The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Hour 1 - Dude, Where's My Carr?

Episode Date: December 29, 2022

In this hour of The Herd, Joy Taylor (in for Colin) wonders what the Las Vegas Raiders are doing in benching quarterback Derek Carr for the regular season's final two games. In Joy's perspective, Derek Carr isn't the reason why the Raiders are a hugely dysfunctional franchise. Later, MJ Acosta-Ruiz of the NFL Network drops in to share her opinion on Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's brain health concerns, Derek Carr's unceremonious exit from Las Vegas and the wonder of San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy's ascent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes.

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Radio. Welcome to the herd. I matched the set today. I just realized that. Joyne Taylor in for Colin Cowherd, Alex Curry, in for Jason McIntyre. Today, they will be back here on the herd tomorrow. We went for them yesterday as well as we are in the upside down, the inside out, the in-between, whatever you call this week, between Christmas and New Year's. We're happy to be here with you. It's been a really exciting week. There's been a lot that's happened. Yeah, you're getting a nice shot of my blankets. It's a little chilly in the studio. See, I'm the opposite. I'm like, give me the AC. Give me the fans. I am so warm. You run hot. You run hot. I'm so warm. And not complaining because it's, it is beautiful in

Southern California right now and it is quite cold in the rest of the country. But we appreciate you hanging out with us today today here on FS1 and Fox Sports Radio. We'll talk to M.J. Acosta Ruiz, host of NFL Total Access on NFL Network later in this hour. We'll also have Dave Halman, my co-hosts on Speak on FS1 430 p.m. Eastern on FS1 weekdays. We will get into some Cowboys with him as Cowboys fans are getting ready to ride off into the sunset, a long trip through the playoffs to the Super Bowl. We'll see if that's possible. We'll talk to Dave Hellman, who covered the Cowboys for 10 years in Dallas in studio with us. And Mark Sanchez, Fox NFL analyst, of course, former NFL quarterback. There's a lot going on with quarterbacks in the NFL,

particularly Derek Carr, which is where we will get started today here on the herd. So if you hadn't seen the news, Carr is stepping away from the Raiders after being benched for the last two games. They have decided they are going with Jarrett Stidham for the final two games. Now, I realize that the Raiders are essentially eliminated from playoff contention. They are still mathematically alive, but I think it's about a 1% chance that they make the playoffs at this point. but there is a chance. So because they are doing this,

because they are moving away from Derek Carr to Jared Stidham, who has in 11 games in his career, two touchdowns and a 52.5% completion rates, they are trying to pitch us that they're leaning into the young players. They're going to see what's going on with the young guys because the Raiders are a young team now, apparently. I'm not buying any of this. Raiders fans shouldn't buy any of them.

this. And I think it's time we just give the Raiders their due for being as dysfunctional of an organization as we have in the NFL. The Raiders brand is huge. It is historical. The fan base is wildly popular, very famous, have their antics. And it's great. They have a beautiful new stadium in Las Vegas, one of my favorites personally. I am a logistics nerd. So being able to walk across a pedestrian bridge into the stadium and walk out and get an Uber very quickly. I love it. Wonderful experience there at Allegiant in Las Vegas. All that aside, what have the Raiders done that would give you any confidence that they are all

the sudden now moving off of Derek Carr somehow going to get this right? Well, let's see. Let's take a look. Let's take a look at their first round picks, right? A good team that has first round picks should have some of them in the last three years still on the roster, right? Hmm. Clean and Farrell,

Josh Jacobs, fifth year option decline, fifth year option decline, Jonathan Abram, cut, Damon Arnett, cut, Henry Ruggs, cut,

Alex Leatherwood, cut. All right, so no help from the draft. So it should go well if they want to draft a player to replace Derek Carr. Well, Josh McDaniels,

he has a great resume of drafting quarterbacks, right? Who is that guy that he took? Tim Tebow. That inspires confidence. Josh McDaniels himself, what in his resume would make you think that he's capable of turning this around? Well, if he was the offensive coordinator with Tom Brady as the quarterback, I'd feel

great. Even if Tom Brady does come to the Raiders, which if I put my tinfoil hat on, maybe that's what they're up to here. We don't know if Tom Brady's going to retire. I certainly think he is. But even if Tom Brady was to come here, Josh McDaniels isn't the offensive coordinator. He's the head coach. So he still has to fix everything else. like perhaps the defense that's the worst in the league and has the least amount of sacks any defense in the league. Maybe that has something to do with all these halftime leads that they blew. Now look, I am not going to absolve Derek Carr for what happened with the Raiders this season. And by all accounts, they are very disappointing. This entire division has been mostly disappointing.

I mean, the charges are now clinched in the playoffs. So they are progressing. Thank God. with a young emerging star quarterback. They have now gotten everybody healthy. The defense is playing well with the defensive head coach and they're taking a step up. And of course, the chiefs are what the chiefs always are. Broncos disaster. We'll get to them in a moment.

But the Raiders are really disappointing. You brought Devonte Adams here. You have stars on defense. You have some stars on the offensive side of the ball. You have a steady quarterback in Derek Carr. You were in the playoffs last year. What happened? How did it all fall apart?

Am I to believe that this is all Derek Carr's fault, the guy that has held this organization together through everything. I don't have time today. It would bore you for me to list the endless book of things that have happened since he's been there in his tenure with the Raiders. We give Baker Mayfield this everlasting pass for all the coaches that he's had to deal with, all the turmoil that he went through in Cleveland. Der Carr's had six head coaches. Every year he has to reset into something new. I have to I'm not going to give him a pass entirely on how he's played this year. He hasn't been great.

It's been disappointing. I get it. But what am I supposed to believe here, Raiders? You're just punting on the rest of the season. I get it. It's going to be very difficult for you to win these last two games and make the playoffs. It's virtually impossible. But you're saying it is impossible.

We don't care. We just want to move off of Derek Carr. And it's because we want to see the young players. We want to see what they can do. Is it that? Is it that Raiders? Or is it that you owe him $33 million next season if he happens to get hurt in these last two games?

I'm going to guess it's the $33 million. I'm going to guess it's that. If you want to move off of Derrick Carr, fine. Maybe he's not good enough to get you over the edge. But here's what I caution the Raiders, because I have no faith that they're going to do the right thing and turn this around. Take a look at the Washington commanders.

I'm not the biggest fan of Kirk Cousins. I don't think Kirk Cousins is great. He's certainly having a nice season this season. He's certainly proving a lot of doubters wrong this season. He's having a nice year. Nobody really knows how this is going to go for the Vikings, but we know Kirk Cousins is a franchise quarterback. How things look when you leave does matter.

How things go when you leave a place does matter if you're the guy. They've had 11 starting quarterbacks since Kirk Cousins has left. For all that, oh, we don't want to keep franchise tagging him. We don't want to give him a long-term deal. Cool. Well, now you're back to Carson once again as you're trying to make the playoffs after you are moving off of Taylor Heineke. So be careful what you wish for.

When you want to jump on the quarterback carousel, you better have a plan. So if the plan is Tom Brady, I'm interested. I'm interested in watching that. I'll see how that goes because it's Tom Brady, not because it's the Raiders, not because it's Josh McDaniels

or anything else that's going on there. I think it's disrespectful to Derek Carr after everything that he's done. Maybe this is a cutthroat business and I'm being a bleeding heart. But when you've had not a whole lot to cheer about in the last few years and the one guy that's been able to hold this all together through everything that you've thrown at him, your answer is to sit him for the last two games of the

season? I don't know. I think I'm going to stop taking you seriously when you say you have a plan. That's what I'm going to do for the Raiders. And I'm sorry to Raiders fans because they really deserve better. It's a great fan base and maybe they're frustrated with Derrick Carr. Most of the Raiders fans that I've talked to are quite concerned about the future of the organization. And I think that's fair at this point. So staying in time. division. Let's talk about Russell Wilson. So Russell Wilson spoke to the media yesterday. Obviously, Nathaniel Hackett was fired, which was mostly expected. It was a disaster for the Denver Broncos this season, considering the expectations, considering the trade, everything that they had the year before

that was carried over, how the defense has played. It's been a dumpster fire. And Russell Wilson spoke about Nathaniel Hackett's firing yesterday. First of all, you know, obviously, you know, devastated by Coach Hackett because I think he's an amazing man, amazing teacher, amazing father, just watching him with his kids and what he's been on to do and how he's taught the game for us. You know, this season has been a season that we never thought it was going to happen the way it did. The reality is that, you know, I wish I could have played better for him too, you know, is I wish I could have played at the standard and the level that I've played, you know, I've always played at and know how to play at.

So, but what I do know is he's resilient. he's going to be a tremendous coach like I said and I love him in death and everybody misses him for sure now Russ is going to say the right thing because that's what Russ does and that's expected but there's no two ways about this Russell Wilson got Nathaniel Hackett fired he did his play got Nathaniel Hackett fired so where did the Broncos go from here do they hire an experienced head coach do they bring in another young offensive upstart to try and fix Russell Wilson, I prefer that they bring in someone with experience because everything that's happened with the Broncos has been a disaster from top to bottom. I don't think it's a good idea to have somebody learning how to be a head coach

on top of everything else that they're going to be responsible for in Denver. But to me, more than anything, this is on Russell Wilson. It's time for Russell Wilson to step up to the accountability plate. we've heard time and time again from Seattle, from former teammates, from Shannon Sharp on Undisputed a few days ago, from Andrew Whitworth saying he heard it, other former players, that Russ is really out of touch with what his role, not just what the Broncos is, but in the NFL. Russell's a star because of what he's done on the football field. And it's now morphed into a consistent drumming. beat of he's not really aware of what he's doing and how his teammates are receiving him. We're in Hollywood. This happens all the time.

It was one of my biggest fears, actually, when I moved to Los Angeles. I was terrified of being labeled as a diva. I didn't want to be the person that people would say they shouldn't treat people well and doesn't take care of the people around her. I didn't want to be that person because that's not who I am. But it's very easy to fall into a space where you're just in your own world. in your own bubble, you have your own things going on. People do this when they're not in Hollywood. It's understandable. But when someone's hells you, hey, you know, you got to reel it back a

little bit because not only are you doing this, you're not performing well. There's a thing called flops in the movie business, superstars. You have a couple of these bad movies. You do a couple of these bad scripts. All of a sudden, are you really an A-lister? Are you really as good as we thought you were? Are you deserving of all these Maybelline commercials and things, red carpet appearances, talk shows? People start to question that. Whether it's fair or not,

fairs are fierce wheels and fried Oreos. It's not fair, but it is what it is. So if you're going to live in this celebrity space, which at this point, I feel Russ is in, you need to reel it back because what's made you this star is your performance on the football field. And here's what's happening now. Because Nathaniel Haggots been fired,

because the disaster that was the Denver Broncos happened, however much pressure, however much criticism, however many questions there are about what the Broncos are going to do with Russell Wilson and what's going to happen with his career, however bad that is now, if this continues on to next year, it's like your fifth flop. And we're going to start reexamining everything else that Russ has done in his career.

those quotes from former teammates in Seattle and talks about how unaware he is that people are spiteful of his private office in the building and all of his parking spots, little things matter when you're losing. I just think if this is going to work, it's all on Russell Wilson. That's not fair, but that's what happens when you trade five draft picks and pay someone a five-year- or two $245 million contract. There's an exchange here. He's not volunteering. You're getting compensated and they gave up a lot. They've mortgaged the entire future of the organization on Russell Wilson. So there's really no more space for any of the separation that has happened this year between Russ and the teammates, Russ and the team, Russ's image and brands and all that stuff. All that's got to be

shelved. We talk about this all the time with young quarterbacks. Don't get too consumed in getting a brand. Your brands will build on its own and mostly through winning and great play. And it will last because you're really good and people like to watch you play football. So then they will buy things that you sell and then they will go to your appearances. All of that comes in time. I'm all for people making money. I'm interested in making money for what I do for a living. I certainly don't discourage anyone else to do that. But you also have to be aware of what that brand looks like when you're losing and costing other people jobs and other people the opportunity to make money. Nathaniel Hackett deserves his share of the blame in this situation, and I don't think it was the

wrong choice to fire him. But next year, it's going to be all on Russell Wilson, and he's actually going to have to be all in. Joy Taylor, in for Colin Cowherd today, and I will be back only on speak tomorrow. Alex Curry's in with me as well for Jason McIntyre. We'll talk to MJ Acosta Ruiz, of NFL Total Access on NFL Network at the later on in the hour. And when we come back LeBron James he might

have a little, might be sending a little message to the Lakers here. We'll talk about that next. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays at noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio FS1 and the IHeard Radio app. Imagine an Olympics

where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me. Clippers Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media.

Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment. and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast, it's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream,

this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tapped Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast.

I'm Sam Jett. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because. of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so y'all know.

I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you finishing that sentence. Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah.

For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your You are now entering the No Bull Zone, sponsored by Credible. Great rates with none of the bull. Welcome back to the herd, Joy Taylor, in for Colin Cowherd today. He will be back tomorrow, right in time for the New Year. New Year's is one of those holidays. The older you get, the less interested you are in doing anything at all.

I don't think I've done anything the last 10 years, just because I've been either working New Year's Day for New Year's Day, but we're actually getting out of town. it's a nightmare to be out in public on New Year's Eve. You know, I was outside last New Year's. It's, it can be fun depending on where you're going. All right. The fashions are fun, but it's just a lot of pressure. It's a lot of pressure to have a good time on New Year's.

That's really what it is. Where sparkles, look good, have a good time. I don't mind wearing the sparkles. It's the pressure to have a good time. Oh, I love sparkles. When normally I just have a good time. Same. Who did not have a good time.

No. And a place where I have had many New Year's is Miami. LeBron spoke about how he is interested in his career ending, which is not with all of this losing. They lost 11298 to my Miami Heat last night. That is five of their last six that they have lost. Obviously, they're missing Anthony Davis in that time span and are now 14 and 21. They're the third worst team in the West. And here is LeBron on how things are going this year with the Lakers.

I'm a winner and I want to win. Playing basketball at this level just to be playing basketball is not in my DNA. It's not in my DNA anymore. I don't want to finish my career, you know, playing at this level from a team aspect. I'm going to still be able to compete for championships because I know what I can still bring to any ball club with the right pieces. I'm never going to doubt LeBron James. I'm just not in the business of doubting LeBron James.

Anthony Davis not being healthy is a big part of why they're struggling once again this year. But that said, think at this point, you should assume there's going to be some point in the season with Anthony Davis on your roster where he is not healthy. He's just earned the right to be called an injury prone player. It is what it is. Fair or not, again, I don't like to get into the fair conversation. The evidence points to, he is not. going to be available for a certain part of your season if he is on your roster. And you need to make accommodations for that. There was a point where we thought Russell Westbrook was going to

be able to step up in that space. That has obviously not been the case. This roster is really no different than it was last year. It's just younger. What do you want LeBron to do if you're the Los Angeles Lakers? What are you expecting of him? And why would you expect him not to be frustrated. Everything LeBron does is intentional in his entire career. That's why he's the star he is. He should be intentional. It's why, in my opinion, he's the greatest superstar we've ever seen in the history of sports. To be in the limelight from the time that he's 16 years old until now, to handle his career the way that he has, he's only polarizing, in my opinion, mostly, because Michael Jordan exists and we are arguing to the end of time about who's better. And we'll never

find out. It's just a matter of opinion. He's not going to go out like this. And I don't blame him. And he should be putting pressure on the Lakers because he's not responsible for this roster. He's not the GM. He's not using that influence anymore. Did he use influence

to get Anthony Davis here? Sure. That worked. They won a championship. That was the right move. Whatever you think of Anthony Davis and I do not think he is a healthy enough player to be your number two, certainly good enough. but not healthy enough.

They won a championship, so it was the right move. What are the moves since then? You have draft picks. Why are you white knuckling to these draft picks in 2027 and 29? We don't even know if there'll be beaches then, right? Like, what are we talking about? That is a lifetime from now. It is a lifetime from now.

Make the move. This is LeBron James. There's only one. I don't want this to end badly in Los Angeles. I think they're doing the best that they can with what they have. And what they have is not the responsibility of the coaching staff, of the players currently on the team. It's of the front office. Make a move.

What are we doing? Who cares about these draft picks? At this point in the season, it's going to be difficult for them to even make the playoffs. that's not Lakers standards. I understand if you look at, you know, the past decade, it kind of is. You win a championship or you don't make the playoffs or it's a first round exit. It's got to be higher for the Lakers. And I feel LeBron and I don't like watching him play in this kind of state.

And whatever you think of LeBron James, we should want to be watching him play in competitive games. and this is just not of his making, and I understand his frustration. And I understand the frustration of Lakers fans, because there's moves to be made, and they're just not making them. And you're not fooling anybody, and you're losing. So, like, it's compounding here.

I don't think LeBron is going to, I think he wants to play with Brani. That's obviously not going to even be possible until 2024. So I think we have years left of LeBron, and he's certainly playing at a high enough level that this is not even a question. Similar to Tom Brady, I really don't. When they retire is when they retire. I think that Tom Brady's going to retire after this year.

If he doesn't, whatever, he plays as long as he wants to. He's earned that right. But similarly with LeBron James, they want to be in competitive situations. The greats want to do that. LeBron is aware this is not a great situation. So let's make a move. Here's Alex Curry with the news. No, no, no, no.

This is the Herd Line News. My skin boiling with all that Lakers talk there. It is. I mean, what are we doing? He has earned the right to feel this way and to choose where he wants to end his career. And it is very frustrating. As a Laker fan, as you mentioned, he got it done, got the job done. It was a quick rise, very quick fall.

And sometimes you just got to cut your losses, figure it out. Yeah, but you got the fall over with. It's time to start going back up again. I know, I know. Figure it out. Okay. Let's get started with Jalen Hertz. and his return to action is still up in the air for this weekend against the Saints.

The Eagles believe Hertz will return for the playoffs. But the latest report from Dan Graziano indicates that the team is unsure of how much the injury will affect Hertz when he finally does return to action. Now, this is obviously a very delicate situation. Right. He is in the MVP conversation. Jalen Hertz is having an unbelievable year. And he has an injury right now, shoulder injury. And you want him to be at 100 percent.

he reaches the playoffs, right? So even if you do bring him back, is he going to hurt it by the time he gets to the playoffs? Or if you rest him the last two games, is he going to be close to 100% or is he going to be rusty maybe heading in to the playoffs? Well, that's why it's really unfortunate that this injury is happening at this point in the season

because you don't want to force him back early, but you would probably like to get him some action to get whatever that rust is off. Now, the good news is he's a young player. so I don't know how much, and he was playing at a very high level before the injury. So I don't know how much of that rust is going to be real and so much it is it will just be him being uncomfortable

with the injury. In my opinion, forget the MVP race. That's done. Patrick Holmes is going to win the MVP, as he should. He's had an unbelievable season. Patrick Malmes is going to win the MVP. Yeah. Who cares about the MVP?

Jalen Hertz is trying to win a Super Bowl. The Eagles are trying to win a Super Bowl. The ultimate goal. What you need, specifically because this is his throwing shoulder, is to get him as healthy as possible. Yes. Now, I don't care what you said or think about that Cowboys game, they need Jalen Hertz. I don't care what your opinion is. I don't care the Gardner Men shoot through for 4,000 yards.

He also turned the ball over three times. Yeah, they can compete. Yeah, just to compete. There's not an asterisk next to the wins or lost. Like, they competed. They lost. Yeah, yeah, yeah. They need to win.

And the games that they're trying to win, they can't lose. We're out. So that's the point of the season that we are in right now. So to me, it's much more imperative that Jalen Hertz is healthy for the postseason than whatever's going on right now. Well, another positive thing is that right tackle Lane Johnson delayed surgery for a torn tendon in his abdomen for the postseason so we can play after the postseason so we can play. So that's a positive for the Eagles.

That he's going to be out there is huge. Again, no one's 100% this point of the season, but you don't want to be getting injured at this point in the season. and it's just a bad time for the Eagles. I think they're good enough to overcome it, but it's all very concerning. It's all very concerning. But let's switch gears to another injury.

The Packers are still chasing one of the final wildcard spots in the NFC, but the road to the playoffs is far from certain with Aaron Rogers banged up in nursing and knee injury. He suffered in Wheat 16. Rogers was held out of practice yesterday, but expects to play Sunday and here's what he had to say. I got a lot of body weight on my knee. Had some extra flexion I haven't known for the last 20 years.

So I've just been doing rehab the last few days and feeling a lot better. Usually this is how it goes. You're dealing with something throughout the year, whether it's a major or minor. Always got to do the body maintenance. But, you know, it's a good opportunity for Jay to practice and get his reps in. And good opportunity for me to get some rest. Now, it sounds like he's going to be okay. And he's going to play.

Yeah, he'll play. But he's 39 years old. He just turned 39. and any injury, obviously, in football, but especially at that point in your career and with a quarterback, Aaron Rogers, your best player on the team, it's concerning. It's also not his only injury he's dealing with right now.

He's still dealing with his injured thumb. So, disappointing season for the Packers? Yeah. It's been incredibly disappointing. They've gone on a nice run the past couple games, and to Roger's credit, he's been tough this year. He's played through the injury all season long. and, you know, he's not, he doesn't rely on his legs as a quarterback, so there is at least that.

It's not taking away his ability to run or anything. That's not what he leans on anyway. But look, they've got to stretch ahead of them. They have to beat the Vikings, then beat the lions, then the Giants to lose out. They play the Colts this weekend. And then we'll probably play the Eagles backups. And they also need the commanders to lose once. And Washington plays Cleveland this week, and then Dallas.

in the last week who also might be resting players. So they need a lot. Starting with being a very good Viking team and a very good Lions team. So I think it's still a very, very big stretch slash a miracle. But look, they're playing in meaningful games. Aaron's going to be out there. And I think it's a good thing, at least for the Packers, that they have been able to turn this around and be alive at this point in the season.

Show that they can do it. You think they're going to get in, gut feeling? No. No. No. No. I mean, listen, it'd be exciting to have Aaron Rogers in the playoffs. It always is. You want the best players.

There's a lot. You got to beat the Vikings. You got to beat the lions. You got the giants need to lose to both the Colts and the Eagles. And the commanders need to lose once as well. Like that's what you're asking a lot. And that's why you need to win these games early in the season. You know, we talk about, oh, you can go on this stretch or whatever. Like, no, come this time in the season, you have to pay for that. So you want to be able to be in control of your playoff destiny and they're not.

So you got to win early then. Yes. All right. Let's stick with quarterbacks because Mac Jones has. been facing acquisitions that he's a dirty player following his unnecessarily low hit on Eli Apple in last week's loss to the Bengals. Now, although he wasn't flagged on the play, many players have criticized his decision and have brought up previous incidences. And yesterday, Mack addressed those accusations to the media, and here's what he had to say.

Obviously, that's a big part of it is everybody has an opinion. And the biggest thing for me is just focused on being the best teammate I can be in earning the respect to the people in this building and the people I care about. So obviously I have respect for everybody around the league and it takes a lot to get to this league. And, you know, I know there's really good players out there and we're all playing hard and trying to win. He's definitely building a reputation for himself right now.

And if this is the player you want to be, you're just going to have to deal with the backlash and the consequences. And now that we're talking about it and the videos everywhere, other players are seeing it, you're going to get some retaliation, most likely on the first. field. Now that particular play they're talking about, obviously through an interception, pick six, he went after a guy that wasn't necessarily, he was kind of involved in the play, but not really. It wasn't, it wasn't going to matter. Yeah, that wasn't. That was a frustration takeout is what that was. So I don't have a problem with it as long as you're not trying to

injure somebody. Well, I mean, that's what they're saying. That's what this was. He essentially went low for that play. You know, and you can, you can get injured. I mean, you can get injured in lots of ways. In anyway. That player is not. That play right there. You don't want to be going for the knees. What is he going to do, though? What is Eli Apple going to contribute to that? You should be chasing down the guy that has the ball. That was a frustration takeout. That's what that was.

Well, look. They've got a lot of things to be frustrated about. I'm with you. If you want to play the villain, then you've got to be able to deal with the backlash. I would not necessarily recommend that for a quarterback. No. Save that for the other guys. You know, you're getting dunked by Chandler Jones.

It's probably not the best idea to be generating animosity in that kind of space. You know, I don't, it was probably a dirty play. It was a frustration play. I don't know that I look at Mack Jones as a dirty player. No. I kind of save those for, you know, a higher level of, a higher standard, I suppose. He's right. Everyone's trying to win.

But, like, that was a frustration play. It was a frustration play. More so than not, I just wish you would admit. in that situation like yeah I was frustrated. I was frustrated. I shouldn't have done that. You know, it's in the moment.

I'm a competitor. I'm glad no one got hurt. Whatever. But to be like, oh, no, I was just trying to like be a part of it. Everyone has opinions. Okay. Everyone has opinions.

Well, we also all have eyeballs. Yep. And he wasn't a part of that play. Everyone's looking at it now. I don't know. I just don't recommend that as a lifestyle for a quarterback. No.

For a talk show host, fine. But for a quarterback, you kind of have people trying to hit you, You know, it's an interesting choice. It's a choice. It's a choice.

I'll say that. That's Alex Curry with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Herd Lye News. MJ Acosta Ruiz, host of NFL Total Access on NFL Network, joins us next on The Herd, Joy Taylor and for Colin Cowherd. Time for New Tires.

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bring new tires to your home or office and install them on site. The ultimate convenience. It's a game changer. I'm telling you go to tire rack.com slash Colin and see for yourself. That's tire rack.com slash Colin. Tire rack.com the way tire buying should be. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays at noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Hey, this is Jason McIntyre. Join me every weekday morning. on my podcast, Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre. This isn't your typical sports pod pushing the same tired narratives down your throat every day. Straight Fire gives you honest opinions on all the biggest sports headlines,

accurate stats to help you win big at the sports book and all the best guests. Do yourself a favor and listen to Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal. but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential.

Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win.

I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment. and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music.

The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast, it's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tapped Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking.

What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because.

of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you finishing that sentence. Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people.

Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your Welcome back to the herd. Joy Taylor in for Colin Cowherd, Alex Curry in for Jason McIntyre. They will both be back tomorrow just in time for New Year's. Let's go out to MJ Acosta Ruiz, host of NFL Total Access on NFL Network. MJ, welcome. Thanks for joining us. It's hard times. It's hard times, daddy, for our team, the Dolphins. So let's start there. very devastating news about Tua this week and he's out with a concussion. I believe he'll be out indefinitely. There's a lot of conversation about what should happen with Tua. What was your

reaction to the news about the concussion? Again, at least his second concussion, third head injury in the last three months, not an entire calendar year, not even a full football year. What was your reaction to the news and where do you think the dolphins go from here? I mean, immediate reaction was concerned. That's a scary thought. I mean, we saw all of that go down with the first concussion he was diagnosed with on that Thursday night came in Cincinnati. And it was terrifying. And if you're thinking of his wife, if you're thinking of his parents, but even if you just as a human being are looking at this man out there, go through this.

And now it's once again another concussion protocol situation. I can't imagine that they put him back out there, regular season or put him. season if they managed to continue this run to the playoffs. This is just a really concerning situation. There has to be a point where everybody steps in to protect the player. I'm actually really proud of Tua for being the one to say, hey, I don't feel right. Something feels off. I'm feeling concussion-like symptoms. That's a lot, especially all that he's already endured this season. I can't imagine a scenario where he's back out on the field this year, possibly even beyond. So another team that you spent a lot of time around is the Raiders.

I think it's ridiculous what's going on with Derek Carr. They're benching him for the final two games of the season. Silver lining, he can get up out of there, and he's going to have some takers. So what was your reaction to that news? And is there a team that you think makes sense for him? I mean, you have the jets out there, the Giants, the commanders, possibly the Panthers, possibly the Bucks, if I tinfoil hat that Tom Brady is possibly going to the the Raiders. What was your reaction and where do you think he ends up? I mean, we've seen a different

side, I think, of Derek Carr this year. Even just in his emotion after the game, we remember just a few weeks ago, I feel like just last month when he was crying after a loss. This has been a really tough year, possibly even tougher than the year that he got injured. And don't forget, I worked with his older brother, with David Carr, who sheds a little bit of additional insight on the situation there. And Derek has certainly been one of those people just from the aspect of covering this team and being able to follow his career closely on the field and in the facility. He takes a lot of accountability when he messes up, when the team isn't doing well. And I think that this has been a really big disservice to Derek Hart.

Now, that is not absolving him of the issues that he has had with ball protection, of the issues that he's had offensively with the team as well. There's been no consistency with the Raiders. But I didn't think this landed squarely on Derek's shoulders either. But yeah, now he has an opportunity to say, you know what? It's the end of the year. Let me reset my goals maybe for 2020. Let me see what's out there for me in this NFL oasis.

And there are going to be teams. There are already teams who need a quarterback. So I think he's going to be just fine. But this is a crazy situation. You know, his contract has the no trade clause, but they also has fully guaranteed if he gets injured. If I'm Derek, oh, my hamstring hurts right about now. You know what I'm saying?

Before he gets back on the thing. I don't know that he can do that. Well, I think it's too late. I think that's why they are benching him because they don't want to give him fully guaranteed money and he hasn't been injured. So it's probably too late for that. But I'm with you. Derrick Carr, new year and new me. It's right around the corner. Another team you covered very closely is the Niners who they're playing this weekend. And I reserved the right to wait and see a full game of Brock Purdy where a team could prepare for him. And he's been astonishing. It's really an incredible story. And if they go on, all the way through. I mean, this is movie stuff, right? He's a seven, he's not only a seventh round pick. He's the last pick in the draft, the third stringer. Kyle Shanahan, it just doesn't matter who is in there. It's just going to work. What do you make of the Niners this year and what's going on with Brock Purdy? First of all, Brock Purdy, there's no other backup QB set up for more success in this league than Brock Purdy. What a blessing he got to have been drafted by this 49ers team, by this coaching staff,

and by a team that has the best defense in the entire national football league. I mean, the defense gets out there and plays unbelievable. Then the offense gets a guy like CMC out there. So they've got Christian McCaffrey. Debo Samuel hasn't even been out on the field yet. I think that's very smart by the 49ers. Hey, let him rest. We're doing just fine.

CMC is out there too. We're going to have a fresh guy as we get into the postseason. And Brock Purdy has done his job. Moreover, I think it's the confidence and the poise that he has, given the fact that this is a guy who has. has been QB3, QB2, everything but the starter in his first year in the lead, you got to give it to him because he goes out there. He's not shook. It's never too big for him.

However, yes, I agree with you, Joy. There is still a lot to be said of deep January football. And that's where you really see what guys are made of, right? These are different situations. This is a different level of pressure. But I think the team around him is fantastic. And I got to give Brock the props where props are due. He has done his job really well.

I'm really impressed by him so far. We're talking to MJ Acosta Ruiz, host of NFL Total Access on NFL Network. Another team that you covered, although it wasn't when they were in L.A. It was when they were in San Diego is the Chargers. I don't know if you know this about Chargers fans. They're not very happy with me right now. I don't really know why, but they're not happy with me right now. Justin Herbert is now in the postseason.

They've clinched a postseason birth. I think it is a great accomplishment for a young player in his third year to now be in the postseason. I also think it's a step up for Brandon Staley, who people apparently still have questions about this is the natural progression that they should be moving in. I don't want to talk about people's jobs necessarily, but there are still questions about this Chargers team and how far they can go. Do you anticipate seeing a lot of changes with them next year if they get bounced early or it happens to be some sort of a disaster early in the playoffs? I mean, there's been such a weird progression, and not just, I was there in San Diego, as you mentioned,

the year that they transitioned from San Diego to LA. So I even covered them once they got to Los Angeles. It was craziness. But this organization has gone through a lot of transition. I feel like they've been in transition for at least seven seasons at this point. Through different coaches. We saw Anthony Lynn come in. Now we said, Branson.

It's been a lot. The one thing I will give the Chargers, though, they draft really, really well. So the amount of talent that they have on that team, should be way more successful, at least on paper, than they have been year after year after year, especially this year with the defensive additions that they made in the off-season. So I thought this team was going to roll not just through the division, but be really dominant heading into late December, early January football.

So I'm glad that they've clinched and now that they do get an opportunity to play in the post, but there's still a huge disconnect there. Whether it's in coaching or what needs to change, I think we might see a little something once the year is over. But that will be contingent on how far this team gets in the playoffs. So another team that has had some postseason struggles for the last 26 years is the Dallas Cowboys. I love the pieces that they have on defense, Michael Parsons. I think Dak certainly played a great game last game. And I think you can win a Super Bowl with Dak Prescott.

They have a great running game. CD Lamb, to me, is a number one receiver, maybe not of the, you know, Tyreek Hill. you know, at the top of the league, but certainly can win you games. Can the Cowboys do it this year? Is this, I'm, I stopped drinking Cowboys juice at the beginning of the season. I told my mother, I'm done. I'm not participating in this anymore. Can they do it this year?

Do they have what it takes this year, particularly when you look at the NFC postseason landscape? I think they have to stop beating themselves, right? Because we've seen them go out there playing really hard games, against really tough opponents and managed to find ways to win, but they've also managed to find ways to lose. There have been a few games where just like, what was that? What are you doing? How did we even get here?

Why are we not running the ball? We shouldn't have these questions in week 17 around this Cowboys team, especially in a division that's as tough as it is when you got the Eagles standing right at the top of the NFC and of the NFC for that matter. So it's going to be interesting, especially when you add in in the postseason, in the 49ers in the NFC. It's about not getting in their own way. They have everything that it takes.

They do. And somehow there's still these questions that we have. It's the trust issues. We just talked about this on Toll Access yesterday. I don't trust it. I'm a little guarded. Make me believe you, please. Make me trust you.

Oh, no. I sold on my stock. I'm like, I'm just observing now. I can't participate in this. I don't know how Cowboys fans do it. Thank you so much for joining us. MJ at Costa Ruiz. You can catch her on NFL Total Access.

the host of NFL Total Access on NFL Network. Follow her on social media. Thanks for joining us. MJ. Happy New Year. Bye. Thank you, New Year. Joy Taylor in for Colin Cowherd on the Herd with Alex Curry. Thanks for joining us today. When we come back, we'll take a look at the playoff landscape and see how difficult it is for some of these teams to get in.

That's next on The Herd. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guide, not quite, unhumored me with Robert Smigel and Friends, me and hilarious. guests from Bob Odenk Kirk 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 I-Heart Radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque, others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year.

Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th, with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of taun tons and wampas on the ice planet hot,

or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith Rule of Two. Listen to Stuff to Bole Your Mind on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.