The Herd with Colin Cowherd - The Herd - Hour 1 - The Cowboys came to play

Episode Date: September 11, 2023

Thoughts on the complete beat down the Cowboys gave the Giants last night and what to make of QB Daniel Jones Analysis of Packers QB Jordan Love replacing Aaron Rodgers and getting the win over the BearsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Cliver 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 IHeard Radio app,

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by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. Now let's get this party started. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Here we go on a Monday, loaded and ready to roll. What a weekend. Live in Los Angeles, it's the herd. Wherever you may be and however you may be listening or watching, thanks for making us part of your day. Well, the AFC may be better than the NFC, right?

We think that. But Dallas and San Francisco, J-Mac, oh, obliterated team. Just just rolled. Sincide, Kansas City didn't look very good. So we go into this whole offseason saying AFC here, NFC there. Two best teams I saw were Dallas and San Francisco. I largely agree.

I think Daniel Jones just got sacked again. I'm not sure, but a monitor is coming up. Daniel Jones has hurt. Something's going on in New York. All right. One hour from now where Colin was right, where Colin was wrong, plenty of both. Well, Dallas felt like older, bigger kids walking into the backyard of younger, smaller kids, and picking fights and winning all of them last night.

So Daniel Jones is a highly paid average quarterback with a really great offensive coach. Not a big fan of Daniel Jones, but I figured he'd take another step forward. Instead, he took a giant step back. His best game last year was against Minnesota, the worst defense I saw all last year, and statistically really bad. He mostly beat up on bad teams. And we saw it again last night. If you rush Daniel Jones,

if you hit Daniel Jones, if you speed the tempo up with Daniel Jones, there's nothing Sequin, Barclay and Brian Daybow can do. I don't want to overreact. New York Giants O-line is really young. It will get better. But Dallas's defense, go to the last three games. It's just too much.

Daniel Jones can't, he can't do anything. Dallas is too fast. They rushed Daniel Jones. His last three games against the Cowboys, he completes 56% of his throws. His passer rating is 61. If you wanted to, you could go back to his last five or six games against the Eagles. The numbers are similar. So I thought he would take another step with Brian Daible.

He's at home, Sake 1's healthy, and that was embarrassing. You know, we always talk, you don't want to take too much from week one because nobody plays their starters in the preseason anymore. and so Kansas City's offense looked bad. Cincinnati's offense with Joe Burrell looked terrible, and the Giants O-line was overwhelmed. It may not be everything, but Dallas wouldn't lose to the Giants 40-0. Plus, that defense allows DAC to stay out of the way. They don't have to dial up tough stuff for DAC. And that's the advantage it is when you have a Niners defense or a Steelers defense or a Dallas defense. You don't have to ask too much.

And I think San Francisco and Dallas, defensively, just the speed, the range, the ability to cover multiple spots puts enormous pressure on a quarterback. So, Dak early in his career, had a great O-line in a run game, and everybody fell in love with Dak. We've talked about this before. He's not going to carry any team. He needs help. Early in his career, the help was on offense. Well, now the best coach on the Cowboy staff is Dan Quinn, the defensive coordinator. Micah Parsons is arguably the best pass rusher, one of them in the NFL.

So now DAC has a big assist from the defense. But DAC has largely remained the same. A game manager with some mobility, great leadership qualities, got lots of intangibles, easy to like. But this team's going to be about this defense. That was San Francisco and Dallas defenses. We're going into the backyard or somebody else picking on them and winning all the fights. And again, I don't want to overreact. but if you take Daniel Jones, he just does not have enough talent,

and we've seen it in recent games against the Eagles and the Cowboys in Division. He just doesn't have the talent. When you speed the game up, put pressure on him, there's nothing he can do. The Dallas defense against the Giants last night, seven sacks, a pick, six, two picks, five force fumbles, just absolutely overwhelmed. And after the game, two of the stars for the Cowboys were asked if they made a statement. for y'all to write. You know, the only thing we do is go out there and play the game, you know. So if y'all feel like the statement was made, going to put that mug on, you know, the front page,

big letters, you know, bold letters. You know, but I definitely feel like we did our job, you know, to the maximum of our ability and feel like we can still learn and get better from it. With the turnover, the relentlessness, the effort by all 11, even the guys that came in in that fourth quarter and helped finish the shutout, I mean, all across the board, I think everyone's locked in and committed to this team. I think we're making a statement, which I've been trying to make. We're the best defense in the National Football League. Well, they look the part week when. Whether they are, they're going to face much better teams and much better quarterbacks.

But in that moment, last night, you can say don't overreact. But do you think the Giants could beat the Cowboys 40-0? Not with Daniel Jones. They couldn't. So it was something. It gives you a sense of, I think it was a reality check. again, Daniel Jones last three starts against a very fast, aggressive cowboy defense with a great coordinator, Dan Quinn. He's awful.

In all of them. Home away, he's awful. You can go back and look at the last four or five games against the Eagles. He's completely utterly overwhelmed. When you have to blame other people for your star quarterback or a quarterback you want to believe is a star, you get the Giants. Daniel Jones is not bailing them out. of that game last night. Mahomes may have lost that game. Burrow could have lost that game. Forty-nothing is something. Well, it's such an advantage in this league, Packers Bears. And I said,

I wanted to watch this. I didn't think it would be beautiful, and it wasn't. But I wanted to figure out who's got a franchise quarterback. Feels like Green Bay does. But it's such an advantage if you're a young inexperienced quarterback to have an offensive coach over a defensive coach. And God wasn't this another example. Jordan Love, I don't think, is great, but he scored on his first drive, the first drive of the second half, the second possession in the second half, a very clever 50-yard creative screenplay. Between the O-line and the run game and the offensive coaching and sensibility, Jordan Love looked comfortable. He didn't feel rushed. They had a game plan. He had support. It doesn't matter what the industry is. He's.

young people who are trying to find themselves, they need patience, they need a hug, they need support. We saw Sean McVeigh save Jared Goff. We've seen Mike McDaniel take Tua to a place I never thought he'd reach. Juxtapose that with Justin Fields, defensive-minded Chicago, tough culture, 85 Bears and Matt Eberfluse. Every time I watch the Bears, it's like, hey, Justin, go save us. Go make a great play.

frenetic, out of control, very reliant on running around. Running around, as a broadcaster Greg Olson said, should be a complementary piece to Justin Fields. A complementary piece to an athletic quarterback like Josh Allen. It can't be your go-to. It can't be your fastball. You've got to sit in that pocket. Jordan Love, though, watching yesterday, has been taught.

You know, I feel like NFL football for a quarterback, is calculus. And calculus is always easier for a young student if he has a great tutor. And Jordan Love has a great tutor to teach him what he's looking at. Justin Fields doesn't, and he's on his own. And that's what the Bears' offense looks like. But that's Chicago's history. They've never had a great quarterback.

They've never had an all-time great receiver. They're still bragging about the 85 Bears. That's the toughness, the city. We work hard. We kick butt. and I love that, but Green Bay is built to make the quarterback, even missing Christian Watson, it felt like Jordan Love, three or four different people had his back, the offensive coach, the run game, the O line. So even missing his star receiver, he looked totally comfortable

with rookie tight ends, Romeo Dobbs. He looked comfortable on the road as an underdog. Justin Fields never looks comfortable. And I believe Justin Fields has more natural ability. I think he's got a better arm. I think he's a better athlete. But it's calculus, man. It's always easier with a tutor. Here's Matt LaFleure after a really nice win for Green Bay.

I couldn't be more proud of just his performance, his poise. There's a big time belief in that locker room for Jordan Love. I think the guys, they're going to rally around him. They're excited for him. They love him. They respect him. He comes to work every day. Great attitude, great energy.

And I think you saw that today. Go look at many of the young quarterbacks in this league who are struggling and what's their coach. Kenny Pickett, defensive coach, can't figure the O line out. We'll talk about that later. I mean, how many years does Mike Tomlin get to fix that O'line? Move off that offensive coordinator. Kenny Pickett regressed. He looked lost.

Brock Purdy had an offensive coach. And it matters. Tom Brady jokes about Bill Belichick, not even really understanding the terminology in offense. But when I watched Jordan Love yesterday, I didn't see like a star. But what I saw as a kid that's got size moves pretty well, you know, he missed on a couple of throws. I don't feel like I'm watching the next, you know, great quarterback in the NFL. But if you got two quarterbacks and they both have some talent, boy, it helps with a tutor. I mean, it really does.

And, you know, we talked about this in the preseason. His first two games, he dropped back to pass 18 times. No rushes. He never felt pressure once. Such an advantage. Bears offense to me just like, look, it's YouTube. Go make a play. Go be great.

If you spliced it and edited it up, you'd find five or six plays, and you're like, that's amazing. But when you watch it, the pacing, the tempo. I'm not blaming Justin Fields solely. I don't think he sees the field particularly well yet. He's still young. It takes a while. I mean, Mahomes admits year three when the light went on and he saw the field. So things will slow down for Justin Fields, but he's not getting a lot of help.

And one of his teammates has decided he doesn't like football anymore. I don't even need to name him, but some of that was bad. 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 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, 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 where 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.

Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of tauntons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to stuff to blow your mind on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome back loaded show today. Colin Wright, Colin Wrong, plenty of both. Top of next hour.

You can feel the pressure building in Denver, can't you? I saw a study last week, and you've heard the saying opposites attract. But over the course of 20 years, they did a study. I think it was a 20-year study that opposites may initially attract, but couples, people, relationships that have 80 to 90% of things in common last. Attract and last are two different things. And eventually the people with things in common are attracted because they like each other. This is what I worry about Denver, not losing, but Russell Wilson and Sean Payton are different people.

I know both. I know Sean better, but I know both. Sean is raw up front, critical, intense, urgent. Russell tends to be more optimistic and polished, and that's fine. But they're different people. I mean, they are different personalities. And that's why losing is trouble, especially as a home favorite in September. So there are so many, and I want to add this, I got nothing against Russell.

I don't know if he's washed. I don't think he is, but there are so many great young quarterbacks in their prime. I'm paying you $48 million a year starting next year, which is going to limit what I can surround Russell Wilson with. You got to give me some special. Yesterday, I just saw efficient, a bunch of underneath stuff, the passing chart. They didn't throw the ball down the field. Russell was 27 to 34, but only 177 yards. No pop, nothing over the top.

You're not going to win a Super Bowl. if every drive has to be 11 yards, 11 plays. You're just not going to be. I need special. Sean Payton could go get somebody for 28 that's efficient. You got to have pop when you start paying 45, 48, 52. There was a great example. 6.30 left, fourth quarter, big series, trailing 17, 16, give Russell the ball.

Sean Payton, he got pretty good protection, and it was a three and out. they got pretty good protection yesterday to Denver and they had an efficient run game now jerry judy does return maybe in week three or four but they had decent protection that's what the data says they rushed for almost a hundred yards there's some talent on that field they'll get judy back they will help but i just saw a lot of checkdowns i saw a lot of short passes now russell moved better than he did last year but he didn't really run that that That's part of it. And, you know, again, I don't buy that he's washed, but I do now buy that he's just very efficient. That contract starts next year.

This thing's not lasting two years if you're losing home games to the Raiders. Now, Denver's early schedule is manageable and workable, and I'm sure, you know, they'll find their footing. But remember, they played Russell more than other starting quarterbacks in that league. Remember the first game? I think he had like four series. Like they played them. They wanted to work things out. So they got pretty good protection.

They had a pretty good run game. They were playing a bad defense. They were at home. They're a favorite. And all I got was efficient. That's, that's all I got. And these guys, Russell and Sean, are different cats, eats their own person. And opposites may attract, but they don't last.

And the only way they avoid turbulence is double use. You win Brady and Belichick, one. They never had dinner in 20 years. Tom Brady said that. They never had dinner. Opposite personalities. Right? Like one is everybody, Tom walks into a room.

He's a light. He's energy. Big group of friends. Belichick's grumpy. Right? Like he's very private. That's fine. Both are fine.

But what got those guys through their differences, winning a lot. The first game of the year to the last. Here's Sean Payton after the. really, really difficult loss. We didn't make enough plays. There'll be some things, and I just told our team, there'll be some things we like that we see on this film, and then there'll be some other things we've got to correct.

I thought the penalties were a tick high for us. That's going to hurt us. I thought we defended the run well. Kind of go from there. For the record, I know I've always liked him more than everybody else. Jimmy Garoppolo was pretty good. I'm just saying,

gets rid of the ball accurately, gets rid of the ball fast, he's okay. That's a tough place to play. Week one, Denver from the desert, you know, 5,000 feet. Denver historically, very good in September at home. Sean Payton, a good coach.

I'm just saying, Jimmy G was Jimmy GQ. J. Mack with the news. No, no, no, no. This is the herd line news. It's a tough one to swallow for Denver County. Oh, it's it. Those are the kind of games where, I mean, that's three and out in the fourth quarter. It's like guys, that's not, you can't. That's star quarterback. You've got to move the chains at least to seven, eight play drive get in field goal range.

So they're up 13, 10, like eight minutes left inside the 10 yard line. And they just have no offense, no explosive players without Judy. and they settle for a fuel goal. I'm like, what's the point of going up six? You might as well go for the touchdown on fourth and say, go ahead, Jimmy G, go 95 yards. Disappointing start for Denver. I'm with you, a little concerned with this Peyton Rust thing.

Must win week two for short. All right, let's get started. Brown's Bengals. How about this one? We were all over it. We loved the Browns in this spot. Should have dominated. I should have listened to you.

The wise guys loved Cleveland. They dominated Joe Burrow. He had a career low, 82 passing yards. Cleveland won in the slop. 243. Earlier in the week, Jamar Chase ran his mouth, gave the Brown some Bolton board material, calling Cleveland elves. But after the loss, he sounded kind of defeated. It's frustrating because I called the ass elves, and we just lost us an elves. So I'm pissed on my part. I'm not, I'm pissed on that. And like I said, man, we got missed opportunities. We didn't capitalize on that.

And we lost. That's how we lost. You know, we talked a little bit about a Jim Schwartz, the impact he's going to have on that Brown's defense. They were ferocious. Cincinnati had six first downs in the entire game. I know, it's crazy. They pulled Burrow in the fourth quarter, just wave the white flag. Let's put in the kid, Jake Browning. However, there is some negative news for Cleveland here.

Just came out about 20 minutes ago. Conklin, the right tackle, who went down and was carted off, out for the year, ACL MCL. Oh, that's not great. That's terrible. It's a brutal loss for the Browns. Listen, it's too early in the week to go in on Deshawn Watson. It was rainy. Burroughs struggled in the rain.

He struggled. Watson did not look good. I mean, I don't know if it was the vision or something's up with his arm. I can give you a 70s reference, but you'd get upset. No, no, I love 70s. You can't take, I remember years ago, one of my favorite basketball players in the 70s was Gus Williams. He had a holdout, came back, was never the same player.

Yeah, for the Seattle Sonic, USC kid. Great, great player. Basically, inactivity for two years. And all these young quarterbacks come in. It, like, to be great, just think how hard it is. is to make the national football league. 2% of college players make the NFL. To be a star at the most difficult position.

The guy was mostly inactive for two years, controversy and stress. And I never thought he was a brilliant thrower of the football. He was okay. He was a playmaker. He was really good in Houston. Him and DeAndre Hopkins had something back in the day. But I watched him and it's just like it.

It's just not, I don't see a lot of what everybody loves about the John Watson. Well, I'll give him a slight pass due to the implement weather. And the weather was bad. It was bad. Quick word. Miles Garrett, did you see how he is a bad boy, dude? He's great. He'll line up outside, then he lined up over the center,

and he was pretending to dribble between his legs, like a basketball player. And the center just looked shook. He just went right around him. I'm just telling you, Miles Garrett is an awesome guy to watch. By the way, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, week two. Wow. Let me, can I guess, do you know the line on that? Where's that game at?

Okay, so I think it's in Pittsburgh. it looks like there's some weather in Pittsburgh. So I did hit the under briefly. 41 down to 40 and a half. Looks like it could be a sloppy game. That's not great for Pittsburgh, who we'll talk about later in the show. Pittsburgh, Colin? Oh, I got them coming up next.

Let's get to the next one. Baltimore Ravens, boy. They had an ugly victory over the Texans. They covered, but it did not look pretty. Lamar Jackson, not very good. And then there's the injuries. J.K. Dobbins. ruptured Achilles right there on that play.

It's over. His season is done. Are they jinxed it running back? Out of his four seasons. He was so good at Ohio State, remember? But it doesn't stop there, Colin. Three other starters left with injury. Safety Marcus Williams sounds like he's going to be out for a little while.

Left tackle Ronnie Stanley, who's very good. And there's center, Linderbaum, who's excellent, the young kid. Yeah. Listen. It is. Baltimore. I said this before the season. Pittsburgh to make the playoffs over Baltimore and I said if they played tomorrow you

could argue Baltimore would win but the reason I picked Pittsburgh over Baltimore is Pittsburgh's best players none have an injury history a Baltimore head Stanley's hurt again J K Dobbins hurt again I don't know what it is but it's is it bad luck but a lot of Baltimore's obj cross your fingers Lamar Jackson a lot of Baltimore's best players have an injury history um I believe it's wrong Ravens, in week two, Ravens, hold on, I have it right here, they will face the Bengals.

Bengals, O and one. It's a big one. It's more than a big one. I think I'm probably going to be on the Bengals. Yeah, yeah. When you get humiliated, you generally, a team with a good quarterback that's humiliated usually bounces back.

Yeah. Final story. Philadelphia Eagles were in total control of this game, 16-0, and then did their best to try to give it to the Patriots. New England storms back and the Eagles escape with a 25-20 win. Colin, Jill and Hertz had a worse game yesterday than he had all of last season. Oh, no, no.

You and I had discussed this. Their schedule is much tougher. They lost Shane Stike and their great offensive coordinator, and I thought Hertz was very average. Hertz did not look like one of those. I thought Matt Jones at one point had 11 straight completion. Well, Mac Jones threw the ball 54 times, I think. So, like, you know, he was just chucking coming back.

But, Philadelphia, Colin, they had fewer yards in this game than any game last season. And I know the Patriots have a good defense. But it wasn't that good, was it? I mean, Philadelphia could not move the football. Then they're trying to milk clock and Jalen Hertz fumbles? Colin, I was stunned. Jalen Hertz, here's his comments after the game. Winning is the only thing that matters.

I think we obviously have things that we need to work on. I have to be better in those situations when the ball is in my hand. and I take full accountability for that. But the good thing about it is we get the opportunity to play on Thursday. We got to be able to execute at a better level and a higher level. And we have to be more efficient. Two point things. Philadelphia did not play their guys in the preseason.

And Siriani essentially came out and was like, I might have to adjust that for next year because we looked awful. I think this is something that really, listen, I was old for five, Blazing Five. So part of it is nobody plays starters in the preseason. So Kansas City's offense, Cincinnati's offense, Philadelphia's offense. They're not playing starters. I mean, Mahomes played a little, but it's like, I mean, I'm watching some of these games. Rams over Seattle, that didn't look anything.

I mean, you had no idea. So it's like, I think it's funny. McVeigh kind of initiated this, don't play starters preseason. And I think with an added game to 17 games, coaches look at it and think rest guys. If you can do that, but be ready for some awful performances offensively, because offense is all about timing. I saw a lot of good defensive performances. Well, or bad offense.

I don't know. But again, quick word on Philly. It just came out in a Kobe Dean, their good young linebacker out of Georgia. He's going to be out of month with a foot injury. Eagles, I think they lost two linebackers in free agency. Dean kind of promoted to a starter. Now he goes down. They play Thursday night, Kirk Cousins in primetime.

Vikings 0-1 at Philly line is, I believe, seven and a half. Something felt off with the Eagles, Colin. Defense? Well, if you don't. Fortuitous. Prime example. Dan Quinn's the best coach in the Cowboys. Since he's been there, the defense looks great. Kyle Shanahan made Matt Ryan an MVP.

I mean, look at Anthony Richardson with Shane Steichen. How good he looked for a kid with 13 college starts. Look how average Jalen Hurts. Hertz looked with all that talent losing his top OC. I mean, don't kid yourself. A lot of coordinators are never going to be head coaches. But a great coordinator, and there's, you know, there's won every division. Steelers right now, I don't think have the right offensive coordinator.

The Dolphins now, Vic Fangio, how about the Dolphins defense on the last series for the Chargers, dialed up major blitzes, totally caught the Chargers flat-footed. But that's the difference. Yeah, that Chargers. That was the game of the day, right? Chargers? By the way, people, can we just say don't overreact to week one? I know you've said that before. Like, I think I had a tweet about it. Four teams that went to the playoffs last year lost in week one, okay? Dallas lost in week one the last two years and still won 12 games. It's not overchargers. First of all, fans should overreact because fan is short for fanatic and what makes sports greater fans. So by all means, overreact, have fun. I'm all for having a good time. So everything is something. Right? Right. Like everything is something. Nothing is everything. Like the Giants losing 40, nothing is something. So, you know, when you look at all this stuff, you can say, well, don't go too crazy about Pittsburgh, San Francisco. Brock Purdy looking that good and Kenny Pickett looking that bad. Both stack rosters. That's something. Pittsburgh didn't have a first down

until the two-minute warning in the first half. That's a big deal, okay? And not just because I love Pittsburgh and talked about him for three months on the show. But that was a colossal letdown. They got their, I don't know if I could say the A word, but they got their asses kicked badly by the 49ers all over the field all day. It was bad. Bad. J. Mack with the news. Well, that's the news.

And thanks for stopping by. The Hurd-Lie News. So it's, you know, speaking of that, Brock Purdy yesterday was not just better than Kenny Pickett. They're both second-year quarterbacks. He was substantially better. The seventh round quarterback was substantially better than the first round quarterback. So you can say Brock Purdy, he's a system quarterback, but you still have to be good in the system.

So he's obviously very good on scheme plays getting the ball to Debo or Brandon I, Yook, George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey. He's obviously good at that. But he does give you an occasional moment of dynamic when you dial it up. And don't tell me the Steelers don't have weapons. The Steelers' tight end is excellent. Deontay Johnson and George Pickens are excellent. They've got Warren and Anaghi Harris are more than serviceable. Do not tell me the Steelers don't have offensive talent.

Between tight end and wide receiver, that is way better than the league average. The O line and the offensive coordinator, Mike Tomlin tends to be a loyal guy. The Steelers tend to be a nice, loyal franchise. Maybe it's time to make a move with the OC. but Kenny Pickett looked panicked and out of sorts. Brock Purdy looked comfortable, perfect fit. One has an offensive coach. One has a defensive coach.

So I thought Brock Purdy was accurate. He didn't play hero ball, which young quarterbacks can do. Very few mistakes. And then when you need him to make a play once a half, twice a half, he can do it. And again, it's a first round quarterback against the seventh round quarterback. and I don't think there was any question that San Francisco apparently found a Renoir at the thrift store because Brock Purdy looks really, really comfortable. His feet, the way he views the field, he never panics, he moves well enough.

He didn't have a huge arm. I said he was capable and coachable last week. He looks better than that to me. So yesterday when offensive coaches faced defensive coaches, the offensive coaches went four and one. So nothing is everything, but everything is something. The offensive coaches, four and one, when they face defensive coaching. And I thought no game looked like that more than San Francisco and Pittsburgh.

They're both second-year quarterbacks. But Brock Purdy, the seventh rounder, on the road, both faced good defenses, facing Pittsburgh's defense. It's like Jordan Love. Looked comfortable. Looked like there was a plan. He looked like he had support. He never panicked.

Kenny Pickett has regressed. Now, again, I'm not saying the Niners' defense isn't stacked, but Kyle Shanahan talked about Brock Purdy's return. Brock's pretty steady. Brock, you don't see much different each day. He's a very faith-based person. I think that gives him his foundation as much as anyone I've been around. He's taken this whole off-season as good as you can

with a quarterback being injured. I mean, I think today was six months. go to where he had that big surgery and he's done everything he can to come back and he handles the pressure well and really doesn't change. I think that's why the guys love him and I think that's why I'll continue to get better. I think that was the second most surprising game of the day to me. I mean, I didn't think the Giants would lose 40-0, but you know, Dallas has, you know, Dallas can win games. They win a lot of games with Dak. But this one was number two on my surprise list. To go in there and have the seventh round quarterback who had elbow surgery on the road facing an NFL

franchise that I think Pittsburgh's led in the NFL in sacks like three out of the last four years or something and to just manipulate that defense. Offensive coach against defensive coach, stuff matters. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. Hey, it's Ben. Host of The Fifth Hour with Ben Mallor. It would mean a lot to have you join us on our weekly auditory journey. You're asking what in God's name is the fifth hour?

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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'm saying. Yep, that's me, Clipper 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.

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episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of taun tons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to stuff to blow your mind on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Sunday on Fox, the new era for the Packers continues. As Jordan Love leads the Packers against the Falcons or Christian McCaffrey and the Niners battle Matt Stafford and the Rams or other regional action. Check local listings for the game in your area, only on Fox and the Fox Sports app. So the Giants losing to Dallas was not the most shocking game of the day, nor San Francisco pummeling the Steelers.

No, it was the Rams without Cooper Cup going up to Seattle and completely hammering a team that Pete Carroll last. year got into the playoffs and reportedly had a great camp. It wasn't close. The Rams had 334 yards passing to rookies, no Cooper Cup, and a guy named Tutu Atwell, who we thought was a bust. And the Rams defense is basically Aaron Donald and a bunch of kids. Gino Smith couldn't find anybody. So the two things that are really clear. When you get Matt Stafford healthy and time to throw, he's a top six, seven guy on the planet. He's really good. And that Sean McVeigh is just a tremendous teacher.

The Rams scored on every second half drive on the road with no Cooper Cup. Touchdown, field goal, touchdown, field goal, field goal. That's insane. They had one three and out all day. And they didn't even know. They got a left tackle playing right guard. They are center. I thought was their backup center.

And their offense was humming. So you ask yourself today, you don't want to overreact, but was Gino Smith last year just lightning in a bottle? He could not find open people. He struggled. Seattle had one first down, the entire second half. Both their tackles, by the way, now are both hurt. That's a problem. And the Rams defensive personnel, they basically just draft the defensive guys all over the draft.

Young, fast, twitchy. Now, it's week one. they'll get exposed by more powerful offenses. They play San Francisco coming up. That could be a bit of a mismatch. But I mean, I watched this game, and I have Seac friends in my family. I'm like, I don't even know what this is. I mean, the Rams defense was considered bottom of the league, bottom three or four team,

played out of their minds. And again, you know, we forget how good Stafford was the Super Bowl year. Then last year, got beat up, sat out, Rams rest him. They do not think it's a complete rebuild. They think it's a remodel. That's what they're calling it this year is a remodel. But maybe this is who they are and maybe this is who Seattle is. But they scored on every second half drive with what can only be termed as a offensive line that's a bit makeshift and needs to be addressed next year.

Addressed it this year. The year before it needs to be addressed. addressed again next year. Andrew Whitworth leaving has left a hole. They'll probably never replace. He's so great. But here's Pete Carroll trying to explain it after. We weren't on it. We didn't convert

and we didn't get the ball moving and we didn't run the ball. We didn't do anything. We did nothing in the second half. We were trying. We were calling the stuff and we had things that we thought we could do and we weren't able to get it done. Yeah, it just, wow. Again, both Seattle tackles are hurt. So, you know, I've said

this before, whether it's college or football. A great indicator that you have the right coach is not winning 12 games first year. Does he get his side of the ball right? What McVeigh got to the Rams, he got the offense figured out first year. Jared Goff bust to very good. Lincoln Riley, USC. Yeah, the defense isn't good. He's an offensive guy. He solved the offense in four months. Mike McDaniel has made this offense, absolutely the best Tua can possibly be. Tua is not hyper athletic. He's pretty small.

He gets hurt. He didn't have a huge arm. You can see, when you watch Miami, you can see the coaching. It's clever. It's multiple. It's shifty. It's deceptive offensively. It's really clever.

And you can see Mike McDaniel's situational coaching. On the other side, Brandon Staley is a defensive coach. He now has the most expensive defensive roster in the league, a bosa on the edge. He's a defensive coach, yet the Chargers defense is a mess again this year. And by the way, the Chargers played more man coverage in week one than any team, and they were facing Tyreek Hill. What are you doing? Man up, Tyreek.

The Chargers don't even have great corners when you're facing Tyreek Hill, roll over. coverage, do something. So it's really interesting. I thought yesterday was a coaching mismatch. Mike McDaniel is getting everything out of Tua. And you can just see it when you watch television. I don't have to be in a headset. But since Staley has arrived as a defensive coach with a Bosa on the edge, a

Kaleel Mack, they've spent money on defense. They have the fourth worst scoring defense in the league, the sixth worst yardage defense in the league, and the third worst defense in the league on third down. If you watch that game yesterday and you watched them last year, no team in the league gives up more third and ten first downs than the Chargers. So Staley can't get his side of the ball right. That is a huge warning sign. You know, remember when Brian Flores took the job with the Miami Dolphins years ago?

He and Tua didn't get along. But he, that Dolphins defense and special teams were great by week eight. And they didn't have great personnel. So Brian Flores mastered his side of the ball. eight games, without a lot of great players. So when you're a defensive coach, you have the most expensive defensive roster, you got a Bosa on the edge, and you have a quarterback in an O line that gives your defense ample time to rest. You can't look like that.

Now, Miami's explosive. You'll face most offenses won't look like that. But I've got to tell you, Mike McDaniel is one of those coaches. Kyle Shanahan, you know, his mentor is another one. you watch the Niners and you watch the dolphins, you can see the coaching. I mean, I'm not a huge Tua guy, but

this is the very best Tua in the National Football League. The coaching is sensational. Here's Mike after. He is tough minded enough and accountable enough that he puts probably even more than he should on his own shoulders.

So with that relentless approach and then that consistent understanding of you know, who you have to be on a day-to-day basis. If you want to be a big-time quarterback on a big-time team, which I know is the way he looks at it, then the cost is real. He's as coachable as any player that I've ever been around in my life.

And I'm not sure there's a team in the league that's more fun to watch in the Miami Dolphins. But again, the Chargers have a very good O-line run game and quarterback. What does that mean? It gives the defense. ample time to rest. This is not an exhausted defense of the Chargers. They have a defensive coach. It's the most expensive defense in the league. You can't be given up third in tens, third and 12s. You can't intercept the ball in the end zone and then your players run out of the

end zone. That's just not communicating with players. And Brandon Staley can be a bit condescending to media. I think that is starting to wear people out with that organization. I don't know. I watched that game on television and I'm like situationally and props to Vic Fangio. His defense, he's not a big believer in the blitz. But at the end of the game, Vic Fangio dialed up, you know, two major blitzes and the Chargers just weren't prepared. They just weren't prepared to block it. That's coaching.

You're not going to expect that. So, and I'm not taking anything away from Miami's players of the quarterback. But when I watched that game, that was a coaching mismatch. Situationally, it was a major coach. coaching mismatch. Staley is a defensive guy. Their defense stinks. And it's not like he didn't have anything to work with.

He's had Khalil Mack. He's got a Bosa. I mean, they have, they had a rookie who had a big play yesterday. They've drafted well. Gotta be better. Just got to be better. End of your first year. Discover credit cards.

Double all the cash back. You've automatically everything earned doubles. Seriously, check it out for yourself. Discover.com slash match. Colin Wright. Colin wrong. top of hour number two. Just starting here, live in Los Angeles, it's the herd.

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

Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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 IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On the Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors.

Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year. It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.