The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Hour 3 - The NFL schedule

Episode Date: May 14, 2024

Thoughts on the amount of power Aaron Rodgers has in New York More on the NFL schedule this coming season Colin compares Jared Goff to other QBs in the NFL   Guest: Albert BreerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Our number three. Live in Los Angeles, it's the hurt. You know, it's so great to be in a city with good NFL football, Harbaugh, Herbert, McVe, Stafford. Can you imagine being in New York, we're just awful for a decade? I mean, that whole fall, and now the Mets stink again, the whole fall is disliked. To me, the best time of the year is fall. all my favorite sports, the weather cools down from the summer, kids go back to school so you can go to a restaurant and not have brats everywhere.

It's the best time of the year. In the summer, it gets a little hot, the kids are out, you know, they get in the way of a good time. And now in the fall, can you imagine, in our fall will be USC, UCLA and LA to the Big Ten? Awesome. Regardless of how they do, awesome. Harbaugh Herbert, McVe, Stafford. How lucky are we? That's going to be incredible here.

And by the way, everywhere I've worked, you know, you watch a lot of the local team. When I was in Connecticut, I watched every Patriots game, every Patriots exhibition game. It's on television. Well, I'll also be rooting for the Jets, the best football team in New York. I know they play in New Jersey. No, the Jets are better. Stop. By the way, have you internalized anything I've said the last like 48 hours on the Jets?

So much good stuff yet. Here you are bashing. Now, I was thinking about this. thinking about this i was talking to uh one of the executives today they're probably heading off to another vacation before they got out the door i spent about five minutes with them and i said i have this theory that men screw up men's lives my dad used to say men manage money better than themselves that's why wall street and prisons are full of men and a prime example is think about women when women do things that like they like to do with other

women, they're healthy. Let's go get therapy or go to a spa and they treat each other well. You know, man, it's like, hey, let's smoke a cigar, drink, and buy a cyber truck. Men are just dumb, right? Like, men do things to be more masculine, get a gun, eat poorly, drink too much. You know, women tend to do things that are like for the soul and smarter. And I was thinking about this, men get in their own way. more than women get in their own way. We die sooner. There's a reason for it.

But I was thinking about this with Aaron Rogers. Obviously, Aaron's a smart guy. You know, regardless of anything else, whether I agree or disagree, I don't think he's a dummy. A little conspiratorial for my, you know, taste, but whatever, that sets his opinion. A lot of people push back in the vaccine. He wasn't the only one. But it's interesting. I saw this story this morning.

the Jets attempted to replace offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hack at this offseason was somebody who could actually run the show. Interesting. So do I blame Aaron Rogers for that? Or do I blame the Jets? So I want you to think about something. We tend to think of the NBA as a dynasty league,

but it's really the NFL. Go look at the last two. Go look at the AFC for the last. 23 years. Two teams have been in 19 of the 23 AFC championships, once together. New England and Kansas

City. That's insane. 19 of 23, last AFC championships. Chiefs or the Patriots are in it. And despite that, even though Brady and Mahomes have much better careers than Aaron, New England and Kansas City never relinquished the power to the quarterback.

Oh, they'd ask Mahomes what he thinks about a wide receiver, but They never relinquished power. The Jets, a desperate franchise, did for Aaron. You want Alan Lazzard? Bring him in. We'll pay him a ton. He was benched by Thanksgiving, a healthy scratch.

You want Randall Cobb? Bring him in, Aaron. He's your buddy. Five catches all season. Want to bring in Tim Boyle, quarterback? Do you watch those two starts? Brutle. Let's bring in Nathaniel Hackett, Aaron.

Aaron's buddy disaster. Like, should I blame Aaron? Because Kansas City and New England, and maybe Brady and Mahomes didn't want the power, and nor did they ask for it. Maybe not. But they were never granted that. Aaron, I think, wanted more of a say. When he didn't get it, this is well chronicled.

He would passively aggressive take shots at the organization and push back. so be careful what you root for that vanity that id all of aaron's great moves they've all backfired lizard overpaid we told you cobb you know he's a buddy but it's it's overworked uh boyle hackett none worked so three words it doesn't work and it's funny to me i think about this all the time in the NFL. If owners just owned, GMs just GMed, coaches just coached, and quarterback's just quarterbacked, it works. That's what the Patriots did for most of their dynasty. Just that. Everybody stayed in their lane. At the end, one time Kraft said, let's trade Garoppolo. And Brady was right. But that's what Kansas City does now. that's what New England did then

that's what Green Bay has historically done no owner the front office does their thing the coach does his thing the quarterback does his thing but in Green Bay with both Fav who later in his career said I don't want to learn a new system and Aaron I want more power

Green Bay is like we don't really want to relinquish it and you have these two and three years struggles with Fav and Rogers at the end but the truth is the organization Green Bay is right It doesn't work in the league. Dallas, by the way, it's lobsided. The owner wants to be GM. Cincinnati for years, can't get a Super Bowl.

The owner wants to be GM. Like, if you look around the league when the structure is just guys not trampling on another guy's real estate, it works. And in New York, when they gave... Now, maybe Aaron wanted that power. I think he wanted some.

I understand it. Made a stack of money. Had a Super Bowl. Green Bay didn't give it to a. him he wants more. I get a little bit of it. And Brady, by the way, when he went to Tampa, wanted a little more say, should be acknowledged, he won a Super Bowl. Aaron's first season, injury, disaster. So it's not necessarily a shot, but it's like guys get in their own way. If you would have let them go draft another receiver and not bring in two receivers that were

buddies, and if you'd have gotten a legitimate young, super savvy, highly coveted offensive coordinator, Aaron, and just gotten out of your own way. You had a more successful season. Now, obviously, there's the injury. But by the way, even Aaron later in the year watching the games did not like, apparently Aaron and Hackett, this was reported by other people, Aaron didn't like certain formations and sets that he thought left him

vulnerable and in the end get the right OC, maybe you don't have those little border skirmishes between OC and quarterback. Just a thought. What do I know? By the way, the NFL released, you know, the games are trickling out. Schedule released tomorrow.

We'll talk about it tomorrow and Thursday a lot. But the Packers, we know they start in Brazil, Aaron's former team. The Jets will open the season in San Francisco. So I don't know how year two is going to go for the Jets, but I would argue they're underdogs by somewhere between five and a half. and six and a half points. The Jets are in San Francisco. They will not be that big of an underdog if Aaron is healthy all year. So the NFL, Nick Wright suggested earlier, they did it because they don't know if Aaron's

going to be healthy. Let's get him in a big TV game of the Niners week one. That's a new old line, a rebuilt offensive line, some older offensive linemen. Let's just get Aaron on TV in a big game early. We don't know if he, same with Joe Burrell. Let's pay Kansas City early. Joe's had injuries. We want to make sure that game matters.

we get Burrough v. Mahomes, maybe that's it. But you could not have picked a tougher opener for the Jets. On the road against an offensive coach, a loaded team with new weapons via the draft, keeping Debo and IUC, offensive coaches McVeigh-Reed, Shanahan, tend to do better early in the season, unveiling some new tricks they've worked on in the off-season, a rebuilt Jets-O line that's never played together, and because veterans don't plan the preseason anymore,

they'll be working through their chemistry week one, two, three, four, five. Just saying that is a tough opener for the Jets. J-MAC said earlier up to a six to a six and a half point dog. NFL did no favors for the New York JETS Jets, Jets, Jets, Jets, no favors. Not a big deal. Get the tough one out of the way first. We move on. Maybe they'd go 16 and 1, you know, with the one loss of the Niners.

No, I'm just kidding, obviously. But listen, I have no problem with that. You go on the road, test them early, and we're going to find out if Robert Sala is going to be the guy coaching this team all season long. Years ago, 20 years ago when I started doing this thing, I loved the draft. Loved it. And I remember being told by people in the industry, you talk too much draft. And now everybody likes it. And I remember years ago saying, God, I love the schedule release.

And 10 years ago at ESPN, the other place, they would say you're kind of obsessed with the schedule release. I feel like with both people have caught up, that the draft is absolutely riveting TV, and the schedule release is wildly underrated. You and I both believe this. It absolutely matters. Miami would much rather play New England,

the Jets, and the Bills early in the season. You don't want to go up there when it's 12 degrees. So in Miami, I always look at Miami and think, when do they have to go up north? I think you do not want to play Denver. Excuse me. You do not want to play Kansas City early or McVeigh early. We also don't want to go to Denver for altitude in September.

Historically, Denver's done well. Not a full preseason anymore. If I'm a West Coast team that plays in a dome or warm weather like the Rams of the Chargers and I have to go east, I would rather do it pre- Thanksgiving. Yeah, you know, I mean, nobody wants to go outdoors to New York and Buffalo in late December, early January. You just don't want to. Does matter. Stuff creeping out.

Albert Brear will be joining us. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHeard 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 I-Hard radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from 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

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and purpose on my new podcast, learn the hard way. Open your free, our heart radio app. Search, learn the hard way, and listen now. J. Mack says, keep your eye on that LeBron hanging out on the floor at the Cavs game, sending a message.

I think LeBron is pretty strict. strategic. He was sending a message to the Lakers. You know, Cleveland's got a lot of good players. I can fit right in here, take a little bit of a haircut financially and fit right in. There's no way he's taking a haircut as long as Dan Gilbert's the owner in Cleveland. And not in L.A. either. Let's go to Albert Breer. Joining us live, Monday morning quarterback, covered the NFL since 2005.

So I thought this was kind of interesting. Story out, Nathaniel Hackett, Jets looked to replace him. So the Lazard thing didn't work. Cobbs at the end of his career. Hackett was a mess. Is that signal anything beyond, we've got to get better at OC? Does it signal now a team saying, we're going to take a little bit back the football back.

We're going to make the decisions. What do you make of that story? I mean, I think you can tie it to something else that happened this offseason two, which was the tackle need, right? And one of Aaron Rogers' closest friends and a guy who's a former all-pro and David Bactiari was going to become available. and the Jets didn't wait for him.

And, you know, I think if this was a year ago, you might have seen that where the Jets would have waited for David Bactiari and signed David Bactiari because that's what Aaron would have wanted. Instead, they go out and get Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses, and they draft Olufashanu. So, yeah, I mean, I think to some degree, they've taken their foot off the pedal a little bit when it comes to just appeasing Aaron.

But look, like a big part of that is that the evidence they have now to present to Aaron the way some of those things went last year. So I think you are on to a little something there, you know, Colin, I don't think it's totally, you know, no, we're not doing these sorts of things for you, Aaron, at all anymore. But, you know, certainly I think just bringing in as buddies maybe the, the, the, the, the, will be the same, the blooms off the flower a little bit there. I might have mixed that one up, but the blooms up the flower a little there. Yeah.

You know, I was saying this. I saw a story about the quarterback room for the Bears and Justin Fields. And listen, I've found in my years of doing this, and it's why I do a segment, Colin Wright, Colin Wrong. Fans believe in quarterbacks, and they just won't move off them. Right? Like, this is my guy. I said he was going to be a star.

And at some point, you have to admit, like Justin Field just didn't get better. And the story that comes out in the quarterback room is that, two of the least polarizing personalities in the last 20 years, Nick Foles and Andy Dalton tried to help him, and he's like, no, I'm not interested. And I think word travels fast in this league. Maybe that got out because reportedly the quarterback room, which is it's hard to think of Andy Dalton and toxic in the same sentence.

What do you make of that story on Fields? So, like, I would say there's part. of it that really rang true, which is the thing about his eyes, right? That is really the primary problem with him as a player. And even guys who really like him as a person would tell you he doesn't see it fast enough. And you have to find a way and it's hard with a quarterback to get him to see it faster so he can play faster. And that's where a lot of the hold in the ball and not seeing things happen in front of him came into play. So I think the criticism in that from that story on his eyes was 100% where it needed to be.

Like that's that, that's, that's criticism that has circulated in NFL circles for a while now. The other part of it, the stuff about his attitude and personality, I haven't heard as much. You know, and I just, you know, I go back to, you know, what the coaches at Ohio State thought of him. And then a lot of the coaches who've been with the Bears the last few years thought of him. And even what Ryan Poles thought of him and consistently saying, we want to do right by Justin. And the people I've talked to that have been with the bears the last few years have pretty consistently said to me, like, this is a kid who does everything right, that has the right attitude, that's a good teammate, that's a good worker, that wants to get better. And it just didn't happen at a fast enough rate to prevent them from going in on Caleb Williams.

In fact, there's a story from last year. And I don't know if you remember this, Colin, but this story was out there and caused quite a stir. I think it was in October where Justin Field said something in a press conference that was mildly critical of the coaching. And, you know, it got out there on social media and really kind of took on a life of its own quickly. And the story I heard was Justin, you know, saw it on his phone that social media had picked it up and that, you know, a narrative was starting to be spun there. And he almost immediately like sprinted, like sprinted down the hall to Luke Getsey, the offensive coordinator's office to go on. apologize to him. So, you know, again, this is a guy who I think was pretty well liked in the in the Bears building. And I'm not saying that the stuff that was in there from his rookie

or Dalton-Fouls is completely untrue. I'm not sure about that. But this is a kid who had a pretty good reputation in the Bears building. And, you know, that's one reason why the Bears wanted to do right by him when they were offloading him back in the spring. Speaking of offloading him, they sent him to Pittsburgh with Russell Wilson. And I, I, I, I kind of went on a tangent or rant last week. I said, Russell Wilson is so unique that everything on his resume tells you

eight or nine pro balls, two Super Bowl appearances, holds a trophy, all-timer. You almost never see anybody criticize publicly an all-timer, quarterback. You know, Harris, the cornerback who played in Denver,

came out and said, you know, he holds the ball too long. It didn't work. He misses plays. And I'm like, could somebody give Russell a break? What is it? Maybe it's because Russell never pokes back. But I do think the Russell

Fields component, that that combo is fascinating because I don't think Russell would go there unless he got guarantees. And I don't think Justin Fields would be as optimistic as he's been if he didn't think he was going to get a shot.

How do you think it plays out? So let's start with the Russell component. I think one of the issues Russell's had over the years, and this is, I think, proven true with two different teams now is with relating with his teammates. And, you know, I think one of the superpowers that a lot of the truly great quarterbacks is they can be like the celebrity over here, right? And then over here be a normal guy in the locker room. And Tom Brady was great with this, right? Like where he was a celebrity outside of the locker room, but just another player inside the locker room to his teammates.

Josh Allen is great with that. Patrick Mahomes is great with that. You see those two guys with the 12 pack of Cors Light playing golf in the cart, right? And that's really who they are. And that's how they come off to their teammates. And their ability to be a regular guy

is something that Russell's never really had, which I think has caused him problems with some of these teams. And what exacerbates it is things like having the office in Denver, right? So can he break down those walls with his teammates in Pittsburgh? I think that'll be a very real question. How do his coaches receive him?

That's a real question. And so what Russell was promised coming into all of this was you have pole position. That means you're going to get the first snap in the spring. When they start OTAs next week, Russell Wilson will get the first snap and he'll be working with the first team through OTAs and into the summer. He is their starter right now. But Mike Tomlin's gone back on the first. these things in the past, right? And look at Kenny Pickett two years ago. He was running with

the threes for all of training camp. By week four, he was the starting quarterback there. So while I think Mike Tomlin's very much a man of his word and will give Russell Wilson every shot to be the starter for the entire year, for the entirety of the 2024 season, he's also got, you know, this duty to the other 51 players on the team that he's going to do what's right for them. And if what's right for them come July or August is for Justin Fields to be getting reps or competing for the job, I don't think Tomlin would be shy about pivoting. Again, he did it two years ago, you know, coming out of the Ben Rothlisberger era and with Kenny Pickett on the roster, Pickett was working behind

Mason Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky through all of training camp and wound up being the starter by early October. Not impossible to see a similar scenario unfolding with Justin Fields if Russell Wilson has some of the issues in Pittsburgh that he had in Denver. I'll make this argument. You could not give Aaron Rogers a tougher opener than Monday night football across the country. And among the other things is, if I have a defensive coach, asked Pete Carroll last year on the opener against Sean McVeigh or anybody that faces Andy Reed in September, offensive coaches come into the season with new wrinkles and they have an advantage,

absolutely. Also, the weather's better. It's easier on quarterbacks. September is a. offensive head coach month. And increasingly in football, by the end of the year, it's offensive coaches that meet in the final four. But the other thing that jumps out to me with Aaron is there are three new offensive linemen and a rookie, four total on the O line. The O line is understood, Albert, always understood in football.

It's the chemistry unit and the hardest to develop with new players. Asking Aaron with three new pieces in a rookie to go to the Bay of, against Bosa and the Niners. That is a tough ask. Is that not a rough opening week for Aaron and the Jets? I almost think the worst thing about it, Colin, is having to come back on a short week from the West Coast, going west to east, right?

So, you know, you're back like Tuesday morning. Your Tuesday is sort of blown up and shot. So now you've lost Monday and Tuesday preparing for your week two opponent. I've actually meant when I saw that earlier today to go back and take a look at the first Monday night game and how often they've asked a team to go from east to west and then come back west to east on that Tuesday. I actually think that might be the toughest element of it. I think all the things you're mentioning are certainly valid. They also have a little bit more time to prepare for the Niners and have time to focus on the Niners a little bit more.

but yeah, it's definitely a tricky one for the Jets. And don't forget this, too. I mean, there's the whole storyline of it being the Monday night, week one, that Aaron got hurt, you know? And so we've got all that buildup and all those reminders of what September 11th was last year, you know, for the Jets, where on that Monday night, Aaron Rogers goes out and blows his Achilles, what was it, four or five plays in. Yeah.

You know, so in a lot of different ways, this does feel like not the ideal scenario. for the Jets for your reasons and for a couple of the ones I just laid out too. Monday morning quarterback, it's not long before Albert Breer hedged to Nantucket and looks, has that tan is sitting up there. I'm already working on it, don't you think? Hey, I'm looking ahead too. Albert Breer, Monday morning. So I'll get you live from the deck then.

We're going to have to set something up where I'll be coming live from the deck, right? So you get the sunshine in the background and the boats and all that. I'm jelly. I'll say right now, I'm not a man of envy, but every time I do a live shot with you in the summer, I am very envious. You live in the South Bay. I mean, I don't know.

You got me, what, 50 weeks out of the year? I can get you for two or three. Fair enough. Fair enough. Albert Breer, joining us live. Yeah, that's interesting. What if the Jets got this? What if Aaron and the Jets in week two?

So his proposition is, you think that's bad? You blow the first two days coming back. What if week two for the Jets? Miami on the road. No, it's not Miami. Buffalo's playing Miami Week 2. Here are the choices. Colts?

Let me write them down. These are the Jets' home games for 2024. They could face the Colts in week two. The Broncos and their five and a half win total. That would be a great matchup. Give me that. That's a Jets by two touchdowns. Patriots, Tire, Fire, rookie quarterback.

Those are good ones. I don't want to see the Rams in week two. Okay, so let me ask you this. what would be the game in week two for the Jets that you would not want to face? Okay, since we know Buffalo, Miami are playing week two. I don't, well, I don't mind seeing the Texans in week two. How about this?

I don't want to face the Rams in week two. So you stay out west and face the Rams and McVeigh's brilliant. Oh, they would not do that to the Jets. Two West Coast games to start the season? That would be dirty. Oh, no, no, no. Alex just said in our earpiece, where are the Rams at? Yes.

Oh, it's a Jets home game. Yeah, Jets are at home. So they'll face, I think it's going to be Patriots or Broncos. One of those. It's going to be a layup for the Jets. You have the tough one to start the season, bounce back, 34-13 win. I'm just, I'm not trying to be negative. Yes, you are.

I keep finding the hardest games on the- Open the show with an eight-minute rant about Aaron Rogers. I'm not trying to be negative, guys. I'm not. How about this? That's called gas-lighting. How about this one? Go look at that schedule.

How about week two, go down to the heat in J-Ville, Jacksonville. That's a rough one. It better be a home game. Have you ever been in early September? Hell no, I've never been. In Florida. Didn't your family live in Orlando? I don't go there in a brutal months unless I absolutely have to.

September, it is an absolute advantage. It's oppressive. That's what the heat is. First of all, by May, it's oppressive. You know, my mom, I hope I'm not revealing it. My mom called me, she's like, it's 97 degrees here. This is like two days ago. She's like, so we don't go outside.

We walk around in the mall. get like exercise. 97 degrees in May. Yeah. What do you think it's like September 12th? At least. 1202. At least.

And the water now. And it's like hurricane season. Let's just not talk about Florida anymore. Come on. Okay. J-Mack with the news. No. No. Turn on the news.

This is the herd line news. All right. Let's start with, I don't know. I mean, you love all the quarterbacks in this class. Jaden Daniels. Boy, have you seen the video on this guy? Oh, gosh. He was totally dominating.

Smoke show. Rookie minicam. I like what I see here. Firing on all cylinders. I'm so excited to watch him play. Dan Quinn got to see his quarterback in action and had this to say about the rookie's presence. What you don't see on the tape is like how much this guy loves football. Like he works so hard at it, Mickey, that like it's one of the things that makes my heart smile about him.

Just like the type of competitor he is and the way he goes about his business. And so I don't know if it was the work he put in, but like the command of everyone else. And so sometimes as a quarterback, it's not just what you're doing. It's making sure the formation is set. It's starting a motion. It's getting a correction. That's when you know you have full command, not just what your responsibility is here, but what the others are.

Looks like an NFL coach. Dan, do you see he flipped his hat around? Look a little wonky. Flipped it around. Now I believe him. Let's have our staff work on this. Some interweb stuff, darkweb.com. Go to the internet and get me more Jaden Daniels practice video

because I'm telling you that thing had a content. He was slinging it. What's a contrail? Like a jet. It was supersonic. The ball was flying, popping out of his hand. Yeah, look at the stretching. Dude, I am so excited to watch him play.

Look at the stretching. He's just unbelievable. Watch this ball. Even there. What's that handoff? Look at that. The fluidity. Just lock it up.

Hey, so who has a better season? Caleb Williams. I'm sorry, not Caleb Williams. Jaden Daniels year one or Bryce Young year two? Jaden Daniels year one. Fake. False news. What do you?

Totally disagree. I think Bryce Young bounces back big time. Defensive coach here. Come on. Defense of course didn't win. It's been to a Super Bowl defensive coach with a great play caller. I don't know about their O' line. I worry about Washington's O' line. Very suss. But, but, sus, very mid. But, but, Jaden will run around, create some space. That's healthy. Ask Robert.

I'm really, everybody's into Caleb. I get that too. I really want to see Jaden Daniels play. I think Washington's personnel is better than everybody gives it credit. This is a hot take, but I want to see Bryce. young way more than Jane Daniels. I've never heard anybody say that. Exactly.

Buy low, you know, sell low or no, buy low, sell high. Yeah. I'm buying rice young. You almost went the other way.

He's a penny stock, right? There's a reason he's a penny stock. Yeah, what's the high end? Eight cents? You hear that? Dave Canales?

Let's go to the WNBA. Caitlin Clark, her anticipated regular season debut tonight for the Indiana fever. The fever, or five and a half point underdogs against the Connecticut Sun. So it's on the road, right?

It is on the road, yeah. Here's what she had to say about her big debut tonight. I'm really excited. I think, you know, preseason games, like you try to be as competitive as possible, but you're still trying to figure it out, try a different lineup. So I feel now, like, getting out there for the first time is really exciting, and it'll be super special. This is what you've kind of worked for and dreamed of,

and now you're going to put your jersey on for, like, the first real time and go out there and play. So I think more than anything, just soak in the moment. You know, we got to play on the biggest stage. There's going to be a lot of people there. It's going to be loud. But you only play your first WMBA game once.

Well, I just bought Sling TV last night. Let me see if she's on. Well, it's funny. My daughter is like, Dad, we need to watch the game today. This is before school today. She's like, what time does it start? What channel and all that? So it's Connecticut.

So it'll probably start. Game will be on ESPN 2. They still have that thing. And Disney Plus. Okay, we have Disney Plus. Yeah. I'm excited. Well, I'll go 18 and 9 for Caitlin Clark tonight.

18 points, 9. I don't even know what it's going to look like. I don't know what it's going to look like. Why not? Well, I don't know. I don't watch the NBA enough to have a... You think I know what it's going to... Well, yeah, but you're willing just throw it out there.

I need, I am kind of a research guy. I mean, fine. I can pull up some... By the way, it's going head to head with a Pacers game. So it's not going to beat the Pacers game, probably because New York's involved. But I bet you it gets a little bit of a number. Listen, it's 2024. We have multiple TVs.

We can watch both. Have you ever done this before? Like, I don't, when I used to be more collaborative with the audience on social media, you'd say, oh, you guys watching that? And they're like, how are you not watching that game? I'm like, I'm a sportscaster. You think I got one TV in the house? People are nuts on that.

On Sundays, I literally have phone, iPad, Red Zone. We can watch more than one thing. So can you. I don't know if the fever are going to be good. I'm not going to lie. I'm excited to see what Caitlin Clark can do. You know, it's going to be fun. Final story is college football.

Big noon Saturday has announced three massive games this college football season. Number one is Texas at Michigan, September 7. Texas is going to win that game going away. I think I like Texas as well. Even on the road. Alabama at Wisconsin, September 14th. Now, Alabama has a new head coach. They do have a quarterback that a lot of people like Mill Roe, who was in and out last year.

You like Alabama on that one? Well, I think Michigan takes a huge step back. No, no, I said Alabama, Wisconsin. Yeah, I take Bama. Okay. I think their coach is, I'll take Texas, Bama, and Ohio State in those games. I think Ohio State is going to win the Natty. I think Texas will meet them in the natty.

Hold on. You have Texas in the national championship against Ohio State? Oh, spicy. No, Georgia. No, although I think Georgia's, I think the three best teams are Ohio State, Georgia, Texas. I think that's pretty clear. At four, I don't even know.

I just have to wash it. It could be Alabama. Cail and DeBore. A transfer portal has made it tough to know. I don't know. Yeah, there's so much movement. I would just keep an eye on Alabama, Wisconsin. Badgers can be frisky at home.

Who's their quarterback? Don't know. You know, you ever been to Camp Randall? I've not. Is it near the Dells? It's not that far from the Dells. Madison is a night. Madison is a, it gets a little chilly in the winter,

but that is a one of the, America's great summer towns. One of my neighbors is going to, their daughter is a senior in high school, going to Wisconsin next year. Apparently, Camp Randall, that's like a big party school. Well, it's also a great academic school.

Okay, I'll take your word for it. But Madison, your kids can do worse than going to Madison. That's a good school. I just don't understand leaving California for Wisconsin. Do you know how cold the winter's going to be there? Well, you're first of all, there are buildings are brick. You won't be cold in your dorm room.

You still got a party. If I was going to college again, Wisconsin will be my top five or six. Top five? Who else you got in there? Michigan, Wisconsin, Texas. What is cold weather? Michigan, Wisconsin, Texas. I'd probably get a free ride to Princeton, so I'd probably put that on there.

Hey, my bet. Tyler Van Dyke transferred from Miami to Wisconsin. Finally, Wisconsin. Wisconsin only gets good quarterbacks when they transfer. Russell, Tyler Van Dyke. Give me the Badgers money line. He's an interesting quarterback. He's pretty good.

Badger's Money Line. That'll be interesting. Can we do one show from Vegas this summer and just go to and make a bunch of bets? Why would you want to be in Vegas in the summer? Well, the pool scene? I'm married. I got 19 kids. You're not dead.

You're married. Come on. You can go have fun? Literally, let me tell you two words I'm never going to experience in my life again. Pool scene. I'm like, whirlpool scene. You got to work on your tan like, bring. Maybe a little fake-and-bake action before you go?

No. You're off the rails today. I've got to reel you back in. It's all your fault. J-Mack with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Heard Line News.

If I qualified for everything, Princeton's supposed to be... My wife used to have to go to that area of New Jersey. He's supposed to be great. We live near there. It's awesome. So I would go to Princeton, Michigan, Texas, I think Wisconsin, if I, probably if I had Michigan, I'd cancel Wisconsin because I'd want one big 10 school. That's the one I'd go to.

What about ASU? You know, Northwestern's in Chicago, maybe Northwestern. ASU is, it's too hot for me. Pool scene. Yeah, yeah. You know, it's, that's where I'd go. You're just out of the, mostly out on the northeast now. You're a Chicago.

No, no, I think the America's best universities are mostly northern universities. Yeah. I think that's, you know. I kind of picture you as a Columbia guy. That's not, that's too close to the city. Princeton's supposed to be gorgeous. You said you used to live now there. Yeah, yeah.

It's supposed to be, it's called Princeton, New Jersey. That's the town. Prince of New Jersey, yeah. Yeah, it's supposed to be amazing. All right, we'll just keep rambling. 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 Ben.

Ben, host of the Fifth Hour with Ben Mallor, and would mean a lot to have you join us on our weekly auditory journey. You're asking what in God's name is the fifth hour? I'll tell you, it's a spinoff of the Ben Mather show, a cult hit overnights on FSR. Why should you listen? Picture, if you will, a world where we chat with captains of industry, in media, sports, and more every week,

explore some amazing facts about human nature and more. Listen to the fifth hour with Ben Mather on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, 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 what you're saying.

Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show.

This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast, it's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream,

this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok. Talk Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tapped Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim?

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

I mean, at this point, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you for finishing that sentence. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history.

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

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

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

on my new podcast. Learn the hard way. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the hard way and listen now. I told my mom once I wanted to be a pilot, and she said, you're too scatterbrain to be a pilot. Just talk about sports. But in today's segment, take golf or take off,

I will choose Jared Goff or this other elite quarterback if I had to pick one to lead my franchise this point forward. My hat is slufe. slightly askew, but, you know, maybe I spent a little bit too much time at the lounge, the Continental Lounge before I got on the flight. But you ready to go? Admirals Club was just jumping off this morning. Take off.

Take off. If Goff would take off. Jared Goff or Lamar Jackson? I would take Lamar because I think he is the system, and I think Goff is a little bit dependent on the right protection and the right system. Lamar's just going to just do what Lamar's going to do. So both great, I would take Lamar. Okay.

Jared Goff or Jalen hurts? I'm worried about Jalen's injuries. Goff, I think, sees the field better. Bigger, taller. I think I would take Goff. I'm worried, I've said this before. I like Jalen Hertz. Jalen Hertz without Shane Steichen calling the plays

is not the same as Jalen Hertz with Shane Steichen calling the plays. I may change my mind on this by Thanksgiving. Okay, take Goff or take off? Jared Goff or Dak Prescott? Goff, easy. I think he's getting better as he gets older, especially in the postseason.

I think Dak, a few injure. has hit a ceiling, hit a wall, this is what he is. I also think Goff is going to have better protection and more weapons. The Cowboys will be very DAC-reliant, and when he throws 40 or more times, he is 8 and 18. So I think Goff will have a much better year. Take Goff or take off Jared Goff or Justin Herbert? Well, even though Herbert, well, Goff's got a little bit of a tailwind. He's got a little more momentum going for him.

for him. But I'm going to take Herbert, bigger, stronger, taller, more mobile. Doesn't have a lot of momentum currently. He's going to have to create that with the Jim Harbaugh. But I think it'll happen very early. Jared Goff or Jordan Love? I'm still not sure about the landing with Jordan Love. I don't know where he's going to land. I would take today, I would take golf. But again, I have the right to change my opinion. I just would like another six to eight start. from Jared Goff, but his mobility and the way he eight of the last nine weeks operated that

offense with all those young receivers, kids, really impressive. Today I take golf. This is a tough one for me because I'm on the looks like Jordan loves a top 10 guy train. Take golf or take off Jared Goff or Joe Burrow. This is the hardest one. Burrow is better. Burrow has four straight year. with injuries, Goff never gets hurt. I'd go golf. And I love Burrow. But aren't you concerned about

Burroughs injuries? When's the last time you had a good September? You can go back to Goff. I know I'm getting a little erratic for a pilot. You can go back. I want to be stately. I want to be like Sully Sullenberger. Like if the plane goes a little sideways, I can... Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. I can land it. But like, you're getting to a point with Joe Burrow is the injuries are now part of it. Like you have to bake it in. This is, I mean, people always bang on Lamar Jackson for being hurt. Well, okay, then Joe Burrow gets hurt. So if you're asking me today who I would take this moment, very close, it's golf. And again, I know Burroughs better. I'm not denying that. I'm not in any way. More mobile. I think he says,

good, a third down quarterback as the league has, but all things considered, I'm really worried about Burroughs' help. All right, we're running out of time. This is the toughest one. Jared Goff or Brock Purdy? Goff, that's the easiest one. Goff got the Lions to win a playoff game for the first time in 32 years. You know how hard it is to break a losing culture?

That is tough. Purdy took over a franchise that just wins a lot. stacked and kept winning. Not that it's unimpressive. It's just not as impressive. Got any more? Final one. Jared Goff or Kirk Cousins? Well, I think Goff is,

I think he's the number one pick for a reason and Kirk's a fourth rounder for a reason. I think natural talent, Goff's better. Also, Coffsons has to kind of familiarize himself, new staff, new system, new players. I don't think it'll be a little bumpy for him, I think. All right, let's do one more. Hold on. Jared Goff or Matt

Stafford. Closer than people think I'd take Stafford. Now, again, he and Burrow, there's injuries, but Burrough's injuries are consistent. Stafford has healthy year banged up, healthy banged up. So I think this is closer than you think. I think Stafford's just a better arm talent. If you took Mahomes out and Josh Allen out, I think Stafford's the third best, what you would call arm talent in the league. I think he's that good.

You do too, by the way. So, I don't know, man. Jared Goff's engaged. We might have to tell his fiance, hey, look out. Colin Coward is just absolutely head over heels in love with Jerry. I don't think anyone loves the guy as much as you do. This is, some of these are absolutely bonkers, Colin. Jared Goff over Joe Burrell. Again, I contextualize it. It's an injury thing. Golly go look at Goff back at Cal. He got pummeled, never hurt. The guy just is, despite his frame, Jared Goff is tough. He plays hurt. He never misses games. We always say of this. reliability availability can't win if you're sitting golf's always starting it's like elin manning got criticism he was there every sunday brett farb was there every sunday that that counts that's 20 25 percent and i think burrow's better but when you're giving me 12 starts and i get 17 or 18 i'm taking golf was your pilot i think we landed that thing ladies gentlemen this is your captain speaking

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

Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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. 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 podcast. A win is a win.

A win is a win. I don't care what you're 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 of conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to the Cliford show on the I-Hard Radio app,

Apple Podcast, podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. This is an IHeart podcast, guaranteed human.