The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Middlekauff - 3 & Out - Chris Simms' QB list issues; Jerry has a Zeke problem; AFC North O/U; Middlekauff Mailbag

Episode Date: July 5, 2019

Subscribe here to the 3 and Out with John Middlekauff Podcast https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/3-and-out-with-john-middlekauff/id1352730623?mt=2.In this episode, Middlekauff explains why former NFL QB and current analyst Chris Simms' controversial QB list is ridiculous on a number of levels, his top QB's, why the Jerry Jones and the Cowboys have reason to be concerned about Zeke Elliott despite him avoiding suspension in his latest incident. He also gives his AFC North O/U picks, and answers listener questions in Middlekauff's Mailbag. Follow John on twitter @JohnMiddlekauff and go to www.theherdnow.com to find the latest content. Subscribe now! 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 headlines. 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 Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes.

Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hard Way with your favorite therapist and host Kear Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor? It signals to the world that you not to be played. with and just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to listen to learn

the hard way on the iha radio app apple podcast or wherever you get your podcast what's up guys this is clivert taylor the fourth 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 this linebacker walks up to me he goes a ref my mom wants you to wave at her what Time out. Quarterback on office blue with 42. Hey, Rhett, my mama want you to weigh better. What?

Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clippers show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, Singles. Do you feel like a tourist in your own town? Too busy to enjoy all your city has to offer? Events and Adventures organizes up to 30 unique get-togethers around town each and every month. We do all the work, so you have all the fun.

Get started by visiting events. and Adventures.com today. Using your Aspiration Zero credit card helps fight climate change. It's true. See, Aspiration Zero plants a tree each time you make a purchase. And tree planting is one of the most effective ways to combat global warming. Track your progress in the app and earn 1% cash back each month you reach Carbon Zero. Aspiration Zero. One card, zero carbon footprint. Learn more at aspiration.com. The Aspiration Zero MasterCard is issued by Beneficial State Bank pursuant to license by MasterCard International Incorporated. Beneficial State. Bank member FDIC 2021.

CareerBuilder is made for people who have that thing. You know, those superpowers that make you good at your job, the skills you bring to work. And CareerBuilder knows those skills make you right for other jobs too. Higher paying jobs with benefits. Jobs you never thought of trying. Are you a people person? Work from home as a customer service rep. Are you organized and like driving?

Become a delivery driver. You have the skills it takes and CareerBuilder.com has the jobs to get you hired, Fast. Visit careerbuilder.com. What is going on, everybody? Middle Cop. I'm bringing out a podcast. It's early afternoon on the 4th of July. Just poured myself a cocktail.

Wanted to, you know, I was actually inspired. This man lived through an earthquake today, but I flipped on the television day. You know, day off for all of America. It's 4th of freaking July. I mean, God, I love America. I feel lucky enough I get to talk about football on 4th of July. But I didn't even think I was going to do a podcast. And then I saw Colin Coward, dude who's working on the fourth.

And I'm like, if Coward can work on the fourth, John Milikoff can record a podcast. So I'm recording a podcast. And there were a couple of things that everyone kept sending me in my DMs. We'll get to the Middilcoff mailbag a little later. You can always slide up in the DMs at John Middlecough as my Instagram handle. But everyone was sending me the rankings of Chris Sims. I guess he ranked all the quarterbacks. And I was kind of dismissive of it.

I was like, yeah, whatever. I don't even care. But then I kind of looked at it. I'm like, this is absurd. So I have to give my opinions on that. I guess this would have been July 3rd. July 3rd was kind of like my screw round day. I played a bunch of golf, and the ESPN ticker went down.

I looked and I saw Zeke had been exonerated by the league. He's not going to get suspended. But I think the Cowboys have a Zeke Elliott problem right now. And then, as I promised, here until we've covered every division, we've done the South and we've done the East. And both the NFC and the AFC today, will do the AFC North, which probably has, you could argue, the most polarizing team coming into the season in the Cleveland Browns, Odell Beckham, Baker-Mayfield, Freddy Kitchens.

But I got to start with this. Listen, I am not too proud to know what works in the media. Clicks, if you run a website matter. People, whenever I tweet something that they don't agree with, like, Middle Cough, just working for clicks. I don't get any money off the clicks off Twitter. That's at Jack. He's the guy making all that cash. There's literally no business I work in where I get credit for clicks.

I write for the athletic. You have to pay to read the content. Like a podcast, you have to listen to it. So just if you click on it and then nothing happens, I don't get any credit. So I'm not really in the click business. That's a website thing. And I do think, like, people are in the clicks business. I'm not ignorant enough to act like Bleacher Report.

and Florio, they're in the click business. Because to justify big ad dollars in that business, you have to get millions of people to click. And that's where, I'm not saying that that statement doesn't have some validity four or five years ago, but I think it's never been less relevant. Unless you're pointing the finger at Florio or Bleacher Report, which are kings of the cliques.

Now, obviously, Sims is kind of associated with Bleacher Report, works for Bleacher Report. I guess maybe not anymore. Now NBC, whatever. All the same shit for me. but he put out a top 20 list. And again, I got no problem with lists. We do lists in NFL scouting.

Like, rank me your top 20 players in your area. Rank me your top 20 free agents. Name me your top 50 picks in this draft. Not what you think it's going to be, but the players you like. That happens in real life. You rank free agents, did it for years. You rank draft picks, did it for years. You don't get as obsessed like ranking individual players in the league that you can't have,

but it's a fun media exercise. So rank your top 40 quarterbacks. Cool list. Obviously people are going to have differentiating opinions on this. But I think that if you do put Tom Brady number nine, if he is number nine on your quarterback list, and I don't even need to see what, you know, premises are your quarterback. Like who had the best season at 18, who's had the best careers.

I don't even know because it's irrelevant. You put Tom Brady at 9, erase your list. because no one cares or gives you any credibility when you do that. Under no circumstances, a gun to your head, you can't put Tom Brady 9th. That's not possible. So when I really finally dove and looked at this list and I saw Tom Brady was 9, I almost said, well, is this really worth doing a segment off of? Because I think the entire thing is bullshit.

But if we're going to take the list seriously, which for this little segment I'm going to, it immediately becomes like null and void when Tom Brady's nine. You have Cam Newton ahead of Tom Brady. You have Deshawn Watson ahead of Tom Brady. Listen, I'm going to, okay, let's, I'll read you the top 15. Rogers, Mahomes, Russell, Luck, Deshawn Watson, Big Ben, Matt Ryan, Cam, Tom Brady,

then this guy 10, I don't know if you've heard of him, Drew Brees. Carson Wentz, who hasn't finished the season in two years above Philip Rivers, Dak Prescott, Matt Stafford, Kirk Cousins, that's your top 15. Then you got Cousins, Foles, Mayfield, Car, Gough. Here are my biggest takeaways. Again, if I'm attempting to take this list seriously,

like I said, the moment you see Tom Brady is nine, we all have the same reaction. But my next reaction is under no circumstances, on God's Green Earth, based on what we know about these guys' careers, their resumes, can Deshawn Watson be fifth? Because I was someone that bet on Deshaun Watson in that playoff game when they played the Indianapolis Colts, and he was

horrific, absolutely terrible. Now, do I like Deshaun Watson? Hell yes. Is he a franchise quarterback? I believe so. Is he everything that's good about football, high character, winning college player? He's a total package. Always seems like he's smiling, everything I've heard, he's a hard worker. I'm a big fan. But in no world, no world, Chris Sims or the world that I live in, can Deshawn Watson B-5th based off what he's done in the NFL through two years, which last year he tore his ACL, and then this year, a home playoff game against his division rival looked like a JV player. I mean, to me, his stats were, they were better than it looked. He was 29 to 49.

I think he threw for 230 yards and a pick and a touchdown. If you just asked me, what did Sean Watson do in that playoff game? I would have guessed, completed 15 balls through for 150 yards and was just hideous, because he was. And again, like the player. but he can't be that high. And then I also have a little problem with this. Baker Mayfield is like the apple of everyone's eye.

He's way higher than he should be. Like, to me, he's not a top 20 quarterback right now. Can he become one? Can he become a top 10 quarterback? For sure. But the information I have, I just, I can't go there. And Jared Goff, who, again, I have, I'm like, I have a bias for given that I root for him.

He's from Northern California. And from Northern California, I just root for you. Then he went to Cal, grew up going to Cal Games. but his physical skill set isn't really what I, like my type guy. Like, I'm really more of a big arm guy. Like, I'll always lean with the wences with hell, even like the Derek Carr's big picture. I'm going to miss. But Jared Goff has become really good these last couple years.

And I know he had a bad Super Bowl. Well, guess what? It was the Super Bowl against Bill Belichick. Jared Goff is not the 19th best quarterback right now. And in no world should Baker Mayfield or even Derek Carr or Kirk Cousins be ahead of him. Matt Stafford. Like, I'm a sucker for me. Matt Stafford.

Like he's the type guy, if I could have got Matt Stafford with Andy Reed seven years ago or Sean Payton or a guy like that, I think we talk about Matt Stafford's career a lot, you know, just differently. And Carson Wentz above Philip Rivers, we'd all agree that Carson Wentz has more physical talent. He's faster. I mean, he's probably stronger. He's obviously got a much more potent arm.

But in no world, based on the information that we have, could Carson Wentz be ahead of Philip Rivers? Like, that's not possible. And then I thought, well, I'm talking a lot of shit, so I might as well just do my own top 10. Here would be my top 10. Tom Brady has to be one. This guy did not play that well last year,

even though the statistics says he did, but the eye test was definitely off. Now I understand Khalil Mack fell into him early. But I'm giving this guy the benefit of the doubt. He's one of the best players I've ever seen play. I got Aaron Rogers, too. Three, I got Andrew Locke. Four, I got Drew Brees.

because I do think that Drew Breeze looked a little off down the stretch, looked a little old. I mean, he is old. He's 40 years old. But I think when you really dove into their team, they were kind of two players, they were dependent on catching all their balls. Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara. They didn't really have anything else. I got Russell Wilson 5. I'll go to the map for Russell Wilson.

I mean, he's one of the, to me, he's one of the truly special, unique players I've ever seen play football. And in a big game, if you tell me Russell's my quarterback, I'll feel good driving to the stadium. Patrick Mahomes, obviously just based on last year, he was incredible and it was as good as it got in the NFL, but it was only his first year starting. I base, like, what you've done in the league, I do factor in. I do think he can become the best of this group, obviously. He's got a guy that can win multiple MVPs. Everyone in Kansas City will tell you, it's obvious the talent, but the character, just the way he conducts himself, just how happy is optimistic vibe is. Like, he's a total package. I'm betting on him. But I didn't, I couldn't put a

against all these guys, they've just accomplished way more. It's not saying I don't like him as much. Seven, Matt Ryan. Everyone thinks he's terrible. He threw 35 touchdown to seven picks last year. His defense was atrocious. He's been really good now for two or three years. I got Matt Ryan's back.

Eight Rivers. I'm a big Philip Rivers guy. I think he's a great regular season player. It does piss me off. He doesn't play as well in big games in the playoffs. But I do think these next couple years... Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, 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. SportsLice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsLice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

And for more, follow Timbo Slic Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. 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. 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 Hard Way. Open your free iHeartRadio app.

Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. What's up, guys? This is Cliver 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 walks up to me, he goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What?

Quarterback on office blue of 42. Hey, rec, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Hey, Ms. Parker. Listen to the Clifford show on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. The story I've told myself about love or. relationships can then shape my behavior and that can lead me to sabotage the possibility of connection. This mental health awareness month, tune into the podcast deeply well with Debbie Brown

and explore the journey of healing, self-discovery, and returning to yourself. We explore higher consciousness, emotional well-being, and the practices that help you find clarity, peace, and self-mastery in a world that can feel overwhelming. The world is becoming alone. We're not becoming more social and connected. We're becoming more individualized, but we actually meet people in connection. If you've been searching for a soft place to land while doing the work to become whole, this podcast is for you to hear more. Listen to deeply well with Debbie Brown from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. They have a roster that's good enough to win a Super Bowl.

and again, I've got Philip Rivers back like Matt Ryan. Big Ben, this is a little more based on what he's accomplished, but I'm sorry. Like Deshawn Watson and Cam Newton, I've seen Big Ben win so many more big games than obviously Cam Newton. Hell, you could make the argument that it is a, that it's a disservice to Ben on my list to be below Matt Ryan. Now, I just think Matt Ryan's playing way better right now than Big Ben,

but this is a big year for Big Ben. and then 10, you know, clearly Wence is more talented than DAC, and I would take a good Went season over a good DAC year. But when you get hurt a lot, I factor that in. So I got DAC 10, but I would have Wence right there. And again, Wens is the type player that can immediately next year be like number five on my list. You know, and DAC doesn't have that capability. But I do have to factor in.

Dax played three seasons. He's never missed a game, and two of those, he's played in playoff games. like Wins, his team gets to the playoffs, he's just never there to do it. Again, I'm a Carson Wince guy, and that's why these lists are kind of really difficult, and people are going to differ with my list, but I think we all can agree that Tom Brady, on any list, it doesn't matter who you are, where you're from, has to be number one. Can I tell you about my friends at LinkedIn? Listen, it's a new year, 2022.

We're all trying to find people that hire, for those of you listening, that are in HR, running small businesses, wherever you are. And LinkedIn makes it easier than ever to find people you want to talk to faster and for free. Create a job posted minutes, I've done it, on LinkedIn jobs, to reach your network and beyond to the world's largest professional network of 770 million people. Focus on candidates with the right skills and experience.

Use screening questions to get your role in front of the most qualified. Then use simple tools to quickly filter and prioritize who you would like to interview and hire. It's why small businesses rate LinkedIn Jobs, number one, in delivering quality hires, first competitors. LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the candidates you want to talk to faster. Did you know that every week nearly 40 million job seekers visit LinkedIn? Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com slash john. That's LinkedIn.com slash J-O-H-H-N, John, to post your job for free. Terms and conditions apply.

Millions of Americans are getting back to work. CareerBuilder calls it the great rehire. And we want to help you get the best jobs before everyone else. CareerBuilder gives you the competitive edge to get the job you want, at the salary you want, with the benefits you want. We even send job alerts, so your perfect job lands right in your inbox. Go to careerbuilder.com today or get left with whatever jobs are left. Find your next job fast at careerbuilder.com.

Warning, this product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical. Born in the Midwest, raised in the South. Charge your head with Black Buffalo's tobacco alternative long cut in pouches. It's everything you love about dipping and nothing you don't. No compromise. After 20,000 hours of R&D, finally a credible alternative made a cured edible green leaves, food grade ingredients, pharmaceutical grade nicotine, and even nicotine.

Team-free versions called Zero. Authentic texture, badass branding, bold flavors, rich dark color, and you choose the buzz boss, available in flavors of winter green, mint, straight, peach, and blood orange. Black Buffalo proudly manufactures their products in the U.S. for you to buy online and ship directly to your front door. Use promo code dip at checkout to join the herd with 25% off your first order on blackbuffalo.com. Keep the ritual with the world's only credible smokeless tobacco alternative.

Black Buffalo. Underage sale prohibited may not be available in some states. While everyone is at least of recording this, no one knows where Kauai Leonard is going to go. Probably the biggest news in between the last big guy signing in the NBA. It was this kind of report that came out from the NFL. Maybe it was Zeek. I don't know. I can't even keep up.

I was on the golf course when it came out. Clearly the NFL said he's not going to be suspended. And, you know, for a guy that's already been suspended, I thought they did get it right. I mean, having watched that TMZ video where they're in Vegas, like, you should not get suspended for that. And I have kind of defended Zeke because he has a long resume now. When he was coming out Ohio State, like word in the NFL, I don't know if the media necessarily talked about this a lot. But a big red flag on Zeke was that him and Bosa, the older one, Joey, were big part of the. party guys. And it wasn't just like there might have been some like drugs involved. Like they were like

ravers. I mean, those dudes partied hard. But both of them were so goddamn good and don't get me wrong. I'm not a moral high horse guy. I would have drafted either one. I actually didn't love Joey that much coming out. I was wrong. But Zeke, I thought was a superstar and a superstar. Like that stuff doesn't bother me when you're elite. It doesn't bother anyone in the NFL when you're elite. Really. So, but I think a lot of teams were just wary with those two guys. Now, granted, with an Urban Meyer prospect, you always need to red flag them. Because you never know. Like, let's just look at Urban Meyer.

You know, some sketchy stuff coming out of his program. Then he's had multiple incidences in the pros. He had the one where he pulled that chick's, you know, bathing suit down in the parade. He had the other one that became the he said she said, where she said there was a domestic, you know, incident. He ultimately was suspended for that. Then there was this thing. Now, this thing, I would say, is a whole lot of nothing.

But when you have a guy like Zeke, it's just been drip, drip, drip, drip, drip, it's always something. And a couple of them, even me, who, I don't, it's not like I know the guy, but I feel like I've kind of defended them. I'm like, you know, I'm not comfortable with the NFL suspending a player when it's just a he said, she said, just some random hookup. And again, I always resort back to the, to like the main point. if he did it, he should be in jail. But I got no clue. And clearly the NFL is no clue either. And I've just always uncomfortable with these issues.

But like this one was an easy one for the NFL. He didn't do anything. But I do think Zeke has shown a consistent ability to put himself in bad spots for whatever reason. Like I heard someone say the other day and it's so true. Like the media makes a really big job over like Roger Goodell has way too much power. You know who really doesn't care? the majority of the NFL players. You know why?

Because they never have to meet with Roger Goodell. You know the percentage of players in the NFL that never once get even remotely close to doing something stupid? It's probably like above 90%. The overwhelming majority of guys in the NFL just do the right things. Just live life like me or you. They go to work. They come home. They have a girlfriend.

They have a wife. They have a kid. They do whatever. Maybe they're single. But they're just normal humans. Right? They eat. They work out.

They just do normal human things and avoid trouble. So like Zeke's somewhat of an outlier. But Zeke also, if Zeke was an undrafted free agent, he would have been cut two issues ago. But talent exceeds your issues every time. And it should. The NFL is not in the moral high compass business. They're in the winning football games business. And I'll promise you this, Zeke Elliott will help any team win football games.

It's one of the best running backs in the league. And for them, he's very, very important. But I think Jerry has a problem on his hands. Like, Amari, Amari's more of a projection as a player. Can he sustain this? Can he become a consistent player? But as a person, you don't worry about it at all. Same with Dak.

Dak's all on the field. As a person, you don't care at all. DeMarcus Lawrence last year you saw it with the Cowboys. They kind of slow played him. They weren't sure on the character stuff, even though they'd been around him, and then they weren't sure he was just playing for a contract year, and now they feel very comfortable with them, right? And if you think about it, the Cowboys

who kind of have this history of this renegade team because in the 90s, the White House, all that stuff they were doing, the hookers, the cocaine, when you look at their team now, like Dak, high character guy, Amari high character guy, Jason Witten, high character guy, all their offensive linemen, high character guy, Sean Lee, like man of the year, Van Derresh, seems like a high level guy,

Jalen Smith, how do you not root for that guy? Like the majority of their team, beside a couple of the D. Lyman and Zeke feel like pretty good guys. but obviously Jerry has a pretty good feel for when they got a red flag guy. One of their best players over this decade was Des Bryant, big red flag guy. But Zeke, like, Jerry wants to pay you.

That was his pick and it was a little, I wouldn't say controversy at the time. But whenever you take a running back that high, people like, what? Well, Jerry's been proven he was right, right? But it's time for you to kind of get it together because if I'm Jerry Jones, under no circumstances, can I hand Zeke a big contract this offseason?

Not because I'm worried about him, as a player, he dominates. Because I'm worried about he's going to do something so stupid. He's going to spend it for eight games. He can't even go to a concert and not getting to fight with his girlfriend and end up bumping, you know, a security guard. And again, I think that is so stupid. It doesn't mean anything to me if it's 99% of players.

But it's this guy that has his resume of doing stupid stuff. Look at Kareem Hunt. Kareem Hunt just can't avoid trouble. He's just always in something. He's always in the headline. He was in it in Kansas City. He was in it before. he even got to Kansas City, and now he's in it again.

Same with, you know, it's his deal with Tyree Kill. Like, some of these guys, for whatever reason, just find themselves, it was always my issue with Ruben Foster. Even when I defend some of these guys, it's like, bro, you can only have the cops come to your house like three times before I'm out. Like Alden Smith, I was like, even after he hit the tree drinking, it was like the second time he'd been in trouble. I was like, you know, it's football, he should be allowed to play Sunday.

He was. He actually practiced that morning He's probably still hung over He's probably so drunk But again, like I got a little Al Davis in me I'm not affected by that stuff But after you get some involvement with the police Like the fourth time, fifth time,

I'm out on you Like James Winston I said hey I stay by his back Have his back, have his back Have his back By the Uber, by the Uber I'm out Like Zique, I'm teetering

Now Zique is still so damn good I'm not jumping off the bandwagon But he has one more issue If I'm Jerry Jones, I'm just letting him play his contract out and I'm not paying him. But even right now, there's no chance I'm paying in this offseason. He's proven that his judgment's poor. We know that for a fact. Like, that's not even an opinion.

And I think this is, this always kind of makes sports fun in the sense that we always, you know, in football have three or four elite players that can't seem to get it right. Now, it's not fun in the sense when you're talking about domestic violence and stuff like that. I mean, it's terrible. So that's probably not the best adjective to use or describe it, but it's always, you know, makes for these talking points. Because what should you and should you not do with these situations? And I don't know if there's ever a right or wrong answer.

Well, the answer is always right when the guy consistently keeps getting in trouble. You should always get rid of them. But certain guys turn their life around. And is Zik going to be one of those guys that kind of can get on the straight and arrow? Or is it going to be one of those people that, like, in three years, had two more incidents and playing on his third team? I don't know. And I think that's probably the hardest part for where Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys stand right now.

Okay, let's dive into the AFC North and the over-unders. You know, what's crazy about this division is that the majority of my adult life, and anyone probably listening to this under 40, I mean, this division has been dominated by two teams, Steelers and the Ravens. Marvin Lewis had a couple moments here and there. I actually thought his team, the year, the year, Hugh, Jackson, his last year is the offensive coordinator, I thought that team was absolutely stacked. That team was good.

And then Andy Dalton broke his thumb. A.J. McCarron came in, the rest of history. But that team was really good. But for the most part, the Steelers, Ravens dominate this division for a long period of time, right? Big reason, because beside the Marvin Lewis era, the Browns have played zero factor. They have been horrendous. They've been the laughing, you know, them and probably the Raiders have been the laughing stock of probably the NFL over the last 20 years.

But this is easily, by a country mile, the best Browns team, probably by a wide margin of that period of time, right? Or I guess they left for a while in whatever year they came back. Like, what was that, early 2000s? And then you look, the Steelers, probably their, I would say, biggest question mark team over that era. The Ravens have a new quarterback for the first time since when? 07, 08.

It's been a long time since Joe Flacco has not been the starting quarterback heading into a season. And it's not like they just have a random starting quarterback. I mean, they got to run first starting quarterback. So they went from Joe Flacco, who literally just couldn't move, but throw it 100 yards down the field, was very hit or miss. But he was the prototypical pocket quarterback to now the complete opposite of that. And then you have the Bengals, which going through a coaching change first time

in what seems like 20 years. I think Marvin Lewis was there, like 13. 14 years with the guy relatively unknown and probably their worst roster in forever. Let's start with the favorite. The betting favorite right now is the Cleveland Browns at plus 125. I've been saying over and over and I've talked about the Browns this offseason. I think that's nuts. On paper, they are excellent.

They are probably, you could make an argument best roster in football, assuming that Baker Mayfield has like a pro bowl level season. If Baker Mayfield's a pro bowler, if I just, if I know that right now, I'd be like, yeah, they got the best roster in football. But here's the thing. Football, and clearly the NFL, and same with college football, you could argue high school too. I'm less than a mile away from Day LaSalle.

Like, would they win if me or you were the head coach? No. They have an infrastructure there that matters. I mean, their coaching is a big deal. They had the famous coach for whatever, and then one of his, like, protegees that had played there and met an assistant took over. So it'd be like Josh McDaniels taken over.

But he knows the drill. So coaching really matters And that to me is the biggest Browns question mark Because they're offseason They gave up nothing for O'Dell Beckham They gave up an average safety Pick 17 And a third round pick

That's the easiest trade they'll ever make For O'Dell Beckham Jr. One of the most talented non-quarterbacks Any position in the NFL I'm not saying most productive I'm just saying pure talent They also added Olivier Vernon Because they have a ton of cap space

That's a good little sneaky ad Huge year for Baker Mayfield I mean the first time He's going to start a week one as a starting quarterback. Remember last year, Tyrod Taylor. We think, in theory, as a real coach, but the pressure is immense. John Dorsey's an egomaniac. He loves his control. I won't put him baseball level, like micromanaging as a GM.

I don't know if you follow baseball, but Brody Van Wagonin will be at home when the Mets are on the road and will call the people in the clubhouse and tell them to go tell Mickey Callaway to change pitchers. I'm not saying that they're going to do that. Now, the Browns do have a history member, Ray Farmer, a couple years ago got nailed texting the coaches. But I just, I don't know. I'm not going to be the first guy to betting on the Browns.

Now, once they prove they can win the division, I'll bet on them next year. Now, the odds won't be as good. But you won't find John Middelloff jumping on that bandwagon. I've gone third person now twice in this podcast. Might be a record. But I'm not doing that. Now, I do think, here's the thing.

I think they're over under as nine. I probably at worst would push it or go over. I think they'll win nine or ten games. The team that I think wins this division, those are the Steelers. Plus 190, the culture, they got rid of one of the most productive six-year stretches we've ever seen out of any player, Antonio Brown. He's a first bout Hall of Famer, in my opinion. He's incredible. He's awesome.

But he was a major issue for them. He clearly hated the quarterback. He didn't get along with guys. It was a problem. Juju, who won't probably be as good as Antonio. I mean, I feel pretty confident saying he won't be as good as Antonio. But it's pretty damn good. No team in the league drafts receivers better.

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. 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 Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12

in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. 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, 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 hard way.

Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. What's up, guys? This is Clever 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 walks up to me. He goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Quarterback on office blue with 42. A rep, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Where's she at? Hey, man.

Miss Parker. Listen to the Cliverts show on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. The story I've told myself about love or relationships can then shake my behavior, and that can lead me to sabotage the possibility of connection. This Mental Health Awareness Month, tune into the podcast deeply well with Debbie Brown and explore the journey of healing, self-discovery, and returning to yourself. explore higher consciousness, emotional well-being, and the practices that help you find clarity, peace, and self-mastery in a world that can feel overwhelming. The world is becoming lonelier.

We're not becoming more social and connected. We're becoming more individualized, but we actually meet people in connection. If you've been searching for a soft place to land while doing the work to become whole, this podcast is for you to hear more. Listen to deeply well with Debbie Brown from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Then the Steelers, last year they drafted James Washington from Oklahoma State in the second round.

He should take a big jump. Obviously, getting rid of Levion Bell, who actually didn't even play last year, so it really doesn't impact them. James Connor proved to be pretty good. I love their draft pick, getting Bush, the kid from Michigan, because a couple years ago,

I thought they were the best team in football, then Ryan Chazier had that horrific accident. I think they were playing the Bengals that night and thank God he can walk again but their defense wasn't the same so Bush can just be 80% of what Shea Zier was that would be a huge, huge help for that defense their front I mean they've been near the NFL leaders

as a total team in sacks the last couple years they can pressure the quarterback they're just middle linebackers have been a huge hole and Big Ben in that offense will play well so that they would probably be my pick The Ravens, I don't like this team at all. I'm going under, eight and a half. I mean, when you have a quarterback that can't throw, I red flag your team.

You're going to run the wingtie. Now, you added Mark Ingram. I like Mark Ingram. He's a good player. To go with Hollywood Brown, who they drafted in the first round, another good player. Earl Thomas, good player. Now, they lost Wettle, lost DeLyman, lost CJ Mosley. They always lose free agents.

I don't know why. Ozzie, and now, I think it's DeCosta, the new GM. They refused to sign free agents. agents. Like, hey guys, part of drafting, you don't just re-sign like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. You also can resign other solid players. You guys understand the salary cap is no longer 60 million. It's almost 200. Like, you can resign other guys, but they just never resign other guy. I mean, their own guys. They just let them walk, like good players. They resigned their superstars, but they just don't resign like they're solid role players, you know, that aren't even that

expensive. Now, I understand CJ Mosley. I wouldn't give them $75 million either. but God, I mean, they have led so many players over the years walk. Now part of that was Flacco's contract. Also think that's a sneaky out for them. They just check out their history. They love those comp picks. Also, I added Earl Thomas. We'll see coming back from a broken leg.

I know he's made some comments. You know, his defense historically that he's played in is pretty basic. This is easily the most complex defense he's played in. So, you know, we'll see. I just, to me, they're a six-seven win team. And the Bengals, I can't even begin to break down their roster. I just can't, I don't care. They're just not very good.

I think the question's going to be, you know, if they're way out of it in like October, would you trade AJ Green or Gino Atkins? Because they're kind of like an NBA team that's not going to be good, but has a couple really good players. Do you trade those two guys? Because could you get like a couple seconds? And you're like, seconds?

Well, it's just, yeah, people ain't trading first for guys over 30 years old. Especially AJ's had a bunch of injuries. Now, Gino's a stud, but I'd have to check how old he is. But to me, they feel like a prime candidate for, Geno Ackin's a good player, a prime candidate for, you know, just kind of reset. He's 31 years old. So, you know, these guys aren't,

their two best players just aren't spring chickens. And then, I mean, the football gods, their first round pick, the offensive linemen from Alabama, is Jonah Williams, Torres Peck. He's going to miss the season. I think it's like the second time that's happened, bangles in like four years. Talk about luck. God, I wouldn't wish that upon my worst enemy. My biggest rival. That's terrible. So I like the Steelers plus 190. I like them and the Browns,

both over nine, Bengals under six, Ravens under eight and a half. This, depending on how good, if the Browns are good and the Steelers is just what they normally are, it's a solid division. Because even I, I don't love the Ravens. They're just not the funnest team to play. They're always tough on defense and just when you're facing the wing tee for the first time you never know what's going to hit you. And the Bengals, I mean, it wouldn't shock me the Bengals won like two games.

This clip is brought to you by State Farm. At State Farm, they know it's important to ensure the things you love. They also get that everyone has a budget. That's why they have options, like insuring your car and your home, getting you great rates on both. It's a good idea to consider State Farm.

For surprisingly great rates, Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Call or go to statefarm.com for a quote today. If you could talk to me a little bit about the process you went through, and I think it's good to not pat yourself on the back, but to put it out there so other people can kind of hear what it takes. I don't know. I always look at like this.

What do I want? I wanted to be a WWE superstar. All right, what does it take to be a WW superstar? What are the tools I will need to give me every possible opportunity I can get? And so I took the tools of acting classes, improv classes, wrestling school, everything I possibly can to knock on the door of WW. The people of the, everyone on that real world show would wear my t-shirts, would always ask me to do the MIS.

Like, they were so supportive. Like, you don't get at that very often. Yeah. Really don't. Listen to the MyCultura podcast network available on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. This episode is brought to you by Royal Caribbean, an award-winning global cruise line. A vacation is what you make it. So are you ready to make the most of it? A Royal Caribbean

adventure is the perfect opportunity to not just take a vacation, but to take it for all its worth. We know you're eager to get back out there, and with Royal Caribbean, you can make the most of the moment and rise to the vacation. This is not just a cruise. This is the biggest, boldest vacation on land or at sea. This is pushing the limits of what could be done at sea and on land, breaking records and earning honors along the way. With over 270 plus destinations from the Caribbean, Alaska to Europe, and the biggest ships in the world to take you there, each one of our cruises is packed full of onboard features. You won't find anywhere else, like the tallest slide at sea and the tallest water slide in all North America. Plus dining that takes your taste buds on a world

tour, jaw-dropping entertainment, an award-winning service delivered by a crew that comes to us from over 140 countries. So just don't take a vacation. Rise to the vacation. Come seek the Royal Caribbean. Visit royal caribbean.com to learn more. Can I tell you about my friends at Shopify? It's the sound of another sale on Shopify,

the all-in-one commerce platform to start, run, and grow your business. Shopify gives entrepreneurs the resources once reserved for big business, so upstarts, startups, and established businesses alike, can sell everywhere, synchronize online, in-person sales, and effortlessly stay informed. Scaling your business is a journey in endless possibility. I love how Shopify has the tools and resources that make it easy for any businesses to succeed from down the street to around the globe. Like mine, Shopify powers millions of businesses from first scale to full scale.

Reach customers online across social networks and in an ever-growing suite, integrations and apps, including Facebook and, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and even more. Gain insights as you grow with detailed reporting of conversion rates, profit margins, and beyond. More than a store, Shopify grows with you. This possibility powered by Shopify. Go to Shopify.com slash John, that's all lowercase, for a free 14-day trial, and get full access to Shopify's entire suite of features.

Grow your business with Shopify today. Go to Shopify.com slash John. J-O-H-N, Shopify.com slash John. Okay, let's dive into the Middilcoff mailbag before we get on to 4th of July festivities. Okay. How come nobody is talking about the Drew Brees and his diminished arm strength? After the Cowboys game, and maybe it was because the boys provided a blueprint, but I find it unlikely, it seemed his arm strength was nowhere to be found,

and their offense was not the same at all. He couldn't throw deep, he's older, it's a long season, so that could be the reason or an injury kept quiet. Is there something that people in the league are keeping secret or just not talking about because I haven't heard much of a subject, if at all? If I'm a Saints fan, I would be very concerned. What are your thoughts? Yeah, I mean, sometimes old players, maybe just ran out of gas.

You know, I don't know. They were, you know, a bad PI call in the NFC championship game from being the Super Bowl. and I think at the end of the day they probably now, with Nick Foles being in Jacksonville, have the best quarterback, have the best backup quarterback in the NFL. So if you told me Teddy Bridgewater,

you know, Drew got hurt and had to take over, like they're still probably a playoff team. So, you know, I watched, obviously the Cowboys game. I actually bet on the Cowboys. I just thought it was a tough matchup. One thing the underrated part about the Saints last year, and this speaks to Breeze and definitely the coach, they had two legitimate passing threats,

catching threats. Calvin Kamara, the running back, who's remarkable, and Michael Thomas, who's a beast. But they didn't have a second wide receiver. Tadden was kind of a question mark. So that's it. Now, Kamara and Michael Thomas are blue chippers, so it's like you can make up for it a little bit. But it's not like they, this wasn't, you know, the greatest show on turf. It's not like, you know, he just, he couldn't find anyone.

Who's he throwing to? So I don't know. I'm yet to red flag it. He's never had a great arm. He's a guy that hangs out on accuracy. He is not a big arm guy, so it's hard for me. To me, it didn't look that much different. Big Detroit Lions fan here,

and I was wondering why most of the mainstream media never talk about the franchise. Seems like as long as I've been a fan, we don't get enough attention. Well, because, I mean, I'm not trying to be an asshole here, but your franchise is kind of irrelevant on the football landscape. How many playoff games have they've won? I'm 34 years old.

Born in 1984. Did Barry ever win a playoff game? Have the Lions won a playoff game in my lifetime? I mean, I'm being serious. Now, obviously, I can't remember the 80s. Early 90s. Did they win one in the late 90s? So you just, when you always suck, we don't talk about you.

Talk about good teams. And you're not, it'd be one thing if you were in New York or L.A. or something. But, you know, you're not, is Detroit a top 10 market? So it gets to numbers. It's all based, again, not trying to be an A-hole, but all this stuff. Like, I know what people want to talk about. My most listened-to podcast, since I've been doing one for Colin Coward, was when I led with the New York Giants.

That was my most listened-to podcast. I led with the New York Giants talking about Daniel Jones. Now, I've only done a couple drafts, and that's probably the most polarizing thing to happen in a draft, you know, since I've been doing this podcast. But it shows you. Like big markets resonate. There's a reason, Philly, obviously New York,

LA, like the Yankees, the Lakers, the Giants. Detroit's not a big team in any of the sports, besides college football. We talk about you in Michigan football. Why? Because historically it's been good. I think it's more, you just got to win.

You know, I hear that all the time around here with the Raiders fans. Talk about us more. Win. If you win, we will. No one ever talked about the Golden State Warriors. Then they got Steph, Clay, and Draymond, and Kevin Durant came,

and that's all anyone talks about for three years. Winning cures at all. So I think you'd be best off if the Ford family sold the team and got a fresh start. I like the Dallas Cowboys, so there's many strengths about this roster. We got dudes in a lot of positions, but not sure on Dak.

Can you break down his game, strengths, weaknesses, also what you like and don't like about him and what you think about him getting a contract? Well, I've talked a lot about the contract. I would not pay him right now unless he'd give me a team-friendly deal I would make him play out this year. I would probably pay Amari right now

because it's more sensible to get him under contract. I don't want to have to franchise Dak, but if I have to do it, I have to do it. Now, ultimately, if Dak's ball in this year and Warren Flour's place, I'll extend him by like November. His strengths are pretty obvious. He has the size you look for.

He has an above-average arm. He's pretty accurate to me on just the basic stuff. I mean, it's not ideal, but he's more than accurate enough in the short and intermediate. Athleticism speaks for itself. He can make plays on the ground that maybe a handful of quarterbacks in the NFL can. To me, his best attribute is, and I don't know how you quantify this, but there's some clutch gene to him. I've watched him have multiple games where he just looked like crap in the first half.

And he plays better in the second half. Think how, I mean, just human nature to go into the tank when things are going against you. that's kind of what separates players, but it separates people in life. When shit's not going your way, do you tap out or do you keep going? Can you just kind of stay in the right frame of mind? To me, Dak has that. He's always played well in second halves of games when he started poorly. I said his deep-accuracy is probably his biggest question mark,

but when Amari got there, it felt better. And just consistency, like can he be consistently accurate against good defenses? Can he pick you apart? just the growth of any young quarterback. Like can you put the offense in his lap? Where he can go to the line of scrimmage, he can check plays, he can see a coverage and flip it,

he can just take full ownership of the offense. It's clearly smart enough. His teammates rally around him. To me, all of his positives are really off-the-field stuff, and then the on-the-field stuff that you can't really quantify when I say like the clutch gene, because I would say his arm leaves a little to be desired.

He wouldn't have been my favorite player Coming out of Mississippi State Now he's a lot better than I thought he would be But it's just like when he gets in a rhythm Can he just pick you apart? And I'm not, when running is not even available Can he just, can he have a game where he goes 30 or 36? And if you're paying a guy $30 plus million a year

You'd like to have that guy have that in the bag. I'm a DAC fan Because to me, the intangible stuff Matters a lot And I'm not talking the high character stuff Like that's just, yeah, Most quarterbacks are high character. I'm talking about the intangible in a game when you're playing like crap, can you be completely unaffected?

Can you have three quarters that look like you're an undrafted free agent and then the fourth quarter throw three touchdowns? Like to me, that's what separates a lot of players. You know, I've seen it for years with like Steph Curry and Clay. They can look horrendous for a long period of time. They're unaffected by failure. And I do think there's a little of that in Dak. He's unaffected by failure. And most humans, I mean, we all, you all, to me, this is somewhat of a learned attribute.

Now, some of us learn it later in life. But can you overcome when things are shitty? Whatever you're doing. And for Dak, I would say my biggest hang-up is going to be, even when he overcomes that, sometimes his physical limitations. You know, he's not, he doesn't throw the ball like Aaron Rogers. Now, you can say how many weak-arm quarterbacks have won Super Bowls in the last 15 years, not that many, you know, but you can win a lot of games with an Alex

Smith, and I do think that DAC is more physically gifted than Alex. Alex was definitely more accurate. I think DAC has a little more arm strength. I think you can win with Dak. I think you can win with Dak, but I'd like to see it for one more year. It's a roundabout way of kind of getting there. Deep question. It means a hard question to answer. Why is everyone so down on the Giants? They went four and four in the second half of the season and lost eight games by less than seven points. Sequin is a beast. The offensive line is improved,

and the Patriots proved in the playoffs that running the ball can win games. I also think Eli is way better than everyone thinks he just had semblance of an O line in the last five or six years, and he would already be a Hall of Fame lock. Yeah, I would agree if his offensive line

had been better the last five or six years, he would have been, you know, a Hall of Fame lock, but I can't agree that I think, I don't think Eli's good anymore. I do, I agree with you that Seaquin is special. They replaced Odell Beckham with Golden Tate you know, this might not be the biggest loss given that Eli can just feed Golden Tate on slants and outs all day long.

To me, the question, their defense is horrendous. Just go to the two deep, look at their defense. It's awful. Who are they going to stop? Now, even if Eli saw, even if the offense throws up some points, to me, they're a six-win team at best, because their defense is atrocious. Absolutely atrocious.

Huge Derek Carr fan, but it's safe to say that this is the last year in Oakland, and if so, would you have to see from... Okay, let me reread this. Huge Derek Carr fan, but is it safe to say that this is his last year in Oakland, and if so, what would you have to see from him for a car to keep his job?

Now you've just got to slow down a little bit. Can't read too fast. I'm not a Harvard grad. I would say that if they win games, and for the Raiders, seven, eight wins would be pretty good, given their schedule, and if they win eight games,

that mean Derek probably throws 35 plus touchdowns. He's safe. But if they go 4 and 12, like if you're going 4 and 12, it's not just your defense is atrocious. You're probably not playing that well on offense. He will get cut. And I think this speaks for both the two Bay Area guys.

Jimmy Garoppel and Derek Carr can be cut after this season for like a combined $7 million of dead cap. I think Jimmy's 3 and Derek's like 4. So both those two guys have to play well. Like if they are atrocious, if Jimmy gets hurt again, I don't even know. But if Derek just does not play well, then he will get cut. but if Derek plays well, that means they will win some games,

probably not make the playoffs, their schedule is just too hard, and he'll be fine, and you just keep him. You just use your two first round picks next year on other guys. But I do think this is kind of a make or break year for both guys in the bay. Jimmy has to prove that he can say on the field, and Derek just has to prove that him and John are a match made, and John makes 10, Derek's makes 25, $35 million in heaven. Because I know one number that's not changing.

That's John Gruden. He's going to be paid $10 million the following season. and then the following season, and that would be four, and then six more years. Time's on his side. Time's not on Derek. You got Antonio Brown,

you signed Tyroo Williams, you drafted the first round running back. You drafted a first round offensive tackle a year ago, which might be a stretch, but you signed Trent Brown, you still got Gabe Jackson, you still got Rodney Hudson,

like you got players. It's time to prove that that MVP guy, which I believed it, I was as big of a Derek fan as you will find. But the last couple years, I haven't liked what I've seen. Now, I'm not writing them off, but it's, you know, it's time. The time is a now.

And I'm looking forward to watching. I think they are one of the, they're obviously the Hard Knocks team, but just them, Antonio Brown, Tyroo Williams, Gruden, and Carr, and a good offensive line, in theory, again, Tom Cable's involved, so it can be a disaster at any moment. But I'm pretty fired up to see it. I'm fired up that you guys listened. the day after 4th of July or maybe the day after weekend of 4th of July.

Hope you're enjoying it. Appreciate all your support. And throw back a few cold ones. And enjoy the weekend. Enjoy the summer. It's the best time of year. It's just the absolute best, man. And women.

Godspeed, adios, peace. Hey, Singles. Do you feel like a tourist in your own town? Too busy to enjoy all your city has to offer? Events and Adventures organizes up to 30 unique get-togethers around town each and every month. We do all the work. so you have all the fun. On your schedule, visit places you didn't even know were places,

and get to know the fellow singles you didn't know you needed in your life. Fall in love with your hometown all over again by joining events and adventures. Get started by visiting events and adventures.com today. That's events and adventures.com. Warning, this product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical. Keep the ritual with black buffalo tobacco alternative loan cut and pouches. It's everything you love about dipping and nothing you don't.

This green leaves, food-grade ingredients, pharmaceutical-grade nicotine, and nicotine-free versions, called zero. Available in wintergreen, mint, straight, peach, and blood orange. Use promo code dip at checkout for 25% off your first order on black buffalo.com. Underage sale prohibited may not be available in some states. He loves me.

He loves me not. He loves me. He loves me not. He loves me not. So, he returned me. Because he had 30 days to do so. which is plenty of time to discover you don't love someone, or in my case, something.

Because, surprise, I'm a CarMax car, who is now back on the market. 30-day money-back guarantee. It's car buying reimagined. CarMax. 30-day 1,500 mile limit. See CarMax.com for details. 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 single. 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 Slicel Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite, unhumored me with Robert Smygle 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 acapella 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. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hardway with your favorite therapist and host, Kier Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor. It signals to the world that you're not to be played with.

And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to. Listen to learn the hard way on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. What's up, guys? This is Clifford 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, rep, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Where's she at? Hey, Miss Parker.

Listen to the Clipper Show. on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.