The Herd with Colin Cowherd - THE HERD - Hour 1 - The reason Bill Belichick didn't get in the HOF on his first try, Sam Darnold is a top 5 QB, Jesse Minter

Episode Date: January 29, 2026

Colin Cowherd discusses Bill Belichick not receiving the necessary votes to get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He explains why it’s no surprise Belichick failed to get in the first time around due to the controversies surrounding “Spygate” in 2007. Colin also talks about Sam Darnold leading the Seahawks to Super Bowl LX against the Patriots and why Darnold has proven he’s a top 5 QB in the league right now It appears the Eagles are too coordinator dependentSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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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.

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by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. Fox Sports Radio. Oh, it is a Thursday, Greg CoSell, one hour from now, wild show yesterday, all sorts of stuff cooking today. Jesse Minter, new coach of the Ravens will be stopping by. I think he's one of the four coaching hires. John Harbaugh, Defansky, Robert Sala, Jesse Minter, those four I feel very, very strongly about. Everything else, dice roll. So I want to start with this.

Whenever there's a big, big, big story, a controversy, there's two or three or four columnists in the country or reporters. I lean on and make sure I read their columns for some contextualization. Ian O'Connor is probably my most consistent columnist I trust for perspective. And I read his story at the Athletic this morning about Belichick being snubbed in the Hall of Fame. And sure enough, multiple sources saying it is Spygate. SpyGate, some did bring up, according to the article, that he won 45% of his games without Brady and often was embarrassing, but it was overwhelmingly, according to multiple sources, SpyGate that kept him out for a year. Okay. So once again, I will say nobody kicked Bill out of the Hall of Fame and nobody is banning him forever. He is getting a brief slap on the wrist for not just one spy gate.

I think many of you have forgotten there were two spy gates. Both times New England had to surrender excellent draft picks. Ask yourself this, folks. When's the last time your favorite team lost a first round pick or a third? Or your coach was fined a million dollars. Oh, the answer's never. The NFL doesn't do that, and they don't like to do that to the reigning dynasty at the time. but what is amazing to me about yesterday's reaction to Belichick, I find this funny.

I was at the other network for most of the dynasty. I stopped taking phone calls on it. You couldn't take a Patriot call. Everybody constantly said, you can't trust these guys, gate this and gate that, you can't trust. 99% of the people that weren't Patriot fans always labeled them cheaters. And yet yesterday, those same, fans are outraged that the voters listen to you and said, we're going to, we're going to punish him.

Not the whole team, not Brady, not Kraft. We're going to punish Bill, who, you know, is the CEO of the football operation. We're going to punish him probably for a year. Got to sleep on the couch. Seth Wickersham, great reporter at the other place. ESPN talked about SpyGate and why that was the problem for some of the voters, not all some. Look, they were taping it from the illegal location for seven years before they got caught. You know, the league had sent Belichick three letters warning him to stop, and he didn't do it.

So there was like an entire perception that the league was covering up and swept all this stuff under the rug for Belichick and for Robert Kraft. You know, we wrote about Bill Pullian in the article. You know, those teams that had to compete against Belichick haven't forgotten those things. Nor would they ever, nor would you. Patriots won a lot of close games and had multiple six-and-seven-figure fines for the coach. Lost a first-round pick, a couple of those. A third-round pick. He's going to get in.

This is not Pete Rose. But can we go to this excuse? I heard a lot yesterday. Everybody does it. So if you got pulled over on the road, you had a couple of cockers, cocktails and the cop pulls you over, you're a little tipsy, you turn to the cop, roll down the window and go, hey, I mean, everybody does it. Would he say, be on your way? If you were audited by the IRS, a couple of IRS agents come into your business, open that file cabinet or, you know, that disc, that file, and you just said, hey, listen, I know, it looks a little shady, but everybody does it. Would they just walk out and go, be on your way, keep doing what you do?

folks it was called an illegal an illegal taping operation that's not what I'm calling it that's what the league called it the everybody does it excuse makes you and I sleep better that doesn't get you past a governing body a sanctioning body

a cop on the freeway after a couple of bruise pass the IRS agents you know there's a reason guys sleep on the couch everybody doesn't, doesn't pass a smell test at home either. It just makes to sleep a little better. So when an NFL franchise is levied huge seven-figure fines and loses first-round picks and a third-round pick, I think it's reasonable, reasonable. I'm not saying it's right or wrong.

It's reasonable to push the pause button for a year. For the record, Jim Harbaugh was banned for an illegal taping operation for four. 14 years by the NCAA. The everybody does it excuse? And I think 14 years is ridiculous. And I do think everybody in college, to some degree, does it. The NCAA, that cop on the freeway, your wife, the IRS agent, the Hall of Fame voters, they don't care.

Not everybody ends up in Super Bowls. So we were talking as a staff this morning. It was kind of funny. We were talking about if Sam Darnall wins his Super Bowl, you know, everybody always likes to do tears and lists for quarterbacks. What the hell do you do with Sam Darnal? So of the many quality things about him, good guy, tough, big arm, athletic, still only 28, team-friendly deal, not much of a cap hit.

The other thing is he stays healthy. Joe Burrow doesn't. Brock Purdy doesn't. Amar Jackson's missed an entire year of games in his career. He is almost always healthy. What's funny about the quarterback position, if you take out Josh Allen, just take out Josh Allen, Superman,

6-6, 250, unbelievably mobile, huge arm, is there any quarterback in the league you're absolutely sure is going to win double-digit games next year? I mean, I love Drake May. He's got more turnovers and touchdowns in the playoffs so far. He's still learning on the job. I love Caleb Williams. What's his career completion percentage?

He's still growing. I mean, again, Lamar Jackson. What about him? He's going to be a massive cap hit. He misses games regularly. He and Harbaugh apparently had a riff. And let's be honest, with that big cap hit, Baltimore's roster is going to be as thin as it can be. So I'm thinking about Sam Darnold.

If you take Josh Allen out, well, what about Mahomes? What about him? He's not in the playoffs. The O-line and run game weekend. Well, what about Joe Burrell? Not in the playoffs. Marr, not in the playoffs. Justin Herbert performs badly in the playoffs.

I love Matt Stafford. So do you. Turns 38 in a week, not mobile. Zero playoff wins in Detroit 13 years. I think the truth about Sam Darnold is the truth about this position. is that we look up, we worship, we make him into Superman outside of Josh Allen. You're as good as your coach, your coordinator, and your supporting cast. I love Drake May.

You think he's in a Super Bowl if he goes to the Jets? I love Sam Darnold. You think he's here if he goes to Cleveland. Now, we've already seen him with the Jets. Here's Jimmy Johnson on Darnold, the Ascension, and what we know about him now. He doesn't have to carry that team on his shoulders. At Carolina, he had to carry that football team. He couldn't do it because he turned it over.

Now he knows he's got a great defense. He knows that he can be patient, take his time, take the checkdowns, throw it here, every now and then, take a shot down the field. So I think the experience that he had and the team that he's with and the coaching that he's giving allowed him to be a great player. But I don't think it's crazy to say that Sam Darnold Hoyer, a trophy, you got to put him in the top 10. If you think I'm wrong, consider this. The Vikings were 7 and 10 before he arrived, 14 and 3 during, and mediocre again this year at 9 and 8.

The Seahawks had no playoff wins for eight years. Darnold arrives with the second youngest roster that are in a Super Bowl. They had a middle of the pack offense. It's now top three. I can give you his last two teams. kind of average or below average before he gets there, not great offensively before he gets there, amazing when he's there. Seems like to me hoisting a trophy in about 10, 12 days, have to reconsider where we put him.

J. Mack, Jesse Minter stopping by, and Greg CoSell. You talked about this yesterday. You hinted on the Janus deal, which is becoming a massive deal. And in this coaching search, there is one crazy story going on in Philadelphia where they can't find, they cannot find a coordinator.

Well, you know, I think we talked about it. Who wants to work for Siriani when that guy's going to be on the hot seat all season? I know you want to make it about Jalen Hertz. I'm very excited to hear that. Because, you know, Jalen Hertz last year, Colin won the Super Bowl, was the Super Bowl MVP. I don't recall hearing any top.

10 shatter out of you after Hertz last year. Well, when you can't see over the middle of the field, there is an issue. 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. 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? I'll tell you, it's a spinoff of the Ben Mallor show, a cult hit overnight's on FSR.

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the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slices Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Jacob Kingston grew up in an isolated polygamous sect. We were God's chosen kingdom on earth. He felt destined for greatness. So when a swaggering Armenian businessman catapults Jacob into an extraordinary world,

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Jacob told Levan, you're ruining my life. life. Listen to Kingdom of Fraud on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. You're now entering the no bull zone, sponsored by credible great rates, none of the bull. There's a headline by Adam Schaefter today, Nick Serion and the Eagles, have a backup plan if they can't find an offensive coordinator worthy of the job.

So this is the downside to having a hyper-aggressive general manager, Howie Roseman. Why would you move your family cross-country? You could get whacked in a year. I mean, when you're an OC for the Eagles, you either get a great head coaching opportunity or you get fired. Most of these guys are married with kids. You want to pull your kids out of school? You want to move them cross-country to Philadelphia,

a market you don't know, get ripped. I mean, it's like being a political candidate in a major city. Get ripped every day on radio. Family goes through that kind of stuff. So that's the downside to Howie Roseman. I mean, you could be a one-year, nine-month course, The second thing is, you know, Nick Sariani is one of those rare-haired coaches with a winning record, but not necessarily a winning reputation, is that when Jim Harbaugh opened up his offensive coordinator job, everybody in the league calls. You get big, strong, mobile, accurate Justin Herbert, and you get Jim Harbaugh.

Philadelphia, which makes a habit of winning Super Bowls and winning playoff games, even if Nick Fulses is your quarterback, they can't find one. Mike McDaniel was the number one offensive coordinator candidate. Harbaugh took the job because of Herbert. Mike McDaniel took the job because of Herbert and Harbaugh, and the Eagles can't find a coordinator. And I think a lot of it is people don't necessarily trust Nick Sariani to get out of this mess. You have A.J. Brown drama. You know, Herbert's issues last year, he needs healthy offensive tackles.

Jalen Hurts issues the last couple years. He can't see the middle of the field. There is a sense that some of his issues are not correctable. So offensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles is one of those sounds great jobs. But, you know, do you want to move your family cross country to a market you don't know to probably the hardest job in football? I mean, again, offensive coordinators, the good one in this league, you know, they're kind of 34, 35, 36. Defensive guys, Vic Fangio, they're defensive coordinators that are older guys. a lot of the top OCs, you know, you're Clint Kubiaks, Kyle Shanahan several years ago.

They're the young guys, right? That Rams coach is interviewed in Cleveland for a while. They're like kids. So I think it's a high intensity, high pressure, little payoff. And by the way, if they do win, Siriani gets the credit. You don't get it. Here is Nick Seriani talking about them not landing an OC still yet. as the head coach you always have to be oversight of everything um and again this year obviously i did

i got involved more in the offense as the as the end of the season came but because that's what i needed to do as the head football coach there and so um yeah again many different ways to do it you know i know that i want to be the head football coach you know i think it's best for the football team when I'm the head football coach. Well, also, when you did call plays early on, it didn't work. It worked when Shane Steichen arrived and Kellynne Moore arrived. So this is an organization that is very coordinator-dependent. The Rams aren't, the Niners aren't.

Philadelphia is highly coordinator-dependent, at least on the offensive side of the ball. Usually when you have an offensive coach, it doesn't matter. matter if the coordinator leaves. I mean McVeigh's run through him. It doesn't matter. Kevin O'Connell, Zach Taylor, they leave, you're fine. So Philadelphia is in a weird

space where they have an offensive coach who usually is dependent on the defensive side to get the coordinator right. He's dependent on the offensive side. J. Mack with the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news.

This is the herd line news. All right, let's start with the Raiders, Colin. They are still searching for a head coach, and according to a report, they are going to have a second interview with Seahawks-O-C. Clint Kubiak on Saturday. Kubiak also in the mix for the Arizona Cardinals head coaching job. Obviously, he can't be hired until after the Super Bowl, which complicates matters. So one of these teams is kind of going to get shafted, Cardinals or Raiders.

Well, I mean the Raiders is a better job. Yes, I would agree with you. I think Kubiak probably picks the Raiders. Tougher division, but you get Mendoza, you get a lot of cap space. I don't know if it is a tougher division. I think it's the two toughest divisions. You're either going to face Sean McVey, Mike McDonald, Kyle Shanahan, or Jim Harbaugh, Andy Reed and Sean Pay.

Those are the two best coached division. But the difference is the Raiders, if Colton Miller comes back at left tackle, Brock Bowers, Ashton Genty, remember last year was SpyTech the new, the new GM. They had a boatload of picks, and I think they really liked some of their defensive picks. So you're going to add Mendoza. And remember, they've got multiple picks at the top of rounds. They can move back and accumulate more picks. I actually think that if you've given me, I've told you before, Harbaugh is the best higher. I do think Jesse Minter, Robert Sala, and Stefansky eventually work where they land.

This feels pretty promising to me. This would give me a passing grade. There's a couple I don't like. This feels pretty solid to me. I would agree. You do need to see multiple years of success before you. You know, Robert Sala, we've seen him. I mean, these guys have been awesome for like five years.

Kubiak, I mean, he was very good this year. Not taking anything away. Offense look good. Sam Darno looked like, you know, your guy. Sam Darnel looked like a stud. Top 10 quarterback, thanks to Kubiak. So overall, hopefully the Raiders get him. All right, Colin, this next story is a little troubling.

I need you to control your emotions here, but there's a rift between Bo Nix and Sean Payton. This is not good and Denver fans are panicking. So earlier this week, Sean Payton talked about the Bo Nix injury that he suffered at the end of the Bills game and said the injury was predisposed and it was just a matter of if not when. That's very weird wording for your quarterback. and an injury. So then, yesterday, Bo Nix, and it seems like he specifically was upset and let everybody know, hey, I want to talk about the injury. And here's Bo Nix talking to the media downplaying his injury. Nothing predisposed, nothing that was there originally. I might have

gotten confused. But, you know, it was just a simple step with my foot up in the air. My body weight came down on it. Didn't have any predisposed. issues, man, my ankles were feeling really good. I don't think he really should share how many surgeries I've had in the past, to be honest with you. Because I don't, you know, he doesn't really even know that. But I think it's

going to be good, you know, to get back, get to work, start from ground zero. Very bizarre. Do you think that's a riff? Well, I mean, Bo Nex came out and said, I don't think he should be sharing how many surgeries I've had. And he specifically contradicted words

that Peyton used, predisposed, not a matter of if not when. I mean, Peyton's making it sound like a fragile quarterback who's had a billion injuries. And Bo Nix is like, that's not me. Now, some Broncos fans are looking back to like, well, in high school, Bo Nix had this. And in college at Auburn, he had a very bizarre situation. It could just be, you know, Peyton is a dry humor kind of guy. Well, maybe he was trying to be fine.

I don't know. I don't think every disagreement is a rift. I don't. My take is I try to stay out of guessing surgeries because I don't think people have any idea. I mean, Travis Kelsey said last year, I've had 10 surgeries. I thought he had one. I mean, Mark Schlereth had 30. That's what Mark Schleris said.

I think a lot of these NFL guys, especially now, get cleaned up in the offseason. So I think Sean Payton probably, you know, they always say there are certain industries. you know, you know, don't talk about guys' injuries. Basically, first of all, it's incredibly personal. I mean, there's HIPAA laws in some businesses. The other thing is, I think people get cleaned up all the time, and I don't even like, and I've told you this, one of the things, there's two things about the NFL that I would get rid of.

Preseason, college doesn't have one in their kids. You don't need preseason. I think it's just bad optics. I think it's another chance for people to get hurt. I would get rid of preseason. said that forever. The other thing is I wouldn't announce the injuries of players. I worry a great deal. If you know somebody's got a bad knee, then an outside linebacker is going for your knee. I don't think that stuff should be published. I don't want my coach talking about any of the

injuries on the team. Yeah, the injury reports are huge for fantasy and gambling, which are major driving factors in the NFL. I mean, you take those away and it's like not great. So you've got to keep the injury reports. I just, I'm with you though. I agree. You don't need to talk. about how many surgeries the guys had, or if he was predisposed for anything. Now, there are seven months before, or eight months before the season starts. He played 61 college games of being tackled,

and he's now in his second year. I would be shocked if Bo Nix hadn't had two surgeries. I mean, go back to his first high school snap until today. He's a professional and high-end college player. If he didn't have a couple of, you know, a surgery or two, I would be shocked. And I think, you know, over the course of time, I mean, Peyton Manning had several. I didn't know about him.

I knew about one. So I think the average NFL player, I think the average baseball player is getting stuff cleaned up in off seasons. Once you get to like 28, 29, the wear and tear pro athletes have on their body, the travel, the intensity, the workouts. These guys don't take time off anymore. Yeah. And remember, Bo Nicks played literally every snack. of the last two seasons. Stidham only came down for kneel downs. He didn't come in and throw the bowl. So just a weird situation. I went and looked at his career. I do not see Bo Nix as an, I think

I defend Lamar Jackson. Burrow has an injury history. You could argue Joe Burrough's injury prone. I could argue that with Brock Purdy. You can't argue that with Bo Nix. I went back and looked at his college when this came out four or five days ago. Bo Nix is a baller gets hit. He's athletic, is faster and more athletic than ever. I don't think injuries are apart. I've never even thought that with Bo Nix, and I've thought that with a lot of quarterbacks that I like. All right, final story.

Let's go to the NBA last night. LeBron returned to Cleveland for perhaps the final time in his career. Yeah. The Lakers lost, but nobody cares about that. In a moment before the game, there was a video tribute to LeBron. Yeah. And Colin, he got like emotional. Yeah.

It was actually pretty cool. Cool. Yeah. You know, listen, I love, you know, I'm a big LeBron guy. I think he's a great athlete. Everything he stands for. Just the way watching him get emotional during this tribute, I think it's over. I think this is going to be his final year unless he takes a big pay cut.

And do you see LeBron taking a big pay cut? I think it's harder than you think. I think when I went and watched him the other night in Chicago, he bullied his way to 20 points, and he could do that for the next several years. he is so much bigger and stronger than guards and forwards in this league in almost all centers. And I mean, it's, you know,

listen, he has been, I know he's polarizing, but by and large, it's, I mean, it's probably his last game in Cleveland. Wait, how's he polarizing?

Yeah. What did LeBron do to be polarizing? I mean, he's just a great phenomenal athlete. If you, if you ever mentioned politics, there was, I mean,

come on. He's also been a little, I would say, a little thirsty on social media through the years, a little thirsty. But, you know, again, I think he's the, I think he does more things well than any basketball player I've ever seen. And I've been watching the league since 1972, 73. I think, I think he does more things well. I think Jordan was a more ferocious offensive player. I think Yokic is maybe the most versatile guy beyond LeBron I've ever seen.

but there's I don't magic Johnson didn't play that level of defense did not have that physicality and magic is great so I think I mean it's listen when I went to the Bulls game he was the most popular guy in the arena and it wasn't really that close he still commands an audience J-Mac with the news well that's the news and thanks for stopping by the herd lie news speaking of that so about three years ago, if you're thinking of trading somebody in the NBA, you're always better to do it quickly and quietly. The longer you wait, especially for Big Man, you can get in trouble because Big Man get hurt early and often. So according to a story, Janus from the Bucks is ready to be dealt, and the Bucs are now ready to listen to offers. So we've been on this for three years,

and Milwaukee fans are calling a click bait. Okay, he's now 31 with several injuries. That's the first thing. Number two is he can't shoot. And two years ago, maybe three, the league has gone all in on three-pointers. There's a hundred three-pointers shot in multiple games now. It wasn't like that three, four years ago. Also, the NBA has become much less transactional because of multiple,

aprons and prohibitive factors to making trades than it was three years ago. So it's like asking for a, you know, a 2018 tax deduction on your 2026 taxes. That puppy doesn't exist anymore. So I thought a 27, 28-year-old Janus before the league just became all threes. And it was moving in that direction three years ago. I think with the new aprons, the prohibitive factors, you're still going to be able to sell him because the Knicks, because they changed coaches and they've struggled, I think James Dolan would pull the trigger on a move because he's getting hammered for the coaching Tibbs to Mike Brown move. And I think the Warriors desperate to finish off the great Steph Curry's career also would give up a ton. But he's having multiple calf strains. He doesn't shoot in a

3-&D league. He is also hyper-athletic. And you know and I know how hyper-athletic guys age. KD could play for nine more years. He's a catch-and-shoot guy. The other thing, what's happened in the NBA, and I think there's now so much data on it, who are the four best bigs in the league? Embed, Wembe, Janice, Yokic. You got about 40 years of service and two titles.

The NBA does not go through big men anymore. Think about how dominant Yokic is. They got one ring. So I think they're going to end up doing fine in Milwaukee. I think they would have done much better two years ago. And the other thing is, I can like a player, but cultures change. How valuable is he? Now, you say to yourself, well, he's still great. Three years in a row, first round exits. In the east, the east is bad. I mean, the east outside of Detroit, I mean, the Celtics

without Tatum aren't the same team. In the east, three years in a row, bounced. So in the West, What does that even mean? Is that making the playoffs in the West? So, I mean, I will say this. Oklahoma City is a small market, but Sam Presti takes big swings. He sees around corners. They operate like a big market team.

Oklahoma City plays much bigger than the market size. Milwaukee feels like a small market terrified to lose their guy. terrified to lose their star. So I think they've waited a long time. Miami's interested. Golden State is interested. The Knicks are interested. I don't believe at this point, Janus gets you titles.

I think he'll make the Warriors better. I think he's better than Kat for the Knicks. He may actually, New York's probably the best place because Brunson is a very ball-centric player who can hit from the outside. Yonis won't need the ball quite as much. He'll take care of the interior work, and Janus is a much, much better defender. Brunson's not a good defender. He's a great, great leader, he's a great score, he's a great finisher.

I love Brunson. My favorite Nick next to Ewing, you know, in a year, I love Brunson. But he's a liability on the defensive end, so is cat. You can pick and roll those guys to death. So Janus in New York makes a ton of sense. Golden State. What do the warriors have that I want? I'm not sure, you know, you keep selling me on Jonathan Caminga.

The Warriors can't get rid of them fast enough, so I don't know what you have. The Cleveland Browns have a new coach. Jesse Mentor is the Ravens new guy. This feels like, to me, one of the jobs that works. I think Sala and Brian Daibald in Tennessee is really, really good. Harbaugh, obviously. I don't know if he wins immediately. Kevin Stefansky in Atlanta feels like it's going to work.

Jesse Minter going back to the organization that he succeeded at. It feels like it works to me and he's next. The Herd. Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. Hey, it's us, the Jonas Brothers. And guess what? We have some big news. What's the news, next?

Huge news. We created our own podcast called, Hey, Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts. We're starting a trend.

But this one's a lot. extra special. So how did we actually come up with a name Hey Jonas, guys? I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it. We were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band before Jonas Brothers

was... This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast where people could call in and say, hey Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey Jonas. And I offered It up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys.

Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. 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. 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 Sports Slice. radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in

the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't really really. that we are in possession of the thing, and we're still chasing it, and we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person

while you hear on earth, or are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing,

growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free iHeartRadio app, search Learn the Hardway, and listen now. Well, I think, I don't, I can't speak for women, but I can speak for guys that most of us have role models in our life. It could be your father. When I was a young broadcaster, I wanted to be Bob Costas or Al Michaels. And our next guest is a young guy who has worked with Jim Harbaugh and John Harbaugh. and Mike McDonald.

And there's a lot of people to glean information from. His name is Jesse Mentor. And he turned the Chargers defense around in about 40 minutes. He is the new coach of the Baltimore Ravens. And first of all, congratulations. That's a pretty good gig. I've said this before, Jesse. I think the Ravens, there's an argument.

It is the best run organization in the NFL. So you got yourself one heck of a job. If I said to you, Jesse, I'd never seen a Jim Harbaugh team. and I said, Jesse, I've heard about this guy. What is the one guiding principle that you take from Jim Harbaugh and go, man, Jim Harbaugh does this exceptionally well? Yeah, I think Jim empowers the players really well to create an identity of team football. And so, you know, he kind of allows the players to be themselves,

but there's this understanding that we're all after the same thing. We all have the same goals. And so we're willing to kind of put some things aside sometimes and play as a team and do things like that. I think that's definitely the one identity that I'll certainly try to take from Jim. Okay, John Harbaugh, they're similar, but they're also in some ways dissimilar. Is there something from John Harbaugh that was different than that that you appreciated? You know, I think John, when I first got here, maybe different because I was in a different role. but he really empowered a lot of the coaching staff and even younger guys on the staff like I was when I first got here.

And so there was just an ability to grow, an ability to be forward thinking, an ability to be creative amongst the staff. And I really look forward to kind of being that type of head coach where you're always trying to find better ways to do things. You're always looking for the next great thing and research and studying and doing things like that. So learned a lot about John of just empowering the staff to always really, be trying to find that next great idea so it's interesting as a defensive guy i've said for years i've said listen if i have a choice i want my coach to be young and preferably offense but i've also acknowledged that demico ryan's is great we heard i heard that in san francisco when he was quality control guy they're like this guy's going to be a stud we heard it about you we heard it about

mike macdonald how do you as a defensive guy come into the operation in an offensive league where the rules all favor of the offense. How do you build the toughness on that defense and the culture, knowing that it's now mostly it feels like a little bit of an offensive league? Yeah, I would just say, look at the two teams still playing right now. That's sort of how they operate. When you look at how Seattle's built and how they're playing, when you look at New England and how they're playing,

I think it's teams that play great defense. It's how you train. It's how the processes that you create. to be really good and the standards that you create. I feel like we kind of did that defensively in LA the last couple of years. And so it's about creating beliefs and goals what you're trying to achieve

and then most importantly, creating standards of how you operate that match those goals of what you're trying to achieve. And I still think defense wins championships. I do agree with you that at times it feels like an offensive league. But I think when you have great players on offense like we have, and now you can match that.

that with hopefully the best defense in the NFL. I think we can do some special things. I mean, you turn the charges around immediately. So Lamar Jackson is an all-time talent. When you have a guy like a Josh Allen, listen, Justin Herbert, Caleb Williams, Drake May, where you're like, okay, these guys can do a lot. They can go scripted, they can go off platform, they can go off script. What is the balance with Lamar to let Lamar be Lamar, but plan?

within a structure you're comfortable with. Yeah, I think that's a great point. I think you want the structured plays to work really well and to be really an offense that he feels great about and that he feels like he's thriving in and that you're making plays comfortable for him, stuff that he's really good at. And then I think those unstructured plays,

I mean, that's where he's the best in the world. That's where his instincts are able to take over. He's able to make throws, runs, everything, every which way. but I really think it's the structure plays that we need to really make sure are tight and really make sure there's things that he's familiar with and really good at and willing to grow with and I know he's super excited about where we're headed on offense

and I look forward to seeing him thrive in our offense. Whether you play a team or not during a season, you see a lot of teams on film, like the Seahawks and the Patriots. So when you look at our Super Bowl, all the film you've looked at this year, whether you play a team or you see him playing somebody else. You see film of 32.

You see film that everybody. Are you shocked the Seahawks and the Patriots got here? If not, why? I'm not shocked. Seattle, you know, Mike's a dear friend of mine. I kind of know his mentality and how he's built that team. Took over a lot of really good young defensive players that are now, you know, growing up and in their second year.

And so they have great talent on that side of the ball. They made, they made an, you know, organizational decisions. decision with Sam Darnold that's paid off for them and the type of offense that they're running. So not surprised at all. And then same thing with New England. Tons of respect for Mike Vrable, Josh McDaniels, getting him back as the offensive coordinator, I think was a huge development for Drake as a young player. We played them in the first round.

Yep. And so no surprise, no surprise that those two teams are playing. I think it'll be a heck of a matchup for the fans to watch. All right. Head coach, the Baltimore Ravens. it's a big boy job. This is a, to me, a blue blood, gold standard, San Francisco 49ers, eagles, Ravens. This excellence, I mean, John Harbaugh was a great coach, and they moved on.

It is a, how do you set that culture day one? How do you comment, by the way? Because the last guy was good. You know, this thing's not bottomed out. You have a roster that could win a Super Bowl next year. How does Jesse Minter set the culture tomorrow? I think there's a couple things. One, like knowing that there's a really good foundation, and especially myself haven't

been here, knowing sort of how that was built is a major positive. And then I have, you know, my own style and in my own way. I think we need to become a really connected team. I think we need to play football in a style that people are proud of and excited of on all three phases of the game. And so I think we're going to create an identity of a really well-connected team that's tough and physical, but also that's very innovative. We want to be really forward-thinking, schematically, in all three phases.

And I think there's going to be a lot of excitement when the guys come back and really feel like we're headed in the right direction. Jesse, good luck to you. Everybody I know speaks very highly of you. It's a gold standard organization, and good luck going forward. Appreciate you. Thanks for having me on. You bet.

Jesse Minter, he turned that Chargers defense around in like an hour. So I think Harbaugh is going to crush it with the Giants. to be a playoff team next year. I really like Jesse and Baltimore, Robert Salah, and Tennessee. I'm not sure the quarterback situation in Atlanta with Stefansky. I love the hire. Arthur Blank is dependable. It's not a chaotic organization.

They've got tremendous skill people. So we're still waiting for the Raiders and the Cardinals. Clint Kubiak sounds like he's getting the Raiders job. I like that higher with a team that's got some really, really nice offensive talent. they'll get Fernando Mendoza with the number one pick. Arizona's a bit of a shipwreck right now. I don't know what they're doing. And by the way, Raiders, Cardinals, those divisions are tough,

but not all fourth place teams are equal. The Raiders are getting easily the best quarterback in college this year. And you can nitpick Fernando Mendoza. The kid is absolutely fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. So if I was a Raider fan, And Clint Kubiak, to me, I mean, honestly, if Clint Kubiak may have been outside of John Harbaugh and maybe Sean McDermott, Clint Kubiak could be a perfect fit there.

He really could. Also, remember, Clint Kubiak has flourished in Seattle, which is a really, really young team. Well, the Raiders, Mendoza is going to be a rookie, Brock Bowers, Aston Genty. They've got a right tackle who moved inside. I think he's in year two. And they're going to attack their wide receiver last year. They had a rookie wide receiver. The Raiders' offense is young.

Clint Kubiak, Seattle's offense, mostly yum. I think it's a good fit. I hope Seattle and Sam Darnold can replace him. But Jay Mack, Jesse Minter to me feels like it'll work. I don't know. Yeah, definite home run higher. Interesting, there's some stuff online about how, hey, 53% of the league is African-American. and in this cycle we have had only white guys hired as head coaches.

I don't know how the league deals with something like that. You know, obviously Robert Sala has a mixed background, but like it's just a weird, weird to see that be like a storyline here when you got some pretty, some good hires. A couple questionable ones in there, I'm not going to call out guys my name. I have no idea how Jeff Halfley's going to do in Miami. Yeah. I mean, Joe Brady may not be as good as Jeff Haffley,

but he'd win more games because he has jobs. don't know what Jeff Hathley's going to do as a head coach. Todd Monkin to me feels eh. Joe Brady feels like comfortable. I think Mike McCarthy will probably win games. It's a little flat. It doesn't feel inspiring. And maybe I'm

out of my mind, but I think Robert Sala and Brian Dayball, that is about as good as Tennessee could do. I think if you'd have hired those, again, outside of John Harbaugh, I think those guys are going to crush it in Tennessee. Tons of cap space. I like,

like Cam Ward, Jeffrey Simmons, maybe the best defensive lineman in the league, and that division is, you can win a lot of games in that division. I also think to Stefanski pairing offensive coach with offense that's got Bejohn Robinson, Drake London. Yes, I think it works. You know, Michael Pennix needs to take the next step, obviously. I know there's a lot of questions about him. But I think, you know, a lot of good hires, obviously some questionable.

But we'll see what happens with your cardinals. They're yours. Remember, you were a Kyler-Murie guy. weren't you guys hanging out at UFC fight or something like that? You and Kyler? I got nothing against him, but that organization right now has got a lot of time. Where's he quarterbacking next year, by the way? I don't know.

I really don't know. Not a big market for him. Greg Co-sells around the corner. What did he see? What's going forward? New England, a four and a half point dog to the Seahawks. Hey guys, it's us. The Jonas Brothers.

I'm Joe. I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast. called Hey Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it.

We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it, but, you know, tired and sick. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. 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. What's up, fam, it's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm CJ 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 hungry.

You just understood. That's how personal it got. Wow. Then after that game seven, Marquis come in to you, 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 week on Crimless, Rory and I welcome a very special guest. When I did a podcast, I wear my sleep mask. I like where this is going. So if you guys will indulge me. That's right. The incredibly talented and hilarious Will Ferrell on an episode dedicated to crimes committed by people named Will Ferrell.

You're good for 300 crimes? Yeah. We've got two. I'm ready to go right up to present day. Listen to Crimless on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human