The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Middlekauff - 3 & Out - Dabo just getting started; OK to crush Cody Parkey; Deshaun Watson's bad look; Give Dak some credit

Episode Date: January 8, 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 gives his takeaways ...from Clemson's throttling of Bama in the National Championship Game, why Bears kicker Cody Parkey should be getting crushed, Deshaun Watson's bad look, why John Harbaugh shouldn't tie himself to Lamar Jackson with a long-term extension, why Dak Prescott deserves credit, and answers listener questions in Middlekauff's Mailbag. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Starting point is 00:02:07 on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Oh, well, well, on a national championship Monday night, we brought the South out to the bay. Big showing for Levi's. Field was actually in great shape. Clemson, Tigers, Dabo, Sweeney,
Starting point is 00:02:35 two national championship, three years takes down Nick Sabin. What a game. We'll dive into that in one second. Big NFL show coming up. Bears, the Eagles, Deshaun Watson, John Harbaugh, Doc Prescott, Bruce Ariens. We'll talk about it all. Just, I mean, a lot went on in the last 48 hours in the NFL world. Probably toward later in the week, we'll get into these second round matchups
Starting point is 00:03:00 and probably dive more into some of the head coaching thoughts. I know Matt LaFleur got hired as the Green Bay Packers head coach today. I'm not really going to talk about that tonight. Probably talk about that later this week. Probably talk about it more if you follow me on Twitter, have some thoughts. But no big takeaway there right now, at least for this show.
Starting point is 00:03:19 But let's dive into the National Championship. And again, we end with the Middilkoff mailbag. You can slide up in my DMs at John Middlecoff, and I'll answer questions at the end of every show. But I think the big story tonight with, I'm a big believer in college football, in college football. You meet a lot of people that have run businesses.
Starting point is 00:03:40 They often tell you it's not about the building, but the people in the building. And I do think in the NFL, for the most part, it's more about the Jimmy's and the Joe's and the X's nose. Probably a combination of the both. You need them both. Like you need Joe Montana and Jerry Rice and Bill Walsh. You need Tom Brady, Gronk, and Bill Belichick. You need, I was going to say Peyton Manning and Tony Dungeon, but I think Tony Dunnage is a little overrated. But you get my drift.
Starting point is 00:04:07 You need a combination of great on both sides. In college football, that's true too. But the head coaches make the program. Like, I'm 34 years old. The majority of my life, Alabama sucked. They got Nick Saban. They basically became John Wooden's UCLA dynasty. Florida, once Steve Spruyer left, was in shambles.
Starting point is 00:04:28 Again, they were sweet with Steve Spruyer. He left for a while. They had problems. Urban Meyer shows up. They kick ass again. Urban Meyer helped make that program. program. Like you put Urban Meyer wherever you're going to win. With Urban Meyer retiring, tapping out, taking a sabbatical, whatever he considers it, it's pretty clear. Sabin's entrenched
Starting point is 00:04:48 is number one. I know Dabbles beat him twice, but Sabin's resume speaks for itself. To me, Dabo Sweeney now is the king of college football right after Nick Sabin. He's now the Urban Meyer. And he kind of became a legend tonight. He's won two championships in three years. He's beat Sabin twice. This time tonight, I mean, he kicked the living crap out of him. His team offensively, defensively, the athletes he recruits. Clemson, before he became the head coach, they had the nickname of Clemsoning, meaning they would win the big games and then always lose the easy ones.
Starting point is 00:05:23 It's why they would never end up in the big games. Well, ever since Dabble showed up, they're in the playoffs every year, and now they have two natties in three years. And their best players are all coming back. I mean, their quarterback looks like Peyton Manning at 18 years old with long hair. They're running back as a true sophomore, E.T.N is unreal. They got dudes on defense that are junior or sophomores and freshmen that are awesome. The wide receiver's a badass.
Starting point is 00:05:49 I mean, I tweeted this during the game kind of sarcastically, but kind of seriously, that what would Alabama when Saban retires offer Nick Saban? 10 years 100 million, 12 years, 120 million? Excuse me, when Nick Sabo Sweeney, like what is Davosweeney going to be worth through Alabama? Now, does he leave Clemson to go to Alabama? His alma mater, he's from Birmingham, Alabama?
Starting point is 00:06:19 You know, probably not, but you never know. Money talks, shit walks, Jimbo Fisher, got $75 million to go to Texas A&M. What's Dabell Sweeney worth? Now he makes a boatload at Clemson. Like money's not an issue at Clemson. His defensive coordinator, who is a superstar Brett Venables, makes over $2 million. Their defense is, I mean, dominant.
Starting point is 00:06:43 Dabble is a receiver at heart. He recruits these wide receivers from Hopkins to, I mean, you just go down the line to Sammy Watkins to, I mean, it's just incredible the guys they produce. That guy number eight they have that's a true freshman right now. they produce dudes with their eyes closed. But tonight was just a moment when, you know, every once in a while back in the early 90s when that Grant Hill came together, like Coach K kind of became Coach K.
Starting point is 00:07:13 And then over the next 20 years just became a legend. Kind of feels like Dabo is going to do that to college football because it doesn't feel like he's an NFL coach. But it definitely doesn't feel like he's, you know, it's either Clemson or Alabama and he's got a 10, 15 year, he's only 50 years old. so why couldn't he rattle off why couldn't he be back to back
Starting point is 00:07:32 champs next year? He's got the quarterback coming out or coming back, excuse me. Like this is, this thing's just getting started. Now I don't think Alabama's going away. They're still stacked. I think I saw someone on Twitter say
Starting point is 00:07:44 that's the biggest deficit or the biggest loss Nick Sabins had since he was the coach of the Miami Dolphins. Like this was an abnormal Nick Saban performance. He doesn't get beat like this. to me it was so jaw-dropping because we never see this.
Starting point is 00:08:02 But I said the whole time, like, I don't think people quite realize how good Clemson is. They have, I mean, there were probably 80 NFL players in this game, considering freshmen, sophomores, and juniors and seniors. You know, there were probably 30 first-round picks, hundreds of millions of dollars worth of NFL players in this game. But Clemson clearly came into this game with a chip on their shoulder, with an edge as the underdog, came into Levi Stadium and kick bam his ass. Now, I don't think it changes the legacy or anything to Nick Saban. He's one of the greatest football coaches we've ever seen. Own college football forever.
Starting point is 00:08:39 In an off night. They got beat by a team with elite players and an elite coach. Like Nick's lost to Urban Meyer before. Sometimes other elite coaches just beat you. That happens, you know? Belichick lost twice to Tom Coughlin. But when you're Tom Coughlin, you beat Belichick twice. That kind of makes your career.
Starting point is 00:08:58 Like now Dabo, I've told a couple people, I think he's going to go Roy Williams. Remember the way he did when he was at Kansas. North Carolina wanted to hire him. He let Dean Smith retire. Then there was like a three or four year gap when the program got in Chambles. You never want to be the guy to follow a legend. You don't want to necessarily follow Nick Saban. You want to be the guy after the guy that followed him.
Starting point is 00:09:22 Now, if you're Dabo Sweeney, they'd pay you so much money. You'd have to think about it. But as Phil Savage once told me about Jim. Jimbo at Florida State, and now this is definitely ringed true for Davo at Clemson. Why would you ever leave one of these programs in the ACC, especially when they're paying you that much money? You recruit SEC players, but you play an ACC schedule. Like, regardless how much they'll pay you at Alabama, it's much harder to get to the title game. That's part of Sabin's greatness.
Starting point is 00:09:50 He's beating the crap out of LSU every year. Like, that's not easy. Or Auburn, or now Tex-A&M, they're in the conference. Mississippi State's not bad. then you got to play Georgia in the SEC championship game. Like, who does Clemson have to beat? Pitt? Mani Diaz in Miami?
Starting point is 00:10:06 I was going to say Larry Fedora, but he got fired. I didn't even know. Mac Brown at UNC, ACC's where it's at. I mean, I was dabble. I'd ride this bad boy out. You might be able to win three straight natties with Trevor Lawrence. And what a stud that kid is. I hesitate to do this because in football, so much can change.
Starting point is 00:10:24 Hell, I mean, Nick Sabin could retire tomorrow and dabble good. to Alabama, right? So you never know with quarterbacks, thing changed. I thought Josh Rosen was a lot to be the number one overall pick. But man, I, this kid is pretty special. And he's going to be big time for a long time. He looks like a future superstar at the NFL level. I mean, I would imagine a lot of GMs are sitting on their couch tonight salivating
Starting point is 00:10:50 at this kid, you know, one day playing quarterback for their team. That guy's going to make a head coach and a job. GM, a lot of, and an owner, a lot of money one day. Trevor Lawrence is a baller. You saw the difference with him and Tua on a different level. 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.
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Starting point is 00:13:16 From the WMBA standout Kate Martin and rising hockey star Layla Edwards. If a boy can do it, I don't see why a girl can't. Like, I've never understood that. Like, it didn't make sense in my brain. It's hard to be experienced. that no one looks like you, but don't ever feel like you don't belong. Don't let that be the reason you don't do it. An Olympic champs Gabby Thomas and Katie Ladeki.
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Starting point is 00:15:06 Okay, now that we got college basically wrapped up the season, we got to react and slash look forward to what happened over the weekend. And, you know, the craziest game to me of them all was Bears Eagles. I mean, just absolutely riveting TV. And I want to start with the bears. And I want to start with the reaction on social media. And it's very typical. When a guy, whenever we go one way, there's an overreaction the other way. It's just a tried and true formula on social media, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, you name it.
Starting point is 00:15:45 So after Cody Parky missed the kick, and then he, quote, unquote, acts like a professional. He is a professional after the game and takes the heat. Everyone's like, he didn't deserve getting booed coming off the field. Everyone, stop being so mean to Cody Parky. Listen, he's a kicker. He's got one job. And it's to make that football, that pigskin, through those two uprights. He did not get the job done.
Starting point is 00:16:13 Here's the other thing with Cody Parky. Cody Parky is not some undrafted free agent that's getting paid $500,000. There are two kickers. I repeat, two kickers in the, the NFL that signed a contract with more guaranteed cash at signing than this individual. That would be Justin Tucker at Baltimore, who ironically missed a kick on Sunday, too. But, you know, I think we all agree. He's one of the best kickers, hell ever.
Starting point is 00:16:39 And Gukowski with the Patriots, who's had kind of gotten off the beaten battle a little bit this last year, but he's at an elite career, Super Bowl champion. So Cody Parky is paid top three in his position in guaranteed money, which in the NFL, especially at a position like kicker, is all that matters. So when you miss a kick in the first round of the playoffs, after you've had a season where you've missed several kicks, I think going into that game, he's hit the post five times. Excuse me, that was the fifth post he's hit.
Starting point is 00:17:11 So coming in, he had four hit posts. And everyone's like, oh, be nice to Cody, acting like a pro. Are you out of your gourd? To quote Colin? Are you insane? like am I taking crazy pills? He's a kicker. He's paid a premium.
Starting point is 00:17:29 And in this world, in this life, when you are paid a premium at any job, especially a public job, you're paid to produce. And you get crushed. It's why LeBron, Steph, Brady, Carson Wentz, you name it. Any elite player in any sport,
Starting point is 00:17:46 Mike Trout, when you fail on the biggest stage, you get destroyed. It's because of my. They're paid the most. Well, relative to this guy's position, his cap hit this year was $9 million. Made $5.5 million in cash this season to kick. And you know what?
Starting point is 00:18:06 He wasn't a very good kicker. Now, if you want to give shit to Ryan Pace and the Bears management, you can. But at the end of the day, this guy, like, oh, he stood in front of his locker and took it like a man. Yeah, that's the job. That is the requirement. he's a kicker he signed an enormous contract if he can't sit in front of his locker after
Starting point is 00:18:28 losing the game and ruining their season i mean i just call him a clown so yeah i don't tip my hat to what's expected of you like that's part of the gig and at the end of the day he did not get the job done and i know it's come out it came out before i recorded this podcast earlier today that the ball was tipped and i text someone in the league The guy that tipped it is not 6-7. The guy that tipped it was 6-2. Like, he's got to kick the ball higher. He just does.
Starting point is 00:18:59 So, just overall, wasn't good enough. Just that simple. And I get that Twitter's over the top on compassion. We always got to feel, like, I don't feel sorry for him. He's paid a premium to produce and he couldn't get it done. So if you're a Bears fan, he had money on the game, like me, had him in a big parlay. Like, it's, that's a problem. And there's a bigger problem because they're,
Starting point is 00:19:22 guaranteed almost $2.5 million to him next year, they're not going to eat that cash in a kicker. He's going to be the kicker next year. He is going to be the Bears kicker next year. Just the way the cookie crumbles with the financial setup of this team. You're not going to eat that much money. You're just not. So he's got to be better.
Starting point is 00:19:39 He has to be better. And this year, he simply wasn't good enough. And that kick, it has to get over Hester, a guy that's 6'2, and I know he jumped high. But you got to make that kick. There is zero excuse. Now, Matt Nagy's my guy and people are you going to rip Matt Nagy? Listen, Mitch Trubisky just isn't that good.
Starting point is 00:19:57 And he made some big time throws in that game and part of the reason was because Nagy schemed him up. Now, the one thing I would say is Matt, I wouldn't ask him right now because he probably had the worst loss of his career, is that why did you call a timeout when you completed the ball to Alan Robinson down the sideline?
Starting point is 00:20:13 Get up to the line of scrimmage, you know, throw the ball into the ground and then you still have a timeout and you can work the middle of the field. Now, the difference between a 43-yard kick is maybe 30 yards. Now, again, at the end of the day, is Cody Parky some lock to hit it from 30 yards by no means? And I'd say anything under 45 for an NFL kicker, especially one that you're paying a premium, you've got to make the kick. So zero compassion for me for Cody Parky.
Starting point is 00:20:40 He's paid a lot of money to make that kick and he didn't get it done. Now, on the other side, Philadelphia, two things really stand out to me about this team. One, and I said it going into this game, and I like the Bears. and I related to the San Francisco Giants and something Hunter Pence always said and it's so true and you feel it in a team when you watch them in big games
Starting point is 00:21:01 the baseball analytical crew would tell you pressure means nothing pressure doesn't exist every ad bad is the same that ain't true you could feel how tense it was in Soldier Field
Starting point is 00:21:13 how big every play was how tight some of those guys' butts were I mean not literally but you know what I'm saying and there was something in the Eagles that we've been here, done that. And the Bears defense acted like that too, even though they hadn't. The championship blood was real with that team. They were unfazed in a hostile environment, did not even flinch.
Starting point is 00:21:37 It was not pretty, it was not ugly, and they found a way. Game winning touchdown on the road against the best defense in the league with your backup quarterback. Like to me, that's championship blood to a tee. I've been thinking a lot about this the last 24 hours. I think, now obviously it's not, that win is not as good of a Super Bowl, but that win was better than either one of their playoff wins beside the Super Bowl. That win yesterday, to me, was more impressive than the NFC championship game against Minnesota. That game was more impressive than the road win, or excuse me,
Starting point is 00:22:11 the home win against Atlanta in the second round. That's the second best win of Foles' playoff career, which is kind of teetering on becoming historic. And then the other thing is just Doug. Doug Peterson, who some people in the media, were just crushing last year, remember? That as, as, I don't want to call him Travis, but as Jason Kelsey once said,
Starting point is 00:22:34 that clown Michael Lombardi. Now, I enjoy Michael Lombardi. I think he has some unique insight. I listen to some of his stuff. So I'm not some Michael Lombardi hater. But he went all in. And I've done all in before. And when I go all in, I am 100%,
Starting point is 00:22:48 or at least, you know, well over 90 that I'm in right. Because when you're going to crush someone in this business, you can look kind of stupid if you don't quite have all the facts. And I'd been around Doug. I'd seen his work ethic. I knew a lot of people on his coaching staff. I knew how good how he was.
Starting point is 00:23:03 Clearly Carson Wentz was good. He wasn't going to fail. Now, did I think he was going to be this good? No. But I knew like when Michael Lombardi was saying, basically calling him Jim Tom Sula. I thought it was insane. I'd seen Jim Tom Sula.
Starting point is 00:23:17 Hell, Lombardi's kid was on Jim Tom Sula staff. I mean, it was like, I tweeted one time in the middle of the Jim Tom Sula run that the top high schools in the Bay Area wouldn't hire Jim Tom Sula to be their head coach. And I stand by that. 1,000% De La Salle would not hire Jim Tom Sula. Doug Peterson hasn't just proven to be a good head coach. He's proven to be an elite head coach. To go on the road, to call those plays, to have your backup quarterback ready, to have that team ready. There's a physical old school nature to him.
Starting point is 00:23:48 Also, to handle the bow and arrows and just the bullets that come at you from the Philadelphia media, listen, I work in the Bay Area media. It's easier out here. It just is. We got one guy, Tim Kawakami, that really comes hard. Everyone else, a lot of softballs. In Philadelphia, every reporter is throwing grenades trying to take you down. There was a war zone press conference after Carson West.
Starting point is 00:24:18 quote-unquote broke his back. Doug handled it. Doug's been in this league for a long time. And do you know the other thing? Doug's best skill, his best skill, which clearly matters the most in the NFL. It's never mattered more. It's always mattered, but it's never mattered more given the rules.
Starting point is 00:24:36 He's an elite play caller, an elite play caller. And how would you ever know? I mean, he had never really called plays in his life in the league, but it's something that clearly comes natural to him. I knew having seen firsthand when I worked with him in Philadelphia, just how early he'd get to the office. It's not the same thing with Nagy. To me, time was never going to be his problem. You just never know on game day, Evan Flo of a game.
Starting point is 00:25:02 Exceptional, man. I mean, it's just top notch. He, you know, for everyone all of our, on our knees, anointing McVeys and the Shanahan's and, you know, those guys. I don't think Doug Peterson quite gets the love. Maybe it's because he's a little older. maybe it's because of the gray hair. That dude is a big time football coach. Okay, let's get into my guide to Sean Watson.
Starting point is 00:25:26 I'll say this. Everything I've heard of him from scouts, from people that have been through Clemson, people that have worked with the Houston Texans, speak very, very highly of him. I think he's a high-level guy. I think when Dabo called him the Michael Jordan of football, I don't, while it's a little bit hyperbole,
Starting point is 00:25:46 I do think to his core he meant it. Like he thinks this guy's the total package. And again, everything I've always personally heard is that. But I thought his actions on when did they play? I guess Saturday Day was an embarrassment. Steve Smith, former wide receiver of the Ravens and the Carolina Panthers, eviscerated them on NFL network. And I thought it was all completely fair.
Starting point is 00:26:10 When you are getting worked, when you're getting your ass kicked in anything in life, any business, any situation, It's probably a decent time just to keep your mouth shut. Now, when you're on top, I'm a bigger believer of not really rubbing it in people's faces. Now, granted, I work in a public job now where you have to kind of self-promote, so it's a tough medium. So I'm not against self-promotion, just in general. I got no problem when Cam's doing first downs when they're winning. Just like I got no problem with the celebrations, when you get a turnover, the defense takes a picture together.
Starting point is 00:26:44 when you score a touchdown, as long as you're not down big, you celebrate, it's fun. It's football. But when you're getting your ass kicked and you're down 21-0 and you're playing like complete garbage, one of the knocks on Deshawn Watson and the reason that he didn't go number one
Starting point is 00:27:01 after a borderline historic collegiate career was because a lot of people in the league didn't think he threw the ball very well. Now, I think he's dispelled that notion a lot early in his career. Throws the ball. I've thought, obviously last year he made a bunch of, a big plays and played fantastic this season. But the version I saw on Saturday, and some people said he had a cut hand, whatever. The ball was coming out of his hand funny.
Starting point is 00:27:24 He was not throwing the ball very well. He threw the ball like a scrub in that game. And one of his best attributes is running around his elusive ability. But again, when you are getting throttled by the other team and you are at home and you're down 14, 21 nothing, and honestly the game felt like 50 to nothing. and you get kind of a hollow first down and every time you do with your legs you go to do the first down sign
Starting point is 00:27:50 you kind of look like a clown and I know love social media loves to say let the guy have a personality let him be himself which again I'm all for being yourself but there's a time and a place for everything and that was 1,000% a bad look for Deshawn Watson
Starting point is 00:28:07 the time to puff your chest out and try to rub it in the other team's face is not in a one and done situation, the NFL playoffs when you're getting just destroyed, because that's what that was yesterday, or three days ago now, or whatever day that game was. It was a butt-wopin. And listen, not everyone has to act like dorky Andrew Luck. I don't even expect that.
Starting point is 00:28:32 I'm okay with first down signs. I like them. Brett Selleck, when I was in Philadelphia, was king of it. And a lot of guys all around the league do it now. I'm not even against quarterbacks doing it. Philip Rivers kind of sarcastically did it in the Ravens game. But when you're getting crushed, it's just not the time. It's why when you score a touchdown in a game and you're down three, four scores in the second half,
Starting point is 00:28:55 you just don't really get to celebrate. You just don't, you know? There are still some unwritten rules that you can make yourself look like an idiot. You really can. And I thought Deshaun Watson, for the first time ever since I've been watching him, I've watched them closely since college, ever kind of embarrassed himself. And it was a bad look. And it's one of those, you don't have to publicize or anything.
Starting point is 00:29:16 But I think if you're Bill Bow, Brian, you sit down to him and you just, I don't know if that's the time, man. Because even quarterbacks, even young, successful quarterbacks, need some coaching and need to be told sometimes, yeah, that's not right. We all, you know, even the most mature humans can do immature things. And Deshaun Watson is still 24, 25, 23, however old he is, he's still young. So to think that he is just absolved from doing immature stuff, he's a guy. And as guys, as competitive men, we do stupid shit. I mean, that's just a reality. That was stupid.
Starting point is 00:29:53 And I thought it was beyond a terrible look. I'm glad Steve Smith saw it. I think a lot of players saw it. And I know Jalen Ramsey tweeted like, be you, bro. Have a personality. Like, hey, Jalen, no one's telling him not to have a personality. But when you're getting blasted in the mouth by a team in your deviant, vision, which is just kicking your butt in a home playoff game that you've earned, that ain't the
Starting point is 00:30:17 time. That ain't it. 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, very real. actions, 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
Starting point is 00:30:50 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 Slicleaf 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.
Starting point is 00:31:24 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,
Starting point is 00:31:45 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, as we have real conversations about healing,
Starting point is 00:32:01 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. Life throws hurdles big and small. The question is, how do you conquer them? On hurdle with Emily Abadi, we sit down with the most inspiring women in sports and wellness, professional athletes, coaches, and Olympic champions to talk about the challenges that shaped them
Starting point is 00:32:26 and the mindset that keeps them going. From the WNBA standout, Kate Martin, and rising hockey star, Layla Edwards. If a boy can do it, I don't see why a girl can't. Like, I've never understood that. Like, it didn't make sense in my brain. It's hard to be in spaces that no one looks like you, but don't ever feel like you don't feel on. Don't let that be the reason you don't do it. An Olympic champs Gabby Thomas and Katie Ladeki.
Starting point is 00:32:47 The ability to show gold medal to someone and have their face light up and smile, that means the world to me. And that's what motivates me to win more gold medals. At our level, at this scale, like being able to fail in front of the entire world. Like, I can do anything. I can do anything. Because resilience isn't just about winning. It's about showing up, even when it's hard. Listen to Hurtle with Emily Abadi on the Iheart Radio app,
Starting point is 00:33:13 Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports. Jacob Kingston grew up in an isolated polygamous sect. We were God's chosen kingdom on earth. He felt destined for greatness. So when a swaggering Armenian businessman catapults Jacob into an extraordinary world, he doesn't look back. and Lamborghinis, private jets, meeting the president of Turkey.
Starting point is 00:33:42 I'm Michelle McPhee, and this is one of the most shocking criminal conspiracies I've ever come across. When Jacob met Levant this plant to a billion dollar fraud. But with two kings from entirely different worlds, just how long can their empire survive? The largest tax investigation in American history. You need to tell me what you know. Is somebody coming after me? Jacob told Levan, you're ruining my life. Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Okay, let's get into an interesting situation.
Starting point is 00:34:25 The information I have, as of right now, around lunchtime, record some of this before the National Championship game, on Monday, is that John Harbaugh, the latest is that Ian Rapshue, said they're going to work on extension and that John Harbaugh is going to be extended. I think it's kind of clear that the dolphins, the Broncos, they are very interested in John Harbaugh. John Harbaugh now, that he proved that he could win with this other guy, has a bunch of leverage. Like the Ravens, the going rate for John Harbaugh and Steve Bushotti, John Gruden got 10 million bucks.
Starting point is 00:35:01 Pete Carroll signed an extension at $11 million. John Harbaugh, at minimum, is getting $11 million. bucks. So you're talking about four or five years at probably 12 million per. So I mean, you might be talking like four million or four years, $48 million extension, you know, with a year left on his deal here. So you're talking a lot of cash. Now, that's the going rate. I personally think and people that have listened to this, the coaches are underpaid. But when you look at John Harbaugh, when I worked in the league, I didn't have a great feel for this. I was so young, I didn't have any leverage. You know, I had to sign contracts that I can't even
Starting point is 00:35:37 even a man i don't even know how i lived uh making no money i had no leverage i only knew the people in the league that i worked with it was you know if they offered you 50 000 to scout you just took the job you know my my entry level into the job was nothing these coaches and exact some of them gain a lot of leverage uh the longer you're in any business you can create more leverage and now john harbaugh has a ton of leverage but he also should know this and i've learned this since getting in the media now i you know i have a i have a separate podcast from this i do with a good buddy of mine, Guy Haberman, that's going to be the Marv Albert one day of play-by-play.
Starting point is 00:36:12 He's fantastic in his early 30s. Went to high school together. We own the podcast together. So I sell a lot of partnerships. I do a Periscope show through Twitter that I've sold partnerships through. I've just done other business deals through advertising. And I've won some and I've lost some.
Starting point is 00:36:30 And I've realized through that experience, nothing like the John Harbaugh $12 million a year. But I have known, on a small, scale and it's it's all relative to what you make that you're only as strong as the partners you align with whether you do a podcast with someone whether you go into business with someone any contract you sign with someone where in football Ozzie newsom just retired he would basically be signing his contract to do a partnership now I get you make he's going to make money regardless that's at the point like my business personally is at the point where I'm still
Starting point is 00:37:07 I have to hustle to keep getting advertisers in different things that I do. Like it's not just a self-sustaining ship, which again, it's kind of fun. You know, it's a challenge in this profession that I've chosen. Just like John Harbaugh, 15 years ago, was an up-and-coming assistant. It takes time. Well, now he's got to the point where he's got a ton of options. He can tell people no. That's a powerful thing.
Starting point is 00:37:29 Whenever you have in a contract negotiation, the ability to tell people no. But I also think you have the ability to look at who you want to align yourself. with. And with the Ravens, if he signs on, and again, as of right now he hasn't signed on, and even if he signs on, it won't really change my take on this. Why would you sign up long term when you have options and you're going to get paid no matter what to do a deal with Lamar Jackson? What Lamar Jackson is doing is not sustainable. Like I've been saying it all along. If you consistently watch him, he can't make basic passes. Like a basic third and eight a nine-yard out route he can't complete it on a you know a third and long they don't
Starting point is 00:38:13 trust him now is one day can he develop into that i'm not writing against him and just because i didn't like him coming out doesn't mean if he becomes a good player i won't tip my hat to him i'm i'm never uh you know married to an opinion on a player like if i like a guy or if i don't like a guy and then that guy becomes good i go god good for him especially when they're good people Like Lamar Jackson, clearly everyone that I knew that evaluated him and met him coming out, he's a good guy. So I root for guys. I didn't like Teddy Bridgewater. I loved him as a person.
Starting point is 00:38:45 I just didn't like him as a player. I root for his comeback story. I'm rooting for him. Now, did I ever like him as a first round pick? No. But I remember being at a Raider game and watching Teddy Bridgewater this young fan walked by. And no one was paying attention. It was way pregame.
Starting point is 00:39:00 And I'm handing him as gloves and saw the excitement in the kid. Like, Teddy Bridgewater, and again, that's, you're like, well, that's, No shit. Yeah. And it was just cool. Like Teddy, I like Teddy Bridger. I like Lamar Jackson. I just don't think he's very good.
Starting point is 00:39:12 And I know this. As a coach, if I was in John Harbaugh's shoes, I would not tie myself to that guy. He's too nichey. Jim Harbaugh, his brother, did something similar with Kaepernick. And Kaepernick was way better than Lamar Jackson. He had a much stronger arm. He was a more explosive straight line runner. He was just bigger, stronger, more powerful.
Starting point is 00:39:33 He was just better. and that ultimately the next year, Jim Harbaugh, or I guess it might have been his third year, because Kaepernet came in for Alex Smith in the first year. They went to the Super Bowl. The second year, full-time starter goes to the NFC championship. By the third year starting, Jim and Greg Roman and the offensive staff, they tried to run a more normal offense that wasn't just pistol-oriented because you had to be diversified, four or five wide,
Starting point is 00:39:59 and just a modern spread attacking passing game. And he couldn't do it because he wasn't accurate enough. So if I'm John Harbaugh and I'm going to get in bed with someone, whether it's the dolphins, I'm not even saying the dolphins or the Denver, he could probably pick multiple other spots. Hell, he could just not sign a contract extension and just kind of go Joe Flacco. Next year, let it play out. It's why I always say when people, you know, John Elway this weekend I think blocked some assistant coaches from interviewing at other jobs. And social media freaked out.
Starting point is 00:40:29 Like, how could he do that to those guys? Well, here's how. when you're an assistant coach and scouts are the same way and you sign a multi-year deal and anyone in business can relate because most of you guys as I kind of am now you're just at-will employees or you're just at-will of a business deal
Starting point is 00:40:45 can be broken at any moment when you sign a two or three-year contract that's for financial security well one of the things you give up with financial security is power to go wherever you want in your industry so if you're an assistant coach and you sign a two-year deal
Starting point is 00:41:01 and on the second year you know after the first your head coach gets fired, that team still owns your rights, but they also still owe you if they fire you. That's part of the leverage in the contract. If I'm John Harbaugh, I go, I don't know if I want to be the Ravens long-term coach because I wouldn't want to get in bed with Lamar Jackson. I have somewhat of an example with my own brother that it's really hard to coach these type guys on the field, not as people. That was before Kaepernick started kneeling. That's when he was like the highest character guy in the team and everyone liked him. That was before we started wearing his earphones to lunch or whatever.
Starting point is 00:41:36 Like everyone loves Lamar Jackson, and I don't blame them. But as a player, which really matters. Like you want to get in bed with Andrew Luck, not literally, you know what I'm figuratively. You want to go all in on Mahomes. You want to go all in. It's risky. Like the golf, the Mitch Trubisky, the DAC, some of these guys are risky. It's just nature of the sport.
Starting point is 00:41:57 Jimmy Garoppolo, the 49ers went all in with him. He tore his ACL. I mean, there's a lot of variables to all of this. But on the most basic level, can you consistently win playoff games with this quarterback? And if you're going to sign a long-term extension, when you have a ton of options, I don't know, I wouldn't do that if I was him. And again, he has kind of insider knowledge of this because he has family ties to a similar situation. Now, the Ravens, a little more consistent of an organization, but they're also losing Ozzie Newsom.
Starting point is 00:42:24 I would recommend, like, if I'm going to do a partnership, and this people are going to be like, oh, I think John Elway is pretty good. Now, they have ownership issues with the bowling family and suing, and I get there probably question marks there. But if I'm John Harbaugh, and I don't mind moving, and listen, you're talking to someone that doesn't like moving, done it a couple times, have zero aspiration to ever do it again. But coaches are a little different. But John has had a pretty stable NFL career. Coach for the Eagles for 10 years, and he's coached for the Ravens for 10 years. So in 20 years, Harbaugh has had to move like, I've made the drive from Philly to Baltimore.
Starting point is 00:43:00 more. It's like, I don't know, hour, 20 minutes, hour and a half. Hell, it might not even be that long. I think the drive to D.C., no traffic is a couple hours. So he hasn't had to move far in 20 years. It's an unheard of, you know, coaching career. Him and like Andy Reid have moved the least in the last 20 years in the NFL and Belichick. Most people are moving around. Like Kyle Shanahan, you know, he's been in like six different teams in the last 10 years. That's usually the way the profession works. They're also highly paid for it. But my number one recommendation, always is whenever you get into a partnership, and partnerships are really
Starting point is 00:43:36 important, probably more than ever in modern day business, because you need other people more than ever, given how much things cost in our world business, but it's no different in football. Who you sign a deal with as your general manager and your quarterback is really, really important, and it'll dictate
Starting point is 00:43:52 your future success. Okay, let's dive into the Dallas Cowboys and their quarterback deck, Brescott, which I think mainly because it's the Cowboys, but I do think it's fair to say he's one of the more polarizing quarterbacks in the NFL.
Starting point is 00:44:06 Is he good or is he not good? And I'm leaning on the side, the more I've watched him this year, that he's pretty good. And he's definitely someone that I would build around and attempt to make my franchise quarterback. Now, I think we have to be careful at this.
Starting point is 00:44:20 Most people in life, you know, no different in football are not, don't just hit the ground running and dominate from day one at anything we do. And speaking from a guy, perspective, certain people mature physically, mentally at all different rates, even people at the heights of their profession. Dak Prescott started at quarterback for several years in Mississippi
Starting point is 00:44:40 State, took that program that's a podunk middle of nowhere, just does nothing. At one point in time, they were a top five program, remember his senior year. And he became and has become a very solid NFL quarterback. We drafted in the middle of rounds. Not every quarterback is Andrew Luck, or hell, even Carson Wentz that just dominates by year one or two. Some guys take time. And I think the guy Dak Prescott played is a great example. Russell Wilson was not good to like year three or four.
Starting point is 00:45:10 He wasn't even like the top 10 best player on his team the first couple of years. The first time he won the Super Bowl, he was probably worse than Dak. Like not everyone is just ready to, you know, start a business at 22 years old. Some people may not be ready until they're 50. But that guy at 50 may be one of the best business leaders we've ever seen. Like, I remember going to high school with a guy named Casey Newman.
Starting point is 00:45:34 And every morning he was going on a swimming scholarship to Stanford, just an unreal swimmer. But I remember having class with him, he'd have to work out at like 5.30 in the morning. And then he would work out extra at night and he'd do his homework. He was a genius. Obviously, he's going to Stanford. And I always thought in the back of my head. I never admitted at the time. Like, how can I compete against this guy in life?
Starting point is 00:45:55 He's just on a different level. Now, 15 years later, you know, now at 18, I was nowhere close to that. Hell, in my early 20s, I was a pretty immature guy. I would say I grew just massively from a maturation standpoint from just in my business and just in life, like after 25, 26, like my greatest growth as a human has been like 28 through right now and I hopefully continue to grow. Some people, though, you know, crush it. Day one leaving college.
Starting point is 00:46:27 Hell, start businesses in college. Just like some players and quarterbacks and NBA stars are great as rookies. You know, some guys like Steph Curry takes them a little time. You know, not everyone operates at the same speed. But the goal is to get to the same finish line. And ultimately, I think, Dak, I personally kind of compare him to some version of Russell Wilson and Cam Newton. He has a lot of similarities to Russell in the sense that calm, cool, collected very mature.
Starting point is 00:46:57 He also has some physical gifts that I would relate to Cam Newton. When he runs, he can run people over. And he's a smart runner. He doesn't always look to run. Neither does can. Now, you can design runs. I'm just talking about dropbacks when he ends up scrambling. He will run through tackles, which eventually could be a concern.
Starting point is 00:47:15 But he's also, like Cam, very hit or miss passer. Like sometimes he'll make a pass like he did in that playoff game where you're like, that is a dime. and other plays you'll be like, how do you miss that guy? He's wide open. And again, it's just because he's young. He was not a Polish player when he came into the NFL. He hasn't played around that many skill guys besides his running back,
Starting point is 00:47:36 which doesn't factor in as much as a thrower. So when I look at Dak Prescott, I go, God, this guy has a lot of room for growth. If we could just exponentially improve, like slowly, you don't have to overnight improve from point A to point F, you just got to get from point A to point B. You know, complete an extra two balls a game. And then one day, maybe in five years, that number went two to five.
Starting point is 00:48:02 And that's kind of where Russell Wilson has grown. Now, Russell's still somewhat flawed. Now, he's a much better player than Dak, but he's not, quote, unquote, the perfect quarterback. But anyone with a brain knew by like his second year, there is a lot to work with there. Now, it took like, it wasn't until year five or six that Russell became the best player on his team.
Starting point is 00:48:23 It's okay that in year three, Dak is nowhere near the best player on his own team. That's okay. I don't even think you need to pay him after this offseason. You can just pay him after next off season. You can let him slowly work into it. Kaepernick is a good example. It took him some time.
Starting point is 00:48:39 He got to red shirt. And then he came in the middle of his second year. He wouldn't have been ready right off the bat. Some guys are, though. I mean, Derek Carr was lucky. He got to start right away. He wasn't that good as a rookie. was clear you saw as a rookie like there's something to work with jimmy garoppolo like he was a second
Starting point is 00:48:57 round pick but he got to sit for a while and then he came to san francisco kind of ready made like we expect all these quarterbacks just like we do in life like every human is the same mentally and with maturity any people listening to this know when you hire someone you certain people are just more ready now that doesn't mean that the upside of another individual isn't higher sometimes two years into a job, you might go, God, I'm glad I hired that guy. He was terrible at first, but he had a lot of room for growth. That's kind of the way I look at myself
Starting point is 00:49:28 as an employee. I'm not a hit the ground running guy. I got to feel things out. I got to learn on the job, and then I get stronger as we go. I'm never going to be the smartest guy in the room. And I'm not comparing myself to a quarterback, but I can relate. Like, Dak is never going to be the most physically gifted. But he clearly has a lot
Starting point is 00:49:47 of attributes that really parallel success in the NFL. Now, one thing he has to improve is hitting basic throws. But I saw Russell Wilson dramatically improve over a three or four year period. That's really the knock why, and again, this isn't a political statement, why Kaepernet kind of washed out of the league beside being blackballed. Don't get me wrong. I believe he was blackballed.
Starting point is 00:50:08 But he wasn't accurate, and he never got any more accurate. Like Russell Wilson has just slowly gotten more accurate and he's a great deep ball throw. Like, Dak does need to improve on something besides. his legs. But I do think that you don't need to be Bill Walsh to realize there is a lot to work with there. And he's lucky that he's on a team with a lot of talented players. Just like at one point in time
Starting point is 00:50:31 Russell Wilson was lucky that he was on a team with a lot of talented players. Hell, I've said it all along. Cam Newton's never even been the best player on his own team. That's okay. Like if Zeeke's always there and DeMarcus Lawrence and Amari, that's fine. You know, now it gets a little more complicated when you pay him a lot of But I think it's so clear that Dax ceiling is really high, it just takes a little longer.
Starting point is 00:50:54 He wasn't a ready-made project when he got him. There's a reason you drafted him in the fourth round. Not every 22-year-old you hire fresh out of college is going to be a great first-year employee. And some might be better than others. But certain guys are going to have way more upside, you know? And to me, it's pretty clear that the upside on DAC is really high. I believe in the player. and I actually like them to win in L.A. this weekend.
Starting point is 00:51:21 Not necessarily because of him, more Zeke and their defense. But I like the guy. I think he's bringing a lot to a table and it's pretty clear he's good. Is he great? No. Is he worth an enormous contract? At this point in time, probably not. I'd like to wait a year. But I do think at one point in time in the near future, it might be two more years or three more years. He will be worth it. I would bet on Dak Prescott continuing to get better. 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
Starting point is 00:51:55 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
Starting point is 00:52:25 with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced 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, Kear Games. And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month,
Starting point is 00:52:45 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.
Starting point is 00:53:06 Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross. 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.
Starting point is 00:53:22 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, Our Heart Radio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Life throws hurdles big and small. The question is, how do you conquer them?
Starting point is 00:53:42 them. On Hurtle with Emily Abadi, we sit down with the most inspiring women in sports and wellness, professional athletes, coaches, and Olympic champions to talk about the challenges that shaped them and the mindset that keeps them going. From the WNBA standout Kate Martin and rising hockey star, Layla Edwards. If a boy can do it, I don't see why a girl can't. Like, I've never understood that. Like, it didn't make sense in my brain. It's hard to be in spaces that no one looks like you, but don't ever feel like you don't belong. Don't let that be the reason you don't do it. An Olympic champs Gabby Thomas and Katie Ladecki. The ability to show a gold medal to someone and have their face light up and smile, that means the world to me.
Starting point is 00:54:20 And that's what motivates me to win more gold medals. At our level, at this scale, like being able to fail in front of the entire world. Like, I can do anything. I can do anything. Because resilience isn't just about winning. It's about showing up, even when it's hard. Listen to Hurtle with Emily Abadi on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast. Podcasts for wherever you get your podcasts.
Starting point is 00:54:43 Presented by Capital One, founding partner of I Heart Women's Sports. Jacob Kingston grew up in an isolated polygamous sect. We were God's chosen kingdom on earth. He felt destined for greatness. So when a swaggering Armenian businessman catapults Jacob into an extraordinary world, he doesn't look back. Ferraris and Lamborghinis, private jets, meeting the president of Turkey. I'm Michelle McPhee.
Starting point is 00:55:10 This is one of the most shocking criminal conspiracies I've ever come across. When Jacob met Levan this went to a billion dollar fraud. But with two kings from entirely different worlds, just how long can their empire survive? The largest tax investigation in American history. You need to tell me what you know. Is somebody coming after me? Jacob told Levan, you're ruining my life. Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Okay, let's get to the Middilkopf mailbag.
Starting point is 00:55:51 You can slide up in those DMs at John Middlecough, and I answer questions. Questions Ari Kingsbury and USC. That'd be Cliff Kingsbury. Sorry, I clicked on the wrong button. How do you see it playing out for Kingsbury? I can't imagine he'd want to stay with USC for long. I hear he's contemplating, paying the buyout to leave. Yeah, I think we're all hearing that rid of the internet.
Starting point is 00:56:13 And Swan refused to let NFL teams interview. I think we all kind of know the story. Basically, this question is, where do you stand on this issue? I'm torn. Like, listen, you took the job, and I think Kingsbury took the job. He had some idea that NFL teams wanted to talk to him. But what does the wise man tell you, a bird in the hands better than two in the bush?
Starting point is 00:56:36 So I get why he'd take that. the job. But the moment NFL teams want to interview him for their head coach, I don't think Lynn Swan first should block him and that Cliff Kingsbury shouldn't be interested in interviewing. And I saw Colin tweeted about it earlier today. It's Monday. And he was just saying how like Coward was saying he was old school and he believes once you sign a contract, you know, you should be present in that job. And listen, I agree with that sediment. and really that logic in theory. But I am a believer of the, really truly the person that cares the most about you is you.
Starting point is 00:57:18 So you always have to be willing to do things the best in your interest. And sometimes it's not always kind to others. Maybe your employer at the time. Maybe to some of your fellow coworkers. But I also think this one's kind of black and white. He took the USC offensive coordinator job, which in theory is a lot. a great job. Obviously, it's a little overrated right now. But then NFL teams wanted to interview him to be their head coach, to be their head coach. Like, name me another offensive coordinator
Starting point is 00:57:50 in college at Schoolex, Texas, Oklahoma. I'm not saying the head coach, I'm saying the head coach is offensive coordinator. So let's say in theory, Lincoln Riley had an offensive coordinator, Herman had an offensive coordinator, Urban Myers offensive coordinator, like a team wanted to interview Ryan Day. Team wanted to interview Tom Herman Jr. Whoever, you know, the offensive coordinator on those programs. Obviously, Ryan Day is the offensive coordinator now. No program would stop that guy from interviewing. So I think it's a pretty natural kind of process. Now, the timeline is a little funky because he signed with them, what, in earlier mid-December. But then these teams, like, it was kind of clear that every NFL owner wanted a guy, a white guy, 35 to 40, 6 to 6 foot 2,
Starting point is 00:58:41 and relatively skinny, not an overly chubby belly. You know, that's what they were looking for. Cliff Kingsbury fits that to a tee. Skinny, former quarterback, coach's quarterback, really good with the offense and has head coaching experience. Like Matt LaFleur. I recorded a lot of this segment, so I'll get into it probably later this week. LaFleur accepted the head coaching job today to be the Green Bay Packers,
Starting point is 00:59:06 or I guess they've offered him the job. Like, I'd argue Kingsbury's resumes better than that guy. It really is. He's had more on his plate. I've seen him prove more. Now he's never done at the NFL level, but I've only seen LaFleur coach offense for one year, and it didn't go that well.
Starting point is 00:59:21 So I don't have a big problem with Kingsbury, especially if he's being offered NFL jobs. I think that's a pretty natural progression in the industry works in. Now again, the timeline's funky, Lynn Swan's old school, so I get, you sign the contract, you got to honor it.
Starting point is 00:59:39 You know, I'm not a huge believer in that when the second contract is way better. You know, if you break a contract to enter another contract that is the similar, then I think you're kind of an idiot. But if you break an offensive coordinator contract to become a head coach,
Starting point is 00:59:54 an offensive coordinator of college to become a head coach in the NFL, like if he becomes the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, What is that? 10 times better than being the offensive coordinator at USC? You know, and one of the big selling points for Kingsbury is like, he's young, single, and really good looking. And trust me, L.A. was the place. Babes everywhere.
Starting point is 01:00:14 Well, if you're listening to this and you've never been to the Tempe Scottsdale area, I got news for you. It's, you know, it could be argued that can go toe to toe with L.A. Like, it's pretty sweet. And if you're going to be the head football coach and you're going to make four or five, $5, $6 million, I mean, that's a pretty good gig. That's a pretty good gig for a single guy that looks like Cliff Kingsbury. So I think I actually fall on the opposite side, the more I think about it.
Starting point is 01:00:41 I got no problem with Kingsbury leaving SC if he becomes the head coach as of right now, which looks like the Arizona Cardinals. With Elway still wanting to rely on his defense and mostly interviewing defensive coaches, how do you see Denver's building for the future as it's becoming a more offensive league? I think it's hard to answer this question until I see who he hires. Clearly it looks like he wants to hire someone with experience. He just hired Vance Joseph.
Starting point is 01:01:08 It did not go well. He was clearly over his head. I think when he went down the well three years ago, even with John Fox and then with Gerard Kubiak, both those guys had a lot of experiences and they had a lot of success. So when I think Elway, when he looks at Chuck Pagano,
Starting point is 01:01:24 Vic Fangio, I think that's a type guy he's looking for. I actually think Chuck Pagano would not be terrible. The problem is when you hire Chuck Pagano, you know, you're eventually going to, if your offense is good, you're going to lose the offensive coordinator. So I don't know. I like L.A. I can't really have a strong opinion on this until I see who he hires.
Starting point is 01:01:47 Because we've seen time and time again, just because you interview someone, it doesn't necessarily mean you're going to hire him. Like it kind of feels like they're going to hire Chuck Pagano right now or hell Vic Fangio, it kind of feels like they'll end up with, you know, as we see time, like I didn't see Bruce Harriens ended up in Tampa. I definitely didn't see Matt LaFleur ending up in Green Bay. So you just never know with these situations.
Starting point is 01:02:09 You never know who they're interviewing behind the scenes. I'll have thoughts once they finally hire someone. Again, you can always slide up in my DMs, Middilcoff Mailbag, at John Middilcoff. Appreciate you listening. A lot going on. Second round of the playoffs. college football is over Clemson's the champs
Starting point is 01:02:28 two and three years for dabbo what a stud and appreciate everyone listening keep subscribing to this bad boy three and out podcast wherever you listen to your podcast and again I really really appreciate the support the interaction
Starting point is 01:02:42 y'all can always slide up in my DMs Twitter Instagram all my handles are the same at John Middilcoff and have a great week talk to you soon last night a blown call changed a game this morning the internet lost its mind, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened.
Starting point is 01:03:17 That's where SportsSlice 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 Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slices Life 12 in the TikTok podcast. podcast network on TikTok.
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