The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Colin Cowherd Podcast - Overvalued And Undervalued NFL Teams, Pay Aiyuk? Rory’s Meltdown

Episode Date: June 21, 2024

Colin is joined by John Middlekauff, host of “3 and Out” to talk NFL offseason and golf! They start with Kyler Murray and Colin offers up his theory as to why NFL evaluators have bailed on him… ...his gaming habit (5:00). Then, they pivot to the quarterback “bubble”... and identify the guys that can win a championship based on their talent or the size of their contract (13:00) which is bad news for one NFC North quarterback. They talk about Tom Brady’s recent appearance on “The Herd” and Colin explains why Tom is incredibly normal and thoughtful for a star of his stature (19:00)  and compares his demeanor to that of a current star NFL quarterback (21:30). They debate whether or not the 49ers should pay Brandon Aiyuk what he wants (33:00) and list their most undervalued (37:00) and overvalued NFL teams (43:00). Finally, they talk about Rory McIlroy’s meltdown at the US Open (53:00) and Bryson DeChambeau’s ascension to the top of the sport (01:00:00) (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements.) Follow Colin and The Volume on Twitter for the latest content and updates!  #Volume #HerdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Starting point is 00:04:26 out his podcasts. The football one is three and out. And we're not ready to go every week quite yet. But when we start humming, get out of the way, folks. We're like a fullback from the 60s. We're just going to run your ass over. Yep. So I was reading a story today and I thought of you. And I know Steve Kime really well. They got out and smoked a few cigars and had dinner with Steve Kine, the former Arizona Cardinal GM, who after, you know, 25 years working for a Bidwell, yeah, he doesn't want to do it again. You know, he's like burnt out still. And people only knew the stories.
Starting point is 00:05:07 Fans have no idea. But so I was thinking about this. Bruce Ariens was commenting about Kyder Murray. And he was saying, you know, he's still in the evaluation process. And I've always backed him because my takeaway is that Jesus, in a division that had Pete Carroll, Sean McVeigh, Kyle Shanahan, he had Cliff Kingsbury and took him to the playoffs. It's like, and mostly pretty mediocre old lines.
Starting point is 00:05:29 And I'm like, are you guys? Like, this is the best coaching division in football at the top with Pete and Shanney and McVeigh. And Kyle got him in there. Kiler did. But I, as I was reading that with Bruce Ariens, he had real doubts on him. I mean, real doubts that, you know, he's more legs than pocket. And he completes 67% of his throws. And I can't find anybody.
Starting point is 00:05:54 Anybody I ever ask about Kyler Murray in the league is like, no way. And I'm like, Jesus. He throws a beautiful ball. He's elusive as hell. He's a playmaker. He's accurate. People stuck with Justin Fields to the last game against Green Bay. People have bailed on Kyler, and he can freaking play the position.
Starting point is 00:06:11 And I have this theory. So I have a therapist friend, a lady. And she has said there's a little bit, it's not an epidemic, but it is an issue with men who are gamers are bad for marriage. And this person has said she has seen it repeatedly. People think, you know, guys get into porn and it ruins a marriage. She's like, no, gaming, gamers. She said it's addictive. Well, now it's communal because you can communicate with the people you're playing with.
Starting point is 00:06:49 And, you know, and I'm, I will be honest. When I hear a guy's a gamer and he's older, you know, he's out of his teen years or he's past like 2021, you know, I tend to be. like, oh, it's time to grow up. I mean, come on. And, you know, most guys get married, have kids. Even if they love that stuff, they get out of it. They move on.
Starting point is 00:07:12 But a lot don't. And it's like an issue. Therapists are seeing this, and they've been seeing it for years. Like, it's blowing up marriages, like guys that just can't stop. It's not like getting a book, John, and go and reading it for 30 minutes. Well, you can play continuous for 10, 12 hours, no problem. And so I think that. stigma. He's accurate. He's a playmaker. He got a poorly owned franchise to the playoffs and a
Starting point is 00:07:37 tough division. I think the gaming thing is a huge stigma. And I think older GMs look at it and think, Jesus, grow the F up. Like this guy, you can't, this guy's addicted to gaming. Yeah, I think the gaming thing represents something that a lot of people had question marks. How hard was he willing to work? And how much did football mean to him? Because there were some question marks early on in his career. And the NFL is a lot like high school. There aren't that many people there and everyone knows everybody and word travels fast because there is no disputing. Remember the last one of the last games of the season he played the Eagles? I mean, he single-handedly was running around kicking their ass.
Starting point is 00:08:14 He is. Yes. You know, Bryce Young, also a small player, can't hold a candle talent-wise to that. Not a candle. Daniel Jones, same thing. I mean, this guy is a, this guy's a legitimate top 10 talent at the position in the NFL that some people would say it's a no-go with his height. but he's kind of overcoming at moments. And like you said, he's had a really good year before.
Starting point is 00:08:38 Quarterback people say is the best Texas high school football player ever. He wins the Heisman. He gets Arizona to the playoffs. The fans don't like him. The media doesn't like him. Execs don't like him. His owner doesn't like him. Like, there's some, I've never seen a player this talented.
Starting point is 00:08:52 Nobody's saying be patient. People have bailed on him. I always support, I mean, I might criticize, but support young guys. Like, I'm so much different of a human. than I was five years ago, let alone at 22 years old. So guys, not everyone is Peyton Manning and Tom Brady at 23 years old. Like Kyler is much closer, especially to people at the other position. But at quarterback, there's no margin for error.
Starting point is 00:09:15 And I would say this. I haven't played video games since college. But maybe he just needs a girlfriend. Maybe he just, maybe he has one. But I'm with you. Other positions, though, I would imagine a lot of people under 30 in pro sports are playing video games. It doesn't bother me. Is Mahomes spending much time on the video games during the season?
Starting point is 00:09:34 Probably not. Josh Allen, Justin Herbert, Jalen hurts. You know, that's the other thing. How much does this guy like to work? You know, even Jalen, right, had a bumpy year last year. No one ever questions his love of football and how hard he's willing to work. Now, is he going to be good enough? Next couple of years, we'll find out.
Starting point is 00:09:51 But no one, and I think that's the big question mark with Kyler. And you know these GMs and personnel people, that's like, I'm out. Yep. I'm out. Because I can't risk it. I can't bet on you that you will figure it out before it's too late. Yeah, I guess my take on Kyler is he is the most talented quarterback in my life that has no support group. I've never said.
Starting point is 00:10:16 I mean, people have, I mean, Jordan Love didn't play for three years, was terrible in September in his fourth year, and everybody was yelling, give him time. The difference, though, is Jordan Love, not a highly recruited guy, goes to Utah State. I've been there, beautiful place, but it's not the first choice for many quarterbacks, sits for three and a half years, right? A lot of guys, Patrick Mahomes, he has to go to Texas Tech. Josh Allen couldn't get a scholarship offer. This guy didn't lose a freaking game in high school. Like you said, a five-nine player in the history of that state is widely considered the best player. Then goes to Texas A&M, and at the time, they were recruiting with Kevin Summon, just like Alabama or Georgia. Doesn't work out there. It goes immediately to Lincoln Riley, kicks everyone's ass, and then goes,
Starting point is 00:11:00 do Arizona, who just drafted a quarterback, they're like, get the hell out of here, we're going with this. And then three years in, they gave him a max contract. It has a little NBA feel to it. And a lot of NBA guys never sniffed their potential because they were given everything, everything. And Arizona did. It never made sense to me to pay them without like, hey, Kyler, let's just see another year.
Starting point is 00:11:19 And it backfired. I do think the guys, like I know a lot of Philly guys that know Jonathan Gannon really well, they have a young staff. I think both of his coordinators are under 35. They do like them because they're coming in fresh and he's been good. So people change. But you have to spend so much time as a quarterback. The difference, you hear all these stories about these coaches working 20 hours and it's true.
Starting point is 00:11:44 Quarterbacks aren't far behind. You know, the wide receiver not even close, right? The DB doesn't have to spend that time. The quarterback is working. They're hours. This ain't banker hours. You're not checking in the union 9 to 5 here. I mean, these are long.
Starting point is 00:11:58 You're working for Steve Cohen. on Wall Street up all night. These guys are up at 5 a.m. and they're not going to bed, turn the, you know, the tell. He doesn't have kids or anything yet. So, this is a big year for him. But he's under contract. He got paid. Like, he won, Colin.
Starting point is 00:12:12 He won financially. Now, proving whether he can hang. It's tough division. We know Seattle's going to be tough. And the Niners and Rams, I mean, are those two 12-win teams? Yeah, it's, it really, it jumps out to me. I'm fascinated. I enjoy watching him.
Starting point is 00:12:28 Like, I don't want to watch. watch Daniel Jones, right? Derek doesn't do much for me anymore in New Orleans. Yeah, same. Kiler is an entertaining watch. I'll give him that. Oh, no question. Yeah. The, you know, it's, it's funny about, I got into this conversation about quarterbacks that the last 12 years, only two quarterbacks have won Super Bowls. Stars, Peyton, Brady, Mahomes, or guys who are talented but yet, be paid. Russell Wilson and Flacco were on the last year of their non, their first year contract, and then the Wence Nick Foles team, where those guys weren't making any money. So essentially, like, that's it. You, you know, Tua, DAC, good quarterbacks, big money, no chance. And so I
Starting point is 00:13:19 looked at all the teams. I came up with 12 quarterbacks who were either, I considered like, throw the ball, elite fashion. And it was Stafford and Mahon. Holmes and Alan. I put Aaron Rogers on there. I put Lamar Jackson because I think he's elite in Joe Burrow. Those are the six. So they're in the Super Bowl bubble. And then there were six other guys who I consider really, really talented and inexpensive, all under $20 million a cap hit. Herbert, I think it was Jalen Hertz, Jordan Love, Brock Purdy. I'm missing somebody else, but it was that group. Would you throw Gough in there? That's interesting. So Goff was the one quarterback on the one team I didn't.
Starting point is 00:14:06 He is not great and he's too damn expensive. So over the last 12 years, there are no Jared Goffs. There are no A minus B plus quarterbacks and with no history. I mean, Peyton Manning was older in Denver, but his brain was functioning. It's Peyton Manning. He could still play. There are no golf winners. And it was interesting because I came away and I said, I actually liked this bubble. It was, you know, Ravens, bingles.
Starting point is 00:14:31 It was all the teams we like. You know, Texans, I think we both agree in Packers are young, but you wouldn't be shocked if they end up in a conference championship. And Detroit was my takeaway. And I also love Dan Campbell's ability to build a culture. I don't know if you get him in a game with a Shanahan or an Annie Reed if I feel so great about highly emotional Dan Campbell. So here's a franchise I love, a quarterback.
Starting point is 00:14:54 I've been higher on golf. You and I have, I think, than almost anybody in the media, love their roster. It's a younger version of the Niners. But there are no examples of Jared Goff winning a Super Bowl, that kind of pay and quarterback. And, you know, it would it shock you if I said in five years they didn't win a Super Bowl? No, I mean, well, the Lions. But I do think they have a unique window because of the trade they made with Stafford and how well they drafted. Their team, roster-wise, feels more like a Ravens.
Starting point is 00:15:24 right? They went toe to toe with the Niners, and they didn't have to lose any of those guys to sign this contract. That's right. Now, when the bill comes due and his number starts hitting whatever on a yearly basis, 20% of the cap, it's a little different. But right now, on a man-to-man basis, I would say they easily have a top-five roster. Because the other thing they have, I was talking to our guy Jeff Schwartz, who Oregon Duck, he's like, do you realize that Pena Sewell is like 23, 24 years old? You know, the players, their young talent, that Jemir Gibbs, the wide. receiver meets running back. Like he's a Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Camara. We saw Leporta, Amon St. Brown. They do have a question mark at defensive back. Yeah. If you have question marks of defensive back in 2024, it can be a problem. But they did add in the draft,
Starting point is 00:16:12 they added Carlton Davis from Tampa Bay. So if they're just, the other thing, Colin, is a lot of times when you're a team that sucks and then a couple years later has success, people steal your coaches. For whatever reason, Ben Johnson's, want to be a head coach. I mean, he's turning down Josh Harris as they're flying to see him. It's a unique situation with him. So yeah, Dan is not Mr. Schematic. Right. He's not calling the place, but he didn't lose his start coordinator. And now their defense just personnel wise, I think they got a real chance this year. They got a real chance because there's a ton of pressure in San Francisco. We'll have to see how this IUC thing plays out. Jordan Love's got to do it for 17
Starting point is 00:16:48 games, right? So you look around Philly. We still got question marks with Siriani. Now, the roster is good, but I think it's this year. Now, over the course of the next three or four years, it gets more difficult if you're not the fourth best quarterback, if you're closer to 11 and you're making huge money. But I do think you've seen, if you can protect the guy, he's mentally tough. He's like a better version. He's a different type player, but a lot like Alex Smith, but I think better. So is a better ball. Yeah, mentally tough. And that matters in these playoff games. Alex is just so physically limited when Andy would get him to the playoffs. Jared has more physical capability.
Starting point is 00:17:26 He can't run like that, but he can throw. And if you can protect him, the NFC, I mean, they should have won that game. And like you said, I thought it was pretty reckless by Dan Campbell with the kick of the field goals. But yeah, I think this year they got a legit chance. If you tell me the Lions, is inconceivable they're the number one seed? Their division's hard. But, I mean, why couldn't they win? I don't know if San Francisco is going to win 13, 14 again.
Starting point is 00:17:50 Maybe they went 11 because them and the Rams both 11. What if the lions get to 12 or 13 have the one seat and then they get to everything's in a dome? I would argue the two best rosters in the NFL are San Francisco and Detroit. The best teams are almost all in the AFC. It's like when USC dominated the PAC 12, the conference was just awful. But USC was the best program. And basically they got every California recruit they wanted. I said this before last year.
Starting point is 00:18:19 If you took the Niners and the Lions and just, we're going to make a Pro Bowl team out of these two teams, it can compete with, I mean, literally the offensive line, Trent Williams one side, Penaesil, the other. They'd hurt people. Yeah, they would hurt people. So, you know, it's, I had Tom Brady on this week. I saw that.
Starting point is 00:18:40 Yeah, Tommy was good. He was good. And he's really, I found people like Tom, because everybody is wants a piece of Tom like when you get to the that big and um and i know somebody that has that knows uh you know president broc obama former president pretty well and it's the same trait they both have the same trait is that um you know everybody wants a picture everybody wants to say hi i remember this game and is he the most famous NFL player ever pretty by a wide margin you think at this point in time i think so yeah yeah
Starting point is 00:19:19 Tom is really very, very normal. And it's really interesting how efficient he is in social situations. Like he meets you. It's eye to eye. He responds, very cordial, very human, very personable. And then, you know, he's escorted, didn't come with a big entourage. But it was really interesting to watch him. Tom is a highly functional, very normal, really incredibly thoughtful guy.
Starting point is 00:19:54 And as I sat there for the interview, he has a personality trait that I've always admired in people. Anything you ask Tom about football, anything. I was throwing these goofy theories I have. Oh, he's thought about it. And I've said this before in my life, one of the people, a couple of the people that are involved with a volume. One of the reasons I was always impressed with people that I included in this company is when you ask somebody about, you know, media and they have an answer because I'm obsessed by not just sports, but by the business of sports. And so I think about stuff all the time that I
Starting point is 00:20:33 don't talk about, but I just think about it. And it was really impressive to me that Brady, I'm throwing zany theories at him. And Tom's literally, he's thought of everything. And I think he'll be a very good broadcaster. Like a, like a player, I think he'll just get better and better and better because he's very hard on himself. Did you take anything away from the interview? That was kind of my take that Tom's just literally thought of everything. Well, it's about 120 degrees here. So I was in the pool a couple hours ago. And you have a lot of time in the pool. You're just kind of thinking. I was thinking about the most famous athletes, I would say in the last 25 years. Obviously, Michael would probably be number one. Tiger would be right up there. And I think both those, even what LeBron is,
Starting point is 00:21:15 now. They do struggle when they're just in a situation like that to feel relatable. I mean, Michael, Michael never has. Tiger's gotten a little better, I think, with his child. He can be a little calmer. LeBron is just in his own little world just because that's the way it's been for 20 plus years. I would put Peyton in this category, too. Both those two guys can be in a situation like that, and you go, I'd like to have a beer with that guy. Yeah, that's how I felt. And they are, you would never say that about Michael Jackson or Leonardo de Capri. Like the level of fame. And Tom's higher than Peyton. But is it crazy? And I've always said that Tom and Peyton were the magic and Larry of my generation, what they meant for the NFL. And Tom's just a very, very unique person. It's just to sit
Starting point is 00:22:03 like that. I looked at some of the YouTube comments because I watched the interview on YouTube. And everyone was like, how likable is this guy? And I think it gets back to the sport, how one, he went to whatever the highest level of education is in America, he went to the equivalent in New England for 20 years with Bill. Yeah. I mean, is it, should any else be shocked that all those former Patriots, when you hear them talk football, can do it at a really high level, from Matt Light to Edelman to even Gronk when he's not screwing around?
Starting point is 00:22:35 I mean, they've just been inundated with this, but they were all held in the same level, and there's a, there's a humility because you didn't have a choice. Right. And most of their teams were not super stacked. The teams that were didn't win the Super Bowl. Like, I mean, their core, Julian Edelman was their best wide receiver. Julian Edelman, I love the guy, but he's never going to Canton or anything. And I just think Tom, it gets back to his family, how he was grown up.
Starting point is 00:23:01 This is what people are looking for. Obviously, his success, you're not looking for that when you draft a player, but his love of football, how good he is with other people, how much he cares. Like these traits that he displays, and Peyton does this too, is like everything you look for when you draft a player. I mean, he's the highest level. He's like the Mesa, whatever it becomes. But I just find him very easy to listen to. And let's face it, most people that are like Michael Jordan is not like that. Right.
Starting point is 00:23:30 Because usually how could Tom relate to anybody? But he is able to do that. He transitioned to Tampa. And it was like, everyone loved him. It was like, the practice squad guys, like he's taking pictures with my kid. The star players are like he's the coolest guy we've ever been around. It's just a trait that not many people have. I think Mahomes clearly has that.
Starting point is 00:23:48 They have that going in Kansas City right now. Where everyone, obviously some people make more money. Some people have more fame. Travis Kelsey has it. I know he does. I mean, the way that they view him. And it's just think about, think about Mahomes' life. He's got a brother that makes the news.
Starting point is 00:24:04 Yeah. He's got a wife. Who wants to be a star. Yeah. He's got young kids. He's the best football player in the plane. He's the face of a franchise. He's got 38 endorsements.
Starting point is 00:24:16 And he is just in a good mood. I mean, you watch him on that Netflix thing. He is able to compartmentalize shit like I've never seen in my life. Some people, John, some people just have it. Mahomes has got wackiness and neediness and maintenance around him. None of it bothers him. You know, the other thing is... You know, college football, once you get to like Ohio State this year,
Starting point is 00:24:45 over under in their regular season, how many tight games they're going to be in? Wouldn't you put it at probably two? Like, they're going to be so much better. Or Georgia. They might be in two or three big games. Right. In the NFL, and Thomas has been saying this for 25 years, and every player does, you better come correct every single week.
Starting point is 00:25:02 Like, I don't get to just mail it in. Obviously, with that franchise, how hard bill was on everybody. But you will get beat by a four-win team beats a couple playoffs. teams, right? So when Tom was talking about how serious he prepared, he never knew, he never taken an opponent lightly. He never took a series off. Like, you've got to be careful. And the preparation that you were ready for in the first quarter might not show till late in the game and all of a sudden you're tied against a four-win team. And it's, it might be on Monday night football. It might be their Super Bowl. And I think that's what the NFL has that other sports don't. Like,
Starting point is 00:25:32 I'm playing the Lakers in February, win or lose, whatever. Who cares? You know, in fairness, they got 82 games or baseball. Every baseball game in the night. We're recording this on Thursday. Does any, do any of them matter? Do any of them actually matter today's games? They just don't. But every Sunday it does, because it could be the difference of winning your division, not making a wild card. It's getting fired, keeping your job.
Starting point is 00:25:59 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.
Starting point is 00:26:22 Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care which I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football,
Starting point is 00:26:39 or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast.
Starting point is 00:27:08 It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to The Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. The story I've told myself about love or relationships can then shake my behavior, and that can lead me to sabotage the possibility. of connection.
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Starting point is 00:28:20 Listen to deeply well with Debbie Brown from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, I'm Deanna Maria Riva, actress, mother, lover, and a Gen X woman walking through life one hot flash and hormonal crying jag at a time.
Starting point is 00:28:38 You ladies know what I mean. I'll bet you a paramedipausal chin here. you do. So let's talk about it. Join me on my new podcast. How Hard Can It Be with the Adamani Areva, where I call on my Gen X squads from Ohio to Hollywood as we navigate Midlife's most fantastic BS. All of a sudden, I'd had hanginess happening on my own. I was like, what the hell is that? I was married when I had her, so I didn't even consider how empty that nest was going to be. Mood swings, night sweats, fupas, sex drive. Wait, what sex? Dating at 45. How high Can it be getting naked at 50 with the new guy? That one's kind of hard, you know?
Starting point is 00:29:15 Well, that's lighting. They say we can't polish a turd, but we're sure going to try. So let's get blunt with laughs, tears, or tears of laughter, and dive into it, unfiltered and unbothered and ask, how hard can it be? I cannot believe I'm about to say this out loud in public. Listen to How Hard Can It Be with Diana Maria Riva as part of my Cultura Podcast Network available on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, fam? Miss Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano and our podcast Point Game is about defying the odds.
Starting point is 00:29:44 Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and Austin Reed. And finding ways to win no matter what. He's the smartest player to ever play the game. His IQ is at a level that we've never seen before. And he knows without Luca and Austin Reeves, I got to manipulate the game. We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the playoffs. I think Joker's going to be exhausted this series because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup, he has to really guard guys like Nas Reid.
Starting point is 00:30:11 He has to guard Julius Randall. And then he has to give us everything he gives us on the night-to-night basis on offense. And when IT's friends stop by, like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too. Steve Nass would get that thing. That man, hell get the flying. He running up the court, licking his fingers
Starting point is 00:30:27 why he got the ball. After you go through a training camp with that, Isaiah, you figure it out real quick. Get your ass up and down the court, and you're going to get the ball. So listen to Point Game on the, iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Well, think about this. Think about the parody in the NFL. There's about 10 awful teams
Starting point is 00:30:50 in baseball, 10 awful teams in the NBA. Take out New England. It's a bad football team. And I imagine the Giants are not going to be pretty. Carolina, I do think, will be much improved in their schedule. Boy, it's got some potential wins there. You got about two teams that I think feel kind of hopeless. I think the Raiders are talented. I just don't know rookie coach, Gardner Minshu. So let's say three teams that it could be pretty scrappy. But I mean, if Minnesota is a fourth place team, I think they have one of the best young coaches, one of the best left tackles, the best wide receiver, a top back, a top tight end, edge rusher is better than you think.
Starting point is 00:31:36 That's a fourth place team. A fourth, fifth place team in baseball or the NBA, like Detroit is not. even shit they can't score. Nobody can shoot. They have no shooters. I think the thing you forget about Minnesota, they also, they added an edge rusher. They also drafted one. Remember, they had two first round picks, JJ and the kid from Alabama. So yeah, I, I just think anytime and you've been around football your whole life, it's unlike any of these other sports. And to make, to do it over a long period of time, you've just been humbled so many times even if you're Tom. I mean, Tom's had some of the most historic losses in league history, right? Loss to the Giants twice. I mean,
Starting point is 00:32:15 those are, he had an undefeated team in the Super Bowl. So for all his 28 to 3, they did not lose a game. And a lot of those were not close. And then Eli got him again. And then the Eagles with Nick freaking Fools beat him when he threw 500 yards. So yeah, I just think he's a unique character in the communication, which clearly, you know, resonates and comes through when he sits down with you. I just think it's cool. Obviously, got a lot of money, but he's got a lot of money already. It's pretty cool that he wants to do this. I just think that we don't get very often, like, is LeBron ever calling a game on one of these networks one day? No chance. Right? So it's just, and is Patrick Mahomes? Probably not. You know, so I think it's going to be a very, very cool experience
Starting point is 00:33:04 and like everything, and it comes through when he's talking to you, he takes this shit very seriously. he takes everything very seriously. Yeah. You know, I was bouncing around. I wanted to ask you a Niners question because you're so tied into them and you used to live there and did radio in the Bay Area that, you know, I was thinking about Brandon Ayuk, and I like Brandon Ayuk a lot. I think he's a top five, six receiver talent in the league. But it's really interesting because I always say this, a lot of what you make in life, you know, how valuable, forget your talent and productivity, how valuable you are to a company, that's your leverage. You can be talented. Companies, I mean, you know, Joe Buck and Troy Aikman are fantastic, you know, and Fox at some point made a
Starting point is 00:33:57 decision. And so talent alone is not getting you paid. It's your value. It's your value. There's a lot of great tight ends who have never made great money. There's a lot of great running back. Saquan Barclay is a stud, and there's not a huge market for that. But if I look at the Niners, here's my knock on Brandon Ayyuk. The most important person with the Niners is the brain of Kyle Shanahan, then the legs of Christian McCaffrey, the pass rush of Bosa, I would say the versatility of Debo, and then the protection of Trent Williams.
Starting point is 00:34:34 I also think Kittle is a culture center, his physical style of play. So I'm at like six people, and they draft the two receivers. I don't think, and Purdy's not a big deep ball thrower, nor to really good teams allow a lot of deep balls when you play them. They're just not throwing go routes like most teams. How valuable is he? Well, I think it's, they're in a tough spot. Let's use this example. Let's say you're Kyle Shanahan.
Starting point is 00:35:02 and someone wrote an article that at the volume, John Middlecough is making more money than Shannon Sharp. You might have a problem on your hands, right? Shannon might be on the horn with you and Logan. Well, Trent Williams makes $20 million a year. He is widely considered one of the most talented left tackles in the history of the sport, and he's dominating right now. Christian McCaffrey got a raise, but it was $20 million.
Starting point is 00:35:30 Fred Warner doesn't make anywhere close to $20 million. Brandiique's a really good player. He's scheduled to make almost $15 million. But they're offering him $25, $26. He's like, no, I'm 31. Well, you make 31 in that locker room, what you're double the value of Fred Warner. If you're Trent Williams, like, we're all human beings. Like, I understand the market.
Starting point is 00:35:50 I play left tackle. And this guy's making $9 million more than me. You just, you got potential problems. I think it's a tough spot. Obviously, in a perfect world, I think what you would do now with the emergence of Christian McCaffrey last year and a half. You would just get rid of Debo. But deals have already in contracts have already been signed.
Starting point is 00:36:06 So you're kind of stuck right now. And his value on the open market, given that he's so Kyle Shanahan dependent. Brande is a really good player. He's a winning player. I would struggle, given the way they play, given the way they're built. They also have some big picture question marks. We just saw Trevor Lawrence. He got $200 million guaranteed.
Starting point is 00:36:24 Brock Purdy has been objectively better. And I know Doug. I talked to him at the Combine. Doug love Trevor. So Doug was pushing that. Kyle likes Purdy more than Doug likes Trevor Lawrence and Doug likes Trevor Lawrence a lot. You know, he's, Kyle's in love with Brock Purdy here.
Starting point is 00:36:39 So that number's going to be huge. Trent Williams is getting, you're going to have to figure out this left tackle thing. They do not come cheap, whether you trade for a guy, whether you mortgage a lot in the draft. I think they're just in a weird spot right now. They have a lot of really good players under contract making a lot of money. And then they got this situation. A couple years ago, he was in the doghouse. And he's proven he's a winning player.
Starting point is 00:37:00 But the way they play, he's never catching 95 balls. You get, you get... Never. Never. You get paid for production. There's a reason, guys, whether you're a winning player or losing player, you score 30 points in the NBA, you're getting a max contract. Right?
Starting point is 00:37:12 St. Brown was catching 120 balls a year. Like, give me my $80 million. I mean, it's part of the deal. So he catches 75. Now, he has a lot of yards. He's a really, really good player. Is he ever a top seven wide receiver in the NFL? So, because they pay premiums for...
Starting point is 00:37:30 Williams, best left tackle. Fred Warner, best linebacker, Kiddle, second or first, tight end. McCaffrey, best running back. So it's like, they're comfortable doing that. Debo, they were in a tough spot. Yes. I think they kind of got pushed against the wall. He had just carried them with Jimmy Garapolo being terrible to the NFC championship. And I do think he, I do think his versatility is unique.
Starting point is 00:37:52 100%. But then they, six months later, they got to trade for Christian McCaffrey. If they would have known McCaffrey was coming, they probably just would have unloaded him that offseason. It hadn't happened yet. I don't know. I could see a scenario where they play this out, which they're not going to want to do because the drama that comes with that. I could definitely see a trade, and I could definitely just see because sometimes a coach,
Starting point is 00:38:13 just get it done. Let's over quote-unquote pay. But then you have to worry about the locker room dynamics. And I think the 49ers, one thing they've really had, and Kyle does a great job of this. He's been around his whole life with his dad. It's a lot like New England. Everyone's pretty tight.
Starting point is 00:38:26 Everyone's rowing in the same way. They don't do a lot of BS. You know, and when it comes, it just doesn't. They get rid of it fast. So I, this is a weird spot. Because he's now vlogging his off season. You know, Koshanahan might be young, but he's an old soul. He's not really into all that crap.
Starting point is 00:38:45 And it's probably a headache to him right now. Yeah, I think so too. So, um, I want you to pick a team that, um, is considered a bad team. And, you know, I've done this every. a year, a couple years ago, I beat on this drum. I swear for six months, the Minnesota Vikings, I'm like, this is a 10, 11, 12 win team and they were. Like, they were undervalued. They were headed to the playoffs last year until Cousins ripped his Achilles. Yeah. So I am, I think I'm in the minority here. I want you to think, I'll go first of a team you think's
Starting point is 00:39:19 undervalued. I think it's Denver. So they drafted an edge rusher. That is an area of need. If you go back to last year, the defense was the issue. they got the most you could get. If you go really look at Russell Wilson's stats, now Russell doesn't see the field particularly well, but they've got a number one receiver in Cortland Sutton. The offensive line was rated 7th. I like their backs, capable at tight end.
Starting point is 00:39:46 Again, a number one receiver. I think the O line's better than people think. One of the smartest play designers and callers in the sport. The Raiders are not going to be great. The chargers will probably take a while to get where they want to get They're not going to be terribly explosive vertically. The Chargers can beat teams, but they're a little bit like Kansas City last year. They're not blowing people out.
Starting point is 00:40:09 He's going to try to play in 20 to 17 type games. Oh, every week. They're going to be in games with Kansas City. Kansas City doesn't blow people out anymore. Or She Rice is a bit of a mess. They have a rookie. Chargers won't blow people out. They could absolutely beat both of those team once.
Starting point is 00:40:25 They could beat the Raiders twice. They're over-underers five and a half. if the kid they drafted, if the edge rusher works, by the way, Mims last year became a really nice piece. That's why they moved off Jerry Judy. They went and got another receiver. I, it's hard. When you say, smart coach, good offensive line, automatic wins in division. Bowenix had 61 starts. If he's capable, if he's Russell Wilson capable, I think they're like an eight-win team. I'm not saying playoffs, but five, Jesus, John, five and 12 is Carolina. It's unwatchable.
Starting point is 00:41:06 I don't think Denver's going to be unwatchable. Yeah, I think Bo Nix, I remember watching him right after the draft. He kind of had some like Jimmy Garoppolo, Derek Carr coming out of college. And when those guys were young, they would have been perfect for Sean Payton when he was transitioning away from Drew Brees. You know, this team win-loss-wise, they've been. in the mix, but no one really took them that seriously. Seattle's offensive personnel is pretty awesome. I mean, D.K. McCaff's like Terrell Owens.
Starting point is 00:41:35 Jackson Smith. Oh, their backs and receivers are great. Walker, they've improved the offensive line. Their defense for a team that's drafted defense, this traded for defense, has been anemic these last two years, which is crazy because you remove the last, like, three-year stretch. Pete Carroll's easily one of the best defensive minds over the last 30-plus years, right? But it fell apart at the end.
Starting point is 00:41:53 Gino Smith, I'm not the biggest believer, but she has not really been their issue of just being competitive. It's their defense. They couldn't stop the soul. Well, they get the boy genius from Baltimore, who easily had the best defense in the league last year. Listen, Stafford's already kind of bitching a moment. I need a little more money,
Starting point is 00:42:11 and Stafford was awesome last year, but that elbow goes, we've seen what happens. If he's on the shelf, it's one thing if he misses one game. It's another thing if he misses a month and a half. You know, he's the linchpin of the whole operation. If something were to happen to Stafford, I could see Seattle being right there. Because you can already tell, like, are the Rams, like, do we really want to double down on this?
Starting point is 00:42:33 It was an awesome season. Can we just play out the contract? To me, Seattle's a quarterback away in the next couple of years. I'm sure Schneider is going to be all over them in the draft this year. I think that they are a very unique spot equipped in the future if they could ever find, just even get their Brock Purdy or just a guy that's really good, cheap contract. they would be a problem because what Mike McDaniel or Mike McDonald did these last two years and specifically last year, I mean, they, Colin, he embarrassed Kyle Shanahan on Christmas night. I had a buddy on the Baltimore Ravenstaff.
Starting point is 00:43:05 We're all calling him boy, genius around the room. Like he is a special defensive schematic guy. And he, listen, we questioned that side of the ball running a team. But he does inherit players everywhere on offense. And we'll see. I mean, Ryan Grubb, a lot of success coaching. Now, going to the NFL is a little bit different, but what he just did in Washington, a lot of NFL people are watching.
Starting point is 00:43:29 I'm not shocked at John, you know, and they hired them to be the offensive coordinator. So they're a team, I would say this year is going to be interesting, but they're a Bo Nicks, whoever their guy is over the next couple of years away from being like, they could be a problem. All right, let's flip it. Let's find a team that we think is a bit overvalued. I want to pull back on Houston so badly, but Jesus, I just love everything they're doing. Every move they make, every draft pick, I love what Houston's doing.
Starting point is 00:44:00 They're well run, and they got a good coach. And what their quarterback does is sustainable. He's a pocket quarterback. So, you know, I think about this. I really do wonder if Aaron Rogers is upright. The Miami Dolphins concern me. Basically, it's a three-headed team. It's Jalen Waddle, Tyreek Hill, and Tua.
Starting point is 00:44:27 Tua was healthy last year. One of the only healthy years of his life. The Jets, if Aaron's upright, are going to be much better. New England's bad. Those are two wins. Buffalo's Buffalo. Their schedule's not easy. The AFC, here comes Burrow.
Starting point is 00:44:42 Deshaun Watson's coming back. Aaron Rogers is coming back. Shit, man. Last year was the year. The getting was good if you're an AFC team. Like it was, it was, everybody's banged up. Trevor Lawrence wasn't healthy. Anthony Richardson got hurt.
Starting point is 00:44:58 C.J. Stroud's a baby. Didn't the dolphins have like a four-game lead after Thanksgiving? I mean, how the hell did they blow that division? And I look at Miami and I'm like, I could see them just, I could just see this thing with a little injury to tour early. I could see it nose diving. I think Miami's the team that I think to myself, God, last year. was, I mean, they're literally weather affected when they go north and later in the season. Miami's the team that everybody's high on.
Starting point is 00:45:27 I could see it being a bit of a mess. What's yours? I don't take them seriously at all. I don't care what their record is in September. Go 4 and 0 in September. Seen that, Ben, they've done that. The best teams in their conference all playing freezing cold weather. Not like cold weather, frigid weather.
Starting point is 00:45:44 So they have no shot. I think the cold to our team. that I'm high on. Their coach is a stud. Your guy Ballard has done a really good job. I think their roster is really good. They were a bad Gardner-Minchu swing route from beating the Houston Texans and winning the division. But their quarterback has played, he's much more physically gifted and much more talented.
Starting point is 00:46:10 But a little Trey Lancy, he just hasn't played much football over several years now. So you're very dependent on this guy. It's like, well, if he's awesome. I mean, I haven't really seen them on the field. And then last year, it's one thing to get hit by Ray Lewis, right, or John Lynch in their prime and get a broken shoulder or whatever. He had some injuries where you're like, I didn't even think that hit was that violent. And the thing about football is some guys are just durable. They just, this guy, this guy never missed a game in 15 years.
Starting point is 00:46:43 Yeah. Look at Jerry Rice's career 16 for 16. So it just goes on forever. The occasional you break a leg or whatever. but like you start having concussions, shoulder issues, that concerns me. I'm probably going to pick them to make the playoffs, but I can't feel good. I mean, their quarterback has played a combined. I don't know how many games he played last year, three or four.
Starting point is 00:47:04 And then before coming out of college, you had played 13 career games. That's the thing with this class, right? Penn has been playing for six years. Bo Nicks, 61 career starts. Caleb Williams started every game after Oklahoma told Spencer Rattler to go, you know, to the pine. J.J. McCarthy. Like you've seen these guys be on the field for a long time. People get very, like you said with Kyler Murray, lazy, not into it, terrifies teams.
Starting point is 00:47:29 Half the leaks is out. The injury stuff is tough because you're like, well, what if just a weird couple of year stretch and then he plays seven straight years? Or what if it's just something that snowballs? You really don't know. You're just completely taken an educated guess. Half the times the doctors tell you we can't draft this guy. This guy goes on to have an eight-year career.
Starting point is 00:47:47 And the doctor tells you to draft this guy. he's got a degenerate knee. So it's just, it's tough. But that is going to concern me picking them. But if I pick the Bengals, isn't Joe Burroughs wrist injury that I don't know if you read about it? Yeah. It's not like a broken leg or an ACL that basically feels like 100% recovery. It's a much smaller percentage, not arthritis, but pain and just the throbbing as you're working back from it is unavoidable. He's a quarterback. So he kind of needs to use it. I love watching the guy play, and he's the only guy in the AFC that went toe to toe with Mahomes and took him down on the road. But, like, that injury has a little baseball feel to it where that pitcher was never the same, right?
Starting point is 00:48:33 I hope that's not the case, but it's scary. 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.
Starting point is 00:49:00 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. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined.
Starting point is 00:49:27 And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger.
Starting point is 00:49:56 So, if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to The Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. The story I've told myself about love or relationships can then shape my behavior, and that can lead me to sabotage the possibility. of connection. This mental health awareness month, tune into the podcast deeply well with Debbie Brown
Starting point is 00:50:28 and explore the journey of healing, self-discovery, and returning to yourself. We explore higher consciousness, emotional well-being, and the practices that help you find clarity, peace, and self-mastery in a world that can feel overwhelming. The world is becoming lonelier.
Starting point is 00:50:46 We're not becoming more social and connected. We're becoming more individualized, but we actually actually, meet people in connection. If you've been searching for a soft place to land while doing the work to become whole, this podcast is for you to hear more. Listen to deeply well with Debbie Brown
Starting point is 00:51:03 from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. What's up, fam, it's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano, and our podcast Point Game is about defying the odds. Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and Austin Reed.
Starting point is 00:51:21 And finding ways to win. no matter what. He's the smartest player to ever play the game. His IQ is at a level that we've never seen before. And he knows. Without Luca and Austin Reeves, I got to manipulate the game. We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the playoffs. I think Joker's going to be exhausted this series
Starting point is 00:51:39 because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup, he has to really guard guys like Nas Reid. He has to guard Julius Randall. And then he has to give us everything he gives us on the night-to-night basis on offense. And when IT's friends stop by, like Quinton-Rourty, Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too. Steve Nash will get that thing. That man, hell get the flying.
Starting point is 00:51:58 He running up the court, licking his fingers why he got the ball. Like, you go through a training camp with that, Isaiah. You figure it out real quick. Get your ass up and down the court, and you're going to get the ball. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, I'm Deanna Maria Riva, actress, mother, lover, and a Gen X woman walking through life one hot flash and hormonal crying jag at a time.
Starting point is 00:52:23 You ladies know what I mean. I'll bet you a paramedipausal chin here you do. So let's talk about it. Join me on my new podcast. How hard can it be with the Adamani Arriba, where I call on my Gen X squads from Ohio to Hollywood as we navigate midlife's most fantastic BS. All of a sudden, I'd had hanginess happening on my own.
Starting point is 00:52:41 I was like, what the hell is that? I was married when I had her, so I didn't even consider how empty that nest was going to be. Mood swings, night sweats, fupas, sex drive. Wait, what sex? Dating at 45. How hard can it be? How can it be?
Starting point is 00:52:56 Getting naked at 50 with the new guy. That one's kind of hard. Well, that's lighting. They say we can't polish a turd, but we're sure going to try. So let's get blunt with laughs, tears or tears of laughter, and dive into it, unfiltered and unbothered and ask, how hard can it be? I cannot believe I'm about to say this out loud in public. Listen to How Hard Can It Be with Diana Maria Riva as part of my Cultura Podcast Network
Starting point is 00:53:19 available on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. All right, I've got to ask you a golf question. Go Low is John's podcast. John is, first of all, not only a great golf analyst, a good golf better, but I'm a huge Rory McElroy fan, and I was just, I was really pulling for him. I think Bryson DeCambeau has done a really good job to pivot, and he's become incredibly likable. And especially when Rory peeled out and left early, I guarantee a Deschambeau heard that and decided, I'm saying here for three hours signing every autograph. I just, Deschambo's personality is, oh, Rory split and didn't dogged anybody, I'll be here all
Starting point is 00:54:07 night. So these guys are all competitive. They're all alphas. It's interesting. So in defense of Rory, golf is so strange. I think it's the USGA. They put a tournament right before a major and right after a major in the summer sun. Like, it's just, that's not, like, these guys.
Starting point is 00:54:26 So he, he skips out on the Hartford. And I'm thinking to myself, you know, after a major, the intensity in the summer of a major, these guys are worn out. Fans, I don't think, understand sometimes. Maybe they do. A golf major in the summer, that shit, you're losing weight. I mean, you are, it is, oh, it is, you're to lose eight pounds over the course of four days. It is a grind in that heat. So I kind of understood, San.
Starting point is 00:54:53 Guys, I need rest. But I also, in a weird way, he is the face of the PGA, better or worse now. He's really the face of all of golf. I would include Liv. I mean, he's the most famous golfer right now that's not named Tiger or Phil. I didn't love him bailing without a congratulations. The Hartford I get, missing the Hartford I get. I think that's some of the structural bizarreness of golf.
Starting point is 00:55:23 some of their scheduling is weird. But in the golf community, how is that viewed? Himbus just basically, I'm out of here peeling off. Well, I think the unique thing about golf is when the 49ers right guard blows it against Chris Jones and the Niners loses through Bull. No one can relate to that. No one could block them. No one could play guard.
Starting point is 00:55:46 You can make fun of Luke all you want, not playing defense. No one can do that. But anyone can go to Pinehurst for like $400 and play the golf course. A lot of people have. They play golf, and it's extremely hard. And that putt was really hard. He's not the first and he won't be the last to have an incredible moment of just the worst moment of his career. It's happened before and it'll happen again in that sport because of the pace of the sport, right?
Starting point is 00:56:12 There's a lot of time between shots. There's a lot of buildup to every shot, especially on Sunday. You become one reason Bryce and Deschambeau has become very sympathetic. He lost his dad a couple years ago. And he talks about it a lot. A lot of people have lost their debt. And it's just whether you think he's kind of weird, quirky, it's a very relatable trait. The most relatable thing in golf is when you fuck up, have a bad moment, blow a tournament.
Starting point is 00:56:37 Most people suck at golf. The average handicapped like 18. Everyone can relate to missing that putt because 99% of people miss it. When Phil Mickelson, I think in 06 at Wingfoot, pumped it out of bounds when he was going to win, that was his best chance to ever. He faced the music. And he became a very sympathetic figure because it's a very relatable thing. Now, everyone's like, well, we know what they're going to ask them. Yeah, him saying, this is awful.
Starting point is 00:57:02 This sucks. I obviously wanted to make that putt. Maybe even cries. I actually think it would have drawn even more people to him. I think he's a kind of polarizing guy because he went all in on anti-live. And now he's saying we should get together, which he's right. I mean, they need to get back. But I think a lot of people think he can be full of shit.
Starting point is 00:57:22 And yeah, that was a moment, I think, would have really ingratiate himself with everybody because it's the most relatable thing ever. He missed a three foot or downhill. Every human being does it seven times around. And Bryson has really embraced this. Bryson lost the PGA championship by a shot and wore like, you know, stood up there, took the questions at the Masters. He was winning, I think, after two days and then kind of fell apart at the weekend. and Bryson's kind of really embraced this whole entertaining, entertainer thing.
Starting point is 00:57:54 Do you know what he does? And I was thinking about this the other day. It's a very novel concept. He smiles. Think about the funnest player you could argue beside Michael Jordan of my life. Just most fun. Steph, what does he do a lot? Smiles.
Starting point is 00:58:09 Why did everyone like Brett Farb? Look like he was having fun. You know, Tiger's unique. He could be an asshole, not talk to everybody. I mean, he was a rocket ship of, dominance. Michael Jordan also was not terribly likable. It didn't matter. Those guys are all time outliers.
Starting point is 00:58:24 Most, my homes. He might end up with like five Super Bowls. Looks like he's having a lot of fun. Bryce isn't just smiling a lot. We don't lose. He easily could have lost that. And I think Rory kind of, if you could have that back, it would have been a real easy moment to just say what everyone has experience that plays the sport and is watching.
Starting point is 00:58:47 Miss the punt. It sucks. I'm devastated. You know? And I, he avoided. Greg Norman talked after 96, which was way worse. He had a six-shot lead. Rory only had a lead in the back nine with like five holes to go.
Starting point is 00:59:02 And Bryson was behind him. So it was really, it wasn't like a true five holes to go because Bryson had the extra hole. But I thought, I think he'd like to have that one back. But it's also golf, right? In the NBA, the Mavs, they lost. It's winner loose. Rory did beat everybody else. And he has been really good these last couple of years.
Starting point is 00:59:22 He's beating literally everybody else. But part of golf is like, you got to beat that one last guy or else we all kind of go, yeah, golf, golf kicks everybody's ass at one point. Even Tiger. I mean, Tiger had the greatest run ever. It will eventually be. I mean, look at him now. He can barely operate.
Starting point is 00:59:41 Yeah. So it's, you know, the funny part about Tiger, I remember this just as an aside, it's always laughed. When Tiger was in his kind of that eight to 10 year, just it was different. I said this today on FS1. This happens infrequently, but occasionally you will see an athlete. Michael qualified as this. LeBron did in his prime. And Tiger did in golf.
Starting point is 01:00:09 That even amongst all stars, John Jones, UFC does this. even among the toughest guys in UFC, John is different. John is tougher than all of them. Then take the toughest guys, and John Jones, like, literally just is faster and more violent. And when Tiger was in his prime,
Starting point is 01:00:33 one of the things I always, because I love golf, I'll play it, I'm going on vacation, I'll play it three or four times. I love golf. Bad out of it, but just northeast golfer,
Starting point is 01:00:41 Northern California. But I hit enough shots that I'm proud of that it brings me back every time. Have a vodka soda out there, kick your feet up. Oh, more than one. Yeah. And you know how they'll do a slow-mo of the golf swing
Starting point is 01:00:56 and the analysts will break it down? Tiger was coming out of his shoes. It was, if he wasn't named Tiger Woods, if he was Bob Woods and Topeka, you'd be like, holy crap, this is a mess. He's overswinging. Tiger was, the level of, of the torque in his swing in his prime, he broke rules, but he was Tiger. And it was like,
Starting point is 01:01:26 okay, it was different. And I always think about that when I think of greatness is, you mean, Mahomes is doing behind the back stuff, left-handed stuff. The stuff, Steph took shots in his prime. You would have been benched for 10 years earlier. Well, part of golf, too, is equipment. the equipment over the last, I'd say 12 plus years, has gotten so extreme, all these guys can hit at 340 yards. I mean, Bryson's hit at 380. Tiger was hitting it 330, 340 yards with clubs that had no business going over 290 yards. So what he was able to do with his power, his velocity,
Starting point is 01:02:06 and as he got a little older, that linebacker strength, it's like if you could play 82 games 10 straight years in the 70, when you were wearing those little shitty shoes and no tape on your ankle. Like, that is a remarkable accomplishment. What Tiger did with his equipment, like what Bryson's doing with his equipment is impressive, but he's specifically training for it. He specifically made these clubs. Like, it is Taylor made to do that.
Starting point is 01:02:30 That did not exist in 1997 or 2000. Even up through Tigers like Prime, probably 0405, 06. Now, the reason Tiger at 45 could win the Masters in 2019 is equipment. If he had the old equipment, he probably wouldn't have been able to won at that age. But, yeah, I mean, I think he, he's a lot. You know, you hear these stories of Stevie Williams. I'll follow into it on YouTube on the algorithm. And he'll be like, yeah, we won the Arnold Palmer.
Starting point is 01:03:00 And Tiger had to hit a 25 foot putt to make it. And after we got all the hoopla on the except of the trophy, he looked at me. He said, I'm so fucking pissed. I should have been three feet, not 20 feet. So we flew right back to Orlando. the next morning at 7 a.m. He's practicing that shot for three hours in the dead of summer, sweating. You know, that drive that you hear, no one has that.
Starting point is 01:03:23 And I do actually think Bryson, if Bryson was a football player, he would have been the number one pick in the draft. This guy, him, Jack, and Tiger are the only guys to win the U.S. amateur and multiple U.S. opens. Three guys. Jack Nicholas, Tiger Woods, Bryson DeCampo. He also won the national championship in college. I mean, this guy's a blue chipper in the sport of golf.
Starting point is 01:03:43 It's different. He's quirky. But I think we talk about maturity. He's kind of just come into his own. The YouTube stuff, Liv allows him to do that. He's having a blast. He's popular. But he's really good. I mean, he's really good. And I feel like he's more likely to win five majors when his career's over than stick at the two. Like, he ain't going away. Yeah. What's his world golf ranking right now? Well, it doesn't exist because he'll need to live. Besides Scotty Schaeffler and Rory, like he's, there's, there's. There's no difference of those three guys. That's right. I don't get it. Well, the Olympics. He can't go to the Olympics because he doesn't get any points. It's like, what are we doing?
Starting point is 01:04:23 I mean, it's crazy. Golf's a Barnyard musical, but God do I love majors. I love majors so much. John, I'm going to be for, I've never taken a two-week vacation while I'm on the air. This is the first. My bosses have been incredibly accommodating. And I told both of them, I just said, I'm a little burned out. And I just need two weeks with my family.
Starting point is 01:04:49 And thank God, people at Fox. Literally, they came to me and said, take the month off. I'm like, I can't take a month off. I'm not built that way. I got to work. So I'll be infrequent, but I will be posting stuff on the volume. And we will connect soon, buddy. Keep on rocking.
Starting point is 01:05:04 Enjoy the summer. The volume. Thanks so much for listening. If you've enjoyed the podcast, take a moment. rate and review. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends.
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Starting point is 01:06:25 Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of tontons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith Rule of Two. Listen to stuff to blow your mind on the eye-heartedly. Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On The Look Back at It Podcasts.
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Starting point is 01:07:03 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. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media.
Starting point is 01:07:27 Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifers Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok.
Starting point is 01:07:50 This is an IHart podcast. Guaranteed human.

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