The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Hour 1 - Put that trade on hold

Episode Date: October 25, 2024

Colin reacts to the Rams win over the Vikings on Thursday Night Football and why Matthew Stafford's performance should silence any rumors about being on the trade block Looking at the numbers of Stafford and Vikings QB Sam DarnoldSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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World Series Friday. Jimmy Johnson, Urban Meyer stopped by Friday. blazing five and one hour Friday live in Los Angeles it's the herd wherever you may be however however wherever you may be watching okay J-Mack

so you were right you said keep your eye on Stafford I had no idea Pookin Nicole was going to play he wasn't yesterday morning he made a little bit of an impact that he not huge game Rams looked like a playoff team well they did it last year

they got hot at the end of the year for the hottest team in the NFC at the end of last year. So, I mean, you start looking at the box score. If you didn't watch the game, many of you did, but if you didn't watch the game, you would look at the box score and you'd go, man, the Rams were way better. But I don't think the Rams are better. I just think Matt Stafford is that good. So when we heard the trade rumors this week, Matt Stafford, I said, timeout.

Take out Mahomes. Who would you want with a ball with a minute and a half left and one timeout to score a touchdown? Matt Stafford arguably is number two. So you think Sean McVeigh is unhappy with that quarterback after that performance? He still doesn't have his best interior offensive lineman. He still doesn't have his top tight end. He just got his receivers finally back, but it's still a makeshift offensive line. They're using a rookie at center, a six-seventh round rookie.

So on any given Sunday, Monday, or last night Thursday, take out Mahalms. Your best quarterback in the league is Matt Stafford. There's no real play to trade Matt Stafford unless you're bottoming out. And why would you? The Rams won seven of eight games last year, went to the playoffs and were a play away from beating Detroit. I told you beginning of last year, this is not a rebuilding roster. You saw that defense last night.

So the last two drafts, they've poured their draft picks at the top to defense. They're young. It reminds me at Kansas City's defense about a year and a half to two years. ago. They were really, really young. It was Chris Jones and a bunch of kids. And by the end of the year, you're like, that's like a top three defense. And then last year and this year,

you're like, is that the best defense in Kansas City? That's what this Rams defense is. It's all rookies, second year guys. And they're really good. And I think the Rams can win their division. First of all, I don't trust Seattle and Arizona. And they've already beaten San Francisco. So don't confuse.

and the injured team, the Rams, with a bad team, the Raiders, the Browns, the Panthers, two different things. And if you go look, whenever Pooka, Kouka, Kuiper Cup, Khyrne Williams, and Matt Stafford play, they're seven and three together. Well, Colin, that's not good enough to win the Super Bowl. Their losses at Baltimore in overtime, at Detroit in overtime. the Rams are a really good team that had massive cluster injuries on their offensive line, which if you had, you know, Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson and one of these athletes that can kind of make good as you're readdressing the offensive line, that's not Matt Stafford.

Matt Stafford's 98% in the pocket. And that's okay, because outside of Mahomes, he's as good as any pocket quarterback in the league. And there are times he's better than Mahomes in the pocket. And you saw it last night. So, I mean, he's just an extraordinary arm talent. finally got Pooka Nakua and Cooper Cup back. And you can see Pookas become the number one, not Cooper. So I did buy into the Cooper Cup rumors because Pooka's the guy now. But here's the thing. Sam Darnold played well. Sam Darnold played very well. Sam Darnold has Justin Jefferson.

Sam Darnold's got a great coach. But you noticed the gap. You did between Stafford and Sam Darnold. Sam Darnold played very well, very well. But you could see the game. between Stafford and a guy I love Sam Darnold. So the idea they're going to trade Sam Darnold, are you bottoming out? There's nobody in this college draft that can even sniff Matt Stafford. In fact, this college draft and the next college draft are considered okay quarterback drafts. We just had a great one, and the Rams didn't seem that interested in getting quarterbacks in the last one. Here is Sean McVay on his football team, which may not have a winning record, but in that

vision, that momentum, and now a healthy team is potentially really, really good. I thought it was great just a boost for our team to be able to get two experienced guys that were ready to go. They were chomping at the bit. But I thought Matthew had a look in his eye where he was going to be ready to go and it's like, hey, you're coming with me because we're going to go do this thing the right way. It's one game. I'm really pleased with the resolve and the response of this team coming off of the buy and now we've got to keep this momentum going. It's what you envisioned. You know, when training camps, started and it's nice to have those guys back. It was great for our entire team. You know,

great for our offense. Obviously, I was so happy and proud for those guys to be back out on the grass with us, but also really, you know, big for our defense, our special teams. Everybody feels that when those guys are back in. All right, so let's talk about Sam Darnold. I mean, his passer rating was 1-28-8, actually slightly, slightly ahead of Matt Stafford, which is why you've got to watch the games. But we've seen the last two weeks. Sam Darnold was good against Jared Gough. Golf was better. Sam Darnold was good against Matt Stafford. Matt Stafford was better, and the Vikings went 0 and 2.

So Sam Darnold's going to have a trademark. He's strong, coachable, athletic, playing well, good arm, and he's gotten some of the reckless out of his game. He's matured. But Kevin O'Connell's an offensive head coach. And offensive coaches in this league move off good. Andy Reid moved off pro-bowler Alex Smith. McVey moved off Super Bowl quarterback Jared Gough.

Kyle Shanahan's moved off guys that got him to a Super Bowl. Now defensive coaches, it's different. Pete Carroll, hey, Gino Smith is good enough. Remember when Ron Rivera was like, hey, Sam How can win his games? And I went on the air and I'm like, defensive coach, come on, wake up. Dennis Allen, Derek Carr. No, offensive coaches, and we've been on this for years, have much more urgency at quarterback. It's their side of the ball. They understand how much they can affect it.

Defensive coaches, they love a run game, conservative, play not to lose. So Kevin O'Connell, he already moved off Kirk Cousins. And Kirk Cousins is going to get Hall of Fame boats. You see Kirk Cousins in Atlanta. And Kevin O'Connell, he drafted J.J. McCarthy, who looked very good in the preseason. So Sam Darnold's good. And he's played good the last two weekends. But as good as he is, as a first rounder, he doesn't look at a good. as good as Goff in the pocket or Stafford in the pocket. And he's not as athletic as like a Josh Allen or a Lamar Jackson or a Kyler Murray. So you'd be like, well, he's not great in the pocket, but he makes, no, you've got to be good in the pocket.

And his division now has got Caleb Williams and Jared Goff and Jordan Love and Sam Darnold and I love him. Is the fourth most talented guy of those guys. That's how good the quarterbacking is in the NFC North. And so, I mean, again, Sam Darnold was good. So was Goff in L.A. So was Alex Smith in Kansas City. So was Kirk Cousins in Minnesota. They were very good.

Good to very good with occasional great games. Offensive coaches, that's not good enough. I mean, Darnold's had 100 plus pass for rating at six of his last seven games. But he's not as good as Stafford. I mean, not as good as Jared Gough or Lamar or Mahomes, or Josh Allen, or Justin Herbert. So you can't settle if you want to hoist trophies. Andy Reed wouldn't, McVey wouldn't. They won't settle.

and Kevin O'Connell won't. They're all in two in the last couple of weeks, and you are now seeing as good as Brian Flores is. Jared Goff, as good as Brian Flores defensive coordinator is. Matt Stafford, did what he wanted to do. Nobody can play defensive players. Defensive players get hurt more often than offensive players,

so as a season goes, the defense gets more banged up, you're winning these games. Have you noticed the last two weeks in the NFL? The best quarterbacks won in all the games. Two weeks ago, the best quarterback went 14 and O in games. Those defenses, they start the season in September. They're healthy. They're coming.

The offense is still trying to get down the choreography. And then defensive guys get dinged up and hurt and they're a little slower and the hammy. And it becomes a quarterback coach's league. And Kevin O'Connell's great and Sam Darnold is good. But you've seen the last two weeks. Good is not good enough. and here's the coach after. I think we were close on some plays in the passing game,

but when you're playing against that quarterback and those receivers getting healthy and getting out there and making some plays for them, I just think it comes down to can we get enough rushing coverage working together to maybe not give a quarterback like that a couple extra clicks. So the opposing coach said, when you got a quarterback like that,

he didn't have to say it was. great. Yeah, when you're facing a quarterback like that, everybody wants a that. Mahomes is a that. Stafford's a that. People think Aaron Rogers is now. He's not. Josh Allen's a that. Kevin O'Connell, when you're playing a guy like that. Donald's good. Stafford's different. All right, San Francisco, 49ers, Dallas, Cowboys, Yankees, Dodgers tonight. You know, I slept on that World Series. If you're a Dodger fan, there's news out that's not good. I kind of, kind of, kind of this morning like the Yankees. Yeah, there's news out right now that, I mean, again, Betts, Freeman, Otani.

I mean, the Dodgers batting order is better than the Yankees batting order. But there's some news around the corner that it's not great for the Dodgers if you're totally being honest. Well, listen, it's political season. So you flip-flopping Dodgers Yankees in this family. and 24 hours based on some news. That's right on brand for you, big guy. You wait. I will say it is,

the Dodgers are admitting they're concerned about something. We'll talk about that. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. 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, 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. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm CJ Toledano, and our podcast Point Game is about defining the odds. Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and Austin Reed.

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

he has to really guard guys like Nas Reid. He has to guard Julius Randall. And then he has to give us everything he gives us on the night-to-night basis on offense. And when IT's first, friends stop by like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too. Steve Nash will get that thing. That man, hell get the flying.

He run up the court, licking his fingers while he got the ball. Like, after you go through a training camp with that, I said, you figure it out real quick. Get your ass up and down the court, and you're going to get the ball. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is Saigon, the story of my family and of the country that shaped us. The United States will not stand by and allow any power, however great, take over another country. From My Heart Podcasts, Saigon. Please allow me to introduce Joseph Sherman.

You don't think I'm serious about a free Vietnam? I should stop talking so much. I like hearing you talk. One city, a divided country, and the war that tore America apart. This is for Vietnam. I've taken a hit from Japanese ground fire. Do you rate me? They're pouring petrol all over him.

He's holding matches. I'm on a landmine Or freeze on. Let's get out. Freedom, bomb it. Run! Saigon, starring Kelly Marie Tran and Rob Benedict. Sting, here's madness.

The world should hear about this. There's a fire coming to this country, and it's going to burn out everything. Listen to Saigon on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, it's Edwin Castro, also known as Castro 1021. and I'm Kunky, his best friend, and business manager. And we've got a new show called The 1021 Podcast. I'm taking you behind the scenes on how I became one of Twitch's most popular streamers. We also love sports.

And with the World Cup right around the corner, we'll be breaking down the biggest storylines ahead of the big tournament here in the USA. Listen to the 1021 podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. You know, a lot of people thought last week for the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City was the game of the season. No, it's actually Dallas. And I'm thinking Kyle Shanahan is watching his rival. Now, don't, out west.

If you're out east, you may not see this. But the Rams and the Niners are big rivals. Shanahan and McVeigh. Shanahan's owned him. McVeigh's got the trophy. And the heat's building up on San Francisco and Kyle Shanahan. And here comes McVeigh now with a rebuilt deep. defense that is young, fast, and getting better.

So you know last night, Shanahan is watching McVeigh and the Rams and getting a little fomo. Because right now, San Francisco's three and four. This is their game of the year. If they lose to Dallas at home, they'll be three and five. Since 1990, the start of playoff expansion, you can only make the playoffs if you start three and five, 10% of the time. only one percent of the time you can reach a conference championship and nobody's ever reached the Super Bowl.

Oh, out of 199. San Francisco loses this weekend. It's time to have serious conversations about a semi-rebuild. Kittles old. McCaffrey's got a lot of wear on the tires. Kyle Eusechecked a perennial pro bowler. Trent Williams. We know this.

You know this. Windows in the NFL. Remember you thought that Seahawk thing was going to be a dynasty? it closed really quick. Windows closed very quickly. And the thing about that San Francisco, Kansas City game, yes, Kansas City and San Francisco was banged up. So was Kansas City. Kansas City was banged up.

And the Niners are banged up a lot because that's what happens to old teams. That's why the Chicago Bulls, they won that last championship. They knew they were going to get expensive, older, and banged up. you think you got to bring all the guys back. Maybe you can do it in basketball. It doesn't work in football. When linebacker, Drey Greenlaw, the Niners got hurt in the Super Bowl, not even actually in a play.

He snapped in Achilles just coming back onto the field. The defense hasn't been the same. And they keep running through defensive coordinators who keep getting head coaching jobs. So every year it's a different coordinator. And every year you got guys banged up. But it just, I mean, Kyle Shanahan is looking at the Rams last night. and I'm here to tell you, the Rams and the Niners look at each other and measure themselves. It may not be Red Sock Yankees 10 years ago, but it's an intense rivalry in the NFL.

Shanahan and McVeigh. And the Rams have the better quarterback. The Rams have the younger, cheaper, and now healthier running back. The Rams have the younger, getting better by the weak defense and cheaper. And the Rams special teams. God, that punter's great. The Rams special teams are better. And Shanahan watches every Rams game that's on stand-alone.

with McVey and the Niners. And that Rams win last night, it's, you know who's not banged up? That defense for the Rams, it's a bunch of kids. So if they lose to Dallas, Super Bowl's done, conference championship is an absolute 1% long shot. And you have to start having serious conversations

about what you do with really talented guys who have helped you win a lot of games. It's time to hit in some draft picks and move off. guys. I know it's harsh, but three and five doesn't, doesn't end up being, you know, 11 and six. It just, it doesn't work that way. It doesn't work that way. Jay Mack with the news. No, no, no, no, no, turn on the news. This is the herd line news. Interesting thing happening here, Colin with Jordan Love, who is one of the league leaders in touchdown passes. He's been on fire. The only problem is he also has thrown.

eight picks which is tied for most in the league something he knows he has to eliminate the interception is something I want to clean up you know and definitely improve on being able to be clean with the ball you know I think the big focus for us is to go a game on offense having 100% ball security so that's definitely a big takeaway but you know there's always different reasons for interceptions whether it's bad read you know poorly thrown ball things like that so there's so many different ways things happen but you know for me Definitely someone I'm going to focus on going forward.

Kids amazing. Throwes an occasional pick. So what. So what? He's number one in passing touchdowns and he's missed two starts. Two or three, I forgot. I think the kid's great. I think he's all-time.

All time? Well, I mean, I think he's going to end up being, I think he's going to end up being in the Mahalms, Lamar, Josh Allen, Burrow class. I really do. I'm sorry. I really do. I think he's that good. I think he's really, really special.

Okay. I've seen very, very good, but Holmes, Allen, Burrough? That's the cream of the crop. No, I think he, yeah, I think he's a cream of the crop talent. That's what I see. I think he's a cream of the crop talent. I really do. I think he's right now. You've got him in the second tier? No, I mean, well, I mean, if you, if you, if you, if you, if I was a general manager and I had to say, who could I have as my quarterback, I'd probably put him now at six. But here's the thing, we did the five, six. Do you remember this summer we did the quarterback draft for Wes on social media? And I don't think either of us took Jordan Love. Well, because we kept saying, I wish they would, I'd like to see like five more starts. Okay, I'm seeing them. So he's better.

Okay. Listen, we've got to be honest about this stuff. Some guys we love, and after about a year we're like, we don't love him. Some guys were like, you were very cynical. I was not cynical, but I'm like, I'd like to see six more starts. But I'm not at practice every day. I don't get the game. I don't get the practice film like the Packers.

I trust the Packers on quarterbacks. I said it all summer. When it comes to quarterbacks, I trust the Packers. This kid is better. than at the end of last year. He's better, and he was the hottest quarterback in the league week, like 12 to the end. So I'll ask you, Colin, you could take one of these two quarterbacks to build around. Who?

Jordan Love or Brock Purdy? It's not even close. Okay, Jordan Lover, Jalen Hertz. Not even close. Not even close. The question is, Jordan lover, C.J. Stroud, I take Jordan Love. No, really? Way better athlete.

Way better athlete. Oh, my gosh. No, I'm telling you, I think he. Listen, I know a lot of people, will you seven years ago set? No, no information. Okay. I'm getting new information. I came into this season saying, I like him a lot.

And now I've watched them. I'm like, oh, hell, I like him. This kid's great. All right. Jordan Love or Jared Gough? For the next five years, Jordan Love. I mean, Mahomes know, Lamar, no, Josh Allen, no. Burroughs injury scare me.

He's been healthy this season. this season. You're asking me as a GM to make a five-year plan. I'm telling you, I think Jordan Love is... Oh, Herbert or Love? Good decision. Jordan's winning more. So you basically have Jordan Love as like the fifth best quarterback in the league? Yeah, I just said that, fifth or sixth. I think the kid's amazing. Oh my gosh. I mean, everybody loves Caleb Williams. I'm like, you know, you've got to play Jordan Love twice a year, and one of them is not at home. Like, he's going to be, he is really good. I think he's like, maybe I'm wrong. But what I'm watching is, Okay, he throws interceptions.

So did Andrew Luck. So did Peyton. So did Josh Allen. Mahomes now throws a stinker a week. Who cares? If you throw 38 times and I get one stinker, but magic 12 times, I'm good with it. All right. Last one.

Jaden Daniels or Jordan Love? Well, can I see a season of Jaden Daniels? Can you give me a full season? Next story is, oh, let's pivot to one of those great quarterbacks. Lamar Jackson. 15 touchdown passes this season tied for second in the league, and he's the early frontrunner for the MVP. One of the keys to Lamar's growth has been his development as a pocket passer,

and Brown defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has noticed ahead of Sunday's matchup. He's gone from a run-first quarterback to a past first quarterback that can make plays with his feet. Has a lot more quick throws in there. There's been times in the past that he sort of zeroed in on one receiver. You know, and when you've got good players, you want a zero-in-on-one guy. But now he's spreading the ball around to a lot more people. I think that thing happened last year. I felt last year he had become an elite pocket quarterback,

and I think this is just an extension of it. But I think it was very fair to say three years ago, he was, if he didn't see his first or second guy open, he was running, you see his head now go left to right, sweep through the field. He's really become something. You know, Friday's a big day for injury reports. So Zay Flowers hasn't practiced yet this week. He is very good.

You like Cleveland here. I don't know that I like Cleveland. I don't like, I mean, it's tough. I'm going to do a y' rounds or pass probably, right? I'm going to do a Yo Kim Noah. You like Cleveland? You've been to Cleveland? You've vacation in Cleveland?

Lamar's very good, but I mean, they've been on a roll short week. Again, after the Tampa. Remember, I was on Tampa and they were up 10-0. I almost sent you a text. Tom Buccaneers, here we go. And the next thing you know, it's like 3410 Ravens. Yeah. Betty against Baltimore is not good for your health right now.

Listen, go back to last year. Nobody has blown out more good teams over the last 20 games in the NFL than Baltimore. James Winston, is that an upgrade from Deshawn Watson? Well, I mean, honestly, that chair is. I mean, when Deshawn's shot, it's over. Firing this morning. Holy cow. All right, let's get to the final story.

And that's Daniel Jones, your guy, Danny Luce Change. He got benched for Drew Locke last week against Eagles. He was not happy about it. Danny Dime said yesterday Brian Dable told the team that Daniel Jones would be the starting quarterback going forward However, remember

John Mara the owner spoke the other day about Daibol and Joe Shane said their job security is good he refused to discuss Daniel Jones's future with the team I just looked up the contract on spot track there isn't out in the deal after this season for the Giants

They will get out of this deal It's not going to be punitive against a cap Nope, they will get out of this deal They could do it now they would They just don't have a guy So what's the game plan? Who are they going to chase Sam Darnold? Draft somebody?

I would just say is, I mean, look at the last five or six years. Brady on the market, golf was tradable, Kirk Cousins was out there, Russell Wilson, Aaron Rogers. There's always a veteran guy who can sling it on the market or two. There's always somebody. I don't know if I'd bring Darnold back to New York. But if he got Brian Dable, by the way, with Andrew Thomas, with Malik neighbors, they need a running back.

What about Mac Jones? No. No. I'm just trying to think a backup. Sam Darnold's a big, strong, mobile athletic kid. Mack is an old school pocket guy with an average arm. Sam's got a good arm and he's a good athlete. Prime time this week, Daniel Jones against Russell Wilson.

You know what? I do a blazing five. My blazing fives in 35 minutes. That was my sixth game. I wanted so badly to take the Steelers. Stand alone, but I was talked out of it. No, no, no, you can't do that. Now, even though it's T.J. Watt against a backup left tackle, Andrew Thomas is going.

Six points is a lot in the NFL. Six is a lot, and, you know, maybe the Steelers used all their points last week against the Jets. Well, that's what I thought. I'm like, they went 24 nut in the second half, and I'm like, they're not duplicating that. Yeah. They're not bringing another 24 point half. That's not going to happen. I have some numbers on Daniel Jones in primetime, and shock her, they're not good.

Yeah. Like, they're really bad. But we'll see. Jay Mack for the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Heard Lye News. So the World Series starts the night on Fox.

So this is something that is a real story. And, you know, in the NBA and football and hockey, you don't deal with this. But you do get arm fatigue in Major League Baseball. And so that's why the people that cover the sport who are there in the trenches every day around the batting cage, they've got these connections. You really have to pay attention to a pitching staff. So the Dodgers have had 40 different pitchers this year. and they have used the bullpen extensively throughout the playoffs.

And I do wonder if they're just running out of gas. This is a real story and it's not good for the Dodgers. So Jack Flaherty, who's been banged up throughout his career, they got him in a trade. Very good. No question. But his fastball, and I don't want to go too won't want to go too wonky here, but his fastball, he's lost like two miles an hour off his fastball in recent start. his last outing he got he got banged around so and he's been he's been injured his whole career so

the yankees have relied on four big starting arms the dodgers have used 40 pitchers now the dodgers batting order is better it goes like seven eight deep the dodgers have more good players over the course of a batting order than the yankees do but flerty this is the most innings he's pitched in five years and we went back this morning if you go back to the last time he pitched this by the end of the year, he was struggling. And so it's a very reasonable thing to suggest that the Dodgers who have to throw these bullpen outings are using their bullpen against the Padres and they survived and against the mats and they survived. Those teams aren't the Yankees. They don't have Aaron Judge John Carlos Stanton.

And I think the Dodgers have more good players. But I do think it's reasonable to think that you're asking a. you know, a singer that's under the weather to do an encore with their entire set. And I look at this and I think to myself, it feels like the Dodger staff is sort of hanging by a thread. Now, again, it's worked. But if Flaherty has lost miles an hour off his fastball and it's only Yamamoto against four good starting pitchers for the Yankees and the Dodgers have like one and a half,

history tells you you're not going to win a World Series. And also, the Dodgers don't have one great closer. Again, it's sort of closer by committee. So if you're asking me, you know, who's going to hit their way to a World Series, the Dodgers would win. But the history of baseball is great pitching is going to beat great hitting. And Garrett Cole is the best pitcher in this series. And you could say three of the four best starters are Yankees.

You know, earlier in the year, the Yankees. Yankee bullpen had some issues. It's not considered a super strong bullpen. And the Dodgers, it may be vulnerable against them. But, I mean, Dave Roberts, this is really going to be a series where Dave Roberts is going to have to massage that bullpen for the Dodgers. Because according to this story, Jack Flaherty is, he's not the same as he was a month ago. That's what the numbers say. That's what the speed gun says.

And here's Dave Roberts this week on his dip in velocity. I think that number one, we don't have a different alternative. And number two, we are going to dig into that as far as kind of the stuff seems like it's been down on regular. But, you know, that's kind of the way we set up the rotation. That's just the way it's going to be. Yeah, they don't really have an alternative to it. And we've seen this before in football where a team is banged up and they're banged up and they're banged up and they keep winning and winning and the margins get smaller and the thread gets smaller. and they just sort of run out of gas.

Kansas City a couple years ago got to a Super Bowl. They were all banged up and then they lost their left tackle and they got boat race by Brady and Tampa. Like injuries matter and the Dodgers, it's amazing to say this, are in the World Series and have used 40 different pitchers. It's remarkable there here, but I mean Dave Robert is going to have to probably pull some more magic out of a hat. We'll see if he can. The Dodgers certainly have the talent. Otani and Betts and Freeman.

Teoska Hernandez. I mean, they got the players to do it. Max Muncie, no question. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. 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 what I'm 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 IHeard

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. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm CJ Toledano and our podcast Point Game is about defying the odds. Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and Austin Reed. And finding ways to win no matter what.

He's the smartest players. to ever play the game. His IQ is at a level that we've never seen before. And he knows without Luca and Austin Reeves, I got to manipulate the game. We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the playoffs. I think Joker's going to be exhausted this series because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup,

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

He running up the court, licking his fingers, why he got the ball. After you go through a training camp with that, Isaiah, you figure it out real quick. Get your ass up and down the court, and you're going to get the ball. So listen to Point Game on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is Saigon, the story of my family and of the country that shaped us. The United States will not stand by and allow any time. However great, take over another country. From My Heart Podcast, Saigon.

Please allow me to introduce Joseph Sherman. You don't think I'm serious about a free Vietnam? I should stop talking so much. I like hearing you talk. One city, a divided country, and the war that tore America apart. This is for Vietnam. I've taken a hit from Japanese ground fire. They're pouring petrol all over him.

He's holding matches. I'm on a landmine. Or free time! Let's get out! Freedom, Mom, and Nah! Run! Saigon, starring Kelly Marie Tran and Rob Benedict. If you're watching the latest season of the Real Housewives of Atlanta, you're going to burn out everything.

sleeping with a merry man. They holding Kay Michelle back from fighting Drew. Pinky has financial issues. I like the bougie style of Housewives show. I think it looks like it's going to be interesting. On the podcast, Reality with the King, I, Carlos King, recap the biggest moments from your favorite reality shows, including the Real House Wise franchise, the drama, the alliances,

and the team everybody's talking about. As an executive producer in reality television, I'm not just watching it. I understand the game. As somebody who creates shows, I'll even say this. At the end of the day, when people are at home, they want entertainment. To hear this and more, listen to Reality with the King on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. For the first time since 1981, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees.

It's going to be great. First time since 1956 of the home run champions facing off in the World Series. I want the world to see Shohei Otani on the biggest stage, the 12th Dodger Yankee World Series. This is the absolute ultimate. My dream world series when I played was Yankee Dodgers. Game one Friday night on Fox, one of the classic rivalries in the sport were set for a dream world series. Tonight on Fox, the stage is set for an iconic showdown. Aaron Judge leads the Yankees against Shohei Otani and the Dodgers in a historic World Series clash.

Game one from Dodgers Stadium begins at 7 p.m. Eastern on Fox. How about this? Game one winner wins a series. If the Yankees Garrett Cole wins at Dodger Stadium and Jack Flaherty's fastball, he's losing velocity. They don't have an option in game two. You're not getting past the Yankees with a 90-mile-an-hour fastball. I'm just saying if the Dodgers win it, they got a shot. But if you're going into game two and I got the Yankees starting pitching and the Dodgers, you're in trouble.

Like you're in trouble. Dodgers have to win tonight. Yankees don't. Must win game one. Well, I mean, Gary Cole can give you two more starts after this one. So last night, listen, face masking call in the end zone. Refs didn't see it. The official, Trey Blake, says, I did not see the face mask.

It was a bad call. But what really frustrates me, what really frustrates me with officials is when they don't see something and call it like a holding. If you miss it, then just don't call it. it, don't make it up. Now you think to yourself, it's a scoring play. You have to review it. But the NFL, that review is touchdown or not touchdown. They made it very black and white. They used to have pass interference was reviewable. It was a mess and they got out of that. So even though this is a scoring play, the way they look at it is touchdown or not touchdown. That's how the review works. This is not a reviewable play. The refs didn't see it so they didn't want to make it up.

I watched television and I saw it, but I concentrate only on the quarterback. When I watch a football game, I'm not watching guards and offball linebackers. I'm watching the quarterback. And so, yeah, they missed the call. They didn't make it up. It's not reviewable. And I get people who say, well, it's a scoring play, so it should be reviewable. But the scoring play reviews are in or out.

Otherwise, you could look at scoring plays and go, well, they scored a touchdown, but there looks like there's a defensive holding that was missed. we should take a way that it doesn't work that way. They just want to know, do you get in, do not get in? Sam Donald admits they put themselves, despite the bad call, Minnesota kind of put themselves in this situation. As an offense, just, you know, got to continue to be better, you know, operationally with those things and got to just be more consistent.

You know, the face mask or, you know, it is what it is. I thought we could have done a lot to not put ourselves in the situation that we were in. And for the record, I thought Minnesota would win last night, but they had false starts, illegal motions all night, Rams had fewer, and the other thing is they dropped a touchdown pass. On the other end of the field, Darnold was scrambling, dumped it off to the tight end who dropped a sure touchdown. So Minnesota had their chances.

This is not a reviewable play. Yes, it's a bad call, but the Vikings had multiple penalties and drop passes and could have put themselves in a much better situation. And we have to admit this on the previous drives, they couldn't stop Matt Stafford. And what happens in about week six of the NFL when defenses get dinged up, the better quarterback wins the games. And so the Vikings defense was so good in the first four or five weeks. The last two weeks, Jared Goff and Matt Stafford, hot knife through butter in the second half against the Vikings defense. And Minnesota just put themselves in that situation.

Yes, it was a bad call. So the Cowboys face the Niners. And this has been a lot of noise in Dallas this week. Jimmy Johnson, Hall of Famer, Fox Sports, joining us top of next hour with Blazing 5 on this is a huge game. San Francisco goes to 3 and 5. Super Bowl's out. Conference championship is out.

History tells you since 1990. Three and five, you can get to the playoffs. You're not going anywhere beyond just getting into the playoffs. It's just not going to happen. But I will say this. If the Cowboys win, there are two fan bases, and this just kind of cracks me up, and I know this because I got J-Mac next to me, there are two fan bases in the NFL.

They're almost childlike with their optimism. You know, kids, I mean, they believe in a lot of stuff that's not true. And kids wake up every morning. It's a new day. They're hopeful. They're optimistic. As we get older, we get crankier and more cynical and more skeptical. Kids aren't.

They're childlike. It's the joy and the optimism. It takes years and years of parents disappointing them to build up that grudge. And so Jet fans and Cowboy fans. I mean, look at Jet fans. they have been basically beaten by any competent team. But they beat the Patriots, a bad team on a short week, and it's in New York.

And literally, Jet fans, I'm not joking, we're talking about the Super Bowl. And you're like, bro, it's the Patriots. Along with Carolina, those are the two worst teams in the league. What are we doing here? And, I mean, they struggled with Tennessee. The Jets got beat at home by Denver. So, like, Bo Nix was like in his fifth game or fourth.

fourth game. So, and Cowboy fans are the same. If they beat San Francisco, they view San Francisco Cowboy fans and Cowboy Nation does as like the barometer of excellence. But the truth is the barometer of excellence in this league is Baltimore, Kansas City, and now Detroit. Detroit, week after week, is excellent. The Niners, what is Brock Purdy's last 13 starts? He's six and seven. They're not a great team without Christian McCaffrey. They're not great in the red zone. They can't finish off drives. Drake Greenlaw's out. They got Debo's out.

You got IUC done for the season. San Francisco's a three and five team potentially after the weekend. But if Dallas beats them, I mean, that cowboy tour is going to be lit. This thing going to be crazy. So, and remember, San Francisco is injury ravaged. They're coming off the Kansas City game. I don't think San Francisco looks at Dallas as special. Why would they?

What is special? Is Dax special? No, Mo Holmes was. He just beat you. Is McCarthy special? No, Andy Reed is he just beat you? I think San Francisco looks up at the Baltimore's and the Kansas cities. That's their game. I think Dallas can't even compete with that.

They look at San Francisco as their game. And Mike McCarthy historically is very good off-bys. Now, most offensive coaches are. McVeigh won last night, off a buy. Andy Reid off a bye Sean Payton historically off a bye so McCarthy is good off a buy but I think Dallas I mean I'll guarantee

if they win this game it is it is inches from a ticker tape parade and they have not been to the NFC championship in what 29 years it doesn't matter I mean the Jets haven't been relevant in like 12 they beat the Patriots the town went nuts so Dak knows

you know it's noise but he's got to be better. I've played average, and average isn't good enough right now. By any means, I mean, it's never been good enough for me, so I can't say that I've been happy or excited after any of these games that I've played. But understanding that there's more plays out there for me to make, whether it's in the design or not, I'm capable of it. So I'm, J-Mack, I'm staying away from this game.

There's a game every week I just want to watch without the anxiety and stress, and I don't have, I felt early in the week. I like San Francisco. But then you hear the Debo, pneumonia, hospital. And it's just, they're not at full strength. It's not an excuse. It's a reason. Dog ate my homework is an excuse.

You know, the school bus got, you know, teaboned in an intersection is a reason. San Francisco right now is not a great football team. For the record, the Rams before last night for the previous four weeks were not a great football team. They were missing their best, two best offense. of linemen and their two best receivers. So right now, San Francisco is just not at full strength. They're not a very good football

team. They will get better when their injured players get healthy. The Cowboys won't. There's just limitations to what Dallas can do. So I think they view this game against the Niners. It's a it is as big a game on their schedule.

I don't think San Francisco views it like that. So I think there could be a little Kansas City hangover potentially. But I just know, that if Dallas wins, it's going to be like when the Jets beat the Patriots, it's, oh my God, this is, I mean, five minutes later,

the whole Jets nation was on Google looking up AFC championship tickets. They were. It was crazy. So, I don't know if I've told you the story before about, I like your little rant about optimists and pessimists. I'm definitely a pessimist. What would you say you fall under?

I try to be an optimist. So thousands of years ago, two guys go into the forest, right? And one of them says, I think I hear a lion, dude. I'm heading out of here. And the other guy's like, no, that's not a lion. Well, guess what? The guy who said, well, that's not a lion, never comes back.

They never see him again. He gets killed. The pessimist survives, tells the village. Oh, there's lions out there. I think we're all kind of born pessimists. I know I am a huge pessimist. However, in the off season, Aaron Rogers, Jets, I was optimistic. The second the wheels fall off as they have the last few weeks, I'm out.

I'm out. Frankly, I don't even know if it's 1 o'clock, 4 o'clock. I'm checked out on the Jets. However, on the Niners, who I like a lot and I don't think they're done, I am very optimistic about this week. Did you see Debo Samuel back at practice off pneumonia with no limitations? Like, was it really pneumonia? Because he'd be back that quickly?

Well, again, these are the world's best athletes surrounded by great medical teams and they're 24 years old. I can remember when I was in college, I could go and play basketball in the heat for six hours on a hangover. I could rip my ankle up at a gym. Three days later, I'm on the court playing basketball. I literally take days off now if I get an ice cream headache. Like it's just different.

When the older you get, it just, it's different. So Debo, Samuel, a world-class athlete, yes, you can be in a hospital Monday. But it's not a car crash. It's pneumonia. And over the course of six days, pro athletes are, they're durable. Debo does so much for that offense that they need him. George Kittle looks like he's a go. Mason's fine.

I will say, Michael Parsons, who people were expecting to return has not been cleared by McCarthy yet. So I think that's a significant one right there because this Dallas defense, they can't stop the run. They can't really get after the quarterback. The back end of the defense is not great. Like, I don't see how they're. Well, ask yourself this. When is the last good team?

And we still qualify, the Niners is a good team. I think they've peaked. I don't think right now. They're fully staffed. But when's the last good team, Dallas beat? Go back to last year. Pittsburgh, they're five and two. They just cracked your herd hierarchy.

That's probably the end. And for the record, Pittsburgh handed Dallas that game. That's a good point. They kind of handed Dallas. That's a good point. Pittsburgh is the last good team they beat. And that was they won on like a touchdown pass with like 10 seconds left, right? Wasn't that fourth down?

All right. Blazing five, feel good about it. Couple good weeks, Jimmy Johnson, former Cowboy Coach Hall of Famer, hour two on a Friday 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 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 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 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 Tontons and Wampas on the Ice Planet Hot, 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. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care which I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media.

Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifers Show. This is a place for raw, unfields of conversations. conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. 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's podcast network on TikTok. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.