The Herd with Colin Cowherd - The Herd - Hour 1 - NFL predictions

Episode Date: August 17, 2023

Colin unveils his predictions for the NFL division winners based on the best quarterbacks and why the Seahawks can repeat last season's surprising success He likes what he's been hearing from Aaron Rodgers since he joined the Jets but remains cautious about their season for this one reason Another top QB pick seems to be trending towards bust territorySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio in noon to 3 Eastern 9 a.m. to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the herd at Fox Sports Radio.com or stream us live every day on the IHeart Radio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. Now let's get this party started. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Oh, it is a Thursday. There is a lot going on live in Los Angeles. It's the Hurt, wherever you may be, and however you may be listening. Thanks for making us part of your day.

Basically, FS1 is the Hurt channel. Undisputed back August 28th. First Things First is on vacation this week. So I walk in the building this morning and I'm getting a lot of me and I'm almost exhausted by seeing me. So if you are too, I totally understand. J-Mack is joining me. Greg CoSell one hour from now, first time this year. We bring Greg CoSell on every Thursday, top of second hour.

What is he seeing? I've got my hottest take of the football season, top of next hour, and I don't think it's a hot take. J-Mack, I had an epiphany last night. Okay, about life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness football? It was about division winners in the NFL. Ah, yes. Always dreaming about football, coward, yes. So I was thinking about this last night.

And, you know, there's an old saying in sports paralysis by analysis. Just don't overthink the room. And I thought to myself, we kind of know who's going to win in this league. If you have a great quarterback, we know when the Brady Belichick divorce, the quarterback's more important than the coach. But if you have a great quarterback or the best quarterback in a different, division and you have a competent coach, hopefully, you know, he's been around a while, you have a really strong likelihood of winning that division or at least being a playoff team. So I was looking over because I still get one or two more tweaks until I unveiled my final

NFL predictions. And I was sitting there thinking this morning, if you just took the most productive quarterback from last year in every division and hopefully bring the same coach back. I'm just going to make that my division winner. Well, it just so happens, most of them have been that with one or two exceptions. So this morning, as of this morning, here is who I would pick. Josh Allen was the most productive quarterback last year. so I'm going to take Buffalo to win the AFC East. Also, continuity brings back a successful head coach.

All right. I'll take Patrick Mahomes, most productive quarterback in his division. Continuity, same head coach. I'll take Trevor Lawrence, second year with Doug Peterson, most productive quarterback in the division. and finally, Joe Burrow. Now, this just happens to be

who I was going to pick anyway, right? I'd played around a little bit with Miami, but I can't trust who his health. So I'm just going by my new theory. Most productive quarterback last year, and do you bring back continuity with the head coach? That's what blew up last year, Denver. Russell Wilson, new team, new coach, new C,

that was too many moving parts. So let's go now to the NFC. Okay, I'm going to take in the NFC East, Jalen Hertz. He was the most productive quarterback in that division, brings back Nick Seriani for, I think it's year three. Okay. Then we go to the NFC West. This is my change. Gino Smith was the most productive quarterback.

Brock Purdy didn't play enough games. Matt Stafford didn't play a lot. And Kyler Murray didn't. So this is my revelation. What am I doing here? Seattle had another good draft. The O-line was young, worn out at the end of last year, should be better. Their first four draft picks are viewed as A's across the board with two playmakers in a star corner. Then we go in the NFC South.

Now, this was the one I go, okay, who is the most productive quarterback in the division? It's Derek Carr. Now, he was in a different conference, the better conference. But there isn't a quarterback and a coaching change. So the coach was there and Derek was productive. They meet in New Orleans. I'll take the same. And finally, Jared Goff and Kirk cousins are a virtual tie and they both bring back the coach.

So Goff and cousins have strikingly similar numbers. But, I mean, they literally passing yards are the same. Passer rating, Goff's slight edge. The difference is cousins through twice as men. interceptions. And if it's a coin flip, I'll take the quarterback who made fewer mistakes. I tend to think golf is more talented anyway. So I will take now Detroit to win the NFC North. So in all these now, Alan Mahomes, Lawrence Burrow, hurts, Gino, Derek, and Goff. I take the most productive quarterback of last year. Only once is there no coach quarterback continuity, but unlike Denver last

year, Dennis Allen, the head coach in New Orleans was already there, and Derek was highly productive. So there you go. And I think I was overthinking Seattle. And I was overthinking the NFC West. Arizona's in a total rebuild. The Rams are in a semi-rebuild. I mean, there's some real weaknesses.

J-MACs pointed that out. Most people have them at six wins. And San Francisco, Brock Purdy's not healthy. freelance drama, Sam Darnold's looked better than both at practice and in their games. There's too much noise. There's just too much noise at quarterback, even though they have the best roster. So there is my revelation. Most productive quarterback from last year.

Coaching continuity. Seattle is now in NFC West. And I'm going to take coin flip Jared Goff. NFC's harder to pick because you don't have super. star quarterbacks. I'll take golf in Detroit to win over Minnesota by inches, battle to the last couple of weekends. There you go. There you go. A little bit of revelation last night. I'm just going with best quarterback last year. And if you give me the coach, I'm going to go with that too. Because what blows up franchises? Inconsistent quarterbacks. New coach, new system,

not sure. All this. The only one you worry about is, do the Saints really have the right coach? I don't no, but he's coming back. I'm getting the system, and Derek looked really good last week in his one appearance. So there you go. Jay Mack, any quick reactions on that? I'll just say, if we did this last year, you probably would have had Stafford in the NFC West, right? Stafford coming off the Super Bowl. Last year at this time. Yes. And you would have probably had DAC over Jalen Hertz, right? Jalen Hertz didn't win a playoff game. Right. And in the south, you would have had Tom Brady. So a lot of changes in the NFC, and you would have certainly had Aaron Rogers over going for cousins.

So as we've said, the AFC's easier to pick than the NFC. So that's why the NFC, I'm just going to go with what I know. Gough with Dan Campbell, it looks good. Derek Carr with this roster, which is clearly the best in division, looks good. I thought about Desmond Ritter when I did this this morning, but he only started four games. So he was really a backup. His preseason has not been great so far. The report's out of practice or Desmond Ritter's not crutching it, let's just say.

So there we go. There's there as of now. I don't have all my playoff stuff, all baked in yet, but I'm going bills, chiefs, jags, bengals, eagles, seahawks, saints, lions. So do you still have the Niners in the playoffs? Yes. Yes. I just saw a story this morning. Shanahan not worried about Brock Purdy's consistent intercept.

issues in camp. Trey Lance drama. Darnold looked great in the game, has reportedly been the best at practice. So what happens if they're just like Purdy's struggling with his arm? And Darnold starts for three weeks. That's on the table right now.

Seattle knows exactly who's quarterbacking. So I'm going with that continuity. All right. Second story. Report. Jets have discussed trading for David Bakhtiari, all pro Green Bay left tackle. Story.

Mackay Beckton needs to show he can play without needing to come out, Robert Sala. At least the Jets know the issue. So it's one thing. There are a lot of problems in life that you can get to eventually. If you're 29 years old, your retirement, you got some tarmac there. Or let's say you want to lose 10 to 12 pounds before your wedding in nine months. You know, you've got some time on those. What's concerning about the Jets offensive line, it is the opposite of R-E-L-A-X.

Go to the Jets schedule until October 29th. So you start Monday, September 11th. The Bills, second in scoring defense, Vaughn Miller may play. Next up, the Cowboys and the Patriots tied for third in sacks. week four, the Chief's second in sacks. After that the Broncos, second and third down defensive percentage that get you off the field. Week six, the Eagles first in sacks, and then week eight the Giants tied for six in quarterback pressures. There is no RELAX.

They face not only statistically the toughest first six weeks in the league based on last year's winning percentage, their battle line faces the best sack D-lines in the business. Cross your fingers if you're a Jets fan that Vaughn Miller doesn't play until week two. So that's the issue that Robert Sala and Aaron Rogers see. Yesterday they had a practice. It did not go well. It says here six sacks, numerous pressures in a joint practice with Tampa Bay. Aaron Rogers thoughts.

I was thinking maybe we'd start to figure some stuff out. Obviously, it hasn't happened yet. There's jobs up for grabs. So that's the beauty in camp, but also the struggle is in talking with, you know, a couple of guys. We just need some continuity, I think, at some point,

so guys can feel comfortable playing together. Maybe that's the end of next week. Maybe it's the week that we have. between the season and the last preseason game, but jobs are up for grabs. Yeah, so old quarterbacks different than young quarterbacks. Josh Allen, Cam Newton in his career, Justin Herbert, are able to be wildly productive with bad O lines early in their careers. Matt Stafford last year wrecked his season.

When Brady got the Tampa, first thing they did, Gronk, Tristan Worf's. Gronk's a great blocking tight end. old quarterbacks, you can have flaws all over your team. Can't be O-line. Russell Wilson last year, Mosec quarterback wrecked the season. Stafford wrecked the season. Brady addressed it immediately. So this is not a little thing.

If he was a young quarterback, Josh Allen, Big Ben, you don't have to have a great offensive line. Justin Herbert worst, on the league is a rookie 31 touchdowns. But for older quarterbacks, this is the thing. And so when you look at that early schedule, It is just number one, number two, tied for third, number four, number six, all elite pass rushes. By the way, the Giants, Kvon Thibodeau now in year two off a good rookie year.

Hill upgrade. So the Giants' sack totals were okay, middle of the pack. Those will go up. So it's just stuff to worry about David Voktiari, rumor now on the table, left tack. If I'm the Packers, there is nothing you could give me other than Sauce Gardner. There's nothing I'm taking for David Boktiari. So that can be out there. I'm not in any way criticizing any report on that.

But if I'm the Packers, I don't even know what you'd have to give me for David Bacdiari. For Jordan Love? Issue at left tackle? No thing. I mean, you'd have to really come in. Now, they just did a deal on Aaron Rogers, so maybe they're on good terms. But I don't know. I just, there's no way I'm giving up David Boctiari if I'm Green Bay.

You'd have to really overpay, over trade. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHeart Radio app. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having, having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care which I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way,

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Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam Jette. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill waxing all about crack in the 80s.

To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack, so I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you finishing that sentence. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really?

Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. You're now entering the No Bull Zone, sponsored by credible great rights with none of the Bull. Thanks for joining us in the herd today. J. Mack and I are off tomorrow. Greg Kossel, top of next hour. First time he begins in earn.

earnest, his herd visits Thursday, top of second hour. So a former NFL scout, Daniel Kelly, spent four years pro scouting with the New York Jets. He wrote a book called Whatever It Takes, the story of a fan making it into the NFL. And he's a guy that's got, you know, almost a half a decade being in the NFL as a scout. And he came out, and he was talking about Trey Lance, who's been a big story for the Niners. And it was pretty harsh, but he gave him a really bad grade in his first start in the preseason against the Raiders. He said he looked like a rookie, appears unsure, often cost him to hold the ball too long. He doesn't look like he saw the field well enough or trusted his receivers.

He didn't sparkle against small-time college competition, a huge red flag, so it's not surprising. The Niners are now stuck with Fool's Gold. So the reason I liked him, and who knows, I didn't see him play in college, the reason I liked him, though, and thought he had a good chance to be a successful quarterback, big, smart, athletic, and Kyle Shanahan. I mean, Kyle Shanan's making Brock Purdy work. You know, Matt Schaubb, a pro bowler, Matt Ryan MVP, big, smart athletic kid, good kid, figured he'd make it work. I liked his high school or his college highlights. I mean, listen, this stuff is hard.

Mack Jones had several red flags. One year college starter, not very athletic, has a temper and not big. And he had an excellent rookie year with a defensive driven staff and culture. You don't know. The first sign you don't know football is if you think anybody is going to ever go 20 for 20 on quarterback evaluations. A lot of people love Baker. A lot of people love Zach Wilson. I didn't.

I like Sam Darnold. Some didn't. Nobody's sure. It's really hard. If Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch pretty good at quarterbacks brought pretty seventh round, they thought it was going to work too. So it didn't. But, you know, here's the thing. As I look at it, there's no reason to be mean-spirited or cruel.

And here's the truth. Trey Lance is what happens to 75% of quarterbacks drafted all throughout the draft. He's not a franchise quarterback, at least in his first chance. And he's 50% of what happens to first round quarterbacks. You find out very early, first couple of years, he's not your franchise quarterback. So he's right on average. It's not a disaster. He's big, smart, moves well, athletic, kind of a power arm.

I'd roll the dice. I'd give a five or a six round pick for him, put him on my team if I had an older quarterback, see if my guys could figure him out. He's coachable, I've been told. But he is basically the league average, right? And so the league average is if you're drafted anywhere in the draft, 75% chance, you will not be a franchise quarterback, maybe a little higher than that. And 50% in the first round, you won't be the guy. On the planet, at any given time, there are six great quarterbacks. 32 teams. Six.

And then another six, as a GM, you'd take a phone call on, Kirk Cousins, Dack, maybe, you know, that kind of class. Derek Carr. Somebody in the building likes him. Some don't. Raise hands. It's close. You'd move them if you have to. And then it's a lot of stuff.

And right now, Trey Lance, young kit, a lot of stuff. Doesn't quite work. It doesn't fit. It's not the end of the world. but if you're trying to talk to yourself into it at this point, you have an agenda. Kyle Shanan makes everything work. They're struggling to make this work. Everybody can see it.

J-Mack with the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. All right, let's get started with the 49ers. Brock Purdy back in camp, and you mentioned it earlier. He's thrown 10 picks since returning, including two interceptions and a couple near-pits. and a couple near picks at yesterday's practice.

Kyle Cheneyhan, not concerned, though, Colin, take a listen. You never won interceptions in any situation. You know, I don't, there's never one answer. Each one's different. But I definitely like having interceptions a lot more in practice than in games. And one thing Brock does is he lets it rip. He's not worried about anything else, especially not worried about people counting his interceptions.

You know, at practice. stuff and that doesn't mean they're all right but I do like him letting it rip and I like him learning from things that he can't get away with things you can't get away with yeah I don't love him but it is you know Gropolo's had an interception bug Dac did Purdy does Baker did Mojoms and Burrow didn't Herbert hasn't I don't I don't love them I think it's something I think practice means more now than ever 10 years ago did we hear about practice interception well August well 10 years ago we didn't have the cameras and the availability we didn't have NFL

network going live at practices. It's just like, it's just like crimes actually down in America, but you see more of the crime because of iPhones. The crime's actually down massively since 1980. Did you just come up with that? That's good. No, I mean, it's just, I know. That's a really good analogy. Yeah. I mean, it's just the way it works in society. Sometimes it's like everybody's outraged about stuff that is much safer now in America than ever before. You just see it. They do open in Pittsburgh against T.J. Watt. And the nasty defense. Offensive front. Right.

It's really becoming, you pegged it early. The three games now that I really love, I'm going to take Buffalo over the Jets because the O-line stuff. I'm going to take the Colts at home and the points against the Jags and the Hypefest. And Pittsburgh's defense, I think my guess this morning is Sam Darnold starts in the opener. That's not a bad guess. And a who has a history of mistakes against hyper-athletic defenses. So Pittsburgh over San Francisco.

Colts shocked the world, beat the Jags, and Bill's defense just controls, especially if Vaughn Miller plays the Jets O line. So I'm doing research last night because I'm a nerd, and I'm going to Vegas soon to make some bets. Do you want to guess how many games Pittsburgh won outright as an underdog last year? Won the game, and they were an underdog in the game. Six. Seven.

They're an underdog in this opener against San Francisco. This is the Tomlin spot. As a dog, everybody doubts him. I mean, they were underdogs. it's some dumb games last year. And they ended up winning. The two coaches in this league that are such great motivators, Pete Carroll and Tomlin.

I mean, they give these fiery speeches. Tomlin's team can lay an egg as a favorite. I bet you if you looked it up, he's got to be one of the top five underdog coaches in the last 30 years. Totally. When they get backed against the wall, they can't win.

Nobody brings out the alpha on his roster like Tomlin, because he's got a lot of alpha. Next up, the Colts. They have Anthony Richardson as their starter. for week one. The fourth overall pick was surprised he got the not so early, but Shane Steichen knows what he could bring to the Colts offense. Here's what he had to say. You see the upside on film. It just jumps off the tape. And you know, you watch the tape in the draft and it's like, holy smokes. Like there ain't many guys that can do the things he's doing. So let's roll.

Starting in OTAs, you know, getting him in here right after the draft and just his work habits and what, you know, what he was doing and the athletic ability he brings and the playmaking ability he brings. I mean, just the way he treats people, the way he goes about it. He's a charismatic guy. He just, he cares about people, great teammate, wants to do everything right. I'm excited. Hey, that Jacksonville season opener you mentioned, Jacksonville's defense was garbage last year. They're not good. No. Defensively. And the element of surprise, two things are always true. Bad teams don't know they're bad in September. So they play with a confidence that will evaporate by October November.

The second thing is the element of surprise. I mean, the wildcat offense worked for about half a year in the NFL. Hiking the ball to a running back with no quarterback worked. Elementus surprise. And so run and shoot worked briefly. And then people got film on it. You have no idea what this

offense is going to look like. They're just running bits and pieces. Jacksonville's going to get a brand new game plan. They have no idea. You think Shane Steichen's using anything he's going to use in week one? Heck no. So, I think the Colts. Now, by week six, people have figured it out.

I mean, it's like when Lamar Jackson came in, and I'm not saying this kid's as good as Lamar. But when Lamar Jackson came in, remember like week 11 of his first year? By the playoffs, I think the Chargers had faced him a second time. Yeah, and they set him down, yeah. But the first time you saw Lamar Jackson, you didn't know what you were seeing. Remember when Green Bay had to face Kaepernick the first time? It's like, you mean, you only have so much film. It's like they say in baseball, your first time around the league, you get fed

fastballs and then guys figure out what to throw a batter, but nobody knows what you can hit and can't hit? Steichen brought in Gardner Minshu. Remember in the offseason? He was like, oh, that's from Philly. He'll be the starter. Richardson'll ease in. It took like a week for them to name Richardson the starter.

This, he must know some stuff. Also, so Stikin brought in Gardner Minshu. Part of why he brought him in from what I read is he likes him. Have you heard Minchew's comments at camp? Minchu's like his mentor. He's like, oh, this guy's the future of the franchise. According to reports, Minchu's been unbelievable at practice. So Stuyken's like, I need a mentor.

I mean, Gardner Minchu is like an amazing story, right? Like, didn't he live in a van or something? He's a little wet. But Stikin brought him over, A, because when Shane's not hovering around Anthony Richardson, Monshu can teach him the offense. So I think that's one of those subtle moves that nobody talks about. But the story is that Minchu's been a tremendous teammate. to Anthony Richardson.

Final story, Giants defensive coordinator, Wink Martindale, singled out and made an example of last season's fifth overall pick, Kvon Tibido, in front of the entire defense. Yesterday, Tibido was asked how he felt about it, and here's what he had to say. Him wanting to let me know that he feels I can be a pro bowl this year. He feels I can kind of take the league by storm and me, knowing that him saying it really doesn't mean much, right?

It's about what I go do every day. And that's kind of a conversation that we had that, you know, I'm the only one that can give me to the places I want to be. If you're not growing, you're losing. So if I don't become a better player, I'm going to be out in three years. You know, and that's the truth to the NFL. So I'm just understanding that, you know, if I want to be here for a long time, it got to be a continuous growth.

The Giants have two things that everybody in this league wants. A great young left tackle and a great young edge rusher. I know you're selling your giant stock. No, I don't. No, no, I'm not selling. It's sold. I cashed out early. We had them in the playoffs last year. It's sold. Okay. So let me defend the Giants on this. I did this yesterday. The entire league would die for a great pass rusher. You're not paying yet. And a great left tackle you're not paying left yet. The Giants have both.

So like we can sell all the, oh, by the way, the league would also die for a brilliant offensive coach. So for all the sellers on the Giants, Daibol, Thibodeau, and Andrew Thomas, the whole league wants those three things. A progressive, brilliant-o coach, a great left tackle for the next 10 years and a great pass-rusher. And I'm just telling you,

it matters in this league, not only that you have great players, are they at the right positions? Now, we don't love Daniel Jones. We don't love him, but he doesn't make a ton of mistakes. He's not losing your games. Well, last season he didn't.

The years prior, he made a ton. But he didn't have Brian Davis. So if Daniel Jones remains 19 touchdowns five picks, I'm just saying, did Giants, for all the knock on Gettleman, and he was no day at the beach, did Gettleman, how long as the GM for the Giants had that job, one or two years? I don't even know who, but all I know is left tackle, pass rusher, stars.

Those are top of the league stars. They got a defense, right? Dexter Lawrence, Leonard Williams, They're good on the defensive line. Very good. But I am curious, you said selling stock. Are you a buy and hold guy? Or do you sell and take profits? I'm a hold on the Giants.

But I think my takeaway is I don't love their wide receiving group, but I like Darren Waller. I'm just saying. So star back, star tight end, great defense, left tackle, edge rusher. That's what the whole league's looking for. Now, if you threw me one bone at receiver, and said, okay, they got a really, let's just say, you know, random, you had Cooper Cup at receiver. Well, I think they could buy it for the, my only question is, with Daniel Jones and no star receiver, do you have to win one way? Do you have to win like no turnovers? You got to play. Daniel Jones can

overcome mistakes. Yeah, they're built to win like 17, 14. And by the way, you can do that in the NFC more than the AFC, but I'm more of a hold on the Giants. I think they've got some really nice pieces. So their schedule, they open with Dallas. Arizona, San Francisco, right? Okay. We'll see. What's the line on Dallas Giants? Dallas is favored on the road.

By how much? I don't have it in front of me. Arizona, San Francisco. That Dallas game's going to be up. That's a good game. It's a great game. Oh, it's a Sunday night football game. Oh, come on.

That's good. Giants at home? How about that? Brian Dayball against McCarthy? You think the league is happy to have New York on Sunday night football and Monday night football. Back to that. Alex just told me in my ear. Giants are three and a half point dogs. Probably got to take the Giants.

Get in the hook. Yeah. You have already sold your stock. The stock is sold. As your broker, I would say, I'd hold a little. I don't know how much you do the stock market. Navidia, do you have that by any chance? I'm not going to get into my holdings.

It's gone through the roof, so my son has it. Oh, brother. And he's begging my wife to, we got to sell. We got to sell. And she's like, no, you're holding it. He's like, let me take some profit, mom. No. So he, we're trying to do the buy and hold strategy.

I'm a seller. I'm like, hey, we're topping out. I'm out on the giant. Trees don't grow to the sky. Sell. Ooh, look at you. What is that, Warren Buffett you quoting here? First hour?

Geez. Well, they don't. That's an old saying. Okay. Trees don't grow to the sky. Triple your money. Boom, get out. Unless you have Apple.

Not Apple's old. Jay Mack with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Herd Lie News. I don't know. I don't know. NFC's weak in the news.

The Cowboys are fragile enough. I'm not going to sell my giant stock yet. You know, the Giants historically, when you think they're going to be great, they're not. And when you doubt them, they're good. They're weird. At home, they can crush your dreams. Then they go on the road and they win games. You can't believe they win.

They're such an odd franchise. I often think they, I don't have any stats to back it up. Some of the greatest Giants games ever have been on the road. I can't tell you how many times. home, you're like, nothing, Burger. We'll see. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific.

Hey, it's me, Rob Parker. Check out my weekly MLB podcast inside the Parker for 22 minutes of pipe and hot baseball talk featuring the biggest names and newsmakers in the sport. Whether you believe in analytics or the eye test, we've got all the bases covered. New episodes drop every Thursday. So do yourself a favor and listen to Inside the Parker with Rob Parker on the IHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcast.

Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care which I'll say it. Yep, that's me, Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media.

Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, the Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast,

it's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me, or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right what you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross

double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam Jek. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it.

Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84's big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack all day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack, so I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now, so. Thank you finishing that sentence. Yes.

I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can help those affected by the wildfires in Hawaii. Your donation enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to, and help people recover from these disasters. Go to red cross.org slash fox forward.

So Mac Jones knows what Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers is going through. Mac Jones had to replace the greatest quarterback of all time. And now Jordan Love is going to replace one of the most talented quarterbacks and greatest quarterbacks of all time, Aaron Rogers. And so Mac Jones yesterday was asked if he could give Jordan Love any advice. I think Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback to ever play. in the NFL. So to follow up on him,

it's just trying to chase the standard that he set every day. And honestly, we're definitely two different players, and that's the only advice I'd have. And just continue to grow and be yourself, right? That's all you can do is put your best foot forward and compete. But yeah, it's definitely big shoes to fill.

So Jordan Love has two huge advantages. Farv, well, let's just just say he's got two assets going for him. Matt Lefleur is a very smart young offensive coach. and the league is now an offensive league. It wasn't when Fav took over. It wasn't when Aaron took over.

So the league is shifted to be more quarterback, protective, and friendly. And he's got Matt LaFlor. The other thing is the NFC's not very good. And I'll give an example. Farrv averaged 10 wins in his career. And Aaron Rogers averaged 10 wins in his career. But when Farr was in the NFC, the Giants, Dallas, and San Francisco got a trophy. The Rams had the greatest show on turf.

Tampa Bay had the best defense arguably ever, and Philadelphia had Andy Reed in his coaching prime. It was the superior conference. When Aaron Rogers was in the NFC, the Giants got a Super Bowl, the Saints had Breeze and Peyton, the Seahawks had the Leeds in a boom, Harbaugh was in San Francisco when they were thumping people, and Philadelphia had some of Andy Reed. Now the league transitioned to an offensive league, and all the best quarterbacks are in the AFC. So Jordan Love has to face a really good San Francisco roster with potentially a seventh round quarterback. Minnesota has Kirk Cousins who shrinks in big games.

Seattle's talented but young and it's Gino Smith. They face the NFC South, which is the weakest quarterback division in football. Philadelphia is great. There's your one. There's your one. So Farvin Rogers faced far superior teams, D's defense than Jordan Love will. If he is the guy, and I've said this, if he's the guy you'll know this year, you'll know

by Thanksgiving. If you look at what the league has become much easier for quarterbacks, their first six or seven games, a lot of bad defenses from last year, excellent coach, young players he can grow with, way above average O line. I mean, there's a lot of defense. Last year, Bears defense bad, Falcons defense, Lions defense, Raiders defense. Those were atrocious defenses. So the schedule works, the culture works, the coach O'Line works. You're going to know, Farrv and Rogers faced a different league and a

much, much better NFC. All right. So I was thinking about this. I've said this. Quinn Ewers is probably the third most talented quarterback in next year's draft. Caleb Williams, Drake May. I am not a Quinn Ewers fan. Too loose, undisciplined. So Greg Kos, I got a hold of Greg Kosell, who's on the top of next hour. CoSell's so good. And so he looks at film a year ahead of when guys are going to get drafted. So I went and looked at the strengths and weaknesses of Quinn Uers. My eyes didn't deceive me.

Strengths, high-level arm talent can make every throw in the book. Weaknesses, too much backyard football, undisciplined, loose sandlot feel, misses too many deep throws, needs to become quicker with his processing, holds the ball too low. I've said this. He's Jay Cutler. I see a ton of talent. I'm not sure he's ever going to be a guy I trust. So Greg Kosal, top of next hour, to talk about some NFL stuff.

And the interesting story here, I think Texas is the most fascinating football college team this year. Not USC, not the southern teams, not Harbaugh. Keep your eye on Texas. It's really fragile. So, Sark, in a perfect scenario, Quinn Ewers is great. Arch Manning watches takes over next year. That would be perfect. But Quinn Ewers makes a lot of mistakes.

And if you've watched him and we have, something becomes very clear. When you're loose, talented but undisciplined, you can beat the crappy teams. but what about the good teams and that's how Texas will be judged this year. Sark needs to go 11 and 1 at worst 10 and 2, and they have to go to Bama. That probably is an L. So if you look at Quinn Yuer's career against ranked teams last year, he was awful. 52% completion percentage, five touchdowns, four picks, one and four. Again, better coordinators, better defenses, you can't get away with Sanlott football.

You can't get away with undiscipline. When you're, and this is very Zach Wilson out of BYU, against unranked opponents, he tore it up. Texas just had better players, better receivers. He had more time to throw, let it fly, his guys will win the jump ball. It's very Zach Wilson. Everybody fell in love with Zach Wilson. I said, go look at the two times he played Utah, Kyle Whittingham, and Washington, and Chris Peterson. It's a different story.

It wasn't the same quarterback. Loose, undisciplined players can get away with it at big programs or programs with good players because the receiver wins the jump ball. The receiver is more open. The tight end, there's more holes. You're throwing on third in one, not third and 11. So I think it's really interesting. So I think Sark deep down knows Archmanning's better.

The question is when, right? The other thing is the mannings don't want to be viewed as meddling or heavy-handed. Manning family, they got a big brand. They don't want to be viewed as interfering here. But Sark knows, A, I got to win. Arch Manning's going to be better. The question is when? In a perfect world, Quinn plays, Quinn starts, Quinn crushes.

But if they lose that early game at Alabama and Quinn Ewers gets a little unraveled, it's going to be really tough for Texas. That's why I think they're a fascinating program this year. It's always been, to me, one of the more interesting programs. that game at Alabama, then week four, at Baylor. Kansas State this year is very good. They face them. And then you start looking at that schedule at TCU, Kansas State.

There are pockets that could be very problematic. Sark was on our show a couple of weeks ago, and we talked about this whole Ewers-Arch-Manning quarterback room. Whether you're talking about Quinn Ewers, Malik Murphy, Arch Manning, all these guys are in a different phase. And what they need to do a really good job is not get caught up. and what the other guys working on in his development, but focus on what we're asking them to work on in their development.

I've been part of some really good quarterback rooms over the years. You know, back in the day at SC, I had Carson Palmer, Matt Castle, and Matt Liner in the same room. I was at the quarterback room at Alabama with Tuatonga Viloa and Mack Jones in the same room. So I'm not, this isn't just, you know, foreign territory for me. I think one of the things Greg Kossel does, he gives you, we tend to on this show, who'd you beat who you didn't. But he gives you an overview on the strengths and weaknesses.

And to me, Quinn Ewers is a slightly bigger Zach Wilson. That's what I see. Loose, undisciplined, great arm. You can't get away with that stuff in the NFL. You can get away with it in college against bad teams. So he against good teams, good coordinators, highly paid coordinators, big programs, equal athletes, a mess. That's the difference.

So I think it's a very fragile quarterback room, whereas Michigan knows who their guy is. USC knows who their guy is. Most of your top programs, you know, Ohio, does Ohio State know who their quarterback is? Bama right now is not sure who their quarterback is, but Bama's had so much success. There's no pressure on Sabin. Arch Manning here, Quinn Ewers, Sarkast to win. It is intense and Longhorn Boosters are over-losing. They are over it. And you also want to go into the SEC with some momentum. because it's the best football conference by a lot. So can't wait for that.

I think this year in college football is going to be our best season in maybe 15, 20 years. Greg Kosell, top of next hour. But his scouting report is basically what your eyes tell you. Loose, gifted, misses, sloppy, unrefined. Doesn't mean you can't correct it, but it's got a Zach Wilson, J. Cutler feel all over it to me. All right. J. Mack. That Jets on line now has begun.

Now, it has become now the national story of note with that team. Oh, come on. It feels like you're being old. Did they're starting left tackle play? No. Did they're starting right tackle play? No. Take a deep breath.

It's going to be fine. But you sold all your giant stock. Of course. Of course. Now, if you want to buy jet stock, go for it. It's a little overpriced at the moment. Some of their Super Bowl odds are a little shaky. I don't know.

Who's a team you're buying stock in? Colts. Do we like them? Bears? After last night, my epiphany, Seattle. I think I'm overthinking the room. How much noise can San Francisco have a quarterback? Could we get

could we find a starter? It's mid-August. But you're talking about San Francisco and you're liking Seattle. Easy question. Can Gino Smith come close to duplicating what he did last year? Yes, he can come close to duplicating. You're certain of that. Well, they've added a... The greatest season of his career by a mile and he can do it again?

Well, those players are all back. He also has Lockett D.K. Metcalfe, a star receiver in the draft. I think he can come close to it. Our two next. 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, wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games.

Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifers Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled conversations with athletes,

creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. This is an IHeart podcast, guaranteed human.