The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Middlekauff – 3 & Out – Warriors/Patriots culture parallels; Bad look for Le'Veon; Dallas should wait to pay Dak; Mailbag

Episode Date: May 14, 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 looks at the similarities between Warriors and Patriots' cultures, why Le'Veon Bell missing Jets mini camp is a terrible look, why Dallas shouldn't be in a hurry to pay Dak, and answers listener questions in a post-NFL Draft 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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Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, even though I think the demo on the three and out podcast. Actually, no. Brought to you by the Colin Coward Podcast Network, skews very male. So I hope all you guys, I guess if you're listening to this, it's probably Tuesday, maybe Wednesday. You guys had a good Mother's Day.

I know that I did. Took last week off. had to take a deep breath. Not as much going on. We got rookie mini camps and stuff. But now we're headed down the home stretch of OTAs, all the teams getting together. Actually a lot going on right now in the NFL.

I found some pretty cool things that I kind of want to talk about today. And I think one thing I'm going to try to do for the spring, working on some big guests, some coaches that I've actually never talked to. And I realize some of the coaches from Coach Reed, to Matt Nagy to Howie, some of those guys that I had on when I originally did the podcast for the first time. We have a lot of new listeners since then.

That's way back. So I might have to rehash and reach out to some people. We'll try to mix it up moving forward with some of the people I know in the league and even some of the people I don't know. And I'm just kind of interested in talking to. Luckily on the email, I just drop, I'm with Colin Coward, and they're like, we're interested.

So we'll have some, when I say we, me, because I'm the producer, host, slash topic creator, stuff coming on this spring, because I think it's a good time to kind of talk to coaches, talk to executives. They're very relaxed at this time of year. And I think you can just have a real conversation, which sometimes once the season starts, and even once kind of training camps gets going, it's kind of difficult to do that because they're so focused and just so. kind of in this tunnel vision and rightfully so of getting ready for the year. But coming up today, you know, listen, I live in the Bay Area, been watching the Warriors throughout this whole run.

I think there are a lot of parallels to the Patriots and something that the Houston Rockets did that some teams over the years have done for the Patriots, and it's an immediate killer. And it really stuck out to me in the series against the Warriors. OTAs, you know, football is not golf or tennis. and there's some stories about Levy on Bell hadn't been showing up. I think he's supposed to show up this week. Odo Beckham had been in the Browns facility one time

since being traded. Now, I get he didn't originally sign with them. He was traded to them, but they are about to pay him $19. plus million. And again, football's a team sport, not individuals. You probably shouldn't just practice on your own.

And then the Dak Prescott. What should the Cowboys pay him? Should the Cowboys pay him? should the Cowboys pay them? I have some thoughts on that. But let's start with the Golden State Warriors, who, after watching their game on Friday night, and I've watched living in the Bay Area,

basically every second, I've skipped some games throughout the regular season over the years, the Orlando's, the Atlanta Hawks and stuff, but every major game during the regular season and obviously every playoff game that they've played in over this era. And just because I'm a football lover, I've watched just about every major game that the New England Patriots have played on their long historic run, especially probably after 2007 on. I think there are a lot of similarities between the two teams.

And I think one thing both teams consistently run into is other teams making excuses about things that do not relate to the court or the field. And when you're playing a champion and Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are the ultimate champions, Steph Curry, Clay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Aguadala, Steve Kerr, these guys are now officially cementing themselves as all-time great champions. On Friday night, they were seven-point underdogs on the road to the Houston Rockets.

And somehow, even after a first half or Steph Curry didn't do anything, the Houston Rockets are always consumed by the referees. They're always consumed by the referees. Instead of just focusing on how to beat the goals, just focus on the war. You can beat them. Just like you can beat the Patriots, but you just have to focus on football.

And over the years, the Patriots have had Ryan Grickson. Remember, it was the deflated footballs, that's why they won? Remember the one year John Harbaugh said they screwed up and illegally shifted emotion? Mike Tomlin was already talking about the Patriots well before he ever played him, then he ended up losing the AFC championship. Back when Spidegate happened and Marshall Falk saying that they were stealings, people are always worried about stuff that they can't control, and that's usually false. Just focus on the team.

Because Belichick and Brady, 100% of their focus is on you. Not the referees, not the crowd, not what happened last year, not what's going to happen next year, just now. And you are going to have to put a stake through their heart to kill them. Same thing with the Warriors. They don't worry about some stupid audit that Darry leaked out after game one that was proprietary. NBA information and kind of tarnished and put a blemish on his resume as a GM. They would never do that. They don't have time.

They are too busy focused on winning. And I think so often when you get greatness, people are so consumed on bringing that greatness back to earth because we're a world of fives. We don't want anyone to be a one. We don't want anyone to be a 10. We want everyone to be in the middle. When the reality is Tom and Bill are usually just better than your coach. Like Belichick's, you know, arguably the greatest coach ever.

Tom's the greatest quarterback ever. But they have been beat. The year the Eagles beat them. They were just 100% focused on football. And they beat them in the Super Bowl. They weren't talking about what happened in the past, stealing signs, you know, Belichick doing weird stuff, deflategate, spy gate. They were just focused on football.

The other two teams that beat the Patriots, or I guess it was just the one team that beat him twice, was Tom Coughlin, who doesn't worry about any of that crap. Just worries about football. The irony for the Warriors is the team that had the best opportunity to beat them over this run was the Seuser Rockas team. Last year they had them in Game 7. And they're still consumed about getting screwed in Game 7 when it was their own fault for taking 27 3s.

If at about 14 missed 3s, if they just want a shot a different shot, maybe they would have won. But they were consumed on winning it their way and then consumed on things that were out of their control, blaming other people. when you play champions at the ultimate level, the only way to beat them is just be 100% focused on what you have to do to beat them. Not on the referees, not on anything else. And I think too often these teams are so consumed with the wrong stuff. And I think Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Clay Thompson are basically Tom Brady wrapped into one. They're the ultimate champions.

They are as great of big game players, as I've ever seen. I'm 34 years old. I've been watching sports consistently since for 25 plus years. It's as good as it gets. Like Michael Jordan, there are individuals, obviously.

Michael Jordan individually is accomplice more. Tom Brady, Tiger Woods. But they're right there. Because again, in the biggest moments, they come to play. So the only way to beat that guy is you have to go right at him. So I do think, like,

right now for the New England Patriots, you can't, Mike Tomlin's always worried about, like, talking about teams, talking about the Patriots in week 15. It's like, bro, you don't play them until the playoffs, and you've got to beat teams to get there. Let's just say, focus on who you're playing. That's what Bill does.

You know, John Harbaugh was always bitching and moaning about the trick play and about them screwing them and the motion. No, John, they just outcoach you. Just tip your hat. I think the two teams right now, because there's not a team right now in the NBA that can beat the Warriors. There's just not a team that has the ultimate combination of talent and mindset. because the Rockets have the talent, they don't have the mindset.

I think like the Blazers have the mindset, they don't have the talent. And we'll see in the East. But in the AFC, specifically, I think there are a couple teams that are going to have, now that the Colts got rid of Ryan Grigson, who was holding them back, worried about deflategate, you know, always blaming other people, instead of just finding a way to get better and finding a way to beat them. Because clearly Andrew Luck is wired like that. what can I do to beat this guy?

Who can help me do that? I'm not worried about anything else. And I think clearly Chris Ballard, Frank Wright, and the team they're building around him is wired to do that. And I think the Can Sea Chiefs, they have a young quarterback that is just laser-focused. He's not worried about any of the BS. He has clearly a really talented team,

and he has a coach with a ton of experience that also does not worry about any of the stuff that he can't control. Not complaining about the referees, not turn in teams. for deflate gate. That's not Coach Reed's deal. So those two teams, I'm not saying they're going to beat the Patriots. But clearly the Colts have been owned over the years.

And this goes back to Bill Pollian. Remember when Bill Pollan could never get over the top against New England? He was all they were just mugging our receivers. No, Bill, just focus on how to get open. Stop making excuses. Just win the game. And I think when you look at these two teams, to me, in the AFC, I think Andrew Luck is clearly equipped if it's

team could keep getting a little better, the mindset of that franchise with Chris Ballard, who clearly is a big picture guy, is not an excuse maker. He earned so much credit in my eyes last year when Josh McDaniels kind of burned him, weird situation, didn't really flinch. You know, thought he was handed a hand of two aces and then flipped him over and had like a five and a two. He was screwed. But he didn't bitch and moan. He just, he adapted and he got it done and they made the playoffs. They're going to be a lot better this year. in the second year of Patrick Mahomes starting, they are clearly going to be a lot better too. So I think both those two teams have the right mindset because the Houston Rockets,

who easily beside LeBron James, have been the Warriors' best foe. Like legitimately could have them. We're equipped to beat him. Did not have the right mindset. And I think a little bit several years ago when the Warriors got over the top against the Thunder, kind of similar. Like Russell Westbrook just doesn't not have the right mindset to win that game. and even Kevin, like, kind of needed to learn to win,

and he did when he came to the Golden State Warriors. Now, again, I'm not some Warriors homer. I wish Kevin never would have came. I like that version of the Warriors. I like watching Stefan Clay and Draymond just kick ass and take names. I like watching them going into war when everyone thinks they're going to lose. It's what I respect about Brady. Oh, Brady's team's not as good this year.

Oh, Edelman's losing a step. Oh, Gromk can't run anymore. This Sony-Michel guy kind of looks like a bust. That's what I love about those two teams. It's because every time he tried to run, them off, they go up in the ring, whoever they're playing, and they hit them right in the teeth. And if they get hit back, they jump back

up and hit them back. And that's the only way anyone's going to beat the Patriots. And I think Patrick Mahomes is wired like that. He is wired like that. Clearly, their organization operates like that, but the key is your organization has to operate like that, and then you have to have a player that thinks like that.

And I think the Colts and the Chiefs, again, I'm not saying they're going to beat the Patriots, but I do think they're headed in the right direction to give them a little legitimate game. I mean, look at last year. The Patriots were kicking the Chief's ass. And Patrick Mahomes, biggest game he's ever played in his life by a mile, which, of course, it is, is the AFC Championship game against Tom Brady.

Could have folded like a tent, and he didn't. So I am excited because unlike the NBA that just has teams that, the one talented team that could have beat the Warriors, they're mental midgets. They are all-time big-game mental midgets. Well, I know luck isn't because I've seen them win playoff games that he had no business winning. 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.

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professional athletes, coaches, and Olympic champions to talk about the challenges that shaped them and the mindset that keeps them going. From the WNBA standout Kate Martin and rising hockey star Layla Edwards. If a boy can do it, I don't see why a girl can't. Like, I've never understood that. Like, it didn't make sense in my brain. It's hard to be in spaces that no one looks like you, but don't ever feel like you don't belong. Don't let that be the reason you don't do it. An Olympic champs Gabby Thomas and Katie Ladecki. The ability to show a gold medal to someone and have their face light up and smile, that means the world to me. And that's what motivates me to win more gold medals.

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I know Mahomes is it, because I watched him against the Patriots. In somewhat of a year, I wouldn't say a throwaway year because he won the MVP, but no one was expecting him to keep doing what he was doing. And once you get to that game, the EFC championship game, you're not playing that well, it would have been fine. Like, your first big playoff game, I know he had won the week before, but you know what I'm saying. I mean, whether there was legitimate expectations to make a Super Bowl,

kind of lay a stinker. And not only did he not lay a stinker, he came back swinging and was unreal in the second half. So I do think that that's a big difference in the NFL and the NBA. Some of the best teams, even though obviously Andrew Luck and Patrick Mahomes are not Tom Brady, and Tom Brady's resume runs circles around both of them, I mean, luck maybe one day, more than likely,

I would bet my life savings that Mahomes and Luck combined never win six Super Bowls. So you're never going to, like, But other people, you can beat Michael Jordan. You can take down Tiger Woods because they're not always going to have their A game. But you have to be laser focused. And I do think luck and I do think Mahomes are wired the right way. And to me, those are the two teams going into this year that can give the Patriots a legit run for their money.

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or 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 IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast. or wherever you listen to podcasts.

I'm always upgrading my car. Not because I need to, because I want to. Today, it's custom rims from my ride. Tomorrow, it might be a new driver's side seat cushion. And eBaymotors.com always has what I need. They've got over 122 million car parts, all at the right price.

That's perfect for me, because I'm a car guy. Are you still in the garage? It's two in the morning. Almost done. Okay. I'm a car fanatic. eBay Motors. Let's ride. I saw a headline last week that was Levy on Bell, and the headline he obviously

hadn't showed up. The New York Jets threw him somewhat of a lifeline, because I know a team that almost signed him, and it was basically going to be the equivalent of like a one-year $10 million deal. Now, the deal would have looked different on paper. It would have said four years, 40 million or whatever, but he was in major trouble in free age. Let me repeat, he was in major trouble in free agency based on not playing last year, giving up to almost $15 million and what the market was bearing. Well, the Jets threw him a lifeline. Now, while the guaranteed money was, you know, basically $27 million, they still took care of him. Like, he still got paid.

Now, he lost money, big picture in the deal, but he got paid out, right? Now, the Jets have a young quarterback, this is the second year guy. they have a new head coach and a brand new staff. The Browns, who clearly, O'Dell Beckham was not that happy in New York, wanted out. He didn't necessarily control where he went, but they traded for him, and they're about to pay him $19.8 million. Now, certain things in life, you know, you have to go above and beyond.

Like, is it mandatory you take your mom out to dinner on Mother's Day? No. Is it the smart idea? Yes. Is it mandatory that you get your wife something or girlfriend something on an anniversary? No, but is it a good idea? Yeah. Has anyone worked in a big boy job? Like, was it mandatory that when I was, you know, working in the NFL, I got to the office early and stayed late when I was a 25-year-old intern, trying to get a full-time job?

No. But if I wanted that full-time job, was it smart? Was it mandatory? And again, I can just relate myself, but you guys are all in. positions and whatever job you work in. When I first got a radio job and I was 29 years old in San Francisco, that's back when radio kind of

local, terrestrial radio matter. I think we're shifting to podcasts, three and out podcast, listen, subscribe, tell all your friends. Did I need to get to the office three or four hours early? No. Did I like doing it? Yes, because I felt comfortable if I

over-prepared for the show. Plus, I never want to get pigeonholed as just a football guy. I'm a sports lover. I got a baseball game on behind me I can't wait for the PGA championship So I wanted to know as much as I possibly could When I naturally just watch it all anyway But I took pride in that

And certain jobs you can kind of do by yourself, right? But I would imagine a lot of my friends are in sales I have some friends that own businesses I have friends that work in farming Unless you play like golf And even golf you're somewhat dependent Or at least you depend on your caddy And your teacher if you need help

And tennis, I would imagine, I know less about tennis, but I would imagine there are some similarities. Every team sport, like, you need your teammates. And football, definitely more than basketball or baseball, you practice so much more than you play. You can't play pickup football. So in the offseason, the only pickup football is literally OTAs, phase one, phase two, working out with your team. Creating a bond, not just on the field, but getting to know guys, getting a field for guys. I listen I'm a big military guy I never was in it every generation of my family was

dad was in Vietnam his brother died in Vietnam both my grandpa's my mom's dad and my dad's dad both fought in World War II took a lot of pride in the military so you know like most people military movies love them reading about the military it's awesome I love a good military story what's the number one thing someone in the army Navy Air Force whatever says

you don't fight for the dude back the base, you fight for the guy next to you, whether that's the Navy SEAL sit next to you, whether that's a guy at the front line as an Army Ranger, whether it's the pilot with you, in the, you know, the F-16 up in the air, that's who you fight for. There's no different football. You fight for your teammates, not necessarily your coaches, though if you respect your coaches, you run through a wall for him, but ultimately you're running through a wall with your teammate. And when you develop this, again, not an individual sport, you need the teams,

especially when you're an offensive player that is dependent on the quarterback handing you the ball or the offensive coordinator throwing you the ball, that you develop some chemistry this offseason. So this story that Levi-on Bell, well, this is what I do. Like, come on, bro. Like, let's have a little common sense. Like, if I was the team that I know of, I can't say, because they don't want to piss off the agent, that almost did the deal with Levion. Like, they would have been in this situation too.

Like, you're trying to build chemistry. and again, I'm not saying the offseason chemistry is the end-all be-all, but it does kind of matter. Like the other night, the San Jose Sharks are in the Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals. The entire starting offensive line for the 49ers, and again, they're not a great team, so I'm not trying to say that this is what has to happen. But they were all at the game, the five of them, and really the other offensive line were there too. Just slamming beers hanging out, eating chicken wings, having a good time.

You see it all over television, like the Green Bay Packers, They're all at, you know, the Milwaukee Bucks games, all the Patriots guys always go to the Boston games together. Like, it is, this is when you kind of develop some chemistry. It's not as intense. I'm not worried at OTAs as much about, like, execution and just, are the guys kind of learning together? Do I feel like the unit, like Levion gets a feel for his offensive lineman, gets a feel for Sam Donald? Does O'Dell Beckham know what Freddie Kitchens likes to call? Obviously, he's going to learn that in training camping during the season.

but imagine what a leg up you get. There was a story, I think Peter King wrote this, or someone wrote it, that Leveon Bell, beside the day he was introduced, hadn't been inside the facility one time. I think there was a report he was going to show up, or excuse me, Odell Beckham, was going to show up this week. Same with Leveon. But they should have been there the whole time.

This is when you kind of get to know your teammates. So this no show, it's no big deal, nothing to see here. Yeah, it's something to see there. Again, is it going to determine success or failure? No, but does it make it easier? Right? Would it just make the, once training camp hits? Like, yeah, I know what this offensive guard likes to do. I know kind of how Sam likes to call this player.

When we were sitting in the meeting in June at, you know, the last OTA, we talked about this a lot. Sam said he's comfortable doing this. Don't you want to get on the same page? And especially got, you guys are paid a shitload of money. Levion, you did not have many options for money. The Jets paid you. Now, a smart man.

once told me a long time ago, just because you pay a player a lot of money does not change that player. You could argue that when you pay a player a lot of money and he's kind of a questionable human, and when I say questionable human, I'm not saying he's like a bad guy or anything, but he's not the most reliable guy, a little bit different of a cat, that, you know, it only makes him more of what he is. Now, Odell's a little different, but I, and I get he was traded, it was a little bit of a shock. To me, the Levion issue is much bigger. Like, Leveon not being there. I don't care what he's doing. wherever he is, that's embarrassing.

Don't let the Twitter, like, it's not, it's only voluntary. Well, why are the majority of players everywhere showing up to these? It's voluntary, like Russell Wilson, I mean, you name the players. I would imagine if you did a poll of every player

in the NFL voluntary, these mini camps, over 95% of the players are there. And to me, Levy on Bell, getting paid like that, not showing up, is a major red flag. Odell Beckham, I get a little different. He got traded. But bro, you got to get there.

If the story's correct, he's going to be there this week, he should stay till the off-season hits. Because you need this time. And as a skill guy, especially those two guys, which are unique skill guys, like Odell Beckham's style is unlike anything the Browns have. They have a fast-tied-in and a slot receiver. Their receivers were jokes.

Like Baker at the NFL level has never worked with anything like that. And I got news for you. It's not the same that when you see these pictures that go viral on Instagram of them throwing. Now it's Freddie coaching specific routes with specific checks, with how you play off the other wide receiver against certain coverages. It is important. Levion, you've never played with any of these guys. You have a second year quarterback that's still learning. You have a first year head coach, he's been a head coach before, but implementing this new offense that you've never played in.

Like, get a feel for these guys. And you can be like, well, Tom Brady doesn't show up. Yeah, I don't put Tom Brady and Levion Bell in the same sentence. Neither is Odell Beckham. So, yeah, I read Flaggnes. And it's just something to keep an eye on. Levion more than Odell for sure. Like the Levion thing is a little bit of a head scratcher.

Honestly, if I was a Jets coach, a GM, they'll never say this publicly because it would become ten times bigger story. But don't get it twisted. They are really pissed off. And don't let the media tell you, well, it's voluntary. No big deal. Yeah, it's voluntary. just happens that every other player

shows up, you know? Antonio Brown. I'll give Antonio Brown some credit. Guess where he's been this entire offseason, the moment he got traded, right next to John Gruden and Derrickard. Now, is it going to work? I don't know. But at least he's giving full effort. At least he's trying to make it work. He's trying to learn the offense.

I mean, they threw him a lifeline. No one would trade for him. He wanted out of Pittsburgh. Gruden did. And he's reciprocated to love. I'm going to show up at training camp, or I'm going to show up at OTAs. I'm going to show up at all these phases. Why?

Because it means a lot to the coaches. It means a lot to the quarterback. It just does. And when you're paid a lot, Leveon's paid a lot, Odell's paid a lot, and Antonio paid a lot. More comes with that. So when you're paid a premium in your job, hell, like my analogy with the wife and your mom, there are things in life that aren't quote unquote mandatory, but just

things you do. But when you are compensated at the highest level, there is more expected of you. I'm sorry, Leveon. The moment they pay you basically a two-year, $14 million a year contract, a little more is expected of you, buddy. Time to show up. Okay, let's get into Dak Prescott and the Cowboys.

If you're going to make an enormous investment, whether you're an individual and you're going to buy your dream house, you have some money saved up, you're going to put a bunch of money into a stock, into the stock market, whether you're a business and you're going to acquire another business, you're going to acquire, you know, a warehouse, whatever. But if the investment is beyond sizable,

if it's the equivalent, whether you're a business owner, whether you're an individual, the biggest investment you'll ever make, that is what Dak Prescott is to the Cowboys. Whatever that is to you, you would spend an enormous amount of time, just an absolute, you would go over and over and over and spend time learning, researching,

until you were finally comfortable to pull the trigger. But you would not rush, into the decision. If you were not rushed into the decision, like there was a deadline, the only time that you could buy, let's say you own a business, you needed a warehouse, because for your individual business, you need the warehouse to stock your, whatever your product is, and you had till December, and it's, let's say it's May. You would do a lot of research over that time. Can I find another warehouse? Could I build my own warehouse for cheaper? Would it be less expensive to rent a warehouse instead of buy a warehouse? You would just do a lot of work. If you had

until December. Well, because big time investments, whatever they are, for most human beings, it's a house, right? For me, it was the condo that I live in right now. Because I live in the Bay Area, it was a sizable amount of money. It was not cheap. So they had to do a lot of research, had to look around a lot, took a, spend a lot of time. Well, if you're going to invest in a quarterback, it's easy to sign Russell Wilson or Aaron Rogers to big deals. It really, it really is. But when you sign a guy like Dak Prescott, who unlike, let's say, even Patrick

Mahomes or Carson Wentz, that you don't need to be Bill Walsh to realize you watch Carson Wens play or you watch Patrick Mahomes play, you go, geez Louise, those guys are talented. Like their talent jumps off the screen. Same with Russell Wilson. Same with Aaron Rogers. Same with

Andrew Luck. Like those guys are easy to extend. The 49ers last year were kind of in a tough situation. They'd only had Jimmy Garoppolo for half the season. He had only started, what was he, six and oh or five and oh in his last five, he only played five games. You could either franchise them. They thought it would be a little more cost effective. But their timeline, they didn't have much time. They had just given up a second round pick to get them. Their team wasn't very good, so the second round pick was high.

It was a tough decision. You know, they were kind of between a rock and a heart's place. Whatever decision they did, they were going to be criticized. But Dak Prescott, who, I think we forget this. They didn't, like, let's use Mahomes, Trubisky, Gough, Marriota, Wents, all these guys, all these young quarterbacks throughout the league, Baker Mayfield, Darnold, Josh Allen. The majority

of those players, the team not only used a first round pick on, which meant when you use a first round pick, especially a guy in the top 10, you're spending a lot of money on him. Like, that guy's not cheap. Now, he's not franchise quarterback money, but he's making $6, $7 million a year. I think the, uh, the, uh,

the terms of Kyler Murray's contract came out at the end of last week. Sorry again, I had to take a week off. You need to gather my thoughts. He was, I think it was $32 million. So it's not nothing. I think we act, oh, he's on the rookie contract. We act like it's a $3 million deal. You just on a $3 million deal?

Actually, at the end of this season, a $4.7 million to be, deal to be exact, Dak Prescott. That is what the Cowboys will have paid him at the end of this season for four years. especially, I think, according to SpotTrack, the website with the contracts, this is also based on him hitting some incentives, but I just went with that number. $4.7 million. So if you do the average, they've gotten Dak Prescott for these four years

for about what? 1.15, 1.2 a year? That's what it's averaged out. So they haven't paid that much for his services these years, especially these first three years. And unlike all these other quarterbacks all throughout the league, they invested a fourth round pick on them. So they did not, not only not use a first round pick,

they didn't, with that first round pick, like Mahomes, like Deshaun Watson, like Trubisky, have to trade up to get. So they have acquired an asset for basically nothing. It would be like if someone, I think Amazon stock is like $1,900, if someone four years ago, again, I'm not looking this out, I'm just going to pull some arbitrary number, had said, you know what,

You can get X number of Amazon stocks at $1,000 of stock, but you actually only have to pay $600. But the moment you pay $600, it's actually worth $1,100. And then in four years, that stock's going to be worth $1,800 million. Because I'm not disputing that Dak Prescott isn't worth a lot of money right now. Now, the exact amount is a little bit tricky. But I'll say this, what is the rush? Like anyone investing a lot of money into something.

And that's what franchise quarterbacks are. Even if you pay him like Jimmy Garoppolo money, that's still $70 million guaranteed. Now, you're not going to have to pay him Russell Wilson money, Matt Ryan money, $100 plus million, because he hasn't accomplished that much. And maybe he does this year. Maybe the Cowboys win the Super Bowl. Then you have no problem giving him $100 million. Because you have just got four years out of him.

You made the playoffs three out of the four, and you won the Super Bowl. Hell, if he even got you to the Super Bowl, you would have no problem paying him. But right now, I think he's a good player. I actually think... 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.

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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 Slices Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. 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 Levant this plant to a billion dollar fraud. But with two kings from entirely different worlds, just how long can their empire survive? The largest tax investigation in American history. You need to tell me what you know. Is somebody coming after me?

Jacob told Levan, you're ruining my life. Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. 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

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If a boy can do it, I don't see why a girl can't. Like, I've never understood that. Like, it didn't make sense in my brain. It's hard to be in spaces that no one looks like you, but don't ever feel like you don't feel like. Don't let that be the reason you don't do it. an Olympic champs Gabby Thomas and Katie Ledecki. The ability to show a gold medal to someone and have their face light up and smile,

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Apple Podcasts for wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of I Heart Women's Sports. There's something to, Dak, a little stuff that's not quite quantifiable. He's got some intangibles to him. He's a cool, calm, collected customer, especially in the second half of games. Whenever I'm watching him, he's always very under control. Now, physically gifted, he's a much better athlete than he is a pure thrower of the ball. He doesn't throw a bad ball, but he doesn't have great arm strength.

these a little hit or miss down the field, but I like him because he makes a lot of big plays in tight spots. So I'm not anti-Dak Prescott, but I am anti-running to Pamp. I just don't see the rush. Let this year play out. Worst case scenario, you franchise them if you still don't know. But best case scenario, it goes really well and you pay him big money. But worst-case scenario, he's terrible this year. Your team misses the playoffs. You go, I don't know, man. Well, the great thing is, guys, Jerry, uh, Jason Garrett. it would probably be gone then. You didn't pay that much for him to begin with the last four years.

You were kind of gifted him. Remember, you acquired him for a fourth round pick. He was your third stringer. He wasn't supposed to start. Romo gets hurt. Kelon Moore gets hurt. Jobs just kind of ends up in his lap, and he takes it and runs with it. And again, perfect world, you want him to become a star.

Right now, I can't call him a star. He literally wears a star in his helmet and is somewhat considered a star because of the Cowboys quarterback, but he hasn't quite played like a star. He did his rookie year. Last year, little hit or miss, but they still made the playoffs, 10 and 6. Can he duplicate it back-to-back years? Can we make the playoffs back-to-back years? Because if I'm going to pay a quarterback, not everyone's going to be Tom Brady or Error, Rogers.

Hell, he's not ever going to be as gifted as Mahomes or even Jimmy Garapolo. You know, Russell Wilson, he doesn't have those physical traits. But as a passer, he does as a runner. But if he can get me to the playoffs three times in four years and go back-to-back, Can he sustain success? Because he had a big rookie year, then he took a big step back. Then he bounced back last year once he got Amari Cooper. Can he sustain it?

Because now the offense is pretty loaded. Because if you can, then we'll pay him. But this notion that they've got to pay them big bucks right now, I just don't see why. Times on your side. You're not in a huge rush. Pay some other players. The great part about the NFL, you can pay a player like Amari, like Zeke, like Byron Jones. If for whatever reason you need to pay DAC next year, you can always trade those guys.

As we see around the NFL every year, and even more and more every year, is that it's never been easier to trade big contracts because there's so much cap space, so many teams, especially good players, and the Cowboys have a lot of them, are willing to trade for good players on high salaries. Like 10 years ago, no one could have afforded to trade for Odo Beckham. He makes way too money. Now Odo Beckham, Antonio Brown, these guys get traded every year. Big-time players get traded all the time now.

So you can play this year out for Dak, and he can be mad, whatever, so be it. it's a business. He's making a ton of money off the field because he's a Dallas Cowboys quarterback. You know the reason? Campbell soups and the yogurts. If he was the quarterback of the Jaguars or the Arizona Cardinals, no one would call him to do those. 1,000% no chance. So he's making good cash.

Let's just see how this thing plays out. Time is on the Cowboy side. I think Jerry, I admire Jerry as a businessman as much as any human in America. but I think it would be a grave mistake unless he'd give you a big discount, like $55, $60 million guaranteed, which I can't imagine him doing, especially with Carr and Jimmy Garoppos contracts of the last couple years. I'm just not comfortable paying Dak Prescott $80 million guaranteed,

giving them five years $130 million and $80 million guaranteed. I'm not comfortable doing that. So I need more information. And the great part is this year, the team on paper is really good. I'm about to get more information. He wins, kicks ass, pro-bowl-level guy, takes me to the playoffs, win some playoff games, I'll give you the check, Dak. And the guys that broke off this year, Amari, Byron Jones, whoever,

if I have to trade one of them to fit your number, we'll do it. But you've got to prove to me you're worth it. And right now, you just haven't done it. And again, I am not a Dak Prescott hater. I like the guy. I just think that we are somewhat jumping the gun here if Jerry Jones pays Dak in the next month or two big time money. This clip is brought to you by State Farm.

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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 classes, improv classes, wrestling, school, everything I possibly can. to knock on the door of WW. The people of the, everyone on that real world show would wear my t-shirts, would always ask me to do the MIS. Like, they were so supportive. Like, you don't get it that very often. You really don't. Listen to the My Coultera podcast network available on the IHeart Radio app,

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We even send job alerts, so your perfect job lands right in your inbox. Go to careerbuilder.com today or get left with whatever jobs are left. Find your next job fast at careerbuilder. Okay, let's get into the Middlecough mailbag. Do it every week on here. You slide up into my DMs on Instagram at John Middlecough, same thing as my Twitter handle, and then I answer your questions. And let's do that now.

I got a bunch of questions because I didn't do it last week and I'm going to get to. But really quick, I want to touch on something first. The NFL is looking for a hard-knocks team. It's basically down to like the Raiders or the Lions. to me it's a pretty no-brainer situation. Next year the Raiders are moving to Vegas. They have a television head coach, a television general manager. I mean, literally the two guys were stars on television.

It's a no-brainer for me. The Raiders, not only, the Raiders should want it. And I get a lot of Raider fans tweeting at me, we don't want it. Why not? Your team is a laughing stock in the NFL right now. You haven't won anything. At least you have these two star personalities that would be great on television.

I actually, and Antonio Brown, I actually think that you would leave the series thinking much more highly of the Raiders. To me, the Raiders should want this. It's an easy one for them. It's a BP fastball, especially with them moving to Vegas. I think Peter King kind of alluded to it.

They're going to be the choice. They should be the choice. And if you're a Raider fan, you should want it. Hey, John, fan of the podcast. What do you think about the Jets taking Jekai Polite? I think it's how you say his first name, in the third. I know we got Custer in the Combine in the pre-draft process, but his game tape is really impressive,

and he has owned up to the immaturity issues. I got no problem taking, you know, character red flag type guys that late in the draft. I would not have taken him in the first round, for as big of a disaster as everything was. The second round, you're still paying some decent money, but the third round's an easy one. The third round's kind of a no-brainer.

Okay, let's find another question here. As a Broncos fan, I thought Elway was just throwing crap at the wall when he said Flacco is in his prime. I agree. It's kind of a crazy statement to make. But I look around and I see Brady's, Breeze, Rivers, Ben, Rogers, Matt Ryan are all older and have had very good years. Am I crazy to think that Flacco has still as two or three playoff worthy seasons left in him? Well, in theory, well, in reality, you're right. He's younger than all those guys.

In theory, you're not, though, because he has been on, good teams these last several years, and the Ravens could not make the playoffs. They could not do it. Remember two years ago when AB basically beat him on the last play of the game, I think on week 16 to basically shore up the division, and then this year they missed the playoffs again,

or they made the playoffs, but he got benched. He just has not been good enough. It's just simple, period, end of story. He has been on playoff-level rosters, and he just could not get the job done. So yeah, I think Flacco can still function and still be your starting quarterback, and you can be competitive. Because what we know about the Broncos is their defense is going to be good.

Two big-time pass rushers in Chubb and Von Miller. Their secondary Vic Fangio coaches those guys. Vic Fangio is an elite defensive coach. But offensively, you got flackled, then what? You got some young running backs. Philip Lindsay was really good last year. I like Royce Freeman. Your offensive line should be better.

Noah Fant, depending on who you talk to, obviously his combine numbers were just freakish. he can fly. But I had a coach in the NFL tell me. I actually had a scout tell me this too after. He just doesn't catch the ball very naturally. There's some red flags on him. Like his dad was bitching him when he was Iowa

about some playing time. How much does a kid love football? He's kind of a pain in the ass. But there's no disputing his talent. I think their team's a pretty big wild card. The culture, they're tough. The division's hard. And the Chiefs and the Chargers are really good.

The Raiders kind of stink. but their roster is vastly improved. So, and you would think that they won four games last year, they would at least win like six or seven. So those games are going to be a little more difficult. I don't know. I think I would be, I don't say this very often about most NFL teams. I would be shocked if the Denver Broncos make the playoffs with Joe Flacko as a quarterback.

Hey, John, using my wife's Instagram. I don't want to get another social media account. Okay. Will you open up DMs on Twitter for the mailbag? Can't do that. That's why I open it up here. But I feel you. Okay. As for my actual question, yesterday I watched, so I'm a little behind on these questions. Yesterday I watched the Derby, and I noticed two things. First, I noticed that Tom Brady attends almost every year. Is this a thing that most quarterbacks should do?

Who knows if Tom is paying or how he's encouraging teammates to attend? Well, he flies a lot of him out on his private jet. but the ability to connect around a different sporting event with his teammates is really cool. The second thing, sorry, I've clicked off. The second thing was the replay, I get to this part of sports now, and I don't watch horse racing aside from the derby, but that did not feel right. I think this is also true with Portland, Denver play at the end of OTs. Obviously, this could also be about past interference.

What is the best way to use replay? I'm not sure. I think a lot of quarterbacks attend. I know Aaron Rogers does. and took a bunch of teammates. Tom, probably the best teammate in NFL history. The job he does, Jimmy Garoplo, Jacoby Brissette, obviously Julian, Edelman. He always takes Gronk.

He takes all of his buddies. He takes other offensive linemen. He took Matt Castle. He takes Mike Vrable. He took Cliff Kingsbury because all those guys played with him. Tom Brady is an elite teammate. Despite being 42 years old, like LeBron doesn't relate to any of his younger teammates and doesn't even try to.

Tom Brady, in theory, should not. relate to any of his teammates, constantly makes an effort to relate. It's like being a good parent. Think about it, I'm 34. I'm not married yet, so I'm still probably a couple years from having a kid. Let's say I have a kid at 36, 37 years old. By the time my kid's 20, I'll be 57-56, right? So my 20-year-old kid, I'll be way older. Like, how much in common am I going to have with them? Well, if I actively try to spend a lot of time with him, get to know him, try to, you know, communicate on his wavelength, you have to make an effort to communicate with people younger than you. You don't just naturally, why are good coaches

in the NFL able to relate to their players? Because they make an effort. They don't just naturally relate to everything they do. The age gaps are a real thing. Tom Brady goes above and beyond, and the Kentucky Derby clearly uses that kind of as an off-season

benchmark to get the guys together. And to me, it's not even just about his teammates. It shows for him bringing Jimmy Garapolo, Jacoby Perci. These guys aren't even on his team anymore. Mike Frable's a coach another team. Cliff Kingsbury played with him in New England for two years. It means a lot to him. Like, if you

play with him and he likes you, you're kind of his friend for life. That's pretty powerful. And with the replay, I go back and forth with this. I don't know enough about horse racing. Everything I read about that horse race is that if it just would have been a random race on a random day,

that horse would have been decued. So they did the right thing. I do understand that replay kind of screws up the ebb and flow of a sport. But I say it all the time. There's never been more money on the line with all these games, players, coaches, us gambling, the sports, that if you have the technology to get it right, and I think we see this with a pass interference being able to overturn, don't we want to get it right?

I know it slows it down a little bit, but we're at the point now where technology is such a big part of my life and just our life, we might as well take advantage of it. Now, we can't just have unlimited replays in any sport, but I do like that. the fact that the NFL has continued to expand. The NBA does a good job about it. Because at the end of the day, I don't want the game to end, whether I'm gambling on it or whether I'm just watching as a fan,

and think that they didn't get it right and they could have. Like, I get, you know, sometimes if you're sitting on your couch, you could argue it's an inconvenience. Like, oh, my God, the game's taken forever. And we all can't agree certain games in any sport, certain times. Like, Jesus, can we hurry up? But if they get it right, It's really hard to complain.

And I don't think, definitely football, it's not that bad. You throw the red flag, they've gotten pretty good at it, and for the most part, they're getting these calls right. Hey, John, what are your thoughts on the Bengals off-season free agency? Draft picks in 2019 Outlook. And what are your thoughts on Zach Taylor and their personnel guy, Dick Tobin? Now, this is some deep questions. Well, I'd have to Google their free agents.

I can't, off the top of my head, think of any big free agents they've signed. getting rid of Vontes Burfitt is an addition by subtraction. That had to happen. I said it when he was hired, just watching some of his press conference. I don't know much about the guy, but his initial press conference. And I just compared him and I compared the Green Bay guy. Two, you know, McVeigh-type guys. Zach Taylor was really impressive.

He handled himself really well. They've done a good job in the last 10 years, drafting players. I remember maybe my second year in Philly, maybe my third year. we played the Bengals. You just see that team walking on the field. They are massive. That team is always a big team. I know that Jonah Williams, the guy they drafted in the first round,

one person that had been singing his praises was Joe Staley, who's been working out with him and thinks he's a big-time player. And Joe is not like just some hyperbole, throw crap on the wall and just tries to get a reaction. Like if he's getting your back and saying that he thinks you're a big-time player, he's a big time player. And clearly a lot of people I know in the NFL really like Jonah Williams. I actually knew one guy that didn't like him as much.

Thought he was a little overhyped because he went to Alabama. But I'm trying to think, let me type in the Bengals draft picks. But again, Dick Tobin, their personnel staff has done a really good job. I like what the coach, what he sounded like, and in theory what he's bringing to the table. they took a center so they drafted five Brangle draft picks

signed rookie minicamp I have no clue it shows you how closely I follow the Bengals they drafted Ryan Finley the quarterback from NC State you know I don't think he's going to play much so yeah I mean I'll be

honestly I'm not super locked in on the Bengals but okay I can pull up their draft I kind of just want to know who they drafted so we got Jonah Williams In the second round They drafted Drew Sample

Tied in from Washington I watch a lot of Pack 12 games And I don't think I was too locked in On Drew Sample They drafted an outside linebacker They're going to need a little more pass rush So you know

Five or six win team But kind of start over Now if AJ Green can come back healthy Maybe they could bounce back A little quicker You also could think about Trading AJ Green And just really kind of resetting

which I don't think is a crazy move to make. Along with Gettleman not having credibility around the league, do you think the Giants taking Jones early or at all is an overreaction to missing Donald the year before? Also, if you could pass on a quarterback to get any other position projected a Hall of Famer, which position would you go for? Well, to answer the second question, I think I would 100% draft a Khalil Mack, a Vaughn Miller, you know, a guy like that. I wouldn't have drafted Aaron Donald, you know, number one overall for a quarterback,

but if I knew Aaron Donald was going to become Aaron Donald, I would take Aaron Donald. So any time you could give me a Hall of Fame defensive lineman, I would take. Now, I would take the quarterback. I would rather have, you know, Sam Darnold, again, in theory, he may end up being a bus. I don't think he's going to be, but, you know, he may never end up being that good. But if I thought that I could get, you know, my Mahomes, my Deshaun Watson, my Baker Mayfield, I would rather have that than Khalil Mack if I had to pick one of the two, right?

Because you need a quarterback. You can't function without one. And I don't think it was an overreaction to last year because I truly believe. Now, I don't know anyone with the New York Giants. Never have. It was in their division. Never got along with any of those guys. Not that I didn't even know any of them, but wouldn't have talked to them even if I did.

that I think that they think they've 100% made the right decision. And I get Sequin Barclay, looks like he's going to be a Hall of Famer. But come on, man. Philip Lindsay made the Pro Bowl last year as an undrafted free agent. It's the one position that I can consistently get. I love Saquan Barclay as much as the next guy. You know, probably the only people that like him more, like Dave Gettleman. Like, Seqwan Barclay is an unreal talent.

He's a Hall of Fame talent. But you cannot pass on a potential for. franchise quarterback for Hall of Fame running back. This isn't 1987. This is 2000. When they did it was 18. That was crazy. I think they just...

I wouldn't be shocked if Dave Gettleman, honest to God, truth, thinks that Daniel Jones was a better prospect than Sam Donald. I think there's a decent chance he didn't like Sam Donald, which is crazy, but they probably didn't. A Raven fan here. Less Lamar hate. Just kidding.

Listen, I'm ruined for Lamar. Great, nice kid. I just don't like his game. But do you think that our, what do you think of our lineback in court? Losing Mosley, Smith, and Sizzle is a bummer, but I think we have some good players to come up and keep the team afloat, especially when you consider the fact that we have the best all-caps secondary in the NFL. Your thoughts?

Well, wink, Mark and Dale, I think that's the coordinator's name, the bearded guy. The Ravens, basically my entire adult life, besides like when Ray Lewis and Ed were the staples there, always rotated new players in. And I was watching last week on NFL Live. They had John Harbaugh, like Wendy Nix was talking to him, through Skype. It's a pretty cool interview. John was in a good mood.

And he said, listen, and I'll give him credit for this because he's right. We have consistently lost players to free agency the last 10 years. It's kind of the way they do it because they love those compensatory picks. Now, Sizzle was old. But C.J. Mosley, they drafted in the first round. Now, would I have paid C.J. Mosley? What the Jets paid C.J. Mosley? Probably not.

No, I mean, I wouldn't have. But you did draft him in the first round. he became a really good player in a theory you'd like to keep him but no team is consistently drafted and developed defensive players at every level. Defensive line, pass rusher, tackle, linebacker, outside linebacker.

Safety, corner. It's just like interwoven into the culture there. So I have no quite, like to me the Ravens, I think last year statistically they were top three defense whether it was yards or points. They're going to be great on defense. To me, my question is offense.

Can they go all in on basically this option, play action, deep ball offense, and have it work? It was unique last year. People weren't ready for it. And got them to the playoffs. Now, once they got to the playoffs, they couldn't complete a pass. I mean, he threw it was like 40% in the game against the Chargers. In 2019, you just have to complete passes. So to me, to have a chance, if you tell me that Lamar Jackson, this offseason,

takes a huge step passing the ball and is much more consistently accurate. And I'll be like, okay, the Ravens got a chance. They can be pretty good. And when I say consistently accurate, I just mean like the version, now their defense isn't going to be as good as this team. But offensively with Hollywood,

they signed Ingram. They always have some undrafted free agent running backs. They're going to be solid. They have some personnel, like some good players on offense. The Mark Andrews kid from Oklahoma, who I really liked when he played with Baker. Last year he made some plays. if Lamar's much more consistent passer, kind of like Colin Kaepernick, from year one to year two,

when he started that first year, led him to Super Bowl, and the second year was a full-time starter, they were a little inconsistent, but he still hit big plays. So if Lamar is running the ball and then hitting big plays through the passing game, and you play good defense, you got a shot. Because let's call it what it is. The Browns look great on paper. They haven't proven anything. And I like Baker, but I can't just annoy him some superstar.

Freddie Kitts has never coached a game as a head coach. So that's asking a lot. The Browns has got a lot of question marks for being an unreal team on paper. You know? Let's just see it happen. You know, I got to see it. I got the hockey game on behind me. San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues.

I know nothing about hockey. You know, I've loosely followed the Sharks my entire life. The Sharks have made, they make the playoffs every year. I think they've made the playoffs every year for like the last. They miss the playoffs once in like 20 years. But I'll tell you one thing they don't do. They never come through in the playoffs. They always end up losing.

So eventually, they'll probably be the Stanley Cup champions. Like, eventually, maybe the Browns will win. But until they do it, I just can't annoy them. I'm not going to count up the Steelers, and I think the Bengals, like I said earlier, are kind of rebuilding as they should. Okay, I've got a middle cup mailbag. With it looking likely that the Pats take a page out of the Cowboys' Playbook

and bring back an old boy at Tide End, Witten, Ben Watson, do you think, who do you think will be more productive? Secondly, if Ben Watson were to join the booth down the road, is there a possible way he could be worse than Witten? Well, I've never heard Ben Watson talk. I'm pretty sure I'm just saying that I could be wrong on this. I heard this on the radio. Again, when I do the Middokhov mailbag,

I just, it's all kind of off the cusp. So I thought that Ben Watson had over 60 catches last year. I think in Witten's final season, which was two years ago, he had like 55, 60 catches. but he averaged like six, seven yards a catch. Now, what was interesting last year about Ben Watson, you know, playing on the Saints, I'll look it up as I speak,

is that they didn't really have any wide receivers beside Michael Thomas. Do you know the crazy part about last year's team despite being the number one offense? Is they really didn't get that much production, like they didn't have three wide receivers catching a ton of passes. It was literally Michael Thomas, okay, I'm pulling it up right now.

It was 2018 regular season, K receiving. What is going on here? This isn't working. DSPN.com. I kind of want to just scream right now because they're, it says right now that Michael Thomas has 16 catches, which is just not true. But it's what happens when you try to research on the fly.

But my point is with the Saints, and I think the Patriots have kind of operated like this too is that they do a pretty good job spreading the football and the one thing the Saints to me do a really good job of and they're just lucky because they have this player is and the Patriots have always done this too is have past catching running backs and to me it's never been more important in the NFL

just because of the rules to have past catching running backs and I think Alvin Kamara I got the stats pulled up right now So it's literally saying I want to scream right now that Michael Thomas had 16 catches and Alvin Kamara had 15 catches. I don't know what's going on, but right now the stats are all messed up. So, sorry about that. That I would say that Witten, they have a Mori Cooper, the Gallup guy,

to throw the ball do Zique. I'd probably say that Witten has a more productive year. And when I say productive year, he doesn't run more than five-yard routes, but I could see him get a bunch of catches and kind of help back out as just an underneath route. But appreciate it. Thanks for listening.

And bearing with me, don't try to check the stats right now on the Saints because they're all screwed up. I mean, can we just get some stats at NFL.com or ESPN.com for the love of God, so people like me can rattle them off. But enjoy the week. Sorry I took a week off.

Had some business to attend to and just kind of get a little refreshed. But now we're into the offseason. Let's roll, baby. Thanks for listening. Adios. Godspeed. Enjoy the week. Gorgeous gaming, stunning streams, unbelievable bandwidth. It's another Lifestyles of Gagillionaires.

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