The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Lakers-Clippers, Dak Prescott, Baker Mayfield, & NCAAFB rankings

Episode Date: November 6, 2019

Colin explains why Kawhi Leonard chose the Clippers over the Lakers, why he likes Dak Prescott, the weakness of Baker Mayfield, and his thoughts on the NCAAFB rankings. Guests include Nick Wright, Joel Klatt, Kareem Jackson, and Chris Broussard. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo, and every episode, we're cutting through the noise,

breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headline. And we're going straight to the source, the athletes themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear. Listen to Sports Slice on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok.

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, guys? This is Clivert Taylor the Fourth. And on my podcast, The Cliverts Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff. Like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker, this linebacker walks up to me. He goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her.

What? Time out. Quarterback on office blue with 42. Hey, Wreck, my mama want you to weigh better. What? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

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 harmed. you just understood.

That's how personal it got. Wow. Then after that game seven, Mark keep coming to her. 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 IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening to The Heard podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday from 12 to 3 Eastern, 9 to noon Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and FS1. Find your local station for the Heard at Fox Sports Radio.com Or stream us live every day on the IHeartRadio app by searching Hur. We're listening to Fox Sports Radio.

Oh, we are packed. It is a Wednesday live in L.A. This is The Heard. Wherever you may be and however you may be listening. We're on IHeart Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and FS1. One hour from now, Joel Klatt stops by the college football. Rankings are out. The first bracket has been delivered,

and it's basically smartly allowed college football to already saloo, already select their teams. You don't know it, but they did last night. The season's not over, but the bracket's complete. As of last night, I'll explain that coming up in 10 minutes, and Joy Taylor is joining me. Joy, how are you?

I'm great. College basketball started last night, too. And I sat last night and I watched the entire Lakers Chicago bowl game, so I'll start with that. The Lakers mailed it in, a sloppy, didn't play any defensive mess for three quarters. Then they decided let's play great win. Sixty-nothing.

starting the fourth. By the way, I've seen every single good NBA team so far. The Clippers are the best team I've seen. The Lakers are the second best team I've seen. They have very different ideas on how to win a title, but you can schedule the championship parade at the Staples Center. You can put up the orange cones on Figueroa Street. You just have to figure out, will the bus be Clipper Blue or Laker Gold? My guess, it's Clipper Blue. And it's funny watching that game last night. And tonight, Kauai Leonard will sit out, load management game against Janus. And of course, it's the right thing to do, though I don't think it's great for fans.

And I think it's lousy for the league. And I hate the optics. It's the right thing to do. Because the clippers are so darn deep that Lou Williams off the bench averages 20. Montrez-Harrell off the bench averages 20. And they will compete, probably lose, but compete tonight. The difference between the Lakers and Clippers, though, is not just that the Clippers have much more depth than they do. It's because the reason Kauai chose the Clippers is different than the reason LeBron chose the Lakers.

LeBron made a decision when he came to L.A. There were far better rosters. The Lakers were a collection of young guys that couldn't stay healthy, couldn't really consistently shoot, and were too young to win a championship. But LeBron chose them because he came to L.A. for business. LeBron said, I'm going to go to L.A. and figure the rest out later. Kauai Leonard was different. Kauai Leonard chose the Clippers only for basketball.

He had a specific private meeting in Malibu. Jerry West's house. Doc Rivers was there. Steve Ballmer was there. And he said, will you keep Lou Williams, Montreal, Herald, and the bench? Will you get Paul George? Can I take 22 games off a year? Yes, yes, yes, yes.

I'm in. Kauai Leonard chose the Clippers specifically, not just primarily, overwhelmingly for basketball. LeBron chose the Lakers for business. I'll figure the basketball out later. And in my worldview, the athlete who chooses sports first and business second should win and eventually will. For the record, LeBron is flourishing in Los Angeles. He's got movies. He's got shows.

He's got a pizza chain. He is very much a part of Los Angeles. So he's flourishing. And the basketball is pretty good. Kauai, you see him a little bit, billboard here or there. but his basketball is great. But the Lakers, unfortunately, because of the way LeBron chose them, need LeBron to play 37 minutes a night at point guard.

Rondo's too old past his prime. Avery Bradley's a combo guard. And Caruso's a C to a C plus player, although he occasionally has A-minus highlights and dunks. The Clippers do not need Kauai. They don't need Kauai because next week, Paul George gets healthy. They don't even need Kauai to play in the entire regular season. Paul George and this roster with Doc Rivers could make the playoffs.

That's what happens when you choose basketball first and business later. The Lakers have two problems why they can't catch the clippers. One is solvable. They need another guy off the bench. Andre Iguidal is there, 18 minutes a night. He'd be really good and it's solvable. The other one's not solvable. Hey, LeBron, we need you to play

like for 39 minutes a night at point guard. We know you're in your 17th year. We get it. But we need you to defend small, young, quick guys all the time. I know. It's not a cool ask. These triple doubles are nice, but as we've seen from players, those wear guys out.

And Kauai Leonard's taking the night off. Folks, wouldn't you like a whirlwind? where the quarterback that loved football, Lamar Jackson, is better than the quarterback who had nine commercials this offseason, Baker Mayfield. In my world, I want the athletes that commit to their sport, especially early in their careers, to be better than the athletes,

yeah, I love football, but I got another insurance commercial to shoot. I'm rooting for Lamar over Baker, because one of these young guys is totally all in on the football thing. Worry about the endorsements later. And I understand LeBron choosing business over basketball. Let's be honest. He could have gone to the Sixers.

He could have gone to the Rockets. Hell, he could have gone to the Clippers. He could have gone to a lot of better teams. He chose business over basketball. And finishing second to Kauai is exactly where you should be. It's why the Clippers will win. It's why Kauai and Paul will be. fresher. It's why

you can already schedule on Figueroa, put the orange cones up, we're having a championship parade. I've watched all the teams, but it'll be a blue bus with Kauai holding the trophy, and LeBron going, I got a movie coming out in two weeks. You guys may want

to stop by the theater. Second place isn't bad in the West, but it's not where Kauai is going to be. All right, finally, you know, I'm fairly, verbal. This is what I do for a living, but sometimes I can't quite trying to tell you something

and it doesn't come out and I'm trying to. Dat Prescott's a hard guy. He's an enigma. I like Dak Prescott. Don't love him, but I like him. And I thought, wait a minute. I finally found the example to explain why Dak Prescott should make $28 to $30 million and be a franchise quarterback. It's taken me three and a half years. Nobody said I'm fast. Nobody said I get stuff quickly. So this weekend, the Cowboys host of Vikings. And I want you to think about this. They're identical teams. Both led by a dominant rusher. Could be the best two running backs in the league. Both have indisputably, inarguably great rosters. Both have lots of weapons for their young quarterback. Both have winning coaches, yet they're both on the hot seat. Both organizations,

the primary issue is we don't win enough playoff games. One has a quarterback who got paid a lot and not everybody's happy about it. And one has a quarterback who's going to get paid a lot and not everybody is going to be happy about it. Even their seasons have been a lot. Even their seasons have been identical. Both the Vikings and Cowboys crush Philadelphia. Both the Vikings and Cowboys lost to Green Bay. Both have an inexcusable loss. 16 to 6 to the Bears? With all your weapons, you couldn't move the ball? And how did the Cowboys lose to the Jets? And overall, there's a theme this year. They beat the bad and average teams. They struggle with the good ones. Let's burrow it down even further. When I rate quarterbacks and I did this morning

and I only count guys who have played an entire full season. So Lamar Jackson's hot but I can't count him. Rogers, Mahomes, Wilson, Brady, Breeze Deshawn Watson, Carson Wentz, Jimmy G, Matt Ryan, Big Ben, sabbatical, Derek Carr, Matt Stafford. And I always

on every list get down to DAC, right ahead of Kirk Cousins. Even Fox Bet, Dallas minus three. Home field is three. They're dead even. But do you know why I like the Cowboys this weekend? Because I like Dak over Kirk Cousins.

Because you know what Dak is? Dak is Kirk Cousins if Kirk was a little more clutch and had a little better wiggle than mobility. And you may not like Dak Prescott. But if there was a quarterback in college today and I said, he's a lot like Kirk Cousins, hella accurate. Big stats. But unlike Kirk Cousins,

he's actually better in the fourth quarter than the first. He's kind of clutch. And he's got some mobility. Oh, that would be a first round quarterback. Dak, like many quarterbacks in the NFL, was underdrafted. Half this league has been overdrafted at quarterback. I could go on for hours.

And a bunch of it, Tom Brady, Breeze, Russell Wilson, DAC, have been under-drafted. This game sums it up. We have two identical teams with coaches we know are good enough to win a division and good enough to win a playoff game. But can they get the Super Bowl? Starbacks, great rosters, players on the perimeter, more than enough weapons, just can't win that second playoff game.

A quarterback that got paid and you're not happy, a quarterback that will and you won't be happy. And when you rate quarterbacks, on any list, you end up with Dak and Kirk right next to each other. Not as good as Derek Carr, certainly better in my opinion than Cam and many of the other guys. But I'd take Dak over Kirk

because he's more clutch and he's a little better runner. And that today is a first round pick. I like Dallas to beat Minnesota this weekend. it may in fact be one of my blazing five picks. And it took me three and a half years to figure out how to describe Dak Prescott and why I like him. He's Kirk Cousins. Plus the two things Kirk Cousins is bad at.

He gets tight and he can't move. All right, packed today. So the college football playoff bracket came out. And I thought it was fairly predictable. We predicted the four teams that would get in. I mostly agree with it. In fact, we predicted the five teams. They weren't in the exact order.

I had LSU one, Ohio State, too. They flipped that. But I think, I think college football, basically you think we've got a long way to go. And I think officially this morning, we are set with our four teams. I'll explain that coming up. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd

weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the I-Hard Radio app. Welcome to my new podcast, learn the hard way with me. your host and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many

incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing and we're still chasing it and we don't know when we've done enough

because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, 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 Hardway. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in.

I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athletes themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context and ask the questions everybody wants answered. SportsSlice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. What's up, guys? This is CliverTaylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Cliverts Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff. being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker, this linebacker walks up to me, he goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her.

What? Quarterback on office blue of 42. Hey, ref, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Hey, Ms. Parker. Listen to the Clippers show on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

What's up, fam? This 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 Nass would 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, Isaiah, 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. Don't be the guy in the room with a long, sloppy untuck shirt. Go to Untucket.com. It looks like it's tailored and refined to be worn untuck. That's because it is Untucket.com. The code has heard, H-E-R-D for 20% off. I've got all sorts of retail locations as well.

So college football waits until November, and you play five or six or seven games. And then they come out in college football. the playoff rankings come out. And the committee is always saying something without coming out and saying something. So Ohio State is won, regardless if I agree with this, and I mostly do. Ohio State 1, LSU, 2, Bama 3, Penn State 4, Clemson 5, Georgia 6. It's very important that Georgia is 6. So what does that tell you?

Three of the top six teams are in the SEC. So the playoff, SEC, the South gets the highest college football TV ratings in America. So the committee is telling you, we once again think the South has the best college football. The South has the best college football. And sure enough, if you look at the top 10, SEC's got four, according to the committee, Big 12, 1, ACC 1, PAC 12, Big 10 a couple. So they establish we think the SEC is number one. Then they established, we are punishing Clemson. They have not lived up to the hype.

But we know the teams in front of them all play, so we will get them close enough to move them right up to two or three or maybe one if they keep winning. They want Clemson in because they think Clemson can give Bama a test. So they established the SEC three of the top six from the South. that allows them, of course, to choose Bama and LSU and let them both in, regardless of the outcome. So Clemson's going to get in. Nobody in the ACC is close. Winner of Ohio State, Penn State, in Columbus, I'll take Ohio State will get in.

They want some regional diversity, right? They want a northern team. But LSU and Bama play this weekend. And if LSU loses to Alabama, I mean, that's like losing to the, you know, the 2000 Yankees or the Shaq Kobe Lakers in seven games. LSU's going to have a bunch of good wins. LSU's only loss is going to beat Obama. They will have beaten Auburn, which beat Oregon. They will have beaten Florida.

Texas, by the way, isn't in the top 20 now, but they're getting healthier. Young kids will go back to the bench. Texas will win two or three in a row here. And so they'll be to Mississippi or two Mississippi State's pretty decent. And then LSU will say we're in. And if Alabama loses, they'll still have the best loss, LSU. They will be Alabama. It's the best conference the SEC.

And oh, by the way, they've got the Tua excuse. Well, I mean, Tua was playing at 60%. I mean, we lost by a point. And we had our quarterback at 60%. It was 24, 23, and there were several calls that didn't go our way, and we didn't have Tua, and we are in the best conference, and it is the best loss. Oklahoma's loss is ugly.

Oregon's loss is to an SEC team. That's easy to sell to the public. And, well, what about Penn State's loss? It's two weeks from now. It's too late. This loss is easier to digest. You forget about it after Bama chocks up or LSU chocks up more wins.

It's very important. One through six, they're making statements. The SEC's best we want to win. Clemson's out, but is close enough to come up to one or two if they play well, and loser Bama LSU, as long as it's competitive, we can get them both in. Now, you can argue Georgia could get in. I don't think Georgia is any better than Oregon.

I think Oregon's got the better offense. Georgia's got the better defense. Georgia can't throw the ball over the top. Oregon can. Oregon's got the better quarterback slightly. They're very similar teams. One more offensive-driven. Oregon's got a lot of weapons.

Receivers, great quarterback, good old line. Georgia's about defense, but can't throw the ball down the field. Utah, Oklahoma, they're all kind of in the ball. park. But I thought they said a lot without saying a lot. They want Bama, LSU, a big 10 team, and Clemson in. So we get a northern team, one that can compete Ohio State. We get Clemson, the defending champs back. That would be a huge rating game, I think, against Alabama here with Trevor Lawrence, and we want a second SEC team in. Joy with the news. No, no, no, no, turn on the news. This is the herd line news.

Well, Minchew Mania and Jacksonville has come to an end. Jaguars head coach Doug Marone announced that after the by week, Nick Foles will return as the starting quarterback against the Colts. Foles has been out since breaking his clavicle in his first game with the Jags. Rookie Gardener Monshu went four and four as the starter in Foll's absence. Now, they are third in the AFC South, so you might be wondering, why is this really that important? Well, they actually do have a pretty easy schedule for the rest of the year.

have the Colts away, but then they have the Titans, the Bucks, the Chargers, the Raiders, at Oakland, the Falcons, and then the Colts again. So not a terrible schedule to end the season. No. But more importantly, Foles did sign a four-year $88 million contract this off-season, and the way that Gardner Minshu was playing in Monshu Mania, it kind of felt like he may have been able to take over that job, otherwise leaving Jacksonville in an interesting situation with Foles.

Now they're great. They got the better quarterback and one of the best, most, most exciting fun backup quarterbacks. So actually they're abs and pain of nothing. So actually, Jacksonville is one of the better quarterback spots in the league without having a Patrick Malm's or Aaron Rogers. Yes, they are, exactly. Like they are.

The Saints. The Saints. But obviously not as good as Breeze. Teddy Bridgewater. But a good situation that worked out for them. So moving into next year, getting Foles back. And by the way, the wild card thing in the AFC is interesting. Like we know the best teams in the league are mostly in the NFC.

But the wild card, you can. going to have bills. You're going to have Raiders. Watch the Chargers getting healthy. The Steelers. You're going to have the Jags. I don't trust the Titans. But you're going to have like six. Now we know Kansas City gets Mahomes. They'll be fine. Radio. The Colts. We know. Okay. The Colts will be battling. Deshawn's going to win that division. Brady will win his. Patrick will win his. And then

I'm telling you, you're going to get this. We're going to week 17 in the AFC. Yes. So that's why the rest of their schedule is important. Getting getting falls back at this point is important. So the Eagles have placed wide receiver Sean Jackson on injured reserve. He suffered a torn ab muscle in Sunday's win over the Bears and he will need surgery. So he must miss eight games before returning from

IR. So he is out for the rest of the regular season, but could potentially return for the playoffs. Yeah, this is a big deal. It's a big deal. For the Eagles. I mean, they have found their identity, joy. They're a power running team with great tight ends. This is why they shopped around for Robbie Anderson of the Jets because they can't keep Deshawn.

So I think this now keeps them out of the Super Bowl. I really do, but I still think they're a team I like a lot and could get into the playoffs. But if you can't throw over the top, I talked about Georgia football a couple minutes ago. You can't win a national championship, but you can't beat me over the top occasionally. You need to be able to have a deep threat. Your offense has to have another layer to it that can get those big plays. It's not a 12 play drive.

Right. It's kind of how you feel about the Patriots. You can't do that every single time. Sometimes you just need to make a big play and who's going to make that happen. He played in three games this season. he initially injured his core muscle in week two against Atlanta. They're looking at Jordan Matthews as a replacement. Well, he's not a, he's not Deshaun.

Big loss for Philly. Finally, the Panthers put Cam Newton on IR this week. So Kyle Allen will remain the starting quarterback this season. After the news broke, though, Alan posted a picture of the two quarterbacks hugging with a caption supporting his teammate. He said, I watched this man do everything in his power to come back from his injury. I watched him lead and be a great teammate day in and out. thank you for setting the example we got you.

I love that. By the way, I have had my questions about Cam. I have been told by a coach on that staff and I've been told by players. Cam physically plays hurt more than anybody in the league. I got my questions about Cam. That dude, he has pain tolerance is fantastic. Cam plays hurt since year two every Sunday. And that does matter because we, I mean, we're sitting here, you know, a million miles away from them. We don't know what goes on in the locker room and how.

other players react to stories that we talk about. But that being the book on Cam that he plays through injury at that position. It matters. With all the criticism that Cam gets, it absolutely matters. And obviously this is a nice thing for Kyle Allen to do. But it is telling that he's actually telling you like this is not a situation where Cam obviously gets a ton of heat all the time. And he's very polarizing and gets criticized a lot.

But saying something like, I've seen him trying to come back from this injury because when you are injured like this, you're kind of out of sight, out of mind. Like we don't, we've not really known what's been going on with Cam's injury up until the last week, really, when we started talking about him seeing other doctors and, you know, possibly needing surgery. And now obviously he's on IR. So again, this is, I've always said that when Cam Noon is playing at the highest level, the league is better because he is just a natural superstar with that X factor.

So I hope he still has some juice left. And I do think his, his days in Carolina are over. I don't see how they, they transition back to him. after this. Well, I mean, you're always looking in a relationship you want to kind of get out of. You're looking for the pivot. We need to have a discussion.

You try to start a fight. The pivot point's pretty good. Not going to cost you anything. You got a transition piece. Kyle Allen, is he a starter? Who knows? But he's a good transition piece. You're not paying him anything.

He's winning. He's winning games. So that's all I'm down to. And that division's crazy. Atlanta's a mess. Right. Tampa Bay is always a hot mess. And Breeze is getting old.

You can transition. We're watching these college guys come to the NBA. They're almost all working. You can fight. There's quarter about seven coming out. This year everybody likes. Right. Yeah.

So it'll be interesting to see what they do with Cam next year. All right. Good stuff. Joy with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Heard Lye News. Listen, I've said before.

I'm not really a guy who's the best player stuff. Whatever. You can argue that all day. But if you ask me this morning, I need a bucket and I need a stop. I take Kauai. If you ask me, I need a bucket. I need two points. I take Kauai.

I need a stop. I take Kauai. Nick Wright, this of course infuriates Nick Wright, who is the host of First Things First. He's joining me via the Coward Global Satellite Network. I watched LeBron last night. By the way, anybody noticed LeBron last night? Great until the fourth when he couldn't play

because he was exhausted because he's an old man who needs lots and lots. That's not true. That's not even what happened. You're just lying to the audience. I can't even let you get to the question if the premise is going to be built on a castle of lies. But go ahead. Sorry.

Well, my whole point is, Kauai chose L.A. for hoops specifically sat down. I want Lou, I want the bench, I want Paul, or I'm not coming. LeBron said, I'll come to L.A., I'll figure out the hoops later. And I think in a world of sports, I want Lamar Jackson to succeed,

not Baker. I want the guy all in to succeed. And I'm rooting for Kauai over LeBron now. Is that bad? Yeah, no. So I heard your opening monologue, and I thought you raised a really fair point that even when a guy reaches goat status in his profession, you don't love it when he starts showing interests other than his profession.

By the way, before I forget, congrats on that restaurant you just opened. Thank you. Looks awesome. Burger and Grill. I'm very excited to go there. But as we were saying about people showing interests outside of what they're the greatest in the world at, now to LeBron James. The idea that you are saying you want Kauai, you're rooting for Kauai because he is showing a dedication to basketball. Meanwhile, LeBron is not.

You know what was really cool about LeBron last night? He played. You know what's going to suck about Kauai tonight? He's going to be wearing a suit. I mean, the idea, LeBron in year 17, is averaging a career low 35 minutes per game. Kauai Leonard in year eight averaged a career high, 34 minutes per game. This year he's back on his resting pace of 30 minutes and skipping 25% of the games. That's the guy you want to reward.

It is inexplicable to me. Let's start with this. Show up to work as often as possible. As long as I've been following you, Colin Coward, not a lot of sick days. No. Not a lot of extended vacations. No. He's twin.

Quai Leonard is 28 years old in year nine, and he is skipping games for Paul George even gets back. LeBron James has more gray in his beard than you have in your head, and he is playing every single night for the number one defense in basketball, the number one team in basketball. I heard you say the Lakers to catch up with the clippers. Catch up in what? They're better than them this year in every applicable category. and by the way, they still have the best player in the league. That's a very good argument, very compelling. As always, you make very, that's why you do it.

It's the right argument. Yeah, well, you do. Okay, now let's go to Cam. It is interesting. Now, I like Andrew Locke more than you did. I like Dak more than you do. And there are players that you like and I like. I think we both admit that can win games.

I've always been a little bit more of a fan. I was more of a fan. On Cam Newton, I've always said he's Westbrook. He's remarkably talented. He's a superstar. I can't, his willingness to play hurt and play hard, I'll never question. But as basketball's become more about shooting, the game's moved away from Russ. And as footballs become more precision, the game sort of moved away from Cam.

I think we have a perfect breakoff point. I don't know if Kyle Allen's the guy, but he's a hell of a transition. They pay him a nickel, meaning all these young players can get two or three free agents next year. and in a sloppy choppy division, you move off Cam. My guess is you hate that. Well, it's what's going to happen. You are correct that it's going to happen. I think it will be an enormous mistake for Carolina.

Your criticisms of Cam are well-founded. The problem is this isn't a Drew Breeze hurts his shoulder. We have Phillip Rivers waiting in the wings. Listen, I was in Houston when Kyle Allen was playing college football. I watched Kyle Allen go to Texas A&M and get beat out for the starting job. I watched him transfer, go to the University of Houston, and get beat out for the starting job. He then left school early to be undrafted. He then got cut by the Panthers, then cut by the Jets with their glorious quarterback depth chart.

And now the only argument for Kyle Allen is the team is winning. All the numbers are outside of the top 20 in football, and they seem to be rushing to get rid of Cam Newton. I would be afraid to give Cam a contract extension right now, but he's under contract next year for $20 million. Now, you're right. They are going to move off him. And either the Bears or the Titans, I'd say the Broncos,

but Cam's far too good for John Elway to want him to play quarterback for him. One of those teams is going to sign Cam Newton and be better for it. And the Panthers are going to be drafting a quarterback in 2021. because if Kyle Allen is the answer, the question is, name a mediocre backup quarterback, not a franchise quarterback. I think that's reasonable and fair again. So far, you're two for two. Listen, last year, and I said this as somebody that lived in Connecticut for 10 years,

I said, I don't know how the Patriots want. They had no vertical threat. Gronk's old, Brady's older. This year, they're on a third string kicker, a four string left tackle, a backup center, and no gronk. I don't think I don't think you can bury New England though because we know this sport is a chess match

and if they played Baltimore again I would take them in Foxborough Did you think there was anything more than Oh damn, Lamar's fast, we've never faced him We're over our skis, we're on the road Baltimore's off a by Do you think it resonated beyond that? Well, I'm not burying New England,

I listen, I think this year the NFL does not have a favorite. I think, and I'm just going to list teams, but New England, Kansas City, Baltimore, Green Bay, New Orleans, San Francisco, Seattle. To me, you have seven teams that are all like 10 to 15 percent to win the championship. I don't think any of the other teams, Houston, Philly, Dallas, Minnesota, the Rams. I don't think those are real contenders, but I think we have seven teams that you can make a great case for any of the seven and they all have flaws. My issue was New England was being elevated into a tier by itself because it had beaten the worst list of starting quarterbacks the league has ever

had to offer. I was laughing. I was like, they've gotten to play every bad team in the league this year except for Cincinnati and Atlanta. And then I looked, they somehow still get to play Cincinnati later in the year. I couldn't believe it. Like, how did this happen? The Patriots finally that had to play real NFL competition and they weren't ready for it. That game was 17-0-0-0 until former Patriot Cyrus Jones made a better play for the Pats than he ever made when he played for the Pats when he muffed that punt and temporarily let them back in the football game. This is the worst Patriot offense we've seen since the Matt Castle year. You're right. And folks might have been slow to acknowledge it, but I think now they will

finally acknowledge it. And you mentioned one thing that I think is wildly important. important, especially once the playoff begins. They are on their third kicker. The New England Patriots had gone 25 uninterrupted years of Hall of Fame kicking. Vinotary, right into Gaskowski. Now they've got a falk, a full, I don't know his name, but he's not very good. And he's the guy that they replaced the other guy. They replaced the other guy with. That's going to matter. Who are the other two teams in the AFC? Justin Tucker, one of the greatest kickers ever. Harrison Bucker, one of the most accurate kickers this decade. I think that's a key point. And by the way, Tom Brady looked across the field against Baltimore and said,

oh, that dude's better than me. He looked across the field last year of Patrick Mahomes and said, oh, that dude's better than me, but they were able to overcome it. Yeah, I'm not bearing the Patriots, but I think right now they're the third best team in the conference. Well, thank you for the Herd Burger. Yes, my new place is open in Torrance, California. That was very kind of you. You gave me a little gateway in to talk about it. Nick Wright, you're amazing. You made very... Please, hold on, real quick. If you're going to talk about it, hold on, I'm sorry. I'm just letting you know, it's a long drive for me from New York City, Torrance, California. But I'm showing up, and I don't know if you watch The Sopranos, but you remember Tony at Vesuvio,

how he had the endless tab? I'm assigning myself to that. I'll be there off and I'll pay it, never. But I'm going there at every chance I get. Thank you, Colin. Thanks, Nick Wright. First things first, as OA's, laugh out loud, funny. You know, it's really interesting about this. You know what I've been saying all year? Get OBJ out of Cleveland. What does Philadelphia need and what does New England need? Should have made a move.

They need a speed receipt. Philadelphia, they can't, you cannot win a Super Bowl with Philadelphia's offense, the ground and pound and tight ends. I like them. I can't love them. New England's got, that's why I said, you could have fixed. And that would be, that's just. music to Odell's ears.

Yeah, no. Odell's not happy. He's clearly not happy there. He's making a noise every weekend. Odell, Philadelphia, Odell, New England. I thought they should have made a move. And Cleveland, by the way, go to one of those teams and get a pick or an offensive lineman to help Baker Mayfield out.

Speaking of that, an unbelievable stat. You know, and I've said, analytics in baseball, I don't love them, but they are interesting. Analytics in basketball. all. I like analytics, but I do listen. Analytics in football have made us smarter. And there's a bad one with Baker Mayfield. And there is only one explanation. One that is coming up next. On the herd, we love making picks. Can I pick Thursday night football and add it to my Blazing 5 and give people an extra pick this week? I love one of the teams in Thursday's pick. I think you make the rules. He can do that. By Fox bet. Okay, I'm going to do that.

You're to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kier 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, Tript 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 Our Heart Radio app.

Search Learn the hard way and listen now. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying,

and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines.

We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice brings you closer to the action

with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slic Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. What's up guys? This is Clever Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Clivert Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff. Like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker walks up to me, he goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What?

Time out. Quarterback on office blue 42. Hey, ref, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clivert show on the IHeart Radio. Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast. What's up, fam? It's 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.

at 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 while he got the ball.

Like, after you go through a training camp with that, Isaiah, 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. Discover it Miles card automatically matches the mile you earn at the end of your first year. Limitations

applied. Discover.com slash travel. New card members only. Check it out. The Discover card. So you know coming into the NFL I said I would not draft Baker Mayfield if I was GM. I said he's draftable, but for me as a GM, he was undraftable. I wouldn't

want his personality. I like Donald. over Baker Mayfield. I thought Donald was more mature. I think it's a big deal with quarterbacks. Donald's a bigger, stronger, better athlete. I think Baker's a more accurate thrower. I like his release better. But in the end, 20 years starting quarterback,

I take Donald, his maturity, his big, his strength, his athletic ability. Both of them obviously are struggling because the coaching situation's bad and they have battle lines and blah, blah, blah. But Sam Donald said I saw ghosts. He was miced and everybody laughed at it. Baker Mayfield seeing more of them, a flock of ghosts.

He just hasn't been miced yet. So a stat came out. Baker Mayfield has the lowest passer rating in the NFL. But here's the key. When not under pressure. He's the only quarterback in the entire league with more picks than touchdowns when not pressured. So it ain't the offensive line.

And by the way, he leads by a long shot. second is Andy Dalton, third Josh Allen, fourth Kyle Allen, fifth Mitch Trubiskey. You like any of those guys? Maybe Josh Allen's athletic ability. So, and remember, Baker's got excellent wide receivers. Sam Darnold doesn't have one. Okay. So be that as it may, you know I like Darnold.

Freddie Kitchen says, well, because everybody is looking for an answer. What is it? Here's Freddie Kitchens this morning. there's a lot of factors that go into that you know i don't think he's just wildly missing passes so i don't know i don't really look at that i just want him to get better today just like i want to get better this week more than last week uh i truly don't look at i truly do not look at stats now do i think some of it's freddie kitchens sure some of it the o line sure some of it obj sort of doing his own thing on the outside.

Sure. But here's my real hunch. Baker Mayfield was overdrafted, and I said it day one. Listen, that's okay. Quarterback is the hardest position in American sports to draft. Because it's the only

position in American sports where 30% of the contract is based on leadership. I asked Jimmy Johnson, what's leadership? He said, I don't know. Troy Aikman had it, but I can't explain it. If Jimmy Johnson can't explain it, then I can't.

If Jimmy Johnson can't nail down what Troyickman had, he said, he just kind of had it. He could walk into a room and other guys looked at him. I talked about it this week with Jimmy G. He's kind of got an hit thing. Guy walks in, people listen to him, guys, alpha males, millionaires listen to him. He was overdrafted. And that's okay. If you look at the NFL right now, virtually every player was over or underdrafted, about 28 of them.

Dak Prescott was underdrafted. Drew Brees was underdrafted. Tom Brady was underdrafted. Dac was underdrafted. Derek Carr was underdrafted. Jamarcus Russell was overdrafted. Johnny Mansell was overdrafted. Christian Ponder was overdrafted.

God, I could go on for days. E.J. Manuel, greatest kid ever, over drafted. The whole Andy Dalton to me, second round, over drafted. The whole leagues, Peyton Manning was drafted right. Dan Marino was underdrafted. He didn't go in the top 15. Aaron Rogers was underdrafted. Patrick Mahomes, 10 teams, you know, people say Lamar Jackson.

Lamar went in the first round in a year where there were five quarterbacks. You got to remember, you know, 22 teams to 28 don't even need a quarterback. So if a quarterback drops to the second round, you know, if you get drafted late first round as a quarterback, you're not under over, right? We don't know if Lamar's going to be all-time Dan Marino great or Aaron Rogers great. but I think Baker Mayfield was just overdrafted. He would have been, the team that I talked to that really needed a quarterback had him as the first pick in the second round. And they said, we don't think he's going to play as a rookie. He's not ready to play.

He's got a certain system that works. You've got to surround him with the right offensive line and the right weapons. He's a very accurate thrower. But he's not walking into a bad team with a bad line and a bad GM and a bad owner and winning. And that's what he's got. And I think he was just overdrafted. and I don't think it's the end of the world. And that's not a shot at Cleveland.

I think it's the hardest position to draft. I don't think Sam Darnold was overdrafted. I think he's a first-round pick. And the GMs I talk to thought Sam Darnold was not as good as Andrew Locke. He's clearly not as talented as Patrick Mahomes or Aaron Rogers. But he was a first-round quarterback. I had three GMs tell me, Donald's a first-round quarterback. All three said, Baker's not.

Okay, so, and they were split on Lamar and split on Rosen. Two didn't like him, one did. But this is, it's a hard position to draft, and Cleveland, this is what he is. Everybody's got tape. Akeep Talib talked about it yesterday when he faced him this year. He's got habits and patterns in the media now, the league that they've caught up and they've seen him. My honest opinion, I think the game is moving fast to him. We got a pretty good defense, a great pass rush, so he had guys in his face.

He could work on the scrambling. The scrambling is always to the right. We had it in our game plan. He's going to scramble to the right. He's going to look at one receiver and he's going to scramble to the right. So our rush plan was gays for somebody to scramble to the right. So when we looping guys, we looping guys to our left so they can meet him when he scrambles to the right. I think he was overdrafted.

I think if he would have gone early second round, mid-second round to a really good team, sit for a year and a half and play with a great coach and a good old line. He'd be fine. But he is not good enough to go to a bad owner, a bad GM, a bad coach, a bad offensive line. And people get film on him. and he has a tough schedule, this is what he is. 57% completion percentage. 5.11 and a half.

Hour 2 next. Want more herd? The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week within the IHard Radio app. Search Herd to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month,

I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking. Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it.

And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross. 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, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search, learn the hard way, and listen now.

Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves.

Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports slice brings you closer to the action. with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsSlice on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. What's up, guys? This is Clifford Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Cliverts Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff. Like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker, this linebacker walks up to me.

He goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Time out. Quarterback on office blue with 42. Hey, Brett. My mama want you to weigh better. What? Where's she at?

Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clippers show on the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Will Ferrell's Big Money Players and IHart Podcasts presents soccer moms. So I'm Leanne. This is my best friend, Janet. And we have been joined at the Hipsons High School. Absolutely.

Now a redacted amount of years later. We're still joined at the hip. Just a little bit bigger hips, wider. This is a podcast. We're recording it as we tailgate our youth soccer games in the back of my Honda Odyssey. With all the snacks and drink. Sidebar. Why did you get hard seltzer instead of beer?

Oh, they had a bogo. Well, then you got it. Do you want a white color or something here? Just hit it. Oh, what are y'all doing? Microphones? Are you making a rap album? Oh, I would.

Come on. Can you put it? Cut through the defense like a hot knife through sponge cake. That sounds delicious. Oh, you're lucky. I'm not a drug addict. You're lucky I'm not an alcoholic. You're lucky I'm not a killer.

I love this team and I'm really trying to be a figure in their lives that they can rely on. Oh. Listen to soccer moms on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Oh, it's a Wednesday. we go. This is The Hurd, wherever you may be and however you may be listening. IHeart Radio, Fox Sports Radio, FS1. Did I say we're in Los Angeles? We are. Joy Taylor is joining me. Joel Clatt in a couple of minutes is going to come in and make some arguments that won't make any sense, but you know, whatever. He's the voice of college football and he's darn good. Joy,

how are you? Right. Sometimes you guys agree. It gets weird, but I have a feeling that you want today. One of us is an honesty broker to America. And that would be me. And he's coming in with all this data, and he's got theories. And, you know, I just lay it straight for the American consumer. And the SEC is the best conference. And doesn't matter whoever loses LSU, BAM, if it's close, should be in. I'm okay with that.

It's very good what they did there with the strategy. Yeah, yeah. So, okay, LeBron had a great night last night, a triple double, whatever. And Lakers played like nonsense for three quarters. Then in the fourth quarter, LeBron was kind of tired. Bulls went into the tank. Bulls, by the way, have a lot of fun young players. Kobe White's a really fun player.

Really fun player. But they're young, and the Lakers took over. And the Lakers are the second best team I've seen in the league. To the Los Angeles Clippers who are deeper, I think have a great duo. And I think Kauai Leonard's the best player in the game. And the reason I say that is because if you ask me, okay, we trail by one. A minute to go, I need a bucket. Who would you take?

I'd take Kauai over LeBron. And if you said, I needed to make a stop. They got the ball. We lead by one. We got to make a stop. Who would you take? I'd take Kauai. Who gets me a bucket and who gets me a stop?

That's the best player in the NBA. It's real simple. I don't care about their stats. I don't care about triple doubles. In fact, I don't even like the triple doubles. I think that that's Russell Westbrook territory. Year 17, I'm over LeBron's revenge tour on social media. Hashtack revenge season.

Oh, who gives a rip? LeBron. It's about winning championships. and tonight, Kawhi Leonard's taken the night off, it's load management. Now, do I love it for the NBA business? No, I hate it. I think it's awful. But when Kauai Leonard is holding a trophy, like the one he beat LeBron in with San Antonio, the one he had in Toronto, and the one he's going to get with the clippers,

and when he's holding it up, do you think he gives a rip that he missed the November, what's the date today, November 6th? He missed a November 6th game against Janus. you think he gives a rip. Okay, let's just do a hypothetical. Kauai Leonard just won the NBA championship and played 65 games and missed 22, 23 regular season games.

And I'll be the reporter. And Kauai, Kauai, Kauai, Kauai, one more question. One more, one more question. Do you regret missing the November 6th game against Yannis? And this will be Kauai's reaction. Nobody cares. Nobody cares. You don't get bonus points for a game against Janus in early November.

The fact that LeBron's all into this revenge tour and... LeBron, you're above that. Come on. Who gives a rip? That's Westbrook territory. So I... Listen, there are things that I don't love, but they're good for business. And I've always been buried, Joy, as a witness.

I'm kind of pro-business. Whatever's good for the business, I'm good for. Usually, yes. Yeah, I'm kind of pro-business. I tend to be pro-player on mobility, but pro-business first, right? Like there's a reason we need capital and owners and all that stuff. They're not all evil people. Some are goofy.

Some are some players. But in the end here, load management is really good for Kauai. It's working. And on this roster with the Clippers, it's perfect. I mean, he's got like a clone, not quite as talented. But Paul George is Kauai. Just not, I mean, he's a two-way player that's very good. He's not as good as Kauai.

He's about 85%. And with that, college football came out with their first bracket last night. Let's bring on the voice of college football, Joel Klatte. What's up? Who is doing number one Ohio State hosting Maryland this weekend before they play Penn State and probably win that game. So, yeah, in two weeks you're doing Penn State at Ohio State. That's right. He's got to be one of the great games of the year in college football.

Yeah, I think so. All right. So let's start with this. I think my premise, the committee, was saying things without saying things. So let's just go to the top six that the committee said. Okay.

So put that up to the top six. What the committee is telling you is we want Clemson in because they're defending champs, but we don't like how they've played. Okay. So we put them at five to punish them, but the other teams play each other, so we'll be able to move them way up.

And at six, we put Georgia over Oregon and Utah, and that's a real thing. because we want two SEC teams because we think it's the best conference and they get great ratings. And so LSU-Bama, close loser, gets in because they go, well, it's the best conference, three of the top six are SEC teams. And I don't have a problem. The loser of LSU-Bama, I have no problem putting in.

The only thing I would disagree with, I think a lot of that is right. I actually think Alabama at three was the biggest deal of the whole. playoff. The whole ranking system, you can talk about Minnesota being 17. You can talk about, you know, Oregon being behind Georgia and so on. I actually thought that the biggest revelation was Alabama at three, because I thought that the message that was sending is you don't have any room for error. You lose at home to LSU. You're likely out. You're likely out because you're going to be a non-division champ. You're not going to go to your conference championship game. I think that's going to be hard to overcome there. I think what this ranking told us is that the road teams in those gigantic

matchups, LSU and Penn State, they're actually the ones with some margin for error here, in particular with how the game goes. I think if LSU were to lose that game this week in a close fashion, if two is healthy. Hell of a loss. It would be a hell of a loss. Way better than Oregon or Utah's or maybe. And so I think that they're telling us that, hey, Clemson and Alabama, because your schedules have been so weak, because Clemson, you're likely to play 13 games, go 13 and 0 against no ranked teams, you know, at the end of the day.

Because Alabama, you've got the 127th ranked schedule right now in college football as it relates to opponent win percentage. You don't get the benefit of the doubt. I thought that's what it was saying to us last night. And here's why, I think it's really smart. Yeah, you know, sometimes it happens. But the reason I don't buy this. that because if that was true, then why the hell you put LSU under Ohio State?

They got on the phone and scheduled Texas. Yeah, but they're not getting credit for that right now because Texas is not ranked. But they're all getting healthy and Texas is going to win about four games in a row, but at least they gave them credit scheduling Texas and beating them deserves value. It's valuable. The math would actually suggest that Ohio State's schedule has been more difficult to date than LSUs. Now, you can roll your eyes on. What computer you use it?

opponent win percentage. That's stupid. It's 563 or something along that stuff. 564 for Ohio State. And there's also another element to this is just the complete nature, the dominance, and the overall quality that we've seen from Ohio State. Think of it this way, Colin. LSU beat the 10th and 11th ranked team as the committee sees them,

which is unbelievable. It's a large reason why they're inside the top three and in the top two right now. They beat them by a combined, I believe it was like 68 to 45. Yeah. The combined score of those two games. Ohio State beat the 13th ranked team as the committee sees it and the 20th ranked team as the committee sees it by a combined score of 80 to 7. Ohio State's just been more dominant. Okay, so you can do eye test.

You can actually do the analytics. Every computer on the face of the earth actually favors Ohio State over LSU when you're just coming down to a pure rankings standpoint from the strength of schedule standpoint. And I think that the committee actually has Ohio State by a decent margin over LSU. And Rob Mullins, when he was answering that question, I thought made that very apparent. It was kind of like, hey, they're the best team. We watch the film. We look at the analytics. Like, it's pretty much no question they're the most complete and most dominant team in the country.

Which I've been saying since week three. If I said to you, Bama, Ohio State, Clemson, fourth won't matter. We got three teams that can line up coaches, quarterback, three teams, Buckeyes, Clemson, Bama. Fourth will be irrelevant. They're just the first team to get knocked out by, you know, I kind of feel like that's what we have. Maybe. I think a lot of that depends on this weekend, right?

I mean, a lot of that comes down to LSU and Alabama. All right. If Alabama wins this, then, yes, we're headed straight down the path of an Ohio State, Clemson, Alabama, and then whoever qualifies for that fourth spot. And I will say this. Ohio State's a real team. There's no doubt in my mind. You can watch them for five minutes.

Don't think you're going to get a 33-0-0-Clemson over Ohio State game. That ain't happen in this show. No, and I think that the only weakness that they've shown is that Wisconsin got after the quarterback a little bit in the first half and banged up Justin Fields. But I don't love Clemson's D-Line. It's not nearly as good this year. It's not what they were a year ago. And the best defense of those three is actually Ohio States. And remember now, if you go back to the start of the BCS, defense actually matters once you get to the championship point. No team has ever won, or excuse me, one team since the start of the BCS has won a national championship with a defense ranked lower than the top 25.

It was Auburn with Cam Newton. Their defense was ranked. I believe it was like 58 or something along those lines. But they had Nick Fairly up front, I think, in the D-Line. They did. And that made it incredibly tough on Darren Thomas and that Oregon team to run the football. Yeah. See?

This thing never shuts off. It's like a trap. I can pick out names from the 50s out of this thing. Can you? Depends on what the names are. Well, one of us were alive in the 50s. What a big jerk. Okay.

So I'm not even going to do your top 10. You put out your top 10. I pretty much agree with the Ohio State LSU Banner. Clemson, Penn State, Oregon. You know what? I've been selling Oregon stock all year. People in Portland hate me. But here was my thing.

And I do think Oregon's a real team. If you put Oregon in Georgia to coin flip, I'd take Oregon over Utah, Oregon. I take Oregon over Oklahoma. Let me say this about Oregon. I think they have the best quarterback in college football. Okay. I talked to an NFL GM this weekend.

He said, Justin Herbert, you don't even need to, this is an easy evaluation for us. Secondly, their O line matched up. It's a real O line. Yeah. It's NFL guys. They're big and physical. Big and physical.

They don't have a great back. No, the tiny. I know Verdell ran for over 200 yards against Washington State, but they don't run with great patience or vision, but they're a real team. This is a team that could beat an SEC or a Big Ten team because they have three NFL offensive linemen, a top five quarterback, and let's be honest,

my knock on Oregon is, I didn't know if it was a good coaching staff. It's a hell of a recruiting staff. They got NFL players all over the field. They're recruiting at a very high level. Two things that you want to be aware of. If you're thinking about Oregon as a potential playoff thing, I think that a team that they've got two really good arguments at that point if they need them. Here's the first.

Is that in their first game of the season, they were decimated at the wide receiver position. So they were not healthy. And that's something that the committee is supposed to take under consideration. Do they also consider this? They outplayed Auburn for three and a half quarters. That's right. They only trailed for nine seconds in that game. They had a drop in the end zone.

They missed a field goal with a true freshman kicker. I'm not trying to give them a pass, but that's an argument they would use. There's also one other one, Colin, I think it's actually the better argument for Oregon. if at the end of the season, they are the one loss, Pac-12 champion, they will have won 12 straight games and gone 10-0 in conference play. Did you know that no team in this modern era of nine conference games and a champ game has gone 10-0 in conference play? We haven't seen it yet.

Ohio State might do it, Penn State might do it. But Oregon, if they do that, that would be a huge feather in the cap. And the chairperson of the committee is Rob Mullins. I know he will be recused from the process. but this committee clearly values scheduling, going out there, testing yourself against the best. I have a really strong feeling that if Oregon were to win out, pending on this Alabama LSU outcome, I really think Oregon is a team that could sneak into the playoffs. If you like Georgia and you're a Southern football fan, you have to like Oregon.

Georgia can't throw the ball over the top at all. That's true. Oregon's a better offense. George is a better defense. They both have really solid young coaches. If you went to Vegas, it's a neutral field. It's a one-point game. I agree.

You can't like Georgia and not Oregon. And they both have NFL quarterbacks. By the way, Georgia's got the best offensive linemen left tackle and football. And their right tackles great too. So that you got quarterback NFL, great offensive lines, young good coaches, recruiting at a high level. The advantage would just tip towards Georgia because their front seven stops the run. That's right. And they do it so well.

They held Florida at a 1.1 yards rushing per rush last week, which was pretty impressive. All right. Let me look over this, clat. Hold on. What are we got? Most of your stuff's pretty good here. Okay. Here's, so I don't want to go down into the weeds too much on this.

I like to keep it simple for the audience. I talk to America. Oh, do you? Yeah, I connect with America. With your $500 shoes? There's no reason to bring that up again. I'm just saying. They were a gift.

I'm just saying, America, he's talking to you. Okay, America. So Jim Harbaugh has a new plan for the playoff system. And it's a lot of noise. Yeah, and it's not very good. Well, but his. This theory is, let's get it out to 11. So could I make this argument?

College basketball lets everybody in. College football's too exclusive. Isn't there a middle ground at about seven to eight? Okay. What don't you like about Harbaugh's plan? Here's the deal. Without getting into the weeds. As soon as you expand the playoff, past five, okay, they are going to give themselves

automatic bids for the conference champions. Okay? That's just what's going to happen. You don't like that? No, because it. it automatically nullifies the importance of the regular season, namely non-conference games. It doesn't make any difference whatsoever. You can play Wofford, Northwestern State, you know, Citadel.

But you still have to win your conference. I understand that. But remember that the most unique and important part of college football and the biggest differentiating factor that we have as a sport, which is in large part, why it's the second most popular sport in the country, is the fact that the regular season is so important. Are you sure about that? I think it's the second. I think it's the second most popular sport in America for a lot of reasons.

One, it's football. Two, we bet football. Three, it has a connection to the NFL. Four, we love the draft. Five, it's fun to watch. Six, everybody went to a college. You got a plaque on your wall. All of those things are true.

And I'm not going to argue with any of those. It's all about urgency. Yeah, and there is urgency every single game, every single week. You know, when I go in for Wisconsin and Ohio State, there's urgency there. When Florida and Georgia play each other, there is urgency even outside of the rivalry. And I think that makes a big difference in college football. The last thing that I would say is that even though I don't think it's good for the sport, I do think that that's exactly where we're headed.

Let me just clear you into it. We're headed to eight or ten or a lot. We're headed to eight and it's going to happen before the contract is up. I've had some conversations with very high-powered people. And this is the way, this is some Big J here for you already. So let me get this out real quick. I've had conversations with people that are very much in the know. The reason that this is going to expand to eight before this contract is done is because it's the only way that some of these conferences that are on shaky ground as it relates to their entire structure remain together.

Okay. Namely the PAC 12. Okay. So the PAC 12, if they're left just on the outside of the playoff and they keep getting left out and then the new media contracts come up, guess what? There's likely going to be some shift in terms of conference realignment. Some of those schools are going to leave because they're not happy with the PAC 12 right now. And you don't want your games. The way that the conference office in the PAC 12 holds this conference together is by lobbying for and getting an automatic qualifying spot for its champion.

All right, fair. Does that make sense? No, it makes sense. And it's, I'm telling you that it's going to. I'm not here like, oh, I think it's going to happen. I think it's going to happen within, I would say, three to four years. That's why I love that because I like to include America. I don't like exclusivity.

I like to include America and everything. But the problem is, you can't argue with this. you cannot point to a season in the history of this sport where you can make a legitimate argument that the seventh and eighth team in the country deserve a chance of the national championship. I used to make that nonsense argument. You can't make it.

Why is that nonsense? But you can't make an argument that the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference could win the title. We still let him into the NBA playoffs. You can't make an argument that Kyle Allen could win the Super Bowl. We'll still let him into the playoffs.

And in your last segment, you were talking about load management. You want load management in college football? Listen, I got news for you. LSU Bama. You could say it wouldn't mean as much if we had a playoff. Oh, yeah, guys in the South aren't going to watch LSU Bama. They'll watch it, but both teams,

this week's game, LSU and Alabama, and an 18-playoff scenario would mean nothing. Oh, but nonsense. Nothing, because both teams would be going to the playoff regardless. It wouldn't mean anything at all. Clippers, Lakers played opening night. Didn't mean anything. We all watched.

I mean, who? That game drew far fewer ratings in any quality college football game. You mean to tell me that you think NBA ratings are good? Time out. Ravens Patriots. Last Friday night, Smackdown on our air, on Fox, go get it, WWE, smash the NBA. Well, whatever. All I know is this.

So don't argue for ratings when the ratings aren't there. You're making an argument in LSU Bama. It wouldn't mean anything. What else are you going to watch? It's Saturday. Oh, so that's, but you guys are missing the point. I get the point. There's 82 games in the NBA.

They're not going to add. You're not adding an astronomical amount more games. How about last weekend's Sunday night affair with the Patriots and Baltimore? Yeah, it was entertaining. Does it matter? It doesn't matter. Tell me if it's. Yeah, very much matters.

It matters. Yes, it does. Absolutely. Interesting. Well, yeah, it was. Why? Because they're going to play each other in the playoffs. Anyways, all I'm saying is, is that this sport, college football's biggest differentiating factor

and its most important feather in their cap is that. the fact that the regular season matters. Guess what? The NFL season matters and they have 16 games and you can lose five. It's okay. It still matters. You got to watch the games. But you argue that that's better?

Why is it better that you can lose five and be okay? Because NFL teams don't play Wolford. And the NFL ratings are bigger than college football. I like you. Basically what you're saying, Kla, is urgent, like I wouldn't watch Bama LSU if we had an 18 playoff. Take out of consideration. I would watch it. It's the whole thing regardless.

I understand. And they'll get a lot of viewers. I'm telling you that the game itself would mean far less. God, it's still a great game with 20. It only matters in sentiment at that point. Well, guess what? It doesn't matter for postseason play. At this point, my life is all sentiment. Well, I guess that's my whole life at this point. Trust me, we already established. You were alive in the 50s. Okay, I got to get out of here. I'm sure you do. Yeah, whatever. And those shoes were a gift, America. I'm opening a hamburger and beer joint. $500 shoes. Gift.

That looks like you got them off the guy at the corner. Very stylish. That's true. All right, Joel Clatt. Let's hear it for Joel Clatt, even though we disagreed totally with him. Both of us did. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd

weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHard Radio app. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition, 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, Keir Gaines, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where SportsSlice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the

plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athletes themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice.

On the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. What's up, guys? This is Clivert Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Cliverts show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff.

Like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker. Hey, you know these kids. This linebacker. walks up to me, he goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Time out.

Quarterback on office blue with 42. Hey, rep, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Where's she at? Hey, Ms. Parker. Listen to the Cliverts show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Will Ferrell's Big Money Players and IHeart Podcast presents soccer moms. So I'm Leanne.

Yeah. This is my best friend Jan. it. And we have been joined at the hips since high school. Absolutely. Now a redacted amount of years later. We're still joined at the hip. Just a little bit bigger hips, wider. This is a podcast. We're recording it as we tailgate our youth soccer games in the back of my Honda Odyssey. With all the snacks and drink. Sidebar. Why did you get hard seltzer instead of beer? Oh, they had a bogo. Well, then you got it. Do you want a white collar or something here? Just take it. What are y'all doing? Microphones? Are you making a rap album?

I would. Come on. Can you believe? I would buy it. Cuts through the defense like a hot knife through sponge cake. That sounds delicious. Oh, you're lucky. I'm not a drug addict.

You're lucky I'm not an alcoholic. You're lucky I'm not a killer. I love this team. And I'm really trying to be a figure in their lives that they can rely on. Oh. Listen to soccer moms on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Tomorrow on Thursday night football. It's an ASD West showdown.

It's Villab Rivers and the Chargers. Take on Derek Carr and the Raiders. It all starts at 730 Eastern, 430 Pacific on Fox, NFL Network, and streaming on prime video. Is it legal? I do a Blazing 5 every week. I'm going to add a pick. I'm going to make a pick on this game tomorrow. Is it legal?

I mean, it's legal, but the rules John of Blazing 5. I love a team in this game. Love. Well, considering you're doing your Blazing 5 after that game, it's kind of cheating if you already know the winner. The score. No, no, no, no. I'm going to give it tomorrow.

So it's called a bonus pick. All right. So bonus pick tomorrow. I love the side. And we'll do it at the same. Because the Thursday, I usually do blazing five in the second hour. I'll just give you a bonus pay.

I'll just give you a side on this. I really do. By the way, feel better MDrive. A supplement makes you leaner. Boost the natural testosterone in your body. MDrive from N.com. Code heard 20% off your first order. Joy, Taylor, with the news.

No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. Oh boy. Well, Baker Mayfield is struggling a lot this season. As we know, he is one of the lowest completion percentages in the league at 58.7. In this day and age, that's really bad. It's very bad.

Yes. There's no two ways about it. That's not good. When you have Odell Beckham, Jarvis Landry, that's bad. Yes. And Nick Chubb. Head coach, Freddie Kitchens, was asked what he thinks of Baker's poor throwing numbers right now and admitted he doesn't pay much attention to it.

There's a lot of factors that go into that, you know? I don't think he's just wildly missing passes. So I don't know. I don't really look at that. I just want him to get better today, just like I'm wanting better this week, more than last week. I truly don't look at, I truly do not look at stats. And I say Nick Chub, because they do have a lot of offensive pieces,

and their offense is not dynamic whatsoever. Here's the thing. Everyone's going to come with pitchforks for Freddie Kitchens over saying that he doesn't look at stats. You never want to say that even if you don't. It's like saying I don't buy analytics. You should look at data. Yeah, I mean, it just sounds like you're ignoring the issue, for one. And then it sounds like you don't have the ability or the concern about information that may help you to fix the issue.

Now, I'm not a humongous stats person. I don't think that you should rely solely. on that in any sport because that's just that's just not how things are done. But I do think that they are incredibly helpful, especially for game planning, to see what you are doing wrong or right and what other teams are doing wrong or right. Well, you and I are human. We can we can like something more because of the way it's presented. And then you get a number and you're like, oh my God, it's not nearly as good as I think.

I mean, there are some stats that. Yeah, I don't think you should just blindly follow stats. But I think when you get a stat, you should ask more questions about how you got to that number. But this is the number and we can see that this is the number. Okay, I want to have an opinion on this because if it goes wrong, I want to have an opinion. And you can agree or disagree. I would not fire Freddie Kitchens and I would not fire Adam Gase.

I would not. I would give them both another year. I'll explain that later in the show or in a later day. Freddie Kitchens, you cannot give Baker Mayfield his fourth coach in three years. That would be the only reason. Not that I think, I'm not calling for either one of them to be fired, be clear. I don't think that firing coaches and firing coaches is a good idea because when we talk about firing a coach, you have to be very clear about what we're saying. When you fire a coach,

when an organization decides to move off of a head coach, they're not just firing the head coach. That's right. They're firing dozens of people. It can it can roll down to all levels of the organization. By the way, it's not just the head coach. New playbook, new terminology, new coordinator. New assistants, new coordinators. It's not new training staff. This is, this is Cleveland's answer to everything. And by the way, I'll tell you with the New York Jets, let's fire Adam Gase. Joy, if I had told you this season, there's a rebuilding team and their top quarterback got mono, their offensive line, second worst, lost their two best starters. CJ Mosley didn't play. Does it sound like a 9 and 17? The Jets are not, the jets are panicking.

Really, I feel like for no reason. Because I thought we all collectively decided this was kind of a loss season for the Jets when Sam Darnel got on. We all said. They're four and 12. The mistake with Freddie Kitchens was made before hiring Freddie Kitchens. And that's not entirely a knock on Freddie Kitchens. Again, he is a factor here. But there are a lot of factors in Cleveland. What it comes down to for me, for Cleveland, and I think we're all really reacting very strongly to that Broncos loss.

Because let's be honest, it was a terrible loss. They were supposed to win that game. You don't have to blow the Broncos out, but you needed to win that game if you're Cleveland. They're in a situation where this could end up being, if they don't get it turned around, one of the most colossal breakdowns for an organization, even considering the fact that Cleveland's been as bad as they have been for so long.

If you look at the talent that they have there, if you look at the expectations that they came into this season, the fact that they took Baker Mayfield, number one overall, after essentially tanking for two seasons, this is a disaster if this doesn't work. Like an all-time disaster, and I'm not exaggerating here. You have Odell Beckham, Jr. You have the top, one of the biggest stars in the league,

if not the biggest stars in the lead. But I don't. On your team right now. I don't think the answer. Remember, you're Cleveland. You're not getting an elite coach. The answer isn't fine. You are not getting a great.

Lincoln Riley is not taking your crappy job. No, I don't think it's firing Freddie Kitchens. But looking ahead, if Freddy Kitchens and Baker and O'Dell and the front office and everyone don't come together and turn this around next year after next year. Yes. Then move on. Then. Can't keep firing coaches midseason and after one year?

I'm always against firing coaches midseason, outside circumstances aside. So, Dak threw an interception on the first play of the game Monday night, and Dallas trailed in the second quarter for the fifth time this season. They did turn things around in the second half and scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to secure the win. Because of their dominance late in the game, Dak thinks that the cowboy, the only thing that's keeping the cowboys holding them back and standing in their own way, he said is not having a strong start. He said, you saw the game.

Those guys weren't beating us. It was us getting in our own damn way. When we're rolling and doing what we do, there isn't a team in the bleeping league that can stop us. Well, they are number one in offense and number one in scoring. So despite everybody's reservations about Dak Prescott, if I just said to you, Cowboys are number one in the league in scoring and number one on third down and you'd be like,

oh, I must have a great quarterback. No, they have a good quarterback that you keep, there's this repellent, this anti-DAC spray getting sprayed every weekend. They scored 37 points on the road with a slow start. This is off. This is not the problem. They're fine. I've come to the conclusion that no matter what DAC does or what Jason Garrett does,

they're never going to get the proper amount of credit for what they do. Right. Just for multiple reasons, but it just is what it is. I would take the Cowboys situation over the Steelers situations and Dolphin situations every day of the week and twice on Sunday for the next 10 years. By the way. Like, I don't understand, we talk about this all time. I just don't understand what more you want.

Like, obviously you want Super Bowls, but like, it's very hard to win a Super Bowl. Yeah, by outside of New England, nobody's winning those, right? Like Drew Breeze has one. Aaron's got one. Okay, there he go. And that's it. Drew's got one. I don't disagree with him either.

I do think that they cannot start playoff games like that. They're going to have to figure out how to get it going in the first half. But that is what it is. They put up the numbers and they get wins. I really don't know what the complaint is. Finally, LeBron James made history on Tuesday. He recorded his third straight triple double. You love those with 39 points, 12 rebounds and 16 assists against the Bulls.

He's the first Laker to do this since Magic Johnson, who had triple doubles in four straight games in 1987, which was also the year I was born. My favorite part of that game last night, Kyle Kuzma was really good late. That's what I like. It did have Kuzma back. And he was really good late in the game. I will say this about the Lakers. I'm very grateful that they're having the start to the season that they are because it is exhausting to constantly have the conversation about is LeBron done?

And he doesn't look the same. And the Lakers have all these issues. And it's Frank Vogel the right guy. And like last year was really an exhausting year. I'll say this. Would you agree with this? They're better faster than I thought. Yes.

The chemistry thing, I watched them last night. they are very much into sharing the ball. And that's what I'm saying. Like it's nice that everything is clicking the way that it is so that we can analyze them from a basketball standpoint and not talk about all the outside noise that always comes with LeBron teams. It just feels like overall, the start to the NBA season

minus, you know, MB fight has been pretty much drama-free. Like, it's just been very much about, like, what teams are looking like and what's going on on the court. And it's been great basketball. I like that fight. I'm going to be honest with you. That was funny. It was fun.

It was a funny fight. Not all fights are funny. That was a funny fight. Joy with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. So we got into a discussion this morning. If I said to you, there's one team in the NFL with a losing record, but they're way

I made a mistake this weekend. They're way better than you think. It's Denver. Okay, Denver lost on a bad call to Chicago. And they had Indianapolis in the dome beat, if not for an unbelievable. play by Jacoby Berset. An absurd play where Vaughn Miller had Jacoby Bresset in the end zone. Denver then just beat Baker Mayfield and controlled him for the entire game. It's a by week. Karim Jackson, the DB just got off beating Baker Mayfield's going to be joining us in studio.

Don't go any. I love getting guys right in the middle of the league. Oh, bye week. They're in town. Let's talk some football next. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays at noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Welcome to my new podcast. Learn the hard way with me, your host and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field

and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing and we're still chasing it and we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch.

Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth, or 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 Hardway.

Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear.

The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. What's up, guys? This is CliverTaylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Cliverts Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff. being an internet famous referee.

We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker walks up to me, he goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Quarterback on office blue 42. Hey, ref, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Hey, Miss Parker.

Listen to the Clippers show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, I'm Deanna Maria Riva, actress, mother, lover, and a Gen X woman walking through life one hot flash and hormonal crying jag at a time. You ladies know what I mean. I'll bet you a perimenapausal chin here you do. So let's talk about it. Join me on my new podcast. How hard can it be with Deanna Maria Riva, where I call on my Gen X squads from Ohio to Hollywood as we navigate midlife's most fantastic BS.

All of a sudden, I'd had hanginess happening on my own. I was like, what the hell is that? I was married when I had her, so I didn't even consider how empty that Ness was going to be. Mood swings, night sweats, fupas, sex drive. Wait, what sex? Dating at 45. How high can it be getting naked at 50 with the new guy? That one's kind of hard. Well, that's lighting.

They say we can't polish a turd, but we're sure going to try. So let's get blunt with laughs, tears, or tears of laughter, and dive into it, unfiltered and unbothered and ask, how hard can it be? I cannot believe I'm about to say this out loud in public. Listen to How Hard Can It Be with Deanna Maria Riva as part of My Cultura Podcast Network, available on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Windshield Wipers Matter winners here. Go to Michelin Endurance XT Silicon Wiper Blades, last two times longer available at Walmart. We had him on during the summer.

He was outstanding. Went to Bama, one title at Bama. Nick Saban's first championship. You beat Texas. I was at that game. Colt McCoy, I think, was a quarterback. He was. He got hurt really early, and you guys had Rolanda McLean.

You've been moved. Now, you were rated third, fourth, best cornerback a couple of years ago in the NFL. Now you're playing safety for Denver. And folks, if you want to know how even the NFL is, Denver's the example. You've lost four games, one possession, three games, Chicago, Jacksonville, and Indy on a kick as the clock expired. So you're the best team in the NFL at three and six, and you still have a playoff shot. So let's talk about this. Vic Fangio comes in.

Everybody loves young coaches. You guys go the other way and you hire an older coach. A, do you like him? And B, did you think you'd like him? For me, I love him because every week's it's something different, you know, to put us in, you know, a great situation to be successful. You know, he's putting in different defenses. I haven't been in the offensive room in terms of game planning.

And, you know, I just see some of the stuff the guys show us in the locker room, but it has to be something similar. what he's doing on defense. So every week you've got a different game playing? Every week is multiple calls. We're putting in something new, you know, maybe three or four new calls, you know, and it's all in the name of being a successful.

And it's just it's a lot of stuff, but, you know, for us as a defense and as a team, you know, once you kind of get the grasp of what he's trying to do, you know, you can definitely go out and be successful on Sunday. And let's, Kareem Jackson joining us, 10 years in the NFL. So let's now move

to Baker Mayfield in Cleveland. There's a lot of weapons. There's Jarvis Landry's terrific. OBJ, Nick Chubb, Baker Mayfield. Talk about what you thought you'd see from Baker. What was the game plan against Baker? Because you had success. For me, I had a chance to play against him last year. And so one of the things with us, you know, I knew once he hit his back foot, he was a timing guy. He's all timing. You know, and he's one of those guys, just like the traditional quarterbacks, he wanted to get rid of it. You know, as soon as he hit his back foot, his five step, three step, whatever it was. He wants a ball out.

He wanted out. And so I felt like for us, you know, if we was going to be sticky in coverage, you know, it was going to give us a chance, you know, because he's going to pump it or if that first, that first read's not open, he's going to pump it and, you know, maybe try to run around a little bit. And he did a little bit of that, you know. And what about his size? I think that that was a big part of it for us, too, because, you know, we got some big guys

of a friend. And a lot of the times, you know, he couldn't actually see maybe that first. You know, maybe it was, you know, he was throwing quicks or whatever it was. You know, he couldn't actually see that first read and he'd have to hold it to the second window. And for us, that's big for us. Because you get to the quarterback. Right, right. So I'm not sure how many times we sacked him.

I can't remember what he threw for in terms of yards. But it shows that height matters. Yeah. And in some instances, I think it does matter. You know, I mean, obviously he's a talented guy. You know, he can make all the throws. you know, I mean, for that team, you know, he's their guy, but, you know, we felt like if we were going to be, we had to be sticking in coverage, one and two, you know, our guys getting their hands up and kind of batting some balls that was going to help us too. Odell Beckham said, I'm disappearing out here. I'm not getting the looks. Did you sense frustration from OBJ?

I didn't. I didn't sense it from him. But here's the thing with, I mean, OBJ, I mean, for that team, you're their guy. Like, you're going to get every time. team's best, you know, every week. Did you double him? We doubled him quite a bit, you know, even when we was in single high, we kind of leaned to him a little bit, you know, but we got a great group of guys, you know, obviously Chris Harris. We know what, you know, type of guy he is in his league. So, you know, for us, we, we was confident that, you know, in certain situations, you know, Chris followed him, you know, if it was something where, you know, we had maybe, we, we rode a safety to him. So we threw a bunch of different looks at them that, you know, that helped us out. You played nine years Texans, one year with the Broncos. Go back. Did you know instantly

with Deshawn Watson? Did you know instantly, wow, first practice, wow, it's different. I knew before because he beat my guys in the national championship his last year. Clemson. Right. And it was a game where I was just watching it. He was just making throw after throw after throw, like big time throws, not just like his guys' yards after catch type. No, he's, he's threatening it, you know, through two guys, you know, big-time throws. So when we drafted him and, you know, he got there and stuff and just kind of watching him the way he carried itself. Yes. So for me, I knew instantly like, you know, this guy is going to be a big-time guy. And to see what he's doing now, I'm not surprised at all. People love him.

Yeah, he's special. He's special. He's a special talent, you know, off the field. Like I say, the way he carries itself, you know, he's a special guy. You know, Joy and I have said this about Tua at Alabama. Obviously, Bama, he'll probably play this. weekend. I worry that two was small. I've seen him get hit multiple times. And Alabama doesn't ask their quarterbacks to do what Clemson or other schools ask their quarterbacks to do. In Alabama, it's like, don't screw it up. The defense will win it. How do you think, too, in the NFL works? To be honest, it's hard to say right now for me, just because, you know, a lot of times the teams they're playing with, you know, obviously they're more superior than those teams. Oh, yeah, not even

close. Talent-wise, you know, he's making throws, you know, and he'll throw a five-yard hitch and Jared Judy or one of the guys. Take it for 80. Yeah, right. 80 yards. So it's hard to say, you know, but physical tools, it looks like he has, you know, what it

takes to play at the next level. So, you know, it'll be interesting to see. Yeah. Go back to the NFL. You played you've played this year. You've, uh, Derek Carr, Rogers, Rivers, Mahomes, Brissette Baker. best quarterback you've faced and what makes them the best quarterback so far this year?

I'll say Aaron Rogers. Obvious reasons? Yeah, I mean, everybody knows. I mean, I'm sure you watch him multiple times. You know, I mean, it's just what he does out there, the command he has on that offense, you know. Does he audible a lot? Not a whole lot. That's what I've heard.

Not a whole lot. But just different things that just make him, you know, a different type of guy to play against, you know, and you think about the throws that he make, but at the same time, he can extend the play as well. He's very mobile, and that's one of the things that can kill you. What do you make of Derek Carr? People always criticize Derek Carr. We were saying the other day, he reminds me a little bit of Tony Romo, good feet, good arm,

not great, lively, squeeze it in there, take some risks, extends the play. You know, not ideal armor size, sometimes can be a little loose. What do you make of the whole Raiders story? I thought they were going to be a tire fire this year. They're actually, I got to be honest, Kareem, offensively. They got players. Yeah, no, they do. The Josh Jacob kid, you know, the running back.

Yeah, he is. I remember after that game, I was sending myself. He's a tough tackle. Why? Because he's a lot bigger than I thought he was. And, you know, he has this jump cut that he uses. He makes people look bad. He does.

And, I mean, obviously, I always. watched him a lot because he went to Bama. And I didn't think he was, like I said, I didn't think he was that big. But he's, he has to be a solid 210 to maybe 215. He's got a great first move. Right. And he can run. And he runs down.

Yeah. So he's a tough tackle. I remember talking to some of the guys and I was like, man, he's a tough tackle. And it was like, yeah. But like you said, they definitely have pieces, you know. They got Williams from San Diego. San Diego. Darren Waller's been a steal at times.

tight end. Offensive line is better. Yeah. So are they clever? Are they old school? They try new stuff? Was it a hard prep? It wasn't a hard prep.

But we played them in the first game of the season, so that's always kind of iffy. You don't have a lot of film on them. Coming out of preseason, a lot of their starters didn't play. So it's kind of hard to prepare, especially when you're playing them that first game. But, you know, we have to see them again. So I think, you know, it'll be a lot easier to prepare for them this time because we'll have a lot of film on them. So Denver is 3 and 6

by week. By the way, you've been in the NFL 10 years, you get a buy week. You went to Napa yesterday for the first time? I did. So for you as a veteran, is it, I just want to eat well, I want to sleep? Is that what you use biweek for? Yeah, most of the time. Maybe you take some time to go see some family.

You know, I got two little girls, so I spent a lot of time with them actually leaving today to go spend some time with them in Florida. But how does a veteran feel week nine of the NFL? How do you feel this morning? I actually feel pretty good. I actually feel pretty good. I played tennis yesterday.

I'm a disaster. You've been tackling guys all year. You feel great. Yeah. And as a veteran guy, you kind of learn a lot in terms of taking care of your body. So you know what you need to do that. And actually, in order to kind of shake back and get your body back going. So I actually feel pretty good.

Good stuff. Great seeing you again. Kareem Jackson of the Bronco. three and six for one possession losses. It's been a crazy year. Buy week for them. We're back hour three in L.A. It's the herd.

One more herd. The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week, within the IHeart radio app. Search herd to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. On tuckett.com. Code is heard 20% off. GQ calls it perfection.

By the way, you look pretty GQ. Monochromatic stuff. Where'd you get that outfit at? The ladies in wardrobe take care of me. Man, you look slick. Move that microphone a little bit because it's getting away your tie. You're looking strong. You never noticed this, Joy, NBA media is easily the best dressed media.

Like, it's not even close. Yeah, that's true. Baseball guys are golf shirt, football guys, or you guys look like. Well, I mean, also, you know, the NBA is very fashion-centric. Yes, yes. So that makes sense. It makes sense. You guys, even coaches, they're all, you know, look cool.

All right, so let's start with this. I cannot love something. Chris Bussar joining us. I cannot love something, but no, it's good for the business. I don't love load management. But Kauai Leonard, when he's holding the trophy, nobody's going to say November 6th, you missed the game against Janice.

Here's the thing, and I was talking to a scout in the league about this today. When you do this type of load management, you better hold the trophy in June. You better. because that's why nobody was complaining last year in Toronto because they won. If you don't win the championship, then you're going to get criticized for low men's right.

I think it's ridiculous. You don't like it. No, not at all. We can talk about the fans and all that, but it's also just deceptive. There are people, I don't know if this is true. Some will tell you that Kauai's told the Clippers he's only going to play 65 games. No, I was told that.

You were told the same thing, right? I was told by somebody in the building. part of the discussion was, 65's my number. Right, right. And look, I have said Kawhi Leonard deserves to be considered the best player in the world right now. I think he is.

What he did last year, the playoffs, even his start this year, he deserves that title. Now, Janus could take it this year. LeBron could try to get it back this year, Anthony Davis, whoever. But right now, Kauai deserves that title. But I'm telling you, I can't give you that if you're just sitting out randomly because you don't feel like playing.

You're healthy. It's three weeks into the season. Eight games. Why in the world are you sitting out? I almost think it's a mental block because in his nine years, in this, you know, being his ninth, so say eight first full years, he only played 70 or more games twice. I almost feel like he's like if I play too many games,

I'm not going to be healthy. Like I wonder if it's, a mental black. Why in the world are you sitting when you're healthy? Well, I think it worked for him. I think, you know, and I'll say this, I like Adam Silver a lot. David Stern was the owner's commissioner. Adam Silver is the players commissioner. And if I start giving my kids ice cream for breakfast, they expect ice cream for breakfast. And what's that ice cream going to do to them? It's going to ruin their insides. Well, and I'll say this. I think this is bad optics for the league, for middle America. You go to pay $400

and you don't get Kauai Leonard and Janus. And I would tell Adam Silver to his face. He is incredibly pro player. And so what do the players do? They, they, it's just like anybody else, Chris. But all the players aren't doing it. And a game here or there, you know, and certainly the last week or two, I don't mind it.

When you're getting ready for the playoffs, you sit four games, that's fine. But this is just beyond the pale, in my opinion. It really is. And Adam, look, the league doesn't like this. You think this could hurt the players' pocketbooks. And maybe that's what will change. And that's why the players associations get involved.

Because the next TV deal, you don't think ESPN is going to bring this up if this continues? Oh, there is no question. TNT and ESPN are furious. Right. So if that will lower their offers, so that will affect the salary cap and what the players are making. So the players' association should get involved to be like, look, You got to play when you're healthy. Play the games.

And here's another thing. And again, I like Kauai. I said he's a tremendous player. You can't dislike him as a person because he's quiet. He's low maintenance. All that. But I can't, let's stop the Michael Jordan stuff. I see your game.

I love the mid-range, the two dribbles, no wasted dribbles, two dribbles, pull up. You do it on both ends. But if you're just sitting out games because you don't want to play, I don't want to compare you to Michael Jordan. That's fair. Because Jordan would play every night. No, that's, but let me ask you this. Tiger Woods, unlike Jack Nicholas, who played every tournament, Tiger Woods said, I'm going to pick my spots.

I'm not wasting myself at the Buick Open. Is this the modern athlete? The modern athlete's like, listen. What other NBA players doing this? Well, no other NBA player can get a bucket like Kauai. He's the best. LeBron could do this. Luron is 17th year playing.

I know he's going to probably. sit out here and there, but playing essentially every game. But the Lakers don't have the option. They don't have that bench. LeBron chose the Lakers for, here's what LeBron did. I'm going to come to L.A. for business. I'll figure out the basketball later. Kauai came with a specific plan.

Can I play 65? Can you get Paul George? Will you keep Lou Williams? So Kauai came here for basketball and part of the negotiation was I'm giving you 65. Why, though? Why is that part of the negotiation? Then let's pro-rate your contract. Well, that's not. Let's pay you for 65 games.

That's my biggest issue with, that's what I said, the deceitful. And this is not just a why, but there's deceitfulness of it. The players want 82 games worth of money, but you only want to play 60 or 65 games. Let's cut the season and you get your 65 games worth of money. You can't just, you're already making tons of money. And so I just don't, I don't, it's just, I don't like it. I get it. The principal level.

No, no, no, no. Listen, it's bad sports. One of the reasons the NFL is kids. players play hurt. They play in crappy weather. It's just like the rest of us. They got to go to work with a hangover. I'm glad you brought up the NFL

because in the NFL where every single time you step foot on that field, it could end your career. They don't do load management. Nope. Tom Brady could be like, you know what? We're going to make the playoffs. Let me take the game off. He's 42 years old going out there knowing every Sunday it could be his last game.

And they don't do load management. So in the NBA, we're doing low management? Well, and also, the Adam Silver, again, this is parenting. When you give kids an inch, they take a mile. Adam Silver gave you a longer All-Star break, no back-to-backs. Adam Silver has, and I like Adam, but David Stern, I said this yesterday. I think, it may have been yesterday, Joy, you got to fear your boss 5 to 10%. I love my bosses.

Sometimes they look at me. A healthy fear. A little five percent. And by the way, I'm a performer. If I don't have a little fear of 5%, you start running over people. That's a great, I totally agree. Players do not fear Adam Silver at all. This is an example of giving an inch and they're taking a yard.

That's what it is. Because you, like you say, Adam has done it. He's broached the idea of making it a shorter season. As you said, the All-Star game, the limited back-to-back. He's pro gambling to get the players more money. And now they're saying we're still going to sit out. Yeah. So, look, again, I don't want to make this just about Kauai.

But it is kind of. This is just, this makes no sense. All right. This makes no sense. Let's shift to this. I said, I think the Lakers make a great movie poster, but I don't think you can ask LeBron in his 17th year to play 38 minutes at the point. Rondo's too old.

Caruso's not a starter. Avery Bradley's a combo guard. I don't think it works for a title. But I'll say this. The chemistry, a week in, Lakers play really well together. Colin. They're better faster than I thought. I picked them to win it, and I feel good about that pick right now.

Now, I know the Clippers are scary. It's going to be, as good as Houston, Utah, Denver, Portland, maybe Dallas, Santa. All these good teams in the West, it is going to be the Lakers and the Clippers, period. It looks like it to me. It's the Lakers and the Clippers. And I'm telling you, the Lakers do look good. Look at LeBron's when he went back to Miami, went back to Cleveland. It started slowly.

And so for this to start. You said that last year. His first year everywhere, he's building the machine. Right. But the fact that they're so cohesive and their chemistry is what it is, it's really good. It's going to keep improving. And he has found that balance between being a point guard and running the offense, getting everybody involved, and being the aggressive score. Remember last time I was here, he was struggling to find that balance.

Now he's found it and he's playing tremendous. Do you think there are people inside? the Lakers, though, privately, that wish Rondo was two years younger or they'd like to go with Caruso but they don't trust him? I don't think the Lakers want him at point. I just don't think they trust the options. Well, my only problem with, look, I think he and Rondo play well together at times. But when you put Rondo out there, you don't have, that's a shooter you don't have out there. And LeBron, even if he's playing forward, he's going to bring the ball up 50, 60 percent of the time. So you just got to get used to it. Yeah. And I think he's

playing it. To me, it looks like he's getting more and more comfortable there. And he's picking his spots tremendously. And he's the best, he's the best point guard in the league. He really is. The chemistry is noticeably good. It really is. Danny Green and LeBron fit like that. He and Anthony Davis, Coosma.

I mean, you can tell it's a very seamless. In transition, they look incredibly comfortable. And you know what else? I think they're going to get Andre Iguodala. That's good. 12 minutes and night. He should go. Yeah.

He'll help them with Kauai. He will be huge for them. Situationally. When they fit the, when they play the Clippers. Huge. Okay. Finally, I mean, I don't need to bring this up,

but I watched a few of the Houston games. But hold on. See, you're stuck because you said they're not even going to make the playoffs. They're going to make the playoffs. They're going to win 50 plus. Trust me. Jacksonville may make the playoffs in the NFL.

That doesn't mean anything. You saw those superstars. Okay, let's be honest about this. Defensively, terrible. Defensively, they're a joke. They are in the back. First of all, Westbrook's a great athlete. He doesn't use any of it on the defensive end.

Well, he gambles for steals. That's right. And so I said this is where they'll miss Chris Paul. Chris Paul was a good defender plus the jump shot. But look, offensively, it's working fine with Westbrook and Hart. Well, they kind of take turn. Yeah, it's not smooth and all that, but it's working. But defensively, look, nobody wants to play defense.

And if you don't have a coach who's riding you, getting on your nerves about defense, then you're not going to do it. And that's what you see with Houston. Boy, it's a bad. They are not interested. Do you still think they're not going to make the playoffs? Well, Golden State's done. Right.

Dallas might sneak in there. Minnesota. Okay, okay, let's just do it. Just real quick. Let's just do it real quick. You guys all laughed at me. All right, let's go west. Eight teams get in.

Okay, Lakers. Lakers, done. Okay, so let's go Clippers. Let's, uh, okay, those are done. Utah's getting in. Okay. Denver. Okay, so we go to Denver.

Okay, I'm not throwing our one at you. San Antonio's getting in. They're getting in, but not above Houston. Oh, I'm just saying getting in. Let's just do the getting in then. See, I think Houston's in. Okay, time out. Portland.

Oh, come on. I have more faith in Houston. Oh, Lord. Not that Portland's going to make it too. Portland. Well, let's just. No, I got more faith than Houston. Houston is definitely, they're winning 54 games-ish.

Houston? And getting it. Yes, trust me. Houston's going to get in the playoffs. Okay, definitely. Okay, so let me just ask you. Lakers get in? Oh, yeah.

Clippers? Yes. Utah. Yes. Denver. All right. We're halfway home. I don't want to hear Houston's name.

San Antonio. Yes. Portland. Yes. Okay. Dallas. What you've seen of Dallas. Maybe.

That may be the best offensive team. Oh, right now they're rated. They have the best offense of rating in the league. You're going to tell me in the NBA regular season, best offense doesn't get into the playoffs. They won't be, they won't have a better record in Houston. I don't care about record. The best offense in the league not making the playoffs. They're my age team.

Okay. So how many is that? We're at seven. The Houston's other one. Okay, so who else is with Houston? Minnesota's in the mix. No, I'm not even going to talk about them. Vikings, T-wolves, I'm not even interested in the discussion.

So who's Houston battling? To get in? Yeah. They're in. They're not battling anybody. They're in, I'm telling you. You're just making, you're presuming. So I got seven teams.

I know we're getting in. Houston's going to finish ahead of San Antonio, probably Portland, and Dallas as well. What does Parker say when you throw that nonsense out? Well, he, that's a good question. No way, no how is probably what he said. No way, no how.

If you're the worst defensive team in the league, and I think Dallas is the best Western offensive team today, I know in the NBA regular season, the best offensive team in a conference getting in. Now, I'm not saying to win in a playoff series. Dallas is getting into the playoffs. I've seen them play twice. I'm not certain they're going to make you.

It's going to be between Dallas and Minnesota. Let me ask you this. Whose offense is better, Dallas or Houston? It's Dallas. Right now. I think Houston's, though. All right. Overall, I say Houston.

Listen. James Hardin didn't even shooting well yet. That's not going to continue. He's going to start in life. This is going to be so painful for you and joy. You guys are going to have a terrible. It's not. You guys are going to have a terrible.

The jazz might be in that bottom. You guys are going to be in April. Jazz will be in that bottom. You'll be calling in sick to work on both of you guys in April. We'll be doing low management. If Houston doesn't make the playoffs, I might call in sick to work. You're right about that. All right.

Chris Brousard. Joy Taylor with the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. Actually, Cushy Shetang, because I want to ask you about this, too. So Anthony Davis made some headlines. He said that his hometown of Chicago was the Mecca of basketball.

He also said he, you know, he's going to be a free agent next year and got everyone excited and reminded about that as well. Well, another Chicago native is coming to 80's defense. Doc Rivers agreed with Anthony Davis that Chicago is without a doubt the center of the basketball world. Yeah, it's not even a question. No, I really believe that. Not here? No, Chicago is the Mecca of basketball.

Chicago players, you know, New York gets all to rub, which I don't get. But Chicago is, it's not even close. Now, Patrick Beverly also agreed that Chicago is the Mecca. He is also from Chicago. Now, I understand people from Chicago are going to be very protective over their, you know, their city. It's got very good high school basketball hoos. And I do think that there was a time when New York was the Mecca. No longer.

And I still think that Madison Square Garden is widely agreed on one of the players' favorite places to play. It's an amazing place to watch. Atlanta, Houston, get my votes. I would say right now, currently today, L.A. is the Mecca basketball. I agree with Georgia. I would say Southern California. Two of the last three NBA MVPs are from L.A. All right.

What are the quarterback? Hardin, Westbrook. I mean, Barron Davis, Carl's George. There's no doubt. DeRosen. Look at all those names, she just came. It's L.A.

And if you're looking at like the entire. New York right now. And if you're looking at the like the entirety of the state of basketball right now, I mean, like you have the clippers, you have the Lakers. Like it's, when I think of the MEC, I think of everything around it. You know, not just players that come from here. New York to New St. John's is no good. New York didn't have a decent college basketball team.

New York. is no longer the mecca of basketball. And I'm not even talking about the NBA team. I'm just saying producing players. New York's not the mecca anything. Jets are a mess, giants remiss, Mets are a Mets are a Mets, Nicks are a Mets, Brooklyn, What-Eves.

It's not even a mecca of hip-hop anymore. I thought Atlanta was. L.A. and Atlanta. I don't know that there's a MECA. It's all over the country now. Yes, but I do think it's going to be a fun debate about that for the next couple days. All right, so Minshuania and Jacksonville

has come to an end. Jaguars head coach Doug Marone announced that after the by week, Nick Foles will return as a starting quarterback against the Colts. Foles has been out since breaking his clavicle in his first game with the Jags. Rookie Gardner Minchew went four and four as a starter in Ful's absence.

Minshu is exactly what you want to back up to be. Be 500 when the big guy gets hurt. I think everyone got excited, which is fine, and that's good. You don't want to lose all hope in the season when your starting quarterback goes out. Gardner Monshu did a good job. Now I know what they have in Gardner Minshu, but the bigger deal is that he signed a four-year $88 million

contract this offseason. Nick Foles, of course, not Gardner-Minshoe. And season's not over. The AFC South, obviously the Texans are likely going to win that. They're six and three. Jaguars are four and five. The Colts are five and three. We're not worried about the Titans.

Yeah. But the rest of the Jaguar schedule is pretty reasonable. So depending on how Nick Foles comes back, obviously. You listen, we had a lot of injuries at quarterback. They're all coming back. Sammy Darnold's back. Nick Foles is back. Drew Brees.

Drew Brees is coming back. So they want to finish the season strong, but this also has implications for the off season because we didn't know what was really going to happen with Gardner Minshu. We were kind of in limbo there, trying to figure out what was going to happen with Nick Foles and Gardner Minchew. Obviously, they're going to stick with Nick Foles. They're not going to be in that quarterback conversation.

Now they have a great backup. They have a great backup. Jagg's got a backup. Gardner Minshu should be happy as heck. He's an NFL backup. Nick's going to be there about two years and then retire. And I'll have some more time to be. the belt. There you go. So finally, the Panthers

put Cam Newton on the IR this week. So Kyle Allen will remain the starting quarterback this season. After the news broke, Alan posted a picture of the two quarterbacks hugging with a caption supporting his teammate. He said, I watched this man do everything in his power to come back from his injury. I watched him lead and be a great teammate day in and day

out. Thank you for setting the example. We got you. Look how big Cam is. Kyle Allen's a pro athlete. Look how big Cam Newton is. Lord. That's a... Look at his legs. That's a big hug right there. Look at it. Cam is it like an NBA dude?

Yes, it looks like Kyle Allen is like on his toes. A couple years ago, I went to an event, and there was all these pro athletes. And then Amari Stademeyer walked by, and I was like, NBA guys are just different. There's a couple, yeah, NBA guys, for sure. But there's a couple athletes that you, when you're in a room with them, it puts in perspective. Like when you're watching, I see like, oh, when I'm criticizing the guy that this person is running over, I maybe should put it in a little more perspective. I like that picture, though. That made me like Cam.

Yes. And look, Cam has a polarizing individual to begin with. But Nick Wright had some pretty good points earlier. He almost swayed me that the Panthers may not actually move off of him. Yes. So low $20 million next year. Yeah, you could do, you could make the argument.

We're going to probably move off Cam, but we don't have a guy yet. Kyle's a backup, which, by the way, that's very possible. He's just a nice transitional backup. He could be very much Gardner Minsho. though. Well, he's winning. He's winning. This all always go to the wall on. I will defend Ron Rivera forever. If a quarterback gets a top 10 defense, every year, you got to win more. I don't care about your offense. That's my knock on cam. Never had back-to-back winning seasons. Revere, we all know the great coaches. Revere is in that next group of guys. They're really good. He got to a Super Bowl. Every year,

those defenses are terrific. Yep. I'll enjoy the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. Heard Lye News. All right. Our NFL, yesterday we handed out grades, our mid-season, our mid-semester grades. Today we hand out our mid-season NFL awards. That is coming up next. Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, FS1, and the IHard Radio app.

Casper's the most loved and trusted sleep company. 50,000, five-star reviews. Casper.com Code Hurd. Get you $100 towards select mattresses. Here we are. Week 10 begins tomorrow night. Actually, a really good Thursday night football game. These surprisingly good and exciting Raiders and the chargers that I make a prediction are now healthy.

They're going to start getting really hot and start winning a lot of games. They're still a top five roster in the NFL. So we thought yesterday we gave out midseason grades. We thought we do a little Hollywood because that's right down the street. These are the Hurt NFL midseason award. It's time for the Hurt's first annual. NFL mid-season awards. All right, Colin, the first category is best cowboy.

The nominees are Dak Prescott, Ezekio Elliott, Jerry Jones, and Aaron Rogers. Yeah, Aaron had that cowboy hat when they went down. Plus, he's always good in Dallas. So he's almost officially, he's a semi-cowboy. Yes. I'm going to go, the winner is Dak Prescott. All right, let's be honest.

Dak Prescott is 5 and 0 when he has a passer rating of over 90. So he's done that this year several times. He's on pace for a career high in completion percentage, touchdowns, yards, yards per attempt, and few as sacks. Complain all you want. They got him better weapons, and he has delivered. All right, congrats to DAC. Next category is best couple. That's best quarterback in here.

head coach combo. The nominees are Aaron Rogers and Matt LaFleur, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, John Harbaugh and Lamar Jackson, or Jimmy Garoppolo, and Kyle Shanahan. This is a harder decision. I'm going to go with Harbaugh and Lamar Jackson. And the reason I'm going to go with this is because if you look at all these quarterbacks, he's the youngest quarterback, he's a unique quarterback. They lead the NFL in scoring and rush offense. And Lamar Jackson's numbers have gone up. Now remember, this is a division that we thought was better because Cleveland was legitimate. So Lamar's getting better.

Baltimore's legit. You add the big win over New England. Lamar and John win it. I would agree. All right. Best supporting cast. I kind of missed the music, John. I like light Hollywood music.

Can you add that? You can't have an award if you don't have a little music. Best supporting cast, best team outside of the quarterback. The nominees are the Dallas Cowboys, the Minnesota. The Saints and the Colts. This one is actually kind of easy for me. I'll say this and I've said it throughout the season. It's Minnesota Vikings.

They're the only team except San Francisco. The pro football focus has top six offense, top six defense. Dalvin Cook leads the NFL in rushing. Many believe they have the best receiver combination, digs in Thielen. They also have a Pro Bowl level player at Corner, Safety, linebacker and defensive front. I think it's probably overall the best roster in the NFL, the Minnesota Vikings. I would go with the Saints just because they went 5 and 0 without Drew Brees.

Biggest anchor. Oh, yeah, weighing down the team. Quarterback holding their team back. Nominees. Mitch Trubisky, Jack Prescott, Kirk Cousins, or Baker Mayfield. Not to be mean, but Mitch Trubisky and it's not entirely close. Baker Mayfield's got his issues, but you can blame other people. In Chicago, I like the coach and I like the defense.

He's ranked 51st among quarterbacks. That means, I mean, basically every quarterback that's played's better. Even the Nick Falk for the Jets. Is that true? Yeah, he started seven games, hasn't thrown a touchdown in five. And they have good backs and good receivers. Mitch Trubisky, biggest anchor. Yes.

Most surprising team, nominees, Oakland Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts or the Buffalo Bills. I think this is easy. I think it's the Arizona Cardinals. I'm going to give you a crazy number. Despite having a bad offensive line, a rookie coach and a rookie quarterback, Arizona has the fewest turnovers in the NFL. That's an unbelievable, not Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.

Arizona. That's very good, actually. That's an incredible number. All of their losses are to teams over 500. They're 3-5-1, which guarantees they have a better record than last year at 3 and 13. I mean, we knew the Raiders had talent. I thought this team was going to be an abysmal, unwatchable mess. They're only losing to good teams.

Arizona is the surprise team in the NFL. The next category is the best touchdown pass. The nominees are Aaron Rogers to Jamal Williams against Kansas City, to Sean Watson. After getting kicked in the eye, finds Darren Fells for the game-winning touchdown against Oakland. Russell Wilson finds Tyler Lockett in the corner of the end zone against the Rams and Patrick Holmes.

There's a jump ball to Tyreek Hill against Houston. Easy, and we'll show it to you. Pass of the year easily, Russell Wilson to Tyler Lockett. On first down, Wilson keeps, surveys, nowhere to go, and back at the end zone. Touchdown! What a catch by Tyler Lockett. Catch, feet.

That is unbelievable. I don't even know how Russell Wilson thought he could fit that ball in there. There was nowhere. for Russell to throw the football and even when he threw it, there was nowhere for him to throw the ball. It's great. magical. Best quarterback from the 2016 Patriots

roster. Jimmy Garapolo, Jacoby Preset, Tom Brady, and Julian Edelman. Edelman throws the occasional pass. You got to go Jimmy Garoppolo. Jimmy Garoppolo has the best record of those quarterbacks, the highest passer rating. Four touchdowns last week.

San Francisco finally called in him last week and Jimmy G. Delivered. Great season so far. Best Allen, Kyle Allen, Brandon Allen, Josh Allen, or Keenan Allen. I'll give Kyle Allen the best Allen. Now, let's slow down. We don't even know if he's a starter.

My guess is he's a very good backup. But, I mean, he's got an 87 passer rating, nine touchdowns, four picks. But I would say so far, of the Allen's, he's been the most important, Alan. Best rookie, Kyler Murray, Josh Jacobs, Nick Bosa or Gardnerman's shoe. It's tough, actually.

I'm going to go Josh Jacobs, and here's why. A, he's better than I thought. He's really become a huge component. It's easier for a quarterback. When's the last rookie running back that came into the league and literally became kind of the identity of the offense? Like Zeeke? Adrian Peters.

Well, Zeke or Adrian Peterson. The kid's incredible. I liked him in Alabama, but he wasn't a workhorse at Alabama. He wasn't one of their like, Mark Ingram gets all the carries. He is sixth in rushing yards, fifth in rushing TDs, both categories lead for rookies. Our last award today, best wardrobe malfunction.

Odell not wearing the right pants against the Seahawks. Odell wearing a watch versus the Titans. Odell wearing an illegal visor against the Jets or Odell's cleats in the first half against the Broncos. Let's go the watch against the Titans because it was a $350,000 watch. I've never heard of a football player wearing a watch. He had a little gap between his shirt and his glove so you, You could see the watch. And thanks for watching The Hurd.

These are our NFL, Hurd, mid-season awards. Good show. See you tomorrow. Good football tomorrow. Speak for yourself is next. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. And nobody's telling you exactly what happened.

That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. And every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headline. And we're going straight to the source, the athletes themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear. Listen to SportsSlic.

On the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. 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, S&Lis. and L. Michael's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Sidell, 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. What's up, guys? This is Clivert Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Cliverts show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff.

Like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker. This linebacker walks up to me. He goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Time out. Quarterback on office blue with 42.

Hey, ref, my mama wants you to wave at her. What? Hey, Ms. Parker. Listen to the Cliverts show on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. 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 hungry. 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. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.