The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Cowboys Stalemate Continues

Episode Date: August 23, 2019

Filling in for Colin Cowherd, Doug Gottlieb explains the Jerry Jones-Ezekiel Elliot saga, the horrible field conditions for the Raiders-Packers game, and when Tom Brady will retire. Guests include Urban Meyer, James Harrison, and Geoff Schwartz.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo, and every episode, we're cutting through the noise,

breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headline. And we're going straight to the source, the athletes themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear. Listen to Sports Slice on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok.

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

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

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

Hey, it's Edwin Castro, also known as Castro 1021. And I'm Conky, his best friend and business manager. And we've got a new show called The 1021 Podcast. I'm taking you behind the scenes on how I became one of, Twitch's most popular streamers. We also love sports. And with the World Cup right around the corner, we'll be breaking down the biggest storylines

ahead of the big tournament here in the USA. Listen to the 1021 podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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 Sports Radio.com stream us live every day on the iHeart radio app by searching herd

now let's get this party started you're listening to fox sports radio what up welcome in this is the herd wherever you may be and however you may be listening to the show thanks so much for making this part of your day live from los angeles i'm doug gotling in for colin coward alongside lovely and talented and always prepared joy taylor we are uh hours away essentially from college football kicking off. We're finally putting to bed preseason football. I know there's another game.

There's some more games this weekend. Feels like the NFL and, frankly, one CFL field made a mockery of preseason football. Well, you know, every once in a while we need a legendary sports story to kind of trigger a conversation of change, right? Right, right. Remember that time the Packers played the Raiders in Winnipeg on an N. 80-od field. You're like, what, that really happened? What a hoot. Huh? What a hoot. That was something else. That is something like in this, you learn something new every day. I knew the goalposts were in the middle or the front of the end zone of the CFL. I just would have thought it would have been discussed like, you know, sometime before the game to figure that thing out.

You would think, yes. That is absolutely, absolutely bizarre. All right, more on that. Plus, this is special. special treat. Obviously, Fox College Football kickoff starts this Saturday, starts tomorrow. Fox noon kickoff starts tomorrow. And we're going to have Urban Meyer, Reggie Bush, Matt Linerd, Brady Quinn, and Rob Stone all joining us upcoming in 15 minutes. I got to ask Irvin Meyer about the most recent comments from Jim Harbaugh in a new book about Michigan football, which he said the SEC is a bunch of cheaters. And of course, Irvier won two national championships while coaching in the SEC. We'll get to that upcoming in 15 minutes.

James Harrison is going to join us. Jeff Schwartz is going to join us. We will talk about some of the Daniel Jones thing with the New York Giants. We've got a lot to get to. Let's start, though, with the Dallas Cowboys, shall we? As the contract negotiations continue in the media. Yesterday, Edwarder, who of course has covered the Cowboys for years, tweeted this out, sources the most recent offer negotiations between holdout Ezekiel Elliott

and the Cowboys came from the team. Elliot has been offered a contract making him one of the NFL's two highest paid running backs that would suggest the team offering more than Levi-on-Bell and less than Todd Gurley. Now, obviously, this comes from the team, right? Ed has covered the Cowboys for a long, long time, and the team putting out the details, and the devil is the details in terms of what is the real money. But I listen to the commentary, and I'm struck by this joy. I think at some point Jerry Jones has been pushed to the limit,

and he's at the point now where he feels like Ezekieliot is ungrateful. And I'll explain why in a moment. Here was Jerry Jones. Remember there was that subtle joke last Saturday. They got a rookie running back, Tony Pollard. He had five carries, 42 yards, playing against really the third stringers from the L.A. Rams. Had a really good day. And so, yeah, the reporters were joking, you know, hey, what a great negotiating tool you have with Zieg.

Now you got this Tony Pollard kid. And so Jerry Jones, you know, joked Zeke, who? And then he circled back to talking about how great Zeeq was. And so after it came out, Zeeks camp, again, through the media, and his agent said that, no, he was. his agent, but also Ezekieliot, felt disrespected, felt dissed, right, by Jerry Jones for saying that. Take a listen to Jerry Jones earlier this week, justifying his subtle jab at Zeke. Look, I've earned the right with Zake to joke, period.

Right. I've earned that. So have you guys had any conversations with that at all? No, no. Let me be real clear about it. I've earned that right to Jones. Let me be real clear about that. I have earned that right. Now, could he be discussing the fact that they're willing to give Ezekieliot

a contract extension, even though he has no showed, even though he's played this out through the media, even though he's under contract for two more years, and potentially two more after that, actually is a franchise taggy? Like, they're negotiating against themselves if they change the details of this deal. Sure. But I think what's really at play here is, one, Jerry Jones has a lot. always, always, always, always had the back of his players, even when his players have been led astray off the football field. Michael Irvin, Pac-Man Jones. I mean, you just kind of go through,

I mean, even the disasters of the Greg Hardy signing, right? He has believed in players. Is it for the benefit of his franchise? Sure. Sure. There's a little, you know, selfishly, I think he obviously benefits from from standing by guys that are super talented that can't always get their life in order. But I think that Jerry is seen as a guy who takes care of Quincy Carter, former cowboy quarterback, right? How much did he stand by him? You go back since Jerry Jones has taken over this franchise, a historic name, but it was a dilapidated franchise, the money he's invested, the time he's invested, and the emotional energy he's invested. And then you look at Ezekieliot. Like, let's not forget. Jerry Jones organized a coup d'et on Roger Goodell, the commissioner of the

national footballing. Now, the coup was, was struck down, but he went right at the head of Jerry Jones, tried to have him removed. And it wasn't just to defend Ezekieliot. Look, we're in 2019, the last three or four years, America has finally gotten a backbone against domestic violence. We finally stood up and said, hey, let's support the women. Let's punish the men. And even during that time, however frivolous, some may have. have believed the claims against Ezekieliot were. This was over a six-game suspension

that Jerry Jones went to the mattresses. Went to the mattresses, Godfather. You go the mattresses. Right? Went to the mattresses to try and get Roger Goodell removed. Now, it didn't work, and Gaddle got a contract extension, and the Cowboys season went down the tubes because they didn't have Zeke.

But on the football field, he's built a team around the talents of Zeke. he spent a ton of money on that offensive line. He's tried to get all the right pieces in place to get the best out of Ezekielion. They've built a tremendous defense. They've done a great job in player acquisition, player development. That's a young athletic defense, case in point, the chance they took on Jalen Smith and how it's been rewarded.

And then they rewarded Jalen Smith. And you get to the point where you look, look, I've done a lot of stuff for this kid. I drafted him high. I believed in him, but the offense around him. I made sure the offense coordinators knew he needed to have the ball. When he stepped astray outside the football field, I protected him, I battled for him. I've always been there for him.

Not only is he asking for top dollar, which will take money from the pie. Remember, he also said there's less pie to go around now when they signed Jalen Smith. Not only would, but every other guy who's under contract for two years is going to come into my door asking for a new contract. and here's a guy who's back I had on and off the football field, and he has the, there's a Yiddish term, chutzpah. It means nerve or a lower intestinal fortitude. He has the chutzpah through his agent to say he felt disrespected because I joked Zik who, even though he has a standing offer to be the second highest paid running back

in the history of the national football league. I think Jerry Jones feels like Ezekielion is ungrateful. right feels like he's ungrateful and sure there's a little bit of unhealthy i'm the father you're the son kind of relationship between jerry and players i'm okay if you if you point that out but as a father with a son and with daughters i can tell you all you can ever ask of your kids is to be grateful right because the greatest thing you can give to anyone in the world is an opportunity right that's I actually, I talk about this when I'd go and do public speaking, Joe. I say, I do this whole thing about how I made it when I was at the other place

because when there were snowstorms, when there were nor'easters, I would go knock on the doors of producers like, hey, you know, Jay Billis can't get in here tonight. I can do sports center. All I wanted was an opportunity. You don't have to pay me? I'll just do it. Stick me on, give me a mic, red light, I go, tell me when to rap, and I'm good. I filled in for Colin there.

for Colin and Sports Station is give me opportunities. It's the greatest thing. We think and pray for all these other things. But if you get an opportunity, you prepare yourself for it and you kick butt, you're going to get more opportunities. Jerry Jones is sitting there going like, hey, man, I gave you all these opportunities. I protected you. I battled for you.

When you messed up, I was there for you. I support you in the face of the strongest headwind, the movement against domestic violators has been probably the strongest headwind we've ever seen against current professional athletes. And by the way, rightfully so. He stood up and stood by the guy. And now you're going to get mad because he told a little joke that was funny and everyone knew it was sarcastic.

No one thought it was really in the heart offensive. While you have a standing offer to be the second highest paid player at your position in the history of sport, stop it. Stop it. Now you're acting spoiled, ungrateful. And now you're kind of, now I'm at my limit. Now, look, Ezekieliot does have some support. from some current and former players.

Here's Marcellus Wiley on Speak for Yourself, going back to yesterday. It's impossible if I'm Zechio Elliott to sign this deal. One, immediately, I see this deal as less than, less than someone who already got paid. And guess what's going to happen as soon as I sign on the dotted line? I'm going to get leapfrogged and we'll be right back in this situation. So now I'm going to be sitting there at top five before I blink. And then we'll be right back here, Jerry. Your ego needs the headline of, I'm going to be right.

I did this. I'm the highest paid running back, even if it's for five seconds, just because I am the best running back. I need that to be sold to me. The problem is that's not the reality of the market. The running back market's going through a market correction. Todd Gurley signed that deal a year ago. Levion Bell signed one this year. It's for less money. And the reality is Todd Gurley's deal is a bad deal and Levyon Bell's deal so bad, the GM who signed it got fired shortly there afterwards. Like I understand. There's not going to be bigger payday. Seekwan Barclay, be the best back in the league, but he's not going to get more money. That's not the reality of the position, the reality of the sport, unless they change the rules.

So I get the old school, I need to be the highest paid, but the reality of the sport, the correction of the market. And oh yeah, by the way, you're under contract for two more years. I guarantee had he played at his current contract for a year, or at least showed up in camp, he would have had a stronger case. But he needs to get paid, but not as much as DAC, not as much as Amari Cooper, Byron Jones, and there will be others. And if you want to truly win games,

sometimes you've got to take a little bit less. All right, more on that, more on that to come. Urban Meyer will join us upcoming next. I'll ask him, what does he make of Jim Harbaugh's comments in a book that the SEC is full of cheaters? That's 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.

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. viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. SportsSlice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsSlice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist,

Kier 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?

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 hard way.

Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Hey, I'm Jared Ardano. 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 friends as we riff rant and 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. Cream a chicken suit. Hey, cream a chicken suit. This is Help from a Hypocrat, the worst advice from the dumbest people you know. Listen to Help from Hypocrite as part of the Mike Cultura podcast network available on the

IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you're watching the latest season of the Real Housewives of Atlanta, you already know there's a lot to break down. Georgia 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. Doug Gottlie, filling in for Colin. This is The Herd. I know you have that away luggage as well. I do. It's really good. Yeah, stop bragging about it. Stop, stop bragging. I tell you what we can brag about.

Fox Noon kickoff. And of course, one of our new analysts, Fox Noon Kickoff is the legendary coach at Ohio State. One national championships there. One national championships at Florida. Urban Meyer joins us in the herd. Coach, how are you? I'm good.

Great to see you. Okay, let's start with your best friend from the school from the north, who there's a new book out. And in the new book, he says it's hard to beat, cheaters, right? He's talking about the SEC. The head coach of Michigan, Jim Harbaugh says, it's hard to beat cheaters. When you heard that, when you read that, what was your immediate reaction?

My immediate reaction is the season starting in one week, and the focus has got to be on your team. I'm not sure. You know, I probably shook my head like most people. Like, why is that being this, why I have a conversation about this now? And all focus needs to be on your team.

And I imagine it created interest, like we're talking about it now, but that's not important. You've got to go, go get ready to go play a game. Okay. And in fairness, it is in a book, and I know he can't, I don't know how much he can control over when John Bacon's book comes out. Um, but you have coached at both places. You've won both places. You've won in the Big Ten. You've won in the SEC. How different is the recruiting? Like is the perception is that the SEC cheats. That's the perception. What's the reality? Tough question. I hear the same story.

I was there for six years. I heard many, many stories over and over again. Um, obviously. you know, if it was true, then there'd be guys getting in trouble all the time. So I hear it. Here's what I'm going to tell you is that the South is so intense recruiting. Anytime you put the majority, not the majority, but just a huge quantity of elite players in a certain area. And right now, because of the population shift, because of a lot of the quality of spring football, it is so intense. It's completely different than the Big Ten recruiting.

At least when I first got the Big Ten, the Big Ten didn't recruit like the SEC. I think you see more and more of it now, and I'm not talking about cheating. I'm talking about intensity, 24-7 non-stop recruiting. And that's what you see in the SEC. Do you think it would be fair to say you take more chances in terms of, I don't necessarily character issues, but backgrounds is like, look, it's, it is a kind of a win or else league and maybe you take more chances than you would at some other places. Is that a fair characterization?

I think so. Once I was there, you would take chances when, like I said, when I was there. And what would happen is you'd look and evaluate this player and say, no, wait a minute. If we don't recruit this guy, we're going to have to play against them. And I don't want to see this guy on the opposite sidelines. So do you have a tendency to take more chances maybe on a lower character guy than elite player? I can say that I did. We're going to see Florida School.

You won two national championships there. You had that incredible run where you won 24 consecutive games. And as you told me, after losing in the Sugar Bowl, people questioned you about the direction of the program, right? You talked by the intensity of the SEC. But remind me, like, you were at Notre Dame. I was at Notre Dame for a year. You came in the next year. And when you were at Bowling Green and then at Utah, the perception nationally was

Notre Dame was your dream job. Like I know you went to Cincinnati and played there and you got your MBA from Ohio State. But Notre Dame seemed to be your dream job. And when you took the Florida job, you actually either interviewed or talked with Notre Dame before you took the Florida job. Why turned down such a prestigious job to take the Florida job? It was, we just finished undefeated season at Utah, and Florida came to see us.

January fully came to see us right after our last game against Brigham Young. And, you know, my wife would always want to live in the South. Florida, I kind of watched from afar. I was always a huge fan of Steve Spurier. But I'm Irish Catholic. I grew up a Notre Dame fan. I spent six years there. My son was baptized at Notre Dame.

We loved it there. And I just, you know, the bottom line, in the coaching profession is you don't have time to build programs anymore. You better get it going right now. Ron Zuck was a previous head coach of Florida. I evaluated the roster as the best I could, and I felt Florida had the better roster. You know, Ron Zuck, like I said, tremendous recruiter.

They had Chris Lee coming back. They had Chad Jackson, Bubba called well. I did my homework, and I thought, you know what, did you get one swing? And I think the best chance to win is going to be at the University of Florida. I think it was probably the right choice in any way. one's hindsight. You mentioned the great year you had at Utah. Of course, you beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl that year, right? Now we beat the Pitt and the festival. That was a couple of years later.

Okay, a couple years later to beat. But you finished undefeated. Alex Smith is your quarterback. You had a great second. You turned it at Bowling Green, the two national championships at Florida. The unbelievable run, maybe the first year at Ohio State was as impressive as the national championship at Ohio State when you turned it late in the season. Is there one year which, when you look back, was more enjoyable? Like, it was actually, more fun to be undefeated at Utah than it was to win national championships at Florida? Or was the Florida? Was there one that was more enjoyable than the others?

You know, I was just back at Utah, and I saw Kyle Winningham. I saw a bunch of my old players, and I actually told them that when I look back and I see what we did at a non-BCS school, and this is in the BCS era, and he took a bunch of players, and we followed Ron McBride, who was also an excellent coach, had good players there. I'd have to say that 2004 season was as enjoyable as I've ever had. We didn't win a national title. I still believe to this day that team on any given day

could beat anybody. Our closest game was 21 points. And so I'm not sure it's fair to say well this was a better year, better year. But as far as pure enjoyment with minimal expectations to do what we did with those players and Alex Smith is our quarterback

going defeated and go to the BCS game, that's as good a year as we've ever had. All right, well let's bring in your crew here from Fox College football. Supposed to clap. Thanks for the clap. I mean, yeah, well, listen, listen, it's a smattering of applause. Is that how it goes, Johnny, huh?

Appreciate it very much. It's a live studio audience. It is a live studio audience. Brady Quinn, Matt Linerd, Reggie Bush, and of course, you know, you have kind of the incomparable. The Fox noon kickoff, of course, you have your incomparable leader. Reggie, let me just ask you, okay? Alex Smith was your high school teammate. Yeah.

When you watched them play in college, did you think they could beat anybody? I thought they were special, yes. And I was also very surprised that he was using Alex Smith in the RPO system because when Alex was in high school with this, he was the slowest person on our team. Wing team. Wait, wait, you guys ran the wing tee? We ran a wing tee. And Alex was the slowest person on our team.

And so when I saw him at Utah outrunning people, I couldn't believe it was the same guy. But when coach was there, I was 100% thought that they were really, really good. You didn't realize how fast you were in the rest of the team. I mean, Brady, can you believe that he turned down Notre Dame because they didn't have good enough players? I told him. I gave him a call. I tried to recruit him. I found a way of getting his number. I think I called him once, maybe twice. I gave him my best. Did he say, who dis, new phone? Terrible. No, no, I'm not a good recruiter. I'm not getting into coaching. But no, he just said, look, this is a bigger decision for me and my family. And I kind of left it at that, but he appreciated the call.

Stoner, you've done a lot of things, obviously, for this company. Today, by the way, is Founders Day. I don't know how people nationally know that's the anniversary of the day. that Fox Sports was launched, I think, 26 years ago. I'm going to go with 26 years ago. It sounds a lot better. You've done World Cup. But this is a massive show with massive egos. These guys. No egos.

There's no egos. Huge. No, no, no. I mean, Winerd especially. L.C. Notre Dame. We got Notre Dame and USC. And one and a half Heismans here, right? I mean, that's what you got.

Coaching royalty. You got coaching royalty. Look, Urban knows this game better than me. Like, if you got talent, right, and you had talent in Gainesville. Use your talent. So I got talent. So I am, we're scripting some plays and then just here's the ball. Go get them, boys.

Liner, percentage of time that you guys are recruiting Urban to go back and coach at USC during the show. Zero, man. Okay, I just want to want to make sure. This is our new team, man. This is right here, huh? Huh, Coach? Okay, let me ask, let me ask, because you and Reggie, obviously, are, and coach can answer this. The challenge is to Clemson, right?

They lose seven defensive starters, but they, still they have Trevor Lawrence, but especially for Trevor to come back a second time and have to have to prove himself. You know, last year he didn't start to start the year kind of with, they didn't sneak up on folks, but they didn't get to sneak up on folks. How much more difficult is the second time around? Yeah, I mean, when you have a year like he did, true freshman, win a national championship in the way he did it, you're always, you're a little bit worried about, all right, now the accolades, now everybody knows who you are, they're gunning for you, but something tells me this kid, he just gets it, he understand it, you know, he's,

so composed, he's so poised. I mean, I've never seen a freshman quarterback play like that, especially against Alabama and a national championship, and do it against Notre Dame the week before. So he's got a great head on his shoulders. Every interview he does, this kid just understands. And honestly, he's a rare talent. We haven't seen a kid like him in a long time.

It's crazy, Brady, because we sit here just talking about Trevor Lawrence when for probably nine-tenths of the season, it was Tua, Tua, Tua, Tua, Tua. And then all of a sudden, he has, you know, He's got a bad wheel, doesn't play that well. And it's like we've completely forgotten, forgotten Tua. What are your expectations from the Bama quarterback?

I'm expecting them to be competing for a national championship. I think there's a lot of people who watch the national championship game. They watch the way it worked out, where Tua clearly didn't play his best game, but the team didn't either. In particular, their offensive line, I think they're going to respond. I think they're going to rebound. I think the biggest issue for them is it's not talent.

They've recruited well. They've got all that. It's the transition on the coaching staff. Nick Saban lost a lot of assistance. but it's something he's dealt with before. And so I think because of that experience dealing with it, they should be fine. I expect them to be back in the college football playoff. Coach, I want to ask you, Oklahoma has lost two consecutive number one overall picks,

two consecutive high-sman trophy winners. And the ad Jaylen Hertz, who, of course, has competed for a national championship. He won the SEC championship game last year. But he's entering a system where, you know, he's not the greatest throw in the world. What's that like as a challenge for a coach in such short order? He hasn't had him in his system. He hasn't played in the style. He got him in the spring.

He's got him in the summer. He's got him in the fall. And now the sudden he's supposed to be the next guy at Oklahoma. Well, Ryan Day is dealing with the same thing with Justin Fields. This is more of a norm now than it was many years ago. I mean, this is a norm. You have Brana Winbush. He's going to be starting for someone.

I think Lincoln Riley is such a good offensive coach. The staff consistency, the offense consistency. It's very adaptable to different players. My issue at Oklahoma's to be on defense is the obvious. I think offense will pick up. up right where they're going. He'll change a little bit because obviously Kyle Murray is a different player than hurts. However, it's all about defense at Oklahoma. I mean,

you can't advance and be 100th and past defense. You can't. And so they have to get better. And they did. You know, you have to give him credit. He identified a weakness, made wholesale changes, brought in a new defense coordinator. That's going to be Oklahoma's issue. Reggie West Coast football, right? Like, you're West Coast guy, line's West Coast guy. I'm West Coast guy. Stoner's the king of Manhattan Beach. Like this next weekend, not this one,

next weekend is a Oregon, Auburn, huge. Big. Huge. You got arguably the best quarterback or one of the best quarterbacks in the country against an Auburn team coming off a disappointing. They only three and five in the SEC last year, and they got a starting a true freshman Bo Nix at quarterback. Does the PAC 12 come back into relevancy in your opinion this year?

I think they can with Oregon playing against Auburn, and I think Oregon can beat Auburn. Mario Cristball is doing a great job at recruiting SEC type players right in the SEC's backyard. They also have had their highest rated recruiting class this year ever in history of Oregon, which says a lot because they've had a lot of talent come through there. They also have experience and they have great young players like Justin Herbert, who, you know, you've got a guy like that you can build around and they've got an office line that can protect them. All right, Brady, let's circle back around to Notre Dame.

They have a stud quarterback, right? but how many years do we have to be told no really Notre Dame is among the elite and then we see him against the elite Come on Doug, they're in the college football playoff last year. I know we want them to go and win. We want them to be competitive.

We want them to be competitive. Now look, they will tell you like, look, it was actually competitive at the half, but it was. Hold on. Was the national championship game competitive? No. Okay.

Go ask those Clemson players. They've set it on record, who the better team was but who they played last year. They said it was Notre Dame between the two games. I know the scoreboard was kind of similar. I think they're in a good spot.

And I think they feel as good about this year's team as ever before because of the camaraderie. And really getting to that point last year and playing against Clemson and who ended up winning it, now they see what the standard is. And until you do it for the first time, you really don't know. And so I think Ian Book, the rest of the leaders on that team, they've got a good idea now of what they need to do moving forward in order to get there. I think the toughest thing they have to battle this year is their schedule. I mean, Road Games versus Michigan, Georgia, Stanford. Seven teams coming out by that's the most in college.

college football this year. I think those are the roadblocks they've got to get there because so many teams are going to have two weeks to prepare for him. Stoner, how many times are you going to ask is Texas back, right? We got LSU Texas are coming, right? We have a preview show that airs tomorrow on Fox. That'll be topic. Number one, when we talk about the Big 12. We have to talk the Big 12. Okay, that's 4 o'clock Eastern time, 1 o'clock Pacific, big noon kickoff preview show tomorrow. Let me ask you, Matt Liner, is Texas back? We'll see. I think, I think when you look at Texas, You kind of got to just stop talking.

You got to go out and do it. And last year, I think the way they ended against Georgia in their bowl game, dominating that team who was supposed to be in the playoff, I think Texas has a shot. I still think Oklahoma is the best team in the Big 12. But I love, we joke. We talk about Sam Ellinger a lot. I love this kid.

I think he reminds me a lot of coach's former guy and Tim Tebow. And the way he plays, the running style. I think he's probably a better thrower, you know, a natural thrower. But this team is close. And Tom Herman's done a great job. I'm excited to see what they can do. All right, coach. now you have to, now you have to be an analyst, okay?

You have to cut away any of the Ohio State bias. Michigan is going to try and change who they are, right? They can try and open it up for Shea Patterson. And part of the, as you pointed out, part of the problem with the quote in the book is it takes away from Shea Patterson, the talent that Michigan has, the schedule that seems to suit them as opposed to last year having to go to Notre Dame early in the year. How difficult is that? Now, look, he changed.

When he had Kaepernick, he changed in the NFL. But how difficult do you think that'll be for? for Jim Harbaugh to run an offense that is not really the offense that he traditionally you'd think would want to run. Whenever you change systems, see, we changed, we changed coordinators at Ohio State, really, because guys would go on and be head coaches, but the system stayed the same. And we, I know what I always call it enhance a system. When you change a system, I'm anxious to see if they actually do.

If they do, it takes time. However, they have three of the best, they have three high draft picks at receiver led by People Jones that people don't know about because they're underutilized. I mean, Donovan People Jones is a legit. top 10 talent picking the NFL draft. And I think, you know, you have a young coordinator, 35 years old, never won Gattis, never called a play. And he's, you know, Jim Harbaugh is a very strong personality.

If they truly let this spread offense go, it's going to take a minute. The one thing they have, though, that personnel is ideal. Shea Patterson's a spread quarterback. Those receivers deserve to be able to play in space. I'm anxious to see if they really do it. Reggie, Georgia came so close. right so close but Alabama has that thing that you guys had right where they just believe they're going to win yep right um how hard is that to overcome because like look personnel wise coaching wise

helmet logo nickname everything Georgia has everything it takes to be the best team in the SEC but Alabama has that kind of mental control over them how hard is that to overcome um I don't think it's that hard to overcome I think it's just a matter of finishing games, right? Learning how to finish in the fourth quarter. We still have a saying at USC, you can't win games in the first, second, or third quarter, you got to win them in the fourth quarter, right? And that doesn't matter what the situation is. You always have to know and feel that you can come out on top, right? And it's a mentality. It's not about going out there working harder than the next person or everybody works hard. Everybody has talent. This is about

finishing. This is a mindset. And so everything you do, whether it's in the team meetings, whether it's in reps in the wait room, is finishing those, finishing through the line. We used to always, I remember when we were training as a team, we would always make sure we finish through the line because we knew that

if we implement this mentality now, it's going to serve us down the road. Bush push, of course, help beat the other name. That's one way to finish. That's one way to finish. By the way, liner's going to be signing autographs at the... W is a W-W-Basede.

The centennial modern day game tonight. Liner's giving away free autographs tonight. Just want to know. Will you be there with me, man? I thought we were going to dinner. Sure. Rob Stone, Reggie Bush, Urban Meyer, Matt Linerd, Brady Quinn.

That's 4 o'clock Eastern, 1 o'clock Pacific, big noon kickoff, huge show every college football Saturday of the season. Men, thanks so much for joining us. Let's get to joy with the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. So is a scary moment for Panthers fans last night

after taking a first quarter sack. Cam Newton limped to the sideline and then left the stadium in a walking boots. And according to their GM, Cam Newton has a midfoot sprain in his left foot, and we are cautiously optimistic he will be ready for week one. Now, you remember he had surgery on his left ankle in March of 2014, so this was already kind of a vulnerable place for him. He didn't get rid of the ball and the play he was injured. He scrambled out of the pocket, around the pocket before going down. And Adam Butler was the lineman holding onto his left foot. but this is not what you want to see in a preseason game.

And this is, it's the conversation about whether you're starting franchise quarterback at one of the level of the former MVP in Cam Newton should be playing in the preseason game. I feel like it's when this happens, it's like why? But then if it doesn't happen, it's like, oh, you know, he got out there and got some reps. But now you're looking at a situation where he could possibly be out for the start of the season. Yeah, I mean, it's just a disaster. I mean, I would point out that Cam, and I heard Colin. and yesterday compare him to Ben Rothesberger, which is an accurate.

Obviously, he runs it more, but they both hold on the ball so long. Even on that play, just get rid of the football. Just get rid of it. It's a preseason game. Just throw it away. But yes, this is the worst possible thing that can happen for the NFL, where they're like, just don't get hurt. Because you do want the live reps.

You do want at least the threat of somebody being at your feet and bumping you a little bit so that when you're seeing live bullets, it's not the first time you see in live bullets in a year. It's, you know, guys talk about it. Levy on Bell was talking about how in practice he wants his teammates to hit him to rough him up a little bit because he's not playing in any preseason games and he doesn't want that first hit that he feels when he gets out on the field in week one to be that dramatic. You want to have a little callous to your game once you get started, but not at the quarterback position. I'm not really blaming this on Cam Newton. Sure, he could have thrown it away, but had he not been injured, we never would have looked twice at that play and scrutinized.

It's how it always happens with these injuries. You know, why did you hold on to it so long? you know, why did you run there? But if you didn't get injured, we'd never think twice about it. It just, it just sucks. Like, there's no other way to put it. And especially this year, if this is, you don't want to go into the season injured. Gold saying you come in limping, you're going to limp out of the season two,

because there's no time to recover. This felt like a year Cam Newton really needed to get back to his greatest form, and now you have an injury that's going to be lingering at the beginning of the season. So Ryan Fitzpatrick still may be the guy opening week. But Josh Rosen made a strong case last night. He led a 99-yard touchdown drive in his first series of work, and he finished 5'7 for 59 yards and ran four times for 23 yards. And Brian Flores addressed the growing quarterback controversy after the game.

Well, he played well. That makes a decision harder. I think that's pretty clear and evident. But there's, again, there's other things that play here. You've got a young quarterback. Again, I'm a proponent of it. I'm not rushing that, not rushing the process for young players. So, I mean, we'll make the decision we think is best for Josh, Fitz, and this team.

I don't want to overreact to a player doing well in preseason. In the same way, I don't overreact to a player being terrible in preseason. That's what preseason is. It's almost impossible to judge. You're not playing against the starting team. I mean, this isn't the first play of the fourth quarter, one of the plays he made on the run to Isaiah Ford, this one. Really nice play, 39 yards down the first. field on the run, but it's like who are you playing against, so I want to over scrutinize it,

but this is the body of work that we have, right? I feel like the situation with Rosen and Fitzpatrick is one of those where I feel like Rosen should be starting, but obviously Flores has a difference of opinion. I just don't see the value in starting Fitzpatrick unless they really feel like he is so not ready. But he played last year, so it's not like he's a rookie coming in. I feel like the confidence that you have to instill in the guy is more important than getting him necessarily ready on the field. Because we know Fitzpatrick's going to win you a couple games here and there. He's a backup

quarterback. He's going to be great a few games. He's going to be bad a few games. There's nothing to be consistent about it. Sure. So to me, I feel like at any other position, if you want to ease a rookie in or not give him such a heavy load to start the season, I get it. But that's the one position where you need a leader and you need to make a decision. And that's where I

don't like the wishy-washy. Listen, I agree with you. And the biggest question for Josh Rosen has been his leadership, right? Is his Just his persona's personality, can he leave? It's not that people don't like him, but do they want to play for him? And you're hurting that if you don't start him right away. Right, and it's like another criticism he had was his body language.

Yes. It's like, I don't, this guy, he goes to Arizona, he's running for his life the entire season. He gets traded for Kyler Murray after being a top 10. Your body language would be bad as well. Right, but this is, again, this is a reputation that fair unfair he has earned going back to high school and to college and to one year at Arizona. So I'm not disputing that it's unfair to take one snapshot of how a guy looks on the sideline and see that's who he is, right?

Any of our worst moments, we don't want to be determined of that. That's who we are. The one point I would make is, like, look, you can start Fitzpatrick and bench him. It's really hard to put that genie back in the bottle if you start Rosen and then bench him. But what is the value of benching Rosen? Like, if he plays the entire year and you realize he's not the guy. Their offensive line is really bad. I'm not sure I want.

Like Jonathan Allen was amazing last night. But don't you want to be in the best position? I'm not suggesting that they tank. But why wouldn't you do everything that you need to do to find out if he is the guy? And if halfway through the season it's that much of a disaster, you put Fitzpatrick in and win a few games so it's not unwatchable. And then you get your guy. I think Flores wants him to earn it. You know, he comes from New England.

I think he wants him to earn it. And just the question is, in his eyes, has he earned it? Will the team buy in to the fact that he's earned it? because people do buy into Fitzpatrick as having heard it. Right. So finally, last preseason, Sean McVeigh tried something new. He sat his entire starting offense for all four preseason games. And it was an unprecedented move and met with a lot of criticism.

But it obviously worked out for the Rams in the end. They're in the Super Bowl. And McVeigh continues that tradition this year. And he spoke about how unapologetic he is for it. It's not to say that there's not an appreciation for what the preseason entails and playing real football. I think there is a lot of merit to that. But when you look at some of the continuity now that we have on both sides of the ball coming back

and you say, okay, if something were to happen, is it really worth that risk in our mind? And we just felt like that answer is no. And that's the approach that we're taking. I totally understand, you know, if people don't agree with that. But, you know, we always make decisions that we feel like are in the best interest of our team. Look, Sean McVeigh is the whiz kid, right? Like he is the new wave of the NFL And I appreciated what they did

The way that the Rams approached their entire season last year And it obviously paid off They didn't win the Super Bowl But there's a lot of factors you can point to that Like they were there in the end Someone's got to win, someone's got to lose So I wouldn't consider their Season to be a failure

Just because of that But there's so much talk I mean we started the show off discussing What has preseason become? You really need four preseason games And is this overwhelming pressure to play starters and get guys out there to get reps that don't really need reps. It's what training campus for.

How much value are you even getting out of these preseason games? Then the conversation leads to what you cut the preseason games and add more regular season games. Like what's the balance that you need to reach? But clearly teams are starting to take their own measures to minimize the risk that they take during preseason. Colts are doing it this weekend. The Packers did it last night and so too did the Raiders. We'll discuss what I think. think happened. A seminal moment happened last night in the preseason upcoming top of the hour.

That's Joy Taylor with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Herd Lie News. Feels like a World Series preview this weekend. We'll get to that next in The Herd. Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in.

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

Sports slice brings you closer to the action. with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games.

And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit, suit 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. care gains is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the hard way and listen now. The story I've told myself about love or relationships can then shape my

behavior and that can lead me to sabotage the possibility of connection. This mental health awareness month, tune into the podcast deeply well with Debbie Brown and explore the journey of healing, self-discovery, and returning to yourself. We explore higher consciousness, emotional well-being, and the practices that help you find clarity, peace, and self-mastery in a world that can feel overwhelming. The world is becoming lonelier. 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 holy, 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.

Hey, I'm Jared Adano. You might know me as that loud guy who yells out, help on the internet. Help! Somebody! But there's so much more to me than that. 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 friends as we riff rant and 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 of 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 Hypocrite as part of the Mike Cultura Podcast Network available on the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Tomorrow we've got what could be a World Series preview as two of baseball's best and most iconic teams collide. Aaron, Judge, the Yankees take on Cody Ballinger and the Dodgers. It's all part of a doubleheader action beginning at three Eastern, noon Pacific on FS1 and the Foxx. Fox Sports app. A little World Series preview for us on Fox Sports One. That should be fun.

C.C., I know pitching tomorrow. Belly, it's one of my favorite nicknames. I like, right? Cody Bellinger, leading the National League in home runs, belly. I love it. Get in my belly. Or I can see it, get out of here, belly. With all those home runs.

We haven't had, Yankees Dodgers would be what we hadn't had really in the NBA. never had LeBron versus Kobe, right? We just missed. There were ships passing in the night. Kobe got hurt. Kobe's team was good enough. And after Kobe's team was better and LeBron's team wasn't good enough at first. So we never had that Kobe versus LeBron. And the Dodgers, two straight world series. We'll see. Yankees have lost four in a row. Paxton versus Ryu tonight. C.C. Tomorrow against Tony Galenson is a rookie for the Dodgers. And then I think Kershaw pitches, right? Kershaw pitches Sunday.

Do you see against Vermont? Did you see the Dante Bichette's kid took him yard twice going back the other night? Great hair. Great, great hair. I'm like, look, I completely understand on a day-to-day basis kind of hard to cover baseball, right? But is there any, and I'd ask you, Joy, in terms of regular season to postseason and the jump in the importance of every single play, every single pitch, I don't think there's a greater jump in intensity than Major League Baseball.

Yeah. I mean, you can kind of compare it to the NBA, but we pretty much know what teams are going to be where, and you don't really fight for seating and all of that in the NBA. Like, we know pretty much like a few months after All-Star break, like a month or so, what teams are going to be where. The intensity level in baseball is just, I mean, the urgency. see that you feel because then the NBA postseason feels so long, you know, before you really

start to get to it. There isn't really a comparison. Yeah. And what's maybe weirdest about it is how long it's been since these teams met in the World Series, right? I mean, look, I think this is why Interleagues should still exist. I don't like the 15 on each side. I think need to add teams so that they don't have Interleague every single series, but this does kind of wet the appetite. It's better than I can't take another Red Sox Yankees series. I've seen that enough. I like the idea the Yankees taking on the Dodgers and Chavez Ravine and seeing Kirshaw go on a Sunday and CC go on a Saturday on Fox Sports One.

She's Joy, Taylor. I'm Doug Gottliebend. Coming up next, feels like a seminal moment in the preseason in the NFL. It was yesterday the night, the preseason died. Find out next in the herd. One more herd? The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week. week within the iHeart radio app search herd to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like what up welcome in

this is the herd wherever you may be and however you may be making this part of your day thanks so much for joining us live from los angeles i'm duck gotley filling in for colin cowherd who just tweeted out this is last friday of summer off enjoy your time with your family and your friends and the friends that you leave to work for you on Friday, like the talented Joy Taylor, who joins me as always. Joy, how are you? I'm great. Preseason football. Now, look, I think there's some interesting things that happened in sports, those

Where Were You Moments, right? And generally, we think of Where Were You Moments as, you know, Challenger Explosion. You know, I remember where I was in fourth grade Mrs. Sally's class. We think of tragic events. Sometimes we think of unbelievable comebacks and performances in sports. I remember when the Patriots came back to beat the Atlanta Falcons that my kids wanted to stay up. And I said, go to sleep. This game's over.

And then I promised my son, if it gets close, will you wake me up? Yes. And then it was like he was asleep for an hour and a half. And all of a sudden it was close. Couldn't wake him up. So you remember those moments. but there are also moments that are the beginning of the end, right? The beginning of the end.

And sometimes the moments are like when Marshawn Lynch didn't get the football, right? That felt like the beginning of the end of the Seahawks dynasty because you lost the team, you lost the defense. There was a mess last night in Winnipeg, Canada. Now, why are they playing a game, Winnipeg, Canada? I guess the answer would be it's fairly close. It's closer to Green Bay. And at the time when it was booked by a promoter,

the Raiders didn't have a home. And they didn't know where they were going to play. And so in kind of the ultimate money grab, which is what the preseason actually is, you know, like, I don't know how many people know this, but NFL players aren't compensated for preseason football. It's per diem. Right? It's per diem.

And then they pay for travel. And if you've looked at most of these games, you know, you actually get to pick a group of teams you want to play. So that's why the Chargers play, you know, a couple games at home, and then they play the Arizona Cardinals, for example, close in proximity as possible. The jets play the giants and the dolphins play the jaguars to cut down on travel costs. It's a money grab.

But a funny thing happened on the way to the cash register. They forgot, or the promoter forgot, or whoever sets up the field forgot, that when you take out goalposts, like there's a hole there. There's a hole there. Like it's a big, a goalpost is a thing. It's not like that old volleyball net in high school where like take out the volleyball net and you put the little cap on it and you don't even know it's there. Even though it's artificial surface, you take it out, there's a mechanism that you also have to

remove with it and you have to cover it up. It was not properly covered. And so you had these massive dishes. rivets right in the middle of the front of each in zone, which led to the grounds. group coming out and doing the, I don't know there, eh? I don't know about the whole there. I don't know how we can fill it in such short period of time. So they didn't. So they didn't. And they ended up playing a game on an 80 yard field. Now, it's not just the game was played an 80 yard field, which looks like a bad scrimmage.

It looks, and if you've ever been around, and Joel, you've worked NFL games. I got to work one last year. NFL games are the best run professional event I have ever been a part of. There's a lot of moving parts to it. There are a lot of moving part. Remember, you have the TV, you have TV, you have both local radios, national radio, media, you have, and there's very limited number of people on the sideline, like sideline credential. I saw, I did Dolphins Bears last year.

Peyton Manning escorted off the sideline before the game began. Like, he's like, I'm Peyton Manning. Like, yeah, I know. Guy got off the sideline. Like only authorized personnel only. There's a line that goes around each NFL field. Okay, do not step on and definitely do not step inside that line. Why?

Because that's the line. If you see it on this video, there's that yellow dotted line. That's the line for the TV cameras. They do not want anyone outside of the foot. players or the officials or the coaches inside that line. Period. Stop. End of story. I was doing the Dolphins Bears and I was, I was into the sideline. I'm watching and I'm stepping on the O-O line. And I have a NFL security guy come up and says, hey, if you step on that line again, we are escorting you out of the stadium. I was like,

I'm sorry, sir, I'm doing the game for Fox. Like, no, no, we know. This is from New York. Like, this is really important. So for this to happen is embarrassing to the league because their product is, and these are two historic franchises. And it's in Canada who wants to get a football team. Like all of these things are important. So you play in an 80-yard field. The Raiders don't bring 24 guys. Packers don't play their starters.

And I, Joy, I feel like this is the beginning of the, this is the moment. Like, as you pointed out earlier, Sean McVeigh from the moment he got the job, said, if you show me you can play football, I don't need to see you play football to know why you can play football, right? That's kind of his case of running a lot. Right.

But this is the tie at the Major League Baseball All-Star game. This is the fail-Mary. Remember the fail-Mary? Yeah. Packers, Seahawks, you're like, well, hold on. We got to get rid of these replacement officials and figure out a way to get it done. That was a seminal moment. The Jesse James catch.

I know that Dez caught it. Okay. I know that Calvin Johnson caught it. But Jesse James's catch is ruled a touchdown. The Pittsburgh Steelers have home field advantage in the playoffs, and it's a completely different postseason. Think of how big the play was last year in the playoffs, the Roby Coleman play with the Saints and the Rams.

Such a big play that for the first time ever, we've had a judgment call able to be reviewed. There was the, remember the Saints Vikings game? This was Brett Farve's last game where he threw the ball across his body. Right? And the hometown. You can't do that. That game was lost because the Saints got the ball in overtime,

marched down and kicked a field goal and won it. And after that, we changed the overtime rules. I still don't like the overtime rules because it's both teams get the ball unless you score a touchdown. It feels like they've gone halfway, but that was a seminal moment. Here's what, 2003, the lowest rated NBA finals ever. Spurs versus Nets. You have the spurs that everybody deemed to be boring against the Nets, Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson, Kenyon Martin, right, that NBA finals.

Lowest rated NBA finals ever. What happened afterwards? The NBA said, hey, we got to change this hand-checking stuff. We got to open up the game. They changed the rules. The malice at the palace led to the dress code. The dress code? So I think last night, I don't think it goes away.

I don't think the preseason football immediately goes away. We're not going to cut off these two games. Daniel Jeremiah from the NFL network and Henry Henry of the Chargers came up with a plan that I would promote, which is two regular preseason games for the young guys, and then two of these joint practices in the stadium. and then you can also bring the fans down. You can do seven on seven. You can do all the stuff they do in the joint practices.

You just don't have to do a traditional game. And that way you can protect the quarterbacks. Nobody touches the quarterbacks. Something has to give. And between the Rams not playing their guys for a third straight year, the Colts not playing their guys, the Packers not playing their guys. The Raiders not even bringing their guys.

They don't even get on the plane. felt like last night was was the tipping point. Well, yeah, I mean, it's just like you said. You're running down the teams that aren't participating. Teams are just taking it into their own hands. Like, okay, we realize this is not really necessary. Sometimes you just do things out of conditioning or tradition.

And then someone, like Shaw McVeigh or whoever, says, this doesn't really make sense that we're still doing this. So I'm just going to not do it. Is there, we would be punished for not doing it? No, so let's just not do it. it and see what happens. And it actually turns out to be successful. It's a hundred percent injury rate in the NFL for careers, right? We know that. There's no benefit. And we have this conversation every year. It's like once training camp starts, the time from the moment training camp starts until

week one, everyone just crossing their fingers, no injuries. Now training camp, you can't avoid those, right? Like, it's going to happen. And it feels like even though it's dramatic and it sucks, it's like that's kind of part of the game. Like it's an unfortunate place, but that's a necessary evil. preseason games are just they're just not for guys who are trying to make the team yes for rookies yes for you know the the fringe guys

are figuring out who you're going to keep in the practice squad and all that stuff yes starters and close to starters what are you gaining there well just live reps I think is the thing like real live reps did you forget how to play football you don't play that much

you don't play that much I mean I think I think what what Sean McBay is doing is just is flying in the face of all of those things. There's no question. There's no question it's been successful, okay? But I guess the question becomes this, right? Question becomes, is there a control group?

Like, look, has Sean McVeigh been successful? Yeah, he's been successful for two years. Part of it is he's a really good coach and he's a really good offense and Jeff Fisher wasn't a very good offensive coach and they've added a lot of pieces. Like, had they played their guys in the preseason, would they have not had two really good years? The answer is they probably would have been just the same. We don't know because there's no control group. Right.

Right. And not every team that's not playing their players in the preseason is going to have a good regular season. So maybe that's what we see. But I do think that one of the things you hit on, which is a brilliant point, is this idea that we cannot, if you say you're doing something simply because that's how you've always done it, that's not really a great answer. Now, if you're saying you're doing it because you still think guys need live reps, that we don't practice as much, we don't have two a days, there's not as much contact, and it is a violent physical sport that you are going to, you will, you have to learn how to play through contact, you have to learn to play.

Like as a quarterback, I mean, look at Jimmy Garoppolo, I'd have to think a good portion the reason he struggled in his first preseason appearance was because he hadn't seen live reps because he didn't have anybody at his feet or in that case the Broncos batting down passes. You can't really replicate that even in scrimmages because quarterbacks aren't touched. So there is a value there, but is the value worth the risk? Is the value worth putting together a product that looks like a clown show like we saw in Winfay? Right.

And I don't think that I'm not advocating for completely eliminating the preseason because I do think rookies needed. And I think that, for example, Jimmy Garoppolo coming off a devastating injury, that's useful, fringe guys. You need it for those purposes, but do you need this much? Do you need four preseason games? No, but that's, again,

part of how the money works because you get two home games, so you charge your fans. Look, there is a, where are you going to replace that revenue? And we always think of the revenue only for the owners. The owners, obviously, they don't want to make less money.

But it's also the revenue for the stadiums. It's also revenue for all the surrounding bars or parking, with people who work in these stadiums. Like, there is a way. windfall of cash that's made, even if the places are half of them. Sure. And everything in our entire world, if you really get down to it, comes down to money. If we're having real conversations, that's really boring to just discuss the numbers because that's not fun. But of course it comes down to the money. But I think you can find alternatives,

like you said, make it a fan fest, or make it something that's more interactive. Like, elevate the training camp experience to the stadium or whatever you need to do to find a way to balance the lack of competitiveness that you have for four games and get the guys that do need reps out there. She's Joy Taylor. I'm Doug Gowley. Is Mike Tomlin to blame for Antonio Brown's antics in Oakland? Well, that's James Harrison. He joins us upcoming 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. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This

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

themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer-beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions

everybody wants answered. Sports slice brings you closer to the action, with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsSlic. On the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slic Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok.

Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, 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're here 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. Keep you. gains is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on

my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. The story I've told myself about love or relationships can then shape my behavior and that can lead me to sabotage the possibility of connection. This Mental Health Awareness Month, tune into the podcast deeply well with Debbie Brown and explore the journey of healing, self-discovery, and returning to yourself. We explore higher consciousness, emotional well-being, and the practices that help you find clarity,

peace, and self-mastery in a world that can feel overwhelming. The world is becoming lonelier. 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. 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, 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 friends as we riff rant and 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 of 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 Hypocrite as part of the Mike Coultera Podcast Network available on the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Doug Gottlieb in for Colin. This is The Hurt, along with Joy Taylor.

Let's welcome in a two-time Super Bowl champion and all pro as well. James Harrison joins us here in the Hurt. You heard us discussing preseason football. Look, I mean, we're all reasonable. and that it's not going to go away entirely, but it does feel like it's changed this year. Like has it, like has the level of it, first, as a player, preseason football, did you like it? I loved it.

For me, it gave me an opportunity to, you know, refine my skill, you know, to know that I could go in there, you know, from last year and still, you know, play at the same level. You're going against a guy in practice that's not going to give you. you everything. It's not the game speed. It's not the intensity. It's not a guy that's out there actually trying to defeat you and beat you and wishes nothing but ill on you. For me, I wouldn't be in the league if it wasn't for four preseason games. I didn't get to play until the last, you know, two games of the season. And you played, I played most of the fourth game of the

season, which allowed me to be able to show them. I could play inside, outside, you know, left, right, and both inside positions. So for me, it's one of those things that's a necessary evil. You have to be able to build your roster. You need to know what your backup guys can do. And you're not going to get that just practicing. So I feel you can't change it. It's just that guys that you feel like don't need it

or guys that have well established and you know that they're going to be there. Yeah, I can see why they don't want to put their big name profile guys out there because they just spent a lot of money on this person. for me to let this guy go out here in preseason in a game that means nothing and he gets hurt, that's not going to help you. And then everyone looks like,

why was he out there? That's the first thing everybody says, why was he out there? It's the preseason. Well, you need to go out there and you need to get some sort of, for me, some sort of field, end game field.

Right, you got to get some sort of live reps. So what do you, is there any sort of amenable change? you know, like Daniel Jeremiah from the NFL network. He proposed two regular preseason games and then two of the, just run the joint practices, but put the joint practices in the stadiums and charge the same amount.

That's not going to work. The fans aren't going to go for that. That's the problem that they're having now. Fans are like, you charge me regular season prices for these tickets, but you're giving me guys that I'm not going to even see playing this game anymore. Everybody right now got almost a 90-man roster. It's only 53 people on the roster.

So everybody that you're seeing probably play in this, this, you know, third and fourth preseason game, they're not going to be there, you know, but it's not going to change the price of the ticket. It's not going to change the price of the concession stands. It's not going to change the price of the park. It's not going to change the price of anything. So with that being said,

it's a collective bargaining agreement coming up. The NFL, or they're going to say, look, y'all want to cut down to two preseason games? We do 20 games every year. We'll cut to two preseason games, but I need 18 regular season games. Yeah. And what is that met with from the players?

I mean, they'll want more money, right? Of course, they'll want more money. But at the end of the day, it's up to the NFLPA and who is, you know, paid to represent them to get them a deal that's good. Obviously, the first deal that we, well, that they signed because we voted no on, was not a good deal. But at the end of the day, that was what he ended up bringing to the table. And I guess a majority of the guys said yes.

So that's something where the guy that's, they hired to do the best for them, should have did the best for them, not with the best that he felt like he could do. Let me ask you about Zeke Elliott. He reportedly has been offered to be the second highest paid running back of all time. Under contract for two more years. In fairness, Gurley was under contract for two more years, but he wasn't holding out. And the Gurley doesn't look like it's a great deal because Gurley, his knees not sound. What would you do if you're Zeke? If I'm Zeke and they offered me that sort of deal, I'm honestly, I think I would take it because if I'm looking at worst case scenario,

and worst case scenario right now is you have two years left and I can still franchise you for another two. So basically you got four years left, okay, that you belong to me. If you're willing to sit out one year, two years, possibly three, then go ahead and do it and bet on yourself. But even if you sit out two years and they say, you know what, he's not going to work for us. we're not going to franchising, you're not going to get anywhere near the money that he's offering you right now if you're out of this game for two years. And that's the power they have, you know, with the deals that these rookies have to sign nowadays. I mean, you even look at DeVey and Clowney, like he's running into year six right now, and he's holding out. He, you know,

he doesn't want to sign because it's not a long-term deal, and I understand it. And not only that, but he's sitting out, and they can't really trade him because they should have trade him before. Now if you trade him, it's just a one-year rental so he doesn't have the same value. So they're going to drive a hard bargain to make him show up, I guess, and work. Let me ask about Antonio Brown. James Harrison joining us, former Pro Bowl linebacker, of course, most famously with the Pittsburgh Steelers, also the Bengals and the Patriots. We're seeing him on Hard Knocks.

I remember when you avoided the cameras with Cincinnati on Hard Knocks. Has this always been how he is? Like, it's just, it does seem to kind of always be something. And I wonder how much of the blame we put on Mike Tomlin for not keeping me in check early in his career. I don't think it's so much of just like him doing anything crazy right now. He burnt his feet up in a, you know, in a cryo chamber. And he's fighting with the NFL for his helmet, you know, which is obviously a issue that he felt like was, you know, was worth fighting for. where, you know, a lot of different people were like, you know, it's a helmet, you got to change it, just get it done.

I mean, he's at that point right now where he's changing the helmet. I believe that some of the things that Tomlin allowed to slip through the crack, so to speak, or he justified with his saying of, I'll tolerate you till I can replace you is some of the things that allowed, you know, A, B to, you know, have the behaviors or mannerisms that, you know, he had. and some of the things that, you know, people believe shouldn't be, you know, happening with an NFL player. Let me, let me bring up. This is what Rod Woodson said. Rod Woodson, of course, Hall of Famer said the only thing I would like to see from him, him being Mike Tomlin, is to be a little more thumbs down on his players. It's like 53 teenagers.

You've got 53 teenagers. You're not going to let 53 teenagers just roost in your house. If they do something wrong, you have to discipline them. Is that the discipline missing in Pittsburgh? I think that definitely at some points the discipline is missing as far as, you know, if you do A, then B happens. Not if you do A and you're this player, then maybe nothing happens or C happens, you know. With, you know, I even had a conversation, you know, with Rock, because he's a big time, you know, Mike supporter. And me and him talked and we talked about some things.

And he had ended up, you know, going to Pittsburgh. and then we ended up talking or texting after that. And then he released his statement. So some of the things that me and him conversated about, he obviously may have saw some of that and felt like some things needed to change. Your last season you spent in New England, of course, you spent some time in New England.

About four weeks, yeah. Yeah, four weeks. And I've heard you say how much you wanted to hate Tom Brady, but then you met him. And you couldn't hate him. You can't. you think he has in his mind that this is the last year? Do you think based upon, and I know you don't know him like best friends, whatever,

but based upon how he operates, do you think he can go into the season thinking this is my last year? No. I don't think Tom can go into season thinking this is his last year. That's not how he operates. You know, his mindset is, you know, the next Super Bowl. He's not going in there saying, oh, this is my last season. Because if he's going in there saying that, he's conceding that everything is done.

And I don't know if you can have a drive that he has and come into a season saying, you know what, this is my last one. Now, if at the end of the year, you know, he sits back and he makes a decision that, oh, this is the last year, then that'll be the last year. But going into the season, as far as he's concerned, I think he doesn't see an end in sight right now. I'm going in. I'm playing this year out. And he's trying to get the next Super Bowl.

Great stuff. James Harrison, two-time Pro Bowl, a two-time Super Bowl champion. Of course, you see him on Fox Sports One throughout the day. James, thanks so much. Thank you. Let's get to Joy Taylor with the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news.

This is the herd line news. Well, Zeke has some company heading down to Cabo. Yesterday, Marshall Fox said on The Rich Eisen's show that he will be heading down there to help seek continue his prep for the upcoming season. He added up got some drills and some stuff that I used to do. I've challenged him with his conditioning. I'm trying to get him closer to football ready, not just being in good shows. shape, so I'm going down to try and make to try and make him throw up, but that's

my job. I do not like that Zika's in Kavo at all. Now, I'm not a get-off my lawn guy, but there are some optics that come with Kabo that don't really match up with the

grit and grind of NFL training camp. I understand that he's holding out, but I just feel like it was bad advice to tell him to go there. I understand that they're training. down there and they supposedly have this top-notch facility and he

is working out but with everything that's gone on with Ezekiel Elliot and I'm a very pro-player person like I want everyone to get paid as much as they can possibly get paid and almost always on the player's side and not on the team side or the billionaire side but with Zique there are some extenuating circumstances

he is obviously the best back in a league or one of the top three depending on which you know running style you prefer like there you can go back and forth but he's up there and he deserves serves to get paid, and I understand that he is concerned about the future of his career at that position. But I think you're right. Would you say the market is correcting? Correcting. I say that it's a pendulum swing with running backs, like, because we do go through this where we are

swinging back where maybe, you know, the running back isn't so valuable. You can do running back by committee. Look what happened with Todd Gurley. And he's just trying to get paid when we're in that swing where we don't value the running backs as much. In a few years, something will happen, and some running back will have an incredible career and carry a team to the playoffs and lay into the playoffs and then we'll swing back. And maybe running backs are super important. And we do need a levy on bell, you know,

double threat type of player in that position and pay them a bunch of money. It's just what it is. I just think that the cowboys, and especially Jerry Jones, are fed up with a situation. So whether Marshall Falk is down there working out with him or he's down there training and he's trying to, you know, stay football ready,

there's nothing like being in camp. And I understand sometimes you have to hold out, not be in camp. But this situation to me is like, when the team put the money out there yesterday, it felt like, okay, this is what it is. The reality is they do have him for four more years. It felt early and now it's starting to get to a point of desperation. Because they do need him. Like they're not going to be the same team without Ezekiel Elliott,

no matter how many pieces they put in his spot. Well, let's start with Marshall Paul. Of course, they're rep by the same guy, right? So there's the tie. I generally agree with you. I'm sure they have a great facility. I'm sure he's eating right. He's apparently his weights down.

I just think the whole thing was mishandled because if you want to get a new deal, stay there. You know, show them some. You can even do the Antonio Brown thing where you complain about helmet, shoes, whatever. I need to take a personal day. I just think separating yourself from the team, show selfishness. It just does, especially when you know there's other contracts that are being negotiated at the exact same time.

So I like Zeke. I think he's super talented. I mean, I think you put him, uh, Sequin. I put Christian McCaffrey in that, in that crew as well. Maybe he's not the same blocker, but Chris McAfree might be better out of the backfield than either the other two. I mean, those are the elite backs in the NFL. But this is the way the running back market is. You know, it just is. Use you up in your rookie contract. And then, you know, we like you. We'll still franchise tag you. I mean, that's just kind of like Melvin Gordon's sitting there holding out. Like, what are you doing, dude? I mean, that's why they want contracts, right? It's why it feels a bit early. And it's probably why he was advised to try and get a contract right now

while he's still healthy and while people still feel like DAC needs him to be successful. That's why he's doing it. But at one point, in contract negotiations, somebody's got to give. Right. And both have been offered really good deals. Like Melvin Gordon being offered 10. $10 million a year. That's a really good deal. And the reason the Chargers don't want to allow him to think he could be traded is because,

one, he's under contract for two more years. And two, nobody else is going to pay him to $10 million a year guaranteed. Right. And the same goes. And Zeke might be the difference, might be different. I think Zeke is different. And Zeke is, Zeke feels like he is the engine of that offense.

So from that perspective, they have a small window right to win a Super Bowl with the pieces that they have there and they've locked up certain pieces and they still have back to figure out in other guys. But I think this year is an important year for the Cowboys. It's literally the only reason you would relent to his contract demands. The only reason is they think they think they got a team that's good enough to win it. Right. Which to me is when you do pay him. Yeah, here's the other part that I think NFL players are disingenuous about. Okay. They complain about franchise tags, but they complain about rookie deals. Look, they didn't like that San Bradford got $50 million

guaranteed up front. So they said we want all that money thrown into our veteran pool. And the previous deals weren't, these are all completely guaranteed. Remember, Zeke's deal is front-loaded. He made $16 million his first year. So while the average so while the salaries

the next two years don't look up to snuff, the fact is you get a front-loaded deal and then you get a back-loaded in your fifth year, you get paid, and it all evens out in the end, and it's all essentially guaranteed if you live up to the contract. But he's in one of those positions where they wear you out. So Daniel Jones has looked great through his first three preseason games and the Giants took a kind of a public beating when they drafted him number six

overall in this year's draft but he's been proving the doubters wrong so far. He went 25 of 30 for 369 yards and two touchdowns and his performance has left Pat Shermer impressed. About every six or seven days now I've been able to tell you that's what we saw when we drafted and he's steadily getting better every time he takes the field whether to practice or means. You can ask me all you want about why I like them. It's time to start asking the people that didn't like them. What they think? No one expected that pick, obviously, right?

So it's not that we were killing Daniel Jones. It just kind of felt like it came out of nowhere, and we didn't know what direction the Giants were going in. And then we still don't know what direction the giants are going in. For me, it's kind of the same thing as a dolphin. Just say who's your guy, and if you make a change later, you make a change. We all feel like Eli Manning is going to be the one starting, right? Here's the problem.

Eli Manning stinks it up the first six games and everyone's yelling for Daniel Jones and then you throw Daniel Jones out there and he's been sitting on the bench non-active as a rookie he's got to come in and be the whiz kid or it's going to be a continuation of a disaster. I just think that put some confidence behind your guy. If you have more than one quarterback, you have no quarterback. No, look, Eli's the guy there and they've never offered up otherwise. I think what the Giants are doing is like look, they're rightfully puffing out their chest. I mean, remember, the Redskins, they said the reason they took him at six was because they thought the Redskins were going to jump up and trade up and take him shortly thereafter. And the Redskins's like, nah, we didn't even want him at all. We always wanted Dwayne Haskins. So like, oh, okay. And look, the kid got booed at the Yankees game a couple weeks ago. So to go from that to now people going, he's the savior, is a remarkable turnaround.

Can I offer some visual evidence of what I think fans are starting to feel? Yeah. We have a picture of the media talking to Daniel Jones. This is an amazing picture. You know what? This picture really could be a painting of like, just remember how quickly life can pass you by. I don't think there's a lot of context to this picture. Like I would imagine that the media was talking to Eli Manning first and then moved to Daniel Jones. And that's why Eli is finishing getting dressed.

So I don't want to lose my mind over this. But it is kind of speaking to my point that it's not so much about what the giants are planning on doing. It's New York. You have this new, fun, shiny player. Like, there's going to become a demand for it if they start. So if you're listening on radio, here's the picture. It's Daniel Jones in front of a throng of reporters. And he's at kind of a makeshift visitor's locker room with, you know, metal stalls.

Next to him, like sitting down on the stall getting some what looks like old man shoes on slacks in the shirt is Eli Manning. and literally no one talking to him, no one looking at him, he has the backside of several reporters staring him in the face. It's like this, one guy's, if you were to ask, which one of these guys

is a two-time Super Bowl champion? Future Hall of Famer, part of the first football family in America, and which one is the first round pick that nobody wanted, you would have them switched. But Daniel Jones is the man of the moment,

at least based upon this picture. Right. But there is no context of this picture, as I said. Like, to Eli and then moved him and then someone snapped it. Finally, we were just talking about this. Jimmy G was disappointing in his first NFL action in almost a year.

He looked pretty rusty in his return from his torn ACL. He attempted six passes, completing one for no yards and a pick, 0.0 passer rating. And Kyle Shanahan revealed yesterday that his plan for Jimmy G. To play the first half and perhaps even start the third quarter. So he is going to get a lot of reps in their next game. This is why this is a situation where there's value in this preseason game, right? Like, obviously you want to get him feeling comfortable.

He's coming off a devastating injury and on contact injury. So that messes with you mentally even more because you really have to trust your body of this fear coming back from surgery and rehab is awful for ACL injuries. And you're a quarterback. Like, you have all the pressure on you. So I get it. This is a situation where it makes perfect sense for him to be out there. Like if he gets injured again in this game, he's just a guy that gets injured. But he needs this, clearly needs this game.

I agree. This signals that they feel like it's a live reps issue more than a skill or talent. Yes. Or fortitude issue. I would also say this. Like if I'm studying tape on Jimmy Garoppolo, whatever they run the first two series, those are his favorite plays, right? Because you want him to feel good.

And if you watch the debacle last on Monday night, you know, he had the first pass batted down. I thought, you know, that rattled him, right? Like, that's probably not happened in practice before. He had the five interception thing in practice. So the redskins, I mean, the redskins, the Niners can tell us how great he's looked in the preseason. But in their actions, they're telling us,

he really needs live reps. And I'm going to guess they're going to put together some sort of, you know, some sort of first 15, first 20 plays that are tailor-made to make him look good and to feel good. Yeah, it's a confidence thing, like you said, not skill. And that's Joy Taylor with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by.

The herd lie news. I'm becoming more and more convinced this isn't Tom Brady's last season, or at least he hasn't decided it's his last season. I'll get to that at the top of the hour. But up next, huge sports weekend in Los Angeles. Not just Dodgers, Yankees. Tell you why there's more next in The Hurt. Be sure to catch live editions of the HARD.

Weekdays at noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Last night, a blown. phone 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. SportsSlice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsSlice on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness, month I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests.

I'm talking. Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses.

Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you 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, Keir Gaines, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose

on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free, our Heart Radio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. If you're watching the latest season of the Real Housewives of Atlanta, you already know there's a lot to break down. Georgia 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 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. 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 that. 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 friends 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. Cream of 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 Mike Coutura podcast network available on the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Doug Gawley, been for calling.

This is The Hurt on Fox Sports Radio, IHeart Radio app, and Fox Sports One. Welcome in. Got some great stuff. you. Mark Schlaherth will join us next hour. We'll talk some Cam Newton versus Tom Brady last night. Did not go so well for Cam Newton. And of course, excuse me, Jeff Schwartz will join us next hour. The Schwartz will be very much with us. We'll talk some offensive line play as well. And why I don't believe a decision has been made about Tom Brady's future by Tom Brady. But this is a huge weekend in L.A. sports, right? We mentioned Dodgers, Yankees, which is tomorrow on FS1.

but that's not the only thing going on. We got rivalry week, right, in an MLS soccer. That's kind of awesome. By the way, have you guys seen L-AFC? Take a look. Watch, this is the cheer that they do, the fans do, at L-AFC. That's awesome. John Strong joins us. Fox Sports Play-Bout Play-Four soccer, of course.

You got L-A-FC taken on the Galaxy this weekend. And how did this, how did the LASC have this incredible home pitch advantage? Like when did this, when did this happen? Well, I think you can understand this, that Los Angeles, there's a lot going on. And it's hard to get some of the oxygen out of the air when you've got the Dodgers, you've got the Lakers, you've got the return of NFL teams. And yet LASC has become one of the stories of sports here in Southern California. And I think you're seeing it right here because they have created a structure that is allowed for the fans to take ownership.

This isn't scoreboard prompts. This isn't T-shirt cannons. This isn't blasting music. this is the fans themselves creating the atmosphere and everything that we see in soccer culture around the world they brought in the stadium. And by the way, if the team was terrible, it wouldn't matter. They've also put on the field one of the best teams

in the history of this league. They are rewriting the record book this year. And yet they can't seem to beat the LA Galaxy. So there's all sorts of great storylines of this game on Sunday. You mentioned three losses of the season, two or to the Galaxy, right? They're 02 and 2 against the Galaxy this season. They've actually never beaten the Galaxy

in their franchise history, yet they're 19 points ahead of the second place team. They're far and away record-wise, the best team. Why? What is it about the match-up, or is it more of a mentality? No, I think it's mentality. So LASC only twice in two years has scored the first goal of a game and lost. Both those times against the Galaxy. They're one of two teams in league history to lead by three and to lose.

That was to the L.A. Galaxy last year. So it absolutely is a mental thing because every other team they play against, they hit this extra gear that nobody can touch. And one of the stats about them is their goal differential. They're the best offense to the league. They're also the best defense in the league. They took the lead down in Carson last month, and Slatani Ibrahimovic. You're seeing it now.

Not just that he scores three goals, not just that it's this natural hat trick of right foot, left foot, and headed goals. He does things that no one else can do, few can do in the world. You forget, this was a guy that for a long time, it was messy, and it was Rinaldo, and it was Latton. You're talking last segment about Jimmy Garoppolo coming off in ACL. This guy had a torn ACL, even he wasn't sure what he was going to be like coming back from this injury last year, that he walks on the first.

field and scores twice to lead that comeback against LAAFC. So it's mental, but it's also the power of that particular individual that is this kryptonite to this incredible LASC team. Yeah, it's interesting because when Beckham came over here, it was, did it give the league prominence, yes, but it did feel like one last cash grab against maybe some inferior opponents. And he had some special moments, whereas Latton is, he's the best playing in the league and it's not really that close.

Is it? In some ways, and yet I don't know that anyone would vote for him for MVP, because LASC's Carlos Vela similarly has rewritten the record book.

I think he might be a Steph Curry unanimous type MVP in the league this year. For as much as Laton can do things individually, Vela has put together the best individual season we've seen. There's still a month left in a regular season.

He's already broken the record for combined goals and assists, and he's probably going to break the record for goals in a season as well. There's four more teams coming, right? over the next three years? Like at what point is we,

you don't have like baseball right into this. Like, man, we don't have the pitchers. Right. At what point does it over expansion? And this was a concern a couple years ago, over expansion. And it shall happen the same thing. The difference with soccer is you've got an entire globe full of talent.

And what's happening right now, all these good players in South America, they all want to come to the U.S. Because the level's good enough, the paycheck's good enough, and the lifestyle's good too. So young players in LASC have signed a couple. Christian Pavone had just signed for the L.A.

Galaxy. These are guys who would be going to Europe. and they're coming to the U.S. first. And so in that regard, there's less of a concern with over-expansion. And right now, I mean, you've got St. Louis is coming in. Matthew McConaughey today just announced as part of Austin FC's ownership group. David Beckham's team in Miami. You've got the owner of the Carolina Panthers is desperate to get into MLS right now.

So there's a clamoring for spots. And that's the question. How big does it go? How much is too much? But also, you know, people want to buy in. It's a half-billion-dollar buy-in just off the front to get into this. league, stadium infrastructure, all that sort of stuff. If people want to pay that sort of money, how are you going to tell them no?

I don't know how you have that kind of money, so I can't. It's a common question. We all wrestle with. I get that. Best rivalry in rivalry week in the MLS is what? Well, obviously, as a Fox Sports employee, I would tell you L.A. Galaxy, L.A. F.C. Sunday night. It's Seattle, Portland, right? But being from Portland. Yeah. It's, to me, that is, it's 40 years of history. It's city and city. It's two teams that are a big deal. Soccer's a big deal in those cities. Now, in saying that, L-AFC and the L.A. Galaxy has captured the attention down here.

It's relevant at the top and in the middle of the standings. You've got two big stars. So you've got two tent poles. Portland, Seattle tonight, Galaxy LASC on Sunday is part of a triple header. But, you know, I'm from the Northwest. In fact, Jeff Schwartz's fellow Oregon grads. You got two ducks come on your program today. Yeah, and look, and the Seattle thing is amazing.

The Portland thing's equally amazing. Atlanta's been, Atlanta's ridiculous. We did the game in the week. They had more people in Atlanta for the game we did the other week. they did for the Super Bowl. It's insane. And that's the question is, do they have a natural rival? It's sort of been Orlando, but then Miami comes in. Or if you're going to pull $72,000 a game, does it really matter? Do you need that one team to hate? Yeah, I think it's pretty amazing stuff. You know, for my lifetime growing up in Orange County and everybody's soccer is the next soccer's

the next thing. It can never kind of figure it out. And between some of these soccer, and even like, of course Columbus obviously didn't work, but it was the signature of how to build the state. obviously it didn't work for that area, but they have found others that it has worked. And, man, I cannot believe how it's taken off in Los Angeles. Okay, check that out. Triple header, FS1 Sunday featuring L-AFC hosting the LAA Galaxy at 10.30 p.m. Eastern time. Of course, John Strong will be on the call.

Coming up next, Adam Schafter kind of speculated, informed speculation going back a day ago, that this could be Tom Brady's last season. why I don't think. I know Tom has not decided anything. That's next in the herd. One more herd. The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week within the IHeart radio app.

Search herd to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo.

Every episode we're cutting through the noise. breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them.

Listen to SportsSlic on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, 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 How healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free I Heart Radio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. 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 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. If you're watching the latest season of the Real Housewives of Atlanta, you already know there's a lot to break down. Orsha accusing Kelly of sleeping with a merry man. They hold him Kay Michelle back from fighting Drew. Pinky has financial issues. I like the boozy style of Housewives. I like the boozy 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 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. What up? Welcome in. This is The Hurt, live from Los Angeles, wherever you may be. And however you may be making us part of your day, thanks so much, whether you're listening on Fox Sports Radio, the IHart Radio app, or watching on Fox Sports One.

Can't tell you how much we appreciate you making us part of your day, alongside. Joy Taylor, I'm Doug Gottlieg. Filling in for Colin Cowherd. Colin is back on Monday, as we'll have a full slate of college football games. Colin got right, but Colin got wrong. In the meantime, let's dig in on the National Football League. We did see pre-season football games last night.

And, oh, we saw a game played in an 80-yard field in Winnipeg, Manitoba. That was between the backups of the Raiders and the backups of the Packers, and they played on that field because they removed the goalposts from the end zones and did not replace whatever was beneath the surface. And it was about as bad a look as you can find for the National Football League. Of course, last year, remember if not for the field incident in Mexico City, we went to have that spectacular Monday night game between the Chiefs and the Rams. So sometimes good things do come from bad football fields,

but this was just not a strong look. There's also a chance to see Tom Brady, and Brady kind of did his own Cam Newton, walked in with his own hat. Kind of looked like the Monorail hat. Remember from Simpsons? Monorail, Montereyle, Monterey. This, Tom Brady's appearance in a Patriot uniform,

which he looked good, was on the back of this comment from Adam Schefter. Earlier this week on radio in Boston on why this could be Brady's last season. People forget that people have lives and they have families, and sometimes you know you want to do what's best for your wife or your kids, and Tom is 42 now, and I'm sure that his family has sacrificed plenty for him to do

what he's done and to be as dedicated as he is to his job to do it at the level he has. So again, if it's me just looking at it from the outside, I'm just reading the signs, right? His home is for sale. He's on a contract at Voitz. It's just saying that this has the potential one way or another for this to be his last season in New England. Okay, by the way, there isn't one way or another to be the last season.

I guess maybe he's saying retire or play elsewhere. I don't see him playing elsewhere. I understand that we're trying to follow the breadcrumbs, right? Like we should have followed the breadcrumbs to Miami when LeBron James ultimately left Cleveland to go to Miami, just like we should have followed the breadcrumbs back. Remember the cars were being packed up and moved from his Miami estate? Do you remember that? Do you remember when he was when he was in Cleveland before he left for L.A., he told Dwayne Wade, let's get, let's do this together one more time, whatever. There's always been kind of some breadcrumbs with the

brand where we go, ah, should have seen it coming. Should have seen him going to Miami. Should have seen him going to Cleveland. Most of us did see him going to L.A. And Tom does have avoidable contracts. So too, by the way, is Drew Breeze. Tom is selling his house. By the way, Drew Breeze lives in San Diego. Like that's his home. He may play New Orleans. He actually lives in San Diego.

But this is odd. Now, Brady, of course, on the same radio station said, it's not, there could be a time to panic or have the discussion now is not the time. So he knows that people are talking about it. But the idea that

Brady has already made up his mind that here we are six, seven months out from an actual decision being made and he has it in his mind. This is his last year would be completely off-brand, not just for Brady, but for the entire Patriots organization. When they tell the tale of the New England Patriots, what will they say? Of course, you have to tell the negative stuff, right? Spygate and deflategate. You have to talk about how he, how low he was drafted. how because of one hit to Drew Bledsoe against the Jets, he got inserted into the game, how they were the first team to announce the entire defense

instead of announcing individual players when they took down the Rams in the Super Bowl, how Brady rose to prominence, the decade of no Super Bowls, the reemergence after the decade of no Super Bowls, even though it did have the 16-0 regular season, 18-0-year losing to the Giants, the incredible comeback against the Falcons,

the remarkable win against the Seahawks and that hard-fought win in Gronk's last game against the ramps. All this is part of the tale. But in offensive and defensive styles and schemes, the love that Belichick's going to get, it comes down to this. Bill Belichick and the Patriarch organization is all about winning the next week.

We mock and we say, I'm on a Cincinnati, right? But that's how they think. That's how they are programmed to think week to week. What does it take to win this game? Not what does it take to put our system into place. Find the system that works for the players against the team you're going to play against. I talked to Sean McVeigh at his practice earlier this year.

And he said it took us about half the game to figure out exactly what they were doing. And then they had an injury. And they completely changed their defensive scheme. Completely changed it. So by the time we made adjustments, they had already adjusted to the adjustments because they had an injury. They know what it takes to win this week. They can't think five weeks in the future, six weeks in the future, let alone at the

end of the season, that would be off brand. That would be off brand. That would be, do you know Harley Davidson made wine coolers? You probably didn't. You know why? Off brand. Remember when Garth Brooks had an alter ego, Chris Gaines? Now, I didn't pick up that album, Doug.

You're right, because it was off brand. Garth Brooks's brand is Garth Brooks. Zippo made perfume. I had to look this one up. Zippo made perfume. I saw this movie number 23. Jim Carrey in a horror movie. Like my teenage years and I was Jim Carrey on in living color into Jim Carrey being a comedic over actor, right?

Ace Ventura, liar, liar. Jim Carrey in a horror movie. is completely off-brand. While he may want to explore that part of his brain, that's not how we associate you. And for Tom Brady and the Patriots, on-brand has been, let's just win the week. Let's just win this game,

then win the next game, then when the next game. Figure out the problem, and then we'll figure out the solution. By the way, here's Tom Brady last night making fun of his three-yard scamper versus the Panthers. To get a first-down conversion on me scramble, I'm sure the defense coordinator is like, what the heck, you know, this is not, you know, we got to stop Edelman, we got to stop

white, we got to stop the run game, we got to stop, you know, these great players and all of a sudden Brady for a scramble, that's got to piss them off pretty good. So I revel in that. And hopefully I can do that, you know, once a game, I think I'd be good with that. And if they give me an opportunity, I'll take it. It's just, I don't think it would be much more than four or five yards. The good thing about losing a step when you don't have a step is you haven't lost a step, right? That's, that's Tom Brady. But just this idea that he knows when he wants to call it. Do I think Giselle wants him to quit?

Of course. They have plenty of money, plenty of wins. But if it was about winning your last game, he would have retired after the Super Bowl. I think he'll know when he knows and he doesn't know because if he did, he wouldn't be playing right now. So it's not to say that Adam Schaefter's speculation is not informed. It's not to say that most people don't think that's a distinct possibility. But the idea that Tom Brady has already mentally come to the decision and conclusion, this is his last year, that just feels foreign to who Tom Brady is and what the patriots are about. Is that fair, Joy?

No, it is. We've been talking about Tom Brady retiring for probably, I'm going to say about five years in the industry that's been a conversation, which is fair because five years ago was unrealistic that he would be playing at this level at age 42. too. But you can't be successful thinking that way, not at a high level. Now, if he was not playing at a high level and had just come off a Super Bowl win and we kind of were starting to feel like, you know, it's not quite Eli Manning space, but it's slowing down. Right. And that might be the conversation that you could realistically have, but that's not the case. And he's already said he wants to play to 45. So to go into a season as Tom Brady coming out the season that they've had, I'll be it with some changes, but it's the Patriots.

The idea that he is like, you know, I'm going to make this one my last one. That's, it doesn't match anything he's ever done in his career. Right, right. It's weird. It's like, you know, Burger King makes tacos now. Yeah. That's a weird one. And I think El Pollo Loco makes steak, which is also weird.

So I, yeah, look, Brady wasn't great in the playoffs now. He just wasn't. I mean, to anybody who says, like, he dominated playoffs. He had a great last drive against the Chiefs. He had a great last drive against the Rams. But he did throw what should have been three interceptions against the Chiefs. He was excellent against the Chargers. The whole team, they dominated the Chargers.

He was okay against the Rams. He was more clutch than he was good. But I just, I think that Brady doesn't, he doesn't want to get to Peyton's last year, nine touchdowns, 17 interceptions, pulled for Brock Osweiler. And when it goes, it goes quick. and he'll know when it goes, and that's when he'll call it.

I feel like the selling of the house, the voiding of the contract, I feel like that allows him to make a clean decision, right? He won't be making a decision that is based upon, well, you know, I was going to retire, but I got another year. Well, you know, I was going to retire, but we still have the house. We're here. I don't want to move the kids. They want to make a decision just based upon making the decision.

and that it really is, really is that simple. It really is that simple. All right, coming up next. Jeff Schwartz has an interesting reason why the Giants should move off of Eli. And it's not because of Daniel Jones. That's upcoming next. 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. Along with Joy Taylor, I'm Doug Gottlie. this is in fact the herd. Let's welcome in Jeff Schwartz. He's a former offensive lineman, played eight years in the Nash Football League, drafted by the Panthers. And we saw the Panthers last night, Jeff, take on the New England Patriots. And Cam Newton ends up.

Looks like he hurt his foot. He was in a walking boot walking out. But I guess, like, you know, Cam's taking more hits than any other quarterback. This is kind of par for the course. Should he have even been playing? Look, we see a lot of veteran coaches, whether it is Ron Rivera, even Mike Tomlin, Andy Reed, Bill Belichick, are playing their starter some in the third preseason game. There is still some, a little bit of value to playing those guys. Obviously, injuries are the unfortunate part about it.

But I have no issue with him playing a couple series. You obviously, he doesn't get hurt, but there's a little bit of work to be done. You have to play a tiny bit in the preseason. So it's weird to see these older coaches playing their guys, but then the younger guys aren't doing it all. Maybe Sean McVeigh doesn't have the success he's had the last couple. couple years, that trend of the younger coaches setting all their players in the preseason might not be a thing. Then you have Tom Brady, and I just, Joy and I are kind of lockstep on this, where

I understand it looks bad if you're a Patriot fan or a Tom Brady fan when he's selling his house and when his deal is essentially a one-year deal. But I just have a hard time believing that he would even be playing this year if he knew this was going to be his last year, right? He won the Super Bowl. He could have walked out. And yeah, his contract expires, but it's not like they wouldn't give him a new one. I don't feel like a team and a player, an organization that has always just tried to win the next week,

tried to be totally pragmatic, has this kind of grand plan of how this year is going to go. Do you think this is Tom Brady's last year? I don't think it's his last year. The Patriots and sorry Chiefs fans, they're going to win the AFC again. Their schedule is super easy. they're four, really four out of the five toughest non-division games are at home, right? They get the Chiefs at home, the Steelers' Week 1 at home, the Cowboys at Home and the Browns at home. So they're probably going to have home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

They've won nine straight home playoff games. The last time they lost was to the Ravens. Before that, it was to the Jets. So two teams with outstanding defenses. So if you want to come into New England and win the AFC, you have to have a great defense. Are the Chiefs there quite yet? Maybe not. Are the Colts there quite yet?

Probably not. The Browns, I don't think, are able to do it. Maybe the Steelers can do it. I think the Steelers are maybe a dark horse to come out of the AFC, but why would he retire? He's winning. He's continuing to have fun. His family is still supporting him. He looks like he's having, he's young.

He looks agile still. He's putting out Instagram videos of himself working out. I think he's still enjoying this a lot. And unless he gets hurt, I think he's going to play until as long as he can play, until his wife says no more or until he gets hurt and he's just finished playing. I don't see him deciding anytime soon to retire. Well, the wife thing is a big thing as all of us, all of us know, right? And the kids, as they get older, where do you want to spend your weekends? Daniel Jones played well last night.

And there are some that are clamoring for Daniel Jones to get the starting spot. I thought Pat Schumer kind of sticking out his chest, you know, all you guys who questioned us, where are you now? Eli or Daniel Jones, what would you do? Well, I do. I probably go with Eli Manning for right now because we just haven't seen what Daniel Jones has been able to do. with the ones. If the Giants want to play him this year,

they need to get him reps with the ones in preseason and in training camp. They've done none of that. So I don't quite know if he is ready to be a number one starting quarterback because he haven't seen it, I haven't seen him do it yet. He's had one series with the ones. And then at one series,

he looked decently through three short passes that were completed as two longer passes were not on the mark. And that's it. I mean, the preseason is not played the same level as the record. So Jones has passed the first. test of playing well against backups, but now he has to pass the test of playing well against ones, and we haven't seen that yet. Eli Manning, look, I'm not, I don't think the Giants are winning the Super Bowl with Eli, but they're not going to be terrible. I think their

offensive line is better. They're Saquan. I think they'll be okay with Eli. Daniel Jones will play when the Giants are out of the playoffs. Zika Elliott is still holding out with the Cowboys. Now he's got Marshall Falk flying down there to work him out. His agent has said that they were, disrespected by Jerry Jones cracking a joke, Zeke Who. Jerry didn't seem to take that, didn't seem to take that all that well. How do you think this plays out? Well, look, obviously they offered him a contract.

It's been reported. I think it's probably accurate. Somewhere, you know, below Gurley above Labion Bell. The problem for Zeke is he has zero leverage. His only leverage he has, the only way he can possibly get himself paid more than what the Cowboys are offering him is if he sits out the first couple of games, but the Cowboys have the Giants, the Redskins, and the Dolphins, and the Cowboys play terribly and they beg Zeke to come back, but they pay Jalen Smith. What if Dak Prescott accepts a deal and Marry Cooper

accepts a deal? There's no money left over for Zeke. So as much as you think your value is supposed to be X, if the Cowboys are the only team in the market right now and they say they don't value you at that number, you either obviously have to hold out or play under, you know, your fourth-year salary. So he's kind of in a really tough place. I get missing training camp trying to take some wear and tear off the body, but he really has no leverage right now to be disrespected by Jerry Jones or disrespected by the offer that they've given him. It's a tough spot for him.

He wants a new, he wants a new deal after three years, and the Cowboys don't have to give it to him. Baker Mayfield had another interview with GQ. Of course, he called Daniel Jones to apologize for saying he was surprised, you know, that they took him at the next day. number six pick. You think he's hurting himself by doing like another interview with GQ? Yes. Look, I know people love new and they like bravado and ego and young players and confidence. I'm, and I'm okay with Baker being confident, having ego. I think he's a good

quarterback. I think the Browns are very talented, but he puts a target on his back when he does these interviews, an unnecessary target on his back. And we've seen the winning formula for quarterbacks in the National Football League is being quiet, focusing on your teammates, focusing on your teammates, on yourself, going about your business, not drawing attention to yourself, and just going out and winning football games. He seems to not be doing that. And I get it. Everyone wants him to be different, and he is different possibly.

But one style of quarterback play has worked every single year in the National Football League, especially now when there's more social media and more eyes to players and more ways for players to communicate. But guys who tend to be quiet and go about their business end up playing well. He's putting a big target on his back unnecessarily because he's talking offhandedly about Daniel Jones or talking about, you know, feuding with Colin or doing whatever. Dude, just focus on playing your position and on your team and the rest should take care of yourself.

Now guys are going to go after him. They're going to put a little bit more effort in every week to prepare for him. They don't want, you know, Baker to be talking about them after he beats them or after he plays them. So he's put a big target on his back. I hope he's ready for it. The NFL does an amazing job of humbling athletes. And I'm telling you, Tennessee's going to come in there week one with their defense,

with their parts on offense. Obviously, LeWan's not playing, which will hurt them. And they're going to bring it to Cleveland. And I hope he's ready for the entire NFL, bringing it to him every single week. Doesn't every number one pick have a target on their back? Like, that's my whole like bulletin board thing. Like, is that really like, are you really going to, oh, now I'm going to play hard?

Either you're going to play hard or you're not going to play hard. I think here's the difference in my opinion with that. So, you know, throughout the week, you have meetings, you have walkthroughs, you have practice. I mean, there might be times in the week where you just doze off for a second. sleeping obviously, but your mind just wanders. You have family things to worry about. You're talking your buddies about this and that. But when you play the Browns now, you're not going to waste any time doing that.

You're going to be locked in to every single thing you can to be prepared to make sure that that team does not talk after the game. It's just a tiny thing, Doug, where you're locked in just a tiny bit more of that way. Obviously, defenders are going to try to hit the guy. But now defensive coordinators just might put a little bit one more hour in watching film and try to find it away here and there. but plus, look, Baker is talking like he has arrived in the NFL. He has one in five against playoff teams.

Buddy, you play 13 games, man. Like, can you just wait a couple years to talk down about another quarterback being drafted? Even if it was an offhand comment, just wait. You will be able to have all the glory you want if you continue to win football games. And just wait until it happens. Shorty, last thing, I've been asking people on my show. By the way, the Doug Gottlieb show follows this show, 12 o'clock on the West Coast, 3 o'clock on the East Coast,

3 to 6 Eastern Time, Fox Sports Radio, the IHeart Radio app. I ask you all the time, give me a team that we're not talking about that we should be talking about because they don't have a Baker,

they don't have a DACA or a Zeke, they don't have a personality or contract that we're talking about, but as far as a team, we should be. I think the Minnesota Vikings, I was looking at them a little bit today. Someone asked me a question about NFC North, and their defense the last three years,

DVOA. I love it, Football O'Siders, eight, two, and four. And offensively, here's what I like to hear. Kirk Cousins, Cefancy, their OC, are talking about play action pass. Play action pass works really well in the NFL. It's not run enough. It was not run enough last year. Cousins is very good at play action pass.

So what are they talking about? We're going to run more play action passes. They draft the center. Garrett Bradbury, he's going to be a fantastic center. We know they have weapons on the outside field. They have a running back and cook. So defense is going to be good. Now, offensively, if they can call a game that fits what Cousins does best, they're going to be better on offense. I think of what's talking about the Vikings, but the Vikings are going to be in the thick of

things in the North. So I don't know Vikings are a team that could really do well, especially with that defense. It's just changing the play calling a little bit to really help Cousins. Yeah, Cousins also needs to play better and bigger games. He just does. I mean, I know a couple of people in the Vikings organization are like, the guy really struggles emotionally in the big games, keeping it together. it's a real, real thing that he's going to have to overcome

or they'll forever be limited no matter how good the talent is around him. He's Jeff Schwartz. You can read his book, Eat My Schwartz, along with his brother. Of course, is actually a very good football player. Oh, thank you. He's the other brother, and he's kind enough to join us here in the herd. Schwarzy, thanks so much. All right.

Shabbat Shalom, Jeff Schwartz. Doug Gottlieb in for Colin. This is the herd. Let's get you to Joy Taylor for the news. No, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. Well, not what Panthers fans wanted to see last night.

After taking a first quarter sack, Cam Newton glimped to the sideline and then left the stadium in a walking boot. And according to their GM, Cam Newton has a midfoot sprain in his left foot. And we are cautiously optimistic that he will be ready for week one. He had surgery on his left ankle in March of 2014. He didn't get rid of the ball, the play that he was injured. Patriots, D. Lyman, Adam Butler was. Holding on to his left foot, we're showing the video of it now. I don't really feel like this is a play where he criticized what Cam Newton was doing,

like that he caused the injury. I think if he hadn't been injured, we wouldn't have really thought twice about it. It's just a broken play. Cam gets an extreme amount of criticism for multiple reasons. I think that the league is better when Cam Newton is playing at the highest level because he has a superstar quality. It kind of all started with the meltdown in the Super Bowl and then obviously how he handled the press after the Super Bowl,

never had a problem with. But I feel like ever since then, he's been kind of a target in general. And he hasn't been very consistent on the field. So there is some fairness in the criticism there. But this really felt like a year that Cam could come back, fully charged, ready to go and get back to, maybe not MVP level, but get back to that level where he's, he's respected as the franchise quarterback that he is. Can I ask you a question? This is, like, not a great start. Can I ask the question? Yeah. What is he wearing? Well, Cam does his own thing when it comes to fashion. It probably wouldn't have been my choice because it seems like it would be a bit hot for the scarf. We're in the summer.

Now, it's in New England, so I don't know how humid it was. But New England, still before September, is pretty humid. And he's wearing, he likes these scarfs that he wears over his head. He does like scarfs, yes. I mean, this Cam. I like a good scarf in winter? Cam is the Russell Westbrook of. the NFL, right?

Everyone's super critical of his game, even though he's had an MVP year. They've each had an MVP year. They've each reached that level to the finals, to the Super Bowl. They're way into fashion. There's a lot of parallels with him. This is just scam swag.

I've stopped questioning what he does with the hats and scarves. I do like the hat. The parallel also to Russell Westbrook is in the inefficiency with percentages, right? Like, you know, we're in a league now where, you know, you've got to be more efficient with the football. Right. Well, I mean, Russell's very consistent in his style of play. A lot of people are critical if that style of play fits the current NBA, especially his

three-point shooting. Right. Cam can be really great or really awful. And that's, that's what's frustrating because you obviously want consistency, especially at that position. So I hope he's available for week one and this doesn't set him back this year. You don't want to have an injury in the preseason, obviously. Especially in your quarterback position. You're coming off the shoulder. Well, one guy that has not going to have to worry about golf being in that situation

is Sean McVeigh. He sat his entire starting offense for all four preseason games last preseason and it obviously worked out for him. So he's continuing that this year and he spoke about how unapologetic he is for it. It's not to say that there's not an appreciation for what the preseason entails

and playing real football. I think there is a lot of merit to that. But when you look at some of the continuity now that we have on both sides of the ball coming back and you say, okay, if something were to happen, is it really worth that risk in our mind? And we just felt like that answer is no. And that's the approach that we're taken. I totally understand, you know, if people don't agree with that. But, you know, we always make decisions that we feel like are in the best interest of our team. He and he's right. They do have continuity coming back. Everything isn't for everyone, right? There's a situation with Jimmy G where the 49ers feel like he's coming back from an ACL injury. He needs

more reps. He's going to play a lot in their third preseason game because his last showing was terrible and he's clearly doesn't have his confidence back yet. It's not a skill thing. It's just getting out there, getting roughed up a little bit, making some mistakes and getting the rust off. Goff doesn't need that. They're coming off of a Super Bowl appearance and I really feel like the Rams are being grossly overlooked this year. I would agree. This whole idea of a Super Bowl hangover with them, I think is ridiculous. It wasn't a dramatic loss. It felt like Todd Gurley didn't

wasn't what they needed him to be. And McVeigh said he was intimidated by Belichickie over-prepared. It just was one of those things where it wasn't a Super Bowl of Dramatics. Better team, better more experience won. And I don't think that the Rams are going to take a huge step back this year.

I agree they won't take a huge step back. I also think that that Sean's not being totally forthcoming about why he's not playing guys, right? Like, well, we have a lot of guys back, got a lot of continuity. Like, yeah, but she didn't really play guys last year in the preseason or the year before that.

This is just his deal. He's not a believer in it. He loves the joint practices. He loves that good work. He feels like it's more controlled environment. And he doesn't like the work of the precinct games. That's his prerogative. I just, he does kind of code his messages for people that are actually paying attention.

You know, he's a Belichic disciple, so say less. finally, Ronnie James is 14 years old, right? The hype and the pressure is already off the charts. I don't know if you saw this yesterday, but it was Zon Bala's life, this video of him in China. So Sierra Canyon is in China. Him and his teammates are there for some exhibitions against some Chinese high schools. And it looks like the dream team. It's getting off of that bus.

It's really kind of amazing video if you haven't seen it. He already has a million followers. in one day when he opened his Instagram account. It's the growth and explosion of grassroots basketball because of social media is really remarkable. And now with, you know, kind of the changes with, you know, doing away with the one and done rule and all that, it's going to become even more prevalence,

seeing these younger players more and getting more tape on them. But, I mean, Bronny isn't obviously a very unique situation, Even, you know, some of the other, like, Wayne Wade's son and some of the other former player's son, Brony is obviously going to get scrutiny on a different level. But I think it's cool. I like that kids are able to showcase, you know, their talent at a younger age and kind of control their narrative now

and control their brands. And obviously, you know, LeBron is going to be there on the sideline or shouldn't video. But you know, I'll say this about Brani. I think, you know, I've never heard anyone say a word negative about him. as a kid, about him really as a player, right? It's an unfair comparison to his dad, two sets of jeans, right? That's what he'll kind of run into, but he has handled all of this, and there's literally never been an issue with it.

It's going to be interesting in Sierra Canyon for people who don't know. Like, it's a private school that was started, you know, not, it's not like a 50-year-old school, right? I mean, it was really, the basketball program kind of came into prominence maybe 10 years to go Max, and now they have all these cats kind of moving in. I mean, Zaire Wade coming in, you know, from out of nowhere, one of the top high school prospects of the country also coming in. There's going to be some interesting games against the top level teams.

I'm with you on the social media to an extent. You know, my kids have it. They put their, I put my son's sports on his. I control his. My daughter does kind of her own. She rides horses. and she's got like a thousand followers, and she's super excited about it. But it is a great way to kind of celebrate what you do.

I would say the danger in it is, like all of us. What appears on social media is not necessarily real. Well, of course. I mean, it's more for fans and, you know, that part of it. Real basketball evaluators are still going to watch tape and go to games. The highlights is just fun for us as the media and for fans. But the one thing I will say, though, is I don't imagine this is going to happen. But, I mean, like me personally, I'm not holding Ronnie Jr.

to the standard of his father. Like, that's not even a realistic thing to do. Like, obviously, there's going to be some comparisons to the similar game. But, like, if he doesn't reach LeBron's status or even make it to the league, I'm not going to appreciate what he's doing in basketball any less. I agree. I just hope that he's not kind of pushed and forced in the game. is something that he's not ready for just because he's, even like LeBron, I know LeBron wants

to play with him in the NBA, but there's a chance he's not an NBA player, right? And do you want your son to be that guy? Like, I don't think so, but I don't know. It's going to be, you know, Kent, will LeBron allow him to be coached? You know, what if he sits this year? He's 14 years old, a freshman, a super talented program. He's very skilled, but he's not a freak right now athletically like his dad was. He's just not.

He's a really, like, he's a better athlete than I was when I was. Right. And that's always a tough, a tough, right? But he's not an absolute, he's not like, we have to have him on the floor. So it's going to be really, really interesting to see how this kind of evolves. Yeah. That's Joy Taylor with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by.

The Hurdline News. Coming up, if you thought Hard Knocks was the best sports reality show, I may change your mind. It's what's next and the best for last. in The Hurt. Be sure to catch live editions of the HARD weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHeart Radio app. I love nicknames. I love logos.

And I love the idea that you can kind of create your own from scratch, right? Matter of fact, when I was a kid, one of my favorite things about the NCAA tournament was trying to know the nickname of every team in it. And I actually knew the nickname of every Division I team. It's harder now is 351. one, I think, Division I one men's basketball programs. So I can't say I know all

351, but I'm pretty good. I'm pretty good. I bring it up because the XFL officially announced their, not just their teams, but their teams that are nicknames. There's the Dallas renegades, there's the D.C.

defenders. There's the Houston roughnecks. There's the L.A. Wildcats. There we go. I got to get an L.A. Wildcats jersey. there's the New York Guardians Seattle Dragons St. Louis Battlehawks and Tampa Bay

Vipers. Of course next February on Fox and Fox Sports 1 the draft is scheduled for October mini camp in December, training camp in January XFL launches. The Wildcats I believe as much as you're like

really they went with the Wildcats I believe that's like a tip of of the cap to the Goldie Hawn wildcastle. Yes, I said that yesterday. I believe that's what it is. It's the sport of kings. Right. Better than diamond rings.

Right. Legendary movie. Thank you for the shirt, by the way. You ain't doing no end zone dance in Marvell, right? And then there was house who had the money stuffed in. I mean, what a great. It was a good cast. It was a good cast.

That would be at Woody Harrelson. Woody Harrelson, Nipsey Russell. But they didn't hire a female coach. They should have hired a female coach if they really wanted to be the wildcast. Well, maybe they will, you know. Maybe. maybe they will. Which nickname do you like the best? I love the renegades. I like the Wildcats too. I love the Renegades and I like the roughnecks

and I really like DC Defenders too. See I like roughnecks because a roughneck is somebody that works on an oil rig, right? And so it's Houston. It actually makes, like I like the geographical makes sense. I think all the logos are really good too. Yeah, they're good, they're bright, they're fresh. Again, like roughnecks you have the old, it's almost like the Houston oiler thing. Renegades is really cool. I also like the color blue that they use and the red eyes. Yeah, it's strong. Yeah, it's very strong.

Guardians is strong with the red teeth. Excellent. Excellent. I've got aluminum carry from Away, and this is incredible luggage, the best that Colin's ever owned. He raves about it. The best of Joy's ever owned.

Every feature in Awaybags are perfectly engineered. Go to AwayTravel.com slash Colin. Get $20 off. When you enter a promo code, Colin at checkout, awaytravel.com slash Colin, promo code. Colin, let's get to the best for last. It's almost the end of the show, but that doesn't mean we're phoning it in. Nope, we grind to the very last segment.

It's time for best for last. Joy, do you like Hard Ducks? I do. You watched all three episodes? I have, yes. Derrick Carr kind of feels like he's trying really, really hard to be on brand and be just the nicest, dorkiest guy possible. I mean, I think Derek Carr is nice.

I think he is, but I don't know if he's that nice. feel like I'm getting more of a vibe of there. He's trying to, you know, connect with Gruden. Yeah. Didn't he, didn't he buy like a house right next to Gruden? Like, that's too much in Vegas. I mean, you want to be on the same page with your head coach. When he might not be the quarterback.

Right? Like all of a sudden they show up in Vegas. Like, oh, John, we'll meet you in Vegas. Like, okay, gets there. It's like for sale signs from his house. Like, sorry, dude. I'm sure if I told you, but this year's a one-way ticket to, Tampa to Tampa. Anyway, everybody likes Hard Knocks. I think the NFL films guys do a great job.

I thought this year using some of the old NFL films music, using the John Madden clips, I thought all that worked. So I saw this Uprox, it's a website, pops up a lot in different websites. They released the list of NBA teams they thought would be the best for Hard Knocks. It was for basketball. Okay, so their list had clippers at five, Pelicans at four, Sixers at three, Rockets at two, Lakers at one. Okay?

Now, can I give you my list? And you can feel free, Joy, to pick apart my list. Doug Gottliebun for Colin, Joy Taylor, alongside the herd here on Fox Sports Radio. Number five. Number five. By the way, John Tesh gets money every time. And we use this on our college basketball coverage in Fox. This is a good little ditty. The Sixers

Okay, here's why. They're a good team. They've obviously brought back Tobias Harris. The Ben Simmons thing, can he shoot? How they talk about him? They talk about him shooting right-handed. Like, all of that is interesting. And then you got Joel Embed.

Like, he's the sale. He's entertaining. So, I think you combine the fact that only Jimmy Butler's not back, a team that feels destined to be something in the East. Ben Simmons trying to discover a jump shot and Joel Embed, not just his athletic dominance but his personality, I'll put the Sixers at five. Number four. Going to do Oklahoma City Thunder. Here's why.

Last 10 years, Oklahoma City has been as successful in the regular season and at times in the postseason as just about anybody in basketball. They're not going to be great, but they're not going to be terrible. But this is a lot like hunger games, right? Like you kind of feel like maybe there's only one person on this team that'll be on the team by the end of the year. You have Chris Ball who's back in Oklahoma City. You know, you kind of have his, I'm sure his ego being crushed the fact that they couldn't find a viable trade partner

to get him out of Oklahoma City to somebody who compete with the title. On the other hand, he's trying to be a nice guy. And then he can be an interesting guy behind the scenes. Then you have Stephen Adams, who's hilarious. right? He's out and out funny, but they're trying to move him. Didillo Golanari, Billy Donovan. Like, you have this sense that these guys are only together for a very short period of time. How does that training camp look?

Number three. The Rockets. Russell Westbrook, James Hardin, and Daryl. Do I need to make more of a sale? Plus, the owner now, you know, I mean, a lot of these moves seem to be made because the owner's like, hey, I'm a fighter, we need to win, we need to win now. I'd like to see behind the scenes of the Rockets. how they handle integrating Russell Westbrook into what they do.

I'd be fascinated by that. Number two. Riggled Lakers at two. I know everybody thinks they're super interesting, but we have enough avenues to get our LeBron James fix. He's got the shop. He's got Taco Tuesday, which, by the way, would be the same day Hard Knocks is released.

Every Tuesday, Taco Tuesday on the Hard Knocks Basketball Edition with LeBron. But Anthony Davis is not that interesting. It's just not. You know, I guess Rondo might be sort of... I don't know, they just... Kyle Kuzma with the dyed hair. I just... I feel like we already know a lot about LeBron.

It would be LeBron overboard. It may rate better than every other one, but I'm not sure to be as nearly as interesting as people would think because we've seen some of this behind-the-scenes footage. Number one. The Nets. The Nets.

I mean, you have one of the best cults in all of sports. That's how people in the NBA deem it to me. And you have the ultimate culture killer in Kyrie Irving, who wants to be this kind of profound thinker, and they're in the kind of profound bubble thinker area of Brooklyn, right?

Where everybody has the cure to everything, and it's just the whole thing. And then having Kevin Durant, who does not mince words, maybe lives in a parallel universe, I think you have these interesting thinkers and super talents in Kyrie.

KD, obviously not playing, but around. Integrating with the Brooklyn Nets this year, that to me would be the best one. I got to agree with you on the Lakers. I just think we get to live that reality show kind of every day anyway. So I would just lose the Lakers off of it. Obviously, it would be great ratings.

Who would you add? Well, Rockets would be number one for me. I would love to see the Pelicans this year. I think they're going to be really interesting and how they're going to bring all that team together. And obviously, Zion. Honestly, the Spurs. We never get to find out anything about the Spurs.

The Spurs are the ultimate gangsters of the NBA. They just make all these moves and they're just there every single year. They're like the mafia of the NBA. It's like a family and nobody talks about it. That's not why we would never happen. But we're also creating a dream scenario here anyway, right? So yes, that would be like the Spurs for sure. Yes, Spurs, Pelicans, I think would both be very, very, very interesting.

I think, you know, Mavericks. you know, the Mavericks with Donchick and Prasigis, and, you know, trying to get those two would be interesting. Not the Spurs, it would just be, how much are they willing to give us? Right. Right. Because it could literally be. Right.

Because I mean, could you imagine the Patriots on Hard Knocks would be amazing. I think so, yeah. I think so. I don't understand why teams don't let people in. Like, you end up, you end up liking them more anyway. I think it's more of, you know, information getting out how you're perceived, like, controlling the narrative. I mean, there has been things that have happened from hard knocks that have changed your opinion about certain players and coaches and stuff.

So there is a level to just invasion of the privacy of a team. Yeah, I think honestly, one of the things that's changed negatively hard knocks in football is this 90 man and only one cut. Because it used to be the cuts used to happen during the show and they were gut wrenching and you'd watch them kind of go through it. You watch them discuss. Like, honestly, that was the best part of the show is watching dudes get cut, how they handled it and how they handled it. and how the teams handled it. So, I don't know. Have a great weekend.

You too? Always awesome to see you. Joy Taylor, check out. Make sure you download her podcast. Colin is back on Monday and we will have a full slate of college football games, what he did right, what he said wrong. I'm Doug Gottlieb.

This is The Hurt. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. And nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. And every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the biggest moments in sports

and giving you the real story behind the headline. And we're going straight to the source the athletes themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear. Listen to Sports Slice on the Iheart radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends.

Me and hilarious guests. from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, S&L's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform?

We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, guys? This is Clever Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Cliverts Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff.

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

Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clippers show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, it's Edwin Castro, also known as Castro 1021. And I'm Kunky, his best friend and business manager. And we've got a new show called The 1021 podcast. I'm taking you behind the scenes on how I became one of Twitch's most popular streamers. We also love sports.

And with the World Cup right around the corner, we'll be breaking down the biggest storylines ahead of the big tournament here in the USA. Listen to the 1021 podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast. or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed human.