The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Hour 1 - The Browns might pass on Shedeur Sanders

Episode Date: April 11, 2025

Jason McIntyre fills in for Colin Cowherd questioning the Browns for signing Joe Flacco as a free agent, signaling they might pass on a quarterback in the draft  It's a great time to be a Lakers fan   Guest: Vanessa RichardsonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Hey, guys, it's us. The Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe. I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called, Hey, Jonas.

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Listen to SportsSlic on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. I'm Michelle McPhee, and I've been unraveling the strangest criminal alliance I've ever reported on. A Mormon polygamist and an Armenian businessman. Multi-million dollar house, Ferraris and Lamborghinis, private jets, a billion dollar fraud. But how long can this alliance last? Tell me what you're. know is somebody coming after me? Listen to Kingdom of Fraud 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 on Fox Sports Radio in noon to 3 Eastern, 9 a.m. to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the herd at Fox SportsRedio.com or stream us live every day on the IHeart Radio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. It's Friday. What's up, everybody? Yes, I'm still here.

Jason McIntyre in for Colin Coward. How are we doing today? I'm fired up. We got some more breaking news. Had some earlier this week. We got some now. I'm joined by Alex Curry. Is that aqua?

Turquoise. But you could go, you could go Aqua. You're not far off. It can have many. It's a feel-good Friday, color, right? Vives are high today. You're bringing the heat. You're calling everybody out on the staff already. I did get a donut this morning, so I'm kind of biving on that doughnut. I had a great dinner last night. Sugar high. Yeah, and it's Friday. You know, so the weekend is here. And yeah, it's exciting.

It is. Good stuff. Let's question today. Especially for Lakers fans. Great news. Not so great news fans for the Kansas City Chiefs. We'll get to that shortly. But I'm going to start the show with the breaking news. Like I said, earlier this week, we had Michael Malone, shockingly, getting fired. by the Denver Nuggets. And then this morning, I wake up to more breaking news. The Browns have signed Joe Flacco. And that is not a joke. I know you're scoffing, a 40-year-old.

Jay Mack, TikTok was not even around by the time Joe Flacco entered the league. Like, what are we doing here? What are the Browns doing? Ah, there's a method to their madness. Cleveland is drafting second overall. And for the longest time, I and many others, had Shadour Sanders, penciled in for Cleveland. Folks, the slide is beginning.

It's starting to sound like Cleveland is not going to go Shador Sanders 2 in the draft. And they decided they kicked the tires on Shadour. I said, you know what? We'd rather wait for Deshawn Watson's Achilles to heal. We signed Kenny Pickett. And now we got Joe Flacco is our third option. They're not taking Shador number two overall. I'm kind of sure to stun by this.

However, let's remember, everybody watch college. football season. It was a great season for Shador Sanders. Seventy-4% completions. Really turned that Colorado program around and made them relevant. Much of the season, we would come on here Monday, Tuesday, and be like, man, did you see Shador Cook? Did you see that comeback? Did you see that ball placement to Travis Hunter? Shador looks good, bro. That's all we were saying. Dion Sanders was joking about steering his kid to certain programs or steering them away from certain organizations. That's what the discussion was. Here we are. 13 days to the draft, and the Browns decided we're good at quarterback.

We don't need Shudor too. But it doesn't stop there. The New York Giants, they interviewed Shadur. They saw him at the pro day. Yeah, we're good with James Winston and Russell Wilson. Is that not a little humbling for Shadur? Like, what? However, we had Dane Brugler, an NFL draft analyst on the show yesterday. Here's what he said about Shadur going in the top five. I think he can be an NFL starter. He's smart. He's tough. He's poised. He's accurate.

Maybe not as accurate as 74% completions would lead you to believe. I wonder about the way he likes to play. Does he have the physical traits to get away with that in the NFL? The offensive line was bad. There's no question about it at Colorado. But there are a lot of times where he is

running himself into sacks and he's not making the right decision from the pocket. So there's things about his profile that really, I think you can start in the NFL, but is he really going to uplift everybody around me and carry a franchise? That's my hang up where, okay, I like him. I think he can start. But am I taking him top five overall? Because it's not just about if you miss on him.

It's a top five pick. It's, okay, you're passing on Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter, one of these guys in the top five. So I wouldn't be surprised if we're talking mid-first round, maybe even in the 20s. Wow. Well, at this point, it looks like the New Orleans Saints at 9 are kind of sort of the ceiling for Shadour unless, you know, my Jets do something crazy and decide to take him. But if you look at that, like the Raiders are almost certainly not taking Shudor unless this has been a great immortal smoke screen from Pete Carroll and company. Hey, we're signing Gino Smith, but we're going to grab Shadour as a developmental guy. And I say this because, folks, I have to look this up. Shadour has not thrown a pass since December 28th,

and yet he's tumbling down draft boards. So what could it be? Well, this is where it gets interesting. We know that teams have whiffed on quarterbacks, right? The Panthers trade up for Bryce Young, looking like a whiff. Maserati Mitch Trubisky going ahead of Patrick Mahomes. Trading up the Niners for Trey Lance. What a whiff, you know?

And then we go down those. Josh Rosen was taking like 20-some-odd spots before Lamar Jackson. teams with on quarterbacks. It happens. But what is Shadur doing to make teams saying, I don't know. Well, he went on a show this week and talked about meeting with teams. And I don't know, it sounds like Shador may be turning teams off.

When I go visit these soldiers and when I go to all these different franchises, I ask them to me what I think and how I feel. And some get offended, some like it, some don't. You know, make some people uncomfortable. some people, you know, they like that. They know what type of person, what type of player they're going to get out of me, so

I just have to make sure, you know, what type of those are doing this, what type of dynamic I'm going to have with them offence. Yeah, I don't know about that, Shadur. I saw some quotes where he said he wants to come in and transform the organization. Bro, don't tell me that. Show me. I'll give you the chance

to show me if you make it sound like you're worthy, but it sounds like Shador may be turning off. teams. Now, if you want to get sinister, hey, he's doing this because he don't like the Browns, the Titans are a bit of a dumpster fire, the New York Giants. Look at those teams in the last like five years. They have not been good at all. And Dion has kind of taken to pot shots. Is Chador trying to steer himself to a certain team? We don't know. But I will say this, in his defense, because I have thought I would go Chador it too. We've seen some quarterbacks tumble down the draft

boards, right? Dan Marino famously fell bad, Hall of Famer, top 10 quarterback all time. Lamar Jackson fell to the end of the first round, two-time MVP already. And then there was Aaron Rogers, who famously, when he's in the green room, people thought he was going to go top three. And he tumbles down, way down to the Packers. And that was humbling. And maybe there's a world where the draft humbles Shador Sanders and the 23-year-old goes into, say, Pittsburgh or New Orleans or, I don't know, someone trades for him at the end of the first round. And that kind of is the wake-up call that Shadur Sanders needs. All right, I'm going to pivot to the Kansas City Chiefs, a team I have a tumultuous relationship, shall we say, with their fan base, right?

It works this way. I say something incendiary about the Chiefs, a hot take, something that I believe in, and they yell at me and then laugh at me when the Chiefs deliver. Funny thing, though, haven't heard from any of those guys in Kansas City since the Eagles flattened them in the Super Bowl. I haven't heard from any of them. And if you remember, we were in New Orleans for the show. I predicted the Eagles could run away with it. It looked prescient. I got a lot of YouTube views and Instagram.

People were loving me for the Super Bowl prediction. Haven't heard from the Eagles fans lately. So we've had some NFL guys come on this week. Talk about gambling, Adam Turnoff, Chris Felica. And the wheels started turning last night when I started to drill down on the Kansas City Chiefs. And I'll start with this. The offseason is when you improve your roster and fix issues, plug holes.

Have you guys seen the Kansas City Chiefs offseason? They haven't done a damn thing. Their biggest signing, because we know the offensive line is a train wreck. It wasn't the Super Bowl. Then they traded Joe Tuny, who was a guard, who they moved outside. Their biggest signing was Jaylon Moore. Who? Fifth rounder out of Western Michigan, who was a backup in San Francisco.

A backup. Now, he's behind Trent Williams, which is kind of, you know, understandable. Trent Williams, one of the best left tackles in league. But I think he had five starts last season. That's it. He's going to be their new left tackle. This is how desperate the chiefs were last year on the offensive line. They tried four different guys at left tackle. Tuni ended up being the best at the end of the season, but they moved off of him. He's now in Chicago. So that's the biggest issue I've had with the Chiefs. They have not improved at all. And, you know, I love Travis Kelsey. Me and my family like Taylor Swift, we went to six.

Taylor Swift in concert. I like Travis Kelsey a lot. He's a Hall of Famer. He's coming off his worst season as a pro. He's 35 turns 36 in October. Travis Kelsey career low three touchdown catches. If you look, you could draw a direct line. It was like basically his stock market on Monday.

Write down. Travis Kelsey's career stats right down. Folks, I like Kelsey. Do you remember his last three playoff games last year? He's a ghost, invisible. Didn't do a damn thing. Showed well in the open. against Houston. After that, nothing. Non-factor. He's the safety valve for Patrick Mahomes.

And I know what you're saying. We get receive rights back. Okay. We'll wait to see if there's a suspension. We'll wait to see if he gets in more trouble in the next five months. But then I saw the really big issue with Kansas City. So last year, they went 11 and 0 in one score games. Historic stuff. You don't see 11 and 0 in one score games. And the staff pointed out to me this warning, Jay, it's not just 11 and 0 and 1 score. They couldn't blow out anybody. They had the worst point differential of a 15-win team in NFL history, but it gets better. Two teams in their division who finished behind them, the Chargers and Broncos had a bigger point differential than the Kansas City Chiefs. What's that telling you that the Chiefs are unable to blow teams

out anymore because they don't have the horses? They're just not that good. They do have, however, Mahomes and Reed, arguably one of the best quarterback coach combos after Belichick and Brady in NFL history. That can only carry you so far. And you guys know if you've gambled at all, one score games historically flip year to year. Just a little tidbit that Denver Broncos went one and six in one score games. So if the Broncos flip that and are, I don't know, four and three next year, three extra wins, they might take the division. I think the Chargers are probably going to win that division this year. And what happens if Kansas City goes from 11 and 0 and 1 score games to, I don't know,

four and seven? Oh, now we're, wait a minute, now we're looking at like an eight or nine win team in Kansas City. And I'm not saying they're in deep trouble because obviously they're very good. But if you look at the AFC, the worst teams in the AFC are getting better. Tennessee is for sure going to get better with a rookie quarterback, Cam Ward. The New England Patriots added Mike Vrable, who's an excellent coach. His record needs no introduction. They're going to be much better, the New England Patriots.

Coward loves them. He's starting to convince me that they're a playoff team. We know the Raiders are going to be better with a real professional head coach in Pete Carroll. And I got a better quarterback at Gino Smith. Here are the Chief's opponents. At home, Little Edge being at Arrowhead. They have to face the Ravens, the Lions, the Texans, those are all playoff teams, the Colts who were eight and nine, and the Eagles and commanders who were playoff teams last year

and met in the NFC championship. That's a daunting schedule. Now on the road, they get a poo-poo platter of the Cowboys, Jags, Giants. Like, they should clean those up. The Buffalo game, obviously, will be huge. Guys, I'm going to ask you, I'm going to be real. You look at the last three years. Kansas City has played 10 playoff games.

That's more than half another season. We see this in the NBA all the time. When you make a run to the finals, two, three years in a row, that following year, you're drained. The bodies are breaking down. The players are wearing down. and it's very, very difficult to keep that sustainability going. I'm making the call here.

It's mid-April before the draft. I don't think the Kansas City Chiefs are a playoff team next year. And I don't think they're crater until like a six-seven win team. But guys, nine wins might not make the playoffs in the AFC. Nine you're fine probably in the NFC, but nine in the AFC, when you got the Patriots on the come up, obviously the bills are going nowhere. We know the Ravens are good.

Houston Texans, C.J. Stroud, they'll win the division. I think the Chargers win the division. And I think the Bengals, who won nine games, then still have, you know, Joe Burrow. And Cowherts convinced me the Patriots are a playoff team, and I'll go Denver Broncos. Kansas City Chiefs missing the playoffs. Go ahead, screen grab it, save it, tag whoever you, whoever the hell you want. I'm on record. April, 2025, Kansas City Chiefs, no playoffs next season.

So, Alex, I decided to choose violence here early on Friday morning. Yeah, what? I'm over here just shaking my head. It's still the Kansas City Chiefs. They're still a dynasty. Yes, they laid an egg in the Super Bowl, but it's still Patrick Mahomes, one of the greatest quarterbacks in our game right now, and Andy Reid, the best quarterback coach duo.

That's fair. I can't miss it. They have the most experience. People still can't figure out a way to beat them, especially in the postseason, unless you're the Eagles and your defense just absolutely wins the championship. I just know that teachers are getting to the playoffs. Disagreement? Okay.

Well, make sure you add Alex's toss it on the fire, another log on the fire for when the Chiefs fail this upcoming season. Coming up next year on the show. So we know the Lakers are going to probably win tonight against Houston or Portland. They're going to get the three seat. Who would you rather face the Warriors or the Clippers? This is not easy because one of those teams is super hot. The other has Steph Curry.

That's next year on The Herd. Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHard Radio app. Hey, it's us, the Jonas Brothers, and guess what? We have some big news. What's the news, name? Huge news. We created our own podcast called, Hey Jonas.

We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts throughout there. But this one's extra special. So how do we actually come up with a name, Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember.

I think it was on a call about what we should call. it and well we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band before Jonas brothers was this is how you guys remember it going down yes I have a very different memory of this we were talking about a thing a bit for the podcast people could call in and say hey Jonas and then I wrote down on my little notepad hey Jonas and offered it up as a potential title but thanks for remembering that guys listen to hey Jonas on the iHeart radio app Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. 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. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise,

breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athletes themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered.

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I'm Renee Stubbs, and on the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast, I'm breaking down everything happening at Roland Garris. Every match, every upset, and what it really takes to win on Clay. Jenchian won. I mean, she went down in three to Rabakina, but I'm delighted. She's an outsider to win the French for me. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lena Rubakina is arguably the best player in the world right now,

and I actually can win on any surface. Because if she's serving, well, good luck. Consider this your court-side seat to the French Open. Listen to the Renee Stubbs Tennis podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. Yeah, you see that at the bottom of the screen how John Moramp is impacting his NBA future? That's going to be a tough topic to talk about top of next hour.

Yeah, not a huge fan on what's going on with John Moran. But let's go to the Lakers because we haven't talked about them yet. today, 15 minutes into the show. And it just made such a banner week for the Lakers. Banner month, banner two months. It's as good of a time to be a Lakers fan as ever. That being said, there's two games left in the regular season, pretty much for everybody in the league.

And the Lakers, based on, you know, all the numbers that people have crunched and looked at the schedules and win probabilities, it looks like the Lakers will open the playoffs against either the Warriors or the Clippers. Now, you know, for the longest time, I've called the Clippers the paperclips. It's a terrible franchise who can never get their act together.

And yet, when I asked our staff today, hey, we get some Lakers fans in here. Who would you guys rather face in the playoffs? The Clippers are the Warriors. Almost universally, everybody said the Warriors. And I was like, what? Are you all crazy?

Now, to be fair, the paper clips have been cooking of late. They're one of the hotter teams in the league. But you wouldn't have noticed because Lakers Luca, Nuggets implosion, here come the Warriors, the Rockets are quietly one of the hotter teams in the league. Like the NBA has just been a little wacky lately, so people haven't noticed that the clippers have been on fire. Yes, that is Kauai Leonard streaking down the court healthy and scoring and dunking.

There's James Hardin with the cross, hez-hez-snatch plow. Like, James Hardin is playing great. And I absolutely. would rather, if I'm the Lakers, face those guys. James Harden, that choke artist. I would much rather face him in Kauai than anywhere near the Warriors. Let me lay out the case for you.

But I'm going to start here. Have to be nice to these guys. Charles Barkley won on everybody's favorite show last night and said that the second best team in the West is... The Clippers might be the second best team in the West. I'm telling you. I don't think that's crazy, though. When healthy.

When healthy, but they're healthy. Hey, Kaua Lennar's amazing to me, man. Yes, he is. Huh? Yes. I've never seen a guy. Never. Who never plays basketball.

Never. And comes back like he's been playing somewhere else. You just can't give LeBron and Luke at the credit, right? He's just upset that the Lakers are great. The Lakers, undeniably, are the second best team in the West. Anything else is just hot takey for the sake of being hot takey. Okay, yes, I'll give the clippers a little more due. Zubots, and there's some, I don't really know how to pronounce his name.

He has been a revelation for the clippers. I know he's been good the last few years, and he used to be a Laker, which kind of hurts. But there's like a case for him to be defensive player of the year. He has been excellent. The Lakers don't match up great with him, and he did, I think, had 34 and 16 against them in a recent meeting. Others in Zubots, occasionally Kauai, I'm not really worried about anybody on the clippers. That's the thing. Does James Harden scare you in the least?

Guys, this may surprise you. But when the lights are brightest and James Hardin's facing the Lakers, this season, his splits, his point per game average is the worst in the league against the Lakers. 14.8 points per game. He's destroying a lot of other teams. And then against the Lakers, he's just gagging. In the two meetings, since the Lakers got Luca, you love this. James Harden, four for 14 shooting, James Harden, five for 20.

shooting in four games against the Lakers this year. And some of those numbers are skewed because the Lakers had 80. James Harden is shooting 26% from the field and 21% for three. It's a tiny sample size. I get it. But we've seen postseason after postseason, James Hardin, it just doesn't happen. He's not built for it. He's ready to go spend his summer in the strip club throwing up money.

It's just, it's not happening. James Hardin in the playoffs, he falls apart. Now you look at the Warriors on the other side of the coin. I don't want to see Steph Curry if I'm the Lakers. If anybody, Kauai, Hardin, or Curry scares me most, it's Curry. He's likely to go for 40 or 50, and it's like, oh, gosh, what are we going to do? Golden State's small ball matches the Lakers small ball. And in that meeting last week, and I don't, you never want to go too overboard on one game,

but it was eight days ago. And Golden State's small ball game killed the Lakers. Dremond, Jimmy Butler, I mean, Podzemsky. he had a career game, he won't do that again. But Jimmy Butler's a proven playoff pro. James Harden, proven playoff flop. Jimmy Butler took the heat to two championships, guys. Okay?

I don't want to see Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler combo at its best. Now, there is a story out there that the Warriors are looking worn down because they play a lot of small ball. And if you think back, when they would go to the death lineup with Dremont at center, and they would like have Igu Dahlah, Clay, Curry and I don't remember who the fifth guy was, but they would go small ball, but they would only use that in emergency situations. Fourth quarter of a close game, down 15, we need a spark. It wasn't like we'll go small all game. And now they're trying to go small all game and

they're looking a little worn down. Like, Draymond, great defender, but can he play 38 minutes of center for six games against whatever team you want? And that's a little, that's asking a little bit too much of him. So the Warriors, I know they have flaws, and the Clippers obviously have flaws, aka James Hardin, but like, I don't know, am I really that worried about Norm Powell, who, by the way, is being great for the Clippers having a great year? And frankly, let's be real. Kauai Leonard, do you know if he's showing up next week or not? You have to be honest with yourself, guys. I can't look myself in the mirror if I say, Kauai is going to be there. Clippers are a major threat. I don't know. Nobody knows with Kauai. Like, is he going to be.

going to show up? Is he going to be hurt? It's so weird. In the postseason, he'll be like, oh, he's got an injured knee. He's only going to play 20 minutes, and then he's like, out for the season. It's just, it's wacky. So if I'm the Lakers, give me the clippers, I want no part of the Golden State Warriors. Let's go to Alex Curry with the news. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. Shots fired today, Jay Matt. Am I going off on people? You are, but I like it. It's spicy. It's a spicy Friday. I don't think either is going to be a cakewalk. Like, they're both going to be tough. matchups, whoever the Lakers face. But as you said, the Clippers Achilles heel has been their health.

If they stay healthy, very dangerous. You don't want to face it. But that's going to be it. Can they stay healthy? Oh, Ben Simmons has come off the bench for the Clippers. Did you forget? I forgot about that until this morning. I said, oh. They got a deep bench. All right. Well, let's start with Bill Belichick in North Carolina because they got spring practices started. And it's still wild to think that Belichick is coaching a college team. But watch him give some instructions to one of his quarterbacks. Same. Can we hit?

Then we hit a in-cut, and then we hit a That's how you move the ball down the field. You've got to hit some of those plays. Look, we were still 30 seconds left on the clock. All right? Nice job. This is a new attitude

bill. Like that, it's a completely different energy and vibe than we got and we saw with him in the NFL. And you have to remember, Bill's on a very short list of one of the greatest coaches of all time in the NFL. And now he's bringing that knowledge to these young men in college. It's insane. They are so lucky to have a brain and a mind like Bill leading this team. But he just seems happy. It's just different.

Did you match the Carolina Blue? I'm just noticing it now. I did not, but we are Twinsies. Well, listen, this is what happens when you date a woman 45 years younger than you. You feel younger, your spry, you've got more energy. Whatever it takes. But listen, Belichick, and some of this is probably for TV, right, Alex? Aren't they doing some kind of TV series? I'm sure. I'm sure, but he's going to be micced up the whole time.

The fact that Bill's coaching in college, this is all going to be documented. And especially in the media age that we're in now, like, it's just going to happen. So he's, I think he, we saw a switch once he left the NFL and he started. doing some media. It was a different bill we had never seen before, right? Because all we saw were the press conferences and it was like serious, angry,

gruff, nothing. And then after it was like, oh, you're kind of a funny guy and you're really smart like obviously one of the greatest of all time to do what you do. So it's really cool to see

this side of bill. It's just going to be interesting. What do you think Carolina's ceiling? Well, that's the thing. I'm looking at their schedule. So TCU to open. I mean, that won't be easy. but it's at home.

Charlotte, Richmond, UCF? Yeah. I mean, assuming Belichick knows what he's doing. Yeah. You know? Yeah. They do have Clemson. They got to come out here to Cal and berserkly.

But this schedule is very manageable. Like Stanford Dree Building, Duke's not great, Wake Forest. Listen, I can't be too hot takey and say they're going to make the playoff because I need to see. I don't know what kind of talent they have. I mean, but it's Bill. It's Bill. When you have like the best of the best leading you.

Okay. It was Bill. And they had Cam Newton. couldn't get to the playoffs. And then they had, NFL's a little different. They got to the playoffs. They got smashed and then couldn't turn it around.

I would bet on Belichick to do some things. I would too. I'm excited for them. It looks fun. Okay, let's move to the NFL. The Panthers ended the season on a high no. And for the first time since 2019, Carolina will have the same starting quarterback,

head coach, and general manager in back-to-back seasons. And Bryce Young talked about how important that is. He said it's a privilege for sure. Obviously, the same staff and so much on the offensive side is staying the same. So just for us to continue to build and grow, it's something that we really look forward to. But we also know that there's work to be done and just knowing that the work is necessary to put in. We're excited about that part too, just to grow and build. It's encouraging. I wouldn't want this to be with any other group, so we're excited for this year. It's just crazy to think about. It's the first time they've had the same head coach

quarterback and general manager, like, since BC before COVID. Like, that is wild to think about. And again, like, they didn't have a great season last year. They went five and 12, but those five wins came towards the end of the season. And you remember the season before they were the worst team in the league. So there's been a little bit of improvement. We saw towards the end of the year last year. And it's just something that you hope now with the consistency and

having the same group back for the first time since 2019. Wasn't he benched? I feel like they pulled him. It says since returning as a starter. So I think he was benched last season at some point. Yeah. He just, he hasn't been great,

but I'll say this. I expected them to go out and like, hey, let's spend some money in free agency, get some dudes. They didn't really do anything. Their top three receivers are Adam Thielen, Leggett and Coker,

the two young guys. Okay. Like, they're tight ends. He needs some guys. need some skill position. You do. Um, I mean, when you look at the division they're in, NFC South, bucks have won the last couple of years. Falcons, they're on the rise. I like Falcons with, with Pennix Jr. And then you have Panthers and Saints. So it's, it's an easy third finish if you can kind of figure it out, but I don't know. I don't know if you're going to pass the Falcons.

Young was benched for Andy Dalton last season. Yeah. Yeah, that's right. Remember they were like, there was also some fourth downs and they were going to try the tush push with him. and they were like, he's too small, he can't do it. Yeah, no, no, no, you can't do that. Not great. I mean, listen, I'm rooting for Bryce Young. Seems like a nice guy. Yeah.

It's just a tough uphill climb there. It is. But again, first time they've had consistency since 2019. Good point. Which is insane. Okay, let's end in Cleveland. The Browns are bringing back a familiar face. Back into the quarterback room,

Joe Flacco is signing with the Browns on a one-year, four-million-dollar contract. Flacco, one comeback player of the year with the Browns in 2023 and started the last playoff game, the organization played it. So they're running it back with Papa Flacco. And this move, I think, just solidifies the fact that they're not drafting a quarterback. At two.

With the second overall pick, which kind of feels like they're leaning towards Travis Hunter. But that quarterback room is now Deshawn Watson, who's coming back from injury. Kenny Pickett. They traded for him from Philly. And then they just signed Joe Flacco. So none of those names sound wowie and like a franchise guy. Because we already heard ownership say that we messed up and we made a mistake on Dishon Watson. So you already have that going in there.

And obviously he's coming off a couple different lower body injuries. Haven't seen the prove it yet from Kenny Pickett. But there were a lot of people who believed in him. And does Flacco still have it? He's another couple of years older from when they brought him back off the couch. because he literally came off the couch. He said he was at home, like, watching games when he got the call from the Browns

and ended up winning comeback player of the year. But, like, if he still got it, he still got it. So Cleveland had signed Miles Garrett. He has to be traded. Yes. And he basically, the media was asking him, what's the quarterback? And he's like, I know what we're doing.

So was that flacko the whole time? It couldn't have been flacko. Like, is that what they're talking about? Or are they taking someone else later in the draft that they believe in? The speculation in Cleveland was, oh, because they're, going to go get Kirk Cousins, they're not going to draft the quarterback.

But it's like, Kurt Cousins ain't coming now, is he? No, I don't think so. I don't think so after Flacco. And Flacco's way cheaper than Kurt Cousins is going to be. I don't even know if Kirk Couss is that much better than Flacco at this stage. Like, we're just talking about a handful of. I mean, he's also, he's coming off the Achilles injury. And also, when he came back last season, got injured again.

So we didn't fully see. It wasn't great. Yeah, we didn't see like a healthy Kurt Cousins last year. So I don't know. It's an interesting movie. move. I don't think what everyone was expecting. A tough April morning. But here you go. In Believe Land. Alex Curry with the news.

Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Herd Lye News. All right, coming up next year on The Herd, there's one team in these NBA playoffs that are starting next week. Nobody's talking about them. We'll talk about them next. Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Hey, it's Steve Kavino. And I'm Rich Davis.

And together we're Kavino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. You can catch us weekdays from 5 to 7 p.m. Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and, of course, the IHeart Radio app. Why should you listen to Kavino and Rich? We talk about everything, life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world? We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture. Stories that, well, other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss. And the fact that we've been friends for the last 20 years and still work together, I mean, that says something, right? So check us out.

We like to get you involved too. Take your phone calls, chop it up as they say. I'd say the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio. Maybe the most interactive show on Planet Earth. Be sure to check out Covino & Rich live on Fox Sports Radio and the IHeart Radio app from 5 to 7 p.m. Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific. And if you miss any of the live show, just search Covino and Rich, wherever you get your podcast. And of course, on social media.

That's Kavino and Rich. Hey, it's us to Jonas Brothers. And guess what? We have some big news. What's the news? Huge news. We created a... our own podcast called Hey Jonas.

We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts. We're starting a trend. But this one's extra special. So how did we actually come up with a name, Hey Jonas, guys?

I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it. And, well, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band. Before Jonas Brothers. This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast,

people could call in and say, hey, Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it.

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 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. Last night, a blown call changed a game.

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

The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, We break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. SportsSlice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsSlice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slicelife-Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. The French Open is one of the toughest tests in tennis. And I know firsthand because I competed there myself.

I'm Renee Stubbs. And on the Renee Stubbs' tennis podcast, I'm breaking down. everything happening at Roland Garris. Every match, every upset, and what it really takes to win on Clay. Genshin won. I mean, she went down at three to Rubakina, but I'm delighted.

She's an outsider to win the French for me. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lena Rubakina is arguably the best player in the world right now, and I actually can win on any surface. Because if she's serving, well, good luck. Consider this your court side seat to the French Open. Listen to the Renee Stubbs Tennis Podcast on the Eyeheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. On the herd, a special guest joining us. First timer on the show. Yeah. She covers the Rockets. This is kind of Rockets Week on the herd. We had Ryan Hollins on, and now Vanessa Richardson covers the Houston Rockets, knows them as well as anybody.

And listen, Lakers fans know we're playing Houston in the second round. We're already past the Clippers or the Warriors. this Lakers Rocketsky series should be big. But we'll start with Houston, which has been, Vanessa, one of the better stories around the league this season. It has. And I think if you ask the guys, they're not surprised that they're having this level of success. But it has been, I think, a wake-up call for the league

that this young team is clicking the way that they're clicking, that the veterans have made the impact that they've made, and that Eme Udoca is doing something similar to what he did in Boston. He's turning things around very quickly. It's been really exciting. Yeah, Udoca's been amazing. Were you at the game where he got into it with Curry a little bit? I was.

So were you closer enough to hear what was being said? You know, reveal? I cannot confirm or deny if I heard him get into it with Steph or LeBron James last year. Oh, LeBron last year. That was a thing too. But no, I mean, that's the identity of this Houston team, right? Like they're not afraid of anybody.

They're not afraid, you know, of any specific player, of any superstar. And the funny thing about EMA is he won't even, call people like these superstars by their nicknames. Like he calls them by their last name when I interview him. So it's not LeBron. It's James. And it's not Janus. It's a Tintacupo. So I think that no friends on the floor thing is a real thing for the Rockets. And yeah. No friends on the floor. That's his like mantra. Yep. That's good. Now listen. And as you can see. Yeah, yeah. Now listen, I know obviously you cover the team, you're close with this Dylan Brooks stuff. He doesn't seem to like anyone, and I get it, he's kind of, you know, the tough guy enforcer, tough to, he's a great defender.

Right. But do you think sometimes that that can go too far and get, he gets in his own head getting in these one-on-one battles with some players? I don't think it goes too far at all. I think it's a motivator for the team. And he's been the defensive head of the snake as far as influencing also Tari Eason and Amin-Thompson. And this Rockets team is known for their defense.

And I think that's what makes it fun, right? Like they're old school. Everybody when they complain about the NBA, they say that the NBA, people just chuck up threes and they play offense and no defense. And, you know, they're playing AAU ball. Like, the Rockets are the opposite of that. And Dylan Brooks is a huge part of that. And so I love what Dylan has done. And I'm going to shock everybody when I say this, he's like a total sweetheart off the court.

He's actually a really nice guy. The villain thing truly is an on court persona. He's told me that. He said it on camera in interviews. So he's a great guy. but that's an important part of the identity of this Rockets team is Dylan Brooks. Interesting because Amman Thompson is a phenomenal defender. I don't know.

Like, do they have too many good players in that? Like in crunch time, you need your five core guys. The Lakers don't have eight great guys like the Rockets have a much deeper team. How do they decide how to, is it matchup reliant? Like, what do you think they do down the stretch? Because some of these guys may not end up playing. Sengoon is great, but is he going to be on the court all the time against, say, the Lakers? It's definitely matchup reliant.

And it's also sometimes who's playing the hardest. Like, EMA will say that he's going to make sure that the guys that are playing the hardest are playing at the end of the game. So I think that it's a strength that they're so deep. I don't mind the fact that their team model, let me tell you what their team motto has been this year. Sometimes you, sometimes me, always us. And they're okay with that. There are not a lot of NBA players that would be okay with a night where they only score seven or eight points, but their teammate absolutely goes off. I think the fact that they're selfless and the fact that on any given night, it can be a different guy.

I don't see that as a disadvantage. I think it could be an advantage in the playoffs. So if you look at the West at large, there are some of those teams where, like, John Morant doesn't get his. He's going to be upset. Right, right. I am just curious. Like, do you think the Rockets' storyline has been underplayed because of the Nuggets fired their coach? The Grizzlies fired their coach.

The Luca trade. They're almost flying under the radar? Is that possible for a team with, what, 50-some-odd wins? They are flying under. the radar, but they like that. They're fine with not getting a ton of press, not getting a ton of attention. And you know who's been a big part of that has been Fred Van Bleet. Fred has told the guys, you don't want all the TV appearances, all the articles, all the press releases, like, we're fine flying underneath the radar and then surprising people. And I think that's what they've done.

So it's not a team. And it's not, this isn't a knock on like other teams or other superstars, but this is not a team that needs all the attention, wants all of the accolades. Like, they're fine. surprising people. And I think that that's what they've done. They're not surprised with their success, but they're fine with the fact that they are flying underneath the radar. So most teams have a clear leader, if you were. You know, we saw Yokic's drawing up plays in the huddle after they fire Malone. Yeah. You know, Luca, LeBron, obviously. I look at this Houston team. Is Van Vlitt the leader? Because I've had some hot takes on him. I like him. I said I would prefer him to like Kyrie Irving, because Kyrie's about Kyrie, Fred Van Vleet. It's about the team. Yeah. It's about the team. Yeah.

Would you say he's the leader? Like in the huddle, who's... Fred's an extension of the coaching staff. So I would definitely call Fred the leader and one of the leaders of the team. But they did a really good job of bringing in veterans. Dylan Brooks is a leader. Dylan Brooks leads by example.

And you're smiling. But he is truly, he is absolutely a leader. People, a lot of people, like Jeff Green has been a huge influence. Uncle Jeff has been huge for, you know, Tari, Jabari, some of the younger guys. So I would definitely call Fred the leader, and he calms things down, too. And so he's been, I mean, his leadership, the role that the veterans have played for the young guys. And the other part of it, though, is that the young guys have been receptive to it.

And not all young guys are receptive to that veteran leadership. But this team has been really open-minded and accepting the coaching style of E-May and buying in, which has been huge. It's interesting. You know, you didn't mention Stephen Adams. I love Stephen. So there was a funny video you posted on. on your Instagram of Stephen Adams grabbing some kind of sign. Yeah, so the clippers have the fan wall at Intuit Dome, very high school, college student section type concept,

but they had a sign of Dylan and one of Dylan's outfits actually that he wore when he and Stephen were both in Memphis. A reference to the player haters ball. Shout out to the Chappelle show. And so he had that sign and yeah, Stephen just. Took it and rolled out with it. I mean, that's Stephen. You know, this is an interesting team because in Texas, you've had, obviously, you know, Luca and the maps are very good.

You've had the San Antonio Spurs. They've had their runs. Houston seems like they're the best team in Texas right now, and I don't know that it's close. A lot of people thought Webbingyama and the Spurs. They would make the leap. They got D.R. Fox. It didn't quite work out.

Wembe, obviously, with the blood clots. Do you think there's any pressure at Houston, or is there the whole, they're playing with house money? They're fine. I think that they have very high standards for themselves, and I do think they're the best team in Texas and it's not close. I think things eventually could click for Wimby in San Antonio, and I do feel awful for Mavericks fans, but at the same time, rockets are in their division. So, you know, you don't, I don't hate what's going on there. Yeah, I think the rockets are the best team in Texas and it's not close.

And the thing is, they're only getting better, right? Like the young core is only clicking more. Amin Thompson is only becoming a better defender. And, you know, here the Rockets are the number two seed. So it's been incredible to see, and I do think they're the best team. Is it weird slash annoying when you're covering the team, your 50 wins? And then you see maybe this show, maybe others. Hey, Kevin Durant can save the Rockets next year.

You're like, wait a minute, wait, can we at least see them in the playoffs first? Because there is this idea that they don't have like an alpha in the half court. Right. But like covering the team being around them, they're not even thinking about that stuff. No, no, they're so young. They all believe in themselves, and they all believe in each other. And look, I've been in NFL locker rooms, MLB locker rooms,

as have you, anybody in this industry has. The chemistry and synergy that this team has, and the fact that, again, they're selfless. They're okay if they only score five, ten points if their teammate goes off, and that's not common in the NBA. So this team has a lot of belief in themselves and in each other, and they do really love each other. Last one on the rocket.

So Shengoon is sometimes, I don't think it's fair, but compared to Yokic because he's a little smaller and very skilled. Is that putting too much pressure on the young guy? What is he, like, 22 years old? Yeah, he's in his fourth year.

I think it's a very flattering comparison, but what I like about Shangoon is, you know, that's the typical idol becomes rival. You know, when they play each other, it's been a great matchup every time. I love what we've seen from Shangoon. And so, look, I mean, the corny and cliche thing would be, I don't want him to be the next, like, Yokic. I want him to be the first Alperin Shangoon.

But that is somebody that Alperin has looked up to. And he's been very open about that. So anytime these guys get compared to their idols and then they start playing them and they're defending them. Well, it's very similar, like Amin Thompson and LeBron James. Like, LeBron James was a men's idol growing up. And a man held Steph Curry to three points on Sunday. So it is cool to watch the young guys play. play their idols and not get intimidated by them.

On the gambling front, the Rockets are not even a top five get to the NBA finals in the West, right? Would you be shocked if the Rockets made the NBA finals? I would not be shocked at all. They have beat the best teams in the league with authority repeatedly. They're winning in different ways. So they're playing in those games where they have to win down the stretch. They're playing in blowouts. They're playing in games where they have to come from behind.

I think there's a lot of value in that. So I wouldn't be shocked. I think the rest of the league might be, but I would not be surprised. The interesting thing is they actually match up pretty well with the Lakers. For sure. With Thompson and Brooks for Luca and LeBron and Schengoon would be a problem. Lakers fans now are like J-BACS just settled out with fine. Rockets have to prove.

Van Villeet does have a title in Toronto. Took down the Warriors. So does Jeff Green. Shout out to Jeff Green. Jeff Green. I keep forgetting you. I know. He got to give the respect to Uncle Jeff.

Denver could probably use him right now. Right. By the way, were you surprised at the Malone firing? No, you heard that. The way that the league is now, I'm not surprised. But, yeah, the fact that he won a championship two years ago. Like with Taylor Jenkins, not that he won a championship, but it's just so close to the playoffs.

Yeah. I'm not surprised when somebody gets fired now, but the timing is definitely interesting. All right. Vanessa Richardson, covering the Rockets. You host a weekly show, Rockets All Access. could be a long post season for you. No early Cancun this summer. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

It's going to be exciting. Don't sleep on the rockets. Great stuff. Coming up next is John Morant trying to get himself shipped out of Memphis? What the hell is with this new grenade celebration? Hey guys, it's us. The Jonas Brothers.

I'm Joe. I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called, Hey, Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it.

We just contributed to it. First people to do podcasts. We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it, but, you know, tired and sick. Tired and sick. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it.

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. I'm Michelle McPhee, and I've been unraveling the strangest criminal alliance I've ever reported on.

A Mormon polygamist and an Armenian businessman. Multi-million dollar house for Ferrari's and Lamborghini's, private jets, a billion dollar fraud. But how long can this alliance last? Tell me what you know. Is somebody coming after me? Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo, and every episode we're cutting through the noise. breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headline. And we're going straight to the source

the athletes themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear. Listen to SportsSlice on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slicalife-Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed human.