The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Cowboys-Patriots, Lakers, Clippers, NCAAFB, & Antonio Brown

Episode Date: November 20, 2019

Colin discusses how the Lakers are out shinning the Clippers, why Cowboys HC Jason Garrett might be coaching for his job against the Patriots, why he thinks the College Football playoff committee is pushing for two SEC teams, and why he feels the Patriots might take another look at WR Antonio Brown. Guests include Nick Wright, Joel Klatt, David West, Bucky Brooks, and CM Punk. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smigel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter.

Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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 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 does not mean that you need to listen to learn the hard way on the iha radio app apple podcast or wherever you get your podcast what's up guys

this is clivert taylor the fourth and on my podcast the clivert show i'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff like being an internet famous referee we're in the middle of a game this linebacker this linebacker walks up to me he goes a ref my mom wants you to wave at her what Time out. Quarterback on office blue with 42. Hey, Rhett, my mama want you to weigh better. What? Hey, Ms. Parker.

Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Thanks for listening to The Heard Podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday from 12 to 3 Eastern, 9 to noon Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and FS1. Find your local station for the herd at Fox SportsRadio.com or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching herd.

We're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Oh, here we go on a loaded Wednesday. This in Los Angeles is the herd. Wherever you may be and however you may be listening. We're on IHeart Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and FS1. Joy Taylor looks like a zillion dollars today. Look at that. Thank you, Tom.

Look at Joy Taylor. Sophisticated, amazing. You know, I was singing about this. CM Punk's on the show today. Joel Klatt's going to yell at me on the show today. Nick Rydell make fun of me on the show today. David West, former NBAers on the show. He looks great, by the way.

He looks like 20 pounds. Those power forwards get out of the league. He's not going to argue with you today? No, he probably won't. He's good dude. Bucky Brooks or packed today. How are you? I'm great.

Good morning. Good morning. Let me just give you a hypothetical. So let's say you had a really, really, and I'll just speak for guys here. I had a, you had a brother. And your brother was more successful than you, but he lived in North Carolina and you lived in Texas. So you didn't have to be reminded of it every day.

But what if your brother lived, you lived in Los Angeles, and your brother lived right next to you? And every year he had a new car, and his kids went to a private school. And every time they went on a vacation, oh, they were a sudden tan, they look great. And you got to be reminded every day. how much more successful.

His wife's got beautiful ring on. Looks like a skating rink. She got a new ring and a new car. Kind of be, after a while, you'd be like, enough already. I'm tired of my... We all get that LeBron and the Lakers play in the same building as Kauai and the Clippers.

We all know historically the Lakers matter and the clippers are irrelevant, right? Did you see what happened last night with LeBron? Oh, yeah, he was amazing again. He's now the best point guard in the league. The Lakers are the best team in the league, 12 and 2. statistically, it is unbelievable. He is, he last night, first player with a triple double versus all 30 teams.

He's all over Instagram, giving shoutouts to his mom. He's all, oh, my Lord. And the Clippers are wondering tonight, is Kauai going to play tonight? Because he's missed five of the 14 games. When your neighbors buying a new car and buying his wife a new skating rink to put in her hand, and they keep putting it in your face, Once again, the clippers are invisible. The Lakers brand, which has always been bigger, is winning,

and their superstar is playing every night and playing his ass off. The clippers brought in Kauai. They didn't just bring him in for June. Don't get me wrong. It works in Toronto. It works in San Antonio. But this is an incredibly competitive, distracted market. The beach, the mountains, the shopping, the Dodgers, USC, UCLA,

soccer teams, two NFL teams, and LeBron shares the building. And LeBron's playing every night. Remember Steve Ball? The Clippers didn't bring Kauai in just to be icing. They want some cake too. They brought him in to get market share, to get some buzz, to get some headlines, to get talked about. Is he playing tonight?

Because, you know, you can't play on him back to backs, even though he's fairly young. And LeBron's absolutely on fire. You cannot tell me there's not tension in the room in Clipperland. You can't convince me of it. By the way, when Steve Ballmer had that press conference, remember that press conference? And Steve Ballmer's a highly energized guy to begin with. Remember this?

I got to say, I'm just fired up to be here today. It's pretty cool. We're going to win some ball games this year. We're going to win some ball games. I got to say, being number two, being number four, we're only here for one reason. We want to win it all. There's only one reason. From now on, it's all about the Larry OB.

And if they don't win, let's say, you know, like LeBron gets to the finals, oh, the way he does when he's healthy every year, you're not winning October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May. So Lakers going to win all those months, you put all your eggs in the basket. Like, for June. I don't think Steve Balmer did that. I think Steve Balmer wanted market share. I think he wants a new arena.

I don't think he wants to be second fiddle a single day in Los Angeles. And maybe they win and it doesn't matter. And I'm just Jerry West doesn't care today. But when your neighbors buying his wife a skating rink to put in her finger every other year

and the Lexus and the private school for the kids and you're reminded every single day, he was always the apple of mom's eye. He still got it. LeBron is just kicking the clipper's butt, owns the city. And I, listen, I get load management. Like it works.

I get it. But I think it works better in Toronto than Los Angeles. We got major market media, major distractions. And LeBron owns this city. And Kauai on most nights now isn't even playing or competing against him. I think there's tension in the clipper building. I don't think they love it. I think you can say you'll tolerate stuff.

But, God, doesn't it sting a little now that LeBron is, oh, wait, the best player in the league? And maybe by like a yard or two. They didn't bring Kauai in here just for the icing. They wanted a little cake. And the story tonight, nobody's sure if he's going to play, and he's already missed five of 14 games. I get the load management. I do think it plays better. when your neighbor isn't jamming it in your face every night and getting all the headlines.

All right, so I read a column from a Dallas writer, Tim Kallosha says, is the Cowboys key to upsetting the Patriots, Dak Prescott out dueling a Tom Brady? No, that's not really what it's going to be. Let me first state this. Five of Dallas's six wins. Let me just state this. are against Eli Manning benched, Case Keenham bench, Josh Rosen bench, Jeff Driscoll backup, and Daniel Jones in his seventh NFL start.

Aaron Rogers ate up the Cowboys, Sam Darnal ate up the Cowboys, Kirk Cousins ate up the Cowboys, and Teddy Bridgewater beat the Cowboys. Dallas's defense has struggled to take the ball away from bad quarterbacks, and they're not getting a ton of sacks against average offensive lines. But this game, to me, does not boil down to DAC. Dax good. It doesn't boil down to the Cowboys' offensive liner Zeke.

They're good. Or the weapons, all good. Dax getting his money should get his money. This is a referendum on Jason Garrett. Las Vegas has made the spread in this game six and a half points. That is an absurd line for a New England team that can't score

and a Dallas team that may have eight of the ten best points. players in this game. This is all about Jason Garrett. And if Dallas loses Sunday against the Patriots, they will be 0 and 4 against Green Bay, Minnesota, the Saints and the Patriots. Jerry is not paying him to beat Miami and the rebuilding giants. He's paying Jason Garrett, because now we know, Dax's fine.

Dax better than fine. Dax probably now top 10. Dax improving in every single statistical category. Sunday. This column, Sunday's not about Dack. It's not about that. Dax getting his money. Dax deserves every penny of it.

Dax made Jerry a fortune. It is a complete and utter referendum on Jason Garrett. And when Jerry Jones gets into his Gulfstream on Sunday night, three and a half hour bumpy flight at a windy, snowy, New England, and he loses by 10 to a 41-year-old Tom Brady or 42-year-old with no deep threat, no gronk, he's not going to be happy. It's going to be varying degrees of how ticked off Jerry Jones is. You know, I don't think it's a coincidence that Jerry Jones talked at length,

told a story about a certain coach he bumped into years ago this week, the coach being, of course, Bill Belichick. I was skiing after our season was over. The cowboy season was over. And I was renting skis for my grandkids. And there was a line. And somebody bumps up against me a few times. And I turn around.

And there was this guy that couldn't make of him because he had his ski stuff on and goggles. And it was Bill. And, of course, he no longer had a job. He had been with Cleveland. and they'd let him go up there. He said, boy, listen, said, I can coach, said if you've ever get an opportunity,

don't forget about me. I've thought about that many times. You never know when you can find a great coach. Interesting week to bring up that story and tell it on radio, don't you think? Sunday is not about that. It's about Jason Garrett. And if they lose and maybe by over a touchdown,

Jerry's going to make a decision on that three-and-a-half-hour flight. And he may be telling another story about Belichick on the radio Monday in Dallas. Coming up, college football comes out again last night. We've got another bracket coming out. The playoff seating came out. And once again, they're telling you what they think. And a big chunk of the country doesn't want to hear it. But I'm not so sure the committee's wrong.

That's coming up. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. On Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the Iheart. Radio app. 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, Tript 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

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And listen now. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines.

We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context and ask the questions everybody wants answered. SportsClyce brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsClyce on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok.

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

Quarterback on office blue with 42. Hey, ref, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Where's she at? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clifford show on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

If you're watching the latest season of the Real Housewives of Atlanta, you already know there's a lot to break down. Gorsha accusing Kelly of sleeping with a merry man. They holding Kay Michelle back from fighting Drew. Pinky has financial issues. I like the bougie style of Housewives show. I think it looks like it's going to be interesting.

On the podcast, Reality with the King, I, Carlos King, recap the biggest moments from your favorite reality shows, including the Real House Wise franchise, the drama, the alliances, and the T, everybody's talking about. As an executive producer in reality television, I'm not just watching it. I understand the game. As somebody who creates shows, I'll even say this.

At the end of the day, when people are at home, they want entertainment. To hear this and more, listen to Reality with the King on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Vick Synex nasal spray cold and flu season very windy last night where I lived very very windy didn't rain or anything which is very disruptive to my life it's raining now I think freaked our cat out yeah cat was all over the house last night freaking out with a wind a big fat cat anyway nice to have you back so the committee comes out every Tuesday night you know they wait about a month and then they come out and they come out and here's who we think deserves to be in the final four and then they always have those two teams, five and six, and we kind of pay attention to that aren't in the final four,

but are about ready to get in. And it may freak some people out, but it's LSU one, Ohio State Two, Clemson three, Georgia, four, Alabama five, and Oregon six. Now, two is not playing for Alabama, so I don't think they're going to end up in the championship, but I will tell you this, if Bama beats Auburn in two weeks, my guess is they're in, and if LSU beats Georgia, and I think they will, because I do think Bama is going to beat Auburn, I do think LSU is going to beat Georgia, and the committee is telling you, we want two SEC teams in. That's what they're telling you.

That's why Oregon being six, not five, matters. I do think Bama, even without two, is going to beat Auburn. And I do think LSU is going to beat Georgia, although I think both games will be highly competitive. And then we'll have Ohio State, Clemson, and two SEC teams. I have never been a believer in being loyal to places I grew up. I'm not loyal to the Seahawks. If they didn't have Russell, Wilson, I wouldn't learn. like them. I'm not loyal to Oregon just because I used to work there and I think it's an amazing

place. Two things happened in college football. Oregon scheduled tough and lost to Auburn. And if Alabama beats Auburn with their backup quarterback, Alabama's getting in. I really appreciated Oregon scheduling tough. But you got to win those games in September. And Oregon did not beat Auburn. Auburn has a freshman quarterback playing his first game. Auburn was favored and Auburn won in a neutral field. You got to take care of business, although I do appreciate the scheduling Auburn and you lost close. The second thing is the SEC is the best conference. It doesn't matter where I grew up or who I've covered for a long time.

Right now, the SEC has the number one ranked undefeated team LSU. They have the number one rated one loss team Alabama. They have the one lost team is Georgia. They have the number one ranked two lost team, Florida. They have the number one ranked three lost team Auburn. Okay. So the SEC is the best conference. And the committee's telling you, we want two teams from that conference in.

That's what they're telling you. And they're telling you, you know, Oregon's good. But they went up against Auburn and lost. And if Alabama beats them, you have a common opponent. And if they can beat them with a backup quarterback, we're putting them in. And I don't have a problem with it. I think the SEC is the best conference. I don't think it's necessarily close.

And I do think Oregon scheduled right but didn't finish the job against Auburn. If they win that game, they're in and nobody can close. planes. So I don't have a problem at all where the committee is. I may have grown up out West. I do think it's bad for business to have a final four with Clemson, LSU and Alabama or Georgia in it. It's incredibly southern. The ratings in college football, Denver West, have been going down for the last five or six years. You need to have a Western representative. I think you could certainly argue Oregon from a business standpoint would be better in than another SEC team. I think having Denver West, San Francisco, L.A., Seattle, Denver, Phoenix, engaged matters.

It's going to feel very southern again. But if the South got the best college football, and I don't even think it's disputable right now, I do think Ohio State's the best team. I think they'll be a hot knife through butter against LSU's lousy defense. But I don't have a problem this morning. I would love to say Oregon, you deserve to be in, but you schedule tough, outplayed Auburn, and lost to a freshman quarterback in his first game, and you may have the best quarterback in college football. Not just scheduling tough, you gotta win that game.

Oregon didn't. That's why they'll probably be on the outside looking in. Joy with the News. No, no, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. Kind of overshadowed by the fight in the Steelers Browns game last week was a little back and forth between Odell and Mike Tomlin. So after Odell was traded to the Browns, Tomlin was asked about facing him twice a year and replied with a fake yawn.

It's kind of a little. unlike Mike Tomlin he usually doesn't go there but but he did so during the game Odell gave a fake yawn back to the Steelers sideline after he made a big catch and Odell and Tomlin had a brief interaction during the game and Odell

revealed what he told the Steelers coach he said, I said you disrespected me I said you know who I am and he said I know who you are that's why we're doubling you all game and this and that he said it's all in good fun and they were just talking and there's no beef Jarvis Landry also celebrated

his touchdown later in the game with a yawn as well. I mean, look, everything that happened in that game kind of glossed over the fact that the Browns did get a pretty significant win over the Steelers, despite the fact that, you know, it is Mason Rudolph a quarterback. But again, why are we still talking about last week? I understand the Steelers are coming up again, but you do have the Dolphins this weekend. Cleveland's not making a playoffs. By the way, Oakland's two games ahead of them. Yes. and is favored this week.

Houston's two games ahead of him and is favored this week. Buffalo is three games ahead of Cleveland and is favored this week. And in a couple of weeks Cleveland faces Baltimore and is going to get completely rolled out of their own stadium. So it's over. I mean, these are all great

Instagram moments, but it's over for Cleveland. And I don't even think the O'Dell Beckham deal, which I never loved. Everybody else did. I don't think it was a great deal. He's got one touchdown, 10 games. I think that really the, that's the underlying story of this year for me. Like, obviously they've been a huge disappointment, but I kind of feel like we're being robbed of Odell's greatness

with him being stuck in Cleveland. Like, we thought that this was going to be, at least I thought there would at least be the opportunity for Odell to have some success and some excitement there. It's not like he's playing bad, but we're not getting the Odell that we got in New York. No, it kind of feels like... So for all the complaining about Eli Manning thrown to him,

I felt like at least in New York, Adele was relevant. It's like Anthony Davis in New Orleans. You're being robbed of his greatness. Now you put him with LeBron and we're watching him every night and we're like, oh, it's like I root for star receivers to play with good quarterbacks. How great would O'Dell be with Carson Wins? How great would he be with Tom Brady or with Russell Wilson?

That's why when Josh Gordon goes. How much better was he with Eli Manning? I know. So to me, I'll get into it later. I don't think the move was worth it. I think the Giants got two defensive starters and probably three out of it. and Odell's got one touchdown in 10 games. So, Dak Prescott is having the best season of his career and is proving he's worthy of a big contract.

And former Cowboys quarterback, Troy Aitman, agrees and thinks it's time for Jack to get his money right now. I really do not know why he has not yet been paid. And that's not a criticism of anyone's. I don't know if it's just that they're so far apart. I don't think there's any doubt they want to sign him. I don't think he can show anything more than he's already shown. What's being said now is, hey, we love you, we're going to pay you, you're not going anywhere. But until that actually happens, I do think there's not doubt, but I think there's some questions as to, okay, well, how committed are they really to me?

If DAC were to be signed, I think it would give him a lift and I think it would give this team a lift. Yeah, well, he's going to get paid. Listen, if you, you know, I thought, I watched him in college. I thought he was Tim Tebow with a better arm. And then by year two, middle of year two, I say, okay, I whiffed on that one. He's good. Now, you're just being stubborn if you don't think he's worth $35 million. I think you're being stubborn because this is the best I've ever seen in play.

This is the best. Now, he's one of three quarterbacks in the NFL with a workable offensive line, and he has really nice weapons. I'm not, but the end of the day is so what? I mean, shouldn't he have a good offensive line or a decent offensive line, a workable offensive line? Yeah, I mean, he has some elements that I like a lot. Other than Tom Brady can survive having a mismatched offensive line. Well, I don't, surviving, I don't think Tom's flourishing with his offensive line this year.

Right. And they're nine and one. And Andrew Luck is widely concerned to be an incredible all-time talent. Couldn't make it happen without an offensive line. I mean, you feel like Andrew Luck is better than Dak Prescott? I think everyone would say that. Andrew Luck retired because he was torn apart. Right.

The argument for Dak not being a franchise quarterback or not being the future of the Cowboys. At this point, it's kind of silly. Like, he's leading the NFL in passing yards, 3,221. He's second in passing yards per attempt, second in passing touchdowns.

And here's the other thing. He's way more accurate than people think. You know, it's funny. In every business in the world, it feels like to me, maybe not. Maybe in music you're not allowed to improve either. Like in music, when you get to the public spectrum,

22-year-old superstar, we expect you to be great. generally in the NFL, I think we forget sometimes. These are 22-year-old guys. Well, I think even in music and in acting and entertainment, you become more cultured and you get more depth and more experience and that in turn should make you better or, you know, have more range and whatever. But yes, you forget how young these guys are and they do, they should in theory,

is the same as Tom Brady always talks about. The game slows down for you. Everyone always says that it slows down. So it's not about your physical ability necessarily as much as you understanding the game and seeing more and experiencing more. Did Gucci Main get better as he got older? Yes.

Yes, he did. So Gucci Maine. Yes. Work harder. Nobody cares. He got better. Nobody cares. Work harder. Oh, God.

Finally, the Colton Texans meet for the second time this season tomorrow night on Fox. And it has huge implications for the AFC South. According to Fox bet, Houston is favored to win the division. division at plus 110, but Indy isn't far behind at plus 150. The two teams are tied for first right now, but the Colts hold a tiebreaker after winning their first matchup in week seven.

The Texans are favored by three and a half tomorrow, but if the Colts can pull up the upset, they'll have a huge advantage in the race for the division because both teams are six and four. That's Colts and Texans tomorrow night at 7.30 Eastern on Fox, a huge Thursday night game again. Totally really different. Right now, you've got a superstar quarterback that sometimes doesn't feel. feel like he's well coached or supported, whereas you've got a solid quarterback who feels like he has the best young GM in the league in a great offensive line.

So that's going to be excellent. We get another good Thursday night matchup. The Colts are a good example of what building a great all-around team will do for you, just like the Saints. You can lose your franchise quarterback. And still be well into the playoff conversation in the conversation to win the division. We didn't know what to expect from them this year. So it's a huge game tomorrow night.

There you go. Joy with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The herd lie news. I said it before. It's one thing if your brother is more successful than you. It's another if he lives next door to you and constantly remind you that he's more successful than you.

And Kauai Leonard's not playing potentially again tonight. And LeBron James is having a ridiculous season. Not ridiculous because it's LeBron. It's because he's in his, what, 17th year. And he appears to be, I watch him now regularly, the best point guard easily in the sport. And I do think there's some. tension in the clipper building as they were they got kawai not just for june they wanted to get a buzz market share relevance lebron has squished all of that uh he's just playing out of his gourd

via the cower global satellite network nick right by the way i i have defended load management like i but i think it works a lot better in toronto than it does in los angeles when lebron's sharing the arena and i do think the clippers are looking at lebron thinking their guys on fire. Our guy can't play back to back. I could be being hyperbolic on this, but it does feel like it's a complete facial to the clippers. Does it not? No, this is something you are getting exactly right. Unlike the, if I need one stop, Kauai, if I need one bucket, Kauai. That is, of course, if it's every other Tuesday what he's playing. You are now back to reality, which is the Lakers have the best defensive player in the league, Anthony Davis. They have the best player in the league,

LeBron James, who in a nice trick in year 17, all just become a rich man's Jason kid and be the best point guard in basketball, an average 11 assists a game, because I've never done that before, so that'll be fun. And yeah, of course, the clippers are anxious. And I think your analogy is spot on about your better and more successful brother. This is why I had to move out of L.A. to New York to get away from you, couldn't stare at you every damn day. And the most important part is, and I hear everyone say it, and all my friends in the analytics community, I get it. Well, as long as they win in June, it won't matter. Because of what they're doing, they might not get to June. I will say it again, Lakers, Clippers, Rockets, Nuggets, Jazz. Those

are five excellent teams. One of them goes home after round one. Three of them go home after round two. Because of the load management, the seating the clippers are staring at could be against, oh, I don't know, the Denver Nuggets in round one, or maybe you beat the Nuggets in round one, and

now you're in Houston for round two. And so, it is an enormous bet. And one last point on this, you said it worked in Toronto. Toronto was the one seed, the year before Kauai got there. They went 17 and 5 without him. They this year are not thriving,

but more than surviving without Kauai Leonard. That is not the team he has with the Clippers, and the Eastern Conference playoff picture is not the playoff picture they have out west. It's an enormous gamble. It would be in any city in the Western Conference, even more so when LeBron James is reminding the entire world, as has been the case every healthy year since year three. He's the best player in basketball, and it's not even close.

Let me shift to this. Carmelo Anthony came back last night. There's three or four NBA players I never bought into. Blake Griffin, Derek Rose, you know, Carmelo Anthony. I'm not denying Hall of Fame-level talent. Carmelo will get Hall of Fame votes. He'll get in.

That's not an issue. But he was terrible last night. Big shocker. Here's the other thing, though. LeBron James rushes to Twitter last night. Oh, it's so great to have you back. Should be noted, LeBron last four or five years could have gotten Carmelo on any of his teams.

You know, like LeBron, he's got a bunch of guys last year that couldn't shoot in head cases. He couldn't get Carmelo on his team last year. I could call Nick Wright the greatest. Wait, time, I could call you the greatest friend. Hold on. You're arguing? I'm arguing that LeBron went phony on Twitter. Oh, if I kept saying, you know, Nick, you are the best. I love Nick Wright.

And we had a bunch of openings on FS1, and it was all the guys you compete against. I mean, this Carmelo thing is nonsense, right? Okay. Colin, you will be my brother forever and our us, you becoming someone that I looked up to from afar to now becoming one of my closest friends is one of the greatest things that's ever happened to me. You don't know. I do this. If you are ever washed and I am still in my prime, I ain't inviting you on my TV show. I don't know if that day will come, but it won't be about our friendship. And so, listen, Mello gets Mello, 14 straight years, 20 or more points per game. First 14 years start his career. The people who have done that are Kareem and LeBron, and I'm, there's only four people ever and Carmelo Anthony.

So we should put respect on what he accomplished. You said he'll get Hall of Fame votes. Walks in, first ballot, no question about it. But he's in a different phase of his career. And unlike Dwight Howard, Dwight can reinvent himself. because Dwight at his best, even when he was prime Dwight, defense and rebounding. So come off the bench for the Lakers, give us minutes of defense and rebounding, and you can be useful. Carmelo in his prime, throw him the ball, automatic bucket. That's a tough reinvention.

And there's no shame in this. That entire class of guys, 03 in the class surrounding it. Let's look at it. Chris Paul, different place in his career. Dwight, different place in his career. D. Wade, out of the league. Chris Bosch, out of the league. The only reason we look bad upon Mello is because the one guy who's the face of that generation, LeBron, to bring it back, is still the best player in basketball. And listen, man, the Lakers just didn't need him. I'm sure LeBron called up Jeannie Bus was like, hey, let's get my guy on the team. And she's like, LeBron, you play basketball for the team.

You have nothing to do with personnel decisions. We're not going to take your calls anymore. I'm sure he did everything he could for his friend. it just didn't work out or something like that. Either way, I'm glad Mello ain't on the Lakers, but I'm happy he's in the league. It's all working out for me. Let's, uh, I want to get to

an NFL thing. We got in a big argument this week on Twitter. I'll get to that in a second. I keep hearing. Oh, the Jacksonville, first it was L.T. and the Chargers were going to beat New England. And then it was a big Ben and all of his weapons. And then it was the Houston Texans and their Letterman jackets. And then

it was Andrew Luck and the Colts. And then Jacksonville had a couple cracks at him. And now it's Patrick Mahomes. We keep looking for the, you know, the team that's going to end the run. And I'm watching the Chiefs Monday, and I'm thinking they needed four picks to beat an unathletic old Philip Rivers. That game was in doubt at the end. And I'm thinking, this team doesn't run. They can't stop the run.

I don't think they match up with Baltimore right now at all. I don't think they match up with New England at all. Aren't you a little bit concerned about the team you? grew up rooting for. All right, so the Monday night game was not good. They were lucky to escape with a win. I will grant you that. But your argument that we keep looking for the team who will beat New England, my counter

would be two points. One is, New England has never been this vulnerable. The chiefs may have needed a number of picks to beat the Chargers. The Patriots needed a blocked punt to beat the bills and needed a touchdown. Really the nicest pass thrown all night this Sunday. by a wide receiver because their quarterback is cooked to beat the Eagles. Oh, he's cooked, Colin. You know it. I know it. Everyone knows it. He's cooked. And so we also have direct evidence of the Chiefs playing the Patriots last year. Yeah. And taking a lead in the fourth quarter, Devens couldn't

hold it. We have the AFC championship game where Tom Brady, your golden god, through an interception to end the game and D. Ford's off sides and whatever. It is what it is. They lost that game. But to act like they are not closer, the Colts with Andrew Luck played them in the playoffs and got annihilated. Philip Rivers has never beaten him in his entire 15, 16 year career. The Chiefs are going to be the team that does it if Baltimore doesn't get their first. You say the Chiefs don't match up well against Baltimore. Lamar Jackson's 14 and 3 is a starter. Those three losses must have all hurt your heart because one came to Baker and two came to Mahomes.

Now, I know those Mahomes wins don't count because somehow, he's one and eight in Colin Goward's eight career biggest games, which makes no sense whatsoever, because two of those came against Baltimore. One of them clings the one seed last year. Oh, that game doesn't matter. But the game against Seattle, that was meaningless. It was a loss. It was a big game. But I digress. The chiefs have some holes. They have a by week to fix it. And you want nothing to do with them in Foxborough in a few weeks when they show up to play your ball. beloved Patriots. All right. I just, I just see, I don't know what they do well besides Andy Andy Reid designs plays and Mahomes is magician, but I'll take your word for it. Finally, what are the pants do well? What do the Patriots do well? Coach, win, clutch, defense, secondary, situational football of the 27 things they're great at. But I digress. We've got to get to this. Two minutes left. You and I gotten a Twitter spat. I generally don't get in those. You get in those every day. That is, you are, you love arguing. I don't at all. Uh, I've got,

uh, my portfolio to tend to. Anywho, the point being is you and I argued about James Hardin, who apparently is lighting up November. And I'm like, congrats on that. It means nothing. It, it will translate to nothing. He'll be exhausted in April and May. And, uh, go ahead. Have your say now, because I did at the very end of the argument win, which I don't on Twitter much. So go ahead. Okay, well, it's very interesting because you just employed in the beginning of this a strategy I don't often go to, but I do like to have in reserve, which is when I lose an argument, I do claim the other person is just a far more seasoned arguer than me, and that's why. But that's neither here nor there. Listen, we've got to be able to appreciate the moment.

It can't all be about destination. James Harden might average 40 points per game this year. Last year, his team was decimated by injury. He averaged 36 and carried him where they did. The season before, he was the, he was league MVP, and he's the only, they're the only team to threaten the Kevin Durant's healthy Golden State Warriors were up 15 in game seven till it fell apart. And if that means, well, they therefore can't win a title, I just disagree with it. It can't all, I'm in really, really enjoying.

my large adult Slovenian son, Luca Donchich, and what he's doing. They're not going to win the title. That doesn't mean we can't enjoy what they're doing. He is scoring like Wilt as a perimeter player. Maybe it's ugly and maybe it won't end in a championship, but I can appreciate the journey, not just the final destination. That's the only point I was making before you tapped out of our debate. It's actually a reasonable debate.

I will say this about James Harden. and in this world of load management, Hardin, you know, I don't think Hardin actually has done a great job. He's starting to now defending his position, which is, dude plays his you know what off every night, and he brings it. And if you bring your son to a game in Houston, James plays, scores 40, and you go home on that drive home with your mom and dad, and it's one of the five best nights of your career. And I grew up with downtown Freddie Brown, and he played every night. There is a real value in that. I'm sorry it matters.

That's your best argument. Not the wilt one you made on Twitter. Oh, thank you. Thank you. All right. I got to go now. It's Nick Wright. First thing's first.

All right. See you, buddy. And I did tap out. I don't like arguing on Twitter. Nick's very good at it. He's very controversial, very good at it. Nick is very good on Twitter. I don't like arguing on Twitter.

It's very, it's not great for me. You just people are screaming and you say something. You offend somebody and somebody comes up and puts a shiv in your neck. at, you know, a burger joint an hour later. You've got to be people get angry on Twitter. I mean, most people on Twitter are just, they're on their couch. They're moms. Yeah.

I mean, that's usually where I do most of my tweeting. All right, but he's out there throwing haymakers all the time. Yeah, I mean, I understand it. All right. Coming up next, let me just say this. A story came out yesterday about Brady and the Patriots, and I think there's a story behind the story, and they want to talk about it.

because it may happen. That's coming up next, The Herd. Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd, weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway, with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Keer Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month,

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Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in.

I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athletes themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear.

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

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Vegas, you know, Nick Wright saying Brady's cooked and all this stuff. just Vegas builds big casinos and they have no loyalty to anything except green. That's all Vegas cares about. Vegas is telling you two things for all those that think Tom Brady is cooked. New England's almost a touchdown favorite over Dallas. New England's getting their left tackle Isaiah win back. Vegas knows that. New England is a touchdown favorite over super talented Dallas.

Las Vegas is also, so Vegas is telling you, New England's really good. How many teams in the NFL would be a touchdown favored over Dallas? I'm dead serious. None? Who would be a touchdown favorite over Dallas? Baltimore would. Really? Because Baltimore is a three-point favorite over L.A.

The Rams have an offensive line crisis. They have no home field advantage in L.A. I mean, they really don't. Maybe a point. And by the way, their wins have been. ugly and unimpressive as they've beaten bad quarterbacks. Vegas is telling you, New England's really good. Because even Baltimore, as hot as they are, and Los Angeles, as sluggish as they are,

that's a three-point spread. In a home stadium, if I said to you, Baltimore is a seven-point favorite over the Rams, you'd be like, of course they are. But Vegas is telling you, no, we think New England, is over double the favorite over a way more talented team in Dallas than Baltimore is over a way less talented team than Dallas, Los Angeles. What does that tell you? New England's fine.

They're not cooked. By the way, this story came out yesterday. Antonio Brown apologizing, he tweets, Mr. Kraft, I apologize sincerely. Why? I think New England could make a second run at him. They took two runs at Josh Gordon. They brought him in, they bailed on him. They brought him back.

Then they bailed on him. So they're not going to go back to Josh Gordon. They made one run at AB. His camp believes his situation is going to get cleared up before the end of the regular season. Tom Brady, this has been reported, went to Robert Kraft and pleaded with him to be patient with AB. Tom Brady, it's been reported.

Went to New England and Kraft. Give Josh Gordon a second chance. Why did Antonio Brown come out with that tweet yesterday? You didn't take anything from it? Nothing? Listen, Brady's, it's not a Tom Brady issue. Their offensive line is 14th in pass blocking. They have no deep threat, which they haven't had much of in recent years.

And their first round wide receiver has been a little bit of a no-show so far. Antonio Brown solves all of it. They got two issues. Left tackle, solved this week. Deep threat. Solved potentially with Antonio. Neil Brown. They went twice in on Josh Gordon. You don't think they'd make another run at A.B.? I don't know. I do. I do. Tom Brady has been snippy and grumpy. It's not because of the autumn

weather. Left tackle pissed him off. That's solved. He's got no deep threat. They went and got Muhammad Sanoo, meaning they kind of figured Gronk wasn't coming back, so we got to get somebody a big receiver in the middle of the field. Tom Brady implored, help us. They went and got Muhammad Sanoo. I think Tom behind the scenes is saying, hey, let's give A, B, if he's cleared. If he's cleared, let's give him another shot. Brett Farber was on his radio show last night. He agrees that it's, it's not a Brady issue. If you didn't know his age, you'd watch him and think he's sort of an athletic guy, but he's really good and really accurate. I think you have to look at the way he plays versus the way I played. He's the greatest pocket passer ever. So I think as long as long as he's,

as they protect him. And for whatever reason, the Patriots are just, you know, they're not clicking on offense. And it's not a result of Tom being in his 40s. It's just not right right now. But I think it's way too soon to write them off. And I think it's absurd to mention age right now as a factor and why they're struggling. I'll tell you who's not writing them off. Vegas, almost a touchdown favorite over Dallas.

Vegas is not. Vegas is saying, oh, left tackle situation, solved this week. That's what Vegas is saying. Vegas is saying their secondary is the best in the league. Their defense is really good. Their left tackle issue is going to be solved. They added Mohamed Sunu. We know they have very good running backs.

The kicker seems to be fine. The deep threat is the only thing that feels like they're missing. And I think the AB tweet yesterday. I mean, it just seemed like a strange time, right? Yes. Out of the, we talked about this off. They're nine and one. Tom Brady is still playing and Bill Belichick is still there. I don't even understand what the deal is.

Of course they're still good. The New England Patriots. Oh, a lot of doubters. Joel Klatz's going to yell at me in a couple of minutes. Michelin Endurance X.D. Silicon Wiper Blades. Tested for 16,000 mile Alaska to Argentina. They work two times longer. They'll last than any other blade available at Walmart.

Joel Clats around the corner. David West, the former NBAer. Can't wait to see him. That's coming up. One more herd. The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week, within the IHeart radio app. Search Herd to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist,

Keer Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase, that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing and we're still chasing it and we don't know when we've done enough because people scoreboard watch.

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

Join me, Kear Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines.

We go straight to the source. The athlete's themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slices Life 12 and the tick podcast network on TikTok.

What's up, guys? This is Clever Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Clivert Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff. Like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker, this linebacker walks up to me.

He goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Come on out. Quarterback on office blue with 42. Hey, rep, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Where's she at? Hey, Ms. Parker.

Listen to the Cliverts show on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. 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. This Mental Health Awareness Month, tune into the podcast deeply well with Debbie Brown and explore the journey of healing, self-discovery, and returning to your, 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. We're not becoming more social and connected. We're becoming more individualized,

but we 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 from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Oh, here we go. Hour two on a Wednesday. This is The Heard, wherever you may be and however you may be listening. We're on IHeart Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and FS1. The rest of the country, it's raining in Los Angeles. It's a real crisis here. We even have like eight mile an hour wind. Rain and win in Los Angeles. It's, it's sweater weather. It's Mayhem in Los Angeles. That's the voice of Joy Taylor on radio and the face of Joy Taylor on television.

Joy, how are you? I'm great. Good morning. So, Odell Beckham, you know, it was, the media tends to, you know, listen, if a star gets traded to a team, we're all in on the star. A.B.'s going to the Raiders. It's going to be unbelievable. And Khalil Mack's going to the Bears. And it's going to be unbelievable.

And the truth is, a lot of these trades, you know, they don't work out. Some do. but I would say more than 50% of trades don't work. The player doesn't fit the culture. The player gets paid a ton. Our expectations are unrealistic. A player, a star gets traded to an NFL team and you have to make sacrifices to keep them on the team like offensive line.

But Odell Beckham was talking this week about, you know, Mike Tomlin, the coach of the Steelers and how Tomlin disrespected him after Cleveland beat him. And, you know, I said to him after the game, you disrespected me. He said, I know who you are. And we're doubling you all game and this and that. And I've never seen a team in my life in the NFL like the Cleveland Browns. They can never let go of last week. I think this is the 11th straight week where they're talking with a big game coming up,

like a game they can't lose, talking about last week. So I am officially, they don't have a logo on their helmet. I'm officially giving the Cleveland Browns a logo on their helmet. The Cleveland rear view mirrors. They never are looking ahead. they're always looking behind. This is the new logo of the Cleveland Browns, the Cleveland rearview mirrors.

Every single week. It's Wednesday. They're still talking about last week. Just go beat Miami. But the other thing is, the media does tend to. Whoever gets the star in the NFL, you think you win the trade.

And it just doesn't work that way. So I didn't love the OBJ trade to Cleveland. I said before, expectations are through the roof. I don't think he wants to live in Cleveland. They've already got Jarvis Landry, David and Joku, Nick Chubb, and they have huge offensive line issues. Do not give away picks that you could solve on the offensive line.

Baker Mayfield is going to have a rookie head coach. Do not give him OBJ rookie head coach, global icon, and move offensive linemen. And I went this morning to look at the grades, the OBJ trade. So they gave up a first rounder. There were four good offensive linemen in that draft they could have had. They didn't get any of them. They gave it up. A third rounder they gave up.

The Giants got two defensive linemen for that. One of them, Dexter Lawrence, Clemson, having a great year. And they also gave up a player, which wasn't really crucial. But all the grade, sports illustrated, it was all A's and B pluses and Ds and Fs for the New York Giants. But the Giants are no worse for wear without Odo Beckham Jr. They're a rebuilding team like they were with them, and they've got some nice young defensive linemen. And they'll go again in this draft, the Giants will go heavy defense, which they should.

But with OBJ, I've got one touchdown in 10 games, a 4 and 16, which is distracted. Baker Mayfield's gotten worse, and OBJ is the second best receiver they have this year. You tell me, does Cleveland get an A for that? Do the Giants get a D or an F for that? So I think it's just a cautionary tale. When you get these drafts with superstars, you have to give stuff up to get them. and Cleveland needed offensive line help, and they gave up a first and a third round pick,

and that probably would have been a starter, and an immediate starter on the O line, and a starter by mid-season on the O line, and I don't think they should have made this move. I did not go crazy with it. I did not go over the top. I said, I don't think it's going to pan out. We got a guy that doesn't correlate.

His production doesn't correlate to wins. With a veteran coach like Belichick or an Andy Reid, OBJ would be fine. Freddie Kitchens is, young. He's going to be a little over his skis as he learns on the job. I don't think OBJ a global icon is a perfect fit. It also put pressure, I believe, on Baker Mayfield to get the ball to OBJ. And we've been saying this for months. It's just now recently Cleveland found their identity as their four and six. Cleveland struggled with their identity the first six,

seven weeks. Their identity without OBJ would have been very clear. We're a run team. And Jarvis Landry's a great possession receiver. That would have been a very easy identity. I I think OBJ clouded their identity, and that's why they're four and six and why they won't make the playoffs. Speaking of playoffs, college football playoffs. Last night, the committee made a decision. Let's see what Joel Clatt, the voice of college football thinks about the decision made by the committee. By the way, this week, Penn State and Ohio State. That's this week, right?

Saturday at noon. Yes, sir. We're going to be live, man. Big noon kickoff right there outside of the R-Pack. Ohio State fans show up. Love to see you. That'd be great. Don't be afraid to remind Clatt of some of the kids.

nonsense. Give him a little bit of your mind because he loves to argue with random strangers. Oh, I do. I do. That's right. Hi, Joy. Hi, Danjo. Okay, here's what the committee did last night. Let's see it. What is your

might, you know, my takeaway last week is the same is they want two SEC teams in. And if Bama wins or if LSU wins, they're going to get two SEC teams in. That's what they want. I don't think, I think that they're evaluating Alabama before they see them with Mack Jones. You know,

So to date, I guess you could make an argument for Alabama where they're at. They're giving them a lot of credit, even though their resume is incredibly thin. They don't have a win against a ranked opponent. In fact, the only ranked opponent that they've played, they lost. They lost that game at home, obviously, to LSU. But wouldn't it be impossible if Alabama with a backup beats Auburn, even if it's ugly, you can't drop Alabama? That one spot five to six is something.

Well, the problem comes in where they are not going to have that 13th game. They're not going to have that extra Power 5 game. Remember now, even if Oregon lost to Auburn and Alabama beats Auburn, Oregon's going to have the chance to play an 11th Power 5 opponent where Alabama will have played nine Power 5 opponents. They're going to have the ability to be a conference champ. And if Oregon were to win out, they will have gone 10 and 0 in Pac 12 play. And we've never seen a Power 5 conference team go to know through a league schedule. We've never seen one that has the nine conference team schedule, go 9 and 0 and then win a 10. So there's going to be a lot of momentum for Oregon at that point.

And one last point, I would just say. And in Bama season, we'll be over at that point. Excuse me? So Bama season after Auburn is over. That's right. So Oregon's going to be on TV beating Utah potentially. Potentially. And you think the committee is going to be like, hey, we got to move them up.

And remember, the committee is supposed to honor the conference champion unless a team is, quote, unquote, unequivocally better. I don't know if Alabama with Mack Jones can be considered unequivocally better than Oregon. At least that's my own estimation. That I'm not saying Alabama is bad. And this, by the way, I reserve the right to change based on the fact that in 2014, I had a very similar opinion when J.T. Barrett went down for Ohio State. And I was like, listen, with Cardell Jones, Ohio State is not one of the four best teams. And then they went and just boat raced Wisconsin 59 to nothing.

And I was like, oh, like, okay. So if Bama hammers Auburn, yeah, I would probably make an argument for Alabama at the time. Now, I've been a conference champion supporter. You have. And throughout this whole process, even when it was Penn State over Ohio State, I argued for Penn State in the year that they had two losses and won the Big Ten. But at that point, it becomes much more difficult,

much more difficult to leave Alabama out if they were to prove that they don't miss a beat or are potentially better with Mack Jones. And I know that sounds crazy, but remember, Ohio State was better with Cardell Jones in 2014. A lot of times on this show, I think you'll waffle, but this one's pretty good by you, Clatt. Uh-oh. Clat gives out his top 10, had the courage to do this. A lot of

you college football, sick of fence. Nonsense. Clat will bring it. He brings a hammer here. It's good to see you have LSU third because that defense is garbage. I watched two hours of Old Miss run up and down. LSU, I think, is a terrible matchup

against Ohio State and Clemson. Or Clemson. I think they will run all over. By the way, I don't remember the last time there's probably stat that you could put a team number one and you felt their defense was a, not a liability, a major concern. It is a major problem. And it's been a problem throughout history, by the way.

If you go back to the start of the BCS, Colin, which is 1998 when Tennessee won that first BCS championship game, only one team has won a national championship since the late 90s with a defense that is not a top 25 defense. LSU's. 53. Okay, so that's a problem. My eyes do not deceive me. It was Cam Newton's Auburn team, by the way.

That was the one champion. So now you're having to say like, okay, Joe Burrow is Cam Newton, right? Joe Burrow in this offense is what Cam Newton and Auburn would. And listen, I'm not taking anything away from Burrow. Burroughs phenomenal. He's going to win the Heisman trophy. He's been great. You know what LSU is right now?

They're trying to do exactly what Oklahoma has done the last two years. And we don't give. This is the Baker Mayfield version of Oklahoma. That's what LSU is right now. It's a very good point. SEC fans, you got to own this. And I defended the SEC for years on this. You got to own it.

LSU is basically a big 12 powerhouse now. Right now. No defense. Which is fine. Listen, Baker and OU almost beat Georgia. And they were going to be a tough matchup. I'm not saying that they can't win the national championship. I'm just saying that putting them at number one just because I think is nonsense.

In particular, when you look at the balance and dominance of Ohio State and Clemson, I think Ohio State, by the way, after the next three weeks, if they were to win all three games is going to have maybe even a stronger resume than LSU. They will have five wins against currently ranked teams. If they're the big 10 champ and undefeated, that would be a better resume than even LSU with a win against Alabama. I really think Ohio State still could be the number one team in the playoff rankings going into the playoff. And here's why that's such a big deal, Colin is because there's a big difference between three and four right now. I think that the toughest game is LSU or Ohio State is going to have to play Clemson and a national semifinal. Do you really want that?

I wouldn't. Clemson looks amazing all of a sudden since that one point went over North Carolina. By the way, Clemson's the best college football program in America today. Today, I mean, the ACC is so bad. They've been bored for most of these. But think about this. Trevor Lawrence in five straight games has three touchdown passes. He stopped turning the ball over.

Their defense is amazing. They can run it with Travis E. in. Their defense is very good. Where are the holes for LSU? When you look at LSU, or excuse me, Ohio State and Clemson, there's not a lot of holes. No, Best Pass Rush or in America, Ohio State. Clemson's done this to us for three years. By the way, it's very

Belichickian. They kind of scrap and kick it around for the first six weeks. Well, because they can with that conference. That's right. And they experiment. And by the way, that's why Belichick does. He can experiment. He's got the jets down the road. And Belichick kind of experience and tweaks and experiments. Clemson does the same thing in conference. Pete Carroll did a lot of this at USC.

When the conference was down and he was rolling, they would kick it around, kick it around, and then they ended up in a bowl game, totally healthy in a weaker conference, and boat race everybody. That's right. I think Clemson is a tough one. I think that it was fine to criticize them early for their play. They turned the ball over too much early.

They had the one point win against North Carolina, but since then they have been totally a dominant team. And I wouldn't want to see him in a national semifinal. You're going to have to play Clemson at some point. Clemson wins their national semifinal. Yeah. Hey, let me throw this at you. Tua got hurt. I think he's going to drop a little bit in the draft, and I think

it's the greatest thing that ever happened to him. I said this yesterday. If he was my son, I wouldn't say it publicly, but I would tell my son privately, you're way better off going to the Chargers, Carolina, you know, a Pittsburgh. Sure. I mean, that's interesting. I don't

disagree with that sentiment. You don't make your money with your first NFL contract, nobody makes their money on it. I mean, I don't disagree. And the last first pick quarterback to work out was Andrew Luck. Would you agree with that? I agree with that. It's really tough to work out as the first pick. And to go to a team that bad and really work out. We'll see with Baker and Cleveland. I kind of agree with your take. They don't really know who they are. They don't have a great identity. And we'll see what they are moving forward. Baker's likely to have a third head coach, you know, within his. his first four or five seasons in the league, which is very tough to get through. I hear your sentiment onto it.

It just, it hurts to say that, right? He had played himself into a position where he was going to be the first or second pick in the draft. That's obviously a giant financial windfall. My heart sank when I saw this. I just hope that the vascular damage is minimized and not serious because that's ultimately what really hurts you with these hip injuries. But how in the world am I going to pass on him?

There's no way. I'm watching Kyler Murray. Sure. I'm watching, he's got prototypes. Lamar Jackson is an outlier. Nobody plays like that. This kid, I'm seeing this kid in the league. One guy, Russell Wilson is the MVP and Kyler Murray is the,

if it wasn't a kid named Lamar Jackson, Kyler's the shock of the league. Sure. I would agree with that. I would agree with that. Now, what you have to, if you're a GM, though, and part of what you love about Tua is his comparison. to guys like Russell, who's an amazing creator and Kyler, who with his feet can make NFL

defenses look silly. And here's this guy that's had two tightrope surgeries on his two ankles and now a hip fracture. I'm not passing on him. I understand. I'm just saying like if part of what you love about him is the fact that he can be creative, he can be mobile, and he can do things outside of the pocket that make your team better, you know, like that's a concern. I don't. I don't. I don't. I don't disagree. I wouldn't pass on him. I would pass on them probably way up high, but if I'm one of those teams that have a quarterback need in the middle of the first round, I'm with you. I think that that's a no-brainer selection all day long. And then in a year or two, we'll be looking up like, oh, that was a steel, wasn't it? I mean, this guy's going to play for 15 years. And I hope he does. I really hope he does. He's represented college football and Alabama the right way his whole career. So, by the way, Ohio State, Penn State this weekend, I've been to the shoe a couple times. I've been to Penn State a couple times. That's in the middle of nowhere.

Yes. Let's address something here. This could be very uncomfortable for you. USC is going to have a coaching opening because they play UCLA this weekend and their season is over. Their season's over before everybody else. If Penn State lost this weekend and I think Ohio State's really, really special, it'll be a great game. But I would take Ohio State. USC, James Franklin, I hear rumors.

I'm not trying to put, I'm starting the rumors, but they're the worst kept rumors in America. They are. Let me just tell you, okay. But it lacked class for USC to go, we want him. Neighbors of mine ask, I live around a lot of USC fans. People ask me about this all the time. Here's my stock answer. I'm not going to ask James Franklin about it.

I'm not going to ask people around Penn State about it because, quite frankly, I feel like that's unfair to them because they're trying to beat Ohio State. Totally agree. Get to the Rose Bowl, win a Big Ten championship. But me? I mean, you can certainly speculate on that. The timing of this is crazy because USC technically has an off week to end the season. So yes, USC's season is over by Saturday night. I'm just telling you, if I run USC and Penn State loses, I'm getting on the phone.

I mean, here's the interesting part is, and that's under the assumption that USC absolutely changes. Oh, God, come on. Top 24 players in California high school football, they got zero commitment. They've lost a connectivity to the kids. That's a problem. Once the kids don't think you're cool, you're done in college football. You can make head coaching decisions based on two factors as an athletic director. You ready for them?

Yeah. Buts in the seats, revenue, recruiting. You can make your entire decision based on that. You don't even have to watch games. Buts in the seats, recruiting. You're not wrong. You're not wrong on that. This feels awkward when you say something like that.

Joy, did it feel a little awkward to you? Today was one of those days where you guys agreed on mostly everything. I don't want to put you in a bad spot with a James Franklin thing. That's why I'm just not going to ask him. I don't ask you for predictions on the games you do. I'm a professional. But I do think in the James Franklin thing, all my neighbors go to USC and they're asking me all day. And I keep looking at the schedule.

I'm like, it doesn't matter if USC wins. seasons over Saturday. Let me tell you what the biggest element of that USC game is Saturday. Do you want to know what it is? I'd love to. It directly impacts Oregon and Utah and their ability to argue for the fourth spot in the playoff. I mean, that's, there are going to be four potentially eight and four teams at the end of the year, Auburn, USC, Oklahoma State, and Iowa State. And whether they all end up there and where they're at in the rankings is going to have a massive impact on Alabama, Oklahoma, Utah, or Oregon. I think actually the fourth playoff spot is going to be decided by Iowa State against the two Kansas schools in the next two weeks, by Oklahoma State against West Virginia this week. Oregon fans should be rooting for USC.

A hundred percent. If you're a Utah fan or if you're an Oregon fan, get the, I mean, fight on all that you are desperate for a USC win. You're not wrong. You're not wrong. For a USC win. And that's, I think that's the part that's great about college football. Yeah. Oregon could go at the end of the year, could have could be one play from undefeated. And it was a jump ball in the corner of the end zone. Yeah. With all other wide receivers banged up. I think it would have one 12.

That's why I really do. If we see chalk, rest assured, mark this down. Oregon's going to go to the playoff if we see chalk. Chalk, explain to the audience. Meaning all the favorites win. Bama beats Auburn, LSU beats Georgia, Oregon beats Utah. Oregon will get in. Oklahoma wins the big 12.

I think Oregon goes. Yeah. And I do think it's better for college. football because I think it's getting a little southern, a little, and I don't deny the SEC's dominance. By the way, don't minimize that in the committee room. These are humans. I think Bama and OU fatigue may play a factor. Remember, I've always said this, Colin. The committee doesn't do what they believe they should do. They do what is the path of least resistance. I believe that the path of least resistance would be a 12 straight win, Oregon that would have a 10 and 0 mark in the

Pact 12 versus trying to argue for putting Oklahoma back into the playoffs or for putting Alabama back into the playoff with a lesser call it non-conference. Alabama would be a non-champ. The path of least resistance is actually Oregon. That's why it's my prediction that Oregon, if we see chalk, all the favorites win, I think Oregon will be your fourth playoff team. A lot of sense today from you. That's interesting. A lot of sense today. Well, it's a big week. We're live from Columbus. Yeah, you couldn't just mail it in and just do nonsense to get clicks. Today you had to bring. I feel like that was more you actually engaged

this week. There wasn't as much nonsense from you. We see it differently. A lot of unpacking to do for next week. We see it differently. Joel Clat, ladies and gentlemen. Hey, by the way, David West, classy guy, NBA has retired. He's going to be joining us before

the end of the show. Let me read a spot before I get to my coach's hot, heard hot seat. I think Jason Garrett's in heat. Jason Garrett Monday morning, Jerry Jones on that big Gulfstream flying home. Just depends. Patriots are beating the Cowboys. Vegas thinks badly, which is stunning.

New England can't score. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the I-Hard Radio app. 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. Trip Fontaine, Ryan Clark.

Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross. Because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth.

Are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose

on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in.

I'm Timbo. Every episode we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context and ask the questions everybody wants answered.

Sports slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live there. them listen to sports slice on the iheart radio app apple podcast or wherever you get your podcast and for more follow timbo slice of life 12 and the tic-tok podcast network on ticot what's up guys this is clivert taylor the fourth and on my podcast the clivert show i'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff like being an internet famous referee we're in the middle of a game this linebacker this linebacker walks up to me he goes a ref my mom wants you to wave at her what time out Quarterback on office blue with 42.

Hey, Wreck, my mama want you to weigh better. What? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clifford show on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. If you're watching the latest season of the Real Housewives of Atlanta, you already know there's a lot to break down. Gorsha accusing Kelly of sleeping with a merry man. They holding Kay Michelle back from fighting Drew. Pinky has financial issues.

I like the bougie style of Housewives show. I think it looks like it's going to be interesting. On the podcast, Reality with the King, I, Carlos King, recap the biggest moments from your favorite reality shows, including the Real Housewives franchise, the drama, the alliances, and the team everybody's talking about. As an executive producer in reality television, I'm not just watching it.

I understand the game. As somebody who creates shows, I'll even say this. At the end of the day, when people are at all, home, they want entertainment. To hear this and more, listen to Reality with the King on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

This week, starts Saturday strong with the Big Noon Saturday game of the week. Number eight, Penn State faces off with number two, Ohio State in a season-defining showdown. It all starts at 10 Eastern with a special two-hour big-noon kickoff pre-game show live from the horseshoe

only on Fox in the Fox Sports app. Ohio State never cover the spread before the Michigan game. Do you know that? Last six years. I think this game will be close. Ohio State's better. How about eight points?

Ohio State by about touchdown, eight. I was thinking about this. Ohio State, I go back. They never, ever cover. And by the way, Michigan doesn't cover before they play Ohio State either. So bet against the Buckeyes in Michigan this weekend if you're a Fox bet. Those will be my market key three picks, I think. Yeah, is that going to be one of your picks?

Well, I think Ohio State, listen, the Michigan game is so big. It's unfortunate because you have the biggest game of the year. Oh, here comes Penn State in the town. And Penn State can put points on the board. A couple years ago, that was one of the best college football games I've seen in a decade. Remember that game a couple years ago? And I think it was in Columbus. I think that was in Columbus.

That was a clat and Gus Johnson. It was crazy good. Here's Joy with the News. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the Herdline News. Remember the Warriors? I do remember the Warriors.

Remember when they were interested? Right. So they have the NBA's worst record right now at 3 and 12. Most of the key players from their title runs no longer are with the team or they're out with injuries. And Steve Kerr knows he has to work a little harder to keep his young team motivated. He said we're in an entirely different situation. So that requires patience, work, and effort, but we've got to keep these guys up. We can't let them lose hope, lose faith, we lose spirit. The goal is to try to win every game.

The reality is we're not doing enough to do so right now. Our goal is to go out there and try to perform our best every night. better and try to build something positive. Does everybody get what's happening here? They're tanking. That's why everybody's got a sinus infection. Everyone is injured. I mean, Steph Curry is out. Clay Thompson's obviously out. DeAngelo Russell has now a thumb

injury. They have 10 new players this season. Obviously, Durant, Andrea Godala, Sean Livingston are all gone. I mean, they're just a completely different team and they're missing the pieces that they remain. So next year, they're going to get the lottery pick. They're going to get the number one college player. We're going to have Steph, Clay,

Drayman, DeAngelo Russell, Kavon Loney this is a we never see a great team tank this would be like New England seriously I mean it's a dynasty one guy leaves the rest

everybody else you know gets banged up and they just decide Clay remember we're going to sit you for the year don't have to Steph will probably sit you for the year don't have to I'm not I'm not saying they're faking it but this is one of those

where you get a sinus infection it's just one of those years where it's like what's the point other than development and you, I mean, everyone just happens to be injured. But there's been a lot of conversation about like what's going on with the NBA this year, like our ratings down for this reason or that reason. And to me, I mean, if you look at this exact same time last year, what were we talking about?

Warriors. The Lakers, well, first of all, the Warriors and Kevin Durant and Jermon and Jermon, I just had that incident on the bench. So that was all anyone could talk about. The Lakers, what's happening with LeBron? Are they going to be able to get it together? They had lost a couple games in a row. There was plenty of.

controversy. There's no controversy. When Kauai Thanos, the NBA, I mean, you remember in the movie there was like silence, everyone was quiet. There was nothing going on. Captain America is like, oh, well, there's whales now. Like, that's what, that's the state that we're living in. And Thanos is off living in a garden somewhere. Like, there's no, there's no, everyone's just playing well and thriving for the most part. You have a couple teams here and there have been a surprise of Blazers, but. I don't think that's the, I don't

think you can lose 30% of your ratings in two years. I think the big problem is the dynasty evaporated. But that's what I'm saying? There's no, what have we even been talking about? All we can say is like, yeah, the Lakers are really good. There's no controversy. There's no off-the-court discussions. There's no interrelationship discussions to have.

Like, it's just that the Lakers are great. Okay, they were supposed to be great. They are. The Warriors are gone. LeBron left the East. The East, Yonis is the biggest star. When Kauai and LeBron in two years leave the East, those early TV games, who's a star out East?

The East needs a storyline. That's for sure. The ratings aren't dying because of the West. The West games are fascinating. Harden score in 50. That first game those networks put on. I mean, Boston lost Kyrie. Toronto lost Kauai.

Well, that's the other thing as well. The Eastern Conference has no... So what we're talking about with the Eastern Conference, Durantz went to the Eastern Conference. That would have been the storyline this year. But he is hurt. There's no star out there. Yeah, there's no superstar out there.

There's no superstar. The Eastern Conference, That first three hours on the TV contract, you get a crappy number. And then you hope LeBron saves your- Well, now it's all localized. So, and that's the point. But there's also no controversy, which is fine. It's all just on the court.

We can discuss that. But that's what it is. It's what's going on. So Tom Brady had made it very clear after Sunday's win over the Eagles that he is not happy with how he and the offense performed. And offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels, did not view Brady's frustrations is a bad thing. I've been with Tom a long time. And I appreciate his competitive spirit, his desire to be, you know, perfect in everything he does and with everything that our unit does.

I don't ever take that as a negative. I understand, you know, he wants to go out there and do what we all do, which is to put a lot of points on the board every week. There is something to the angry Tom Brady. No, he's, listen, once Gronk admitted in the last two days, I'm not coming back this year. Yeah, his big announcement was a huge party on South Beach. Okay, so what's Tom got? Josh Gordon's now in Seattle. A, B, is the life preserver to this offense,

or it's just going to be what you're going to see Sunday, which is a lot of six-yard curls. What Tom has is 20 years of experience in the NFL, Bill Belichick, a 9-1 record, and a Patriots defense that's allowing the fewest yards per game and have the most interceptions in the league. I understand there's no, there's no flashy player, there's no Gronk, there's no Josh Gordon anymore.

thought they were going to have Antonio Brown. Everyone can say, like, what do the patients do well? What do they do badly? Well, they don't have the ability. This is what killed Philadelphia season. Actually, it's ironic. They played Philadelphia last week. They won.

What they needed a trick play. New England's problem is Philadelphia is, but they're in a division where it doesn't really matter, which is they don't stretch the field. They're the opposite of Kansas City. There's no flash, and they do all the details great, but there is no over-the-top stuff. where Kansas City does all the flashing over-the-top stuff great,

but the details they're sketchy on. So they both have issues. The difference is New England's been there so many times you trust them over Kansas City. New England does this every year. I'm not falling for it. All right. I think this is different. I don't think they have any pop to this office.

I hope you're right, but I don't think that's the case. I think they're going to be fine. I think they're going to be 10-1 after this weekend and have a first round by, which is exactly how they like it. Finally, the 49ers are on top of the NFC at 9-1. Yes. NFC's very strong this year. And Jerry Rice thinks the biggest threat to the 49ers in the NFC is right in their own division. He said, I would say it's the Seattle Seahawks.

Seattle is going to be hard to deal with because of Russell Wilson and the way this guy can assess what's happening downfield and the way he can expand plays. He's still got great vision downfield. I don't disagree with this at all. I'm going to tell you, Clownie and Josh Gordon aren't just guys. They added a deep threat. And they added a great athlete in the front seven. Seattle, don't look at that Baltimore game. That's not Seattle now.

They added two legitimate star players. Yeah, you have to assess them based off of what they're doing right now. And they also have a bunch of young receivers. They're getting better. So Seattle, you've got to reassess Seattle. Baltimore didn't look like this in the first month. You've got to reassess Seattle. I think to me, the Saints, Seattle and San Francisco, not Green Bay.

the three are San Francisco Saints in Seattle to me. Seattle, to me, is the most dangerous team in the playoffs this year. I wouldn't want any piece of them. Nothing. Pete Carroll, Russell. I think those, you know, those little added, you know, Josh Gordon, people forget about him. He's a real player. And experience.

Like, they've been there before. Yep, Joy with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Herd Lie News. You're really going to enjoy our next guest. David West, two-time NBA champ, a veteran around this league went up against LeBron James. He was a warrior.

He was a pacer. He knows this league back and forth. What does he make a load management? The ratings are down. Could it be about that? Are the warriors tanking? Is he shocked by LeBron at point guard? Now the best point in the league, David West, coming up, Nest.

Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. 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 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.

Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves.

Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sportslice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slicelife 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. What's up, guys? This is CliverTaylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Cliverts show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff.

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

Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clifford show on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, I'm Jared Adano. You might know me as that loud guy who yells out, help on the internet. Help! Somebody!

Please! But there's so much more to me than me. I'm an actor. I'm a comedian. And recently, I've become quite the helper myself. And on my new podcast, Hope from a Hypocrite, I'll be changing lives, helping people in need with my sage advice and thoughtful solutions.

Sike! I'm a comedian. I'm not qualified to give good advice. Join me and my comedian friend. as we riff, rant, recommend some of the most legally dubious advice known to man. If I'm calling you, even if you're on your phone, let it ring twice. One ring is too scary. Oh, cream a chicken suit.

Hey, cream, cream a chicken suit. This is Help from a Hypocrite, the worst advice from the dumbest people you know. Listen to Help from Hypocrat as part of the MyCultura Podcast Network available on the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Love getting NBA veterans. Fifteen years in the league. Multiple titles. Multiple all-star games.

A tough guy, a smart guy, David West. It is an absolute pleasure to have you on the show. I met you for the first time this morning. Yes, sir. I've been looking forward to this all show. So let's address something that you have proximity to in their last couple years, The Warriors. It always felt like there was a lot more drama than they would let on, obviously.

Can you tell us now firsthand? And was there a little more drama, Katie, Draymond, Clay, than was being let on? I think it was more drama than we allowed to get out. Okay. Right. We were able to control the environment. But, you know, it was natural because guys are highly competitive.

We were there for one reason, like, to win on the biggest stage. A lot of alpha stars. Yeah. And so, you know, it, I think initially, you know, we were more or less worried about Steph. And Steph was the one that took control. He did. Yeah, he took control right away.

When Katie got there, he just said, now, how did he do it? Did he? Before the issue could arise of whose team it was or who was the guy who was going to get the ball to start the game, you know, we saw right away in like the first couple pickup games. Like, he deferred. Like, he was the bigger player and just said, you know what, I'm going to give Katie the ball. Yeah, we're going to start playing through Katie in the fourth quarter. We're going to close with Katie.

Were you surprised? I wasn't, you know, because, you know, Steph is that type of, type of dude. He's smart. Yeah, man, he knows how to navigate it and keep things, you know, cool. The environment in Golden State is his personality. It's his, you know, it's the same way in San Antonio, it was Tim's sort of personality.

Tim's. Low-key, work hard, bust arse, be tough. Right. But it's, but Golden State was Steph. And, you know, that was a part of his way of sort of leading the group. It was like, look, I'm going to take a back seat. Let's get the ball to KD. I'll find a way to do what I needed to do.

And everybody was okay with that. Yeah, absolutely. Because KD was the new guy. Now, KD, and I say this about Aaron Rogers and KD. Some people are more sensitive. They're on their phone. KD. He's not married.

Aaron Rogers isn't married. He sits around on his phone. Is it fair to say Katie is sensitive to the phone, criticism, some social media. Did you sense it? I wouldn't say I wouldn't say he, I would say that he's engaged and he knows what's going on. And he's not afraid to interact when he has to interact. Sometimes he shows his hand a little bit, you know, because he lets things bother him. He does.

You know, for him, it's more or less being like someone who's trying to maximize what he is. I get that. And I think Katie is absolutely trying to get the most out of who he is and, you know, maximize himself as a basketball. ball player. Were you shocked, David? He left? I was. Where were you? Car, restaurant. I was home, but I just remember, I remember I had spoken to him maybe like a couple weeks before the decision and then, you know, obviously it talked throughout the year. And I just felt like, you know, he was in a position to really cement himself, you know, get into that sort of legend with the warriors type thing. I still think he's got a great legacy with.

the Warriors, but I thought it was the one place he might just say, you know what, I'm cool here. I thought he loved the city, he loved the people. Did he? Yeah, I thought, I thought so. Did he and Kerr get along? Yeah. Oh, yeah. I mean, it's hard not to get along with Steve. I mean, Steve is. But he and Draymond, Draymond could wear you out. Well, I would say. Dremon is. But you know who Draymond is a guy is, again, highly motivated, you know, has like 30 chips on his shoulder, you know, just from people who questioned his ability. So Draymond's never going to change who he is because that's given him, you know, a chance to be great. Totally get it.

And so Katie knows that. And I think the thing with, you know, Steve and Dre is, you know, you've got to sort of see who they are, know this is what they've been to be successful. And you figure it out. And I thought Katie did a good job. He knew what Dreemann's the one that recruited him to Golden State. Was this David West joining us? Was it possible, David? This was like a Hollywood marriage.

There was too much wattage. it was just never destined to be a 10-year marriage, KD, Warrior, staff. It's just like you see Shaq and Kobe, you're like, that's great. It's going to last a few years. Right, right, right. There's just too much wattage in the room.

Right. Now does it look like, in retrospect, that was it? Yeah, well, and I think, you know, we just had, we had, you know, Steve did a great job of just managing day to day, the expectations, you know, the pressure that comes with it, but then also the pressure that guys put on themselves. You know, but then the one thing that I thought, thought was most humbling for me in that all environment is and sort of gets overlooked is these

guys are unbelievably hard workers you know what i mean so even with all of that all of the success all of the the hoopla and the fanfare around you know what they are and what they you know potentially could be in terms of all-time greats um the idea of like the consistent work and the consistent effort to be the best at what they do what's what's gucucci main say work harder nobody cares nobody cares Carter. Yeah. Gucci Main. Right.

That's who I draw. Well, are you guys laughing at my Gucci Main references? David West respects my Gucci Main reference. My staff laughs at me. Right. You can just call them Gucci, Colin. I can call him Gucci? I don't think we're on a first name basis.

Okay. All right, let's go to this. Load management. I don't love it. I get it for Kauai. James Hardin's making a point, I'm here every night. LeBron's like, I'm here every night. Do you like it?

You know, I don't necessarily like it in a, in the general sense of the term. I don't like the term. I think that Kauai is a special situation because he had an injury and he's trying to trust himself again. You know, when a guy misses basketball for a year with something, one thing people, you know,

overlook is the ability to trust yourself and trust your body again. So I think he probably has some of that in there. And then the nature of that injury, the quad. So I think there may be some specific benefit for him, but, As for everybody else, if you're healthy, you should be playing. That's kind of how I feel.

I mean, it's just... I can't, I have been, we've both been sick and shown up. Yeah, if you're healthy, you play. You play. Period. Yeah. Are you shocked that LeBron's moved a point? The Lakers' offense is seamless. Not that he's just not great, but he is 35 minutes a night, 11 assists a game,

everything works. Looks like Danny Green and him have played together for 10 years. Are you shocked at his seamless transition to a new, position? No, I really don't think he's doing anything different than he's always done. I think, you know, probably on those other teams, there was more a defined point guard on the roster. I mean, Rondo's on the roster. But I think, you know, he's made that move when it's a position that he's always played.

He's always been a facilitator. You've always been able to, you know, win games with him handling the ball, him making the majority of the decisions. I do think, though, this is, you know, aside from the Miami cast, this is probably the most talented group he's been a part of. No, Danny Green can play. Kuzma's 16 a game. Anthony's top. Yeah. No, it's a good group. It's a good group.

And it's also, it's a smart group. Last year's team was a little too, just goofy. Right, right, right, not ready. It's just guys who are 10-day contract guys, odd person. Nothing against Lance Stevenson, but that doesn't feel like LeBron. Danny Green, A.D. Right. that feels like LeBron's guys.

Right. You know what I mean? And that matters. That personality, your star gets along with the other guys. Absolutely. And those are guys who, you know, because AD is in, I would say, the prime of his career or not even yet. And he's obviously one of the greats we have in the game now. But playing alongside a guy like LeBron puts him in a position to like learn, right?

And to figure things out for himself. it allows him to step onto this sort of stage of expectations where people are expecting you to win, win big, right, winning the playoffs. He didn't have that in New Orleans. These are things he's going to have to learn from LeBron. And I think it's going to make him, you know, that's just that much more better.

By the way, you've got a project called the historical basketball league, the first college basketball league to enable athletes to benefit from their talent, marketability, hard work. Minute left, what is it? It's a professional college basketball league. That's what we're working on. We want to create an opportunity for athletes, particularly in basketball,

to have an opportunity to share and have an equitable stake in this huge business that they help. So will they be college or will they be pre-college, current college, current college or post-college? There'll be current college players in terms of the age. So 18 to 23, we want to, you know, be an intermediate, step into the pro ranks without the confines of the current collegiate system. It's absolutely great having you on the show. You're a wealth of information.

Appreciate that. And I appreciate your honesty about the warrior situation. A lot of the stuff we thought was happening was happening. I was a little shocked he left, but it happens in life. David West, you're always welcome back on the show. Appreciate it, man. I love old school MBA guys, the best. This week, Simply Safe Home Security, giving you an amazing deal. for the holidays. 25% off any new system plus free HD security camera.

Simply safe collin.com. 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. Get your free credit scorecard today, even if you're not a Discover customer, include your FICA score.

Check in your scorecard doesn't hurt credit. Learn more, Discover.com slash credit scorecard. Limitations apply. He played in the NFL. He's an NFL scout for the Panthers and the Seahawks. He's one of my guys at the NFL network, Bucky Brooks. So let's start. You've got, I can just see you.

You've been simmering. So Nick Wright earlier today said Brady is cooked. I said on Monday, Philip Rivers is cooked. I think Brady's cookness, once they get Isaiah win back at left tackle, I do think they'll be efficient. I don't think Rivers is even efficient now. But what about this narrative is now building that Brady, you're seeing the age. It's done. It's over.

You feel so. Yeah, it's over. And like even bigger with Philip Rivers and everybody, I think what traditionalists are going to have to wrap their brain around is it's the end of the pocket passer era. The old school stand in the pocket, not mobile quarterback, the in-mobile quarterback, you can't play with those guys anymore. It's too hard. And so when you look at the guys that we're just talking about in the MVP race,

we've talked about Pat Mahomes, we talked about Lamar Jackson, Deshawn Watson, Russell Wilson. There's a common denominator. All those guys can move. The more that you can threaten the defense, not only as a traditional passer, but when you add the running element to it, it drives defensive coordinators crazy.

And coming back to my background, having played under coach Mike Holmgren, having worked under him, he always wanted a passer who has some athleticism. And I'm not saying that the new school quarterback has to be a guy that is a terrific runner, but he has to be able to be athletic enough to make you right. It takes pressure off of the offensive coordinator.

Vegas has the Saints in New England as Super Bowl favorite. So Vegas doesn't know what they're talking about. I mean, Vegas can say anything, but I'm saying, look, you're talking about older quarterbacks, 40 plus quarterbacks. Drew Brees is 40. You have Tom Brady at 42. How much longer can those guys continue to play at that level? And then to talk about the end of that era, who's the great.

young pocket passer. The great traditional pastor that plays like Rivers and Brady. There isn't really one. Right. So as we talk about supply and demand, high school college to the pros, they're more athletic players playing the position. Okay. And I also believe there's something I talked about yesterday is that what is happening,

as well run as the LA Chargers are, really good scouting department, even they can't get a perfect offensive line. is that offensive line play has not only eroded outside of the cowboys who went and got guys from Wisconsin, LSU, road grading programs when colleges used to play like that. Even Bama now throws. Yes.

LSU is no longer a power program. So college is giving you finesse athletes, Austin Jackson, USC at left tackle. Secondarily, because of the new CBA, they're not going to practice more. Like practice is never going to come back. So the offensive lines are going to be average to below average going forward. I think that's a huge component to this pocket guy going away.

Well, yeah, I mean, like, it's a combination of factors. It's the practice time that you have with the offensive line is what college is actually producing. Everyone is throwing the ball all over the yard. You're not seeing guys spend as much time with their hand in the dirt coming off doing the run blocking. And to be honest, it takes longer to get the chemistry. and continuity with the running game together. It is just harder because you don't practice in paths. There needs to be a level of physicality and contact and practice to be good at the running game.

But I will say this, the teams that are able to mix both of them, the San Francisco 49ers, the Minnesota Vikings, they're using the old Mike Shanahan, Kyle Shanahan, Gary Kubiak system, that's still a way to be physical while still having a mobile quarterback to get them on the edge. I wouldn't say Kurt Cousin is a mobile quarterback, but he's athletic enough to do some of the movement-based passing game that you want to complement the running game. So I believe the Chargers should move off Philip. You're good with that. Absolutely. Okay. You think the Patriots after this year should probably draft a quarterback and move off Tom. Yeah, I think that succession plan should have

already been in place. I think Bill Belichick wanted that. He had there with Jimmy Garapolo. seemed like he didn't want to part ways with Jima Garapolo because he knew the end was coming. And even though Tom Brady has played at a level where they've been able to win, he said it himself. He's morphed into being more of a game manager at this stage of his career. Is it through his own talents? Is it through the lack of weapons that they have on the outside?

Regardless, when we look at the Patriots, they are a team that is defense first, running game, then Tom Brady and whatever they get into passing game. The margin for error is smaller for them now than it. ever been. I want to go to the O'Dell Beckham situation because I think I didn't buy into it was a great move. The downside to bringing in a star. Does he fit your culture? I didn't think OBJ would. Do you have the coaching staff, a Pete Carroll, a Tomlin, a Belichick, a man's man to handle the superstar. When you bring in the superstar, do you have to skimp on offensive linemen,

wide receivers. So I didn't buy that O'Dell Beckham was going to solve Cleveland's issue. I thought it would muddy the waters and they'd struggle with an identity. Well, no OBJ, if they don't give up a first and a third, they probably go for offensive linemen. And their identity week one is run the heck out of the football. We have great backs. And then play action to Jarvis Landry.

I don't think the O'Dell thing has ever worked. I think with Freddie and Baker, it was problematic from day one. The grades were high. We didn't buy it. can you move off him? No, I don't think you should move off of him. You like it. No, no, no.

I like this move because I like the combination of Jarvis and Odell. And I'll say this when it comes to coaching. Freddy Kitson is the head coach by the guy who is in direct contact with Odell Beckham, Jr. and Jarvis Landry every day. Adam Henry, their wide receiver coach was the same wide receiver coach that they had at LSU. The reason that we haven't had many problems with Odell this year, he's at a place where he respects his teammates, he respects the coach. He respects the coach that is directly dealing with him on the daily basis.

I don't think it's an issue. I think the big thing happened. It took Freddie Kitchens a while to figure out the identity of the Cleveland Browns. But I will say this, the Cleveland Browns could be the scariest team to face going down to stretch from an offensive standpoint. Nick Chubb is legit. He's proven to be one of the better backs in the league. Kareem Hunt. Kareem Hunt coming on board off the suspension gives them a one-two punch that we have.

seen. In fact, it reminds me of the old Cleveland Browns when it heard Ernest Biner and Kevin Mack. We're seeing them line up in 20 personnel, meaning two backs, three receivers, having those two backs in the backfield. These guys are interchangeable in terms of one can lead block, the other can run it. They can both catch the ball out the backfield. They're dangerous. And now when you change the identity of the team and you go back to running the ball, now you begin to get the one-on-ones on the outside with Odell and Jarvis Land. So this team you buy into it? This team, look, I'm not in love with how they play from a culture standpoint,

but I do believe this. The fight marred what we saw from this team. This team won a hard fault game against a team that was surging in the Pittsburgh Steelers. If they can continue to run the ball and they make the running game the priority and then have the complimentary passing game with Odell and Jarvis, they can be a problem. I'm not willing to jump off to Cleveland Brown's bandwagon yet. I jumped off it.

I mean, be careful. The schedule plays for them, that offense. Houston and Indiana. Indy and Oakland are two games up. They're all favored this weekend. Well, Houston's favored over Indy. Buffalo's three games up. You think those teams are just going to go man overboard?

Look, man, those teams can come back to the pack. I just believe the way the schedule works for the Browns, they can win any of their remaining games. Odell Beckham is a handful. You still have to defend him. I know Mike Tomlin talked about it made him sleepy, kind of yawn it, but we saw Odell make plays. I'm not saying he's going to be a guy that racks up 100-yard games,

but he's dangerous enough to make enough plays to compliment that running game. Okay, so I don't think Sunday's about DAC. I think Dak's going to get his money and has deserved it and earned it. But I do think that there's an easy topic on Monday's show. So Vegas is telling you, New England's a touchdown favorite, that's a big number. Vegas is telling you, this is going to be 7, 8, 9 points. We're going to wake up Monday, and it's New England, 31, Dallas, 23, and it wasn't that competitive.

We just knew. By the way, New England has not lost a game at home since week four of 2017. I looked it up between the break. That was Carolina. But the number is huge. Jason Garrett Monday. If Philadelphia loses this weekend of Seattle and Dallas loses. Dallas will have not beaten a team with a 500 record or better with potentially eight pro bowlers,

DAC playing the best he's ever played, maybe the best group of weapons not named Cleveland, I think Monday morning, if Dallas loses, I think Jason Garrett's in big trouble. This is a big game for him. This is a big game because in these big games that are competitive worse, even, it comes down to coaching. And your coach has to be able to give you a plan that gives you an advantage. Well, the one thing we never can question about the Patriots, they always have a plan that puts them in the best position to win. They may not always win, but they're always in a position to typically close games out. For the Dallas Cowboys, this is a game where Jason Garrett has to stand in front of the room.

He has to express division for how this game is going to play out. He then has to get both coordinators to call the game in a manner that matches division. It is going to require him to be a great leader. And then on game day to be able to say, okay, here's division, here's how it plays out. But if it doesn't go according to script, we've got to switch to plan. This is the game where coaching matters more. Some of those games you can get into the talent will overwhelm it. But in a game like this, he is going to have to.

to out coach Belichick. So yes, it could be a situation on Monday where Jerry Jones is like, I have an inferior coach compared to the top teams in the league. We need to move on and find someone that can get us over the top. Again, if Philly loses to Seattle, Dallas will have beaten no teams with a 500 or better record. I mean, and sometimes it breaks like that because you can't affect, you can't impact what happens after you play a team, but it doesn't look great. They need to get some notable wins because if you're going into the playoffs, you kind of want to have the tough skin knowing that you beat some teams. If you play one of these teams in the playoffs, you understand how to win those games.

So yeah, it's a big game. They need to kind of build it for their confidence. By the way, you're a former scout and a player, Tua. I'd still draft him. Yeah, I still draft him. I think what helps Tua at the bottom of the first round, teams realize that if I'm going to get a quarterback, I need to take one in the first round because I get the extra year, the bonus year, the option year on the kind.

That's right. Explain that to the audience. So if you're drafted in the first round, you get four years plus the fifth year bonus. If you're going to second round, it's only a four-year deal. There's no way he's going second round. There is no way. Because even if the medical prognosis isn't right, I still want to have the extra year. And when we think about this, the quarterbacks that are drafted near the bottom of the round, the bottom of the first round,

they end up playing better because they're on a better team. You're looking at Lamar Jackson. Lamar Jackson is playing on a better team. He has more support around him. Typically, they're better coach because they're used to winning. If Tua goes to a situation like that, and let's just throw a team out there, let's just say the New Orleans Saints. Tua now gets a chance to play not only behind maybe Drew Brees,

but what if they keep Teddy Bridgewater on for a year or two until he's fully able to develop? What about Chargers at 12, Carolina at 15, Indiana, Indianapolis? Yeah, so you have an opportunity to, go to a better situation where all of it isn't on your shoulder. There could be better for him. No way. No way Chris Ballard at 20. Now, Chris, they're going to move up.

So they'll be 15. They don't have a demand outside of a future quarterback. No way Chris Ballard is skipping on Tua at 15. No way. I think the only thing that comes into play when you're evaluating to it that you worry about. Durability is a major concern. Get it. Surgery on both ankles.

knee issue, you had a hip issue. Then when you really count up the total experience in terms of college starts, he doesn't have a lot. He's probably looking at a year and a half. We've seen some big games. I'm just saying when you're in the room, we're also looking as to why we may not want to do it. Let's play the game again. Get your phone. Okay, I own an NFL team. You're my lead scout. Okay. Clock is ticking. I have the 16th pick in the draft. 16th pick in the draft. All right.

We're on the clock. I'm the owner. Get Bucky on the phone. Okay. I got you. I, this is the owner of the team. Bucky, how are you? I'm great, I'm great.

Got about seven minutes here, Bucky. We have the 15th pick. We don't have any enormous holes in our organization. What should I do with Tua? Would you take him? I would take it, but we've got to make sure that the doctors are able to sign off on it. He has had a number of injuries. First of all, I don't trust doctors to give him.

give you pills and some are bad for you. Bucky, I got six minutes now. Are you okay with his height? He may not come in at the prototypical height. I'm just saying he may be six foot. Are we okay with a six foot quarterback? Bucky, I am asking you as our director of scouting, can I take Tua here? You can't take him, but understand the risk that come with taking them. Is that how director of scouting people talk?

Yeah, we have to talk about that because I got to make sure that we understand everything that we're getting. I can't just say, hey, take him. Then he shows up and he can't participate the first year through. injury. Shouldn't you have talked to scouts on your staff before this phone call? But you need to know. This is information that the owner has to know because when he signs off

on it, he has to know exactly what he's getting because when we bring him in and we show up the first day of minicamp and he's like, okay, I want to see Tua. But Tua's off on the side rehab and then riding the bike. He wants to know why. Well, how long before we can get our franchise quarterback? No way you pass on Tuit 15.

I'm just saying you have to man. Who else is out there? What other quarterbacks are available? I just have to make sure. I don't even, the good guys are gone. No way I'm passing on Tua. I mean, I'm just saying. Two ankles, a knee and a hip. Hey, I had a sore throat once.

You doubt me? Pow! Injuries happen. All right, Bucky Brooks, good stuff. Joy with the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news.

You know, Colin, Bucky's draft mentality, right, is take the best guy on the board. right? Yeah, it seems like to me. Yeah. Yeah, that's what I would do. Even if you need a quarterback. Take the best player. Can't go wrong with good players.

It was pretty good to me. All right. Well, overshowered by the fight in the Steelers Browns game last week was a little back and forth between Odell and Mike Tomlin. After Odell was traded to the Browns, Tomlin was asked about facing him twice a year and replied with a fake yawn. So during the game, Odell gave a fake yon back to the Steelers' sideline after he made a big catch. Odell and Tomlin had a brief interaction during the game.

O'Dell revealed what they talked about. He said, I said, you were just disrespected me. I said, you know who I am. And he said, I know who you are. That's why we're doubling you all game and this and that. So they had a little back and forth. Had that fight not happened, I actually think this would have been a bigger story. Starvis Landry also did the yawn after he scored a touchdown. But at the end of the day, I really just feel like this Brown's team is exactly who we thought they were at the beginning of the season. I feel like if they didn't make the playoffs, they were going to be a wildcard team anyway

if they did make the playoffs and if they don't make the playoffs, which I think you and I both assume that they're not going to. It's a disaster. And the biggest takeaway, aside, obviously, from the way that the season went is that I feel like we're kind of being robbed of O'Dell. Like, we really haven't been able to talk about O'Dell that much this season. It felt like he was more relevant

with Eli Manning. and Eli Manning's not playing quarterback right now. Let's be honest. Obj never wanted to go here. He's here. He's making the best of it.

He's mostly going to be a good teammate. He is. This was never his name. And I don't think this is on O'Dell at all. And it's not that he's had a bad season. It's just the Browns have had a bad season. I just would like to see O'Dell. Be O'Dell.

And it feels like we haven't been able to get that this year. So the 49ers are sitting at top of the NFC at 9 and 1. The NFC is very strong this year. year, but Jerry Rice thinks the biggest threat to the 49ers in the NFC is right in their own division. He said, I would say the Seattle Seahawks, Seattle is going to be hard to deal with because of Russell Wilson. And the way this guy can assess what's happening downfield and the way he can expand plays, he's still got great vision downfield. Seattle won the first matchup this season, obviously 2724. And one of the best football games in two years.

Yes, in overtime. They play again in week 17. Oh, that's right. That's right. So if you look at the rest of their, both of their schedules, actually. San Francisco's is brutal. So is Seattle. It's really not an easier.

They're at the Eagles. Then they have the Vikings at home. They're at the Rams, at the Panthers. The Cardinals at home and then the 49ers. God, I forget how much season we have left. Seriously. Yes. And the 49ers are the Packers and at the Ravens at the Saints.

The Falcons, who obviously have been giving people trouble lately. The Rams and at the Seahawks. That division's coming down to Week 16. Sorry, it just is. The NFC West is crazy. Those are good at two. Two toughest schedules in football. Brutal schedules.

But I do think that Seattle is going to be the toughest out in the playoffs this year. They're dangerous. Obviously, everything that he said about Russell Wilson is true. But just also they've been there before. And they know how to overcome adversity. Two overtime wins. They're good. Right.

And within game in-game adversity, too, which is what you need in those big moments. Finally, the Cowboys, obviously, are gearing up for a huge game this Sunday. We travel to Foxborough to play the Patriots. New England has 120. straight games at home since 2017. That's insane in the NFL. Insane. Pretty good at home.

And Jason Witten knows that this will be a huge test for the Cowboys. There's defining games that happened, you know, and look at last year's season, win a couple games, and you've competed a good New Orleans team. You know, this is one of those games. I mean, there's still a lot of games out there. So I don't think it's make or break, but at the same time,

they'll be able to go on the road and play against Tom Brady and Bill Belichick and their team. And, you know, they're 9-1, like they are. Great opportunity for us. I want to get him on the show again. He was great. He's a great dude.

All-time great dude. Great. And three of the four cowboys losses have been by four points or fewer. That's why the line's so screwy. It is a big line, but it's too big. I'm sorry, I'm taking the cowboys.

It's too big. There's six and a half. It feels like a trap. I've been trapped before. I'm sorry, it's too big. The Cowboys have lost those. both games against the Patriots, Jason Garrett as head coach, too. So, I mean,

we've been talking about it all morning. It is a huge game for the Cowboys. Jason Garrett will be on the hot seat if they lose. But I also just, I'm not doubting the Patriots. I don't get the Patriots doubt. They do this every single year. We fall forward every single year. Joy with the news. Well, that's the news.

And thanks for stopping by. The Heard Lye News. W.W.E. Legend, C. M. Punk. Controversial, anti-establishment. He's back. and he's joining us next. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the IHeart Radio app. He was a superstar on the WWE, in fact, called in 2011 the superstar of the year in WWE.

C.M. Punk left. Little UFC. He is now back, made his debut, his announcement last week, and the internet broke. Here it was. See? Return. I've gotten goosebumps. The Seapunk back, man. The internet pretty much blew up. I am the voice of the voiceless.

Everybody's attention now. CM Punk has been called a rebel in anarchist. Best in the world. Do I have everybody's attention now? And he is now joining us live. He is back with WWE, the superstar CM Punk. When you have the last name, Punk. It's a nickname.

Anti-establishment, rebel, the voice of the voiceless. All right, you're at WWE. You're a star. You get into a well-documented feud. You say, I'm done. You leave. Yeah. Why come back?

Well, I'm not back. I work with you now. But that's back. I'm a Fox employee. Fox, WWE. You don't work for the NFL. No, but I am in conjunction. Right.

So I guess I'm in conjunction. Yeah. Now, let me ask you. I'm WWE adjacent. So you are no filter guy. You're outspoken guy. That's why you get so popular. That's not part.

You're an authentic guy. You're not a guy that worries too much about filter. Are you concerned that as a no filter guy? That's not only your brand. It's who you are that you could upset the WWE. I'm not concerned about it. And I think that's honestly the appeal of the job, right? You know, we're going to pay you to come here and be an analyst.

and you get to critique the old place you work at, you know? And I'm not here just to be a spoiler, and I'm not here to pour gasoline on anything and just set everything on fire. Like, I think deep down, I loved pro wrestling as a kid, and I think it could be better. And I always voiced my concerns and criticisms while I work there, and now I don't work there,

and now I can't get in trouble for it. Okay, six years ago you left. Yeah. Do you believe the product is, is as good as it was. Is there something you would change? What do you like? What are you not completely satisfied with?

I think everything's, it's pro wrestling. It's supposed to be a little bit dirty and a little bit grimy. I think everything's overproduced. And if I could draw a correlation to the NFL, you know, I think it's almost the same across the board. You know, you look at New York City and Times Square, what it used to be and what it is now.

And now it's just like this giant thing where it's just like overproduced and flashing lights. And I feel like I'm going to have a seizure when I walk down there. you know. Yes. And now they do that with everything. And, you know, I think the NFL to an extent is almost the same thing. The referees, you know, like what's a pass interference call? Like, what's a roughing call now? They're throwing flags on everything. And it's just like, let the guys play football. And I feel the same way about WWE. Let them wrestle. Let the women and let the men just let them be themselves. They can develop their own character. CM Punk. Let's talk about the women's division. I actually think that's the strength of it now. Yeah. I agree with you. Yeah. For Sure. I literally, no lie. I haven't watched wrestling steady for, I mean, probably two years while I was still there. I wasn't watching. You know what I mean? You just inundated with so much. I don't know how many football players, hockey players, baseball players, after a whole season and the offseason, watch their sport. You know, I'm sure some do. Not as many as you'd think. A lot of them take breaks, you know, and I think that's healthy. The women, yeah, the women are absolutely killing it. Yeah, the women's division right now, the strength of the WWE.

Now, let me ask you about this. When you were wrestling, I have always been, I went to my first event about a year ago. I think I told you this, Joy, I was shocked. It is a 52-week production. The event ends, and within 12 minutes, people are in vans going to the next city. And I mean, like wrestlers. Is it physically daunting that was part of your exit just needed an emotional physical break? emotional, physical, spiritual.

Yeah, absolutely. I was a shell of myself. And I realized that the little time at home I did get, I, like, you know, I couldn't get out of bed. You're just like shell-shocked. Yeah, you're tired. 52 weeks. Yeah, absolutely. I mean, 52 weeks, I, I mean, I debuted on television 2006 and I didn't get a break until I left, you know.

Now, but the good news is you became a superstar. You made a lot of money. It allows you a Chicago boy. who loves the Bears and the Blackhawks and the Cubs. He's Cubs, right, not White Sox? Yes, correct. You're a more Cubs fan. It allowed you some financial freedoms you didn't have.

What is it like being a superstar 52 weeks a year? There is no offseason like Tom gets. Right. I don't like calling myself a celebrity. I don't like referring to myself as a superstar, but I just think that's who I am. But the reality of it is, yeah, I can't go to Starbucks without somebody, you know, asking me for an autograph

for a picture. The phone's made it worse for all. Yeah. Yeah, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's situational. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. You know, but it's afforded me this lifestyle. Yeah.

It's amazing. So you have to take the bad with the good. Who was your favorite wrestler when you were? Rowdy, Rowdy, Piper. Why is everybody? The love is unanimous. Yeah, I, well, I'm not the biggest dude, right? So I'm in the WWE

surrounded by all these these giant guys you know and I always looked up to Routy Piper because he was a smaller guy and it was the same situation like he had a mouth on him I've just

that's just who I was I always had a mouth on me so you look at a guy like that and it's representation right I saw myself in Routy Piper I saw well this guy did it I can do it do it do you think when you when you come back to the sport

I think wrestling's at its best when it makes the people who own it uncomfortable. Yeah. I've always thought there was a little stone cold could make you a little uncomfortable. Hulk Hogan made you a little uncomfortable. Would you like to see the W.W.E. occasionally go off the rails. Well, Hogan makes you uncomfortable for a lot of reasons. For a whole lot of reasons. Would I like them to, it goes back to let people breathe, let people be themselves.

let people be less scripted. If everybody is speaking from one voice, one person's writing this script, the dialogue's all the same from one person. It's just that. It's one voice. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You like several voices. Imagine, I mean, I keep trying to correlate things to football because I know that's predominantly

the people who watch this show. Of course. That's your thing. Like, imagine every quarterback in the NFL running the same play every Sunday and every Thursday. Right, right. Right. By the way, what's making the NFL great right now, CM, is.

Lamar Jackson, is Kyler Murray, is all these new guys who are running around. When you're, I was also struck when I went to an event, CM Punk joining us, I was struck by the quality of the symmetry and the efficiency of the

moment. When you're in an event and you're in it and you're 40 minutes into it. These title fights, these are 45 minutes. You have to be in credible shape. What was your training regimen? I mean, you train, you literally, you fly into a city, you get your own rental car, you go directly to a gym, you work out, you go to

the show, you do the show, you pack up, you go to the next town, you check a new hotel, you wake up, you go to a gym. That was my schedule. Yeah, absolutely. Your body fat is 8%. I mean, right now, mine, I don't know. I was always like a, I wasn't a body guy, you know what I mean? Like, and I've never done drugs in my life, so like... Did you think you were popular because you weren't a body guy? Yeah, no, I definitely do. Like I said, The same thing where his representation I saw, and it's why I think the women are so important. What I saw in Rowdy Piper, I saw, although that's me. So I think a lot of people, you know, guys like Randy Orton have like eight abs and, you know, like six in lifts in his boots.

So he's six foot eight and like all this stuff. And then there was me just covered in tattoos. And I was like the first guy from the independent scene kind of like, you know. Listen, it's amazing what lands. Yeah. It's amazing. You can look at some of these guys that the WOWE has put the marketing behind and they don't connect. When was the first moment you knew this is working?

I have connected with the American public. The first moment I knew in the WWE that I have connected, but it's also the first moment I knew I was screwed. It was my first pay-per-view. It was November 2006. I made my pay-per-view debut at Survivor Series. And it popped. And I was in the ring with the Hardy Boys, Triple H. and Sean Michaels and 18,000 people in Philadelphia were chanting for me.

Wow. And that moment I remember looking right at Triple H and I was like, I'm screwed. They're not going to like this. They're not going to like this. The establishment guy had become the star. Yeah. I was like, this is going to hurt me more than it helps. But it was a cool moment.

All right. This is part of the Fox family. It's the best I've ever been treated in my life. They let you be outspoken. It's fun. Which is funny because you've kind of always been an. anti- Wrestling guy. Well, no, I was.

For years, I was, and I like giving people a hard time. Absolutely. No, I get it. See you, I'm punk. See you tomorrow. Thank you, sir. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. And nobody's telling you exactly what happened.

That's where sports slice comes in. I'm Timbo. And every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headline. And we're going straight to the source. The athletes themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear. Listen to SportsSlicse on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

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