The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Hour 1 - What the Steelers and Mike Tomlin should do

Episode Date: January 4, 2024

Colin explains why the Steelers and Mike Tomlin going their separate ways could be a good thing for both sides He defends Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy from criticisms by putting his career in context There seems to be a disconnect between LeBron James and Lakers HC Darvin HamSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Oh, we got stuff percolating, potential, firing of coaches, all sorts of sports live in Los Angeles. It's the herd. Wherever you may be and however you may be listening. Thanks for making us part of your day. One hour from now, our NFL meat sandwich.

15 minutes with Greg CoSell. If you bet football, play fantasy football, want to get smarter, football. Greg Kosal, one hour from now. He's helped me win bets all year. Jay Mack, there's stuff about Darwin Ham's getting a lot of heat. We'll get to that within 15 minutes. Darvin Ham's in a little trouble with the Lakers, meaning mostly LeBron's not happy with Darvinham, so he's in trouble. We're going to have, I've been told now, two firings on Monday, minimum in the NFL for head coaches. Exciting. Yeah. And Travis Kelsey, the rock star, is calling all of us idiots. So, he has J-Mack, he has a podcast, very popular podcast, Jason and Travis Kelsey.

And it drives Travis Kelsey crazy when us media guys talk about maybe Pittsburgh moving on from their head coach, Mike Tomlin. The media is so dumb. Why are we, why do we do the media? Well, I was a bunch of jackasses. Just a bunch of jackasses. Talking nonsense. One of the best coaches the NFL has ever even seen. about to possibly get his 17th consecutive non-losing season. Two things can be true. Andy Reed is a great coach, but it was time for him to leave in Philadelphia.

They won a Super Bowl years later after he left. Tom Landry is a legend. It was time for him to go. He won two Super Bowls. He left, and they won three after. Bill Belichick, six Super Bowls, about to get run out of New England. Phil Jackson won six titles with the Bulls, and his owner and GM said, this is your final year.

Enough! He left and won five more with the Lakers. Two things can be true. Your team has plateaued. What you bring to the table they no longer need, and your services would be great elsewhere. Nobody thinks Mike Tomlin's a lousy coach, but the NFL has pivoted to offense, and the Steelers have had a bottom 10 offense five. straight years. However, what Mike Tomlin brings to the table, the ability to create toughness, high emotion, develop players, and a winning culture is needed all over this league.

Chargers, Raiders, Washington, look at all the job openings. You can argue Mike Tomlin fits with all of them, but you can also argue what he brings to the table Pittsburgh has coming out of their eyes and don't don't need it anymore. They need somebody to take that toughness, an offensive coach, and elevate the offense, because they become a bad offense. You know, there's a saying in every industry. You may have said this to yourself. Have you ever been driving home from work or driving to work?

You're on a vacation with your wife or husband, and you turn and you say after a really good career to place, I feel like I've topped out here. yes we've all said it I said it my previous job I've topped out I need something new change is not a death sentence or is it an indictment of your resume Mike Tomlin will have arguments to get into the Hall of Fame he is a tough alpha builds a winning culture but I I could argue Ben Johnson to the Steelers would be perfect and Tomlin to the Raiders or the Chargers and Washington would be perfect. So great players get traded.

Great coaches move on. Pat Riley for years has argued you got about 10 years as a coach in one city. And then you become white noise. And then you just players tune you out. They don't want to hear it any longer. There is a big difference in any industry between maybe you've plateaued. and your skills aren't needed as much as they used to be here, and you've failed.

Tomlin hasn't failed, but what he provides, the Steelers have more than enough of. And what they need, he's not necessarily in the new NFL a perfect fit for. It's a quarterback coach league. It's an offensive coach quarterback league in most instances. where a defensive coach still works is if you have a great quarterback.

Looks like we have one in Houston. We've got one in Buffalo. We've got one in Baltimore. And do you know where they have one? L.A. with the Chargers. There is an argument. He is the perfect coach. What they lack is toughness.

Consistency. Isn't that exactly what the Chargers need? Everybody's talking Harbaugh. everybody's talking Belichick. I could argue defensive coaches still work in this league. If the quarterback is great. Buffalo, it looks like Houston, and the Chargers. Yeah, and the media sometimes we can be idiots.

I admit that. So I'm going to throw this out to you. So there's a story here today in The Athletic about the coaches that are in trouble. Atlanta, Carolina, Chargers guys already gone. Patriots, commanders. Then they talk about the coaches that hang in the balance. Matt Eber Fluse, Antonio Pierce, Dennis Allen Saints, Todd Bowles, Tampa. We talked about this yesterday.

And then they have a separate category, wait until the playoffs. And they say Mike McCarthy. So we talked about this, I think, yesterday on the show. You can watch a really, really good movie. But if it's got a bad ending, you walk out of that theater and you're disappointed. I would say that is Mike McCarthy. So Mike McCarthy's winning percentage in his career is 62%. That's John Harbaugh's.

His playoff record, 11 wins, 10 losses, 7 division titles, Super Bowl wins. Let's look at John Harbaugh. Oh, wait. They're virtually identical. Virtually identical. In fact, Mike even has a couple more division titles. It should be noted Mike McCarthy's had weird ownership situations. Green Bay doesn't have one, a negative, and Dallas has a semi-meddling one.

Harbaugh's got arguably a top four to five owner in the league. Harbaugh has Lamar Jackson in his prime. Had Joe Flacco, who was really good in his prime. Mike McCarthy had the most prickly quarterback in my lifetime Aaron. Rogers and a very, very good, not great quarterback in Dak Prescott. And yet Harbaugh, his record, and Mike McCarthy's record, we love Harbaugh. There's disdain for McCarthy. Same winning percentage.

One has great ownership. One has non-meddling ownership. One has had two quarterback stars, Pro Bowl level, in their prime. I mean, Joe Flacco, Super Bowl MVP, Lamar Jackson, going to be a multiple MVP. And I'm not saying Aaron wasn't great. But if you look at what McCarthy's done, we don't like the way some of his big games end. Well, do we like the way Lamar's games end under Harbaugh? Not in the playoffs, we don't.

Isn't it funny how we view John Harbaugh and how we view Mike McCarthy? Harbaugh's had the better ownership, which I don't know, seems like about half of the entire ball game in this sport. Harbaugh, I'd argue, if you look at the numbers, Lamar Jackson provides for his football team. They're dead even with Aaron Rogers. Lamar Jackson's worth about 11 points a game. That's what Aaron was worth in his prime. Those are another galaxy numbers.

I don't even know if Brady was worth 11 in New England. I don't think he was. So my takeaway is, but it's that clock management. it's that play calling. I've always pushed back on play calling. Very rarely do I think play calling decides games. Sark's getting beat up for play calling. Texas doesn't have the timeouts.

They can't run the ball. They've got to throw it up. That's just the way it works. But it is interesting. McCarthy's a little bit like a great TV series and you never really like the season finale. But it's good and you keep coming back to it. But I think we beat up on him because, you know,

it goes back to Peyton Manning's last year in Denver, he won a Super Bowl. He was awful in the regular season, but you remember the Super Bowl. Remember that Golden State Cleveland NBA final where LeBron brings back the crown to Cleveland, how emotional it was? What a series!

It was awful until game seven. It was six. Three games decided by 30-some point. It was an awful series with a great ending. So we think it's a great series. Peyton Manning's last year in Denver was awful with a great ending. McCarthy's been a very good B-plus aim on his coach. He's only just inches behind Andy Reed and winning percentage.

He's ahead of Pete Carroll. He's tied with John Harbaugh, and we hold them all penthouse level. McCarthy, we want evicted. So is McCarthy's rep? You coach for the Cowboys and Packers. Massive brands, huge TV ratings. We love Baltimore. They don't have the brand of the Packers or the Cowboys.

When you coach the Packers and the Cowboys, Fox puts your games on the afternoon. NBC puts them on Sunday night. ESPN puts them on Monday night. Leagues, conferences, networks, battle for Cowboy Packer games, and Mike's the coach. And they've lost a lot of close games. So is Aaron. Just something to think about. Everybody, we're putting all these coaches that could get fired.

And J-MAC said it yesterday, I believe, if McCarthy loses, let's say he does. Let's say he loses his second playoff game. I can't fire him. I can't fire him for that. If John Harbaugh loses his second with the MVP quarterback and clearly the best roster in the AFC, I can't fire John Harbaugh. Why can I fire McCarthy?

If they both win a playoff game and lose the second, it's hard to win playoff games. Baltimore loses to Buffalo. Cowboys lose to the Niners. I can't fire McCarthy. You can't fire Harbaugh. But there's an absolute belief. should fire McCarthy if he loses a second playoff game.

Got to win the first. I mean, both coaches are under heat to win the first, but it's interesting. If Harbaugh lost a second playoff game, we would not consider it a firing. McCarthy's in huge trouble. My question, should he be? Semi-meddling owner, no owner, B-plus quarterback, 62% winning percentage, Super Bowl, seven division titles, lines are perfectly out with John Harbaugh. Who I love.

I know. Facts and data getting in the way of your convictions. It's crazy, isn't it? No, it's not crazy at all, Colin. I mean, Harbaugh won a Super Bowl recently. Harbaugh's got a Super Bowl. It's the Baltimore Ravens. There's not a rich history of dominance for three, four, five decades.

Dallas was the premier America's team. Baltimore has been great. They've been really, really good. For 20 years in a row. Right. Almost without a blip. Dallas hasn't been great for 20 years, the Garrett years, the Chan Galey years. Exactly. They were amazing in the 90s, and Jerry's trying to recapture that magic.

And if you can't get me there, you're out the door. In Baltimore, I mean, listen, I lived in that area. When the last time Baltimore was bad? I mean, they've had Joe Flacco, let's get him out of the building. Lamar comes up. Baltimore is one of the three best organizations in the league, arguably. Yeah, in the last 25 years, they have, what, two Super Bowl wins? Dallas has none. They don't even have a trip to the Super Bowl?

So that's my point. Yeah. Is that they're both big brands. Well, no. Harbaugh, and Dallas is a bigger brand, but Andy Reid and Harbaugh, you can contextualize both. We both think they're great. But Andy's offense, so we give them an edge. Mike McCarthy's offense has the exact same resume of John Harbaugh.

And I would argue Harbaugh's had much better ownership and a much better on average front office. That's fair. By the way, Baltimore lands free agents. Green Bay does it. So McCarthy had no owner and they don't land free agents. Absolute disadvantage. Jerry Metals. Baltimore gets free agents.

They make huge trades. They're hyper-aggressive. Players love playing there. Great ownership. Most of the time for Harbaugh, dysfunctional Cleveland and Cincinnati until recently? Who are the biggest brands in the AFC team-wise? Pittsburgh Steelers, for sure. Number one, Pittsburgh.

Baltimore. Right? I think Lamar, I think the Raiders used to be. I think the Raiders have been dormant for 20 years. I think the seats, again, Kansas City's always been a good brand. Mahomes absolutely elevates it. So your argument, like Dallas is the number one brand in the sport, right? Most valued franchise, number one, their TV ratings, the stadium everything.

But my argument is that just adds pressure to the coach. Does it make it easier? It's harder to coach Texas than Texas Tech. It is harder to coach Michigan than Michigan State, although you wouldn't know it by how old the drama at Michigan State. My point is, Mike McCrude. McCarthy's had to coach no owner and no free agent Green Bay. No, there's pressure.

And then he goes to Dallas with semi-meddling owner. These are hard jobs with a quarterback who's good, but never been as good as the public belief. I think McCarthy's jobs have been hard. Definitely. Would you say that? Older, Jerry, less realistic, Jerry, wealthier Jerry, no owner, no free agent Green Bay. If you told me today, I was a coach and could have five jobs in the NFL. Dallas is not one of them.

Baltimore's absolutely, I get Lamar, that owner, that front office, that roster. I wouldn't want Dallas in the pressure. The problem with Dallas is who do you blame for the last two playoff losses? Close games. I believe both were at home, and you're not going to blame the quarterback who's making the $40-plus million. You can blame the quarterback. But Josh Allen gets nothing to playoff games was in San Francisco. Sorry, San Francisco and the other one was at home.

Both were to the Niners. Dallas lost both of them. Dak wasn't great. but I think McCarthy shoulders a lot of the blame for both of those postseason losses. And I'm arguing maybe he shoulders too much blame. I'm just trying to add perspective. We think Harbaugh's great and Mike's a stiff. That is not what the data proves.

That is not what the data says. And I'd argue McCarthy's had a tougher ownership situation by far. And I'm not... How about this? We're coaching a playoff game this weekend. I can tell you, you can pick any coach in the league between Harbaugh and McCarthy. Who you got? Who you take him as a coach for the game?

This playoff week. Well, I think Harbaugh's unbelievable. But I don't think Mike's bad. I can't believe he's in an article getting run. They're putting him in with Arthur Smith. They're putting him in with Dennis Allen, who's won 37% of his games. And then right below it's like, Matt Iberfluse, Mike McCarthy. What timeout?

What? He can't be in the same article. He can't have him the same article as that group. Remember yesterday rhymes with Phalas. People were laughing at that online. I tried to tell you, this is coming. And the athletic, I guess, watches the show and agrees. It is crazy.

I mean, there you go. All right, great parlay for you this weekend. Thanks to Drafking Sportsbook, new users. The code is heard. That's me, H-E-R-D, when you download the app. And that takes two minutes. All right, my parley pick of the week via Draft King Sportsbook. Texans at the Colt, Texans minus one.

I think they're the better team, better quarterback. I'm going to take the Texans like I did last week to win straight out. Bears at the Packers, Green Bay, minus three. I know Iber, Fluse, and Justin Fields feel like they're playing for their job, but Green Bay's dominated the series, better coach, better offense. I take the Packers to win about 2720. Bills minus three at Miami, I like Buffalo. Dolphins, without Nick Chubb, no pass rush.

Buffalo wins by a touchdown. Want to take the herd parlay? H-E-R-D Parlay? Check out Drafking's Sportsbook. New users, code is heard when you download the app. 21 plus in most eligible states, but age varies by jurisdiction. Eligibility restrictions apply. Gambling problem, call 1-800 gambler.

In New York, call 8778-8 Hope-N-Y or text Hope & Y 467-369. See show notes for full details. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds.

I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from 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? 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 a 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 y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack.

So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you finishing that sentence. 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.

You are now entering the no bull zone sponsored by credible great rates. None of the bowl. So there is a story this morning from Shams Sharanya and Jovon Abuja. Very good reporters. Very respected guys at the athletic. Don't know Joe Von, no Shams. They're both really good. So there's currently a deepening disconnect between Darvinham and the Lakers locker room,

six sources with direct knowledge. That's some players. And there's in question now, Darvindham standing with the team. There's kind of a disjointed nature between the team, the coach, the players, weird rotations. We've talked about this, Austin Reeves, not getting the minutes. The starting lineups are odd. So I thought Darwin had a great rookie year as a head coach, but LeBron is demanding, is one of the smartest players ever. And if he doesn't like to coach, the coach gets heat.

I would say this about Darvin Ham and the Lakers. Even last year with old LeBron, this team was barely above 500 in the regular. season. They were bad last year through 35 games, and they're bad this year. So any roster led by LeBron in year 21 and an inconsistent and brittle AD, at least offensively, you're not going to be a juggernaut in the regular season. Youth and depth is the key to regular seasons. Sacramento, Indiana, Oklahoma City, Orlando Magic. Lakers have an eight-man rotation last night that didn't have a point guard, and they have a lot of overlapping players. Last night, by the way, in a semi-related story, the youth and depth of the Pacers wants to get beat Old Milwaukee.

Not the beat or the team. The Pacers, youth in depth, they had 59 points from their bench. Indiana's a great regular season team. By the way, OKC's got depth. They keep beating the Denver Nuggets in the regular season. They're not beating them in May. They're not beating them. in June.

In the Western Conference finals, an O.K.C. could get there. Who you take it? I'm taking Denver. I'm taking the experience with an average bench. So, Indiana, Sacramento, Oklahoma City, these teams are built for the regular season, plus those teams haven't won anything, so they care more. This is an old team. AD's got the ring in the bag and the legacy. LeBron's got the ring, the bags, and the legacies.

All right, like this is not what they're built for. Now, and when LeBron is infrequently off, last night he had a bad game. He gets those. He couldn't hit a 3-0 for 6, 6 for 18 overall. So the Lakers couldn't hit. Miami late in the game did hit. But I will tell you this, the Lakers are a sprinter, not a marathon runner. So they were very good in the one-and-done series, the in-tournament thing, where every game felt like it was crucial.

That was like the playoffs in season. Right? It kind of had a March badness feel. You had to win the games. they changed the court. Lakers were very good in that. I think they finished 708 no, something like that. And I think they'll be a very good playoff team. They got to the Western Conference Finals last year

and were lousy at this point. So I don't think they need to trade. I think they need more athleticism on the wing. I'm not a Zach Levine fan, but I think he fits here. I could do something like that. But the Darwin handpiece, which broke this morning, you know, this means LeBron's unhappy.

And by the way, in the NFL, Well, Tom Brady was unhappy with Belichick many times. Much harder to get a coach fired. When Tom had struggles with Bruce Ariens, Bruce moved upstairs. So in the NFL, you don't have that kind of, you don't have that power. In the NBA, you do. And if LeBron's unhappy, the coach is in trouble. That's how I see it.

Jay Mack with the news. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. It's crazy. I just had to look this up. Colin, if I told you AD and LeBron, we're going to play in almost all the games, through 35 games, whatever. And they both were top 10 in player efficiency.

No other team has two guys in the top 10. You would think the Lakers were what? Top five in the West. Well, they won the in-season tournament. So when you gave them urgency, and I forget what their record was in the in-season tournament, though I'm very proud of the banner that hanged at crypto. Yeah, I mean, it was perfect, 708, no whatever else. So when you gave them urgency, kind of a do-or-die feel, change the court, got to win tonight,

standing. They were great. And I think they'll be fine in the playoffs, though they need. to tweak on the roster. They got to get to the play. You don't want to be in the playing. Look at what Indiana is doing in the regular season. Look at what Orlando's doing.

Look at what OKC's doing. Youth in depth. Indiana's bench was great last year. It's insane. Your bench scoring 60? We're in a weird year in the NBA. I don't want to go too deep into this. But if you look at the teams who have historically great players,

Steph Curry's warriors are 11. LeBron's Lakers are 10. Well, they're old. KD's sons are nine. Is this the beginning of the changing of the guard? I think we talked about this. It's a little scary for the NBA. I know what, I don't, you know, it's funny.

It may not be great for ratings, right? They've got to get that TV deal done, Colin. Well, quick. It may not be great for ratings because Yokets and Yon, international players aren't as popular often as our domestic stars. Whatever. M.J., Kobe, Magic, Bird, Dr. J., whatever. But I will say this.

I think you are seeing it, and we've seen it for three years now. The best players in the league are international. They're not our domestic players. So, I mean, we've talked about this. You take Yokich one, Luca, two. Yonnas 3 and Bede 4 never before in my life that I think that I wouldn't have Tatum

in the first 4. Now you do have SGA is great And you do have... Half the people here would not know who SGA is. He's a really awesome player But like nobody knows who he is. He plays an OKC. It's going to take him a while. It's not necessarily good for the growth of the league

No. But I will say international players make the quality of the game. The players have never been better. That's the weird part. This NBA is better than it's ever been. Your centers can shoot threes. Don't tell me the Patrick Ewing, Michael Jordan Arrow was better than this. Next had nobody that could shoot a jumper consistently.

This is a way better league. Anyway, let's get to the stories. Colin, first up is the Niners number one seed locked up. Kyle Shanahan confirmed. Not only is he resting some players, but he does not plan on playing Brock Purdy. And that's not the only healthy starter who will be resting. You know, you work hard to get an off week. in this league. I think off week helps

a lot of people, especially if you handle it the right way and stuff, and just this time of year it allows guys to get a little fresher and stuff, which you don't want is two off weeks. No one gets two by weeks, and we earned ours next week. We just didn't know we were going to do it already. So we got to make sure we get something out of this

week. I don't think it's good for anybody to take two weeks off. It's really funny how we all think. I've talked to friends about this. They're like, my team needs a buy. Like, I'll give you an example. Seattle is a year. young team. They don't need to buy. You want Seattle to keep playing. No. San Francisco in KeySpot is an old team. Philadelphia in KeySpot. Old team. I want them to have a week off. This Niners thing, I think there's some, is the right word, obfuscation going on here.

What do you mean? Kyle Shanahan is saying, hey, hey, nobody gets two weeks off. Bro, there's no way Trent Williams is playing with me. And maybe it's a series or two. But you're not leaving Trent. You're not leaving Debo. You don't want something bad to happen. You mentioned the Eagles. Colin, I believe that game is in New York on that crappy turf, right? Where a lot of guys have gotten injured. Eagles are already like leaking oil. I wonder if the Eagles say, you know what?

Dallas is a two touchdown favor. We're not winning the division. Let's just pull our guys at halftime before that. Well, there's no point. What's interesting is your point about the turf is fascinating. I've heard this within the Rams. Cooper Cup struggles if he plays back-to-back game. on bad turf. For instance, Cooper Cup was just in New York.

Oh, that's right. Yeah, yeah. So, with the Rams situation, it's interesting. Cooper Cup has been talked about. Like, he definitely can struggle on back-to-back weeks on harder surfaces. And so your point with Philadelphia is a fascinating one. That Philadelphia just says, listen, we got old dudes. This turf is a harder outcome for our guys physically. That's interesting. I don't get a lot of the lines this week, but the Giants, I did. bet the Giants this morning. I think there's a good chance the Eagles just pull their guys in. They see Dallas up 21-3.

And they're like, we're not getting number one. We're not getting the number two seat. It's out of reach. By the way, took the G-Men last week, much to the chagrin of you. Yes, I was wrong. I was wrong. Tyrod Taylor, your guy. I like him. All right, let's move on to the Bills and Dolphins, the big Sunday night game for the AFC East title. Josh Allen, Colin.

He has dominated. He has dominated. Owned the dolphins. I mean, yeah, yeah, you pointed that out, and he's not relying on the past to help him win win this game. I think every game is different. You know, each game's got a specific flow and, again, just trying with football games no matter what it takes. And I've played well against them in the past, but it doesn't mean I'm going to play

well against them this week unless I, you know, prepare well and work hard in practice and get on the same page as the receivers and the receivers, and the five guys at front do their job and the receivers guys the ball. So it takes everybody to do that. So, you know, we're looking forward to having a good week of practice and putting our best foot forward. So this is really... This is the best game of the weekend.

But how injured is Miami? Their top two pass rushers are down, right? Zay and Howard carded off. Yeah, I mean, there's... Jalen Waddle, do you force him to play this week? And I know Miami could win the division. But I... Also, Tyreek Hill had a major fire at his house, so he's going to be...

By the way, did you see him in the street with a walking boot on? Like... Yeah, no, I mean, so... No, no, he got banged up at the end of that game. So he's banged up. Plus, if your house burned down... Yeah. Like, you're not, you're going to be distracted.

I would never suggest Miami's punting this game. I wouldn't, but I think it's a bad, bad spot for them. Injuries, and by the way, the Tyreek injury compounded with that. That was the lead story in Miami yesterday. So here's the thing. Let's say they lose this. Buffalo goes to the two. Miami would, could possibly fall behind Cleveland into the sixth spot,

setting up a Tyreek Hill revenge game against the Chiefs. Oh, that'd be so good. Oh, that'd be great. So then maybe. Maybe Miami's healthier. Obviously, no job. Oh, I want that. Into my veins.

Kansas City and Miami. If Miami loses, now I don't know what the tiebreaker is between Cleveland and Miami. But that is it. That would be an awesome game. How about that? I'm not afraid of Kansas City if I'm Miami. I'm just not afraid of it. Well, you know, I think it's a good game.

Miami can't, the NFL's getting lucky. Detroit and the Rams, Stafford back to face golf. And then you get Mahomes against Tyree. Don't rule out Packers, Cowboys. I'm just saying. Wow. McCarthy versus old team. All the good ones will be on Fox.

All right, final story. Denver Broncos, oh boy, this is ugly. They don't know what to do yet with Russell Wilson. They've got three options. But one thing they may not be able to do is trade. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Russ likely won't do Denver any favors, which could include waiving his no trade clause

to help the team financially. Well, should he do them favors? Well, I mean, I don't think they're going to try to send him to Siberia, right? I have a question. I don't know. I'm going to ask a question. He used to have a no, he used to have a veto clause. He was one of five guys in the league.

Does he still have it? He has the no trade clause. Okay, so that's a, you can't send him to Siberia. By the way, if, uh, who do you think? Whoa, what? What? Do you think Sean Payton leaked this story to Fowler to get the GM out of their endeavor? Hey, no, nobody wants.

Russ isn't going to waive it. Nobody wants him. This isn't my fault. Blame the GM who gave him. no trade clause. Well, it's Sean's organization. So whether or not, I have no idea if he's why do we give him a no trade clause? He's 30, whatever, 34 years old. What are we doing? That was stupid. I don't want this guy making decisions. That's what I mean, if you have a no trade clause, it doesn't necessarily, I believe, mean, you get it in your next. I mean, you can, that's negotiable.

Not at this point. Russell had it in Seattle at the end. He has one now in Denver. I see, Denver made a mistake. I would not have given him a no trade clause. That's a big mistake. Yeah, that's a... And so if Peyton's saying... If I'm giving you the big money, Ross, I'm not giving you that. So my read from this is they're probably going to have to cut him if there are no takers. And then it's like the historical dead cap money. But again, I'll go back to...

I'll say it again. If Denver loses this weekend, they're going to be around 14 or 15. That is not. You are very close to get Bo Nix. And Bo Nix has a lot of Drew Breazzo. I like how you're talking yourself in a Bo Nix. No, I'm not talking The fifth best quarterback in the draft, come on down

Well, Lamar was like the fourth in his class, right? Fair, fair enough Okay, so I'm just telling you. That's fair. Was he somebody in, what? Lamar won't 30 second. Was he the fifth best quarterback? Fifth taken.

And he's the star. So my take is Bo Nix to that Denver roster. By the way, they got the Lil Jordan receiver, they got MIMS, another Peyton holdover from the same time. Yeah, but he can play. And then they got Mims. Then they got Sutton.

Then they got Judy. Bo Nixon-Payton. That is not a bad first team. Okay. All right. If you say so. Brian, is this segment tape? It's not. Send it to Sean. J. Mack with the news. Well, that's the news.

And thanks for stopping back. The herd-line news. Now, I know I've turned your brain into a pretzel with all this McCarthy Harbaugh stuff. But some thoughts on Michigan, J.J. McCarthy saying, yeah, it ain't the cheating. We did things the right way. And I'll tell you why he's right and the data proves it 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.

Two NBA insiders podcasting twice a week to plug you right into the NBA great vibe. All happening in only one place. This league uncut. The new NBA podcast with me, Chris Haines. And me, Mark Stein. Join us as we team up to expound on everything we're covering, hearing, and chasing. Listen to This League Uncut with Chris Haynes and Mark Stein. On the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

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 athlete for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth.

Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care which I'm saying. Yep, that's me. Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions,

my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger. than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators,

and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told,

and for people who are chasing something bigger. So if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right what you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-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's big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, 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. So, 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. Sunday on Fox, the NFL season finale doubleheader kicks off with the Lions taking on the Vikings. Then, in America's game of the week, the NFC East title is on the line for that. and the Cowboys as they battle the commanders or other regional action. Check local listings for the games in your area only on five. I like the Lions over the Vikings, do you?

I do not like that game at all. That's not on my card yet. All right. So, you know, I've defended Michigan football. They play for the Natty on Monday against Washington. I couldn't tell you the last time I cared this much about a national championship. I'm really excited. I have great respect for the Harbaugh family and Michigan football.

I've loved it since I was a kid and I grew up a Husky fan. I do think Michigan's the better team, although I think Washington's offense could be outplayed and they could still come back and win. They have a great quarterback. J.J. McCarthy is the Michigan quarterback. And it's interesting. One of the things, I wanted my daughter to go to Michigan. And when she asked me, I said, oh, I said one of my favorite places I wish my kids would go to Michigan

and they wanted to stay West Coast. And Michigan is the number 21 best university in America. and it's the third best public school in America. I have an agent from Michigan. I've had lawyers have to help me sometimes in my life from Michigan. I've had a doctor from Michigan. It's just a profound school. When I host this show, if somebody's gone to Michigan, I almost always know, yeah, they'll be smart on the air.

They produce a bunch of Raleigh-Brite kids. It's a great university. And so when I hear about all this sign stealing, and I see stuff on the internet, look, look, the players, they're pointing. and you see that in the NFL constantly with older, smarter NFL teams. Is it adjusting or stealing? J.J. McCarthy talked about all the scandal and all the finger pointing, and it's inspiring and motivating Michigan because everybody thinks they won that way.

We did things the right way as players. It would be very unfortunate just to not get recognized for all the hard work that we put in and everything we accomplished over this last year. happened with just all the outside controversy is just out of our control and whatever the NCAA wants to do is out of our control but we're going to appreciate the things we did

control and the things we did accomplish things to consider Michigan is a great school on average their kids are really bright secondly this is an old college football team full of 22 and 23 and they're probably some 24 year old somewhere on that roster

they had the second most returning starters so it is a very high-Q football team. High- IQ football team. They adjust very well. They're a very good second-half team. They get almost no penalties. There's 130 Division I programs in the country.

They had the third fewest penalties. To play at that speed and with that level of regulated violence, they're almost never penalized. They're a great adjustment team in the second half. They're an old team, 23-year-olds, returning starters everywhere. If you look at their defense, Here's a prime example.

They faced their four best teams at the end of the year, Penn State, Ohio State, Iowa, Alabama, all after the Connor Stallion story broke. So we know there was no cheating then. They surrendered about 15 points a game. And we're pointing the entire time, adjusting the entire time. Do you watch that Alabama? Jalen Monroe play? Jalen Mill role played. Do you watch that play?

Michigan players knew exactly where it was going. Wouldn't have done that if you have like 17 new starters. So if when I hear about all this stuff, Patriots had SpyGate and DeflateGate. If it made Steeler and Colt fans and Bronco fans sleep better at night and convince themselves, that's why they're winning Super Bowls, but Brady actually got better after DeflateGate. And won more Super Bowls. And the Patriots won several Super Bowls. Super Bowls after Spygate.

If Ohio State Buckeye fans want to convince themselves, that's why they're getting hammered by Michigan, bruh, whatever, get you to bed. Connor Stallions isn't 1% of Michigan. Let me give you five things why they're winning. A great Super Bowl coach who's created an incredibly physical culture. A great defensive coordinator from the Ravens. an NFL first round quarterback, high-end recruits, an old disciplined team that's almost never penalized,

and this offense and defensive line, especially the O line, they've been building this puppy for four years. That's why they're winning. If it makes Buckeye fans sleep at night in Columbus, good for you. Just like Colts, Bronco, Steelers, SpyGay, Fuzzy, Fuzzy Vinny. DeFleet Gate. Okay. Whatever.

But once we discovered the Conner Stallion stuff, they're actually better. They face better teams and they're better. I mean, Buckeye fans have really convinced themselves. They really have. And that's what the Colts did on that deflate gate. Remember, the Colts turned in the Patriots. Who won Super Bowls after Deflate Gate? Won the Colts is Patriots.

Brady's numbers actually went up that year. So you can convince yourself of a lot of stuff. We live in a world now of conspiracy wackos everywhere. One of them quarterbacks the Jets. I mean, that's the world we live in. Just conspiracy wackos everywhere. Men struggle looking in the mirror. Men struggle going to therapy and going, wow, maybe it's me.

Maybe my football team's not as well, coach. Maybe my football team doesn't have the culture. We don't have a hardball. Our coach makes us financial. We don't close games. The winner in the Ohio State Michigan game, for I think it's like 22 years in a row, whoever rushes

for more yards. It's one of the craziest stats in college football. Whoever rushes for more yards has won the game, I think 22 years in a row. Last three years, Michigan. Previous years, Ohio State. It wasn't until Harbaugh built this

bulldozer O-line, this bulldozer physicality culture, hired a Ravens defense. offensive coach, finally hit at Michigan on a star first round quarterback. It all came together. But hey, deflate gate, spy gate, Conner Stallions, whatever makes you sleep at night. I had a buddy from Ohio State texting me. Jay, you're looking to run McCarthy out of Dallas if they lose this playoff game.

But you don't understand how us Buckeye fans are upset with Ryan Day. Oh, Jesus. Because we've lost to Michigan three years in a row. And I thought for a second, like, maybe it's me? No. But I still don't get the Ryan Day stuff. He dominates every other game. He is losing to two programs.

Georgia and Michigan, the two best programs in the country the last several years. Alabama and Ohio State have an argument. They're like third. He's losing to two. If McCarthy was only losing to the Niners and maybe Mahomes, then you'd be like, that's ridiculous to fire him. But no, he's losing sometimes in games in which they should win. So the 12-team playoff is going to be awesome for job security, right?

Like, Michigan and Ohio State probably won't be set up to meet again until like the NAT. By the way, Ohio State is going to make that 12-team playoff every year. Every year. The rest of my life. Now, they don't, I don't know what their quarterback situation is right now. They'll find one. It's Ohio State. They'll find one.

Well, that Cam Ward defection to the NFL. That was a surprise. Yeah, but I'm saying, look at Ohio State's offense, left tackles, wide receivers. They're going to get a quarterback. I think their top two receivers are going pro, Harrison and the other guy. recruit four or five star guys a year at wide receiver. I'm sure they'll be fine. They'll be fine.

Playoff team next year for sure. Nobody knew who Kyle McCord was and all of a sudden you looked out. I thought he was pretty good player. He's good. I didn't think he was great against Soder Day, but that was like his third start or whatever. No. What was the question you asked me about playoff next year? Yeah.

Who's going to be in it? What did you say? Oh, Ohio State. Would you say a lock? Absolutely a lock. Absolutely. Now Michigan's different. If Harbaugh left.

When Harbaugh leaves. Yeah. But Ohio State's a lock. Yeah. You could pencil in like six to 17. Like Texas is going to be back there. In this, by the way, this Ohio State loss in the bowl game, who cares? No, no, no.

It doesn't matter. You're on your third string quarterback. It means nothing. If it motivates you for next year, that Ohio State loss to Missouri, your quarterback was number 33 by the end of the game. It's like a safety. Who cares? Who cares? Greg CoSell, hour two.

Coming up next. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and Friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter.

Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. 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. On the Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me. I'm Sam J. 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 podcast. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.