The Herd with Colin Cowherd - HOUR 1 - Steelers, Cowboys, Rodgers, Brady

Episode Date: September 23, 2022

The Steelers are making a mistake sticking with Mitchell Trubisky Thoughts on Jerry Jones' comments on the Cowboys QB situation Preview of the Packers vs the Buccaneers   Guest: Channing CrowderSee 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 IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. 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 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.

On the Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me. I'm Sam Jay. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it with our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s.

84 was a wild year. It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black. people. Listen to look back at it 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 Heard at Fox Sports Radio.com or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Heard. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Here we go. It is a frisky Friday. lots of football, lots and lots of thoughts on football. It's the herd wherever you may be and however you may be listening.

Iheart Radio, Fox Sports Radio, FS-Wan off a four and one blazing five. Blazing five back-to-back winning weeks. I don't plan on losing this week. One hour from now, the Blazing Five. Jason McIntyre is joining us. Poor Steeler fan. I mean, listen, it's such a proud organization. you know, and they've won Super Bowls

every time they've had a Bradshaw or Big Ben, that is not what they have now. Yeah, Trubisky not getting it done, to say the least. I think it's Kenny Pickett time, right? Well, that was Trisky's best performance of the year. I know. So let's talk about that. And this happens a lot.

What used to be really, really admirable, very, very redeemable, almost charming about the Steelers, they're patience. their loyalty. I think it's getting in the way. I think patience and loyalty are now their weaknesses. If you take out that George Pickens catch, the catch of the year in the NFL,

for the record, not a well-thrown ball. That is the catch of the year, maybe the decade in the NFL, 36 yards. So take that one away because Pickens gets credit for that. And then take out those two tied-end catches where Cleveland's essentially in a prevent defense at the end, not wanting to give up a touchdown. Those are like 40-some yards.

If you take out those 77 yards, Trubisky threw for 130 passing yards, no touchdowns. And their defensive head coaches, sticking with them, baby. And I asked the question again, do these defensive head coaches understand the urgency needed as the league pivots to offense? And that was Trubisky's best performance of the year. His tight end, that kid's great from Penn State.

You didn't see him until the end of the game. Chase Claypools disappeared. Pickens had to make the catch of the year. Mitch Trebisky all year long has completed six passes downfield, 20 yards downfield. All season. We're through the month of September. He's got six of them. And you watch the Rams and the Niners and the Chiefs and Baltimore and Arizona and these crafty,

aggressive and progressive offenses. And the Steelers opinion, nothing to see here. It reminds me a little of Green Bay where they won't draft a wide receiver in the first round. It's always linebackers and defensive players in Green Bay. And it's like Packers. It's not the 80s. You got to score.

But here's Mike Tomlin. A very good coach is sticking with Trubesky and we can all see it. It took the catch of the year and prevent defense for Trubesky to get into. to the 100-yard category with no touchdowns, and here is Mike Tomlin afterwards. I thought he made some plays, man, but we all collectively came up short. I wasn't looking to be encouraged. I was looking to win the game. I'm not in that mindset.

I'm interested in reviewing this tape and looking at the totality of it and figuring out how we collectively get better. So answer that question definitively no. That was a game you got to win. You were going up against Jacoby-Berset. That's one of the ones you put a W next to when the schedule comes out. Maybe if Deshawn Watson was playing, that would be different. But Deshawn Watson's not playing for a long time and for good reason.

That was Jacoby Brissette, who as a career NFL player, nice guy, barely complete 60% of his throws, and has a pass a rating in the low 80s. You had to win last night. It's like the movie industry. You know, there's the old guard rebooting themes from, you know, a bygone era. and then there's the streaming guys. That trajectory is different. And they got their issues too, but you can see the trajectory.

The Steelers pay a fortune for defense, and when T.J. Watts not on the field, their defense isn't very good. And they don't spend any money on offense, and it shows. No urgency. Garapolo was on the market, no urgency. Wentz was out there, no urgency. Go ahead, criticize Garapolo, been to a Super Bowl. Criticize Carson Wentz.

Indy can't move the ball without him. but I mean you can see where this is headed nothing to see here to me I think Tomlin knows when he goes to picket he can't go back he didn't want to be a flip-flop head coach like a Matt Nagy or a Brian Flores he didn't want to be a flip-flop guy because it looks disorganized he's just waiting for the right time to move off tribusky because it's obvious this is such a limited 1984 offense currently and Matt Canada the OC is bringing that college stuff to the pros, and I'm not sure that stuff's working either. And they can't figure out their offensive line for three or four years. All right, speaking of legends that don't win big games much anymore, let's talk Aaron Rogers. He will face Tom Brady this weekend in Tampa. This needs to be said, Brady's going to probably retire after the season.

He's, as the kids call him, an old head. We love to just kind of bury people before their time. has done a Tom Brady in the last four years against Mahomes, Aaron Rogers, and Josh Allen. Tom Brady's 10 and 2. Old rickety Tom Brady is 10 and 2. So in 20 years when you're having a beer and you're sitting around talking the all-time greats, never forget this. Brady at the very end, wobbly Brady mid-40s dominated Mahomes, Aaron Rogers and Josh

Allen. And Tom always says the right thing. He was talking about the matchup with Aaron this weekend. Here's Tommy. He's an amazing player. It has been for a long time. So I love watching him play. And he's from California too. So I feel like we always have a little bit of a connection. He's an older guy now. He's been a great player in the same place for a long time. So there definitely has some challenges with that. But he's navigated him pretty well. And he's done a great job. Leads the team. And, you know, they've won a lot of games. since he's been there. It does feel like this game,

the game of the week on Fox, is really important for Aaron Rogers, and here's why. Because at this point in Tom Brady's career, it's just adding more Lombardi trophies. I don't even know what records he holds. I don't know what stats he's great at. Honestly, who pays attention to that?

I don't know what Michael Jordan averaged every year he won a championship. Once you start winning championships, everything else feels small. But for Aaron Rogers, it's different. This is not a Super Bowl team. They have no weapons. They're sub-500 in our last 11 playoff games.

He's a stat quarterback now. His legacy now is he's opinionated. He throws the prettiest ball in the league. He wins the MVP and he never throws interceptions. That's his legacy. Opinions, MVP's very few interceptions. That is his legacy. He's almost now when he dresses like it and talks like it.

He's the artist. He's the independent film director. with an Oscar. So the critics love it. Oh, he's beautiful. He's not a sellout. He's doing things his own way. Psychedelic tease.

You know what I mean? The critics love him. He is the independent film director doing it his own way, not selling out. And Brady is Disney. He makes money, lots of it every day. It's a massive brand. It's a feel-good brand. And anything they enter, they dominate.

But just know, Brady is 10 and 2. against Mahomes, Rogers, and Allen in the last four years. And to me, Aaron Rogers' legacy now, he's out of the Super Bowl window. You can't win, to me, you can't win with kind of a one-dimensional, got-to-run offense. Defense is good. Has not been spectacular early, though. It looks like you're going to run on it a little bit. And we don't know if Matt LeFlewer is a head coach.

So if Brady wins this game, who cares? It will be completely forgettable. He's 2-0 since he entered. the NFC against Rogers. Totally forgettable. For Aaron, hey, last time I faced Tommy, I beat Tommy and I beat him in Tampa. And we didn't even have a number one wide receiver. I think that's what his career has, to some degree, been reduced to. Opinions, he throws a pretty ball, he wins awards, and he doesn't throw picks. I think it means a lot more for Aaron Sunday. I just don't think he's going to win it. Games on Fox.

There's a lot going on today. J-MAC's got all sorts of stuff in Herdline News today. We got some ugly stories happening, surfacing. Also, our Blazing Five feel very good about it. It's a weird, weird week where a couple of teams like Atlanta, we thought they were tanking actually pretty interesting. And Jacksonville, oh, was a mess, right? I got a feeling they're going to beat the Chargers.

So there's a lot to hang around for today on the show. And I'm very close. I looked at my NFL standing predictions this morning. I looked over them. And I feel really good about them. Let's see, one, two, three, four, five, six. Six of the eight divisions I feel great about. But I will tell you this, there is one prediction I made and I may have to bail on it this weekend.

I know it's only week three and I'm reacting, a little hyperbolic here. One of them, I don't think there's any way out of. I think I just whiffed on it. That's coming up. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHeart Radio app. 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 game. 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, people who are chasing something bigger. So if you've ever supported me, or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs?

Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on The Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick 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 on day, but just so you 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. 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 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, Keer 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. For all of us, you become what your priorities are. What matters to you? Now, you can say a lot of things matter, but usually for all of us, myself included, one or two things really matter. And you become what your priorities are. Jerry Jones wants to win, but he loves attention. He's addicted to it.

He loves to be the star of a reality show. It's the biggest reality show in America, the Dallas Cowboys. I'm not saying he doesn't want to win, but his priority is brand building and business. And he's very good at those. I mean, the Cowboys don't win playoff games. They're still the number one brand easily in the NFL. Easily. And Jerry did it again.

He's talking about Cooper Rush as won his last two starts as a clear backup. And Jerry's stirring the pot. Here we go. Wouldn't it be something if you had a dilemma as to which way you go? You do that if he gets 10 wins. Same thing that happened with Prescott. I think like that. So you'd want that?

You'd want that controversy? Of course I would. Of course that means we'd won. If it comes in there and played as well as Prescott played, Rush, played that well over these next games ahead. I'd walk New York to get that. I'd want a quarterback controversy. I mean, listen, everybody inside the league knows since Jimmy Johnson left. And I know I know he's our friend.

He works at Fox. But since he left, the Cowboys. they care about winning, but with Jimmy, you felt like it was number one by a mile. Jimmy was working on the football and winning. Jerry was down the hall working on business when he first bought the team. Now, I feel it's a 50-50 split. I mean, Jerry wants to win. I think he likes the attention more.

And they're the number one brand and they get talked about. Even Zeke, the young running back, you know, the kid looks at the adult and says, you know, I get what he's doing. This is really, those people on TV to get clicks, to get views. You're going to say the most outrageous stuff. You're going to get the most attention. That's their job. So who knows they even believe that?

He wants you out to be clicking and listen to him, too. It's all marketing, man. It's all marketing. I would love a quarterback controversy. If Cooper Rush wins again, beats the Giants. Not sure if he will. But if he does, this is only going to inflame it. You think this is good for the locker room?

really this is good for the locker room controversy jerry that's how i that's how i think i know we're all watching it that is how he thinks controversies get clicks get talked about and i and i really believe it's a 50 50 split attention reality show and winning and if it's not a 90 10 i get selling the team in marketing i mean kansas city's marketing my homes too they're trying to sell tickets but it feels like a 90-10 split. Winning takes a priority. Jay Mack with a news. No, no, no, no, no.

Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. Start with America's Game of the Week. Packers' Bucks on Fox. Tom Brady's making news. He was not listed on the Bucks injury report, but he's dealing with discomfort in his right ring finger. Is anyone on Tampa healthy?

What is going on now? You know what? They're really Baltimore of last year, but they're winning. Thanks to a bad division. and a shaky NFC. The cluster injuries everywhere, and Brady talked briefly about the injury yesterday.

You know, banged it up pretty good, but it didn't affect me at all in the game. It's going to be sore throughout the week. But, you know, one of those bumps and bruises that come along with playing it. And it's demolition derby out there. It's who can recover fast enough in order to put yourself in a position to practice,

prepare, and then go play well than next week. So the injury report should be coming out in a couple hours. Who do you like? I'm on the Packers here. A lot of money on Green Bay. I know everybody in the world likes Tampa. There's a chance. Tampa's going to be starting a third string left tackle.

I'm sorry, right tackle this week. And we know Green Bay's pass rush is pretty nasty, Colin. Just be careful with the bucks here. I know you got a blaze a five coming out. If they were healthy, who would you like? If both teams were healthy? Probably Tampa Bay, yeah. They're at home.

I've seen all the silly. By the way, their defense is very healthy. What do you make of this? I think it's under, by the way, low scoring. Aaron Rogers is terrible in the state of Florida. Have you seen some of these numbers? No. It's nonsense.

No. Aaron's issue is not all of it is his fault because we don't know if Lafleur is a great coach, but some of it is, the league is gone to a weapons league, and now Devante's gone. He doesn't have a lot of guys on the perimeter. I mean, look at if they were healthy, look what Tampa would have. Evans and Chris Godwin, those would easily, easily be the number one receiver for Green Bay, and he's got both. Can I make a confession?

Ruffo Gage, by the way, would be his number one receiver right now. He's a three in Tampa. The most popular question I've gotten since starting the show about a month ago. Does Colin really not like Aaron Rogers? That is the most popular question from friends, family, random gibronies on the street. No, I'm not blaming all of him. The Packers, like the Steelers, they don't draft receivers in the first round. It's linebackers and defensive players.

And it's like, that was great in the 70s, 80s, 90s. So Green Bay reaches on a quarterback in the first round. But like the next two years, Green Bay should go first round pick. best receiver available in the draft. So it's not all Aaron's fault, but some of it is in that he knew if he took the most money possible. This is kind of what the roster would look like. So that's on Aaron.

All right. Next up, let's get to one of the most popular teams in the AFC, the New York Jets. Zach Wilson, still on the men following the preseason knee injury. There's hope he could return for the Pittsburgh game week four. Now, I floated it on this show yesterday. Is there a quarterback controversy in New York? The media watches this show, obviously, thought about it. asked Robert Salah, what happens if Joe Flacco wins?

Who are you starting next week? Come, we're just starting brush fires everywhere here. Here's what the coach said. Robert, are you committed to Zach starting as soon as he's healthy? Or if you guys can keep winning and Joe keeps playing well, is there a scenario where he stays the starter? No, Zach's the future of the organization. We all know that.

And so as soon as the doctors clear him, we'll get him on the field. There we go. I tried to put out your brain. rush fire yesterday. I don't know if Zach Wilson's going to work, but he moves very well. He's got a nice arm. He's your future. Get him in there.

Cross your fingers. He stays healthy. Listen, this week it gets much tougher. You don't get Cleveland. You get Joe Burrow and he's got a chip on his shoulder and he's not happy and they have to win. Good luck. And he deleted Twitter and Instagram.

So obviously we know Joe Burroughs locked in this week. Bengals favor by six. I don't know if I'll talk about that in headlines later on the show. And finally, that else. ugly story in the NBA. Celtics have announced it's official. They've suspended their head coach Ime, Udoka for the entire 22-23 season. Boston cited violations of team policies with a decision on his future. And the team, you know, it's getting ugly there in Boston, Colin. Udoka put out a statement yesterday saying, I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics

organization, and my family for letting them down. I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation. I accept the team's decision. Out of respect for everyone involved, I will have no further comment. By the way, there's a key word in all of this. Unwanted. He made unwanted advances toward a female Celtics employee and then had a relationship with a woman who was married inside the Celtics organization. Forget the fact that he has a fiancé, which is bad enough. He's got to figure that out. I mean, he blew up that relationship due to his immaturity and lack of discipline, but he had a relationship with a married woman inside the organization, and there's an unwanted advance on a woman. Like, stop defending him. Immature, not ready for the big moment,

can't handle the job, undisciplined, has to be suspended. I mean, some of the people out there defending him, it's like, folks, you can't, this is, well, what about this? And what about, stop comparing it to other stuff. This guy. unwanted is the key word. He made a few mistakes. To a woman in the organization and had an affair. His personal life is a wreck, but that's not, that's not the Celtics responsibility. In their doors, within the walls of the Celtics, is their responsibility to protect their employees and the culture and the character of their, you know, employees.

So he just crashed his career. Yeah, sometimes people get a lot of success and they don't handle it. well, I think this is unfortunately one of those situations. Now, the Celtics co-owner spoke today about the team's culture following the suspension. We think our culture is very strong. We're very proud of it, but this has shaken it maybe, but I don't think there's a wider issue than what we've spent several months uncovering and then deciding what to do about. So I don't think it goes more broadly.

So top three in the east, they won the east. last year. Milwaukee, Philly, maybe Brooklyn, but I just don't think. Listen, it's, what do you do if you fill in? Do you take his kind of style of coaching? Do you, and my takeaway is I'm not sure if he's going to come back. I'm not sure. A year is a long time.

My takeaway is he's out of the organization within time. That's my guest, my hunch. Yeah. All right. Jay Mack with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The herd line news.

You know, I was watching the Steelers last night, and there was that touchdown at the end. But the Steelers defense, and that's why I talk about Pittsburgh, all the redeemable qualities 10, 15, 20 years ago, their patience and their loyalty and their defensive tough mindset, the Steelers defense is the highest paid in the NFL. And the Cleveland backup got 23 real points, and they gave up 170 yards rushing. If you look at Cleveland with a backup quarterback, 12 passing first downs, pretty good on third down, 380 total yards, 171 rushing, dominated time of possession. That's with Jacoby Brouset and one wide receiver, Amari Cooper. And Cleveland did what, you know, had all sorts of success, dominated time of possession. The Steelers once again feel like a Hummer in a Tesla world.

Big, expensive, and inefficient. And that's what it feels like to me. I mean, their D-line is totally dependent on T.J. Watt. The last six games he hasn't played, the Steelers are 0 and 6. Their secondary is not good and can't tackle. And again, they're not overly efficient. Put it up again. There's a lot of good defenses in this league that are not expensive.

Tampa has the 18th highest defensive spending. Dallas is 26th. Tampa right now is number one in scoring defense. 18th highest paid. Dallas is 26 in defensive spending. Sixth in scoring defense. So, I mean, when I see these defenses, Pittsburgh's getting paid all this money. Jacksonville's defense is top 10 this year. Chargers pass rush is unbelievable. Buffalo's defense is overwhelming people. Pittsburgh's spending all that money. And if T.J. Watts's not available, it's not a very good defense.

And so, you know, the best, the most defensive thing about Pittsburgh is, is their fan base. They're so proud. They get very defensive whenever you criticize their culture or their history. They should go from the terrible towels to the to the terrible tissues. They're crying constantly and whining constantly about the coverage they get from the media. But you can't lead the NFL in salary for defense and basically get dominated by Jacoby Brissette, 23 points, ran whenever they wanted to. Tackling was. bad, totally dependent on T.J. Watt. I'm sorry. It's just not very, it is. It's the Hummer in a Tesla world. It's big expensive, flashy, big names, and just not very efficient. So I think they've got,

I think they've got some, I think they got some issues. Mike Tomlin after the game on not being able to slow down. I mean, he's good. Nick Chapp was good, no question, but Tomlin on not being able to slow him down. He was running through arm tackles and things of that nature, getting yards after contact. It wasn't good enough. I thought they controlled the line. the scrimmage, particularly in the second half. If you can't slow down, Chub, man, you can't beat this group. And we kind of knew that, and we didn't get it done. And so we got to own the outcome, and we will.

You know, this is starting to remind me of my Seahawks, where you have a legendary borderline Hall of Fame coach, defensive side, and the defense is slowly becoming very dependent on maybe one guy in slipping. They can't figure out the offensive line. One quarterback got old. One quarterback wasn't happy. Have a decent running back, but they keep going through offensive coordinators. They spend the money in the wrong place.

And five years ago, we thought they were all that. Five, six years ago, it was a different feeling. But it's those veteran defensive coaches, both borderline Hall of Fame coaches, Pete Carroll and Mike Tomlin. I feel like the same thing. They can't get coordinator right. Can't get the old line right. Have decent running backs. Have decent tight ends.

Have some nice weapons. but the spending on defense has been big. They're spending it in the wrong place. They're dependent on like one guy. You know, for years and years, it was Bobby Wagner. You're always okay with Bobby in the middle. After that, they were spending too much on safeties, couldn't generate a pass rush.

The corners, they're constantly drafting them. They're okay. That's Pittsburgh. They spend a fortune on T.J. Watt. He's great like Bobby Wagner, but he gets hurt. When he does, they can't win. And they don't create any pressure when T.J.

Watt's out. It's Seattle and Pittsburgh are. feeling, you know, the difference is Seattle this year is going to crater. Pittsburgh will be a little more viable, especially I think when they go to Kenny Pickett. But it's kind of the same thing. Defensive coaches, one couldn't get along with their quarterback. Pete and Russ and the other wouldn't move off his quarterback. Mike Tomlin and Big Ben, they should have moved off that thing like three years ago.

So we got a lot to talk about. Blazing Five is top of next hour, off a four and one week. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. He's by Carmen. I'm Dan Byard. We have a brand new fantasy football podcast called I Want Your Flex. Twice a week, every Tuesday and Friday, we come up with new episodes to not only look back at what happened, what you need to do at that minute, and also look ahead of what's coming up in the fantasy football world. That's right, Dan. Every week we're going to scour the waiver wire to find the pickups to turbo boost your fantasy line. up sits, starts, fantasy football players' rankings to get you ready to dominate the competition.

Listen to I Want Your Flex with Mike Harmon and me, Dan Byer on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year.

Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care which I'll say it. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th.

You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger, than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw,

unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment. And the next, we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music.

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

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Wherever your happy place, could be a sofa, could be on the couch watching games, wherever it is. Driveway.com let you buy or sell a car from there. driveway.com. Well, he played for six years in the NFL, and two of those years, he had over 100 tackles.

He is now, has a growing media business. He's outspoken. He's funny. He's the former Dolphin Linebacker, big radio show, a podcast called The Pivot. Channing Crowder is joining us live. He tells you what he feels,

and people like it. I like it. We bring him back on. So, I have said before, I think two has got some limitations, but I also said he's going to have a good year. McDaniel's brilliant. Tua's finally going to get somebody to wrap their arms around him and say they love him. Tyreeks great. Cedric Wilson was sneaky good acquisition,

and they got their left tackle solved. So I'm not surprised they're better. And by the way, Tua does win games. He was winning them last year. So in Miami, where you live, are people going overboard? Are they, where are they on Tua this morning right now, Channing? You know, Colin, when you, I don't know if you go overboard when some stats at the end, in NFL history, like that comeback in the fourth quarter in NFL history. Like, let's be honest. And Dan Marino set the standard and quarterback in Miami and two is matching his stuff. I don't know about this arm strength thing because this video we're watching right here, that was 58 in the air, Colin. So this arm strength thing you keep dwelling on,

oh, that's another 50 plus in the air, Carla. Let's just, let's just take it easy on the arm strength thing. But to be, you know, to be honest and answer your question, they are waiting for the dolphins to be good. And right now, beating the Ravens, beating the Patriots, the team that's been owning us for 20 years, the Miami Dolphan fan base is jacked up right now. They are excited. Well, it's a distracted market. The beach, there's a lot of sports, there's things to do. It's an international city. It's very much like Los Angeles. If you don't win, you know, people kind of just move on in life. And that's the reality of having aqua water, your city on aqua water and gorgeous best beaches in America. So it's an organization, though,

that is always really people in Miami want to deeply love the dolphins. More than any team down there, they want to love them. Are you concerned this matchup this weekend, that defensive front for Buffalo is just rolled over Miami and rolled over Tennessee? Are you a little concerned? This could be the avalanche you just get caught under and can't do much about. Yeah, and that would be the biggest concern. Oliver and Rousseau and Von Miller and those.

guys. Jordan Phillips is dog. I'm a fan of them. Edmund, Milano. I love defense and they have a hell of a front. But that secondary has a lot of injuries, and that's what we have to take advantage of. So it might be a lot of quicker stuff than last week against the Ravens, but I think with McDaniels there, and I'm glad you brought him up, and that's what I've been dwelling on. You talk about what Miami is, you know, a different type city. McDaniels fits right in, charismatic guy. He jokes around, you know, but the question of is his young approach is his you know young way of approaching it going to be detrimental to a team can he be a leader of men we're seeing that right now we're seeing what he did with two uh brian flores and i think he's a great man a great human he hurt to a tongue of

i loa for years those those coordinators chan gaily and studsville and o'shay they don't have jobs right now they're not coordinators right now you get a guy in here to understands how to maximize his players and the personality and the confidence that he embeds in them. I don't know if you heard the story. That 58 yard passed at 2 or through to Tyreek the first touchdown. The play was called effort. That's what it was called. He said we had a play called effort.

If something's going wrong, if things aren't going our way, we're going to call effort. And he used the bad word in the huddle. Just having that approach to young players like this team has, Colin, I think he's perfect for this team. He's perfect for this city. And like you're saying, we have a heck of a monster coming in here because I think Buffalo is still the best team in the league. We have a great challenge on Sunday.

You know, it's interesting. I was making this argument yesterday, Channing, is that people bang on Tua and Garapolo. But the offense they both now run is Kyle Shanahan's. And that offense does not need the quarterback to be Kobe. He needs him to be Chris Paul. Get the ball to the right people. You can score 14 or 16. We don't need you to score 30.

And so I'm watching this. I've watched Garoppolo and defended him for years. I'm like, you don't want somebody like Aaron Rogers that's running out of plays and rolling his eye. Take the snap. Get the ball to Debo. Kiddle. I yuk. That's the offense.

And as I watch Miami, I'm like, wait a minute. Tua could be perfect. You're not going to run out of plays. You know what I mean? He's accurate. He distributes. So when you watch this. this offense as a defensive guy, is it kind of a simple offense of let's spend money on

speed and Tua gets him the ball that it really is a simple offense to you when you watch it? Yes, McDaniel learned from Kyle Shanahan. Who did Kyle learn from? His dad, that's who he learned from. And that offense, that long zone, what he did in Denver, it works. It works. You don't have to be John Elway to run it. It's just a, it's a working offense. Now you throw a good quarterback in there and you've got something. When I watch it, Colin, like you're saying, from the X and O breakdown of a defensive guy, they motion every play.

They move guys around. You can't bump guys. You don't know where Tyreek and Waddle, too. We didn't even bring up Waddle yet this game, and he had, you know, he had 170, but Tyreeks 190. Those guys are always moving. They can't be bumped.

You don't know where they're going to stop. So you even saw that one busted coverage that Tyreek his second touchdown, down the sideline. It was a busted coverage because of the fact that this defense couldn't figure out where these guys are going to stop. All defense needs to know is where

the five receivers are. They motion every play with the handsweeps, with the reverses they run. So you're always on edge with McDaniel's offense. It's just what you say. You hit it on the head. Jimmy Garapolo's not great, but he won games, went into playoffs, did his thing in the playoffs because of the offense. When you look at it, it's not trickery. It's not gimmicky. It's just an offense that keeps the defense on their heels, keeps the defensive ends from really flying up the field because you have to keep this edge. And if these guys are motioning and getting a hand sweep every 12 plays, are you really going to fly up the edge?

If you can get a hand sweep and go inside of you, it slows guys down. It is, it works. And he just has to continue to do it. And it's very player-based. I'm telling you, Tyreek or Waddle get hurt. You're going to see this offense struggle because of the fact that they won't be scared of that speed anymore.

But when you have these horses, it's going to work because everybody's worried. It was crazy when I saw people sitting flat-footed on Tyreek kill. Why are you if Tyreek Hill starts running you should take on it's like when a cheetah stands up literally a cheetah on the on in the Sahara stands up everything takes off running because there if he starts running you're not going to get away from him right and that's what they're not doing call it. I saw a guy standing flat foot in the reg in the preseason and now I saw a safety sitting flat foot in the regular season and if you're standing flat foot in the time with Tyree coming at you for two guys because secke's a four four guy at six six you are going to get run past and I think. think the biggest thing about McDane is to simplify it. He is maximizing the ability of his players, what they can do, and knowing that, hey, I have horses, I'm going to ride them. Our run game's not great right now, but when you could throw for 469 yards, he will run a little bit. That's what I think he's doing. He maximizes what his team can do, and that's what great coaches do. My system doesn't work. Y'all make my system work, and that's what I'm learning with McDaniel.

Yeah, I mean, yeah, Jimmy Garoppolo, when he doesn't play, Kyle Shanahan's system doesn't work. He loses his key distributor. So I want to talk about the game last night. If you take out the George Pickens catch and a couple of throws to the tight end late in prevent defense, Trubisky's not moving the ball. And we know that Chase Claypool's good. The tight end's good. Pickens is a great talent.

Deontay Johnson, Steelers always have playmakers, always, my entire life, even in the steel curtain days. Swan, Stallworth, Benny Cunningham, Franco Harris. They've always drafted that position and those units well. And my thing is, you can, you can, Mike Tomlin may have credibility and the Steelers are a great brand. But what happens is when you have young receivers and their agents are in their ear and they're not seeing the ball. And they're sitting there with Trubisky going, I watch practice and Kenny Pickett's letting it rip. That's where I think the fissures in the locker room happen is, let's right. Let's be honest.

outside of quarterbacks, receivers now are making big boy money. You got to get catches. They're not getting them in Pittsburgh. I don't think you can fool players. So when you watch Pittsburgh, how long do you, how many more weeks until George Pickens and Chase Claypool and guys just start saying, you're costing me money here?

We might be behind, Colin. They might have did it this morning at the meeting they had. Pickett, we saw it. We saw the highlights. we saw what they were doing. This whole protecting young quarterback thing is, it doesn't make sense to me. And I love Mike Tomlin.

Actually, I'm a name drop, personal friend. You know, we had him on the pivot, you know, I got his phone number. He's a great coach. I don't know what he saw in Trubisky, but I think we know who Trubisky is. These guys, those players are going to go up. I play with some bad quarterbacks in Miami,

and those receivers were upset. They know, they know if you can play or you can't play. They know if you, like you're saying, we all want to win, we're a team. But if I catch, If I get 400 receiving yards in the season, I'm not getting paid. And it's not going to look good for my career. And you know there's NFL stands for not for long.

So yes, those young receivers, I think nowadays, to be honest, it used to be back in the day the young guys kind of stay in their place. Nowadays, man, these millennials calling, they don't care. I coach high school. These kids don't care. They will come tell you how they feel. And I believe we might be a couple hours too short because I believe that they have already gone up if you're like, Coach, you saw what happened.

What were they? Pittsburgh was like one for nine on third down or something when the quarterback's supposed to thrive. Like you see that. Players know the game. You know stats, but the eye test. Mitch Trubisky is not a starting quarterback in this league. Why don't you try the young guy?

And I think Mike Tom is going to come around to it very quickly. Channing Crowder, a growing media presence, always thoughtful, outspoken, the pivot. Great seeing you again. I love what you're doing. Watching what you're doing. You're crushing. and congrats, man.

Love having you on today. Appreciate you so much, man. And you're going to have a let up on tour? What does he have to do? Let me know what he has to do for you to come around. How about beat Buffalo this week? And then I'll start, like, being positive. How about that?

So four days from now. Four days from now now. Just let me know. You're going to be, you're with me in four days now? Come on. We'll see. Maybe I've been a little harsh. All right, Chan.

Thanks. Have a good one. All right. A handful of interesting college games this weekend. I can like things, but think they're out of control. Anytime you introduce anything to the marketplace, it's a little out of control until you get regulations. I like the NIL in college football. It's just I don't think you should be paying high school players, pay the guys that are already on campus.

I like the transfer portal because you can improve really quickly. But I don't think they've fastened up the belt a little bit here. You can no longer transfer during the season, which is the way I've been saying that for a year. I'm for it. You shouldn't be able to transfer the week before you're playing a rival to the rivals team. But USC used the portal more than any team. They were four and eight last year. They got one NFL player on their entire defensive roster.

Lincoln Riley comes in. In eight months now, it's probably the first or second best offense in college football. So this weekend, tomorrow night, they play Oregon State in Corvall. That has always been a thorn in everybody's side or USC side. It doesn't matter the coach. Pete Carroll got beat there with one of his best teams ever. It's late night. It's in Corvallis.

It's a small stadium, but it's really loud. Oregon State's got a very good coach. Excellent corners. Probably the second, third best O line in the conference. They could play ball control. My guess is USC wins, covers barely 3427. The lines come down a ton now. I think, you know, the best tight end they have,

Oregon State's out. Their best running back is out. So I think USC, I think it's a scary night for Trojan fans. I think it's close. But folks, this is interesting. If USC wins Saturday night, and again, not shocked if they lose, but if they win, you start looking at the schedule now. Arizona State fired their coach, a story out today that assistants on the staff wanted Herm fired, were leaking stuff. They're a mess. Washington State's decent, but they get them in L.A. Utah's the loss. Arizona, California, Colorado, average teams in rebuilding mode. UCLA's 3-0, but it's the most suspect 3-0 team in college football, barely beating at home

South Alabama or some directional Alabama school, and Notre Dame lost their quarterback and can't move the football. So we're talking about the Utah game, which I'm going to go to that game, Utah's good, they're at home, they have a great coach, staff continent. continuity, all-American tight ends, and USC is 84th in defense. They've only got one NFL player on defense. So they're, they're lob-sided football team, great coach, great quarterback, great receivers, nice backs, good old line, and in the box defensively, one pro. They're not Ohio State. They're not Clemson. They're not Georgia. They're not Bama. I have my doubt. I don't think they're

Michigan yet. But I'll tell you, they win this weekend. You're just circling that Utah game. everything else feels incredibly winnable. Everything else they'll be favored in. Did you see the public is overwhelmingly betting Oregon State this weekend? A public dog, stay away. I think USC cruises. It wins by like 21 now. Oregon State's got a couple key offensive guys out.

Blazing five. 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, S&L's Mikey Day and headwriter, 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 Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year.

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

iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me. Clifford 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 Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled 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 Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok.

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