The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Middlekauff – 3 & Out – Dak's Price; Tolerating AB's Act; Violence Coming Back?; Preseason Coaching Philosophy; Middlekauff Mailbag

Episode Date: August 13, 2019

In this episode, Middlekauff looks at Dak passing on Dallas' $30 million per offer, why Jerry should pull the offer sheet, why Antonio Brown needs to produce at a high level to justify his dumpster fi...re behavior, if violent hits are making a comeback, the opposite philosophies coaches around the league have about playing starters in the preseason, and answers listener questions in Middlekauff's Mailbag. Follow John on twitter @JohnMiddlekauff and go to theherdnow.com to find the latest content. Subscribe now!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.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Starting point is 00:00:00 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,
Starting point is 00:00:16 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.
Starting point is 00:00:39 Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smigel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter.
Starting point is 00:01:03 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'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 iha radio app apple podcast or wherever you get your podcast imagine an olympics where
Starting point is 00:01:42 doping is not only legal but encouraged it's the enhanced games some call it grotesque others say it's unleashing human potential either way the podcast's superhuman documented it all embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year within probably 10 days I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your 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.
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Starting point is 00:03:31 This clip is brought to you by State Farm. At State Farm, they know what it takes to ensure your home and ride with surprisingly great rates. That's why it's a good idea to consider State Farm, because with State Farm, you don't have to give up what you love for great insurance. For surprisingly great rates, like a good vecino, State Farm is there.
Starting point is 00:03:51 My grandmother had posters on her wall of old school matches at the Carlos Colon Arena in San Juan, and we would watch American wrestling and Lucha Wrestling pretty much every day. And she, as did many back then, was fully convinced that wrestling was 100% real.
Starting point is 00:04:12 Listen to the My Cultura Podcast Network, available on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. What is going on, my people? Football is back. Three and Out Pod. That's this with John Middlecop. That's me.
Starting point is 00:04:39 I consume football from basically Thursday night or just start a lot of Friday, multiple games Friday, and then a lot Saturday. And it was glorious. It really was. Did I watch something? Was there a game on Thursday? I don't even know.
Starting point is 00:04:56 Now, when I say glorious, first half of preseason games are watchable. The second half can be a challenging watch for sure. But when you have been deprived of football for, when was the last game I mean if you count the I don't count the AIF so the Super Bowl up until basically last week the Hall of Fame game which I don't count at least Mahomes and the Cowboys
Starting point is 00:05:20 were playing their first team defense I saw Van deresh crushing people Jalen Smith looks like Patrick Willis so you know it's back kind of but you know the NFL there's a lot going on today I am so fired up to do to do this show right now
Starting point is 00:05:37 Dak Prescott asking for $40 million. Then Mortensen says it's not quite $40 million. It's more like $34. A lot of opinions on our boy, Dak here, and the money. Antonio Brown, since I last talked to everyone, he had had the foot issues, he had disappeared. Turns out it was all really over a helmet that the league ruled that he wasn't able to wear.
Starting point is 00:06:05 so he, Instagramed that he's coming back. I guess he's going to wear the new helmet, but have just some thoughts on Antonio Brown. Big hits, something I noticed this weekend. I think hits and the violence, which I know that I love as part of football, is making its way back to the NFL. Thank you, Jesus.
Starting point is 00:06:27 And then just some thoughts on the preseason. I mean, there's different coaches that are really successful, approach it so many different ways. I'm just fascinated by what the right or wrong way is to do it. I don't even know if there is an answer, but I kind of want to dive into just the way that Belichick does it, the way that Andy does it, the way that McVeigh. They all kind of have different styles the way they attack the preseason.
Starting point is 00:06:51 And then, of course, the Milkoff mailbag. Slide up into my DMs on Instagram. I'm active on Instagram. I'm doing a couple videos a day right now. Just any topic, anything that comes up, post a video. But I always check your DMs. or I mean I check my DMs, interact with you there, and then I'll answer your questions here on the podcast.
Starting point is 00:07:10 But I want to open up and start with the Dallas Cowboys. How about them Cowboys? Dak Prescott, Zeke Elliott, Amari Cooper. I talked about it on the last podcast. That was a little unlucky. They have three players, two happen to be a free agent. One they acquired at the end of this year. One they acquired in the middle of the season last year in Amari Cooper.
Starting point is 00:07:33 and then as the season went on, his value grew exponentially. The other one, they're running back, which is holding out in Cabo San Lucas, is under contract for two more seasons. It's not like Zeke was, they had three guys who were going to be a free agent, and then their quarterback, who clearly they are making substantial offers to is offended. And I think there are so many different elements with DAC, so I kind of want to hit them all. On the most basic level, someone posed this question to me today, and it got me thinking, what do players owe the team?
Starting point is 00:08:10 And I started thinking, like, what does anyone owe anyone in business besides what you're contractually obligated to do for someone? I heard a great quote today. I'm reading Shudog reading would be strong. I'm listening. And that's how I consume my books. I'm a millennial. Consume my books, audio book, the Phil Knight book.
Starting point is 00:08:30 And he had a good quote in there that business. is war without bullets. And most of you listening are in some form of fashion, in some different line of business. And I think that resonates with many people. Obviously, people do not die in business, but it ruins people's lives. People get laid off, people get fired,
Starting point is 00:08:49 companies get overtaken, companies get wiped out by the competition. Our capitalistic society is very aggressive. And you can benefit greatly from it, and you can also get destroyed from it. And so when I hear, what do players owe the team? What do the team owe the players? What does anyone owe anything besides, like, your wife, your parents, your kids?
Starting point is 00:09:16 Separate personal relationships, just strictly professional relationships. And the answer is nothing beside what you're contractually obligated to do for that person on whatever agreement you're in. And football, Dak Prescott's in a four-year contract. at whatever the number was being a fourth round pick, and it wasn't much. Now, the going rate for his position is really high, and he's a good player. I've defended Dak, but he's not that good. And then you go to the element, am I paying for what you've done or what I think you can do?
Starting point is 00:09:51 Because when you look at, let's say, Russell Wilson, it's a combination of both. I'm paying him for what he's done, and I'm paying him for what I still think he can do. Same with Andrew Luck, same with Aaron Rogers. Carson Wentz, who I would imagine, and NFL contracts, are all about Cubs. Unlike, I think, in the real world, contracts aren't necessarily public besides CEOs and stuff,
Starting point is 00:10:15 but I'm just saying, like, if you're a sales guy and you're working at a company, you don't, I mean, there's word of mouth and you know what the going rate is, but in football, the union, all the contracts are public for the players and their agents, and the teams.
Starting point is 00:10:32 Dak Prescott has word for word the actual contract, if he wants it, of Carson Wentz. So when he's going, well, Carson Wentz, who is yet to play in a playoff game, I've been to the playoffs three different times in my career, or excuse me, two different times of my career in my three years. Carson's yet to go, and the one, he's been injured twice. I've been more successful just because I played more. He would be right. But the man on the moon knows that Carson Wentz's potential, his ceiling is vast superior.
Starting point is 00:11:08 It's probably not even a conversation. And Dax, part of Dax's big arguments are intangibles, leadership, how cool he is under pressure, stuff that you can't really measure. Because you go, Dak, you struggle hitting just basic routes, you're not a consistent player in just games. Now, you make Clutch plays. I think look back on Russell Wilson several years ago, not this contract, but his first one, it was a complicated deal. Because you went, how good could Russell really be? Well, at the time, I know I was much more bullish on Russell's ceiling than I am DAC. I think DAC can get, you know, incrementally better, but he kind of is what he is.
Starting point is 00:11:53 And what he is is a good player. If you're on a loaded team, you can win games with them. I actually think the right comparison for DAC is probably like Jim Harbaugh-level Alex Smith. Alex got better as years went on. I don't know if Dak could be as good as Alex was his last couple years in Kansas City. But if he's your starting quarterback and your team's loaded,
Starting point is 00:12:15 you're going to be in the playoffs and you'd give you a shot. Now, maybe in the playoffs, Dak would be a little better than Alex. a little more physical as a runner, if you could ever figure out the deep ball. But that's what we're dealing with here. So when I see the numbers, he's asking for 40, that to me means nothing.
Starting point is 00:12:34 But when I just see that he turned down 30, and if I would imagine the guarantees, you know, I don't know, I would struggle guaranteeing him over $85 million. I've said all along, I think a very, very fair deal for Dak Prescott would be four years, $85 million. and guarantee every penny.
Starting point is 00:12:55 Now, I get his agent, wants that number to be in the nine figures, because they want to get their grubby little hands on the points. I understand that. But I go, Dak, a couple things. One, your owner is your general manager. He wants to pay everyone. And this notion of like, get the bag. I saw Trey Wingo today.
Starting point is 00:13:14 Like, why are people counting people's money? Well, I don't know, Trey, this is a salary cap league, and what guys make kind of impact? the team, if you're not talking about people's money in the NFL, go sit at the little kids table and talk about players. Because at the big kids table, money is a huge factor. When you're building, you know, this thing we call a team, because there's a set number. I think the number this year is 188. And unlike basketball where they have this thing called a soft cap in the NFL, it's hard, and you can't go over it. So when you have a team like the Cal
Starting point is 00:13:53 boys with a lot of ascending players that are going to demand a lot of money, it's hard to keep them all. So anyone that's saying, why are we counting people's pennies? One, you're an idiot. And two, you just can't have the conversation without talking about contracts. And the thing that makes this very complicated is he has two teammates that he's very dependent on. One, handing them off to the running back, who is damn good.
Starting point is 00:14:17 Dak needs that guy. And the receiver, we saw what he looked like before Amari showed up. up and it wasn't very good. I promise you one thing. Had Gruden liked Amari and not trade him the Cowboys, I'll promise you we're not talking about Dak Prescott and anywhere in the world of $30 million a year. I also think there is an element to the Cowboys and people have DM me this and tweeted at me. I forget whoever was the old, was it Cam, was the yogurt spokesman. whatever the yogurt company is. If Dak Prescott was the quarterback of the Arizona Cardinals or the Jacksonville Jaguars,
Starting point is 00:15:00 he would not have that spot. Being the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys generates you exponentially more money off the field. And when you're the starting quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys and they are good, who! Cha-ching, cha-ching, unlike those other guys, like Zeke, probably this next contract is his final contract. Amari, receivers can play a little longer, but you just never know. For Dak, let's say he signed a four-year $90 million every penny guaranteed.
Starting point is 00:15:36 If he was just solid, he's getting another big contract. One million percent. So he's going to be able to make the most amount of money off the field. He'll make a lot of money on the field. And he'll have success because his teammates will be around him. Like you taking and just asking for $32, $34, $35 million, you're hurting yourself. And in an area like Dallas, where there's no state income tax, where $22 million is actually like relative to where I live would probably be the equivalent to like $28, $29. So your team's good and you need the teammates and your owner is trustworthy.
Starting point is 00:16:14 You know he's going to pay these other guys. He wants to. So you're basically saying by demanding $35 million, you don't give a shit if you're $1,000. team's good. So I'm not going to feel bad for in a couple years when you're on a 6 and 10 team. Because you're not good enough to carry the... You're not Russell Wilson. Russell Wilson can take an average roster and take them to the playoffs.
Starting point is 00:16:31 Doc Prescott's not doing that. Hell, we saw last year before Amari showed up. They were headed toward the lottery. They would have been a team drafting in the top 10. That's what was so crazy about the Mari trade. It's like, hey guys, you're 3 and 5. You're trading the first round pick for Amari Cooper. Now it ended up saving the season. Maybe they were 3 and 4.
Starting point is 00:16:49 But it was, they were headed towards 6 and 10. year. We all saw it coming. And here's the curveball. Let's say this, because I think this is an element if I was Jerry and Stephen. I go, you know what, Dak? The offer's not on the table anymore. Let's play this season out.
Starting point is 00:17:08 And I would then have to actively make an aggressive offer, get Amari to sign a contract. So I don't have to worry, because I can't franchise them both. Or let's just say, Amari won't sign the contract. I'll franchise Amari. Where is Dak Prescott finding a big deal this offseason? I look through all the teams. Half the league has a quarterback under 25.
Starting point is 00:17:31 They ain't budging off that guy. Then a large majority of the quarterback has established older guys, even like a Rathusberger who makes $30 million. Well, they can't pay Dak. Rogers, Luck, Russell Wilson, Jimmy Garapolos, Derek Carrs. Where is Dak finding 30? Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind.
Starting point is 00:17:55 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.
Starting point is 00:18:11 Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the high. highlight reel. 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 SportsSlice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.
Starting point is 00:18:37 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, 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. Trip 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, Destin,
Starting point is 00:19:17 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 that's two different levels of trust I want you to just really be a good person join me care gains is we have real conversations about healing growth fatherhood pressure and purpose on my new podcast learn the hard way open your free iHeart radio app search learn the hard way and listen now But encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque.
Starting point is 00:19:51 Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, guys?
Starting point is 00:20:14 This is Cliver Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, the Clifford 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.
Starting point is 00:20:36 Hey, rec, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. $1 million a year. So worst case scenario, I have to franchise tag Amari Cooper.
Starting point is 00:20:59 I let Dak, okay, Dak, let's openly negotiate against the market. Part of the reason Kirk Cousin's market was so big, he had three teams in a line offering just stupid money. He had the New York Jets offering more money than Minnesota. Who would even come close to offering Dak this offseason, Jimmy Garapolo money. $70 million a year.
Starting point is 00:21:25 I'd argue, you know what the smart business would be? Yank the offer. Make him play it out if he's being just over the top. I think $30 million is ridiculous for him. To me, $25 makes me hesitate. Where is he finding this money on the open market? I just do not see the team. The Houston Texans, the Arizona Cardinals,
Starting point is 00:21:45 the 49ers, the Seattle Seahawks. I mean, even TAMs, even TAMs, You think Bruce Ariens wants a guy that struggles with a deep ball? Have you followed Bruce Ariens' career? No chance. Even like the Jaguars, they gave Foles $50 million there in bed with him for at least a couple years. I just do not see the Dak Prescott market. So, yeah, DAC doesn't owe the Cowboys anything, and I'd argue the Cowboys don't owe him much either.
Starting point is 00:22:10 They put his ass on the map. They made Dak Prescott. And they're actively trying to pay him, probably overpay him. So, if anything, I think the Cowboys are nuts for even offering him a contract sniffing $30 million a year. Unless that guaranteed money is like $50 million, then I call him geniuses. But I think the whole curveball in this, you've got to try to actively sign Amari. Zeke doesn't really have that much leverage because where's going to go, he's under contract. But, Dak Prescott, I would not be afraid just look at the landscape of the league,
Starting point is 00:22:43 especially with some of these young quarterbacks coming out this year, like Tua, Herbert, and from, and there's always a guy or two that kind of comes out of nowhere, a Daniel Jones type of Mitch Trubisky. Who's paying Dak? I'll tell you, nobody beside the Cowboys. 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,
Starting point is 00:23:22 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. Like, I don't know.
Starting point is 00:23:40 I always look at like this. Like, 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.
Starting point is 00:24:00 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 it that very often. You really don't. Listen to the My Cultura Podcast Network available on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. This clip is brought to you by State.
Starting point is 00:24:21 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. I can post a picture that a girl that is way skinnier than I am, a size two, a size four, the same exact picture. And I look vulgar because I'm thicker. But if a thinner girl does it, it's not that much of a big deal.
Starting point is 00:25:03 And that's what I'm not okay with. Because why? Why? Because I have cellulite because I have thick thighs. I can't do that. I can't feel sexy in my own skin. And those are the things that I want to break because there are so many. women like me and I want to be and represent us, you know.
Starting point is 00:25:19 Obviously, there's always room for improvement. I always want to look better. I want to work out. I want to lose weight. But in reality, this is the body God gave me, and I've never really been skinny. Listen to the My Cultura Podcast Network available on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. This clip is brought to you by State Farm. At State Farm, they know it's important to ensure the things you love.
Starting point is 00:25:43 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. In high school, I never really was like dating around or anything like that. And then I got into a long-term relationship and was dating someone for a few years. And then after getting out of that relationship, I think this past year,
Starting point is 00:26:17 or so or whatever, whatever, has been, like, actually living life as a single person, it's very hard. And I think it's not hard, I should say, but, like, it's very different, knowing nothing but long-term relationships. And then moving into, like, the single lifestyle that's, like, quote, dating around and, like, feeling people out. That's kind of been something interesting to navigate. Listen to the MyCultura podcast network available on the IHeart Radio app.
Starting point is 00:26:48 Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. Okay, let's dive into Antonio Brown. I don't know if you had a chance to see Once Upon a Time in Hollywood with Pitt and Leo. It's really good. And, you know, in the history of Hollywood, just like in the history of musicians, rock stars, there's a percentage of them that are divas that are big pains in the asses, right? Same with TV stars, same with movie stars, musicians, just anyone who is uniquely talented, not every one of those people are normal.
Starting point is 00:27:28 Some of them can be a royal pain in the butt. But if they are really good, and we're talking about the Brad Pitts, the Taylor Swift's, whoever, occasionally you get a massive diva and a massive pain in the butt. But you know what they also are? They are cash cows. and they are not replaceable. And typically in the peak of their powers, whether you're a team,
Starting point is 00:27:52 whether you're that person's manager or agent, whatever it is. Right? Whether it's movies, whether it's sports, whether it's music, you deal with them. Why?
Starting point is 00:28:02 Because they produce. Because they dominate. Because they make everyone around them a lot of money. A lot of money. And listen, Antonio, the Raiders,
Starting point is 00:28:13 I don't think quite knew what they were signing up for, but they had a decent idea. You don't find elite talents like this available for a third round pick randomly. It was the baggage. It was all the craziness. And no one could have predicted that he'd burn his feet off. Now, knock on what, he's going to be okay.
Starting point is 00:28:33 I'm not a doctor. I didn't go to medical school. I don't have any clue about frostbite beside like when people go to Mount Everest or the Donner Party. Or coming over the Oregon Trail. I don't even know how long you're out, what. I've read some doctors on Twitter that think he's going to be okay. So assuming his feet are going to be, you know, whatever. The helmet story is very diva-ish.
Starting point is 00:28:56 It's very Terrell Owens. It's very, I don't even know a musician that was a royal diva. We've all seen the movies of screwing up, hotel rooms, and just being a pain. That's what Antonio is. He is a pain. But you know what he also is? He's one of the best wide receivers we've ever seen. He's had six straight years of over 100 catch.
Starting point is 00:29:14 and a thousand yards. I think he's one year away from tying Jerry Rice's, or maybe that did tie Jerry Rice's record. If he does it again this year with the Raiders, which would probably be a little difficult, he'd hold the record by himself. He's an elite player. He's a dominant player. He is a royal pain. And when you sign up for a guy like this, it puts your organization somewhat in a tough spot.
Starting point is 00:29:36 Because Gruden went out of his way after the preseason game on Saturday, complimenting him, thanking him, basically speaking to him. like you would a little child. 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.
Starting point is 00:29:57 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,
Starting point is 00:30:12 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 SportsSlic on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slicelife-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.
Starting point is 00:30:52 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?
Starting point is 00:31:17 Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Keir Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway.
Starting point is 00:31:33 Open your free, Our Heart Radio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year.
Starting point is 00:31:56 Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, guys? This is Clever Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Cliverts Show, I'm bringing you conversations
Starting point is 00:32:13 about all kinds of stuff. Like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker walks up to me, he goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Time out. Quarterback on office blue of 42.
Starting point is 00:32:32 Hey, rep, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Hey, Miss Pullman. Listen to the Clippers show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And then the team posted it. And then they linked his Twitter account to the post. And you know what? I gave them credit.
Starting point is 00:32:55 I'm like, that's smart. He is sensitive. You need to speak through him through social media. It's where the guy lives on social media. I get it. I would have done the same thing. The moment they acquired him, though, they're all in on Antonio Brown. They're building their offense around him.
Starting point is 00:33:09 they're going to acquiesce to his demands. They're going to let his trainer on a practice field, which is not normal. They're going to let him do whatever he wants. And as long as he produces at the highest level, you'll deal with it. The moment, and he's already started to become a problem, but you give him a guy like a year. If he can dominate, you just deal with his problems. The moment this guy starts becoming like a 70 catch guy
Starting point is 00:33:32 and an 800-yard season guy, it doesn't give you 10 touchdowns a year when that 10 or when that 100, 100, 110, just put it in the bank, lock it in Sharpie pen on the wall, that goes to, you know, 77, 875, and four touchdowns. His act is too well, it's over. Because in this entire league, and none of us knew anything about these helmets, unless you probably work in the league, I had no clue they were implementing these new helmets. Why? Because no one talked about them.
Starting point is 00:34:06 Everyone just, yeah, I'll wear them. Brady talked about it, I think, yesterday. A lot of players don't like them. But you know what they are? They're safe. You do agree to it, the players union and the league. They're not doing it to try to make players look stupid or not be comfortable. It's all about safety.
Starting point is 00:34:25 Something that we heard over and over and over forever. Safety, safety, safety. So the league is given it. And they said, Antonio, you can't wear your skinny little 10-year-old helmet anymore. What did Antonio do? Somehow he found a guy. at either like a body shop or some painter to paint over and he got caught. Because as you read in some of those Silver tweets, that the league says, listen, if you do not follow the rules,
Starting point is 00:34:49 you will be in trouble. So what do the teams do? They put all the pressure on the equipment guy. So what does the equipment guy when he sees this guy wearing the wrong helmet and he freaks out? Tells on him, tells him, you can't do this. And then it creates a freak out. Well, guess what Antonio Brown does a lot? Freaks out over just innocuous crap, over stuff that.
Starting point is 00:35:06 even a player that's uncomfortable would be like, okay, I get it. Like, oh, everyone in the league's doing this? Oh, yeah. Okay, I understand. Like, we all are sensitive to certain things in life, but a lot of us can just kind of understand like, yeah, this is easier. Some of us can't. And Antonio is in the small, small percentage of everything is a problem with them.
Starting point is 00:35:26 It's always something. But for these last six or seven years, he's been so freaking good that it's like, okay, whatever. I mean, the Steelers just came to the, end of the line after he threw the ball in Ben's face and he's bitching and moaning, he wants more money and they just say, and then he freaks out and he says, he wants to trade and they're like, okay, go away. We'll just rid our hands of you.
Starting point is 00:35:50 And more than likely, they got the best six years that Antonio Brown will ever have out of him. In a perfect world, though, they would have liked him for a couple more years because he's so good. Now, they can probably replace him. They look James Washington, some of the guys they had looked like they have a chance. But there's a narcissistic, just something about a diva that is hard to handle. And it's really hard to handle for coaches. You know, it's one thing if you're an agent and the dude's a rock star or a movie star. It's another thing if the dude is playing a team game.
Starting point is 00:36:23 And it's like, bro, you do have a meeting room with other teammates, with guys at your position, with guys on the side of the ball, you answer to a coach, you answer to a position coach. the problem once you get Antonio Brown, like, who does he really answer to? As he's shown, only the league can get him to say yes. He doesn't really listen to Gruden. He's not really listened to anyone else on the team. It just kind of is what it is. And as long as he's healthy, he's going to be a really good player.
Starting point is 00:36:51 Now, that puts a lot of pressure on the quarterback and Derek Carr to play well. Because if Antonio Brown is healthy and he puts on the right helmet, it's a make or break year for Derek. Like this guy is a massive, massive curveball for the Raiders, especially their head coach. Like one of the things with their head coach, he's not just a head coach, he's the offensive coordinator. He's an offensive guy. What do you think he's been doing since he acquired Antonio Brown when he's up at 4 in the morning and he's going to bed at midnight? He's drawn place all the time for 84.
Starting point is 00:37:21 Like they really need this guy. Now, the curveball on this, is he a lot to play week one? Is he going to be healthy? Again, we've never really seen, to my knowledge, before Antonio Brown frostbite in the NFL. Usually, guys wear shoes, guys wear socks, guys just protect their feet. So I'm not sure. I don't know. But if he is healthy, he's going to be good.
Starting point is 00:37:46 Because I've seen the practice that he did have, and you guys have seen it too on hard knocks. The Raiders' defensive backs are not bad. While their defense, their front seven is horrendous. They have the worst defensive line in the NFL on paper, not close. Linebackers, below average. Their DBs are good. And he showed up with frostbitten feet and ran circles around them all. He's a dominant player.
Starting point is 00:38:13 But he's got to somewhat get his head right. Now he's proven that he can play with not his head right. But he has to get his feet right. So now that Helmet Gate is behind him, he's given in, though he's not happy, he'll wear the new helmet or try to find an older helmet that fits under the new regulations. They have to find a way to get his feet right. That's really the only thing matters.
Starting point is 00:38:33 And this diva that you've acquired, like, that's not going to change. It'll be something in week seven. It'll be something week 10. It's always going to be something. But as long as he plays at the level in which we're now accustomed to him playing, you deal with it. Career Builder is made for people who have that thing. You know, those superpowers that make you good at your job,
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Starting point is 00:41:06 Start enjoying the sounds of your new single life. Get started today at events and adventures.com. I noticed something this weekend combined with what A.B. and his helmet gate brought to light, and it kind of made a light go off for me. And if this potentially happens, I will be very happy. in a couple games on Friday and Saturday, I noticed big hits, big legal hits, safeties and linebackers leading with shoulder pads, but elevating, you know, launching themselves
Starting point is 00:41:39 in the air, but hitting below the, you know, below the neck area and doing it cleanly. And no flags were thrown. And then with Antonio Brown and Helmutgate, you realize the big push they're moving into the league are these bigger, safer helmets. And clearly, you know, five or six years ago when CTE was taken off, and the media just felt like wanted football to crumble, which is weird because so many people in the media make so much money because of football.
Starting point is 00:42:10 But, you know, I get it. I mean, I don't necessarily relate to the hate and wanting to see football go away. But I'm not a journalist either. I'm a businessman, so I like the league doing well. It's good for anyone involved in the football business. Though CTE, very bad thing. I'm not a pro CTE guy and I'm not some CTE truth or acting like it doesn't exist. It clearly was an issue.
Starting point is 00:42:36 The league needed to adapt. They have been overaggressive, you know, over the last three or four years. If anything, they went too far the other way. And I do think with these bigger helmets that violence might come back to the sport. And I think at the end of the day, I don't try. Twitter will tell you, peace, love and happiness. We just live in a utopia. Look at the progressive NBA.
Starting point is 00:42:58 You know what people like with their football? Violence. And I have numbers to back me up. To this day, seven years later, or maybe a little less than that, six years later. But in the history of the league, the Seahawks versus the 49ers, was as violent of a football game in 2014,
Starting point is 00:43:14 the NFC championship game. I've ever witnessed. 34 years old, been watching football pretty consistently that I can remember now. You know, for, I don't know, 25 years, that's as good as it gets. Top to bottom, just vicious violence. And these last couple years, they went over the top the other way.
Starting point is 00:43:32 You couldn't touch the soul or a flag got thrown out. Well, now they've kind of neutralized the CTE problem. There are even studies coming out that you can get CTE in other walks of life. I think the media jumped the shark a little bit. The information is not out. Clearly football's violent. Not good for your long-term health. There are some things that the league needs to work on for health care for its former players.
Starting point is 00:43:52 That's a conversation for another place, but I think they had to bring in the big hits back. And I'm not talking big hits where you're headhunting and leaving guys injured on the field, but where guys get lit up across the middle, where the wide receiver fears going over the middle that he may be tackled, where the vernacular ends that he's a defenseless player. It's impossible to be a defenseless player if you're a wide receiver, because you're running over the middle where you know defensive backs are. And if you want to convince me you're a defenseless apartment turn standing there waiting for the punt to come down because you're looking high at the air,
Starting point is 00:44:26 I'll hear you there. But to me, a wide receiver is not defenseless. And I noticed some big time hits this weekend, no flags thrown. And then obviously these bigger helmets, I think violence is coming back. And I know this. Every human and definitely every male likes violence. We're drawn to it. Think of when you're young in like junior high, in high school.
Starting point is 00:44:47 When there's a fight on campus or on school or at a party, everyone runs to watch. It's our natural inclination. I'm someone like, I like my violence kind of regulated. Like, I like boxing. I've always been a little comfortable watching MMA. Now, I admire how tough those guys are. I went to college with Chad Mendez, who was the baddest 140 pounder I've ever seen. He used to beat up dudes on the football team.
Starting point is 00:45:17 He couldn't be stopped. It wasn't shocking that he went to the MMA and was successful. You know, when I was at Cal Poly, Chuck Laudel, who also had gone to Cal Poly, was in his prime in MMA. But I get a little uncomfortable sometimes. I'm watching it. These guys just beat each other to a pulp. I'm not looking for that. I do like a good boxing match where dudes are getting blasted, but I love a good football hit.
Starting point is 00:45:40 I've always been more of an offensive guy, but I appreciate the Ronnie Lotz, the Brian Dawkins. I like that tight player, the Ray Lewis. I want to see guys get blasted, legally. And I think the league realizes that the wussification of football is not a positive big picture. And I'm separating two things here. Protecting the quarterback is a must. The league is only as strong as it's quarterbacks. The league is now loaded with good quarterbacks.
Starting point is 00:46:07 You've got to take care of them. So I am okay with over-regulating sacks and not throwing the flag. I can live with that. I really can. It's going to piss who has. whoever off, you know, a fan of a team on a given play every once a while, we just got to deal with it. Where I can't deal, though, is when a guy's going over the middle and a safety destroys him and he hits him, you know, in the chest or the stomach and the dude throws a flag. Like, what's he supposed to do?
Starting point is 00:46:34 Two-hand touch him? Like, that's where the league became embarrassing, I thought, these last couple years. That's where I thought the league was placating to what they thought Twitter wants. And when you placate to what you think Twitter wants, you get the NBA and you get, historically low ratings for a season. Placate to what the fans want, the consumer want, what we're used to seeing, what helped make the NFL such a big product,
Starting point is 00:46:57 was the ultimate combination of intellectual coaches and quarterbacks playing mind games against defensive coordinators, against this just violent action of these defenders trying to take out the guy with the ball in his hands. But you can outthink them, the scheme do it, the ultimate combination of team games. But there's a toughness element of football, that's blended into the team element and the smart element
Starting point is 00:47:22 that makes it such a special game. It's why to go along with the urgency of the sport, you only play once a week, it's the ultimate combination. Perfect for gambling on, perfect for watching, it's a great television product, the talent's still really high, the coaching level is still really high,
Starting point is 00:47:39 it's got it all. But when you take away one of the elements, which is a huge fundamental part of the sport, the violent tackling, which is legal that has been happening forever, it hurts the sport. And I thought it's really hurt the sport the last couple of years. And I thought they overreacted to things.
Starting point is 00:47:55 But I understand why they overreact. I am, at least my theory, that it kind of feels like it's coming back makes me happy. And I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that the big hits come back. Because I think that's what the people want. That's what the consumer wants. And you're only as strong as a league and as powerful as a league as you are. Last night, a blown call changed.
Starting point is 00:48:16 This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where SportsSlice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athletes themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear.
Starting point is 00:48:38 The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversy, 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 SportsSlice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games.
Starting point is 00:49:11 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
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Starting point is 00:50:01 Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashed. human potential. Either way, the podcast Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having
Starting point is 00:50:27 trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, guys? This is Clivert Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Cliverts show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff, like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker walks up to me, he goes, Hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What?
Starting point is 00:50:55 Quarterback on office blue with 42. Hey, rep, 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. Fans, because the fans essentially pay for everything. The coaches don't mind the big hits
Starting point is 00:51:20 The hell the defensive coaches and defensive players would pay to get them back It would give them a fighting chance in a league that leans the offensive ways So if you're going to give all these advantages to the offense You can't mug them more than five yards down the field, right? Most of the quarterback you can't really touch them anymore Which I think even the defensive guys at this point in time would understand You got to be able to at least mess with the wide receiver at least have it in the back of his mind.
Starting point is 00:51:48 You know what might happen? You might get laid out. And in the history of this great game, a lot of guys have gotten laid out, and they get back up. Because when you're hit cleanly, yeah, you get your wind knocked out of you. You shake it off, you get back up,
Starting point is 00:52:00 and you keep playing. That's the reality. And now with these bigger helmets, one of as many head injuries. That's behind it all, right? So I think we got big hits coming back. I think we're going to have, that would lead to a much more fun NFL.
Starting point is 00:52:16 season. We're clearly down the home stretch of the preseason, the four preseason games. Like it's been openly talked about right with this new CBA. Four preseason games are going to be a thing of the past. More than likely my guess, it's not like I don't know anyone in the league office, but just reading the tea leaves of what the people in the know are saying, it kind of feels like we're headed to two. I know Kyle Shanahan said last week he wouldn't mind seeing zero. Now, they're a little biased. I think the Niners literally right now lead the league in injuries. They have 13.
Starting point is 00:52:51 And many of those are starters. So they can't figure out training camp. I mean, they don't know what to do. Hell, they can't figure out the season. They just lose a lot of players. But I was fascinated on what night would that have been? Saturday night, I had the Chiefs game on NFL Network, and I had the 49ers game on my local television.
Starting point is 00:53:13 And the 49ers, I mean, the guys who didn't play was more than half the team. They didn't play any starters. Somehow they still managed to lose multiple players. I mean, they lost their backup swing tackle. They're a debacle. They didn't play anyone, and they still had major injuries. Like, they lost a guy that's going to be on their 53-man roster for the season more than likely. So they don't even know.
Starting point is 00:53:39 They're kind of at a loss. but I look up to my top TV Yeah, I got two TVs, you know. You can't follow sports for a living and have one TV. Now, I'm lucky that in my condo I can put it in my living room. One day, get a family or whatever, and the hard part is real estate in the Bay Area is so expensive. I'm going to need a man cave, and I'm going to get like,
Starting point is 00:54:00 I already have it kind of mapped out in my mind. It's going to be glorious. But that's a little ways away. So I'm looking up at the top TV, and I see Patrick Mahomes. And I'm like, oh, Mahomes is in. And he's leading him down the field, lead him down the field. And they're on like the 15-yard line.
Starting point is 00:54:17 And all of a sudden, Mahomes takes off. Outside out of the pocket, makes a guy miss, kind of cuts back, and he's running at the goal line. Turns out there are about two defenders at the goal line waiting to just kill him. And I even, like, kind of gasp, like, oh, my God. And Mahomes slides kind of, like, falls hits the ground. They don't hit him. And then he looks over at Andy, and he smart.
Starting point is 00:54:40 I would imagine Cochreed didn't smile back because anyone watching kind of gasp. But then I'm looking at the other TV and the Cowboys, Jason Garrett, besides Zeke, who's in Cabo and Amari who's dinged up, he has a bad heel,
Starting point is 00:54:56 he's playing all of his starters. So Andy's playing all of his starters. I'm watching the Cowboys play all their starters, and I'm watching the Niners play nobody, and I go, what is the right thing to do? You know, if Mahomes is playing, why can't Jimmy play? if all the Cowboys guys are playing,
Starting point is 00:55:13 and then I got the Raiders game on, on another TV, and, well, actually, I had to flip them on for the Chiefs game, and all of a sudden I realized nobody's playing in that game. Because Sean McVeigh, the 49ers, have kind of copied him. He plays nobody. Gruden, for whatever reason, didn't really play anyone either. And I started thinking, like, what is the right or wrong way to do this? How is the right way to approach this?
Starting point is 00:55:39 Because you look at Belichick, he doesn't really play anyone, but he averages two joint practices a year. So he gets all this extra work out of these joint practices. And I think joint practices are a smart thing to do if you're comfortable with them. But if you're not comfortable with people see you on your plays or even seeing your roster, I'm not opposed to doing things like Jason Garrett and Andy and just playing your players in the preseason game and getting them live reps. Now obviously, Belichick can do these joint practices because he's gaining a huge advantage from the other team. I don't think the other team is smart in letting him joint practice with them
Starting point is 00:56:16 because he's stealing shit from you. He's stealing stuff on your players. He's stealing stuff on your schemes. I would not do a joint practice of Bill Belichick. It's like, I would not do a trade with Billy Bean. I don't know if that's a great idea. And I get he's got Vrabel and Patricia and all of his little minions out there.
Starting point is 00:56:32 He's taking advantage of him. He used to do it with Chip. He's killing him. I mean, he really is. I would not do a joint practice. But I understand why he does the joint practice. Because then he doesn't have to do as much in a preseason game. He gets really good work for all of his guys.
Starting point is 00:56:46 He gets in a competitive environment. And it doesn't have to show anything in the preseason game. But like last year for the Rams, I would always said playing no one in the preseason is pretty risky because your guys do need some live reps against other teams just to feel the speed of the game, even if it's just a couple series in the second and third. preseason game, even if you're not going to play him a half.
Starting point is 00:57:08 I would have said that's crazy. You've got to play him a little bit. And then Sean McVeigh didn't play a soul all preseason, and he ended up in the Super Bowl. So I think there are a lot of coaches. You can do a lot of different studies. See how all these different teams are doing it. Like eight teams are doing it eight different ways, and there's not necessarily a right
Starting point is 00:57:24 or wrong way to do it. And I think that's why at the end of the day, these coaches are going to come together, and the preseason is going to be gone. And what I think is going to be fascinating in a couple years, if there are only two preseason games are teams more inclined to let your starting quarterback and your starting offense and your starting defense playing these preseason games? Because really the only reason you're not doing it is just risk injury. That's 100% the only reason. Because there are a lot of positives. Get some live reps. Get a feel for it. Get the preparation of a game day. Because I'm
Starting point is 00:57:55 watching the Niners game and I'm like, holy hell, Van der Rash and Jalen Smith are kicking ass and taking names. Jalen Smith looks fantastic. He looks awesome. I mean, just killing. people. Just destroying folks. And look at Mahomes is flying around and their first team offense. Travis Kelsey first play the game I think catches a sweet pass down the sideline. It's like whoa!
Starting point is 00:58:17 You know that get that live rep, get that feel and then you take off your pads at halftime and you're good to go. But I'm fascinated to know once they do go to two preseason games are we going to see a lot more joint practices? Are we going to see less joint practices? Are we ever going to see anyone playing the preseason? Because if they do go
Starting point is 00:58:33 to two preseason games and teams, and no teams are playing anyone, why do we even have any preseason games? Why don't we just kind of like college? What do they do? Well, for three and a half weeks leading up to week one, they practice against themselves. They do live scrimmages.
Starting point is 00:58:49 They do, you know, they do practice with themselves. It's a little different because their roster is bigger, but I guess not that much bigger. I mean, an NFL roster nowadays is 90 people. So maybe the more I think about it, maybe there's a chance they just get rid of preseason games. all to begin with. Now, I do think the NFL likes to have an inventory, television inventory. They need some games, but the preseason is a disaster right now. It's beside like the series Mahomes plays or a couple plays of Jaylon Smith, it's really hard to watch. And I'm a junkie. I know all the rookies and stuff. I'm watching a little different in the casual fan. And even I get bored in the second half. I get really bored in the second half. So the NFL has a problem. I don't necessarily have an answer. And clearly the coaches don't necessarily either because they're all doing different things.
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Starting point is 01:01:36 Get the Disney Bundle today for only $13.99 a month. Includes Hulu ads and support a plan, access content from each service separately. Terms apply. See the Disney bundle.com for details. Okay, let's get into the Middlecough mailbag. At John Middlecough, my Instagram handle. DM's always wide open, slide in, answer your questions here. Like this one, from Ryan.
Starting point is 01:01:56 Why is there no hype for Jacoby Brissette? He's a Belichick product like Garoppel, although not as good, and hasn't really had a chance to play, and has a way brighter future than Fitzmagic. Why hasn't a team gone after him? He's got a brighter future than Fitzmachic. Well, they have. You know, the Colts traded for when Luck was out. And right now Luck's out again, and he's playing.
Starting point is 01:02:20 So, and I've just seen some highlights from practice. Now, granted, they're just clips from, like, Colts, Twitter account, he looks pretty good. I like Jacobi Berset. I'm pretty sure he's scheduled to be a free agent at the end of this year. You know, Luck still hasn't practiced. They're in a pretty good spot where they can just play out this season. You just never know with Andrew Luck.
Starting point is 01:02:43 Now, when the season ends, he's going to get a job. Whether that's Cincinnati, I don't know, actually. You start thinking about it. Where are the quarterback openings? If Josh Rosen is just solid, he's going to keep a job. who needs a quarterback? Even teams with terrible starters like Eli Manning, they just drafted a guy.
Starting point is 01:03:02 You just go around the league. All these teams have young quarterbacks or an established guy. Even like the Steelers. Like, would they sign Jacoby Verset? Well, they're paying Ben a lot right now. So I don't know. I like Jacoby Brissette.
Starting point is 01:03:17 Obviously, Belichick liked him. He drafted him, I think. What was that, the third or fourth round? I'm a fan. Can you give us a list of players that are still playing that if they retire now, they would be a first ballot Hall of Famer with little to no discussion because it's so clear that they're Hall of Famers. Well, I think it's the quarterbacks.
Starting point is 01:03:37 You know, Peyton Manning just retired, he's a no-brainer. Tom Brady, no-brainer. Drew Bree's no-brainer. Aaron Rogers, no-brainer. I think Russell Wilson is going to continue to work himself to a no-brainer. I think if Andrew Luck can stay healthy, he's a no-brainer. Anyone under 30. I mean, I love Mahomes as much as anybody.
Starting point is 01:03:56 but it's a little early. When you think position players, you'd go, it's a tough one with some of the older guys. I might be forgetting, this is kind of off the top of my head. I think JJ Watt is probably another good year away from being a pretty big no-brainer, in my opinion. Like the Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas, I don't know if they've quite done it long ago.
Starting point is 01:04:19 They were on that trajectory. Larry Fitzgerald, to me, first ballot, no-brainer. Julio Jones, first ballot, no-brainer. I mean, he's nuts, but Antonio Brown's made a hell of an argument. You know, Khalil Mack and Aaron Donald are on that trajectory. They have two or three more seasons like they had. They're no-brainers. Jason Peters, to me, he's pretty damn close to being a no-brainer.
Starting point is 01:04:47 Again, this is off the top of my head, so if I left your favorite player, your favorite team out, I apologize. I'm trying to think of some older guys. guys that are still really good. I'm probably missing some offensive linemen. I mean, I think Luke Keeckley at the end of the day is going to be a first ballot Hall famer. Middlecock, do you think any of this AB stuff is overblown or blown out of proportion? Or at least, it seems like once Pittsburgh Radio Show mentioned him not talking to the Raiders, the story started coming out of nowhere.
Starting point is 01:05:17 Well, I think it's twofold. Is it overblown? No, because he's a superstar, he's a pain in the ass, he does crazy stuff, so it becomes comes a big story. I have heard that one element that he went radio silent is not totally true because a camera crew because of Hard Knocks has been with them every day since the offseason, like since the summer, and they went with them. Again, this is a, this is a source who talked to a source. But it makes sense that the camera crew, when he left to go see a specialist, a camera crew went with him. So if the camera crew is going with him, what does that mean? The Raiders are going to know where the camera crew,
Starting point is 01:05:56 is, they knew where he was. I don't think they didn't quite know when he was, or like, he went radio silent. I do think the element of not knowing when he was going to come back. I mean, he left. It's Monday, August 12th. He left like last Wednesday. He's been gone a long time. This is training camp.
Starting point is 01:06:17 This isn't OTAs. This isn't, you know, phase one of working out in March. This is middle of August. So just leaving for a while. is a little weird, though I do think they had people with him and they knew. The helmet thing was a big issue. He was freaking out about the helmet. He was making it really hard on their equipment manager.
Starting point is 01:06:38 I think he made it hard on Gruden. They didn't know what to do. They kind of felt for him, but he was being such a diva. So yeah, I don't think it's necessarily overblown. I do think it just takes a life of its own. It's what happens when you acquire a superstar. I mean, Antonio Brown is a brand name superstar from, one of the biggest teams of the league, the Steelers, you know, who had one of the craziest off-season
Starting point is 01:07:01 we've ever seen, died his mustache blonde, went on LeBron show, was talking shit about everybody, and it was awesome to follow. Not great, you know, if you're his teammate or thinking about acquiring them because it's such a wildcard in life. If Trent Williams is serious that he won't play to the Redskins medical staff, when does the team take a long, hard look at all the injuries over the past two or three years and start making some serious changes? Also, I doubt Gruden is back next year because it seems highly unlikely that they make the postseason. Do you think Snyder will ever wake up and fire Bruce Allen as well?
Starting point is 01:07:36 It's a loaded question here. Trent Williams is fantastic. When he's healthy on the field, he's clearly one of the best left tackles in the league, one of the best athletes in the league, just an elite player. Clearly, the Redskins have pissed off a lot of people, including Trent Williams, over the years. Do you know what's crazy for the Redskins? Daniel Snyder didn't have a lot of people. inherit the franchise. Someone
Starting point is 01:07:58 didn't hand him billions of dollars. He is a self-made man. Isn't it wild that in America, it probably works this way in any parts of the world, but in America where you can become, and most of our billionaires, most of our richest people in this country start with nothing. So that's
Starting point is 01:08:14 a fact. That's not an opinion. You can Google it. Definitely the majority of billionaires are self-made. It makes sense. There's a drive when you grow up with nothing. And Dana Snyder Snyder comes from nothing. creates this billion-dollar marketing empire.
Starting point is 01:08:29 Yet he is so terrible at running a franchise. And a big portion of it is he hires bad people. I actually don't think Gruden is bad. I think Gruden's solid. Bruce Down, clearly not a good GM. Then the other element is because he's kind of a marketer, he gets involved in acquisitions, and it often bites them in the ass.
Starting point is 01:08:49 Like Josh Norman when he came available. I mean, they've been doing it historically forever. I don't know. I mean, I don't know how you fix. You can't fix an organization until you get rid of the owner. It's really that simple. I saw it forever down the street from where I'm living right now
Starting point is 01:09:05 where the Warriors used to play about 15 minutes away. Oracle Arena. The Warriors were historically terrible for like 30 years. Why? Because they had some of the worst ownership in all of professional sports. In 2011 or 12 or whatever the official date was, Joe Lekhov buys the Warriors. Everything changed.
Starting point is 01:09:25 You notice the Clippers with Steve Balmer, how much more legitimate they are as a franchise? You know, it's a little different in the NFL. We have a short period of time to judge some of these new owners, but I'll tell you this. I believe David Tepper will be better than Richardson. At this current time, like Richardson has lost it. It was time for a change. Jimmy Haslam, Flying Jay, we'll reserve judgment on that one. That one's still up for debate.
Starting point is 01:09:53 but I think it all starts with ownership and there's no chance that Daniel Snyder is selling the Washington Redskins because when you own a team like if I owned a $2 billion business let's just say I owned a business that produced like a construction you know
Starting point is 01:10:15 some business that produced I had an exclusivity on the ability to produce you know provide the shell that Apple makes their computers with. So when Apple makes their computers, they buy the shell of the laptop for me. And that just created a billion dollar business for me. You know what?
Starting point is 01:10:33 Absolutely nobody would know who I was. You know, I'd be able to get a date because I'm super rich. Maybe see me every once a while on like CNBC. But no one would really know besides like Apple, who I am or care what I do. Just like when Daniel Snyder was marketing, I don't know much about him. I mean, I've read about him a lot in the past, but he was a marketing guy. People that live on that side of the country,
Starting point is 01:10:58 you know much better. Obviously, if you're a Redskins fan, you know about his history better than I do. But when you just run a successful company, unless it's a really, really cool company, like Apple or Nike or something, there are a lot of really rich people in this world that no one knows about and no one cares about.
Starting point is 01:11:16 And for their ego, when they get involved with something as famous and as popular as like an NFL team, you get a level of popularity that you didn't have as a normal super rich business guy. So there isn't much incentive beside, like Daniel Snyder, when did he buy the team? I mean, 20 years ago, he'd make a lot of money. But what does all that money do for him? No one talks about him anymore.
Starting point is 01:11:39 He kind of is irrelevant. He's just another guy with, not another guy, because there's not that many of them, a human with a billion and a half or two billion or whatever you get after taxes, in the bank account, and no one gives a shit what he's doing or what he says anymore. Now, I don't even know if he talks that much, but the point is, he's in the vernacular of everyone that lives in the D.C. area. Everyone, you know, if you just went to Dallas or you went to San Francisco or you went to Seattle and you ran into the casual football fan and you said the word Dan Snyder, everyone knows who that is. If, again, he had just ran his normal company, not that many people would know what he does. So I think this is a roundabout way of saying, you're probably screwed.
Starting point is 01:12:18 As long as Dan Snyder owns a team, your team's going to suck. Here was a... This is not even a question, but Jonathan Abram is looking like an epic douche on Hard Knox. I agree. Hard Knox wasn't the best look for him. Let's see if I can... Keakler-Wagner.
Starting point is 01:12:40 What do you think the L-O-B would have been with Luke in that? I think they win one more chip. It's a good question. Bobby's a fantastic player. He's another guy that has a case, if he can keep going. He's right now a four-time first-team All-Pro. if he can end that his career at probably seven, definitely six, he's going to have a chance for first ballot,
Starting point is 01:13:00 probably Hall of Fame, but it might not be a first ballot. I think Lou Keekly is just a better player. I think Lou Keekly's been the best player on the Carolina Panthers since he showed up. He's just no way around it. He's just an elite player. I would take Lou Keekley every day of the week over Bobby Wagner, and that's not a slight on Bobby Wagner,
Starting point is 01:13:19 if anything, it's just a compliment to Keekley. Purely speculation. Call me a Raider Homer. Any chance that the Raiders organization reached out to the Steelers organization about his old helmet? During that transaction, a Steelers Beat reporter got word, did his homework, and took it to the woodshed. It just seems bizarre that nothing was made of this
Starting point is 01:13:39 month old story until HBO got wind. I like that. I like a good conspiracy. I think it's just, I think people are starting to get rumors of it. Yeah, I don't know. That actually makes some sense. That's not a crazy theory.
Starting point is 01:13:55 I'll give you that one. Hey John, what was your favorite position to scout? Probably running back or wide receiver. I mean, I like offense more than defense. I'm a sucker for talented offensive players. You know, I even like a good tackle, like tight ends. Probably any position on offense. Quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, running back.
Starting point is 01:14:18 You know, centers and guards aren't as fun. Though a good center is fun to watch. Like Rodney Hudson. Rodney Hudson's Jason Kelsey. like they are entertained to watch. But I'd say any skill position, including quarterback. But probably at the end of the day, I really like running back, wide receiver.
Starting point is 01:14:33 I think you can factor in tight end now that they are basically receivers. So it would be one of those guys. Yeah, you can judge me. I'm a little softer. You know, I'm not claiming to be Ed Rita Scouts here. Do you think Philip Rivers is trying to single-handedly fix the charges of tennis problems with his kids? As Bill Simmons would say, these are my listeners?
Starting point is 01:14:51 That's a hell of a question. Well, enjoy your week. I'll see you a little later. this week. We'll probably discuss hard knocks on the next one. And whatever else crazy happens in this crazy league throughout this week. And football's almost
Starting point is 01:15:05 back. Regular season isn't too far away. And I will talk to you guys soon. See you! Do you own or rent your home? Sure you do. And I bet it can be hard work. You know, it's easy? Bundling policies with Geico. GICO makes it easy to bundle your homeowners
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Starting point is 01:16:45 This morning, the internet lost its mind, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. 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 Sports Slice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slicalife Life 12.
Starting point is 01:17:15 and 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.
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