, I think the Astros benefit the most from all of this, right, just because of the no-fan experience. If you're talking about now, you know, can a team with a short season physically, I'd say the White Sox,

because they are young enough, athletic enough, they don't, they could, right, and where they don't get exposed, you know, they could sneak through with their pitching. They could, and that's a team that, you know, one of my colleague, Frank Thomas, you know, he's actually talked about them going to the World Series. Now, I'm not going to go that far at all. But that's a team that I could see, you know what? They could sneak through it if they stay injury-free. The Reds are another team as well that benefit from 60-game season.

You know, look, this season is going to be so fun. It really is. Because there's so much unpredictability. And there's going to be something happening every day where people are going to go, Oh, my goodness, whether it was Soto yesterday, not being able to play for the Nationals. Right. Two catchers for the Braves today can't suit up. So that changes.

It is crazy what's going to be going on. It's going to be so fun to watch. Eric Caros, 14 years in the bigs. Fox Sports, good talking to you, buddy. Hey, thanks for having me, Colin. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games.

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

Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tapped Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with a little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down,

and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so you're all right. But just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed correct. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line.

We also have AIDS on the table right now. Now you're finishing that sentence. Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, learn the hard way. Open your free iHeartRadio 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 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 she at?

Hey, man. Ms. Parker. Listen to the Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Michael Vic is now joining me from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, via the Coward Global Satellite Network, 13 years in the NFL, a four-time Pro Boulder. So I got to address the New York Jets situation.

So Jamal Adams is a great player. Jamal Adams comes out yesterday and says that The head coach Adam Gase is not the coach to take us to the promised land. This is in the paper. He says he doesn't have relationships with players. If we're playing lousy, he doesn't address us at half. He sends other coaches to do it.

I don't think I've ever seen a player make it this personal in my life with a coach. Now, Gase and Jamal Adams, they're coming back this year. I doubt the Jets trade him. He's too talented. Your first reaction to that, what is that going to do to a locker room? first of all, that's very disturbing to hear. And when you have a player talking like that, he's talking like that for a reason.

He's not just saying that just to be saying that. And you're talking about the leader of the football team. You know, not the quarterback, the coach. He's the ones that has to guide all of these young men to be better men and better football players. And when you got to stop players saying that, you know, that's going to reverberate around the locker room. It's going to be whispers.

Everybody's going to take notice to start, you know, paying close attention to where Adam Gase is doing. And, you know, when things like this have comments like this are made, you lose the locker room. And I don't know if you can bounce back in this. It's going to be tough because unless everybody gets it together and figure out a way to make this work, it's going to be a tough season for the New York Jets. And I hate that this had to happen, you know, at this time of the year, right before the start of training camp. It's interesting because I'm not going to defend Adam Gase, but I'll throw this out there.

is it possible that Adam Gase is more of an offensive coach and he doesn't he doesn't talk with his defensive players now take me back to your career did Andy Reed talk did he have relationships with defensive players yeah see coach really know a lot about the defensive side of the ball so he was able to help his defensive coaches and I seen it because I was right there watching firsthand I've been to meeting with Andy and the defensive coach

and walk in and they'll talk defense or you know he spent time with everyone So to not have, you know, that defensive touch or the knowledge of what the defense has to be doing, meaning you cater to the offensive side of the ball and it shows that that's all you care about. But you have to be able to lead those guys on defense as well. And I see him communicate with everyone, you know, and he was just as close as with defensive players as he was or offensive players. And I thought that was special. Do you, Michael, go back to high school, high school. then you had a college, Frank Beamer,

then you go to the NFL. Did you have to like your coach? You have to like your coach. You don't have to necessarily agree on everything, but you all have to have a common respect, a mutual respect for one another in order to move forward and win, especially when you're a star-caliber player.

When you're in that position, communication has to be constant and consistent. And when it's not, these type of things are going to happen. You're going to have guys, you know, talking and saying things that he probably shouldn't say within the media. But, you know, as a leader of the team, you know, guy like Jamal Adams, got to speak out on things like this because it just needs to be said when it's brought about like this. Did you ever have a team where what was the best locker room you were ever at? Where there was real unity and everybody was really on the same page.

And I understand. I mean, you got 50-year millionaires, you got veteran guys, you got young guys, you got stars, you got guys who are just like gunners on special teams. I understand that some guy, everybody thinks they're better than they are, they want to get paid. But what was the best locker room you ever at? Man, I would have to say, I had some great times in Atlanta. I can't take credit away from what we built and the chemistry we had within the locker room, the camaraderie.

You know, certainly when I got to Philadelphia, it was a different dynamic because it was the old And I was DeShan and Lishon and Germany, you know, the younger, the next generation, along with older guys like myself and Brian Westbrook and Donovan. And we just had that mess. We had that togetherness because we could all relate on so many levels. We knew about, you know, what the younger guys were going through. We was able to teach them. And then we was also able to learn from them as well.

So the locker room in Philadelphia was so diverse, man. all the defensive players got along with the offensive players. And, you know, our battles and our struggles on the field led to our togetherness off the field. And, you know, those guys, you know, were dynamic in their own right. And then, you know, the Jets locker room was amazing. And then I would say close to that was the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room. You know, it was no egos, you know, all across the board. And guys came to work every day and they believed in it.

And they followed their leader in Ben Rogers' Berger. and that's what made it a great experience. You know, it's interesting. I was thinking about the Cowboys and Dak Prescott. So the reason I think that Dak Prescott and Jason Garrett worked is they both needed each other. Dak breaks into the league and he needs, he needs to understand that he needs mentorship and Jason Garrett had quarterback in the league. So he needs him.

And then Jason Garrett needed Dak because they were four and 12 a year before. Tony Romo got hurt again in the preseason. So Jason Garrett, you can't. one in this league if you don't have a starting quarterback, so he needed stability, and DAC provided that in one games. So it worked because they needed each other, and I contend they're both good for each other. But then here's Mike McCarthy. Mike McCarthy's already got a Super Bowl. He got a five-year, $30 million deal. He doesn't need Dak for money. He doesn't need him for security. He doesn't need him for his legacy. He doesn't need him for a Super Bowl. And he's worked with

Farvin Rogers. I wonder, because there's a story out today from somebody inside the Cowboy locker room that Dak was really not happy with Jason Garrett being let go. And again, I want to ask you on personal experiences. Do you think it's possible, Dak's thinking, hey, Garrett had my back. I don't know if McCarthy has my back. You think that's possible? That's normal, the quarterback position to feel that way. Hey, I was livid when Andy Reid got fired. You know, I was upset when Dan Reeves got I was upset when Jim Moore got fired. And I felt like, man, we just needed a couple more seasons to get this right. You know, it's normal for a quarterback to feel that way and say those type of things. But, you know, is that the best thing for the team right now? You know, that's not the quarterback's

decision to make. So, but when Andy was fired, you know, in 2013 and Chip Kelly was coming in, I felt like I was just kind of left out there. And, you know, what was next for me? am I going to be accepted? You know, am I going to be in a quarterback battle? You know, all these things run through your head and it's realistic thoughts for a quarterback like that who's a very competitive quarterback. So, yeah, of course, those feelings and those relationships,

you know, they're real. You know, it's a real thing. And when they're severed, sometimes things come out. But it's up to death now because I've been through it. Now you have to start to develop that relationship with a new coach and get the norm. It's just going to take time. like anything else in life that you want to perfect it, be great at.

You know, you've got to put the time into it. So that mess will come over time. That's interesting. We were talking yesterday about Cam Newton, and we said it'd be one thing if he had an OTA in New England and a full preseason in New England and 45, 55 practices. He's got none of it. So you tell me how long did it take? Because I think Belichick's a great coach and Andy Reid's a great coach.

How many practices did you need with Andy Reid, before you got behind the center and you felt like, okay, I'm humming on this thing. I don't have to sit here and it's kind of becoming natural to me. Damn good question because when I think about all the questions I've answered about Cam and people saying he's going to start and he should be out in the field in the beginning of the year, Cam Cam can be put in a bad situation and Billiichick won't do that. He can't go out there if he don't have a true understanding of the offense, which takes time.

And he hasn't had any OTAs, he won't get any real preseason or training camp reps right now. And it's not going to be, you know, the most effective for Cam. Yes, he can get out and he can throw as much as he can. I believe he's in shape. But, you know, the knowledge is power

at the quarterback position. And I think Cam will probably understand that. So we can't get the car before the horse right here. You know, it's impossible to go out there and play if you don't understand, you know, exactly what, you know, needs to happen, you know, every particular play. And Cam's going to need some time.

He's going to need some reps. He's going to need a lot of drops in that this time right here is not helping him. But he can take advantage of every rep, you know, if he's not going into it, you know, the season as a starter, he can take advantage of every rep, you know, live by Kerosy through Stittam, you know, learn from the background. And there's nothing wrong with that. It'll pay dividends in a long term. By the way, you were a college football star, but when you came into the NFL, you got to sit for a year.

Joe Burroughs not going to sit for a year. My gut feeling is Tua is going to be too good at practice. He's not going to get a year to sit. It is strange. You go from college football to pro football, different system, different scheme. Edge rushers are faster. When you went to the NFL and you didn't have to start first game, but when you went to practice for the first time,

like what did you notice the biggest difference between college and pro football? And you were a world-class athlete. But how many practices before you started noticing the gap in talent speed and pass rushing? It was after my first practice that I knew I was going to have to put an immense amount of work into getting caught up to speed. First and foremost with the offense and being able to just verbalize everything that needs to be said in the huddle, getting out of the huddle, getting to the line of scrimmage was something that was just, you know, so new. and the process had to be expedited because, you know, when you're number two in practice and your reps are up, you know, it's your rep.

You got to step up. So I was like, man, I just need reps. I need reps. But Chris Chandler was there and I sat behind him. So I just had to really be keen and watching him and studying everything that he did, his every move. Even though our games was totally different, different styles. I wanted what he had in the passing game.

So I needed those reps and I needed them now. I didn't get them and it hurt me as far as development. And that's why I wasn't ready until my second year. But, you know, young guys who are throwing into the fire are going to learn fast because they're going to make mistakes and learn from them. He's in Fort Lauderdale. You can see all those beautiful, he's got trophies behind them. He's got all sorts of stuff.

Looking good over here. Yeah, I can tell you're not golfing today. That's like a go out. That's a good looking shirt. That's a take your wife out to dinner shirt right there. Absolutely. Absolutely. Even though I'm staying COVID-free, you know, maybe I ought out tonight, bring something there. But I just wanted to walk around and look good and feel good today.

Yeah, off the gun. A little gun show there. Looking pretty good, Michael. Good seeing you, buddy. Thank you. Good seeing you. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier.

This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Situers. Idle help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games.

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

From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick you here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s.

It was a wild year. It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hard Way with your favorite therapist and host, Kear Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're, you're having him with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing.

How many men carry a suit or armor. It signals to the world that you not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to, listen to learn the hard way on the IHard radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. This is an IHart podcast. Guaranteed human.