The Herd with Colin Cowherd - The Herd - Hour 2

Episode Date: July 4, 2023

In this hour of The Herd, Colin offers some bold predictions on division winners for the coming NFL season. Then, Nick Wright of First Things First and FS1 joins the program to poke holes in Colin's predictions and also weigh in on NBA free agency moves.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. 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.

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Yep, that's me, Clivert Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifers Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHard 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. 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 put on 10. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth.

Listen to Superhuman on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening to The Heard Podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio in noon to 3 Eastern, 9 a.m. to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the herd at Fox SportsRedio.com or stream us live every day on the IHeart Radio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. for listening to Fox Sports Radio. Welcome on a 4th of July to our number two. Hopefully wherever you are, weather permitting, you can get outside today in this beautiful country.

I'm going to have a chance to be with my family later today, wherever you may be. However you may be watching, viewing, or listening today. Thanks for making us part of your day. Ryan filling in, J. Mack is here tomorrow to do a solo. show. He's been with his kids in Florida doing volleyball stuff back, and then both of us back Thursday and Friday. Fourth of July is one of my, you know, fireworks, cold beer, sunshine, late. One of my favorite holidays. Hopefully it is for you as well. Thanks so much for joining us. So sometimes I got to give you bad news, and it's not bad news for everybody, but it's like

bad news. You have to tell people things, and they get very upset, but it's statistically true. For instance, if you're watching my show, your son will not play in the NFL, NBA, Major League Baseball, or MLS. Almost no chance. Even if they're really good now at seven years old. Almost no chance. And they certainly won't be a star. Right? That's just the truth.

The NFL has a truth. Since 1990, that's a lot of years. That's over 30 years. At least four new playoff teams. four teams that made it don't. That's the low. The average is six. Okay, now last year, it was seven.

Half the playoff teams, half from the year before, left. So I'm not going to go with a low or a high. I'm going to go with the average six new playoff teams since 1990. And I know teams that made the playoffs are absolutely sure they're momentum. them is headed in the right way. And these were not easy. Because many of the teams I left out have good quarterbacks or good coaches. But there's reasons for all of them.

So let's start with the playoff teams last year in both the AFC and NFC. So for our radio audience, Kansas City, Bills, Bengals, Jags, Chargers, Ravens, Dolphins, and the AFC. Eagles, Niners, Vikings, Bucks, Cowboys, Giant, Seahawks in the NFC. So I had to pick six. So in the AFC, I'm not getting rid of Burrow and Mahomes and Josh Allen. I think Buffalo will figure out a way to get in, though I didn't love. I didn't love how last season ended. So here's two teams.

Now, I think the AFC's got much better quarterbacks. So I'm only going to have two new playoff teams in the AFC because I do think good teams offensive coaches, star quarterbacks usually come back. So I'm going to take the Chargers and the Ravens in the AFC, and I think it will come down to the last weekend. And in the NFC, I'm going to get rid of the Vikings, Bucks, giant see-ox. Let me explain those six and why I'm moving off them before I introduce the new teams. I'm moving off the Chargers, and it was hard for this.

I had to pick somebody. And right now, Brandon Staley, juries out. juries out. Tough division. I'm not kicking my homes out. And I do think if you look at the Broncos and the moves they made to upgrade the O line, they have an offensive coach who has a chance to be a Hall of Famer, Russell Wilson, rebounds to some level. That feels like the Chargers could be on the short end. The Ravens, well, you'll see in a second who I'm replacing them with, but they're star players, including their quarterback, of their top eight players, seven have an injury history. Over in the NFC, I'm getting rid of the Vikings. Why? I like them. They're not going to go

11-0 in close games, and they no longer have the best roster in the division. I'm getting rid of the bucks because Brady retired. The Giants have a significantly more difficult schedule, many tough road games, lots of travel, and let's be honest, if Saquan, Barclay, doesn't come back and isn't ready early, this offense is a water pistol. And the Seahawks, I just don't think, Gino Smith will duplicate that. Their offensive line still young, many of the players I like, they've nailed their last draft or two, are really young players. So those six teams I'm moving off of.

Here's who I will replace them with as of this morning. Denver over the Chargers, I gave that one away. Why? Sean Payton against Brandon Staley. Rosters are fairly even. Steelers over the Ravens, they played great football in their last nine games going seven and two. And if you look at the Steelers, top seven to eight players, none have an injury history. None. T.J. Watt got banged up last year.

But when he plays, they win 75% of his games. I think the Ravens and Steelers comes down to the last weekend. I trust the health. I think they both have good coaches. They both have good defenses. They both have capable quarterbacks. They'll pickage young. The Steelers will be healthier late and eke in.

In the NFC, the Lions now have the best roster in the division. Jared Goff has gotten better since the moment he stepped foot in Michigan. I think it's their turn. The Saints have the best roster in their division. And with Derek Carr, I don't know if I love the coach, but Derek Carr on that defense should be a playoff team. I'll take the Panthers as my shock against the Giants. O-line as Jeff Schwartz talked about better than people think,

excellent front seven defensively. Frank Reich should have never been fired in Indianapolis. Carson Wentz, Philip Rivers, and Andrew Luck had highly efficient years with Frank Reich. I think Bryce Young will be very good. Now, I know I live in Los Angeles and you think I'm being a homer, but I'm also from the Pacific Northwest. I think the Seahawks and Rams battle to the final weekend. Who's got the better quarterback?

It's the Rams. The better defensive line presence. It's the Rams. I like D.K. Maitkaft, but Cooper Cup, the last time he was healthy, broke NFL records for productivity. The Rams are young on defense. So is Kansas City. You can be young on defense.

It's about blowing stuff up. It's about the ability to play fast. It's not about a playbook as much as playing fast. fast. Young guys can play fast. So my AFC playoff teams, bills, chiefs, bingles, jags, Broncos, Steelers, Dolphins. I think Miami could be really good.

In the NFC, Eagles, Niners, Lions, Saints, Cowboys. Yes. Yes, this morning, Cowboys, Panthers, Rams. The two big headlines would be Aaron and the Jets don't get in. I think it's very close and Belichick fails again.

I'm not sure if that's close. And with that, Nick Wright joining me. I had to make tough decisions, Nick. Yeah, that was good. I liked that. So can I, I don't know if they can throw it back on the screen. Yeah.

But I, so the only, the only, I don't really have a quibble, except I think the Rams are going to be terrible, but that's neither here nor there. You know, I think they could be one of the worst teams in the league this year. But what you didn't replace was any of the top six teams, like the favorites. the Eagles, Niners, Cowboys, Chiefs, Bills, Bengals, the six best teams from last season, the regular season, that if you were to have to pick one of those six, to me, and you probably know who it is, I have an easy pick. Yeah. I think, like, if there is a shocking, wow, that team fell off of the top six.

To me, there's a lot of warning signs in Buffalo, from Leslie Fraser's departure to Josh Allen's late season regression without Daibble to obviously the concern with Stefan Diggs and their inability, even with Diggs, to acquire a number two receiver. I can't see barring horrible injury luck any of the other teams missing the playoffs entirely of those top six. I think if there was a shocker, it would be Buffalo, which then maybe could open the door up for Aaron and the Jets or maybe the Ravens as a wild card team, something like that. Yeah, no, I have Miami winning the division. Listen to you and others.

I think there is regression. I think Miami, I had somebody in the league tell me this, that Vic Fangio is going to be a significant upgrade, not just Jalen Ramsey, that many people in the league are now copying Vic Fangio's defense, and that if Tua is healthy, they're going to be a bit of a buzzsaw. You remember last year, they were early before Tua had some injury issues. They were a buzzsaw.

I also think the NFC is weaker. than the AFC. And so I think there'll be more disruption. We can put that up again. I mean, I'm throwing it out there with Carolina. That's my shocking team because I actually think their defense in that division is really good. I don't think that's crazy. I think they could win that division.

I don't think that's insane, Colin. I mean, I think they win seven games last year with a disastrous quarterback situation. I don't believe in the Saints, mostly because of their coach. And I don't think they, I don't think they're particularly forward thinking. team. I think Carr's fine. You mention Vic Fangio to go to the AFC just quickly again. I, this is maybe more for fantasy players or for people that gamble on player props. I'm really interested in all of the AFC East quarterbacks what their season long stats will be when they have six games against those corners in that division. Think about it. Miami added

Jalen Ramsey already had Zavian Howard. The Patriot Strength is their secondary every single year. The bills now have Trey White and their first round pick from a year ago. Trey White fully removed from the injury. And the Jets obviously have Sauce Gardner and another young corner. Like you might have the best, four of the best seven secondaries in the NFL might be the four AFC East teams. So I'm really fascinated into with all those quarterbacks, plus Mac Jones in that division, how much success they actually have when you're going in those inter-divisional games.

So I think that's one of the things to watch. Let's pivot. I'll get to Dame in a second. I said yesterday, I thought the Lakers, it was GM-101 to move off Westbrook to retain Ruey and Reeves. I like Jackson, Hayes, size, give AD when he's out some size rim protection. Gabe Vincent, I don't like that Miami moved off him, but they're trying to clear space for Dame. Miami really likes Gabe Vincent, but they're going to have Dame. I thought the Lakers, I mean, again, I don't think it's revolutionary. It still depends on LeBron's health.

But I thought it was a darn good offseason. What say you? 100%. I think that they had the best offseason pending the dame trade of anyone. And I think it is noteworthy that the only team in the Western Conference, clearly better than them last year in Denver, had a tough off season. Now, this happens when you win the championship, but they were unable to add anyone, and they lose their fifth most important player in Bruce Brown and their eighth most important player in Jeff Green. So they take a minor step back and the Lakers take maybe a step and a half forward.

Here is what I know about the Los Angeles Lakers with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. When the team makes sense, they're awesome. In 2020, they had a team that made sense. They were the one seed all year and then rolled to a championship. In 2021, they brought that same group back with a few minor tweaks. They were the two seed, the night that Solomon Hill fell into LeBron's ankle and knocked him out essentially for the year. Last year, post-deadline, they had a team that made sense. They went 18 and 8, the best record in the West.

over that portion of the regular season and made the conference finals. They once again have a team that makes sense. You don't need a third star. Yes, of course. LeBron's going to be in year 21 and is turning 39. And Anthony Davis has a long injury history. Of course, if either one of those guys is injured for a massive portion of the season or at the end of the season, they're screwed.

But if those two guys stay healthy, this is unequivocally a team that can compete for a championship because LeBron and AD are still two of the 10 best players in the league and now you have the right types of personnel around them. So listen, I hope Dame goes to Miami. It's good for him. It's good for the league. But I do think Portland has to be loyal to Portland. They've paid him $233 million. He'll end up at $450 million. And they got three first round, five first round exits, three missed the playoffs. And he's been banged up the last couple of years. He was paid. They love him. But Portland's got to take care of Portland, and if San Antonio's got the best package,

I'd send him there. There is this sense in the NBA. And I said this earlier in the show about LeBron. There's this sense in the NBA that if you don't send a player to a decent place, they'll hold it against you. And it'll be bad for your franchise. My takeaway is, and I gave a list of players that have won titles in the last 30 years, and they were all drafted and developed by their team. They weren't trade guys or free agent guys, from Akeem to Isaiah, to Kobe, to Magic, here they are. Jordan, Magic, Wade, Tom. That's how you win championships.

LeBron's the outlier. He bounces around and saves your franchise. Sure. Even the Warriors won pre-KD with KD, post-KD. I don't think Portland owes, Dame, anything, although I do think they'd like to send him to the other conference, but where do you fall on? Hey, well, you got to take care of the player. My thing is, come on, guys, you paid him $450 million potentially.

So, listen, what I think teams should do or shouldn't do is less relevant to what teams actually do. And they send guys exactly where they want to go. Dwight Howard, where'd he want to end up when he was leaving Orlando? The Lakers. Where did he end up? The Lakers. Carmelo Anthony wanted to be a Nick.

Where did he end up? The Knicks. Anthony Davis wanted to be a Laker. He ended up a Laker. James Hardin quit on his team, wanted to be a net or a sixer. He quit on the other team and got to be on both of those teams. Kevin Durant demanded a trade, demanded the coach be fired, demanded the GM be fired, then laid down his sword. And then three months later demanded a trade again. And they didn't even hold an auction. They were like, it's Phoenix, no problem. Bradley Beale says, well, my agent's kid runs the sons. I'd like to go there and I have a no trade. He got there. everybody gets to go where they want to go. That is the history of this league. We can argue it should change.

They shouldn't do it. Put your foot down. Make that argument until you're blue in the face. Damien, superstars like Damien Lillard, who are essentially the tenured professors of the NBA, guys who have been somewhere long enough and build up enough equity, they simply don't get screwed. The oddly enough, Colin, the only time guys get screwed is when they don't demand the trade.

Blake Griffin never wanted to be traded and then got shipped to Detroit. He was trying to start a comedy career in Los Angeles, signed a new contract. They're like, nope, Detroit. Donovan Mitchell, even after the Rudy Gober's trade, did not demand a trade. And they traded him to Cleveland. Now that didn't screw him, but he obviously would appear preferred New York. When the players take it on themselves to put their foot down and demand a trade, they almost always get what they want.

And in large part, that is also because there is a cool, you know, there is a chilling effect on the market. If you're Boston, are you offering Jalen Brown when Damien Lillard is making it known to anyone and everyone seemingly through, you know, friends of his or people that he talks to in the media, he does not want to be there. Do you want to sign up for, you know, one of the faces of your franchise not wanting to be there? Typically not. So, yeah, I think this ends in Miami. And I've, for three weeks, I've been saying, I think this ends in Miami. It might take some time, but I think that's where it ends. I said earlier, NBA and NFL coaches, the legends, Red Arbach, Don Shula,

Belichick, Walsh, you know, of Phil Jackson, usually somewhere in their 40s or their coaching prime, they land a legend, Popovich, Duncan. And at that point, they become legends. And then 60, 70, maybe they get old. Andy reads different. He was really good, but didn't get Mahomes until year 19. Belichick got Brady in year six. And I believe if Andy, health permitting, coaches six more years.

six and wins two titles, though he won't have as many as Bill. Oh, you're speaking my language now. Coaching tree will be better, not tied to one player, progressive where the league is headed, that we will look at Andy and go, he was the better coach. He won 60% of his games, Prima Holmes. And that Andy just didn't get his guy, unlike the judge. Shula's Popovich is Belich. He didn't get him until you're 19. Right. And Prima Holmes was still in, what, five-in-conference title games, you won a bunch of divisions, was always good. So you said two

more titles. So that would put him at four. Belichick's at six. You know, Colin, I'm a big believer across sports that even if the alleged goat has six rings, once you get to four rings, you can overtake him, even if you don't quite get to counting the rings. That could be for best basketball player or best NFL coach. You can pick your poison there. Here's what I truly believe. I truly believe Bill Belichick has proven beyond a shadow of it out. He is the greatest defensive mind in NFL history. I know we don't count this on his head coaching resume, but the defense that he designed to shut down Thurman Thomas and Jim Kelly and Andre Reid and the bills in that Super Bowl for the New York Giants, and then the defense he designed

to shut down the greatest show on turf for his first Super Bowl at New England, and then the defense that he designed to shut down McVeigh and Todd Gurley and that Rams offense in his last Super Bowl in New England. Those things are one-of-a-kind unique to Belichick. But Andy is building out a resume from his success for Gitma Holmes with Nick Foles and Alex Smith and aging Donovan and our dear friend Mike Vic, who I thought never played the position better than after he got in trouble and had to step away from the league for two years and then got with Andy in Philadelphia. He is building the resume of the greatest offensive mind of all time.

And if he wins at a crazy level where football is headed, Colin, what's more valuable? The best defensive mind or the best offensive mind? What's more valuable the best defensive player or the best offensive player? There's no question. So he has a ways to go, but you are correct and you, to your credit, have been saying this for the better part of 18 months. The door is open for Andy to make that a very real discussion, and particularly when the Chiefs become the first team ever to win three straight Super Bowls, which they're about to do here in the next 18 months. So that'll make it easier. Finally, I said, I saw a story I led with this this morning that I saw the Sports Illustrated and said,

this is the year that DAC has got to get over the hump. And I said I got three years of college, seven years as a pro. We don't say that with Kirk Cousins. We know what Kirk is. Kirk is Dak without the star on the helmet. And if you go to stats that we judge quarterbacks on. They're almost identical. I mean, it's not even, you could almost take the almost out.

I mean, the completion percentage identical. Passer rating. Oh, that's crazy. It's in. I didn't know they were that identical. Right. Yeah. Now, DAC has mostly had better O lines.

I think Kirk Cousins take out last year's had sometimes better defenses. But they've mostly both had competent coaches. And my takeaway is nobody is asking this year, you know, Cousins needs to get over the hump. we're just not realistic with DAC. It's like, yeah, but that's, but that cuts both ways,

Colin. Nobody's asking Kurt Cousins to be their sleep number salesman either, right? Like, I mean, Dak, there is some unfair, and maybe he is actually, I don't know,

but Dak seems to have a lot of commercials. Oh, yeah. Compared to his, you know, achievements. And Dak's a good player. Yeah. And I think he is,

I would, if, you know, if, if it were my team, I would rather have DAC than Kirk. But it is, I think they are the 11th and 12th best quarterbacks in football or the 10th. They are right there. Yep.

But so it is part of the star on the helmet, the Cowboys quarterback. You get extra scrutiny. You deal with some extra nonsense, extra pressure. But it also, you are one of the faces of the league, even though this team has not played in a conference title game in almost. 30 years now. And so I think that's just how it comes. I know we're late. Can I just say one thing? Oh, yeah. Plenty of time. Plenty of time. Yeah. Oh, yeah. It is the Fourth of July. It's not like, you've got a lot of stuff to break down. So I've referenced this on your show before, but I want to do it again. Seven years ago today was the Fourth of July 2016,

which in the sports world is the day Durant went to the Warriors, kind of changed everything in the NBA. Yeah. And if I may say so, just to be self-indulgent, it also, in my opinion, is the day that my entire career and life trajectory changed because with some pushing from you behind the scenes to the bosses, I was filling in for you. I didn't really have a spot on the network. I was here.

I didn't really have a home, so to speak. And you advocated that. I get to fill in for you when you were on summer vacation. And then five minutes before we went on the air that day, the biggest story in the world breaks, the other networks in tennis all day, and there were a lot of eyeballs on me, and I was a 31-year-old kid who had done probably 45 total minutes of live national television prior to that day. And, you know, I think it went well. And I think that set the course for everything that's happened since then to where now, as you say,

I'm on a show with no budget, live in New York City. My wife owns a boutique here. Life's good. And none of it happens without you supporting me, Colin. And it changed my entire life. And I love you so much, brother. All right. Don't get me emotional.

Love you, brother. All right. See you, see you, Colin. Fourth of July. It's all true. Mostly he's really talented. That's the most true part of that story. And good for him.

Yeah, that was 2016, caught us off. That goes down on a short list of, craziest moments in sports. Kevin Durant's going to the Warriors. In fact, you could tell it was going to be good because everybody was furious. The whole league is like, that's like Burrow joining the Chiefs and being the backup.

This is outrageous. You know, but my takeaway was there's only one basketball. This is going to be crazy. It's going to be like an Olympic team. That's wrong. It worked perfectly. It worked perfectly for a lot of reasons.

One of which is Katie's amazing. The other one is Steph pulled back, gave Katie the floor in big spots, and it worked. And it would still be working if they were together. Katie decided to go elsewhere. So anyway, nice story by Nick is a wonderful guy. And if I've been a little part of his life, I feel great about that. Thank you so much for joining us here on Independence Day. At the end of your first year, Discover Credit Cards,

automatically double all the cash back you've earned. everything you've earned double, check it out, seriously for yourself. Discover.com slash match. Have an extra hot dog. Open a cold one today. Go outside. Get off that iPhone. Live in L.A.

It's the herd. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1, and the IHeart Radio app. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all,

embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having 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 I'm saying.

Yep, that's me. Cliver Taylor the Four. 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. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are, both lifelong Star Wars fans, 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 taun tons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to stuff to blow your mind on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Ryan on a 4th of July with the news. No, no, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. Start off with the NBA here, Colin, the 76ers have made their stance on Tyrese maxi very clear.

The team is reportedly not interested in any trade conversations that involve the young star. According to Brian Winhorst, Philly says Maxi is untouchable and would tell any team that wants him to, quote, lose. Our number. Okay, so you know I love him. That's right. And I admitted on Monday I was wrong because I saw all sorts of speculation they would move him. If you look, this has been one of my tangents. For somebody that's watching me on the fourth that doesn't normally watch, one of my tangents has been outside of like Steph Curry.

These dynamic young guards of John Wall, Derek Rose, John Moran, many can't shoot. so they have to drive to the basket more than I like to score and therefore get banged into the big trees of the NBA and get hurt. Westbrook, Wall, a lot of these guys, just not good shooters. This kid is a great shooter and gives you all the dynamic point guard qualities. So he's very unique. A lot of these smaller dynamic players have to score at the basket. He doesn't.

That tells me he could have a longer career. he'll avoid injuries. Not that he can't get without the hand check. He'll get to the basket anytime he wants. You can't stay in front of any of the. Can't stay in front of a jaw. You couldn't stay in front of Westbrook. You still can't stay in front of LeBron.

You used to have a hand check. Can't stay in front of anybody. But I think this guy's an ascending player. I don't know if he's a one. But like a Jalen Brown, he'll be in a short list of great, well-deserved financially set-for-life number twos, who I think will last a long time. so I didn't get all the rumors over the weekend that he was on the market.

Every year I watch him, he feels like he gets a grade better. And I think he's going to average about if Hardin's gone, when he's gone, he'll be a 24-point-a-game guy and one of the better three-point shooters at his position in the league. Yeah, you'd been on this since the end of last season that Maxi was elevating himself into the true number two role on that 76ers team. And a great two. Yeah, alongside Joel Embed.

Yeah. So we'll turn our attention now to the West. Conference. The Lakers didn't make any splashy moves this year in free agency, but they did keep their core players together. They retained Austin Reeves, Rue Hachamura, and DiAngelo Russell. They also brought in Gabe Vincent, Jackson Hayes, Cam Reddish, and Torrein Prince. Bill Plashke of the L.A. Times applauded the Lakers for their approach this offseason, saying they won the summer and expects the team to be a true contender when they start next season. They'll be viable. It's certainly an argument, although whoever gets down.

Dame probably wins. If you look at the history of the NBA, whoever gets the star wins the trade, at least in the short term. Like right now, it looks like Miami's had a rough-off season. They lose Struise. They lose Gabe Vincent. Tyler Heroes not loved.

They land Dame, nobody cares. So I thought they did mostly obvious remedial stuff, but I don't think you could deny. They retained the right guy. They bailed on the right guy. They got younger. They've got better shooters. They got a little longer.

So Rob Polenka from the Westbrook move on has done a really, really good job. Because as we all know, generally speaking, if you look at LeBron's career, this is a fair opinion. LeBron comes to your place and you win a title and then he leaves and you're kind of a mess for several years, right? Because LeBron doesn't want to play with young guys. He wants to play with high IQ veteran players, as he should. But what the Lakers are saying is, okay, you're going to leave here pretty soon. we don't want to be left hold in the bag. So we want to have shooters and youth and favorable contracts.

The Deelo Deals Fair, the Austin Reeves contract is reasonable, Gabe Vincent's contract on market reasonable. So I thought if you're a Laker fan beyond just a LeBron fan, it sets them out. It's the first time I've looked at the Lakers in maybe seven, eight years, outside of the bubble maybe, that year. And I think to myself, oh, they got shooters, length, youth, a good coach. They could live without LeBron.

If he left tomorrow, they'd have cap space. They'd go get somebody in the offseason. But it's like, if that's winning, then Plashke's right. They had a very formidable, mostly GM 101 stuff, but a formidable trade free agent period. They made the obvious moves, which were the best moves in this offseason for the Lakers as they try to keep pace in the West. We will turn our attention to the NFL.

Tuatunga Viloa was having a career year in 2022 when his season was cut short due to injury. There are conflicting opinions about whether Tua can become one of the elite quarterbacks in the league, but Dolphins receiver Jalen Waddle has full confidence in him. Waddle was recently asked what he thinks makes Tua special

and here's was, this was his answer, his ball placement. I think everybody sees it knowing exactly where to put the ball where his receivers cannot just catch it, but catch it and run with it. So that's what makes Tua, Tua. That was also what made Breeze, and that was his

comp out of the NFL. The difference is, and they both had an early injury of note. I almost feel like last year was his rookie year. So he comes into the NFL with a defensive coach. I think Brian Flores was a good coach, but very rigid and not a fan of Tua. The first year he's going back and forth with Ryan Fitzpatrick. There's Deshawn Watson rumors. It wasn't really fair. And then Mike McDaniels comes and when healthy, Tua was spectacular. In fact, he led in Pro Bowl votes, I think, if I recall. Had the highest quarterback rating in the league when he was healthy. Then he gets banged up, the concussion stuff.

It's frightening. Optics are frightening. Now in the offseason, he's put on about 10, 12 pounds. You can see it. He has apparently hired a juditsu coach, teach him out of fall. I just don't forget, don't forget how good Miami was pre-2a-ins. injury. So people love the Jets, but Robert Sala's a defensive coach. Mike McDaniel's an offensive coach. Tua is just as accurate delivering the ball, not arm strength accurate, as

Aaron Rogers. Receivers, easily Miami. Corners for the Jets great. Corners now for the Dolphins great. So, you know, I know we're all falling in love with Aaron and Sala, but now Tua's in with McDaniels. This is the second year. They've upgraded defense. They've upgraded defensive coordinator. We don't love the Jets' offensive coordinator Hackett. We love the Dolphins' defensive

coordinator. So if you look at what's winning in the NFL right now, it's offensive coach with a great young defensive coordinator. Now, Fangio's older. But that's been San Francisco secret sauce, right? Shanahan and a great young defensive coordinator that somebody carry picks.

So Miami has a chance. I haven't winning the division. I think Miami has a chance of two is healthy to not only be good, but be spectacular, like, be out of this world good. And I think the most important non-player coach move, arguably, of the entire offseason, is Vic Fangio for the Dolphins defensive coordinator. He's fantastic. He's a fantastic defensive coordinator.

And the other two teams the Jets have to look out for there is obviously the Patriots, you imagine, will be better because of their offensive coordinator situation. and then the bills will still be good. Maybe they're regressing a little, but it's not like they're going to go from a 12 or 13 win team to six. So they still have those teams to match up with well in their division. There's really only one team in the league that we could all agree. Could either win six games or 14.

And it's Miami based on two as hell. I mean, that's most teams we have a feeling. They're in the seven below, 11 up. There's very few teams you go. They could win 12 or 5. and it's kind of Miami based on to his health. So if he's healthy, I think they win the division. Ryan with the news.

Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Heard Lye News. I drove to work today, so I got on the freeway at 555 a.m. And it was, there were four cars on the road on 405 in Los Angeles. I got to work in seven minutes today. I'd tell you what. I'm not sure if Los Angeles was like that in the 40s, 50s, and 60s.

It's not like that now, but it was this morning. Happy 4th, back in a second, live at L.A., it's The Herd. Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. Hey, I'm Doug Gottlie. The podcast is called All Ball. We usually talk all basketball all the time, but it's more about the stories about what made these people love their sport and all the interesting interactions along the way.

We talk to coaches, we talk to players, we tell you stories. You download it, you listen to it, I think you like it. Listen to All Ball with Doug Alib 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.

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 Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes.

Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of tauntons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith Rule of Two. Listen to Stuff to Bo Your Mind on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This summer, it's the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, with the defending champs of USA chasing an historic third win. in a row. Don't miss the action when the tournament kicks off. July 20th on the networks of Fox Sports. Cannot wait. World Cups are great. We just have arguably the greatest men's World Cup final.

Fantastic. We got out of the group stage. We being the United States men's national team. Yes, we, I can say that. And we, our women should win. So I saw CBS today. You know, the NFL About every year they lose eight coaches, seven or eight coaches. So basically every fourth year, you turn over every coach. So what you don't want to be is sort of a middle-of-the-pack coach. Now, we know your Andy Reid and your John Harbaugh's and Belichick's have more job security. At any time, there's like four of those guys in the league, maybe three. But I saw CBS came out with their head coaching rankings. And, you know, for our radio audience, pretty predictable at the time.

top, Reed, Shanahan, Belichick, McVeigh. One of the things I do like about the NFL, Shanahan is viewed as a great coach. He had never ring, but you watch the Niners play. They're really well coached. Some of that's just quarterback injuries. So it's Reed, Shanahan, Belichick, McVe, Harbaugh, Tomlin. I think Sean Payton's low. I'd have Sean Peyton toe-to-to-toe, even above Tomlin because I think it's an offensive league over a defensive league. Pete Carroll, maybe a spot too low or a spot, you know, it's close. I like Doug Peterson a lot. But I'm struck by this. Zach Taylor's 14th.

You're telling me he's like the Jimmy Garoppolo of quarterbacks is 14th. Well, well, he's got Burrow. Well, let me give you some quarterbacks who got a great young quarterback and didn't get employed long. Chuck Pagano with Andrew Luck, Urban Meyer with Trevor Lawrence, Anthony Lynn with Justin Herbert, Bill O'Brien with Deshawn Watson and old Jim Morrow with Peyton Manning, the older Jim Mora, not old Jim Mora.

You can inherit a great quarterback and it doesn't go well. Now, we know quarterback is more important than coach. We know that, right? Belichick's sub 500 without Brady. But here's the thing about Zach Taylor that he's got working against him. One, we know nothing about him personally. He's got no brand, like nothing. We don't know a sense of humor.

We don't know anything about him. He used to coach under McVeigh and send him. Cincinnati is a low-profile franchise. The other thing we know is as a rookie, he took over a dreadful organization and went two and 14. Year two, Burrow got hurt. So he was 625 and 1 in his first two years. And as you guys know, if you've been on a date, first impressions are important. It's hard to overcome a bad eight minute if you start a date poorly.

You know, trip into the table, spill a glass of wine. He had a bad two years in Cincinnati. Not all of it, his fault. inherited a mess. But here's something that's noteworthy. I think he's three and one against Andy Reed. That's pretty good. And his quarterback's younger than Mahomes.

I also watched him go toe to toe against Sean McDermott in the playoff game and Josh Allen on the road and completely out-coach him. So how do you judge a coach? Watch him against other great coaches. You know, if you watch Tony Dungey and Bill Belichick, it was a chess match. If you watched Pete Carroll and Belichick in that Super Bowl, that was a chess match. If you watched McVey and Belichick, that was hammer and a nail.

McVey was not ready for Belichick. Belichick out-coached him. McVeigh acknowledged it. Sean was not ready to go against Belichick in a Super Bowl. If you watched Doug Peterson and Belichick, if you watched Tom Coughlin and Belichick, those are great coaches. You're watching it. That is a chess match.

Right? That's what it's about. If you watch Mack Brown against Pete Carolyn College in their prime, or you watched a couple years ago, Brian Kelly and Kirby Smart, George and Notre Dame, like you're watching a chess match here. I love McVeigh. He was overwhelmed by Belichick.

Zach Taylor's 3-1 against Andy Reed. And oh, by the way, his team has gotten better when Burroughs been there every year, 411 and 1, 10 and 7, 12, and 4. And he's been 5 and 2 the last two years in the playoffs. I am not in any way insinuating that Burroughs not a moment. majority of it, but there are certain stats which tell me about your coach. Since he took over the Bengals, they are the fewest penalty yards in the league. They do not beat themselves.

They do not get penalties. They're also third best, third down conversion team in the league. Again, Burroughs part of that, but they were much higher than other top quarterbacks. They don't get a lot of penalty yards. They do not beat themselves. They're excellent on third down, which is not only a quarterback stat, but a play-calling stat.

And they've been good against Andy Reid. Yeah, I know Burrell's great. I'm not in any way. Criticizing Zach for that. Burroughs remarkable. I think he's a second-best quarterback in the league of Mahomes. Penalty yards,

third-down conversion, better every year. Zach Taylor is not the 14th best coach. But he got up to a horrible start, and we know nothing about him. We know stuff about Tomlin and Pete Carroll. We know that Sean McDermott, though he's not really public, is intense. And coaches have left, and he's a defensive guy, and he'd be kind of rigid. Even if we don't love a coach, they've got a brand.

They've got something. Frank Reich played in the NFL. Erseye fired him, shouldn't have. We know nothing about Zach Taylor. I am here to tell you he is not the 14th best coach in the NFL. That would be telling you he can be fired at any second and the Bengals would be fine. I do not believe that's the case. Bad offensive line got to a Super Bowl.

Not easy. Hour three next. One more herd? The herd streams 24 hours a day seven days a week within the IHeart Radio app. Search Hurd to listen live or on demand whenever you'd like. Another podcast from some SNL. late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and Friends,

me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, S&L's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. 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, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifers Show.

This is a place for raw, unfills of conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to The Clippert Show on the IHeard Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged.

It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the iHeart radio app.

Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.