The Herd with Colin Cowherd - HOUR 1 - Niners, Cardinals, Lakers

Episode Date: October 21, 2022

Colin reacts to the 49ers trading for All-Pro RB Christian McCaffrey The yelling match between Kyler Murray and Kliff Kingsbury on the sidelines isn't a big deal Russell Westbrook can't be blamed for the Lakers issues   Guest: Chris Long  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, 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. 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. 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 AHA radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. 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 tauntons and wampas on the ice planet, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to stuff to blow your mind on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening to The Heard podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday from 12 to 3 Eastern, 9 to noon Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and FS1.

Find your local station for the herd at Fox Sports Radio.com or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Herd. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Here we go on a Friday. Topics galore live in Los Angeles. It's the herd. Wherever you may be and however you may be listening. We're on IHeart Radio, Fox Sports Radio, FS1, Things, Business is very good here in the herd today. One hour from now off a scorching four in one week.

The Blazing Five. The dogs are barking again. this weekend. J-Mack is joining us. We both liked Arizona last night. Chiching. Yep, we both liked Arizona last night. And one of the things we talked about was they're too talented not to win some games. You can see the speed. You can see the playmakers. How valuable is DeAndre Hopkins? Kind of valuable, Colin. Listen, I was at the Laker game last night and the Christian McCaffrey

stuff goes down. There's some jet stuff popping off with Elijah Moore. Colin, this is going to be a monster show today. Very excited. Monster show today. So let's start with Christian McCaffrey to the Niners. Don't kid yourself. The Rams wanted him and Kansas City probably looked into him. And the Niners thought, we're not letting our biggest rival in division get him. Sean McVeigh with McCaffrey, no thank you. And when we meet Andy Reed in the Super Bowl, the last thing we want is for him or Buffalo to have him. That was part of this plan. The Niners gave their brilliant offensive coach another weapon. You notice what the Buffalo Bills in the offseason gave their brilliant defensive coach, another pass rusher.

What did Les Need the GM of the Rams do last year with his brilliant offensive coach? Got him OBJ. By the way, the Vikings now lead for OBJ. They have an offensive coach. Pete Carroll gave up a ton for Jamal Adams. safety on the defensive side. Smart GMs realize this. Every coach has an expertise, a side of the ball, and the smartest GMs give their coaches another

weapon on their side. Debo and McCaffrey with Kyle Shanahan, the options, the looks. It's going to be fantastic. Two of the great chess pieces in the NFL with maybe the second, first, smartest offensive coach. But Colin, they gave up four picks. Yes, they did, probably more than I would have preferred to give up. But again, they were keeping away from L.A., Kansas City.

Here's the other thing. The Niners are stacked. Their first draft pick was a late second rounder. They believe there's not a single college player. They can draft late second round who can start for this team. And they're right, outside of maybe center. Look at their defense. stars at safety, stars at corner, two stars at linebacker, star edge rusher, star defensive

linemen, look at their offense, wide receiver stacked, now running back stacked, all time left tackle. Where the Chargers back in 2007 had a pro bowl infused roster. Marty Schotnheimer, 14 and 2, they gave up multiple picks because they were weak at safety and they got Eric Weddle. And their theory was, there's nobody in this draft that can start for us except that safety. and Weddell was the best available safety in their eyes. The Niners are like, what are we giving up? Some depth.

We'd rather have a star. I hear this. Colonies always hurt. Yes, he is. But he's not a volume player with the 49ers. He's a chess piece. He's an eight-touch, nine-touch-a-game guy. Debo, Brandon I.Uk.

Elijah Mitchell comes back. They've got lots of little pieces, lots of added value for a guy. they're not going to ask to touch 20 times a game. You watch Kansas City Buffalo now. It is one play. That's the difference. You watched San Francisco and Kansas City in the Super Bowl. It was one more pass and they win.

That's the rarefied air. The Niners believe they're in now. The Bills are in now and the Chiefs are in now. San Francisco's going all in. This is what the Rams did when they got. Vaughn Miller and got, you know, OBJ. They go all in. Does it make you vulnerable?

Yes, you can be vulnerable. The Rams are now this year because of cluster injuries. You can't predict those. You think the Rams regret it this morning? You think when they look down to that Super Bowl ring, they're like, darn it! Wish we had another win this year. It's the price you pay for great. You got to take a big swing.

The Warriors take big swings. Right? Last year at the trade deadline wasn't it at the Atlanta Braves that took some big swings. most people that end up hitting it big get out of comfort makes you a little uncomfortable you gave up a lot of draft picks guys that would not start for this team and what it's telling you also is something I know is true and people are fighting this by basically giving up the 2023 draft they're telling you we don't know what the future is with tray lance we don't know how good he is we don't know what the future is but we know now we can go to the Super Bowl with Jimmy Garoppolo. They don't make this move unless they believe we can be a Super Bowl team. And since, you know, it's already happened, they think it'll happen again. And the NFC is weaker.

Look at this morning. San Francisco's BB gun offense. Think Daniel Jones going to knock you out in the playoffs? The Rams beat up offensive line. Rams struggle with the Niners. You got distracted Tom Brady. Minnesota's good, but Kirk Cousin shrinks in prime time. Philadelphia.

I think they're good, but Nick Sariani, Kyle Shanahan, one game to win. I don't know. I don't take Kyle Shanahan with that one. Yes, it's more than most people would be comfortable with. But this was keep away from Andy Reed, the Bills, and McVeigh. He's not going to be a volume ball carrier. He is going to be a chess piece. And when San Francisco looks at their roster and it is absolutely stacked, in my opinion,

only Buffalo is close. That is it. Kansas City's roster is not this good. They're looking at rarefied air. And they're saying, these games with Kansas City and these games potentially with Buffalo at the end of the year, they're coming down to a play. And we got a guy who can make that play. Like it. Big swing.

All right. So that was a fun game last night. I got to be honest with you. That was a fun game last night. Arizona, as we said yesterday, they're just too darn talented not to win a lot of games. I don't know if I trust them situationally. I don't know if I trust their coach. He's not a disaster, but I don't know if I trust them in a big game against the Shanahan or McVeigh, whatever. But end of the first half, Twitter freaked out because Kyler Murray came over and

barked at his head coach, calm the F down. Folks, it's live sports. Actors get 20 takes. Columnists have copy editors. Sports is live. It's one take. It's intense. It's. It's It's fast and sometimes it's uncomfortable. It's raw and authentic. You want fake? Then go watch a scripted drama. That's not what this is. And by the way, it's why the only thing anybody watches in America on linear TV is sports.

That's all they watch because it's raw and it's uncomfortable. That's what that was. And it's live. And you don't know what's going to happen. And sports has now added in my lifetime, 25 cameras per event. You see hear everything. You hear everything just recently.

Everybody's iPhone. You got coaches throwing headsets. You can read lips. Everything's slow-mo. They had a play last night in that Saints Cardinals game on the sideline. They literally went to like microfilm. They went down in the sideline and they're like in out. And they finally came back from a commercial and they had it down to a blade of grass.

I mean, that's the world we live in. So we see and hear everything. Peyton Manning. You didn't see it live, but later on NFL films, yelling and screaming and barking at Jeff Saturday as center. And Tom Brady, now you see it live screaming and yelling at offensive linemen and Kyler's barking at his head coach. And I'm okay with it. It's real. It's raw.

It's unedited. And it's wonderful. And it's why I love sports. If you can't handle it, turn the channel. Pro Sports is not for you. And it's not for everybody. But there's a lot of pressure in Arizona right now. There's pressure on Kyler.

There's pressure on the coach. There's pressure on the GM. And here comes DeAndre Hopkins. And you're at home. And you better win this game or Cliff Kingsbury. The story yesterday, Sean Payton's taking his job. And this is what transpires down in the red zone. It's live, raw, unedited.

It's sports. Folks, the Draymond Green Punch, what was Steve Kerr's first reaction? Who let the video out? His second reaction, this stuff happens. It's not ideal. don't root for it, but if you love sports and pro sports, sometimes the player fires back at the coach. I know, it doesn't way it works in my hometown high school ball. You'd never do that to the coach. And you'd never yell at Nick Saban. Kiner Murray's worth 250 million. He gets an opinion too.

He's more valuable than the coach. Aaron's more valuable than his coach. Tom's more valuable than Belichick. I love Andy Reed. Mahomes is more valuable. This isn't high school sports. It's not college sports, it's pro sports. These are real people. A lot of pressure to win now, live, score. Here's Kyler and Cliff after. Clock was running down, and we couldn't have got off the play that we were trying to run. So it was, I guess it was my fault.

I'll take it. He's real animated over there on the sideline sometimes. So it's always, you know, it's never, you know, calm down. We're good. You know, we're going to make it right. We ended up scoring, so that was good. But yeah, that's all I was saying. Just chill out.

He's a pretty calm guy. Is that surprised you? I mean, outside of the game. Yeah, he's usually chill, you know, until Sunday. It was just one of those things on the field. We had a difference of opinion. He said I didn't look good on TV, acting that fiery. So he said, I don't know.

This is a Gen Z thing. You're on TV, so calm down. I'm like, I like showing an emotion. It's good. I think we're working through, like I said, working through as an offense where we want to be and what we want to do. And when you have competitors that have a level of intensity like that, I think it'll keep pushing us forward. When I said the Draymond thing wasn't the end of the world, here's what I heard. Well, that's because he works for your podcast network.

And now when I defend Kyler Murray, he doesn't work for my podcast network. I support passion. I support intensity. I support MJ and yelling and screaming and there's a lot of different ways for this stuff to get done. I supported Brady yelling at offensive linemen. You know, leadership comes in a lot of forms. It's not always pretty. This is not high school sports.

It's not college sports where the coaches are lunatics and power hungry guys at the top that are yelling and screaming. These are pro athletes. And there's a lot of money at stake and there's not much time. And here comes the clock and the crowd and the yelling at ESPN and Fox and guys like me and Skip and Stephen A and talking and ripping and fire this guy and fire that guy. And you want him to be like, golly gee, coach, what should we do here? It's live, it's raw. I like it.

That's why I watch sports and not scripted dramas. Love it. 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. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced game. 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. 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 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

Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Keer Games. And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses.

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

as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, learn the hard way. Open your free, our heart radio app, Search learn the hard way and listen now. So I'm watching the Lakers Clippers last night. J. Mack was at it. Their first two games, they are 19 of 85 on three-pointers.

And they won't stop shooting them. Top five in the league and shooting them. I was reading Kirk Goldsbury this morning on Twitter. They've made just 24 of their 101 jump shots. I mean, Westbrooks 2 of 11, Beverly 2 of 11, AD 2 of 12, Lonnie Walker's awful, LeBron's bad. It's almost like they could use Buddy Healed in a Westbrook trade, which everybody's been demanding here in Los Angeles for several months.

So what does LeBron, year 20, do brilliantly still at this level, drive and kick? And the Lakers front office have surrounded him with no shooters. He won titles in Miami with shooters. He won title in Cleveland was shooters. Even KCP, they used to have him in the bubble year they won, the COVID year they won. KCP could hit big threes. Now, it's not just a Westbrook issue. Yes, Russell Westbrook, offensive.

offensively is completely broken. It's a roster deficiency issue. Okay. Westbrook's an easy target. And yes, he was awful last night. It's in his head he's broken. And because the fans are on him now, he's pressing, obviously. Even his free throw shooting went down last year.

It's obviously in Westbrook's head. He is broken as an offensive player. But this will be the eighth straight season. The Lakers are in the bottom 10 and 3.3. percentage. This was a problem way before Russell Westbrook. It's understood. In Miami, Pat Riley, you get LeBron, you bring in shooters. Ray Allen, Shane Badiere, Mike Miller. Then in Cleveland, they get Kevin Love. They could have had Andrew Wiggins out of the draft. They wanted a shooter. Kevin Love, one of the better big shooters in the league. Kyrie Irving, guys that can shoot.

They brought in J.R. Smith, another guy that can shoot. Come on, we've been doing this 20 years with LeBron. We know what he's great at. Driving, he doesn't like his bigs to clog the lane up because when he loses confidence in his jumper, he wants to finish at the rim. That's why he was so good with love and Bosch, in why AD kind of fits,

but for some reason the last three years, AD can't shoot. It's gotten worse every year. But, I mean, last night, the Clippers barely played. Kauai Leonard. The Lakers played LeBron almost 40 minutes, and the Clippers still controlled it.

So you've got to make a move here. If you look at the schedule for the Lakers, the wins are in the first half of the season. The NBA stacked them up. So the Lakers got some momentum, easier schedule early, a lot of Utah, San Antonio, Wizards, Portland. They got a chance to win

some games, make a move. And this is a very distracted city. The Dodgers are a go-for-it organization. USC go-for-it. Lincoln Riley. The Rams go for it, OBJ, Vaughn Miller. The Chargers go for it. Calli O'Neck. This is a go-for-it distracted city. You get lost fast if you're average or mediocre, even if you're the Lakers. So I don't get it. We can all attack Westbrook. Last eight years, this is the eight straight year. They don't shoot threes. This is not a new development. The league has transitioned. There are no back to the

basket centers dominating the league. Even your bigs have. to be able to shoot. Make moves. Take a big swing. Westbrook doesn't fit this, but it's not a Westbrook issue. The whole team can't shoot. It's a bunch of athletes past their prime.

And my guess is they're as healthy today as they'll be all season. This is an old roster. AD's already holding his back. He's already holding his back. We're in game two. J. Mack with the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news.

This is the herd line news. They're not fully healthy, Colin. Dennis Schroeder. He was earned a lot, too. His career has been hurt right now. I'm sorry, I can't stop laughing. We'll talk about that a little bit later on. But start with Tom Brady and the Buccaneers.

Three and three this season, a little disappointing, embarrassing laws to the Steelers. But, of course, Tom Brady's getting asked about retirement. And he confirmed he's not going anywhere when asked if he could walk away mid-season. Well, that's really why I'm here. I'm here to announce finally. You guys push me to the brink. And, no, I think, you know, I think a lot of it for me is just us going out there to, you know, I love the sport and I love the teammates.

And, you know, I want to go do a great job for this team like I always have. So no retirement in my future. Is that a new development? Seriously. Well, I mean, seriously. His marriage over this. Of course he's not retiring now, right? He's not going home to the watch. life, right? The divorce lawyers, all this stuff. Why would he retire at all?

Well, he's still top five, six in the league. He's distracted. We'll go top ten. All right, fine. He's still good. You can win a Super Bowl with him. Not this year, but yeah, they could next year. I mean, no, wait a second, Colin, I got to ask. It's pretty clear the Giselle stuff, it's over. If he's talking about, I'm not retiring. Well, I mean, it does. My, my, the obvious take is he was talking retire, retire, retire, and now he's not. And that was the fissure in the relationship. it seems. It's been documented. It's been written about by like people that do this for a living and follow these stories. I don't like talking about this stuff. It's somebody else's marriage. It's none of my business.

But even Tom acknowledges them on public figure. You know, I mean, when the Kardashians get divorced, it's all over the paper, right? Like this is the part of it. If a mayor gets divorced, if a senator or if Joe Biden got divorced, I mean, like he's a public figure. So I don't like talking about it. But yes, it does look like she wanted retirement. He didn't. And eventually they break and he stays in football. That's what it looks like, yes. That's what it appears to be the obvious. 100%. Yeah. Now the question is, how long is Tom Brady going to keep playing?

Is 50 in play? Could he play four more years ago? I don't, I wouldn't. Yeah, I wouldn't bet against him. I definitely wouldn't either. All right, next up, Russell Wilson, your guy, Mr. Unlimited, was limited in practice again yesterday due to a hamstring injury. Back up, Brett Rippin.

Jets fans remember him. He beat the Jets a couple years ago on Thursday night football. He's been getting first team reps. No word on who the starter's going to be. Nathaniel Hackett said. He wants everyone to be ready to play. I don't know. The Jets are going to be making appearance in your Blazance in 5 today?

You know, it is, scoring is down in the NFL and big plays are down. What does that mean? I'm going to take points. So I took all the dogs last week except one. I'm taking four dogs this week. When scoring is down, the games are closer than we predict. So that tells you, now the Jets Denver game is who do you think is the better team?

And right now, I think the Jets are playing with a lot of positive energy. They're mostly healthy, and their defensive front is excellent, as Greg Kosell told us yesterday. And the Broncos' offensive line is an issue. Massive. So, I mean, if you're telling me they play right now out in the parking lot, Jets to me got a lot of positive signs and a lot of positive energy. So they're off their biggest win to me in years. I couldn't tell you the last Jets game, where they've been. beat Rogers? That's the biggest Jets win in forever.

Yeah, huge underdogs. But the question is, can the Jets move the ball against his Broncos defense? Because the Chargers could, with a great quarterback in Justin Herbert. But, but, well, fair question. I think, again, I think it'll look a lot like the Chargers game. It'll be close. But I, right now, I feel like there's a lot of similarities. They both have young coaches. They both have, regardless of what people say, talented quarterbacks, And they both have good defenses. The difference is, I think one team is completely all-in, and I think another team has got people bailing in that locker room.

Wobbly in Denver. I think it's a little wobbly, and I think one more loss, and it could be man overboard. I'll just remind people, Jet's special teams was enormous last week. Block punt, block field goal. Denver fumbled the game away on special teams against the Chargers in overtime. That could be the difference. And finally, Dak Prescott, back from the thumb injury, preparing to start Sunday against the game.

the Lions, Mike McCarthy said that looked good in practice, but he also highlighted some areas of concerns since Dax been on the sideline for so long. Yeah, rhythm and timing. That's the biggest thing. And it's a challenge to, you know, it's a challenge to grab that in this short of period of time. There's no question. But, you know, I think that's why really putting the ceiling on the workload is important because Lord knows he would throw 140 yesterday if you let them.

So, I mean, we got to just got to be, you know, we've got to be small. about that. Yeah. Well, I don't know exactly what to make of them. I can tell you that Dallas Lions game is not in my Blazing Five. I don't know what to make of DAC. So there's too many unknowns. So I stayed away from it.

I don't know what Dallas is going to be. My takeaway is Jared Goff struggles when he's uncomfortable. And so far this season, the Cowboys have made every quarterback a little uncomfortable. So I think Dallas is going to win. but I will say this. The Lions are, they never quit. They'll play to the whistle and they've got some really nice offensive pieces. And the game's indoors, fast track. And it's off a buy. Off a buy. So Detroit's pretty healthy and they've got extra days of practice. So I think it's a fairly competitive game, but I like Dallas. And I wonder what the burden of expectations is going to be on Dak Prescott coming off the injury. Cooper Rush looked serviceable until Philly. Is Dak going to be pressing? Is he going to struggle? Well, that's why it's an interesting game to watch. I think it's one.

of the more interest. I think the two games I want to watch this weekend, Cowboys, Lions, Chargers, Seahawks, I think that's a really interesting game. Those are the two games. Chiefs Niners, Jets, Broncos? No, no, no, I'm not saying they're not interesting. I just, there's dynamics here. The Chargers have a real opportunity to seize this little bit of momentum. We keep looking at that team now that Denver's struggling, Raiders struggling. Can the Chargers now move up in class? Very interesting. Keenan Allen, not looking good all of a sudden. Like, what's going on, dude? What are you going to come back from the hamstring injury.

J. Mack with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The herd lie news. So, you know, it's interesting. I lived on the East Coast for 10 years, and I loved it. I was in New England, New York, Boston. The intensity's real.

You know, they've done studies, though, that people out west are a little happier. Our states are bigger. There's more space. It's not as congested as small eastern states where you're waiting in line for everything. We don't have the harsh winters. When you go to Eastern stadiums, which I've been to, the crowds are a little more aggressive. They're loud. They can really pick on people.

There's legendary stories. L.A. tends to be West Coast, a little more chill, a little more vibe. L.A. is not a market that picks on people. So you can see what's happening with Westbrook. Paul George, after the game, defended Westbrook. Kevin Durant defended Westbrook. here's LeBron James last night after the game

defending Westbrook and the Lakers poor shooting Our ball club was our ball club and I'm definitely not going to sit here and harp on what we can't do every single game that's not a leader so what I know we can do

we can defend our ass off and we did that tonight which you gave was an opportunity to win and we just couldn't make it happen but I'm okay with that So Durant defended Westbrook three or four days ago. LeBron defending Westbrook. Paul George after the game defending Westbrook. Reggie Miller last night during the game as Russell was struggling.

And it's in his head now. He's really pressing. Here's Reggie Miller during the broadcast last night. Is it just me? But every time Westbrook is getting ready to take a three, do you hear the crowd gasping here? I mean, I don't know how this guy can function in an environment like that. Okay, it's a poor fit, and he has a fairly rigid game and personality.

But let's get away from his personality. Let's talk about his game. It's rigid. It is what it is. So even the L.A. crowd, and we're not Philadelphia here. You know, it's pretty chill, pretty laid back, but people love their sports. The Dodgers outdraw every Major League franchise by over 10,000 fans a game. They outdraw the Yankees.

They outdraw the Mets. They outdraw the Red Sox. they outdraw the Phillies, they outdraw everybody by a lot. People like their sports here, believe it or not. But it's just a more chill vibe. I don't think they're picking on Westbrook, but I think they're engaged during the game with Westbrook. The Lakers season ticket holders,

they've been going to NBA games 20, 30 years, like they know their stuff. Here's the thing. You can overcome a lot in pro sports. Toxicity is the killer. chemistry crushes everything. You can have a coach that doesn't always love a quarterback. You can have rostered efficiencies.

There's no perfect team in the NFL or the NBA with a salary cap. That's why the Warriors, easily the best roster, their primary concern this year is Draymond and Jordan Poole. Will that one relationship unravel this brilliant franchise? So toxicity, and that's where I think Westbrook, and I think, and I said it at the end of last year. Forget his game for a second. It's getting toxic.

It's toxic in the arena. It's Bill Plashky at the LA Times. Time to get him out of here. So it's getting very toxic. And Westbrook is clearly pressing. And if you look at the Lakers' schedule, the wins, the chance to build a six-game winning streak is in the first half of the season. That's where the wins are.

The way the NBA works, they want the Warriors playing big game. Because the NBA knows nobody watches it until, like, Christmas on. And so they put some ugly, you know, they put some Laker games, you know, Utah, Portland, you know, San Antonio. They put the bigger games for the Lakers second half, the tougher games. You're going to get Milwaukee more and the big East Coast road trip more and you're going to get the war. So the time to build momentum is now this is an old roster. So it feels like to me, toxicity, the crowds into it. The announcers mention it. Players are now defending Westbrook. you just don't want to be in this space.

What you want for all your pro teams. The Celtics may lose the finals, but in the end they feel like a very cohesive unit. Milwaukee's a cohesive unit. Golden State's a cohesive unit. When did Phoenix have trouble? When the coach and DeAndre Aiton fought, you're like, whoa, whoa, that's not going to work.

And again, I don't have a problem with the occasional bark. But when DeAndre Aiton says, I haven't talked to my coach the entire office, off season. You're like, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. I understand intensity in sports and yelling. That's a problem. If Draymond and Jordan Poole have two or three or four more incidents, and it's ugly, then you got yourself a problem. This is becoming a problem. This is an issue. The fans know it. The media knows it. It's not getting better. Frankly, I think it's better for Russ. But I think he's an easy target as well.

This team hasn't shot three-pointers as well. This will be the eighth straight year. It was broken before he got here. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. This is Steve Kavino and Rich Davis. And together we are Kavino and Rich. Kavino and Rich. Thanks, buddy. That's right.

Kavino and Rich, Fox Sports Radio's newest hit show. Heard weekdays from 5 to 7 Eastern 2 to 4 Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and the I Heart Radio app. Every Kavino and Rich show is available as a podcast. Just search Kovino and Rich wherever you get your podcast. podcast and subscribe. I'm such a rocking dude. The show features our unique take on sports, injected with some fun, humor, and relatability. Listen to Covino and Rich five days a week on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Covino and Rich, give me a hell, yeah. 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. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care which I'm saying.

Yep, that's me. Clipper 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 what 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 a little kill? 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 it 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 all 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 for 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 podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness,

this 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 Hardway. Open your free, Our Heart Radio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now.

Smart, thoughtful, great player, 11 years, a couple of Super Bowl rings, NFL man of the year, Walter Payton, does everything right. Host of the Green Light with Chris Long podcast, founder of waterboys.org. Just a quality dude and his dad. Yes, dad's Howie Long. Got to throw that in. Got to throw in Howie Long. So look at Chris.

Chris gets out of the sport and he's all handsome and lost some weight. Look at you. You look at a million dollars, but let's not get into that. Okay. So I defended Kyler Murray. I said, folks, actors get 20 takes. columnists have copy editors. Sports is live, raw, and sometimes it's ugly,

and there's a lot of pressure on Kyler and Cliff, and I can handle it. It didn't bother me at all, Chris. I'm like, I get it, man. They're both getting heat. What did you make of that moment? Yeah, I kind of, I mean, like, it's fun, because you can talk about it on Twitter.

You can share that clip, and people can opine on what he said and what it's over. But having been a player, This is normal. You know, it just so happens that this exchange between essentially his position coach, because you know he's a quarterback coach, but this is his guy. Yeah. They've been in the trenches together.

Like, this stuff happens. And honestly, I thought the lead here was, look at DeAndre Hopkins. DeAndre Hopkins is not only a great player, but he's a great guy, he's a great teammate. Look at like the way he, you know, conflict resolves here. The conflict resolution that this guy exhibits here is big time. And, you know, him being back on the field going like 10 catches for 103, even in a game where they're kind of working back into it. He hasn't had practice time. You've got Robbie Anderson coming in town.

You hear they're going to play him 10, 15 percent of the snaps. Their backs are against the wall. And DeAndre Hopkins not only helps him on the field, but you see the leadership that this guy brings at the table. So not a big deal, if anything, it probably lets you know in the fact that these guys, from time to time get into it and they're adult enough to move past it. So I thought, you know, it was a big one for the Cardinals, but those corners were down for New Orleans. So I wouldn't take too much from the Cardinals getting back on the horse and putting up 42.

Andy Dalton spotted them 14, really spotted them 21, including that pass in the first half in the Red zone that ended up in interception. So good win for the Cardinals, but I wouldn't take too much from it. And I wouldn't take too much from Kyler yelling at Cliff. You know, so everybody freaked out when the Niners gave up a bunch of picks for Christian McCaffrey. But I said, listen, when you have a roster like Buffalo or you have a roster like San Francisco, and they've been banged up, but it's a sick roster. I mean, it's just everywhere, every layer of defense.

And rush, corner, safety, linebackers, God, it's everywhere. You almost owe the players because these veteran players like, this could be the ring ear. And my takeaway is, hey, If I give Kyle Shanahan, by the way, this is what Buffalo did with Tashon McDermott, a defensive coach. They gave him Vaughn Miller. I kind of feel like the Niners got some guys who have really put in the work, Trent Williams, George Kiddell. These guys are not going to be around forever. I love the move.

My take is, you know what, man, I don't know what the future is. This is a Super Bowl roster. This is a Super Bowl roster. You know, draft picks are a coin flip outside of the first round. You don't complain. I didn't, it didn't bother me. did you look at it and go, wow, four draft picks? No, it didn't bother me.

I knew the price would be high for this guy. And, you know, it's kind of like when you're gambling and you're down and then you've got to chase a little bit. Like, that's what they're doing. You know, I feel like they probably feel not so great about the Trey Lance pick, if we're being honest. I mean, he could develop in that sort of thing. But they know time's ticking. And, you know, a lot of people are saying they got fleeced. Well, not this year.

As long as he stays healthy. You know, and that's what it's all about. Like, you saw what they did down in, in, in, in, in, in, in, in, in, in L.A. And that's really got to stick in Shanahan's side a little bit because they've dominated the Rams, except for what counts, right? Yep. And, you know, you look at that program and you're, you're up there in the Bay Area and you're saying, like, why don't we, why don't we cash in on this window? I think, Colin, you're exactly right. I think, you know, when there is a window, you do owe it to those players to go try to win, which is why I thought keeping Jimmy was a

great idea. And that, you know, bared out to be true in the first week of the season, first couple weeks of the season. So this was my Super Bowl pick, not to win the Super Bowl, but to represent the NFC that the 49ers were. And so, you know, parting ways with a couple of picks next year, it's not like every player you draft rounds two through four have been impact players for you. You know, this guy really does add a different element to the offense. And you get the comp picks from losing those coaches as well. So Carolina, also set up really well in a division that I think there's going to be kind of a mushroom cloud, like a power vacuum there.

When Tom Brady retires, what's going to happen in New Orleans? You know, they're not off to a great start. So, like, this is not the worst division to hit the reset button in and to stack these picks up. Now, the question is going to be, do they move Brian Burns? They move some of these other guys that you're talking about. But I think Carolina set up nicely. I think San Francisco becomes, they already were a contender, but I think they're a contender, but I think they're definitely a contender now.

By the way, you were with Garoppolo for a year, if I recall, in New England, right? And I said, there's something about Jimmy. He's a guy's guy. There are just certain guys that if you're going to Vegas for a weekend, you're like, is he a good hang? You know what I mean? There's always guys that you like, but they're not a good hang for the weekend. There's something about Jimmy that I think it works. I know he doesn't throw, he didn't have the biggest arm, but you were around him for a year.

I think the team really likes him. Explain him. Well, I think likability is a really underrated quality for an NFL teammate. You know, people are willing to look past some of your shortcomings on the field. Like, we know Jimmy's the reason, or one of the reasons, that they haven't been able to get over the hump in some of these big games. Like, you could point to that overthrow in the Super Bowl. You could point to a couple of these throws down the stretch last year.

They had the Rams dead to rights, you know, with a chance. to beat them three times in a single season. So, you know, this team's close. And a lot of people point to Jimmy and say he's the reason they haven't had a ring. And, you know, that might be true, but quarterbacks don't grow on trees. Right. And, you know, if you've got a middle-of-the-pack quarterback who's got really like top five, top-10, you know, locker room skills, guys, you know, you walk off the field after Jimmy throws a crushing pick,

you can see guys put their arm around him, going back in the tunnel. Yep. These guys like him. You saw in that Seattle game when he came back in the game, I don't think anybody wanted Trey Lance to get hurt, obviously. But when he came back on the field, you saw the offensive linemen's reaction to him, kind of the way they play with him,

you know, the way they mess with them on the sidelines. Like there is a brotherhood there that they built over highs and lows over the past couple years. And you talk about that window. The window will close eventually. Yep. And Jimmy G., I think deserves a chance this year, and he got it.

to prove that he can get him over the hump, and he's likable. And that's what gives him an opportunity to not get second-guess by his teammates. You remember the Baker thing. Obviously, you talk about alone in this show. I think if Baker was a little less all over the place, maybe with the sound bites and just some of the in-the-building stuff, you know, people would have more patience for some of the errand throws or some of the ups and downs, not comparing the two players.

But I think likeability and the way your teammates perceive you can give you a longer lead. as a quarterback or a defensive end or a corner. If they want to go to battle with you, you got a better chance of overcoming some of your shortcomings. You know, we got one more question. We got about three minutes left. Eagle's helmet behind you. Yeah.

I didn't think Seriani would work. I watched that opening press conference. I thought, oh, good hell. He's just, this is way, oh, he's over his skis. And I didn't know, I watched Jalen Hurtson College, and I'm like, I don't know. How surprised are you they're this good, this early in the process for Sarianne and Hertz.

Well, I think number one, hats off to Harry Roseman. I think there's been times where I second-guessed his decisions. But, like, for us, when we won the Super Bowl in 2017, the window closed kind of quick. And you see as an NFL player, like, I got to play in New England where the window's always open because you have Tom Brady and because you have players taking less. And it's a free agency destination. And you got the greatest coach in the history of the game. You go down to Philly, you saw what it was like, how the other half lives.

You know, we made a run. We were kind of out of nowhere a little bit. And then we, the window closed. Carson left. Carson got hurt. Nick Foles left. You know, a bunch of us retired. But the core of that team is kind of still there at certain positions.

And they were able to parlay that window into this window in a relatively short period of time. And I think it comes from hitting on the quarterback in Jalen Hertz. I mean, I didn't think he'd be this good. You know, I'll be the first to tell you, I didn't see this coming. what he does with his arm, what he does with his legs, but most importantly, what he does upstairs from the neck up. I think he's one of the best leaders I've seen from the outside looking in that our game has right now.

And from hearing from his teammates, guys really buy into him. And you think about, look at all these teams this year that struggle in the red zone, Colin, like top five quarterbacks struggling in the red zone. You've got an extra weapon in the red zone, you know, not just a guy who can tuck it and run and create space, but somebody who on the two-yard line is not afraid to put his head down and drag tackler. So, you know, he gives a lot of teams trouble in every area of the field, you know, whether it's third down, whether it's the quarterback run game, whether it's the red zone. So I think the Eagles have the most complete roster in the NFC for sure.

You look at them up front. They're deeper than we were in the Super Bowl run. They invested in the linebackers, White, the Kobe Dean. They had a luxury like Jordan Davis that they could roll out there that helps them stop the run. They got two great corners. Oh, I would love to play with those corners, man. The clock changes for the rushers. You know, and offensively, the one place they probably might make a move before the trade deadline would be running back.

And I think adding a power running back to compliment Miles Sanders, that great offensive line, A.J. Brown. This is a really complete roster. I think the Dallas game Christmas Day is going to be. going to be incredible, you know, the intrigue, the buildup, and obviously two big market teams. The league has to be happy. New York, Philly, and Dallas, all playing great in that division. Yeah, and San Francisco. Now, Chris Long, two Super Bowls, 11 years, host of Green Light with Chris Long, super smart, also founder of Waterboys.org. Check it out. Great cause. As always, busy guy, young kids.

He's doing, he's employing his brother. I mean, this guy barely had time. We got to go. Great senior. Good to see you, Colin. All right, Chris Long. That family's amazing. And you can tell, you know, these big linemen when they retire, you know, you're going to see, 25 pounds

goes right off. And they, you know, it's the NFL. Got to put a little pudding on. Everybody needs a little pudding. All right. Blazing Five. Dogs are barking baby off a Big Week, college and pro. Hour 2 live in L.A. next. Another podcast from some SNL

late night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, 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. 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. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hardway 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. 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 AHA radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. 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 tauntons and wampas on the ice planet,

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.