The Herd with Colin Cowherd - HOUR 2 - QBs, Eagles, offense

Episode Date: October 6, 2022

Colin tells you who the 3 most underrated quarterbacks are in the NFL right now How close are the Eagles from being Super Bowl ready? What is wrong with the Broncos and Rams offenses?   Guest: Greg CosellSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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It's Thursday. Greg CoSell in a few minutes NFL film. Live in L.A. It's the herd wherever you may be. However you may be listening. IHeart Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and FS1. And so, you know, I tried to watch a few episodes of that Dahmer thing. It's just too macabre, too dark.

I couldn't do it, and I ended up watching NBA basketball. Jay Mack. Nice little Wednesday night for you. We just dove into the show called Abbott Elementary. I don't know if you've heard of it. It's kind of like the office meets elementary school, and it's really funny. Is it? Yeah, yeah.

I want to watch The Patient. Haven't heard of that either. Steve Carell. During football season, it's tough to watch streaming shows. You know what? I rarely get to. Like Wednesday nights, one of my few nights, and I gave up on a show. Okay, so I thought this was funny.

We're at a point in the season. We're through the first month. What's real? What's counterfeit? If you have issues, are they solvable or unsolvable? I think the Rams problems, they'll get their center back, Van Jefferson back. It's kind of solvable. Patriots have a defensive coach, not a real legit offensive coordinator,

slow weapons, and Mack Jones at quarterback. I don't think their offense is solvable. Rams, more solvable. So I saw the best passer ratings in the NFL through week four, and I kind of laughed. Geno Smith is way up there. And I thought, I don't know if that's going to last. But I thought about this. I think through week four, half the teams don't feel like playoff teams.

And I would put them in these three categories. I think there are four teams right now. And this is not necessarily a bad thing because some of these teams won a quarterback. And it's supposed to be a good quarterback draft. I think Carolina, Atlanta, Washington, and Houston for a variety of reasons, as bad teams. Those aren't playoff teams. Then I think there's a few more of those teams that are just, they have some talent, but they're fatally flawed.

Giants, Jets, Bears, Saints, Seahawks, Lions. Seahawks Lions have a pulse, but they're not, I don't think they're playoff teams. Then these are teams that I thought they would be better than they are, but like Pittsburgh, not good enough at quarterback, one of the toughest remaining schedules in the league, not enough dynamic players for the Colts, Patriots, cultural issues with Arizona. Browns have a backup quarterback until like week 12. Tennessee, one way to win. That's half the leagues.

Bad, flawed, or they're just really disappointing and I'm not sure they can solve it. The one team I didn't put in there and I may buy tomorrow is Denver. I don't think this coach is ready to be a head coach. And Russell Wilson, for whatever reasons, is not leaning into his superpower. Mark Schlerath was on the show yesterday and kind of he asked him. When he runs, he's effective. Why isn't he running more? Russell Wilson's criticism has been he holds the ball too long and he can't win from the pocket. He's got to scramble around, make plays outside the pocket when things break down.

So what is his focus? His focus is, I want to play another 10 years and win multiple championships. How am I going to do that? I've got to become better at orchestrating from the pocket. And so he is trying to morph himself into more of a Drew Breeze than a you know, off schedule, go outside the pocket and make a big throw down the football field. So what I think you're seeing is you're seeing the actual maturity and growth of a quarterback that knows, hey, I've got a weakness in my game, and I've got to get better at that if I'm going to play into my 40s. Yeah, I mean, I think he's not Drew Breeze.

I think he's Russell Wilson. I think Lamar, it doesn't matter if it's Lamar. Kyler Murray's not the same quarterback when he doesn't run. Lamar's not the same quarterback when he doesn't run. Herbert, better staying in the pocket and throwing darts. Lean in to whatever your superpower is. I think Russell Wilson, he's not Drew Breaves from the pocket. I think he is still, we've seen it in glimpses, has the ability to make a lot of people miss when he's out and mobile.

And right now, he doesn't have the head coach schematically to just run this offense without some juice, superpower, and wiggle. Because it's just base stuff. Greg Kosel, 43 years NFL films joining us now. I want to go back to Gino Smith because you know, you watch Russell leave and Gino come in and we expect, oh, it won't be good. So you watch film for a living. They've got a new offensive coordinator. They drafted two tackles. They appear to be pretty darn good.

I'll say that the left tackle looks really good. Rashad Penny's playing better. What's going on with Gino Smith, though? He looks like a different player. at times. Yeah, and I think this is where coaching comes in. They're doing a lot of interesting things offensively with the use of personnel and formations to define the reeds and the throws for Gino Smith. Because say what you want, Colin, we know what he's been throughout his career. But on the other hand, he's always throwing a pretty ball. And if you can define it for him

and allow him to throw where he's confident, comfortable, and he's often throwing to the primary based on what you do, then he can throw the ball extremely well. They've played a lot out of 12 personnel with two tight ends, and they're very multiple formationally out of two tight ends. And that can cause some problems for defenses because most defenses will play their base to 12 personnel. And in defense's base, Colin, what do you tend to get? More predictable fronts, more predictable coverage is tendency-wise, and you can then attack

those better. I thought Zach Wilson, forget the box score. I thought in the fourth quarter against Tomlin and that defense, he had a couple of nice drives. What did the film say? Yeah, he's a fascinating study. Even when he came out of college, Colin, I don't know what you thought of him. He obviously has a live, loose arm, and he's got light athletic feet.

We know all that. He really walks a very fine line between playing with some kind of fundamental technique and mechanics and being reckless and undisciplined. Yeah. So he will make wow throws. The question is, can he do that on a consistent basis? Because he misses some, too, where his lower body is not set, where he doesn't have a firm base, where he tries to throw off platform when there's no reason to throw off platform.

So he walks a fine line, but there's no question he can make throws. He made a couple this past week. I'm sitting and watching the tape because I didn't see the full game on television where I went, wow, that's a pretty big time NFL throw. Yeah. So I'm just curious to see how he continues to develop based on how he's coached, which you and I don't know, we're not there. But he's a quarterback that needs coaching, that needs constant coaching,

so he can play mechanically correct. Actually, of all the quarterbacks in the first round, I probably nailed him the most. I said, beautiful arm, little bit of a hot dog, Johnny Mansell with more talent, don't know if he'll always be coachable. he's a little slight. I worry about his health, but he will wow you with his arm. And to that, and Sunday, like you, I'm like, all right. That's what happened. Yeah. Okay. John Harbaugh, who I think is a very redeemable coach, very smart guy. Fourth down, they go for it, Lamar Jackson. He got heat for it, not from this show, but others. What happened on that play against the bills?

Oh, that should have been a routine pitch and catch touchdown. It was a great, great play call. They used Andrews essentially to hold down the corner. They ran a corner route right behind him. It was wide open within structure. Lamar had time. Should have been pitch and catch. Only he can tell you why he didn't throw it. And we're looking at the play right now, but it was phenomenal design.

You could see he had time in the pocket. He moved. He didn't throw it and then moved. So again, you're seeing it from the wide here. And you can see that play should have been an easy touchdown, Colin. And again, you know, it's funny. That in some ways relate to. to your lead in to me today.

And I'd love to ask you, do you talk about quarterbacks and what they do best? Can you be a great quarterback over a long period of time relying on outside of structure, second reaction plays, or at some point do you have to play within the structure and execute the offense and distribute the football? Well, here's my answer to that. If you are playing outside of structure and you have a once-in-a-lif-lif-in-a-lif-lif-lif-a-lif-lif-lif-lif-time talent with his legs, Lamar, it can work for four or five years.

I don't think it's sustainable forever. I don't think Josh Allen, being the bill's number one running back, can be sustained for 15 years. I think it can be sustained for about six. So my thing is Lamar is so, his superpower is so great, you can absolutely be a playoff team with that.

It's not going to last forever. It's not ideal. But I kind of feel like in every profession in America, I don't care what the profession is. If you are great at something, then you don't have to be very good at other things. It allows you space and freedom leverage. And I think he's literally the fastest quarterback I've ever seen. I mean, people make fun of trying to tackle him.

Mike Tomlin's like, it's impossible. But I think to you, he's not Herbert from the pocket. All right, like I get it. I want to segue to this. Tonight's Denver and the Colts. both without their number one running back. I don't think the Colts, I said this going into the season. They can win that lousy division, but they don't have enough dynamic, you know, like playmakers.

Denver's a huge disappointment. Without Giovante Williams, does this fundamentally change Denver's offense? Now, are they just a mess? Well, you know, it's interesting. You mentioned William, so I absolutely loved coming out of college. I thought he was the best runner in that draft class. and they don't really use him as a true foundation bat because they use him with Gordon. And obviously, Gordon's had fumbling issues this season.

So I don't know if it changes the way Nathaniel Hackett sees what his offense is. You know, I think you talked about Russell Wilson. I heard what Mark Schlerth said. And I understand that Russell Wilson is trying to make a transition to being a pocket quarterback. And he's struggling with that. And because Russell Wilson has had a lot of success in his NFL career, including winning and being in a second Super Bowl, and he's probably a Hall of Fame type player, you know, we assume that it's the fault of the coach.

But Russell Wilson is not a true pocket quarterback in a strict sense. Don't forget when you're 5'10, and I've had conversations with coaches, Colin who've coached him, because I'm not there every day, you and I are not, but say that there are certain kind of routine route concepts that you can't really run with him because he can't see them. So therefore, there are basic throws. that we see the Tom Brady's of the world make all the time that are sustaining throws, throws that quarterbacks that want to, that are in a sense pocket players have to be able to make to sustain offense that he at times struggles to see.

So it's going to be very interesting as he tries to make this transition to playing more from the pocket. All right. Couple interesting teams. I do think certain teams have issues, but they're solvable. I think when the Rams get their starting centerback and Van Jefferson, and I think over time McVeigh will get Alan Robinson some level immersed into the offense. I think they're offensive woes, healthier O-line, Van Jefferson. I think they're kind of solvable, some of them.

Do you when you, so what do you think? I think the big issue that McVeigh and staff have to deal with philosophically to me based on watching tape is how they want to pass protect because McVe would love to get five out as most offensive-minded coaches do. There's five eligible. You'll want to get five out. It puts the most pressure on the coverage. But the issue becomes, if you can't pass protect, you can't send five out. Because as you and I both know, Colin, you do not have a pass game if you can't protect. So it's going to be interesting as they move forward. The left tackle note boom struggled week one, was good week two and three, really struggled last week. So the question is, can they live with five-man offensive line pass protection

in those critical type situations, or do they have to keep people in? And that changes the dynamic of your past game. We know Philadelphia, Arizona, meet. We like the Eagles we've discussed them. The question becomes, Cliff Kingsbury got an extension. Kyler got an extension. The GM got an extension. How do you fix this mess?

Do you see anything with Arizona you like? You know, on tape, I think they were a bit of a struggle. And again, you know, not being there. I don't know what's being taught and what's not, but I will say this, watching them on tape, I'm not sure I feel like I know what they're trying to get done as an identity to their offense. Now, obviously, I'm sure Cliff Kingsbury could tell you that, but I don't think you see it on tape. I don't think there's a sense to me of what they're trying to do. And the problem they're having is they're not creating any explosive plays, either by design,

you know, being orchestrated or through Kyler Murray's excellent and at times. times phenomenal second reaction movement ability. So when you're not creating any explosive plays on offense, your offense tends to really get bogged down because it's hard, as you know, to win in this league without creating explosive plays on offense. The Raiders are too good offensively to dismiss yet. Kansas City is interesting to me because they've strengthened their run defense, which is basically Brett Veets, their GM saying,

you can't play keepaway from Mahomes. You may beat us through the air, but we're going to, they don't want you to play keepaway. You can see what they've done. Okay. But let's talk Raiders first, because I just think, when I watch them against Denver, I think they're a handful. I thought it last year.

I think it this year. I think Josh McDaniels is kind of learning on the fly with his team. But they're, they got to, let's talk about their run game, for instance. They can play a little keep away. What do you see? Well, you know, I thought what Josh McDaniels did this week was really. really smart because they were 0 and 3. As we've seen throughout, you know, recent history, when teams are struggling to win, maybe struggling a bit on offense, defenses are playing them

in a way that's a little different teams doing a lot of doubling and bracketing of Adams, sometimes with Waller. What do teams do to stabilize their offense? And good coaches do? They run the ball. And that's what they came out and did last week. And it's stabilized their offense. And obviously it will also then dictate certain defensive reactions. And then you can get back to throwing the football, hopefully, with better matchups. But I thought that what Josh McDaniels did last week was really, really smart. Plus, it then helps your offensive line. They fire off the ball. They start to feel better about how they're playing. And Josh Jacobs, no question, can be a feature back. You can give him the ball 18 to 20 times a week as long as he's healthy. Let's talk Kansas City.

I don't think what Buffalo is doing, which is basically their run game, six years in with McDermott is Josh Allen. And I think, I don't think that, even with his size, I saw Cam and Big Ben get old really fast. I like Kansas City always feels like to me that they never, they don't want to make Mahomes throw it 50 times. They may have to sometimes. But what do you see with, I think organizationally, they know they have an all-time talent and they want him to play for 50 times. 15 years, not nine. What do you see with their run game? I would agree with that. And I think they're never going to be a volume running team, Colin, the way some teams are, but they are running just enough with just enough volume and they're very productive with their run game. And I think

that's the important point. So I think that they'll continue to do that. And I think their past game, look, we know Mahomes can make special plays, but he can also be really, really good from the pocket. and he's working through new receivers. Kelsey is obviously still clearly the guy, but I think their run game has been a factor. And, you know, the other part of Kansas City, and I know they gave up 31 to Tampa, but I think their defense,

which is a little bit of a work in progress as well with a lot of new players, but I still think that front group is pretty good. And I think that that's something that's not talked about very much because the focus is always Mahomes in the offense. All right, let's shift to Pittsburgh. They are two touchdown underdogs,

against Buffalo, Tomlin, the great underdog coach. I think they can make it reasonably competitive, or am I wrong? What did Kenny Pickett look like in his debut? What did he do? What could he do? Yeah, he didn't have that many dropbacks, but the one thing, a couple of things stand out with Kenny Pickett. And this goes back to watching him coming out of a pit when I really liked his, I thought he was clearly the number one quarterback in the draft.

You know, Kenny Pickett is an aggressive thrower of the football. You saw that last week. He's going to turn it loose, and he will stand and deliver. Now, one thing that he does need to clean up and he threw one pick this way is if he perceives and feels pressure, sometimes he has a tendency to retreat. And you can't retreat back in this league. So he's going to have to work on that. But he wasn't, he's an aggressive thrower of the football. He'll throw to one-on-one matchups. We saw him get Pickens involved. Pickens is a high, high-level talent. I thought Pickens was the most talented receiver coming out in this draft class. So it was, it was, it was. more positive than negative for Kenny Pickett, but there are some things he'll have to deal with. And their O line is a concern, and they're playing a really, really good D-line with a lot of depth. Let's go to the Bills Run game. Again, I kind of like their backs. I don't, I mean, Ma Singletary, but they don't lean into it much. What is the film say? Are they average backs? Are they not

getting a push? Is it Josh Allen ad-libbing? What's wrong with it? Well, what they've essentially done, and we can debate whether this is smart or not, this is a separate issue from Josh Allen running. I agree with you that that kind of running is not sustainable. But what they've essentially done is they've essentially evolved into being a quick game pass game. So in their mind, I'm sure those are running plays. Those are quick game throws. Your quarterback's not going to get hit. The ball comes out.

You do it on first down. You get five. second and five. You do it on second down, maybe you get three, but it's third and two. That's what they've essentially evolved into. Now, as I said, you can debate whether that's the same as a run game, but they clearly are going that route. They do not run the ball with any kind of volume. There are times they do run it well when they run it, but there's no commitment to it. And I don't imagine there will be as long as Josh Allen is the quarterback and playing at a high level. Give me your play of the week. It does include the bills, which are, for the record,

banged up in the secondary, banged up on the defensive front. I mean, the Niners are missing five high-end starters, Buffalo four or five. I think those are the two best rosters. The fact they can win games missing, you know, 35% of their starting defensive players, safeties, corners, pass rushers. So give me a play from the bills you like. Yeah, you know, Red zone. We always talk about the key situations, third down, red zone.

And you have to score touchdowns, obviously, in the red zone. zone. And so we're going to take a look at this McKenzie touchdown from last week where he was wide open. And, you know, people always wondered, gee, why is a guy open? Obviously, he's in motion here, but it gets to a bunch. But the point is he's wide open. And maybe when you're watching on TV, you think, well, how did that happen? So they're in a bunch formation to the field side of the formation. Gabriel Davis is outside at number one. Dawson Knox is the point man. And then you have Isaiah McKenzie, who's number three in the bunch closest to the formation. And you have man to man. Marcus Peters is on Davis. You have Chuck Clark is on the tight end knocks, and you

have Stevens, who's man to man on McKenzie. So Stevens is the guy you want to take care of, because what McKenzie is going to do is he's just going to run a flat route. It's a basic route, but what they do here, and you can say, people might say this is a pick, but that's what they do. They just do a natural rub, natural pick. Very simple. They're playing man to man. It becomes pitch and catch, and it's a touchdown. You see this a lot in the tight red zone with these natural rubs, natural picks,

and this is how you defeat man to man in the tight red zone. The chiefs do this really well also. But this is foundationally what a lot of teams do, and it makes it an easy throw. Yeah, I'd have thrown a flag on Dawson Knox there. That looked like a pick to me. It probably was, but you know what? If there's no flag, then it's fine. That's right.

Absolutely. Greg CoSell, NFL Films, 43 years as always. We got smarter on a Thursday. Thanks, Greg. Thanks, Colin. Yeah, I always love the big play because that play right there is one of two things, flag or a touchdown. Not a lot of middle ground on that.

And a lot of these teams that have really, really high-end quarterbacks are willing to roll the dice on that because they feel if you move them back five years, you're still fine. listen, San Francisco and Buffalo are great, but you've got to be honest about this. They're both missing multiple starters. Buffalo's had cluster injuries in the secondary, so of the Niners. Plus they're missing. Kinlau, Armstead, left tackle Williams, Trent Williams, Elijah Mitchell.

San Francisco's got six starters, five, four, five high-end missing. Buffalo's got four. So I still contend they get healthy. Those are the two most talented teams. For Herd, the Herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week within the IHeart radio app. Search Herd to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games.

Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win.

A win is a win. I don't care which I'll say it. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined.

And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, the Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast, it's a space for honest conversations,

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Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking. Trip Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing,

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begins Tuesday only on Fox. And FS1. Astros, Dodgers. Yankees Dodgers. Speaking into existence, Caldard. Why, I'm not rooting for anybody. Except the Dodgers. J-Mack with the news.

No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. Start with one of the dregs of the league, Colin, the Washington commanders. Oh, lost three straight. They did beat the Jags opening day. But any optimism, following that, victory slowly disappearing. They're at the bottom of the suddenly powerful NFC East. I don't know.

Carson Wentz says no need to panic yet, guys. Obviously, we know the skid, so to speak, that we've been on, and we've got to find a way to win. And, you know, patience only last so long. You've got to find ways to convert, stay on the field, score touchdowns, you know, score points, win some ball games. But there's no sense of panic. There's no sense of chaos around here. You know, it's, we're going in the week five. We know kind of how we played and it wasn't up to our standards, but at the same time, I know everybody in that locker room has a ton

of confidence. We've seen spurts of what we're capable of and for us it's just now can we go be consistent and do it? We know the sense of urgency that there is, but there's no panic by any means. By the way, I would feel a lot better if they had an offensive coach.

I mean, the two or three offenses that are painful, Chicago defensive coach Washington defensive coach Houston defensive coach By the way

Saints offense defensive coach I mean I'm not I know this getting old talking about it but I think you put your quarterback in an incredibly tough spot Carson Wentz had an offensive coach last year

27 TD 7 picks The Washington's got better receivers than Indy now he looks like he can't I'm supposed to believe that in one year, one-off season, he can't play at all. Mid-90 passer rating, I believe, I don't know, have that in front of me, but it was 27 TD 7 picks with an average receiving core in Washington. Now he's supposed to be able to, he can't play.

What's changed? Well, his last season in Philly, he was, I don't want to say trash, but he got beat up. He was injured. Fair. But what if I told you I was looking at betting on Washington this week, Colin? They're getting two and a half at home. I get who. Mike Vrable in Tennessee.

Mike Vrable is great as an underdog. Anytime he's a favor. Giants in the opener. Favor, lose outright. Washington rally the troops. Everybody's talking about Ron Rivera in trouble. Can I make a case for Washington? I don't. You're not feeling that.

All right. Let's move on then. Mack Jones. I just saw a video of Mac Jones at practice, Colin. He is limping noticeably. He's got the high ankle sprain. He was listed as limited at practice. Said Mac Jones has definitely made progress in his rehab, according to Belichick.

And he's going to push to be on the field Sunday. If he can't go, Bailey Zappy. Yes, Bailey Zappy will be the starter. Brian Hoyer's still in concussion protocol. As Albert Breer said, anybody who got a concussion last week following the two a thing. No shot. So what do you think? Should Mac Jones push to play against Detroit?

Yeah, it's a high ankle sprain, absolutely. So you think he should try to play or sit? He should try to play. Really? It's not a high ankle sprain. I mean, he's going to be running for his life from Aidan Hutchinson and company of the Detroit Lion. Again, if I had, if I had, there are certain things where I'd take the day off. There are other things, you rally.

Wasn't Bailey Zappy competent against the Packers? Now he goes home. By the way, first game not indoors for the Detroit Lions, who are still going to be without Amos St. Brown. Looks like, you know, D'Andre Swift. I think you can get by with Bailey Zappy here and get the dub at home. That has never been said in my life. I think you can get away with Bailey Zappy here.

You got Belichick. I mean, he almost beat the Packer. last week on the road. All right. And Jared Goff on the road? All right. Patriots are a good play this weekend. Finally, ah, yes, the NBA.

LeBron James. Colin has let it be known that he would like to own an NBA team one day, and he preferred the city to be Las Vegas. Last night, the Lakers were in Vegas for a preseason game against the Sun's LeBron look very good. I don't know if you've seen the highlight reel in his bag. He shot a one-legged three-pointer. He is good.

He also had a great layout. But great, you know, against, he still is great, still a top five player. Here's Adams, LeBron's plea to Adam Silver to get a team to Las Vegas. What's the best fan base in the world? And I would love to bring a team here at some point. That would be amazing. And I know Adam is in Abu Dhabi right now, I believe. But he probably sees every single interview and transcript that comes through from NBA players.

So I want the team here, Adam. Thank you. I always thought Vegas would work for NFL, only eight home games, and NBA. It's a good basketball city. UNLV, Lakers played there. Best fan base in the world? What's he talking? Is he talking about Vegas fans?

I'm sure as hell hope not. No, no. I'm surprised hockey's worked, but Vegas was underserved for years because of the fear of gambling. It's like one of the biggest cities. I mean, what is it? Like one of the 15 biggest cities. No question basketball. First of all, where do you want to be in the winner as a fan?

You'd go to Vegas to watch your team, right? Certainly. The Knicks go on an Easter, a western swing, go to L.A. and Vegas. You'd get Philadelphia fans. Anytime you go Western swing, you get all those Northeast fans now that can go to L.A. and Vegas. The other thing is, because of the running rebels, and the Lakers played preseason games there, it's a huge, huge NBA fan base in Vegas. USA basketball, play some games.

Yeah, it's a great basketball city. I think it's a good basketball city. And the NBA expanding, though. What do you feel about that? We remember fondly when Michael Jordan rose to prominence in the 90s, it was on the back of the expansion. The league expanded, and there was a lot of bad players and really rotten teams. Well, let me defend this.

In the NFL, there's only about at any one time, like three to four bad teams. In the NBA, there's five to six. Baseball now has ten teams. 10 that finished 30 games out or more and most more. 12 teams that finished 26 games out. They also had one win away by the Yankees of having five teams finish with 100 wins. So baseball, because there's no salary cap, the top are absurdly dominant. And the bottom 40% of the league is AAA baseball.

The NBA, I think there's more global basketball talent out there. I think baseball could contract the A's and the raise. It'd be better for the sport. I think basketball, there's so much global talent is exploding. You could add a team. I mean, I would strongly consider moving Sacramento. Well, you can't have an odd number team, so you need two, right? Vegas and a lot of people are saying bring one back to Seattle.

I would move Sacramento to Vegas. We'd just move the Raiders to Vegas. It was a home run. Sacramento. It's not a bad idea. Free agents don't want to play there. Why doesn't baseball have a salary cap? Anytime you say that, people freak out and say,

no, no, no, you have a salary floor. 10 teams in baseball. They're not even trying. 40% of the sport is at least 26 games out of first. And guess what? Those owners are still pocketing tons and tons of money. And the league is struggling on that front. 10 teams 30 back or more.

I think it's 12 teams 26 back and 12 teams would be about 40%. Socialism works in sports. It does. Look at the NFL. No. They push for parents. charity they have it and the league is on top of the world. Yeah, I'd move the Kings. Nothing against Sacramento, but I'd move.

You've got to be a market. You've got to be a market that players, free agents, at least look at. You don't think people want to go to Sacramento? I just don't think players want to go. By the way, kings are making the playoffs this year. I've already bet that. One of my sneaky bets. Sacramento, they're playoff bound. Don't laugh, Cowherd. They're good. Okay. All right. In the West, you think of the playoffs? Play-in counts, by the way. They make the play-in. It counts. That doesn't count. Well, you're in the playoffs.

Are you not? That's like saying you get invited to a party, but you're out of town. Can't make it. You went to the party. No. You can't. You've got a playoff game. You're in the play in.

Do we need a judge's ruling on that? Do we need to go to music for that one? It's not. First of all, eight teams make it. So let me just ask you this. Will the Warriors make it? 100%. Yes.

Memphis. They're not that good. Yep. I don't want an opinion. I just want yes or no. Memphis. Yes. Soda.

Yes. Pelicans. Yes. Clippers. Yes. Denver. Yes. Lakers.

Then Sacramento's not getting in. They're going to be nine or ten and they're in the play in. That play-in game is nonsense. Really? No respect for the playing. Geez, Adam Silver's not going to be upset with you, Cal. This is the playoffs. This is why we expanded so Sacramento can get in.

Indiana. I don't think the NBA's future is clinging, hanging, hanging by a thread on Sacramento getting in the play-in game. Jay Mack with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Herd Live. 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. Hi, this is Jay Glazer, and you may know me for the world of football or fighting or even shows like HBO's ballers.

What you don't know is for my entire life, I have lived in something I refer to as the gray. Depression, anxiety. So now I'm coming out with the new. podcast. Unbreakable, a mental health podcast with Jay Glazer where each week, while we talk about mental health, I hope to describe it. Give it words. Listen to Unbreakable with Jay Glazer on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's superhuman documented it all.

embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care which I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th.

You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment. And the next, we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast.

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

Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack all day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack.

So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you for finishing that sentence. Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history.

Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing,

we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing and we're still chasing it and we don't know when we've done enough because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth?

Are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Keir Gaines, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway.

Open your free Our Heart Radio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. You're now entering the No Bull Zone, sponsored by Credible Great Ray. with none of the bull. So I saw this tweet last night from a reporter. It was just one of those. Oh, brother.

Anthony Davis will not play tonight against the Sons. The Lakers described it as precautionary. He's still dealing with low-back tightness. The team doesn't want to push it. Oh, boy. We're not even to the season yet. So the Vegas odds on the Lakers, 45 wins and 37 losses. And I find that incredibly optimistic.

So let's just talk about the Western Conference. Denver, Jamal Murray's back, will be better, substantially better. Golden State, now all those young guys, Moses Moody, Jonathan Cominga, James Wiseman, now they're going to play. Minnesota, added Rudy Gobert, absolutely better. Anthony Edwards goes into what, year three or four. Memphis, great culture, John Morant. they'll be better.

New Orleans gained steam last year. Here comes Zion healthy. They'll be better. Dallas, I'm not sure without Jalen Brunson. My guess is, Luke is better, they're better. Now, I don't know if Phoenix will be better, but they're really good. So that's one, two, three, four, five, six teams that are better in the West. And Phoenix is still better than the Lakers, although I do worry about the one landmine they have, D'Andre Aiton.

but don't the Lakers have four landmines? Rookie head coach. We have no idea if Darvinham can be a head coach. Westbrook, the toxicity is, it's ridiculous to deny it. He can't last anywhere. But Dennis Schrooter and Pat Beverly are also irritating personalities. And then there's the Anthony Davis injury issue. They're already keeping him out of games in the regular season.

the only thing I know with the Lakers is LeBron is still a top five player will give you at least 65 great nights at about 30 minutes a pop. After that, it's nothing but questions. So when I look at this Laker team, when you look at the 45 and 37 record, I think that's incredibly optimistic. The West, though they may not have, by the way, let me add this. I didn't add this. my bad. Clippers. I didn't mad the Clippers. So Denver's going to be better because Jamal Murray's back.

Golden State, the young players will now emerge. And Clay Thompson, by the way, now a full year from the injury. Minnesota, Memphis, excellent young, good culture growing. Clippers, Kawhi Leonard's back will be better. New Orleans played well at the end of the year and Luke is only getting better. So, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven. teams in the West absolutely better. Phoenix, I don't think will be. I don't think they'll take a major step up or back, but they're still really, really good. That is eight teams that I believe are

better than the Lakers. And they have them at 45 and 37. And the Lakers have about four issues that concern me. At this point, if you're defending Westbrook, he's on his fourth team in five years and there's a sense he'll be traded at the deadline. So it will be. his fifth team in five years. In fact, if you ask, and this is nothing against him personally, but if you ask Laker fans, they'd trade him today for Buddy Heald and draft picks. Right? They would give up draft picks for Buddy Heald and another front court player. So I think that's incredibly, incredibly optimistic.

I think, you know, LeBron's smart about business. In football, it's different. Let's say Tom Brady right now was playing for Carolina. He'd retire. Or Aaron Rogers was playing for the Jets. He'd retire. In the NFL, it can hurt your league. legacy if you limp at the end, you look pathetic at the end. But that's not the case in the NBA.

Basketball is different. We don't care that Michael Jordan played for the Wizards. We don't care that LeBron's last few years are Kobe's. They're not viable teams. LeBron's going to set the scoring record. Business is great. He's still excellent on any given night. So, but I don't think I'm negative at all. I think the West is, the West in my adult life, last 20, 25 years. I mean, I was an adult at 25. But I mean, last 20 years, The Eastern Conference has won championships like the Hedels, but the West has always been better. And nobody's ever quite figured out why the West is always better. I always kind of guess they have better owners.

I mean, the Brooklyn owners are shaky. The Knicks owner is shaky. Washington's ownership group is shaky. Philadelphia's had multiple owners. Boston has a really good ownership group. The West, outside of Sarver, I mean, Sterling's gone. Now you've got a great owner in Balmer, but you've mostly had better owners in front offices. in the West, so they're better drafting, better acquiring.

It's a winter league. The weather's mostly better out West, Texas and West. But I look at the West right now. I think you have seven teams that will make clear improvements, and Phoenix ain't going backwards. Well, a quick word on Phoenix. So one of the big things you didn't mention was the Robert Sarver situation. Yes.

The tenor and the tone around the team is not very good right now. Jay Crowder, who is instrumental. He's a locker room guy, tough guy. not really with the team. Something's going on there. Chris Paul and that aging situation, we saw him all of a sudden just turn into like a 37-year-old. Colin, if you're looking for a team,

the bottom to fall out, this Ait and Monty Williams thing is percolating. Phoenix, I think they're, I'm going to say fringe playoff team, like seven seed. Just keep an eye on, there's some stuff swirling there. Okay, but if Sarver gets, now, now, it's going to set a record price

according to like Bloomberg. Right. I think Phoenix sells quickly. Where is the one? place where global wealth is putting their money. It's not the market. It's not housing. It's teams. Phoenix is going to get bought in the next 40 days. I think him out the door elevates the team emotionally. I mean, you know, when the Clippers, the minute Sterling left, the Clippers felt like a fresh new franchise. I think Sarver out. I think that I think there's harmony in the

building, a better feeling about Monty Williams, the front office. So I do think the argument for Phoenix is and this happened to Sacramento years and years and years ago. Close, close, close, close, close. Then they lose a huge series to the Lakers and the referees, and they never quite feel the same. Yep, but that's a great point. I don't want Suns fans getting all upset, but this to me feels like a 40-ish win team.

I think there's some problems there that they've got to iron out. They were really, really good last year, 64 wins, but just keep an eye on Phoenix. That's a sell team for me for sure. All right. Over 31,000 businesses have the confidence. they need because of NetSuite, go to NetSuite.com slash herd, one-of-a-kind flexible financing. NetSuite.com slash herd.

Drew Bledso stops by in our final hour. It's Denver tonight against the Colts. This is, to me, Denver, 16 of the teams in the league to me are in that category of not really viable. Denver is the last team that I'm straddling the line. They lose tonight. They're not viable. Russ Wilson needs to run, do some play action, his numbers on play action in Seattle last four years were great. That to me is the answer.

Drew Bledsoe around the corner. Live in Los Angeles, it's The Hurt. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smigel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform?

We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential.

Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win.

I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that experience. excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfills of conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that

not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to The Clifford Show on the IHeard 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. On the Look Back at a podcast. For 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84's 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. It was a wild year. It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people.

Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.