The Herd with Colin Cowherd - NFL free agency rundown; Antonio Brown trade takeaways; The Le'Veon Bell market

Episode Date: March 12, 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 kickoff to the NFL free agency period, his takeaways from Antonio Brown getting traded to the Raiders, Landon Collins' huge deal with the Redskins, who's in the running for Le'Veon Bell, and answers questions in Middlekauff's Mailbag. Follow John on twitter @JohnMiddlekauff and go to www.theherdnow.com to find the latest content. Subscribe now! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo, and every episode, we're cutting through the noise,

breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headlines. And we're going straight to the source, the athletes themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear. Listen to Sports Slice on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok.

Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smigel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter.

Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, guys? This is Clever Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Cliverts Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff. Like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker, this linebacker walks up to me. He goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her.

What? Time out. Quarterback on office blue with 42. Hey, Wreck, my mama want you to weigh better. What? Hey, Ms. Parker. Listen to the Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano. It's our favorite time of the year on our podcast point game, the playoffs. We're digging into the biggest surprises of the season, and I'm looking back on some of my greatest playoff moments. If we didn't talk ever again, I was hiring. You just understood. That's how personal it got.

Wow. Then after that game seven, Marquis come in to her, he's like, you know I love you, dog. You know, it's all love. This was just playoffs. This was just basketball. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Using your Aspiration Zero credit card helps fight climate change. It's true.

See, Aspiration Zero plants a tree each time you make a purchase. And tree planting is one of the most effective ways to combat global warming. Track your progress in the app and earn 1% cash back each month you reach carbon zero. Aspiration Zero. One card, zero carbon footprint. Learn more at aspiration.com. The Aspiration Zero MasterC is issued by Beneficial State Bank

Pursuant to License by MasterC International Incorporated. Beneficial State Bank member FDIC 2021. This episode is brought to you by Royal Caribbean, an award-winning global cruise line. A vacation is what you make it. So are you ready to make the most of it? A Royal Caribbean Adventure is the perfect opportunity to not just take a vacation, but to take it for all its worth. We know you're eager to get back out there, and with Royal Caribbean, you can own that moment and rise to the vacation. This is not just a cruise. This is the biggest,

boldest vacation on land or at sea. With over 270-plus destinations from the Caribbean, Alaska, to Europe, and the biggest ships in the world to take you there, each one of our cruises is packed full of onboard features. You won't find anywhere else. A Royal Adventure is taking your vacation to the fullest. Come seek the Royal Caribbean. Visit Royal Caribbean.com to learn more. There's a recipe for getting your car running just right. And eBayMoters.com has all the ingredients you need.

They have over 122 million car parts and accessories in stock, all at the right prices. Now that's tasty. eBaymotors.com. Let's ride. Free agent Tuesday. Or hell, you may be listening to this on Wednesday. I'm recording this on.

On a Monday, Joe Boy, John Middlecoth, 3-and-out podcast, Colin Coward's podcast network. Going live right now, I'm in Los Angeles right now. Going to be with Colin the next couple days. I think I'm going to be on TV slash on a show on Wednesday. Football free-for-all right now. What an amazing day. I mean, what a muscle flex for the NFL.

Basically, I saw my guy, Daniel Jeremiah, tweet this, that NFL free agency is a little better than baseball free agency. A lot goes on, and we still got, as the recording of this, Levion Bell hasn't signed, Earl Thomas hasn't signed, Otto Beckham hasn't been traded, so we got a lot going on. I got a lot to talk about. Was that a bachelor party this weekend?

It was passed out when the trade went down for Antonio Brown, so I have some just thoughts on Gruden and the Raiders. A couple moves by Matt Patricia and the 49ers. I thought were pretty interesting for various reasons. And Nick Foles, wow. I mean, when I saw, you got to be careful, you know, with these NFL contracts when you see a number. You know, in baseball or basketball, if you get a four-year $80 million deal, you get a four-year $80 million deal. You make $20 million a year.

In football, you can throw up any number on the ticker, and you could give me $300 million. But if $3 million of that $300 million are guaranteed, what does that number just fluff? We'll find out in the next couple days what the true guarantees are. That's always really interesting. So it's really hard to kind of overreact to some of these contracts because we just don't have the money. And just, you know, a little behind the curtain, the money gets out, not from the team, the money gets out from the agent. And the agent gives the totality of the contract to these reporters. When you read whatever, you know, Fools, it's easy to put out, hey, you got $88 million and $50 million guaranteed because that's a good deal.

But some of these contracts, until you know what they got guaranteed, it's hard to know. But let me start with this. There's a reason. I've defended the franchise tag. We act like the overreaction for player empowerment is driving me nuts. I mean, these NFL players are, some guys kind of get screwed, I guess, if you're an undrafted free agent. that is a really good player that gets hurt right before he's ever going to get a contract. That guy didn't make much money.

But if you're a franchise player, it's not ideal, but it's not the worst thing in the world. And I say it all the time. The people that benefit most are the fans. Because if you're listening to this, and I get a ton of DMs, we'll get into the Middilkoff mailbag a little bit later, at John Middlecoff's my Instagram handle, you guys send me these DMs that go, hey, I'm a Bangle fan, I'm a Packer fan, I'm a Bucf fan, I'm a Niner fan, whatever. And that's your allegiance first and foremost.

You don't want your good player to go. So the franchise tag is very fan and team friendly. And is it a little shitty for the player? Sure. But as we just saw last year, Leveon Bell turned down 14.5 million. So am I going to cry for Leveon Bell? 14 and a half million, fully guaranteed.

And he'd been franchised the year before. And we'll see. As the recording of this, he has not been signed. but I do get, do you know who wants to hit free agency the most? Obviously the player, but the agent. Because if you get to free agent, this is just kind of a exercise on supply and demand. I've been saying for weeks that the top 10 teams in free agency had over $700 million. That's just the top 10 teams.

There's 22 other teams. I think when you add it all up, it was over a billion dollars. There wasn't close to that much talent on the free agent market. So if you are Trent Brown or Juan Alexander coming off in ACL or Landon Collins, oh my God, that was a big contract, or Nick Foles, the best quarterback by far on the open market, or at least the most accomplished, you're going to get a lot of money. Why? Because you have multiple teams bidding for you. The thing about the franchise tag, you get screwed in the sense that your price is kind of set,

but you don't have a bidding process. You know, when these guys today, Trent Brown has multiple teams that are interested in him. Landon Collins has multiple teams. Any guy that signed or that broke today on Monday and you saw countless names, Honey Badger, these guys had, there were multiple bidders driving up the price. That's why they quote-unquote get overpaid because they just get to a scenario. Look at Kirk Cousins last year. Do you know the reason Kirk Cousins got whatever it worked out to be,

$84 million, you know, three years fully guarantee. Because he had two teams going nuts for him. He actually took less to go to Minnesota than he would have got for the Jets. Think about that. And I think everyone's freaking out, like, how could they get this much money? It's simple. It's just basic economics. There's a ton of money out there.

There aren't that many good players. Some guys are going to get overpaid. It's just nature of the business if you ever hit free agency. That's why these players, and it's on them. Again, I'm not one to think the free agency is treating these guys like indentured servants because when you make 12 to 15 to 20, I mean, Cousins Bank like almost $50 million when he was free agent, when he was tagged twice.

But I do understand fighting for, and I went back and forth on Twitter, maybe you can only get franchised once. You know, maybe there's got to be some middle ground, but I don't think this scenario of free agency is a little overhyped, and I learned it when I was in the NFL, and now I've been covering it forever. Because not, I mean, the top guys are like Trent Brown, Quant Alexander, the top guys get franchised, but every once in a while, you know, the franchise tag gets rescinded. Something happens like Levion Bell, but the NFL was absolutely at its apex pretty much all day

Monday. I think what time did officially get kicked off, 12 Eastern and Schefter and Rap Sheet, they were just tweeting up a storm. and it was really fun. And I said it all along. They're able to do this because the combine is really the unofficial start of everything. That's when all these deals got hashed out. That's when all this happened at the combine.

That's when the wheels and the snowballs start headed down the mountain and then it becomes an avalanche and then boom, everyone signs. And it's just going to be a fun couple days and I'm really excited. And I think we still got a couple curveballs coming. Okay, let's get to the Raiders. The Oakland Raiders kind of broke the internet on Saturday night, and I think you have to break this conversation into multiple topics. Let's just start with the most basic topic.

They got Antonio Brown for basically nothing. A third round pick, fifth rounders mean nothing to me, but to trade him for a third round pick is stealing. There is no question about that. His contract was a lot, but he's dominated. I am bothered zero by them giving him more money. If you're going to trade for him, who cares about paying him? He's an elite player.

Arguably the best in the business. You know, for the last four or five years, six years. I think he's on a historically great six-year stretch. So I'm pro picking up A-B, just for that price. So in a vacuum, great deal. Then let's look at it from this angle. 30 other teams, because you can't factor in the Steelers, and I guess the bills wanted them but wouldn't extend.

No one else was going to offer more, so it's not like to say they stole them, there wasn't a bidding war. People did not want them, and people, no other team beside the Raiders, were going to add 20 plus million dollars in new money. Now, I think with the way the game has changed, $20 million for an elite wider season,

I don't mind that. But why were the Raiders who I was just told, here's my problem, I was just told they were in rebuild mode, John Gruden came in guns blazing, got rid of everyone, it made no sense. I repeat, no

sense that John Gruden, Mark Davis, the owner of the Raiders, did not allow him to bring in his own GM and just fire Reggie McKenzie. I know Reggie had won an executive of the year a couple years back and Mark Davis liked him, but him forcing them to work together was basically a crock of shit.

It was false. He didn't work with him at all. He didn't care what he had to say, and it set the Raiders back. And now they're in position that goes, well, they bought Trent Brown. They trade for Antonio Brown. Trent Brown's 25. I got no problem with the Trent Brown signing. He's a young ascending player.

That's fine. But Antonio Brown's 31. He's averaged in his NFL career 10 and a half wins a year. I think we've all seen the stat. The Raiders have averaged six over that time. The Raiders have been in the last 20 years, or since Gruden left, a place where people went to kind of die. And even Gruden's one year back, it looked like Colin Cowher's big thing last year,

and I kind of disagreed with them. You can't take 10 years off in an industry. This many ambitious, smart, hungry people, and it's so innovative every year and just keep hitting the grounds running, and he didn't. He felt kind of outdated, not with on the field, but with the players. Oh, Khalil Mack won't call me back. Yeah, no shit, John.

He's got an agent. So do you. You've been bleeding everyone dry with your contract demands. If I want to hire you, I don't go to you. I go to Bob Lamont. If you want Khalil Mack on the phone and he hasn't had a new contract, he called Joel Siegel. It's the way business works.

It's the way this thing goes. So for him getting mad about Khalil Mack not calling him back, Now, there's another elephant in the room. Chris Mortensen reported today that the Raiders are having cash problems. And that might be a reason that they can't sign a levy on Bell. So ultimately, could they have not afford to put, you know, that, I think it was around $90 million, you have to put in escrow for Killelea Mac, or whatever the guaranteed signing bonus was, I think it was like $60 million.

It was a lot of money. If you throw in Antonio Brown and Trent Brown together, they do not, their signing bonus, Mark Davis will not have to have that much cash on hand. but he's also going to have to have some cash on hand with these three first rounders because three first rounders contracts are fully guaranteed and their bonus, especially the guy at number four, is going to be pretty big? So is he fit to be an owner? I don't know.

I got some questions right now. But I also feel that everything he said last year, Colin talked about it on Monday, my other podcast I do with Guy Haberman, Haberman and Middilcoff, we've been talking about it for six months, that I never believed he had a plan. I just think he kind of came in like the wow, wow. Wild West. A couple six shooters and were just letting it letting it go. If he hit something great, if he missed, whatever. Just keep shooting. He had a bunch of bullets in his pockets. He just kept refilling and just kept shooting. I thought you were trading Kalil, trading Amari to start back

and build this thing from scratch. Well, now you go trade for a 31-year-old. They couldn't get along in one of the truly great franchises, not just in the NFL, but in all sports. In all of America. You just say the Pittsburgh Steelers, they have a brand of greatness. He could not get along there. Was he underpaid? No, they paid him. He was one of the highest paid guys in the league since, like, his third year in the league. Did they not throw on the ball?

No, caught more balls over a six-year stretch, I think, than like anyone in league history. They depend. They built an offense around him. So he's going to come here with Derek, who, let's call it what it is. I like Derek. I actually think Derek, you know, I've been thinking a lot about it. the offensive line improves, he shouldn't be as bad as he's been the last couple years, because I've seen him be great.

I've seen him be the guy that earned the contract. But the last two stud receivers he had, Amari kind of fell off a cliff, and their relationship was a little weird. Crabtree. Things were cool when they were going well, but they kind of soured the third year. Now, Crabtree is a little like Antonio Brown, but that's a problem. Like Antonio Brown, you're not getting Larry Fitzger-old or Calvin Johnson. You're getting a guy that can fly off the handle at any moment.

Here's the other thing, especially for a team that was quote-unquote rebuilding and starting over. You had Antonio Brown? Biggest personality in the room. Unlike Big Ben, now Derek doesn't have the cloud to do. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in.

I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsLice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slic Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, 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. Trip Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch.

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

Join me, Kear Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. 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 our meaning, 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 America. in history. You need to tell me what you know. Is somebody coming after me? Jacob told, Yovan, you're ruining my life. Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Life throws hurdles big and small. The question is, how do you conquer them? On Hurtle with Emily Abadi, we sit down with the most inspiring women in sports and wellness, professional athletes, coaches, and Olympic champions to talk about the challenges that shaped them and the mindset that keeps them going.

From the 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 feel like you don't feel on. Don't let that be the reason you don't do it. An Olympic champs Gabby Thomas and Katie Ladeki.

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 IHeart Women's Sports. I do this either, but he's not going to point the finger at it. Antonio and blame him. What happens in week one when Antonio only has five targets and starts bitching and moaning? And then Gruden says, well, Antonio ran the wrong route. Antonio screwed up. Like, can they handle that?

I don't know. There's also a big elephant in the room here. No one buys and sells players, buys lower and sells higher than Belichick. I mean, he got Trent Brown for nothing. Trent Brown leaves he's going to get a third round comp pick. The 49ers were adamant, and people have told me this for the last two years, that they did not believe, because it was clear two years ago, Vaughn Miller called Trent Brown the best right tackle in football,

and he's damn good. And this year he was awesome, bumped to left tackle. He's a really good player, and he's 25 years old. But by about 2017, they realized this guy is going to be an enormous cash guy, an enormous cash guy, and they were not comfortable with giving him that money. Now, if he plays well with Tom Cable, where offensive linemen go to die, that's going to reflect poorly on Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch. And if John Gruden can't get anything out of him, people will just go, well, there's Tom Cable for you.

Like, this is the pressure on Tom Cable. Like, are you really this terrible of an offensive line coach, or are you the guy that people considered five or six years ago was a really good offensive line coach? I'd probably lean the ladder right now, but things change. We'll see. That's a lot of cash. It's a lot of cash. man. They went from rebuilding to

swinging for the fences. John Gruden. John Wow Wow Wes Gruden. Can I tell you about my friends at Shopify? It's the sound of another sale on Shopify, the all-in-one commerce platform to start, run, and grow your business. Shopify gives entrepreneurs the resources once reserved for big business

so upstarts, startups, and established businesses alike can sell everywhere, synchronized, online, in-person sales, and effortlessly stay informed. Scaling your business is a journey and endless possibility. I love how Shopify has the tools and resources

that make it easy for any businesses succeed from down the street to around the globe. Like mine, Shopify powers millions of businesses from first scale to full scale. Reach customers online, across social networks, and in an ever-growing suite, integrations and apps, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok,

Pinterest, and even more. gain insights as you grow with detailed reporting of conversion rates, profit margins, and beyond. More than a store, Shopify grows with you. This possibility powered by Shopify. Go to Shopify.com slash John, that's all lowercase, for a free 14-day trial, and get full access to Shopify's entire suite of features. Grow your business with Shopify today. Go to Shopify.com slash J-O-H-N Shopify.com.

Imagine fighting climate change every time you buy groceries or pizza. Now you can. With the Aspiration Zero credit card, you can reduce your carbon footprint by making the same purchases you always make. Aspiration Zero plants one tree every time you make a purchase. Or plant two trees when you choose to round all your purchases up to the nearest dollar. Track your progress in the app and earn 1% cash back each month you reach Carbon Zero. time, earn a $300 bonus when you open an account at Aspiration.com and spend $3,000 in the first 90 days. Join the community that helps you fight climate change with every purchase.

Aspiration Zero, one card, zero carbon footprint. The Aspiration Zero MasterC is issued by Beneficial State Bank pursuant to license by MasterC International Incorporated, Beneficial State Bank member FDIC 2021. Terms and conditions apply. Visit aspiration.com for more information. Can I tell you about my friends at LinkedIn? Listen, it's a new year, 2022. We're all trying to find people that hire, for those of you listening that are in HR, running small businesses, wherever you are.

And LinkedIn makes it easier than ever to find people you want to talk to faster and for free. Create a job posted minutes. I've done it on LinkedIn jobs to reach your network and beyond to the world's largest professional network of 770 million people. Focus on candidates with the right skills and experience. Use screening questions to get your role in front of the most qualified. Then use simple tools to quickly filter and prioritize who you would like to interview and hire. That's why small businesses rate LinkedIn Jobs number one in delivering quality hires first competitors. LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the candidates you want to talk to faster.

Did you know that every week nearly 40 million job seekers visit LinkedIn? Post your job for free at LinkedIn. That's LinkedIn.com slash johan, John, to post your job for free. Terms and conditions apply. Okay, let's get into some interesting deals. I think the first one that was, that made us all say wow, was Nick Foles. We all knew who's going to Jacksonville, John D. Filippo, former Eagles quarterback coach, now their offensive coordinator, match made a lot of sense.

I was thinking, you know, three years, 50, million, 35 guaranteed. But back to what I originally said, the most powerful thing a decent NFL player can have happen to them is hit free agency. The most powerful thing, a decent quarterback with a resume that's won a Super Bowl, and his four playoff wins can do, is definitely hit free agency. As Steve Smith said on NFL Network, Blake Bortles, bye-bye, Felicia, it's over. I think Rapsheet tweeted, it's over for Bortals. But $50 million guaranteed, that's a lot of dough for Nikki Foles.

But, you know, he's one of those guys you feel good for. His career was almost over. He was going to retire. He then became the backup. Carson goes down. We all know the story. But to me, this year kind of cemented his legacy in that city, a place where I lived, that absolutely just, I mean, his head over heeled.

for football, the importance of the Eagles in that town, and the joy that he brought to them. Obviously, the Super Bowl will never be eclipsed unless Wence wins like two or three because that first one is so special. But to me, this year, when they were dead and gone as defending champs, Carson goes down with, well, what's the back, and Foles comes in, win after win after win, and then goes on the road against the best defense in the league and finds a way to get a win, It was remarkable. I remember being at the gym, Jim bar. I wasn't drinking.

I just got done working out, and I was watching the game, and just, it was incredible. I mean, it was Nick Foles, baby. But $50 million, I do think there's something to be said about getting a grown-up in the room. Bortles has always kind of been known.

Meathead party guy, obviously not a very good player. Foles is really serious. He's accomplished. He's, He just, people like him. All of his teammates like him. He's well respected.

He's got pelts on the wall. I mean, the moment he walks in there, what have you accomplished, Jalen? What have you accomplished, A.J. Bouyeh. Yo, Leonard Fournette, what have you done? And this guy's won a Super Bowl. This guy's won a playoff game. Now, a lot of guys on that team actually have won a playoff game.

They did two years ago against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they fell off a cliff this year. So I'm fascinated to see that thing go down. I actually think he could help stabilize them. you look at that division holy hell Colts are going to be loaded the Houston Texans you know they lost the honey badger

we'll get into that here in a second but they're still going to be pretty solid Tennessee Titans are going to be solid and it's a good division but I think when you look the Kansas City Chiefs God Brett Veach man him and Andy they are Andy was so good with Howie

and he's so good with Brett because they're so aggressive because they just are going to come out swinging and they're closers. To get the Honey Badger when the Texans wanted him to stay, I think smart move by the Honey Badger, go to a place where you can win. They desperately need

defensive pieces. It kind of shows you the Eric Berry runs probably over, make so much money, he's been injured, can't stay on the field. To me, the Honey Badger, everything good about the NFL, a guy that had a troubled pass, kicked out of LSU,

that tumbled in the draft, that completely turned around, around his life. And not only is he become a good NFL player, he's become a team captain, every place he goes. Larry Fitzgerald called him the heart and soul of the Cardinals. He became the captain immediately for the Texans.

I love that guy. Honey Badger's my, I mean, it might not be my favorite player, but he's one of my favorite people in the league. I love rooting for that guy. He's everything that you hope for when you kind of take a swing on a guy that has a questionable past. Matures becomes, just so grateful in it all.

And Patrick Peterson deserves a lot of credit, help kind of get his life together. You have to wonder, could Veach maybe throw his first round pick, see if he can get Patrick Peterson? I'm not hearing anything, just throwing that out there. You get Patrick Peterson, the Honey Badger, back together, but that was a good signing.

I thought Matt Patricia had a pretty good day. Trey Flowers, Danny Amandola. You have to get guys that, you know, have one. And when you're trying to implement your system, it's no different to coaching staff, right? A lot of times when a new coach gets there, he fires all the former assistants because he needs guys that are like-minded and think like him. Same

deal with players, you need to bring in guys that believe in your system. So when you're speaking, especially if you're Patricia, and the players think you're nuts, that Trey Flowers can go, you know, making $16 million multiple rings. Listen, this shit works. Danny Am and Dole can go, yeah, these guys know what they're talking about.

I'm not saying it will work, but I like what they did today. I mean, it made a lot of sense to get Trey Flowers. I know they quote unquote, they paid him a lot of money. And the 49ers one's interesting. I don't know that much about Kwan Alexander. I mean, I watched

him a couple years ago. He was obviously really good. This year tore his ACL. texted buddies around the NFL that said, yeah, he's really fast, explosive. He misses a lot of tackles but he flies around like a heat-seeking missile. I can't totally give the 49ers credit on this one. I don't know the money

yet. But they're really in this position. because they took a flyer, not a flyer, I mean a major swing on Ruben Foster, which I was behind. I thought they should have. But it backfired. They had to cut Ruben Foster in the middle of the season when he got arrested at the team hotel. And luckily they're in a position where they got no one else to pay. They pay this guy. But they're also paying a guy coming off a torn ACL.

And again, back to the original topic on this whole podcast, you make it a free agency. If you just had some good tape, even if it wasn't this year, if it was two years ago, going to get broken off, you're going to get some cash. Even if you got an ACL that snapped. I get why they did it, but to me it symbolizes they did it for a reason. They did it because the Ruben Foster letdown. Now, if he's healthy, he should be able to add to this defense. Maybe they can get Earl Thomas.

I really wanted the Honey Badger in San Francisco. I think he's just better than Earl Thomas at this point in time in his career. But I get it. We'll see if this O'Doneman. Beckham trade. There's a lot of buzz. The Niners are trying. Now, is John Mara ultimately going to sign off?

Would the Niners be willing to not do a pick swap and just give pick two for Odell Beckham? We'll see. I don't think they want to. That would be a bold move, cotton, but you might have to get him. Because unlike the Steelers that were giving him away, if you want to take someone away

from a team that likes the guy, You got to kind of offer something. You got to almost overpay. You got to blow them away with an offer. You want to buy my home and I don't want to leave my home. Well, I'm not an idiot. I mean, I throw out a number. Maybe you'll interest me enough to go, okay, see you.

See you. But I live in the Bay Area, so it better be a big-ass number so I can buy a smaller home. Those are, and the Landon-Collins deal, until I see the guaranteed money again I'm not going to overreact but man I that's a lot of cash now they do know him he's in the division

I was I missed my flight on Friday to go to spring training and my buddies that were at the bachelor party got to hang out with Rex Ryan and Robb's on the on the Redskin staff I would have loved to pick his brain about some free agents but that'll be interesting

they needed a splash and Snyder likes a splash I just don't know how it's really going to work. I get in theory liking the guy and a blue chipper. Now they've got five Alabama guys on the roster. But how's it going to work when they implement it? I don't know. This is real-time podcasting right here.

Texting with a buddy in the league. As I record this about 713, news just breaks. It's hard to do a podcast because unlike a radio show, you can kind of react live. If I record and then something happens, I mean, it's just part of the deal, especially this day. Lamarcus Joyner just signed with the Raiders. And, you know, some of these players, when you watch much more casually like I do now,

I can't give you strengths and weaknesses on all these guys. I know Lamarcus, I know some things about him. I know he's a smaller player and texting with a buddy. It's like, you know, he's a really instinctive cover guy. But he is really small. He's like 5-8. And I said, well, what's his deal? Like, why are they letting him walk?

Because they did franchise him. He's like, well, there were some questions. He almost quit football three years ago. And that's another thing. You're paying huge money. You know, I talked about Gruden earlier, but he's like Al Davis 2.0. And then I just text him. You know, the Landon Collins deal is just nuts.

And I know I talked about this earlier, but even he was like nuts, bro. That's insane. That's absolutely insane. But he did bring up a good point is the safety market is moving away from big guys. The Landon Collins, not the Washington Redskins, but the Cam Chancellor's, you know what, the team I grew up on was Merton Hanks and Tim McDonald. And I got to know Tim McDonald when I worked at Fresno State, he was a monster. Me, he was like a 6-3 safety. I worked with Lewis Riddick, also a safety in the NFL.

Massive, absolutely massive. Those safeties are kind of done. I mean, safety is like 510, 511 playmakers. You've got to be able to cover. You've got to be able to check these runs. backs out of the backfield. I think that's why these three-down middle linebackers, like Devin White's going to go in the top five or six.

It's why I thought Roquan Smith last year, top-five player. They've never been more valuable, running around and being able to cover a three-down middle linebacker. The days of, I got to know a little bit, a friend would be strong, but, you know, I could text them or call him if I want. Bill Romanowski. Bill Romanowski was an old-school two-down mic. Played for like 16 straight years.

He never missed a game. I mean, one of the toughest SOLBs ever in the NFL. Those type guys can't really play anymore. There's no spot for them. I need Roquant Smith. I need Devin White. I need Devin Bush.

I need Bobby Wagner's and Luke Keakley's and what Bowman and Willis were. That's the type guys everyone's looking for because what Jalen Smith and Van Derresh look to be. You've got to have those guys or you will get destroyed because all these running backs can catch. You know, everyone has a slot receiver. Teams got multiple tight ends. you got to be able to cover. So you've got a pass rush and cover. Stopping the run is important at times,

but how many teams are truly going to rush the ball 35 times at you? Five, maybe. So it's a fascinating time in the league. Times are changing and we'll just change with it. One thing that I think this guy's finding out and this whole three-minute rant could look like terrible if by the time you're listening and this guy signed, or even if he signed, like his money's big,

but I think if you got a lot of money or there was money out there for you you sign and you commit right now it's happened all morning and I'm still recording this at like 7.30 still happening where's Levi-on Bell

because you could argue once Antonio Brown was kind of he wasn't a free agent but once that domino fell and everything started flying Monday morning you could argue he was the best free agent available but he's a running back as my buddy in the league just text me

injury-prone runner with character issues is he finding out right now that what the NFL just saw also about Todd Gurley who was a higher character guy who the Rams had drafted the team the team that had originally drafted him stood by him and loves them

the Steelers like eh not really feeling you is Levion Bell finding out that the $45 million that Todd Gurley got guaranteed now kind of looks terrible because he's got arthritis that if you're a team in the league going, it is so easy to find running backs. Last year,

yeah, Philip Lindsay was last year in 2018, undrafted free agent, makes the Pro Bowl. I'm going to give Levion Bell. I've said all along, I've had people in the league that work with money for a living. That's what they do, the money stuff, that said they didn't think it was going to get $30 million guaranteed.

Sounds kind of crazy, especially when you say that Gurley got 45, but now Gurley's 45 looks terrible because he's got arthritis. And why does he have arthritis? Because he tore his knee. Well, Levy on Bell's had a knee issue before. What if he gets arthritis in a year or two? You'd be screwed. Now, Leveon's never been fast, like Gurley. He's been more instinctive and he's a great catcher of the football, but so's Todd. But you get my point. Is there a chance that these last 12 hours for Leveon Bell

have been, holy shit, I am not going to sniff the money that I thought I was going to get, because don't get it twisted. He's $14.5 million in the hole. He's in the red right now. 14 and a half million dollars so if he gets 30 million dollars guaranteed he just left 14 and a half on the table if he gets 45 i will tip my hat and say i'm an idiot and i don't know what i'm talking about i if i had to guess right now i think levi on's contract is going to be eye-opening like 26 million guaranteed just something like whoa a four-year 40 million just basically like a two-year you know two seasons at like 13 apiece that that that is my prediction right now. And, you know, the player empowerment, Twitter mob, this is a guy that's suspended twice.

I just, whoa, you know, it's finding that the market, because as we've seen, you're a good offensive tackle, boom, $60 million. You can cover, boom, huge money. You can pass rush a little bit, boom, huge money, or franchise. Levion Bell, elite runner. Crickets. Also, it's You know, he's pretty tired. He carried the ball 350 times last year. Nope, took the season off. Fresh. What's going on?

I'll tell you. Conspiracy theory, Middilkoff. Levion was given some of the offers that he got today and was like, oh my God. I should have taken that $14.5 million. It's not like I was saying during fall camp. He's a moron if he holds out. Sign the franchise tag and play under the 14.5 million.

million dollars. Even if your career would have ended, you would have made almost $27 million in two years. I do not think you're going to make $27 million on this deal. Levion, potentially, again, this could be old takes exposed, big loser in free agency. Okay, let's get to the Middilcoff mailbag. You know the cool thing about football? Is there a multiple ways to do it? You see Howie Roseman today coming out swinging, gets Malik Jackson, trades, you know, a bag of footballs for Deshaun to get him back in the mix. You see Belichick, just let sweet players walk.

And both those two teams are always in the playoffs. Obviously, the Patriots are better. But, I mean, the Eagles had beat him last year. But my point is that Howie, Bill's, I'd say the best. If you had, I mean, clearly the total package, coach, GM, the whole thing. Howie's really established himself since getting rid of that Chip Kelly, who not quite sure he knows what he's doing, then how he knows what he's doing. and Howie, and I've been around, it hangs his hat on aggression,

where Belichick just kind of hangs his hat on sitting in the weeds. Now, you never know at any moment something crazy could happen with the Pats, like a trade, but they never signed really big free agents. The one they did the last couple of years was Gilmore, who became an all pro. My buddy just texted me in the league that said, as I said, can Deshawn still play? And he said, yeah. I mean, I watched him a little bit this year. He made some big plays, but you never know when you get an older guy,

but my buddy in the league, his response just said they could become scary if they can keep them on the field. Okay, let's get Middilkoff mailbag. I'm going to fire out some questions. Is there a snowball's chance in hell the Bears could sign Levi-on-Bell? He seems like he'd be an awesome fit as the running back in Nagy system. He would. And everything I read points to Howard being on his way out of town. I'd have to check the cap numbers.

I think at the end of the day, you're just going to be able to get, like I just said, on Belfer, cheap. He makes a lot of sense in that offense. Think how much he would help Ms. Trubisky. Someone to dump the ball off to, someone to consistently hand the ball off to, having a one-two combination of him and Cohen. That'd be a pretty dynamic little deal. And you could trade Howard. Probably get a fourth. I'd say third, but he's a running back, going into his third year. So he's a year away from being paid. I guess two years away from being paid. But, yeah, I think they could get a decent return for Howard. I don't think it's crazy, though, when you say Levi-on-Beld, do you think the Bears in their culture? Not that they're,

you know, I don't know. I'm hard-pressed. Think of the players Ryan Pace has brought in. Khalil Mack, Tribisky, Cohn, the type guys they've liked Eddie Jackson. They've paid full. or Roquan Smith. They don't have many questionable character guys around. I mean, Akeem Hicks is a little crazy, but they like him in the building. I'm trying to think of their, I think their roster is pretty high level. Now, you could also argue, you know, you're not winning Super Bowls with a team full of choir boys. You know, Khalil Mack is a badass, but he's not LT.

You know, and I'm not saying you even need LT's, but as, as, you know, as, you're not, you know, As Moose Johnson once told me on my radio show back in the day, he said, you need two things. You need players of character and characters that can play. Now, they had a pretty unique team in the Cowboys in the mid-90s, but you need a couple nut jobs. And so if Levion Bell, maybe you can get them motivated, maybe you get them on a one-year deal.

Maybe you get them on a one-year $15 million deal. How dumb would he look if that's what it takes. Question on the Giants. What are the chances they try and nab Josh Rosen if he becomes available? Would it be a good fit in Pat Shermer's offense? To me, if they're able to trade for, if they trade Odell Beckham, let's say the Niners get Odell Beckham, and then they do something with two, and the Niners give them their second round pick, which is 36,

so the Giants would have two high second round picks. Why wouldn't you trade one of those for Josh Rosen? Then you would have, you might have Nick Bosa, you get a sweet second round pick that you can draft whoever you want, and you get Bosa, or I mean, and you get Rosen, to me, why would they not be all over Josh Rosen? To me, Denver and the Giants should be all over Josh Rosen. Now, again, he might not be on the trade block.

I've been saying over and over and over and over again that I think Kyler Murray is going to be a cardinal. But if Josh Rosen just keeps staying on the Cardinals, then maybe Kyler Murray's not going to be on the, or I mean, maybe, yeah, maybe Josh Rosen is going to be their quarterback. I think he's going to get traded. But I feel a little less confident. You would have thought maybe something today.

Maybe they're waiting until draft day. I'm watching Hollywood Brown. Let's see what this is. He gets. So Antonio, someone sent me, this is, this is on Instagram. Someone forwarded me. Okay, let me replay this again, see if I can't. Is Antonio Brown?

Can't say that. I mean, Hollywood Brown to the Raiders with his cousin Antonio Brown. It would be kind of fun. That would be sweet. You know, he can say that he thinks John Gruden said they're going to draft his cousin, but he can also, I mean, Hollywood Brown just might not be available when they draft. As a Niners fan, I want to know why you are so in favor of them trading for O'De Beckham. He's obviously one of the best receivers in the game when healthy,

but has only played 16 games in the past two seasons and also has a big ego that might not sit well with the locker room. Obviously, there's a huge need at wide receiver, but I want to know why you think it's worth to give up so much and pay him, well, he's already already paid, but I know what you're saying, when they're more than one player away. Well, selfishly, I mean, I talk about the Niners for a living.

He would add a lot, so full disclosure, I am somewhat biased that he's good for my business. I also think that, you're talking about, friends in the league, and I've always thought this about O'Dell, that again, there is an inherent risk because he gets hurt. But when he's healthy, he is as dynamic of a player and as dynamic of a playmaker as there is in the NFL. Like he dominates. The year when they got on the boat in Miami and got crushed for it, he was unstoppable. Like he is a elite weapon. He's only 26. He's never played with a good quarterback. Yeah, I got to overpay for him. But if he can give me three or

for all pro type seasons, which I'd be betting on, which is a risk. I mean, everything in this league is a risk. Trading for Khalil Mack is about as low risk as you'll get. Most times, when you trade a lot, it's risky. You know, Belichick traded a one for Brandon Cook's. It was risky. Now, he's so good, he flipped him for a one. But, you know, Percy Harvin.

I don't think Odell's Percy Harvin or Jimmy Graham. I mean, guys get hurt. Yeah, it's 100% of risk. But part of it is he brings a dynamic element immediately to the team that I know Kyle can get guys to overachieve. I know he can scheme the run game. They already got George Kittle. That way I can get Odell Beckham

and then maybe I can go sign some other receiver or trade for another guy. I don't know, but you need a number one in this league. Like you need a dude. They got a dude in George Kittle, but you need a dude on the outside. Just look at all the good teams. They all have guys.

You know, and say, oh, the Patriots don't. Yeah, I mean, Gronk and Edelman are damp. They're a championship level player. when shit hits the fan. You know, look at the Chiefs. I mean, they got Tyree Kill. He's unstoppable. So I'm just a big believer in,

I don't think the receiver position, and I know this has been Cowards thing forever, is as overrated as it once was because of the rules. It's like having three-point shooter or something in basketball. It used to be like, I just need one. No, you better have like four or five now. And if you got one or two of the best ones, you're going to kick ass and take names.

If you got Antonio Brown, like, listen, Antonio Brown has been the best player on that team for the last like four years. What have they done? They've won a lot because he dominates. Rain, shine, snow. He kicks ass and he takes names. What does Julio do? Julio kicks ass and take names.

Like the top guy, Devante Adams, every week. Now, you need more than that on your team, obviously, to win. You know, Devante Adams, Julio, two guys at a huge seasons last year. The teams weren't very good. Sure's how it wasn't their fault. That was the problem. Obviously, the Packers couldn't run the ball. any of the receivers. Rogers wasn't playing that well, even though stats looked decent.

But yeah, I'm just, I'm an O'Dell guy. I've liked him since college. I'm not, you know, I'm not disputing that it's a really expensive endeavor if you are going to, you know, trade for him. Because there is a chance, and I think some would think the Niners are nuts, would you give pick two up for him? Would you do that straight up? Pick two for O'Dell would the giants do it maybe not but would they think about it what about like pick two and next year's two you know so pick two in the draft so basically here's nick bosa you get pick two and six and we get to keep our second rounder but you get our second next year would they do that would the diners do that that'd be risky and there'd be a lot of pressure on odell but i i do

know this like the pressure that comes with getting traded for a pick like that i think he's a type guy that can handle it and here's the other thing I know he's good enough. Like, I know when he's on, he is as good as it gets. And if I am going to trade for a player that's going to cost me a shitload, like Khalil Mack, he better be a baller. Like, that's why I didn't love the Rams trading a one last year for Brandon Cooks. If I'm going to trade a one for a player, he better, if he's not a baller,

have the upside to be the best. Khalil Mack was an easy trade. He was already the best. Odell's a little more difficult because of the injuries. I don't even think he's that big of a diva. I think Eli just sucks. Hey John, you brought up Jordan Palmer on the last pod, and I was curious how much money do you think he makes prepping for the draft.

He usually works for the top guys, probably pretty decent coin, to only work a few months versus grinding, a quarterback coach in the NFL team. Thanks, keep up the great work. That's a good question. I honestly have no clue. I don't know, maybe each guy's agent, I mean, actually, it's the guy that end up paying the agent, gives them $25,000.

So if he gets four guys, that's, you know, $100,000. Is that, yeah, quarter, yeah, $100,000. And maybe Josh Allen and I know Sam Donald are working. Maybe they kick in another $20,000. So boom, it gets $120,000 right there for three months of work, and then works with him in the summer. Maybe he charges them $30,000 every day. That's a hell of a question.

Maybe I'm high, maybe I'm low. I don't have a great answer for that because it's, that's a hell of a question. I know the guys training people for the 40 get like 15, 20 grand, so why wouldn't he get, he's a quarterback coach. And especially if Sam Donald and Josh Allen swear by him, yeah, maybe he makes like 150 grand for three or four months a week, or I mean a month, or three or four months a year, really.

You got the off-season OTA starting like three weeks, so they'll be gone. Now the college guys won't, but they'll be flying around the country to meet with all these teams. So if you could beg 150 grand, just work a couple months a year, shit, maybe I need to be Jordan Palmer's manager. See if I have any new questions. I think that might be it. Someone asked me this. If the Titans offer the Giants their 19th pick,

Jack Conklin, and a 2020 pick for Odell, would the Giants be interested? I think the Giants are probably getting just some fantastic offers for Odell. Like a one, a player, a next year's two, just some offers that are making them think. Now, that's where I get back to the Niners. They do have the Trump card. Like, here's pick two.

Here's pick two, and I mean, this would be bold, but here's pick two and pick 36. I mean, how would the Giants turn that down? Would the Niners kind of get crushed for that? Maybe a little. I would support it, but I'd also admit that's a bold move, cotton. You know, just pick two and 36. That's a lot of ammo.

That means the Giants would have pick two, pick six, pick 36, and whatever their second round pick is, pick 40 or something. They'd have a lot. That wouldn't be that nuts. Now, O'Dell went in the top 15. He then was a max receiver. So, yeah, I think teams are offering, why wouldn't teams in the, you know, the Titan,

some of those teams in the first round, like the Houston Texans, you know, go all in. Just go, we're going to get Odell with DeAndre. the Colts, here's our one. Here's our one and one of our twos. Because they got two twos because of the Jets twos from last year of the Sam Darnel trade. I bet the Giants are getting some offers that are just like, damn.

Now again, when you have good players, if you go, this guy's available or we'll listen to his calls, look at the Raiders last year. There were like 10 teams lined up to give ones and twos and money and players. It's just, when you have good players and you'll be like, you know what? I will trade Russell Wilson. Now, the quarterback's the bad example,

because everyone wants to trade for a quarterback. But like, if the Texans, anyone want DeAndre Hopkins, people would be like, uh, if the chiefs were like, anyone want Chris Jones, people would be like, uh, anyone want the bucks, Mike Evans, you're just going to get big ass offers and you're going to get a lot of teams because there are only so many good players in the NFL,

like really, really top-in players. You know, guys that are not just pro bowlers, but elite pro bowlers. Like Mike Evans, Chris Jones, like, these guys are the high end of the pro bowlers. So, but those guys don't become available. Like, O'Dell Beckham does not become available. Julio Jones was never, and A.J. Green, those guys weren't available for the first seven, eight, nine years of their career. Now, you can get him like, year nine, what you have to pay for him. Do you feel good about it?

Probably not. That's what makes O'Dell so intriguing. He's 26. 26. And it's clear if he can stay healthy, these next four or five years would probably be one of the best players in the NFL, non-quarterback.

So, yeah, I mean, I think the Giants would listen to Conklin first and maybe next year's second. That's a lot. But, you know, do the Titans need to roll the dice? I do not think Odell would want to be a Tennessee Titan, though. Thanks for listening. Be around with, I'll be with Colin tomorrow. I'm going to go watch how he does a show.

then I think I'll be on with them on Wednesday. So, uh, appreciate you listening to the podcast. It's been a fun week. It's only getting started by Friday. Well, shit, I'm sure we'll have a lot more information. A lot's happening and we'll just, you know, try to hold on for dear life, keeping track of it all.

So, uh, talk to you later this week. Adios. If you love to be remembered as the person who gives the best birthday gifts, I'm here to tell you that 1-800 Flowers.com is your ultimate birthday gifting destination. 1-800 Flowers has thoughtful and artfully created options that are guaranteed to deliver the best birthday surprise. Shop thousands of unique gifts at 1-800flowers.com for exclusive offers and great values. To order today, visit 1-800flowers.com slash tune-in. That's 1-800flowers.com slash tune-in. 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 SportsSlyce comes in. I'm Timbo, and every episode we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headline. And we're going straight to the source, the athletes themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear. Listen to Sports Slice on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy. Not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and Friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, S&L'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. What's up, guys? This is Clifford Taylor the Fourth. And on my podcast, The Clifford Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff. Like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game.

This linebacker, this linebacker walks up to me. He goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Time out. Quarterback on office blue with 42. Hey, rec, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Hey, Miss Parker.

Listen to the Clivert show on the, the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano. It's our favorite time of the year on our podcast, Point Game, the playoffs. We're digging into the biggest surprises of the season. And I'm looking back on some of my greatest playoff moments.

If we didn't talk ever again, I was crying. You just understood. That's how personal it got. Wow. Then after that game seven, Marquis keep coming to. He's like, you know, I love you, dog. You know, it's all love. This was just playoffs.

This was just basketball. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.