The Herd with Colin Cowherd - The Herd - Hour 1 - The truth about Justin Fields

Episode Date: November 28, 2023

After last night it appears Justin Fields isn't the franchise QB the Bears have been waiting for He discusses Deion Sanders' first season at Colorado and why he's starting to realize the challenges of building a contender in today's college football landscape    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Oh, here we go in a busy Tuesday. Who knows what coach is in trouble this afternoon. Live in Los Angeles, it's the herd. Wherever you may be and however you may be watching or listening, thanks for Megan House part of your day. One hour from now our top 10 teams, Heard hierarchy on a Tuesday, top of second hour as always. J-MAC, you can say a lot of things and argue for a lot of things,

but sometimes reality hits your right square between the guys in Chicago. Indeed it does. Hey, by the way, reality. Both of us had the Bears last night. I even said sprinkle a little on the money line. How about it, baby? We gave out the I'm not sure I had the Bears. You didn't have bears last night? I don't know. I didn't. Cowherd, what are you doing?

Vikings? All right. Here we go. Justin Fields, it's over. The first sign you don't have a franchise quarterback, your defense gets four interceptions and you can't manufacture a single touchdown. The second sign, your offensive coordinator doesn't want you to throw the ball down the field.

33 starts. If you went to a stand-up comedian for 33 minutes and didn't laugh, he's not funny. You can keep blaming everybody else. Great, he's athletic. I would watch him if he went to Atlanta. I'd move him to Atlanta, get a third-round pick. He'd be fun. Bejohn, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, the Chicago thing's over.

Top franchise quarterbacks do two or three things really well. They see the field, process quickly, and accurately deliver the ball. I just don't see it. We've got 33 starts. He's not good enough to pass on a much better college prospect who doesn't turn the ball over a lot, Caleb Williams. Justin Fields has 35 fumbles and 35 games, a pass rating in the low 80s, a completion percentage barely above 60. Caleb Williams is a better prospect. You'll be able to restart the rookie salary clock, and it'll put a new energy.

in the building. C.J. Stroud, game one, with four backups on the offensive line and no-run game, the Texan staff let him sling the ball all over the field. 33 starts, and this offense, they don't want him to throw the ball down the field. Fifteen of his 27 completions were at or behind the line of scrimmage. And I know you think you know more than the coaches. But what coaches allow

players to do, not just quarterbacks, tight ends, corners, safeties, what they allow them to do is what they see them incapable or not doing in practice, right? Like, don't do that. Don't do that. So by the time you get to a game, the coaches allow you to do certain things that they see you can produce consistently in practice. Again, Houston coaches, C.J. Stroud, first game, throwing it all over the field.

33 starts for Justin Fields. They won't let him throw it down the field. There was one completion over 20 yards. and that was at the end of the game when the Chicago coaches had no choice. And by the way, he's got DJ Moore, a number one receiver. He's open a lot downfield. So when you have to consider going to a third coach, probably not the coaching. The common denominator in Chicago is Justin Fields.

Remember, y'all banged on Mitch Trubisky. I was never a Trubisky fan. I didn't like the draft pick. I was never a fan. But he went to the playoffs twice. Aaron Rogers was in his prime in Green Bay. Matt Stafford was still in Detroit. The division is wide open now.

Mitch Trubisky, who nobody in Chicago gave, you know, a second thought as a franchise guy. They weren't into it. He went 11 and 3. First year with Matt Nagy. You want to know the one year Justin Fields had Matt Nagy? Two and eight. It's kind of a swing. And I'm not a fan at Tribisky.

I would have moved off Tribisky early. But Aaron was in his prime. Stafford was close to his prime, and he got to the playoffs twice. Nobody defended Trubisky. It's over. Again, we've got 33 starts. Right now, he's auditioning. Yes, he's athletic.

Yeah, he seems like a nice kid. Trebisky was a nice kid. And yeah, this organization doesn't do a great job to draft and develop quarterbacks. I agree with all that stuff. But Caleb Williams is a better prospect. You start the rookie salary clock. It's a new energy in the building. and Caleb, for the record, doesn't turn the ball over much.

All right, and he's been running for his life for the last two years, too. So what happens? Over 50% of the first round quarterbacks don't make it. It's okay. He's athletic enough to get a second opportunity. I'd love to see him playing Atlanta. Offensive coach, Bejohn, Kyle Pitts, Drake, London. I'd watch.

Better old line than the bears, I think? I'd watch. It's fun. It's different. But I don't think Justin Fields is a hoist the trophy guy. And maybe there's only seven of those guys on the planet. but like this capitulation over well he could he did 33 starts he completes about 60% of his throves low pass a rating a lot of fumbles i mean nice kid but um four interceptions no touchdowns

he's got a number one receiver good tight ends the old line's not as awful as everybody claims capable running backs the coaches won't let him throw the ball down the field here's just and after We haven't let our record define who we are. We know who we are as a team. We know what we're capable of. And it's really just going out there and doing it, going out there executing and finishing the way we know how, the way we did tonight.

And really just cleaning up the mistakes because, you know, if you clean up my two fumbles, we're probably not even in that situation. 35 fumbles and 35 games. He fumbles. That's the reality. This league is about, can you see the field, delivered accurately, don't turn it over and win games, and stay healthy.

He's not checking a lot of boxes. It's time. Okay, this story's interesting. Dion Sanders loses three commitments after taking a shot at the NCAA's recruiting policy. So, you know, Dion loved recruiting when all the guys were coming to him. But when some started leaving, he said to the NCAA, it's not fair. Once you commit, you shouldn't be flirting around talking to other schools.

So first of all, let's start with this. Dion Sanders is realizing what all. all Colorado football coaches eventually realize. It's hard to build a great roster in Boulder. The athletic department doesn't have a lot of money and support, and the state does not provide a lot of great high school football players. It was very fun to watch early, but Colorado finished 4 and 8, 1 and 8 in the Pack 12,

and blew a 29-0 lead against Awful Stanford. You guys are banging on Lincoln Riley. Dionne Sanders didn't win enough. but I will say this in support of him. I thought September Deon, Colorado was great. It was new, it was fresh, it was fun. I don't regret for a second leaning into it. I like new stuff.

They were the most watched team in college football for five weeks. They were a little bit like a TikTok trend, wild for about 24 hours, and then they fade into irrelevance. But that's okay. You're on TikTok too. Colorado football eventually all coaches discover them. is Colorado football. That's why if you go back to the 1960s and the 1970s,

the top 20 programs then are mostly the top 20 programs now. It's a state that doesn't provide a lot of players and you have to convince him to leave Texas and California and come to the mountains. It's hard. A lot of people I find are rooting against Dion Sanders. He's different. He brags a lot.

To be a little showy. I get it. but to me, Nick Saban lost to Louisiana Monroe in his first year at Alabama. This stuff is hard. Davo Sweeney at Powerhouse Clemson,

surrounded by great high school talent in the surrounding states. He's had 10 plus wins in 12 straight years until this year he dips a little. Dude's got two natties and a big chunk of fan base is furious with him. That's college football. Ryan Day's record in the Big Ten is

41 and 3. Half the fan base wants him out. Society is filled with people on the sidelines taking shots at successful people. It's so easy. No, it's not.

It's hard. Nick Saban built a powerhouse. They weren't winning back to back. It's hard. NIL, transfer portals, made it even harder. It's easy to sit on the sidelines and take shots at Dion Sanders.

But September, Deon, September, Colorado was a lot of fun. I thought they'd get dragged by TCU and they went to Texas and blew them out. But Deion is realizing the realities of college football. Brian Kelly is an excellent coach. Half the fan base wants him gone. Ryan Day is an excellent coach. Davos Sweeney's an excellent coach. Nobody's ever happy.

Mario Cristobal is at a better program than Dion. He's 500 after two years at Miami. Nebraska's a better program than Colorado. Matt Rule went five and seven. September, we all got a little over our skis. We got into the hype. It's okay. You fall in love with a lot of things.

People, teams, players, businesses, opportunities. It's okay. Go ahead, be grumpy. Never fall in love with anything. September football for Dion was a blast. I loved it. I thought it was crazy. surprised the heck out of me.

But then reality set in. The Colorado players decommitting? So what? Players decommit from Nick Saban, Ryan Day, Dabbo Sweeney, Lincoln Riley. Players decommit all the time. Players have never been more empowered. What I find with Dion is a lot of people are just rooting against him.

And you're all experts now. I told you it was hype. So what if it was? Sometimes hype is fun. That's okay. We all fall for something at some time in our life. I'm rooting for Dion. But it is Colorado football.

Let's temper our enthusiasm. If he gets him to a 500 program, that's pretty good for Colorado football. When he first got hired, I thought it was weird. A day later, made some calls, thought, oh, he'll get attention. That part you can't deny. none of us have ever discussed Colorado football more than now.

And that's part of building a losing program into an occasional winning program, getting attention. J. Mack, we got a lot of things going on. I am supporting people who get dragged by the media today. I want to support Mike McCarthy again today. Getting dragged. He's got a great team. Can I give you two teams for Justin Fields for next year? Atlanta's got to be one. No, Atlanta's not one.

They have Ritter and Heineke, who they like, and they just drafted her. Just bear with me for two quick ones. Okay. Brian Dable had a lot of success with Josh Allen and mobile quarterback, had some success with Daniel Jones. Okay, we know Tyrod Taylor's a free agent. DeVito's not the guy. Daniel Jones coming off the injury. Does Dable say, give me, let me try to reform Justin Fields, have a Fields versus Daniel Jones showdown in the preseason for the job.

We'll see what happens. I think Fields would be a capable backup in New York, maybe the starter. I think that's very interesting. Okay. Now, the second one is a little dicey. I kind of workshop this last night. Worksh, okay, Gilly, let's go. I know that he loves Drew Locke a lot.

Oh, yeah. I know he loves Drew Locke. Nobody else does. We've seen the max of Gino Smith last year. Okay, now Waters finding its level. He's starting to, they got a good team. Gino Smith has not played well. Does Justin Fields have a chance to start in Seattle?

Could he beat out Gino Smith? I know Pete Carroll well. enough. There's one thing that drives Pete Carroll crazy. Turnovers. And I mean, I've never met a coach who is tougher on players who fumble and throw interceptions.

Justin Fields is a bad fit for Pete Carroll. The Brian Dable one is fascinating. Here's an ultra-safean for you. His agent goes to Justin Fields and says, listen, Justin, you need to grow up a little, you need to mature, you need to be in a good organization where you're going to hold a clipboard for a year or two.

And go sit behind Jalen Hertz Philadelphia for a year or two. Learn how to be a professional. Carry a briefcase to work. Meet with the media. That's interesting. Shoulders up, broad chest, speaking confidently. Yeah.

Like, you need to be a professional. Go sit behind Jalen for it. That's, that's not a terrible idea. The Pete Carrow one does not work. For me, I just know what, I know Pete and I know what he's into. And running backs that fumble and quarterbacks that turn it over. I mean, Russell Wilson didn't turn it over much.

And when he did, Pete would mention it at every press conference. So it doesn't work and see, yeah, the Brian Dable one and the Philadelphia one is very interesting because we know Justin's talented enough to get a second look. I would say, see, everybody's banging on Atlanta and Arthur Smith. I never watch Atlanta and think, man, they're undercoached. I think they're under talented, too young and key spots. But I think Arthur Smith, Bejohn, Justin Fields, better old line than people get, Drake London. That's interesting.

That gets me to a television. It's interesting. I would watch that. There's several spots around the league. Oh, he's going to get another chance. I think he's going to have a good market. I know people don't like him, but he's going to have, like, the Raiders. What are they doing a quarterback?

Trey Lance got a number four pick. Justin Fields can get you two. Absolutely. Again, I'm not rooting against him, but Mitch Tribesky with Aaron Rogers in his prime and Matt Stafford close to it, got to the playoffs twice. You've got to win games in this league. I don't want to hear about any. Win games.

Throw the ball down the field. Be sure to catch live editions of the Hurstafford. 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 IHard 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 I'm saying. Yep, that's me, CliverTaylor 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 Clivert 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. 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 J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a 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 was 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, so. Thank you for 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. All right, welcome back on a Tuesday, herd hierarchy. 40 minutes from now, top 10 teams in the NFL.

We will have a surprise visitor into our top 10 teams. J-MAC's not going to love it, but it's the reality of it. We got that coming up in 40 minutes. So, Dak, Prescott, and the Cowboys play this Thursday on Amazon Prime. They play Seattle. they're a huge favorite. Truth is, at home, they've been a great home team. I'd probably take Dallas, even though the number's big, Dallas blows out the teams they should. And that's where Dak and Mike McCarthy deserve credit. Many people think I'm anti-Caboy.

No, I'm not. I don't buy into the hype of Dak, but he's a very good quarterback. He's had a redeemable career. He's a B-plus quarterback who has A-Nights. He's a very good player. Great intangibles. Don't love his arm. Don't think he's as athletic as it been portrayed through the years.

You know what I mean? I said, I think he's slightly better than Kirk Cousins, and everybody's always banging on Kirk Cousins, and everybody gets mad when you bang on Dack. They're kind of the same guy if I look at their numbers. But he's having the best year I've ever seen. He's setting all sorts of highs in completion percentage and passer rating. The C.D. Lamb connection is real. It's a top five or six connection in the NFL, so let's be honest about it.

And Dack talked about this season. I'm about one goal, and it's a big team goal, and I know if my name's in there, That means we're playing well, so that's great. But what I say to myself is I haven't done, you know what I mean? It's regular season. Numbers are great. We're getting wins. That's what's most important.

But the end of the day, we're trying to stack and keep growing this team to make sure that we're getting better each and every week. By the way, he's a little tough on himself. He, again, has had a very good career. Okay, 70% of quarterbacks in the first round don't make it. He's a fourth round quarterback. He's been a really good quarterback. Great? Not necessarily in my opinion, but good to very good.

Absolutely. He's a grown-up. Knows the position, gets the position. But it should be noted this is the best DAC ever, and it's with Mike McCarthy. Farrv, Rogers, Dak have all had great times and years with Mike McCarthy. For God's sakes, Cooper Rush was five and one with Mike McCarthy. The knock on McCarthy, and I think the criticism is fair, clock management late in games is not great.

Late game play calling is not great. Yeah, join the club. That's what people said about Andy Reed in Philly. Sean McVeigh still gets dragged about that. And Kyle Shanahan lost a 283 lead in the Super Bowl with very sketchy play calling. John Harbaugh this weekend, a great coach, dragged for late game decisions.

It's what most coaches struggle with, My guess is because it's hard. It should be noted that Aaron Rogers post Mike McCarthy. Get that bum out of town. Aaron had a two and three playoff record. Aaron Rogers with Mike McCarthy had a 9 and 8 playoff record and a Super Bowl. Maybe it wasn't Mike. Dallas destroys the teams they should.

We all love Dan Campbell. They laid an egg at home against Inferior Green Bay this weekend. Dallas kicks the you know what out of every average team they play. I've been critical of Mike McCarthy, but he can coach. It doesn't have to be my favorite coach, but he can coach. I've seen him win with Favre, Rogers, and Dak. Arguments, the last two had their best years with him. Dack's the best he's ever been.

And he doesn't have as good O-line as he did his rookie year. He's only got one receiver, not a ton of tight-end production, has a running back that's a two, not a one, and Philadelphia may be the best team in the league, and he's got to play them twice, and outplayed him the last time they met, they lost. We've got to be fair about this stuff. Dax's having a great year,

and Dallas crushes the teams they should. A lot of the teams that we fall in love within this league don't. J-Mack with the News. Turn on the news. This is the Herdline News. I totally forgot you had very. Vikings last night. I like the Bears a lot. I think I did have the Vikings, yeah.

12-10 victory. It was ugly. I saw a stat for the first time in 29 games. 29 times this season, a team has not scored a touchdown. All had lost. The Bears got the win last night. How about it? Josh Dobbs was quite bad, Colin. Four interceptions.

He has now lost back-to-back games with four giveaways in each. I have a theory on this. Wait, wait. We're talking about who did they lose to the week before this? Was it the Broncos? I think it was a Broncos and the Bears. Those are not like great teams that you're turning it over four times. But those teams' defenses have gotten... They're good. They've gotten better. So let me say this. When Josh Dobbs first got to Minnesota, because he didn't practice,

they had a limited offense, and they set him up to succeed. Now they've expanded the offense for Josh Dobbs, and he hasn't succeeded as much. It's not because he can't learn it. It's because he's sort of a limited thrower. It's that when they had a simpler offense early and said, listen, we're going to do stuff that we know you can do very well. He won games. Now they're expanding it and saying, and this kid could memorize the Los Angeles phone book in an hour. He's a brilliant kid.

But what they're saying is, we're going to expand the throws you're going to make. And he's a backup. And so the reality is Josh Dobbs is the perfect backup. If your starter goes down for two games, he can win them both or one. But if you're building around him and you need to expand the playbook, that's not what he is.

And so I think Minnesota's got to go back to simpler throws, keep it within the framework of what this kid can do well and the throws he can make. I think they've put a lot on his table, and he's a very good backup quarterback. Kevin O'Connell, Coach of the Vikings, who I think has a chance for Coach of the Year, although last night was a hit.

He did not do well late, Colin. They basically had midfield could lock up the game, and they didn't get a yard. Here he is talking about their quarterback's plans during the by week. We consider a quarterback change? We're going to take a look, really evaluate the inventory of plays now we have of Josh. We got healthy.

We got Jared back available to us. And then Nick Mullen is available as well. When they come back off this by, we'll make sure we got a great plan for going to Vegas and whatever that looks like. We'll be ready to go. You know, it's interesting. You brought something up. And we were talking about this as a staff this morning. The coach of the year three weeks ago was Dan Campbell slam dunk.

now the lions are sputtering. Yeah. And like losing home games to teams that aren't very good. Who is coach of the year? And let me just throw this out there.

All right, I'll let you go first. Go ahead. You're going to take my guy. Go ahead. Start with a D? Yeah, that's the guy. Who? D'emico Ryan.

Well, yes. But what if Sean Payton goes on an eight-game winning streak? Oh, oh. Very easy to say. You don't win this award in September, like Dan Campbell. Denver Houston this week. D'Meek-O-Ryan.

Winner of this game, if Denver wins its sixth straight. They're not. They're not winning this. I bet Houston this morning. I think Houston's the side. I do think Houston's the side. But I'm just saying what he's done in Denver, don't kid yourself, folks. We like Peyton.

Do you think he's watching right now? No. Coaches don't watch the show. So a little smoke and mirrors. They've basically been winning the turnover battle for like five straight weeks. He gets a lot of bad quarterbacks except Mahomes. He was sick, blah, blah, blah. Josh Allen, we know it was a turnover.

Did you watch the Cleveland game how they physically pushed Cleveland around? Nobody pushes Cleveland around. Come on, bro. It was DTR and PJ Walker. Come on. Two weeks ago, all you guys were telling me how much you love DTR. In one game. Yeah, it was one game at home.

Anyway, quick thought I had on Minnesota, right? So Dobbs is a backup. Kirk Cousins is gone. It's funny about that coach of the ear thing, though. You start looking around. The list is real short. Kevin O'Connell's got to be in the mix. Well, last night didn't help.

I'll say this. If Siriani beats San Francisco somehow and they're the number one, you've got to just give it to him. How about this? If Mike Tomlin gets Kenny Pickett into the playoffs in the AFC, he's got to be in a short list. I'm sorry, he does. Quarterback from Minnesota, we do hot takes.

They're fun on this show. Yeah, yeah, love them. Harder the better. I look at the coach in his tendencies, O'Connell. He came from the McVeigh-Shannahan-tree. Remember McVeigh was like, we had golf, he's got a big arm. Let's get a mobile big arm. Shanahan drafted Trey Lance, mobile big arm.

Is there any chance in the world? Kevin O'Connell sees Justin Fields and is like, man, that is an untapped resource. There's something there with that arm. Do you see his mobility? You're making the Justin Fields market into much bigger than it is. Atlanta will sniff it. It'll be a three-team market. What? I will guarantee you at least 10 teams kick the tires on Justin.

10 at least. 35 starts, 35 fumbles. Hasn't lost all of them, but you got win games in this league. I'm not saying he doesn't have a three-team market. You've got a 10-team market? Vegas Raiders. You're telling me there's no... There are six teams.

There are six college quarterbacks that scouts think are either first or mid-second round picks. You got to have to pay Justin Fields here pretty quick. No, no, that's the thing. He hasn't proven anything. I don't got to pay this guy. Versus a rookie? The field thing. I can't wait for the offseason.

It's going to be fun. All right. Next story. This is interesting. So, all pro linebacker, Shaquille Leonard. Formerly Darius Leonard. I don't know. Name change, whatever.

So he visiting the Cowboys today, waived by the Colts last week over playing time. Diana Rossini is reporting the Eagles are hoping they can land Leonard if he leaves Dallas without a deal. What is the deal with contenders? clamoring over a lineback. Time out. Let me say this. Who's washed?

His stats is here were awful. When San Francisco went and got Chase Young. Okay. Anybody looked at the numbers on the pass rush Sacks number since Chase Young arrived? Chase Young, as a three or a two, not a one, been a nice get for San Francisco. Shack Leonard's not going to be asked to be Michael Parsons. Dude, go play 30 snaps. That dude can play.

Sure. Now, Indy'd move off him. They paid him a lot and they moved off him. But it's like, let's not pretend linebackers don't matter. Roquan Smith has made that Baltimore defense money. Fred Warner is unbelievably about. How about Bobby Wagner for the Seahawks? He's a really good player.

Michael Parsons, the idea of linebackers don't matter at all. I'd be very careful to have a rangy athletic guy. Now, he doesn't stay healthy. And I think Indy just emotionally moved off him. It could have been an Ursa move for all we know. But I think this guy with fewer snaps can play. It sounds like he was openly complaining in the locker room. Yeah, they wanted to get him out.

Why am I not playing, dude? That was an all pro. Rookie coach, young team. They wanted him out. Yeah, get him out. Doesn't mean Shack Leonard can't play. But like, I'm just telling you, Philadelphia's secondary is really weak. You saw the Marcus Peters news yesterday, dumped by the Raiders.

Now, he's a bit of a basket. Sorry, Kay. He's got some issues. Right. But I would certainly take a flyer on him if I'm Philly. Hey, you want to go to a Super Bowl? Come fall in line and win with us. No? I just think, let's stay with the indie guy. I think Leonard, if I'm asking a guy to go play 24 snaps, that's it.

All right. You're not asking to play six. He's done, right? He's done, right? He's been hurt a lot. Yeah. I don't know. I just, I like good teams kicking the tires, getting smart veteran players who know the league in the room, and we're just going to ask you, Chase Young for 22 snaps. Can you get me a sack? I like it. All right, final story. This is spicy because I had to look up some details here. So Bill Belichick topped Sportico's list of the highest paid coaches in U.S. sports. Okay? They have him an estimate of $25 million a year. Here's the rest of the top 10. Let's show you right now.

Belichick followed by Sean Payton, Greg Popovich. I hope Jim Harbaugh is watching at home because I see a lot of NFL coaches on the list. Jim Harbaugh hope you're watching at home. I don't have a problem with any of these. I don't either. But this is what's interesting, Colin. So I'm like Belichick making $20. Mani Williams makes bank.

Well, they needed to get him. He lost 15 straight games. Well, I love Monty. They were desperate. But here's what's the most interesting. So I see Belichick's number 25, Colin. I say, well, wait a minute, I didn't know that. Rappaport reported last month that he got like an extension.

But he didn't have any money associated with. I went back and looked. So I read Sportico. I'm like, where is this coming from? They estimate. This is a guess on Sportico's part. This, why is this coming out now? Why are they putting out the coaches list now, number one,

Belichick 25 mil? I don't know. You don't think that's a little interesting? I mean, he just lost to the Giants. He's on the hot seat in New England. So, but you think Belichick leaked to? Is there any chance? Kraft is putting this out there so everybody knows

the highest paid coach in sports is flailing badly in New England. Doesn't have a quarterback, can't figure out the draft. Oh, that's a, not. He's been paid too much money to lose all these games. That's interesting. If you're in the New England front office, do you want this out? This is better than your Justin Fields has a huge market take. I'm standing by that bad.

Half the league wants Justin Fields take. It just feels weird that we're now getting the number, and it's not from Schepter, Rapid Port, Glazer. No, you and I have been in the media a combined 50 years. It's not just the stories, how they land, it's why they land. Why does a story get out? Who wants their salary out? Remember, the only reason anybody finds. out the salaries people like you and I make is because the person on the air wants it out

and their agent wants it out. Somebody wants this story out and your take is kind of interesting, I think. So McVeigh's coaching his butt off. McVeigh should be in coach of the year, like a fringe contender. McVeigh's having a great year. And he's making $10 million less than Belichick. He has a Super Bowl more recently than Belichick. And McVeigh pushes all the, and you can I ask a question? Can I ask one question? And this, with all due respect to Monty Williams, what the hell is Andy Reid on this list? Where is he? That's a good question.

Listen, I got news for you. And Andy would spend it wisely on lamb chops and steak tips. Andy's my kind of guy. He'd know how to spend it. Where's he on this list? And I got no disparaging comments on any of these guys. They're all, they all earn it. They're all terrific.

Except Monty Williams. Well, whatever. They were desperate. He had leverage. Monty's a good guy. I like Monty. He's a very good coach. All right.

Good spicy stuff. You rebound it off the entire league once, Justin Fields. take. I might expand it from 6 to 10. I got more names on this list. We can do it next hour. I'm sure you do. J. Mack with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by.

The Heard Line News. Sometimes the simplest answer is the right answer. Justin Fields to Atlanta feels like a shot. I would ask yourself this. Which one would you watch? Oh, I'd go watch that. Bejohn, Justin Fields, Kyle Pitts, Drake London,

offensive coach, I would go watch Atlanta. I wouldn't bet him because I've lost so much money in my life betting the Atlanta Falcons, but I would watch that. I promise Arthur Smith has two turnover prone quarterbacks. Is he what a third one? That's a fair point. They don't want a guy who's throwing.

They want a guy who's safe hand. They would rather have like Andy Dalton as their quarterback. Not going to make mistakes. I don't think Andy Dalton has a big market either. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific. What's good, y'all? It's your main man, Michael Smith, esteemed NFL analyst and certified fantasy football legend.

Allow me to present to you your new favorite fantasy football podcast, The Dynasty Exchange, hosted by my first round rookie picks, Davis, Dylan, and Josh, three guys who most definitely know their stuff. They're the co-commissioners of the coolest and most cutthroat dynasty league you'll ever come across. The Yacht Club. And now they're the co-host of the most elite. Now make that the definitive dynasty program in the game. It's dedicated to only the most devoted of diehards,

the guys like me who can't stay off sleeper in KTC. And trust me, you won't regret making the choice to follow their dynasty advice. Listen to Michael Smith presents the Dynasty Exchange on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, 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 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, 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 where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, 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-tapped 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 J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a 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 was big to me not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack all day, but just so you all know. I mean, at this point, 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 for 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. Sunday, we got a huge double header on Fox. First, the Lions take on the Saints or other regional action.

Then in America's Game of the Week, Christian McCaffrey and the Niners take on Jalen Hertz and the Eagles in one of the biggest games of the year. Check for the games in your area Sunday on Fox. Jets are one of my picks of the week this week. You're back in Tim Boyle? Oh my gosh. You hate money, don't you?

You just hate it. Okay. So, you know, one of the things I love about the NFL is you can go from one win to 11. Bill Parcells did it, and he wasn't even coaching in Miami. Tony Sparano was. Parcells kind of turned over the bottom half of the roster, bottom third of the roster. You can go from one win to 11 very quickly. This is not the NBA where you get 19-year-olds who can't even have a glass of

wine and the hotel bar they're staying at. They're not physically or mentally, emotionally, ready to play in the NBA. It's not baseball, where unless you're like a Bryce Harper, you're going to be in the minors for years and years. Turnaround projects are harder in other leagues. They're not in the NFL. The Chicago Bears are not all doom and gloom.

So let me give you an example. Seattle and Detroit, on one really good draft class, one year later, you were like, oh, they got their left tackle, they got a running back, they got this, they got that, they got a receiver. Seattle, Detroit went from potential mass to really interesting in one draft class. So Chicago has the number one pick and the number four pick in the first round. I'll get back to that in a second. They're going to take Caleb Williams with the one.

They also have two fourth round picks. This is an exceptional draft at left tackle, at quarterback. There's a lot of players in this draft. Caleb Williams, plus an offensive coach, plus hitting on two or three other picks, think I'm wrong? The Houston Texans were a laughing stock. They were a warm-weathered Chicago. In fact, I would argue Chicago had an advantage on Houston.

They have a number one receiver, DJ Moore. Houston had a hit on like fourth round guys. Receivers matter. DJ Moore is the number one. Okay. So the Houston Texans were the Bears. weak ownership, revolving door at coach, not an elite considered an elite front office,

rebuilding roster, needed a quarterback. They hit on Will Anderson on the edge, they hit on a coach, they hit on C.J. Stroud, immediately viable. In a kind of wonky division. Well, isn't the NFC North sort of a wonky division?

Who's quarterback in Minnesota next year? You love? Jordan love? It's not doom and gloom. Chicago has a potential gold mine at that number four pick. So I would go get like a Ben Johnson, draft Caleb Williams, that number four pick. Let's go back to the board. So if you look at the draft board.

So we know Chicago needs a quarterback. They're going to draft one. Arizona is going to stay there. They need a weapon because they're paying Kyler Murray a fortune. they have to validate and elevate that position. Marvin Harrison is the best receiver prospect, maybe since Calvin Johnson. The Patriots are going to draft a quarterback.

But then Chicago's at four, I would trade down. You could drop down five, six, seven spots and get players. Tampa Bay needs a quarterback. The Jets could draft a quarterback. Think they'll go O' line. keep your eye on a team like Seattle or Atlanta.

Atlanta needs a quarterback. They've got two good backs. They have a titan in Kyle Pitts who hasn't been quite as good as they thought. They have a very good offensive line. That number four pick for Chicago is a potential gold mine. Once you get the quarterback, you could trade down just eight, nine spots, still get an elite player and get multiple picks. this is a draft with strong quarterback prospects

and nine teams in the NFL desperate for a quarterback or coaches are getting run. You could get, my takeaway on that number four pick, you can get two first for that. Meaning Caleb Williams is going to have additional picks. So they've already got two fourth. Offensive coach, Caleb, I think Chicago, there's a lot of,

a lot of Las Vegas needs a quarterback. They wouldn't move up to four. They've got Hunter Renfro, a star back, a great left tackle, a star receiver, a great edge rusher. They may not want to give up on any of those. But the Raiders, I've been saying this all year, they got players. The Seahawks are a prime example.

Seattle does not have, Seattle has one hole in the roster, quarterback. Pete Carroll's now in his 70s. You don't think Seattle, would give up, I mean, would they consider saying, we'll give you D.K. Metcalf? We'll give you one of our two backs. We'll give you one of our tackles plus two number ones. Seattle has the roster. They just need the quarterback. And as Seattle, if they lose to Dallas Thursday, keeps losing and losing and losing, and they have like the 12th pick, 11th pick. Seattle won't

move up to four. You could get players and picks. Pete Carroll now is not going to go with Drew Locke. Gino Smith's not the answer, and Pete knows it. They need a quarterback. The roster is set and it's young. Seattle could give you picks and players. So that number four pick for Chicago, if they stay there, is a gold mine. They would have been better off losing last night, keeping that number four pick. That number four pick, you know, that's probably Bo Nix.

Increasingly, people think Bo Nix is a really good number three quarterback in a draft. Maybe it's Drake May. Maybe it's Michael Pennix. But there is. That's a gold mine right there. So you talk yourself into doom and gloom. The Houston Texans were the warm weather bears. They were a laughing stock a year ago.

Hit on a coach, hitting a quarterback, hit on their number, Will Anderson, the other edge rusher. So you've got an edge rusher, a quarterback, a coach. Can win a lot of games in this league. Can win a lot of games. Good coach, good quarterback, good pass rush. Wins you a lot of games. It certainly makes you playoff viable.

You can have holes at linebacker, safety. So it's just, I don't think it's all doom and gloom for Chicago. And if you move off, so Chicago has two first, two fourths, they could have two twos if you get Justin Fields for, you have half the league wanting him. Can you, Tray Lance got a fourth pick? Can Justin Fields get a second round pick? So the Bears could have, I think he would. No, he cannot get a second.

A third is reasonable. Okay, two firsts, a second, two thirds, two fourths, two fourths, hit on half of those and get the right coach. You're absolutely instantly viable in that division. So where Fields has helped. You already have a number one receiver. You already have an excellent pass rusher in Montez Sweat. You have tight ends, I like. You have capable running backs.

You have an excellent corner who's a free agent. Don't tell me Chicago to Namp pieces. They like their left tackle. They like their star receiver. They like Montez Sweat. They should have a coach or a quarterback, which is kind of important. But to my point on Fields having a market column, we've seen a lot of starting quarterbacks go down this year. Yeah.

And nobody having a backup. There's a huge value in having a good backup, capable backup quarterback. And I'm just telling you right now, like if Jalen Hertz goes down and his knees looking tricky. I don't, I think that's one of your better suggestions today. Like, they've got to have someone. Like Marriota, he's a veteran, but he's always her too. You have been a super soaker of hot takes today. Super soaker of hot takes.

as a backup in Philadelphia is interesting. It's an interesting. It comes down to fields. Hey, dude, do you want to compete for a starting job? Do you think you can be a starter? Or do you want to be a backup with a good franchise, a winning culture, good coaching? Like, there's value in that. But it's a tough sell to a 24-year-old to take a step back.

Like he started a superstar in high school, superstar in college, the top 10, top 15 pick in the draft. Like, it's a tough sell to be like, hey, go be a backup behind Kyler Murray. And you're going to play because he's going to get hurt. Like, it's a tough sell. I think it's interesting. Thoughts on Jim Harbaugh, the herd hierarchy, an embarrassing loss last night in the NBA, and it wasn't the Lakers.

It was not the Lakers. Maybe the worst loss of the season for any team, and it was not the Lakers. I know. You know what I'm talking about. That's bad. It's embarrassing. Hour number two on a Tuesday,

around the corner. Live in L.A., it's the hurt. 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 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. 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 tontons 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.

podcast. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.