The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Hour 3 - Can the Raiders fix this mess?

Episode Date: January 9, 2025

BREAKING NEWS - Colin reacts to the Raiders firing GM Tom Telesco two days after firing HC Antonio Pierce   Guest: John MiddlekauffSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

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And I'm C.J. Toledano. It's our favorite time of the year on our podcast, Point Game, the playoffs. We're digging into the biggest surprises of the season. And I'm looking back on some of my greatest playoff moments. If we didn't talk ever again, I was hungry. You just understood. That's how personal it got. Wow.

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Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio in noon to 3 Eastern, 9 a.m. to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the herd at Fox Sports Radio.com or stream us live every day on the IHeart Radio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Oh, it is a good show today. hour three, we are flying through it. Joel Clatt, Greg Kosell, just absolutely crushed today. Jay Mack

and I, a little blind resume, he's trying to recover from what I laid on. It's literally, I mean, just kind of, it was almost like I landed a first second round punch and he's got to go to the corner and take a deep breath, get some water, and rehydrate a little bit. You're Ivan Drago, I'm Rocky Bobo. Yeah, I had it. That's what I do.

I just take the punches and it's fine, and I come back. Like the underdog, that's how yeah. My good buddy, John Middilcoff, former NFL scout, Got the podcast on a three and out. He's just fantastic. Scott Fought on the Raiders, Sam Darnold, really knows his stuff, Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, and Brock Purdy. But let's start with this.

The playoffs are upon us. And right now it's a season of haves and have-nots. This weekend it's the haves, but we're talking about the teams that aren't in the playoffs. And despite being a good team for so long, the Niners are one decision away from potentially being a have-nought for potentially a very long time. A lot of these bad teams are bad forever. like a lot of these bad raiders have been bad forever bears have been ridiculous forever and then there's the niners

and they want to be and are usually in the halves and now there are a half not and they've got a big decision to make because what you don't want to do is make the wrong decision at quarterback or you will stay a have not forever you make the bad decision there or you become dallas when you win when it doesn't matter and you're never around in january and february to play and so john lynch He is telling you now, we are signing Brock Purdy to a big deal. What we know about Brock is that he's our guy. We've got, you know, we have interest in Brock being around here for a long, long time. He's done so much for our organization.

He's won big games and, you know, had a little tougher task as we all did this year with some of the things that happened throughout the course of the year. We just never could string games where we were all together. and through that he continued to lead he continued to play at a high level so we have every interest in him being around okay so it's really interesting the niners used to be a half and now it looks like oh oh this year there are a half not so what we know is the eight teams that won their division all had the best quarterback first time i can remember do you think brock purdy is the kind of guy that will be a best quarterback in a division. I do not. You have to reframe the discussion on Brought Purdy. It has to go from,

ooh, look what he's done to what can he do? Because once he gobbles up a big chunk of the salary, he plays with less talented players. Remember, Jared Goff, before he got paid in L.A., Sean McVeigh loved him, and then he paid him, and he didn't love him so much. If you ever wonder if you should pay a quarterback, ask yourself one question. What does our rival think? Because Buffalo loved it when Miami paid Tua big boy money. Buffalo loved it. He's 1 and 8 against the bills, and he can't play when it's cold.

Buffalo loved Tua signing a long-term deal. By the way, the Eagles loved. Daniel Jones signing up for a long-term deal. more money with the New York Giants. What do you think Sean McVey thinks with Matt Stafford? Ooh, scary. Brock Purdy. Nope. Sean McVey this year, next, probably the following year,

will have the best quarterback. So ask yourself, it's not about what he's done. It's about what can he do once you take people away from him. Scheme and stats. This is where Tua and Purdy. are very similar. The scheme and the stats make you go, ooh,

eye test, eh, Hammonegger. Little small, weather affected, need certain weapons, lose weapons not as good. And what's interesting

with the Niners is you already have the answer. How many games you win this year? Without Christian McCaffrey, Trent Williams hurt, Brandon Ayukh hurt, you got the answer. Would you win?

seven, eight games. He got the answer in front of you. So if you're the Niners, you have to reframe the question. And here's something else, because you want to be playing this weekend, the halves. There's 14 halves. And that means there's, what do you got, 18 have-nots, and the Niners are in the have-nots. And one thing we know, if you have a great quarterback, and Purdy's not that, in my opinion, you're not going to be winning your division going forward. I mean, good God, Kyle Shanahan, boy genius, has a losing record in San Francisco without Christian McCaffrey. Sean McVeigh doesn't have losing seasons often. Shanney's had him.

So one of the disturbing trends is that Stafford needs McVeigh. But is he totally reliant on McVe? Because the stats this year for Brock Purdy are disturbing. in the first and second quarter, the schemed quarter, this passer rating is excellent. In the third and fourth quarters, the non-schemed quarters, he has a passer rating that should pay you about $16 million a year, not $58. And so it is an interesting time for the San Francisco 49ers.

They used to be in one group, now they're in the other, and the only thing that guarantees no Super Bowls is paying a B quarterback A money. You win a bunch of games, so does Dallas, but nobody will take you serious come January. Big decisions. The idea of paying him early has never made any sense.

I would let it play out. Oh, by the way, he got hurt again this year. So, I saw this story yesterday, Bill Belichick made sure, as he's on the recruiting trail, he made sure to get a hold of a couple of sources or his people did to say, I am not going back to the NFL because it's hurting. And here's the thing. Bill Belichick did such a great job, and you've had this before in your life, somebody does such a great job doing something. It's the only way I can see them. It's like The Rock. The Rock is an action star. He could do a rom-com, but if you're trying to convince me, he's going to give up action films for rom-coms. Uh-uh.

Uh-uh. His personality is an action film. His experience with wrestling, he's action. His physique is an action film star. The Rock does action films. I don't want him crying a lot on screen. I don't want Rock being too tender and hugable. That's not who he is and that's not what he is and that's not what he's built to be.

Bill Velichick is a pro coach. He is much more ROTC than NIL. He is rigid. He doesn't pander. He doesn't have time for small talk. And that's what college football is. Hi, volleyball coach. Hey, recruit.

Nice to meet you, Mr. Donor. I've always thought it's easier. Although the coaching is much better in pro football than college, it's much easier to go psychologically college to pro. just more football and less nonsense. It's very difficult to be a great pro coach and have to go backwards to college. A lot of handshakes, a lot of pandering, a lot of small talk. I mean, Bill hates mistakes.

What do 18 and 19 and 20-year-old boys do? Make a lot of mistakes in football and out of it. There's a reason Belichick is an NFL historian. He loves great players and great players play at, Georgia, and they play at Notre Dame, and they play at Ohio State, and they play at Alabama and LSU, and a lot of great players don't play at Carolina. Now, Bill has the advantage of being a big brand, and some kids may want to play for them, especially defensive players.

But Bill was so great at the NFL, I just can't buy into, I don't care what sources say about, you know, Bill, because I saw the story this morning, Bill's got no interest going back to the NFL. Yeah, and the Rock would have no interest. going back to action films of somebody offered him 30 large for one. I'm sorry. That's who Bill is. That's his experience.

That's his personality. That's who he is. And so I would love to see Bill. Because, you know, some of these offensive coaches, they age well. Sean Payton age as well. Drew Brees, old as yesterday. Andy Reed is aging well. You see these old offensive coaches don't generally age as well

because they don't necessarily, you know, You know, they're, they're, they're, they're not necessarily always the best adapters. And college football, NIL portal is all about adapting. So, it just, it's almost like Belichick staying in college. It's like, you know, New Year's resolutions. You can tell me you're going to go to the gym every day. You can tell me you're going to keep your New Year's resolution and you're going to eat better. You know, about three weeks in, you start to kind of fade off that.

weeks in, you drive by the gym and think you should go. And 12 weeks in, you just don't. You take a different way to work. Like, so you're getting me to buy into Belichick's going to love this college football thing. I can't. I just can't do it. He was so great at one thing, I don't buy the other thing. That's where I stand on it.

And I still contend, Philadelphia or Buffalo get bounced early in the playoffs, and I don't think they will. I think Philadelphia is going to beat Green Bay. I think Buffalo is going to win at home against Denver. I do. But if they got bounced, you are having absolute phone calls to Belichick. My belief is he would pick up the phone for both. And with that, I bring on my friend. He's a former NFL scout.

John Middlkoff has a very popular podcast. And he's been on our show several times before. I want to talk about several things. Tom Telesco, who I know very well and like and admired, just got fired as the Raiders GM. So they got rid of Antonio Pierce. I thought the team played very hard considering their quarterback situation in a division with Mahomes and Herbert

and Bo Nix. I thought they were very competitive. They beat the Chiefs last year. They could have beaten them again this year at Arrowhead. So now they fired Telesco. That means they've had three different coaches in four years. What is this signal? Brady's involved now. You hear stories about, he

's talking to candidates. What is this signal, John, to you? Well, I think a lot of people go, do the Raiders have something cooking? What does Mark Davis have up his sleeve? I would say, look at the last 15 years. They got no clue what they're doing. I mean, this organization right now is a complete disaster. It feels like a rudderless ship. And, you know, Mark Davis was, was quoted recently of talking ideally in the future. He hands it off to Tom, and Tom gets to run, you know, kind of like a John Elway type operation. But that is not happening, at least by all accounts, anytime soon.

So I think you just, I mean, how many people can Mark Davis pay to go away? And listen, he made the right move. Oakland was a sinking ship in terms of their sports franchises. Every team leaves. And he has made way more money financially by going to Vegas. But he is paying a lot of people to not work. And I think it goes back last year to the Telesco hiring with Antonio Pierce felt a little clunky. I mean, remember, Telesco got fired after losing like that.

100 to nothing to them on Thursday night football. Antonio Pierce, the only reason he got the job was because Devante Adams and Max Crosby wanted him to have the job. And Jacobs then left. Devante Adams, six months later, wanted a trade. And Max Crosby, by the middle of the season, said, yeah, I might want to trade as well if we don't win. So this franchise, I think Mark's heart's in the right place, but he just consistently cannot

get it right when he hires either coach. he's a general manager. Nobody knows. You worked in the Bay Area for a long time, and you're really tied into the 49ers. I think the answer on Brock Purdy was this year when he had less talent around him, and when you look at his numbers off script in the second half,

he was a C quarterback. I wouldn't sign him early. Why do you believe the Niners are selling this insistence? Because he's got a year left in his deal. Why are they so embedded to sign him early.

What is the rush to sign? He's heard again, to sign Brock Pretty early. Well, I think this is a Kyle Shanahan-led operation here when it comes to the quarterback. Kyle loves him. And I kind of came to grips after watching that press conference yesterday. We can debate whatever the contract comes out in terms of how much money he ultimately gets.

Does he get a contract closer to Baker? Does he get a contract closer to Trevor Lawrence? but he's going to be the quarterback for the foreseeable future. And Kyle Shanahan said yesterday, I want to coach as long as he's here. So I think this offseason is a pivot point for the franchise. I don't think most people realize this, but the 49ers have not won a game in a long time.

They went 6 and 11. So on the bright side, that means they get a high draft pick. Not as high as usual because we had so many bad teams in the NFL, but they're drafting 11. And when you draft high, that also means you draft high every round. and because of the Trey Lance failed trade, they lost a bunch of first round picks. Also last year, because they were in the Super Bowl, right,

they didn't draft until the end of the first round. They have the 11th pick, and they have the 43rd pick. And I think if they are going to sustain winning, this has to be one of those off-season where they land, I think, core impact players for the foreseeable future. Last time in 2020, they made a trade with the Forrest Buckner. and they traded the Forrest Buccner to the Colts for the 13th overall pick. And they got cute.

They traded from 13 to 14, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted Tristan Wurfs. And they ended up drafting Javon Kinlaw. And this is an opportunity. Can they land another version, you know, another version, you know, Michael Parsons, I think, was pick 11. Picks in the, you know, high in the second round become all pro, pro-bowl players. If they can do that, even if they pay Brock Purdy,

they'll be able to sustain winning for a while. But if they miss on these picks, because they're good picking in the fourth through seventh round. They are littered with starters in those rounds. High in the draft, partly because they haven't had the picks, and partly because they've missed on some picks, they've got to be aggressive and they've got to get it right.

If they do, I think we could, do you see the 49er schedule, Colin? They have the easiest strength of schedule in the NFL, at least based on going into next year. they have no business not winning 12, 13 games in 2025. I want to talk about Sam Darnold. I really liked him out of college. I didn't think he was good enough like an Andrew Luck to overcome, you know,

bad ownership or bad teams, and that was that bore out. So I thought they were going to franchise him or sign him to a short contract. Or he'd go to the market and get a fortune. But it's so embedded in our brains that once he struggled with Detroit, we all went back to the Sam is seeing ghosts. I think it's a one-off. I think he'll play fine against the Rams.

But let me ask you, as a former scout who has been in the front office in Philadelphia, you know how they operate. Let's say Sam struggles a little bit, and they lose to the Rams. Does it change his ascension? Does it change his off-season? I think one element of the broadcast on Sunday night against the Lions is they show J.J. McCarthy, who obviously is, you know, coming back from multiple knee surgeries

and he had a knee sleeve. Colin, he looked like he weighed 190 pounds. And I looked the other day at the combine, he weighed basically 220 pounds. So to me, when you look at that player, he's not even remotely close to filling the void of being a starting quarterback on a playoff team, which Sam Donald has proven to do. But I think when you start talking about giving a guy $100 million, $150 million. This seven-day stretch, I guess is eight because they plan Monday night, is massive for Sam Donald. I think he's already kind of locked in on being their quarterback in 25.

That just may be the franchise tag. And there are multiple franchise tags. There's the exclusive one. There's the non-exclusive one. I think Sam Donald is getting that at minimum, even if this game does not go well on Monday against the Rams. He throws three or four touchdowns. They beat the Rams.

Maybe they go on and win a second round game. Then I think we start, like you said, Lions game, a little bit of an outlier, and he gets a long-term contract. But I think he's already done enough, and given J.J. McCarthy's situation with the injuries, with the way his body looks right now, I'm sure he's not been able to work out.

And he was a project to begin with. That Sam Donald is going to be the quarterback for Minnesota next year. I just think that, you could look at, you win this game, you win another game. We're talking hundreds of millions of dollars. We see these quarterback contracts. So the pressure is immense, and let's face it, confidence can take a while to build up for any young person. Heck, for anyone in life.

But it can go like that. And you just have to wonder if that Lions game does it snowball on them a little bit and can he get it rolling against the Rams? Finally, you watch a lot of college football about as much as anybody I know and you're a former NFL scout. I've always leaned on you for college quarterbacks. Cam Ward, Shadur-Sanders, if you had to take one, which would it be? And give me a breakdown of both, if you could, John. Well, I think Cam physically, I remember talking to a scouting buddy a couple years ago when he was transferring to Washington State from Incarnate Word.

And he said, this guy is physically really gifted. He throws the ball, I mean, as well as any prospect in the draft last year. I just think people there's an up and down nature with his game his explosive plays, his highlight plays are exceptional physically he is much more talented than Shador I might be in the minority I think Shadour's a good player

but his physical gifts when you think of Dion Sanders one of the greatest athletes of my life I wonder if Shador got some of his athleticism from his mother because Shadour's not I would say Cam Ward is a better athlete. Cedore's not a great athlete, and he doesn't have a big-time arm. So physically, when it comes to gifts,

I wouldn't put him on the upper echelon of quarterbacks that we've seen in recent memory. He's just a solid player. I actually think the curveball in this draft, and we'll see they play tonight, Drew Aller, if he were to beat Notre Dame, even if they were to get boat raced by Ohio State, talk about a guy that's gained a lot of momentum, him. Very physically gifted guy. Little old school, not as much scrambling as Shador or Cam Ward,

but I think he would be a curveball that, like, could he end up going in the top five if he were, he's committed to coming back to Penn State, but all of a sudden you're in the national championship game and people are talking about you like a top 10 pick, you would have to wonder if he would come out. And heck, could he be in the mix, you know, if he throws a bunch of touchdowns against Notre Dame

and looks good against Ohio State to compete to go as high as any of the quarter. The simple fact is this quarterback draft universally around the league is not viewed as great. Yet there are some high-end players at other positions, Travis Hunter, the pass rusher at Penn State, obviously Walker at Georgia. So is a quarterback inflation, are these guys a lot to just be the one and two pick

or some other players going to go and we're going to see these guys go six and eight? I wouldn't bet on that because we know teams need quarterbacks, but I think as we sit here today, everything's on the table. All right. John Middilkoff, three-in-outs-as podcast. Great seeing you, buddy, as always. See you, Colin. Yeah, the Drew Aller Penn State's fascinating because big arm.

He's kind of a traditional, big arm guy. Here's what's funny. You know, now everybody is like, oh, you've got to run around at quarterback. Jared Goff has the number one seed in the NFC. Jared Goff, the least mobile quarterback. By the way, in the last 20 years,

Tom Brady has the most Super Bowls. So this idea, Matt Stafford, by the way, is favored to beat hyperathletic. You know, everybody thinks Matt Stafford is going to be better than Sam Darnel. This idea, you can't be a pocket quarterback. It makes me laugh. I don't know how good Drew Aller is,

because I thought he was coming back to college, but that dude can spin it. Like, that guy is a big guy. much better traits, by the way, than one Brock Purdy. Had to slide that in there. A lot of show left. Live in L.A., it's The Herd. Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd, weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific.

Hey, it's us, the Jonas Brothers, and guess what? We have some big news. What's the news, new? Huge news. We created our own podcast called, Hey, Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to a...

We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts throughout there. But this one's extra special. So how do we actually come up with a name, Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it. Well, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band. Before Jonas Brothers was...

This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast, where people could call in and say, hey Jonas, and then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys.

Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert 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.

What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm CJ Toledano, and our podcast Point Game is about defining the odds. Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and Austin Reed. And finding ways to win no matter what. He's the smartest player to ever play the game. His IQ is at a level that we've never seen before. And he knows. Without Luca and Austin Reeves, I got to manipulate the game.

We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the playoffs. I think Joker's going to be exhausted this series because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup, he has to really guard guys like Nas Reid. He has to guard Julius Randall. And then he has to give us everything he gives us on the night-to-night basis on offense. And when IT's friends stop by, like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too.

Steve Nash will get that thing. That man, hell get the flying. He running up the court, licking his fingers why he got the ball, like, after you go through a training camp with that, Isaad, you figure it out real quick. Get your ass up and down the court, and you're going to get the ball.

So listen to Point Game on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Agency, the ability to know that we're the experts in our own body. On the podcast, cultivating her space, Dr. Dom and Terry Lomax create a space where black women can show up fully and be heard. I wholeheartedly think, you know, you hit 30. You shouldn't have to share one with anybody. Mm-hmm.

From navigating friendships and healing to setting boundaries and prioritizing your mental health. These are real honest conversations. We don't always get to have out loud. Totally unreasonable with different parts of life, right? Like, oh, have all three meals and make sure you're mindful during all of them? Absolutely not. During one meal, I'm standing. I'm standing and handing my children food.

Because healing, empowerment, and resilience aren't just ideas. They're practices. And this Mental Health Awareness Month, there's no better time to pour back into yourself. Listen to cultivating her space on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. This week on Crimless, we're joined by our first ever guest. Sorry, our first ever human guest. I don't think I could be in the same room with Shamrock the parrot. I'd be too nervous.

That's right. The very funny Will Ferrell joins Rory Scovel and me, Josh Dean, for an episode dedicated to the many crimes committed by people also named Will Ferrell. They called to his fellow officer for the nippers. What are the nippers? Very good question. No, I was thinking, would that be a good name for like a salad dressing? Simple assault.

And it's a play on word, salt? Maybe not. I say we invest and we see. There's only one way to know. This did not amuse the cops. By the way, normally the cops are amused, but this did not abuse the cops. Will even comes clean about some of his own crimes. I didn't get caught.

You know why? If you don't want to be suspected of anything, you whistle as you walk. Listen to crime lists on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. John Midlakov, Joel Clatt, Greg host. We don't get many days like that. Three rock stars show up on the broadcast. And then J-Mack has lost his footing a little bit about halfway through this show with the blind resume with Mike McCarthy. Let's see if he regained his composure.

Jay-Mack, win the news. No, no, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. Trying out some new material here. What are you, a comedian in 2025? Let's start with the breaking news out of Vegas. The Raiders have parted ways with GM Tom.

Tom Telesco after one season, okay? I don't even know what to make of the Raiders now. They let Antonio Pierce meet the media, right? Fired him a day later. Telesco, seem safe. He's gone now. Telesco obviously drafted Brock Bowers with the 13th pick overall. Bowers had the greatest season any tight end has ever had.

What's interesting is six quarterbacks won in the top 12. The Raiders just missed out on all the quarterbacks. Hit a home run with the tight end, but that doesn't matter. I have a feeling I know what's going on with the Raiders, but I'm curious, where are you on the Telesco firing? Well, I just don't get it. I know Tom very well. I mean, find the organizations that draft at the top of this draft in the last decade. There's only one thing they have in common. It's not quarterback head coach scout. It is impulsiveness at the ownership position. the Raiders now will be paying four head coaches and not all seven figures

so does that sound like a well-run corporation I don't know they're trending towards the Browns one of the reasons one of the reasons that the Chargers are good instantly is not just Jim Harbaugh that the roster was good

now he missed on a J.C. Jackson cornerback acquisition he missed on that to less good off quickly though give him credit for that Yeah, but the truth is, this roster was good. They had a quarterback, a left tackle. They had weapons. They had pass rushers.

I mean, the chargers were ready to pop to go toe to toe to against the Chiefs because they had a good roster. Right. So they didn't have a lot of needs outside of like one more, you know, right tackle, try to get another slot receiver. Next year's draft. They don't have a ton of needs. Even another running back. So, Tolesco is not the issue. To let's go, the issue is lots of people who have had lots of success in other places are just getting run off.

I mean, does it feel like, I mean, to me, it feels a little like Tom Brady now has major influence in the organization. That's what it feels like. It also feels like teams around the league are starting to realize, listen, coaches are going to want their GM to work with. Someone they can trust in someone they believe in. I think Vrable was so scarred by what happened in Tennessee where they traded A.J. Brown that my guess is Vrable's going to be going to the Raiders. And I think he just says, listen, I want someone I know as my GM, who I can work with and build the roster has the same vision as me. And I guess they have someone in mind, and that's why they said to let's go by. I would, I don't want to, you never guarantee anything, but I think Vrable is going to be picking the Raiders.

Well, it's very interesting. I thought it was New England. But, I mean, if you just connect the dots, and I'm just spitballing here. But Brady is really close with Brable. Yeah. And now the GM and the coach are fired, and we know from reports two days ago that Tom Brady has influence in the decision making. I said, if I was Brady, I'd sit down with Vrabel. There's no way Tom, I mean, he already called Belichick. That's been confirmed.

Right? So it's not surprising that Tom and Vrable probably sat down and played around a golf or had dinner and discussed it. And I think what you're leading to make sense. If that Tom has major influence and, I mean, if the GM's not fired, I wouldn't buy that. But with the coach and the GM out after a year, after all the moves, it tells me Vrable, Brady feels like it's cooking. And remember, yesterday you said the two guys who are far and away better than every other candidate are Vrable and Ben Johnson. What did we hear about Ben Johnson a couple weeks ago?

He wants a specific GM if he's taking the job. He already has his vision. Hey, everybody wants me? I'm in demand. Well, guess what? Here's my demand. You see this GM right here? I know him. I want to work with him. I respect him.

And I feel like some of these coaches that are hot commodities. Think about this. Let's just say Vrable takes the job. This will be the greatest coaching division in the history of football. Andy Reid, Jim Harbaugh, Sean Payton, Mike Vrable. That's your division. That's pretty strong. there's never been a division with that good of coaches.

And I'm not one of these guys that would duck competition, but it would give you pause. Now, Andy Reid may retire in two years, but it's like, I would feel better about the Raiders job if it was a really strong quarterback class. Well, I think, how about this, for a year, Aaron Rogers.

That's in play. He's got a place in Malibu and in Nashville, Vegas fits. The other thing I would say, you know, in the short term, they may bottom out. Vrable and the new GM may look at the roster and say, eh, we got some stuff here.

We want to gut the old guard who's been plus like three coaches in the last five years, and we want to bring in our guys. So they might have a painful year draft high next year, and all of a sudden they get this thing cooking again. Remember, Vrable went, was he the number one seed with Ryan Tannahill? Yeah. He's a pretty damn good call. Tom Brady's last game in Foxborough.

And they beat him? Brable's Titans beat him. That's right. Remember they had that to pick six. It was Logan Ryan, I think. Maybe it was. I forget the one. That was right.

Good call. Tennessee in the post. It's just a shocking development out of Vegas. Next up is the Pittsburgh Steelers. They got an eight-season streak without a playoff win. In current four-game losing streak this season, they're trying to snap all that on Saturday. Pittsburgh has the longest Super Bowl odds in the playoffs, but Russell Wilson is staying positive ahead of round three with Baltimore.

I think that the opportunity that we have in front of us is a great one. We're excited about the opportunity to play. in the playoffs and it's a I know guys that you know I've played 15 years and ever got in the playoffs or for a lot of these guys who haven't it's exciting moment exciting time it's exciting for all of us because we also know how how how good of a team we are when we play our best and we're excited about the opportunity of those you know facing the challenge that we're in it's interesting was zay flowers out for the ravens do you think Pittsburgh keeps it close no okay you do

Well, I think Zay Flowers is a dynamic player that can force you to do things defensively. You don't want to do. I mean, he's just underneath drag routes. He turns five yards into 25. He's a dynamic player that a couple times a game changes field position. Yeah. Russell Wilson's kind of come back down to earth. He really needs a big game here.

Pickens, remember the last time we saw him? One cat's for zero yards and three drops in that Cincinnati game. And he was yelling at fans and teammates had to hold the... back. So they're unraveling. I don't know if Russ can get them together. Look at these numbers for Russ in the last four games. It's just not good. Offense not great. Picking's starting to fall apart as we all expected. Is it me or the Steelers have more high maintenance receivers in the last decade than anybody in football? They take gravitated. They're always drama. Deontay Johnson, Antonio Brown, Chase Claypool. I mean, they roll the dice on and they know these guys,

usually they call it red flag. Generally speaking, if a guy comes in with a lot of drama, had some drama. Pickens had some drama in college. There's, you know, they... Some, yeah. Yeah. So it's like, but they roll the dice in it their feeling is our culture is so good that we'll bring these remarkably gifted players in. But it's like it's almost as a rule

Pittsburgh will have every year, last decade, somebody's dealing in drama at that position. Final story is the Bucks commanders matchup Sunday night in the Wild Card round. Second Street season, the Bucks have faced an NFC East team.

Remember last year they smoked the Eagles and they ended up losing to Detroit. This year, Baker Mayfield believes the run game will help them go deeper into the playoffs. The biggest difference is the run game. When we've needed to run the ball to win games, we've been able to do that. And so that's a physical mentality

and everybody being on the same page with that and understanding that when you get into a certain mode late in the game where you're having to run the clock out, we're able to do that. To me, that's the biggest difference. You know, skill play-wise in the past game, Yeah, we're connecting quite a bit, but the biggest difference is the run game. I like Tampa in that game.

And I think that I get a more experienced team at home that stops the run and runs. And I think Washington is going, Jaden Daniels is going to have to be the hero because they will not run the ball. And he is going to have to do some hero ball here. And they don't have a number two receiver I love after McLaren. So I think I think you're putting, I think Baker Mayfield could throw 24 times complete six. and they'd win. I think Jaden has to be a superstar to win this game. They will not have a run game. This could be one of those games where, like you said, the only one receiver is McLaurin. I mean, they got what, Zach Zichihias, the guy they got from the Falcons. They're going to be,

if they can't score, my guess is they're big game hunting for a receiver this off season. Tyreek Hill. Yes. Debo. I mean, I think Higgins. Baker doesn't have to play great for Tampa to win. He could be okay. He could be beat. I mean, honestly, he could go 16 for 24 with a pick and one touchdown. And you could see the run game dominate. Washington doesn't defend the run particularly. Bucky Irving, man. If Jayden Daniels isn't great, they're not winning that game.

Yeah, it's a tough one. J-MAC with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Herd Lie News. Live in L.A., it's The Herd. Want more Herd? The Herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week,

within the I-Heart radio app. Search Herd to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. Hey, it's Steve Kavino. And I'm Rich Davis. And together we're Kavino and Rich. on Fox Sports Radio. You can catch us weekdays from 5 to 7 p.m. Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, and of course the IHeart Radio app. Why should you listen to Kavino and Rich?

We talk about everything, life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world? We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture. Stories that, well, other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss. And the fact that we've been friends for the last 20 years and still work together, I mean, that says something, right? So check us out. We like to get you involved too. Take your phone calls, chop it up as they say. I'd say the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio.

Maybe the most interactive show on Planet Earth. Be sure to check out Covino & Rich live on Fox Sports Radio and the IHeart Radio app from 5 to 7 p.m. Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific. And if you miss any of the live show, just search Covino and Rich, wherever you get your podcast. And of course, on social media. That's Covino and Rich. Hey, it's us to Jonas Brothers. And guess what?

We have some big news. What's the news? Huge news. We created our own podcast. called Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it.

We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts throughout there. But this one's extra special. So how did we actually come up with a name Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it. Oh, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band. Before Jonas Brothers.

This is how you guys remember it going to. don't? Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast where people could call in and say, Hey Jonas, and then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite, unhumored me with Robert Smygel and Friends, me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman

help make you funnier. This week, my guest, S&L's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their Between Songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, fam, Ms. Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano and our podcast Point Game. is about defying the odds. Like LeBron heading into the playoffs without Luca and Austin Reed.

And finding ways to win no matter what. He's the smartest player to ever play the game. His IQ is at a level that we've never seen before. And he knows without Luca and Austin Reeves, I got to manipulate the game. We get a player's perspective on the challenges of the playoffs. I think Joker's going to be exhausted this series

because when they don't have Rudy in the lineup, he has to really guard guys like Nas Reid. He has to guard Julius Randall. And then he has to give us everything he gives us on the night-to-night basis on offense. And when IT's friends stop by, like Quentin Richardson, we dive into some playoff history too. Steve Nash would get that thing. That man, hell get the flying. He running up the court, licking his fingers, why he got the ball.

Like, you go through a training camp with that, Isaiah, you figure it out real quick. Oh, yeah. Get your ass up and down the court, and you're going to get the ball. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. agency, the ability to know that we're the experts in our own body. On the podcast cultivating her space, Dr. Dom and Terry Lomax create a space where black women can show up fully and be heard. I wholeheartedly think, you know, you hit 30, you shouldn't have to share room with anybody.

Mm-hmm. From navigating friendships and healing to setting boundaries and prioritizing your mental health. These are real honest conversations. We don't always get to have out loud. totally unreasonable with different parts of life, right? Like, oh, have all three meals and make sure you're mindful during all of them? Absolutely not. During one meal, I'm standing.

I'm standing and handing my children food. Because healing, empowerment, and resilience aren't just ideas, their practices. And this Mental Health Awareness Month, there's no better time to pour back into yourself. Listen to cultivating her space on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. This week on Crimless, we're joined by our first ever guest. Sorry, our first ever human guest. I don't think I could be in the same room with Shamrock the pair.

I'd be too nervous. That's right. The very funny Will Ferrell joins Rory Scovel and me, Josh Dean, for an episode dedicated to the many crimes committed by people also named Will Ferrell. They called to his fellow officer for the nippers. What are the nippers? Very good question. No, I was thinking, would that be a good name for like a salad dressing?

Simple assault. And it's a play on word, salt? Maybe not. I say we invest and we see. There's only one way to know. This did not amuse the cops. By the way, normally the cops are amused, but this did not abuse the cops. Will even comes clean about some of his own crimes.

I didn't get caught. You know why? If you don't want to be suspected of anything, you whistle as you walk. Listen to crime list on the Iheart race. radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Make sure you play this week's Fox Super 6, sponsored by Draft Kings. Go to the Fox Sports app and enter for a free chance to win cash prizes. So Antonio Pierce got fired a couple of days ago as the Raiders head coach,

and now within the hour they have fired Tom Telesco, the general manager. My guess is Tom Brady now, who is partial owner, has significant impact. and say in the organization. And that leads both J. Mack and I to believe that Mike Vrable now could be a leading candidate for that job. Vrable and Brady are very close. But Peter Schreger yesterday was some foreshadowing about what's going on with the Raiders. They had Antonio Pierce to a press conference yesterday at 10 a.m. local, and they fired him two hours later. There's 31 teams, and there's a Las Vegas Raiders, and there's one man in charge, and he acts how he

wants to act and he pays out who he wants to pay out. And Mark Davis is that guy. Tom Telesco is the GM. He's got his thoughts. He's got a great record in the first round with the LA Chargers and the San Diego Chargers before that. But I'll tell you, there are a lot of people who are in that building who did not know that Antonio Pierce was getting fired early in the morning yesterday.

That tells me that Mark Davis holds a lot of cards here and anything could happen as far as the Raiders go. I mean anything. And anyone who tells you otherwise is either a very close friend of Mark Davis, or is talking out of the, you know what? You know, it's funny, I grew up as a kid in the Pacific Northwest, and we didn't get a football team until the Seattle Seahawks arrived and played in the kingdom.

It was 1977. I could be wrong on that. 1977. And it was interesting because the Raiders at the time were the swashbucklers, big brand. Kenny Stabler was one of the great quarterbacks. And they had, you know, Mark Van Egan. and, you know, I jogged my memory, but it was like Cliff Branch and Fred Bolitnikoff and Lester Hayes and Jack Tatum, Phil Villapiano.

They were just great and they were just like unkept. They were an unmade bet of a team. It was like mustache, beards, long hair, wild crazy. You'd go into a locker room before the game and players would be smoking. I mean, it was really a crazy brand. It was anti-corporation. And Al Davis was a visionary owner, a young Al. Davis, saw the world differently, always pushing back on the NFL.

And I remember it because my Seahawks, as a kid, Jim Zorn, Steve Largent, gave the Raiders fits. And after about four years, one of the Raider players, I think it was Jack Tatum, said, would you guys stop calling them an expansion team? They're not an expansion team. I got good players. So the Seahawks had this great offense with Steve Largent, former, I think, governor of Oklahoma, and Jim Zorn and Sherman Smith.

And they had this high-powered offense. Usually had very good offensive lines. And they would give the Raiders fits. And the Raiders were a much better team. And so I grew up with the Raiders where these kind of rebels with a cause. They were like UNLV basketball with Tark, pushing the envelope, making the league and the commissioner uncomfortable. And they were just good forever. And then John Madden was the coach.

And it was just they were just, it was the Steelers, it was Don Shula and the Dolphins. It was the Raiders. And they were such a cool brand. And then as Al Davis aged, he made poor and poor decisions, had a little too much control, probably should have seeded some control to some other NFL people and wouldn't. Then he gives it to his son. And his son, you were hoping his son would be like Al Davis when he was young, sort of a pioneer and a visionary.

And instead it just feels like they're taking these big swings and they keep missing. And it just, they're going to be paying four coaches here. So I do Seehawks first season was 1976, my bad, not 77. So I wish the Raiders mattered because I have

such fond memories. What's interesting, there's another team like this was the Golden State Warriors. Again, I'm taking you down memory lane. This drives J-Mack crazy. But I grew up with the Golden State Warriors were great with Rick Berry and Jeff Mullins and Keith Wilkes and Al Adels and

was the coach. Was Al Adels, the Clifford Ray was the center. For years and years, I was just starting to fall in love with sports in the mid-70s, and the Raiders were great, and the Warriors were great, and these Bay Area teams were great, and I was just getting my Mariners and getting the Seahawks. And so I had this kind of fascination with, like, Oakland, because all their teams on the West Coast and the Warriors and Rick Berry was a hot head, and he was getting technicals and screaming at refs.

And, I mean, you had the Raiders, and you have the Warriors. And then both go into the tank, and they, don't matter for a long time, and the Warriors then get resurrected. Joe Laca buys them, gives it to Mark Jackson, Steve Kerr, Steph Curry, you know the story. I'm waiting for the resurrection of the Raiders. And like the Warriors, I'm kind of

waiting for the right coach in the quarterback. And listen, I didn't know if Tom Telesco and Antonio Pierce were going to rule the world. Antonio Pierce is the, you know, the cautionary tale, you hire the interim coach because he has a winning record or they play really hard for the interim coach for seven or eight weeks.

Watch out. Most interim coaches don't, don't hang around. But it just feels like they're a little lost at sea here. And I mean, the Raiders are going to have to hire a GM and a coach for the third time since 2022. I mean, the Jets looked like IBM compared to these guys. I mean, Robert Salah got like five years. Joe Douglas got four, five, six years. I mean, seriously, the Jets are looking at the Raiders going, you guys are poorly run. I mean, the Browns, the bears, look at the Raiders, then they're like,

would you guys settle down and take a deep breath? So, we'll see. You know, it feels like Brady's got a lot of influence, which is not surprising. But I think, did you read this online when you heard the Mike Vrable stuff? Is that online or is that when you were talking about Vrabel? I mean, it does feel like to... I'm just speculating.

I mean, I read the story where Brady, a source said Brady called Belichick. Well, if he called Belichick, he certainly called Mike Vrable. I mean, obviously, they're closer in age, generationally. It feels like a tug of war over Vrabel between Kraft and the Patriots and the Raiders. Does it not? They both want Vrable. He's the best guy on the market. We would agree.

But I would take the Patriots job because of Kraft and because I've got Drake May. So the Patriots job to me is more, I only do I have Drake May. I got Milton for the next four years. I mean, I literally have a legitimate backup. You're not picking the job because of a legit backup. But what does it tell you if he picks the Raiders? So what does that say about Kraft and May? Well, I'm just saying, if I pick the Patriots, yes, I have to face Josh Allen, but I get the Jets, I get Miami.

If I take the Raiders job, I got Andy Reid and Mahomes, Harbaugh Herbert, Bo Nixon-Payton. I don't think he's viewing it that. I mean, we view it that way, and I understand. I would agree, that's a logical way to look at it. That's why Brady went to the box. Let me ask you this. When you take a football job, how many of those SEC guys live? last, you have to consider the competition.

Yeah. I mean, all of a sudden, you look at, that Oklahoma Sooner's job doesn't look nearly as good in the SEC as it did in the Big 12. You know these coaches are ultra-confidence. Hey, if I'm able to do my system, get my guys in, we're going to win. I don't care about Patrick Mahomes or Herbert. We're going to win because I'm Mike Rable. And I know football.

If you could do both, would you take the Patriots job or would you take the Raiders job? It's just tough because I don't know Kraft personally. I don't know Brady. that, you know, just what you read and follow it. But you've read a couple of the, I mean, Kraft's got, there's six books out on him. I don't know him personally. I don't know if he's impetuous. I mean, he's just fired, what's his name after one year?

A guy he loved him and I was up on here. By every report, and I supported the hire, I didn't love the hire, but he was over his head. I know, but that was like Kraft's guy. He's known him for over a decade. I mean, listen, the best owners in the history of football miss on coaches. Yeah. I mean, it's like missing

on a draft pick. Okay. What if what if Rabel's family sees, oh, Vegas? So that's close to the West Coast. It's warm weather, tax situation, versus New England. Snowy, maybe they don't like winter. I don't know. There's so many factors at play. But yes, Drake May versus whatever.

You start looking at the current NFL head coaching Vegas. Okay, bears, Jags, Jets, Patriots, Raiders, Saints. I'm going to make the argument. The best ones, the Patriots. Why? They don't run through coaches, the winningest owner. And I get Drake May. Drake May can play

And by the way, the reason I like this job It's never going to get lower than this In the division, the best team Buffalo We don't even know if Sean McDermott's going to be there in five years I get a couple of it I get an operative Miami's dysfunctional Jets are dysfunctional By that argument you could say the Jags job is great

I get Trevor Lawrence They have no history of winning That organization The NFC championship with uh sorry AFC championship with um Blake Bortles Blake Bortals Do you know why you can remember By the division? You all

want to talk this function, Titans, Colts, who are a bit of a mess, and the Texans are flowing. Ask yourself, this is a coach. What are the two things that matter? Owner, a quarterback. New England's got both. I think it's more than that, man. I'm not more than that, but if you tell me there's this one job and there's six jobs opens, you get the best owner and potentially the best quarterback, and the quarterback's on a rookie deal. That's attractive to me. I'm not saying New England has everything. They need upgrades in speed offensively. But they got about A half dozen players I like. Raiders have a good shell.

They just need a quarterback. None of these jobs have everything, or they wouldn't have an open. I'm just saying New England, I get owner and quarterback I like, and I like Joe Milton as a backup. Come on. You need to pay close attention to that. Hey, guys, it's us. The Jonas Brothers.

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

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

Unhumor me with Robert 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.

What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano. It's our favorite time of the year on our podcast point game, the playoffs. We're digging into the biggest surprises of the season. And I'm looking back on some of my greatest playoff moments. If we didn't talk ever again, I was funny. You just understood. That's how personal it got. Wow. Then after that game seven, Marquis come in to you, he's like, you know, I love you, dog.

You know, it's all love. This was just playoffs. This was just basketball. So listen to Point Game on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Therapy is fantastic. But once again, it does not have a monopoly on healing. That's why I create the resources and that's why I create the community because I really

just want you to have more access. On the podcast, Cultivating Her Space, Dr. Dom and Terry Lomax create a space where black women can show up fully and be heard. It's tough because we're suppressing our emotions and so many of us are like high achieving individuals. Listen to cultivating her space on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Real talent is defined by what people can do, not where they learn to do it. So by stopping at the education section of a resume, you might throw away the perfect hire. Skills first hiring helps you see talent others men.

Like more than 70 million stars, skilled through alternative routes. Let their story unfold and gain a competitive advantage because hiring managers who start with skills are 60% more likely to find a successful hire. Higher skills first. Learn why at tear the paper ceiling.org. Brought to you by Opportunity at Work and the Ad Council. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.