The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Green Bay Packers, Real Super Bowl Contenders, Baker Mayfield, Kawhi Leonard

Episode Date: December 24, 2019

Colin talks about why he doesn't believe the Packers are a significant threat to win the Super Bowl and gives his list of contenders as the playoffs grow near. He responds to Baker Mayfield after the Browns QB clapped back at him on Monday night and weighs in on the report that Kawhi Leonard's uncle had some questionable demands this past offseason.Guests include Reggie Bush, Bucky Brooks and Peter King Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

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

Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hard Way with your favorite therapist and host Kear Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor? It signals to the world that you're not to be played. with and just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to listen to learn the hard way on the iha radio app apple podcast or wherever you get your podcast what's up guys

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

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You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. It's Tuesday. It's Christmas Eve, live in Los Angeles. Chili for a change. This is the herd. Wherever you may be and however you may be listening. We're on IHeart Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and FS1. You see all the holiday flowers here as Joy Taylor joins me one hour from now.

The herd hierarchy, 10 best teams in the NFL. I think we really have a group of have-nots, even among the best teams in the NFL. Here we go. It's Christmas Eve. You and I both fly out. You go east. I go to the mountains. And wishing everybody who joins us today, we know a lot of people are just sitting home. You have a lot of choices on television. You can yell at the TV and watch politics or have some fun and watch sports. Yes. Merry Christmas Eve. Happy Christmas Eve to everyone. And I'm having a great Christmas Eve because I called this game a few weeks ago. Yeah, Green Bay won. Let's start with Minnesota. It'd be very easy for me. Kirk Cousins can't win Monday Night Football.

He's 0 and 9. And I'm hearing it this morning. Colin, his offensive line stinks. Listen, you do get how the NFL works. Outside of Dak Prescott, most guys don't come out of college and inherit the best O'Line, a great running back, good weapons, best stadium. It's not the way it works. It is all about overcoming in this league.

It's not that Kirk Cousins lost. It's that he had seven first downs at home. It's not that Kirk Cousins lost. It's that they average 2.6 yards of play with all those weapons. It's not that Kirk Cousins lost. It's that it was at home against the so-so defense, and they got three first-half turnovers handed to him in Green Bay Territory. Nobody thinks Kirk Cousins is Patrick Mahomes.

He doesn't. He's 6-2-205. He's as big as me. It's not big, doesn't have a cannon arms, not super athletic. We all know the game. tractors or trailers. He needs to be pulled. He's not a guy that can pull the franchise. But if you're making $28 million a year, three or four times a year, your team doesn't have their top two running backs, your offensive lines getting worked. You need to carry the team.

And he can't ever. And Bears fans and Viking fans. Aaron Rogers makes you very, very touchy about the quarterback situation because you haven't had a quarterback as good as Green Bay. in, I don't know, two and a half decades between Fav and Rogers. So Viking fans get very defensive and Bear fans get very defensive about

Tribisky or there's a Kirk Cousins. The reason you get defensive and angry is because you know the truth. You got the better roster. You got the better defense. Even at home, Aaron comes into town and beat you. And Aaron didn't play particularly well. And they turned

the ball over three times. It's not teams don't need even Patrick Mahomes to carry the team. Carson Wentz. Some of his career, he's been carried by a very good team. Last three weeks, the Eagles have said, listen, bro, we're out of players. Can you carry us? And Carson Wentz is like, get on, get on my back. It's all me.

Three and O. Tom Brady this year, no tight end. Productivity. No deep threat. rookie wide receivers, revolving door at left tackle, lost his Pro Bowl center, lost Brian Flores on the defensive staff. Tom, can you still win us a division? I got this.

Jimmy Garoppolo, the Niners have asked him about three times this year. They said, Jimmy, our defense didn't show up. Can you win in New Orleans? You know, can you win about three times this year? Can you beat the Rams? Our defense can't stop anybody. And Garapolo three times. I don't think Garoppolo is brilliant, but Carson Wentz, Tom Brady, Garapolo, guys, I got this.

This is not a position for trust fund kids. You don't wake up rich. You've got to grind through every NFL season. Dax the exception. Weapons running back. O line. That is the exception. Plays in a state without big, ugly weather.

Most guys, even the great ones. Drew Brees, by the way, there are. are times that he can't move the ball. Last couple times they've played Dallas. He didn't carry the team every week. Mahomes doesn't carry him every week. But, you know, I hear this constant, well, Kirk doesn't have this. I'm not interested in the problems.

I'm simply looking for solutions with quarterbacks. And we're not asking Kirk to carry the team. We're not. We're just saying three or four times a year, could you make a play? And he can't again. So you're always telling me what Kirk Cousins doesn't have. Here's what he doesn't have. A win on Monday night ever.

He's 0 and 9. That's what he doesn't have. And when you make $28 million on those nights, you don't have everything. You are the difference. We're going to lean on you to be the difference. And I think Kirk's a nice guy. But there's no reason to get defensive. There's no reason to make excuses.

Aaron Rogers didn't have a perfect night. Garoppolo this year. Brady this year, Carson Wentz this year. Patrick Mahomes has been playing on one foot in October, November. But if you make 28 mil, you got to occasionally carry the team. It's not asking much with that coach and that defense. All right, let's go to Green Bay because we need to give them credit, right? I always feel like Visa and MasterCard after the Packers when I have to give them credit.

So here's basically what my eyes are telling me. They're okay. Congrats, you're 12 and 3 and 1 the division. First, my eyes tell me things. Green Bay basically has one perimeter weapon, Devante Adams. Nothing after that. Their offense is basically Devante Adams make a play or hand it to Aaron Jones. They're both spectacular and that is it.

Belichick would love to face these guys. Brackett Devonay Adams, crowd the box, take away Aaron Jones. They don't have a third punch. Defensively, they're 13th in sacks, 18th in total defense. Offensively, they're 16th in yards per play, 22nd and third down conversions, 17th and second half scoring, 21st in total defense. I don't know what to say. Congrats on winning the division at 12 and 3 and getting a buy and playing at home and potentially getting a number one seed. Congratulations.

But my eyes tell me one thing and stats tell me another. I got a young coach who I think is going to be the second best coach in any NFC playoff game to Doug Peterson, to Pete Carroll, to Sean Payton, to Kyle Shanahan, or if they had to play the Vikings again to Mike Zimmer. And next time they'll have their star running back to Elvin Cook. My eyes tell me Green Bay is good enough to win the NFC North at 12 and 3, but I see a completely limited team. They take the ball away and they don't give it back. They've got a New England feel.

They've got very limited playmakers, but they don't give you many free touchdowns. And they do take the ball away, top 10 in the league. So there's that. And the other thing is Aaron Rogers, snippy and petty, seems to be happy this year. Back on top of the north after a couple of years being down. It feels great to win in the stadium.

You know, where a couple years ago I was jeered, leaving the field after breaking my collarbone, feels pretty good. They're just boxes. I think you need to check to win the Super Bowl. One of them is head coach. I think they'll have one of the weakest head coaches in football. Another one is playmakers. Not a lot of them.

The other one is quarterback. Okay, they check that. Opportunistic defense, if not great. They kind of check that. They'll play at home. They do check that. But boy, when I look at the numbers that matter offensively and defensively in the coach,

and they don't throw the ball, by the way, down the field well, that's with Aaron Rogers. One receiver, one back I like. They won. Congrats. 12 and 3, you're at home, it's lining up. I just do not. This feels very Green Bay over the last 20 years.

They'll play a playoff game at Lambo. They'll win a playoff game at Lambo, and they're just not special enough to get to the next level. Even if they played Minnesota again in Lambo, Delvin Cook's back, I'd take Minnesota. I really would. I would take Minnesota. All right.

all year, 50 minutes from now, heard hierarchy. We call it the Super Bowl bubble. And the way it works in the NFL every year, I always feel like there's eight teams in the Super Bowl bubble. But I don't feel that way this year. I feel there's half. And I think there's going to be 12 teams in the NFL, and they fall into three categories. And I think it's even hard to argue.

I've made one drastic opinion change on one team of the 12 for us. obvious reasons. That's coming up. How many guys out there are using their wife or girlfriend shampoo? Stop, stop, stop. Right now, your hair's different. Get your own. Dove Men Plus Care, available at Walmart. Created a range designed to give your hair the care it needs. Dove Men Plus Care.

Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHeart Radio app. Welcome to my new podcast. Learn the Hardweight with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark.

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

Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, learn the hard way. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Last night, a blown call changed a game.

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

The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context and ask the questions everybody wants answered. SportsClyce brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsClyce on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. What's up, guys? This is CliverTaylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Cliverts show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff. being an internet famous referee.

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

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

Absolutely. Now a redacted amount of years later. We're still joined at the hip. Just a little bit bigger hips. Wider. This is a podcast. We're recording it as we tailgate our youth soccer games in the back of my Honda Odyssey. With all the snacks and drink.

Sidebar. Why did you get hard seltzer instead of beer? Well, then you got it. Do you want a white collar or something here? Just hit it. What are y'all doing? microphones? Are you making a rap album? Oh, I would.

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

Oh. Listen to soccer moms on the I Heart Radio app. podcast or wherever you get your podcasts. Great news. Quick and easy way to save money. Go to Geico.com. 15% and 15 minutes or less. Good to have you in with Joy Taylor. 45 minutes from now, the herd hierarchy, 10 best teams, the national football league. This is a fun time for us. You get down to December and January.

We get a little break. We get a little couple days time off. I love this time of the year. Major Bowls. Fox has won. USC Iowa on Friday. Then you get into the playoffs in the last couple of weeks. The NFL, by the way, very strong.

smartly. A few years back, this is really bright, they altered their schedule. So now at the end of the season, you play in-division games, Seattle, San Francisco, Dallas, Philadelphia. So the NFL's always been very smart the way they orchestrate their TV packages, much smarter than other sports, especially baseball. So that's why we're getting all these great games. We're getting Cleveland and Baltimore, San Francisco, Seattle, Philadelphia, Dallas. You're getting all these games that matter at the end of the year. Generally, over the course of a year, I do a Super Bowl bubble every couple of weeks, and it's always eight. Always feels like eight teams and a couple on the periphery. So right now, the current playoff teams are the Ravens, Patriots, Chiefs, Texans, Bill's, Titans. Raiders,

Steelers have a chance. Let's not talk about them. It's unlikely they're fun, but these are the six. In the NFC, Niners, Packers, Saints, Eagles, Seahawks, Vikings. I really feel they fall into three groups. Four teams can win the Super Bowl. I think the Ravens can win it. I think the Chiefs can win it. I think the Niners can win it. And I think the Saints can win it. That's it. I think two can get really close. I think the Patriots can get close, but lack athletic ability offensively. Not enough playmakers. I think Green Bay can get close. But I don't trust Matt LaFleur against the Sean Payton, against the Pete Carroll, against the Mike Zimmer again, against the Kyle Shanahan against the Doug Peterson.

I don't trust him there. And I also think, you know, Devonte Adams and a little pressure on Aaron Rogers, I've seen Green Bay get mauled three times this year by good pass rushes. The Chargers, Philadelphia's ground game, pushed him around, and San Francisco

punched him in the forehead. So I can't get, I can't unsee that. So my Super Bowl bubble is really now small. It's down to four. Baltimore, Kansas City, San Francisco Saints, and I think Green Bay, and I think New England are close. Now, I think there are six teams with no shot, but they're in the playoffs. You know, it's the Buffaloes.

It's the Tennessee's. Now, Seattle is the one team I've made a real shift on over the weekend. When you have a cluster injury to one position, and it's the second most important position on your team, running back, this is a running team. Three teams in the league run it like the. 70s, Baltimore, Seattle, and San Francisco. They don't have a running back. They're bringing in Marshawn Lynch.

I mean, come on. What is that? I mean, first and goal, maybe you use Beast mode. But I think it's real simple. I think we're down to six that can win it. Six in that can't. They're in it. You know, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Seattle could win a playoff game.

That's about it. No shot at a Super Bowl. Joy of the News. No. Turn on the news. This is the Herod. line news. Baker Mayfield and Freddie Kitchen's great relationship at the end of 2018 helped kitchens land the Brown's head coaching job. Sure did. But after disappointing 2019, Baker was

asked about potential changes to the coaching staff. He didn't exactly campaign to keep kitchens. What? I mean, that's not my decision to make. So whatever happens happens moving forward. Anytime it's you have a head coach and you know, you have a losing record, that's the first person everybody points to. But it goes to many more things than just Freddie. they kind of softened it a little bit at the end there. But whatever happens happens is not a rousing endorsements of his head coach. Yeah, I'd probably want to give him a big hug there if you could. Well.

He's not been great at the microphone. You know how we always say Dax great at the microphone? Baker? No, no. Baker's never great at the microphone. Oh, you mean Freddie? Yeah, well, no, I mean, Dack Press got in front of the microphone. Certain people are just built for the microphone. Yes.

Baker should stay away from me. I think Baker thinks he's great at the microphone. He's bad at it. I mean, it's just you don't have to have an answer for everything. Just say, listen, love the guy. It's not my decision, but love the guy. Sometimes you've got to be a politician as a quarterback. Sometimes you have to be a little inauthentic.

You know you're going to get asked certain questions. You just know it. So have a prepared answer. And look, maybe he doesn't want Freddie back. Who knows? Only really Baker knows the answer to that. But I definitely do not think this is Freddie back. I don't think that Freddie's fault. I don't think that Freddie's fault and I don't blame

him for taking the job. But I think that coaches need at least three years to implement whatever system or plan that they have. And the Browns are not in a position to give anyone three years. They don't give anyone three years. They don't give most guys a year. So I don't really know what's going to happen with the Browns. I think everyone's kind of waiting to, you know, drop the opinion hammer on the Browns once the season's over. because it kind of seems like everyone's being a little tempered right now with the reaction to how the season has gone. But this was a disaster. And we said it before the season started.

If they don't make the playoffs, it is a colossal failure. Which is probably unfair because most teams that were coming back from what the Browns were last year and the year before that and what they have been to having Super Bowl expectations is very dramatic if it was any other team but the Browns. The Panthers are getting a head start on their coaching search. The team reportedly interviewed former Packers coach Mike McCarthy after the loss of the Colts on Sunday.

Panther's owner David Tepper is reportedly interested in hiring an offensive-minded coach for 2020 after letting go of Ron Rivera earlier this month. That's kind of expected that they would go in a different direction if they were going to let Ron Rivera go. McCarthy said he's been studying new offensive strategies and analytics over the past year in preparation for an NFL return. I don't know. I don't know if I see Mike McCarthy there. I think maybe just because I'm kind of pulling for him to go to the Browns.

I also could see McCarthy in New York as well. Yeah, I don't have a lot of optimism about the Carolina Panthers going forward. I'm very – I don't either. I think you have a very strong-willed owner that just got rid of a good coach. They don't have the quarterback situation settled. The two things you have to have in this league is an A-coach and an A-quarterback. They have neither now. I have my reservations going forward about Carolina.

for the next five, 10 years. I also think Arthur Blanks is a very good owner. Mickey Loomis and the Saints know what they're doing. Tampa Bay's got talent. They've probably got to give. They're probably a year away from a quarterback decision. That's a tough division. You're going up against Matt Ryan.

You're going up against Breeze. You're going up against Thomas Dimitroff. You're going up against Mickey Loomis. You're going up against good ownership groups. You better be good at coaching quarterback in that division. It's tough. Well, we don't really know what the future of Cam Newton is there. We know he's probably going to be back this year.

But in general, if you're making. making big sweeping changes like that, you want to do everything altogether. So whoever you bring in is going to have Cam for a year and then maybe move on to somebody else. Then they're going to have to re-implement the program again. So I would say this is probably a three to five year plan for whatever they have going on. Finally, he mentioned a few minutes ago, Marshawn Lynch is back with the Seahawks after the team lost three running backs to season ending injuries, which is staggering. So staggering. But even before he signed with the team, he was talking about making NFL comeback.

He was. he posted to Beast Mode Productions YouTube channel. Lynch discussed a potential return to the league and to Seattle. Entertaining the idea of maybe going back to go and play for Seattle for this playoff run. But, I mean, you know, a few things got to fall in order for some shit to happen. But, you know, if it do, you know, I mean, that's great. And I'm excited for the opportunity. We got history there.

And we got unfinished business. You know, he is the type. It's really interesting about this. Adrian Peterson disappeared. And then he reappeared. And you're like, oh, he's still pretty good. This guy is such a natural, physical force. He may have just needed a year.

Just, by the way, Lavian Bell took a year off. He was fine. Adrian Peterson disappeared. Came back. He was very good. I don't know, from a cardio standpoint, like like but if you just told me I mean it's weird like I kind of think to myself

especially in the red zone I think he'd be very afat. Am I crazy on that? Well you you and everyone else except for Pete Carroll thinks that Marshall Lynch should get the ball in the red zone. I mean this is a great situation for the Seahawks. Obviously he already has all the relationships there so if you're coming in at this point in the season this is probably the best case scenario because you already

knows everyone he knows his way around the building. He He has relationships with everyone there. He wants to come back. And he's a power runner, which Seattle loves. Look, you can't lose three running backs and be the same. We know that. But this is the best case scenario. And Marshall Lynch is beloved.

Like, NFL fans are excited about this. I know I am. Marshall Lynch is one of my favorite players of all time. Well, he totally fits this team. This is a 1970s running game. Like Baltimore and Seattle pound the football. Like you turn the TV on in 1978, they look like, you know, except for the spread offenses.

they just power run. So he fits. He's not a finesse, flashy. He is just, by the way, he's beast mode. Not a bad pass catcher either. He can act, you can move him out in the flat and he can make a catch and run over guys too. I'm excited for it. Yeah, Joy with the News.

Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Heard Lye News. Over a decade in the NFL, Reggie Bush, joining us now, Fox Sports College Football analysts, former NFLer as well. This is interesting because I got to ask you about this. Yes, sir. So when you retired from the NFL, were you just cut it, it was over?

Yes. You didn't work out anymore? I still worked out. No, I stayed in shape. I worked out because there was a period for about a year and a half where I wasn't sure if I was done. Okay. So like Marshawn. Like Marchion, I stayed in shape and I worked out thinking that I could get back into the league,

thinking that somebody may call. But I always told myself, if I win a whole season without playing, then I was just hang it up because I didn't want to try to. get myself back into football shape, which is very tough to do. Now, you are a different runner from Marshawn Lynch. He is a power back. Here's my only reservations, because you're not asking him. What you're asking him to do is pick up short yards.

Right. That's it. Yeah. That's what you'll ask him to do. Exactly. And my takeaway is that you don't have, I mean, let's just say he'd stayed in cardio shape. He's lifting four days a week.

My concern is this. Getting hit. Yeah. You, you, it takes three weeks to get those calluses back. It does. It takes a couple weeks just because you're getting your body ready for the collisions. For collisions, I call them car accidents. You're getting your body ready for car accidents and there's no way to supplement that. Like there's no way where to get that kind of feeling other than just playing live game reps. And so, but Marshaun is built to take hits,

to take a pounding. Like that's his body type. So I would, trust him in goal line situations. I would trust, funny, goal line situations. I would trust him in, you know, short yardage, goal line situations. I'm giving him the ball all day long. He can still do that. But, you know, the one thing that you have to factor in is the cardio, like you mentioned, right, is his body in enough shape to be able to hand a football to him 25 times? Because then you're talking about your hamstrings got to be in the right shape, right? The rest of your body. And that's where you see guys, you know, start to pull hamstrings and stuff like that. Yeah, Reggie Bush is joining us.

So let's just have some thoughts about Green Bay and Minnesota last night. I mean, I don't want to beat up on Kirk Cousins. It is what it is. I mean, it's just, we know. He is what he is. Yeah. Green Bay is kind of interesting, though. They're 12 and 3.

When you look at their offensive and defensive stats, they're like 17th, 18th, 20, first. They don't turn it over, and they do take it away. And they have a great quarterback. Except for last night, they turned it over a lot. A lot. But I look at Green Bay, and I've got my. reservations about there's just too many high-end teams. They don't look quite athletic enough defensively. What do you see?

Not really dominant in one area. They're not. But this is what I will say about the Green Bay Packers. One, I trust the quarterback. I trust him more than a lot of these other quarterbacks in the league right now. I trust him to put the team on his back for a game or two in the playoffs and go get him a victory. The other thing that I do love about the Green Bay,

If they get home field advantage, nobody wants to go to Green Bay in those adverse conditions in that cold and have to win a football game. It's just very tough to do. The stadium is a tough place to play. But when you look at the playoff picture, really, I feel the same way. If the Saints get home field advantage, I love them at home because that's a tough place to play. If the 49ers get home field advantage, if they end up winning this game against Seattle, I love them at home.

So really what is going to come down to is who is going to get home? field advantage because none of these stadiums that Green Bay, the Saints, 4-9s are easy places to go win football games. Yeah, Reggie Bush is joining us. So I want to talk about Baker Mayfield. So yesterday Baker took a shot at me,

very hurtful on Twitter. I never, I never respond. I think you had it coming. Maybe I did. But I never respond because I'm not into that. Like I always say, I've got opinions. People have opinions on my opinions. I'm not going to have opinion on your opinion on my opinion. I fire away,

fire at me, but I'm not into trolling athletes. I just have strong opinions on it. So Baker comes back and it's, I didn't even look at the responses. I'm sure some supported him, some ripped him. But here it is, by the way. I'm not in love with myself. You are, that's for sure. Thanks for the follow on Instagram.

Your constant support is appreciated. Glad I can help out your business. Well, you should be in love yourself. Like, you should love yourself. We all should love ourselves. Let's get to the rest of the people. Can't love others if you don't love yourself. You can't.

I'm not even going to respond to it. But let me, if you, if you, were his agent what advice because it was obviously not an ideal year let's not let's not you know duck back what would you do I would tell Baker to go reinvent himself

this off season the same way Lamar Jackson after year one there were a lot of questions about his arm can he throw the football will he be able to be that quarterback that can put a team on his back and go win some football games and he's done nothing you know less than just

exceed those expectations. I would tell Baker, you need to go and reinvent yourself this off season. The second, the day that the season is over, you should be on that football field preparing yourself for the next year. And you need to do that five, six days a week until training camp starts, until mini camp, until the season starts. Because I believe that's the ultimate way for players to be able to, you know, come back bigger, better, and stronger the next year.

That was the one thing that great players do every year is that they reinvent themselves. They find ways to bring one little just tweak or something different that they can bring to the table for next year because there's a ton of film on you. Now players know your tendencies. They know you like to, your tendencies to scramble right and to kind of throw that fadeaway, you know, that fadeaway ball that Von Miller was talking about, right, in that game. So he has to go reinvent himself. He has to come back a different player next year.

He has to come back a solid leader next year. And he has to be somebody that the organization can depend on. So shifting to Jerry Jones, Jerry Jones said yesterday, getting a new coach isn't what we're focused on, but it's on the radar. So, you know, it is interesting. There are, you know, I always said this about college football. Ohio State is a A plus college football program. Michigan's A minus to B plus, they think they're A. They think they're A plus.

But they're not as committed as Ohio State. They're not. And I also think there are certain jobs in the NFL. Pittsburgh, I think, is a great job. Yep. I think the Steelers may be the best job in the league. I would agree. Total support.

Dave Wonstadt had a better record than Mike Tomlin when they went together for four years. Wonstadt got fired. Tomlin's still there. So Tomlin won as much in Miami in those first four years as as Wonstadt did as Tomlin did. In fact, the last coach in Miami to win a playoff game was Dave Wonstadt. They ran him out. So to me, Pittsburgh's

a great, great job. Is Dallas? So this is the thing that you get with Dallas is you get Jerry Jones, right? And so it's never going to be totally about the coach, right? And, you know, that's the thing that you worry about for any coach going into the Dallas Cowboys job, right?

Like Jason Garrett is a Jerry Jones disciple. It's like his son, right? So he's going to do and say everything that Jerry Jones wants him to do. And he's okay with that. And he's okay with that. But the second you get a head coach, you know, let's say, for example, you know, just throwing a name out there. Let's say, for example, it was a Sean Payton type coach, right?

Well, Sean Payton has his way he likes to do things and he has his way of winning games, what's worked for him. I'm not sure if Jerry Jones is ready to relinquish, you know, a lot of that power to a head coach. So you're telling me, any great coach wants control, Jerry won't give it, so it's not a great job. I don't think so. Bill Parcells and Jimmy John. It's not a great job. Like, I can't imagine Belichick coaching under, you know, Jerry Jones.

Like, that would be tough. Yeah, I think the guys I think who were great have their own systems. Yep. They have their own systems. They have their own ways, their DNA of things that has worked for them. By the way, we get now, this is a great time of the year because you're a part of the college football crew at Fox. I love college football. So USC plays Friday.

And then you get into major, major bowl games. So I want to talk about, I honestly believe Ohio State Clemson is maybe the potentially the best college football game in half a decade. The last time I thought there was a game of this magnitude was USC Texas, where I'm like, okay, they're going to score. 70 points. There were like nine stars on the field. And I feel with Clemson and Ohio State, we have potentially eight to ten

top five NFL picks over the next two years. These are star-studded programs. I don't think either team is going to have any fun stopping either. But I tend to lean Clemson because they've been in this spot with this staff and this quarterback.

If I said today, just where are you leaning on that game? Because I think it's the best college football game. When did USC Texas play 15 years ago? Yeah, a long time ago. That's the greatest college football game I've ever seen. And I was at the stadium. It felt magnificent.

Ohio State. I'm leaning towards Ohio State. And the one thing people have said, and I've said this too, Clemson is the one team that people don't want to see in the playoffs. But Ohio State is the most dominant team right now in the playoffs. And they have the most dominant player in all of college football at this position, Chase Young. And so I can't wait to see how this dynamic plays out

because we've talked about and we've seen Clemson kind of skate through this division, the ACC, which is the weakest conference right now. No question. No question. And so, listen, they do still have weapons. They do still have a great team, but they haven't been tested the way that LSU's been tested.

They haven't been tested the way that Ohio State's been tested. even the way that Oklahoma's been tested, right? All these teams are more tested. They've played tougher teams. Ohio State having to go through the Big Ten is arguably one of the toughest divisions in football this year. But I trust Ohio State more at this point because they have just been dominant and they've had to beat Wisconsin twice. It is very tough to beat a team twice in the same year. Well, they trailed Wisconsin big.

Exactly. Oklahoma struggled with it against Baylor. And Ohio State had to go beat Wisconsin twice, again, which is in the NFL, those are your toughest games. Your conference games, your division games, sorry, are the toughest games that you have to play every year because it's a team that knows you well. They know your DNA. They know your tendencies. They have a ton of tape on you. They played you for however many years.

And they understand what kind of game this is going to be. I'm not sure if Clemson really understands yet what kind of game this is going to be until they get into that. because they're going to get hit in the mouth early and often. Ohio State is a very, very physical football team, and they're going to put Clemson to the test. They're going to test them early. To me, if Ohio State can't put pressure on Trevor Lawrence, it's going to be a long day.

They've got the best defensive player in college football. They'll be able to put pressure on them. And Clemson's going to double him. So then, because this is a thing, people think that it's just Chase Young. It's not just Chase Young. Their whole D-line is going to get drafted. They got players at every position.

When Chase Young was out, they were still the best defense in college football when he was serving that suspension. All right. You know, the biggest bet I ever made in my life on Clemson. Really? Yeah. I'll take that bet. I'll take that bet right now. I may need insurance on that guy.

Good seeing you. Yes, sir. Coming up next, a story leaked on Kauai Leonard that doesn't paint him or his representation in a very good light. did it leak and who leaked it and what was the point? I've got thoughts on that coming up. Live in Los Angeles, 20 minutes from now, the herd hierarchy. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. So there's a report. Welcome back to Lakers Jeannie Bus. Refused Kauai Leonard's illegal request. Now, Kauai didn't make them. Kauai is a different cat. He really is and he had unique representation.

He had his uncle. His uncle's not an agent. And according to reports that were leaked to the athletic, Sam Amick, great reporter, they asked for a bunch of stuff, private jets, homes, guaranteed endorsements. But it's not illegal to ask for stuff in the NBA unless you're an agent. And Uncle Dennis wasn't an agent. And it's not illegal to ask for stuff unless a team says yes. And Toronto didn't say yes.

Lakers didn't say yes, and we don't think the clipper said yes. So, Kauai is just a very unique guy who has very unique representation. And there's always been athletes like this. Dennis Rodman was great and different. Lamar Jackson, by the way, I think he had his mom representing him. You know, a lot of these kids, they come into the league, and maybe there's trust issues, we don't know what happened in their young lives. And he's got an uncle, and he's tight with his uncle, and he trusts his uncle, and he's got a small circle.

He doesn't feel like giving his money away to somebody outside of the kids. to the family. I actually have great sympathy and support for young people who do that. You know, I grew up as a young broadcaster. I didn't go to Syracuse in Missouri and I didn't have a super agent in my 20s and 30s. So Kauai's a little bit of an outlier. Nobody loved

him in the Pact 12. Nobody loved him in San Antonio like he wanted to be loved. And he feels like an outsider. So as an outsider, I'm going to use Uncle Dennis. But Uncle Dennis isn't an agent. And so they just asked for the moon. And teams are like, no, no, no, no. We can't do that. To me, the story

is that the story leaked, and it leaked from the Lakers. Because obviously, Kauai's not going to leak it, and Uncle Dennis isn't going to leak it, and the Clippers certainly aren't going to leak it, because it makes the Clippers look like, well, maybe the Clippers got Kauai with some shady stuff. They didn't. And the Lakers are upset that they were used as leverage.

Welcome to the world. We are all used as leverage at some point. Kobe used the Clippers as leverage years ago and the Bulls to get what he wanted, the players he wanted, and the players he wanted out of Los Angeles. way I used to work at another network. ESPN used to use, say they wanted the Olympics to drive up the price for NBC and everybody knew inside the building. ESPN didn't want the Olympics. They just wanted NBC to pay about 250 million more a year to hurt their budget. We're all

used in leverage, relationships, business, teams, players, agents. This just speaks to now the clippers are a threat because the Lakers are still bitter about it. When you get LeBron and Anthony Davis, And you're still bitter about it? That tells you the clippers are a real threat. And it bothers them that they were used. But the Lakers have been a threat and leverage in my entire life in the NBA. Everybody uses the Lakers. I'm going to the Lakers.

I mean, that's been the league story more than any league. And I think now the Clippers are a threat. Everybody knows it. And I'm not knocking Sam Amick. I bring him on the show. But it feels like this is trying to make somebody look back. and Kauai is just a very unique kid. You know, you got to remember, all of us have different paths.

You do, I do, Kauai, it doesn't matter. And for a lot of these athletes, they don't grow up with a lot. They're doubted their entire life. Hell, half the NFL is undrafted. So Kauai, nobody puts their arms around Kauai. He's not a, you know, he doesn't talk much, and he doesn't have a natural this and that. And so the Pact 12 ignores him. And so, and he goes to the NBA, and he drops.

you know, way beyond where he should be drafted. Then he goes to San Antonio and Popovich doesn't quite trust him. And then they ship him off to Toronto and he likes it, but it's cold and he's from California. And now he comes out here. He's different. He's got different representation. It's okay. Now, I do think personally, I'm kind of mixed on this.

I kind of think it would be better for everybody involved if you were only represented by somebody that qualifies, not as an agent, but as a representative. I do think you should have to pass a test. I don't think you should necessarily have to have a college degree. I think that's economically, socioeconomically unfair. I think you should have to pass a test to be a representative of a player. You know, there's got to be stuff you just know you can do and no you can't do. I don't think it's fair to say you've got to have a college degree.

Folks, you may not know this. I don't have one. I got 12 credit shy and I got offered a great job. And I said, mom, should I stay in college? or take a AAA baseball job at 19 years old. She's like, get in the car and go. So I skipped several steps, got to a AAA job in Vegas. Everybody else was working in Modesto or Spokane.

I'm in Las Vegas at 21 covering fights. Best roll of the dice I ever did in my life. So I just think there needs to be a test for people that represent players. But if it's a mom and dad and they can pass the test, I will always support young people who lack trust. because A, there's a lot of crappy agents. B, your shelf life is very short. C, it looks like Kauai's had some physical issues,

and he may not have a 2015-12-year career. And you know what? He trusts his uncle. His uncle's been there for him. As long as Uncle Dennis can pass a test, basic dues and don'ts, I'm okay with it. The story here is why the story leaked. Coming up top of the hour of the herd hierarchy. So Dan Wetzel is a fine columnist for Yahoo Sports.

he wrote an article, and if I could write, this is the article I've been writing for the last month on this show. Time for Jerry Jones to get radical and go outside the cowboy family. Said Wetzel. Jones runs this team mostly like a family and friends business. Offensive coordinator, Kellyn Moore, a former cowboy. Quarterback coach John Kittna, a former cowboy. Offensive line coach Mark Colombo, a former cowboy. Leon Lett, Andre Gerard, Carlos Polk, Phil.

Tanner, no coaching experience outside of the Dallas Cowboys. The staff features 10 people who either wore the star or who have only coached in the NFL for the Cowboys. This is what we've been saying about Dallas. You completely limit, you limit the growth of a business if you only hire within the family. I'll give you an example. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest. four different times we have had incredible coaches, Washington and Washington State, Oregon, Oregon State.

These were my teams growing up, the college teams. Four times we had a legend. Don James coaching Washington football. Ralph Miller coaching Oregon State basketball. Mike Price coaching Washington State football. And then Chip Kelly coaching Oregon football. They were dominating. All four times, the rock star coach leaves, and they hire the long-time.

loyal assistant who's been in the program and then they just go into the tank. So I've seen it my whole life. My whole life as a kid, it's kind of constructed my arguments. Go outside the family. Dallas remains a great brand, a great topic for my show, a great stadium, great revenue, great... But they're not a great football operation. They're not terrible.

They do some things well. I like their scouting department. But they're not great. There's about eight to nine great football operations in America. America, Alabama, Oklahoma, Ohio State, right now Clemson, New England, the Saints, Pittsburgh, Baltimore. This is about eight, nine, four in each. Dallas is a big brand, has a big stadium and big revenue, and they're a great topic, and they've got some great players. But have you ever noticed who wins in college and pro football in December and January?

it's the great organizations, not just the great players. Dallas, last decade, their record in December and January is exactly what I think in totality, holistically about their organization. They're 25 and 24. Not terrible. Right in the middle of the pack. And if you want to win in December, January, you can't be there. Because it's the same eight to nine teams.

winning it. They're too parochial, too insular. Heard hierarchy next. Want more Heard? The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week, within the IHeart Radio app. Search Herd to listen live or on demand

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and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking trip, Martin, 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 here 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 Our Heart Radio app. Search, learn the hard way, and listen now. Last night, a blown call

changed the 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. What's up, guys? This is Clivert Taylor the 4th.

And on my podcast, The Cliverts Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff. Like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker walks up to me, he goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Time out. quarterback on office blue of 42. Hey, Rhett, my mama want you to weigh better.

What? Where's she at? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clifford show on the I-Heart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. American soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming. Ramos sending on to Ernie.

I'm Tom Ramos. I'm Tom Bo. On our podcast, Inside American Side, you'll get the real storylines. I'm not worried about Policic, I'm not worried about Balligan, I'm not worried about McKinney. My only concern is what happens in the back.

The biggest decisions. If you're going to look at stats and numbers, he has no shot at making this World Cup team. And the truth about the US national team. It wouldn't be a huge surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals or potentially a great run into the semifinals. The World Cup is almost here. Experience it all with us.

Listen, Inside American Soccer with Tom Bogart and Tabramos on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcast. Ah, here we go. Christmas Eve. It's a Tuesday. We're live in L.A. This is The Herd, wherever you may be and however you may be listening, we are on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, IHeart Radio as well.

Heard hierarchy in about 90 seconds, and Joy Taylor is joining me as we both do today's show. then we're off for about four or five days. We're back to following Monday. Now, next week, when we're back, you've got a lot of NFL. The playoff pictures totally set. We've got bowl games beginning in earnest. Next week is one of the great weeks for me of the year in football. There's about a three, four-week run in January every year.

The Super Bowl's on Fox this year. Great games, big stars, college and pro. Can't wait for it. And Joey's taken off after the show heading east. Chicago had some fog. apparently they've lifted that. There's not as many delays. You'll get there fine.

I actually haven't checked the weather in Pittsburgh. I'm sure it's cold. Yeah, usually. It's December and Pittsburgh. I just don't know if there's going to be any snow or not. I'm hoping for snow. And not just cold, but I'm excited. All right, here we go.

You know, I spend a lot of time on this. We think about it. We talk about it. I think we've got kind of a clear delineation. There's a really good four or five. And then there's a lot of close. And then there's playoff teams that can't do much. Here we go.

our herd hierarchy. Heard hierarchy. Time is now. Let's go. The top 10 NFL teams, according to college, number 10. Seattle Seahawks, sometimes you get bad breaks in life, and they're a running team who just had cluster injuries last weekend at running back. They're flying Marshawn Lynch into town who can solve some of it, not all of it. Listen, they were already a team that was too Russell-Wilson dependent.

But as the running game got better, they were becoming. coming less so, but now the running game is shattered. And I think, now listen, Russell's tremendous. 29 touchdowns, five picks. If any guy in this league could just will his way to win, they're also a great road team. I mean, Seattle has got a great home field advantage. I think Russell Wilson and Tom Brady are the best road quarterbacks of my life.

But I think you can't have cluster injuries in one of the most important units, especially for this team. I have them at 10. Number nine. I think we all know what Buffalo is. They're good, not special. young at quarterback. I don't think they have kind of the playmaker that a Kansas City or a Baltimore would at quarterback to get out-coached and win. I think they have to win by out-coaching, not turning

it over. You know, the two games against New England say it all. They had them both and lost them both. And that's what they are. For a team that was in the bottom five organizations in the league for a decade, it's baby steps. And they got into the playoffs a couple years ago, and it was one of the ugly games and they're going to get into the playoffs this year and it won't be as ugly. But I think we all know what Buffalo is. They're close to being really, really interesting and now is kind of interesting. Number nine. Number eight.

Philadelphia. They are very good situationally. This is what I love about it. They went to Buffalo and won. That's why I put them ahead of Buffalo. Very good situationally. Now, I do think if they get into the playoffs, situations aren't going to matter because they're going to get blown out by the Saints.

They're just not good enough athletically. Deshawn Jackson may come back if they want a playoff game, but that's way down the road. There's a lot of things they do well. Last four games, Carson Wentz, dealing with deck chairs and lawn furniture, is completing almost 69% of his throws. They got some young guys picking up the slack. There's things I like about them.

Most of them are qualities that win you close games. But I don't think they'd be in a close game against New Orleans or a San Francisco, so I have them at eight. Number seven. Minnesota. Everything's got to go perfect for Kirk Cousins, and that's not the way the NFL works. Last night's a great example. He was at home. He got three turnovers, but he's missing a couple of running backs. That means they rely on him, and he just can't do it. So this league is not about everything falling into place. It's about everything falling apart, and you keeping it in place. And again, I like the coach. I like the defense. But I just think there's real limitations at quarterback. Listen, last night, They were showing, and by the way, it's now into Kirk Cousins head. They were showing close-ups of Kirk Cousins, and he would take these deep, obvious size. He's anxious. He understands the brand.

He understands what we're saying. I don't think that helps as the games get bigger and more off script. I think he has to be totally on script and comfortable, so Minnesota's at 7. Number 6. Don't love Green Bay, but they beat him in Minneapolis, so I get him at 6. Listen, they've only got one big offensive threat when you combine the tight end and wide receiver core, Devante Adams. And I think the best coaches will bracket him or the Saints would put Latimore on him. I just don't think Devonthe Adams can be your entire passing game.

And by the way, you can just look at the numbers, even with Aaron Rogers. Aaron's not very good this year throwing balls and completions over 15 yards. He's not very good at all. He's 11th in passer rating, 16th in passing yards per game. So we've seen what they are. I mean, they can win without Devante Adams, but they can only win vertically one way. Devante Adams, and I think the best teams will take him away.

Aaron Rogers, his numbers are very similar to last year with Mike McCarthy. Now, they have a better running game, but offensively passing the ball, there's just much better in the NFL right now than Green Bay. I put him at six. Number five. New England, because I think New England would beat Green Bay. I think New England would look at Green Bay and go, God, we've seen this before.

Crowd the box for Aaron Jones, Brackett DeVante Adams, they won't move the ball on us, and they wouldn't. There are so many things I like about New England. Special teams, defense, head coach, quarterback, experience, situational. Here's what I don't. They can win one way. It's got to be low scoring.

They can't get into fireworks shows. And I don't think athletically they can stop Kansas City or Baltimore. They can't keep them in the teens. They are the most resourceful team in the NFL, and that is an awesome quality. but I think even at Foxborough, they would struggle to beat Kansas City a second time. They check every box, but in the NFL playoffs, you occasionally need a cheap touchdown. Now, they are number one in takeaways.

And what does that mean? They get short field. They'll take the ball away and they'll have 27-yard drives for touchdowns, not 77. So, again, they have manipulated their lack of athleticism brilliantly. Trick plays, block punts, takeaways. but I think the ceiling is lower this year than any I remember. Number four. San Francisco. The next two teams remind me of each other.

Here's what I like about San Francisco. Jimmy G. Everybody else doubts him. But you know what this kid's done since week 11? 70% completions. He makes the occasional mistake, but boy, is he good when you need him. As we've looked at this defensive line and we look at Kyle Shanahan, you know what's really impressive? Jimmy Garoppolo.

And then they added Emmanuel Sanders along with George Kittle. Why does that matter? Because this is a team that doesn't need 12-play drive. Sometimes they just flip it out to George and he goes, you know, he goes rock. He just runs over people and he get a cheap touchdown. I think Emmanuel Sanders was a huge organizational decision. And I think it's helped them and he helped them this weekend. They have the secret sauce.

They can be outplayed and get cheap touchdowns and win games there at number four. Number three. I think Kansas City is San Francisco of the A. FAC. Their defense can run hot and cold. I've got a young quarterback. I love both their coaches. They're crazy explosive. But I think they can be outcoached and outplayed and win. And I think that matters in the NFL. I think it matters in the playoffs. You're going against the greatest quarterbacks and the greatest coaches. You're going to have bad halves. Belichick's had bad halves. Belichick had a bad first half in the Super Bowl. But I think Kansas City and San Francisco,

and if they played, I'd probably take Kansas City. by a field goal. They are the equivalent of each other. Number two. New Orleans. I doubted them all year. Unbelievably athletic. The most dominant player on the perimeter in the lead, Michael Thomas.

Great GM, great coach. Offensive line is well compensated and worth it. They've done a good job to draft and acquire pass rushers. Not a lot they don't do well. You get, and here's the thing. I kind of get the same formula. They're very New England, very resourceful, very smart. You can't get to the quarter.

back. They sack yours. You can't sack theirs. They've only, let me read this here. They've turned the ball over eight times all year. That's for an offense that's passing the ball all over the place and is wildly sophisticated and clever. They just give you no openings. They don't play poorly. They lose, but they just don't play poorly on any Sunday. I've got him at two. Number one. Baltimore. You know what's interesting about Baltimore. If you go to their defense week one and now, they've got like seven different players starting. They've done a very good job organizationally over the course of a season to change their defense, add pieces, get a lot of experience. I still think, you know, I kind of feel like they topped out at week 13, and they're not going to play anybody this weekend.

So they're going to get a buy. They're going to be at home. They're going to be rested. But I think they're the Saints, but more explosive over the top. I would take them over the – they're the Saints. No mistakes. A lot of good players. but the Saints, it's mostly nine play drives dominated by Kamara, Breeze, and Michael Thomas.

This team will get freebies. Lamar Jackson will put on a move, boom, get a freebie. This team will throw the ball over the top. So Baltimore is my number one team in the national football league. Coming up next, Greg Jennings, former Packer, who lives in Minnesota, perfect guess for today on what he saw last night. And my thoughts on Baker Mayfield, once again, viciously coming after me on social media. That's coming up. Don't go anywhere.

Folks, in sports information is vital. No different when you're shopping for a car. True car shows you what other people paid for the car in your area. When you want to buy one, new or used, visit True Car. It's the herd. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHeard Radio app. 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? Are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust.

I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, learn the hard way. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the hard way and listen now. Last night, a blown call changed the game. This morning, the internet lost a time.

It's mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athletes themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear.

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 IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. What's up guys? This is Clivert Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Cliverts show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff.

Like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker. They know these kids. 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, rec, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Hey, Ms. Parker. Listen to the Cliverts show on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, I'm Deanna Maria Riva, actress, mother, lover, and a Gen X woman walking through life one hot flash and hormonal crying jag at a time. You ladies know what I mean.

I'll bet you a perimenopausal chin here you do. So let's talk about it. Join me on my new podcast. How hard can it be with the Adamani Arriba, where I call on my Gen X squads from Ohio to Hollywood as we navigate midlife's most fantastic BS. All of a sudden, I'd had hanginess happening on my own. I was like, what the hell is that?

I was married when I had her, so I didn't even consider how empty that nest was going to be. Mood swings, night sweats, fupas, sex drive. Wait, what sex? Dating at 45. How hard can it be getting naked at 50 with the new guy? That one's kind of hard. Well, that's lighting.

They say we can't polish a turd, but we're sure going to try. So let's get blunt with laughs, tears, or tears of laughter, and dive into it, unfiltered and unbothered and ask, how hard can it be? I cannot believe I'm about to say this out loud in public. Listen to How Hard Can It Be with Diana Maria Riva as part of my Cultura Podcast Network available on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Two great bowl games are coming your way on FS1 and Fox. Friday, it's a San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl is number 16, Iowa, battles number 22 USC at 730 Eastern on FS1. Then on Monday, Cal faces off with Illinois and the Red Box Bowl at 3.30 Eastern on Fox. Both games also available on the Fox Sports app. Love Iowa, love Cal, both on Fox. I said, you know, fans always want me to give their team credit after wins. And as I've said for years, I'm not American Express, Visa or MasterCard.

I'm not in the credit business. I'm in the honesty business. And when I look at Green Bay, I see a 12 and 3 team with one special receiver, one, Devonte Adams. Brackett him, I'm not sure what you got. Aaron Rogers throws over 10 yards this year, not very good. On all the offensive statistics I care about, their bottom 12 in the league. defensively they do take the ball away, but they're not forceful. They're not intimidating.

Their pass rush is hit and miss depending on the team they play. But they did win, and they will win their division, and they have a buy, and they're at home. And so there's my credit. Congrats. Let's go to Greg Jennings, the former Packer who now lives in Minneapolis via the Coward Global Satellite Network. What did you make? Okay, so you're more impressed probably than I was. Some teams are hard for me to get my arms around.

I don't see a lot of special with the Packers, but they won their division. So what do you say this morning about it? I say it was a great win. It was a win against a team that's obviously over 500, which they haven't had many of those signature wins all year. A division game or a division opponent, a game that they needed to win on the road to show themselves, as Aaron alluded to earlier in the week, where they were.

and how they would look and fair against a really good team in the Minnesota Vikings. So I give the Packers a lot of credit going on the road, getting a tough division win against an opponent that was very familiar. You know, there are certain teams like Baltimore, San Francisco, Kansas City, where you've got to kind of pick your poison to stop them. I look at Green Bay and I say, bracket Devante Adams, and then it's just a bunch of guys I don't trust in big spots. I think good coaches can look at Green Bay's offense.

I don't think you can do this to San Francisco or Baltimore or Kansas City. Wouldn't you be concerned if you're Green Bay that it's become very Devante Adams reliant on the perimeter? You know what? I would, but I'm not. The reason why I say I would if this were a Mike McCarthy-led offensive unit, where their formation variation is very simple, pretty bland, straightforward. But I think Matla Flore does a really good. job of formation variation, putting Devante Adams in motion. If we look at the New Orleans

Saints and we look at the career reception leader now and Michael Thomas, we know going into every single game, stop Michael Thomas. No one's been able to do that. Why? Because of Sean Peyton's ability to move him, put him in spots where he will win and be successful. This is the same thing that we're going to see with Devante Adams. They understand that they're limited at receiver outside of Devante Adams. But you have to utilize who he is and get him to get him the ball in places where he makes you special as an offense. And that's what they did last night.

And I think that's what we're going to see moving forward. And with the addition of a running game and Aaron Jones and him being able to catch the ball out of the backfield, they're a scary team. They're not a team that jumps out statistically at you and say, oh, my gosh, they're a team that we have to concern ourselves with in specific areas, but teams like this that make it to the playoffs that get in, that you just don't know what it is about them, that makes them click and makes it work.

And on top of all of that, they have Aaron Rogers. It's a scary team entering the postseason. Listen, I could spend all day on Kirk Cousins. I think he looks anxious now. I think when you, he's kind of an anxious, nervous player. I saw last night, several audible size.

Like, he's trying to, you know, slow the heart rate, get down. And I think it's just compounding. It's like if you're a bad free throw shooter and you miss the first free throw, the second one's harder. The PGA course, you miss a put on 15. You're going to certainly miss it on 16. Now, I just don't see this correcting itself. I think eventually you got to go get a quarterback somewhere else in a year or two.

Am I being too hard on Kirk? No, you're not. And in times past, I've been very lenient on Kurt because I like him as a player. I like him as a human being as a man. But who he is on the football field in the spotlight, in the biggest moments, it's what we've been able to see. He's just not going to cut it. Last night, you talk about some of the size. There was a moment running onto the field in the fourth quarter where, again, they're down.

They need a big drive. They need a touchdown to put themselves back into contention. And he sighs as if, okay, almost trying to get himself to convince him own self that, okay, I need you can do it. And either you have it or you don't, Colin. And I just don't think he has it. In the regular season, this stats have been phenomenal. But I need you when it counts.

And they don't have him when it counts. Yeah, Greg Jennings joining us, 10 NFL years, two-time Pro Bowl. We're in a Super Bowl champ, Fox Sports NFL analyst. I want to say this. I made a comment yesterday about the Cowboys. Is that, and I've said this for years, it's kind of funny. If you look at teams in cold weather, it's most of the best NFL organizations because it's cold driving to work.

It's cold at practice. It's cold getting coffee. It hardens people. And football's hard. The Tampa's, the Arizonas, the L.A. teams, Dallas. It's nice outside. Let's break early and go get dinner. I think Dallas is a country club.

I think they're soft mentally. I think they have the best facilities and the biggest brand and Jerry's pro player. But when I watch Philadelphia and Dallas, you know what I saw? The Octagon. And one team cherished being in it in Philadelphia, hard-nosed Philadelphia. And one team was uncomfortable and didn't like the discomfort. I think the Cowboys have become a soft, talented but soft franchise. Do you buy that at all?

I don't think they're a soft franchise. So I don't buy that. They have a lot of players that will get in that octagon and we'll battle and we'll fight. However, sometimes when who's leading you, it's predicated on who's leading you. And in great war movies, the king or the general, they don't let the players or the soldiers go out first. They lead the charge because they understand that the way that I present myself, is going to be a direct reflection of how those who are following me and following suit are going to present themselves. And what we see with Jason Garrett, we see him standing on the sideline, we don't really see him engaging,

we don't see him really taking charge in coaching and making any type of adjustments. The only body language we see is discussed. And then if there is a great play, excitement, like, thank you guys for saving my job potentially. and that's not going to cut it. And when you have talent the way throughout the roster and throughout the personnel that the Dallas Cowboy has, it will take a change at the helm of the head coaching position and that team will be very special.

You know, I've always felt there can be alterations to your personality. But what you are at 15 is kind of what you are. You can go to therapy. You can kind of modify it. but if you're willful and driven at 15, you're willful and driven at 30, 40, and 50. And I look at Baker Mayfield, and I think he needs to reboot some things about his personality. But I wonder, this is kind of his personality. And I don't think he can do a reboot.

And there's some things I like about him. And there are other things that I just don't think he has DNA quarterback traits to run a $3 billion franchise. What do you do if you're Baker? You could be on your third head coach. interceptions, bad PR. Do you support him? Where are you with Baker today?

You know, I'm kind of in the middle. I like who he is as an athlete, as a competitor. I like his drive. Some of the things that he says, he probably might should just keep his mouth shut. But if he's going to choose to have a rebuttal for everything that everyone is saying outside of the Browns organization, his level of play better tell me,

he should be warranted those rebuttals. Now, it's kind of like LeBron when he lost to the Dallas Cowboys with the Heat in the finals. And then we hear recently, I had to become mentally tough because I wasn't mentally tough. Physically, we know what Baker-Ba-Fa-Field has and what he possesses. But mentally is where we question him

because of his responses to everything that said outside, the noise, the chatter, that most players can get away with that. But when you're a quarterback, And when you're expected to play at an elite level and at a high level and you're the face of the franchise, you can't allow that to impact the level of your play, meaning your play better rise above and be literally making sure that everything that comes out of your mouth, you can back it with your play. And that's what Baker Mayfield is lacking. If he can't change that, he is not the future.

If he can change that, if he can become mentally tough and hear and listen and even possibly have response, but his level of play rises to the occasion, I think he's good. I think he's great. If he continues to do what he's done this year, respond, and his level of plays drops and sinks, he's not the guy. Yeah. Greg Jennings is our guy. Ten years in the NFL Super Bowl, multiple pro Bulls. Have a Merry Christmas for your amazing family. You're ravishing a state. We wish you the very best, my friend. Thank you, Greg. I appreciate it. Merry Christmas. you guys too. One of the really good guys. Known Greg for a long time. Great family,

great dude. Peter King will join us this hour. I'll have some thoughts on Baker Mayfield. Coming after me again with vengeance on social media. I sit here as a young boy just trying to earn a living and Baker comes after me again. Thoughts on that coming up. Plus Peter

King. Here's Joy Taylor with the news. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. Tom Brady just led the Patriots to their 11th straight division title, but he said he is still far from done. He has said many, many times he wants to play football until he's 45. And at 42, that stance has not changed. I think I've said for a long time my tune hasn't changed. So I hope to continue playing. I've had long-term goals.

I've had short-term goals. And again, football is a contact sport. So you never know when your last game is going to be. And you should count your blessings every time you walk off to feel to help me. Oh, I'd love to stop talking about when Tom Brady is going to retire. I quit. I don't even years. Listen, all I know is Drew Breeze is a year younger and looks as good as he's looked in five years. And nobody talks about when Drew Breeze is going to retire. They're just going to play and when they stop, we won't.

Yes. You know when we'll find out when Tom Brady's going to retire when he lets us know? That's when I'm concerned about it. But his father did have a few things to say about it before. Remember, he said, you know, I don't think the ending there's going to be very pleasant. Brady's dad said in an interview Monday that Tom has told him to stop speaking to the media.

Tom explained why. He said he's very forthcoming with information, so I keep telling him, dad, of course they're going to keep calling you because you keep talking. What I have learned is I just can't tell my dad anything. I love my dad, but he does like to talk. I don't see a lot of outrage about Tom Brady's father being involved in his, you know, public persona. There are certain things I don't. There are certain things I can't tell my wife because I know she'll want to, she'll pry and I just don't want it.

So I just hide my, and it's all professional. Personal, I'll tell her anything. But professionally, sometimes. I mean, everybody in your life, you know, you know, you know, Once you know people, then you know how you have to deal with them. Like, you know, when I first started at the network, my mom was reading Facebook comments. I came home one time. She freaked out.

And she was like, you know, she always kind of casually brings things up. You know, I don't, you know, I really didn't like what they were saying on Facebook. I said, let me stop you there. New rule. No reading of the comments. They're reading of the comments. Don't get in the mentions. Don't read my Instagram comments.

Save yourself with trouble. It's 98% stuff you're not going to like. The worst word I ever gave my mom was Google. Oh, my God. She was just like, you know, I see what they say. And I'm like, Mom, I don't know any of them. Yeah, I mean, she was really good about it when Jason was playing. But social media wasn't what it is now when my brother was playing.

So, yeah, it was different. But, you know, like parents, we want to talk about their kids. Of course. So the Ravens clinched the top seed throughout the AFC playoff Sunday and we'll essentially treat week 17 as another buy. Baltimore will rest a handful of stars for the last game, including Lamar Jackson, Mark Ingram, and Earl Thomas. RG3 will make the start for Baltimore against Duck Hodges in the rivalry game

as Pittsburgh tries to jump back into the sixth playoff spot in the AFC. Mason Rudolph is on the IR and obviously Mark Ingram is also banged up. So it makes a lot of sense for, I mean, obviously, Duck Hodges is going to start if Mason Rudolph is on the IR, but it makes a lot of sense for Mark Ingram to sit. Yeah. It doesn't make any sense for them to play Lamar Jackson. and Earl Thomas and risk them getting injured.

It doesn't affect your season. Belichick's always been a guy that he just plays his dudes. But if I had, I think Baltimore, yeah, I like Baltimore resting dudes. I do. I get it wanting to, so there's two ways to look at it, obviously. You can look at it as, okay, you're giving them an extra week off and they could get out of rhythm. Yes, especially with the young team.

You know, like, yeah, just mentally check out a little bit. They haven't all been there before together collectively. so there is a risk of that, I suppose. But to me, if you, you know, level that up against the risk of one of those players getting hurt going into the playoffs, it's not worth it for me. The Steelers are two and a half point favorites, according to Fox Bet. They get the sixth seed with a win against the Ravens and a Titans loss to the Texans. So Pittsburgh's still very much alive.

This is the news for Pittsburgh. Tennessee feels more like a playoff team than Pittsburgh. They do because things keep happening to Pittsburgh. Yeah. But they could still very well. get in. So finally, speaking of family, Kauai Leonard's Uncle Dennis Robinson reportedly had a list of requirements necessary

for Kauai to sign with the Lakers during free agency. Sam Amick reported that Uncle Dennis asked for partial ownership of the team, access to a private plane at all times, I hear you, I hear you uncle Dennis, a house and a guaranteed amount of endorsement money to join the Lakers. All these things would violate the CBA and the Lakers denied all the requests.

The NBA investigated, but did not find any evidence that the Clippers provided any of these benefits. We talked a little bit about this earlier. Obviously, this is a story coming from the Lakers. What's the point of this story? Well, it did to... I mean, it's obviously very salacious and interesting. And, of course, you know, people are going to make fun that, you know, he's asking for these...

I've asked for stuff in my contract knowing... Listen, the worst I'm going to say is no. Yeah. Like, I've asked for stuff. And with an understanding, I'm not going to get it. But I asked for it thinking, well, if I ask for that and get it in your face, no. maybe they'll budge on something else. It's all strategy.

Yes. I mean, I didn't ask for a house in my contract, but yes, if you, it's, it's kind of why, like, the rumors about what Dak Prescott's numbers were. Oh, 40 million. It's like, yes. Listen, I asked. You don't, you don't come in with a low number for yourself. Like, start high and then negotiate down.

That's how all these negotiations were. I asked for a Monday back rub from Joe Buck twice in my negotiations and was turned down both times. They said no to that? No to it. No, I mean, look, Uncle Dennis doesn't even represent Kauai. He's not his actual agents. That's right. He just kind of speaks for him.

Yeah. It's his family. Sure. If he trusts him, who cares? People get all crazy anytime family gets involved in certain situations, obviously. Yeah. But that's more of a reflection of when family is taking advantage of people. But guess what?

That's none of your business either. Like how people want to operate their careers. And at this point, Kauai Leonard is obviously very capable. The decisions he's made is landed him in a pretty good position. So I think it's a good position. So I think it's all going to be okay. I, too, would like a plane, though, while we're asking. Yeah, that'd be great, wouldn't you?

Like, at any moment. I'd even take a crop duster. I'd take, I'd take just a rickety old. I'd take a herd helicopter for the holidays. I would love a herd helicopter. Heard helicopter for the holidays. That's a new special. We'll sell that.

Joy with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The herd line news. Peter King's coming up. My thoughts on Baker Mayfield. Baker got a little pushback because after the loss to Baltimore, he was asked about the future of Freddie Kitchens, the much malign coat.

Cleveland says they're going to extend his contract. I don't believe it. I think there's a lot of outs. The helmet thing, the T-shirt thing, situationally. It's probably John Dorsey's had multiple opportunities to go, listen, we tried, it failed, my bad. But Baker didn't, you know, rush up to support him. Here's the quote, you can make your own judgment on it. I mean, that's not my decision to make.

So whatever happens happens moving forward. Anytime it's, you have a head coach and, you know, you have a losing record. That's the first person everybody points to, but it goes to many more things than just Freddie. Okay. It doesn't bother me. It really doesn't. I don't. You know, it could be a little more embracing, but, you know, Freddie Kitchens has dug his own grave a couple times this year.

So it's not, it's not Baker's job to save the coach. The coach has put himself in harm's way with kind of silly decisions. And I don't. I think Freddie Kitchens could become a good head coach. I don't think he's there yet. And I think John Dorsey is hoping if he gave him another year he would grow into it. That's certainly possible. That happens to millions of Americans.

Baker Mayfield took a shot at me yesterday. Kind of responded to me on Instagram, I think it was, or Twitter. I didn't respond because I have no interest going back and forth with athletes. I have opinions. They have opinions on my opinions. But I will say this. I've always been very consistent. Anybody that's listened to me for 20 years,

all the way back to the Portland days. I've been very consistent when it comes to quarterback. It all starts with maturity and temperament and quarterback DNA. It's not about your arm. It's not about your size. Do you have the temperament? There's four quarterbacks I was just out on. Out on.

Cam felt too distracted. Johnny Manzellan Baker, immaturity issues. James Winston, likewise. Jay Culler was close, but I thought he was such a unique arm talent that I gave him a shot and then turned on him. But in the end, people feel it's personal because I talk about their personality traits, so it feels personal.

But for me, I make decisions almost always in college on quarterbacks. And they've got, it's not about their arm and their size. The first thing I look at are the traits. You know who I like. You ever notice who I like? It's always the same temperament. It's not the same size. It's not the same arm.

It's not the same athletic ability. DeShon Watton. is the opposite of Drew Brees. I love them both. Russell Wilson doesn't feel anything like Andrew Luck. I love them both. Wince, Mahomes, I've never liked the same looking-sized quarterback. But all my guys are kind of quiet, hardworking, chip on the shoulder, humble, little political when they have to be, and great leaders.

So when I pick on Cam, or Baker, or Mansell, or James Winston, It's not about them. It's about traits that I don't think once they've become part of your being at 15 to 18, I don't think you can reboot them and change them. I got nothing against Baker. He's invited on the show anytime he wants. He can come and yell at me. I don't think the last time he came on.

It was fun for both of us. I thought he was funny and he was smart and he was good. I wasn't trying to win the interview. I don't care. I do not care. Checks clear either way. win or lose. Feed the family either way. But I'm going to be tough on Baker and James and Cam and Mansell because they don't pass the franchise quarterback traits that I admire.

From Lamar and Russell and Wentz and Mahomes and Breeze and Brady. Never me aligning on arm-sized strength and athletic ability. I don't care. Tom Brady can't outrun at this point a batty. cage. I don't care. It means nothing to me. But he has that DNA personality deep within him that I think is required to work at this level. All right. Coming up next, Peter King, all sorts of fun with Peter. Big questions to ask. That's coming up. Want to hear something amazing? Discover matches all the cashback you earn at the end of your first year automatically with no limits. Go to discover.com cash backmatch. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd

weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. Three-time sports writer of the year, and our friend, NBCSports.com, the great Peter King via the Coward Global Satellite Network. All right, Peter, I'll start with this. People always want me to give their team credit. And Green Bay is 12 and 3, and they're going to win their division. They're going to play at Lambo.

But good Lord, I watch him. They've got one guy in the perimeter I trust Devante Adams. they've got a young head coach. He's going to have to go and Pete Carroll, Doug Peterson, Sean Payton, Kyle Shanan. I don't know what to make of Green Bay. They didn't even play well last night for most of it.

What do you make of them this morning? I agree with you, Colin. You haven't seen the explosive Packers. The one thing I really, really like about him. And I was visiting with Mike McCarthy a couple of weeks ago, and he was talking with such envy and such admiration about their great running game. And that is what I think that there is to like about them.

If you don't have the explosive passing game, you can still win with a great running game. The Seattle Seahawks proved that, you know, last year with Russell Wilson, and they were on their way to proving it again this year until they all got hurt. So I still think they can win postseason games. They're just going to have to win them a different way.

Three weeks ago, I said I felt Seattle could win the Super Bowl. Now they have cluster injuries at a very crucial position. What do you make of the Marchion Lynch story? Do you buy it? Oh, I buy it. We just have no idea what he has left. And what has he been doing? I mean, what happens if he gets the tar knocked out of him in the first quarter

and he can't play? I don't know. But look, this is the biggest reason. By the way, I'm going to go tangential for only 10 seconds and say this is the biggest reason why I don't think the NFL should ever go to 17 or 18 games. Because there are three or four teams every year. They get ruined in November and December with injuries. You see the Eagles this year. I mean, they're getting used to playing with a bunch of guys you never heard of before.

But now you look at the Seahawks. I mean, why on earth would you add games once you say? see what happens to these teams like this. But look, Marshawn Lynch, it sounds like, is going to have every opportunity in the world to go out and have a classic Marshawn Lynch game. Because at this point, the Seahawks just might have no choice. You know, a team that I am, every time I see them on TV, they're fascinating. They have been in more good games, the 49ers, than any team in the league this year. Even when they beat Arizona twice, they're fascinating to watch. I think the Emmanuel Sanders acquisition was very smart.

George Kettle is gronk but faster, Travis Kelsey, but a better blocker. They have all the components. And I'll tell you some. I said this this morning. They have so many components, Shanahan the D-Line. I think we're overlooking one of them. And that's Jimmy Garoppolo. Peter, every time they've asked him to carry him, he has.

I think he's better than most people think. What have you made about his growth? Well, here's the thing, Colin. Every time they've asked him, except for one time, and that was the earlier game against the Seahawks, where Jimmy Garapolo, A, did not play well, and B, you questioned at the end of that game, is he going to be good enough, you know, to play in big games and to win really big games. But since then, in the four or five games, since then, where they've had big games, he's had some very, very big moments. So I'm getting really to trust Garoppolo now, and I think that as controversial as signing as he was, I think that one's going to turn out okay for the Niners. Yeah, by the way, that money doesn't look that grand now when you compare the money coming out for everybody else. You know, pro sports, every sport has a team that doesn't even feel like they're part of the sport. The Clippers with Donald Sterling didn't even feel like an NBA team for 20 years.

And Al Davis at the end with the Raiders, you had the NFL, and then you had the Raiders. and they were just different, and you covered them differently. And I do see some similarities between as Al aged and wanted more control, and as Jerry Jones has aged, he wants more control. He doesn't want to give it up. But is it fair to call them soft or parochial or insular? Dan Wetzel wrote an article this morning where he pointed to something I've said, which is they got too many cowboys in the building.

God, if you wore a jersey or an automatic coach, do you feel they're getting to a dysfunctional point? like Al Davis's Raiders the last eight to ten years? I think you're not going to be able to tell that until they change coaches. Because think about it. You know, they've had Jason Garrett through this whole spell. They'll almost certainly change coaches in three weeks. And then let's see what happens.

If it continues, you saw the Raiders, they had 40 coaches, you know, in the last 10 or 15 years with Al. And the Cowboys have not changed coaches. So let's just say for the sake of argument, an established, smart, good, long-term type coach, traditional coach like Mike McCarthy would come in. And I'm not suggesting he should be the guy or anything like that. But I'm saying if they bring in a traditional coach, then let's see how he works in those parameters. But I'm not really bothered by all the great players hanging around the building. You see the same thing.

Gerard Mayo comes back to the Patriots. They got Andre Tippett in the building. They got all the old Patriots. Robert Kraft brings them around all the time, as does Belichick. That stuff doesn't bother me at all. The thing that bothers me is playing so incredibly inconsistently. And the next coach of that team is going to have to get a consistent, particularly offensive performance.

Because look, if you look at the Cowboys the last two weeks, You look at them against the Rams, and they look like a team that's going to beat anybody on the planet. You look at them this past week where Dak Prescott is incredibly inaccurate, doesn't play well at all. And you just wonder, what can we rely on? And that's why I think with this coaching change, let's see what happens with this coaching change before we say that they're incredibly dysfunctional. All right, Peter King, NBC Sport. By the way, if I said to you gut feeling on who gets it, I guess. Ron Revere and Norv Turner. What's your guess on that? On the Cowboy,

yeah, yeah. I would guess Lincoln Riley or Mike McCarthy. That's, but those are absolute guesses. Those are both guys I think Jerry Jones should interview. All right, Peter King. Good seeing NBCSports.com. Thank you, Peter. All right, Colin. You know, it's interesting. I saw a story this morning where Stephen Jones said, hey, we offered DAC big money. He's going nowhere. We love him. and all I think about when I hear that is so Amari Cooper's leaving. You know, I'll tell you, it's a funny thing. I follow recruiting. Kids are smart.

Over the last seven to eight years, no kids want to be running backs. They want to be quarterbacks and wide receivers. But there's only one quarterback a team. So what you have is all these great athletes in high school football, junior high football. One of them gets to be quarterback. And the other seven, they get to be wide receivers because running backs get beat up. Their careers don't last as long. But here's the downside after about seven, eight, nine, ten years.

of that. We have these fun quarterbacks, and we have a market full of wide receivers. Amari Cooper wants $18 million. Why? The last two drafts, every receiver picked in the first three rounds, has hit virtually

all of them. If you go look at California's top 100 high school football players next year, 22 are receivers. Kids are smart. They figured it out about 10 years ago. Running backs get hurt. they don't last as long and they don't make the money.

And so all the young players at 12, 13, 14 that can choose multiple positions, one of them gets to be quarterback and the rest are moving to the perimeter. The downside for receivers now, the market is flooded with unbelievable receiver talent. Daniel Jeremiah, Bucky Brooks next hour, Daniel's a former scout. He said earlier this year, it's the best wide receiver draft of all time. And so it's going to be interesting. the Cowboys, hey, they got Michael Gallup, they can, Randall Cobb, they can sign him back up,

they've got Zeke the offensive line. If that gets paid, I don't think you can pay to Marie Cooper. And I just wonder on the market now. There is a, I'm telling you, folks, I don't remember a time when I've looked at an NFL draft and seen like eight guys that I thought could start tomorrow in the NFL and be productive. It is a changing.

Could be bad news for Amari Cooper if he wants Big lettuce, the herd. Want more herd? The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week within the IHeart radio app. Search herd to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. 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, Keir Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind.

Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, 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 you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slica Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. What's up guys? This is Clifford Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, the Clivert show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff. Like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker, this linebacker walks up to me. He goes, Hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Time out. Quarterback on office, Blue 42.

Hey, Rep. My mama want you to wave. better. What? Hey, Ms. Parker. Listen to the Cliverts show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano and our podcast Point Game is about defining the odds. Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and Austin Reed.

And finding ways to win no matter what. He's the smartest player to ever play the game. His IQ is at a level that we've never seen before. And he knows without Luca and Austin. Austin Reeves, I got to manipulate the game. We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the playoffs. I think Joker's going to be exhausted this series because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup, he has to really guard guys like Nas Reid.

He has to guard Julius Randall. And then he has to give us everything he gives us on the night-to-night basis on offense. And when IT's friends stop by, like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too. Steve Nash would get that thing. That man, hell get the flying. He run up the court, licking his fingers,

got the ball like after you go through a training camp with that Isaiah you figure it out real quick get your ass up and down the court and you're going to get the ball so listen to point game on the iHeart radio app apple podcast or wherever you get your podcasts ah hour three we're live at l a it's christmas eve this is the hurt wherever you may be and however you may be listening we're on iheart radio fox sports radio and fs one merry early christmas to Everybody, Joy Taylor is joining me, and I was just told that the traffic in L.A. was barren. There wasn't much of it because everybody is officially where they want to be, or at least most people, except our crew. So for all of those people that have to work over the next three or four days, we wish you the luck and happy holidays.

And for those of you who are lucky enough to be off, myself included starting tonight, be with your families. Thank you for tuning in today. You have a lot of choices out there. You can get angry with politics or watch us and just hang out. By the way, in 45, 40 minutes. I am Santa and I will be handing out presents. Bonuses. Well, to NFL players.

So I will be handing out, I'll be Santa at the end of our show today. I probably should have a Santa hat. We can find one of those. We have one ready for it. I'll be Santa and I'll be handing out presents. A lot of NFL players, including Baker. Mayfield needs something. That's very, that's very kind of you.

It's very thoughtful. Very breaker. Very much in the Christmas spirit. So I will be sent in 45 minutes. Bucky Brooks in 15 minutes. Former NFL scout player, he'll be joining us as well as we are on Christmas Eve. But let's start with, I mean, it was an important game. NFC North.

Kirk Cousins, another disappointing performance on Monday night football. Here it was. Outside of Dak Prescott, most guys don't. come out of college and inherit the best O'line, a great running back, good weapons, best stadium. It's not the way it works. It is all about overcoming in this league. It's not that Kirk

Cousins lost. It's that he had seven first downs at home. It's not that Kirk Cousins lost. It's that they averaged 2.6 yards of play with all those weapons. It's not that Kirk Cousins lost. It's that it was at home against the Soso defense and they got

three first half turnovers handed to him in Green Bay territory. Nobody thinks Kirk Cousins is Patrick Mahomes. He doesn't. He's 6-2-205. He's as big as me. It's not big, doesn't have a cannon arms, not super athletic. We all know the game. Tractors or trailers. He needs to be pulled. He's not a guy that can pull the franchise. But if you're making $28 million a year, three or four times a year, your team doesn't have their top two running backs, your offensive lines getting worked, you need to carry the team. And he can't ever.

And Bears fans and Viking fans. Aaron Rogers makes you very, very touchy about the quarterback situation because you haven't had a quarterback as good as Green Bay in, I don't know, two and a half decades between Farvin Rogers. So Viking fans get very defensive and Bear fans get very defensive about Tribisky or there's a Kirk Cousins. The reason you get defensive and angry is because you know the truth.

You got the better roster. You got the better defense. Even at home, Aaron comes into town and beat you. And Aaron didn't play particularly well. And they turned the ball over three times. It's not, teams don't need even Patrick Mahomes to carry

the team. Carson Wentz. Some of his career, he's been carried by a very good team. last three weeks, the Eagles have said, listen, bro, we're out of players. Can you carry us? And Carson Wentz is like, get on, get on my back. It's all me. Three and O.

Tom Brady this year, no tight end. Productivity, no deep threat. Two rookie wide receivers. Revolving door at left tackle. Lost his Pro Bowl center. Lost Brian Flores on the defensive staff. Tom, can you still win us a division? I got this.

Jimmy Garapolo. The Niners have asked him about three times this year. They said, Jimmy, our defense didn't show up. Can you win in New Orleans? Can you win about three times this year? Can you beat the Rams? Our defense can't stop anybody. And Garapolo three times.

And I don't think Garoppolo is brilliant. But Carson Wentz, Tom Brady, Garapolo. Guys, I got this. This is not a position for trust fund kids. You don't wake up rich. You've got to grind through every NFL season. Dax the exception. Weapons, running back, O line, that is the exception.

Plays in a state without big, ugly weather. Most guys, even the great ones. Drew Brees, by the way, there are times that he can't move the ball. Last couple times they've played Dallas. He didn't carry the team every week. Mahomes doesn't carry him every week. But, you know, I hear this constant, well, Kirk doesn't have this, I'm not interested in the problems. I'm simply looking for solutions

with quarterbacks. And we're not asking Kirk to carry the team. We're not. We're just saying three or four times a year, could you make a play? And he can't again. So you're always telling me what Kirk Cousins doesn't have. Here's what he doesn't have. A win on Monday night. Ever. He's 0 and 9. That's what he doesn't have. And when you make 28 million, on those nights you don't have everything, you are the difference. We're going to lean on you to be the difference. And I think Kirk's a nice guy, but there's no reason to get defensive. There's no reason to make excuses.

Aaron Rogers didn't have a perfect night. Garoppolo this year, Brady this year, Carson Wentz this year, Patrick Mahomes has been playing on one foot in October, November. But if you make 28 mil, you got to occasionally carry the team. it's not asking much with that coach and that defense. All right, let's go to Green Bay because we need to give them credit, right? I always feel like Visa and MasterCard after the Packers when I have to give them credit. So here's basically what my eyes are telling me.

They're okay. Congrats, you're 12 and 3 and 1 the division. First, my eyes tell me things. Green Bay basically has one perimeter weapon, Devante Adams. Nothing after that. Their offense is basically Devante Adams make a play or hand it to Aaron Jones. They're both spectacular

and that is it. Belichick would love to face these guys. Brackett Devonnie Adams crowd the box take away Aaron Jones. They don't have a third punch. Defensively, they're 13th in sacks, 18th in total defense. Offensively, they're 16th in yards per play. 22nd and third down conversions.

17th in second half scoring. 21st in total defense. I don't know what to say. Congrats on winning the division at 12 and 3 and getting a buy and playing at home and potentially getting a number one seed. Congratulations. But my eyes tell me one thing and stats tell me another. I got a young coach who I think is going to be the second best coach in any NFC playoff game to Doug Peterson,

to Pete Carroll, to Sean Payton, to Kyle. Shanahan, or if they had to play the Vikings again, to Mike Zimmer. And next time they'll have their star running back to Alvin Cook. My eyes tell me Green Bay is good enough to win the NFC North at 12 and 3, but I see a completely limited team. They take the ball away and they don't give it back. They've got a New England feel. They've got very limited playmakers, but they don't give you many free touchdowns.

And they do take the ball away, top 10 in the league. So there's that. And the other thing is Aaron Rogers, snippy and petty, seems to be happy this year. Back on top of the north after a couple of years being down. Feels great to win in the stadium. You know, where a couple years ago I was jeered, leaving the field after breaking my collarbone.

Feels pretty good. They're just boxing. I think you need to check to win the Super Bowl. One of them is head coach. I think they'll have one of the weakest head coaches in football. Another one is playmakers. Not a lot of them. The other one is quarterback.

Okay, they check that. Opportunistic defense, if not great. They kind of check that. They'll play at home. They do check that. But boy, when I look at the numbers that matter offensively and defensively in the coach, and they don't throw the ball, by the way, down the field well, that's with Aaron Rogers. One receiver, one back I like, they won.

Congrats, 12 and 3. You're at home. It's lining up. I just do not. This feels very Green Bay over the last 20 years. They'll play a playoff game at Lambo. They'll win a playoff game at Lambo. They're just not special enough to get to the next level.

Even if they played Minnesota again in Lambo, Delvin Cook's back, I'd take Minnesota. I really would. I would take Minnesota. All right, Santa Colin will appear in 30 minutes, 35 minutes. Santa Colin giving out NFL gifts. Bucky Brooks around the corner here on a Tuesday, Christmas Eve, pour a hot time. Sit down. You're not driving today. Enjoy the next 40 minutes as we hand nice stuff out. How many guys out there have been using their wife for the girlfriend shampoo?

Guys, your hair is different. Do it a favor. Stop. Go to Walmart and get Dove men plus care. Created, resilient, strong for your hair. Dove men plus care. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHeart Radio app. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests.

I'm talking, 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, our heart radio app. Search learn the hard way and listen now. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying,

and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athletes themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions,

the stuff nobody gets to hear. 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 Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok.

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

He goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Quarterback on office blue with 42. Hey, rep, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Where's she at? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clippers show on the I-Hart Reefat.

Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. American Soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming. Ramos sending on the Army Stewart. I'm Taude Ramos. I'm Tom Boe. On our podcast, inside American soccer, you'll get the real storylines. I'm not worried about Policic.

I'm not worried about Balagan. I'm not worried about McKinney. My only concern is what happens in the back. The biggest decisions. You're going to look at stats and numbers. He has no shot at making this World Cup team. And the truth about the U.S. national team. It wouldn't be a huge surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals

or potentially a great run into the semifinals. The World Cup is almost here. Experience it all with us. Listen, inside American soccer with Tom Bogart and Tab Ramos on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcast. By the way, here's what's amazing. Discover matches all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year. automatically no limit discover.com slash

cashback match. It's Christmas Eve, Christmas Day tomorrow, Bucky Brooks, NFL player, NFL scout, help build the Panthers roster and the Seahawks. Now an NFL analyst for NFL Network and us writes great articles, high school football coach, all that stuff. So I hear

you and I mostly align on people. Mostly. Mostly. But we don't on Jimmy G. You're not in on it. Not all the way in, no, not yet. I think the playoffs will allow us to really see who Jimmy G is. And I know, man, it's easy to get caught up in the fact that he had game winning drives against the Saints, the game winning touchdown,

the throw that he had against the Rams. I mean, look, it's nice. Like, look. 216, big plays. Big, big plays. We had a blown coverage. Taylor Rap went too far out and two men. But look, give him credit, he made the throws. Those are things that you want to see. But what we're going to see in the postseason, he is going to have to win these shootouts against Aaron Rogers, Drew Breeze, Russell Wilson. He got better players, though. If you're better players than all those guys? I don't like Green Bay or Seattle.

I like outside of Devante Adams. No, no, I understand that part of it. However, in the postseason, the experience really matters when it comes to the quarterback. And the experience that Aaron Rogers and Drew Breeze and Russell Wilson have collectively, and Jimmy G, it would be his first major playoff series where he's having to play with the new team. And he's going to have to maybe be the guy. Is he ready to handle all of that stuff?

I mean, that's a lot. If I said to you Jimmy G or Dak, who you like more? I mean. Really? Because, I mean, like now, I mean, I have to say Jimmy G because you get the coaching staff. Like, if we were just talking about individual players and I would lean towards that.

You don't think Jimmy G is more talented than Dak. I mean, he should be more talented. He was drafted before, right? All right, Carson Wentz or Jimmy G? I would take Carson Wins. So would I. I'll take Carson Wins. All right, let's just play the Jimmy G game.

Matt Ryan, Jimmy G. Matt Ryan. Close. Oh. Derek Carr, Jimmy G. I would take Jimmy G. I would take Jimmy G. A couple more.

Hold on. Kyler Murray, Jimmy G. Calder Murray is really good. I know he is. He's really good. I would say Jimmy G., but Caller Murray with a bullet. Jimmy G. or Jared Gough? That's almost like a push to me.

Well, one's been to a Super Bowl. How about Jimmy G or Kirk Cousins? Oh, Jimmy G. I'll take Jimmy G. I like Jimmy G. I like him. He still just has to prove that he is going to be the guy. Like for the 49ers to me, when I'm looking at them and their Super Bowl prospects,

he is the weakest link. Time out. He's the weakest link? On their team? For sure. He's the weakest link. He's the only thing that you would question whether they can get over the top. That's secondary?

No, no, I'm fine with the defense. The defense, because the past. Rush can mask the issues that they have in the back and if they have any. The run game is rock solid. They got perimeter playmakers. The Emmanuel Sanders deal was outstanding. A great deal. Coupling him with George Kittles.

Look, it's perfect. The only question that you have is, how is Jimmy G. going to handle the big stage? So, yes, he's the weakest link. Wow. If that's the weakest link, just give them the trophy. I mean, you can feel good about it. You can feel good about it.

If Jimmy G's the weakest link on that team. Look, they're well constructed. They're well built. He is ultimately, if you are a team, and so the way defensive coordinators will come in and how are you going to defense to San Francisco 49ers, who do we have to take away? George Kittle.

We got to take away George Kittle. We got to stop the running game. And we want to put it on Jimmy G's shoulders because he has shown a propensity to throw interceptions. So. Not that. Yeah. Not that many.

Turnovers. Big's deciding. factor in games. You want to put it on his shoulders because the more he throws, the more likely he's going to throw it to the other team. So, you know, you came up, reacquaint our audience with your theory on quarterback's tractor trailer. Look, tractors are trailers, trucks and trailers, how you want to call it. Well, you were a scout. This is how you described quarterback. This is how we did it. And Daniel Jeremiah, my podcast partner, I moved the sticks. We talked about it. So if you're a truck, you carry the squad.

You are carrying everything. Carson Wentz to last month. Carson Wentz, Tom Brady forever had been that guy. If you're a trailer, you need a squad to carry you. You are a guy that has to have everything around, the perfect environment, the right stuff. I'm getting to the point. I don't think there's a lot of trucks in this league. No.

And about five. Who's a truck? I would say Russell Wilson is. I would still say to Aaron Rogers. is Drew Breeze to a point even though he's come down he needs a supporting cast more.

I don't think Tom Brady is. Mahomes? Mahomes is absolutely. Okay. Carson Wentz? Yeah, Carson Wentz. I think this is a thing. Carson Wentz this weekend, the Sunday game against the Cowboys. I think that was kind of like a coming out party in terms of

him joining the ranks of the trucks. What he was able to do with, I mean, like, look, every play it seemed like someone was going to the sideline. He was able to continue to do it. And I will say, it was a, It was the biggest game of his career. There was a lot of pressure on him.

Did you not? You sound like an Eagle fan. I know you were at the bar with Eagle fans, but you're starting to sound like one. So going into that game, you were sitting like, I could go either way on him. Absolutely. What? He did it. What was the signature win?

He was MVP. No, he didn't win it. We talked about it. We talk about him. He was going to win. Do I have to win Sportscaster of the year every year? Yes. Yes.

I need to see the Emmys and all that other stuff behind you so I can. so I can confirm you. But he hadn't won it. So they won the Super Bowl with Nick Foles. And so we needed to see him play in a big game and demonstrate that he was ready. This was the first big signature win that he's had. Oh, Lordy.

What's the other signature win? So you don't like Jimmy G. or Wentz until Sunday. I like him both. I like them both. I like them both to a point. Man. I like them both.

But Carson Wentz had to do it. So now the bigger thing is, can he do it this weekend? Can you follow it up? Philadelphia. can only, Bucky, they can only win one way. Zach Ertz isn't going to play. They'll win 17-16. The Eagles can win one way for the rest of the way until they get their guys back.

I mean, and even when they get their guys back, I don't know, I don't know how great their guys are. Like, Al-Shaw and Jeffrey won't come back. Nelson Aguilar is... There's something. Like, they have something, but the fact that he's been able to do it with a bunch of tight-ins, Greg Ward and Miles Sanders, that's a

testament to him. I give him credit. The last half of the season. He has played really well. But early in the year, he was just... Since his rookie year, Carson Wentz, 80 touchdowns, 21 picks. That's nice. Very efficient. But you know, that's what... Efficient!

You know, that's the expectation when you're the number two pick overall, right? When you're the second overall pick, you're supposed to be one of those guys, right? So you're holding it against him? No, I'm not holding against it, but that's the standard. Like, Andrew Luck came in as the number one overall pick and he played like it. You are hard to please. Yes. But that's the expectation. That's the expectation, which takes us to like the Baker thing.

Okay, so if Carson Wentz is drafted number two, and the expectation is he's able to carry everyone along, well, with Baker Mayfield, that's the expectation. Like, the expectation is when I take you number one, and I say that you're the best player in the draft, you expect phenomenal things. Like, that's the whole point, because if not, why expend the number one overall pick on that guy? No, you and I both agreed. I wouldn't have drafted Baker number one. I think he's an NFL franchise quarterback.

I just don't think he's that. He doesn't have the arm, the size, the, I just don't see it. Like to me, you know, and look, see, like, so why our conversations can matter because you've been around, you understand the scouting business, you understand, you're grading people on an ideal. The ideal is when I take someone number one overall, this is a transcendent talent. This is a generational player. It's the difference between a model and a supermodel.

There's a million models on Instagram. They're all beautiful people. and then Giselle Bunchen walks in and you're like, okay, that's a super model. Like Tyra Banks or Naomi Campbell. Okay, that's a super model. That's a top five pick to me. Yes.

You don't even look. I mean, honestly, when I saw Calvin Johnson in person, I was like, you don't even look like a receiver. Right. But see, and that's like as we flip the calendar and get to the 2020 draft, keep that in mind. Okay. Because that's the ideal that you want to have when you're picking somebody.

All right. Hopefully Joy is listening to this segment. here's my thing on Joe Burrow. Okay. Where's the special? Yeah. So here's what I'll say about Joe Burrow. And I really like Joe Burrow a light.

I think a lot. I think he's going to be a really good prospect. However, when we're talking about like that sacred ground of being number one overall, like you would like them to check off boxes in certain categories. And so when I look at Joe Burrow, what I can say is this year he's been outstanding. Yes. Tor it up. No question.

The one thing that I worry about is from one year to the next, he went from a 57% completion rate to a 77% completion rate. His touchdown production jumped 300% in one year. And the only thing that we can point to is, like, people say, oh, he had more experience, but Joe Brady comes in and helps with the passing game. So now I wonder which Joe Burrow is going to show up at the NFL facility, the one that we saw in 2019 or the one that we saw in 2018? 18. And so it's just a concern. I'm not saying he's not worthy, but it's one of the things that over the next three or four months we have to look at, which is why this weekend is as important for him as anything that he's done this year. How he plays against Oklahoma and how he plays the next game, potentially against Clemson and Ohio State, he will be judged on those performances. By the way, he should be.

Yes. Listen, you do get judged in life on certain moments. And the reality is, I'm not going to judge Tua against Kentucky. No. I'm going to judge them against Georgia and Auburn. And again, I, listen, if Joe Burrell wins this thing, and I think Clemson's going to, I think Clemson's the best team in the country, Ohio State's two, LSU's three, actually. And I think Oklahoma will make it uncomfortable. And I, listen, I could be totally wrong on this stuff.

But boy, when Chase Young looks like a top five pick. Oh, yeah. That is a top five pick. That's what it's supposed to look like. That wide receiver, Alabama receiver. Yes. I like Jerry Judy a lot, but Chase Young is what it's supposed to look like. Having been in Carolina and watched Julius Peppers every day, that's how they're supposed to look.

When you take someone number one and number two, when they walk in the building, you're like, yep, he looks. That's what they're supposed to look like. That's right. So Chase Young looks like that. So for me, with Joe Burrow, I just need more convincing that he is the best player in this draft. Okay, so I think it's fair. This is going to be a great test. rocks it against Oklahoma and then beats an Ohio State, maybe I changed my mind.

I'm always flexible on this stuff. Yeah, and it has to be like that. And look, also, I'll say, like, for disclosure, having worked around the Elite 11 camp and having seen the guys or whatever, like, I think the thing is a little different because now there's so much access to the recruiting sites and everything that typically you hear about these guys that are star players, you hear about them when they're 16, 17, 18. You didn't with Burrell. Right.

And so, like with Tua, we heard about it. So I'm just saying, and I'm not saying that everybody is right. That's right. But typically when guys are generational talents, by the way, these two kids in L.A. this year, Bryce Young and the kid going to Clemson? Yeah. We've been talking about them for three years. Trevor Lawrence, I saw him as a junior high school.

Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields, same thing. You heard about them. They were one and two. They battled the whole time. And I'm not saying that Joe Burrow can't be number one overall and not come from a being a three you're a four-star to rise up to that. I'm just saying, based on his last year, because it was so remarkable, I would have to go back and look at the previous years,

and I would just want to know, well, why? Why to take so long for him to pop? What was the things that impacted his game going from good to great that final season in LSU? Is it him or is it the system? And if it's the system, I just want to know, can we replicate it if he goes to an NFL city? Can someone take what he did at LSU

and put him in a situation where he can do the same stuff? You know what we should do, by the way, Merry Christmas to all your fam. What we should do, you know, when the NFL season ends, you know, we've never done this before. We could hold, you and I could come on, you could bring Daniel Jeremiah over. And then I'll say I could take joy, and we're drafting against you. And I want to do a top 10 NFL draft and we'll throw all sorts of curveballs in it. Oh, you like to throw curveballs and mock drafts and all that. I'm a surfer.

I'm on my surfboard always waiting for the crazy wave. Bucky Brooks, good seeing you. Nice. All right, Joy. I'm doing Santa in 15 minutes, 12 minutes. Santa. I'm handing out gifts to NFL teams. Joy with the news.

No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. I'm going to really enjoy being right about Joe Burrow. She loves Joe Burrow. Just loves Joe Burrow. I do. I do, and I'm going to enjoy being right about him. I was right about the Packers, too, at least in this game.

Aaron Rogers and the Packers clinched the NFC North last night with the 23-10. and went over the Vikings. Packers' offense didn't look great up until their first touchdown at the end of the third quarter, but Aaron Rogers thinks that's just fine as long as they come out on top. There's a lot of emphasis on looking pretty or, you know, dominating in a way that befits your explanation. But, you know, that tonight was a really good performance for us. Be back on top of the north after a couple years being down. It feels great to win in the stadium.

You know, where a couple years ago I was jeered, leaving the field after breaking my collarbone, feels pretty good. You know, I will say this. You start looking around at that division, and there are times I don't love Aaron Rogers, but he feels like he should win that division. That feels like Aaron should be. Patrick Mahom should be winning his. Drew should be winning his.

Tom should be winning his. I mean, this feels like Aaron should be able to carry a roster not quite as good as Minnesota. That is the point of Aaron Rogers, right? That's what we define greatness as is what we're talking about, Carson Wentz. And I don't think that the Packers, I think the Packers roster is better than the Eagles, so he's not carrying as much. I think they have a very good defense this year. Now, is it, you know, the top defenses in the league?

We don't have conversations about them like that. But the Packers are a great team. They are a great team. You don't get to that record by accident. Great. Everyone was talking about the Vikings roster. All year long, all I've heard about is this Vikings roster. And I understand they didn't have Dalvin Cook.

That does make a difference, obviously. But it's still Aaron Rogers. And even when he, like he said, when they're not spectacular, they still get the win. And that's the only column I'm concerned about. All right. I make, there's a lot of columns I like. They're not, they don't look very dynamic to me.

The only one is, is the W. That's the one that matters. at this point in the season. I understand what we're trying to follow and the trends. I get what you're saying. They are not a flashy. If you take Devante Adams out,

if you bracket him or who do they throw to? I mean, they don't. They don't throw the ball down the field. I just don't think that's their team. I think it's a running team. All right, we'll see. They're not, they don't have the feeling of rough and tough packers.

They're not physical. They don't feel like that. But they win. They've been a lot of good teams, whatever. Jason Garrett is. been on the hot seat and the loss of the Eagles Sunday obviously only amped up that conversation. Jerry Jones has supported Garrett throughout the season, but now he says he might be more open to making a change. He said, I haven't really been thinking about that aspect of the Cowboys

over this last month. I know it's a topic that hasn't been a focus. It's not hard for me to go into two areas regarding coaching, whether it be coordinators, position coaches, or for that matter, head coaches. Generally, my radar is turned on. It's not hard for me to get into thinking about coaching. It's a little all over the place there. But, but, But I do like that no matter what happened this year that he didn't let go of Jason Garrett in the middle of the season. No, no, no. He's not, you know, Jerry is not impulsive. No.

That's not really his thing. He's not an impulsive guy. He thinks about stuff. And what would that solve anyway? No, I'm not a big fan of impulsive owners. There's most of them are, like George Steinbrenner was a legend, but he was, you know, if he was in a bad mood after a double play gone wrong, he'd fire people. I'm not a big fan of that. It just doesn't solve anything this season.

So obviously the Cowboys can still win the division if they beat the Redskins. the Eagles lose to the Giants, so they're still alive, even though that loss was obviously dramatic. I think everyone's a little bit overreacting to it, but it just feels like that was the loss that was going to define this Cowboys season. Well, they are mathematically alive, so you can't fire anybody yet. No, no, no. They beat the Redskins and the Eagles lose to the Giants, and they win the division. But look, it's been a disappointing season for the Cowboys, and there's probably going to be some changes next year. Finally, Marshall Lynch is back with the Seahawks after the team lost three running backs, the season-ending injuries.

But even before he signed with the team, he was talking about making an NFL comeback. He posted a video to Beast Mode Productions YouTube channel. Lynch discussed a potential return to the league and to Seattle. Entertaining the idea of maybe going back to go and play for Seattle for this playoff run. But, I mean, you know, a few things got to fall in order for some stuff to happen. but, you know, if it do, and I mean, that's great. And I'm excited for the opportunity.

We got history there, and we got unfinished business. Obviously, it's devastating to lose three running backs. Boy, they love it. To season any injuries. But they love him in Seattle, I'll tell you that. I don't run into a lot of people that aren't Marshaun Lynch fans. He happens to be one of my favorite all-time players. But I also think that it's going to be cool to see him.

in that uniform again. And obviously, you know, he's talking about unfinished business. We all know what happens in the Super Bowl. And, you know, there's, that's going to be a conversation for the rest of time. But it's, it's kind of the best case scenario for Seattle because they are a running team. They lost three running backs for the season. And now they're able to bring in Marshawn Lynch. She doesn't have to go through the adjustment period at this point in the season of a new system, a new facility, a new coach. He obviously has the relationship with, with Russell. So the bigger question will be him physically as long and you know he's there so obviously he passed the physical you know there's a little bit of football shape questions but it's the end of the season so it's not like they're signing in week two

they just have to get through the next couple weeks yeah joy with the news well that's the news and thanks for stopping by the herd line news well i mean this is the time to give presence and uh Santa colin there's a lot of people in the NFL i'd like to give something out to and i think there's a lot of very needy NFL stars and they need things and I will give things out, including Baker Mayfield. That will be coming up next. We are live in Los Angeles. Best for Last. What am I giving out for Christmas? Ho, ho, ho. Next. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. Well, it's our best for last. I am a very giving person, especially to troubled NFL stars who just need a little something here on Christmas Eve and Christmas

to make the Yuletide spirit feel more grand. And so Joy Taylor will join Uncle Colin here, Santa Colin, as we give away presents, a good dozen presents as we move into Christmas tomorrow. Okay. Uncle Colin. Ho, ho, ho. What gift would you give to Tom Brady? Well, I've given this great thought. Uncle Colin is going to give Tom Brady jet packs for Christmas, which in turn he can give to his wide receivers,

who in turn can get separation. His wide receivers ranked 20th by Pro Football Focus. They haven't scored 25 plus points just once since October. They need some jet propulsion in that receiving core. I think that'll pass the uniform codes. standards, yeah. Uncle Colin, what gift would you give to Sam Darnold? Oh, I love me some Sam Darnold. You do. I really do USC to the New York Jets. Instead of just a pair of tackles, how about an entire offensive line?

He is six and two when he gets sacked two or fewer times. Of course, that rarely happens. Their offensive line is 30th in run blocking and 27th in pass blocking. for Sam Darnold. It is a draft full of excellent tackles. Get him five. It's an expensive gift. Uncle Colin, what gift would you give Brian Flores? Oh, great admiration for Brian Flores.

Got handed nothing. He made chicken salad out of, you know. How about Tua, the Alabama quarterback? We're going to give a good medical report and Tua. They've got three picks to go four and four down the stretch with a tanking. roster, he has earned the most special gift any young coach could have the next Russell Wilson. Oh, that's very high praise. Uncle Colin, what gift would you give to Lamar Jackson?

Oh, he has given us so much. He has. How about a trophy case? He's going to win MVP, offensive player of the year, the Super Bowl, and maybe he already won the Heisman, the young man. Where is he going to store all these gifts? It's a very useful gift. Very thoughtful. Uncle Colin, what gift would you give to OBJ? You know, I've given this great thought. How about Southwest Airline gift cards?

Love that. Their slogan is, want to get away? And he told people, come get me. He's having his worst season. He has one playoff game in six years. Paris, New York, Cleveland, House in Hollywood, Southwest gift. travel card. Yeah, he would use that for sure. Uncle Colin, what gift would you give to Andy Reed? I, you know, Andy and I have knocked down a few. Yeah, good friends. We are good friends. We enjoy a lot of

fun together. And he has the most wins in the Super Bowl era without a Super Bowl. Even Doug Peterson and John Harbaugh from his coaching Christmas tree. have them. Andy Reed gets a Super Bowl trophy. Chief Super Bowl? Oh, ho. Look, there's my friend. He's so excited for a Super Bowl trophy. Who wouldn't be?

Uncle God. What gift would you give to Carson Wentz? Oh. Very fond of this young man. Very. How about a back brace for carrying the Philadelphia Eagles for a

month? This guy throwing to deck chairs and lawn furniture, last three games, 71% completion percentage, 105 pass-a-rating, and no picks, a back brace for all the strain from carrying Greg Ward. It's very thoughtful. What gift would you give to Aaron Rogers, Uncle Colin? Now, he has often been a very spoiled child, but Santa is very forgiving and not judgmental.

At all. At all. I'm giving Aaron a 49er loss to Seattle. That would allow him to be a number one seed, play at home around his Packer family. They are seven and one at home this year. Pretty good. Best home record in the NFL. You know, he's been a little chirpy.

It can be a little petty. I think you'd appreciate that guest a lot. Santa is never judged. on Christmas. What gift would you give to George Kittle? Oh, he is fun. He is fun. A lot of fun.

How about a championship belt? Rock follows him on Instagram. He's called the People's Tide End. Rock is called the People's Champ. He has added great flair. Just when Gronk retired, we needed the millennial version of Gronk, and we got it.

He has a flare for wrestling. I think he would appreciate this from Santa. That's a very thoughtful gift. From Iowa to Silicon Valley, he's going to have many riches going forward. What gift would you give to Russell Wilson, Uncle Colin? Well, I have been a great fan. His college coach said you're not good enough.

He went to Wisconsin. And the NFL said you're not good enough. You're going to go to the third round. so I am going to give him a gift that's probably the most expensive gift ever given by Santa a time machine and I'm going to take him back to September

maybe even October when he had Chris Carson Duane Brown Jedavian Clowny Quondre Diggs Rashad Penny all healthy I'm going to take him back in time and they'll be healthy because as much admiration as I have

the fondness I have for Russell Wilson, he's pretty much screwed for the next week. Well, I think that's probably the most expensive. The second most is the offensive line. That's a very expensive gift. Yeah, offensive lines are costly. Very expensive. All right.

Finally. Finally. What gift would you give to Baker Mayfield? He has been naughty. He had a video and law enforcement. Notty. He grabbed his junk. Nottie.

I've grabbed a reindeer. or two from time to time, no junk. Only when the reindeer needed to be scolded. I've grabbed Mrs. Claus, but let's not get into it. But I thought about giving Baker Mayfield coal.

But instead, I'm going to give him a mentor. A strong presence in his life. Like Tony Robbins. You didn't give him Tony Robbins? I'm going to give him Tony Robbins. To find the power within, Joy, Taylor. I thought you're going to say, Mike

Somebody to take the greatness within, the power within, and show him the enlightened way to a very Merry Christmas. These were, it's the worst imitation of Santa of all time. I didn't think it was terrible. Those are thoughtful gifts, though. And a happy New Year. Oh, that's next week. Yes, there you go. Speak for yourselves around the corner.

We should give you our, we do it every Tuesday, our herd hierarchy. And so I do think we've gotten into a point here where, you know, I said it earlier, I think that, here we go to the Santa Hap. I think by this time, I think the Rams and the Bears for a few extra weeks, we kind of sat around, we weren't quite sure, and the Cowboys, we weren't quite sure. I actually think we've gotten to a point where my Super Bowl bubble, I feel like we're going to have 12 teams in the playoffs. and I feel like the 12 teams in the playoffs are in three categories. I think four can win the Super Bowl.

I think San Francisco can win it. I think New Orleans can win it. I think Kansas City can win it. And I think Baltimore can win it. I think two can get really close. I think New England has got all the boxes, but they'll get no cheap touchdowns, and there's kind of one way they have to play.

I think Green Bay is close, but man, I think if you take it, take Devante Adams out, they are limited on big plays down the field in a conference where San Francisco's got nothing but big playmakers. And then I think there are six teams in the playoffs. They've earned it. They're certainly capable of winning a game, but I don't think they have any shot at the playoffs. So if you look at the current playoff teams, Ravens Chiefs, I think, can win it all. Patriots can win more than one game.

And then Texans, bills, Titans are probably one and done. Maybe win a game, certainly not too. NFC, I think 49ers Saints can win it all. Packers will certainly win a game. And then Eagle, Seahawks, Vikings, thanks for playing. You've totally earned it. But I think there's real limitations on having to go on the road and winning back-to-back weeks. Now, Seattle, I've obviously kind of bailed on them.

I love them, you know, seven, eight days ago. you can't lose all those players. I mean, you can't go to Week 16, 17 with Marshawn Lynch as your winning strategy. I think that. So my Super Bowl bubbles basically four teams, Ravens, Chiefs, Niners, Saints, and too close. And by the way, Green Bay and New England, you can get breaks. I think they're good enough to get to the conference championship. But there's a big gap.

There's a Grand Canyon gap between getting to the conference championship and winning the Super Bowl. Yes. Those are the two biggest games of the year. So, you know, Andy Reid's got into a lot of conference championships, won Super Bowl. So that's when I think in New England at Baltimore, I just, I don't think they can do it. I don't think Green Bay can go to San Francisco and win or New Orleans and win. I mean, it's, yeah, I mean, the Jags, it's a great point. John writes it down.

The Jags made the conference championship a few years ago, and so did Case Keenham. There's a huge gap between getting to a conference championship, winning that in the Super Bowl. And I think there's four teams that can do that. you've got to be able to get outcoached and outplayed and win. To win a Super Bowl, you've got to be able to have a bad half, maybe not even a good initial game plan and win. And by the way, if you take Gronk out of last year's Patriots, they don't beat Kansas City or the Rams. I mean, it was Gronk's ability in ugly, choppy games. And nobody expected that at all.

And if you go back, it was maybe an Alshon Jeffrey with Philadelphia where easily knew, England could have won that Super Bowl. So I just don't think the Packers in New England have that dynamic guy that if they get out coached or outplayed, they can win. I mean, last year, people have been telling me all year, you've got to give Minnesota a break. Minnesota got three turnovers at home in Green Bay territory and lost. And at the end, it didn't feel, I mean, it was over. Like, I felt six minutes left.

I'm like, seven minutes left. I'm like, this is a Green Bay's game. All right. For everybody here, Joy Taylor, speak for yourselves around the corner. please be safe, happy holidays. Drive, ski, fly, train, safe. See you next year. 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, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo, and every episode we're cutting

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You're listening to Learn the Hardway with your favorite therapist and host Kier Games. Space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor. It signals to the world that you're not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to. Listen to learn the hard way on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. What's up, guys? This is Cliver Taylor the Fourth.

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Hey, ref, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Hey, Ms. Parker. Listen to the Clifford show on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. This is an IHeart podcast Guaranteed Human