The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Middlekauff – 3 & Out – Edelman smart to stay a Pat; Rookie OTA injury bug; Middlekauff Mailbag

Episode Date: May 24, 2019

Subscribe here to the 3 and Out with John Middlekauff Podcast https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/3-and-out-with-john-middlekauff/id1352730623?mt=2. In this episode, Middlekauff explains why Julian Edelman was smart to sign the extension that all but guarantees he'll finish his career as a Patriot, his impressions, his theory behind the recent rookie mini-camp injury bug around the NFL, and answers listener questions in Middlekauff's Mailbag. Follow John on twitter @JohnMiddlekauff and go to www.theherdnow.com to find the latest content. Subscribe now! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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But it is a great weekend. Three-day weekend, probably for many of you. Good time to drink some beers, hang out, enjoy the sun. Wherever you're living, hopefully the sun's coming out. Sun's out where I'm living. But, you know, I thought, I might as well do one. I have a couple topics, a couple takes, a couple thoughts. I went to nine or practice the other day,

and it got me thinking about the way some of these rookies are integrated into the systems. Obviously, the practice I was at, Nick Bosa went down, but Josh Allen's already been hurt. Quinn and Williams is hurt. Josh Jacobs is hurt. You got a lot of these high picks that are getting injured, and I think I have somewhat of a solution slash just an idea that can avoid it.

Julian Edelman resigns with the Patriots. Of course he does. Absolute legend. Get it guy and some thoughts on that. And then like always, Middilkoff mailbag, at John Middlecough is my handle. Instagram, defense, I said defense,

direct messages wide open. Just come slide right in and I'll answer your questions. We're going to do a big middle coffee mailbag, kind of Q&A at the end of this podcast. But I wanted to start with this. And I say this all the time in the NBA because I think the NBA media is always like, you got to sign the max, you got to sign the max.

And today with the NBA, all NBA first and second team have impacts on the max contracts. A guy can go from like $150 million to $180 million to $200 million. It has ramifications where you land. And last year, famously, Chris Paul took every penny. Even though he was a diminishing player, he was a player that needed help, took every penny. And in the NBA, it's a little different in the NFL.

Like Chris Paul, when he signed his $160 million contract last year, was already worth hundreds of millions of dollars. But I say this all the time in the NFL, especially when it comes to good players, that taking a little less when you're a multi-millionaire, I never give you that much credit for doing it. Like, I'm not giving Julian Edelman that much credit. Historically, he's taking a lot of less to stay with the New England Patriots.

To me, he's just a get-it guy. He's self-aware. He understands the big picture. People all the time all over America, and I say this all the time, take less for various reasons. And when I say take less or decide not to take a job that may pay a little, more, I'm not talking in the millions of dollars. The average American salary is $50,000. So let's just say someone that's making $90,000 has the opportunity to take a job that's worth

$130,000. But where they live, maybe their parents live in that town, which acts as a babysitter, maybe they like the schools their kid goes to, and they turn down the job. It happens all the time all over America for tiny, tiny amounts of money. So when players show some big picture awareness to take a little less money because they're in a great situation. Like, I got news for you. In football, in basketball, who you're playing with, who your coach is, who your teammates are, affect your success. And when you're introduced, and I was thinking about this for Julian Edelman, I just checked,

he's never been to a Pro Bowl. He is going to be an absolute lifetime legend, not just in the NFL community, because he's a three-time champion, and he's going to be in position to win another one in these next couple years because he plays for the Patriots, but he's a maid man in Boston. He will be paid the rest of his life to do deals with car dealerships, to speaking engagements, for whatever. He will have his earning potential in the, I was going to say the state, but the city of Boston, the state of Massachusetts, which, you know, is Patriot country, he said, and he got that.

And I see, again, you see it more in the NBA. The NFL's tough, because I do understand, like, when you get, you. your one big deal, you have to take it. But to me, when you have options, like if you may have to take a million or two less, and I'm talking about a guy making $6, 7, 8, 9, 10 million dollars, if you've got to take a little haircut to stay in a good situation, especially with a team that's going to win,

those have big picture ramifications on your life. Like Brent Jones, who would be my example around this area. Now, it's a little different. He was a pro bowler like three times over. He was a really good player in the early 90s for the 49. intersteams. But he was never, like, it's clearly Belichick, Brady, and then probably Gronk, and then there's a group of the Bruskees, the Vraebles, the Edelman's, the McCordies, guys like that, Venetaries. They're all kind of lumped in a group. Well, I live in Northern California. I've lived here

most of my life, and there's Montana, there's rice, there's lot, and there's young. And then there's kind of a group of all these other guys. I think Brent Jones is a great example. But I know this. Brent Jones has gone on to a very lucrative career in business in the Bay Area. Everywhere he goes, he's introduced as three-time Super Bowl champion Brent Jones. End of story. Obviously, if you're a great player, you're introduced as four-time Super Bowl champion Joe Montana. Like, what do they introduce? Like, who's a player in the NFL that has just taken a ton of money?

I'm trying to think of an example. Like, we'd like to welcome awesome players. put up a ton of stats, got drafted really high, made a ton of money. Calvin Johnson, right? That's how you're introduced. When Julian Edelman, for the rest of his life, not he just in Boston, that's where he's going to make his most money, but wherever he is, maybe he's speaking to some company in Phoenix. I'd like to welcome three-time champion Julian Edelman.

That's the end. That's it. End of story. And Julian Edelman is going to be, he's already a millionaire. and through this contract, he's going to make more money. But he's never been to a Pro Bowl. He's, who cares? He's never led the league in catches.

He's never led the league in yards. I know this. He's had a chance, he's had Super Bowl winning catches. He's made multiple Super Bowl winning plays. When I see him, I think of one thing, champion. I'd like you to meet. Please welcome. I'm trying to think of a good example here.

Four-time pro-bowler, he made over $300 million, or $200 million in the NFL. Josh Norman. Like, who wants to hear that guy talk? I would much rather hear you. Super Bowl champion Richard Sherman. Like, when you're a winner in this country, it resonates with you forever. And nothing more than in football. And I get football as a team game, and if you're not a quarterback, you have less control.

But Julian Edelman, like a lot of people all over the country, know, has a really good situation. Could he make more money if he demanded a trade or ever hit free agency? 100%. But Colin said this forever, and it's something that always resonated to me when I started listening to them. There's not like a happy happier. Like you get to a point, like, it doesn't get any better than that.

And I give Edelman a lot of credit for being self-aware, for understanding how great he has it, for understanding how special what he's involved in. I see it firsthand with the Warriors. They're just get it guys. They prioritize one thing, and that's winning. So when Clay Thompson, when he's 50 years old, is speaking at some big deal in the city, they'll introduce them assuming they win this year, and trust me they will. I'd like to welcome, you don't talk about how many All-Star appearances he made,

or how many Team USA teams he made, or how much money he made. You simply say, I'd like to welcome four-time champion Clay Thompson, and the entire room perks up. I got news for you. No one wants to hear Carmelo Anthony talk. I'd like to welcome. He's made $385 million in his career. Carmelo Anthony!

I'd like to welcome. He was franchise tagged twice, and then he got three years of guaranteed money. He made the playoffs one time in his career. Kirk Cousins! Like, no, I'm sorry. I'd rather introduce a Super Bowl champion. I'd rather be a Super Bowl champion.

And if that meant taking a little bit less money so I'd get more money on the back end so I could be remembered a legend, I have nothing but respect for Julian Edelman, and I'm glad that he's staying on the Patriots. Okay, well, I went to 49er practice. When would that have been on Tuesday? Tuesday or Wednesday?

I think it was Tuesday. It was Tuesday. And during that practice, I mean, a pretty big, about 20 minutes in, I had worked my way over because I'm watching practice, because the first thing, whenever you go to one of these OTAs, you watch the quarterbacks. And for the Niners, kind of a big deal, Jimmy Garoppolo coming back.

Who looks fantastic? I mean, he looks really good. But Jimmy looks good in these. The question is not like, Jimmy looks good. It's can Jimmy stay healthy? He's played 10 games, been hurt twice. I've said on record many, many times. I believe in Jimmy.

I mean, I think he's a locked top 10 guy, and I think he has the ability to get near the top five. But he's got to stay on the field, and that's something he struggled at. And then it hit me. after just watching Jimmy throw passes to the equipment guy. I'm like, oh, yeah, the Niners have a number two overall pick. So I worked my way across the field, and I say it all the time. These practices, I mean, for NFL level, it's so easy for these guys.

And you work your way over. You know, I go by the DBs, Richard's just kind of hanging. And Richard's a hard worker. I'm not trying to say he's not doing anything, but he's just kind of, it's a chill environment. And I make my way to the defensive linemen. and the Niners have, you know, Buckner and Armstead are massive. And then I see Dee Ford, who's, you know, a smaller, slenderer, just speed rusher. And I go, oh, there's Nick Bosa.

And I've been on record many times that I would have gone with Quinn and Williams over Nick Bosa, just because I thought his upside was higher. And, again, people in the league have told me over and over, they loved him. I know the Niners clearly love him. I don't think they definitely, because I've told me, don't agree with my take on Quintillian's, but we can agree to disagree. But then about probably 15 minutes into practice of,

it's kind of like an individual drill, so like the warm-ups and everything have already happened, they're just doing get-offs with defensive linemen. And they place like two or three defensive linemen as the offensive lineman to kind of simulate it. They basically tape like one kickstep, and then the guy, the defensive lineman reacts. And after one rep,

one rep or might have been two, I only saw one rep from both. And again, he looked fine. All of a sudden, he kind of grabs at his shorts. I'm like, ah, something's weird here. And then he doesn't do anything the rest of practice. He's limping around. At one point in time, he was probably like five or six feet away from me.

I, and listen, if you've listened to this show long enough, I'm not very compassionate human in general, unless you're like my family member. I felt generally bad for the guy because he had that look on his face like, Jesus Christ. Like, how in God? Green Earth is just happening to me right now. I got hurt in high school. I got hurt last year, and now I'm hurt.

Literally 15 minutes into my first NFL practice with the team. I know they had rookie minicamp before, but the entire team's here, and I'm hurt, and you can just see it on his face, like, oh, like, how is this happening to me? And you felt for him. But I also kind of look around and I go, John, Kyle, you know, you signed up for this. This is the risk it takes. But then, in fairness to Bosa, Quinn and Williams is hurt. Josh Allen is hurt.

Josh Jacobs with the Raiders is hurt. And I can't remember where I heard this. I was going to say I heard or read it somewhere. Probably didn't read anywhere because I listened to more things than I read. Not proud of that. I should read more. And I'm very pro-reading. I just don't read enough.

Someone said it and an NFL podcast or somewhere. Sean McVeigh, and I think there's a couple other teams, I don't think the Patriots do much. don't really have a rookie minicamp. Like they don't go on the field for rookie minicamp. Because especially the first rounders, but I think it's true for a lot of the high round draft picks, basically once the combine ends and you're kind of your pro day ends,

and if you had a good combine, you don't do anything at your pro day, you're not doing anything up until the draft. So you go about two months of just traveling around, not really working out, eating a lot, not in great football shape. While everyone on the team, you know, veteran play, second, third, fourth year players, just everyone on the team is just doing normal workouts. They're either working out on their own, like the divas, Lefion and Antonio in that group, or like majority of guys, they're at the facility training.

And they are, you know, just getting ready for OTAs with phase one and phase two, with the strength coach. So their body, they're slowly acclimating the football stuff. Well, the rookies are kind of like, all of a sudden, Nick Bosa is just lined up right next to D.4. and DeForest Bukter, and they're asked to go full go. It's not really a fair fight if you think about it. You got one guy that's out of shape. No wonder a lot of these rookies get hurt. Now, again, I'm not trying to defend Nick Bosa getting hurt.

He gets hurt way too much from my liking. But my point is, like, what other business, you know, if you just hire a guy out of college, even if you're a high level like Wall Street or Google and you're paying the guy a ton of money in normal life, that'd be like 500K to like a 23-year-old, You don't ask him to be, you know, go to the biggest meeting of the year his second day in the office. Now, I'm not saying OTAs are necessarily the biggest meeting of the year, but it is football speed that this guy's trying to replicate, especially if you have a player in a position where another player at his position on that same team is a really good player. He's looking at D. Ford.

He's looking at DeForest Buckner. He's trying to match those guys speed in their play tempo. And boom, his hamstring pulls. and boom, Josh Allen's hurt. Boom, Quinn and Williams hurt. I think, would it be nuts to maybe your first OTA or first couple OTAs and not have your rookies do anything? I know it sounds kind of crazy, besides maybe like quarterbacks and kickers and punters.

Maybe just have those guys working on the side with the strength staff, and you could eliminate all the potential injuries. This is something that I just kind of thought about, especially when I heard that McVeigh did it, and obviously I wouldn't even have a rookie minicamp, maybe have like a tryout camp with the tryout guys but the risk of getting these guys hurt for meaningless practices

especially when a lot of these guys just aren't really in shape and because they're you know some elite athletes in our country and they're 20, 21, 22 they look good you know when I walk by Nick Bose I went damn this guy looks pretty good like when I walked by Debo Samuel who looks pretty sweet by the way

oh damn this guy looks sweet they all do. Josh Allen, all the rookies, you know, this is the NFL. A lot of the guys, besides like Kyler Murray, who's a midget, are going to look awesome. You walk by Nikiel Harry, you go, geez, Louise, a guy looks like a badass. But I think a lot of these guys aren't ready

physically to just hit the ground running, especially because, you know, like, I think Richard Sherman's a good example, but he's the high, high end. Richard doesn't have anything to prove. He knows what he has to do to get ready. but I think a lot of veteran players, guys that have established themselves as like starters, they're not trying to, you know, prove to the entire organization how great they are day one.

But I think we all can relate. Anytime you've been a young person in a situation when you first get hired and you're working around new people, it's just human nature, especially in a speaking for males where you just try to prove yourself way too fast. And I'm actually, the more I thought about it, it's kind of crazy there haven't been more young, young guys getting hurt. When you factor in again that they were flying around the country not doing that much

and then just seeing the tempo at practice even though the practice are relatively easy you still hold yourself next to the other guy at your position that has just been training with the team and it's risky and it's avoidable you know it's like in every other business

you kind of slowly work employees into it. Now I would imagine that Kyle Shanahan or whoever would say we're slowly working into it inside the meetings. We're not throwing the whole playbook. That's fine. But we all know, and anyone that's been to a football practice at any level, once you get on that field, and I felt the intensity with the coaches,

they just coach like it's a normal practice. Because you're just a coach. You put on your whistle, you put on your hat, and you're just coaching full speed. And players, they're kind of the same. Unless you're a super veteran guy that's a super maid man, that's why Richard's not a great example. any young player still trying to prove themselves.

Like, I'm out of practice. And this guy has a lot to prove. But Solomon Thomas... 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.

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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 head. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions,

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I know the coaches do and I and the players do too you almost have to hold them back from themselves and I think some of these teams, especially when you have an injury prone, you know, high pick, you probably got to be careful. Let's, you know, crawl, then walk, then run instead of just day one, try to go full sprint. Again, I'm not saying literally go full sprint.

Well, actually, the offensive and defensive lineman about halfway through practice just went to the other field and just did gassers, you know, just to get in shape. By then, Bose had already been hurt. He just watched. So it's like, God, Now my guy's not being in good shape relative to these guys

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The basketball game was getting tight, so I just had to press pause, watch the end of the basketball game for about the last 30 minutes. Before we got to the Middilkoff mail bag, there was some great. I mean, Aaron Rogers could not chug a beer. Bakhtiari slammed two. He's sitting next to Christian Yelich, the MVP for the Brewers. He then slammed one. Then there's a video going for. viral of Matt Stafford, who looks like he's at dinner with some friends, and they have the bucks game on in the past. He's making fun of Rogers and slams beer. He slams a big beer.

I've never been a great beer slammer, so I can't totally talk shit about Rogers, not being able to slam the beer. Though, I can always slam a beer just takes me a little longer. Like, I would say Bakhtiari is on the elite end of beer slamming. Stafford was pretty impressive, too. But you have to finish the beer once you start it if you're Rogers and Rogers I mean got through half now if it's like an IPA something really thick I get it but I would imagine it's like it's I mean they're in Milwaukee it's probably Miller Light you got to finish that bad boy uh not the greatest night for for Rogers but uh you know it's really watching the NBA LeBron Dwayne Wade and Chris Paul those guys love showing you how much wine they drink.

Do you think that resonates with the masses? You know, last time I checked, majority of, at least men I know, aren't drinking wine. I know this. Everyone can relate to slamming beers. You know, as my metabolism was slowed, I'd have to go, I'd had to like turn to vodka soda a little bit more than beer. But, you know, if you're having a good time, you've got a game.

You know, you can drink some beers. Back Theari has put on a performance so far of these playoffs. He said back-to-back home games where he slammed a couple beers. It was a week ago, maybe a little longer than that, where the 49ers offensive lineman, they waterboarded McGlinchie with his jersey over his mouth, and they poured two beers, and he drank it. I'm actually working, hopefully I get McGlinchy on this podcast.

I'm trying to, I think he'd be a pretty good interview. But let's get to the Midloughoff mailback. Something we do on this show and answer questions. At John Middlough is my Instagram handle. Slide in and I answer questions. Hey man, listen to your podcast when I'm in class And it's gotten me through some very very boring classes I'm jealous I wish I would have podcasts when I went to school

Because especially with the AirPods You put one in your ear Especially if you sit in the back teacher would never know I'd just be listening to my favorite podcast Here's my question If Jimmy Garoppolo stays healthy That might be the biggest if in the NFL How far do you think the Niners

Get and how good do you think Jimmy will be If you tell me that Jimmy Garoppolo plays 16 games, I'll say the Niners win nine or ten games and compete for a wild card. I think it's that simple. I think he's that good. And I think most people in the NFL will tell you when he's playing. He's a really, really good player. Especially now he's had basically a year and a half.

You know, he's had parts of two seasons ago. Then he had all of last season. And then he was hurt so he got to mentally learn. And then this entire offseason to really learn Kyle Shanahan's offense. and to me the biggest thing with Jimmy is he's got to take big steps I have an article well I guess if you're listening to this is Friday

I wrote in the athletic to me the biggest area for growth for Jimmy is mentally being smart think about this he's been injured twice both outside the pocket and his game is a little bit like Rogers and Russell Wilson

he scrambles and moves behind the line of scrimmage to ultimately throw he's not necessarily like a A Kaepernick type Marriota I don't even know if Marriota runs I'm trying to think of a runner You know Lamar Jackson

A guy that looks to run He's really kind of like If he ever becomes a superstar Like I think he has the talent to be I think his game would be a little Rogers like Again I'm not I mean Roger's a Hall of Famer And I'm not saying that he'll ever be that good

But my point is their playing styles Are somewhat similar It's why Rogers have been banged up a lot He moves a lot behind the pocket. He kind of freelances. So does Jimmy. And that's what makes him great. Well, last year, against the Chiefs, when he tore his ACL, how did he tear his ACL?

He wasn't inside the pocket. Because a lot of major injuries inside the pocket are kind of fluky and random. The injuries outside the pocket, if you think about it, that's where Jimmy's were. The Kansas City won. And I think it was against Miami when he was in New England. Well, if you're outside the pocket, there's not an offensive lineman in front of you. and a defender, especially if it's a middle linebacker or safety, or even a defensive like an end, they're running full speed,

you know, like three, four, eight yards of getting just a full head of steam. When a defensive lineman hits you inside the pocket, even if it's like Kaleel Mack or Aaron Donald, they've had to go through an offensive lineman that impedes their path a little bit. But if I'm on outside the pocket and the middle linebacker, you know, Bobby Wagner or, you know, Earl Thomas or whoever is chasing me, He's just chasing me. He's just in a full sprint.

So I think Jimmy's really got to get more careful outside the pocket. That to me is the key. What do you think about Iowa offensive linemen and Iowa tied-ins? You can make an argument that Iowa is tied-in university right now. I would agree. You got Kittle. Then you got the two first round picks this year. Obviously, Hawkinson went in the top 10.

Noah Phant went 20. I mean, think about that. You got George Kittle, who once, you know, it probably goes, gronk Kelsey he's right up there you know you could say ertz he's different than kelsey and urts because kiddle is a badass blocker now urts and kelsey are probably more consistent catching especially intermediate and short but kiddle i mean kiddell's got a chance to be a really really good player so i i see that and besides riley reef uh from the vikings isn't riley reef i guess is he on the viking's now i thought was on the packers but i might have to google that one

They don't have many buss of linemen, gallery. And they have two potential first-round draft picks coming up next year. They're sometimes considered a fake team in college football. I don't think that. I think when you've heard before like Colin Coward ripping them. And I don't even think he was ripping him. I think his point was pretty valid. They just don't have the team speed.

Let's say they win that conference, which it's going to be hard for them, or it was with Urban and even with Hardball. They're not going to have the speed once you match up with an LSU, with a Georgia, with an Oklahoma. Remember when Stanford played him and McCaffrey looked like Walter Payton. It's more of a team speed. They have NFL players. They have a coach that's, you ask anyone in the NFL, Belichick, Andy Reid, Pete Carroll, whoever, they love Kirk Ferris. I mean, I work for Pat Hill that was his assistant when they were in Cleveland together for Belichick, swore by him.

I mean, Kirk Ferrence is a high-level, high-level coach. And it's why I always support when people make fun of him when he gets those contracts. He turned Iowa into an NFL factory. Now, it's still hard to be like, there is a difference for Iowa than just Michigan, Ohio State, and even Penn State. You could argue that Iowa is basically Wisconsin minus 20 percent. Because Wisconsin consistently gets a little bit better athlete, you know, at the skill position. but I think similar, get good line, get good tight ends, get kind of the overachiever quarterback, you know,

that will be selling insurance by the time he's 24, 25. It's why I won Russ. It's why, think about this, the one time Wisconsin had a sweet NFL quarterback, what happened? They went to the Rose Bowl. They just dominated. They won the conference.

They went to the Rose Bowl, Russell Wilson. And, I mean, hell, Iowa, I was out of practice the other day with the Niners. Like, CJ Bethard, probably one of the better Iowa quarterbacks 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, and this is one of the most shocking criminal conspiracies I've ever come across. When Jacob met Levan 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 Aihar Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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 and the mindset that keeps them going. 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 in spaces that no one looks like you, but don't ever feel like you don't. Don't belong. Don't let that be the reason you don't do it. An Olympic champs Gabby Thomas and Katie Ladeki. The ability to show a 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, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHart Women's Sports. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened.

That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source. the athlete themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear.

The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaders to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them.

Listen to Sports Slice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slica 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, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests.

I'm talking. Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. and we're still chasing it and we don't know when we've done enough because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses.

Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth, or are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person.

Join me, Kear Gaines, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast. Learn the hard way. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the hard way and listen now. 10 years.

Well, I go to practice. Nick Mullins already taking second team reps. So yeah, I mean, I was a tight end. O'Lime and you. I like that. Hey, John, diehard Packers fan here. What are your thoughts on the running back Aaron Jones? I think he's an under-the-rated player that this year will break out

since he'll be available for all the games and his head coach who loves to pound the rock. I'll be honest, because I don't want to sound like I'm just making shit up. I don't know that much about Aaron Jones. Beside, hearing Packer fans complain a lot that McCarthy wasn't playing enough. I heard somewhere that Rogers likes him a lot. Well, you just look at LaFleur what he comes from. Obviously, just coming from Tennessee, huge factor in the run with Derek Henry and Dionne Lewis. His base with McVeigh in that system, they love running the ball.

If Aaron Jones, who should be, they're starting running back, yeah, should have a major role. But it feels like I've been hearing about Aaron Jones and fantasy leagues for a couple years now, and it's been some to be left, some was there to be desired, right? But I do think it's fair to say you go in open-minded, you have a coach who wants to run the ball, you've got to balance out your offense a little bit more. I'm just fascinated to see what their offense is going to look like.

But yeah, I mean, I'd be bullish on Aaron Jones. Jones too but again I can't pretend to like have some scattering report I don't know him that well as a player I was wondering with the Pat's losing gronk have they done enough this offseason to replace his production they've upgraded at receiver but haven't done much with tied in well I think you can look at it like this I love Sony Michelle they drafted Sony Michelle in the first round his season was kind of hit or miss during the year but then he was freaking awesome in the playoffs I think he ran it for over 400 yards in three playoff games four or five touchdowns I think it's fair to say that one of the breakout players in the NFL this year

that you look up at the end of December and you go, damn, Sony-Michel has 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns. Like to me, when's the last time the Patriots had a true Belcow running back? One, they would, Bill Belichick drafts a running back in the first round. That was kind of crazy when he did that. I think he gets forgotten. Like, Sony is not just some mid-round guy that they found a diamond. Sony is a first round blue chipper from Georgia

who dominated in the playoffs. So I would say, yeah, it's just what are they going to do to replace Gronk? And the more I thought about it, because Andre Wadala the other day said that Steph and Clay were the black version of Brady and Gronk. And then I started thinking, well, if they are the black version of Brady and Gronk, if you remove Draymond from the Warriors, that's a pretty big deal. And it just got me thinking, like, losing Gronk, who is clearly over this last six or seven year Patriots second dynasty

has been their second best player. I mean, and I know at different points in times, he's kind of been a shell of himself, but that is a pretty big loss. So I think they're going to depend heavily on Sony, which I confident is going to have a good year, and they're going to need a lot out of Nikiel Harry. You know, when's the last time they had a rookie wide receiver do a lot?

Now, they don't draft that many rookie wide receivers, but I'm a big Nikiel Harry guy, but he's got to give him, I think, safe to say, 60 to 70 catches and six or seven touchdowns, which if I told you right now, if you're a Pat's fan, Nikiel Harry catches 68 balls, seven touchdowns and 950 yards.

You'd be like, that's a pretty good year. You're right? Assuming Edelman's good, assuming they find some tight end to go with Benjamin Watson, and Sony rushes for, you know, over 1,000 yards. And Brady's Brady. and their defense is going to be good.

I mean, they've added pieces of defense. I think the defense is going to be even better than it was last year, and it was good. 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 ensuring your car and your home, getting you great rates on both. It's a good idea to consider State Farm.

For surprisingly great rates, like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. call or go to statefarm.com for a quote today. If you could talk to me a little bit about the process you went through, and I think it's good to not pat yourself on the back, but to put it out there so other people can kind of hear what it takes. Like, I don't know. 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 class. Improv classes, wrestling school, everything I possibly can to knock on the door of WWW.

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 MyCultura Podcast Network

available on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Imagine the biggest secret of your life. Now, imagine trusting that big secret with the entire world. That is exactly what Tony Morrison did when he made the brave decision

to share his HIV positive status in an open essay on Good Morning America's website. Hi, I'm Zach Stafford, host of In The Deep, stories that shape us. In this episode, we sit down with Tony to talk about his identity as a Filipino-American, his work as a producer,

and the role trust plays in our own journeys. Because sometimes, the road to healing can feel like a retrograde, forcing us to take a pause and reflect about what comes next. Listen to In the Deep, stories that shape us, an IHeartRadio original podcast coming to you on the IHeartRadio app,

Apple Podcasts, or whatever you listen to podcasts. The next chapter in your story includes knowing your status. Learn more and press play on your future at know my status.com, sponsored by Gilead. 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 ensuring 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 2, a size 4, 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.

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?

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. How come everyone is always attributing the Patriots success to their ability to be multiple in their schemes and different looks that they throw out at you on offense and defense? How come the league hasn't caught up similar to how the NBA caught up to three-point shooting? Well, one, I think part of most good offenses,

are multi-dimensional. You know, like when you look at the, I think the Rams, the Rams are pretty one-dimensional. You know, their scheme is pretty basic. I think the multi-dimensional offenses would be the Saints and the Chiefs, beside the Patriots.

They can do a lot. Like on any given game, you don't know what's going to hit you. Like anything could hit you. They can run the ball down your throat. They can force-feed tight ends. They can throw it to wide receivers. They can do a little bit of everything.

I wouldn't call, I would say a lot of the really, really good offenses in the NFL, and those are the two that jumped to my mind. A couple years ago, the Steelers, Levion Bell, Antonio Brown, Juju Smith. Most of the good offenses are multi-dimensional. I think the reason not a lot of defenses are multi-dimensional because the Patriots have the best defensive coordinator in the NFL in Belichick. So most of these coordinators, you know, they just fall back on their base defense,

which is either 3-4-4-3. Like, that's what they feel comfortable doing. I mean, how many coaches beside Belichie? can really just run, like, what is the Patriots defense? I honestly don't know. I mean, how would you describe it? Their base is, whoever their opponent is, that weekend, which no other team in the NFL can say that.

I actually give this guy credit. I think they've changed a lot, and maybe it's because of their personnel, is the Rams and Wade Phillips. Like, they're basically a hybrid 3-4-4-3. I mean, they do a good job. Wade Phillips has done a good job. But Wade Phillips also 70-plus years old

has been in the league for 40 years. So, it takes... Defense, I think it's really hard to find a great offensive coach that knows quarterbacks, but you can find offensive coaches. You know, I mean, they're only Sean Payton, Andy Reed, even like Kyle and McVeigh, like you're going to see this year a lot of these guys hired his head coaches are going to fail.

But there are better offensive coaches than there are better defensive coaches. Like how many, besides Belichick, named me five really good defensive coaches. Pete Carroll, Fangio, I mean, the list is short.

Gus Bradley? Well, yeah, I'll give Gus. You know, I'm telling you. It's difficult. Zimmer, I probably left a couple guys out, but there, if you notice a couple of those guys

that I named, Zimmer's in his 60s, Pete Carroll's in his 60s. If you count Mirinelli, he's old. You know, Gus is basically just copying what Pete did. So it just,

there are a lot more seasoned offensive coaches, right? Like think Andy's been in the league 25 years, Sean Payton feels like it's been in the league forever. The couple top offensive guys have really been around a long time. And then even the young guys, if you use McVeigh and Kyle, it's called what it is. They're pretty unique. I mean, Kyle Shanahan's dad is one of the best offensive minds

in NFL history and Mike Shanahan. So he is, I mean, that's literally his father. I've been at 9 of practice and you just walk by. You're like, hey, Mike, this is Mike Shanahan. And Sean McVeigh has been around football all of his life with his dad or his grandpa, you know, was one of the main parts of the 49er dynasty as the GM. And then he started coaching the moment he quit playing at 22.

To me, that's a huge benefit. So, yeah, Sean McVeigh is my age, 33, 34 years old. But he's been coaching for 11 years in the NFL. His first year in the NFL was like 08. So he's been, you know, even at 33 years old, every year of his professional life has been in the NFL. It's kind of like Belichick. Belichick has been in the league.

He didn't go to college at all, right to the NFL, 75. And he's been in the league ever since. Huge Eagles fans here. And it comes with pessimism. But do you think the Eagles have done enough during the offseason to bolster the secondary to make a legitimate Super Bowl run to compete at the juggernaut offenses in the league? Well, I've talked to a couple people about this over the offseason. They're secondary on paper as not.

good. You know, Sidney Jones is a good player? I don't know. You know, so far you'd have to probably lean no. Malcolm Jenkins, probably their best EB, is holding out because he wants a new contract. Who's their other corner? Is they re-signed Darby who injured his knee? I think what they tell you is we're going to, our front seven is going to dominate. We're going to kick your ass up front, especially our defensive line. And we're going to win by scoring a lot of points and sacking the quarterback. Because that formula works. I think the Chiefs did it last year. I think honestly, you want to hear a hot take from Middilkoff on a Thursday night? I think secondary talent in the secondary in 2019 is a little overrated.

Would you rather have a lockdown secondary? One, they don't exist. Or a dominant defensive line. Because if you give me a dominant defensive line, look at the top three teams in sacks last year. Chiefs, playoffs. Ravens, playoffs. Steelers missed the playoffs on the last weekend of the season. And if it wasn't for the craziest things happening like the history of their franchise, they're a playoff team. So if you can dominate it up front, and this is like the best case scenario for the 49ers, just walking by their defensive line group, their DBs aren't very good, but they're going to hopefully have, you know, three double-digit sack guys, you know, and be, you know, to me a good season sack-wise is in the mid-40s, and then on top of that,

a bunch of pressure. Because if you got three, if you got two or three guys as double-digit sack guys, that means you can't double team the rest. So that means the randoms make plays. It's really kind of what the Eagles held their hat on when they won the Super Bowl. When you have backups like Chris Long, who can give you a five or six sacks, that means your double-digit sack guys,

it feels like they're 12 sacks or it's like 18. So to me, the key is dominating up front. Love the different angles, very glad I found you. Thanks, Thomas. What is the insight on why teams just straight up release players instead of trying to gain some compensation into trade. Example, bucks with Gerald McCoy,

or the sons when they acquired Austin Rivers. I'm guessing terms of players' contract plays a part. Yeah, I think the Austin Rivers one might have just been a bad personnel decision. The McCoy one's pretty simple. No one was trading for $13 million. Because if you trade for them, here's a thing. When you get a vested veteran, I'm not exactly Johnny Cap,

manager, salary cap manager here. But a guy like Gerald McCoy, I think his salary cap hit is $13 million. And I don't know, I don't have his contract up, but his base salary is relatively high. Well, if you trade for him, you're basically acknowledging he's probably going to make your team. Well, if he makes your team, his salary is then guaranteed. So if you'd rather just, yeah, they're probably going to release him, then I can try to sign him. And if he really is shot, I can cut him no big deal. And I don't feel obligated to keep him.

So I think that plays, I think the contract more in the NFL, whenever you see a good player cut or even just an aging older player that's still really, you know, still, like Gerald McCoy is still talented. Cut. It is one million percent the contract. It really is crazy as it sounds. It's nothing. It's the talent, unless it's like, you know, like someone would trade for Aaron Donald or Khalil back right now. You know, their contract wouldn't hinder their ability or who. Julio Jones or O'Dell Beckham, like young players for sure.

But older players, I think teams simply look at, I'm not going to risk trading for an older player that might be shot who makes an astronomical amount of money. So that's where these guys with these big contracts can kind of get themselves in position where, God, no one's messing with them. Because it is kind of crazy. You're like, damn, they just, no one traded for him. Now, half the teams in the league run a base 3-4, give or take.

he's only a 4-3 defensive lineman. So did he officially sign with the Browns? I don't know. Maybe he's meeting with the Browns. I think I read today tomorrow as of Friday. Wouldn't shock me if he signs there. But I would imagine some teams still might pay him a decent chunk of change. And this is also why when people crush like the Chris Ballards or whoever, why don't you spend more money?

Well, you might have an extra million or two to pay a guy like this if you want him. I'm not saying he wants Gerald McCoy, but he would be in position to pay him if he did. So it always behooves you in the NFL to have some cap space available. How challenging is the bill's route to a wildcard birth and a realistic goal for 2019? I'd say it's pretty challenging.

I mean, it's all gonna hinge on Josh Allen. Does Josh Allen become a guy that can throw 30 touchdowns and throw 58, 60% completion percentage? Or is he struggling to throw for 20 touchdowns? and they're just so relying on their defense. To me, to me, either him or Sam Dorn, one of the two guys, I don't know which,

and I'm rooting for them both. I follow them both on Instagram. They seem like awesome guys. Like, you'd like to be friends with them and hang out with them. Big fan of them both. And I didn't like Josh Allen as a player. Still not in love with the player, but I'll be honest,

I've grown to like the guy a lot. I'm rooting for him. I hope I'm wrong on that. But I just, you know, they signed a couple midget wide receivers. You know, their head coach is a really good defensive coach, but he doesn't really know anything about offense. They got Dable, the dude from Alabama,

who's, you know, got a little too much meathead for me. I don't know. I just, I'm rooting for the bills. I actually would probably rather see the bills be good than the Jets, but I'd probably lean the Jets are more likely. Because here's the one thing. I do feel confident about this. This is like a confident wishy-washy take.

I'm confident that either the Bills or the Jets make a wild card. year. I just don't know which one. Like, to me, if the bills do it, it's pretty clear, like, Josh Allen is a star but has one of those years, like, this guy's going to be a star. And I think we all think Sam Donald's going to be pretty good. So if they do it, he's really good. It's probably a little bit easier because his head coach is a quarterback guy. And their defense is going to be better with Greg Williams.

They got Levion Bell. I'd probably lean the Jets, but I'm kind of sneaky rooting for the bills. I know you've mentioned Ryan Griction in the past, working with him at the Eagles. Why was he so bad as a GM? I just don't think he had a great feel for players. Like he just, I mean, the thing I'll always remember, he put a second round grade on Von Miller. Now listen, some opinions differ on players, but there are certain players in every draft where you go, like there shouldn't have been anyone in your draft room that goes, you know what, Sequin Barclay?

I don't think he's very good. I mean, that was kind of his take on Von Miller. I was like, eh, I don't know, I don't see it. Like, it's just some players like, yeah, everyone sees it, you know? This guy is just elite. He's just one of those guys. And it's just hard to explain. I just don't think he was ever a very good scout.

And it proved out, you know, bully, you know, was he always the nicest guy to people? And again, bosses, there's just across a line of being a boss, like, intimidating. And to me, it's one thing to kind of rule with an iron fist if you have a track record, but when you're not very good at your job and people don't really respect you, can you be the asshole in the room? I don't know.

And seeing Lewis Riddick articulate everything so well in terms of the game and player evaluation on TV the last couple years, why isn't he considered the Jets for the Jets opening? Listen, I've said over and over, I've been around Howie, Andy, Veach, I mean, these guys are some of the best in their field. And I always thought Lewis was right up there with him. as intelligent of as human as you'll meet, let alone football,

and then he eat, breeze, and sleeps it. I mean, if Lewis got the opportunity to be a GM, he'd be, you'd have a chance. Now, there is some randomness, you know, who his coach would be, all that stuff, I don't know, but I do know this. Lewis knows what he's talking about. You know, it's, you can't be on television long enough without kind of getting exposed if you don't.

Like, Lewis knows a shit, and Lewis loves it. I mean, just eat breeze and sleeps. gets it. You know, he just kind of understands the team building, the coaching aspect, the scheme aspect. Now, I didn't always agree with him on players, but again, that's kind of natural. You're going to butthead as indifferent on players. Like, one thing that I kind of hung my hat on, in evaluation, I don't get as caught up if the guy has the physical attributes at certain things that he struggles at, because I would just look at it as a scout going, well, I just wouldn't want him to do that. We wouldn't ask him to do that. Or if our scheme dictated that he do that, we

we wouldn't mess with him. You know, and that's, I don't get as caught up with guys with certain mistakes that maybe some, the coaches do. You know, I probably differ a lot with coaches on players. I mean, sometimes. But, you know, Lewis is good. I mean, Lewis is a smart SOB, man. Can you comment on whether or not you think the CFL is still producing any NFL level talent?

When I was in the NFL, it produced a couple guys every year. we brought in a guy I think he ended up signing with the Saints Tom Johnson actually turned out to be a pretty good player I tried to get this one guy from BC but he ended up staying in BC It's a good player too I think it's just kind of random

You know it just depends on who's in their league I think they're producing about the same As they always have I also think one thing that's hurt the CFL a little bit This is just on the fly Actually it just crossed my mind The 90 man rosters So there was a huge, you know, at the end of training camp, when you went from 80 to 53,

there's an extra now 20 guys that kind of rotates in and out of practice squads that would have been immediately in the CFL. So maybe they actually are thinking about it getting a little less NFL talent, just because the rosters have been expanded in the offseason. And CFL, like, would you rather take your chance at a training camp, even if you are like the 85th guy or go to the CFL? well, if you're 23 or 24 years old and from America, you're going to take your chance in training camp. So the Canadian Football League, you have to commit, like, right now. Well, if you're in an OTA, you're not going to leave the OTA,

even if you are one of the last men on the roster to go to the CFL. Just because you'll just be telling yourself, especially if you're from Alabama or Baylor or USC, I'm going to make this team once the pads come on. So I think the 90-man roster, thinking about it now, as hurt the CFL a little bit. Thanks for listening. Appreciate it.

John Middilcoff, three and out podcast, tell all your friends. Have a good weekend. Don't drink too much. Don't have too much fun. I love Memorial Day, even though I didn't even realize it was Memorial Day. Peace. Godspeed. Adios.

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Multi-million dollar house, Ferraris and Lamborghinis, private jets, a billion dollar fraud. But how long can this alliance last? Tell me what you know. Is somebody coming after me? Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Life is full of hurdles. So how do you keep going? On Hurtle with Emily Abadi, we're talking with the most inspiring women in sports and wellness,

from professional athletes, coaches, and Olympic champions about the challenges that shape them and the mindset that keeps them moving forward. At our level, at this scale, being able to fail in front of the entire world. Like, I can do anything. I can do anything. Listen to Hurtle with Emily Abadi on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHart Women's Sports. Last night, a blown call changed a game.

This morning, the internet lost its mind. And nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. And every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the big. biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headline. And we're going straight to the source, the athletes themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear.

Listen to SportsSlic. On the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slices Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter.

Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.