The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Hour 3 - Andrew Whitworth Joins The Herd

Episode Date: January 16, 2023

In this hour of The Herd, former Ram offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth joins Colin to chat about Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay coming back to the Rams for another year, Cowboys-Buccaneers in the final game of Super Wild Card Weekend, what player he hated playing against, and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok's podcast network on TikTok. Thanks for listening to The Heard podcast.

Be sure to catch us live every weekday from 12 to 3 Eastern, 9 to noon Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and FS1. Find your local station for the herd at Fox Sports Radio.com or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Hurd. We're listening to Fox Sports Radio. One of my faves, Walter Payton Man of the Year, going to be a Hall of Famer, multiple-time Pro Bowler, 16 years. Oldest tackling league history to win a Super Bowl and could have continued to play.

But he went to Amazon, took the bag. You know, it's broadcasting, guys. It's a better life. He looks fantastic. First of all, you owe linemen, you, Schlereth, all of you. You lose about 30 pounds. You're happier. You get more handsome when you leave.

That's a lot to be depressed about when you're playing. You're getting hit all the time. Food's the only thing that makes you feel better. I don't have to eat for happiness anymore. So I think I just, you know, I'm starting to look a little better from that. Okay, so let's address the McVeigh situation. I think he's a culture builder. I think losing to San Francisco wears on him.

I think he had success early rebuilding wears on him. I think the team has to get a little more physical tough. Do you think he was, I mean, it was a coin flip in the morning, or do you think how real was the rumor mill on that? leaving. I just couldn't picture him out of coaching. I think it's real just because you look at the adversity really in this year. I think sometimes when

you're losing, things are going your way, things start to mount up on you and you start to really question, all right, am I believing in everything I do? You know, what is it that I'm failing at or missing? And then you look at things that just were happening in his life, right? From losing his grandfather, you know, a legend of the NFL to

you know, his wife, Veronica and everything going on with her country in Ukraine. Yeah. And so there's just all these things that are mounting on. You you're starting to go, man, I need some personal life things. I need to get fixed. And I'm losing games. I'm not having success. And I think who he is, he's going to be authentic and share everything on his heart. And I think people react to that sometimes and take it all these different directions. And I think what they have to realize is he's just somebody, even when you're sitting with him having a conversation one-on-one, he's going to let every feeling he has out in that moment.

And he's going to give it all to you. And then the next day, he may be reset and be like, what are you talking about? I didn't say it. Not that I didn't say it, but just that, hey, that's not who I am. I was just letting those feelings out. Sure. I think that's more what it was. He needed a chance to let it all out, sit back, season's over, what do you want to do? I want to be a great football coach. And he signed up and said, hey, you know what? I got the opportunity to do that. Nothing's in the way of that. I can still address things that I need to address and feel I need to, and I think he feels good about that.

I want to talk. My criticism on, I watched Miami, Jacksonville, and New York get new coaches, and literally immediately by September have an identity. My knock on the Chargers is, I know you're talented. What are you great at? And I do think fundamentally the best teams in this league, because of the salary cap, all have holes. But in crisis, they can lean on something. Two years in, would it worry you,

and you own the Chargers, you're a Charger fan, would it worry you, they couldn't run the ball in the second half? You're trying to eat clock. Let's get out of this thing. We're on the road. a flight home. When you watch that meltdown, could you relate to it? Had you been in a spot like that? How did it land for you? Yeah, I think it was tough because you almost felt in the first half. You're watching this, oh, man, it's going one way and everyone's thinking, oh, this is going to be a blowout.

But then you start thinking about the scenarios and the turnovers and the field position. And you go, wait a minute, they really should be up 42 to nothing. Like, this game's actually way closer than it should be. Right. And so that started to concern me. And then when you talk about the ability that really you're facing a team like the Jaguars have been as hot have they've been offensively. At some point, they're going to get back going. They've got too many weapons. Trevor have been playing really well.

And you're not taking advantage of all those turnovers. And so then in the second half, to me, it goes back to really what to doom them the last couple of years is sometimes in these big moments, the running game completely goes away, and it's all Justin Herbert trying to find a way to throw the football. A lot. And then the defense, running games,

they don't have the ability to stop the run, and they give up big plays and because of that. And so I think it's one of those things, where every time you go into one of their games, you're not real sure why they're going to win. Like you're like, man, they have good players. I think they should win this game. But I can never point to, all right, this is why, though.

Like, you know, I can point to the Eagles and the ability to spread you out all over the field and Jaylen Hertz is going to make you play 11 on 11 football. You got to worry about the quarterback. You can look at all these good teams and point out these things. But with them, who is it and why is it that they win? I don't really know the answer. Are you surprised?

I mean, you've had in your career four or five quarter, back's behind you. Are you surprised at Brock Purdy's ability to forget the seventh round stuff. I mean, Tony Romo was undrafted. So was Kurt Warner. I mean, half the night of Kittles' fifth round, Jennings' sixth round. I mean, there's a ton of talent in this world. But this is a big spot. They're a Hall of Famers all over this roster. You're a kid. Are you surprised a little that he fits right in? I don't feel like he's overwhelmed. Yeah, he plays with just a rare confidence for a guy who's never been in that position. And who you kind of would think, looking at him and just the things that were said about him coming out of the draft,

that maybe would be more if somebody who'd be meek and less confident, but he's so confident. I even look at the other day in the game, they're down in the red zone, and they have a little halfback screen called, and he gets blown up immediately. And he almost like sails the ball underhand so fast that I was like, God, how fast did he make that decision? He knew it was a blown play instantly. And that's why I've said, I mean, I truly believe this in no respect to Jim. Garpaolo, he's doing a great job for them. He is better for them and who they are right now because of that alone. Jimmy always seemed to have a problem in these big games making a decision

on time. Oh man, the play's not good, holds on to it, takes a bad sack, turns a ball, you know, strip fumble, makes a bad decision getting the ball out to somebody enforcing a throw. You've seen him multiple times purdy spin out of a sack, run away, throw the ball away, get on the sideline. Instead of airmelling a ball into coverage, throw it out of bounds, throw it in the ground, screens, getting rid of the ball, avoiding a sack and getting a first down with his feet. He just seems to have this in the moment a great feel for the game. Yes. And when you're playing on a great offense with great players and a really good offensive line,

and you have field, he just makes them even more dangerous, in my opinion, because of that ability he has. Yeah, no, there's a cognitive ability that certain guys, Mahomes has this. Patrick will run around. And it's almost like they said about Gretzky. He saw the goal before it happened. Good business people can see around court. Mahalm, it's as if he can guess where defenders are going and he'll flip it. And I'm like, that's what you do on Thanksgiving with your in-laws.

That's not what you do in the NFL. And I do think, to your point, Pertie's a quick thinker. Stuff happens really fast upstairs. So when you look at the Giants, it's still a team that's rebuilding. Every Giants team of my life has been this. Great coach, defensive coordinator, good quarterback, forgettable weapons. But on the road, there's a tough. toughness. There's an identity. What do you make of Daniel Jones? Is it the Vikings

defense or is it Daniel? What do you see that you like and you'd be concerned with? I really think you've seen him grow over the last month or so, really, just continuing to take steps. But, you know, I think when we did their game, you know, the Vikings, you know, this year, like looking at them different times, we'd say, hey, we did the Patriots and Matt Jones just had the best game of his career this season, you know, playing the Vikings defense. It's like, all right, is this Mac Jones, like, turning a corner? Is this the Vikings defense? And then the next week, Mike White puts up 360 on the Vikings,

and I'm like, all right, this has got a lot more to do probably with this Vikings defense. And so I think in some ways you do have to say, for whatever reason, this Vikings defense has been awful all year. Bad. I mean, it's really bad. And so you're going to play something completely different this week with the Eagles. I mean, this is going to be night and day from what you just experienced. Well, they had almost 30 first downs. If you could get 16 against the Eagles, if I said to you today, you'll get 18 first downs.

Take it. Yes. But I mean, I think, you know, to me, what I really took away from this game, you know, with the Giants, and really the weekend is, man, Brian Dable. I mean, the Brian Dable effect, even from Josh Allen to now what he's doing with Daniel Jones. Daniel Jones is out there playing a little bit of Josh Allen-type football. I mean, you saw him get out of the pocket, complete a big ball down the sideline. It was a really tough throw in that game. You saw him use his feet multiple times.

to get yards and produce on the ground with his feet. I just think you see Daniel growing this confidence that his coach is clearly putting into him. And man, just Davel seems like Buffalo misses him and the Giants are so happy to have him. So I have been, I've said this about Lamar Jackson. If you win 75% of your games in that division, I'll sign you. I am disappointed, not at Cincinnati.

He's become Kauai Leonard. I don't want mystery around my quarterback. Talk a lot. Communicate. J-Mack and I have been on this for two months. Baltimore's got plenty of good journalists. They can't pry anything out. Like when he's not at that game, I'm like, okay, time out.

That's a, am I overreacting to that? Yeah, that one's a tough one to see. I mean, you know, if we're talking about, hey, Lamar thinks next week he's playing, the only thing I would say is that sometimes if you really thought he might come back, the better situation, even though people think, oh, man, why wouldn't you travel with the team is those days matter. I mean, when we're talking about getting back from injury, if he's saying, hey, I'm trying to rehab, be prepared that next week, maybe I can go. Instead of hopping on a plane, we're talking about inflammation back and forth, the hours, obviously, the travel. The only thing I would say is just, you know, for us not to be too quick to say, hey, you know, when things come out, was this related to him being able to play the next week?

Or maybe if we can keep winning, we could get him back? Because sometimes those things staying at home rehabbing an injury are really important. Now, him not playing in the game and people have in their opinion of whether he's not. should have played. That's a whole other subject to me than whether or not he was at the game. It's interesting. I've had Cincinnati number one for about five weeks.

Their defense is good but doesn't have stars so we don't talk about it. They're not great at Corner. Eli Apple got burned again, I think. But I really like their team. Now they're missing 3-0 linemen. And my takeaway is not only does it hurt the run game, it takes away the vertical nature of the

offense because Joe's got two seconds, not three and a half. Like this morning, I look at that and I think, you can't win a Super Bowl. I look at their offense as you just took away the deep ball. Yeah, I think this one's tough for me because I really had, going into week 17

or so, I was sitting there saying, I really think right now with momentum, how teams are playing, I was predicting Niners Bengals. I mean, let's have a match up from back in the day, see if the Bengals can come on top of this one. But now, I mean, you're talking about three linemen over the last three, four weeks

that you're down. Starters, not not play guys who are helping you, three starters at critical positions, both tackles and now possibly your right guard as well. I mean, that's tough to overcome for this team because of who they are and how they're built. They got to be able to push the football down the field. You can't continue to live in this world of getting these balls out really fast because that takes away the dynamic of who they are as a football team. No question.

And so I just, that's what makes me feel a little less confident about them and their ability because this Baltimore team is not the talented level of what they're about to have to face to get to the Super Bowl again. And they're not going to be able to live through, oh, man, three and outs. And we go out on defense and give up a couple points in Mahomes and Josh Allen. You can't come back getting the ball out that fast. Okay, Cowboys tonight, I actually like them. I think they have, I think they've had a better season.

They've been more consistent. One of the things I like about Dallas tonight is you're all pros. I don't care who it is. Everybody, the Niners had a horrible second half against the Chiefs. The Chiefs lost to the Colts. we've extended these seasons. You're going to have two guys can get sick. You're going to have two just dog games.

Dallas was awful. They didn't do anything right. And I think my takeaway is they're pissed. They're getting crushed. Dallas going to play good tonight. Go to your career. Even with the Rams Super Bowl year, there was the Tennessee game. Go to your career.

TV game. You're awful. What's that week like prepping? I think you're fired. up and you feel like this is your moment, you know, in this opportunity. I'll never forget as a player. You get your grades on Monday and your own line, my old line coach, Paul Alexander used to tell me that I was in Cincinnati. You don't like your grade, do something about it. And I always thought it was so simple, but it's the truth. The Dallas Cowboys, how many times can we get in this position,

have a great regular season, get in the playoffs, and not show up and make something happen. If you don't like the talk, you don't like what people are saying, do something about it. And so this is their moment to me to do something about it. But this game to me is the most confusing of all of them because in one token, exactly what you just said, you get these chances. We're going to have seasons and games where they're longer now. You're going to have bad outings. But then in Tampa's case, well, maybe they've lasted long enough to get a couple of people back. Ryan Jensen, and by the way, might play in the game. Oh, is Ryan Jensen tonight?

They've activated him off of I.R. So it's a possibility. Now you get your center back for Tom Brady. A great center. A great center. Pro Bowl center. So it's like, man, all these factors that you're going, all right, which team is it that lasted this 18-week season, and now has a chance to win in this moment? It's like I think you could really argue this thing both directions, and it's really going to be about DAC and the Cowboys, if they want to win this one, are going to have to show up, and can this lead to momentum now? Because they don't have to go to Philly next. Does this lead to them having that chance to get hot before they take on Philly in the championship game and get themselves a chance to go to a Super Bowl? Playoff football is different, obviously.

what's the biggest difference? You're at the end of your career, you had a lot of playoff games. So for the, Tom's been in dozens of these, right? But when you're pregame, halftime, commercials are longer. What's the big difference, regular season, where every game's big, to playoff football? Well, I think when you really look across all the different sports, you know, I was having a conversation with Ansi Kopitar the other day,

talking about the Kings and their ability to have series. in playoffs, right? And so there's a chance you could have a bad day and then you can get on a roll and have four games in a row and win your series. But the truth is, in NFL football, it's just a three-hour window. So you've got to get in that mindset all week that all we have to do, we don't have to have the better record in the regular season. We ain't got to have a division title. We don't have to have any pro bowlers. We got to win the three-hour window. How in that three hours are we the best football team, and that's all that matters? And if we're not playing well, do we shake out of it and say, hey, we got two more hours in this game? And an hour and a half left

in this game. Just be the best team in this window and move on. That is the only thing that matters. And can you centralize your focus on just that window of time? For the record, veteran teams do well in the playoffs is part of it because it's easier for veteran players to do that. Exactly. I think sometimes you look around and you walk out on your stadium, especially when you're playing a home game, right? And it's like new playoff signs. There's new logos on the field. You start to feel the energy, the lights, the fans. Get distracted. It get distracted. You start thinking about how big the moment is and how cool it is to be there. And I think guys like your Tom Brady, your guys that have played for a long time and been in a lot of

playoff games are able to realize none of this matters. These two white lines that I'm standing inside of, all these white lines, I'm going to stand in here, I'm going to snap the football, and I'm going to play winning football for these three hours. And that's all that matters. All these other things are just a chance for me to chase something that's not important right now. And it's going to come down to the teams that are the best at doing that. and the coaches that you believe are going to call a game that that's the best at. Eliminate mistakes, play winning football the entire game, the entire length of the game, not half of the game, the entire length, because you can always come back.

These games are going to come down to the wire. Oh, God, Miami, Buffalo, Baltimore. It's a moment. It's a play. Yeah, look at Joe Burrow in his career. I mean, already with these playoff wins, he's had, none of them are decided by more than three, four, five points, right? But he finds ways to figure out his team being on top.

And then now he catches a bruce. last night, defense makes a play and scores a touchdown, right? So it's like those things that you see these teams that just figure out ways to win that one score game. Do you miss in any part of your life playing? No chance. I enjoy being able to get up in the morning, stand up out of my bed and walk to the bathroom or my closet without having to like hold onto the walls with both hands. You know, so it's great. I enjoy being able to get up and feel good when I walk to the kitchen, and grab a cup of coffee and hang out with the kids. So I'm enjoying just getting to talk about the game that I love

that changed my entire life rather than play it. Who's the edge rusher you miss least that you're glad you never face again for the rest of your life? I'll tell you what. I don't ever want to be back in, I think it was the RCA dome in Indianapolis. I think it was called at the time. Dwight Freeney on the original turf, you know, that spin move and that speed was something else. Now, not to mention Peyton Manning was the only other side

and they were probably up two touchdowns. But that was not fun. I'll say that's my lasting memory, my rookie moment. On Monday night football in Indianapolis, playing in the dome down to Peyton and then. They won the Super Bowl there year. At least it was a great player. He was a really good player. He certainly was.

What a pleasure to see you. Congrats on Amazon. You're always welcome. I got nothing to do for seven months. I'm going to come bug you some, okay? Please. There we go. We don't have anything to do after football in for seven months either.

We sit around waiting for college football and Labor Day. Hey, by the way, LSU and Brian Kelly, he may be cringy. Guy can coach. He can coach football, man. You know him pretty well. I do. I got a chance to spend some time with him with the LSU Bama game. And you know what?

I walked away really impressed. I think the way he's leading that building, the players, you know, top to bottom, you know, really everything he's doing. It's bigger than just the product on the field. It's everything around it, and that's what he understands in that process. And so I'm excited about LSU football. They're my dark horse to win the Natty next year. I think, ooh, Jaden Daniels coming back.

I think they're interesting. Plus, it's Louisiana. They got guys. There's talent everywhere. It's never been that. It's coaching it. They got NFL guys all over. At one point a couple years ago, I saw a stat.

They had 11 starters in the secondary in the NFL. LSU, one team in college. They got talent everywhere. Who was the most talented guy you played with there? Oh, man. I played with some really good ones. You know, I mean, Marcus Spears, Michael Clayton. I can remember my rookie class, man.

It was unbelievable. Kyle Williams. I mean, we had guys everywhere. When I met Nick Say, even the very first time, we were his first recruiting class, his first full year at LSU. And all he said was, if I can keep kids in Louisiana playing at LSU, we're going to be really good.

And that was his only goal. Can I keep the kids that live in this state, playing at this school? And sure enough, we won a national championship two years later. Great seeing you, man. Yep, you too. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific

on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the I-Hard Radio app. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year.

Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win. 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 Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the

biology of taun tons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to Stuff to Blow Your Mind on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. J-Mack with the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the Herd-Line News.

I remember that. That year, it was either that year or the next year, you played Oregon State, Mike Riley, in a wild lightning storm, and it was like an hour and a half delay. I was at that game. They almost beat you. They did. They almost beat us. Yeah, almost beat us.

I was at that game. Lightning strike hit one of the light poles. Yep. Baton Rouge in the Saturday night. September 4th was the day. I'm a Northwest kid. I'd never even experienced. You could smell bourbon in the press box.

I'd never experienced anything like Baton Rouge. Just before anybody bets LSU to win the Natty next year, I looked at the schedule. They open against FSU in Orlando. FSU is looking pretty good. And they also have to go to Alabama. Alabama didn't have a quarterback. LSU's got a pro. Brian Kelly's going into...

That's my dark horse Nattie winner. Wow. I will disagree with you. with you vehemently on that one. All right, let's move on to Trevor Lawrence, Colin, your guy. You would not take a call on Trevor Lawrence. He followed up a four interception first half with three TD passes in the second half, 27-point comeback.

God. Third largest comeback in postseason history. Lawrence tried to describe how he was feeling after the game. You can write a better script than to win a game like that tonight. So it makes it more special, but don't want to do that again. So you know, got to take care of the ball. That's where it starts. It's easy to say it after, but you don't win a game like that if you really don't, if you don't really believe it.

So, oh, man, I don't really know what else to say. I'm kind of rambling because it's a special night. I mean, I'm just, I'm just proud of the group, the city. I mean, it's just, it was a special night for a lot of people and just thankful for everybody that played a part in it. High school college pro. He doesn't lose on those. You see the Saturday, right? He's never lost a football game in his life on a Saturday.

Kind of a weird step. But by the way, after the game, he went and celebrated like most Floridians do at Waffle House. I love that. Pretty cool. Trevor Lawrence, a man of the people. When are you going to go to Waffle House? Oh, I've been to Waffle House. More than more.

Now that you're an international celebrity. There he is right there. There he is. Trevor Lawrence. T. Law. He's great. He does really look like Sunshine from Remember the Titans. Great football movie.

Trevor Lourdes. I'm happy for the guy, but I'm sad for the Chargers who the world are waiting for the Chargers right now to... That's one of the craziest quarterback. games in league history. He had his worst hour and a half as a pro, and then the biggest jags win in forever. I mean, it tells you a little bit about Trevor Lawrence that he could compartmentalize that, come back and have confidence. You could easily just melt. Halftime, came back. Look at his last five drives. 23 at 29. Well, I mean, you're playing basically two minutes drill down 27. You're just going. Colin, I got to ask, they basically had two, I talked about this on my

podcast. They've had two straight playoff games, essentially. Against the Titans, win and in, they needed a defensive touchdown late. Now you get down 27-0. Big time fight to come back, both at home. Now you've got to go to Kansas City. I think it's a bad spot one. Which is rested. Yeah, I think it's a bad spot. I think Jacksonville, it's like the TCU Georgia thing, although obviously it's pro football. Emotionally, that second, it's to have to go on the road, to have to kind of refill the tank, it's a lot to add. By the way, they're ahead of schedule. If I had told you when the season started after the Urban Meyer mess,

yeah, they'll go to the playoffs, they'll beat the chargers. You'd be like, I'll take that. They're a year ahead of schedule. Oh, by the way, Andy Reid off a bye. We know the stats. The numbers are ridiculous. Just be careful with the jazz. I don't know what's the number right now.

I would take the- I saw nine and a half before the show. I have not looked at lines. I've been... I think it's a really tough spot for the Jags. All right, next up, Gino Smith. We've got to give him his flowers. Man, the guy had a good season.

And he had a good first half against the Niners. They made the playoffs. Ended up losing 4123 to San Fran on Saturday. Gino is now a free agent, but he is hoping to keep things going in Seattle. I want to finish my career in Seattle. I want to be here. The town, the city, the team, Coach Carroll, the organization, they all embraced me. You know, I was a guy who probably could have been out of the league.

They embraced me. And I want to repay him for that. I love that. God, that is incredible. What a great, great moment for Gino Smith. That's one of my favorite sound bites of the year. So what do you do? They embrace me.

No, you know, it's funny about this. I've thought about this before, is that if you look at where they're drafting now, they're probably not going to get a quarterback. I think they could get, they have two first and two seconds. Now, I can make an argument that you go get like Max Duggan, TCU in the second. But I would take...

He's more of a mid-round guy. A second for Max Duggan? No, no, I'm saying a D... You think Max Duggan? I think he's a... Fourth, fifth. You think so? Yeah.

But my takeaway is their first two picks. Go defense. Okay, they have the fifth thing. Now, someone sent me a clip, like Pete Carroll was talking about the distance between Seattle and San Francisco defensively. And Pete Carroll's like, we don't have a front seven. And then he rattled off all San Fran's guys. No, no. They would love to land.

Jalen Carter from Georgia at 5. And the second pick, there's edge rushers. I would go D-line with the first two picks. I mean, listen, there could be a quarterback there, but I don't think it's... I think they probably stick with Gino's mess. And by the way, Pete's age is no longer a big factor. His energy is great. They've got their tackles.

They're running back their corners. They've got to fix the front seven. They're just, they have no consistent pass rush. Who are you more optimistic on next year? As of right this moment, the Rams or Seattle? I think the Rams are going to move Jalen Ramsey. Cam Acres, I think they may move their right tackle. They're going to have a totally different look next year.

It's easy to say Seattle. I think the Rams, McVeigh came back, are going to change. They're going to move big contracts, get draft capital, fix the offensive line. My feeling is the Rams are going to be one of the busiest teams in the league in the off season, so I can't answer it. Fair. You like to sit on the fence. Yes, I do. The third story. Wild Card weekend wraps up tonight in Tampa.

According to Fox bet, the Cowboys are favored by two and a half points. It's weird that it's not three. I know. If you look at the season-long numbers, Dallas is undervalued in this spot. I think they win 24-20. Cowboys 24-20. You? 27-23, Dallas.

We feel the same way. They're the better or more consistent team if they can, generate a semi-consistent run game, then I have no doubt that win. By the way, underdogs, four-and-one against a spread over the weekend. Overs were 5-0 high-scoring weekend with the rematches. Familiarity usually leads to defensive contests, but I'm pretty sure overs won 5-0. Wow. J-Mack with News. Well, that's the news.

And thanks for stopping by. The Heard Line News. Intelligence runs in the family innovation. Go to MbUSA.com. They have a new impressive line of SUVs back in a second. Be sure to catch live editions of The HARD weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Polly Fusco here with Tony Fusco. Yo.

As you all know, we're the host of the number one rated show in all the sports talk, the Polly and Tony Fusco show. Numero Uno. Yeah, and we know why millions of people tune in every week. Yeah. They want to hear us talk sports, not our idiot guests who think they know more about sports than we don't. Yeah, listen to these dummies. You don't know crap about sports.

Nothing. It ain't about football. This is the worst thing I've ever been a phone. You're off the show. You don't know basketball. If you want to hear how sports talk should be done, listen to the Polly and Tony Fusco show on the IHart 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. 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. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're

celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of taun tons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith Rule of Two. Listen to Stuff to Boar Your Mind on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Okay, we're going to play a game, Boys or Bucks.

The game is called Boys or Bucks, the 10 most talented players in the game tonight. talking about what they do. Obviously a guard and a receiver are different. The 10 best players in the game tonight. Are you ready to go? Right now. Right now this second, this season. Based on this season. Because some people will be like Tom Brady's number one. Well, number 10 is Shaq Mason. 833 pass blocking snaps. He allowed one sack. The buck's offensive line allowed the fewest sacks in the league. He's as good, a pass blocking guard as the league has. nine DeMarcus Lawrence Cowboys made another Pro Bowl

second highest-gritted defender on the entire cowboy defense and it's a top seven defense number eight C.D. Lamb had his best year 107 catches, 1,400 yards. Feels low.

Feels low. Yeah. Okay, I like you. He's better than the eighth player in this game. Okay, well, number seven's Mike Evans. Nine years, a thousand yards. He's also a much better red zone guy because of size. I go lamb over Evans.

Okay, okay. Number six, Trayvon Diggs. Best corner in tonight's game. He led the Cowboys in takeaways back-to-back years. You don't like Trayvon Diggs? I like him, but not better than C.D. Lamb. Well, he won a five players with three picks and ten breakups this year. Evans goes head to head with him tonight on the outside.

That should be interesting. Because remember Evans, 11 games with no touchdowns this season. All right. Number five, Vitavia. He's a bull. Six and a half sacks as an interior lineman. They played four games without Vitavia. They won one.

He's probably the most underrated player in tonight's game. Remember he got hurt last year? It came back. How much better their defense got? He's fantastic. Number four is Tristan Wirthes. Highest graded player on the bucks this year, including Tom Brady. Yeah.

He is the highest graded player. Offensive line was a mess until he got healthy. Number three, Zach Martin, best guard in the league, Cowboys. Look at Zach Martin. What if he stood in front of you and was going to block you? What is this shaping up as? By the way, did not allow a sack this year. Only one penalty in 1,200 snaps.

So Zach Martin's the best guard in football. Number two is Brady. Brady's the number two player. Most pass attempts and completions in a single season by any quarterback ever. This is crazy. And number one is Michael Parsons. He's the best Dallas Cowboy defender, led the NFL in total pressures. So I did this list this morning, and your takeaway is what?

A, where is Tony Pollard? He is awesome. So Tony Pollard is 11, DAC 12. Well, if Dak plays like the 12th best player in this game, the Cowboys will lose. Well, what I'm saying is, my takeaway is, look at all the talent here. When you get to the playoffs, look at the talent. Now, you could look at Shaq Mason and go, what about Tony Pollard? Shack Mason is a great guard in this league. These are the 10 best players at their position.

I have Pollard, but there are games that Pollard doesn't. Shaq Mason's good every Sunday. Tony Pollard's been a little hit and miss. And Dak has had tied for the NFL leading interceptions. So for what it's worth, I went to pro football focus. Not the end-all be-all, just one metric. They had Trayvon Diggs is the 48th best quarterback in the league this season. Well, you know what?

I lost my subscription to BFF. Well, okay, you know what? If I'm wrong, if Mike Evans burns in for two TDs, I'll just slip DAC in there. By the way, does he crack the top 15? No. Jerry Jones is going to be very unhappy with you. That's his guy, man.

That's his guy. He's going to say, we've got to feed you. Tony Pollard at 11, DAC at 12. Well, if DAC plays like 12, I will be losing some money tonight. That's for sure. All right. We'll see you tomorrow. First thing's around the corner.

Live in L.A. It's the herd. 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 performance. 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 what I'm saying. Yep, that's me. Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Cliford Show.

This is a place for raw, unfilled conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to the Cliverd show on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. This is an IHeart podcast, Guaranteed Human.